Squirrel Proof

 Wednesday April 6

Alerted by a call from the kitchen, I picked up my Canon SX 70 Powershot bridge camera and found this..

 

 

These squirrel proof (!!) domes are not cheap. It did take them a few days to work out an approach to their favourite fat balls. You really have to admire both their tenacity and intelligence. They are survivors.

These photographs were taken through dirty double glazing - the window cleaner came a day before the Saharan sand blew in.

No Fools Day

Friday April 1 

Not an early start, still cold though. As we approached Fakenham, a navy blue cloud loomed into view. Oncoming cars had their headlights on. A heavy snow shower whitened the surrounding fields, adding to that already lining the road. We soon drove through it, and only had a small hail shower for the rest of the day. 

Not many birds around today, it took ages to see our first Red Kite. Many winter visitors have left, the number and variety of summer visitors yet to come. We usually manage a March Wheatear, but missed the only one seen on the Eye Field at Cley. The northern isle of Lewis has had at least one. In good weather, many migrants fly through to their nesting grounds, without loitering at the coast to fuel up. We still have at least six male Bramblings and two females feeding in the garden, the Siskins departed a few days ago. One of this week's males was in the best breeding plumage I have ever seen..I didn't manage a photo, unfortunately.

The last time we visited Snettisham, I recounted the tale of two men in two vans, one of whom fell down the bank whilst measuring. To-day, there was a post and blue cord/rope lining the whole length of the reserve's shoreside path, the end nearest the entrance extending downwards towards the sea. Nesting birds, keep off, notice attached.  Excellent. What about the dogs who will run freely through?

About a hundred Knot remain out of the thousands, a few Curlew, Avocets, Oystercatchers, Ringed Plovers, Turnstone, Dunlin, Mallard and Shelduck fed on the mud.Viewing the pit is difficult as one has to look into the sun. All I could make out was hundreds of Black-headed Gulls and Greylag. We went the whole day without seeing Coot and Moorhen. The wind was sufficiently strong to whip up white water in the pits. This male Tufted Duck, sporting his summer head plume, was surfing the waves.

 

As we parked on Hunstanton clifftop, I could hear the gabble chatter of nesting Fulmars, not one in sight. We soon had five in the air. They always seem to be really enjoying their flights, not surprising that they were James Fisher's favourite birds. Awesome flyers too.

Brancaster Staithe was an opportunity to photograph - never near enough - mud-larking Black-tailed Godwit.

 

One of these days I'll get an Avocet photo which pleases me. I wish.

 

Whilst I was scoping the water at the western end of North Point, Wells, Pam found a pair of Grey Partridges huddled low,  feeding near the fence. Our first this year. 

 

Always highly anticipated is the stop at Holkham Meals House gate, to look over the extensive marsh. Everything is very distant, using a scope is essential. With patience, and Pam's direction at times, we saw four Great White Egrets in a reed bed, two of them mating. That was a first too. For me that is. A lone Spoonbill amongst the nesting Cormorants, Egyptian Geese, Shovellers, Marsh Harriers, Buzzards, Kestrel, Lapwing and Wigeon. The usual herd of Belted Galloway in front of the wall, and at least five Red Deer - from the front legs up - peering out of a reedbed. 

Straight home via Blakeney, in time for a Pointless which had been cancelled for the World Cup draw.

 

 

Morston

 Thursday March 31

Despite the awful cement bumps on the entrance road, Morston is a favourite destination after one of our moth sessions. The three turkeys are still inside a wire pen, where they have been since shortly before Christmas. Previously they were relatively free to roam an area, the males often displaying their impressive fanned tails. The goats are also penned. 

It's often where we find a Greenshank in the muddy creek amongst the rotting timbers of the boat tie-ups.

 

The tide was out so conditions were favourable.The first bird was at the far end of a group of Brent Geese.

 

It The Greenshank fed nearer and nearer until it was tantalisingly close enough for some decent photos - when it turned and wallked back to where it had begun.

