Fridays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!

Glossy Ibis again at Oulton Marshes

Velvet Scoter x 5 past Thorpeness

Iceland Gull, Black Redstart x 2 at Sizewell

Bonxie x 2 at Landguard

Iceland Gull again at Snape

Glossy Ibis at Worlingham Marshes (y'day)

Scaup at Bawdsey

Smew x 2 still at Minsmere

Bewick's Swan x 9 at Carlton Marshes

Other News!

No other news today

Thursdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!

Smew x 2 still at Minsmere

Waxwing x 10 still at Martlesham Heath

Iceland Gull still at Sizewell

Great Northern Diver still at Alton Water

Great Northern Diver past Landguard

LONG-EARED OWL, Little Gull, Spotted Redshank x 3 at Dingle Marshes

Other News!

**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

**MEGA** FORSTER'S TERN again at The Mullet, Co. Mayo

Wednesdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Snow Bunting x 10, Red-necked Grebe at Landguard
Waxwing x 7 at Martlesham Heath still
Iceland Gull, Black Redstart x 2 at Sizewell
Smew x 2 at Minsmere
Great Northern Diver at Alton Water still

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Tuesdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!

Red-necked Grebe on Whearstead Strand from Freston

Great Northern Diver at Alton Water still

Waxwing x 9 still at Martlesham Heath

Slavonian Grebe in Holbrook Bay

Iceland Gull still off Sizewell

Black-throated Diver, Little Gull, Snow Bunting x 10 at Landguard
Crossbill x 10 at West Stow

Other News!

**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Mondays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank x 3 at Dingle Marshes
Water Pipit at Minsmere still
Black Redstart x 4, Iceland Gull still at Sizewell
Snow Bunting x 8 at Landguard
Waxwing x 7 still at Martlesham Heath
Firecrest x 2 still at Corton Woods

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Sundays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!

Twite x 10 at Dunwich

Bewick's Swan x 13, Water Pipit at Minsmere

Iceland Gull still at Sizewell

Great Northern Diver still at Alton Water

Little Auk reported at Felixstowe Dock

Waxwing x 7 still at Martlesham Heath

Glossy Ibis still at Oulton Marshes - no sign of any Siberian Chiffchaff

Black-throated Diver, Snow Bunting x 10 at Landguard

PARROT CROSSBILL X 6, Bewick's Swan at Mayday Farm

Other News!

**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Saturdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!

Waxwing x 7 still at Martlesham Heath

Glossy Ibis, Siberian Chiffchaff x 2 still at Oulton Marshes

Long-tailed Duck x 5, Snow Bunting x 10 at Landguard

Firecrest x 3 at Corton Wood

Purple Sandpiper x 13 at Ness Point

Water Pipit, Bittern, Shag x 4 at Minsmere

Great Northern Diver at Alton Water

Iceland Gull still at Sizewell

Waxwing heard only at Cove Bottom

Short-eared Owl x 2 at Shingle Street

Other News!

**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Big Garden Birdwatch

Today, I completed our Big Garden Birdwatch from 9:40am - 10:40am. Here are our results...

Collard Dove x 3
Woodpigeon x 1
Robin x 1
Dunnock x 2
Chaffinch x 2
Greenfinch x 1
House Sparrow x 9
Blue Tit x 2
Great Tit x 2

Christchurch Park!

Yesterday afternoon Dad and I went to Christchurch Park. We parked near the Wilderness Pond, and didn't see the Goosander, but saw 3 of the cracking local Mandarin Ducks....

We were surprised to see the numbers of rats running around the pond - pretty disgusting really. We then went and tried to find the Tawny Owl. We didn't know what tree "Mable" roosts in - the Tawny Owls name. We searched most trees, but gave, up so we went in the visitor center and asked for help. She pointed out the exact tree on the map, and within 5 minutes, we found the Owl, with Barry Woodhouse - nice to meet you Barry! This was my first daytime Tawny Owl - what a treat!

