OK, let's see what turns up - BY 2021

[Soukous]

2 hours ago, Soukous said:

I did spot this duck though. I was rather surprised that no-one else showed any interest in it at all as I'd not seen one before and, upon checking my book, it seems that it is quite a rare vagrant. 

 

#73 - Redhead - Aythya americana

Alton Water, Suffolk. April 2021

 

Oops, it may be a Pochard, which is not nearly as rare. 

 

such a shame that the birds I see cannot cooperate and be what I want them to be 

[Galana]

3 hours ago, Soukous said:

such a shame that the birds I see cannot cooperate and be what I want them to be 

I have that problem too. I line up a perfect EBC shot and then when I get home it's pin sharp and unusable.

[Soukous]

Bright sunshine and blue skies lured me outside this week, only to find that it was alot colder outside than inside.

Even so, it was time o cross the border and head into Norfolk.

 

I had hoped to find a whole truckload of species to add to my BY, but I was disappointed.

Despite significant numbers of birds on the marshes between Wells and Stiffkey, there was little variety. It might have had something to do with the bitingly cold wind.

 

by far the most numerous were the Brent Geese, which seemed to be gathering for a feed before heading north for the summer.

 

It looked to me as if they were mostly the pale - Svalbard, Greenland -  variety, hrota,

 

#75 - Brent Goose - Branta bernicla hrota

Stiffkey, Norfolk. April 2021

 

 

 

 

There was a lone Spoonbill poking around in the marshes, so we'd better add him too

#76 - (Eurasian) Spoonbill - Platalea leucorodia

Stiffkey, Norfolk. April 2021

 

 

In amongst the Black-headed Gulls by the staithe in Wells-next-the-sea were a couple of Great Black-backed Gulls

 

#77 - Great Black-backed Gull - Larus marinus

Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk. April 2021

 

 

A walk through the woods by the beach brought a couple more.

 

I think I've finally managed to find a Mistle Thrush.

#78 - Mistle Thrush - Turdus viscivorus

Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk. April 2021

 

 

and last, but by no means least, I am hoping that this is a Willow Warbler.

There were both Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs in the area, but I am pretty sure this one was making Willow Warbler noises.

 

#79 - Willow Warbler - Phylloscopus trochilus

Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk. April 2021

 

 

 

I was just about to take more photos of it perched in a tree, when it swooped down and joined another one for some aerobatics before they came together in a tussle on the ground.

 

 

 

[Soukous]

Other species seen were Common, Redshanks, Black-tailed Godwits, Avocets, Oystercatchers, Tufted Ducks and Pied Wagtails.

 

Not nearly as much variety as I'd hoped for. Great to be out and about though.

 

 

 

 

 

[Galana]

Nothing to be disappointed with there.

Five ticks and all the IDs fit.

I wish I could find a Spoonbill.

[Soukous]

16 minutes ago, Galana said:

I wish I could find a Spoonbill.

 

you could come over here while I am visiting Alex 

[Galana]

2 hours ago, Soukous said:

you could come over here while I am visiting Alex 

Leave the keys to the Cabinet. I am on my way!

Bugger the Spoonbill.

Edited April 16, 2021 by Galana

[TonyQ]

A good trip to Norfolk. We really like Wells!

Your Willow Warbler on the ground does have pale legs, whims is not definitive but a good starter

[michael-ibk]

A very cool Willow sequence! I´m jealous about "numerous" Brent Goose - a bird I have never seen.

[Soukous]

Some help here please.

 

I found this warbler skulking in a bramble bush.

It didn't make a sound and I'm struggling with an ID. Looks like a Chifchaff but the supercilium isn't right.

 

 

 

[Soukous]

A lovely afternoon walk in the sunshine brought a couple more ticks for my list. I'm sure I'll get better opportunities as the year progresses, but these will do for now.

 

#80 Swallow - Hirundo rustica - all my UK guide books list this as simply 'Swallow'.  Books for other areas call it a Barn Swallow. Whatever name we use, they are back in large numbers now and getting ready to breed in the old WW2 bunkers along the coast.

Bawdsey, Suffolk. April 2021

 

 

#81 - (Northern) Wheatear - Oenanthe oenanthe

Bawdsey, Suffolk. April 2021

 

I saw this one silhouetted against the afternoon sun and tried to move around so that I could get at least some colour. He didn't cooperate and flew off after a couple of clicks. Despite me hanging around for another half an hour, he did not make another apearance.

