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The best of The Patch and a Norfolk Day Walk

I led a cosy (ie few people attended) walk on Norfolk Day weekend, from The New Inn at Rockland out to the broad, river and back. It was advertised as a Bat walk but as with any dusk walk there was plenty of other wildlife to enjoy. By the staithe, a Lesser Stag Beetle scuttled along the path. Although the broad was quiet save Ducks in eclipse plumage, at the back a Bittern flew over the reedbed in the direction of Wheatfen. This was actually my first record of the year on the patch, having not made an early starts in April (this side of the river at least) where I would usually at least hear booming. As dusk entered darkness and a slightly blood-red moon rose, 2 Hobby hunted close to us, one eating a large Hawker on the wing as they tend to do. It was on the return leg that we connected with Bats, and initially plenty of them. At least 6 Noctule hawked over the river and scrub by Short Dyke, lots of feeding buzzes heard over the detector for the party to enjoy. These are Britain's biggest Bat, and primarily a tree roosting species. They appeared very suddenly as a group, suggesting they are using the willows or similar as a nursery roost site nearby. Heading back to the pub for last orders, Common and Soprano Pipistrelle were easily picked up via the detector and occasionally seen by moon light. A fantastic walk that showcased the variety on and around Rockland Broad.

Yesterday I met up with my uncle who volunteers at Minsmere as a 'Guide in a Hide' every Tuesday. The scrape and pools were looking ripe for rare, but on this day we were happy to settle with variety. 2 Curlew Sandpiper were amongst a 44-strong flock of Dunlin, and I counted 11 Spotted Redshank in an array of full summer to full winter plumages. Terns were feeding young on the islands, and Med Gulls and a Kittiwake loafed in the sun. Most striking were around 10 Turnstone in wonderful ruddy summer best. We counted at least 3 each of Green and Common Sandpiper, but could not find the Wood that had been reported. I enjoyed a comment from a chap in reception asking us about this bird. Upon saying we had not seen it, he proclaimed "But, it's on the internet".

I popped into the Blyth Estuary on the way home, but the tide was high so little was seen of note, but it won't be long until the first Osprey drops in on route back to Africa.

Below are a few snaps from a recent visit to Church Marsh. A young Toadlet proved difficult to spot amongst the damp undergrwoth after a rare shower, and a/the Common Tern has been present on and off since May. The last photo though- what a contrast. The rich, green verdant colour of the fen and then the parched yellow and golden grazing meadow.




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