Lowestoft Birding

Song Thrush again

2012-02-15T13:05:00.002-08:00

The Song Thrush was in the garden again, at 8am; this time hunting at the back running to the right on characteristic short runs obviously hunting for food. The Thush then ran a little way towards the house on the western most flowerbed and spent some considerable time out of sight behind a bush, so much so that I had to leave at 8.40am to go to work.The Works Bargain Bookstore at Lowestoft now has 4 copies of "Collins Complete Guide to British Garden Wildlife" Photographic Guide at £4.99 each. Highly recommended! (there maybe copies at the Great Yarmouth store too).

Mass Clear Out!

2012-02-14T13:22:00.003-08:00

With the temperatures rising and the thaw truly set in there was larger patches of water around today.
Taking an afternoon's annual leave, first stop Bradwell, no sign of the RS or even the Egyptian Geese, Lound Lakes appeared virtually deserted and still almost completely frozen except for a patch of water near the road for the one by the Ashby turn off, a few Tufted Ducks seen, 8 in all.
The other Lound Lakes were almost completely frozen the"Osprey one" had a fifth of the area as open water and the one east of the Causeway had a small area under the tree dominated by Mallards and 1 Tufted Duck. Oulton Broad was disappointing too, save for the Wood Duck seen on the path by the slipway and 3 Egyptian Geese.
The Anglian water Lake by Gunton Hall now had about a third of the lake with open water and much reduced tally of Gadwall 43 seen, once again the males dominated the females in numerical terms by a ratio of 2:1. 8 Tufted Duck and 5 Mute Swan plus a Little Grebe and 3 Goldcrests heard and 1 seen briefly in flight.
Gunton Hall lake was completely frozen, a Grey Heron stood on the ice, little else seen.

Garden Song Thrush

2012-02-13T15:41:00.000-08:00

The Song Thrush was seen perched in the middle tree at the back of our garden early morning and at lunchtime 1.10pm was seen in the tree again. It flew down and fed on some bread by the front western edge of the middle flowerbed, it seemed intrigued when I slowly opened the upstairs window and looked at me curiously as I fired off a few shots (just 6 metres away) of what has sadly become a rare sight in the garden, lets hope this leads to more sightings.

The thaw sets in (eventually)

2012-02-12T09:33:00.000-08:00

At Oulton Broad, there was a smallish pool by the yacht club which was full of duck including c50 Tufted Duck. I saw Rob Wil by pets corner and the best bird here was the handsome male Wood Duck feeding on food on the path ahead of us. It was of course completely iced over here too.
From the railway bridge, I could see little on Lake Lothing but by the shore side, 61 Dunlin huddled together with 1 Grey Plover, which promptly took to flight when some dog walkers walked by.
Visiting a very icy Leathes Ham, this morning, I visited the pool to the north of the area where an assotment of duck some 31 Pintail (mostly male with 7 females), Gadwall, Wigeon, Tufted Duck were seen in the water and asleep on the ice and including the weird hybrid bird (Tufted X Fudge Duck?) at the back. The redhead Smew was still active swimming at the back, left and right sides and swimming close into the north-west corner again showing well albeit in bad light. She even got up onto the ice on the eaqst side by the edge of the pool and had a quick 40 winks before going back into the water. Amongst the big gulls asleep at the back was the excellent adult Iceland Gull which spent most of its time preening and again mostly back on.
The Iceland Gull stayed quite a while until some stupid teenagers decided to venture out onto the ice. All the Gulls flew including the Iceland.
Big John B, Neville S and Dick W arrived later.
At the Anglian Water Lake opposite Gunton Hall entrance, I counted 131 Gadwall still a good number and 5 Pochard, 5 Wigeon and 30 Tufted Duck, plus 3 Mute Swan and 1 Little Grebe.
Whilst I was here I received a tweet from jeremy G saying he had a BN Grebe showing very well from Gorleston Pier.
By now it was getting noticably less chilly with the temperature gage in the car reading 6 degrees celsius.
When I first arrived, I could see Jeremy G and Ricky F looking out over the south side of Gorleston Pier.
The fantastic Black- necked Grebe was swimming close in just 10 meters away on the sea, creeping close I managed to get some great shots 60 metres from the end of the Pier. By this time we were joined by Paul & Jane and Rob Wil. As always a wonderful bird with prominent red eye and a black spot for the pupil, delicate black upturned bill and the body a ball of fluff. This bird then swam west directly towards Gorleston beach, where it swam about 10 metres off shore before heading north to the breakwater and then retracing its route east on the sea along the south end of the Pier again.
Other observers were excitedly watching the bird too. Looking north from the Pier 3 immature Brent Geese swam along the edge of the water here too.
The Black- necked Grebe was now heading to the open sea and a cargo boat and its pilot pushed the Grebe over the border and further out to sea off Yarmouth harbour. A reasonably close Great Crested Grebe in partial summer plumage swam south across the sea off the end of the Pier.
Between 5 and 5.20pm, I walked over to Fallowfields and immediately saw a Woodcock fly west and over the garden airspace, it appeared to settle in Parkhill Hotel grounds.
Another Woodcock flew west and again over the garden and again settled in Parkhill Hotel grounds. A further bird got up near the north- west wall and the fourth Woodcock was seen in a private garden get up and flying towards Parkhill Hotel grounds.
What a great day and nice to see the sun again!

Iced over

2012-02-11T15:19:00.000-08:00

Saturday 11th February, I can honestly say that since Christmas, i haven't taken a single photo with my new lens in sunny weather. Today was the exception. First stop at a very icy Leathes ham with just 2 pools of fresh flowing water along the northern side from an other wise completely frozen area.
As I walked around, the excellent redhead Smew could be seen on the left- hand side of the Pool, before swimming out and being mainly at the back, but after a while she relented and spent a lot of time swimming around the north= west corner barely 5 metres away and we, OFB and I obtained some good shots in good light.
Around 20 Pintail, mostly males were at the back asleep on the ice, but a number of Gadwall and 1 male Wigeon swam close in.
The redhead Smew was diving frequently and often there was weed stuck in its bill.
A look at Oulton Broad and it was completely frozen over, so no Sawbills today there!
getting great advice from OFB, I drove down to the North denes caravan park along swimming pool road and went to reception to ask for permission to drive over the mobile caravan park site. The lady in reception was very nice and said yes, so I drove in and saw instantly 2 Lapwing and 2 Golden Plover, I drove up to the Golden Plover turning the engine off and eventually the Plover ran a little way towards me, I manoeuvred the car to get a good position in the best light and managed to obtain some good shots, especially near the fixed home blocking the concrete road running south. Also just north here near a patch of snow, the other Golden Plover ran towards me a showed well too.
Not to be outdone one of the Lapwings flew in close near the diagonal parking spaces at the end of Swimming Pool road and I was able to get good shots here too, especially of it successfully pulling out a leatherkjacket from the ground, which needed quite a tug before it swallowed its well earned meal!
i also made sure I went back to reception to thank the lady too.

Smew on Leathes Ham

2012-02-10T15:30:00.000-08:00

I have been searching for a Smew all week, although I have been at work all week, I have checked local stretches of water, most have been completely frozen, but all without any Smew. Until today, when a tweet from Andrew E had me racing to Leathes Ham after work and at 5.15pm, I arrived but the light was fading rapidly and with dusk approaching, I scanned the area of open unfrozen water and initially I couldn't see it, instead seeing lots of duck especially Pintail where around 20 were seen. Then at the back, behind and island with a cut tree stump amongst the duck, I could see the excellent redhead Smew, with dark red crown and white cheeks. The silhouette was distinctive too in the rapidly fading light. A rare sight record and my first Smew seen here and first in Lowestoft for some time!

Record count of Gadwall

2012-02-08T09:09:00.000-08:00

During the late afternoon, in the fading light, checking the Lound lakes; all were completely frozen except an area east of the causeway where 40 Mallard and 1 male Tufted Duck vied for swimming space.
At the "Anglian Water" Lake by the A12 opposite the entrance to Gunton Hall, a really impressive tally of 221 Gadwall were actively feeding and upending in the water (in the third of the lake which was not frozen), easily the highest count I've had at this location and indeed anywhere in Lowestoft! 5 Wigeon, 5 Pochard and 1 Little Grebe and 2 Mute Swans were also seen in the water too.

Trio of Bullfinches

2012-02-08T02:41:00.000-08:00

The marvellous Bullfinches have been visiting the garden regularly (4 occasions once every 20 minutes or so) this morning, first the pair (the male and female) and then all 3 Bullfinches (male and 2 females) keep returning to the Cherry tree to feed on the sprouting buds!
One of the females has been feeding from the front branches and the male has proved quite showy too.
A Song Thrush flew into the garden and fed underneath the pagoda area. Up to 4 Wood Pigeons have been in feeding on the berries of the Holly bush. The Green Woodpecker was perched up against a verticle branch in the middle of Fallowfields.
Jay seen too.

Frozen Out!

2012-02-07T10:20:00.000-08:00

On Monday 6th February, a Snipe flew west over the Gapton Hall roundabout at 8.50am as i was travelling to Great Yarmouth Library.

Today, 7th February, the female Bullfinch was perched in the Cherry tree at 7.50am in the garden.
Glancing over as I drove past Ormesby/ Rollesby Broad, travelling to Martham Library, revealed both Broads were frozen with just a small patch of open water near the feeding area on ormesby broad which included several female Pochards c8.
A quick half hour lunchbreak visit to Burgh castle end of Breydon water failed to reveal any Twite, although could have been disturbed by a jogger who ran ahead of me and then came back 10 minutes later and another walker just ahead too 2 Linnets were feeding along the usual area. Several Bar- tailed Godwits seen, at least 2 on the estuary and a further 2 in flight. The estuary channel was quite low, low tide and in the distance (half way between Burgh castle and the Pump house) by some buoys I could see 4 Goosanders, 2 fine males and 2 females, a jogger in luminous green jacket ran ahead of me and flushed them further out onto the estuary. Masses of c600 Wigeon seen and these flew up in a state of panic when first a female Marsh harrier quartered the estuary and then a Peregrine swooped down low to catch a bird but missed on this occasion.

4 inches of snow!

2012-02-05T02:19:00.000-08:00

Woke up this morning to see the garden and the Close covered in 4 inches of snow. 2 Bullfinches (male and female)- visiting as a couple once on separately on the other occasions the female the more frequent visitor; are regularly visiting again this morning eating the buds off the Cherry tree. Other birds in the garden include 15 Black- headed Gulls landing in the garden plus a 1st winter Common Gull, the first time I have seen either off these species perched in the garden, they were after the bread I had put out! Up to 6 Chaffinch (4 males and 2 females), 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Collared Doves, 2 Robins, 4 Blackbirds and the 3 Starling have been flying over too, plus a Pied Wagtail flew oveer south.
A check of Fallowfields revealed 4 Bullfinches flying away but no Woodcock seen today so far.
Later on some children wandered onto the Fallowfields waste ground and half way along near the edge of the road, they disturbed a Woodcock that flew low and west.
I then drove over to Oulton Broad and parking at Pets corner, I saw the excellent female Goosander resting on the jetty barely 3 metres away by the rowing club slipway. It spent most of its time asleep and seeing Morris B, I left him with it while I put some money in the parking machine. Big mistake, as it had woken up and swam away in my absence. Meanwhile some Mallard swimming towards us included the fine male Wood Duck which swam over and under the jetty.
Walking around by the Boat club, a newly arrived of 18 Pochard were seen. At the bowl by the Mutford Lock Bridge, a Lapwing, Snipe and 33 Dunlin were seen on the far muddy bank. Whilst walking along over towards the railway bridge, we saw up to 4 Grey Plover, 2 were very confiding, 2 Golden Plover, 6 Dunlin, a Kingfishersped past flying left and from the bridge, a Shag was seen where we also saw Rob Wil and Andrew E.
Walking back to Oulton Broad, 1 Dunlin was particularly confiding, whilst the flock had increased to 40 Dunlin back at the bowl. 20 Tufted Duck also seen.

Hard Weather Birding

2012-02-04T09:20:00.000-08:00

Waking up to the first snow fall of the year, really just a light dusting. Lots of birds were in the garden early morning including Bullfinches, first there was a female, the both the male and female and then 3 birds; 1 male and 2 females. The visited every 20 minutes or so on seven different occasions. The male often feeding on the buds at the front of tree. The 2 females were slightly less showy.
A walk over Fallowfields revealed 2 Woodcock; 1 flushed from the base of a bush in the middle and another bird flew up from the private gardens just west of Fallowfields.
A tweet from Jane and I was off to Leathes Ham, where the adult Iceland Gull was seen on the ice, usually unfortunately back on and preening. Up to 3 male Pintail were also very close as was a perched female. A Wigeon seen also and male Tufted Duck. A Woodcock flew east behind us.
Dick, Rene, Paul & Jane were also seen here.
Next stop Riverside road, where the excellent Black- throated Diver was on the river straight out but never my side of the river sadly. The excellent Peregrine was seen briefly perched on its perch on the west face of the Grain silo. 2 Shag and 2 Cormorant were seen also. From Asda the river was very low and on the exposed mud on the south side were 2 Dunlin and 5 Redshank.
At the North Denes caravan park, on the south side, I spotted 3 Golden Plover and 1 Dunlin just 10 metres away. The Plovers were running a short way then feeding, 1 bird plucked out and devoured a really long worm.
There was nothing on the Oval and I walked along the entire North beach and Gunton beach and no Auks were seen alive or dead. an adult Mediterranean Gull in winter plumage flew over several times north the south then north again, probably the same bird and this bird has spared my blushes as this is my first Suffolk one for this year! But I did see a flock of 130 Brent Geese flying south right over my head over Gunton Beach and then 9 Brent Geese flew south a little later. Whilst walking along the Links road wall, I inadvertently flushed a Dunlin that must have been huddle close to the wall. It flew a little way over to the dunes and settled down near some marram grass and taking great care not to disturb it I managed to get a few shots of this bird as it sat down.
Popping into Warren House Wood, I flushed 4 Woodcock, the first flew up from the middle part of the wood near the western fence, the second I could have predicted as it was the spot up the hill on the southern side where I have seen Woodcock on three previous occasions. The next one got up near the pillbox in the middle of the wood and the final one flew up near the north eastern edge. My tally of Woodcock was seven in total for the day.

Return to Burgh Castle

2012-02-03T12:09:00.000-08:00

Another quick lunchtime trip, the weather was really sunny, I met Perry F again walking back he said the Twite were much further along the path, about 500 yards along between the 2 kissing gates. Walking up, cloud suddenly blotted out the sun, typical! I saw a Dunlin, several Redshanks and several 7 Rock Pipits. past the first kissing gate, I could see a flock of 60 Black- tailed Godwits on the estuary water just 15 metres away.
Between the 2 kissing gates, suddenly 5 passerines flew up calling from the path, they gave a Linnet calls flew over the fields and eventually settled in the same place, I could clearly see 2 of their number and they had steel grey bills, they were Linnets, 5 Linnets.
Walking back along the path just 100 yards from the entrance gate, the 5 excellent Twite were perched on the mud by the shoreline. Whilst on the east side a Kingfisher flew low and north over the dyke.

Garden & Estuary Visitors

2012-02-02T15:03:00.000-08:00

It was really nice to see a Song Thrush feeding in the western border of our garden today at 8.05am. First one in the garden since early winter 2011.
A look out at Burgh Castle at lunchtime from 1.15 to 1.45pm revealed the 5 excellent Twite feeding along the west bank of the track around 300 yards up from the church, I saw Perry F who used his fieldcraft to get close to the birds and they flew south around 50 yards where we were both able to obtain some shots as they fed reasonably close to us. One Twite was perched up quite high on a weedy bush (2 later joined it) and sported a really yellow bill and chestnut face, my best shot of it was the last one I took using manual focus as the automatic auto- focus sensor was going haywire on the camera today!

Bullfinch over

2012-02-01T09:30:00.000-08:00

At 8.35am this morning as I was filling up the bird feeders, a calling male Bullfinch flew over in a north- easterly direction.

"Bullies" return again

2012-01-31T10:09:00.000-08:00

At 8.05am, 8.35am and 9.10am the pair of Bullfinches were again feeding on the buds of the Cherry tree at the back of the garden. Initially the female Bullfinch was to the fore, but later it was the male Bullfinch at the front. They flew off when yet another dog walker with a luminous jacket walked past (see 27 Jan post at Oulton Broad). But they returned about half an hour later.
A few minutes later, a Jay flew in and briefly perched on the tree.
On Saturday 29th the RSPB the 1 hour garden birdwatch was a little disappointing, but only counting birds seen in the garden I counted 1 Greenfinch (usually have more of these but I have temporarily run out of sunflower seeds), 4, Chaffinch (2 male, 2 female), 2 Wood Pigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 2 Great tit, 2 Blue tit, 2 Robin and 2 Blackbirds.

