Wednesday 29 September 2010

Trimley Update

Last night I was on the reserve well into darkness.  I counted 70 Linnets going to roost in the reedbed, I heard a Barn owl screaming, a couple of Little Owls calling and several Water Rails squealing.  I also saw a Jack Snipe.

Today, two Little Stints were still present on the summer flood; other birds of note included 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Greenshanks and on the beach there was one exhausted female Sisken feeding that had made landfall during the mornings bad weather.  The bird was feeding on Narrow-leaved Ragwort seeds.

Monday 27 September 2010

Trimley Marshes update

There was a Pectoral Sandpiper on the reserve yesterday but was not seen today.  Other observations today include 2 Little Stint, 3 Greenshank, c100 Redshank, c200 Lapwing and a single Sedge Warbler.

Friday 24 September 2010

Trimley Update

Birding has been good all week.  The Spotted Crake is still present, other species today included 3 Little Stint, Bar and Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Ruff, Little Ringed Plover, 45 Pintail, several Bearded Tit, Buzzard, 3 Water Rail and Marsh Harrier.

Monday 20 September 2010

Trimley Update

The Spotted Crake is still being seen on the summer flood.  Other birds include Little Stint, Little Ringed Plover, 7 Ruff, 12 Yellow Wagtails, Mediterranean Gull and 4 Buzzards.

Sunday 19 September 2010

Trimley Update

On Saturday, we had a fantastic beach and shoreline litter pick. Scout leaders, scouts, sea scouts, young explorers and the local community participated. We had an exceptional turnout of about 200 people which included 150 scouts. The day was brilliantly organised by Andrew Cassy from British Telecom and BT supplied a free shuttle bus. Refreshments were supplied courtesy of the local scout groups and there were prizes for Ipswich Town hospitality box tickets, Sea France Ferry and for a SWT Badger Watch.

I would like to thank Andrew, the scouts and everyone who made the day such a success.

All this activity overshadowed the fact that we had a very rare bird on the reserve; a Spotted Crake was on the summer flood.

 

Wednesday 15 September 2010

Trimley Marshes Reserve

We all enjoyed another successful and eventful work party (I wished I had taken a photo of John taking a mud bath). More grass cutting work was carried out on the summer flood thanks to John T, Tom, Margaret, John R, Anne and Danny.


The near gale force winds meant that birds were hard to find but there were still about 10 Yellow Wagtails following the cattle around; other species included Ruff, Green Sandpiper and Greenshank.

On several days last week, there were up to four Lapland Buntings present.

Monday 6 September 2010

Reserves Update

Trimley: Duck numbers continue to increase, there are now c100 Shoveler on the reservoir.  Waders include Greenshank 8, Green Sandpiper 6, Ruff 3 and Common Sandpiper 3.  Several Buzzards and a Marsh Harrier are present daily.

Levington: c500 Golden Plover, 150 Redshank plus Grey Plover, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Curlew and a single Curlew Sandpiper.

There is also a very late breeding Turtle Dove, see photo below.