Last visit for 2020

On the afternoon of Thursday 31st December, I went back to Lake Lothing, the omens didn't look too good, as there was no initial sign of the RBM and 3 'fishermen' were walking about on the concrete pier, but I saw a close Redshank on the rocks just north of the wooden posts that just eluded the camera and a more distant Little Grebe. Suddenly, I spotted the female Red- breasted Merganser swimming left and near the channel, she then swam back and a boat coming in flushed it again and it flew towards the channel before settling down just beyond the wooden posts, reasonably close where I managed a few pics and there were now 2 Little Grebes together. As the sun became enveloped by cloud, the now silhouetted RBM came even closer, why is it more confiding when it gets cloudy?

Hooded Merganser and record tally of Goosanders

On Tuesday 29th December, a very grey and murky day but very enjoyable and rewarding day I took my exercise walk in a lovely part of the world (but still within our local council area), firstly driving past Blythburgh I saw the Bean Geese from the road, the usual group of 25. I headed for Butley and just NW of there was Wantisden corner (and Staverton Park area) and parking down a road just left of there, I parked by a a group of 4 cars parked (surely birders cars?), I phoned Craig the finder and got great directions from him. A group of 8 Crossbills chipping at they flew over my head and towards a group of Pines where I lost them. another birder walking back also gave me great directions and I bumped into gerald J who also gave me directions (always very handy for a new place visited plus told me to look out for the field full of Fieldfares) walking down the road through the flooded part and then opposite Wantisden Corner farm, I took the track left down to a red parked tractor and then walked over top a concrete building and then left again down to an area looking over an area of reed fringed water bordered by trees, where 3 birders were looking including Dick. The bird had just gone out of view, but in a pattern which was repeated 5X, it, the fantastic female Hooded Merganser swam out from a treed island, bigger than Smew but smaller than a RBM, obscuring the left hand of the mere. Its tufted fanned head and thin bill immediately noticeable. It then swam out to the middle of the lake and was very successful in catching fish, it caught at least 10 fish during the hour or so I was there. We were then joined by Paul & Jane walking down the track towards us from the other direction, a very convivial 45 minutes or so as we all watched the fine Hooded Merganser swimming out fishing then swimming left again (at its closest point, always the best place for photography against the dark water) befoire it disappeared for some 10 minutes before swimming right again and repeating the whole process. It flapped its wings 3X and was also very wary when a female Marsh Harrier flew over. A group of around 40 calling Siskins flew left over the Mere, a fine Great White Egret was at the back and flew up and flew back again. After around hour and a half the cold was getting to my feet so we all decided to walk back by the turnip field, the Fieldfares were back, an incredible flock of exactly 90 Fieldfares counted, plus a Mistle Thrush perched on a mole hill and 2 Redwings counted amongst their number, all these Thrushes gave off a wonderful winter vista, sadly all too rarely seen these days. The Thrushes were at the back of the field and in poor light so not suitable for photography but a wonderful winter vision to take in and marvel at. We also heard a Water Rail squealing. Bidding farewell to Dick and the Fergusons I decided to call in at Minsmere, driving in at 2.40pm I didn't expect to follow 4 cars driving in! All were non birders but I headed for the public hide and looking over to the East Scrape, I counted an incredible tally of 20 Goosanders, with 7 respendent males and 13 more subtle but still elegant & beautiful female Goosanders. My highest ever tally of this species in East Anglia, an incredible total. Walking back, I decided to check the pools just NW of the North Hide from the mound and was surprised and dismayed to see a totally selfish togger with a 400mm lens creeping to the edge of the scrape presumably to photograph some birds. I went back to the centre and spoke to staff including Ian B. who were going to take immediate action. UPDATE" Chris went over and spoke to the guy who claimed he wanted to photograph a Kingfisher! (My advice wait til island Mere or Bittern hides are open again or go to Lackford Pits SWT or Oultton Broad and don't disturb the birds on the Scrape at Minsmere or anywhere else for that matter!

Local again

On Monday 28th December, another look down Lake Lothing initially no sign, but the Shag was perched on the floating orange rig again. but I saw Paul & Jane F walk out to wards the concrete ship with intent and the female Red- breasted Merganser was present again, she swam to the back and didn'yt come closer until after Paul & Jane left preferring instead to swim around at the back swimming as far as the 'Excelsior.' After Paul & Jane had departed, the merganser swam a lot closer past the concrete jetty and into the corner just past the wooden groyne but by this time the light was fading fast.

