Newbourne Springs, Suffolk

Sunday 10th June 2012, 2-4pm
A walk around Newbourne Springs

Weather, overcast after a sunny start to the day

Bird highlights:
Song thrush, blackcap, nightingale -  all in full song
Many chiff-chaffs calling
A family party of blue tits, youngsters being fed
Great-spotted woodpecker calling

The meadow area was ungrazed and awash with Ragged Robin in full flower.  I have never seen such a good display before - full of bees.  At least one Common-spotted Orchid in bloom, probably a lot more not visible from the path. 

Tree bumble, B hypnorum, seen on newly opened bramble flowers.

New bees in the garden

My house in Swaffham has cavity walls, and when I had a new bathroon suite installed a couple of years ago an overflow pipe was removed, leaving a small hole allowing access to the cavity.  Last year it was used as a nesting site by a pair of blue tits, but this year it has been taken over by the hole nesting Tree Bumblebee, Bombus hypnorum.  These bees have been very active, collecting pollen in the garden and taking it back to the nest.  On warm days one or two bees station themselves at the entrance to the hole fanning their wings to increase ventilation.

Bombus hypnorum

B hypnorum was first reported in the UK in 2001, and has now established itself over most of the country.  They are distinctive little bees, with white tails and a rusty brown thorax.  They regularly form colonies above the ground, using various holes in trees, buildings, and often use bird nest boxes.  An useful information sheet can be found here: http://hymettus.org.uk/downloads/Info_sheets_2010/Bombus_hypnorum_infosheet.pdf

It is the first time I have seen these bees in Swaffham, but have since also identified them down in Suffolk.

New Years Eve - Felixstowe Ferry

This afternoon we did a good circular walk, down to Kings Fleet and the river wall, along towards the ferry, across the golf course on the Tomlin wall and back to Terry's.  Three and a half miles as measured on Google Earth!

Felixstowe Ferry from the river wall

It was a lovely afternoon, considering the time of year, very mild and pleasantly sunny.  Not much in the bird line though.  There were several parties of cormorants heading across towards Loompit Lake, and a flock or two of golden plover and lapwing on the salt marsh.  The tide was rising and pushing the redshank around, not that they need much excuse to make a fuss.

I had been hoping for a harrier, or maybe even a short-eared owl but not today.

Sperm whale at Hunstanton

You'd think that having nearly 2 weeks off over Christmas would allow at least a few days birding in Norfolk - but it seems that today was going to be the only one free.  As it was we didn't leave the house until after lunch.  We thought we would go to have a look at the sperm whale which was washed up at Old Hunstanton on Christmas Eve, as reported in the EDP: http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/whale_washed_up_dead_at_old_hunstanton_beach_in_norfolk_1_1162763

There were a lot of people there, braving a sharp westerly wind.  I felt it was interesting how the majority were respectful in their behaviour, and it was a great opportunity for the children to realise that wildlife is really out there, not just something to watch on TV.  

By the time we left it was late afternoon and we wanted to see the geese flying to roost at Snettisham.  We had a brisk walk along the beach, seeing a big flock of snow buntings, I would estimate at least 50 birds.  All the usual species out on the mud, and a few goldeneye on the pits.  I was rather taken by a chalet for sale, but don't know if it would be very practical.  I want somewhere I could live in if necessary, not just a holiday home.  

After the sun disappeared we waited for the geese to show.  They were quite late, I think because it had been a bright afternoon, and eventually it was nearly 5pm before the main flocks came over.  It was a bit disappointing though because the majority flew south of the reserve, seeming to head towards the marshes at  Gedney rather than out to the banks.  I suppose they knew as well as we did that the tide was coming in.  Still we did have good views of some birds flying low over the sea from the Hunstanton direction.

Christmas Day

We took a short stroll at Felixstowe Ferry before getting back for a late lunch.  It had been a high tide, water well over the marsh, surrounding the wreck of the Enigma and floating the hippo!  

Enigma at Felixstowe Ferry

We walked as far as the corner of the bank where we could overlook the fields beyond the old Home Hill farmhouse.  A flock of lapwings and golden plover flew behind the hill.  A few redshanks and turnstones were just about the only other birds we saw - it was very quiet.  I expect they were keeping out of the wind.

One of the Felixstowe hippos

Terry looking for goldies

Home Hill farmhouse

Felixstowe Ferry footpaths

Suffolk and Norfolk

On Saturday I spent the day at the Suffolk Naturalists Conference, held this year in Woodbridge.  The theme was 'Linking Landscapes - pathways to the future?' and very interesting it was too, with a range of knowledgeable speakers including Richard Mabey, Chris Baines and Oliver Rackham.

It was great to bump into some familiar faces and to make some new connections.  I think I shall have plenty of wildlife to keep me amused, and some new groups to join, when I finally get to take that big step and move down to Suffolk.

I took the opportunity to buy some back numbers of the Suffolk Bird reports and transactions of The Suffolk Naturalists Society from their stall, at the bargain price of 30p each.  I also invested £6 in the 2010 version, mainly because of the photo on the cover of a Noon Fly,  Mesembrina meridiana.  Coincidentally I photographed this species a couple of weeks ago myself but hadn't got round to trying to identify it.

Noon Fly - Mesembrina meridiana

On Sunday I was back in Norfolk, and spent most of the day in the garden tidying up.  On the way back from the tip we had a drive round to see if there were still any stone-curlews about.  I know there have been a few over-wintering the last few years.  We spent some time scanning what I thought was the right pig field without success, and then found another just down the road where T was thrilled to spot 3 stonies pretending to be lumps of mud - a new bird for him.  The 3 birds we saw were lined up along an electric fence, perhaps out of the way of the pigs.

Mild October morning

Marsh Lane, Felixstowe

After the early morning rain it turned out sunny and mild.

During a short walk down the lane to the old house, and back we saw:

At least 6 pairs of Common Darter and several singles

Several Red Admirals

1 Golden plover calling overhead

Skylarks singing

2 Swallows feeding over the fields

Small flocks of starlings

2 Wheatears feeding on the edge of the ploughed field

2 young Grey Herons

1 old fox