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.

Lynford with Rolly

Saturday, February 8

With Storm Ciara due to hit to-morrow - sounds like Doomsday  - we thought we'd better go out to-day. Weekends are usually avoided unless it's to a less frequented area. Lynford Arboretum is very popular always, with both dog walkers and birders, but especially so when the Hawfinches are showing in the Paddocks. Flocks of up to 30+ have been counted.

Parking in the disabled spot inside the arboretum itself makes it a shorter walk. 

I admit to apprehension as it's further than I have walked for some time and, the so-called path is either stony or grass or mud. 

Kitted up, my camera in the perfect fit bag on the back of the seat, Rolly and I trundled off. The first stop was at the tunnel feeding station, where we had our first Yellowhammer of the year. There were also Brambling, Great and Blue Tits, Nuthatch and Blackbirds present.

Managing about 100 metres - often less - of walking between sit-downs, we then joined the Morrisons who had a Tawny Owl in the scope. I couldn't see it ! High up in a very tall conifer and said to be just behind the trunk with parts of it showing. Another man then offered me his scope and an invitation to change the focus. That did it.  I saw a brown-streaked blob. People are very kind.

A longer sit just over the bridge, hoping not to walk as far as the 30+ scoping birders about 50 metres away. No luck. A local dog walker - she had a terrier named Freya - stopped for a chat. White hair and a Rolly brings friendliness. She told me of all the Hawfinches she had seen (!!) as a daily dog walker and then said that the berries must be finished soon. I was able to tell her that it was beech mast on the ground. 

I eventually found a space to see THE area, again an immediate offer of a look through a scope - which I turned down with gratitude as I needed to sit. The main flock had gone, I saw at least two birds perched in a tree and one flying away. 

A truly dreadful record shot for the year folder. Already a contender for the worst photo of the year.

 

We missed the spectacle but enjoyed the sighting. It's been a while since we saw this species, the main motivation for the effort. They are a real treat. 

Trudging back, Pam still has an achilles problem, every step is a pain, we stopped on the bridge to view the birds coming in to the food scattered on the pillars and ledges. First was a female Reed Bunting, then the smash and grab visit of two Marsh Tits, 

Chaffinch

Blue and Great Tits. 

Great Spotted Woodpeckers squabbled in a nearby tree, a small flock of Siskins fed in the Alders. 

We were both pleased to arrive back at the car for a coffee and a snack before driving to St Helen's. 

Eschewing the main car park, we drove on to the layby which has a newly erected ' parking for church goers' sign. Safe to-day. The whole area is very popular. Despite cyclists, ramblers, and birders, Pam spotted a Treecreeper on an old tree trunk dead in front of the car. More through the tinted and graduated windscreen photos.

It's that year folder which makes me do it 😉

Both of us were tired and other birding spots too distant for to-day, we drove home via Thetford Sainsbury's.

 

Optimism

Thursday, February 7

A much smaller group than usual at Cley NWT Centre, always enjoyable.

A beautiful sunny, cloudless day was too good to miss. We went on to Wells to try for the Rough-legged Buzzard. A year tick for Pam and a month tick for me. 

One car occupied the increasingly rutted layby, its two occupants scoping towards Wells harbour. In hope, we raised binoculars and found the Rough-legged Buzzard perched on the lefthand side of a dilapidated shed's roof. 

As I raised my camera, it flew.

This is the first winter bird taken with my 400mm lens, unedited. 

 I then edited and massively enlarged, the remaining photos, keeping those that had any plumage details at all. 

North Pools was the next stop. As Jem had mooted, a short stop brought a feeding male Stonechat into view, from the car park. He was very active. Landing on a pen's sturdy rails, before returning to its favourite look-out on top of a Hawthorn bush. Silhouetted against a bright blue sky, he looked great but the light played havoc with the colouring.in my camera.

 

 Maybe our luck was in.

The sleeping policemen on the lane to Morston quay are pretty horrendous in their bone jolting ferocity  - even at a slow speed. I often wonder whether a slight increase in speed would get it over and done with in, definitely, less time.

