Nordic Jackdaw at the Paget

On Thursday 27th February, a Nordic or Scandinavian Jackdaw was seen flying and soaring only just over the Burrage Centre at James Paget Hospital at 3pm flying north and then slowly south, although only seen with the naked eye, the white area on both neck sides was very obvious (and more prominent than ones seen at Skultuna just north of Stockholm, Sweden a few weeks ago).

Purple Sands and Shag defy the blustery conditions

On a very blustery Saturday 22 February morning, a visit to Ness Point was in order and I saw Chris S (new birder) who had kindly tweeted out about the dozen Purple Sandpipers he'd just seen. He explained to me there were at the far end of Ness Point wasting no time I was soon there and sure enough by the far ledge the birds were still there. However, only 4 of their number flew onto the ledge with the waves lashing against the defence rocks, 4 fine Purple Sandpipers. Carrying onto the northern end of Ness Point, I saw a further 6 Purple Sandpipers on the rocks showing well. No wanting to disturb them, I walked around to the sea wall for some height to see if I could count them. 6 then flew and joined the others and when I walked back there were all on the ledge area I counted a wonderful cumulative total of 12 Purple Sandpipers all present and correct! My highest total this winter. Very sad to see work has started on the "Ness Point Park visitor attraction" with a road transacting the Netposts and running alongside our local heritage. Expect some development, more people and less migrant birds and wildlife, what a waste of time and money, sometimes I despair. Moving onto Oulton Broad, I walked back to the Mutford Lock bridge and the Shag that had been tweeted out by Jane F was still there and I took a few photos from the railing. The fine 1st winter Shag was lying down half way back along the jetty facing south, it was very alert, constantly vigilant and looking around but it remained there during the half hour period of observation.

Flocks of Fieldfares but no Owls at Carlton Marshes

At 3pm on Tuesday 18th February, in far from ideal conditions, I drove down to Carlton Marshes parking by the railway line, having seen 2 Muntjac Deer by the roadside. It was overcast and breezy and not surprisingly no Owls were seen flying (now my 5th unsuccessful attempt to see and photograph SEO's, although the first 2 attempts I went to the wrong area!) A Buzzard flew by proved to be the only bird of prey seen, proof that conditions were far from ideal (but I had to go as I am working the rest of the week). A distant Chinese Water Deer seen. A flock of 20 'chacking' Fieldfare flew into the tall birch trees bordering the reserve. Walking back by the railway line, another flock or same of 15 Fieldfare seen in a tall tree. These were the highlight of this late afternoon walk, Fieldfares have been conspicuously absent around the Lowestoft area this winter (although it has been a relatively mild one so far).

Kessingland shore pool birds

On Tuesday 18th February, at Kessingland North beach, I wanted to take some scenery shots for my forthcoming talk on Friday 3rd April at 7.15pm at St. Marks Church, Oulton Broad (all visitors welcome!) for the Lowestoft RSPB, but I could see immediately that the shore pool had increased in size dramatically and walking around I saw the 8 Sanderling along the west side and then 3 Ringed Plovers around the east side. I could hear Snow Bunting calling and 5 Snow Buntings flew in including 2 smart males, one was very white. Another Lark call heralded the arrival of the wonderful Shore Lark flew in and started feeding along the tideline just east of the northern section of pool. I was joined by 2 other birders and we waited to see if they would come to us. The Snow Buntings approached to within 50 feet as did the Shore Lark but they suddenly flew further along the beach (we hadn't moved) but they did come back and the Shore Lark flew back a little (we hadn't encroached on these birds one bit). The Shore Lark then sat down in the sand, a digiscoper arrived and we put him onto the bird and promptly left. It was refreshing to be asked by a lady dog walker, what bird I had seen, and when I explained she kindly called her dogs back so that they wouldn't disturb the Shore Lark. As I was walking back past the field just south of Heathlands, a lady said she had seen 5 "Snow Buntings" fly in and I walked along and saw 5 fine Sanderlings by the puddle, I explained to the lady the correct ID of the birds. A look around Lake Lothing from the railway bridge revealed an Oystercatcher by the shore edge and a Cormorant on a post but not the hoped for Shag.

