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.

2 Marsh Warblers in Lowestoft

On Monday 28th May 1 Marsh Warbler heard half way down Gunton ORT, viewing from the western most field. It sang after half an hour with several bursts of song showcasing its wonderful mimicry including Blackbird, Swallow. a Marsh Warbler heard and seen perched briefly on top of a bramble Lowestoft North Denes Links road car park plus a Hobby, spotted by the ever sharp Richard S, flew straight over us flying south.

Lime Hawkmoth

On Sunday 28th May, thanks to Justin Z, a Lime Hawkmoth seen in a garden in North Ipswich, a very enjoyable hour was spent chatting to Justin, his wife and family. Justin kindly brought the moth out put on a piece of bark and laid on the grass so I was able to get few shots. Many thanks to whole Z family for the very generous hospitality.

Strumpshaw Fen Swallowtail and Hawkmothfest

On Saturday 26th May, having to stay in for a delivery of a brace of artificial House Martin nests at home, meant I wasn't able to get out until the early afternoon. I went straight to Strumpshaw in the hope of seeing a Lime Hawkmoth seen by Steve S in the morning by reception. Finding a space in the carpal (amazingly, but it was 2.30pm) a small cluster of people including Dick F were gathered round the hedgerow opposite nearer the overflow car park. Sure enough, a Swallowtail was seen flying about, it was in active feeding flight but on one occasion it settled and posed beautifully for around 3 minutes and I took full advantage. It even showed so close I had to step back on one occasion. Asking at reception, they weren't sure of the Lime Hawkmoth but pointed me in the direction of the tent. Wasn't exactly sure which tent, but I eventually found one in the woods and couldn't see any Hawkmoths here at all, maybe they'd all flown off. I asked several people and they had no idea either and was unable reach Steve on the mobile to clarify exactly where he had seen his. I did see 5 caged Common Twayblades. I walked around the Fen walk, just before the cottage, a Brimstone seen. By the cottage in the rough meadow area left to seed to the right (great habitat!) a further 2 Brimstones seen plus 2 briefly mating pair of Orange Tips the male showed well but flew off when I tried to get a pic. Taking the Fen walk, by the boardwalk, a Poplar Hawkmoth seen on a reed. At the end, a further 5 seen in one bush 3 perched along a thick branch and 2 in foliage nearby together with an Elephant Hawkmoth plus 2 in another bush. Also seen with the 2 in another bush on a branch stump a resplendent Privet Hawkmoth. Along the boardwalk up to 5 Viviparous Common Lizards seen on the walk back, 1 posed well for the camera.

Blogpost round up

On Sunday 20th May, Male Orange Tip in garden 1.58pm, now a much rarer occurrence due to Fallowfields clearance for anticipated housebuilding, Speckled Wood and resident Holly Blue seen too. On Monday May 21st in the evening82 Green- winged Orchids seen (plus 1 white variety) Gunton Meadow this evening, most now slightly past their best. On Thursday 24th May, a brief trip to carlton Marshes revealed a singing Whitethroat by the car park northern bushes and several 3 Sand Martins seen flying overhead plus a House Martin. I then had to leave as a toothache induced headache meant I had to leave and go home sadly.

Carlton Marshes Garganey proves they do exist!

On Carlton Marshes on Sunday 13th May I heard of yet another Garganey, this time for the first time in 2 years and 12 attempts it was finally a successful twitch as the male Garganey bird could clearly seen at the northern end of the scrape. They are such an elusive duck it was really gratifying to see it considering my recent problems in seeing this species missing several times at Southward and Minsmere recently. I missed the short flight of the American Bittern again, only a 5 second flight, but this time it was flying away from Share Marsh, with no directions I was looking in the wrong direction! I went round the cars side and saw a male Stonechat, 2 Swifts screaming overhead and a Water Vole which showed quite well as it sat on a branch suspended just on the water, although obscured by vegetation. Its presence given away by 2 plops heard in the water! Walking back to the car by the railwaymen, I heard and eventually saw a singing Lesser Whitethroat from a bush and heard a Whitethroat.

Butterflies & yaffling 'pecker bring cheer to the garden

On Saturday 12th May suffering from a heavy cold I did manage to see both Holly Blue and Speckled Wood in the gardena that was about it. Except for...Unusual now to hear the baffling call of the Green Woodpecker from the garden tonight X2 (but not sadly seen) 6.46pm since the clearance of Fallowfields!

Now 41 hours and counting

On Thursday 10th May. missed the AB tonight although a chap stood next to me saw it for all of 3 seconds a brief flight view, I did see a shape disappear behind the bush but couldn't ID it myself. Andrew E spotted a nice Hobby that flew straight past us plus where I stood some rusting barely 2 foot away revealed a fine Water Vole not that anyone else noted. Excepting Andrew who spotted that or another Water Vole by the remains of a traffic cone and it disappeared into thicker grass just a s I got onto it.

More Misses than hits

On Tuesday May 1stt American Bittern seen in short (2 second!) flight from original dyke fl E for 30 yards at 8.10pm Carlton Marshes, Lowestoft this eve (it had been showing for 2 hours up until 10 mins before I arrived. Now spent 35 hours for a cumulative view of 2 mins & still no pics, typical! On Wednesday missed the Pied Fly at Leathes Ham, not able to park but saw 3 Reed Warblers 3 replies 1 retweet 10 likes. On Thursday May 4th the American Bittern flew around 7.15pm for 5 seconds but also heard calling. Following some particularly gruelling dental surgery I was too poorly to get out over the Bank Holiday. On Friday before the agony of dental surgery I had 2 short minutes to see 2 Green- Winged Orchids at Gunton Meadow On Saturday both Holly Blue & Speckled Wood seen in the garden, as I was recuperating after more dental surgery. On Monday 7 May, no sign of the Garganey on the "Gtr Yellowlegs" flash by the golf course but 2 Sand Martin seen and a Nightingale heard and seen briefly just west of Southwold sewage works at 11.15am. On Tuesday 7 May, the AB seen briefly in flight at 7.15pm for 3 seconds then heard calling, also usual Water Vole and one very close (but obscured) Barn Owl and 20 + 8 Black- tailed Godwit flew in. Now 39 hours for 2 mins and 11 second view of the AB still no usable pics. On Wednesday 9th May, the first Whitethroat heard calling from the roundabout by Capt Manby's as I left at 4.20pm.