The following entries are extracted from my personal NATURAL HISTORY DIARY which I manintained on a daily basis during our stay in Norfolk. I hope that you will find these entries of interest and perhaps prompt you to visit this outstanding of English counties yourself.
This web site was launched on 23 April 2001. To date, the following number of visitors have viewed these pages:
MAY 2004 in NORFOLK
The CONSTRUCTION of this page is now complete. At the foot, you will find a direct link to the second part of our holiday. The reasons for the technical problems encountered are not at all clear, but they seem to have been resolved!
14 May (Friday):
Up early! By loading most of our goods and chattels into the car last evening, we were able to leave home at 04.20! Grey and misty, but fortunately clearing as we headed for the A27. A good drive along more or less traffic-free roads, right through to our usual stop in Ashdown Forest where we had a short break. The bird-song here was amazing, with WILLOW WARBLERS, CHIFFCHAFFS, a CUCKOO, a lone SONG THRUSH, two or three COMMON WHITETHROATS, and LESSER REDPOLLS in full flow. The last I was particularly pleased to hear and see. It was just turned 6 o'clock. No doubt if we had stayed longer then we would have heard even more species. It was cold and damp, too, but this did not seem to put the birds off!
At Clacketts Services on the M25 by 06.45. BLACKCAPS were here, as last spring, singing their hearts out. And there is a population of HOUSE SPARROWS which seems to be thriving, despite the general trends for this species.
Quite a good journey along the M25, passing through the Dartford Tunnel and so linking eventually with the M11. We stopped for breakfast at Fourwentways, near Cambridge, and I had one of my rare fry-ups of the year! Arriving at Weeting Heath at 10.05, we checked in and then had a wander. CHAFFINCHES were in full song and we heard passing GOLDFINCHES and local BLACKCAPS and a singing MISTLE THRUSH. Other singers included COAL TIT, GOLDCREST, CHIFFCHAFF and a fine GARDEN WARBLER. Two of the local specialities were on view from one of the hides. Two WOODLARKS, a pair, were exceptionally close, but STONE-CURLEWS rather distant, even with a 'scope. That was disappointing. I could not help thinking of my field days in the 1950s, east of the A12, when almost every field around Minsmere and Westleton seemed to hold a nesting pair, and the sound of them, even during the day, was never very far away.
Butterflies here at Weeting included three BRIMSTONES and several fine male ORANGE-TIPS. SPECKLED WOODS were noted, also lots of CINNABAR MOTHS. At the second Hide, a MOLE began to push up the ground as we watched, but did not come right to the surface, alas.
And so onward towards Norwich, where we turned right along the A47 to Acle and so north towards Hickling and our base, The Studio, where we arrived just after two o'clock. The mileage was 243.5: this included our detour to Weeting Heath, of course. Not too bad a journey, but some of the driving which we witnessed was quite unbelievable.
The situation of The Studio is wonderful and well worth the effort of getting there. It was, as I suspected, Roland Green's property when he painted here, way back when I was visiting Suffolk and went to one of his exhibitions in Norwich in the 1950s. On arrival, as we were driving down the track according to our instructions, we were stopped by a lady who appeared suddenly out of nowhere. She was keen to know our business and on learning that we were staying at The Studio was all smiles and bonhomie. Apparently some people have been trying to drive along this track to access the Hickling Reserve. It's a private road, in effect, so we appreciated her concern. As we were 'interviewed', a LESSER WHITETHROAT was singing in a copse not far away.
As we unpacked and carried our things into The Studio, a fine male MARSH HARRIER flew by, also a GREY HERON. REED WARBLERS were in full voice, as was a CHIFFCHAFF and the LESSER WHITETHROAT we had heard earlier. A pair of GREYLAGS made a great deal of noise. It was lovely to hear the ping-ping calls of passing BEARDED TITS. A SWALLOW passed overhead, singing. Along the OAK trees, a JAY was busy, presumably seeking acorns, while two RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGES, a pair, fed on the track below.
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Butterflies included a PEACOCK, umpteen ORANGE-TIP males and a male COMMON BLUE.
After a cup of tea, I had a short wander back along the drive to the lane. On the other side was a wonderful old orchard, complete with gnarled fruit trees, banks of BRAMBLES, mature OAK trees and so on. Just the place and obviously the headquarters of our cock LESSER WHITETHROAT who was singing full pelt, virtually without interruption. The late afternoon sunshine was superb, producing a shade temperature of 65 Fahrenheit.
