Yellow- browed at Corton

On Tuesday 26th September, after checking this precise area the day before after work, it was good to get a tweet from Rob H to say he had just had a YBW. At 6pm I arrived and just 30 yards down the track, I heard the "tusk" call of a YBW and a bird was seen flitting in the right hand side of the track. I saw a bird which showed silky white underparts. It flew over the track and although we didn't pick it up even when Rob & I went over to the eastern track. Back at the other track, a bird flitting about flew back left and I saw the main body of the bird with double wing- bars, the fine Yellow- browed Warbler. It then darted left and 10 seconds later we heard a distant YBW call, surely a second bird? It eventually flew back and then flew back 10 yards to the road, where I saw the creamy brow and head of the bird as darted about in a tree. It later flew over to a very mellow- leaved tree at the middle of the track at 6.33pm.

Hard work on local patch

A look around Corton on Sunday 24th septenber was very disappointing despite the east wind blowing with the only species seen 4 Large White butterflies, a Grey Wagtail was heard calling as I did the loop path back to the car bordering Stirrups lane. A Green Woodpecker flew up and flew left as I was entering the Corton church car park. Nothing at Radar Lodge. A look around the Denes revealed 6 Pied Wagtails on the Oval and I was relieved to finally see a Wheatear this autumn perched on the fence of the northern perimeter of Ting dene permanently sited caravan park. The bird perched there for a while before flying down back into the fenced off area. A young and Adult Herring Gull perched on the west and east wall of the seawall near Ness Point.

Little Stints & Phalarope again

On Saturday 23rd September, walking down to Covehithe Broad which is fast becoming my favourite birding spot with a combination of field hedges, trees, beach and broad some nice varied habitat and a very picturesque spot. No sign sadly of yesterdays RN Phal, but 3 fine Little Stints seen at the back of the Broad initially. Looking out to sea, initially a Red- throated Diver flew south and also amongst some Gulls I could see a Bonxie or Great Skua sat amongst some Gulls its thick body broad neck and distinct face and bill betrayed its ID, after a fe minutes it flew up showing the white underwing flashes on the primaries and it flew south. When I looked back on the Broad, the Stints had disappeared, then they were seen back at the back they suddenly flew the trio flying north and round again and then 2 flew over us and settled in the seawater inlet to the Broad. I and John R who was also there carefully approached them and got some reasonably close pics along the far side of the inlet albeit in poor light but they then flew to the Broad edge, we saw them here too. A Hobby then flew from north to south over the back of the broad. A calling Grey Plover with black "armpits" flew over the beach and right above me before flying south. Later, the 2 Little Stints had ran to the extreme northern edge of the broad by the beach and approaching very carefully (I had the advantage as I was dressed all in beach biege) we got eventually within 5 metres of these birds without disturbing them as they were both asleep and now bathed in sunlight. Eventually one work up started feeding and then the other woke fed and then they flew of the own accord back to the broad edge further south. Walking back a fine male Stonechat perched on scrub seaward then landward side of the path. A fine calling Goldcrest seen by the trees by the track. A hovering Kestrel seen by the farm then perched on overhead wires. Later seeing Carl B when driving back to Wrentham, he directed me to 25 Egyptian Geese and 1 Barnacle Goose in the middle of the flock in the field to the south of the road by the first house. At Minsmere east scrape, a distant juvenile Red Necked Phalarope still spinning like a top clockwise along the left hand end of the east scrape to disturn invertebrates to peck at from the water's surface seen late am. Later it moved to the very back of the east scrape. There were also 3+ Little Stint much closer to the hide, 1 bird flew to the island with the big stick running along the far edge, it returned several times. 3+ Ruff seen including the white male with orange legs, a winter- plumaged Knot was amongst some c300 Black- tailed Godwit, c20 Dunlin, one Snipe seen on an island and whilst scoping the Phalarope, 2 Bearded Tits seen in reeds behind they were a male bird and a juvenile. Finally back at Minsmere car park, a fine adult male Migrant Hawker seen flying about.

