Wader Spectacular at Snettisham RSPB

In contrast to Wednesday, yesterday was a beautiful day on the North Norfolk coast. We started the day with the Wader Spectacular at Snettisham. As it was a high Spring tide, the waders get forced of the mud in twirling clouds. The bands of different waders are intriguing as are the shapes that the masses of Knot, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwits etc made  - it appeared at one stage as a huge bird that gracefully took to the sky. Eventually when the mud is submerged they travel over the heads of watching birdwatchers and land on small islands in the gravel pits behind the sea wall. The light was too contrasty in that direction for much photography so we returned along the shore viewing various waders en route (another entry!)

Frampton Marshes RSPB Reserve on a Wet Windy Day

The forecast promised dry weather by mid-day in the Boston area so we headed north. Instead it got steadily wetter and windier during the day. However, the bird life made up for it. Shown here are a cold Goldfinch, Egret, juvenile Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Ruff, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Blacktailed Godwit in flight and Dunlin

Great Crested Grebe Feeding Young at Frampton Marsh RSPB

This Great Crested Grebe valiantly struggled against the very choppy water and rain to catch several  fish to feed its two chicks. One chick worryingly disappeared but was probably sheltering exhausted in the reeds.

Birds Feeding at Snettisham RSPB

At a first glance, the extensive mud flats at Snettisham appear devoid of birds at low tide but looking more closely we found Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover pulling out worms and a Curlew catching a crab. Further along Common Terns were snatching small fish from a creek and taking them back to islands on the gravel pits behind the beach. Most have finished breeding but one male tried to insist a female accepted his gift - in vain. Later an Egret was tossing a small invertebrate of some type.

A Day of Skies at Titchwell Norfolk

Yesterday's skies over the North Norfolk coast were impressive, especially as we never got the threatened rain.

Welney Wildlife - More Hobbies plus friends

We spent an enjoyable day at Welney recording the birdlife - all a bit distant again but great to see Hobby catching something from the reed beds (several catches observed), Marsh Harrier, family of Cranes, Godwits, Avocet, Snipe and Pochard. Mystery as to what the Hobby was catching - looks like a mole!!