9th July '09 Wells Dell

Warm, some sunshine, windy'

Wells Dell.

Looking across the treachorous tidal flats.

The reserve is ideally situated just a stones throw from the caravan site we were staying.The pine forest that makes up part of this reserve was planted many years ago to protect the farmland from the encroaching dunes. The forest itself being built on the existing dunes at the time. The information board as you enter the reserve will tell you that this is one of the best sites for birds, being in an ideal location along the coast to attract passage migrating birds. Though this is not the best time to witness this nevertheless we were amazed by the sightings.

Within a couple of hundred yards we'd had two seperate sightings of muntjac deer in dense undergrowth, remarkably close to the many beach huts that nestle up to the edge of the forest. And a spot that was mainly oak, beech and alders was absolutely alive with birds. Tree Creepers, Nuthatch, Whitethroat and Blackcap were dartiing from one tree to another. As you tried to focus on one, another would appear in its place in your lens, only to be replaced by yet another, as they continously competed for territory.At times it was almost impossible to follow any one sighting. We must have been rooted to that spot for a good half an our before entering the pines proper. This part of the forest yielded very little in the way of birdlife. So where a break appeared leading onto the beach we took it. The sand is as fine as you will find anywhere, with beautiful isolated dunes forming another barrier against the tidal flats which should be avoided. Mention must be made of the row of colourful beach huts. They come in all different shapes and sizes, ranging from rescued small garden sheds to the more afflluent. The trip onto the beach afforded an oppurtinity for photos since there was insufficient light in the forest for anything decent that could he used in the blog. So from the picture above you can imagine stepping back a few paces to the darkness of the pine forest. As we turned inland across the width of the forest the vegetation changed from the barren floor within the pines to a more lush covering, where foxgloves, and orchids blossomed. And as expected more sightings. The path led us back to the caravan site and just to finish off a lovely stroll Joan saw a Kingfisher tracking the dyke to the pond you see in the picture below. Our caravan overlooked the pond. I say 'our', J&G had kindly invited us for a few days. So its thanks to them for a lovely few days in the glorious Norfolk countryside. Cheers me-dears.

The pond at the caravan site our van is just to the right.

Tree Creeper, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Wren, Mistle Thrush, Chiff Chaff, Nuthatch.