North Cove, Barnby.

Bright day "What a difference a day makes".

Birding wise:  3 BLACKCAPS, several CHIFFCHAFF but only one SEDGE WARB. LONG TAILED TIT, FAMILY as was BLUE TIT and GREAT TIT. One REED BUNTING and also a fleeting glimpse of a LITTLE OWL. A COMMON BUZZARD flew over North Cove reserve, it would not surprise me if there is a nest in there. A single MALLARD and 3 CETTIE'S WARB. There was also a COMMON WHITETHROAT heard but not seen on the river bank. There was also a calling CUCKOO from across the river in Ashby. On the way back home we called in through Pakefield and a male MARSH HARRIER was flying off with something in its talon's. Also SWALLOW and HOUSE MARTINS as well as several BLACKBIRDS calling and CHAFFINCH.

Smaller stuff: Again I think I found another WALL BROWN and also LARGE TORT, PEACOCK, LARGE WHITE and also an array of damselflies and chaser as well as dragonflies.
                                                                                                                       Banded demoiselle

Norfolk Hawker 

                                                                                                             Female Common Blue

                                                                                                                 Black Tailed Skimmer

                                                                                                                   Emerald Damselfly Female

                                                                                                              Male Common Blue

                                                                                                                 Wall Brown



Ness Point and Leathe's Ham

Incoming wind from the North East with high tide and plenty of wave.

Ness: was rather low on action even with these conditions. A few KITTYWAKES heading out into the sea and the usual gulls that where trying hard for the same area. The only birds of any real significance where 2 COMIC TERNS North and 9 GANNET South all birds being adults.

Leath's Ham: Had several upending MALLARD with the remaining pair of PINTAIL. DABCHICK again 4 birds and MOORHEN and COOT. The sky although overcast had SWIFTS about 15 in all darting low over the water with the occasional CROW putting in an appearance. Best bird was a fleeting view, but much heard GARDEN WARBLER right near the entrance. With CHIFFCHAFF and WILLOW WARBLERS calling well. I also had CHAFFINCH, WREN, GREAT TIT, BLUE TIT, ROBIN including a young bird which seemed rather interested in humans. There was one OYSTERCATCHER on the scrape and a pair of MUTE SWANS who now have a nest.
                                             This was a dig scoped picture on a dull day.



Leathe's Ham and Links Hill

The rain is in again? On approach to Ham a pair of PINTAIL. I doubt if they have breed but a MALLARD certainly had as it has 6 young with it. How long for who can tell. Three was also a pair of WIGEON and 3 GADWALL. 4 LITTLE GREBE as well as MOORHEN and COOTE. 3 CORMORANT and L-B-B-GULL. The sound of SWIFT could be heard in the cloud.

At Links I saw 8 TERN'S fly by the North Holm buoy, all heading North as well as 4 KITTYWAKE. B;ACKBIRD, WHITETHROAT, GREENFINCH, MAGPIE and again the sound of SWIFT in the ever darkening sky.

Home

First thing sat outside before start of day only to have the larger PEREGRINE fly through west to east. This was followed about 10 minuets later by both birds sky dancing. Yes one is defiantly much smaller than the other.
Also had the GOLDCREST in the garden this morning, but it is very elusive to say the least.
Lound Lakes:  On arrival the sound of a single CUCKOO. MALLARD, COOTE, MOORHEN, JACKDAW, CROW, ROBIN, CHAFFINCH.

Dene's and North Wall

Walk through this morning brought in an initial worry which turned out to be a WILLOW WARBLER feeding very low as sometimes they do. This was followed on the Oval by a very well coloured GREEN WOODPECKER.. On exiting alley a GREENFINCH must be nesting close by as it licked off well. The sound of a GARDEB WARBLER, heard but as usual not seen. Followed by several COMMON WHITETHROAT. Eight birds in all scattered on cliff and also over the Dene's. Walk back only produced plenty of SWALLOWS flying south again and 2 PIED WAG. A few KITTYWAKES where struggling against the strong wind from the south. On the North Wall at Birds Eye 9 TURNSTONE and 8 SANDLING. These birds where in variable plumage as to be expected with one very rufus bird which remained elusive. There was also 2 DUNLIN in really good plumage as can be seen below. I like waders? At the Ness 3 RINGED PLOVER which were trying to dodge the spray.

 

 

Carlton Marsh

A dull evening but pleasant. One MARSH HARRIER male carrying food over the river towards Apalby. Also a BARN OWL carrying catch up towards Oulton Marsh. I think there may be 2 birds as one is larger than the other and the only way I have seen the larger one fly is of toward Barnby, A KESTREL was hanging around and also another well over toward Barnby. 7 LITTLE EGRET that flew to roost again Oulton Marsh way, CETTIE'S WARB and SEDGE heard but no REED. 2 REDSHANK 3 GADWALL, 3 EGYPTION GEESE,  MALLARD, 3 LAPWING on scrape. Some SWIFT and SWALLOW feeding well tonight. I not only heard but got to see the CUCKOO which was well of on middle path. But the best bird of all was a LITTLE OWL which was telegraph post sitting on post before level crossing. Very small and thin bird?

