As part of our activities week at school, I took 2 minibus loads of Thetford's finest to Cley, yesterday and today. Students had a great time, genuinely enthralled once in the bird hide and whispering to one another, never seen them behave like that! We managed good views of Avocet, Lapwing, Black Tailed Godwit and 2 cracking summer plumaged Spotted Redshank. Spoonbill were distant, only a glimpse at best. Down by the beach carpark,I picked up 3 Gannets heading east and a few Terns.....whilst watching the kids of course. Nice to get the kids away from their town, I was shocked at both how little and how much they knew.
Thanks to anyone involved at Cley and reading, I will be returning with them next year! After the River Warbler, it was nice for me personally to appreciate some of the birds it is easy to take for granted. Seeing the same Reed Bunting on the same perch the following morning was just what I needed.
Cheers,
Jim.
ps just a thought- any gull experts at Cley today? Picked up a Herring Gull-sized bird, pale almost white head, large bill, odd shape to the head....see where I'm going? Not a great view then I lost it. Just thought I would post on the off chance.