An early start saw Brian, Norman and me at Titchwell at 8.00am. Our target was the long-staying Red-necked Phalarope, which (with the help of a friendly local!) we eventually found - distant, but most welcome. Other birds included several Curlew Sandpipers, a fleeting Black Tern and a showy flock of Golden Plovers...
A move to Cley for coffee and scones added eight Spoonbills and two Little Stints to the day's tally - and we were home by 1.30!
Actually, both Common Frogs and Toads are resident in the garden: we have a splash pool and a small pond with a rockery surround that provide them with food and shelter all year round. I was cleaning the pump filters today when this handsome chap popped out to say hello!
We used to have newts as well, but the large Koi and Golden Orfe have apparently seen them off..
Linda and I drove through the back lanes of Suffolk, arriving at Helmingham Hall just as the garden festival opened its gates. As usual we spent far too much, but it's impossible to ignore the incredible range of plants on offer: one stall alone had scores of different, new cultivars of Lobelia. We added to our wildlife art gallery with another lovely piece by artist Kirstie Steadman - a Nuthatch, this time. Despite the predicted rain, the weather was fine and mild and we had a thoroughly enjoyable few hours.
There was a super-clear sky this morning, dominated by the Moon, Jupiter and Venus: not ideal for comet spotting! Nevertheless, with a long exposure of the region to the north of Gemini and with reference to star maps of the region, I think I pinned down the 9.2 magnitude Comet Lemmon.
The ISS was a brilliant object as it passed over Norfolk at 8.30 last night.
Linda, Sue, Peter and I carried out this month's survey on a bright, blustery day: we were pleased to record a good spread of species, including two hirundines and a couple of Swifts!