Pied Flycatcher on the North Denes

On Sunday Sept 17th after a tweet from Rob Win, I drove down to the Links road car park and looked in the sycamore copse just 100 yards south of there where I saw Carl B peering intently in, we saw the fine Pied Flycatcher flitting around low down almost at ground level, several Magpies higher up maybe making it a little nervous! It occasionally showed perched briefly on bare branches and posed briefly for the camera. Amazingly this was Suffolk's first autumn bird this year! An adult winter Mediterranean Gull seen in the car park later but no sign of the Redstart. On Tuesday 19th Sept, the usual Buzzard was perched on the tree just south of Hopton roundabout seen after work. On Wednesday 20th returning from Frettenham via Acle straight it was almost dusk and a Buzzard flew from left to right low over the road.

Curlew Sand & Red- necked Phalarope

On Saturday Sept 16th a walk down to the scrape at Carlton Marshes revealed the fine Curlew Sandpiper still early morning Carlton Marshes scrape right in the middle of a group of with 6 Dunlin, (Lowestoft & Lizard land tick, the Curlew Sand not the Dunlin!) right in the middle of the scrape, when they flew the white rump was seen clearly they flew around then returned just west of the middle of the scrape and at the old building an immature Little Owl showing v.well at barn perched on the metal sheet before flying up to the eaves. The fine juvenile Red- necked Phalarope still at Minsmere East Scrape this evening, spinning around clockwise like a top, seen from the left side of the hide it was mid way back, 3 Hobbies flew around at the back above the trees around Bittern hide, one Hobby flew right over the scrape from the beach over the hide and low over the scrape, 2 male Mandarin one sat by the ducks at the back of the bund, one left of the west hide and 4 Bar- tailed Godwit nearby, 3 Ruff including the white male individual with orange legs, no sign at all of Citrine Wag between 4- 7pm.

Return visit to Corton OSW

At Corton Old sewage works this evening, on 13 September, a Whinchat still, 10 Sand Martin, 3 House Martins (seen mainly from the churchyard car park), 2 Chiff- Chaffs Corton Churchyard hedge and tree but absolutely no sea passage off Bakers Score, Corton earlier.

Whinchat back at Corton OSW

On Tuesday September 12 after work, a male Whitethroat flew up to the fence and disappeared into scrub in the south- east corner at Corton OSW, plus a Whinchat perched on the northern fence, plus 14 Sand Martins overhead this eve, lovely to see these fine birds, but wasn't there was a seabird passage going on missed again!

Citrine Wagtail at Minsmere

On Sunday the 7th September, after hearing the Citrine was still there I headed straight to Minsmere following Paul & Jane F in via the entrance road, we walked/ ran to the East Scrape and joining the throng along the right hand side of the hide there was anxious wait of half an hour when the bird had just walked behind an island. I heard a calling Yellow- Wag type call a high pitched "tslie" call and I saw a Wagtail which flew back to the island and Dave H said the Citrine was there. The superb distinctive immature Citrine Wagtail was actively feeding to the right of the island in front of some bare sticks. It had all dark bill and legs, greyish aoppearance with pale cream- white super cilia, whitish throat, 2 striking broad white wing bars below the grey mantle and darker wings and white on the rear underparts and vent. It then disappeared behind the island again before walking out again and feeding by the stick area again.

Osprey & Wryneck

Hearing the Osprey was back on Saturday 9th September I drove down to Blythburgh estuary seeing lots of Black- tailed Godwits plus a pale summer plumaged Knot and 2 Ringed Plover, the Osprey was seen perched on a far post of the Osprey just south of the Southward water Tower from the angle I was viewing. Walking back a calling Yellow Wagtail flew up from the field and flew south. Having been delayed coming back, I went mid afternoon for the Wryneck as I walking down Kessingland Dunes I could see Steve P talking to a few people and he indicated it was still on show and showing well. I joined a small crowd of people watching it looking east where the fine Wryneck was seen perched on a bush, it dropped down and moving around, we saw it feeding on the path by the bushes. We watched it here for sometime before some birders with dogs who walked around the bush not to flush it then flushed it. It flew into a elderberry bush in the gorse before once again flying back to the path. Where this time I looked south as it fed again.

