Birding the Suffolk Coast
Barnacles,Buntings & Bewicks: Birding the Suffolk Coast
We're having a wonderful few days in Suffolk, combining birding with catching up with Ruth's mum and and auntie. We all met up at Westleton in Suffolk where our base is the wonderful Crown Inn, which by pure coincidence is just 5 minutes drive from RSPB Minsmere and Dunwich cliffs! Brilliant birding just on the doorstep.
We've been heading out at first light and discovering some wonderful birds. One of the very first birds we saw was a Great White Egret flapping majestically across the scrape at Minsmere then heading inland over the reedbeds. A Peregrine Falcon swept in from on high and caused pandemonium amongst the flocks of wildfowl and waders on the lagoon, sending them into a kaleidoscope of whirring wings as the falcon repeatedly stooped, chased, twisted and turned through the air hoping for an early breakfast. Two Marsh Harriers seemed to be attracted by all the commotion and came over the scrape for a look. The shingle beach held a flock of 10 wonderfully confiding Snow Buntings who worked their way ever closer to us as they searched for seed amongst the pebbles. Offshore Gannets, Eider Duck and Brent Geese were on the move. The reedbeds held pinging Bearded Tits and explosive Cetti's Warblers. The hides overlooking the scrape provided the usual array of species. Just a few of the highlights here included a striking adult Caspian Gull standing amongst Herring, Lesser and Great Black-backed Gulls for comparison. We were amazed to see some 400 Barnacle Geese on the shallow pools at first light, though they soon departed calling loudly as they flew south towards Sizewell. Avocets scythed the shallows waters with their upturned bills, a Spotted Redshank waded nearby and a gorgeous Kingfisher perched obligingly on a post added a real splash of colour. Then we noticed 3 adult Bewicks's Swans quietly feeding in a corner of the lagoon.
On nearby Dunwich Heath, a Black Redstart flicked from post to post behind the coastguards cottages, a Dartford Warbler unexpected sang (this is November after all !) and showed off right on top of some gorse bushes. The heath also provided wonderful views of one of our favourite birds, Green Woodpecker, who jabbed repeatedly for insects into the soft ground right beside the entrance track, while several more swooped low and yaffled away as we walked around the edge of the heath. Red Deer were much in evidence as they trotted across the road in front of us, and even along the seawall where perhaps the salt air gave an extra tang to their grazing?
With another day's birding here, and news of Waxwings beginning to arrive in this part of the country, we'll be keeping our eyes peeled for these gorgeous Scandinavian visitors.