Birds, especially passerines, do not like windy weather. That was obvious to-day. We got as far as Abbey Farm before we hit double figure number of species.
We both love Hares. This one posed nicely in the middle of a field on our Harpley lane loop.
Things started looking up after leaving Abbey Farm, and stopping in the gateway just before the first house in Flitcham Village. A favoured tree held a dozen or so birds which turned out to consist of 6+ Brambling, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Blue Tits.
The tree is sturdy and protected enough to offer a modicum of protection, the bushes around it were waving madly. A nice comparison between male Chaffinch and male Brambling
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| Female \Brambling |
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| Male Brambling |
Hurrah, the disabled access gate to the Snettisham Reserve was open, concrete post still lying where we'd seen it last. A lot of site traffic too, tractors ferrying timber, pipes and other building materials for the new hide, from their dumping ground outside the caravan site shop. Their weight and big tyres are going to make the entry track even worse.
We stayed long enough to scan the, mostly birdless, mud, before checking the last pit where we saw: Goldeneye, Little Grebe and a dozen early return Avocets. I tried to find the Short-eared Owl roost without success. If they've got any sense they'll be deep inside the bushes. Where had all the waders gone to roost? There was little chance of my finding the Little Stint wintering here.
The very hot coffee in my new ZOJIRUSHI SM-SD60 RC Travel Mug. was very welcome. Not cheap but the best I've used. Slim enough to hold easily in one hand, leakproof and easy drinking. Pam's had one for several months.
A deserted Brancaster Staithe - a real surprise at half term - had sixteen Bar-tailed Godwits, washing in the outgoing tide race. We don't usually see them in a flock, more likely to be scattered along the shore.
One of them showed signs of the colour of breeding plumage arriving. The close Curlew made this substantial wader look puny.
Gun Hill layby was also empty. A quick scan - the wind was bitter - added a flock of Barnacle Geese and a few Pinkfeet to the list. A car drew up behind us and Neil B came for a chat. He was looking for Whitefronts and Cattle Egrets. No luck here. He had his young grandson with him. He was said to be delighted with having both seen and photographed the Sheringham Caspian Gull.
Neil roared off, we followed at a lesser speed. We next saw him parked, along with three other cars, at the main road, Meals House track entrance. We went on to our canted layby so that I could scope Holkham marsh. The 200 or so White-fronted Geese were grazing in a field near the Joe Jordan hide. I hope Neil saw them. We also added two Great White Egrets, occasionally appearing from the many dykes and creeks and five of the ten Spoonbills present. I tried to photograph two distantly flying birds with very poor results - when heavily cropped.
More Red Kites and a couple of Marsh Harriers also made a windy fly past.
Another Marsh Harrier was the best bird seen at Stiffkey Fen before an abortive attempt to see the Little Owl at the poultry sheds. One day.
The last bird we saw was a biscuit coloured Barn Owl, always a delight.
A deserted Brancaster Staithe - a real surprise at half term - had sixteen Bar-tailed Godwits, washing in the outgoing tide race. We don't usually see them in a flock, more likely to be scattered along the shore.
Gun Hill layby was also empty. A quick scan - the wind was bitter - added a flock of Barnacle Geese and a few Pinkfeet to the list. A car drew up behind us and Neil B came for a chat. He was looking for Whitefronts and Cattle Egrets. No luck here. He had his young grandson with him. He was said to be delighted with having both seen and photographed the Sheringham Caspian Gull.
Neil roared off, we followed at a lesser speed. We next saw him parked, along with three other cars, at the main road, Meals House track entrance. We went on to our canted layby so that I could scope Holkham marsh. The 200 or so White-fronted Geese were grazing in a field near the Joe Jordan hide. I hope Neil saw them. We also added two Great White Egrets, occasionally appearing from the many dykes and creeks and five of the ten Spoonbills present. I tried to photograph two distantly flying birds with very poor results - when heavily cropped.
More Red Kites and a couple of Marsh Harriers also made a windy fly past.
Another Marsh Harrier was the best bird seen at Stiffkey Fen before an abortive attempt to see the Little Owl at the poultry sheds. One day.
The last bird we saw was a biscuit coloured Barn Owl, always a delight.
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