Filby Broad

A look at Filby Broad on Sunday 16th December failed to reveal the Smew typically, 3 female Goldeneye seen right at the back (north- west corner and 3 Pochard (2 males and female) again at the back. A walk over to Ormsby broad I was accompanied by a low feeding Marsh Tit in the alder plus 5 Long- tailed Tits and Goldcrest. Looking out over the broad saw a close Common Gull and several Marsh Harriers, 1 a female type with red tags "PD" on it and another with green tags. Saw Tony S and he spotted 2 female Goosanders flew in from the south and landed on the water just in front of the cafe to the south east. The redhead them swam right and out of sight. The up to 3 Buzzards were seen including 1 very pale bird and they flew over the Broad and over our heads.

Found in fridge?

This is a weird one, this chrysalis, unbelievably, found in our fridge!!! 18 November (Parkhill, Lowestoft) anyone know what species this is, I assume a Large White? (Thanks to Gi G, Anthony W & Jeremy G for their ID & replies)

Redwings over

On Monday 11th December, 4 Redwing flew south over the house at 8.10am.

Purple Sand at last

Having gone down with a very sore throat, infected sinuses and toothache it was a weekend for resting up and catching up on sleep, however I did venture out briefly to Ness Point on Saturday 8th December in the afternoon. Grey skies meant photography was out of the questions however amongst 8 Turnstone on the finger was a lone Purple Sandpiper busily feeding, my first for this winter. It then ran down the finger towards me but when I looked again it had disappeared. The light was appalling by this stage. A look in Hamilton Dock, revealed a very close 1st winter Shag swimming left, that always does what close Shags do in the dock as soon as I got the camera gear set up, it also disappeared. I had to retreat to the car and home as the cold was starting to affect my throat again.

Fieldfare flypast at the Paget

At 11am on Wednesday 5th December I was delighted to see the wonderful sight of 20 Fieldfare fly past very low and just over my head (they were strangely silent and didn't chuckle once!) as I walked over to the Education & Training Centre from the Burrage centre at the James Paget Hospital at Gorleston. I have a real soft spot for these Scandinavian Thrushes and hope one day soon to get some nice pics of this species. They didn't settle in southern perimeter hedge of the site as hoped but instead continued over to the housing estate and beyond.

Sawbills & Eastern Phyllosc

On Sunday 2nd December, starting again at Oulton Broad, I had a fantastic start when disembarking from the car parked on the road, 4 chattering Fieldfares flew low over my head and towards the Nicholas Everett Park. I walked up to the Boat club and despite crouching down I saw 5 female Goosanders swim purposefully away from the jetty, they swam to the back of the Broad. Meanwhile, an additional singleton female Goosander was seen around the reedy edge of the broad just north of Broadlands Marina. She slowly swam closer and closer passing the buoys and swimming past the Yacht club and down the channel towards the Boulevard area of the Broad. She was joined by the other 5 female Goosanders and they swam towards the Wherry. Well pleased with my sightings, checked my phone no news, which was odd I thought. I turned my attentions to the Park to track down the vociferous Ring- necked Parakeet and with the help of a couple saw her perched in the big Pine tree just north of its usual haunts. She then flew towards its favourite tree by the toilet block and spent a little time trying to enlarge the metal protected opening. Realising this was a fruitless activity she gave up and used her beak and feet to give her leverage to climb round to the back of the tree where she briefly appeared in sunlight before flying to the evergreen tree to feed on the berries. She was showing so well, 3 other "dude" photographers got in on the act too. I checked my phone still no news, so saying my goodbyes, I walked back to the Boulevard and I could see 7 Goosanders, the 6 females had been joined by the splendid male. I walked round couldn't see them from the Wherry so I decided to try my luck from the Commodore and walking to the deserted front lawn area overlooking the Broad. I crouched down to view the Goosanders on the other side of the water. To my amazement they started to swim directly towards me led by the ebullient male. Sporting his elegant dark green head crest. It had a lovely dark green velvety sheen and he truly was the emperor of elan, especially being followed by 6 females and their plumage being shown off in the sunshine that had just appeared through a break in the southern clouds. They then swam directly past me swimming north and were too close to get the whole flock in the picture, so I concentrated on the male and was pleased with the dozen or so shots I obtained. On reaching home, I checked "twitter" on the laptop and of course the first thing on there was Rob Win's wonderful find of a Dusky at KSW at around 11am. Obviously I'd been in an internet blacktop but glad noe news had led me to check on the Goosanders again. I cooly had some lunch then drove over to Kessingland and met Jeremy G down the Lane just before the Sewage works northern fence. More people were looking from the north at the fence and I joined them. Their number included Phil H & Dave H & his wife from Norfolk, Carl B and Pauline & Dave (also from Norfolk) Pauline ever vigilant said she had some thing moving in vegetation just above a large bramble bush and I got into it straight away, its Dusky hues and dark stripe and contrasting whitish super cilia confirmed it was the fine Dusky Warbler but as I soon as I latched onto these features it dropped like a stone behind the bush. It repeated these action every 20 minutes or so on at least another 4 occasions. Until neat the end of my visit, having also been joined by Maurice B, I spotted it slightly left of where I had first seen it, back on but again showing its whole body and distinctive head marking when it turned to look at us. Finally ten minutes after that it flitted through at the back in the same area giving reasonably views for a couple of minutes.

Goosander flock finally at Oulton Broad

7 Goosanders (6 females and 1male) at Oulton Broad was a fine way to see in December also the Ring-necked Parakeet was heard calling from St. Nicholas Everett Park, Kingfisher, Oystercatcher & Little Grebes also seen too. Thanks to Richard S & Jane F for the heads up yesterday that they were still around! As I walked in, I had a quick look for the Parakeet but couldn't see it in a brief look. Spying Andrew E and Paul & Jane F at the Boulevard I made a beeline for them who had seen the Goosanders flying west along the Broad. I hadn't seen them but looking from the Yacht club we saw all 7 Goosanders distantly. I also spotted a Kingfisher flying past far west flying north across the Broad. They then swam back and then flew past and settled in the Broad viewable from the Boulevard just beyond the boat moorings in the middle of the Broad. The male Goosander glowed a Salmon pink- white on his underparts despite the gloomy weather!

