31st July
At Trimley Marshes this afternoon 12 Black Terns were present on the Reservoir. Other birds of note included 22 Little Terns, 128 Black-tailed Godwits, 36 Avocet, eight Ruff, nine Common Sandpipers and a Turnstone (per Justin).
At Landguard the first Pied Flycatcher of the autumn was present (per LBO web).
30th July
Four Little Egrets flew south past Undercliffe just before 21.00hh. Also a second summer (moulting) and adult Mediterranean Gull were seen with the Pier Gull flock this evening.
29th July
At Trimley Marshes this afternoon two Wood Sandpipers were present on the summer flood along with a Black Tern on the Reservoir. Other birds of note included six Ruff, one Snipe and eight Common Sandpipers (per Justin).
Other birds of note around 'the patch' included five Mediterranean Gulls at Landguard of which three were juveniles.
27th July
A late morning visit to Trimley Marshes produced at least 25 Mediterranean Gulls. I say 'at least' because 25 were on the Orwell Tern Island at the usual day-time roost with a further three birds noted on the reservoir about 10 minutes later. These three birds could have possibly been from the Orwell Island as we did a spot of dragon hunting between the two sightings.This count easily beats my maximum count of these superb Gulls on the 'local patch' which was made last year with PJH on the 26th July when 18 birds were present at the same site. I can remember many years ago when..............(old fart syndrome..!).
Other birds of note seen around the Reserve and nearby River Orwell were juv Marsh Harrier, five Little Egrets, two Greenshank, five Ruff, around six Common Sandpipers, two Green Sandpipers, 54 Avocets and 32 Black-tailed Godwits. Also of note were the numbers of Butterflies, especially Peacocks along The Bund. Perhaps to say clouds of them would be an exaggeration but there were at least a couple of hundred insects on the wing along with good numbers of Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers, Essex Skippers, Speckled Woods and a few Commas and Small Tortoiseshells. Also of note were a couple of Small Red-eyed Damselflies seen from the bridge over the stream on the way to the Reservoir.
26th July
A change of scene this morning with a early morning visit to Levington Creek. Birds of note included three Whimbrel, four Greenshank, four Turnstone, 18 Curlew, 49 Black-tailed Godwits, c120 Golden Plover, two Grey Plover (a juvenile and a smart breeding plumaged adult), 11 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, a moulting second summer Mediterranean Gull, two Little Egrets, a juvenile Marsh Harrier and a Hobby. In addition seven Avocets flew down river.
A couple of views of the Salt Marshes at Levington.
Justin and crew went to Trimley Marshes first thing this morning with their highlights been, nine Mediterranean Gulls, three Little Egrets, nine Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, Whimbrel, two Greenshank, six Ruff, and lots of Small Red-eyed Damselflies.
At Landguard the first two Wheatears of the autumn were noted along with three southbound Yellow Wagtails and a Crossbill. Also of note were three Green Sandpiers south and a Harbour Porpoise lingering offshore (per LBO web).
25th July
A interesting afternoon spent at Trimley Marshes with a spot of 'colour ringed' birding to be had. The first bird of interest was the 'juvenile/imm' Little Egret which was, as im sure you can see colour ringed on both legs. The second bird was an adult male Ruff which had a red leg flag on the left leg and two colour rings on the right leg. Both birds details have been sent to the relevant scheme recorders and I will post the replies when received.
Other birds of note included the eclipse drake/female Garganey, six Little Egrets, eight Mediterranean Gulls, 63 Avocet, 82 Black-tailed Godwits, two Whimbrel, two Greenshank, one Spotted Redshank, nine Ruff, at least nine Common Sandpipers, one Green Sandpiper, a male and juvenile Marsh Harrier, Hobby and a Water Rail. On the Orwell Island good numbers of Terns were noted with at least 11 Little Terns which included some newly fledged birds that the adults were bringing food to.
23rd July
An early afternoon visit to Trimley Marshes produced 12 Mediterranean Gulls on the Orwell Tern Island with a possible additional three birds on the reserve, three Little Egrets, at least six Ruff, five Common Sandpipers, two smart adult summer plumaged Turnstone, two Greenshank, one Spotted Redshank, 31 Common Redshanks (that flew in of the Orwell together), c70 Common Terns, two Sandwich Terns and reasonable numbers of Black-tailed Godwits and Avocets. Interestingly there was a few new immature Avocets around.
