Asian Desert Warbler at Winterton Dunes

I woke yesterday to news of an Asian Desert Warbler at Winterton Dunes in Norfolk. This is a bird on my dipped list having tried and failed for the one at Holy Island in June 2020 so it took seconds for me to decide I was going for this one as I had a free day and time for once was my own. I called Jim at 7.35am and by 8.15am we were on our way arriving at 10.15am to find the car park already quite full. We paid £4 for two hours parking and started the long walk north. After a mile or so we found a group of around thirty or so birders surrounding some shrub and joined the party. The bird was quickly picked up deep in the cover of the bushes as it was pretty cold and very windy. With patience the bird gave good views but was tricky to photograph in the thick cover. At last I'd put that horrible dip behind me and finally seen my first Asian Desert Warbler. 

Asian Desert Warbler breeds in Central/Western Asia and winters in North East Africa so this guy is a little lost. There are 13 previous British records with the first being in 1970 and the last being one I dipped in 2020 so this will be the 14th record for Britain and the second for Norfolk after a 1993 bird at Blakeney point.

Asian Desert Warbler

It was a long walk

A few like minded fools

Having used our two hours parking we decided to head home but diverted to year tick a Hoopoe at North Walsham which showed ridiculously well as it feasted on bugs and grubs hidden in the front lawn of the chosen bungalow. 

Hoopoe

Year list now 246

Life list now 449

Norfolk list now 302

I do love a list! 🤣