Swifts over the garden

On Wednesday 28th July, at around 8.30pm, storm clouds were brewing and a group of 40+ Swift wheeled around overhead in our back garden, their screaming calls distinctive and in an instant they were gone having flown south-east.(View from the front of the house looking north-west).

Long- billed Dowitcher at Potter Heigham

On Monday 26th July, after work just after 6.15pm I drove down the very bumpy road to Potter Heigham Marshes, parking just before the bend, I walked around and saw Phil H and he siad the LBW was on the first pool but best to walk around to where Gary was and view the bird much closer from there, I did, and saw the excellent summer-plumaged Long- billed Dowitcher in the water just in front of the muddy island with Geese, it could be seen through a gap in the vegetation. It was regularly feeding with its very long bill. It sported russet- orange plumage, dark cap and creamy white supercilia and dark eye stripe, a really lovely bird, it kept moving right then was irked by a Black-headed Gull which moved in close and I had to keep shifting to see it through the gap. Abruptly at 7.05 pm some Geese left and the Dowitcher flew north- north east high up and heading for Hickling perhaps Brendan's marsh. (Photo is a record shot only). Guy O & his brother arrived 5 minutes later and I felt awful informing them the bird had departed 5 minutes earlier but advised they check Brendan's Marsh tomorrow. Suddenly a Locustella Warbler started reeling a hard reel right on the top of a reed. It wasn't streaked on its breast at all and showed russet brown undertail coverts, it was face on and we couldn't see it's upperparts. Looking at photos at home, confirmed it was a Grasshopper Warbler, (4 dark streaks on the undertail coverts and streaking on the nape when it turned its head) a young male, nice to see and an educational bird.

Bempton Bertie by BMW

This weekend I was on high alert to go at any time if the BBA turned up at Bempton, following our missing Bertie the Black- browed Albatross at Bempton RSPB the previous weekend. So this Saturday I stayed local, but Bertie wasn't reported all day. So, on Sunday 25th July, an early call at 7.15am from RoB H, stated Bertie had returned to Bempton & we were on and just 20 minutes before Rob H would arrive. I leapt in the shower and Jenny kindly got the provisions together and 20 minutes later I was all ready and Rob H very kindly drove us in his BMW car all the way up to RSPB Bempton, our second trip following our previous trip last Saturday. The news was good just 40 minutes from our destination, stating that the BBA was resting on the cliffs, but it was at least an hour old. We arrived at the overflow car park & we raced up to the first view point just right of the cliffs and a very kind birder let us see the bird through his 'scope. It was still about, not on the cliffs but it had flown far out to sea (probably about a 1.5 mile distance out) and he had his scope on it, it was very, very distant but through his 50X scope, we could see the large size, black back with white head and large bill. It was just about identifiable as a fantastic Black- browed Albatross!!! At last!! I had originally dipped Albert the BBA at Hermaness in Shetalnd on 8th August 1985, when Mum and I had tried to cross a field and we were dive bombed by the aptly named 15 Bonxies and 8 Arctic Skuas, still my scariest moment in birding, evoking Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds!" we had to give up, I should have tried the tripod above our heards trick but didn't know about it then! So after almost 36 years (to the day) of hurt, finally that sore could be lanced! But missing a bird several times really make you appreciate all the more when you do finally see it! I know that with the Red- eyed Vireo I missed in Oct 1989 and stormed back in the best possible way when Rob Wil & I found one on the 6th October 1991, still my best ever find. Back to the present and Bempton, I tried to pick out the bird with my 30X scope but it was just too distant and directions were vague, it was even difficult picking out the bouys people described. Another birder kindly let me look through his 50X scope when the bird was near a yellow bouy. The same birder said the bird was flying left then right disappearing behind the cliffs and then 5 minutes later the same birder shouted that it was heading straight for us just below cliff height, and then suddenlly wow! it was flying past showing its long pointed black wings above, white head with black brow, big orange bill, white below and pink legs, what a bird! A huge cheer went up amongst the assembled throng and Rob H and I fist bumped our appreciation! It then treated us over the next 30 minutes with fly bys flying around the sea flying right around the cliffs then wheeling around and then disappearing behind the cliffs. Several Puffins also seen in flight too. Sometimes it would appear to land with its pink legs and feet sticking out at right angles but it would then appear as if from nowhere flying out then around with its wings out like a gigantic black maltese cross and we enjoyed every minutes of observing this emnigmatic, peripatetic oceanic wanderer! It wasn't seen for about ten minutes, we caught up with Rob Wils and his wife and able to enquire how he was and good to see him out and about. Before an overflying light plane all the Gannets flew out including Bertie and he flew around again and then flew low and then far right behind the cliff. 5 minutes later, the best birding moment of this year so far, when we saw Bertie, the magnificent Black- browed Albatross fly just 20 feet over out heads giving grandstand views, no bins, no camera required just watch this incredible sight with your eyes and it disappeared behind the cliff to the left. This moment will be indelibly etched into my memory for ever, a wondrous moment, never to be forgotten. No further flybys and increased activity by those watching from the first viewpoint had us retracing our steps and we saw Bertie perched with Gannets nicely lit by the sun just 45 degrees about the arch. He sat to the right and his orange bill, black brow, white head and black back clearly seen. We decided to leave in order to get back home just after 9pm. We arrived back home at Lowestoft just before 9.30pm. Many, many thanks to Rob H for valiantly doing all the driving over these 2 weekends and also for his great company too, very much appreciated and 2 great trips to Bempton which taken together I thoroughly enjoyed! He even suggested the title for this post which I have adopted, top man!

