The Winterton Run - Plus

Tuesday November 12

After the usual moth-ing session at NS (1 moth, a November agg !) we returned along the coast road and Cley. A flock of Brent Geese in the fields approaching the Eye Field had flown further away by the return journey so I couldn't scope them for hitch-hikers.

A Brown Hare hunkered down in the rough grass near the far fence in the overflow car park, quietly munching from its prone position.

 From there, we went on to Felbrigg grounds looking for fungi. We found several on old logs and tree trunks, all past their best condition.

White Spindles

Candlesnuff  (the small white ones)

Wednesday November 13

Another sleepless night led to a lie-in this morning. It was 1.00 p,m, on a sunny afternoon before we set off for Winterton, via the back lanes to Sea Palling from Happisburgh. Three Buzzards were the only notable birds to add to the dozens of corvids seen en route.

The car park at Winterton Beach was unmanned, honesty buckets and a polite notice asking for donations to the Coastguard Services - which keep the car park open in the winter - propped against the entry kiosk.

We park on a raised area in front of the fishing sheds at the far end of the space. Hampered by a car parked in the worst possible place. This later turned out to be that of a volunteer seal warden, who told Pam that there were over 30 pregnant females who should give birth this coming weekend.

The sea looked empty.Then, a Red-throated Diver flew through, followed by single Gannets. Pam, looking through the front screen, called a flock of Scoter. At first, I couldn't scope them as the side mirror obscured the area. The flock of at least 80 birds gradually drifted west, coming into view for me. Not Scoter, Long-tailed Duck. Excellent. Extremely distant and not identifiable through binoculars.

Their constant diving and changing of position made an accurate count difficult. Definitely the biggest flock of these ducks I have ever seen in Norfolk. A relatively common sight in Scotland though.

Trying to take photographs of birds which are not viewable through the camera viewfinder is idiocy. Pam called out 'now' and, when enlarged on the PC screen, this is the result !

Long-tailed Ducks

 I had earlier seen a single Velvet Scoter, which Pam also saw when it flew. One of my empty sea photographs, when enlarged, brought it into view. An accidental click.

Velvet Scoter

An hour and more of try hard optimism.   

On an area of sand exposed by a low tide, about a hundred Greater Black-backed Gulls stood around, the biggest flock I've ever seen.

50 %

Sunday November 10

Fifty percent chance of rain, promised the BBC weather app. That's what you get.......
A late morning trip to Buckenham Marsh, just to get out of the house and to see some birds. Pam spent four hours yesterday directing Adrian in the planting of eighteen perennials, shrubs and, the odd tree. All pot bound and needing winter protection - or planting. A good job done. Adrian will be very well trained by the end of this season.
We actually only had one slight drizzle as we left the marshes for home but drove through several areas where there had been heavy rain  Most oncoming cars had headlights on and patches of navy blue sky abounded. As did sun, enhancing the Autumn colours of the gradually hibernating deciduous trees.
We drove slowly along the track from the station, stopping to scope the marsh to the east. A different viewpoint brings different birds into view. Distantly, as usual, a good scattering of geese were identified as mostly Canada, a few Pink-footed with a lone Russian White-fronted amongst them, several feral Barnacles flew in to join the feeding flock. Grey Heron, a fence-sitting Buzzard, a hovering Kestrel , a few Little Egrets and two Great White Egrets flew in from distant fields. Finally, six Marsh Harriers circled lazily in the thermals.
At one stop, a Cetti's Warbler shouted at us from no more than a metre away, startlingly loud. Would make a good alarm clock call.
On the return journey through the marsh, I scoped the large pool in front of the viewing hide. It was full of Teal, Wigeon and Lapwing which frequently leapt into flight, flew away, circled and returned.

We must have seen about six Chinese Water Deer. These two decided to rest in the middle of the restless ducks and Lapwings.

Eventually I found two Common Snipe doing their usual, now you see me, now you don't, act in the poolside vegetation.
The ever present rainbow had spread, presenting an irresistible photographic opportunity. The centre was very faded and I couldn't get it all in anyway.

