North Norfolk & Ness Point

Visiting North Norfolk specifically Cley Spy, to get a replacement telescope for my ageing Kowa TSN3 where the thread had now completely gone, OFB and I went onto Kelling Wet Meadows and we had great views of the immature Pectoral Sandpiper. It was at the back of meadow, initially asleep between a grassy "knoll" by the edge of the water. It then woke up and fed by the edge. The bird showed the distinct streaked brown breast sharply demarcated from the paler whitish underparts. It had distinctive rufus on the mantle indicating it was an immature bird and white distinct lines on the back and the usual small "Ruff- like" shape with long primaries. We walked around the side where we were a lot closer to the bird, but unfortunately almost looking directly into the sun, rendering photography useless. Back at Ness Point, just after 4.30pm, I met Rob Wil, Andrew E and Paul & Jane F. Almost immediately we saw a fine brown Great Skua or Bonxie flying north just below the horizon. A Grey Wagtail was heard and the others saw it fly in off the sea. Meanwhile out to sea, a total of 10 Gannets (6 adults and 4 juveniles) were going north, singles of adults and juveniles with singles seen on 4 occasions plus a pair (adult and juvenile) and 4 (3 adults and a juvenile). 4 Mediterranean Gulls flying north in a group included 3 adults and 1 2nd winter that settled on the sea. An adult Little Gull was seen to fly and settle on the sea, whilst late on a small flock of 4 adult Little Gulls flew north. Also a flock of 5 Common Scoter flew north (3 males and 2 females). 3 Red- throated Divers flew north, all singles the last one flew past only half way out, with its head stooped below the line of its body. Meanwhile a flock of 300 Starlings amassed by the Gas cylinder and then onto the Ness Point car park area.