Kessingland Owls

2012-01-30T13:31:00.000-08:00

On Sunday 29th January, just before 2.30pm, I walked down to the Kessingland sewage works by the fence a regularly calling Chiff- Chaff was seen well and another second Chiff- Chaff called from the other side of the track.
Walking down to the caravan park, by their car park, an excellent Short- eared Owl flew out from the bushes past the dyke and over to a hedgerow by an arable field. walking around there carefully, a dog bounded by disturbing, a Short- eared Owl flew up from the path ahead and west across the field over a dyke to another field. walking around the path looping around to the right/west, I raised my bins and instantly saw the Short- eared owl perched on the ground on a muddy area. I watched this Owl for over an hour and it remained perched during the whole period of observation. Moving its head, often alert, it reacted when another Short- eared Owl flew first right and then left.
A drumming Snipe flew past and over my head, whilst in the distance a Barn Owl flew by.

Great Lowestoft January birding

2012-01-27T13:33:00.000-08:00

Having the morning off from work, on a bright sunny virtually windless morning (for a change), first stop Burnt Hill Lane and 9am, I scanned the field to the west and initially i couldn't see them and then I scanned again and there they were, 4 excellent Tundra Bean Geese. Fine birds with dark brown chocolate heads, small squat short bills with orange tips and orange legs. Too far away to photograph, I just enjoyed the scope views for several minutes. I turned away for a minute and then they were gone, I scanned and checked again they had definitely gone! They must have flown as I took my eye away from the scope to text the info out, this seems to be confirmed by a single call I heard to my right (west of the field) of a Bean Goose.
Next stop was Oulton Broad at Pets corner, I met Richard S, who had seen it around the jetty by Caldecott road, I eventually drove around there and duly saw the redhead Goosander which was initially at the jetty and then she swam quickly to the middle of the Broad (when a dog walker with a luminous jacket walked past and stopped rather perversely right in front where the Goosander was & before I could set the camera up!) and then right and out of sight again.
2 adult Egyptian Geese seen by the Boulevard and a further 2 adults and 3 immature birds by the Wherry (the only bird to pose for the camera today). A male and female Tufted Duck were reasonably close to the waters edge. A Little Grebe was seen by the "bowl" too.
At Riverside road, looking out over Lake Lothing, the excellent Black- throated Diver was seen swimming around the orange buoy whilst perched at the waters edge of a large grey ship behind the Lydia Eva, 2 Shag were seen also.
Hamilton Dock was empty and I couldn't see the Iceland from here, but my time was running out.
Next stop Ness Point where I saw 8 Purple Sandpipers mainly roosting on the northern end of the point where the sea defence rocks extend out into the sea by 20 metres, they were all asleep on the usual rock.
By the wind turbine, just past some stacked pipes a fine male Black Redstart was seen perched on a pile of wooden poles, before some visiting "birders" yelled out "Dave's got it" (they were only trying to be helpful but slightly annoying when I had already spotted it and was hoping to photograph it) which flushed the bird back to a wooden hut and it perched on a traffic cone lying on its side before darting off again.

Nothing doing

2012-01-26T15:58:00.000-08:00

A quick look around Lowestoft before work on Monday 25th January and Thursday 26th January failed to reveal much save for the Wood Duck on both occasions at Oulton Broad the Goosander being particularly elusive as usual especially in the sunny calm conditions.
Visits to Belton for work saw me seeing the Ruddy Shelduck on Tuesday (with 12 Egyptian Geese) and Thursday (with c40 Egyptian Geese) from the road to Belton just 10 yards after turning off from the A143.

Goosander (at last!) and Velvet Scoter

2012-01-22T13:59:00.000-08:00

Luckily, I checked the computer (still receiving no tweet and I am mystified as to the problem??) and there were several tweets, the first was (13 minutes ago) saying the Goosander was back on Oulton Broad, I raced over there and parking at Pets corner, I looked around and I couldn't see any sawbills, but as I wandered around the channel by the moored boats there it was at last, the female Goosander. Setting the camera up quickly I fired off a few shots but the light and wind weren't making things easy, the bird was preening and then restful, but then she decided enough was enough and she swam under the jetty and over to the next channel that was only viewable though a 6 foot tall wooden fence. Photography was going to be tricky. She reared up and flapped her wings a few times and a boat owner walking along the wooden jetty (sadly locked and not accessible) didn't alarm her too much.

I left soon after and remembering the second tweet on the computer I drove to Great Yarmouth and parking at the end of Blackfriars road, was soon taking the path to the beach along the southern edge of the Pleasure beach at Great Yarmouth, I joined Dick W by the water's edge and scoped the wonderful female Velvet Scoter with white wing clip on her dark black body, pale circle area on the head and orange based bill, she was around 100 yards away. On one occasion she caught a shellfish shook it about and eventually swallowed it whole creating a bulge in her throat, i just hope it doesn't give her indigestion. My slightly embarrasing lack of Med Gull sightings for 2012 were soon rectified when an adult, a fine immature bird flew past going north, whilst finally 10 birds, Mediterranean Gulls congregated on the beach, most were winter adults but 1 immature bird seen also. We were also joined by Paul W who briefed us on his latest birding adventures.
UPDATE: 23/1 Twitter now working again for me, I changed my settings and transferred the SIM card to a better mobile phone.

No tweets or birds either

2012-01-22T10:10:00.001-08:00

I have had absolutely no Tweets today, has Twitter gone down today or is it a problem with my phone I have no idea? Not sure how to rectify this problem, either, so I won't be doing any tweets if I find anything, as it probably won't reach anyone either.

So going out "blind" back at Oulton Broad, from Pets Corner, a Kingfisher flew away from its perch on a moored boat. Again the wind was very strong blowing from the west making birding difficult. I failed to see yet again the now near mythical Goosander at Oulton Broad, the Wood Duck was showing well resting on the side of a rowing boat, when the sun eventually came out. I checked the along from the Bouleevard and Lake Lothing too but again nothing. Nothing on Carlton Marshes either.
I also had a look at Riverside road and Asda overlooking the river and all I saw was a Cormorant and a diving Little Grebe. Nothing in Hamilton Dock either.
At Ness Point by the rocky ledge by the compass, 8 Purple Sandpipers fed close in, but in appalling light. They later flew north and 4 were asleep on a rock jutting upwards along the northern tip of Ness Point.
I also checked Links road car park but they were no birds on there either.

Showy Iceland & non-existant (for me) Goosander

2012-01-21T15:32:00.000-08:00

Allowing for the rain to clear, I visited Leathes ham, a male and female Pintail were very close to the feeding area but the light was dreadful again and the superb adult Iceland Gull was perched on one of the cut tree stumps, mostly preening during the period of observation, I did manage to get a few shots of it. Eventually the Iceland Gull flew over to a distant roof and it was my cue to leave. Good to see Andrew E and Paul & Jane here.
Next stop, Oulton Broad after receiving danny P's messages of the Goosander showing well. Thoroughly checking the Boulevard and the rowing club slipway I couldn't see hide nor hair of it. Compensation came in a very confiding Wood Duck amongst some boat, so close I had to step back a little way to obtain shots with my 500mm fixed lens. Paul & Jane arrived and Andrew and Rob Wil arrived my we still didn't see it!
Going back at 3pm following Dick's text, parking at Pets corner, Rob & Andrew were there and had seen it but I couldn't find this really elusive bird on my 4th attempt! Some birds have really given me the runaround this year already, Hoopoe, RLB and now this sawbill. Disappointing.

Burgh Castle again

2012-01-18T13:44:00.000-08:00

I had a look again at Breydon today at 8am walking out from Burgh Castle and taking the path for 300 yards and walkin north- east, I could see a lot of Redshank c40 this side of the channel and they flew further along. sadly, the weather conditions were poor with oveercast cloud, light rain and a moderately strong westerly blowing into my face. No chance of any photography this morning. A Stonechat flew up (my first of thee year) and over the west over the water. A bird flew up from the grassy area in front of me the other side of the flood barrier, it was an excellent Twite and 4 additional birds joined it, and they were seen briefly out in the open, 5 excellent Twite the pale chestnut faces and yellow bills were noted before they hopped over into cover, I had to go too, it was 8.30am, to get back to work in time for 9am. Very nice to see them and my first sighting of this species for several years.

Burgh Castle

2012-01-17T13:22:00.000-08:00

A look at Breydon Water at Burgh Castle at lunchtime failed to reveal the hoped for Twite, apparently they had flown across the river as I walking up (just my luck and Breydon had rarely been a happy "hunting" ground for me). However, I did managed to see 1 Bearded Tit flying over the reeds and 3 Avocet in the water which were new year ticks.

Rough-leg at last!

2012-01-15T09:33:00.001-08:00

Walking down again through Fritton woods following an earlier sighting of the Rough- leg, it was good to meet John H, Paul & Jane. They hadn't seen it, was it to be my fifth dip for this bird? A female Marsh Harrier was perched on the deck just beyond the reeds by the river, in exactly the same position I had seen her last night. A further 2 female Marsh Harriers quartered the reeds, and to complete the girly theme, a female Sparrowhawk flew out of the wood and left over the marshes.
John H said he had a bird which looked interesting but it was a long, long way away and initially it could either have been the Rough- leg or a large female Marsh harrier. It was seen sitting on a post on the right edge of a wooden gate post. It showed a dark back and tail and pale head and breast.
It looked promising and we continued to observe, but we also wanted to rule out an abberant Common Buzzard and when more plumage features could be seen, clearly on size and shape it looked just too big and far too wide in the girth (of the breast) for a Marsh Harrier. It showed a pale cream head and breast with dark streaking on it (classic RFB features), the breast was puffed out making it look quite corpulent. It showed a dark brown streaked back with what looked like creamy streaks.
But the tail looked all dark. it was only when it started preening and it lifted its tail to the vertical that I could make out white on the mid tail and uppertail, this became more apparent as it preened.
At this point OFB rang to say he and Ricky F were watching a RFB from Burgh Castle and their location fitted our bird precisely.
When the bird preened again, I could clearly make out a lot of white on the tail (except the dark tip) and we could finally say that we were watching a magnificent immature Rough-Legged Buzzard. Regular correspondent Paul W arrived and concurred with our ID, too.
Leaving shortly later, I was delighted to spot 8 delightful Crossbills (including 2 stunning brick- red males) feeding from the very top of a very tall leylandii tree just past the Fritton Lodge on north side of the track. An incongrous setting for them, I expected to see them in a Pine tree but they appeared happy on the Leylandii (around 5 females seen, one very green female sat a foot down from the top giving resonable views, the other 3 birds appeared to be immature birds but a real treat to see and new for 2012.
A trip to Southwold with Jenny revealed 1 Redwing in the Churchyard as we walked through but when we walked back at least 8 Redwings were seen calling and flying out of some holly bushes.

Iceland in the Dock

2012-01-14T14:26:00.000-08:00

From around 8am, I was looking over Waveney Dock from the car park and after 10 minutes I saw the excellent adult Iceland Gull flying around. Again flying low and appeared to perch of the ground in front of the fish market. I could see Chris D looking from Hamilton road but otherwise there was not a soul about. I tweeted the news out and just after 9am the bird even flew up and perched for some 10 minutes on the fish market roof. As it alighted onto the roof, I received a call from OFB.
After some 30 minutes I was belatedly joined by James B, Tony B, OFB, Paul & Jane and others.
OFB and I looked at Leathes Ham, we had close views of 4 Gadwall, 4 Wigeon and 2 male Pintail, one had a pale buff- brown head.
On Oulton Broad, from Caldecott road, I saw a Shag perched on a post and from the railway bridge, I spied 4 Shags swimming around the ship, a Redshank and Turnstone were on the near shore. I was back at Leathes Ham mid afternoon but just missed the Iceland there and went onto Fritton woods via Bradwell where the Ruddy Shelduck was with c40 Egyptian Geese viewable from the road down to Belton.
From Fritton woods, I saw 2 Short- eared Owls, 1 perched on a post, one on a gatepost, they later quartered the fields/ reeds area. 4 female Marsh Harriers flew around and later on c6000 Pink- footed Geese flew north over the marshes, an impressive sight.
Near Dusk, a Buzzard flew into Fritton woods, definately a Common and not the hoped for RFB, so disappointingly again despite a 2 hour vigil until 5.05pm, I again missed the RFB, 3 Snipe flew out from the woods over the marshes. Birds heard only were Bearded tit and Green Sandpiper.

High Arctic Visitor

2012-01-13T17:05:00.001-08:00

On Thursday 12th January, whilst putting the bins out at 11.30pm I could hear the cries of a Fox calling from directly west of the Close.

Finally well enough for an early morning visit, I saw the excellent adult Iceland Gull this morning on Friday 13th January, viewed from the top level bar one of Battery Green car park, parking along the free car parking spaces by the police station and walking across. This denizen of the high Arctic was seen before work, flying around Waveney Dock, a stunning bird all white with light grey upperparts and a "light brown shawl" on the upper breast, the bird was seen from around 7.40am to 8.10am (when I had to leave for work. It flew around the dock, even settling for a time (out of view) presumably on the ground right in front of the fish market. I never did see the bird perched, but I had good views of it flying around the dock, around the far eastern wall. As a ship slowly cruised across, the Iceland Gull was then flying around the middle of the dock and looked for the world if the ship's skipper was a birder and even manoeuvring it for a better view, what I would have given to been on board with my camera and lens! The bird was flying right over into Hamilton Dock on several occasions and was even seen flying almost over to the South Pier area too.
Driving over to Martham again, I saw a male Goldeneye on Rollesby Broad as I drove past slowly again.

"Bullies" return

2012-01-11T15:13:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday 10th January, whilst driving slowly past Rollesby Broad, I could see the Great Northern Diver on the east side of the Broad plus a very close male Goldeneye on the west side of the Broad, couldn't stop as I was off to Martham Library.
The plaintiff "pouu" calls of Bullfinches at lunchtime Wednesday 11th January (although I couldn't face any food) had me looking out of the bedroom window today, I was off work with an ongoing bad attack of presumed food poisoning which has affected poor Jenny too. We may have picked it up whilst eating out at Gorleston eatery laughing called a "cafe" one lunchtime (Monday). The pair of Bullfinches have returned to the garden at 1.40pm feeding presumably on the sprouting buds from the Cherry tree (a sign of the very mild weather). The male was typically resplendent with peachy pink breast and underparts, the female a more subdued but striking coffee brown colour.

Dismal weekend

2012-01-08T15:21:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, 7th January the very strong winds had blown down our Jasmine and Honeysuckle plants alongside 2 Trellis' completely destroyed, what great weather we are having, not! Third time unlucky (in 2012) on a very windy afternoon (always bad for spotting birds) , and inevitably yet again I failed to see the RFB from Fritton woods, the windy conditions certainly didn't help. 2 female Marsh Harriers were seen and around 20 Pink-feet and a Chinese Water Deer seen. Marsh Tit, Treecreeper 2, Coal Tit also seen all in a sunny spot around a tree and bushes by the entrance track, a nice interlude in an otherwise birdless weekend. Ruddy Shelduck seen distantly from the A143 (too distantly to photograph) with the group of Egyptian Geese.
Sunday after a very nasty migraine cut short any morning birding activity, a look at the Drive Reydon (driven by Jenny, I couldn't drive following this morning's bad head) on 2 occasions this afternoon failed to reveal any Waxwings. 1 female Marsh Harrier flew over Potters Bridge marshes.

Cold and Windy

2012-01-04T15:31:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 3rd January was a complete wash out, walking through Fritton woods, a Muntjac Deer looked at me by a puddle on the path. Looking over a very windswept Fritton/ Haddiscoe island very little was seen due to the weather conditions save c100 Pink- footed Geese out on the marshes and elsewhere, the Ruddy Shelduck was again seen along the New road, fairly close to the road in the company of some 60 odd Egyptian Geese.

On Wednesday 4th January, a much better day, albeit it was still very windy, I picked up John H at Caister, first stop was Buckenham marshes, along the way to the mill we saw some very close Wigeon c300 birds and 300 yards beyond the mill we could see c30 Taiga Bean Geese with them was the excellent Lesser White-fronted Goose, smaller in stature with distinctive white shield shape distinguished it from the otherlarger White- fronts but it was more difficult to pick out when it was fededing head down also 60 White- fronted Geese , and several close Wigeon.
Strumpshaw Fen workers on the marsh we were looking over revealed little save for 1 brave female Shovelor. , feeders inc. 1 Marsh Tit
Next stop Ranworth Broad, where the female Ring- necked Duck was seen quite close and with good scope views, just left of the Visitors centre (which was closed) and the duck was feeding among submerged tree routes in water with Pochard and Tufted Duck. walking along tree lined meadow first, a "rattling" Mistle Thrush seen then a Fieldfare perched in a top roight hand branch.
Finally at Rollesby Broad the Great Northern Diver seen well with a stunning male Goldeneye seen behind him.

