Sunny interlude in the Brecks...

Linda suggested a drive to Lynford for a walk, with a lunch stop somewhere pleasant: a terrific plan in theory, but not only was the traffic terrible on every road out of Norwich, but the Arboretum was rammed with dog walkers and elderly toggers.

Nevertheless, we found a couple of quiet spots and enjoyed good views of some decent woodland birds - Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Siskin, Nuthatch and, best of all, a couple of Yellowhammers. Lots of Buzzards but - for us at least - no Hawfinches. Great to bump into ex-pupil John Edwards and his dad Nick, who'd recently returned from visiting the Spectacled Eider in Holland!

After lunch at the 'Shepherd's Baa', we drove a couple of miles north to the Goshawk layby. After a minute or two a large Gos drifted over very high with three Buzzards. Last stop was Watton Antique Centre, where I couldn't resist a bargain 'Penny Lick' to add to my glass collection!

What's happening in the March skies: eclipses, planets and the ISS

This is the 'hard copy' of next Wednesday's monthly chat with Jules Button on Suffolk Sound radio.
Despite all the media hype, it was never possible to 'see eight planets' in February: two of them are far too faint to be naked eye objects and two others are too close to the Sun! However, Venus, Mars and Jupiter are still pretty splendid!

Coral reef update!

It's six and a half years since we set up our marine nano-tank: despite a few setbacks (and with messy regular maintenance!) we're still enjoying watching its colourful inhabitants growing and developing...

Siberian Chiffchaff at Cley...

After the usual 07.15 start, birthday boy Norman, Brian and I drove through the dawn to Cley, where we started the day with a seawatch: nothing to report, so we moved to Bishop's. The main feature was a huge flock - 150+ - of Avocets, which included a single Ruff. A walk to the sea and back was followed by tea and scones: we decided to give Warham Camp a miss, having been told that the Lesser WFs were pretty distant, heading west to Titchwell instead.

The tide was right out, but the exposed mussel beds had attracted lots of Brent Geese and a few waders: Oystercatchers, Curlews, Sanderling and, best of all, a couple of Grey Plovers. Driving back to Cley, we stopped at Stiffkey for close views of the Glossy Ibis (but failed to spot the reported Lesser Whitefronts!) Last goodie was a dinky little Siberian Chiffchaff in the fir trees above Walsey Hills: and so home!

SYNERGY at Acle Beer Festival

An early evening gig at this annual event was fun to play, if a little 'Back to the Future', performing on a high school stage! Great to see so many old friends and Synergystas and we look forward to doing it again next year!

~

A few photos from Collier Row...

A terrific day's trading at our last-ever Essex Mineral & Gem Show: slightly bitter-sweet because we have enjoyed every one of our visits over the years. Lots of friendly dealers and attendees wished us well and we were surrounded by customers all day - we were the last table to clear away!

Great to see chum Jason H there, as well spending time with terrific young couple Olivia and Alex: we are hoping to hand over SPACEROCKS UK to them after our final event next Month. The bottom photo is their astonishing display of Moldavites and Libyan Glass.

Last ever Collier Row mineral show....

Spacerocks UK (the meteorite dealership that Linda and I run) is closing in May: we're retiring after nearly 30 years. Now in our seventies, the long drives, hotel beds and increasing competition, means that our attendance at the Essex Gem & Mineral Show will be our very last at the venue. We have thoroughly enjoyed 'stalling out' since 2010, and will miss the knowledgeable dealers, friendly organisers and, of course, the fried egg sandwiches!

There will, of course, be some MASSIVE bargains: not just meteorites, but jewellery, display items and much more!

February survey at Hemblington Church

Since Peter and Sue had an engagement in Norwich, we met earlier than usual to carry out this month's bird survey at the Church. Despite a recorded temperature of 7 or 8 degrees, it felt colder because of the brisk wind. Nevertheless, we stuck it out and managed quite a good haul!

SYNERGY rock the Acle Beer Festival

We'll be 'avin' it large at Acle Academy on Sunday: see you there!

A fistful of year ticks in the Brecks

It being half term, Brian, Norman and I elected to visit the Brecks for a morning-only run round. First stop was Lynford, where a patient search failed to produce a conclusive Hawfinch, but gave us (always distant) views of Yellowhammer, Siskin and Brambling. From there we moved on to the Goshawk layby near Cressingham: again, although we saw two or three Goshawks they were always distant. (Nice to meet old teaching colleague Duncan McNiven and his delightful wife.) A few distant Woodlarks sang to the south of the road.

After a short drive to Becket End we searched in vain for the reported Ruddy Shelduck among a flock of Egyptian Geese. Last stop was a totally bird-free Santon Downham, so home for lunch!