Fulmar - photo'ed!

An early seawatch from the balcony finally allowed me to photograph the Fulmar that has skidded by a couple of times a day! The only passerine we've seen on the apartments (apart from Starlings) has been this Pied Wagtail

Fulmar

Too slow! While I was drinking a coffee on the balcony of our apartment in Sheringham, a beautiful Fulmar twice passed right in front of me: the second time it was nearly overhead!

After breakfast, Linda and I walked to the station and, following a look around the market (where I bought a Woolly Rhino tooth!) we caught the steam train to Holt. After an enjoyable ride along the North Coast we spent the morning wandering around the shops, buying lots of exciting bits and pieces. Lunch in the little central square, then we caught the bus back to the station for the train ride back to Sheringham.

More North Coast ramblings: five more year ticks!

A visit to the centre hides at Cley gave Linda and me great views of Great White Egret, Sedge Warbler and Wren, but not such good views of Wood and Common Sandpiper and a pair of Little Ringed Plovers (all on South Pool)

A trudge along the beach added Cattle & Little Egret, as well as Swift - first of the year -  before coffee and 'stickies' at the Reserve Centre.

We spent the afternoon fossil hunting at West Runton and Overstrand - unfortunately to no avail - before a walk around Sheringham and another coffee in the afternoon sunshine!

An unexpected bird!

Linda and I were invited for supper in Cromer with Linda's son Simon and his delightful partner Jo. While we were eating I glanced from the dining-room window to see a Hooded Crow perched on an aerial about half a mile away! Excusing myself, I fetched the camera and trotted off around the corner. Once I was close enough I grabbed a few shots before it flew away. (Simon and Jo had previously had the bird on their aerial!)

More year ticks on the North Coast

Linda and I enjoyed some long walks at Cley, Salthouse Iron Road and Kelling Quags, finding some decent birds but missing out on our main target - Whinchat. Still: the Yellow Wagtails more than made up for it!

The night sky in May and ISS transits over Norfolk

Still some good things to see in the sky in May, although the days are lengthening, meaning late night observation is generally necessary!

Yaffle!

While Linda and I were setting up our garage sale this morning, we heard the distinctive call of a Green Woodpecker from our Sycamore tree. We quickly went through to my office, from where I took these photos (through a somewhat grimy window!) before the bird flew off. This is an 'often heard, seldom seen' species for the garden!

Strumpshaw Fen: it's been a while....

Since Linda needed the car, I took a quick run around Strumpshaw, half hoping to catch one of the resident Barn Owls still out hunting. Since it was a somewhat late start, I wasn't surprised to miss out (although there was one sat in its nest box!)

Lots of recently arrived migrants: Cuckoos, Sedge Warblers, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Whitethroats, with Bearded Tits and Marsh Harriers as backup - at least two booming Bitterns as well.

I had thought I might bump into 'Summer Winer' Norman, but it wasn't to be - nice to chat with long-time acquaintance 'Blonde' Liz, who had the same set up as me, with the addition of a 1.4 converter. (Too dear for me!) A teneral damselfly (Large Red?) was my first odonatid of the year.