Suffolk Birding (1 Viewer)

[Jonny Rankin]

Arctic Warbler

After a Gentlemen taped lured it Arctic Warbler showed at 5m range! Blew my mind thru me 10x's:t:

Amazingness.

Is tape luring a bit naughty? I don't know, but I am appreciative in this instance8-P

Following initial views bird showed on & off around the obs area calling a bit.
:king:

 

[jimbob]

Congrats Jonny!
Apparently, it is a healthy bird with a good fat level, out of breeding season. Can't see a big problem tape luring myself, although someone may well suggest otherwise? Limited experience myself, would be interested to see what others think. Im well aware there are other sides to this argument! Hope plenty of people connected today. Autumn has begun in Suffolk!
Cheers,
Jim.

 

[GiG]

After a Gentlemen taped lured it Arctic Warbler showed at 5m range! Blew my mind thru me 10x's:t:

Amazingness.

Is tape luring a bit naughty? I don't know, but I am appreciative in this instance8-P

Following initial views bird showed on & off around the obs area calling a bit.
:king:

Well done Jonny, sure is a smart bird. :t:

Gi

 

[GiG]

I remember seeing Arctic Warbler at Fagbury back in the 90's(probably). Whatever happened to that place, it had rarities every other weekend back then (or so it seemed) but haven't heard it mentioned in years.

Phil

Hi Phil,

A lot of ringing took place there in the day and a very good selection of rarities turned up, but when the docks changed their lights less birds turned up including rarities and ringing ceased.

Gi

 

[GiG]

Where is this Fagbury? Mentioned by a good few at the Arctic twitch this morning.
Gi, I was pleased to get the Mandarin, didn't realise they had been scarce this year. Have they bred anywhere in the Ipswich ponds and lakes this year? One chap at the Arctic informed me last year was a bad year for the Christchurch birds, can't for the life of me remember the reason, I would guess at bad weather.
Cheers,
Jim.

Hi Jim,

Fagbury relates to Fagbury Cliffs, which is close to Felixstowe docks. Access is down the track from Trimley St Mary past the station and Searsons Farm as if you are going to Trimley MArshes SWT. Down the track the path to the reserveturns right but straight to the bend are the cliffs.The footpath goes through and over the docks rail line.

The Mandarins have bred again in Holywells Park, unfortunately at Christchurch after getting lottery money the wilderness pond they were on got tidied up and less attractive for them.

Gi

 

[Jonny Rankin]

Needham Osprey Watch

Cheers for the congrats Gi & Jim - bird of 09 for me that, knocking the Hinderclay Wood Sand off the top spot :king:

Just had the Needham Market Osprey again at 13:18 over Alderson Lake/Bosmere Hall & then headed back down the gipping.

Also first Swift I've seen ere in a few weeks :t:

 

[JonH]

Alton

Had a walk to the Hide to the East of Lemons Hill Bridge earlier, the water level is about 6 feet down from spring levels so plenty of shoreline exposed. There are 3 islands now exposed in front of the hide. Plenty of birdlife resting on them including several Greenshanks, 20+ Lapwings and 140+ Bar Tailed Godwits ? ( if someone wants to correct me on this identity, please do ) These birds were in situ yesterday but didn't get close enough to see them clearly. I think the Arctic Terns had a good breeding year I counted at least 40 on the pontoons here and at the Wonder in June. Once again there appeared to be very few young waterfowl this year although this could be due to the very thick vegetation around most of the reservoir.

 

[Original PaulE]

lots of whinchats

had a reasonable day went to landguard first saw 2 whinchats,several wheaters,2 female blackcaps,a couple of lesser whitethroats and several common whitethroats just missed the osprey and didn't see the long tailed skua go through
then i decided to go to levington creek and walk to trimley marshes which was quite a bit further than i thought the creek had loads of redshank and a few grey plovers, the walk itself was quite pleasnt but produced little of note except 10 little egrets on what i think is called loompit lake this held quite a bit of wildfowl mainly gadwal, widgeon,tufties and mallard,quite a few swans and quite a few little grebes as i arrived at the reserve a hobby was hunting over a wood in the distance the visitor centre was shut which was quite surprising but the hides were open only one had any water and birds the best of which were six avocet also presant were a few barnacle geese and a few lapwing as i got to the centre a large flock of goldfinch rose out of the bushes and flew about in panic just as i was wondering what had scared them a sparrowhawk came bombing round the corner
leaving the reserve i walked past a large field containing sheep i noticed a small bird on the fence got the scope on it whinchat then i noticed another 2 feet further on then another after that all told there were six a few yards further on another bird on the fence this time a yellow wagtail in the field beyond another 3 a few yards further on another bird on the fence this time a wheatear and another one in the field beyond seems i hit upon a staging post.
so not a great day but pretty good although my feet ache now i don't know how many miles i walked but it was a few
cheers

 

[jimbob]

when Blackbirds shout....

