Back at the Red-foot

On Wednesday 2nd September, in the early afternoonn, I went back to see the fine juvenile Red- footed Falcon that was now being tempted down from the fence with birders buying crickets from Pets at Home, releasing them in the grass and the Falcon frequently flew down to feast on them. We were warned when it was about to fly down as this bird would bob its head up and down, then shuffle about ansd then launch itself into the grass to catch the crickets and then eat them before returning to the fence perch. It was flying to within 2 feet of us. Clearly there are ethical issues for supplementary feeding of birds, an argument may be made if the bird is exhausted and under weight but ultimately the welfare of the bird must always come first and being this tame can cause obvious issues.

Incredibly confiding Red- foot at Lowestoft

On Tuesday 1st September, incredibly on social media a bird resembling a RF Falcon had been photographed perched on the roof of Lake Lothing pub, we were alerted by Jake G. and Rob Wil went down and confirmed it was still there. I left work very promptly at 5pm, ran to get my gear which Jenny had kindly pout in the hall for me and running back to Fallowfields where I had parked the car I drove down to the area just north of the Gull- wing bridge and parked in Rotterdam Road. I then walked back to the pub and joined the throng of birders looking at the fine juvenile Red- footed Falcon perched on the right hand ledge of the Lake Lothing pub's roof. It then flew flew down to a fence just south of the pub, where it then promptly flew back to the roof. Later on, it flew back to the fence and from here it made several hunting sorties down to the ground to catch grasshoppers and devour them. Periodically it would fly back up to the roof. We were literally watching this incredible Falcon down to just a few feet away, it was incredibly confiding! (even more confiding than the ones at Carlton Marshes last year! Walking back past the garden of no. 81, Rotterdam road, where I had parked, I saw a Hummingbird Hawk Moth fly in and nectar from the Fuchsia flowers! I later heard that Rene's daugher had photographed the bird, a few days earlier over the BH, so it had been present here for at least a few days! People seen included Paul and Jane F, Jake G, Rob Hol, John W, Chris D & Chris A, Howard V, Phil D, Derek M & his wife etc. Parking up, at home incredibly I heard the call of a Tree Pipit flying over! (a new record for the garden)!

Wangford and Westleton

On Monday 31st August, a look around Wangford Quarry and I saw the Hornets again in the dead tree at the extreme NE corner of the quarry. At Westleton Heath, signs were up prohibiting acess to any paths south of the road, a firebreak of 15 metres seen the other side of the road and when i took some heathland shots, I walked past the closed car park and saw an immature Cuckoo flying east. Over the otherside a male Stonechat perched on top a bush.

Lowestoft Net posts

On the afternoon of Sunday 30th August, I drove to the Lowestoft netposts, I saw Richard W. Together, we observed 4 wheatears darting in and around the fenced off Netposts area, perching up for a time before flying down again. Plus when I walked up to the tamarisks, I saw a fine lemony- yellow Willow Warbler with noticable yellow supercilia fly across but sadly it disappeared straight into the Tamarisk. I walked back and just after Richard left, I was the west side of the Posts and whilst photographing the Wheatears, I saw the fine Whinchat distantly perched half way up a weed stem by the middle edge of the weedy area. I rushed back around but could not relocate it. At Corton OSW, 18 Swallows were flying low over the compound plus I heard a Yellow Wagtail call. Those were the highlights the lowlight was freshly dumped Fridge Freezer along the track.

Hen reedbeds trip

On Saturday 29th August, I drove to Hen reedbeds, nothing under the corregated iron but I then walked out and as I walked along I heard and the saw a Common Sandpiper which flew right over the far bank. I walked on and saw 3 Redshank on the small muddy pool by the hide, I then discovered 2 fine Little Stints and joined by Richard D. he found a third Little Stint, at one point they flew around and were briefly joined in flight by a Greenshank which then flew north- east. The birds were then joined by a Green Sandpiper which fed in the middle of the pool. Richard had the Osprey, it was by a telegpah pool, I then looked west and by the edge of the estuary, the fine Osprey was perched on a post. Meanwhile looking east, 11 Spoonbills were seen. I then explored the north- east corner of the Wangford Quarry and by the dead tree , 20 foot up, I saw around 12 Hornets flying by the hole.

