Two objectives today: Horsey Gap to look at the grey seal colony that can be seen there at all times of the year and Hicklig Broad reserve for bird watching followed by another session at the raptor roost. We woke as has become the norm to bitter cold, grey skies and rain with biting northery winds.
We launched out to the seals first following the narrow winding Brads roads. I was fascinated to see willow pollards lining the sides of the roads and more surising some that had been freshly pollarded so the practice obviously continues. We also saw cut reeds stacked and stored under tarpaulins ready for use in thatching. It was only a short drive to Horsey Gap and I was surprised to see the car park full and wardens in attendance; the seal colony would seem to be wardened by volunteers all year round. Once kitted up in full winter gear and waterproofs we headed off through the dunes. Like Lincolnshire, I expected the tide to be well out but it was well up and doesn't seem to recede that far. It didn't take us long to find the seals; about 300. Unlike our local colony at Donna Nook which tends to disperse in January after pupping, the seals here seem to haul themselves out onto the beach to rest. I was fascinated by the range of colours and sizes. there were a few very young and small pups, although most were adults or fully grown young. Colours ranged from very dark through to light brown with a good number of attractive grey spotted ones. Having spent an hour or so with the seals we retraced our steps and pulled in at the very attractive thatched Waxham Barn and Dunes Cafe for coffee and excellent cheese scone.
Suitably fortified we drove back through Hickling and down to Hickling Broad Nature Reserve visitor centre Having paid our dues we set off around the reserve. If we were hoping that the weather was going to imrove in the afternoon, we were to be disappointed and it remained miserable. We called in at the first two suitable thatched hides but there was very little to see, most small birds staying in shelter out fo the wind and rain. Once we reached view points over the open water of Hickling broad there were far more species to add to our list, mainly water fowl. As we continued around the reserve trail I was staggared at the size of the reed beds; they are huge, far more extensive that any I had seen anywhere. No wonder Hickling holds a good population of bittern, although didn't find any. We did come across a barn owl out hunting, though and later a superb male hen harrier, with its startling pale grey plumage and black wingtips.
As we completed our rather damp circuit we girded up our loins for another dusk seesion at the raptor watch point at Stubbs Mill. Althogh we again saw good numbers of marsh harrier coming in to roost there were no more cranes to delight us. A pity as I had my camera with me today, although the light was so poor that photography would have been a waste of time.
Although cold and wet, it had been an excellent day and I looked forward to our warm cottage, log stove and meal. And, of course, it was beer o'clock.
To view large, please click on an image. All images grey seals apart from the last which is a telephoto of Horsey Mill from the raptor view point at around 5.15 which illustrates why birdt photography would have been unsuccessful.
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