Photo: Val Lockwood
‘SOG cheering in the Chaffinches’?
Orfordness 27-28 September 2014 Leader: John Grant Our annual trip to Orfordness is one we all look forward to: the anticipation of which migrating species we might get to see (previous years have included Baird’s Sandpiper and the famous Sandhill Crane) is enhanced by the feeling of being in a remote location. This year’s trip had the extra treat for some of the group of an enchanting evening and overnight stay the night before the trip. This was facilitated by the warden, Dave Fincham, in negotiation with SOG, following a suggestion by Ivan and Val Lockwood.
Saturday Dave collected us and our bags and equipment by boat from Orford Quay at 5pm, for the short journey across the Ore. He then drove our kit to the dormitory accommodation whilst we took a leisurely walk to see
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THE HAR R I ER – W inte r 2 0 1 4
what we could find. One of the first birds we encountered was a female Hen Harrier, which looked fantastic as she got closer and closer to us in the late afternoon light. The first bit of scrub we came to held a Chiffchaff and some Stonechat, then we took the path across the old airfield, noting the increased amount of water in the pools which is due to an improved environmental management scheme. In this area were several Meadow Pipit, up to five Greenshanks, two Avocets, numerous Little Egret, Snipe, and f u r t h e r scanning revealed a Buzzard and at least three Kestrels. Photo: Gi Grieco
Gi Grieco
