Suffolk Birds 1981

REDSTART 1950-59 1960-69 1970-80 1950-80 Mar. 28th Aprii 2nd Aprii 8th Aprii 3rd Oct. 7th Oct. 25th Oct. 26th Oct. 20th Earliest: March 19th 1956, Pakefield.

Latest: November 22nd 1975, Rendlesham.

In eleven of the twenty years 1950-69 there were March records (several in the Pakefield/Lowestoft area), but in the 1970-80 period only two were noted. It is possible that March birds in the fifties/sixties were wrongly identified in some cases and did in fact refer to imm. male or female Black Redstarts which began to nest in that area during the Second World War. Although Redstarts in the last week of October are now expected, November records are rare, with only five since 1960. The Rendlesham date is quite exceptional even by national standards.

WHINCHAT. 1950-59 1960-69 1970-80 1950-80 Aprii 19th Aprii 15th Aprii 15th Aprii 16th Oct. 3rd Oct. 7th Oct. 20th Oct. lOth Earliest: March 20th 1964, Orford.

Latest: November 6th 1977, Minsmere.

The latest date that Ticehurst could trace was November 14th 1880 at "the mouth of the Deben"; this site takes on special interest with regard to this species after the events of November/December 1981. As well as the 1964 bird, there were March records in 1979 and 1980. Despite these early dates, the majority of spring birds arrive in Suffolk in May. WHEATEAR. 1950-59 1960-69 1970-80 1950-80 Mar. 15th Mar. 18th Mar. 18th Mar. 17th Oct. 31st Oct. 25th Nov. 4th Oct. 31st Earliest: February 28th 1957, Hollesley.

Latest: November 25th 1977, Landguard.

The only other published Suffolk February record is the 28th 1912. Breckland observers are just as likely to record the first Wheatear of spring as are the more numerous coastal watchers. In the autumn the situation is quite diffÊrent — it is unusual to see a Wheatear on the Breck after mid October, whilst on the coast they can now be expected into November. In fact fourteen records were obtained in that month from 1950-80.

RING OUZEL. 1950-59 1960-69 1970-80 1950-80 Aprii 20th Aprii 10th Aprii 6th Aprii 12th Oct. 29th Oct. 25th Oct. 30th Oct. 28th Earliest: March 18th 1979, Methersgate.

Latest: November 25th 1960, Minsmere.

When one considers that Norfolk has had at least one January and three February records this century, it is perhaps surprising that Suffolk's earliest is only March 18th.

The only other March records are 1951 (31st) and 1980 (20th). November records are regular, and localities in that month in recent years have included Huntingfield and Whepstead, as well as the more expected coastal sites.

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