Black Stork dip, but a huge flock of Mediterranean Gulls

With news on RBA that the recently-present Black Stork was lingering around Horsey, I waited impatiently for Lin to return from shopping with her chum KT. In the event her unexpectedly late arrival meant I missed the Stork by just a few minutes (Had I known it, the bird had circled round to Hickling!)

Whilst chatting with a really pleasant couple from Stalham, I noticed that the groups of 40 or 50 gulls passing eastward were mostly Mediterranean Gulls of virtually every possible plumage: they stated that these flocks had been drifting towards the dunes for around an hour! Just before I left for home, a huge flock rose up behind the farm - easily seven to eight hundred birds.

Plenty of raptors around: Marsh Harriers, Red Kites, a Sparrowhawk, several Common Buzzards and a Hobby.

Astonishing breakfast at the 'Fizz & Fromage'

Now and then Linda and I treat ourselves to breakfast out: we've eaten at the Fizz & Fromage (by Wroxham Station) in the past and thought it was time for another visit. To be brief: it was by far the best veggie breakfast we've ever eaten! Everything was fresh and cooked to perfection and the sausages were to die for! Not expensive, either: £11 each! Thoroughly recommended...

Four Hummers!

Just had four Hummingbird Hawkmoths feeding on the Buddleia in front of my office window: first time we've had four at once! Needless to say, I couldn't manage a focused shot of them all together, but here's a couple and a video!

And again!

Sorry if you're not into astronomy, but the last quarter Moon was really interesting to look at this morning: the giant crater complex Clavius was particularly striking...

Beautiful dawn Moon...

The waning gibbous Moon was absolutely stunning in this morning's crystal-clear sky...

Amazing day on the North Coast

My turn to drive! We rendezvous-ed at my house before heading north by way of Wroxham. First stop was Bishop's hide, Cley, where the first of two Curlew Sandpipers - both in smart plumage - fed among a large group of Ruff and Dunlin. Other birds dropped in: Great Egret, Spoonbill, Bearded Tit, Common and Green Sandpipers, Yellow-legged Gull and four juvenile Yellow Wagtails. Best of all, though, was a young Water Rail skulking amongst the reeds to the left of the hide. After an enjoyable chat with a delightful couple from Yorkshire, we headed to reception for tea and cakes.

Having moved the car to the East Bank carpark, we strolled out to the sea, picking up two distant Glossy Ibises on the way. No sign of the Jack Snipe, but another year tick was available between the North Screen and the new hide: after a bit of searching (and with confirmation from Julian!) I found a female-type Whinchat - not always guaranteed these days.

On the way back to the car, I was delighted to find a mint-fresh Clouded Yellow flitting back and forth across East Bank: most welcome. Ice creams and then home!

Ready for the eclipse!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I sent off for some 'eclipse glasses' ready for August 12th (although I still have the 1999 ones somewhere!) The first image of the Sun was taken with the phone camera filter that came with them: the next two were taken with my Canon R7 and the Baader foil filter I made. At under a fiver, definitely a good investment - particularly if you live in Spain!

Just a phase! Venus at dusk

Venus is still a brilliant object above the western horizon: its phase is visible even with binoculars.

About time for 'anti-agism' to be a thing!

Over the past couple of decades there's been a huge increase in legislation aimed at protecting the rights of almost every minority group in the country: isn't it time that the same consideration was given to older drivers?

The graphs below (both from online Government sources) demonstrate exactly who are the most dangerous driver age groups on UK roads (Both in terms of traffic accidents and fatalities)  Yet our (unelected) PM and his cronies seem intent on driving motorists over 70 years old off the roads with increasingly draconian new regulations...

Near-total Solar Eclipse!

I've just been having my monthly Astronomy chat with the lovely Jules Button on 'SUFFOLK SOUND' radio. I spoke at length about the 92% Solar eclipse that will occur late afternoon on August 12th, and stressed (as always) that it is very dangerous to look at or near the Sun with the naked eye. As promised, here's a simple set-up for projecting the Sun with a small telescope. You can buy eclipse filters quite cheaply online HERE Well worth the money!

Hummingbird Hawkmoths

This long, hot spell seems to have been favourable for butterflies and moths, particularly Painted Ladies and Hummingbird Hawkmoths. We've had numerous individuals of both species in the garden throughout July: as I type this there are two Hummers visiting the Buddleia. What I'd like now is a Clouded Yellow!