The first autumn migrants were noted at Boyton and Minsmere, September 3rd, and two, Havergate Island, September 15th-30th. In October two remained at Havergate Island, and singles appeared at Landguard, Lound, North Warren, Southwold, Trimley Marshes and on the Deben Estuary. The second winter period proved to be even poorer than the early part of the year with a rather paltry total of seven birds at six sites as follows; Lowestoft, December 12th; Minsmere, December 13th; North Warren, November 3rd-4th; Havergate Island, two during November and December; Falkenham, November 6th and November 24th and Trimley Marshes, November 2nd and December 22nd. NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus europaeus Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. There were numerous reports of small numbers at traditional sites during the summer but the absence of any detailed surveys makes it impossible to gauge the population success during 1994. The only detailed surveys of territories reported were from Minsmere where 24 churring males were counted (28 in 1993) and Dunwich Forest/Westleton Heath NNR with 32 (37 in 1993). The first report of the year came from Minsmere, May 11th and the last sighting was at Hollesley Heath, September 2nd. SWIFT Apus apus Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. The first returning bird was noted at Westleton, April 23rd and there were a further nine records before the close of the month. The major arrivals of this species were, as usual, during May, including a mass arrival at Ipswich, 8th and large numbers flying east at Martlesham, 1 Ith. Several large gatherings were reported during the month and into mid-June including: 2500, Lackford, May 24th and 2000 there, June 10th; 2000, Minsmere during May and June; 890, Havergate Island, June 4th; 700, Alton Water, May 17th; 500, Trimley Marshes, June 19th and 400, Loompit Lake, Trimley St Martin, June 11th. There was an abundant southerly movement at Felixstowe, June 4th and Landguard logged 259 north and 131 south during May and 221 north and 3489 south in June with a maximum count of 1500 south, June 21st. Reports of breeding were hard to come by but several large flocks built up during July and August notably 2000 at Combs Lane Water Meadows, Stowmarket, August 21st and 1000, Hardwick Heath, August 10th. At Landguard, 44 flew north, 22 west and 826 south during July and 164 north and 380 south during August. Birds soon moved on during the autumn with September records confined to 15 sites totalling 124 birds. Of these, 81 flew south at Landguard on 11 dates up to September 16th. There were no reports during October but a very late bird was seen at Stratford St Mary, November 17th (SHP). This becomes the second latest for the County, beaten only by one which remained in Ipswich from November 5th — December 9th 1974. ALPINE SWIFT Very rare visitor.
Apus melba
Aldeburgh: North Warren, April 23rd (RNM).
This, the 15th record for Suffolk, was, typically, only seen for a short period by one fortunate observer. KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis Fairly common resident. 98