Saturday 21st February 2026

Couple of notable sightings this morning with a croaking Raven paying a visit winding up the local crows, our eighth site record with only three of those this century, all being in the last two years. Also a Yellowhammer landing in the Hawthorn by the observatory before departing north being our first since 22nd February 2024 almost two years ago to the day. Early spring passage of Yellowhammers from late February onwards used to be the norm but, alas, no more. Also this morning southbound 4 Egyptian Geese, Curlew & Oyk with 50 Common Scoter offshore, 3 Snow Bunts on the back beach & a Skylark.

The moth traps were put out last night, as it is getting milder, producing 'nil pois' reminding us that it is still winter & it can take a couple of milder nights to get things going.

Friday 20th February 2026

Predictable morning. Todays migrants are 3 Lapwing & a Skylark. 50 Common Scoter offshore, 6 Sanderling on beach early doors & the usual 3 Snow Bunts on back beach.

Thursday 19th February 2026

Vicious easterly gale overnight gusting to Force 9. Rain, then drizzle with wind abating this morning. 700 Cormorant went out fishing early doors, 3 Snow Bunts on back beach, 2 Turnstone with 2 Lapwing the mornings migrants obviously keen to head back to breeding grounds.

Wednesday 18th February 2026

 

534 Cormorant went out early with at least 2,900 coming in from the north an hour or so later to the feeding grounds offshore. Since more effective effort has been put into persecuting them at Loompit Lake over recent years it is not sure where at lot of them now roost. The early morning birds heading out will be from Trimley Marshes with some still roosting at Loompit. Birds coming in from the north will  be from an unknown roost up to 50 miles away with flocks coming in from the south probably roosting in North Kent. They are a dynamic species well used to moving roost sites in response to human harassment but with some individuals living up to 30 years old experienced birds can soon go back to remembered traditional roosting sites. During the afternoon this winter flocks are now often seen heading north from daytime loafing sites as space is limited at Trimley Marshes. If anyone is aware of roosts in North Suffolk it would be interesting to know more.

Bit windy although a tight raft of Common Scoter is visible bobbing up & down in the waves with an additional flock of 20 flying north distantly. 3 Snow Bunts still with us.

Tuesday 17th February 2026

 

Butts pond nice & full at the moment.

430 Cormorant went out fishing early, 4 Stock Dove & a Canada Goose flew south, Common Scoter flock distantly offshore & 3 Snow Bunts still here. 2 Peregrine were having a tête-à-tête offshore before one saw the other off. A Goldcrest, in the Holm Oaks, is probably the same bird as seen a month ago that will be attempting to overwinter here.

Monday 16th February 2026

Pleasant morning after yesterday's windy deluge. 11 Starling flew south. Also noted 70 Common Scoter, Cetti's, Mipit, Skylark & the first 2 Greenfinch since this species was last noted on 17th November 2025. Long gone are the days when Greenies were a daily feature here regardless of the time of year.

Sunday 15th February 2026

 Wet n' windy. Please cut & paste any recent blogs to find out what may, or may not, be here !