Starting at Holkham, myself and John had brief views of the Radde's Warlber that had turned up the day before, but the two people who needed it, Tom and Cris, failed to see it and we eventually gave up. An amazing number of Goldcrests were present (I probably saw over a hundred) but no Yellow-broweds could be found. We did manage good views of two Lesser Whitethroats (new for Tom) and a Garden Warbler, as well as a Hobby. Around five hundred Pink-footed Geese had also arrived.
Next we tried Walsey Hills for Barred and Yellow-browed Warblers, but neither were showing, so after quick views of Egyption Geese on the marshes we headed to West Runton for Blyth's Reed Warbler. However upon arriving we found out that it hadn't been seen since early morning and so we back-tracked to Weybourne. A long walk was needed, but we were rewarded with good views of the Lesser Grey Shrike that was present there.
On the walk back to the car we heard news that the Blyth's Reed Warbler had been relocated, so being a new bird for everyone apart from me, we headed back there. Again, both myself and John saw it (in my case very poorly) but Tom and Cris missed out again.
With time pressing on we headed back west, again stopping at Walsey Hills, were we had good views of a Yellow-browed Warbler. A quick look around Stiffkey produced little aprart from Little Egrets, and so with daylight running out we headed for Titchwell were a juvenile Red-necked Phalarope was seen.
Lesser Grey Shrike by Tom
