A Good Morning

Sunday, May 30

We tend to shun Bank Holiday birding. Too many people about. Such a lovely morning, it was a shame to miss out. Maybe Hickling would be reasonable. It's possible to walk the reserve outside opening hours. We need to drive to Whiteslea Lodge, with permission from the Centre, which is not open until 10 a.m. 

Arriving almost bang on 10, Pam was served by an  - as usual - reluctant and unwelcoming volunteer - who hailed a warden. Pam waved the Blue Badge, and was answered with a smile and a wave. The first section of hedge and tree lined track was alive with song.The only car around, we could loiter, hearing Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, and Goldfinch. Did we see them? No. Apart from silhouettes flying out of dense leaves and away. 

The long straight to the Lodge passes through a woodland before the marsh, strangely quiet to-day, apart from the kleep of an Avocet from unseen ponds the other side of the bank. We have Damselflies flying at home, no sign of any Odonata here  The sky was full of hurtling Swifts, the rising eddies of insects ahead of the car testifying to a good meal in store. A male Reed Bunting flew across the path, landing in a nearby spiky bush to broadcast its rather unassuming song.

From Whiteslea's small parking area, where we stayed for about half an hour, a Garden Warbler's song kept a small group of birders gazing, perplexed, at a tree. I don't think that they ever saw it. Two different Marsh Harriers lazed through.The much more urgent flight of two Hobby,  gave shorter views than desired, a catch-up for Pam. An even faster and shorter view of an arrowing Kingfisher, skimming the reed bed. All accompanied by the unheralded, ear- piercing burst, of a Cetti's Warbler's song. A thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours.

The pear-shaped central bed, concealing four manhole covers re-planted by Andrea last Autumn, is coming along nicely.

 

 

Slow Moth-ing

 Saturday, May 29

We've been busy gardening. The potatoes, onion sets nd tomatoes look great. Unfortunately, the cucumber plants succumbed to the cold. It was a gamble to plant them as early as I did,  in a cold greenhouse.  I thought that I'd be here to nurse them. Two more seeds planted in a pot, sweetcorn, french beans, runner beans set in long planters, all of them in the propagator. Peas in troughs and Courgettes will happen to-morrow.

The newly replanted strawberry boxes look good too, plenty of flower showing. Whilst we were away, Andrea planted my spare plants in one of those terracotta planters which have planting holes up the sides.  My intention was to leave them in the greenhouse as early fruit. I have never found that particular planter to be successful. We'll see, she wasn't to know.

We continue to put out the moth traps every night with pretty appalling results. There is a problem country-wide, bad for the moths, and for the birds which depend on them for feeding themselves and their young. We're putting out extra mealworms, which seem to be much appreciated. Unusually, we have three male Blackbirds feeding peacefully, concurrently. The Blue Tits are still feeding their young in the birch log box, many of them elsewhere are dying from cold and lack of food.

This morning, the number of Cockchafers in the actinic light Robinson outnumbered the moths. There were none in the MV Robinson. I onder why? Some of the expected species at last, but, apart from Muslin, only singles of each. 

Lesser Swallow Prominent

Poplar Hawkmoth

Green Carpet

Cinnabar

Shuttle-shaped dart

Waved Umber

 

Home

 Tuesday May 25

Home since late afternoon on Sunday, seems like weeks since we were away. The joy of birding every day, with the only responsibilities being feeding ourselves and the car. 

The ferry crossing to Skye was calm. The ticket man referred to the previous day's stormy 45mph windy seas as 'normal'. We made steady progress, easily reaching each day's destination, thanks to Pam's excellent driving. It was very tiring, but we had time to recover in between. The only stop on the way home was at Carlisle Todhills.making it  320 miles on Saturday, 300 on Sunday. Greggs make excellent - and reasonably priced - hot chocolate. A recent discovery of ours, Greggs that is. Northeners have known for years.

We started counting birds as soon as we crossed the Norfolk border  We usually see very little - apart from Carrion Crows and Wood Pigeons - before Kings Lynn. A Buzzard was first on the list this time. We were eager to see our first Swifts. West Rudham turned up trumps.

A small diversion via Flitcham added a Hare.

A roadside field's verge had this flower, which we don't recognise. It will be identified as soon as a book is found.

The garden looked lush, potatoes and onions well grown, visible from the house. Andrea,  who looked after our plants while we were away. reported that there had been enough (too much) rain to make outside watering unnecessary.

I have started editing my Hebrides photographs discarding the worst etc. I intend ending with one folder of the best available. The recycle bin will bulge.

