Norfolk and Minsmere,Suffolk 15th-18th April

 Avocet taking off

 Gadwall wing flapping

 Avocet taking off

 Redshank

 Avocet in flight

 Black headed gull on branch

 Avocet

 Little egret in flight

 Shelduck

 Avocet wing stretching

 Natterjack Toad

Just back from a 4 day break in East Anglia.The main reason was to hopefully see Natterjack Toads and Chinese Water Deer.On monday evening made a visit to Horsey gap.Unfortunatley the Red flanked bluetail seen the day before had departed but a female Hen Harrier,male Ring Ouzel and Grey Seals made up for it. Even better though was while driving back to our accomadation 2 Chinese Water Deer were seen in the road.They walked into the vegetation at the side of the road, we stopped and had great views with the torch on them!One down one to go.
Tuesday 16th was warm but very windy.Spent most of the day in Great yarmouth to allow the other half to have a bit of retail therapy,i Wasn,t to bothered as i,d planned an evening trip to Winterton for Natterjack Toads.We arrived at the dunes about 7.45pm.We had about a 15 minute walk to some of the pools.When we got to the pools some of them were dried out.I walked around the big pool that wasn't and "bingo" Natterjack Toad. About 5 were seen in the pool.By now it was nearly dark and i managed to get a record shot of one.Shortly after one started calling!
Wednesday 17th we decided to go to Minsmere RSPB Reserve in Suffolk.When we got there the wind was near gale force and it wasn't very pleasant walking around the reserve.The only birds to be seen were on the scrapes as the wind was keeping everthing else around the reserve down.1 Marsh harrier was seen and quite a few Avocets.I don't know about anybody else but i really do think in my opinion that the amount of Black headed gulls are really beginning to ruin the reserve.
Anyway,after getting both my target species on i can't complain too much!
Thursday 18th Retail therapy day ;-0