Early morning dip

On Friday 30th November, I was able to drive over to Oulton Broad for a quick look for the Goosanders, at 7.40am I walked through Nicholas Everett Park, I heard the Ring- necked Parakeet but couldn't see it when I quickly searched for it. I walked over to the Yacht club and scanned Oulton Broad no sign whatsoever of the Goosanders, I checked around by the boats and looked at the Promenade & Wherry too, after 15 all too short minutes I had to leave at 7.55am to get to work for 8.30am (and allowing for the train coming through- caught on the way over but not on the way back). I looked over at Mutford Locke the water was very low so nothing there and no time to drive over to the "Dead end" part of O>B> The dipping sequence continues. I'll try again tomorrow and I'll have more time.

Quintuple dip day

On Sunday 25th November, I raised new standards (definitely unwanted) in dipping 5 different species in a winter's birding day. In the car park I heard 2 Bullfinches and saw a couple of Curlew but no sign of Hooded Merganser (Blythburgh), there was also no sign of Bewick's Swans (Covehithe Broad), Scaup (Benacre Broad or Cattle Egrets (Carlton Marshes this am. I bumped into Peter N at the car park who hadn't seen the sole remaining individual this morning- my cue to leave!) Walking from Covehithe Broad due north in the field taking the coastal footpath, just north of Smuggler's Lane at Covehithe, 300 Barnacle Geese seen. They were close and they slowly walked back but were not unduly disturbed by my presence. Benacre Broad was better by also no sign of the Scaup although there were females of Red- breasted Merganser (behind the GBB Gulls out to the north- west area of the Broad) & a female Common Scoter (straight out at Benacre Broad plus an ad winter Mediterranean Gull at least I saw something this morning! Also no sign of the Purple Sandpipers at Ness Point in the afternoon. Nothing at Hamilton Dock either. A very poor weekend birding for me.

Brief Hoodie

Back at Blythburgh on Saturday 24th November, the male Hooded Merganser was seen briefly on the river before being disturbed by a dog and it flew into Blythburgh estuary.

Hooded Merganser on the estuary

Another early start at 8.30am on Sunday 18th November, the Merganser was nowhere to be seen on the river but the fine male Hooded Merganser was seen looking due east from the bridge and was swimming around the area by the line of submerged posts. It swam round and came a little closer just south of where I was looking before it flew out to the water by the submerged sticks again. Also c300 Black- tailed Godwit and 188 Avocets seen too.

Hooded Merganser briefly

On Saturday 17th November, walking along the northern back walking west sadly the Hooded Merganser took off further up the river and flew onto the very low tide estuary and again it could't be seen. Compensation came in the form of 20 White- fronted Geese that flew that over my head and east over the Blythburgh estuary, as I was looking for the Merganser on the estaury at 9.30am. A look in Corton woods and around Dip farm failed to turn up any of the Firecrests seen earlier.

Hooded Merganser on Blythburgh estuary

On Thursday 15th November, I drove down to Blythburgh and taking the footpath north of the river heading west, I was joined by Phil H and to quote Chris S I spotted "the rakishly handsome" male Hooded Merganser which stood on distant mudflats south of the river. On the left leg sadly was a big orange ring which would indicate that this was an escaped bird rather than a transatlantic vagrant. After 10 minutes watching it, it promptly flew off and flew east in a circle arc but it flew to estuary at 9.30am when lost to view as it landed on the Blythburgh estuary. On the estuary itself, at very low tide the Merganser couldn't be seen despite extensive searching. However 12 Grey Plover seen. Despite checking North denies, Ness Point and Hamilton Dock nothing else of note seen.

Parakeet & Brent Goose

On Sunday 11th November, the Ring- necked Parakeet was initially not at Nicholas Everett Park seeing Neville L & Tony B apparently it flew over towards the Wherry but it flew back calling s it came. It kept mostly in the shade, mainly in the evergreen tree feeding on berries. Later, I drove to Links road car park, with an immature Brent Goose feeding by the eastern edge. It flew up briefly when an uncontrolled dog went for it and it ran towards the car where I could see it just 20 feet away whilst I stayed within the car using it as a mobile hide. Later on back at Nicholas Everett Park, the bird was seen in the Oak tree and joined by Rene we obtained some shots albeit in bad light.

Bitterns and Ring- necked Parakeet

On Saturday November 10th, after initially seeing a Bittern fly off at 9.30am from the Island Mere hide, viewed from underneath the hide. Eventually had great views of another Bittern at Island Mere, Minsmere. After one was spotted at 9.50am hiding in the reeds to the right, unfortunately noise from the hide and people looking and talking from the ramp, it was only when the noise subsided and the walkway loiterers eventually left that the Bittern eventually walked along the edge of the reeds and then finally walked over to the dyke near the hide giving superlative views at eye level down to 20 feet away! The reeds by the dye did obscure the bird for 50% of the time. It eventually walked back into the reeds. Driving over to Nicholas Everett Park at Oulton Broad, the RNP had gone missing watching with Derek M his wife and son, we heard the bird and I saw it, the excellent female Ring- necked Parakeet in the Oak by the toilet block and it was seen well in the setting sun and showed really well just before dusk.

Grey Phalarope at Winterton

On Sunday 4th November, the fine Grey Phalarope seen back at Winterton it was seen by the sea by the yellow sign. In an area of water between a sandbank just out to sea. The Phalarope was seen feeding and then regularly flying short distances and feeding then it flew south before reappearing again where it would repeat the process.

King Eider, Eastern Stonechat & Winterton goodies

On November 3rd, a great day in Norfolk with John H & Bob B, at Sheringham, parking by the seawatching shelters, we saw the immature male King Eider from the cliffs by the golf course- Sheringham. Moving onto Salthouse, taking the track back we saw the probable Eastern/ Stejneger's Stonechat. The back at Winteron walking up to past the toad pools we saw a Peregrine fly in off the sea and over the dunes. Whilst looking over the woods & scrub, a Rough- legged Buzzard flew back and south over. Whilst out to sea Seals, on the beach up to 4 separate Sanderling seen. Back at the Yellow sign, a fine Red- necked Grebe and a Great Northern Diver seen together join the sea, a Pink-footed Goose seen sitting on the sea & Snow Buntings heard (but not seen)- all at Winterton, great to see Tim, Mick & Dick F too.

