Gunton Warren, Lowestoft.

Bright day and getting warmer. From the garden this morning: Peri, Oystercatcher 2, Blackbird, Swallow 3, Goldfinch, Pied Wag, Crow, Corm.

Walk through the wood and under the cliff. Best birds where two singing male LESSER WHITETHROAT. Also had GREENFINCH, 6 SWALLOW all heading south. WILLOW WARB 2, BLACKCAP 4, COMMON WHITE 6, BLACKBIRD 1, DUNNOCK 4 WREN 2. CROW 3, JAY 2.

North Dene's, Lowestoft.

Went back to take a few shots of Black Veined Butterfly today and picked up on 3 LESSER WHITETHROAT  and 3 BLACKCAP 1 WILLOW WARBLER and 2 CHIFFCHAFF. 4 SWALLOWS and the best of all was a fleeting view of a COMMON REDSTART adult male bird who came out of a bush grabbed a flying whatever and head strait back in again.
                                                              Lesser Whitethroat

                                             Already at it a pair of Black Veined Butterflies

North Dene's, Lowestoft.

Had a very confiding CHIFFCHAFF at Flycatcher Alley which was one among many which were calling today. Also 2 WILLOW WARBLER and altogether 8 BLACKCAP two of which were female. with tack, tack  call. The most birds which gave the most interest where a small flock of 8 JAY which continued for 20 minuets to fly up and down and associate together. They seemed to be setting up partnership's of either  2 birds or 3. Which is not unusual for Corvides. But two birds would sit beside each other and he would preen her side or under her chin before trying to mount. She was absolutely still at all time. So weather he was able to perform or not I am not a jay. A flock of 8 GREENFINCH at Links Hill. On return a pair of WHEATEAR had taken up on the North Dene's.

Home

Well it had to happen some time and today was it. At 10:17 hrs the gulls all kicked off so obviously a raptor was about. Took a few seconds to gain sight as birds where out of view but a pair of KITE where circling at about 500 feet. Both birds drifted south over Asda to disappear from view.

To imagine that when I was a boy a trip to Wales was needed to see the last few remaining.

 

West Lodge, Walberwick.

Bright but still a nip in the air.

Before leaving home had 2 CHIFFCHAFF in the garden. Both birds silent but feeding with GOLDFINCH in the buddleia.

Then we went to the Lodge and the first bird of any significance was a singing NIGHTINGALE as well as a calling WILLOW WARBLER. Rather early for a nightingale., but that's what it was. I also had 2 singing BLACKCAP and saw a WOODLARK. A good way of but there it was. Also a MARSH HARRIER and plenty of singing CHIFFCHAFF. Also had a yellow brimstone flying infront of car to the lodge. 5 for the year.

West Mersa

Spent a day out at se for most of the time sitting offshore from Clacton. Two thornbacks and really large whiting made it a good day.

Best was the views of GANNET the largest flock was of 12. But altogether we saw about 23. Several CURLEW  as we went out and one flew by while at anchor. There where also OYSTERCATCHER, REDSHANK,BRENT GEESE, and 3 GREAT CRESTED GREBE offshore. We also saw a COMMON BUZZARD while on the way through Berechurch Hall way coming out of Colchester.

                                                                  What is he looking at?

Fisher Row

Such a lovely spring day so thought I would go and seek out the elusive Dusky Warbler, no joy as you can imagine.

First up was three TREECREEPERS which called and viewed well, with several CHAFFINCH of both sexes. BLACKBIRD, and the first bird up of real interest was a STOCK DOVE. Always a bird to watch and hear.

It was a good day for butterflies with PEACOCK and YELLOW
BRIMESTONE . I also had my first for the year in a ORANGE TIP. I also pulled out a CABBAGE WHITE as well as TORTOISHELL both small and large.



The next up was the first pair of BLACKCAP an again both male and female already together. These where the first of 6 birds in all with at least 7 CHIFFCHAFF and 6 CETTI'S. Also had LONG-TAILED-TIT with G/T and B/T, ROBIN and WREN as well as MOORHEN. But no sign of D/Warbler.