A Hickling Hour

 Thursday September 14

The morning had been consumed by Pam's visit to the orthopaedic consultant at the Norwich University Hospital. Another we haven't forgotten you ,almost waste of time. She was referred for another xray and told she was one of twenty on the hip revision (replacement of a replacement) list. And, of course, young people and those with urgent needs came first.

A 2.00 p.m. start for Hickling Reserve, we haven't been for a few weeks. Common Red Dragonflies flew like clouds of thistledown, some landing on the top of a five-bar gate. I tried to photograph them through Pam's open window, the results were execrable.

Parking the car near the pathway up to the top of the bund from which one can view some of Brandon's Marsh, I used my Rollator to carry my scope and camera up the rise. 

The birds are distant from here but I loved just sitting and scanning. It was not too hot , the wind light, with occasional sun. A Great Egret graced the far end of the nearest water, busy preening - as were all the ducks and geese in eclipse plumage dotted over the marsh. They were scattered on beds of a small yellow flower, none of which was near enough to try and identify. 





The Centre was shut by the time we returned, so we couldn't ask. We didn't think of asking the very helpful assistant warden who put the tyre back on one of my wheels. He seemed to know us and we chatted pleasantly. After he'd gone I asked Pam who he was - and she didn't know either. That's not unusual for me. I had thought he was Neil B but something he said put paid to that.

A Grey Heron made an appearance from somewhere, before flying off when there was a sudden scare that sent a flock of Lapwing into the air. The latter were led by a calling smaller wader, our first Green Sandpiper of the year. It landed out of sight.

 


Wagtails are delightful, a family of two adult Pied Wagtails and two young, rested temporarily on top of a gate.



Not the waders we were hoping to see, yet enjoyable.

When I tried to take a photogtaph of the Clifden Nonpareil Moth with its wings open showing why its alternative name is Blue Underwing, it flew away. Normally, they need to rev up their wings first, especially after they've been in the fridge. This one took straight off from the dish, rising high over the trees. I stood there, watching it attain its freedom.

Adrian sent me his phone picture,  he had been more successful. Same moth!





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