Cley

 Tuesday March 21

One new month for the year last night, a Twin-spot Quaker

On Sunday night, we added a Pale Pinion.

 
This morning, as soon as Sam and Adrian arrived, we set off for the North Coast. We left Adrian planting the first potatoes, Jazzy and Nicola, where the ground has been warming up under a fleece blanket - the latter remains in place until the haulms break through. He prepared the soil last week by watering it with nematodes which eat the tiny slugs in the soil which make the small holes in the tubers.

Sam was doing her usual excellent house cleaning job, she's good at seeing what needs doing most.

We started at Salthouse, scanning the marsh for migrants. No Wheatears in view, plenty of Rooks, a few Meadow Pipits, Linnets and Skylarks. I spent some time trying to get a decent view of two Plovers, hoping they were Little Ringed. The sun was so bright that I couldn't even see the colour of their legs. Eventually, we moved slightly, the sun went in.... orange legs. Great Ringed.

As we drove back, Pam spotted a Snipe feeding on the edge of one of the large puddles of water lying on the surface. Too good an opportunity to miss.



We stopped to have a quick chat with Mick and Kath along Beach Road, Cley, Mick has a heavy cold, before driving out to the beach. Pam had seen what she thought was a White Wagtail on the way out - she had actually photographed it. Wanting confirmation, we turned round immediately. parking on the wider part of the road near the Eye Pool. My turn to look. A good number of Golden Plover, Starlings busy probing for grubs, and four Ruff. I thought that this one was a young male coming into some breeding plumage. Into the sun, definition not good. The others were Reeves (females).

No sign of a Wagtail - confirmed later as the Continental nominate White race, by Pam's photo. Nor the four Wheatears which came hrough on the Cley WhatsApp an hour later. A male Marsh Harrier flew through, causing the usual consternation until it disappeared towards Blakeney. A very pleasant interlude.

Wordle in 3 today, despite not getting a single letter right in my original word. A large amount of luck is involved, as well as some linguistic skill..


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