New Years Day 2012

2012-01-03T15:33:00.000-08:00

Driving back from Wales 2 Red Kites and a Buzzard seen over the M4 just before Reading (the Kites) and just after (the Buzzard),
Arriving at Lake Lothing via Riverside road late in the day, the Black- throated Diver was showing very well, swimming along the river right in front of us and therefore good shots were obtained albeit in poor light. Much further west along the river, a female Red-breasted Merganser was seen rather distantly by the orange bouy. A "tweet" message stating a Hume's or Yellow- browed had me eventually driving to Ness Point, the warbler was seen flitting and working right along the bushes, it was a bright Yellow- browed Warbler. It worked its way right along the bushes and then promptly disappeared. Some fifteen minutes later it reappeared showing well on occasions albeit very briefly, the cream supercilia, double wing bats and cream tertial edging clearly seen. 5 Purple Sandpipers were seen on the rocks butting out from the northern end of Ness Point, 4 were asleep one was busy feeding away from the gang of four.
A look in Hamilton Dock cost me a sighting of the Hoopoe (nonetheless a great find by Ricky) which I missed by 5 minutes.

On the 2nd January, after a further 3 hours looking over Bouton and Paul's old factory, finally at 11.20am all the Pigeons flew up and underneath them flapping away with it's distinctive butterfly flight, the buff- orange plumaged Hoopoe with with black and white- spotted wings flew underneath them, it also sported a folded crest and longish down curved bill. It flapped around then dropped down after about a minute's duration.
Meanwhile along the river, the Black- throated Diver showed reasonably well today albeit in much better light than yesterday.
A trip to Beccles eventually revealed 64 Waxwings,perched precariously along the roadside verge bushes just west of the Go Kart track, I had refound them and phoned OFB and both he and Dick drove over and sensibly stayed in their cars. But unfortunately an individual from Bury St. Edmunds (who will remain nameless although I know who he is!) decided to walk straight up to the bush (why???) and inevitably scared the Waxwings off. They were later seen in a distant bush in a disused industrial yard, albeit much further away. 2 Fieldfares perched high up in a tree elsewhere. I unfortunately flushed a Short- eared Owl flushed from a bush, just metres away during a comfort stop! It simply flew away obviously startled, poor thing!
Finally, taking Mill Lane by Mutford "high street" and right by the iron gate, Morris B, OFB and Dick W and I walked out along the footpath traversing the middle of a very promising looking field, we waited for 2 Short- eared Owls, the first one, eventually came out at just after 2.30pm, the darker individual flew along the east side of the field and initially flew towards us before swooping down in to the field. it later flew along the edge and over the gate right by OFB's car and the waiting incumbent (Morris B) had an Owl's eye view at very close range. A paler Short- eared Owl was west of the field near a barn, where it perched on a distant post for a while before hunting again along the south side of the field.

A Very Wet Wales

2012-01-03T14:53:00.000-08:00

Arriving at Mum's on Wednesday 28th December, a Nuthatch was seen chuntering from the tree opposite the front door.
Not a birding trip but a strictly family event.
The whole time I was there it poured with rain day after day. Walking down to the stream near Llannon, doing something I wish I never had to do, we heard a Dipper fly past.
The next day at Cymisfael Stream by the bridge right at the end of the hill a Dipper was seen close to the bridge briefly before flying a few yards away.

Boxing Day Birds

2012-01-03T14:51:00.001-08:00

A trip to Minsmere to pick up Suffolk Birds 2010, I was disappointed not to get any photo's published this year but the standard of pics are fabulous and most taken by pro photographers, but pleased to get recognition for my Rough- leg flying over Fritton woods in 2010. From Whin Hill I spotted around 8 Bewick's Swans. walking back to the car I heard a "pitchou" call looked up and saw a Marsh Tit by the side of the woods.
Receiving a text as I was driving was passing Kessingland, I saw Chris M at the Sewage works path and had a nice chat before walking some 150 yards further on and right taking the path stradling 2 fields, in the southern most one, 64 White- fronted Geese were in the field reasonably close and showing well, i decided to take shots with my newly acquired lens.

Happy Christmas everyone!

2011-12-25T12:29:00.000-08:00

First of all I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy bird- filled 2012.
Thanks for reading this blog and all your comments which are much appreciated.

Looking over the Lake Lothing by parking at the Riverside road and walking across the waste ground that was formerly the Co-op canning factory, Paul and Jane & Andrew E were already there. The Peregrine Falcon was perched on the west side of the tower, whilst looking west 3 Shag were seen on the water. No sign of the diver that had presumably swam up the river west and out of sight. Parking the other side by the railway bridge I walked along to the Mutford Lock Bridge and by the jetty, directly underneath was a Little Grebe that dived as soon as it saw me, a Shag was perched at the end of the jetty that seemed settled until I got the camera out and it promptly flew away!
Just east of the railway line bridge, I could see the excellent immature Black- throated Diver relatively distantly that eventually swam left and out of sight.
A Kingfisher then flew left as awell.
On Leathes Ham, 22 Pintail (included 14 males and 8 females) looked resplendent as they upended and dived near the back.
This afternoon at Ness Point, a strong south wind revealed 28 Gannets (27 adults and 1 immature) all flying north over the sea in just a few minutes. There must have been a really good passage of these birds today. 2 Purple Sandpipers were on the defence rocks just north of Ness Point.

Great Christmas Eve birding

2011-12-24T09:41:00.000-08:00

Arriving at Ranworth Broad, alarmingly I could see a boat going out to the far side of the Malthouse Broad where the all the birds were. I could see John H peering through his scope and leapt out and John H very kindly allowed me to have a look before the expected disturbance. There were a number of Pochard and Tufted Ducks and amongst them was the excellent female Ring- necked Duck. It was seen amongst the ducks occasionally disappearing down the inlet, but also seen swimming at the back of the flock in the middle and even asleep at times.
The female Ring- necked Duck showed a distinct peak to the middle crown, black and white band at the tip off the bill, Prominent white- eye ring (only viewable through John's scope) and pale area on the face. The flanks were brown being a distinctive lighter brown at the front (head end) and darker near the rear.
We were then joined by regular correspondent Paul W, Phil H and then Dave H and his wife and Baz H. Sharp- eyed Dave picked out the 2 Ferruginous Duck- type hybrids, one a male bird the other a female. They swam left of the green bouys at the very back of the broad. A Kingfisher flew across left and through the tree- lined marsh to our left. Siskins and Fieldfares were heard flying overhead but not seen.

Taking the route through Mill Lane Bradwell, I spied a flock of some 300 Pink- footed geese flying over the Browston/ Belton areea fling west. Taking the "New road" out of Bradwell, I parked in the layby left of the dual road and very carefully made my way across 4 lanes of traffic. I looked though the flock and saw the Ruddy Shelduck amongst some 60 Egyptian Geese. It walked back a few yards and was happy to continue feeding.
Whilst checking out a relatively birdless Lound, 5 Tufted Duck being the only highlight, I received a tweet from Andrew E and within 25 minutes I was looking over Lake Lothing from the railway bridge and way east on Lake Lothing behind the orange bouy was the excellent immature Black- throated Diver. Very brown looking on the head, with a distinct white wedge- shaped patch seen at the rear of the flanks. It spent most of the time feeding, diving
regularly.
We were joined by Paul W, Paul and Jane and Neville S, it was really good to see everyone today.
The ever sharp Paul spotted a Sparrowhawk, a female bird fly onto the railway line track, just east of the bridge, it flew left and perched on the other track before flying left. I noted the distant Pigeons suddenly fly up and I said the Peregrine Falcon might bee about. Seconds later Andrew E said he had it and looking at the second window down on the right. It was perched on the extreme left tip of the ledge.
It stayed for 10 minutes before it eventually flew off. Meanwhile the Black- throated Diver was a little closer being this side of the oraange buoy. I then spotted a Kingfisher flying left of Lake Lothing and shouted it out. Finally a flock of 4 birds on the water proved to be 4 Shag, the outer 2 were browner immature birds, the inner two when they swam a little close proved to be 2 adult Shags.
meanwhile on Leathes Ham, I spotted around 15 male Pintails up ending and swimming on the water.

Spoonbill by the hide

2011-12-21T14:34:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Tuesday 20th December, whilst driving along the A12, just north of Hopton first a flock of c200 Pink- footed Geese and then 18 Pink- footed Geese flew west over the A12. As I drove over the Breydon Bridge, I looked west and I could see what looked like the Spoonbill on the marsh close to the hide. Parking at Great Yarmouth Asda carpark at 8.15am, I walked along the path and the Spoonbill, an immature bird was quite close to the hide and the path. The bird initially flew as I walked along the path, showing black-tips to the wings which proved together with the buff-black bill it was an immature. Initially, I couldn't find it and I assumed it was feeding down in one of the dykes. I walked west along the path scanning the dykes, no sign of it. Looking back the excellent immature Spoonbill was back in the same position quite close to the hide. I entered the hide and tried to getv a few good pics. It was asleep some of the time but woke and preened for a while before I had to leave at 8.40am to get to work for 9am. Yet another Asda bonus! I wasn't at all happy with the pictures I had taken, the light wasn't right (initially dark, but the rising sun had cast a bright pallor onto the bird, which even whilst darkening the exposure a notch hadn't helped either) and the distance showed up the limitations of the usually excellent Sigma lens I was using, something which should be remedied very soon! As I walked down the wet grass slope, I fell and skidded down the grass, no injuries and optics were OK too, good thing I had packed the camera and lens away.
Today, Wednesday 21st December as I was leaving Gorleston Library, 120 Pink-footed Geese flew over in a "V" formation, frequently calling and heading north.

Acle Strait Dip

2011-12-21T14:27:00.000-08:00

Last Monday 12th December, I had a very brief lunchtime twitch to look for the 2 Ross' Geese, looking from the bridge from the Halvergate road I couldn't see a single Goose east of here. some people were looking north just east of the Stacey arms but time was pressing and there was no room for another vehicle to park, so I had a quick park at the next layby and saw 3 close Curlew that quickly moved on when I had set the camera up, just my luck. A very poor trip.
On Saturday 17th December, a trip to Oxford on the train from Paddington station revealed 13 Red kites seen, the first between Slough and Maidenhead and then many others until just before Oxford.

Christmas Presence

2011-12-11T08:51:00.000-08:00

A dismal murky drizzly day today, so we decided to go and shop for special Christmas presents first up was some Norfolk made Elderberry & Clove cordial specially requested by Mum so we drove over to Langley Priory shop near Loddon and they had one bottle, job done! Last year's extensive shop has been much reduced and over half of it has been turned into a centre for the green welly brigade and is now Norfolk's only centre for playing polo! Driving back through Chedgrave to rejoin the A146, 8 Curlew flew right over the road. Next stop Southwold to visit the Adnams shop and look for wooden toys via the Drive, Reydon where we saw the 13 wonderful Waxwings trilling away merrily and all perched up in a Silver birch tree right near the junction. At times they were flighty, flying around in a circle before eventually landing back in the tree. If they were feeling very relaxed they flew down to the berry laden trees to devour the red berries. We watched these wonderful birds from within the car because it was starting to drizzle a little and in the very poor light we couldn't really appreciate their plumage as we normally would. In the Close near St Edmunds Churchyard we saw 15 Goldfinch twittering away in a tree and 2 Pied Wagtails were in the market place by the hideous green cone monstrosity masquerading as a Christmas tree.

Owls & raptors

2011-12-10T12:22:00.000-08:00

This afternoon, a look around Lowestoft Hamilton Dock, Ness Point and the wind turbine revealed precisely nothing. A change of tack was required, so parking at the end of the road down to Fritton woods, I walked down the frosty path to the bung overlooking the fields and marshes over Haddiscoe island.
I had earlier popped into the town to visit The Works bargain bookshop hoping to find a copy of Collins Birds of Prey for Neville L who requested a copy, sadly I didn't find one but what I did find was "Collins Complete Guide to British Garden Wildlife" by Paul Sterry; a photographic guide to the birds, mammals, reptiles, insects and flora that are resident or visit gardens. A stunning photographic guide particularly strong on garden moths, I can't recommend this highly enough! A steal at just £4.99 and still 5 copies left in the Lowestoft store, they should have copies at the Great Yarmouth store too.

Scanning over Haddiscoe island from Fritton woods, the first thing I saw was a Peregrine Falcon perched on the end of a gatepost, a large individual probably a female.
Close by a female Marsh Harrier quartered the reedbed and later 2 female Marsh Harrier flew past a mill and perched up in some trees. I was delighted to see a fine Short- eared Owl patrolling the marshes fairly close in but over the other side of the river, it would effortlessly almost lazily flap its wings and then suddenly swoop down onto the ground after prey.
Every so often, I would pick this reasonably close bird up hunting just beyond the reedbed. In the far distance another second Short- eared owl was seen and then later whilst scanning I counted 1 then 2 and finally 3 Short- eared Owls flying over the marshes, a wonderful sight!
around c200 Pink- footed geese were on the marshes and I counted 8 Chinese Water Deer out of the marshes too. Whilst scanning along again, I saw a small brown Merlin perched on a post and another second Merlin on another gatepost and on a nearby gate a female Sparrowhawk seen too.
Suddenly, strident "tlueettt- wiit- wiit" calls revealed 2 excellent Green Sandpiper flying north closeby.
Up to 3 Little Egret seen flying around including one that settled in a marshy ditch just feet away that flew again south on investigation. As the light was going, the temperature was dropping a few degrees to just above freezing and my cue to depart. Driving back, I saw a female Kestrel fly across the road too, taking my tally of Falcon species to 3 for the day.

Western Sand; second lifer of 2011

2011-12-04T01:47:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday (30th November) I travelled down to London, to visit the O2 or as I prefer to call it, the Millenium Dome; at Greenwich to see my favourite band, Deep Purple playing together with a 38 piece orchestra. The concert was excellent with the Orchestra adding extra sound and especially swing on the jazzier numbers, the musicianship of the band was excellent as always, but Ian Gillan's vocals sounded a little tired half way through the set, well he is 65 years old! The only downer was the light show which seemed designed to give migraine suffers like myself problems, Strobe lighting and 6 strips of flashing light bars flashing blinding magnesium white light at you suspended from the ceiling just above the band ensured I spent a third of the time with my eyes shut!
I had a migraine that night and on the following friday night too, sadly missing a Xmas meal I was particularly looking forward to attending. A great shame.
On Thursday 1st December a walk through Greenwich park revealed separate fly overs of 2 pairs of Ring- necked Parakeets flying south, walking back a further 4 pairs of Ring- necked Parakeets flew over on several occasions, south over our heads.

On Saturday 3rd December, I picked up Ricky F and we headed up to North Norfolk,and near Weybourne just by the road on the south side of we spied around 300 Pink- footed Geese in the field.
At Cley we obtained permits, and we were glad to see Keith D and walked out together to the middle,ie. Daukes Hide.
The hide was reasonably full of birders, including Matthew D and I set up my scope and they were directing me to a group of Dunlin. Initially I couldn't see the bird that they were directing me to, it was an odd looking bird; short winged, very short billed (odd for a Western Sand surely??), very dumpy and pot-bellied but around the same size of Dunlin. I was confused! I think this bird was the unidentified wader, the odd looking Dunlin? It certainly wasn't the Western Sand. A bird then flew in, a much better candidaate, smaller than a Dunlin with a longish slightly down curved bill around half the size of a Dunlin bill , dark around the ear coverts contrasting with a lighter patch here too, rusty fringes on the back, with arrow heads on the scapulars, it was the excellent Western Sandpiper. The bird was often hunched up and would run quickly where it wanted to be and pick for food delicately on the ground. There was a flock of around 40 Dunlin with it, plus up to 10 Black- tailed Godwit too. This flock of small waders would frequently fly around and it flew very close on the edge of a spit right in front of us and showed well, around 15% smaller than the accompanying Dunlin, the buff spurs (ie white before and after) on the top flanks were a good ID pointer, the bird walked and fed delicately from the ground.
On our second visit to the hide, following lunch, we finally spied the unidentified wader, amongst a flock of Dunlin, like a Dunlin, same size and a very round, pot- bellied with short primaries and a very short bill. A Golden Plover flew past with a plaintive, mournful "teuu" call. 2 Ruff were seen at the back and then when some waders flew in the excellent Western Sandpiper was seen amongst the flock too. Over at Bishop hide, a Green- winged Teal swam behind a flock of c40 winter plumaged Black- tailed Godwit from Bishop Hide and between the island. The slightly larger size and white horizontal shoulder bar obvious when on view.
In the small grassy area, next to the car park, 2 extremely showy Lapwing posed for the cameras whilst on Cley Eye field around 2000 Golden Plover were seen perched together on the field occasionally flying up creating quite a spectacle!
A seawatch from Cley coastguards was amazingly good especially as we looked for just 20 minutes, the cold north-west wind limiting our seawatch today. At first a dark juvenile Gannet flew west, and then a family party of 5 Bewicks swans (2 adults and 3 grey immatures) then flew west. On the sea was a Guillemot, 60 Common Scoter all seemed to be females, 1 Red-throated Diver sat on the sea, whilst 2 singleton Goldeneye (both stunning males) flew west a mad dash onto the crown of the beach revealed a fine Little Auk flying west. Several 3 adults and 1 immature Kittiwake flew west and a few Auk, Guillemot flew west too.