Vagrant Emperor at the Paget

At about 12.30pm I had call from Rob H, saying he had just found a female Vagrant Emperor at the Paget, I met him a few minutes later and sure enough a stunning female Vagrant was perched on an outside wall. It was very overcast, cloudy with some light rain but I managed to get a few shots using flash. The female Vagrant Emperor was perched against the wall, around 4 feet above the ground. At one pint it shimmered its wings as if it was about to fly. But it remained perched and when I walked past later at 3.30pm it was still perched there.

RBF again

On Wednesday 31st October, I returned to Southwold campsite for a second look at the RBF and spent an hour at the site, although for most of the time it wasn't present showing on only 3 specific occasions, the last time the fine Red- breasted Flycatcher perched out in the open and I obtained a couple of shots. I decided to check Southwold Churchyard nothing seen, nothing seen at Easton Bavents either and very little at Kessingland Sewage works, 3 Pied Wagtails on the sewage beds and by the common area 3 Redwing seen to fly out. a Group of 4 Moorhen also seen 2 adults and 2 older youngsters.

Great photo day!

On Sunday 28th October, seawatching with James B on Gunton cliff, 2 distant Skua sp. seen flying north, plus 3 Red- breasted Mergansers flew north and 2 groups of 6 Eider flew north (3 males & 3 females) in each group. A tweet about a Mandarin at Kensington Gardens and I drove straight over there and the Mandarin was on the watery area by the bridge with Mallards, it was a fine drake Mandarin and spent some time hiding in the vegetation and occasionally swimming out. A lady came to throw out some bread and upon her first throw, the male Mandarin took off and flew north- east over towards the beach. Upon hearing from another birder that a Brent Goose had been seen near the Pier I walked down to the second beach just south of the Pier and an immature Brent Goose was there but quickly flew to the "Sanderling" beach just as I was walking along the Prom. It was feeding from the rocks and then swam south to the second beach again and walked along the beach had a snooze by the sea edge and then fed again on the seaweed by the rocks where I left it. A tweet about an RBF at Southwold campsite and I drove down there parking in the 30 minute bay and walked across and in the extreme north- west corner of the campsite, in area of 3 trees the excellent Red- breasted Flycatcher flew in. It was typically large eyed with the distinctive white basal outer- tail feather and occasional flicking its tail and drooping its wings. It flew to different perched often sitting still for a minute or more. It would often fly to the bushes at the back but within minutes would fly back. Often the views were slightly obscured but patience meant occasional unobscured views seen. It would often fly to the back foraging on the ground and a middle height area and higher up in the trees too. On to the Southward Churchyard, along the northside, I saw Paul & Jane F just inside the churchyard looking intently at a Mountain Ash/ Rowan tree. Of course they had the excellent Waxwing in their sights. It spent most of the time perched within the tree with only obscured views being seen but as the sun went in, it hopped out in full view and started feeding on the Rowan berries we walked out and watched it from the side and I merged to get a few record shots, one of which surprisingly got 168 likes on Twitter, at the time of writing!

Shore Larks & seabirds

On Saturday 27th October I drove over to Kessingland and immediately saw Paul & Jane F, walking up to the Shore Larks, I heard a calling Brambling and saw it perched on a curved bramble on the hill, would have made a nice photo but dog walkers put paid to that when it flew off. Rob Wils was there but soon left and I had the 2 Shore Larks to myself, being remarkably confiding, they expertly dodged the numerous dogs until one charged straight at them and they flew out to sea, 12 Lapwings flew in off the sea, but when visiting birders arrived and I told they had flown off they came back and settled in front of us. Around 3 Sky Larks and one was photographed feeding on the middle of the dunes. Looking at Ness Point in the afternoon, around 100 Gannets seen flying north, at 2.30pm a fine Little Auk flew north.

Rare Odonata; Vagrant Emperors & Red- veined Darters

On Wednesday October 24th, at Kessingland in the afternoon, I drove over to Kessingland, walking down Coastguards Lane there was a stretch of beach just north of the seawall. I was hoping to see the Vagrant Emperor Dragonflies spotted by Andrew E. I joined a group of people including Carl B, Dave H & others. One had been seen in flight 3o minutes earlier. After an hour no sign, a general exodus north before a weedy area, where a group of people were gathering raised hopes of a rare dragonfly sighted. It was fine female Red- veined Darter which posed well for the camera. Then a shout of an Odonata been seen flying over the end of the sea wall. It was a Migrant Hawker, but then a larger Dragonfly with straight abdomen and brownish body joined it and then flew north, it was the fine female Vagrant Emperor. Andrew E and Rob Will joined us and they immediately picked up the male Vagrant Emperor flying around the Dunes brown bodied but with a gleaming blue notch on the abdomen. Birds seen included Red Kite flying over the cliff & 2 single Fieldfares in off. Good to see old friends from both Norfolk & Suffolk too.

Shore Larks then pandemonium!

On Sunday October 21st, both Shore Larks were seen at Kessingland before 'headless chicken mode' for the 1st time this autumn. walking up to the Kessingland Sluice I met a birder saying they were still there and saw 2 birder watching them half way along the beach in the area bordering the grassy area and the sandy beach. I approached from the beach and kneeling made my way to within a respectable distance. Some dog walkers pushed the birds a little closer and both of the 2 wonderful Shore Larks fed on the seeds of a small weed, which made some nice pictures. Another dog forced them to run over to the beach. There were feeding along the margins of the beach and the grassy area. A BINS message, revealed a Vagrant Emperor had been sighed by the last 5 static caravans of the caravan park, a very vague message I walked around the scrubby area bordering the southern perimeter in th vain hope one might be spotted or fly up but it didn't, I looked & failed to see Vagrant Emperor. A call from OFB and an offer of a lift to Weybourne for the 2 Norfolk goodies was difficult to resit and after picking up James W from Gunton then mad dash up to Norfolk. Parking at the end of Beach road, meeting Rob Will & Andrew E at the pay and display machine, we walked west for around 500 yards to an round hollow area full of scrub but we had to negotiate the fence first and walk through the gate. The massed crowd encircling the hollow and the bird hadn't been seen for 30 minutes. Seeing Dave & Pauline next door they picked up the bird deep in a large bramble bush and brilliant direction from them, directed to a foot left of a large teasel I could see obscured views of the bird that appeared to be a Shrike, the the mask and bill and part of the back seen confirming it was a Shrike. It flew a couple of times into small Sallows but when it flew left it flew in what appeared to be a Buddlea bush and the bird hopped out in almost full view for 2 minutes. A branch obscured its mid section but the head mantle wings and tail could be clearly seen, it was indeed a superb Brown Shrike and a first for Norfolk and my 2nd UK bird. It showed a mask, hooked bill and browner back. We left to have a look for the probable Stejneger's Stonechat at Salthouse.

