Saturday 28 February 2015

Kessingland.

I was out the door at half seven this morning looking through the gulls at North Denes Lowestoft. 2 Adult Med Gull in the car park was it really. News of the Glauc at South Pier came out again so I headed there for a look. Unfortunately there was no sign now.
Headed to the patch for a quick look around but very little, 2 Bullfinch in the churchyard.
Back home to warm up and have some dinner then, Rach, I n the dogs headed out for the Shorelarks which we picked up almost straight away North of Kessingland Sluice but then someone walked straight through them (ignoramuses)/!!! They headed south of the Sluice, another birder was coming back from the sluice so we headed up and found the birds for him. On the way back to the van I was happy to spot a Juvenile Glauc heading out to sea, nice addition to the day.
The 3 Shorelark then miraculous turned up in front of us again North or the sluice and by the Caravans. ANNND once again walkers ploughed straight through them... frustrating.

Crap pics.






 
Headed for the South Pier just in case the Glauc turned back up there but no gulls at all.
 
Till tomorrow

Friday 27 February 2015

Spartan Run

Now I don't do challengers except challengers in life but I have been asked to join the team at work to compete in the Spartan Run, a 5k obstacle course only for the tough ;-) Gulp! here 

Ill be raising money for the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research charity. 

If anyone would be kind enough to donate it would make it look like I have some friends and am not a total looser ;-)
Thanks to any that do donate :-)

https://www.justgiving.com/Craig-Shaw8/

or text ORWE83 £1 to 70070

On a birdy note, Oystercatcher on patch and the Barn Owls still knocking around.

Monday 23 February 2015

Mistley Essex.

The title says it all really. Danny was kind enough to drive me all the way to Mistley in Essex where we met up with Baz who was kind enough to show us round his patch, The rivers was the Stour an amazing area for ducks and waders. Goldeneye and Red Breasted Mergansers were displaying and showing really nicely. Other birds were Pintail, Kingfisher, Avocets, Black Tailed godwits, Dunlin and Knot.
We spent most of the day here waiting for the tide to come in and bring the birds closer. It was a day of Digiscoping really, something I don't spend enough time doing. Click pics to enlarge




 























 
We had a very quick look at the VERY VERY distant Surf Scoter of Wrabness Ness. crap it was.
finished looking at the Peregrine in Lowestoft on the silo. Both male and female present. What a great day thanks a lot guys!



Sunday 15 February 2015

Breydon Water

It was a nice day out with Danny Digiscoper at and around Breydon Water. We had a look along south wall firstly picking up loads of great waders. Best were 150 Avocet 100 Knot loads of Dunlin thousands of Golden plover and a few Ringed plover. Ducks again in there thousands with plenty of Wigeon, Teal and 60 Pintail. A cracking Peregrine kept putting everything up. Lastly a Great Crested Grebe and 15 Black tailed Godwit. Bearded Tits called from deep cover and a few Reed bunting gave themselves up. No sign of the 2 Richards Pipit reported. Best bird of the day however was the Ring tailed Hen Harrier which we spotted twice. (click pics to enlarge)




We spent quiet a lot of time on the south wall as it was so nice. On the return 3 Stonechats were an added bonus.




We Moved around to Halvergate Marsh's here we had nice but distant views of the Rough Legged Buzzard. and Chinese Water deer.

 
 
A few hundred yards along the road and an amazing number of 120 Bewick Swans gave nice views including a rung bird from Slimbridge.








 
We visited Breydon bridge on our way back hoping for Twite and whilst we waited we got some practice digiscoping on the Little Egrets and Redshank. We were then fortunate enough to see 17 Twite briefly as they landed on the marsh very well hidden.










Quiet a chilly day but a great day all the same.