Little Stint and Dunlins

A short video (taken from Bishop's Hide, Cley) Shows the size difference really well.

Final glimpse of Comet Nishimura

Having rounded the Sun, the comet was just visible after sunset last night if you knew exactly where to look. Not the most spectacular of objects, any satisfaction came from simply finding it at all!

Buff-breasted: the video!

Just a short video of yesterday's charming little Yank, showing its distinctive feeding pattern

Bearded Tits at Minsmere

This confiding flock of Beardies fed for ten minutes along the path between the sluice and South Hide. (Actually: I think they were picking up grit - I've watched Beardies doing that at Strumpshaw to help them digest seeds)

Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Minsmere

I just couldn't resist the urge to leave home at dawn and drive south-east for a bash at Suffolk's Buff-breasted Sandpiper. There was little traffic and I was on the public viewing platform by 7.00am. The Sandpiper was temporarily obscured behind some reeds, but soon appeared, allowing some reasonable views despite the early-morning gloom.

As it grew bolder - and nearer - it attracted the attention of a Sparrowhawk, from which it only just escaped, flying off westwards across the scrape. I decided to go and investgate the sluice bushes: these were entirely devoid of birds, but a small flock of Bearded Tits was nice to watch. The South Hide held just a handful of waders, but they were decent ones: Little Stint, Grey Plover and Green Sandpiper. Other interesting birds I came across as I walked round included Spotted Redshank, Common & Curlew Sandpiper, Spoonbill, Great White Egret and Yellow-legged Gull.

After lunch at the Visitors Centre, I walked back round to the platform: the BBS had returned, albeit somewhat further away. This time it was nearly taken by one of three maurauding Hobbies: leading a charmed life, it escaped once more and flew towards South Hide.

As I left a very confiding Water Vole entertained a large gallery at the dipping pool...

Quick visit to Cley & Potter Heigham

Linda needed to drop off some of her wax wraps at Cley Visitor Centre, so we took a quick walk to Bishop's and then out along the East Bank. What a contrast to yesterday: last night's heavy rain had raised water levels, causing most of the waders to disperse! We did see a few Little Egrets and the first Pinkfeet of the Autumn, while a scan of Snipe's Marsh revealed two Green Sandpipers.

Later on I took a walk all the way around Potter Heigham Marsh: no sign of the reported Cattle Egrets, but a flock of Cranes was noteworthy.

Après Nous le Déluge

With horrendous rain forecast, and with today being the only day when Brian & Norman were free, we met early and headed north. First stop was great Ryburgh, where, despite locating the only cattle in the area, we couldn't see any of the reported fifteen Cattle Egrets.

Carrying on to Cley we settled in Bishop's Hide for half an hour, hoping the distant calidrid flock would come nearer: it didn't, so we walked out along the East Bank. The Long-billed Dowitcher was visible distantly (asleep!) on Arnold's with its habitual flock of Godwits and a solitary Spoonbill. Several Little Egrets, but nothing much to get excited about until the Godwits took off and flew towards Pat's Pool. The Dowitcher was then easy to pick out, especially when it assumed the lead!

After coffee we returned to Bishop's: no sign of the Dowitcher, but two cute Little Stints were great to see. Half a dozen Pintail and a well-marked Ruff were also noteworthy.

Returning home via Great Ryburgh, we finally located the Cattle Egrets: unfortunately the grass was so long - and they were so distant - that photography was virtually impossible. (I did manage one 'peek-a-boo' shot!)

Beautiful dawn sky with comet!

Since I was up and about at 04.30, I decided to take advantage of a near-cloudless sky, driving out to a high point on the Heath with a clear eastern horizon. The Moon and Venus were a beautiful bright pair, while Orion, Jupiter and Taurus rivalled them for sheer impact! Interesting to watch a bright star in the constellation Cancer emerge from behind the Moon...

I could just make out Comet Nishimura in between a couple of thin cloud banks, managing a single photo before the sky clouded over completely...

Great gig at the Blues Bar

Despite the thirty two degree temperature yesterday afternoon, a good crowd turned up to dance and sing along to three fabulous hours of rock and blues. Many thanks to all of you for yet another enthusiastic welcome to Lowestoft: special thanks to Tim's delightful friends Andy & Sally-Ann who took the photos!

September wildlife survey, Hemblington Church

Linda and I had been gently persuaded to act as marshals for a sponsored bike ride that staged at the Church, so I decided to combine my shift with the September survey. With temperatures in the low thirties I wasn't too sanguine about seeing either riders or birds, but in fact there were enough of the latter to make the 90 minutes pass quite quickly. (Although only two riders appeared during my stint!)