South Bank Breydon

Walk in bright sunshine from main car park to pumping station and return.

The best birds were two LITTLE TERNS which flew close by and heading up stream west. Followed by COMMON SANDPIPER 1 and Female MARSH HARRIER. I stopped counting SKYLARK at 28 but did not stop in regards to REED BUNTING which made 17. I only saw 2 female. REED WARBLER calling and seen as well as loads of SEDGE WARBLERS. 7 LAPWING chasseing CROWS and GREY HERON of which I saw 4. 3 OYSTERCATCHER. 5 REDSHANK. I also saw several LINNETS both nesting and fly by. But there was obvious nesting of COMMON WHITETHROAT as well. 2 MALLARD and a 3 CORMORANT. BLACK HEADED and HERRING GULL but not that many. 3 CURLEW and a flock of 9. But other side in foreign land. however in Lizard Land a pair of LITTLE EGERET.

                            But best was what I believe to be this FOUR SPOTTED CHASER.

                                                  

This is a WALL BROWN. which supposedly is becoming

                                                                    increasingly rare.

Carlton Marsh

Carlton Marsh: A really good evening with what I believe was a LONG EARED OWL. Must have flown in of recent. Hunting low over the reed bed and also meadow land. With jerky wing beats. I doubt if it was a SEO as there have been few in this last winter. This bird was dark with long wings. The right size and absolutely not similar to what I had already viewed. That being BARN OWL and also TAWNY OWL. This bird was hunting in its very distinctive style with jerky beats a glide with up tilted end of wing. It would fly and then when it saw something climb from 15 feet to 40 feet and return to take a look. Much as would a SEO. This bird was within 40 feet of me and had a trailing edge to its wing which was lighter than the main part. Which could have meant that it was a SEO. But the facts tend more to a LEO than an SEO. It was hunting into darkness which is also unlike SEO. As for it being a TAWNY no way.

Also 4 GROUPER singing and 2 CETTI'S WARB, 1 GREAT SPOTTED WOOD, 1 GREEN WOOD, 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 1 SONG THRUSH, 1 BLACKCAP singing. 2 REED BUNTING singing. 1 CHINESE WATER DEER. (NO THANK YOU) 1 BLACKBIRD, 1 CHAFFINCH, 1 CUCKOO heard but not seen.

Mutford Lock:  One EGYPTION GOOSE and the usual first winter SHAG.

Westwood Lodge, Lodge Road, Walberswick.

Lodge Road:  Just good to here the sound again of NIGHTINGALES. There where two trying hard to sing even in the middle of the day. On arrival I also had 3 COMMON BUZZARD with what seemed as one intruding on the others patch. Flew off towards the Blyth. Several COMMON WHITETHROAT but not as many here as up our neck of the woods. SAND MARTIN, HOUSE MARTIN and SWALLOW well in appearance. As well as GREY HERON, JACKDAW, CROW and ROOK. 6 SHELLDUCK flew over heading seaward. A few LINNET as can be seen below with the occasional SKYLARK. CHAFFINCH, GREENFINCH, GREAT and BLUE TIT. R-L-ARTRIDGE and the proverbial COMMON PHEASANT.

Tinkers Marsh:    2 LITTLE EGERET, 2 REDSHANK, 2 SKYLARK, 2 OYSTERCATCHER, 1 LAPWING, C- WHITETHROAT and my first dragonfly of the year. An unidentified duck which even in photograph gave no clue to it's id. Just looks odd. REED BUNTING. SEDGE WARBLER,

Hen Reed Bed:  Pair of MARSH HARRIER, he took food to ground so I assume he was feeding himself. Several calling REED BUNTING, SEDGE WARBLERS CALLING and flying. But also heard a single REEDLING. 1 LITTLE EGERET and GREY HERON.

 

Carlton Marsh

Walk round the reserve in good weather although still a chill when the sun is lost to view. 6 SKY LARK, and to many SEDGE to count. Several WHITETHROAT still calling away. REED WARBLER not so many as usual and neither was REED BUNTING at only 3 calling. 2 CETTIE'S and a lovely male MARSH HARRIER who put on a good display.

One LITTLE EGRET and several MUTE SWANS on the scrape with only 1 REDSHANK. I COMMON BUZZARD high and heading for the Breydon area. Saw a COCKOO fly by the reserve centre and then heard it calling from Fisher Row. CHIFF and WILLOW WARB still calling well.

Home and Corton Logging Mill

I woke up to the call of COMMON WHITETHROAT in the garden as well as CHIFFCHAFF so here they are....... The whitethroat was practicing some anthropomorphism and said " Take my pic now, and smiled"

 

Corton Cliff: Several SWALLLOWS heading in the right direction today with young STARLINGS calling doing the same. At least a pair of SKYLARK here and 2 COMMON WHITETHROAT. 1 PIED WAG. GREENFICH, CHAFFINCH, calling and a pair of LINNET flying North as well. It seems that a pair of OYSTERCATCHER may be considering something up here as well which would be good for our area.

