We, who have been meticulous adherents to the 'keep your distance, don't go out if you don't have to, use sanitising wipes and plastic gloves, wash your hands for 20 seconds , don't let anyone in, leave everything in the porch, school', on the first day of lockdown, went out. Before you finish tutting.......
Sam, our cleaner, visits other oldies, has a working husband and two secondary school children - and needs the money she earns with us. In response to her phone call, she came to do her job and we self isolated in the car, leaving well before she arrived.
Another beautiful spring day after overnight frost. We still had two new for the year moths in the trap. Shoulder Stripe and Mottled Pug. Both were very frisky, even after spending time in the fridge. The Shoulder |Stripe had to be taken whilst in the pot which darkens the colour.
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| Shoulder Stripe |
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| Brindled Pug |
We started birding at Salthouse, where one other car was parked. Not a person in sight. A white Ruff fed with about a dozen Curlew. They soon flew off when we stopped, my disappointment sweetened by the Curlews' call as they flew. Synonymous with Welsh and Scottish moors for me. Especially as our much anticipated Highlands and Islands trip is cancelled. A strange gutteral call alerted us to a lone Snipe, flying in and landing out of sight. This is the alarm call. I'm more familiar with the noise made when they are displaying.
One of to-day's aims is to catch up with photographing birds for our year folders. The Canada Geese at Salthouse duck pond posed for Pam.
Half a dozen cars at Beach Road, Cley, car park. Again, no people in view. As we paused to try and plan a way through the many potholes, Pam saw a movement. The bird flew to the far end of the parking area, flying onto a post as we lurched towards it. A Black Redstart. What a lovely surprise. No point in alerting anyone as the bird quickly flew away, never to be seen again. By us anyway. We tried hard to re-locate it as Pam hadn't got a pic.
Cley water treatment plant was decidedly niffy to-day, on to Glandford ford after a very short stop. A Chiffchaff was calling loudly and closely as we pulled in. We could see it flitting in low branches above us. Eventually, after the bird's restless flying away and back again, I was able to take some pics.
Only one survived - and not the best either - after I accidentally deleted to-day's photos from my memory card and had to use a recovery programme which worked for most of them. They always look better on the back of the camera anyway but one had looked promising. Ah well, an angler's story, the one that got away. I've only deleted a card's contents by accident once before and I swore I'd never do it again.........
Whilst waiting for the Chiffy, our first Cetti's Warbler called louidly from the marshy scrub and a Goldcrest and a Long-tailed Tit explored the ivy on a nearby trunk.
Next stop, Selbrigg, to feed the birds
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| Male Chaffinch |
before a tour of Kelling Heath parking areas both sides of the road, proved to be fruitless.
We saw Andy and Pammy out on their bikes, several dog walkers, elderly strollers and a few running men but, the country seems to have taken notice of the stay at home, stay safe, instructions - at last.
Wracked with guilt, we returned home after a very enjoyable morning, the front hall redolent with the smell of polish, proof of Sam's hard work. We came into contact with no-one and Pam wiped the porch door handles with an anti bacterial wipe as we entered.
Indoors now, unless we have to pick up prescriptions. Maybe one of the kind neighbours who are doing our shopping will be able to do that as well.
Our hairdresser has closed, I was overdue a visit. I'm beginning to look like a salt and pepper Afghan Hound. I may well resort to cutting it myself. It's got several weeks to recover.
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