We then went back to the Wilderness Pond, and found the Goosander, and it showed really well.

We couldn't stay here long though, because we had to go and see my Grandma in hospital, who is now walking, which is great news! Hope she is out of hospital soon!

Happy Birding!

Get Well Soon!

My Grandma had a nasty fall yesterday and dislocated her hip. Very painful.... Dad and I are going to see her this afternoon in hospital, but I think she is on the mend and a lot better than she was yesterday! On the way to the hospital, Dad and I are going to pop into Christchurch Park in Ipswich to hopefully see the roosting Tawny Owl, the local Mandarin Ducks and the redhead Goosander. Update later.

Don't forget to do your BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH today or tomorrow. 1 hours worth of counting birds in your garden!

Fridays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Glossy Ibis still at Oulton Marshes
Great Northern Diver still at Alton Water
Short-eared Owl still at Shingle Street
Hen Harrier at Walberswick
Iceland Gull, Black Redstart x 2 at Sizewell
Waxwing x 7 still at Martlesham Heath
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford Ness
Snow Bunting x 9 at Landguard still
Purple Sandpiper x 8 at Ness Point
Water Pipit still at Minsmere
Firecrest still at Corton Woods

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Thursdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!

GLOSSY IBIS, Siberian Chiffchaff x 2 still at Oulton Marshes

Waxwing x 7 still at Martlesham Heath

Pilot Whale off Aldeburgh

PARROT CROSSBILL X 2, Common Crossbill x 12 at Mayday Farm

Short-eared Owl at Shingle Street

Rough-legged Buzzard at Sudbourne

Great Northern Diver at Alton Water

Snow Bunting x 9 at Landguard

Firecrest at Kessingland

Firecrest x 3 at Corton Woods

Other News!

**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Wednesdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Waxwing x 7 at Martlesham Heath
Glossy Ibis, Siberian Chiffchaff still at Oulton Marshes
Water Pipit at Minsmere
Water Pipit at Castle Marsh
Mealy Redpoll x 2, Lesser Redpoll x 70 at North Cove
Little Gull x 25 past Landguard

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Tuesdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Short-eared Owl at Levington Creek
Slavonian Grebe x 4 in Holbrook Bay, Stour
Waxwing at Martlesham Heath
Goosander at Christchurch Park, Ipswich (for 2nd day)

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

200th POST - Mondays Sightings!

This post is my 200th post!!!!!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Glossy Ibis, Siberian Chiffchaff x 2 at Oulton Marshes
Iceland Gull at Snape
Bittern at Minsmere
Velvet Scoter x 7, Red-throated Diver x 2387!!! past Thorpeness
Great Northern Diver still at Alton Water
Shag along Whearstead Strand
Snow Bunting x 7, Eurasian White-fronted Goose x 15 past Landguard

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland
**MEGA** PACIFIC DIVER still at Lough Fea, Co. Tyrone

Sundays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!

Long-tailed Duck still at Covehithe Broad

Eurasian White-fronted Goose x 14 at North Warren

Hen Harrier at Carlton Marshes

Glossy Ibis, Siberian Chiffchaff Shag x 2 still at Oulton Marshes

Pomarine Skua, Velvet Scoter x 12, Black-throated Diver, Red-throated Diver x 2419!!!! at Thorpeness

Great Northern Diver at Alton Water still

Tundra Bean Goose x 3, Bewick's Swan x 8, Hen Harrier, White-fronted Goose x 22 at Minsmere

Little Gull x 39, Bonxie past Lowestoft

Twite x 14 at Dingle Marshes

Purple Sandpiper x 12, Bonxie x 2, Little Gull x 31 at Ness Point

Slavonian Grebe x 4 in Holbrook Bay, Stour

Short-eared Owl at Felixstowe Ferry

Shag at Lake Lothing

Mealy Redpoll at North Cove still

Mealy Redpoll at Great Livermere

Mealy Redpoll at Lakenheath Fen

Bonxie past Kessingland

Slavonian Grebe past Landguard

Other News!

