Suffolk Birds 2011 Part 2

Su ff Olk Bird Report 2011 GREY PLOVER

Pluvialis

squatarola

Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

There were reports in every month of the year. Even the watershed month of June ha records at Thorpeness on lOth (D Thurlow), Orfordness with nine on 5th (Orfordnes.

Report) and Havergate on 7th (K Alexander). There were no inland reports.

The Stour Estuary continued to give the highest numbers, with 2481 on the March WeB count, and 2249 in November. WeBS data:-

Aide Estuarv Deben Estuary Orwell Estuarv Stour Estuary

Jan 27 714

Feb

Mar

58 141

11 482

105 810

298 572

Apr

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dee

••

6 201 60 865

43 217 65 306

66 326 170 2249

59 592 85 849

-

0

: -

- yy 2481

154

290

There were no notable offshore movements recorded but other counts included:Blyth Estuary: 59, Jan 16th.

Sudbourne Marshes: 27, Nov 6th.

Havergate: 52, Oct 12th; 40, Oct 25th, 50, Nov 20th.

NORTHERN LAPWING

Vanellus

vanellus

Very common winter visitor and passage migrant. Declining as a breeding species. Red li I. Counts of 500 and over in the first winter period were:Minsmere: 560, Jan 16th; 500, Jan 25th; 600, Feb 5th; 694, Feb 13th.

North Warren: 650, Jan 7th; 740, Jan 14th; 515, Febl Ith. Orfordness: 600, Jan 23.rd; 593, Feb 13th.

Havergate: 1600, Jan 24th; 1200, Feb 9th, 1442, Feb 21st.

Boyton Marshes: 510, Feb 13th.

D e b e n E s t u a r y : Kirton Creek, 500, J a n 16th; B a w d s e y Quay, 1000+, Jan 25th.

Levington: 500+, Feb 12th.

Trimley Marshes: 716, Feb 6th; 500, Feb 14th; 600, Feb 20th.

Cattawade: 550, Jan 23rd.

Mickle Mere: 743, Feb 12th; 560, Febl3th; 1400, Feb 14th; 600, Ist Mar; 600, 6th Mar; 600, 14th M ir.

Breeding was confirmed at Minsmere (34 pairs) and North Warren (23 pairs) and also at Breydon South Wall, Herringfleet Marshes, Carlton Marshes, Hen Reedbeds, Din; le Marshes, Sizewell SWT, Orfordness, Boyton Marshes, Trimley Marshes, Livermere La: e, Mickle Mere, Cavenham Heath, Fornham St Martin, Tendring Hall, Stoke-by Naylai d.

Giffords Hall, Shelley Priory Reservoir and Stradishall Airfield. There were a number of additional possible breeding sites.

Three-figure post-breeding flocks were recorded at the following sites:Livermere Lake: 100, July 3Ist. Kirton Creek: 295, Aug 14th.

Autumn passage and second winter flocks of 500 and over were as follows: Minsmere: 712, Dee 18th.

Sudbourne Marshes: 510, Dee 18th.

Levington: 600+, Nov 23rd.

Livermere Lake: 554, Nov 13th; 500, Nov 29th.

WeBS data:Jan Aide Estuarv 2501 Deben Estuarv 4478 Orwell Estuary 891 Stour Estuary 733

Feb 2865 2369 242 113

Mar 302 45 -

48

Apr -

13 .•:'•' -

28

96

Aug

Sep 2 636 ? 113 226 685

Oct 1040 1184 97 330

Nov 1924 1792 240 490

Dec 2287 1167.

337 764

Systematic List ED KNOT Calidris canutus ocally common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

The majority of significant records came from WeBS counts, especially on the tour Estuary : Jan 8 Aide Estuary Deben Estuary 2 Orwell Estuary 460 Stour Estuary 1804

Feb 139 192 1928 570

Mar 3 0

Apr

Aug

-

5 -

564

44

1

Sep 5 2 0 61

Oct Nov 54 6 2 110 89 0 2695 3400

Dec 17 127 156 2290

The only three-figure counts in the first winter period away from WeBS were:icton: 800, Jan Ist. I jndguard: 325 south, Jan 14th.

Birds were present in small numbers throughout the summer months.

Apart from WeBS counts, the autumn/second winter period counts over 100 were:orpeness: 136 north, Nov 6th. ndguard: 185 south, Nov 4th.

VNDERLING Calidris alba 1 ¡cally common winter visitor and passage migrant.

All sightings were at coastal/estuarine sites, with no inland reports.

Monthly maxima from the seven most regular sites were:Jan •leston England lacre ismere "thwold fordness idguard

4

Feb 11 13

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul 7 I 1 1 6

1 5

Aug

Sep

Oct

1 2 4 27

4 3 2

Nov 2 1 -

Dec 3 9 -

There were only two other counts over ten:1 »rpeness: 11 south, Sep 8th.

B vvdsey: East Lane, 14, May lOth. LiTTLE STINT Calidris minuta L '¡common passage migrant. Occasionally overwinters. fhere were no inland birds reported.

First winter period records (all single birds) were at:— Oulton Marshes: Jan 19th.

Boyton Marshes: Jan Ist, 4th and 18th; Mar 8th, 14th and 2Ist. Spring passage was again recorded at only three sites (all single birds):Minsmere: May 20th and 21 st; May 24th to 27th; June 12th.

Bovton Marshes: Apr 2Ist. Trimley Marshes: Apr 29th; May Ist; May 20th.

Autumn sightings were as follows:Benaere Broad: Oct 7th.

Covehithe Broad: Aug 17th; Aug 30th; Sep 2nd; two, Sep 9th.

Minsmere: Aug 31 st; three, Sep 2nd; two, Sep 3rd; four, Sep 4th to 6th; Sep 8th to 1 Oth; Sep 12th and 13th.

Orfordness: July 28th.

Havergate: six, Aug 9th; two, Aug 1 Ith; Aug 2Ist; two, Aug 22nd; seven, Aug 23rd; four, Sep 4th; Sep8th; Sep 12th; Sep 13th; Sepl5th; Oct 16th; Nov 22nd.

Hiver Deben: Melton, two, Sep 13th; Sep 14th.

97

Suffolk Birci Report 2011 Levington Creek: Oct lst.

Holbrook Bay: Sep 2nd.

T E M M I N C K ' S STINT Calidris temminckii Scarce passage migrant. Red list.

A poor year, with no more than three birds involved.

Orfordness: May lOth; May 14th and 15th (Orfordness Report) Trimley Marshes: May 20th and 2lst (P J Holmes, P Oldfield) W H I T E - R U M P E D SANDPIPER Calidris fuscicollis Rare passage migrant.

This Orfordness record is the 28th for Suffolk and the earliest-ever arrivai.

Orfordness: July 6th (D Crawshaw et al.)

P E C T O R A L SANDPIPER Calidris melanotos Scarce passage migrant.

Only one bird was recorded in spring:Trimley Marshes: May 15th to 17th.

In autumn three sites contributed a number of records, although it is unclear how mat y birds were involved. The four at Minsmere is the highest total in Suffolk since Septemb r 9th and lOth, 2006, when five were on Orfordness:Covehithe: Sep 4th and 5th; Sep 9th and lOth. Minsmere: bird(s) present irom Sep 1 lth to Sep 20th, with a maximum of four, Sep 15th; Sep 29th o Oct 3rd; Oct 6th; two, Oct 7th.

Aldringham Walks: Reservoir, Sep 27th to 29th.

C U R L E W SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea Uncommon passage migrant.

For the third year a wintering bird was present on the Deben at Melton.

Melton: Jan 1 lth and 14th (G Grieco).

Spring sightings came from just three sites. The nine at Havergate is the highest spri.tg total ever recorded in Suffolk:Minsmere: May 6th to 8th.

Orfordness: May 14th and 15th; May 22nd.

Havergate: May 12th; June 3rd; nine, June 7th.

Autumn records were as follows, with just one inland:Breydon South Flats: two, Oct 16th; Oct 29th.

Burgh Castle Flats: Sep 24th.

Blyth Estuary: two, Aug 19th and 21 st; four, Sep 3rd; two, Sep 9th; four, Sep 13th; ten. Sep 14th; two, Sep 2lst; Sep 30th.

Covehithe Broad: five, Aug 20th and 21st; seven, Aug 22nd and 23rd; 17, Aug 24th; 13, Aug 25th; 17, Aug 27th; ten, Aug 28th.

Southwold: two. Sep lOth; Sepl7th.

Minsmere: July 7th; Aug 25th; Aug 30th; nine, Sep 2nd; five, Sep 3rd; four, Sep 5th to 7th; Sep 9th; Sep 1 lth to 13th; Sep 17th; two, Sep 18th; two, Sep 20th; Sep 22nd; Oct lst; Oct 27th.

Sizewell: two, Aug 13th.

Hazlewood Marshes: July 27th.

Orfordness: Aug 29th.

Havergate: July 23rd and 24th; July 28th and 29th; four, Aug 9th; two, Aug 21st; three, Aug 23rd; 28 Sep lst; four, Sep 3rd; 25, Sep 4th; eight, Sep 7th and 8th; three. Sep lOth; five, Sep 1 lth; three.

Sep 12th; Sep 13th.

Aide Estuary: Barber's Point, July 27th.

Deben Estuary: Melton/Woodbridge, Sep 2nd; two, Sep 6th; four, Sep7th to 9th; two, Sep 12th; five.

Sep 13th; Sep 14th; Sep 27th; six, Oct 4th; Dec 2nd; Dec 19th; Dec 31 st; Martlesham Creek, Dec 14th.

Levington: Creek, Aug lst; Sep 30th; Oct 4th; Oct 17th; Oct 19th; Nov 4th; Marina, Sep 3rd.

98

Systematic List • andguard: all moving south; two, Aug 8th; two, Aug 25th; six, Aug 27th; Sep 7th; Sep 9th. iwer Holbrook: two, Aug 24th. i tckford Lakes: Sep 26th.

The seemingly regular wintering bird returned to the Deben Estuary at Woodbridge, elton and Martlesham Creek:1 i'ben Estuary: Melton/Woodbridge, Dee 2nd; Dec 19th; Dec 31st; Martlesham Creek, Dec 14th.

1 URPLE SANDPIPER

CuUdris

maritima

I ¡irly common winter visitor. Scarce passage migrant. Amber list.

During the first winter period the top site was again Ness Point, Lowestoft and adjacent - es, with observations on 49 days between January 1 st and April 23rd. The highest monthly V unts there were: January, nine (1st and 24th), February, 12 (19th), March, 12 (30th) and pril, eight (3rd and 7th).

There were also eleven sightings at Felixstowe Promenade between January 4th and March 15th, with a highest count of four on March 3rd. Landguard had up to three birds r¡ orded intermittently between January 3rd and April 10th. Other sites involved were:Corton: Mar 27th.

St ithwold: Jan 13th.

I iver Holbrook: Mar 6th (atypical non-coastal Stour Estuary record). in the second period records were again dominated by Ness Point, Lowestoft (and a ^ociated areas) with 39 sightings between September 2nd and December 31st. The n- ximum count was 11 on November 20th and again on 26th.

Other observations during this period were:C rleston: Sep 22nd; two, Nov 6th; Dec 5th.

H )ton-on-Sea: Oct 7th.

G íton Beach: Oct 22nd.

Si .ithwold: Sep 12th; Sep 17th; Nov 4th; Nov 7th; Nov 10th.

V ismere: two, Oct 27th; Nov 14th.

T rpeness: Nov 6th and 7th; Nov 9th and 10th.

A eburgh: Nov 7th.

SI ughden: Nov 5th.

B dsey: East Lane, Sep 4th; Sep 7th; two, Oct 9th; two, Oct 31st; two, Nov 8th.

Ft vstowe: two, Oct 29th; Nov 12th. dguard: Aug 27th to 29th; two, Sep 27th and 28th; up to three occasionally between Oct 16th and !>ec 24th.

Shotley Marshes: Dec 20th.

D> NLIN Calidris alpina Very common winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

-ftthe first winter period, the following inland sites, with only one or two birds, were involved, as well as most of the usual coastal sites ; Flixton Gravel Pits, Lackford Lakes, Wickle Mere, Cavenham Pits, Livermere Lake and Gifford's Hall in Stoke-by-Nayland. ! he only three-figure counts during this period , aside from WeBS shown below, came from the following locations:Castle Flats: 120, Jan 29th.

Hen Reedbeds: 250, Jan 16th.

Minsmere: 104, Mar 13th.

North Warren: 150, Jan 14th.

Snape Warren: 820, Jan 30th. "rfordness: 410, Feb 26th.

Havergate: 238, Jan 18th; 106, Jan 24th; 124, Feb 21st. ^udbourne: 110, Jan 24th. »«ley River: 105, Jan 27th. "ovton Marshes: 135, Jan 16th. ton Creek: 150, Jan 4th.

99

Suffolk Birci Report 2011 Wherstead Strand: 100, Jan 6th.

Nacton: 500, Jan 1st.

Trimley Marshes: 100, Febl4th.

Spring passage totals:Breydon South Flats: 127, May 20th.

Orfordness: 326, May 8th; 372, May 15th; 148, May 18th.

After a single at Minsmere on June 12th, there were no records until three birds wei j recorded at Havergate on July 1st, followed by a steady build-up.

During the second winter period, the only inland sites providing records were Flixtc i Gravel Pits, Lackford Lakes and Livermere Lake. Three-figure counts aside from WeB S came from the following locations:Lowestoft: Ness Point, 134 south, Sep 17th; 406 south, Nov 4th.

Kessingland: 139 south, Nov 6th.

Southwold: 100 south, Sep 17th; 500 south, Oct 23rd; 740 south, Nov 4th.

Hen Reedbeds: 129, Nov 26th.

Minsmere: 280 south, Oct 23rd; 277 south, Nov 3rd.

Thorpeness: 300 south, Sep 17th, 475 south, Oct 23rd; 404 south, Oct 24th; 190 south, Nov 3rd; 1 0 south, Nov 6th.

Iken: 276, Oct 2nd; 600, Oct 27th; 1200, Nov 12th; 1400, Nov 14th.

Sudbourne Marshes: 238, Dec 18th.

Orfordness: 616 south, Sep 17th; 383 south, Oct 23rd.

Havergate: 168, July 16th; 144, July 22nd; 101, July 27th; 116, July 28th; 103 Sep 11th; 126, Sep 12 h; 131, Sep 13th, 148, Oct 12th; 164, Oct 16th; 180, Oct 25th; 350, Nov 16th; 169, Nov 20th; 410, N >v 22nd; 744, Dec 18th.

Trimley St Martin: Thorpe Bay, 500, Nov 20th.

Landguard: 1338 south, Nov 4th.

WeBS data:Aide Estuary Deben Estuary Orwell Estuary Stour Estuary

Jan 1292 3083 3280 6083

Feb 695 1795 4139 2171

Mar 1197 620

Apr -

-

8 -

-

2125

Aug

923

63

Sep 19 87 18 353

Oct 790 646 200 3511

Nov 2801 2448 160 4169

Dec 4513 3670 2776 2172

BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER Limicola falcinellus Rare passage migrant.

This is the sixteenth Suffolk record.

Breydon Water (South Wall): adult, June 1st to 3rd (R Fairhead et al.).

RUFF Philomachus pugnax Common passage migrant. Small numbers overwinter. Red list.

Birds were recorded in every month of the year. Minsmere alone recorded in every month except December, with a high count of 65 on March 21st.

Reports were received from only four inland sites: Lackford Lakes, Mickle Mere, Great Livermere and Gifford's Hall in Stoke-by-Nayland. The highest count of these was of four in pig fields near Livermere on August 29th.

Counts of ten or more w e r e : Burgh Castle Flats: 15, Jan 23rd; 24, Sep 28th; 33, Nov 1st.

Covehithe Broad: 12, Aug 21st.

Minsmere: 65, Mar 21st; 14, Apr 4th; ten, Apr 1 Ith; 11, Apr 14th; ten, Apr 15th; 17, Apr 17th; ten.

Apr 19th; 13, Apr 24th; ten, Apr 28th to Apr 30th; 14, May 1 st; 18, May 2nd; 21, May 3rd; ten, May 4th; 21, Aug 18th; 15, Aug 24th; 18, Aug 30th; 16, Sep 1 st; ten, Sep 2nd and 3rd; 15, Sep 5th; 1 Sep 6th; 18, Sep 9th; 16, Sep 10th; 26, Sep 12th; ten, Sep 13th.

North Warren: 11, Mar 10th; 17, Mar 29th.

Aldeburgh: 15, Sep 11th.

100

Systematic

List

i fordness: ten, Sep 1 Ith. imley Marshes: 14, Aug 26th; ten, Aug 27th. . \ C K SNIPE Lymnocryptes mìnimus : •¡common winter visitor andpassage migrant. Amber list.

The early winter period numbers dropped back to normal expectations following 2010's h'ghs (55 coastal and four inland observations) with reports from only nine sites on the coast a id one inland record. All refer to singles apart from two seen at Boyton Marshes on March 3 d. The only reports during Aprii were at Minsmere with a single on two dates.

Similarly the late period saw very few with just three records of singles coming from 1 ndguard and Bawdsey in November and Snape in December. ( OMMON S N I P E Gallinago gallinago ( mmon winter visitor and passage migrant.

Probably e. inct as a breeding species. Amber list.

Unfortunately there was a complete absence 0 any sign of breeding activity this year.

1 --re also appears to be a continuing downward ti nd in numbers being seen overall. The 2 11 Breeding Bird Survey run by the v E tish Trust for Ornithology recorded the 1< est number of snipe since the survey b- lanin 1994. tecorded at 14 coastal and ten inland •s during the first winter period, with nificant counts coming f r o m : tawade: 20, Mar 20th. ^ nley Marshes: 21, Mar 27th. ton: Grave Farm, 20, Jan 17th.

Common Snipe Sue Gough 3 tford: Nunnery Floods, ten, Mar 30th.

M kle Mere: 28, Feb 9th rising to 44. Feb L i; 30, Mar 18th.

•pring passage included 16, Abbey Farm, Snape, Aprii 12th with 21 recorded there on M y 3rd and 14, Trimley Marshes, April 1 Ith. Tie following table shows the WeBS counts and monthly maxima from our principal sites:—

Minsmere* North Warren* Aide/Ore Estuary Orfordness* Deben Estuar) Trimley Marshes Orwell Estuary Stour Estuary

Jan Feb 2 2 12 : 44 13 23 " 7 7 4 8 2 5 2 24 13

Mar 10 40 23 5 ;;

21

Sep 16

Oct

Nov

7

9

5

-

30 12 1 2

-

-:J

<

16 4 3

iÌ

3 1

;;/ :.

