Ness Point, Lowesoft.

Again another call in at Ness. The tide was low and a good swell. Wind not good in that it was south westerly. Please, please try another direction.
What GANNETS there where could only be viewed far off and the only real bid that thought of giving any joy was a single BRENT GOOSE trying to catch up with those who flew south a month ago. Other than that 2 GUILIMOT and a few unidentified waders flying North. A single KITTYWAKE put in a brief but interesting appearance when it was hassled by other gulls. There was also a far off MED GULL that put in an amazing appearance as it played the wind on the waves, flying before both.

Ness Point, Lowestoft.

Just a short time out before the expected storm this evening. Wind from the south about 7mph.

Best birds COMMON SCOTER 50 plus heading North, followed by another pair closer in. Both these birds where male which has been unusual, as most of the birds have been female. I also picked up what I supposed where COMMON GUILIMOT way offshore flying again North. I heard a single ROCK PIPIT which was feeding sea wall behind me. There was an unexpected KITTYWAKE as well on the end of old sewer outlet. Only a brief stay but an adult bird that looked rather tired. The only other birds to put in a show was GANNET 13 birds altogether counted and most well out to sea.

Lound lakes

Late call in on a damp November 3pm job.

Best bird: TEAL also GADWALL, MALLARD, TUFTED DUCK with CORMORANT coming in to roost. CHAFFINCH,GOLDFINCH GREAT BLUE TIT. plus LT TIT. CARRION CROW, ROOK, JACKDAW. MOORHEN and COOTE.

Dunwich

A short visit to Dunwich Wood to spend a couple of hours with friends. Including an hour walk.

Best bird was a WOODCOCK that flew over the garden while we sat in the lodge and landed on meadows just short of Dingle Marsh. Other than that it was GOLDCREST and the proverbial tit gang. No sign of the ponies and no deer.

Home

No walk out today but not even that can subdue the birding. All it took was a walk on the wild side in the garden around 3 pm. Like all birders I have come across Magpies giving grief to each other in trees. At times it is very vocal and birds are aggressive to each other. But today I did not know what to make of 19 birds in the tree and 3 over the top. Obviously there was something going on but what ever it was, was not really evident. The birds where in obvious groups and calling but not badly. The local group of say five seemed to hold position around the nest and did not leave until all the others had done so.  But when they did leave they followed the rest of the flock  The whole thing only lasted 5 minuets.

My conclusion from this event is as follows:

 

Seeing that I live in the centre of Lowestoft and magpies are scattered over a large area of land. Restricted  also by the occasional group of trees or places to habit. The only way that as corvids they can continue to communicate together and also cross over to share information or create personalised identity. Would be to create marauding groups, so that when they pick up with each other they can interact. This would enable them to search out each others territory, or site. In so doing would enhance the cohesion of the whole group. Although interaction between birds is noisy and intimidating, it allows birds to have understanding of there neighbours or a future mate. It is also good to bare in mind that it is the middle of November and young birds could be introduced to the wider community and also the whole issue of food must be a priority. In view that this year there is a massive increase in the amount of Jays and the lack of acorns and food sources. It may well be that this phenomena is unusual because of the pressure that is placed on these birds. I have also noticed that the large congregation of Magpie at Links Hill Lowestoft is now depleted and many have moved from there regular site. If this is the case are the birds here transient from Links Hill just 2 miles north. Or are these birds from even nearer say Sparrows Nest where again there are fewer birds now, after the autumn.

Leathes Ham and Normanston Cemetary

Bright afternoon, nil wind. plenty of small stuff along footpath behind cemetery, but very little of any significance other than a single WOODCOCK which made its appearance known by a quick exit.

As for Leathe's Ham, plenty of duck including PINTAIL, WIGEON, TEAL, GADWALL, MALLARD  and CORMORANT.

Southwold and back by car

I didn't drive, but an hour out of the house. Very dull and at times wet.

Best bird was one of those flyover jobbies. A single Redpoll was calling and buzzing well. Flying south west at 50 foot. We also saw a COMMON BUZZARD pole hugging. Must have been making a call on British Telecom. (Oh no I forgot, they don.t exist) Also a female MARSH HARRIER at Potters Bridge. Cove Bottom. (How descriptive). Also PIED WAG at the Bly estuary with a roving party of  TURNSTOE. We also saw 4 LAPWING flying over Kessingland. I assume that they have just come in for the winter.

Fisher Row and Camps Heath plus marsh.

This walk was unintended and I was shattered by the time I finished, not that it was long I just cant handle the uneven terrain. Bright sunny and warm.

