Levington Lagoon

A very enjoyable night at Levington Lagoon; the weather was lovely, crisp, clear skies, full moon and a big tide.   After thirty years of catching wading birds, the event of the night was almost a somersault with a full twist whilst going after a mallard, which was running along the bottom shelf of the net.  Drenched but no photos to prove it except for a pile of muddy soaked cloths in my greenhouse waiting to be hosed down before I wash them properly.

We colour ringed a few more Redshank; several gorgeous Golden Plovers, Dunlin, Snipe and of course the Mallard.

Golden Plover

Trimley Marshes

Suffolk has been invaded by thousands of Blackbirds from the continent these past few days.  At Trimley we have hundreds of Blackbirds, which are all feeding well on the hedgerow berries.  Apparently, it is a poor year for some berry producing trees and berries sustain our thrushes over the winter period.  So refrain from trimming hedges until after christmas or at least until the berry crop has been eaten.

It's a sad fact that unfortunately, all too often, too many hedgerows never get the chance to have berries.

Among our catch at Trimley we had 20 Blackbirds and two more Cetti's Warblers.

Hundreds of Blackbirds today

Female Cetti's Warbler

Levington

Ernie Lucking is top birder when it comes to finding colour ringed Redshanks; yesterday he read another ten combinations in a roosting flock of 58 on the lagoon.

There was also a Black-throated Diver reported on the this section of river.

Last night was the highest predicted tide of the month and at 4.3 metres they do not come much higher than that unless there is a surge tide as well.  I ventured out to hopefully catch more Redshank in order to individually colour ring them as part of the Orwell Turnover Project.  A chilly night, no moon, cloudy so it was very dark; there was a few light rain showers and light winds at first but by the early hours of morning it was blowing a gale.  Sadly, as usual, there were several people from another walk of life, out lamping for foxes.

Catching was slow at first with most birds being caught in the early hours of the morning.  We were on the marsh for 8 hours and caught 24 birds, that figure may not be high but given the degree of difficulty in catching these birds it was a good nights work.  We colour ringed another 9 Redshank, and caught Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin and Grey Plover.

I can't wait for the next set of tides.

Bar-tailed Godwit

Anna, wrapped up warm, holding a Godwit

The Bar-tailed Godwit just prior to taking flight

River Orwell

At times the Orwell estuary can still produce tranquil moments. I was out surveying again and found a very late reed warbler in a sallow by the soak dyke.

Trimley Reserve

First thing this morning the skies were clear and it was cold, then came the fog followed by sunshine.  We had the first Redwings and Song Thrushes of winter and during the foggy spell we had a small fall of goldcrests.

Male and female Goldcrest

Trimley Reserve

The weather was lovely, chilly at first light then warm sunshine.  Visible migration included at least 400 House martins, a few Swallows, finches were flying over all morning, Jays totalled 38 including a flock of 23.  There were lots of geese and ducks on the reserve; other observations included kingfisher, Buzzard 3, Sparrowhawk and Bearded Tits.

Trimley Reserve

Swallows, House and Sand Martins moving through the site all morning.  Also, there were 20 Jays, a record number, in the bushes by the Visitor Centre.