First for 9 years

A look around North Denes and the North Beach failed to reveal anything of interst late lunchtime as I was hoping to bump into the incredibly elusive Iceland (no such luck). Barely 2 hours later, it was back and I just missed it by again 2 minutes as it flew inland. I was informed by Rob H, as I walked back to the car, (parked in the car park at Swimming Pool road) but he spottred an incredible Fulmar circling low over the Oval in ever incresing circles before finally flying south, incredibly this was my first Suffolk Fulmar since 2012!

Quiet on the North Denes

On Saturday 27th March, having just had my second anti COVID-19 vaccination jab, courtesy of James Paget Hospital (very efficient job as usual), early morning, I looked around the North Denes at Lowestoft, nothing seen, saving for 6 Linnets by the bush middle of the Denes, 22 Linnets in the fenced off static carvan development site and a further 18 around the Netposts. Pity with the million or so spent on the North Denes park they couldn't have replaced the broken, rotting netposts a key part of Lowestoft's Herring fishing industy. A look mid afternoon for the iceland failed to reveal it (my fifth try for it) although 6 Purple Sandpipers seen on the rocks. At Gunton Church field, no sign of it there either (4th attempt).

First butterfly of the year

On Thursday 25th March at 12 noon at the start of my lunchbreak, I went to the SE corner of the James Paget Hospital, I was out looking for the WTE needless to say I didn't see it so 13th one missed in Lizard Land, but I did see a fine Peacock butterfly and settle at he back of a bus so I could ID it. A Sparrowhawk was circling over (No bins with me so I couldn't say whether male or female).

Ness Point avian double homicide & wader gathering

WARNING! Pictures published below are GRUESOME showing the after effects of a Peregrine double strike don't scroll down on this post if you are of a sensitive nature or disposition!!!, only published to show the devastating after effects of a Peregrine strike, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! On Wednesday 24th March, a trip to Ness Point revealed initially 6 Purple Sandpipers feeding on the rocks by the compass, when a big group of Turnstones flew in, in 2 waves on the rocks, totally 66 Turnstones, the spooked the Purple Sandpipers and the 6 flew right and a further 5 flew in from the left, totalling 11 Purple Sandpipers in all. Out to sea, an immature Kittiwake flew onto the sea by the bouys and then flew south, a further 3 adult Kittiwakes flew south. Shortly, after I saw the first 6 Purple Sands, I then saw the rather gruesome sight of a beheaded male Pochard, its head ripped off its body and the decapitated head lying just 10 centimetres away. 10 metres to the right, the headless corpse of a Razorbill (the black upperparts and white "wing-clip" were diagnostic and telling them apart from the more chocolate brown- plumaged Guillemot) was lying there, sadly a double avian homicide scene! My initial thought was the culprit was surely a Peregrine. I can only assume both birds were caught flying out at sea nearby and brought to this spot to be despatched. Peregrines breed nearby and they have been seen very recently seen at Ness Point by both Andrew E and Rob Wil perched on the often inactive rotor blades of the large wind turbine, colloqually known as "Gulliver." This would give them an excellent aerial view of the whole area and the sea so they could easily spot potential prey flying past. I know there are people who study the diets of Peregrines so posting to add their scientific study. UPDATE: A male Pochard was seen by another birder resting on the defence rocks at Ness Point earlier in the day, so the Peregrine kill was probably midday or early afternoon.

Black Redstart at Whapload road

On Wednesday afternoon 24th March, having no luck along the North beach for the Iceland Gull which has proved elusive for me having first seen it in January at Hamilton Dock (missed twice at Gunton Church field. I parked opposite the Net posts and heard the familiar singing of a presumed 1st winter male Black Redstart and looking opposite at the Alpha roofing services building, 333 Whapload Road opposite the Netposts, a drab Black Redstart was prospecting the guttering and then flew down to the yard before flying up to the roof top of the old building. Nothing around the Net posts but a reasonably tame Muntjac Deer seen at the bottom end of Arnold's Walk.

Rook in the garden

On Sunday 21st March, 2 Rooks seen in the road at Bosquet Close, later one was seen in the back garden feeding from one of my garden feeders which was new species which had been attracted to these particular feeders. A resident pair of Pied Wagtails were particularly vocal and flying around the area and a Buzzard flew over too.

