Wrong decisions

On Sunday 26th January, I decided to try back at Kessingland North beach for the elusive Shore Lark, (wrong choice should have started at Wrexham Broad), despite checking the pool edge and the beach around 1/2 a mile north and south along the tide line no Shore Lark was seen. I met Paul & Jane F as I walked back and guessed they would remind it, which of course they did! I then drove to Wrexham Broad and was met by Paul H, who said the Slav Grebe was still about but over the far side and quite elusive too. It had been giving close views the previous day when he found and early morning too. Paul spotted it amongst the tree roots over the far side and I managed to get some reasonable scope views of this fine Slavonian Grebe. Very sad to see a dead adult Mute Swan by the Broad edge and what it appeared to be its mate hanging around nearby. A trip to Wex Photographic and I was able to buy the carbon fibre monopod and head for use on the upcoming Sweden trip. Back at Kessingland again no sign of the Shore Lark, although 2 children and their father were wandering around the North pool edge which didn't help to say the least. 8 Ringed Plovers seen on the beach just south of there and later 6 sanderlings by the shore pool. But as I was checking the tideline on the beach half way along the North pool, a confiding Snow Bunting was feeding, I took pics and from this I was able to rad the writing on the silver ring on its left leg.

Smew, Whoopers & Dunwich

On Saturday 25th January, approaching Dunwich five ways the 11 adult Bewick's Swans were still in the field to the left of the road, although much further back than usual.I started at Minsmere from the mound by the old car park, I saw Chris M and Peter N who had just had the redhead Smew but she had disappeared. After ten minutes I spotted the fine redhead Smew along the left hand end of the pool, slightly obscured by foliage from a Willow tree. She then swam out to the middle, constantly diving and eating caught food. Paul & Jane F joined us. After a while I left to check to see if the Whoopers were about, from just past the West hide, I saw a Mute Swan on the pool opposite. Also I could see some Pintail with several males on the scrape. Walking up the south hide, no sign of the Swans by the pool opposite. However, I could 7 large Swans asleep on the south scrape that looked promising for Whoopers. Ivan L came out of the hide and confirmed this and especially nice to bump into Brian S to whom I had a chat. In the hide. It was clear all Swans asleep were 7 Whooper Swans. There were 2 adults mostly asleep on a nearer island/ spit, whilst a group of 5 Whoopers were on an island/ spit further back with 3 of their number immatures. The Swans at the back 1 or 2 woke up. Whilst the nearest 2, the one on the left woke up, flapped its wings and then promptly went back to sleep! So a great start at Minsmere. next stop Dunwich beach car park and 5 Sky Larks seen on the walk down mainly on the vegetated bits of land near the car park, I also saw a Great White Egret fly right over the distant marshes. I walked down and joined Jane & Paul F who hadn't relocated the Twite, always difficult to see. However we enjoyed a nice flock of 25 feeding Snow Buntings, around 7 were males . Seen in flight by the ridge then feeding near the feeding station and giving nice views at one stage. Jane spotted 2 Great White Egrets flying left over the distant marshes and we also had a nice flock of 80 Linnet with a very distinctive white headed bird, which looked for the world like it had a Snow Bunting head on a Linnet body! It was pure white with a brown patch on the ear coverts/ cheek. It was seen perched on grassy vegetation and even picked out easily in flight the white head was a real stand out. We walked back checking the marshes as we went but the famed Ferguson luck was lacking with the Twite on this occasion.

Bill Oddie back on TV!

Joy of joys, it is great to see that Bill Oddie back on TV, co-hosting a wildlife programme again (and not before time!) Set your alerts, timers, watch etc for "Wild Animal Rescue on Channel Five on Monday to Friday 20th January- 24 January 11.15am and repeated at 7pm (don't forget you have the C5+1 option on Freeview 44).

Inquisitive garden birds

On Sunday 19th January, as I was cleaning out the bird feeders this afternoon, both a pair of Blue Tits and a Goldfinch flew into adjacent trees to see what I was doing, I made sure I put out fresh supplies of peanuts, sunflower seeds and hearts and niger seed, fat balls and a 'fat" square too and of course, water too.

