Suffolk Birding (1 Viewer)

[GiG]

Some of the young Red Deer at Minsmere are extremely confiding. I took this photo recently and this one didn't seem to be at all bothered by the people watching it.

Ron

Excellent photo. I've seen Muntjac really close at Minsmere, I wouldn't mind trying to visit for the Red Deer rutting if I get a chance.

Gi

 

[GiG]

Managed to see the Red-breasted Flycatcher at Shingle Street after work yesterday. It was showing well at the end of the allotment/gardens, though no sign today.

A pleasant visit to my patch at lunchtime today, the Curlew Sandpiper is still present between Melton and Woodbridge on the R. Deben.

A couple of Greenshanks still about - I wonder if they'll stay for the winter again.

In the warm weather a Chiffchaff decided to sing.

Gi

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Excellent photo. I've seen Muntjac really close at Minsmere, I wouldn't trying to visit for the Red Deer rutting if I get a chance.

Gi

Apparently they have opened a new viewing area to watch the Red Deer rutting.

http://blogs.rspb.org.uk/minsmere/a...-rutting-red-deer-at-Minsmere-this-month.aspx

For anybody who hasn't been to Minsmere recently, there is a really good new trail through the North bushes to the North hide. It's fairly short but passes through some excellent bushy habitat.

Ron

 

[Daffyduck]

I also popped into Snape Maltings on the way home after Minsmere. It was late afternoon and hordes (1000+) of starlings were gathering on the crane near the building site at Snape - some were displaying but I didnt stay long enough to see them all take off to roost.

I walked over the bridge and took the footpath to the right down the estuary - lots of waders on the mud flats including Avocet, curlew, godwits, dunlin, ruff and shelduck, little egret. Snape certainly had more waders than Minsmere - probably due to the water levels and there was plenty of mud at Snape. If Minsmere water levels continue to be high then if you are interested in waders - give Snape a call.
Tina

 

[cjay]

After my Dog ate all my shopping yesterday afternoon he needed a good walk today. I awoke at Dawn as some remnant Redwings were flying over and a huge skien of some 200 Pink footed Geese flew over the house. We walked up to Pakefield to search the fields and hedgerows south of Pontins, I had hoped to find some Laps or Pipits but all I saw were loads of Dunnocks and Robins, Four Eider flew south over the calm sea.

We walked as far as Kessingland but it was Birdless.

 

[cjay]

After the empty fields and hedgerows of Pakefield (No DIM type illustrations of birds) I walked around Carlton Marshes I decided to check the horse paddocks but it was birdless, and I just attracted a "What are you doing" comment from a horse owner. The hedgerow held plenty of Continental Blackbirds which flew nervously away as I walked the path. As I neared the marshes a couple of Bullfinches were seen, still scarce so it buoyed my enthusiasm. Small flocks of Goldcrests were seen and amongst a Tit flock a nice Female Blackcap. By far the best sighting was a Chinese Water Deer, I even got a good photograph.

 

[firefox32]

Great white egret at minsmere

Hi all.

Would anyone know if the great white egret was at minsmere today?

Thanks.
Fox.

 

[cjay]

Well there is no news on Suffolk BINs but u never know

 

[cjay]

Thousands of Redwings and Fieldfares over Lowestoft today from mid morning to late afternoon it was an amazing sight as large flocks streamed in and over, a couple of Common Cranes flew over Oulton too, an awesome day

 

[lizamphid1]

Anyone wanting news from the west suffolk area, or any info from that area about where to go www.freewebs.com/lammergeierheights

 

[Daffyduck]

Lackford lakes - today

Thousands of Redwings and Fieldfares over Lowestoft today from mid morning to late afternoon it was an amazing sight as large flocks streamed in and over, a couple of Common Cranes flew over Oulton too, an awesome day

I dropped into lackford lakes today on my way back from Ipswich. It was my first time at the reserve - what a delightful place.:t: Anyway they had sightings of redwing today and myself and 2 other spotters saw a flock of 30+ fieldfare fly in around 5pm. 3 landed very near the hide and we had excellent views - these being my first fieldfare of the winter. Looking at the Norfolk Thread - they too have had an influx of Fieldfare today.