**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

**MEGA** FORSTER'S TERN still at The Mullet, Co. Mayo

**MEGA** PACIFIC DIVER at Lough Fea, Co. Tyrone

Saturdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Mealy Redpoll still at North Cove
Tundra Bean Goose x 3, Bewick's Swan x 14, Hen Harrier at Minsmere
Great Northern Diver still at Alton Water
Snow Bunting x 56 at Pakefield
Glossy Ibis, Siberian Chiffchaff still at Oulton Marshes
Snow Bunting x 7 at Landguard
Slavonian Grebe x 3, Red-necked Grebe on Whearstead Strand, River Orwell
Bewick's Swan x 3 at Reydon
Shag at Lowestoft
Long-tailed Duck still at Covehithe Broad
Bittern, Ruddy Shelduck at Lackford Lakes SWT
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford Ness

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland
**MEGA** FORSTER'S TERN still at The Mullet, Co. Mayo

Fridays Sightings

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Great Northern Diver still at Alton Water
Bonxie past Kessingland
Bonxie past Landguard
Hen Harrier at Dunwich
Glossy Ibis still at Oulton Marshes
Tundra Bean Goose x 3, Bewick's Swan x 10, Whooper Swan x 2 at Minsmere RSPB
Snow Bunting x 40 at Pakefield
Parrot Crossbill x 2, Crossbill x 6 at Mayday Farm

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland
**MEGA** FORSTER'S TERN still at The Mullet, Co. Mayo

A Nice Treat to a Dodgy Day

Dad and I played golf at Cretingham in a Winter Pairs match. Unfortunately, we lost, but our spirits were brightened by a fantastic Barn Owl hunting at Framsden, showing very well, and my first owl for 2014.

Sightings from Friday, Saturday and Sunday coming tomorrow.

Final score in the football: Chelsea 3-1 Man U - ho hum, another defeat!

Thursdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Glossy Ibis still at Oulton Marshes
Great Northern Diver at Landguard
Great Northern Diver at Alton Water still
Long-tailed Duck still at Covehithe Broad
Black Redstart still at Slaughden
Twite x 40, Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank x 5 at Dunwich
Tundra Bean Goose x 3 at Minsmere RSPB

Other News!
**MEGA** FORSTER'S TERN at The Mullet, Co. Mayo
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Wednesdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!

Twite x 30 at Dunwich

Caspian Gull x 2 at Blythburgh on River Blyth

Great Northern Diver still at Alton Water

Other News!

**MEGA** what was a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER at Musselburgh, Lothian is now a STEJNEGER'S SCOTER!!!! (id'd from photos) Still no sign though

**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Tuesdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Tundra Bean Goose, Eurasian White-fronted Goose, Bewick's Swan x 2 at Minsmere RSPB
Great Northern Diver at Stutton Ness
Long-tailed Duck at Covehithe Broad still
HUME'S YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER reported y'day at Southwold, but no sign today
Snow Bunting x 7 at Landguard
Great Northern Diver still at Alton Water
Glossy Ibis, Siberian Chiffchaff at Oulton Marshes

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Lackford Area

Mum, Dad and I went around the Lackford area yesterday. As I was on 90 for the British Year List, my target for the day was to get to 100. Day started off well with a Green Woodpecker in Norton, and a flock of Grey Partridge at Stowlangtoft. We then arrived at our first destination, at West Stow CP. We parked up, and asked a birder for directions for the Crossbills that have been showing extremely well in the puddles. He said "they're right behind you!" I said "it's not a panto mate!" LOL. Anyway, got all the optics set up, and waited for the Crossbills to come to the puddle. Loads of noise and traffic, so its surprising that they a re this tame. We got some great pictures of them in the trees....

They then came down to the puddle...