Made the mistake of being ill-prepared for that walk myself, on more than one occasion. Respect PaulE!
Birds in the garden were making a hell of a racket yesterday morning. Went out to search for the source of the bedlum: a roosting Tawny Owl! Beautiful sight. Tried for a picture but it flew off,left it to rest. Presumably a young bird, hence its poor choice of site and a bit of fluff round its neck.
Cheers,
Jim.

had a reasonable day went to landguard first saw 2 whinchats,several wheaters,2 female blackcaps,a couple of lesser whitethroats and several common whitethroats just missed the osprey and didn't see the long tailed skua go through
then i decided to go to levington creek and walk to trimley marshes which was quite a bit further than i thought the creek had loads of redshank and a few grey plovers, the walk itself was quite pleasnt but produced little of note except 10 little egrets on what i think is called loompit lake this held quite a bit of wildfowl mainly gadwal, widgeon,tufties and mallard,quite a few swans and quite a few little grebes as i arrived at the reserve a hobby was hunting over a wood in the distance the visitor centre was shut which was quite surprising but the hides were open only one had any water and birds the best of which were six avocet also presant were a few barnacle geese and a few lapwing as i got to the centre a large flock of goldfinch rose out of the bushes and flew about in panic just as i was wondering what had scared them a sparrowhawk came bombing round the corner
leaving the reserve i walked past a large field containing sheep i noticed a small bird on the fence got the scope on it whinchat then i noticed another 2 feet further on then another after that all told there were six a few yards further on another bird on the fence this time a yellow wagtail in the field beyond another 3 a few yards further on another bird on the fence this time a wheatear and another one in the field beyond seems i hit upon a staging post.
so not a great day but pretty good although my feet ache now i don't know how many miles i walked but it was a few
cheers

 

[Jonny Rankin]

Sterling work there :t:

I am yet to get Whinchat this yr & they seem to be everwhere!

Made the gruelling Lev-trimley Trek last Mon. Tea & sugary snacks are needed for the return run. Maybe birders should stash Kendal mint cake there

Was even Whinchat (along with Wheatear & Honey Buzzard!!!) over Needham Mkt yesterday!

One of the 2 days a week I ain't there!

had a reasonable day went to landguard first saw 2 whinchats,several wheaters,2 female blackcaps,a couple of lesser whitethroats and several common whitethroats just missed the osprey and didn't see the long tailed skua go through
then i decided to go to levington creek and walk to trimley marshes which was quite a bit further than i thought the creek had loads of redshank and a few grey plovers, the walk itself was quite pleasnt but produced little of note except 10 little egrets on what i think is called loompit lake this held quite a bit of wildfowl mainly gadwal, widgeon,tufties and mallard,quite a few swans and quite a few little grebes as i arrived at the reserve a hobby was hunting over a wood in the distance the visitor centre was shut which was quite surprising but the hides were open only one had any water and birds the best of which were six avocet also presant were a few barnacle geese and a few lapwing as i got to the centre a large flock of goldfinch rose out of the bushes and flew about in panic just as i was wondering what had scared them a sparrowhawk came bombing round the corner
leaving the reserve i walked past a large field containing sheep i noticed a small bird on the fence got the scope on it whinchat then i noticed another 2 feet further on then another after that all told there were six a few yards further on another bird on the fence this time a yellow wagtail in the field beyond another 3 a few yards further on another bird on the fence this time a wheatear and another one in the field beyond seems i hit upon a staging post.
so not a great day but pretty good although my feet ache now i don't know how many miles i walked but it was a few
cheers

 

[Jonny Rankin]

Made the mistake of being ill-prepared for that walk myself, on more than one occasion. Respect PaulE!
Birds in the garden were making a hell of a racket yesterday morning. Went out to search for the source of the bedlum: a roosting Tawny Owl! Beautiful sight. Tried for a picture but it flew off,left it to rest. Presumably a young bird, hence its poor choice of site and a bit of fluff round its neck.
Cheers,
Jim.

That's a rite garden tick :t:

Also liked ya Norfolk thread post. I hear what ya saying - basically Suffolk birders are more refined & that :-O

There certainly wasn't any of that at the Landguard Ortolan :t

 

[jimbob]

Im guessing they were neither Norfolk nor Suffolk, but outsiders....
Jim.

