The night sky in April

Here're my notes for April's broadcast on Suffolk Sound: still lots to see (following two eclipses in March!) and Orion is still a fantastic sight just after sunset...

Partial eclipse of the Sun

For once there were very few clouds to spoil this rare event! Linda and I enjoyed watching the eclipse with the traditional 'bowl of water' method, as well as using the filter we bought in Devon for the 1999 eclipse.
Here's a sequence leading up to maximum at just after 11.00am.

Snowman's monthly outing!

Poor little fellow is looking a bit 'freezer burnt': there wasn't enough snow to patch him up this Winter, so he's gone all crusty! Still: he's doing well for his age!

Comings and goings!

In the six years since we put up our owl box, not a single owl has shown the slightest interest in it (Although a Tawny once sat hooting on the roof!) However, that's not to say it's never occupied: every year there's a competition between pairs of Stock Doves and Jackdaws - which the corvids always win! Also: at the moment we're regularly visited by a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers that seem to enjoy the Gingko tree.

Hemblington Church wildlife survey

It's that time again! Linda, Sue, Peter and I met at the 'little church on the hill' to carry out this month's survey (this is our eighth year!) Lots of species, but nothing new (Although the first Chiffchaff was most welcome!) The only butterflies were Brimstones, but there were plenty of bees, including several pairs of Hairy-footed Flower Bees.

Black Redstarts at Morston...

...and lots more besides!
Just Brian and I today, so we headed straight for Morston Quay to search for yesterday's Black Redstarts. After a fairly lengthy prowl around the boats and jetties, Brian found one and then a second 'female type' Black Redstart: what engaging little chats they are! Other highlights included a pair of Rock Pipits, three Spoonbills over and a very dapper Greenshank.

After an hour or two we moved eastward to Cley for coffee and scones: apart from some close Marsh Harrier action, a walk along the East Bank wasn't particularly productive, so we decided to head home by way of Hickling.

Despite a thorough search, there was no sign of  the reported  Garganeys, but Little Ringed Plover was new for the year and it's always nice to see Cranes!

Sunspots

Just a few spots on the Sun as it set tonight...

Norwich Antiques Fair

A couple of times a year the Norfolk Showground hosts a very impressive antiques fair: there are loads of stalls outside and perhaps a hundred more inside. Linda and I spent a pleasant couple of hours exploring, finding a few odds and ends for our various collections. (I bought a mid-19th century glass and an Egyptian Shwabti figure, while Linda bought a garden ornament and some jewellery)