Jammy

 Saturday January 20

It may well have been driving three days in a row, we shall never know. By Wednesday evening, Pam had a very painful left arm with a swollen hand, and fingers stuck in a semi curl. Adrian also reported that the minor lanes diversion caused by the road closure at Bacton Woods ,was lethal after overnight hard frost on impacted snow.

 By today, everything had eased. It was a few degrees above 0C and Pam's arm was better. We still didn't leave until mid morning, giving the roads time to improve.Still plenty of snow on the hedge-lined lanes, but reasonable to drive - carefully.

As we drove through Weybourne, I asked Pam if she was interested in going for the Waxwing reported to be at Anterton Hill, Cley,  yesterday. She was. Against all previous experiences, we drove up Anterton Hill which is posted as Private. There are several houses at the top. At the last house, we spotted a heavily berried tree. On top of the left hand side was our first Waxwing of the year. Brilliant.

 


Beach Road next. Pam stopped in the cattle pen layby, as we'd seen a few Pinkfeet in the corner of the field. Despite only being able to view a small percentage of an enormous flock, Pam was first to see the first winter male Red-breasted Goose which has frequented the area for much of the winter. How lucky was that? There was a Ruddy Shelduck somewhere too but no sign of that for us. Maybe from the top of west bank which gave a better view of the whole flock. On the way back, Pam stopped so that I could try a photo. It was pretty hopeless. I had a good look through my scope first, the goose was feeding avidly, gradually making its way down the slope and out of sight. I did try for a record shot, pointing my lens at where I'd last seen it and hoping.

Next stop was a agateway in Leatherpool Lane, overlooking the extensive field and marsh behind Picnic Fayre. Two Cattle Egrets and a Little Egret further stretched my camera's abilities - and my less than steady arm. Wow, three good year ticks in half an hour, our luck was in.

 A stop at Salthouse Duck Pond was an opportunity to photograph an obliging Lapwing. Oh for some sun to highlight their iridescent plumage.






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