Hickling goodies

On Wednesday 17th June, I had to work until 4pm but it meant I could go straight to Hickling NWT afterwards. I parked up just after 5pm and walked straight down to Brendan's Marsh to the platform, as I walked down I saw at least 2 Little - ringed Plovers which flew around and settled. Meanwhile the platform was full (3 people on there including Dave H. and his wife and another chap were on there. Dave said the Caspian was there and I found a gap in the hedge and really enjoyed viewing the fantastic adult Caspian Tern with a very prominent red ornge the neat black crest cap finisghed as a neat triangle of black on the nape. It was stood in the pool with 2 BH Gull nearby which it dwarfed being 1.5X bigger. When a female Marsh Harrier flew over, the Caspian Tern flew up and around then settled down again, tucking its extensive orange-red bill into its back feathers. Later the Caspian opened its bill wide several times had a preen the stood in direct profile before going to sleep again. Meanwhile, on the near mud, I saw a fine 1st summer Little Gull. Suddenly the 'chew- it' call revealed a fine full summer plumage Spotted Redshank fly in, later 'chew-it' calls revealed a second as the 2 Spotted Redshanks both in full summer finery. As was a 'Tudor Gent', fine male Ruff at the back with a chestnut brown Ruff that could have graced Henry VIII's court. Also seen was a full summer plumaged Dunlin and around 5 Ringed Plovers. Around 5 Common Terns seen, 2 Great Egrets and 3 Little Egrets seen too. A family of around 15 Long- tailed Tits flew past the oak by the platform. Meanwhile on the walk back, at around 6.30pm, 2 Red Admirals flew up and settled on the path ahead. (LIBRARY PIC)