Moth News

Pam caught a micro on the kitchen window, taking it in to the Cley meeting to be identified. Richard E took it home and, to everyone's joy, it turned out to be a Acrolepia autumnitella 
new for everyone. 
This is Richard E's photo.

 

Optimism or Idiocy?

Friday November 1

Rai said that it was going to rain all day. So did Adrian. What is it with the British and the weather forecast?  As it was the 1st - we have rarely been able to bird all day on other 1sts of the month - and we had an appointment less day, we still went birding.

Because we set off in persistent rain, we only made one birding stop on the way west. Valley Farm lane, where we picked up some passerines but no sparrows of either species. Still plenty of Red-legged Partridges wandering about in large groups, like shooting fish in a barrel.....

We reached Snettisham pits at 7.45, dead on high tide time, which was due to be 6.2 metres. What's happening ? No birds on the shoreline, a few Shelduck on the water. We drove on to view the far pit where we saw only one island in view, the nearest one with large rocks, where several Cormorants were drying their wings. A few birds on the bank and a gaggle of Greylags. I've never before.seen the roosting islands submerged.

Coffee and breakfast helped waiting for the tide to recede. Almost imperceptibly, mud appeared, as did a myriad waders. First a few Knot and Dunlin, then, more and more plus Redshank, a few Curlew and masses of Shelduck. A small flight of Meadow Pipits moved restlessly along the shore. Oystercatchers appeared as a black mass far out in the Wash, legs still submerged. 

Still raining, my scope and my left arm rather wet. We left.

Tesco's petrol is most competitively priced, 121.9 per litre to-day. We also filled up at the store, including bacon rolls, most of my bread feeding the gulls on Hunstanton cliff top.

As it actually virtually stopped raining between 11.30 and 12.30, we drove out to Holme, where we saw a Mistle Thrush in a tree and one Redwing and one Fieldfare in a road puddle. 

Still optimistic, Thornham was the next stop, adding Brent Geese and Grey Plover to the meagre list.

The food van at Brancaster Harbour was free from customers the whole of the time we spent there. Not a good decision for them. As soon as we parked on our favourite mound, Pam saw a female Goosander in the distance, fishing avidly. My scope brought a graceful, darting Greenshank into view, in the same small pool, along with a Little Egret and a gull. It's hiding behind the boat in this photo. So distant that I couldn't see what was in the picture until I got home and enlarged it.

I finished my coffee and the Goosander came a little nearer. No real hope of it coming closer on a dropping tide.

Photo - bombed

Grey Plover, Redshank and Great Ringed Plover, dripping viscous mud from beaks and sinking legs as they hunted for a meal.

Great Ringed Plover

A black and white day......

The final visit was to a North Pools devoid of any birds apart from Mallard and Wigeon and two Mute Swans.

We ended up with a total of 57 species with many 'bankers' missing. Pied Wagtail, House Sparrow, Grey Heron, Pink-feet. Only a few Brent. Maybe we should have planned a different route, we left out too many possible stops because of the rain. 

We still enjoyed it though ..........

 

Stormy Days

Wednesday October 30

October has been very wet and windy. Often with periods of sun in between. This has led to dramatic skies and, often, tempestuous seas. 

As is usual on a Tuesday, we met at Natural Surroundings to open the moth traps put out overnight. Three traps did not produce many moths and a mere eleven species. Not bad for the time of year and the weather. Moths do not like wind. They prefer warmth. Moonlit nights are not conducive for trapping either, as they lessen the impact of the light source. 

After trap opening, we gather in the cafe for a hot drink and a natter, some of us eating too. Limited room this morning as a BT engineer was working on the phone line at one end of the small sitting area. All ten of us crammed in around one corner containing a table for two and another for four. Always a pleasure - and very noisy. One woman gave us a look of disdain as she squeezed her way out.

I could see the bird feeders this morning, Coal and Marsh Tits arriving as well as Blue and Great plus a beautiful, fresh plumaged, Nuthatch. The activity soon finished when two Huskies and their owners occupied the outside table near the feeders. Fair enough.

