Eastern Yellow Wagtail puts end to poor Autumn

Eastern Yellow Wagtail 

 Eastern Yellow Wagtail 

Bearded Tit

Snow Bunting

Through the marshes

Snow Bunting

Wagtail crowd waiting

I've found this Autumn particularity frustrating with the pits being under water and very poor counts, whilst birds I've wanted to see elsewhere haven't stuck around. On top of this we have had the Lesser Kestrel and Paddyfield Pipit ID saga ongoing. We haven't had enough good days this year with the car full of friends, good birding taking in a rarity with good coffee or a pint pending time of day.

After doing the pits on Saturday, 3 Pochard were the only birds of note, I spent the afternoon researching the family tree and debating a jolly out on Sunday. Norfolk appeared favourite yet the reported Eastern Wagtail in Suffolk looked feasible as a pattern of it's appearance certainly gave hope.

Walberswick is a solid 3 hours 45 minutes from home so I was expecting a long day behind the wheel. However if I scored early there were a number of other local sites I could explore including Minsmere.

The journey was long despite being free moving. Parked up I duly headed towards the coast starting on heath land before the marsh started which then edged into shingle beach, where the Wagtail had been seen.

As I edged past the Windmill there was a flock of Bearded Tits pinging their alarm call. I'd never seen so many together. There must a have been a deer moving the reeds that was setting them all off. I managed to get a couple of photos but it wasn't easy as they were swinging on the reeds.

There wasn't any problem tracking down the Snow Buntings as I picked a couple up straight away when reaching the beach. This flock of about twenty were around the whole day feeding within 20 yards on many occasions.

The Wagtail had flown south an hour before I arrived and it was case of staying patient and hope that it returned. Whilst waiting I noted a Great White & Little Egret, 2 Snipe, 5 Dunlin, Great Black-backed Gulls, Meadow Pipits, Snipe, a Yellow Wagtail(my latest ever) and flocks of Wigeon on the sea.

After three hours of waiting my patience was wearing thin in all honesty. It was cold and I was ready for something warm to eat and drink. Just as I had the thought of "I'll give it ten more minutes" the Eastern Yellow Wagtail duly landed on the front edge of the pool showing well before heading to the grass to feed & fly catch. There was in all honesty very little yellow showing in it's current plumage, the upperparts were dark grey and underparts whiteish with a hint of yellow. Its dark ear coverts & dark lores which are the reported diffences to a Yellow Wagtail. It's call was a stand out difference being loud and raspy. 

Just after being completely satisfied with my observation the bird took flight again south down the coast. 

Bearded Tits in winter sunshine

Male Bearded Tit

Reed Bunting

Male Bearded Tit

 A welcome sign after a number of road closures

Common Buzzard on way home

A chance to visit Westhay Moor was taken up recently on the Somerset levels. The levels were already flooded in places despite there only being one sicfifiant down pour. There were plenty of Starlings feeding on any areas of grass that was not flooded however the main attraction was ahead at the reserve.

Unfortunately the weather was too windy however as I waited for the star performers a Bittern took flight over our heads, always a great sight. Despite hearing a number of Bearded Tits they were just teasing us until a single male came into view on the boardwalk. Up to 24 have been seen together in this location however I can to settle for just three sightings in total all very brief. I managed to snap a Reed Bunting that was taking advantage of the seed, thankfully Brian Thompson kindly forwarded a couple of amazing images for use on the blog.

Summer stop at RSPB Lakenheath

  

It was destination Suffolk for our family holiday so it would be rather rude not to stop in at RSPB Lakenheath. Despite it being the middle of August with little wader movement we all had an enjoyable walk around the reserve. 

The first notable sighting was a Kingfisher who took flight by the new Mere Hide.I managed to hear Bearded Tits but did not see any of these masked beauties. We got lucky from the furthest viewpoint as a Bittern took flight as we arrived. Over head Common Terns and Marsh Harriers could be seen without forgetting the F15 fighters from the local American Airforce base.

On the walk back along the river there was a stunning Great White Egret and 2 Little Egrets. 

Beardies, Kites, Hares and Egret

Cattle Egret (Digiscoped)

Otmoor

Fieldfare (Digiscoped)

Bearded Tit (Thanks to Pete Walkden)

Taking to the air

Hare (to left of path)

Red Kite (Digiscoped)

Cattle Egret Video (Digiscoped)

In need of fresh air and a day birding (having endured cocktails and "Strictly Come Dancing" the night before for the wife's birthday) I got up early and headed south east hoping to avoid the very poor weather forecast. Travelling just over an hour down the M40 I headed to east of Steeple Claydon to try and see the long staying Cattle Egret. The bird was showing well on the front right side of the farm. The rain at this time was pouring down so I watched the bird as well as I could from a distance and tried to get a record shot and mini video through my scope.

I then headed to RSPB Otmoor, thankfully I'd read up on directions as signage was non existent. The reserve was superb and their were volunteers who were very kind in offering advice of where to walk. Despite the forecast the rain stopped. From the car park I headed towards the reserve passing scrub land which had good numbers of Fieldfare, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, Tits, Bullfinches and Chaffinches. The feeders at the top were especially busy with birds awaiting their turn. 

In front on me was pasture land that was flooded (having not visited this reserve before there may always be some small lakes and scrapes in this area). Starlings flew in their hundreds looking for feeding opportunities. The hedgerows were simply full of birds all the way up the patch. The paths were in remarkable good condition given all the rain which was really pleasing. The top field was full of Lapwing, Teal, Wigeon and Canadian Geese. Ruff had been reported but I was unable to locate any. After a session there I headed to the first screen area where a viewing area was being built. I was told by a local that the summer Hobbies in this area are awesome to watch.  The lake ahead of me contained Gadwell, Pochard, Tufted Ducks and good number of Shoveller. A flock of around 400 Golden Plover took flight on regular occasion giving great views.

With time getting on I thought I'd have one more look through the scope and as I turned to check the area on my right a bird flew quickly and then perched towards the top of a reed. As a focused the scope I could see it was a Bearded Tit. The bird then took an undulating flight to the next reed bed but it was easy to note the distinctive long tail. Happy days ! Just needed a Bittern fly pass for a perfect visit but couldn't manage that however I watched two separate Red Kites hunt on the edge of the reserve. As I headed back to the car park a Hare appeared in from of me clearly trying to find some dry land. 

I can say for certain Otmoor is most definitely worth a visit at any time of year !