Planting trees

This Jay has been stealing the crop of acorns from one of the two oaks in the garden for the last few weeks. (S)he has been planting them with some regularity in the lawn. I could end up living in a forest!

Never the gorse shall meet

The well watched Siberian Stonechat at Caister on Sea was performing well last weekend … at a distance. It never came close when I was there; preferring to spend more time with the passing golfers on the far side of some gorse than with the entourage of photographers and birdwatchers stood in the dunes. Nice bird though!

One Day

Those of you that have registered to receive tweets, text’s or mails on the Norfolk Cetacean website will know that recently there has been a young female Minke washed ashore on the coast here in Norfolk this month. Her corpse was swept up the beach at Overstrand but immediately washed back out to sea. Several days later the tides eventually brought her to rest under the revetments in the parish of Paston further to the east.

I went to take some samples of the corpse last weekend for the Natural History Museum under direction from members of the CSIP (Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme)

It was heart-warming to see a steady progression of visitors walking out to see the little girl. No bystanders these. I’ve never been bombarded by so many questions; especially from the children. One young pair of budding biologists come to mind. It was good to see so much interest. All I hope, and I do genuinely wish for them, that one day they will see a whale swimming free in the ocean rather than lifeless on a beach, and it brings delight to them … as it has over the years for me.

 

 

Leaf peeping

Going back for second helpings of the Daurian Shrike at Beeston the other day was a good move. Hidden in the treetops around the green was a Long eared Owl. Always good value.

Calling Out

Yellow browed Warblers have been quiet this year. Not one I’ve seen has been particularly vociferous. However, this Humes Yellow browed at Wells the other day was rather ‘shouty’… at least on the first visit we made.

 

Sweet Tuna

It’s amazing what turns up when you’re at sea; even on a short crossing to the Isles of Scilly.

This is one of two Yellow Fin Tuna we saw leaping out of the sea.

 

 

Cetacean city

On the tour to Scillies last week we saw four species of cetacean: Minke Whales, Harbour Porpoise, Bottlenose Dolphins and some playful Common Dolphins. This individual was lit by the setting sun as we sailed back to Penzance on the Scillonian III. Details for next years tour available soon.

 

Stripy Pipit

Maybe it’s the tundra green combined with the stripy pyjamas but Olive backed Pipits are just the best aren’t they? This individual has been creeping through the bracken on Muckleborough Hillh here in Norfolk for quite a few days now.

Welcome Home

One of three Isabelline Shrikes to welcome me home to Norfolk after our tour on Scillies this week.

More on Scillies later.

Egg Laying Dragons in October

It’s not unusual but still not common to see a Southern Hawker egg laying in October. Photographed last week.