16th May - The Sailor's Path, Snape to Aldeburgh, Suffolk

We met with Friends today and decided to walk from our cottage to Aldeburgh.  Fortunately the footpath was just across the road from Snape Hall where we were staying, the footpath would pick up the Sailor's Path. The Sailors’ Path follows a beautiful route between Snape Maltings and Aldeburgh. The Path is named because sailors would walk the path between Aldeburgh and Snape.

We were not visiting the Snape Maltings, but have been there before.  Snape Maltings rises above its surroundings like a great ship. Local businessman Newson Garrett built the Maltings in stages from 1846. The railway arrived in 1859 ensuring that the Maltings remained a viable business until it closed in 1965.  They are now an antiques and craft centre, plus a concert hall.

Having picked up the Sailor's Path it wound through farmland on a sandy path and then into oak and pine woodland.  A Jay, normally a shy bird, appeared on the fence close by.

The path continued through the woodland with singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff.  There was a section of boardwalk as we passed over streams, eventually coming out into the open at Hazelwood Marshes.

The River Alde has one of the most beautiful estuaries on the east coast. The river flows through wide marshes and low hills under a huge Suffolk sky. In the past, barges transported goods to and from Snape Maltings. The barges moored at Snape today are used for pleasure trips.

The tide was rising and there were a few waders on the mud.  This Redshank in breeding plumage.

And a few Oystercatcher.

Further away a pair of Avocet were engaged in their mating display.

After the detour to look at the marshes we returned to the path and walked past two singing Nightingale which were a surprise.

The path eventually reached the main road into Aldeburgh at the golf course and you then walk along a pavement past some very large houses finally coming into Aldeburgh's High Street.

We walked to the sea front and found somewhere to have fish and chips, after which we walked along the front and beach.

The coastal town of Aldeburgh is a popular place for holidays. In medieval times, the town had a successful shipbuilding industry. Fishing has also played an important role in the town’s economy. Aldeburgh still has a small fishing fleet and fresh fish can be bought from huts on the beach.

The coastal town of Aldeburgh is a popular place for holidays. In medieval times, the town had a successful shipbuilding industry. Fishing has also played an important role in the town’s economy. Aldeburgh still has a small fishing fleet and fresh fish can be bought from huts on the beach.

Herring Gulls patrolled the beach always on the look out for an easy meal.

At the northern end of the town's sea fron there were public toilets and for some reason the building was perfect for Swallows, that could be seen flying around the buildings and call all the time either in the air of actually on the building.

They clearly breed here and the birds were paired up and chattering away to each other.

Sitting together on the roof tops

So of course there was the chance to catch them in the air, but this was the best I could do.

We opted to avoid the walk back and instead managed to get a taxi.  The weather had been good to us on what was a lovely opportunity to catch up with friends.

21st October - West Hayling Oyster Beds, Hampshire

After the rain of Monday it was a bright morning with some sunshine.  I decided to try my luck at the Oyster Beds, high tide was around midday and there would probably be some wader movements as they looked for dry land to roost.

As I left the car and walked towards the Billy Path there were a couple of buck Roe Deer enjoying the morning sunshine too.

On the rocks from the Billy Path, one of the two Whimbrel present was just showing along side a Curlew.

I walked around to the old Oyster Beds where the tide was rising fast and the waders were looking to use any bit of dry land to settle on.  Grey Plover on the sea weed that was just sticking out above the water.

Some were using the rocks that were once the oyster bed bunds.

Dunlin, Curlew Grey Plover and a single Knot on the sea weed.

As the water rose the waders become unsettled and finally take to the air looking to find another dry spot.

Its incredible how they manage to not fly into each other as they take off all together.

There is one old wall that is made up of large lumps of white chalk.  This Grey Plover was sitting amongst them.

Only a Curlew remains on the sea weed.

There is still some roosting areas of the main outer wall showing and several Grey Plover grimly old on as the tide continues to cover everything.

A single Sandwich Tern fishes around the lagoon.

There were quite a few Little Egrets along the shoreline.  With th etide now covering some o the vegetation there were opportunities to catch small fish amongst the grass.

And they were quite happy to come close and the opportunity for close ups.

There were several Rock Pipits also that were coming close as I sat still watching the waders.

They differ from the Meadow Pipit with the less defined streaking on the breast and flanks, dark legs and a more defined bill.

About twenty Cormorants appeared and started to work together in what seemed to be a corralling of fish into the corner where the Cormorants then caught the fish and the Little Egrets too.