-

-

23

8

: ••

;

-

-

3

-

10

Dee

14 5 5 -

1 13

*monthly maxima

fhere was a single bird recorded at Minsmere on June 30th, otherwise the first returning ird of the autumn was one seen on Orfordness on July 23rd.

A count of 11 birds at Kessingland on August 24th was the highest recorded, apart from ose in the table above, for the whole of the coastal strip during the late winter period. "land at Lakenheath Fen, 12 were recorded on November 16th with Lackford Lakes having six on November 12th.

101

Suffolk Birci Report

EURASIAN WOODCOCK

Scolopax

Declining resident. Fairly common winter and passage migrant. Amber list.

Three sites in the west of the county reported displaying males between April 30th and June 24th, with five at Cavenham Heath, up to four in The Kings Forest and three at Icklingham.

2011

rusticóla

visitor

Recorded from fewer sites and with lower numbers during the first winter period with the north-east dropping to 30 sites (43 in 2010), south-east 11 (23) and the west 20 (28). The double-figure movements from the Waveney Forest at

Eurasian Woodcock Rebecca Nason

Fritton to Haddiscoe Island in January 2010 were not noted in 2011 , which resulted in muí h reduced numbers with the highlights being:Oulton Marshes: ten, Jan 13th.

Flixton: seven, Jan 30th.

Somerleyton: eight, Jan. 19th.

Minsmere: eight, Jan 2nd; ten, Feb 10th; eight, Mar 1st.

Shotley: 15 flushed during a pheasant shoot, Jan 2nd.

Bamham Heath: seven, Feb 21st.

Euston: 11, Mar 15th; Ash Fen Carr, six, Feb 21st.

Three sites in the east of the county had April sightings of single birds: Alton Wat r, Minsmere and Oulton Broad, with an atypical record for the east on July 9th of one flush d from the footpath at the back of Covehithe Broad, (R Berry). The only July sighting in t '.e west was of one at Knettishall Heath on 11th.

Returning birds started to appear with singles on Orfordness on October 9th and 20th, 1 at the only other October sighting was one at Corton on 13th. November and Decern! är produced records from 23 coastal sites and four inland, compared with 40 and 18 last autumn.

Multiple counts included : FIELD NOTE Corton: three, Nov 5th.

On November 6th, at Thorpeness, Lowestoft: three, Nov 6th.

Thorpeness: five, Nov 6th.

Fulcher reported one "falling out of the Beccles: three, Dec 10th. whilst looking for dusky warbler", althou Orfordness: six, Nov 12th. it's more likely to have been looking for Landguard: seven, Nov 6th. somewhere to land and hide up!

Boulge: three, Nov 26th.

Lakenheath Fen: two, Nov 16th and 21st.

One bird had a very lucky escape when it was dropped after being taken by a Peregrine Falcon on Orfordness on December 18th.

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT

Limosa

limosa

L.l. islándico: Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

L.I.limosa: Scarce visitor. Formerly bred. Red list.

Only one site to the south of the county reported a single displaying limosa this year.

During the first winter period North Warren recorded three-figure counts throughout January peaking at 223 on 14th. Burgh Castle Flats held 227 on February 3rd, the Aide /Ore complex recorded good numbers during the WeBS counts as shown below, while in the south away from the Stour's monopoly both the Deben and the Orwell held high numbers also as seen in the table below. A new record was achieved for the west of the County at Gifford's Hall in the Brett Valley where an impressive 400 birds were recorded on meadows with receding floods on January 11 th with 90 there February 21 st. The previous record was 240 102

Systematic

List

the same site on January 30th 2009 Data gathered during the course of WeBS and monthly counts:Jan th Estuary nsmere* le/Ore Estuary fordness* ben Estuary »voll Estuary ur Estuary

E

Feb

-

-

-

253 3 324 418 1540

1224 60 292 531 997

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

105 69 785 10 460

550 148 153 4 425

120 184

280 50 125 67

; 109

-

r 232

Jul

500 87 567 25

54 345 233

•• -

Aug

-

-

1075

-

89 140 7 270 918 1085

-

-

-

-

500

-

Sep

Oet

Nov

,f£, l i 160 584 22 380 266 649

-

60 747 108 317 201 100

Dee -

7 696 61 463 229 84

>nthly maxima

Vlovements during spring passage peaked in Aprii on the Stour Estuary and in the northe: t of the county. Orfordness showed a noticeable increase on May 14th to 232 and the B /th Estuary was still holding 280 on June 1 Ith. lummer gatherings were again impressive this year with Stutton Ness on the Stour having 2: 7 on July 13th, the Aide/Ore complex recording up to 345 birds in July rising to 567 on A gust 7th. On the Blyth Estuary numbers rose to 500 on August 19th with Cattawade on th Stour also having 500 on August 21 st. nland at Lackford Lakes ei it birds were seen on July 7t Livermere Lake recorded l l on July 1 Ith and there w. e 18 birds at Higham (n ar Hadleigh) on July 30th. »uring the late winter pe od Minsmere recorded a m imum of 160 on October Black-tailed Godwit(s) Rebecca Nason 31 t, North Warren had 151 bi¡ fs on October 3rd, Orfordness peaked at 108 on November lOth, Havergate Island recorded 157 on November 20th and the Butley River (part of the Aide/Ore complex) held 1 on November 30th. The Aide and Ore finished the year off as it began with some impressive counts.

010 Correction: The date of January Ist for three sites with displaying male limosa was incorrect. These birds were seen displaying in the spring.

BAR-TAILED G O D W I T Limosa lapponica hiirly common passage migrant and locally common winter visitor. Amber list.

I arly winter sightings carne from ten coastal sites with the Stour Estuary again this year having a winter feeding flock reaching a record figure for the county. On Orfordness high numbers in December 2010 were carried over in to January 2011 with 79 being seen on 2nd An impressive 100+ were noted on the Deben Estuary at Falkenham on January 29th. 'he Blyth Estuary recorded 22 on March 6th rising to 29 on 18th, while at Snape Warren 61 w e r e recorded on March 17th.

Counts from our main sites were:Aide/Ore Estuary Orfordness* Deben Estuary Stour Estuarv

Jan

Feb

Mar

111 79 27 455

33 27 20 30

81 1 0 396

"monthly maxima

103

Apr -

2 7 44

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dee

10 17

11 12 7 22

31 2 14 107

4 1 24

2

-

Suffolk Birci Report 2011 April passage started with six being seen at Burgh Castle on 11th, Landguard BiiJ Observatory reported seven birds on 19th, but the main passage went through between Ap I 28th and May 7th with notable counts coming f r o m : Blyth Estuary: 65, Apr 28th; 153, Apr 30th; 285, May 2nd.

Minsmere: 50, Apr 29th; 115, May 1st; 143, May 3rd.

Snape Warren: 58, May 2nd.

Orfordness: 311, May 2nd, the previous highest count in the last ten years being 110.

Landguard: 866, May 1st, an impressive day-count but still nearly one thousand short of the 1,8 4 seen flying south on August 30th 1992 at this site.

Lakenheath Fen: 20, Apr 29th; 26, May 1st.

Also inland Lackford Lakes recorded seven on April 28th and six were reported fri n Livermere Lake on May 2nd.

Early June records came from the Blyth Estuary with two birds and 20 were still lingeri ig at Levington Creek on 2nd.

The first returning birds were seen from Landguard with two heading south on June 18 h, followed by five at Minsmere on 21st. Ten were recorded from Oulton Marshes on Ji ĂŹe 27th and on the same date 30 were to be found on Havergate Island.

There were records from nine sites during July with Havergate Island having 48 on 2 rd and 18 counted off Felixstowe on 8th being the only double figures recorded.

Double-figure counts during August and September came from Havergate Island v- th 13, August 9th and September 13th; Landguard, 26, August 8th; Burgh Castle flats, 0, September 11th; Minsmere, 18, September 16th; Slaughden, 15, September 11th id Orfordness 17, September 17th. In the west Livermere Lake recorded 22 on September. d.

Reported from eight sites during the late winter period with Havergate Island holdin ; a maximum of 29 during late November.

W H I M B R E L Numenius phaeopus Fairly common passage migrant. Occasionally overwinters. Red list.

Following the mid-March arrivals in 2009 and 2010, two birds were seen at Thorpe ! ay on the Orwell on the even-earlier date of March 3rd. It was a good month later when he next sightings were received with two on Havergate Island on April 10th. Thereafter it /as April 20th before double figures were counted with 11 at Burgh Castle. Orfordness recoi ed 23 on April 22nd and 32 on 23rd. There were two multiple sightings on April 24th witf 18 at Castle Marsh, North Cove and 29 at Wangford (near Southwold). Thorpeness recot led 19 birds flying north on April 30th.

Double-figure May counts included: 11, Breydon Fisher's Marshes, 2nd; 16, Castle Marsh, North Cove, 3rd; 13 off Thorpeness, also 3rd; 15, Minsmere, 5th and 13, North Warren, 6th. In the south 12 were recorded at Landguard on 1st, ten on Havergate, 4th and ten at Loompit Lake on 10th.

Inland three sites reported singles with four being seen at Lakenheath on May 7th.

The first presumed returning birds were two seen off Landguard on June 16th, with three off Kessingland on 21st. During July there was a widespread scattering of records with the best being five on the Blyth Estuary on 16th and four on Havergate, 10th.

Passage during August peaked at just 16 birds, seen off Landguard on 2nd and Orfordness reached a maximum count of 13 on 21st. August records from the west came from Lackford with one, 25th and Great Livermere two, 26th. Several single sightings came in during September while there were five reported from the Ore Estuary on 1st and 2nd.

There were seven observations in October with seven being seen at Nacton on 2nd, three late singleton sightings came in November: Shotley on 1st, Lowestoft, 4th, and Kings Fleet, 11th.

EURASIAN CURLEW

Numenius

arquata

Common winter visitor and passage migrant. A few pairs breed. Amber list.

There were two confirmed breeding records this year from the west of the county wi 104

Systematic List ti ee additional sites having a probable breeding status. The build-up started in early March \ th Cavenham Heath recording nine birds on 4th. The 2011 Breeding Bird Survey run by ti British Trust for Ornithology recorded the lowest number of curlew since the survey b gan in 1994.

Counts at the principal estuarine sites were:Aide/Ore Orfordness* Deben Orwell HW Stour *monthly maxima

Jan 684 246

Mar

758 498

Feb 717 261 866 653

: 737 V-B

302

585

436

455

91

228 32

Apr r-S -

Sep 73 145 526 402 195

Oct 533 -e1032 530 593

Nov 710 55 753 67 681

Dee 744 9 444 534 363

\n impressive range of counts from the Deben Estuary included the only four-figurecc mt of the year. andguard Bird Observatory reported a spring passage from February 11 th to May 11 th Âť h a total of 107 during Aprii peaking at 52 on 19th. Snape Warren reported 21 birds pi sent on May 5th.

Return passage was picked up from Thorpeness and Landguard on May 22nd. June re >rds included 70 birds south off Landguard, 3rd, 31 birds reported from Breydon South ^ 1, 9th, 65 off Landguard, 18th and 20 at Boyton Marshes, 28th. eak numbers during July included:Bl :h Estuary: 121, 2nd; 150, 14th.

Bi iey River: 203, 24th.

St 'i' Estuary: 200, 30th. here were few large late-summer gatherings reported; those that carne in were from St my Point, Iken, 118, August 16th; Kirton Creek, 150, August 25th; Butley River, 230, A ust 28th; Levington 320, August 30th and Sudbourne Marshes, 220, September 12th. he only significant count from the end of the year, other than those in the table above, ca e from Sudbourne Marshes with 215, December 12th.

CI H M O N S A N D P L P E R

ActitĂŹs

hypoleucos

Co imon passage migrant. Sometimes overwinters. Amber list. ith no sign of overwintering birds the first of the year turned up on March 20th at Ca awade on the River Stour. It was Aprii 19th before the next bird was recorded with a single at Trimley Marshes. ] ight other coastal sites had late-April records with two birds being seen at Weybread Gravel Pits, Oulton Marshes, Minsmere and Trimley Marshes. Oulton Marshes recorded eight birds on 29th rising to 11 on May Ist. Singles were also seen at three inland sites: LaLkford, Cavenham Pits and Brent Eleigh ali on Aprii 2Ist. May reports carne from 14 eastern sites and three in the west but, as last year, numbers were on the low side with the highest being seven at both Oulton Marshes on 2nd and linker's Marshes, Walberswick on May 6th on which date Livermere Lake held six birds. xt highest was Trimley Marshes which recorded four on 16th. Orfordness reported only s 'ngles on three dates in May. The first returning bird was seen on July Ist at Flixton Gravel Pits; two birds were seen at Stutton Mill on the Stour Estuary on 7th followed by two at Alton Water on 13th on which date Minsmere recorded the years highest total with 11. Weybread Gravel Pits ( 18th), Flixton ravels Pits (23rd) and Orfordness (17th) ali had four birds during the next ten days. Four 'rus were also recorded from the Aide Estuary and Boyton Marshes at the end of the month seven birds were on Orfordness, 30th. In the west of the County five sites recorded this Wa derinJuly.

105

Suffolk Birci Report 2011 The peak month of August resulted in a wide-ranging influx of records coming from 2 ) sites in the east and seven inland. However, there were no double-figure numbers. The tota s included nine at Covehithe, 24th and Iken 7th, seven at Flixton Gravel Pits, 14th ar 1 Minsmere, 24th, six, Hollesley Marshes, 7th with five at Boyton Marshes, 4th and Alte i Water, 5th. Inland Livermere Lake had three on 3rd.

September records started on a high with seven birds seen at Gorleston Harbour on 1 . followed by five at Covehithe, 5th. In total 18 sites recorded birds this month, with Minsme e holding eight on 15th; there were four at East Lane, Bawdsey on 5th, with the Blyth Estuai , Corton and Pipps Ford all having two birds. Livermere Lake had three birds on 4th, reducii g to two by 18th and still held one on October 10th this being the last sighting of the ye; r, which was another poor one for this species.

GREEN SANDPIPER

Tringa

ochropus

Fairly common passage migrant. Small numbers overwinter. Amber list.

Recorded from eight coastal and four inland sites during the first two months of the ye r, with four being seen at Flixton Gravel Pits on February 13th and a magnificent seven bei g recorded at Cattawade on February 12th.

There were five sites in March that recorded birds in the east, passage commencing ni jmonth with Flixton Gravel Pits reporting five on 20th, while in the west records came fr< 11 four sites including Cavenham Pits which had a maximum of five towards the end of le month on 26th. Early April continued to see passage birds with Flixton recording four n 12th and 17th and elsewhere Minsmere peaked at seven birds on 24th.

May sightings came from six sites with singles at Minsmere, Occold and Cavenham P is, while Orfordness recorded two on 1st and 2nd and Abbey Farm, Snape, had nine birds >n 3rd. The last bird of the spring was a singleton on May 14th at Oulton Marshes.

The first returning bird was sighted at Flixton Gravel Pits on June 12th, with seven th re on 25th. Redgrave Fen also held seven birds on 27th. This species was noted at a total of eight sites in June with migration picking up in July with records coming from 17 eoa; al sites and nine inland. Peak numbers amongst these records included: seven at Flixton Gra el Pits, 24th; eight at Hinderclay Fen, 3rd; six at Minsmere, 14th; eight at Redgrave Fen, 2 : th and ten at Cattawade, 24th. Orfordness held good numbers in July with 13 on 13th and 22 on 30th while in the west Tendring Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland, recorded eight on 30th.

August usually equals July as the peak month for records of this wader but although records were widespread, this year the numbers involved were on the low side with only t vo sites reaching double figures: Flixton Marshes, with 12 on 21st and ten on 26th, while Orfordness had 12 on 6th. Of the other 21 sites, Covehithe Broad and Hollesley Marshes both recorded a maximum of eight while Lackford Lakes peaked at seven on 1st.

Reports dropped off during September with records coming from a total of 12 sites. 1 he largest gatherings were six at Covehithe Broad on 5th, five on Orfordness on 10th and another five at Abbey Farm, Snape on 8th and inland there were four at Lackford on 1st.

The final quarter of the year produced sightings from 16 coastal sites and seven inland.

Botany Farm, Snape recorded the highest number with six on October 24th, Ipswich Golf Club, Purdis Farm, had three birds present on October 13th while Benacre Broad also had three birds on 13th and 16th of November. Alton Water's WeBS counters recorded four on December 11th.

SPOTTED REDSHANK

Tringa

erythropus

Fairly common passage migrant. A few overwinter. Amber list.

Recorded from 24 coastal and five inland sites this year. The wide scattering of earlywinter sightings related mainly to single birds although four were recorded at Dingle Marshes, January 19th and February 1st. In March three sites had two birds present - Dingle Marshes, 6th, Minsmere, 12th to 13th and Burgh Castle, 29th.

106

Systematic

List

Passage from mid-April started with three birds at both Minsmere, 17th and Burgh Castle ats, 25th and five at Minsmere on 28th. In the west of the County, five were also recorded Livermere Lake on April 30th.

Although June and July saw Minsmere holding its recent top spot for this wader, with aximum numbers in 2009 of 25 for June and 30 for July and in 2010 of 20 and 14, insmere in 2011 held a maximum of eight in June and seven in July. These are the lowest lures since the 1990s and a long way short of the 58 recorded in July in 2003. In the south . imley Marshes had five birds on two dates in late July.

The Orfordness Report also recorded a very poor year for this wader with only seven sightings single birds all year and two seen on just three dates in late February and early March.

There were 12 coastal sites that reported birds during August and September with a uble-figure count of 11 coming from the Blyth Estuary, August 19th to 21st. Covehithe oad recorded five birds on August 19th with six there on September 9th. Minsmere also d five present on August 28th. Inland single birds were recorded from Ickworth Park, igust 29th, Lackford Lakes, September 11th and Livermere Lake, September 14th.

The late-winter period produced sightings from ten locations; these included doubleare records from Covehithe Broad with the year's maximum being 12 birds on October Iken also peaked at this time with nine on October 4th. There were six birds recorded Dingle Marshes on October 8th.

Benacre Broad held good numbers during November with eight on 1st and four, 13th and h. Minsmere had two present on November 24th and 27th. The only two birds recorded i December were singles at Martlesham Creek, 14th and Levington Creek, 22nd. ( >MMON G R E E N S H A N K Tringa nebularia ( nmon passage migrant. A few overwinter.

There were few overwintering records for this species with singles reported from just t ee sites in January and February, the Hen Reedbeds in the north, the Deben Estuary at 'l ton, where seen on five occasions up to March 10th and Trimley Marshes, where there v\ e also five records throughout March. The only other March sighting came from Alton ^ iter on 19th. arly April records also came from Trimley Marshes with two on 3rd and Melton, two on 8 A single at Breydon Water on April 11 th then sparked off the spring passage, with 21 sites in Mie east and three inland sites recording birds during April and May, the highlights being:Bi vdon South Flats: 14, May 13th.

