World Trip Reports
A novice does Norfolk
Well my first trip to Norfolk.....actually my first major trip anywhere since i started bird watching at the beginning of the year.
A very enjoyable long weekend with beautiful countryside and some good birds.
Started off near Weeting looking for Stone Curlew but i think having not got there till 9am i had missed the morning parade but managed a few Grey Partridge and a couple of Skylark in a neighbouring field.
From there i had a quick look at Lakenheath airbase (i'm a plane buff as well) and nearly ran over a couple of Quail!!!!(edit been told a bit early for these yet and they are quite hard to see so maybe not ) as they crossed in front of me on the track round by the Warren.
Drove over to Lakenheath Fen and had a wander around the site.A bit early for the Orioles but had a nice view of a Common Buzzard climbing out and circling the area and some very fleeting views of Bearded Tit bottoms as they scarpered away from the wife and i.
Nothing much else here,a few HouseMartins flitting about,some Tufted Ducks,G.C Grebe.
A very quiet reserve with lots of potential i think.
Onwards to Weeting Heath for a second bash at Stone Curlew but alas we had missed a pair by about half an hour plus also a passing Wheatear.Nothing much else here apart from loads of Goldfinches and a few Mistle Thrushes.
Onwards to Hunstanton for a well earned Coffee and a Sausage butty by the cliffs.The usual Gulls plus 2 Fulmars and some Oystercatchers on the Golf Course.
Took a wrong turn as we left here and went up Cliff Road by mistake and happened across a group of about 20 birds which i though were Ringed Plover feeding on the grass by the road.They didn't have the full white ring round the throat though.........this was partly white but had a lot of brown speckled spots in it.We had a camera but forgot about taking a pic.
Anyone help with these?
Moved onto Holme almost running over a Stoat as we entered the reserve.
Not a lot about but my saw my first Avocets here.
Got to our base of Wells about 5ish and got unpacked and had a wander along East Quay as the tide was out and saw a load of Redshank and Curlews as well as the hordes of Black Headed Gulls
In the morning it was off to Cley and we got there as the Marsh Harriers were out and about.Saw three different birds over a 30 minute period and what a marvel to watch.
When we pulled up here the car park was heaving so we went up to the visitor centre in time to see loads of birders running around shouting what sounded like "Killdeer".I just put this down to to much to drink the night before but when we went back outside all the cars had gone or were going.Strange i thought to myself.
Anyway we went round the reserve..........not a great deal going on there then we decided to go off to Blakeney Quay for a bite to eat.
As i got out of the car this bloke says to me "wheres the killdeer then mate".If you are reading this then i apologise for looking stupid when you asked me that but i didn't have a clue what he was on about.
Anyway by now i had deduced that something was up so got my book out and had a look and found the pic and description of it.
Had a look around and decided to follow where everyone else was heading and found the little beauty after a short walk.
Lucky me.......not a bad bird for my first proper trip out.
Next was a visit to Stiffkey Marsh where a couple of Little Egrets had just landed.A few passing Meadow Pipits and a swallow helped the list here.
Here we met a retired couple called Margaret and Eric who took us under there wing and walked with us through the woods here.They gave us a tip on where to watch Barn Owl flying later in the evening.
Thank you both if you are reading this for your kindness and sharing your knowledge.
So off we went to Glandford that evening and parked up by the field and we sat there for 45 minutes in the pouring rain.The rain stopped and we were just about to go when out of the corner of my eye it appeared gliding over the top of us and into the field where we watched it hunting for at leat 10 minutes...........FANTASTIC.
Well the last day was spent at Titchwell joining the guided tour led by David Hawkins.What a fantastic place it is.More spectacular views of Marsh Harrier plus all the usual waders etc. including a Little Ringed Plover.
Lastly we popped into Holkham Pines and Hall but nothing of consequence except a few Chiffchaff
All in all a very enjoyable weekend with about 60 birds listed.
Not a particularly long list for a long weekend but i put that down to my inexperience and lack of knowledge plus the bloody cold wind which blew for all 4 days which kept the birds hunkered down.Some local birders i met said this was the coldest April they had known for ages and it had slowed down the migration somewhat.
Anyway my thanks to Postcardcv,Rezmole and Reader for there info and help with some facets of my trip.
The next trip is being planned as i type.
Cheers
Mark
If your mystery birds were on the grass by the cliffs they were most likely Turnstones,its one of the few places where I've seen them feeding by the side of the road.
Sounds like you had a REALLY fabulous time Mark 
Killdeer? WOW!!!!!!!!! Now THAT is a super bird! And Barn Owl too! It took me over twenty years to see my first Barn Owl 
- though I am fortunate to live somewhere where they are quite a regular sight.
And how lovely of Margaret and Eric to be so helpful to you - I've found an awful lot of birders WILL go out of their way to help each other. Most folk are more than happy to share their knowledge, experience and insider knowledge. 
Good report - look forward to hearing more about your birding exploits.