A rainy and very gloomy Christmas

It rained almost continuously over Christmas (and it is still raining as I type!) and has been completely birdless, making it the worse Christmas ever (birdwise) and it was always going to be a difficult one following the year we have just had. We, Jenny, Matthew & I finally managed to get out on Monday 27th December to see the Seals at Horsey, parking by the bend in the road by the Nelson Head, a single Grey Seal seen near the slipway to the beach, but the entire area was cordoned off both to the beach and going south. The only way was to walk north and see the Seals by the pillbox area walking north towards Horsey gap car park. On the way we saw a female Stonechat and diverted up in a roped off area (unfortunately funnelling around 200 people into a small area not ideal with Covid Omicron raging remorselessly around the country at the moment, but I imagine there are a lack of volunteers to staff a wider area) by the pillbox with loads of Grey Seals c70 on the beach with several young pups including 4 cream white newly born ones, 2 adult ones fighting by the seas edge. On Tuesday 28th December, I firstly saw a Dunnock in the bush just behind the kitchen window which was a welcome surprise, these days. another break in the rain, I drove over to Cucumber Lane area, near Beccles which was difficult to find especially with the new road layout and roundabout west of Ellough. After eventually locating it after and initial drive into Coney Hill Beccles area. A thourogh look failed to reveal any Grey Partridges, a species I have continually dipped over the past 5 years (last ones seen were in 2016 at North Cove, courtesy of Dick W) even worse were 2 Buzzards seen in a field just off Cucumber Lane, which doesn't bode well. One was perced in a field feeding (hopefully not on a Grey Partridge!)

Christmas Eve gloom

On Christmas Eve, the weather matched the lack of birds as it was decidedly gloomy, albiet from 3pm onwards. A look at 3pm after work Christmas Eve revealed very little from the Bridge over Lake Lothing save for a Kingfisher flying across Lake Lothing, a Water Rail screeching from the reeds at Leathes Ham, plus a male and female Pintail, but no sign of the Sibe Chiff- Chaffs (again), or the Guillemot, Shag or Razorbill. Merry Christmas everyone!

Winter Thrushes

On Thursday 23rd December, as I was leaving for work at 8.20am I first heard the "pssst" then the chackle of a tight flock of 2 Redwings and 12 Fieldfares flying low over the house tranversing the corner and flying south west in the direction of Parkhill hotel.

Fogbow & fog bound migrants

On Saturday 18th December, after I had bought the Suffolk Bird Report 2020 from Minsmere, I was travelling back to Lowestoft in thick foggy conditions but suddenly it cleared a little and the sun came out so I diverted to Kessingland. Walking along the seaward side of the shore pool, 2 birds flew up a calling Sky Lark and the "churr" of a Lapland Bunting. I walked along and was joined by Paul & Jane F and we saw the bird perched on a black mound, I managed to crawl behind some Marram grass and get a couple of shots. We were soon joined by Andrew E. The sun had created a wonderful Fogbow. It then flew north a little way and we saw it again with 2 Snow Buntings. It was a smart male with chestnut at the rear of the ear coverts and a lttle black on its breast, probably the second smartest Lapland I have seen (following the breeding plumage smart male one of the 5 Laplands seen in the same place the previous year). It later flew across the water and was perched on the mud before feeding with a SkyLark in some short grass. We were joined by Rob H. It was here, a Pied Wagtail walked towards us, along the edge of the shore. It then flew south westwards. We then saw 3 Snow Buntings in the dunes just landward side of the pool, before 5 were seen along the seaward side and they flew along with the Sky Lark and the "churr" of the Lapland Bunting. We then saw it feeding for sometime by some Marram grass with seakale just to the right of it. Later on fed along the beach again, with 5 Snow Buntings right along the edge of the pool we all got reasonably close and managed to get some pics here. It was nice to see Matt S. who I had not seen since the Bush Chat in North Norfolk. Walking along to a marshy pool, Jane was walking along the westward edge and a super Jack Snipe (small with shorter bill) flew and flew the other SE side of the marshy pool. Walking back, I checked the Heathlands copse and checking it, as I al,ways do, (from October onwards) for Woodcock, I finally struck it lucky, as I walking through to the middle westward edge a super Woodcock flew up from the floor and flew south- east. This rounded off a really enjoyable stop off at Kessingland.

