Suffolk Birds 1984

Long Melford, a favoured parish in which 700-800 were gathered in late Mar. Other big flocks at this time included 600+ at Metfield 27th Mar., c. 500 Newton Green 9th Apr., 300 Ixworth 9th Apr, 270 Old Newton 4th Mar. and c. 250 at Mutford on 15th Mar. Mid to late Aug. saw the first arrivals of parties of return migrants, for example Havergate recorded its year's maximum of 51 on 11th Aug. The largest flocks in the second winter period were c. 1000 at Felixstowe Ferry on 18th Nov., c. 300at Gedgrave throughout Dec., 300Ellough Oct.-Dec., and 200 + at Mutford in Nov./Dec. Grey Plover: The very few records relating to spring passage indicate a generally light movement. However there were several interesting inland records in May, with singles at Lakenheath Washes on 1st, Livermere on 16th, and Sproughton B.F. on 19th.

Early autumn passage was more marked, but was still hardly impressive.

Commencing in late July the passage included a total of 36 south off Landguard during September. Of note was the September Stour estuary count total of 628 and evidence that these were mainly passage birds was given by the following month's total of only 213.

A stronger southerly movement was noted along the coast during October and November. This included c. 120 passing Landguard on 3rd Nov. and at least 47 passed Minsmere on 8th Nov. Stour estuary counts, in the winter periods were: 405 on 22nd Jan., 798 on 19th Feb., 782 on 18th Mar., 732 on 11th Nov., 581 on 9th Dec. Further up the Stour Valley, one was found inland at Sudbury 26th Feb. The main Orwell counts were 153 on 14th Oct., 178 on 11th Nov. and 183 on 23rd Dec. Lapwing: Despite the high Stour estuary count of 1,667 on 22nd Jan., some observers remarked on the disappearance of the species from usually favoured haunts during the late January cold spell. The birds were probably displaced to the south and west, for example c. 500 headed south at Landguard on 24th Jan. and 61 did the same on the following day. Some relatively high counts in Feb. and Mar. could refer to return passage birds heading back north and east, for example 50 headed eastwards out to sea at Minsmere on 24th Mar. Incomplete breeding records received included c. 30 pairs at Minsmere and 30 + pairs at Shotley although at the latter site few chicks were said to have survived the cold May. The annual mid-summer immigration from the north and east was said by some observers to have been rather thin but it began as usual in late May. A dramatic change in the situation occurred in November and December when many observers noted their highest totals for years. Probably triggered off by harsh conditions on the Continent the species became unusually numerous in many parts of the county. The major counts during this period were 3,094 on the Orwell estuary count 11th Nov. and 1,500 at Carlton Marshes 10th Nov. Higher than usual counts continued in December with 3,083 on the Orwell and 1,026 on the Stour estuaries and 1000 in the Gunton area.

Knot: The county's highest numbers for the species have come to be expected from the Stour but the sudden rise from 220 on 22nd Jan. to 1,653 on 19th Feb. is impressive even for this estuary. Other counts obtained in the co-ordinated B.T.O. estuary work on the same river were relatively unexceptional but included 435 on 18th Mar, and 667 on 9th Dec. On the Orwell the only notable counts received were 250 + on 22nd Jan., 191 on 12th Nov. and 717 on 13th Dec. Light spring passage was noted on the coast from 18th April and included parties of 14 at Snape on 6th May and 11 at Walberswjck on 16th May. Autumn passage was prolonged and commenced around mid-July. The many records which referred to continuing passage during August and September included the peak for this period of 25 at Benacre on 6th Sept. Sea-watching efforts at 26