Justin Zantboer

Birder & A-Ringer, Bonkers on Migration, Felixstowe Peninsula & Trimley Marshes SWT Patcher, occasional Twitcher & proud Dad of @El_Zantboer & @NatureDan2007

[Justin Zantboer @JustZant]

Another memorable morning at Trimley Marshes SWT! It’s taken 35yrs of birding to finally see a Little Bunting on the Felixstowe Peninsula, one of 27 birds ringed this morning which also included this Grey Wagtail, four Bearded Tits and a slightly late Reed Warbler.

[Justin Zantboer @JustZant]

@Samphire51 You’re looking well there Gerald. Hopefully we’ll see you down at Landguard this spring mate. Take care.

[Justin Zantboer @JustZant]

An interesting few hours out on @suffolkwildlife reserves on the Peninsula today with the 4 Tundra Bean and 74 White-fronted Geese at Trimley Marshes SWT this morning followed by a walk around the new Martlesham Wilds SWT reserve this afternoon. The new lagoons look amazing!

[Justin Zantboer @JustZant]

A cracking early morning walk at @LandguardObs today with more waders present than at nearby Trimley Marshes! Purple Sandpiper, 3 Turnstone, 4 Sanderling and 5 Ringed Plover. Also the male Snow Bunting on the beach, a Firecrest in the Obs and an Egyptian Goose past.

[Justin Zantboer @JustZant]

Nice to see my first ever December Temminck’s Stint this morning at @RSPBMinsmere from the North Hide with @NatureDan2007 . Viewing was a little distant in the rain but worth it with 3 Bewick’s Swans and 5+ Water Pipit too. Nice to see so many birds on the Scrapes.

[Justin Zantboer @JustZant]

@MisterThomasP @MisterJamesP8 Glad it finally showed for you fella. 😎

[Thomas Porter @MisterThomasP]

Beautiful Pallas' Warbler at Landguard today alongside a stunning Firecrest. @MisterJamesP8

[Justin Zantboer @JustZant]

Nice morning at a very windy Dunwich Heath with @marsh_eddie and Will B to see the adult male Turkestan Shrike. It took us longer than most to see due to a prolonged McDonalds stop and the blustery conditions weren’t the best for filming but chuffed to get decent views in the end

[Justin Zantboer @JustZant]

Some pretty cool footage of the @LandguardObs Wryneck feeding at lunch time today, constantly flicking out its tongue as it fed so no doubt picking up ants by the beak full. Yum…

[Justin Zantboer @JustZant]

@alanball101 @GrahamDeacon12 @BTO_Wilts @WiltsBirdClub @El_Zantboer I had another one controlled at Stanford Alan, taking only two days to get there. Birds looking for water / suitable feeding-up areas (Trimley is pretty much a desert this year) before making the big jump?

[Justin Zantboer @JustZant]

Trimley Marshes SWT this morning, just having a stroll with a Badger, as you do…

[alan lewis wildlife stuff @LewisStuff]

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Iona - I was lucky enough to see this colourful visitor recently, with a small group of visitors, before it disappeared:

[Justin Zantboer @JustZant]

A little bit of Purple Heron action from Trimley Marshes SWT this morning! It was showing quite well…. Amazing what you can see when on crutches. Thanks to @El_Zantboer and @Pittas5000 for the door to hide lifts, a great sanity check.

[Justin Zantboer @JustZant]

So it’s confirmed as a first for Britain then folks, this lad being the first Reed Warbler ringed in BUDAPEST, Hungary to ever be recaptured in the UK and only the second ever passerine! Just as well I’m on crutches now for 8 weeks - I can have a little celebratory drink! 🥳🍾

[Justin Zantboer @JustZant]

A couple of interesting recoveries of Sedge Warblers ringed at Trimley SWT as young birds passing through the site, seemingly from all over the UK, including Ireland and Scotland. Just goes to show it’s not just Waders and Wildfowl that it’s an important refuelling station for.

[Justin Zantboer @JustZant]

Still shaking after a potential FIRST FOR THE UK today at Trimley Marshes SWT with this Reed Warbler bearing a ring from fooking BUDAPEST!! 🥳 We can’t find any records of any other Reed Warblers from there? In fact, we can’t find records of any passerines from there?

[Ellie Zantboer @El_Zantboer]

Never a dull day when you catch one of these bright yellow beauties! Amongst 14 others ringed at Trimley Marshes SWT this morning, this stunning Spring Yellow Wagtail stole the show @vikingoptical @JustZant

[Ellie Zantboer @El_Zantboer]

Brilliant morning ringing at Trimley Marshes SWT before work, catching my first male Whitethroat of the year and this stunning Black Redstart! @JustZant @vikingoptical

[NatureDanZant @NatureDan2007]

Mental morning at Robs Obs!! Starting with a Hawfinch which was a first for the site. This was followed By a supporting cast of 42 new birds including 2 Fieldfare,6 Redwing, 18 Chaffinch, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 7 Reed Bunting and a Yellowhammer!!

[Ellie Zantboer @El_Zantboer]

Lovely morning ringing 8 birds at Trimley Marshes SWT, including 5 Chiffchaff , 1 with a very sweet pollen horn. Also, brilliant views of 2 Little Ringed Plovers on the Main Lagoon @vikingoptical @JustZant @NatureDan2007

[Ellie Zantboer @El_Zantboer]

Small sample of 2 Chiffchaff and a Long-tailed Tit ringed at Trimley Marshes SWT this morning. The highlight of the morning was watching 5 Water Pipit on the deck @vikingoptical @JustZant @NatureDan2007