We scraped ice off the car and drove to Brecon to get some sandwiches for lunch from the Co Op. Then to the Taf Fechan Forest car park. We walked up the lane to the drained Upper Neuadd Reservoir, emptied of water in 2016. We went up to what would have been the wet side … Read more “Sat 17th October: Reservoir climb”
We went up a narrow lane to the Brecon Beacons Visitor Centre. We walked across the moorland to the old hill fort at Twyn y Gaer (trig point at the top). Bales of bracken, Red Kites, Mistle Thrushes, Skylarks. Then back round the nature reserve and lunch at the visitor centre cafe. After lunch we … Read more “Fri 16th Oct: Mynydd Illtud”
Scrabble. R won.
We departed The Old Blacksmith’s around 9am and drove an hour to Grime’s Graves. We hadn’t planned this, but it was on the way so we stopped and had a look at the 4500-year old flint mines. There are around 430 filled-in mine shafts, making hollows in the landscape. We went down Mine Shaft Number … Read more “Mon May 18: Grime’s Graves, Stone-Curlews, Water Voles”
We walked from the accommodation through lanes and fields to the coast, then through marshes to Burnham Overy Staithe, where we had lunch in The Hero pub. Saw: Hares, Greenfinches, Yellowhammers plus the usual wetland birds on the marshes. Heard Tawny Owls calling in the trees. When we got back we went to Titchwell again. … Read more “Sun May 17: Burnham walk, Titchwell”
At Titchwell at 8am. An RSPB guide pointed out a distant Cuckoo in a dead tree. He told us that small numbers of Brent Geese typically stay here until late May. There were Southern Marsh Orchids. We got a sandwich in the cafe and then drove to Holkham. We walked through the Oak trees in … Read more “Sat May 16: Titchwell, Holkham, Seals”
First thing, walked the few paces into Burnham Market and bought some fish and shrimps from the fishmonger and some lamb chops from the butcher, then got a coffee. Then we went to Titchwell and saw lots of birds. Then to the White Horse at Brancaster Staithe for lunch: oysters, crab, salad, nice. There were … Read more “Fri May 15: Birds, etc”
R went to Minsmere early: in the Island Mere hide shortly after 6am. It was cold: 3.5 degrees C on arrival. Bitterns, Terns, Harriers, Sedge Warblers. Water Rails calling. We checked out of the Eel’s Foot (great location, nice beer, friendly people, food a bit dodgy this time) and drove two hours to Cley Marshes … Read more “Thu May 14: to Norfolk”
Total bird species seen at Minsmere in two days: 66. Heard not seen: 4. Today, most of the Terns, including Roseate. Also, among other things, Bitterns. Marsh Harriers passing food, Tree Creeper nest.
We checked out of the Brudenell and drove half an hour up to Walberswick. We parked over the narrow bridge by the beach. We walked alongside the River Blyth, and then back inland past the derelict cottage called Tinker’s House on the map. We had lunch at the Anchor in Walberswick. Oysters and ploughman’s. Then … Read more “Tue May 12: Walberswick”