Norfolk Day of Contrasts

Saturday dawned very wet in Norfolk  so we chose to visit a reserve with a hide - Hickling NWT. We spent a couple of hours there watching the Marsh Harriers and other birds including Bearded Tits, Reed Warblers and even a Water Rail. There were also several insects visible in the reeds to photograph. By lunch the rain had stopped and even a few glimpses of sun so we visited Horsey Gap tp walk on the beach and watch the seals and still heavy seas.

Hunstanton Beach

This pair of Common Seal pups were left on the boulders at Hunstanton as the tide receded on Saturday afternoon. Although not distressed, I was worried about their safety with a lot of dogs and people on the beach so contacted the Seal Rescue unit and someone arrived to assess the situation. Being a very low tide, contact of the mother with the pups was particularly difficult. I don't know whether the pups were guarded in situ or transported off the beach to the recovery centre but hopefully all was well with them. Very dramatic lighting all afternoon and the heavy rain eventually arrived in the night.

Dorset 9: Portland - Lighthouses, Huts, Boats, Wildlife and Views!!

A visit to Portland Bill on a perfect summer's day with blue skies and plenty to photograph including the three lighthouses (photographed two of these). In 1716, two lighthouses were built  and these continued to work as a pair until the 20th century. In 1901, the Corporation of Trinity House made the decision to replace the existing lighthouses, which had both been rebuilt in the 1860s, with a single one at Bill Point. The old one shown here is now a Bird Observatory. First Marbled White seen and photographed on Pyramidal Orchid and also a Grey (?) Seal. Lots of views back towards Portland itself, Prison entrance, Weymouth and Chesil Beach

 

Little Terns and Seals at Winterton

On Saturday, as high temperatures were forecast, I decided on a trip to Winterton (I was staying in Norwich); this proved a good move as there was a cooling sea breeze for the day. The colony of Little Terns (plus occasional Sandwich and Arctic Terns) rested on the beach and then flew around in a large flock when anyone approached. A couple of Seals joined in the fun for a time. Into the light and with light behind gave totally different image styles.

 

Beaumaris I. Cruise Around Puffin Island

Beaumaris Pier is functional rather than decorative with lots  of railings where crab fishing and Jellyfish spotting can take place . The cruise took us along the shore past the Penmon Quarry with its deserted buildings to the Penmon Lighthouse with its cottages with their tall chimneys (very reminiscent of the Happisburgh, Suffolk, buildings). We then did a circuit of Puffin Island which lived up to its name though most Puffins have already left to spend the winter on the North Atlantic. We also got close to several Grey Seals.