More garden birds

On Friday 30 December, it was nice to see 3 Blackbirds (1 male & 2 females) hunting for food in the garden in today's wet weather, although bad news for the resident worms. 2 Jackdaws were also on the feeders demolishing the fatballs.

Festive Waxwings

On Christmas Day, Sunday 25 December, a tweet from Mark E stating there were some Waxwings at Burnt Hall Way had me driving over but initially I couldn't see any sign of them, I checked all the usual haunts nearby including the Co-op car park along Hollow Grove Way (the 3rd lot I have found/refound in as many weeks!) and sure enough 5 Waxwings were briefly seen on a tree just SE of the car park at 11.18am, the only problem was they flew off! I drove back to Burnt hall way and all 5 Waxwings, which were safely back on the much berried Rowan in someone's garden from 12.10pm onwards, opposite Kestrel Green. They perched at the top of the tree and then would make the very short flight to the lower branches to gobble the berries! A small crowd had gathered too and I remained watching the birds from the car, as it was overcast and I didn't want to disturb the birds.

Garden birds

On Thursday 22nd December, it was nice to see up to 4 Blackbirds in the garden, a Robin and a Wren that was popping in and out of the guttering at the top of the western end of the garage. 1 or 2 Redwings have been heard as well flying overhead but not seen sadly in the garden during the recent cold snap.

Tystie has gone

This morning, Tuesday 20th December, I checked Ness Point and the North beach along to Linkls road car park, 1 ringed adult Mediterranean Gull was at Bird's Eye car park briefly, so brief I wasn't able to read the ring. Another adult Mediterranean Gull was on Link's road car park whilst on the groyne opposite was another unringed adult Mediteranean Gull seen and 2 2nd winter Mediterranean Gulls (again both unringed) so 5 Mediterranean Gulls in total (3 ads & 2 2nd winters). A Common Gull also seen as well as 18 Turnstone by Birds Eye entrance.

A tenacious Tystie- Black Guillemot- at Ness Point, Lowestoft

I arrived at Gorleston just after 10am and received a tweet about a Black Guillemot drifting north from Kessingland, I decided to put on hold my shopping and make a serious attempt at refinding the elusive Tystie, a much needed potential addition to my Suffolk list. With global warming this northerly species is destined to become even rarer so it was now or never! As the message stated it was drifting north from Kessingland, I decided to make a concerted effort & look around Lowestoft. I needed help with this, so I rang Jane F who I knew would be interested in looking and we initially tried from Pakefield looking out from the CEFAS labs: there was no joy here, but we received news from Carl B who had checked Kessingland and Benacre to no avail. So I was hoping it had drifted/ swum even further north, we had to re-double our efforts! So we decided to double back checking Hamilton Dock along the way, nothing there either. So next stop was Ness Point, I had to answer the call of nature and walking back from the Tamarisk bushes to rejoin Jane, I had been checking the sea walking back to Jane but had seen nothing and then Jane excitedly and hurriedly gesticulated to me to come over quickly and well done to Jane amazingly she had it, Ferguson luck strikes again! and looking out we could see the excellent 1st winter winter plumaged Black Guillemot or Tystie (to give its Shetland or Norse name) swimming north just a few metres out from the sea defence rocks at the northern perimeter of Ness Point. A dumpy squat auk with obvious large white patch on the wing, its ID was obvious, being a textbook example! Amazing, I had been trying to see one of these in Suffolk for over 40 years and had agonisingly missed one flying past at Ness Point in November 2015 when it was tracked flying north from Slaughden to Lowestoft, typically I missed out by just 5 minutes! The Tystie was just about to swim into the sea past Ness Point and around sea off the North Beach. I quickly tweeted at 12.10pm immediately after i had seen the bird & put the the news out on the following What's App platforms: Suffolk BINS, Thursday Clubbers and Lowestoft Lounge Lizards. One major problem because of my recent lower back problems I had ditched my camera and had to quickly go home to retrieve it! Driving back along Yarmouth road, I could see James W cycling like a demon along Yarmouth road, heading for Ness Point! Having retrieved said camera, I parked at the northern end of Bird's Eye. As I disembarked from the car, I spied Rob H who was running back along the sea wall, he had a meeting he had to attend. James W was already there (having passed him on the way back as he was cycling to Ness Point!) and James B, Rene, Anthony W and others latterly including the late arriving Chris & Alison A. The bird was soon picked up quickly swimming north and was being swayed around by the 3 foot waves on a very vibrant sea. I managed to clamber on some rocks to get some height and get a little closer but it was just a little too far for me given the weather and having to lighten the exposure by +3/4 or even +1 which always softens the pictures. The conditions were extremely challenging with very poor light rough seas often obscuring the bird as 3 metres waves crashed onto the shore in front of it making it very difficult to pick up the bird within the camera sights The bird was compared to Guillemot (the nearest confusion species) shoter more rounded and compact and not as long and sleek as a Guillemot being an estimated 3/4 or 75% the size/ length of a Guillemot looking plumper and more pot- bellied. It had a black medium sized pointed bill with a broadish base tapering to a point (shorter than on Guillemot being roughly 2/3 the width of the headand had greyish head with darker area in front of the eye. It had a white beast and belly with some dark flecking on the breast sides. It showed white crescents bordering the eye (above & below) It showed an obvious white wing patch flecked with some brown indicating it was an immature 1st winter bird and blackish back flecked with white and white belly. All these features clearly ruled out the other Auk species. When it flapped its wings the underwing coverts were white bordering a black line on the leading edge and thicker black area on the back edge. When it preened it showed dark wine red legs. We followed the tenacious Tystie as it continued swimming north being regularly buffeted by the tumultous seas and towering waves, as it reached the northern end of the north beach area (roughly opposite the newly reopened Link's road car park), it briefly swam back south again pausing to first preen and then flap its wings 3X (where the underside were white and we saw the underwing was white bordering by a thin black line on the leading edge and thicker greyish smudge along the rear edge and then we saw it change direction continue its northbound journey. I fear for its health, as it is surely unusual for an auk to be this close to the shore and its eyes were mostly closed during the period of observation. The bird continued swimming north on the sea just off north beach keeping to within 20 metres of the shore and sometimes a little closer. The distinctive aroma of cigars indicated the belated arrival of Roger C who last saw the bird swimming behind the remnants of a groyne still heading north half way along Gunton beach where we finally left this fine northern denizen. One last thought, during the period of observation I didn't see the bird dive for fish once. Only the 13th record for Suffolk, it is still a very rare visitor in Suffolk with birds breeding in Anglesey in North Wales (the nearest breeding pairs) and the north- western coasts of Scotland prefering rocky areas or those older harbours with holes where they can nest. I was hopeful however that one day soon we would get a bird either that we would find or would be twitchable in Suffolk as there had been increasing sighting of Black Guillemots off Cley and Sheringham, North Norfolk in recent years.

