Systematic
List
October 6th being the first record. These were followed by four at Lackford Lakes on October 13th. There then came a widespread scattering of records throughout the county from Oct. 19th until the end of the year, including seven adults at Livermere Lake on October 19th. Also on October 19th, two adults flew over Landguard, and presumably these same two individuals appeared at Trimley Marshes NR. later the same day. The following day, two adults were noted south over Shingle Street during the morning, and what seems likely to have been the same birds were located later that day at nearby Boyton Marshes. Two adults and three juveniles were at Lantern Marshes, Orfordness, on October 26th, and on Oct. 31st, one arrived at Minsmere, with what was possibly the same individual reported flying north over Westleton Heath. In November, two arrived at Minsmere on 13th and remained until 20th, with one or two birds then being seen there intermittently until the end of the year and into 2003. One west over Oulton Broad on Nov. 16th was the only record from the north of the county. A small influx was noted in early December, with a party of 17 that flew north along the coast on 5th, being reported from Thorpeness, Minsmere and Dunwich Heath. This was followed by 15 adults flying inland over Iken on 8th and 18 during the WeBS count on the River Deben the same day, the largest party reported within the county during 2002. The following day seven were at Boyton. BEAN GOOSE Anserfabalis Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber List. Categories A and E. The small flock of Tundra Bean Geese A. f . rossicus/A. serrirostris present on the Minsmere Levels at the end of 2001 increased to seven birds on January 1st, and nine on 5th. Numbers fell back to seven again on January 9th, when the flock moved to North Warren, where nine appeared on January 12th. There were no further records in January, but singles reappeared at North Warren on February 5th, and Minsmere on February 11th, followed by three at North Warren from February 26th to 28th. In March, one appeared at North Warren on 1 st, followed by three there on 8th, while at Minsmere one remained from March 15th to 19th. A bird at Minsmere on August 5th and September 29th was extremely early for a wild bird and was presumably of captive origin. The only other autumn record refers to a party of 13 in flight over Landguard on October 19th (J. Zantboer). PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Anser brachyrhynchus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber List. Categories A and E. During the first three months of the year, there was a scattering of records from the coastal parishes. Most concerned singles or small parties, but a flock of 20 in flight over Fritton Marshes on February 14th was noteworthy. Elsewhere, one in flight over Boyton Marshes on January 1st, was followed by another at Covehithe the next day. Three birds on Minsmere Levels, also on January 2nd, were associating with Greater White-fronted Geese A. albifrons, and Bean Geese A. fabalis. Numbers here increased to four on January 4th, but just one remained on 10th and none was reported thereafter. Two birds at nearby North Warren on January 12th may have come from Minsmere, and another remained there from February 28th until March 3rd. Records suggestive of departing birds came from Landguard, with two north on March 16th, and two south on March 23rd, and from Livermere Lake where three were present on March 12th and two on March 14th. However, five at Livermere Lake from April 2nd until May 6th almost certainly originated from a captive source. A bird at Lackford Lakes on April 18th may have been from Livermere Lake. Return passage was exceptionally good, with numerous records coming from Minsmere 45