Suffolk Birding (1 Viewer)

[Mr Gon]

Lakenheath

First trip to Lakenheath was well worth the journey. Visited on Friday and Saturday. Wasn't bothered by the Savi's on the Friday as I was just amazed at all the other exciting species I've never seen before, (including Hobby, Marsh Harrier, close-ups of Cuckoo and the many warblers) and the sheer diversity of habitats. Did manage a peek on the Saturday but I would never have known but for the gathered masses. I'd also like to say thanks to all the wardens I spoke to who were so friendly and took the time to introduce me to the site properly and made me feel really welcome! :t:

 

[NoSpringChicken]

First trip to Lakenheath was well worth the journey. Visited on Friday and Saturday. Wasn't bothered by the Savi's on the Friday as I was just amazed at all the other exciting species I've never seen before, (including Hobby, Marsh Harrier, close-ups of Cuckoo and the many warblers) and the sheer diversity of habitats. Did manage a peek on the Saturday but I would never have known but for the gathered masses. I'd also like to say thanks to all the wardens I spoke to who were so friendly and took the time to introduce me to the site properly and made me feel really welcome! :t:

What a great post. I agree. Lakenheath is a terrific reserve - one of the very best.

Ron

 

[Sharp Shin]

Red Kites

Over recent years, I've been fascinated and pleased by the increased numbers of Red Kite in Suffolk and Essex. I observed one drift over Flatford Mill at 10.10 this morning, only to find later that this was part of a much larger influx. The BINS website reports: "Several sightings were observed today of Red Kite with the following individuals being seen; Reydon (1), Minsmere (3), Oulton Broad (2), Cattawade (5), East Bergholt (1), Great Bradley (1), Wrentham (3), Flatford (1), Ufford (2) and finally Hadleigh (1)." Good going!

Stewart

 

[ChrisBish]

Couldn't resist crossing the border for the Swift today and then had fantastic views of a Hobby sitting right by the road with a freshly caught Blackbird along Howlett Way, Trimley St Martin, as I headed home. Sadly a heavy downpour brought about a premature end to this experience. The second photo shows the Hobby dragging it's prey towards the bushes!

Chris

 

[postcardcv]

Does anyone know how well the great white egret is showing at Carlton marshes?

 

[GiG]

Does anyone know how well the great white egret is showing at Carlton marshes?

Hi,
Not been myself but there is the photo of it on the Lowestoft Lounge Lizards web site to give you an idea.

Cheers,
Gi

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Not been myself but there is the photo of it on the Lowestoft Lounge Lizards web site to give you an idea.

If it is sticking to the water it will be quite a way from the paths and not easy for photos.

Wonderful to see the news about the two Peregrine chicks fledging from the Lowestoft grain silo on the Lounge Lizards site. The first time in Lowestoft for at least 200 years. :t:

Ron

 

[GiG]

Wonderful to see the news about the two Peregrine chicks fledging from the Lowestoft grain silo on the Lounge Lizards site. The first time in Lowestoft for at least 200 years. :t:

Ron

Indeed Ron, great news about the peregrines.

Gi

 

[Jonny Rankin]

Trimley Marshes SWT

Hi all,

Belter look out to Trimley today 50 species straight encountered on the reserve including 12 of waders! Highlights; single of Little Ringed Plover, Whimbrel, Greenshank and Common Sandpiper plus six Spotted Redshank and four Ruff.

Bird of the day however goes to Turtle Dove in nearby farmland - the first pair I've seen this year, with the male purring away. Magic!

iPhone-scoped shot of the Turtle Dove attached for your pleasure :t:

Happy birding,

Jonny

 

[Jonny Rankin]

Good afternoon all,

I still jealously look at the 842! pages on the Norfolk Birding thread but at least Suffolk birders are able to I.D. Two-barred Crossbill. Seems to be some debate over the last known sighting of the Lyndford birds

Awesome weekend so far soaking up the best of Suffolk birding...

Minsmere Saturday

65 species according to Birdtrack, with highlights; Stone Curlew audible form car park as well as a very confiding red jungle fowl!, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 30! Spotted Redshank, 2 Wood Sandpiper (one on wader trail and other on Konik Field), 2 Greenshank, 39! Little Gull and Wheatear by the sluice.

Trimley Marshes Sunday

A more modest 47 species, but some crackers non the less; Pintail, 2 Little Ringed Plover, Green, Common and 2 Wood Sandpiper, Whimbrel, 8 Golden Plover and the incredible sight of 40! Greenshank. The largest flock I have ever seen - perhaps a County record?

Couple of record shots attached for your pleasure :t:

Happy birding,

Jonny

 

[Original PaulE]

Good afternoon all,

I still jealously look at the 842! pages on the Norfolk Birding thread but at least Suffolk birders are able to I.D. Two-barred Crossbill. Seems to be some debate over the last known sighting of the Lyndford birds

Awesome weekend so far soaking up the best of Suffolk birding...

