Friday 27 December 2013

Xmas and Tomorrow

HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GOOD XMAS!

Dad and I are going on a guided boat trip tomorrow on the river stour, on the suffolk/essex border. In my opinion, I think its one of the best places in winter, and hopefully I shall nail my first Slavonian Grebe in East Anglia!!!! Fingers Crossed.

BOXING DAYS SIGHTINGS!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Glossy Ibis still at Oulton Marshes, Lowestoft
Iceland Gull at Snape
Firecrest at Kessingland
Mealy Redpoll at Lackford Lakes
Long-tailed Duck at Covehithe
Velvet Scoter x 2, Scaup x 2 at Bawdsey
Snow Bunting x 55 still at Pakefield
Black-throated Diver still at Alton Water
Purple Sandpiper x 11 at Ness Point, Lowestoft

Other News!
**MEGA** BRUNNICH'S GUILLEMOT at Portland Harbour, Dorset!

CHRISTMAS DAY'S SIGHTINGS!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Glossy Ibis still at Oulton Marshes, Lowestoft
Twite x 25 at Dunwich
Long-tailed Duck at Covehithe Broad
Snow Bunting x 64 at Pakefield
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford Ness
Hen Harrier at Minsmere
Snow Bunting x 8 at Landguard

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN BUFF-BULLIED PIPIT at Burton Marsh, Cheshire
**MEGA** IVORY GULL still at Patrington Haven, Yorkshire
**MEGA** IVORY GULL still at Lewis, Western Isles

Tuesday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Glossy Ibis still at Oulton Marshes, Lowestoft
Black-throated Diver, Slav Grebe x 2 still at Alton Water
Balearic Shearwater past Aldeburgh
Black Brant at Shotley Marshes
Snow Bunting x 60 at Pakefield
Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck x 2, Snow Bunting x 8 at Landguard

Other News!
**MEGA** IVORY GULL still at Patrington Haven, Yorkshire
**MEGA** IVORY GULL at Lewis, Western Isles

Monday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Glossy Ibis still at Oulton Marshes, Lowestoft
Black-throated Diver still at Alton Water
Snow Bunting x 50 at Pakefield
Velvet Scoter x 2 past Landguard
Crossbill at West Stow

Other News!
**MEGA** IVORY GULL still at Patrington Haven, Yorkshire

Sunday 22 December 2013

OLD TRAFFORD!


MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
Come on United!!!!!

Dad and I went to Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United FC yesterday. We are Man U nuts, so it was great to go and see them beat West Ham 3-1. Welbeck, Januzaj and Young were the scorers. All 3 goals were fantastic, especially Young's!

On the way up to Old Trafford, we saw a Red Kite, and a Buzzard. Not too much, but better than nothing. Mind you, I was asleep for most of the journey LOL. Took some pics on my phone when we were sitting in the ground, great views.

The stadium from our seats.

 Me.

Just before kick-off

We were very high up, so the light was very poor, that's why the pictures are so rubbish. Had a great day, as we left at 7:10 and got back at 10:30 in time for Match of the Day.

We have been to Old Trafford many more times before this match. Just in case you are wondering.

Happy Birding!

Sunday's Sightings!

Sorry about the delay, so I have jumped straight to yesterdays bird sightings in Suffolk. Hope there is no inconvenience.

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Glossy Ibis again at Oulton Marshes
Long-tailed Duck x 3 past Landguard

Other News!
**MEGA** IVORY GULL still at Patrington Haven, Yorkshire

Monday 16 December 2013

Monday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Slavonian Grebe x 2 at Alton Water
Red-breasted Goose x 2 (esc.), Caspian Gull, Pink-footed Goose, Barnacle Goose x 200 at North Warren RSPB
Lapland Bunting still at Southwold
Waxwing x 8 between Aldringham and Thorpeness (y'day) but no sign today
Grey Phalarope still at Walberswick
Waxwing x 3 at Ipswich Hospital
PARROT CROSSBILL X 10 still at Tuntstall Forest
Snow Bunting x 30 at Pakefield
Shag at Landguard
Slavonian Grebe x 2 at Alton Water

Other News!
**MEGA** IVORY GULL at Patrington Haven still, Yorkshire

Sunday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
PARROT CROSSBILL X 10 at Tuntstall Forest
PARROT CROSSBILL X 11 at Mayday Farm
Grey Phalarope, Waxwing still at Walberswick
Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Goose x 300 at Falkenham
Firecrest at Kessingland
Lapland Bunting at Southwold
Velvet Scoter past Thorpeness
Slavonian Grebe at Alton Water still

Other News!
**MEGA** IVORY GULL at Patrington Haven, Yorkshire

Saturday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
PARROT CROSSBILL X 10 again at Tunstall Forest
PARROT CROSSBILL X 2 again at Mayday Farm
Grey Phalarope still at Walberswick
Slavonian Grebe at Alton Water
Long-tailed Duck at Benacre Broad still
Twite x 45, Water Pipit between Walberswick and Dunwich
Firecrest x 2 at Corton
Bewick's Swan x 6, Hen Harrier at Minsmere

Other News
**MEGA** FORSTER'S TERN at Garrettstown, Co. Cork
**MEGA** SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER still at North Ronaldsay, Orkney
**MEGA** IVORY GULL still at Evie, Orkney Mainland

Friday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Grey Phalarope still at Walberswick
Long-tailed Duck still at Benacre Broad
Purple Sandpiper x 6 at Ness Point, Lowestoft

Other News!
**MEGA** IVORY GULL still at Evie, Orkney
**MEGA** SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER still on North Ronaldsay, Orkney

Thursday 12 December 2013

Thursday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
PARROT CROSSBILL X 13 again at Mayday Farm
Grey Phalarope, Spoonbill still at Walberswick
Long-tailed Duck at Benacre Broad
Snow Bunting x 20 at Pakefield
Purple Sandpiper at Ness Point
Eurasian White-fronted Goose x 2 at Minsmere

Other News!
**MEGA** IVORY GULL at Evie, Orkney
Two-barred Crossbill at Lynford Arboretum
Desert Wheatear still at Severn Beach, Gloucestershire

Wednesday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Grey Phalarope still at Walberswick
Waxwing x 3 at Lowestoft
Long-tailed Duck at Benacre Broad
Bewick's Swan x 5 at Stutton Mill

Other News!
**MEGA** BAIKAL TEAL still at Marshside RSPB, Lancashire
Desert Wheatear at Severn Beach, Gloucestershire