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After our evening meal, we sat and gazed at the view, out on to Hickling Broad. A channel off the Broad which leads up to The Studio has a substantial, thatched boathouse in which SWALLOWS were showing considerable interest. A GREAT CRESTED GREBE came up the channel, diving and obviously very much at home. Away on the other side of the Broad I could see, through the 'scope, a mud-bank where there were several GREY HERONS and a LITTLE EGRET.
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As dusk settled in, the local singers were still at it - REED BUNTINGS, REED WARBLERS and, loudest of all, a couple of SEDGE WARBLERS. One of the REED BUNTINGS sang with an exceptional musical tone, a marked difference to the usual fragmented and off-key notes of the species.
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15 May (Saturday):
The temptation to rise early could not be resisted! I was up at 05.30, to a beautiful May morning of blue skies and hardly any wind. As I walked out on to the grass, 19 GREYLAGS came swimming up the channel. Normally noisy, they were so quiet: it seemed that they, too, appreciated such a beautiful start to the day. Scanning with the 'scope across the Broad, I could see at least two drake POCHARDS far away on the other side, plus several drake TUFTED DUCKS. On a mud-bank were five GREY HERONS, and a LITTLE EGRET, probably the same one as last evening.
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A WILLOW WARBLER was singing his beautiful cadences within a few yards of The Studio. Out among the reeds a SEDGE WARBLER was in full flow, his song including the alarm calls of a Swallow and the chew-it call of a Spotted Redshank. Every now and again he would climb skywards, singing all the while, to parachute down again and so into the depths of the reeds. The occasional SWIFT came zipping low overhead and a COMMON TERN passed by. My wanderings this early morning took me along the drive and so back to the lane and the Old Orchard. RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGES were feeding close to cover and an invisible local WREN was in full song. Over beyond the Old Orchard a STOCK DOVE was singing, also a CHIFFCHAFF. The song of a CUCKOO came from across the fields, most of which were relatively small and had high hedgerows. Pottering back to The Studio, I noticed our GREAT CRESTED GREBE again, a bird in full summer plumage and so close that I was able to take some pictures.
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And so to our first breakfast here. Our meal was interrupted on several occasions, and never more so than when a superb grey male MARSH HARRIER had come swinging across the tops of the reeds, to disappear from view behind the trees. The temperature this morning, at 09.00hrs, was 58 Fahrenheit.
Having had such a full day in the car yesterday, we decided to spend today on foot, having a general 'look-around'. As we began our walk, listening to the song of a local MISTLE THRUSH and seeing our first ORANGE-TIP male of the day, two birds passing over caught our attention - they were two GREY CRANES, a pair. They weren't particularly high and so we had outstanding views of them through the binoculars. They were silent and began to descend slowly, eventually disappearing behind some distant trees. One bird was markedly larger than the other, so we had been watching a pair. Looking at their even, steady wing-beats took me straight back to places and circumstances where I had seen Cranes in Ethiopia so many years ago.
Our wanderings this morning included a walk into Hickling village which is pleasant and well spread out. Of the two small shops we found there, one turned out to include the local post office, a handy facility for us.
We were back at The Studio by just after 11.30. During our absence the grass had been cut. Morning coffee on the elevated decking was noteworthy for the sudden arrival of a COMMON SANDPIPER which spent some time with us before going off on downward-bent and vibrating wings. Later, just before lunch, BEARDED TITS were close by. Their ping-ping calls came to us through the reeds but, apart from a brief view as one buzzed low over the reeds, we were unable to see them.
Lunch was a leisurely affair, punctuated by stops to look at passing MARSH HARRIERS. Afterwards, we spent much of the afternoon unashamedly relaxing and simply watching the view out on to the Broad and the birds which passed by. Some of the time was devoted to reading through the comments and diary' notes of the various occupants of The Studio, folks who had stayed here during the last three years or so. Some were interested in the natural history, so their notes were particularly relevant. One mentioned the possibility of seeing Chinese Water Deer, a mammal which we resolved to see if we could. This mammal would be new for both of us. However, the writer commented that it is a shy mammal, rarely seen in daylight normally. But, it had been seen at The Studio in daylight and there was, indeed, a picture of one, taken some time back and within a few yards of the front door.
At least two SEDGE WARBLERS were in full song, frequently flighting up into the sky, to drop back again into the reeds and scrub. REED WARBLERS, too, were singing strongly: every now and again we would see one fly across the channel from one reed-bed to another. BEARDED TITS were heard and seen again, albeit briefly. There were lots of PEACOCK butterflies, apparently on the move. A pair of GREYLAGS came in to join us. They had a distinct proprietorial interest in the place! A pair of SWALLOWS came over and dived under the thatched overhang and so into the boathouse. We knew that they bred there, but these stayed but briefly and were soon heading out over the reeds. SAND MARTINS were overhead, too: we heard them rattling from time to time.
