Garden birdwatch first then Somerleyton & Ashby

On Sunday 29th January, early on for the RSPB garden birdwatch included the foillowing: 2 Blackbirds, a Dunnock, a calling Great Tit, 2 Blue Tits and 1 Robin and that was it! No sign of our near resident Wood Pigeon, or Greenfinches or Jackdaws. A mid afternoon look on Sunday 29th January revealed a lovely Red Kite flying past the woods behind Somerleyton Church and it flew across the fields, always a very replendant and graceful bird. Up to 3 mewing Buzzards also seen, but sadly the Raven hadn't lingered this would have been a Lizardland tick but its only matter of time before this ginormous Corvid is added though! No luck around Ashby & Lound looking for Little Owls which have become very scarce locally, so much so, that I didn't see one at all last year.

The Eagle has finally landed

On Thursday 26th January, a topsy turvy day starting well when driving down to Thorpeness when I sighted a Red Kite soaring over the A12 at Frostendon at 10am. No luck with Goosanders at Thorpeness none seen, 2 close Egyptian Geese seen here feeding in front of the Mere and at North Warren, 47 Barnacle Geese seen but little else and no sign of the WFGeese. A tweet about the WTEagle seen back on Haddiscoe Island then not seen by Carl B. I went home for lunch, but further clarification that it was still there and I drove over to whats left of Waveney Forest (even more trees cut down), I saw John and Jane B who siad it was still there, 2 people down there said it was still there but out of sight. The area was right at the far side of Haddiscoe Marsh, suddenly the fine immature White- tailed Eagle flew right around 300 metres then settled down again and sadly out of sight. 15 minutes later it flew towards us and clipped the river giving reasonably close views, it was a very scruffy individual with tatty wing and very pale headed, magnificent to see it then tuned and flew over to the east towards Burgh Castle. A Buzzard and 3 male Marsh Harriers also seen. I had finally seen a WT Eagle (even if it was a released Isle of Wight bird) in the Lizard area after many missed previous attempts.

Back to Carlton roost

On Sunday 22nd late afternoon, by the centre no sign of water vole but walking over to the look out point described yesterday, I did see a fine Short- eared Owl fly past the lookout hide and up to 3 Barn Owls hunting too. Around 12 Marsh Harrier and 2 Great White Egrets flew into roost, with Derek B and joined by the ever sharp Andrew E, he spotted the excellent ringtail Hen Harrier flying left past the Lookoput hide and towards Spratts water, later it flew back and wheeled down to roost near the Lookout hide. Later on at home a tweet from Andrew E, I was soon out of the back door and I heard the very distant calls of Pink- footed Geese heading west.

Sotterly success and a Mutford meandering

On Sunday 22nd January, meeting up with Paul & Jane F, a heavy frost had smothered the ground with a white icy blanket and we walked over to the church, the farside of the Church looking east, Jane spotted a fine Hawfinch only seen briefly in a tall tree along the left side, fortunately the bird flew right and started feeding on buds of a tall tree, it was a fine male bird. It spent several minutes feeding and then promptly disappeared! A walk back revealed, a calling Nuthatch which was seen well but briefly plus a bonusTreecreeper seen in a mature tree in the copse, plus a Coal Tit seen by the feeder by the house. A drive to Mutford Church parking by the spoil heaps, revealed 20 or so Lapwing and a fine flock of 47 Golden Plover and we walked along a path bordering the fields to view them. 2 Buzzards seen perched in distant trees too, but no sign of the Grey P's.

Raptor roost at Carlton Marshes

On Saturday 21st January, a late afternoon trip to Carlton Marshes walking along the path heading north past the old reserve carpark and centre, stopping between the benches, we saw 7 Marsh Harrier, 3 males 4 females, a Great White Egret go into roost at Whitecast marshes and a close hunting Barn Owl.

Trinity Broads extravaganza

On Saturday 21st January, I headed over to Filby Broad and from the boardwalk, I could see the Broad was totally frozen over with just a small area a long line of open water in the extreme south west corner, in front of the 2 islands were probably around 800 wildfowl, at the very front 3 fine redhead Smew were swimming and diving. Whilst amongst all the Tufted Ducks and Pochards and around 30 Goldeneye was the fine male Red- crested Pochard with its distinctive "day glo mohican" making it reasonably easy to pick out. Much harder to find was the female female Ferruginous Duck that was seen only twice distinguished by the white undertail 'block area' at its rear. A walk down to Ormesby Little Broad, again the Broad was frozen over, but over by the far side, by the reed edge, 4 fine male Mandarins seen, sometimes partially obscured by the reeds then swimming left. To the left, a Great White Egret was perched high up in a tree. Walking back by high up in a silver birch, I saw 2 Siskins. A visit to the bridge area, both Rollesby and Ormesby broads were frozen over, 80 Coot seen on the ice at Ormesby Broad.

Red- crested Pochard saves a bad dip afternoon

On Wednesday 18 January, after leaving work at 2.30pm finally I chance for some birding, (I was ill for most of last Saturday & had non- birding things to do Sunday)I had a look at Rollesby Broad from the Bridge, a nice flock of 10 Goldeneye with 6 males and nice to find a super fine male Red- crested Pochard on Ormesby broad resplendent in the mid afternoon sun with a large number of Tufted ducks with at least 3 Scaup- like female Tufties, Gadwall seen too. Bitterly disappointed to turn up at the cafe at 3pm and see it was closed barring access to the bird hide and no way of seeing the Smew, a bad miss.

7 & 14 January 9 Purple sandpipers at Ness Point

On the 7th Janaury 9 Purple Sandpipers seen mostly asleep close in on the rocks in beautiful sunlight. On 14 january, saw Andrew E at hamilton Dock, 8 Oystercatchers there distantly and at Ness point by the finger 9 Purple sandpipers flew in.

