27 June: North Norfolk

This day is to be birding in North Norfolk with Ron Johns.

And a fabtastic (I like the typo so have left it alone!) day it was too.  I think 4 lifers (Bittern, Montagu's Harrier; Bearded Reedling {also known as Bearded Tit by traditionalists and Bearded Parrotbill by my listing software!}; and Dartford Warbler plus a lot more additions to the UK and trip lists.

The religious edifice for the was North Elmham Chapel (or Cathedral,take your pick). It was a ruin, of a stone chapel built on the site of a wooden cathedral. We spent about 5 minutes there on our way to Salthouse.  A bonus from this site was a helpful explanation about the problem of dog poop; which in terms of number of signsn erected on the topic is the major problem afflicting the UK.  The example at these ruins explained that it was about a parasitic infection for grazing sheep.

Before getting to the birding I must comment again on the road signs (or rather the lack of them) around Dereham. Heading North we followed signs happily until we suddenly came to a T-intersection with no signs to anywhere we wished to go. Of course we chose wrong so went about 2 miles out of our way. Heading back South at the end of the day I tried plan B: going through the centre of the town. This meant we went about 4 miles out of our way and required a lot of rules of thumb and prayers to get back on the right side of the A47! UNGOOD.

Once we actually got to Salthouse and met our friend Ron, the day ascended from the pleasant to the excellent.

The first sighting was of a Little Owl which, instead of roosting in a tree 30m off the road, was perched in a dead tree right beside the road. We got stunning views of the lovely little chap.Of course I didn't have my camera ready: instead here is the ultimate picture of a field of poppies (and an incidental old ring roller).

Next target was Montagu's Harrier which Frances was the first to spot as it cruised over the paddocks near its nest site. A truly lovely harrier and we even got to see male and female attempting a food transfer. (Marsh Harriers were more common - at one point 4 were seen in almost a kettle: probably a family.)

After adding Corn Bunting (now an unusual bird in many places) we got to Titchwell RSPB Reserve where many goodies were hoped for. I will start by saying they were delivered in large order. A Bittern was seen flying across the reeds – yes, a good clear view, not a cryptic haystack in the reeds - and a flock of juvenile Bearded Reedlings (or Tits or Parrotbills) appeared for our delectation. Amongst the waders, Ruff in breeding plumage; Spotted Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit (breeding plumage) were highlights.

After lunch (see below) we went to hunt for Dartford Warblers. We got to Kelling Heath - with a lot of blooming heather- and after a few local enquiries (and a phone call or two) a male Dartford was kind enough to present itself for ticking. This was a bird that had apparently adopted a family of Stonechats (also seen and not a bad bird at that). It appeared shortly after a steam train went past and we drew the obvious conclusion that Dartford Warblers can be attracted by imitating steam trains!

The trip list is now 94 species!

In the matter of beers I was antisocial enough to add a beer to my sandwich at lunchtime. How could one not sup an Oystercatcher Beer on a day's birding? It was brewed in the vicinity of the White Horse at Brancaster Staithe and was very pleasant. Getting back to Wicklewood we attended the Cherry Tree pub, one of two owned by Buffy's Brewery. Several of their brews listed in the Guide seem to refer to psittacoids and I chose a pint of Norwegian Blue. A pleasant taste and a good texture to finish off an excellent day.

After visiting James Cook's birthplace in Yorkshire, today we drove through Nelson's birthplace at Burnham Thope. This village is also known as Chelsea on Sea due to the number of denizens of that Borough who have shacks here. We were told of a place purchased for Stg650k about 4 years ago now being worth Stg2m! Another village with an interesting history was Stiffkey (pronounced Stookey) where the vicar in the 1910s was found to be a little enthusiastic in his assistance to fallen women. After being defrocked (the vicar, not the women, although that was probably where the vicar went wrong) he joined a circus where he was killed by a lion! The pub in the village was, possibly coincidentally, called the Red Lion.

Today was also the day (which the Daily Mirror referred to in a headline as “The Battle of Britain”) when England played Germany in the World Cup. We couldn't gloat to our friends about the result but it was amusing to hear the BBC commentators introduce the story with a rant about a “clear goal” being disallowed and then go on to say how the Germans had outplayed England everywhere. It will be interesting to see how many cars are drivng around with the little flags on, and how many bedroom windows are decorated with the cross of St George today. I might buy a newspaper as a memento mori.