.....and now for an Afternoon at Titchwell Marsh Reserve

8th October 2015

So leaving the beach the first stop was the tidal lagoon behind the sand dunes. I have never had much success here as most of the birds are fairly distant, but today was much better with both Ringed and Grey Plovers showing reasonably well on a spit not too far away. Also, one of the few Black-tailed Godwits around today was having a well-earned stretch and posing nicely next to a clump of autumn-coloured Glasswort.

On to Volunteer Marsh and the Brent Geese were doing their usual commute between the fresh-marsh and the salt-marsh to the west of the footpath. There were far fewer close-in waders along the channel that runs parallel to the path than usual, one exception being this lone Redshank.

However, further along as we approached the path to the Parinder Hide, there was a most unusual sight, two Curlews feeding shoulder-to-shoulder. Curlews are normally solitary when feeding but these two gave a few opportunities for some shots.

In the Parinder Hide the sun had gone round far enough to allow some shots to be take in absolutely beautiful light, including this young Lapwing, Teal and Wigeon.

On the wader front a sole Snipe gave a brief wing-stretch and a Ruff remained hidden for most of the time but did eventually come out into the open to strut its stuff.

But the stars of this afternoon was the flock of several hundred Golden Plover which lit up the fresh-marsh in the low afternoon sun. I have said it before and I will say it again, Titchwell never fails to deliver and remains one of the top sites for bird photography.