Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk

Titchwell RSPB reserve is another 'must see' place to bird when visiting the north Norfolk coast. It has a variety of habitats which is always going to attract a proportionate variety of birds. There's some woodland as well as reedbeds, freshwater marsh, saltwater marsh and also the beach and the sea. For more information on this popular reserve click on the link above. Titchwell reserve is definitely a place that warrants the use of a scope, so maybe you can picture me (5ft 1" )juggling with a scope, bins, and two cameras! (-: In this photo, you can see the legs of my scope getting in the way of my shot (I guess I should've taken the time to put it down, but at the time, I was on a mission to get to the beach)!

The blue sky reflected beautifully onto the freshwater marsh which made the sandy tufty islands and banks really stand out in contrast.

Some, but not enough of the waders were reasonably close. This Redshank was obliging enough.

The calm day made for some nice reflections.

Here it's showing off the reason for its name! A common but very smart looking bird.

I enjoyed this Eurasian Teal with the early morning sun showing up his rich chestnut and teal green face. I also loved the patterns in the water here.

As he swam away from me, he made interesting textures in the water.

Here, showing the sun on that bright emerald green speculum.

One of the great sights and sounds I associate with Norfolk is the geese spectacle. Most of my previous trips here have been in the winter (February) when the geese are at their peak (in their thousands). In October they were just beginning to build up numbers and it was great to see this visible build up as the week went on. Below are a few Brent Geese flying over Titchwell reserve with their abrupt brrrrrup type call.

I finally made it out to the beach ( a good 20 minute brisk walk) and settled down with a few other birders to scan out to sea as well as pick off the names of waders feeding on the tideline. These included Oystercatchers, Dunlin, Turnstones, Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwits, Curlew and Grey Plover (Black-bellied US)

Only one species of wader ventured further away from the tideline and closer to us. It was great fun to watch these Sanderling 'working' the soft sand here. Running along in their peculiar but endearing clockwork toy style. (One of my friends remarked that when there's a good bird to go for, I resemble a Sanderling somewhat! Hmmmm!) (-:

You can see in both of these photos, adult winter birds (very pale) and beautifully patterned juveniles.

I'll have more from Norfolk in the next post.