Wednesday 11 March 2009

First signs of Spring?



A day off work meant I was able to enjoy the glorious sunny weather with temperatures as high as 11 degrees celsius. It was lovely to wake up to the sound of a "laughing" Green Woodpecker and a female was eventually seen feeding in the field behind our house.
Whilst driving along Corton road in Lowestoft, I heard the distinctive trill of Waxwings (always keep you car windows open!), I stopped the car but at first I couldn't see them.
Seeing Nick working on the heath opposite I went over to have a chat and minutes later a flock of 28 Waxwings flew over us in a South- easterly direction.
A visit to Waveney Forest led to several sightings of small groups of 2-3 Siskins flying over.
Nearby at St. Olaves I walked out along the concrete road with Roy (from Beccles) and his wife and we eventually rewarded with views of 2 singleton Green Sandpipers flying along a dyke.
Even better amongst the sightings of Marsh Harriers, a male Stonechat perched on a signpost & we observed groups of Wigeon in the distant fields. We eventually had prolonged views of 2 Short- eared Owls, gloriously elegant birds flying with their languid hunting flight low over the fields, occasionally dropping down on some unfortunate prey. Short- eared Owls have become rarer locally recently so it was an especial treat to see this pair.


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