Tuesday 10 December 2013

Tuesdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Grey Phalarope still at Walberswick
Black Redstart at Landguard
poss Black Brant, Water Pipit x 3 at Shingle Street
Long-tailed Duck still at Benacre Broad

Other News!
**MEGA** BAIKAL TEAL still at Marshside RSPB, Lancashire

Monday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings
PARROT CROSSBILL X 2 still at Mayday Farm
Grey Phalarope at Walberswick
Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, Water Pipit x 3 on Stour Estuary from various sites
Long-tailed Duck at Benacre Broad
Black-throated Diver past Landguard
Long-tailed Duck at Felixstowe Ferry

Other News!
**MEGA** BAIKAL TEAL still at Marshside RSPB, Lancashire
**MEGA** poss. PACIFIC DIVER off Worthing, Sussex
Two-barred Crossbill again at Lynford Arboretum, Norfolk

Sundays Sightings

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
PARROT CROSSBILL X 10, Crossbill x 10 at Mayday Farm
Pomarine Skua, Velvet Scoter x 3 at Thorpeness
Snow Bunting x 18, Great Skua, Great Northern Diver at Landguard
Snow Bunting x 30 at Pakefield
Scaup x 2, Velvet Scoter at Bawdsey
Black Redstart x 2 at Slaughden
Rough-legged Buzzard at Orford
Spotted Redshank x 2 at Dingle Marshes, Dunwich

Other News!
**MEGA** BAIKAL TEAL still at Marshside RSPB, Lancashire
Tow-barred Crossbill at Lynford Arboretum, Norfolk

Sunday 8 December 2013

Daily Sightings Page

I have totally forgotten about the Daily Sighting's Page and the Video's page on the Blog. I'm very sorry. I shall start doing this again as much as I can. It may be like the Suffolk Bird Sighting's, I may not be able to do it each night, because of Homework, but I will try as much as I can.

Yesterday, Mum, Dad and I went to Lynford Arboretum, to try and nail the 2barredXbill, for the second time. We missed the bird by 15 minutes - typical! When we arrived there to find out this news, there were 2 guys there who had seen it. It was with about 30 Crossbills. We saw 2 Hawfinch and 10+Crossbill.

Saturday 7 December 2013

Coastal Devastation

Thursday Night bought total devastation to places all the way along the North Norfolk coast. The A149 is flooded from Cley to Salthouse, with Hemsby, Snettisham, Titchwell and Holme being hit awful buy the storm, the latter being least affected. Cley NWT is shut, but the visitor center is now open. Titchwell has just about got away with it, but the beach and dunes area are destroyed, and I believe that Snettisham is still Closed.

The Grey Seal pups have been washed away, with 263 pups lost at Horsey. That's horrible news. I would presume that about the same are lost at Blakeney, with this place being completely hammered by the water. I think a majority of Freshwater places along the Norfolk Coast are now Saltwater, which will kill hundreds of fish living in there.

The hides at Cley are nearly all underwater, and the reedbed is almost no-more.

Sheringham sea watching hut has been washed away, so my dream of sea watching in the hut at Sheringham will be no more. :(

Hemsby locals that lived on the cliffs have had to evacuate, as some of the houses have been washed ashore, some even going out to sea. It's a shocking picture to think, let alone see.

I hope that the reserves will open soon, and that things will be back to normal. However, I realize that everything will not be exactly as it is. Reed beds will have to be re-grown, and hides will have to be re-built. I hope everyone is OK.

Saturdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Hooded Crow, Spotted Redshank at Dingle Marshes, Dunwich
Firecrest x 2 at Corton Woods
Snow Bunting x 31 at Pakefield
Snow Bunting x 6 at Landguard
Long-tailed Duck at Benacre
Hen Harrier x 4 at Lakenheath Fen
Pale-bellied Brent Goose x 2 past Thorpeness

Other News!
**MEGA** IVORY GULL X 2 at Seahouses, Northumberland
**MEGA** IVORY GULL at Boddam, Aberdeenshire
**MEGA** BAIKAL TEAL still at Marshside, Lancashire

Friday's Sightings

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Snow Bunting x 28 at Pakefield
Short-eared Owl at Shingle Street
Velvet Scoter x 2 at Dunwich
Velvet Scoter past Landguard

Other News!
**MEGA** BAIKAL TEAL again at Marshside RSPB, Lancashire

Thursday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Pomarine Skua off Landguard
Hen Harrier at Lakenheath Fen
Snow Bunting x 25 at Pakefield

Other News!
**MEGA** IVORY GULL flew past Tarbat Ness, Highland

Wednesday 4 December 2013

Wednesday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Slavonian Grebe x 12 in Holbrook Bay
Long-tailed Duck, Scaup, Bittern at Benacre Broad
Bewick's Swan x 6 at Stutton Mill
Long-tailed Duck x 4 off Landguard

Other News!
**MEGA** IVORY GULL at Baleshare, North Uist
**MEGA** BAIKAL TEAL still at Marshside RSPB, Lancashire

Tuesday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Long-tailed Duck at Covehithe Broad
Scaup at Benacre Broad
Pomarine Skua, Arctic Skua off Minsmere
Slavonian Grebe x 7 in Holbrook Bay
Velvet Scoter off Landguard

Other News!
**MEGA** BAIKAL TEAL still at Marshside RSPB, Lancashire
**MEGA** BRUNNICH'S GUILEMOT off Filey, Yorkshire

Monday 2 December 2013

Mondays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Shag at Stutton
Long-tailed Duck, Sanderling x 4 at Covehithe Broad
Slavonian Grebe x 9 at Holbrook Bay
Snow Bunting x 11 at Pakefield
Rough-legged Buzzard, Long-tailed Duck at Orford
Scaup at Benacre Broad

Other News!
**MEGA** BAIKAL TEAL still at Marshside RSPB, Lancashire but no further sign this afternoon

Sunday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
PARROT CROSSBILL X 6 again at Tunstall
Snow Bunting x 15 at Pakefield
Snow Bunting x 5 at Gunton
Purple Sandpiper x 6 at Ness Point, Lowestoft
Snow Bunting x 17 at Landguard
Ruddy Shelduck at Castle Marsh, Lowestoft
Hen Harrier at Ramsholt
Rough-legged Buzzard, Swallow at Orford
Scaup at Nacton Shores
Black Brant at Kings Fleet
Slavonian Grebe at Alton Water
Great Northern Diver at Harkstead
Great Northern Diver at Waldringfield
Firecrest at Gunton
Snow Bunting x 2 at Shingle Street
Slavonian Grebe x 8 at Stutton Ness
Velvet Scoter x 2, Bonxie past Thorpeness
Hen Harrier at Lakenheath Fen

