Trimley Reserve

After a frosty start, the sun came out for a while; then the morning turned out to become the mildest so far this year. Once again, despite calm conditions, not many birds were caught, the best being a re-trap female Cetti’s Warbler.  Birding was good with observations including 45 Snipe (Ernie Lucking), 3 Ruff, c450 Lapwing, Marsh Harrier and two Buzzards.  There were also several hundred Black-headed Gulls on the reserve and we also saw a Water vole in a willow nibbling the bark.

Cetti's Warbler

BTO Bird Migration Blog: Spring migration 2013 has begun!

BTO Bird Migration Blog: Spring migration 2013 has begun!: With some parts of the UK experiencing a small amount of spring-like weather it is not too surprising that, although it is still very early,...

Levington

Levington, overcast and bitterly cold once again.  Our aim was to catch a few birds towards our ongoing project, however, in six hours we drew a blank but the birding was excellent.  The flooding tide brought thousands of waders close, the flying formations by the Knot and Dunlin were a joy to watch.  There were lots of wildfowl, especially Shelduck, sheltering in the bay and a drake Merganser close inshore was seen.  One of the highlights was 80 Avocet loafing at top tide in deepwater.  Other observations included a hunting Peregrine and a Marsh Harrier.

Trimley And Levington Reserves

Birding update for Trimley Marshes and Levington Lagoon; over the last few days amongst all the waterbirds at Trimley there have been 2 White-fronted Geese, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, The drake Greater Scaup is still on the reservoir and the long staying Ruff still shows well. 

At Levington the over wintering birds are still present; Spotted Redshank, Jack Snipe and Dartford Warbler in addition to 3 Rock Pipit (per Bins, Oldfield and Wright)

Lower Hollesley

I was on Lower Hollesley Heath on a very spring like morning; Skylarks were singing and I heard my first Woodlark of the year.  Other birds of note include Stonechat, Sparrowhawk and Dartford Warblers.

Levington Lagoon

It was frosty and bitterly cold at sunrise this morning. There were only a few passerines frequenting the scrub areas but, briefly, the Dartford Warbler made an appearance. However, the wader action in the creek, on the flooding tide, was superb.The Jack Snipe and Spotted Redshank were showing well in the lagoon.

Scrub habitat at Levington

SWT Low Water Count

February 4 2013

SWT Low Water Count

For once we had sunshine albeit blustery.  This was our last count for the winter of 2012/2013.  Observations received so far are indicating that wading bird numbers will be low.  On my count section I did not have any Dunlin or Knot, which is highly unusual.

There were 183 Gadwall on Loom Pit Lake, Marsh Harrier and Kingfisher at Levington, drake Greater Scaup and Bittern at Trimley and the Peregrine was on the Bridge.