Early spring Migrants along the coast at Lowestoft

On Sunday 5th April, I started at Corton Old Sewage works, a female Blackcap popped up on a branch briefly and the male popped up slightly further along. I also heard the brief explosive song of a Cettis Warbler comong from the dyle just south of the compound. No sign of the Willow W but a Chiff- Chaff seen along the western edge. Nothing along the road by the Holiday parks. I heard Blackcaps singing at least 2 male along Corton ORT plus near the bridge a Firecrest was heard calling. A look oin the north end of Corton woods, I could heard a Great- spotted Woodpecker drumming nearby plus the laughing call of 2 Green Woodpeckers, dog walkers flushed one out of a tree and it flew left a little way. I parked up along Gunton Cliff and took the newly restored path down as I walked just north of the Oval, by the edge of the Oval, 3 Wrens heard including 1 briefly showy bird. I heard the Willow Warbler's song and one Willow Warbler was in a bush half way up the slope it gradually made its way to the right of the bush. A second Willow Warbler was heard singing further south. I saw Jon B. who said he'd seen a Wheatear at Ness Point park. I walked over and initially there was no sign until a rain shower had me sheltering under the wooden walkway up to the seawall, as it fnished I made my way out and the fantastic male Wheatear emeged just ahead of me and perched on a post on the right side of the walkway. I edged my way and took a few shots before it flew onto the fence off the fenced off area and I made my way along the fence and obrtained some shots before it flew on the grassy area to feed. here I was able to get to within 4 metres of the bird without disturbing it and I managed a few pics before I was joined by Dale just as it started to cloud over. I then walked to Ness Point, initially very little seen except for Josh walking down the road. But I did hear briefly the song of a Black Redstart and walking back just north of the point, I saw first 5 and then 6 Purple Sandpipers on rocks, on the inner ledge of the seawall 5 Turnstones were seen too. Julie & Rob Win seen here too. I walked back to Ness Point park and finally saw a Chiff-Chaff around the base of a chopped sycamore tree.

Kettle of Buzzards over the garden

On Saturday 4th April, in the morning we had 4 mewing Buzzard flying directly over the garden and spiralling upwads in a kettle.

First Chiff- Chaff in the garden for 2026

On Friday 3rd April, at 5pm in our garden by the Honeysuckle and Jasmine bushes by the wall just outside the kitchen window, a Chiff- Chaff was prospecting for food almost at ground level.

No April Fool kettle

On Wednesday April 1st after work I left late at 4pm driving along the A47 south approaching Hopton roundabout, over the wood just west of the road i saw a Red Kite and 3 Buzzards soaring around like a Kettle. Maybe the same birds James W had seen earlier at Gunton?

Red Kite in tree

On Monday 30th March at 8.15am driving to work along the A47, just past the Corton Long Lane large roundabout, a Red Kite sat in the usual Buzzard tree in the middle of the arable field just east of the road.

RIP Whooper & dipped Eagle

On Saturday 28th March I drove straight to Blythburgh on the strength of a resting WTE on the estuary, unlike some fortunate people, sadly by the time I got there it had flown west, another message from Brian B. stating it was circling over Reydon Church, by Station rd, Reydon, I saw a Red Kite, driving to Potter's Bridge I saw 2 female Marsh Harriers quartering the reeds and another/ or the same Red Kite. Very sad but not totally unexpected to hear the Whooper had been found washed up on the defence rocks at South Pier. RIP Whooper.

Whooper Swan at Children's Corner, nr South Pier

On Friday March 27th directly after work, after picking up bins and the Nikon gear, I headed straight for the South Pier, one space nearby had me walking to the Children's corner, the fine Whooper Swan was still there sleeping stood on the beach/ waters edge, it woke up looked around, I took a few quick pics without disturbing it and after a few minutes left. A starnge palce for it to rest and I fear for its safety/ well-being.