Market Weston Fen and local Orchids

Mid morning, this Red Admiral was on the flowering Lilac bush in front of the kitchen window. I took a trip to Market Weston Fen in the hope of seeing and photographing Marsh Fritillaries, there had been 8 seen during the week so very disappointed to see no butterflies save for 1 Peacock. Always a nice site to visit though and compensation came in the form of a constantly calling Cuckoo revealed itself in a distant tall tree and another Cuckoo was seen on a tall tree on the other side. I did also however spot 3 flowering Early Marsh Orchids and obtained my best pics to date of this species plus rosettes of Southern Marsh and Spotted Orchids. By the entrance bridge, 2 Sedge Warblers were seen close by in the reeds and a Moorhen vacated her nest revealing 2 eggs, so I made a hasty exit. Finally a Lacewing settled on the roof of my car as I was parked by Market Weston Fen. A look locally following a tip off from Jane F and I saw 4 Broad- Leaved Helleborines sprouting, (one was caged) plus the rosette of a Spotted Orchid too. I put sticks around them to protect them from being munched by Muntjacs, or accidently trampled. (I have e-mailed the powers that be so they will soon be caged) I saw a Muntjac in a field as I was exiting the wood. Nearby 3 Green- winged Orchids were seen plus 6 Common Twayblades (4 caged). A stop off by a roadside verge at a now traditional site (somewhere in deepest Norfolk) I was pleased to count 8 flowering spikes of Early Purple Orchids, a pity I had left it so late to admire them (mainly because of the RFF influx locally) as they were a week- 10 days past their best.

Return visit to Fisher Row

In the early afternoon, 3 House Martins flew past the front of the house. A return visit on Saturday 17 May in the evening to Fisher Row, proved less eventful, no falcons seen. A Sedge Warbler in the ditch at the bottom of the entrance hill, 3 Reed Warblers singing along the river in the usual places, 2 Little Egrets calling flew over from Jenson's remained hidden and that was it.

Found my first ever Red- footed Falcon at Fisher Row, Oulton Marshes

On Thursday 15th May, I drove down to Fisher Row at 6.20pm, walking down the path, I heard a Blackcap singing, I saw a singing Sedge Warbler and heard a Chiff- Chaff calling too. It was immediately apparent that the former horse fields have been acquired by SWT, which is great news. By the sloping field, there were several Rooks and Carrion Crows, past the railway line little seen. As I reached the river and I followed the path round by the stretch of reeds by the river, I heard 2 Reed Warblers singing but not seen, I also heard and briefly saw a Sedge Warbler. Looking over the marsh, I first saw a Hobby perched up in a tree and then spied a second Hobby perched up too. Both Falcons soon flew off. Walking around, I saw another falcon around 300 metres east of the Dutch Tea garden area, in a dead possible Cricket Bat Willow, it was a fine adult female Red- footed Falcon. I managed to get a few shots before a male Marsh Harrier flew straioght at it and she flew north- east and disappeared behind a bush, she flew around and alighted on the same branch for several seconds before she flew north-east again.

Wednesday evening

On Wednesday evening I again drove to Carlton Marshes, this time there was a Lesser Whitethroat scolding from the bushes opposite the old Visitor's centre, again the 1st year male Red-footed Falcon was roosting in the usual place, I saw Nick B. I saw a Barn Owl fly past and down the Whitecast marsh, later it was hunting on Share marsh and flew into the Owl box. There was also a Hobby perched up further back on more distant trees. Also seen was a Bittern flying over and dropped down onto Peto's Marsh. Several Swifts seen.

Monday evening

On Monday evening, on 12th May, after work, I drove to Carlton Marshes, again I heard the Lesser Whitethroat from the car park and saw it briefly before it flew left again. Walking back down, I saw the 1st year Red- footed Falcon male roosting on Jenson's island at the usual place. Walking back I saw 5 youth in the Tower Hide smoking, tried to warn people at the Visitor's centre no reply.

Sunday birding

On Sunday 11th May at Corton there was nothing, then a message saying Chris M had just seen the Booted E flying over CM I drove to Castle Marshes- I first heard and then saw a Garden Warbler, my first for 2 years. At Worlingham Marshes, I saw Paul & Jane F, we saw a Hobby fly past.

Red- foots still showing reasonably well

On Saturday 10th May, in the morning 3 excellent House Martins flew over Fallowfields road. at just after 5pm, I parked up and in the tree just north of us a fine Lesser Whitethroat could be heard constantly scolding and we saw it briefly on some foliage before it dropped left. I walked down to Peto's Marsh, Carlton Marshes again and this time on the path to the Moorings Hide there were around 30 observers including Gavin, John H and Peter N. Later on Rob H and Paul & Sara joined us. One 1st year male was perched close up but a little frustrating for me it flew just as I was setting the camera up. I needn't have worried as a further 3 (immature 1st year male and 2 females were seen nearby). Finally all 5 Red- footed Falcons seen, 1 ad female, 1 immature female and 3 males. Also seen was a Bittern that flew a brief way on the middle area of Peto's and settled in reeds. A Cuckoo flew from Jenson's island acoss and north over Peto's. A brief Barn Owl over Share Marsh fields and a Great White Egret that flew into roost.

