Sheepishly, as if lining up in front of a firing squad, Paul’s students hand over USB drives containing their ten best shots taken in confinement. There are some excellent images, which raise the stakes and create an even more comical crescendo when novice photographer Gareth takes his turn.

The image of a still, limp bird appears on the screen. Silence.

“Perched birds are avian heresy,” Paul finally growls. “They have the ability to fly; I need to see this.

Then a shot of a squirrel on a park trash can, followed by a heron which seems to have soiled itself on a wooden pole.

Now even Gareth chuckles at Paul’s pained expressions, too funny to be offensive. And when a photo of two Langur monkeys grooming their buttocks appears, prompting Paul to joke, “My crack? Is too much to contain.

Paul has a reputation for being a master of tasks and he admits the blockages made him more critical “because we have to come out of it stronger and better.”

But once Africa reopens and more exotic wildlife becomes accessible, is there a risk that Snettisham’s knots will turn pale again in the mudflats?

Paul shakes his head vehemently

“Not at all. In full flow, these birds are a sight. I would stop anywhere in the world for them.

How to do

Exodus (020 3553 1347; exodus.co.uk) is offering a three day Norfolk Photography Weekend with Paul Goldstein from £ 499 per person (two shares) including all meals, accommodation at Castle Farm and tuition fees. A car is necessary to move between the locations. Next departure on October 10th.