Wild Swans at the double

I did not expect to be 2 species up on my patch life total this early in the year, although if I had to choose 2 likely species it probably would be the wild Swans. Hot on the heels of hearing 1+ Whooper Swan earlier in the month, I owe a great deal of thanks to Ben who spotted a Bewick's Swan on 'my' side of the river this morning whilst he was counting Wildfowl. Having already been to Rockland early doors and seen the usual Coot, Tufted Duck and nothing else, this would top the day off nicely. (I say nothing else rather flippantly- I did also observe a Barn Owl and Cetti's Warbler, which were lovely, but I had hoped for some decent Wildfowl in the colder weather).

Good numbers of Mute Swan graze the marshes at both Claxton and Langley, and last year I recall a count of 80+ in the first Winter period. This Bewick's was said to be east of the Beauchamp Arms, so I set up my scope outside Buckenham sailing club, flushing a Kingfisher as I did so! The Bewick's quickly came into view, feeding with one Mute (must have been at least a third bigger) and some Canada Geese. Brilliant.

Yesterday I left the house on foot, walking to Wheatfen, taking in Surlingham wood and home again. A very enjoyable walk with many common species seen, some firsts for the year. A Nuthatch in the wood was of course the highlight, and I was finally able to add Mistle Thrush and Redwing. Redwing very hard to come by at the moment. 2 Redpoll sp called and passed through, again not an easy bird. Getting all nostalgic again, I remember a superb pink-breasted flock of 25+ at Church Marsh after the cold Winter of 2012-2013. Certainly makes one appreciate these moments in time during leaner years.

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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

Saturday 12th, I picked up Connor around 6.30am and we headed to Waxham with migrant hunting in mind. It was clear that the NW blow and rain had dumped many common migrants. Every bush had a Robin, some more than one. There were also almost equal numbers of Song Thrush and Blackbird. As the sun rose, slowly more birds became active. Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Goldcrest and ticked and tacked from cover. Superb stuff! Overhead, Brambling and Redpoll were moving, and some did rest long enough for decent views. Heading out into the dunes towards the pipe dump, we encountered a female Redstart and a Woodcock on route. Still, birds were arriving including more Thrushes and even a few Skylark. Without much success around the pipe dump itself (a Robin with a sore throat gave us a headache for a while) we headed back to the car and onto Horsey. Although there were less birds around by mid morning, little clumps of cover were alive with activity. In the same patch of scrub and pines that last ...

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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