A cheeky couple of hours on the North Coast!

Since Linda and Sue (co-organisers of tomorrow's music quiz!) had planned a visit to two cash and carries to buy the food and disposables I was able to dash up to Blakeney to see if I could find a Lapland Bunting.

It was a crisp, clear morning and I arrived before too many dogs were on the scene: I thoroughly enjoyed both the walk out to the usual five-bar gate and an entertaining chat with a delightful couple from Kent that I met along the bank. We watched a mixed flock of Linnets and Twite some distance out on the saltings and, I'm almost certain, heard a Lapland Bunting.

I decided to relocate to the gate area, where a solitary photographer was stationed: this turned out to be Steve Gantlett, who is always a charming and fascinating guy to talk with. We reminisced about the old days at Nancy's and the excellent cheese on toast and bread pudding that were staples for so many birders in the 70s and 80s... After a minute or two the Twite flock dropped in to drink: I didn't notice until too late that my camera settings were less than optimal, but you can get the drift!!

Final stop was Cley, where I spent an hour seawatching in the company of Derek, another veteran of the 'good old days'. Out on the calm sea a large (but mobile) flock of Common Scoter held at least three Velvets, while among the occasional Red-throated Divers were two Great Northerns…