Walking about in Short Sleeves

Friday April 8
At last I can access my Blog. It wouldn't load at all last night and I've had to switch to Chrome to-night. (April 9)
Via a Rough legged Buzzard spiralling into the sun at Horsey, we meandered to Buckenham Marshes on a superb spring day. Cloudless and warm despite the NW wind.
The flock of feral Barnacles, including the strange hybrid white-headed one, grazed on the left of the path, little else to see on the way in. 

The big pool viewable from the Fisherman's car park had the expected ducks plus a handsome Ruddy Shelduck which has apparently been around for a while. Shame it's not really countable......

Too distant for a sharp enlargement

Despite meticulous scanning of the countless birds on the wet fields towards the Mill, there was nothing of note - that's what the RSPB man said too. We stopped to compare notes with him, the only other birder in view at the time. Hearing four Sedge Warblers en route, only one showing, we parked at the Mill to scan the pools viewable there. A couple of Avocet, even more Redshanks, a single Ruff and nineteen glorious brick-red Black-tailed Godwit. 
Whilst eating our lunch, the RSPB man joined us, squatting on the bank whilst we talked Eagles, Mull, Scotland, Minke Whales and the effects of the cold winter on the birds . Pam heard a Snipe drumming shortly before we left. That went down in his notebook as there have  been very few sightings here. Despite the lack of Wagtails etc.  it was a thoroughly enjoyable hour or two, we both love the marshes.
Slowing down before the level crossing, first a Blackcap and then our first Garden Warbler of the year sang to us. A handy comparison. Our garden Blackcap and Chiffchaff have been singing for a week or more.
Strumpshaw Centre Hide had us counting Gulls whilst we waited for a Bittern sighting. No luck to-day. Reports of a Gropper near Fen Hide sent us walking the Sandy Bank. For the first time, a Willow Warbler stopped long enough for me to attempt some photos into the light.

The Grasshopper Warbler performed loudly and nearby for us from the reed-bed opposite the entrance to Fen Hide, stopped as we walked to the hide and didn't sing again. That was Robin's experience too. He'd walked to Tower Hide and failed to see the reported Ferruginous Duck - we didn't bother, it's a long walk.
A female Marsh Harrier made lazy circles in the sky as we walked to Fen Hide where we sat for half an hour, hearing a Bearded Tit and seeing a Chinese Water Deer.

Many butterflies around to-day, mostly Brimstones, a couple of Tortoiseshell and a single very tatty Comma.
Blossom against a blue sky is irresistible....I couldn't focus on the lovely scarlet tips on the branches of an unknown conifer.

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