The deeper waters of the Orwell are traditionally this species' principal Suffolk haunt; these first winter totals are double those of the previous winter and included up to 24 in Ipswich Docks in late January; reports from nearby Alton Water had been very scarce until this winter. Additional notable first winter reports were of 16 Shingle Street 13th Jan. and 14 flying north Landguard 18th Jan.; there were no inland reports. Passage birds in May were noted at Havergate 3rd (five) and 4th (four), Minsmere 8th (four), Benacre 8th (four) and Covehithe 15th. June sightings were of singles flying south Benacre 15th and Landguard 30th, and an eclipse male Benacre Broad 30th. The first autumn migrants were two south off Benacre 26th Sept. Coastal passage was very light; the largest single day total was six south off Landguard 15th Nov. Very few feeding birds were located away f r o m the Orwell in November/December; a iemale was inland at Cavenham 27th Dee. Goosander: The cold first winter weather resulted in sightings at 23 localities of which 18 were in the coastal région; monthly totals at the main sites during this period were: Lackford Minsmere Alton Water
J 39 36 21
F 31 5 11
M 27 —
5
The Lackford figures are new site record totals; a resplendent gathering of at least 50, including 20 adult males, off Sizewell 16th Jan. is the county's largest recorded flock. Additional groups included 18 Long Melford 19th Jan., 10 Livermere late January and nine Blythburgh 20th Jan. 24 migrants were recorded off Landguard during 2nd-25th Jan. including 16 flying west on 18th, which were later seen on the Orwell off Trimley Marshes. Belated migrants were noted in May at Benacre 4th (male) and up to 6th (female) and Covehithe 12th. One had returned to Lackford 29th Nov. and by late December up to 20 were present at this locality. The first coastal migrant was on 3rd Nov.; highlights of a meagre passage were four off Landguard 15th Nov. and one south off Minsmere with Common Scoters 17th Nov.; up to four were at five coastal sites during late November-early December. Ruddy Duck: Fewer records than in 1984. The only reported breeding took place at Livermere where birds were present during late March-early September. This species is notoriously elusive during the breeding season; two pairs probably bred at Livermere rearing a total of at least two and possibly three broods. At nearby Lackford G.P., a female continuously present from January up until 17th Apr., was courted by a male in early March; this latter bird soon moved on and could well have been one of the Livermere breeding males. On the coast one or two males were at Minsmere during February-April and one in Ipswich Docks 9th Jan. Honey Buzzard: One at a potential breeding site 23rd June did not remain in the area. Red Kite: Reports of a single bird in the coastal région between Minsmere and Martlesham during the period 1 Ith Mar.-15th Apr. seem likely to refer to just one 22