Winter Drop-ins

 Tuesday December 9

Between Pam's  visit to Specsavers and the predicted weekly shopping delivery, we took a chance and drove to Ludham Airfield, where a group of Whooper Swans and two Bewick's had been reported earlier in the day. It was getting on for sunset on a grey and dull December day. At least it had stopped raining.

The airfield is a regular stopping off place for weary swans to recover after crossing the Channel, or a  long flight from the north.They rarely stay long, it's a transient flock. The airfield is extensive and not easily viewed. We drove to the west before finding the remains of an old concrete runway which takes one as near as possible. And that's a good 400 metres viewing distance.

I counted 28 swans in all, mostly Whoopers. Two Bewick's had been reported, I only found one. The birds were all asleep, feeding avidly or drinking rainwater from the furrows. They were widely spread in a line too.


 


 

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