Shine on Harvest Moon!

With a more or less cloud-free sky, tonight's 'Harvest' Moon was a splendid sight, peeping over the hedge at 19.20 tonight. Half an hour later, Saturn appeared, below and to the left.

Unusual Raptor at Hemblington church

While Linda and I were unlocking All Saints today, we noticed a slate-grey raptor moving away across the fields beyond the dew pond. It was bigger than a Sparrowhawk, but smaller than a Buzzard. Any ideas?

Suffolk Sound: the night sky and ISS in October

I've just (3.45) finished my monthly chat with the charming Jules Button on Suffolk Sound radio (available online for a day or two) As promised, here are some things to look out for in October...

Could this become a Nutcracker year?

It's reported that there's been a westward movement of Nutcrackers into Norway: if this continues, a few people's lists might gain a new species! I've seen two: the first in Westleton in November 1985, the second in Cocknage Wood, south of Stoke in October 1992. Obviously, I'd be pleased to add the species to my photo library! (Interesting to see how my 'art' developed between those dates!)

One day off full...

Saturday's Harvest Moon will rise around 18.20 and should look pretty spectacular: being just above the horizon it will seem larger than normal. Here's today's gibbous Moon, just one day off full.

A second Stork dip...

I'm not blaming RBA for missing a White Stork near Woodton today, but I think some of their phone-in reporters could try to be a little more concise! As you can see from the images below, a White Stork was reported in the same region as earlier this month: Linda and I were on site by 10.15, but - despite cruising the lanes for over an hour - there was no sign. I phoned RBA and they were honest enough to admit that they'd posted a 'third-hand sighting' and had no idea where the Stork was...

Dew pond birds!

The High Noon Lane dew pond was full of life this morning: as well as the semi-resident Green Sandpiper, a Meadow Pipit, a flock of Linnets and a pair of White Wagtails visited for a drink! Nearby we were pleased to see several Yellowhammers on the wires..

Tuesday Moon

These photos of last night's waxing gibbous Moon reveal the extent of the rays of impact debris spreading out from the crater Tycho: some actually pass completely around the Moon.

Great morning at Cley

Norman and I traveled north to Cley: the early morning mist soon evaporated to leave mediterranean-style sea and sky. A small flock of Golden Plovers were good to see, feeding nervously on the edge of the Eye Field. A brief sea watch produced just Guillemots and Razorbills, so we moved inland to Bishop's. Almost the first birds we encountered were two drake Mandarins - quite unusual at Cley: a couple of Water Rails scurried around, but wouldn't pose for photos!

A move to the Iron Road produced great views of a Lapland Bunting: it gradually crept closer along the path until it was just a few yards away. Before coffee we drove back to the Coastguards, where (with the kind help of two CBC members) we eventually managed to see a distant juvenile Black Guillemot.
Back to the VC for coffee and scones (and a fly-over Raven!) before a walk along the East Bank: nothing to report, so an early return home.

Cromer

Just a few photos of our day in Cromer with Sue, Margaret, Chris, Peter and Neil: most enjoyable. As you can see, the house Margaret had rented had terrific sea views and was right next to the Cafe de Paris. Amazing to watch a young guy knapping flints to repair the church wall.

Cromer with friends: Peregrine and Caspian Gulls

Great friends Peter, Sue and Margaret invited us up to Cromer for a walk round and lunch at 'Mary Jane's', joined by new friends Chris and Neil.
I took my cameras just in case, and managed (eventually!) to grab a few photos of a Peregrine on the church tower. The gulls were more problematical: I think at least a couple of these are Caspians... More later!