Had an AWESOME DAY
First of all, this should really be on the Suffolk thread - sorry, but have got so used to writing on here!!!
Today with advice from fellow curry members at Norfolkbirders Curry Night! (thanks for a lovely evening everyone) that a south west wind would not bring any rarities I headed off over the border to Suffolk! (turtle dove on route)
Arrived Lakenheath 7.45am (after not too many hours sleep!) Beautiful sunny morning, already quite a few cars in the carpark, which I expected at Oriole time, plus the fact the visitor centre officially opened on Thursday.
As I walked along the bank saw lots of mute swans, great crested grebes, reed and sedge warblers, common whitethroats, heard a
grasshopper warbler by metal gate by large willow on corner. Could hear the wonderful sounds of the orioles - such a magical song.
Saw brilliant views of both male and female Golden Orioles together in the tallest poplar at 8am. And at one point
4 together!!! - they were very active at this time and were flying about, back and forth through the golden leaves of the poplars - so stunning to watch in glorious sunshine! Heard a green woodpecker calling in the wood. 2 male gargeney on the scrape. 3 common terns fishing, gadwalls, heron, blackcap singing. Blackbird feeding young nearby. 10am - Walked up further (a long way) to view the cranes and on route someone had spotted
2 hobbys on edge of next poplar wood. 2 birders I had been talking to who I recognised (but didn't they names!) walked on ahead of me as I watching a
hairy dragonfly and a
4 spotted chaser - when I next caught them up
they had seen a Red Kite! - bother, didn't think I would have any hope of catching up with it later! Anyway watching over the massive reed beds at this end of reserve we all saw a
pair of marsh harriers,
more hobbys, and suddenly erupting out of the reeds
2 Cranes got up and flew across to a scrape in middle distance - WOW - so lucky to see that! Norman Sills came across and had a chat and then I walked down the bank to join the RSPB trail back behind the poplar woods to carpark for my sandwiches which I now wish I had brought with me! Could hear the wonderful fluting calls of the orioles as I walked past the woods. Suddenly the
Red Kite appeared from nowhere! - watched it for quite a while, brilliant! Saw some crisp male reed buntings on way back to carpark and close views of a cuckoo. Went into the new visitor centre first of all, as needed the ladies desperately!! And on that note the BEST loos on a visitor centre yet, choice of dryer/paper towls and even a full length mirror! The visitor centre was of course very smart inside, with interpretation boards etc, sightings board etc etc. The scrape directly in front of visitor centre looks brilliant. There were several round picnic tables/chairs in place between centre and carpark and new tree plantings, it looked very good. Had my lunch by car and then decided to have a nap. I knew I was going to be tired after previous nights drive and had bought a proper feather pillow with me today!!! I went to sleep on back seat for (can't believe this!) 3 hours!!!!!!! (1.30-4.30pm) Had a cup of tea and oatcakes and slowly got my self together and then left - went home a different route, worked out on map there wasn't much difference mileage and went to Flitcham where AT LAST I saw the
little owl sunning himself in the base of the oak tree, along with
female marsh harrier, greylags with goslings, shelducks, mute swans etc etc and a
great spotted woodpecker bounded across the marsh. Also a jackdaw was playing with a gun cartridge, very amusing to watch, kept picking it up, dropping it and flying with it! Lovely day, working tomorrow (bother!)
Best Wishes Penny:girl: