Systematic
List
with multiple counts from Fisher Row, Oulton with four on January 1 st and the same number on 11th and Castle Marshes, North Cove with three on February 6th. South-east reports came from five locations with a maximum of seven on Orfordness, January 1 st and in the west of the county records came from seven locations mainly in the Brecks. The county status does not appear to have suffered from the recent cold winter, with at least 77 breeding pairs, although some breeding sites such as North Warren posted no breeding at all. The stronghold for the species, Dunwich and the coastal heaths have maintained a very healthy population. Oulton Marshes: four pairs. Hen Reedbeds: five pairs. Dunwich Heath: 31 pairs. Minsmere: eight pairs, the lowest figure since 1997. Orfordness: five pairs, including one pair that triple-brooded raising 15 young. Tunstall: single pair. Sutton Common: ten pairs with 22 chicks ringed. Upper Hollesley Common: seven pairs. Lower Hollesley Common: three pairs. Felixstowe: Tomline Wall, single pair. Breckland: total in Suffolk was five pairs. Autumn post-breeding gatherings were noted with nine birds at Westleton Heath, August 21 st, five at Dunwich Heath, September 19th, eight at Minsmere, October 21 st, four, Shingle Street, August 31st. Six were recorded on Orfordness during August and September and four in October. The only notable record inland came from Great Cornard with a single passage bird, October 15th. The second winter period reports came predominantly from the south-east with six sites reporting mainly singletons except Orfordness where two were present, December 11th. ISABELLINE WHEATEAR Oenanthe isabellina Very rare visitor. This is the fourth record for Suffolk of this Asiatic wheatear, previous records having occurred in 1998,2001 and 2005. This wellwatched individual was located amongst the net posts on Lowestoft North Denes. Lowestoft: Gunton and North Denes, Oct 10th (R Wilton et al.). NORTHERN WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe. Common passage migrant and uncommon summer visitor. Amber list. The first record this year came from Orfordness, March 17th closely followed by Landguard March 19th, when nine were present, and Shingle Street, March 20th. In the north-east the first birds were recorded at both Corion and Lowestoft North l s a b e l l l n e w h e a t e r S u G o u 9 h Denes, March 18th. An early influx quickly followed with peak counts f r o m : Lowestoft: Denes, seven, Mar 23rd. Shingle Street: five, Mar 21st. Felixstowe Ferry: seven, Mar 23rd. Shotley Gate: four, Mar 21st. Inland records from Cavenham Heath came from March 21st with one male and two females noted on several dates. From the third week of April until the month end passage increased particularly in the north-east coastal belt, with peak counts f r o m : Breydon South Wall: six, Apr 22nd; 18, Apr 25th; 13, Apr 26th; 19, Apr 27th. Lowestoft: North Denes, seven, Apr 7th; 21, Apr 20th; 15, Apr 25th; 17, Apr 27th. Kessingland: Dunes, 14 Apr 30th; 20, May 1st.
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