Ness Point, Lowestoft.

Visibility good and little haze. North wind light. Warm but hot inland.

NESS POINT:  

First bird of any significance was a single GANNET flying south. Once eye was in a I found in total 9 birds. Another surprise was two single WHIMBRAL flying north about 10 minuets apart. Both at usual distance about 1 mile off shore. A single juvenile SHELLDUCK flying north.  Distant but visible was a flock of 7 COMMON SCOTER flying south well out. But I did miss out on two duck flying out to see from shore no idea on id. A single COMMON SCOTTER flew close in heading north on its own. But of interest was a single RINGED PLOVER flying south literally yards offshore. Increasing numbers of SANDWICH and COMMON TERN. With KITTYWAKES feeding close in and far off.

FRITTON GREAT WOOD: 

Several RED DRAGONFLIES and large and small BROWN BUTTERFLIES. I also picked up on a a single COMA. It was also interesting to hear crickets in the long grass, something to remind me of my childhood.
CHAFFINCH, BLUE TIT, COAL TIT, GOLDCREST and young. MUNCKJACK DEER, plus a pair of suspected MINK. But the best was a JAY having a bath in the cottage pond. 

Minismere RSPB

Meeting up of club members today for the usual walk round. 9 am start and the first birding for me after two and half weeks of recovery. Must be getting old.

Species list today: Was about 62  for the day which in real terms is not that great but at least some really nice looking birds. Best where:  WHIMBRAL...one single bird and a good flock of LITTLE GULL. I suppose the best bird show was put up by the spotted redshank but amongst all of the BLACK TAILED GODWIT flock of over 80 birds and with them three red KNOT. We had a fly by HOBBY and found six WHITETHROAT nests.      The best thing is I feel no worse for wear.

 Spotted Redshank

 Little Gulls

Common Tern waiting for the water to rise.

Spotted Red with Avocet



Out and about.

Best birding was with W.B.C. Last Thursday week ago. Managed to add a few things to the list, but I suppose the best find was an incredible pair of CUCKOO that I managed to screw up on at the Sluice at Minismere. It has been 9 years since I have seen a pair in action together so to have a video of the relationship and pictures to follow it up is in itself good. I have also picked up with DARFORD WARBLER and KNIGHTJAR which gives a good complement of birds. In real terms I am doing ok this year but have some way to go to add to my life list. I missed out on one the other day in North Norfolk, but we won't go there.
It seems that some of our local Swifts have already done a runner. With also very few COMMON TERNS in appearance.
I have picked up on HOBBY at the following locations this year. Abberton Reservoir, Shrub End at my sisters house. Minismere, Carlton Marsh and Oulton Marsh.
LITTLE EGRET: It seems that this is the first year we have seen these birds in flocks my largest was 11 birds but at Minismere there has been as many as 14.

Found out what one of the moths is....Magpie Moth