Waxwings still there & North Denes goodies

On Sunday 18 December, 19 of the Waxwings were still at Westhall Road and Wissett way albeit in very drab light, the birds initially alighted on the tree in Wissett Way before returning twice to the tree in Weshall Road. On the North Denes, by the cut seaward side I saw 2 Lapwings and the 3 Golden Plover.

Christmas starts here!

On Saturday 17th December, I gave Jenny a lift to Hollingsworth road PO to pick up an undelivered parcel and over the past few weeks I have been checking locations in North Lowestoft for Waxwings and as we were driving back, a detour over to Westhall road (a known Waxwing haunt in previous years), I hit the jackpot as I could see 13+ Waxwings perched in a tree just on the left hand side of the road. We drove back home, I let everyone know via social media and then went back with the camera to get some pictures. James W soon joined me and together we counted up to 23 birds! The birds were perched in a tall tree just south of Westhall road and would periodically (every 15- 20 minutes fly over to the tree where I had originally found them and then fly across the road to gorge on the berries by the Rowan tree opposite. Later on they perched in a tree just east and just west and later they would regularly fly over to the Rowan on the corner by Wisset Way. Up to 5 Lapwings flew over too and 2 Redwings in the Rowan and 4 Redwings in a more distant tree.

Waxwing at Rectory Road, Carlton Colville

On Saturdsay 10th December, I made my way to Rectory road, Kirkely/ Pakefield and was surprised no other birders were there and neither was the Waxwing. Short answer was I was in the wrong location, I had frgotten there was another Rectory road at Carlton Colville, where of course there had been a history of previous visits by Waxwings. I arrived there and promptly saw the waxwing in the tree by the corner with the Street. TBC

Waxwings at Lowestoft cemetery

On Sunday 4th December, whilst looking for a family burial plot in Lowestoft cemetery, at 2.15pm, I heard the distinctive trilling of Waxwings and looked up and saw 3 Waxwings flying north- east at tree height, they appeared to have flown up possibly from the old rail track, luckily I had my bins with me and saw they were clearly Waxwings they were lost behind trees near the chapel. We drove around and checked all the trees in the cemetery and had a drive around good berry bush areas nearby at known haunts of Waxwings in previous years but sadly they weren't relocated. (LIBRARY PIC BELOW).

2 Redwings south over the garden

On Saturday 3rd December at about 8am it was nice to see 2 calling Redwings calling and flying south over the western perimeter of the garden.

Garden Wren & diver no show

On Sunday 27th November, first thing in the back garden a visiting cat, disturbed a lovely Wren that flew out from the side Buddlea bush and to the back trees. After the rain had stopped early afternoon, no sign at all of the Divers along Lale Lothing.

