Strike whilst the bug is hot.
Pam saw a Nuthatch at our feeders this morning, pointing out a Jay for me, she saw one yesterday.
A most unattractive looking day. Louring sky, gloomy, wet roads with dripping hedgerows. Maybe a short outing. As we approached the T junction beyond Strumpshaw, the rubbish lorry went by, towards the railway crossing. Damn. Pam turned the car round, parked at Strumpshaw and we walked to the Centre. Which was closed. Staff illness. The reserve is already closed due to flooding. We viewed a number of Wigeon, a pair of Gadwall and a Marsh Harrier from the outside open area. Ben, the warden appeared beside us, having tired of a morning in his office, working on a computer. His intention was to measure the salinity of the reserve's water.
During our informative chat, we learned that there were no White-fronted Geese at Buckenham and that if they were at North Warren, they were not here and, vice versa.
Only 5 Taiga Bean Geese this year, not reported for several days now. Again, he opined that 'ours' were going to the continent instead, most of them staying north anyway. A flock of 100 were reported from Scotland to-day.
We then moved on to moths. Ben doesn't trap after the end of October but found a new moth for him in his office this morning. A case-bearer (Micro).I didn't like to ask to see it.
Back to the Level Crossing to Buckenham, the lorry had indeed finished and gone.
At first scan, the marshes were absolutely deserted, Cantley's smoke trail lying horizontol on the horizon. Nearing the fishermen's car park, smallish groups of Wigeon grazed the pool edges, whisling madly into the air as a Marsh Harrier passed through. Twenty Canada Geese were a list addition as were the 17 dodgy Barnacles.They looked handsome but, they are permanent residents. A few restless Skylarks added to the list.
Persistent rain put paid to other plans, we set off for home. As we were leaving the marshes, a female Hen Harrier hastened past. Excellent, after yesterday's miss.
Wew managed to see five distant Tundra Swans in the Ludham area but couldn't find them - nor Catfield - on the way home. Having negotiated umpteen muddy, narrow, twisting Norfolk lanes, Pam pronounced Catfield lost.
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