Norfolk – Snettisham – 1st May 2010

We did this visit at the same time last year and found it perfect for seeing the spring arrivals settling into their territories and pairing up.

As you wander off the coastal path into the reeds and small tree areas there is an abundance of passerines calling and moving around. Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler & Reed Warbler together with resident Linnet, Stonechat & Reed Bunting.

Moving along and locating wetter areas it is not long before you pick up the reeling call of the Grasshopper Warbler, then it's a sort of stake out between you and the sound in order to get a glimpse.

The site is not all about breeding birds though, in late April and early May there is always quite a large passage through and on this day Whinchat were there in numbers along with Wheatear.

Life bird count: 395 Year bird count: 198 Month bird count: 64

Photo: Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)