Suffolk Bird report 2020 record 7 photos included!

Delighted to have 7 photos included in the current Suffolk Bird report with pics in order of publication in the report: of the Rustic Bunting, Male Scaup, Male Eider, Little Stint, Little Tern, 2 Shags and Shore Lark.

Wiveton Barred & Salthouse Iceland

After a long week waiting for the weekend (& go for the photogenic Barred warbler) to come, it finally arrived and soon as I heard the Barred was still there I drove up to Cley, on the journey between Weybourne and Salthouse, I saw a big flock of c120 Brent Geese in a seaward field. and parked just west of Cley and walked down Leatherpool Lane on Saturday 11th December on the way to Wiveton. I saw Richard (with a very impressive white beard) and a lady and they gave me great directions and where to look for the Barred. By bushes with red/ orange berries opposite a stone pebble wall opposite Barn Cottages and also 30 metres further down the road by a single large spindle tree with orange berries, opposite Barn Cottages. As I arrived with another/ birder photographer a large grey warbler flew out undoubtedly the Warbler. We waited and waited and 40 minutes had elapsed, where we had seen a female Blackcap, 2 Bullfinches (an elusive male and a more obliging female), 2 Fieldfares flew over out heads chackling and into the wood behind us. Plus a skein of 200+ Pink- footed Geese flew west over our heads. Then suddenly the excellent Barred Warbler flew into the bushes spending most of the time at the very top of an ivy clad tree, it showed well. A group of younger birders arrived and 2 further birders one spotted the fine Barred Warbler gobbling down berries by the spindle bush. It then flew into the trees at the back of us, spending a little time in an Oak tree just behind us, sometimes at the very top of the tree and also the Blue Cedar behind. The bird then flew into the original bushes again. before being seen in bushes by the road, it then flew into a berry bush just within the grounds of Wiveton House, where I got my best shots and views of it gobbling down several berries and it posed well here, albeit in poor light. It then disappeared again. Before being sighted again eating berries in the spindle tree opposite. By this time the light detioriorated further at 2pm and I decided to leave despite the arrival of Jim L. At Salthouse, I parked just before the beach and walked onto the beach and it was immediately apparent they were very sadly, tragically 4 dead Seal pups along the beach. Looking furthest west, I could see the distant 1st winter Iceland Gull about to gorge on the pup seal carcus, before a couple walking up to it, disturbed it and the bird subsequently flew west towards Cley Coastguards.

A delightful Dovekie on Oulton Broad

On Monday 6th December, at first light I was walking down to Broadlands Marina but very fortuitously I met some birders who said that they'd seen Phil D. and he had said the Little Auk or Dovekie, was making its way over to the Boulevard. That was very good news a) because the bird was still about and b) it would be much easier to get pictures of the bird in this area. As I walked around it was obvious the bird was still about as they was a small gathering of birders including Rob H, Robin C, Phil D. and the bird was seen, a fantastic Little Auk or Dovekie, between the birds here and it was actively hunting as it was 'motoring' around diving frequently. The bird was very mobile seen bu the Boulevard close in and then by the private jetty running parallel with the Boulevard walkway and then swimming over to the public jetty where we could walk out and see it. It would then swim back to the Boulevard fishing between the boats often at very close quarters barely 3 feet away! It was often between the boats and diving frequently. Only when it started preening on the water was it more settled and providing opportunities to get some pictures, albeit in poor light. At one point it swam over to the Wherry and it was often seen at close quarters, albeit only for a second or too, as it was constantly diving. It was here I saw it dive and scyth under water using its wings effortlessly to motor through the water, where it caught a fish. An incredible sight to witness and a wonderful observation, I've not witnessed before and a real privilege to see. I managed to phone work and get my half day transferred from Wednesday afternoon to this morning, Monday morning, I took full advantage by spending around 2 hours with the bird it was a really good workout as I was running or walking quickly with the optical and camera geat and tripod.

