RIP Keith

Very, very sad to hear of the passing of Keith D. I first met Keith, in his role as chairman of the Great Yarmouth Bird Club, a role he served with great distinction with his front of house role for many years. Keith was a true gent and 28 years ago I applied to join the GYBC, at that time it wasn't a given that I would be accepted but he kindly informed that I was eligible to join the Bird Club. I was welcomed by all the other members of the Club too, I greatly enjoyed attending the meetings. I had moved back to Suffolk (following 8 years at University then working at Chiswick then Hounslow Libraries) to take up my then new role in 1993 as Senior Librarian at Great Yarmouth Public Library. Keith was a passionate and very knowledgeable birder and a great field birder too, finding a Franklin's Gull on Breydon on 30th June 1991 being a superb find for the both site & county. I didn't see that bird (working in London at the time) but I finally caught up with one on Breydon 0n 5th August 2014, just before work. Keith led from the front and a wonderful feature of GYBC meetings, was Keith announcing at the start of each meeting talking about latest news and rarities seen. He was an excellent Chairman of GYBC. Keith was a great compiler of records too and I was honoured to visit him at his home office on a few occasions. He helped compile records for the Norfolk Bird & Mammal report and was meticulous in recording these and the GYBC Norfolk bird lists. It was always good to catch up with Keith when out and about in the field, he'd always give you a cheery greeting and alaways had time for you. Farewell @Chelseabirder, RIP Keith.

Bank Holiday Blues

Poor weather at the Bank Holiday and on Saturday an attempt to go seawatching at 11am was thwarted by an old dishelvelled tramp smoking profusely on the bench at Corton. I didn't feel like watching from elsewhere but returned home and found a Small Tortoiseshell on the Buddlea and the Red Admiral was still about too. On Sunday, a trip to Southwold revealed a Swift flying over just past the bridge.

Poor weather = elusive birds

On Monday 23rd August, early morning heard a flapping in the bathroom and released unharmed outside a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly that some how got in. In the afternoon at work, a Migrant Hawker dragonfly seen flying around at the back SE corner of the Burrage Centre where it settled on a hedge. After finishing work 30 minutes late, I was finally out in the field at 6pm, checking Corton churchyard, Corton Old Sewage works (where more trees have been taken out of the entrance path to the left) and the static carvan site has exponentially grown right up to the northern edge of the old sewage works site, I wonder how many people staying there they are camping right next to an old sewage works? So much so that you can't walk around the edge of the old sewage works anymore. The sunny weather had been replaced by thick grey coud and gloomy conditions. Corton new sewage works I walked around too plus the North Denes, the enclosed area and the car park opposite Sparrow's Nest. No sign of any birds whatsover save for a Whimbrel calling over the Sparrow's Nest. As I walked the edge of the car park trees for the twentieth time a tweet from Alison saying the Redstart was still at the car park was a rather surrel moment. Alison got out of the car and explained the bird had been very low down in the bushes on the southern end of the car park edge. A dog walker walked past and the dog went into the bush and I immediately heard the alarm call of the Redstart from the bush just south by the hedge, I still couldn't see it and then from the next bush along, I still couldn't see it. OFB drew up and unilaterally decided to go into the bush and I saw the Redstart very briefly fly up to the bush by the fence where it disappeared never to be seen again. Persuading OFB to leave the bird in peace to go to roost, that was it. best birding of the evening was when I got back home and a calling mewing Buzzard had 2 of these birds circling the skies just to the north of the house. On Tuesday 24th August, at about 5.45pm again after work, I was down on the North Denes, this time the sunny weather earlier had again been replaced by thick cloud and a stiff breeze, despite doing 2 circuits again no sign of the Whinchats and nothing in the enclosed compound or Netposts. No sign of the redstart either. A tweet from James W and I drove stright there and parked opposite the NE corner of Dip Farm seeing James we viewed the area from different viewpoints and saw the Pied Flycatcher flitting very briefly in the Hawthorne bush, Great Tit and Robin also seen. Plus a couple of Muntjac Deer on the path and my first Stoat of the year too.