B ÂŤrgh Castle: 22, May 2nd and May 22nd North Warren: Grazing Marshes, 33, Apr 30th.

Hi/lewood Marshes: 15, Apr 27th; 31, Apr 29th; 40, May 3rd.

Sl "pe: 19, May 2nd; 15, May 3rd; 35, May 8th.

Orfordness: 24, May 1st; ten, May 2nd.

The last bird recorded in May was one at Abbey Farm, Snape on 23rd. In the west during this period birds were recorded at Livermere Lake, Lakenheath and Giffords Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland.

There were four sites that recorded this wader in June: Friston, 12th; Minsmere, 12th and 17 th; Orfordness, 12th, 18th and 19th and Trimley Marshes, 5th and 11th. Whether these records relate to a single roving bird, birds that are late spring migrants, non-breeders or early returners is open for debate.

Autumn migration started early as July saw good numbers being recorded at the beginning the month with Minsmere recording nine, 4th then ten, 14th and Stutton Mill, ten, 3rd. n total there were reports from 13 sites with notable counts coming from Hazlewood Marshes, ten, 26th, Long Reach, River Aide, 17 on 13th plus 26 on 27th, Orfordness, ten, th and Stutton Mill, 16 on 20th. Also of note were two birds that were seen in Holywells ark. Ipswich, 20th. Cavenham Pits recorded three on 10th.

107

Suffolk Birci Report 2011 As is usual, August was the busiest month for recording this species with reports coming from 27 widespread sites, although none, however, from the west of the County. Doublefigure counts came from Covehithe Broad with ten, 23rd, Flixton Marshes, ten, 21st, Minsmere, maximum of 30, 23rd, Orfordness, ten, 13th, Hazlewood Marshes, 17, 20th and 50 on the River Stour at Cattawade, 21st.

The WeBS counters on the Stour recorded 37 birds in September and the Deben count on the same day produced 29. However there were no other double-figure counts as the numbers fell during the month, although this wader was present at 19 coastal sites and two inland The highest totals were seven at Minsmere on 1st and seven on Havergate Island on 29th.

Counts during October at Iken produced sightings on five occasions with ten birds being recorded on 4th and 16th and five were present on 27th. Records came from eleven sites this month with four on 2nd at Orfordness being the best of the rest. Cavenham Pits recordec a single on 7th.

There were two sites in November with this species, Iken with two on three dates, 12th 14th and 20th, while Havergate Island had four birds on 15th and a singleton on 22nd. Th< last bird of the year was one seen at Shottisham Creek on December 10th.

WOOD SANDPIPER

Tringa

glareola

Fairly common passage migrant. Amber list.

Continuing the recent trend there were four April records with the first being at Boyto Marshes on 21 st to 24th, which equals the earliest in Suffolk since 1988 (also April 21 st i 2007). Mickle Mere in the west recorded one on 22nd, Tinker's Marshes, Walberswick ha one on 24th and Snape also had an April arrival with one on 30th.

An excellent passage during May was noted at seven coastal sites with Minsmei recording as many as nine on 2nd with its last bird being seen on 13th and Abbey Fan Snape also having a good total with seven on 3rd with one bird still remaining on 22n Orfordness reached a maximum of eight on May 10th. The total of nine at Minsmere is tl : highest ever recorded on spring passage in Suffolk.

The first returning bird and the only sighting made in June was of one at Gedgrave c i 27th. Thereafter seven locations reported birds during July, all singles apart from two t Flixton Gravel Pits on 23rd and 24th plus two at Boyton Marshes on 31 st.

As is the norm August produced the most sightings with records coming from eig t coastal and two inland locations, again the majority being single birds but Covehithe h J two on 28th, Minsmere recorded two on 1st and 30th and at Boyton Marshes there were tv o on 4th and then three on 6th. Trimley Marshes had two birds present from 14th to 21 t.

Inland singles were at Lackford Lakes, 7th and 25th and Tendring Hall, Stoke-by-Naylat i on 13th. Minsmere's two birds remained on September 1st, whilst one still lingered at Covehithe on 9th. The last of the year was one seen at Lackford Lakes on 11th.

There were no autumn records from Orfordness.

COMMON REDSHANK

Tringa

totanus

Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Declining resident. Amber list.

Breeding success was confirmed at eleven coastal sites again this year, with a minimum of 85 pairs.

The total number of pairs on our reserves are as follows (2010 numbers in brackets): Hen Recdbeds: one (one).

Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, eight (nine).

Minsmere: 25 (24).

North Warren: 13 (24) this appears to show a huge drop but 13 were recorded in 2009 as well.

Orfordness: 15-17(15-18).

Boyton Marshes: four.

There were five other sites in the east that recorded breeding activity with three reporting juvenile birds. Orfordness produced a minimum of ten juveniles while Boyton r e c o r d e d 108

Systematic

List

four. Inland breeding was reported from Gifford's Hall, Stoke by Nayland but the nest had failed by late May. Birds at Tendring Hall were seen with chicks and Mickle Mere also reported breeding activity.

Maximum numbers and WeBS data:Jan

Feb

Mar

Hen Reedbeds Minsmere* Aide/Ore Orfordness* Deben Orwell HW Stour

97 16 31 4 5 4 1028 1047 1081 259 289 274 1266 1794 1043 -f 1304 935 402 499 539 "monthly maxima HW=High water

Apr

Aug

-

-

76

44

-

\ -'

335 -

285

-

242

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

6 18 244

4 1 1479

40

1164 416 934

88 1064 309 963

41 2 1489 227 1180 717 280

\

% 1676 325 1624 559 454

During the first winter period 600 birds were present on the Blyth Estuary, January 16th while inland at Lakenheath Washes, 15 were recorded on February 8th.

Few passage records were received this year, Thorpeness recording 30 south on September 1th while Landguard Bird Observatory counted 34 south on September 17th.

The only inland late-winter records came from Lakenheath Washes which held ten birds luring December.

UJDDY T U R N S T O N E

Arenaria

interpres

ommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

During the first winter period this species was reported from six sites in the north-east of ne County and 13 in the south-east. The one and only sighting in the west for the whole ear was of one at Livermere Lake on May 3rd.

Counts at the principal estuarine and coastal sites were:Lowestoft* Minsmere Aide/Ore** Deben Orwell Stour

Jan

Feb

Mar

25

37

-

-

24 10 13 50

81 40

Apr

Aug

-

11

20 20 i- -¡S « - 5

43 64 84 111 vY' 127 270 385 151 261 235 "monthly maxima ""including Havergate island

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

22

•-

26

30

34 57 216 287

26 58 51 122

-

-

25 3 159

62 40 201

Minsmere recorded up to 20 birds present during the spring passage in May, while on ' rtordness numbers peaked at only seven. Landguard reported just two birds, on May 4th. !

"-'re were four birds at Kessingland on June 21st and Landguard had six on June 24th.

In July there were six sites that had up to six birds present with ten being recorded at North Beach, Lowestoft at the very end of the month on 26th and 30th.

There were few records away from the principal sites of multiple numbers of birds during 'he late winter period; the only double-figure count, apart from the table above, came from 'ken Cliff with 40 on September 20th. One interesting record came from Rendlesham Forest Centre of four birds on September 22nd.

RED-NECKED P H A L A R O P E

Phalaropus

R

lobatus

are passage migrant. Red list.

Three records were received for 2011 and surprisingly, with the majority of records in oik being of autumn birds, two were in the spring.

On Orfordness a fine female was present on the Airfields on May 7th the earliest record ln Su ffolk since at least 1977 (D Crawshaw, M Marsh, G J Jobson). Although very rarely 109

Suffolk Birci Report 2011 recorded inland with just six previous records, this elusive wader showed up twice at Livermere Lake with a female on May 30th (D Balmer, P Wilson) and a juvenile in the more usual period on August 23rd (M Offord).

GREY PHALAROPE

Phalaropus

fulicarius

Scarce passage migrant and rare winter visitor.

There were fewer records this year with sightings from just two locations. Two birds were seen at East Lane, Bawdsey on October 24th and 25th with single birds also being recorded there on November 6th and 17th (P Whittaker et al.). Single birds were also recorded at Landguard Bird Observatory on October 6th and 9th (N Odin, P Oldfield, E Patrick).

POMARINE SKUA

Stercorarius

pomarinus

Uncommon passage migrant. A few overwinter.

There were no records from the first winter period but spring migration was much more obvious in 2011, when compared with 2010. The highlights included ten flying north past Thorpeness, April 30th and a further 12 north there the following day. Elsewhere similar numbers were noted moving north past Kessingland on the same dates which must duplicate other observations along the coast. Rounding off the spring passage were three north past Thorpeness, June 5th.

Return passage was, as usual, a much more drawn-out affair which started with singles being seen in late August. Multiple occurrences during September included four past Southwold, three past Benacre and two ofFMinsmere and Sizewell all on September 16th which must include some degree of duplication. Other notable counts included four off Landguard, September 10th.

Throughout October there were many single records off the usual coastal watch points, continuing at least into early December. Other notable multiple sightings were: five and three off Thorpeness, October 9th and 10th respectively, six off Kessingland, October 22nd and four off Minsmere the following day. Further down the coast at Thorpeness, six were noted, October 24th and the following month three were seen going south there on both November 19th and 21st.

In December sightings were, as expected, dying down but notable occurrences included two on both December 18th and 31 st at Thorpeness. One was seen offLandguard on various dates throughout December.

A R C T I C SKUA

Stercorarius

parasiticus

Decreasing passage migrant. A few overwinter. Red list.

The first records of the year were singletons off Kessingland, April 21st and 23rd. There were more records made during the first six months of 2011 than in 2010. The spring passage highlight was of six that were seen north past Kessingland, May I st with another five north past Thorpeness the following day and three past Landguard, May 3rd.

Return passage started to gather momentum in the last week of July with eight seen past Thorpeness, July 23rd and then 24 the following day. Following this, numbers remained low but steady in single figures for the rest of July and into August. Ten were noted past Kessingland, August 31 st.

As expected the peak in records occurred in September with sightings made on most dates inside the first three weeks. Peak day-counts included 16 south past Thorpeness and Landguard, September 10th and 31 past Thorpeness and 20 off Ness Point, Lowestoft, September 16th.

Sightings during October declined somewhat but singletons and single-figure counts were still made on most days of that month. Double-figure day-counts included 11 seen off Hopton-on-sea, October 7th, ten off Lowestoft North Beach, October 9th and a decent late autumn count of 30 south past Sizewell in three hours, October 11th. Singletons were still 110

Systematic List being seen in November but mainly only in the first seven days of the month.

The last records of the year were of singletons off Ness Point, Lowestoft on November 25th and Minsmere Beach on December 8th.

L O N G - T A I L E D SKUA

Stercoraria

longicaudus

Uncommon passage migrant.

For the first time since 2008 there was a spring sighting, with one seen heading north off Southwold (A Gooding), Minsmere (J H Grant) and Kessingland (P Read) on May 2nd.

Interestingly the Southwold bird was seen at 08:30 three hours before the Minsmere bird ( 11:30-12:00) so either the Southwold bird doubled back during the morning or there was more than one bird off the Suffolk coast that day. There was no time given for the Kessingland sighting.

Return passage started at the end of August and all autumn records are as follows : Lowestoft: south, 16:28hr, A u g 30th (A E a s t o n ) ; two adults south, P a k e f i e l d , 12:45hr, Sep 12th (C Darby); north, Oct 10th (Lowestoft Bird Club, D Eaton).

Kessingland: three (two adults and j u v ) south, A u g 31st (P Read); j u v n o r t h , 09:20hr, Sep 12th (P Read); juv, south, 09:35hr, S e p 13th (P Read); three, S e p l รณ t h (C Darby).

Benacre: three, Sep 12th (C A Buttle).

Covehithe: south, Oct 7th (P Whittaker); north, Oct 22nd (P Whittaker).

Southwold: j u v south, 07:10hr, Sep 2nd (B Small); four (including three j u v s ) north, 08:30-12:00hr, Sep 12th (E Patrick); south, 18:15hr, Sep 16th ( E Patrick); Oct 10th, (R Drew).

Minsmere: Oct 9th (J H Grant).

Sizewell: two j u v south, 12:15hr, Sep 10th (J H Grant); two juvs south, Sep 16th (J H Grant); north, Oct 9th.

Thorpeness: south, Sep 3rd ( D Thurlow); two, Sep 10th ( D Thurlow); three Sep 16th ( D Thurlow); north, Oct 6th ( D Thurlow); off the caravan park, Oct 20th (P Whittaker).

Slaughden: Sep 16th (A Gregory).

Bawdsey: East Lane, two, Sep 16th (N Mason).

Shingle Street: juv, Aug 31st (P Kennerley, J Kennerley).

L a n d g u a r d : south, Sep 16th ( L a n d g u a r d Bird Report); close and into Orwell estuary, O c t 2 2 n d (B Buffrey).

GREAT SKUA

Stercorarius

skua

Fairly common passage migrant. A few overwinter. Amber list.

After a quiet 2010, 2011 was the total opposite with much more activity for this species.

The first sighting was one off Gorleston-on-Sea, January 8th and the following day one was seen harassing gulls off Orfordness.

Spring passage included two seen north off both Thorpeness and Southwold, April 30th and three north off Southwold the following day. There were a few other singletons seen during April, May and June.

Return passage was slow to get going with a few single records made in August. Sightings started to pick up into September when a few multiple sightings were made. October was the main month, however, to see this bird: nine were off Kessingland and 21 off Thorpeness, October 9th and the following day a massive 63 were seen off Thorpeness mostly heading north. Fifteen were offKessingland, October 11th. Favourable weather conditions around this date made it a good time to see all the regular skua species off the Suffolk coast. Later in the month, more favourable conditions saw 29 off Thorpeness, October 23rd and a phenomenal 65, all seen before 09:00hr, off Southwold, 24th. This, and the 63 recorded on 9th, are easily the highest day-totals ever recorded in Suffolk. 31 were off Thorpeness, also 24th.

Into November sightings were still made on most days of the month but there was no repeat of the big day-counts seen in October. Notable counts included 17 off Southwold and ten off Thorpeness, November 4th and 6th respectively. For the rest of the month it was single-figure counts off the usual coastal watch-points, involving mostly birds heading south or lingering offshore. It was mostly the same story into the first half of December and some 111

Suffolk Birci Report 2011 good numbers for the time of year were seen, including six off Kessingland, December 4th and eight off Southwold, December 8th. The last record was ofFMinsmere Beach, December 27th.

SABINE'S GULL

Xema

sabini

Rare passage migrant Another quiet year with only two sightings and, as is quite typical for this sought-after species, these records were of juveniles in September:Sizewell: juv south, 10:15hr, Sep 16th (J H Grant).

Felixstowe; adult Sep 12th (P Oldfield).

BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE

Rissa

tridactyla

Very common passage migrant and winter visitor. Small numbers breed. Amber list.

There were some good movements in the first winter period with 295 off Thorpeness, January 10th and 415, January 15th. Further south in the county the numbers were lower with a maximum of 30 off Landguard, January 28th. Overall most sightings didn't break into double-figures.

In March numbers gathered around the traditional nesting sites with 120 noted in Lowestoft in the Claremont Pier area, March 5th and 91 off Thorpeness, March 18th where nesting takes place on the redundant offshore Sizewell A rigs. Breeding data from these rigs were of 109 nests (62 on near rig, 47 on far rig) counted from the beach, May 28th and 400 seen there, May 2nd. At Lowestoft, 140 chicks were raised from 100 nests (SLP site 99 chicks from 72 nests and Claremont Pier 41 chicks from 28 nests).

One notable record was made in west Suffolk at Lackford Lakes where an adult was seen, March 9th.

The vast majority of the records throughout the year came from Thorpeness and Kessingland through the joint efforts of Dave Thurlow and Paul Read from those respective locations. In the second half of the year, numbers gathered mainly off Thorpeness with 625 seen mostly heading north, July 24th. Most of the time numbers were very erratic with a lot of single figure day-counts that were punctuated with the occasional three-figure count.

Sightings died right back from August to October increasing once again from late November to December, including 127 off Kessingland December 8th and 157 off Thorpeness, December 27th.

BLACK-HEADED GULL

Chroicocephalus

ridibundus

Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

At the start of the year, as with previous years, traditional roost sites in the west of the county held several thousand birds, with an estimated 6,000 regularly present at Lackford Lakes from January to March, an increase from 2010. Elsewhere, on the coast at Orfordness, counts of 2,250 and 2,000 were made on January 9th and 23rd respectively. A WeBS survey on the Deben logged 2,077 and 2,017 in January and February respectively.

Spring passage included 1,340 south past Landguard, April 3rd. WeBS counts saw 3,800 on the Blyth Estuary, March 6th and there were 3,971 at Minsmere, April 17th.

At Flixton GPs, a new breeding site, at least seven nesting pairs fledged a minimum of six young. At Minsmere there was a phenomenal 1,943 nests counted, a further rise on previous years (1,506 in 2010 and 1,115 in 2009).

Black-headed Gull Sue Gough There appeared to be no breeding on the 112

Systematic List Blyth during 2011 as the whole colony for some reason left in mid-April. On Orfordness only 15 pairs nested and eight young fledged, compared with 25-30 pairs in 2010. In the west, eight large young were noted at Livermere Lake in early July.

What autumn passage there was included 500 south off Thorpeness, September 26th.

Roosts in the second winter period were of a similar size to those seen in the first with again an estimated 6,000 present at Lackford, December 11th, which was similar to 2010.

At Livermere Lake, 2,700 were around the lake and pig fields, December 27th. Elsewhere, on the coast numbers were generally much lower and more dispersed with 1240 at Sudbourne Marshes, December 18th, 891 at Alton Water, November 13th and many other double-figure and a few three-figure totals further north at various coastal wetlands, including 460 at Thorpeness Meare, November 20th.

LITTLE G U L L

Hydrocoloeus

minutus

Fairly common passage migrant. Regularly oversummers. Small numbers overwinter. Amber list.

At the beginning of the year the only winter records were of singletons at Minsmere, January 2nd and the Links Road car park at Lowestoft, January 21 st.

This species remained scarce during the first half of the year with spring passage being decidedly quiet, just as it was in 2010. At the traditional passage sites in the west very low numbers were noted during April and May including three at both Livermere Lake and Lackford Lakes, April 2nd and 9th respectively and another four at Lackford, April 22nd.

On a few other days, only singletons were noted. Elsewhere, two were at Lakenheath Fen, May 1 st. It was a similar story in the north-east of the county, the most notable record being four at Weybread GPs, March 25th. The highest count at Minsmere Scrape was of nine, April 10th and 13 were seen heading north off Landguard, April 15th. At other sites such Thorpeness and Benacre Broad, mostly singletons were seen.

