Suffolk – Bawdsey – 15th March 2009

Moving out of Essex and back into Suffolk, we head for the small pits at Bawdsey. First we clock a Red-crested Pochard in the first lagoon along with Goosander, Great-crested & Little Grebe. Walking along there are numerous Reed Buntings, Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails in and out of the Reeds & Tamarisk. Then finally we set eyes on our first true summer visitor, two Willow Warblers bouncing around the Tamarisk.

In the other pools there are a mixture of Pochard, Coot & Widgeon and a likely looking Sparrowhawk soars high over. Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 127 Month bird count: 72

Essex – Abberton & Mistley – 15th March 2009

Reports of early Sand Martins and late Grebes lead us to decide on a trip out to these two sites. Arriving on the lower of the two causeways at Abberton there was a good collection of Wild Fowl but nothing too inspiring. Then up to the Layer de la Haye crossing, we found Sky Lark displaying, Goldeneye still present, two Slavonian Grebes still in winter plumage and a distant Black-necked Grebe in summer plumage.

From there we drove up to Mistley and off the Walls had good views of Little Egret, large numbers of Black-tailed Godwit, Black Swans in flight and a whole feast of common Ducks and Swans. Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 124 Month bird count: 65

Suffolk – Minsmere – 7th March 2009

We drove out through the Suffolk countryside, lots of Pheasants in the fields and large flocks of Wood Pigeon moving aound. Arrived at Minsmere on a quite a busy day so decide to focus on the East side. Looking out to sea was very unproductive, with just a few Great-crested Grebes to be seen a long way out.

The water on the scrape was very high, so short legged waders were scarce, with just a hand full on Dunlin. There was quite a gathering of Black-tailed Godwits and some Avocets feeding. Gulls are in abundance and the Black-headed are pairing up in their raucous style, there is also quite a few Mediterranean Gulls evident but too far out to photograph. Gadwall, Widgeon and Shellduck are also common place Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 121 Month bird count: 47

Suffolk – “out the back” – 1st March 2009

Getting out and about this weekend proved a bit difficult, so we took stock of what we going on right on our own door step. With birds quite evidently pairing it was interesting to see, that where you thought it was for example one Blue Tit visiting, closer inspection proved it was two different birds, this was equally true of Greenfinch, Dunnock and Chaffinch.

Of special note however was, what I always think of as a turning point and that was a Chiffchaff calling from the trees. Here we go… eyes down for another year! Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 120 Month bird count: 20

Norfolk – Lynford Arboretum – 21st February 2009

We moved across from Ickworth into Thetford Forest and up to Lynford. Good views on the gravel pits of Goosander, Ferruginous Duck and Common Gull. Then there was a variety of woodland birds in the Arboretum including Treecreeper and Siskin, alas no Hawfinch (tut), never the less we also had a nice collection of common wildfowl on the lake.

Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 120 Month bird count: 100

Suffolk – Ickworth House – 21st February 2009

We’ve dropped into the woods surrounding this stately home at this time of year before and found one of the best shows of Snowdrops we’ve seen. This year was no exception as they have appeared in abundance deep in the woods.

From a birding perspective, its one of those places where you wonder around and sometimes you are lucky and others there may have been too much disturbance and you consequently see nothing. On this occasion I’d say it was the former, we saw all three species of woodpecker (Lesser-spotted, Greater-spotted and Green) showing, drumming and calling, then Nuthatch and a variety of more common woodland birds all showing well. Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 119 Month bird count: 97

Norfolk – Salthouse– 17th February 2009

On the same day we then headed further east from Titchwell and, having had no luck at Cley coast guards, we dropped in to the beach car park at Salthouse. Immediately picking up on 2 very obliging Snow Bunting (oops!), plus Teal and Turnstone in the rock pool.

Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 114 Month bird count: 89

Norfolk – Holme & Titchwell– 17th February 2009

The first drop in of the day was to the Wolferton Triangle, alas no luck on the small population of Golden Pheasant so we decided to head for a spot of sea watching at NWT Holme. We had a great drive in with Grey Partridge, Marsh Harrier, Fieldfare, Curlew and Stonechat all either on the track side or over the marsh.

Off shore in the water were 10+ Mergansers and couple of Great-crested Grebes. Then generally heading east we saw several Red-throated Divers, a large flock of Dunlin and 5 Long-tailed Duck. It was then up on to the main road again and a stop over at Titchwell, here we could see that the waters were very high but well stocked with birds. On the fresh marsh there were Pintail, Avocet, Widgeon, Brent Geese & Shoveller, with Water Pipit, Snipe, Ruff & Bearded Tits feeding in the low level reed islands. On the salt marsh we had Golden Eye, Black-tailed Godwit & Little Grebe. Then out on the shore line were Sanderling, Knot, Grey Plover & Dunlin. Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 113 Month bird count: 88

Suffolk – Local Patch – 8th February 2009

We’ve not been around our local wood for many a month, so with snow still on the ground and most of the water pools frozen solid we took a wander. Despite the cold snap early breeding activity was evident; Robins were singing in territories, Great Tits whilst still in small flocks were singing from branches and moving their heads to flash their white cheeks and Greater-spotted Woodpeckers were drumming! Other birds were in winter parties; Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits and Chaffinches, with winter Thrushes high the sky moving from one feeding ground to another. As you can see nothing of great note but behaviour is definitely on the change, great walk out! Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 97 Month bird count: 27

Norfolk – Thetford Forest – 31st January 2009

We had to get out before the promised bad weather, so off to the “interior” it was.

