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.

Home

Not a bad pull this for a bird as it is the first for my garden list even if not a lifer. I was sitting in the back garden as you do and had already picked up on several birds. I had GOLDFINCH, GREENFINCH, SWALLOW, SWIFT, SAND MARTIN, HOUSE SPARROW which for some reason is not to plentiful at times. PIED WAG and BLACK REDSTART. When I noticed gulls acting strangely. Obviously these gulls had taken a sure dislike to what I saw as a very large white bird with very long legs. I immediately thought GREAT WHITE EGRET. I have put it through on Tweet as a possible but, there was no real doubt. The bird was no stork and was miles to big for a Little Egret. I was only able to watch for just a few seconds but long enough to shout up to my son who saw it as well flying over the harbor here in Lowestoft.

Jubilee Covet and Sandhill Covet

st say we were just that bit late for the Blue bells, but what a marvelous sight they must have been. We made the local population take to flight with noise. This being the ROOKS which obviously must nest in this old wood. It seems obvious that this is a very old area and that at some time there must have been an old hall of some description as there the occasional odd looking tree and  rhododendrons in flower. Birding was a single HOBBY with the best singing bird a GARDEN WARBLER, CETT'IS WARBLER, BLACKCAP, CHIFFCHAFF, GREAT-SPOTTED-WOODPECKER. R-L-PARTRIDGE. OYSTERCATCHER.

Blunderston

While with the grand children I caught this moth. Surprising what you find on the wing. This is not my photo.

Roeslerstammia erxlebella

Wood Cottage: was the first stop of late this afternoon. First sighting on arrival was a pair of WOODLARK and followed up by 2 singing WHITETHROAT. I was also able to locate a soaring COMMON BUZZARD with good hands. Plus a soaring MARSH HARRIER and one flying through reed bed. YELLOW HAMMER at least three birds. Two GREEN WOODPECKER. Walk to the corner brought me a sight I had never witnessed before. This was a SONG THRUSH in song really upsetting three NIGHTINGALES. the noise was great with a fury of song. I also was glad to pull in a calling TURTLE DOVE which although it did not sing for long was just great to hear.
Hen Reed Bed:  One booming BITTERN, REED BUNTING, GREY LAG GOOSE. 2 LITTLE EGRET and 1 BARN OWL.