Abbey Farm was not very productive, two Little Owls on the back fence posts was the highlight. We don't usually have to wait this long for our first Grey Partridges of the month, again at the back of the field, viewable from the approach lane. A couple in the hide told us that the Kingfisher nest had been predated by a fox. That explains their disappearance.
Maybe I should have checked the height of to-day's tide before visiting Snettisham again. It was still lovely, plenty of waders for Sue to scope, but, the water stayed a fair way out. Seeing four minute Ringed Plover chicks nestling under a parent was a treat, eight pairs of skinny legs only viewable, until they started dashing about like fluff blown in the wind. Just the one Wheatear to-day, at the edge of the first pit on the reserve.
Holme NOA Broadwater hide seemed like a good bet. Even fewer birds in view to-day. A Grey Heron and a Coot ! Patient scanning of the distant tree belt whilst Sue ate her usual smelly sandwich lunch (goats cheese, salad and horseradish to-day, at least it wasn't the usual over-ripe blue), saw a good raptor count. Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Marsh Harriers and the juvenile Montague's Harrier again. Our first Holme Bittern flew across the reedbed in front of the hide, excellent. Such a lovely russet brown. Having heard our first returning Whimbrel from the hide, two flew overhead as we left.
After a Yellow Wagtail at the barns, we made our way home, Sue had a physio appointment in Norwich at 5.00.
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