Last Wednesday,11th February, a couple of friends and I had booked the raptor hide at Bourne Wildlife Hides for the day but things did not turn out as expected. We were very kindly advised by Tom Robinson, the owner, that the very wet weather meant that nothing was showing so we postponed it to another day.

So we decided to take a punt and go to Norfolk for the day - rain forecast and so it proved for most of the day so, while these photos are not really up to standard, they were the best in the circumstances. First call, as usual, Hunstanton cliffs about a couple of hours before high tide. A few Oystercatchers

with the gulls loafing around, mostly Black-headed variety but one Mediterranean Gull that posed nicely.

We found nothing more of interest until driving around the Choseley loop where a couple of distant Brown Hares were getting soaked in the rain.

Next call was Brancaster with a few Brent Geese feeding close to the car park

and a Little Egret feeding in the, by now, heavy rain.

As we were driving out, I noticed what I thought was a Goosander in a channel. Stopping and reversing, it was a drake Red-breasted Merganser that proceeded to quickly paddle it's way into the distance but I managed a few shots, not the best, a record shot shall we say!!!

With nothing in the harours, we continued to drive into Holkham with only a Common Gull close enough for a shot

so, retracing our steps, we stopped at the roadside field where geese of various species often congregate. This time, there were only a couple of Egyptian Geese

and in the distance, a Chinese Water Deer minding it's own business.

Next stop of any significance was Brancaster Staithe harbour but with only the usual suspects to show. Herring Gull and Turnstone

Another day with not a lot to show for the effort. When will this wet weather change?