Wells

BW-2017-10-24

VISIT REPORT - 24 OCTOBER 2017

The morning turned out to have better weather than forecast, which was a bonus, and we went first to Aller Moor in the hope of seeing the Cranes. After about 25 minutes (and also after two buzzard, two Kestrel, a Grey Heron, several Pied Wagtail and Goldfinch, many swans, some farmyard geese and other "goodies") we managed to locate a flock of 23 (almost exclusively adult) Cranes grazing in a field about half a mile away from our vantage point at Staithe. So where were the other 35? Twenty minutes later they all took off and flew out of sight to the right. We decided not to follow them but made our way to RSPB Greylake.

There we searched fruitlessly for Bearded T*t, but did see a pair of Stonechat having fun at the head of a reed stem. We also heard but failed to see Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler. Near the hides we came across a large family of Long-tailed T*t and a pair of probable Goldcrest. Into the hides where we saw Great White and Little Egret, plus a Marsh Harrier with a very white head, a Kingfisher and a Meadow Pipit. Also about a million Mallard (which apart from two Teal appeared to be the only ducks on the reserve).

Altogether we encountered a total of around 42 different species. And everybody enjoyed themselves!