We had some time to kill before chiropodist appointments in Sheringham so drove to the east car park, on the cliffs in Sheringham itself. The tide was receding, exposing stony islets offshore, soon occupied by various gulls, Turnstones and spread winged Cormorants. 

Not much movement but, we did see one Red-throated Diver in winter plumage, one Guillemot, several Gannets and Brent Geese and a Little Auk  flying west. Some of our moth-ing group had been sea watching at Cley before the meeting this morning and had seen several of the latter.

All against a changing backdrop of sun, black cloud and rainbows. 

All partial arcs, I believe that there is a name for each rainbow variation but I don't know this vocabulary. 

At one time there was a double partial arc - for a few minutes only.

Another ?

Thursday, October 17

Our last day started like the first. Heavy overnight rain, still pouring at breakfast time. Time to open the trap, sitting just inside the partially open French Windows. That way, we stay dry and the Caddis flies escape.

The first moth I saw was another Clifden Nonpareil. This one was very tatty, unlike the one we caught at home. Waw. How lucky are we. Blair's Shoulder Knot, Red-line Quaker and another two Vestals (making five in all ), were the best of the rest. 

Maybe a last visit to Portland Obs would pay off.

We set off in sunshine belying the huge puddles on the narrow, high hedge-lined country lanes which lead towards Dorchester. 

We stopped at Ferrybridge car park when we could see that there were Brent Geese on the estuary.  Only about twenty to start with. A very restless group which kept taking off, then returning, gradually being joined by another couple of small groups.They were all Dark-bellied.

The sea at the Bill was stormy to-day. There are cross currents here which produce patches of rough water even in calm conditions. Gannets were the dominant species. Pam saw a few unidentified Auks and I'm sure that I scoped a Storm Petrel in a trough. Ah well.

Back to the Observatory. No egg boxes in the front doorstep bin to-day. Pam went in to talk to Martin and to show him the Clifden's in case he wanted it. Another man present asked where we were staying. On hearing the answer, he informed us that it was at the edge of THE area for Clifden's as they breed nearby.  Portland have not trapped one this year though.

We then successfully located Lodmoor RSPB reserve followed by Radipole Lake, only to find that access was neither obvious nor easy. For one it was a longish walk from a leisure centre car park. I always expect RSPB reserves to have a Centre and parking area. 

Time to drive back to Cedar Lodge and to pack the car in preparation for a prompt departure in the morning.

Friday October 18 

We left at 7.50 and were home at 1.50 having shopped in Thetford Sainsbury's. It was worth the earlyish departure as we missed all the Friday traffic around the conurbations and on the M25.

I haven't identified these beasties yet. Some moth trap intruders and less than good photos.

 

High Steppers

October 14 (cont)

Sue and Alan, the owners. had been in the cottage to supervise the WiFi engineer, who had already gone on to the farm. They came in with us to try out the WiFi again on an IPad (Sue). She seemed a bit clueless really. No luck, so we gave up on that after a futile and astonishing conversation.
Pam then asked about their business. They have six horses and at least two carriages. A glass Landau suitable for weddings - and funerals - We saw boith being driven past our cottage.



 and another smaller car and a trap.

I was interested in the horses which look like a smaller shire horse.

The horses used are Gelderlanders (also known as Dutch warmbloods), bred in Holland for their ability, temperament and poise. They are trained to a high standard for harness and specially selected for their team ability. Their horses are chestnut in colour with matching markings, have high-stepping and high head carriage. 

Four are a matched team, one being trained and a newly acquired young animal.which did not respond well to the previous owners.

High Steppers run training courses for carriage driving enthusiasts. Alan's father taught The Duke of Edinburgh how to drive - carriages that is, not cars !

Soon after they'd left, the engineer arrived stating that the problem was at the farm and nothing to do with us. I knew that.......I'd re-booted the router and done all the things I would have done at home. He could do no more in the time available, merely fix a contraption to a socket which should enable us to receive emails. Occasionally it tried to do so !

