No Owls or wild Swans but nice Egret find

On Wednesday 31st January, I took a few hours leave to look for Swans in East Norfolk and Short- eared Owls at St. Benet's Abbey near Ludham. I arrived at about 1.30pm, unfortunately, it was quite windy and no Owls were seen. This is the first time this has occurred this winter, zero Owls, typical. No Swans either (apart from the odd Mute). A Red Kite flew over (south of the car park) and that or a different bird was seen to the north of the car park later. Around 5 Marsh Harriers seen, mostly males, one had red tags and 2 juveniles seen too. I did see 3 Cranes flying over (south of the car park) from the far left to the back. Surprise of the trip when I was travelling along the Marsh Road back to Ludham Johnson Street, I saw a Cattle Egret seen over the far side of the field. Stood out a mile, I saw it whilst driving back down the road. With a yellow bill and white jowl. It then flew left, yet another nice find!

American Black Scoter at Holkham

Later on Sunday 28th January, John H informed me that the ABS had been sighted 'close in' off Holkham, so I picked John up around 10am and drove to Holkham. The car park fee was a costly £6.50 for 4 hours so we walked past the Pines along the dunes and into the Marram dunes affording some height over the bay and sea. Joining agroup of some 40 birders. It was immediately apparent thaty the Scoter flock was quite a way out to sea. We initially thought we stood little chance of picking out the ABS. We moved from the left to the right of the group and people were having glimses of the bird. Indeed I saw the occasional flash of yellow on the bill of a bird. Probably it. It was only when a kind birder let me have a look through his 60X Swarovski scope that I could clearly see the Scoter, a fantastic American Black Scoter, all black with an obvious swollen yellow bill, this was the American Black Scoter, a first for Norfolk and only the second one I have seen seeing one a few years back at Berwick Upon Tweed, after seeing the Harlequin Duck in Aberdeen a few years ago.

Normal service is resumed!

On Sunday 28th January, after the magic of yesterday with a showy LT Duck and finding/ re-finding Waxwings and joint finding a WT Eagle, normal service was resumed & I was at Halvergate, Norfolk around the Marsh road/ Branch road area but I couldn't see any Cattle Egrets or Cranes in nearby broadland. I did see a couple of Little Egrets and c100 Pink- footed Geese.

Benacre magic then Eaglefest at Langstagtoft

On Saturday 27th January, I drove down to Benacre just after first light, I was determined to get some pics of the LT Duck. A sharp "tick" revealed a Yellowhammer perched up in a trees by the long bush-lined track to the cliffs. Walking down, I saw 2 Ringed Plovers again on the broad edge and a Lapwing on the shoreline further north. Initially, there was no sign of the LT Duck, but then I spotted it again, the far side of the Broad but it was swimming this way! Within minutes it was in the middle of the Broad then minutes later it was right over to the Broad edge close to the beach. The bird was frequently diving and I was able to get into position during its dives and this fine Long- tailed Duck was totally at ease & sometimes surfaced barely 5 metres from me! There were also 5 Goldeneye on the Broad, 3 males and 2 females. The bird regularly fished along the south and middle eastern edges of the Broad. 3 Dunlin suddenly flew from the Broad over the beach and seawards. After a tweet from David W., I left & I was walking back and then driving back along Mill Road, just 1000 metres west of Covehithe itself by the wood by the Pig field, I stopped by the wood for a call of nature! As I walked back to the car, I heard the rattling calls of Mistle Thrushes, and then the very distinctive trilling of Waxwings! By the road side, I could initially see 6 Waxwings perched up in a tree very high up, 2 were further up in the next tree along flew back and joined the aforementioned 6, making 8 Waxwings in total. I had a few moments to savour these birds before suddenly they took to flight and flew north over the wood. I turned my attention to the ploughed field north of the wood, the other side of the road and I was pleased to see 2 Mistle Thrushes in the field. An hour and 15 minutes later, I was driving along Kiln Lane, Langstagtoft (a great name sounds Germanic to me!) and I saw Nick M by the side of the road, I stopped and he informed me the Eagle had flown, but as I walked back to the car he said he had it. I rushed back and saw the excellent White- tailed Eagle flying left and then right where it wheeld around turned and then flew up into a tree! It sait in this tree for about an hour, sometimes obscured, sometimes almost in full view. It was memorably mobbed by a Buzzard on 2 occasions and was accompanied by some corvids, mostly Carrions Crows up to 8 but also 4 Jackdaws too. 2 Red Kite were also seen flying around too. The first 2nd year White-tailed eagle 3X had a fly to the right of the tree before flying back. Thn after about an hour it flew left and Rene B who joined us together with Jeremy G and Matthew S, we drove parked just off the road and incredibly saw the fine Eagle perched on top a large dead tree at the back of a field. It sat here for a further hour and 15 minutes. Incredibly during that time, I saw a massive bird flying, over a wood over to the right of the field, I looked at it with my bins and scope and thought this another White- tailed Eagle! I then switched to my camera to get as many pictues as I could. It was flying over the wood to the right. An incredible find, as I switched to the camera taking shots I heard Rene yelling out "There's a 2nd White- tailed Eagle!" The Eagle, it was obviously an immature bird flew over the wood disappeared, then a minute later reappeared and finally flew north.

