Cranes on the List

Sunday December 5

Sun shining on a sparkling, frost covered lawn, no rain. Let's go birding.

I'd read that Salthouse Beach Road was flooded  and Cley Beach Road closed again. Until the breach in the shingle ridge at Salthouse is fixed, so it will continue to be. That was no good then - even though a last scone (diet to-morrow) at Cley Centre was calling.

Would there still be Cranes at Ludham Marshes? 

The young deer, part of the sheep flock near Ludham, was showing to-day. The gate had a very strongly worded and heartfelt notice regarding feeding of the sheep by persons unknown. It had poisoned the oldest ewe and she is suffering. Why do people do this?

The Cranes were soon found, Firstly three in front of the distant St Benet's Level Drainage Mill.

A local man and his young son cycled past, then came back to ask what we were seeing. He dismissed the Cranes.........seen all the time! A nuisance at night when they call. I wish I could experience that. The most he'd seen was a flock of 37. It was a very interesting conversation as he knew local geography well, as well as the wildlife. The first part of the drive out is indeed Ludham Marshes, the second part Horning Marshes. It was he who named the drainage mills and pointed out rivers Thurne and Ant. Apparently the Cranes are nearer when viewed from Thurne Point. We shall have to investigate.

From the parking lot, four more Cranes were nearer. In total I saw 15 birds but there were probably at least the 17 I saw in December. They didn't fly to-day and again, kept appearing from the reeds and dykes. All at a fair distance.

I love this area. Pam has added Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Jay and Siskin to the year list, all seen in the garden. I missed them all apart from the lovely adult male Siskin....
Pam fills the Feeders, therefore is familiar with their placement and watches from the kitchen. I have to make an effort to see the feeders from the living room and don't understand her instructions quickly enough ! e.g. the second fat ball feeder from the right. Very frustrating for both.