An awesome sight

In my last blog I mentioned the record counts of geese at North Warren, and suggested that you join me for a guided to see them.

Well, if you had joined me last Saturday, you'd have had one of the best birdwatching experiences Suffolk has to offer. North Warren was at its awesome, magical best. Absolutely teeming with birds. If you missed it, there's two more chances to join me, on Sat 5 and Sat 19 Feb. Why not reserve your place now? Call 01728 648281 to do so.

Why was it such a good walk? Well, apart from the friendly people who joined me, and the surprisingly mild weather (albeit with a moderate SW wind that meant you didn't want to stand still for too long along the beach), the birds put on a spectacular show to justify all the hard work from North Warren's wardening team this year.

The marshes were full of ducks, geese and wading birds. Here's just a few of the highlights:

Pink-footed goose (foreground) with tundra bean geese at North Warren by David Fairhurst

• at least 350 European white-fronted geese close to the central path, before being spooked and flying slightly farther back
• four red-breasted geese among the barnacle geese (not sure where the other one was - probably hiding in a hollow
• 11 tundra bean geese with one pink-footed goose for excellent comparison, close to the old railway line
• a female merlin landed on a fence post beside the geese (this has been seen regularly this year)
• 300 black-tailed godwits, 300 lapwings and hundreds of wigeons and teals being spooked by a persistent female marsh harrier who caused havoc throughout the morning
• a Cetti's warbler singing along the central path
• good numbers of pintails, shovelers and mallards, plus a few gadwalls and three pochards
• close views of both the Exmoor and konik Polski ponies

Konik Polski at North Warren by Ian Barthorpe

After the walk, I had a quick of nearby Thorpeness Mere, where i spotted a great white egret (still present), little egret, two grey herons and more ducks.

What are you waiting for. Visit North Warren tomorrow. It's buzzing right now.