On a Whim

Saturday June 27

On Thursday, I received a mail from Carl stating that there were 2 places available on the 'Supper and Nightjars'  trip. We normally go to Dersingham Bog for Nightjars, combining it with a two night stay in the Hunstanton area and a trip to Welney. We no longer go to Kelling Heath, too many people and restricted viewing. We haven't done either this year, so I signed up.

After a pleasant meal at Falcon Cottage, meeting Ian, the only other participant, Carl drove us to Holt Country Park. We arrived at the viewing point just before 9 p.m., when it was still good daylight. What a surprise to hear a churring Nightjar immeciately on arrival. Despite careful searching in the nearby trees, there was no bird to be seen. The suspicion that an intrusive Wood Pigeon had driven the bird away was confirmed by further 'song' further away. 

We stood for an hour looking over a valley and clearing, hearing at least three Nightjars. I saw one fly through in the dark, two were seen in silhouette above the trees. Better views were had of 4-5 Woodcock flying overhead, two together against a pink, cream, and fading blue sky was the highlight. I've never seen two birds flying together before. Carl managed some photographs, I didn't even carry my camera - and didn't regret it either.

Ambling back in the dark, we heard two Tawny Owls, one responding very well to Carl's excellent mimicry. A most enjoyable and productive evening. 

An Orchid Twitch - Hush Hush

Sunday June 21

We're having a hectic week.

Armed with three photographs of the area plus Emailed directions, generously provided by friend D, we set off into the unknown. The instructions were spot-on, we were soon parked in a lay-by and climbing through a rough scrubby area into one of clearings and scattered trees. All lovely to look at, even if humid again.

Meeting another very pleasant man made the hunt even easier, as he'd just left the site and volunteered to show us there.

Waw, a Lizard Orchid, just the one - and the only one in Norfolk. It had been seen last year but it didn't flower. This year it has. The spike is about two feet tall, we seem to have caught it at its best.

It's being kept very quiet as the landowner is rumoured to be selling the land for development. If word got out to him, there is a danger  that the plant might be destroyed in order to ensure that planning permission is obtained. All hearsay and rumour.

Whitwell Common

Saturday June20

Whitwell Common is an SSI reserve, mainly for its flowers but it looks very good for wildlife in general. Greg had been asked to open some moth traps at 2.00 as part of their Open Day attractions. The moth group mob attended, few others did, what a shame. Greg said we should hire ourselves out as a Rentamob.

We got some very good moths in the three traps, one new for Greg, Four-dotted Footman. He brought along the migrant Bordered Straw which was new for us, as were the Footman, pale Oak Beauty, Beautiful Golden Y,  May Highflyer, Large Nutmeg and Mottled Beauty. In the general kerfuffle I didn't get any pics - too busy looking.

Someone had been busy labelling some of the wildflowers, I photographed a few before leaving.

Bee Orchid

The tiny Bog Speedwell - flowers barely half a centimetre in diameter

Common Spotted Orchid

Simon Harrap led the group on a flower walk when we'd finished. What a privilege, Pam will buy his latest book next week. Unfortunately, we'd had enough standing by then, so left to watch us bat and win in a rain curtailed Duckworth Lewis second innings. Series win 3-2. What a turnaround. We lost 5 wickets very cheaply and then Bairstow hit a nagnificent 80, aided by Billings and Rashid, to win.

Ebridge Patience

Friday June 19

Last Tuesday, friend Bob rang to say that the Grey Wagtails at Ebridge were feeding young. We'd been concerned that the high level of activity 

a) because of the publicity surrounding the Canal trust and

b) a central parking area directly overlooking the nest, 

would cause the birds to abandon the site. I kept seeing a single bird flying past with a beak full of food before disappearing into the reedbed and then, re-appearing under the bridge from downstream, before repeating the action. Gradually the cars drove off and the very active photographer left too. It was over half an hour before both birds flew in to perch on the old piece of metal pipe in the bottom of the lock. Not the most picturesque of perches. 

They were still very wary but the female eventually flew into the nest with her parcel of food. The male remained on the pipe, waiting his turn. 

The background is rather obtrusive but the birds are lovely. Not good light for photography down there in the shadow of the lock walls.  I didn't find it possible to get the depth of field necessary to have both birds in pin sharp focus and, to still the incessantly wagging tails at the same time.

To-day

There was a juvenile Siskin on our garden feeders, beautifully striped with lovely fresh plumage. They have previously bred in the area.

Better Moth-ing At Last

Sunday June 14

Countrywide, moth-ers have been complaining about the paucity of moth numbers, we are not alone. Those who have been trapping for years say that it's the worst year they can remember. We've had low numbers but a higher proportion of species than we expect. On Friday night, after a warm and humid day with rain later - we moved the trap to the outdoor table under the umbrella - we had the biggest number yet and a good number of new species for the year. A sole Alder Moth was a lifer and I only had a grotty photo of it in the egg box before it escaped. 

The warmer mornings mean much livelier moths. The resident Robins are looking well fed too. One tried to pinch one from the egg box in front of me on the table. Probably the same one as went into the Utility room this morning to help himself.

The most exciting was finding seven of the Flamingos of the moth world, Hawk-moths, of six different species. All in good fresh plumage.

