Thursday
21st April fresh NE Very sunny all day. Slightly
warmer at 10C
I
decide to walk down to the Sizewell Nuclear power station after a
lovely bright sunrise. The wind is still north easterly and cool at
6:00am. It interests me how the high cirrus clouds are heading north,
albeit slowly.
A kingfisher lands on a post near to the scrape and bearded tits pink their way between reedbeds. The former bird proves difficult to photograph through the reeds and is soon off.
With
still no news on any new bird for the year list anywhere nearby and
the ones that are will be easy to get later, it seems only sensible
to explore all areas of Minsmere. The low dunes and sandy pathway
with low hairy birch, willow and oak with sporadic pines look good
for any migrant warblers and indeed there is a lesser whitethroat to
add to the year list, 217. Look carefully because a dog came barking and off it flew.
Lying
in my sleeping bag the previous night, instead of counting sheep I
counted regular occurring birds that I still need. I made it fifty.
That means I would need thirty four rarities, one a week. I will take
that at this time of year.
A
text from 'The Oracle,' Phil Andrews asks whether I am up to cycling
to Bedfordshire to see white stork and the sole Lady Amhurst's
pheasant. “Of course I am,” I reply “but only if the white
stork isn't plastic.” I bird on not too confident that the stork
will be a real wild bird. There is a greenshank on Lucky Pool and
three brent geese head north along the beach.
After
searching for but not finding the rare whorl snails near the Minsmere
sluice it is rather strange to see a fulmar coming from over the
scrape. It heads out to where one would expect to see it,over the
sea.
From
the elevated position of the sea wall path I can see over the scrape
and notice a large peregrine tucking in to a large prey item. I go to
the public platform and get great views of it despite heat haze and
distance.
There
are a number of waders close to the feeding bird; black and
bar-tailed godwits and dunlin. All of them must be thinking that the
peregrine will be some time eating and so in the meantime they feel
safe.
Walking
back towards the north walk four whimbrel come down the beach. Three
carry on towards Lucky Pool. The other one turns and heads north.
Bearded
tits show as I walk towards the visitors' centre and the sand martins
are tazzing around the sandstone cliff as I go towards the cafe. Once
inside one of the staff, Doreen gives me a cheese scone. Delicious
and it went well with fruit crumble and custard. Maggie, another cafe
worker comes over and chats about her twenty years of playing the
French horn in the North Opera orchestra. RSPB attracts volunteers
from all walks of life, wonderful people.
The
Green Year list now stands at 217, still 29 birds ahead of this time
last year.
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