 

At the end near to the entrance and cabin shop, a second Greenshank was also feeding avidly at the creek's edge. Pam was in pole posotion for a change, and took some photos of the bird catching a small Dab. 

 

 Pam then turned the car so that I could have a go. 

In time for me to see a Black-headed Gull steal the catch, after driving off the Greenshank.

 

 

Catch

 Tuesday March 29

Buckenham was very quiet this morning. The vast numbers of geese, Lapwings, Golden Plovers and Wigeon have departed. Bathed in a low mist, the marshes have a mystic quality. A male Marsh Harrier ghosted through, three Buzzards hunched on a set of gates, two Cormorants on another. Careful scanning brought several Ruff, Little Egrets, Redshank, Canada Geese and Mute swans into view. Much more difficult were the first Norfolk views of two Snipe asleep behind a clump of sedge, on the large pool near the car park. 

The ducks are so beautiful in early spring, before frazzled parenthood shreds their feathers. Drake Wigeons, with their Bird's Custard mohican head stripe are one of my favourites. Even on a dull day they shine.

Strumpshaw Woods were alive with birdsong. Resident Song Thrushes, Wrens and Blackbirds announcing their territory to incomers, our first Blackcap heralding his triumphal arrival. 

Despite the mini heat wave (Sara would still have her fur coat on), moth trapping has been slower than expected in our garden. A few nice moths though, including having to acquire the skill of identifying moths from the wings left in the trap. Our Wren is to blame, An early riser and unafraid of diving past a hot MV bulb into the trap - and escaping the same way when it's had its breakfast. A lovely Brindled Beauty was the best this morning.

 

Pam's much loved Hellebores (Christmas Roses) are flourishing in the shade behind the well pond.

Gap

 Sunday March 27

I am very aware that I have not written an entry for about a week. glorious weather, warm and all day sun, plenty of birds, why not?. Mainly health issues, involving appointments which are time consuming. Garganey have been showing well at Cley, two Little Buntings have been attracting crowds on Kelling Heath. both involving walks, a lengthy one in the case of the Buntings. Bishops Hide, using my Rollator is a possibility, it remains on the agenda for tomorrow.

Yesterday, we visited Hickling NWT Reserve, gaining permission to drive down to Whiteslea Lodge, which is our limit. Chiffchaff song rang out everywhere we went. Pam climbed the steps to the bank part of the way along the long straight, seeing plenty of ducks on  the pools  Shoveller, Pintail, Teal, Gadwall and Mallard. Shelduck, Greylag and Egyptian Geese on the verges. Two male Reed Buntings swayed amongst tthe sprouting Sallows, one Small Tortoiseshell and a single Brimstone the only butterflies.

Parking for twenty minutes near the Lodge, we heard our first Bittern of the year and our first Cetti's Warbler. We must visit more regularly.

Pointless is one of my favourite programmes, it's on daily Series Record. We are always amazed at the general public's lack of information about Natural History, particularly birds. When the four pairs of contestants have been whittled down to the trophy winners, they then have the opoortunity to win some money. To do this they must come up with three possible answers to unknown questions which they have chosen from a list of four variable and changeable topics. A pair this week chose the Birds topic. One of their answers needs to be pointless i.e. score 0 when asked to a random selection of a 100 people. Their first answer to the Name a finch question was Bearded Finch. Oh dear. Their choice of raptor was Merlin. It was pointless - as were Gadwall. Pintail. Shoveller and Wigeon in the duck section. Astonishing. Although Merlin and Marsh Harrier were Pointless, Hen Harrier wasn't. The publicity has worked, thank you Chris Packham.

Moths at home continue to be the expected ones for early months. We have added Pale Pinion

 

 and Water Carpet

 

to our garden NFY. Cley traps had a Tawny Pinion on Thursday, which was nice. 

