Links Hil and North Dene's

Raining when I arrived so sat in the car and waited till it was over. With the first COMMON TERN on the groyns for the summer. A couple of CROW and two MED GULLS at rest in the car park. So of for a walk around circular walk while the sun was out. 5 GREENFINCH flew out off wild rose bush. A single GOLDFINCH over and 4 LINNET. But at first bramble up poped an adult WHINCHAT at 10ft away no mistaking this little ditty. When on the next bramble just fledged STONECHAT I think there may have been three in all. But found an adult pair nearby. There must have been at least a dozen COMMON WHITETHROAT.

Pathways

The regular weekly visit brought in the sighting of a LESSER WHITETHROAT the adult was tacking lower down and out of sight. But the young one was feeding furtively higher up and spent all its time hiding. So just snapped away at the bush, so the photo below has a lot to be desired. But at least its there.

Also had 2 LITTLE GREBE and a really yellow CHIFFY which was calling qith a hewit call and an of Chiffchaff. The photo of a COMMA is good and no complaints. 9 SWIFT, GREENFINCH. as well as 2 EMPEROR DRAGONFLIES.

Ormesby Broad, Thurne, Stocksby.

Had a stop over at Ormsby, with the best being a BAR-HEADED-GOOSE more than Likly from Thrigby Hall Gardens. A KINGFISHER heard but not seen. COMMON TERN, GREAT CREASTED GREBE, EGYPTIAN GEESE, SWIFT, SWALLOW, KESTREL, GREY LAG GOOSE. A GARDEN WARBLER was singing near the toilet block snd sldo s BLACKCAP could be heard. But the other surprise was that I saw a WREN fly into a tree trunk and sure enough a nest.

Stocksby: SWALLOWS were flying in and out of the bank collecting mud and green weed to daub around nest.  A single SEDGE WABLER took to flight over reed bed. A single COMMON BUZZARD as we left was heading into wind

Ashby Dell, Near Fritton.

Circular walk to Ashby, St Marys Church.

The best find was a pair of LITTLE OWL, mind you one could have been a young bird. But at distance who can tell. These birds where sheltering out of the strong wind. It looks like the birds may roost on church tower in view of the amount of poo on sills.

A KESTREL flew low in front of me carrying a large vole, but only one singing YELLOWHAMMER. as for WHITETHROAT I had 4 birds singing. A COMMON BUZZARD was harrying everything around the wood over Fritton. A single PIED WAG and CHIFFY. The verge by the church was a delight.

Walberswick,

Birthday bash with family after lock down. Physically distant, brain out of kilter.

A very worrying and out of character BLACK HEADED GULL. showing some very odd plumage. To start with an adult head which means in its second year. But the odd back end in the tail trailing edge is black. Also the tail seems long. But the bird shows some of the odd marking in the wing with the P9 and P10 showing black fringing. Not very often seen and always a second look required. Movement of SWIFTS off the water.
One MEADOW PIPIT parachuting down from 50 feet. With young SWALLOWS and four OYSTERCATCHER, Two overflying REDSHANK and one GODWIT. The family of CROWS had an issue with each other.

Pathways

Out again at Pathways after having a week away. Picked up 21 species in just over an hour. It was a new record to see two pairs of coot with one nest abandoned and another being made in the centre of the lake. BLACKCAP, CHIFFCHAFF and eight SAND MARTIN. First SWIFT here of the year and the fantastic plumage of a  KESTREL.

Pathways

First time birding for weeks. Missed most of the action bt keeping safe. If you regularly take a look I am sorry for no updates. But here we are again.
It was just great to be back at Pathways and to see how things have moved on in 2 months. While not out I have joined in with Lockdown Lizards and really enjoyed them just for being there. Thanks guys. See you at the Stamford one day.
As for being on lockdown thank God for Jesus, but also my birding has come out at 37 species from the garden.
Pathways:
Best was the Kingfishers calling to there young which must have fledged very recently. Also an increase in the number of COMMON WHITETHROAT with at least four birds calling. Also good numbers of GREENFINCH with six birds in one flock. Altogether 27 species in an hour means not bad going.