Magic Moments

 Wednesday, December 16

After a few days which I found increasingly stressful, dealing with malfunctioning technology and anonymous online 'help', I was in need  of a natural history injection. This morning's forty minute long chat with a senior adviser - no solution offered - meant that it was a late morning start.

Surprisingly, Salthouse only had one car parked, its occupants walking the shingle ridge in the far distance. Excellent. As soon as we stopped at the far end, two pairs of Stonechats were in view. Using the fence posts and wires as a viewing point before dropping down into the field, or shingle. Very active and always at a distance. 

 

They are such delightful little creatures,  in looks, stance and habits. We spent half an hour enjoying their day with them.

As we left, the flocks of Lapwings, Rooks and Wigeons burst into flight. A Peregrine. It landed on top of a tuft in the now empty field, looked around as though to think, 'where have they all gone', before taking flight once more. Anthropomorphism. I know.........

A Wiveton diversion to check the Lesser Yellowlegs field next, before driving to Morston Quay. The speed humps in the approach road are a pain. Having to reduce speed has its compensations in that I can have a good look at the animal pens. The three turkeys and flock of chickens, usually running free, were in a pen. Christmas protection? The goat pen was empty, the gate open. 

We both love muddy creeks. Boats and derelict looking wooden posts, pilings and boat moorings. With a marsh background, a few birds in the rapidly emptying creek, and a low sun adding shadow and depth to the scene, it was soul fulfilling.

A few Redshanks, one Little Egret, several Black-eaded Gulls and one Grey Plover, the only birds on show. The Grey Plover was in full winter dress, making its stop start hunting forays along the muddy banks. The mud looked like liquid milk chocolate. Cadbury's of course.

 

Blakeney duckpond is always worth a look. One can dream. At least the last two are UK birds. Hooded Merganser, Barnacle Goose and male Pintail. Wire obvious in last two.

Time to drive home and a last throw of the dice in solving my AppleID problem. Adrian arrived with my old IPad, Apple sent a code to his younger daughter's phone. Adrian rang her to retrieve it. I used that to log in and change my password. Bingo. Why was no-one able to tell me to do that? Sounds simple now.

New password and phone number changed, access again. Still no contact addresses on my phone though. I shall have to email everyone to ask for phone numbers.

Sky engineer coming on Sunday to sort out the QBox. All is well again.