The sought after Greenshank was well down the channel where we haven't seen it before. Past what we call Redshank corner at the far end of the car park. Is there any car park in Norfolk which doesn't have large and extensive potholes. They're full of water at the moment which makes them easier to see - and more difficult to judge the depth.

 Again a photograph as was, taken with my 400mm lens, followed by an enlargement.

 Blakeney duck pond, when there is little passing traffic, is always a temptation! 

 

Selbrigg

Tuesday, February 4

We had some spare time between coffee at Natural Surroundings and an appointment to have my lungs xrayed at Cromer Hospital.

Some kind person, or persons, keeps two feeding stations at Selbrigg well supplied with seed and peanuts. These stations are two gateways on opposite sides of the road.  A man drove up and re-plenished the area whilst we were there. 

This included feeding the Mute Swans, which I'd already photographed, on the small lake there.

Dyma alarch ar y llyn
Yn eu gwch o sidan gwyn 

(Here's a Mute Swan on the pool, in his boat of white satin) 

Three Little Grebes occupied centre stage.

I've given up trying to photograph the birds on the hollow gatepost, barbed wire etc as the depth of field in the shade is too difficult for me. The feeding birds are constantly a flutter regularly invaded by Grey Squirrels, bolshy Blackbirds and bossy Great Tits. 
A nuthatch perched, characteristically, upside down, was opportune. Shame about the twigs as he took up some typical poses. Not as sharp as I would like.......

 

Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud

Monday, February 3

A Robin and a Dunnock singing in the front garden, Collared Dove on Rai's wires and a

Wood Pigeon cooing from his pine tree. And sun in a blue sky. All was well in my world. 

Was the Waxwing still at Sculthorpe Moor reserve? My IPhone had seized up after an aborted IOS system update so, my pager wasn't receiving the signal from it which enables reception in our home.We drove in, stopping at the five bar gate so that we could view the bird table and trees beyond. Almost immediately, Nigel, the warden, pulled into the car park entrance and walked towards us to ask if he could open the gate for us. Very commendable - but unnecessary and a bit embarrassing. We explained that we wanted to see the feeders, drove into the car park, added Redwing to the year list and drove out again.
A Greenfinch perched treetop high partially hidden by branches was good enough for my folder.

Our Tree Sparrow site came up trumps to-day. At least three pairs of Tree Sparrows were partnered and prospecting the grotty nest boxes on the house end wall.

Again, no Little Owl at Abbey Farm old oak tree nesting site. A few Brambling in the finch flock along the hedges there, plus another Redwing, before making for Snettisham. We still haven't got this year's tide timetable so had no idea what we would find.
What a joy. The gate was open. Maybe contractors were working on the hide again. We parked in our preferred position at the top of the slope from which we can scan the eastern side of the Wash. The sea was as far out as is possible here. It was still possible to see the Oystercatcher oilslick but identifying the thousands of massed birds was decidedly dodgy., even with the scope zoom turned up. Not to maximum, as that enhances the haze.
Then a blue tractor stopped at the gate, lights flashing, did something, arrived near us and promptly turned round and drove off.
A group of 30+ walkers trudging the path, appeared at the causeway, crossed and made their way down the slope to the pit edge. What !! A sure fire disturbance. Everyone should keep to the path along the sea wall.
Time to scan the far pit. As soon as we stopped, the warden arrived at my window. Twenty minutes later, I made end of conversation noises and Pam reversed down the last causeway. Scoping directly into the sun, I found two Goldeneye and a Little Grebe. - by jizz and habits. The sea was coming in very slowly, some birds had appeared a little nearer. There must have been a Golden Plover stretch of over two thousand birds in two groups. Solitary Grey Plover were making their stiff-legged, stuttering feeding sorties across the mud.

Where are the Sanderling?
Arriving at the exit gate, we saw what the tractor had done. Completely uprooted the large concrete pillar to which the gate was attached, tossing it onto the bank. Very shortly, we found out why. The blue tractor now had a giant extra set of external wheels and was making a slow and gingerly journey towards us. Pam found a big enough space to pull off where we waited until the beast inched past.
Rather later than planned, we missed out Holme, paying a quick and fruitless visit to Thornham, before a comfort stop at Titchwell with a shop visit to renew our Snettisham permit and buy tide timetables. 
Brancaster Staithe, lovely in the sunshine, held a pair of nearer, if still distant, Goldeneye.

