What with poor weather and visiting my mother in-law I haven’t been able to spend much time in the park. When we did manage to have two long walks on Xmas and Boxing Day, there was nothing to get my pulse racing. The best bird being the Water Rail in area 2, the high lake level may not be to it’s liking though.
I have spent the last three days up in Norfolk, where the weather again scuppered my plains a little. It meant that this morning was the only time I had to get out. I thought Cley was my best bet being a 45 minute drive from Stalham our base. I arrived at the Cley NNT Reserve at 8.10am, having seen 2 Barn Owls on the way there.The reserve remained in the shadow of the nearby ridge until 8.30. There was a brisk SW wind blowing making it feel very chilly. This made birding a little difficult with passerines keeping in cover and sea birds being further out to sea. The most surprising birds on view were Richardson’s Canada Goose (unkown origin) and likewise Sacred Ibis. There are feral populations on the Atlantic coast of France and other Mediterranean countries.
Here are a few pics apart from the Bewick’s Swans all were taken at Cley and Salthouse.
There is normally a small wintering herd of Bewick’s Swans around the old Ludham Airfield
Up to 4 Marsh Harriers quartered the reserve constantly putting the ducks and waders to flight.
Richardson Canada Goose
Sacred Ibis: this bird unringed turned up a few months ago. Looking at the feathering on its underwing, if the weather turns really cold it might struggle.
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