Holme-next-the-Sea beach

I love an early start to my bird watching day, so when the opportunity arises I like to grab it. In Norfolk (back in February) I got myself up and out to Holme beach for sunrise. It was cold, but the sun always makes things better when it comes out.
I had no idea what I was hoping to see, so anything was a bonus and there were a few too.
The tide was well out and it took me a good five minutes to get near the shore line. Redshanks were dabbling around the pools left by the outgoing tide and a few Sanderling and Dunlin were scurrying about as if it was last orders at the bar. Some Godwits turned out to be of the Bar-tailed variety.
There was a constant stream of Cormorants going across the sea and then a few flocks of Brent Geese came from the Snettisham direction.
A stunning morning which was just me and the birds.

A Redshank looking none to impressed.

Sanderling

Bar-tailed Godwit

Brent Geese

 

 Some that I found later in the fields feeding.

Geese a plenty - Norfolk

Geese are always plentiful in Norfolk during the winter months, and I managed to come across a couple of species that I'd never seen before. The first was the Black-bellied Brent Goose. They winter largely on the East coast, and Norfolk holds good populations. They depart again in March. I don't know if it was because I'd not seen them before, but I did find them to be quite a good looking goose. Certainly nicer to look at than the numerous Canada Geese we see all year round.
The second species I'd not seen before was the European White-fronted Goose. I only saw two and didn't manage to get any shots of them, but it always makes a trip worthwhile when you see something new.

Black-bellied Brent Geese

Pink footed Geese were always on the move, or so it seemed. Huge skeins could be seen high up in the classic V formation.

Pink footed geese overhead.

 

Egyptian Geese were quite plentiful. They seemed to turn up in most places.