Birds & wildlife of Rhodes part 2

On 2nd September, at breakfast a Sub- Alpine warbler seen in the bushes and a Spotted Flycatcher seen in Pines on the hill opposite. At Rhodes town, walking up to the Grand Palace a slightly tatty Scarce Swallowtail was seen feeding on flowers enclosed by a rectangular wooden box. It was quite confiding. A Pallid Swift flew over the Knights Grand Palace of the Grandmasters, and going through the entrance a fine close view of a Crag Martin that flew and perched above the entrance arch. 2 Yellow- legged Herring Gulls seen perched on the rocks by the harbour. On 3rd September on Sunday in the Hotel grounds a Sub- Alpine Warbler was seen in the pines area. At Garoudas bridge, a repeat visit revealed an Egyptian Grasshopper seen jumping out of the vegetation near the bridge. A respondent Scarce Swallowtail flew across the dry riverbed fling west. Driving over to the east side, driving down the stoney track, a magnificent Short- toed Eagle flew up from the ground and flew away. Back at the Atrium Palace Hotel at Kalathos. By the bushes to the west side of the hotel, settled a Long- tailed Blue butterfly. On the lawn, 16 Black- headed Wagtails fed on the lawn, whilst close still was 1 White Wagtail seen. Also by the pool was a confiding Little Stint and 5 Crested Larks. On 4th September the other side of Lindos, a female Sparrowhawk flew past the road and under the ridge. A drive south down to genadi beach initially only revealed 3 Crested Larks and House Sparrows. By the side bushes on the south side of the dry river bed, a Sub- Alpine Warbler and a Sardinian warbler plus a Darter Dragonfly. At a pond at the end, 3 Stripe- necked Terrapins seen that plopped into the water as soon as they saw me, plus a Black- headed Wagtail that flew down to drink and then perched in the bush. Whilst overhead a Swallow flew by. A Scarlet Darter settled on vegetation close to the water whilst up to 3 male Lesser Emperors flew around and settled tantalisingly on reeds the far side. Scrambling back up the bank, a confiding Egyptian Grasshopper initially showed well. Whilst walking back I heard some unusual 'takking' near a bush I looked into a large Tamarisk with thick central branches and amazingly, an Olive- tree Warbler, there was no doubting what it was, a large (Great Reed warbler sized bird) grey Hippolais warbler with long dagger like bill and yellow on the lower mandible, came out and looked at me barely 10 feet away then hopped back and I had the presence of mind to change to my 150mm macro camera and take 2 pics of it. A fantastic new species for me. Also skulking right of that was a smaller Sub- Alpine warbler. On Tuesday 5th September, at Keraki Gorge, I dove down to a magnolia coloured bridge, a female Kestrel flew by. A 'chortling' Bee- eater was heard but not seen. I parked the car by some bushes, where a faded male Red- backed Shrike was seen. walking north along the dry river bed, Goats were seen, just past a Solar farm, where another male red- backed Shrike seen perched on a fence, a Blue Rock Thrush heard singing but not seen. In evergreen trees a Blue Tit seen, plus 3 Crested Larks seen around the dry river bed plus another male Red- backed Shrike by shrubs at the side of the dry river bed and assorted darters. Driving back near Lindos, a female Sparrowhawk flew across the road.

