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Tuesday 15 September 2020

An early start at Hickling NWT reserve.

When Brian and I get together it's always an early start: we like to get ahead of the crowds. In these post apocalyptic days (!) there seems to be very few places you can visit that don't fill up by lunchtime with strollers in brightly-coloured T-shirts, with brand new binoculars dangling at waist height!

Today we met at Hickling just after 7.00 and walked briskly around the reserve, meeting just one other birder, camped in Cadbury Hide. Given the early-morning fog, I had hoped there might have been a fall of waders or even passerines, but in the event the only wader was a Common Sandpiper on the new scrape. There were a few bits and pieces to enjoy, best being family groups of Cetti's Warblers and Bearded Tits, as well as the usual Cranes (5) and Great White Egrets (2)

After a cup of coffee at the Reserve Centre, we decided to call it a day: the car park was more or less full!











3 comments:

Anne and Pam said...

Go for it David, plenty of years left for the pleasure it will give you.
And us !

Unknown said...

Got there at 8.45 last Friday. Late in birding terms. No one about. Saw bittern, 20 cranes. Numerous waders and hobbie. Apparently most people wait for the centre to open. I wonder whether most people think the reserve is empty at midday?

David Bryant said...

Hi 'Unknown'
I think you're right: people perhaps think that others will be at home having lunch. It's amusing when B, N and I are leaving, say, Strumpshaw at 10am , having seen Otter, Beardies, Bittern, Kingfishers etc all before 9.00: you can be absolutely certain they'll see none of these!