Kessingland then a major dip

I started off early at Kessingland, no sign of the Shrike from the cliff top so I walked down the cliff northwards to the Coastwatch tower and went onto the beach from there. From the cliff there was initially no sign of the Geese but they had emerged from the reeds in a much expanded watery area, following all the wind and rain from the day before. I slowly made my way and set up on the beach on my knees and they were still quite happy feeding, the 2 immature White- fronted Geese accompanied by the immature Brent Goose and I was about to get some nice relaxed shots of them feeding as I had positiuoned myself beehing a large bit of seagrass but a dog walker crossed just north and quite close to them and started to spook them so they started walking south along the pool edge and I managed about 7 pics as they walked south with increasing urgency (just my luck!) before they disappeared from sight and then the trio of Geese then flew south. At the bottom of the steps I heard a Nutcracker had been seen at Mundesley I drove straight there picking up James W. on the way but we were 3 minutes too late 11.20am and I stayed until 3.50pm, no sign of it during that time, we saw a Grey Wagtail feeding on th ground to the right of us and it had flew over the bungalow cxalling several times earlier. Other than that 2 Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk, 7 Wood Pigeons and 2 Magpies seen. when the wind was picking up and it was raining, I drove to Happisburgh Lighthouse but didn't see the RCS either.

Double dip day then a few Kessingland goodies

On Thursday 22nd October, no luck at Winterton for the Isabelline Wheatear down the south valley and at Ashby there was no sign of the Great Grey Shrike at Ashby either but there were 20 Pink-footed Geese that flew south over brook/ Beech House. I then drove to kessingland as the Isabelline Shrike had been showing very well but from the cliff top it was very elusive. just north of the bushes, a Merlin flew in from the sea and flew south over the beach, By the North Pools, there were 2 immature White- fronted Geese joined by an immature Brent Goose. At 1.15pm a mid distance Lapland Bunting 'churr' call heard, but not seen. I then walked down the steps to the beach and the 1st winter Isabelline Shrike was almost constantly showing from the beach mainly hunting from exposed bare branches right on the cliff edge not viewable from the cliff side.

Isabelline success

On Wednesday 21st October, I was able to leave at 2.30pm so I drove stright to Kessingland Hollies, parked up and was fortunate to see Richard W., we met some other birders walking back giving us encouraging news that the bird was still showing and the sun had come out. We walked over to the weedy field and looked in the area by the 3 pillboxes, initially no sign but we were joined by 5 birders and immediately one of their number spotted the excellent 1st winter Isabelline Shrike perched up just north of the 3rd pillbox, It was perched at the very top of the bush. Typically pale sandy with russet tail. It was actively feeding and caught several wasps and dispatched them. The weather had changed and it was now very cloudy, I managed to get a few pics until a cliff top walker disturbed it and it flew right towards the 2nd pillbox. Literally a minute later it flew back to its original perch and continued hunting. We were joined by Dick W. However, a squally shower started and we decided to leave, I drove to Ashby to try for the GGS but the weather conditions were awful with squally showers and gale force winds so unsurprisingly no sign of the Shrike. 2 Magpies, a male Kestrel perched on the wires briefly whilst at the back 2 Red Kites jostled with each other and it was unusual to see a fine white male antlered Fallow Deer that walked along the hedge line before it disapeared. Finally, 2 Hares were seen in the field.

Isabelline dip

On Monday, Gavin found a Shrike along the northern cliffs of Kessingland, which was identified as an Isabelline Shrike, a first for the Lowestoft area. I was desperate to see it but could not go until after work. I drove straight there and arrived there at 5.35pm parking in the Hollies car park, walking straight to the beach and turning left or north (by the wooden steps), I walked a further 500 metres and was in a weedy field where I joined Matthew D. Unfortunately, the Shrike had not been seen since 4pm. I decided to check from the beach so we walked down the steps and walked where the pillbox jutted out of the cliffs. Matthew said he had it but the bird apparaently dropped down and didn't reappear. All I saw were 2 Song Thrushes flying around the bushes, by 6.10pm the light was going rapidly. Well done to matthew for seeing it, but I would now have to wait to try again. Tuesday the weather precluded another visit.

Ness Point seawatch

On Sunday 18th October, with a blustery north- east wind and trying to avoid the showers, I did a 90 minutes seawatch from Ness Point from 12.33pm to 2pm, I saw quite a few, 9 Sooty Shearwaters, 1 (12.33pm), 1 (12.58pm), a group of 4 (1.03pm), 3 (2+1 lagging behind 1.35pm) all flying north close to the horizon. All flap/ flap glide and arcing up on their soar. Groups of Brent Geese flew north, 5, 3, 3 (with a Cormorant), 2 and 1. Groups of Wigeon, 8 and 5, 3 Teal plus 3 Eider flew north (2 females leading with the adult male bring up the rear) plus a Porpoise seen going north at 1.35pm. No skuas or Petrels seen. Also a constant stream of Gannets heading north.

More Red-throated Diver pics

Here are some more Red- throated Diver pics from Wednesday.

Trio of Red- throated Divers still showing at Ness Point

On Wednesday 14th October, I was keen to see if the Divers were still at Ness Point, particularly as Nick B. had seen one close in the previous day. After work at just ater 3.30pm, I pulled up and looked out and could see one close Diver just north of the jetty. I drove slightly further north and made my way slowly to the lower ledge, I could see the fine partial summer plumaged Red- throated Diver swimming very close in swimming south and I was able to get into position without spooking the bird and gave some superlative views, the sun was rather hazy, I also noted a further 2 Red- throated Divers one more in winter plumage and one having just lost its Red- throat, the winter- plumaged bird came really close in just north of the Jetty whilst the partial summer plumage bird continued to show well. The winter plumage bird was constantly dving. Also 2 Turnstone seen too. Good to see Rob Win. who walked past with a brief greeting leaving me to the photography, cheers Rob! Checked the rest of the Point and the Net posts nothing further seen. POSTSCRIPT I measured the flower shoot of the garden old faithful Southern Marsh Orchid and it measured 68.5cm this year!