Cley Marshes NWT and Blakeney Point 13th May 2022

On our drive from Weyford Bridge to Thornham, where we had booked a cottage for the week, we dropped in at the Cley Reserve where we got our first Spoonbill of the year. There were plenty of Avocet. We got a distant Sparrowhawk and several closer Marsh Harriers but it was notable for its lack of waders.

We spent a couple of hours there but, other than as mentioned, it was Reed and Sedge Warblers, Cetti and lots of ducks. We have found that Cley isn’t what it used to be; perhaps since the site was inundated a few years back – perhaps there are just more sites for birds to visit these days.

I had been looking at the Bird Guides alerts and noticed that a Red-breaseted Goose was hanging out with some Brent Geese on the salt marsh at Blakeney Harbour. We decided to give it a go and quickly found the birds. The Red-breasted Goose was a life tick for us, though we have seen many in the collection at Martin Mere WWT.

The Brent Geese and the Red-Breasted Goose could be seen on the salt marsh opposite Blakeney Hotel. We viewed them from the raised path above the ornamental duck pond, looking the opposite way on to the marsh.

After that, we stopped ofr a drink at the very swanky Blakeney Hotel where the barman and staff were quite friendly to us. We had some lunch in the blazing sunshine – although there was a bit of wind.

After that we drove to Thornham and settles into out cottage, Sunset View Cottage – just a couple of doors up from where we have stayed in the past. It wasn’t as nice as the one we had before but it can’t be beat for location.

Bird Sightings : Cley Marshes NWT 13th May 2022

Bird Sightings : Blakeney Harbour 13th May 2022