Salthouse, North Norfolk

[Fourwings]

Boddie and myself visited Salthouse beach on the North Norfolk coast today.
The main reason for our visit was the large flock of Snow Buntings that has been frequenting the carpark area for over a month.
Amid the Snow Bunting flock are at least 4 Lapland Buntings.

The flock is amazingly tame as people have been throwing seed down for them and if you are prepared to lay on the ground and wait you will be rewarded with some stunning close-up views of these magnificent little birds.
They were happily feeding within 6 feet of us at times today.
The only downside today was the very poor light which meant we had to resort to using high ISO settings and flash to gain anything like a decent image.

If you are looking for somewhere to visit in the next few days I can highly recommend this location, especially if the sun comes out.

The flock can be found in the area immediately west of the carpark (towards Cley) between the Shingle bank and the saltmarsh fence.

Snow Buntings at Salthouse.



Lapland Buntings at Salthouse



Steve.

[glsammy]

I'm please you managed to get some really good shots Steve. As for the weather, when will the forecasters get it right?

[John]

As you know Steve, I am about to leave for Norfolk myself today with Salthouse being my first port of call. I am armed with a bucket full of seed. Hopefully the Buntings will co-operate and the sun will come out at the same time.

I will possibly stay in Norfolk / Suffolk for the next three days so hopefully the weather will be kind to me.

I hope I get some photos as good as these Steve.

Happy New Year to you all.

John

[mrs fish]

Buntings are such sweet little birds, lovely pics thanks for sharing

[JeffH]

Sounds like you had a very worthwhile trip Steve, with some good shots of the mixed buntings flock.

I recall trying to get some shots of Snow Buntings on that very same beach nearly 30 years ago, but it was snowing quite heavily at that time!

Jeff

[John]

I followed Steve's steps and called into Salthouse on the last day of the year. It was dark and overcast but I had put a light of light coloured seed down which helped as a background and aided my shutter speeds. Thankfully I managed these shots from the same site Steve took his.

The first ones are of the Lapland Buntings.








The next are of some Snow Buntings.








Some Turnstone joined in and here's a shot of one of them.


Considering the bad light conditions I am well pleased with my very first Lapland Bunting photos.

John

[mrs fish]

I still remember your snow bunting pics you took last year John, on the beach in the wind

I might see some to-day as I am off to Felixstowe

[Hobjob]

Nice photos as usual John !

[John]

Thanks David & Mrs Fish

When are you back David?

John

Originally Posted by Hobjob

Nice photos as usual John !

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by John

When are you back David?

John

Yesterday

But she who must be obeyed had me lined up for other things
than coming to Salthouse ................