We started at Lynford Arboretum, on the now flooded gravel pits found amongst other wildfowl a Ferruginous Duck and Red-necked Grebe. Within the Arboretum itself there was a mixed flock of Goldfinch & Redpoll and a single Siskin, plus plenty of Marsh Tits feeding in the branches and on the tree trunks, along with the occasional Treecreeper. Next stop was Santon Downham, not a great deal to be seen here except for some grazing Highland Cattle and the opportunity to photograph some foraging Blackbirds and catch sight of the more timid Redwing. Finally it was off to Hockwold Fen and a very quick walk out through the reed beds before it got too dark. A distant Great Grey Shrike, Stonechat and alas only heard Reedling.

Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 96 Month bird count: 96

Suffolk – Ipswich & Levington – 25th January 2009

I always find it a bit bizarre, driving around a housing estate with my bins at the ready scanning for birds, but if you want to see Waxwing this is so often the case and discretion is defiantly the order of the day when you find about thirty birds commuting between the roof tops and a front garden. It was then off to Levington and a look along the shore line and the trout lake. Wet, windy and chilly as it was, this produced Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Turnstone, 100 Dunlin, Curlew, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover on the shore and Gadwall, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Widgeon & Pochard on the water. Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 85 Month bird count: 85

Essex (Mistley Quay) – 4th January 2009

A good day off the Quay and Walls, with waders – Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Knot , Avocet, Oystercatcher & Redshank; Swans – Black, Mute & Whooper; Ducks – Pintail, Shellduck, Widgeon, Teal & Goldeneye.

Further out there is a Great Northern Diver & Great-crested Grebes then closer to the quay side 11 Mergansers.

Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 61 Month bird count: 61

Essex (Abberton) – 31st December 2008

This reservoir is always a good visit at any time during the winter months. Here today we get Little Egret, Egyptian Goose, Common Gull, Smew, Ruddy Duck, Bittern, Water Rail & Merganser to mention a few. Final counts for 2008 are below.

Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 267 Month bird count: 93

Suffolk (Micklemere) – 29th December 2008

A quick run out to this small mere right on the road side and good views of White-fronted Goose along with Greylag, Canada & a lone Snow Goose. On the return the fields are flush with winter thrushes, Fieldfare, Redwing and Mistle are all amongst a gathering of Lapwings and Golden Plovers. Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 266 Month bird count: 81

Suffolk (Bawdsey East Lane & Quay) – 25th December 2008

Heavy cloud cover, a cold wind and a low level mist, it must be Christmas in East Anglia! Off to coast and a look at what the pits at East Lane Bawdsey hold, plenty of ducks including Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, Teal, Widgeon, Tufted, Shoveller & Gadwall. Also Mute Swan, Canada & Greylag Geese, then in the coastal tamarisk we find Stonechat and Meadow Pipit and finally Common Buzzard & Hen Harrier over.

A short stop at the Quay and across the Deben there are hundreds of Golden Plover along with Curlew, Ringed Plover, Dunlin & Lapwing.

Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 265 Month bird count: 70

Essex (Mistley Quay & The Walls) – 7th December 2008

A great clear frosty morning this Sunday and we headed to Mistley Quay. Here the impact of the winter vistor was noticeable, in the estuary there were Shag, Great Northern Diver, several Black-necked Grebes, Pintails, Golden-eyes and Common Gull to note but a few.

Feeding off the walls were Whooper Swan, numerous Canada Geese and Mute Swans.

Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 265 Month bird count: 47

Suffolk (Felixstowe & Rendlesham) – 16th November 2008

Just a couple of short trips out, mainly to do some photography. Firstly to Felixstowe docks and nailed some good Gulls in flight mainly Black-headed but also saw Greater Black-backed and Herring. Plenty of Starlings around too, no doubt the evening roost gatherings will get large.

