As a response to a message from a thoughtful friend, M, we started at Selbrigg on the outskirts of Holt. Pam pulled in so that we could look at the lake and I immediately found the two female Goosander, preening, against the far bank. Excellent.
I'm going to re-name Valley Farm Lane, changing it to Red-legged Partridge Drive. There were almost fifty birds, in several groups, running along the road in front of us. I didn't see any actual targets painted onto them but, they would be easy meat. As we returned, finding one Tree Sparrow in the hedge, the Red Kite we'd seen on entering the lane came into view again, soaring over the barn and the field beyond. Awesome birds, one of my favourites. So good to see them regularly in Norfolk.
We also saw 12 Kestrels and 8 Buzzards during the day, with only one Marsh Harrier.
Stopping to peer through the gate at Abbey Farm, hoping to see the Little Owl, ever observant Pam noticed this lichen coverted post. It would make an interesting soft furnishing fabric.
An even bigger flock of Linnets in and around the mistletoe tree to-day, over 300 I guesstimate.
My daughter, Sara, phoned as I was settling back into the car after opening the gate at Snettisham. Unfortunately, several messages also came up, obscuring the connections for the call. I didn't succeed in time. She keeps ringing on Sunday mornings when we are out and is sending ever more desperate texts.Soon after we'd parked at the top of the slope to scan the receding tide, I returned the call, missing the chance to photograph the bird masses making their own kaleidoscope patterns in the sky. Fortunately, Pam did and I had a good chat with Sar who is going into hospital for an operation on Tuesday. Nothing too major but it should cure a nuisance problem.
These are Pam's photos, taken with her bridge camera past me out of the car window. It kept raining in sharp showers and it was cold - it always is here.
Eight Avocets (one out of view) were unexpected, gleaming black and white against the dark mud.
We both felt as though we'd been cocktailed after driving to Holme and back - shaken and stirred. Very quiet birdwise too, the entrance road edged by unplanned lakes. We had a mostly dry day with a lot of sun with ominously dark clouds spitting the odd shower at us, helping the formation of yet more spectacular rainbows.
Moth News
Despite the cold, wet weather, we are still trapping a few moths every night. The best yesterday were Silver Y and Rusty-dot Pearl, both are migrants. Most of the catch is December Moths with a few Winter Moths (both aptly named) and the odd Angle Shades and Satellite. One of the moths we took in last week to Natural Surroundings was indeed a Dark Chestnut as we'd thought. R dissected it.
Moonpig
I am so impressed with this firm. I sent grandson Josh in Australia, a Moonpig picture card on his 18th last week. A large card with quite a few photos I had of Josh, at varying ages, making up the front cover. Unfortunately, it arrived late and only Sara noticed that the front caption read ''Happy Birthday Karen''.
I emailed the firm, getting a very pleasant and friendly return missive suggesting that it was user error. I can see now that it probably was ! The following day I received a mail saying that a new card with the correct caption had been mailed and both the new and the original cards were free of charge. I couldn't wish for a better outcome.
