Third time lucky - (K)not!

In my last post I mentioned two failed attempts to see the Great Knot at Titchwell.  Here are some pics from those trips which I've only just got round to processing.

part of the Knot flock (without a Great Knot), Titchwell, 17th June

Common Tern, Titchwell, 17th June

Blackbird, Titchwell, 17th June

On Saturday 18th I went up to Holkham for moth trapping with the Norfolk Moth Survey.  We saw 2 Barn Owls on the way up and while we were waiting for the key 5 Spoonbills flew over and a Great White Egret dropped in.

The following Wednesday I went searching for gulls in my lunch break.  There were plenty in the pig fields near Houghton though I couldn't find any interesting large white-headed gulls (a possible immature Yellow-legged Gull, but I wasn't convinced).  A total of 6 Mediterranean Gulls was good though, for such an inland location.

There is a pair of Swallows nesting in my neighbour's property and one has been singing outside my study window all summer.

Swallow, North Elmham, 24th June

On 25th June I headed up to Burnham Overy early, passing this Barn Owl on the way.

Barn Owl, south of South Creake, 25th June

There had been a couple of recent reports of Savi's Warbler at Burnham Overy, although the circumstances (twice reported early afternoon, but not evening or early morning) seemed a bit odd.  Anyay I learned that locals had not seen or heard a Savi's there, but there was a Grassshopper Warbler in the area.  Well today I didn't venture into the east dunes so I didn't even see or hear that, but I did see a few things worth noting.

Best was a juvenile Cuckoo in the hedgerow running along the dyke north from the staithe.  I heard it calling first, though didn't recognise it - I don't think I've ever heard a Cuckoo's begging call before.  It flew along the hedge a bit before landing in view, albeit partly obscured.  A while later it flew a short distance further and disappeared from view.  I could still hear it though and looked out for what might be feeding it.  At first I could only see Blue Tits and Sedge Warblers in the area and was pretty sure they weren't responsible.  Eventually a Reed Warbler appeared, carrying food.  The Cuckoo wasn't in view now so I can't be 100% sure it was feeding the Cuckoo, but I presume it was the Cuckoo's foster parent.

Cuckoo, Burnham Overy, 25th June

Other notable birds included 2-3 Spoonbills and at least 4 Bearded Tits.  Young birds included this Lapwinga and at least 2 Pochard ducklings surviving.

Lapwing, Burnham Overy, 25th June

Pochard with ducklings, Burnham Overy, 25th June

Afterwards I went back to Titchwell hoping I would be third time lucky with the Great Knot.  Saw 2 Mediterranean Gulls, a Peregrine and heard a Cuckoo, but not a Knot.  Well not a big Knot anyway.

Little Egret, Titchwell, 25th June

There will be some better news from Titchwell in due course, I promise...