There was at least 2 Yellow Legged Gulls an 2 Med Gulls:
A Little Egret was also present.
Saturday, 7 August 2010
26 July 10 Blyth Estuary
The Blyth Estuary and Walberswick lay close to the accommodation and as such convenient for a visit after tea.
There was at least 2 Yellow Legged Gulls an 2 Med Gulls:
A Little Egret was also present.
There was at least 2 Yellow Legged Gulls an 2 Med Gulls:
A Little Egret was also present.
26 July 10 Minsmere
Another early morning visit.
Walked from the centre down to the beach and accessed the various hides overlooking the scrapes.
Waders included 40 Lapwing, 5 Black Tailed Godwits and 3-4 Avocet. One of the Avocets in the early morning light:
A gathering of C50 Swallow near the sluice indicated that the end of Summer was nigh. Other notable birds this morning included 1 Little Tern with 7 Sandwich Terns over the Scrape. 2 Little Egrets and frequent Reed and Sedge Warblers.
Walked from the centre down to the beach and accessed the various hides overlooking the scrapes.
Waders included 40 Lapwing, 5 Black Tailed Godwits and 3-4 Avocet. One of the Avocets in the early morning light:
A gathering of C50 Swallow near the sluice indicated that the end of Summer was nigh. Other notable birds this morning included 1 Little Tern with 7 Sandwich Terns over the Scrape. 2 Little Egrets and frequent Reed and Sedge Warblers.
25 July 10 Minsmere & Westleton Heath
Spent some time in the Bittern Hide mid evening expecting to see Hobby but disappointingly there were none.
Afterwards, I went to Westleton Heath in the hope of Nightjar and got eaten alive !
Despite my concerns that it was too late in the season there were still several Nightjars churring. However, I could not locate any in the 1/2 hour I was there.
Afterwards, I went to Westleton Heath in the hope of Nightjar and got eaten alive !
Despite my concerns that it was too late in the season there were still several Nightjars churring. However, I could not locate any in the 1/2 hour I was there.
25 July 10 Minsmere
My first morning saw me out early and at Minsmere.
Cetti's Warbler was a good start, singing from the pool close to the visitors centre. Despite scanning for several minutes I could not see the bird.
Headed over towards Island Mere hide, where a female Ferruginous Duck had been present for a number of weeks. This would be my first record of this species since the drake on Brother's Water in Cumbria some 20 years previously ! On the way it was good to connect with several Marsh Tits close to the Bittern hide. Several Green Woodpeckers had been seen previously on the long approach road to the reserve and they seemed to be everywhere. One of many sightings of Green Woodpecker:
This area of Eastern England appears to be a particular stronghold of the species and I was even hearing & seeing them quite regularly from the appartment, usually on the ground or on one occasion on a telegraph pole.
I timed a Bittern just right at the appropriately termed "Bittern" hide. It showed very well at the reed edge just when I entered the hide. Minsmere is an incredibly good place to see Marsh Harrier and in particular from Bittern hide where, because it is elevated, they can be seen at eye level. This morning there was at least 4 present.
Bearded Tits were reluctant to show but at least 2 were seen fairly well in flight over the reeds. Water Rail was frequently heard. A Sparrowhawk flew low over the reeds in front of the hide and Whimbrel could be heard.
At Island Mere I scanned around for the Ferruginous Duck and after a short search I located it amongst various Gadwall, Pochard & Tufted. The following record shot was obtained:
Other ducks of interest included Shoveler, Wigeon & Teal. Both Great Crested & Little Grebe was present. 1 Common Sandpiper was noted.
Cetti's Warbler was a good start, singing from the pool close to the visitors centre. Despite scanning for several minutes I could not see the bird.
Headed over towards Island Mere hide, where a female Ferruginous Duck had been present for a number of weeks. This would be my first record of this species since the drake on Brother's Water in Cumbria some 20 years previously ! On the way it was good to connect with several Marsh Tits close to the Bittern hide. Several Green Woodpeckers had been seen previously on the long approach road to the reserve and they seemed to be everywhere. One of many sightings of Green Woodpecker:
This area of Eastern England appears to be a particular stronghold of the species and I was even hearing & seeing them quite regularly from the appartment, usually on the ground or on one occasion on a telegraph pole.
