Walberswick........................................................................Adam Gretton

Walberswick in winter

December 10th 2011

Leader: Adam Gretton

Having met for several years in mid-May, those at our last such visit (in May 2010) agreed that it would be interesting to switch to a winter meeting, so this was a new departure – and we were lucky both with the birds and weather.

A dozen SOG members met at Westwood Lodge on a frosty and bright morning, with at least one participant particularly wanting to see Bearded Tits well (and a subsequent suggestion from another of refunds (?) if we failed to connect with them!).

Reedbedsightings After watching a Marsh Harrier over the reeds, we set off past Old Covert, seeing a tit flock including Treecreeper and Marsh Tit, though not all the group saw the latter, which was very mobile. Between Old Covert and East Hill, some of the group saw a Chinese Water Deer, with its ‘teddy bear ’ ears, as described by Chris Packham on Autumnwatch.

Crossing the reedbed, very good views of Marsh Harrier were enjoyed, along with a more distant Common Buzzard towards Walberswick village. Some reedbed management was in progress, in the form of commercial reedcutting, which has long been practised at Walberswick. A pair of Goldeneye in flight was welcome, but initially there was no sign of the sought-after Bearded Tits. They were just biding their time, however, and halfway across the reedbed the first calls were heard – eventually at least a dozen birds were seen close by, providing excellent scoped views. The group came even closer, separated from us by just a narrow strip of reeds; when alarmed they erupted in an explosion of pinging calls. Though not unexpected, for several of the group this was perhaps the highlight of the day, which added to my relief at having ‘ come up with the goods ’ (and avoided any free meeting refund claims!).

Along the shore As we passed Dingle Great Hill and approached the shore, the reported very high tide was apparent (fortunately now falling), with a breach of the shingle ridge near to the hill resulting in flooding of part of Dingle Marshes – showing the dynamism of this coast, which has been the norm for millennia (demonstrated by recent soil cores taken here). Very distant Snow Buntings were seen, only identifiable in flight from the 600+m range, but much closer views were gained of the regular Twite flock – feeding close to some Dunlin, at the edge of the tide, next to the footpath, but unfortunately then disturbed by two passing non-birders. Rock Pipit, Sanderling and a lone Brent Goose were also added here to the day ’ s list, along with several Redthroated Divers flying offshore.

Returning inland, a Stonechat before the old windmill was reached was a welcome addition, and we were relieved we were not intending to take the (lower) footpath to Walberswick, which was under at least two feet of water! With time running out, and packed lunches