Other News!
**MEGA** BAIKAL TEAL still at Marshside RSPB, Lancashire
**MEGA** FORSTER'S TERN again at Claddagh Beach, Co. Galway

Saturday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Slavonian Grebe at Alton Water
Sooty Shearwater, Manx Shearwater, Black-throated x 2 at Southwold
Bittern, Yellow-legged Gull at Trimley Marshes
Velvet Scoter x 2 at Ness Point, Lowestoft
Hen Harrier between Ramsholt and Shottisham
Twite x 6 at Minsmere
Snow Bunting at Landguard
Hen Harrier at Lakenheath Fen

Other News!
**MEGA** BAIKAL TEAL at Marshside RSPB, Lancashire
**MEGA** FORSTER'S TERN at Nimmo's Pier, Co. Galway
**MEGA** IVORY GULL at Seaburn, County Durham

Friday 29 November 2013

Friday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Glaucous Gull, Twite x 50 at Dunwich
Velvet Scoter x 5, Snow Bunting x 2 at Minsmere
Great Northern Diver at Harkstead, Stour Est.
Slavonian Grebe at Alton Water

Other News!
Two-barred Crossbill still at Lynford Arboretum

Thursday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Snow Bunting x 100 at Pakefield
Hen Harrier still at Westhorpe
Velvet Scoter x 7, Snow Bunting x 20 at Minsmere

Other News!
No sign of Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler at Holkham Today

Wednesday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Hen Harrier at Westhorpe
Twite x 60 at Dunwich
Rough-legged Buzzard, Long-tailed Duck at Orford
Black Redstart at Lowestoft

Other News!
**MEGA** unconfirmed NUTCRACKER yesterday at Pegwell, Kent but no sign today
HUME'S YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER at Holkham Pines, Norfolk this afternoon

Tuesday 26 November 2013

Tuesday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Snow Bunting x 50 at Pakefield
Twite x 100, Snow Bunting x 8 at Dunwich
PARROT CROSSBILL X 8 still at Tuntstall Forest
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford Ness
Snow Bunting x 21 at Landguard
Snow Bunting at Kessingland
Short-eared Owl x 2 at Shingle Street

Other News!
Two-barred Crossbill at Lynford Arboretum

I saw on norfolkornithologistsassociation.pbworks.com that the Two-barred Crossbill at Lynford is a Common Crossbill with wing bars???????? If you guys know anything, please let me know.

Cheers and Happy Birding as always!

Monday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
PARROT CROSSBILL X 16 still at Tunstall Forest
Snow Bunting x 24 at Landguard
Slavonian Grebe x 6 on Stour Estuary
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford Ness

Other News!
**MEGA** SNOWY OWL yesterday St. Kilda, Western Isles
**MEGA** PACIFIC DIVER still off Pendower Beach, Cornwall

Sunday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Glaucous Gull, Short-eared Owl still at Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft
Snow Bunting x 31 at Landguard
Velvet Scoter x 2 off Slaughden
PARROT CROSSBILL X 10 still at Tunstall Forest
Lapland Bunting x 2 still at Corton
Pomarine Skua, Great Skua, Velvet Scoter off Thorpeness
Hen Harrier at Shottisham
Snow Bunting x 10 at Pakefield
Velvet Scoter x 2 off Ness Point, Lowestoft

Other News!
**MEGA** SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER still at North Ronaldsay, Orkney
**MEGA** WESTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER still at Marloes, Pembrokeshire
**MEGA** PACIFIC DIVER still off Pendower Beach, Cornwall
**MEGA** FORSTER'S TERN at Nimmo's Pier, Co. Galway

Saturday 23 November 2013

Saturdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Parrot Crossbill x 10 at Tunstall Forest (for 8th day)
Snow Bunting x 4, Dartford Warbler, Velvet Scoter x 2 at Gunton
Firecrest x 2, Lapland Bunting at Corton
Hen Harrier at Lakenheath Fen
Glaucous Gull still at Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft
Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter, Bonxie past Thorpeness
Bewick's Swan x 9, Snow Bunting x 3, Ring Ouzel, Yellow-legged Gull at Minsmere
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford Ness
Snow Bunting x 16, Short-eared Owl at Landguard
Velvet Scoter, Bonxie x 2, Snow Bunting at Southwold

Other News!
Short-billed Dowitcher still at North Ronaldsay, Orkney
Western Orphean Warbler still at St. Brides, Pembrokeshire

Friday 22 November 2013

Friday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Glaucous Gull still at Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft
Snow Bunting x 50 at Lowestoft
Snow Bunting x 19, Bonxie at Landguard
Black-throated Diver, Velvet Scoter x 3, Bonxie x 2 past Thorpeness
Purple Sandpiper at Slaughden
Pomarine Skua, Bonxie past Southwold
16 Bewick's Swan, 3 White-fronted Geese, Twite x 5 at Minsmere

Other News!
**MEGA** SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER still on North Ronaldsay, Orkney
**MEGA** WESTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER still at St. Brides, Pembrokeshire
**MEGA** PACIFIC DIVER still off Pendower Beach, Cornwall
Two-barred Crossbill still at Lynford Arboretum, Norfolk

Sorry about the lack of updates. Just so much homework it's unreal. Hopefully I haven't disappointed anyone without doing Wednesday's or Thursday's Sightings.

Happy Birding!

Tuesday 19 November 2013

What A Birthday Treat!

For my Birthday, Mum and Dad decided to take me out birding on Sunday. We were initially going to go to Cley, and Holkham, but the weather forecast wasn't brilliant, so we decided to go to Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth. As we were all going out, that meant that I had the little camera, so I could take videos. Yipeeeeeeeeeee! I left Mum and Dad to do the pictures, and me to do the videos. Splendid.

We started at Great Yarmouth, looking for the Shorelarks. We parked about 1/2 mile north of the pier, and then walked south. There was one birder, who we met, and asked if he had seen them. He said that the Shorelarks couldn't be towards the pier because the amount of dog walkers and fisherman down there was unreal. He was right, but we still went down there to have a look. On the walk, we saw 2 Med Gulls flying around.


I then had a scan around on the beach about 300 yards north of the pier, and blow me down I could see 4 Shorelarks flitting and feeding around the shingle. AAARRRGGGHHH! We got down there, and we got within 15 feet of some these birds. It was an incredible Lifer that I have tried for humpteen times, but we finally connected.







