Cley Birding & Birthday Lunch!

It was still quite windy this morning, but it was nowhere near as strong as it was last night!

Lunch at The Three Swallows pub in Cley with a few birders to celebrate Eddie's birthday (this Monday) which was very nice. No sign of the Glossy Ibis with the curlew in the flooded field near the pub, when I cruised past. An ivy covered tree had fallen across one of the roads in Cley.

Went to the Cley NWT Visitor Centre to collect three fabulous photographs of Richard Richardson that a VERY kind birder had left for me – thank you so much! Had a brief chat with Pat and then went to Coastguards.

Pete S. was seawatching outside the shelter. I ducked down and sat inside and found that it was really quite cosy in here and sheltered from the wind. Kneeling or sitting on the now raised shingle provides better views of the sea than there was before! Only works if you are under 6ft though! We saw 6 Fulmars going both east and west, Great Crested Grebe, Guillemot, several Cormorants and an auk sp.

Went to the Cley VC for a pot of tea and then went to Bishop's Hide. Big flock of Lapwing and Golden Plover, at least 8 Dunlin, a few Shelducks and 2 Marsh Harriers. We were then treated to a Merlin, which flew low over the pool west and scattered most of the birds. Pete then went home.

I parked the car in the East Bank carpark and walked along the East Bank and back again. The huge reed clumps from the storm surge are still strewn along the path. Spitting with rain and light disappearing fast at 5.20pm. Saw 4 Marsh Harriers over Arnold's Marsh and 5 Little Egrets flying to roost, that was about it.