Tag Archives: birds

On Stiffkey marshes

Posted on August 30, 2018 by

On August Bank Holiday Sunday we drove east along the coast road from Cley-next-the-Sea. The coastline was bathed in hazy sunshine; the sky, milky white and unthreatening. Rain and wind had been forecast for later – typical bank holiday weather … Continue reading →

Posted in Norfolk, Walking, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Landfall – absence and dislocation on the Forth shore

Posted on March 9, 2018 by

It began with a dislocation. A couple of weeks’ residence north of the border in the house of friends who had chosen to trade the Scottish late winter for the Antipodean summer. It was an opportunity for some writing time … Continue reading →

Posted in Scotland, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Murmuration

Posted on January 19, 2015 by

Norwich, mid January. At dusk over the past few weeks an avian spectacular has been witnessed taking place in the sky over St Stephen’s Street. As the daylight dwindles around the four o’clock mark a swirling murmuration of roosting starlings … Continue reading →

Posted in Cities, Norfolk, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Snettisham

Posted on December 1, 2014 by

There’s a good omen as we leave Heacham before dawn: the sharp cry of a tawny owl emanating from somewhere in the woods. Fifteen minutes later, walking from Snettisham RSPB car park towards the beach at The Wash, there are … Continue reading →

Posted in Norfolk, Travel, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 20 Comments

Ho, Ho, Ho Chi Minh!

Posted on May 30, 2014 by

I don’t quite know what it is that has made me think of Vietnam recently. Maybe it was a casual mention in a conversation that made me realise that I don’t have a very vivid memory of the short time I … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Travel, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Turning of the Year

Posted on December 31, 2013 by

(This winter’s berries) The turning of the year. These past few days mark the interregnum that sits uncomfortably between Christmas and New Year – a week of virtual Sundays and a period when some of us – those who are self-employed … Continue reading →

Posted in Norfolk, Uncategorized, wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Winterton-on-Sea, Norfolk

Posted on November 25, 2012 by

I did a circular walk at Winterton-on-Sea a couple of weeks ago, striking out from the beach car park that looked a little forlorn out of season – largely devoid of vehicles, its wooden hut cafe bolted shut for the winter. Winterton Dunes immediately … Continue reading →

Posted in Norfolk, Walking, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Homeward to Mingulay

Posted on July 13, 2011 by

Heel y’ho boys, let her go, boys Bring her head round now all together Heel y’ho boys, let her go boys Sailing homeward to Mingulay! What care we tho’ white the Minch is  What care we for wind and weather? … Continue reading →

Posted in History, music, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

St Kilda

Posted on June 29, 2011 by

The St Kilda archipelago lies a choppy 45 miles west across the Atlantic Ocean from the Isle of Harris in Scotland’s Western Isles. Constantly settled from at least 5,000 years ago until 1930, when the inhabitants were finally evacuated, it … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments