Oh Deer

Spotted 2 Little Owls at the Rising Sun on Wednesday evening. Went back there Thursday p.m. to see if i could get some better images. No show by Little Owls so in between while waiting wandered off a few times and around 5.45 p.m. as i flanked Swallow Pond heading to Dukes Pond the Star at the Sun appeared. Again the light had gone but enjoy what i captured anyway. The guy walks round like he owns the place.
You wouldn't expect anything else from the Monarch of the Glen.

I nearly wet myself.

I did, with excitement. Next month we are renting a cottage in Norfolk. It was booked months ago and with my son and family visiting for a few days, the "jolly" was mentioned so i thought i had better check it out. The cottage is in a place called Bramerton and the property itself backs onto the River Yare. It has its own mooring and a dingy is supplied and motor launches can be hired, it says. Stuff that, i want to potter around in the "dingeeeeee", try not to capsize and get some wildlife shots. Hog heaven!!!!! I can feel a slight damp patch now. Looking on Memory Map i find that directly across the river is a spot called Postwick Marsh, yes straight across (pass the tissues) and within walking distance along the banks of the Yare in order are...........( i just can't stand it!!!!!!)     Surlingham Broad, Bradeston Marsh, Strumpshaw Fen And Rockland Broad. Almost every one has a LITTLE BLUE BIRD on it on the Ordanance Survey map. A bit like the LITTLE BLUE BAG you used to get in the plain flavoured crisps. Yes, you do remember, don't deny it. There was something about that LITTLE BLUE BAG, i think it was the way it was twisted closed, that gave it that little something you couldn't put your finger on. Anyway...........LITTLE BLUE BIRDS, its the first time i've noticed a flock of these on an O.S. before. Hence the leakage. A bit like seeing your first Bufflehead, as the folks living in and around Langton Herring in Dorset will tell you.( its just a Goldeneye with a big splodge on its head).
You were warned...............more waffling than warbling.
If anyone knows the area i am on about and can recommend any hidden gems by the way of birding sites i would be eternally grateful.Ive been restricted in my birding for the last few days and only managed a couple of rushed efforts ( cheers Howdon Blogger) so no decent birdie shots. "Nothing new there" was the cry from the balcony.
So here are two images of the main reason for the lack of birding. These two pics just about sum him up. No need to explain. 

Ewan Atkinson......   his mum got the shock of her life when this came up on my computer.

,,,,,,,and this was the very next shot, i think it reflects kids at this age perfectly.

Make hay while the sun shines

Well..........get out while the sun shines.After lunch headed up to Big Waters in beautiful full sun. On arrival  thought that i would see if the Green Woodpecker was still around but unfortunately not. I understand this particular specimen stays for a few months over the winter and having not seen him for 3 weeks i reckon he is away. It was quiet in the wooded area by the boardwalk. I had taken my fold down chair and plonked down behind the screen at the feeding station. I've done this before and like the fact that you get a nice low level view, totally different from the hide perspective which must be 2/3 metres above the ground. Another reason is that you sit opposite the Tree Sparrows favourite spot in the bushes.Loads of Tree Sparrows as ever, Chaffinches in abundance competing on the ice covered ground with numbers of Dunnocks and a couple of Robins. After a while these birds were joined by 3 female Pheasants, a couple of Moorhen appeared and from the undergrowth another female, this time a Reed Bunting. Turning my attention to the feeders themselves, Blue Tits, Great Tits, a solitary Coal Tit and a male and female Siskin were on the nyger seed. Just before i left for Prestwick Carr for the last hour of daylight a Great Spotted Woodpecker landed in the trees which i watched for 10mins.
At Prestwick i was hoping to see an owl or two. Getting out of the car straight away i came upon a Grey Heron "fishing" in the still waterlogged fields. A couple of Robins and a Blue Tit could be heard singing in the trees that line the "wonky" road as i walked along and passed the goats. A couple of bearded heads peered out from the doorway. I took up my place leaning on the metal gate that i normally frequent when i'm here and a few hundred metres further along the road i noticed 4 people. looking through my binoculars i recognised them as regulars from the hide at Big Waters and they were all focused in front of them at the hedge line. Sure enough perched in a small tree what looked like a Short-eared Owl but it was a distant view for me. I watched it for some time, but it was happy where it was. The light was fading fast and the birders along the road dispersed. Time to leave i thought but as i was turning to leave something caught my eye. The Short-eared Owl had lifted and was hunting on the Carr. Not much light now but the brief sighting of it in the air was worth it. Heading back to the car thoughts of a Barn Owl crossed my mind but it was not to be. Bill "the bike"  made his usual appearance saying he had seen 3 Short-eared all sitting in a row on fence posts earlier this afternoon.

On and around feeders at Big Waters

   Siskins

  Great Tit

Once Bittern, twice shy

Say no more.
Spotted this afternoon at 2.45 East Chevington, my partner in crime Jeph Veevers thinks he saw a brief glimpse of another 2/3 minutes earlier but he isn't sure. I know there have been sightings of Bittern but not if more than one. If so this guy "skulked" across the area of cut reedbed possibly following on, whereas if correct the previous specimen made a short aerial flight.

Sled Lane Pond

Whilst out on Sunday with Howdon Blogger we came by chance on Sled Lane pond. There were a number of people feeding the Mute Swans. In close attendance were Coot, Moorhen, Mallard and in the wings waiting there turn Black Headed Gulls, all with there sights on a bit of grub. However also on the pond were some Goldeneye but the thought of a slice of Hovis never crossed their minds. What do you think?

      In a while there may be the patter of tiny webbed feet but will they be their MOTHERS PRIDE.

Top of the pots

Thats chimney pots. Just goes to show that you don't always have to travel miles to see a stunning bird. I was on my way out yesterday afternoon to meet Jeff and call in at Woodhorn, Longhirst and Linton. We have a field over the back on which Gull numbers have been steadily increasing. Along with the Gulls more and more Corvids had been joining them on the ground and thinking they were probably Jackdaws and Crows hadn't paid much attention. Anyway a few of these Corvids had landed in the street and looking up i was stopped in my tracks when i noticed they were Rooks. Ive included a few images as they show off so many of there classic features. I especially like the "baggy trousers" and the last shot which i think is a juvenile. Please correct me if i'm wrong.

               And my favourite.............a Jackdaw not a juv. ( thanks Alan T.)