Anne's Journal

 Saturday May 23 Accepting the theory that the half term, Bank Holiday weekend crowds would be either on their way here, or leaving before the rush, we were proved mainly right. With short stops at Sculthorpe Mill and Abbey Farm, we arrived at Snettisham at almost full tide. That made a change. Not the highest of tides, there were still acres of mud, but enough water for Snettisham Yacht Club dinghies to be out and racing. Toppers, a beginners boat, I believe.   To our delight, a lone adult Spoonbill was fishing in the first reserve pit, near to the pedestrian entrance walkway. The light wasn't ideal, but that's bird photography, one has to accept where the birds choose to be.    There do not appear to be any nests in the roped off bank area this year. Last year  there were at least three Ringed Plover nests with their attendant cameras. A couple of Oystercatchers too.  A long, dark line of birds near the far distant shore was mainly made up of Brent g...

Wednesday May 20 After Pam's Covid and RSV jabs, plus a little recovery time, we drove to Hickling NWT Reserve. New from our last visit were eight small Polish Konig horses, a semi-wild breed used by the NWT to keep grassland grazed on their reserves. Mouse dun with dark manes and tails, I find them very attractive.They are especially useful as they do not get foot rot in marshy conditions.                             There is limited viewing from the drive down to Whiteslea Lodge, but there are a couple of places from which one can scan the marshes beyond Brendan's Pool. Two amalgamated families of well grown Greylag hid away from my camera, a Blackcap serenaded from the woods and I caught a glimpse of a Hobby before it disappeared behind trees. Swallows and a few Swifts sped through the skies, a Marsh Harrier lazed its way east and a distant Chiffchaff had us searching. Easy to hear, difficult to see.  Using on...

 Monday May 11 We had a strong northerly wind, overcast, sun and showers in which to look for birds. Our journey west was very birdless, even Sculthorpe Mill was quiet. This is a stronghold for Collared Doves, none seen all day, remarkable in itself. We saw our first Swifts in North Walsham a few days ago, we expected to see them at West Rudham, but the skies were empty.  With patience, we saw a few House Martins at Harpley Cottages, no rain equals no muddy areas to use for nest building. This is an area that stayed dry today too. Yet again, no Little Owl in view at Abbey Farm. Ian and Sue have seen one here, so they're still around.  A lovely blue-hazed field brought us to a stop. Flax. There are many delightful blue flowers, this is one of my favourites. We arrived at windy Snettisham an hour and half before a lowish high tide - 5.2 metres - that would not bring the birds up close, but better than usual.  Parked near the chalet end, I lunched watching the water com...

 Thursday May 7 The birds were first reported last night as 'heard' over Eccles.  This morning, a group of 13 bird was found near Hempstead, Eccles area. We were at Cley for the weekly moth session, which was disappointing - as it has been all year. 5 Muslin moths, all in the Centre trap, was the poor total. The other two traps did not even have any flies or other insects in them. Roger was around the area last night and only saw one lit trap, the Centre trap. Are the batteries being charged? After a drink and a chat, we set off home, passing our road to drive on to Lessingham via Happisburgh. A tell-tale sight, about eight cars parked at a steep angle on the verge of a narrow lane. Even better, birders with scopes gazing into the distance. Pam saw the birds on the distant wires, too far for me, turned round as soon as possible, stopping in a wider bit of the lane from which I took a quick few photos before traffic moved us on. Most of the five photos I was able to shoot were ...

 Sunday May 3 Armed with our valid and hard-won, RSPB permit to drive to Snettisham Reserve, we did. It used to be simple. We drove in to the offices at Dersingham, waited a few minutes and were issued with a laminated  annual permit. This changed two years ago. We now have to call in at Titchwell.  Eventually, I was sent an email with a permit attached which I then printed onto A4 size paper. Not easy to display in the car window if there's a breeze - opening a window or door.  First visit to Titchwell this year, the person dealing with this matter was not present. Second visit, a man would not understand Pam's request, then offered her a lifetime or an annual permit. Lifetime? That was new and a good option. Yes to that said Pam. We don't do them any more was the reply. We gave up and left. I wrote an email to the reserve asking for a permit. No reply. A week later, I wrote a second email. Back came a polite letter and the attached permit ready for printing ??? I'l...

 Friday May 1 I had a routine blood test at midday which prevented a whole day's birding. As soon as the test was over, we set off for north Norfolk, staying in the Cley area. Midday on a hot early summer day, is not good for bird activity. We saw very little at first, heard a lot more, but gradually accumulated a reasonable list for the first of the month. I can't remember a wholly cloudless day in Norfolk in the past. That's what we had today, with thr temperature rising to 23C. Where have the North Norfolk Nightingale's gone? Just being on Salthouse heath at the right time was bound to find at least one on territory. We even had one in a Hawthorn at the bottom of our garden one year.  We added two year birds, a male Bullfinch and a Whinchat.  The Whinchat was at the end of Salthouse Beach Road. I managed a couple of poor snatched photos through the gap between the side mirror and the car body before pedestrians frightened it away. One of them was John Furze who warn...