Since then, I have been to the dentist, discovering that he was due at Papworth for a triple heart bypass to-day. He's 50.

 This morning, I went to the Eye Clinic at Cromer and had a Lucentis injection in my left eye. As we entered our village, having collected our prescriptions in North Walsham,  I saw a Hobby.

To-morrow I want to go birding for a Norfolk May list and all the migrants we've missed so far, really looking forward to that..

Hebrides Blog Link

 https//cwmgiedd.blogspot.com

Getting Ready

 Sunday, April 25

Tenderstem seedlings and newly sprouted peppers now potted on into pots big enough for almost a month's growth whilst we are away. Sturdy Cucumber plants also in the ground in the lean-to greenhouse. I'd planned all my planting on the well-founded assumption that we would be unable to travel. Andrea will see to the watering whilst we are away.

Not knowing that we were able to go to the Hebrides until about ten days ago, there has been a lot of re-organising to do. The Highlands week already cancelled, the route has changed. England's Travelodges closed to non essential travellers until May 17 meant a direct drive to Scotland. A long day's drive for two octogenarians. Pam decided that taking our time and making regular stops would make it possible. I ended up making it a three night journey up, we can bird as we go - nothing new there. Our first stop will be at Gretna Green, as near to the border as is possible. The second at Dunbarton, a mere 90 miles. The final night, before crossing to the Isle of Mull, is at Corran Ferry, north of Oban. Convenient for the ferry, only seven miles from Fort William and the large supermarket where we can stock up for the week. 

New rules for the cottage too. We have to take our own bed linen, kitchen linen, and towels, to Burn Cottage on Mull. All islands ask for a lateral flow Covid test to be taken three days before, and a second one one day before travel. As mentioned in my last post.That's two lots for us. The second batch of tests has arrived, I was only allowed one at a time.. 

The hotel on Skye where we need to stay after leaving Mull, and before the ferry to North Uist, had not kept our booking. I found another Hotel - all B and Bs are still closed.The ferry from Uig is also booked, tickets to be collected on the day. Phew.

So, late afternoon, after the Man U match, we went birding. To Hickling NWT Reserve where, on production of a Blue Badge, one can drive to Whiteslea Lodge. Very little about on a dull, cool day. Willow Warblers the main songsters, Marsh Harriers busying about.  On the return journey, a cloud of Hirundine appeared. Mostly Swallows and Sand Martins with at least one House Martin. I saw one of the latter at West Runton, Pam didn't. Pam got out to climb the bank for a better view, returning quickly to point out a male Yellow Wagtail on top of a tree stump. Lovely. We then drove to Stubb Mill where we had very good views of a flying Common Crane. At last.

Pam has been keeping a record of garden birds. There have been no Brambling for the last three days. 

My Gentian sink looks great at the moment. They haven't much enjoyed the overnight frost and low temperature. but look fine from a distance. One of my very favourite flowers. This particular species is supposedly an Autumn flowering variety, all the plants derived from a single pot bought from Inshriach Alpine Nursery in the Highlands.

 

Migrant Catch-up

 Wednesday, April 21

Mid afternoon is not the optimum time to visit Barton Broad, that's what we did though. Using my Rollator, I walked out to the viewing platform along a wire netting covered boardwalk.through wet Alder carr. A couple of small patches of Slime Mould, a juvenile bracket fungus, and our first Willow Warbler of the year.The Alder catkins looked lovely, I should have photographed them.

Sitting on the viewing platform is a real penance in a northerly wind. We only managed about ten minutes, during which we saw distant Great Crested Grebes, Sand Martins and the odd Swallow skimming the far water, three Common Terns fishing near the reed bed. The birds are always rather far away here, I used my telescope which I transport laid across Rolly's seat. The bag takes my camera and 1-400 lens comfortably, better when when it isn't zoomed.

On the return trundle, the sun appeared, and immediately there was more bird song. At least three Willow Warblers, Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird and Blue Tit.

Pam had noticed a newly mown meadow in the last mile or so before the reserve disabled car park. On the return journey, Pam called a Mistle Thrush there as I called Ring Ouzel. Yes, it was definitely a two bird moment. The Ouzel was a female. No sooner had I pointed my lens than she flew off into the wood. We had to move on as it's a narrow one car lane and traffic arrived. We turned round, there was the Mistle - and a male Ring Ouzel. I took a few 'proof it was there' shots before we had to move on again.

 

Only the Thrush remained on our third passing.

