Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft.

Should think this will be the last good bird of the year for me with only two more days to go. This GREAT NORTHERN DIVER decided to me a favour and come in close so managed a really acceptable shot. Was feeding well and was for this reason alone difficult to gain a really good shot as it was very quick to dive. Also a single SHAG and  CORMORANT in the basin. At Leath's Ham plenty of duck with about 50 MALLARD 50 PINTAIL  35 SHOVELOR 70 WIGEON 15 TUFTED DUCK. COOTE, and also a fly over KESTREL.



Benacre Broad.

One of those days just before Christmas. Dull. Birding however was reasonable son worth the walk. Small stuff behind church was BRAMBLING, GREENFINCH, SKYLARK, CHAFFINCH. Altogether there was 7 JAYS that put in an appearance and a single REDWING on walk to the cliff. At the cliff several RED-THROATED-DIVERS about 10 in all with a few fly bi's. A SPARROW HAWK flew past me and headed south low along the cliff. A single PIED WAG at foot of cliff and HERRING GULL. The feral flock of GREY LAG flew by to the west with the odd looking white bird amongst them. At the broad  7 SCAUP and 10 GOLDENEYE . Only a few TEAL and GADWALL. I also had fly in a pair off PINTAIL. The only other bird of any significance was an adult MED GULL. On way back a really black PHEASANT.

Aldeburgh, Suffolk.

 

Waited a long time for another rarity to turn up in our area this autum there have been very few on the ground, but at last an opportunity. We set out late morning with the twitter saying that the bird was still viewable. Only to find that it had flown 30 minuets prior. Just our luck. We met up with a friend from Waveney Bird Club that we had been away with to Skomer in the earlier part of the year and he said he was going to walk south to see if he could pick up with some Lapland's. We dragged behind him and found a GUILIMOT and  a pair of  BRENT GEESE for our troubles. Jonathan took a look behind as 50 twitchers came running up. Heading for our friends just ahead. We caught up to them first and could see the bird feeding under a small boat in the shingle. But before  we got our bins on it, it had flown. Jonathan saw it go and followed it north again into some kayaks. We head of and meet up with this fracas coming from the north. who soon dispersed after no bird again. Jonathan then says, is that it down there close to us. So we picked it up again and had good views except for a wire fence. But you can't complain. Because the last one was seen a few weeks ago on the Isle of Uist. So a lifer for me, a HORNIMAS ARCTIC REDPOLE and not so expensive either.

 

 

HORNIMAS ARCTIC REDPOLE

 

This picture at least shows the prominent white wing bar, with a touch of spotting on rump. But as usual with rarities it's jizz was odd. In a more usual way you would see Redpole on small clump of weeds, bush or more usually on the tops of trees feeding on last. Not this bird it was a typical of habitat. These must mean that it feed predominantly on the ground.

Pakefield.

Not much about of recent and that's the real reason of being rather quiet. Things we hope will change soon. It won't be long before the old winter is past.

The beach at Pakefield had four roving MED GULLS today. Which all seemed to be intent on feeding around beach anglers. All birds where adult and none seemed ringed. Other than that BLACK HEADED GULLS and HOUSE SPARROW make up the day list.