Dips by the bucket load but Iceland was a welcome surprise

On Sunday 5th December, I was bitterly disappointed to miss out on the Barred Warbler at Wiveton, North Norfolk today and a late afternoon twitch failed to in pursuit of a Little Auk on Oulton Broad. James W walked around to the Marina and the Marina office and couldn't see it but James spotted a white- winged Gull, a 1st winter Iceland Gull flying away west which was a great spot and a personal first on Oulton Broad for me, having missed all the others. no sign of the Goosander either at Dead end on anywhere on Oulton Broad and to make matters worse the Auk was found again at the Marina just as I arrived home at 3.20pm, just as the light was starting to go, both birds (Barred & Little Auk) I am still get some get good pics of. Good riddance to 2021, I look forward to a better 2022.

Blinded by the light

Oulton Broad Dead end Goosander

Shock horror! A successful seabird twitch from Ness Point

On Sunday 28th November, after a terrible Saturday, amazingly I successfully twitched a fine Little Auk , which Andrew E had found & when I arrived by the funnel, the bird was drifting north out to sea from the Point (thanks to Rob H for relocating a tricky bird to pick up and letting me see it through his 'scope) it was about half way out, but difficult to see with the costant swell of the sea. Several Eiders flew north, including 4 Eiders (1 imm male and 3 females) and then 3 Eiders(3 females) and a single female Eider flew north. A flock 8 Knot flew north. Later 2 Velvet Scoters flew North. Plus many Red- throated Divers going north c30 and same number of Gannets too. You won't be surprised to learn this was my best seawatch of the year. I also spotted a close Grey Seal swimming southwards. I looked to the north of the Point, along the beach and part of Gunton Warren beach but little else was seen.

Nothing doing part 2

On Saturday 27th November, a terrible day missed the Puffin by 5 minutes at Ness Point, not much else seen and no sign of the Hume's Warbler for me late morning.

Shore Lark at Kessingland North Pool

On Sunday 21st November, a sunny but occasionally showery morning had me driving back to Kessingland and getting out of the car, I experienced from light rain walked past heathlands and down the steps to the beach this time wrapped up for winter birding with gloves, woolly hat and Wellington boots. I traveresed the inland pool and just reached the south- east edge of the big shore pool and almost immediately spotted the excellent Shore Lark, but on no! My canine nemesis were yet again upon we 2 small yappy dogs barking and running towards me yet the owner was walking south so I decided to run at the dogs to draw them away from the bird. Anybody observing this might of thought this was crazy behaviour but anything to keep the dogs from disturbing the bird. My unusual tactics worked well and after the dogs had ran back to the owner I was able to turn my attention back to the bird and it showed reasonably well feeding by the flotsam around 4 metres from the pool edge, I was joined by another birder and we both watched and photo'd the bird until 2 horse riders took the horses into the pool from the landward side and then cantered north (the horses, not me!) The Shore Lark flew onto the muddy spit and fed here for a while before it ran north and using the marram grass as cover we were able to get within 15 metres of the bird at one point and it was perched on a ridge I got my best pics before it fed again on the jersam just metres from the pool edge now half way along. We were joined by Neville & Tony B and I left the bird to look out to sea, where 30 Common Scoters were seen around half way out in a tightly packed formation. Back at Ness Point seeing, Andrew E. a very high tide had a single Purple Sandpiper fly up the compass, but inevitable people coming along soon pushed it to fly off north. Later on in the afternoon, after hearing of a Little Auk flying North from Southwold, I looked from Ness Point for 75 minutes, the first 20 not a single bird was seen out to sea, but eventually 4 Shelduck seen flying south, the highlight. Inevitably no sign of the Little Auk continuing my long standing run of never getting onto a bird seen flying in the direction of Lowestoft.

Nothing doing

On Saturday 20th November, the dull and gloomy day reflected the lack of birds with a look at Kessingland North beach no sign whatsoever of the Shore Lark or Snow Buntings anywhere along the North beach. A dog walking couple were continually lobbing a ball into the water for their Alsation dog, at the south end of the shore pool, so no chance there. The only birds seen were 3 Meadow Pipit and 18 Goldfinch flew south disturbed by a hunting Kestrel and a Little Egret that flew over to the large seaward shorepool and fished along the south- east corner. A look at North Quay Retail park, lots of Gulls on Morrisons roof accept the hoped for Caspian, no sign of Peregrines at the Grain Silo and nothing at Ness Point either, a very poor day, which really reflects this worst of all autumn's.