One Fine Day

Wednesday October 16

Heavy overnight rain seems to have affected the moth catch to-day. A Red-line Quaker was new for the site.

The sun came out and we went out. To Monkey World.

Set amongst the woodland of Dorset lies 65 acres of sanctuary for over 250 primates. Monkey World was set up in 1987 by Jim Cronin to provide abused Spanish beach chimps with a permanent, stable home. Today Monkey World works in conjunction with foreign governments from all over the world to stop the illegal smuggling of apes out of Africa and Asia. At the park visitors can see over 250 primates of more than 20 different species. 

Our first visit was prompted by watching their very successful TV programmes - their 11th series is due to start on Pick, November 11 2019. I love apes and became very fond of the animals and their rescuers. Jim has since died. His wife, Alison, carries on the work, which she is very well qualified to do.

I hadn't booked a buggy and despite being in a queue with only two on show, I managed to get one. They're brand new and look very smart. One leaves a proof of identity and £10 deposit which are returned when the buggy is.

After passing my driving test (!!) we only went a few metres as  there was a misfit group enclosure just inside the entrance. One Patas monkey, Mica,  one elderly Lemur, George. two Red-bellied Guenons, Benny and Mia and their baby, Biff, born in March this year.

Biff was being very active, leaping over his mother for a silly five minutes.

The enclosures are very large, well treed and vegetated, as natural as is possible in the UK. Augmenting this is the use of hose, ropes and logs to build sophisticated and complicated structures on which the animals can climb, play, hide, chill out.

There are four different groups of Chimpanzees and three groups of Orangutans, in addition to the many smaller monkeys there.

Hananya's group was the most active we have ever seen them - apart from on TV. Virtually all of them outside, scattered around and on the frames.

Thelma, the baby of the group, born to mum Cherri when her contraceptive implant failed. Her twin Louise,  died soon after birth. She had a hole in her heart. Twins are very rare amongst primates.

Hananya is the leader and we were lucky to see one of his thundering displays of power accompanied by noise - both his and that of the subserviant and respectful group.

Hananya puffed up and on his way, hooting loudly, accompanied by his second in commnand.

Joining in

We dragged ourselves away, eating a sandwich and hot drink lunch so that Pam could have a deserved sit down. 
Pam is especially fond of Woolly monkeys. Alison is famous for the world first of successfully hand rearing an abandoned baby to adulthood. She, with help, has done this on three occasions. The monkeys now rear their own offspring. Another success.

A baby

Next major stop, the much anticipated Orang nursery. Monkey World is the European creche for orphaned or rejected babies and they are very successful at rearing the babies to adulthood. Several of the adults are now at European zoos where they are breeding successfully, forming family groups of their own and enriching the gene pool.

In charge is 'mother' Oshine. She arrived as a vastly overweight and indulged house pet of a South African couple. She was out of control, emptying the fridge, free to roam in the house, driven around in the passenger seat of the car. She still walks upright.

She rushed over to discipline Jin who was playing too roughly with the babies, Bulu Mata and Rieke. Most of the Orangs are Bornean but Jin is Sumatran.

Taking photographs was unsatisfactory. The large glass viewing window was filthy inside and out from children's hands on one side and baby Orangs on the other.

Their Bornean keeper turned up to give his public talk, keeping the apes entertained and active by throwing dozens of blueberries, blackberries and shelled peanuts into the enclosure. They had trouble finding the food in the long grass and were often too close.

Jin

Especially the little ones.

Hairy rug Bulu Mata

Rieke

Ever hungry Oshine looking for leftovers.

 A thoroughly enjoyable day in warm sunshine throughout.
Cerne Abbas was not too far away and neither of us had seen the famous chalk man which was renovated recently - it was on Countryfile. 

There was even a good parking place from which to view, although the angle was odd, making his appendage the focal point of the picture. Honest......
The Giant is 60 metres tall and thought to date from the 17C. His phallus is 36 feet in length. Ouch.
The owners of the cottage were just leaving Cedar Lodge as we drove in. Needs an entry of its own I think as this is very long already.