Hickling 1

On Sunday 8th May, a fine Grass Snake sled away from the verge as I walked along the path, initially the BWS's were elusive but then 1 Black winged Stilt a female seen in a creek flew up briefly led to 4 Black- winged Stilts at the end, a pair (a male and female) on the mud not too far away and another 2(both females) feeding on the distant marsh behind. A Wood Sandpiper fed on the stick weedy area in front of the raised platform and first one joined by another 2, totalled 3 Greenshanks which flew up over the path and flew north before circling around again.

Sotterley & Hulver

On Saturday 7th May, Sotterley back at the Early Purple Orchids now most are past their best, Paul & Jane F dropped in and we counted 100 spikes of Early Purple Orchids, great to see. At Hulver we parked at the Village Hall walked down Hulver Lane, the residents didn't appear too happy we walking down the Lane as we saw a briefly close Mistle Thrush down the Lane, as curtians twitched and one chap told us where the public footpath, so we walked down to the end and turning right, the Mistle Thrush was in the field and showed well and I managed a few shots suddenly to the left we could hear the purring of a fine Turtle Dove. Walking down to where Paul & Jane were we could see one obscured bird a long a large branch extending out to the right and then 2 Turtle Doves flew further back. As they flew another third Turtle Dove, heard from across the field looking west in a smaller tree next to a large Oak. walking back to the road, we saw Nick C who kindly invited us into hios back garden where we could see the very distant Turtle Dove still perched in the tree!

Green- winged Orchids

On Sunday 1st, Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd May, in the early evening, I visited a local meadow, where I found only 4 very stunted Green- winged Orchids, lack of rain the culprit, pictured is the best one.

Carlton Marshes trio of Ring Ouzels & record 7 Shore Larks

On Saturday 30 April, Walking out to the Lookout Hide from Carlton Marshes again I couldn't see any Ring Ouzels in the bushes behind the Wildlife look Out hide, I could see Andrew E and some people by the Elms so I joined them and almost immediately a female Ring Ouzel flew up and perched on a distant bush, later 2 female Ring Ouzels flew and perched on the loser bush. Andrew saw a female Large Red Damselfly on some vegetaion and I took some shots. After everyone had left, some irresponsible dog walkers with a British Bulldog flushed all 3 Ring Ouzels up from the field, the 2 female Ring Ouzels perched on in the nearest bush one female showed well. Finally walking back a male Orange Tip showed well briefly by the path in front of Spratt's Water. Later at Kessingland by the shore pool just south I saw the fine group of 7 Shore Lark (a record flock for me as I have not seen more than 3 together before!) feeding and gradually flying south I also saw a brief female Wheatear, over the ridge on the beach but when I went to investigate and get some pics, she had disappeared!

Dipped More Ring Ouzels

27 & 29 April 2 evening visits to Carlton Marshes, both times heard a Willow warbler second time a reeling Grasshopper warbler heard behind reception.

White Stork at Corton Long Lane

On Saturday 24 April reports of a White Stork flying north from Suffolk had me initially statioed along Gunton Cliff, when it was then seen from Carlton Marshes I travelled to Somerleyton before it was seen at Corton, so I joined James B at Stirrups Lane where I just missed it, walking down to check a field south east from the Sewage works where the Stork may have landed It hadn't) revealed 2 singing Lesser Whitethroats. A tweet from Rob H that it was flying over his house towards ours had me driving back home no sign there but at 12.48pm whilst travelling north along seen from Millenium Way I could seen the excellent White Stork circling very low just above tree top height at Corton Long Lane and it appeared to go north. I drove to Corton long lane and rang James W saying it was heading towards in fact the bird flew north.

Dipped Ring Ouzels

23 April no parking for RO at Kessingland Sluice,