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Suffolk Birding (9 Viewers)
- Thread starter matt green
- Start date
Jonny Rankin
Formerly Jonny Crossbill
Gipping Valley Bird Report 2011
Hi all,
The Gipping Valley bird report for last year is available now via the SOG website at the following link:
http://www.sogonline.org.uk/Localbirdgroups/tabid/173/Default.aspx
Enjoy :t:
Cheers,
Jonny
Hi all,
The Gipping Valley bird report for last year is available now via the SOG website at the following link:
http://www.sogonline.org.uk/Localbirdgroups/tabid/173/Default.aspx
Enjoy :t:
Cheers,
Jonny
Robert S J Smith
Well-known member
This is very short notice but I'm off to Suffolk tomorrow to see a friend and do some birding and I'm hoping someone could answer the couple of questions I have?!?
Where do I park and walk to see the Iceland Gull and likewise with the Purple Sands at Ness Point?
Where do I view Dunwich Shore Pools?
and
Where's the best place to be to see the Otters at Minsmere?
Cheers,
Robert
Where do I park and walk to see the Iceland Gull and likewise with the Purple Sands at Ness Point?
Where do I view Dunwich Shore Pools?
and
Where's the best place to be to see the Otters at Minsmere?
Cheers,
Robert
Cortonbirds
Well-known member
The Iceland is best viewed from the top of the multi-story car park just inland of the harbour (small charge). This overlooks the Waveney dock where it mostly frequents along with the roof of the Ness Point house building in front. Alternatively park by Hamilton road and walk up to the multi-story if you dont want to pay. It also wanders to bathe on Leathes Ham inland on occaisions. Purple Sands can be seen around the rocks and jetty at Ness Point itself. If not there they are usually on the rocks up to 100 yards north of here. Dunwich Shore pools is a longish walk north from Dunwich beach car park or again a longish walk south from Walberswick beach car park.
Robert S J Smith
Well-known member
Strandman
Well-known member
nice bit of south Suffolk birding this weekend without ever setting off out to go birding as such
drake Smew at Alton yesterday afternoon on way into Ipswich to run an errand- was very flighty and I see the Abberton drake has been joined by another today: unprovable, but wouldn't be surprised if it's the the Alton bird that has joined it
then had to nip over to Brantham today and 2 lovely SE Owls at Seafield Bay and detour via Alton on the way back just as the light was going at 5ish, where 5 Slavonians from the Wonder (must be the Holbrook Bay birds having an outing? again seemed very unsettled) and lo and behold there amongst a little bunch of teal displaying off Larchwood, the Green-winged
big vertical white stripe, but its got a little bit of horizontal white too: hence comments on its purity I guess
drake Smew at Alton yesterday afternoon on way into Ipswich to run an errand- was very flighty and I see the Abberton drake has been joined by another today: unprovable, but wouldn't be surprised if it's the the Alton bird that has joined it
then had to nip over to Brantham today and 2 lovely SE Owls at Seafield Bay and detour via Alton on the way back just as the light was going at 5ish, where 5 Slavonians from the Wonder (must be the Holbrook Bay birds having an outing? again seemed very unsettled) and lo and behold there amongst a little bunch of teal displaying off Larchwood, the Green-winged
big vertical white stripe, but its got a little bit of horizontal white too: hence comments on its purity I guess
GiG
Well-known member
From Dunwich it's 2km to the footpath that cuts in to Dingle Great Hill,
Dingle pools are along Dingle Marsh which is the southern side of the footpath. From Walberswick it is about 1.5km to the path, the marsh here is Corporation Marsh. The twite are often in the area where the path cuts in but can be around Dingle pools too.
Otters are mostly seen from Island Mere hide, early am better and have also been seen from Bittern Hide too.
Gi
Viv Connett
Well-known member
3 otters playing in the sunshine from Bittern hide about 2.30 - 3pm yesterday - one was trying to catch an overhanging reed and one came out and sat on the mound and groomed himself for about 5 mins. Then to top it all a Bittern came out of the reeds, flew over the otters and dropped back in again.
