A Day for Photographs! 27 January 2020

I had a lovely leisurely day out in NE Suffolk today and for once managed to get half decent photographs of pretty much everything I wanted to see.

I began at Kessingland where, below The Hollies I ventured out onto the wide beach and was halted by a lovely group of 8 Sanderling on the first pool I passed. I didn't want to miss the chance to photograph those as the species has always been one of my favourites. I then walked to the seaward side of the large pool and quickly located the single wintering Shorelark which was my main target. I had it all to myself and managed to get to within just 15 feet of it as it fed completely unconcerned by my presence.

Sanderlings

 Shorelark

 Kessingland North Beach

Then it was on to Ness Point in Lowestoft where 10 Purple Sandpipers were quickly found on the rocks just to the south of the slipway despite it being high tide (which, from experience isn't the best time to look for them!) c30 Turnstones and 2 Robins were also on the rocks and a few Kittiwakes offshore.

 Purple Sandpipers

I finished my day with a detour on the way back and into Norfolk to Hardley Staithe near Loddon. I had Stonechat, c4 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Buzzards and 2 Chinese Water Deer before I decided to walk the footpath to Street Farm. Here a Chiffchaff was by some farm buildings and 3 Redwings by a paddocks before I walked back. Then my searching paid off as 2 Short-eared Owls flew in and performed superbly around the rough grassy close to the staithe allowing more photographic opportunities.

       Short-eared Owls