Birthday bonus: a fine afternoon out

On Sunday 14 November seawatching at Ness Point revealed very little I had received a puncture the day before. 15 November 2021, I had to work in the morning have to attend an important clinical skills MS Teams meeting. However by 12.30pm I was able to leave and I drove straight up to Waxham. Parking at the end of Penny Lane, I was fortunate to bump into Tony S. and he said he'd seen the Shrike all over! I walked down Penny Lane, no sign of it, but 2 Stonechats (first a male then joined by the female) seen on a line of bushes bordering the fields. So I walked north towards Waxham chuch along the path just east of the field. On walking back, I saw the excellent Great Grey Shrike fly across the field (oviously been inland somewhere) and it flew into a thicket half way along. No sign of it when I reached there, so I decided to look along the beach. In the far distance were around 30 adult Seals and 2 cream-white pups. Whilst out to sea, a Red- throated Diver sat fairly close in on the sea. Back at the car, I heard the contact call of a Yellowhammer and looking north-west along the road, I could see a fine male Yellowhammer perched atop of a tree and it was soon joined by a female Yellowhammer. I then heard about some Whoopers and parking near the farm shop at Inham, I looked east into a field, where there were aload of Mute Swans in a dip with a lake, just right of them were 6 fine Whooper Swans that swam left to join them. Driving back and parking back at Penny Lane looking due east and by the footpath to the Church, the fine Great Grey Shrike was seen very distantly in a bare spindly tree. Finally nearer, I stopped and counted 68 reasonably close Pink- footed Geese in the field just east of the road.

A trip out to Covehithe and Easton Broads

On Saturday 13th November, after a few really difficult weeks, I was really pleased to join Paul & Jane F over to Covehithe Broad where we saw first a female Marsh Harrier and then a male Marsh Harrier quartered the reeds at the back but very sadly, no sign of the hoped for Bewick's Swans. There were several Mute Swans, 5, 2 immatures and 3 adults. Out to sea, we saw first a flock of 123 Common Scoters far out to sea, they were joined by other Common Scoters and totalled 210 in all. Walking to Easton Broad by walking over the wooded cliff, no sign of hoped for Woodcock by a small field with Highland Cattle a Long- tailed Tit flock included 3 Marsh Tits and 1 of these birds regularly flew over to the trees along the cliff edge and fed on some seeds. By the Broad edge at Easton Broad, 2 Turnstone seen and walking back, an inquisitive Grey Seal stuck its head out of the water close several times. Several small groups of Starlings flew in off the sea (about 10 of groups c30 birds each). 2 Gannets flew North and a Red- throated Diver flew North as did 1 Dunlin too. Back at Covehithe Broad first a female Stonechat flew into the reeds at the back and then she was joined by a male Stonechat too.

At last finally some birds & a fine Merveille du Jour

On Sunday 24th October, a look around Gunton Warren revealed the Ring Ouzel, as I walked behind and aove the second Holm Oak copse just north of Warren House wood, the Ring Ouzel flew out and landed in bracken just behind. from here it flew into a Mountain Ash tree. It was later seen along the cliff top in flight at Gunton Warren before eventually returning back flying into the Holm Oak copse. A look out to see by Warren House wood revealed a fine mid distance Little Auk flying north, (my first for several yaers) which I was able to put a recently arrived Rob H onto. Meanwhile at Pakefield by Crazy Mary's Gulley, behind the lighthouse and assembled team of birders initilalay failed to find or see anything, until late on. We received a shout and Dick, Paul & Jane F, Maurice et al went to the southern end of a wooded shrub copse where we saw the excellent Pallas's Warbler that flitted up a tree then down again and then it flitted to the right hand side. It showed the array of broad yellow latteral crown stripes, yellow rump showed well when it briefly hovered in flight flycatching. A few minutes after we first saw it it disppaeraed lile a willo the wisp and was gone! On Wednesday 27th October, John H very kindly informed me he had caught a Merveille du Jour Moth and would I like to see it? A very pretty Moth that I'd always wanted to see. This was a very welcome diversion for me from recent travails and as I was off at 2.30pm from work that day it was perfect timing too. John lives at Hemsby in Norfolk and I arrived at John's and he took the Moth out of the fridge I managed a few pics with my 150mm Macro lens and managed the following shots on a piece of log then outside where it was left to eventually fly again back in the wild. A special very special afternoon, so big thanks to John.

