When I were a boy

Just came across this old photo of yours truly at Mersea Island in September 1963. Was I part of the revolution into spotting scopes. Who can tell as you can still see my old Lord Nelson telescope at the side. The picture includes my mum and her evacuee boy from the war, John. Sadly shortly after the photograph John died in a tragic accident on a raft in Canada. However that was how he lived and died and what great example he was. By the way what do you think of the mod shirt. Or was it Teddy Boy?

North Dene's, Lowestoft,

Walk round Sparrows nest followed by walk back along sea wall.  Very little about except for a large flock of SWIFT that had taken on a feeding frenzy above North Dene's. A few COMMON TERN off shore with LINNET as fly over. Best was a young WHEATEAR who had taken a sincere dislike to a TREE PIPIT. Watched both birds until disturbed by worker on new caravan site.

Corton Cliff and Corton Wood

Once you run the gauntlet of naked men on the beach, the walk was ok. Along the base of the cliff brought in a small flock of SAND MARTIN still intent of hanging around there nest site. We also found an odd LINNET which was not doing what it should do. How strange. But then I don't do as I am supposed to do sometimes. Something to do with calvanism they tell me. Very little out at sea, except for 16 TURNSTONE on rocks, but the best was the walk through Corton Woods. Several SPECKLED WOOD in both light and dark phase. We also cam,e across a pair of young SPARROW HAWKS who where being tended by there mum. If calling ever attracted anything then only Gulls could beat these two young birds. We also picked up a few Blue Tit and Great as well as a young JAY and a single Robin and Wren.

Late evening walk along river Waveny on Oulton Marshes. Only about a mile from sunset to darkness. Plenty of dragonflies with the best being  Broad Bodied Chaser. We also watched for some ten minuets a pair of HOBBY'S hunting low over the reed bed on far side of river. We also picked out the call of a TAWNY OWL from the far side to and a LITTLE OWL on far west of marsh. The call of a BARN OWL also from Fisher Row.

Hoist Covert, Walberswick.

Just a short walk , but cant complain. First bird up was a pair of YELLOWHAMMERS who were flitting between hedge and low cut grass. This was quickly followed by a COMMON BUZZARD and a MARSH HARRIER which had decided to take to the air for a short spin. No wind so they did not act up for long. While watching  I thought I heard a TURTLE DOVE so set off to view. It took all of a two minuets to find it as it sat well out in the open, atop a fire tree. Photo opportunity as you can see. While seeking for a good shot I came across a pure white pheasant, not long enough to determine characteristics. But with all the captive bread birds released anything is possible. I also had four GREEN WOODPECKERS and a single WHITETHROAT.
I also was able to photo a Small Coma as you can see across..........

Oulton Broad

Picked up again with the escape duck CAPPED SHELLDUCK a better photo this time.

Oulton Broad

Not seen by me but by my son at the weekend was an odd looking duck. Turned out to be an obvious escapee. No surprise there. But a real surprise to have a CAPPED SHELLDUCK and as the name suggests a South African bird from the Cape. This was a male bird and a sort of pic on the right.