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.

Fudge Duck and Garganey at Carlton

On Sunday 22nd March, Andrew found a trio of good birds at carlton and I headed staright there. The fine male Ferruginous Duck was at the back with 4 Pochard, 3 males and a female. Whilst a little further west the male Garganey could be seen asleep with the duck just left of it was the female Garganey.

3 Brents at Ness Point

On Thursday 19th March, early afternoon, I drove to Ness Point and saw 3 Brent Geese, of the dark bellied variety, feedining on the jetty' finger at Ness Point generally half way along sometimes the birds would sit down and have a nap. I walked to the northern end of the point and on distant rocks I saw 7 Purple Sandpipers with 9 Turnstones closer in by the rocks. I was unlucky with the Hume's in Sparrow's Nest as it had been just been seen before my visit and it reappeared again about an hour after I left, despite checking the whole park, where I saw a Coal Tit in a Pine and the Oval and Flycatcher Alley, I couldn't see it.

No Adders

On Wednesday 18th March, I drove to Minsmere, I initially looked by the Sand Martin bank and was pleased to see 1 and then 4 Sand Martins flying around here but I could not see any Adders in the usual spot. This was repeated along the Dunes despite a 2.5 hour search I didn't see any Adders here either, although one was seen near the public hide path to the beach, but not by me. Very disappointing. In my search I saw my first butterfly of the year a Peacock that briefly settled plus a Viviparous Common Lizard, scuttling over the grassy fronds and into cover. No sign of the Slav grebe on South Scrape but several 5 Mediterranean Gull heard and seen. From east Scrape I couldn't see the Little Stint over on west but I did see 1 Ruff and 4 Black- tailed Godwits. I walked back to the path back from the North wall near the SC field and on its eastern border I saw Carl B and John G. and they pointed out a delightful female Black Redstart perched on the edge of a bush. I joined Carl walking over to West Hide and aftr a short while, I added to my Ruff tally when we saw 2 Ruff on the muddy bund stretching out east from the hide and then the fine Little Stint flew in here, gradually working its way feeding closer along the southern edge. It had a subdued greyish back (rather than the striking yellow lined back of immatures in autumn) but the legs were black.

RIP Brileider

I heard on Monday March 16th, the famous Brileider, the Spectacled Eider that had been seen on the sea off the island of Texel had passed away. Not a good week at all this week. I was very fortunate to see this fabulous bird last year on 25th January 2025 with Rob H. where we travelled over to Holland and saw this bird on the sea off Texel, a fabulous bird. We are indebted to Ecomare and De Wulp at The Hague, which cared for this bird after it was taken into care. Initially he responded well to treatment but ultimately sucuumbed, possibly due to a worm infection. RIP Brileider. On Friday March 20th at Greenfields Colney Woodland Burail as I drawing into the car park, I heard the "chip chip" of Crossbills overhead.

Hume's back in Sparrow's Nest

On Friday 13th March, I walked into Sparrow's Nest and saw a chap looking from the side by the 5 Holm Oaks just behind the Movie Makers theatre in the north- east corner of the Sparrow's Nest. Typically hyper active the fine Hume's Warbler was actively feeding at 10.40am but when it came down low, the grey plumage, wing bar and striking head pattern seen well but the grey day meant photos would be virtually impossible to obtain but I enjoyed watching the bird until another birder turned up asked where it was and walked directly underneath the trees causing the bird to fly off. No fieldcraft whatsoever and he deprived himself of seeing the bird. At this point I left. A Lesser black- backed Gull was seen slap bang in the middle of the Oval. A Long-tailed Tit seen nearby with nest material plus 5 Goldfinch. Nothing at the Net Posts, a cat in the fenced off area didn't help. A trip to Ness Point included 13 Turnstone and by seaweed encrusted promentary I call 'the finger' first 5 and then up to 7 Purple Sandpipers seen actively feeding, the original quintet joined by additional duo when a large waves crashed across the rocks on its southern side. I waited, sat down quietly waited and was instantly rewarded when 3 of their number came realy close, having a quick nap and a then a very thorough active preen, so I managed to get some nice close up shots of these charming birds that always a pleasure to see. On Sunday March 15th travelling south along the A12 at Fostendon, a low flying Red Kite was just over the A12, several seen over M25 and several along M4 particularly Reading & newberry. UPDATE: In light of events on Monday 16th March; I didn't post on Wednesday 11th March, on a previous visit I saw an odd looking Herring Gull with a blackish face/ hood caused by staining on the left side of its face perched on the southern most groyne just north of the Point, but it was completely white ie. normal for a Herring gull on its right side, on a previous visit to Ness Point, other than that... nothing of note seen on that visit.