No show Shore Lark (again!)

On Sunday 19th January, I started at Hinton first and the 11 adult Bewick's Swans were still in the field but not close enough for photography (I stayed in the car). I then went onto Kessingland North beach shore pool, initially 3 Sanderling flying around then a nice group of 8 Sanderling (a good tally and my highest tally in the north for many years, on what has become an increasingly uncommon bird here, easily the highlight (together with the Bewick's) of the day) flew onto the beach by the sea and were there a little while until flushed by walkers. Whilst checking the shoreline, 3 Ringed Plovers flew onto the beach, but sadly were soon flushed out to sea by dog walkers. I checked the whole of the Pit edge and round the seaweed. drift wood around the top tideline but no luck, disappointing to miss this bird 3X on the trot, now.

Long- tailed Duck & Cranes disturbed again by Toggers

On Saturday 18th January, I headed out to Ormesby & Rollesby broad early on in order to try and see the LT Duck before any recreational boats came out. Initially I couldn't see any, but there were 4 fine male Pochards and 2 male Goldeneyes further back, with 2 male and a female Goldeneye on Rollesby broad. Initially no sign of the LT Duck. I rang John H as he had seen/ re-found the LT Duck last Thursday, and he said it was on ormesby Broad east of the road, right at the back. I scanned to right at the back and again no sign, when a small boat, came out from the southern edge of the Broad, first a male Goldeneye, then out of nowhere the male Long- tailed Duck flew out from the southern edge and was swimming in exactly the same spot where I saw it last year. The boat came further out and flushed the Long- tailed Duck and it was flying straight towards me but settled in the mid broad area along the northern edge so a lot closer than before but not really close enough for the camera. The Long- tailed Duck swam right and I followed it until it again disappeared as if like magic! Again stopping off at the Broadland site for the Cranes, I saw 2 adult Cranes feeding in the field to the left of the barn, where I had a quick look and left them feeding. I then went to Ranworth Broad, parked up at the NWT Centre car park and walked out to the Broad, some parts of the wooden boardwalk were water logged. Looking on both Ranworth and Malthouse Broads, there was no sign whatsoever of the dodgy hybrid Fudge duck. Masses of Wigeon that flew probably at least 1000 Wigeon and 400 Teal. Gunshot from surrounding areas regularly spooked the Ducks that flew around and then settled on the Braod again. Walking back just before I joined the road, both a female Siskin and a Lesser Redpoll singletons seen in Alder trees. I could heard the chuttering of at least 2 Nuthatches but initially I couldn't see them walking round to Dead End Farm, a male Great- spotted Woodpecker was posing nicely in a tree in a sunlit spot, as I got the camera out gunfire rang out and it was off. A Song Thrush flew up into the top of the tree then away. Finally a Nuthatch flew into the big tree and started feeding along the big middle vertical branch. So some nice woodland birds seen very pleasant viewing them despite gunshot going off at least 10X. Back at the regular Broad land site, it was again very disappointing to see not one but 2 sets of Toggers (again with no bins but cameras with 400mm lens down both tracks, both left and right of the barn. Not surprisingly the 2 Cranes were not in the field to the left. To the right of the barn, despite the Toggers being half way down the path, there was initially an impressive flock of 11 Cranes including 1 immature bird. The Toggers walked further down, flushing 3 adult Cranes flying away and the rest walking to the north east corner of the field furthest away from the Toggers. I have again taken pictures of the offenders. This selfish behaviour must stop as the Cranes are being constantly disturbed and they are disturbing a schedule 1 protected bird. A look around the Ludham airfield loop, very disappointing failed to reveal any wild Swans or any birds of note, save for a group of 5 Egyptian Geese.

Telescope back and Bewick's Swans in the rain

On Wednesday 15th January, I went down to Viking Optical to pick up the scope which had been repaired as the trip bush had been cracked and this was fully replaced they had also cleaned and serviced the scope and it was a good as new, I could see the difference the scope was much brighter. I asked about the loose screws on the tripod bush of my big 500mm lens and they called out the engineer who brough out a 2.5mm Hex Allen key to tighten up and spray a little loctite in too hold in place. Fantastic service. I had really clear bright views of the 11 adult Bewick's Swans still just south of Hinton/ Dunwich 5 ways in the field adjacent and west of the B road. No further time as I had to be back atwork at 11am.

