You can imagine when a very rare bird turns up in Norfolk you always think, Hope its not on Blakeney Point The walk from Cley beach carpark along the shingle to the end is around 3.5 miles and many a fine man has failed even to do it. The bird in question was a Sykess Warbler which would usually be on its way to wintering grounds in India by now. The bird was only about half way along the point when it was first found on Friday afternoon and had been seen very well. A trip was planned with Greater Bolton`s own Phil R and my two twitching friends from Huddersfield Dave W & Rob D. Leaving Yorkshire at around 4-45am and arriving at Cley around 7-45am after a reasonable run down the A1 then A17, only one thing was missing? No news on the bird had been received as we started to walk along the shingle, quite a few other birders were seen heading back, mostly with sad faces, but it was a lovely bright sunny morning! We joined in the search for the bird, but after an hour it was obvious the bird had flown. Between us on the sea we managed to find: - Black Tern, Red throated Diver, 5 Arctic Skua`s, Gannet`s, Common Scoter and lots of feeding tern`s. On the walk back a Common Crane was seen, that later landed on Cley reserve. A Hobby also entertained us as it chased insect prey around. This was the first time that I can remember going to see a rare bird at Blakeney Point and not seeing it, had to happen sometime!
A walk along the east bank at Cley marshes revealed a close Whinchat and lots of waders feeding up before heading along on their migration. A Barred Warbler had been found at Burnham Overy early this morning, but no more news had been heard, so we drove past it and guess what? It was found again just as we entered Snettisham!News of a juvenile Dotterel had us walking another mile and a half to see this bird, surely this bird would stay for us? A few birders on the way down told us that the bird was still present. After waiting patiently for half an hour and looking at the point where the bird had been last seen, we abandoned the search. A Peregrine Falcon flew over us and out into the Wash as it selected its evening meal from amongst the large amounts of waders present. Two Turtle Doves sat enjoying the afternoon sunshine brightened up a fairly sombre mood amongst us all. We left Norfolk and called at The Farm Café on the A17 and enjoyed a lovely evening meal. A long day ended with me reaching home by 8-15pm, a great day out nevertheless with good birding mates.
