Autumn on the Local Patch

 

ROBIN

Autumn is a quiet time on the Patch, as after summer ends a hush descends on the hedgerows and fields and barely a sound is heard. I wish I  could say that some record marked the change of the seasons but late Summer just merged into Autumn, with an arbitrary moving of seasons placed from the middle of August. Its a time of skulking warblers and post breeding flocks of resident species, with nothing of note to excite the senses.

Bales of straw 

I don't particularly like Autumn. Although its probably the best time for bird watching, this is countered by the shorter days, those days becoming colder and a slow dying disease that infects the land. Although this is the peak migration period there were no bird sightings of any note, which was a bit disappointing, but you know - blurgh.

STOAT mother carrying one of her kits across the road.

The most interesting record of the period was of a STOAT mother on the 22/8. By where the car prevention ditch is on Old Norwich Road, the stoat mother was seen carrying one of her kits across the road. She then ran back to collect another of her young, although this time she had to narrowly dodge a cyclist hurtling down the hill. Its a good record to witness, but also one to prove that this mammal is breeding in the area. Stoats are one of those mammals used to living in modern Britain, they are around in the countryside, its just they have evolved to evade people, and we only notice them when they are literally under our feet. Other mammal records from this period include several sightings of single ROE DEER and BROWN HARE. Its always interesting when mammals outdo the birds, when there are so few of them in our country.

She moved so fast it was difficult photographing her. She came out better than expected but still a bit out of focus

Sometimes its interesting to see migration in force. Being an inland site, sometimes there's no real evidence of birds on the move. However on the 14/9 a weather depression forced low some SWALLOWS over the Suffolk Punch Field, the birds swirling all around my head with around 20 present. They were acting like this as the poor weather forced the insects they were feeding on to fly low. Feeding on the permanent grassland of this field there were more insects present here than on the surrounding arable fields, which have few insects having been sprayed with insecticides, with the ground ploughed and destroyed, so are less beneficial to birds. Arable fields in general are poor for wildlife.

You can tell stoats from weasels by the size - stoats are surprisingly big - and also stoats have a black tip to their tail

Perhaps the most noticeable of the birds this season is the GOLDFINCH, which is bucking the trend, and whose numbers are holding up. They are lovely birds of browns, blacks and yellows, with their distinctive red face. At this time of year small flocks are present, made up of local post breeding birds with sometimes up to 30 present. They announce themselves with a delightful tinkering sound, unique to this bird, as they fly in a group to the top of a hedgerow tree before flying off again.

BLUE TIT

SKYLARKS have had a decent season with 32 present on Lark Field on 25/10, the highest number of the year. Its interesting as I have heard several already starting to sing, fooled by the fact that weather-wise all the seasons are becoming enmeshed into one. Its fairly obvious why I have named this field after that bird, as it is always the best place for skylarks on the Patch throughout the year, in summer or winter. There's nothing special about the site to the eye, its just a large prairie arable field which falls downslope and forms the eastern border of the area I call the Patch.

Autumn colours on the Patch

I visited the Patch a lot during this period and didn't see much. The Patch is pretty poor for birds, but being a "normal" area of the countryside, a hodge podge of commercial farmland with no particular management for wildlife, its like a barometer for the state of our birds. And so whilst poor compared to somewhere like Minsmere it still manages to harbour birds, they live and breed here and call it a home. There are lots of resident birds I see all the time but don't  really note otherwise the blog would become repetitive and boring. The Patch is an area of countryside I know so well now, having visited it regularly over seven years, I know its movements over the seasons and the comings and goings of its birds, a time I have invested so now its a part of me. So as always, I recommend going out to the countryside and finding a Patch of your very own, one that forms a connection with your soul.

RED NECKED GREBE on the Orwell - 13/11/2020

The Orwell from Stoke Sailing Club

With the second lock down currently in execution things were getting frustrating for me, I was just sitting around at home and not doing anything. However one of the best things about this lockdown, was that we were still allowed to travel for exercise, and, well, what's better exercise than birding? So I took a short trip south down the river Orwell, a twenty minute drive to a picturesque hamlet called Fresden, parked, and then indulged in a small walk to the river. From there I came to see my quarry, a RED NECKED GREBE on the river.

I knew the bird was present, because these days the internet is full of news of the scarce and rare birds present everywhere. The bird was loitering on the river, seen from the Stoke Sailing Club, but it was distant and difficult to find. The river is large at this point, long and wide. After some time looking through my scope I eventually found the bird, it was clear and distinct and showed features of the species. The main confusion species is the great crested grebe, a common bird of large lakes and the sea, and there was one present today, but the red necked grebe, was smaller, and dumpier and its yellow bill was very obvious .