Kessingland & Halvergate Marshes

On Sunday 12th January, a look at Kessingland North Beach failed to reveal the hoped for Shore Lark, where I was hoping to get some pictures of said bird. There had been a dog walker around there just before I arrived so it may have been flushed. However by the south side of the Saline Pool, 3 Sanderling plus a Ringed Plover flew in and a 4th Sanderling joined them but were flushed off by a dog walker. Walking back to the Heathlands steps, 2 Sanderling flew past me back towards the Saline Pool. At the Pool near the steps were a further 2 Sanderling feeding by the edge of the Pool and I managed to get some pics of these confiding birds. Next stop was Halvergate Marshes by the bend, again no initial sign of the Cattle Egret although a Little Egret was seen in the field north of the road. A large grey male Sparrowhawk flew low over the ground and west. Walking back to the car looking back towards the barn, amazingly I could see the Cattle Egret walking close to the barn, I was going to park up there staying in the car and using as a hide for pictures. But before I even got back into the car, the Cattle Egret flew out and into a field near the wood, where it promptly disappeared. It started raining and driving back along the Acle strait, a female Sparrowhawk flew very low over the road flying south.

Covehithe Broad Geese and Minsmere GW Teal

Benacre and Covehithe are both great winter locations for birding and having already seen the Shore Lark & GNDiver in the area, I was keen to try for the Covehithe goodies. This morning on Saturday 11th January, was very grey and cloudy. I walked down to Covehithe Broad because I particularly wanted to get some pics of the Tundra Bean which had been associating with the Greylag Goose flock there. Birds can often show rather well around the Broad area providing they aren't disturbed and it is a very nice walk down with opportunities for seawtaching. Mercifully, there weren't too many people about (unlike Christmas Day!), but I noted there were 2 sets of dog walkers already on the beach. I wasn't therefore surprised that I couldn't see any Geese as I walked down, but just before I arrived, the dog walkers had disappeared and rather fortuitously, a big flock of c100 Greylag Geese landed on the northern arm of the Broad. I scanned from the bracken area by the path and initially near the north end, I spotted the fantastic Tundra Bean Goose. Another small Goose flew in, it was the excellent Russian White- fronted Goose. It had settled in the flock further north than the Bean. I spent some time with the flock and they were quite confiding and with careful field craft, I eventually managed to photograph the flock (who were quite excepting of my presence) from the edge of the Broad. The Tundra Bean spent a lot of the time at the back of the flock and then swam to the southern end of the flock, where it was joined by the White- fronted Goose. After 90 minutes the sun finally came out a lit up the flock. By this time the Tundra Bean was along the southern section and occasionally joined by the White- fronted Goose. At times the Bean was the closest bird of the flock but sadly this wasn't the case when the sun was out. 2 Greylags swam strongly right followed by the Tundra Bean. Walking down to the south section of the Broad, I saw 11 Gadwall, really nice to see a fine male Pochard, sadly too rare a sight nowadays and a pair of Goldeneye. As I walked back I heard a Water Pipit. A few minutes later gunshot rang out, the Tundra Bean Goose promptly took to flight flying north- west. I scanned for the White- front, it had gone too. My cue to leave too. A look out to sea revealed a Grey Seal which poked its head out briefly and 3 Kittiwakes all adults flying south. Next stop, between Blythburgh Water tower and Hinton/ Dunwich five ways, looking in the field just west of the B road, I could see the excellent group of 11 adult Bewicks Swans and I parked the car and had reasonable scope views. Then onto Minsmere and I bumped into Keith and Jane W, who told me they had just seen the GW Teal from the North Hide looking towards the east hide. Initially I couldn't find it but noted 2 Avocet, loads of Teal probably 1500+ and there was back up expert help either. Until Ivan L. came into the hide. I then spotted a wonderful group of 5 Goosander in the pool of water in front of the East Hide, there were 2 resplendent males with salmon-pinky-white underparts and 3 females. They swam over a ridged island spit at the side where they promptly went to sleep! I shouted out the Goosander spot and Ivan was able to get the other occupants of the hide onto them. Richard D came in and we redoubled our efforts to find the GW year which remained elusive after half an hour of searching. Richard thought like me, it was probably asleep on the islands just north of number 8 island. Sure enough, I spotted the excellent Green- winged Teal, with vertical white stripe just behind the breast side, swim out briefly from behind the island but it promptly swam back behind the island. It swam out again and flapped its wings, I shouted out the spot and Richard got onto it instantly and Ivan again got the other occupants onto the bird too. The bird swam between the two islands and showed reasonably well for the next 10 minutes before again disappearing behind the island again. I walked back to the reserve centre and saw Ivan & Chris L in the car park, they suggested I check in the centre on whether the Whoopers were about they weren't but I drove down to near Island Mere parked at the far end and walked to the hide. 2 Marsh Harriers seen a female and male. As the light started to fade, a fine Kingfisher flew and perched on a reed at the wall of reeds to the right and fished and then flew to another reed before finally flying off. Finally as the light was fading a fine Barn Owl flew past the hide east and then flew north round the east side of the hide. No sign of the Whoopers who didn't come into roost, although there was a dredging machine working west of the hide.

