Surlingham, Storks, score!

Up early today, driving towards Surlingham watching the sun rise, and one cannot help but feel you have got the edge over everyone else. I don't do enough really early mornings, but a walk organised by the South Yare Wildlife Group around my patch was a good reason to be up and about just after 4. The walk was led by Ben of Strumpshaw fame. Bird of the morning was a Kingfisher which flashed past heading downriver, new for the year and a bird I don't often see at Surlingham Church Marsh. A couple of Swifts high and distant were also new, and other highlights included the usual Warblers including 4 Grasshopper and a new Garden. A Little Egret was a decent record, and 2 pairs of Lapwing were on the lagoon. No waders today, a little disappointing in truth. The walk concluded with an excellent cooked breakfast at the Ferry House, the group seemingly pleased with the morning's events.
After bashing out a few reports, I decided to investigate Hardley Flood over a trip to the coast. 3 Avocet were the best birds here, also present were plenty of Shelduck, Swallows, Martins and a Great-spotted Woodpecker. A decent site I will certainly be revisiting.
Since I was moreorless in the neighbourhood, I popped over to Aldeby hoping for a look at the White Stork. There are apparently free-flying birds at Thrigby, but this individual is unringed and has arrived in good conditions for migration. Sure enough, on rounding the corner there was the bird, wading in shallow water and showing well, which Storks tend to do. A couple of Wigeon were rather late, and the other birder at the site had also seen a Pintail and Grey Plover. The small patch of water is described on the bird information services as a 'shooting pool', so I am not sure about the creedence of the ducks but nonetheless another good spot worth coming back to. Oh, and a British tick in the bag.
Arrived home in time to see Hernandez put Chelsea to the sword. Get in!

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Notes from the valley

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