Waveney Bird Club

WBC Sizewell Walk

18 September 2011

Leaders: Carl Powell & Roger Walsh
The weather forecast had been bleak. We had been warned of a wet and windy day. You just can’t tell some people! So it was that a hardy eight decided to do the walk anyway. By eight o’clock the weather still hadn’t broken and we met at Sizewell Beach car park and set off northwards. The outfall tower of the A station which, during the breeding season, holds hundreds of pairs of Kittiwake had long since fallen silent holding only the odd Herring Gull and feral pigeon. Further out the intake tower boasted only Cormorant in addition. Moving on, the next target bird came surprisingly easy with several Black Redstart showing well on and around the surrounds of B. We couldn’t possibly have known that our walk scheduled months ago would coincide with maintenance work at Sizewell B. Therefore, no cooling water was being discharged and there were no birds flocking around the single post which marks the exit point. We pressed on.

Because of the forecast and the average age of those participating, a change to the proposed route was agreed. Instead of turning into the Sizewell Estate and then on to Eastbridge we stuck to the coastal path and headed for Minsmere. Along the way we saw many patches of harebell in flower as well as Grayling and Red Admiral butterflies. Birds too of course, with many of the usual suspects added to the day list. Towards the sluice bushes we were entertained by a close party of 16 Bearded Tits, their distinctive call being heard long before they were sighted. News of a Lapland Bunting showing well in the sand dunes of Minsmere beach was welcome and all managed to see it well as it posed for the photographers present.

Click images to enlarge

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  Lapland Bunting

  (c) Jon Evans

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  Lapland Bunting

  (c) Carl Powell

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  Spotted Redshank

  (c) Jon Evans

Moving into the East Hide we were confronted by a host of waders including Black tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank and a very elegant Curlew Sandpiper. Even the guest Flamingo was present along with a South African Shelduck! Is somebody missing something?
The walk back to Sizewell was fairly un-eventful and we parted under sunny skies at the car park. So much for weather forecasts!

All in all, a reasonable day out and although we did not see many passing seabirds or summer migrants we did have some memorable views of some special birds. The species list can be seen below.

Carl Powell