Pockets of Joy

Tuesday December 3

Natural history experiences always brings joy to my life. Even if the weather is dull and gloomy, it lightens the spirit. On Tuesday, we decided to do what we know as the Winterton run. Nothing in particular in mind, just to have a look around. We both love the winter geese flocks in Norfolk, and Horsey did not disappoint. Several hundred Pink-feet were grazing in a roadside field, their soft contact calls filling the air. Occasionally, for no apparent reason, a group would spring into flight, circling around before returning to a similar position in the field.

The RNLI men were on duty at the gate to Winterton Dunes car park. All today's entry fees were a donation to their association, the kiosk was closed, their money bucket sounded generously full. There were more cars than expected. It was quickly obvious why. The Atlantic Grey seals were pupping on the beach below. 

All photos, apart from the Fulmar, are Pam's. 

 

 

This is part of the Horsey/Winterton maternity area. Over two thousand pups have already been born this season. 

 

No-one was being allowed onto the beach, they were viewing from the clifftop, near the sheds. This meant that I couldn't get a good enough view for photos from the car. Pam got out to do so, also glimpsing a few Snow Buntinmgs feeding directly under the car park, in against the cliff.

Wednesday December 3

Despite the early morning fog, it turned out to be a glorious winter day, cold but sunny ,with very little wind. So good to be out and about looking for birds. 

The highlights today started at Hunstanton, parked below the magnificent red-striped cliffs, watching James Fisher's favourite birds, Fulmars, soaring into and then out again, their nesting ledges. 

 

Rock Doves also occupied their favourite pipe perch. The tide was beginning to come in but there was still plenty of rocky shore for feeding birds. It was interesting to see Curlew using their long curved beaks to delicately probe the crevices their body couldn't access. Turnstones used the seaweed at the tide's edge whilst Oystercatchers and a few Bar-tailed Godwits searched randomly on the exposed areas. 

Swinging my scope out to sea, I found two Great Crested Grebe, close together, uniformly diving and re-appearing, facing each other, before performing the head shaking ritual which is part of their courtship. They were still in full winter plumage too. 

On to the Lighthouse car park where we can park overlooking the beach.  The exposed sand /mud had a large number of gulls with an occasional wader. Friend Pauline was with us, it was time for lunch, eaten in a companiable silence, watching groups of waders fly past as the rising tide forced them to find better feeding places.

Now, the beach was full of birds, delightful Sanderling scurrying around, more sedate Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwits and Turnstones made up the majority. I was happy to sit and enjoy their antics, whilst realising that Pam and Pauline were using binoculars so had nothing like as good a view. I happily use my scope, still on its tripod, from the car, not something usually done. Necessity is the mother of invention, I've had years of practice.