Home and around as day out.

While in the garden early morning a WHIMBRAL flew overhead. Another first for the garden.

 

Went out with friends from church on a magical mystery tour. So in birding terms the family of seven GREY PARTRIDGE running up the road in front of the minibus was a real exception to the rule. The fact remains that they stood aside and let us past in full view. Not often you have this opportunity. The only sad news about this was it was in Norfolk and not Suffolk. But you cant have everything. Also saw a single COMMON BUZZARD telegraph post sitting. Makes a change from children.

North Dene's

Home:  Started of the day with the sound of a houit in the Buddleia bush. Sure enough didn't take long for a fresh run adult CHIFFCHAFF to put in an appearance. This is the first of real migrant that all will wit for. Perhaps this is the year that I get my 1st Yellow Browed Warbler in the garden?

 

North Dene's:  Went for a walk round the bushes and picked up on at least 5 adult COMMON WHITHROAT. The reality is that a pair of these birds are still feeding young. No real surprise there I suppose. I also met up with an obliging male BLACKCAP which was intent on feeding on blackberries. Also the proverbial GREENFINCH about 5 birds in all. Took to watching tern's with no surprises. But the amount of SWALLOWS was really great. But when the sun came out they where gone in seconds, out over the sea as far as you could see with the scope as well. Also a good flock of SWIFT put in an appearance well up in the sky over Gunton Cliff. The next bird was a new run SANDLING who was fiddling around with the TURNSTONES and I also had a pair of RINGED PLOVER fly through as well as a single OYSTERCATCHER.

 

Links Hill, Lowestoft.

Just another look for something on the way through.

On arrival Jonathan noticed a raptor well high and far off. Something like as far as Hamilton Dock. The bird was tight circling and then headed off West. He took a long nose dive which took him five minuets to complete. The bird was dark from where we were. Showing strong carpel joints and well forward of head. At no time did it flare its tail which in effect was long. The bird looked in all appearance a Kite, but in reality I have never seen a Kite act like this. So I assume it was either a COMMON BUZZARD or Marsh Harrier. I would poke for the former.

 



 

Several COMMON TERNS with a smattering of SANDWICH both adult and young. MED GULL showing off shore with a flock of 50 SWALLOW which where feeding over the sea. I also had about 3 SWIFT overhead and a flock of 15 on Gunton Cliff. There was also a REDSHANK on a groyne and a single immature 1st summer GANNET well out.

Waxham and Walcot

Special ride out to see if I could locate the ROLLER. walked from Waxham Gap south so that I could walk beach back. I managed the shortest view possible of the Roller as it was sitting 6 feet from the ground in a small bush looking in my direction at about 500meters. I managed to get the scope on it focused and then went to screw it up closer when it flew. Managed to pick it up again in flight some 400 meters away as it flew between small trees only to disappear behind them. So that was it , but at least it was there.

Went then along foreshore walking north and had a very close view of a ARTIC SKUA which had taken a serious dislike to a Sandwich Tern. All over in a few minuets but what a display. Even a local was surprised.

Then on to Walcott where I picked up on a small bird out at sea about 800 meters from shore. It was clearly a moulting PUFFIN with orbital disc still showing although already very dusky. The bill was dark and right shape so what a good one for August of the Norfolk coast.

Links Hill, Lowestoft.

Short walk and picked up with local birders. Still Terns present with mainly COMMON TERN and a few SANWHICH TERNS. I  also had a single ARTIC TERN adult and a flock of 15 SCOTER which was a sex mixed with 4 female. TURNSTONE along foreshore. I was also on South Pier today with a visiting MED GULL still showing well as adult. KITTYWAKES still screaming around but obviously less than in the last few days. Turnstone also on pier head.

Links Hill and Gorleston South Cliff

Took a few minuets out this morning to take a look at the juvenile BLACK TERN which was viewable on arrival. Spent some 10 minutes before it flew off North again. There was also a single adult ARTIC TERN which was again very obliging amongst the COMMON TERN and SANDWHICH TERNS. These birds where both young and old which again made it interesting viewing. Also a MED GULL put in an appearance.

 

MED GULLS there was a good number close to shore at GORLESTON adjacent to the wreck of the SWAN. On which sat 2 SHAG and several TERNS flying though as well. I picked up on a very large tern which was flying with MED GULLS to my surprise it was the same size as them which immediately took my notice. The single bird was flying south and was feeding. It was dropping to the water but not diving from about 30 feet. It was feeding much the same way as you would see a little gull. Surface feeding but not disappearing into the water at all. In was going away from me when I picked it up so no chance how ever much I tried to see the bill. The tail; was forked a and the grey was distinctly across the top of the tail. The wings where both black at tips and in flight did show on both sides. My conclusion was immediate in that I assumed that it was a CASPIAN TERN. As far as I am concerned it was and will log it as the same. Past the info on hopefully it will be seen again. The only issue is I have never seen one in flight so have no evidential experience, although have seen adults before.

I also had a pair of WHIMBRAL fly by and a SEAL. (Not flying)

Walberswick

Of recent evenings I have been scanning from Ness Point. Its been looking really good and evidently this evening it has started well. There is an obvious movement of birds especially terns which are heading south at some rate. I would estimate about 600 birds which seems to be confirmed by others. I have not yet made any real significant sightings but a RED KNOT is knot bad. Amongst the TURNSTONES. I did have an adult MED GULL the other night which was flying high and north. As for today the best bird was at Lodge Lane at Walberswick when I picked up on a juvenile WOODLARK this is the first time I have had this privilege to my knowledge. The bird was siting on the old pines and then moved to a wire further along. It was far to busy preening. There was a few RED-LEGGED-PARTRIDGE, ROBIN, WREN, BLACKBIRD, MISTLE THRUSH, MAGPIE 7. CROW, SWALLOW, SAND MARTIN, SWIFT, CHAFFINCH, BLUE TIT,

Not the best pic in the world but at least its there.

 Juv Black Headed Gull ( Links Hill)