Always Hopeful

I was unable to identify the 'fungi' photo in my last post 'Just in Case'. Not on the web nor in my ID book - because it's not a fungus. It used to be classified as such but now it isn't.

Thank you James E. for the identification.

 It's a slime mould, Enteridium Lycoperdon, sometimes called False Puffball.

Friday March 14

We didn't leave until we were sure that the overnight fog was dissipating. Would it have brought some migrants down? Or, was it a low one and they would have flown through above it? We didn't see any all day ....we had a lovely time though.

First stop was Sculthorpe Mill to try to see Grey Wagtail. One has been reported here this year but, they've failed to appear for us. Pam got us a hot chocolate from the Hotel and we sat outside at a picnic table, enjoying the view of the Wensum from directly behind the rushing mill race outflow,  widening into a pool and then,  slowing  to the well treed banks downstream. 

Pam's photo

We haven't seen any Greys at our other two sites, Gunton and Ebridge,  either .

Taking a different lane down to the coast road, leading directly into Thornham Village, a surprise Corn Bunting was perched on overhead wires. I suppose it's very near Choseley as the bird flies.

The lane to Holme village was delightful. A bridal avenue of dense white starry flowers festooning entire Blackthorn trees, meeting overhead in places.

The usual Mistle Thrush in the meadow where we turn off on the ever more potholed and weather eroded track to the NWT and NOA reserves. I wanted to 'do' Gore Point for the first time this year. I'm sure that the area holds the record for the number of Dunnocks per sqare mile. Wheatear plain was empty and only Curlew and a sole Linnet flew overhead.

Sitting on a convenient grassy mound at the Point, I scoped the sea and beach - in a very limited fashion. The sea was out as far as it goes and the fog lingered. The December Storm Surge has really changed the profile of this area. Mini stacks of debris raked up in the dunes stood sentinel to the extent of the sea invasion.

I love sea watching, even in these conditions. All the expected common waders along the shore and beach, most numerous were Bar-tailed Godwits and Curlew. Three Sanderlings and four Red-breasted Mergansers, two males and two females, for the month list. Although the spot is exposed and there was a slight and chilly breeze, sitting here for half an hour was surprisingly comfortable. It doesn't take much to make my eyes water which isn't good for scoping either!

Driving out, a Toad was walking slowly across the path. I asked Pam to stop in case it was a Natterjack, there's a colony here. It wasn't.

Thornham Harbour so that Pam could have something to eat and I occupied myself photographing a summer plumaged  Redshank and a Black-headed Gull swaying gently on one of the boat landing stage stancions.

After the obligatory Brancaster Staithe drop-in, we drove to Cley in case the Great White Egret was still on view. We couldn't find it.