Southern Marsh Orchid now flowering in the front garden

For its seventh year, on Sunday 24th July, old faithful, the Southern Marsh Orchid was again sprouting from the pot and now starting to flower nicely in our front garden.

Minsmere evening trip for the White-rumped

On Thursday July 22nd, after work I immediately left for Minsmere and arrived at around 6.10pm and walked staright to the South hide and the watery area in front of it, which now called the North Girder. There were lots of birds to be seen, at least 71 Little Terns, amongst Common and Sandwich Terns plus many Black- tailed Godwits and a big group of 100+ Dunlin,in which were fairly distant but feeding in front of a muddy spit with a post on the right hand end. I scanned through the flock several times and although I spotted 4 summer plumaged Knot and a summer plumaged sanderling I couldn't initially see the White-rumped. But another scan I soon picked on the slightly smaller White-rumped Sandpiper which kept fairly close to the Sanderling not far from the post on the muddy spit. Helpfully, the White-rumped started preening showing its white- rump and started feefing again, being grey-brown flecked above and whiter below than the Dunlins. When the flock flew, I couldn't pick out the White- rumped Sandpiper, but when they settled again, I soon picked out its slightly smaller size more attenuated shape and especially attenuated rear end tapering to a thin point. It again was feeding busily and still near the Sanderling. I aslo spotted a transitional plumaged Spotted Redshank already moulting into winter- plumage and heard a Whimbrel but didn't see it. On Friday, July 23rd, this Moth was seen in the lounge in the evening.

Meadow Brown in the garden

On Thursday 22nd July, just before leaving for work, I spotted a Meadow Brown butterfly in the garden and managed to get half a dozen shots where it settled in the back garden behind the runner beans on the variegated Holly tree, before I had to leave for work.

