Yes, Snettisham Again

 Saturday May 23

Accepting the theory that the half term, Bank Holiday weekend crowds would be either on their way here, or leaving before the rush, we were proved mainly right. With short stops at Sculthorpe Mill and Abbey Farm, we arrived at Snettisham at almost full tide. That made a change. Not the highest of tides, there were still acres of mud, but enough water for Snettisham Yacht Club dinghies to be out and racing. Toppers, a beginners boat, I believe.

 

To our delight, a lone adult Spoonbill was fishing in the first reserve pit, near to the pedestrian entrance walkway. The light wasn't ideal, but that's bird photography, one has to accept where the birds choose to be. 

 

There do not appear to be any nests in the roped off bank area this year. Last year  there were at least three Ringed Plover nests with their attendant cameras. A couple of Oystercatchers too. 

A long, dark line of birds near the far distant shore was mainly made up of Brent geese and Oystercatchers. Where have all the handsome Grey Plovers gone, I should have photographed them last time. 

Whist eating my lunch, I heard a Common Tern call. Pam found two on the near edge of the Cut, which was full of water  Definitely a record shot for the year folder, our only year tick today. 

 

Avoiding Hunstanton and Wells , our next stop , and a very short one, was Brancaster Staithe, which was as full of people and vehicles as we have ever seen it. Even the Clubhouse had a jam packed balcony of feeding visitors. Both the Crab Shack and Ice-cream van had long queues. We threaded our way through to the far end where there was space to stop and look, seeing no birds at all. A wading boy and his dog, bore testament to the shallowness of the water as they came ashore in front of us. 

Wells North Point  was popular too. Two large vehicles, parked where we like to park, disgorged two families and their pets. Armed with the ball throwing slingers dog walkers have these days, they set off for the beach. Apart from some Shelduck and Mallard, the pools were empty.

A hot day with sun and blue sky throughout. With an open window and our glass roof cover closed, the car was very comfortable. As always a pleasure to be out and about in the early summer countryside.

As I write, the back garden's resident male Blackbird is either singing, or often, making his loud, strident alarm call. Occasional baby Blackbird noises are probably why he is so twitchy.  The local Blackcap spends a lot of time singing too. The peace of the countryside can pall.