Raglan street, Lowestoft

Twitter done its trick and got me out a few hundred yards up the road to view a group of 13 WAXWING which had taken up perching on a telegraph pole near Hoseasons. They where only spending seconds in the bush before flying back again to roost. But then you cant have everything. (No sun either)



 

 

At Links Hill a single MED GULL and nothing much else. At Ness Point. TURNSTONE 1, PURPLE SAND 1, RINGED PLOVER 1, CORMORANT 1,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leathe's Ham. Lowestoft.

Spent some time looking through the gulls and found one of the BLACK HEADED GULLS from yesterday which was rung. Also a very odd looking HERRING GULL with a deformed beak. The lower mandible was longer than the top one.

At one point all the birds where startled as a PEREGRINE flew in rather fast to my right. I would not like to gusste-mate it's speed, but it was nocking on rather.

The following is the recovery record for one of the birds yesterday.

Printed:  Wednesday 27 February 2013        Ringing data   Arnhem .2502072 W-EKJ1
Kokmeeuw Larus ridibundus
Leeftijd & geslacht  : na 2kj / 2cy+ man
/ male
Ringdatum      :  13-02-2013
Ringplaats      :  amsterdam, museumplein 5221.00 N 452.00 E
Ringer       :  Frank Majoor

Leath's Ham, Lowestoft.



Spent a while looking at the gulls as they came in to roost at the Ham. I took a chair and a grain warmer to keep the cold at bay. Worked within reason. I want the sun, please let me have some sun.

 

Nothing to really shout about but the two BLACK HEADED GULLS below where colour ringed. Have sent of info to BTO so await a reply. One could be interesting as it was left legged rung. Odd. There was good numbers of SHOVELORE with 27 birds on count.

 

Right leg: 575

 Left leg: EKJ1

 

Lowestoft Dock.

Took a walk up to the South Pier late afternoon to view the STARLINGS coming in to roost. Some sight as they circle before its dark. Cant imagine why feral PIGEONS should get in on the act, but it seems that some where intent on doing so. As for some of the gulls making there way from land to sea for the night. They just could not gain a handle on what it is like to be encircled by small birds wheeling through there flock.

17 TURNSTONE on beach feeding on the leftovers from what had been thrown to the gulls.

BECAUSE YOU ARE TO LASY TO TURN OUT IN THE COLD YOU CAN VIEW IN SAFETY

http://youtu.be/GI3F3NopMZk

Ness Point and Leathe's Ham

Cold lazy wind today from the East. One of those days when it's so lazy it blows through you rather than round you.

Ness Point:   9 Sinesis CORMORANT flying north with RED THROATED in at 17 birds again North as where the GANNETS which turned up an amazing 14. Other than that TURNSTINE feeding well at Birds Eye. Perhaps they where eating the horse meat from the lasagne.

Silo: No Peri today but a really confiding SHAG. A few HERRING GULL and B-H-GULL.

Leathe's Ham: On arrival a the local WOOD DUCK put in an appearance, he was trying it on with a female mallard. She was impressed by the look of it. But then who wouldn't be by his turn out. Also a few adult LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL amongst a whole series of gulls. CHAFFINCH, WREN, DUNOCK, GREENFINCH just one pair.

At home: had a really smacking SONG THRUSH on the table with BLACKBIRD and STARLING.



Walberswick Reed Bed, Suffolk.

Well this again is literally a new mile stone for since my illness. Its the first time back here and a walk that at times I never thought I would do again. But then who can tell what's possible. Not getting any younger but old dog is not out of it yet. I don't know how many miles it is round there but it took it's toll in the mud and the mess. The birding was not out of this world, but still good.

COMMON BUZZARD: Three birds seen in all and an obvious pair. One of which was very tatty. Looked a bit like me. MARSH HARRIER: Tw birds, on over coastal strip a female and the other well up the other end again a female.
REED BUNTING and three female BULLFINCH along reed track. With GOLDCREST there and also at end of walk near cottages. On entering the wood on the way out a flock of SISKIN ( See  below) about 20 birds in all. Did not see nor here them, but did hear the sound of seed husks falling around me. I also put up a CHINESE WATER DEER here before coming out into the first clearing with GREAT SPOTTED WOOD. I saw in total 3 BEARDED REEDLING in 3 separate sites. Two flocks of GREY LAG flew over the reed bed. Which for me was not good for the time of year. CURLEW: Again three birds seen and all on fields, or leaving them because of disturbance. On the road to the Lodge a flock of around 30 REDWING in the wood to the south and LAPWING to the north. There was also 5 GOLDFINCH in hedge along here.  It was obvious that BLACKBIRDS are on the move with several groups getting ready to make the move back to the continent. 



Sotterly Woods, Suffolk.

 

I went out with the intention of seeing a Hawfinch but they are so elusive so no chance. Met up with several guys all of the same mind. Although the weather started cold with a frost it brightened up which you would have thought would have taken raptors up but this did not seem to be the case. Mind you I did pick up on 2 COMMON BUZZARD.

