Waxwings still at Wangford

On Saturday 14th March, on a non- birding day for me, going on a visit to Southwold with Jenny, I managed to call in and glimpse the quartet of Waxwings in the bushes bordering the playing field at Wangford at 2.25pm and 4pm.

No Owl fest for me at Carlton Marshes

In seemingly almost perfect conditions, on Wednesday 11th Marsh 4.30- 6pm, it was disappointing to note that I saw no Owls hunting at Carlton Marshes, where it was my 4th attempt to see SEO's. Nice to see Gavin who reported he hadn't seen any Owls either today (although he'd seen several including SEO on the previous days). 2 Kestrel, including an immature fluffed up bird, female Marsh Harrier sitting on a bush, 7 Linnet by a bush by the path, a female Green Woodpecker that flew and perched on a vertical trunk near Spratt's Water (extreme southern end, viewed from public footpath) and 5 Fieldfares 'chakking' and flying over the stable fields were the highlights of an otherwise disappointing excursion (there have been several of these at CM recently ie. the last 3 occasions). I shall have to rethink my plans on seeing SEO's.

(Nearly) always reliable Wangford Waxwings

On Wednesday 11th March, I drove down to Wangford in the hope of seeing Waxwings. My journey was eventful as I drove south along the A12 along the Benacre strait, a Woodcock joined me flying south at 2.55pm alongside the road and then the field to the west, lovely to see and my first of the year. Parking up opposite the playing field I walked to the north- west corner and instantly saw the 4 fine Waxwings sitting in the tops of trees partly obscured by branches. They spent a lot of time sitting here. They were joined by 3 Goldfinch at times. waxwings can be difficult birds to twitch, but my success rate with them art sangfroid is quite high so I was keen to give it a go. During the hour of observation 3-4pm, they only made 3 trips over to the berry bush opposite the Vetenary surgery, where they disappeared from view. Nice to see but not very photogenic. They were trilling quite frequently and as usual with this species the trilling became more frantic and louder before a trip over the road to the berry bush. Driving back 2 Hares were in the usual field. POSTSCRIPT: Having checked my photos one of the birds,a 1st winter male, has white/blue/red rings this is one that was ringed at Aberdeen in Scotland on 1st December 2019, thanks to Brian S for this information.

Half a Kettle of Buzzards circling over A47

On Tuesday March 10th at 5.25pm, I noticed 2 Buzzards circling over the A47 (the former A12) at Lowestoft by Corton Long Lane turn off, whilst driving home from work. I don't think 2 Buzzards can be described as a kettle, so on this occasion half a kettle will have to suffice! Anyway nice to see (unless you are a Partridge, Alan beware!!!)

Nordic Jackdaw at the Paget

On Thursday 27th February, a Nordic or Scandinavian Jackdaw was seen flying and soaring only just over the Burrage Centre at James Paget Hospital at 3pm flying north and then slowly south, although only seen with the naked eye, the white area on both neck sides was very obvious (and more prominent than ones seen at Skultuna just north of Stockholm, Sweden a few weeks ago).

Purple Sands and Shag defy the blustery conditions

On a very blustery Saturday 22 February morning, a visit to Ness Point was in order and I saw Chris S (new birder) who had kindly tweeted out about the dozen Purple Sandpipers he'd just seen. He explained to me there were at the far end of Ness Point wasting no time I was soon there and sure enough by the far ledge the birds were still there. However, only 4 of their number flew onto the ledge with the waves lashing against the defence rocks, 4 fine Purple Sandpipers. Carrying onto the northern end of Ness Point, I saw a further 6 Purple Sandpipers on the rocks showing well. No wanting to disturb them, I walked around to the sea wall for some height to see if I could count them. 6 then flew and joined the others and when I walked back there were all on the ledge area I counted a wonderful cumulative total of 12 Purple Sandpipers all present and correct! My highest total this winter. Very sad to see work has started on the "Ness Point Park visitor attraction" with a road transacting the Netposts and running alongside our local heritage. Expect some development, more people and less migrant birds and wildlife, what a waste of time and money, sometimes I despair. Moving onto Oulton Broad, I walked back to the Mutford Lock bridge and the Shag that had been tweeted out by Jane F was still there and I took a few photos from the railing. The fine 1st winter Shag was lying down half way back along the jetty facing south, it was very alert, constantly vigilant and looking around but it remained there during the half hour period of observation.

Flocks of Fieldfares but no Owls at Carlton Marshes

At 3pm on Tuesday 18th February, in far from ideal conditions, I drove down to Carlton Marshes parking by the railway line, having seen 2 Muntjac Deer by the roadside. It was overcast and breezy and not surprisingly no Owls were seen flying (now my 5th unsuccessful attempt to see and photograph SEO's, although the first 2 attempts I went to the wrong area!) A Buzzard flew by proved to be the only bird of prey seen, proof that conditions were far from ideal (but I had to go as I am working the rest of the week). A distant Chinese Water Deer seen. A flock of 20 'chacking' Fieldfare flew into the tall birch trees bordering the reserve. Walking back by the railway line, another flock or same of 15 Fieldfare seen in a tall tree. These were the highlight of this late afternoon walk, Fieldfares have been conspicuously absent around the Lowestoft area this winter (although it has been a relatively mild one so far).