Regular visit with little to watch, so the only thing of any significates was a late brood of MOORHEN and they where feeding themselves. I had one SNIPE fly over, one BUZZARD and a possible Radpole.
While in the garden this morning a flock of six GREY HERON flying North over the town.
It seems that things are on the move with a few new winter species on the lake. With the first GADWALL and WIGEON. There was also an increase in MOORHEN with 21. It was also good to watch a pair of JAY who had taken a serious attitude against our resident SPARROWHAWK. Obviously it was interested in hunting but as far as they where concerned they where not pleased. Also KINGFISHER kept piping from below the hide.
The Hawk has its eye on the Jay.
Home:
We pick up with the Queens funeral which for me will not be remembered for anything much more than the few minuets I spent outside in the garden. As I sat out there the screams of PERIGRINE overhead were unusual. It was obvious that the two birds concerned were female by there size. I grabbed my bins by my side and gave them a look. To my surprise they where being mobbed by a small raptor. I was no larger than a Blackbird so that only leaves one bird that matches and that is a MERLIN. Not a bad bird for a garden tick. It was all over in a minute with no time to cut a shot.
Gorleston Cliff:
While waiting for family I sat and watched and imediatly picked up on a GUILLEMOT swimming along not far from shore. Paddling like made he made his way over the swan wreck heading South towards Lowestoft. Flock of COMMON SCOTTER heading North 13 in all. 50 GANNET feeding well off shore. Diving of young and old birds. A RED THROATED DIVER flew North as did my first BRENT GOOSE for the autumn.
Carlton Marsh:
The four hours brought in 27 species with sightings of two GREEN SANDPIPER in flight, Also three CHIFFCHAFF with all calling Hueet but one was truly visible. GRREN WOODPECKER calling regularly as was a JAY which eventually gave itself up. It was also good to introduce several people to a STONECHAT which was making itself visable.
Regular call in as SWT guide, spent most time with a couple from Ipswich. We watched several CHINESE WATER DEER with one being a young animal. We also had fly through of three SWALLOWS. At least 3 BUZZARD and 2 KESTREL.
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Just a short walk out with several WHEATEAR with four birds in the compound joined by three PIED WAG and a pair of MEADOW PIPITE. A single ROBIN calling near the Oval entrance joined by a small flock of HOUSE SPARROWS as for home a SPARROEHAWK flew through as a large group of HOUSE SPARROWS stayed put in the buddleia.
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