A wander along the edge of the reeds produced several BLUE-TAILED DAMSELFLIES. A female ORANGE-TIP was good to see, although I failed to get any images of her. Males aplenty were on the wing in the sunshine but we rarely saw one actually stop on any vegetation.
Just after 5 o'clock, I was sitting by the dining table, looking out on to the Broad, when I heard a very ominous buzzing noise. Turning round, I was just in time to see a queen HORNET which was coming through the open window. She was huge! I had a magazine in my hand at the time and so was able to guide her out and so into the sunshine again. I didn't fancy having her for company indoors!
Best experience of the day was yet to come, however! Just after 8 o'clock, a BARN OWL flew past, giving us an excellent view, even if brief. It beat away across the tops of the reeds, heading for distant fields.
16 May (Sunday):
Up early again. It was becoming a habit! It could not be avoided, however, since it was so light and the surroundings so attractive and accessible. It was a magical Broadland' morning, with the sun coming up and mist lying low everywhere. Just one of those mornings. Numerous birds were in song: SEDGE and REED WARBLERS, WILLOW WARBLER, CUCKOO, REED BUNTING. Somewhere a woodpecker was drumming, short rapid bursts of sound. Over against the far shore of the Broad I could see six pairs of TUFTED DUCKS. With dizzy speed, five POCHARDS, all drakes, sped by and then dropped on to the water. Their actions and behaviour gave the impression of some kind of display. A male MARSH HARRIER, the by now customary grey male, drifted by.
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Pottering along the edge of the reeds, out on an open area I detected deer tracks, fresh from an overnight visit, since they were not here yesterday. So, it looks as though a CHINESE WATER DEER had paid us a visit in the night. Looking through various notes and literature last evening, it seems that Roe does not occur hereabouts, nor does Muntjac, for that matter. I took some pictures of an individual deer slot, the impression left by the hoof as it is pressed into the soft soil. Now, we only need the animal itself!
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Away to Martham Broad shortly after 9 o'clock. As we opened the gate on to the lane, LONG-TAILED TITS were calling close by. It was a relatively short drive to Martham, along narrow country roads which were mercifully relatively traffic-free. On the way, out on one of the huge open fields of Brograve Farm, we saw a HARE. It was early, so the road was quiet and we were able to stop and watch it through the binoculars. It was a fine animal. We rarely see them at home now.
Parking at West Somerton Green was not all that easy and the guide book we had was clearly misleading. Eventually, we parked off the road, close to where one of the main channels from the Broad flows under the road. It was a safe parking place, but suitable only for three vehicles. The path along the top of the embankment on the north side of the Broad was a public right of way, overlooking to the right open fields for the most part and to the left on to the main channel and then reed-beds. A wind-pump, a short distance along, had been tidied up and made secure so that instead of falling into disrepair at the hands of vandals it had become an asset to the landscape. Just short of there was a channel under the embankment. It was fairly full of vegetation and as we approached and crossed a plank bridge we heard the characteristic plop of a WATER VOLE. We stood for some time afterwards, hoping for a view, but the animal did not appear. No doubt evening would be best.
Several EGYPTIAN and CANADA GEESE were seen; most were in pairs, scattered across the fields. BEARDED TITS were heard once. A COMMON WHITETHROAT was singing from WILLOW' scrub. A dense thicket of BRAMBLES provided us with a singing CETTI'S WARBLER. That was a nice surprise. Three GADWALLS flew by, two drakes and a duck. A SKYLARK was singing somewhere over the fields.
Insects were relatively few, apart from LARGE RED DAMSELFLIES which became numerous as we made our way along the path. Several PEACOCK butterflies were investigating the many nettle beds. A SOUTHERN HAWKER came by and we noted our first BLUE-TAILED DAMSELFLIES. A couple of SMALL TORTOISESHELLS were seen, too, also a GREEN-VEINED WHITE which was nectaring at RED CAMPION. A single ST MARK'S FLY was noted.
A COMMON LIZARD was disturbed from the side of the path as we made our way back. A fine grey-spangled male MARSH HARRIER passed by, apparently carrying prey. As he beat away over the reeds, another appeared, a female. As they closed we were able to watch the food pass. Although distant, it was an impressive manoeuvre.