Wryneck kicks off the autumn in style

On Sunday 22nd August, Rob Wil had found a Wryneck along Gunton Warren, so late afternoon, I parked up opposite Dip farm and made my way to the small assembled throng, taking in a Small Copper butterfly on the way down. With Rob saying the bird had been seen a few times. No sign for an hour before Kevin B, spotted it from the beach and the fine Wryneck was seen on the path (looking into the sunlight so no pics) hopping along feeding for a couple of minutes before it flew up into the gorse. The plaintive call heralded the fine Golden Plover fly in of fthe sea. Plus processions of Mediterreanean Gulls, flying north, adults (9) and immatures (3) c12 seen. In the evening around Rob Hol's we saw a fine Hobby flying west at 7.30pm, over the back of his back garden.

At last! Ternfest along Lowestoft North beach & garden records

On 20 August, at 6.09pm, a very vocal "twitter-emitter" or the 7 note Whimbrel heard flying low over the garden flying south (not seen though). On Saturday 21 August, Lowestoft North beach this morning at around 7.30am, I drove down following a tweet from James B regarding a juvenile Black Tern. When I arrived James B was already there & Andrew E had just arrived. It was immediately apparaent there were a lot more Terns than usual I counted c240 Common Terns. James informed me the Black tern had flown off but fortunately I picked it out, the fine juvenile Black Tern perched on a post, 2 groynes south of the car park. When James B was testing on me on which bird was the juvenile Arctic on the groyne (easy James!) in front of us, I was delighted to pick out 2! Another was on a post (same groyne) opposite south of the other one so there were 2 juvenile Arctic terns in all, 2 Sandwich Terns, a Yellow wagtail flew over calling, 4 Swift seen flew south, and up to 7 Mediterenean Gulls, 2 winter adults and up to 5 immatures , 2 were hanging around and using the car as a mobile hide I got a few pics but the light wasn't as good as I thought it was!(inc. the one pictured underneath, plus record shots only of juveniles of both Black & Arctic Tern, sadly but inevitably the birds flew before I could get closer; scared off by dog walkers shouting along the shoreline). Plus John L pointed out a Carrion Crow and Magpie harrying a female Sparrowhawk along the Cliffe. Good to meet John L & his wife, John recently spotted a Booted E at Carlton fame, a fabulous record, also good to see Kevin B, David B & his wife too. at 9.55am a calling yellow Wagtail flew over the house and south. At 5.55pm just as the rain was starting, I saw a superb Great Spotted Woodpecker fly in to the tree on the far right, It was heavily obcured hopped up one of the branches and then it flew south calling "tschiick" First record of one seen in the garden.

Terns on groynes & defaced Banksy

A check of the Lowestoft North Beach this evening, Wednedsay 18 August, revealed 37 Common Terns (my highest tally this summer) on groynes (north and south of Links road car apark) this evening with 8 immatures, little else. A perspex cover now put over the Banksy artwork, even though it has been completely defaced. A case of slamming the stable door after the horse has bolted? Pics show before (the 'inevitable' vandalism) and after (being daubed over with white paint & perspex covered) shots.

A Corton seawatch

A Corton cliffs seawatch this evening (Monday 16th August) 6.35-7.45pm, my best this year, not difficult given my usual success in seawatching. I joinied James B, we saw 2 Arctic Skua, 1 a light phase bird flew steadily north low over the water whilst the second bird was a dark phase bird flew north and it then turned flew a little south harrying a Tern before settling on the sea. Many Common Terns flying north c200. A fine calling Golden Plover in winter plumage flew in off the sea, it called a mournful plaintive "peuu" call, whilst 6 calling Curlew were well picked up by James flying low over the roof tops flying inland. A calling Whimbrel was also heard plus 2 Oystercatcher flying north and then 4 Mediterranean Gulls (2 adults and 2 immatures) flew north. A female Sparrowhawk flew around and then north, then she briefly perched in a palm tree right in front of us briefly.