We then moved on to Lackford Lakes. As it is winter, the Bitterns should have returned to the reserve. I have never seen a Bittern here before, so it would have been great if we were to see one here. We started off with Marsh Tit, Shoveler on the year list, and a cracking male Goldeneye....

We then got a superb Kingfisher in the double decker hide...

We then got a flyover Grey Wagtail as we headed to Steggals Hide. On the way we got a pair of Egyptian Geese on the golf course

We arrived at Steggals and found 4 Red-crested Pochards showing incredibly close!

I then started scanning the reedbeds at the back, and blow me down I spotted a distant Bittern sitting in the reeds!!!!!!!!! OMG! A bit distant for photos, but the digiscope got some decent pics....

An incredible first for the reserve from my perspective. We didn't think the reserve had much else to offer, but we got 6 very distant Goosanders, including 3 drakes.

Finally, we went to Bess' Hide, to see the gull roost, and the hope of picking up something rare. We got in there and had the hide to ourselves. There was about 100 Lesser-black Backed Gulls on the lake, with a lone Barnacle Goose, 3 Goldeneyes and several other common water birds. I started scanning through the gulls and picked up about 3 Yellow-legged Gulls, and a adult gull that looked very suspicious. Either Herring or another Yellow-legged Gull. Maybe a hybrid????

What a great day. Reached 100 species!!!! We never have a bad day. So lucky!

Happy Birding!

Mondays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Snow Bunting x 29 at Pakefield
Twite x 20 at Dingle Marshes
Glossy Ibis still at Oulton Marshes
Great Northern Diver at Stutton Ness
Great Northern Diver at Alton Water
Snow Bunting x 7 at Landguard
Long-tailed Duck at Covehithe Broad still
Common Scoter, Bewick's Swan x 16 at Minsmere
Iceland Gull still at Sizewell

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Sundays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Snow Bunting x 7 at Landguard
Short-eared Owl at Shingle Street
Red-crested Pochard x 4, Bittern, Yellow-legged Gull x 3 at Lackford Lakes - BCM
Great Northern Diver at Alton Water still
Glossy Ibis still at Oulton Marshes
Iceland Gull still at Sizewell
Long-tailed Duck still at Covehithe Broad
Tundra Bean Goose x 3, Bewick's Swan x 20 at Minsmere
Hen Harrier between Lackford and Cavenham

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Saturdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Snow Bunting x 60 at Pakefield
Jack Snipe at Trimley Marshes
Firecrest at Kessingland
Parrot Crossbill x 2 at Mayday Farm still
Tundra Bean Goose x 3 still at Minsmere
Great Northern Diver still at Alton Water
Iceland Gull still at Sizewell

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland
**MEGA** WHITE-WINGED SCOTER on December 26th 2013, at Musselburgh, Lothian, identified from photos.

Fridays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Iceland Gull still at Sizewell
Iceland Gull, Tundra Bean Goose x 3, Bewick's swan x 12, Whooper Swan x 2 at Minsmere RSPB
Glossy Ibis still at Oulton Marshes
Parrot Crossbill x 3 still at Mayday Farm
Little Stint x 2 at Deben Estuary
Crossbill x 19 at West Stow CP still
Snow Bunting x 45 at Pakefield
Great Northern Diver at Alton water
Black Redstart at Slaughden
Slavonian Grebe, Snow Bunting x 7 at Landguard
Black Brant, Hen Harrier at Shotley Marshes

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still Loch Flemington, Highland
**MEGA** SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER still at North Ronaldsay, Orkney

Thursdays Bird Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Parrot Crossbill x 3 at Mayday Farm
Iceland Gull at Minsmere RSPB
Iceland Gull at Sizewell
Shag at Lake Lothing
Common Crossbill x 9 at West Stow CP
Goosander x 5 at Lackford Lakes
Long-tailed Duck at Covehithe Broad
Razorbill x 2, Yellow-legged Gull at Landguard

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

New Years Bird Trips

Sorry about the delay of the posts of our trips. Some of you may have an incite to what I have been seeing through the "Daily Sightings" page. Anyway......................