 

There was a pair of NUTHATCH calling and MARSH TIT,BLUE and GREAT. MISTLE THRUSH and SONG THRUSH.

 

MUTFORD and HAULVER: As I was passing through I had info that several GREY PARTRIDGES had been seen in the area. The light wasn't good but managed to pick up on them.

 



 

 

Hevingham Hall, Suffolk.

Spent a few hours with Waveney Bird Club emptying nest boxes for the new year. I paid for it latter but could not resist the meal provided by the chef. The beef was out of this world and you could tell it wasn't horse.
Best bird of the day was a pair of NUTHATCH which where calling. I managed to pick them up and several of the group where able to view. The other thrill was the amount of WOODCOCK we put to flight. I personally put up 12. It was estimated that on the day we must have raised 50 plus birds. MARSH TIT in good numbers to. Plus GREEN WOODPECKER and GREAT SPOTTED WOOD as well. We also had two BARN OWLS in different areas which again was encouraging.

I must have emptied 30 plus boxes and in the last place we visited (Sibton Hall) I managed to disturb a pair of HARVEST MICE. They new how to fly I can tell you. On e box nearby was full to the brim with seeds from sycamore, some stash for such small creatures.

Ness and Links Hill

A flat on the car cost me an arm and a leg. But at least gave me 30 minuets at the Ness.

No diver just a single SANDILING on foreshore with a very friendly MEADOW PIPIT in the gas paddock. Other than that a few THURNSTONE and end of story.

Links Hill: Performed little better with 20 GANNETS all flying south and a single flock of POCHARD flying north. 3 KITTYWAKE and 1 RED-THROATED-DIVER plus 1 CORMORANT.

A pair of GREENFINCH on way out of car park and a pair of CARRION CROW. Seems that they are now a pair and have lost the three is a crowd syndrome.

Cove Hythe, Suffolk.

A few hours out with young people today on the COD programme with Suffolk Wildlife Trust. We had with us a representative of Natural England or whatever it is now and introduced the youngsters to what it takes to keep pathways clear from overhanging branches and encroaching vegetation. In other words we put them to work.

A flock of some 100 BRENT GEESE was intent on feeding very close to the path. With very little between us and the cliff it made for a good views and a good sound when they kept lifting of. The surprise was that they where all DARK BELLIED BRENT and no Pale ones amongst them. The only other attraction was that they had 7 GREY LAG GEESE who just could not make them out.

MARSH HARRIER: 2 Females over the reed bed which flew well when disturbed by helicopter.
SKYLARK: 8 birds content to feed amongst REDWING on top of cliff.
MALLARD: The only duck seen and about 30.
SONG THRUSH: Near cottages in the garden at the start of footpath.
CHAFFINCH, CROW, ROOK, JACKDAW MAGPIE, MUTE SWAN, COMMON GULL, HERRING, plus 1 SEAL.

Flixton Marsh Lane

Another call in here, just to see what was about. Stayed longer than intended on a dull day.

Best bird was a male MERLIN which was hunting over stubble fields  on marsh. I picked it up twice once well off but the next time only a quarter of a mile away and scope view to. Seemed intent on small stuff and not interested in REDWING.

KINGFISHER: One flew along the edge of field and wood from the Oulton end. Not the best of views but I think I may have come across the old nest sight in a bank. So will keep an eye on this in the spring.
REDWING: About 40 birds fluttering in and out of trees into very wet stubble field. There was only one FIELDFARE with them which was a surprise.
PIED WAGTAIL: A small flock was feeding around a small pool of muddy water. Amongst them where adult and first winter birds about 15 in all.
LITTLE EGRET: Three birds being annoyed by CROWS. They flew of into centre of meadow where a digger was ditching a channel.

 

GRET TIT, BLUE TIT, L-T-TIT, WREN, CHAFFINCH, R-L-PARTRIDGE still in cubby of 11 birds. 4 KESTREL. 1 SONG THRUSH.
                                                                      Barn Owl

Compare this to previous blog

Flixton Marsh Lane and area.

COMMON BUZZARD:   Two birds high circling over Blunderston prison, which parted east and west. They where obviously working each other out as they where in unison flight one above the other.
MARSH TIT:  A few birds seen in association with BLUE and GREAT TIT. At this time to a setteled group of SISKIN where fluttering through the  trees a low level. Which was unusual, but can be understood  as a BARN OWL was hunting on the other side of the copse.
KESTREL: 4 birds seen in all and all very active.
SISKIN: 2 flocks about with up to 20 birds in each.
BULLFINCH: All birds seen that is 3 where female.
REDWING: 4 birds in all
SONG THRUSH: 2 Birds seen, but the count is out see what you think below.