Another local walkabout

As soon as they sun poked its head out of the clouds at lunchtime I was out and I saw Richard from the rail bridge and we saw the female Red- breasted Merganser this time way down in the channel looking east, the Little Grebe was also present. I then travelled to hamilton Dock, nothing there but at Ness Point by the finger I saw Rob H and we spied initially 10 Purple Sandpipers and around 8 Turnstones, most of the Sandpipers were feeding at the end of the finger, but 2 were a little closer, one hopped over to the rocks just south of the finger and was giving very close views in shade and another came closer the other side sometimes in sunlight, but our best views were of 2 feeding on the seaweed encrusted rocks near the compass, 2 were here and then Rob said we had a "Baker's dozen" ie. 13 Purple Sandpipers, because we could clearly count 11 at the tip of the finger. My highest tally of the winter so far! We left to the sound of feral young children being 'marshalled' by slightly older ones by the funnel, throwing a mint condition motorcycle helmet onto the ground repeatedly, with the visor coming off, so time to leave!

Festive walkabout

Early on Christmas day, I drove to Covehithe, going down the lane, 8 Fieldfares flew out of a close bush by the right hand side of the road. Parking at the end, I walked down to Covehithe Broad, an initial look and I failed to see the LT Duck but another scanned revealed with Mallard at the back edge of the northern section of the Broad, then the excellent Long- tailed Duck swam a little closer and at one point flapped its wings but unfortunately not captured on film. Also along the south section of the Broad was a female Goldeneye. A look out to sea revealed a constant stream of Divers flying north, most readily identified as Red- throated Divers with an amazing tally of 3,500+ Red- throated Divers counted (all flying north) in around a 40 minute watch. One ot two candidates looked interesting but were too far out to safely ID. However, on the sea mid distance was a flock of 14 Scoter (13 Common Scoter) swimming on the sea and the white- wing clip revealed a fine Velvet Scoter almongst their number, as if to confirm this, they all flew south with the white in the wings clearly seen on the Velvet. A female Marsh Harrier quartered the reeds at the back of the Broad. I then drove just past Blythburgh and took the first road to Wenhaston, overlooking the field between the village and the A12, initially no sign of the Beans but first 12 Fieldfares and then another 2 Fieldfares flew over my head and inland, but 22 Bean Geese first heard calling and then they flew over my head wheeled around and then settled in the field. When I scoped thenm there were definitely 25 Bean Geese in the field, I wonder where the other 3 had been? A look around the back roads of Benacre village was soon cut short because of flooding, indeed much of Kessingland levels was flooded on a scale I hadn't seen before. A look at Lake Lothing from the railway bridge I spotted the fine female Red- breasted Merganser swimming towards the concrete jetty, I waited until it dived and then ran into prome position on the jetty. But unfortunately a couple walking towards the waters edge pushed it further back and I hid by the wooden groyne but again it didn't surface very closely, it then swam towards the concrete jetty again and then went close to the waters edge I got really close but a thick black cloud meant it was apalling light (ISO 6400) on camera meant no pics (or silhouette only) despite how close I was to the bird, very frustrating, but nevertheless a great birding, but lousy photography day! No sign of either the Dabchick or the Shags! Merry Christmas and Season's greeting to all my readers, lets hope 2021 is a better year, a healthy one for evryone and lots of good birding, wildlife watching and photography!

Lake Lothing walkabout

On Saturday 19th December, I drove to the edge of Normanston Park and bumped into Rob Wil & his son Joel, he said the RBM was still there swimming between the concrete jetty and the boatyard waters, but when I walked over the bridge to the shore of Lake Lothing it had disappeared and there was no sign. I saw Paul & Jane F and we spotted, what is fast becoming a Christmas tradition,(!), the super sharp Jane who spotted 2 Shags perched on the edge of a concrete jetty, but one soon flew off. Whilst we were watching them, Paul picked up the fine female Red- breasted Merganser, shen than swam in along the northern edge of the water. We also saw 1 Little Grebe. Sadly a arer sight on these waters this winter. On Sunday 20th December, I visited again and the female Red- breasted Merganser was in the same area and the 2 Shags were on a bright orange floating jetty that occasionally drifted a little. Nice to finally meet Wildlifetog and Kevin C. again toggers on a rare visit from their Carlton Marshes habitat!

Very quiet at Oulton Marshes

On Wednesday 16 December, an afternoon trip to Fisher Row revealed very little, no sign of the EWFG flock, I did see around 20 Canada & a Greylag/ Snow Goose hybrid on Camps Heath marshes, a trek around the very muddy river path revealed Kestrel and a Grey Heron flying off from a dyke, plus 2 Meadow Pipits in a flooded field by the track. Absolutely nothing at all on Oulton Marshes no birds at all. In contrast, Peto's Marsh over the river was packed with birds with Wigeon, Teal, Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets and the red- tagged female Marsh Harrier flying over.

