Final stand

27/9/08 North Norfolk - Simeon and James
Today was one of James' very last birding outings before he goes to uni. So it had to be good. With a nice fall during the week things were set for the weekend and rares had already been found. We started early and were at Burnham Overy by 6:30am!
It felt good. We were flushing Robins and Song Thrushes from every bush and also the odd Redwing. Goldcrests called but stayed invisible. By the time we had hit the dunes, we had already seen about 40 Robins and 20 Song Thrushes. Little Egrets seemed abundant with a total of 25 flying over (one flock of 18 birds)!
The dunes seemed devoid of birds for some reason but still a few Robins, Dunnocks and millions of Meadow Pipits. We then headed quickly for the pines after the Radde's came out on the pager for the first time that morning. On arrival about 30 people were positioned in a line and we joined the ranks just in time to see it go up and down again in the bracken! It was calling but we hadn't had good views so we stayed.
Over the past hour or so we eventually got good views of the bird (I saw it on top of a bush for about 10 seconds). We also had a Crossbill flying over and a Yellow-Browed Warbler, but it didn't show very well.
On the way back to the car we met Penny Clarke and after talking for a while we headed back through the fields towards the main road. Just at one of our regular scans James spotted a lovely adult Honey Buzzard flying quite low. It headed East quite quickly and we lost it over the pines.
Once back at the car we left for West Runton to try for the Blyth's Reed Warbler. It had last been seen at 9:35am and by the time we got to the deserted buildings it was 2:00pm.
I thought it rather odd that everyone was talking and no-one was really looking for the bird. A few people had gone round the sides of the buildings to search, but for the majority of the birders present, even if it had showed, they probably wouldn't have noticed. Fed up of "standing in line" James and I went round the side ourselves, only to find it 'tacking' in some reeds in a ditch! The first views I had of the bird were undoubtedly the best, with the bird about 3m away and unobstructed by reeds!
We alerted another birder and once positive of the ID I went round to tell the others. After the hordes decended on the ditch it never showed very well again, but enough for most people to be happy with the ID. The bird called a few times but mostly stayed well hidden at the bottom of the reeds.
Feeling very happy that we had saved some birders' day, James and I headed to our final site for the day, Titchwell.
On arrival we went straight along the path and found loads of birders on the bank. Someone kindly showed me the Pectoral Sandpiper in their scope and I then got James onto it. It was showing well but quite distantly. James then spotted the Red-Necked Phalarope which showed very well on the deck and in flight when it flew closer towards us and showed even better! It was associating with a Little Stint as a bonus.
The day ended with a visit to our old patch where we used to live. We didn't see any decent birds, but memories of finding Ring Ouzels came flooding back as we walked down the path.
A cracking end to a wonderful day with some awesome birds seen!