Friday Night birds

On Friday 28th August, directly after work, I looked in Corton Churchyard and the Pied Flycatcher was still about it flew into the tree by the eastern hedge. Meanwhile at the back of the churchyard, the Redstart briefly perched on the gravestone at the back before flying to the tree by the northern hedge. As I walked around it flew out again. By the west side of the churchyard, I saw a second Redstart which flew out of one tree into another and then back again.

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.

No sign of the Goldie but a flying Caspo

On Tuesday 11th August, another look at Worlingham at 11am revealed a Mute Swan family in the dyke, with the lone male guarding the path plus a low flying Buzzard by the railway line. Thursday 13th August, a Golden Plover had been seen at Ness Park and the Gunton beach, I looked straight after work along Gunton beach and unsurprisingly it had gone proabbly spooked by all the activity on the beack. I did however seen an immature 1st year Caspian Gull flying low and south over the tideline.

Vapourer Moth larvae by our front garden kerbside

On Sunday 9th August, at around 8.40am, a Vapourer Moth larvae or caterpillar was seen crawling along the front kerbside of our garden and wanting into the road, I carefully picked it up and put it in a concealed location in our Rose bush. I was then going to have a look over at Worlingham Marshes when my car received a puncture, a carpet tack was firmly stuck in the tread of the nearside wheel and I had to slowly drive to Kwik Fit who informed me they couldn't look at it until 11.30am, Jenny picked me up and ferried me over to Worlingham. A few Buzzards and 3 Green Woodpeckers seen plus a Kingfisher too that wheezed by.

Finally the Black Stork seen at Horsey!

On Saturday 8th August, I was determined to see the Black Stork, having apppeared at Horsey early on it flew towards Martham so I checked martham Ferry (no luck) then Burgh castle where it was seen circling high. No luck there either, around c40 Curlew and c50 Avocet seen here. It was hot, so I went home had an ice cream and no sooner had I done so, then the Stork was seen at Horsey again at 1.26pm, so back I drove. At around 2pm I drove along the Horsey strait, good to see Chris S. again and we exchanged phone numbers as I drove further north, next stop along a load of people were looking in a grassy field suspecting they had Clouded Yellow, I was proved correct when a Clouded yellow was pointed out perched on a flower! Still no sign of the Stork but as we looked a ring tail Harrier with a white rump flew past, not enough to see which species but I suspected Hen. I rang Chris S at 2.21pm and he said the DStork had just been seen getting up from the Nelson Head track and flying north. I drove up to Waxham sands Holiday camp and from the car I could see the fantastic immature Black Stork gliding north over the camp, I parked by the Camp's entrance and immediately rang Chris to inform him. I had to move as a car was exiting, I had temporarirly lost the stork and drove up to Brograve Farm and looked back and saw it soaring over the road going eastwards towards Horsey Corner, it disappeared behind tall Leylandii, so I drove back to an area between walnut Farm and Waxham sands and parked up where 2 other cars had parked and we were very fortunately to see the Black Stork circle directly over us, it then appeared to settle in some trees just north of Waxham sands camp before it got again and soared over towards Horsey Corner again. I had probably been watching the Stork for around 30 minutes and I drove back and saw a group of birders parked up by Horsey gap, including Chris S. who was very grateful for the tip off, great to be able oblige when you re-find such a great bird and a Norfolk tick for me to boot! TBC

A wonderful Striped Hawk Moth & a Painted Lady in garden

On Thursday 6th August, I was off work and very fortunately chris L. tweeted he had just caught a Striped Hawk Moth in his Kessingland garden, so jenny & I went over, and visited Chris' wonderful garden and the Striped Hawk Moth was a real stunner but as so often happenes it started fluttering its wings so I only managed a few pics plus an assortment of other Moths including what I think could possibly be Dewick's Plusia, Puss Moth, Speckled Beauty, Mullein & Gold Spot possibly???I have already fogotten the names of! On Saturday 8th August, the Painted Lady that was previously in the garden was feeding low dow on a Buddlea flower in the morning and posed beautifully for the camera! Later in the evening at 6.35pm, a Hummingbird Hawk Moth found by Jenny spent a little time around the flowering Buddlea.

