No sign of the Goldie but a flying Caspo

On Thursday 13th August, a Golden Plover had been seen at Ness Park and the Gunton beach, I looked staright after work along Gunton beach and unsurprisingly it had gone proabbly sppoked by all the activity on the beack. I did however seen an immature 1st year Caspian Gull flying low and south over the tideline.

Vapourer Moth larvae by our front garden kerbside

At around 8.40am, a Vapourer Moth larvae or caterpillar was seen crawling along the front kerbside of our garden and wanting into the road, I carefully picked it up and put it in a concealed location in our Rose bush.

Finally the Black Stork seen at Horsey!

On Saturday 8th August, I was determined to see the Black Stork, having apppeared at Horsey early on it flew towards Martham so I checked martham Ferry (no luck) then Burgh castle where it was seen circling high. No luck there either, around c40 Curlew and c50 Avocet seen here. It was hot, so I went home had an ice cream and no sooner had I done so, then the Stork was seen at Horsey again at 1.26pm, so back I drove. At around 2pm I drove along the Horsey strait, good to see Chris S. again and we exchanged phone numbers as I drove further north, next stop along a load of people were looking in a grassy field suspecting they had Clouded Yellow, I was proved correct when a Clouded yellow was pointed out perched on a flower! Still no sign of the Stork but as we looked a ring tail Harrier with a white rump flew past, not enough to see which species but I suspected Hen. I rang Chris S at 2.21pm and he said the DStork had just been seen getting up from the Nelson Head track and flying north. I drove up to Waxham sands Holiday camp and from the car I could see the fantastic immature Black Stork gliding north over the camp, I parked by the Camp's entrance and immediately rang Chris to inform him. I had to move as a car was exiting, I had temporarirly lost the stork and drove up to Brograve Farm and looked back and saw it soaring over the road going eastwards towards Horsey Corner, it disappeared behind tall Leylandii, so I drove back to an area between walnut Farm and Waxham sands and parked up where 2 other cars had parked and we were very fortunately to see the Black Stork circle directly over us, it then appeared to settle in some trees just north of Waxham sands camp before it got again and soared over towards Horsey Corner again. I had probably been watching the Stork for around 30 minutes and I drove back and saw a group of birders parked up by Horsey gap, including Chris S. who was very grateful for the tip off, great to be able oblige when you re-find such a great bird and a Norfolk tick for me to boot! TBC

A wonderful Striped Hawk Moth & a Painted Lady in garden

On Thursday 6th August, I was off work and very fortunately chris L. tweeted he had just caught a Striped Hawk Moth in his Kessingland garden, so jenny & I went over, and visited Chris' wonderful garden and the Striped Hawk Moth was a real stunner but as so often happenes it started fluttering its wings so I only managed a few pics plus an assortment of other Moths including what I think could possibly be Dewick's Plusia, Puss Moth, Speckled Beauty, Mullein & Gold Spot possibly???I have already fogotten the names of! On Saturday 8th August, the Painted Lady that was previously in the garden was feeding low dow on a Buddlea flower in the morning and posed beautifully for the camera! Later in the evening at 6.35pm, a Hummingbird Hawk Moth found by Jenny spent a little time around the flowering Buddlea.

Storkless in Norfolk & camera shy Firebug on my hand

On Wed Aug 5th I drove straight over to Horsey in the afternoon in the hope of catching up with the Black Stork (would have ebeen a Norfolk tick!), but the near record dipping sequence continues all I saw was a House Martin at West Somerton, when I arrived at Horsey the Stork had been sighted flying over Carlton Marshes, plus another look at the Nao Victoria at Great Yarmouth. As I got out of my car on out front drive, a Firebug alighted on my hand but sadly it flew off as I was about to retrive my Macro lens camera.

Lean patch continues

On Saturday 1st August, I went to get some shots of the Nao Victoria ship along the South Quay and afterwards I looked from the South Wall at Breydon and didn't see a lot. A tweet to say the Pec Sand was shwing well from the hide & I went straight over there and was walking down to the hide when all the waders flew, 2 minutes before reaching the hide. Most had gone into the long grass so all I saw was some c15 Dunlin & 30 Black- tailed Godwits and 15 Curlew. No sign of the Pec, or Marsh Sand, or Spoonbills or osprey. A really lean patch at present.