Goosefest at Covehithe & Hen reedbeds

On Friday 19th March, a disappointing trip to Covehithe Broad revealed the beach by the edge of the Broad has been fenced off and quite rightly so to protecting nesting shore birds. The Long- tailed Duck was along the middle of the southern edge of the Broad, so wouldn't have been photographable anyway. Plumage wise, it was now getting a little blotchy on its head, 2 female Goldeneye were seen too. Walking back, 38 close Greylag Geese, giving Ferguson views in fields close to the path (I managed a few pics). Then onto continue my exercise walk (away from the concreted areas of Lowestoft- bad on the sore heel!) at Hen Reedbeds, where an extremely enjoyable time was had here, although my left heel was hurting considerably after the visit. Kevin B had tweeted saying he had seen the Taiga Bean by the first platform (great I thought, not too far to walk, famous last words!), I had a quick look and could see nothing here other than Greylag Geese, a look at the pool by the hide revealed more Greylags and 3 Wigeon. I walked the same distance beyond the hide and saw 18 fine Russian White- fronted Geese on what must be Reydon Marshes, an area to the north of the riverwall path. They were on the further edge of a pool. A birder who had ploughed on ahead further still hadn't seen the Taiga, so we headed back. It was really good to see Barry B & his wife, last time I saw him was probably 4 years ago on my last successful twitch to Sotterley. he said another chap had seen the Taiga swim through. We could here other Geese (Greylags out of view in the reeds) and suddenly 4 birds got up, I though I had it for a moment as the orange and black and darker plumage seen for a split second but I looked again and wasn't sure. I continued talking to Barry & his wife and the birder had diligently gone to check out the pool by the hide (as I should have done) but no harm done as the birder beckoned me back and I was hobbling along on a very sore left foot but got there and saw the magnificent Taiga Bean Goose on the island at the back. Originally it was back on and then preening itself before ealking left and then swimming in the water then joining a few Greylags and Canadas along the left hand edge where it walked around mostly feeding or being obscured by either a Canada Goose or Greylag just in front of it before it walked back to the edge of the pool drank water extending its long neck up and back before swimming back to the island where it promptly sat down and fell asleep. With such good light today I was confident of reasonable shots despite the mid distance and I wasn't disappointed. Barry (& his wife) had quickly followed me back and we both got some nice pics. Walking back eventually at 2.40pm I had a magical 10 minutes as I saw an absolutely fantastic ringtail (female) Hen Harrier fly left over the reeds over the river and then disappeared out of view to the south over Blythburgh estuary. She showed the smaller most compact shape, clear white rump and banded tail, barred on the underwings too , a real treat I enjoyed her through the bins for all of 30 seconds sadly too short for some pics. My first Hen Harrier for just over 4 years (last one seen Feb 2017). Walking back to the viewing platform, at 2.50pm I saw a very fine male White Wagtail flying around the cut reeds just in front of the platform, it settled briefly before the first of 2 Marsh Harriers (1 an orange tagged male, the other a dark untagged female) flew over and spooked it and it flew east. Hopefully back to the hide pool. It was also nice too see Alison and Chris A (first time since the Runham Yellowlegs), telling them the good news they rushed on for the Goose. I walked back to the car park, on the way I heard a Brambling, Siskin and Sand Martin plus bursts of Cetti's Warbler song (but none of these species were seen). I rang Paul & Jane F, they were just a minute away and I had a very welcome but all too short chat with them as they were obviously keen to see the Goose. I'm sure we'll bump into each other again soon.

Hobble over to Hen reedbeds

On Wednesday afternoon, 17th March 2020, I was desperate for a short exercise walk somewhere local which wasn't too hard on the feet, as I was still suffering with the sore heel. So I drove the short distance to Hen reedbeds and first looked under the bits of corrogated iron which revealed 1 and then 2 Field Voles sporting black beady eyes and a nice warm chestnut coloured coat, before they quickly scampered off. The first one had a bit of chewed up foliage as its nest reminding me of a Hamster's nest. Hobbling over to the river wall, at the first lookout there were around 30 Greylags close in but alas no Taiga Bean. By the second pool area near the hide, another 15 Greylags seen. Several Greylags c8,also seen flying over to the grassy meadoww just south of the river. Finally I saw around 30 on the distant rolling hill north of the footpath. On first scan I picked up a fine lone Pink- footed Goose feeding with them and then finally after several scans I finally picked out the excellent Taiga Bean Goose, a large but narrower bodied than the Greylags and distinct long angular head with with black and orange in the bill. It was keeping loose company with the smaller daintier yet plumper Pink- foot. It walked up the hill a bit to the back of the flock and even further away! Sadly way too far away for me to even attempt to photograph (usual Ransome luck!) A stop off at Wrentham old cemetary and as OFB rang me and I was on the phone either a Red ~Kite or Marsh Harrier only seen with the naked eye for a split second, it flew quickly west over the road (I suspect the former) in front of me but sadly I didn't pick it up again so that's a missed one. I met 2 familiar Carlton toggers (I don't know their names though) who had failed to photograph Bullfinch in the old cemetary, I saw little here too. No Hares in the usual field nearby. Still a good trip out though.