While we were at Trimley news can through that Justin had found a Pectoral Sandpiper at Levington Creek. Unfortunatly by the time we got there the tide had started to cover the salt marsh where the bird was leaving only a few waders. Birds present still included a few Golden Plover, Whimbrel and Dunlin. On Levington Lagoon a Little Egret was noted along with a Greenshank.
22nd July
At Trimley Marshes early this afternoon a Spoonbill was noted on the reservoir and a Garganey was seen on 'The Scrape'. Other birds of note included five Ruff, three Greenshank, two Dunlin. 158 Black-tailed Godwits, three Mediterranean Gulls, Green and Common Sandpipers (per Justin).
At Landguard seven Little Egrets flew south and five Mediterranean Gulls were present. The first Willow Warbler of the autumn was also seen (per LBO web).
21st July
No sign of the Pectoral Sanpiper at Trimley today. Birds present this morning included three Ruff and Common Sandpipers, one Greenshank and 30+ Black-tailed Godwits (per Justin).
A sea-watch from Undercliffe this evening from 18.15 to 21.30hh produced a noteworthy count of 97 southbound 'Commic' Terns. I use Commic due to the fact that many groups were just that little bit to distant to be 100% identified. How-ever, amongst the 'in range' Common Terns two Arctic Terns were noted along with six Sandwich and three Little Terns. Other birds of note included a pale phase adult Arctic Skua, three Little Gulls, one adult Mediterranean Gull, four Gannets and a immature Little Egret. Waders were represented by three Turnstone and a Whimbrel.
20th July
Its always excellent value to find a goodie on the local patch but it is even better when you are able to show other people it. Unfortunatley today was not one of those days in that Paul and myself found an adult Pectoral Sandpiper at around 08.40am on 'the scrape' at Trimley Marshes which we watched for a good ten minutes before it disappeared behind the island infront of the hide not to be seen again (at least by mid-day). The light was rubbish for didgy's as you can see (looking straight into the sun).
At least you can see the extent of the pec band and general jizz.
Other birds present throughout the morning included five of both Ruff and Greenshank with probably the same count as well for Common Sandpiper, two Little Egrets, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Whimbrel, 76 Black-tailed Godwits, 48 Avocet, two Snipe and a fly over Crossbill.
19th July
Another early morning spent at Trimley Marshes which was relatively disappointing considering events further north in the County. The highlights were two Little Egrets, an adult Water Rail feeding out in the open, two Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank and two Ruff. Also at least three Common Sandpipers. The Black-tailed Godwit count was however note-worthy with a combined count of 112 birds (on the Reserve and Orwell shore) with the Avocet combined count being 42 birds. It was also good to see good numbers of fledged juvenile Common Terns.
17th July
Around Trimley Marshes late this afternoon the highlights were seven Mediterranean Gulls, two Little Egrets, three Ruff, two Spotted Redshank, one Greenshank, single Turnstone and Dunlin, three Common Sandpipers and a Green Sandpiper. Also reasonable numbers of Avocets and Black-tailed Godwits were noted.
15th July
The view from the Undercliffe Sea-watching lounge and the new Purple Sandpiper wintering grounds being created along Felixstowe Prom. According to various press releases, because of the money been spent it will also serve in some way or form as some sort of sea defence. Its good to see that the local and county councils are spending money on much needed local habitat creation/conservation and protection isn't it.
Having received some text messages from BINs about a reasonable passage of Skuas, Gannets and 'stuff' further north in the County a three and a half hour sea-watch from Undercliffe this evening up to about 21.30hh produced a southbound passage of eight Common Terns, four Sandwich Terns, five Mediterranean Gulls including a juvenile, two Fulmar, three Kittiwakes and three Little Egrets.
13th July
A excellent few hours spent at Trimley Marshes with a few autumn passage waders seen. Birds noted included three Little Egrets, two Hobbys, Marsh Harrier, adult Mediterranean Gull, 47 Avocets, 63 Black-tailed Godwits, four Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, two Ruff, two Green Sandpipers (local patch year tick !) and at least four Common Sandpipers. Its autumn again folks. Good stuff.
Please be on the look out for colour ringed Greenshank. One ringed locally last year has already been seen this autumn. For details see above. Ta.
12th July
An evening seawatch from Undercliffe produced southbound movements of two Little Egrets, three Sandwich Terns, nine Common Terns, two Little Terns and an adult Little Gull.