On Sunday 4th December, a Green Woodpecker was seen on the garden lawn briefly from the lounge in the afternoon it was hopping back onto me along the lawn but had gone when I had retrieved the camera at 2.15pm.

Bewicks & bargain book

2011-11-29T10:01:00.000-08:00

Whilst driving over the Breydon bridge at lunchtime, I could see 15 small Swans on the estuary, surely they were Bewicks? Sadly, I couldn't stop to check. This was confirmed when Ricky F tweeted to say there were 15 Bewicks Swans on Breydon Water. At lunchtime, I purchased a copy of the excellent Benny Genbol "Collins Birds of Prey" 2nd edition for just £6.99 at the The Works Bargain Bookstore in Great Yarmouth Market place, there are still 4 copies left (as of lunchtime today). It's a great book too, highly recommended.

Mutford Lock Surprise

2011-11-26T14:55:00.000-08:00

Whilst driving south over Mutford Lock bridge at Oulton Broad, I noticed what looked like 2 Shags on the wooden jetty close to the eastern side of the bridge on the Lake Lothing side. When I went to investigate on foot, there were indeed 2 immature Shags which stood on either side of the jetty, just 20 feet from the road bridge. Whilst ducking underneath the barrier, I unfortunately disturbed a few feral pigeons which flew off, causing the 2 Shags to initially shuffle back a couple of feet but before long they were settled enough to shuffle back to their original postions.
The immature Shag on the left was in clear view, with pale belly, and brownish upperparts and a small white throat. The other bird on the right was partially obscured and mostly had its back onto me. I managed a few pictures and then quietly left. At Lowestoft Asda, 3 calling Siskin flew over in a south- westerly direction.
Nothing else was seen here.

Autumn goes on and on...

2011-11-20T12:04:00.000-08:00

An early morning start with the sun rays dispersing the fog and lifting the temperature from a chilly 4 degrees. I walked down to Mariners score checking the top garden and the steps and saw very little but Phil J kindly appeared at the top of steps and beckoned me over to an area at the top of the steps looking south in a run down overgrown garden at the back of the buildings adjoining Lowestoft Old High Street.. Joining a small throng of birders, I didn't have long to wait before the Hume's Leaf Warbler could be seen flitting around in distant Sycamores and then it flew into back of the "garden" where it hopped about in an elder bush. The bird was a little more olivey than the "Crop Shop" bird but still greysh with a buff super and wing bars and darker cap, it flew to ivy bordering the garden wall and showed well here for a couple of minutes before flying back into the Sycamores at the back and eventually out of sight. Steve and I checked a few other area then I walked back to the car and decided to have a look in Arnolds Walk where it was great to have a chat with Robert Win, at the back of the walk near the top a Holly tree I saw a fine chestnut capped female Blackcap.
I am usually delighted to encounter any sort of wildlife but I had an experience early afternoon, that I could have done without! Going into the loft to get the Christmas decorations down, and whilst I was doing this I rested my arm on a bin bag and felt a sharp piercing stinging pain in my arm, feeling I'd been impaled by something sharp, instinctively, I withdrew my arm and then something flopped onto the floor beside me, a Wasp, I'd been stung! I thought I had killed it but when went back up it was crawling around near the hatch and this time I made no mistake in dispatching it, lets hope there's not any more up there!

This afternoon I walked out to Oulton Marshes, taking the path right at the bottom of the hill and walking round by the raised flood defence wall, I looked out over the flooded fields and saw a fine group of 28 White- fronted Geese, just beyond the dyke.
A fine adult male bird with thick black belly bands, flapped his wings and they seemed to be keeping themselves separate from a flock of 29 Canada Geese. I checked each bird carefully checking there weren't any Greylag, Pink- foot or Tundra/ Taiga Beans amongst them. The group were a little wary walking back a little way when a noisy family walked past.
Whilst driving back east along Sands Lane, I reached the junction to Cotswold Drive and a group of what I thought were Starling flew across low and north over the road, but at least one of them was definitely a fine Waxwing showing pale pinky- buff colouration, crest and yellow band on the base of a tail.
Marvellous! sadly, I couldn't relocate the Waxwing. I suspect it was just 1 Waxwing amongst a small group of Starlings.

Hume's Leaf Warbler the third!

2011-11-19T10:42:00.000-08:00

Looking at the three pics besides this post, you could be forgiven for thinking that you had logged onto Birding Beijing, an excellent blog run by my friend Terry T out in China (check out the link on the right hand side) the birds had a distinct South-east Asian even Chinese feel today with 2 glorious Hume's Leaf warblers (1 very showy individual) and a very confiding (morning only) male Mandarin at Leathes Ham on show today. A look at the Hume's Leaf Warbler behind crop shop, I had a brief chat with Chris M and Peter N who said the Hume's Leaf Warbler was flitting around in the walled garden. It was showing well in the bushes (It was among the brambles and perched nicely on a vertical stem) and the trees here, where I managed to get a few shots before it flew up into the tall trees where we were standing where it flitted around the large branches extending left of the tree and sometimes showing in pretty good light before it flew back to the alley, where it was seen by the far fence. Nice to see Paul & Jane, Jeremy G & Keith D here and Colin J (very briefly!). The warbler then flew right and I walked down the path to the entrance in the anticipation of seeing it in the bushes either side of the alley. Sure enough it appeared in the bush on the north side showing very well before Matt D walked past and flushed it!
Receiving a tweet stating there was a Mandarin at Leathes Ham, i was soon walking down the path and I met Justin L and his brother, who advised me to photograph it on its left hand side! I didn't know what they meant, but I saw the bird by the closest island, amazingly this stunningly colourful duck was standing on the nearside of the island, it was very close, albeit looking straight into very strong sunlight. The bird was facing left and looking resplendent. It even had a brief forty winks, before a couple with a dog walked to the edge and the dog splashed into the water and amazingly the ducks swam towards them and the male Mandarin woke up and swam towards them as they threw bread out. As the Mandarin swam over I saw its right hand side and I could see what Justin was on about, it was missing its right eye! It then thankfully turned around and it swam back and onto the island again.
Shopping at Asda, my Asda bonus this week, was a fine very late Common Tern that flew in at noon from the right (the harbour) and fished over on the far side of Lake Lothing 150 yards west of the Grain silo fishing in particular near the orange boat and it even settled on the far quay for 5 minutes. I watched it for around 20 minutes.
At Oulton Broad, a calling Pied Wagtail showed well on the thatched roof. I saw a family of 6 Egyptian geese on the water, 2 adults, 1 at the front and 1 at the back with the 4 juveniles in the centre. Also on the Broad was a Great Crested Grebe and 1 Cormorant.
Amazingly I received a tweet, stating there was a third Hume's Warbler in Lowestoft this time behind the Royal Falcon pub.
Twenty minutes later, I was walking to the back area of he pub at the top of the High Street and overlooking a rubbish strewn scrubby area (there was a bike frame suspended on some branches one side and old vacuum cleaner suspended on branches the other side!) the excellent third Hume's Leaf Warbler flitting around the base of some bramles bushes and then in some Sycamores to the left, initial impression of this bird was that it was a little greener in plumage albeit with dark cap, buff yellow super and wing bars and mucky underparts particularly on the breast. Some Long- tailed Tits joined it and unfortunately the bird flowed them south and out of sight.
Amongst the initial crowd was David W, Paul and Jane F, Jon E, regular correspondent Paul W and these were joined by OFB and Ricky F & Debbie. Ricky, Debbie and I toured the Scores until Andrew tweeted to us to say he had seen it in Mariners Score and I saw the Hume's Leaf Warbler briefly on the left side of a large Sycamore before it flew to a wall.
Back at Leathes Ham, sadly the Mandarin was missing but a pair of Wigeon were seen up very close but the light was even worse than before!

Hume's Leaf Warbler the second

2011-11-18T14:08:00.000-08:00

Finally I managed to see the Hume's Leaf Warbler today before work between 7.40 - 8.40am, which has been showing well sporadically in the middle of Lowestoft. On Wednesday, early morning I had missed it as it had done a circuit have been seen by the big tree just south of Lowestoft registrars office and the bushes bordering the garden on the west side of Battery Green roundabout.
This morning, parking the car along the 1 hour free parking bay opposite the Police station, I walked through the narrow passageway just south of the new flats and east of the Crops hairdressing shop. The excellent Hume's Leaf Warbler was seen in a small Sycamore, half way down of which Steve Jones, the finder, said is it's favourite tree. the bird was then seen then by the bushes bordering the northern fence of the alleyway was flushed by a bag carrying passerby and it initially flew south before settling in a small walled garden area first flitting in high branches of a particularly tall tree before showing exceptionally well in bushes and around the ivy near the base of a tree, the only hindrances for photography was the poor light and foliage growing on the wall I was peering over, the bird was by now calling "chee-witt' frequently.
A big thankyou to Chris D for telling me he was shooting at ISO 800 which gave me the confidence to set my ISO to 1000 the next day with great results (see header).

Birthday Bonus

2011-11-15T15:02:00.000-08:00

Today was my birthday and for the first time in ages, I couldn't take the day off as I had to go to work for an important meeting at Norwich.
Perhaps this was entirely appropriate as I was hardly in the mood to celebrate my birthday this year.
Having started work at 7.30am I was able to finish at 2.30pm, and I was able to pop over to Corton woods for the last hour and a half of available light on this fine sunny day in the hope of seeing the Hume's Leaf Warbler again. When I arrived OFB, Peter from Norwich and a couple of other birders were staring into the trees on the southern side of the wood. I didn't need to ask the whereabouts of the bird because it was calling a distinctive "chee-wit" call from the tall trees at the edge of the wood.
We couldn't see it so I decided to take the path into the wood bordering the pond (passerines often congregate here especially when the sun is setting) and seeing Long- tailed Tits, I sifted through a small flock of said birds, 2 Goldcrests were also with them and flew across the path and west into the wood, when suddenly a small warbler flitted across, calling "che-wittt" the excellent Hume's Leaf Warbler. but I didn't see it again here as it soon melted into the wood.
I walked back to the crowd who were waiting to see it just outside the wood.
We then walked outside looking over to the western edge of the wood, as the sun was setting and throwing the last vestiges of sunlight onto these trees. No sign again, but returning to the pond area, along the path 30 yards just north of here and looking into 3 tall ivy clad trees the "chee-witt" call was heard twice but the bird wasn't seen again, although around 20 Long- tailed Tits and the 2 Goldcrest were present again.
I then checked a Sycamore tree just to the right of the path and there were 2 birds, both warblers flitting around. The first lower bird was a pale Chiff- Chaff so pale in fact that it looked suspiciously like an "abietinus race" bird from North/ North east Europe with subdued supercilium, dark cheeks and eye-stripe giving prominence to the white eye-ring with very dull pale flanks, duller pale olive- green above. This disappeared from view and I switched my attention to the other warbler.
This bird was smaller and constantly active, flitting and actively feeding on insects on the mid right hand side of the tree. The bird was constantly active and never completely on show, so I had to piece together bits of the bird seen amongst the sycamore leaves/foliage, mucky off white/ grey underparts were clearly and frequently seen, then the buffish wing bars, the lower very prominent and broad. Then on another occasion, the head was seen showing a darkish cap, broad buff- yellow supercilia and dark bill, then on another; the dark legs. It was of course the excellent Hume's Leaf Warbler.
Confident of the ID, I went to retrieve another birder down the track who was delighted to add this sighting to his life list when we returned.
The bird continued feeding now going to near the top of the sycamore, and after some ten minutes of observation it flew left and out of sight. It called once when it flew. I finally saw 2 Goldcrest very close, 1 sat in a bush for several minutes just feet away.

Hume's Leaf Warbler 1st for Lowestoft!

2011-11-13T11:35:00.000-08:00

With the mild south- east winds continuing, I looked around Gunton woods and meadow first thing in the hope of finding some more eastern gems, but the highlight were the 3 Bullfinches seen and heard from the hedgerow, first the female flew out and then the male whilst another bird was calling from the hedge making 3.
Next stop was Link's road car park where around 30 Black- headed Gulls stood and 1 Common Gull sat. Whilst out to sea, a Grey Seal swam north between the 2nd and 3rd groynes south of the car park. Later it was seen swimming south between the 3rd and 4th groynes and it stuck its head up out from the water. each time I ran down to trying to get some pics it disappeared beneath the waves and stayed under water!
I walked up to Gunton warren and saw very little.
Driving down to Asda, as I walked to the assembled crowd, Paul W showed me his tweet on the phone "Hume's Warbler at Dip Farm" I turned straight round but got stuck by the bridge from 10.40am for twenty minutes as the Police stopped us as the Remembrance Sunday parade complete with drummers sea cadets and representatives from all the armed forced marched down the road and onto the cenotaph by the Pier. Without those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the two world wars and more recent conflicts none of us may have had the freedoms we enjoy today.
So half and hour later, I followed Paul & Jane's car as it turned off Yarmouth road and down Corton road where we parked opposite the shelter belt by Dip farm seeing Andrew, he said it had just flown across the road into the shelter belt. We walked across the road through the shelter belt and looked into the bushes just west of here bordering the Dip Farm Pitch and Putt golf course, a call from Rob Wil and the bird, which clearly looked like a Hume's Leaf Warbler as it was seen in a bush, a Buddlea (?) the bird was seen clearly, like a dull Yellow-browed with duller olive-grey back, darker crown and more buffy-yellow wingbars and supercilia and off white "muckier" underparts. This excellent bird then hopped down to the lower branches before darting up to the middle of the bush and then out into bushes left of there. The Hume's Leaf warbler called it's distinctive Greenish warbler/Pied Wagtail-like call "dsu-weet" call several times, confirmation clearly of it's identity and a great find & ID from Rob Wincup who fully deserves this fantastic find, well done Rob!
Lizard Cup winner for 2011?
The bird then flew over to bushes by the fence bordering the playing field before flying back north over to 3 trees where we saw it moving around at a frenetic pace, calling occasionally, I now only saw the movements of the bird, flitting into trees, always obscured by foliage and always restless and on the move.
Whilst exiting the shelter belt i witnessed the most disgraceful amount of rubbish I have ever seen, there must have been close on 500 different pieces of litter, beer cans, crisps packets etc, it looked like a mini rubbish dump, absolutely disgusting!)
Next stop, before joining Jenny at Southwold, was Asda where I saw Roy & Ruth H walking from the Lake Lothing side of the store who said it was just round the corner at the back of Asda store where a channel of water stretched west for 200 yards. Dick W was trying to get some shots of it, albeit at some distance away. The Red- throated Diver was seen at the end and then it swam right and back to the main channel, it flapped its wings on its haunches once but didn't give particularly close views this time. We finally saw it swimming west out into the main channel of Lake Lothing.
At Southwold, I looked on the marshes for SE Owls but failed to see any, there were several Blackbirds in the Churchyard and a smart and showy Pied wagtail in Church street.
Parking at Kessingland I walked along the beach and the grassy mounds hoping to reach a viewpoint over the levels where I was hoping to connect with SE Owls, I didn't but I was well compensated when I heard a vaguely familiar nasal "ung-unk" call and some largish long- winged Geese, 2 of them were flying south and directly over my head. They had brownish plumage with long dark neatly tapering long sleek wings, orange legs (noted as they flew directly overhead!) showing narrow white tip to the tail and darker brown head with a shortish bill darkish with an orange-tip.
They were 2 excellent Tundra Bean Geese, I had been looking at them as a birder and looking to ID them first and foremost and not a photographer, so I missed my chance for some excellent shots! They continued flying in a southerly directly and clipping over Kessingland levels and probably aiming for Benacre broad or nearby fields?

Eastern Gems & showy Diver

2011-11-12T10:46:00.000-08:00

It was a very grey murky day, but my first stop was for the Red- throated Diver that Andrew had seen from Asda seen on the Lake Lothing adjoining the car park. As soon as I arrived, a Cormorant was drying its wings out on the nearby post and the excellent Red- throated Diver, still with a patch of brick-red, a narrow rusty rectangular patch on its throat, so therefore in transitional plumage and partially retaining this part of its summer garb, was seen half way out on the water.
The bird was still some way away but I obtained a few record shots and drove to the outskirts of Heathland holiday camp at Kessingland. Walking down 100 yards east along the long path to the entrance, I joined a group of birders including Paul & Jane, Chris M and Peter N and Chris D amongst others. Looking over in the direction of the camp I could see 3 wonderful Waxwings which would frequently fly and swoop up into the air to catch some insects in flight.
The Ybw was still not showing and I decided to walk east to the cliff to look out to sea. Not a lot was seen, so retracing my steps
I rejoined Paul and Jane and newly arrived OFB. Paul & Jane had seen the Ybw in my absence, and Paul did ever so well to pick it up in the left hand sycmore amongst the bushes in front of us and I was soon watching the excellent Yellow- browed Warbler which was showing occasionally amongst the foliage but was typically very active. It was seen a couple of times in the middle and the back of this sycamore before it too disappeared. In a far tree at the back, Paul had picked out all 14 Waxwings which were back.
The Waxwings flew from tree to tree occasionally flying up into the air and then down again catching insects. Before several Waxwings flew over our heads.

