Ticks galore at Cley!

Norman, Brian and I made the usual early start and were in Bishop's Hide by 7.45. A Cetti's Warbler sat still for photos right by the car park: the first of several we saw. In truth the most interesting birds from Bishop's were the Black-tailed Godwits, many of which were in gorgeous breeding plumage: some bore rings of various colours, but I couldn't read them! Distant views of a Short-eared Owl and several Swallows livened things up, before we moved to the Centre Hides.

As we walked, at least four Sedge Warblers sparked up: must be Spring! A pair of Little Ringed Plovers and more Swallows were good to see, as were a couple of Spoonbills. We decided to walk round to East Bank, where distant views of a pair of Spotted Redshank were noteworthy, as were much better ones of a couple of male Bearded Tits.

Coffee on the terrace was followed by a drive to the beach, followed by a trudge out to the 'new' North Hide. Eventually we managed really hazy views of a Wheatear (and numerous F-35s in mock combat)

A brief walk at Morston was unproductive, so we headed back to the Yare Valley...