That's a rite garden tick :t:

Also liked ya Norfolk thread post. I hear what ya saying - basically Suffolk birders are more refined & that :-O

There certainly wasn't any of that at the Landguard Ortolan :t

 

[Original PaulE]

another yomp today think my legs gonna fall off went to cavenham heath couple of stone curlews, small flock of woodlark and lucked into a flock of warblers near the river mainly blackcaps,chiffchaff, willow warblers and mixed tits did manage to get scope views of a garden warbler but apart from that pretty quiet
on way home called in at lackford kingfisher,marsh tit and buzzard the highlights
also at lackford in amongst the greylags and canada geese that seemed to have taken over the scrape bit was what looked like a snow goose, blue grey body white neck and head it had a lot smaller bill than the greylag there was also a pure white goose with a large orange bill
i'm presuming these are escaped /feral birds anyone know anything about them?

cheers

 

[Jonny Rankin]

Dirty Geese!

another yomp today think my legs gonna fall off went to cavenham heath couple of stone curlews, small flock of woodlark and lucked into a flock of warblers near the river mainly blackcaps,chiffchaff, willow warblers and mixed tits did manage to get scope views of a garden warbler but apart from that pretty quiet
on way home called in at lackford kingfisher,marsh tit and buzzard the highlights
also at lackford in amongst the greylags and canada geese that seemed to have taken over the scrape bit was what looked like a snow goose, blue grey body white neck and head it had a lot smaller bill than the greylag there was also a pure white goose with a large orange bill
i'm presuming these are escaped /feral birds anyone know anything about them?

cheers

High PaulE,

The 1st goose is a BarnaclexEmporer Goose I believe although I've heard it called a number of things. BarnaclexEmporer came from an authoritative source though :t:

There is also a feral Snow Goose in the area sharing it time between Lackford & Livermere. In flight it looks beuatiful with black on wings & that (I called it Snowy - BarnaclexEmporer aint named yet but probably needs one).

There is a load of domestic white Greylag type things too but they larger than Snowy.

Ah mucky wildfowl. Class :king:

 

[JonH]

Alton Terns

Apologies just noted my error should of read Common Terns (not Artic |:$|). Still not sure about the wader i.d.

 

[Original PaulE]

High PaulE,

The 1st goose is a BarnaclexEmporer Goose I believe although I've heard it called a number of things. BarnaclexEmporer came from an authoritative source though :t:

There is also a feral Snow Goose in the area sharing it time between Lackford & Livermere. In flight it looks beuatiful with black on wings & that (I called it Snowy - BarnaclexEmporer aint named yet but probably needs one).

There is a load of domestic white Greylag type things too but they larger than Snowy.

Ah mucky wildfowl. Class :king:

cheers for the reply jonny i've googled emperor goose and the head looks right for my bird couldn't see much barnacle in it so maybe it was the feral snow goose i saw
on the subject of livermere where abouts is the lake i had a quick look today and couldn't find it is it anywhere near the church

hi jonh

wasn't there so of course can't be sure but we get lots of black-tailed godwits on the stour estuary so could be they stopped of on the way although don't see why they couldn't be barwits

cheers

 

[simon]

on the subject of livermere where abouts is the lake i had a quick look today and couldn't find it is it anywhere near the church

cheers

Paul,
To get to Livermere Lake park by the church and walk down the track between the two gate houses, The lake is approx 300yrds down the track so not a long yomp

 

[Original PaulE]

Paul,
To get to Livermere Lake park by the church and walk down the track between the two gate houses, The lake is approx 300yrds down the track so not a long yomp

cheers simon

i thought that looked likely i just didn't have time to investigate this afternoon glad to hear it's not to much of a treck

cheers

 

[NoSpringChicken]

We spent the day at Lakenheath today and had a great time, although it was fairly quiet on the bird front. There were still a few Hobbies about, including one sitting on the river bank a few metres away behind a kissing gate. I couldn't make out what it was a first. We were pleasantly surprised to find some Spotted Flycatchers in dead trees near the New Fen Viewpoint and about four more in the middle of a large flock of Goldfinches with one or two Whitethroats on the Brandon Fen Trail just before we left.

I think it's a really great reserve now, much better than when we visited a couple of years ago.

Ron

 

[GiG]

Always a surprise!

Lead a SOG trip to Thorpeness Saturday, so went early for a sea watch at Dower House prior to meeting. Two Gannets fairly close in 1st thing then quiet until a pale phase Artic Skua north and later on a dark phase and 50 Little Gulls on the sea. Met the group and walked up to the caravan park, which was fairly quiet until in a sheltered section to the north end a good selection of common warblers. Common Whitethroat the most common, with Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, nice bright Willow Warblers and Blackcaps, feeding on insects, blackberries and elderberries. Down on the beach we found one Wheatear and a couple of Common Lizards, but nothing out to sea. An enjoyable walk but a bit too quiet birdwise so we went back to the car park for lunch and decided to give Sizewell a look.

Walking along at Sizewell a Wheatear then 4 Black Redstarts seen near the station and out on the rigs a few Common Terns, a single Black Tern and lots of Little Gulls. Things started to pickup when the first of 6 Artic Skuas seen, 5N, 1S. Gannets were passing north then a Sooty Shearwater going the same direction, with another member picking up a second. These two were seen at Lowestoft 35 mins later! We decided to walk up the beach and picked out a Guillemot S and on a fence a lovely Whinchat.

Amazing how birding turns around with unexpected sightings - who'd have thought to see a bit of sea bird movement mid-afternoon in westerlies on the Suffolk coast!

Gi