Suffolk Birds 1979

24th Feb., 185 on 25th, 75 4th Mar. Felixstowe.—Many sightings of small groups flying around the area. Some of these appeared to be confused, repeatedly changing direction, probably looking for suitable feeding grounds. On 3rd Feb. 58 flew in from sea over the ferry and landed in the Kings Fleet/Falkenham area. Kings Fleet.—c. 300 4th Mar. River Orwell.—c. 600 14th Jan. increasing to 1,000 by 3rd Feb. Most had left by the end of the first week of Mar., but 40 remained at Trimley on 25th Mar., and there were 2 at Levington 14th April. An injured bird stayed at Shotley until 8th May. River Stour.—466 14th Jan., 401 18th Feb. Holbrook.—164 23rd Feb. Pale-bellied Brent Goose: Always scarce in Suffolk. A few were noted as follows: 14 Walberswick 4th-7th Jan. and 3 were there again on 25th Feb. One was at Levington on 14th Jan., and still there on 3rd Feb. when there were also 4 at Wherstead Strand.

There were also reports during Jan./Feb. from Lowestoft (20), Benacre (1), Holbrook (1), Sudbourne (2), and Boyton (2).

Black Brant: One was at Levington on 14th Jan. Dabbling Ducks Numbers were significantly up on normal years, and for the sake of brevity only peak numbers are given.

Shelduck: River Deben.—c. 500 in the Hemley/Waldringfield area 4th Mar. River Orwell.—c. 1,800 on the upper reaches 18th Feb., and c. 2,500 on 4th Mar., c. 500 Nacton 17th Mar. River Stour.—c. 2,500 during Feb. Wigeon: Kessingland.—c. 800 13th Jan. 2-300 2nd Mar. Reydon.—c. 2,000 8th Jan. River Blyth.—c. 1,000 14th Jan. Minsmere.—c. 1,000 during Feb. Sudbourne.—c.

1,000 24th Feb. Boyton.—c. 2-3,000 21st Feb. Shingle Street.—c. 500 25th Jan. River Deben.—(Waldringfield/Hemley area) c. 400 15th Dec. 1978, c. 2,000 28th Jan., c. 215 4th Mar. River Orwell.—(Levington) c. 350 25th Feb. River Stour.—(Seafield Bay) c. 4,800 7th Jan., 416 24th Mar. Teal: Records incomplete: Shingle Street.—c. 200 25th J a n . River Deben.—(Waldringfield/Hemley/Kirton) c. 400 28th Jan., c. 200 4th Mar. River Orwell.—(Walton Ferry) c. 50 3rd-9th Jan., c. 75 12th Jan., (Levington) c. 200 25th Feb. Mallard: Iken.—c. 4,000 14th Jan. Pintail: A noticeable increase, but absent from all but SE of county. Butley.—c. 400 7th Jan. River Deben.—Apart from normal numbers at Waldringfield up to c. 70 were at Melton during Jan./Feb., at Methersgate 140 10th Jan. River Orwell.—(Woolverstone) 126 14th Jan. River Stour.—Up to 600 in Jan./Feb., dropping to 80 by 24th Mar. Diving Ducks Again numbers well above normal, and described as unprecedented in several areas.

Pochard: Lowestoft.—(Inner Harbour) c. 1,000 20th Jan.-4th Feb. Decreasing to c.

600 by 16th Feb., and c. 300 on 24th with a few remaining in early Mar. Oulton Broad.—c. 100 12th Jan., c. 150 24th Feb. There was a great amount of movement between Lowestoft and Oulton Broad, and it was possible to see small flocks 35