Showy Red- foot

On Thursday 8th May, after work, I headed down to Carlton Marshes, but was delayed for 20 minutes as there had just been a road traffic accident near the Esso Garage (beware there is still a load of glass still scattered on the road travelling north on the way back). I walked down the main path to the edge of Peto's Marshes. It was quite a struggle carring 2 camera set ups, plus scope, tripod and bins especially as I am suffering from tennis elbow at the moment. I walked down to the end (arriving at 6.20pm & the light was perfect!) and took the track down to the Moorings Hide, only walking a third of the way down and incredibly an immature male Red- footed Falcon was perched up really close to the path just past the dyke just on Jenson's island. I saw Tom and Les C. who were busy photographing this very obliging Falcon, giving triple Ferguson views! Tom said a further 3 Red- footed Falcons were roosting further back along he island, so we both walked a further hundred metres further down the path where we saw an adult male and 2 female Red- footed Falcons, totalling roosting 4 Red- footed Falcons this evening. Other birds seen was a single Carrion Crow perched up, whilst we heard Bittern booming. A female Peregrine was seen flying north over Peto's Marsh too. Later on at around 8pm, 2 Great White Egrets flew from Peto's to roost on Jenson's Island soon following by a single Great White Egret, totalling 3 in all. From the direction of Share Marsh, 2 Little Egrets flew over to Jenson's island. Finally a Barn Owl was seen hunting over Share Marsh fields, as I walked back, laden down but elated.

No Eagle

On Wednesday 7th May, directly after work at 2.45pm, I was planning to go and look at the Carlton Red- footed Falcons again immediately after work but amazingly the Booted Eagle had been seen flying north and west directly over Carlton Marshes and was last seen dropping down towards Burgh St Peter. I immediately drove over there, making the mistake of turning down towards Waterloo, this is a single track road with very few areas to turn the car around and I had to reverse several 1000 metres wasting around 20 minutes. I finally got to the village of Burgh St Peter and a small Falcon, a Hobby whizzed past to the left of me seen really well if briefly. I met a well known Norfolk birder and we had a good chat but no sign of the BE. We suddenly got a message to say the BE perched in a tree on the road from Burgh St. Peter to Haddiscoe, I went down 3 roads which all led to Haddiscoe and I finally saw a group of people with tripods peering intently a something in the distance, I parked up and sprinted down to them set the scope up and was told there was a very pale a very white looking Buzzard, one of the palest I have ever seen, it was perched on the left hand edge in a copse of trees in the middle of a field. Apparently the Buzzard had been mistaken for the BE, an easy mistake to make but it was good to call it out just in case it was the Eagle and equally good to correct an honest mistake. Good also to see a range of people.

Typical seawatch and Orange Tip

On Monday, after an unscheduled visit to the JPH, I rushed to Baker's Score, Corton after several Manxies were seen flying north of Ness Pt, despite a 20 minute seawatch I didn't see any, after a phone call I had to return back to JPH, before that all I saw were 2 groups of 3 Common Terns heading north. I haven't sen any Manxies off Suffolk for yonks, the last ones I have seen were actually off Tenby, west Wales in 2021. Late afternoon a fine male Orange Tip flew around the back garden but didn't settle and quickly flew north. Finally a look around Gunton revealed a fine Early Purple Orchid flowering, my first in Lowestoft for several years (thanks to Paul and Jane for the info). No GWs nearby and the Bee Orchid rosette had had its wings clipped sadly (over zealous mowing and totally ignoring my pleas not to this area of grass).

Red- footed Falcons again

On Sunday 4th May, I walked down early morning and saw the 5 Red- footed Falcons perched up in trees on Jensons's Island, just at the western edge of the Whitecast Marsh path, this time there were 2 female Red- footed Falcons and Chris D pointed out there was an adult male Red- foot perched up too, so personally another 2 different Falcons, totalling a personal tally of 7 RFFS! Tried some pics but the diostance was a slight too far for me. A shou went up and wheeling round 4 Spoonbills were seen flying eastwards in the sky over the far southern part of the reserve. As it was mostly cloudy with occasional breaks of sunshine, the group of 5 spent a long time perched up, but 2 males broke cover and flew off. later along the western bank, I spotted Chris D by the bench and I had already spotted the 2 males perched up in trees along the Norfolk side of the river bank. Sadly these were flushed by a big river cruiser that chugged past. Hereafter, the male Red- foots were seen hunting over Peto's. Also by Turnpike scrape by the 3rd pool back, a circular one I finally saw one of Jake G's birds (all the previous ones of his I had twitched I missed) a fine Greenshank stood in the middle of the pool. I walked back to the Whitecast marsh track where 3 Falcons were stood perched in trees, 2 female and the adult male, the adult male flew and flew close by us where Chris D took his incredible pic, 'I have nailed the shot', he said sadly for me my big lens was on oits tripod and I missed it. Not being able to carry an additional bag as I have tennis elbow on my left arm, the only spare one I could use carring all the other optical aids.