2 Divers at Lake Lothing

On Saturday 26th November I parked at the south end of Normanston Park and walked over to Lake Lothing, seeing a Kingfisher fly by, 2 Little Grebes seen too. Initially there was no sign of the GND, I bumped into Roger but a tweet from Andrew E from the Cruising Club and we saw the fine Great Northern Diver swimming left along the channel fairly close in but right up against the sun, light was a serious problem here for photos. The bird very slowly swam left/ north and I managed to get onto the concrete jetty, a good vantage point for photography & the light improved but only when the bird had swum further north & was much further away. It appeared quite sleepy and had its eyes closed on many occasions. Hopefully the bird was tired after a big of big meal of crabs and fish and is not ill. From the Cruising club, with Roger, we saw another Kingfisher speed by, we spotted the Red- throated Diver looking south and it was near the wooden wreck for a short while before swimming left and out of sight. James C arrived and we showed him where the RT Dibver had been seen and thought that the GND had swam east along Lake Lothing, little did we know it had doubled back and showed brilliantly briefly by the cruising club barely 20 minutes afater we had left following tweets from James W, that was hard to take, but this sums up the year where I have struggled with bad luck with pics all year. At least I saw the GND. A return visit in the afternoon, in the hope of getting better pics proved fruitless as we didn't see the GND at all. A Little Egret seen briefly by the shoreline, where I joined Rob H and Justin L amongst thers. The Red- throated Diver was still around the wooden wreck this time asleep. Rob H and I enjoined a mini bit of vis mig migration with a sadly now rare sighting of a Lowestoft Mistle Thrush flying south overhead, we heard Grey Wagtail and also saw a pair of Pintail flying south, a male quickly followed by a female. Sadly, no further sighting of the GND this afternoon.

Pair of Oystercatchers flying over the Burrage Centre

On Thursday 24th February, leaving work James Paget Hospital at 5.20pm in the dark, a little later than usual I was rewarded when I heard the shrill call of Oystercatcher and was fortunate enough to see first one and then 2 Oystercatchers flying close together low and south over the Burrage Centre before turning around and flying north- west.

Oulton Broad Red- crested Pochard

On Sunday 20th November, in the afternoon, a look around Oulton Broad failed to locate a potential GN Diver that had been seen around Lowestoft harbour and I was looking to see if it made its way into Lake Lothing, no luck. I had success eventually with the Red- crested Pochard that was seen in a distant garden looking north west across Oulton Broad from the jetty just south of the OB Sailing club, it was in one of the very far garden (not too far away from Fisher Row) where a grassy lawn led down to the Broad, around 8 Mallards and the fine male Red- crested Pochard was seen partially obscured as it spent much of its time behind a boat trailer!

Filby Broad birds

During the morning on Sunday 20th November, I drove over to Filby Broad, from the boardwalk, looking to the left, by c30 Tufted Ducks, a 1st winter male Ring- necked Duck seen in the water in front of some green steps, the black & white banded bill at the tip stood out. At the far back between some islands hosting some Cormorants. Some ducks swimming in the dark water by the reeds and showed reddish mahogany brown plumage and white under the tail just about proving they were 2 Ferruginous Ducks but a long way off! The Ring- necked Duck was seen among a raft of Tufted Ducks just left of a second area of reeds jutting out into the water. A female Scaup-like Tufted Duck, with a nominally thick white band by the bill but quite dark backed seen too. The boardwalk was packed with around 10 birders at one point on there all looking for the rare ducks. One board near me was definitely worn out and I had to warn all those passing by to avoid that particular plank! Nice to see Peter C and Justin L. POSTSCRIPT: I have seen pics of a different bird that is clearly a Scaup, but bird I saw was clearly a Scaup-like female Tuftie!

Ness Point seawatch

On Saturday 19th November, an adult winter Little Gull seen on the sea close in just past the finger with BH Gulls, it then flew south, another seen in the same area on the sea and a final one flew south near the horizon, so 3 ad winter Little Gulls seen in all. c8 adult winter Kittiwakes also flew south. 12 Wigeon flew south, as well as 5 and then 8 Teal flying south. A fine adult Gannet flew north (almost on the horizon) and several Brent Geese flew south, 12, 5, 18, 6 and 7 in all. Back in the compound, a Redwing seen on the ridge and 5 Blackbirds. Finally a Rock Pipit flew south and then another flew north.

A few birthday birds

On Tuesday 15 November, I visited Ness Point and saw 3 Purple Sandpipers on the finger landward side. They walked over top the rocks to go to roost and I counted additional birds, so 5 Purple Sandpipers seen in total. as there was a very strong gusty SSE wind5, and a pair of very close Red- breasted Mergansers flew south, plus 35 Pintail flying south, 2 Dunlin S & 20 Teal flew south. At the end of Hamilton Road I joined Andrew E and we saw 4 Dunlin and 2 Snipe flying south. Flocks 0f 40 and 35 Brent Geese also flew south. One final thought, it has now been 5 years since Ricky F passed, but he is never forgotten.

