Sculthorpe

 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 feeder. Today, all the windows seemed to be locked shut so we had to look through less than clean glass. I suppose that with all the recent rain, any windows left open would have made the seats and shelves very wet. The pool in front was at least three times the size of how it was at my last visit. Much of the reserve has been flooded, a receptionist recommended sturdy footwear.

One short visit from a Blue Tit, another from a Great Tit and a Chaffinch,  more frequent visits from Brambling, Bullfinch, House Sparrows, Greenfinch.

 

Apart from Reed Bunting, in the hour or so that we sat entranced, we saw all that we expected plus an unexpected Stock Dove which landed in the deep shade on the mud below.

A Dunnock landed on the bush in front, flirting its tail as they do.

Even a Collared Dove had learned how to hang on to the vertical feeder, preferring to rest in the tree.

A delightful Nuthatch made a short visit to  a feeder before dropping down to fossick from the reed stems below, using them to perch whilst pecking at insects from the vegetation above the water. 

I thought that the pattern on this Bramling's back was beautiful - and toned with the feeder content.

After an hour of enjoyment, the cold got to us and we left for a welcome hot drink. Hot chocolate for me - the one sold here is very good - coffee from her flask for Pam. 

We still haven't seen Little Owls this year - nor Barn Owl come to that. Ian had seen two from Abbey Farm hide last week so it was worth a try. No sign from the roadway gate. Pam walked to the hide, no views there either.

We made for the coast, reaching the A149 west of Holkham. The gateway was empty. 5 Spoonbills rose from the nesting tree clump, circling before landing, soon dropping out of sight. A few Pinks in front of the Joe Jordan hide, half a dozen White-fronted Geese formed their own feeding group. 

A few more stops before driving home, Brancaster Staithe is never passed.........What a lovely way to spend a day.