Suffolk Birds 1979

Egyptian Goose: Breeding records were received from Lound and Lackford where single pairs raised 6 and 5 young respectively. They also probably nested at Thorpeness/Aldeburgh where up to 6 birds were observed throughout the year. This species was also reported from Bamham, Boyton, Cattawade, North Warren, Minsmere, Livermere and Icklingham.

Ruddy Shelduck: One seen on the Waveney on 6th May may be of doubtful origin.

(RSB). *Shelduck: There was little change in coastal breeding numbers but the colony at Livermere in the Breck continues to flourish. A marked movement was noticed in Dec. Subsequently c. 850 gathered on the Stour, and c. 500 on the Orwell. One found dead at Kerton on 3Ist Jan. had been ringed in Denmark in May 1978.

Mandarin: A drake with a blue/purple plastic ring was seen near Beccles 19th and 20th Feb. (BJB, PAG), another at Livermere 6th May (RW), and a pair at Semer 27th Mar.-3rd April (PMB). These represent more records than ever before and the discovery of a pair suggests that this feral species may now next naturally in Suffolk. *Wigeon: Adult birds were present in midsummer at Walberswick, Havergate, Alton Water, Seafield Bay, and Minsmere but nesting was not proved. Numbers were well above average in Jan./Feb., but the highest flocks noted otherwise were c. 2,000 at Methersgate 24th Nov., and 1,342 on the Stour 2nd Dec. Gadwall: Breeding pairs were reported from the Breck and the coastal belt, with the highest proportion located at Minsmere where 30 pairs bred. *Teal: Very few data received on the breeding status of this species. The biggest flocks reported were c. 600 Walberswick during Aug., 450 Benacre 1 Ith Oct., c. 400 Methersgate 24th Nov., and 794 Havergate during Nov. *Mallard: Still Our commonest duck with numbers augmented by releases from wildfowlers. Over 1,000 were present at Livermere 27th Aug., and c. 1,500 there 19th Oct. *Pintail: This species may have bred at Minsmere where a pair summered, and 5 were seen in Aug. A single bird also spent the summer at Havergate. Autumn arrivais were reported from late Aug. onwards, and a small group of c. 30 was assembled on the Aide by Nov. Larger flocks noted were 235 on the Deben 24th Nov., 181 on the Stour 2nd Dec., and 49 on the Orwell 25th Dec. Garganey: No proven nesting but pairs probably succeeded at Minsmere and Walberswick. Spring records included pairs at Alton Water 17th Mar., Levington 8th April, and Shingle Street 5th May. A lone drake was at Covehithe on 7th May. In autumn up to 3 were seen at Alton Water between 25th Aug. and Ist Oct. Shoveler: Very few breeding records were received, but 20 pairs bred at Minsmere.

The largest flock recorded was 92 at Livermere on 14th Dec. Red-crested Pochard: A male at Brandon on 5th Sep. was described as being very tarne (JLR), but a female seen at Minsmere on 3rd Oct. was probably a wild bird (AB).

Pochard: Successful nesting was reported from Benacre and Livermere. Once again several large assemblies of predominately maies were reported. The most notable were at Alton Water where there were c. 400 during Sep., and c. 450 on Ist Oct. Ferruginous Duck: An adult male at Alton Water 15th July and 26/27th Aug. (PM), and again 12th Sep.-21st Oct. (EFK, SP et al.J. *Tufted Duck: It is estimated that at least 70 pairs now breed in Suffolk. A flock of 535 was counted at Alton Water on 24th Sep. 10