Sandblasted at Benacre then back to Lake Lothing at Lowestoft

On Friday 26th January I had a day's A/L, we were hoping to go to Cley for the RB Goose but as that hadn't been seen recently I was keen to see the LT Duck on Benacre Broad but decided to arrive around 9.30am as there was a very strong westerly wind. As I walked along the clifftop path I met first Ali R and David B and his wife who said the bird was showing well on the Broad edge close to the beach. There was a strong blustery wind coming from the west and whipping up the sand, ideal conditions for optics/ camera gear. I hunkered down by the fallen tree trunk, I saw 2 Ringed Plovers by the Broad edge and a nice flock of 80+ Lapwing on the beach. They eventually flew off and south. Dick W came along the beach and I had to inform him he I couldn't see the Duck, so we decided to retreat to the hide. No sooner had we entered then Dick picked up the Long-tailed Duck swimming in the middle of the Broad, by some BH Gulls and it seemed to be swimming for the far north- west corner. It frequently dived but could be easily picked out by the sun glinting on its white head. Also on the Broad were 6 Goldeneye, 3 males and 3 females, around 30 Wigeon and 40 Gadwall as well as around 55 Teal with a nice group of 15 close in to the hide, with several displaying males calling and throwing their heads back a little. Walking back I was fortunate to first hear (betrayed by their distinctive "peuuu" calls) and then see 15 Siskins flying north over the Benacre cliffs approach track. Hard to think we used to drive down and park our cars here, decades ago! (Or probably we parked 100 metres out to sea, given the rate of cliff erosion! Following a tweet from Jane F, I drove straight to Oulton Broad and parked by the riverside car park and I walked out to the concrete jetty, I immediately saw the adult Shag showing close to the jetty, I squeezed through the railings and managed a few shots of the Shag, bathing then swimming in the water, before an orange rib boat came motoring through from the east and flushed the Shag which was performing well right in front of the concrete jetty, as it took to flight and flew further south along Lake Lothing. No sooner had this happened when the immature Great Northern Diver came swimming by (right to left) and I obtained a few shots before it disappeared down and east along the channel. I looked from the beach near the railway bridge and by the measuring stick post, I saw the adult Great Northern Diver and then the 2 Great Northern Divers came together, both circling each other with bills raised and circling in ever decreasing circles. Barely a body's width away! An incredible sight and then the immature bird suddenly turned away and swam away, spoils to the adult bird, the victor! Later, being joined by Paul & Jane F, on the immature bird came swimming back and showed well. 6 Oystercatchers flew south along Lake Lothing. 3 Little Grebe seen.