We then met 3 birders. A man, a woman and their daughter Lucy who was a late teenager, and she was a person who was looking for young people who are interested in birds, like me. She is part of the BTO. We enjoyed the birds together, and then left them to it. 

We then went to Links Hill Beach, in search of any Snow Buntings. Once again, there were plenty of fisherman, so no chance in them, but we did get 2 self found Purple Sandpiper on the rocks with Turnstone. Also, there were 4 Med Gull in the car park.




We then decided to go and try for the Glaucous Gull at Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft. This again would be a lifer. When we got there, there were about 13 birders, but we went away from them, and closer to the gull, which was one of the easiest lifers I'll ever get. It was soooo close. 




Then we ambitiously thought to go to Winterton to get the massive flock of Snow Buntings. We got there, and the 3 people we met at Great Yarmouth were there. We were at the North Dunes at this point, and we had seen nothing. We asked them if they had seen anything, but they had seen nilch too. They had just been to Sea Palling, to see the Humpback Whale, but they had seen nothing. However, I just had a message in the Whale was seen 5 minutes ago. I told them, and they couldn't believe it. They ran back to the car park. We thought about doing that too, so we started to follow them. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a view of some small birds with white wings. I shouted to Mum and Dad "Snow Buntings," and we went back and got pics. There was about 40 birds present. The light was poor though.



We then started to head back to the car park, to go to Sea Palling. As we started to walk back, a further 60 flew over our heads really low. It was incredible. No picture though :( 

We then got to Sea Palling, and got to the crowd of people on the dunes. The viz was poor, and you could hardly tell the sky from the sea. We didn't see the whale, so we headed back and had a great lunch at The Countryman. The food was great. What a birthday treat.

Happy Birding!

Tuesday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
**MEGA** SNOWY OWL REPORTED FELIXSTOWE GOLF COURSE BUT NO SIGN BY 4PM
Glaucous Gull again at Hamilton Dock
Long-tailed Duck, Water Pipit, Yellow-legged Gull at Minsmere
Snow Bunting x 10 at Sizewell
Snow Bunting x 9 at Benacre
Snow Bunting x 4, Short-eared Owl at Easton Broad
Caspian Gull at Hollesly Marsh
Lapland Bunting x 3 at Corton

Other News!
**MEGA** PACIFIC DIVER still off Pendower Beach, Cornwall
**MEGA** no sign of YELLOW BREASTED BUNTING at Blakeney Point, Norfolk
**MEGA** SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER again on North Ronaldsay, Orkney
**MEGA** WESTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER still at St. Brides, Pembrokeshire

Monday 18 November 2013

Monday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Firecrest x 4 at Gunton
Scaup at Benacre Broad
Snow Buntings x 14 at Covehithe Broad
White-fronted Goose x 2, Bewick's Swan x 7, Snow Bunting x 5 at Minsmere
Snow Bunting x 17, Arctic Skua, Great Skua x 2, Bewick's Swan x 2 at Landguard

Other News!
**MEGA** YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING AT BLAKENEY POINT, NORFOLK!!!!!
**MEGA** PACIFIC DIVER still off Pendower, Cornwall

Sunday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gull (briefly) still at Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft
Pomarine Skua, Great Skua x 5 at Thorpeness
Dartford Warbler at Gunton Warren
Firecrest at Gunton Church
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owl x 3 at Orford Ness
Purple Sandpiper x 8 at Ness Point, Lowestoft
Purple Sandpiper x 2 at Links Hill, Lowestoft (found by BCM)
Snow Buntings x 4 at Falkenham
Raven at Ramsholt
Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gull x 3 at Minsmere

Other News!
**MEGA** SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER on North Ronaldsay, Orkney
**MEGA** DUSKY THRUSH at Paignton, Devon - till 2nd November
**MEGA** WESTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER still at St. Brides, Pembrokeshire
Two-barred Crossbill still at Lynford Arboretum, Norfolk

Saturday 16 November 2013

Saturday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Rough-legged Buzzard at Orford Ness
Raven over Felixstowe
Great-White Egret, Hen Harrier at Lakenheath
Glaucous Gull, Snow Bunting x 59, Purple Sandpiper x 5 at Lowestoft
Scaup x 2 at Bawdsey
Dartford Warbler at Gunton Warren

Other News!
**MEGA** WESTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER at Orlandon Kilns, Pembrokeshire
**MEGA** PACIFIC DIVER off Pendower Beach, Cornwall
Two-barred Crossbill at Lynford Arboretum

Thursday 14 November 2013

Thursday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford
Shorelark x 2 at Southwold
Shorelark x 2 at Benacre
Hen Harrier at Lakenheath Fen

Other News!
THAYER'S GULL still at Cley NWT, Norfolk until mid afternoon
GLOSSY IBIS at Cley, then Salthouse, Norfolk
Parrot Crossbill x 3 at Holt Country Park
HUMPBACK WHALE still off Sea Palling, Norfolk

Wednesday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
GREAT SNIPE (PROB) FLUSHED, Shorelark x 2 at Benarcre
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford
GLOSSY IBIS south over Minsmere
Twite x 40 at Dunwich
Bewick's Swan x 32 at Westleton Heath
Bewick's Swan x 10, Twite x 2 at Slaughden
Velvet Scoter x 2 off Hopton
Bewick's Swan x 6 at Hollesly Marsh RSPB
Short-eared Owl at Shingle Street
Snow Bunting at Landguard
Great White Egret, Common Crane x 3, Mealy Redpoll x 13 at Lakenheath Fen

Other News!
THAYER'S GULL at Cley NWT, Norfolk
GLOSSY IBIS at Welney, Norfolk
HUMPBACK WHALE again off Sea Palling, Norfolk
Parrot Crossbill x 12 at Holt Country Park, Norfolk

Tuesday 12 November 2013

My Birthday Tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Shorelark x 2, Snow Bunting x 6, Great Northern Diver, Bonxie x 3, Firecrest at Southwold
Rough-legged Buzzard at Orford
Snow Bunting x 13, Goosander, Yellow-l Gull at Minsmere
Red-necked Grebe x 2 at Landguard

Other News!
No other news.

Monday 11 November 2013

Monday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford
Little Auk, Red-necked Grebe off Thorpeness
Bewick's Swan x 8 at Minsmere
Scaup at Stour Est.
P-B-B Goose x 2, Long-tailed Duck of Landguard
Black Brant, Grey Phalarope, Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting x 5, Pomarine, Arctic and Great Skua's x 1, Manx Shearwater at Southwold.

