Links Hill and Gunton Railway track

Dull and cold because of easterly wind. The bird showing well was a bathing KITTYWAKE in the water pools at Links Hill car park. however he was not that intent that he stayed long enough for a picture. There was also a one legged MED GULL with 6 others of various plumage and ages. There was also an obvious numbered increase in COMMON GULL which also made itself evident on the sugar beet field at Gunton. With  about 150 birds in all. Although this seems high it is nothing in comparison with last years count at Benacre. There was also BLACK HEADED and several 100 WOOD PIGEON. but I also had a good view of 3 STOCK DOVE. MAGPIES also gave of there best with one group 7 birds. In total I should imagine there was 14 altogether. I also had 2 REDWING (one pictured below) and also 8 BLACKBIRDS. I also had a singing SONG THRUSH but it was to active to make contact with. On the football filed  I had in the air a JAY which did not hang around and several GREAT and BLUE TIT.

Oulton Marsh

Went out today to gain a view of the SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF which was confirmed on Jan14th and which I  picked up on December 29th 2013. The bird I viewed toiday was the same as the one from December so at least my mind is at rest over that sighting. Picked up on it and another which is slightly yellowed out. Also CETTI'S WARBLER flying today and calling. GREEN WOOD  gave a good call to fly-by as well and several CHAFFINCH along lane gave good action views. I also had female REED BUNTING, ROBIN, WREN, LAPWING, CORMORANT,and how can I ever forget the GLOSSY IBIS.

North Cove

Spent some 2 hours wandering around this most tranquil of reserves. If it wasn't for the duck shoot across the river in Aldeby it would have been even more tranquil.

Best bird was in real terms a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER who came and gave me a look while sitting in the hide. But in real terms the female BULLFINCH was the real thing. Flitting view but always an encouragement. Other than these birds there was a good quantity of MARSH TIT and the usual views of SISKIN and LESSER REDPOLE. Mind you there was a lovely honey ball in the shape of a TREECREEPER that was one of two birds that was flitting in amongst the tress at the North end of the reserve. One of these birds was a real puff ball and very white but not long enough viewing to gain a good id for a Northern Treecreeper. Other movements where GREAT TIT, BLUE TIT and it has taken me 20 days to make a LONG-TAILED-TIT.

 

                  

Breydon Water from Lizard Land

I was a little early for the show as it was high tide at 10.00hrs but still was very rewarding,  just for the spectacle. It was bright with a stiff breeze  from the south.
Best bird was a flock of 45 AVOCET which at the time I first picked up on them they where paddling along the bottom merrily. A large flock of BLACK-TAILED-GODWIT were just resting up as where a flock of PINK-FOOTED-GEESE on the north bank. I also saw 2 MARSH HARRIER, OYSTERCATCHER, DUNLIN,SANDLING, and a really large flock of a 1000 WIGEON. There was a few PINTAIL but surprisingly under 20 birds. 1 GADWALL and a flock of 50 MALLARD. There was also a large flock of GOLDEN PLOVER estimate is about 1000 birds. A few CORMORANT as can be seen below with this adult Sinesis in breeding plumage.

 

I do like gulls and this GREAT BLACK BACKED GULL was in Loathingland Lake yesterday. It is a typical of this bird in its second year with the little pale blob on the end of his beak.

 

Pakefield Beach and Ness Point

God bless all dog walkers and so called older than me joggers.

 

The SNOW BUNTINGS on the beach are driven made by the above. It's a wonder they ever stay as feeding must be difficult. Disturbed they just rest on the beach and return when it is all clear again. There was about the usual amount of birds and one was obviously yellow coloured rung. There was also 6 TURNSTONE as well as the CORMORANTS setting out for a days fishing. there was also activity amongst the HOUSE SPARROW fraternity today. They must be getting ready for spring.

 

Snow Bunting as a family group

 

Ness Point:  Late afternoon spent three quarters of an hour out and gained a really good id on a POMARINE SKUA. This bird had either downed a gull or had found a dead one. More than likely the first option as these are very aggressive birds. He was flapping well on the surface and keeping himself and the prey afloat. It looked to all intents and purposes a herring gull that was being devoured. When other gulls came in to look you could see by size comparison that he was larger. He showed well the double white bare on the under side of the wing. Both on primaries and on the greater covets. I watched him for 20 minuets and he was still heading north on the tide. I also had one GUILLEMOT and RED-THROATED-DIVER



Knights Creek, Oulton Broad.

Spent around an hour giving the area a look. Not much to write home about but at least it was a lovely walk in the bright sunshine.

Oulton was at that time in the morning a hive of bathing opportunities for the gulls. Who every so often took to the wing as if they just wanted to play around. Best birds where by far the cormorants who in there breeding plumage do look the part. There where a number of Wrens and Great Tit and a really dusty looking Jay that must be getting on.
The other news out was that a SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF has been located between the viewing platform and the river at Oulton Marsh. So if you would like to take a look at the end of last year and the date on the blog is: December 29th you will note my blog discussion. Thanks for following it up Andrew, perhaps it confirms I am not such an idiot after all. No comment please.

