Birder from Suffolk, often found on the patch at Felixstowe Ferry.https://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mxoqdaueus2vBeing positioned in a bit of a bay, my patch isn't ideal for intercepting passing seabirds. With a Cory's Shearwater tracked south from further north it was worth a go, albeit without any real expectations. Thankfully, after longer than anticipated, it suddenly appeared in view! #SuffolkBirding12 Oct 2026 14:32 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxoqdaueus2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mxeiclclvk2xSuperb garden tick in the form of Black Stork earlier today, with a bird seen circling overhead for a few minutes before drifting off back towards Landguard #SuffolkBirding08 Oct 2026 12:42 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxeiclclvk2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mx4uiedgqs2w@simongillings.bsky.social could you please give me a follow. Got a small favour to ask, if possible05 Oct 2026 11:59 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mx4uiedgqs2whttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mtcbu3hec227Took a very late lunch in order to check out the high tide roost down the patch. 110 Black-tailed Godwit, 45 Golden Plover and singles of Greenshank and Whimbrel were the best. Also had my first Wheatear of the autumn along the river wall #SuffolkBirding17 Aug 2026 18:01 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtcbu3hec227https://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3msxnvka7uc25Cleared 2 empty glass bottles and a can of beer from the river wall down on patch, as well as some cigarette butts. The stupidity and recklessness of some people just isn't surprising anymore13 Aug 2026 12:37 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3msxnvka7uc25https://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3ms76qehqv22kSome wader variety on this evening's visit to the patch. Highlight was a calling Wood Sandpiper as it flew overhead (which I find difficult to imagine being the same bird from last week), 5 Greenshank that circled before heading off loudly, 3 Whimbrel, 4 Golden Plover and 14 Dunlin #SuffolkBirding03 Aug 2026 19:02 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms76qehqv22khttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3ms4dv34en22tManaged to see the 2 Black Storks circling over Kingsfleet late afternoon, viewed distantly from the house boats, courtesy of @markpio.bsky.social. Great addition to the patch list #SuffolkBirding02 Aug 2026 15:56 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms4dv34en22thttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mrpgqkodo226Unfortunately, no sign of the White-rumped Sandpiper in the high tide roost at lunchtime. Dunlin group has seemingly halved. However, a smart Wood Sandpiper was a lovely consolation; a scarce bird on patch #SuffolkBirding28 Jul 2026 12:42 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrpgqkodo226https://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mrnomrhxfs2mFound a White-rumped Sandpiper on the patch this evening, associating with a small group of Dunlin. Patch tick and self-found tick rolled into one #SuffolkBirding27 Jul 2026 19:58 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrnomrhxfs2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mr3vvivtvc25Couple of Glossy Ibis seen in flight over Ramsholt flood this evening, viewed from Falkenham Creek. Although I've seen them elsewhere on the Deben over the years, this was a long overdue tick for the section I call my patch #SuffolkBirding20 Jul 2026 18:20 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr3vvivtvc25https://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mqkghkdqcs2tHudsonian Godwit is one of my favourite waders, so it was great to finally catch up with it at Cattawade earlier this evening. Especially after missing it at Minsmere the other week due to my own making #SuffolkBirding13 Jul 2026 19:29 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqkghkdqcs2thttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mlgxeqo2l22gBrief visit to the patch this evening. Spoonbill was on the saltings, sharing them with a Whimbrel and couple of Barwit. A flyover Yellow Wagtail and a nice Cuckoo completed the main interest #SuffolkBirding09 May 2026 19:15 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlgxeqo2l22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mk6pix33os2wShort wander around the patch this evening produced the hoped for Whimbrel (first of the year), plus a bonus pair of Spoonbill on the saltings. No camera with me unfortunately, so the phone had to do #SuffolkBirding23 Apr 2026 19:07 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6pix33os2whttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mk44hrhgik2aIt's that time of year again when waders are passing through the patch looking beautiful. A smart Bar-tailed Godwit and Knot were amongst the Dunlin, as well as a single Golden Plover. All mostly in their summer finery #SuffolkBirding22 Apr 2026 18:21 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk44hrhgik2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mjfjigalfs2aPaid the patch another visit after work, this time walking to Kingsfleet. Short-eared Owl over the golf course and Great White Egret over Kingsfleet were the highlights #SuffolkBirding13 Apr 2026 18:43 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjfjigalfs2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mjejviz27s2nReally enjoyable pre-work walk around the patch this morning. Decent numbers of Sedge Warblers are now in, plus a few Whitethroat. Also singles of both Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler, plus 3 Wheatear and a White Wagtail on the beach. 