31
movie — occasional glimpses of the car ahead
through clouds of swirling dust as we drove at
speed along forest tracks, the sandy soil
parched after the recent spell of dry weather.
Leaving the cars, we set out on foot. Our
repeated sweeps from ride to ride through
several blocks of timber revealed abundant
signs of squirrel activity, but, as always,
only a few groups were fortunate enough
actually to sight red squirrels. No matter!
With the woodland birds in full song overhead,
the sunlit peace of early morning deep within
the forest was reward enough, and other animals
were abroad — Roe deer, rabbit, toad.
Our survey completed, we drove back to the
Forestry Commission Headquarters for the
customary breakfast of venison sausages.
While there, we enquired about Crossbills,
having found several pine cones bearing the
characteristic signs of their attack. We were
told of two areas where recently they had been
seen regularly. After some initial
uncertainties, we located one of these, and
several members were rewarded with sightings of
these colourful and interesting birds.
Our next destination was the Norfolk
Naturalists' Trust Reserve at Weeting, where,
from a hide, we all had somewhat distant views
of the rare Stone Curlew.
Lunchtime saw the departure of most of our
group, but a few of us drove to the King's
Forest, where Roe deer and Muntjac are often to
be seen. On this occasion, however, our luck