Ruddy Shelduck
After the disastrous day out a couple of weeks earlier I joined Brendon again along with James Reader heading back to Suffolk.
Our first stop was Walberswick were shortly after setting off along the beach we came across the Ruddy Shelduck on a small pool. Most likely a bird from the feral Dutch population but as of yet the powers that be won’t allow us to tick them.
Fan-tailed Warbler flitting off left (honestly)
Another few minutes of walking along the beach we joined a small group of birders staring out into the scrub and reeds where the momentous and highly anticipated news that Fan-tailed Warblers (Zitting Cisticolas) had bred in Britain for the first time. The male had been seen and heard for a while before reports of a second bird emerged. Then 4 juveniles were seen and this still mega rare bird was available to all who still needed it.
The male was heard “zitting” and seen mostly in flight but on a couple of occasions perched up affording great scope views despite what my photo shows! I did managed a view of the female further back but the young were sadly hiding.
We then headed back towards the car park but carried onto the harbour where on the wall were 2 Caspian Gulls an adult and a juvenile.
Juvenile Barred Warbler
Whilst watching the warblers news of a Barred Warbler broke just to the north at Kessingland but news was vague and with the prospect of a long walk we made the decision to head to my Norfolk patch of Winterton Dunes where after a short walk we had excellent views of this usual skulker which was good for James as it was a lifer for him.
Black Stork + in situ!
After more views of the Barred Warbler we headed back south for our second attempt at the Black Stork. Just a few miles away it was reported to be on a small lake at a farm so we headed there but upon arrival and a fruitless scan of the lake news broke of it back in its favoured ditch. Annoyingly this would mean the 1.5 mile walk we did last time but as luck would have it we noticed a car parked up near the farm and upon inspection we saw a footpath sign so we too a gamble which paid of handsomely as after just a 5 minute instead of 40 the path took us straight to the ditch and there walking towards us was the juvenile Black Stork! It walked to the end of the ditch and went to sleep briefly before waking again. Just my 2nd of this species in the UK after my first which I self found over Watford back in 1990!
An excellent end to an excellent day.
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