Anne's Journal

Wednesday May 31 Despite the cold north easterly wind and grey skies, we spent an hour or so at Hickling NNT this afternoon. We'd been kept indoors for various reasons, and thought that we'd like some fresh air and, end of May, Norfolk birding.  Pam went into the Centre to request the usual permission to drive to Whiteslea Lodge whilst  also showing our membership card. She was also able to look at the results of this morning's moth traps catch. A mere eight species, which is astonishing for the time of year. We'd already caught all of them, apart from the Ghost Moth. Where were the reedbed specialities? The Ronaldo's ice-cream tub was very welcome.  Driving slowly as far as the bank access to look over Brendon's marsh, I was made aware of the only birds present. The displaying horde of non-formation Black Arrows jinking and swooping over the track and marsh. Exhilarating and awesome. I tried to photograph one. First find the bird through the car window,, then f...

 Thursday May 25 Despite Pam's sore throat, we went out for a birding day, our Norfolk month list is rather short. We spent seven hours driving the north Norfolk coast, with limited success number wise, seeing several new birds for the year and more for the County. We were horrified to experience seeing no birds at all until Thorpe Market, when Wood Pigeons appeared. Is it Avian Flu or, the general decline in species  brought about by global warming, countryside degradation etc. Or just a bad day. I recently read that the UK is the most nature impoverished country in the  world. That is horrifying. But, we did see Swifts at last. Our first were wheeling above West Rudham, long known to us as the Swift village.Others appeared at Snettisham Country Park and at three other places along the north coast. Always a pleasure to see these scimitar-winged, crow-black, aerial masters, arrowing through the May/July sky. By popular vote, the club I ran whilst still working, was calle...

 Wednesday May 24 We still regret that we cancelled our Mull visit - whilst believing that it was the right thing to do. Intending to have a relaxing few days, it has been difficult to do so with the demands of running a house and garden which have been largely left for five weeks. The house was spotless, Sam had worked her magic. During this time of year a few hours once a week in the garden is not enough to keep it under control. Adrian was very put out at the rampant weeds etc. We had adopted 'no-mow May', but the front lawn had proved too much of an eyesore (quote). The back lawn is rufty-tufty yet flowerless. No weed killer has been applied for the last two years, since we dispensed with the services of Green Thumb. The bottom wild bit has plenty of daisies and dandelions, the wild flower planting doesn't seem to have really taken off. As the temperature has risen, our moth catch has improved. yesterday we had 17 species of macro moth including:  The Seraphim   Coro...

 Friday May 19 The garage said they'd phone early afternoon when the pads came in. They did - and asked us to deliver the car by 4 o'clock. Pam was home with a fixed car soon after 5 o'clock. We went out immediately, to fill up with petrol, and for a last visit to Committee Road. It was very misty with low cloud hampering the views. We saw the male Hen Harrier and two distant raptors. The bog bean lochan had a female Mallard and two tiny ducklings , was that the whole brood, or the only survivors?  Our last two days have been curtailed by the car problem - our garage will hear about it when we get home. Not good enough. We've loved our three weeks here, as always, it's very difficult to believe that it may be the last time.

  Thursday May 18 I woke to...... rain and wind, the willow tree hedging I can see from my bedroom window, lashing furiously to and fro.  Pam appeared, having had a bad night worrying about the car. During the last week, it had developed a sporadic noise from what we thought was a rubbing brake pad. This has gradually become more frequent. As is her habit, before we left for Scotland, Pam took the car to the Mundesley garage for a booked pre-journey check-up. It had recently gained an MOT certificate. All was said to be well but, we might need new brake pads when we came home. Ha Ha, the time is now. Pam took the car in to the garage in Balivanich (Benbecula) where they said that we might not get 500 miles out of the current brake pads. And, they could get new pads by tomorrow, but they were short staffed and couldn't guarantee that the work would be done. A despondent Pam came back to the flat, where we discussed what we could do. We'd miss the ferry and our overnight Travelo...

  Wednesday May 17 The heading says it all. We did go out mid-day, driving to our favourite, Berneray, for the last time. We sat looking over the bay with no name, the occasional Arctic and Little Tern flying by, Ringed Plover, Sanderling and Dunlin scurrying on the tideline. A few Gannets were occasionally visible in the mist/rain. We gave it up when we saw that the forecast was for more of the same, driving home for a hot drink and jigsaws!