In the second half of the year, numbers built up with late-summer gatherings on Minsmere Levels peaking at 30, July 18th and 40 were noted at the Sizewell Rigs, July 26th and 31 st, increasing to 50 there, August 1 st. Most records continued to be made in the Minsmere, Sizewell and Thorpeness areas in the following months, including 122 at Thorpeness, August 20th. Inland one was at Livermere Lake, September 9th. Numbers dropped off in general toward the end of August but Thorpeness still recorded a peak of 62, September 3rd. Before the end of the year numbers continued to decline but there were some higher winter counts including 15 off Southwold, November 8th and 27 on the Minsmere Levels, November 20th.

An adult was inland at Lackford Lakes, November 9th. Small numbers remained offshore into December.

MEDITERRANEAN GULL

Larus

melanocephalus

Uncommon resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Rare breeder. Amber list.

During the first three months of 2011, single-figure numbers were noted at the usual coastal locations such as Gorleston Beach, Gunton Beach, North Lowestoft and Pakefield Beach. Further south records were much scarcer but records still came from Felixstowe, Landguard and Trimley Marshes.

There was one winter record from inland Suffolk at the Gifford's Hall roost at Stoke-byMediterranean Gull Richard Allen Nayland, February 22nd.

Into March numbers started to build up at the traditional sites and once again Minsmere was the place to see them best. Totals included 47 on Minsmere Scrape, May 27th which notably included 33 first-summer birds. Total 113

Suffolk Bird Report 2011 numbers there rose to 57, June 22nd, which was a later date and higher peak than the 37 in 2010. Numbers soon fell back there into mostly single-figure totals in August and there was no repeat of the multiple gatherings noted along the coast that were witnessed in 2010. The only breeding attempt was at Minsmere where four nests were recorded and a chick was seen but no young were successfully fledged. There were no other breeding records from anywhere else in the county.

In late summer a notable count of 143, a record county total, was at Cobholm playing field in Gorleston early morning, August 1st. From September the species was recorded at a number of coastal sites mostly of birds passing offshore and, as at the start of the year, these numbers rarely broke into double figures.

Sightings from west Suffolk made in spring were of singletons at Lackford Lakes and in the second half of the year similar observations were made at Livermere Lake where the only multiple occurrence was of an adult and a juvenile, July 12th.

In the second winter period, numbers in the south of the county were much lower than in previous years, maybe due to the colder weather experienced, with only singletons noted at Landguard, Alton Water and Trimley Marshes. Further north up to 11 were off Gorleston Cliffs, November 20th but this was an isolated case with most records from this part of the county rarely going past one or two birds.

AUDOUIN'S GULL

Larus

audouinii

Accidental.

The first record for Suffolk of this impressive gull, a brilliant find by John Grant. During its stay it was first found on East Scrape at 1 l:45hr and stayed until 14:45hr. It was then later found on South Scrape at 15:40hr where it spent the next 40 minutes showing well until 16:20hr, when it was seen to fly off south.

Minsmere: Scrape, adult, May 9th (J H Grant et al.).

See article on page 40.

COMMON GULL

Larus

tonus

Very common winter visitor and passage migrant. Scarce breeding species. Amber list.

At the start of the year good numbers were seen at a few coastal locations with the pig fields around Walberswick proving popular with 100 noted there, January 8th rising to 1,400 and then 1,500, February 6th and 20th respectively. Two hundred and fifty were noted feeding offshore from Orfordness, January 9th and a WeBS survey logged almost 900 on the Aide Estuary, January 16th. Another 1,000 were noted at Snape Warren, January 30th. Outside of these locations smaller numbers were seen on the other estuaries, Minsmere Levels and North Warren grazing marshes. The biggest count made was of 12,000, equalling the county record total, on the Blyth Estuary, March 6th. In the west of the county, 2,500 were at Lackford Lakes, January 8th but as the month progressed, this declined to 600 by 29th.

Spring passage was only noted at Landguard where 184 passed north, May 1 st and the following day, 47 were noted at Livermere Lake. Throughout the spring and summer, at one coastal site up to two pairs were present on and off but there was no evidence of breeding In the second winter period the only noteworthy count in west Suffolk was 600 at Lackford Lakes, December 11th, which was very poor compared with 2010. At the coast it was a similar story with single-figure numbers present at a handful of sites such as Minsmere and Thorpeness Meare. The estuaries fared better with 300 and 485 being counted on the Aide Estuary during November and December respectively. Counts on the Deben Estuary showed 34 in November and 24 in December and the Stour Estuary hosted 50 in November.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL

Larus

fuscus

Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. Increasing numbers overwinter. Amber list.

At the beginning of the year, 200 were noted on the Aide Estuary during February, which

Systematic List increased to 1,300 during March as spring passage got underway. In the west of the county notable roosts included 100 and 600 at Lackford Lakes, January 8th and 22nd respectively.

Up to 630 were recorded at Livermere Lake, March 26th, increasing to 1,100, April 25th with an impressive 4,100 noted roosting, July 24th.

The number of breeding pairs of gulls on Orfordness was estimated at 550 which was much the same as the 2010 estimate. The breeding success in 2011 was thankfully much better than in 2010 and it is thought that at least 300 young fledged, the majority of which were Lesser Black-backed Gulls (rather than Herring Gulls). Lantern Marshes remains the stronghold for the breeding population at present. Elsewhere along the coast, five nests were at Minsmere. A breeding gull survey in Lowestoft revealed the harbour area around the derelict Brooke Marine and Jeld Wen sites held an estimate of 1,580 pairs. This species first started to breed here in 1992. On average two out of every three pairs were Lesser Blackbacked Gulls rather than Herring Gulls. The roofs around Ness Point were not counted, and no surveys of individual house roof nesting pairs were made either but the number of pairs nesting in the Lowestoft area could feasibly be approaching 3,000. Notably, in the west, a pair bred and raised three chicks on the roof of Bury St. Edmunds sugar beet factory.

In the second winter period, numbers were low as birds headed south to Europe. Ninetytwo were on the Aide Estuary in November and 75 were there during the WeBS count the following month. Further west numbers were higher with 500 at Elveden, November 2nd and at Lackford Lakes, 600 were noted at roost, November 27th and 900 December 10th.

Of note were two birds (a near-adult and a second-year bird) of particular interest at Livermere Lake - these were considered to be (but have not been through BBRC) of the fuscus race (Baltic Gull), March 26th and 27th. The second-year bird was present on its own there, July 7th and 31st (P Wilson et al.).

HERRING GULL Larus argentatus Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

At the start of the year most records came from monthly WeBS counts rather than field observations. The most notable gatherings included 130 at North Warren, January 30th.

Further south at Landguard a good 3,500 were estimated, February 18th and 26th. In the west the highest numbers were recorded at Livermere Lake with notably 60, January 4th and March 5th, 100, March 26th and 250, April 19th.

On Orfordness the report mentions 100 breeding pairs, compared with 120 in 2010.

Although the number of pairs was lower, the breeding success was better as it was with the Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Further north in Lowestoft the inner harbour area held an estimated 870 pairs. Other pairs nested around the rooftops in the town centre and at Ness Point but these weren't counted.

Towards the end of the year, numbers in the west were low and the maximum count was of 50 at Lackford Lakes, December 10th, which matched the peak seen at this time in 2010.

On the coast, 43 were at North Warren, November 20th. The following month 1,500 were at Landguard Bird Observatory, December 30th. Further north along the coast, 405 were on the Aide Estuary during November and 443 in December. Smaller numbers were on the river estuaries further south, including 101 seen on the Stour during November and 96 in December. These numbers were a slight improvement on 2010.

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Small numbers oversummer. Amber list.

Numbers were relatively low for the first six months of 2011; peak counts made on Minsmere Scrape included six, March 8th, May 1st and June 9th. Elsewhere, mostly singletons were seen at sites such as Gorleston-on-Sea and North Warren and, in the south, at Trimley Marshes.

In the west of the county, much higher numbers were noted with 13 at Lackford Lakes, 115

Suffolk Bird Report 2011 January 8th and 13th which was a marked increase from the same time in 2010. Numbers dropped back in late spring and summer but rose steeply again in July with the 32 at Livermere Lake, July 12th being almost twice the number recorded for west Suffolk during summer 2010. Twenty-two remained there, August 14th and 15, August 24th.

On the coast numbers built up too but not as high with ten on the pig fields at Blythburgh, July 14th. A mention should be made of the returning adult on North Beach, Lowestoft which has now been doing so for at least 15 years and is considered to be at least 20 years old! This bird was present from early July and was last seen in November.

In the autumn noteworthy counts included six on pig fields at Covehithe, September 8th and 12 on Minsmere Scrape, October 19th. In the second winter period numbers were low on the coast with Minsmere Scrape hosting two on a few dates. Elsewhere two were at Weybread Pits, November 21 st and four at Wangford landfill site, December 3rd. Singletons were noted at other locations including Gorleston, November 14th and 21st, Oulton Broad, December 30th and Southwold December 17th. In the west higher numbers were recorded with 18 at Livermere Lake, November 6th and ten at Lackford November 27th; the following month only single-figure counts were noted at these sites. There were no records from the roost site near Lakenheath that last held good numbers in 2009.

CASPIAN GULL Larus cachinnans Scarce winter visitor.

A first-winter was present on and off at Lackford throughout January and February (P Wilson, L Gregory et al.) and two were at Livermere Lake, March 26th (P Wilson, D Balmer). Towards the coast five, including three first-winters and an adult, were noted in one day on the Blyth Estuary, January 18th (B Small) and the same day one was on Minsmere Scrape (R Harvey, R Drew). During the first two months of the year mostly singletons were present at Minsmere, the Southwold and Blyth Estuary area and North Warren RSPB. From March to June the vast majority of records were made on Minsmere Scrape where the highest count was of six, which included four first-winter birds, March 26th (B Small).

The only record made in the south of the county was a second-summer at Trimley Marshes, March 6th (P Holmes, P Oldfield).

Summer records included one on Blythburgh pig fields, July 22nd (B Small) and in west Suffolk, three were at Livermere Lake, August 14th (P Wilson), which involved a juvenile, a second-summer and a third-summer bird. At the same place, what was thought to be a second-calendar-year Caspian/Herring Gull hybrid was present, June 25th, July 17th and September 11 th (P Wilson). A similar hybrid was seen on Orfordness, December 24th which possibly relates to the same bird (Orfordness Report).

In the second winter period records continued to come mostly from Minsmere Scrape with counts of five November 5th and three, November 17th (J H Grant). Locations where singletons were seen included North Warren, November 20th (D Thurlow), Benacre Broad November 23rd and 26th (C Fulcher) and the Sizewell Rigs, December 24th (J H Grant). In the west, up to two were at Livermere Lake, November 13th (P Wilson) and one was at Lackford Lakes, November 27th and December 10th (P Wilson). Overall throughout 2011. the numbers and distribution of birds were very similar to those in 2010.

ICELAND GULL Larus glaucoides Scarce winter visitor. Amber list.

A much better year with the solitary record from December 2010 staying into 2011 and becoming a well watched long-stayer along the North Beach and in the harbour at LowestoftNotably there were to be more records than of the Glaucous Gull. Also notable was the occurrence of two inland records, an 'immature' at Livermere Lake in April and the only record in the second winter period an adult at Lackford Lakes then presumably the same

Systematic

List

bird at Livermere Lake at the end of the year. Another adult was seen at Thorpeness in March. All records as follows:Lowestoft; first-winter, long-stayer that c o m m u t e d between Gunton Beach and its roost site Lowestoft Harbour, Jan 1 st to May 18th ( D Porter, Lowestoft Lounge Lizards et at. ).

Kessingland; second-winter offshore, Jan 7th (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards).

Minsmere; Scrape, first-winter. M a r 10th (E Patrick).

Thorpeness; adult, M a r 18th (D Thurlow).

Livermere Lake; imm, Apr 19th (P Wilson); adult, Dec 29th (P Wilson).

Lackford Lakes; adult, Dec 10th (Breckland Birding Group).

GLAUCOUS G U L L Larus hyperboreus Scarce winter visitor. Amber list.

A much quieter year for this species compared with 2010. As with the Iceland Gull, there were two records from the west of the county. All but two of the records were made in the first winter period and two came from the second winter period. The Minsmere, Thorpeness and North Warren records most probably relate to the same bird. All records as follows:Dingle Marshes; first-summer, Apr 3rd, (C Buttle).

Minsmere; first-winter on levels, Jan 30th (R Drew).

Thorpeness; first-winter, Jan 30th (D Thurlow).

North Warren; first-winter, Jan 29th (P Woolnough).

Havergate Island; second-winter, 09:50hr ' A i d e Estuary, sector 8 ' , Dec 18th (WeBS); first-winter viewed f r o m Gedgrave Marshes, Dec 27th (S Mayson).

Livermere Lake; adult, Apr 21st (T Humpage).

Lackford Lakes; first-winter, M a r 5th (Breckland Birding Group).

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus marinus Common winter visitor and passage migrant. A few oversummer. Has recently bred. Amber list.

In the west,and especially in the south-west, of the county this species was noted as being 'very scarce' with the peak counts being at Lackford with ten noted, January 31st and 25, December 29th.

On the coast, a lot of data, as always, came from WeBS surveys as opposed to field observations. Notable gatherings were 58 at Oulton Broad, January 3rd and 127 at Lowestoft Harbour, January 18th. WeBS counts at Minsmere included 75, February 13th, 65, March 13th and 57, April 17th.

In the second winter period, 147 were noted at Minsmere, December 18th and 264 there, 31st. Further south, 82 were at Gedgrave Marshes, October 31st with 67 there, November 29th, and 150 were noted at Landguard, December 30th.

At Orfordness peak counts included 110 on February 20th and 90, November 26th. There was no sign of any breeding activity amongst the small numbers oversummering here or anywhere else in the county.

LITTLE TERN Sternuta alhifrons Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

Minsmere again recorded the first of the year with one on April 19th, two days earlier than in 2010. The following day birds were also seen at Landguard and Kessingland, with double-figure counts noted at Kessingland from 22nd.

Breeding was attempted at at least six coastal sites, with the highest number again at the fenced area of Kessingland Beach. Complete breeding failure was reported from two of these sites, with fledged young only reported from Corporation Marshes, Dunwich.

One seen at Lakenheath Washes on May 14th was the only record in the West of the County during the year.

The highest count came from Walberswick on July 24th when 550 were present, most of them feeding offshore, although 117 were on the beach. On July 30th, 350 were counted at

117

Su ffolk Bird Report

2011

Kessingland Beach. Numbers then declined through early August, with most having departed by 12th. After this date just eight more birds were seen, seven of them between September 8th and 15th, and the last bird of the year was at Shotley Gate on September 25th. This was in contrast to the early departure noted in 2010, when most had departed by mid-July and only 19 were reported during August with the last on the 26th of that month.

Breeding Site Benacre Dingle Marshes Dunwich Minsmere Sudbourne Shingle Street Kessingland

BLACK TERN

Chlidonias

No. of Pairs

FledgedYoung

e. 30 6 15

Nil Nil 4+ 7

;

?

4+ 7 35

Remarks 60 adults. Breeding failed.

Predated by large gulls

?

No dĂŠtails Probably at least 10 pairs

? ?

Some prĂŠdation by Kestrels.

niger

Fairly common passage migrant. Amber list.

A much improved spring passage saw around 60 birds pass through the county between Aprii 19th, when the first one was at Lackford Lakes, and May 23rd; there were peaks on Aprii 22nd and May 4th. This compares with just ten seen in spring 2010. As usuai the vast majority were recorded inland or in the west of the County. Ail spring records are listed below:Minsmere: two, May 4th.

L a n d g u a r d : three, A p r 22nd; two, M a y l s t ; four, M a y 4th; May 20th.

Trimley M a r s h e s : three, Aprii 20th.

Alton Water: two, May 4th.

Weybread GP: Apr 22nd.

Flixton G P : five, A p r 2 2 n d ; A p r 23rd.

St. Cross South Elmham: Apr 22nd.

Lackford Lakes: Apr 19th; Apr 2lst; seven, May 4th; May 8th.

Livermere Lake: 11, May 4th; two, May 5th; four, May 6th.

L a k e n h e a t h Fen: A p r 21st; three, A p r 23rd; M a y 8th; M a y 22nd; M a y 23rd.

Returning birds were first noted from July 9th, and the autumn passage then continued through to September 16th. After this date two were noted at Minsmere on September 20th, with the final record of the year being two south past Thorpeness on September 26th. There was a noticeable peak during the last week of August, with 33 at Sizewell Rigs on 24th being the highest count of the year. The only other double-figure counts of the autumn were as follows:Kessingland: ten, Aug 31 st Thorpeness: ten, Aug 14th Landguard: 14, Aug 24th Ali the autumn records came from along the coast this year and totalled around 200 individuals, compared to around 80 in the autumn of 2010.

WHITE-WINGED (BLACK TERN)

Chlidonias niger Rare passage migrant.

A summer-plumage adult was discovered on the Scrape at Minsmere on April 30th, and remained at the reserve until the evening of May 3rd when it was seen to fly over the North Wall and out to sea at 18:12hr (J A Rowlands et al.).

This constitutes the 35th Suffolk record, involving a total of 53 birds.

118

White-winged Black Tern Mark Ferris

Systematic

List

S A N D W I C H T E R N Sterna sandvicensis Common passage migrant and declining summer visitor. Amber list.

The first of the year was at Minsmere on March 3 lst. The next arrivais were two birds each at Havergate and Minsmere on Aprii 8th, from which date the main arrivai began. The highest day-count in the spring was of 45 at Minsmere on Aprii 2lst.

Once again there were no breeding attempts in the county, and none were reported from West Suffolk this year.

The table below shows monthly movements past two well-watched coastal sites; numbers in August were lower than in the same month in 2010 but every other month had higher totals.

Apr

Mav

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Kessingland

16N

Thorpeness

12S 9N OS

15N 9S 18N 21S

89N I5S 23N 24S

141N 76S 132N

ON OS 74N 223S

n/c n/c 55N 59S

8N I6S ION OS

ON OS IN OS

163S

Autumn passage, as for most of the other tern species this year, was quite protraeteci, stretching from early August through to October 18th. After this date one was seen at Landguard on October 29th and the final records were ail on November 6th when single birds were noted past Gorleston, Southwold and Thorpeness. However, whether this was the same individuai seen at ail three sites is unknown.

C O M M O N T E R N Sterna hirundo Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

After three years of the first bird returning on April 1 st, there was a longer wait until April 7th in 2011, when a single bird arrived at Lackford Lakes. The next appeared three days later on lOth, when two more joined the Lackford bird, two arrived at Flixton Gravel Pits and one flew south past Kessingland.

