randombirder

Only an hour away, Lakenheath is always good for a morning walk without having to leave particularly early.  Within half our of arriving, a hobby , couple of cuckoo , drake garganey , six black-tailed godwit , a greenshank , a dozen avocet , and a reeling grasshopper warbler had already been observed without really making tracks. It was a glorious morning, light winds that held a chill but the sun has strength at this time of year.  A hike up to Joist Fen was met with a sky full of circling hobby, at least 20 here feeding on insects that had emerged as the day began to warm.  Such an amazing sight and so evocative of spring here in the fens.   Marsh harrier were in the mood circling over the reeds and warblers were singing everywhere -  a great way to spend a Sunday morning.

Visits to Broom have been infrequent over the last month or so, heading over when I can to catch-up with any remnants of inland wader movement.  It has generally been an inauspicious migration period with the odd encounter with a migrant or two. A visit on the 17th of August was pretty decent recording an adult Ringed Plover present on GLE along with the remaining two Ruff , three Common Sandpiper , three Little Ringed Plover , and eight Snipe .  A Little Egret , two Pochard , nine Egyptian Goose , and three newly arrived juvenile Common Gull were also present. There was very little change on the 23rd with three Common Sandpiper , two Little Ringed Plover , and a single Snipe making up the wader count.  Three Little Egret were now present with a Common Gull , a Yellow Wagtail on the foreshore, and the first Wigeon of the autumn. It was a while before the next visit on the 13th September that ended up being quite productive.  A hunting juvenile Hobby was the highlig...