From home I can follow the River Lark over a golf course or walk into nearby farmland. Utterly unremarkable farmland with a couple of irrigation reservoirs, game cover and a criss cross of public rights of way.
These are my two routes into 'countryside' or at least where I can reasonably see some good birds within a mile from home. The Lark has yet to yield a wintering Dipper, but it regularly delivers Little Egret, Grey Wagtail and Kingfisher.
The farmland rarely delivers! Although this year has seen a relative upturn with Merlin, Marsh Harrier and Wheatear seen - as well as the now resident Red Kite. Historically another local birder has found a Dotterel and also had a flyover Osprey.
 |
Wheatear - Fornham St Martin - 31st August 2021
|
 |
| Little Owl - Fornham St Martin - 06th June 2021 |
Over the years I've racked up some goodies; Pintail, Ringed Plover, Dunlin and Barn Owl spring to mind. Little Owl are resident and Green Sandpiper over winter. Nothing, however, matches the Red-necked Phalarope I found a two weeks ago is by far the most notably bird - in a seriously unremarkable location!
 |
| Red-necked Phalarope - Fornham St Martin - 03rd October 2021 |
Red-necked Phalarope - Fornham St Martin - 03rd October 2021
|
|
Initial views were distant and as per the above two photographs - I assumed the Grey Phalarope given the time of year and strong wind in the preceding days. Once I got the photos on a computer screen and WhatsApp'd the images around it became apparent it was Red-necked! The fine bill, head patterning and lack of any grey tones on the back all clinching the I.D. It was the bill that gave me pause and became much more evident when the bird eventually showed really well:
 |
| Red-necked Phalarope - Fornham St Martin - 03rd October 2021 |
|
|
 |
| Red-necked Phalarope - Fornham St Martin - 03rd October 2021 |
|
|
 |
| Red-necked Phalarope - Fornham St Martin - 03rd October 2021 |
|
|
For comparison, I also got great views of Grey Phalarope at Titchwell over the weekend:
 |
| Grey Phalarope - Titchwell - 17th October 2021 |
 |
| Grey Phalarope - Titchwell - 17th October 2021 |
 |
| Grey Phalarope - Titchwell - 17th October 2021 |
 |
| Grey Phalarope - Titchwell - 17th October 2021 |
BirdTrack tells me I've seen 89 species in this go-to area of farmland - what will 90 be! Is 100 possible in intensive farmland in West Suffolk? Wilson's Phalarope would be cool - for the trio in 2021!
Comments
Post a Comment