Where to Go?

 Wednesday July 16

After all the years of watching millions of Wood Pigeon, many when they nested in our birch tree, I had a new experience when sitting in the car ready for the off. Two fully grown Wood Pgeons were sat close together on top of the porch roof,  indulging in what we thought was courting behaviour. Longer inspection found it to be an adult feeding a very well grown, insatiable young, on the regurgitated 'pigeon milk'. 

Much needed rain was falling as we drove to North Walsham, it did so for most of the morning, in the form of occasional, well spread, showers. Even after calling in at Sculthorpe Mill and Abbey Farm, the bird species seen did not enter double figures. As always, it was good to be out looking. As we drove out to Holme on a very good track (thank goodness), the sun came out. The number of butterflies increased, mostly Large White, the birds didn't. I don't think we have ever driven out to Holme without seeing Magpies before today. The gatekeeper told us that, from now until September, one had to book car parking in advance. Even NOA asked Pam. No was the answer to that. No bother for us then.

Maybe Thornam would be worth a visit. I love the expanse of coastal marsh criss crossed by creeks across to Brancaster, the sheer empty unsullied by man, beauty of it. A purple haze enhanced the view, Sea Lavender densely occupied every possible area. I didn't have my landscape camera with me.

 

As we approched the Coal Barn, we noticed a big white bird feeding in the channel behind it. A Spoonbill, as active as I have ever seen this bird renowned for standing about with its head tucked away. It moved slowly towards us, sweeping its spatulate bill from side to side. Very successfully too, it swallowed prey every few sweeps. Trying to catch this was a different matter.

 

After a very enjoyable time watching the bird at work, it left the creek, climbed up the bank, and flew away. 

 

 

 

Holkham Park from the road, gave us our first Great White Egret of the month , several more Spoonbills in the nesting trees and a herd of Belted Galloway. The brown ones don't look right, they have to be black for me.

On to our last stop, North Point Pools, Wells.  Very little water viewable, plenty of gulls and Greylags, with a good number of summer plumage Black-tailed Godwits, with a few Avocets.

Home to see to our own well cooled moth trap. Only one trap out last night. We have had our first ever Campion and a good selection of Pugs. Wormwood, Slender, Yarrow and Tansy as well as Common and Double-striped.