Holme Marsh Reserve NWT & Titchwell RSPB!

 Water Rail in the usual ditch at Titchwell RSPB

Holme Marsh Reserve NWT
A beautiful sunny morning with no wind! The track where you park your car for this reserve was flooded badly and stunk of sewage overflow from the adjacent caravan site! Great! On route to the hide, I was delighted to see a Small Tortoiseshell at rest on the chalky path, shortly after this a Wren appeared in a bramble bush.

Hide One produced my first singing Chiffchaff of the Spring, which was a joy to hear. 5 Common Buzzards were spiralling in the thermals and 2 Marsh Harriers were seen. A Cetti's Warbler burst into song and 2 Med Gulls were calling and harassing a Common Buzzard above the hide. Other birds seen here: Lapwings, Little Grebe, Reed Buntings (pair), Teal x 6, Canada Geese, Wood Pigeons, Blackbird, Shelducks x 4, Chaffinch, Robin, Moorhen, Coot, a Long-tailed Tit, Wigeon x 2, Carrion Crows x 2 east.

I was very disappointed to find nearly all of my late mother's cushions scattered around the dirty floors of the hides, including the latest and newest ones I placed in the hides. What is wrong with people? They were put in the hides to bring comfort to people, especially for those that are of a shorter stature, as the bench seats are too low for short people. When the cushions became a bit dirty, my mother would take them home and hand wash them and return them to the hides – I don't know why she bothered, as no one appreciated it and obviously still don't! If you find the cushions on the floors, when you walk in the hides, please pick them up and either place them on the white chairs or the bench seat – its not much to ask is it?! Somebody's dog could have been sitting on that cushion and then you are sitting on it – what a thought, yuck!!!

Went to the family home and cleaned some of the bird baths out and swept the leaves up around the porch area. The wallflowers are starting to bloom, one of mother's favourites – a wonderful fragrant and familiar scent of our childhood days. I generally visit the property once a week and its amazing what flowers appear each time I visit! There were also some magenta pink and yellow primroses out and the ice plant (sedum) is starting to come up. It was sad to to see a mini bulldozer ripping up an entire blackthorn hedge (in bloom) that runs the width of the horse meadow (adjacent to the garden) – it was being tossed into a massive heap – I could not see why!? Its a good job my mother is not around to see that, she would have been very sad and disappointed.

 Bloody-nosed Beetle on the Fen Trail at Titchwell RSPB

Frogs and Toads in the pool along the Meadow Trail at Titchwell RSPB

Titchwell RSPB
The sun had disappeared and the weather was gloomy and dull for the rest of the day, which did not inspire me to carry on to be honest. Had lunch in the 'Feeding Station'. Chatted to Sue B. in the shop about life, birds and all that jazz! Ambled around the Fen Trail and onwards to Patsy's Pool. I saw and heard several Chiffchaffs which was wonderful – the beginning of Spring! Not much else of note to be honest, oh apart from a Water Rail in the usual ditch at the start of the main path. Ran out of time to walk to Island Hide and beyond, as had to be back at the family home to potentially sell an armchair to someone.

Water Rail in the usual ditch at Titchwell RSPB

Sold chair for £65 – result! Just one armchair left now and boot sale stuff in the hall. There is also a Hayter electric lawnmower, in good working condition if anyone wants to be buy one?! Returned home to King's Lynn and fell asleep.