Also spotted today, snipe, canada and greylag geese,teal, gadwall, shovlers, cormorants, kingfisher, green and great spotted woodpecker, heaps of siskin and 2 redpoll amongst one flock. I dipped :Con the B]goldcrests[/B] apparently there are many in the reserve at the moment plus a couple of muncjack deer. Will definately go back another day - Ive been told the starling roost in November at around 4pm is particularly impressive
Tina

 

[Original PaulE]

nice autumnal walk from cattawade to flatford nothing spectacular saw my first redwings of the winter had 8 different views of kingfishers i think at least 4 different birds several little egrets and a large group of little grebes on the river
there were several large flocks of mixed tits one had a couple of goldcrests with it and had a nice view of a female bullfinch and several flocks of goldfinch and a single grey wagtail which nearly landed on my foot
final bird of the day was a hovering buzzard
cheers

 

[Jonny Rankin]

Went out with Bury St Edmunds Local Group for first time today, did a wrte up for their website and thought I'd share it on here, enjoy!:t:

After a serious Saturday night I awoke with a hangover that would have ordinarily seen me spending my Sunday in a darkened room drinking tea. Not this Sunday though, as today was my first field trip with the fine folks at the Bury St Edmunds RSPB group.

After managing to get my self upright and semi-conscious I met Shaun (sorry I was late Shaun!) to start the days festivities. The rendezvous point was to be Bawdsey Key car park, a new spot for me although I had previously read about all kinds of rarities turning up there. So we trundled down the A14 wondering what the day would bring. The first interesting bird of the day was a brave/foolish black (melanistic) pheasant that darted across both lanes of the A14 in front of us.

On the way into Bawdsey key Mute Swans grazed in the fields and a hunting Marsh Harrier started the days bird of prey count. Around the car park Robins, Blackbirds and Goldcrest kept people entertained, along with a Sparrowhawk hunting overhead. A walk onto the key, then along the shrubs above the shoreline, produced a single Coal Tit and a few mobile finches. While Avocet, Black Tailed Godwit, Great Black Back Gull and a small group of Brent Geese were on and around the Deben. The Brent Geese were the first I’d ever seen and go down as birds of the day for me. Wahey!

Onwards to Ramsholt for a brief but extremely productive look across the river and Deben valley; birds of prey aplenty here with Kestrel, two Marsh Harrier and a Common Buzzard in the air. In addition there was a good spread of waders, with Grey plover, Black Tailed Godwit, Redshank and a huge flock of Golden Plover set up by the different raptors.

Next Shingle Street, another spot I had read about many times and never visited. A local reliably informed us it was known as ‘Owl Corridor,’ with six species of owl recorded by his neighbour Jeremy, who had interestingly also recorded some 179 species in the area. Good old Jeremy! Owl corridor it may be, but not today. There were, however, enough birds to keep us entertained. A pair of Stonechat with a stunning male was spotted by Shaun while scanning for the infamous Owls. Meadow Pipits fed and flitted about in groups. Good numbers of Gold and especially Greenfinch seemed to follow us round as we walked up to the shingle beach. Although surprisingly quiet, the sea did produce a few more Brent Geese flying south. These are lovely little geese, now firmly my favourite wildfowl.

A little low after not seeing any Owls we headed off for a look at the Orwell beneath the bridge; although the tide was in plenty of Cormorants, an Oyster Catcher and two sleepy Curlews made it a worthwhile stop off. Reports came through that the Osprey that has been at Needham Market Lake in the week had been sighted in the morning, so we made Needham Lake the last stop of our trip.

At Needham Lake Hybrid Mallard made for interesting viewing with many shapes, sizes and colours amongst the other feral geese and ducks. Grey Wagtail and Redwing flew over the small group gathered hoping for a glimpse of the reported Osprey. A scan of the assembled Gulls produced a Common Gull amongst the Black Heads.

