At this end of proceedings Foot It ticks are occasional drips vs the wild torrent of the first few walks of the year...
A tip off from my man Joe led me to make the 7 mile yomp to the hide at Micklemere, leaving the house at 06:10 under a crescent moon, I covered the distance in good time and was in position 2 hours and 25 minutes after leaving the house.
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| Sun-up West Suffolk style |
Despite passing through several territories - I failed to connect with a Barn Owl - which remains firmly off my Foot It list.
Initially my Pintail targets were not on-view, which did cause an amount of questioning and self-reflection. Why disturb the household stupid early to walk through the frozen darkness, to then sit in an icy hide? Like what is my actual problem?
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| Drake Pintail - Micklemere 14th January 2026 (image courtesy of local birder Trevor) |
I didn’t have to reflect too long before I spotted the two drake Pintail - initially obscured by vegetation. Then in full, glorious view… all self doubt evaporated and I felt like a real-world champion.
I also gained a new Foot It mammal tick in Fallow Dear. Incredibly, I also learnt that there are Beaver nearby! Albeit penned and on a private estate!
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| Footpath crossed a carrot field - took most of it with me |
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| Fallow Deer |
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| Fallow Deer |
I decided to cut west, to Livermere, seagulls were my main target - which would prove to be ridiculous - as the mere only held Black-headed Gulls and four Great Black-backed Gulls. On my way through the village I paused to check some hedgerow Goldcrest… hold on one cresty, McCrest Face minute… that isn’t two Goldcrest… it’s a Goldcrest and it’s FIRECREST friend.
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| Firecrest - Great Livemere village 14th January 2026 (mobile phone shot hence quality) |
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| Firecrest - Great Livemere village 14th January 2026 (mobile phone shot hence quality) |
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| Firecrest - Great Livemere village 14th January 2026 (mobile phone shot hence quality) |
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| Firecrest - Great Livemere village 14th January 2026 (mobile phone shot hence quality) |
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| Firecrest - Great Livemere village 14th January 2026 (mobile phone shot hence quality) |
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| Firecrest - Great Livemere village 14th January 2026 (mobile phone shot hence quality) |
Firecrest is a seriously good bird locally. I recall a single bird at Livermere Hall about 15 to 20 years ago. Otherwise, you have to get up to Brandon Country Park to see them reliably.
On the back of the drake Pintail, I felt like a champion. A legend. Transcending normal birding boundaries. Who finds a Firecrest in the middle of nowhere, in a hedge backing onto a children’s playground people’s gardens?
Off the shitting scale.
I won’t pretend today’s mileage haven’t taken a toll. I am pretty wrecked - but the satisfaction I feel makes it all worth it. Just three more species to hit the big 100 target...
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