Feb 28th Waterloo Park

Waterloo Park covered in snow

With no Strumpshaw today, I decided to go for a quick walk in the snow this afternoon once the worst of the snowstorm had cleared. The settled snow must have been about 10 inches or more deep as it came up just above the top of my feet as I trudged my way through it to get to the park. Of course, with many schools closed today due to the weather, they were all out here having fun building snowmen, having snowball fights and sledging down the slopes of the snowy embankments. The birds were much harder to find and seemed to prefer staying as far above it all up in the trees than down on the ground where it is too deep in the white stuff to find food. So while it was fun for us, its not so fun for them.

Testing the snow depth!



The gateway to my flat



Snowy scenes at Waterloo Park

Blackbird

Greenfinch

Woodpigeon

Starling

Feb 28th Snowed In!

More snow than yesterday!

As you can see, the snow is worse than it was yesterday. Its not a few inches anymore, but several! This means there is no way I am heading to Strumpshaw this morning. Even more snow is falling as I write this. It is too much of a risk to even go out with my camera. The last thing I need right now is my camera malfunctioning. So, for the mean time, I have no choice but to remain inside and take photos from my windows. I may go outside later, if the snow eases off, but for now all I can do is watch the snow swirl in the sky and see everyone else's techniques of getting around in these conditions. Stay safe everyone!

Feb 27th Waterloo Park and Catton Park

Snow!

The Beast from the East has arrived! That is what they are calling this latest snow storm at the MET office. It has caused chaos across the UK this week with the eastern half of the country being worst effected. Here in Norwich, the streets are covered in a few inches of snow, the most I've seen in 5 years. There's more apparently on the way and with the trains already cancelled for today, there is a high chance that travelling to Strumpshaw tomorrow is not going to happen.



Snow at Waterloo Park

As the snow is causing disruption on the roads, I am resorted to stay at home this week. With no transport available, I went exploring in the snow around my neighbourhood and to two of my local parks to take some photos of this white landscape. First up was Waterloo Park. As it was just a stone throw away from my flat, it was easier to get to and back if it started snowing again. Flashbacks to last year and the incident with my previous camera is still fresh in my mind and I am not taking any chances this time round. Thankfully, it was uneventful and I was able to take a few photos without a hitch. Not many photogenic birds here, but it was still nice to see everyone enjoying a walk in this temporary winter wonderland.

Long-tailed Tit

Woodpigeon

Blackbird

Catton Park

Next up was a walk to Catton Park. It was bit of a short walk and busy road to cross to get to it, but it was worth it despite not seeing much. This was mainly because it started snowing again. The more I made my way round the park, the heavier the snow got. Flakes were sticking to my coat in no time at all. I kept my camera hidden beneath my coat to protect it, only using it sparingly to take a quick photo before hiding it again. I did not want to stay out for long while it was like this, so after a few minutes traipsing through the worst of this latest snow flurry, I decided to make my retreat to the warmth of my flat.

The pond at Catton Park

More snow!!

Feb 21st Strumpshaw Fen

Misty start at Strumpshaw Fen this morning!

A foggy start at Strumpshaw today as thick mist covers much of the reserve. At least its not raining. I have been feeling quite under the weather myself this week and I was considering not coming this morning. I have a nasty cold complete with a hot fever and a mild headache. However, I decided to come anyway. Sometimes nature is a great healer. Though there wasn't much to see due to the mist, it was nice to be outside instead of being stuck inside three days straight.

Chinese Water Deer in the mist

During my morning walk, the strange sound of barking Chinese water deer could be heard over by Fen Hide where I saw two grazing amongst the murk. Meanwhile, over in the woods, the drumming of several great spotted woodpeckers provided an extra layer of eeriness to the soundtrack of this misty morning. The mist may have made it hard to photograph wildlife in, but it did look wonderful in the dull light. Also seen while out on my walk, I saw a pair of buzzards and a little egret at Fen Hide and a great crested grebe fishing out on the river.

Little Egret

Mute Swan

Great Crested Grebe



Greylag

By the time I got to Reception Hide to start my shift, the mist had more or less lifted and the broad was now suddenly alive with a large gathering of wildfowl, which weren't there when I arrived a couple of hours before. Greylag geese were once again taking over this once peaceful scene and were causing a raucous as they squabbled with each other. A pair of Canada geese were also amongst this large mass of greylags and were just as noisy at times, though half the time they were preferring to hide behind the reedy islands. The rest of the wildfowl was made up of gadwall and mallards with a pair of wigeon, a shelduck briefly and the odd teal. For a third week in a row, the lone snipe was showing well right in front of the hide. Marsh harriers were also about and a kingfisher made three quick dashes over the broad.

Canada Goose



Shelduck

Gadwall



Wigeon

Mallard

Coot



Snipe

Marsh Harrier