Elephant Hawk-moth

Eyed Hawk-moth

Lime Hawk-moth

Pine Hawk-moth

Poplar  Hawk-moth

Privet Hawk-moth

A Short Brecks Break

Wednesday June 10

We kept promising ourselves an outing, to-day we made ourselves go on our probably annual visit to Weeting and Lakenheath - unless something turns up there.

No Major at Weeting, the first time I can recall that his booming presence was missing. The sad news is that he has terminal cancer and hasn't been at his beloved reserve for three weeks. He will be missed.

West Hide is again the favoured viewing place. The warden said that there were four adult Stone Curlews present,  the two young had been ringed this morning so were probably hiding their shame. Her words.

We soon saw two of the adults strutting their strange boggle-eyed stuff on top of the ridge, frequently disappearing behind it. Despite the lack of sun, the heat haze was mirage producing. All as normal here - apart from the paucity of rabbits.

  No activity from the nesting Spotted Flycatchers - we were sanguine anyway as we'd seen them yesterday - and the reported Firecrest was also missing. 

Having enjoyed our half an hour in the hide and a hot chocolate in the car park, the next stop was Lakenheath RSPB. It's a lovely reserve which entails a lot of walking, something we cannot do at the moment. There were many envious birders as we drove the mile or so to New Fen, our permit to do so prominently displayed. There's only room for 5 or 6 cars to park, we were the third. Only a short walk to New Fen Hide along a much improved path, to find that the open fronted hide, shaded from the sun, was full. We sat on an outside seat for over an hour, gazing over an apparently empty pool and reedbed. Where were the Hobbies? Plenty of food, binoculars showed a myriad Dragon and Damselflies patrolling the water. They were very low, maybe that's why the Hobbies were viewable through the scope, distantly over Joist Fen. During our watch the Kingfisher appeared three times, hovering over the water before perching in a hidden area. I took one shot through my scope using my mini point and shoot. She who dares........ends up with poor photographs.

A Bittern flew in from the Centre direction, one Kestrel, a Buzzard and a male Marsh Harrier made cameo appearances, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Cuckoo, Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Whitethroat sang around us. A surprise was a Common Tern which also made three visits to fish in the pool. 

By now the sun was out and it was very hot, I was hatless, lacking suntan protection and becoming distressed by this. My fault, I dressed for the conditions when we left the car. Photography was not on either as it's against the sun here. Shortly before we left, a Hobby flew right over my head, so frustrating. Especially after seeing Glyn Sellars' photos of a Lakenheath Hobby on Surfbirds. They are superb.

The Black-winged Pratincole and Little Bittern being seen very infrequently over Joist Fen were not possible for us. It's a good two mile round trip further on. I'm sure we could drive there, it's not allowed though. Understandable.

We loved our visit, we should come more often - and they sell Ronaldo's icecream in the Centre.

Two Shorties

Monday June 8

The afternoon was due to be spent gardening, so we went to Cley early morning, after emptying the moth trap. A few nice moths over the last two nights, one new for the garden, a beautiful Puss Moth. 

Our first Privet Hawk-moth of the year too.

The highlight was this Seraphim, a 'good' moth which we had difficulty in identifying. I posted it on the Norfolk Moth Facebook group pages and  Greg and Andrew ID'd it - it's notoriously variable. We weren't such idiots !

We made ourselves walk out to Daukes in a cold north easterly wind. June ! 

The only birds we saw on the way out were three Reed Buntings. Even more disappointing was flower free verges. The water levels and the marsh in general look very neglected at the moment, the Iron Road area is much better managed. Everyone is complaining......Poor visitors are wandering around, spending a short time looking -at not a lot- from the hides, before moving on.

We sat it out  in Daukes for half an hour, until my eyes were watering in the teeth of the gale coming through the flaps and, I'd got goose bumps under my fleece.

Apart from Avocets, Lapwings, Black-headed Gulls and a couple of Gadwall, interest was provided by two Greenshanks, one making hard work of swallowing a large fish.

This less than sharp photo of a punk Little Egret shows the strength of the wind.

Tuesday June 8

It was sunny - and cold - when we set off for moth-ing at Natural Surroundings, overcast with spots of rain by the outskirts of Holt.

More moths than of late, with some new for the year. Four Water Carpets and two new ones for us.

We were all pleased to retire to the cafe for the usual drink and chat - plus eats for most. We still needed to keep coats on though.

The plan to go on an orchid hunt at Holme was aborted after a stop at Sculthorpe Mill. As I left the car, a worker left his and asked if I'd seen the Spotted Flycatcher. Not this year I said, nor last year either. As we spoke, the male Grey Wagtail flew onto the restaurant roof.

I was told that the Flycatchers had returned on June 4th and were using the outhouse again. He also said that there was a pair in Syderstone churchyard.

Not seeing any birds here, we drove to Syderstone and spent half an hour in the churchyard, to no avail. Orchids ? No, back to Sculthorpe Mill. Pam hates the wind especially when it's so cold. She should have put a vest on.

Two Spot Fly's appeared as soon as we drove up but then, went missing for 40 minutes. I could hear them utter their high pitched squeak of a call from the yew trees above......

Eventually they both returned to make visits to the outhouse, probably carrying nest building materials. We tried some less than excellent photography whilst one was perched on a rough brick.

Such a pleasure to see them here again. The worker confirmed that they were not in the area last year.