Oulton Marsh.

 Walk through on Fisher Row to the river and heading all the way round. On arrival a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER gave a good opposite St Michaels Church. At the end of the walk 27 species. Next bird of any note was a KINGFISHER on the far bank of Oulton Dyke. The sound of BEARDED TITS along river but none seen and the same can be said for three CETTI'S WARBLER. About 30 WIGEON on scrape with two GREY HERON. One COMMON BUZZARD flew through as did a WATER PIPITE calling as it went. We only saw one CHINESE WATER DEER, but the lack of small stuff in the tree canopy. What I did see was GOLDFINCH, GREENFINCH. BLACKBIRD, WREN, ROBIN, BLUE TIT, GREAT TIT but not one long tailed tit.

 

Pathways Care Farm and Links Hill.

 Regular visit brought in a new bird for the list here today with a SNIPE which took to flight as I approached the pond. It flew off West and was soon lost to sight. But the confiding DUNNOCK which has made its home in the Polly tunnel. Now he has worked out how to gain entry into the guine pig hutch. Fancy stealing food from those poor little things.

Links Hill: The usual STONECHAT was again viewable as was three MED GULLS.

Pathways Care Farm.

 Regular visit with 18 species, but the odd thing was the movement of BLACKBIRDS. All continental birds male female and young birds to. In 20 minuets 18 flew into Hawthorne and eat well. Young, male and female birds. Two COMMON BUZZARD flew through but only one in pic.

Pathways, Lowestoft.

 Called in to do a WEBS count. Not the best day but at least the MUTE SWAN has returned after fledging the four young. As usual when it comes to the day there is little on site. A few MALLARD however add some colour to the beginning of winter.

I am interested in the activity that I have noticed  amongst BLACK HEADED GULS. Not one of identification but one of social interaction between birds of the same species. On several occasions, including today the interaction between two birds as they fly in 50 ft circles and calling each other. They tend to fly as close to the water, almost dipping a wing into it.. So why is it that whenever I see this happen that birds fly in an anticlockwise direction. So two questions.

Pathways Care Farm

Pathways: Filled up the feeders and spent a while in the hide watching our regular KINGFISHER. Also a single COMMON GULL which was there last week one day later than last year. PIED WAG, MALLARD 12, MOORHEN.

Med Gull, Links Hill.

North Dene's, Lowestoft.

I managed to get to see the DUSKY WARBLER this am. Well done to Rob and will the bird stay through the winter. We will see. The bird was calling, or tacking well and flew along the belt for 30feet rightb in front of us. It dived in low vegetation and was lost again. There is a small alder on the rise of the slope. I looked at it with my binns and sure enough there it was bobbing about. I called out and all pinned it. I8t moved up the the alder and then came right out and sat on a branch before heading of into the holly and to the top of the slop. Never an easy bird to locate let alone gain a good view, but at least I saw it well.

Also a pair of STONECHAT at car park and a FIRECREAST calling near Dusky. LTT, BT, GT, WREN. ROBIN, CHAFF. MIPITE  and 2 JAYS.

Pathways Care Farm.

 Late afternoon call in to check on feeders. Seemed all ok and birds feeding when I turned up. Met up with the old farmer who cared for the site. Just great to talk to him and learn about the past. He told me that there was over 30 farms in the area and when he took over from his dad it was sixteen and now just four. How things have changed, but I was able to catch sight of a KINGFISHER. He was unable to see it, but was thrilled to think it was there. GADWALL up to 7 and MALLARD 14. Numbers now on the move. 

North Dene's Lowestoft.

 North Beach: Again this area has been good to me with this LONG EARED OWL turning up. I must admit that I did not find it. But a couple did and let me know. It was sitting behind a groyne and from where I sat it was not viewable. I new something was amiss with all the cormorants more than alert and gull having a kick off. But after they told me I managed to watch for 30 minuets before it took flight and I lost it to the sun as it headed over the dene's.

Also 47 TURNSTONE and 5 PURPLE SANDPIPERS. Also 2 MEADOW PIPITS.

Pathways

Despite the latest lockdown a walk round was ok under legislation. The kingfisher above has not been seen for months. But a single COMMON GULL was again another first for the winter as was the single GADWALL. Only one REDWING but 8 BLACKBIRD and 2 MEADOW PIPIT. Also good to see a COMMON DARTER a gay later than last year. Also gulls jave started to come into the lake as there cleaning station.