Pathways

 The best species count of the year. With 32 in all. With three Torteshell and a single Peacock.

Early spring day after a long cold period the sun returns. It sounds all ok and feels somewhat better. The walk around was the best this year with the first returning blackcaps and again the Cetti's made itself known. A pair of Goldcrest which must be breeding near by. But an on odd event was a trio of jay's. Theses birds where oddly interacting. There was an obvious pair but a very vocal interloper. As for the pair they were chasing each other around the tree which was interposed by, I assume her giving a chip. A very odd call and I can say never heard it before. After 5 or 6 chips he would approach and she would fly of to another perch. If I place a vid on here you may be able to hear the chip.

Green Winged Orchid.

Catch up time

 The thing is the best time was on our wedding anniversary when we spent a few hours near the Lodge at WALBERSWICK. With several BUZZARD about and a single MARSH HARRIER but to hear my first WHITETHROAT of the year. With GREEN WOODPECKER and the definitive call of a male PEACOCK.

Also Pathways was rather drab to say the least, but several PEACOCK butterflies and a pair of PIED WAGTAIL what can you say.

Today at Carlton SWT was interesting as the disability scoter managed a puncture. Good that Lewis came to the rescue. But with nine SAND MARTIN, GWE, and a very handsome NORTHEREN WHEATEAR it was all well worth while. SKYLARK, SEADGE and REED WARBLER.

Carlton Marsh SWT

 A regular look around with nothing out of the ordinary. But good to hear three CHIFFCHAFF and AVOCET, MARSH HARRIER, With 32 species in all. But the best of the week was a fly over  COMMON SANDPIPER which brings my house list to 104.

Carlton Marsh SWT

 Out on the marsh with three BITTERN calling and an increase in LITTLE EGERET. Also just one REED BUNTING and a pair of MARSH HARRIER. Altogether 33 species but the best was an obliging SPARROWHAWK.

Back again.

 Well a regular job at Carlton Marsh SWT, but wat made this one different was that I made use of the disability scooter. Sad but at least I got out on the reserve, so thanks to the team. Species list was 29 for the day, but the benefit of the scooter was that the JAY came out of hiding to show itself.

 

Carlton Marsh SWT

 Well the first time I have walked to Turnpike hide for a year and half. Rather a struggle but made it with my son in tow to make sure I was ok. The thing is it took rather a long time but well worth seeing the LONG BILLED DOWITCHER and a sculking CATTLE EGERET. 

The issue on site is that as the water is disappearing so are the birds. Especially the BTG which just a short time ago were in hundreds at over a thousand. Today a different scene with a handful of BTG. Still hundreds of WIGEON with a scattering of other duck including SHELLDUCK, MALLARD, PINTAIL, TEAL. It was also exciting when a PERIGRINE came through over the old scrape and put everything up. Had five SNIPE, MEADOW PIP, STONECHAT, MARSH HARRIER, in all 49 species, so a good show.

What a flat battery

 Why when a good bird flies by do you find your batteries are flat in your camera. When a STORK flies low over your head and only seconds to take a shot. All you can say is "Dang my hide". But it did mean that this is the 104th bird for the house in twenty years.