Red-crested Pochard: A female visited Minsmere 3rd-6th Feb. A male was seen at Livermere 16th Mar. An eclipse male visited Benacre on 31st July and a female was noted at Alton Water from 10th- 16th Oct. Pochard: Breeding was confirmed at Minsmere, Framlingham Mere, Walberswick and Livermere. The two sites where significant numbers of passage or wintering ducks gathered are shown in the table below. In addition, 130 were recorded on the Blyth 16th Jan. and 40 Homersfield Pits 14th Jan. Alton Water West Stow
J 270 168
F 100 —
M 72 —
S 120 —
O — 190
N — 75
D 138 59
Ferruginous Duck: A female 27th Feb. and a male 5th-7th Mar. at Minsmere. A male at Framlingham Mere 12th-26th Mar. was joined by a female on 21st Mar. (SA, PM et al). It seems likely that these reports refer to only 2 birds. Tlifted Duck: Breeding was reported from Cavenham, Livermere, Holbrook Gardens, West Stow, Glemsford, Rodbridge, Worlington, Framlingham Mere, Orfordness, Needham Market, Icklingham, Depden, Barton Mills, Oulton Broad, Beccles Marshes, Sudbourne and Eriswell. Alton Water Benacre West Stow
J 250 109 30
F 220 300 282
M 150
S —
—
—
170
—
0
N
—
—
22 115
22 226
D 141 40 —
The numbers of Tüfted Duck and Pochard at Alton Water continue to decrease, possibly due to disturbance by those pursuing sporting activities. Aythya Hybrid: One showing characteristics of both T\ifted Duck and Pochard at Livermere 3rd and 24th April, and another - species involved not specified - Thorington Street Reservoir, 16th Oct. Scaup: A female Benacre Broad 1st—16th Jan. 3, including a male in Ipswich Docks, were noted on the River Orwell 16th Jan. At Minsmere a pair were present 4th-16th Feb. Exceptional numbers at Alton Water with a total of 16 birds being recorded in Jan; 8 throughout Feb. and until 8th April, and 5 remained until 26th April. Early return birds were seen at Benacre; 2 males 20th July and 2 females 12th Aug. In Ipswich Docks 8 immatures were recorded lst-2nd Sep. and at Landguard a female was noted flying south on 11th Sep. At Alton Water at least 2 were present from 27th Aug. increasing to 6 by 26th Nov. The latter and a female at Benacre remained until the end of the year. Eider: The largest feeding flock during the first winter period was 37 off Dunwich cliffs, 8th Feb. Up to 18 were recorded from the Lowestoft/Benacre area throughout Jan. and until 29th April. 1 - 5 were reported from the Orwell Jan.-Feb. Other records of up to 3 birds were received from Aldeburgh, Minsmere and Walberswick. A flock of 18 on the sea off Landguard and singles at Havergate and Lowestoft all 8th May were probably part of a spring movement. However, an over-summering flock of up to 8 birds were noted off Lowestoft from 27th May, increasing to 13 by 13th July and 17 by 11th Sep. (Records of 3 at Walberswick 24th June and a single off Minsmere 21st June were probably part of this flock.) Coastal movements were noted from 20th Sep. to 1st Dec. with an exceptional passage in the period of 12th-14th Nov. Highest totals received were 120 south off Benacre 12th (during a 3-hour spell); 50 north off Gunton 13th and 15 and 20 north off Landguard 13th and 14th respectively. Otherwise second 14