REYLAG GOOSE Anser cmser The feral population continues to increase and is concentrated in three main areas, nacre to Minsmere: Breeding pairs reported from Minsmere (seven pairs) and Walberswick (three pairs); largest flocks were 350, Minsmere, Nov. 14th (a County record); 150 Southwold, Dec. 30th and 112, Benacre Broad, Oct. 2nd. on Water: One pair nested; maximum count 110, Sept. 13th — a new record for the reservoir, kford G. P./Livermere: Three pairs nested at Livermere rearing 14 young; maximum counts 39, Livermere, July 9th and 34 Lackford G. P. in September. Additionally 24 were at Thorington Street Res., Oct. 24th and Dec. 29th and groups f one to eight birds were reported from many other localities. Five at Sudbourne, Feb th, were very wary and may have been genuinely wild. NOW GOOSE Anser caerulescens One or two blue-phase birds reported from Benacre, Alton Water, Lackford Pits, and ivermere, on various dates throughout the year, and up to four white-phase birds, present t Ixworth from October onwards, are all likely escapees. There was much speculation on the origins of an immature blue-phase at Falkenham, Ian 20th to 23rd which was possibly wild. Although genuine vagrancy is unlikely in Suffolk it is by no means impossible when one considers that a Canadian ringed bird occurred in The Netherlands in 1980.
(
CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis D N O S M are probably F high and J Numbers in the county remain very still 700 increasing. The following 300 _ — 500 Benacre localities recorded flocks169 in excess 600 540 364 210 Aide/Ore 157birds. 271 of 400 Stour/Alton Water Lackford G. P. Livermere Ixworth Cavenham TOTAL
387 504 554 400 350 2364
390 151
254 58
_ _
-
-
812
469
544 1066 484 619 -
3423
148 1009 140 687 —
3048
250 1125 140 688 —
2743
529 1200 —
100 700 3429
Many other smaller flocks were reported including 350, Thorington Street, Jan. 10th; -50, Long Melford, Jan. 7th and 210, Needham Market, Sept. 21st. l e a s t 1 1 0 bre p eding pairs were reported with the main concentrations at Lackford G. r• (25 pairs); Minsmere (18 pairs) and Long Melford (12 pairs). Birds showing characteristics of one of the 'small races' reported at Benacre, July 5th and Aug. 23rd (two); Falkenham, Nov. 22nd and Lackford G. P., Jan. 24th, were unlikely to be of wild origin. BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis true status of this species in the County is somewhat clouded by the presence of an increasing number of feral birds associating with the Canada Goose flocks. Largest S T r e P° r t e d were: 11, Barham Pits, Oct. 4th; 11, Benacre Broad, Oct. 14th and nine i ^ h '2th. Groups of one to six were reported from many other localities nc ' , m 8 o n e associating with Brent Geese at Falkenham and Shotley Marshes in February. 1 apparently paired with Canada Geese were at Lackford G. P. and Barham Pits; p g o s l l n g was seen at the latter site, osstble wild birds were seen flying in off the sea at Minsmere, Apr. 5th (five) and Aldeburgh, Apr. 6th (six). 35