Suffolk run

Another early start today thinking we'd put ourselves in a decent position for migrants and where else to start that search than Landguard in Suffolk. We pulled into the car park by the fort at 6.30am and started our walk around the point searching each and every bush as we went.

Several very smart Lesser Whitethroat were on show along with good numbers of Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Linnets. Starling were feeding on the grass and Pied Wagtail numbers topped thirty. Meadow Pipit were everywhere. A female Common Redstart was seen but I missed it.
We saw two Wryneck, a single Whinchat and a few Wheatear.
On the beach we found a Purple Sandpiper roosting and after an hour of watching it sleep as the tide came in the bird eventually woke and started to feed unfortunately the tide had found my ankles before the bird was disturbed by it but the wait and the wet feet were well worth it as the bird stayed comfortable in our presence and even came too close for the camera at times.....a real little cracker!.

Purple Sandpiper

Purple Sandpiper

Purple Sandpiper

Wheatear

Whinchat

Wryneck

We moved up the coast and after abandoning plans to search for a reported Barred Warbler at Thorpness we drove to Shingle Street and parked up to walk the sea wall where we found a few locals CM / JR et al sitting on the beach waiting by a bush in the hope that the Lesser Grey Shrike might return to feed and as we sat along side them the bird did indeed return and used the bush to launch attack after attack on the passing insects giving us terrific views despite the grey skies.

Lesser Grey Shrike

Lesser Grey Shrike

Two year ticks for our effort moving this years list to 244