Purple Sandpiper

Throughout the winter months several Purple Sandpipers can be seen along the rockier parts of the north Norfolk coast. I was fortunate to find one at the weekend. Not the easiest bird to find, especially in the the gloomy conditions of Saturday morning, as it blends in really well with the dark stones. Having a hunch where to look does help, and I've found them here before. So I was delighted to find one as I peered over the seal wall. It paid no attention to me at all as it looked for food and the tide crashed into the rocks.
A bird I always look froward to seeing, as it is just a little different (and not as common) as other wading birds.

Black Redstart

I've not posted for a very long time. A lot of my time was spent training for my first marathon in October of last year. In fact, I have now run two. So I put my camera away for a bit, but still have my passion for birding, and I will be doing more this year than last. Not that I ever stop looking out and keeping my lists.

Anyway, I dusted off my camera and binoculars at the weekend when I when to Norfolk to see my parents. As luck would have it, there were a few decent birds very local in Sheringham. I pushed my year list up towards 80 for the year already.

One of my target birds was a very 'out of season' Black Redstart. A bird that I usually see high up on the buildings of Manchester city centre, and in the summer at that, it was nice to be able to see it at close quarters as it hopped around the surrounding apartments.

A great little bird to get on the year list in January.

On the lookout for insects.

An absolutely cracking bird.