Suffolk Birds 1984

totals were generally low with max. counts of 50 Bourne Park, Ipswich 29th Dec., twenty Martlesham 30th Oct. and twenty Iken 31st Dec. Greenfinch: 100 Aldeburgh in Jan. and 200 Lackford 26th Feb. were the largest reported first winter flocks. There was evidence of spring passage at Landguard during late Mar.-mid Apr.; totals included 35 29th Mar., 75 11th Apr. and 50 12th Apr. The only breeding season report was of an increased population at Newbourn Springs reserve.

Southerly movements commenced at Landguard on 13th Sept. (300) and continued up to 10th Nov.; movements peaked in early Oct. with c. 1000 on both 1st and 2nd; the autumn total at this site of c. 7250 is c. 50% of the 1983 total.

There were only two large flocks reported in the second winter period - 200 Elmsett 24th Nov. and 400 Hessett in Dec. Goldfinch: During Jan. the only reported flocks were 38 Havergate, 45 Boyton and 40 Livermere.

Rather surprisingly, there was almost no passage movement at Landguard in May but elsewhere during that month reports were of 50 Sudbury 3rd and 100 Christchurch Park, Ipswich 8th.

The population in the Akenham area during June-July was the highest for six years; the largest post-breeding gathering was 100 Alton Water 5th Aug. As with the Chaffinch and Greenfinch, southerly movements commenced at Landguard on 13th Sept.; up to 25th Nov. c. 7800 were counted at this site (24,275 in 1983) of which 6790 were in Oct.; the max. day total was 1300 on 1st Oct. Siskin: There was an encouraging start to the year with reports from at least 60 sites during J a n - A p r . (sixteen during the same period in 1983); most of these sites were either in the Brecks or coastal belt. The largest reported flocks were 200 Brandon 27th Jan., 50 Minsmere J a n . - F e b . , 30 Icklingham 11th Feb., 30 Friston 20th Feb. and 30 Lakenheath 10th Apr. Birds were seen feeding on peanuts at Felixstowe, Gt. Waldingfield, Martlesham, Ipswich (three sites) and Lowestoft (two sites), during Jan.-early Apr. Nine were noted on spring passage at Landguard during 22nd Mar.-27th Apr. The only reports that suggest breeding at coastal sites were of one-two birds at two locations in early June. This species was described as plentiful as a nesting bird in the Brecks.

An excellent autumn passage at Landguard commenced on 16th Sept., which is earlier than usual, and finished on 2nd Nov. by which time 170 had been recorded (35 in 1983); movements peaked in late Sept. with 32 on 29th and 27 on 30th. Despite this above average coastal movement, second winter totals were low; reports were received from only eleven sites but did include 50 Fakenham Magna 28th Dec. Linnet: 150 flew south at Landguard 24th-25th Jan. presumably in response to harsh weather conditions; the largest reported feeding flocks during the first winter were of c. 100 at Aldeburgh, Sudbourne, Havergate Island and Ipswich.

There was a strong spring passage at Landguard in Apr. where a feeding flock increased from 60 on 1st up to 600 on 26th; southerly passage was also recorded at Landguard in Apr. on 12th (200), 14th (100) and 15th (75). Other spring passage groups in Apr. were 200 Foxhall 19th and 80 Lowestoft 24th.

As with other finch species, southerly autumn passage at Landguard commenced on 13th Sept. (500) and finished on 25th Nov.; the autumn total of c. 5875 is c. 50% of the 1983 total; 4650 were counted in Oct. with a max. day-total of 1250 on 7th.

Twite: There were reports from six coastal or estuarine sites up to 8th Apr. The large numbers reported from Walberswick in late 1983 remained into 1984 with up to 200 in early Jan. and 100 in Feb.; other reports included 50 Levington 1st Jan and 30 Ramsholt 11th Mar. 52