Wed 4th Sept 24

A few more birds around the bushes this morning with Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Lesser & Common Whitethroat, Blackcap and all the local Tits noted, plus masses of hirundines. 

Loads of Swallows & House Martins plus a few Sand Martin and a single Swift were on the move, but the high point of the morning was watching two Hobby attacking these flocks, at first offshore from the sailing club then moving inland over the carpark, working together their flying was spectacular if (as far as we could tell) unsuccessful. RJ/MR.

From the hide: 110 Greylag, c60 Teal, Mallard, 10+ Shoveler, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorant, 1 Lt. Egret, 45 Lapwing, 14 Blk T Godwit, 4 Avocet, 3 Common Sands, 1 Redshank, 1 Ruff, 3 Buzzard, 1 Hobby, 1 Red Kite, 1 Kestrel. RJ/MO'H/MR.

Reports from today

Brian Combes

07:08 Ruff on scrape.

10:39 3 Whinchat half way down bridleway in the ‘hedge’ by 90 degree bend in path.

17:33 Walk from Frinton to Haven and back via farm this morning included: 3 Whinchat, 10 Wheatear (2 on the sea defences, 1 by scrape, 4 in pumpkin field, 3+ with whinchat), 1 Ruff (juv), 2 Greenshank, 1 Grey Wag (south), 3 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiff, 3 Blackcap, 8 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Yellow Wag, 275+ Swallow (south), 130+ House Martin (south), 30+ Sand Martin (south), 2 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Grey Heron, 30+ Lapwing, 1 Mute Swan, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Hobby (south), 3 Green Woodpecker (juvs together), 12 Linnet, 4 Sandwich Tern, 15 Curlew, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 5 Cetti’s Warbler (singing).

Photo Brian Combes©

Two (of three) juvenile green woodpeckers, presumably siblings. These two birds were acting in a truly remarkable way; facing each other they were, in unison, bobbing up and down and moving their heads from side to side, eventually touching bills. This went on for a couple of minutes. Not seen this behaviour before but I vaguely remember reading that adult males, on rare occasions, use such a ‘dance’ in territorial disputes? These two birds were males so perhaps practising this antagonistic behaviour?