Back at the village and the car, we decided to try to sort out access on to the southern side of the Broad. It might stand us in good stead for next time. After pottering around the village' houses and along the edge of a farm, we did, in fact, find the path which would have taken us along the southern edge of the Broad, possibly a more interesting area than that which we had explored to the north. It was too late to do anything about it now, but we noted the access so that next time…!
On our way back to the car, along the narrow village street (no pavements!), something coming towards us along the bottom of a garden wall, right on the edge of the road, turned out to be a GRASS SNAKE. It was some eight inches long and moving at a fast space. Momentarily I thought of collecting it up, to release it in a more suitable habitat, but the problem of coping with passing traffic and the recollection of the last time I made such a move on a Grass Snake (it sprayed me with an evil-smelling liquid - a defence mechanism) deterred me. As it was, it went past and was quickly lost to view. We hope it found its way into a more suitable environment.
We had lunch at Poppylands. It was a pleasant meal in a building much of which dated from the Civil War period and earlier. It must have been quite a place then! One can only imagine just how remote a place like that would be. Afterwards, on to Horsey and its Mill. It was quite busy there. We went up into the Mill which gave us excellent views out on to the surrounding landscape, including views of Horsey Mere.
Our walk along the south side of the main channel there was limited. We anticipated a walk through the area to the south of the Mere, but found that the path went so far and so far only. It was busy, too, with boat people and all their bits and pieces. So, back to the car park and to turn left which led us along a pleasant path through mixed environments (WILLOW WARBLER, BLACKCAP and CHAFFINCH in song; a female GOLDCREST hammering at a pine cone seen) and so out into and across open areas of what would be very wet fields in the winter. It was hot, but not without its rewards. A side channel provided us with numerous FOUR-SPOTTED CHASERS, although few would settle for us. A lovely grey male MARSH HARRIER flew by and we heard our second CETTI'S WARBLER of the day. LONG-TAILED TITS, a pair, were noted, and we flushed a GREEN TIGER BEETLE from the path ahead of us.
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The walk led onwards. A SKYLARK was singing somewhere and we heard a COMMON WHITETHROAT churring. A lone duck SHOVELER flew over. A WALL BROWN butterfly was nice to see. Everywhere HAWTHORN was in heavy bloom.
And so eventually to Horsey Church where we spent some time enjoying the atmosphere of this ancient building. It's a thatched church, too. Afterwards, we made our way back to Horsey Mill and the car-park. The walk along the main road was not enjoyable and we were relieved to reach our destination without mishap. The traffic was quite heavy (it was a Sunday, after all) and there were few places where one could get off the road at times of risk.
Back at The Studio, on our way down the track, what should attempt to fly into the car through an open window, but a splendid SWALLOWTAIL butterfly! I stopped the car and we both got out as quickly as possible but it had gone in a flash. Such a strong-flying creature! So, our first Swallowtail ever - at least in the U.K. I had seen them in Cyprus - the Continental race that is, but never here at home.
Temperature late this afternoon at The Studio - 76 Fahrenheit in the shade.
Late evening, just before dusk, a male SPARROWHAWK came skimming across the grass and disappeared behind the building. It was carrying prey; I think it was a cock BLACKBIRD. Five minutes later, our BARN OWL flew across and so away towards the village.
Another beautiful evening with a wonderful sunset. With dusk settling in, our HORNET arrived, to buzz around the eaves of The Studio before finally disappearing. We hoped that it had not come indoors! Myriads of small insects appeared as the light faded, flying in pulsating vertical columns over the trees, mostly. They looked like a mosquito of some sort, but I was sure that they were not of a species which might trouble us. They looked more like plant-dependent insects. It would not be an exaggeration to say that there were millions of them.
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17 May (Monday):
An amazing 10 SHELDUCKS came to visit us first thing this morning, sitting initially on the roof of the boathouse, then coming on to the grass in front of The Studio. There was much Shelduck' sound as they squabbled over positions along the ridge of the boathouse' roof and then for places on the grass. With them came two smart EGYPTIAN GEESE, a pair. I managed to get to get some images, despite the poor dawn' lighting.
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As we left for our visit to the NWT Reserve of Hickling, a hen PHEASANT was feeding along the edge of the reeds and a male MARSH HARRIER passed over.
It was only a few minutes drive to the Reserve where we arrived just after 10 o'clock. We had seen a KESTREL on the way, and on our arrival in the car-park a SPARROWHAWK passed over. It was another bright and sunny morning with a south-easterly breeze. The amount of bird-song was impressive: WILLOW WARBLER, CHIFFCHAFF, COMMON WHITETHROAT, CHAFFINCH, YELLOWHAMMER, GREAT TIT and WREN. A WOODPECKER was drumming somewhere close by.