RIP Benacre Hide?

On Monday 17th February, I first saw an excellent 1st winter Shag on the jetty by Mutford Lock Bridge, Oulton Broad. From there I got back into the car and drove to Covehithe. Driving along the A12 just before Wrentham, a fine Red Kite drifted west low over the woods and over the road then it drifted west. Seeing the sea had beached the Broad at Covehithe I decided to walk to Benacre Broad. Another 3 metres at least had fallen down from the cliffs following storms Ciara and Dennis. The hide was now barely 20 metres from the sea and this was at low tide. It's unlikely, unless the hide is moved and the Gooch estate so I am told is against it being moved onto their land (move a few hundred yards west so it looks out more from the south- west corner of the Broad) and Natural England unlikely to fund a move in any case. The next big storm or neap spring tide might finally submerge it and sweep it away. Such a shame for what was formerly a perfectly positioned and a very fine hide with a lot of very happy memories of being with great company and seeing some fine birds from a great vantage point, Wilson's Phalarope & WT Eagle X2 springs to mind). Initially I couldn't see the Diver, 4 Gadwall seen along the western end and then in the north west corner the fine Great Northern Diver finally surfaced and showed distantly on and off (it was constantly diving). I took some pics of the hide, the cliffs and the trees that had fallen down onto the beach, I attempted the walk to Covehithe Broad, but half way along a sandstorm forced me to retreat and retrace my steps.

Again no SEO

At 3pm on Friday 15th, parking at the far end of Carlton Marshes by the railway line, I was fortunate enough to see some birds fly from bushes including at least very welcome checking Fieldfare, my first UK one of the year. Walking down by the birches I saw Gavin D and we saw several Barn Owls and then walking around I saw Rob H and more Barn Owls were seen, probably about 5 in total. On one occasion a male Kestrel really harried the Owl and we also saw a Kingfisher dart through, and a Stock Dove flew into a birch tree overhead. The Toggers/ Owl mafia were further down the track and seemed to be behaving themselves and a distant white- headed Buzzard sat on a gatepost and walking back another Buzzard flew over the track. Again no sogn of any SEO's am I really unlucky?

Shag at Lake Lothing

On Friday 15th February, having cancelled my trip to Wales due to the impending onslaught of Storm Dennis, I took a look around Oulton Broad nothing seen at all. From the railway bridge, overlooking Lake Lothing looking east I could see 2 Cormorant and 1 fine immature Shag fishing, it would characteristically leap out of the water to dive. Looking right I could see Jane F by the concrete promentory and joining her I just missed another immature Shag which was flushed by a boat heading east along the river. A Little Grebe, (1 of 3 seen) was seen relatively close but the inevitable dog walker kept a little distant and when I went back it was very close and once it dived I ran into position and was ready for some pics, until I had the misfortune to meet yet another Togger with no consideration and lacking any fieldcraft (the two seemed to go hand in hand with these guys in my recent experience) who walked straight up to me asking me where the Shag was and next time I saw the Little Grebe (after a vanishing act of 20 minutes) it was by a distant boat.

No SEO at Carlton Marshes

On Wednesday 12th February, at 4pm I arrived at Carlton Marshes and walking down the main track over the Scrape I saw a a female Stonechat on a gate and a fine Great White Egret flying west at about 4.20pm. Having rang Jane F, I realised I had guessed wrong and walked quickly back east down the main track and past Spratts Water to the area by the Poplar trees to look over the marshy area for SEO's non of them but up to 3 fine Barn Owls hunting (but no sighting of SEO's), a male Stonechat on a reed and a Kingfisher darted past us (Jane & Paul F and I) and flew north low over the ground. As I walked back past Spratts Water , along the bushes to the left I must have unintentionally disturbed around 200 roosting Wood Pigeons.

