Lowestoft Life - 23rd October 2023

Despite feeling very ropey by the end of yesterday, I still managed to get out before seven this morning and with Mr Wren in tow headed down to Kessingland to watch the sun come up and hopefully the Grey Phalarope on the big beach pool.

With a cloud bank on the horizon the pre and post sunrise pictures were even more magnificent than yesterday but trying to capture the almost green hue to the sky before Sol appeared was frustratingly difficult. 

The ever changing light...

Finches were already on the move with Brambling and Siskins heard along with Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails and a Fieldfare was pulling worms from the park lawn while a Ring Ouzel dropped in to the scrub from up high.

We spied the Phalarope from up on top and wheezed our way down the steps.  Over the next hour wondrous views were had as it fed up and down the pool and with patience and fieldcraft it would come to you. 

Grey Phalarope

A Dunlin worked its way around the margins and was similarly unfussed by our presence.  It was very long billed and I assume a female.  A Little Grebe was a surprise though.

Dunlin

The passerines kept moving and we added a Skylarks, Rock Pipits and Reed Buntings and a single Snow Bunting was heard going over while small parties of Wood Pigeons moved through.  Four more Ring Ouzels dropped into the Poplars back on top of the cliffs and as usual went to ground while the hungry migrant Blackbirds were busy devouring the glowing red haws.

The sea was still flat calm and two Shag were seen heading south having gone past Ness Point a short while before causing a Patch Tick conundrum.  I was at Kessingland but could see them off Pakefield Beach coming my way… mmm…

Pleased with our effort we retraced our track across the beach before the climb back up the seventy-odd steps. Suitable breathers gave us eye level views of a hunting Kestrel and there were quite a few Robins and Song Thrushes calling in the hedges.

Kestrel 

The top fields were very wet and if you stood quietly you could hear the ground almost fizzing as it tried to absorb the dampness underfoot.  With coffee required we headed back checking out the two toilet blocks for moths – as you do - and finding a few Rusty Dot Pearls around the outside lights.

Spindle

Rusty Dot Pearl