October 2013

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

Another short trip down to Norfolk at the beginning of the month was unfortunately the only time I was able to get out this month.

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

The Kingfisher in the above two photos was particularly cooperative and spent prolonged periods perched close to the hide.

male Fallow Deer (Dama dama)

October is the rutting season for Fallow Deer and the males were sporting full sets of antlers. They are the only British deer species that has palmate antlers so the males are unmistakeable at this time of year.

male Fallow Deer (Dama dama)

Despite it being rutting season, there wasn't a lot of action going on during the time I was watching the herd, and they were all just peacefully grazing in the field.

male Fallow Deer (Dama dama)

female Fallow Deer (Dama dama)

In a nearby field, a couple of Brown Hares were beautifully camouflaged as they sat motionless among the dead grass.

Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus)

A Barn Owl was hunting over Salthouse saltmarsh just after sunrise while I was unsuccessfully looking for Bearded Tits along Cley east bank one morning.

Barn Owl (Tyto alba) hunting over the marsh at sunrise

Titchwell was again fairly productive in the late afternoons, with a confiding Little Egret fishing in the scrape directly below the bank...

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

...and an actively-feeding Greenshank provided hours of entertainment as it ran up and down the channel sweeping its bill back and forth through the water searching for crustaceans.

Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)

Finally, high tide at Snettisham provided spectacular views of a massive flock of Knot wheeling above the marsh, but unfortunately none of them came down to roost on the lake islands in front of the hides.

a small part of a massive flock of Red Knot (Calidris canutus)

 

September 2013 2013 Diary Index November 2013