Red Admiral in garden

Early morning on Sat 3 May, saw a Red Admiral in the centre circular flowerbed of the back garden.

5 RFFS

On the evening of Friday 2nd May, I dashed down to Carlton Marshes, I eventually saw the incredible quintet of 5 Red- footed Falcons flying and hunting over Peto's Marsh, 4 males all immatures and 1 female Red- footed Falcon, I also saw 2 Garganey the male and the female in the pool half way down walking back along the main bund just north of the path. Also Walking along the path reaching out to the Moorings path, I saw 4 Red- footed Falcons perched in trees.

Minsmere Magic

On the evening of Thurs 1st May, I dashed down to minsmere, straight to North Hide saw Matt D who kindly showed me the exquisite female summer Red-necked Phalarope, plus an additonal gorgeous full summer plumaged dusky Spotted Redshank in full sp, also 3 LRPs and RPs, about 12 Bar-tailed Godwits, several Blk T Godwits, 2 Dunlin, 1 full summer p and 1 still in winter plumage, bigger and longer billed individual Alpina race? On the island at the back (straight out from east hide) was stood a Spoonbill. Finally along the eastern hedge 6 Red Deer was seen standing on the eastern beach side. Walking back Nightigale just outside the North hide and 1 near the old car park and another 3 heard driving back down the entrance track, also heard Wood Lark here too.

Carlton Marshes

On the evening of Wed 30th April at Carlton, a calling Cuckoo flew ahead of me at the North path of Peto's it originally flew over calling from Peto's and perched in the tree just beyond the hide. I met Andrew we saw 2 Ruff and 1 Common Sandpiper, no sign of PH.

Purple Heron at Carlton Marshes

On the evening of Thursday 24th April after hearing of a Purple Heron first seen at Carlton Marshes, by late afternoon it had flown to Oulton Marshes but diverted when a message came through to say it was back at Carlton. I joined Jon B. who roared up in his car at the car park and we walked down the main track, as we did so we saw the fantastic Purple Heron flying past the field to the south. It landed in the field and walked along the dyke. We walked back along the main track and along the path by the lightning trees. I tried the Tower Hide but it was locked from the platform leaning over I could see the Purple Heron clearly but no way to set up the camera or tripod, so walking down I rejoined Jon just past the lightning trees and the Purple heron was walking along heading right and it was here I managed a few pics incuding the one below.

Corton again!

On Wednesday 23 April, in the afternoon, I looked around Corton, in the Churchyard 2 Small Whites seen plus a brief male Orange Tip. At Corton OSW, c130 Wood Pigeon on the grassy field just south of of there. A look around the high points of Lowestoft, St. Peter's Court, Grain Silo and Gulliver no sign of any Craggies.

Corton environs and Gunton

On Monday 21 April, a look around Corton OSW as I entered I heard the distinct and familiar seven note call of Whimbrel and I spotted 2 fine Whimbrels which flew low and north over the OSW. By the pond, 2 male Mallards and the Moorhen seen. As I was walking along the north fence I saw a male Wheatear perched up on the north-east corner, I managed a few shots with the Nikon (but can't load them up at the moment) there were around 5 Linnets, a Greenfinch and a Song Thrush seen. I walked down the road southern end of Broadland sands and heard a Willow Warbler singing from the trees above and saw the bird feeding in the canopy its cleaner white underparts and long wings gave me my first Willow Warbler sighting of the year, how they have declined locally. A Whitethroat was singing again from the "Pallid" pile and showed a nice male. A Chiff- Chaff was singing the other side of the road, as was another Whitethroat further down and a Blackcap. Later on at Gunton, I heard a scolding Lesser Whitethroat behind the Harvester.

A walk around Westleton Heath

After the grey cloudy day of yesterday and light rain, it was a relief that the sun finally came out mid morning and I ventured down to Westleton. From my usual track, butterflies were at last plentiful with 4 Peacocks seen, 2 Large White, at least 3+ Speckled Wood and 2 Commas, the latter 2 posed well for the camera by the path. There was also some Bracket Fungus near the base of a tree. I saw a female Goldcrest and I also heard probably 3 Nightingales singing but typically not seen, whilst a Lesser Whitethroat scolded away and showed well albeit against the sun in a bush for several minutes to the right of me. I also heard a Wood Lark but not seen. Several Dartford warblers seen including a pair in heather to the right of me, 1 near the end of the path and as I walked back just before the birch, another pair of Dartford nwarblers seen, so 5 Dartford Warblers seen in total, a great tally as they can be a difficult species to see in a year. I saw a Bronze beetle on the path, but the Green Tigers remained elusive, however a fine Small Copper butterfly flew around the path and posed relatively well for me. As I walked back, I heard another Lesser Whitethroat and Nightingale but neither bird seen. A vocal Chiff- Chaff was seen though. Several mewing Mediterranean Gulls flew overhead, c5. in total.

Orange Tip in the garden

On the afternoon of Friday 18th April, a fine male Orange Tip butterfly (my first of the yaer) flew around and briefly settled within the flower border near our conservatory in the back garden. A Large White butterfly seen brriefly too. Only the 11th and 12th records of butterflies seen this year, numbers are way lower than usual.

