0600 I was picked up by my dear friend Darren Cowles for a trip to Cley Marshes and arrived at the car park off the coast road at 0645. A mixture of weather seen today included variable cloud, some threatening and eventually with rain, we also had bright and sunny weather. The main feature of the weather was the strong northerly wind and with the tide being high, some dramatic waves with some breaching of the shingle sea wall. Looking east along the beach the spray was driven inland to form a beautiful sea mist.
Immediately upon our arrival at the car park at 0645 Darren and I were greeted by the expected but stunning views of many hundreds of Pink-footed Geese rising up from the marsh and heading off inland to feed, not only great visually but audibly too. A Cetti's Warbler was singing close to the coast road. Overviewing the marsh before we set off saw hunting Marsh Harriers.
Heading off east along the path alongside the coast road saw a hunting Kestrel close to the roadside. We turned off the path to make for Bishop's Hide, a small bush held a single Reed Bunting and from the hide we saw a small spring of Teal and a single Shelduck. Having departed the hide we heard the beautiful 'pinging' call of a number of Bearded Tits, but they remained unseen.
We reached East Bank for the long walk north to the beach where we walked into the strong wind. A check of Salthouse Marsh to the east saw a number of grazing Wigeon and in a nearby pool a single Little Grebe frequently plopped under water. Further along East Bank a single Grey Heron stood motionless on the marsh.
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As Darren and I continued along East Bank we often stopped to look back at the further skeins of Pink-footed Geese rising up and heading off inland. About 6 Brent Geese also seen.
As we were on East Bank and with the light behind us we had further lovely views of hunting Marsh Harriers. A check of some pools further roosting Wigeon and a few Shelduck too.
We reached the shingle sea wall and spent a few minutes watching the very rough sea and big waves, some of which breached the sea wall with sea spray being driven inland on the strong northerly wind, dramatic but beautiful to watch.
Myself and Darren returned for a slow walk south along East Bank with the wind now thankfully behind us. Few additional birds were seen on the return walk, other than 3 Little Grebes on a channel on Salthouse Marsh. As we approached the second half of the path we saw 3 Red Kites typically using their skills to remain on a steady course in the strong wind. At the end of East Bank a single Grey Wagtail was seen and another Cetti's Warbler was heard singing. The walk west along the path to our earlier starting location saw a Buzzard low over fields.
Having spent a great early morning visit on Cley Marshes, we decided to travel the short distance east to Salthouse. It was here where a very threatening black cloud mass out to sea was to bring someone rain.
At Salthouse Darren and I watched one of my favourite ducks, a stunning Pintail, a very smart duck. Also a few Mallard, a couple of Shoveler, Moorhen, and a Water Rail were all seen within a small area of marsh and pools. We did have an encounter with a Mute Swan who became quite close and personal, and took a few bites of my camera lens along with the odd hiss, but once he knew he was getting nothing from us he waddled back into a nearby pool.
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| Pintail (a stunning male) at Salthouse was one of a pair seen. |
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| A beautiful male Shoveler |
Following our visit to this part of the North Norfolk Coast Darren and myself went for a delicious breakfast and a pot of tea in Cromer.
Finally, I wish to thank my dear friend Darren for taking me this morning to Cley Marshes. Thank you Darren 💖
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