Sotterley lacking the star birds

On Sunday 22nd November, I had my exercise walk at Sotterley, looking carefully around the Dell, just north and south and along the field margin to the west of there very little seen. Walking over to the church, checking the weir, a fine Grey Wagtail flew off. Nothing by the church either. Walking back past the lake, a chattering Nuthatch, revealed said bird scaling up down and a thick trunk of tree, where at the very apex, a Mistle Thrush perched and it was soon joined by its mate, a second Mistle Thrush. A group of 5 Long- tailed Tits, included 4 Blue Tits and 2 Goldcrests. 7 Redwings were seen flying north- west overhead. Walking back along the meadow to the Dell, a mewing Buzzard was heard. Again, checking the Dell, nothing here but 14 Redwings flew east. Walking back to the car, through the trees I could see a Carrion Crow mobbing a Red Kite. Not bad, however my Sotterley hoodo continues as just 20 minutes after I left 1 Hawfinch was seen flying north and later in the afternoon, 4 were seen along the northern edge of the Dell, Sotterley almost matches my seawatching exploits to equal, an epic fail!

Greenfinch in garden

On Saturday 21st November in the morning, a Greenfinch was seen perched in the Cherry tree briefly.

Shore Lark (the highlight) the low light complete lack of fieldcraft X2

On Monday 16th November, I walked along the Lowestoft North Denes and in between the 2 shelter belts I was astounded to see a so called 'birder' standing slap bang in the Dusky W territory amongst the bracken in front of the large bush. What utter stupidity, I called him back and he apologised saying he didn't know about it's territory but surely common sense would override this apparently not! I heard a Firecrest but not seen, unsurprisingly no sight nor sound of the Dusky, I waited half an hour and then walked back and in Link's Road car park, 6 adult winter Mediterranean Gulls including one ringed individual (white ring black letters E861- one I've seen several times before, an old friend, first seen as an adult winter 20 September 2013, 26 October 2016 and 24 September 2020)) and 2 Common Gulls. Walking down to Heathlands, a LT Tit flock comprised a couple of Goldcrest and a calling Chiff- Chaff, by the pool nearest the sea, I saw 2 feeding Sanderling and also Tony B and we walked north along the beach and I checked the bit where the water kinks inland and sure enough an excellent Shore Lark flew up and onto the beach shore line where it gave good views and posed nicely for the camera for 10 minutes before it suddenly flew across the water and landed along the inland edge somewhere. We saw Nick M he tried elsewhere, as Tony and I walked back around half way along, a Shore Lark suddenly flew in and settled along the shore edge before feeding by the marram grass in front of us, I tweeted it out and after some gesturing Nick who was walking back from the inland side saw it. Walking back, I looked back and 4 Sanderling flew south along the pool. I was dismayed to see 9 large dogs not under control with 5 people laughing they were splashing in the pools. They were heading in the direction of the Shore Lark pool and i tweeted out a warning to the birders present there and sure enough they were disturbed but did eventually conme back. A walk from Walberswick Hoist covert car park revealed a calling redpoll flying inland just I got to the marshes, nice to see Dick W, we had a catch up and Dick said have a look at the really confiding Snow B's. So when I reached the beach, I walked left or north for 30 yards and then on my knees I got within 30 feet of the super confiding 6 Snow Buntings (2 males and 4 females) feeding in the green patch by the post leaning at a 90 degree angle seawards. Light was very poor sadly but before I could get more than a couple of shots, another complete idiot walked straight up to me and bellowed "Where are they mate?" He still couldn't see them still them (should have gone to Specsavers! Other optical retailers are available too!) when I politely asked him to lower his voice, he didn't resulting in 4 of the birds running back soon to be joined by the other 2. By the pool just north of the path, I heard an EYW plus 8 Teal, 3 males and 5 females. Plus a Great White Egret flew past right over the path ahead of us, the second seen after one flying over the reeds further south. Walking back by the planked walkway srcub area, a flock of LT Tits included a Marsh Tit (heard only, 2 Goldcrest and a briefly confiding Lesser Redpoll. Does my current age of 56 mean I am turning into a Victor Meldrew??