Just one of those moments.................
Jonny Rankin
Formerly Jonny Crossbill
Alton Water G-w Teal... again... again...
Great work on the Slav's and G-w Teal Ed :t:
I nipped down pre-work today - no sign of either Slav's or G-w Teal but still a great selection around.
I've dipped out on the G-w 4 times now! Re purity of bird I cannot see any problem with the bird; the scapular line isnt white on the pics on BINS but buffy - a quick google of Green-winged Teal produces many individuals with this feature or at least suggestion of...
This one this one this one (scroll down)this one and this one are all from the first page of Google results.
I am also very wary of demoting a bird to 'hybrid' based on a single feature - if there was mixed parentage I'd expect a mix of hybrid features. Just my opinion but I'd certainly like to see the bird and would have no qualms about ticking it as a 'pure' Green-winged Teal.
Cheers,
Jonny
Great work on the Slav's and G-w Teal Ed :t:
I nipped down pre-work today - no sign of either Slav's or G-w Teal but still a great selection around.
I've dipped out on the G-w 4 times now! Re purity of bird I cannot see any problem with the bird; the scapular line isnt white on the pics on BINS but buffy - a quick google of Green-winged Teal produces many individuals with this feature or at least suggestion of...
This one this one this one (scroll down)this one and this one are all from the first page of Google results.
I am also very wary of demoting a bird to 'hybrid' based on a single feature - if there was mixed parentage I'd expect a mix of hybrid features. Just my opinion but I'd certainly like to see the bird and would have no qualms about ticking it as a 'pure' Green-winged Teal.
Cheers,
Jonny
Strandman
Well-known member
wise words -although that Connaught Water bird you've linked too looks a bit odd to my eye, with a short looking vertical white stripe, greying out towards breast
http://www.elbf.co.uk/gallery/thumbnails/2011/birdphotos2011f.htm
I see the Alton bird still about- seen at dam end today if I have understood Birdguides aright
Jonny Rankin
Formerly Jonny Crossbill
Alton Water G-w Teal... success!
Hi again Ed, all,
Finally connected with this bird at 15:10 today - 5th time lucky :t: c/o a call from a friend onsite. Its viewable from the green hide visible from Lemon Hill bridge.
I managed a couple of iPhone digi-blasted shots - see attached. But others have much better pics I know.
Not sure if the photo on BINS was misleading, a trick of the light or indicative of a two-bird theory! but the bird was an absolute cracker in the flesh with no visible horizontal markings at all. Those on site had also seen it swimming as well as perched up without any cause for alarm.
I am even more happy with the individual now and couldn't see any hybrid features in the field... others may have & I'd be interested to hear there thoughts?
Otherwise, well worse the effort & I am delighted to have seen it :t:
Cheers,
Jonny
Hi again Ed, all,
Finally connected with this bird at 15:10 today - 5th time lucky :t: c/o a call from a friend onsite. Its viewable from the green hide visible from Lemon Hill bridge.
I managed a couple of iPhone digi-blasted shots - see attached. But others have much better pics I know.
Not sure if the photo on BINS was misleading, a trick of the light or indicative of a two-bird theory! but the bird was an absolute cracker in the flesh with no visible horizontal markings at all. Those on site had also seen it swimming as well as perched up without any cause for alarm.
I am even more happy with the individual now and couldn't see any hybrid features in the field... others may have & I'd be interested to hear there thoughts?
Otherwise, well worse the effort & I am delighted to have seen it :t:
Cheers,
Jonny
Attachments
Strandman
Well-known member
well persevered!
it did look to have little more of contrasting pale horizontal line in low late light yesterday evening, compared to the coupla pics you have posted
odd that- I guess lighting effects at work, but let's see what other views and pics reveal
Stratton Birder
Well-known member
Blyth Estuary / Southwold 31/1/12
There were a good few Avocets on the Blyth Estuary this morning with around 280 counted + 12 Bar-tailed Godwits, 35 Black-tailed Godwits, 56 Curlew, 850 Dunlin, 130 Redshank, three adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 42 LBB Gulls, and around 1200 Common Gulls.