Returning to Asda car park, the Diver was now 30 yards east of the car park, and I walked across rough ground and was able to get some reasonable shots this time as the excellent Red- throated Diver gradually swam nearer and nearer. It even raised up on its haunches and flapped its wings giving me a wonderful photo opportunity see the result on the picture below the header! Its swimming accelerated when a small boat drove through heading west, doing me a favour as the Diver swam to almost 30 feet of where I was, it then started to swim quickly west for some 50 yards before turning and then slowly swimming east and heading to the middle of the water again.
After a brief interlude for lunch at home, I received a tweet stating that both Ybw and Pallas' had been seen on Maltsters score off the old High street Lowestoft. I parked just north of the Police station and joining Jane we walked/ ran up the score no one could be seen but Andrew was seen just north of here and we then ran up Cumberland Place and in a patch of waste ground the excellent Pallas' Warbler was seen very brieffly in the bush and then a sycamore at the bottom before it flew back into bushes between Cumberland Place/ Maltsters' Score and it was seen at the back and briefly on top of a bramble bush before it was seen in some bushes along Cumberland Place and a Sycamore where I was able to photograph it. As usual a real gem of a bird with striking long lemon- yellow supercilia, yellow central crown stripe and two thick yellow wing bars and lemon yellow rump.This was the first time I've been birding the Lowestoft scores, very historic lanes running down from the old High street to the old fishing village now almost completely disappeared. Sadly, like much of Lowestoft, these Scores which should be a source of historic pride for the local community, looked very run down with boarded up windows and litter and old beer cans littered about.
At Ness Point, in the yard by the Wind turbine, a female type Black Redstart flew onto a pile of wood planking. It then flew over the road and onto the roof of a building along the west of the road to the car park. A fine end to a fine birding day.

Sibe Chiff-Chaff

2011-11-10T14:22:00.000-08:00

Taking the afternoon off today, because I had to work this evening. As I parked at 2.15pm, around 50 Linnets flew from the fields up to the trees. I then headed for the new Corton Sewage works, taking the route skirting the western and southern perimeter of the sewage works and then taking the boardwalk to the Sewage pool. As soon as I approached the Sallows, I heard the "hiiip" lost chick call of the excellent Siberian Chiff-Chaff as it flitted through the tops of the Sallows. It was a very grey looking bird with buffish supercilia, grey head mantle and back and whitish underparts with black legs. It flew to the southern edge of the Sallows and showed quite well although it was difficult to photograph. It then flew across the boardwalk and then eventually flew back to the Sallows and then over by the pool. The bird was constantly on the move flying from twig to twig and showed well.
At Links road car park, 2 adult Winter Mediterranean Gulls by the puddles then they flew off as a couple walked along the sea wall. Suddenly a group of 10 waders flew north along the seawall, amongst the 10 Turnstone were 2 Purple Sandpiper. They settled on the rocks of part of the old seawall seen on the beach just off the end of Links road.

High Arctic Visitor

2011-11-08T13:03:00.000-08:00

My first seawatch of the day, a brief one because I had to go to Norwich for work today, took place off Baker's score, Corton from 8.30 to 8.50am. A reasonable sea passage included skeins of 5, 4 and 4 Brent Geese flying south. A big group of 16 Common Scoter flying south all females save for 2 males who were first and third in the line as they flew low over the sea. 1 winter- plumaged Red- throated Diver was seen fairly close in on the sea. 2 Sky Larks flew south too. Sadly, on my journey to Norwich along the Acle straight, I saw the squashed corpse of a Barn Owl at the left side of the road.
My second seawatch of the day, was during my rather late lunch break, which I took on Gorleston Pier (after returning after attending a meeting in Norwich), a dead Robin was seen by the bushes at the start of the pier, but as soon as I had reached the end at 2.15pm, I looked down on the sea and barely 20 foot out, was an excellent Little Auk. I was really delighted to see it, the first one I have seen since November 2009. A superb gem of a bird, a visitor from the high Arctic with short black stubby bill, black upperparts and white underparts. No sooner had I seen it than it flew north a little way to the sea just beneath the sea defence rocks bordering the southern side of the Great Yarmouth outer harbour, showing short stubby wings it pitched down again in the sea for several minutes before flying due east and then north when it had cleared the end of the harbour, a wonderful sight (the Little Auk, not Yarmouth harbour!)
Groups of 39 and 5 Brent Geese flew south. Several Cormorants, 4 were seen out at sea on the water and flying about.

Brief Seawatch

2011-11-07T11:27:00.000-08:00

A twenty minute seawatch from Baker's score Corton revealed 3 Meadow Pipit flying north, close in 28 Brent Geese south and 1 Guillemot north. Not really the Auk I was hoping for, but welcome nonetheless. I couldn't stay any longer as I had to be at Beccles very early to deliver my car for it's MOT.

Sea Passage

2011-11-06T12:48:00.000-08:00

At Ness Point, an assembled team of birders already there included James B, Paul & Jane OFB, Roger W and others.
There was an impressive sea passage of birds flying north mainly duck and of those mainly Wigeon and Teal with groups of 18, 32, 24 of Wigeon and 16, 8 and 4 Teal flying north. Also flying past was a a respendent male Goldeneye and 1 female Goldeneye and 2 female Red- breasted Mergansers. Brent Geese also flew past 1 very close in flew north plus a further groups of 8 and 12 also north.
Eiders flew south including a glorious male and 5 females too.
Walking over to the finger 1 Purple Sandpiper seen amongst a group of 12 Turnstone plus 2 flew past going south so 3 Purple Sandpiper in all.
At Links road car park, amongst the Gulls was an old friend the adult winter Mediterranean Gull with green ring sporting the white letters 3XA9.
Walking north I checked warren House Wood and checking the hill behind it with the fence, I disturbed a Woodcock that flew into a fence and was momentarily dazed as it flapped around before it flew up and over the wood.
walking north along the beach, I saw further groups of 8 and 12 Brent Geese flying north and a large group of 32 Teal and 27 Wigeon going north. Nearing the seawall, 4 excellent Snow Bunting flew a short way south and walking along the sea wall, I spotted first 4 then another singleton Snow Buntings, totalling 5 in all feeding on the beach by the marram grass. Dog walkers were flushing them and they moved north briefly feeding before being flushed by them once again.
Finally, 2 singleton Curlew flew north.

Lunchbreak Pallas's

2011-11-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

On Friday 4th November, at 12.20pm I took a short lunchbreak trip to Corton Old rail track hoping to see the Pallas's Warbler.
This bird had been really elusive during its stay but I was fortunate enough to see it 4X during my 45 minute stay and seeing it well on two occasions.
Seeing a group of birders including OFB, Steve P & Andrew G amongst others, all standing half way to the Dell, I joined them and no sooner had I done so than we started to hear Long- tailed Tits calling. The Tit flock came through and following it was a small warbler with short tail and silky white underparts. It then disappeared into bushes and called a soft "tsuiiee" call, it was the Pallas's Warbler. Around half an hour later, looking at the bushes bordering the east side of the old rail track bushes by the Dell, I serched through a flock of Long- tailed Tits flying right, a Chiff- Chaff was with them plus several Blue Tits. A shout went up from Steve P and the flock flew to the south end trees of the Dell in the middle of the track, the Pallas's Warbler flew across and I could see its bright olive upperparts and a riots of yellow wing- bars. It disappeared within a thickly foliaged Holm Oak.
Walking away from the group, I walked along the east side of the Dell and looked east peering into the shrub border and looking through to the back, I could clearly see the excellent Pallas's Warbler.
This Siberian gem always lifts the spirits and was desperately needed at this time. A glorious birds with olive green upperparts yellow supercilia and 2 yellow wing bars, it flitted around the back and I watched it for a minute before it flew a short way to the right.
Having to go back to the car to return to work at 1pm, I again saw the excellent Pallas's Warbler as it followed several Long- tailed tits which flew across the track (west path) which was 30 yards north of the Dell to the middle set of bushes. The Pallas's Warbler flew across and it perched on a branch in full view with the sunlight illuminated the bird wonderfully and the olive upperparts yellow supercilia and wing bars could be seen really well, albeit for just 10 seconds before it flew south.
Finally it was really good to see and have a quick chat with Tommy C an excellent field birder who I hadn't seen for several years.

South Wales

2011-11-04T14:51:00.000-07:00

On a strictly family trip to South Wales recently, I saw a calling Nuthatch was in a tree opposite LL Lodge front door as I arrived and up to 2 Nuthatch seen around here all week. I did manage 2 visits down to Cymisfael stream and fields and saw the Dipper by the bridge which I was able to photograph as I sneaked up close to it. A Stonechat was also seen on a distant tree. A Nuthatch in a tree flew into a bush.
The second visit to Cymisfael stream after some heavy rain, revealed a torrent of water rushing along the stream and I wasn't surprised not to see any Dipper this time but the walk revealed 3 Fieldfare and around 10 Redwing too. Plus 5 spiralling Buzzards over the fields here and 2 Ravens too. A Red kite was seen circling over the fields by the Llanddarog turn off.
On a visit to Cefngoleu I was able to show my nephew a distant Red Kite, calling Nuthatch which was seen in a close tree and a very confiding Red Admiral seen on the patio in the back garden, which even flew onto Alfie's shoulder and leg!
Finally, on the return journey, 3 Red Kites flew over the east bound Reading services by the M4.

Redpoll over

2011-10-24T05:22:00.000-07:00

A Redpoll flew due south directly over the house and garden at 12.10pm today, the bird's characteristic di-syllabic call was heard from the front garden drive but sadly it was not seen as it, I assumed, flew into the glaring light of the strong sun. New garden record.

More Bonxies!

2011-10-23T16:01:00.000-07:00

A look around Gunton SWT revealed 1 calling female Bullfinch which flew across into a big hedge. A Redwing were heard here too.
At Ness Point I saw the usual ringed Herring Gulls and 2 immatures. Seeing Danny P we walked north and onto the seawall and looked down on the rocky ruins of the old sewall and saw 1 feeding Purple Sandpiper. and a Rock Pipit. Back at the point, by the stack of wooden planks just south of the wind turbine, a female Black Redstart was seen. Whilst out to sea, up to 6 Bonxies seen flying around they were lingering but flying going mostly south but occasionally north too. 1 was only half way out and showed well as it flew south. The Bonxies would fly low over the sea then wheel up suddenly over the horizon showing off the broad brown wings and white flashes too but it was noticeable that most (but not all) of the Bonxies showed a lot more white on the underwing than the upperwing, immatures?
2 Gannet flew south and 2 groups of Brent Geese, 4 and 11 also flew south. Later on saw Andrew E and Rob Wil fresh from leading a party around the Lowestoft local patch and it was good to meet the Urban Birder, David Lindo and I was able to state what a fine blog/website he had and I shook hands with him too, great bloke!

Bonxies!

2011-10-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

Kessingland sewage works failed to reveal the Dusky warbler that had been ringed late morning there. A Pied wagtail with a particularly white face was all that was seen there. It was good to see Robert Win, Robert Wil, OFB, Paul & Jane, Roy & Ruth H. There was quite a strong southerly wind blowing.
So elected to go to Ness Point. Birds were moving and a Guillemot was seen fling north. A Red- throated Diver south and an adult Mediterranean Gull flew close in south. However the stars of the show were the 1, then 2 Bonxies or Great Skuas flying first north and then south. One on the horizon and one a little closer showing broad brown plumage and wings and white flash on the wings. I then spotted a trio of Bonxies flying south on the horizon. 3 Chaffinches also flew in off.
Walking later along Gunton beach, a flock of first 9 and then 11 Brent Geese flew south very close in and low over the water.

Vagrant Emperor at the Library!

2011-10-22T13:31:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday 19th October, I saw and heard a male Black Redstart singing briefly from the roof of the Doctor's building by Gorleston Library car park, it flew east over towards Pier Plain and out of sight.
Another discovery that day, my colleague and friend Peter C was looking at pictures to include in a report on activities run at Great Yarmouth Library with a colleague running through some pictures saved on the Library computer when she briefly passed by a pic of a very interesting Dragonfly! Peter said go back and when he did the picture that he saw was of a very intersting dragonfly indeed it was either Lesser or Vagrant Emperor!!!
On consulting the literature concluded it was a stunning male Vagrant Emperor!!!
Apparently on Saturday 4th October, Yarmouth Library was celebrating Older people's Day and one of the activities was in the garden and another one of my colleagues spotted a Dragonfly she thought was an Emperor perched on some Honeysuckle climbing the south facing wall of the adjacent Salvation Army building and she took a picture with the Library compact camera.
She said she thought it was dead and even poked it at which point it flew up high west and out of sight!

Landguard Booted & Corton Shrike

2011-10-17T11:55:00.000-07:00

On Sunday 16th October, Ricky F rang and asked if I wanted a lift down to Landguard Point to see the Booted/ Sykes Warbler.
We were soon heading down there together with OFB.
At the Point itself, which was bathed in strong sunlight, we walked over to the southern side beyond the compound to be informed the bird had been caught and it would be processed and then shown to us briefly. A Pipit which had been seen on the ground was labelled by other either an OBP or a RTP, a group of birders walked slowly towards where it had last been seen and a Tree Pipit flew up calling "teez" as it flew east and out to sea. it would be processed and then shown to us briefly before being realised. Half an hour later, Nigel O, strolled out from the compound clutching a cream bag with the bird in it. He held the bird up, a superb Booted Warbler for a few minutes and I was able to obtain a few shots before it was released in the garden. It flew to the bush at the back, where it sat in the sunlight for five minutes, although it's head was obscured by branches. It then flew over the garden wall and showed well in the fir for 10 minutes or so before flying around the back.
The Booted then flew towards the tamarisk on the southern edge of the compound and flitted around near the top but frustratingly it was never in full view before it flew to another tamarisk just north again on the edge of the compound. The Booted Warbler showed near the top of the tamarisk on a bare branch on the extreme left hand end. It later flew back to the tamarisk on the southern corner and then showed well near the top of the tamarisk bush.

Back at Corton at 5.30pm I parked in the car park by the church, I met a couple of birders who I had seen last at the Sandhill Crane twitch on Sunday. I had arrived just too late and they were concerned that I had missed the bird. I had dipped the bird that night but I had seen it the next day, it was nice of them to ask.
I walked across the green and could see the excellent Great Grey Shrike perched on bare branches on top of the hedge, running parallel with and just west of the western perimeter fence. It then flew towards the old sewage works and perched on the fence flying down occasionally on the ground. It was really good to see Steve S and Dot here too.
As the sun was setting I had a last look at the Shrike which still perched on the fence and it appeared to go to roost by flying down into a large bush within the compound.

At 12.30am Monday morning a Tawny Owl hooted several times from a north westerly direction of the house somewhere just on the perimeter of thee Close.

