Suffolk Birding (1 Viewer)

[Jonny Rankin]

Needham Mkt - Red Kite

Hi all,

Belter run Suffolk birds at mo. Was hoping the Booted would stay on till this morning - no news that I've seen as yet... ?

A Red Kite over Needham Mkt this morning was a treat tho. Only 2nd patch record for me :t:

It headed off west / north-west over the A14 and was then lost to view.

Cheers,

Jonny

 

[Cortonbirds]

The Wheatear was retracted by the original observers after fully studying all the photos. Never seen a Wheatear as pale as that and thats what threw them. It really is a species that needs hours of study and photos to clinch, but with daylight running out (before studying photos) it maybe was felt that news had to be released to at least give locals a slight chance of seeing it. This is a good contrast about news dissemination do you get news out quick and chance a mis ID or do you wait and get accused of suppression. Of course in hindsight its always best to delay.

Im sure birders will thank the finder however for finding last years genuine Izzy Wheatear and this years showy Woodchat Shrike and he really is one of the most active and dilligent observers in Suffolk. Even the best can make mistakes....even the "punks"..with that Brown Fly claim etc. I wish there were more active bird finders like these however as it always appears that the same old people seem to find all the birds.

At least news is coming out of Suffolk and swiftly...contrast that with Sussex Lesser short toed Larks and Cornish Semipalmated Plovers (alledgedly..)

 

[lostinjapan]

Wonder if any birders are looking for the Booted today?

Most Suffolk birders I guess connected yesterday.

Sean

 

[lostinjapan]

Lesser-short Toed Lark in Sussex? When was that?

As regards the Wheatear at Lowestoft, I can see why they might have initially thought it was Izzy given how pale it was, the fading light. Always better reported than suppressed. I was just frustrated I couldn't go for the bird last year.

Cracking Great Grey Shrike yesterday at old Sewage works in Corton. Amy idea where this bird was ringed Cortonbirder?

Cheers

Sean

 

[Cortonbirds]

LGRE suggested a Lesser short toed Lark was suppressed on Beachy Head recently.

The GG Shrike was ringed nearby at Corton railtrack on Thursday, one of 2 birds at Corton that day. It resurfaced on Sunday back at the old sewage works where it origionally was on Thursday before flying to the railtrack to be trapped during a routine ringing session.

 

[Cortonbirds]

Lowestofts 16th Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn has just been found by the way, in Gunton Woods. This equals the Lowestoft record for YBW found during a year. Im sure theres another lurking somewhere undetected to break that record.

 

[halcyonlisa]

I went to Westleton Heath to watch the Red Deer rut last night and had lovely views of the Stone Curlew there - they were much more interesting than the Red Deer imho

 

[d.steeley]

Hi Halcyonlisa, my wife and I are in Suffolk next week for walking and birding. Would you be able to give me a hint as to where to see the Stone Curlew at all? PM me if you wish or say no if you think the location is too sensitive. We will be visiting Minsmere as usual but as we have seen the deer rut a couple of times we're unlikely to do so this time.

Thanks

Dave

 

[GiG]

Nice one on the Izzy Shrike. Shame it was a one day bird. Would have liked to have seen that. A nice selection of birds.

Judging from the photos the Wheatear might have been a pale Northern Wheatear. I hope so as that would be the 2nd in 2 years I've been unable to go for due to work commitments.

After finding my own Yellow-Browed over the border in Yarmouth Cemetery I shamelessly twitched the Booted Warbler at Landguard, then stopped off at Sparrows Nest where the Olive-backed proved too elusive for us, unlike the rather obliging
Woodchat Shrike nearby.

Nice views of the Great Grey Shrike Corton rounded out the day.

By the way Gi did you find the Great Skua's at Melton?

Good birding

Sean

Hi Sean,

Yeah some good birding recently, was hoping to find something myself, so caught the bus to Leiston and walked round Aldringham Walks - the isabelline shrike chose a bit of heath just a bit further north.

No unfortunately did not find great skuas, the observer had them flying over his house!

As Cortonbirds mentioned in another post, glad I'm in a county where there is a good network amongst Suffolk birders in getting news out, a lot of that goes to the guys who run Suffolk BINS.

Here's pics of the long-eared owl and isabelline shrike.



Then ended the week on a highlight with the booted warbler at Landguard, went with my daughter and a couple of mates and we got great views and a landmark in it being my 300th Suffolk bird! - After over 30 years of birding!



