A May walk from the Cley visitor centre to the hides brings a cacophony of noise from the reeds, grasses, bushes, shrubs and trees. Sometimes the birds singing will be kind and show themselves to you before dropping down out of sight again. It can be a long wait and you have to be ready with the binoculars or camera for the brief glimpse.
I was fortunate to have some decent light and some quick views when I last visited my parents.
Reed Warbler
Some weeks ago there was quite a lot of movement around the country from Black-winged Stilts. This is a wading bird that had avoided me on quite a number of occasions over recent years, but a bird that is becoming more regular in numbers each year.
With reports of 3 birds at RSPB Frampton a few weeks ago, it was easy enough to pop in on my way home from Norfolk and try my luck. It was a good walk on a gloomy morning to the hide and area that they were reported in, and it wasn't long before I picked out the first 2 birds. The scope was required but well worth the closer view. The third bird then appeared from nowhere and crossed the reeds in front of us. Superb views of a great bird.
It was also recently confirmed that the pair decided that they liked where they were and set up a nest and have not hatched 4 young. A first for Lincolnshire, and also a life tick for me with this bird.
They seem to arrive later and later each year, but in reality it's just my anticipation and eagerness to hear their scratchy song that makes it seem like this. My records show that the Whitethroat arrives here around the same time, I just wish they would hurry up.
They are here now though and I have several pairs on my local patch protecting their specific brambles and bushes. It's always good to hear them singing as I do my patrols and see what else is about.
Common Whitethroat
I'm sure there are other good places to view Gannets in the UK, but I've not yet visited them where you can get so close. The cliffs at Bempton allow you to get at eye level with them as they soar on the thermals, and when they land on the rocks you can look down on them. It's quite a unique feel. I've been to the Farne Islands quite a few times, but there are not many Gannets there, and they are usually above you when they are flying. Bempton has a more intimate feel.
I hope this video works. I recorded a short video on my phone so that you could hear the sounds.
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