Dawn chorus walk over The Lows and Outney Common, Bungay
2 April 2010
By Steve Piotrowski
Anyone would have been excused for being slightly pessimistic following a weather prediction for Good Friday of rain accompanied by bitterly cold westerly winds. This however did not deter an enthusiastic bunch of around 30 WBC members who braved the conditions for a 6.00am dawn chorus ramble.
The cold start meant that the normal cacophony of birdsong wasn’t on the cards, but there was still a good selection of birds calling and singing as we made our way from the golf club car park towards The Lows. We all quickly got our ears in tune to listen to several Robins, Chaffinches (some giving their “rain call”), Dunnocks and Wrens with one or two Linnets and Greenfinches. As we ventured across the picturesque wet meadows towards the River Waveney, a skein of Barnacle Geese alighted to join resident Greylag and Canada Geese flocks. A lone Egyptian Goose stood on guard perhaps signifying that his mate was incubating a clutch of eggs nearby?
We stopped briefly at an otter holt, before continuing a circular route along the riverbank, where we saw Mute Swans, Mallards, Moorhens, five Teal and a Tufted Duck. The group went on to watch and listen to a pair of Treecreepers as Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs sang from Bath Hills on the opposite bank.
I think all will agree that the highlight of the morning were three most obliging Kingfishers, all watched in admiration as they perched on fence posts and hovered over flooded dykes. Several displaying pairs of Stock Doves were noted and a Cetti’s Warbler, whose explosive song rang out of from an area of scrub, was a real surprise. A Mistle Thrush singing in the distance together with a Song Thrush and a Blackbird gave us the opportunity to examine this trio’s vocal differences and a flock of 25 Fieldfares was noted feeding at the tops of a group of poplar trees. A Common Buzzard, relentlessly chased by a group of crows, was our next real surprise and the mêlée was briefly joined by a Kestrel.
Despite threatening skies, we counted ourselves rather lucky with just one light shower on our return. We briefly watched a pair of Brown Hares frolicking in a meadow and those at the front of the group spotted a Swallow swooping over us before disappearing from view behind some trees. A pair of Oystercatchers holding territory on a field and a male Reed Bunting calling from an area of scrub was the highlight of the walk back to the car park.
All in all a good diversity of wildlife species was seen by all and I hope you will agree that it was a nice way to start the Easter Holidays.
It was then back to Bungay Community Centre for a review of the birds that we had seen and heard, teas, coffees and hot-cross buns. A thoroughly enjoyable morning was had by all and a big thank you to Kathy, Carol, Bridget and Linda for welcoming us back to the centre with much needed warm refreshments.
Steve Piotrowski