Very early start at Corton

On Friday 18 April I had a very early start parking in Corton Churchyard, down to Broadland Sands caravan park and a Great-spotted Woodpecker flew over the road. A Whitethroat (my first of the year) was singing and showed briefly by weeds by the now infamous Pallid spoil heap. So I walked up to the Corton MOD fields and I was pleased to see 2 summer plumaged Golden Plovers still in the fields. I walked back to the Church and then by the entrance track to Corton Old Sewage Works, first a female Blackcap showed her lovely chestnut cap by the trees, then a male Blackcap was seen and was quite a showy indivdual constantly singing and posed well for the camera in nice light too. The Moorhen was at the pond and a Song Thrush at the back ditch. On the fields just south of the OSW, 5 Linnet seen and a pair of Linnets were in the compound and 1 male bird was nicely perched up too.

Incredible evening

On Thursday 17th April, after work at 6pm I drove to Corton Church, I walked down to Broadland Sands, where I saw Rob H on his cycle, We met up and walked down the road to the site oppoiste at 6.08pm, incredibly Rob shouted Pallid Harrier and instantaneously I saw a Harrier flying around 40 metres away flying low over the field heading east/ south/ east towards Broadland Sands. I concentrated on the wing tips and could clearly see 2 clearly defined black wedges in the underwing primaries, clearly it was a Pallid Harrier, possibly a third calendar year male. It was generally greyish but showed a buffish suffusions too. The wings appeared typically broad based. We lost the bird through the tree/ hedgeline. Rob decided to check to Corton Old Sewage works, whilst I decided to check the field margin walking parallel with the road south, I walked up to a big a mound area and incredibly barely 10 metres away, at point blank range!! The fantastic 3rd calendar year male Pallid Harrier flew up from the ground at 6.32pm, I had inadvertently flushed it! It had a young rabbit clasped within its talons. Here I could clearly see, for a Harrier species, the broad-based wings, the generally greyish upperparts with the buffish suffusion, and the white upper-tail coverts or white was much smaller rump appearing a more restricted 'U' shaped lacking the white square prominence of the Hen Harrier rump. The tail was long generally grey but with a some very diffuse buffish barring, only see when the bird flew up 20 metres away. The underparts were generally white with a dark grey 'boaa' and agrey streaked head with white suercilia short black bill, yellow eye with black pupil. The bird flew low west over the field and lost it within the tree line. At the time in the field just west a tractor was cutting the grass short so I assumed it had avoided this area and I assumed maybe it had flown further west perhaps to the fields by Stirrups Lane? I walked to the road and was pleased to see James W had seen it. I walked down Stirrups Lane, saw Andrew E, James B, Rob Wil, they would stay there and I decided to walk back to the field and walk along the tree line carefully scanning as I went, after everyone agreed with this plan, I retraced my steps back to the field and unfortunately I could see a dog walker with a particularly yappy small terrier dog on a very long lead and it was imperative that I had to get ahead and walked quicker than I would have liked, as I approached the mounds by the trees, the fantastic Pallid Harrier flew up again about 50 metres way at 7.10pm and it flew low north between the treeline to the west and the mound to the right and I lost it behind the trees, it was great that the rest of the assembled birders along Stirrups Lane all saw it fly north-west over the fields at Stirrups Lane flying towards Lound. Carl B. texted to say the Hoopoe was back opposite Broadland Sands only problem was I was a 3/4 mile away along Stirrup's Lane, fortuntely Rob Wil stopped and gave me a lift in his car, which afforded me 2 minutes viewing the fine Hoopoe feeding which was nice, it typically flew west as I was assembling the camera for some hoped for record shots. TBC [PICS COURTESY OF ROB HOLMES, MY ESPECIAL THANKS].

Frustrating day

Before work, on Wednesday 16th April, I arrived at 7.15pm but just missed the Hoopoe in the field opposite Broadland Sands, it flew north and I missed it again when the Hoopoe was seen by Paul & Jane. However, I did see my first Swallow, of the year. On the field by Radar Lodge in the middle of the field, a line of 42 Golden Plovers, most in very smart breeding plumgae but als no time to photo them as I had to be in work by 8.30am. At 3.10pm, I went over to the field opposite Broadland Sands but unfortunately birders were standing on the site right next to the Hoopoe's feeding area, this is also a private site and meant we didn't see the Hoopoe, although I had a brief glimpse of a bird that could have been it, but another camouflage jacketed birder walked down and flushed it. Erring on the side of caution, I dscounted it.

