Some Thrush action

Whilst I am giving a talk on STDs at school tomorrow, the heading of this blogpost has nothing to do with the nasty kind of Thrush.

A lovely flock of c40Fieldfare on the hill at Surlingham held a Redwing and Mistle Thrush, enjoying the company of its visitors from the north.

Apart from the usual Cettis and Reed Bunting, the reserve was quiet and therefore I have little to report! However,one mammalian highlight 'popped' up in the form of a Weasel, my second here at Surlingham. This little fellow slipped out of the river-bank undergrowth and trotted away down the path at the foot of the ruins, completely unaware of my presence.

Ducks are in short supply right now, since much of the lagoon is still frozen over. Teal are again favouring the 'back garden area' of the reserve!

A Little Grebe on the river is going on the list, thank-you.

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Grey Phalarope- a new patch bird

The 7th of April was another bitterly cold Spring day, hats and gloves in prime position on pegs and in bags ready to be deployed. A few brave Garganey have been reported north of the river, but it was a bird from the north itself that had me rushing for the thermals and the telescope late in the day. I was thankful for the local Whatsapp group who were quick to report that a Grey Phalarope had been seen on Rockland Broad. This tiny Wader would have come in on the northerlies over the last few days, although to grace one of the broads is a real surprise, since most stick pretty close to the coast before moving on. Indeed, my experience of the birds has usually been on a sea watch in the Autumn, waves crashing and foam flying, my eyes straining to pick them out as they fly low just above the surf. They are fantastic birds, and now one was here on the patch. I had a brief panic when I realised my scope was in my car at the garage (thankfully I do have a much older spare) but once th...

A weekend to live long in the memory

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Claxton-on-sea!

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Notes from the valley

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