Suffolk Birding (1 Viewer)

[Cortonbirds]

Im not surprised at all by last weekends Suffolk seabird movement...

You see after a big NW blow in the north sea...days later we get birds off Suffolk reorienting north after swinging through Holland etc. At such times even a westerly can produce. We knew this..and we seawatched off Lowestoft and noted collectively 8 Long-tailed Skua (mainly adult). 4 Sooty Shearwater and to top it off a large Shearwater that was almost certainly a Great Shearwater!

This may surprise you....but conclusive evidence can be found on 1st Sept 2002 when we noted a Suffolk record 253 Sooty Shearwaters off Lowestoft (many noted off Thorpeness etc too) on a day of no wind watsoever..while we watched these Sooties (and Suffolk record 9 Balearic Shearwaters) extremely close in in balmy weather. Note that North Norfolk recorded NO SOOTIES WHATSOEVER THAT DAY. The student who may have studied the weather patterns leading to this would have noted a strong North-North west blow into the southern north sea days earlier...

Having said all this, the best seawatching conditions in Suffolk are still undoubtedly strongish North easterlies..or occaisionally strong easterlies for Petrels in particular. But thats what makes Suffolk great ..the sea is always worth a look in virtually any wind..while North Norfolk relies heavily on the FIRST day of a Northerly (often NW) vectored wind. Our north tracking phenomenon is also what makes Flamborough Head a great seawatching site.

 

[Jonny Rankin]

Im not surprised at all by last weekends Suffolk seabird movement...

You see after a big NW blow in the north sea...days later we get birds off Suffolk reorienting north after swinging through Holland etc. At such times even a westerly can produce. We knew this..and we seawatched off Lowestoft and noted collectively 8 Long-tailed Skua (mainly adult). 4 Sooty Shearwater and to top it off a large Shearwater that was almost certainly a Great Shearwater!

This may surprise you....but conclusive evidence can be found on 3rd Sept 2002 when we noted a Suffolk record 253 Sooty Shearwaters off Lowestoft (many noted off Thorpeness etc too) on a day of no wind watsoever..while we watched these Sooties (and Suffolk record 8 Balearic Shearwaters) extremely close in in balmy weather. Note that North Norfolk recorded NO SOOTIES WHATSOEVER THAT DAY. The student who may have studied the weather patterns leading to this would have noted a strong North-North west blow into the southern north sea days earlier...

Having said all this, the best seawatching conditions in Suffolk are still undoubtedly strongish North easterlies..or occaisionally strong easterlies for Petrels in particular. But thats what makes Suffolk great ..the sea is always worth a look in virtually any wind..while North Norfolk relies heavily on the FIRST day of a Northerly (often NW) vectored wind. Our north tracking phenomenon is also what makes Flamborough Head a great seawatching site.

Noted, especially as Sunday AM I drove to Cley & managed Arctic & Great Skua but not a single Shearwater sp or Long-tailed Skua... as enjoyed by Suffolk sea-watchers! I should have stayed loyal to Suffolk town!

So given the turn to N/NE winds Friday would Lowestoft be a good bet for a Sat AM Sea-watch?

 

[Cortonbirds]

the upcoming run of North easterly based winds could be good off Suffolk and could similarly be good off North Norfolk. Ness Point would be as good as anywhere and you would be sure to find us there on Saturday morning if there arent many passerines around. In the mornings however we often watch from the benches above Gunton Cliff which basically views the sea just north of Ness Point and avoids heat shimmer. In north easterlies however its often hard to know where to look...out to sea or in bushes...a nice dilema I think

 

[GiG]

Im not surprised at all by last weekends Suffolk seabird movement...

You see after a big NW blow in the north sea...days later we get birds off Suffolk reorienting north after swinging through Holland etc. At such times even a westerly can produce. We knew this..and we seawatched off Lowestoft and noted collectively 8 Long-tailed Skua (mainly adult). 4 Sooty Shearwater and to top it off a large Shearwater that was almost certainly a Great Shearwater!

This may surprise you....but conclusive evidence can be found on 1st Sept 2002 when we noted a Suffolk record 253 Sooty Shearwaters off Lowestoft (many noted off Thorpeness etc too) on a day of no wind watsoever..while we watched these Sooties (and Suffolk record 9 Balearic Shearwaters) extremely close in in balmy weather. Note that North Norfolk recorded NO SOOTIES WHATSOEVER THAT DAY. The student who may have studied the weather patterns leading to this would have noted a strong North-North west blow into the southern north sea days earlier...

Having said all this, the best seawatching conditions in Suffolk are still undoubtedly strongish North easterlies..or occaisionally strong easterlies for Petrels in particular. But thats what makes Suffolk great ..the sea is always worth a look in virtually any wind..while North Norfolk relies heavily on the FIRST day of a Northerly (often NW) vectored wind. Our north tracking phenomenon is also what makes Flamborough Head a great seawatching site.

Hi,
I've read about this before and I think you've said that elsewhere on Birdforum about it being good on the Suffolk coast a few days after NNW winds and as you say you always have to keep a look out. I suppose what was a nice surprise was that I had looked for two hours in the morning, more mid to late morning but all the action occurred mid afternoon when I least expected it.

