Shorelarks and Fieldfares with a bonus Purple Sandpiper!

Brian and Norman hadn't yet seen the Happisburgh Shorelarks, so we arranged to meet at my house at 7.30. As they arrived it started to rain, but we thought we might as well persevere, so headed north through Wroxham. I suggested a detour to St Benets to look for owls until the rain eased off: in the event we didn't find any, but there were lots of delightful Fieldfares, as well as Brian and Ann Shreeve!

By the time we reached Happisburgh it had started to drizzle again. I volunteered to go for a scout around and quickly found a group of half a dozen Shorelarks feeding on the path - I returned to the car to fetch the other three and eventually we all enjoyed decent views despite the weather.

A move to Walcott failed to reveal any Purple Sandpipers, so we carried on to Sheringham, where a single PS was feeding distantly on the rocks (it being low tide!) We enjoyed the friendly Turnstones for a while, before carrying on to Cley for coffee. As we drove towards the Beach Carpark a Woodcock flew right in front of the car: terrific! The weather had deteriorated once more and a close scrutiny of the huge flock of Brents failed to turn up the Brant. This seemed a good time to head home, stopping once more on the way at Ludham Marshes.

Still no owls, but we were treated to the sight of at least a thousand Cormorants heading westwards: flock after flock passed us, presumably on their way to roost at Ranworth.