John.
Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
1st – 5th December 2006
We left Tod soon after 1.00pm, arriving at Wells early evening. We had arranged accommodation at the Boxwood Guest House in Wells and this proved to be an excellent choice. We were warmly welcomed and shown to a lovely, newly decorated room. We had already chosen what we were going to have for dinner so we relaxed for a while, making inroads into the bottle of wine we were taking downstairs with us! The dining room was in the conservatory and the meal was excellent. Paula and Richard don’t usually provide an evening meal at weekends but because they had another couple staying for the whole week we could have one if we wished. We did wish! This is the website for anyone who is looking for first-class accommodation in the village. The breakfasts are substantial and there is usually a fish option which can be ordered the evening before.
http://www.boxwood-guesthouse.co.uk/contactus.html
Breakfast was followed by those famous last words “I won’t want another thing to eat today!” (I wish someone would remind me of that as I’m tucking into the evening meal).
Saturday 2nd
Our first stop was Holkham Park. Just because we saw a green woodpecker here some time ago we assume its going to be in exactly the same place! And it wasn’t – neither was the lesser spotted woodpecker. The large herd of deer was split between both sides of the path but gradually they began to move across and graze slowly under the lovely old trees. Of course, I’d left my camera in the car, and this was a lovely scene. We walked to the lake, seeing 4 treecreepers together on the trunk and in the branches of a tree. We’d also seen 2 Egyptian geese flying out of a tree as we approached the lake, which had gulls (“don’t do gulls!”) , shovellers, mallard, coot, moorhen, more Egyptian geese and a few pintail. In the trees to the right of the Hall was quite a commotion and when the birds flew out they turned out to be a couple of fieldfare and a mistle thrush squabbling amongst themselves. We walked on past the lake to the monument then back through the woods to the main gates. Again, a lovely photo opportunity with the deer feeding amongst the dead leaves and under the spreading trees in the morning mist. I don’t do digiscoping so I really should take every opportunity to photograph landscapes.
On next to Titchwell village where we drove to the barns but there was nothing except house sparrows in the hedges at the side of the track. Nobody there had seen yellowhammers or corn bunting that morning. (I really will have to stop being negative and not comment on the birds we didn’t see!) Thence to the RSPB reserve where the carpark was already pretty much full. Lots of birds on the water including a big flock of wigeon, teal, shoveller. Some redshank were paddling about in the shallows and we saw at least 3 spotted redshank. We spied 2 little egrets on the right hand side. Brent geese were on the banks; greylag geese and big flocks of fly-over pinkfeet. Half a dozen or so avocets were there with lapwings and a mobile flock of golden plover. On reaching the sea, the tide was out and there was a flock of maybe a thousand common scoter. Also 3 great crested grebe and a guillemot. 2 or 3 turnstone were busy on the shingle up near the dunes with oystercatchers. As we made our way back, the birds on the feeders included great tit, blue tit, chaffinch and reed bunting, with a dunnock ferreting about like a little mouse (or like a ferret?!) on the ground beneath the feeders.
Some time after leaving Titchwell there was a beautifully renovated windmill near the roadside and I thought this would make a good photo so we turned round and parked near a gateway into the fields. The light was good – just before dusk – and brent geese were flying in a loose skein from the seaward side of the road towards the fields beyond the windmill. Whilst waiting for them to get into the photo I heard a dull gunshot from the nearby fields, looked over towards the geese to see one black bundle fall out of the sky! I was mortified. And the guy who had shot it didn’t immediately send his dog to bring it back – I hope he’d killed it outright but who’s to know?........ So now each time I look at that lovely photo I’ll be thinking of what was happening a few hundred yards away. I believe each ‘sportsman’ with a licence is allowed to kill up to 4 birds. Will this be per day? I won’t dwell on this.
We made for Lady Anne’s Drive next and watched the pinkfoot geese fly in to roost in the fields. What a spectacle – and many thanks to Penny Clarke for mentioning this in one of her recent posts before we left for Norfolk. The sight and sound is mesmerising. One that every bird lover should promise themselves.
Sunday 3rd
During Saturday night it rained very heavily and was also very windy. This continued as we were having breakfast but by the time we were ready to leave the house the rain had stopped and it was lovely bright morning. We headed east towards Cley, paying a visit on the way to Cley Spy (should be Cley Spey!) I didn’t want (need) anything from the shop but Bob bought me a lovely limited edition print of Pinkfeet geese coming into roost at Blakeney by Malcolm Woodcock from the gallery which is attached to the shop.
A big flock of brent geese was feeding in the fields near Stiffkey and we saw our first raptor, a kestrel. There was a full complement of staff and volunteers in the visitor centre at Cley already so we paid our dues and went off into the far blue yonder. As we crossed the first footbridge 3 little grebe were very close to us near the bank side and a black swan paddled under the bridge. From the first hide we visited we had dozens of wigeon with some shovellers and teal. A little group of wigeon and teal were feeding in the grass right in front of the hide and we had close up views of their beautiful plumage. I love both these species. There was a small flock of black-tailed godwit with a couple of snipe nearby, dunlin, smart little gadwall, shelduck and mute swan. At one point there were 5 marsh harriers over the reeds, scaring the ducks. We moved then a little further up the road to park in the small area from where we walked on the bank towards the sea. From here we could see a big flock of golden plover in the marshy area.
Monday 4th
We drove further east today via Sheringham and Cromer then down the coast road to Horsey Mere. Parked in the carpark near the mill to use the facilities which unfortunately were closed but there are always ways and means, aren’t there!! Set off to walk along the river bank then followed the track down to the right along the side of the mere. There were huge numbers of ducks: wigeon, tufted duck, shovellers, and 5 marsh harriers were hunting in the far reeds. We had a quick view of a Cetti’s warbler vanishing into the shrubbery. After half an hour a helicopter flew over, and most of the birds on the water were disturbed and flew off, returning shortly. Then I realised I had left my specs on the top of the car and went back to retrieve them. In the meantime a guy approached Bob where he was waiting with the ‘scope and said that the helicopter had disturbed the birds where he was watching, further afield, and 7 cranes had flown up and landed again in a far field. We walked along the side of the river, over a footbridge then a very wet meadow (wish I’d brought my wellies!) and onto another footbridge. The track then led between huge reedbeds – a bit boring walking I thought, so I took the scope and walked slowly back. Bob went on but didn’t see anything (‘anything’ being cranes). We drove around – back to Sea Palling – then round the lanes and tracks but nothing was seen.
As it got towards dusk we drove to Hickling Broad visitor centre – where the toilets here were open and walked to Stubbs Mill (again, where were my wellies!) I hadn’t realised there was actually a raised area to watch from. Very civilised. A jay flew into the bushes behind us and in the distance, at the roosting area were 7 marsh harriers – Bob thought there was also a female hen harrier. Darkness was approaching when one of the birders spied two cranes – behind us and flying right. So these were lifers for me! I was a happy bunny. I was so glad someone thought to look in a different direction than the rest of us.
Tuesday 5th
We left for home shortly after breakfast. We had meant to call at Holme but as we approached, the heavens opened. We didn’t want to travel in wet clothes so Holme will have to wait until the next time we’re in Norfolk which I’m sure won’t be long. I was surprised that we didn’t see one buzzard nor any goldfinch during our time here. There I go again – being negative!
I didn’t have any BF member ticks that I knew of – and didn’t see any car stickers or hats in evidence.
Sandra
Sounds like you had a great few days! Shame about the weather: come back in May and really fill up!
Nice one Sandra. What is it with you two and bad weather??
John.