Mainly chasing around and missing out on scarce vagrants, but there were some highlights.
We started off at Warham Greens, where a Pallas's Warbler had been present for 3 or 4 days. Unfortunately after about an hour or so it became apparent the bird had moved on as no-one had seen it all morning.
Cley was our next destination, and it was en-route to here that we noticed a group of Birders looking at the front of a house in Blakeney. We stopped to find they were watching a smart Black Redstart that was moving along the rooftops.
At Cley itself, a seawatch produced a couple of Red-throated Divers, some Common Scoter,3 Eiders, a couple of Gannets and lots of Brent Geese. A couple of Snow Buntings were near the Eye Pool and a ringtail Hen Harrier flew over
My latest attempt to get Curlew Sandpiper on to my yearlist was thwarted as our walk down to Arnolds Marsh where one was reported to be present, was interrupted by a text from Ray saying there was a Red-breasted Flycatcher at Holkham - No Contest !
Shortly after we were walking down the West Track to join the small crowd assembled arond an Ivy covered tree where the bird was hiding. It did prove to be very elusive, but eventually gave good if very brief views, but what a cracker it was.
Other birds seen here includes lots of Coal Tits, Goldcrest, Chiffchaffs, many Jays, a Buzzard and a Marsh Harrier.
While we were here, news of an even bigger rareity came through - a Red-flanked Bluetail just down the road at Holme. So we were off again.
Now to say this bird was elusive was an understatement. It had been showing on and off all afternoon, but in the hour an a half we were there up until dusk the only view I had one brief view of it flying quickly into a bush. If I hadn't been told that was the bird, I certainly wouldn't have guessed, so I will have to wait another day before I can add RFB to my life-list.
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