There was a single Bar-tailed Godwit amongst the Grey Plover and Dunlin.  Later it was seen standing with three Oystercatchers aon a small island.

The chalk rocks were now getting covered and the prime real estate was being snapped up.

Hundreds of Dunlin swirled around the Oyster Beds, it was almost continual with birds coming and going all the time.

The Grey Plover too were moving back and forth coming across the water and close sometimes.

There were also quite a few Knot and these would be in amongst the flocks of Dunlin.  Every so often one would appear on its own.

As it reached the time of high tide the activity started to ease off, amazingly so soon after high tide you could see the water levels beginning to retreat.  I decided to make my way back to the car, but continued to scan the groups of birds that were still roosting amongst the grass and mounds.  Here amongst the Oystercatcher, Grey Plover and Dunlin was one of the Whimbrel.

And on another dry island four Greenshank.

Back at the freshwater lagoon by the Billy path I managed to very briefly catch up with two Water Pipits, but they successfully avoided the camera.  Also on the lagoon was a Herring Gull that allowed a close up.

And a very smart adult Common Gull.

It was quite a spectacle this morning, the tide was a high spring tide and this added to the event, pushing the birds all around as they searched for dry land for a couple of hours before returning to feed.  I wonder what it is like in the darkness when these tides happen?

18th July - Durlston Country Park, Dorset

We had tried to visit Swanage and the Isle of Purbeck a couple of weeks ago, but the accommodation was not up to scratch so we came home.  Subsequently Helen and I found a small studio flat in Swanage and were able to get a booking for this weekend.  I was keen to show her the cliff walk at Durlston, so we decided to head there first before going into Swanage.

It was a glorious morning when we arrived.  Clear blue skies and a nice breeze to cool what would probably be a warm sun.  As we left the car park there were several Lulworth Skippers on the bramble by the car.  Walking down the path towards the main track Marbled Whites moved amongst the grasses and nectared on the Knapweed.  Their flight time is just about coming to an end, but these still appeared to be in good condition.

Passing the maritime markers a Raven was perched on the top.

With help from Helen we managed to find some of the Lulworth Skippers settled on the Knapweed and vegetation.

Easily identified by the light semi circular markings on the hind wings.

A Ringlet in the green bushes by the side of the path.

We reached the cliff path and set off to the west.  Peregrines could be heard calling from below the cliff and a pair of juveniles passed overhead screaming for their parents.

Ian and I had visited in early April, and while it was a little warmer today, the conditions were still very dry as we had experienced then.  A find back in April was a couple of Wall Browns, so it was nice to find what was probably butterflies from a second brood, in almost the same place.

A luminous beetle caught our eyes as it flew amongst the grass, once settled we were able to get a good look.

This is a Rose Chafer, found mainly i grassland and woodland, being scarce, but widespread in England.  It feeds during the summer on Dog Rose, but here appeared to be partial to the Teasel.

Another Lulworth Skipper on a Knapweed flower head.

Misty cloud hung over the cliffs and it kept the temperature down, there was also mist out to sea which was throwing shadows on to the sea.

The teasels were an attraction to the butterflies and it was nice to see this Dark Green Fritillary that was in good condition nectaring along with a Gatekeeper.

A closer look at the Dark Green Fritillary.

There were several Wall Browns seen along the path, this one settled on one of the exposed rocks by the side of the path.

We didn't go as far as the Dancing Ledge, but turned back and made our way around to the Lighthouse.

Helen found this large cricket in amongst the grass stems.  It is a Great Green Bush-Cricket.  It lived up to its name as it was about four inches in length.  It is by far the largest Bush-cricket in the UK and has an orange brown stripe on its back

Like all crickets it had very long antennae, although one was damaged.

Approaching the lighthouse there were more Wall Browns, this one sitting nicely in the vegetation.

We climbed the cliff path at Tilly Whim Caves, the view looking back towards the lighthouse now looking really nice in the sunshine.

Birds werte far and few, all the auks now having left the cliff ledges.  A lone Rock Pipit appeared below the path.

We decided to have lunch at the castle cafe and were watched very closely by the resident Herring Gulls.

From Durlston we headed back down into Swanage and our accommodation, much better than the previous debacle.

In the evening we walked into Swanage and had dinner on the roof Terrace in the evening sunshine.  Walking back Swanage Bay was quiet and calm, lets hope it lasts throughout the weekend.