Previously “Diary of a Birding Medic”; “Rugby Birder”; "Bempton Birder”. All views expressed in this blog are my OWN and do not represent the opinions or policies of any organisations or entities whatsoever with whom I have been, am now or will be affiliated. Reference to Bempton Cliffs in NO way promotes the organisation known as RSPB Bempton Cliffs, but rather the FREEdom of the cliffs.

Friday, 11 June 2021

Bempton Birder on Vacation in North West Norfolk.

 

Day 1 - Roydon Common, 4th June 2021


Red Kite

Our 2020 holiday that never was (Covid!) became a reality and we headed to north west Norfolk for a week, staying in a self catering cottage in Snettisham. The journey down was horrific due to the volume of traffic and took a lot longer than anticipated. This was our first visit to Norfolk since 2013 (prior to the tidal surge), and we wondered what changes we would notice, for the good or the bad. Something very obvious was the new builds expanding the population in towns and villages, especially in Kings Lynn and Hunstanton, without any improvements of infrastructure. Second home ownership by the southern rich has prospered, with these folk driving about in top of the range, open top vehicles, and dressed to the standards depicted in glossy "country" magazines i.e. pristine and not a spot of mud 😇! Definitely on the downside was a sign to pay to park by mobile phone at Dersingham Bog. It was good to be away from the cliffs at Bempton (and those beastly Puffins 😇!) and to see wildlife that is uncommon locally. However, the area was rather quiet and most of that seen has been reported on the East Yorkshire coast!

It was very hot! Overbearingly so!! So much so that we eventually went out early morning and late afternoon, spending the midday in the cool of the cottage and garden.

The exception to the dry, hot, sunny weather was our travelling day. Leaving Bempton in warm sunshine and arriving in Norfolk to cloud and light rain! Undeterred, we had a walk over Roydon Common and got drenched for our efforts!

Bird wise, a year tick in several Jays, Buzzards, Curlews, Lapwings, Shelducks, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Red-legged Partridge and a Red Kite.

Red Kite





Images taken handheld with Sony RX10 Mk4.

 

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