East Blean & Swalecliffe 7/02/23

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Slightly foggy when I arrived at East Blean Woods though soon lifting to give sunny conditions. 

The main purpose of the visit was to look for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker but for nearly two hours I only heard GSW. Then some rapid tapping (not drumming) revealed a male LSW which was watched for a minute or two in tops of oaks, the bird also calling at one point. I suspect it had a mate nearby, as there was more tapping on other tree trunks. Half an hour later another bird called more distantly in a different area of the wood though I couldn't find that one.

In total there were probably at least 10 GSW, some which were drumming later in the morning.

Other birds included about four Tree Creeper a similar number of Nuthatch, 38 Fieldfare, plus two-three Buzzard. There was very likely a Marsh Tit though views were brief.

Arriving at Swalecliffe at 1:30 I was surprised to find it was still slightly foggy there. 

Recent reports of the wintering Pallas's Warbler had been from the end of the brook near the sewage farm entrance so I concentrated on that area. It was quiet to start with but I realised why when a female Sparrowhawk sitting in the bushes was flushed. Following that birds started to become more active and I managed to find the Pallas's. It was quite close and was watched on and off for 45 minutes in which time it called quite a lot, a soft 'twee' to my ear. On previous visits I hadn't hear it call at all.

Unfortunately, after taking half a dozen pictures the sign 'card full' flashed up on my camera so that was more or less the end of photography for the day. The OM1 has a spare card system so that'll teach me to take the right camera next time.

Pallas's Warbler hovering





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