The first double-figure count of the year came from Minsmere on April 20th, marking the start of the main arrivai in the county. Landguard logged 270 north on April 30th and 321 north on May lst, marking the peak of the spring migration.

Counts at well-watched coastal sites are detailed below:Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Kessingland

15N

Thorpeness

IS 8N

40N ÎOS 41N 15S

60N 36S 68N 50S

696N 324S 623N 2098S

540N 527S 463N 5191S

n/c n/c 389N 670S

I3N 14S 7N 22S

IS

The incomplète breeding information received is summarized below:Lowestoft: Lake Lothing, no breeding attempts reported.

Benacre Broad: no détails.

Dingle Marshes: no détails.

Minsmere: 165 nesting pairs fledged 27 young - an improvement on the complété loss to prédation in 2010.

Havergate Island: no détails.

Orfordness: pair showed territorial behaviour but did not breed.

Trimley Marshes: no détails.

Alton Water: 86 y o u n g ringed.

Weybread G P : pair raised two young.

Flixton G P : pair raised one young.

Needham Lake: no détails.

Lackford Lakes: two pairs with chicks on nest rafts.

Southbound migrants were noted from early July with numbers building steadily towards 'he end of the month and continuing to build to a peak in mid-August.

119

Su ffolk Bird Report

2011

An impressive count of 2517 south past Thorpeness on August 14th accounted for nearly half the total seen at that site during August. Passage continued throughout September, with a peak month-count of 248 south past Thorpeness on 26th. After that date numbers dropped to mostly single-figure counts and continued throughout October, with the last south past Thorpeness on November 3rd.

From November 3rd an adult took up residence in Lowestoft and wandered between Oulton Broad and Lowestoft Harbour (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards) until December 2nd.

The final record for the year was of two flying north past Thorpeness on December 5th (D Thurlow), which excluding overwintering birds is the latest-ever record in Suffolk.

Individuals showing characteristics of Eastern Common Tern S. h. longipennis, the race that intergrades with, and then replaces, the nominate form from eastern Siberia were reported from Minsmere on May 14th (S Nixon) and from Pakefield Beach on July 14th (C Darby and A Easton). These records are awaiting acceptance by BBRC. A R C T I C TERN Sterna paradisaea Fairly common passage migrant. Occasionally breed. Amber list.

Twelve north past Landguard on April 19th marked the start of the spring migration, with around 220 recorded between that date and May 12th. Most were recorded along the coast but the following were recorded inland:Framlingham: six, Apr 22nd.

Fritton Decoy: four, Apr 23rd.

Livermere Lake: 11, Apr 27th; three, Apr 28th; two, May 2nd; May 4th.

Lackford Lakes: 20, May 3rd; 21, May 4th; May 5th.

There was just a single record in June, one at Minsmere on June 5th. Once again no breeding attempts were reported.

A little over 200 were reported along the coast during the protracted autumn migration between July 8th and November 22nd, when the last of the year was noted at Ness Point, Lowestoft. There were very slight peaks in mid-August and again in mid-September but records were generally well spread throughout the period. This was a similar total to that in 2010, but then the final record of the year was October 25th.

None was recorded in the west of the County during the autumn migration.

ROSEATE T E R N Sterna dougallii Scarce passage migrant. Red list.

Another more typical year for this species, with records along the coast between May 29th and August 23rd with Minsmere again proving to be the best place to catch up with this very elegant bird.

Kessingland: south, Aug 6th (P Read).

Walberswick/Dunwich Beach: June 6th; July 24th.

Minsmere: up to two birds, May 29th to June 9th; June 29th to July 6th; two, July 13th and 14th; July 15th; July 22nd (multiple-observers).

Sizewell Rigs: July 13th (M Cartwright).

Thorpeness: July 30th (D Thurlow).

Landguard: Aug 23rd (J Zantboer).

C O M M O N G U I L L E M O T Uria aalge Common passage migrant and winter visitor. Amber fist.

Generally once again a poor year, with rather few reported offshore in the winter period, indeed Orfordness did not record any offshore in November and December.

The highest day-count for the year was of 121 that flew north past Southwold on April 30th. In contrast at the well watched site at Thorpeness an improvement in numbers was recorded, with increases in both the spring/early summer and mid-winter periods.

The monthly totals of Guillemots seen in flight at Thorpeness were as follows, and

120

Pectoral Sandpiper at Minsmere ir Dctober.

Jon Evans

Spotted R e d s h a n k .

Jon Evans

19. Little Stint at Minsmere in September.

Jon Evans

21. Curlew Sandpiper.

Jon Evans

26- Iceland Gull first winter at

27. White-winged Black Tern at

Lowestoft in January.

M i n s m e r e in M a y .

Chris Mayne

Chris Mayne

Systematic

List

comprised a total of 352 (compared with the corresponding totals of 86 in 2010, 108 in 2009 and 387 in 2008):North South

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

15 8

3 1

-

33 3

56 76

12 21

2 1

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dee

-

1 3

24 2

9 7

59 16

2010

2011

RAZORBILL Alca tordo Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor. Amber list.

2002

2003

40

32

Total of live Razorbills reported 2002-2011 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 36

48

23

53

341

40

70

36

The figures in these tables indicate 2011 was a fairly average year for this species, after the increase in 2010. There were no influxes noted and no mid-winter months without records.

Jan 7

Feb

Mar -

Monthly totals of live Razorbills in 2011 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep 2

1

-

1

2

3

Oct

Nov

Dee

6

4

10

LITTLE AUK Alle alle Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor.

Allowing for duplication, as the same individuals are inevitably seen at various locations as they head along our coast, there was a similar total, of around 60, as last year.

A single bird was seen in the Little Auk Richard Alien first winter period, at Thorpeness in January; with the remainder recorded between October 14th and December 13th. The vast majority were recorded between November 6th and 13th with a very marked peak on 7th.

Gorleston: Nov 6th; six, Nov 7th; Nov 8th.

Hopton-on-Sea: two, Nov 13th.

Lowestoft: two, Nov 6th; 14, Nov 7th; three, Nov 8th.

Kessingland: Oct 14th; three, N o v 6th; two Nov 7th; two, Nov 8th; Nov 12th; two, Dee lOth; Dee 13th.

Benacre: 18, Nov 7th; four, Nov 8th.

Southwold: two, Nov 6th; 30 Nov 7th; five, Nov 8th.

Minsmere: three, Nov 6th; six, N o v 7th; two, Nov 8th; Nov 9th; three, Nov 30th; Dee lOth. Thorpeness: Jan 20th; two Nov 6th; six, Nov 7th; three, Nov 8th; Nov 9th; Nov lOth.

Slaughden: Nov 7th.

Bawdsey: two, Nov 7th; two, Nov 8th.

Landguard: Oct 19th; Nov 7th; five, Nov 8th; Dee 4th; Dee 8th.

None was reported flying inland this year although one with an injured wing that was handed in to staff at Lackford Lakes SWT on November 8th, having been found at an unspecified site in the west of the County, had clearly done so.

ATLANTIC PUFFIN Fratercula arctica Scarce passage migrant. Amber list.

A further reduction to five sightings, which possibly referred to just three individuals.

This compares with 13 and seven sightings respectively in 2009 and 2010.

Kessingland: N o v 25th (P Read).

Thorpeness: A p r 30th (D Thurlow).

Landguard: Nov 7th (N Odin); N o v 8th (E Lucking); Nov 9th (W Brame, E Patrick).

121

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 ROCK PIGEON (DOVE) Columba livia Very common resident from feral stock. Categories A, C and E. This species was under-recorded in 2011 with apparently no reports at all from the northeast or west areas. The Breeding Birds Survey (BBS) found Rock Doves in 10% of the 48 squares surveyed (9% in 2001, 17% in 2006) with a combined total of 17 birds. The only double-figure counts came from: S u d b o u r n e : L a m b e r t ' s Grove, 90, N o v 8th.

O r f o r d n e s s : a r o u n d the C o b r a Mist building t h r o u g h o u t the year, m a x i m u m of 30, M a r 13th.

C o d d e n h a m : S h r u b l a n d s Park, 10, Jan 31st.

STOC K PIGEON ( DOVE) Columba oenas Fairly common resident and passage migrant. Amber list.

The BBS found Stock Doves in 46% of the 48 squares surveyed (50% in 2001, 43% in 2006) with a combined total of 101 birds. Breeding pairs on Orfordness were reduced to 32 (42 in 2010). The reduction is considered to be due to a loss of nesting sites, as some buildings are renovated and birds are excluded and others fall into a state of complete disrepair. At North Warren breeding numbers recovered to eight pairs, up from five in 2010.

Signs of occupancy by Stock Doves (i.e. adult birds, a nest, eggs or young) were found in no less than 283 Barn Owl Project boxes, from a total of 1138 boxes in situ.

The highest counts came from the south-east, with 43 at Holbrook Bay, January 14th, 125 at Butley Low Corner (with Bramblings in Sunflower stubble), November 24th, 52 at Gedgrave Marshes, November 29th and 65 at Chelmondiston, December 5th. In the west the best count was a lowly 28 at Boxford, October 30th.

COMMON WOOD PIGEON Columba palumhus Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Early in the year the highest counts near the coast were 300 at Trimley Marshes, January 16th and 300 at Walton Marshes, March 26th. In the west, 500 were at Brettenham in late January with 1000 there, February 6th. Landguard reported passage south of 123, April 7th and 126 south the following day, while FIELD NOTE the maximum count on Orfordness was Wood Pigeons are well known for nesting 170, April 10th. A high spring count of 500 was made at Botany Farm, through the autumn. A nest at Woolverstone Farnham, May 22nd. hatched out on October 15th and the single chick fledged on November 11th.

The BBS found Wood Pigeons in 100% of the 48 squares surveyed J Arnold (100% in 2001, 96% in 2006), with a combined total of 2297 birds. The almost-white leucistic bird again frequented the Mickle Mere, Pakenham and nearby areas throughout the year.

In August, 500 were at Flixton, near Lowestoft on 13th. Late in the year high counts came from Flixton Decoy, 1,000, November 4th; Butley River, 400, November 20th and Holbrook Bay, 650, December 20th, while in the west there were 500 at Boxford, October 30th and 700 at Long Melford, December 26th.

EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto Common resident.

The BBS found Collared Doves in 71% of the 48 squares surveyed (59% in 2001, 64% in 2006) with a combined total of 134 birds. These figures appear to show that Collared Doves are still steadily consolidating their numbers in the county. On Orfordness the only record of the year was two at Pig Pail, October 2nd.

In the north-east the highest counts were 40 at Saxmundham, August 24th and 43 at Gorleston Harbour, October 15th. In the south-east the only double-figure counts came from 122

Systematic List Rushmere Hall School, Ipswich, with a maximum of 13, September 22nd, while in the west counts of 50 came from Acton, Leavenheath and Sudbury and there was a maximum of 58 at Great Livermere, October 29th.

EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE Streptopeliu turtur Declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red List.

The first of the year was one at Newbourne Springs, April 8th, which is just seven days later than Suffolk's earliest ever, a single at Henstead on April 1st, 1994. Next in was one at Mutford, April 11th and the first in the west was at Walsham-le-Willows on 18th. Five at Bawdsey, May 4th were probably incoming migrants.

Breeding numbers continue to dwindle. The BBS found Turtle Doves in only 8% of the 48 squares surveyed (68% in 2001, 32% in 2006) with a combined total of six birds. Seven pairs were found at Minsmere but this is down from ten pairs in 2010. North Warren reported four pairs but that is a reduction from six pairs in 2010 and 24 pairs in 2001. Four more pairs were found at three SWT reserves near the coast. In the south-east six singing males at a site by the River Stour at Wissington on July 2nd were noteworthy and probable or confirmed breeding was noted at four other locations. In the west breeding was proven at three sites and probable at eight others.

No post-breeding party of birds exceeded five except for an outstanding count of 41 around horse paddocks at Stonham Aspal, September 12th (B Buffery). However, to put this into context a party of c.360 was recorded at Levington in August 1975, a mere 36 years ago.

None was reported from Orfordness this year and the sole migrant at Landguard was seen on August 31st. The last to be seen inland were two at Stradishall, September 15th. On the coast there was one at Corton, September 18th and then a late bird in the Minsmere dunes, October 11th.

ORIENTAL TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia orientalis Vagrant.

One was photographed in a garden at Barsham, where it spent three days in April. This is the first record for Suffolk.

Barsham: Ink Factory Cottages, first-winter, Apr 13th to 15th (R Doe, S Lester).

See short article on page 42.

ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET Psittacula krameri Scarce resident. Categories C and E. Fressingfield: May 21st.

Thorpeness: Oct 17th.

Holywell Row: Mar 22nd.

COMMON CUCKOO Cuculus canorus Declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

The first arrival was one at Snape on April 6th, followed by birds at Lackford Lakes on 11th and Aldringham Walks on 15th.

The BBS found Cuckoos in 29% of the 48 squares surveyed (36% in 2001, 42% in 2006) with a combined total of 21 birds. In the north-east, records came from 40 sites and breeding was confirmed at six SWT/RSPB reserves with a total of nine pairs and singing males were reported from a further 12 sites. The highest counts were five at Oulton Marshes, May 4th and at Minsmere, June 16th. In the 123

Common Cuckoo Peter Beeston

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 south-east records came from 38 sites with the highest counts of just three at Cowton House Marshes, Iken/Sudbourne, April 23rd and Snape, May 2nd and 6th. In the west birds were reported from 37 sites with a highest count of six at Lakenheath Fen, May 19th.

FIELD

NOTE

In Hollesley two pairs of Cuckoos were regularly seen and heard. One of the females present laid an egg in a Dunnock's nest, in a Forsythia, immediately next to the owner's patio of a house in the village. The Dunnocks did their bit and the young bird fledged and left the nest.

N Mason In late summer, juveniles were seen at a total of ten sites and in addition juveniles were noted at Landguard on July 21st and August 7th and 13th which were likely to be outgoing migrants. There were just two reports in September, a juvenile flying south at Lowestoft North Denes on 14th and the last of the year at High Lodge, near Thetford on 30th.

BARN OWL Tyto alba Fairly common resident. Amber list. Categories A and E. Barn Owls continue to recover lost ground in the county, thanks in no small part to the Suffolk Barn Owl Project, which is now expanding the provision of boxes into the west of the county. A total of 1,138 boxes is now in place and at least 276 of these were used by Barn Owls for breeding or in some cases for roosting. From these boxes 395 pulli were ringed and in addition 22 adults were caught. The BBS found Barn Owls in 4% of the 48 squares surveyed (14% in 2001,4% in 2006) with a combined total of two birds. The regular reporting by observers found owls in 128 sites (144 sites in 2010), with 54 of these sites in the northeast, 35 in the south-east and 39 in the west. The Breeding Bird Survey and the regular reporting clearly under-record the owls when compared with the number of boxes used.

On Orfordness the species was "seen on virtually all visits" with maximum counts of six in January and five in June. Three or four pairs bred and 11 young were ringed. At Eastbridge a pair raised two broods in a box and was still feeding young in November. Similarly in the west another pair was double-brooded and two young from the second brood were ringed on October 11th and fledged in November. A pair bred on a farm at Shotley for the first time since 1987 and two pairs bred on Lakenheath Fen and fledged nine young.

LITTLE OWL Athene noctua Fairly common resident.

Records came from a total of 107 sites (151 sites in 2010), with 29 of these in the northeast, 31 in the south-east and 47 in the west. The BBS found the species in 8% of the 48 squares surveyed (5% in 2001, 9% in 2006) with a combined total of four birds. Eight Little Owls were found in residence in Barn Owl Project boxes.

Confirmed or probable breeding came from a total of 17 sites. On Orfordness two were found dead in the NAAFI Building on April 7th, no breeding was noted and there were only a few sightings of 1 -2 for the rest of the year. A pair did nest at Landguard and fledged four young. The highest count of the year came from Great Cornard, January 18th and was ot four calling in the Country Park at dusk.

TAWNY OWL Strix alnco Common resident.

Three were heard calling at first light at 07:00hr on January 1 st at Minsmere and this was the highest count all year, being equalled only by three noted at Iken, November 13th.

Reported in all from 114 localities and 45 of these were in the north-east, with five confirmed breeding pairs but this greatly understates the true status of this very nocturnal 124

Systematic List owl. Records came from 32 sites in the south-east (three confirmed breeding pairs) and 37 sites in the west (nine confirmed breeding pairs). Twenty-two Tawny Owls were found in BOP boxes with 11 young ringed.

This owl will readily take up residence in suburban areas provided there are sufficient large deciduous trees and it was reported this year from Gunton, Lowestoft (Parkhill), Oulton Broad, Sudbury and Beck Row. A road casualty was found on the B1062 at Beccles, January 27th. A bird was also seen again in December in Christchurch Park, Ipswich, on 4th and 23rd, on the latter date noted "in the usual tree".

LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Scarce resident Records early in the year came from just four sites.

Holton Airfield: Mar 9th to 22nd.

Newbourne: Jan 26th.

Lackford Lakes: roosting in bushes, Jan 1 st.

Norton: SWT Grove Farm, three at a roost, Jan 10th to the end of the month.

The only confirmed breeding record was of a juvenile found in the northern part of The King's Forest, July 3rd (same territory as 2010). On July 10th one was hunting by the road at Puttockshill, Pakenham, suggesting a possible breeding pair in this area.

Late autumn passage came from the following eight sites:Gorleston: in a garden along the seafront, Oct 10th.

Corton: cliffs, Oct 26th.

Gunton: disused railway line, Nov 8th.

Lowestoft: North Beach, in off the sea, Oct 13th.

Easton Bavents: roosting in a tree, Nov 10th.

Southwold: campsite, Nov 15th.

Minsmere: South Levels, Oct 13th; Sluice Bushes, Oct 14th.

Landguard: Nov 13th and 18th.

Su Gough

SHORT-EARED OWL Asioflammeus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Rare resident. Amber list.

Wintering birds during January and February were rather sparse along the coast, with records only from Dingle Marshes, Orfordness, Havergate Island, Bawdsey and Falkenham Marshes. Inland 1-3 were seen at Puttockshill, Pakenham between January 1st and March 26th. More were seen during March and April involving ten coastal sites and most of these were probably outgoing migrants.

There were summer records of singles from Carlton Marshes, Southwold Town Marshes, Orfordness and Minsmere but no suggestion of nesting.