RED NECKED GREBE

RED NECKED GREBES aren't a rarity in Suffolk, but with maybe five or so recorded in the county every year its definitely scarce and worth catching hold of when one's about. There were two other people present having a look, a bit of chitter chatter about birds, but apart from that I was pretty much alone, enjoying the peace of the place.

This being a wild and remote area there were plenty of other birds about as well. The tide levels were slowly falling and as a result there were plenty of WADERS feeding on the mud. This area isn't popular with people so the birds were undisturbed and were allowed to roost without someone scaring them away, and the bane of all bird watchers, the run away dog. Lots of REDSHANK, BLACKWIT, OYSTERCATCHER, DUNLIN and TURNSTONE were all present, lots of different plumages and bird sizes on the mud. On the river there were a couple of GOLDENEYE and a female RED BREASTED MERGANSER was also present, your typical estuarine ducks.

Just a little summary of a short time out birding, a pause to catch a breath of fresh air in a rather stale time for me. I really recommend bird watching as a form of exercise and a way to soothe mental health, things in desperate need in these times. Because being out there in the country, among nature is something we crave but it gets buried under all the demands of the modern lifestyle. Its such a simple activity to enjoy, birds are everywhere, you just need a pair of bins to bring it to life. And of course you don't need to go out chasing that rare bird, just do whatever feels best.

Minsmere - 4/11/2020

Female STONECHAT

With lockdown being enforced upon the country for a second time, the rush was on to get to Minsmere before the reserve was shut down, which it was the next day. I have to say Minsmere is my favourite reserve, and being kept away for Spring and most of Summer felt difficult, as it was for a lot of people kept away from their special place by the first lockdown. I need my birdwatching fix, its a spiritual thing unexplainable in its way, more than just a hobby.

Resting ducks on East Scrape

The reserve was quiet, both for birds and with the still weather there was a hush on the land. There was a quietness from all the bushes and trees, an absence of birds from the land at the moment. It was a lovely sunny day, with the water so still  it was like a mirror, creating reflections of the birds present on the Scrape.

The mild weather in the end proved to be the wrong type for attracting the birds in. In birdwatching, hard weather is needed to push birds in from Europe to the UK, because as difficult as it is to believe, the UK has milder weather than the continent. If the weather is too mild the birds stay in Europe, having to fly less distance from their breeding grounds. If the weather is hard in Europe, the birds flock here. This time of year can feel a bit like a lull, an inbetween time, a time after Autumn migration ends and a time before winter begins.

LAPWINGS on South Scrape

At this time of year the standout birds are the DUCKS, with lots present on the Scrape and other wetland areas. TEAL were present in the largest numbers with decent number of GADWALL, SHOVELLER and WIGEON also present. The males of these species are all very colouful, many bright luminous combinations which really enliven a winter's day.

South of the Scrape the North Levels were flooded but there weren't any ducks present, just a large flock of BARNACLE GEESE. A GREAT WHITE EGRET was seen here, in flight over the flooded grasslands.

Male SHOVELLER, a beautiful mix of colours on its plumage

WADERS are usually only present in small numbers in winter, and today there were only singles of BLACKWIT, SNIPE, TURNSTONE, REDSHANK and CURLEW. The lack of birds of this type is down to high water levels on the Scrape in winter, resulting in there being no mud for them to feed on. If you want to see big numbers of waders, it would be best to view one of the many estuaries on our coast.

The Scrape was given the free reign for KONIK PONIES to graze the area. These are hardy beasts, not caring about wading through the shallow waters of the Scrape. Their grazing provides the best way of maintaining the area for wintering ducks, and eventually next year's waders, keeping the long grass down and creating lots of muddy little habitats with their hooves. Its a lot cheaper as a form of management, and easier than being worked on by man. These animals are very iconic, close to their wild, extinct ancestors as it is as possible to be, and very much  part of the fauna as any bittern or marsh harrier.

KONIK PONIES graze the Scrape

The small birds are always interesting at this time of year, their energy is always delightful compared to the rather static and sleepy waterfowl on the Scrape. In the Stone Curlew Field, the area of acid grassland near North Marsh, there was a flock of 50 GOLDFINCH, which was harried by a SPARROWHAWK. The flock swirled with the hawk, as  the bird attacked, often at times flying after the raptor, so it was difficult to tell who was chasing who. A pair of STONECHAT were in this area, whilst a further three were seen near the Sluice Bushes. There were two DARTFORD WARBLERS, one behind East Hide and one behind the Public Viewpoint, always perched on some bush, present long enough to entice me to get my camera out, but not long enough to stay as soon as I focused on to it. Finally there were a couple of BEARDED TITS in the reeds around the Konik Fields.

