Surlingham- first visit of the year.

Before the above is dealt with, a trip back to Claxton Marshes on the 3rd produced 2/3 Short-eared owl, a male Stonechat and a Barn Owl hunting early at 2.30pm. Strumpshaw at dusk threw up 2 Woodcock.

Yesterday I set off early and arrived at Wheatfen to a cloudy yet mild start. This is a gem of a reserve, and other than the volunteer workers who were dredging a dyke, I had the place to myself. I quickly picked up the expected common species around the car-park, and enjoyed the song of the not-so-common-anymore Song Thrush, something I have not heard since last Summer. Robins were vocal all over the reserve, as were Marsh Tit, an 'easy' bird here. Heading off on the trail, a familiar sound had me looking skywards, as c100 Pink-footed Geese flew Northwest. A great patch tick, considering I have only recently added this bird to my Church Marsh life list. Birds of the day for me were the small flocks of Lesser Redpoll. These birds feed silently until disturbed, and views high into the Alders leave one with a rather sore neck. One large flock which also contained Siskin just wouldn't rest for views. Although not really cold enough, this reserve surely represents my best chance of a Mealy or something rarer.
Inspired by recent discussion on Birdforum, I have taken to snapping the odd toadstool. Using a rather old ID guide, the closest I can get to assigning this to species level is Mycena Inclinata, but I will seek further clarification.

Moving onto Church Marsh, I was pleased to pick up Lesser Redpoll and Siskin here too. The reserve was quiet, so I returned for an evening visit. This rewarded my efforts with a mixed Thrush roost including at least 3 Mistle Thrush and many more Fieldfare and Redwing. A Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker and squealing Water Rail were other notable additions to the year list.
Another couple of Fungus, the to photo could be Meripilus Giganteus:

This evening I took in the dusk at Strumpshaw Fen, with a particular focus on goings on across the river at Wheatfen. A male Hen Harrier was absolutely cracking, and typically the last bird into roost.

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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!

Although it was not quite the Christmas we wanted here in the valley, the rain has bought its own gift. A grim vision of the future, perhaps. But right now, the patch is peaking and is alive with birds, and for that I am thankful. On Christmas eve, it was a job to navigate away from the village due to standing water that had left abandoned cars and undelivered presents in its wake. The rain had been persistent and unforgiving, the ground, saturated. Over on the marsh, where there had once been a muddy puddle amongst the pasture, a city had sprung from the leak, with a plethora of new occupants noisily laying claim to a patch of sodden marsh. Wigeon and Black-headed Gulls in their thousands now wheeled and whistled over and amongst the newly formed pools, accompanied by smaller numbers of Teal and Shoveler. A flock of two hundred-strong Lapwing enjoyed feeding on the less damp spots where green grass was still exposed, and thrown in for good measure have been a couple of Ruff, the ...

Notes from the valley

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