On Sunday 4th, we all went to the Norfolk Broads, in the new (rubbish) van. We started off by going to Buckenham Marshes. We crossed the railway, and caught on to a male Peregrine sitting in a Tree at close-ish range. We got great views....

They are different pictures - trust me!

We then searched the other side of the path, and picked up the Taiga Bean Geese, White-fronted Geese, Barnacle Goose, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese and flying Pink-footed Geese. That's 6 species of Goose in 50 yards! We also got a Buzzard in a tree, right next to the Peregrine.....

Bit poor I know!

There were also good numbers of Golden Plover on the marshes, with about 400 birds flying around, then resting.

We also got Ruff and Lapwing here, with a 2nd Peregrine, but a lot more distant than the 1st bird. The Wigeon were a joy to watch as usual.

We then moved on to Ludham Abbey Ruins, to have lunch. We picked up a group of 12 Cranes resting in the fields, but no sign of any Whooper or Bewick's Swans. We tried to find Ludham Airfield - where the swans were - but could we find the place. So we thought the best bet was to scan through the fields and look for white blobs. And sure enough, it worked. We picked up the Swans, and took the necessary roads to get closer to the birds. The swans were with 30+ Egyptian Geese.

Egyptian Geese

Whooper Swans

Bewick's

Bewick's

There were a lot more Bewick's than Whooper Swans, but still a joy to get close. Coming out of Ludham and through the village, we noticed a large passerine flock in the trees surrounding the road. We picked up Brambling, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch, Redwing and Goldfinch in this flock.

We then moved on to the Raptor Roost at Hickling Broad NWT, at Stubb Mill. We arrived to see a mass of birders that had come from Essex. I thought there was some MEGA about here, but obviously not. With about 25 pairs of eyes, it was easy to pick out anything that came by. As soon as I got there, I spotted the local Kingfisher, and I think then everyone thought I was a decent birdwatcher, not just a bored solid child kicking stones about. LOL. We got a further 3 Cranes....

..... a ringtail Hen Harrier, and another 2 Brambling. this was of course along with the Marsh Harriers which were great to see.

On the 6th January, Mum and I were in Ipswich, so we paid a visit to Whearstead Strand. We got Red-breasted Merganser, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Redshank, Knot and Sanderling onto the year list. Met Phil Whittaker there, and we looked at the splendid Black-throated Diver that was present. What a great surprise.

Now on 89 for this year. Lets keep going!

Happy Birding!

Wednesday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Parrot Crossbill x 11, Crossbill x 40 at Mayday Farm
Scaup x 3, Bewick's Swan x 2, Firecrest, Purple Sandpiper at Bawdsey
Firecrest at Kessingland Sewage Works still
Long-tailed Duck still at Covehithe Broad
Snow Bunting x 7 at Landguard
Snow Bunting x 54 at Pakefield
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford
Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe x 2 at Stutton Mill, Stour Estuary
Crossbill x 22 at West Stow CP
Short-eared Owl x 2 at Shingle Street
Velvet Scoter x 10 at Slaughden
Twite x 40, Water Pipit between Walberswick and Dunwich
Bewick's Swan x 19, Whooper Swan x 2 at Minsmere
Crossbill x 8 at Sutton Heath

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Tuesday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Slavonian Grebe at Alton water
Glossy Ibis still at Oulton Marshes
Velvet Scoter x 7, Eurasian White-fronted Goose x 85 at Thorpeness
Long-tailed Duck still at Covehithe Broad
Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe x 2 at Stutton Mill, Stour Est.
Velvet Scoter x 6 at Slaughden
Iceland Gull still at Sizewell
Firecrest still at Kessingland Sewage Works
Purple Sandpiper x 12, Great Skua x 2, Arctic Skua at Ness Point, Lowestoft