Sparrow's Nest OBP

2011-10-15T13:56:00.000-07:00

On this fateful day which will be indelibly edged in my memory forever, I started out at 7.30pm when I drove over to John H's house and we were under starters orders waiting for news of the Rufous- tailed Robin at Norfolk. However, there had been a clear night and all the migrants had left.
So visiting Corton old rail track I saw James B and we heard Ybw calling from the eastern hedge but it remained elusive. Around 15 excellent Redpoll called and flew over by the copse. By the plantation, 3 Redpolls perched up and we heard a further 2 ybw's but again they remained elusive. By Corton old sewage works field James & I saw Meadow Pipits and Sky Larks in the fields plus by the grassy field just south of Potters, 5 Wheatear. Walking back past Corton MOD I met a nice couple walking their dog and they gave a very good description of a Short- eared Owl that they had flushed yesterday by the cliff top and it had flown languidly out to sea. Seeing James B we were saw a female Falcon fly away from us and and over the sea we were mystified to its identity as it was too big for Merlin but appeared too small for Peregrine. Walking back past Broadlands Sands, we were fortunate enough to see Ricky F and as we were talking I spotted an excellent Black Redstart by the seaward fence it later flew inland.
Walking back along the Corton old rail track Ricky and I heard the Yellow- browed Warbler calling from the sallows and we soon had good views of this and another, second Yellow- browed Warbler next to it (along the belt of sallows running west from the copse)
I then had a "tweet" to say that an OBP had been seen in Sparrows Nest and after telling Ricky, I made my way to the Nest.
It was good to see Danny P and we took the southern path along the top ride with the circular path, we joined Chris M, Peter N and Robert Win. We looked north along the eastern top path and Robert Wil and Ricky were gesturing to say they had the bird. It then flew up to some trees within the grassy area contained within the circular path.
This bird proved extremely elusive in the afternoon and a pattern would emerge that it would no sooner be seen at the top of the nest and then 20- 30 minutes later it would be seen in the area ground/ trees just above the bowling green.
A shout went up at the bottom and we went down the southern steps to the path above the Bowling green, no sign.
I decided to walk back up the southern steps and shout went up that it was in the trees. I saw the bird fly up and then hop out onto a branch in full view bathed in the sunlight and I was treated to a rare 10 second view of the excellent Olive- backed Pipit in full view for me. It showed olive green plumage, a striking cream supercilia with an obvious supercilium drop at the end of the supercilia with a dark spot at the rear of the ear coverts, a cracking bird.
Back at the top of the nest I eventually saw a Firecrest near the very top of a tree drenched in the golden light of the setting sun.
Later on at 4.20pm it was seen in trees set back from the Bowling green but with the crowd of people I was in entirely the wrong position to see it either in the tree of the horizontal branch in a bush just off the ground.
It was good to see so many friends here, including the aforementioned people as well as Paul & Jane, John H again, Andrew E, OFB, regular correspondent Paul W, Matthew D. You are all a great bunch of people and it is a privilege to know you all.

Three Shrikes

2011-10-13T13:55:00.000-07:00

On Thursday 13th Oct, at 1.15pm I pulled in the car park at Corton churchyard, Ricky F and OFB directed me to look south from Corton Old SW The excellent Great Grey Shrike was perched on top of a large bush on the hedge bordering the holiday caravan park.
It disappeared but minutes later I was watching a Great Grey Shrike along the hedge running parallel with the western edge of the old SW
10 minutes later our esteemed Chairman Derek B (in a very fetching pair of what looked like pyjama bottoms!!!) rang Ricky F to say they had caught it in a net and Colin was bringing over so we could have a quick look and photo's he did, one of our number was very vociferous in his opposition to the ringers.
Later a Yellow- browed Warbler was heard calling around the Farm opposite the Churchyard and car park and the hedge bordering this but it was not seen.
The day ended with a nasty sting in the tail when I missed an Isabelline Wheatear found on the caravan site just south of Tookes.

Shrike still there

2011-10-13T13:54:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, I enjoyed watching the Woodchat again around the perimeter of the LR car park.
One vocal Chiff- Chaff also seen in Warren House Wood.

Ibis Gone

2011-10-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday 11th Oct, I went to Minsmere hoping to see the Glossy Ibis, but it had gone.

Skua Passage

2011-10-10T13:28:00.000-07:00

This morning before I work, I travelled to Links road, where the excellent immature Woodchat Shrike continued to show very well on the bushes bordering the western edge of the car park and the large bush just west of here. At 7.30am I was the only person there and I was able to get quite close (without disturbing the bird) to get some pics. Later on I was joined by Andrew E, Clive N and 2 others.

This evening from 5.30 to 6.10pm, I tried my luck with a seawatch for just 20 minutes from North Gunton Cliff and was instantly rewarded with a Bonxie or Great Skua flying south and then north, 2, 1, 1 & 1 Arctic Skuas flew north in quick succession.
A Gannet also seen flying north as did a adult Kittiwake. On the groynes below was an adult Mediterranean Gull and I could see it sported a green ring with white lettering on it, was it our old friend "3XA9" walking down the cliff I'd just set foot on the beach when all the Gulls flew fishing but the adult winter Mediterranean Gull returned and a quick scan revealed it was indeed our old friend "3XA9"
Finally on the groynes south of here another regular the adult Yellow- legged Gull perched on groynes too.

Arrival of Siberian waifs and strays & northern visitors too!

2011-10-09T12:28:00.000-07:00

A look around Lound this morning failed to turn up any goodies save for 2 Bramblings flying up from the road by Fritton woods and a Pale Tussock Moth larvae on some Purple Asters which were hastily bought at Lound garden centre! The caterpillar was very striking, being very hairy green in colour with yellow/ black barring on the back; the rear end hosting an impressive pink "spike".
Having read the larvae feeds on Deciduous trees, I decide to re-patriate the caterpillar on our Mountain Ash tree, lets hope the local Blue/ Great Tits doesn't find it and wolf it down as a tasty morsal!
At Ness Point, I finally saw 2 Black Redstart, a fine male beneath some wooden planks and a pale female/ immature bird perched right on top just to the south of the wind turbine.
In a location in Lowestoft, I stumbled across a fine Fox asleep on some grass and cursing myself for not having my camera in hand, I admired this beautiful canine as it got up sleepily looked at me before strolling off left.
Later on, I saw Rob Wil and Josh in the Sparrow's Nest park and from high up in the Vireo Holm Oaks I heard a Yellow- browed Warbler call twice, but it wasn't seen, despite seaching through the Tit flock which included a Treecreeper. Walking across the Denes I enjoed further views of the superb immature Woodchat Shrike that favoured the bushes west and on the western edge of the car park.
At this point Nick B and I heard 2 Yellow- browed Warblers constantly calling from the Links Hill slope, one being nearer Links road, I ran up the slope but failed to see it as it stopped calling the second I reached the top!
I had better success at Corton Old Sewage works, where in the trees just to the west of here, amongst a Tit flock, a Yellow- browed Warbler stuck its head out of the foliage and showed of its cream supercilia briefly before disappearing from view.
A flock of Long- tailed Tits along Corton ORT revealed a single Chiff- Chaff.
Finally from the garden early evening I heard the pszzeee call of 3 Redwings flying up from Fallowfields and north, a further 6 single birds flew up minutes later one after another they all, the 9 Redwing, flew north too.

Lowestoft Woodchat

2011-10-08T12:36:00.001-07:00

After an autumn which has been sadly lacking in scarce passerines on my local patch so far, today certainly delivered.
A brief vigil at Ness Point in the company of Andrew E and Rob M we saw up to 40 Red- throated Divers flying north, 12 Brent Geese flying north and 15 Gannet flying north with 12 Common Scoter and 1 Wigeon flying north also. 1 adult winter Mediterranean Gull flew south.
The Denes, Flycatcher Alley seemed quiet, I had to sit down for a while as I suffered a mild migraine which soon passed but always impairs your observation for up to 24 hours afterwards. As we approached Warren House wood we were joined by Robert Wil we looked at a passing flock of Long- tailed Tits and Rob M picked up an excellent Yellow- browed Warbler tagging along behind that showed briefly. It soon disappeared into the wood, but Andrew refound it by the eastern edge of the wood by the pillbox and we were treated to further glimpses of this enigmatic species. It also called once here, As usual olive- green plumage with a riot of cream supercilias and wing-bars.
A calling Redpoll flew over flying south.
By the northern edge of the wood, some "chop- chop calls revealed 8 excellent Crossbills flying south west over the wood.
Our luck didn't stop there, walking south out of the wood, we were approaching Links road, when Rob Wil said there's a Shrike on the bushes over there and there was, it was an excellent immature Woodchat Shrike!
Wow! I'm just not used to seeing so many quality birds especially on my local patch, usually i walk around and see absolutely nothing, this was incredible!

The bird then flew to a bush a few yards east of bordering the northen end of the car park and a passer-by flushed it onto the tall post on the northern edge of the sea wall before another walker flushed it back onto its original perch. It was feeding occasionally. We stood by the concrete blocks near the entrance and looked across to its perch first on a bramble and then a nearby post. It then flew south and perched on the small concrete water tap wall where it stayed for sometime making occasional forays on the ground catching Bees (including an Orange-tipped Bumble Bee), a Devil's Coach Horse and other insects. It even coughed up a pellet at one point that sadly blew off the wall a few minutes later. It would always return to the wall. Once or twice it flew right away over the seawall and the beach but it always returned. I left it to check the Gunton Dunes area, I didn't see much here but I did see the regular adult Yellow- legged Herring Gull on the groynes off Gunton beach. Returning to the Shrike it was seen on the large evergreen bush along the southern edge of the car park. It then returned to the concrete wall hunting from here and a small grey post nearby before some dog walkers flushed it to a post much closer to us where we had further good of this stunning bird.
new birder arrivals included OFB, Justin L, Derek B, Peter N, Chris M, James B, regular correspondent Paul W, Morris B, Nick B, Danny P & others.
James B spotted a Skua flying north, it was an excellent dark phase Arctic Skua flying north close in low over the sea, would have been very good views from the beach/ sea wall.
Walking back along the seawall south, a Grey Wagtail flew north over the Denes by the netposts and along the old broken up sea wall, I spotted 3 singleton Rock Pipits and on the grassy area within Birds Eye 2 Wheatear.

Gathering of Martins

2011-10-07T12:43:00.000-07:00

It was lovely to see around 25 House Martins flying very low over the Oval and Marine Parade as I parked the car at 7.50am this morning. The Martins were presumably feeding up on the proliferation of flies flying around before their long migration south to Africa and I counted around 30 flies resting on my car when I returned to it after my walk around the Oval and the Parks and "No Mr. Martin Hughes- Games!" re: from his opening comments of this evening's otherwise excellent edition of BBC Autumnwatch; all of the Swallows & Martins haven't left these shores yet! You should know better, especially given your first name!!
At lunchtime, I looked around Great Yarmouth Cemetary and again very little was seen save for a female Sparrowhawk flying away which had caught a brightly coloured luminous yellow- breasted bird which it clutched close to its chest and the prey could only have been an unfortunate escaped green and yellow plumaged Budgerigar!
This evening, a look around Corton sewage works (both old and new), Corton cliffs and sea revealed little save for 2 Wheatears on the grassy area to the east of Broadland Sands Holiday camp. Crouching beneath the height of the fence I was able to get quite close to one and photograph it albeit in poor light.

Finding the "Holy Grail": Twenty Years On!

2011-10-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

With a fantastic super rare American vagrant in Suffolk at the moment, I am reminiscing back twenty years ago when I and a young and very promising young birder Rob Wilton (11 years old in 1991 I believe!), found another rare American. Only Suffolk's second ever record of the species at the time. Rob has gone on to be a representative on the Suffolk Record Committee & find/ jointly find Isabelline Wheatear and Pine Bunting amongst many other great finds).

Rob and I found another fantastic American vagrant, a Red- eyed Vireo right here in Lowestoft in Sparrow's Nest gardens on the hallowed day of Sunday 6th October 1991.
Prefacing this story, two years previously, I had dipped spectacularly, when I had missed out on the first Red- eyed Vireo found in Suffolk by David Bakewell found on the edge of the cliff by Warren House wood. How times have changed, I found out a day later with a note by Ricky F posted though the letterbox of my then parents home in Corton road! I was also at the time living and working in London and had returned home for the weekend.

On the morning in question, there had been an Icterine Warbler in Warren House wood and I met Rob and initially he was keen to look for the Warbler but I though it would be a good idea to check the Parks first, as it turned out it was an inspired choice!
We were walking south up the slope past the Museum towards the Bowling greens when we approached the row of mature Holm Oaks on our right and in the very last one on a large frond of Holm Oak hanging down, lit brightly by the golden glow of the early morning sun, 2 passerines were flitting about. The first, Robert pointed out as a Spotted Flycatcher, I then turned my attention to the lower bird (which we both saw at the same time) of the 2 and realised instantly, that it was a cracker, a Red- eyed Vireo!
I blurted out the words "Good grief! It's a Vireo, a Red- eyed Vireo!!" and in another sign of the times, a young Robert wanted to instantly rush off to the phone box at the top of the ravine and phone the news out to everyone (there were no mobile phones, pagers or the internet or Twitter around in those days!) I said best to get and look for everything on the bird, watch it note down all the ID features and its habits and then let everyone know. We watched the bird for several minutes before it disappeared, Rob went off to phone everyone and I tried to relocate the bird without success. The bird would "clonk" around the foliage and at one point it even caught a caterpillar; bashed it against a branch before swallowing it.
The bird was a large warbler-sized approxiamately Garden warbler- sized with a bulkier body and it sported a smart grey crown, a black sub- terminal crown stripe bordered the grey crown above and a striking white supercilia below, with a brown eye, it showed a faint dark eye- stripe. it had a thick grey hook tipped bill and bluey-grey legs. The upperparts, wings and tail were a beautiful olive- green colour with whitish underparts apart from lemon- yellow undertail coverts.
About an hour late Richard S refound the bird on the circular trail at the top of the Nest and visiting birders included the Ricky F, late Brian B, the late Jimmy R, Peter N, Derek B and Peter A, Peter C and John H from Norfolk amongst others.
I remember a great celebratory lunch with the family and going back and seeing the Red- eyed Vireo again in the afternoon when it had moved into Arnold's Walk.
Just two rare bird photographers were present that day, very much a rarity then (again how times have changed!), Rob Wilson and Robin Chittenden and both obtained great shots of the bird.
With all the excitement, we never did see the Icterine Warbler in Warren House wood!

One really sad note in looking back is the fact there are 4 really good friends who were there that day who are no longer with us; firstly Peter Gill (a really great fellow and local "patch" worker who would always let you know what he'd seen), Brian Brown- (the "father" of Lowestoft birding who taught me the value of doing your birding "apprenticeship"), Ian Smith (wonderful chap and fellow finder of a Pratincole in Lowestoft!) and Jimmy Read (another skilled Lowestoft birder who was great company and found many goodies in Suffolk including a Blue- Cheeked Bee-eater!).

Boyton Marshes Sandhill Crane Success

2011-10-03T15:06:00.000-07:00

Taking a half day's leave from work, I had a second chance at trying for the Sandhill Crane, that had taken up residence in the Boyton Marshes/ Boyton Hall farm area. The Crane having first been seen by Chris D flying south from Kessingland Levels. Chris has got the Suffolk BINS cup in the bag for the second year running! Parking at the car park by the village hall in the Boyton village, initially the signs were ominous (no BINS message since midday, it was now 4pm) and the lady at the car park had said the bird hadn't been seen recently.
But as I walked/ ran the 3/4 mile walk along Mill road heading east out of the village and then over to the track running left of a wood going out onto the marshes, via some crop fields, encouragingly birders were saying the bird had been relocated on a marsh viewed from furrther along and south the seawall, a further 1/4 mile along and I met 4 birders who had it in the field!
Scanning right and directed onto a small pond a ditch that ran just right of here concealed the bird, an excellent adult Sandhill Crane with just its head and neck visible. What a wonderful bird! It had a light grey neck and vivid red forehead.
Noting there were further people along the seawall, I decided to walk around another 1/2 mile walk along to get a better side on view.
So walking under the seawall, I reached a throng of some 30 birders and leaning against the bank looked over and saw the whole bird standing in the field!
The bird was a big Crane sized bird with long paler grey neck and legs. It had grey plumage with bright red forehead. On the body it showed more scaling than a Crane. It was walking around the field. It seemed slightly agitated by the presence of a Little Egret. It walked around the field for some twenty minutes before it suddenly took to flight and flew north around 3/4 mile. walking back the bird was relocated in the tiled field just north of the track by the wood.
The Sandhill Crane was busy feeding in the middle of the field with its head down feeding on either potatoes or sugar beet. It walked close to the edge of an area of green shoots and was constantly feeding, it would occasionally look straight up and around if alerted from calls from other birds or the firing shots of a mechanical bird scarer in the field opposite. It continued to feed as the light started to go and well satisfied I decided to leave at 6.45pm.

Crane Dip

2011-10-03T15:05:00.000-07:00

On Sunday 2nd October, What happens when I go away? Rare birds turn up in their droves, this weekend was no exception with 4 Yellow- browed Warblers in Lowestoft and a Sandhill Crane first spotted by Chris D flying south past Kessingland sewage works, it then landed at North Warren before eventually settling at Boyton marshes. Drving back from Buxton in NE Derbyshire, I managed to get to Boyton marshes but was 12 minutes too late at 6.52pm as the Crane had already flown.
A Pipistrelle bat flew around the wood on the way back.

Buxton Blues

2011-10-03T14:31:00.001-07:00

Just back from a very enjoyable 3 days in North- east Derbyshire Peak Distict.
On the way up,on friday 30th September, Jenny and I called in at Haddon hall where several dramatisations of Jane Eyre have been filmed including the version out at the cinemas now. A bit of avian interest was provided by a very confiding Dipper seen feeding directly underneath the bridge the only problem photographically was one was looking right down on the bird.
On Saturday, at Buxton, a very picturesque Edwardian Spa town, in the main park of the town a Grey wagtail flew down by the water.