Tribute to Bill Oddie

Very, very sad to hear this moring of the passing of Bill Oddie. Bill Oddie was a colossus on the birding scene almost single handedly promoting the hooby of birding and widlife watching from the 1970s onwards. I was a big fan of the series the Goodies that ran for 10 years on the BBC and he would often bring his love of birds into that series. Together with the late Tim Brooke Taylor and Graeme Garden this trio were a mad cap comedy genius's in my mind as funny as Monty Python with their slapstick comedy often comapred to an update of Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd. After the Goodies had finished, Bill diversified into wildlife documentaries with one of the first being about 'Bird about Town' on the life of the urban Black redstart, other series followed such Bird in the Nest which morphed into Springwatch which became phenomally successful. I particularly liked his teaming up with producer Stephen Moss and they produced some wonderful series such as 'Birding with Bill Oddie', 'Bill Oddie Goes Wild' and 'Bill Oddie Back in the USA.' Bill became Britain's favourite birdwatcher or birder. He wrote a series of best selling books including the all time classic 'Bill Oddie's Little Black Bird Book', 'Bill Oddie's Gone Birding', 'Follow that Bird!', "Bill Oddie Unplucked and 'Tales of Ludicrous Gardener', all all time classics. Bill didn't court fame and was often perceived as grumpy but that masked his bi-polar disorder which he suffered from. I met Bill Oddie 4X, firstly at the "Stop the Massacre' campaign in the Sparrow's Nest Theatre in 1980, where he gave a brilliant and impassionbed talk about the whole liming and netting of birds in Cyprus. In the break, I tracked him down to the very back kitchen of the Theatre band he kindly signed my book with the words "Cheers Bill Oddie." I next met him at Minsmere when I was walking with Ricky between the West Hide and South Hide and Bill Oddie rushed by saying 'I've just found a Blue-winged Teal at the South Hide', we ran to the hide and saw the bird a female Blue- winged Teal, a lifer for us both, thanks Bill! Next time was in London at the Natural History Museum in London when there was a Birder's Quiz and the audeience wrote questions on a card, I asked a question famously putting my name as Peter J. Ransome and Bill hilariously riffed on my name before asking the question I had written! I finally saw him give a talk at St. Felix School at Southwold, where his description of the mating habits of a species of Bower bird was so hilarious I fell off my chair laughing! Bill Oddie then went onto front Springwatch but it was the series he made with the producer Stephen Moss, 'Birding with Bill Oddie' and 'Bill Oddie Goes Wild' which proved so iconic and wonderful programmes that I was enjoy seeing.

Painted Lady in the garden

On Sunday 27th July, a Painted Lady was in the garden, plus an unidentified female Damselfly, very briefly alighted on vegetation. On Monday 28th July in the early evening about 6pm, a Hummingbird Hawk Moth flew around the Buddlea at the back of the garden and then to the Red Valerian neat the back door.

Limosa's at Carlton Marshes

Rob H had seen a Limosa at Carlton, early evening Sun 19 July, I drove over and took the long walk up to Peto's, I met Rob H. half way who had found another Limosa on the Old scrape. I scanned initially I couldn't see it, jkust 2 Canadas. But standing on the bench, it had walked right and it walked left and I saw a large Godwit generally subdued with a flush on the chest but uniform buff colouring above and below with an eye stripe slightly longer bill, slightly bigger size and some dark feathers on the mantle. My first limosa and first Lowestoft Limsoa too. It was unringed. I then walked up to Peto's and by the Pool were around 40 Greylags with summer plumaged Black- tailed Godwit, 1 winter plumage and as Rob H had found a larger immature Limosa Godwit, with eye stripe slight flush on the breast and unform buff above and below, with rings on its upper leg but these were mostly not seen as it was in deep water.

Roesel's Bush Cricket

Early evening Nick B. contacted me, he had caught a Roesel's Bush cricket in hius garden and he wanted to release it at Dip farm, so I drove him over, took a pic of the Cricket in the container then it crawled to the edge then suddenly it was gone!

Jersey Tiger Moth at Cattawade Picnic car park

On Sunday 19th July, after seeing the Godwit, I walked back to the car, I saw a big Moth fly out from a tree and settle on a white van parked right next to me, it was a striking and quite excellent Jersey Tiger Moth.

