Suffolk Birding (1 Viewer)

[Original PaulE]

cattawade osprey

outstanding views of an osprey today halfway between Cattawade and Flatford
i first spotted it across the fields coming from manningtree/brantham direction being escorted by 10 rooks a couple of jackdaws and some gulls all giving it loads of hassle it flew towards me passing over my head at about 30 feet up
before dropping into a tree across the river from me where i was able to view it for about ten minutes through the scope at about 200 yards
i carried on down the path as i approached the reed bed near the weir at Flatford where the salt water meets the fresh the bird reappeared this time on its own and started to hover over the river about 30 feet away from me i think it was about to go for a fish when yet another rook had a right go at it and was quickly joined by it's mates at which point the osprey gave up and headed off upstream last seen by me heading towards Dedham
i also saw 5 common buzzards over the woods at Brantham a couple of kingfishers a greenshank on the river and a single green sandpiper on Cattawade flash
cheers

 

[Cortonbirds]

Still a few migrants on the coast lingering from the fall and next week looks set for a second arrival on Wed/Thursday so book those days off work.... Today at Corton saw 2 Pied Fly, 2 Spotted Fly, Redstart, Tree Pipit, 3 Redpolls, many Siskins over, 2 Whinchat and 5 Wheatears. Raptors still around too with Honey Buzzard, Common Buzzard and Osprey all noted over the patch.

 

[Songkhran]

The best conditions require strong northerly based winds down the north sea. On such initial days there is often a strong seabirds passage off Norfolk and the close continent. However on the day FOLLOWING this blow Suffolk is far more productive than Norfolk. This is because the birds have flown down the dutch coast in bulk but then circle round and reorientate there way back north, and are seen in good numbers passing north along the Suffolk coast. The premier site is Southwold where there is a well manned promenade shelter to watch from Such conditions resulted in a Suffolk record 253 Sooty Shearwater and 9 Balearic Shearwaters passing north close inshore past Ness Point on 1st Sept 2002 on a day when NONE were seen off North Norfolk.

Strong North Easterlies are even better and on such days birds are seen on the day itself and the following day.

James Brown

seems you are spot on with this, judging by the good seawatching off Suffolk today and with everything heading back North, I quite often check the Cap Griz Nez seawatching site which is near Calais, clicked on it today expecting to see some really high figures and they had almost non- existant passage, presumably everything that was pushed down the Norfolk coast on Monday is now making its way north and out into the North Sea

Out of interest did anyone get out seawatching today, i'd be interested to hear the figures - Bonxies etc.

Good luck everyone who's out tomorrow with finding some rare passerines.

 

[Stand on Zanzibar]

Any sign of the Radde's at Shingle Street after it was released?

Also, whereabouts at Shingle Street is best for such migrants (where does the ringing take place)? I've been down a few times and the bushes between the road and the houses (almost at the end of the road) look best, but all I've seen so far is a load of Wheatear on the track from the first car park.

Thanks

Tim

 

[GiG]

Any sign of the Radde's at Shingle Street after it was released?

Also, whereabouts at Shingle Street is best for such migrants (where does the ringing take place)? I've been down a few times and the bushes between the road and the houses (almost at the end of the road) look best, but all I've seen so far is a load of Wheatear on the track from the first car park.

Thanks

Tim

Hi,

The Radde's wasn't seen again unfortunately. I think the ringing is within the orchard area. The best areas around the tennis court plus the field oposite is a good place for Whinchat.
Further down towards the end of the road, the gardens/orchard on the right can hold stuff but it can be difficult to find birds. Walking up the track to the Martello Tower there is a right-hand track that goes along the edge of the orchard before veering left to go along the embankment to Bawdsey. Standing along this path will give you a chance.

Gi

 

[Stand on Zanzibar]

Hi,

The Radde's wasn't seen again unfortunately. I think the ringing is within the orchard area. The best areas around the tennis court plus the field oposite is a good place for Whinchat.
Further down towards the end of the road, the gardens/orchard on the right can hold stuff but it can be difficult to find birds. Walking up the track to the Martello Tower there is a right-hand track that goes along the edge of the orchard before veering left to go along the embankment to Bawdsey. Standing along this path will give you a chance.

Gi

Much appreciated.

Tim

 

[aythya_hybrid]

The Radde's at Shingle Street was "showing" this afternoon, but was one of the most elusive birds I have ever had to contend with, showing infrequently and making very little noise.

However, my visit to Mins today coincided with the hiatus between the GG Shrike disappearing and the 2 GW Egrets appearing.

 

[GiG]

Had a look for the Radde's Warbler at Shingle Street first thing, lots of Robins and Goldcrests around the orchard. Sure we heard the bird along the track but half an hour and no sign. Had to go and pick someone up en route to Orfordness when reaching the concrete path a birder pointed out a patch of nettles saying the Raddes was in there. Up it popped 5 yards away showing brilliantly in the early morning sun!

At Orfordness a good selection of birds including 3 Little Stint, 7 Spoonbill flying over, plenty of Wheatear, Whinchats, Redstarts, warblers, an extremely confiding Short-eared Owl sitting on a post with a Barn Owl flying behind, 7 raptors species including 3 - 4 Buzzards, Merlin and Peregrine. Little out to sea though 3 Gannets north and an adult pale phase Artic Skua south close in.

Gi

 

[jimbob]

Hi Gi
incidentally an excellent 'where to watch article' about Orfordness in this month's birdwatch mag, by mr. Piotrowski. I have never been to the reserve before- is it correct that you need a permit? It sounds like quite an area to cover. I would like to try and get there once we get rid of the kids in october half term. Any general tips for birding the area would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Jim.

