A four hour stint on the Marsh was as good as ever, 42 species seen with an OTTER giving a brief show. Very close to the centre. But the best natural occurrence was REED BUNTING and SKYLARK. For those who love to listen it was a joy to here a parascending MEADOW PIPIT. Also the song of the SONG THRUSH was real treat. Also a distant BITTERN and HOBBY.
Of recent I added a new tick to the home list with a CUCKOO. It was flying at 60ft and North. Immediate impression was it was a sparrowhawk but with a second look with bins it was a CUCKOO. That day was also odd as it has been several years since I had MALLARD from the garden, three birds on a mating chase along Denmark Rd. I also picked up on five SWIFT on there arrival over he house. On Sunday morning I walked out of the back door to find a squirrel sitting looking at me. Not for long as it bounded away. Missed a raptor fly by, shew signs of being a buzzard.
Pathways on Monday brought in several birds including a RED KITE which flew through, also a SPARROEHAWK male flew through. BLACKCAP, CHIFFCHAFF, WHITETHROAT,
A ride round SOTTERLY brought me a good view of a PIED FLYCATCHER which was flittering between trees and a good view as it flew into nearby tree.
With three HOBBIES in the air at one time a photo was needed. So in keeping with the demand here we go. Also two BEARDED TIT and one WATER RAIL. Altogether 34 species for the afternoon. Also a HAIRY DRAGONFLY.
Left Lowestoft and headed up to Great Yarmouth and North Dene's to the sound of high flying SKYLARK. The Lark Ascending is a joy. A few CARRION CROW and a single BLACKBIRD. We then headed for Acle via Caister. Turned of left a mile past Caister Castle and travelled the eight miles to Stocksby. Each year have done this ride on a good day in the spring. To say it was disappointing is a limited statement. So what did I pick up on, a single pair of RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE. and three CHIFFCHAFF and one CHAFFINCH. 70 CARRION CROW in a ploughed field. Tragically that was it, Ever felt for the situation of our bird life, this was it. Was desperate in regards to other years. Disappointed.
As for Stocksby it was fair, 1 GREENFINCH, 3 SWALLOW, 1 GREY HERON, 1 MARSH HARRIER, STARLING, EGYPTION GOOSE, MUTE SWAN on its nest. Also a single PIED WAG (Yarnelie)
Reedham saw some more important with 3 GREENFINCH, male MARSH HARRIER, Pair of MALLARD and three CHINES WATER DEER. PEID WAGTAIL and 19 HOUSE SPARROW.
Back road to Haddisco was more encouraging, with 10 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 BLACKCAP,
Pathways: Today a lat call in with a pair pf KINGFISHER and a LONG TAILED TIT going into its nest, CHIFFCHAFF 3, and one BLACKCAP, 2 LITTLE GREBE and STOCK DOVE.
Well the month of May has started with the warmest and most delightful day of the year. Blue Sky a real blog day.
The count for the day was 42 with several birds missing from count, but an added list tick with a fly over HOBBY. Catching dragonflies on the wing and doing ariel anticks. Watched a GREY HERON swallow a freshwater ell, nearly to big. But after 20 minuets it went down. SEDGE, WILLOW, REED, CETTIES, BLACKCAP all put in an appearance.