LEO at Lenny's

On Wednesday 12th February, on my drive over Mutford Lock bridge at 12.20pm, I could see 2 Cormorants at the end of the jetty and what looked like a Shag half way along. Speaking to Jane F earlier she had had seen 2 earlier. At around 1pm after work. Lenny T very kindly invited me over to his house in Wenhaston, where I was able to view a wonderful Long- eared Owl, which had roosted at the end of his garden for the second day running and had been seen on a day or two previously. I have been fortunate enough to know Lenny for many years having been a Southwold patch worker with many great finds over the years. I was very grateful for the hospitality that both Lenny & his wife showed me and the welcome cups of tea, too! I spent a very enjoyable afternoon in the company of good friends, it was really nice to catch up and also that Gerald J and his wife also visited. The Long- eared Owl was perched on the trellis at the end of the garden under the cover of a Leyland hedge (nicely sheltered against the wind) and during the period of observation it stretched, preened itself and looked around but firmly remained in position throughout the period of viewing. Although the cross light rendered a significant challenge for my photography, I hope I got a few acceptable shots of what is such an enigmatic bird. Lenny and his wife told me that on previous visits it would fly around 5.30pm and Lenny later kindly updated telling me that it had a wing stretch then flew at 5.35pm tonight.

A corking bird is the Shore Lark!

On Tuesday 4th February, at the pool by Heathlands steps 8 Sanderling were seen, another good count for the area. By the southern end of the shore pool, the bird was perched on a bund, it raised its wings and then flew off seconds before I first saw the bird. Walking around the western end of the shore pool the bird flew over to the north- east edge of the pool and it fed amongst small areas of grass dotted around the sand and then along shoreline, where it gave superlative views albeit in poor light. The Shore Lark was showing well along the northern edge of the North Beach saline pool by the beach. On Saturday 8th February, a couple were scoping the bird from the south section of the now much reduced shore pool (40% had gone around the southern end) I asked them if it was OK to walk around, having received their assent, they walked back and I spotted the bird again by the north east corner of the pool, again by the shoreline. Taking care not to disturb the bird, I dropped down and got within 30 feet of it, it continued to feed undisturbed and it came towards me within 20 feet and I spent the next hour photographing this obliging bird. Again occasionally it raised its left leg, is it injured? I had noted this on Tuesday and Barry W had mentioned it this morning in a tweet. A very disappointing trip to Carlton Marshes late afternoon trip in seemingly perfect weather failed to reveal any SEOs for me at least, really only a couple of paths to follow as Share Marsh is closed until the spring, but I still couldn't find the bare branches where so many have photographed this bird.

