Purple Sandpipers and Snow Buntings: something from nothing!

Despite the early morning drizzle - and the promise of worse later - Brian and I headed north, beginning at Sheringham with a half-hour seawatch. This was almost totally unproductive, so we walked eastwards along the promenade, where we eventually found a very confiding Purple Sandpiper and a less helpful Grey Wagtail!

It was still raining, but the skies seemed clearer to the west: accordingly we headed straight for Holkham, where the first interesting bird we saw was a Swallow hawking over the boardwalk. A brisk walk to the 'roped off area' gave us decent views of a flock of 20 or so Snow Buntings. A good scrutiny of the saltmarsh failed to reveal any Shorelarks, so we retraced our steps to the pines and headed for the first public hide (The Jordan Hide is closed!) Lots of Buzzards and Red Kites, but little else, so we returned to Cley for tea and scones. The pager alerted us to a red-head Smew at Filby: it seemed rude not to have a look, but the Broad was devoid of the large duck groups of last week. After a chat with a delightful couple from Cockley Cley, we decided to call it a  day.