A little southerly movement off Southwold during two hours today inc one Brent Goose, five Shelduck, 18 Wigeon, 64 Teal, six Pintail, eight Mallard, one Goldeneye, 40 Dunlin, three Redshanks and one Kittiwake.
Three Dunlin and a Sanderling were at the boating lake and another three Dunlin, one Little Egret, 18 Skylarks and three Water Pipits were on the golf practice green.
There were a good few Avocets on the Blyth Estuary this morning with around 280 counted + 12 Bar-tailed Godwits, 35 Black-tailed Godwits, 56 Curlew, 850 Dunlin, 130 Redshank, three adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 42 LBB Gulls, and around 1200 Common Gulls.
A little southerly movement off Southwold during two hours today inc one Brent Goose, five Shelduck, 18 Wigeon, 64 Teal, six Pintail, eight Mallard, one Goldeneye, 40 Dunlin, three Redshanks and one Kittiwake.
Three Dunlin and a Sanderling were at the boating lake and another three Dunlin, one Little Egret, 18 Skylarks and three Water Pipits were on the golf practice green.
Jonny Rankin
Formerly Jonny Crossbill
Poss. Vega Gull
Morning all,
A little more on the poss. Vega Gull at Lackford Lakes last night here:
http://surfbirds.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10301
Cheers :t:
Jonny
Morning all,
A little more on the poss. Vega Gull at Lackford Lakes last night here:
http://surfbirds.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10301
Cheers :t:
Jonny
Strandman
Well-known member
some clearer Chris Baines pics of the horizontal pale line posted on Surfbirds Britain and Ireland scarce today
http://www.surfbirds.com/cgi-bin/gallery/display.cgi?gallery=gallery12
Robert S J Smith
Well-known member
Hey up,
Did anybody get pictures of the possible Baltic Gull at Lackford today?
Cheers,
Rob
Did anybody get pictures of the possible Baltic Gull at Lackford today?
Cheers,
Rob
Jonny Rankin
Formerly Jonny Crossbill
Baltics...
Not aware of any pics online. Not sure many will be interested until a ringed individual turns up... the Lackford roost would be a likely location. Fingers crossed :t:
Cheers,
Jonny
Not aware of any pics online. Not sure many will be interested until a ringed individual turns up... the Lackford roost would be a likely location. Fingers crossed :t:
Cheers,
Jonny
Jonny Rankin
Formerly Jonny Crossbill
Stratton Birder
Well-known member
Redhead Letter Day!
What a cracking days birding I had in the Waveney valley today. It was one of those rare days when I made all the right decisions and everything fell into place beautifully. Easily the best winters days birding I've ever had in the Waveney valley and one of the best in general.
Started at Weybread, Ocean GP where there were good numbers of Great Crested Grebe and Tufted Duck, 55 and 160 respectively but the bird of the morning here was a splendid redhead Smew which showed well on and off throughout the morning. At least two Kingfishers were very active and regularly flew up and down the gravel pit.
What with the good conditions, I knew that there were other gravel pits in the area that could do with checking as well, but the temptation to hit the coast was great - right up until I drove through Withersdale Street. Fortunately, a last second decision found me turning left towards Mendham instead. What a good decision that subsequently turned out to be!
A brief stop at Mendham Bridge produced a pair of Bewick's Swans calling softly and flying north directly overhead on silent wings and a pair of Bullfinches were nearby.
Homersfield GP, a never-watched sight apart from occasional visits by me turned up the surprise sighting of the day. No less than four redhead Smews were on the far side of the water. Fantastic! As more and more Smews came on the pager from all over Norfolk and Suffolk I realised that these four birds were just part of a good influx of the species.
