Ness Point and Tramps Alley

Ness Point on the 25th: Largest movement of RED THROATED DIVER I have seen this winter with most birds flying north. I did not count all birds as I believe some were GREAT CREASTED GREBE. So the count stayed at 73 in all. The other movement was varied for GANNET with in all 39 birds. I also had 1 TURNSTONE and 5 COMMON SCOTTER flying North.

Tramps Alley: This was not so much birding but fishing. Very little about and only 2 OYSTERCATCHER flying south. I also had 4 CARRION CROW clear up after me. I did have 5 MED GULLS with me for most of the few hours down there. One bird was colour ringed which has already been moved on. However the bird below has lost a part of its landing gear. Obviously not the fault of ringing.

 

 

 

Parked at Somerlyton Railway Station and walked through to Herringfleet marshes.

As I walked out of the station I heard the call of a Nuthatch and then it flew tree top height overhead.

I got in conversation with a resident and finished up talking to a lady my the name of Janet from Station Villas. Obviously she has birded for a long time. She said she had not seen any down there since the bad storm of years ago. But that she still sees them when she goes up the village opposite the old post office. First I new about it. Shows how much I know.

I first thought that this is a Rough legged Buzzard which flew through Herringfleet Marsh after upsetting a few crows. But in retrospect it is again the pale bird which keeps cropping up. It was seen last year and does create a problem of id.

 

 

 

 

Also there.

3 Stonechat.

3  Reed bunting. 

1 Grey Heron

3 Kestrel

2 Common Buzzard.

1 Marsh Harrier Female

 

Somerlyton Station.

1 Nuthatch

Coal Tit

1 Redwing

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker

Red Admiral Butt and Peacock Butt

Ness Point and Leathe's Ham

Incoming breeze at Ness means that birds are that little closer so it was good to pick up on the following:

Ness Point:   Best was undoubtedly the flock of 10 RED BREASTED MERGANSER flying south in a line a reasonably close in. Also WIGEON seemed to be on the move with 3 flocks 3-7-23 also a small flock of 4 TEAL. Plenty of movement out at distance with 7 RED THROATED DIVER and a single bird closer in which was not a Red but indistinguishable as to its real id. Assumed a Black throated Diver. GANNET flying mostly south 14 birds in all with one on return flight north. I also had 2 Auks flying south, these birds where not Little Auks.

Leathe's Ham:  Best bird was fly over a flock of 9 GREATER WHITE FRONTED GEESE. which included at least 3 birds as young. I also had to KINGFISHER at the same time and 24 PINTAIL 4 GADWALL. 3 DABCHICK

Minismere

Dull and overcast but birding ok but when you think I saw 53 species at Abberton last week and only 47 today what a comparison. The old place is still good and in case you have a history of Abberton here is a picture of Roy King in one of the traps from 1963. It must have been the later half of the year as the start of it was frozen. I remember it well as I am sure anyone would who was out there with Roy. Remember I was only 13 years old at the time.

Best bird today was the three BEWICK SWANS that have been around our cost for 10 days. Other than that it was good to catch up with a GREEN SANDPIPER that put its head up and flew off. BLACK TAILED GODWIT and plenty of WIGEON but most things were the usual run. The small stuff was of interest and a REDPOLE and SISKIN amongst a mixed flock.

Breydon

Called in for a short walk along the wall today.

So many GOLDEN PLOVER going into thousands as were the LAPWING. It is just an all inspiring sight. 2 KESTREL, DUNLIN, SNIPE calling overhead. WIGEON in several hundreads as well as CURLEW and good numbers of BLACK TAILED GODWIT. Also had at least 4 LITTLE EGERET. PIED WAGTAIL as well as a scattering of SHELLDUCK.

    Flock of 11 LINNET flying and this bird although distant still shows the distinct wing of Linnet

Abberton Reservoir and Bebacre Broad.

Abberton Reservoir:  While in Colchester took a walk around the new hides on the reserve and from School Lane as well as Layer Bretton end. Here I found my first GREAT WHITE EGRET for the day which pictured in bad light below. As well as RED CRESTED POCHARD  the usual female which is a partial hybrid.

