Dodging the showers at Cley NNT reserve

With the weather forecast less than optimistic, Norman, Brian and I headed north, starting at Cley. Apart from a few dozen Avocets and Black-tailed Godwits, the scrapes were fairly unproductive, so we decided on a walk right round via the East Bank. Two small groups of Bearded Tits occasionally popped up, but never close enough for decent photography. The sea was completely barren, but the pill box near the Coastguards (as was!) hosted four newly-arrived Wheatears.

After scones and tea at the centre, we moved eastward to Kelling Heath: lots of Buzzards and Linnets, but no DWs or Woodlarks, so we carried on to Cromer. By now it was raining steadily, but we parked right by the church and staked out the tower for Peregrines. No joy, but I did buy some terrific new season UK asparagus from the deli that's just opened nearby!

Last stop was Thurne, where we ate our packed lunches and marvelled at the size of the resident Poitou Donkey. No sign of the Cranes, so home earlier than expected!