My Mother's Day gift from Sara in Australia was a spring flowers planter. Lovely. Pam took it outside to water where a Peacock butterfly immediately flew in to nectar. Pam's photo.

 

 

Sat in a Field

 Thursday March 17

Overnight rain kept the Cley Visitor Centre's moth trap virtually empty. Always a pleasure to sit on the terrace in lovely sunshine with views of the reserve, and to chat with friends. Time flies by. A Skylark sang thoughout, and there were at least fifteen Grey Herons on Simmonds Scrape. Unable to get up on time, we missed the Peregrine cruising through. 

On our way to Morston, Pam asked if I wanted to go and look for Goshawk instead. Not the best time of day to look, early afternoon, but I agreed. 

The gateway to Hindolveston's Raptor Watchpoint field was a bit muddy after the rain, but easily driven. .A lone car, boot open, scope and tripod set up nearby, no occupant, was intriguing. He later emerged from the hedgerow tall vegetation, clad in camouflage gear and carrying a massive lens and camera. As soon as we parked, Pam spotted raptors high in the distance. Four Buzzards  kept our interest for some time. As did a bird diving into the far line of trees. The friendly birder known as Richard the Hat had drawn up alongside, leaving his vehicle to chat to the camera man. A shout alerted us to a Goshawk appearing from the right before diving into the trees. Not brilliant views but good enough. 

The next, and definitely more exciting views, were of three Bullfinches in the hedge, two males and a female, industriously and very delicately nipping new hawthorn growth buds. As Richard said, when they were perscuted for disbudding fruit trees, there were always plenty of fruit on the trees later. They are one of the birds I find breathtaking every time I see one. The males are so beautiful. Seldom have I been able to scope them at work, as I did today -  for at least twenty minutes - before tearing ourselves away. 

The photos are only fit for my year folder until something better comes along.

A few more 'new for the year' NFY moths

Double-striped Pug

Small Quaker

Twin-spotted Quaker

.

Another Fine day

Tuesday March 15

Accustomed, during lockdown, to vacating the house on Tuesday mornings whilst Sam cleaned for us,  we couldn't go far to-day, as Pam had an early afternoon routine dental appointment. Again, the hygienist cancelled so it was dentist only. She swears that it was a mere two minute job before she was out again. How much did he get paid for that?

Five minutes after we arrived at Selbrigg, Marriet's Chariots turned up, and a whole class of school children filed out. I took one photo of a Dunnock and we left.

 

Via a sun burnished Kelling Heath and Old Woman's Lane, we drove to Cley beach, stopping along the lane to photograph a male Reed Bunting on the overhead wires. Our first in Norfolk this year.

 

No Wheatears on the Eye Field - one was reported from Granborough yesterday - on to Salthouse via Iron Road. So few birds around, apart from a flock of very flighty Starlings, swirling around in a patternless and segregated flock. Suddenly, a thick cloud of midges massed outside my window, quickly leaving as suddenly as they had arrived. I think that the Starlings were chasing them.

A detour via Lion's Mouth on the way home, due to extensive road works on the Felbrigg Road, took us through Metton, where I heard my first Chiffchaff of the year. Pam heard one in the garden yesterday.

After Pam returned from Stalham, I walked the garden, recording some of the plants in bloom.

Camellia

Mini daffodils

Dodecatheon

Polyanthus

Unlabelled Alpine !

 

Our Acacia/Wattle/ Mimosa is an annual delight. 

 

Last year, the trunk split very badly during a storm. Adrian tied a rope tourniquet around the split with a piece of wood inserted. He gradually tightened the rope using the wood and it seems to have worked wonderfully.

Pam called me over. She'd found mating toads in the pond.

There were also strings of eggs already laid, none of them showing on my photos.

I've seen several Peacock and Red Admiral butterflies this month.To-day, there was a Comma in the garden, warming itself on the concrete path. The car thermometer went up to 14C by lunchtime - several people walking around in shorts seemed a bit previous.