2 second Hoopoe

On Tuesday 14th April, a look around Gunton Warren I failed to find the female Ring Ouzel, so I then went to Corton parked up by the church, where I saw Rob H, at the pond by the old Sewage works an incredible tally of 3 Moorhen seen plus the pair of Mallard. A walk around the Corton New Sewage Works, revealed a singing male Blackcap by the Corton ORT plus a calling Bullfinch, heard but not seen. As we walked back to churchyard, I suggested checking the churchyard and we walked around the back of St. Bartholomew's Church, at 7.25pm Rob raised his bins and said there's a Hoopoe and I latched onto the bird flying as it flew just beneath the height of the Church tower which then obscured the bird which appeared to be dropping into roost around Church farm. despite an extensive search and a Pipistrelle bat flying east from the church little else seen. [PIC COURTESY OF ROB HOLMES, MY ESPECIAL THANKS TAKEN BY ROB THE FOLLOWING DAY WED 15th APRIL]

Corton, Benacre and Dunwich

On Saturday 12th April at Corton St. Bartholomew's Church, early morning, a male Blackcap was seen singing from the top of the Walnut tree. There was another male Blackcap singing in the Churchyard too. At the pond, I briefly saw the Water Rail scoot off again. Plus the Moorhen was seen and a pair of Mallards. I then drove to Benacre and walked down to the Broad, it was apparent there were around 40 Mute Swans dotted around the Broad. Straining my eyes and in heat haze I did finally make out the male Garganey really distant but in the north-west corner. I then drove to Dunwich and parking at the Roman road car park, I walked back along the road towards the Dunwich NT road and after 3/4 mile I turned right down a track (signed to Mount Pleasant farm), and walked a further 3/4 mile and tuned right to a gate where an assembled throng of birders and scopes we looked out over a heathy area with a large gorse bush to the left and bushes, first one male Ring Ouzel . Perched under the gorse bush perched on a branch. Then a second male Ring Ouzel hopped out and the a third and then a fourth, joined by 2 Song Thrushes, 4 male Ring Ouzels wwere on show. Finally, the female type Black Redstart popped out from the gorse bush. Later on, on the way back 2 Stone Curlews were seen the far side of a ploughed field.

Redwings over

On Thursday April, as I was getting into the car to go to work, I heard c5 Redwings flying north-east over the garden at Bosquet Close at 8am, I tried to see the rail at Corton ORT but again no show, there was a Moorhen and a pair of Mallards seen. On Thursday evening, at 6.50 I arrived and saw the mega elusive Water Rail scamper away from the pond. The Moorhen and the pair of Mallard were still there.

Rail-less at Corton

I tried twice today to see the Water Rail (tried 3X previously with no luck) at my local patch at Corton OSW, first thing this morning before work 8.10am , I did at least see a Moorhen along the west side of the pond, which is my first for this locality this year, but yet again no sign of the Rail. Little else. Directly after work (5.20pm) and again no sign although there were 70 Wood Pigeon on the Coastal field along the south- eastern edge which were higher numbers than I usually see.

No Glauc at Ness Point

On Sunday 6th April, hearing of a Glaucous Gull, I drove down at 11.30 seeing James W. and Jon B. who had both seen it but sadly it didn't appear for me. Rob H. arrived and immediately spotted a Red- throated Diver flying south over the sea, then a Sandwich Tern flying south over the sea. Then finally inland just past the Bird's Eye Factory, a Red Kite soaring slowly south over the town. I checked the rocks on the northern tip of Ness Point and was very pleased to spot 8 Purple Sandpipers roosting birds, a big tidal wave forced them to fly a little south to the finger/ jetty where they were busy feeding.

Blue-headed Wagtail at Carlton Marshes

On Saturday 5th April, I had a look at Carlton Marshes after the BH Wagtail had been seen earlier morning, I looked along the cross track and couldn't see anything, other people had looked up by the cattle and the news was negative, so I decided to check Ness Point but first I heard a House Martin call and I looked up to see a low flying House Martin flying north, my first of the year. At Ness Point & the Net posts nothing was seen. I drove back to CM after the BH Wagtail had been seen again and decided to visit the Marsh Lane end, as the light would be behind me. I ddin't realise everyone had taken the other route! From past the Old Scrape, I located the cattle flock unfortunately they were on the north side of the field, but I quickly picked up the fine Blue- headed Wagtail feeding close to the cattle. It's been a while since I saw my last so good to catch up with this one. It was constantly feeding and seen very distantly at one point the cattle grazed close to the assembled crowd on the north side of the field and they must have seen it reasonably close albeit against the light. Later on I saw a second Yellow Wagtail, a male British Flavissima race which was a gleaming yellow. Also present were 2 Pied Wagtails and 1 male White Wagtail. First Carl B. walked over then Paul and Jane F. walke over. First one then a second Cattle Egret flew up from a dyke and fed amongst the cattle. Meanwhile, overhead a flock of 30 Sand Martin included 2 House Martins. The cattle moved over to our side, at one point, both the Cattle Egrets flew past us and settled in a dyke along the west side of the field. Both wagtails flew closer feeding amongsgt the legs of the Cattle. but still at the far range of my lenses capabilities. (See heavily cropped record shot below)

Finally some butterflies!