Birds & wildlife of Rhodes part 1

On the first day Wednesday 31st August, after our eventual arrival on the Greek island of Rhodes, the journey comprised seeing 4 Hooded Crows and 1 Raven. After arriving at Pefkos, which took an hour to find the hotel, pity there isn't an app to pinpoint your hotel as we always struggle to find our hotel, having always booked the hire car from the airport. From the hotel room, the next day Thursday 31st August, looking right past a fence into scrubby area I saw House Sparrows and a Sub- Alpine Warbler which hopped up from a distant bush, Collared Doves and a croaking Raven flying over. A female Red- backed Shrike hunted from the fence once dropping down and successfully catching an insect. 2 Hooded Crows also flew overhead. We then drove to the Valley of the Butterflies, on the journey a magnificent Scarce Swallowtail flew past. a real misnomer as it is actually the Valley of the Moths, specifically Jersey Tiger Moths. Paying our 5 euros entrance fee at the very tacky entrance, with sadly a stall selling actual pinned butterflies in cases which I find absolutely abhorrent and disgusting in this day and age. We made out way up a gently sloping path following a stream, first odd Jersey Tiger Moths were seen on the bark of the trees, but as we made our way further up more and more were seen until they completely covered the tree trunk of a tree and the lee of a wall, literally 10's of 1000's of Jersey Tiger Moths seen. An incredible sight, I half expected to bump into David Attenborough with a filming crew. At the end, one alighted on me briefly before 1 alighted on a German tourists jeans and he kindly allowed me a couple of pics. I also took some in relatively well lit bark of a tree. I made my way back and we saw people photographing something, it wasn't a moth but a fine Freshwater Crab, another Freshwater Crab was seen further down the stream. In the meantime by the bridge area, I saw a fine Jersey Tiger Moth underneath the bridge with its wings spread out showing the red colouration on the lower wings. A Wren was seen in the valley by the stream. Walking outside the entrance, 2 Wood Grayling butterflies were seen fluttering around the tree trunks. Jenny & I then went onto the Kalimaras Archaeological site, a wonderful female Black- eared Wheatear seen perched on one of the site walls, she then flew into a tree. There was a lot of white in the tail, typically extending and extending in dagger like white fronds, a distinct characteristic of this species. Also perched on the wall was one Starry Agama, one of 5 Starry Agamas seen in total. A Sardinian Warbler was seen in the heathy scrub, a Red- rumped Swallow flew past. One showy Starry Agama crossed the path and rested by the side of the path briefly. On the second morning on 1st September, of our visit to Rhodes, at Pefkos, it was wonderful to see a swirl of 12 Honey Buzzards appearing over the cliff edge swirling around and then they wheeled right over the hotel and then out to sea towards Turkey. Typically long winged birds with longish pointy heads and banded tails, compared to Common Buzzards. At breakfast a male House Sparrow came to beg for food, both a Swallowtail and Scarce Swallowtail flew past and left by the pool area. Moving onto the resort by the Atrium Palace Hotel, Jenny & I parked the car we first saw 1 Red- rumped Swallow flying about and then we saw 4 Red- rumped Swallows perched on the wires. On the well watered grassy lawn, 5+ Black- headed Wagtail walked around feeding. I also saw up to 3 large Hawker/ Emperor dragonflies in flight only. The notes of my observations at the time stated they had a yellow comma clip around brown eyes and a brown head, a light blue segment at the top of the abdomen and brown rest of the abdomen. On checking back home, there was no doubting they were 3 superb Vagrant Emperors, the only problem they didn't settle for any pictures. I left Jenny on the beach and drove to Genadi Bridge, over a dry river valley hoping to see Rufus Bush Chats, I didn't seen any. Some Skimmers seen either Keeled or more likely Southern seen on a couple of bushes they were also very shy and didn't settle for photos. A couple of Red- veined Darters seen. I also saw a Violet Dropwing, with violet abdomen and then tend to point down when perched rather than being vertical. On the east side of the bridge over the far side, a mysterious grey bird flew to another bush and then flew back towards the bridge, ID uncertain. Further down the valley, a female Red- backed Shrike perched in a bush was easier to identify. Up to 5 Crested Larks were seen too. Walking down the side of the hotel to get some much needed refreshment at a cafe, a tatty Lang's short- tailed Blue was seen on the flowers and 2 Lizards only heard scuttling away.

Wedding visit and unexpected array of woodland birds

On August 27th I visited Coleslaw Hall, Upper Peover, near Knutsford, Manchester for my cousins daughter's wedding. There was a very showy Heron in the grounds that allowed a very close approach even with my 150mm macro lens. One time it was by the bridge by the pond another time it stood near some reeds and posed beautifully for the camera. The following day and early morning walk revealed 3 Nuthatches in one Oak tree followed by 3 Chiff- Chaffs, Treecreeper, a GSW, Blue & Great Tits it was nice to see this one tree alive with woodland birds. 2 Nuthatches were also seen by trees closet to the Hall too. Looking over a nearby field, 3 Buzzards soared in the air including a very pale bird. An unexpected wildlife oasis!