Having waved good-bye to Keith and Iain at Oakham railway station very early on Monday morning it was time to see some birds. Rob and Dick from the ABA were staying on in the UK for a few days to boost their lists and pick our brains about Bird Fair and all things birding.
We had arranged to meet at Peterborough Railway Station where they were to drop off their hire-car and we would pick them up. We arrived bang on time at mid-day, just one problem no sign of the Rob and Dick. We waited, and waited, no sign. We rang them only to find they were delayed, still back near Oakham! Lunch was called for so we set off out of town and found a country pub and enjoyed a lovely meal. Back at the station, still no sign. We rang again and the guys said they were by the station, near a blue foot-bridge; well we were at the station and could see a blue foot-bridge but no Dick or Rob. At this point Ruth asked “it is Peterborough station you are at?” For a horrible moment we thought they had somehow gone to the wrong station. Yes it was Peterborough but the description of where they were just did not fit. Then the penny dropped there were two blue bridges! So re-united we at last set off for Norfolk late afternoon.
Reaching Weeting Heath nature reserve only to find the visitor centre had shut for the day. We headed down to the east hide and luckily it was un-locked, so in we went. A large expanse of short grass stretched in front of us liberally scattered with rabbits. We scanned for our target bird, Stone Curlew, but no sign. Dick spotted a Green Woodpecker feeding on the ground and we had lovely views in the scope, a bird we seldom see at home in North Wales and of course a lifer for Rob and Dick.
We then moved to the west hide and quickly found our bird, a Stone Curlew was standing close and what a cool bird, Rob and Dick were thrilled. But we quickly realised that it was not one but a whole flock of them! At least sixteen of these weird birds were in front of the hide and we soaked up the views in the early evening light.
We then headed north up to Titchwell on the Norfolk coast and our base for the next three nights.