Minsmere day trip

We made our first visit of the year to Minsmere this morning, arriving around 7am we headed along the north wall footpath, hearing several Nightingales among the north bushes. Our first Cuckoo of the year was heard as we scanned the area for Stone Curlew. As we approached the new boardwalk section a Grasshopper Warbler was heard "reeling" within the reeds. The new boardwalk now takes you directly to East Hide without the need to go onto the beach. Several scans of East Scrape produced a male Garganey, two Greenshank, Knot, Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwits, Med Gulls, and our 2nd addition to the year list in the form of several Sandwich Terns.

Several more Sandwich Terns were seen from the public hide, and large numbers of Kittiwake were found roosting on the towers out at sea. 

Several Bitterns were heard "Booming" on our walk around the reserve, but we only managed views of one individual in flight. 

View from North Wall, looking south towards Sizewell

Black-tailed Godwit

After leaving Minsmere, we stopped briefly at Dunwich Heath and managed to spot three Dartford Warblers. Large numbers of Sand Martins were present but we didn't see any House Martins among them. 

Leaving Dunwich, we drove northeast to Walberswick. We parked in Cliff Field car park and walked back along the beach until we found the scoter flock we were after. We were searching for a Surf Scoter and, quickly located it drifting along at the back of a raft of Common Scoter.

Surf Scoter with Common Scoter

We ended the day having seen 94 species, 5 of which were new additions to the year list and the Surf Scoter was also a new bird for my Suffolk list.

Rainham Marshes, In search of warblers

A Wood Warbler was reported at Rainham Marshes yesterday,  Brian and I hadn't seen one in London before, so were eager to make the trip. It's only a short distance from home and twenty-five minutes later we were parked in the car park. We headed down the ramp and past Purfleet Scrape towards the Cordite Store area, where the bird had been reported from earlier. As we turned the corner we could see a small group of birders looking towards a group of Willows and brambles. As we joined them the Wood Warbler began singing. Although it sang regularly during our visit it remained largely hidden within the thick cover. The walk back to the car produced a couple of Reed Warblers singing from the reeds for another year tick.

We had been told that a Grasshopper Warbler had been heard earlier in the day, but by the time we arrived at the top car park, all was quiet. A scan of the Thames added a single Common Tern, seen heading upriver to add to the year list total.

Brian and I headed back to Rainham this morning, thinking we would have a better chance of hearing the Gropper "reeling" early morning. As we headed down the path the Gropper was heard immediately. As we began scanning the area the Gropper was spotted surprisingly quickly. It was perched on a low branch just above the vegetation. As we watched the Grasshopper Warbler a Short-eared Owl flew up from the grass and landed on a fence post. It was soon mobbed by crows and went to ground among the taller grasses.

Grasshopper Warbler

Short-eared Owl

Frampton Marsh, Delivers again

Brian had a rare free day, so we decided to head north to Frampton Marsh this morning. We arrived around 8am and quickly found the Lesser Yellowlegs feeding at the edge of one of the pools close to the car park. The Black-winged Stilt was also found although it was at a much greater distance than the Yellowlegs. A Short-eared Owl flew across the flooded fields and was mobbed by Avocets and Black-tailed Godwits. We spent plenty of time scanning the flooded grasslands and enjoyed views of  Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Great Egret, Spotted Redshank, Ruff, and Greenshank. The Greenshank was a new addition to the year list.

Lesser Yellowlegs

We walked along the main path, and Brian picked out two Little Gulls (an adult and a 1st winter) on the south scrape. We enjoyed closer views from the viewing mound by Reedbed Hide.

Little Gull (1st winter)

Little Gull (Adult)

Three Little Ringed Plovers were seen from the 360 Hide along with several Ringed Plovers. There were also large numbers of Dunlin and Knot all packed tightly together on one of the islands.

Little Ringed plover

We scanned the south scrape again from the viewing mound and found a Black Tern. It flew back and forth across the scrape and briefly headed across the path over the 360 Hide before returning. The Black-winged Stilt had returned to the south scrape and was standing on the shingle at the end of an island. We had been talking to another birder earlier in the morning and while watching the Black Tern he asked Brian "What's this odd-looking gull". It turns out to be the Bonapartes Gull that had been reported as having flown off yesterday evening. It showed superbly right in front of the viewing mound.

