East Coast birders pray for easterly winds in September and, as Bawdsey Hall’s second Bird Migration Course got underway on 18th September, there was a feeling that we had hit the jackpot. Weather forecasts predicted winds in the eastern quarter that should force passage migrants, normally passing along the Dutch and Belgian coastlines, to take a more westerly path. However, for birds to be grounded, low cloud with some rain is necessary. Warblers, flycatchers, crests, thrushes and chats are nocturnal migrants and clear skies will allow them to pass through unnoticed. Migration watchers must be the only group of people that wish for rain during their holidays! So, what did we get: wall-to-wall sunshine accompanied by blustery winds for the whole weekend! Overall, pleasant walking conditions, but the warm weather persuaded hordes of people to venture to the coast, swamping our normally desolate birding spots. Viewing conditions were also tricky as windswept coastal bushes were being thrashed about, forcing smaller birds to keep low.
As our course members (Vic, Val, Jen, John and Anne) arrived on Friday afternoon, bird ringing was already underway. A roving tit flock, hosting mostly Long-tailed Tits, stole the show and as they were caught as a flock they had to be released as a flock and watching them flutter away confetti-like on release was a memorable sight. After dinner at the local pub, there was great anticipation as we took up positions by our bedroom windows to see if the badgers would again put in appearance. We didn’t have to wait long before one arrived seeking out peanuts that had been provided for him.
Waveney Bird Club ringers were on duty at dawn but, apart from a few Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, there was little of interest. Visible migration included a light passage of Siskins and a few Meadow Pipits. The plan for course members was to look at Hazlewood Marshes for shorebirds. This former grazing marsh was transformed by the December 2013 tidal surge when flood waters penetrated the river wall. It is now a prime estuarine site to watch waders at their high-tide roost. We couldn’t have timed our arrival better as the incoming tide was forcing masses of waders closer and closer towards our telescopes. Amongst the gathering wader flocks were: Oystercatchers; Bar-tailed Godwits; Curlews; several 100 Redshank and single Grey Plover; Sanderling, Greenshank; Snipe and Turnstone. However, the star birds were a group of 12 Spoonbills, some searching muddy sediments for food and others standing sentry like on the islands, their bills planted firmly into their backs as they prepared to see out the tide. Suffolk’s record flock of 45 birds had been logged on the estuary only seven days previously. We enjoyed superb views of a Hobby and then a Peregrine gave a good flypast before stooping menacingly over the mudflats to take an unsuspecting wader.
With the tide now full, we decided to take our picnic lunch along the shingle ridge at Slaughden just south of Aldeburgh and then finish the day by walking the river wall to the Town Marshes. There were 15 Little Grebes feeding on the dykes, nine Little Egrets at the water’s edge and a selection of waders that included three Black-tailed Godwits, five Golden Plover and a single Redshank.
It was more of the same at Bawdsey Hall the next morning with another light passage of Siskins and run-of-the-mill birds trapped by the ringers. The coastal hamlet of Shingle Street was the first stop of the day where there were undoubtedly more people than birds but we enjoy a close encounter with a Little Stint and a Greenshank as they fed on a shallow pool. It was then onto East Lane ponds where there was a good selection of wildfowl but little else.
Weather-wise it was a lovely weekend and our tally of 82 bird species was about average. However, what a difference a week makes as the rain that started late-Tuesday morning, gradually worsening to a deluge the following Friday. As the wet weather cleared, scarce birds predictably began to appear and Bawdsey Peninsula highlights included a Yellow-browed Warbler at East Lane (one of 25 that were logged on the Suffolk coast) and a Lapland Bunting in a Linnet flock at Shingle Street. As I write, birders are bracing themselves for another bumper weekend as “Storm Alice” sweeps across the country bringing onshore winds and lots of birds. Already rarities such as Great Snipe, Rustic Bunting, Wryneck, Great Grey Shrike, Booted and Radde’s Warblers and Red-breasted Flycatcher have been noted along the coast, so can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!
World Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated on 10th of this month in a period that traditionally hosts huge numbers of passage migrants locally. It is a very important event that highlights how unsustainable agricultural practices and infrastructural pressures are causing habitats of migratory species to shrink and a call for global action for a network of intact environments along migration routes. So, as we enjoy watching migrants on the Bawdsey Peninsula, we must consider their plight as they start their hazardous long-haul flight to Africa.
This was the second Bird ID course in the new format and again it went very well. We are delighted with the feedback, some of which is included as reviews in the post script below. Our new format involves smaller groups to comply with Covid 19 restrictions and to ensure everybody is kept safe. We look forward to the next Bawdsey Hall course, our Siberian Weekend from 23-25th October, which is fully booked.
Reviews:
Thanks for running the course at such a lovely venue. You have found a real gem. We cannot control the hot bright weather but we did everything possible to find the birds in the areas we visited. You certainly put the effort into finding the birds. The Covid compliance put in place by Bawdsey Hall was exemplary and there was no cause for concern. Everything seemed to run very smoothly, and no one got lost on our travels on the back roads of Suffolk. It was so busy everywhere! I regret I did not visit the nature trail; perhaps you could include it on future itineraries. It would be a boost for David’s efforts in the grounds. I hope future courses run well and benefit both you and David.
Anne Southgate – 21st September 2020
I had an absolutely wonderful time and learned so much. It's really great as a complete novice to learn in such a relaxed, warm and welcoming atmosphere so for that I'm really grateful. I think the others had a good time too so the course definitely seems to cover the needs of all levels of experience. What can we say about Bawdsey Hall! What a fantastic place, I'm a bit of a history buff so it was a joy to stay somewhere steeped in the stuff! Dave and Charlotte (although I never saw her!) have got it spot on I think! Delicious breakfast and the grounds are just perfect. I'll definitely go back. It was a shame we couldn't congregate after, but the whole experience felt very safe so can't complain! I'll look out for future talks and courses for sure! Thanks again and it was lovely to meet you.
Vic Butcher – 25th September 2020
Really liked Bawdsey Hall and felt very safe with their covid regimen. Also enjoyed hearing about the history of the place and having the opportunity to see the night-time wildlife from our window. The packed lunches were really good as well.
Val Lucas – 27th September 2020
Steve Piotrowski
3rd October 2020