Other News!
No other news today.

Sunday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Glaucous Gull off Ness Point this afternoon? also 9 Purple Sandpipers
Black Brant, Velvet Scoter x 3 past Hopton
Snow Bunting x 9 at Links Hill, Lowestoft
Shorelark x 2, Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting x 8 at Southwold
Twite x 42, Arctic Tern at Dunwich
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford Ness
Snow Bunting x 2 at Landguard
Yellow-legged Gull, Peregrine at Great Livermere

Other News!
Pied Wheatear still at Collingham Pits, Nottinghamshire
HUMPBACK WHALE still of Sea Palling

Saturday 9 November 2013

Saturday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
GLOSSY IBIS still at Hollesly Marsh RSPB
Great White Egret still at Minsmere
Great Grey Shrike at Snottisham
Snow Bunting at North Warren RSPB
Hen Harrier, Snow Bunting at Landguard
Arctic Tern past Southwold
Firecrest at Gunton Woods
Snow Bunting x 2 at Links Hill, Lowestoft
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford

Other News!
Pied Wheatear at Collingham Pits, Nottinghamshire
HUMPBACK WHALE again past Sea Palling and Waxham, Norfolk

Friday 8 November 2013

Friday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
GLOSSY IBIS still at Hollesly Marsh RSPB
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford Ness
Shorelark x 3, Great Northern Diver x 2 at Landguard
Great Grey Shrike at West Stow
Short-eared Owl at Bawdsey

Other News!
Two-barred Crossbill still at Lynford Arboretum, Norfolk

Thursday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
GLOSSY IBIS X 2 south over Minsmere RSPB
GLOSSY IBIS still at Hollesly Marsh RSPB
Shorelark x 2 at Pakefield
Hooded Crow, Black Redstart at Benacre
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford
Short-eared Owl at Shingle Street
Great Northern Diver off Landguard, then up the River Stour
Snow Buntings x 3 at Felixstowe Ferry
Bonxie x 3, Arctic Skua x 2 off Dunwich

Other News!
No other News

Wednesday 6 November 2013

Wednesday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Pomarine Skua off Thorpeness
GLOSSY IBIS still at Hollesly Marsh RSPB
Shorelark x 2 at Pakefield
Snow Bunting x 30 at Southwold
Bonxie, Firecrest, Merlin at Landguard

Other News!
Two-barred Crossbill at Lynford Arboretum
Glossy Ibis at Welney NWT

Tuesday 5 November 2013

There Ticking Up!

The title is basically suggesting that my year list and life list are ticking up, with 214 this year, and 240 for my life. This is a fantastic year if you compare it, because I am only 26 species off my life list this year. That's incredible. My highest ever year count was last years 205, well, I have thrashed that this year, and were still in November!!!

Anyway, Dad and I went to Norfolk for a bit of birding on Friday. We started of at northern section of Yarmouth Cemetery. Our ambition was to track down the Yellow-browed warbler that was seen on Thursday, and to do this, we presumably had to find a tit flock. It wasn't long before my ears picked up the call of Long-tailed Tit's, and sure enough we found th flock. Of course, there were several Long-tailed Tits


And also 3 Chiffchaffs

Not great!

The, we spotted a tiny bird flitting about low in the ivy. Our hopes went up, but then down a little way, as it turned out to be a Firecrest. Still a cracking bird to see, as I haven't had good views of these birds for ages. The best I got was this shot...


We the headed to Caister to get the Rose-coloured Starling, a lifer for Dad and I.






It then cleared off onto the distant roof tops...


We then left for Winterton. Passing through the fields around the road, we saw thousands of Pink-footed Geese. It was incredible. The shots were taken while driving, so that's why they are so bad....




We didn't get much at Winterton Dunes, apart from some Gannets and Common Scoters. We didn't know where the Snow Buntings or Lapland Bunting were when we got there, and there were so many people here, so we didn't see them.

If you've got good eyes, you can see the scoters. Very distant.

Pretty Poor

We then finished off at the raptor roost at Stubb Mill, and got several Marsh Harriers, Pink-foots and 2 Crane. Not a bad day, but could have been better.

Happy Birding!

Tuesday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
GLOSSY IBIS still at Hollesly Marsh RSPB
Little Auk in off (?) at Dunwich
Shorelark,  Snow Bunting x 6, Yellow-legged Gull x 2 at Minsmere
Glaucous Gull, WAXWING x 2, Sooty Shearwater x 3, Velvet Scoter, Snow Bunting x 5 at Landguard
Snow Bunting x 10 at Lowestoft
Snow Bunting x 12 at Southwold
Bonxie x 3 at Benarce
Black Redstart x 2 at Sizewell
Velvet Scoter x 2, Great Northern Diver on River Stour Est.

Other News!
No other news around today.

Monday 4 November 2013

Monday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
HUMPBACK WHALE off Dunwich and Minsmere RSPB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GLOSSY IBIS back at Hollesly Marsh RSPB though elusive
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford Ness, around the BBC outlet
Pomarine Skua x 5 off Thorpeness
Firecrest at Landguard
Short-eared Owl at Felixstowe Ferry
Velvet Scoter at Stutton Mill, River Stour
Snow Bunting x 12 at Links Hill, Lowestoft
Purple Sandpiper x 3 at Ness Point, Lowestoft

Other News!
**MEGA** FORSTER'S TERN at Nimmo's Pier, Co. Galway
**MEGA** poss. BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS off Baggy Point, Devon
Two-barred Crossbill still at Lynford Arboretum, Norfolk

Sunday 3 November 2013

Sundays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford Ness
Shorelark x 3 at Lowestoft
Arctic Tern, Firecrest at Landguard
Hen Harrier at Felixstowe Ferry

Other News!
**MEGA** MOURNING DOVE sill on Isle of Rhum, Highland
Glossy Ibis still at Welney, Norfolk
Two-barred Crossbill still at Lynford Arboretum

Saturday 2 November 2013

Saturday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford
Shag at Lake Lothing
Caspian Gull at Lowestoft
Dartford Warbler, Firecrest at Landguard
Dartford Warbler at Gunton
Snow Bunting x 13 at Kessingland
Snow Bunting x 8 at Southwold
Firecrest x 3 at Gunton
Velvet Scoter x 2, Great Northern Diver on River Stour

Other News!
**MEGA** MOURNING DOVE still on Isle of Rhum, Highland
**MEGA** BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS of Bass Point, Cornwall
**MEGA** CAPE MAY WARBLER still on Baltasound, Shetland
**MEGA** FEA'S PETREL off Ballycotton, Co. Cork

