Waxwing, Bonxie and Jack Snipe added to my year list!

Monday 27th October 2025.

My first Jack Snipe of the year. This superb little bird was digiscoped at Titchwell RSPB Reserve this morning.

My goal today was to do a couple of hours ‘sea-watching’ at Cley Coastguards and then the trip along the A149 to Titchwell RSPB Reserve to catch up with a Yellow-browed Warbler seeing there were two there yesterday. The weather was going to be a big factor today and first thing this morning, it was wet and miserable! So much for the weather forecast predicting a fine sunny day as I took a bit of a soaking while walking the dogs first thing this morning before I set off. On a better note, I picked up three more ‘year-ticks’ including a very unexpected bird and not only that, there was a very good selection of birds seen today. Becky was more than happy to stay at home and watch the telly and look after the dogs, so I had North Norfolk to discover and boy, did I.

Cley Coastguard, Cley Marshes, North Norfolk:

One of several flocks of Kittiwakes passing close just offshore. 

After yesterday's most enjoyable sea-watch at the Coastguards here at Cley, I was itching to do it all over again, though it was that good, I spent a good three hours there. I joined another small group of birders already there at 7.45am and studied a very choppy sea, with a strong westerly wind whipping it up. Some of the waves out there were huge, but to watch those Harbour Seals go about their business on the waves, the sea was simply a big playground to those huge mammals. But trying to get a photo of them was near impossible as they disappeared behind a large wave to never be seen again!

This female Common Scoter flew close in and was among many seen this morning.

As per yesterday, there were a lot of birds moving offshore and I had apparently missed a Sooty Shearwater, Little Gull and a Long-tailed Duck already! However, I did get to see my first Great Skua of the year and a close one too as I quickly got the other guys onto the bird before it flew off fast east. Another was picked up sometime later, but a much distant bird was on the horizon. The shout went up that a Manx Shearwater was flying west and thankfully, I did see the bird as it went up and down over the horizon, effortlessly riding that strong wind. Good numbers of both adult and juvenile Gannets went through and there were several rafts of Common Scoter riding the large waves offshore.

Above, good numbers of Kittiwake passed through, with both adults and juveniles seen.

Other wildfowl passing through included Wigeon, Teal, a small flock of three Tufted Ducks and my first Goldeneye of the season was seen heading west. There were a few wader species on show this morning that included a huge flock of 200+ Golden Plover flying over the reserve behind me; with a few more flying over our heads. Two small waders hurried past over the shoreline and they were identified as a pair of Purple Sandpipers! That was unexpected. A large flock of Ringed Plover flew along the shoreline heading west and a single Turnstone headed close in heading eastbound.

Above, an adult Gannet was one of many seen and below, this stunning white adult Med Gull flew close in heading west.

Above, over 200+ Golden Plovers were swirling over the field behind us.

Other sightings during my busy time there included a Red-throated Diver just offshore although the sighting was brief as it disappeared behind the waves as did a Great Crested Grebe. An adult Mediterranean Gull in winter plumage flew close to the shoreline heading west and at least two Guillemots were close in as they passed by. A Little Auk flew over the North Scrape on Cley Marshes this afternoon and another flew past Salthouse this morning! By 10.30am, I decided it was both time to go and warm up in my car and head to Titchwell RSPB Reserve.

Titchwell RSPB Reserve, North Norfolk:

Brent Geese arriving onto the Reserve.

On the way there, I saw at least three Red Kites while I was driving along the A149 along with a couple of Common Buzzards and a Kestrel. A flock of large ‘Grey Geese’ flew low over the road and though a bit distant to get a correct ID without binoculars, there was a large white goose among them! Snow Goose or some feral Goose?

Above, there were several migrant Blackbirds in the Car Park along with several Redwing seen. Below, the weather had brightened up considerably and the wind had dropped too making watching the birds here most enjoyable.

Above, a Great White Egret on the edge of the Reedbed Pool and below, Avocets were using the platform to rest on the Freshmarsh.

On reaching the reserve, I parked up and took a walk up to the area marked Emergency exit where yesterday, at least two Yellow-browed Warblers had been seen. Sadly, no sign of the Warblers, but there were a lot of birds around, notably Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Blue and Great Tits and plenty of thrushes including many immigrant Blackbirds and Redwings. However, I was to be blown away when I caught sight of a Waxwing flying high over my head, then circle for a few seconds and then disappeared into a tall Ash tree; never to be seen again. It was simply too quick for a photo as I tried to get my camera ready, but I can clearly remember the colour of the bird and the yellow tips to the tail feathers. Yes, an early bird indeed and after I told the guys at the entrance gate of my sighting, I then put it on Birdguides so hopefully someone else might get to see the bird.

Above, there were plenty of waders and wildfowl present and below, Golden Plovers were looking for somewhere to settle on the Reserve.

Above, Golden Plovers circling the Freshmarsh and below, Brent Geese arriving on the Reserve.

After buying a hot drink and a hot Sausage Roll to enjoy, I made my way along the west side of the Reserve, joining the already many people present here. Earlier, within the Reserve Centre, I noticed that a Jack Snipe was seen by the Island Hide and as I made my way there, I found a Great White Egret on the edge of the Reedbed Pool, though some distance away. A calling Water Rail and Cetti’s Warbler could be heard deep within the reeds as I passed by and as I reached the Freshmarsh area, I took my time with my scope and picked out a nice flock of 7 Ruff feeding by the edge of the reeds. After having a fleeting glimpse of this species on Farlington Marshes earlier this year, it was nice to have prolonged views of this lovely bird.

Above, another view of the Freshmarsh and below, more Brent Geese arriving onto the Reserve.

Above and below, my best view of Ruff this year by far.

Other waders present included Black-tailed Godwit, a single Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Avocets, two Common Snipe and also a large flock of Golden Plover swirling low over the Freshmarsh. However, the best was yet to come when I entered the Island Hide. The shout went up by someone in the Hide that a Jack Snipe was showing well and one kind lady let me use her scope to view the bird which was on the edge of the water behind the islands. While I was digiscoping the bird (my first of the year), a Common Snipe joined it and the size comparison between the two was most evident, especially the bill size. What made me laugh, however, was a chap discussing my sighting of the Waxwing saying that it was probably a mistake by some non-birder! You can imagine the look on his face when I said it was me that found the bird! Priceless!

Above, a Common Snipe just north of the Island Hide and below, a mixture of birds including Shoveler, Teal, Grey Lag Goose, Black-tailed Godwit and a couple of Ruff.

Above and below, this Water Rail was a challenge to get a clear photo.

Good numbers of Brent Geese were coming off the Saltmarsh to the west and onto the Freshmarsh to join about 30+ Greylags present. Again, plenty of wildfowl present including Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler and Mallard and overhead, flocks of Linnet, Skylark and Meadow Pipits passed by. Over on the Saltmarsh, I picked up two female Marsh Harriers in the distance. I did not have time to go to the beach and so made my way back to the car as I promised my wife I would take her into Holt this afternoon, but on the way back, after I heard a Water Rail calling, I saw a bird skulking about in the vegetation below me, but getting a clear photo of the bird was challenging with all the vegetation in the way. Still, an excellent end to a brilliant days' birding here in North Norfolk.

Film footage of the Jack Snipe that was joined by a Common Snipe on Titchwell RSPB Reserve today. Apologies that it is a bit shaky.