Anne's Journal

 Wednesday October 23 It's down to Harold. He was the man responsible for my first introduction to Liquidamba trees and then fuelling the search for one to buy. Not well known at the time, it took a bit of finding. I know of one other in our village. They are similar to Acers and have the same reputation for splendid Autumn foliage. Ours has grown into a very attractively shaped small tree. Harold was, and now is again, a stalwart of the Australian soap, 'Neighbours'. He had a Liquidamba in his front garden in Ramsey Street, famous for having a rare Honeyeater's nest in its branches. Until Joe Mangel cut it down by accident. Cue furious Harold, jowls wobbling. The tree has given us many years of pleasure.

 Monday October 14 A better photo of Hunstanton Clliffs - the sun was shining, showing the redness of one strata. The boulder below are proof of the instability of the cliff. Despite the early morning rain, the rest of the day was dry and often sunny. This highlights the changing colours of the Autumn countryside. From the lovely Liquid Amba tree in our front garden, the mixed woodland at Bacton and then all the patches of woods we see on our way west.  The birds reflect the season too. The herring Gull's pristine white head becomes speckled. Redshanks became a pale reflection of themselves and Black-tailed Godwits lose the brick-red plumage which would go so well with Autumn leaves. The large flock of Golden Plover loafing on the Snettisham mud, golden in the sun, obviously lacking the black apron of their breeding plumage. I once found a juvenikle Dotterel amongst such a group in Scotland, much too far away to discern here. This is not a good photo but does show what birding...

 Wednesday October 9 Like birds, moths migrate when the season and weather conditions are right. Recently, we have had easterly winds with a mouth watering fall of birds which we have been unable to walk and see. Many Yellow-browed Warblers, Eastern Crowned Warbler in Shetland, a possible Amur Stonechat and an Asian Desert Warbler in Norfolk. Our moth traps have had a reasonable sprinkling of the migrant moths - although some could be breeding here by now. Palpita Vitrialis Scarce Bordered Straw Delicate   and Rusty Dot Pearl

Sunday October 6 There has been intermittent news of a Hoopoe in North Walsham for at least a week.  It was also reported to be roaming amongst several gardens on a housing estate  - and usually out of sight. We didn't even try to see it. To-day, I had a message from friend Pauline to say that it was showing well - and viewable from the road. Ten minutes later, after driving down Spencer Avenue, we saw a small group of birders on the pavement outside a bungalow. The nearest three were actually lying down on the pavement, cameras poised, looking into the short drive. We stopped for a look. There was the Hoopoe. busily probing away at the lawn, it's curved beak a sewing machine of activity as it strolled the grass. Not much time, cars were parked along the road, I took as many shots as possible before we had to move on. I'm not happy with the quality of my photos, none of them are pin sharp, but hey, it's a Hoopoe.

 Wednesday October 2 We almost aborted ...... waking to a dull day with rain falling. Suddenly, the rain stopped and Pam said, 'Let's go'. And we did. Not straight to Snettisham, but making several stops along the way trying to winkle out some birds. They seemed to be as reluctant as us after the rains of the last few days. The whole summer really. The Selbrigg gate area has been tidied up sonsiderably. In addition to the removal of bushes and trees previously mentioned, the gateposts have been renewed. The old ones had hollow tops into which food was placed. No-one is now feeding the birds - although we always strew some around - and none were seen nor heard. Disappointing. The friendly owner of the cottage at Sculthorpe Mill in whose garden the Spotted Fly nested this year, came for a chat. He obviously loved having them. Lucky man. Harpley Cottages' Swallows and Martins have left, as have ours, although we did see several Swallows throughout the day. Valley Farm Lane...