One Consolation

 Friday April 19

Pam was tired after a morning in the garden, yet readily agreed to a short trip to Hickling. For the first time, we were asked to show our Blue Badge before being allowed to drive the track to Whiteslea Lodge - the only accessible route for those with minimal walking abilities. Bittern Hide is still out of use due to a flooded boardwalk.

We parked opposite the short climb up the bank from which to view Brendon's Marsh. We could see why Bittern was flooded. The whole of the area in front of us was water with many grassy islands. I settled down to search using my scope - essential.So many hiding places for what can be an elusive duck. David B saw 4 male Garganey here yesterday. A strong north-westerly wind, cold and blustery did not make for comfortable viewing in an area without shelter of any kind. Despite this, we stayed for 45 minutes, constantly searching. There were Shoveller, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal and Tufterd Ducks, Coot, Moorhen, Black-headed Gulls, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwits and Snipe. A female Marsh Harrier lifted out of the reedbed, quickly carried away on the wind. Pam saw a distant Crane flying low over the reeds. A lone House Martin, our first of the year, was the sole consolation prize for our determination. No Garganey for us. 

As we reached the car, a nearby Cetti's Warbler shouted goodbye.

Moth-ing has been slow too. The returning cold weather has meant a drop in both numbers and species. The usually very productive Natural Surroundings traps barely crawled into the teens for numbers - we had to open the traps inside the dark Chalet because of lashing rain and wind. David N had brought along some Brecks goodies. Dwarf Pug was new for me, Birch Tip only the second I've seen.

Cley, again, had more moth-ers than moths. As we arrived, the others were watching a Glossy Ibis fly into the reedbed and disappear. Sue G had heard a Lesser Whitethroat nearby, but it didn't sing for us.

Yesterday's Coxcomb Prominent brought our garden catch for 2024 to 56 species.

Mullein

Muslin Moth - with the wonderful antennae


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