Cley Marshes, Norfolk

On our way from Hickling to Holt we stopped at Cookies Crab Shop in Salthouse for a crab sarny, then onto the Cley cafe for a cup of coffee and a delicious brownie. At Cley Marshes, we saw Marsh Harrier, Avocets, Green Sandpiper, Bearded Reedling (nowhere near as obliging as those at Hickling Broad), and the reeds were full of nesting Warbler and Reed Bunting.

We only had the briefest of visits as we were on our way to check in with the lovely Viv at Willow House B&B in Holt, which we can highly recommend.

Here are a few more pics taken on our wander round the boardwalk.

Greatham Creek Avocets

On a recent trip to Teesside I caught the last light of the day at Greatham Creek.  I wasn't sure what was meant to be around and initially thought the white birds I could see in the distance were shelduck.  As I got closer I was pleasantly surprised to realise that amongst the shelduck were a group of 10 avocets.   I managed to catch one flying and you can see the beautiful patterns on the upper wing.

They are such a graceful looking bird in flight, despite those unlikely looking beaks!



Some of the rest of the flock looked like they were settling in for the night. They do breed on the pools at Seal Sands but my recollection is that they turn up a little later than this. 

Andrea

Blacktoft Sands

A recent evening trip to Blacktoft Sands offered some wonderful Barn Owl sightings as the bird flew overhead with a freshly caught rodent in its grasp, heading off in the direction of its nest box.

The bank sides were covered in the delicate branched flowering heads of Cow Parsley.

We also enjoyed sightings of Avocets on the water.

Bathed in golden sunlight, a striking male Reed Bunting sang from the top of a nearby bush, in feathery resplendence.

As the sun dipped the surrounding foliage glowed, emphasising the cobweb covered bristly seed heads of this clump of Teasels.

A view of the sunset as we made our way out of the Reserve.

Blacktoft Sands II

In addition to the fine display of Barn Owls at Blacktoft Sands on Sunday we enjoyed plenty more sightings earlier in the day. Having spotted our first Avocet up at Teeside on Monday we were doubly chuffed with today's closer views.



Whilst watching the Avocets a Snipe busied itself on the margin and came to rest in view, just above the vegetation.



The appearance of 50+ Black Tailed Godwits was highlighted in the recent sightings book, and we managed to catch up with them at Ousefleet Hide. Their distinctive features are a long, almost straight bill, pink at the base, white wing bar visible in flight, black tailbar. Watching them for a while we recognised them as a species we'd seen as a pair up at Creswell last autumn.

Whilst watching the Godwits two Roe Deer darted directly in front of the hide from the left, taking turns to chase each other. Andrea was quick with her camera and managed to get this shot. We spotted more throughout the day, one in the cultivated field that runs alongside the reserve and later in the reed beds whilst watching the Barn Owls.

Marsh Harriers nest on the reserve and are a regular sight.

On this occasion I watched a Marsh Harrier dive at an unsuspecting Coot and then try again a minute later. The Coot retaliated successfully and the Marsh Harrier moved on. Apologies for the quality of this sequence taken at a distance.

Teeside sightings

On a recent trip up to Teeside we popped in to Saltholme RSPB Nature Reserve and caugt sight of the Hooded Merganser following a report of the bird on the Teesmouth Bird Club website. As I understand its most likely an escapee but nonetheless a lovely looking bird. We were lucky that it swam right by the hide & plonked itself down for a rest.

Also on the water were Goldeneye, Teal, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Shelduck, Mallard, Mute Swan and Redshank on the margins.

Walking back from the hide to the visitors centre we spotted this Kestrel sat on top of a Hawthorn.

Reed Buntings, and Goldfinch busied themselves amongst the hawthorn hedgerows & Skylarks filled the air with their song.

Elsewhere on Greenabella Marsh we managed to spot 10 Avocets, too far away for a decent pic but happy enough with the sighting. Curlew galore on Seaton Common and an Egret on the Common too.