Storkless in Norfolk & camera shy Firebug on my hand

On Wed Aug 5th I drove straight over to Horsey in the afternoon in the hope of catching up with the Black Stork (would have ebeen a Norfolk tick!), but the near record dipping sequence continues all I saw was a House Martin at West Somerton, when I arrived at Horsey the Stork had been sighted flying over Carlton Marshes, plus another look at the Nao Victoria at Great Yarmouth. As I got out of my car on out front drive, a Firebug alighted on my hand but sadly it flew off as I was about to retrive my Macro lens camera.

Lean patch continues

On Saturday 1st August, I went to get some shots of the Nao Victoria ship along the South Quay and afterwards I looked from the South Wall at Breydon and didn't see a lot. A tweet to say the Pec Sand was shwing well from the hide & I went straight over there and was walking down to the hide when all the waders flew, 2 minutes before reaching the hide. Most had gone into the long grass so all I saw was some c15 Dunlin & 30 Black- tailed Godwits and 15 Curlew. No sign of the Pec, or Marsh Sand, or Spoonbills or osprey. A really lean patch at present.

Tribute to Bill Oddie

Very, very sad to hear this moring of the passing of Bill Oddie. Bill Oddie was a colossus on the birding scene almost single handedly promoting the hobby of birding and widlife watching from the 1970s onwards. I was a big fan of the series the Goodies that ran for 10 years on the BBC and he would often bring his love of birds into that series. Together with the late Tim Brooke Taylor and Graeme Garden this trio were a mad cap comedy genius's in my mind as funny as Monty Python with their slapstick comedy often comapred to an update of Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd. After the Goodies had finished, Bill diversified into wildlife documentaries with one of the first being about 'Bird about Town' on the life of the urban Black redstart, other series followed such Bird in the Nest which morphed into Springwatch which became phenomally successful. I particularly liked his teaming up with producer Stephen Moss and they produced some wonderful series such as 'Birding with Bill Oddie', 'Bill Oddie Goes Wild' and 'Bill Oddie Back in the USA.' Bill became Britain's favourite birdwatcher or birder. He wrote a series of best selling books including the all time classic 'Bill Oddie's Little Black Bird Book', 'Bill Oddie's Gone Birding', 'Follow that Bird!', "Bill Oddie Unplucked and 'Tales of Ludicrous Gardener', all all time classics. Bill didn't court fame and was often perceived as grumpy but that masked his bi-polar disorder which he suffered from. I met Bill Oddie 4X, firstly at the "Stop the Massacre' campaign in the Sparrow's Nest Theatre in 1980, where he gave a brilliant and impassionbed talk about the whole liming and netting of birds in Cyprus. In the break, I tracked him down to the very back kitchen of the Theatre band he kindly signed my book with the words "Cheers Bill Oddie." I next met him at Minsmere when I was walking with Ricky between the West Hide and South Hide and Bill Oddie rushed by saying 'I've just found a Blue-winged Teal at the South Hide', we ran to the hide and saw the bird a female Blue- winged Teal, a lifer for us both, thanks Bill! Next time was in London at the Natural History Museum in London when there was a Birder's Quiz and the audeience wrote questions on a card, I asked a question about the ID features of a Red- breasted flycatcher famously putting my name as Peter J. Ransome and Bill hilariously riffed on my name before asking the question I had written! I finally saw him give a talk at St. Felix School at Southwold, where his description of the mating habits of a particular species of Bower bird with part of the mating ritual was for the male to suddenly flash a flourescent crown thus attracting a mate, Bill hilariously went through this mating ritual with himself as the male Bower bird climaxing with him putting a flourescent cap on, which was so hilarious I fell off my chair laughing! Bill Oddie then went onto front Springwatch but it was the series he made with the producer Stephen Moss, 'Birding with Bill Oddie' and 'Bill Oddie Goes Wild' which proved so iconic and wonderful programmes that I greatly enjoyed seeing. Bill's latter series coupled with me purchasing later on macro lenses that instilled a love of all nature not just birds that I previously concentrated on. RIP Bill.

