Flush with our successful trip to Abberton yesterday and with a better weather forecast today, we hatched a plan to see a few more quality birds today. We began with a visit to Buckenham Marshes, and despite the early morning sun making viewing difficult, we managed to locate the Taiga Bean Geese shortly after arrival.
With the plan off to a good start, we headed seven miles North-East and stopped at Acle Bridge. Shortly after parking the car, we were looking at twenty-five Common Cranes.
Ludham Bridge was our next destination, and again we connected with both Whooper and Bewick's Swans immediately. We also added Golden Plover to the list when a flock of 50 or more birds was observed.
 |
Whooper and Bewick's Swans |
The main target today was the Desert Wheatear at Eccles-on-Sea, and we were now only 10 miles away from it. After parking at the Cart Gap pay & display car park, we walked along the beach and found the Wheatear busily feeding among the concrete sea defenses.
 |
Desert Wheatear |
Heading back down the East coast, we stopped at Hollesley Marshes in Suffolk and found a Peregrine perched in a tree a short distance from the car park. The main target was the Siberian Stonechat, and we found it in the field next to the winter flood shortly after arriving. It then flew to brambles close to the sea wall, giving superb views before it flew back into the thicker cover of the reedbed
 |
Siberian Stonechat |
Our final stop of the day was Shingle Street, where we spotted a Short-eared Owl perched on a metal post in front of one of the residents' houses, and we also added Corn Bunting to the day's total.
I ended the day with another twelve additions to the year list, and for the second day in a row, we had connected with every single target on our list.