On Sunday 3oth March, I had a look around St. Bartholomew's Churchyard at Corton and heard 2 Chiff- Chaffs and saw 1 in the north bushes. Whilst there I saw a Coal Tit carrying nest material in its bill, it flew towards towards the Church. I walked over to Corton OSW, where I heard 2 Chiff- Chaffs and saw one in the trees walking down to the complex. At the static carvan park northern edge I saw a butterfly fly up and on further investigation it proved to be a very wary Peacock butterfly. Only my second butterfly see this year, I was getting concerned as I had seen very few so far. Back around the OSW complex and southern edge by the Tamarisk bushes, 2 butterflies were flying with each other, 1 a Peacock butterfly, the other a fine Comma butterfly that kept alighting on the path, eventually I managed to creep up and with my 180mm macro lens get a few reasonable pics. Finally a Large White butterfly flew by. I then checked Ness Point, Hamilton Road, and the Net posts and the only birds of note seen was a Kittiwake flying north over the sea and 3 Linnets at the Netposts, sadly the northerly winds has seemed to have stopped any further bird migration.

Garden visitors

On Saturday 29th March, I saw a hovering Dark-bordered Bee Fly which settled on the ground in our back garden near our conservatory and I managed to get a pic, I also noticed Whitby our black cat look up at something in the south- west corner of the back garden flitting around in our Apple tree and it was a fine Chiff- Chaff, he didn't chase after it & alerted me to its presence, so thanks Whitby.

Oval birding

Directly after work, on Wednesday 26th March, I just had time to check out the Oval and part of the North Denes, at the Oval, I was dismayed to see a further rectangular area of grass is being converted into a practice court by the north- east corner. Around half way along the northern wall, a lovely ashy-grey female Black Redstart flew into the practice part perched on the fence and then flew over to the rollers, meanwhile by the north-east corner a fine male Black Redstart flew in and settled on the grass, it also flew to the rollers area. As I walked over to the rollers, a fine female Wheatear flew up at 5.45pm and perched on a nearby rail.

Redwings heading back to Scandinavia

This evening, on Tuesday 25th March, as I went out into the front garden at 8.15pm and then 8.50pm, I heared a total of 8 low flying Redwings calling "pssst" in total flying north east heading back to Scandinavia for the spring.

Gunton Beach LEO

On Tuesday 25th March at about 4.10pm I received a call from Nick B who had just found what he suspected was a LEO on Gunton Warren, I met him at 5.20pm after work at Link's Road together with Rob H they had just seen the Owl again and it had been confirmed as a LEO as originally suspected. Rob said the bird had flown from Warren House Wood copse to the the smaller stand of Holm Oaks further north, Rob had to leave but I followed Nick on the path slowly winding upwards along the bank heading north. As we walked up the path, I saw the fantastic Long- eared Owl, a dark long- winged Owl, fly to the south- east edge of the Holm Oak copse and then disappear within the foliage and then a short 10 seconds later I saw it fly northwards over the copse for a few seconds where it dipped down and lost to view. This would be about 5.30pm. It wasn't seen again until Chris D saw it fly from scrub just north of the copse at 6.57pm (which totally tallies where I last saw it flying too). I also saw Andrew E, Rene B. and Chris D.

Garden Chiff- Chaff (thanks Whitby!)

On Monday 24th March, directly after work at about 5.40pm, thanks to Whitby, our lovely black cat who looked up at (but didn't go after) a Chiff- Chaff, alerted me to the fact there was something of interest, the aforementioned Chiff-Chaff, in the south- west corner of the garden feeding in a bush in the corner for a couple of minutes before it flew west.

Corton Wagtails & Muntjac

After the net Posts I had decided to check out Corton in the hope of finding my own White Wags in the field just south of the OSW, I met Rob Wil, who said there was a flock of 11 Wagtails with at least 2 White wagtails. My hunch had been proved correct, scanning Rob and I saw 2 fine smart adult male White wagtails, with typical pale grey backsharply demarcated black cap, and white flanks (not grey smudged) after Rob had left I also saw a female White Wagtail (black cap merged into pale grey back and again white flanks (no grey smudging) and a third adult male White Wagtail, totalling 4 White Wagtails in all, the flock had grown to 13! Walking back to the Churchyard, some tinkling 3 Goldfinches, with one of their number briefly posing for the camera, as did a female Muntjac Deer nonchalantly feeding in the north- east corner of the churchyard which enabhled me to get more Muntjac pics and finally in the north- west corner of the churchyard I heard and then saw a Chiff-Chaff singing and moving through the top of a tree in the hedgerow. [The pic of the Male Muntjac was taken at the Lowestoft Net Posts Bramble patch earlier in the day, I couldn't fit it onto the previous post!]