9th July
The only news today concerns a Bee-eater at Landguard which was seen on and of for a few hours this morning. I must admit to been just a little bit gripped by those who saw this bird. This species and indeed family are amongst my favourite birds and I have been fortunate to have seen 11 species in various parts of the world. They are all cripplers and are a joy to watch.
8th July
A 'flock' of seven Little Egrets flew south past Undercliffe at 21.14hh this evening.
At Landguard two southbound flocks of Crossbills were noted this morning along with a Hobby, Whimbrel and a Black-tailed Godwit (per LBO web). Elsewhere around the patch an Osprey was seen near Loompit Lake just after mid-day (per BINs).
6th July
A very enjoyable few hours spent 'on the patch' at Trimley Marshes this morning with PJH, Ernie and Dave. Highlights were a eclipse drake/adult female (?!) Garganey, first summer female Spotted Redshank, two male Ruff which were still almost in full breeding plumage (a black one and a ginger/black one), male Little Ringed Plover and a first summer Hobby. Reasonable numbers of both Black-tailed Godwits and Avocets were noted as well as an adult Mediterranean Gull, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier and Cuckoo. There was however no sign of the Dragonfly seen by Mick yesterday but the weather was hardly conducive to watching these insects.
Garganey and Avocets.
Elsewhere around 'the patch' a southbound movement of 21 Curlew, nine Whimbrel, three Bar-tailed Godwits and two Grey Plovers was noted at Landguard.
From Undercliffe this afternoon 14 Common Scoter flew south.
5th July
A sea-watch at Landguard produced five Gannets north with a furher 19 birds south. The only other birds of note were 12 Common Scoter. At Trimley Marshes an adult male Little Ringed Plover was present along with singles of Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Little Egret and Marsh Harrier. Other birds of note here were 57 Black-tailed Godwits and 27 Avocet.
Late news for today. A Dragonfly showing features consistant with Lesser Emperor was seen down the Trimley Marshes track/along Trimley Bund late this afternoon by Mick Wright.
4th July
An excellent morning doing a bit of atlas stuff and general duding about on the Orwell. Highlights were juvenile Spotted Flycatchers in the wood that backs on to Trimley Marshes, Hobby over Levington Creek along with a Greenshank and two Little Egrets, adult Mediterean Gull at Loompit Lake, Spotted Redshank and three Knot on Trimley Retreat, another Greenshank , Marsh Harrier, 63 Black-tailed Godwits and two Common Sandpipers at Trimley Marshes and a juvenile and adult Nightingale at Fagbury Cliff. All good stuff and very enjoyable.
3rd July
A few hours spent at Trimley Marshes with PJH produced a couple of 'early returning autumn waders' with singles of both Greenshank and Common Sandpiper present. Around 50 Black-tailed Godwits were seen including some smart adult males still in full breeding plumage as well as 14 Avocet.
2nd July
Late news for yesterday. Four Spoonbills were present at Trimley Marshes at 20.00hh (per EL). Also present were two Knot and a Spotted Redshank. Best of all though a Badger was seen near to the Reserve entrance gate along The Bund late evening.
The second summer Hen Harrier was again seen near Felixstowe Ferry/Kingsfleet this afternoon (WB per BINs).
Early this evening a probable Stork sp seen from my bus home just west of Trimley St Martin at around 17.50hh. Unfortunatley this is as far as this record can go as silhouette views only at about 400 yards with the bird seen almost side on to start with before getting views of it flying away.......and through a grubby bus window. One that got away!
1st July
An evening visit to Levington Creek and broadwalk with Tina. Birds seen included Little Egret, Hobby, a second summer and adult Mediterranean Gull, 12 Curlew, two Avocets, Cuckoo and a Yellow Wagtail. Butterflies of note included Large Skipper and Meadow Brown.
There were a few more 'migrant' waders present but the only species addition from yesterday was an adult Little-ringed Plover. Counts of the others were five Green Sandpipers, nine Common Sandpipers, eight Ruff, six Greenshank, two Spotted Redshank, 32 Black-tailed Godwits, 41 Avocet and two Snipe. Other birds of note included the Common Buzzard, 11 Mediterranean Gulls and four Little Egrets.
At Landguard today the second Suffolk record for Purple Cloud was identified having come to light overnight. Birds of note today included southbound movements of two Arctic Skuas, a Whimbrel, three Grey Plover and a few Sandwich Terns. Birds noted on the Reserve were a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Hobby, a juvenile Black Redstart, Wheatear and a few Willow Warblers.
