Monday 31 March 2014

Sundays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Caspian Gull, White Wagtail, potted Redshank x 2 at Trimley Marshes
Water Pipit, Purple Sandpiper at Bawdsey
FERRUGINOUS DUCK, Jack Snipe, Caspian Gull, Water Pipit, Hen Harrier at Minsmere
Black Redstart x 2 at Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft
Black Redstart at Pakefield
Black Redstart at Walberswick
Little Gull at Great Livermere
DUSKY WARBLER still at Oulton Marshes
Hen Harrier at Hemley
SERIN over Landguard
Garganey x 2 at Carlton Marshes
Black Redstart x 2, Purple Sandpiper x 10 at Ness Point, Lowestoft

Other News!
**MEGA** BAIKAL TEAL still at Moore Lake, Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland
**MEGA** FORSTER'S TERN again at Co. Galway, Ireland

Sunday 30 March 2014

Bird Quiz - Week 8

Last weeks mystery picture proved to be very tough, as I had no correct entries. It was in fact a Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth, that I saw at Minsmere last year.


I'll make it a bit easier this week, so I can get a few more entries....


Just leave your answers in the comments, and I will reveal the answer and correct entries next week. 

Good luck!

Saturdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Garganey x 2 at Carlton Marshes
FERRUGINOUS DUCK, Jack Snipe, Caspian Gull, Spoonbill, Water Pipit
DUSKY WARBLER at Oulton Marshes
Purple Sandpiper at Bawdsey
White Wagtail x 3, Yellow-legged Gull at Hollesley
Black Redstart at Benacre
White Wagtail at Landguard
ICELAND GULL at Thorpeness still
Purple Sandpiper x 7, Black Redstart at Lowestoft

Other News!
**MEGA** BAIKAL TEAL at Moore Lake, Fen Drayton Lakes, Cambridgeshire
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Friday 28 March 2014

Lynford LIFER!!!!

As I was off school on Wednesday due to the strike, Dad and I visited Lynford Arboretum, to try for the Two-barred Crossbills for the third time this year. We got to the car park, and could hear 2 Firecrests singing. I found them after a hunt, and then we moved on to the visitor hut. Dad found 1 Crossbill in the larches, but nothing else. We then met a chap who we spent the day with who had a Mealy Redpoll in the trees earlier. We went up to the feeders, and saw nothing much in there, just the usual Nuthatch. We then got a big flock of about 25 Crossbill flying over. Half landed in the surrounding trees, half went to the larches back by the visitor hut. We scanned the flock, but couldn't find any Two-barred's. So we went back to the visitor hut.

I soon spotted a male Crossbill in the top of a pine. But when I put my bins to it, it had 2 massive bars!!!!! It was a TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL! It then flew to the construction site, and into a big puddle, where I got this distant pic.


It then flew off, with about 5 Common Crossbills. I then could hear another 2 Firecrests in the local area. We managed to find them both, including one showy and vocal individual.


I did get a few Brambling down by the little stream adjacent to the river near the bridge, but to my knowledge not much else.

On the way back, another Crossbill flock came in and landed in the pines. We searched through the flock, and was delighted to pick out a second TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL!!!! This time though, it was the first winter bird, and clearly different to the first one we saw. The bars though were pretty obvious.

We then went to Santon Downham with this guy (sorry, don't know what your name is.) We got a distant Chiffchaff showing on the river...


We then got a female Mandarin...


After walking a mile down river though, we didn't see any of the Lesser-spotted Woodpeckers, even though 2 were reported on RBA. Annoyed!! We came back though and a male joined the female Mandarin, which was nice to see. We did get the usual Nuthatches as well...



There was also a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker and 3 Hawfinches reported at Lynford, exactly where I walked to see the Brambling's by the River!!! AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!! Always next weekend.

Tonight, I had a golf lesson at Stonham Barns. I got a Yellow Wagtail on the range which was a great early bird.

Happy Birding!

