SNETTISHAM SPECTACULAR

   Yesterday I made an early morning visit to North Norfolk to hopefully witness the thousands of waders arriving in the pools there when the high tide covers the mudflats of the Wash. This event only occurs on the highest few tides of the year and cannot be guaranteed so it was with a little trepidation that I set off from the car park on the 1.5 mile walk to the watch point and hides. Standing at the watch point with maybe 100 other people we could see the advancing water covering the mudflats as we looked and the multitude of birds were frequently being driven closer to us to find mud to feed on. The majority of the birds were Knot but there were also large numbers of Oystercatcher as well as smaller quantities of other waders. As the top of the tide neared I moved into one of the hides to watch the flocks move onto the pools adjacent to the shore to roost until the tide turned and the mudflats became exposed again. The following photographs are of the flocks of Knot circling the pools and coming in to land.

   After spending an hour or so on the roost the flocks began to take to the air again and head out back onto the wash and they made a spectacular sight when thousands of birds lifted off together. I was told that the roost was not as large as it might have been as the wind had been in the wrong direction holding back the tide a little and preventing it from reaching its expected height. Consequently many of the birds managed to stay out on the wash and did not need to come in to the pools to seek sanctuary. The other pictures are of part of the flock at roost and the flock lifting off. This was the first time I had been up to witness this event and I don't think it will be too long before a return visit; a truly wonderful experience.