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Suffolk Birding (2 Viewers)

Do what I do,leave it to others lol
Seriously,that sort of stuff pretty much comes with experience.
I don't really find much,you get to know the best places at certain times of the year.
The two great migratory periods for birds are spring or autumn although migration does occur throughout the year,these are the two main ones for most species.
It's very rare that you find rarities ,hence the name,they don't just appear,the finder usually has vast knowledge of the area and bird involved,although from time to time you just see something odd,on other occasions you are just in the right place at the right time.
Reading up on birds is a must to understand their movements,habitats etc etc
The more you do this,the more chance you have.
I have been birding a while,have a decent list with many rarities but we don't really have too much turn up in my area,every now and then a local rarity turns up,it's mainly through putting the hours in and going to the right places.
 
Looking for movement knowing calls inside out etc. Needs the weather..such as the optimal chart on Tuesday. Predicting what will be around then looking for it. Glad to see you seem to have your enthusiasm back..good luck in Yarmouth.
 
GYBirder23 said:
My next question is how do u find stuff like Olive Backed pipits or flycatchers in deep scrub and other passerines?
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Find yourself a patch or two (or three), which you cover regularly. This is not difficult in Great Yarmouth.

There is no substitute for the invaluable experience gained by visiting the same spot/s hundreds of times. Most of the time, you won't see anything out of the ordinary.

By doing this, you will both familiarise yourself with the birds in those areas/sites and also and immediately see what 'sticks out', by its oddness.

This is your pay-off.
 
There was a good southerly movement of Stock Doves over Minsmere this morning, 175 in total including several 20+ flocks and over 500 Woodpigeons. Unfortunately I did'nt get there till 9.00. I think an hour earlier and I might have doubled or even trebled these figures.
A very disorientated Great Spotted Woodpecker wandered around the bushes on North Marsh before plunging into the base of one and remained there - this behaviour seemed to bear all the hallmarks of a new-in migrant.

Few waders present but plenty of wildfowl with an impessive count of 340 Gadwall and also four Bewick's Swans. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was on the levels.
 
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Great Livermere - Grey Phalarope

Hi Suffolk birders,

Grey Phal reportedly still present this morning. Couple record shots from yesterday HERE and if my calcs are correct its the 224th species recoded at Livermere, see HERE.

Great bird and incredible it turned up in such calm conditions!

Cheers,

Jonny
 
Jonny Crossbill said:
Hi Suffolk birders,

Grey Phal reportedly still present this morning. Couple record shots from yesterday HERE and if my calcs are correct its the 224th species recoded at Livermere, see HERE.

Great bird and incredible it turned up in such calm conditions!

Cheers,

Jonny
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Nice one Jonny!

Was almost tempted to see if I could have got over for it this morning.

Gi
 
The Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll still present at Aldeburgh today although it did go missing for a couple of hours during the morning. Glad I went yesterday, a very smart bird and lovely to see detail so close up.

Gi
 

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GiG said:
The Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll still present at Aldeburgh today although it did go missing for a couple of hours during the morning. Glad I went yesterday, a very smart bird and lovely to see detail so close up.

Gi
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Wow! What a cracker!

Is this bird to the south of Aldeburgh itself? Thinking of nipping up in the morning... any directions gratfully received :t:
 
Jonny Crossbill said:
Wow! What a cracker!

Is this bird to the south of Aldeburgh itself? Thinking of nipping up in the morning... any directions gratfully received :t:
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Sure is, go if you have a chance.

Yes, south of Aldeburgh - basically Slaughden. In to village turn right, following the road where it gets to a rough gravel track with quite a few pot holes! Either park on the left here or go up the slope to park overlooking sea with yacht club on right by river. It was around TM464555, where the first steps lead to the beach as you go up ridge with a block by there. Check the clumps of plants. especially yellow-horned poppy.

It was seen to fly off after being spooked by a sparrowhawk early afternoon and hasn't been seen since. But like previous days it has disappeared for a bit before returning. It tends to fly north so the next area of plants along that beach is around the huts that sell fish, so that may be worth a look.

Good luck,
Gi
 
Pic from today, cracking bird and well worth the trip down to see it,
HornemannsArcticRedpoll024.jpg
 
GiG said:
Sure is, go if you have a chance.

Yes, south of Aldeburgh - basically Slaughden. In to village turn right, following the road where it gets to a rough gravel track with quite a few pot holes! Either park on the left here or go up the slope to park overlooking sea with yacht club on right by river. It was around TM464555, where the first steps lead to the beach as you go up ridge with a block by there. Check the clumps of plants. especially yellow-horned poppy.

It was seen to fly off after being spooked by a sparrowhawk early afternoon and hasn't been seen since. But like previous days it has disappeared for a bit before returning. It tends to fly north so the next area of plants along that beach is around the huts that sell fish, so that may be worth a look.

Good luck,
Gi
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Evening Gi, all,

Finally managed to get across for it today. Well worth the effort and a good starting point for a days birding on the coast. More on the blog...

Happy birding :t:

Jonny
 
Yes would agree a cracking little bird. It seemed oblivious to people, having its own little routine & perching up on the yacht masts at times.

Even more obliging than the one I saw on Unst this autumn.

Anyone know how many previous Suffolk records there have been?

Sean
 
The redpoll is undoubtably the best bird I've twitched this year. Used to seeing Arctic Redpolls several feet up trees half silhouetted in poor light giving myself neckache in the process. The complete opposite of that today and an absolutely stonkingly tame bird to boot and it literally flew to and landed about ten inches away from mine. There's just something about seeing pristine white birds against dull grey/brown backdrops that positively makes them shine and this was a prime example. Fantastic!!

Good variety of geese on North Warren Marsh today. Three Red-breasted, 330 Barnacle, 6 DBB Brent, 35 White-fronted, Canadas', Greylags and Egyptian. Unfortunately I couldn't see any Bean from where I was viewing and didn't have time to go wandering. A flock of 40 Waxwings briefly in the centre of Leiston was a very nice surprise on the journey home too.
 
lostinjapan said:
Yes would agree a cracking little bird. It seemed oblivious to people, having its own little routine & perching up on the yacht masts at times.

Even more obliging than the one I saw on Unst this autumn.

Anyone know how many previous Suffolk records there have been?

Sean
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Evening,

No previous records of this race in Suffolk. All previous records relate to Coues. Lifted from Rare Birds thread, previous English records:

1855 Durham Near Whitburn, Durham, obtained, 24th April, C. h. hornemanni, now at Hancock Museum, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

1893 Yorkshire, East Kilnsea, seen, 25th February, C. h. hornemanni.

1977 Scilly Bryher, 19th October to 5th November, was considered to be of the nominate race C. h. hornemanni.

2010 Northumberland Brownsman, Farne Island, first-winter, 24th September to 2nd October, photo.

Cheers :t:

Jonny
 
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