 

I walked along tracks to Somerlyton from Fritton Marsh Lane this morning and was returning via the thatched cottage that looks out across the marsh. When a thrush like bird landed in the top of a tree 100 yards away. I viewed through scope and was dubious about it, as I had first thought that it was a Blackbird. Surprised to see it as a song thrush. In flight the wings where to me a little rounded, and something was not right. I was struck by the pale breast and no spots lower and the amount of dark spots on high breast. It did seem to me that the bird had a kind of pale collar. The light was not great as it never is, and the bird was only there for a quick look and then to camera. Before it flew east south east. .......Was I right in assuming it to be a song thrush? Revisited on the 11th the only birds of thrush species where REDWING. (See 11.02.2013)

 



Cove Bottom, Suffolk.

I had heard that a male HEN HARRIER was coming in here at evening via twitter so gave it a look and sure enough at 4:30pm the bird obliged. I first picked it up as it was either trying to gain a last meal or looking for somewhere to drop down for the night. I picked it up twice as it quartered the reed bed. What an amazing bird even at a distance it was just wonderful to view.

LITTLE OWL: These are becoming of recent years scarce to say the least so I was pleased to pick some up in a nearby meadow on the way home. Both birds, I assume a pair this time of the year where getting ready to feed alongside adjacent hedges.
BUZZARD: Just one bird flew over as I was driving along the Southwold road. It was obviously flying in to roost. I had been standing for about 10 minuets when a flock of WOOD PIGEON flew in my direction from roost. They where then followed again by the common buzzard which flew due east circled and then headed south.
MARSH HARRIER: Two female about and a single male bird. The female had some attitude and managed to dislodge the male from roast. She harried him until he flew off over the reed bed.
LINNET: A flock of 30 birds continued to flutter round until eventually finding somewhere to roost up for the night.
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER and GREEN WOOD heard but not seen.
LAPWING: Large flock in fields some 500 birds in all.
FIELDFARE: Several birds flying before sunset as well as a single MISTLE THRUSH.

Little Owl

 

Name that bird?

North Cove. Barnby

I did not get out to late in the afternoon and even when I did I left my camera home. What a mistake as a really lovely BARN OWL not only put in an appearance but a really lovely show right up to 20 feet. Typical the one day you go out without your gear you get a good chance of a good shot.
I managed to scare 3 Chinese water deer, that thought there life had come to an end. By the amount of noise they made. REDWING, GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, MALLARD, L-T-TIT, B-TIT AND GREAT TIT. WREN, EGYPTION GEESE, KESTREL and that was about it.

Leathe's Ham and Ness Point

Leath's .H.: There was about 30 TUFTED in here today and some where rather frisky. As where some MALLARD. Mind you there was only one POCHARD amongst several ducks. What was new on there was a pair of EGYPTION GEESE. The best birds was a 1st winter LESSER-BLACK-BACKED-GULL which was showing well in the centre of the lake.

NESS: 
CORMORANT (Sinises) flying up and down. On one count I stopped at 395. But this was not all the birds my estimate was in excess of 600 birds in all. They had obviously found something to feed on. They where accompanied by RED-THROATED-DIVER and GULLS. One GANNET put his oar in but did not stay long as he was harried by gulls.
RED-THROATED-DIVER: These birds where moving well of shore with most heading north. As an estimate I would think that in an hour a 120 birds flew by. One or two came in close and settled on the water and one or two could have been another diver as they where very dark.
PURPLE SANSPIPERS: 5 birds still about and a few TURNSTONE keeping them company.

Ness Point

Just a quick call in:  First bird seen was a colour ringed HERRING GULL new to me and reported.

Right leg white A7YY

Southwold

When we left for our ride out to Southwold we turned immediately onto Denmark Road, only to find so much violence I might need counselling. I know that at times Lowestoft has a bad reputation but this was outrageous. There at the side of the road on the payment they where engaged in mortal combat. With legs engaged in what  could only be called a death embraces. Looking at each other eyeball to eye ball and neither willing to give in there they lie doing battle. Of course they where only MAGPIES. So going to rewritable Southwold would be literally a piece of cake.


Best bird was a RUFF a single bird amongst BARNACLE GEESE which where in there normal grazing area. Interspersed with WIGEON, MALLARD and B-H-GULLS. Out at sea a large movement of RED-T-DIVER all seemingly heading north. On levels a single CANADA GOOSE and  a small flock of DUNLIN feeding. LAPWING I should imagine about 150 birds. At Kessingland levels aside the A12 a COMMON BUZZARD was hanging in the wind.

Filby Broad, Norfolk.

Met up with YMCA Norfolk worker today for coffee at Acle today. Just good to be with someone again who has the opportunity to work with young people. What a privilege.

On the way home it was brighter so called in at Filby Broad to see if it would throw anything up. In car park there was a small group of L-T-TIT'S and a few BLUE TIT'S as well as there close relative GREAT and COAL TIT. COOTE in the small channels along wall as well as MOORHEN and COMMON PHEASANT. On the broad itself MALLARD and TUFTED DUCK as well as 27 GREAT-CREASTED- GREBE. A single GREY HERON and the best of all was again another PEREGRINE. The fourth in two days. This bird was settled down on a branch across the broad so not that close but managed some sort of picture. I must learn to take my small dig camera so I can shoot birds through the scope. The only other bird of mention was a female GOLDENEYE.

PEREGRINE FALCON