Suffolk Birci Report
2010
noted 11 breeding pairs, the same as in 2009. A further 28 reports came from sites in the south-east. Breeding was confirmed at eight of the 35 sites in the west that provided records. A nest at Bildeston on June 28th contained an unhatched egg, two rats, a mole and the remains of an unfortunate Stock Dove. The latter had perhaps entered the nest box looking to nest there itself. Road casualties were reported from Boyton, the A143 near the Mickle Mere, Fornham St Genevieve and Santon Downham. L O N G - E A R E D OWL Asio otus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Scarce resident. Only three birds were found during the first winter period. Aldringham Walks: hunting along the roadside and adjacent heath at 00.45 hours, Feb 17th. Earl Stonham: Mar 8th. Lackford Lakes: Jan 1st. One at Breydon South Wall, April 30th was probably an outgoing migrant. Summer records came from the following sites:— Gorleston: Beacon Park, Mar 26th (possible migrant); Aug 19th. Orfordness: in the village, Apr 18th (possible migrant); Pig Pail, Jul 10th and 24th. Rendham: roosted in a garden on Bruisyard Road, Apr 17th to Jun 10th. Great Livermere: pair bred in a conifer plantation north of the village. Three juveniles and an adult hunting nearby, Jun 21 st. The King's Forest: at least four pairs bred in different locations. Juveniles were seen or heard at each site. Autumn migrants were seen at just two sites. N o wintering birds were found. Orfordness: Oct 17th. Landguard: singles, Nov 2nd, 3rd 17th and 18th. SHORT-EARED OWL
Asio
flammeus
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Rare resident. Amber list. Wintering birds were found during January and February at Belton Marshes, Breydon South Wall, Walberswick, Reydon Marshes, Orfordness, Levington, Shotley and Trimley Marshes, with two at Martlesham, January 17th. Inland one was at Conyer's Green, Great Barton, February 21st with at least three at Puttock's Hill, Pakenham through February and up to March 14th. Presumed outgoing migrants were noted at six sites in the north-east between April 10th and May 20th and also at four south-east sites between April 7th and May 15th, with two on Orfordness, May 8th and 10th. There were two summer records; one on Havergate Island June 2nd to 5th and another hunting fields north of Great Livermere at dusk, June 17th to 21st, but nothing to indicate breeding at either site. First of the autumn was on Orfordness, August 1 st and thereafter autumn records came from 16 north-east coastal sites and eight in the south-east up to late November. There were two on Orfordness throughout October and most of November and six on October 21 st, while Landguard logged six birds through between October 20th and November 23rd. There were also two on Havergate Island October 13th and November 14th. Inland there was one at Aldham, October 24th. There was little sign of wintering birds during December, with the only records being of two on Orfordness, 5th and two back at Puttock's Hill, 24th. EUROPEAN NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus europaeus Locally fairly common summer visitor. Scarce migrant. Red List. The first wa? an exceptionally early bird at Minsmere on April 29th (Mel Kemp). April records are unusual; Piotrowski (2003) noted that there were only five Suffolk records up to that year, with one at Cavenham Heath, April 25th 1993 the earliest record of the 20th
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