A is for Aluco

"I love it when a plan comes together".  A favoured phrase of The A-Team's leader, Lt. Col. 'Hannibal' Smith but, to be fair, who doesn't?

Well, today we had a plan. And it came together perfectly.

There was a distinct lack of Military Police as we set off and, although the car was black, it lacked red side-stripe and sliding doors from which to spray bullets liberally without, miraculously, hurting anyone. However, John, our very own Hannibal, had done his homework and directed us, not clear of a Maximum Security Stockade, but to the rather more tranquil setting of North Elmham Chapel, near Dereham. As places to spend a stunning February morning go, this was right up there. Bright sunlight lit up the chapel ruins, Snowdrops nodded on the banks and Winter Heliotrope perfumed the air with it's almost-too-sweet scent. We were there to look for Mr. T. T for Tawny. An individual has been regularly seen there of late, visible at it's daytime roost. For a while, no joy, and doubt began to set in. Would I be 'owlin mad, like Murdoch? Then Nikki (who for the purposes of this torturous analogy, will have to be Face - although she also exhibits a decidedly Bad Attitude on occasion) gave a delighted cry. She'd found him (or her). There at the top of a tree he (or she) sat, doing his (or her) best to ignore nearby Jackdaws and onlookers alike.

This is a real bogey bird for me. Indeed, since nocturnal views of one in our garden when a child, I've had nothing but the most fleeting of glimpses, despite, of course, hearing them often. Massively chuffed therefore to get such wonderful views and particularly in such perfect surroundings on a morning when Spring had apparently moved in for good. Reasonably pleased with the record shot too, which was the first time I've tried holding my mobile up against the 'scope with any success.

Cigars all round.

A wonderful day at Holkham followed, where coats were unnecessary, even on the beach and the sea was like a mill pond. We were treated to views of such lovely birds as Shore Lark, Spoonbill, Great Egret, Peregrine, Red Kite, Grey Partridge, Red-throated diver, Red-breasted Merganser and Red-necked Grebe. Superb.

But the day belonged to the owl, to teamwork and the beauty of a plan that comes together.