 Tuesday May 16 We were very late setting off, which didn't help. Committee Road produced absolutely no birds at all, a rarity in itself. Loch Sanderay had plenty of Oystercatchers, but even they were being scattered by an excitable sheepdog, charging after them through the water. The owner was weeding nearby, holding on to a second dog's collar. Och aye, he loves it, he'd be in there all day was her response. No comment from us, they live here. A pair of Linnets showed briefly on roadside wires.  A small passage of skuas had been reported from Aird an Runair this morning, both Long-tailed and Pomarine. We found a calm sea with very little wind - and no passing birds. We enjoyed the sun and the view for an hour or so before calling it a day. 'Our' Corncrake was calling again as we passed.  Pam parked and got out. She soon saw it only a few feet away. They're remarkable birds, even that close and in short grass, they put their heads down and disppear, only to re-...

I Monday May 15 The RSPB reserve of Druidibeg is in South Uist, Although we cannot walk to the actual reserve, the eastern glens and lochs leading past it to the sea are spectacular - and a reliable source for both eagles. Usually. Not today. The gorse is spectacular too, a rich buttery yellow with enormous bracts of flowers set close together.   The only birds we saw were Wheatears and Stonechats and Meadow Pipits.  All nice to see but not what we hoped for. The biggest surprise was coming across four Guinea Fowl, incongruously finding food amongst the heather.   We did meet - in a passing place - a couple we'd first met on Mull about six years ago. We last saw them on Committee Road two years ago where they were watching displaying Arctic Skuas. The miracle is, I remembered them and Pam didn't, a complete opposite to the norm. Such conversations are often brought to an abrupt end by oncoming traffic. The Dotterel had been reported from Balranald again this morning, but ...

 Sunday May 14 Forecast to be grey overcast all day with a north  easterly wind. Until mid afternoon, it was all sun with a cooling wind. Then, a mixture of overcast, sharp showers and more sun.  We drove south via Loch Mor on Benbecula, the Phalarope loch. Although not in view when we drove up, the female soon appeared, nearer than yesterday but spending much of its time in the grassy islets. A male Shoveller was resplendent in the sun.   We spent the afternoon in South Uist.  The 'other' sea watching area in the Outer Hebrides is Ardvule. Also on the west coast but in South Uist. It's labelled Rubha Aird a' Mhuile on the maps. I knew that one had to walk most of the way out to the point, but had used an OS map to find a nearby area which we could drive to. Last year, we'd seen a Basking Shark in this area. We found the correct turnoff, signposted Troilaisgair, drove to the end of the metalled road, before then driving a sandy, tractor-rutted track to a grassy ...

 Saturday May 13 The only new bird around for us is a Curlew Sandpiper, first reported two days ago on Loch Paible. We didn't try for it immediately as there is no access to the loch and viewing is difficult. Ian told us that it was possible from the road.  The drive to Paible took much longer than usual. A procession of cars, most of them holding booted and suited men, plus many motorhomes fresh off the Lewis ferry. This entailed longish waits in the passing places - they were all coming towards us. Later, as suspected, we found that there was a funeral. Bayhead Stores next, where we were reminded that the papers did not come until after 5 o'clock on a Saturday, as they have to come by boat. If the boat runs - there were problems yesterday. On a grey ,heavy overcast day, we drove the Paible loop road, parking at the end of a lane to view what was a nearly dry loch. The nearer strip had feeding cattle, a Whooper Swan flew in, splashing down on the little water left in the furt...

Friday May 12   Rather late to be writing this. We are newly in  from a very pleasant meal at the Westford with Sue and Ian. They have a new chef, so the food was good as well as the company.  The day started well too, with sun and warmth. Not that we made the most of it, another leisurely start, reading and taking plenty of time to sort ourselves out. Eventually, we drove to Bayhead Stores, mainly so that we could order a Saturday Daily Telegraph, my favourite paper of the week. We also needed fuel for the car. That done, we drove south with the intention of visiting Kallin, a small shellfish port on the east coast of Benbecula. One can drive there one way and back another. The road signs are all in Gaelic, that for Kallin being very different. We missed them both.   Stinky Bay held little of interest, we drove on, to the road along the shore of Loch Mor. At least three pairs of displaying and screaming Arctic Terns at the western end. There was empty water at the e...

Thursday May 11  The Hebides WhatsApp group rarely posts any messages, due to the draconian rules. An early message today reported a male Garganey on Loch nam Faithean. That's where we decided to start our day, on the way to Berneray. Bother, there was a car there already. Not a real parking spot, nor a passing place, merely a wider verge than usual. We squeezed in. Pam got me my scope, it was only a few minutes before I located a drake Garganey swimming along the far shore. I soon realised that it was being followed by a female, a pair. Pam followed with her yellow gaffer-taped bins (!!), pointing them out to the other two birders. They were able to offer us a female Pintail in exchange. Ridiculous, but I tried some photography. The first photo is that taken by a 500mm lens, unedited. The following ones  have been heavily cropped.     The birds then mated, the male  holding the female below the water by the neck whilst mounting.  There were also Tufted Du...