Hudsonian Godwit at Cattawade North Marsh

I left early on Sunday, but I fell asleep again after getting up really early 5.45am (bad mistake!) and left by 7.30am and just missed the HG from the White Bridge by just 15 minutes which would have been in very good light. I looked along the River Ouze from the north bank both west side (where Greenshank and Redshank seen) and the East side (where 2 Black- tailed Godwits seen togther feeding). Then Bird Guides said the HG was on North Marsh, I walked over but it wasn't on view, I did see a Green Sandpiper here though, suddenly a chap down the north path idicated he had it and we walked over and the fine Hudsonian Godwit feeding in the extreme north-east part of the marsh, but it soon walked out of view, later it walked out again. Before flying much closer towards us where it was feeding and it was reasonably close albeit totally against the light.

False alarm at Benacre

Again on Saturday 18th July, early evening, news of a possible Lesser Yellowlegs at Benacre Broad, as I was pulling up to park news came through and I saw Brian S. who said it was a misidentified immature Redshank. I saw Paul & Jane F. along the cliffs and had a good catch up. At the Hide, I looked to the back left just left of the Gull flock, at the back was a preening adult black- headed adult Little Gull. There were a lot of Black- tailed Godwits c40 and c10 Bar-tailed Godwits. By the beach, 2 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plovers seen.

Immature yellow Wagtail along the North Denes

On Saturday 18th July, in the afternoon, I was walking along the North Denes trying several paths when I was walking back along the middle path back to Links Road car park, I saw the fine immature Yellow Wagtail suddenly fly up and appeared further along the path, it was very flighty as it wouldn't tolerate any close approach and twice more it flew further along the path. Finally it perched on the bushes by the Links Road car park where I was able to get closer and took a few pics albeit slightly into the sun.

Hudsonian Godwit at Cattawade Creek, Suffolk

On Tuesday 15th July, I took a day's leave and together with John H. drove down to Cattawade and after an uneventful journey we turned off the roundabout and parked at Cattawade Picnic site car park which surprisingly only had around 5 cars parked up. We disembarked and with our gear walked towards the bridges, we couldn't see any birders initially so we carried on walking and 2 birders were walking towards us from the bridge and they said there was a group along the marsh behind us but they were shielded by a line of bushes. We turned around and took a path down to the edge of the marsh/ river wall, nice to see Will B. and then from the gate scoped the only wader along the right hand edge of the channel it was fine adult Hudsonian Godwit complete with grey head, striking white supercilia long slightly upturned bull and brick reddish -brown belly,. It was walking feeding along the edge of a channel, a BH Gull swam up to it and it walked even further back before flying over to a muddy area showing its excellent black underwing coverts. It later return to the channel before flying over to more distant pools where it contined to feed before it flew back to the channel which was rapidly filling up with water and we last saw it walk behind a muddy banl. apologies for the awful Hudwit pic (best I could get taken at distance and against the light).

White- letter Hairstreaks at Gunton Cliff

On the weekend of 27 June I located the area for the White- letter hairstreaks along Gunton Cliff roughly opposite where Briar Cliff used to be, I located Elms but the weather was against me, cloudy and windy. On 28th June, I tried again it was sunnier and looking at the Elms just north of the clear fell The 3rd one at the back I saw a small buttefly fly up and settle it was a fine White- letter hairstreak. A trip to Ness Point revealed a singing male Black redstart(heard only), an immature Black Redstart and an alrm calling adult female Black Redstart, I departed immediately to allow them some peace. Back at Gunton Cliff, I saw Paul & Jane and later robert Wil and we saw up 6 fine White- letter Hairstreaks often flying up from the Elms high in the sky and where they descended they appeared to disappear into thin air but we did locate indivdula perched on leaves at the edge of the tree canopy on several occasions.

Again no WLHs or BRs

On Sunday 28th June, I went to look for the Cliff WLH's but again no sign, it clouded over just as I arrived which certianly didn't help, I saw an immature Great- spotted Woodpecker and a Painted Lady fly past. At a coastal location again no sign of any BRs.

NO WLHs or BRs

A late afternoon trip to the coast on Saturday 27th June was very disappointing with no White Letter Hairstreaks along the Cliff (which would be a new location for me if I could find them), although it didn't help I could find any Ash trees either (so not entirely sure where they are) it suddenly clouded over as I arrived which didn't help either and no Black Reds at their usual haunt where I haven't seen them (although I did hear a male singing but not today) for over a year. I am really struggling to photograph any wildlife at the moment. Jenny did find a dead Elephant Hawk Moth in the garden

Spitfire in Sparrow's Nest

On Saturday 27th June, after Rob H. tweeted about a 'Spitfire 'landing' in Sparrow's Nest, must have been fitted with extra VTOL (verticle take off and landing technology!!! more likely craned into place with the wings folded up). I hot footed to there and had a very enjoyable hour taking pics of the Mark 805 'Peter John' plane, personalised to me as they are my forenames! My first digital pictures of a Spitfire on the ground, well pleased! A Purple Hairstreak was seen flying low to the ground as I walkded back to the car parked opposite the NetPosts.

