Flaming June

 Wednesday June 14

The planned day out in the Brecks was aborted - again. This time because, if it's too hot here, it will be much hotter in the Brecks. There's more chance of a cooling breeze near the coast. 

We met a lot of traffic ,and the inevitable road works ,before making our first stop at Sculthorpe Mill. Since it's sale and re-vamp, this attractive Hotel has become even more popular. Set astride a mill stream with attractive gardens, it's easy to see why. It has also been the home of a piar of Grey Wagtails and, in the summer, Spotted Flycatchers, in the twenty and more years we have been visiting. We thought that it might be politic to order a coffee as we do not know the new owners/proprietors. 

I sat at a table with a view of the ivy covered front. Pam ordered our drinks before returning to the car for her camera. As soon as she'd disappeared around the hedge, a bird flew out from the ivy, perching on the telegraph wires almost immediately above my head. I took a record shot whilst looking anxiously for Pam's return. I hope to take something more acceptable in the future.

 

The bird did not fly until Pam came into view, when I was able to attract her attention by pointing above my head. The Spotted Flycatcher then flew into a nearby tree before flying off towards riverside gardens. This delightful little bird is in steep decline in the UK., thought to be due to the lack of insects brought about by intensive farming, use of pesticides etc etc. 

Th Grey Wagtails are also nesting in the ivy. They must be feeding young, as there was a regular appearance and disappearance of both birds. Both showed evidence of the stress of parenthood! Especially the female.


 

We made our way home along the coast, taking the opportunity to photograph any co-operative birds we saw, for our year folder(s).




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