A quick catch up

I've spent some time this week looking for the Epping Harrier without any joy but still had plenty of action with Red Kites, Buzzards and Sparrowhawks all showing in good numbers. A male Goshawk and a pair of Raven added to the drama as did a day calling Tawny Owl, lots of Deer and a few Hares.

A day at Lakenheath gave me a couple of year ticks in the week with a couple of  Little-ringed Plover on Hockwold washland and a pair of Garganey on New Fen. The number of Marsh Harriers displaying from Joist Fen was a real spectacle with at least fourteen birds in the air together. A couple of Bittern called and Kingfishers came and went as I waited in vain for any sign of the breeding Cranes.

At Dunge we landed another year tick with a single Sandwich Tern and again found the Cattle Egrets by Boulderwell Farm. A Peregrine and Black Redstart by the power station along with a few Wheatear on the shingle made up the best of the day but we also jammed on one of Britains two colonies of Grey-backed mining Bee on the walk to Denis's Hide almost in the car park at Dunge.

A decent few days but I'm still waiting for the real spring migrants to start pouring in.

Year list now 192

Grey-backed mining Bee at Dungeness RSPB

Grey-backed mining Bee at Dungeness RSPB

Greylag Goose at Lakenheath

Grey Heron at Lakenheath

Lapwing at Elmley

Lapwings

Reed Bunting at Dungeness

Muntjac at Lakenheath

Marsh Harrier at Elmley

Lapwing

Lapwings