This female Marsh Harrier has been backwards and forwards just past the end of the garden this morning: it seems that local birds are increasingly adopting the habits of their continental cousins, becoming more frequent over arable land than marshland.
Well: hardly! Still, it did snow for an hour or so today, but - to the little Snowman's disappointment - it failed to settle!
Lovely Linda and I have been married thirty one years today: despite the gloomy prognostications, we're still ecstatically happy!
Before picking up Norman I had to spend ten minutes defrosting the car: nevertheless we reached Cley before 08.00, starting with a brief seawatch at the Coastguards. Lots of gulls, but nothing more exciting than the odd Common Gull. Several seals were feeding close in, suggesting shoals of bait fish. Just past the pill box we found a very flighty flock of fifteen Snow Buntings that refused to settle for decent photos.
A move to Bishop's Hide added brief glimpses of Water Pipit and Kingfisher: Pat's was almost devoid of interest, apart from a solitary Pinkfoot, so we took a walk along the East Bank, before the obligatory coffee.
Last stop was Walsey Hills. Snipe's Marsh held a couple of Grey Wagtails, while the feeders were attracting a good selection of finches and tits: the path along the top added Yellowhammer and a very large flock of Linnets, as well as a distant Raven.
Our usual team of Jason, Paul, Jane, Linda and me spent the weekend in our favourite part of Suffolk, exploring Rendlesham Forest by day and at night. In between we enjoyed some great food, conversation and walks, lunching at Orford Beach Cafe and dining at the Wilford Bridge: both really terrific venues. Lots of Crossbills in the Forest, but all fly-overs: one flock was over thirty-strong!
Tonight I'm scheduled to give a wildlife talk for the Blofield & District Conservation Group - a terrific organization that does amazing work in helping to maintain local churchyards, meadows and small reserves. We kick off at 7.30 at the Strumpshaw Community Hall, Mill Road, Lingwood.
Two early morning rises allowed me - finally - to connect with a decent display of the Northern Lights: they suddenly flared at 04.15, just as the sky cleared. Interestingly, there was little or no green, just a lovely deep red.
