Littlemissladybirder a Caister on Sea birder

My former blog was called Littlemissladybirder, but as Im not a very good birder and compared to all the other birding blogs should anybody stumble accross the ladybirder site I felt they would be a bit disappointed I decided to change the name of my blog maybe Caister on sea Birding would have been a bit better, I dont know,I may change it again who knows!!

Raptors on the move and Corton paths

Crikey past couple of days have been a right hot bed of Raptor action, probably due to the weather breaking and the wind dropping, lots of news from the Winterton birders of Red Kites, Buzzards and a White Tailed Eagle passing over their their patch,needless to say I didnt see any of this, but, I did see the Long Eared Owl at Bure Park, lovely views of it hunkered  down in a copse on the island in the middle of the lake fast asleep.also the Garganey were still there.
Today was a weird day, hunting paths on an old map that was probably years out of date, and the so called paths had long gone due to erosion, we were left after quite a pleasant walk along a hedgerow bordered path with having to negotiate Hopton holiday village, then finding Beach road and walking down there even though the signs said no pedestrian access, bit stupid of us, but not as stupid as the people who parked their car on the side of this road to walk to the beach where a huge truck with wheels taller than me was driving up and down carrying enormous boulders.
Back to the out of date map and a bit of a favourite of mine old disused railways, and we found Corton old railway path, very nice and secluded a good birding spot, apparently , and nearby Corton Sewage Works another good birding spot, so not all bad then!Paths around the works were bordered by shrubs and small trees of all sorts and there were Knapweed plants everywhere so in the summer it must be a Bee and Butterfly haven, there is also a nice little wood bordered by a small stream with tiny fish in.We also saw a family out for a walk but their birdy companion was a Harris Hawk,a handsome boy.they tried to get him to show off a bit for us but he was a bit tired and waddled along the floor skipping and hopping with his bells jangling.

The Otter jinx strikes again!¬!

All set for a nice Easter Monday day out, the destination was to be a surprise for me. The day started out very cold and murky, but we were promised sunshine at some point during the day, but alas this wasnt to be until the afternoon, bit of a shame considering where we went.We went to Thetford, we parked by the river close to the centre of Thetford, we walked along the spring walk, and the bridges walk by the sluice at the coffee Mill.We were supposedly looking for the Black Bellied Dipper.We didnt see one, but all this was a sham, because, having worked and volunteered on the Broads for about 6 years now, I have never seen an Otter, and every time somebody says to me , oh yes i ve seen loads they are at Barton, Filby Board walk, Acle Bridge, blah blah blah I just want to tell them to go away!!!in no uncertain terms!!Getting very cold and bored I was eventually told of the real reason we were wandering up and down the river, there were loads of people there with their zoom lenses and binoculars, was there any Otters, not flippin likely, so the Otter jinx has struck again, me!!!So I had to make do with a quick look just now at the famous Thetford Otters on You Tube!

After a quick lunch we set off again, this time the sun was out, blue sky a lovely day, we went to Lynford Arboretum, never been there before, it was very lovely, being a Tree Hugger, I was in my element,!!very peaceful, Hawfinches are apparently seen here a lot.There is a lovely nature walk and beautiful lakes.
A post script to this little rant, Sunday got some hot bird news, a pair of Garganey at Bure Park Caister Road, thought I hadnt a hope in seeing them as have tried before and no luck, but this time yey, great views, very lovely!!

Coast Hopping!!

Rite off we go!! SUN!!!Still searching for the Glaucus Gull, heard news there were three at Sea Palling, heading North we passed through Horsey with its stately Mill, many a calender photo been taken of that landmark, lovely walking paths round there, through reed beds over floating fields, Swallowtail butterflies in Summer if you are lucky, a very atmospheric view of a broken down old Mill along an embankment path.Very sad looking.Past Horsey there is Waxham , with the huge barn another tourist attraction, Sea Palling is a bit further on, in the Summer it is heaving with people but if you head farther away from the boys with their toys, ie kite surfers and jet skis, it is lovely and peaceful, loads of little wooden shanty type houses nestled at the base of the dunes, in one of these gardens we saw a Black Redstart,later in the day, behind the dunes was lovely and balmy out of the wind, but clambering up the steep sandy slope venturing over the crest of the dune, the wind was bitter.we paused to take in the view, Gulls everywhere, the stormy seas had stirred up plenty of food for them.We sat for a while with our backs to the big old curve of the sea wall,There were Greater Black back gulls, Common Gulls, Black Headed  Gulls, Herring Gulls, if you know Sea Palling, you will know there are rock reefs just off the beach

On these reefs were loads of little waders , we had heard that there was a Purple Sandpiper but didnt see it , but there were Turnstones, Ringed Plovers, Grey Plovers, on the beach were Oyster Catchers with their lovely distinctive whistling, the sound I love whenever out on the coast at Blakeney, Cley or Morston.Suddenly all thee Gulls took off, spooked by something, and lo and behold left on the beach was the Glaucus Gull, a youngster but still very big, a distinctive biscuity colour pale wing tips, a pinkish bill, another bird to add to my list great stuff, it took off and headed towards the fields inland.

Time was drawing on so we carried on up the coast to Eccles and Happisburgh and Lessingham,funny little villages like chalk and cheese, Eccles having tiny little wooden houses, and brick houses no road surface at all and no street lighting, I hope they dont have to pay council tax it is a strange little place, Lessingham on the other hand is full of beautiful quaint cottages, some thatched, and Happisburgh has the famous red and white striped light house and the cliffs there are always on the news due to erosion.

East forever East !! Rum ole doins this weather!!

This weather is a rum ole doins Was  goin on ole boy I int likin one ole bit as a rite ruff ole do as all I got t say bout it, rite cheesed off I am!! I know us British love to talk about it but enough is enough!!Watching the news, 10 foot snow drifts, sheep being dug out,  people stuck in their houses without power, some people burning their furniture to keep warm.Persistent easterlies, snow, we need our jet stream back apparently it has moved too far north!!!I think thats what I heard. At least it was a bit sunny today, but still bitterly cold, went to look for the Glaucus Gull on Sunday, didnt see it though, that was supposed to be at Second Avenue Caister on the beach or inland on the fields, then went to California cliffs and did some sea watching, but in the car in the warm , this time we saw Little Gulls, it was very wild with huge rolling waves crashing against the beach.We have been really lucky in Norfolk compared to the rest of the country, a few flurries, not 10foot drifts.Definitely thinking of those poor people out there with no heating!!!

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!!!

Murky murks !!

Well the murky murks are still here,but lo and behold a break in the murkiness yesterday called  for a sudden break for the countryside, or rather North Norfolk Coast to be precise, yes we went up North!!!The break in the weather ie less murky than the day before and positively balmy 2 degrees, had us scrambling for the picnic doins and flask of hot indescribable liquid,
First stop Kelling Heath, not much going on there, but wandering along the paths we traced our way eventually to the little train platform and also the wonderful view point looking over towards the sea.
Carrying on from Kelling we went to Cley an old favourite haunt being the beach, doing a little beach combing, the added attraction of lots of Brent Geese making their lovely soft little mumblings ,then back to the car and a trip to the local shop and a gi normous wedge of chocolate cake for added energy, next stop Blakeney and Morston, and a gentle walk in the mud!!! listening to Redshank and Oystercatchers, roll on Spring, and a little more warmth and longer evenings , darkness was gathering so it was time to wend our way home, looking forward to the next break in the murk!!!!