Trimley Marshes

Only slightly better weather but summer migrants are still few and far between.  Observations this weekend include a few Swallows, singles of Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat and Yellow Wagtail; there are several Chiffchaff and Blackcaps singing.  Other observations of note include Little Gull, a pair of Meditteranean Gulls and two broods of Grey-lag Geese.

Ringing this morning, we retrapped our first Reed Warbler of the year. Anna was so pleased as she had ringed the bird last July, especially knowing that it had just flown from south of the Sarhara back to our reed bed.

Anna with her Reed Warbler

Reed Warbler (adult, note eye colour)

The Port of Felixstowe

At last we were bathed in sunshine although it was chilly in the wind.  I had another one of those memorable days when I was not only privileged to be where I was but enjoying every moment.

Peter Merchant and I had to undergo a Safety Toolbox Talk, and then go through a security check where photographs were taken for our passes; we then picked up our hard hats, high viz clothing and beacon for the car.  Finally we met up with Alan Tinline, Environmental/Safety Manager from the Port of Felixstowe who escorted us to within the area of the old Landguard Terminal to observe the latest Peregrine Falcon developments.

The Falcons have made three derelict cranes their territorial area.  We were there to watch and observe and had no intentions of climbing any of the cranes.  However, that changed when we saw a large dead bird lodged in one of the foot wells high up in the cranes infrastructure.   Looking through a powerful telescope we came to the conclusion that the bird was a raptor.  We needed to investigate further; I have a schedule one licence for Peregrines so Alan and I climbed the crane in order to confirm our suspicions.

Sadly the bird was a female Peregrine that had a Belgian ring on its right leg and a marked colour ring on its left leg.  The bird had injuries to its back and had probably been taken out by another Peregrine.

We still have a pair of Peregrines within the Port that we will continue to monitor.

The new Landguard Terminal

Landguard Point

Fantastic views

Trimley Marshes

There were just over 100 Black-tailed Godwits in superb summer plumage on the summer flood.  At least 12 Sedge Warblers in the reedy areas, a white Wagtail, 50 Curlew, single Swallow and a Marsh Harrier were also observed.

Trimley Marshes

The Trimley Reserve News Sheet       April 18^th 2012

By Anna Alum (volunteer)

 The weather on the reserve has at best been overcast and at worst drenched with April showers, a very different April from the last few we have experienced.  Much excitement was building last week, in the hope of further migrants arriving. However, despite the weather it hasn’t produced as many birds as expected. 

April 14^th was an exciting morning as the first Sedge warbler was seen in the reed bed and this little sedge appeared to be the only one on the reserve, however it was a cool morning and it was hoped we might see others but unfortunately it was not to be.   On Sunday 15^th Ernie and Dave also saw a lonesome Sedge warbler possibly the very same one.  We wait for others to arrive at Trimley soon.  There are no sightings of Reed Warblers yet. 

A lovely Yellow Wagtail was seen by Sticky (Paul Oldfield) early on Sunday 15^th .  Avocets are really enjoying the summer flood at the moment and Ernie and Dave sighted 11 on Sunday.  The Cetti’s Warbler was also heard on Sunday.  

The reservoir hide is ‘the hide to be’ if you want to see Lesser Black- backed Gulls who have taken ownership of some of the rafts for potential nesting sites. There are plenty of territorial scuffles between the LBB Gulls and the Black Headed Gulls at the moment and one raft in particular seems to have a ‘look out’ gull on it at all times!   It will be interesting when the new raft is launched as to who claims this very nice new maternity suite!  Mediterranean Gulls have also been seen and heard during the last week.  

Other news: 

A pair of Kestrels have been seen in the hollow of one of the trees on the reserve and it is hoped that they will produce eggs. 

There were at least a dozen Black tailed Godwits on Tuesday 17^th , a few Redshanks and a Spotted Redshank on Sunday 15^th.  There are also eight pairs of Lapwing. 

37 Fallow Deer were also seen on the 17^th April.

Thank you to everyone who contributes to the counts.

Upper Hollesley Common

c40 Crossbill on the heath this morning.

Captains Wood

At Captains Wood yesterday I had a pair of Buzzards displaying.

Trimley Reserve

There was a Stone Curlew today on the main grazing marsh (only the third record for the reserve), other birds of note included White Wagtail, Chiffchaff 6, Blackcap1, Bearded Tit, five Buzzards all soaring together, Greenshank and a Peregrine Falcon.