Back to the Northern Water Thrush

On Sunday 14th January, having missed out on pics durung the frantic rugby scrum on Friday 5th January's visit sacrificing the use of camera scope & tripod just to get a glimpse with bins, I was keen to go back to the NWT and I promptly took up John H's kind offer of a trip back, so we could both get pics. John quite rightly was keen to get there at first light, so at 5.10am this morning he kindly picked me up from home and we eventually arrived at Daisy Meadows Car Park at Heybridge at around 7.10am and it was still dark as we had to use a torch to use the ticket machine, Justin L was there too. Half an hour later after a 1.2 mile walk along the river, through a house estate, we reached the creek where there was already around 40 people. It was only just starting to get light and the excellent Northern Water Thrush was feeding along the farside of the dyke and it was regularly feeding, moving all the time, lightly pumping its tail. When it flew we heard a Dipper like "twoc twoc" call was heard, very distinctive. It gradually made its way along the far side of the bank towards us and very close but in pre dawn light, it then flew back along the creek and and disappeared, we late learnt it flew across the road and over the houses. 7.34- 7.50am, At 8.21-8.25am we initially heard the "twoc twoc" call and flew to the middle of the dyke and was feeding from reed stems in the middle of the water, before flying off again. Finally at 11.20am- 11.24am it flew to the middle of the dyke again feeding from the reed stems in the water before flying to the farside appearing closer again but unfortunately a car travelling down the road jammed its horn on and the bird flushed and flew down the dyke. Whilst we waited between the second and third showings, it was amazing to see a Marsh Harrier fly over and toward the industial estate. Whilst in the bush near us, I spotted first 1 and the 2 Cetti's Warblers showing briefly out in the open mainly around the base of this bush. It was really good to see and chat with Justin L, Julie, Rob Win and Matthew D. Driving back in Suffolk in the field just west of the road, before Stratford St. Andrew, I saw 4+ Fieldfares in a stubble field. Thanks to John for the excellent driving.

Fruitless search

On Saturday 13th January, I searched for Waxwings around Lowestoft but no sign, no sign of the Diver for me around Mutford Lock and I went to the road just past Ellough Church saw Paul & Jane F but no sign of the Brambling they had seen earlier. I did however see a nice flock of 53 Fieldfare along the road just past the second bend south of the church along the east field. A single Redwing was in amongst them. As I parked up several Fieldfare was reasonably close to the car so I took some pictures from the car, as I did so a Hare hopped past. Later on I looked for a Finch flock around the Church and the Grey Partridges but no sign for me. I also checked the fields around Mutford and saw a single flock of 12 Lapwing off College Lane but that was it.

Trip to Covehithe

On Wednesday 10th January, taking A/L, I tried for the Waxwings along Mill Lane at Covehithe but sadly just missed them. As I drove back just past the wood, I heard a distinctive "mewing" sound and by the tight bend to the left driving back along Mill Lane, a fine low flying Red Kite flew directly over the car and quartered the field to the north of the road.

Shake Rattle and Roll!

On Sunday 7th January, I looked at Mutford Lock, Oulton Broad where 2 Little Grebes behind the Wherry, and Lake Lothing where it was nice to meet up with Rob Wil & his children. Driving to Hamilton Dock nothing there but I had a text to say Rob has seen the GND by the Lowestoft Cruising Club along Lake Lothing. Parking up, I saw Rob Wil & he said it was difficult but Andrew was down there I saw Andrew who siad it was heading for the railway bridge & he'd also seen an Otter by the wreck, I saw some ripples but no Otter for me, which I still need for Lowestoft. Better luck back at Mutford Lock, where the excellent immature Great Northern Diver swam straight towards me, it then raised itself on its haunches to flap its wings and had a good shake hence the Shake Rattle & Roll title (re: Bill Haley & the Comets Rock around the (Mutford) Lock anyone?!). Then again crouching low by the surface of the water. Sometimes when it dived it disappeared for a while before eventually resurfacing and heading back past the railway bridge.

