It was a very similar day two years ago, I was standing on the cliffs at Bempton, E. Yorkshire in a gusty wind laden with drizzle and a temperature of barely 13C. That day, I was unsuccessful in seeing my first Black-browed Albatross. Today I joined the throng of birders already present at 5-00 am and the Albatross had not been seen, either on the cliffs, in flight or sitting on the sea. All things it had been seen to do on the previous day. This Black-browed Albatross is thought to have been wandering around the North Sea for a considerable time, possibly several years. It is seen off the coast of Germany for long periods and again off Denmark. A couple of hours passed uneventfully and although this Albatross would put up with any weather thrown at it, the Puffins seemed reluctant to fly and then landing was a problem. The Gannets were having similar difficulties, getting the balance right for landing. Inevitably, there comes a moment when you have to re-assess the situation - has the Albatross gone, flying off in the darkness? Is it tucked away out of sight on a cliff? A mass movement in the crowd on an adjacent watchpoint indicated the Albatross was here and was on the move! My first glimpse of this huge bird was when it flew North, pursued by a Herring Gull. What a wingspan! We were putting up with awful conditions but the Black-browed Albatross cruised past in leisurely fashion. It remained on its course and disappeared from my view at this watchpoint. Returning to the first watchpoint, I was able to spend more time with this magnificent bird as it settled for a short while among the Gannets. The Albatross left the cliff for another fly around and I decided to leave Bempton too, as it wasn't getting any warmer.
Will I see another Black-browed Albatross in my lifetime? I don't know, but I will certainly remember this wonderful part of nature. I said previously I would re-visit the Little Tern colony on the beach where we are staying, setting out early on a fine morning. The breeding colony of Little Terns numbers around 120 birds at the moment. The colony is fenced off and patrolled daily by RSPB wardens. Without going near the fenced area, I settled down on the shingle beach, close to the sea where many of the terns rested, away from their nesting partners. The terns were seen to fly out to sea, returning with a sand-eel which they often passed to their mate. I was told by the wardens that young terns were expected to hatch by the weekend. The 'safe' breeding area attracts other species such as the Ringed Plover which is nesting in the shingle also. An Oystercatcher was nesting there too and, for the first time, a pair of Avocets had bred and produced three chicks. The Avocets were good news as they can be very aggressive, helping to deter unwanted crows or large gulls at the tern colony.
As we continue our week in Suffolk, it was time to find my two target birds - Hobby and Nightjar. I chose an area we had seen earlier in the week, close to Dunwich named Westleton Heath. On a short walk along the track (above), we first found a family of Stonechats with several young birds being fed, among the gorse bushes. The female Stonechat. Woodlarks could be heard singing and at least four flew around, perching in small birch trees. A Cuckoo flew over the heath and a Jay appeared twice during the walk. It wasn't long before our Hobby appeared, the day had been warm and dragonflies were in the air, providing the Hobby's food supply. With swift dives the Hobby took dragonflies mostly at low level, rising up to eat them on the wing as they do. The Hobby was watched for about ten minutes, giving a wonderful aerobatic display as it plucked dragonflies from the sky. While watching the Hobby, I was hearing the short 'cherrr' of Dartford Warblers, coming from more than one location. This was an extra treat, having only had a glimpse of one at Dunwich. Close to where I stood, a pair of Dartford Warblers were feeding their young. The adults were in and out of a dense bush constantly. The male Dartford Warbler. One of the juvenile warblers emerging. The quest for Nightjars was a different matter altogether. It was nearing 10-00pm, there was little light left in the sky and a full moon was rising over Dunwich heath. Calls from Nightjars came from at least three birds and the wait began. I was aware that I was becoming cold very quickly and it wasn't long before I returned to the car. The car's temperature display was showing 6C, a dramatic drop in temperature once the sun was down. Maybe this was why the Nightjars were not active and I'll have to leave it, for another time.
Well it seemed a good idea a few weeks ago when we booked a short Summer break, in a new area for us in Suffolk. Our second day here, mid-summer's day and it's 14C blowing a North-Easterly with frequent rain showers. Not really ideal for some of the bird species I am hoping to encounter, such as Hobbies and Nightjars - a distinct lack of flying insects is quite apparent in these temperatures. Our base is in Kessingland, a few miles South of Lowestoft. With a cottage overlooking the sea, passing Herring Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gulls have made up the only marine species here so far. There are a wide expanse of dunes before the shingle beach and one of us is extremely happy with the surroundings. The dunes have many paths criss-crossing them, well visited by people and I'm happy to let Ellie run free as there are virtually no birds around. A little further up the beach, it's a different story with a very important Little Tern colony. I have 'scoped it from a distance and can see many Little Terns actively flying around. I may visit the area later in the week. Walking the dunes you come across a section of low cliffs. Sand Martins are breeding here and appear to be doing very well. Young martins were observed in many of the nest-holes, with two or three birds waiting for food. This morning, we went to Dunwich Heath (National Trust), a large swathe of heather, gorse and other heathland plants, also on the coast. With the weather as previously described, we set off for a 3-mile walk and anything was going to be a bonus! Halfway across the heath, we came across another couple who had heard a Dartford Warbler singing and, almost immediately I heard a brief song from within the gorse. Despite hanging around for a few minutes, this bird didn't appear and we walked on. A little further we came across a bright male Stonechat and the occasional Chiffchaff called from treetops. Then, there was a loud 'cherrr' and a Dartford Warbler flew from a bush, crossing the path we were on and disappearing into some more gorse. I have seen many Dartford Warblers in Portugal and it didn't dawn on me immediately that this was an addition to my British List, having not visited a suitable area before now!! In the wooded areas, Chaffinches were mostly seen, a Garden Warbler showed almost long enough for the camera and the occasional Treecreeper was heard. The afternoon was spent close to Minsmere, which we didn't visit having Ellie, but instead settled at a breeding site for Stone Curlew. Again, plenty seen in Portugal but here, a sighting would be only my second British record having seen one in Lincs, many years ago. It turned out well, seeing one Stone Curlew straightaway and later, a second possibly nesting bird. Areas within these fields have been fenced to prevent foxes from entering and the Stone Curlews were in this protected area. Suitable area for Stone Curlews with Sizewell Nuclear Power Station in the distance. The Stone Curlew seeing-off a Magpie. Second bird settled down, lower left of image.
So no Hobbies today but at least four Common Buzzards were watched and a Red Kite was seen close to the A12 on the way down this morning. A run out to Hornsea today and on the mere was a very suspect individual. This Red-breasted Goose, suitably ringed, has escaped from a collection most likely and, is on tour in East Yorkshire. It was seen recently on North Cave Wetlands and is now enjoying the company of many Canada Geese at the feeding area/carpark. Having said all that, it is a cracking little goose. I was lucky to see two Red-breasted Geese in October 2006 in Lincolnshire. Present in a large flock of Brent Geese, they could be very difficult to pick out, given their small size and in spite of some jazzy markings. The Rose-coloured Starling invasion continues and I'm watching my local Starling flock with diligence, in case one attaches itself as it did last May, for only a few minutes.
It's a busy time in the garden just now. With near Algarve temperatures and good amounts of sun, the peonies and roses are exploding into colour all over the garden. |
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