Tales from the patch and a bit of wardening

Although much of my free time of late has gone into the house move, I have managed to get out into the field with the extra time that half term offers.
Yesterday evening I made a quick visit to Langley Marshes. This is becoming an excellent spot for Little Egret, at least 3 were here. A peek across the river revealed the flock of White-fronted Geese, another 'extra' species for the patchwork challenge. A male Marsh Harrier ghosted by as I was watching the Geese. To the right of the Geese I could make out some smaller Waders on Cantley Marshes, probably Dunlin but too distant to confirm. It is looking decent out there! Onto Claxton, and 3 Barn Owls were hunting and a Kestrel was perched looking smart. A cloud of Lapwing and Golden Plover erupted over at Buckenham, the culprit a female Marsh Harrier moving through.

After lunch today I went to the new house to install the most important piece of kit bar the shower:

The garden behind us has a nice looking feeding station, so by placing the feeder here I can hope to pull in some birds from the wider countryside rather than steal their birds! Whilst I was assembling the feeders 5 Fieldfare flew over, and a gathering of Gulls were assembled over the small reservoir to the south of us, including a Great Black Backed.

I then headed to Church Marsh, now within walking distance. My saw was at the ready, and indeed I did cut back some vegetation:

As well as a bit of wardening I also did the WeBs count, totals of 2 Tufted, 3 GC Grebe, 35 Teal, 14 Mallard, 4 Gadwall and 2 Moorhen. Much more exciting was a Barn Owl hunting at 2.30pm, followed by further Owl action in the smaller guise of a Little Owl, calling. I managed to track him down and he proceeded to glare at me. Understandable, because I inadvertently alerted a Tit and Thrush flock as to his presence. He flew off, clearly disgruntled. A drumming GS Pecker was the first of the year.

Onto Rockland, and the BH Gull roost numbered around 200 which is sort of decent. Wildfowl numbers were lower than Surlingham, although 9 Tufted Duck just about deserve a mention. My favourite songster at the moment, the Mistle Thrush, was in excellent voice near the carpark:

At least 3 males were heard singing today, a healthy number compared to last year. It is very mild out and about, so perhaps our resident birds will have a good breeding season.

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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 the ho

A change is as good as a rest

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Notes from the valley

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