Fridays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Yellow Wagtail at Stonham Barns Golf Center (BCM)
FERRUGINOUS DUCK, Caspian Gull, Water Pipit at Minsmere
Spotted Redshank at Walberswick
Black Redstart at Leiston
DUSKY WARBLER still at Oulton Marshes
White Wagtail at Hollesley Marshes
Whooper Swan, Short-eared Owl at Falkenham

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

Thursdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT again at Leiston
DUSKY WARBLER still at Oulton Marshes
FERRUGINOUS DUCK, Caspian Gull, Raven, Yellow-legged Gull, Water Pipit, Bittern, Otter x 2 at Minsmere
Spotted Redshank x 2 at Trimley Marshes
Whooper Swan at Falkenham

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

Thursday 27 March 2014

Wednesdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
FERRUGINOUS DUCK, Water Pipit at Minsmere
Garganey x 2 still at Carlton Marshes
ICELAND GULL, Yellow-legged Gull x 2, Med Gull at Great Livermere
Lesser-spotted Woodpecker x 2 at Santon Downham
Hen Harrier at Eastbridge
DUSKY WARBLER still at Oulton Marshes
Whooper Swan at Falkenham
Sedge Warbler at Ipswich

Other News!
No Megas
10 White-billed Divers at Portsoy, Aberdeenshire

Tuesdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
DUSKY WARBLER still at Oulton Marshes
Caspian Gull, Water Pipit at Minsmere still
Black Redstart at Shingle Street
Black Redstart at Sizewell
Hen Harrier at Boyton
White Wagtail at Easton Bavents

Other News!
**MEGA** FORSTER'S TERN still at Nimmo's Pier, Co. Galway
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Monday 24 March 2014

Mondays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
DUSKY WARBLER still at Oulton Marshes
Water Pipit still at Minsmere
Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gull x 2, Mediterranean Gull x 20 at Walberswick
Garganey x 2 still at Carlton Marshes
WHITE-TAILED EAGLE over Hollesly Marsh

Other News!
**MEGA** SNOWY OWL at Mucking Flats/East Tilbury, Essex briefly
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland
Two-barred Crossbill x 3 at Lynford Arboretum
Sedge Warbler at Titchwell

Sunday 23 March 2014

Bird Quiz - Week 7

Last weeks Mystery Bird was indeed a Whitethroat, which i saw at Winterton Dunes last year. Well done to Jim Bradley, Rob Stokes and Ellis Lucas for getting the correct answers. Unlucky to those who got it wrong.

This week is a Mystery insect....


Just leave your answers in the comments, and i'll reveal the correct guesses next week. Good Luck!

Landguard

Dad and I went to Landguard today. We didn't get either the Glaucous or Iceland Gull. But we did get 8 Wheatears and at least 3 Caspian Gull.



Linnet and Wheatear

Sundays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
DUSKY WARBLER still at Oulton Marshes, Lowestoft
Garganey at Snape
Caspian Gull x 2 at Hollesly Marshes
Water Pipit at Minsmere still
White Wagtail, Garganey x 2 at Carlton Marshes
ICELAND GULL, Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gull x 3, Wheatear x 8 at Landguard
Firecrest x 3 at Bawdsey
Raven at Dunwich
Garganey at Lakenheath fen
Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gull at Minsmere

Other News!
**MEGA** GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO still at Giltar Point, Pembrokeshire
**MEGA** FORSTER'S TERN at Salthill, Co. Galway

Saturdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
ICELAND GULL, Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gull at Landguard still
Short-eared Owl, Yellow Wagtail at Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club
DUSKY WARBLER still at Oulton Marshes
Caspian Gull at Hollesly Marshes
Water Pipit at Minsmere still
Black Redstart still at Landguard
Garganey x 2 at Carlton Marshes
Snow Bunting at Links Hill, Lowestoft
Red-necked Grebe, Purple Sandpiper x 2 at Lowestoft

Other News!
**MEGA** GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO still at Giltar Point, Pembrokeshire
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Fridays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Black-throated Diver at Kessingland
SERIN, ICELAND GULL, Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gull x 2, Black Redstart still at Landguard
DUSKY WARBLER still at Oulton Marshes
ICELAND GULL, Water Pipit at Minsmere
Ring Ouzel still at Cavenheath Heath

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

Thursdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
ICELAND GULL, Yellow-legged Gull x 4 at Great Livermere still
OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT still at Leiston
DUSKY WARBLER still at Oulton Marshes
ICELAND GULL, Water Pipit, Hen Harrier at Minsmere
Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gull x 2, Black Redstart at Landguard

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

Wednesdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
ICELAND GULL still at Great Livermere
Long-tailed Duck at Covehithe Broad
Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank, Jack Snipe at Minsmere
OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT again at Leiston
DUSKY WARBLER at Oulton Marshes
Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gull, Black-throated Diver x 3, Yellow-legged Gull x 3, Woodlark still at Landguard
Ring Ouzel at Cavenham Heath
ICELAND GULL, Garganey at Thorpeness
Garganey x 2 at Carlton Marshes