Bempton dip, with plentiful Tree Sparrows & seabirds (except the BBA)

On Saturday 17th July, I took a trip up to Bempton RSPB, the east riding of Yorkshire, 208 miles and over 4 hours driving away, with Rob H kindly doing the driving. On the drive up we saw both Barn Owl and Yawny Owl. Nice to be back after almost 18 years since my last visit. We left at 12 midnight and by 4.30am we had arrived. We were there in the hope of seeing the BBA, a bird I had missed twice in the past once on a Shetland at Hermaness in the 1980's, when maruading Bonxies prevented me from crossing a field in August and just last year when one flew south past Lowestoft, just 20 minutes after I had left Ness Point after a brief seawatch. We were unsuccessful with the bird not being seen all day, not surprising with my luck, but this was still bitterly disappointing, especially as the bird seems show well during the week does a bunk at weekends (only time Ii can visit). However, early morning with the Tree Sparrows which were very much in evidence around the visitor's centre with rows of nest boxes front and back and posing occasionally in more natural poses in the bushes behind the vistors centre, were very nice to see. The weather was extremely hot (28 degrees celsius) and the sun was really bright making seabird photography almost impossible to do. We had to retire back at the centre 3X to stay in the shade out of the sun and have the delicious refreshments on offer. Walking out I heard a Corn Bunting jagling keys song and eventially saw it perched on a bush. Whilst on the sea, Puffins, Razorbills and ther odd Guillemot seen. The intense heat was also wafting up the smell of the Gannet guano, not very plesant! Many Gannets seen on the cliffs and drifting by and the odd Fulmar seen too, gliding on the eddying wind. On the drive back going through South lincolnshire at Brotherton we saw a fine Turtle Dove on the overhead wires, our first of the year.

Orchids in the garden

It is wonderful to report that 5 Orchids are currently flowering the garden, 4 Southern Marsh Orchids (funnily enough all in pots, 3 at the back 1 at the front) and 1 Spotted Orchid along the back hedge. The remnants of the Fallowfields Orchid meadow all destroyed by the building site beyond, safe for the naturally occuring ones in the garden. The bulbs of the Southern Marsh Orchids must have been in the soil and had flowered previously but Jenny using the soil for new potted plants invigoated them and the one at the front is in its tenth year of flowering!

A Yellow Shell Moth in Hebe bushes in the front garden

This attractive yellow Moth, a Yellow Shell (I'm sure I've seen particular species several times before too) was seen flying out of Hebe bushes in the front garden on my return from work this afternoon, Friday 9th July, still there when I went out supermarket shopping at 8.45pm (less people, hopefully more COVID-19 secure with the 3rd wave of the pandemic sweeping through the country & locally).

Bee Orchid at the Paget

On Tuesday 6th July, it was lovely to see a fantastic Bee Orchid in the James Paget Hospital grounds. Many thanks to Rob H for the find and telling me so promptly about it. Must take my camera tomorrow! UPDATE: Here it is (taken lunchtime Friday 9th July)! Taken rather quickly as it was directly outside someone's office!

Brendon's Marsh at Hickling

On Sunday 4th July, on hearing of a PGP at Brendon's Marsh Hickling, I drove over early and parked in the car park, walking out right from the car park then taking a path to Stubb's Mill for 30 metres then turning right again I walked another 100 metres or so to a viewpoint overlooking the Marsh. Sadly no PGP, but 2 Black- winhged Stilts seen asleep on an island, with 2 male Ruff nearby, a Green Sandpiper on the marsh and a male Blue-tailed Damselfly on a grass stem just beyond the gate; pointed out by Maurice B (OFB was also present). A Spoonbill flew over our heads in a south- east direction and 2 buggling Cranes flew from the north to south. Also a Hobby seen dashingover the sky flying very high up and amongst the clouds. Walking back I saw Chris B from Norwich just the other side of the gate from the overflow car park and we enjoyed seeing a Painted Lady in the vegetation and a Silver- washed Fritillary flew past.