January 2nd and visit to St. Benets

On January 2nd started at Kessingland North beach, I disturbed a Woodcock in the south west corner of Hathfileds copse and by the big Jack Snipe pool I saw a Dartford Warbler, male Stonechat by the Sea Buckthorn, nothing at the North Pool and I bumped into Chris D who told me to go south for the Snow B's, by the 3 rescue belts, sure enough as soon as I got there I saw a flock of 20 Snow Buntings flying around only settling for a short time as walkers, dog walkers runners and horse riders were constantly disturbibg them, they appeared to head for a feeding area and a couple of nice males seen amongst them. Thanks Chris. By the pools still no joy with the Jack Snipe although I did see a female Reed Bunting by the Sea Buckthorn and the male Stonechat again. Tried for Jack Snipe again by the liver shaped pools just south of the North shore pool but again no luck. I then drove to Filby Broad and bumped into Steve & Dot who had seen nothing save for Goldeneye. Not an auspicious start, however I was able to rack up around 10 Goldeneye nwith 3 of them being males. Looking across at the eatern stretch of the Broad we were hampered by strong low position of the sun, however I did see 4 female Scaup which was nice and then amongst some other duck and BH Gull, the very drabbut still distinctive 1st winter male Ring- necked Duck was seen, still with the distinctive bobble head and band around the tip of the bill although in very subdued plumage. The sun had shifted a little so we could see these straight and slightly to the left of us giving reasonable views. I believe Steve and Dot had arrived at entirely the wrong time as the strong sun had made viewing completely impossible so they had sadly missed these birds. Next stop was Rollesby Broad, but first I looked at Ormesby broad which is the one east of the road and immediately saw a fine and settled Great White Egret in the very close reed fringed northern edge of the broad. No sign of the Fudge Duck so I made my way to Ludham Bridge and bumped into Paul & Jane F, who directed me back to Benet hall Abbey ruins where you turn left down Hall Common Road when you are half way through Ludham (Johnson) Village (half way between Ludham & Ludham bridge) Following th road round to the right and past a farm, by the single track concrete road, I bumped into Steve & Dot and told them about my better success at Filby hoping they might go back and easily see the birds. 2 fine Bewick's Swans were in the field to the left, although I could only watch them for a couple of minutes as there soon was a car behind me. As I pulled away, I saw a fabulous group of wild Swans fly over the road from left to right, they were low over the road too and I could see the upper 7, were an additional 7 fine Bewick's Swans and the lower 5 their identity was given away by the wonderful "whoop" calls they were calling, 5 fine Whooper Swans. A great start to the great new birding location (for me at least). At the car park, it was great to have a chat and catch up with David R and his wife. david takes some fantastic bird pics and it was a pleasure to catch up with both him and his wife. Looking out over the marshes (looking south) we immediately saw first one and the 2 Short- eared Owls, the second spotted by David's wife. They were quartering the reeds/ fields at the back and one even flew settled twice on bushes over to the right. A Barn Owl was also seen hunting very distantly at the back. Meanwile looking in bushes just to the east of the car park, a close but obscured Buzzard was seen. Finally at the very back I spotted 3 fine Cranes that flew in from the left and settled in a patch of reeds at the back near a windmill. Jim L and his cronies arrived and I told them about the Cranes. It was nice to hear and see several (3) Skeins of 300 strong Pink- footed Geese flying overhead and south.

New Year birding 2023

On Sunday 1st January, I drove to Reydon via Wangford to avoid the flood at Potter's Bridge and I am glad I did as I saw 27 Curlews in a field just before Reydon Church I didn't try photographing them as they were walking away from the car. I arrived at The Drive, Reydon just after first light and instantly saw the Waxwing perched on top a tree further down the drive. There was an obvious berry laden tree right in front of me so i stayed in the car in order not to frighten the birds and sure enough within minutes the Waxwing in the company of a delightful trio of Redwings flew onto the berry laden tree and started devouring the berries. It then flew back to the tree but a female Sparrowhawk flew over and the Waxwing had disappeared, I got out of the car and joining Maurice who drew up behind me in the layby. I spied the Waxwing on top of a tall tree just west of the Drive. David B and his wife briefly drew up in their car. It then flew back to its original tree, as other birders were arriving we decided to leave. Driving back via wangford, I saw the Curlews again by Reydon Church and Kestrel, Collared Dove seen on the journey. A brief stop at Wrentham old cemetery warranted little. But stopping at Asda, a large female Peregrine was perched on the east side of the grain silo I drove around and managed a few pics, heavily cropped of course. At Ness Point initially, no sign of any Purple sandpipers, but along the ledge on the seaward side of the seawall opposite the north end of bird's Eye Factory, an Oystercatcher and Turnstone seen plus a Rock Pipit regularly returning to a hole half way up the sheer drop of the sewall, where the bottom half was encrusted with green seaweed. A Pied Wagtail also found some food here I'm assuming insects/ invertebrates? A tweet that a WB Diver might have been seen flying south at Waxham had me on high alert but I was delighted to see a close Fulmar flying north and soaring on stiff wings. I was joined by Julie who soon walked north and Phil H a wader that flew south past us was inconclusive views for me but walking north along the seawall had us watching first 1 then 4 then a maximum of 8 Purple Sandpipers feeding by the northern part of the ledge. Steve P and his group arrived and later a very sickly looking James B. I went to Corton woods, to show Phil H where Firecrest had been seen, Phil had it but I only saw the bird in flight so again inconclusive views for me, but not doubting the ID at all. We did see Goldcrest in the bushes just west of the pond. A tweet from James B and we were heading for the Corton MOD fields where from the road we could see 5 fine Tundra Bean Geese. A long awaited Lowestoft tick! TBC