Painted Lady in the garden

On Sunday 27th July, a Painted Lady was in the garden, plus an unidentified female Damselfly, very briefly alighted on vegetation. On Monday 28th July in the early evening about 6pm, a Hummingbird Hawk Moth flew around the Buddlea at the back of the garden and then to the Red Valerian neat the back door.

Limosa's at Carlton Marshes

Rob H had seen a Limosa at Carlton, early evening Sun 19 July, I drove over and took the long walk up to Peto's, I met Rob H. half way who had found another Limosa on the Old scrape. I scanned initially I couldn't see it, jkust 2 Canadas. But standing on the bench, it had walked right and it walked left and I saw a large Godwit generally subdued with a flush on the chest but uniform buff colouring above and below with an eye stripe slightly longer bill, slightly bigger size and some dark feathers on the mantle. My first limosa and first Lowestoft Limsoa too. It was unringed. I then walked up to Peto's and by the Pool were around 40 Greylags with summer plumaged Black- tailed Godwit, 1 winter plumage and as Rob H had found a larger immature Limosa Godwit, with eye stripe slight flush on the breast and unform buff above and below, with rings on its upper leg but these were mostly not seen as it was in deep water.

Roesel's Bush Cricket

Early evening Nick B. contacted me, he had caught a Roesel's Bush cricket in hius garden and he wanted to release it at Dip farm, so I drove him over, took a pic of the Cricket in the container then it crawled to the edge then suddenly it was gone!

Jersey Tiger Moth at Cattawade Picnic car park

On Sunday 19th July, after seeing the Godwit, I walked back to the car, I saw a big Moth fly out from a tree and settle on a white van parked right next to me, it was a striking and quite excellent Jersey Tiger Moth.

Hudsonian Godwit at Cattawade North Marsh

I left early on Sunday, but I fell asleep again after getting up really early 5.45am (bad mistake!) and left by 7.30am and just missed the HG from the White Bridge by just 15 minutes which would have been in very good light. I looked along the River Ouze from the north bank both west side (where Greenshank and Redshank seen) and the East side (where 2 Black- tailed Godwits seen togther feeding). Then Bird Guides said the HG was on North Marsh, I walked over but it wasn't on view, I did see a Green Sandpiper here though, suddenly a chap down the north path idicated he had it and we walked over and the fine Hudsonian Godwit feeding in the extreme north-east part of the marsh, but it soon walked out of view, later it walked out again. Before flying much closer towards us where it was feeding and it was reasonably close albeit totally against the light.

False alarm at Benacre

Again on Saturday 18th July, early evening, news of a possible Lesser Yellowlegs at Benacre Broad, as I was pulling up to park news came through and I saw Brian S. who said it was a misidentified immature Redshank. I saw Paul & Jane F. along the cliffs and had a good catch up. At the Hide, I looked to the back left just left of the Gull flock, at the back was a preening adult black- headed adult Little Gull. There were a lot of Black- tailed Godwits c40 and c10 Bar-tailed Godwits. By the beach, 2 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plovers seen.

Immature yellow Wagtail along the North Denes

On Saturday 18th July, in the afternoon, I was walking along the North Denes trying several paths when I was walking back along the middle path back to Links Road car park, I saw the fine immature Yellow Wagtail suddenly fly up and appeared further along the path, it was very flighty as it wouldn't tolerate any close approach and twice more it flew further along the path. Finally it perched on the bushes by the Links Road car park where I was able to get closer and took a few pics albeit slightly into the sun.

Hudsonian Godwit at Cattawade Creek, Suffolk

On Tuesday 15th July, I took a day's leave and together with John H. drove down to Cattawade and after an uneventful journey we turned off the roundabout and parked at Cattawade Picnic site car park which surprisingly only had around 5 cars parked up. We disembarked and with our gear walked towards the bridges, we couldn't see any birders initially so we carried on walking and 2 birders were walking towards us from the bridge and they said there was a group along the marsh behind us but they were shielded by a line of bushes. We turned around and took a path down to the edge of the marsh/ river wall, nice to see Will B. and then from the gate scoped the only wader along the right hand edge of the channel it was fine adult Hudsonian Godwit complete with grey head, striking white supercilia long slightly upturned bull and brick reddish -brown belly,. It was walking feeding along the edge of a channel, a BH Gull swam up to it and it walked even further back before flying over to a muddy area showing its excellent black underwing coverts. It later return to the channel before flying over to more distant pools where it contined to feed before it flew back to the channel which was rapidly filling up with water and we last saw it walk behind a muddy banl. apologies for the awful Hudwit pic (best I could get taken at distance and against the light).

