Away days
Just back from a week in Suffolk, a long slog (450 miles) from East Lothian.
Not long into the drive south, stopped off in Northumbria to see a Roller, only the second I've seen in Britain, which was a good start. Then a week based at Dunwich on the east coast of Suffolk - not as flat as I expected and with a really good network of footpaths, large areas of forest, heathland and lots of coastal lagoons and marshes, including Minsmere RSPB reserve.
In the first couple of days re-aquainted myself with a few southern species (such as Dartford Warbler) that we don't get too many of in Scotland. I also saw loads of Jays and Green Woodpeckers, both of which are pretty scarce up here.
On 17th, decided to go and twitch a Red-flanked Bluetail about 10 miles down the coast. I got there at dawn, and there was only a couple of other folk there, but within half an hour there were 50+ birders there, shouting and yelling, charging through the bushes and basically only allowing very brief views of the bird before it was flushed deeper into cover. What a bunch of idiots. No concept of a patient sit and wait....
18th at Minsmere was more enjoyable, even though the Reserve was pretty quiet. Excellent views of Marsh Harriers, a very brief Bittern and a late Swallow were the highlights (although Reserve staff were more interested in 2 fly-by Velvet Scoters I had offshore!).
"No I can't see it! Just off to crash through the undergrowth to get a better look..."
On 19th, about 30 Avocets on the Alde estuary were a pleasant surprise - there were none elsewhere.
Back home, and out at the Reserve on 22nd and I found two drake Surf Scoters offshore. Ordinarily bird of the day, but that accolade went to a pair of Gadwall that were the first for the year here - I had a Surfie in January! Yesterday, 17,000 Pink-footed Geese came in to roost at dusk. Magic!
Just goes to show that you don't have to go too far to have good birding!
Not long into the drive south, stopped off in Northumbria to see a Roller, only the second I've seen in Britain, which was a good start. Then a week based at Dunwich on the east coast of Suffolk - not as flat as I expected and with a really good network of footpaths, large areas of forest, heathland and lots of coastal lagoons and marshes, including Minsmere RSPB reserve.
In the first couple of days re-aquainted myself with a few southern species (such as Dartford Warbler) that we don't get too many of in Scotland. I also saw loads of Jays and Green Woodpeckers, both of which are pretty scarce up here.
On 17th, decided to go and twitch a Red-flanked Bluetail about 10 miles down the coast. I got there at dawn, and there was only a couple of other folk there, but within half an hour there were 50+ birders there, shouting and yelling, charging through the bushes and basically only allowing very brief views of the bird before it was flushed deeper into cover. What a bunch of idiots. No concept of a patient sit and wait....
18th at Minsmere was more enjoyable, even though the Reserve was pretty quiet. Excellent views of Marsh Harriers, a very brief Bittern and a late Swallow were the highlights (although Reserve staff were more interested in 2 fly-by Velvet Scoters I had offshore!).
"No I can't see it! Just off to crash through the undergrowth to get a better look..."On 19th, about 30 Avocets on the Alde estuary were a pleasant surprise - there were none elsewhere.
Back home, and out at the Reserve on 22nd and I found two drake Surf Scoters offshore. Ordinarily bird of the day, but that accolade went to a pair of Gadwall that were the first for the year here - I had a Surfie in January! Yesterday, 17,000 Pink-footed Geese came in to roost at dusk. Magic!
Just goes to show that you don't have to go too far to have good birding!
posted by ELBirder at 9:13 am
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