Binoculars at the Ready

While spotting stationary features of the Broads was fine, there is nothing quite like spotting a bit of moving wildlife, and the Norfolk Broads are a fine place to view wildlife. By being in a sailing boat, we had a distinct advantage over the cruisers, as we could hear all the rustlings in the reeds which told us there was something there to keep a look out for. We made sure to keep our eyes peeled and binoculars to paw.

Top of our top 10 of Broads birdlife was the swan. We saw lots, but the one we remember best was the poor victim we saw being caught by an ineptly driven hire boat, whose skipper was couldn't work out how to overtake a tacking sail boat. Fortunately the swan wasn't hurt, he just had his feathers ruffled.

It was amazing how every time our boat stopped and some food came out, the swans gathered en masse. We're not sure how it worked but clearly there was a very effective Broads telegraph.


It reminded me of some of my canal boating holidays when we've had similar gatherings around our narrow boat. Swans can be a bit persistent in their begging for food, but they are so majestic that I can always forgive them.

One of my favourite sightings was of 2 fine examples of a more domesticated species of fauna. You can see them captured on camera below ...


Sorry guys, only joking, but it was great seeing you come out to light the stove and prepare lunch, as lots of fresh air and sailing certainly gives a bear a big appetite.

Lots of love, Eddie and friends xxx