4 Barnacle Geese flew north first thing #SuffolkBirding13 Apr 2026 09:18 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjejviz27s2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3minvnf7cqk2hPleasant few hours on patch this morning, once again around Falkenham Creek. Highlights were my first Sedge Warbler of the year and a flyover Raven. Latter being my first on patch for nearly 3 years #SuffolkBirding04 Apr 2026 09:17 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3minvnf7cqk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mijsl7ypis23Brief walk after work along the beach at the patch. A couple of smart Wheatear were my reward. First of the year for me #SuffolkBirding02 Apr 2026 18:11 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mijsl7ypis23https://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mi76t2aok22tSpent a few hours early morning out on patch, focusing around Falkenham Creek. 4 Pochard were an overdue patch tick. Always assumed I'd get them on a seawatch rather than swimming around in a dyke. 70+ Black-tailed Godwit were beginning to look really smart #SuffolkBirding29 Mar 2026 12:51 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi76t2aok22thttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mhzrhcucls2pThe female Black Redstart from last week on the patch has been joined by a male the last couple of days. It even had a bit of a sing this morning #SuffolkBirding27 Mar 2026 09:09 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhzrhcucls2phttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mhkrtc756s23Glorious early morning walk around the Ferry, with plenty of birds in full song - a sure sign that spring is here. A booming Bittern was my first of the year #SuffolkBirding21 Mar 2026 10:05 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhkrtc756s23https://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mhgoj466nc2uSpent an hour or so after work on the patch at Felixstowe Ferry, primarily around the golf course. Black Redstart was a nice bonus, and hopefully a little indicator of the migrants to come over spring #SuffolkBirding19 Mar 2026 18:55 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhgoj466nc2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mf35zp4hpk2jEnjoyable full day out on patch resulted in a number of year ticks. Whooper Swan still just upriver of Falkenham Creek, Red Kite over Ramsholt and Parakeet at the Ferry the most noteworthy, although the group of 15 Gadwall flying upriver from Falkenham is a good count for here #SuffolkBirding17 Feb 2026 18:11 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mf35zp4hpk2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mcspwddvas2kFantastic show of the Northern Lights from our Felixstowe garden tonight #aurora19 Jan 2026 22:47 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcspwddvas2khttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mbm3hovyx22rNice start to the new year on the patch with a couple of Tundra Bean Geese and a lone White-front on Falkenham Marshes earlier this morning #SuffolkBirding04 Jan 2026 13:59 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbm3hovyx22rhttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3mbhh4ivqcs2pMy Swarovski STS 65 HD scope, with 20-60 zoom is available, although lens caps missing. Comes with stay-on case (front lost its lower clip). Tripod available. Know any local young birders who may like it? - free of charge @landguardbo.bsky.social @landguardbirder.bsky.social @david-walsh.bsky.social02 Jan 2026 17:45 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbhh4ivqcs2phttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3m7aq6si6sk2rThe local patch Yellow-browed Warbler was showing and calling well late morning. Wonder whether it will linger until the new year!? #SuffolkBirding05 Dec 2025 14:48 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7aq6si6sk2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3m6tsk2ele22kNice surprise this morning when a gorgeous Pallas's Warbler was found on the patch by Paul Holmes. Wonderful views were had in the small copse at the start of the Tomline Wall, mixed in with the Goldcrests and Long-tailed Tits ##SuffolkBirding30 Nov 2025 11:25 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6tsk2ele22khttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3m6kgfzjg5c2gGave the patch Yellow-browed Warbler another go today, hoping to finally get a photo. Bird showed very well eventually, although very rarely without a branch cutting across it! Hopefully will get better opportunities another time. Nice to hear it calling regularly as well #SuffolkBirding26 Nov 2025 17:54 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6kgfzjg5c2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/craigholden.bsky.social/post/3m46qjkzra22wBeen off work for 2.5 months due to a back injury, but for the latter part of that time I was about to enjoy some garden vis-mig. Always kept a garden list, but it is amazing what goes over when you can invest the time. Some lovely movements of Mipits and Thrushes in particular #SuffolkBirding27 Oct 2025 15:33 +0000at://did:plc:dbqbc2rl2jef2aeof6kabflu/app.bsky.feed.post/3m46qjkzra22w