Potter Heigham footpath

Wrapping up warm against the bitter east wind , we parked up at St Nicholas church Potter Heigham, carrying on down the West side of the church we headed for the woods at the end of this path,a welcoming break from the cutting wind.Blackthorn were struggling to come into bud, something to look forward to when we eventually get Spring.Only a few birds were chattering, the rest were probably shivering in the bushes, much as we were.this path emerged from the woods and we could glance across Potter Heigham marshes , we were rewarded with great views of White Fronted Geese, diminuative against the larger Canadas and Greylag, well worth the hikein the cold.

Going to tick this walk as one of my favourites, look forward to doing it in warmer weather.Situated nearby is Hickling Nature Reserve, a large reserve with varied habitats , and sightings of Bittern, and Cranes, and also very good sightings in autumn( along a specific path) Bearded Tits.Also there are Konik ponies and Highland cattle.if you are ever in the area come and enjoy!!!

Childhood paths, and hunting the Glossy Ibis!!

So many paths so little time, that was my mantra over the past few weeks, and also hunting the Glossy Ibis unsuccesfully i might add!!
A beautifully warm hazy day on the Halvergate road overlooking Halvergate marshes, not a sign of the Ibis of 5 Ibises i should say!!They are seen briefly usually, then they disappear into ditches, which as Norfolk being so flat is really frustrating as finding high ground to get a good view over the marshes is very difficult, so the only vantage point is the railway bridge on the Halvergate Road.They have also been seen at Burgh Castle, and Reedham , but we will not give up our quest!!!!

One of the old paths i was searching out was a childhood path from Boundary road to Burgh Castle, Gt Yarmouth, nearly 50 years ago now, which as you probably guessed a lot has changed unfortunately, such as factories being built on it, old bridges being demolished, marshes being built on or paths being redirected around a farmers field, old hedges had been dug up, so all in all completely different from the days of walking out over the marshes and jumping over dykes, but it was a lovely sunny day, and we did see three Little Egrets, so that was good.

The Reserve(my back garden and dyke) are doing well, so far we have a male and female Muntjak deer, a male and female pheasant, a dog fox, most of the plants are being eaten by the deer, so thats not so good, I had a Bank Vole last year, havent seen it yet this year, I dont know if they hibernate.

Oh and Smew lots of Smew, musnt forget them, Minsmere and Filby handsome wonderful birds!!!!!

And we have more things to look forward, Spring migration!!!Yey!!