Between Wintry Showers

 Monday February 16

When Pam suggested a ride out, Winterton was the immediate chosen destination. Not ideal weather, but I've been longing to return to the car park with a loaded camera battery. The dunes are extremely popular venues for dog walkers, late afternoon on a weekday seemed like a good choice.

As we were driving past Walnut Farm, Pam noticed a biggish group of flying birds. Cranes. Fifteen of them; the most I've ever seen in flight in Nofolk. I managed a few shots past Pam, out of her open window. A small number had already gone in a different direction.

 


Their grey elegance never ceases to  thrill. A good start.

Winterton car park was pretty empty, we drove to the far end, as near to the sheds as is possible. Again, almost as soon as we'd stopped, a group of Snow Buntings appeared from below the cliff edge. landing on top of a far shed's roof. Instantly, they were off again, landing on a grassy clifftop verge in the shadow of the sheds, where they seemed to feed. This pattern was repeated, they were never still for more than a couple of minutes. I did take a few photos from the car. I'm sure that standing near the sheds would produce better. There's a very good Sea Palling Snow Bunting on Birdguides' photo of the week.

 

Despite the lack of cars, dogwalkers still appeared from the dunes behind the sheds, walking very near to the birds' feeding and resting places. Since the beach was restricted access during seal pupping, more people are using the clifftop and dunes. A notice said that over 3,000 pups had been born this season I'm assuming that means in the Horsey/Sea Palling area and doesn't include Blakeney.

 

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