26th October 2002 Our October coach trip took us to two destinations in North Norfolk. The first stop was at Holme where a number of our party disembarked, while the rest of our party went straight on to Titchwell.
I chose to spend the whole day in Titchwell, which is an RSPB reserve that our group has been interested in for many years and to which we have donated money for many projects, including The Fen Hide in memory of a former Group Leader, Pete Lathwell. The weather had been rather overcast, but had brightened considerably by the time we reached Norfolk and we enjoyed a gorgeous, sunny day.
The bird feeders next to the Visitor Centre were as popular as ever with various tits, Chaffinches and Greenfinches homing in on the food.
I only had time to have a quick look from The Fen Hide and the first part of the reserve as I had to take the coach back to Holme to collect the people who had opted to spend the morning there.
The bird count at Holme had been very low, due to the very high wind, but one of our members was carrying a pager and was alerted to a Long-Eared Owl at the far end of Holme village. It was too good an opportunity to miss, so we twisted the coach driver’s arm and got him to take the narrow lane through the village to the site. The owl was sitting on a branch projecting from the hedgerow enjoying shelter from the wind and the morning sunshine, allowing us wonderful views. Peter Kirby took the photograph that is shown on our Home Page.
We went on to Titchwell in buoyant mood, most of the coach party having snapped up a ‘lifer’. We tried not to gloat too much to the people who had decided not to get off at Holme.
There are always plenty of birds to see at Titchwell and the lagoons were full of ducks and waders. Of note were the Avocets, the increasingly common Little Egret and the resident stilt. Flocks of Brent Geese were constantly on the move and the beach area gave us views of Knot, Sanderling and Turnstone.
On our return to the car park, a tawny owl had been spotted roosting high in a tree near the picnic area, a fitting end to our day.
Titchwell has always had a great atmosphere and Bill Oddie says that it is one of his favourite places. I have to agree.
