Saturday, 23 August 2025

Minus one Wheatear at the Net Posts

On Saturday 23rd August in the late afternoon, I decided to visit the Lowestoft North Denes Net posts to look for Andrew's 5 Wheatears, when I arrived the sun was out and I saw at least 4 Wheatears mainly sticking to the middle area of the southern most fenced Net posts area, one appeared to be a juvenile bird which occsionally gave better views nearer the fences but I was continually thwarted by dog walkers walking past (of course they are perfecty entitled to do this) and flushing them before I could photograph them, when 3 flew to the northern fenced area, 2 were perched on the eastern fence and it was particularly galling when a dog walker with 2 dogs walked almost right up to them before they flew inevitably just ahead of me. I tried again to photo them but 2 separate teenagers obviously smoking cannabis walked past and disturbed them. The sun then clouded over and there were very dark grey leaden skies (why does this happen so often when I go out?) At least 2 birds flew north- east towards the childrens p[lay area. I then saw Rob H cycling along the seawall towards Ness Point I headed in that direction and saw Rob H but no further birds. When I walked back to the Net Posts in the northern section at least 2 birds were in the middle but a female Sparrowhawk flew in from the west like an exocet missile and landed where the Wheatears were, seconds later it flew carrying a bird (almost certainly an unfortunate Wheatear and flew into the bushes by Bird's Eye. I checked the area thoroughly and saw only one Wheatear crouching low on the ground (confirmingb that one had been taken).