A Corton seawatch

A Corton cliffs seawatch this evening (Monday 16th August) 6.35-7.45pm, my best this year, not difficult given my usual success in seawatching. I joinied James B, we saw 2 Arctic Skua, 1 a light phase bird flew steadily north low over the water whilst the second bird was a dark phase bird flew north and it then turned flew a little south harrying a Tern before settling on the sea. Many Common Terns flying north c200. A fine calling Golden Plover in winter plumage flew in off the sea, it called a mournful plaintive "peuu" call, whilst 6 calling Curlew were well picked up by James flying low over the roof tops flying inland. A calling Whimbrel was also heard plus 2 Oystercatcher flying north and then 4 Mediterranean Gulls (2 adults and 2 immatures) flew north. A female Sparrowhawk flew around and then north, then she briefly perched in a palm tree right in front of us briefly.

Banksy crabbing at Cromer

On Saturday 14th August, after half an hour at Gunton cliff, seeing just 4 Common Terns on the groynes, I drove up to Cromer, having worked out where the Banksy crab art was at Cromer, having been thwarted going on Wednesday as I wasn't entirely sure where the artwork was (& it was very hot too 28 degrees!). I was just finishing off my breakfast at Asda carpark and I had a very welcome call from fellow banksy enthusiasts, the Fergusons, they were going to and we arranged to meet up at the end of The Warren, Cromer just off Overstrand road. After quite a long wait to fill up the car, I was finally on my way and rang Paul & Jane when I reached Overstrand road (parked up as Cromer was absolutely jam packed, Jane assured me there was a space they would save at The Warren, and I was only 2 minutes away, I drove up and rendezvoued with them. At the end of the Warren we turned left took the steps down the cliff and turned right past the beach huts immediately beyond was a concrete wall at right angles projecting towards the sea and more importantly a small appreciative crowd of people! We joined them at the fine Banksy artwork.

On the trail of "Banksy?!

On Friday afternoon, there were tweets going around and a great picture by Julie of a possible 'Banksy', the well known street artist whose wonderful artistic creations and social commentary on the state of society and particularly appearing in areas which had been better days, sometimes these artworks were ephemeral in nature, so possibly only matter of time before he visited Lowestoft?! Anyway a possible 'Banksy' had appeared in Lowestoft London Road North, specifically on the side of the old 'Lowestoft Electrical' building on the wall you used to walk past to visit the old Tesco's supermarket in the town. On Sunday afternoon 8th August, Jenny & I parked in Alexandria Road, North Lowestoft and we saw this wonderful creation plus the sand, sadly all the recent heavy rain had obliterated the accompanying sand castle, we were left with a heap of sand! Next stop was along denmark Road, specifically the junction with traffic lights and another depiction, this time of a seagull or specifically Herring Gull swooping down onto a skip with tubes presumably represnting chips. This artwork, although also fantastic, differed in style to a typically 'Banksy' but was well done except where the paint had dripped down, possibly the artists had to vacate hurriedly? Next stop was Nicholas Everitt park, and Jane F very kindly gave me the exact location, but all the car parking spaces were taken and we had to walk 10 minutes from the 'Dead End' at Oulton Broad to the bridge that you walk over to enter the park from the free bowl car park. Another piece of really great street art which looks to me like a 'Banksy', was on the south side of the bridge. Sadly, the accompanying boat on the left hand side had been removed by the Council worried about it blocking a drain. This art installation was also gathering an appreciative crowd. Jane F also furnished me with details of the next one the wall lining the northside of Link's road, another great piece of art thet looks like a Banksy and another smaller appreciative crowd gathered here. Next stop, a short drive to Admiralty road, Great Yarmouth, were on the right hand side of the road, 1/4 mile down, just above a bus stop was another 3 figured charming Banksy-type piece with the legs on one of the seated figures (right-hand one) dangling beneath the bus stop shelter, giving a more 3D effect (where the sand castle, boat had been used in the earlier works mentioned) Howver, heavy rain forced us back to the car and we drove to the small free car park beneath the Cliff Hotel at Golreston and in the first shelter south of there was a crane contraption above the seat in the shelter where people could pose underneath here as if there were about to be grabbed by the artwork, another Banksy? We shall have to wait and see, but really wonderful to see this artwork and I think personally 5 of the 6 pictured here are Banksy, but I repeat we will have to wait and see if and when it is confirmed on the Artist's Instagram site.

Painted Lady in the garden

On Saturday 7th August, I was delighted to see a Painted Lady in the garden about 10am, that briefly settled on a Runner Bean plant leaf before 'she' flew off! There was also Large White, a Peacock butterfly and Gatekeeper also seen in the garden today.

Catch up

On Tuesday, morning a fluttering Peacock butterfly found in the kitchen and safely released outside. On Tuesday evening, a look around Castle Marshes revealed a Brown Hawker in the North Cove car park and a Green Woodpecker flew to nearby trees on Castle Marsh. On Wednesday 4th August, 5 Large Whites, a fine pale chestnut Comma butterfly seen mid afternoon, now a good record for the garden, but sadly it eluded the camera by flying over the back garden fence. Gatekeeper also seen, plus a Peacock and Red Admiral. Later on in a local wood, I marked up the 20 fine Broad- leaved Helleborines to ensure they weren't accidently strimmed, sadly 4 in the small meadow area had been beheaded already. Lets hope this will mean their numbers will increase in years to come. On Wednesday 4th August evening, a disappointing look around the North Denes/ beach area only revealed 20 BH Gulls on Links Road car park, 20 Common Terns on the nearest groyne and a stream of Kittiwakes c100 going south.

Lucky hour at Carlton Marshes

On Monday 2nd August, I decided to call in at Carlton Marshes after work and tea, to see if my luck would change and would I finally see a Purple Heron after 6 years of dips. Parking at 6.30pm, I walked through the centre, to check the dyke at the back where I'd heard of recent reports of a showy Water Vole. Another species, I'd missed out on in recent years, only hearing the plop as I walked past the dykes but not seeing 'Ratty him/herself! A couple looking from the boardwalk one end of the lookout along the left side, posed me a question asking what they were looking at? My suspicions were confirmed when I walked over and I observed a fine Water Vole feeding just beneath us. It then swam right and then sat again showing well for some ten minutes before it swam out of sight, a great start! I bumped into @Wildlifetog and he said he had seen the Purple Heron from the Tower hide. I walked over to the Tower Hide, a Great Diving Beetle was crossing the path here. two people in the hide said the bird was west nearer the Look out hide. I decided to go there as it was closer to the bird and the light would be better there. On the journey up a Brown Hawker seen in flight along the path. At the Look Out hide, I saw both Andrew E and Steve P and there were 5 Shovelor (in eclipse plumage) to the west of the hide a Grey Heron flew over and put up the fantastic immature Purple Heron at 7.20pm, it flew south and then wheeled around and then flew in anorth- westerly direction and out of sight. walking back a the large larvae of a Silver diving Beetle crossed the path.

Garden wildlife

On Sunday 1st August, in the afternoon, 5 Large White butterflies, a Peacock, Red Admiral and my furst garden Gatekeeper of the year and up to 3 Migrant Hawker dragonflies either flying around on the lawn or resting on the runner bean poles, plus a bonus female Common Darter was nice to witness, especially with a quiet garden (young family next door were away).