Annual Must

Monday February 5

Waking to steady rain meant another latish start. The SatNav route didn't help. It took us via Norwich, much traffic and many roadworks. Tedious. We came home via Kings Lynn and the A149 which took an almost identical time - and was an enjoyable drive. Pam stopped whinging.

Ah yes. Where did we go? Welney WWT reserve.

Ten mile bank had warnings of 'Danger, poor road surface'. They were not joking. It was undulating, had deep hollows usefully full of water to-day, and broken verges. Several herds of mainly Whooper Swans heralded the reserve's approach. Where were all the Corn Buntings? 

Exiting the car, we were greeted by..... silence. No swans at all in the adjacent field. 

Whilst I was in the loo, Pam noticed a couple of buggies in the entrance lobby. A volunteer on desk duty said that they were freely available. One of them had a front basket into which my camera would fit. Great. With a veneer of panache I drove it straight into the lift without knocking anything, including Pam who squeezed in beside me. My scope just fitted between me and the steering column. Coffee was first on the agenda. The cafe was empty apart from one table occupied by grandparents and two small children, who soon finished their refreshments and left. We had a window table overlooking the feeders below - which had no birds at all. A few minutes passed before a small flock of handsome Tree Sparrows, two Goldfinches and a few Reed Buntings descended.

They fed for a few minutes, departing for the nearby reeds and bramble,  before repeating the activity. One adult and a juvenile Moorhen, plus a female Pheasant, arrived to clear up the food scattered below by the feeding birds.

Time to cross the windy bridge over the road to the main hide. More like a waiting room than a hide. Centrally heated with a row of comfortable chairs along the large, down-angled windows, overlooking a vast watery marsh. The deeper water nearby held a number of swans, mainly Whooper with a few Bewick's (Tundra) and Mute and about a 100 male Pochard in splendid breeding plumage. 

Most of the female ducks are sunning themselves in southern France and Spain..We walked in on a warden giving a general talk on 'what's about' which was both informative and interesting. Two of the six others present spent much of the time having a private conversation - and not a quiet one. I found this intrusive and rude. Is that the ex teacher talking? 

At least it had stopped raining, but visibility was poor. We both enjoyed taking photographs through the windows before I started to scan the distant bank where the Cattle Egrets were reputed to hang oiut. Not to-day. I did find the Ring-necked Duck, several Snipe, Pintail, Wigeon, Canada Geese, Moorhen, Coot, Greylag. Pam also found Black-tailed Godwits and Marsh Harrier when I passed her the scope. 

Time for a second intake of hot drink and snack. Same table - the only other occupants were the chef and helper on a break and, four male birders.

More attempts at photography, this time a very distant Great White Egret on the pools viewable from the cafe.

Contented and refreshed, we left the car park and found a Barn Owl on the roadside fence. Unfortunately,  a car coming towards us spooked the bird into flight but it returned. We both managed a few pics.

Ten Mile Bank successfully negotiated, Golden Plover added to the month list, cheap petrol £1.14.9 a litre at Lynn Sainsbury's and a good journey home .......in sunshine. 

Tuesday February 5

After leaving Natural Surroundings, we drove in to Holt Sewage Works. It being a weekday, the gates were open, enabling is to drive in for an unimpeded view of the gravel beds. I immediately saw a Grey Wagtail hitching a ride on one of the sprinkler arms circulating the furthest bed. Thanks Mike.