Red- eyed Vireo at Sparrow's Nest, Lowestoft now the 30th anniversary!

I can't believe it is now (or it will be on the 6th October) 30 years since Rob Wilton & I found a Red- eyed Vireo in Sparrow's Nest, Lowestoft. Still my best ever find & with Vireos very much in the news currently with 3 on Shetland and 1 on Bardsey, it might be worth a look in the Sparrow's Nest tomorrow to see if history repeats itself (I wish). It doesn't seem like 5 minutes since I was writing about the 25th anniversary.

Benacre Merganser

On Sunday 3rd October, having stayed in over the last weekend due to the fuel crisis and I couldn't afford to waste any as I needed what I had in the tank for work. I was finally able to get out and decided to drive down to Covehithe. I walked down to the hide at Benacre Broad, the hide has had its shutters taken off (bit of a shame as the floor and seats were rather wet from yesterday's extreme rain storm and the wood will also rot much quicker too) and the introduction of a hand sanitiser! Looking out over the Broad, initially not a lot seen, save for 87 Greylag Geese resting on the broad edge by the beach and 4 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebes. But after several scans the female Red- breasted Merganser surfaced. At 10.56, a lone Barnacle Goose flew in and joined the Greylags on the beach. The bird was ringed with white lettering J19 on a blue ring (left leg) with double ring on the right leg silver below, yellow on top. At 11.21, a massive flock of 140+ Barnacle Geese flew in, about 70 continued west and around 70 settled on the beach. At least 6 of these were ringed and I was able to read the rings on a further 4; E or F44, H23, H27 & K07 white lettering on blue rings all on their left legs and all sported a double silver/ white on top on their right legs. I will get all of these sent off. Searching through these Geese, I saw 2 small Canada Geese types but on close inspection and a tip off from Rob H, they didn't look quite right and were in fact Canada X Barnacle Goose hybrids (probably 3X Canada & 1X Barnacle). Paul & Jane F arrived and the Merganser was showing a little better in the middle of the Broad, not quite Ferguson views, but better than before! A tweet of a Bonxie flying south and we quickly disembarked from the hide and an eventful seawatch revealed a fine Porpoise showing most of its body when it surfaced 3X rather than just the dorsal fin. I spotted a Red- throated Diver flying south on the horizon and another spotted flying south a little later. 2 Sandwich Terns flying south spotted by Paul and then another Sandwich Tern flying south. Finally, a Grey Seal spotted by Jane was swimming north. As I walked back up the cliff, I noticed a hairy caterpillar on a small oak leaf, thanks to Jane F for Id'ing it as a Vapourer Moth larvae from the phone pic (please note the pic is from the phone & not macro lens). Walking back along the entrance lane to Covehithe Church, I spotted 2 fine Ivy Bees taking nectar from Ivy flowers.

Golden Plover over garden

At 6.50pm on Tuesday 21st September, I was delighted to hear (but not see) a calling Golden Plover was heard calling several times over the back garden and from the calls it was heading NW.

Gunton goodies

On Monday 20th September my choice of after work birding from 5.25pm, (while I still can this autumn) shifted from Carlton Marshes to Gunton ORT, on a glorious golden sunny evening, light was perfect for photography and I walked up to the southern end of the Gunton ORT and immediately the excellent Spotted Flycatcher flew into the southern most Oak and showed well for half a minutes before flying off, later I went back and saw the bird sat in sunlit bush posing beautifully before I could focus on the bird, a dog ran up to me and started barking like it had rabies or something and the poor startled bird flew off, I was not happy. I walked down the edge of the Gunton burial ground and saw a glorious male Redstart in only slightly subdued plumage from his summer finery, it perched on top of a bush before flying down, walking down carefully I joined James W, we saw it briefly again before walking back south along the edge of the Gunton ORT & the burail ground and we had glimpses of the Spotted Flycatcher hunting within a large Oak. Finally a Green Woodpecker was heard. I rang the Building company responsible for trashing our back fences and I will be ringing them again tomorrow if I don't get an immediate response, this is very poor practice when you build a homes you don't expect to have your fences trashed and I want the hole in the fence made good immediately (ie. 4 new fence panels a like for like replacement) is the least I will accept or I will be taking this further!

