North Norfolk

Sunday April 16

A mostly disappointing morning bird-wise, the morning enhanced by mammals at Selbrigg.  I know and accept that the introduced Grey Squirrel is a pest and should be eradicated. But......I find them very attractive in both apppearance and demeanour. Selbrigg always has several in attendance, as soon as food is put out. They soon gobble up most of it, scattering the rest onto the floor with their active feet.

To-day, we also had the pleasure of a pair of Muntjac. 'Ours' is an invasive population of Reeves Muntjac, native to India and other Asian countries. The first ones escaped from Woburn in 1925 and are now found in most English counties. Friend Kath took part in an intensive study in Kent, concluding that they would become a nuisance. They are the reason that we had to fence in the bottom of our garden, as they were eating the flowers and shrubs as well as the vegetables. Again a But.....they are also very attractive small mammals.I took my first photo through the windscreen.

The next, from my side window when it kept a wary eye on me before quickly disappearing.

 

Abbey Farm oak tree, viewed from a gateway, had a blob which we couldn't decide whether or not was a Little Owl. We both took photos. Even when enhanced and enlarged at home, we are still not absolutely sure. So that's a no then. 

Our friend Barry was waiting for us along Valley Farm lane , the first time we've seen him this year. He has damaged ribs, a very painful condition which the doctor said they couldn't deal with and referred him to A and E in Kings Lynn. When he got there, they asked him why he hadn't just gone to his doctor. Typical. His 77 year old wife is newly retired. She used to work on an organic vegetable farm.

It was the nadir of low tide at Snettisham. Enough said.

After lurching and bumping our way out to Holme where the entry keeper told us that he'd had no report of yesterday's Garganey on Redwell marsh, we drove - birdless - out to the car park. A Cetti's shouted and a Chiffchaff's onomatopaeic call rang out, as it has from many places today. Pam walked out to the Broadwater hide, adding Tufted Duck to the day's list.

On the return journey, Pam, looking towards the forestry area, found a Stonechat . Our first Whitethroat of the year popped up in the same bush. At last, a migrant.

 Holkham marsh is always worth a look. Four Spoonbills, a Great Egret and a Marsh Harrier were noteworthy. 

Nothing of note at Wells pools. A pair of Egyptian Geese was the first sighting of the species  this month. 

My phone had been strangely quiet with no WhatsApp messages at all. I usually have good service along the coast. So, it was a surprise to find many parked cars near the church at Morston, a few birders standing in the large area in front of a gate overlooking a horse field. Maybe a Ring Ouzel, I conjectured as we passed. Pam turned round a soon as she could. All but two of the birders had left, we were able to drive in so that we could look into the field. A splendid male Ring Ouzel was feeding in the long grass in the centre of the pasture. After a good look, I reached for my camera - and it flew over the hedge and out of sight. We waited for a while but it didn't return. 

Still no messages on my phone until this morning (Monday) when the Morston Ring Ouzel was duly charted. 53  messages on my Cley WhatsApp, without the others.

Home in time to suffer through Man U's 2-0 win over Notts Forest.