A quintet of Black Redstarts

On Sunday 23rd May, after a long drive back from Wales the previous day having had to divert via just south of Birmingham due to motorway closures on both the M4 and M25 my journey was extended by an extra hour, so I was a little later up than planned but Andrew's tweet about Brs at the Net Posts had me heading down there and having to park on the road due to all the spaces being taken in the layby I walked over and it took a while before I connected with the BRs, I first saw a pair of Muntjac Deer near the big bramble bush. It was disappointing the Council has cleared the weedy area (which was supposed to be a 'ecologically senstive area', I met Phil D. and Kevin B. and then suddenly the Black Redstarts appeared a female and a 1st year male and an adult male (although probably 2nd year as it still showed a yellow gape lie running a lirttle way back from the bill- see sixth pic attached to this post). They spent time busy feeding on the ground the perching on the Net posts. I also spotted a young female Stonechat that obligingly perched on a post. Satisfied, I walked to Ness Point while on the ledge just south of the compass were 18 Turnstones and on the defence rocks were up to 6 of the shyer Purple Sandpipers. I took some shots but then my battery ran out and both spare batteries I had were inexplicably flat too (I thought I had charged them up!), either that or the camera had packed up. I walked back to the Net Posts and joined Paul and Jane F. and typically the birds showed closer giving Ferguson views although I couldn't take any shots. After a pleasant chat with Paul & Jane and spending some time with the Redstarts, we also saw the second adult male Black redstart totally the original 4 Black Redstarts. I went home, discovered all the batteries were flat and managed to retrieve another fully charged battery and with the power back up, I headed back to the Net Posts. It was here where walking around the Bramble bush, I saw the male Muntjac deer staring at me and I got a few shots. I saw Rob H and the redstarts moved to the northern fenced off area and again the Redstarts showed reasonably well and the sun came out. After Rob H had left and Tony B turned up, I moved back to the southern fenced off area, where incredibly found a 3rd adult male, together with the 1st year male that had reappeared as had the female Black Redstart, both Tony and I saw an unprecedented 5 Black Redstarts.

Missed butterflies & back to Kenfig: American Wigeon finally seen

On Friday 21st March, whilst I was travelling over to wales, Jenny saw one of the visiting cats Tabby MCFee unfortunately catch a Peacock buttefly, she managed to rescue it and it flew off, amazingly apparently unharmed & then later she saw a lime yellow Brimstone quickly fly through the garden on the same day. Saturday 22nd March, having been over to Wales, I called into Kenfig NNR in the hope of finally seeing the long staying American Wigeon that i had missed last time as I only had bins and no scope. Unfortunately it was the same scenario this time, so I drove into the car park and headed for Kenfig Pool where it seems history might repeat itself as again scanning from the south- east part of the lake I couldn't see it. However, this time I discovered a path, a public footpath running east along the lake, I kept scanning until I finally saw a group of ducks in the north- west corner and one of them was the excellent 1st winter American Wigeon. He was with a Coot and the cream white forehead and the mucky greenish flash flaring out behind the eye was distinctive and the salmon pink flanks, the pale bluish bill had a dark black tip. On the underparts it appeared to white near the extreme rear flank and blackish tail. Oncve you got your eye in the bird it was very distinctive but it kept hiding behind the Coot, after I had made a phone call it reappeared from behind the Coot and swam alittle closer, great to see this bird again, the last one I had seen was at Spurn. As I walked back to the car, I heard 3 Chiff- chaffs calling, one Chiff- Chaff seen moving near the top of a bush and the second Chiff- Chaff flew frm one tree over the path I was heading back onto another tree. An enjoyable visit.

Deceased partridge

At Ness Point on Thursday 13th and Saturday 15th March there was a dead Red- legged Partridge on the wide ledge just south of the compass. 8 Turnstone also seen on each visit and on the 15th March a Kittiwake flew south by the old Coastguards Look out.

A dozen Purple Sandpipers!

On Sunday 9th March, there was a kettle of 3 Buzzards soaring low over our garden at 1.24pm. Later on at Ness Point, I saw 8 Purple Sandpipers feeding by the rocks by the compass, they were joined by a further 3 Purple Sandpipers. 8 then flew north, quickly joined by the rest but there were 4 in flight not 3 so a definite 12 Purple Sandpipers seen.

Minsmere Black Adder

On Friday 7th March, after having seen the uniformly excellent Buster James Band at the Legends of Rock, Vauxhall Holiday Park at Great Yarmouth at the unusual time of lunchtime 12.40pm. I didn't manage to arrive at Minsmere unmtil 2.15pm, having navigated reception, I took my optical gear and 3 cameras and lugged all this to the area underneath the Sand Martin cliff, on the south side/ right side of the bank. I was on the search for Adders specifically a Black Adder, no not Rowan Atkinson or Edmund Black Adder from the classic BBC comedy series but the reptile, Adder! I was immediately successful as no sooner had I started checking I mmediately located one at 2.20pm, a black Snake sunning itself with flattened body high up on the bank in a sunny spot but were there 2 Snakes because the Snake looked about 2.5 to 3 foot long? Eventually, this melaistic Adder moved and proved it was just 1 Snake it was the excellent black Adder, as the Snake moved the head was finally seen. Certainly the largest Adder I have ever seen measuring an estimated 80cm or 0.8 metres or in old imperial 2 and half foot long! I first heard and then briefly saw a Chiff- Chaff, my first of the year. I also heard the rasping call of an unseen Brambling. On the drive out, I checled a field and saw 2 Mistle Thrushes in the field and a lovely calling Curlew flew in and settled in the field too.