Sweden trip

On Friday 31st January, Rob H and John H and myself took a flight from London Stansted to Sweden Stockholm Vasteras. A big thank you to Rob for all the organisation everything rang like clockwork due to the excellent preparation beforehand, thanks to John for the driving to and from the airport and to both for their good humour, company and great observational skills. Our objective was to try and see both Hawk Owl and Great Grey Owl, Pine Grosbeaks and photograph these and other Northern species but the forecast wasn't great with rain on both Saturday and Sunday only improving on Monday, not good for a long weekend's birding/ photography. As it turned out only half of Saturday was grey, overcast with light rain, the rest of the week was bright and sunny, with a harsh hoar frost on the Monday morning, temperatures were notably mild for this far north, being around 4 degrees Celsius and significantly with no snow. Daylight birding time was limited in mid winter from 8am to 4pm. Whilst waiting outside the airport to get in (a half an hour wait!) We saw a Hooded Crow fly in and then a few Scandinavian Jackdaws. A little later a second Hooded Crow flew by and perched on a tall post. A flock of 30 Fieldfare flew west over the airport too. We picked up our hire car, unfortunately it was an automatic, so I couldn't drive it! We drove to Slagarda and parked up just off the road and walked down a track a clear partially logged area with silver birch one side and pine trees the other. Just a few metres down the track then Rob spotted the excellent Hawk Owl perched on a silver birch tree stump to the left of us but fairly distant. Views were poor as we were directly looking into the sun. We decided to move on (try for the Owl later) and try for the GGO further down the road, no sign of that but some "peuu" calls eventually revealed a fine male Northern Bullfinch when I walked down the track it was perched in a group of small Larches but unfortunately flew (just as I saw it), into the forest before flying back ver the track and into a close of trees. 2 Roe Deer also seen in the field. Driving back to our accommodation at eden's Garden, a Tawny Owl seen briefly hunting flying around the vegetation just beside the road. On Saturday 1st February we tried again for the GGO the the Hawk Owl at Slagarda but no sign of either. A male Sparrowhawk darted left over the road in front of us. On route 66, driving through Skultuna (our nearest local town) a flock of 20 Jackdaws seen by the side of the road including several with white flashes on their necks indicating they were of the Scandinavian 'Mondula" race. A Hooded Crow was also seen here too. Driving along we saw a group of 80+ Fieldfare flying high and right over a field. Only a few miles from our accommodation we drove along a forest road and after a gap in the road on the right, we pulled into a muddy area on the left in front of some Silver Birch trees with a gently rising area over to Pine Forest beyond. Here was the rather muddy stop for the Skilsberg feeding station and we walked around 300 yards following a path on a gently inclining route to an area of several rocks and an this was scattered with a range of bird food. Looked the absolute ideal spot for photographing birds, but only if the sun came out, sadly it was dull, grey, overcast and accompanied by a drizzle of rain! In a small open area between the trees this was area was constantly being visited by a variety of birds the commonest were the c5 Blue and c10 Great Tits being the most frequent visitors. Also coming over to the lichen covered rock feeding on the peanuts were the frosty Northern race Nuthatches, 2+ seen, which would fly down to the smaller trees overlooking the feeding area and quickly flying over to the rock have a quick feed then flying off again. There was quite a lot of activity from the local Northern race of Great Spotted Woodpeckers, with up to 4 seen, thicker and more stubby billed this race. Occasionally 2+ Willow Tits seen too, always briefly flying in before quickly flying off again. A Continental Coal Tit also flew in too. We didn't see any signs of the Nutcracker/s on this visit, although Rob briefly saw one and we did hear them too, not far away. Suddenly some Crossbill- like birds flew in but calling strange calls "plait" calls, originally the cry "Crossbill" went up but I said "Grosbeaks" and they flew and settled in a Pine tree up against the skyline. As we looked at them, although red and green they were plump with white wing bars and not crossed bills. They were fabulous c20 Pine Grosbeaks or Talbits. They settled for a couple of minutes before flying off. I saw a dark bird fly over the Pines at the back, initially I thought it was a Raven but it turned out to be a magnificent Golden Eagle that flew over the clearing and then the distant Pines and then away. We also heard a large flock of at least 250 Siskin and also heard the whooping calls of a Whooper Swan too. A fantastic place and definitely worth another look. Next stop was the lake by our accommodation, Lake Hallsjon and I saw a adult White- tailed eagle was seen perched in the trees briefly whilst another adult White- tailed Eagle flew left over the distant Pines and then flew in our direction over the left side of the lake. We met an older Swedish birder and unusually he didn't know much English but he indicated via our Collins Bird Guide that he had a RLB and sure enough we saw a fine Rough- legged Buzzard perched up in a very distant bush over to the left. A pair of Whooper Swans flew right over the Lake and settled and another third Whooper Swan seen too. A hot tip that Beavers were to be seen at Skultuna bridge and we parked up just before the bridge and although we spotted a tell tale indentation where a Beaver had gnawed through half the trunk of a tree, there