Corton Logging Mill:  Again counted  12 COMMON WHITETHROAT and 4 SKYLARK. Came across something I didn't know at that was a GREEN HAIRSTREAK butterfly.

But the best was a new migrant in the form of a WHINCHAT. This bird flew from a nearby bush and post sat for a while and then let me take some pic's. It moved on to a small tree and then flew behind it where it was lost to view.

 





 

Gunton and North Dene's

Made it out between the showers today. Came across an odd Blackbird and then another odd one. No idea about this one though will draw it latter and run it up. Only a 10 second view and no time to get bins on it. Altogether 7 COMMON WHITETHROAT and CHIFFCHAFF as well as WILLOW WARBS singing well. Also had 2 BLACKCAP and a few LINNET. GREENFINCH where very obliging today. It was also odd to see BLACK HEADED GULLS in small flocks offshore.

Tweet out latter in the evening so a run down to Dene's BLUE HEADED WAGTAIL. Found some of the guys heading in the direction and got to view before another down pour. Not the best pick in the world but it's there.

It was interesting to see a COMMON WHITETHROAT in the garden this morning it was singing for all it was worth.

Week In Anglsey

The ride through brought only one RED KITE at the Junction of M1 and M6. With several WILLOW WARBLERS calling at Chorley service station. We also stopped at Llangollen and looked in the river. I had a single GREY WAG and a fly over GOOSANDER. But no dippers on the whole stay. At Aber Ogwen: 50 plus WHEATEAR. and MEADOW PIPIT. 

THE COTTAGE: SWALLOWS where fighting for territory as where HOUSE MARTINS, WILLOW WARBLER, BUZZARD, GREY LAG, MALLARD, PIED WAG, JACKDAW, ROOK, CROW, CHAFFINCH CJIFFCHAFF, HOUSE SPARROW, BLUE and GREAT TIT, ROBIN DUNNOCK, BLACKBIRD, SONG THRUSH, STARLING, WOOD PIGEON, COLLARD DOVE, SKYLARK, L-B-B-GULL and GREATER, HERRING GULL.
SUNDAY SOUTH STACK: RAVEN and CHOUGH as well as ROCK PIPIT and MEADOW. WHEATEAR, HERRING ,GREAT, LESSER GULLS as well as FULMER and a single KITTYWAKE. Very low on the auks with only one GUILEMOT numbers down thought to be a consequence of winter storms. One MANX SHEARWATER and a few TERNS more then likely SANDWHICH.
HOLYHEAD HARBOUR: I picked up a BLACK GUILEMOT the only one I saw flying off as soon as we got there. But MEADOW PIPIT and JACKDAWS as well as CROWS and CORMORANT. Just one SHAG.
TREADDURE BAY: OYSTERCATCHER.
LLANBERIES PASS: WHEATEAR, RAVEN, WILLOW WARBLER, CANADA GOOSE, MEADOW PIPIE, MAGPIE, JACKDAW, CROW, HERRING GULL MALLARD MOORHEN, CUCKOO, COMMON BUZARD,
BEDDGELERT: JAY, GREY WAG, CHIFFCHAFF, MISTLE THRUSH, SONG THRUSH, WILLOW WARB, RAVEN, PEREGRINE FALCON, COMMON REDSTART.
ABERDARON: RAVEN, STONECHAT, MEADOW PIPIT, PIED WAG, MANX SHEARWATER 2 and a HOBBY flew East at LLITHFAEN
MENAI: OYSTERCATCHER, SHELLDUCK, CURLEW, GREY HERON, CANNADA GOOSE, MUTE SWAN, SANDWHICH TERN, CORMORANT, WHIMBRAL 2, LITTLE EGRET, REDSHANK, TURNSTONE,
LLANDDONA: MANX SHEARWATER 2, flying west. GANNET 1, RED THROATED DIVER, COMMON GUILEMOT. SANDWHICH TERN 3
CEMLYN BAY: LITTLE EGRET, STONECHAT, MAGPIE CROW, SANDWHICH TERN, ARCTIC TERN, COMMON TERN, MED GULL, BLACKHEADED GULL, MEADOW PIPITE. MANX SHEARWATER 2, RAZORBILL, COMMON GUILMOT, HARBOUR PORPOISE,
AMLWCH: RAVEN, ROCK DOVE 2. PIED WAG.
VALLEY: BULLFINCH  a pair at the end of runway. WILLOW WARB, COMMON WHITETHROAT, CORMORANT, MALLARD.
PENRYN: PIED FLYCATCHER, DABCHICK, JAY, GREAT SPOTTED WOOD, MAGPIE, COAL TIT, BLUE TIT GREAT TIT, SWALLOW, CHAFFINCH, GREENFINCH, ROBIN, WREN, HOUSE SPARROW, WILLOW WARB, PIED WAG, MALLARD, TUFTED DUCK,