Birding highlights

• A range of dabbling ducks in pristine plumage on Hollesley scrape
• Finding four Bewick’s Swans, the first on the reserve since last May
• Russian White-fronted Geese up close at Hollesley then in skeins at Boyton
• Fieldfares feeding in a Boyton pasture
• Avocets wading on the Butley river
• A Nuthatch in the Froize car park on our return, a site first for the guides!

As is the custom, we met for coffee at 8.30am. It was grey and cold outside, but at least it was dry and not too windy! We outlined our plans for the morning, then there was time to put on several layers before we set off on the short journey to Hollesley Marshes RSPB reserve. The first surprise was finding the previously pot-holed entrance track newly resurfaced!

We strolled to the viewing screen, admiring the confiding Teal to our left along the way; these ducks were clearly used to people. John found a first-winter Caspian Gull on the scrape before most of us were even in position; he did his very best to enthuse us about the bird’s beauty! Soon we turned our attention to the waterbirds, finding Gadwall, Wigeon, Shoveler and Pintail, the latter up-ending displaying their tails to good effect. Through the scopes we were able to see all these species really well, and there would be several opportunities during the morning to revise the differences between them. 

The Lapwing flock was jumpy, and we soon spotted the culprit, a Buzzard drifting overhead. The breeze in our faces was chilly, so after a while we decided it was time to leave the screen and yomp towards the river wall, a pair of Stonechats en route delaying us briefly. From our spot by the pill box we were able to look in all directions. A Grey Plover on the very tip of Orfordness was a bonus, whilst upriver the size difference between a Grey Heron and a Little Egret was very obvious. John discussed where the Alde river becomes the Ore. 

We moved on to a second vantage point giving a different angle on the scrape and were very surprised to find a group of four Bewick’s Swans, the first of the winter on the reserve. This species heads to the UK from Russia and is much less common than previously; John and I gave the group various reasons for this change of status. A small party of Pochard was located close to the swans, our first and only diving duck of the day.

We saw close Redshanks and distant Oystercatchers plus a Rock Pipit before drifting back towards the car park. The local Peregrine wasn’t in residence today, but we found perched Buzzard and Kestrel and watched a fly-by Red Kite. Two Russian White-fronted Geese in the field by the track gave wonderful views to all. It seemed hard to believe they would head back to Russia in a month or so. 

There was time for a pit stop at the café before we nipped to Boyton Marshes, another RSPB reserve a little to the north. The decision to enjoy an hour or so at a second site rather than spend the whole morning at Hollesley proved an inspired one. From the car park we found a group of 25 Fieldfares; this species has been scarce this winter, so we were fortunate. Curlews and Black-tailed Godwits fed in the pastures either side of the main gate.

I was delighted that, despite the rising tide, a few Avocets were feeding along the Butley river; this species is an iconic Suffolk bird and was new for some of our group. Grey Seals were spotted as we pottered south towards the new scrapes, where skeins of White-fronts were arriving from the north in V formation.    

For the first time since we had been at the Hollesley screen it began to feel properly cold, so we made haste for the car park. A Stock Dove at Banter’s Barn was found on cue, and an inquisitive party of Long-tailed Tits appeared, before we made the return journey to The Froize. We weren’t quite done with the birding, a Nuthatch by our cars a ‘first ever’ for the guides at this site then a tit flock adding new species so our tally passed 60.

There was time to purchase drinks at the bar before we settled down for lunch; we were certainly ready for it after walking three miles on a cold winter’s day. After much deliberation my preferred choice was to tuck in to the roast pork from a wonderful joint, but there were other equally enticing dishes on offer. For dessert I had my first profiteroles for ages; bread-and-butter pudding was enjoyed by many as an alternative.

We briefly recapped on our morning in the field. Winter birding in Suffolk is special and our three hour snapshot had produced both quality and quantity, so there was much to reflect on as we went our separate ways.