Monkeying around at Aldringham Walks!

On Sunday 6th February late morning, I finally surfaced after I had experienced disturbed sleep over the 3 nights Tues/Wed & Thurs of the previous week, the night before last on Thursday night a storm had rattled the velox windows where I had been staying in Wales, with the rain beating down on them like a drummer beating drum skins all night (fine for a concert but not when you trying to get to sleep!), so I didn't get a wink of sleep! Fully laden up with coffee the next morning, I was able to drive back safely the whole 343 miles back to Lowestoft from Llanddarog in South Wales. So back to Sunday 6th February, news broke of a male Ring-necked Duck on Aldringham Reservoir near Sizewell. It was yet another reservoir with no general access, something I seem to be specialising in visiting at the moment!) I thought it was a new bird for me in Suffolk (forgetting I had alredy seen a female at Bawdsey, 15 April 2001), I had missed a male at Benacre Broad in October 1984. So having checked with Jane F, who I know had walked this area, thanks to her help and directions, I then knew exactly where to go. So, an an hour later, I drew up by the entrance to Sizewell Hall and walked west along a path and then a vehicular bridleway for approx. 1/2 mile, I then saw a life saving belt which was a good sign and a large Sycamore with a human up it scoping something, so it was definitely the tree! He introduced himself as Mike C, who I'd met before and knew of. Mike said the bird was in the far north- west corner of the Broad. Problem was I couldn't get a safe purchase up the tree let alone balancing a scope too. It was very precarious purchase! Another problem was the sun was shining directly towards us, so we had to ait until the sun was completely clouded over to view. Mike C said there was no other way of viewing the reservoir but there was one another tree I could try half way around the reservoir (clockwise) if the broken fence hadn't been mended, unfortunately it was. So we went back to the orignal lone Sycamore tree and after Mike had left I went up the tree again hanging onto one branch and pushing the scope against a branch, I finally had a secure purchase with a hold of the tree with one arm and the other used to push a steady enough scope against a trunk so I could scan the far north-west corner of the reservoir. Lots of Tufted Duck c30 seen, c10 Pochard and then I saw it the fine male Ring- necked Duck swimming right and soon out of sight, with identifying features including a bubble on the head, grey sides to the body, bordered by a white spur separating the grey sides from the black breast. The whole climbing up a tree I found personally was quite precarious and dangerous, I don't like heights either & especially with the increasing wind and now rain lashing down so that was it for me, I had to forgo the Scaup, I couldn't see it, so I climbed carefully & safely down and walked off. This was easily the most difficult viewing conditions I have ever witnessed in viewing a bird and quite dangerous too. Not recommended. On the wayback, I drove back via Lymballs Lane, Westleton and saw the 8 Whooper Swans again, in the same field but slightly further back this time.

Return to Cymisfael steam

On Thursday 3rd February, a Walk along the Cymisfael stream was initially quiet, until a fantastic Dipper flew past by Pen-y-banc bridge, it banked up briefly and flew left along the stream. A rattling Mistle Thrush flew over the overhead trees and left too. By Whitehall bridge area, it was apparent that several, up to 5, small flocks of c30 Redwings were about, as was a circling Red Kite over the fields in the skies to the left. A lot of hedges and some trees had been taken out, of the fields to the left of the bridges. Walking back, the Dipper was seen by Pen-y-banc bridge again briefly and a Grey Wagtail seen along the northern 'path' of the stream and 2 pairs of Grey Wagtails seen further along too. More Redwings seen including 1 Redwing perched near the top of a hedge. A Goldcrest heard and then seen briefly too. By the other western bridge, a Red Kite seen circling over the tall trees, too.

Specifically Pacific!

