Rather tired after a very hectic week, we were still away at 8.00 a.m To-morrow is due to be rainy so, west Norfolk it is - again.
Apart from Tree Sparrows at Valley Farm lane and a Little Owl asleep in the bottom of the hollowed trunk of the Abbey Farm oak tree, we saw very little.of note.
To-day was due to be the last of the high tides, said to be at 8 a.m. We were very surprised, as we crested the slope up to the reserve, to find the Wash was still full of water. That meant no waders on the mud apart from flocks of Knot skimming the water far out
and a group of loafing Oystercatchers, Ringed Plovers and a few Sanderling on the headland.
We drove as far as the first hide, finding several cars already parked. We waited for the water to recede.
One of the general public who seem to assume the right to pick Samphire here - and then sell it at their gate.
After twenty minutes or so, I could see a current appearing, the water drifting east along ther gullies. The far end near the entrance is usually a favourite roosting/feeding place. I played - unsuccessfully -with my new 100mm macro lens, whilst Pam walked along the bank of wildflowers, looking for anything living or flowering. I even had to read the instruction book !
Pauline sent me a text - she could see Pam through her scope. She and Peter had waited in vain for the White-rumped Sandpiper to appear amongst the roosting wader islands on the pit. They drove up alongside, we exchanged a few football nuggets and it wasn't long before we followed them out.
As I closed the entrance gate, I noticed some activity around a large Buddleja (that's how Garden News spells it ). Back in the car, I aimed my new lens and took the following photographs of Painted Lady and Red Admiral butterflies.
The Painted Lady were very reluctant to show me their upperwing........
We tried Holme again, then Brancaster Staithe. The parked cars had not moved to fill the parking gaps left by the receding tide so we had plenty of room to scan.........wading children, splashing dogs and no birds.
Neither was Holkham Park of any use.
North Point Pools, east of Wells, had at least 17 Little Egrets, 7 Spoonbills and one Wood Sandpiper in view. The latter a Norfolk tick for me and a year tick for Pam.
Not a very productive day for bird listing but very enjoyable and relaxing.
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