Sailing at Brancaster January 2015

The only down side to sailing at Brancaster in the winter is the fact you have to get up at the crack of dawn to catch the tide but at least you get to see the Brent Geese and Pink-footed Geese flying in to feed having roosted out at sea for the night. The sky is just full of skeins of calling geese, quite a sight to see.

Fortunately I was sailing with Chris a friend from Norwich who had brought his boat a Wanderer down which meant Viv and I could leave our Wayfarer Mihangel behind this time. First time I have sailed a Wanderer, a bit like a slightly smaller and slower Wayfarer.

Saturday the wind was blowing a Force 4 with stronger gusts so we stayed inside the harbour but did get to have a play in the waves just inside the harbour mouth taking it in turns to helm across the waves and surf the boat.

Sunday the wind dropped to a steady Force 3 so we able to get out through the harbour entrance although quite a battle with the tide for a while and then beat up to Titchwell Creek along the coast. The sail back was down wind so quicker, warmer and drier and we again had a little play in the surf which had kicked up due to the fact the tide had turned by then and was running against the wind.

Chris relaxing and enjoying the view.

It was nice being back in Norfolk again although I had been there for a week bird watching only a week ago. I like to get away the beginning of the year to Norfolk and the Lakes to get the birding year off to a good start.

I had seen 58 different species around home including a Raven at the back of Farnsfield which was rather unusual. Norfolk gave me a chance to visit Cley Marshes where in addition to the usual waders I saw Marsh Harriers, Bearded Reedling and Snow Bunting.

At Stiffkey I saw my favourite bird a Male Hen Harriers plus female Hen Harrier, Sparrow Hawk and Barn Owl.

Before I came back I had a first visit to Burnham Overy Staithe where I spotted Pink-footed goose, White Fronted goose, Common and Rough Legged Buzzard, Red Kite, Red-necked Grebe, Common Scoter out on the sea and my second favourite bird a Short-eared Owl. At one point the Short-eared owl came right up close then circled off with a Red Kite just hunting over the marsh.

All in all quite a good week seeing 87 different species and taking the total for the year to 100 by the middle of January.

Writing this up this morning the weather outside not great, windy, cold and frequent squally showers of sleet and rain. However, we did have a pair of Tree Sparrows on the feeders in the garden, first time they have visited this year, we didn't see them at all in the garden last year.