 

At School Lane:  I stopped counting LAPWING at 700 when another hundred came on in. but there was also 53 GOLDEN PLOVER and 7 DUNLIN as well as 3 RUFF.
Centre:  A pair of stone chat at the entrance was a good view and also a GREEN WOODPECKER. A few SKYLARK and in the bay yet another GREAT WHITE the second followed by yet another on the far side. LITTLE EGRET and GOLDENYE where in plentiful supply but a bird that was well across the other side was still viewable as a male MERLIN. It seems that the first REDWING of the year was mine when it flew up from my path and started eating in a bush nearby. Altogether 53 species in 2 hours. Not bad going.

Benacre Broad.: Best birds were undoubtedly the pair of SHORELARK and obvious male with a black bib and a female with a more rusting rump. She was not much dowdy but what I would call not so clear cut in plumage. These to birds were associating with 4 SNOW BUNTING of which was a good white bird. 2 MARSH HARRIER one which was really pale bibbed and the other shoulder coloured. A pair of SHELLDUCK and a single MED GULL and GADWALL. 30 TEAL and 3 DABCHICK. Flying south  several flocks of BRENT ( 5-7-28-24) and one on the broad as well as a BARNACLE GOOSE a feral bird assumed. I also had a roving pair of CHINESE WATER DEER.
On return to car in first wood. LONG, BLUE and GREAT TIT'S as well as a single male BLACKCAP.

Ness Point, Lowestoft.

Still a strong breeze from the South although visibility on Monday was really good.

 

Sunday 9th:  The RED BACKED SHRIKE has now been here for 6 weeks and 2 days. I managed to get on to it again I would think it was for the last time. I stayed until it went to roast in evergreen bushes in Wilde Street under the popular tree so perhaps this is the last pick of this long staying RBS. Lets hope he finds some peace where ever he goes. I also had a few MED GULLS and 9 PURPLE SAND. Still GANNETS flying by way out AND A SMALL FLOCK POF common scoter.

                                                                   A LAST GOODBYE

Monday 10th: Good vis and a good array of birds. I here there is no sign of Desert Wheatear or RBShrike today. I did have 2 ARCTIC SKUA at least that is my opinion as I would not dare at distance to say they are Pom. It was good watching the SKUA taking on a Herring Gull but the tables where turned when a Great Black Backed Gull gave him some real grief. A small flock of 6 TEAL flew through and another two flocks of about 30 birds followed later. One OYSTERCATCHER heading south and an auk well out flat and running along wave gave itself up as a LITTLE AUK. The small flock of BLACK HEADED GULLS that feed of the Ness had four MED GULS interspersed today. Also below one of three flocks of BRENT.

North Dene's

Nice bird to add to the year list with a DESERT WHEATEAR. This bird was reported early morning and on the way to Ness heard that it was still showing so a called in which brought the bird.

Looks like an a typical bird in respect of plumage and showing as a 1st winter male. That's if I know anything.
The bird was obviously tired and was not to people in that it was little afraid. But what encourages people to get so close who should know better baffles me. Is a picture that close. It is amazing that they did not go up its rear end. If the bird is tired give it some relief surly. It started to eat and was obviously becoming gradually more active by the time I left but what a lovely bird for the area. Well done to finder.
Also had a single LITTLE AUK south which dropped in well offshore and then took flight again south. I also had a BLACK REDSTART in front of me that came along the wall flew over my head and headed inland towards Gunton Cliff. Again what a fab bird in the sun with its red tail showing so well.                                                     DESERT WHEATEAR.

North Dene's

Sunday turned out to be of interest as I stopped to pick up someone for church a HOUSE MARTIN flew over. This bird was feeding well on the wing just a pity no bin's.

North Denne's:   Very little up flycatcher alley except that there is an obvious increase in WRENS right along the walk. I had 2 JAY , L.T.TIT, BLUE TIT, GREAT TIT, 1 GOLDCREST and several DUNNOCK which were calling well. 6 MEADOW PIPIT and at one time 15 GREENFINCH. although there where several flocks about.

Gunton Warren:  1 GREAT SPOTTED WOOD and a GREEN WOOD. Again JAY'S flying well. I also had a SPARROW HAWK being chased by a CROW on top of the cliff.

Links Hill:  3 MED GULLS one the usual white rung bird but a new one was on show today with a yellow ring. 2H49 Reported in so see where this one leads.