An exceptional autumn passage began with one at Minsmere Levels, October 2nd. The passage probably involved about 160 birds along the coast, three quarters of which were seen in the north-east recording area. Many birds were seen flying in off the sea or flying south offshore and peak counts were seven at Minsmere and 11 at Landguard, October 13th, six at Minsmere beach, November 2nd ^ \ N \\ and six at Kessingland Levels, November Short-eared Owl Richard Allen 20th. One flew in off the sea at Kessingland, 125

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 October 22nd being mobbed by a Great Skua and another was seen flying over Christchurch Park, Ipswich, November 8th, being mobbed by corvids.

Following this influx wintering birds in December were quite widespread on the coastal marshes, with records of one, two or three from 14 sites including Kessingland Levels and Denes, Minsmere, Orfordness, Boyton, Gedgrave and Shotley. In the west, one to three were seen again at Puttockshill from November 6th to the year's end with four on December 24th.

Lakenheath Fen and Washes also had one to three wintering birds from November 12th onwards and there was a single at Stradishall Airfield, December 4th.

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

The first of the year was one flushed off the road at Westleton Walks at 03:30 hours on April 30th (Robin Harvey). This is only the eighth April record for Suffolk since 1900. Next in was one at Tangham Forest, May 7th and the first in the west was a churring male in a clearfell at West Stow, May 15th.

On the Sandlings heaths 32 territories were located between Aldeburgh and Southwold.

Ten of these were at Minsmere (13 territories in 2010) and three were at North Warren and Aldringham Walks, a slight improvement on the very low count of two in 2010. From Aldeburgh down to Ipswich a further 16 territories were found but the clearfells of Rendlesham and Tunstall Forests were not surveyed this year. There was no survey in the west either but a number of birds were heard churring in clearfells in The King's Forest and three territories were found on Breckland heaths.

An interesting report was of two hunting at dusk along the seawall at Shingle Street, July 30th which were probably birds from a nearby heath. This was also the last report of the year and none was noted on passage.

COMMON SWIFT Apus apus Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

The first of the spring was at Boyton Marshes, April 19th, followed by one at Carlton Marshes on 22nd and in the west two at Tuddenham St Mary on 24th. By May 2nd at least 100 were at Lackford Lakes and other counts in May included 50 at Minsmere on 5th, 300 over Holywells Park, Ipswich on 11th, 80 at Oulton Marshes on 14th and 200 on Orfordness on 15th.

The BBS found Swifts in 46% of the 48 squares surveyed (45% in 2001, 55% in 2006) with a combined total of 139 birds. In the west breeding pairs were reported from Sudbury, Clare, Stoke-by-Clare, Cavendish, Bures, Pakenham, Ixworth and Rickinghall. The highest counts in June were 200 at Loompit Lake, Trimley St Martin on 11th and 130 at Long Melford on 23rd.

In July there were signs of movement on 18th when 300 were noted at Field Farm, Covehithe and 534 moved south at Landguard. Another 111 moved south at Landguard on July 29th which coincided with the departure of local breeding birds from Pakenham. At Long Melford on August 2nd an observer noted "a noticeable decline in numbers in the past 24 hours" and the final village record at Brettenham came on the same day. At Bures most birds had left by the end of July but there were still three active nests on August 19th and the last two juveniles fledged on 31 st. A count of 150 was made at Holywells Park, Ipswich, August 23rd.

The last inland was at Long Melford, September 3rd but scattered records of singles continued along the coast right through until one at Southwold, October 30th. There were three very late records in November, at Leiston on 6th and then flying south at Thorpeness and Aldeburgh on 12th, the latest in Suffolk since 1994 (November 17th, Stratford St Mary).

COMMON KINGFISHER A Icedo atthis Fairly common resident. Amber list.

The BBS found Kingfishers in 2% of the 48 squares surveyed (5% in 2001, 4% in 2006) 126

Systematic List with a combined total of one bird. The species was reported from a total of 90 sites (109 sites in 2010 and 87 in 2009), with 37 of these in the north-east recording area, 27 in the south-east and 26 in the west.

It appears to be under-recorded throughout the county but especially in the smaller river valleys in the west. Breeding was confirmed from only 12 sites and five of these are Suffolk Wildlife Trust or RSPB reserves.

The highest counts of the year were all of three and came from Shipmeadow, near Beccles, April 26th, Minsmere, October 7th (Scrape) and December 17th (Island Mere), Lackford Lakes, June 26th and the River Lark by Cavenham Heath, August 28th.

On Orfordness after singles on January 9th and March 5th, none was seen again until one, August 20th. There were then occasional records of one or two until the year's end. Of the two present on September 25th one bore a Polish ring, indicating that at least a few of the birds seen on the coast in winter are visitors from the east (see Ringing Report).

Common Kingfisher Su Gough

*

EUROPEAN BEE-EATER Merops apiaster Rare passage migrant.

This species has now been recorded in every year since 2000 and is becoming an expected annual visitor.

Sizewell: Ash Wood, flew north, 15.30hr, Apr 17th (J M Gibbs).

Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, drifted south, 10:55hr, June 14th (P D Green).

F

EUROPEAN ROLLER Coracias garrulus Very rare visitor.

This is the first county record since the long-staying bird on Lantern Marshes, Orfordness in September 1991. There have now been 28 Suffolk records in total but only seven since 1956. This bird spent the day along the fence of the adjoining MOD land.

Hollesley: Upper Hollesley Common, adult, June 13th (N Andrews, N Thorpe et al.).

EURASIAN HOOPOE Upupa epops Scarce passage migrant. Categories A and E. Three records is a typical showing for this exotic visitor but the record on the final day of the year is unusually late, although Hoopoes have been reported in every month apart from January.

Belton: Browston Green, Oct 25th (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards).

Lowestoft: L a k e Lothing, Riverside Road, Dec 31st (R Fairhead).

Stoke-by-Clare: along the Suffolk/Essex boundary, Sep 10th (M and D Carter).

EURASIAN WRYNECK Jynx torquiUa Uncommon passage migrant. Red List.

There were five spring records, which is above the average:Walberswick: Common, Apr 23rd (D Phillips).

Minsmere: beach, Apr 24th (R Harvey).

Shingle Street: Apr 9th (P and J Kennerley).

Landguard: Apr 13th (Landguard B.O.).

Bury St Edmunds: in a private garden, Apr 20th.

A further nine, at least, occurred on autumn passage:-

Eurasian Wryneck Peter Beeston

Corton Wood: Aug 26th (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards).

Pakefield Cliffs: Aug 24th (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards).

Covehithe: north of the B r o a d Sep 8th (B J Small).

127

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 D u n w i c h : Heath, 8 0 0 m north of the Coastguard cottages, Oct 2 n d (A R Hobson).

M i n s m e r e : near the sluice, A u g 24th (I Salkeld).

T h o r p e n e s s : beach, A u g 26th (C Fulcher); Caravan Site, A u g 29th (S Mayson).

O r f o r d n e s s : trapped Sep 29th, retrapped Oct 1st and 9th.

Landguard: Sep 16th (Landguard B O).

GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis Common resident. Amber list.

The BBS found Green Woodpeckers in 50% of the 48 squares surveyed (64% in 2001, 68% in 2006) with a combined total of 52 birds. Breeding was confirmed from six sites in the north-east with a total of 37 pairs. The RSPB reserve at North Warren and Aldringham Walks held 22 of these pairs but this is the lowest number of pairs at this site in the past 12 years and down from a high of 41 pairs in 2008. In the south-east records came from a total of 52 sites and there was a highest count of four at Cowton House Marshes, Sudbourne, July 26th. For the first time for a number of years none was reported from Orfordness.

In the west there were records from 60 sites. The species remains common on the sandy Breckland soils and many were also reported from village gardens where they are frequently to be seen feeding on ants. The highest counts were six at Leavenheath, January 11th, 11 along the Little Ouse valley between Brandon and Thetford, April 6th and six at Ickworth Park, August 11th.

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major Common resident. Scarce passage migrant.

The first drumming birds of the year were noted on January 3rd at Oulton Broad and North Warren. The BBS found this woodpecker in 40% of the 48 squares surveyed (36% in 2001, 51% in 2006) with a combined total of 36 birds. The wardens at North Warren and Aldringham Walks found 14 pairs, an increase of two pairs on the low count of 2010 and Suffolk Wildlife Trust wardens reported six pairs on the Sizewell reserve and five pairs at Redgrave Fen. Records came from 47 sites in the south-east recording area and a further 45 sites in the west. As with Green Woodpecker a number were regularly reported from gardens and peanut feeders were often visited. The highest count was of six at Boxford, January 31st.

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos minor Uncommon resident. Red list.

Records came from 11 sites, about the average over the past few years. A few wellscattered pairs appear to be hanging on in the county. One was reported at Clopton "feeding on young ash buds" but no date was given.

Burgh Castle: Low Road, Nov 16th.

Sotterley Park: Mar 13th.

Melton: S a d d l e m a k e r ' s Lane, Jan 28th.

Ipswich: Girton Way, Feb 3rd.

Nacton: A m b e r f i e l d School, M a r 29th.

Livermere Lake: Mar 26th and 27th.

Icklingham: Temple Bridge, M a r 6th.

B a m h a m : B a m h a m Heath, Feb 21st ( d r u m m i n g ) , A p r 9th.

Santon D o w n h a m : up to four along the Little O u s e valley between Feb 12th and A p r 10th. Two females were seen and d r u m m i n g o f t e n heard.

L a k e n h e a t h : Fen, Jan 26th; Botany Bay, Jan 27th.

EURASIAN GOLDEN ORIOLE Oriolus oriolus Scarce summer resident and passage migrant. Red list.

There is no simple explanation for the continued decline of the Golden Oriole as a breeding bird in the county. Similar declines have been seen all over Europe; the Dutch population (from 128

Systematic List where UK birds probably originated according to RSPB Lakenheath) has declined from 10,000 pairs to around 2,000 pairs in the last 20 years. Habitat loss, problems on migration and problems in their wintering areas have all undoubtedly contributed to this decline.

Three birds were seen outside the usual breeding area, the Cavenham one presumably being a passage bird:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Covehithe: G r e e n Lane, singing male, May 31st (R Berry).

North Warren RSPB: singing male, May 17th and 18th (R N Macklin).

Cavenham Pits: May 25th (M Taylor).

Golden Orioles returned to Lakenheath Fen RSPB, but this year there was no conclusive evidence of breeding. Two males and one female were present and a male was heard to "sing forlornly whilst making a half-hearted attempt to build a nest" (Lakenheath Fen RSPB).

Lakenheath Fen sightings:Single, A p r 26th (Breckland Birding Group).

Single male, A p r 27th (West Suffolk Birders).

Two males, M a y 6th (Breckland Birding Group, E W Patrick).

Two males, May 17th and 19th (West Suffolk Birders, E W Patrick).

Two males. M a y 21st (S Abbott).

ISABELLINE SHRIKE Lanius isabellinus Rare visitor.

This bird was only seen during one afternoon. It is the first record since the first-winter bird at Boyton in 1997.

Dunwich Heath: first-winter (considered to be L. i. isabellinus), Oct 14th (D Woodward et al.).

RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio Scarce passage migrant; formerly bred. Red list.

There were no spring records this year of this sprightly, attractive shrike and only two autumn passage records:Carlton M a r s h e s : adult, A u g 2 n d to 5th (P Harvey, R Nason).

Lowestoft North Denes: juv, Aug 23rd (J A Brown).

GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lanius excubitor Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor.

Another very good year for this welcome visitor with autumn sightings in the north-east coming from 11 sites:Belton: W h e a t c r o f t Farm, Dec 9th (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards).

Corton: O c t l 3 t h to Oct 16th (P J Ransome, Lowestoft Lounge Lizards).

Pakefield Cliffs: Oct 13th (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards).

Lowestoft: N o r t h Denes, Oct 28th (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards); Arnold's Walk, Nov 7th (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards).

Carlton M a r s h e s : Oct 13th; N o v 1st (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards).

Kessingland: O c t 17th (M Riley, Lowestoft L o u n g e Lizards); Marsh Lane, N o v 15th ( L o w e s t o f t Lounge Lizards).

Benacre Sluice: Oct 13th to 15th (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards, C A Buttle).

Covehithe: Oct 21st and 22nd (C A Buttle).

Westleton Heath: Oct 14th (R Drew).

In the south-east there was a well-watched bird on Upper Hollesley Common from March 17th until April 29th. Another, or the same bird, was present there again from November 30th until the year's end, at least. This bird was less regular and probably visited Sutton Common and other nearby sites.

Shingle Street: Oct 15th, possibly present on 13th (J A and P R Kennerley).

Marlesford: Dec 1 Ith (G D Woodard).

Upper Hollesley Common: Mar 17th to Apr 29th (N Mason et al).

Upper Hollesley C o m m o n : Nov 30th to Dec 30th (J A and P R Kennerley, N Mason et al.).

In the west, records came from eight sites with the well-watched bird at Layham staying 129

Su ffolk Bird Report well into 2 0 1 2 : B e r n e r ' s Heath: O c t 28th; Nov 7th, staying into 2012 (D Cawdron).

Santon Downham: Feb 13th (Breckland Birding Group).

Brandon CP: Oct 16th (Breckland Birding Group).

West Stow CP: Oct 31st (C Gregory).

Ickworth Park: north, Nov 14th

2011

FIELD NOTE The Great Grey Shrike seen at Barrow Bottom, Barrow in December was located perched in a bush in the central reservation of the A14.

C Lamsdell

(Breckland Birding Group).

Barrow: Barrow Bottom, Dec 4th (C Lamsdell).

Lakenheath Warren: Nov 2nd ( C A E Kirtland).

Layham: Lower Layham Pits, Dec 26th to 31st at least (multi-observer).

W O O D C H A T SHRIKE Lanius senator Very rare visitor.

There were three intriguing sightings of this very rare visitor. The Spexhall bird was the earliest in Suffolk since at least 1954 and the Lowestoft bird the latest ever in Suffolk. With a date in August one has to wonder where the Pipps Ford bird originated.

Lowestoft: Links Rd, juv, Oct 8th to 14th (R Wilton).

Spexhall: first-summer male, Apr 28th to May 3rd (T J Hopkins et al.).

Pipps Ford: juv, Aug 20th (P A Whittaker).

E U R A S I A N MAGPIE Pica pica Very common resident.

Reports of this unmistakable and widespread bird came from 65 sites, A few birds were noted as being 'on territory' but breeding was reported at only five sites.

At North Warren there were 16 breeding pairs. On â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Orfordness this species was present throughout the year, with at least ten usually noted, and a minimum of Eurasian Magpie Su Gough ten breeding pairs held territories.

At Landguard birds were present all year with two pairs nesting, rearing four and three young, declining to three and two young by October. The spring maximum was 12, April 7th and there was a maximum, in the autumn, of 14, October 2nd.

In the south the highest winter-roost counts came f r o m : Ipswich: Holywells Park, 105, Feb 19th.

Pipps Ford: 144, Dec 18th.

It is interesting to note that there were considerable fluctuations at both of these roost sites Surprisingly, there were no records submitted from the west of the county.

EURASIAN JAY Garrulus glandarius Common resident and scarce passage migrant.

Reports of this eye-catching species came from 62 sites and these were mainly of one or two birds. Breeding was confirmed at five sites.

Singles were at Landguard, April 8th and 19th and two, May 11th.

Sixteen pairs bred at North Warren and the highest count in the south was of eight at Sudbourne Wood, October 8th.

In the west records of single birds came from just five sites.

W E S T E R N JACKDAW Corvus monedula Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Records of this species came from 69 sites with breeding being confirmed at ten sites.

130

Systematic List The only four-figure count was that at Trimley St Martin on November 7th.

Counts of treble-figure or more were recorded at a range of sites:Oulton Broad: 200, Jan 31st; 460, Dec 12th.

Aldeburgh Walks: 285, Feb 6th.

Boyton Marshes, RSPB: 150, Dec 22nd.

Trimley St Martin: Thorpe Bay, 1500+ with other crow species, Nov 7th.

Alton Water: post-breeding flock of 320, June 19th.

Jackdaws were present throughout the year on Orfordness, with up to 30 in January and February, increasing to 70 in March and with a peak of 160 on April 10th. Up to 80 were then noted through into September when there was another high count, of 130, on 29th. The breeding population of this species here has steadily increased over the last few years. There were at least 27 breeding pairs, ten of which were at the Coastguard Lookout near the Lighthouse.

At Landguard there was a sprinkling of spring migrants with more going south than north.

In autumn it was a similar picture. However, there was a north- and east-European sub species, Nordic Jackdaw, Corvus monedula moneduia present on March 29th and 30th (P Holmes, G J Jobson, P Oldfield et al.). This is the second site record.

Another Nordic Jackdaw was at Westleton on March 5th (R Drew).

In the west three-figure counts came from:Boxford: 300, Oct 30th Bury St Edmunds: 500, Nov 6th ROOK Corvus frugilegus Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

This species, the most sociable member of the corvid group, was reported from 58 sites with breeding confirmed at just three of them.

At North Warren there were eight occupied nests and thirteen pairs bred at Boyton, RSPB. The largest gatherings were in the north of the county:Walberswick: 840 on pig fields. May 9th.

Klixton: 5000, Jan 1st to 31st; 5000, Oct 9th to Nov 20th; 10,000, Nov 27th, On Orfordness birds were not seen until April 2nd when two flew south. One was present on April 24th and seven on May 7th with 15 on May 28th and six the next day. The only June sighting was of three on 2nd. The only other record was of two on September 15th.

At Landguard, spring passage totals were eight north and 22 south on 12 dates between March 16th and May 12th. In autumn 14 flew south on nine dates between October 13th and November 23rd with a maximum three south, November 12th.

In the south-east treble-figure counts came from a number of sites most notably:Falkenham: 200, Sep 26th Boyton Marshes RSPB: 150, Oct 20th Only two records were received from the western area:Brettenham: 200 Jan 28th Fakenheath Fen RSPB: 46 occupied nests were recorded CARRION CROW Corvus corone Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

This vigilant, opportunistic species was reported from 78 sites with breeding confirmed at 12 of them. ^ Systematic monthly counts of the pig fields around Walberswick by Rob Macklin produced some significant congregations: 586, January 22 nd, 610, February 20th, 660, May 23rd. At North Warren 1 ^ยก1 breeding numbers remained stable with 28 pairs. \ L F On Orfordness, up to eight were noted from January to early ^ f c j Carrion Crow February then an influx of birds occurred on February 24th with 27 M Su Gough 131

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 counted. After 12 on March 5th there were up to five until 20th when 19 were seen. Other high counts here included 28 on March 27th, 26 on April 2nd, 23 on April 29th and 22 on May 14th. After this, there were much smaller numbers present with a maximum of five until December 18th when eight were seen and then ten on 24th. A total of three FIELD NOTE pairs nested, two on the Cobra Mist masts A Carrion Crow was seen to attack and one at the Holm Oaks. and kill a Collared Dove Streptopelia At Landguard more were seen heading decaocto at West Stow CP on May 24th. south (57) than going north (five) and C Gregory there was a spring maximum of ten, March 9th. Two pairs nested in the adjoining docks rearing three and two young. Intruders, as in previous years, turned up on site "and are soon seen off by the locals". There were nine on both September 23rd and October 11th in autumn. Visible movements in October were four south, October 2nd, seven south, 14th and eight south, 16th. Also in the south-east double-figure counts came from a number of sites most notably: Holywells Park, Ipswich, 36, March 12th and Boyton Marshes, 60, December 22nd.

