Anne's Journal

 Tuesday February 27 Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve has long been a favourite birding place for us. As Carl said in his latest post, it's a very good place in which to take photographs of commoner birds. Whiteley Hide was my favourite, before they opened up the reed bed and got rid of some near drier ground that is. Water Rail were frequent visitors to the ground beneath the feeders, finding plenty to eat from the throw-outs of the profligate feeders above. That hide is now beyond my walking comfort.  There is a 'new' hide signposted as 50 metres from the Centre. That's where we went today, with the express purpose of taking photos for the year folder, and enjoying close views of less common birds such as Bullfinch. The large hide has feeders at either end of the viewing windows with a pool beyond, looking over a meadow to a bank of trees. I like to sit at the end nearest to the door as there is a tree in which the birds sit to do a recce before landing on the hanging f...

Saturday February 24 Fired by the enthusiasm of a new year's listing and photo folder, we went birding. Not until the afternoon - and a half term holiday Saturday. Our first call was Sheringham. As usual, the streets were filled by wandering families who seem to think that cars have no right to be there. Managing to avoid the pedestrians who step off the pavement without looking behind them, we crawled to the sea front. We weren't there long. The beach was pretty crowded with children, dogs and families enjoying the sunshine. Not much hope of a Purple Sandpiper today, it was foolish to consider it really. Looking for a reported Little Owl became another dip, I'm not sure that we had the correct area, nor was Pam. So we went to Selbrigg. There was no food at all in the usual places, nor sight and sound of any birds. Pam got out to strew some seed on the ground and on fence posts. It was incredible. As soon as she turned her back to return to the car, small birds flooded in. ...

Tuesday February 20 There have been several occasions when I have had close views of this raptor. One flew overhead once, another came out of a wood and we followed it down the road. We have even seen one from the A1. Never photographable though. I keep trying. Cockley Cley layby became a favourite when the raptor watchpoint failed to register. For he last few years we have been going to a relatively unknown site - unknown by intent as the parking is very limited - where we have always been successful. BUT. The birds give good scope views, very distant for photography. We were the fourth car there, the maximum number possible, one of the cars moving off. We knew all the other birders and they'd had good views. My heart sank a bit, it's not what one wants to hear on arrival. We were late, having seen Sam and Adrian at work first - and the sun had gone, leaving grey overcast. Almost immediately, two Goshawks rose above the belt of woodland, the male making a short display flight...

 Saturday February 17 Driving home from North Walsham, we always check the field adjacent to the west side of Bacton Woods. For the first time in many months, a biggish group of Red Deer was standing around at the top of the field, ears pricked, always very alert and watchful. Even at that distance, they are easily spooked. The main stag stood out, he had a good pair of antlers, most of them were hinds.

 Wednesday February 14 We thought we'd give Selbrigg another go after the previous disappointment. Seeing food spread by someone else was hopeful. Within seconds, two Coal Tits, a Marsh Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Robin and Blackbird were arriving to snatch and fly. I heard a Nuthatch but it was never seen. We didn't stop long, the day beckoned. Today's birding route was determined by a surprise diversion. Instead of driving on past the turning for Docking, we were diverted down it by a police motorcyclist. Bemused, we followed the signs and ended up driving through the Birchams and past CITB's enormous complex. I knew the firm well from teaching days. They arranged apprenticeships in the building trade for school leavers. It looked like an ex forces settlement, complete with apartment blocks. Google maps soon got us back to familiar territory - but we'd missed Sculthorpe, Abbey Farm ,and Sandringham.  It must be half term week somewhere. Not crowded, but more cars an...

 Tuesday February 13 Pam, the retriever, brought a well weathered breast bone in from the garden. It has a perfect beauty of its own. Closer inspection would show the fine serrations, smooth circles, ovals and planes of this piece of dead animal. If a bird, is it that of a Collared Dove?  We'll take it in to show the group on Thursday, their combined brains usually come up with an answer.

  Tuesday February 13 Sam had already arrived when we left this morning. She was busy cleaning the kitchen as we drove away. We were not intending to go far as we plan a day out tomorrow. Stopping at Ormesby Broad in the parking area provided, brought an armada of Mallard, quacking loudly, tails wagging, out of the water and onto the grass. No food from us. The noise gradually subsided and they slowly trudged back into the Broad. Ten minutes scoping only found plenty of Coot, a few Tufted Duck, two female Pochard , a few Cormorants and gulls. I'd hoped for a view of Smew. Turning right at the Hindu Temple, we drove to Halvergate Marshes. Towards the end of the long and undulating straight, four Cattle Egrets rested, hunched well apart in the reeds. They were not there on the return journey, no photos today. Two Kestrels, two Marsh Harriers, a Buzzard and a flying view of our bogey bird, Snipe , were the only birds seen today. I like it out here. Even though Yarmouth is in distant v...

 Tuesday February 6 A lucky memory bypass to start the day. We didn't take the diversion - and went straight through to North Walsham. All the diversion signs were still in place, but the only closed road was the one past Bacton Woods to Bacton. I messaged Sam so that she knew. It was a very dull, overcast day, the sun made a pretty inglorious attempt to break through once, failing miserably.. Photography on such a day is not a good idea, yet we both enjoy the experience. The Long-tailed Duck was still present on the second pit at Snettisham. With its tail turned towards the very brisk wind, the central feathers stood straight up in the air, none of my photos were sharp. I looked in vain for the Scaup reported yesterday, but could only find a female Tufted Duck with a band of white around her beak. The small tuft on the back of her head was a giveaway. As we drove towards the reserve pool, an enormous flock of Brent geese winged in, a good number landing on the pool. Scoping from t...