House Finch at Dunwich

Hearing of a tweet about a possible Scarlet Rosefinch, subsequently reidentified as the similar House Finch. On Saturday 3rd July, Jenny & I drove to Dunwich paid the £6 car parking fee (same organisation National Trust but at Marloes they have a separate 3 hour £3 charge, why can't they do that at Dunwich too?) We parked up and by the Coastguards Cottages in the corner there were bushes, a large Pine and bird feeders. There were a few people assembled and I spoke briefly to the lady who had found the bird singing in a bush nearby the previous evening, after congratulating her. I set the gear up, people said it had been in the tree. After a short while I spotted it in the tree heavily obscured by branches and foliage but it moved to an area between 2 branches of trees waiting for the coast to clear and it flew onto the feeders for a split second before something spooked it and it flew back into the tree. Just minutes later it was back on the feeders round the back before hopping to the side and then flying back into the Pine. After 20 minutes it flew to the front of the feeders briefly before flying back again into the Pine Tree. Checking the photos later it sported a green metal ring on its right leg and the white lettering read 80 vertically (ie. the 8 above the 0 then reading MF 47 vertically). Several birds came to the feders including Blue, Great Tits, Goldfinches and a young male Great- spotted Woodpecker.

More Puffins & Charlie the Herring gull again & yours truly!

Here are some more Puffin pics this time from The Wick at Skomer, where you can get pretty close to them, whilst staying on the path, of course we have to be midful of getting out of the way if any want to cross the path especially if they have Sand Eels that they want to take straight down the burrow to feed their chick. I met some great people on the boat/ trip over and on Skomer itself & at the Wick and they kindly took pictures of me (many thanks to Sally H) and the Herring gull and sent these onto me which I was very grateful for their thoughtfulness. Photo gear used included my Canon 100-400mm zoom lens here which gave me some flexibility in the shots. But there was less than favourable weather conditions at the Wick with mostly overcast sky and the sun struggling to get out, (so no flight shots obtained this time) also gusty at times (I moved away from the more sandy area, where sand was being blown over the path (definitely not good for either optics or cameras)!

A trip to Wales

On Wednesday 30th June, a walk along Cymisfael stream revealed a Dipper flying right down the stream from one of the bridges. A female Blackcap also seen. On Thursday 1st July, a walk up to the high point of Marloes peninsula revealed 2 fine Chough calling from the fields over to the left but they flew over to the cliffs and out of sight. On the journey over to Skomer on the Dale Princess, Jim, the boatman used some food to entice an adult Herring Gull onto the stern of the boat, it then flew up towards me and Jim said put your arm out and incredibly it settled on my arm! My thanks to Nathalie M for sending me this pic (who was sitting beside on the boat!) It was also really heartening to hear from Jim and the wardens on the islands that the islands were hosting a record total of 35,000+ Puffins the most numbers in living memory and well up on the 27,000+ on their in 2017. On the island proper, we climbed up the 86 steps seeing 4 Razorbills and 2 chocolate brown Guillemots seen. After the talk by the Visitor's Officer I was allowed to go down half the steps and photo the Razorbills albeit in poor cloudy light. It was instantly apparent that it was a record breaking sason for Puffins with 35,000 estimated on the island and they were everywhere in suitable cliff habitat, I took a stroll to the Wick, on the way just before the farm I saw a singing Meadow Pipit, but with my "eye on the prize" I carried on, approaching The Wick, 2 dead manx Shearwaters seen just by the side of the path, and then "Keeyah" 6 acrobatic Chough were wheeling about in the sky. At the Wick itself there were a lot of Puffins sitting around and many flying in with sand eels jammed into their colourful bills, we were mindful of getting out of the way so they could run across and go into their hole to feed the youngster. The wind was blowing sand about so I moved a little. Scanning the cliff, I saw a crack where I saw up to 7 Fulmars nesting. Some of the Puffins with sand eels flew around and then landed directly by their nesting hole. Walking around, I saw a Mistle Thrush on a hill. Looked at the marshy area for SEOs briefly, but the finally came out and I raced back to the Puffin colony near where we had to catch the boat back and fortunately several Puffins came in with Sand Eels crammed into tehir beaks and using the 500mm lens was able to get a few decent shots. I was the last one back on the boat and we had an uneventful trip back.