24th May - Norfolk, mostly sunny, very warm, 22C, light SE

This morning I made a trip to north Norfolk to catch up on several species.

Choseley Drying Barns; First stop was here to look for possible late passage Dotterel and breeding Corn Bunting, neither were found.  Plenty of Red-legged Partridge and a pair of Grey partridge was visible.  Swallows and House Martins were gathering mud from a large puddle, several  Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat were singing from the hedges and Linnets, Goldfinch and Yellowhammer were on the telegraph wires.  A Red Kite flew over and a Buzzard hunted the fields.

Titchwell RSPB reserve; he afternoon was spent here, over 70 species were seen.  Scarcer waders included a Ruff, Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper.  Plenty of Avocet too,  some with chicks.

Good numbers of the commoner waders were present like Turnstone, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin and Knot and at least 4 Little-ringed Plovers.  Lots of Shelduck and Gadwall, 7 Red-crested Pochard (6 drakes) were notable.

A Grey Heron was having a preen and clean, whilst a Moorhen was searching for food nearby.

Common Terns were on one of the islets, with 3 Little Terns, several Sandwich Terns were flying over on their way to the local nesting colony.  Black-headed Gulls nest here, among them I could see at least 6 Mediterranean Gulls with nests too.

Marsh Harriers were hunting prey and taking it to their youngsters.  A Cuckoo called from the large reed beds where Reed and Sedge Warblers breed.  Bearded Tit were frequently seen flitting about the reeds, several Cetti's Warblers were singing.

Dersingham Bog NNR; In the evening I visited this reserve that is renown for Nightjar.  Arriving early I had time to explore, commoner species were found in the bordering woodland, on the open bog area at least 2 Stonechat families were found.   At 2015h the first 'churring' Nightjar was heard briefly, no further 'churring' until 2120h when several started and began to fly.  Excellent views were had of them flying and wing-clapping display, sometimes right overhead.

Also, about 2100h Woodcock began their 'roding' flights over the trees and bog, great to see on such a lovely warm evening.  Unfortunately the midges thought so too and were very numerous and very, very irritating if you had not taken precautions.

The other interesting sighting just at dusk was a Short-eared Owl, not too usual to see one here this time of year.