Gi

 

[GiG]

the upcoming run of North easterly based winds could be good off Suffolk and could similarly be good off North Norfolk. Ness Point would be as good as anywhere and you would be sure to find us there on Saturday morning if there arent many passerines around. In the mornings however we often watch from the benches above Gunton Cliff which basically views the sea just north of Ness Point and avoids heat shimmer. In north easterlies however its often hard to know where to look...out to sea or in bushes...a nice dilema I think

Indeed what to choose! I see you have a local prediction for Citrine Wagtail on your web site - your strike rate in Spring was good!
Gi

 

[JonH]

Alton

Hi PaulE,
Had another look yesterday, surprise only a single Greenshank no other waders, suspect they were just sheltering/resting there in the strong winds last week. Common Terns also appear to have departed. Was nice to see 3 Little Grebes in front of the hide. Noticed a single (late?) Swift from the garden in the afternoon.

 

[Jonny Rankin]

Needham Mkt *MEGA*

Two Wigeon on Riverside Fm pool this morning :king:

Never had em in three years birding around Needham. I am sure others have had em before but I am delighted!

Plenty else about in the last few days but have failed to locate the Wheatear/Whinchat reported over the weekend :eek!:

Anyone get on the Glossy Ibis yesterday? I hope that bad mutha gets relocated today :t:

 

[lostinjapan]

Anyone got any information on this Elenora's Falcon that is being reported on the RBA map. Is it it a case of identified after the fact or a fly-by or just a possible?

Sean (Colcester nearly in Suffolk)

 

[Cortonbirds]

Was seen by arguably Suffolks best birder at 7.50 am quartering over the sea rather high. Noted as being Hobby like but larger with noticably longer wings and tail. However it was largely in siluette then drifted off south rather distantly. This guy knows Hobby..it for sure wasnt a Hobby..and Eleonoras is the best fit. Not submittable unfortunately but news was broadcast very promptly to BINS and the pager in case anyone could pick it out further south, which unfortunately they couldnt.

 

[Jonny Rankin]

Red-necked Phalarope

Anyone got any information on this Elenora's Falcon that is being reported on the RBA map. Is it it a case of identified after the fact or a fly-by or just a possible?

Sean (Colcester nearly in Suffolk)

Fly by at sea reported as a 'possible' on birdguides.

Juv Red-necked Phalarope showed a treat at East Lane, Bawdsey earlier. At times as nr as aboot 5m!

Bird was put up by a Sparhawk then chased (nearly to death) by a falcon sp (Hobby I think - but not best views) before heading out to sea... maybe into the talons of an Elanora's!:t:

 

[lostinjapan]

oh ashame the phalarpe didn't hang around..am going to be around there at the weekend, as my girlfriend lives in Alderton.

typical Eleonora's sighting...maybe it will be picked up again.

cheers

sean

 

[Jonny Rankin]

Glossy Ibis reported from Boyton Marshes this AM?!

Anyone know if its feeding/flying over/gettin terrorized by raptors?

 

[Jonny Rankin]

Glossy Ibis...

Showing well on Boyton fresh marsh apparently...

Anyone heading doon the A14 for it? I'd be pumped for a lift, like REALLY pumped :t:

 

[Original PaulE]

Showing well on Boyton fresh marsh apparently...

Anyone heading doon the A14 for it? I'd be pumped for a lift, like REALLY pumped :t:

hi jonny did you manage to get the bird, i saw it today refreshingly easy to see also called into sizewell saw a black tern and several little gulls by the outflow

cheers

 

[Jonny Rankin]

hi jonny did you manage to get the bird, i saw it today refreshingly easy to see also called into sizewell saw a black tern and several little gulls by the outflow

cheers

Yeah cheers :king:

A m8 picked me up Thurs nite for it :t: incredible bird. Felt extra exotic watching it feed with a Lil Egret

Also, 16 Stonys on Cavanham today along with Stonechat & Common Buzz.

 

[Cortonbirds]

For the readers of this thread, maybe some unexperienced, there has never been a better time to go birding in Suffolk than in the forthcoming few days. There will be many seabirds tommorow, there SHOULD be MANY passerine migrants from Scandinavia or further afield arriving in bulk from Tuesday afternoon. There will be a wader influx of the likes of Curlew Sand and Little Stint. Our recent east meets west maps also give a great chance of an American wader such as Pec Sand or Buff-breasted Sand. There is also currently an influx of Spotted Crakes nationally. Basically GET OUT THERE WHENEVER YOU CAN ONTO THE COAST....it may be windy..it may even rain...but get out there...you may not see conditions like this for many years.

Ive been proved wrong before but im pretty certain next week will be the best Suffolk has seen in many years..

 

[Jonny Rankin]

I got goose pimples of anticipation Reading that! Roll on tomorrow:t:

 

[Jonny Rankin]

Needham Osprey Watch

Again this lunch time at 14:00hrs flew down the Gipping towards Alderson Lake.

Max's first sighting was Aug 15th so it has been in the area for four weeks clean!

Also a Yellow Wagtail on Riverside Pool :t: me first in Needham Mkt!

 

[Jonny Rankin]

Anyone direct me to the caravan park at Thorpness?

Red-breasted Fly there! ! !

 

[GiG]

Anyone direct me to the caravan park at Thorpness?

Red-breasted Fly there! ! !

Hi Jonny,

Not sure exactly where it is but walk North through the village, - don't go down along the beach - some footpaths marked, One goes along a drive which opens up with sea to left, area with lots of ragwort, walk through to grassy area and head to trees. another one goes past an allotment along a dirt track, up on the right is a gate, display board there with Aldringham Walks. Go through the gate and head round to the left where you can see a thicket with thorns and sycamore. Tracks go through this area so best to see if any other birders are there.
Good luck.

See the Osprey has been seen at Needham again, ought to see it really as it's on my old patch from the 80's.

Gi