Yellow Wagtail over

2011-09-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

At 8.45am, as I was just about to get into the car to drive to work, a shrill "psit" call revealed an excellent Yellow Wagtail which flew very low and north- east just over the house.
After work, a look around Corton ORT revealed 2 Chiff- Chaffs and 8 Meadow Pipits in stubble field by the Old Sewage works.
At Ness Point, for the first time ever the tide was so low that some beach was visible beyond the defence rocks immediately opposite the wind turbine. Amongst the Gulls on the beach was the ringed adult Herring Gull with black lettering on a white ring "A7YY" (last seen by me at Ness Point on the 24th July, coming to bread).
Absolutely fantastic news about the success of 2 pairs of Red- backed Shrikes which bred at secret locations on Dartmoor this year raising a total of 7 young, a great result lets hope this enables them to re-colonise the UK?

Return of the Fudge Duck

2011-09-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

Receiving a BINS message at 5.50pm this evening and determined not to miss out (see Sunday's blog) I went staright out of the door and within 5 minutes was at Leathes Ham and incredibly OFB was already there!
I was soon watching the excellent male Ferruginous Duck asleep on the left hand side of the island. As usual a really smart bird with mahogany reddish brown plumage, white under the tail, a full set of wing feathers and definitely no ring on its right leg. Presumably last winter's returning bird and very welcome it was too.
Paul & Jane soon arrived and had good views too despite it briefly swimming behind the island it reurned and showed well.

Tried registering to this "Twitter thing" on the internet this evening, never used this "service" before but everybody, the media, Stephen Fry etc thinks this is the best thing since sliced bread.
I set up an account, registered my mobile, sent a text... got one back, fine but the service wouldn't let me follow anyone.
I've also heard other people couldn't register their mobile either (although this worked for me). I advise people about the internet and computing as part of my job, and set up this blog too, so I am not a technophobe, but I am distinctly not impressed with Twitter so far!!!

POSTSCRIPT: Thanks to Rob Wil I am now on Twitter and "tweeting" (apologies Twitter) apparently the fault lay with the AppleMac I use, better send a tweet to Steve Jobs and ask him (if he's well enough) to solve this problem and the problems of ghost thumb nail deletions on the iphoto file that I get occasionally, it took me 3 hours to resolve it on Sunday night!!

Lapland Buntings save the day (and the month?)

2011-09-25T14:32:00.000-07:00

With prevailing south- westerly winds throughout the month, a lack of birds all month, especially in Suffolk (Norfolk is honorably excepted) and missing out on the seabird bonanza (as usual) mid month, lack of birds seen on any of my local patches, this September must be one of the worst.. no, the worst on record for me and the complete lack of scarce birds seen all month. Today was my last chance to change all that and initially the signs were promising when at 9.30am I headed hotfoot to the back of the southern end of Lowestoft Oval following a BINS message, that Rob & Andrew had found an Icky Warbler there. I would have received the message an hour earlier, if I hadn't left my personal phone in the car (and text messages out of earshot) both Andrew and Rob had very kindly sent me messages, but this oversight cost me the bird and all I saw there was 1 male Blackcap. A Southern Hawker and Migrant Hawker were seen flying around the trees here. A nice Pied Flycatcher was seen at the top of Sparrows Nest plus a Treecreeper seen, plus a Jay and around 40 Long- tailed Tits.
Good to see Don & Gwen, OFB, Neville L, Rob Wil & Win, Ricky F, Chris M and Paul & Jane, sadly I missed chatting to the LBC chairman who popped in briefly.

Another BINS message stating that a Lapland Bunting had been seen on Kessingland beach between the Rider Haggard Lane steps and Heathland caravan park, somewhere on the beach meant in all probability an extensive search for one small bird but I was up for the challenge!
From half past 4, I combed the beach and initially all I saw were 40 Linnet and a Wheatear which flew in.
I was zig-zagging across every inch of the beach and checking every area, no mean feat when the entire area is 1/2 mile long by a 1/4 mile wide! I was about to head back when I decided to follow the Linnet flock, when I reached the area near the seaward side of the beach, by a lifejacket (yellow) holder and stones piled around its base. This area must have been 100 yards north of the steps (down from Green Lane/ Rider Haggard Lane) and 3/4 of the way across the beach towards the sea.
From the lifejacket holder walk 50 yards in a north- west direction following the narrowing finger of sandy dune with the odd bits of marram grass which is sandwiched by short green/ brown turf (formerly the puddle area in the winter) and near the tip of the finger before the sandy dune peters out, locate a bright green or blue rope (can't remember the colour!) and look east from here to 2 clumps of marram grass. I was walking along here, the Linnets were just east of here and I heard the very distinctive dry rattling call "prrrtt" of a Lapland and looking around, I saw an excellent Lapland Bunting feeding underneath clumps of Marram grass, I crept along and got a few shots in the fading light. Even better there was a second Lapland Bunting feeding out a little in the open, I crept further around but this second bird was less confiding and when the Linnets behind them took to flight the 2 Lapland Buntings flew 10 yards nearer the sea, one then seen feeding here and then one flew west 30 yards. the birds adopted their usual "shy" hunched shape as they fed between the blades of Marram grass.
Later on at 6.15pm checking the original area, there was still 1 Lapland Bunting feeding between 2 clumps of Marram grass.
I watched it for 10 minutes before the fading light made me retrace my steps up the cliff.

Dragonflies at Waveney Forest

2011-09-24T10:50:00.000-07:00

This morning I drove down to Waveney Forest, I had to pull in at a layby on the left hand side for a postman's van, as I pulled up I noticed a large dragonfly patrolling the woodland edge, it was a superb male Southern Hawker. Jumping out of the car I managed to obtain a few shots before it flew back a few yards and settled again, a great start!
From the car park, I walked down the northern most track following the pylons and it was immediately apparent there were loads of Common Darter, probably around 300 seen during the whole walk! There was a heavy dew on the vegetation and the flowering heather was completely covered in loads of spiders webs. A male Marsh Harrier flew over. Either side of the path, a variety of funghi seen including 5 Fly Agaric and a particularly fine and large Wood Mushroom (Agaricus silvicola) Thanks to Michael B for the ID. Three quarters of the way down I saw a Common or Viviparous Lizard which quickly scuttled off. By some sun drenched heather, 2 Small Coppers and a showy Comma butterfly were seen. Also seen flying through was yet another Southern Hawker dragonfly, this time a female, which briefly perched on some Silver birch, it flew again and I tracked it down again and managed a few further shots were obtained (see 2nd header picture).
A barking nearby Deer was probably either a Red or Fallow Deer, a large Deer was seen walking away through the wood. By the end covert, a mewing Buzzard was heard too. Several Siskins were heard too.

A Hobby welcome

2011-09-21T09:51:00.000-07:00

It was very nice to see a lovely Hobby fly over The Pastures as I drove home tonight at 5.30pm it then followed me as I drove into The Close, I quickly stopped the car and with binoculars in hand I watched it as it flew into the direction of the sun where I lost it as it flew in a south- westerly direction.
The juvenile Lesser Black- backed Gull is still around on nearby rooftops frequently calling a plaintive wheezing call for its nearby parent.

Turtle Dove & Hobby lighten the gloom

2011-09-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

On a distinctly gloomy afternoon, I was absolutely delighted to see my first Turtle Dove in Suffolk this year and this was then followed a minute later by a Hobby flying north, just east of Corton Old Rail track this evening. I had wandered across the track from the woody copse and decided to look in the field just east of there, when I saw the distinctive "clipped" flight of a Turtle Dove, it showed distinctive white outer tail feathers, brown mottled back and dark wing tips as it flew away in a north- east direction. No sooner had I enjoyed seeeing this bird when an excellent Hobby appeared in my vision from the right very close and just above hedge height and flew directly north just above the height of the bushes and flew over Stirrups Lane and north. The Hobby had lovely dark grey upperparts white throat and dark moustachial stripe. I also saw the red- brown trousers clearly as it flew left past me and eventually out of sight.
Also seen during the walk were up to 5 Chiff- Chaff and 3 male Migrant Hawkers.
It was also nice to see Danny P, Rene & James B birding along the track.
Earlier on in the garden I was pleased to see a Hornet buzzing around our compost bin at 2pm after going out to have a look when Jenny said she had seen a large Hornet thing buzzing around the bin. A House Martin flew over the garden today too.

Morning seawatch off Ness Point

2011-09-17T04:09:00.000-07:00

It was nice to see so many friends seawatching off Ness point this morning. Sadly, the hoped- for Shearwater passage didn't materialise, the only candidate was a probable Sooty Shearwater shearing the waves spotted by Andrew E right on the horizon way out flying north at 9.10am.
Up to 50 Gannets seen most flying south today. Also groups of Teal, 15, 18, 8 flew south and 5 Wigeon also flew south. Whilst flying north were 3 singleton Red- throated Divers. Chris M picked one out flying towards us and we were treated to views of a fine summer- plumaged Red- throated Diver on the sea in full breeding plumage complete with grey head and neck and brick- red throat swimming south and constantly diving too on the sea, just a third of the way out.
groups of 4, 8, 15, 3 Dunlin flew south and an Oystercatcher fed at the end of the finger.
A Chiff- Chaff flew in off the sea and dived calling into the tamarisk bushes bordering birds eye. A look around Gunton Warren this afternoon failed to reveal any migrants although 3 Small Copper butterflies seen.
The young Lesser Black- backed Gull was on next door's roof (east) again today, it kept calling its thin wheezing plaintiff call again!

Evening seawatch off Ness Point

2011-09-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

Things seemed to quieten down after I arrived at Ness point this evening at 5.15pm, typical! Around 40 Gannets seen in total flying north this evening mostly in groups of 2 to 4 with 2/3 being adults. An Oystercatcher fed on the nearby rocks by the compass point.
Flocks of Commic Terns flew south , 2 groups of 15 and 1 of 5 plus 3 Little terns also going south.
2 Arctic Skuas flew steadily south.
A largish "bird" was seen shearing over the water heading north it may have been a large Shearwater but it was seen on the very edge of the horizon it was too far away to tell.
A group of 15 Teal flew south finally.

A costly bag of chips!

2011-09-15T12:35:00.000-07:00

This evening after work at 6.10pm, I joined a determined looking James B at Baker's Score, Corton Cliffs, he had just heard from Andrew E who had just seen a Fea's Petrel/ Soft- plumaged Petrel species flying north off Ness Point just 10 minutes ago and coming our way!
Sadly we didn't see it, it had probably flown past 5 minutes ago when James had been queuing for chips at the well- renowned Hopton fish and chip bar!! James was suitably gutted! Having missed a Sooty Tern by 10 minutes in July, I was resigned to missing it and brushed off the disappointment. Close in 3 Teal flew south and then settled close in on the sea.
I was pleased to see 3 Arctic Skuas, all singletons one flying south just over the sea and then it flew high up in the sky before, another flew north and then another south.
A group of Terns, several 4 Common Tern and at least 1 Little Tern flew south. we were then joined by Robert Hol and we saw 4 Gannets (3 immatures and 1 adult) flying low over the sea and south flying past a ship that appeared to be sucking sand, a sand dredger? An adult Mediterranean Gull flew north, whilst 3 Sky Lark called as they flew in over our heads off the sea.
Finally in the fading light a flock of 30 Common Scoter flew eventually north before settling on the sea.

Lowestoft Denes

2011-09-11T11:01:00.000-07:00

A brief seawatch this afternoon at Ness Point was just that all sea and no birds! My usual type of seawatch I'm afraid.
I saw Robert Win in the distance, but sadly he quickly disappeared.
One Red Admiral seen by the Apple tree in Arnold's walk
On the groynes, 2 Common Tern and 2 Sandwich Tern perched on one groyne.
Walking along the seawall, 2 Wheatears flew onto western edge and then onto the Denes, one flew way over but one stood on a parallel path near the sea wall and I was able to creep closer and obtain a couple of good photos. A Red Admiral was seen on the bramble just north of the Oval.
I then saw Nick B on the North Beach and although we were unsuccessful in seeing sea slugs (although Nick had seen one earlier) we did see an adult winter- plumaged Mediterranean Gull flew south.

The North Norfolk trip "Titch" & Cley

2011-09-10T10:47:00.000-07:00

Gratefully accepting a kind offer by John H for a lift up to North Norfolk, our first stop was Titchwell RSPB, my first visit this century! The car park at 10am was virtually full up and we managed to park on the overflow carpark. By 10.20am we were overlooking the stretch of reedbed near the visitor centre, we had just missed the Little Bittern which had showed just 5 minutes earlier. While we waited a shout went up and looking out south to some far bare trees all in a line, the excellent Cattle Egret complete with yellow bill was perched behind a branch at the very top! After 5 minutes it flew west and down and out of sight. We were joined by regular correspondent Paul W and he did really well to call a distant Red Kite, a real surprise that was flying low over the reedbed and being mobbed by a male Marsh Harrier. The Kite was typically really long- winged (with no wing tags) and its forked tail was swivelled constantly in flight. 2 Little Egret were also seen out on the marsh.
Suddenly, a shiver of excitement by those around Phil H, led to a brief but excellent sighting of the immature Little Bittern at 11.05am. Perched on the top bank behind the path, we had been overlooking the dyke leading away from us, we looked down the dyke to the end where the reeds of either side leant over and touched at the top. The immature Little Bittern suddenly appeared from nowhere clambering up the stem of a reed on the right which leant over to the left where it stepped across and suddenly out of sight!We stayed for a little longer hoping for a repeat performance but it wasn't to be so we took it as our cue to leave and wandering into the first hide we saw 1 Curlew Sandpiper and 25 Dunlin. Entering the new space-age hide, John saw the Buff- breasted sandpiper by 3 posts but it promptly disappeared behind a large Sueda bush. A few minutes later the excellent Buff-breasted Sandpiper reappeared by the posts before walking right amongst the grass. Near the hide by the dyke to the right a winter- plumaged Spotted Redshank. Another Spotted redshank was seen on the grass.At Cley from Daukes hide, we saw loads of Ruff c30and Black- tailed Godwits c40very close to the hide on the mud. A Little Egret flying in managed to scare off all the close waders who flew to the back of the marsh. The Little Egret was soon joined by another. Further back I saw 7 Curlew Sandpipers and 1 Dunlin. At the side and back were 2 separate Green Sandpipers. 1 Common Sandpiper was on the other scrape. a dozen, 12 Golden Plover were seen on the back of the scrape and one flew much closer, also a couple of Ruff and 2 Curlew Sandpipers came closer too.
Also on that scrape were 8 Spoonbills all asleep!

Cantley magic

2011-09-09T12:29:00.000-07:00

On this hot and sultry evening after working at Martham Library, I decided to pop into Cantley Sugar Beet Factory (a welcome return to a fabulous wader spot) after work. I had to walk from the village, but followed the path by the river snaking around the perimeter of the factory site, (seeing 2 Grey Wagtail near the factory pool area.
Several 6 Swallows seen around the edge of the factory and finally onto the sludge lagoons. As I walked I could see several dragonflies including 3 Emperors and 1 Brown Hawker. Almost immediately, I could see several really close Ruff, plus an intriguing brown-capped smaller wader with its back to me, slightly larger than a Dunlin with short decurved bill and looked like a small Ruff, which it proved to be the excellent Pectoral Sandpiper. The bird seemed fairly settled, and I crept a little closer without disturbing any of the birds, but later it flew along my side of the lagoon when disturbed by a bird photographer in the distance. The bird then showed a clear brown division between its breast and underparts. The Pectoral Sandpiper then flew off with all the other waders flew off completely when Rob Wils and his wife came alongside me.
The flock had consisted of 4 Curlew Sandpipers, around 8 Ruff, 2 Dunlin, 3 Greenshank, Green and Common Sandpiper and a Ringed Plover.
The flock would fly around but would eventually return to the same spot and I managed to get a few pictures of the Curlew Sandpipers although I didn't see the Pec again. later on the flock headed for the sunlite areas of the pool ie. the eastern most areas.
Walking back I must have seen around 40 Pied Wagtails flying around the river bank and an obliging Grey Heron twice posed on the rails in the fading light.

Stormy Covehithe

2011-09-08T13:30:00.000-07:00

Sunday 4th September, 5 Common Scoter seen on the sea off Ness Point, 8 Common Tern and 1 Arctic tern flew south.
On Monday 5th September, a walk down to Covehithe Broad in the evening during very changeable weather including several downpours and a strong south-west wind. waders seen on the broad included 16 Black- tailed Godwit, 5 Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpiper, 3 smart Spotted Redshank, 2 Little Egret and 2 Water rails by the edge of the reeds.
Several Terns, Common seen flying past plus Sandwich Terns flying north.

Little Gulls at Sizewell

2011-09-03T12:47:00.000-07:00

Visiting Sizewell beach, Jenny & I saw 8 House Martins seen over the road just before the village of Sizewell, (right next door to Sizewell A & B Nuclear Power station) this afternoon, on this very sunny late summer's day, we were privileged to see several Little Gulls flying south.

We first saw an adult Little Gull sitting on the water just south of the closest water outlet rig

It then flew south.