Friday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
GLOSSY IBIS flew south over Minsmere
GLOSSY IBIS present on Hollesly Marsh, probably the same bird from Minsmere.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owl x 2 at Orford
Lapland Bunting at Pakefield
Velvet Scoter x 2, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver on River Stour

Other News!
**MEGA** CAPE MAY WARBLER still at Baltasound, Shetland
**MEGA** HERMIT THRUSH still at Porthgwarra, Cornwall
**MEGA** MOURNING DOVE still on Isle of Rhum, Highland
**MEGA** WHITE'S THRUSH still on St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly
Northern Harrier still at Ouse Washes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

Thursday 31 October 2013

Thursday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Caspian Gull at Minsmere
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford Ness
Firecrest, Velvet Scoter x 2 at Landguard

Other News!
**MEGA** HERMIT THRUSH still at Porthgwarra, Cornwall
**MEGA** MOURNING DOVE still on Isle of Rum, Highland
**MEGA** WHITE'S THRUSH still on St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly

Wednesday 30 October 2013

Wednesday's Sightings

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Rough-legged Buzzard at Orford Ness
Black Redstart at Sizewell
Firecrest, Black Redstart at Landguard

Other News!
**MEGA** HERMIT THRUSH still at Porthgwarra, Cornwall
**MEGA** WHITE'S THRUSH still on St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly
**MEGA** CAPE MAY WARBLER still at Baltasound, Shetland
**MEGA** MOURNING DOVE still on Isle of Rum, Highland
Humpback Whale again from Sea Palling to Winterton, Norfolk

Tuesday 29 October 2013

Tuesdays Bird Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
GLOSSY IBIS, Red-necked Grebe, Mealy Redpoll x 2, Crossbill x 4, Hen Harrier at Thorpeness
RED-THROATED PIPIT, Ring Ouzel, Black Redstart x 3, Firecrest x 4, Crossbill at Landguard
SURF SCOTERbetween Minsmere and Sizewell
Common Swift at Undercliffe, Felixstowe
Short-eared Owl x 2 at Shingle Street
Shorelark, Great White Egret x 2 at Minsmere
Yellow-legged Gull at Dunwich

Other News!
**MEGA** HERMIT THRUSH at Porthgwarra, Cornwall
**MEGA** LESSER KESTREL at Torquay, Devon (for second day)
**MEGA** CAPE MAY WARBLER still at Baltasound, Shetland
**MEGA** MOURNING DOVE still on Isle of Rum, Highland
**MEGA** MYRTLE WARBLER
**MEGA** MYRTLE WARBLER still at Lundy, Devon
**MEGA** WHITE'S THRUSH still on St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly
**MEGA** SORA still on Tresco, Isles of Scilly
Two barred Crossbill x 2 still at Lynford Arboretum, Norfolk
Northern Harrier still at Ouse Washes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

HUMPBACK WHALE from Hemsby to Sea Palling, Norfolk

Stoat at Stowmarket

Had a stoat run across the road this morning in Stowmarket near Lakeside Fisheries. Delightful animals Stoat, but very dangerous to it's prey. Also, Yellow Wagtail and Redwing movement is rising again in Stowupland, and I also had 2 Reed Bunting flying over Stowmarket 9 Hole Golf Center too, so this shows migration is active.

Happy Birding!

Monday 28 October 2013

I'm Back!

On Sunday afternoon I arrived back from my RSPB Phoenix Conservation Weekend at Minsmere. I was so tired, so I wasn't awake enough to update the blog in the afternoon. Today we have had the power down since 8am - 5pm, so I have only been able to update till now.

Friday Night
The conservation weekend was excellent. We arrived at Blaxhall Youth Hostel near Snape, and I went into my dormitory. A boy called Louie was in there, who had came from Hereforshire. We had a chat, then shortly after that, another boy turned up, and he was called Gethin. He was from Glamorgan in Wales. Then a boy called Miles and Sam turned up, both from Colchester in Essex. These were my "dormitory buddies." Gethin new a lot about birds, more than the others. He used to be a twitcher, and I think he was more nerdier than me!

We had dinner - Soup, Jacket Potato and Tuna, then Apple Crumble and Custard, yum yum - then had a quiz and a talk from Sarah Wood, a manager at Minsmere. Very good. We then done a moth trap over night. 12:30am, we went to bed.

Saturday
An 8am start was not difficult. We had breakfast - Full English - then looked at the moth trap. We caught a Red Green Carpet Moth, Angle Shades, Large Wainscot, Yellow-lined Quaker and several more. Then we left for Minsmere. We arrived at the discovery center, and were split into 2 groups. One was working in the woodland, and one was on the heath. I was in the wood in the morning, with Gethin, Sam and Stuart, and we were making a log circle for children. It turned out very well, considering we started off with a big pile of leaves and weeds. We had to make a path, then the log circle at the end. We then had lunch, and then went up onto the heath with warden Katie. We had to clear a dip full of weeds, big trees and big scrub bushes so that the scarce Antlion insect could recover from it's decline in the country, and so that Minsmere could be a strong hold once again for the Antlion. This was very fun, but hard working.

We then headed back tot he hostel for a meal, then back to Minsmere for a night walk to the beach. Very relaxing.

Sunday
Today, we were going to Minsmere to see the birds. We had breakfast, and left at 8:50am. We arrived at Minsmere, and we headed for Island Mere. Didn't see much here apart from Red Deer, and Marsh Harrier.


We then went to Bittern Hide, but before we entered the hide, we were treated to something very special. An elderly gentleman was cupping his hands and walking towards us. He had a Blue Tit in his hand!!! It had flown into the hide and had got a bit weary. He handed it over to Mark, our head of the weekend and trained ringer, and showed us the bird in detail. Pitty I didn't get better picks.




When we released it it nearly flew straight into my head. Delightful little thing anyhow. Not much in Bittern Hide, so we headed for the scrape. Not much in here either apart from about 10 Snipe and a possible Female Pintail. We then headed back to the hostel at 11:30am and had lunch, and then left for home.

It was a great weekend, and they think they will hold it at Leighton Moss RSPB in Lancashire, which is the venue of Autumnwatch this year, so there we go. I would have just liked more time looking at the birds.

Today at Lackford Lakes - LIFER
After the horrific storm we had this morning, Dad and I headed for Lackford Lakes. We looked on the sightings board to see that 2 Jack Snipe, 2 Common Snipe, 2 Goosanders and several Crossbill were around the reserve. We headed straight for Bernard's Hide, and a very kind gentlemen directed us to my first ever Jack Snipe!!!!!