In the west the only treble-figure count was:Berner's Heath: 230, Jan 29th HOODED CROW

Corvus

comix

Scarce winter visitor.

'Hoodies' were reported from:Slaughden: probably one of birds below, Jan 22nd (T Hodge).

Orfordness: two birds, Jan 1st until Mar 26th (M Marsh et al.).

Lakenheath Fen: the bird from 2010 was last recorded on Jan 8th (RSPB et al.).

On Orfordness, two birds stayed from 2010 and remained at the south end of the Managed Retreat, although frequently only one bird was seen. The last sighting there was of one on March 26th.

There were the usual reports of between one and three hybrid Carrion/Hooded Crows from six sites in the north-east.

NORTHERN RAVEN

Con

us

corax

Very rare visitor. Formerly bred.

After a good year in 2009 and a blank year in 2010 there were two sightings of the largest and perhaps most exciting corvid: Benacre: two, Sep Ist (B Galpin et al.).

Chelmondiston: Apr 24th (J Glazebrook).

GOLDCREST Regulus regulus Very common resident and passage migrant Reports of this delightful tiny 'crest' came from 58 sites and breeding was confirmed at nine sites.

Twenty-six pairs bred at North Warren, the best total since 2008.

High winter counts came from: Corton, 20, November 8th, Thorpeness Meare, 37, November 15th and Martlesham Heath, 38, December 29th.

On Orfordness, the first appeared on March 20th followed by 14 on 26th, four on 27th and nine on 30th. The only other spring birds were one on May 2nd and two on 3rd. It was a poor autumn here with just one on October 2nd and 20, the largest count of the year, on October 13th. The last was seen on November 12th.

Spring passage at Landguard ran from March 12th to April 3rd, with a maximum 12 on March 26th. Autumn passage ran from September 10th to November 17th with a maximum 132

Systematic List of 14, October 14th.

In the west the highest count reported was four at Sudbury, May 16th.

FIRECREST Regulus igmcapilla Uncommon regular breeder and passage migrant. Some overwinter. Amber list.

This diminutive gem of a bird was recorded at 50 sites across the county with the only breeding record in the west. In Thetford Forest (part of which is in Norfolk) breeding was confirmed with 33 territories being located in May (compared with 85 in 2007) (G Conway).

On Orfordness, the first of the year involved three, April 3rd, but the only other spring sighting was one on April 24th. In autumn the first was noted on September 18th and followed in October by two on 15th, one on 16th, ten on 27th, three on 28th and finally, two on 30th.

Spring passage at Landguard was from March 2nd to April 15th, with a maximum of three on April 5th. In autumn there was a singleton on September 14th with no further records until one or two birds from October 24th to November 11th with one bird lingering until 18th.

Other reports in autumn on or near the coast included:Corton: four, Oct 4th to 26th.

Dunwich: Greyfriars Wood, three, Dec 27th.

Shingle Street: three, Oct 10th.

Bawdsey: three, Nov 11th.

EURASIAN PENDULINE TIT Remi:,pendulinus Very rare visitor.

This is the fifth successive year that Penduline Tits have been recorded in Suffolk. One of the Minsmere birds was ringed and is thought to be Dutch. One of the males was heard to sing.

Minsmere: three, probably two males and one female, Mar 14th and 15th (D Fairhurst et al.).

Dunwich: two, presumed same as Minsmere, Mar 24th (P D Green) BLUE TIT Cyanistes caeruleus Very common resident and scarce passage migrant. Amber list (C. c. obscurus).

Reports of this widespread and familiar species increased significantly and came from 71 sites (11, 2010) with breeding confirmed at ten sites.

At Sizewell SWT 92 pairs bred compared with 41 in 2010.

On Orfordness, January produced almost all the records with overwintering birds still present in the reedbed. After five on 2nd, two were noted on 16th and 23rd. One was found in the village on March 5th, and another was singing at Pig Pail on April 3rd.

Birds were present all year at Landguard with one pair nesting. Five birds from the previous year survived the winter. Spring passage ran from March 1st to April 15th, with a maximum of seven on March 23rd. The first juvenile appeared on June 2nd with more dispersing juveniles turning up on site from elsewhere on May 28th, June 10th and July 8th. Autumn passage ran from August 19th to October 25th with a maximum 12 on September 18th.

25 pairs bred in boxes at Ipswich Golf Club, Purdis Farm.

High flock counts came from Bixley Ward, Ipswich with 26, January 16th and Snape Warren with 30, July 26th.

Ringing activities at Nowton Park, Nowton, just south of Bury St Edmunds, on January 16th showed a good winter survival rate with 80% of the catch being juveniles. Twenty were sighted at Brettenham, February 11th and Lavenham Bird Club recorded a maximum of 30 on their November survey of Lavenham Railway Walk.

GREAT TIT Pants Very common resident This every-day bird sites. 54 pairs bred at

major and scarce passage migrant. Amber list (P. m. newtoni). was reported from 64 locations with breeding confirmed at eleven Sizewell SWT and nest boxes at Ipswich Golf Club, Purdis Farm, 133

Su ffolk Bird Report

2011

produced 44 young.

High counts came from a range of sites:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Snape Warren: 35, July 26th.

Dennington: 12, Aug 14th.

Newbourne: 17, Feb 3rd.

Rushmere St Andrew: Mill Stream Nature Reserve, 12, Jan 18th.

Hasketon: 15, Feb 13th.

Alton Water: 16, Dec 28th.

Birds were present all year at Landguard with three pairs breeding. Eleven birds from previous years survived the winter. Spring passage ran from February 28th to April 15th, with a maximum of 25 on Marchi 3th. The first juveniles appeared on May 28th with dispersing juveniles turning up on site from elsewhere in June and July with a maximum of 15, June 3rd and 16th. Autumn passage ran from September 2nd to October 31st, with a maximum of ten on September 18th.

COAL TIT Periparus ater Very common resident and scarce passage migrant. Amber list (P. a. britannicus).

Reported from 36 sites with confirmed breeding at four locations.

At North Warren 53 pairs bred, the "best since 2008" (R N Macklin, RSPB) and at Sizewell SWT 16 pairs bred (15 in 2008). Fifteen were described as being on territory at North Stow, The Kings Forest, April 23rd.

Birds appeared at Landguard in June with two on 14th, three on 20th and two on 23rd.

Most other records were of between one and three birds with the exception o f : Cavendish: eight, Jan 16th Continental Coal Tit Periparus ater ater Scarce passage migrant.

Sightings came from three locations, all in the north east:Corton: disused railway track, Nov 9th (Lowestoft lounge Lizards).

Kessingland: Oct 25th (C Darby).

Minsmere: Oct 21st (J H Grant).

W I L L O W TIT Poetile montana Uncommon resident and scarce passage migrant. Red list.

This species continues to maintain a tenuous foot hold in the west of the county with sightings this year from six sites:West Stow: Jan 10th (S Evans).

Lackford Lakes: Jan 21 st (J Rankin) pair on territory, April 9th ( Breckland Birding Group).

Thetford: three, Jan 23rd (West Suffolk Birders, L Gregory).

Santon Downham: Feb 12th (Breckland Birding Group); calling, Mar 12th (J R and P A Kennerley); two, Mar 27th (Breckland Birding Group); singing male, Apr 6th (D F Walsh).

Culford: Feb 17th (D Cawdron).

Brandon: singing male, Apr 6th (D F Walsh).

MARSH TIT Poet ile palustris Fairly common resident. Red list.

Reports of this vocally distinctive member of the tit family came from 75 sites, with the majority of records coming from the west of the county. Breeding was confirmed at ten sites.

Three pairs bred at North Warren and five pairs bred at Sizewell SWT. Most sightings were of one or two birds, with higher counts from the following locations:North Cove: 12, Dec 29th.

Santon Downham: five, Mar 6th.

134

Systematic

List

Euston: six, Mar 15th.

Cosford Hall, Hadleigh: four, June 3rd.

Knettishall Heath: four, July 26th.

BEARDED TIT Panurus biarmicus Uncommon resident. Amber list.

Reports of this attractive reedbed specialist came from 37 sites with breeding confirmed at five sites (2010, five sites).

However, there was a major decline in breeding populations attributed to the 'hard winter' at various sites, notably:Easton Broad: 15 pairs (40 in 2010).

Walberswick: 15 pairs (50 in 2010).

North Warren: seven pairs (nine in 2010).

Hen Reedbeds: ten pairs (15 in 2009).

Outside of these areas notable flocks reported were: 15, Hazlewood Marshes, SWT July 30th, 13, Aldeburgh Marshes, September 29th and 26, Cowton Hall Marshes, Iken, October 16th.

On Orfordness numbers were also down. The first to appear was a male on January 9th and two were in the Chantry reedbed on 16th. In February, five were present on 24th. March saw two in Chantry reedbed from 5th to 19th. Unusually, there were no records at all in the second winter period.

Breeding was confirmed at the western out-post of this species at Lakenheath Fen with 55 pairs present throughout the year (104-110 pairs in 2010).

WOODLARK Lullula arborea Fairly common breeding species. Scarce on passage and in winter. Amber list.

The heathlands of coastal Suffolk again saw a decline with only 46 pairs reported. This low figure may have been due to some locations reporting no numbers. The only sites recording double figures were:Sutton and Hollesley Commons: 19 pairs (stable).

Minsmere: 11 pairs (down three).

West Suffolk also recorded a decline with Thetford Forest as a whole holding 84 pairs (92 in 2010), so the Breckland population fell by 7%, the 12th consecutive year of decline for this species.

During the winter period the only small flocks seen were in the west of the county where a party of seven was located in Icklingham, January 16th and ten at Weatherhill Farm, Icklingham, January 28th.

Migrants were reported over Landguard Bird Observatory with single birds on October 12th and 19th. Other October reports came from Westleton Heath with seven on 12th and three on Blaxhall Heath, 13th.

SKYLARK Alauda arvensis ( ommon resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Red list.

There were few early-winter flocks reported, the highest counts being 100+ at Willisham on various dates during January, 35, Walton Marshes, January 27th, and 39, Snape Bridge, February 13th.

Breeding reports came from twelve locations. At North Warren numbers continue to decline with 78 pairs (87 in 2010). Numbers also continue to decline at other sites with Orfordness holding 14-19 pairs (20-25 in 2010) and Great Waldingfield, 36 pairs (40 in 2010).

Migrant birds recorded during the autumn period were as follows:Gunton: 44 in off sea, Oct 22nd.

Minsmcre: 150 in off sea, Oct 13th; 120 in off sea, Oct 14th.

Sizewell: 30 in off sea, Oct 9th.

Thorpeness: 50 in off sea, Oct 14th.

135

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 Ipswich: Holywells Park, 42 over, Oct 22nd; 35, Nov 1st.

The largest flocks were seen during November and December. The largest were 150 at Long Melford, November 12th, 120, Great Barton, November 6th and 200 at Barsham Marshes, December 19th, the biggest gathering of the year.

HORNED (SHORE) LARK Eremophila alpestris Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

The influx from the end of the previous year was still evident with birds at the following localities:Kessingland: Apr 1st to 29th (max six, 20th).

Benacre: two, Apr 10th.

Dingle Marshes: Jan 1st to Mar 27th (max 15, Jan 18th).

Thorpeness: Apr 6th to 18th (two on 7th).

Landguard: Jan 1st; four, Feb 11th; two, Apr 17th to 19th (one remaining until May 5th).

During October single birds were seen at Minsmere on 26th, Pakefield on 16th and Landguard on 25th with two there on 27th.

During the second winter period the only record was of a single bird present on Orfordness from November 26th until December 10th.

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

The first spring arrivals came fairly early with a single bird seen at Minsmere on March 8th followed by reports from Cavenham and Lackford, March 9th, and then three birds at Thorington Street the next day. Numbers built up steadily with three-figure-counts at various sites by the beginning of April.

Breeding was recorded from six locations:Butley River: 60+ at nest site.

Flixton gravel pits: 126 nest holes.

Bungay: 94 nest holes.

Ufford: 30+ birds going to holes in quarry.

Bury Beet Factory: 20 pairs.

Fornham St Genevieve: 20 pairs.

No breeding data were received from Corton Cliffs, Pakefield Cliffs, Benacre or Minsmere.

However, 427 birds were seen at Corton Cliffs, July 3rd including 127 in a wheat crop.

During autumn there were eight reports in September with peak counts including 100 at Flatford, 3rd, 68 south at Landguard, 9th followed by 70 at Aldeburgh , 11th. In October a single bird was seen at Minsmere on 7th followed by the last report of the year - two birds at Dip Farm, Gunton, 11th.

BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

First noted at Lackford Lakes on March 17th followed by the next at Aldringham Walks on March 23 rd. There were then a further ten March records with the first multiple record being two at Minsmere on 29th and six birds at Lackford Lakes on the same day. Numbers then built during April with 100 at Cavenham on 4th and 50 present at Thorington on 13th.

Breeding records came from only ten locations. On Orfordness numbers were up to eight or nine pairs with the usual pair nesting in the porch of the office.

In July 250 were seen feeding over an oilseed rape field at Flixton, near Lowestoft, on 7th, then during August several three-figure-counts were recorded including: Aldeburgh: 160, 16th.

Slaughden: 800, 30th.

Orfordness: 200, 14th; 250, 21st.

Shingle Street: 400, 31st.

136

Systematic

List

Ipswich: Holywells Park, 300, 23rd.

September saw birds well on their way out with Landguard Bird Observatory recording 1394 south on 13th followed the next day by 1086 birds at the same location and 128 flew south off Orfordness on 17th. In November there were six late reports with two at Landguard on 1st then singles at North Warren, 4th, Shingle Street, 9th, Southwold, 12th, Bawdsey, 15th and Orfordness, 20th. The last bird of the year was at Minsmere on the extremely late date of December 2nd, the first December record since one was at Sizewell on 16th, 2000.

Monthly totals at Landguard:N IN/S

Jan 0 0

Feb 0 0

Mar 1 0

Apr 31 234

May 4 1125

Jun 2 32

Jul 0 99

Aug 1 3068

Sep 0 8798

Oct 3 548

Nov 0 12

Dec 0 0

HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbicum Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list The arrival date of this species came later than the other hirundines. The first was at Lakenheath on March 26th, with only two others seen during March at Lackford Lakes, 29th and Livermere Lake, 30th. Then on April 3rd things changed when in the evening 300 were seen through Lackford in three large flocks, and 100 were noted at Cavenham.

Breeding was confirmed or presumed from six sites all in the west of the county. At Long Melford six pairs on a private residence were all using artificial boxes and in Sudbury nestbuilding was reported to have been delayed because of a lack of mud due to a dry spell. The usual Brettenham birds were again late-staying with the last bird to leave the nest as late as September 15 th.

Dispersal was noted on two dates in September:North Warren: 500, 18th; 260, 24th Orfordness: 700 south, 18th; 200 south 24th

Landguard: 883 south, 18th There were still 29 reports during October including 100+ at Butley on 6th and 65 south at Orfordness on 9th. Two very late records came from November when one went through Landguard on 19th then one was reported at Crowfield ten days later on 29th.

Monthly totals at Landguard:-

N/OUT S/IN

Jan 0 0

Feb 0 0

Mar 0 0

Apr 1 2

May 0 124

Jun 0 14

Jul 0 8

Aug 0 145

Sep 8 2938

Oct 0 633

Nov 0 0

Dec 0 0

RED-RUMPED SWALLOW Cecropis daurica Rare visitor.

This individual was the 34th record of this species for the county and the only one of the year after we were spoilt by last year's five birds.

Minsmere: North Marsh, May 14th (J A Rowlands et al.).

CETTI'S WARBLER Cettia cetti Fairly common resident and rare passage migrant.

Once again there were suggestions that the cold winter might reduce numbers radically. However analysis of the usual mixture of reports, telling of breeders on the reserves and isolated individual singers in a more haphazard style, produced possible adult totals in early summer in excess of last year's 1,000.

137

Cetti's Warbler Peter Beeston

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 Minsmere held 64 males, Thorpeness 66 and several other coastal sites had double figures.

At the Dingle, Dunwich a total of 36 birds was ringed. It is worth noting that in 2000 only two were captured countywide.

Lakenheath reported 12 territories occupied (same total as in 2010) and Lackford one.

LONG-TAILED TIT Aegithalos caudatus Very common resident and scarce passage migrant.

As with several other species there seemed to be less information gathered in 2011 than in 2010. However the ever-reliable recorders at North Warren reported a pleasing number of 37 pairs and there was a good total of 14 at Sizewell.

The largest flocks recorded held fewer birds than the year before with 30 at Levington on December 30th being the highest count.

Officially the ninth bird for the county of the northern race A. c. caudatus was at Goose Hill, near Leiston on March 22nd (T Hodge).

Long-tailed Tit Su Gough

PALLAS'S LEAF WARBLER Phylloscopus proregulus Uncommon autumn passage migrant.

One of our favourite autumn gems has produced two or three records in the previous three years. In 2011 there were four records. The bird at Shingle Street was blind in one eye. The only blank year this century was 2006.

Corton: disused railway line, N o v 2nd to 5th (A C Easton, R Fairhead).

Lowestoft: London Road South, Nov 9th (Lowestoft L o u n g e Lizards).

Lowestoft: M a r i n e r ' s Score, N o v 12th (Lowestoft L o u n g e Lizards).

Shingle Street: ringed and photographed, Oct 16th ( M Miller).

YELLOW-BROWED WARBLE R Phylloscopus inornatus Uncommon autumn passage migrant.

For about a month from mid-September onwards it was difficult to move far on the coast without meeting a birder who had "just heard a Yellow-browed", so the number of records was exceptional. Duplicate reporting and possible long stayers made an exact count impossible but probably between 40 and 50 would be a realistic figure.

After the first at Minsmere on September 18th there was a constant stream of reports from Lowestoft to Bawdsey with one inland record on October 8th at Holywells's Park in Ipswich. There were five separate birds at Landguard in October.

Multiple records in October were four at Warrenhouse Wood, north Lowestoft, and another in Sparrow's Nest on 10th with a further brace at Thorpeness, 16th (S Abbott).

The final bird was at Kessingland on November 18th, in the midst of the humei invasion.

