After the hurly-burley of a very busy couple of weeks, culminating with family staying over the Easter weekend, it was very theraputic to get away to Norfolk for the day on Tuesday. The weather was not as good as forecast (the usual story) but I made the best of it, despite the bitter easterly wind.

First call was to the NWT reserve at Holme Dunes where anything of interest had already moved on - just a quick shot of a Pied Wagtail.

With a very high tide, there was nothing of interest at my usual haunts so I ended up spending the afternoon at RSPB Titchwell that was surprisingly quiet. As usual, the water level was too high on the freshmarsh so it was a case of concentrating on flight shots. First a Shelduck

then a two of the small flock of Brent Geese still hanging around.

Although distant under a cloudy sky, a pair of Avocets reminded me of what spring is all about.

and a pair of Sandwich Terns also displayed.

I really would have liked a close shot of an adult Mediterranean Gull but they were distant too but looked good in the late afternoon sunshine that eventually appeared.

Finally, an adult male Ruff, approaching it's very colourful breeding plumage made an appearance.

On Thursday afternoon, I slung my camera over my shoulder and walked aroung Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB. Not expecting very much, I was not disappointed but I did find a location where some Common Terns were feeding and flying by.

and a Mute Swan paddled past me just at the end of my lens - couldn't resist a quick uncropped shot.

Friday saw a friend and I heading south to Abberton Reservoir in Essex to see the Ortolan Bunting that had been there for a few days. I had never seen one and still haven't as it had departed overnight. The substitute was a Channel Wagtail that I had also never seen before. It originates from northern France and is a hybrid between a Yellow Wagtail and a Blue-headed Wagtail. It kept it's distance as there were many birders still forlornly hoping for the Ortolan Bunting to appear.

Moving to the other side of the reservoir, there was a smallish area of scrub woodland near the entrance to the reception building. We counted at least 4 Nightingales singing - there could have been more - and other warbler species singing away. Although spending time with the camera there was nothing worth keeping but on the dam there was a pair of Little Ringed Plovers that looked as if they could be preparing to nest.

With nothing else of interest we left for home mid-afternoon.