Saturday 7 July 2012

Beccles Marsh Wood Sandpipers

On Friday 6th July, I drove to the Beccles roundabout and taking the tiny road due east of there I drove past the now closed recycling centre and down the narrow track to the fishing pools/ lakes. Surely this wasn't where the Wood sands had been seen. I rang several people but none answered, so I tweeted out a request for directions and first Andrew E and then OFB rang back with excellent directions. From the fishing pools walk north, past the wooden gate until you get to a farm barn, go through the gate there and then turn right just past the barn, 10 Swallows were on the wires here. Down the track bordering the field to the right with brown cows in it. Reach the cart in the corner of the field with 2 cylinders on it, turn right down the track here for 30 yards until you aree opposite a pool in the field to your left and scan for the waders. A big thanks to Neville L, Robert Wil and regular correspondent Paul W for excellent texted directions too. Without you guys (and Andrew E & OFB), I wouldn't have found the place and missed out on 3 2012 year ticks. Viewing the pool, I immediately saw 2 Greenshank, 1 and then I counted first 6 and then 7 excellent Wood Sandpipers. It was difficult at times to get an active tally as they disappeared frequently behind a reedy island in the middle and were constantly flying from first from right to left and then left to right. But finally all 7 were together. I also saw 1 Green Sandpiper that quickly flew off. 3 Lapwing and chick and a Snipe on the right of the reedy island seen too. Carl B and then Neville L arrived, Carl immediately thought there were 8 birds, and eventually we did indeed count 8 Wood Sandpipers in total. carl wanted to check another area, we walked back to the cart and continued left ie. north and then east, where at another Pool, where an additional 5 Wood Sandpipers flew up and away flying due south, so there were a total of 13 Wood Sandpipers. The pool Carl B knew of revealed nothing and walking back to the original pool, we checked and indeed all 8 Wood sands were still there. Suddenly a train went past and first the 2 Greenshank and all 8 Wood Sandpipers flew due south. walking further down the track near the farm, 2 Linnets and then a Spotted Flycatcher were seen in the trees to the left of the path, the Spotted Flycatcher showed quite well on a prominent branch.

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