was sadly no sign. A boardwalk to a hide passed some Silver Birch trees, where 2 Redwings called and flew into the trees. By bushes to the left, 4 Great Tit were seen. Not much seen from the three tiered hide over a looking a small lake. Back at Slaggarda about 3pm for the GGO, again no Owl but we heard the call of a Bullfinch. In the evening we tried for Owls along the local road sides, we diid see 2 doe Red Deer in the headlights in the field of the farm as we drove out at night plus a Hare and by the road side near Skilsberg 2 Hare, 1 brown and 1 whitish coloured with smaller ears. Don't think this was a Mountain Hare though. On Sunday 2nd February, outside the Farm, we heard the distinctive calls of Black woodpecker, Looking behind our accommodation we saw a distant adult White- tailed Eagle perched high up in a tree but it was an obscured view. Rob played the call from his phone and John & I got into a Woodpecker which must have flown over from the lake island, we only saw its back end, looked black straight flight and notched primary feathers angled down, almost definitely a Black Woodpecker? but not tickable. Back at the Skilsberg feeding station, as we drove up we heard the unmistakable "kee-kee-kee" call of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. We saw Willow Tit and a Nutcracker flew to nearby Pine trees it came down to head height and I could see its head and shoulders framed between 2 tree trunks before it suddenly flew off and not to be seen again that day by us. Blue & Great Tits and 2+ Great Spotted woodpeckers also seen. plus 1+ Northern Nuthatch and again a big flock of Siskins was heard. Back at Slaggarda for the Hawk Owl, initially we couldn't see it, some Swedish birders said it flown to the next stand of trees and clearing area. We drove a very short way walking around the side of the trees, John spotted the Owl, but in the field to the right a lone Whooper Swan was seen. Plus a calling frosty Mealy Redpoll flew over. As we walked over to the Magnificent Hawk Owl, it disappeared and we went back to the original site and it was right at the back, we walked around the main path and circled round and met our Swedish birder friends where we got some nice shots as it perched on bowed horizontal thick branch of the tree. It looked around and was totally unperturbed by our prescence. We heard Siskins and saw a few calling Crossbills flying over. As we walked back incredibly a group of 5 Swedish birders were scoping another second distant Hawk Owl perched at the very pinnacle of a row of distant Pines. We then drove 45 minutes north to Fagasta. By the estuary by Fagasta, I saw some Goosanders, at least 3 with 1 male and at least 2 females on the water. Power station opposite was a clearing surrounded by trees very sadly no sign of GGO, but we heard the tantalising call of a Black Woodpecker that again eluded us. 200 Canada Geese seen by the side of the road as we drove back. At Slaggarda site 2 another go for the more local GGO, again no sign but Raven flew over and a dark, Black? Woodpecker flew straight over some trees. Not enough to tick off as a new bird, but surely it? I also heard a Pygmy Owl call once but again we didn't see it. On Monday 3rd February, at the farm there had been a hoar frost and everything was frosty and white, by the gate, 2 Yellowhammers seen and 2 Tree Sparrow by the bush. On the feeders was 1 Willow Tit. Again Rob used a tape to lure out and already calling Black Woodpecker, and this time there was no mistaking, I finally managed to see a magnificent Black Woodpecker fly over, straight flight and fingered primaries obvious as it flew over and disappeared into Pines/ Silver birch beingd John, our landlord's house. My big European bogey bird, that I have missed countless times finally laid to rest. Back at Skilsberg feeding station, glorious early morning golden hour light revealed 2 stunning Nutcrackers, 1 came down several times to feed from the moss covered rock, although I missed shots the first time (I blame the monopod) it come down twice more and I was able to get some great shots including one with a walnut in its bill. A Willow Tit visted a few times, whilst 2 Northern Nuthatches were showier and posed beautifully for the camera on the moss covered rock. 4 Northern Bullfinch seen on a path, and a male Northern Bullfinch flew in to the right and called a nasal "children's toy trumpet" call, great to hear this finally, it is so distinctive. 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen around the area too, plus a Treecreeper. Our penultimate stop was the Skultuna bridge, again no sign of Beaver and our final stop just before the airport was Eckliden feeding station, parking by an abandoned house, a group of people had gathered, (they weren't birders) perhaps a popular walking spot? We went to area of bushes by the side of a field the other side of the house with a couple of trees with bird feeders and bird table set up. 4 Tree Sparrows seen feeding on the ground. these were later joined by 2 Bramblings (1 male, 1 female) initially perched up in a bush. Also in the bushes were 2 female Yellowhammers. 2 Greenfinches also seen in the bushes. A pair of Northern Bullfinches flew into the bush and fed from the feeders. Another showy Northern Nuthatch particularly liked the food put out on the bird table. Whilst a Great Spotted Woodpecker liked a fatball contained within a banana shaped fatball feeder. The big prize here, were Hawfinches and a pair flew in, always more nervous than the other birds. One male flew into the tree and perched on a boughed branch but they never made it to the feeders. An excellent trip all in, which exceeding expectations but shame not to see GGO, we were unlucky in this respect as we tried 4X at one site and 1 at another (where it was seen again the day after we visited)!