NO RVDs

On Friday 26th June, afetr a long hard and very hot week, I was keen to photograph the RVDs at Kensington gardens, I got there just after 6pm, it was still very sunny and piping hot but disappointingly no sign of the RVDs, an adult Moorhen with 2 young were nice as was a Painted Lady by a flower bed but neither species were that photogenic, the PL flew off even before I got my camrea onto it (with an 180mm Macro lens so I was nowhere near it!

First Light Festival wildlife

On Saturday 20th June, Jenny & I went to to the First Light festival at Lowestoft, 2 Painted Ladies seen along the seafront and at the model boat pond in Kensington gardens, a female Emperor Dragonfly flew by and 2 separate Red- veined Darters (my first for this year, of the latter) flew by, all in a clockwise direction!

Hickling goodies

On Wednesday 17th June, I had to work until 4pm but it meant I could go straight to Hickling NWT afterwards. I parked up just after 5pm and walked straight down to Brendan's Marsh to the platform, as I walked down I saw at least 2 Little - ringed Plovers which flew around and settled. Meanwhile the platform was full (3 people on there including Dave H. and his wife and another chap were on there. Dave said the Caspian was there and I found a gap in the hedge and really enjoyed viewing the fantastic adult Caspian Tern with a very prominent red ornge the neat black crest cap finisghed as a neat triangle of black on the nape. It was stood in the pool with 2 BH Gull nearby which it dwarfed being 1.5X bigger. When a female Marsh Harrier flew over, the Caspian Tern flew up and around then settled down again, tucking its extensive orange-red bill into its back feathers. Later the Caspian opened its bill wide several times had a preen the stood in direct profile before going to sleep again. Meanwhile, on the near mud, I saw a fine 1st summer Little Gull. Suddenly the 'chew- it' call revealed a fine full summer plumage Spotted Redshank fly in, later 'chew-it' calls revealed a second as the 2 Spotted Redshanks both in full summer finery. As was a 'Tudor Gent', fine male Ruff at the back with a chestnut brown Ruff that could have graced Henry VIII's court. Also seen was a full summer plumaged Dunlin and around 5 Ringed Plovers. Around 5 Common Terns seen, 2 Great Egrets and 3 Little Egrets seen too. A family of around 15 Long- tailed Tits flew past the oak by the platform. Meanwhile on the walk back, at around 6.30pm, 2 Red Admirals flew up and settled on the path ahead. (LIBRARY PIC)

A 2 Shrike day

On Sunday 14th June, another late start (having booked a trip to London see the Ramesses exhibition- basically a range of Ancient Egyptian artefacts heard by the Ramesses II coffin) I started out at Westleton parking on the Minsmere approach road. A few people had gathered to view for the male RBS that had been ranging widely. Unfortunately it didn't show for some 45 minutes before I picked it out in the far north- east corner, perched on a tiny tree right at the back, reddish brown back, grey crown and black mask showing it was a fine male Red- backed Shrike with a pinkish flush to the chest to. It spent some time here but flew to the ground and then perched on another perch nearby. A male Stonechat and several Linnets seen too. Next stop was Dunwich Heath parking just outside the Heath I walked down the road and left and saw a group of people looking north, I scanned and spotted the fine female Red-backed Shrike with drabber grey crown barring on the chest and a browner back she hunted from a top of a tree and then moved to the next bush before flying back. Also seen was a male Stonechat and a young juvenile Stonechat too. Next stop was somewhere in the Blyth valley, where i saw a singing male Yellowhammer singing from a top of a bush, later a male Linnet was also perched here too. Walking around the field margins, I spotted the fine Lizard Orchid, maybe slightly past its best but still impressive.

