Black-necked Grebe, Great Egret, Cranes and other goodies on New Year's Day

Having enjoyed a wonderful evening with friends Sue and Peter (that didn't conclude until 1.00am) it was the abstemious Brian who drove Norman and me to the North Coast.

First stop was Holkham Park, where, after a few false starts, we enjoyed excellent views of a ruby-eyed Black-necked Grebe. Also lounging around the lake were a Great Egret and several Red Kites, as well as a Kingfisher and all the usual ducks. The walk back to the car gave us Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodie, as well as lots of photogenic Fallow Deer.

North Point added a few goose species but little else, while the famous gate at Wells was so crowded we didn't bother to stop!

After tea and scones at Cley we carried on to Acle, where a group of six or so Common Cranes were in their usual field: we weren't so lucky at Halvergate, where the Cattle Egret was a no-show. However, we did 'enjoy' distant views of a Short-eared Owl along the road back to the A47. A great day, with fifty species seen...