Martlesham Creek November 2017

Thursday the 8th November 2017

13 members met at 0945 hrs in the car park above Martlesham creek near Woodbridge, Suffolk to explore some of the tidal reaches of the River Deben near to where it runs up to Woodbridge itself. The surrounding neighbourhood looked delightful with luxury houses dotted around the thin woodland. It was a chilly day and although the sky threatened rain we were spared and the wind was very light.

We proceeded down the hill towards the main creek and could see that the tide was very low but coming in. We stood and scanned the mud and shingle and soon spotted a large flock of Golden Plovers. Beyond these birds, on a grass field was a flock of about 50 Brent Geese. As we stood there they took off and after doing a flypast they landed near to the Golden Plovers. In the rising water were about 8 Little Grebes which were diving regularly for food. It seemed unusual to see birds on salt water that we mostly associate with living on fresh water.

We moved to our right, downstream, and after a short time we were walking along the creek which runs up to Martlesham village. Along the way we spotted numerous Curlews, Redshanks and Dunlin as well as a few Little Egrets. A wader was spotted that did not look typical of any species that we knew but after much discussion we decide it was a Ruff and it obligingly kept close to our group allowing us to get some good pictures. This was the highlight of the trip.

Once we reached the small harbour at the end of the creek the tide was flowing in strongly and we returned to the cars after a brisk walk. Lunch was taken at the Fox Inn, Newbourne and the group found the food to be excellent and reasonably priced.

A big thank you to Sue and Bryann for scouting out the trip and for arranging Lunch at the Fox.

Birds seen: 38 species. (including four Plover species)

Robin, Great Tit, Carrion Crow, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Redshank, Little Egret, Curlew, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Mallard, Black Tailed Godwit, Brent Goose,
Black Headed Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Mute Swan, Cormorant, Little Grebe, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Teal, Kestrel, Wigeon, Jackdaw, Blue Tit, Pipit (?Meadow), Blackbird, Starling, Wren, Moorhen, Ruff, Pied Wagtail, Rook, Long Tailed Tit.

Birds heard only: 3 species.Jay, Cetti’s Warbler, Goldcrest.

Other wildlife seen: 1 species. Rabbit.