Bird repellant?

On Saturday 6th January, I parked in Commodore road and walked up to the Mutford Lock Bridge, the fine immature Great Northern Diver was there but sitting very low in the water, holding its head just parallel to the water line. It dived and I didn't see it again! I lookeda t Lake Lothing and from Asda, nothing seen there either. I drove over to Ellough, checked the wrong area sandy Lane I then went to sandpit Lane from the Industrial Estate I took the road winding left from there which opened out into field and looking across a alrge field to the left looking back over the road to Beccles I immediately saw a very fine covey of 7 Grey Partridges sheltering near the telegraph pole. These were my first local ones for 8, yes EIGHT years! I drove to Kessingland checked the pools, the beach up to the Snow B feeding area and down to Pakefield Lighthouse nothing there checked the shore and shore pools and saw nothing except Mute Swans (3) seen and 1 Sky Lark. The reedy area I checked there nothing save for a female Reed Bunting.

Big twitch to Essex

On Friday 5th January, I took A/L from work and together with Paul & Jane F (needing the much needed luck as I have missed several big rarities recently) at 7am drove down to Heybridge, Maldon in Essex. Parking at the Daisy Meadows car park having negotiated several flooded roads. We walked right along the river path and through a few roads in surburbia before we saw an area to the side which had reeds bramble and a flooded ditch where the bird had been seen. We arrived on scene around 9.30am, where there was already a large crowd of around 100 people stood around the bank that curled around the flooded ditch. 3 and a half hours passed and no sign of the bird whatsoever we were joined by Jeremy G for an hour or so before he left. Suddenly at around 12 noon behind us in a bush covered ditch where there were only 3 gaps to look in the watery here, I had noticed 2 birders looking in these gaps several times. I heard a double sharp Dipper like call and there was a ripple in the crowd as the more knowledgable birders realised this was the flight call of the bird we were after. Suddenly, a chap had it perched in the bushes but it appeared to move right and we all moved into position, I opted for height but was restricted in a small concrete area with railings and other birders descened into a scrum up here. I abandoned the camera and scope and I knelt down as birders were now saying the bird could be seen in the base of the bush covered ditch. Jane F could could see it, but I couldn't even though I was just a few feet from her. I could'nt move and a voice beside me says just concentrate on the puddle rippkle and the bird will appear, a such enough it did, an absolutely fantastic Northern Water Thrush, Robin sized with cream supercilia, and markings below with thick dark streaking on white underbelly and bubble gum legs and pinkish bill. It walked right picking away at the puddle while its tail was pumped frequently it then quickly walked left again before taking its time constantly feeding around the edge of the puddle and then finally disappeared right of the gap in the hedge. Seen for around 3 minutes, sometime obscured views and sometimes showing completely in the gap and briefly well. The bird appaered to fly right and we decided to leave, I relieved to be out of the scrum, relieve my camera and scope. Next stop was Lodge road Abberton reservoir. We parked at the Community Centre and took the short walk over to the edge of the reservoir where intially we saw a flock of around 120 birds, mostly Tufted Duck, but also 3 Wigeon, 5 Pochard and briefly on thr right hand end a fine female Scaup. Along the back of the reservoir we could a 300+ flock of very distant Pochard, no hope of picking the Canvasback bfro there.

