Norwich Castle

Friend Sue gifted Linda and me a pair of tickets to visit the newly-renovated Norwich Castle Museum: yesterday was our first opportunity to use them! The Castle has had a complete restructuring, giving a real feel as to how the place would have looked and functioned from its Norman origins to the modern era. The natural history displays and artwork are still present, but have been de-emphasized in keeping with current thinking: as birdwatchers, we found the stuffed birds as fascinating as ever, but somewhat moth-eaten and faded. The views from the battlements were worth the climb, despite the grey skies and drizzle.

It was an enjoyable visit (despite the lifts being out of order!) but would we have paid the regular price of £17 each? I don't think we would, to be honest.

Resident Little Owl

There are - as far as I'm aware - three Little Owl nesting sites on the Heath: this one has been occupied off and on for twenty years! Little Owls have been occasional visitors to Hemblington Churchyard, but I suspect that recent building work at Hemblington Hall might have put paid to that..

The Moon and Jupiter

As soon as night fell, the first quarter Moon and Jupiter were visible high in the sky. Before the clouds drifted across I grabbed a few images of this attractive conjunction, and others showing the rich crater fields along the terminator (edge of the shadow!) You can still make out the so-called 'lunar X and Y ' (sometimes 'V') as well as a second V nearby!

Monthly survey at Hemblington Church: large flock of Fieldfares!

The monthly wildlife survey took place in somewhat chilly weather, with strato-cumulus clouds rushing over from the north west. New recruit Sue joined Linda and me for a fairly routine survey, enlivened by three flocks of Fieldfares, each of 50+. A single Brown Hare was the only non-avian highlight..

Norwich Parakeets!

On our way home from the Brecks yesterday, Brian and I stopped to check on the small breeding colony of Ring-necked Parakeets at Marston Lane (near Tesco's!) Although flocks of thousands of this invasive species can be seen in the south, they're still uncommon in Norfolk: we found five or six after a bit of searching.

Four year ticks in the Brecks!

Brian and I made an early start and were at Santon Downham before 07.30. A walk from the road to the new wooden bridge and back revealed very little: a couple of Great Spotted Woodies, a Little Egret and both Song and Mistle Thrushes. We crossed the road and, from the iron bridge, immediately saw two pairs of Mandarins. A short walk gave us excellent views of a species I failed to see last year! Near the car I picked out the silhouette of a Crossbill: a male, as it turned out.

A ten-minute drive found us at Mayday Farm, where, after a stroll along the gravel track, we settled down by the small, man-made pool. The cool breeze and lack of sunshine didn't bode well, but in the event we spent an amazing hour, with close views of Siskins, Redpolls, Goldcrests, Coal Tits and - best of all - Crossbills and a couple of Brambling! We finished the day just south of Norwich, adding Ring-necked Parakeet to the year list - photos tomorrow!

What a whopper!

Flower Bees fly so quickly - and erratically - that it's not easy to see or photograph the amazingly disproportionate proboscis of the tawny-coloured males...