Banksy crabbing at Cromer

On Saturday 14th August, after half an hour at Gunton cliff, seeing just 4 Common Terns on the groynes, I drove up to Cromer, having worked out where the Banksy crab art was at Cromer, having been thwarted going on Wednesday as I wasn't entirely sure where the artwork was (& it was very hot too 28 degrees!). I was just finishing off my breakfast at Asda carpark and I had a very welcome call from fellow banksy enthusiasts, the Fergusons, they were going to and we arranged to meet up at the end of The Warren, Cromer just off Overstrand road. After quite a long wait to fill up the car, I was finally on my way and rang Paul & Jane when I reached Overstrand road (parked up as Cromer was absolutely jam packed, Jane assured me there was a space they would save at The Warren, and I was only 2 minutes away, I drove up and rendezvoued with them. At the end of the Warren we turned left took the steps down the cliff and turned right past the beach huts immediately beyond was a concrete wall at right angles projecting towards the sea and more importantly a small appreciative crowd of people! We joined them at the fine Banksy artwork.

On the trail of "Banksy?!

On Friday afternoon, there were tweets going around and a great picture by Julie of a possible 'Banksy', the well known street artist whose wonderful artistic creations and social commentary on the state of society and particularly appearing in areas which had been better days, sometimes these artworks were ephemeral in nature, so possibly only matter of time before he visited Lowestoft?! Anyway a possible 'Banksy' had appeared in Lowestoft London Road North, specifically on the side of the old 'Lowestoft Electrical' building on the wall you used to walk past to visit the old Tesco's supermarket in the town. On Sunday afternoon 8th August, Jenny & I parked in Alexandria Road, North Lowestoft and we saw this wonderful creation plus the sand, sadly all the recent heavy rain had obliterated the accompanying sand castle, we were left with a heap of sand! Next stop was along denmark Road, specifically the junction with traffic lights and another depiction, this time of a seagull or specifically Herring Gull swooping down onto a skip with tubes presumably represnting chips. This artwork, although also fantastic, differed in style to a typically 'Banksy' but was well done except where the paint had dripped down, possibly the artists had to vacate hurriedly? Next stop was Nicholas Everitt park, and Jane F very kindly gave me the exact location, but all the car parking spaces were taken and we had to walk 10 minutes from the 'Dead End' at Oulton Broad to the bridge that you walk over to enter the park from the free bowl car park. Another piece of really great street art which looks to me like a 'Banksy', was on the south side of the bridge. Sadly, the accompanying boat on the left hand side had been removed by the Council worried about it blocking a drain. This art installation was also gathering an appreciative crowd. Jane F also furnished me with details of the next one the wall lining the northside of Link's road, another great piece of art thet looks like a Banksy and another smaller appreciative crowd gathered here. Next stop, a short drive to Admiralty road, Great Yarmouth, were on the right hand side of the road, 1/4 mile down, just above a bus stop was another 3 figured charming Banksy-type piece with the legs on one of the seated figures (right-hand one) dangling beneath the bus stop shelter, giving a more 3D effect (where the sand castle, boat had been used in the earlier works mentioned) Howver, heavy rain forced us back to the car and we drove to the small free car park beneath the Cliff Hotel at Golreston and in the first shelter south of there was a crane contraption above the seat in the shelter where people could pose underneath here as if there were about to be grabbed by the artwork, another Banksy? We shall have to wait and see, but really wonderful to see this artwork and I think personally 5 of the 6 pictured here are Banksy, but I repeat we will have to wait and see if and when it is confirmed on the Artist's Instagram site.

Painted Lady in the garden

On Saturday 7th August, I was delighted to see a Painted Lady in the garden about 10am, that briefly settled on a Runner Bean plant leaf before 'she' flew off! There was also Large White, a Peacock butterfly and Gatekeeper also seen in the garden today.

