Two days in a row Linda has driven up to the Church alone (we don't unlock on Thursday, so I stayed at home) Naturally the pair of Grey Partridges were right by the gate, allowing Linda to take some video with her phone. Naturally I drove back as soon as she told me, and naturally there was no sign! However, there were two Chiffchaffs, a Brown Hare and a Red Kite as some recompense.
Our favourite car boot (Harford Park & Ride) reopened last weekend, so Linda and I made an early start - I'm glad we did! Almost the first table we came to had two professional 'T-bar' lightings rigs, which I was able to snap up for £45!
Yesterday I took them round to our guitarist Tim (who's good with this sort of stuff!) He gave them his seal of approval and has already overhauled them and ordered a few spares to bring them up to scratch: he reckons a fair valuation would be £300+ (I should say: this is the same car boot where I bought two of the band's monitor speakers for £25!)
No Brian today, so Norman picked me up at 7-ish for a run up to the north coast. The target bird was the somewhat elusive American Wigeon that has been touring the Kelling - Salthouse - Cley strip: since it had been seen yesterday from the Iron Road, that's where we started. Sadly no sign, so after a check through the distant Scoter flock (picking up the Long-tailed Duck) we moved to Cley.
Bishop's Hide gave us Common Sandpiper and close views of several Little Ringed Plovers, as well as the first of three Snipe: a walk along the East Bank added Whimbrel, shared with us by a pleasant couple from Shropshire as well as old acquaintances Mike and Richard. The walk back added Reed Warbler and Spoonbill to the list.
After coffee we walked out to the centre hides, enjoying great views of numerous Sedge Warblers, Common Lizards and a confiding Wren. Nothing else to see, so we decided on a last check from the Iron Road, where, thanks to regular Julian and his dog Buttons, we finally 'enjoyed' telescopic views of the American Wigeon as it snoozed on a distant island!
When Linda went to unlock Hemblington Church yesterday, she was delighted to find a Grey Partridge perched on the 'waste' heap. (Unfortunately she only had her phone...We both went up this morning, but there was no sign: there was a Lesser Whitethroat calling from the hedge down the hill however! Meanwhile, our resident Red-legged Partridges are still ruling the roost!
In case you've ever wondered why Hairy-footed Flower Bees are so called, these photos (a tawny-coloured male and an almost all black female) will explain! The larger bee is, I think, a Common Carder Bee...
On the spur of the moment Linda and I decided on an Ouzel hunt on the north coast, arriving on Salthouse Heath at around 8.30. Despite a good search we failed to locate any birds of note, so drove down the hill to the East Bank, picking up a Hobby over the Dun Cow. Fleeting glimpses of Sedge Warbler and Bearded Tit were all that the strong wind allowed, but a Marsh Harrier carrying a rabbit was interesting ('though probably not for the rabbit!) Bishop's Hide gave us close views of Snipe and Little Egret but nothing new...
While we were enjoying hot drinks in the reception centre a Spoonbill and a couple of Great Egrets flew distantly by. Our friend at reception was kind enough to give us directions to a pair of Ouzels at the western end of the Heath: within minutes we were enjoying good views of these delightful birds, in the company of the equally delightful Eddie Myers!
It's that time again! How quickly the weeks pass.... Linda, Sue, Peter and I carried out the monthly survey, this time in bright sunshine! Nineteen species recorded, including a dapper little Linnet actually in the churchyard (rather than flying over it!)
Last night there was the potential for a truly memorable display of the 'Northern Lights': the online alert indicated that the aurora should have been visible over the whole of the UK. Unfortunately here in East Norfolk a thin veil of cloud developed towards sunset - which, in any case, didn't take place until the peak had passed. Nevertheless, Linda and I could definitely see that the northern sky had a delightful pink-purple hue. which shows up quite well on these 15 second exposures.