We also got a flock of 5 Crossbill, and a Common Snipe too.



As the Jack Snipe wasn't feeding very much, just sitting there sleeping, we decided to move on. We went to the Double Decker Hide. We got the pair of redhead Goosander, and further Common Snipe.



We the back to Bernard's Hide, to see if the Jack Snipe was feeding. He was definitely a lot more active. He was definitely on his Pogo-stick, but not his motorbike, you know what I mean! He was bobbing up and down a lot, but not moving anywhere.

We then went home to finally reveal that the power was on.

Just thought I'd show you this image. It was our neighbours trampoline that had turned upside down in the storm.


It's Half Term now, so I will have golf tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday, but hopefully I will be birding on Friday.

Happy Birding!

Monday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Great White Egret at Lakenheath Fen RSPB
Firecrest x 2, Crossbill x 10, Arctic Tern at Landguard
Jack Snipe, Crossbill x 10 at Lackford Lakes (BCM + CEM)
Short-eared Owl at Shingle Street
Tree Sparrow x c.150 at Ampton

Other News!
**MEGA** MYRTLE WARBLER at Lundy, Devon
**MEGA** MOURNING DOVE on Isle of Rum, Highland
**MEGA** CAPE MAY WARBLER still at Baltasound, Shetland
**MEGA** AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT still on Foula, Shetland
**MEGA** WHITE'S THRUSH still on St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly
**MEGA** SORA still on Tresco, Isles of Scilly
no sign of the RUBY CROWNED KINGLET on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork
Glossy Ibis at Welney, Norfolk

Thursday 24 October 2013

Thursday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Great White Egret x 3, Hooded Crow at Minsmere
Great White Egret at Lakenheath Fen
Mealy Redpoll x 34, Crossbill x 10 at Thorpeness
Velvet Scoter at Stutton Mill
Bewick's Swan at Benacre
Woodlark x 3 at Landguard
Short-eared Owl x 2 at Shingle Street

Other News!
**MEGA** CAPE MAY WARBLER still at Baltasound, Shetland
**MEGA** SEMIPALMATED PLOVER again at Hayling Island, Hampshire
Western Bonelli's Warbler at Holkham Pines, Norfolk
Pallid Swift at Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk
Northern Harrier still at Ouse Washes, Cambridge

Won't be doing this "Suffolk Bird Sightings" update now until Monday at the earliest, maybe Sunday if I get time because of my weekend birding trip.

Happy Birding!

Wednesday 23 October 2013

Wednesday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Swift, Great White Egret x 3 at Minsmere
Swift at Southwold

Other News!
**MEGA** SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT still on Fair Isle, Shetland
**MEGA** AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT on Foula, Shetland
**MEGA** CAPE MAY WARBLER at Baltasound, Shetland
**MEGA** FEA'S PETREL off Scillonian III, Isles of Scilly

Lists are getting quite short now because of all these westerly's. On my RSPB Phoenix weekend this weekend from Friday to Sunday at Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk. Should be a great time to meet new birding friends and give the guys a showing of my knowledge.

Tuesday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Rough-legged Buzzard at Orford
Great Northern Diver, Short-eared Owl, Firecrest at Landguard
Bewick's Swan x 2 at Minsmere

Other News!
**MEGA** SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT on Fair Isle, Shetland
**MEGA** SORA still on Tresco, Isles of Scilly
**MEGA** FORSTER'S TERN still on Rogerstown Estuary, Co. Dublin
White-rumped Sandpiper at Snettisham, Norfolk
Pallid Swift at Winterton, Norfolk

Monday 21 October 2013

Mondays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird News!
Great Grey Shrike, Lapland Bunting, Long-eared Owl at Landguard
no sign of possible PALLID SWIFT at Sizewell
Firecrest x 2 at Bawdsey
Short-eared Owl, Hobby at Felixstowe

Other News!
**MEGA** SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT on Fair Isle, Shetland
White-rumped Samdpiper at Snettisham, Norfolk

Sunday's Sightings

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Shorelark at Landguard
Rough-legged Buzzard at Orford
Yellow-browed Warbler at Kirkley Fen, Lowestoft
Yellow-browed Warbler at private garden, Kessingland
Great White Egret at Lakenheath Fen
Great White Egret at Aldeby Pits, Lowestoft
Lapland Bunting, Firecrest at Corton
Firecrest at Southwold
Common Scoter at Thorpe Bay, Trimley
Red-breasted Merganser at Oulton Broad, Lowestoft

Other News!
**MEGA** LANCEOLATED WARBLER on Fair Isle, Shetland
**MEGA** FORSTER'S TERN still at Rogerstown Estuary, Co. Dublin
**MEGA** SORA still on Tresco, Isles of Scilly
**MEGA** SEMIPALMATED PLOVER still at both Hayling Island, Hampshire and Pilsey Sands, West Sussex

Sunday 20 October 2013

North Norfolk Lifer!

Dad and I decided we had to go to the North Norfolk Coast for a bit of October birding. We started off at Cley Spy, Glandford. We got there at about 10:20am, considering we left at about 8:30am, we got there in pretty good time. Dad wanted to get his digiscope camera fixed, and looked out for the Black Redstart that has been hanging around the car park. There was no chance in seeing it though. It was tipping it down with rain. After 10 minutes or so it stopped, and the Black Redstart came out on show.



We then headed to Garden Drove, Warham. After going down the wrong track - not funny - we finally found the concrete pad. We parked on here and walked down. The bushes were full of potential, but the best birds were about 2 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff and several Starlings and Redwings. It was incredible the numbers of these birds. 



Walking back up the track we met Penny (nice to meet you Penny), and a founder of the Red Flanked Bluetail at Warham. They had been to Wells. They had Ring Ouzel, but they missed the Parrot Crossbill that had been seen there that morning. We thought that we had to go there, so that is what we did. We got a text from our "undercover agent" - you know who you are with the injured foot (get well soon) - saying that there was Ring Ouzel, Yellow-browed Warbler, Parrot Crossbill, Shag and Slav. Grebe all around Wells. We got into the wood and found the crowd looking for the Yellow-browed Warbler. It was a tricky little fella, because unless you were in the perfect position, like I was eventually, you only really saw it in the sycamore. My Camera was not being nice to me today, but Dad's first day out new camera was on fire. Look at these 2 stinking shots he got...


Very Nice.