Grey Wagtail at the Paget

Leaving work on Monday October 15th just outside the Burrage centre, a Grey Wagtail flew low & north over the Burrage Centre, James Paget Hospital and my head at 5.05pm!

Garden & Fallowfields birds

On Sunday October 14, a Yellow- browed Warbler calling & moving west along hedgerow Fallowfields, Oulton, Lowestoft- bordering back gardens of Bosquet Close also a Grey Wagtail flew out from no 8 Bosquet Close, and a Buzzard & a female Sparrowhawk flew over. 5 Redwing flew south west over the garden at 10.45am also.

Visitors from the East and North

On Saturday 13th October, a typically brief view of a calling Yellow- browed Warbler flew into hedge on west side of Corton ORT along the west walk way at 12.10pm still 30 yds south from Stirrups Lane Bridge it flew into the sycamores in the middle where it was seen on a few occasions before it disappeared. Later on driving to Links road car park, SWT had organised a beach clean and I saw Chris M, Andrew E and others as I walked north to the enclosed areas just north of Tramps Alley where the 3 Snow Buntings were still on Gunton Warren beach initially just outside the fenced off area feeding by sprigs of Marram grass and weeds in fenced off area the 3rd one along just N of Tramps Alley, mid to late morning. The constant procession of dogs pushed the birds over to the beach and then they a flew a few yards south and then flew back to the fenced off areas before hopping through into the fenced off areas where they remained for the rest of the time they were there as they were not being disturbed by dogs.

Yellow- browed at the Paget

On Wednesday October 10th driving out of the James Paget at 1pm I heard a Yellow- browed Warbler by the southern most hedge bordering the James Paget Hospital at 1.40pm at least. It was seen briefly as it moved quickly through the hedge moving west all the time. No sign of any YBWs around Gunton & v.quiet birdwise his afternoon, best was a Brambling heard and seen flying west over the Gunton ORT, 3 Stock Dove feeding in the south- west corner of the field just north of the Gunton burial ground, Blackcap in the hedge by Gunton ORT, 3 GSW & 1 v. confiding juvenile Wood Pigeon (sadly suspected Trichonomad virus victim)in the Holm Oak wood bowl at Gunton warren.

Elusive evening Yellow- browed

On Tuesday October 9, still 2-3 Yellow- browed Warblers at Gunton, Lowestoft area this eve -5.15-6pm but all very elusive, 1 Yellow- browed Warbler by entrance to Gunton Meadows on the north side heard calling only, 1 Yellow- browed Warbler heard only by the track 300 yds north of of Sallows at Gunton wood and 1 Yellow- browed Warbler, typically hyperactive seen flitting through the bushes by the Sallows at Gunton wood but they wouldn't pose for the camera at all!

Yellow- browed City

Deciding to look at Corton this morning, Sunday 7th October, it was sunny and struck gold when half way down the ORT by the southern end of the Holm Oaks I heard the distinctive call of a YBW, I spun round and saw a bright bird a wonderful Yellow- browed Warbler, which showed well in the top foliage of the tree twice before flying over the track to the eastern perimeter belt. I rang James B and met him on the west side where we heard another YBW call and saw one showing briefly at the topof a sycamore, this time a pale bird, a second Yellow- browed Warbler. Jame went onto check the pond, whilst I walked back to the bridge and taking the west track heard and saw a Yellow- browed Warbler in a sycamore. As I was watching this bird one called behind me and seen in the trees in the middle of the track, a second Yellow- browed Warbler. I was joined by Derek M and James B and we watched a bird the other side of the road calling frequently. Checking out Corton Churchyard, a Mistle Thrush flew east walking over the the start of the Corton old SW track, I heard the rasping call of a Brambling and saw the bird with white rump fly off and walking back a Green Woodpecker also flew east from Corton churchyard. Mid afternoon, I walked round Gunton woods not hearing/ seeing any YBWs but walking past the woodland burial area the cleared path running parallel with the Gunton ORT, I could see a Fieldfare perched on the track, a walker disturbed it before I could get a photo. Turning my attention to Gunton ORT, 2/3 of the way down, a calling Yellow- browed Warbler (my 4th of 5th bird self found today a personal record for me in one day!) showed itself in an Oak and I walked 100 yards further north saw the calling bird again in a Sycamore tree where I was able to get some record shots. I saw the bird from 4.40-5pm. Walking back a heard the 'pssst' call of Redwing and in the field just north of the woodland burial, in the south- west corner amongst c30 Chaffinches feeding here revealed 4 Bramblings including 2 smart males. At Gunton woods Sallows, a Chiff- Chaff heard, at Gunton Meadow south, I heard another Brambling.

Ness Point in the rain

On Saturday 6 October, I was unable to get out birding until the early afternoon, when I met with Andrew E, Rob Will & James W, no sign for me of the Little Bunting which is still a big Suffolk blocker, having never seen one in the county despite several attempts. On the sea, 2 immature Gannets flew south, 5 Brent Geese flew North, 24 Chaffinches flew north and around 18 Chaffinch plus an unseen Brambling heard called its distinctive rasping call flew in off. 4 Rock Pipits flying in off were joined by a further 2, a flock of 6 in total, as we searched around the Ness Point carpark site for the Bunting in the rain and to no avail.

2 Redwing heard flying over the house

Leaving work early afternoon on Wednesday 3rd October, arriving home I heard 2 Redwing (not seen) appeared to be flying south over the house at 1pm.

Buzzard low over A47 near Corton roundabout

On Tuesday October 2nd at 5.25pm a Buzzard flew low over the road travelling back from work along the A47 just before the Corton Long Lane roundabout.