Late start to a day around Westleton Heath & Minsmere

On Saturday 13th June, a late start meant I didn't reach Westleton Heath until 1.30pm, the news wasn't good as the RFF hadn't been seen for an hour but I met Paul & Jane F. who drove up to the parking area near the quarry. We then heard the Gull- billed Tern had been seen at Island Mere, so we drove to Minsmere and parked up only to hear the bird had flown off. We guessed it might fly over to the Scrape, so we walked to the West Scrape hide and I spotted a fine immature Spoonbill over the north side of the Scrape nearer the North Hide. Meanwhile on an island at the back of the West Scrape, 2 fine Little- ringed Plovers were running around. We then walked to South Hide, There were the usual assortment of Terns and I spotted the 1st year Little Gull to the right of the bund splashiong in the water. A kiitiwake flew onto the wooden step, as did a Common Tern later. By the bunds at the back, a Roseate Tern seen just to the left of a BH Gull and an immature bird. We then saw a strange looking Mediterranean Gull type with black hood but covering the same hooded area as a BH Gull, a blood red but thin bill (shape like a BH Gull bill) and black edgings in the primaries like a second year bird, probably a hybrid. Meanwhile at the back the Roseate Terns flew up, 2 birds and we followed one bird that flew over to our side and briefly settled on a small circular island with Common Terns, when it flew again another followed the Roseate Tern with a Sandeel in its mouth. The 3 adult Spoonbills flew over and south and settled on the southside of the south scrape. Later the trio of Spoonbills became a quartet when the juvenile Spoonbill joined them. One or two Black- tailed Godwits also seen and many Sandwich Terns c50 & c20 Kittiwakes at the back. Very satisfied, we left and I stopped off and saw 2 red and black Firebugs together, I went to retrieve my macro lens but they had gone when I went back. I then parked up by the area near the Westleton Heath quarry and news wasn't good here as a chap walking back said he had been there for 9o minutes not seeing the Falcon. I walked up and I saw a Falcon just east of the path in a Silver Birch, checking it with the Bins it looked very promising and using the cope confirmed it was the excellent 2nd calendar year female Red- footed Falcon. I quickly sent messages around all the Whats App groups. The female Red- foot sat here for around 20 minutes occasionally dropping to the ground before returning to the same tree before she flew away. I then went over to another area and saw a fine Little Owl in the 4th Oak tree, nearby a female Stonechat was also seen. I walked back and saw Tim O. where the bird had been seen over the road, we walked over and it was perched up on a distant Pine it flew a little closer where it was perched on a dead tree before it flew straight towards us and then left. I heard a Dartford Warbler and Wood Lark singing, whilst I walked back to the car I decided to call it a day but Tom O. and a newlyu arrived Phil D. walked back to the quarry and east.

Peregrines again

On the evening of...

A Five Falcon day

On Sunday 7th June, I started off locally and saw a juvenile Peregrine Falcon at the very top of the Silo, it walked over to the north-east corner and spent most of its time here occasionally calling and an adult male Peregrine Falcon sat half way up on the east side of the Silo. Later on the female Peregrine Falcon was flying just west of the Silo. The juvile then flapped its wings on 3 occasions and then flew down to the railings by the 3 cylinders but quickly disappeared behind a tank. After hearing the RFF was still at Walberswick, I parked at Hoist Covert and walked along by the path just before the Mill, a Moth larvae seen on the path I then walked to the Bund by the high gate looking west over Westwood Lodge marshes, as I walked down I saw Richard D. and who said it was still there. At the end I saw Steve A. who said it was still about but had just gone missing. Forty minutes later still bno sign, whilst we were sorting through 5 Hobbies flying over, with one browner immature bird. Steve A. the said he had it, but as the sun strenghthened the heat haze got a lot worse and a browner bird flying at the back with more flappy flight indicated this might be the RFF. It was only when it clouded slightly that the browner bird with a cream head was indeed the fine female Red- footed Falcon that would often hunting just over or just below the reeds. It was then seen around 5X, once flying constantly for 15 minutes or so. Maurice B. and Dave H. arrived. As we walked back, lots of Peacock buttefly larvae seen on the path, so I moved quite a few of these into the dsafety of other vegetation. As we walked though Hoist Covert woods, a fine female Broad- bodied Chaser seen flying away. Later on I went back to the Peregrines, the juvenile Peregrine was again right at the top of the Silo and a male Peregrine Falcon was sat up half way up along the North side, I took 2 shots of it before it flew. Finally a 2nd juvenile Peregrine Falcon was seenn on the east side of the Silo. On the way back at Nick B's I saw a Norfolk Hawker perched on Buddlea in his back garden.

2 imm Peregrines at the Silo

On Saturday 6 June, I had a look early morning on the Suffolk coast and saw 2 immature Peregrine Falcons around building but they were perched half way up and the light was awful, so no pics. It then started raining so I left. I tried again in a brief sunny interlude in the afternoon but this time there were no Peregrines on show.