More Bee Orchids found

On Tuesday 4th March, I found another 3 Bee Orchid rosettes spring up in the Burrage Centre garden, when I was caging them later, I checked the other Orchids and 1 was a double plant so from 12, 1o 15 then 16 rosettes!

Ness Point wander

On Sunday 2nd March, in the afternoon, as I was leaving I saw a butterfly fly across the forecourt over the road, it was a probable Peacock flying west. I went to Ness Point and saw just north of there 2 Purple Sandpipers flying north just north of the Point, checking the ledge by the caravan park, not much there but 2 Oystercatchers flew in. walking back to the Point by the north-east tip where the sea defence rocks jut out eastwards towards the sea, were 3 Purple Sandpipers asleep and a busy feeding Turnstone, the 2 Purple Sandpipers woke up when the Turnstone fed amongst them.

Garden goodies

On Wednesday 26th February, at 4.18pm, I looked out of the window as I saw a bird flop to the ground, it was an excellent female Sparrowhawk that flew down from the pagoda to the central circular flower bed but she then immediately flew south-west and out of the garden. I went outside and could hear Frogs croaking and I saw an amorous pair of Frogs conjoined, canoodling and cavorting in the wildlife pond. This courting behaviour is called amplexus. Lets hope this leads to lots of Frogspawn soon! Bring on the spring!

Purple Sandpipers back at Ness Point

Mid afternoon on Sunday 23rd February, I checked out Ness Point, it was quite breezy and the light was dreadful but it was nice to see first 6, then joined by a further 2 when awave crashed over the rocks to the right, making 8 Purple Sandpipers feeding on the ledge just east of the compass at Ness Point. 6 Turnstone also seen slightly further north, nothing this time along Hamilton Road or in the Dock.

Kite bonanza from home

Following Whats App messages from local birders, on Saturday 22nd February, I saw a close low Red Kite from the front garden just east of Fallowfields which was flying slowly south at 1.27pm perhaps following the Millenium Way road, I then walked down Fallowfields and at 1.30pm-1.31pm I saw 2 Red Kites circling together again St. Margaret's Churchyards area perhaps.

Broadland morsels

After work on Wednesday 19th February, after I left work at 3pm initially looked promising with the golden hues of sunshine but as I drew up to the carpark, it had clouded over and a cold stiff breeze had developed which put a kybosh on owl & raptor watching/ photography. Somewhat surreal scenes with a digger widening the dyke by the south side of the entrance road and 5 Cattle Egrets and a Grey Heron close by feeding made for a good start, but that was as good as it got. I was informed 2 SEOs by a birder in the car park had been in the field in front of us but 2 photographers had gone off in pursuit and flushed them, not to be seen again that day & 2 Cranes had flown by 5 minutes previously, as always a case of I should have been there earlier! In the field behind the car park up to 7 Cattle Egrets feeding around the Black cattle and 8 Fieldfare, 5 Lapwing and a female Stonechat plus at sunset 2 Marsh Harriers flying over distant reeds. Somewhat disappointing.

Benacre and Kessingland

On Monday 17th February, I drove down to Covehithe and walked down to Benacre Broad, there were a lot of Swans but there were all Mute, no sign of the Whoopers. Whilst scanning the ducks, at first I thought there were 3 female Scaup but on closer inspection 2 were female Scaup and 1 was a female Scaup-like Tufted Duck. As I walked back I bumped into Carl B who had just checked Covehithe Broad. I then drove to the euphemistically called Beach car Park at Kessingland and walked the 3/4 mile to the beach. I couldn't find the Shore lark so I decided to check the Sluice and I saw Carl B walking towards me again, he said there was a Grey Wag there and was quite close and would be a good one to photo. I walked up there and immediately I saw a female winter- plumaged Grey Wagtail feeding along the edge and walking quite close before she flew out and towards the River Hundred compound. I then had a phone call from Carl, who had relocated the Shore Lark on the sandy area opposite the final static caravan. So I retraced my steps and walked up and down 3X before I spotted it, the fine Shore Lark, exactly where Carl described. I spent some time with it, it was reasonably confiding but always on the move feeding and not quite as confiding as some recent birds seen over the past 3 years at Minsmere and Kessingland North Pool.

Ness Point and Hamilton Dock

On Sunday 16th February, in the morning I made my way down to Ness Point, it was a very bitter day with a strong east wind causing the waves were crashing against the seawall, 34 Turnstones were in the Birds Eye car park. I switched my attention to Hamilton Dock, as I drove down Hamilton Road, I immediately saw a duck, a suspected Scoter in the north- west part of the Dock. I got out and it was a fine female Common Scoter, she swam by the western edge of the dock, generally sticking to the north- western corner, one time she dived and caught a crab that immediately attracted the attention of an immature Herring Gull that tried to grab it but the Scoter just dived with her catch and the Gull was unsuccessful. As I was walking down Hamilton Road, I saw female type Black Redstart perched on some rusty iron fencing near the Seatrium building and walking into the car park successfully using the fence as cover, I managed some shots without disturbing the bird, she flew left a little and fed by the middle northern edge of the car park, for a while. I walked back to the Dock and this time the Scoter was swimming over to the middle of Hamilton Dock.