Gulls Gulls Gulls

At Work in Ipswich i found a Stag Beetle Larvae, incredible creature.

A week later in another Garden in Ipswich 22 Waxwing came and found me, feeding just meters from me, infact the berries were being knocked of the tree onto me as i was working underneath. Pictures taken with my phone thats how close they were.

 

Last weekend back on patch Group of 45 Common Scoter with 5 Velvet Scoter and a single velvet North past Corton old sewage works. Also 16 Red Throated Diver.

Sunday headed back to Sizewell to meet up with friends. Before they arrived i found 3 1st winter Caspian Gulls feeding on the outflow. Then checking the Sizewell Railings i spotted a Dark Gull with a pale head. It resembled a Juvenile American Herring gull. I took a couple of shots and then spotted my friends to go and get them on the bird. Before i could say anything to them Justin stated he thought he had an AMERICAN HERRING GULL... Well snap independently identified, We put it out as a possible as they aren't easy to identify and then tried to wait to see the wings and tail pattern unfortunately it flew before we could check. Luckily Justin did get a video which luckily enough showed the tail pattern and unfortunately clinched the id with help of a couple of Gull Gurus as just a 1st winter Northern (Larus argentatus) Herring Gull. it looked so close too and would have been a lifer but not to be this time. Still a very educational bird gave us a little bit of excitement for a short time.

Last pic by Justin Carr.

I did manage to see the 1st Winter Iceland Gull this week. A Kittiwake was the only other bird of note here. A Flew past Bittern at Minsmere finished the day nicely.

During the week i finished work a tiny bit earlier meaning i had a little bit of light left in the day for birding on the patch. a Firecrest showed nicely calling continuously for a a short time on the Western edge of CNSW.

Yesterday a trip over to Cley for the day and jammed in on a Glaucous Gull and GBBG that was feeding on a seal carcass.

A Walk around Sheringham had me digi binning a purple sandpiper. I didn't take my scope.

Lastly a walk around the patch had Tree Creeper, Bullfinch and 37 Skylark.

Thetford and Sizewell

Satuday we headed over to Thetford for a walk down the little Ouse hoping for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Didnt see any but did get Green and Greater spot. Bramblings were plentiful as were Marsh tit. Further down the river 6 Hawfinch dropped in briefly just the one hung on for a photo.

Had a few Water Rails but that was about it really until we stumbled on and Otter and her Cub which gaves us the best views ive ever had..

A short Video too

Today it was a lazy morning then after lunch headed for Sizewell walking to Minsmere and back.
3 Stonechat, Caspian and Yellow Legged Gulls on the Minsmere scrape was about it however.
Back at Sizewell another Caspian Gull. (1st Winter)

Potter Heigham

Had a walk around Potter Heigham not a great deal about but a family party of Crane another 3 flew over and 6 or more White-fronted Geese.

Happy New Year

Here we go again. New Year New list. Just totted up the list 65 Species for the day.
Started on the patch but just common stuff. Best was Bullfinch and Grey Wagtail.
Onto Blythburgh estuary and picked up the common Ducks and Waders.
Reydon for 2 Waxwings and a Redwing

Had lunch at Minsmere and picked up the usual garden birds best being Marsh Tit. Didnt go on the reserve.
Leiston was next for 9 Bewick Swans.

Finally finished at North Warren RSPB which gave us great views of 2 Adult Spoonbill.

Again lots of ducks including lots of displaying Pintail

Upto 80 European White Fronted Geese and plenty of Feral Barnacle Geese.

Finally a Sparrowhawk landed in front of the hide.

Not a bad day.

Winter Swans

Had a visit to the parents in Derbyshire and on the way home drove through sea palling for the Winter Swans i saw in awful weather a few days before.
4 Whoopers and 12 Bewicks. Not a lot else.