Early morning PL and late afternoon Heath Spotteds

On Wednesday 3rd June, a Painted Lady was posing nicely on the flowering Raspberry bush in the garden before work 7.10am and I managed a few pics. Being early finish day I went into the wilds of East Anglia and located a fine colony of c150 Heath Spotted Orchids in a slightly boggy area just off the reserve at 6.30pm and managed to get a few pics. I managed to dodge the frequent rain showers fortunately.

Mating Painted Ladies & visits by HBHM to the garden

On Sunday 31st May, an eventful evening in the garden revealed 2 mating Painted Ladies disturbed as I watered the hanging basket by the pagoda and they flew up and over to the plastic garden chair by the back door and settled by the plastic watering can! Slightly later on a Hummingbird Hawk Moth very briefly visted the Red Valerian at 6.36pm again gone by the time I raised my camer but I was ready for it when it came back at 6.40pm and spent 3 minutes feeding from various Red Valerian plants before flying opff north-east down the passageway. PTBA

Gull-billed Tern at Minsmere

On Sunday 31st May, having been woken at 4.20am up by Andrew's tweet that the GBT was still at Minsmere, I left and arrived at Minsmere at 6am. I saw Andrew walking down the path and I doubled back to view from Whin Hill, where I could see the fine Gull- billed Tern flying around the Island Mere. There were also a couple of Bittern flying too. I walked down Whin Hill and entered the hide, Jon E. and were there. Maurice, John G. arrived later. The Gull- billed Tern woulfd fly around the Mere several times and it flew the far side by the west of the Mere and it flew south. TBC 1st year Little Gull close by the bund Roseate tern then the pair of Roseate Terns seen by the 2nd bund from the left as viewed from the public hide, heard Gropper but disappeared 20 seconds before I arrived by the bench along the boardwalk. I then went into deepest Suffolk and found 2 fine Greater Butterfly Orchids plus a Red- legged Partridge crouching very close under branches. TBC & PTBA

2 Painted Ladies in the garden

On Saturday 30th May, in the early afternoon, I saw 2 Painted Ladies high up in the trees by the rear fence, too high up to photograph.

Painted Lady fluttering around

On Thursday 28th May, in the early evening, a fine Painted Lady was seen fluttering around in the front garden directly underneath the Longe window but was off before I could photograph it, unsurprisingly!

Hummingbird Hawk Moth in garden briefly

On Wed 27th May, an Ichnoid Wasp was found in the work office at 8.30am, I successfully caught it with the butterfly net and released it unharhed in the wild patch of the Burrage Centre garden where the Bee Orchids were starting to flower with 1 of 4 flowering Bee Orchids photographed, there are 9 spikes of 8 plants. Meanwhile in the afternoon, a Hummingbird Hawk Moth was seen very briefly on Petunia in our back garden at 4.02pm.

Missed again at Minsmere

On Wednesday May afternoon, hearing of a Gull- billed Tern I left straight away and was very disappointed to hear it had flown off when I arrived at Minsmere car park, both Jon B. and Jane F. informed me it had gone. The Rosy Tern's were also not present, I always struggle with seeing this species at Minsmere. All 3 Terns had been seen twenty minutes previously. On the North Girder, 40+ Sandwich Terns seen, c15 Common Terns plus a Dunlin too. On the bund closer to the South Hide, 7 Little Tern seen. A flock of 40+ Black- tailed Godwits seen in the soth-east corner of west scrape. A stop off nearby revealed a Stone Curlew quite close but unfortunately the bright setting sun was directly behind it. plus a Dunlin too.

Birds on train journey

On the train journey down to Ipswich & London on 16th May, a Cuckoo seen flying around the marshes at melton and a very showy Collared Dove at Ipswich station.

Carlton Temminck's

On 15th May, directly after work I walked down to Carlton near the end, I saw a Cuckoo fly into a bush calling before it flew back towards Jenson's island. I was very disappointed to see some Toggers walk right up to the previously showy Hobby and flush it and I saw it fly south and then over Jenson's island. I walked over to the far end of Peto's and was initially unsure where the Temmick's was, I initially saw a Common Sandpiper fly in and then the far end of the pool I saw the fine Temmick's Stint walking left and constantly feeding.

Hoopoe singing in the rain?

