West Runton and East Hills!

 East Hills, Wells

Started at West Runton at 6.30am to get better views of the Black-headed Bunting. Arrived at 6.30am, too late. An excited birder had had awesome views at 4.45am. It took me at least a couple of hours to see this bird once only, distantly in the hedge along the field and no photos obtained. On my way to Cley I stopped just outside Sheringham to take some layers off and could see the steam train coming and managed to get a pleasing shot as it was passing, see below.

 Whitethroat at West Runton.

 Swallow at West Runton.

Linnet at West Runton.

Steam Train on the 'Poppy Line' at Sheringham.

Went to Coastguards, Cley and had a snooze and early lunch. Really wishing I was watching a Short-toed Eagle in Dorset, but just couldn't afford to go and no lifts available sadly.

Walked out alone to East Hills to find my own mega. Mud was atrocious and I still can't believe I didn't fall over, either on the way there or back. Stunning weather. First time I've been out since last Autumn, so not seen since the storm surge in December. 20+ Ringed Plovers, along with Dunlin and Sanderling on the way out there, feeding amongst the bright green seaweed, they looked stunning!

It's a hell walk out here with the sticky, muddy creeks, quick sand etc, but it's always so exciting when you first get onto the dune ridge and especially when you reach the sycamore glade. Sadly it was absolutely dire out here for birds. 2 Pheasants, a load of Wood Pigeons errupted out of the pines and a single Whitethroat singing (yes it was, in case you are thinking Spectacled Warbler!) That was it, felt really fed-up. It was shocking to see the damage the storm had caused here, lots of pines were dead with bright red needles. Also several pines collapsed onto the beach, made for dramatic scenery. Walked back arriving at the the West Track, Warham at approx 4.30pm.

The main 'quick sandy' creek on the way out to East Hills.

Another creek on the way out to East Hills.

Tidal mud flats on the way out to East Hills.

East Hills and the sycamore glade.

Beach at East Hills.

Beach and storm damage at East Hills.

 Beach and storm damage at East Hills.

 Beach and storm damage at East Hills.

 Beach and storm damage at East Hills.

Beach and storm damage at East Hills.

Beach and storm damage at East Hills.

 

 Beach and storm damage at East Hills.

 Sycamore glade at East Hills.

Panoramic shot of the sycamore glade at East Hills.

Pines dying from salt damage at East Hills.

 Pines dying from salt damage at East Hills.

On the way back from East Hills.

The main creek on the way back from East Hills.

 The main creek on the way back from East Hills.

Went back to West Runton, picking Eddie up on the way to see the Black-headed Bunting again. I didn't see it at all, but Eddie did at 8.30pm in the hedge alongside the field (usual place). Annoyingly elusive this bird! A juv. Stonechat was on show though! Got home at 10.15pm, shattered.

 Sunset at West Runton