Garden goodies

On Wednesday 26th February, at 4.18pm, I looked out of the window as I saw a bird flop to the ground, it was an excellent female Sparrowhawk that flew down from the pagoda to the central circular flower bed but she then immediately flew south-west and out of the garden. I went outside and could hear Frogs croaking and I saw an amorous pair of Frogs conjoined, canoodling and cavorting in the wildlife pond. This courting behaviour is called amplexus. Lets hope this leads to lots of Frogspawn soon! Bring on the spring!

Purple Sandpipers back at Ness Point

Mid afternoon on Sunday 23rd February, I checked out Ness Point, it was quite breezy and the light was dreadful but it was nice to see first 6, then joined by a further 2 when awave crashed over the rocks to the right, making 8 Purple Sandpipers feeding on the ledge just east of the compass at Ness Point. 6 Turnstone also seen slightly further north, nothing this time along Hamilton Road or in the Dock.

Kite bonanza from home

Following Whats App messages from local birders, on Saturday 22nd February, I saw a close low Red Kite from the front garden just east of Fallowfields which was flying slowly south at 1.27pm perhaps following the Millenium Way road, I then walked down Fallowfields and at 1.30pm-1.31pm I saw 2 Red Kites circling together again St. Margaret's Churchyards area perhaps.

Broadland morsels

After work on Wednesday 19th February, after I left work at 3pm initially looked promising with the golden hues of sunshine but as I drew up to the carpark, it had clouded over and a cold stiff breeze had developed which put a kybosh on owl & raptor watching/ photography. Somewhat surreal scenes with a digger widening the dyke by the south side of the entrance road and 5 Cattle Egrets and a Grey Heron close by feeding made for a good start, but that was as good as it got. I was informed 2 SEOs by a birder in the car park had been in the field in front of us but 2 photographers had gone off in pursuit and flushed them, not to be seen again that day & 2 Cranes had flown by 5 minutes previously, as always a case of I should have been there earlier! In the field behind the car park up to 7 Cattle Egrets feeding around the Black cattle and 8 Fieldfare, 5 Lapwing and a female Stonechat plus at sunset 2 Marsh Harriers flying over distant reeds. Somewhat disappointing.

Benacre and Kessingland

On Monday 17th February, I drove down to Covehithe and walked down to Benacre Broad, there were a lot of Swans but there were all Mute, no sign of the Whoopers. Whilst scanning the ducks, at first I thought there were 3 female Scaup but on closer inspection 2 were female Scaup and 1 was a female Scaup-like Tufted Duck. As I walked back I bumped into Carl B who had just checked Covehithe Broad. I then drove to the euphemistically called Beach car Park at Kessingland and walked the 3/4 mile to the beach. I couldn't find the Shore lark so I decided to check the Sluice and I saw Carl B walking towards me again, he said there was a Grey Wag there and was quite close and would be a good one to photo. I walked up there and immediately I saw a female winter- plumaged Grey Wagtail feeding along the edge and walking quite close before she flew out and towards the River Hundred compound. I then had a phone call from Carl, who had relocated the Shore Lark on the sandy area opposite the final static caravan. So I retraced my steps and walked up and down 3X before I spotted it, the fine Shore Lark, exactly where Carl described. I spent some time with it, it was reasonably confiding but always on the move feeding and not quite as confiding as some recent birds seen over the past 3 years at Minsmere and Kessingland North Pool.

Ness Point and Hamilton Dock

On Sunday 16th February, in the morning I made my way down to Ness Point, it was a very bitter day with a strong east wind causing the waves were crashing against the seawall, 34 Turnstones were in the Birds Eye car park. I switched my attention to Hamilton Dock, as I drove down Hamilton Road, I immediately saw a duck, a suspected Scoter in the north- west part of the Dock. I got out and it was a fine female Common Scoter, she swam by the western edge of the dock, generally sticking to the north- western corner, one time she dived and caught a crab that immediately attracted the attention of an immature Herring Gull that tried to grab it but the Scoter just dived with her catch and the Gull was unsuccessful. As I was walking down Hamilton Road, I saw female type Black Redstart perched on some rusty iron fencing near the Seatrium building and walking into the car park successfully using the fence as cover, I managed some shots without disturbing the bird, she flew left a little and fed by the middle northern edge of the car park, for a while. I walked back to the Dock and this time the Scoter was swimming over to the middle of Hamilton Dock.

Kessingland North Beach

On Saturday 15th February, it was bitterly cold and a a very light in frequent drizzle but I drove down to Kessingland parked by the cottages walked down with just bins and the Nikon camera, which was a lot easier especially negitiating the steep steps down the cliff face. Nothing on the pools save for 1 Mute Swan and I tried the reedbed and the farside but nearer the drier bit, I saw an excellent Jack Snipe immediately fly up and settle in the north part of the reedbed. I walked back and tried Heathlands woods where I saw Snowdrops, a Robin low down in cover and 3 Blackbirds flew out of a nearly dumped garden waste area.