Waning gibbous Moon

Just briefly (at around 10pm) the sky was fantastically clear here in East Norfolk...

Christmas knees-up!

If you're anywhere on the East Coast, our last gig of the year is next Sunday in Lowestoft!

Wildlife survey, Hemblington Church

Poor Sue has fallen foul of the cold bug that's going around, so it was just Peter, Linda and yours truly that carried out this month's survey. (Amazing to think we haven't missed a month for over six years!) Probably as a result of the very gusty wind, small passerines were not much in evidence, but we nevertheless reached a decent total for an exposed chunk of arable land!

Occultation of Mars, December 18th, 2024

A montage of shots from 04.30 - 08.30 as the Moon drew closer to the red planet!

The Moon and Mars

The Moon is close to Mars in the pre-dawn sky: later (when it's daylight, unfortunately) the Moon will occult (pass in front of) the red planet.

Last run out before Christmas

My turn to drive, so Brian and Norman met at mine for a trip up to the North Coast. First stop was Blakeney, where a good, long walk failed to produce the hoped-for Twite - nor anything else much! The 'highlights' were several Marsh Harriers, lots of Brents and a frosty-looking Stonechat.

Next stop Cley: the centre hides were empty, quite possibly because there were very few birds other than geese. We gave it an hour before adjourning to the visitors' centre for coffee. A visit to Bishop's Hide gave fleeting glimpses of the Dowitcher, as well as a few Golden Plovers, so we decided to finish the session at Stiffkey, where a brief 'grill' of the flooded meadows opposite the Red Lion revealed that the Glossy Ibis has returned for the winter!

Despite all attempts at resets, maintenance and setting changes, my camera just will not focus sharply at the moment: I'll have to bite the bullet after Christmas and get it serviced...

Cranes and Cattle Egrets while Christmas shopping!

Linda and I had to drive north to Potter Heigham to visit Latham's for a few odds and ends. On the way home via Acle I noticed a couple of adult Cranes right by the road, and managed a few ropey shots through the car window! On a roll, we carried on via Branch Road, Halvergate, where we enjoyed amazing views of nine or more Cattle Egrets, at least one of which still had the remains of its breeding coloration.

60's night with the O'Fenders

Always good to have a night out with friends! Tim, Linda, Sue, Peter and I strolled down to Heathlands for the pre-Christmas performance of local band the O'Fenders. A full house enjoyed a night of sixties nostalgia: other than the Rolling Stones they are probably the only band still gigging that are older than Synergy! (Note the incredible collection of vintage Gibsons and Fenders!)

Nearly full Moon and Jupiter!

If you look towards the east tonight (December 13th) the Moon and Jupiter are close together - the two brightest objects in the night sky. The Moon is one day off from full, while Jupiter is at opposition...

Christmas lights!

There's a new type of Christmas decoration available this year: some kind of fresnel lens system creates a 'looking into infinity' illusion. Naturally Linda bought a couple of examples!

Garden tick!

Well: over the garden, in fact! As I was trying out 'poor light' settings on my camera this morning a Cattle Egret flew across the garden: I had time for just a single snatched shot. I couldn't help reflecting on the dash to Lincolnshire from Nancy's to see my first, back in the eighties... (Shortly afterwards a Red Kite followed it eastwards)

I hear you knockin'!

Through the gloom I managed a few photos of the Great Spotted Woodpecker that I could hear drilling holes in next door's Oak tree!

Slim pickin's at Cley today...

Despite the freezing north-easterly wind, I decided to risk joining Norman and Brian for a run up to the north coast - my first birding day out since I was struck down by the lurgie!

We started with a brief sea watch, but all we picked out were a few Kittiwakes and a couple of forlorn Grey Seals. A move to Bishop's Hide wasn't much more productive, but at least it was a leeeetle bit warmer! There were thousands of geese flighting in / out / over: all Brents and Pinkfeet, apart from one oddity. I think it was most likely a hybrid, perhaps Brent x Barnacle? Only other points of interest were a few Avocets and a persistent Marsh Harrier that put up the Lapwings every five minutes!