Walking north along the dunes, I then spotted 3 Little Gull (2 immatures and 1 adult) flying south close in near the shore line.

I also checked out the slope bordering Sizewell B, albeit from the main path just in case there were any migrants, there weren't!

My suspicious attire (sweat shirt and shorts complete with binoculars and telescope on a fully extended tripod) attracted the attention of the local Police constabulary as a 4X4 Police vehicle drove north along the dunes towards me, slowing down as they drew alongside, I ignored it scanning out to sea and they slowly drove on and turned round at the end of the dunes (where it turns into beach) and sped off back! I can only assume the CCTV cameras on the perimeter of the Station had seen me and alerted them, although surely they must be used to birders around Sizewell by now!!

Back on the sea near the southern most water outlet rig, 1 adult and 1 immature Little Gull sat on the sea and then got up and eventually flew.

By the base of some Ragwort I photographed an interesting moth, I'll report back when I have checked the photo's against my Moth field guide.

Later on 3 further Little Gulls (this time 1 immature and 2 adults) flew south just along the tideline. I just missed photographing them when another Little Gull adult flew south.

I then witnessed several Little Gulls, 3 adults flying right over our heads and over the dunes flying south.

Later an adult and immature Little Gull flew over the dunes south. A further 2 adults flew south.

Finally another adult flew south right over our heads south and over the fishing boats moored up on the shingly beach, then it turned direction by flying north a few hundred yards and over our heads before it flew south again and eventually out of sight.

So 18 Little Gulls (14 adults and 4 immatures) were seen in total in the space of an hour and three- quarter vigil.

By the track opposite and just south of Blythburgh water tower, an incredible tally of 62 Red- legged Partridge were seen, around 14 on the track including 3 youngsters. A group of 8 RLP's were sand bathing at the side of the field whilst the rest were in the middle of the field. 5 Pheasant seen also.

Goldfinches!

2011-08-31T12:23:00.000-07:00

18 Goldfinch flew in a north- easterly direction over the garden whilst a Linnet flew south-easterly at 5.15pm today.

20,000 views

2011-08-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone, I have now had 20,000 clicks onto the blog!

Thank you.

In the garden today, in the early evening, 1 adult Common Frog held court from a Lily leaf in the wildlife pond and whilst I was photographing it, 2 Chiff- Chaff called whilst feeding from the Copper Beech and nearby bushes too.

Sparrow's Nest Flycatcher

2011-08-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

At 10am this morning, I was walking up Arnold's walk and it was good to see Robert Wil, who kindly showed me in Sparrow's Nest where he had seen the Pied Fly earlier and looking up from my favourite Holm Oak trees overlooking the bowling green we saw the excellent Pied Flycatcher flick up onto a high perch and it was viewed for a minutes before it flitted off again.

We also saw 2 Treecreeper here.

A Wheatear was seen on the new caravan park area, 3 LBB Gulls on the Oval and 1 Wheatear was seen on the Netposts near Birds Eye.

We later saw OFB and later walking back through Arnold's walk, 2 Jay were seen.

In the garden this afternoon, a Small White butterfly and Silver Y moth were seen.

The young House Martins under the eaves of our house (second or third brood this year?) are getting very vocal, surely about to fledge, very soon?

North Norfolk trip waders & rarities

2011-08-28T05:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning, Saturday 27th August, I had a very enjoyable trip up in North Norfolk for a change. Picking up Jeremy G from Gorleston and first stop was just past the "T" junction along Warren road off Sidestrand road just south of Cromer town centre. An enforced wait of 30 minutes due to the heavy rain led us eventually 8.30am to walk south along the road through the wood and up a steep hill where a Holm Oak was and eventually out into the open where other birders stood. From this vantage point "the look out" we could view the tops of the trees of a lot of the wood plus looking further north we could see the town of Cromer and Cromer Pier. It was nice to John H, Ian M & Baz here too. First 1 and then 2 Swift were seen flying overhead. No sign of any warblers so Jeremy and I went back into the wood and saw 2 calling Nuthatches on a big tree and 1 Treecreeper also seen.

It was at this point in the wood that I heard a sharp terse "hu-eeef" call which sounded like the Greenish Warbler in with a tit flock but sadly it wasn't seen despite much searching.

We then decided to press on to Cley when a call from John H 10 minutes into our journey (thanks John) had us retracing our steps back to Warren wood and going specifically to the large green area on the southern border. Running up to a group of birders, I immediately locked my bins on the Western Bonelli's Warbler that was ranging left (west) along the tree edge at around 1/2 to 2/3 height of the trees. It had greyish- brown head and mantle with slight supercilia and crucially unmarked lores in front of the eye (a distinguishing feature for Western as opposed to Eastern) and obviously yellow- green colouration on the wings.

Seen for all of 3 minutes it followed the Tit flock across the field to the hedge on the western border of the open green area and then flew south into another thickly wooded wood.

From here we drove to Walsey Hills, walking down the path we came to the finger post turned left meeting Penny C (she hosts an excellent blog entitled "Hot Birding & Life") and we then walked half way down a field and looking at the bushes at the end we could see an excellent immature male Red- backed Shrike perched on the top of bramble bushes and flowering Clematis. At one point the Shrike flew down to the ground feeding on something, before returning to the top of the bushes again.

Next stop Cley NWT reserve & it was good to see Chris B at the new very swish-looking visitors centre (I remember the old wooden hut!!) At Daukes hide overlooking Pats Pool, we saw lots of birds, beyond the pool was an island were 8 Immature Spoonbill, 5 asleep & 3 preening. To the left of the island, were loads of waders 5 Black- tailed Godwit, 12 Dunlin and 8 Curlew Sandpipers. At one point everything was flushed by an overflying female Marsh harrier and all 8 Spoonbill flew up wheeled around in the air (showing greyish-black wingtips of immatures) and settled back on the island. The Phalarope was initially hard to spot, but was eventually spotted the excellent immature Red- necked Phalarope right at the back swimming along going right hugging the waterline it was constantly swimming occasionally spinning around and pecking the water like a sewing machine. A superb bird with brown buff V'd back and dark brown cap, dark mask and pinky buff on chest with white underparts and pencil thin short/medium bill.

Occasionally it would fly, behind the island repeatedly going across the back of the pool and the island. It then flew closer to the watery area in front of the island.

Several Ruff were seen, 2 very close birds in the water and then on the grassy island right in front of the hide and a further 8 Ruff including 1 very golden buff- breasted brown immature

A calling Green Sandpiper flew right across the front of the hide.

Looking over to the far left amongst a load of Dunlin, 1 Little Stint was walking left along a muddy ridge interspersed by water.

Later looking out from Bishop hide, overlooking the front edge of the Pool several very close waders were seen including Green Sandpiper that was along the muddy perimeter of the pool followed by first a Ruff and a Common Sandpiper. A further 4 Curlew Sandpipers were seen including an adult half moulted out of its fine brick-red summer plumage.

Garden Chiff- Chaffs

2011-08-26T10:18:00.000-07:00

Early this morning in the rain, 2 Chiff- Chaffs were seen in the garden in the Copper Beech at the back. No migrants seen whatsoever within Great Yarmouth churchyard and Great Yarmouth cemetaries north and south sides during a lunchtime vigil in a rare break in the sodden weather, 3 Speckled Woods seen 1 in the south side and 2 wheeling around in a spiral by the main path in the North near the chapel. Arriving at Corton woods this evening hoping to see the Wryneck, I briefly saw James B driving off, I left too without even getting out of the car, as it just started to pour down with rain again.

Soggy Corton

2011-08-25T11:29:00.000-07:00

A look around Corton new sewage works this evening following the rain today revealed very few migrants, a Lesser Whitethroat in the scrubby area, 3 calling Chiff- Chaff, with their plaintive contact calls, plus a calling Bullfinch and a female Migrant Hawker hawking the path amongst the Oak trees, was a marginally better return than my usual patch results.

Mass clear out!

2011-08-24T12:07:00.000-07:00

Up at first light this morning, birding before work down on the Oval amongst some Gulls, the Yellow- legged Gull sat on the field. The Shrike and indeed all yesterday's migrants had gone. Out to sea, the distinctive 4 note call heralded a flock of 10 Whimbrel (viewed from the sea wall with Andrew E) flying north, whilst later 9 Turnstone flew south.

That was good as it got this morning, as the North Denes, back of the Oval, Sparrow's Nest, Arnold's walk, Belle Vue Park and Corton Old and New Sewage works were completely devoid of passerine migrants. My usual local patch experience.

Autumn migration starts here!

2011-08-23T14:27:00.000-07:00

Strictly speaking autumn migration probably starts with wader movements at the end of June, but there is nothing like bad weather, in this case rain for most of the morning to ground a few passerine migrants moving over Lowestoft and set birders pulses racing, mine included!

A BINS message stating that an immature RB Shrike had been seen on the North Denes during the afternoon had me driving over there and walking across the Denes by the Oval seeing James B on the way.

Assembled on the wall was Ricky F, OFB, regular correspondent Paul W, who also kindly pointed out the adult Yellow- legged Gull perched on the middle of a groyne, 2 groynes north of us.

There perched on the small wooden fence sat the excellent immature male Red- backed Shrike.

Paul and Jane also joined us and we shared good views of the Shrike, I then wandered back to the Oval path and got a few distant shots of the bird and noticed there was a Shrike pellet laying beside it on the horizontal beam of the wooden fence (measuring about 3cm long and 1.2cm wide) composed of the hard indigestible bodies of Crickets and so on. proof postive that this bird had newly arrived from warmer climes.

some dogs flushed the bird over and into the new caravan compund and it was seen perched up on several temporary fences before eventually returning to its favoured wooden fence, this time nearer the sea wall.

Also in the compound was at least 1 Whinchat and 1 Wheatear.

As I walked back I heard calls and saw 19 Oystercatchers in a tight flock flying high and steadily southwards over the sea.

Covehithe Waderfest!

2011-08-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Sunday 21st August, we went to Covehithe Broad with Jenny's family and had a very pleasant time there, Jenny and family relaxing on the beach and I was able to look at quite a variety of waders.

When we first reached the beach, a Little Egret was seen in the inlet and 2 Greenshank and then walking around a little further I saw 3 and then 5 Curlew Sandpipers feeding on the mud by the closest island, longer legged, longer bodied elegant birds with a yellowish wash to their breast indicating that they were immatures, 2 Dunlin were also with them. As I marvelled at these elegant migrants from Siberia, a flock of 12 Ruff, brownish tinged, there appeared to be 5 males (larger birds than the females- the reeves) flew in and settled and slightly later on 9 grey dumpy winter- plumaged Knot flew in too, settling just to the right of the Ruff and the Curlew Sands.

Scanning the back of the broad, I counted up to 8 Green Sandpiper. I also counted at the back a total of 5 Greenshank (including the 2 previously seen that flew back to join them).

5 avocet were also seen including 3 brown- tinged immatures.

Looking south I could see a Great black backed Gull in the water close in and next to it and auk even closer in, scoping I I'Ded it as a winter plumaged Guillemot and I walked about 1/2 mile south following the birds as it steadily paddled south and was able to obtain some good pictures of it, especially when it swam close to the shore line, barely 30 foot away.

Skeins of 100 and 30 Barnacle Geese flew north and then inland by the Broad.

Later I met a couple who had also seen Wood Sandpiper, looking amongst the Gulls I also picked out an immature Sandwich Tern and an adult winter Mediterranean Gull. Near the inlet where the egrets usually are, a Wood Sandpiper steadily walked behind a reedy island. Finally 2 Bar- tailed Godwit flew south away.

Jake spotted a Grey Seal and I briefly spotted it poking its dog-like triangular head out of the water on the sea.

Finally a Little Egret flew south over the walk to the end of the cliff from Covehithe church, just east of the farm a female Migrant Hawker flew up and settled on a tree, the yellow "T" could clearly seen on her thorax.

Last Sunday 14th August I briefly noted both Brown Hawker and Migrant Hawker in the garden, with up to 12 Green bottle flies on the Pagoda on Tuesday 16th August. On Saturday 20th August and Sunday 21st August up to 3 small Frogs seen either on the Lily pads of the garden pond or the spikes of the Water Soldier. Still up to 30 7 Spot Ladybirds encountered in the garden too.

Ladybird invasion

2011-08-10T12:14:00.000-07:00

There must have been hundreds of 7 Spot Ladybirds on the North Denes and seawall this evening. First seen around Links road car park, I walked along the beach and saw the Yellow- legged Herring Gull, sitting on one of the groyne posts it then stood up shook its wings and flew north eventually settling on Links road car park. Lots of Terns were on the groynes mostly Common, around 100 seen plus 4 Sandwich Terns too.

Covehithe & Benacre

2011-08-10T12:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening , Tuesday 9th August, I visited first Covehithe and then Benacre Broads. At Covehithe Broad, I spied 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret several 6 Sandwich Tern and 10 Black- tailed Godwit, 2 Green Sandpiper but sadly the long staying Spoonbill wasn't seen at all.

Walking back along the cliff, a camera shy Painted Lady butterfly (my first of the year!) posed well until I retrieved the camera when it promptly flew, it then posed again until I tried to photograph it and it flew again! Quite a few 100+ 7 spot Ladybird were seen along the walk to Covehithe Broad. A family of 6 Greylag Geese seen in an arable field.

Benacre Broad was disappointing with the highlights being 3 Green Sandpiper flying around the far side and 1 of these birds flying closer in.

walking back a big flock of 300 Canada, 300 Greylag and 100 barnacle Geese seen in the fields.

Old faithful

2011-08-07T14:31:00.000-07:00

The adult Yellow- legged Gull was again on Links road car park this evening and flew over to the tide edge on the North beach, sitting down before flying and sitting on the nearest groyne. Again about 25 Common Tern seen on the groynes plus 6 Sandwich Tern (2 adults and 4 immatures) with around 40 Common Terns flying mostly south.

4 Turnstone and an immature Pied Wagtail seen on the beach plus the Yellow- leg back on Links road car park as we walked back.

Red- backed Shrike still there!

2011-08-05T16:34:00.000-07:00

The adult male Red- backed Shrike is still showing at Carlton Marshes this evening, following yesterday's almost non- show (I saw it very briefly on the Thurs 4th August morning in the western most bushes), it had been thought it might have moved off; perhaps moved on by the extremely wet day we had had on Thursday. But the bird was still there tonight perched on the bushes viewable from the main west path running through and dividing up the north and southern sections of the reserve.

Rob Wils, Ian S and Jon E were seen, a veritable photographers convention and Rob Wils & I were able to get a few reasonable shots this evening.

Red- backed Shrike again and Blackout!

2011-08-03T14:39:00.000-07:00

Just after 7am this morning, I saw the Red- backed Shrike again, a fine male in full summer plumage with grey crown, black facial mask, reddish- brown back and pinkish flush to the chest.

A magnificent bird!

It spent time by the end bushes near its roost site and then hunted for insects and was seen to catch and promptly devour a beetle from a bush just north of the aforementioned bushes.

Also a Barn Owl flew across the field too.

This evening in the company of Jon E and Chris M we saw the Shrike again hunting from bushes a little further north from here, it caught several winged insects during the period of observation.

There was also a full power blackout in North Lowestoft at least including our house this evening between 9.20 - 10.20pm.

Elephant in the Library, Shrike on the Marsh

2011-08-02T14:09:00.000-07:00

At noon today, a member of the Gorleston Nature Club brought in a Hawk Moth caterpillar which he wanted identified, he had very perceptively put in a piece of Fuschia plant and flower with it. Having seen one in the garden before, I knew it was an Elephant Hawk Moth larvae.

It was feeding on the Fuschia leaf, the main food plant for this species is Fuschia and Honeysuckle.

I managed to get a few shots.

A BINS message at lunchtime about a Red- backed Shrike on Carlton Marshes saw me down there at 6.30pm in the evening and just past the first field on the left from the car park, we looked out west over the meadow towards 3 bramble bushes. Danny P, Justin L, and Chris M were amongst the birders looking over the area. It hadn't been seen since 4.40pm, we were joined by Clive N & Dick W. After an hour Dick & I decided to check the area out from the western side (the sunny side). We had no luck but we had good views of a Barn Owl patrolling the area. Clive then rang to say he had the Shrike and as we walked briskly back, 4 Jay flew away along the path. Reaching the spot by the gate we walked west along the edge of a field and looking back along the bushes, Dick did well to pick out the excellent male Red- backed Shrike, a fine summer- plumaged adult male with grey head, black mask and reddish- brown mantle perched slightly within the bush. We enjoyed the views for a few minutes before leaving the bird go into roost within the scrub.

Yellow- leg again!

2011-08-01T13:11:00.000-07:00

The Yellow- legged Gull was seen again along the shoreline of the North Beach again this evening with around 60 Common Terns seen along on the groynes and several flying south c100 with afew also flying north this evening.