Odyssey

Wednesday, February 12

Still a lot of wind but, the forecast for to-morrow and the weekend is another promise of an apocalypse storm. Would the birds be flying to-day?

In sunny weather and, with optimism, we set off on the cross country trip to Cockley Cley. Our SatNav tells us that the quickest route is via Norwich, which Pam does not enjoy. We took the designated short route.

The hour and a half trip was through rural Norfolk on less travelled roads and was most enjoyable. 

This time, I took more notice of the extremely long wall which surrounds the Byelaugh Manor /Hall. Parts of it are missing, other stretches look pretty good and there are long stretches where ivy and shrubs mask the brickwork. I looked it up when I got home.
It was laid out during the mid 19th century and included a 14.4km long boundary wall, gardens, lodges and a Georgian style house. It is indeed a long wall.

Designed by the same architect who created the Houses of Parliament and Downton Abbey’s Highclere Castle, it was once the third largest estate in Norfolk - after Holkham and Sandringham – boasting 17,000 acres around the impressive stone hall complete with obelisks and heraldic beasts. In 2014, Ben Budworth, owner and publisher of The Lady magazine, has ridden to the rescue with partner and magazine managing director Helen Robinson to buy the run-down property, for an undisclosed price tag, and with a unique business plan. They are converting the 74-bedroomed, 73-bathroom mansion into a training centre for household staff, from butlers to bodyguards and chauffeurs to chalet girls. “There is the Norland nannies training centre but nothing residential for domestic staff,” said Miss Robinson.

The route was set for Cockley Cley as we can never remember what to do after Swaffham. For future reference. We do not take the road signposted Iceni Village, we go straight on.  

Not too big a detour, we were at THE layby before 11.30 a.m. One other car and a lone birder scoping the distant tree line.

Pam quickly got my telescope and it was in time for both of us to view the end of a male Goshawk's display before he glided off left and out of sight. 

Five kettling Buzzard's in the air at once kept us occupied before they spiralled out of sight. Yet more occasional Buzzards and two Kestrels before a female Goshawk appeared low over the treeline, making her way left. Extensive and good scope views of the bird, longer tail and narrower wings obvious after the broad-winged, short-tailed, Buzzards.

Yet another strong contender for worst bird photo of 2020 - which I couldn't see through the viewfinder. I took some random shots in the general direction of where last seen and bingo.....a dot.