LEO and Firecrest

On Sunday 13th November, a tweet stating Josh had a LEO on Gunton Warren had me parking up 20 minutes later, by the Warren, I walked down the cliff and saw Matt S and as we looked up the slope a chap was looking from the top, he must have disturbed the LEO from the bush as we saw the fine Long- eared Owl fly out, darker and browner than SEO with more rounded wing tips than SEO and noticably orange primary patches, with heavily streaked body and finely barred underwing wing tip. We then saw it fly again for 10 seconds as it flew north- west and out of sight obscured by vegetation. We searched along the top cliff and Hubbards Loke and the Shelter belt by Dip farm to no avail. I then left Matt who was going to Walberswick hoping to catch up with the Red- rumps, I tackled Corton Woods, where along the edge I failed to see Fireccrest where Josh had seen them but I heard both Green Woodpecker and Great- Spotted woodpecker. As I looked around the pond, I could hear a Firecrest calling and I started pishing and a fine Firecrest popped out of the bush just west of the pond, my first of the year. Several Long- tailed Tits seen but little else. Looking around Corton OSW, I heard and saw a Grey Wagtail fly south over the OSW complex. There were 2 big puddles just by path running past the compound and towards the cliffs and it was attracting a lot of common birds including 2 Song Thrush, 8 Greenfinches, 2 Robins, 3 Chaffinches, a Meadow Pipit and a female Linnet all bathing. Sadly looking into the light so no pics. Walking around and back 2 Collared Doves joined them and a Blackbird bathing in the dyke. a charm of 15 Goldfinches also seen, nice to see so many birds. Unsurprisingly, Corton churchyards was quiet as a female Sparrowhawk shot towards me and flew south, a trio of Long-tailed Tits hid in the bushes. A tweet stating Rob Wil had a Siberian Chiff- Chaff south end of Flycatcher Alley I parked along Gunton Cliff and saw Josh we looked over the trees bordering the south side of the Oval and heard the lost chick call but also the more typical Hweet call of a Chiff- Chaff, we saw the aforementioned bird it was very pale below but when we saw it in good sunshine it showed an olive back, so it was probably an intermediate bird and not a Tristis. Several flocks c30 x2 of dark- bellied Brent Geese flying south, including a large flock of c100 Dark- bellied Brent Geese also flying south.

Trio of Red- rumped Swallows at Walberswick

On Saturday 12 November, I was delighted to hear that the trio of Red- rumped Swallows were still at Walberwick harbour having been seen in the area over the previous 2 days, so after the first tweet I headed staright down to Walberswick harbour car park and immediately saw a line of 5 birders looking south. I soon spotted all 3 birds initially quite distantly but they gradually flew closer giving reasonable middle distance views. They were seen above a large conifer and appeared to be hawking for insects over Walberswick village. By 8.25am they had drifted south so I drove out and back through the village and by the Green, some cars had parked up and birders looking south. I parked up and amazingly we saw the trio of Red- rumped Swallows perched on the wires they were constantly preening but we had cross light and as I edged closer I needed to get to the other side for much better light. I retread my steps and walking across the Village Green I approached from the other side and the light was much better, it was perfect in fact. By now, the 3 Red- rumps had rested up and were hawking around the Green and just east of us. David W, Matthew D and Paul & Jane F as well as Jon B & John G turned up and we saw one bird flying past the moon. Using my 100- 400mm was not just enough zoom for the flight shots. But they soon came to rest on the wires again and I was able to get a little closer without disturbing them and they were busy preening again, they rested up for a further 10 minutes before habving another fly around before they settled on the wires again for just 5 minutes before they they flew west at 9.30am. We heard Ed Sheeran was filming on Southwold Beach so parking in the car park I had paid for 3 hours at the Walberswick Harbour east end, I saw a couple of tents Enterprise Rent-a-car vans and one big lighting rig and resting on the most easterly of 4 chairs was a very relaxed ed Shheran with a shock bright ginger hair and his arms resting behind his head. Some security guards spotted me and he was soon moved before I could get a record shot!

Bee Orchid rosettes just appeared

On Tuesday 8th November, following the biblical rain that we had endured the previous weekend, I was delighted to find that 2 fresh Bee Orchid rosettes had just appeared within the 2 cages protecting the plants just outside Sir James Paget Library.

Small Tortoiseshell at the Library

The previous weekend it had rained continuously so no birding despite wanting to look for the EYW at Carlton, so another dip of course. On Monday 7th November, at 11.25am, I rescued a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly in pristine condition that had just flown into the Sir James Paget Library by the door, it flew away strongly. at 11.45am, walking to the main Hospital building from the Burrage Centre, a Grey Wagtail flew over.

Mega dip day but Crimson Speckled was nice

On Saturday 29th October, I drove down to Aldeburgh and walking down to the Martello Tower, just 20 minutes after first light I was extremely disappointed (to say the least) to hear the Alpine Accentor not only wasn't showing (I'd missed it in the gloom by 20 minutes) but it had flown off high to the west, it never came back. Black-tailed Godwit was seen and a Purple Sandpiper flew onto a wooden groyne, around 300 metres south of the Tower. I then cut my losses and went to Hazlewood Marshes which had some nice birds, including a Greenshank flying west and then it flew back onto the estuary. 4 Bar- tailed Godwits seen plus up to 3 Water Pipits and a fine Osprey seen perched on the first of 3 short posts sticking out of the water just south of the hide. I raced back to Ness Point after Rob Wil had found a Crimson Speckled and he had very considerately arranged some sticks in the form of an arrow pointing out exactly where this moth was, clinging to a Buddlea, but I was fortunate that James C, Rob H, Chris & Alison A were there to point it out to me. The following Friday, I missed the chance to go for the AA at BP, Norfolk too.