WIGEON are most common on South Scrape

For a day out in Minsmere it was fairly quiet, as you can see there was not much to report in this blog. As I finish writing about Minsmere I must end on a sad note. It makes me sad to learn that my most favourite place in the world is soon to be destroyed. With Sizwell C nuclear power station to be built, to the south of Minsmere one of the best nature reserves in Europe will be irreversibly damaged. Unfortunately with the momentum behind it now, it looks very likely to be built. As much as the RSPB gets right, it left it too late to dispute a development that will never be carbon neutral. A development that is not needed, that will cause so much damage is crazy in an enlightened world.

Pensthorpe - 23/10/2020

Female SMEW

Situated in the Wensum valley, an internationally important chalk stream, Pensthorpe Nature Park, encompasses a range of habitats that form a largish nature reserve. From dry and wet woodland, water meadows, a scrape and lakes the place proves to be an attractive back drop to a couple of hours bird watching. However in addition to the more natural surroundings the park also contains formal gardens and captive wildfowl, things a bit different to  your usual bird reserve. This would also prove to be the last visit of my holiday in North Norfolk, so it feels a little sad to be writing about it now. But Pensthorpe was a good place to end on.

AVOCET, Wader Aviary

As a nature reserve Pensthorpe isn't as good as a lot of the birding sites nearby in North Norfolk, so I seldom visit much. I often pass by the reserve on the way to Cley and don't really have the time to visit in the time allowed and in fact this is only the second time I've visited the place. Its only with an extended stay in North Norfolk that I eventually had the time to go.

Traditional LONG HORNED CATTLE graze the water meadows

The main attention of the reserve is mainly drawn to the lakes and the scrape. The lakes are the usual gravel pits, with reedy and wooded edges, whilst the scrape is a small body of shallow water and islands whose water levels today were relatively high today.

TURTLE DOVES, Wader Aviary

The lakes had a scattering of TUFTED DUCK, COOT and GADWALL, the usual gravel pit birds in small numbers. Elsewhere, on the scrapes there were around 50 TEAL. An early female GOLDENEYE on Old Squaw Lake, was the first in for the winter. There were also around 40 EGYPTIAN GEESE on site as well. And finally there was a BLACK SWAN on the Wensum Wetland, an obvious escapee, as they come from Australia, but I'm guessing it didn't escape from Pensthorpe.

FLAMINGO

Its not really for the wild birdwatching that you visit Pensthorpe. The grounds are beautifully landscaped with its many formal gardens. However its the captive birds and the way they are presented that entices the nature lover. The Wader Aviary is simply inspirational. Inside there are large numbers of native birds, some quite rare, that are literally within arm's reach. What would in the wild be difficult to photograph, are handily just a few metres away. To see a CORNCRAKE strolling around in front of you is worth the admission fee alone. Its this that makes Pensthorpe worth going to.

REDSHANK

Elsewhere there were captive CRANES, RED SQUIRRELS, FLAMINGOES and DUCKS. The flamingoes looked in pretty grot condition it has to be said, looking shabby in a muddy pond. In various enclosures and on two lakes there were various ducks and geese from around the world, including that favourite the nene, the Hawaiian goose, a bird I've seen in the wild. For the cranes, there was a hide which looked over their pens, with each different window overlooking a different species of bird, a nice imaginative touch. And the red squirrels had a large cage to roam about in.

EURASIAN CRANE

A relatively quiet end to my time in North Norfolk, but a nice one. I've been wanting to revisit this place for a long time, without really having the time to. If you ever get a chance to visit its a good place, although not  having the sort of birdlife you have elsewhere in Norfolk. If you're in need of some decent photos of rare UK birds though this is the place to go.

Sculthorpe Moor - 20/10/2020

GREAT TIT

On the way back from Snettisham I decided to have a look at Sculthorpe Moor, a delightful little reserve near Fakenham. This is a small reserve owned by the Hawk and Owl Trust, but with new acquisitions the reserve has almost been quadrupled in size. However the Virus has put any expansion on hold so it was only the main, small part of the reserve that was open. As is often the case with certain places, for example Lackford Lakes, although it may not the be best reserve to see something unusual, it makes up for it by being great for photography.

The reserve has a good example of what is called habitat succession, which is a term for the change in the habitats when they are left to be overgrown naturally. This in theory, starts with water, which gets invaded by reeds and fen, which itself gets invaded by willows and alders which form wet woodland, to eventually end up becoming dry woodland consisting of oak trees. This variety of different habitats adds to the number of birds present.