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Walking along one of the trails, we were soon out among the open reed-beds. Two male HAIRY DRAGONFLIES were tangling over an open channel and a super cock GOLDFINCH was up on an open twig, singing continuously. LARGE RED DAMSELFLIES were flying in good numbers.
We spent some time in the Cadbury Hide, then in the Secker Hide. A distant SKYLARK was singing, also several REED WARBLERS, these around us in the reeds. Most impressive bird of all was perhaps the explosive CETTI'S WARBLER which entertained us for some time as we stood and listened. As usual, we could not see the singing bird. From the Secker Hide we had impressive views of many FOUR-SPOTTED CHASERS. Indeed, there were many dozens of them: they seemed to be emerging this morning.
The Alder and Oak carr habitat was fascinating and we wondered just how many Chinese Water Deer were hiding there in the deep cover! Farther along, heading for Whiteslea Lodge, we had brief views of a KINGFISHER which alas went off at speed. A SPECKLED WOOD was egg-laying on grass halms by the side of the path. PEACOCK butterflies were occasional. An adult female MARSH HARRIER was circling in the distance and we heard (but did not see!) BEARDED TITS. A singing DUNNOCK was nice to hear. We had good views from the Observation Hide, a kind of tower which afforded excellent elevation.
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And so to Whiteslea Lodge which I visited some 50 years and more ago. I had a funny feeling as I stood there, looking at the Lodge and remembering my day out on Hickling with George Bishop, the then warden, Kay Morgan of Abbey Cottage, Leiston, and Brian Little, a birding friend who was on holiday with me. Kay, Brian and I had driven up from Leiston, a journey of perhaps a couple of hours. Somewhere or other we had made contact with George, but I cannot for the life of me remember exactly how. Anyway, we had two boats, one for George and Kay (motorised!), another for myself and Brian (with oars!). We rowed about on Hickling (looking for Montagu's Harriers, I recall) and were allowed to go over Whiteslea Lodge. Luckily, I took some photos inside, black and white prints which I have to this day. The walls were furnished with paintings by many wildlife artists, including those of Rowland Green.
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Beyond Whiteslea Lodge we walked along the track towards and back to the Visitor Centre. I remembered how dusty that track was when I came this way last time. This time it was better, and even better still was a splendid male HOBBY which appeared ahead of us and gave good views until it disappeared behind some trees. Scanning with the glasses across the rough terrain to our right, what should I pick up but a splendid GREY CRANE. This one was not flying however, but standing in the shade of a low Willow. Occasionally it moved a little, bending forward and picking from the ground. Perhaps it was seeking food, perhaps not. It remained there while we watched and I fell to wondering whether it was an 'off duty' bird. Anyway, some more folks came along and we were able to point the bird out to them. They were not birders as such, but I think appreciated that they were looking at one of the rarest birds in England.
And so back to the Visitors' Centre by 12.30. It had been an eventful morning!
Lunch in Hickling village, at one of the local pubs, The Greyhound, was a pleasant experience. Afterwards, we drove along to the church where we found Roland Green's grave without any difficulty, thanks to the printed lay-out plans which we found just inside the door. The inscription on the gravestone said, quite simply:
Roland Green 1891 - 1972 'Artist who loved Hickling and the Broad'
A LESSER WHITETHROAT was singing from thick cover on the edge of the churchyard. Roland would have enjoyed that.
As we drove along the track back to The Studio, our grey male MARSH HARRIER flew across and away towards the village. It was 77 Fahrenheit in the shade!
With time in hand, it seemed right to have a short walk before tea, a late meal after our substantial lunch at The Greyhound. It was hot in the direct sunshine! A GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER was calling somewhere close to The Studio. A KESTREL was seen, also a GREY SQUIRREL. Birds in song included BLACKCAP, CHIFFCHAFF, ROBIN and TURTLE DOVE, and our friendly LESSER WHITETHROAT who seemed to have abandoned his territory around the Old Orchard, to come closer to The Studio!
At The Studio we had the pleasure of the company of not one but now two COMMON SANDPIPERS. BEARDED TITS were calling in the depths of the reeds. An ORANGE-TIP male flew past.
This evening, as the dusk settled in, our queen HORNET made frequent attempts to get into The Studio, managing on two occasions. We had a job to persuade her to leave through an open window! When it was almost dark, she was still humming around the eaves.
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