White- letter Hairstreaks at Gunton Cliff

On the weekend of 27 June I located the area for the White- letter hairstreaks along Gunton Cliff roughly opposite where Briar Cliff used to be, I located Elms but the weather was against me, cloudy and windy. On 28th June, I tried again it was sunnier and looking at the Elms just north of the clear fell The 3rd one at the back I saw a small buttefly fly up and settle it was a fine White- letter hairstreak. A trip to Ness Point revealed a singing male Black redstart(heard only), an immature Black Redstart and an alrm calling adult female Black Redstart, I departed immediately to allow them some peace. Back at Gunton Cliff, I saw Paul & Jane and later robert Wil and we saw up 6 fine White- letter Hairstreaks often flying up from the Elms high in the sky and where they descended they appeared to disappear into thin air but we did locate indivdula perched on leaves at the edge of the tree canopy on several occasions.

Again no WLHs or BRs

On Sunday 28th June, I went to look for the Cliff WLH's but again no sign, it clouded over just as I arrived which certianly didn't help, I saw an immature Great- spotted Woodpecker and a Painted Lady fly past. At a coastal location again no sign of any BRs.

NO WLHs or BRs

A late afternoon trip to the coast on Saturday 27th June was very disappointing with no White Letter Hairstreaks along the Cliff (which would be a new location for me if I could find them), although it didn't help I could find any Ash trees either (so not entirely sure where they are) it suddenly clouded over as I arrived which didn't help either and no Black Reds at their usual haunt where I haven't seen them (although I did hear a male singing but not today) for over a year. I am really struggling to photograph any wildlife at the moment. Jenny did find a dead Elephant Hawk Moth in the garden

Spitfire in Sparrow's Nest

On Saturday 27th June, after Rob H. tweeted about a 'Spitfire 'landing' in Sparrow's Nest, must have been fitted with extra VTOL (verticle take off and landing technology!!! more likely craned into place with the wings folded up). I hot footed to there and had a very enjoyable hour taking pics of the Mark 805 'Peter John' plane, personalised to me as they are my forenames! My first digital pictures of a Spitfire on the ground, well pleased! A Purple Hairstreak was seen flying low to the ground as I walkded back to the car parked opposite the NetPosts.

NO RVDs

On Friday 26th June, afetr a long hard and very hot week, I was keen to photograph the RVDs at Kensington gardens, I got there just after 6pm, it was still very sunny and piping hot but disappointingly no sign of the RVDs, an adult Moorhen with 2 young were nice as was a Painted Lady by a flower bed but neither species were that photogenic, the PL flew off even before I got my camrea onto it (with an 180mm Macro lens so I was nowhere near it!

First Light Festival wildlife

On Saturday 20th June, Jenny & I went to to the First Light festival at Lowestoft, 2 Painted Ladies seen along the seafront and at the model boat pond in Kensington gardens, a female Emperor Dragonfly flew by and 2 separate Red- veined Darters (my first for this year, of the latter) flew by, all in a clockwise direction!