Black Tern

Bonaparte's gull

Black-winged Stilt

We finished the day with 84 species seen, including five new additions to my year list.

Abberton Reservoir

A few hours spent at Fishers Green in the Lee Valley on Monday failed to produce any sight or sound of any Nightingales, even though Brian had, heard a singing bird the previous day. 

This morning we headed for Abberton Reservoir and immediately heard a Nightingale singing as soon as we left the car. We walked the approach road to the reserve and heard at least six Nightingales. However, seeing one proved much more difficult. I eventually managed brief views of a single bird.

We moved along to the causeway and found an Arctic Tern resting on a small buoy on the water between both causeways. 

We checked the small flood opposite Billets Farm and after several scans from different areas along the road, I managed to find two Little Ringed Plovers. A check of the sheep fields around the farm added another early year tick when we found three Yellow Wagtails feeding among the short grass.

The flood which held two Little Ringed Plover

On the drive to Layer Breton causeway, Brian found four Med Gulls in a field behind Garr House Farm. A scan from the causeway produced a single Swallow, which was our only hirundine of the day. We also found a single Spoonbill deep among the tree branches, we eventually managed decent views after walking further along the causeway.

Stone Curlews and Garganey in the Brecks

Today we had a free morning to go birding, so we headed north to Cavenham Heath in Suffolk. The first Stone Curlew was spotted as soon as we scanned the heathland. We eventually managed to find five individuals. Five Wheatears were also present as well as several Stonechats. A flock of Linnets contained a single Lesser Redpoll and Skylarks were displaying overhead. Red Kite, Buzzard, and Kestrel were the only raptors seen.

Start of one of the trails

We headed further north to Lakenheath, where we scanned Hockwold Washes and eventually found two drakes and a female Garganey. We walked along the top footpath and scanned the area adjacent to East Wood for any sign of Water Pipits. None were found but we did find another three Garganey asleep among the tall grass at the back of the washland. Surprisingly it was another two drakes and a female! At first, we thought it might have been the three from Hockwold Washes, but another birder came along and confirmed those three were still present and that he had been viewing them a minute ago. We returned to the viewing area and found a bird tour group still viewing the three on Hockwold. 

Six Garganey is our highest count at one site

Hockwold Washes

Garganey (2 drakes and a female)

Ring Ouzel, KGV Reservoir

Brian and Dad had different commitments today, so a trip to the KGV Reservoir had to wait until late afternoon. A walk up the slope to the causeway soon produced several Wheatear. At least four males and a single female were found. I scanned the north basin and found the Slavonian Grebe that has been present since the 8th of December. As we scanned the reservoir two Sand Martin flew across the River Lea for another addition to the year list.

The main reason for the trip to the reservoir was for a reported Ring Ouzel, it was reported as on the path on the east side. Unfortunately, Thames Water had decided to cut the grass banks today and there had been no sign since. We met Simon W and John as they headed back towards the car park, as they were approaching the sailing club hut Simon refound the Ring Ouzel. A quick shout from Simon and we quickly joined him. The Ring Ouzel was busily feeding on the grass verges and along the fenceline of the reservoir.

This is my fourth Ring Ouzel seen at the reservoir, but my first since 2016.

Jack Snipe: Amwell NR, Hertfordshire

A planned trip to renew our reservoir permits had to be cancelled and rearranged because of problems with their printer.  So we filled the spare few hours with a trip to Amwell NR. As I stepped out of the car I heard my first Chiffchaff of the year, several more were heard on the walk to the viewpoint. A scan from the viewpoint didn't produce any new spring arrivals, so we headed along the footpath to James Hide. A Jack Snipe had been seen from the hide on the previous two days and we scanned the area hoping it was still present. A Common Snipe was feeding by a small pool in the middle of the cut reed track and after several scans with the scope I managed to locate the Jack Snipe. It was asleep among the reeds and well hidden.  

James Hide

View from James Hide

First view of Jack Snipe!

Still well hidden and asleep, but in the photo!

