A few years in the past I used to be a motoring correspondent. It was a lot simpler, and much more enjoyable, to jot down about Porsches somewhat than Peugeots, or Ferraris than Fiats. There’s one thing of a parallel in writing about birds. Describing encounters with rarities, and even scarce birds, is far more interesting than widespread on a regular basis birds, or noting outings when little of particular curiosity is seen. Nevertheless, all of us have days after we don’t see quite a bit, and when nothing sudden seems to quicken the heartbeat, however they’ll nonetheless be gratifying. Final Monday was simply such a day.
It dawned vivid, chilly and sunny, however there was a haziness within the sky that advised the sunshine wouldn’t final. It didn’t, however it remained vivid sufficient in the course of the morning to tempt me out for a stroll alongside the Little Ouse, the river that defines the border between the counties of Suffolk and Norfolk. It’s a modest little river. It rises simply a few miles east of my home, then flows nearly instantly west for 37 miles till it joins the Nice Ouse, which drains into the Wash.
Emma and the Little Ouse. Emma is on the Norfolk facet of the river: the alternative financial institution is in Suffolk
I selected to stroll alongside the Little Ouse at Santon Downham. That is about 20 miles from dwelling, and right here the river has gained ample middle-age unfold to be large enough to be known as a correct river, and although it’s hardly fast-flowing, it waters transfer with ample urgency to remind you that they’re clearly heading someplace. There’s a slim bridleway (footpath) on the north financial institution that runs parallel to the river, and it was right here that I walked.
One of many sights of the stroll is that Emma, my spaniel, can be a part of me. She’s birdwatching canine, as she potters alongside fortunately with me, staying shut and resisting the temptation to swim or chase birds or beasts. I at all times carry a lead and whistle, however on this event I had no trigger to make use of both. It’s noteworthy that in our 90-minute stroll we didn’t meet one other individual.
A Little Egret surveys from its lofty perch
Our stroll began properly, as initially I noticed a Little Egret perched excessive in a useless tree. It’s fewer than 30 years since Little Egrets began breeding in Britain, so there’s nonetheless one thing of a novelty about them, at the very least for birdwatchers of my era. At present they could be comparatively widespread and widespread, however they’re not a chook I count on to see on a regular basis, whereas such a sublime chook at all times delights the attention.
The egret was perched in a stand of aged poplars which had been planted a few years in the past – the most important of the bushes have huge boles many toes in circumference. On earlier events I’ve seen some good birds in these bushes, starting from Crossbills to Brambings, however immediately the egret was the one chook of notice.
A juvenile Mute Swan
There was somewhat extra motion on the river, the place six Mute Swans had been feeding actively on the underwater weed. With them had been a few Little Grebes, diving enthusiastically, and infrequently staying above the floor for any size of time. They had been surprisingly troublesome birds to identify, and except you appeared laborious you’d have missed them. I used to be to come across a number of extra farther down stream.
The Little Grebes had been straightforward to miss
There have been a number of Mallard, too, mainly loafing beneath the lee of the far financial institution. They watched me and my canine with a contact of suspicion, however they weren’t sufficiently frightened to do something extra. Mallard weren’t the geese I hoped to see, for within the spring and summer time I can often discover Mandarins right here. These pleasant little Chinese language geese are one among my favourites, and one of many few alien birds which have discovered their very own ecological area of interest on this nation, with out upsetting the pure steadiness. The place the Mandarins go to in winter I’ve no thought, however they do desert the river.
Cautious however not frightened: a drake Mallard
This stretch of the river, with its stands of alder bushes, was one of many final strongholds of Lesser Noticed Woodpeckers in Suffolk. Sadly, these diminutive woodpeckers have disappeared, and could be extinct in Suffolk. I did see a flashy Nice Noticed Woodpecker. I’ve taken a lot better footage of those woodpeckers on different events, however the chook (under) did at the very least let me take a shot or two.
A flashy male Nice Noticed Woodpecker
As I walked the odd Moorhen scuttled throughout the water. The outdated Suffolk identify for these birds is Waterhen, which is admittedly far more acceptable, as they dwell on water, not moors. As soon as, from the boggy, reeded floor to the north of the river, I heard a Water Rail squeal. It’s an unmistakable, nearly pig-like sound, however you’re more likely to listen to a Water Rail than see it, and that was the case immediately.
Dunnock
As I walked on I got here throughout a flock of Siskins, excessive within the alders.They had been feeding so busily that they had been surprisingly silent, whereas none got here wherever shut sufficient for me to even think about elevating my digital camera. A Robin, after which a Dunnock, had been slightly extra co-operative, whereas I had some enjoyable with a passing tit flock. Each Blue and Nice Tits paused lengthy sufficient to have their {photograph} taken, however the Lengthy-tailed Tits had been simply too fast. I did somewhat higher with a Treecreeper (under) that was tagging together with the tits.
Treecreeper: a follower of the wandering tit flocks
Blue Tit
After a mile and half I turned spherical and retraced my steps. As soon as, from the far facet of the river, a number of Blackbirds chimed their alarms, utilizing their plaintive, muted warning name that advised that they’d noticed a predator. Had they seen an owl, or maybe a fox? I paused, listed and watched, however after some time they calmed down, and I by no means found what the fuss was about.
Nice Tit
My stroll won’t have produced a grand listing of birds (my species complete, logged on BirdTrack, revealed a mere 19 species), however Emma and I had loved the contemporary air and the great autumn colors. It was merely good to be out – no time spent birdwatching is ever wasted. Who is aware of, maybe subsequent time I’ll see one thing extra thrilling, however each Emma and I got here dwelling pleased.
