Knowing that we were forecast heat to-day, we set off soon after 7.30 a.m. Up much earlier but chores such as the moth trap, cleaning out and supplying fresh food to two sets of caterpillars plus refreshments for the day takes time. Especially when all of it is done by one person, Pam.
The highest temperature the car external thermometer recorded during the day was 25C. That plus humidity as there was a cloud cover build-up, made for some discomfort. Thank goodness for temperature control other than open windows. Birding was steady if unspectacular. Definitely short of waders, one of our favourite groups, due to low tide at Snettisham and too many paddling, picnicing, boating and sunbathing public.
Brancaster Staithe, Burnham Ovary and Blakeney were swarming. Good to see so many families enjoying the seaside and the weather but not conducive to birds.
It was dog walkers ay Sculthorpe Mill. Two run-ragged Pied Wagtail parents braved the close intruders to return to their broods with insect crammed beaks. A Mistle Thrush made journeys to feed on ivy berries in the car park, a Song Thrush sang distantly, no sign of any Spotted Flycatchers nor Grey Wagtails. Such a lovely location.
One Tree Sparrow amongst the House Sparrows in our usual spot.
We were delighted by minute Red-legged Partridge chicks chasing their parent through the - must have looked massive - roadside grasses. I wasn't quick enough to capture the moment, only the fast departing adult.
We did end up adding three year ticks. A Lesser Whitethroat was busy feeding its newly fledged young at Holme. Whilst stopped to view what's left of the Marsh Orchids in the horse field, a single Hobby whizzed through.
Stock Doves are really handsome little doves, often wrongly identified as feral pigeons. They are easily spooked too.
Two Spoonbills and a handsome male Marsh Harrier at Holkham with more Greylag than I wanted to see.
We had to wait until Blakeney for the third. To our surprise, there were no cars parked at the Friary Hills entrance gate, despite the hordes in the harbour. Pam was able to park so that we could scope the distant cattle with the caramel coloured, heavily muscled, bull. At first there was no sign of any white egrets. Disappointing. Suddenly, seven Cattle Egrets took flight from behind the bushes before settling amongst the cattle - many out of sight again. Eleven birds, Norfolk's record flock, have been reported.
We ended a lovely day out with a visit to the Wells pools which a friend described as 'secret'. Laughable - widely reported on both pager and popular Blogs, the pools have been both productive and popular this spring. We drove the track, again finding ourselves alone in the parking area.
Two other birders arrived and strode off towards the sea before we left.
Seven Black-tailed Godwits were startled into flight by something unknown, Avocets and a couple of young kleeped the shore, two Redshanks at last, Shoveler, Shelduck, Gadwall, a few Canada Geese and many Greylag were widely scattered in a fairly extensive area. Two Marsh Harriers and two Red Kites patrolled the sky.
To-day was enjoyable for the flower filled hedgerows and verges.We drive several secluded lanes, rich with frothing Cow Parsley, Coltsfoot, Birds Foot Trefoil and, in the field verges, Phacelia and the red vetch, trifolium incarnetum. Phacelia is not native but often planted in setaside field edges as green manure. It's a deep blue and popular in the Harpley area.
Very few butterflies, two Brimstone and a couple of Large Whites, a few Orangetips and little else.
The highest temperature the car external thermometer recorded during the day was 25C. That plus humidity as there was a cloud cover build-up, made for some discomfort. Thank goodness for temperature control other than open windows. Birding was steady if unspectacular. Definitely short of waders, one of our favourite groups, due to low tide at Snettisham and too many paddling, picnicing, boating and sunbathing public.
Brancaster Staithe, Burnham Ovary and Blakeney were swarming. Good to see so many families enjoying the seaside and the weather but not conducive to birds.
It was dog walkers ay Sculthorpe Mill. Two run-ragged Pied Wagtail parents braved the close intruders to return to their broods with insect crammed beaks. A Mistle Thrush made journeys to feed on ivy berries in the car park, a Song Thrush sang distantly, no sign of any Spotted Flycatchers nor Grey Wagtails. Such a lovely location.
One Tree Sparrow amongst the House Sparrows in our usual spot.
We were delighted by minute Red-legged Partridge chicks chasing their parent through the - must have looked massive - roadside grasses. I wasn't quick enough to capture the moment, only the fast departing adult.
We did end up adding three year ticks. A Lesser Whitethroat was busy feeding its newly fledged young at Holme. Whilst stopped to view what's left of the Marsh Orchids in the horse field, a single Hobby whizzed through.
Stock Doves are really handsome little doves, often wrongly identified as feral pigeons. They are easily spooked too.
Two Spoonbills and a handsome male Marsh Harrier at Holkham with more Greylag than I wanted to see.
We had to wait until Blakeney for the third. To our surprise, there were no cars parked at the Friary Hills entrance gate, despite the hordes in the harbour. Pam was able to park so that we could scope the distant cattle with the caramel coloured, heavily muscled, bull. At first there was no sign of any white egrets. Disappointing. Suddenly, seven Cattle Egrets took flight from behind the bushes before settling amongst the cattle - many out of sight again. Eleven birds, Norfolk's record flock, have been reported.
 |
| Top left..... Marsh Harrier and a Red Kite. Accidental ! |
Two other birders arrived and strode off towards the sea before we left.
Seven Black-tailed Godwits were startled into flight by something unknown, Avocets and a couple of young kleeped the shore, two Redshanks at last, Shoveler, Shelduck, Gadwall, a few Canada Geese and many Greylag were widely scattered in a fairly extensive area. Two Marsh Harriers and two Red Kites patrolled the sky.
To-day was enjoyable for the flower filled hedgerows and verges.We drive several secluded lanes, rich with frothing Cow Parsley, Coltsfoot, Birds Foot Trefoil and, in the field verges, Phacelia and the red vetch, trifolium incarnetum. Phacelia is not native but often planted in setaside field edges as green manure. It's a deep blue and popular in the Harpley area.
Very few butterflies, two Brimstone and a couple of Large Whites, a few Orangetips and little else.
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