Carder Bee at Corton ORT

On Wednesday 26th October, in the early afternoon I took a look at Corton OSW and Corton Churchyard, a cacophany of Goldfinches heard in the corner of the Churchyard around the OSW nothing seen but walking to the cliffs, 1 Carder Bee clinging to a dandelion flower.

Ness Point Pallid Swift, a first for Lowestoft!

At teatime, a tweet from Rob Wil stating Julie had found a probable Pallid Swift had me leaping in the car at just after 5pm and within 10 minutes I was pulling into the northern end of Birds Eye car park. I saw Julie walking along the seawall and she said she had just lost it flying south just over the Bird's Eye factory. James W turned up on his bike and after 15 minutes at around 5.27pm as I was driving away, I saw Julie raise her glasses and looking over IO could see the excellent Swift flying just over Bird's Eye. Stopping the car I leapt out and we saw the bird if flew first left and then right over Bird's Eye showing a noticably small fluttering almost bat like flight, it showed more blunt tipped wings and appeared smaller than Common Swift and less scyth like wings. People started arriving Rob Wil, Andrew E, James B, Rob H, Richard S, Chris & Alison A etc. The bird then flew towards the wind turbine and then it flew towards us and directly over our heads, at one point I noticed the paler browner plumage, whitish throat area and darker 'black eye surround' it had a widish rump leading to narrow slightly notched tail, indicating to me that this was clearly a Pallid Swift and a first for Lowestoft for me. Andrew E and Rob H's photos confirmed this. Very well done to Julie, who had earlier noted scallops on the bird too. The bird then flew around the back of Bird's Eye over to the wind turbine and then again following the seawall area and again directly over our heads before it started to concentrate flying around the wind turbine where after sometime, it disappeated presumably roosting on the wind turbine at 6.14pm.

Dip Farm and Gunton ORT meander

On Monday 24th October, this afternoon parking at the pitch and putt car park by Corton woods, I walked over to the ORT and reaching the Radde's copse I heard the rasping of a Brambling heard and at the Gunton ORT a Redwing was seen in a bush.

Wheatear at Ness Point

On Monday 24th October, I parked just south of the Orbis building and breaking news of a Wheatear around the Orbis building meant I was in the right spot at the right time. I soon spotted it within the Wind Turbine compound and it flew out to the sea wall and perched along the sea wall. It then flew back to the compound and I photographed it just outside the fence. Roger C and Rob Win seen again.

Southwold Dusky but noffin of the Puffin

On Saturday 21st October, I parked along North Road at Southwold and opp 71 (the reedy area where the Blyth's Reed had been seen 2 years eatlier) by 2 bushes in the reeds the "takk" of the Dusky Warbler was frequently heard but we were limited to glimpses of the bird, often obscured but once the whole bird was seen and the strking supercilia seen once too. It flew between the bushes before flying west to the Sallows. Paul & Sara appeared and later Brian S, the finder. News was then messaged out from the local What's App that John B had sighted a reasonably close Puffin just off Ness Point, I ran back to the car. Drove to Ness Point around half an hour later got to Ness Point, parked up but no one was there. Scanning the sea, I couldn't see any bird on the sea let alone a Puffin. Roger C then turned up and we then saw John B who was walking back he had left the bird sitting on the sea but there was no sign of it now. Instead a fine winter- plumaged Knot was on the area just off the compass at Ness Point but people by the compass flushed it and it flew onto the finger promtorary before people walking out over the finger flushed it and it flew north and appeared to land on the small ledge just east of the seawall. I went to investigate and the bird was still there, very carefullyclimbing over I managed to get a few pics of the bird but it was often staying within the shadier half of the ledge. Nice to catch up with RobWin later on as I made my way back to Ness Point. A look around Corton churchyard revealed very little but I saw a Coal Tit, a Song Thrush and Goldcrest plus the Corton New Sewage works, a Grey Wagtail flew up from the entrance to the complex and flew south.

No sign for me of the BRT

On Friday 20th October incredible news of a Blue Rock Thrush within the grounds of the Hermaness Holday Park at Winteron had me in the afternoon parking just south of there but very unfortunately there was no sign of the BRT for me, a caravan park to the south hosted a female type Black Redstart and a lateish Wheatear in the valley. I left at 3.30pm but annoyingly for me, the bird reappeared at 5pm along Back Lane.