Hickling goodies

On Wednesday 17th June, I had to work until 4pm but it meant I could go straight to Hickling NWT afterwards. I parked up just after 5pm and walked straight down to Brendan's Marsh to the platform, as I walked down I saw at least 2 Little - ringed Plovers which flew around and settled. Meanwhile the platform was full (3 people on there including Dave H. and his wife and another chap were on there. Dave said the Caspian was there and I found a gap in the hedge and really enjoyed viewing the fantastic adult Caspian Tern with a very prominent red ornge the neat black crest cap finisghed as a neat triangle of black on the nape. It was stood in the pool with 2 BH Gull nearby which it dwarfed being 1.5X bigger. When a female Marsh Harrier flew over, the Caspian Tern flew up and around then settled down again, tucking its extensive orange-red bill into its back feathers. Later the Caspian opened its bill wide several times had a preen the stood in direct profile before going to sleep again. Meanwhile, on the near mud, I saw a fine 1st summer Little Gull. Suddenly the 'chew- it' call revealed a fine full summer plumage Spotted Redshank fly in, later 'chew-it' calls revealed a second as the 2 Spotted Redshanks both in full summer finery. As was a 'Tudor Gent', fine male Ruff at the back with a chestnut brown Ruff that could have graced Henry VIII's court. Also seen was a full summer plumaged Dunlin and around 5 Ringed Plovers. Around 5 Common Terns seen, 2 Great Egrets and 3 Little Egrets seen too. A family of around 15 Long- tailed Tits flew past the oak by the platform. Meanwhile on the walk back, at around 6.30pm, 2 Red Admirals flew up and settled on the path ahead. (LIBRARY PIC)

A 2 Shrike day

On Sunday 14th June, another late start (having booked a trip to London see the Ramesses exhibition- basically a range of Ancient Egyptian artefacts heard by the Ramesses II coffin) I started out at Westleton parking on the Minsmere approach road. A few people had gathered to view for the male RBS that had been ranging widely. Unfortunately it didn't show for some 45 minutes before I picked it out in the far north- east corner, perched on a tiny tree right at the back, reddish brown back, grey crown and black mask showing it was a fine male Red- backed Shrike with a pinkish flush to the chest to. It spent some time here but flew to the ground and then perched on another perch nearby. A male Stonechat and several Linnets seen too. Next stop was Dunwich Heath parking just outside the Heath I walked down the road and left and saw a group of people looking north, I scanned and spotted the fine female Red-backed Shrike with drabber grey crown barring on the chest and a browner back she hunted from a top of a tree and then moved to the next bush before flying back. Also seen was a male Stonechat and a young juvenile Stonechat too. Next stop was somewhere in the Blyth valley, where i saw a singing male Yellowhammer singing from a top of a bush, later a male Linnet was also perched here too. Walking around the field margins, I spotted the fine Lizard Orchid, maybe slightly past its best but still impressive.

Late start to a day around Westleton Heath & Minsmere

On Saturday 13th June, a late start meant I didn't reach Westleton Heath until 1.30pm, the news wasn't good as the RFF hadn't been seen for an hour but I met Paul & Jane F. who drove up to the parking area near the quarry. We then heard the Gull- billed Tern had been seen at Island Mere, so we drove to Minsmere and parked up only to hear the bird had flown off. We guessed it might fly over to the Scrape, so we walked to the West Scrape hide and I spotted a fine immature Spoonbill over the north side of the Scrape nearer the North Hide. Meanwhile on an island at the back of the West Scrape, 2 fine Little- ringed Plovers were running around. We then walked to South Hide, There were the usual assortment of Terns and I spotted the 1st year Little Gull to the right of the bund splashiong in the water. A kiitiwake flew onto the wooden step, as did a Common Tern later. By the bunds at the back, a Roseate Tern seen just to the left of a BH Gull and an immature bird. We then saw a strange looking Mediterranean Gull type with black hood but covering the same hooded area as a BH Gull, a blood red but thin bill (shape like a BH Gull bill) and black edgings in the primaries like a second year bird, probably a hybrid. Meanwhile at the back the Roseate Terns flew up, 2 birds and we followed one bird that flew over to our side and briefly settled on a small circular island with Common Terns, when it flew again another followed the Roseate Tern with a Sandeel in its mouth. The 3 adult Spoonbills flew over and south and settled on the southside of the south scrape. Later the trio of Spoonbills became a quartet when the juvenile Spoonbill joined them. One or two Black- tailed Godwits also seen and many Sandwich Terns c50 & c20 Kittiwakes at the back. Very satisfied, we left and I stopped off and saw 2 red and black Firebugs together, I went to retrieve my macro lens but they had gone when I went back. I then parked up by the area near the Westleton Heath quarry and news wasn't good here as a chap walking back said he had been there for 9o minutes not seeing the Falcon. I walked up and I saw a Falcon just east of the path in a Silver Birch, checking it with the Bins it looked very promising and using the cope confirmed it was the excellent 2nd calendar year female Red- footed Falcon. I quickly sent messages around all the Whats App groups. The female Red- foot sat here for around 20 minutes occasionally dropping to the ground before returning to the same tree before she flew away. I then went over to another area and saw a fine Little Owl in the 4th Oak tree, nearby a female Stonechat was also seen. I walked back and saw Tim O. where the bird had been seen over the road, we walked over and it was perched up on a distant Pine it flew a little closer where it was perched on a dead tree before it flew straight towards us and then left. I heard a Dartford Warbler and Wood Lark singing, whilst I walked back to the car I decided to call it a day but Tom O. and a newlyu arrived Phil D. walked back to the quarry and east.

