Monday 4th October: A grand day out!

 Undeterred by the petrol crisis and threats of blockades to the motorway, we met with brothers Andy and John at mum’s house in Essex and headed off to Suffolk in search of Stone Curlew. Andy knew a site where they gather before migration and where he had found them last year in October, so we were keeping our fingers crossed that we were not too late.

We did not have to walk far before we found some likely looking lumps in the grass, which could have been rabbits or our target birds. We set the scopes up, but the birds had hunkered down and were playing hard to get. We were fairly sure they were Stone Curlew but needed a better view to be 100% certain. We continued a little further and spotted some more promising ‘boulders’ on a grassy bank. A quick check through the telescopes and the birds distinctive marking, yellow staring eye and yellow legs were clearly visible - an excellent result and new annual tick for all of us.

Andy took a photo, attached here;

Stone Curlew

If you think that’s not a brilliant shot, you should see the original unenhanced shot which was a bit like a spot the ball competition!!! Here’s another shot which Andy had taken previously to show what impressive birds they really are;

Other notable sightings included Wheatear, plenty of Stonechat, Skylark, Meadow Pipit and for John, who has only recently started his list, a Rook amongst the Jackdaws and Crows.

Next we moved on to Lackford Lakes, a Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserve. First things first, it was time for tea and cake and a spot of lunch overlooking a small pond and some feeders attracting the usual tit species and common water birds such as Moorhen, Mallard and Mute Swan. With our energy replenished we set out towards the lakes. We had some good views from the first hide, with a variety of winter duck species, including Teal and juvenile or eclipse plumaged Wigeon, Gadwall and Shoveler. A Marsh Harrier was called, and then we saw a Buzzard circling overhead. A few minutes later, the Marsh Harrier drifted across again and we noted longer, thinner wings and tail. 

We continued on towards the next hide, scanning the scrape from a different angle and this time noting a few Snipe scrabbling around on the bank. From a distance they showed as grey, but in the scopes the beautiful striped markings were clearly visible. Suddenly a Kingfisher flashed across and landed in a bush overlooking the water, where it posed for a few minutes.

Kingfisher 

The hide looked across the shallow lake and scrape, but on the opposite side of the path it was possible to view the sailing lake. A Pochard and Great-crested Grebe were visible in the far distance amongst a number of Tufted Duck. As we scanned this water, a Hobby darted into view, twisting and turning as it flew low and at a rapid speed across the lake before disappearing over the trees. Andy had been very keen to tick a Hobby, and this sighting did not disappoint. The bird soon reappeared, putting on an incredible acrobatic display,  hovering motionless  over our heads, then banking away, soaring and diving, talons down as it pursued dragonfly, giving incredible views. Suddenly a second bird appeared and they briefly flew past in formation flight, before splitting in different directions. They are so mobile and very fast, making photography quite tricky, so Tim was pleased to get a reasonable shot. 

Hobby

It was one of those unexpected yet magical birdwatching moments that will live long in my memory and definitely the highlight of the day for me, even though it was not a new tick.

We then moved on to the Eastern Lakes.  Nothing massively exciting was seen here, but a Little Grebe was new for the day and the autumn light caught the colours and subtle patterning of this Cormorant exceptionally well, reminding us that it is so much more than a dull black bird.

Cormorant 

It was a very enjoyable days birding in warm sunshine and with good company in a place I have not previously visited, but would hope to return to. We all had the satisfaction of at least one new bird for the year and John, our new recruit to the family birdwatch team, was very pleased to have ticked 10 new species over the day.