Clean up at Haddiscoe Marshes

On Sunday 2nd February at about 3.30pm, I walked down to the Mound reaching there around 3.30pm , I saw Aryun and he said he had a Short- eared Owl flying left, over the closest reeds, it then flew over to the grassy field just left and the Suffolk side of the border where it was joined by a second Short- eared Owl. A few minutes later, a striking Male Hen Harrier flew left again spotted by Aryun, as it flew to the same grassy field where the SEOs had been earlier I could incredibly see a second male Hen Harrier with it iand they then flew back and right over at the back. A Peregrine flew over right to left at the back in the distance whilst much closer, a female Sparrowhawk then flew left. Perched on a post near a back gate was a fine Merlin. A Great White Egret was also seen at the back. A Barn Owl seen over to the right at the back and as the light was fading 9 singleton Buzzards and 2 male Marsh Harriers flew into roost over Waveney Forest. As the light was fading and at dusk, the first of 5 singleton Woodcocks flew out of the woods and onto the marsh. Finally, 2 Male Marsh Harriers were seen to fly in and over the wood into roost. A great trip out late on!

Walberswick

On Sunday 2nd February, walking down by Hoist Covert Marshes a flying male Marsh harrier quartered the reedbed by the mill, the feedind station on the beach attracted a flock of 75+ Snow Buntings , with one very smart male was almost in full summer plumage with half of his back a striking coal black. Saw Matthew D. A look out to sea from Dunwich revealed 2 flocks of Common Scoter one around 80 strong the other nearer Southwold 70 strong with 2/3 of birds being females. Also out to sea were 8 Wigeon and 1 GC Grebe. The odd RT Diver seen too flying past north.

Somerleyton

On Saturday 1st February, I then drove to Flixton, the track was too muddy and too pot holed to I then drive then onto Somerleyton, saw Andrew E stuck fast, managed to eventally get the car freed, then onto Maggot's Lane, Somerleyton when first 2 Cattle Egret seen with Black cattle first field north of the pub and then they flew north to the next feiled aloso with Black cattle where there were 3 Cattle Egrets. Also in the nearby trees a nice flock of 110+ Fieldfare flew in and perched in the trees they were joined by a trio of Redwings.

Hopton no show (again!)

On Saturday 1st February, I was out just after 9am and driving back to Beach road, Hopton I walked to the cliff and again saw a group of around 5 Common Scoter on the sea and around 8 Wigeon but no sign of the Velvets.

Phone pics from the recent trip to Holland

Here are some pics. These include the Stena Ferry from Harwich 11pm (BST) - 6.30am (EST), the deserted restaurant on deck 9, view of the cabin, the Feery from Den helder to Texel island, our accomodation at East Hampton, pre-roost gathering of Jackdaws, celebratory Texel beer, local woods and dunes (a bit like Winterton, Wagejot, Oosterend promenade, lighthouse, wiundmill and clogs!

No Velvets again

On Monday 27th January, I drove back to Hopton Beach road, I looked out to sea all I could see were 2 Common Scoter, one was a classic female and the other was light brown plumaged and asleep all the time.

Minsmere and Covehithe

On Sunday 26th January, freshly arrived back from the Holland trip, I was straight out to look for velver scoters of the Beach rd at Hopton, all I could see was a flock of 40 Common Scoter sat on the sea that eventually flew south, I also saw Andrew E and James B who had not seen the Velvets either. As soon as the message for Bewick's at Minsmereappeared on the BINS Whats App, I drove down to a blowy Minsmere where as I entered the Hide, I was pleased to see John G. To the right of the hide, on an island were 4 Whooper Swans mostly asleep, my targets the 4 Bewick's Swans were on the left hand side of the Scrape mostly feeding in the water. There were around 8 Dunlin and initially I couldn't see the Purple Sand. John then said he had the Purple Sand and the excellent Purple Sandpiper feeding on a bund just behind some Dunlin, it flew to a few rocky islands and was frequently feeding and flying from island to island, a real Brucie bonus as I have not seen this wader species on Minsmere Scrape before. On island closer to the East Scrape hide were a lot of sleeping Pintail c18, all male, a pair of Teal fed very close to the hide and a female Marsh Harrier quartered the reeds at the back. John picked out 3 Caspian Gulls (an adult, 1st winter and 2nd winter) and a 2nd winter Yellow- legged Gull in the Gull flock at the back. A Whats App message from brian S had me calling in at Covehithe, it was in the eye of the Storm Figaro and as I walked to Covehithe Broad I was initially sand blasted until I walked the other side of the sand dunes, no sign of the Scaup at the north end, but as I checked the south end, bang in the middle of the south section of the Broad were the 2 excellent female Scaup, at last after 5 attempts I have seen them for this year. I beat a hasty retreat as the storm was worsening and it was raining.