Avoidance Strategy

 Saturday November 6

Going out for a couple of hours seemed to be a better healthy option  than is the need for tranquillisers/antidepressants/general anaesthetic when watching Manchester United at the moment. I tell myself that it's only a game - but that doesn't work. Just as well, as it turned out. Another 0-2 at home, to Man City, what's worse.

In the usual field between Ingham and Sea Palling, we found 16 Whooper Swans along with a few Mute Swans, which seem to act as an decoy.

 

 

Most had their heads up, a healthy number of young amongst them. As an insurance policy, I asked Pam to stop so that I could get a few shots across her, through a gap in the hedge, in case they went before our return journey, when they would be on my side. Lucky I did. An hour later, only the Mute remained . 

Yet another section of land has fallen at Winterton beach, the part near the turning area outside the car park.We parked at the far end as always, on a raised section for better viewing. The tide was coming in, starting to cover the large sandy mound to the north west where Seals like to pull out. Over 60 Greater Black-backed Gulls and a few Cormorants to-day. A few seals kept appearing along the shoreline, none beached. Probably because of the people and dogs off the lead on the beach.Four people wearing yellow bibs with Seal Warden stencilled on the back, talked long and loud alongside us. What were they supposed to be doing?

Sunday November 7

Ludham marshes to-day, Pam wanted to go out somewhere. A Kumlien's Gull had been ,reported from Walcott yesterday, soon seen flying away. Didn't seem worth looking for it, as Walcott front is a favourite with day trippers at the weekend. All parking spaces taken, chippy open, beach strewn with people and dogs. A Caspian Gull was reported whilst we were out, we called in on the way home, to find Walcott exactly as I'd suspected.

Apart from a female Stonechat on the approach road, no birds at all at the marshes. 

I'm still trying to take a decent photo of a Kestrel this year. Pure optimism - and some dsperation - prompted me to try some through the front windscreen, and against the light. These results are the product of editing.