karen's country calendar

 A sunny morning, free day and reports of a Great Reed Warbler seen at Ouse Fen found me visiting the reserve this morning. The carpark was busy which was a good indication that this rare visitor was still there and I soon got into conservation with a gentleman who was also about to walk down to where it had been seen.  It wasnt long before we saw a group of birders ahead of us on a viewing mound which had been trampled down and a kind person offered me a view through his telescope as as we arrived where it was in full song.  I was soon able to locate  in my binoculars and camera and noticed its  striking red throat when singing.   Once I was satisfied with photos I headed off round the reserve where reed buntings, sedge and reed warblers and whitethroats were very visible and I also saw my first painted lady butterfly of the season.  Great Reed Warbler Can you see me? Reed Bunting Whitethroat Sedge Warbler

 When my sister visits it always provides an opportunity to go birding a bit further afield and this time we decided to visit the North Norfolk coast and Lynford Arboretum in the hope of seeing a few new birds for this year. Leaving early (6.30am) we reached Titchwell just before the visitor centre opened so made our way straight onto the reserve and the walk down towards the shore.  I was pleased to see a curlew,  scoters (black specks on the sea which we were reliably informed were scoters by someone with a 'scope.  black tailed godwits, a flock of brent geese which few in, ruff and bearded tits. Along the coast we stopped off at Holkham Gap where we had heard there were some shorelarks still present which we eventually found in the roped off area after a tip off from another birder.  We then arrived at Cley Marshes where we managed somewhat distant views of a Long Billed  Dowitcher, only visible as pointed out by a lot of other birders present in the hide. Our final destination