Then, boom! Osprey!

Everyone got decent views as the bird drifted over and away from the lake, before dropping below the tree line. A few minutes later it returned, fish in talons, to fly down the valley allowing great views. Definitely bird of the day!
So, all in all a splendid day; good weather, great company and some superb birds. We totalled over 60 different species in a good spread of habitats.

Thanks to Shaun for driving and all those who organised the trip (sorry don’t know names). I am looking forward to the next local group field trip already!

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Since nobody else appears to have posted one, here is a poor record shot of the Great White Egret which has been at Minsmere for several weeks now. It has been visible from Island Mere hide by the reeds on the far side. I had my best views so far of it yesterday, with it flying to a new spot every so often. Its a bit distant but well worth a look if you haven't seen one.

Ron

 

[On-Firecrest]

Since nobody else appears to have posted one, here is a poor record shot of the Great White Egret which has been at Minsmere for several weeks now. It has been visible from Island Mere hide by the reeds on the far side. I had my best views so far of it yesterday, with it flying to a new spot every so often. Its a bit distant but well worth a look if you haven't seen one.

Ron

It's well worth a trip, seeing as you've posted a shot, here's a link to a fairly rubbish video I took...http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bxuyYrqbsLE
Also found two Snow Buntings, bizzarely in the middle of East Scrape.

Cheers
Steve

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Thanks Steve. That's the first time I've seen it on 'stoney island'. It seems to be getting on all right with the other birds, unlike yesterday when it was next to a Grey Heron, which it dwarfed, and which wasn't at all happy about it being there. We also had some nice views of a single Golden Plover on the East Scrape yesterday. Nice to see the Snipe have returned too in good numbers and are wandering about in open water.

Ron

 

[Original PaulE]

Went out with Bury St Edmunds Local Group for first time today, did a wrte up for their website and thought I'd share it on here, enjoy!:t:

After a serious Saturday night I awoke with a hangover that would have ordinarily seen me spending my Sunday in a darkened room drinking tea. Not this Sunday though, as today was my first field trip with the fine folks at the Bury St Edmunds RSPB group.

After managing to get my self upright and semi-conscious I met Shaun (sorry I was late Shaun!) to start the days festivities. The rendezvous point was to be Bawdsey Key car park, a new spot for me although I had previously read about all kinds of rarities turning up there. So we trundled down the A14 wondering what the day would bring. The first interesting bird of the day was a brave/foolish black (melanistic) pheasant that darted across both lanes of the A14 in front of us.

On the way into Bawdsey key Mute Swans grazed in the fields and a hunting Marsh Harrier started the days bird of prey count. Around the car park Robins, Blackbirds and Goldcrest kept people entertained, along with a Sparrowhawk hunting overhead. A walk onto the key, then along the shrubs above the shoreline, produced a single Coal Tit and a few mobile finches. While Avocet, Black Tailed Godwit, Great Black Back Gull and a small group of Brent Geese were on and around the Deben. The Brent Geese were the first I’d ever seen and go down as birds of the day for me. Wahey!

Onwards to Ramsholt for a brief but extremely productive look across the river and Deben valley; birds of prey aplenty here with Kestrel, two Marsh Harrier and a Common Buzzard in the air. In addition there was a good spread of waders, with Grey plover, Black Tailed Godwit, Redshank and a huge flock of Golden Plover set up by the different raptors.

Next Shingle Street, another spot I had read about many times and never visited. A local reliably informed us it was known as ‘Owl Corridor,’ with six species of owl recorded by his neighbour Jeremy, who had interestingly also recorded some 179 species in the area. Good old Jeremy! Owl corridor it may be, but not today. There were, however, enough birds to keep us entertained. A pair of Stonechat with a stunning male was spotted by Shaun while scanning for the infamous Owls. Meadow Pipits fed and flitted about in groups. Good numbers of Gold and especially Greenfinch seemed to follow us round as we walked up to the shingle beach. Although surprisingly quiet, the sea did produce a few more Brent Geese flying south. These are lovely little geese, now firmly my favourite wildfowl.