Stonechat along River Waveney



 

First birds of any significance was a small flock of SISKIN 9 birds in all and a photo of a rear end is all I produced. The other side of Camps Heath brought in MISTLE THRUSH and plenty of BLACKBIRDS and ROBINS. Obviously birds from the continent. I also had a pair of KINGFISHER at the far end of the lower path with some small stuff around that is usual. Other than that a single STONECHAT and a  small flock of SNIPE which took to the air.



Gunton Wood

Just 2 hours with young people from local school and Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Spent time placing wood chips on the muddy paths with those of a younger disposition running up and down. Doing there bit for conservation. I don't care what you say about these young kids they are great. It a pity that as people of my age get so wound up about young people. Why don't they just accept them for who they are. We where all young once and how wonderful it was. So why do we make it so difficult for them to make a way in life.
 
I understand that a double decker bus stopped near here the other day, aboard the bus was the local gang who work in Halesworth and engage in Bernard Mathews activities. They all looked so sullen. (Someone said they all looked like gorillas.) Gorillas look better to me. But along the length of the bus was an advert. I'M GAY, GET OVER IT.  If they had only known.

 

Some recent work of mine. RED CASTLE on the Moray Firth and Waxwing which I saw just the other day and what about Autumn in Gunton Wood.

 

Corton to Range and return.

Bright day south wind light.....Mind you a rather difficult walk now as last week the cliff fell down and only 6feet between wire fence and edge. Life in your hands again and lived to tell the tale.

Not that there is much to go on about except a flock of 30+ SKYLARK in stubble filed at range. No sign of supposed Lapland's as main flock was to far away to see. I expect they where in there somewhere. Also about a 100 GANNETS feeding well of shore around South approach buoy to Great Yarmouth. The usual small stuff about but in respect rather quiet.

North Dene's

The weather started bright but by the time I finished it was still but dull. The walk was round the Oval and on to Links Hill, Gunton Cliff and back along sea wall.

In reality nothing to write home about. Connected with two flocks of tits which brought nothing. Best bird was a single GREEN WOOD and SPARROW HAWK hunting on strait through course under Gunton Cliff. Two flocks of STARLING off sea one of 6 birds the other about 12. MEADOW PIPTE and LINNET flying about and plenty of JAYS. TUNSTONES at low water and no surprises in regards to birding at sea. Very quit as the benign weather is.

Kessingland to Benacre

This is my longest walk for a very long time. Rather shattered but pleased.

Several flocks of STARLING of the sea in all ten flocks ranging from eight birds to 40 + one group was followed in by three very tired BLACKBIRDS which just dropped down on landing in gorse at Benacre Pitt's. The only other flock was really large one of COMMON SCOTER flying north, I should think there was 50+ birds followed on the tail by a group of duck about 12 birds. I would think they where mallard. I also met up with an adult MED GULL which flew through on foreshore.  I also had a small flock of GREENFINCH and a flock of 25 CHAFFINCH. A few linnets flew by calling and 3 PIED WAG. At Benacre  a pair of SCAUP and 3 PINTAIL. GADWALL and a large flock of feral GREY LAG.
Surprise of the day was no bird but a fish which to my understanding I was left in no doubt about as I have seen them many years ago at Southend. Mind you this was a big job and was just under 3 feet long./ I saw it actually leap out of the water and tail end. I recon it was put up by a bass as it was running along the wave line. This gives you an idea that it was no more than 50 feet away. It was in fact a GARFISH. Rather out of season but who can say.?

Links Hill, Car park.

Last few days not great, don't know why anyone would have the flu jab. All you do is get colds and feel rotten.

Quick call in and a juvenile KITTYWAKE in good fettle was sitting in pools. Very obliging bird in respect

 

Sadly a KNOT was close by and did not look at all well. Blood coming out left of breast, forewing and a desperate limp. Left him alone, trust he makes it.

Ness - Dip Farm

Not much about at Ness despite strong South Westerly overnight and really high tide. Small flock of STARLING shot in low and several TURNSTONE about.

Dip Farm.... Several MED GULLS feeding on pitch and putt course.  Around seven birds in all with one really good  1st year bird. CHAFFINCH and TI'S around but nothing out of the ordinary. Jays I should imagine about ten different bird's seen altogether on walk. BLACKBIRDS still running around and a really good SPARROW HAWK over Gunton stubble field behind railway track.

 

Best birds of all day where outside the house . In fact just across from the front door, 6 WAXWING I heard them before seeing which was a good catch.