I have been away.
I knew my batteries were run down prior to this return visit to Norfolk in pursuit of both a busman’s holiday and getting away from it all. Mrs O had been concerned with me burning the candle at both ends before we went up to these foreign parts and I had no idea how tired I was but a change is as good as a rest. I steamed for between 7- 10 hours each day for 6 days and also slept for between 10-12 hours each day. One thing puzzles me though. Do recharged batteries weigh heavier than rundown batteries? I have come home heavier…

It was grim when we got to Wroxham. Unloading a car in near frozen rain is never a good thing but somewhat worse in Wroxham. That said the shed we hired was as cosy as ever and the heating was soon belting out.

I was a tad disappointed in the dayboat supplied as I knew it would curtail my shooting but hey ho, I’d just have to adapt and be agile. I have got used to an antiquated dayboat for the past few years that allows me to creep up on my subject and shoot from within the cabin through the open starboard and port cabin windows. This old girl only had half opening forward facing windows. I’m hoping the boatyard will be able to give me an old jalopy next year.

I noticed last year that there was decline in Kingfisher numbers and this year the Bure yielded just two pairs, the reliable Belaugh pair and another pair at the very end of the navigation at Coltishall lock that were quite skittish and both boat and camera shy.

Here are a few of the Belaugh pair.

A not uncommon sighting tucked away in and amongst branches.

This image was taken from some distance away (20metres) with an effective 900mm focal length lens, although one passes no more than 3 metres away from the burrow if there is traffic on this stretch. Both birds actively gave the game away most days, but I just grabbed a shot as I passed by at 3 knots when I could.

The river is very narrow here and one cannot help but pass by these birds who were very active but almost impossible to photograph this year owing to the effect of the wind on my vessel. At one point I even ran aground when a sudden gust send me careering towards the bank. It took a good 20 minutes to get myself floating again thanks the a sturdy Manfrotto monopod that I used as a boat hook to pole my way into deeper water. Cutting the engine and drifting was not going to work at all.

Stiff winds came from every quarter but worst from the North East brought squally weather and biblical rainfall that would have surprised Noah! My usual practice of cutting the engine and drifting was not possible owing the freeboard on the very shallow draught vessel acting like a massive sail but I like a challenge.

After an awkward berthing back in the marina on Wednesday, a boatyard attendee eventually took my stern line after the seat cover she was cleaning blew into the dock. She asked what my haul was like. ‘Bugger all’ was my reply. I explained that my whole purpose for the week was to shoot Kingfishers and there was far less present on the River than previous years.

Anyway a few minutes later there was a knock at the door of our shed and she was back with information from an engineer that there were a few birds up at Barton Turf. I thanked her and studied the charts. Three hours steaming just to get there!

I slipped my mooring at 0700 then next morning and chugged for 3 hours to get to Barton Turf in 18-20 knot winds. God it was cold.

Just before the River Ant I saw another of my favourite birds with a catch in it’s mouth. Do Grebe always take Perch?

Nothing was on show when I got to Barton Turf and any self-respecting Kingfisher would be looking for calmer waters so I chugged around towards Neatishead to find a lee and as I left the broad, I saw Gay’s Staithe and calm waters. Ideal Kingfisher water and then then there was a flash of blue, the splash, exit and fish stunned and swallowed all in the usual 2 seconds. Only after I processed the image did I see the discarded monofilament caused some wayward angler.

I managed to get a couple of images made then headed up as far as Neatishead with said male bird screeching upstream ahead of me. Turning around and heading back to Gay’s Staithe, I saw two Muntjac deer grazing in a back garden – marvellous stuff. Gay’s Staithe was a good place for lunch and I waited an hour but the bird did not return and then it was time to head back to Wroxham to ensure I got back in daylight.

There was a fairly lumpy beam sea running on Barton Broad and the dayboat was rolling on her beam ends, something a sailor would love no doubt but imagine my joy on entering the Ant and seeing the back of a Kingfisher chuntering to himself the whole while whilst constantly looking out for small fry. I was able to manoeuvre the boat back and forth at a safe distance and take a few images whilst Broads Authority people were banging in new piling right opposite him.

Eventually I had to set off downstream and I got to thinking if he was about then she would not be too far off and sure enough about a cable down river I stumbled on her.

Not far from Ludham I came across another female and she was very obliging and I had just got the boat in position to get a reasonable image and another holiday boat steamed around the bend and a very helpful woman yelled out if I was OK and that was game over, the bird was off.

Just before Wroxham Broad and about 30 minutes from home my eye was taken with dark brown frolicking shapes under tree roots and there in the in the setting sun was an otter with her three cubs. Panic set in and she scooted out of the water and her cubs followed, well all bar one, there is always one. Her chiding and their squealing was a delight to behold. Eventually she gathered them all and herded them across the river.

What an end to the day! 10 hours steaming and a head full of happy sightings.

Apart from a few Heron and Kestrel this is the sum total of 38 hours steaming up and down the Bure and Ant.

My batteries are definitely recharged, and I have thawed out now.