Then off to Rendlesham to catch a reasonably sized flock of Waxwings feeding on road side berries. Also saw Mistle Thrush (which insisted on aggravating the Waxwings) and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 264 Month bird count: 40

E. Norfolk (Strumpshaw Fen, Horsey & Cart Gaps and Stub Mill) – 11th October 2008

Strumpshaw Fen is such a great place in the autumn with hips and other berries all over, the light on the waters and the leaf changing colour. Arriving about 8:00 everything was very quite and the sun was warming the fen nicely. Bearded Tits were very active in the reeds and popped up to view every 5 or 10 minutes, a single Marsh Harrier disturbed gatherings of Shoveler, Teal, Gadwall and Mallard on the waters. A single Grey Herron stalked in some shallow water and a Kingfisher sped across the broad. Over we also saw flocks of Greylag Geese and Canada Geese heading for daytime feeding grounds. We then headed north to Horsey Gap and walking from the car park found a family of Stonechat and a hopeful Kestrel hovering. On the way back, the same ground, produced Northern Wheatear, Meadow Pipit and Skylark. Off shore there was a gathering of 20+ Red-throated Divers all still in summer plumage and distant Gannets. After lunch it was a move up the coast to Cart Gap for a more sea-watching. This produced Fulmar and Black-throated Diver, with Oystercatcher and Turnstone on the beach. Finally we ended the evening at the Stub Mill watch point, to find a Great Grey Shrike distant before the light wavered. Once dusk started to fall and to a background of large flocks of Pink-footed Geese returning from the days feeding we saw Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier, 8+ Marsh Harrier and 17 Cranes. Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 263 Month bird count: 65

Norfolk (Wells Wood & Walsey Hills) – 26th September 2008

Safely back form Cyprus and looking at the UK site reports there seamed to be few of the harder to see migrants in Norfolk, so decided to spend a day on the north coast. Tried Wells Wood first and to be honest it was disappointing from a migrant point of view but none the less got good views of Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Willow Warbler, Treecreeper and other woodland species. As foot note; many butterflies were clearly about and we did get “lowish” level views of a White Admiral.

Onward to Walsey Hills and a wonder around this small site produced a juvenile Barred Warbler with Tits and Crests evident in quite high numbers. Also saw Marsh Harrier over Cley. Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 258 Month bird count: 106

N. Cyprus (The central plain and local) – 21st & 23rd September 2008

In the immediate local area to our hotel as well as the owls being evident there was a collection of smaller birds in and out, including Cetti’s Warbler, Icterine Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher.

Further a field and en-route across the central plain we saw larger gatherings of Bee Eaters, numerous Crested Lark, Thekla Lark and some Short Toed Lark. Along with Hoopoe, Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail and Chucka.

Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 257 Month bird count: 102

N. Cyprus (The Karpas) – 19th & 22nd September 2008

The Karpas can only be described as a completely unspoilt wilderness of scrub and hills, with a fantastic coast line on each face ending in a narrow spit of landfall. There are few roads and the occasional coastal bar, at the end there is a small village mainly centred around a religious retreat.

The scrub and hills are used by arable farmers & goat herders and at this time of year the sun has scorched the landscape, squeezing the vegetation to a minimum.

During our two visits the scrub was alive with Northern Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Cyprus Pied Wheatear, Whinchat, Lesser Grey Shrike & a Red-backed Shrike. Over we saw Booted Eagle, Montagu’s Harrier, Honey Buzzard and Pallid Harrier.

En-route in and out we had views of Golden Oriole, Blackcap & Black Francolin. Plus stopping at the Talitsu reservoir we came across a Hobby, 3 Bonelli’s Eagles and 4 Eleonora’s Falcons.

Life bird count: 376 Year bird count: 252 Month bird count: 65

N. Cyprus (Coast east of Kyrenia) – 17th September 2008

Heading in the other direction, the coast road soon gets quieter, as we leave the outskirts of Kyrenia. We see more movements of herons heading west including Purple Heron and Night Heron. There are two Masked Shrikes on the wires close to the road and Red-rumped Swallows in and out of one on the small village en-route. Along the shore line Kingfishers are quiet evident and we come across a small group of Audouin’s Gulls along with a single Yellow-legged Gull.

Stopping for lunch in a delightful and friendly road side restaurant, with great cheap local food we see an Orphean Warbler in the scrub and Turtle Dove on the wires. In the evening just outside the Hotel we are treated to Little owl and Scops Owls. Life bird count: 375 Year bird count: 244 Month bird count: 47

N. Cyprus (Coast west of Kyrenia) – 15th & 16th September 2008

Taking the coast road and heading west from our base on the outskirts of Kyrenia we saw only locally common birds like Hooded Crow, House Sparrow & Great Tit. Until, that is, we hit the smaller road out to Sadrazamkoy when things opened up and the common birds increase to Crested Lark and Cyprus Warbler with Grey Heron, Little Egret and Shag in numbers off the coast. Out on the small western peninsula, we had good views of Peregrine Falcon, Bee Eater, Juvenile Woodchat Shrike, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler and Blue Rock Thrush, with Green Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover on the Gecitkoy Reservoir. Life bird count: 372 Year bird count: 239 Month bird count: 35