On Wednesday 2nd February, after I had cancelled my planned visit to Wales just before Christmas, a Pacific Diver had been spotted at Eglwys Nunydd reservoir, Port Talbot, Glamorgan in an area of no general access. Viewing areas were restricted from various points near the Grand Sultan restaurant, Water Road, Port Talbot or from a Bridge, the other side of the M4 motorway, which wasn't that appealing. Access was generally discouraged but the area is extensively used by local fishermen and a sailing club, so when details of where to actually visit became available from friends based at Ipswich and point blank views almost guaranteed, it became difficult to resist. With family commitments, I decided to give it a try. Having stopped off and parked just off the motorway by the start of an entrance road to a Crematorium, I walked past the gas works and accessed through the woods. Access was only available via the north east end and I estimated it was an exhausting 5 mile walk (there and back) to reach the extreme south-east end of the reservoir. Mainly due to having to carry 3 cameras, zoom lenses, bins, scope and trpod! Half way along the resrvoir walk was the Sailing Club was out in full force and I wondered if that might scare of the bird but the north east end was still 3/4 mile away and was left undisturbed. As I walked up I saw Tufted Duck and around 8 Goldeneye (3 males and 5 females) and then I saw the fantastic immature Pacific Diver! Really pleased to see it, especially after missing a bird at Llys-y- Fran reservoir, Pembrokeshire on a previous visit a few winters ago. As I walked around the area bordered by a grassy area and sheep, I passed the marshy SE corner of the reservoir. Just past a large bush the reservoir ledge wall started, it was a little precarious as the ledge was only 2 feet wide and leading to a steep slope to the waters edge of the reservoir. I immediately spotted the fantastic Diver only about 2 feet away. Typically, like a Black- throat, but I estimated it to be slightly smaller, no rear white flank patch and browner (chocolate brown) on head and sides of the neck side bordering some black giving a distinct suble difference. The white scaling on the back proving it was an immature bird. It was diving for several minutes then resurfacing again 20 feet away and I was able to move when it had dived in a position where I could carefully look back and try and get some shots. Initially, it took a Stickleback and juggled in its bill (again slightly smaller tahn a Black- throat), before gratefully gulping down its prey. Amongst a raft of slightly most distant waterfowl, included around c25 Great- crested Grebe, a nice group of around 25 Pochards, c40 Tufted Ducks also included a fine Slavonian Grebe that did once swim a little closer for a record shot, before swimming away again at a rapid pace. I was able to stoop down below the parapet and photo the diver as it swam around 20 foot (definitely "double Ferguson" views!) from the edge before swimming east and fishing just past a group of reeds. Bird of the year for me, so far!

Weekend update

On Saturday 29th January, a look from Asda car park revealed an immature Shag on the river near the Grain silo. On Sunday 30th January, at Ness Point, a Purple Sandpiper flew south and another Purple Sandpiper seen on the ledge unmderneath the sea wall opposite Bird's Eye factory viewed by scope from the northern end of Ness Point.

Waveney Forest visit

On Wednesday 26th January, after work at 2.30pm I decided to visit Waveney Forest as my after work trip this week, again "sans" Camera (because most birds are distant) so I walked to the Mound in the hope of looking for raptors & SEOs. On the way down I read Whats App messages stating Alison A had seen a SEO from the other side of the Marshes and Chris M had recently seen a male HH and RK so things were looking good. A Coal Tit calling from a tree by the Lodge failed to reveal itself. When I reached the Mound, overlooking Chedgrave marshes, I saw Chris M and Peter N, the HH had gone and avian activity was initially limited to 2 then 3 Great White Egrets seen on the marshes. 2 Little Egrets seen too. A couple of Grey Herons seen too, plus up to 3 female Marsh Harriers quartering the area too. Also walking out was the alrming sight of 2 wildfowlers with guns, they set up a camouflage hide and stood inside, during daylight hours fortunately they didn't do any shooting but sadly about 5 gun shots were later heard as I was walking back as the light was fading. Why can't we put a stop to this nineteenth century anachronsitic pastime which should be consigned to history. Up to 3 Common Buzzards seen on the marsh. After Chris and Peter had left at 4.10pm, I spied a distant Fox running right along the edge of a field and 3 Chinese Water Deer seen also. close in I picked up early a magnificent male Hen Harrier flying north just over the river, it had lovely pale grey plumage with white rump and black wing tips and elegantly flew north over the marsh and I just soaked in the views of this wondrous bird. It was obviously going into roost. OFB phoned and as I was talking to him a Peregrine dashed through flying diagonally north-west and low over the marsh. Finally, "tpinging" Bearded Tits heard from the reeds but not seen. As the light was fading 5 Common Buzzards flew into the forest from the marsh. Walking back at the light was fading rapidly, as I walked past the Lodge I took the second path heading south and at 5.05pm just as it was getting dusk, I saw 5 Woodcocks fly up, individually, from the clearing and fly west over my head, a great end to yet another after work trip, 3rd week in a row!

