Levington

This morning I spent some time at Levington marina with a TV crew from Anglia Television .  The morning was all about filming the East Anglian Sailing Club (EAST) in their bid to win funding.  Filming took place on the pontoons and boats to capture shots of youngsters being hoisted  into boats and sailing, guide dogs, scenery and wildlife etc.

Nearby on Loom Pit Lake there was a Grey Phalarope.

Grey Phalarope at Loom Pit Lake today

Suffolk Winter Bird Atlas

SUFFOLK ATLAS


We are now a few days into the fourth and final winter of fieldwork for the Bird Atlas and we are in a terrific position to achieve full coverage here in Suffolk. Out of 1100 tetrads we only have just over 30 left to survey. One last push is required to achieve complete coverage; so if you do not have a TTV site to survey please contact me.

We also need comprehensive species lists in every Tetrad.

Many thanks in anticipation

Mick

Trimley



Grazing, topping and grazing the aftermath has produced a meadow
 in readiness for this winter's wildfowl and geese.



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Trimley Marshes

Early this morning a Barn Owl was hunting over the tussocky grass headlands of the marshes. Bearded Tits were seen and heard calling from a number of reedy areas; our best winter by far for numbers.


John, Dave, Tom, Mike and Rob (volunteers) worked hard on hedgerow work. Rob also cooked lunch, Chilli con carne – delicious.

Taking a well earned rest.

Trimley Marshes

Compared to yesterday it was a slow start to the morning with barely any Blackbirds and only a few Fieldfare and Redwing.  The Bearded Tits were still calling and showing well in front of the hides.  There were three Buzzards, a Peregrine and Marsh Harrier and at lunchtime a Hen Harrier caused havoc amongst the Teal and Lapwing flocks.


Double click to enlarge image



Trimley Update

I arrived at Trimley before dawn; it was clear that there had been a big influx of Blackbirds overnight.  Other birds of note included Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, up to nine Bearded Tits, Water Rail and three Greenshanks, and, of course, hundreds of waterfowl.

It was arduous work today and Dave, John and Margaret (volunteers) worked extremely hard.  We worked on enhancing the ride and glades and also made a start on coppicing part of the bridleway hedge.