Eventually, it woke up

Lesser Yellowlegs, Frampton Marsh

An early morning visit to Frampton Marsh today. We pulled into the car park and spotted the Lesser Yellowlegs immediately. It was feeding along the muddy edges close to the car park fence. A large herd of Whooper Swans was resting on the water in the northwest corner. We were still in the car park when they flew directly overhead toward their favoured feeding areas in the nearby fields. There were large numbers of Pintail, Wigeon, and Teal on the water known as the reservoir.

We wandered along the track, and while checking out a small wader on the Marsh Farm Grassland, Brian found the Green-winged Teal nearby. Golden Plovers and lapwings were present in large numbers, along with lesser counts of Dunlin, Ringed Plovers, and Oystercatchers.

Scanning the North Scrapes from the sea wall, we failed to find any Little Gulls from the previous day, but several Med Gulls were present, along with good numbers of Black-tailed Godwits. Before heading for home, we had managed to see a total of 76 species. 

Frampton Marsh visitor centre and cafe

Feeding area of the Lesser Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowlegs

Green-winged Teal

Whooper Swans

Great Grey Shrike: Weeting Norfolk

We had made plans to visit Weeting on the 28th Febuary, however these plans had to be changed at the last minute. Today was our first chance since then to visit, the weather forecast was not looking good, in fact it was looking pretty grim, with heavy rain showers predicted. We put the rain gear on, but were greeted with sunshine upon arrival! 

We parked by ride 47 and followed the track to the clearfell. It took several scans of the area before eventually finding the shrike. I had brief views of it in flight, then enjoyed much better views when it  perched at the top of a tall tree stump. It was quite active, visiting many of the trees and bushes within the clearfell.

Up until this point we had escaped without any rain but as we headed back up the track the gathering clouds turned from grey to black and duly delivered the predicted heavy rain.

The track from ride 47 to the clearfell

Black Scoter: Holkham Gap, Norfolk

A visit to Holkham in January searching for Norfolk's first record of Black Scoter proved very frustrating. Firstly the water levels in the bay prevented me from walking out to the dunes for thirty minutes and once among the dunes, the scoter rafts were just too far away for any reasonable chance of picking the Black Scoter out among them.

Brian had a free day ahead of him today and was keen to try again. So shortly before 6am, we set off for Norfolk, arriving at Lady Anne's Drive around 8am. Having fed £6.50 into the parking meter for 4 hours of parking, we headed for the beach knowing we had roughly 3 hours to find the scoter as it takes the best part of an hour to walk out and back.

The water levels in the bay were high enough to prevent me from walking straight out to the dunes, so we walked around the western edge and decided to scan from the beach. There were three main rafts of scoter to check through. Unlike our previous visit in January, the scoter were within scope range. The flocks contained mainly Common Scoters, but several Velvet Scoters were also noted. Scaup, Tufted Duck, Merganser, Teal, and a flock of c50 Eider were also seen.

The weather wasn't helping us pick out the Black Scoter, A couple of Common Scoter looked good briefly but were soon dismissed after further scans. A brief break in the clouds allowed the sun to come bursting through and the Black Scoter was found soon afterwards. The bill really stood out as the sun bounced back off it and the Black Scoter looked bulkier overall and thicker necked alongside the Common Scoters. Brian managed to get the other three guys standing with us onto it before we headed further west along the beach in search of the Shorelarks. 

I'd missed them on a previous visit and was keen to find them today. After walking a further mile and a half along the beach we found them feeding close to a water channel. I enjoyed watching them through the scope as Brian managed a few shots with the camera.

Walk out to the beach

Start of the 2-mile walk back to the car

Shorelarks

6 of the 13 Shorelarks present

Sanderling

To break the journey up on the way home we stopped at Cockley Cley, Where we enjoyed watching several Buzzards displaying but had left it too late for any sightings of Goshawk. At Lynford we watched Brambling, Yellowhammer, Nuthatch, and Treecreeper before making a final stop at Santon Downham where we added a singing Woodlark to the year list. 