A smart male BULLFINCH

Despite being owned by the Hawk and Owl Trust most of the focus was on the smaller birds, and with such a variety of habitats there were plenty about. In the dry woodland a nice BULLFINCH was present, a beautiful red chested bird, a species that although common, is scarce enough to savour. There were also several NUTHATCHES here sometimes feeding on the feeders. Feeders are a big feature of the reserve, they are literally everywhere, and think what you will about this, it attracts the birds and it makes it great for photography.

Male BRAMBLING, this is a northern version of our chaffinches, that winters here in variable numbers.

Moving down to the wet woodland, there was a huge flock of GOLDFINCHES, with a TREECREEPER underneath, doing what it does best, creeping up a tree.

The best hide on the reserve is the Tower Hide, a viewing box elevated up in the trees, and on the feeders were a BRAMBLING and a MARSH TIT. This place has to be one of the best for seeing brambling, the birds are often within arms distance feeding on a bird table. Again, although not rare the brambling can at times be quite scarce, I sometimes go long periods between seeing them.

TREECREEPER

On the path to the final hide there was a flock of ten SISKINS in the alders, new for the winter whilst from the hide, which overlooks some small pools in the reeds, there was a male STONECHAT perched on the reed fronds.

With an increase in size, this reserve will be promoted from a place you visit on the way to and from some other reserve, to a destination in itself. Its a cracking little reserve, obviously well cared for and good for taking pics of some good birds. For an inland site it has a lot of rare habitats and for a place in an industrialised agricultural landscape its a beacon for birds.

Snettisham - 20/10/2020

For such a nature deprived country, certain places in these isles can still pack in the wildlife spectaculars. Our estuaries are the envy of the rest of Europe, attracting millions of birds to our shores. However it can be difficult to really appreciate the sheer number of birds that inhabit these areas. On our largest estuary, the Wash, which was the focal point of today's visit, and specifically at the RSPB reserve of Snettisham, there was a WADER SPECTACULAR like no other.

On certain high tides the exposed mud, and the hundreds and thousands of birds that feed on it, gets covered by the water. As this happens all the many birds present get pushed further and further towards land, forming huge swirling flocks as they do so. The number of birds can be quite staggering when seen in real life. And as the final areas of mud are covered up the birds fly over the sea wall to roost on the gravel pits inland.

To witness the spectacular, tide heights have to be right. If they are too low, there is still enough mud exposed for the birds to roost on. This has happened to me many a time, turning up at the reserve only for the tides no to be right and failing to witness the spectacular, the waders remaining distant. The tides have to be high enough and today the tide was just right, which meant a visit to Snettisham for seven in the morning, with the high tide somewhere before nine.

Walking from the car park, I hit the sea wall, and the tide was still quite some way off. I was wondering if today was going to be another bust, like so many before. I headed down to the furthest gravel pit, near the far hides. People had already packed the area with as many as 150 people present. The tide came in deceptively slowly, but even with half an hour to go, there was still a lot of mud left out there.

With the incoming tides came the swirling murmarations of  WADERS, distant at first on the water's edge, but coming in closer with the tide, as the water's edge came closer. In the distance the wildfowler's guns went off as the birds gradually came in. With such an awesome spectacle it felt pedantic to separate the individual species, but KNOT were there in the largest numbers, unimpressive singly, a grey bird, but amazing in a flock thousands strong.

And as the tide completely covered the mudflats the thousands of waders, now so close, murmarated high above our heads, and the birds with nowhere else to go flew onto the gravel pits behind.

The new hide, built since I was last year, wasn't your typical hide, it had seats created like a terrace, with large glass windows open to the gravel pits, which made almost like watching a play, allowing the watcher to just admire the spectacle of the many birds there. The gravel pit banks were coloured grey by huge numbers of knot, the birds packed in tightly as one entity

At high tide the KNOT would roost on the gravel pits on the other side of the sea wall.

When looking at the news later on that day, it was reported that the roost today held record numbers of KNOT, that 140,000 of that species was present. Yes that's one hundred and forty thousand birds present. What a time to be a birdwatcher!

After a couple of hours, emotionally spent I left the reserve, knowing full well that I have achieved another tick from the bucket list, that I had witnessed something unique in the birdwatcher's world. I often say this, but really do consider visiting this spectacular, everyone should witness this, it truly is a spectacle. Witnessing this may help people appreciate the true awesome of nature, as something that can't be tamed by humanity as a force of good in the world.