New Year's Day birding

On Monday 1st January 2024, a new year and first light I was down by Hamilton Dock, initially for 20 minutes I could not see the Diver but then it surfaced over the south- west side by the ships. I spent some time with the fine Great Northern Diver, although it was nearly always distant once swimming into the channel before swimming into the south- west corner of the harbour before fishing by the ships. I saw Andrew E, James B, Maurice B., Roger C. Andrew E kindly said he had seen the Black Redstart by the Bus station, but there was initially no sign for me. Wandering over to look for Purple Sands, I couldn't see any but Rog said there was one by the finger promentary and sure enough I saw a fine Purple Sandpiper perched on a reddish rock on the northern flank. I walked back to the Orbis Energy and Matthew D was watching the fine male Black Redstart . on the ground in the western section of Semblamarine SLP. I then drove to Asda, and initially saw a Peregrine perched on the eastern side of the Grain silo, I was joined by Matthew D and he spotted a second on the southern face preening and looking up at a Pigeon, the pair of Peregrines flew aound the Grain Silo then settled down again. I was scanning with my bins and I could see a distant Diver by the new Gullwing Bridge, Matthew D had his scope to hand and we could see it was a fine Red- throated Diver. This was the ideal Diver, to keep fit and get some exercise, as it was constantly on the move, a truly peripatetic Diver! We walked down to the back of Asda, but as soon as I got there it swam to the Gullwing Bridge dived and then was seen east of there and the bird swam very long distances underwater almost reaching the harbour bridge before resurfacing seen near the Grain Silo then dived and then was seen swimming by and under and west through the water underneath the Gullwing bridge, it swam so first underwater truly the Johnny Weissmuller (Champion Olympic swimmer and the best known for his role as Tarzan if the 1930s and 1940s) of Divers. I then drove down to Southwold by this time, by the outskirts of reydon, a Kestrel sen hovering, when I reached Southwold, it was just after 11am and it was truly hellish with cars and people everywhere. The road where cars park either side just before the water Tower was packed out and had to carefully negotiate all the cars and people, I saw Gus, Matthew D & other birders bu the side of th road half way down to the Harbour Inn, who had seen the legs but a Peregrine had spooked it and it had flown back. I managed to take Gus's parking space and I was very fortunately to pick up the super Lesser Yellowlegs, not great views but it was feeding beyond the reed fringes unfortunately directly against the light but the delicate bill, more slender proportions and yellow legs confirmed it was the bird. A quick look on the west side of the road, I saw 3 Curlew fly east, 15 Wigeon and Snipe, 2 Redshank on the marsh east of the road. That was enough for me, I needed to leave Southwold promptly. I then drove down to Thorpeness, saw some Ipswich birders, Matthew D again where walking down the road half way to the Golf Club, we looked out to the island by the Mere and saw a roosting redhead Goosander which later swam in the water and tucked in amongst the Mallard, the fine Ring- necked Duck was asleep, it woke up and the bill tip with the black and white band, bobble on head and greyish flanks preceded by the white side breast area was obvious. We also saw a Goldcrest in a tree in front of us and an overflying male Sparrowhawk flying north- east. Next stop was North Warren which was almost as bad as Southwold with cars and people everywhere, I had to drive down the road 3x before I could find somewhere to park but I did find at least 8 White- fronted Geese on the North marsh, together with 30 Greylag, 40 Canada and 120 Barnacle Geese in ever increasing numbers. After that again time to go. Would I brave the crowds with no doubt a packed hide at Minsmere for Hen H or go somewhere a lots less crowded, I plumped for the latter. So next stop, the Lower Waveney Valley, where before the Railway line, I parked and on the second field on the left 2 Short- eared Owls were hunting mostly at the far side of the field, they even grappled in flight briefly. A Barn Owl was also patrolling the field and nice to see a Great White Egret fly south- east and 2 single ton Little Egrets flying west and north.

New Year's Eve birding

On Sunday 31st December, the fine Great Northern Diver in Hamilton Dock initially close in by the east wall of the harbour but sadly it promptly dived then swam west in the dock then spent most of its time bu the boats. At the Orbis Energy building, a male Black Redstart flew from the building into the corner of the container yard. Later on, in the Lower Waveney Valley, a fine Short- eared Owl seen quartering a large field, once it came close flying along the edge of the field near the river then towards us and away.