Muggy migrants

On Thursday 27th September, on a very muggy and humid day, an early morning dash to see a Wryneck on Gunton Warren was unsuccessful, a Wheatear flew onto a path directly in front of me, though. After work, I drove staright to Stirrups Lane and joined Jeremy and Jon B. in the south- west corner of the field to view a second fine Wryneck initially feeding on the edge of the field between the stubble and the fence. The Wryneck would occasionally fly up and seen perching on the fence and a bramble bush as well as a dead tree. Also in the field, initially by the edge, a fine Tree Pipit walked out, its larger size, strong bill proved it to be an immature Tree Pipiit. Just right of there, a fine Pied Flycatcher perched on the fence for quite a while. It was later seen perched here again. At Corton Churchyard, the Pied Flycatcher was seen briefly in the birch tree and the Redstart appeared on the back gravestone and as I walked around south-west corner, I could hear another redstart calling and it flew into a bush, a definite second Redstart. I then joined Rob Wil, Erin, Andrew and Rob H. We sytematically walked the denes first southj, where I disturbed another Tree Pipit that flew out and we all saw a second Tree Pipit which flew up and setlled by a path near the Oval. (Pics to be added).

Benacre & Corton bonus

On Wednesday, I drove to benacre after my half day and it was really nice to catch up with Dick W. along the cliff top. Dick told me what he had seen and I saw exactly the same. From the hide there was a lot pf birds, ducks, waders and gulls. First of all the White- rumped Sandpiper was showing slightly better, a dimunitive small greyish brown wader with elongated body feeding around the dumpier Dunlin and 8 Curlew Sandpipers, a Ruff, orange Knot and c30 Black- tailed Godwits seen. meanwhile an 1st year Caspain Gull seen whilst at the back of the Broad neater the bush stood a lone Spoonbill, which woke up and its bill proved it was an immature bird. As I walked back between the hedge, suddenly 3 Wheatears popped in and then late flew south. A trip to Hen Reedbeds was very poor nothing really seen, it was extremely low tide with 3 Little Egrets, 5 Curlew and 3 Black-tailed Godwits. Hearing of showy Pied Fly and Redstart, I raced back to Corton Churchyard and parked up at 6.50pm. Standing by the car park, a fine P<b>ied Flycatcher perched in the Birch tree along the eastern hedge and even perched on nrearby gravestones hunting for food, a fine Redstart joined it on gravestones further back.

Early morning goodies

On Wednesday 26th August, I heard the harsh 'tschakking' of a Blackcap in the garden but sadly couldn't see it. As I walked to work at around 8.25am, just outside the Burrage Centre at James Paget Hospital, I noticed a Western Seed Conifer Bug on the pavement, I picked it up and put it within bushes of the Burrage Centre garden.

Nice show of migrants

On Tuesday 25th August, at 11.30am by the James Paget Hospital grounds, as I was walking up to the Endoscopy Admin staff Portacabin, a colleague pointed out a very low flying Hummingbird Hawk Moth flying just inches above the grass it meandered around a little then flew north. Tuesday evening directly after work no sign of anu migrants around Corton Sewage works old or new, nor the Churchyard either but a Wheatear was seen flying down the path ahead of me, as I traversed the cliff top path from Corton Old Sewage works to the northern edge of Corton Village. I saw Rob H. and he said the Redstart had been seen at Gunton Warren, just 100 metres north of the chicane. I drove over there, parked up and walked along the middle path, where I saw Jon B. who said he had just had the Redstart dive into the bracken a minute ago. After 10 minutes, I walked to the clear area just metres away and the fine Redstart flew up and flew into the sycamore just nearby. A further look along Gunton Warren failed to reveal any further migrants, so I drove to the Net Posts and again joined Rob H. where we enjoyed good views of first one and then 2 Wheatear in the area between the Net Posts and the seawall. The first Wheatear was relentlessly pursued by a Kestrel in flight, the Falcon was intent on capturing it as prey the Wheatear looped around and eventually evaded the Kestrel. Both were reasonably obliging especially a second bird until a Toddler drove down the track deliberately and spooked it, which was very annoying. Rob siad he though he hada Whinchat on the seewall briefly and we both inverstigated the weedy area just east of the Net Posts and sure enough a fine Whinchat was perched on the edge of weeds near the path. Rob pointed out a line of 4 immature Kittiwakes who were flying north directly over the sea. A 20 minute seawatch revealed nothing save for a lone Dakota aircraft flying south low over the sea.

Worlingham goodies

On Sunday 23rd August, I walked down to Worlingham again and was delighted to hear Spotted flycatcher and by the bush on a corner was a juvenile Spotted Flycatcher whilst by the tree just behind it a second Flycatcher, an adult Spotted Flycatcher was perced, I managed a few shots of this bird before they moved west down the track. A fine pre-mratory flock of 200+ House Martin seen over the field, a few Buzzard and then at 12 noon, a fine Clouded Yellow flew fast low over the field and due south. Meanwhile in the afternoon, a calling Chiff- Chaff in the garden eventually perched on the Pagoda bench.

Ness Point then Benacre

On Saturday 23rd August, first thing went to ness Point for seabirds, saw Jon and Rob H. a nice adult winter plumaged Little Gull was flying around near the jetty albeit into the light ( I finally caught up with this bird, plus a Teal north. The later in the morning, I drove to Covehithe and walked to Benacre Broad, Rob Wil and carl were just leaving the bird was still around. I went into the hide and 3 other boirders were there the bird was straight out at the back along a muddy spit but very distant and I eventually picked up the fine White- rumped Sandpiper loosely associating with a small group of Dunlin but weaving its way through Gulls and Godwits on the muddy spit.

Eventually a nice selection of waders

On the evening of the 17th August I walked down the Share Marsh track of Carlton Marshes, all I saw was a nice Hobby flying south low over the track and the only wader on the old Scrape that I could see was a Lapwing! On 18th August, I revisited Carlton Marshes in the evening, this time walking down the main track and this time from the central bund bench, I finally saw the waders, the 2 much sought after Wood Sandpipers (my first for 3 years!) were busy feeding , plus a buffy Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper stood at the back of the pool, plus 4 Avocets. They then suddenly took to flight and all waders appeared to fly west but minutes later they were back. Andrew E. joined and he pointed out a fine juvenile Spotted Redshank that had just joined them, very brown plumage underneath but on closer inspection the very fine barring noted on its chest plus the distinctive head and eye stripe, nice to see in this plumage not usually encountered. meanwhile the resident Barn Owl was busy bringing a Vole in and next I looked there were 3 magnificent Barn Owls hunting in the field just east of the old Scrape. A Hare was also seen behind the Pool. As I walked back a Barn Owl flew in fro the north screeching by some bushes but I carried on walking to avoid any disturbance. On Thursday evening 21st August, around the North beach and Link's Road car park. 44 Sandwich terns either seen on the groynes or flying around for me they were all too distant to photo and no Little Gull could be seen either.