Catch up

On Tuesday, morning a fluttering Peacock butterfly found in the kitchen and safely released outside. On Tuesday evening, a look around Castle Marshes revealed a Brown Hawker in the North Cove car park and a Green Woodpecker flew to nearby trees on Castle Marsh. On Wednesday 4th August, 5 Large Whites, a fine pale chestnut Comma butterfly seen mid afternoon, now a good record for the garden, but sadly it eluded the camera by flying over the back garden fence. Gatekeeper also seen, plus a Peacock and Red Admiral. Later on in a local wood, I marked up the 20 fine Broad- leaved Helleborines to ensure they weren't accidently strimmed, sadly 4 in the small meadow area had been beheaded already. Lets hope this will mean their numbers will increase in years to come. On Wednesday 4th August evening, a disappointing look around the North Denes/ beach area only revealed 20 BH Gulls on Links Road car park, 20 Common Terns on the nearest groyne and a stream of Kittiwakes c100 going south.

Lucky hour at Carlton Marshes

On Monday 2nd August, I decided to call in at Carlton Marshes after work and tea, to see if my luck would change and would I finally see a Purple Heron after 6 years of dips. Parking at 6.30pm, I walked through the centre, to check the dyke at the back where I'd heard of recent reports of a showy Water Vole. Another species, I'd missed out on in recent years, only hearing the plop as I walked past the dykes but not seeing 'Ratty him/herself! A couple looking from the boardwalk one end of the lookout along the left side, posed me a question asking what they were looking at? My suspicions were confirmed when I walked over and I observed a fine Water Vole feeding just beneath us. It then swam right and then sat again showing well for some ten minutes before it swam out of sight, a great start! I bumped into @Wildlifetog and he said he had seen the Purple Heron from the Tower hide. I walked over to the Tower Hide, a Great Diving Beetle was crossing the path here. two people in the hide said the bird was west nearer the Look out hide. I decided to go there as it was closer to the bird and the light would be better there. On the journey up a Brown Hawker seen in flight along the path. At the Look Out hide, I saw both Andrew E and Steve P and there were 5 Shovelor (in eclipse plumage) to the west of the hide a Grey Heron flew over and put up the fantastic immature Purple Heron at 7.20pm, it flew south and then wheeled around and then flew in anorth- westerly direction and out of sight. walking back a the large larvae of a Silver diving Beetle crossed the path.

Garden wildlife

On Sunday 1st August, in the afternoon, 5 Large White butterflies, a Peacock, Red Admiral and my furst garden Gatekeeper of the year and up to 3 Migrant Hawker dragonflies either flying around on the lawn or resting on the runner bean poles, plus a bonus female Common Darter was nice to witness, especially with a quiet garden (young family next door were away).

American waders at Minsmere

On Sunday 1st August, I drove down to Minsmere, joing Nick & his wife by the pond, we walked over to the Esat hide and saw 7 Spotted Redshanks (now going into winter plumage), one bird was right in front of the East hide for a while whilst 3 were on the North Scrape anbd 3 grouped together on the southern end of the East scrape. Small wadres included 7 Common Sandpipers, 3 Green Sandpipers and 1 Wood Sandpiper all at the North end of the Scrape at the back. ASt least 1 Little Ringed Plovers seen as well as the more ubitiqious c30 Black- tailed Godwits. Walking to the public hide, we joined Ali R who said the fine White- rumped Sandpiper, a smaller bird than accompanying group of 4 Dunlin and browner immature bird, compared to the adult seen previously. Often a Dunlin would chase it. I scanned the Common terns no sign of Roseate (that would turn up later when i had gone) Going back to the East hide, on the report of the Pec being seen. Still no sign when we arrived, until Carl said he had it it flew out from behind the islands just north of post 6 and showed showing distinct elongated shape sharp division between breast (streaked brown)and chest (white) of the fine Pectoral Sandpiper always nice to see.