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!