Birthday birding

On Sunday 15 November, despite the poor weather forecast I was out early and along the Lowestoft North Denes between the first and second shelter belts north of the Oval, the Dusky Warbler was in the bracken at the base of the slope, I could hear it chacking and split second views were seen in the bracken and frustratingly it showed out in the open for around 10 seconds when I was texting the information out. It flew to the back hawthorn bush and parts of the bird were on show for a few minutes but parts were obscured too, at 8.05am. In Links road car park, 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls seen. The rain started and I went to Ness Point where there were gale force gusts and the rain was pelting down stinging my face, probably some of the most extreme weather conditions I have faced at Ness Point! Unsurprisingly nothing seen! Retreating to the the sanctuary of home I only ventured out again after the rain had stopped. Walking to the pines by the second shelter belt, I could hear the high pitched "wheezing" of a Firecrest (like a Goldcrest with a sore throat!) and sure enough a fine Firecrest appeared in front of me in the hawthorn, showing well briefly. The Dusky warbler was still in the bracken chacking constantly but again just split second views obtained. Back at the Links Road car park, an incredible 9 adult Mediterranean Gulls seen including "stumpy" the one legged indvidual and one ringed with a white ring but frustratingly I couldn't read it as they all flew off when a van headed straight for the Gull flock (some unhinged people around!) Not really believing, the Met office forecast of bright sun at Halesworth, I drove to Pakefield and sure enough it appeared bright to the south and west. So it was, all for 'Legs or bust and I drove to Dunwich. Walking down to the pools taking in 2 close Little Egrets, a wp Black- tailed Godwit see on the walk up. The Greater Yellowlegs was showing by the gap between the 2 pools, it walked throgh but then was seen in the gap, initially asleep, it walked through and fed really close even walking right in front of us on the most easterly part of the pool right in front of us. It would often catch fish, the sticklebacks appeared to give a slight problems as it coughed before the fish went down. It walked over in the company of a Redshank, it was very bright due south of us and cross lighting was a problem sometimes, sometimes OK but when it walked right in front of us unfortunately it was in shadow, but overall pleased with the pics obtained. 3+ Water Pipits seen and heard and the "chew-it" of a Spotted redshank too heard. walking back by the hill just west of the car park, almost at dusk, 8 Red Deer seen including 2 fine stags, "monarchs of the saltmarsh!" One an 8 pointer and the other a particularly fine 10 pointer!

Dusky Warbler still on North Denes

On Thursday 12th November, I walked back to the first shelter belt by the slope just north of the Oval, another birder was there, I immediately heard the chacking of the super Dusky Warbler and we had glimpses of it in the bracken at the back showing fairly regularly for a second or two views. It then flew over to the second shelter belt and showed similar views by the bracken here too before I had to leave for work at 8.10am.

Greater Yellowlegs still in poor light

On Wednesday 11th November, I had a half day and I immediately headed back to Walbersw at 1.30pm, but dismayed to see dark cloud. The wind was increasing too, so no chance on the EYW's so I walked straight to the Yellowlegs pool, a hard mile slog south on the shingle. I bumped into B and he said it was still there by the Little Egret at the back there. When I arrived the excellent Greater Yellowlegs was fortunately much closer, sheltering against the wind by a muddy bank on the right where there was an opening and it would occasionally walk to the back and out of sight before walking back again. It then spent a lot of time sheltering here. Nice to see aidan fro m CEFAS and amazingly a London birder wanted a lift to the nearest rail station, I politely declined, but absolutely no way illegal given the latest COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and a high chance of possible infection!

Dusky Warbler along the North Denes

On Tuesday 10th November, at first light I was down on Lowestoft's North Denes following Robert Wil's tweet from yesterday having found a Dusky on North Denes, I made my way to the first shelter belt north of the Oval and initially no sign, I looked around the Oval seeing very little but a tweet from Andrew E and I joined him looking in the scrub and bracken at the base of the North Denes slope opposite the first shelter belt north of the Oval. The chakking could be heard immediately and the bird was elusive but the excellent Dusky Warbler showed well briefly at 8.05am, I saw the bird back on in the bracken and it flew back into a tree and the distinct supercilia could be seen in glimpses. We moved toward the second shelter belt and a Tit flock moved through and Andrew E spotted a Firecrest, obviously not doubting this at all, but inconclusive views for me, so I still await my first 2020 Firecrest in Lowestoft.

Hume's Warbler at Gunton & North Denes

at 10.30am on Sunday 8th November, I joined both James W (the finder)and Andew E walking behind the Gunton Meadow SWT (same side as Tesco's Petrol station) and walked at the back bordering the Artists estate, I saw James W who explained the bird had flown further west, Andrew was there and had just heard it, then I heard it, the excellent Hume's Warbler, its distinctive lost chick call and saw the bird, a greyer version of YBW with buff supercilia (rather than yellow) and buff on flanks as it moved quickly through the trees moving west the whole time, showed reasonably well for seconds before it over the path and into some large trees bordering the Artists residential estate. Around the North Denes, no sign of the YBW in warren House wood, little along the North denes. The area of the North Denes had been mown with the middle area left. Behind the Links Road car park, both the male and female Stonechats were showing well and I managed a few pics, as were a Common Gull, 1st winter Mediterranean Gull and adult winter Mediterranean Gull (all unringed) amongst the BH Gull flock (3o birds).

Migrating Thrushes again

On Saturday 7th November, at 10.15 pm, 2 calling Redwings and a "chacking" Fieldfare flew over outr house at Parkhill.