Merveille and Dartford

A message from John H and I was soon making my way over to Hemsby in Norfolk and we saw the fine Merveille De Jour moth, which when released crawled under a leaf so John decided to recapture it and release it safely at night, also seen was a bonus Mallow by the back fence. Back home, I then looked around the North Beach, Ness Point and Birds Eye and very little save for a Stock Dove fly into the former gas turbine yard and 9 Turnstone and that was it no sign of the 'confiding Brambling', at Ness Pt nor the 2 Caspians at North Beach or the Snow B along the seawall. At 4.30pm, a tweet from James W. and I went down to Gunton Warren in the wryneck/ shrike area, just 50 yds north of there and the grey post, I saw a flock of 5 LT Tits, 2 Blue Tit and Goldcrest and then the fine Dartford Warbler flew out of some bracken and headed towards a bramble, I heard it "churr once too, all around 5pm, but only seen and heard the once.

Best seawatch ever!

On Sunday 9th October, I will pre-empt this entry by explaining that the much missed, much lamented the late Ricky F used to often decry poor seawatches as "the worst seawatch ever!", Ricky did however later pick up some really good seabirds later on and in truth, he was an excellent seawatcher and his former mantle of not seeing much out to sea, I had inherited in recent years, but hopefully this has now changed, it certainly did today! a WhatsApp tweet from Brian S stating that a Pterodama Petrel species had just been seen off Southwold and heading north had me driving to Ness Point, rather an inconveniently a set of traffic lights had been added near the Foxburrow but despite this and the Ravine being closed I arrived at Ness Point at 9.20am and soon set up joining Rob H, no sooner had I done so, than Rob shouted he had it... reasonably close around 3/4 mile out just beyond the 2 yellow bouys. A distinctive bird, this Fea's type Petrel, it really flew quickly it was spiralling up and down one minute disappearing beneath the high waves next looping up and careering up with angled wings and then glding down again, generally dark (greyish above), dark underwings, greyish head and white belly with short dark stubby bill and obvious very pointed tail end and greyish upperparts to the tail (bigger than Leach's Petrel but smaller than a Sooty- I would guess midway inbetween), I saw it 3X but it was easy to lose it when under the high waves, I saw it for a total of around 2 minutes duration (between 9.30-9.32am) and finally lost it as it passed the green bouy further north. Rob then rang Rob Wil and I rang James B to get them onto it. I am very pleased to say James B then saw it at 9.37am, I rang John H who went to Scratby but alas both Rob Wil and John H missed it. Rob shouted Sooty and we saw a fine dark brown all dark Shearwater, a Sooty Shearwater. Another 2nd Sooty, also flew north, so 2 Sooty Shearwaters in all, with long and narrow wings Birds were passing including groups of Brent Geese flying south 5, 3, 8 etc. The Wigeon, 1, 3, 5 going south. Plus Dunlin going south 5, 8 etc. Divers, mostly RTs were sen flying south including 8 single birds with one bird really close in. A Grey Plover flew south, Black auxillaries (armpits! prominent). Gannets- 1, 3, 5, 1, 1 went south. Andrew E arrived just 10 minutes too late and later Peter N, too. Andrew soon spotted a bird flying north dark above, and pale whitish greyer below, smaller and slimmer than Arttic with long slender wings and the flight was bouncing up and down as it flew north, a fine probable Long- tailed Skua! About 10 minutes later, a much closer bird, also smaller and slimmer, with long slender wings dark above with noticable frosty barring on the underwings rump and attenuated tail with a blunt tip, it's flight was also typically "bouncy" and this really was it, a fine immature Long- tailed Skua, my first for many years and a personal first for Lowestoft,(I'd previously seen some off Southwold)! Further out for nice comparison I spotted a typical dark phase Arctic Skua flying low over the water going north then wheeling up to harry a Gull several times before continuing north. A little later on, Andrew E then shouted Pom and we picked up a heavier looking Skua fine dark, barrel chested a fine Pomarine Skua (just past the yellow bouys- and another Skua I haven't seen for a few years), with noticable primary patch white wing flash seen on the underwing. Flying steadily north. It was a real Skua ID masterclass today!

Bits and bobs

On Saturday 8th October, at Asda, a Cormorant was seen on the post and a Peacock butterfly plus Blue Tit and Meadow Pipit flew over. Later on in the faternoon, a magnificent kettle of 8 Buzzards spiralling just north of Bosquet Close and 2 Buzzards flew low over the garden too.

Very late flowering Green- flowered Helleborine

On Tuesday 4th October 2022, I had a chance to leave early on a Tuesday as I am working Wednesday afternoon this week. Gavin D kindly offered to show me from 3.30pm, where the Green flowered Helleborine was which he had refound earlier this week. At a marsh in deepest Suffolk, This super plant was seen under a large bush by a river and was growing from the bush trunk a small plant of around 7 inches in length. Very difficult conditions for photography having to use flash and having to secure a very precarious foot hold.

Red- throated Diver close in off Gunton Beach

On Monday 3rd October, after tweets from Alison A, James W and a phone call very gratefully received from Nick B, I was advised of a very close Red- throated Diver in summer plumage off Gunton beach, just 200 metres north off Warren House Wood, immediately after work at 5pm. I drove to Marine Parade and ran as fast as I could to the aforementioned area. I knew the light would soon be going as the nights are drawing in. I saw Nick and another chap on the beach just 200 metres north off Warren House Wood, looking at the tidelines and the surf just beyond. The wonderfully near full summer plumaged Red- throated Diver very close in on the sea regularly feeding diving regularly and swimming first left and then right between the groynes. It repeatedly followed this process and I was able to run a few metres to position myself as it dived and be in position when it eventually resurfaced. Finally, it eventually swam out to sea a little.