 

[GiG]

Hi Jim,
The reserve is only open on certain days, details here - Orfordness. You purchase a ticket from the kiosk by the quay (building on the left as road enters quay.)

When getting off the boat, you have to head along the track and on your right are some scrapes which hold some good waders - only 3 Little Stints this year, but we had 18 there last year. At the first junction there is a track that goes right, up between the scrapes/pools on the left and right. At the top the path goes left with derelict buildings etc on the right and a lot of scrub and bramble. This whole section up to the main buildings and toilet block are very good for migrants. This path then carries along and it is best to turn right at the next junction to head towards the lighthouse. Once over a bridge a track goes across the shingle on your left (I think it shows a red arrow). Keep an eye out across the shingle - a good place for Merlin. At the lighthouse it is very good for seawatching, plus along the beach in winte rfor Snow Bunting and Shorelark.
Along the beach to the left there are some lagoons - these are worth checking sometimes having Spoonbill but it is a long slog to continue then down a track which skirts the pools before it meets up at a junction which straight on takes you back to the scrub area or right down to the communication building with tall masts. This area is where we saw the peregrine plus another Barn Owl. At the bridge by the communications building (no entry) check the pools, you can also look out over the river. Then follow the track along the river wall back to the boat dock to check grassland and pools on your left. Remember to always look up for any raptors anywhere on site! Plus look over the river to the woods for more raptors.

Gi

 

[jimbob]

Cheers Gi, thanks for all the details. Ill report back on here if I get down there; aiming for late october.
Jim.

 

[Original PaulE]

had to spend the day in the bury area today as i was driving the wife so went to lackford lakes it was quite quiet with the highlights being a green sandpiper, a few snipe, a kingfisher, a large flock of siskins and a flyover buzzard
after lunch paid my first visit to Cavenham Heath which was highly enjoyable the best bit was good views of 23 stone curlews i presume gathering in groups prior to migrating? and a really close view of a small flock of Woodlark i also managed to get a juvenile hobby sitting in a tree into my scope there was also a large flock of pipits i think meadow but as they only ever seemed to land out of sight it is hard to be sure but there must have been over 50 also some very entertaining lapwings chasing each other about
like to say thanks to the guys in the hide at Lackford for there excellent directions
cheers

 

[Stand on Zanzibar]

... a birder pointed out a patch of nettles saying the Raddes was in there. Up it popped 5 yards away showing brilliantly in the early morning sun!
Gi

I'm glad I went back (I was there about 9.30 on the Sunday). It really did show well. Are there any photos of this bird anywhere?

Tim

 

[StuartReeves]

I'm glad I went back (I was there about 9.30 on the Sunday). It really did show well. Are there any photos of this bird anywhere?

Tim

Yep: http://www.freewebs.com/suffolkbirding/september2008.htm

 

[Jonny Rankin]

had to spend the day in the bury area today as i was driving the wife so went to lackford lakes it was quite quiet with the highlights being a green sandpiper, a few snipe, a kingfisher, a large flock of siskins and a flyover buzzard
after lunch paid my first visit to Cavenham Heath which was highly enjoyable the best bit was good views of 23 stone curlews i presume gathering in groups prior to migrating? and a really close view of a small flock of Woodlark i also managed to get a juvenile hobby sitting in a tree into my scope there was also a large flock of pipits i think meadow but as they only ever seemed to land out of sight it is hard to be sure but there must have been over 50 also some very entertaining lapwings chasing each other about
like to say thanks to the guys in the hide at Lackford for there excellent directions
cheers

Hi PaulE,

I was one of the guys in the hide... the one with the stitched ear! Pleased you enjoyed Cavenham.

Its magical at this time of the year at this time of year anything can turn up! Well done on the Hobby and Woodlark... highlights for me yesterday was a Little Owl perched out on the heath, nice views of a Stonechat & all the raptors - only Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, but superb views. Oh & of course the Stoneys!

 

[Jonny Rankin]

Oh & yes the heath is from what I understand a traditional spot for the Stoneys to congregate post breeding pre migration.

I heard via an acquaintance that knows the farmer, when he collected his sheep off there a couple of weeks ago there was up to 80 set up!

Lovin Cavenham at the moment - its not quite up there with Lackford but not far off!

 

[NoSpringChicken]

I had never heard of Cavenham Heath before but it sounds very interesting. It's a bit of a trek for me as I live on the Norfolk/Suffolk coastal border at Hopton but it's worth knowing about for future reference. If anyone else is interested there is a good brochure here:
http://www.english-nature.org.uk/about/teams/team_photo/CavenhamHeath.pdf

Ron

 

[Jonny Rankin]

Nice one of brochure... trailpoints 3,4 & 9 would offer best views of Stoneys. While trailpoint 9 looking across the heath either side of the heathland trail offers excellent views in all directions.

I have heard there is a pool, presumablty the one to the North of the Map below Icklingham plains thats good for Sandpipers... but have yet to explore!

 

[GiG]

I'm glad I went back (I was there about 9.30 on the Sunday). It really did show well. Are there any photos of this bird anywhere?

Tim

Hi Tim,
Well done on the Radde's. A further photo can be found here - Suffolk Ornithologists' Group.

Gi

 

[GiG]

Nice one of brochure... trailpoints 3,4 & 9 would offer best views of Stoneys. While trailpoint 9 looking across the heath either side of the heathland trail offers excellent views in all directions.

I have heard there is a pool, presumablty the one to the North of the Map below Icklingham plains thats good for Sandpipers... but have yet to explore!

The pool is a gravel pit. There is a small car park at Temple Bridge - near where the No.1 is marked on the leaflet map - cross over the river, head left and there is a footpath that goes adjacent to the river and overlooks the gravel pit.

Gi