Minsmere Saturday

65 species according to Birdtrack, with highlights; Stone Curlew audible form car park as well as a very confiding red jungle fowl!, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 30! Spotted Redshank, 2 Wood Sandpiper (one on wader trail and other on Konik Field), 2 Greenshank, 39! Little Gull and Wheatear by the sluice.



Trimley Marshes Sunday

A more modest 47 species, but some crackers non the less; Pintail, 2 Little Ringed Plover, Green, Common and 2 Wood Sandpiper, Whimbrel, 8 Golden Plover and the incredible sight of 40! Greenshank. The largest flock I have ever seen - perhaps a County record?

Couple of record shots attached for your pleasure :t:

Happy birding,

Jonny

Good Stuff Jonny
don't know what the record is for greenshanks but i had one memorable walk along the stour from cattawade to flatford and there seemed to be small groups of Greenshanks every 10 yards not one flock but along the length of the walk i should think there were well over 40 all told!
i'm up to suffolk in a week or 2 and would appreciate if you could keep hold of them spotty redshanks as i ain't seen one this year

cheers

 

[Felshampo]

Great bird site at trimley nice and out of the way so never very busy
Jon

 

[AFeather]

I had a nice walk around Redgrave & Lopham fen today which produced 2 spotted fly catchers, 2 green sandpiper, 1 greenshank and 2 common terns with juvs.

I haven't been here in a long time, can anyone tell me if the terns bred here this year?

Cheers

 

[NoSpringChicken]

I went to look for the Black Terns at Lowestoft this afternoon. A juvenile was perched on the groynes for long periods of time, continually disappearing and reappearing again. A delightful little bird through the scope it was a bit too distant for my small lens. It was great to see this and the many other Terns feeding in the bright sunshine. Another treat was four Turnstones and a Sanderling in summer plumage.

Later I went to Carlton Marshes for a couple of hours. I couldn't see any Wood Sandpipers but I did see a Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper, as well as two Little Egrets and a flock of half a dozen Snipe which took off together. I was delighted to see a family of three Kestrels together and later I found a male, presumably the father, preening in the evening sunshine. Just before I left, I was treated to the sight of three Barn Owls hunting over the marshes. A cracking afternoon in beautiful weather.

Ron

 

[ed keeble]

Good Stuff Jonny
don't know what the record is for greenshanks but i had one memorable walk along the stour from cattawade to flatford and there seemed to be small groups of Greenshanks every 10 yards not one flock but along the length of the walk i should think there were well over 40 all told!
i'm up to suffolk in a week or 2 and would appreciate if you could keep hold of them spotty redshanks as i ain't seen one this year

cheers

Hello all- that's impressive on Greenshank. Cattawade seems for some reason to suit spring (10s) and the odd wintering Greenshank, with an autumn peak round the corner in Seafield Bay (20ish). But a quick look into the books shows Suffolk record totals of 50-100 from Havergate over the years.

 

[NoSpringChicken]

I have just noticed this tweet on the Lounge Lizard site today: 'Barn owl chick stolen from a box at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve last night. Any information please contact Suffolk Police.'

That is absolutely disgusting. I spend quite a bit of time at Carlton Marshes and was there yesterday afternoon. To hear of acts like this taking place makes my blood boil. I really hope they catch the lowlife responsible. :C

Ron

 

[lukasaur]

@Nospring- the behavior of some people really does confuse me, hope they catch the pillock responsible.

On a happier note i noticed you saying about Carlton marshes, i was thinking of getting the train up that way myself for a look round. Is it worth getting there at a particular time? e.g is it one of those places where you really need to get there early to see anything or it it more of an all rounder? Any tips you could give about where to go and what to watch out for would be appreciated |=)|

 

[NoSpringChicken]

On a happier note i noticed you saying about Carlton marshes, i was thinking of getting the train up that way myself for a look round. Is it worth getting there at a particular time? e.g is it one of those places where you really need to get there early to see anything or it it more of an all rounder? Any tips you could give about where to go and what to watch out for would be appreciated |=)|

I think it is probably best at either end of the day. We were there during the late morning/early afternoon on Sunday and, to be honest, it was very quiet. The scrape seems to be busier early in the morning, judging from the reports on the Lounge Lizard site. The Barn Owls were a near certainty in the evening but, apparently, since the theft of the chick, the adults have disappeared. That was from the report on the EDP website yesterday.

It's a bit of a quiet time of the year for birds but on Sunday there were loads of butterflies and some superb hawker dragonflies. It is a very pleasant place for a walk anyway.

Ron

 

[lukasaur]

Thanks for the quick reply, i was thinking of heading early morning so I think I will give it a shot and see how it goes. Sad to hear that it sounds like the theft has resulted in the owls moving on, very sad indeed! Will post back if see anything noteworthy :t: and if not it sounds a nice place for a stroll,
cheers luke

 

[Felshampo]

Great Crested grebes feeding at Lackford Lakes

The parent was trying to feed a youngster when a cormorant tried to steal the fish. Not sure what happened to the fish!

http://youtu.be/X2N4Ax4c5io