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Ramblings of one who can't tell one LBJ from the next.....
December 30th ..... A last trip out to the Fen for 2011..
Posted 31-12-2011 at 12:18 PM by Suffolk-Chris
The weather is dull and depressing at the moment which is a bummer on so many levels. We managed a trip out to LHF yesterday where it was 5degs, windy and with light rain showers.
Managed to see:
4 Little Egrets - It still amazes me to see these birds as I remember many years ago when to spot one of these was a rare experience and something you'd yarn about for ages afterwards. Now we would be surprised not to see at least one rise up and flap away as we drive along beside the field drainage cuts.
1 Grey Heron - This one flew off and landed in a field with around 100 lapwing which gave them a fit of the vapours. They all took off and spent the next 30 minutes flying around doing impersonations of a somewhat chunky starling murmuration display.
Lapwing..... see above.
Rooks.
Gulls - unable to ID as I'm hopeless at gulls and these were on the wing. Several groups flew over, all flying in a V formation with I'd say around 40 - 50 birds per group. I gather from looking on line that they often do this when 'commuting' from feeding areas back to their roosting spots. It made a really great sight.
Reed buntings - I saw a small bird fly into a scrubby elder bush and managed to stop fairly close using the car as a hide. The little chap was a bit wary at first but was soon happily hopping around in the tree with his pals enough to get a firm ID and watch for a while.
Large BOP - its appearance made the buntings and other LBJs in the area put up one heck of a twittering. I only caught a quick glimpse of the BOP whilst panning across the field with the monocular in the hope of spotting the elusive SEO, but I think this was one of the younger Marsh Harriers out to grab what it could on a fly past. It performed a couple of intricate swerves and swirls after its intended victim then disappeared to the ground.
Pair of Egyptian Geese.... these always manage to look incredibly shifty....
Mute Swans - congregating in the wheat fields.
Pigeons - woodies and feral.
Pheasants.
Moorhens..... and more moorhens.
Mallards.
On a non-bird level there were numerous deer around. Think all today's were Roe. Counted 18 mixed sex Roe in one field of winter wheat - I suspect congregating there as it is a decent food source..... the farmer might not agree!!!!
Managed to see:
4 Little Egrets - It still amazes me to see these birds as I remember many years ago when to spot one of these was a rare experience and something you'd yarn about for ages afterwards. Now we would be surprised not to see at least one rise up and flap away as we drive along beside the field drainage cuts.
1 Grey Heron - This one flew off and landed in a field with around 100 lapwing which gave them a fit of the vapours. They all took off and spent the next 30 minutes flying around doing impersonations of a somewhat chunky starling murmuration display.
Lapwing..... see above.
Rooks.
Gulls - unable to ID as I'm hopeless at gulls and these were on the wing. Several groups flew over, all flying in a V formation with I'd say around 40 - 50 birds per group. I gather from looking on line that they often do this when 'commuting' from feeding areas back to their roosting spots. It made a really great sight.
Reed buntings - I saw a small bird fly into a scrubby elder bush and managed to stop fairly close using the car as a hide. The little chap was a bit wary at first but was soon happily hopping around in the tree with his pals enough to get a firm ID and watch for a while.
Large BOP - its appearance made the buntings and other LBJs in the area put up one heck of a twittering. I only caught a quick glimpse of the BOP whilst panning across the field with the monocular in the hope of spotting the elusive SEO, but I think this was one of the younger Marsh Harriers out to grab what it could on a fly past. It performed a couple of intricate swerves and swirls after its intended victim then disappeared to the ground.
Pair of Egyptian Geese.... these always manage to look incredibly shifty....
Mute Swans - congregating in the wheat fields.
Pigeons - woodies and feral.
Pheasants.
Moorhens..... and more moorhens.
Mallards.
On a non-bird level there were numerous deer around. Think all today's were Roe. Counted 18 mixed sex Roe in one field of winter wheat - I suspect congregating there as it is a decent food source..... the farmer might not agree!!!!
Recent Blog Entries by Suffolk-Chris
- I'm rubbish at blogging... (20-05-2012)
- Catch up time...... (29-02-2012)
- Aims for 2012.... (03-01-2012)
- My 2011 Bird List (03-01-2012)
- My 2011 Moments (03-01-2012)