On Thursday 14th May, at 6.39am the ever dependable Andrew E. posted that the Hoopoe was singing from the rooftops but it was cheucking down with rain where we were barely a mile away! When the rain stopped not long afterwards I drove over 7.40- 8.05am, as I walked down Mutford Drive I could hear the Hoopoe singing 'hoopoo-poo...hoopo-poo' but I couldn't see it so I walked to the end of Lakeland Drive, no sign there either, walking back to Mutford Drive just before 8am I heard it again calling just west of the end of Mutford Drive. I scanned across and on the aerial I immediately saw the fantastic Hoopoe perched on an aerial, it later flew onto the roof, perched here for a minute or so before a movement in the garden of the end house it flew east and out of sight. Later, on as I arrived home from work a House Martin was flying low over our front garden.

Evening Dip

A return to Mutford Close 6.20opm, typically the bird had been sighted 10 minutes after I had left, I saw Andrew E. and Rob Wil. who had seen the Hoopoe 5X in flight up to 6.10pm, (I was back there at 6.15pm) during a brief sunny spell, the bird had been recently calling but typically it had stopped calling and didn't show in the sunny spell that lasted all of 10 minutes before black cloud again rolled in again with rain, Rob H. and James W. arrived and I left again at 6.50pm. Before I left I did see a Great- spotted Woodpecker fly onto a feeder but then it flew off again.

Spring dipping sequence continues

On 13th May, rather appropriately, my annual spring dipping sequence is now reaching epic proportions, just after 3.50pm I arrived at Lakeland Drive/ Mutford Close, I initially saw Rob Wil. and Nick, no sign in 2 hours (Carl B. & others joined us) looking (left at 5.50pm)and was drenched twice having to endure worsening conditions with squally showers. A Marsh Harrier flew overhead and north-east.

Hoopoe no show

On Monday 11th May, a look directly after work for a Hoopoe along Lakeland Drive and nearby Normanston Park proved fruitless as there was no sign and an early rain shower made my mind up and I left!

Missed the RFF again!

I have missed a lot of birds this spring and the Carlton Marshes RFF is no exception, despite being there, 9.30- 2.15pm, this was the first time the RFF wasn't seen during the 10-2pm period seen it first arrived. Around 20+ Hobbies flew over Peto's catching dragonflies and other insects. as I walked up to the Moorings hide, a Greenshank flew west over the river, calling as it went and appearing to settle on the western end of Peto's. A Painted Lady was also feeding on the clump of yellow flowers by the path. Bitterns were also seen in flight twice, one landing in reeds fairly close to us. 5 marsh harriers and 5 Buzzards seen too. Matthew D. joined us and when we left we saw first a male and the another Wall Brown in flight. The male was seen perched several times. Walking back 5 Sand Martins flew over the track.

A fine summer plumaged Knot

On Friday 8th May, immediately after work, a fine summer plumaged Knot was seen on the jetty/ finger at Ness Point in full brick reddish-brown summer plumage. Initially, it was right at the far end of the finger, in company with 2 Turnstone, 1 in full breeding plumage. but all 3 birds gradually worked there way closer being half way along, feeding all the time, it seemed they would come even close but before unfortunately, a Feral Pigeon flew in and spooked them causing them to fly back to the end of the finger again. Also up to 15 Kittiwake seen flying south, several close in.

First House Martin & evening dips

On Thursday 7th May retrieving my optical gear to go for the Bee-eaters, immediately after work, I saw a fine House Martin fly over the back garden, my first of the year, a frustrating evening followed with dipping all around (no Bee-eaters, BW Kite or RFF).

Swallow over front garden and visit to Carlton Marshes

On Tuesday 5th May, as I walked to the car at 8.05am and was greeted by the lovely song of a lovely Swallow was flying low and west over the front garden calling as it went. In the evening, I tried to see the RFF at Carlton, I saw Rob H. and a distant LGRE (who tweeted no sign of any Hobbies or RFF in a search between 1.30-7.30pm) it was a no show, but I did see a fine Hobby perched on a dead tree at the tea garden at Fisher Row. A Grey Heron flew in too. We saw Barry B. on the way back too.

Four Green-wings

On Monday 4th May, at a local location, I found 4 diminutive Green- winged Orchids just east of the bushes near the path.