Shore Lark at last

On Wednesday 8th January, leaving work early (my usual early finish on a Wednesday) I drove straight to Kessingland (it was avery gloomy murky day so I hadn't brought the camera) and with just bins I walked to the Saline Shore Pool at 2.50pm, on Kessingland North Beach walking past Heathlands, down the steps and signs looked good I could someone knelling on the beach taking pics of something on the south side the Saline shore pool. But they left as I drew near but within a minutes scan, I could see the excellent Shore Lark, a really nicely marked individual, probably a male, busily feeding on the pebbly beach along the southern end seaward side. During the period of observation it was busy feeding the whole time and after a while I left it there and walked back seeing 5 Common Gulls feeding in the ploughed field opposite Heathlands.

No show Shore Lark

On Sunday 5 January with the tooth playing up again I had no option but to sit it out this morning, but just after 12 noon the pain had subsided enough to try for the Shore Lark at Kessingland North beach. A calling Redwing flew over the road as I parked up but at the salt water pool opposite the Hollies steps, a Pied Wagtail was by the pool near the cliffs but there was absolutely no sign this afternoon of the Shore Lark, I met Alison & Chris A. who said dog walkers had just gone through in its former favoured area. Walking back by the fields opposite Heathlands and adult Common Gull and 2 adult winter Mediterranean Gulls were the only birds seen.

Eccles Desert Wheatear, Tundra Beans & appalling behaviour from TOGs at the Cranes

