Our last 'free day' before travelling to Dorset on Friday. After yesterday's torrential rain driven by a strongly gusting wind, we set off in calm settled conditions with dry roads. It must have been dry overnight.
The end point was Snettisham as always. No really high tides and we were too early for the maximum height anyway. That makes identification of birds a challenge, as they are thinly widespread and distant. A led group was occupying the space at the top of the approach slope. They all turned and stared at us. I was entertained by imagining what would be written in the bubbles rising from each head in a cartoon. 'How did they get here , wish we'd driven, they look well fit to me', etc.
The first sizeable flock of Golden Plover of the Autumn whistled plaintively, huddled on the mid distance mud. Grey Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, Knot, Teal and Wigeon. A single, brightly monochrome, Great Black Backed Gull stood gazing around. Looking for a victim or just loafing?
Monochrome means one colour but is wrongly used to describe black and white photography. I'm guilty.
A volunteer warden stopped for a chat about the problem of dogs off lead on the reserve - we'd driven past two spaniels doing just that. The warden didn't want to see our permit......
Nothing of note elsewhere on our drive around but, enough birds to keep us happy. There was a particulatly active period first thing, we saw just under thirty species before Abbey Farm Eager to feed after yesterday I should think.
We were hoping that one of the many Yellow-browed Warblers which have landed along the coast would be in a convenient place for us to see. Not when we were there.
Garden Grove's track had deep puddles to-day. No birds in the approach hedges. A headlight flash from the car parking area turned out to be from Ian and Sue. They'd had a long wait for a Dusky Warbler, only flight views disappointingly. Better than nothing......The car park was pretty full so, when forced to move on by an oncoming vehicle, we drove round the concrete pad and left. That was a surprise!
Very few birds at North Pools. Even the Greylag had dwindled to two small groups. I scoped carefully, finding no waders at all. Why do I not count Lapwing as waders? Stupid.
Having taken no photographs at all, an event in itself (I had two cameras with me ), we drove inland at Stiffkey and home.
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