It has taken me over a week after the event to post this blog, what with the job of editing nearly 1000 images, coupled with the fact that I have been'off-air' for a few days with my computer non-operational due to the room being decorated. Not by me, I hasten to add. Painting and decorating just does not float my boat.

Anyway, on Wedenesday 30th August I visited West Norfolk again, initially to go to Thornham to wait for the high tide to come in at around 3.30pm and see what birds came with it. The short answer - s** all.

www.reeftiger.co.uk

So I went to nearby Titchwell and arrived in Island Hide about 3.30pm, hoping for some action. This is the only hide on the reserve for photography. The new Parrinder hide is too high with any birds too distant. The water level on the freshmarsh was much better with exposed mud but no birds close to the hide. There was plenty of birds in the distance and working their way towards the hide while feeding but three time they were spooked before they came in range except for the odd female Teal.

Could this be another frustrating visit with clear blue skys and calm conditions but no photographable birds?

Finally, things began to happen as the mass of visitors started to thin out and by 4.30pm, there were flocks feeding close with in increasing number of local photographers turning up. Obviously, they knew the format but I was in the best position, having been the first to arrive. Sometimes patience does pay off.

The flock of birds continued to feed right in front of the hide, Dunlin firstly.

followed by many Curlew Sandpipers (one of my target birds)- 38 were reported in total.

One Black-tailed Godwit posed for a decent enough photo to entice me to add to the many images I already have of this species.

with a juvenile Little Ringed Plover coming nicely into range.

but the Little Stints disappointingly stayed at a distance.

A Spotted Redshank also decided to get in on the act, posing and preening in front of the hide.

The light was fading by 6.30 pm but with nearly 1000 images in 2 hours, this was a spectacular visit.

More images in the Recent Additions section.