On Saturday 4th January, I was keen to go for the Desert Wheatear at Eccles, I got great advice from Jane F and parked at Hempstead Church and walked the 500 yards down the beach and then just south of there walking along by some rocks, a very poor looking young whitish cream Grey Seal pup was on the beach, looking clearly in a very bad way, it was lying on its back and it was not moving at all. I am pleased to report no birders were close to it while I was there. Although there had been earlier reports of appalling behaviour from people being too close and stopping the mother Seal to reach it, absolutely despicable behaviour. It was really good however to see John H, and as we walked along and a group of birders were talking and they actually said the bird was on the top along a path resting, so we walked up and viewed from the gate and it was seen resting on the path. We left it in peace. Around 20 minutes later, it flew onto the grey lip of the inland bit of the promenade, and it was seen very well albeit in shadow as it hopped fed travelling along and south along the top before it flew back onto a fence post. It then disappeared and around 30 minutes later we saw a load of birders rush up the steps, so we followed and behind the caravans we saw a little sandy area littered with bricks rocks and bric-a-brac and the very confiding Desert Wheatear spent time here feeding resting and I finally managed to get acceptable pics of this super bird. Walking back along the promenade the Seal pup had disappeared (I later heard it had been rescued by the Seal clearly under weight, lets hope it survives). Driving back to sea Palling no sign of the hoped for wild swans, but a Mistle Thrush was seen in a field by Waxham. Almost at the end of Horsey strait, around 500 yards south of Horsey Mill, by an area for 2 cars at the east side of the road, a load of Geese were seen what looked like 30 Pink- footed Geese, 15 Greylags and at least 20 White- fronted Geese. I then drove to Martham by and driving a mile down Collis Lane, I could see around 10 geese in the field, they looked like Beans and driving to the electricity sub- station on the advice of a Scottish birder, we saw 15 Tundra Bean Geese and then 4 Pink- footed Geese flew in too, reasonable if distant views. I then drove to a Barn somewhere in Broadland and 3 Cranes (2 adults and 1 immature). I stayed by the barn and took pics from there (but too far away for any decent ones) in order not to disturb the birds. It was frustrating that immediately 2 cars drew up too. 2 birders (who behaved impeccably) who viewed the birds by the barn and then drove off then 2 Toggers with 400mm camera lenses but no binoculars, I thought they might be trouble. One of them asked had I finished and was I going? I asked and requested them to stay by the barn (explaining they would disturb the Cranes if they went any closer) but I had a feeling they would venture closer, I drove off but then went immediately back and waited by the road side by the barn & saw they had walked down the path and the Cranes had initially walked back to the far corner of the field clearly disturbed and the Toggers advanced even further and the Cranes promptly flew off, appalling behaviour, I have photographed both these Toggers and their car registration number, if anyone wants to take this further, clear disturbance of a Schedule 1 bird, totally unacceptable! They had no consideration for the birds' welfare, it was as if they felt they had the absolute right to get as close as possible, absolutely sickening behaviour. No sign of the Cattle Egret at Halvergate although 2 Buzzards and a female Marsh Harrier seen hunting here.

New Year at Benacre & Ness Point

On January 1st 2020, a cloudy start to the morning I arrived at Benacre at 10am, as my tooth was hurting earlier in the day, but the pain had eventually subsided (I decided not to go to Hollesley) so I thought I could just go out locally. Parking up behind a row of cars. It was a pleasant surprise to see Maurice B also parking up. Just leaving was David B and his wife. We walked down saw Kevin B for a quick chat and onto the Benacre Approach fields we saw 15 Brent Geese (including 3 immatures) and 14 Barnacle Geese, a nice start! We also saw Clive N and after a brief chat went on our way back down to the hide. A couple were there in the hide and weren't sure if they had seen the GND just left of the Cormorant on the post in the water over the far western side of the Broad almost at the reeds edge. The couple left and Maurice and I wondered what had happened to the bird, I speculated that it might have swum down the left channel. This assumption proved correct when Maurice said he had it swimming right and we enjoyed distant views of the immature Great Northern Diver constantly diving and fishing and getting at least 2 bits of prey. Also on the far north side of the Broad were 4 Goldeneye (2 adult males, 1 imm male and 1 female). We decided to walk back and bumped into Carl B, who we showed him the GND and he excitedly told us he had seen a EWFG fly onto the sea, flushed by beach walkers it had joined the Brent flock on the Approach fields. I was keen to get there fast the sun was out, but as I reached the fields the sun clouded over again (typical!) It was still there with the 15 Brent Goose and I enjoyed good views of the adult White- fronted Goose, for a few minutes, it seemed wary, and as I looked down at the camera when a group of people walked past and the Goose was gone, it must have been flushed by them and flown off! (The same group of walkers who had flushed it from the beach) The Brents were still there. No sooner had this happened when a big flock of 25 Geese flew overhead and they separated into flocks of 11 White- fronted geese and 14 Barnacle Geese flying south. Around a few minutes later, I saw a flock of 14 Barnacle Geese fly past and south (the same flock from earlier?) A look at Asda Riverside, Lowestoft failed to reveal anything, nothing at Hamilton Dock either, next stop Ness Point and I looked over at the 'finger'/jetty and finally I had a double figure count of 10 Purple Sandpipers feeding at the end. My highest tally of the winter so far and just reward for checking over most days over Christmas! Later on in the afternoon, looking at cars at Lings with Jenny, I casually checked the western edge of the Grain silo and spied 1 Peregrine Falcon perched on the grey cowling hood near the top of the tower. Another good one for the year.