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

Tuesdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Caspian Gull, Glaucous Gull, Black-throated Diver at Landguard
Caspian Gull, Water Pipit, Garganey x 2, Red-throated Diver (on scrape) at Minsmere
Long-tailed Duck still at Covehithe Broad
Black Redstart at Kessingland
Long-tailed Duck at Havergate Island

Other News!
**MEGA** GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO still at Giltar Point, Pembrokeshire
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Monday 17 March 2014

Mondays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Black Redstart at Sizewell
Long-tailed Duck at Covehithe Broad still
GLAUCOUS GULL, Yellow-legged Gull x 3, Firecrest at Felixstowe Docks/Landguard
Garganey x 2 still at Minsmere

Other News!
**MEGA** GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO still at Giltar Point, Pembrokeshire
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Sundays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
ICELAND GULL, Caspian Gull x 4 at Great Livermere in roost
Red-throated Diver (on scrape), Water Pipit, Garganey x 2 at Minsmere
Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier x 2 at Shingle Street still
Caspian Gull x 2, Yellow-legged Gull x 12, Yellow Wagtail at Walberswick
ICELAND GULL again at Thorpeness
Long-tailed Duck at Covehithe Broad still
Black Redstart at Corton
Black Redstart, Little Gull x 6 at Landguard
GLAUCOUS GULL at Felixtowe Ferry

Other News!
**MEGA** GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO still at Giltar Point, Pembrokeshire
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Sunday 16 March 2014

Bird Quiz - Week 6

Last Weeks Mystery Bird was a female Velvet Scoter, which I saw on The Strand, River Orwell a couple of years ago. Well done to Rob Stokes and Ellis Lucas for getting the correct answers. Unlucky to those who got it wrong. Here's this weeks mystery bird.....


Just leave your answers in the comments, and I will reveal the answer and correct guesses next week. Remember you can have as many guesses as you like. Don't worry if you don't know, just have a go! Good Luck!

Saturdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
unconfirmed report of poss. FAN TAILED WARBLER at Minsmere (heard only)
ICELAND GULL X 2 at Great Livermere
Black Redstart, Northern Wheatear, Little Gull x 9, Velvet Scoter x 2, Crossbill x 2 at Landguard
Red Kite at Copdock
Spotted Redshank, Ruff x 4, Greenshank at Trimley Marshes
Short-eared Owl x 2 at Shingle Street
ICELAND GULL, Red Kite, Firecrest x 3 at Bawdsey
Firecrest at Gunton
Velvet Scoter x 2 at Corton
Caspian Gull x 3, Ruff at Minsmere

Other News!
**MEGA** GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO still at Giltar Point, Pembrokeshire
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Friday 14 March 2014

Fridays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
ICELAND GULL at Great Livermere
Spoonbill x 2, Smew x 2, Water Pipit at Minsmere

Other News!
**MEGA** GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO still at Giltar Point, Pembrokeshire
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Thursdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Black Redstart still at Bawdsey
Spoonbill x 3, Smew, Spotted Redshank x 2 at Minsmere
Short-eared Owl x 2 at Shingle Street
LARGE TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY still at Peewit Hill, Felixstowe

Other News!
**MEGA** GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO still at Giltar Point, Pembrokeshire
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Wednesday 12 March 2014

Wednesdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Firecrest x 3, Black Redstart at Bawdsey
Garganey still at Brightwell
Glossy Ibis at Leathes Ham, Lowestoft
Spoonbill still at Minsmere
Slavonian Grebe x 8 still in Holbrook Bay
Wheatear still at Cavenham Heath
Snow Bunting x 2 still at Landguard
Iceland Gull again at Botany Marsh, Snape

Other News!
**MEGA** GREAT-SPOTTED CUCKOO still at Giltar Point, Pembrokeshire (picture here)
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Tuesday 11 March 2014

Bird Quiz - Week 5

Sorry about the delay this week. Last weeks mystery bird was indeed a Little Ringed Plover which I saw at my patch. Well done to Rob Stokes for getting the correct answer. Unlucky for those who got it wrong. Here's this week's mystery bird....


Answers will hopefully be posted next Sunday. Good Luck!

Signs of Spring

Sunday showed several signs of spring. It was a beautiful sunny day, and we all went out to play golf. We got a great Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly in our front garden...