Wall Browns, dipped Rustic & ringed Caspian

Feeling washed out due to receiving the Flu vaccine on Friday, on Saturday 1st October, I returned to Corton Old sewage works, after James B had seen the long staying YBW, early morning. No such luck but nice to see Rob & Kate M & a chap from Bungay way, we saw Chiff- Chaffs and several Hornets and when Rob H arrived a Queen Hornet buzzed past my face just inches away! We did see along the western hedge first a tatty Wall Brown on a flower, then a second Wall Brown on flowers, in much better condition and the finally one, a third Wall Brown, on flowers by the southern edge of the Corton Old sewage works. As we were leaving news of a Rustic Bunting (a very well deserved & superb find, of a super bird by Matt S) found along a path to brograve Mill from Horsey corner meant a walk of about a mile which beyond me, with my reaction to the jab. On Sunday, with the bird still there, I drove up to Horsey Corner, picking up John H and parking at Horsey Gap paying the £5 car parking charge, from Horsey corner we walked west with a Kingfisher flying over th epath and left in front of me and around 200 Pink- footed geese flying east. A crowd of people including Tony S, Dereham boys etc were in front of us but despite there sharp eyes we were out of luck and didn't see the Bunting. Returning home, late afternoon following a tweet, from Rob W, I drove to Swimming Pool road, parked up and first looking south no caspian Gull could be seen but 3 groynes north of the Oval, there it was a fine 1st winter Caspian Gull, with a yellow ring on its right leg stating P:XT6, it was perched on one of the groyne and spent most of its time wing stretching. Finally 42 Turnstones seen on or near the finger at Ness Point (still no Purple sand for me) nothing in Hamilton Dock.

Grey Wagtail over

On Monday XX September, as I was leaving for work, I heard a Grey Wagtail calling the house as it flew over.

Initial poor luck, but then a pop-up Yellow- brow

On Saturday 25th September, Andrew E had seen a Continental Coal Tit in Score, parking up I saw Andrew walking back and I did see a Holly Blue butterfly the north end of the score, but that's all I saw. I had left my phone at home and Andrew E had tweeted that he had seen a tired Mealy Redpoll, fly in off the sea at Ness Point, about the time I checked the Netposts area seeing nothing I hadn't continued onto the Point. So after returning home, I drove back down to Ness Point and couldn't find the Mealy Redpoll although rather ominously there was a Magpie in the compund where the Mealy had last been seen. On Sunday 26th September, I walked down the western hedge of Corton Old Sewage works, a Chiff- Chaff was singing and just a few metres past the NW corner, I saw the excellent Yellow- browed Warbler pop from the weeds and then into the Willow showed well briefly before disappearing, an hour later the bird called 3X in quick succession but we couldn't see it. I also saw a Hornet. I left to check a report of an LT Skua off Corton, (soon as I left James B relocated the YBW) all I saw on the sea was a Grey Seal, which was nice, it was popping its head from time to time, but I would have preferred to see the Skua. The sea was completely birdless, when I looked. Later on after Andrew E had a Caspian Gull along North Beach, it had gone by the time I arrived.

Benacre Shrike

On Sunday 11th September, a day after I had driven back from Wales, after a very welcome call from Jane F I had great difficulty parking but decided to park in the inland "Beach" car park and walked the mile and a half walk first to the Kessingland Sluice, I met David B and his wife coming back and we had a brief chat before I joined first Jane & Paul F and Clive. We saw a Wheatear here. later James B overlooking the corner section we soon saw the fine immature Red- backed Shrike perched on top of a Hawthorn and other bushes but it was fairly distant. Being by the bushes at the rear of the Sluice scrub corner. A message saying Jake G had an Osprey flying north from benacre and James B picked it up and we saw it, a fine Osprey circling fairly distantly before it flew , Jake G and I think Ben M arrived as did Dick and I made my exit. I was walking past by the caravan park. Along Kessingland levels bushes, I saw a male Stonechat and a female Reed Bunting,I received another tweet saying 2 Ravens were circling the Shrike and heading north-east exactly where I was! So I ran made up the sandy dunes to a notable high point and saw the pair of Ravens circling and then they flew south and west. They are certainly on my Benacre list but not quite in Lizardland!