Thursday April 22

There was a moth-ing session at Cley this morning. Due to Covid restrictions, only six people could be present, Pam and I volunteered to give it a miss. We shall be in Scotland for the next four sessions. Instead, we went to Titchwell. I haven't walked there for more than eighteen months.We aproached via Choseley, seeing our first Common Whitethroats, zipping about in the hedge, singing as they chased, never still.

A Kestrel led us a merry dance along the road. I have become a little obsessed with taking a decent photo of one. This is the best so far, keep trying.

 

The Fishermen's car park, which we have used for over thirty years, saving at least a hundred metres of walking, is ever more difficult. Soil tipped at the far end turning area, overgrown bushes and 'road' churned up by large machinery. I think it was a fifteen point turn.

Blackcaps sang as we set off towards the beach. The path looks flat. In actuality it has loose stones on a dusty grey surface which sends judders up my arms the whole time, some parts worse than others. My Rollator is not a cross country machine, they are too heavy to lift in and out of the car. What I need is some new, bigger and softer, wheels. Having complained, it  did make it possible for me to walk as far as the freshwater pool, making use of all the seats available. These became magically vacated as we approached. Was it Rolly?

More Willow , three Cetti's, and a few Sedge Warblers sang their delight and ''keep off my space'', songs. Bearded Tits pinged low in the reeds, a distant Bittern boomed.

At one stop. we were hailed by a couple who had attended Cley Moths last year, when they lived in Worcestershire. They now live in Snettisham. Both had been to look at the moths on the Visitor Centre wall near an outside light. Pam did so when she went to the shop for a hot drink, Early Tooth-stripe, Brindled Beauty and some I forget .True to my reputation, I would never have recognised this very pleasant couple. Probably not next time either.

The freshwater pool was full of water. We managed to see four Sandwich Terns hunkered down on a mud bank, head tucked under wing, before the slow walk back.

Our hot drinks were enjoyed at Brancaster Staithe, watching an inrushing tide, and the efforts by the owner of a Pelican dinghy to  launch the boat, and then, to  battle the currents, the sail flapping out of control. He had to use his outboard in the end. Very entertaining. A few Turnstone, Redshank and Oystercatchers were the only waders we saw.

North Point brought me a very welcome year tick - we didn't see one at all last year.  What a daft bogey bird when they are so common. A Common Snipe. At last.

A thoroughly enjoyable day out, although tiring on unfit legs with very dodgy knees.

We got home to find that our free pack of seven Covid lateral testing kits had arrived. I discovered on Tuesday that the Scottish Islands have asked for tests to be taken three days, and another, one day, before entry. The result has to be logged on the NHS website. As we are visiting two islands, we need two lots of tests. I sent for ours, they are available from major pharmacies.

 

Back at NS

Tuesday, April 20

Not many moths again in the Natural Surroundings traps, on a cloudless, warm, late spring morning. Very misty overnight, burnt off soon after dawn. Twelve of  us were present, we outnumbered the moths. The highlight was three Pammene Giganteana, Early Oak Piercer, pheromone lured by Andy, there at NS, into a hanging trap.

Pam's photo

 

After a hot drink and the usual enjoyable sociable chat, Pam and I went on to Morston. The tide was well in, the first of the seal watching boats' passengers returning to the far mooring spots. We did a quick turn around, parking on a small rise behind the cafe, overlooking the creek, marsh, and  the field where the target bird had been seen. We waited and watched, a Buzzard perched on a post and then a tree, Song Thrush, Blackbirds, Starlings, and Jackdaws in the field. Brent Geese grazing on the marsh and two fly-by Swallows.

Another birder arrived, setting up his scope below us in a hedge gap. Pam joined him. He hadn't seen the bird either, she returned to the car. A few minutes later, he beckoned and we drove over. The handsome male Ring Ouzel had appeared out of the hedge lining the seaward edge of he field. Cue some shutter clicking. 

 

Despite all our entreaties, it never did come any closer.

We thanked the helpful birder, and drove to Cley Beach car park. No sight nor sound of the Sedge Warbler we saw last Thursday - nor of any other migrant. Maybe West Runton would be more productive.

As we could produce an NENBC membership card, the car park fee was only £1. We parked behind the hut so that I could look at the sea. Ian and Sue soon joined us. We'd made contact as we drove in. They'd walked, but the reputed Black and a Common Redstart plus a Common Whitethroat were nowhere to be seen. Whilst we chatted, a constant small scattering of hirundine flew through. Mainly Sand Martins with a few Swallows, and probably at least one House Martin. Both Sue and I thought that we had seen one. Better views wanted. A lone Fulmar was the only seabird of interest, a female Wheatear popping up on the edge of the cliff in front of us, was a delight.