Speckled Bush Cricket in garden & back fences trashed!

AS the light was starting to a go, in our garden I was clearing up cutting back the Buddlea and the 'Cricket" bush, I always shake the vegetation before putting it in the bin so any creatures fall off. Jenny noticed a cricket on the outside conservatory window ledge outside the back door and I let it walk onto a runner bean leaf before after taking a few pictures, I put it back on leaves by the 'Cricket bush.' First sighting this year so glad to still have some wildlife in the garden after the massive loss of habitat due toi the very unecessarily overcrowded 4 bedroom houses crammed in like sardines just over the back fence, which has also been damaged by workmen, I will be complaining to Badger on Monday!

Dipping triangle strikes again but Pec saves the day

On Sunday 19th September, I was back at Sandy Lane, Hulver, nothing seen but a tweet from Phil D at CM had me driving straight there and joining the crowd looking from the Octagon, ie looking over the Old Scrape, Chris D kindly directed me to a very secretive Pectoral Sandpiper, a long overdue first for Lowestoft & Carlton Marshes. It was on the grassy edge of the mud, later a flying Marsh harrier spooked and it flew over to the west side of the old Scrape where it was seen out on the mud and then it walked to the grassy edge and occasionally it could be seen stretching up and looking about, it slowly walked left and seen head on the sharp pectoral band could be seen. Walking back, first one Speckled Wood alighting on the path, a discarded tissue then nearby flowers proved an irresistable photographic subject, another 2nd Speckled Wood appeared and they wheeled up in flight together before eventiually disappearing. Later on checking at Corton woods no sign of hoped for Brown Argus, but a Green Woodpecker was heard.

Sotterley, Hulver & Stoven dipping triangle

On Saturday 18th September, at Sandy Lane, Hulver, the SatNav did its job and I was able to locate (I wouldn't have found it otherwise as vegetation was blocking a very coutry and gravelly road but a lovely place. Trouble was I didn't see any definite sign of Turtle Doves, one bird flying into the sun was a possible. I did see a Red Admiral butterfly and a Speckled Wood. The great Sotterley, Hulver & stoven dipping trianle strikes again whether it is Turtle Doves (missed at Green Farm, Sotterley earlier this year, Hawfinches missed at Sotterley and Stoven earlier this year too).

Osprey feeding

On Friday 17th September, I had the afternoon off and I eventually drove down to the always rewarding Hen Reedbeds, the visited started off well with 4 Grass Snakes seen under the CI, 2 adults & 2 youngsters. The walk down to the hide was uneventful the very low tide was noted but looking back along the far west corner (north side) of the estuary the excellent Osprey was perched on its usual post just in front of the 5 gabled house. The Osprey had a fish in its left talons and was constantly feeding off it. I saw many c50 Curlew, c40 Redshank & c30 Shelduck. There were 2 close Curlew but they had gone when I crawled up the bank and were replaced by 2 resonably close Black- tailed Godwit, one in heavy moult into its winter plumage. Finally walking back, by the bushes a male Southern Hawker patrolled the path constantly & the same 2 adult Grass Snakes were seen and a Green Woodpecker was heard.

Riverside meanderings

On Sunday morning 12 September, a fine female Peregrine was sat on the east side of the grain silo. No (vehicular) access to the riverside area opposite the Council offices, 2 butterflies flew strongly west probably newly arrived migrants, not specifically ID'd but a Peacock butterfly flew east over Millenium way, little else seen. At home at 12.30pm, 22 Rooks drifted over and slowly flew north the highest tally from the house. They were accompanied by around 5 Jackdaws.