Welsh trip

On Wednesday 7th September en route to the Tally Ho pub at Hungerford to meet long lost family, I saw a couple of Red Kites, over M4. On Friday 9th September, a visit to Kenfig NNR where you have to turn immediately right after a bridge to find the site much changed by a spate of house building. The Warden told me he hadn't seen any Autumn Ladies Tresses this year due to the blazing hot drought ridden summer. I tried to look but was sadly greeted bya golf course where I had seen them 10 years previously. I small a Small White butterfly, a Common Blue and Small Heath butterflies but that was it! A trip to Cymisfael stream late afternoon was much better, a Grey Wagtail was on the road where the drain was overflowing and running water don the road. I walked to the bridges and was greated by a wonderful sight of 2 Hobbies flying in from the right and as soon as they disappeared mewing birds heralded first a Red Kite flying around in the field to the left and then joined by a Buzzard. Finally, walking along the stream as I heard a dipper by the first bridge, a Dipper was on a close rock and then flew up to a branch where it spent some time preening finally a Grey Wagtail was seen on the stream again. A Nuthatch also heard too. Finally, whilst weeding at Brodawell a Raven was heard but not seen.

Wood Pigeon in the Library

On Tuesday 6th September, an immature Wood Pigeon flew into the Library via an open door. It flew around and perched by the small roof window of this former gym and I retrieved my tripod to guide it nearer to me, it flew and very sadly hit its head on the roof which stunned it and it settled on the stage area. The painters kindly lent me a dust sheet and I threw that over the bird caught it and relased it safely outside where it flew away strongly.

Nathusius' Pipistrelle Bat at the Paget

I really enjoy my work at the Paget, especially when I am contacted as I was today, on Monday 5th September, by my colleague & friend Clare P from the Pharmacy dept, who knows of my deep love for all wildlife, she rang me at the Library at 10.15am to say they were concerned about a Bat that was clinging to a wall (& seen 2 days running) in one of the courtyards of the Paget (between ward 15 and Pharmacy) & could I enquire with the National Bat Helpline on what we could do to help the bat and remove it safely to a more suitable place. As a Hospital courtyard wasn't a suitable place, lack of food for the bat and the danger that it could mistakenly fly into the Hospital building. I rang the National Bat Helpline and they put me in touch with a lady from Wymondham but they did add I should capture the Bat using gardening gloves (because they could carry rabies and a bite could pass this onto me!) and I was advised to wear a surgical mask because we coulkd pass on Covid-19 onto the bat & then put it into a shoebox with a tea towel and some water. Problem was I didn't have anything of these apart from a box or water. We enquired in Supplies dept (who provided a tea towel) who said check with Estates & Paul H stated I should ask in Estates store where some heavy duty gloves were issues. Armed with parcel tape and scissors I punctured the box many times for air for the bat to breathe and I walked along the northern corridor where I met Clare. The bat was clinging head down on the wall at about head height (or just under). I took some pics using a separate flash gun and adjusting the settings several times. This woke the bat up and it flew a short distance perching by the leg of a garden seat. Opening my gloved hand wide, and closing my fingers to protect the hunched wings I scooped the bat up and quickly put it in the box which was then sealed up with parcel tape sealing any gaps it could squeeze out of. By this time a small but appreciative crowd had appeared and I even got an appreciative clap at the end! I then twalked outside and then decided to release the bat in the nearest woodland, driving to Bluebell wood, just 1/4 of a mile away. Walking to the farside of the wood by the tallest trees, I opened the box to se the Bat had already spread its wings and it flew stongly up and perched near the top of one of the tallest trees. A great result as the Bat could then rest up and hopefully feed up to gain its strength at night time. Many thanks to Pharmacy, particularly Claire for contacting me, Supplies & Estates for furnishing me with a tea towel and heavy duty gloves. In the evening, I posted the pics, not sure of its exact ID, I knew it was a Pipistrelle species and Rob H kindly suggested Nathusius' Pipistrelle Bat, identified by its slightly larger size and very thick chestnut furry back, which I concur with.

Poor morning but better later.

On sunday 4th September, I managed to miss the Wryneck which had flown west of Link's road carpark and the Golden Plover in the compound. The only things of note was a fine male Migrant Hawker just west of Link's road compound and a Grayling the flew towards the eastern edge of Warren Hoiuse copse and 2 Wheatears seen by the southern edge of the Link's road compound. Later on some Essex birders were nipping in and out of the Bird's Eye bushes in the active pursuit of the male Redstart, I saw it twice flushed out and perched briefly in the small trees. But I did see a Whinchat on the fence and 4 Wheataer. Returning just after 5pm, there was nobody about and a total of 5 Wheatear seen plus the male Redstart flew out 4X to perch in the little trees as I waited patienly for it and managed a few shots. Intersting to see a Mimic Hornet Hoverfly briefly perched on the fence.

Saturday evening at the Netposts

On Saturday 3rd September, again walking down by the Bird's Eye bushes, 4 Wheatear seen by the Netposts and 2 Whinchat mainly perched on the fence. I joined Rob H and photo'd an obliging Pied Flycatcher in trees along the western end , the male Redstart was again seen at the end, and together with Alison & Chris A and later Julie, we saw the fine male Redstart perched by the A frame fence at the corner of Bird's Eye. Again the adult winter Little Gull flew over before flying north again. Finally the Pied Flycatcher appeared again along the western end of the line of Bird's Eye bushes by the netposts.