All five grebes species seen locally

We had a spare couple of hours this morning, so popped over to the reservoir in search of the Red-necked Grebe. Scanning the north basin we soon found Great Crested and Little Grebes in good numbers. Another scan and we spotted the Slavonian Grebe among a small flock of Tufted Ducks. The main target had still eluded us thus far but after numerous scans, the Red-necked Grebe was found. It was distant, and not far from the west bank. It was diving frequently, and no sooner had it surfaced than it would dive again. Two Great Crested Grebes in the same area proved to be very useful in relocating the Red-necked as it seemed to reappear each time close to them.

Slavonian Grebe

We had now seen four of the five grebe species, so we set off to scan the Girling hoping to add the fifth species, and it wasn't long before we found a Black-necked Grebe among a flock of Tufted Ducks. 

A couple of hours birding only fifteen minutes from home had produced all five species of grebe. Two of which were new additions to the year list.

Failing to see the Black Scoter at Holkham

A birthday trip to Norfolk this morning. The Black Scoter was our main target, but we knew before we set off it was going to be a difficult challenge. We arrived at Lady Anne's Drive around 8am and had a quick scan for the Green-winged Teal that had been found on the 21st. We failed to find it among the mixed flocks of Eurasian Teal, Wigeon, and Lapwings, but we didn't spend very long looking as we wanted as much time searching for the Black Scoter as possible. We headed along the boardwalk toward the beach, only to find the tide had almost completely covered the bay. All that was left was a thin strip running along the fence line. Brian had made the right choice and put wellies on, I on the other hand had not, so I walked as far as I could passing the roped-off area but soon realised I would either have to suffer wet feet, take my boots off or wait for the tide to recede. I chose to wait and after half an hour or so, it was shallow enough in places to safely pass.

While waiting for the tide to recede I could see a long line of scoter out on the sea, but it wasn't until I joined Brian that I realised the true scale of the scoter flock. It was massive, and more worrying it was very distant! We spent over three hours scanning through the raft, picking out a couple of Long-tailed Ducks for a year tick, and a few Velvet Scoters were picked out. but the massive scoter flocks were just too distant. 

As Brian went off in search of Shorelarks, I tried to find a way back through the flooded channels to the car park. Missing out on the Shorelarks gave me more time to try to find the Green-winged Teal, which thankfully I did. It was asleep but showing well through the scope.

Green-winged Teal

We left Holkham and headed for Sheringham, stopping on the way at Cley hoping but not expecting to find some Twite. We drove along Beach Road and pulled into a small parking spot, after climbing the bank we immediately spotted a flock of thirty or so Twite close by. We watched as they flew across the path and then back again and landed among the reeds further along the bank.

At Sheringham, we took the footpath passed the museum and down past the shelter but could not find any Purple Sandpipers. The ticket for the car park was nearing its expiry time, but one last look over the wall to the rocks below and Brian found a single Purple Sandpiper.

Museum with the shelter in the background

Although we had failed to find the Black Scoter I still managed to add five new additions to the year list.

Hopefully, we will get another chance at the Black Scoter if it hangs around.

No sign of the White-billed Diver at Southend Pier

News of a White-billed Diver yesterday at Southend was frustrating, as Brian had grandad duties and by the time he was free we wouldn't be able to get there before dark or before the pier had closed. 

We decided we would give it a try this morning, we set off early but with the pier not opening until 10.15 we headed for Wallasea Island. We pulled up along the entrance track and within an hour of scanning the marshes we had managed to see six species of raptor. Kestrel, Merlin, Buzzard, Short-eared owl, Marsh Harrier, and Ringtail Hen Harrier. 

We arrived at the pier shortly before it opened and having taken care of the parking charges, we took the train along the 1.25 miles to the end of the pier. As soon as we disembarked, we had views of several Med Gulls. 

Mediterranean Gull

We had three hours to scan the water, and we picked out plenty of Red-throated Divers and a couple of  Great Northern Divers, one of which caused a bit of debate but was soon found to be another Great Northern Diver. Razorbill, Guillemot, and Great Crested Grebes were all seen, but there was no sign of the White-Billed Diver. Several Grey seals were also seen at close quarters.

We had walked up and down most of the pier looking for the diver, but after three hours we had to admit defeat and head back to the car. The bird would be reported again at 4.15pm, but we were left wondering if this was a genuine report or the Great Northern Diver that had caused some confusion earlier in the day.