Peregrines again

On the evening of...

A Five Falcon day

On Sunday 7th June, I started off locally and saw a juvenile Peregrine Falcon at the very top of the Silo, it walked over to the north-east corner and spent most of its time here occasionally calling and an adult male Peregrine Falcon sat half way up on the east side of the Silo. Later on the female Peregrine Falcon was flying just west of the Silo. The juvile then flapped its wings on 3 occasions and then flew down to the railings by the 3 cylinders but quickly disappeared behind a tank. After hearing the RFF was still at Walberswick, I parked at Hoist Covert and walked along by the path just before the Mill, a Moth larvae seen on the path I then walked to the Bund by the high gate looking west over Westwood Lodge marshes, as I walked down I saw Richard D. and who said it was still there. At the end I saw Steve A. who said it was still about but had just gone missing. Forty minutes later still bno sign, whilst we were sorting through 5 Hobbies flying over, with one browner immature bird. Steve A. the said he had it, but as the sun strenghthened the heat haze got a lot worse and a browner bird flying at the back with more flappy flight indicated this might be the RFF. It was only when it clouded slightly that the browner bird with a cream head was indeed the fine female Red- footed Falcon that would often hunting just over or just below the reeds. It was then seen around 5X, once flying constantly for 15 minutes or so. Maurice B. and Dave H. arrived. As we walked back, lots of Peacock buttefly larvae seen on the path, so I moved quite a few of these into the dsafety of other vegetation. As we walked though Hoist Covert woods, a fine female Broad- bodied Chaser seen flying away. Later on I went back to the Peregrines, the juvenile Peregrine was again right at the top of the Silo and a male Peregrine Falcon was sat up half way up along the North side, I took 2 shots of it before it flew. Finally a 2nd juvenile Peregrine Falcon was seenn on the east side of the Silo. On the way back at Nick B's I saw a Norfolk Hawker perched on Buddlea in his back garden.

2 imm Peregrines at the Silo

On Saturday 6 June, I had a look early morning on the Suffolk coast and saw 2 immature Peregrine Falcons around building but they were perched half way up and the light was awful, so no pics. It then started raining so I left. I tried again in a brief sunny interlude in the afternoon but this time there were no Peregrines on show.

Early morning PL and late afternoon Heath Spotteds

On Wednesday 3rd June, a Painted Lady was posing nicely on the flowering Raspberry bush in the garden before work 7.10am and I managed a few pics. Being early finish day I went into the wilds of East Anglia and located a fine colony of c150 Heath Spotted Orchids in a slightly boggy area just off the reserve at 6.30pm and managed to get a few pics. I managed to dodge the frequent rain showers fortunately.

Mating Painted Ladies & visits by HBHM to the garden

On Sunday 31st May, an eventful evening in the garden revealed 2 mating Painted Ladies disturbed as I watered the hanging basket by the pagoda and they flew up and over to the plastic garden chair by the back door and settled by the plastic watering can! Slightly later on a Hummingbird Hawk Moth very briefly visted the Red Valerian at 6.36pm again gone by the time I raised my camer but I was ready for it when it came back at 6.40pm and spent 3 minutes feeding from various Red Valerian plants before flying opff north-east down the passageway. PTBA