I had the sheer luxury of a week off work last week - in term time, no less! - and, naturally, I spent a fair amount of time visiting reserves. I had originally thought to pay Titchwell a visit but the excellent Aiki recommended Cley, only a few miles along the coast. So off I went on Friday morning - and happily, I arrived in glorious sunshine. The gentleman at the reception desk welcomed me most warmly and handed me a very useful map, and I was away!
My first stop was at the slightly curious arrangement of three hides situated very close together, but facing in three totally different directions:
I first went into the hide on the right. There were a good number of birds about:
Is this a shoveler? The beak is massive.
I saw this lovely little bird wandering round at a rate of knots but I don't know what it is:
I love the sheen on a lapwing's feathers - as stunning as a magpie's:
I was at a complete loss with this next bird:
It appeared to be on its own. I then moved into the middle hide, where this moorhen attempted to run from the camera:
I think this is a black-tailed godwit:
Young shelduck?
I then moved to the third hide. This was the one which had the wind blowing straight in, which made photography quite entertaining! I did manage to snap this Canada goose:
It then moved so I could see the beautiful little egret behind it:
I sat for a while longer and then headed for the fourth hide, which took me back towards the visitor centre. The area is very picturesque:
This is the visitor centre. It actually has turf on top, to retain water:
A lovely little bird popped up to greet me as I came past:
This dragonfly obligingly landed in front of me! I haven't a clue what kind it is:
The fourth hide is further south in the reserve. It also faced into the wind, but I did manage to get a few snaps:
This handsome male had just enjoyed a thorough bath!
Was this a pochard? I think this next one is a teal:
When I eventually left the hide I headed back to the visitor centre for a nice hot cuppa, but this bird made an appearance on my way back:
Yay! Lovely marsh harrier. I should mention that a peregrine falcon had also appeared while I was in the last hide but it had been too far away to get any photos.
After my cuppa I headed to the beach car park to have a quick look around. A few flocks of small birds came past, but scarpered when I tried to snap them. Happily black-headed gulls can generally be depended upon:
Finally, this cormorant flew over:
I really enjoyed this reserve and I can thoroughly recommend it to anyone thinking about a visit to North Norfolk.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Thanks, Clare, for this thread and your photos! It was over 20 years ago that we were in north Norfolk--Cley reserve seems to have been up-graded in the interval! It is a lovely area and we really enjoyed our visit--saw my first Barn Owl between that wind mill and those trees!
Kind regards, Ann
Cley over Titchwell????????????
S
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I love Titchwell - I just don't want to find myself at any point not visiting reserves which are new to me because I've limited myself to my old favourites.
I'm so pleased you had a good day at Cley - it is a special place with a lot of historical significance for birders and birding :) Right, some IDs. The Shoveler is a Shoveler. The wader after it is a Ruff. The 'complete loss' bird (assuming it's the one bang in the middle) is an Avocet. You're right with the Black-tailed Godwit and the Shelduck. The possible Pochard is actually a Wigeon but the Teal is a Teal. And finally, the raptor seems to be a Common Buzzard rather than a Marsh Harrier :)
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It was an avocet??? That was my first thought but as it was on its own and I couldn't see the beak I thought 'no'. At least I got a few right.
The BOP is a buzzard? Blimey........I'm trying to remember if I've ever successfully snapped one!
Thanks, Aiki.
Looks like a great place to visit, Clare, especially on such a lovely day. I went to North Norfolk last November and visited many of the hot spots but not Cley Marshes. I'd like to go back but it's too far for a day visit.
Ducks can be a bit tricky to identify at this time of year because many of the males are still in eclipse plumage. I get them wrong sometimes too.
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Tony
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