A little low after not seeing any Owls we headed off for a look at the Orwell beneath the bridge; although the tide was in plenty of Cormorants, an Oyster Catcher and two sleepy Curlews made it a worthwhile stop off. Reports came through that the Osprey that has been at Needham Market Lake in the week had been sighted in the morning, so we made Needham Lake the last stop of our trip.

At Needham Lake Hybrid Mallard made for interesting viewing with many shapes, sizes and colours amongst the other feral geese and ducks. Grey Wagtail and Redwing flew over the small group gathered hoping for a glimpse of the reported Osprey. A scan of the assembled Gulls produced a Common Gull amongst the Black Heads.

Then, boom! Osprey!

Everyone got decent views as the bird drifted over and away from the lake, before dropping below the tree line. A few minutes later it returned, fish in talons, to fly down the valley allowing great views. Definitely bird of the day!
So, all in all a splendid day; good weather, great company and some superb birds. We totalled over 60 different species in a good spread of habitats.

Thanks to Shaun for driving and all those who organised the trip (sorry don’t know names). I am looking forward to the next local group field trip already!

hi jonny
looks like you had a great day shame you didn't get any owls at shingle street i can confirm it as a hot spot though i once had 2 short-earred and a barn owl hunting in the field near the road at two thirty in the afternoon
i agree about brent geese cracking birds but i think my favourite wildfowl has got to be goldeneye although a drake smew is pretty impressive too
look forward to your next report
cheers

 

[Original PaulE]

yesterday evening while i was queuing for petrol at tesco copdock i noticed on the store roof loads of pied wagtails i counted 40 before the queue moved and i reckon there was at least twice that amount just shows you can have a birding moment any where
on wednesday i'm heading up the coast i see on the suffolk bins website that there have been tree sparrows at some feeders at ashwood near sizewell can anyone tell me where abouts this is as i haven't seen tree sparrows for a couple of years
is it on the road to sizewell beach as you go through leiston
cheers

 

[matt green]

...It seems to be getting on all right with the other birds, unlike yesterday when it was next to a Grey Heron, which it dwarfed, and which wasn't at all happy about it being there.

Ron

Saw this bird for myself today, never seen one before so was a pleasant and unexpected surprise!! We also witnessed a Grey Heron throw a stropp and mob it until it flew away to seek it's fish elsewhere!!

Other highlights included a large flock of Siskin (Approx 200-300) flying over the woodland area and the obligatory Red Deer sighting in the woods on our way back to the car, they seemed remarkably tame!!

Matt

 

[Jonny Rankin]

hi jonny
looks like you had a great day shame you didn't get any owls at shingle street i can confirm it as a hot spot though i once had 2 short-earred and a barn owl hunting in the field near the road at two thirty in the afternoon
i agree about brent geese cracking birds but i think my favourite wildfowl has got to be goldeneye although a drake smew is pretty impressive too
look forward to your next report
cheers

Cheers, Paul E

Still waiting on those short ears. Had a cracker of a day today though (not strictly Suffolk... at all, but couldnt bring me self to write on Norfolk thread! It would feel dirty) went up to Cley -9.55 from Bury gets you into Norwich for 11.30 then me m8 picked me up, it guarantees a full afternoons birding on a wet Sunday!

Saw the Grey Phalarope, Snow Bunting, Red-Throated Diver, Little Stint, Pink Foots, Razorbill and Spotted Redshank... a top days birding & a few lifers.

On a different note, hit up Lackford yesterday, things are busying up Widgeon numbers are increasing as are the Siskin... wont be long till Goldeneye and Bittern are back... over last two winters had both Smew & Goldeneye at Lackford & I agree both cracking birds... fingers crossed for this winter, last years Jack Snipe would be a welcome winterer two!