SS15 wildlife watching

This blog was set up in mid-March 2020 during the COVID-19 health crisis in the UK and aimed to provide records of wildlife sightings and photos from sites within walking distance of my home in the SS15 postcode area of Basildon in Essex during lockdown travel restrictions. This blog continues to include my local wildlife sightings, my trips away from home plus some personal thoughts and reflections on other issues. NOTE: Format best viewed on a laptop/desktop PC rather than a mobile phone.

Tuesday, 18 June 2024

Trip away from SS15 – Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and East Yorkshire – June 2024 (part 3)

On 17th June 2024, I visited the following sites:

RSPB Bempton Cliffs, East Yorkshire

The towering 400 foot high white chalk cliffs at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, which stretch for over 3 miles, are an ideal habitat for breeding seabirds. It is the largest seabird colony in England, the most accessible in Europe (park the car .... short walk .... watch) and it is a site of international importance. From April to August, RSPB Bempton Cliffs supports England's largest population of seabirds (around half a million), including the following key species: Gannet, Puffin, Razorbill, Guillemot, Kittiwake, Fulmar, Herring Gull.

Grassland and scrub along the cliff tops are also home to breeding and wintering farmland birds.

My best ever experience of breeding seabirds has been on the island of Hornøya in the very far north east of Arctic Norway, almost 2300 miles from my home! Slightly closer to home are the seabird colonies on the Farne Islands in Northumberland, Skomer in west Wales and Handa in north west Scotland, all of which I have visited several times, plus other locations in Shetland and Orkney.

However, for sheer accessibility at a mainland location in the UK, RSPB Bempton Cliffs can not be beaten. No-one can fail to be amazed by the awesome scenery and the abundance of birds, many of which can be watched closely without optics and photographed with ease.

The highlights during my visit were as follows: Gannet (++++), Puffin (c.25), Guillemot (++++), Razorbill (+++), Kittiwake (++++), Fulmar (c.20), Shag (2), Herring Gull (c.20), Tree Sparrow (c.30 around the car park and visitor centre and in fields adjacent to the cliffs), Swallow (4), Skylark (1 singing male), Meadow Pipit (2), Reed Bunting (2 singing males), Linnet (c.10), Kestrel (1 female)

Additions to 2024 UK year list: Puffin, Shag, Tree Sparrow

This short film from the RSPB shows the stunning location that is RSPB Bempton Cliffs ....

Here are some photos from my visit ....

Photo: entrance to RSPB Bempton Cliffs

Photo: Puffins can even be seen in the RSPB Bempton Cliffs car park!

Photo: entrance to RSPB Bempton Cliffs

Photo: RSPB Bempton Cliffs

Photo: Puffin

Photo: Puffins and Razorbills

Photo: Puffin and Razorbills
Photo: Puffins

Photo: Puffins

Photo: Razorbill
Photo: Razorbill
Photo: Razorbill
Photo: Razorbill
Photo: Razorbill
Photo: Razorbill
Photo: Razorbill

Photo: Guillemot

Photo: Guillemot

Photo: Guillemots

Photo: Fulmar
Photo: Fulmar
Photo: Fulmar

Photo: Kittiwake

Photo: Kittiwakes

Photo: Kittiwake

Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: Kittiwakes
Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: Kittiwake

Photo: Gannets

Photo: Gannets

Photo: Gannet

Photo: Gannets

Photo: Gannet

Photo: Gannets

Photo: Gannet

Photo: Gannets

Photo: Gannet

Photo: Gannets

Photo: Gannet

Photo: Gannets

Photo: Gannet

Photo: Gannet

Photo: Gannet

Photo: Gannets

Photo: Gannet

Photo: Gannets

Photo: Gannet

Photo: Gannet

Photo: Gannet

Photo: Gannets

Photo: Gannet

Photo: Gannet

Photo: Gannets

Photo: Gannet

Photo: Gannet

Photo: Gannets

Photo: Gannets

Photo: Gannet

Photo: female Kestrel

Photo: female Kestrel

Photo: Tree Sparrow

Photo: Tree Sparrow

Photo: male Reed Bunting

Photo: Meadow Pipit

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Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature

Trip away from SS15 – Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and East Yorkshire – June 2024 (part 2)

On 16th June 2024, I visited the following sites:

NNR Winterton Dunes, Norfolk

NWT Weeting Heath, Norfolk

NNR Winterton Dunes is an extensive dune system on the east coast of Norfolk located within the Norfolk Coast National Landscape. The site is unusual in that it shows greater ecological similarities to the dune systems of the Baltic coast countries which support acidic plant communities rather than the dunes on the north Norfolk coast where the sand is calcareous.