Walberswick & Dunwich

On Saturday despite or maybe because of the bright day I had a headache all day pity as it would have been good photography weather. Sunday 23rd January was duller and my first stop was Asda car park where I looked across at the Grain silo and a Peregrine Falcon was flying around, another second Peregrine was also seen flying around scaring all the Feral Pigeons, the Cormorant was on its usual post and a Chiff- Chaff flew into the Pine trees by the riverside completing a good start to the day. Next stop was Wrentham cemetary, where a female Pheasant scuttled away from me by the edge of the hedge, on the back trees were 2 Greenfinch and a Song Thrush flew away from the central bit, still no Fieldfares, none on the back hedges either. A Buzzard was sat on the top of the tree to the east field from the cemetary. After cafefully negotiating the former pothole ridden Lodge road at Walberswick, I parked up by the side of Hoist Covert wood and immediately heard Marsh Tits, but I couldn't locate them and the same could be said of Treecreeper just past the board marshwalk area. A chap was cutting reeds to the east by the path and in a bush to the right a Sparrowhawk flew up onto the bush saw me and flew east. Then 8 Barnacle Geese suddenly appeared and flew right over my head and east. 18 Greylag Geese flew south and another 7 Greylag Geese flew east again over my head. By the wind pump a calling flock of 30 super White- fronted Geese flew south. Bearded Tits were calling from the reeds just past the wind pump but again they were staying low so weren't seen. I then checked the bird feeding station and success straight away when a Twite was seen feeding with 18 Linnets, a dog appearing on the ridge flushed them they all flew west over Corporation Marsh, the Twite was smaller squatter shorter tailed and distinctive call too. Later, on 13 Snow Buntings flew and perched by the ridge before they and 3 Linnets fed from the feeding station. Walking down to the area where the shore pools were around, a Great White Egret flew past and settled in a pool where it stood on an island, huddled up. Out to sea, A wp Great Crested Grebe seen on the sea and 2 Red- throated Divers flew north, no sign of any Scoter whatsoever. About 1.2 km north of Dunwich beach car park, I saw a flock of passerines mostly feeding on the back vegetation. Most were of the 40 strong flock were Linnets, but at least 9+ were super Twite, their yellow bills distinctive and showing like beacons even in this poor light, their buffy faces also seen well through the scope. At one point they flew closer. But then I sadly lost them. On the pools a scan revealed a Ringed Plover and around 10 Dunlin, plus a wp Spotted Redshank at the back too. A calling Water Pipit flew south, one of 4 seen/ heard during the day. I then saw the flock of 30 White- fronted Geese again flying north- west disappearing past Dingle Hills. Walking back, the Great White Egret was still hunched up on the island and back at the feeding station, 4 Reed Buntings seen plus Greenfinch and Chaffinch. 18 Linnets then flew in and then the 13 Snow Bunting also flew in later, inevitably another dog on the ridge forced them south. Walking back by the dyke on the corner, a Water Pipit seen and by the reeds just before the Wind pump 24 super Bearded Tits were feeding in the reeds and showing reasonably well. Walking back by the wind pump, the 30 White- fronted Geese flew north at the back of Westwood Lodge marshes. No sign of the SEO but still a very enjoyable visit to Walberswick hampered only by the poor light (so no photos- header is a Library pic from 2 Feb 2012 Burgh Castle/ Breydon Water).

Quick dash to Minsmere

On Wednesday 19th January, there had been no news on the Legs all day, so I left work at 2.20pm but as I walked to the car, a 'Whats App' message appeared the bird had been seen again at Lucky Pool. After last week's success with the Glaucous Gull even though time was limited. I decided to try for it, would I be lucky too? Initially the odds seem to be against me with Lowestoft throwing up everything to delay me getting there, new traffic lights had sprung up along Gorleston Road and the railway line lights were down so a diversion via Prospect road was in order. A good journey to Minsmere had me running or walking via the back of the Sluice and it was really good to see Steve P and John G, who confirmed it was still there. I saw Swans on the South Scrape and raised my bins to confirm hey were 5 fine Whooper Swans, always nice to see, but no time to enjoy as i rushed down past the sluice ang along the raised bank overlooking Lucky Pool. On the right hand side, I spotted almost immediately a slender grey wader and pencil thin bill and white "V" rump feeding along the right margin of the pool but no sooner had I spotted it than it disappeared. In its place appeared a Redshank and a Dunlin. Confirming with Jane F (via phone) I was looking in the right place, the Ferguson luck revealed the wader, the fine Lesser Yellowlegs on the island walking around, its yellow legs obvious even in the fading light. It even walked in front of the island and came clser before eventually returning to the right or north side of the Pool. The walk back revealed the Whoopers had departed to go to roost, several Beardies heard but not seen. An intersting selection of birds on the South Scrape revealed many teal, a male Pintail, c15 Wigeon, 5 Dunlin and several Lapwing. Walking past the West Hide (Wildlife Lookout anyone?) a small murmuration of Starlings flapped noisily from a busk and around 40 flew about and then settled in the reeds. (Note header pic is a Library pic, the Cley Lesser Yellowlegs 4 November 2020).