Shingle Street

[Reader]

Landranger Map 169
Grid Ref: TM367 432

This was a new area for me and one I wanted to see in advance of the later months in the year. This is supposedly a superb site for many birds.

It is well named as the beach is definitely all shingle, forming undulating hills. By the side is a marshy area that looks inviting. Further along the beach to your left are small pools. There are a few houses on your right with a Martello tower further on. To your left are two bungalows.

Hopefully some one else can furnish more info on this inviting looking site.

[Andy Thatcher]

Here is an idea of winter at Shingle Street and Boyton Marsh copied from Birding Day I posted March time.

Boyton Marsh, Shingle Street & Wilford Bridge
Had a little trek around some old haunts this morning with my Dad. First was a 15 minute drive to Boyton Marsh myself driving with Dad going on about what he had seen there over the last few weeks.

Strangely enough all I saw was a reed bunting, blue tit, couple of kestrels and a rook or two. Odd that the little egrets, hen harrier, assorted geese, jack snipe and merlin had all disapeared ! OK could have a fair bit to do with the fact that most of the pools where frozen but this kind of thing tends to happen when I go out with him.

Next stop was Shingle Street for the next species that much respected elder of my family promised, snow bunting. I have always been rather fond of Shingle Street and despite the biting wind there was plenty to see. Mixed flock of 200+ dark and light phase brent geese, 100+ curlew, 70+/- snipe, ringed plover, 60 fieldfare, 4 redwing, 5 meadow pipits, 300+ lapwing, the usual collection of gulls, grey heron, 8 redshank, and a flock of 400 starling. Oddly enough there was no sign of snow bunting. Starting to see a link ?

Whilst driving to the next area picked up a stonechat on Hollesley Common.

Off to the bridge over the Deben at Melton for a few waders that usually inhabit the area. For my delight and delectation I was told by a now more than chuckling father that again he had seen little egret in the area the day before yesterday and this was his "cert" place. Odd statement considering I had shown him it 10 years before and he wrote it of as being rather less than worthwhile but bless as the years go by....

5 redshank, green sandpiper a mute swan and no sign of little egret you maybe rather less than amazed at reading !

Lesson of the day beware birders offering gifts


__________________
Cheers
Andy