59

 Sunday September 28

How did the years go by so quickly? My daughter, Sara was fifty nine today. We celebrated by going out birding, what better? Friend Pauline, who recently accompanied us on one of our birding from the car days, said that we went looking for birds rather than looking for one in particular. I think that sums it up well. When we were fit and able, we did both of course, but month listing as well as year listing and age has brought about an increase in the general approach. Driven by necessity but really rewarding. 

The lack of Blackbirds has been noted, we can spend a day out and see none. This week we had one bird in the garden with feathers missing from its head. The single bird we saw at Snettisham looked the same. Is this a sign of the disease affecting southern birds?

The sea at Snettisham could have been further out, it was well on its way. A mass of Knot and Bar-tailed Godwits crowded the shoreline. a phalanx of Oystercatchers, including one albino bird (last year's?) made up the greatest number. Apart from the Shelduck which have returned from their Netherlands Autumn moult.

There were at least twenty Little Egrets in view, three Great Egrets flew past and disappeared down a creek.

 

 

I took the single photo at Morston last Thursday.

 

My scanning brought a reward, a Little Stint, looking very small and busy. 

Other birding highlights of the day were:

two Reed Buntings at Snettisham - we don't often see them 

Our fist Brent Geese of the Autumn and and a month Greenshank tick, at Thornham 

The first Pink-footed Geese of the Autumn at North Point Pools. 

The day had started with a high overcast, which soon became low with poor light for photos. Occasional short showers too.

Whilst photographing a Common Gull at Thornham, it burst into its loud 'song', beak wide open and pointing skyward.  Showing its winter plumage spotty neck too.

 

 

Driving through Stiffkey, shortly after the last houses, we were brought to a crawl by an emergency lights flashing Range Rover. Then we saw a young woman walking along the road, following a dog which was walking fast away in the middle of the road. The dog was Saluki like, a long plumed tail, greyhound slim bidy and pointed muzzle. Occasionally, the girl would hop back in before the charade continued. The dog looked muddy and distressed, paying no heed to the car's occupants. If it was their dog, why was it steadfastly walking away with occasional looks back? Eventually, at the end of the pools it took off into the footpath, pursued by girl. Always distressing to see a distressed animal but it was odd behaviour. Salukis are easily spooked though.