Buzzard over the garden

On Monday 15th March 2020, still suffering from a sore heel, I was resting but did see a fine Buzzard which soared low over the garden at 2.55pm.

Flock of Fieldfare flying south-east

On Thursday 11th March, arriving home from work, at 5.34, I heard a lot of "chacking" and was delighted to see a fine flock of 34 Fieldfare flying low and south- east over Fallowfields the road, heading in a south- east direction over Parkhill and towards the St. Margarets Chruch area where some seen later on. My best sighting so far during the third lockdown.

Buzzards over garden and driving back from work

On Tuesday 9th March, at 8.10am, just before leaving for work, a fine mewing Buzzard flew low and south over the front garden. After work driving back to the Corton Long Lane roundabout, a Buzzard seen flying low over the road and flying west.

"Habeas Corpus": dead Whooper Swan on Covehithe beach dune

On Monday 8th March, having A/L, I was determined to get away from the building site over the fence and the "6 Empire State Buildings" being built (where we will be completely overlooked- luckli I have 4 mature trees along the back fence) just beyond the fence and try and get out despite my gammy foot. So I hobbled down rather painfully on my exercise walk to Covehithe broad and was delighted to see the Long- tailed Duck although it was at the back of the Broad and never showed that close apart from when I saw Carl and he pointed out a dead Whooper Swan in the sand dunes that I had missed and it swam in the narrow channel travelling north where it spent a lot of its time along the north western section of the Broad. After Carl had gone a Water Pipit flew south over the Broad calling. A female Goldeneye was also seen along the south west section of the Broad. I knew my limitations abnd decided not to stretch my luck with hobbling down to Benacre Broad.

"Unaccustomed as We Are": Ness Point waders

On Sunday 7th March, I was suffering quite badly with bursitis of the heal of the foot or "Policeman's heel" its painful when you put any weight on the heel of your foot, so I was limited to just going to Ness Point for a brief exercise walk. I immediately saw 1, 2 and then up to 4 Purple Sandpipers and also an amazing 9 Oystercatchers on the finger at Ness Point (the highest tally of Oystercatchers I have seen there ever!) I also saw Tony B who'd seen up to 6 Purple Sandpipers, but the other 2 didn't reappear for me.

"Tit for Tat": Benacre Broad hide badly vandalised

On Saturday 6th March a rather disappointing exercise walk to Covehithe Broad, despite being very early having got onto the beach immediately after dog walkers with 5 dogs unsurprisingly the LT Duck had disappeared. However, there was 1 male Goldeneye and 2 females at the south west corner of the Broad. Also disapppointingly, the boat wreck had been covered by cloth so despite bringing the right lens I couldn't get any pics. There were 2 fine male Scaup along the extreme north east tip of the Broad, they weren't photogenic though and they swam out to the middle of the Broad. Even worse, It was also very disappointing and upsetting to see the beloved Benacre hide had been badly vandalised by mindless idiot/s & the door had been kicked in and thrown down and was resting by the supporting legs by the beach and south west section had been kicked in with several planks splinted and showing the inside of the hide. This could and should be repaired and then the whole hide moved around 300 yards inland to save it being claimed by the sea, why isn't something done to save our beloved and much loved hide?

"Duck Soup": new plumage for the LT Duck

On a very fine day on Saturday 27th February, a particularly long exercise walk to Covehithe then Benacre Broad revealed the fine adult male Long- tailed Duck on Covehithe Broad, sat just behind a stone in the water it was very close but sadly flew to the back of Broad, occasionally it swam out. A male Goldeneye swam right behind the island, just long enough to get a few pics before it swam left again. The Long- tailed Duck swam left of the island too. Meanwhile, a Water Pipit fed by the Broad edge but just too far away from the camera. Maurice B arrived & we saw Clive N in the distance too. We also saw Kevin B and told us the boat wreck was on the beach just north of there were the pipe stuck out from the exposed cliff. Carl B briefly joined us and the Long-tailed Duck swam out from behind the island and showed well briefly before swimming to the northern end of the Broad. We walked over and it was impressive managed to get a few phone shots. Walking over to Benacre Broad, a male Scaup was over the far northern side fairly near the beach.