Suffolk Birds 2005 Part 2

Suffolk Birci Report 2005 From late summer into autumn, birds were seen regularly at a coastal location from August until the end of October. Two juveniles were seen Aying well but landing awkwardly, September 6th and it seems very likely that breeding had taken place.

Other autumn records came from 17 sites, with birds passing through Landguard, October 6th and November 14th and 16th. Three were at Shingle Street/Oxley Marshes, November 12th and four were on Havergate Island two days later.

In December, birds were at seven sites, with two at both Orfordness on 4th and East Lane on 3Ist and a bird was noted regularly at Lakenheath Fen/Washes, with two on 3rd.

EUROPEAN NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus europaeus Locally fairly common summer visitor. Scarce passage migrant. Red list.

The first churring male was heard at North Stow in The King's Forest, May Ist, followed by one at Aldringham Walks, May 15th. It was reported that churring was "first heard at Hollesley Heath, May 27th".

The breeding data appeared to indicate a fairly stable population. At Minsmere. a total of 22 territories was located for the third year in a row. Four territories were found at Walberswick NNR and five at Westleton Heath NNR. North Warren reported ten territories, three less than 2004, with "the plantations being largely abandoned and most birds on the open heath", which seems to be favoured by this species.

Five males were churring at Tangham, Rendlesham Forest.

Nightjar Mark Ferris June 24th and in the west, a large clearfell near West Stow had 4-5 churring males, May 3Ist. At Great Barton, well away from the breeding areas, one roosted on a tree bough in a village garden throughout the day, August 9th and again on 13th. An interesting late record came from Minsmere, where one roosted during the day at the work centre, September 25th and 26th.

C O M M O N SWIFT Apus opus Very common summer visitor and passage migrant.

The first arrivai of the year was at Landguard, April 23rd and Swifts were reported from five sites the following day and from 32 sites by the month's end. There was an obvious influx on April 27th, with 150 at Lackford Lakes, 100 at Trimley Marshes and 40 at Lakenheath Fen. The highest counts of the summer came from Trimley Marshes, where 500 were present.

May 12th and 400 were there on 19th. Another count of 500 came from Suffolk Water Park, May 13th and 325 were over Orfordness, June 1 Ith and in the west, 200 were feeding over Lackford Lakes, May 5th.

The BBS found Swifts in 62% of the 48 squares surveyed (43% in 1995, 47% in 2000). with a combined total of 360 birds. An observer in Ipswich considered that "numbers over the town were noticeably lower in summer 2005", but an observer in the west reported "streng local populations in Ixworth, Bardwell and Sapiston".

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