A Bit of Birding in Suffolk Part 2

 After our B&B we moved to a flat in Aldeburgh for 4 nights, it looked a bit grotty from the outside (the website pics must have been taken years ago!), but was perfectly fine on the inside.

We decided on pastures new on full day 1, as some birders at the Hen Reed Beds had recommended RSPB North Warren, just outside Aldeburgh. There are no hides, just a platform overlooking reed beds. However it's a lovely circular walk, with plenty of benches to stop and have a coffee and just see what happens.

Not many pics from here just the one, showing our first Wheatear of the year:

Not bad to watch while having a coffee. The other highlight was discovering a Nightingale singing, then finding it for a brief view, the first time we've actually seen a Nightingale in the UK (The only other sightings we've had have been on Lesvos... 6 weeks to go😃) , heard them before, but always hidden.

So 24 species seen at North Warren, but the Nightingale, Wheatear, Kestrels, Marsh Harriers, Skylark and a Bittern Booming were definitely the highlights. Oh and a Roe Deer in the reeds, mustn't forget that.

So Next day and on to Minsmere. From our previous visits when we've had good views of Bittern, Bearded Tits and Hobby, we were looking forward to seeing them again, but this time sadly not, even though we were patient and spent all day, it was not to be, apart from a 3 second glimpse of one Bearded Tit popping up and quickly disappearing again. But of course Minsmere has loads to offer, it's a delight to watch the Sand Martins to and froing to their 'burrows'. 

Plus we saw our first Avocets of the year:

and Black-tailed Godwit,

Teal,

Gadwall,

Shoveler,

Black-headed Gull, nest building,

Kittiwake,

Sandwich Terns aplenty!

A Catepillar!

Redshank,

Shelduck,

Cormorant,

Pochard,

Courting Shelduck,

Greylag Goose,

more Avocet,

Little Grebe

and plenty of Prey.

We saw 43 species in total, with some notable birds not seen, but that's birding for you.

Finally the next day we spent some time at Dunwich Heath, with the sole objective of seeing Dartford Warbler, this time mission accomplished. Plus our first Stonechats of the year as well.

TTFN!

Back at Ladywalk NR

 Paid our third visit to Ladywalk this week, very quiet, although we did see some Egyptian Geese, haven't seen any of those since February in Norfolk, those lovely days before Covid.

See here are a few photos:

The aforementioned Egyptian Geese, seen from hide A,

Gadwall,

Goosander on the river,

As usual plenty of Herons.

Two of the three Little Egrets seen,

Yes it's a hide, in fact it's hide B!

Shoveler,

yet another Heron,

a Muntjac,

a Great Crested Grebe with youngster.

The sun came out so this Cormorant took the opportunity to dry those wings, bad design!

And finally one of the four Green Sandpipers seen foraging in the shallows.

As usual a lovely walk, our favourite at the moment, might spice it up next time and go clockwise 😄

A Kingfisher Afternoon at Upton Warren

On Thursday we had a couple of hours spare in the afternoon and I was keen to see the work that had been done at Hen Brook. We very rarely used the Hen Brook hide when visiting, as in recent years you are just confronted by a wall of reeds blocking any views.

The transformation is spectacular and within minutes of sitting down a Water Rail put in an  appearance, popping out briefly on two more occasions before we moved on down to the Flashes. It was way to quick for me to get a photo, but seeing is the main thing. A big well done to the Wildlife Trust for making what looks like a great habitat for the coming winter and spring.

The flashes were pretty quiet, still a single Avocet in residence, plus I counted eleven Curlew out on the scrapes.

There were a good number of Shovelers and Teal about.

 A few Lapwing, a Little Grebe and of course plenty of Black-headed Gulls. After our obligatory coffee, we walked back to the car and the short drive over to the Moors, seeing this feller on the way.

A resting Red-veined Darter.

The weather was getting quite dull when we arrived at the Moors, we watched the activity on the feeders at the North Moors for a while, but only Blue, Great and Coal Tits were seen, with little on the water except for some Mallard and single Mute Swan.

So we carried on to the Lapwing Hide, the main interest at the start were two Mute Swans harassing another Swan, wherever it went, they headed towards it and proceeded to have a go at it. This is the main aggressor in attack mode,

 then the chase. This went on for a good 30 minutes.

Meanwhile there was a lot to see:
Little Grebe,

 Snipe,

 Lapwing,

 Grey Heron

 and Shoveler.

But the start of the afternoon was the Kingfisher, it came along and perched on a stick in front of the hide, making five fishing attempts, being successful four times. The photos are a bit grainy as it hard turned very dull and was also starting to rain.

 I wasn't quite quick enough to follow the dive,

 but got his return.

 Looking up as a raptor got the Lapwings up.

 Off he goes....

A great afternoon!