Going round the golf course, I got my first Chiffchaff of the year - a singing bird too - and several other butterflies:
  • Peacock
  • Small Tortoiseshell
  • Large White
  • Red Admiral
It was a great day. I even played well at Golf, as I hadn't played since early January. 3 Birdies and 5 Pars. What a cracker of a day!!

Tuesdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Long-tailed Duck at Covehithe Broad still
Black Redstart at Southwold
Spoonbill still at Minsmere
Glossy Ibis still at Oulton Marshes
Snow Bunting x 2 at Landguard still
Wheatear at Cavenham Heath

Other News!
**MEGA** GREAT-SPOTTED CUCKOO at Giltar Point, Pembrokeshire
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland

Mondays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Large Tortoiseshell Butterfly at Felixstowe, Suffolk
Black Redstart x 2 at Dunwich
Spotted Redshank at Levington Lagoon
Crossbill x 8 at Westleton Heath
Firecrest at Bawdsey
Spoonbill over Sizewell
Snow Bunting x 2 at Landguard
Iceland Gull, Spoonbill x 2 at Minsmere 

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

Sundays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Short-eared Owl x 2 at Shingle Street
Spoonbill at North Warren
Black Redstart at Lowestoft
Glossy Ibis still at Oulton Marshes
Bittern at Hen Reedbeds, Blyth Est.
Long-tailed Duck at Covehithe Broad
Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, Firecrest x 2 at Santon Downham
Garganey still at Brightwell
Caspian Gull, Whooper Swan x 2, Smew x 2 at Minsmere

Other News!
**MEGA** AMERICAN COOT still at Loch Flemington, Highland
Turtle Dove at Aldreth, Cambridgeshire

Monday 10 March 2014

Quiz

Sorry about the delay. bird quiz will be updated tomorrow. Been very busy. Sorry.

Saturday 8 March 2014

Saturdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Garganey still at Brightwell
Firecrest at Brandon CP
Iceland Gull, Caspian Gull, Smew x 2 at Minsmere
Mealy Redpoll x 2 at Santon Downham
Snow Bunting x 5 at Landguard
Firecrest x 3 at Bawdsey
Shag at Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft
Spoonbill at North Warren
Purple Sandpiper x 14 at Ness Point

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

Fridays Sightings!

Sorry about the delay this week. Straight to Friday...

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Iceland Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Smew at Minsmere
Garganey still at Brightwell
Great Skua at Kessingland

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

Sunday 2 March 2014

Bird Quiz - Week 4

Last weeks mystery bird was indeed a Lesser Redpoll, which we saw at Santon Downham in a small flock....


Well done to Ellis Lucas and Rob Stokes for getting it right. Unlucky to those who got it wrong. Here's this weeks mystery bird...


Just leave answers in the comments and I will reveal the correct answer next week. Good luck!

An Afternoons Birding!

Dad and I went to do some birding along the River Orwell and in that area. We started off at Alton Water. We got nothing here apart from a pair of Goldeneye and Great-crested Grebes from the Sailing Club and Lemon's Hill Bridge. We then went to Whearstead Strand. From the layby, didn't get nothing exciting at low tide, apart from common wader species (Oystercatcher, Redshank and Dunlin). We then went to Freston Marina. Here we got Turnstone, Curlew, Both Godwits, Pintail, Dunlin, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Shelduck and G-C Grebes... I had my little camera, as the quality of the pictures....



We then went to Shotley. We got a flock of Brent Geese, 2 Shag on the roadside and an adult Med Gull, the latter 2 self found!!!!




Happy Birding

Saturdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Garganey at Stutton Mill
Shag x 2, Mediterranean Gull at Shotley - BCM
Short-eared Owl x 2 at Shingle Street still
Caspian Gull x 3 at Great Livermere
Caspian Gull, Smew x 5 at Minsmere
Black-throated Diver off Landguard

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

Saturday 1 March 2014

Fridays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Caspian Gull, Smew x 2 at Minsmere
Caspian Gull at Snape
Great Northern Diver x 2, Bonxie, Snow Bunting x 4 at Landguard
GLOSSY IBIS still at Oulton Marshes
ICELAND GULL again at Thorpeness
Purple Sandpiper x 11, Great Northern Diver at Ness Point

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

Thursdays Sightings!

Suffolk Bird Sightings!
Short-eared Owl x 2 at Shingle Street
Little Gull past Landguard
Purple Sandpiper x 12 at Ness Point

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