Rain shower birding!

Sunday 1st February, a day of bright sunshine then followed quickly by a rain shower this weather pattern was prevalent all day I tried dodging the rain showers, albeit unsuccessfully as I got wet on each time I stepped out of the car! First stop was Pakefield beach by the Jolly Sailors pub (doing a roaring line in Sunday lunches as a whole host of people were going in!) and I met Derek B who just put out some more seed out within minutes the fine flock of Snow Buntings flew in, 11 strong they frequented the marram grass area before building up courage to feed on the seen put out in a line in the grassy area. 3 whiter males were seen among the flock and they fed for some 10 minutes before a few, 4 Feral Pigeons flew in and spooked them flying east and onto the beach. Also around 12 Turnstone flew past plus a winter plumaged adult Mediterranean Gull flew over the beach and southwards. Next stop Oulton Broad, the heavy rain shower shortened my visit here but I failed yet again to connect with either the Rail of the 'Fisher! (showy for others but definitely not me). At Ness Point 10 Purple Sandpipers fed on the area just east of the compass and a further 2 fed a few yards further north under a rock overhang, totalling 12 Purple Sandpipers in total, my highest tally this winter. The birds fed on the seaweeds encrusted rocks flying a little closer when a wave threatened to engulf them, as always charmingly endearing birds especially when they are just a few feet away from you!