After a dull start, today looks unexpectedly good weather-wise and there is much debate about where we should spend our last full day in this lovely part of the world.
After much debate we plump for a visit to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust at Cley Marshes. It is quite a long way but the afternoon looks set fair for some sunny weather and our favourite route along the North Norfolk coast is as enjoyable as ever.
We detoured of the route slightly to visit a church that we have seen from a distance but not visited. It is the Church of St Mary the Virgin at Titchwell. The tower is one typical of this area – round, being easier to construct with the local flints and the majority of the church dates from the 11th century.
On any other day this photo of Burnham Overy would have taken the top spot.
Mill at Burnham Overy
We arrived at Cley (pronounced Cly to rhyme with spy) just after 2pm and after paying our £5 each to the pleasant lady at the NWT visitor centre (very impressive) set out to walk across the marshes on very well-maintained paths. There are three hides very near to one another but each one looking out onto different stretches of water and we hadn’t long taken up residence in one of them when a female Hen Harrier made several swoops across the area right in front of us. Peter had a field day with the long Sigma lens and managed to some magnificent photos, some of which we are showing here. Please click them to see the expanded view – well worth it for the detail!
Some more common birds looked glorious in the warm light:
Mostly Lapwing!
Green Winged Teal
One little wader that had us puzzled was this one:
We have come to the conclusion, after much research and debate, that it is a Greenshank. It was on its own and was very noisy.
After some time it took to the water…
A lovely sunlit shot of a Lapwing and Dunlin:
Not content with seeing a Hen Harrier, this female Marsh Harrier made an appearance and was mobbed by a crow!
We went down to the shore and witnessed an amazing setting sun.
Tomorrow we leave Bramley House – our orchard home for a week – and say goodbye to Jan and Johnny, our friendly hosts. We will be back!
Hope you’ve enjoyed the blog – see you again on another adventure with Bessie…
Adventures with Bessie & Madge 
Merci beaucoup, thanks so much for another wonderful week travelling with you. Really enjoyed the beautiful photos, especially the cake! Hope you are both well rested.
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Thank you and glad you enjoyed it all. Where’s your French blog? 🙂 x
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Absolutely stunning photographs! Brilliant way to end the adventure.
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Wow, the Hen Harrier photos are incredible – they look like they’re from a book. The sunset isn’t bad either! 😉
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That is very strange Sally because that was exactly my comment when I saw them!
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That sunset looks as though its been photo-shopped it’s so bright! Amazing photos of the Hen Harrier as well Grandad!
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I know – I was really surprised too Harry! No photoshopping necessary. Grandad says thanks for the compliment! 🙂 x
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Thought your pictures of the Hen Harrier were wonderful, since you visit we’ve had high winds and all of the apples have been blown off the trees, such a shame.
Look forward to your next visit,
all the best,
Jan
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Glad you enjoyed the photos Jan and thanks for commenting. I expect you know that you can move backwards to see previous episodes (click white box with ‘Previous post’ in it just above the Comments section. Looking forward to another visit next year.
Still eating the apples!
Valerie & Peter
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