Monday 18th February 2013

Spent the morning repairing holes in the helli. Fingers now numb with the cold. A Redpoll flying around was the only bird of note.

Sunday 17th February 2013

64 Barnacles south are presumably part of the ever increasing flock wintering further up the Suffolk coast making their way back to the low countries. 5 Curlew came out of the estuary then north at a ridiculous height calling evocatively as they head to pastures new. Finally the only other thing worth a mention is a Water Rail in the bramble bushes on the sunny side of the far end of the "icky ridge". Thick fog rolled in off the sea half hour ago so what was a glorious morning is now a waste of time.

Saturday 16th February 2013

Flat calm, which is a rare event at this time of the year. A Curlew went out then north could well be a spring migrant as this species turns up on the breeding grounds from mid-Feb. A Skylark in off the sea & inland is obviously a migrant but what on earth a Green Woodpecker that turned up late morning is doing here at this time of the year is difficult to explain.

Friday 15th February 2013

With a warm front coming through yesterday followed by milder conditions there was a bit more of interest this morning in the passerine department with. 6 Linnet, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Mipit, 1 Skylark south + 2 Skylark, 1 Reed Bunting north and 14 Linnets, 11 Mipits & a Skylark on site. Is this spring passage or just birds relocating following the colder weather - make your own mind up ? Either way they are on the move. Staring out to sea not ideal with the currant bun in your eyes with the only records 9 Brent & a Greylag south. The Butts pond has never been this full and must be 3 to 4 feet fuller than 12 months ago.

Thursday 14th February 2013

Wet & windy. Very low tide revealed the most extensive sand bars out to sea in front of the obs that we have ever seen. Poor visibility with 4 Shelduck & a Red-breasted Merganser south the only sightings noted.

Wednesday 13th February 2013

11 Siskins south, 2 Skylarks on the reserve & what is presumably yesterdays Fieldfare still with us are today's migrants. Spring migration for Skylarks often starts in mid-Feb but with the cold snap still with us & plenty of snow cover inland it's difficult to know whether these two are spring migrants or refugees from the cold. Looking offshore fairly tedious although 2 Wigeon & a Shelduck went south and 15 Brent flew out to sea from inland. Finally a dead Guillemot was on the tide line that was extremely thin & had presumably starved to death.

Tuesday 12th February 2013

A Fieldfare is the only bird of note. Will members & friends please note the combination lock code has changed. If you do not recieve a text or e.mail in the next couple of days notifying you of the change it's because i do not have your up to date details. Please drop me an e.mail if you are a member & i can let you have the new code. If you are not a member please consider becoming one - details on www.lbo.org.uk