Levington Lagoon

Levington lagoon - we watched 32 Snipe drop into the lagoon area, other birds of note include a wintering Spotted Redshank, Jack Snipe and a female Marsh Harrier.  On the river amongst the Brent Geese was a Black Brant (Ernie Lucking).

Trimley Marshes & Levington Lagoon

27/28.01.2013 Trimley Marshes - several thousand duck have returned to the reservoir following the recent quick thaw.  Other observations include Bittern, Buzzard, Peregrine and drake Scaup.  At Levington Lagoon the jack Snipe is still showing well and a ring-tailed Hen Harrier frequently puts in an appearance and a male Marsh Harrier.

Newbourne Springs

It was another cold morning at Newbourne Springs; not many new birds but we did catch our first Fieldfare and Redpoll of the new year.  Observations included Woodcock, c50 Siskins and several Redpolls.

Newbourne Springs

Jay

January 22 2013

At sunrise it was cold and sleety before sunny periods started a slow thaw. I spent the morning at Newbourne Springs where I managed to catch a few birds including a Jay. Observations included 5 Woodcock, a flock of Siskin, Sparrowhawk and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

See more photos on my web site www.mickorwellestuary.co.uk

Robin

SWT LOW WATER COUNT

SWT Coordinated Estuaries Count

It was the January Stour and Orwell Low Water Count today, which is organised by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

It was the coldest night of the winter with temperatures down to -10. Predicted low water was for 0900 hours so that meant we had to be at our sections by 0800 hours. I was well wrapped up but I was cold!

I have only received a few records so far and they include 1,000 Knot, 400 Oystercatchers, 183 Wigeon and 35 Pintail in front of Pipers Vale. There was also 156 Gadwall and 116 Avocet at Loom Pit Lake.

The waterbirds have it tough during these harsh winter days. On my patch I was the only person out, except for 27 dogs, which were all running free (no doggy bags), one man had 8 dogs, two women treated the mudflats like a play ground for their dogs. I had a phone call from one of my counters to say he could not count, as the gamekeeper would not give him access to shore. The keeper did not want the ducks disturbed before they shot them.

Our wildlife and places suffer in so many ways.

Levington Lagoon

Today at the Lagoon to Jack Snipe were showing well.  There was also two Corn Bunting and one Dartford Warbler (per Ernie Lucking).

Levington

Levington is the place to be birding; today there were several Bar-tailed Godwits, 80 Avocets, Jack Snipe, Snipe, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Little Egret and three Rock Pipit.  On the river the Great Northern Diver is still present and a Long-tailed Duck was reported from Freston.

Levington Lagoon

There are now two Jack Snipe and a Spotted Redshank on Levington Lagoon, viewable from the screen (per Bins).  Yesterday the Dartford warbler was also seen again here (P Newton).

Lower Hollesley

We were on the heath today; our aim was to catch adult Dartford Warblers and individually colour-ring them.  The first task was to find a bird before setting the net.  Anna spotted the first bird flitting above the heather before it dived into cover, shortly after two birds were seen.

The overcast grey start to the morning soon gave way to lovely sunshine. There was a flock of about 12 Goldcrests and a few Coal Tits flitting and feeding frenetically through the gorse and birch.  Two Buzzards were also seen soaring over the heath. We caught a Goldcrest and our first Dartford of the year.

If you go birding on the heaths and you see a Dartford Warbler please check the bird to see if it is wearing coloured rings and send any sightings to me.  Over the last six years Paul Newton and I have colour ringed over 150 birds.  Please keep to the footpaths as there is no need to enter the heather; almost all the territories can easily be seen from the footpaths.

Levington

The Great Northern Diver was again viewable from Levington Marina and a Spotted Redshank was seen on Levington Lagoon (per Bins).

Trimley Reserve

It was a very promising morning before first light due to the lack of cloud and light breeze; however, the lovely sunny start to the day soon gave way to thick wet fog.

While we were erecting the first net, gunshots rang out, which seemed to be close by; then a few more shots were fired. I thought they had come from the winter flood area or at the very least from the managed retreat. The result was horrendous, mega disturbance; every bird on the reserve must have been in the air, thousands of duck, geese, waders and Swans. The noise from the wailing birds was deafening. [Yet another incident! No-one has permission to shoot anywhere near the reserve or the retreat.]
There were several thousand waterbirds on the reserve, c500 Lapwing, c50 Golden Plover. 18 Snipe, I Jack Snipe and a Ruff.

Summer Flood

Newbourne Springs

My first ringing session of the New Year and I was only one hour late!  I arranged to meet Anna at Newbourne at 0630 hours but I made a horrendous blunder with reading the clock – I am never late.

We caught 14 new birds and 8 retraps mostly titmice.  Note the new table top in the photo (by Anna).

Observations included Woodcock 3, Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted woodpecker and a flock of Siskins.

New Web site

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

I now have my own Web site:
www.mickorwellestuary.co.uk
Still under construction but getting there.