We then had a wonder around the woods. Got Brambling, and a Muntjac but not much else. We then started to head back when all of a sudden, the melodic chipping of a flock of 4 PARROT CROSSBILL flew over our heads going West-South-West. An incredible lifer!!!! Got some record shots....



Also got a Kestrel here. 


We then headed to Warham again to do a little bit of finding and raptor watching. We got 2 Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl, Merlin, Peregrine, Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier and Sparrowhawk. Migrant wise, we got a possible Ring Ouzel, 4 Brambling, tonnes of Starling, 1 Fieldfare, and a few Redwing

Merlin

Brambling

Happy Birding!

Saturday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird News!
Shorelark, Great Grey Shrike, Long-eared Owl, Black Redstart x 2, Firecrest x 3 at Landguard
Shorelark, Yellow-browed Warbler, Short-eared Owl, Firecrest, White-fronted Geese x 7 at Corton
Black Redstart at North Denes, Lowestoft
Firecrest at Earl Stonham
Firecrest x 6 at Bawdsey
Black Redstart x 2 at Shingle Street
Ring Ouzel and Aldeburgh
Great Grey Shrike, Great White Egret and Bewick's Swan x 6 at Minsmere
Great White Egret at Lakenheath Fen - for 2 days
Short-eared Owl at Dunwich

Other News!
**MEGA** FORSTER'S TERN still at Rogerstown Estuary, Co. Dublin
**MEGA** SORA still on Tresco, Isles of Scilly
**MEGA** SEMIPALMATED PLOVER communicating between Hayling Island Hampshire and Pilsey Sands, West Sussex
Glossy Ibis at Welney, Norfolk
Dusky Warbler at Sea Palling, Norfolk
Parrot Crossbill x 4 at Wells Wood (We saw them)

Friday's Sightings

Suffolk Bird News!
no sign of Red Flanked Bluetail at Sizewell today but Great Grey Shrike, Black Redstart x 4
PALLAS'S WARBLER, Great Grey Shrike, Grasshopper Warbler at Minsmere
Twite x 10 at Felixstowe Ferry
Great Grey Shrike, Shorelark at Landguard
Shorelark x 3, Yellow-browed Warbler, Mealy Redpoll x 4 at Corton

Other News!
**MEGA** SORA still on Tresco, Isles of Scilly
**MEGA** SEMIPALMATED PLOVER still at Hayling Island, Hampshire
Dusky Warbler still at Weybourne, Norfolk
Two Barred Crossbill x 2 still at Lynford Arboretum, Norfolk
4 Glossy Ibis tracked from Brancaster to Sea Palling, North Norfolk





Friday 18 October 2013

Garden Lifer!

At 1:49am, I could here a strange call from one of the neighbours houses. It was so different, it actually woke me up! I looked out the window to have a peek. It was incredibly light outside because of the moonlight, and I could see that it was a Little Owl. First for the garden, and what a time to see it. LOL.

Thursday 17 October 2013

Thursday's Sightings

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
RED FLANKED BLUETAIL, Great Grey Shrike, Lapland Bunting at Sizewell
Shorelark x 3, Yellow-browed Warbler, Meally Redpoll at Corton
Shorelark, Great Grey Shrike at Landguard
Pallas's Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Great White Egret, Hen Harrier, Firecrest at Lowestoft
Great Grey Shrike at Landguard

Other News!
**MEGA** FORSTER'S TERN still at Rogerstown Estuary, Co. Dublin
**MEGA** SORA again on Tresco, Isles of Scilly
**MEGA** SEMIPALMATED PLOVER at Hayling Island, Hampshire
**MEGA** no sign of yesterday's PALLAS'S GRASSHOPPER WARBLER on Gugh, Isles of Scilly
Glossy Ibis at Pensthorpe Waterfowl Park, Norfolk

I had my first Fieldfare of the Autumn today, over Trinity Walk, Stowupland!!!!!

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Wednesday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird News!
RED FLANKED BLUETAIL still at Sizewell
RADDES WARBLER at Shingle Street
Great Grey Shrike at Landguard with Yellow-browed Warbler, Meally Redpoll being trapped and ringed: see pics here.
Great-White Egret x 3 at Minsmere

Other News!
**MEGA** FORSTER'S TERN still at Rogerstown Estuary, Co. Dublin
Dusky Warbler still at West Runton

Jealousy!

Very jealous of Dad today. As  I was at school, Dad only went to Lackford Lakes and saw these 2 beauties....

Can you see it?


If you don't know what they are, they are Jack Snipes. Even me saying the bird's name makes my fists clench. I have never seen these birds before, and I they have been my target bird for ages. I'm just going to end this part of the post now, and move onto Landguard (well done Dad, not amused.)

Landguard

Dad and I went to Landguard on Saturday just gone. Our target bird was Ring Ouzel, but we were actually expecting a bird on the common, not flying over the road. Well, as we approached the Port of Felixstowe, on the A14, a Black bird with silver primaries and secondaries flew into the road side cover. Dad didn't see it because he was driving, but I had never seen a male blackbird have that much silver on it's wings in flight. It had to be a Ring Ouzel.

We arrived at Landguard, and spoke to one of the wardens. He had had 2 Leach's Petrels, 9 Ring Ouzel and a Bonxie earlier in the morning. This was now 12:30 pm. Most off the stuff had gone. He did say though that a Whinchat was at the southern most point. So we headed that way. Dad took to the sea - that's his aspect of birding - and I took to the migrant passerines - that's my aspect. I was on my own. I found myself 3 Wheatear....


Meadow Pipit for comparison.

I also find myself a flock of Linnet and Meadow Pipits, and then the Whinchat briefly. I only saw it once though, then it was gone. I then spoke to a gentlemen, and asked him if he had seen any Ring Ouzels. He said he had 3 in the bushes around the building about 30 mins ago. So, I went over there and had a look. Guess what I saw....................... NOTHING! I then headed back to the common, and came face to face with a Goldfinch perched nicely.


I then met back up with Dad on the beach. he didn't have anything, apart from a flock of Ducks sitting offshore. They were Common Scoters. He shew them to me, then a Red-throated Diver flew straight across my vision. It was distant, but I managed to show Dad. We then went back to the common, and I found a peculiar thrush on the ground. I went to investigate. It was a Redwing. I whistled Dad over, and we snapped away....





We then went back to the car park, and headed home.

My Sightings Today
  • 70+ Redwing around Stowupland in separate flocks, including one briefly in garden!!!!!
  • 10+ Long-tailed Tit's in Garden this afternoon.

Happy Birding!