Birding at last, after a hectic week socially and moth-wise.Having visited R.E's home to see our second ever Delicate, we have now trapped four in our own garden. Must be a good year for them.
A pleasant October day with another paucity of passerines seen. It was difficult to reach double figures by Snettisham.
Searching for Tree Sparrows in Valley Farm Lane, I was temporarily bamboozled by a small group of this year's juveniles. I've never seen the young fledglings before.
Searching for Tree Sparrows in Valley Farm Lane, I was temporarily bamboozled by a small group of this year's juveniles. I've never seen the young fledglings before.
One, if not THE, bird of the day for me was a Green Woodpecker in a field off the approach lane to Sculthorpe Mill. I thought it was a Mistle Thrush sat there until a bino view revealed the 'pecker. It was hunting for grubs, digging its impressive beak into the meadow in a machine-like tempo. Nearly a 100 metres distant, from the car window, past Pam and over a five barred gate I took a couple of shots before it disappeared behind long grass. Lovely, one of my favourite birds, more often heard than seen.
Difficult for me to believe that there were no Knot at all at Snettisham. Where had the swirling clouds gone? I couldn't find any Oystercatchers either. Scattered across the Wash acres of mud were Dunlin, Grey and Golden Plover, a few Bar-tailed Godwit, Teal, Wigeon, Pintail, Little Egrets and a lone Curlew. The latter had a wide white band on its left leg and a wide red one on the right. Obviously part of a research task but I haven't seen anything about it as yet. The BTO site may have an answer.
A few Great Ringed Plover happily searching for food in the samphire lining the near tide line were disturbed by a dog and its owners. Australia only allow dogs in designated areas, including beaches. I wish that applied to the UK. At least this dog was on a lead.
Again, Sunday and sun meant that Hunstanton cliff top was full of parked cars with nowhere to stop. Having to stay in for a delivery hampered us this month.
The Little Grebes are back on Holme Broadwater
as are the Pink-feet grazing the rough pasture the other side of the pool. Buzzards soared above the church, a lone Marsh Harrier hunted a distant hillside, one Kestrel hovered in front of the Poplar tree belt.
as are the Pink-feet grazing the rough pasture the other side of the pool. Buzzards soared above the church, a lone Marsh Harrier hunted a distant hillside, one Kestrel hovered in front of the Poplar tree belt.
As we drove back, Pam pointed out two birds on top of a bush, stating that one of them was a Goldfish. So.... I got the giggles, especially as a po faced Pam hastily swallowed her mouthful of apple before amending her ID. No sign of the reported Short-eared Owl.
I'd hoped to catch up with a Yellow-browed Warbler in Titchwell overflow car park but a later report of one at Gypsy Lane was probably the same bird. Strong north easterly winds yesterday had brought a drop of Yellow-broweds with a few Barred Warblers, along the east coast. A good bit of sea watching too, Leach's Petrel, Skuas and Shearwaters.
Pam saw one Redpoll amongst a flock of Chaffinches, which dispersed as fast as they arrived, no luck for me.
Home to read more damning reports on Man U in the press after yesterday's hard won 3-2 win against Newcastle - who have yet to win a match this season. And we were 0-2 down after ten minutes. The press, TV and pundits have really got it in for Mourinho, I'm beginning to feel sorry for him. Guardiola can do no wrong.........
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