Norfolk... in the sunshine!!

Pete and I headed off with the sunrise for Norfolk. Normally we have bad to middling weather - today.....? it was glorious and more like summer than summer

Titchwell initially seemed quiet but we saw a goodly selection of birds. First up were some Bearded Tits... record shots only against the sun but the only ones I've ever photographed.

A few Brent Geese flew over

Bar-tailed Godwits, Little Egret, Meadow Pipits, Pied and Grey Wagtails, Oystercatchers, Golden Plover, Little Plovers, Little Stint, Linnet, Curlew, Redshank, Reed Bunting, were some of those seen; and today I got a lifer - Winchat.

We walked along the beach - the tide was far out, the sun still shining and warm

After this we headed off for

HUNSTANTON

and sat eating Sausage and chips over looking the very colourful gardens and out onto a sparkling sea.

And for the afternoon we headed off for

SANDRINGHAM - amazingly somewhere I've never been - beautiful gardens but, by now unfortunately, the sun had gone and high clouds had taken over but nonetheless it was wonderful to stroll around amongst the very old and varied trees.






















A good day out in some very unexpected but wonderful weather... really relaxing...

A long gap since last posting but...a Bushy Park stroll...

I seem to have been missing from bloggo-sphere recently and, more critically, I haven't been catching up on my fellow bloggers' blogs either.. (for which my apologies .....)

I've been rather busy domestically and this is set to continue for another couple of weeks or so... more on that topic in due course.

I have managed one or two quick trips into Bushy Park and this morning was no exception. After a dreadful summer - weatherwise - this last week has been glorious... lots of sunshine and warmth and plenty of it - an Indian Summer perhaps. But as I sit at the 'puter it's now chucking it down with rain... ah well..

On arrival today the first thing I heard was a Mistle Thrush... before I could spot it, it shot off to another tree... great to see it again though.

Just a few pics from my strolls...

A pair of Egyptian Geese which, together with the background, present a very autumnal picture

The Black-headed gulls are returning to the ponds; their winter marking now fully in place.

Pity about the interloper on the right...

The deer were very sleepy..

and the Jackdaws clearly had had a tiff... "not speaking to you...."

Three ducks in a row..

Amazed that these hydrangeas are still blooming..

In the Silver Birch glade an amount of tree felling had been done. All wood left in place making good homes for wildlife.

Someone with imagination has fashioned a couple of seats... just small ones for little people.

On one dead tree, much fungi was to be found..

head on view but...

if you go around to the side... what have we here? some new species of bird/animal perhaps :D

All through the woods it sounded as though it was raining; but it was the many acorns falling from the oak trees. The Jays love these and several dashed about.

and the leaves of this plant are more dramatic than the flower... growing in one of the small streams..

Great to have a break, stretch my legs, see some wildlife and get some fresh air...

A Ruff day at London Wetland Centre

Firstly, just to explain that the lack of "collection" birds at Barnes on my previous visit was purely that they were having a day of attention by enjoying their "health checks"... excellent attention they all get and subsequently not so many staff/volunteers to fill up feeders throughout this hive of bird-welfare activity.

I popped back on Saturday morning with limited time for my visit. The first two birds were a chiff-chaff and a black cap - both hiding in the bushes but lovely to hear and see them as this time of the year.

A young Robin entertained me for quite a while. It's parent was in the bushes on the opposite side of the path - deep under cover.

However, a real highlight was a Ruff on the scrape and did come somewhat closer to the Wader-Scrape hide. Now if only the sun had come out...

Lucky to get these record shots however and pleased to have got them :D

(these pictures best viewed by clicking on them to enlarge them)

A short visit but rewarding....