2026 Far East on beingyonder

Mon May 18: Grime’s Graves, Stone-Curlews, Water Voles

Mon, 18 May 2026 21:28:29 +0100

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”

Sun May 17: Burnham walk, Titchwell

Sun, 17 May 2026 21:34:43 +0100

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”

Sat May 16: Titchwell, Holkham, Seals

Sat, 16 May 2026 21:40:39 +0100

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”

Fri May 15: Birds, etc

Fri, 15 May 2026 20:48:25 +0100

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”

Thu May 14: to Norfolk

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:08:42 +0100

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”

Wed May 13: Minsmere 2

Wed, 13 May 2026 20:23:46 +0100

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.

Tue May 12: Walberswick

Tue, 12 May 2026 23:00:29 +0100

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”

Mon May 11: Minsmere

Mon, 11 May 2026 22:00:23 +0100

Bearded Reedling (male)

Bearded Reedling (female)

Sedge Warbler

Avocet

Avocets

Mediterranean Gull

Bittern

Hobby

Sun May 10: to Aldeburgh

Sun, 10 May 2026 19:24:09 +0100

We checked out of the Miller’s Arms and took about three hours to drive to Aldeburgh with a stop for coffee. At Aldeburgh there was a cold North-East wind whistling down the seafront and high street and we couldn’t find anything we fancied for lunch, so we drove 10 minutes to Snape Maltings. Lunch in … Read more “Sun May 10: to Aldeburgh”

Sat May 9: Whitstable, boat trip, Beaver

Sat, 09 May 2026 21:01:32 +0100

We drove 20 minutes and parked on the road verge just west of Seasalter. We walked a few miles along the coast path and back, alongside the sea wall. Inland was Cleve Marshes and a bit further on, a solar farm. Lots of Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers and Reed Buntings, plus Corn Buntings, Pipits, Stonechats, … Read more “Sat May 9: Whitstable, boat trip, Beaver”

Fri May 8: Canterbury

Fri, 08 May 2026 20:47:51 +0100

Opposite the pub was once a large flour mill, long since burnt down. We walked across the sluice and alongside the old mill race on the crystal clear River Stour and into Canterbury centre. Got a coffee, and then had a look round the cathedral. Then we had a look around the Beaney House museum, … Read more “Fri May 8: Canterbury”

Thu May 7: Dungeness

Thu, 07 May 2026 21:50:16 +0100

A few hours to Dungeness, where we drove a mile down a shingle track to the RSPB nature reserve visitor centre. We walked around some of the reserve. It was full of birds, insects and interesting plants. Warblers, Reed Buntings, Little Terns, Egrets, Ducks, Geese, Gulls, Lizards, etc. Then down the road a bit to … Read more “Thu May 7: Dungeness”

Wed May 6: Set off

Wed, 06 May 2026 19:00:06 +0100

We arrived at Yattendon around 5pm and checked into the Royal Oak. We walked along to the church and then followed a footpath through some trees. Lots of birds singing.