Waveney Forest, Fritton

Decided to go and give it a look and see if it was possible to pick up on Parrot Crossbills. The day was bright a birders from the local club where about so it was good to meet and chat. On arrival at the mound, guys had already had good sightings of raptors so that I was able to pick up on ROUGH-LEGGED-BUZZARD and COMMON BUZZARD. There was a very odd Common that was light fronted and dark backed. Some combination this. A rough'y would fly well off, but at least identifiable. Kestrel also in appearance and MARSH TIT and COAL TIT in abundance. After  a while of viewing and no one picking up on any Crossbills. I set of on a long walk round the wood and nearing the end at a group of fallen pines I saw some movement in the top of some conifers. Only some 50 feet away. They where mostly in shade and very actively feeding and flitting. Which in viewing terms is never very good. However I set up and watched and with seconds had COMMON CROSSBILL both male and female. Then to my surprise I had a male bird sit preening itself out in the sun through the scope. Sure enough it was a PARROT CROSSBILL. Managed to get all the id features through the scope including the bill. the bulk the head and the cheeks. I went for the camera and pressed the shutter just as it moved back. So my picture is absolutely naff. I also managed a female bird as it flew down. It was unmistakable with other crossbills around and to say I am amazed at how much bigger they are. Spun the info out and called on other guys one of which had a picture of a female that he had managed 30 minuets before. Watched them of and on for 30 minuets. So this was a good day.

Other stuff about was a TREECREEPER, COAL TIT, GOLDCREST, SISKIN,

 

You can just see his back.



Ness Point, Lowestoft.

Spent an hour sitting in sunshine at the Ness this morning and picked up several KITTIWAKES following boats heading south. I also had 6 RED-THROATED-DIVER and 3 GANNET. Well out where COMMON SCOTER with 4 being identifiable. other than that just CORMORANT languishing on the water with gulls and a few flying here and there.

Hopton Cliff and Links Hill

"I can't believe it", I go for a wass,  put my scope down. Jump in the car go five miles down the road, go to the boot of the car and no scope. I can tell you I returned quicker than you would want to know. I tell you was I relieved to still see it sitting there. More relieved than the wass.

Hopton: Brought in 20 COMMON SCOTER, but sadly no sign of any of there relatives. 
Links Hill: 2 MED GULL one of which was ringed and been reported previous. GRRENFINCH and CHAFINCH as well as HOUSE SPARROW feeding down there.

 

Leath's Ham: Short call in for sunset and roasting birds. Brought in some interesting views of a very pale Pintail. obviously well of the wall as a bird but this is the second year I have picked up on the bird. Mind you it does not compare with male PINTAIL. Thing is there was at least 60+ birds there tonight as well as WIGEON, TUFTED DUCK and a CORMORANT in breeding gear. Best, heard but not seen. Mind you I did get to see the ripple in the water was a WATER RAIL.

 

         Pintail (female)                                 Pintail  (male)                       Pintail   odd bod

 

                                                               Pintail in flight

                                                 





Leathe's Ham

Literally a 5 minuet stint brought in another three birds for the year. Surprising that it has taken that long to gain a MOORHEN for the year. Mind you there was a real grilling of PINTAIL both male and female here. There regular count is 16 but there was well in advance of this today. The other bird of course was a TUFTED DUCK which is always a give away here.

Ness Point, Lowestoft.

Well the year ;list its well on its way and was added to today by a single ARCTIC SKUA which was flying well offshore. With a distinct dislike for a HERRING GULL. The chase that ensued was of itself worth the few minuets that it lasted without it having its desired effect. I also placed PURPLE SANDPIPER on the year list although there was only 2 birds with the TURNSTONE.

 



Benacre and Covehythe

Best bird of the day was the 5 week staying bird at Cove. This LONG-TAILED-DUCK eventually came close enough to produce a reasonable shot. Never saw this bird last year because I didn't put myself up for it. So good to get in with it this year. Other birds of note was 3 BEARDED REEDLING and a single KNOT. as well as SANDLING 50+ and DUNLIN. 2 LITTLE EGRET and a pair of MARSH HARRIER. Good also to see LINNET and BARNACLE GEESE.

Long Tailed Duck heading my way.



Lowestoft.

The best bird of the day was an early one for and sometimes I have struggled to get it early in the year. So a good view of a ROCK PIPIT was a joy in Hamilton Dock. The call definitive to start with and a while of waiting found the bird. So a good day in this respect but very little else beside.

Strumpshaw Fen and Oulton Marsh

Welcome to 2014.

This is the year of my official retirement. Does not seem that long ago when I started work and viewed this year as a long way ahead. But life is short. So make the best of it folks.

Took the two grandchildren out to Strum. I got them to sort a list for birding and they done well. Good to see them just run around and keep the world in perspective for 2014.

They where able to view a BLACK SWAN from a distance but seemed well impressed. Especially at seeing MARSH HARRIERS to.

Oulton brought in the GLOSSY IBIS which had stayed the course for the new year. But other than a few duck not much on the small size.

Foot tapping Mew Gull