Ness Point, Lowestoft.

Strong wind from the North  with squally showers with some dark cloud behind and sun on the water.

 

This was for me undoubtedly the best sea watch for me for almost a year. It was in contrast to yesterday and just shows "what a difference a day makes". Must be a song there.

 

Best bird for me was the two SOOTY SHEARWATER which where both heading North. The 1st was well off but was in good light and flying with adult and immature GANNETS. So comparison was possible, but the real distinct  flight pattern was obvious, with some back tracking as ell as close skimming. The 2nd bird was much closer and was clearly identifiable as it moved across the wave and banked. In fact this was a great view with the dark sky behind and the water a light turquoise. Gannets and R-T-Diver as well as some very dark birds in genus, which where not identifiable but assumed Black throated. I had several RED-THROATED-DIVER on the water, some still with summer plumage and not yet winter. Three COMMON SCOTER on the water and many assumed flying further out. The other birds of course where dark bellied BRENT GOOSE with some  numbers flying south but most North.

I picked up on a very large SHEARWATER flying south, although well off no that far in real terms. It was coming in close and I followed it until it hit the sun on the water. This bird never showed its belly but did show the following. It was not as big as a gannet and a fawn colour with a diamond tail. Very stiff winged and doing what shearwaters do best. It was flying south and for this reason it never really turned. The only group for this is CORYS SHEARWATER and although I have not claimed it I would not be at all surprised.

SABINS GULL was just the opposite as this bird was opposite me and was a first winter bird. The bird gave all the identification required and although the only one ever seen or the nearest still a good bird to book in. It took time to fly through and gradually fly out to sea and head North.

I had a single FIELDFARE fly in from the sea and land in front of me for a few second before flying inland. GOLDCREST behind me calling and a flyby MEADOW PIPIT.

You may wonder why this headless pheasant is on my blog. Well I tried to chase it down the road so I could get another garden tick. Trouble is she dived into someone else's front garden.