November and into December.
November was spent mainly Fungi hunting whilst on our daily dog walks through our local woodland. It is a SSSI Woodland and always has an abundance of varied lichen and fungi such as this Giant Puffball as big as football.
From the very largest fungi to the smallest fungi. So small and transparent you could almost overlook them.
The very first day of December found us at an overnight stay in Norfolk on a Waxwing Hunt.
Due to lack of food berries in their native Scandinavia, this winter has been predicted a Waxwing winter for the UK. This happens now and again. In early November reports started coming in of large groups of Waxwings in Scotland and the North of England all a bit too far to travel. Then, reports of two Waxwings in Sheringham, Norfolk, then 5, then 7. We couldn’t resist. The last time we saw Waxwings was in 2019. The days turned out to be a bit gloomy and cold, and not the greatest of light for photography but we did manage to spot the birds and get a few pictures.
Waxwings love Rowan berries.
Waxwings, not many berries left on this tree.
From Sheringham Common we headed down to the sea front to find the Purple Sandpipers. These wading birds migrate here for the winter from their breeding grounds in Scandinavia.
Purple Sandpipers on the rocks at Sheringham beach and taking the rough sea all their stride.
Turnstones were being very obliging and seem to like their photo taken.
Another Turnstone.
The Lobster pot Christmas tree at Wells Next Sea harbour.
The lifeboat in Wells looking very festive and reminded us that it was not long to Christmas.
It’s always worth taking a look around the harbour at Wells as you never know what you will spot, like this Red Throated Diver in Winter plumage. The Diver migrates back to Scotland to breed in the summer and develops a lovely red throat.
We finished our quick trip to Norfolk at Holkham Gap where lots of Widgeon were out on the marshes. There is a White Tailed Eagle that has been regularly seen in the area. One of the ones released a couple of years ago on the Isle of White. We were told it had been seen at the end of the Car park on Lady Annes Drive that morning, so just missed it! again.
However, on our walk along the beach towards where the flocks of snow Buntings had been spotted we looked up and low and behold flying above us and out towards the pine trees on the point was the Eagle. Too far away for photographing but even at that distance you could tell it was a big bird.
Snow Buntings at Holkham, such a pretty little bird and the flocks are always on the move from one part of the beach to the other. Yet another winter visitor to Norfolk from Scandinavia. That’s why we love winter wildlife watching in Norfolk.
Its always great to visit WWT at Welney in the winter to see the lovely Whooper Swans and we managed to pick a day with good light, probably a bit too harsh at times. This was a few days before the snow hit.
Oops, forgot the water had turned to ice.
Whooper Swans in the late afternoon sun, heading back for the feeding time at Welney
A quick visit one morning to Burwell Fen to see if the Short Eared Owls were around. No such luck but the resident Little Owl was out on his usual log pile. The weather is starting to get cold, the frost is staying all day.
On our daily dog walk. The snow has arrived and it is COLD. Its easier walking on the frost and snow than plodding through mud and the landscape looks so beautiful, and if you have the correct clothing and footwear you just don’t feel the cold.
Our local woodland covered in frost and snow which stayed all week. The snow makes the wood go so hushed and quiet and any sounds seem to be muffled.
Our garden Robin. We now have two visiting us everyday.
December is turning out to be a month for Owls. We went back to Welney as we had spotted Barn Owls and Short Eared Owls when we were there last time. It was a cold crisp day and both types of Owls were out hunting from about 2.00pm onward. They must have been hungry.
Himself has been lent a Nikon Z7ii mirror-less camera by a friend as his trusty Nikon D500 was away for repair and a well deserved service, so as you would expect he has been keen to try it out.
The quality of the images when you get it right are fantastic but the focus system is yet to be perfected and the magic lantern effect in the view finder when shooting multiple images is disconcerting and makes it difficult to keep birds in flight in the frame and in focus. Also, if the background is cluttered the camera finds its hard to retain focus so more thought into the complex options is required to get the results you require. However, the silent shutter which is electronic, is of great benefit for all types of photography but it does not compensate for the current focus issues when using it for birds in flight.
The Z7ii would be a great advantage when he does his other love, sports photography, especially golf.
Kestrel at Welney taken with the Nikon Z7ii
A hunting Short Eared Owl, one of five at WWT Welney. Short Eared Owls hunt during the day but you can wait around for hours before they decide appear. The Welney Owls are very obliging and fly about the same time in the afternoon. (Taken with the Z7ii)
Another Short Eared Owl at WWT Welney, this one was very pale underneath, almost like a Barn Owl. They breed in Scotland and the North of England and join up in migrant groups for the winter months. (Taken with the Nikon Z7ii)
Barn Owl WWT Welney.
Himself started a new garden project, trying to make a refection pool. The Robin likes it. ( Nikon Z7ii)
Blue Tits are very inquisitive little birds. (Nikon Z7ii)
Mirror less cameras certainly do pick out the details in a subject. ( Nikon Z7ii)
So the end of the year and Christmas week found the family going down with Flu, so all all fun and games have stopped.
Thank you all for staying with us throughout the year and we do hope you have enjoyed our monthly wildlife diary.
Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year. Lets see what 2023 brings.