Reason, not an Excuse!

Wednesday, February 24 

As one ages, medical appointments become a more regular part of daily life. This time, it was the, twice deferred because of snow, chiropodist ordeal in Sheringham. During lockdown, it has become a pleasure to have a good legal reason for leaving home. Sheringham isn't far from Cley!

Only one car parked in Beach Road Salthouse. a dozen and a half Curlew occupied the east marsh, along with a smattering of Wigeon, and mainly, Black-headed Gulls.Three smart Great Ringed Plover on the western pool, along with three Dunlin. Ever optimistic, I scanned Little Eye for an early Wheatear, no luck.

A male Stonechat was startled into flight as we entered Iron Road.,several Shovellers and Shelduck shone brightly in the distant sea pool. As we crosed the bridge, my first Water Vole of the year swam leisurely across the dyke, dissolving into the reeds.

Maybe Cley Visitors Centre car park would allow an elevated view of the marsh. The hedge along the road end of the car park is now too tall. We envied the worker sitting in the cafe window surveying the view. Soon I hope. Pam paused on the top of the slope down to the old car park, from which she could see some of the main pool. I missed he flock of Avocets which made a short appearance at  top of the hedge level. I did not miss the flock of Golden Plover which sprang into the air before flying off west. 

Beach Road, Cley, was without the big pools of water previously encountered. On reflection. I knew that a small flock of Russian White-fronted Geese had been seen in the area. That was after my surprise at finding them. Far too distant to photograph, unfortunately.

We stopped near the cattle pens to view the enormous, tightly gathered, flock of Brent Geese on the Eye Field. Two male and a female Stonechat flitted restlessly around the pens. Maybe I could scan the geese better on the way back.They are probably gathering ready for their flight north to their breeding grounds.

In the pool  of standing water near the end, a lone Curlew was vigorously preening after a wash. 

 

A Skylark's glorious, spirit raising,  song as he rose into the blue sky, promised spring. Two more fed in the tall grass, plus one Meadow Pipit.

No, the geese were now giving even worse viewing problems. Flock fragmentation followed by a mass departure to North Pool.

Avoiding the village centre, we drove up Old Woman's Lane in order to access what we call Sewage Works road. Known as Bullfinch Lane to some - it's not named on the map - we stopped doing so as we never see Bullfinches these days. The gates to the water treatment plant were open, and, very conveniently, two Grey Wagtails patrolled the wall of the furthest gravel bed, often disappearing down into the bed to collect insects. They would have been my first of the year if I hadn't seen one hopping the water weeds in our pond before we left home this morning. 

 

Too many walkers in the lane for any roadside passerines. As we stopped at the ford, I said, 'come on Cetti's where are you'. On cue a short burst of song emanated from the alder carr.

I did some Mallard and Moorhen photography on the way home, folder fillers.

 

 

Apart from the chiropodist, we did not speak to anyone, leave the car nor in any way endanger ourselves nor anyone else during this guilty and very enjoyable mental health supporting exercise.