Purple Heron at Titchwell: a rediscovery!

Despite the gloomy 'stay at home and draw the curtains' warnings on the Beeb, Brian and I headed straight out to Titchwell, arriving at around 8.00am. In truth, we didn't expect to see anything of note, but a good walk is always worth doing at our age! We started off in Parrinder Hide, where, as before, lots of waders were lounging around somewhat distantly. We managed to pick out Curlew Sandpiper, Knot, Dunlin, Ruff and Godwits, then Brian found a delightful juvenile Yellow Wagtail. This - and a beautiful cock Linnet - were the highlights from the hide (Several Spoonbills flew backwards and forwards)

As we were passing Island Hide on our way for coffee, I noticed a brownish heron heading east over the reedbeds. I assumed it was a Bittern, but when we looked at it with bins, it was obviously a Purple Heron. I managed half a dozen distant shots before it flopped into its favourite corner! Just as well, because when I told the vols on duty in Reception, I think they thought I was 'mistaken'! Luckily the images - though distant - were conclusive. This bird hadn't been seen for three weeks!

A walk out to the region where the Purp had landed was rewarded by a few Marsh Harriers and a Red-crested Pochard: after another grill of the calidrids from Parrinder, we decided to call it a day. As we left, there was a moth release going on in the woods: an Oak Eggar was interesting to view up close. Heading eastwards to Cley for a cuppa, we added Red Kite and Buzzard to the day's total, while as we sat and chatted on the 'veranda' at Cley, five Whimbrel and a Mediterranean Gull flew low overhead.