NNR Winterton Dunes shows good coastal habitat succession from the open sand and shingle beach, through embryo and fixed dunes to acid heathland and low-lying wet dune slacks with areas of scattered scrub.

In spring, migrant birds pass through, often including uncommon or rare species. Little Terns and Ringed Plovers nest in shallow scrapes on the sandy beach, Nightjars use the heath to feed and breed and Skylarks and Stonechats are often seen and heard. The temporary pools in the dune slacks provide breeding sites for nationally important colonies of Natterjack Toads and Atlantic Grey Seals and Common Seals may be seen offshore and throughout the year. The range of habitats here also provide suitable homes for many rare insects such as sand wasps, many dragonflies and damselflies and a variety of butterflies.

My main target species at NNR Winterton Dunes was Little Tern and, after taking a short walk from the car park, I arrived at the fenced-off breeding colony of this beautiful and rare seabird. The on-site RSPB warden told me that an estimated 400 birds had returned in May and, subject to the usual threats of tidal flooding, aerial and ground predators and human and dog disturbance, he is hopeful for another successful breeding season. The sight of so many Little Terns at a single small site was amazing.

The highlights during my visit were as follows: Little Tern (c.400), Common Tern (2), Ringed Plover (4 including a pair with a juvenile), Cormorant (1), Great Black-backed Gull (2), Herring Gull (2), Skylark (3 plus several other singing males)

Addition to 2024 UK year list: Little Tern

After my visit to NNR Winterton Dunes, I drove over to NWT Weeting Heath.

NWT Weeting Heath is a 141.8 hectare reserve which is managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve and it is also part of the Breckland Special Area of Conservationand a Special Protection Area.

NWT Weeting Heath is the best site in the country to see the rare breeding Stone Curlew. The species requires open, stony ground with short vegetation to breed, making the close-cropped grass and lichen heath of NWT Weeting Heath an ideal site. As well as the Stone Curlew, NWT Weeting Heath is also home to a range of other heathland and woodland species.

My main target species was obviously the Stone Curlew, a bird that I usually record at NWT Weeting Heath each year. I relatively quickly found an adult bird plus at least 2 well-grown juveniles from the western hide, albeit views were a little hampered by the heat haze which is always an issue at this site. I also saw a very distant additional adult bird.

The highlights during my visit were as follows: Stone Curlew (1 adult with 2 well-grown juveniles plus an additional adult), Curlew (2), Lapwing (4), Common Buzzard (2 distantly soaring birds), Red Kite (1 distantly soaring bird), Stock Dove (2), Swift (c.10)

Addition to 2024 UK year list: Stone Curlew

After my visit to NWT Weeting Heath, I drove 130 miles north west to Travelodge Doncaster for my overnight stay.

Love nature .... act now

Restore and rewild our natural world

Please help save and enhance our laws that protect our environment and wildlife

💚🦆 🦉🦋🐝🦊🦡🌼 🌳💚
Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature

Trip away from SS15 – Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and East Yorkshire – June 2024 (part 1)

On 15th June 2024, I visited the following site:

EWT Wrabness, Essex

RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk

WestletonHeath, Suffolk

After picking up my rental car and driving home, I then drove to EWT Wrabness.

EWT Wrabness comprises hedgerows, scrub and grassland plus views overlooking the River Stour estuary. It is primarily known as a breeding location for Turtle Dove, a rapidly declining species which can be very difficult to locate now in the UK although this site remains a stronghold in Essex.

Compared with my previous visits, locating any Turtle Doves proved to be difficult although I did eventually hear a single “purring” male which frustratingly remained out of sight. Despite a good range of other species given the persistent drizzle, I failed to hear or see any Nightingales which was also disappointing given that EWT Wrabness is also a reliable site for this species.

