Failing to see the Black Scoter at Holkham

A birthday trip to Norfolk this morning. The Black Scoter was our main target, but we knew before we set off it was going to be a difficult challenge. We arrived at Lady Anne's Drive around 8am and had a quick scan for the Green-winged Teal that had been found on the 21st. We failed to find it among the mixed flocks of Eurasian Teal, Wigeon, and Lapwings, but we didn't spend very long looking as we wanted as much time searching for the Black Scoter as possible. We headed along the boardwalk toward the beach, only to find the tide had almost completely covered the bay. All that was left was a thin strip running along the fence line. Brian had made the right choice and put wellies on, I on the other hand had not, so I walked as far as I could passing the roped-off area but soon realised I would either have to suffer wet feet, take my boots off or wait for the tide to recede. I chose to wait and after half an hour or so, it was shallow enough in places to safely pass.

While waiting for the tide to recede I could see a long line of scoter out on the sea, but it wasn't until I joined Brian that I realised the true scale of the scoter flock. It was massive, and more worrying it was very distant! We spent over three hours scanning through the raft, picking out a couple of Long-tailed Ducks for a year tick, and a few Velvet Scoters were picked out. but the massive scoter flocks were just too distant. 

As Brian went off in search of Shorelarks, I tried to find a way back through the flooded channels to the car park. Missing out on the Shorelarks gave me more time to try to find the Green-winged Teal, which thankfully I did. It was asleep but showing well through the scope.

Green-winged Teal

We left Holkham and headed for Sheringham, stopping on the way at Cley hoping but not expecting to find some Twite. We drove along Beach Road and pulled into a small parking spot, after climbing the bank we immediately spotted a flock of thirty or so Twite close by. We watched as they flew across the path and then back again and landed among the reeds further along the bank.

At Sheringham, we took the footpath passed the museum and down past the shelter but could not find any Purple Sandpipers. The ticket for the car park was nearing its expiry time, but one last look over the wall to the rocks below and Brian found a single Purple Sandpiper.

Museum with the shelter in the background

Although we had failed to find the Black Scoter I still managed to add five new additions to the year list.

Hopefully, we will get another chance at the Black Scoter if it hangs around.