Wryneck at Benacre

The Wryneck at Benacre farm in Suffolk showed well in the paddock hopping around on the grass feeding out in the open at 15 Metres and my first spring record as all the others  have been in the Autumn.

I've found a Hoopoe

On Friday I drove up to Suffolk for a short weekend break with the family and arrived sooner than expected due to the light traffic along with Martin Redfern and his family. As we were early our  accommodation wasn't ready, we done what any good birding husbands do and twitch something local. In this case it turned out to be a showy Wryneck at Benacre farm in the paddocks. After about half an hour we made our way back. This piece of coastline has had a good run of birds including Ring Ousel, Dotterel, Pied Fly's in the last week. So on  Saturday morning  I was more than keen to check out Kessingland beach and scrub area first thing. A few Wheatear and a Fulmar was picked up straight away then I headed to the short grassy/scrub area and kicked up a 'J' no a  Hoopoe! which flew away from me. I did panic a bit to be honest due to my camera being still in the bag. Luckily it flew into the corner and I gained some record shots before putting the news out. Over the  weekend it stayed and put on some good views for a lot of birders. A real thrill to find one of these beauties and I'm chuffed to bits to find one and the fact that birding friends came up to see it to from London and Essex made it more special!   

      

 

Grasshopper Warbler

Having been at work for most of the bank hoilday I was more than keen to get out this morning onto the patch. A Cuckoo was calling behind the viewing area which was a good start  and it got even better when Lee Brown called to say he had a Grasshopper Warbler reeling away down the other end of the valley. Although it was hidden most of the time I certainly have no complaints of the stunning views we did finally get by this time we were joined by Dave McGough. Once we had some images we move slowing away to enjoy the rest of the Ingrebourne Valley.  

 

Whitethroat

The Ingrebourne Valley is now producing some good birds of late 2 Osprey, Red Kite, Common Crossbill and a Pair of Garganey which are the lastest scarce birds to be seen but even the common stuff like this Whitethroat are now returning in numbers make the patch a great place to be...... 

 

Glaucous Gull

The drive down to Dungeness on Sunday in damp and cloudy conditions was soon brightened up by a summer plumage Black-necked Grebe on New Diggings which showed well by the road side (thanks Dave for the text). Once at Dunge I had double figures of Sandwich Terns up and down the beach and the same amount of Wheatear near by. I then joined Mick Southcott and Richard Smith for breakfast before heading out near the fishing boats for some gull action. Our target was the Glaucous Gull which put on a fantastic show. It's looking different from when I last photographed it back in February. Its such a smart bird!