Other News!
**MEGA** SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER again on North Ronaldsay, Orkney
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Monday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Glossy Ibis still at Oulton Marshes
Pomarine Skua past Kessingland
Parrot Crossbill x 8 still at Mayday Farm
Purple Sandpiper x 7 at Ness Point
Iceland Gull still at Sizewell
Slavonian Grebe x 2, Black-throated Diver at Alton Water
Black Redstart, Velvet Scoter x 5 at Aldeburgh
Snow Bunting x 7, Great Skua at Landguard
Black-throated Diver at The Strand, River Orwell
Velvet Scoter x 9 at Thorpeness
Firecrest at Kessingland

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Sunday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Iceland Gull, Black Redstart x 2 at Sizewell
Hen Harrier at Minsmere
Velvet Scoter x 9 at Slaughden
Great Northern Diver x 2 at Stutton Mill
Glossy Ibis still at Oulton Marshes
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford
Caspian Gull at Freckenham
Twite x 47 at Dunwich
Slavonian Grebe x 4, Great Northern Diver at Holbrook Bay, Stour Est.
Short-eared Owl x 2 at Shingle Street
Snow Bunting x 7 at Landguard
Snow Bunting x 41 at Pakefield
Firecrest x 2 at Kessingland
PARROT CROSSBILL X 8 again at Mayday Farm
Velvet Scoter x 6 at Thorpeness
Mealy Redpoll x 2 at North Cove, Lowestoft
Bewick's Swan, Common Scoter at River Deben
Garganey at Trimley
Long-tailed Duck, Little Gull at Covehithe Broad
Velvet Scoter x 3, Purple Sandpiper x 5 at Ness Point, Lowestoft
Black-throated Diver at Alton Water

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT at Loch Flemington, Highland

Saturday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Caspian Gull x 2 at Great Livermere
Black Brant x 2 at Chelmondiston
Mealy Redpoll x 2 at North Cove
Bewick's Swan x 8 at Minsmere
Black-throated Diver at The Strand, River Orwell
Purple Sandpiper x 12 at Ness Point, Lowestoft
Glossy Ibis still at Oulton Marshes
Red-breasted Goose (esc.), Caspian Gull x 2, Iceland Gull at Snape
Long-tailed Duck still at Covehithe Broad
Scaup x 3, Water Pipit still at Bawdsey
Glaucous Gull at Sizewell
Snow Bunting x 60 at Pakefield
Velvet Scoter x 6 at Slaughden

Other News!
No Megas about today

Friday's Sightings!

DAD'S BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!

Great Northern Diver x 2, Hen Harrier at Stutton Mill, Stour Estuary

Hen Harrier at Minsmere

Velvet Scoter x 10 at Slaughden

Purple Sandpiper x 13, Bewick's Swan x 14 at Ness Point, Lowestoft

Scaup x 3, Water Pipit at Bawdsey

Glossy Ibis, Shag at Oulton Marshes

Snow Bunting x 7 at Landguard

Firecrest x 2 at Kessingland

Snow Bunting x 57 at Pakefield

Long-tailed Duck at Covehithe Broad

Velvet Scoter x 9 at Thorpeness

Other News!

No megas about today.

55 species - not a bad start to 2014

Missed out on the action on New Years Day, because:

1. The weather was atrocious
2. Dad's van has conked out - the van isn't moving anywhere.

However, Dad has just come back with a hire van to get us out and about for the rest of the school holidays - yipeeeeeeeeeee very pleased.

New Years Day bought 16 species to our garden, so it was a steady start to 2014. But yesterday, Mum, Dad and I went to Alton Water, to see if we could crank up the year list further. We got 55 species, the highlights being Goosander, Goldeneye and a Barnacle Goose? Probably an escape.....

I reckon there was about 60 Great-crested Grebes on the reservoir.

 Plenty of Greylag Geese at The Wonder - this was were the Barnacle Goose was.

A Heron flew over Larchwood

Several Little Grebe were present.