Gi

 

[halcyonlisa]

Dave if you drive as if you are going to Minsmere and drive past the turning onto the reserve from the village of Westleton, basically following the signs that the RSPB have put out for the parking for the red deer rut.

I parked where the RSPB directed on the left hand side of the heath and crossed over the road and walked approx half a mile up the hill, again it was all signposted for the red deer rut. You can stand up on a hill and look over the heath for the rut. I walked only a few yards East of the viewpoint because there was around 100 or more people there and stood against the fence. The Stone Curlew are amongst the long heather & when they do show are obvious as they are much paler than the very dry brown heather.

The RSPB volunteers near me were excitedly pointing them out to anyone who wanted to see them - so I dont think they are keeping them secret. The area that they are in is fenced, so I think as long as you stay the right side of the fence all is ok.

TBH I've been told by several local birders about them and their whereabouts so I dont think it is exactly secret anymore, but I would stick to the waymarked trails as I would hate to see them disturbed.

 

[Jonny Rankin]

Then ended the week on a highlight with the booted warbler at Landguard, went with my daughter and a couple of mates and we got great views and a landmark in it being my 300th Suffolk bird! - After over 30 years of birding!

Gi

300 in Suffolk! That's obscene - your County efforts rival my lifes! Out of interest what is the Suffolk County list on? & who is the currently the highest lister?

Be interesting to know.

Congrats - some great record shots there too :t:

Cheers,

Jonny

 

[Cortonbirds]

Im on 347 Suffolk but I think Steve Piotrowski is on around 370 plus.

 

[lostinjapan]

I think Steve is over 380 these days.

Alas I'm only on 244, but only been living in the county 18 months.

Sean

 

[Cortonbirds]

He was 365 in Jan 07 hence my estimate http://www.sogonline.org.uk/SuffolkBirds/SuffolkListers/tabid/92/Default.aspx

Trying to think of birds since then...Lesser Kestrel, Short-toed Treecreeper, Sandhill Crane, Isabelline Shrike (he needed the Dunwich bird), Baikal Teal (after acceptance), Siberian Stonechat (after upgrade), Squacco Heron, Caspian and YL Gulls (after upgrade), Hooded Crow (after upgrade) etc so you may well be right.

Either way his is a massive list and probably wont be beaten.

 

[GiG]

300 in Suffolk! That's obscene - your County efforts rival my lifes! Out of interest what is the Suffolk County list on? & who is the currently the highest lister?

Be interesting to know.

Congrats - some great record shots there too :t:

Cheers,

Jonny

Cheers Jonny, though has taken me over 30 years!

Well done on your red kite.

Gi

 

[GiG]

He was 365 in Jan 07 hence my estimate http://www.sogonline.org.uk/SuffolkBirds/SuffolkListers/tabid/92/Default.aspx

Trying to think of birds since then...Lesser Kestrel, Short-toed Treecreeper, Sandhill Crane, Isabelline Shrike (he needed the Dunwich bird), Baikal Teal (after acceptance), Siberian Stonechat (after upgrade), Squacco Heron, Caspian and YL Gulls (after upgrade), Hooded Crow (after upgrade) etc so you may well be right.

Either way his is a massive list and probably wont be beaten.

I've not had a recent list lately to update the web site. There are also a few lists on bubo. You can also add king eider and audouin's gull to your list that I can think of.

Jonny - the Suffolk list is over 400 now, with five new species to be added this year alone so far, which must be the most in a single year for a while.

Gi

 

[simple]

Lowestofts 16th Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn has just been found by the way, in Gunton Woods. This equals the Lowestoft record for YBW found during a year. Im sure theres another lurking somewhere undetected to break that record.

I found two at Warren House Wood so that must be 18 !

 

[lostinjapan]

Can't compete with you big listers Cortonbirds & Gi . Congrats on the 300 Gi. Shame you didn't get to see the Great Skuas.

Do you know anything about the Red-throated Pipit claimed at Martlesham Creek?

Just hoping to find my first national rare in Suffolk preferably on my East Lane patch.....think I just need to put in more time!!

Sean

 

[lostinjapan]

Was also intrigued by the Lanner Falcon in off at Corton reported on the lounge lizards site.

Interesting as it had no jesses..would love to see it even if it was an escape!!

 

[d.steeley]

Hi Halcyonlisa, thanks very much for the info, definitely will have a look.

Cheers

Dave