Birding with my Sisters!

I didn't set the alarm last night and it was wonderful waking up late!!! Picked Vivien and Lucy up and went to Titchwell RSPB for lunch. It was pouring with rain again and my sisters were not suitably dressed for the weather, so parked the car in the public carpark adjacent to the staff carpark so they only had yards to walk! In fact this is all we did, as no one including myself really wanted to walk in the rain. Went to Holme and spent a couple of hours at my parents and to give father his usual Father's Day chocolates. Lucy also gave him a gold scooter ornament to remind him of the Vespa Scooters he used to drive. He had a red and a blue one over the years until he came off in the ice one day by the village shop in Holme (that is no more) and decided to give up this mode of transport. On the subject of the village shop, there used to be three: 'Tipples' on the main road which was a PO as well as general stores run by Peter and Jean Tipple (Peter now sadly passed away). Jean still lives in the village. The second shop was known as 'Arnolds' and was a general stores, also selling souvenirs. The 'Arnolds' have lived in the village for several generations and are one of the few 'original' families left in the village. The third shop was just round the corner of Peddars Way, but I was very young and can only just remember this shop - can't remember exactly what it sold now. Ridiculous really that now there are none and that no one delivers newspapers in the village - if my parents want a newspaper they have to either go on the bus to Hunstanton or Thornham or cycle (which my mother does regularly). Showed father my latest pictures of the Red-footed Falcon and the Caspian Tern and then we left to visit NOA Redwell Marsh Reserve.

Siting in the hide Vivien shocked me when she asked 'is that a shoveler?' I nearly fell over, she was right (ha ha). Lucy enjoyed watching the birds here I think. Avocets and black headed gulls here, but nothing else really of note. We could see an irresponsible dog owner with dog off lead, when it clearly says ALL DOGS ON LEADS PLEASE, when walking across Redwell Marsh because of disturbance to birds and to cattle. He obviously needs to re-take his English exam.

Lapwing, NOA Redwell Marsh, Holme.

Parked the car just after the NWT pay hut to look for the firecrest but no joy. From the NOA carpark we walked up to the observatory, which neither Vivien or Lucy had visited for a while. Saw a couple of goldfinches and a greenfinch, but nothing else at all - very quiet. Walked across to the dunes and changed our mind about walking on the beach when we spotted a doberman bouncing around all over the beach with owner a long way away - just not worth the agro. Walked back and through the path at the bottom through the pines and crossed over the dunes and back to the carpark. We sat and had tea, scones and jam in the carpark! Sun now coming out - the best part of the day and we had to go! Took Vivien back to train station with literally seconds to spare before the train left - the closest we have ever been to missing it! Dropped Lucy off and then fell asleep when I got home!