pictures through glass

24 March 2013
.... and here are a few snaps of bits mentioned below, most taken through the window (closed) as I have yet to work out how to open the door without frightening everything off. This then is the garden.

and the first birds seen were five Bramblings , one remained for a while, this taken through the kitchen window.

then the Siskins arrived

 a Moorhen has been using the pond and it was joined b a second bird which kept sitting down on the lawn, on closer inspection there was a blob of red under it.......

up it got and out ran the chick - kitchen window shot again

 and to round off a wild rabbit has taken to tormenting our two rabbits, which are in the cage !

New home

24 March 2013
Yup, the second move in under a year. Pentney to Shouldham in June 2012 and now Shouldham to Stanhoe March 2013 and it has made me feel my age ! Still we have it rented for two years so some time to relax.

It is closer to work and most importantly closer to Tom's school at Wells-next-the-Sea for Septmebrer. The house was chosen instantly by me when I saw the garden. Having suffered a bit at Shouldham with a small garden which was on view to the world, we now have a large garden which is private.

So far the highlights have been five Bramblings, a regular Barn Owl that hunts in the fields opposite and flies through our garden (post now in position) and a pair of Moorhens using the pond, plus they have a chick.

There are also Blue Tits, Great Tits and Greenfinches, all rarities at Shoulham, but so far no House Sparrows. When I find the card reader I'll be able to post some photos. And of course we have snow.

Otterly Fantastic

end of February - belated post
A beautiful day found Sam and I on a jaunt to Thetford to look for the Otters again. On arrival there were two animals in the river and we watched them for a good twenty minutes as they played, and ate fish. They were continually scrapping with one another and running up and down the bank jumping into the water, it was truly fantastic. The speed at which they were playing was incredible and getting shots of frozen action wasn't easy. Not much more to say so will let the pictures tell the story.

As for birds a Kingfisher put in an appearance and the Black-bellied Dipper was present as usual.

Turn round

2 February 2013

On way into work and had a quick look for the White-tailed Eagle but to no avail again. 8.30am seems to be too early for it, and on leaving work 5.30pm and it's gone to roost. However in the rough field and wood behind the shop I saw a white blob in a tree over the road, and predictably, it was a Barn Owl. Excellent, but knowing how it is on roads these days, I knew I only had a minute before some other car came up behind me, and it's a more or less single track road. So better hurry up - but it was facing away for what seemed like an eternity.

  If only it would turn round, still no cars behind me. Then it turned and I had a good five minutes watching it before it flew off to quarter the field. So Barn Owl and no cars - lovely.

On arrival at the shop this moth greeted me, staying on the notice board all day. I am fairly sure it's a Pale Brindled Beauty.

And finally on the way home it was nice to see a flock of Gyr Falcons

Not often you see this many in a flock !