Greenfinch in the garden

On Sunday 13th December, in the afternoon, during a rain shower, nice to see a male Greenfinch come to the feeders, a scarcer visitor given the building site beyond and our trees and shrubs are the only ones within 40 metres.

Iceland Gull at Winterton

On Sunday 13th December, the weather was kind enough for me to drive to Winterton, by the roadside just north of Hemsby, nice to see a group of around 30 Pink- footed Geese in afield just west of the road. Parking at the north of the village I walked up past the Toad pools, seeing a male Stonechat and a Buzzard flying over the woods. I reached the dune over looking rock groyne 59, there was initially no sign of the Iceland. But many c200 adult Grey Seals lying on the beach and around 30 baby Grey Seals most small cream baby seals recently born. I spied a birder slighly further north and saw a fine 1st winter Iceland Gull, biscuit coloured with white wings, dark eye, bi-coloured pink and black bill. It was by the shoreline but after an adult Seal went fot it, it walked closer drank from the pool and finally walked right to the top of the beach being only 15- 20 minutes away! Ali R arrived and the fine Iceland Gull walking by the wooden groyne. A quick look at Filby Broad revealed 4 female Goldeneye and 30 Pochards right at the back, but no sign of the LT Duck (not to worried after having such excellent views of the bird at Covehithe Broad) which was seen later in the day. Good to see David from Strumpshaw.

Seasonal successful wild goose quest

On Saturday 12th December, I was keen to have a look for the Tundra Bean Geese just seen in fields off the road to Wenhaston. The problem was there are 5 different roads to Wenhaston off the A12, after 90 minutes of searching I finally narrowed it down to 1 of 2 roads (based on the grid reference provided) and finally taking the road, signed to Wenhaston 2 miles and Wormells Nursery, the first road west after travelling south through Blythburgh, after a mile a large field to the south of the road, I stopped and spotted 19 fine Tundra Bean Geese feeding in the muddier brown section of the field (the south east corner). Typically, smaller than Taiga's, as I explained to a birder who arrived and asked the exact same question of "what is the difference?" between them and Taiga's. I explained it's a bit like the difference between Bewick's & Whoopers. With the Tundras size wise like Bewick's smaller, shorter necked and less long wedge shaped bills. Both having orange legs and black and orange bills. He also hadn't brought his telescope which I found surprising and Geese are nearly always distant when viewed and this flock was no exception. Next stop, Benacre and after thoughly wiping down the telescope, eye piece and tripod with an anti- bacterial cloth and wiping down with anti- bacterial gel for extra safety. I drove around the village of Benacre taking the road leading south from the entrance to Benacre Beach farm and just west of there in a field I was delighted to find a flock of 78 European White- fronted Geese, I counted thenm 3X they were busy feeding right at the back of the field and I stayed in the car to make sure I didn't disturb them. They were several thick dark belly striped males within the flock and they were constantly feeding. I got back home about 1.30pm too, too late to travel to Winterton.

Double Celebration Day!

On Wednesday 9th December, it was a double celebration day, as I was surprised and honoured to jointly receive 'JPUH Trust Employee of the month' (for Oct) for work I did helping a colleague at the local Clinical Care Commissioning Group and she very kindly put me forward for the award. I am really proud to work for the NHS, particularly the Paget where everyone works so hard and they all so dedicated to providing the best possible patient care. I am indebted to the great support I get from my friends and colleagues: especially the Library Team (Debbie & Karl), the Education Practice & Development Team and the JPUH Trust team as a whole and dedicate my award to all of them. It was a real honour to receive the award from our Chief Exec, she leads the Trust really well, it is a tough job to do at anytime but particularly now and she handles all of this with great aplomb. After I had received the award, I just had time after leaving the Hospital at 2pm to visit Ormesby & Rollesby Broads, stradling the A149, looking first on Rollesby Broad, I saw 2 female Goldeneyes. Then looking over the road at Ormesby Broad, I saw a group of 30+ Pochard (including 24 males) this bird is becoming particularly scarce locally so really nice to see this cold weather influx of these birds. I also saw the fine Slavonian Grebe (the reason for my visit) right at the back, which was frequently diving and it did swim a little closer but still distant. sadly no time to go onto Winterton but I'll leave that for the weekend.

Finally the EYW!