The highlights during my visit were as follows (heard only records in italics): Turtle Dove (1 “purring” male heard), Lesser Whitethroat (1 singing male heard), Common Whitethroat (2 singing males seen, 2 other birds seen and 2 other singing males heard), Blackcap (2 singing males heard), Chiffchaff (1 singing male seen, 1 other bird seen and 3 other singing males heard), Sand Martin (c.15), Cetti’s Warbler (3 singing males), Yellowhammer (1 singing male heard), Skylark (1 singing male heard), Linnet (1), Greenfinch (3 males and 1 female), Goldfinch (c.10), Mistle Thrush (2), Little Egret (1), Oystercatcher (2)

Addition to 2024 UK year list: Turtle Dove

After my visit to EWT Wrabness, I drove up to Suffolk and my second visit of the spring to RSPB Minsmere.

RSPB Minsmere is one of the oldest reserves owned and managed by the RSPB and it is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation, a Special Protection Area and a Ramsar site. It is also 1 of only 5 European Council Diploma Protected Areas in the UK. Habitats at RSPB Minsmere include reedbeds, marshland, scrapes, grassland, heathland and shingle beach and a huge number and diversity of species is present at any time of the year.

Compared with my earlier visit on 2nd May 2024, this visit was much less productive in terms of the number of species recorded, not helped by the extremely strong wind and the intermittent heavy rain showers.

Nonetheless, I still had a very rewarding visit and highlights included the following (heard only records in italics): Avocet (c.200), Black-tailed Godwit (c.100), Oystercatcher (2), Lapwing (c.10), Ringed Plover (2), Shelduck (c.20), Shoveler (c.20), Gadwall (c.15), Mallard (c.10), Teal (c.15), Sandwich Tern (at least 200), Common Tern (at least 100), Kittiwake (15), Lesser Black-backed Gull (c.10), Black-headed Gull (+++ large nesting colony including many juveniles), Coot (c20), Moorhen (3), Egyptian Goose (1), Canada Goose (c.20), Greylag Goose (2 plus 2 juveniles), Chiffchaff (2 singing males heard), Blackcap (1 singing male heard), Reed Warbler (1), Sedge Warbler (1 singing male), Sand Martin (c.30), Marsh Harrier (1), Hobby (5), Rabbit (1), Red Admiral (1), Speckled Wood (1)

Addition to 2024 UK year list: Kittiwake

My final visit of the day was to nearby NNR Westleton Heath where my main target species was Nightjar.

NNR Westleton Heath is part of the best remaining tract of heathland in Suffolk and located just outside the village of Westleton. In medieval times a large area of heath known as the Sandlings (on account of its dry sandy soils) stretched along the Suffolk coast. Today only about 20% of the heathland remains and the rest has been lost to modern farming and forestry. The site is particularly good for heathland and woodland species.

I have visited NNR Westleton Heath many times over the years but this was my best ever encounter with Nightjars with exceptionally close flight views of 3 males in still relatively good light plus the sound of regular “churring”, calling and wing-clapping.

The highlights during my visit were as follows: Nightjar (3 males), Kestrel (1 male), Swift (5), Yellowhammer (1 male)

Addition to 2024 UK year list: Nightjar

Apart from the wildlife highlights, there was also a full rainbow whilst I waited for the sun to set.

Love nature .... act now

Restore and rewild our natural world

Please help save and enhance our laws that protect our environment and wildlife

💚🦆 🦉🦋🐝🦊🦡🌼 🌳💚
Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature

Trip away from SS15 – Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and East Yorkshire – June 2024

I booked a rental car from 15th to 18th June 2024 for a trip away from home to include visits to a number of sites in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and East Yorkshire.

My aim was to primarily add species to my 2024 UK year list. In addition, I wanted to again visit RSPB Bempton Cliffs for the first time since July 2022. This is an amazing mainland location for seabirds providing exceptional photo opportunities.

My trip provided excellent birding opportunities including 8 additions to my 2024 UK year list taking it to 181 species.

The 8 additions to my 2023 UK year list were as follows: Turtle Dove, Nightjar, Little Tern, Stone Curlew, Tree Sparrow, Puffin, Kittiwake, Shag

During my trip, I visited the following sites:

EWT Wrabness, Essex

RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk

Westleton Heath, Suffolk

NNR Winterton Dunes, Norfolk

NWT Weeting Heath, Norfolk

RSPB Bempton Cliffs, East Yorkshire

Follow these links to the individual day accounts ....

Part 1

Part 2