Category: 2009 list

The final day of the weekend, we were determined to make the most of the weekend in terms of birds seen and time spend by the sea. We were first in for breakfast, a great veggie affair mushrooms, potatoes, eggs, beans, spinach and tomatoes, then we checked out and headed down to the car park at Titchwell, strangely we were not the first birdwatchers to arrive.

Apparently there was another very high tide which was about to turn, this meant that all the waders that normally spend their time on the mud uncovered by the tide would be on the scrapes of the bird reserve! True to form there were hundreds of them, knot, godwits, plovers, turnstone, the full monty. We headed on out to the beach (eider in eclipse plummage), then took a stroll down the beach for a mile or so to the end of the sand spit.

On the way back we spotted no less that 5 spoonbill, and a bloody-nosed  beetle, and so after spending some money in the RSPB shop we had to head home.

The weekend of great weather continues. On Saturday we decided to revisit a walk we had done when we were staying at Salthouse in May. We dropped the car off in Burnham Overy Staithe, which proved to be difficult because there was a very high tide early in the day and all the sailors were out sailing and the normal car park was underwater. We found a spot and left the car, the plan was to walk to Holkham then get the bus back to the car.

We headed off along the sea wall,  the tide was higher than we have ever seen. It was on the turn and the currents were quite fast, and there were not a lot of waders about. When eventually got to a junction where right is to Holkham and left is towards the end of a peninsula where we had spied a couple of bird hides in May. In the way we came across a big flock of Linnet. At the end of the spit we could see all the sailors that had either sailed out or got a ferry to the island.

We walked along the beach and after a few hundred yards got our shoes and socks off. We then spent the next couple of miles bare foot paddling through the waves. We were however not as unclad as the nudists on the nudist section of the beach, (why do they insist on standing up and strutting about rather than just sunbathing like the rest of us.

We eventually got  to the strange area that gets flooded by the sea but not on every tide. There was lots of Samphire growing around there and the sand/mud was very slippery. We then reluctantly joined the public masses and headed for a bite to eat at the Holkham cafe. The bus then took us back to the car, but before heading back we checked out an Art exhibition in the local village hall.

That evening I had Samphire for a starter folled by Mackrel with runner beans and a mustard and gooseberry sauce!

The plan was to walk from home to Wendover along the grand union, then grab some lunch and walk back via the ridgeway over the hills. On the way round the village we decided to invite Helen’s folks along so we stopped off at Hillside on the way.

We left at about 10:30 and got to Wendover about 12:30. Along the way there were lots of ducking and signets, including Mandarin Duck. After lunch and a pint at the Red Lion we headed out along the brook that runs out of Wendover along the ridgeway.

By 15:40 we got to “The Cafe in the Woods” for a welcome coffee and cakes. Finally got back home at 17:40 with tenderised feet, but a good walk all the same.

Swift, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Thrush, Starling, Rook, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Magpie, Coot, Little Grebe, Mallard, Mandarin Duck, Long-tailed Tit, Buzzard, Swallow, Mute Swan, Dunnock, Jackdaw, Wood Pigeon, Blackcap, Moorhen, Blackbird, Red Kite, Green Woodpecker, Swift, (22 YTD )

Got the bus to Stiffkey Fen just outside Stiffkey. On the way to the Fen two bird watchers let us know that there was Temmerick Stint and Little Ringed Plover to be seen. We did our best but it took the help of a friendly couple to track them down. Whilst we were searching we could hear a Cuckoo then after a while it flew across right in front of us We headed on towards Morston where we heard a very vocal bird in a bush which we eventually caught sight of it was a Cetti’s Warbler. The coastal path is fantastic and the blue skies and southerly breeze made for a great day out walking, especially this time of year. We eventually got to Blakeney then got the bus to Cley where we had lunch at Cookes tea room. Later on we plan to walk down the north edge of the reserve hoping to see the Spoonbill on Billy’s Wash, and the Little Terns on Arnolds!

Clocks went back, so had to get up earlier than usual. Button won the Grand Prix. Added to list on the way to breakfast Pied Wagtail on the lawn.

Decided to park at Minsmere and walk to Dunwich and back. Weather cold but clear blue skies. Stopped at Dunwich for fish and chips part III, skate and chips was my choice, and very nice it was too. After lunch headed back to Minsmere, but not via the beach as the tide was in and the pebbles looked heavy….but after an ill advised change of mind the draw of the sea was too much, and yes we did regret it! Back at the visitors center by 15:30, on the road by 15:45 homoe by 18:30, a good run with only a slight queue t the M25 Aylesbury turn off.

Pied Wagtail, Collared Dove, House Sparrow, Wood Pigeon, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Rook, Moorhen, Marsh Harrier, Mute Swan, Greylag, Canada Goose, Greenfinch, Coal Tit, Magpie, Black Headed Gull, Dartford Warbler, Kestrel, Robin, Cormorant, Long-tailed Tit, Goldfinch. (22 YTD )