The darker duck on the left I think is a female Pochard, but the the Mallard on the right shows the darkness in contrast between the duck on the left. Possibly a hybrid, or a Pochard????? Poor picture I know.

These were definite Pochards around The Wonder, lingering with the Coots.

A Shelduck was a nice surprise at the Sailing Club.

Several Tufted Duck were present around the reservoir

And Mum hit the Jackpot with a sunlight on water picture. What a range of colours.

Finally, plenty of Wigeon were present to, especially at Larchwood.

Here's how 2014 has gone so far.....

1. Collard Dove
2. Woodpigeon
3. Black-headed Gull
4. Blue Tit
5. Great Tit
6. Common Gull
7. Herring Gull
8. Greenfinch
9. Goldfinch
10. Rook
11. Jackdaw
12. Carrion Crow
13. Starling
14. House Sparrow
15. Chaffinch
16. Robin
17. Magpie
18. Song Thrush
19. Blackbird
20. Mallard
21. Cormorant
22. Pied Wagtail
23. Red-legged Partridge
24. Kestrel
25. Pheasant
26. Great-crested Grebe
27. Coot
28. Moorhen
29. Great Black-backed Gull
30. Lesser Black-backed Gull
31. Tufted Duck
32. Goldeneye
33. Teal
34. Greylag Goose
35. Barnacle Goose
36. Little Grebe
37. Rock Dove (feral pigeon)
38. Pochard
39. Gadwall
40. Long-tailed Tits
41. Wigeon
42. Coal Tit
43. Siskin
44. Goldcrest
45. Lesser Redpoll
46. Bullfinch
47. Yellowhammer
48. Treecreeper
49. Redwing
50. Dunnock
51. Wren
52. Goosander
53. Jay
54. Heron
55. Mute Swan

Not a bad day. Hoping to go out on Sunday, now that we have a new van (it's a heap of junk really). At least we have some wheels to move about in.

Happy Birding and Happy New Year!

Thursday's Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Glossy Ibis still at Oulton Marshes
Slavonian Grebe at Lake Lothing
Slavonian Grebe at Alton Water (morning only)
Hen Harrier at Minsmere
Firecrest x 2 at Kessingland
Purple Sandpiper at Ness Point
Caspian Gull at Southwold
Tundra Bean Goose x 3, White-fronted Goose x 60 at North Warren RSPB
Velvet Scoter x 5 at Slaughden
Crossbill x 15 at West Stow
Scaup x 2 at Bawdsey
Snow Bunting x 50 at Pakefield
Velvet Scoter x 4, Great Northern Diver at Aldeburgh
Water Pipit at Hollesly Marshes
White-fronted Goose x 53 at Sudbourne Marshes
Black Brant x 2 at Chelmondiston, River Orwell
Snow Bunting x 7 at Landguard
Rough-legged Buzzard still at Orford Ness
Long-tailed Duck at Covehithe Broad still
Pomarine Skua, Bonxie at Kessingland
Velvet Scoter x 2 at Thorpeness

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN KESTREL at Bridge of Allan, Forth - yesterday only.

New Years Day's Sightings!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY

WISHING YOU A BIRD FILLED 2014

Suffolk Bird Sightings!

Pomarine Skua, Bean Goose, Bonxie x 4, Velvet Scoter past Thorpeness

Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gull, Water Pipit, Short-eared Owl, Bonxie at Minsmere

Long-tailed Duck still at Covehithe Broad

Glossy Ibis, Bewick's Swan x 9 still at Oulton Marshes

Black-throated Diver still at Alton Water

Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gull x 9 at Great Livermere

Bewick's Swan x 2 at Castle Marsh

Great Northern Diver x 2 at Stutton Ness

Shag at Lake Lothing

Snow Bunting x 50 at Pakefield

Purple Sandpiper x 5 at Ness Point

Shag at Hamilton Dock

Other News!

**MEGA** poss. BRUNNICH'S GUILLEMOT still at Portland Harbour, Dorset