 

Pam suddenly called 'Grebe'.
Much nearer to us a first winter Great Crested Grebe was feeding avidly, making frequent dives.

 We managed to squeeze in at the Gun Hill layby, adding Marsh Harrier to the day list. The pull off near Meals House was better. As I was scoping, a Great White Egret flew majestically across the marsh, black feet a clincher. A flock of White-fronted Geese was at the near edge of the reserve.

Jem said that there are about 200 birds present.
It gradually clouded over and it was raining by the time we got to Wells.We gave it twenty minutes before driving on. No sign of the Rough-legged Buzzard. Pam still needs it for the year.
A final stop at the chicken sheds was also a negative, no Little Owl for us to-day, but we did seen two Barn Owls.
We logged over 70 species  - how many over depends on whose count we believe.

Waiting....

February 1

Having made the decision to defer our early month birding day out until to-morrow, it turned out to be a warm, sunny day.

We spent an hour sitting in our south-facing sun lounge watching the bird feeders. There was near-constant action, without a mass at any time. Long-tailed Tits, a male Great Spotted Woodpecker, our first garden Greenfinches and Goldfinches of the year and a Nuthatch were the highlights. Blue Tits were numerous with fewer Great and Coal Tit visits.

I only had my elderly Canon bridge 50x to hand but could not resist trying a few shots through double glazed windows and against strong sunlight. The camera performed better than I had reason to expect.

Some of my alpine Irises are also in bloom with others yet to appear.

We also have Camellias, Winter Aconites, Gentians, Polyanthus, Violas and Viburnum Tinus in flower. A tribute to the -so far - mild winter. 

February 2

Just as well that I sleep on my 'good ear'. Pam woke to heavy overnight rain and the forecast of more to come, lasting until mid-day. She crept downstairs and turned my alarm off, I slept until 8.30 after a disturbed night.

At mid-day, we set off for Buckenham, only to find that the lane leading to the level crossing was closed for work to take place. A change to an automated crossing ? 

Very disappointing. After a discussion, we returned to Billockby, becoming the lone car parked at the barn. Eventually, six Cranes were seen, in two groups of three, two adults and a juvenile in each group. Another birder appeared, asking if we'd seen the Owl. Pam then found a Short-eared Owl hunting a distant field.

By now, five other carloads had arrived - organised outing? - one of them blocking our departure. How thoughtful. A judicious beep on the horn soon brought them trotting to move the car.

There are still 70+ northern swans in the Ludham area, including Whoopers, with a good sprinkling of juveniles. Too distant for a decent photo (even for my optimism) but good through the scope. A lane which would have taken us nearer was wet,  thickly muddy and rutted.

 

Garden Watch - Plus

Saturday, February 1

We have decided to do our usual early month, north coast birding to-morrow, as there will be less traffic (Pam hopes). Such a lovely day that we sat in our south-facing sun lounge watching the bird feeders. We had our first garden Greenfinches of the year, three Goldfinches were also new. The latter have been missing since December. Why?

The only camera to hand was my elderly Canon 50x bridge camera. It was asking a lot of it to photograph into the sun, through double glazed and reflective windows  The feeders are well shaded so it could have been worse.

A few of the results.

Long-tailed Tits

Male Great Spotted Woodpecker

I also photographed my newest Alpine Irises, two species have been encouraged to flower by the unseasonably mild weather.

 On a quick visit to Winterton on the late afternoon of the 31st, in rain, we added a couple of species to our year list. The bird addition was four Red-throated Divers. A few weeks ago I 

mentioned that we used to see Harbour Porpoises off Winterton. The last ones I saw were on a trip to South west Scotland with Karl for a Barnacle Geese spectacle. To-day, whilst scanning the 70+ Common Scoter flock for Velvet Scoter - unsuccessfully - at least three passed through my scope. I find it very difficult to judge the size of the group but I had three fins/backs at once.

Ever the optimist,  looking for folder photos, I looked for the very distant Scoter flock - and failed to find them in my camera + 400 lens viewfinder. I took a few random shots of apparently empty sea. It amused me anyway.