Plans to go migrant hunting were stalled by waking to heavy mist - again. After a leisurely start, we set off for Barton Broad. The general car park is a fair walk from the boardwalk, we park on a free patch of grass in the disabled parking area. The ranger once told us that we could use any space - there are four rarely used - but a local jobsworthy told us that only the council could give us permission. I asked if that was him, to which he replied 'It used to be'.
A Blackcap was singing in the surrounding trees, we soon heard our first of about three Willow Warblers. Shades of Scotland where we hear them everywhere. The creaky hinges call of Common Terns could be heard long before the viewing area. I settled with my scope and Pam counted at least 9 perched on the pipes/boys or flying. The Broad is wide and littered with buoys of all shapes sizes and colours. I suppose they must mean something to someone. I can work out that the nearest semi circle, roped together are a Keep Out for boats. Both of the nesting platforms are moored in front of the end viewing platform.. Virtually all the birds were in the distant water, where a regular passage of tourist boats didn't seem to daunt the birds at all. 7 Little Gulls and a lone Arctic Tern, 4 pairs of Great Crested Grebes in half hearted display, a few Greylags, Black-headed, Herring and clean cut Lesser Black-backed Gulls added to the throng.
The increasing cold, lack of the anticipated Hirundine and the arrival of a family which included two very young and active - and noisy - boys, made the leaving decision for us. A Water Rail called, unseen, from the thick, wet, understory. No Cetti's here either.
No Dick nor Snowy............yet a special Broad for us, so good for early spring migrants.
One small patch of Slime Mold and one group of Bracket Fungus. Some lovely fat, yellow pollen laden pussies yet, the Blackthorn, usually in full ethereal flower by now, is still in winter mode.
Garden Update
We had been bemoaning the lack of Brambling this year. Our feeders held three yesterday and Pam saw a male Bullfinch stop to clean its beak on a twig before flying away. A few Siskin are still feeding.
Moth trapping numbers are slowly increasing whilst the species variety is dropping. The pick of the week were: Early Tooth-stripe, Mottled Beauty, Shoulder Stripe, Pine Beauty, Early Thorn and Mottled Pug.
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| Pine Beauty |
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| Shoulder Stripe |
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| Early Tooth-stripe |
I had already downloaded the PDF of the latest Pug book, my book arrived this morning. Other moth-ers have given it a very good write-up. I look forward to using it.
Our Mimosa tree continues to defy the British winter, a cold and wet one this year, by blooming profusely. Protected when in a pot by wintering it in the greenhouse every year until it got too big. Then, planted out, it had two chances, mummified by Kevin with a wrapping of fleece for the first three years. Last year..... nothing ...and it flowered beautifully. Not the best of photos, sun would help a lot.
Thanks to Facebook, I discovere a wonderful webcam, the best I've seen. A clear and very close view of a Latvian White-tailed Eagle nest. I keep my sound on and when I hear them call, switch to view. They're sitting on 1 egg at the moment. I've seen egg turning, a fish brought in, both birds greeting each other and displaying on the edge of the nest, Cranes calling regularly in the background. This a shot taken from my PC. Its a real privilege to have such an intimate and informative experience.
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