Wednesday 21 September 2011

Storming Snettisham

Visited the RSPB site at Snettisham early last week. I hear it was "wild up north", well it was wild down there as well.Managed to get along early evening as high tide was around 7pm and was looking forward to a rare east coast sunset. Although the wind was howling the skies were bright. That is 'till half an hour to sunset when a bank of thick cloud buggered that idea up. The sight of thousands of birds being driven landward by the tide on The Wash mudflats was stunning. At one point a huge flock of birds in the distance went up and it looked like a twister! I called back again on Thursday morning for another couple of hours while on the way to Titchwell, this time the tide had already turned and had views of roosting birds waiting for the mud to return. It left Titchwell in the shade to be honest.
Spot the Oystercatcher. Waiting for the tide by one of the series of lagoons excavated during World War II for gravel. 45 minutes and they were back on the mud.
Grey Plover looking very dapper still in summer plumage.
Cracking Ringed Plover "beachcombing" the shoreline.

8 comments:

  1. I like the one of the oystercatchers and the ringed plover, need to get out and get some "wild" animals again! good set of photos

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  2. I like the one of the oystercatchers and the ringed plover, need to get out and get some "wild" animals again! good set of photos

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  3. I was thinking that myself young 'un. I've enjoyed the dogs but you need to get out in the field.

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  4. I was thinking that myself young 'un. I've enjoyed the dogs but you need to get out in the field.
    lol

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  5. John,

    it took 3mins but I eventually got the Oystercatcher, 29th from the left and 12th from the top.

    Glad to see the Southeners got a bit of the bad weather for a change, pity you had to be there though.

    John

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  6. It wasn't too painfull being there John. I don't really class the East Anglians as southerners, more mid-easterners.

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  7. Hi John

    I've not been to (stopped at anyway) Snettisham for a number of years, but remember very well finding the flocks of waders. Along with its 'golden' cousin the Grey Plover has to be amongst the most attractive of birds. I understand from what I've read that the summer plumage may have evolved to blend in with some of the lichen colours and shades of the breeding areas.
    Enjoyed the photos and pleased to hear that you weren't blown away. Brian

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  8. Hi Johnny
    I'm heading up to the north Norfolk coast in a couple of weeks - will now make sure I take time to visit Snettisham on the way up. Clearly I need to get the timing right re. the tides.
    Love the ringed plover :-)
    Mel

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