Carlton Marsh SWT

 So here we go again, a trudge round the reserve and a talk with several people and showing them the GLOSSY IBIS that was on show. Also was a couple of BEARDED TITS nd about ten MEADOW PIPIT. Other than that two LITTLE EGERET.

Pathways Care Farm

 Our regular walk through with only 17 species, but good to see two KINGFISHER and the usual duck and LITTLE GREBE. Other than that not much else.

Carlton SWT

 Out on the reserve for 3 hours, with a few people about to talk to with one young family who I introduced to 8 BEARDED TIT. This family hanging about on the middle track made themselves invisible to eye but not to the ear. Handily they flew individually over the track but the pic is not worth sharing. The best birds however were two birds that flew over my head calling. I immediately picked them up as WATER PIPIT. Checked on merlin and it recorded them the same. Altogether I recorded 30 birds on the day with a pair GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER and a single GREEN WOODPECKER.

Pathways Care Farm

 It was very obvious that Autumn is well in with WIGEON showing for the first time for this year it seems to all be happening. Only 17 species today but still with SHOVELORE and GADWALL.

Ranworth Broad, Norfolk.

 The plan was to travel by the Waverly paddle steamer from Southwold to Clacton. With all the inconclusive info from the company I made the call to call it of. Disappointment yes, but how much can you take.

So I and Jonathan set off for Ranworth Broad nature reserve for the day. We enjoyed a boat trip run by the NWT and found it brilliant pick up from a disastrous day.

Birding brought in 27 species and with KINGFISHIR, RED KITE and many GREAT CREASTED GREBE what more could you ask.

Links Hill, Gunton.

 Just a short call in on the way through. Loafing HERRING GUL and a smattering of BLACK HEADED GULLS. The only sight of interest, was a pair of BRENT GEESE heading in the wrong direction.

Struggling to keep it going.

 It don't get any easier to bird now. But then it is what it is.

Today at Pathways however, proved eventful .With a new record for the site. Not on the bird list but a WALL BROWN BUTTERFLY is nothing to be ignored. This one posed well as you can see. Today was the first time for the year that the KINGFISHER decided to put in an appearance. But with three PHEASANT running for cover shooting will soon begin. I also had the first female SHOVLORE on the lake today and high above three COMMON BUZZARD. Also a very late fledged LITTLE GREBE still being fed by parents, I wonder if it will make it?

Spent the evening at Caister Bird Club with birding friends. Justin spoke about patch birding at Whitlingham Lake. Which he has done for 30 years. A very good talk and as for hybrids, well thats another mmatter.