A 7.45am high tide at Snettisham on Tuesday was a worthy distraction and meant the second very early start of the week. Mark H swung by Stuntney Heights at 3.30 and just after 4 we were out on Dersingham Bog catching the tail end of the Nightjars nocturnal activities. This proved very successful and we had fantastic views of a male and some fledged young birds. A party of 8 Crossbill flew over and a Grasshopper Warbler reeled as the sun rose.
Arriving at Snettisham to a brisk and cool breeze we found various sheltered spots to watch the spectacle unfold. It was noisy, very noisy, with the chattering of waders and the incessant begging and contact calls of Sandwich Terns alongside the visual spectacle of tens of thousands of birds moving around frantically, it became almost overwhelming at times.
As the tide pushed on the waders became more concentrated the swirling masses of Knot and Dunlin billowing like smoke across The Wash.
It wasn't high enough to push all the waders on to the sanctuary of the pits but they still held thousands of waders including a posse of Spotted Redshanks.
A family of Med Gulls occupied the peak of a pebble island, the adults doing their best to push some independence upon the youngsters.
We heard and saw a few Turtle Doves, which I savoured every opportunity I get. On our return to the car park a lone bird held territory and displayed.
Beautiful Pictures and lively video ... Thanks for Sharing
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