When 4 became 2

On Sunday 3rd May, Rob H. had told me about the 4 BWS's at Carlton Marshes I went straight there (switching my heavy Canon lens for the much lighter Nikon one- too far to walk with it now!). As usual I was late to the party seeing Carl B, Paul & Jane F, Chris, M. Phil and even John H. as I walked up. My late ness meant I missed 2 of them as they had flown to an inaccessible part of Peto,s in. the north- west corner. 2 Black- winged Stilts remained and were busy walking around feeding by the waters edge. 2 Greenshank also seen stood at the edge together. As I walked around the river wall, the 2 Greenshank flew north but the Black- winged Stilts remained feeding the male had black smudges on his head and the female a pure white head. Whilst overhead, 8 Hobbies seen plus 2 Swift above them. With gavin, I checked the North Hide area, not much seen here. Walking back, we saw the 2 Stilts again, we were joined by Tony B. and we saw a fine summer plumaged Black- tailed Godwit along the closest edge of the water too. I saw a low flying Bittern fly right and then settle in the reeds. A close quartering male Marsh Harrier seen too. walking back we saw Douglas from Winterton but by the time the remaining pair had flown north.

Migrant waders

On Sunday 3rd May, I walked up to Broadland Sands Holiday Camp, Corton as soon as the rain stopped, as I was keen to get some pictures of the BTG flock, I could see Rob H. on his bike, initially no sign of the flock but a wader flock, 27 strong was flying around plus many holidaymakers so I ran as fast I was able. The flock settled was constantly on the move feeding on leatherjackets but the people disturbed them and they flew onto the ploughed field just west of the grassy area. They were a fine mixed plumage flock of 27 Bar- tailed Godwits, some in full summer plumage, some in partial plumage and some still in winter plumage. Eventually they flew back onto the grass again, again constantly feeding before sadly once again passers by flushed them back into the cropped field.

Peregrine at Corton OSW

On Saturday 2nd May, I walked around the Corton OSW, at just after 7pm, I may have heard a brief snatch of Marsh Warbler song but it was only 5 seconds and inconclusive plus. a very pale bird flew up and settled for a second before darting into cover, only seen with the naked eye so again inconclusive. What I definitely did see was a very large Peregrine Falcon fly up from the edge of the grassy area by the wind turbines, obviously a female bird I later found a freshly killed Wood Pigeon which had been extensively gorged on, barely anything left of the carcass and the scatter of the feather spread for around 8 feet. As I walked past the dyke bushes I also saw a male Blackcap.

Woodchat, Iberian & other goodies

On Saturday 2nd May, I was waiting for news on the Tawny Pipit at Landguard but as usual it had done a weekend bunk, so another one I have missed out on (that and Lesser Yellowlegs also didn't stay for the weenend either). However, news on a Woodchat at Dunwich, as soon as the location was pinned down (200 yards east of the toilet blocks) and it said was showing well I thought I better take the big lens, I decided to park at Dunwich Heath car park, as I can't carry the lens very far these days. I looked on the website where the charge was £4.90 and it would take cash or card so I parked up and got a shock when it said £6 and cash only, I only had £5 in coins only. So I had to change some notes and the walk west of the toliet block where I saw Matthew D. walking back he siad it was still there but distant. I reached a small group of people looking south and easily picked the bird, the fine adult Woodchat Shrike, perched on a gorse bush just left of an obvious Pine. It was a textbook example being a 1st summer male bird with chestnut crown and black and white plumage. It spent its entite time perched in this gorse bush and occasionally dropping down and successfully catching insects. As we looked 2 Hobbys flew over from the left, too. Nearby, I then had a look at a fine Stone Curlew sat down behind an electric fence, whilst the male bird was walking around just this side of the fence. I also saw 3 Orange Tips flying around here too. I then drove over to Westleton Heath car park and I could hear the loud but very mellifluous song of Wood Lark and was delighted to see 3 birds, fly close and very low over the car park flying south- east. I then walked over to the IBCC site, as I walked up I saw 5 Small Copper butterflies mainly on the path up. the fine Iberian Chiff-Chaff could be heard singing constantly mainly from the wood at the end, it was incredibly difficult to see, I managed a few glimpses mainly at the very top of trees by the edge of the wood and I couldn't pick it out at all when it flew to the trees near the path so I didn't managed to get any pics with my big lens on a tripod. I have found this bird often quite elusive unlike other observers experiences. Just by the path to the wood I sadly found a dead but still beautiful female Emperor Moth, a species I still want to see the adult form alive. I saw 3 Painted Ladies, mainly on the walk up and back, 1 briefly settled on the ground near the IBCC trees but typically flew off when I got my 180mm macro lens camera out. As I walked back, a Dartford Warbler flew around 100 metres away over heather and a male Stonechat perched on a gorse bush.