Buckenham Pectoral Sandpiper duo

Having seen visitors from the Arctic and the east (Finland) in recent days I was now hoping to see some American visitors. I drove over to Buckingham RSPB on the evening of Monday 1st October, initially I couldn't see any waders. Walking down I heard the pink-pink of Pink-footed Geese a small flock of 8 flew in, A Buzzard was also seen perched on a distant gate. I later counted 160+ in this area. but as I scanned past the 150 or so Black- headed Gulls, 5 Lapwing were seen to the left of the Gulls, whilst walking right of them were the excellent duo of 2 Pectoral Sandpipers feeding on the muddy edge, (slightly bigger than Dunlin) with Snipe-like backs and the very distinctive brown breast cut off on the mid breast with whitish underparts below. The were hunched over constantly feeding and one was following the other they were still at Buckenham RSPB but flew off at 6.15pm, when the whole flock was disturbed by a female Marsh Harrier (they'll probably come back though), in front of the Gulls an incredible 34 Ruff flew in. Over to the right, 1 Snipe and 12 Wigeon were on the grass, Finally 1000's of Jackdaws were amassing on the grass right at the back, then they all flew into an isolated copse and then an incredible 5000+ Jackdaws flew over me their collection calls sounding like a high pitched machine gun. Also 300 Rook pre- roost gatherings completed the corvid-fest equalling a great evening!

Blyth's Reed amazingly gives itself up for me just before going to roost

On Sunday 29th September another fruitless search around the local patch this time at Corton Playing field and Corton OSW nothing wildlife of wise of note save for 8 winter plumaged Starlings singing away from pole at Corton OSW, nice to see Craig S and the Border Collies again though. I was tweeting my Beluga pictures out mid afternoon, when incredibly James B tweeted at 4.10pm, Rob Win had just found a Blyth's Reed Warbler in bracken just north of the Lowestoft Oval on the North Denes. I rushed down parking along North Parade and walking down the Oval steps to the Denes and joined Rob Win, James B, James W, Andrew E, Rob Will, Paul & Jane F, Chris M, Richard S, Rene B and others who later joined included Dick W, John H and Paul W. The bird was proving to be typically elusive mainly moving through the bracken, bramble and betraying its presence only by its distinctive "sic" call and at times bracken was seen moving and sometimes, a "Warbler" shape seen moving through. I had resigned myself to dipping this bird as I have done for most of the goodies seen in Lowestoft this Sept (although I was away in Jersey when the Booted warbler was present), save for the YBW. When at 6.35pm, the bird flew right and standing next to Dick W, who confirmed I was in the right area, I saw through my Zeiss Victory binoculars, which are known for giving outstanding visibility and clarity in poor light, and this time agin it was no exception, and I saw the bird hop onto a bit of bracken where it sat out in full view for me for around 5 to 10 seconds. I noted the following ID features: a pale grey- brown bird on the upperparts (not rusty brown or chestnut). The white super cilia was prominent and clearly noted extending just beyond the eye, pale flanks (not chestnut fringed) and importantly short tertial projection (ruling out normal Reed and Eastern Reed Warbler) The legs appeared dark. Before, the bird hopped out of view and then flew into a large bush, presumably to roost, where it continued to give its distinctive "zic" call. My last Blyth's Reed Warblers was one on Bryher, Scilly and I also saw 1 at West Runton in Norfolk on 27th September 2008. A really jammy observation, as I fully expected to dip or have untickable views, but that view gave me a super new Suffolk tick, a wonderful Blyth's Reed Warbler and yet another stunning find by Rob Win, who a regular patch worker and fully deserves the plaudits of this stunning find, especially as he had spent most of the day trying to ID it, the bird proving typically elusive and Rob seeing it only 7X in total. Thanks to James B for putting the news out as soon as the ID had been clinched.

Benny the Beluga Whale, a stunning Arctic visitor

On Saturday 29th September, after hearing of an incredible find of an Arctic Beluga Whale, nicknamed "Benny" or should it be called "Benita"? in the River Thames at Gravesend in Kent, and much talked about in the media making it to the Ten O'clock BBC News and articles in all the national newspapers. I drove down taking John H and James W with me. Using the Sat Nav, we eventually made our way Gravesend to Mark Lane and parked just off here at a very run down industrial estate, littered with rubbish everywhere and walked to the equally run down "Crown & Sepulchre" pub and joined a few potential whale watchers on a concrete platform, having a good and commanding view of the river. The Whale had been seen around 30 minutes earlier. A message 20 minutes later came on John H's pager, that it was being seen just west of our position and we walked along the footpath by the river and came to another good viewing point where the Whale, an excellent Beluga Whale was seen occasionally surfacing usually showing its mid back looking for all the world like a turning white tyre in the water. It was disturbed several times by boats and one time it swam close in very calm water and stuck its head out where we could the line of its mouth but not its eye. It would be seen usually every 5 minutes or so when it would then surface for 1-2 seconds for 3 separate times. When it was disturbed by boats, it would disappear for around 10 minutes. Walking back to the car, seeing Matt D, he said it was showing a fare closer from the Promenade, so we drove around parked by the much more salubrious Esplanade. The Promenade looked really nice and was a big improvement on the very run down industrial estate area where we had been! Around 110 people were around the promenade area peering over the railings, hoping for views of the Whale. Most were "birders" but other curious onlookers were noted too! The Whale was indeed a lot closer being around 500 yards out (instead of 1200 yards away when seen from viewing area we had walked to just west of the Pub) finally giving me a chance to get some photos of it. The Whale was seen mostly around the back of a moored barge, where it would surface every 10 minutes or so and on 2 occasions showed a lot more of its body (see pic. The Harbour Master's Pilot boat even came past and had a look, with a chap with a camera and mid zoom lens (see pic). However, the Whale was seen again. Unfortunately after 2 really massive large container ships went through we lost it from view and decided to leave, well satisfied with our views of this magnificent cetacean. Let us hope that this Arctic stray makes it back safely home.

Yellow- browed first one of the autumn!

On the early evening of Thursday September 27th, met Joshua C staring at the bush where The "Ninja" Yellow-browed Warbler still in favoured bush just south of 1st shelter belt south of Links Rd car park along North Denes slope seeing off all Chiff- Chaffs straying into its vigorously defended territory! Seen well but briefly about 4 times and also seen in flight chasing off all the Chiff- Chaffs! Also the Barn Owl hunting behind us on the N. Denes as well. YBW called as well around 10 times.

Barn Owl on the North Denes

On the early evening of September 22nd, a Barn Owl again hunting over the Lowestoft's North Denes 6.40 - 7.10pm normally around the large bramble just north of the Oval this evening. It spent a lot of the time on the ground. An outstanding find by Julie, last I've seen in this area, was a Barn Owl flew over my parents garden at Corton Road (500 yds away) 1982 & Ricky & I had a pair a few years later on posts at Dip Farm before the shelter belt grew up.