A Walberswick "most excellent adventure"

On Saturday 7th November, for my exercise walk I decided to visit Walberswick in the hope of seeing the Eastern Yellow Wagtails and maybe see erupting Bearded Tits and Snow Buntings. I parked by the side of the road at Hoist Covert, with 3 cars already parked there and walked through the rather wonderful scene of Hoist Covert woods, the reedbeds were alive with tpinging Bearded Tits although I didn't see any until I got to the shore pools. A female Marsh Harrier quartered the reeds behind the mill. Taking the path to join the beach, immediately soth of the path, was a pool and I could see the excellent 1st winter Eastern Yellow Wagtail along the near edge showing well until I set the camera and then it disappeared, joining a few birders on the beach (less than 6 and socially distanced) including Matthew D and Craig F, we eventually saw the very grey looking 1st winter Eastern Yellow Wagtail (only a little yellow on its belly) around the near edge before it flew. We then saw it again by the same pool on viewed from the beach and it flew much nearer on the shingle beach, other birders (including Lee W and Dave F) ran by shouting Adams Rowlands had just found a Greater Yellowlegs on Dunwich shore pools! I stayed to photograph the presumed 1st winter Eastern Yellow Wagtail which was showing really nicely with just 2 of us in attendance! I then traipsed the mile along the beach further south and we joined a small group of birders scoping 1 of 2 birds on the pool at mid distance. The first bird was a Redshank, but the second was a magnificent 1st winter Greater Yellowlegs. A rare American visitor, stockier and slightly large than Lesser, with straw yellow legs and speckled brown above it was walking behind an island and then flew a short way to the northern side of the pool, where it continued to feed well, although 1 or 2 presumed Sticklebacks provided a swallowing problem on 2 occasions. This was the 3rd bird I have seen of this species, all in Suffolk having seen the Minsmere bird in 1985, the Southwold and Burgh Castle (Watsonian Suffolk but deemed in Norfolk) bird in 1995. My second Yellowlegs species in 4 days and probable 3rd (in number) of the autumn with the Runham bird being so shy an secretive unlike the Cley bird! A Great White Egret flew north along the reedbed and 2 Little Egret seen. Then the fine adult Eastern Yellow Wagtail, basically grey above and yellow below. It walked towards me then flew north. Walking back to the pool just south of the Dingle hills path, both the 1st winter and adult Eastern Yellow Wagtails feeding together, often flying up together and spiralling up then down again. I saw the adult Eastern Yellow Wagtail feeding along the edge of the beach it then went down into a dyke I was going to follow it when it suddenly appeared o the beach right in front of me, unfortunately as I spun round to get these pics, the ground gave way and the noise flushed the bird and I didn't get the close pictures I was hoping for. Walking 50 metres north, by the fedding area, 4 fine Snow Buntings seen. Walking back Matthew D had 2 fine looking moths, both Oak Rustic (brown moth with a white spot on each wing) and Olive Tree Pearl (white micro moth although quite big, with brown leading edge) and released them on Oak tree leaves.

Viz or audible mig at the Paget, out shopping & at home

On Friday 6th November, as I was having my lunch outside at 1pm, I heard a Grey Wagtail flying around the Burrage centre at the James Paget Hospital. Shopping at Aldi at 9pm I heard several Redwings flying over and then completing my shop at Tesco's Gunton between 9.30- 9.40pm I could heard the regualr hooting of a Tawny Owl from Gunton wood somwwhere behind Tesco's petrol station and Redwings again flying over both Gunton Tesco's superstore and our home at Parkhill whilst I was unloading all the shopping.

The ultra showy Lesser Yellowlegs at Cley

On Wednesday 4th November, I caved in and finally went for the Lesser Yellowlegs at Cley because a) reports were saying it was really showy and b) for once it would be a nice sunny day finally c) also it was the last day before lockdown, so it was today or bust. Having booked a morning's leave off work, I left at 6am in the morning and by 7.30am I was drawing into Cley NWT car park. Lesser Yellowlegs is a rare visitor to the UK from across the "pond" usually blown over by westerly gales. After receving excellent directions from John H I walked left and past the entrance to the hides but couldn't see it in the flooded fields, walking down towards the hides no sign there either so back on the footpath near the road, I saw a chap scurrying by, I followed him and saw another 5 toggers looking just over the fence at the excellent Lesser Yellowlegs, which was this side of a puddle barely 5 metres away, it was incredibly confiding even walking to within 2 metres of me, but it was constanly on the move, initally in shadow but later as the sun rose it shone on the bird as it was continally walking around feeding giving superlative views. A dog walker with 2 dogs off leads spooked it and it flew over to the next field where it was further away and it settled the far side of the puddle where it stood for a while and preened. A male Stonechat flew by and perched briefly on the fence further down. At this point I left, no chance of enetring the hides before 10am (which was very disappointing as I knew I wouldn't get a chance to look for a long overdue Norfolk tick Caspian Gulls which had been seen on the reserve recently. A walk down the east bank only revealed 3 Pintail on the far pool and no sign of the Scaup, although Wigeons were calling on the marsh the other side. No sign of any Otters either.