Flushed with previous success I have made a few trips to Winterton this week hoping to get better at the ole seawatching lark. Sadly things have not lived up to expectations despite promising weather conditions. On Friday I was sitting watching Gannets Gannets and more Gannets. I got home and checked Birdguides to find that Rainham had been having a fantastic day, Scoter, Bonxie, Sandwich tern, all sorts up and down the river all day. I texted H to say that they had been having a better day there than here on the coast. He replied 'I am in Norfolk....' I felt his pain!
Today Hairy Hubby was watching the F1 and I was bored stiff so I decided to head off for the coast again. It was howling with wind and I thought I might be in with a chance. Sadly I spent more time in the car with the scope poking out of the window than I did outside and all there were was...you guessed it Gannets! When I got home there was a late entry to say that at 10.30am (when it wasn't raining...) someone had seen Barred Warbler AND Pied Flycatcher at Winterton Dunes. Isn't hindsight wonderful!
I have also decided to try and get Breydon Water right. Friday morning looked a good timed tide so I headed off, this time a good two hours before high tide thinking that should be ample. After all everyone tells me to get there an hour before. Typically there was no mud left at all and all the birds were huddled in the undergrowth. I did manage my first Golden Plover of the year (that is sad) and a few other nice birds but it did not fulfill it's promise. You can see a pattern emerging here. High tide tomorrow is about 1pm so I am going to get to the hide for 10.30. I bet there is no mud.......
The garden is continuing to get busier. Not busy but busier. Monty the mole has been visiting again. I like to see his little piles under the Laurel tree. Hubby snarls every time he sees one but, well...tough! Butterfly the squirrel has visited a few times too. I have not seen him much since I barricaded the feeders. So long as he does not find a way to eat all the bird food again he is welcome. I have also seen The Jays and Woody the Great Spot so fingers crossed for a busy winter in the garden.
I do enjoy the drama of the weather now I live surrounded by trees. You really notice the wind and rain from what the trees are doing. It's nice to feel surrounded by the elements. Well when it's not messing up your birding that is. When you sit indoors on a windy day the trees are a constant background roar, it's very dramatic to listen to. We went and got a quote for a log burning stove yesterday so I am looking forward to winter curled up in front of the fire with a good book listening to the trees singing. I would have liked a fire today...some August Bank Holiday!
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