Pipps Ford - 4/1/2020

After the excitement of Boyton and Hollesley Marshes (see previous blogs) things came crashing down to earth at Pipps Ford. There were birds about, but the quarry area, usually the focal point was devoid of any life.

 

I had nothing to photograph today, so no photos (again)

 



Stand out bird, no the only bird, was a BRENT GOOSE. It was an interesting sighting so far from the nearest estuary, maybe the first ever sighting in the Gipping Valley, it looked so lost grazing on its own.

The Pipps Ford complex is a working quarry in the River Gipping area, as well as some small lakes. There was plenty of water after last winter's drought conditions, but it didn't translate into birds. On River Farm Pit there was the family party of MUTE SWANS with the three juveniles almost raised to adulthood, a couple of CROMARANTS, but its a tiny lake so doesn't attract too much.

It was on Pippins Lake that there was most activity. This small, tree bordered lake held 35 GADWALL, which is above average for a winter flock here, as well as 10 WIGEON, which is my first record for the Pipps Ford area.

A GREEN SANDPIPER was seen feeding on a muddy puddle in the quarry area and a GREY WAGTAIL flying over the river was the only other interesting sighting.

Oh well you can't have it all. I suppose an inland Suffolk like this, can't really stand up to RSPB reserves specially managed for bird life. Still I'm going to keep coming back because this is one of my local sites and the flow of nature here fascinates me. With all this mud it may be an interesting Spring, both for breeding and passage waders. Keep reading to find out.