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.