Still There?

 Sunday October 11

It's well known amongst Norfolk birders that Stone Curlews collect at Great Cressingham's pig fields in the Autumn, before migrating south for the winter. There can be over a hundred. There are many pig fields, only viewable through gaps in hedges or gateways. We intended going last week but medical appointments got in the way. Pauline and Pete did go, finding seven birds. Would any still be there for us as its well on in October.

A lovely Autumn morning to be driving through the countryside, we went across country rather that the fast via Norwich route. Arriving in the village of Great Cressingham, we drove up the hill until we saw the first pig pens, stopping at the first gap. I laughed, saying, 'That's Pauline's shed'. We had stopped alongside the shed where Pauline had seen some birds last week and sent me a photo. Pam made the short walk, scanning the fields to either side, without luck.

We continued up the long, straight sloping road, stopping at every hedge gap so that I could scope. I saw a Green Woodpecker, Pied Wagtails, a myriad Jackdaws, Lapwing and Starlings. Plus of course very many large white sows. Combined with narrow gaps, moving pigs, tall vegetation and pig pens, viewing is difficult. Coming to a double gated entrance, we ate lunch, before moving on to the T junction. One more try.

Pam drove back towards the village, before turning, and stopping, at a small hedge gap before getting as far as THE shed. Immediately, I found two Stone Curlew standing together, only just visible on the left of the gap. I enjoyed the views whilst getting Pam onto them - she's very good with her bins - before finding another bitd to the right and then another a little further away. Returning to the first pair......they'd disappeared. All four had now gone, melting away like Peter does at Cley moths. That was a close one. 

Delighted wirh our find, we drove home to watch Manchester City prove how well spent their millions of illegal money had been. 

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