Whinchat and Wheatears

On September 22nd September, 1 Whinchat was seen at Corton, seen by Corton OSW along the northern mostvfence, plus a female Whitethroat & Green Woodpecker + 3 Wheatear around the North Denes netposts & male Blackcap along the North Denes slope plus 5 Mediterranean Gulls (1 ad, 1 2nd Y & 3 imm's) at Links Road carpark, Lowestoft.

Devils Coach Horses

On Thursday, 2 small Devil's Coach Horse beetles found today, at the Burrage centre, James Paget Hospital, 1 in my colleagues office and 1 in the Burrage centre corridor, which were caught and released outside.

Fallowfields, save our orchids, save our wildlife!

Protect our Orchids! Protect our wildlife! Fallowfields proposed planning application meeting at the Waveney District Council offices, Conference room, Riverside, Lowestoft at 6pm on Tuesday 18th September 2018- I am speaking to object to the development of land that has had 2,967 Southern Marsh Orchids, 40 Bee Orchids etc, around 30 hybrid Spotted X Southern Marsh Orchids. The land also had breeding Blackcaps this summer, regular wintering Woodcock particularly in hard weather, Green Woodpeckers, Hobbies, Brambling, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat. I have seen a young female Blackcap visit the garden twice recently. The land also had Green Hairstreak butterflies, Small Copper butterflies, Broad- bodied Chasers, Grass Snake and Hedgehogs. Contact WDC Jane Murray if you wish to speak to object her e-mail is: jane.murray@waveney.gov.uk See you there! Pics follow of wildlife seen and much of it photographed on Fallowfields or the garden.

Dead Hornet

On Monday 17th September, in the morning, I found a freshly dead Hornet on the path bordering the Burrage Centre and the old bowling green at the James Paget Hospital.

Black Redstarts at Ness Point

On Sunday 16th September, It was great to see 4 Black Redstarts in the usual place at Ness Point mid morning, in the usual place at Ness Point this morning, I could hear the adult male singing as I arrived and there was a female bird just the other side of the fence. The male bird was seen around the tractor, what appeared to be 2 immature birds plus an immature male bird not as strikingly marked as the other male. Considering the plumage there could well have been 5 birds present? The 2 immature birds spent a lot of time by the northern fence area. I managed a few pictures but the arrival of the Lowestoft Bird Club chairman and his ringing gear, meant I decided to leave.

Return to usual Lowestoft fare

On Saturday 15th September early evening 5pm onwards, a look around "Flycatcher" (any Flycatcher seen here now would be a red letter day!) Alley, Lowestoft North Denes, Net posts, Ness Point and Corton OSW revealed precisely no sightings. Lowestoft North Denes can be honourably excepted as someone was flying a horrible inexcrable whining (sounding exactly like a Luftwaffe Stuka bomber) drone over the middle of the Denes scaring the wits out of the local 3 Greenfinches seen there. Drones are one of my pet hates, together with the totally unwanted predictive text on sites like this and twitter that converts Denes to Denies! That and dog excellent collected in bags and left on bushes/ floor make up my 3 choices for Room 101! The only reason I am writing this blog post is that I heard a lovely and wonderful Black Redstart sing briefly at the usual place at Ness Point.

Corton OSW finally produces the goods!

On Monday 10th September delighted to see the juvenile female Blackcap, with her chestnut cap a little more pronounced now, showing by the arch near the back bedroom window hawking for insects with a couple of Blue Tits and a Great Tit for company at around 7.45am. She'd gone a minute later so sadly no chance of a photo. On Friday 14th September, hearing that Steve J (the Scores birder) was back and had seen a few goodies at Corton OSW, I tried my luck, I personally hadn't seen anything here all autumn, arriving at 6pm and I immediately saw a Whinchat perched on the eastern most fence which was a great start. As the sun was shining brightly from the west, I decided to walk around the OSW in a clockwise direction taking the southern, then western and as I was walking along the northern fence, a fine and obliging Redstart was sat in a bramble bush, bathed in the lovely golden sun. I managed to get a few pics before it hopped deeper into the bush. Walking along the eastern side, 2 Whinchats seen on the fence whilst 1 Whinchat was seen in the compound, so 3 in total. A dog walker spooked 2 of them who flew to the weeds and perched on the weed tops by the eastern edge of the field just south of the sewage works. Finally a male Kestrel perched on the 30 mph sign by the road and only took flight when the car drew level.

The Legendary Earl Slick at Norwich

On Tuesday 11th September I attended an Earl Slick Q&A session at the Norwich Arts centre, St. Benedicts Street, Norwich. As a big Bowie fan and I also really liked his album with David Coverdale "Into the Light" plus his work with John Lennon on the "Double Fantasy" album, it was a must attend event for me. The format of the evening was a chap introduced him and would prompt him with recollections about his life. The chap made a joke about touring the country at Hull, Colchester they hadn't quite been to Ibiza but here they were at the Norfolk Broads, a nice pun taken from the very famous line from Bowie's seminal classic "Life on Mars!" He started he learnt the American version of "Tales of the Unexpected", he learnt on the guitar as a young lad. At the tender age of 20 he was invited to audition for a big star in New York, he worked out it was for David Bowie replacing the legendary Mick Ronson on guitar. He was asked to play along to some basic guitar tracks supplied by Bowie himself in a darkened room with red lights on the control panel. After about 20 mins Bowie walked in and he knew he had the gig. he joined Bowie for the Diamond Dogs tour. EL stated that Mick Ronson was Bowie's best guitarist. His two favourite licks were both David Bowie's tracks "Stay" & "Valentines day" on the Next day album. He helped compose the hit "Fame" with DB and John Lennon but was off his head for most of the time and when he came to meet John lennon again for the Double Fantasy sessions he arrived around an hour early at JL's house and was shown into a large room, he was a bit start struck at meeting his hero who walked in straight away, who said hi slick do nice to see you again & EL couldn't remember and JL ribbed him about this afterwards. At some stage he tired of rock and roll went into selling houses. Shortly after Bowie rang him to see if he could play with him again and was asked to audition again, this was to see if he still looked the part and could still play and EL stated he wasn't go through all that cr*p, so he was in again! EL said the "Reality tour was one of the best tours he had played on. Asked him why was the Reality tour such a happy time/ best tour he was on. Both he and DB had cleaned up by thenHe said there were no s stirrers in the band then and everyone got on really well. Another chap in the audience asked him about his work with David Coverdale on the "Into the Light" album, he said it was a really good but underrated album, nothing like his Whitesnake stuff and he wasn't going to see DC again soon when he visited Lake Tahoe. He was asked about his name, El said he came from an Italian immigrant family and his name wouldn't cut it in the business, so when he was cooking he put too much oil in the pan and it created an Oil Slick slightly changed to give him his iconic stage name! Finally we queued up to get his autograph and our picture taken with him, I asked him if was doing the Mike Garson Bowie celebration tour to which he replied he didn't know yet (despite his name being advertised as definitely appearing! let's hope he does).

