Karl J
Well-known member
Had one of those days today where you just can't make your mind up where to go, and by the time i decided on biking to Hickling Broad it was too late anyhow. So, settled instead for my local patch, hauled myself off on my bike down to Burgh Castle and back along the southern bank of Breydon Water. A lovely afternoon with the sunshine, boats on the river etc, bit noisy near the pub but it is summer so can't be helped.
Several waders about -
Redshank
Curlew
few Avocet
a single Golden Plover in summer plumage
Black-tailed Godwits
1 Whimbrel
good few Shelduck scooping up the mud
On the water -
c20 Gt Crested Grebes
2 Common Tern
Cormorants
Mute Swans
Around and about in varous places -
Swallows
House Martin
2 Yellow Wagtail
Whitethroat
Blue Tit
Blackbirds
Woodpigeon
Lapwing
Stock Dove
1 Marsh Harrier
3 Little Egret
Coots
Little Grebe
On the way back along the path i spotted a ''rather large seagull'' further upriver, though something about it looked a bit odd and worthy of further inspection so pedalled up a bit. By the time i got closer & reached in my saddlebag for the bin's again i was fairly sure it wasn't a gull and knew exactly what i was hoping it was.
Stunning .... there in front of me plunging into river .... on my own local patch ... an Osprey. Before a speedboat came past and spooked it away off east i was treated to 10 minutes of the best birding display i could have hope for, even at times right over my side of the river, wing and head details, soaring, splashing into the water, the works.
Fantastic :bounce:
Several waders about -
Redshank
Curlew
few Avocet
a single Golden Plover in summer plumage
Black-tailed Godwits
1 Whimbrel
good few Shelduck scooping up the mud
On the water -
c20 Gt Crested Grebes
2 Common Tern
Cormorants
Mute Swans
Around and about in varous places -
Swallows
House Martin
2 Yellow Wagtail
Whitethroat
Blue Tit
Blackbirds
Woodpigeon
Lapwing
Stock Dove
1 Marsh Harrier
3 Little Egret
Coots
Little Grebe
On the way back along the path i spotted a ''rather large seagull'' further upriver, though something about it looked a bit odd and worthy of further inspection so pedalled up a bit. By the time i got closer & reached in my saddlebag for the bin's again i was fairly sure it wasn't a gull and knew exactly what i was hoping it was.
Stunning .... there in front of me plunging into river .... on my own local patch ... an Osprey. Before a speedboat came past and spooked it away off east i was treated to 10 minutes of the best birding display i could have hope for, even at times right over my side of the river, wing and head details, soaring, splashing into the water, the works.
Fantastic :bounce: