"Two go off to Norfolk"..........

With a full two weeks off work over Xmas/New Year I fancied utilizing some of the time by taking a break up in Norfolk and back at the end of last September managed to book a beautiful little one-bedroom cottage in Dersingham at a reasonable price for Teresa and myself (why do most others take the p... and double the price over main holidays ?!!).
This is the furthest east that I've ever stayed but it is ideally situated for Roydon Common,Wolferton,Snettisham,Holme,Hunstanton,Thornham and Titchwell.
We travelled up on Sat 28.Dec '13 and returned on Sat 4.Jan '14,in between Teresa let me get out with the camera on a few of the drier/sunnier days,here are some of the results.......

1. Snow Buntings (Flock of c50) : Gore Point,Holme NNR
2. Knot : Gore Point,Holme NNR
3. Pink-footed Goose : Holkham
4. Wigeon : Holkham
5. Red-legged Partridge : near Roydon Common
6. Grey Partridge : Hunstanton
7. Red Kite : Holkham (Pair flew over - unexpected sighting)
8. Black-tailed Godwit : RSPB Titchwell
9.Egyptian Geese : Flitcham (can't beat a bit of plastic !)
10. Lapwing : RSPB Titchwell
11. Hen Harrier (M+F) : Roydon Common (best place I visited all week and made 3 "roost" visits)
12. Redshank : Thornham
13. Barn Owl : Holme NNR (morning hunting bird,couldn't get close enough)
14. "Sunset" : Roydon Common

We had a great week even with a few wet days,Norfolk though doesn't seem to be what it used to be even in the relatively short time that I've been birding,Choseley Barns were devoid of anything and talking to other birders Corn Bunting is now extremely scarce.
Good numbers of Snow Buntings but very few Shore Larks and Twite,none at the usual haunt of Holkham Gap.
Encouragingly Tree Sparrows still at Flitcham with loads of Brambling as well,good numbers of Brent and PF Geese at Holkham and several other places.
The "highlight" of the week however was my visits to Roydon Common for the Hen Harrier roost,what a great place which has been very well managed,visit details as follows :-
1st visit : 1 Male,2 "Ringtails"
2nd visit : 3 Males,4 "Ringtails
3rd visit : 1 Male,5 "Ringtails"
Always distant but great views and not close enough unfortunately for any meaningful images.
Thoroughly enjoyed and I hope to repeat the visit at the same time later this year.