The Benacre Wryneck & a nice sprinkling of Whinchat too, despite the dogs!

On Sunday 9th September, a walk to Kessingland/ Benacre sluice revealed 3 Whinchat and a pair of Stonechats being hassled by a group of people letting a group of Beagles run riot around the whole area even swimming in the river and hassling a poor fisherman. Over the Benacre side a group of people walking 20 labrador type dogs were running riot around there too. Disturbance on a hitherto industrial scale, this has surely got to stop on a nature reserve where dogs are supposed to be controlled on a lead. Hardly surprising the Wryneck couldn't be seen. Meeting the finders Paul & Jane, Jane informed me Mat D had refund seeking sanctuary along the western ridge of the one remaining pit and walking on the western ridge we saw the bird, the excellent Wryneck, on some thick branches and it hopped to the ground and then it disappeared. It was later seen perched on the branch and then hopped around it then fed on the ground. It then disappeared behind a bush before appeared again underneath it before it disappeared and seen feeding way off to the left.

Wildlife seen on Jersey trip (a non- birding trip)

From Tuesday 4th July to Saturday 8th July, Jenny & I had a mini break in Jersey. On Wednesday 4th July, a Buzzard flew over the entrance to the Jersey War Tunnels. By the west coast by the Nazi gun tower, an incredible tally of 18 Wheatears (a fall of birds?) were seen plus around 6 Linnets flew over. On Thursday 6th July, at Jersey zoo, a Red Squirrel was seen by some trees near the entrance Another 3 singletons Red Squirrels seen too. A Hummingbird Hawk Moth was also seen briefly too. On Thursday 7th July, at Qued dunes just before the nature reserve we stopped half way between car parks and in the dunes by some scrub, I spotted a Jersey Green Lizard, an excellent female Jersey Green Lizard, moved and then I spotted her. (Around Wall Lizard sized, green with bars down the back). For about 30 seconds, she stayed motionless before scuttling deeper into the scrub. On Friday 8th july, at Mont Orguel castle, 6 Wall Lizards seen and a Buzzard flew over distant hill top. On Saturday an interesting caterpillar seen on the Oued Dunes whilst searching for Lizard, plus a flying Wall Brown butterfly and several Sky Larks inadvertently disturbed whilst looking for Green Lizards, to no avail this time.

A half dozen Whinchat

On Monday 3rd September, directly after work, I headed down to the North denies, seeing Rob H, we walked 2/3 of the way south and first one Whinchat popped up and then by the weedy, Alexander planted area, 4 Whinchat perched up and a further 2 Whinchat perched up, proving there were 6 birds in total. They were very wary no doubt being constantly disturbed in this well walked spot. On the beach, 4 Turnstone seen including 1 very fine summer plumaged individual.

Weekend birds & social media problems

On Saturday 1st September hearing rather late of a Barred Warbler at Kessingland, (BINS news is now very erratic for me on the new Whats App format, sometimes it's great and I can send out messages too, other times I can't access it at all? I will try and find out how I can improve my access to this? Is it my phone, I still can't tweet out in the field?) I headed there. It took 40 minutes to get through Oulton Broad with both the rail crossing and the Mutford Lock bridge slowing my progress. I joined a small throng of birders overlooking the scrub on the south side of the river hundred. Almost immediately I saw the bird but it instantly flew behind a bush. Ninety minutes later, the fine Barred Warbler was seen on bushes by the distant ridge it was seen in elderflower bushes etc. Also a fine adult male Migrant Hawker and a Southern Hawker seen too. Dipped the Wryneck in field just west of the Hollies caravan park. In the garden Garden, 5 Migrant Hawkers seen too. Sunday garden Speckled Wood, Painted Lady, 5 Migrant Hawkers, In the afternoon- a Cattle Egret was seen over the far side of a field just west of the Scrape, remaining to 1 white faced black cattle. A Hare was running around the path at the western head of Carlton Marshes. Walking back I took the footpath through the field just west of the Scrape and the Cattle were directly had of me as was the excellent summer plumaged Cattle Egret and I got some nice views, took several pics at 100 yards range before double back to avoid disturbing the Egret or the cattle. Along the North Denes at 7pm I arrived just too late as the sun was setting over the North denies, in the large bush a female Whitethroat seen. Around 3 birds may have been Whinchats but they'd gone into roost and I didn't want to disturb them. In the garden, Speckled Wood butterfly, Painted Lady and again 5 Migrant Hawkers seen.

Insects, Black Terns & Cattle Egret

On Monday 27th August, a Painted Lady was seen early morning on the garden boodle, a Bush cricket seen on a bush too plus a Shield Bug. Mid afternoon I travelled over to Rollesby broad and saw Dave H and his wife looking over Ormsby Little Broad, 3 winter- plumaged Black Terns were flying over the channel over the far side of the broad flying over a sky blue masted yacht and showing black spot behind the eye and smoky grey mantle. They had the characteristic "dipping" buoyant marsh tern flight action too. Always a delight to see but sobering to recollect the last time I saw this species was with Ricky last Spring. an immature Mediterranean Gull also seen flying over in the distance too. Parking at Burgh castle Church, walking to the first kissing gate, at first I could not pick up the Cattle Egret, but I eventually located it, the fine Cattle Egret walking around Cattle, of course. I had to stand on the kissing gate to see anything of it as it was often obscured. Seeing Dave H in the distance half way along the walk, I retraced my steps and had clear interrupted views of this bird as it was seen walking around the Cattle, often crouching down low with its head barely above the ground and held parallel before it snapped up a tasty morsel or two. Again a fine plumaged bird with cinnamon buff heah and back.

