Sunny Day and Great Birding

Eileen and I visited three sites in Lothingland TM59 to search for January flowering plants. We at first visited Waveney Forest Fritton where we only found Poa annua (Annual Meadow Grass) and Ukex europeus (Gorse) but try as we might we could not find any more flowers to add to our Wild Flower Society (WFS)As we walked down along to the River we met with birding giant Malcolm F from the Saints near Bungay, he was in the wrong place for looking for the long staying Rough - legged Buzzard. We took him to the outer edge of the reedbed where we soon located this fine winter visitor perched on a gate pots c 1/2 mile from the Norfolk bank. As we shook hands with Malcolm we say three Bearded Tits fly over the reeds.

We were really on a wild flower walk so the Rough leg was a bonus. I had no idea we would see it so well from our vantage point.

Next stop was the very muddy Blocka Lane from the Fritton end. Again only Gorse was found in flower, not even a Common daisy could be found. We did see a nice flock of c30 Redwings.


Finally we reached Herringfleet Hills where we saw a flock of Siskins.

This fungus known as Phlebia radiata and has the odour of cheesy feet, this was on an Oak bough in Blocka Lane.

Harlequins

Early or late Harlequin Ladybird larva found today

Square Bashing

Took a walk along the northern boundary of TM48 in Beccles, to start recording for the Wild Flower Societies 10km square competition and add any more January flowering plants for the winter months hunt. Big surprise was a flowering Senecio viscosus (Sticky Groundsel) and some early flowering Primula vulgaris ( Primroses)

Blow it no Bewicks

Eileen and I decided to attempt the gloomy day and look for the reported Bewick Swans on Shipmeadow Marshes. we dipped and carried on around the Waveney Valley. Nothing notable except a few Norfolk and Suffolk year ticks.
This fungus Tremella mesentrica was found on Gorse at Broome Pits

Hurrah for Snowdrops

Finally Eileen and I found some Snowdrops at Ringsfield Churchyard. They are rather late this year, Also at Stockton Churchyard we found some flowering Primroses.

150 Redwings at Beccles Common and a Woodcock again.

A Glaucous day

Dipped on the Glaucous Gull at Aldeburgh but the snow was Glaucous in places. A Chinese water Deer crossed the road at Shadingfield and Three fallow Deer at Henham were of note. This Lapwing was seen on the marshes at Aldeburgh

Beccles Area Produces the goods

A snow covered walk produced some great new year ticks, along a ditch a Jack Snipe, Woodcock and Grey wagtail were seen along with some Snipe.
On Beccles Marshes there were 12 Snipe on the grazing marsh.

I would have walked further but the heavy snow showers and cold wind made it difficult

Winter Magic

The best thing about being your own boss is that you can choose your own working hours. Today I visited Kessingland Beach for the Shore Larks and Snow Buntings. I managed 70 odd Snow Buntings below Coastguard Lane TM538861 and found a single Shorelark by the large pool below the Red House at TM538870. Two Meadow Pipits flew in off but otherwise no seabird movement until I saw three 1st win Gannets following a ship offshore.

Next stop was Chedgrave Marshes and the New Cut at St Olaves to begin the long walk to see the Short eared Owl which was seen hunting in the distance. There was an impressive skein of c2000 Pink footed Geese and a huge skein of c6000 over Berney Marshes they looked a sight in the sky at distance. Occasionally I flushed two Snipe and at the end of the walk had flushed six pairs. Interspersed with the Geese were 60 Greylags and a few Golden Plover and Lapwings.

Of the other raptors I saw a female Marsh Harrier, male Sparrowhawk, Kestrel (Mobbed by SEO)but no Rough legged Buzzard or Hen Harriers.


It was another great winters day.

Winter Birding is Brill

Another great day but the back roads, where us birders like to travel were very frozen and dangerous. Today it worked out great. I had just seen a male Sparrowhawk in the hedge at Sotterley and as I reached the fields between Uggeshall and the A12 Wangford Bypass I saw a huge raptor tearing at a Woodpigeon. I soon scoped it and was watching a juvenile Rough legged Buzzard I was so pleased to find my own rarity.

At Minsmere along many treacherous icy roads I re found the Green -winged Teal amongst a hundred or so Common Teal.

A single Water Pipit and four Sanderlings were present along with a Drake Pintail.

Another excellent winters birding in Suffolk.

Back to Lowestoft

On the way back to Lowestoft to see the Black-throated diver we stopped off at North Cove to look for the Little Owl. We dipped but did see and enormous mixed flock of Redwings and Fieldfares numbering c 200. We then stopped off at ASDA by Lake Lothing and saw albeit distantly the Black-throated Diver, also there were four Shags and three Little Grebes.

Afterwards we stopped at Haddiscoe for the Rough legged Buzzard and dipped on that too.

Here is a cold image of the River Waveney from the bridge at St Olaves

Back to Patch

Re visited my old Lowestoft patch today for year listing and managed to get the Lowestoft rarities.

1st up was the Rock Pipit at Hamilton Dock then a Red throated diver flew south.

There was sporadic sea movement with 24 Cormorants flying south offshore Seven Eider and seven Bar tailed Godwits in off. The best bird was a Dartford Warbler found my Andrew E and Rob W. the Lowestoft Birders who never seem to fail on finding good birds.

We saw an adult Med gull and on the way back Eileen and I saw a Purple Sandpiper on the rocks at Ness Point

"Bright" day in Suffolk

Eileen and I started the New Year and Decade at Slaughden after staying overnight in the top Hotel in Aldeburgh. First bird of the year was a Collard Dove followed by Blackbird and Blue Tit. At Slaughden we saw a few Redshank and a lone Ringed Plover. There were lots of Shoveler in Thorpness Mere.

At Minsmere it was overshadowed by famlilies with noisy children and people obviously non birders wearing ridiculously bright un suitable clothing and footwear. They then complain they have not seen anything for their fiver. Ratty one of the volunteers were there, she is so called cos she has buck teeth and greasy hair and looks like a fat Rat.

There should be a reserve protocol. bright clothing equals a non visit to the reserve.