An insatiable appetite for help with bird identification led 12 of us to the Old School Room at Sparham on Thursday 26th August evening to meet Steve Cale, our birding guru. The small finches, pipits, larks and buntings were our target.

First of all fix the family. How many times has Steve said this over the years, but is it that simple? Some pointers are that Pipits have pointed bills and long tails; Larks have longish rather thicker bills and a long hind claw (if you can see it!); Buntings have seemingly triangular bills and a deep ‘v’ at the end of the tail; the small Finches a similar bill but a small ‘v’. No more looking at a bird and guessing!

The Pipits studied were Rock and Water, Meadow and Tree. Larks: Skylark, Wood Lark and Shore Lark. Buntings: Reed, Corn, Yellow Hammer and the winter Snow and Lapland Buntings. The small Finches were Redpoll, Linnet and Twite.

Does identification become clearer as we go through the list? We shall find out on Saturday morning at Salthouse Beach and Kelling Quags.

A very cold wind met us and some succumbed to hats and gloves although one member of the group survived wearing a short sleeved polo shirt. Of our target birds we managed Meadow Pipit and Linnet. We should all be able to identify those with confidence now. I have to mention also the families of Sandwich Terns sitting by one of the pools. We rarely get such a very good view of this species. Sea-watching brought Gannet and walking through the dunes Wheatear and Whinchat. It was good to see Whinchats so well.

Kelling Quags gave us more good views of Linnet and Meadow Pip. Then we saw Whitethroat, seeming oblivious to us, and a wonderful Garden Warbler.

Time was marching on and some of the group had to leave. Steve, unstinting of his time, continued on with about half of us. We progressed towards the sea but took a path off to the right. Four birders we had met told of Pied Flycatcher, Garden Warbler and others seen in the wood. Of course as we reached the spot we disturbed them. But patiently sitting on the damp ground under an oak tree brought a pair of Bullfinches, two Blackcap families, more Whitethroat and a superb Garden Warbler. Patience rewarded but, alas, no Pied Fly. Not quite our target species for the day but no matter.

Rain descended on our way back to the cars so, wet and bedraggled, we treated ourselves to a pot of tea and big slices of cake in the Gallery Tea rooms.

Many thanks to Alwyn and the committee for organising these ID courses. They are very well worthwhile.