The Ness Point Little Stint

On Saturday, 11 September, a tweet from Andrew E and then from James W, I drove down to Ness Point and saw Andrew E and I first saw the fine Little Stint on the finger/ jetty with an Oystercatcher, the waves were sweeping over and it foced the bird to fly to the rocks just in front of the compass. A first here for may years. The bird was continually active, but it was surprising how often the railings got in the way, about 95% of the time. Nevertheless, I was able to get a pleasing number of pictures of this confiding but restless bird. The bird was continually feeding and we were soon joined by OFB and later Rob Hol. Later on in the garden, a tweet from Rob Hol saying a Peregrine was heading NE from his heading towards Parkhill. I looked out of the back bedroom window and looking SE, I spied the excellent Peregrine, a first sighting from the garden, at 1.56pm flying SE, a garden mega, hawking around after Dragonflies and it dashed off in an easterly direction towards Millenium Way/ Aldi superstore. Later, at 2.45pm, on a Buzzard drifted south past the garden, a male Common Darter was on one of the Bean poles and at 6.50pm, flock of 22 House Martins flew west directly over the garden. Finally, the regular Red Admiral butterfly that has been in the garden for several weeks went to roost half way up the east side of the Copper Beech tree.

Early morning at Ness Point & the Netposts

On Sunday 5th September, I was keen to get some shots of the Black Redstarts at Ness Point, so during the first golden hour of sunlight I parked by the SLP yard and walked to the Ness Point wind turbine yard, a Black Redstart was perched on top of the barbed wire fence before dropping down to feed in the yard itself before flying over to the bus depot area where it continued to feed. Difficult to get pics (certainly not the results I was hoping for!) as the bird was quite actively feeding and the fence was blocking photography too (I need more steps!) A look around the tamarisk bushes was as usual very unproductive for me, so scanning the Point and the sea with equal results I then drove to the Netposts. Before I drove off, a young juvenile Herring Gull that had sat asleep by the side of the road in the gutter by the pavement woke up and started calling for its mother, which I assumed was the adult perched along the roof top. The bird then flew up to the roof top. At the Netposts, it was immediately apparent that further land was fenced off but by the original fenced area by the seawall, a fine male Wheatear was seen that eventually flew over to a new fence blocking land just east of the Netposts, also just back along the fence from this Wheatear was a fine Whinchat. As I walked around the male Wheatear was then seen on the Netposts.

Drift migrants around Lowestoft & Kessingland

On Saturday 5th September, early on in dull weather I went down to the North Denes and instantly saw David B in the middle photographing 1 of 2 Whinchats. They were reasonably confiding and near the large bush, I had left my camera behind as the light was awful but David managed to get his usual excellent shots. A Wheatear was seen along the path ahead and then flew over and perched on the Alexander plants. I soon met up with Derek M & his wife. Later on, a tweet from Jane & Paul F I headed over to Gunton Burial ground and we saw a fine Redstart which regularly flew to the fence, 3 Robins seen and then Jane called out a Pied Fly and a fine Pied Flycatcher was seen first on the fence and then it flew to the nearby oak tree regularly flycatching. Good scope views but a little too far away for the camera). Later on Jane F very kindly called me to say the 4 Little Stints (seen earlier) were still along the edge of Kessingland North Beach Pool, I headed straight for the pool and was dismayed to see a dog walker had just walked along the edge of the pool, a summer- plumaged Dunlin flew south along the pool but didn't stop and 20 minutes later, 4 dog walkers (with 4 separate dogs) were around the pool throwing balls into the water, so I checked the beach and saw 6 Ringed Plovers fly up from beach, not wisjing to disturb them I retraced my steps back to the pool and the dog walkers had just left, I decided to wait 10 minutes behind a large clump of Marram grass just 30 metres from the edge of the pool and almost immediately was amazed to see the 4 diminutive Little Stint (1 ad, 3 imms) fly in along the edge. Initially they landed along the south eastern end, but they ran and fed directly in front of me (ie. 30 metres away with me hidden behind the Marram grass) before eventually returning back to the ir original spot. Another dog walker walking the edge flushed them south again. After they left a very nervous adult summer plumaged Dunlin briefly alighted at the pool before flying south again. The 4 Little Stints then returned before a family walking a dog coming back off the beach flushed the Little Stints south again at which point, I left. I drove straight to the North Denes, the light was much better and well lit for 2 Whinchat who were eventally picked up in the same spot I had seen them earlier in the day and posed nicely by the Alexander as I was walking back to the car, 2 confiding Wheatears were perched on a bush right by the path so doubled back in order not to disturb and managed to obtain some shots in the fading sunlight.