Breydon South Wall.

What can I say only that I have failed again to contact with the Dickey Pipit.

Breydon South Wall:    On arrival put to flight a SNIP which zig zag or was that zag zig away. CHAFFIN and GREENFINCH as well as GOLDCREST and BLACKBIRD on arrival. A single tree had 13 MAGPIES in it of which 4 were chased off. CURLEW fly over 57 with flocks of LAPWING over about 50 birds in all. 1 PEREGRONE and small flocks of TEAL on the river as well as 8 SHELLDUCK. SKYLARK around with a count of 10 birds on way up. 1 STONECHAT and 1 CETTI'S WARBLER.. As for LITTLE EGERET only one bird seen and the same for COMMON BUZZARD. I also put to flight this fox below.

Links Hill: A few NED GULLS coming into good plumage. The Hungarian bird and the Dutch one still there. But the sad one was the one legged job.

Ness Point, Lowestoft.

Bright day today with North easterly wind. Light, Heat haze unusual.

Ness Point:  RED THROATED DIVER 21 North  and 17 GANNET North. The unexpected was a movement of GREAT BLACK BACKED GULLS North with 80+ birds in all. I also had my first KITTIWAKE heading in the same direction as the rest. A fly by to of a ROCK PIPIT, guess which way it was heading. Ok you got it right.

Lake Loathingland:  Good to see our friends making Lowestoft there home again.

Lound lakes SWT

On way back from JPH called in overcast and cold.

Lound Lakes:     7 CARRION CROW on arrival with only one SHOVELER on the water. We also had a good fly by of a GREEN WOODPECKER and this was followed by a MISTLE THRUSH. The usual stuff around in the shape of GADWAL and plenty of MOORHEN.

Somerlyton:    As we were driving alongside Hall wall there were four KESTREL.

Corton Logging Mill

Cold lazy wind from the East made it rather chilly but some sun with little heat in it.

Corton:   The best birds were undoubtedly the 2 pair of BULLFINCH to the East path which seemed to be feeding on bramble bushes. These birds did not give good views so was pleased to come away with something even if it was a rear view. GOLDFINCH and CHAFFINCH flock and a few ROBINS, WRENS, BLUE and GREAT TIT. I also had a GREEN WOODPECKER which was a good tree hugger.

Links Hill, Lowestoft.

BIRD FLEW LANDS IN LOWESTOFT

From Budapest

H5N3 Influenza has crossed over from Europe and has been found here on the East coast. Shock horror what shall we do. I know we will kill all the chickens?

The above bird has been about for a few weeks now but it the first time I have found him or her. Why would he really want to come al this way to Blight'y, what is it that we have that is found over the water.

As for this big boy I dread to think where he comes from. On inspection he is a MEW GULL but how big and how small do they go. This bird must be from the far North of the range as in size he I think the biggest that I have seen. If you read the books a Ringed bill Gull walks about a lot. This boy hardly ever stood still so nothing is guaranteed. But if you were his body weight you would not stand still either.



North Cove

Still cold but light at 5pm this evening. Signs of things to come.

 

Ellough Airport:  While driving through behind it a single REDWING, FIELDFARE and SONG THRUSH. Also a small flock of COMMON GULL feeding in a lower field.

 

North Cove:  A purposeful visit to get MARSH TIT on the list for the year. Managed this with

several birds coming to a feeder. As were GREAT, BLUE, LONG TAILED, and COAL TIT. 7 BLACKBIRD on entry to reserve and a fly over COMMON BUZZARD. A pair of RINGED COMMON PHEASANT were eating the fallen nuts and a squirrel was enjoying the feast to. Scampering around a single DUNNOCK. A large flock of small stuff flew in high calling well. This was a serious mixed flock of birds containing mostly GOLDFINCH but a scattering of the following in with them. CHAFFINCH, SISKIN, LESSER REDPOLE, BLUE TIT as well. The flock was between 60+ to 80 birds.



Breydon South Wall

Yet another try and dip over Richard's Pipit. But then it was cold and some snow falling. But the old warmers in the boots were very good.

 

Breydon South Wall: Best I suppose was the GREY PLOVER and BAR-TAILED GODWIT feeding together as the tide went down. So some of the stuff today a single COMMON BBUZZARD well over the other side. But closer to home and on Lizard side was a small flock of 5 BRENT GEESE dark bellied which again flew of North to join the buzzard. However for a change the AVOCET moved up river on Lizard side so a pic was in order. Also had a single in the following. MEADOW PIPIT, SKYLARK, ROCK PIPIT. A few RINGED PLOVER flew up on the tide and the usual DUNLIN. French CORMORANTS feeding the river with the scattering of TEAL, MALLARD, and 6 SHELLDUCK. LAPWING were cutting up the sky at times and a few CURLEW put in an appearance. I also saw 2 CHINESE WATER DEER in one of the dykes.