 

 

 

 

[Galana]

1 hour ago, Soukous said:

Looks like a Chifchaff but the supercilium isn't right.

That's what it looks like to me too.

[Soukous]

49 minutes ago, Galana said:

That's what it looks like to me too.

 

Ta.

It was surely the quietest Chiffchaff I have ever encountered

[Soukous]

according to the friend who has a wonderful house overlooking the river Deben he hears this particular visitor announce its arrival every year on 20th April.

I allowed a couple of days for recovery from the long flight and then went to have a look.

 

Sure enough, not one but two Nightingales within a space of 100 metres.

They were in full voice but a bit camera shy.

 

#82 - Nightingale - Luscinia megarhynchos

Close to river Deben Suffolk. April 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

[xelas]

A beauty of a bird, and great photos.

[Galana]

Very nice.

[Soukous]

Another glorious sunny day, so I thought I'd head back and see if I could nab a few more photos of the Nightingales before they become too preoccupied.

They were not nearly as accommodating this time. One didn't show at all and the other gave me just a few seconds. I didn't get time for many shots but, to me at least, this one screams out SPRING

 

 

In place of the no-show Nightingale, the same hawthorn bush was now occupied by a beautiful Blackcap.

 

#83 - Blackcap - Sylvia atricapilla

Close to river Deben, Suffolk. April 2021

 

This chap was very kind to me and sang me beautiful songs.

 

 

 

I was fascinated just watching the way his throat vibrated as he sang.

 

[michael-ibk]

Great Nightingale, they are not easy at all. 

[PeterHG]

Beautiful Nightingale and Blackcap photos!

[Kitsafari]

beautiful shots of the nightingales. In all those fairy tales I have read, I've always imagined the bird with such a beautiful name and lilting melodies would be bright, colourful and attractive in appearance, so I'm constantly surprised that they are just LBJs! I would love to see it and hear it one day. 

[Zim Girl]

Lovely Nightingale and Blackcap photos.

[TonyQ]

Well done with the Nightingale and the Blackcap 

[Galana]

As others. Some lovely shots there.

[Soukous]

With nothing to clutter up my schedule I decided it was time to venture a bit further afield and visit one of my favourite reserves. It's only an hour away but just a week bit too far for a lockdown visit.

Carlton Marshes is just outside Lowestoft on the Suffolk/Norfolk border and is part of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

Last time I went half the reserve was cordoned off as there was work in progress on a new visitor centre and some new hides.

 

The visitor centre is now open and looks terrific, even though we are not yet allowed inside. The hides remain closed for the time being.

 

I had 2 target species, Greater Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler, both of which I'd seen here last year.

 

It was not long before I heard the Whitethroat.

Following its song I was suddenly distracted by the song of a different species.

 

#84 - Cetti's Warbler - Cettia cetti

Carlton Marshes, Suffolk. April 2021

 

It made me work for my photos, and spent most of the time hiding among the foliage

 

 

 

Over the next couple of hours I heard several more of them.

 

Sharing the same patch of brambles and trees was the Greater Whitethroat.

 

#85 - Greater Whitethroat - Sylvia communis

Carlton Marshes, Suffolk. April 2021

 

 

As with the Cetti's, there were a lot of Whitethroats singing today.

This one was by the side of the main track, close to the car park.

 

 

Carlton Marshes has a lot of reed beds and is a good place to find Sedge Warblers and Reed Warblers.

I could hear Sedge Warblers all around me, but the biting northerly wind was making them stay in the cover of the reeds. I spent ages waiting patiently for a glimpse of one. Just when i though Imight have to go around again, I found one that was more obliging, skulking in a patch of brambles.

 

#86 - Sedge Warbler - Acrocephalus schoenoaenus

Carlton Marshes, Suffolk. April 2021

 

 

 

I'm not too worried though as I know I will should see plenty of them over the summer

 

Bizarrely, these were the only 3 species I took pictures of.

I did see a Marsh Harrier and my first Cuckoo, but neither posed for photos.

 

Edited April 29, 2021 by Soukous

[xelas]

Phew, your warblers likes to hangs close to your lens!