A WALK AROUND HADDISCOE ISLAND

   Only a couple of pictures in this post but a fantastic walk around Haddiscoe Island which is about 11 miles in total and which you should allow several hours to complete especially if you stop to observe the wildlife. Parking the car under the large bridge I set off along the footpath leading from the small bridge along the flood defence wall where several of the nearby marshes had been flooded by the recent high tides allowing gulls and a few waders to take up temporary residence. A Grey wagtail was immediately spotted in one of the boatyards and once I moved away from the buildings and alongside the reed beds a small group of Stonechats sat on top of some of the higher reed stems.
   Moving along further a few Reed Buntings were seen along with lots of Bearded Tits in family groups that would rise up from the reeds calling to each other in the gentle breeze. In all along the walk I counted over 100 Bearded Tits which would indicate that they had a good breeding year which is fantastic as they are always a delight to see. As I neared the end of the island quite a few Lapwings could be seen along with several Curlews whose voices carried over the marshes. Herons and Little Egrets were plentiful along with a distant Great White Egret that seemed to spent most of its time in a ditch only giving occasional views of its head and yellow bill.
   Reaching the halfway point of the walk near the Berney Arms I stopped and sat on the river bank for a bite to eat and watched a Short Eared Owl flying on the far side of the river. All at once another got up, followed by another and another until there were 5 in the air at the same time which made quite a sight. One of the birds flew over to my side of the water and landed on the marshes behind me allowing me to get a couple of snaps. These are amazing birds to watch with their bright yellow eyes and the fact that they spent a lot of time hunting during the day. Each autumn birds arrive from the continent to spend the winter on our marshes in hopefully for them our milder climate and each spring most return although some do breed here mainly on the uplands of more northern areas.

   Continuing the walk along to Reedham more Bearded Tits were seen although this was not so regular as the winds increased. Swans were everywhere and lots of geese could be seen on the Acle marshes and also coming in from over Breydon Water and now and then a Hare could be seen running over the marshes. During the walk I only spotted a couple of Chinese Water Deer which was unusual but I did come across a couple of deer corpses that had been shot so it looks as if a cull has taken place which is a shame as this species is fairly harmless and doesn't do much damage to our native flora. What annoyed me more was the fact that the bodies had just been left to rot and not even taken for food but all in all its a fantastic walk well worth doing if you have the time especially during the autumn and winter when the flood defence banks are cut which makes it easier going.