I timed a Bittern just right at the appropriately termed "Bittern" hide. It showed very well at the reed edge just when I entered the hide. Minsmere is an incredibly good place to see Marsh Harrier and in particular from Bittern hide where, because it is elevated, they can be seen at eye level. This morning there was at least 4 present.
Bearded Tits were reluctant to show but at least 2 were seen fairly well in flight over the reeds. Water Rail was frequently heard. A Sparrowhawk flew low over the reeds in front of the hide and Whimbrel could be heard.
At Island Mere I scanned around for the Ferruginous Duck and after a short search I located it amongst various Gadwall, Pochard & Tufted. The following record shot was obtained:
Other ducks of interest included Shoveler, Wigeon & Teal. Both Great Crested & Little Grebe was present. 1 Common Sandpiper was noted.
24 July 10 Blyth Valley. Suffolk
The family was off to Suffolk for a fortnight. The plan was for a relaxing time with birding limited to early mornings and some evenings.
After the long drive down we settled into our accommodation at 'High Steppers". The appartment based over two levels was modern and very comfortable and enjoyed views across the Blyth Valley and after a pub meal a Barn Owl was seen quartering the rough pasture below the appartment.
After the long drive down we settled into our accommodation at 'High Steppers". The appartment based over two levels was modern and very comfortable and enjoyed views across the Blyth Valley and after a pub meal a Barn Owl was seen quartering the rough pasture below the appartment.
Monday, 19 July 2010
19 July 10 Barons Haugh
A dull afternoon with a period of prolonged thundery rain.
The walk down to the Centenary Hide was uneventful apart from a single Common Sandpiper on the Clyde. From the hide waders comprised c30 Lapwing, 1 Black Tailed Godwit and 1 Common Sandpiper. 4 ferel Greylags were present. 100 Black Headed Gulls and 30-40 Lesser Black Backed was a good showing.
Ducks were mainly Mallard along with small numbers of Tufted Duck, Pochard and Gadwall. 2 Little Grebes were present.
A young Roe Deer appeared close to the Centenary Hide. Some images:
Scruffy Sedge Warblers were present in the same area:
The walk down to the Centenary Hide was uneventful apart from a single Common Sandpiper on the Clyde. From the hide waders comprised c30 Lapwing, 1 Black Tailed Godwit and 1 Common Sandpiper. 4 ferel Greylags were present. 100 Black Headed Gulls and 30-40 Lesser Black Backed was a good showing.
Ducks were mainly Mallard along with small numbers of Tufted Duck, Pochard and Gadwall. 2 Little Grebes were present.
A young Roe Deer appeared close to the Centenary Hide. Some images:
Scruffy Sedge Warblers were present in the same area:
Saturday, 17 July 2010
17 July 10 Newton on Sea, Northumberland
Went with Louise to Northumberland. A bright day with occasional showers that completely died away as the day progressed. Wind was quite blustery.
We arrived at Newton on Sea just after 1pm after a wild goose chase round Haddington where a Quail had been reported singing at 8am. A complete waste of time and diesel !
Round at the lookout there were hundreds of Arctic Tern with young and a few Little Tern and 1 Sandwich Tern.
There were 2 Sanderling on the shoreline and a few Golden Plover flew past.
Some images from the day:
Stopped at St Abbs on the way home. Lots of Kittiwakes with young on the cliffs. All Auks appeared to be off the cliffs with only a few seen on the sea. Fulmars on the cliffs::
All in all a pretty average day. Hope Suffolk is better next week !
We arrived at Newton on Sea just after 1pm after a wild goose chase round Haddington where a Quail had been reported singing at 8am. A complete waste of time and diesel !
Round at the lookout there were hundreds of Arctic Tern with young and a few Little Tern and 1 Sandwich Tern.
There were 2 Sanderling on the shoreline and a few Golden Plover flew past.
Some images from the day:
Stopped at St Abbs on the way home. Lots of Kittiwakes with young on the cliffs. All Auks appeared to be off the cliffs with only a few seen on the sea. Fulmars on the cliffs::
All in all a pretty average day. Hope Suffolk is better next week !
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