Deferred Natural Surroundings

 Tuesday October 3

We should have expected it. We didn't. Anne Harrop's email to Richard announcing that, from this week, they were closing on Mondays so the moth traps would be put out on Tuesday nights, came as a surprise to all. Especially as she'd sat with us on Tuesday last so that Andy could identify some leaf mines. Pam has an early appointment with a Dermatologist at Cromer Hospital in th morning, so we shall be late. Ian and Sue are missing completely, owing to a previous engagement. 

We went to Winterton Dunes this morning whilst Sam was at work, we haven't been since the Spring. It's very popular with both locals and tourists.

We paid the now £1.80 for an hour's parking and scoped the sea - from the car of course, as it was raining from time to time. A stationary ship was a useful point of reference. At least twenty Common Scoter hastened by,  a regular procession of juvenile Gannets - all black plumage - and a single third winter bird, flying south. The sea had a scattering of auks, mainly Guillemots with a few Razorbills, our first in Norfolk this year. Half a dozen Red-throated Divers, a lone Swallow feeding along the cliff edge and a few Meadow Pipits made for an entertaining hour. The on site cabin cafe does a good hot chocolate too. Pam didn't like her chocolate icecream cone as the 'bits' were dark chocolate.

With reference to the Wilson's Phalarope we saw on Sunday, I should have said that it was our first in Norfolk since Holme NOA in the late 70s. The wonderful sight of over a hundred and fifty of this species whirling on a California sewage pond will always be a memorable experience.

Some of today's Moths

Pink-barred Sallow


Yellow-line Quaker

Beaded Chestnut

 

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