Hoping to get some more, I went on to nearby Flixton where there were no Smew and I had to reign in my tentative excitement when a drake Ferruginous Duck which was present did as I suspected turn out to be a released bird. I found this out from an employee on site who when shown it through the scope, refered to it as a White-tailed Pochard!!
The last port of call for the day was Earsham GP, actually Norfolk but put on here for completeness. A Common Buzzard flew over the approach road and a brief scan of the gravel pit from the side of the road produced nothing.
Driving further on, a better area for viewing was found and from here it all kicked off. No more Smew but I was treated to an amazing 21 Goosanders on the area of un-frozen water. 14 adult drakes, one 1st winter drake and six females. At one point something spooked them and they all took to flight. The sight of 21 Goosanders circling together over your (fairly) local gravel pit was something else to behold. Fortunately, they landed again quite quickly.
Another Kingfisher was seen perched briefly and it was close enough to sex as a female.
10 Grey Herons and five Little Egrets frequented the reedy edges and regular scanning to try to up the count revealed a superb Bittern coming out of the reeds, my first ever along this stretch of the Waveney.
It walked along the front of the reeds briefly before going back in and I never saw it again but that was the icing on the cake for me.
Dusk was approaching fast now and I spent the last few minutes of the day watching the Goosanders in the fading light before heading for home at the end of quite an amazing day!! SB.
What a cracking days birding I had in the Waveney valley today. It was one of those rare days when I made all the right decisions and everything fell into place beautifully. Easily the best winters days birding I've ever had in the Waveney valley and one of the best in general.
Started at Weybread, Ocean GP where there were good numbers of Great Crested Grebe and Tufted Duck, 55 and 160 respectively but the bird of the morning here was a splendid redhead Smew which showed well on and off throughout the morning. At least two Kingfishers were very active and regularly flew up and down the gravel pit.
What with the good conditions, I knew that there were other gravel pits in the area that could do with checking as well, but the temptation to hit the coast was great - right up until I drove through Withersdale Street. Fortunately, a last second decision found me turning left towards Mendham instead. What a good decision that subsequently turned out to be!
A brief stop at Mendham Bridge produced a pair of Bewick's Swans calling softly and flying north directly overhead on silent wings and a pair of Bullfinches were nearby.
Homersfield GP, a never-watched sight apart from occasional visits by me turned up the surprise sighting of the day. No less than four redhead Smews were on the far side of the water. Fantastic! As more and more Smews came on the pager from all over Norfolk and Suffolk I realised that these four birds were just part of a good influx of the species.
Hoping to get some more, I went on to nearby Flixton where there were no Smew and I had to reign in my tentative excitement when a drake Ferruginous Duck which was present did as I suspected turn out to be a released bird. I found this out from an employee on site who when shown it through the scope, refered to it as a White-tailed Pochard!!
The last port of call for the day was Earsham GP, actually Norfolk but put on here for completeness. A Common Buzzard flew over the approach road and a brief scan of the gravel pit from the side of the road produced nothing.
Driving further on, a better area for viewing was found and from here it all kicked off. No more Smew but I was treated to an amazing 21 Goosanders on the area of un-frozen water. 14 adult drakes, one 1st winter drake and six females. At one point something spooked them and they all took to flight. The sight of 21 Goosanders circling together over your (fairly) local gravel pit was something else to behold. Fortunately, they landed again quite quickly.
Another Kingfisher was seen perched briefly and it was close enough to sex as a female.
10 Grey Herons and five Little Egrets frequented the reedy edges and regular scanning to try to up the count revealed a superb Bittern coming out of the reeds, my first ever along this stretch of the Waveney.
It walked along the front of the reeds briefly before going back in and I never saw it again but that was the icing on the cake for me.
Dusk was approaching fast now and I spent the last few minutes of the day watching the Goosanders in the fading light before heading for home at the end of quite an amazing day!! SB.
