Anne's Journal

Wednesday May 31 Despite the cold north easterly wind and grey skies, we spent an hour or so at Hickling NNT this afternoon. We'd been kept indoors for various reasons, and thought that we'd like some fresh air and, end of May, Norfolk birding.  Pam went into the Centre to request the usual permission to drive to Whiteslea Lodge whilst  also showing our membership card. She was also able to look at the results of this morning's moth traps catch. A mere eight species, which is astonishing for the time of year. We'd already caught all of them, apart from the Ghost Moth. Where were the reedbed specialities? The Ronaldo's ice-cream tub was very welcome.  Driving slowly as far as the bank access to look over Brendon's marsh, I was made aware of the only birds present. The displaying horde of non-formation Black Arrows jinking and swooping over the track and marsh. Exhilarating and awesome. I tried to photograph one. First find the bird through the car window,, then f...

 Thursday May 25 Despite Pam's sore throat, we went out for a birding day, our Norfolk month list is rather short. We spent seven hours driving the north Norfolk coast, with limited success number wise, seeing several new birds for the year and more for the County. We were horrified to experience seeing no birds at all until Thorpe Market, when Wood Pigeons appeared. Is it Avian Flu or, the general decline in species  brought about by global warming, countryside degradation etc. Or just a bad day. I recently read that the UK is the most nature impoverished country in the  world. That is horrifying. But, we did see Swifts at last. Our first were wheeling above West Rudham, long known to us as the Swift village.Others appeared at Snettisham Country Park and at three other places along the north coast. Always a pleasure to see these scimitar-winged, crow-black, aerial masters, arrowing through the May/July sky. By popular vote, the club I ran whilst still working, was calle...

 Wednesday May 24 We still regret that we cancelled our Mull visit - whilst believing that it was the right thing to do. Intending to have a relaxing few days, it has been difficult to do so with the demands of running a house and garden which have been largely left for five weeks. The house was spotless, Sam had worked her magic. During this time of year a few hours once a week in the garden is not enough to keep it under control. Adrian was very put out at the rampant weeds etc. We had adopted 'no-mow May', but the front lawn had proved too much of an eyesore (quote). The back lawn is rufty-tufty yet flowerless. No weed killer has been applied for the last two years, since we dispensed with the services of Green Thumb. The bottom wild bit has plenty of daisies and dandelions, the wild flower planting doesn't seem to have really taken off. As the temperature has risen, our moth catch has improved. yesterday we had 17 species of macro moth including:  The Seraphim   Coro...

 Friday May 19 The garage said they'd phone early afternoon when the pads came in. They did - and asked us to deliver the car by 4 o'clock. Pam was home with a fixed car soon after 5 o'clock. We went out immediately, to fill up with petrol, and for a last visit to Committee Road. It was very misty with low cloud hampering the views. We saw the male Hen Harrier and two distant raptors. The bog bean lochan had a female Mallard and two tiny ducklings , was that the whole brood, or the only survivors?  Our last two days have been curtailed by the car problem - our garage will hear about it when we get home. Not good enough. We've loved our three weeks here, as always, it's very difficult to believe that it may be the last time.

  Thursday May 18 I woke to...... rain and wind, the willow tree hedging I can see from my bedroom window, lashing furiously to and fro.  Pam appeared, having had a bad night worrying about the car. During the last week, it had developed a sporadic noise from what we thought was a rubbing brake pad. This has gradually become more frequent. As is her habit, before we left for Scotland, Pam took the car to the Mundesley garage for a booked pre-journey check-up. It had recently gained an MOT certificate. All was said to be well but, we might need new brake pads when we came home. Ha Ha, the time is now. Pam took the car in to the garage in Balivanich (Benbecula) where they said that we might not get 500 miles out of the current brake pads. And, they could get new pads by tomorrow, but they were short staffed and couldn't guarantee that the work would be done. A despondent Pam came back to the flat, where we discussed what we could do. We'd miss the ferry and our overnight Travelo...

  Wednesday May 17 The heading says it all. We did go out mid-day, driving to our favourite, Berneray, for the last time. We sat looking over the bay with no name, the occasional Arctic and Little Tern flying by, Ringed Plover, Sanderling and Dunlin scurrying on the tideline. A few Gannets were occasionally visible in the mist/rain. We gave it up when we saw that the forecast was for more of the same, driving home for a hot drink and jigsaws!

 Tuesday May 16 We were very late setting off, which didn't help. Committee Road produced absolutely no birds at all, a rarity in itself. Loch Sanderay had plenty of Oystercatchers, but even they were being scattered by an excitable sheepdog, charging after them through the water. The owner was weeding nearby, holding on to a second dog's collar. Och aye, he loves it, he'd be in there all day was her response. No comment from us, they live here. A pair of Linnets showed briefly on roadside wires.  A small passage of skuas had been reported from Aird an Runair this morning, both Long-tailed and Pomarine. We found a calm sea with very little wind - and no passing birds. We enjoyed the sun and the view for an hour or so before calling it a day. 'Our' Corncrake was calling again as we passed.  Pam parked and got out. She soon saw it only a few feet away. They're remarkable birds, even that close and in short grass, they put their heads down and disppear, only to re-...