Semi- P then No Migrants 22nd & 23rd Aug

On Sunday 19th August, hearing early afternoon of a Semi- P at Minsmere, having not seen one since August 1996 I was keen to see another. An hour and a half later I joined the throng in the south hide and seeing Paul, Jane, carl B et al. I was treated to views through Paul's cope of only my second ever Semi- palmated Sandpiper. Typically small stint- sized wader with short bill appearing slightly thicker at the base and tip. It showed a super cilia and speckled back. It spent the time running down the muddy strip directly in front of us running a third down the spit, it was to be the closest we saw it before it flew over to the spit further back. I watched it amongst 15 Little Gulls (all appeared to be adult in winter plumage, sat on the spit, plus a Spotted Redshank seen too. laterWednesday 22nd failed to reveal any migrants, 5 adult winter adult Mediterranean Gulls on the roof of Corton NSW and a Buzzard in a bush by a field just west of NSW. On Thursday 23rd August a look around Gunton failed to reveal Whinchats at Gunton or The North Denes, a Great- spotted Woodpecker seen in a tree and that was it.

Cattle Egret at Leathes Ham

On August 16th having missed the roosting Cattle Egret at Leathes Ham the previous evening I decided to arrive pre dawn and sure enough walking around just left of the board walk I could see the excellent summer plumaged Cattle Egret perched in a bush on the small island. pre first light on the island at Leathes Ham, Normanston Park, Lowestoft at around 5.30am this morning before it flew south-west at 5.37am. Apologies for poor pic (it was before dawn!) It was seen again that evening. I saw it again on the evening of the 17th when arriving slightly late at 7.30pm it flew in. It appears to have been hassled by 3 Magpies also using the bush to roost and it forced the poor bird to fly out twice before returning. It later flew and appeared to settle in trees further south along the mere.

Curlew Sandpiper at Carlton Marshes

On Sunday 22nd July, a tweet from Andrew E had me driving down to Carlton Marshes and walking up to the scrape, Andrew, James B, Chris M were in attendance and a fine adult Curlew Sandpiper (just starting to moult out of full summer plumage) was reasonably close feeding away but often obscured. A Moorhen chased it off. A ruff was seen further away and later on a further 2 were seen. A cow wandering over caused the bird to fly together with a Dunlin and Redshank. They flew round in a circle and settled again on the scrape. However an unseen Sparrowhawk later flushed them off completely. At the back a Green Sandpiper sat down and then stood up. Lovely to see 2 adult and 2 almost full grown immature Avocets too. On th walk back with Rob W we saw a Stoat on the path just ahead of us and a Muntjac Deer crossed the path further along too.

Dragonflies & butterflies in the garden on World Cup final day

During half time during the 2018 Football World Cup final, one Brown Hawker was flying around the conservatory and I was able to gently guide it to the open door and it flew out totally unharmed. Up to 2 Brown Hawkers dragonflies were flying around and 2 seen briefly perched on the wooden pagoda. One quickly flew off but the other settled on the wall then an overhanging honeysuckle. At 7am, a Small Copper butterfly was seen above the wooden Pagoda in resting in the sunshine on vegetation, only the second record for the garden but at the first sign of my camera it flew off. At 7.05pm, a Hummingbird Hawk Moth was seen in flight around principally the Lavender bushes seen for around 3 minutes before it too disappeared my first for this year and personal first in the garden for 2 years although Jenny did see one last year in the garden.

No luck with the Lesser Emperor at Filby Broad X2

On Wednesday 4th July at Filby Broad a quick 30 minute visit failed to reveal the Elusive Lesser Emperor, Black- tailed Skimmer was all I saw. On Sunday 8th July, another visit to Filby Broad board walk revealed up to 6 Black- tailed Skimmers, a regular patrolling male Emperor Dragonfly, perhaps putting off a visit by the mega elusive Lesser Emperor which again failed to show in a 70 minute vigil between 12.30 and 1.40pm. A male Bullfinch calling showed briefly as he made his way through the hedge by the road.

Kefalonia Turtles, Birds & Insects 2018 (To be continued)

June 19 to 26 June 2018 trip to Kefalonia driving to Scala, a male Woodchat Shrike seen by the left roadside just before Scala, the only one seen on the whole trip. The night we arrived just outside the hotel was a bush cricket. Also the next night a cat caught a Great Green Bush cricket. That day we went to Argostoli, for Loggerhead Turtles.

Great Raft Spider at Carlton Marshes

I managed to see a Great Raft Spider just east of the wooden bridge, on the far side of the dyke just past a tunnel inroad over at the far end, it was just right of his under 3 leaves rest on a lilypad, at Carlton Marshes thanks to a couple who pointed it out to me.

Frog Orchids in deepest Suffolk

On the early evening of Saturday 9th June, had great difficulty initially but with Jane F's help finally located first 1 then 2, the another 2 (within 5 metres of the bush and 4 further ones by the side of the path including one large individually flowering beautifully, so 8 Frog Orchids seen at usual site in deepest Suffolk. Quite a few Pyramidial Orchids just starting to flower too and several Orchids well past, which may have been early Purples? Later on at Bungay, a Cuckoo heard over the road from the meadow but I didn't hear the Corncrake calling between 8.55 and 9.15pm

Corncrake calling

On the night of June 7th the Corncrake near Bungay was calling constantly from 10.40pm it was calling and was located just over the border in Norfolk, but could be heard in both counties- Norfolk & Suffolk.

Large Yellow Underwing

A newly emerged Large Yellow Underwing Moth was seen on the back lawn of the garden on Sun 3rd June.

Cuckoo calling

On 31st May, a fantastic Cuckoo heard calling from the house distant coming from the west at 5.40am!

Man & Military Orchids in deepest Suffolk

Having been kindly given detailed direction for the only known colony of Man Orchids, I ventured deep into my home county of Suffolk to photograph them. Parking opposite, I walked up the road and they were immediately spotted on the right roadside verge (where a sign was up showing roadside nature reserve) in 2 groups one group comprising with 39 plants and a few yards further along, 20 further plants with a single tall plant spike on the opposite left hand side of the road. All the plants save for one, had finished flowering, so I concentrated on the single flowering plant, which was in the shade a little so a little fill-in flash was required to illuminate this fine subject. I then drove to the second ride 306, to go to the Rex Graham reserve and was incredibly fortunate to see 2 ladies from the Friends of Thetford Forest Flora group who were there to count the number of spikes and they very kindly drove me down top the locked cage where all the plants were and I had the incredible good fortunate to have the plants to myself photographing them from the boardwalk. Numbers appeared the same as in my previous visits but it was immediately apparent there were a lot more Common Twayblade spikes.