Spring on the River Gipping Lakes - South Section

Nesting GREAT CRESTED GREBE, Barham Pit B

 



This post focuses on the southern section of the area, following the river Gipping as it winds its way south of Pipps Ford down to Claydon, passing several lakes. It also includes the Suffolk Water Park, a lake on its own separate from the other lakes in the area.

There is a rare breeds farm in the area - this HIGHLAND COW was having a good old scratch

 



When I was a young bird watcher, twenty years ago, a feature of Spring was seeing the hundreds of SWALLOWS, SWIFTS AND HOUSE & SAND MARTINS migrating over the local reservoirs. They would form huge flocks, as they caught insects on the wing, reminding me of a mosquito swarm. Nowadays when I visit the local lakes the number of those birds that I see are pitiful. Destruction of breeding habitat and hunting on their migration routes have all taken their toll in a way that is unsustainable. For a nature lover every time something positive happens, something bad always takes their place.

GREY WAGTAIL

 

The majority of the lakes in this area are fishing pits generally closed off from the general public, and we have to rely on the public footpaths that meander along the river. These usually give a good view of the lakes, so its not too bad.
As is typical of such lakes there are pairs of SWAN, GREAT CRESTED GREBES and COOT on most of them. Barham Pit B and Causeway Lake had single pairs of GADWALL, whilst Barham Pit A had a pair of TUFTED DUCK. Slim pickings indeed.

GREAT CRESTED GREBE

 

The River Gipping is a very fertile river, with clear water that has a lot of fish in it, especially near the locks you can see them gathering under the water. In areas where the river slows down reeds grow in profusion and REED WARBLERS sing from them.
The two locks, at Causeway Lake and Great Blakenham, have GREY WAGTAILS present. The ones at Great Blakenham feed on a stony beach in the river, giving good opportunities for photography.

GREY WAGTAIL

 

The marshy area of Barham Pit A provides habitat for CETTI'S WARBLER, the bird belting out its song, with a couple of birds present at the Suffolk Water Park and Bramford Meadows.
The causeway between Meadlands Lake and Barham Pit A is a good place for BULLFINCHES its one of the best sites in the area. This is always a scarce bird, and even an active bird watcher like myself has difficulties finding them, but when I do its great because they are such a beautiful bird.
A pair of BLUE TIT are nesting in the fishing lodge in the Suffolk Water Park.

Some more ducks from the rare breeds farm -  I will visit the place, but that is for another post.

As is fairly obvious this is not a great bird watching area, but that doesn't matter, its not about finding that rarity. Sometimes its just great to be out in the countryside, to walk a lovely area, and it is lovely indeed. For inland Suffolk with its acres of featureless arable, the River Gipping has so many different habitats, attracting the odd bird in turn. I hope it gets better protection, because to me its a special place, a wild place.