Another attempt for the EYW at Carlton Marshes on Sunday 6th December, I arrived at 1.30pm, I saw Paul (Paul & Sarah) and somone else scanning from just before the Ferry hide overlooking Peto's marsh from the western end. Only up to 5 Pied Wagtails seen and 2 Water Pipits. Paul had to leave at 3pm and at 3.10pm I gave up to and walked back and joined a group of birders including Rob Wil and Andrew E. I had mentioned to Paul earlier that the cavalry had arrived (when we spied Andrew Rob & James W walking up, although they didn't reach us choosing to view instead from just off the main track), that Andrew would probably pick up the bird and indeed he did! At 3.20pm, he said he had it It was mid way out on the grass just left of a channel of water. The superb Eastern Yellow Wagtail fed and then flew right, it perched on a small bull of mud and then flew a little way right, the group of Pied Wagtails had increased to around 15 birds and then it flew a little closer feeding with the Wagtails behind a group of Lapwings. It then flew right again flying by the river and then it was lost to view at 3.40pm. A Great White Egret was seen here. A group of 44 Fieldfares flew by and settled in a tree by the river and nicely framed by a pinky sky. Finally, 6 Redwings flew west and then a Great White Egret flew by and settled to roost in a tree by Whitecast Marsh.

Covehithe magic & second encounter with the Great Grimpen Mire

On Saturday 5th December, I parked at Covehithe village (nice to see only 1 car and only 1 pair of dog walkers coming back) saw Carl B briefly and then I walked down to what was to prove to be a very enjoyable visit to the ever reliable Covehithe Broad, in the field north of there were some 400 Barnacle Geese with some closer birds so I took a couple of pics and then walked down to the Broad, I was able to walk through the flooded bit on the beach near the northern path as I was armed with wellies. I could see Maurice B, Clive N watching a bird along the north section, as I reached them I could see it was the excellent Long- tailed Duck. It started to swim towards us and swam north along the Broad giving some exceptional views barely 7 metres away, couple with the early morning sun pokings tts rays through the cloud giving perfect conditions for photography. The LT Duck would regularly dive, giving me an opportunity to run into position and kneel down befoe it resurfaced. It was giving very confiding views, once it resurfaced with a string of pond weed around its bill. It then swam further north along the Broad. A fine male Scaup, with dark green head, yellow eye and white scaly back. It kept further back but at one point it also swam a little north and slightly closer before swimming back to the southern section of the Broad again. Further back was a pair of Goldeneye. Talking to Clive N, first a Knot flew around us and then south and then 3 Dunlin followed the same route again. Walking back I got momentarily stuck in what was to be my second encounter of the Great Grimpen Mire this year (see 31 August entry for 2020 for my first encounter!), as the flooded area on the beach I got completely stuck for a few minutes before using a firmer section of the beach to release the tight grip it had on one of my wellington boots! I then went to Southwold parking in North road and walking to the Boating Lake, no sign of the female Scaup, but I saw Rob H and we saw 4 Bearded Tits in the reeds (bordering the back of the cafe) including 2 fine adult males. I had a quick look for Purple Sandpiper but didn't see it, the skies were looking leaden grey and about to burst with rain/ hail so I made my way back and just dodged the heavy hail storm that followed. Nice to obtain the Suffolk Bird Report for 2019 where I was very pleased to see 7 of my pictures published inc. Great Northern Diver, Razorbill, Purple Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Stock Dove, Darford Warbler and Pied Flycatcher. (A very fair selection).

No sign again

On a bitterly cold dull afternoon, on Wednesday 2nd December, I walked to the bund overlooking Peto's again, saw again, despite a good look only notable birds seen 4 Water Pipit, 10 Pied Wagtails and 100+ lapwing. A poor return, again no sign of the EYW.

Harbour & Ness Point goodies

On Sunday 29th November, a look in Hamilton Dock revealed the Red- throated Diver in the southern harbour area near the South Pier where it was joined by a second Red- throated Diver. Some calls revealed 2 excellent Russian White- fronted geese flying high over the Hamilton Dock and inland. OFB turned up and we drove over and walked over to the South Pier, we were joined by Steve from Norwich, initially no sign then I saw a single Red- throated Diver back in Hamilton Dock, so back to Hamilton road and we initially had mid distance views. Chris M joined and he walked over to Ness Point and called us over he had spotted a Guillemot but it was drifting quickly north with the tide and I ran to join him and eventually picked up the fine Guillemot just before it reached the "finger"! 2 calling Oystercatchers flew south over the sea. Later on typical to hear the EYW had turned up at CM again.

No sign of the EYW at Carlton Marshes

On Saturday 28th November, started when queuing in the car for the delicious breakfast meal at a well known fast food outlet, when a lady kindly told me I had a brake light out and went down to Halfords to soon have it replaced! Despite walking down to Peto's, no sign of the elusive EYW (a really good potential Lowestoft & Lizard tick) as expected it wasn't seen at all. 2 fine Glossy Ibis flew in however from west of where we were standing from the southern view point bund over Peto's and settled in the marshy reed area by the river bordering Fisher Row. 2 Great White Egrets were seen, one fishing just west of us it flew into the flooded field in front of us and showed well, whilst another flew south. Walking back and looking across north they were seen walking about and at around 3.40pm they flew north towards Somerleyton.