A few weeks ago when my niece invited me down to see “the spectacular” I wasn’t quite sure what she meant. But then I looked it up and saw that the RSPB at Snettisham were advertising this event when only a few times a year exceptionally high tides force tens of thousands of waders toContinue reading “Norfolk Nature 3 – Snettisham Spectacular”
Tag Archives: birds
Norfolk Nature 2 – What’s the Crake?
My niece and I visited Titchwell RSPB reserve in the middle of the day. There are a range of habitats there, but the wetland ponds were arousing the most interest as a rare spotted crake had been sighted and many birdwatchers had gathered to try and see this elusive bird. The nearby bird hides wereContinue reading “Norfolk Nature 2 – What’s the Crake?”
On Coll
We’re not long back from visiting one of our favourite islands, Coll. This island is a treat for the senses, as its not just the sights of wildlife that thrill but the sounds. Every morning and evening in our campervan we heard the pee-wit call of lapwings in the field next to us. They lookedContinue reading “On Coll”
Striking Woodpeckers
Feeling jet lagged after our travels we took a wander up the back lane to try and keep awake. We heard the insistent pleading “chook chook chook” of a baby woodpecker and tried to work out where it was coming from. We identified the tree, right next to the lane and saw a woodpecker flyingContinue reading “Striking Woodpeckers”
The Wild West – Birds
It’s great to see and hear totally new birds when abroad. In America they have a robin too, but it apart from its amber chest it doesn’t look anything like our robin. It has a black back and is the size of a thrush. However it is vocal and happy to pose for photographs justContinue reading “The Wild West – Birds”
Mid May Sightings
No otter sightings at all for me this year on our visit to the Isle of Jura. The weather was wilder and the sea much choppier, so maybe that made them harder to spot. Or maybe we just weren’t lucky this year. But the seals were basking in their usual favourite place. You can seeContinue reading “Mid May Sightings”
Busy Back Lane Birds
A few seconds walk from my back door and I am on the most wonderful back lane a bird watcher could wish for. It goes steeply up through woodland but then levels out on open countryside bordered by hawthorn and gorse hedges. The other morning it was alive with birdsong from both native and migrantContinue reading “Busy Back Lane Birds”
Branching Out!
A week ago I could see that it wouldn’t be long before the two owlets left their cosy tree nest. The eldest of the two was stretching its wings and looking like it might attempt to leave. It’s a long way down to the ground, and it would have to drop down, owlets don’t flyContinue reading “Branching Out!”
A Sight to Delight
Yesterday I had a second visit to the River Kelvin in Glasgow’s West End to try and see the goosander chicks which I’d heard were there. At first the river seemed completely devoid of wildlife. I walked downstream and then retraced my steps. Then out of the lush green foliage on the opposite bank poppedContinue reading “A Sight to Delight”
Idyllic Spring Mornings
I’ve been dodging April showers and going out on the better mornings to see and listen to what’s going on in my local patch. I am so lucky to be able to step out of my back door and into the countryside. These past few mornings the overriding calls have been those of gutsy weeContinue reading “Idyllic Spring Mornings”
