Weeting Heath & Cley 13th May 2006
This outing was in the programme as a coach trip but due to only four bookings, the coach had to be cancelled. We reverted to a shared car trip with six members in two cars.
En route we decided to stop at Weeting Heath, just a mile off the road to Cley. We were rewarded with excellent views of Stone Curlew & Spotted Flycatcher.
We reached Cley at about 12.30 and had lunch, after which we set off around the reserve. On the way to the first hide we heard many Sedge & Reed Warblers singing and the explosive call of a Cetti’s Warbler. The Marsh Harriers were showing well.
From the hides we had close views of Avocets, and Lapwings with chicks.
There were also many Black-Tailed Godwits, and a few Redshank, a solitary Sanderling, and Common Sandpiper. It was interesting to see that the latter bird, when standing next to a Pied Wagtail, was of similar size.
We continued down the road to the beach, seeing a couple of Brent Geese, and Greylag Geese with large crèches of goslings. A Little Egret flew by. We briefly looked over the sea but only saw a Cormorant. Continuing along the shingle bank, many gulls and terns with fish in their bills flew overhead.
Fromthe next hide we saw five types of gull, a large flock of Dunlin, and again many Avocets.
We carried on to the far corner of the reserve identifying Sandwich and Little Terns on the way. Returning towards the road we stopped to look over the salt marsh there were many Sandwich Terns, and waders, including a single Knot in breeding plumage showing why it is called a Red Knot.
We also saw a Weasel or Stoat, hunting in the grass at the edge of the water. It was too quick for us to make a positive identification.
A single Wheatear also showed itself. A Barnacle Goose was with the many Greylags. It was after five and getting quite cold by now so we returned to our cars and headed for home.
It was a great day out, the weather stayed dry and we saw eighty species.
Dave Jones