With news of a possible 1st summer Black Scoter seen offshore at Titchwell, we decide to make the trip and maybe bag an insurance tick just in case.
The day didn't quite go to plan as far as the scoter or the weather was concerned.
Leaving Essex at 6am the weather looked good, but nearing Norfolk and Titchwell the weather had turned and light rain was hitting the windscreen.
Heading off along the footpath the rain is directly into the face, So a brief stop at Island hide was in order until the rain eased off.
At Parrinder hide (south) there was plenty of activity to keep us occupied and entertained. Six Spoonbills 4 adults and 2 juveniles flew in, with the juveniles constantly begging for food.
A smart Little Stint was found feeding among a small group of Dunlin, Spotted Redshanks were now well on the way into winter plumage. 4 Little Gulls, a single Common Sandpiper and a very welcome year tick in the form of a Green Sandpiper. Ruff were present in good numbers and in varying plumages.
Sadly one of these Ruff had lost one of it's legs below the knee. But it didn't seem to hinder it very much and it was happily hopping around feeding as well as any of the other Ruff.
Black-tailed Godwits and Avocets were seen in good numbers with a few Avocet chicks in varying stages of development were seen along with two juvenile Little Ringed Plover.
Reaching the beach and scanning the sea we were disappointed to find just a single Common Scoter a few Gannets and Little and Sandwich Terns.
Speaking to some of the locals who had seen the scoter over the last couple of days, it seems they are not convinced about this birds credentials, and are much more inclined towards an aberrant Common Scoter.
Along the shoreline there were large numbers of Knot along with Sanderling, Oystercatcher, Bar-tailed Godwits and Turnstones.
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