HUME'S LEAF WARBLER Phylloscopus humei Very rare autumn migrant.

The arrival of two birds in 2003 was described as 'long expected' so a gap of eight years until the next influx must be a surprise, given that its congener inornatus has become more numerous.

The Gunton bird was in typical territory, but the brace in Lowestoft favoured the vicinity of a supermarket and a pub, with many visitors learning another meaning of the word 'Score'.

G u n t o n : awaiting ratification, N o v 12th to 15th (A C Easton, R Wilton, R W i n c u p et al.).

Lowestoft: Crop Shop, Nov 15th to 19th (S Jones etal.); Mariner's Score, Nov 19th t o 2 3 r d (S Jones etal.).

138

Systematic

List

DUSKY WARBLER Phylloscopus fuscatus Rare visitor.

A blank year in 2010 left the county total at 20, the first record being in 1987.

Consequently four autumn birds, of which one lingered, albeit in a dense clump by the cross marsh path at Aldeburgh, were a pleasing surprise.

The Shingle Street bird was found independently by Peter Hobbs soon after being released.

Kessingland Sewerage Farm: Oct 22nd (C Carter, M Swindells).

Thorpeness/Aldeburgh: Nov 6th to 10th (D Fairhurst).

Orfordness: Nov 13th (M Marsh et al.).

Shingle Street: ringed and photographed, Nov 15th (M Miller, N Mason, P Hobbs).

WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sibilatrLx There were no Wood Warblers reported in 2011.

C O M M O N CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus coltybita Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. A few overwinter.

As usual birds were reported throughout the year with the first to appear at the isolated site of Orfordness on March 13th considered to be a genuine migrant. At this site, ten on April 2nd was the highest spring total with passage continuing until May 10th. Elsewhere judgement of status is more difficult, but Landguard also recorded a migrant on March 13 th with spring passage continuing until June 15th and a maximum day-count of 30 birds on April 6th.

After the lowest count of the century in 2010 North Warren held 141 pairs, some 30% up on the previous year. The total at Sizewell of 40 singing birds was also a welcome increase.

A wandering bird, and presumably non-breeding, was recorded on Orfordness on June 4th and another was ringed there on June 26th but not seen again until retrapped on July 31 st.

There was a "fall" of 45 birds at Orfordness on September 15th and the last was noted there on November 20th.

WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

Cavenham Heath and Landguard produced the first of the new season on March 30th with reports from many other locations following quickly. Landguard held 40, April 6th (see Common Chiffchaff), whilst the last of the spring was recorded at Orfordness, May 8th. At Boyton, on April 12th, three singing 'brown' males could have been of the race acredula (P and J Kennerley).

Breeding numbers, where reported, were similar to 2010. However, there was a notable 43 pairs at North Warren, an increase of ten pairs compared with 2010.

In the west Stradishall held 20 pairs, with a dozen at both North Stow and Sudbury.

Return passage at Orfordness began on July 30th, but only 44 birds were ringed there in 2011 compared with 230 in 2009, before the last appeared on November 5th. Landguard hosted 30 on September 9th.

BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla Common summer visitor and passage migrant with a few overwintering.

As usual there were many records in the winter period, presumably birds from eastern Europe.

Spring migration was first noted at Landguard on March 30th, with a maximum daycount there of 12 on April 6th (see Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler above). On Orfordness there were six birds on April 3rd.

Breeding information was somewhat sparse but North Warren reported the best summer since 2007 with 130 singing males and the Sizewell area held 27. In the west the highest total of 26 came from Sudbury.

139

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 Autumn movements produced little excitement with a maximum of 25 at Landguard, September 14th and the final bird at Orfordness on November 12th.

GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia boriti Common summer visitor and passage migrant.

The 'early' bird this year was at Bury St Edmunds on April 8th with the next noted at North Warren on April 15th. Orfordness had just one spring record on May 14th.

North Warren produced the only notable count of territories with 177 which is a pleasing result.

In the west Redgrave had four singing males, whilst at Lackford it was the best year since 2005 with eight adults and nine juveniles trapped as they came to garden feeders offering sunflower hearts etc.

Remarkably the sole autumn report from Orfordness was of a single bird on July 30th.

Lowestoft Denes had a late bird on October 1 st but the final report came from Alton Water on October 17th.

BARRED WARBLER Sylvia nisoria There were no Barred Warblers reported in 2011 LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant.

Minsmere saw the first bird of the spring on the exceptionally early date of April 3rd, the earliest-ever recorded in Suffolk, finally exceeding the previous earliest of April 4th set in 1959. Only Landguard, with six on April 25th, reported a multiple arrival. At North Warren the first arrived on April 16th and, pleasingly, 34 held territories there - the highest total since 2007. Little other breeding information was received.

Autumn passage at Landguard took place between August 9th and October 2nd with a maximum of five on September 9th and 10th. Perhaps a dozen birds moved through Orfordness between late August and early October. Thorpeness saw the last of the year on October 7th.

COMMON WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis Common summer visitor and passage migrant.

Fisher Row, Oulton held the first spring arrival on April 6th matching last year's date as the earliest since 2004. Orfordness had a peak of ten in May. There were seemingly record numbers of singing birds and North Warren, with 307 recorded (209 in 2010), perhaps confirmed perceptions. Some other data were available with double-figure counts in the west at Great Livermere, Stone Street, Hadleigh, Temple Bridge (Icklingham) and Hawstead. CES results at Lackford suggested the best breeding year since 1997.

Autumn passage at Landguard was between July 23rd and October 17th with a maximum 14 on September 14th. Orfordness ringed an unexceptional total of 90 birds in the autumn.

The last report of the year came from Corton on September 28th.

DARTFORD WARBLER Sylvia undata Uncommon local resident. Scarce passage visitor. Amber list.

Clark and Eyre writing in British Birds Volume 105 tell of the number of Dartford Warbler territories in the Thames Basin and Wealden areas falling from about 1000 in 2004 to just 50 in 2010. Astonishingly the same comparison in Suffolk shows 91 pairs in each year.

Indeed in 2011 in spite of another hard winter the coast held about 100 territories with some 70% in the Dunwich hinterland, half-a-dozen pairs at both Snape and North Warren and 12 pairs at Sutton and Upper and Lower Hollesley Commons (ten pairs in 2010 after 41 in 140

Systematic List 2009). Graham Button and Richard Tomlinson working on Sutton and Upper Hollesley Commons found that "The territories were substantially larger than we hadpreviously seen and we were pleasantly surprised to find singing males in many areas that held pairs in 2009. We had ten nests overall with 32 pulii ringed, the earliest being 28th Aprii, within the compound of 'Rock Barracks ', the nest containingfour young. The latest brood was ringed on Upper Hollesley on 3Ist July also with a brood of four. The colour ringing scheme is stili running and we are getting a few sightings within the study areas, so ifyou see a colour ringed Dartford Warbler we would be grateful ifyou could get the combination. " Those used to Dartford Warbiers will know that working out the colours of rings on their legs is not straightforward!

Some talk of birds in Breckland has yet to be substantiated.

Away from the breeding areas, single birds were seen at Gunton, Pakefield, Thorpeness and Orfordness.

COMMON GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella naevia Uncommon and declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

The first singing bird of the year was heard at Oulton Broad on Aprii 3rd with another at Lakenheath three days later.

The number of reeling birds seems likely to have again reached over 40 in spite of muchpublicized fears that the ageing population of birders could be having trouble hearing high-pitched songs (see British Birds 105:152-153 and 276-277).

Carlton Marshes had the highest coastal total of six singers with ten localities from Snape northwards having at least one.

Five were heard at Shingle Street on April 16th, with two birds remaining and probable breeding occurred. There was a single 'reeler' atTrimley Marshes.

In the west Lakenheath with ten once again had the highest county total and eight other sites reported, usually, one bird. Only one seemed to be present in the Little Ouse Fens, this being at Thelnetham.

The last of the autumn was noted at Gunton on September 14th.

SAVI'S WARBLER Locustella luscinioides Rare summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

Steve Piotrowski writing, probably in about 2000, in his county avifauna could stili happily recali days when up to ten males frequented coastal reed beds. However single singing birds in 1998 and 2004 and two singers in 2010, ali at Minsmere, show how the expected increasing colonisation pioneered by Cetti's Warbler never happened. One in 2011 was, therefore, above expectations.

Minsmere: May 4th (R Harvey).

2010 Addition: Orfordness: May Ist (D Crawshaw, G J Jobson, M C Marsh).

BOOTED WARBLER Iduna caligata Accidentai A weekend one-day bird drew crowds already excited by recent events elsewhere in Suffolk. Peter Kennerley's patient master class removed any thoughts of Sykes's /. rama so this bird became the second for the county after the two-dayer at Gorleston in 1996. Perhaps the awful memories of October 1984, at Landguard, can now be finally laid to rest (see The Harrier 141: 5-6)!

Landguard: first-winter, Oct 16th (P J Holmes et al.).

141

Booted Warbler Mark Ferris

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 ICTERINE WARBLER Hippolais icterina Scarce passage migrant.

This century has seen 27 records almost evenly split between spring and autumn, but, with three blank years and only two in which birds appeared in both seasons.

For the second year running there were only autumn records as follows:Lowestoft Denes: Sept 25th (A C Easton).

Minsmere: Sluice, Aug 23rd and 24th (R Harvey).

SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Common summer visitor and passage migrant.

The first of the year was once again in March on 27th at Barsham, quickly followed the next day by one at Trimley Marshes.

Following last year's estimate of the county population, less breeding data were received for 2011. North Warren saw an increase of over 30% to 91 birds holding territory with other notable totals from Carlton Marshes 52, Hen Reedbeds 70 and both Sizewell and Trimley Marshes with 26.

Redgrave reported 21 singing males.

Orfordness held 45 birds on September 3rd and 4th but only 214 were ringed compared with 864 in 2010.

The last report came from Aldeburgh, September 29th.

M A R S H WARBLER Acrocephalus palustris There were no accepted records of Marsh Warbler in 2011.

E U R A S I A N R E E D WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus Common summer visitor and passage migrant.

The first of the year was at Minsmere on April 4th, the earliest arrival since 1989 (April 5th, Minsmere).

Totals of breeding pairs came from a few sites with Hen Reedbeds holding 85, North Warren 138 and Butley 25.

In the west numbers of territories included 20 at Rodbridge Corner, Long Melford and ten at Temple Bridge, Cavenham/Icklingham. Redgrave had an expected 20 singing males.

Orfordness had its highest count of 25 in September but only 187 were ringed there compared with 526 last year. The final report of 2011 came from this site on October 13th.

B O H E M I A N WAXWING Bombycilla garrulus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

The first winter period saw a continuation of the good numbers noted at the end of 2010. Records on January 1st included 30 at Dip Farm, Gunton.

In the north-east there were 47 double-figure reports culminating with 30 at Benhall on May 3rd. The south-east and west told a similar story with peaks of 140 at Rushmere St. Andrew on March 16th and 130 at Bury on February 22nd, with the last singleton on May 3rd at Stowmarket.

Bohemian Waxwing(s) Rebecca Nason

FIELD NOTE There were records of birds feeding on poplar catkins at Ipswich Golf Club, Purdis Farm on seven dates between March 12th and April 15th.

N Sherman

142

Systematic List The second winter period began on with a single bird at Carlton Marshes, November 1 st and went on to reach a peak of 100 at Eastbridge on December 3rd. Totals at the regular site at Ipswich Hospital peaked at 67 on December 31 st.

That 2011 was a "Waxwing year" is evidenced by the 366 records for this species in the 12 month period.

EURASIAN NUTHATCH Sim europaea Fairly common resident.

The west of the county provided a high proportion of the records of this attractive passerine, with 43 sites reporting birds compared with 24 in 2010. The total number of site records was also up from 36 to 59. Breeding was confirmed at Minsmere, Thornham Park, Poslingford, Assington and Higham. Of possible significance was the first record for four years at Park Wood, Melton and the first in 20 visits to Tendring Hall Park, Stoke-by-Nayland.

EURASIAN TREECREEPER Certhia familiaris Common resident. Amber list (C.f.britannica).

As in previous years, there were few records of more than a single pair at any one site.

There were six breeding pairs at North Warren, which continues the decrease noted in the 2010 report, from 15 in 2009 to seven pairs in 2010. However, this is counterbalanced by increases from four breeding pairs in 2010 to eight at Redgrave and four breeding pairs in 2010 to five at Sizewell Belts. Park Wood, Melton produced the first record for four years (see also Eurasian Nuthatch).

SHORT-TOED TREECREEPER Certhia brachydactyla Accidental. Amber list.

The first Suffolk record of the parkland treecreeper of continental Europe came from Landguard. It stayed from March 24th to April 6th and was trapped several times over this period, gaining weight from 7.8g to 9.2g so increasing its fat score from zero to three. (See "Weight-gain and fat storage accumulation in a 'migrant' Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla", an article by Nigel Odin in The Harrier no. 167, p.8).

Landguard: Mar 24th to Apr 6th (N Odin, O R Slessor et al.).

See account on page 43.

EURASIAN WREN Troglodytes troglodytes Very common resident and scarce passage migrant.

Another cold and wet winter in 2010/11 seemed to affect numbers of this abundant songbird. In the northeast recording area the following all showed decreases:Hen Reedbeds: 15 territories Sizewell Belts SWT: 92 territories Redgrave Fen: 19 territories Breeding was also reported at:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; winler Wren Carlton Marshes: ten territories Colm A ers Oulton Marshes: ten territories y Thorington: Church Farm, seven territories In the south-east, there were 198 reports, but only five of these gave numbers in double figures with a high of 15 at Alton Water on April 29th. On Orfordness this species was still restricted to a single pair.

COMMON STARLING Sturnus vulgaris Very common but declining resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

As usual, there were some very high counts of flocks going to roost including:Lowestoft: 4500, Jan 3rd.

143

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 Easton Bavents: 4000 Oct 23rd.

M i n s m e r e : N o r t h M a r s h , 3000, N o v 2nd.

N o r t h Warren: 10000, Dec 2nd; 7000, N o v 25th; 6000, M a r 10th.

Ipswich: Holywells Park, 1500, Oct 22nd.

Hollesley Marshes: 1000, Oct 16th.

Lakenheath: 25000, Nov 16th.

Monthly maxima at Orfordness were as follows:Jan 20

Feb 150

Mar 1700

Apr 10

May 40

Jun 450

Jul 300

Aug 50

Sep 30

Oct 3000

Nov 500

Dec 45

ROSY STARLING Pastor roseus Rare visitor. Categories A & E. The 36th Suffolk record came from Minsmere, where a juvenile was photographed at the Sluice on September 11th.

Minsmere Sluice: Sep 1 Ith (C Cuthbert)

RING O U Z E L Tardus torquatus Fairly common passage migrant. Red list.

A poor year for the upland blackbird perhaps reflected its red list status. There were 44 observations at 34 sites in 2011 compared with 62 in spring in the north-east of the county alone in 2010.

The north-east produced 14 spring migration records. The first was at Aldringham Walks on April 3rd and the last at Aldeburgh Marshes on May 3rd. These were mostly singles except for three at Bradwell, April 17th. The south-east had nine spring records with the earliest being at Snape, April 4th, and the latest at Sutton Common, May 6th.

The autumn was a similar story with ten reports from the north-east and seven from the south-east. Fifteen of these were of single birds, with two at Holywells Park, Ipswich on October 9th and Landguard on November 6th being the only exceptions. The earliest sighting came from Landguard on September 28th and the last was at Barsham Ink Factory Cottages on November 13th.

As there were no spring sightings at Orfordness, the first bird of the year at this site was on October 9th with just one more on October 13th making it the locality's worst year on record. Landguard recorded two spring individuals and three in the autumn between September 28th and November 6th.

There were only two reports in the west of the county; Cavenham, April 3rd and Santon Downham, April 6th.

C O M M O N B L A C K B I R D Turdus menila Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

The Blackbird is widespread and common throughout the county, which probably explains there being only nine reports of confirmed breeding involving a total of 71 pairs, the most significant being:Sizewell Belts: 37 territories.

There were 360 records submitted with 42 of double figures or more. The most noteworthy of these involved an influx on November 6th reported as 1000+ at Landguard and 1300 at Orfordness, the largest fall of this species in recent years, as the last count of over 1000 in Suffolk was in 2001 (with 1100 at Sizewell, October 22nd).

FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

Still a familiar winter sight in fields, parks and gardens in Suffolk. There were 47 reports of flocks involving 100 individuals or more.

144

Systematic List During the first winter period the most notable counts were:Minsmere: 700, Mar 5th.

Westleton Heath: 500, Mar 8th.

Dunwich: Mount Pleasant Farm, 500, Mar 17th.

Haughley: 700, Jan 25th.

Wickhambrook: 500, Jan. 26th.

Lidgate: 500, Jan. 23rd.

Stradishall: 1000 Jan 20th.

Two late migrants lingered into May at Fisher Row, Oulton, 4th and Sutton Common, 3rd.

In the second winter period, the second week of October brought in the earliest arrivals: Oulton Broad, October 8th, Holywells Park, Ipswich, October 9th and, in the west, Pakenham and Kentwell Hall, both October 13th.

Notable second winter flocks were recorded as follows:Ellough: 800, Dec 27th Boyton: Hall Farm, 500, Nov 9th SONG THRUSH

Turdus

philomelos

Fairly common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

There were 14 reports of single pairs breeding with a further 16 sites reporting possible or probable breeding. Further pairs were recorded at: Redgrave Fen, two pairs, Sizewell Belts, five pairs, Church Farm, Thorington, two pairs and North Warren where a significant decrease was noted as below.

Song Thrush breeding data, North Warren, 2001 to 2011 : Pairs

2001 37

2002 â&#x20AC;˘33

2003 28

2004 43

2005 45

2006 45

2007 39

2008 40

2009 47

2010 45

2011 20

Migration of note during the autumn was reported from Thorpeness Caravan Park, Hopton disused railway track, Holywells Park, Ipswich, Orfordness and Landguard from October 9th to 13 th.

FIELD NOTE Hopton-on-sea: disused railway track, 35, Oct 12th.

Thorpeness: Caravan Park, 50, Oct 9th.

A Song Thrush was reported Orfordness: 140, Oct 9th; 40, Oct 13th. eating fat balls from a feeder Landguard: 100, Oct 9th. on Old Kirton Road, Trimley St. Ipswich: Holywells Park, 50, Oct 9th.

Martin on May 14th.

November was notable for the following:R Biddle Landguard: 200+, Nov 6th.

REDWING Tardus iliacus Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

There were several notable counts during the first winter period:Mutford: 100 north, Mar 18th.

Hulver Street: 100, Mar 18th..

Minsmere: 100, Jan 3rd; 150, Jan 7th Haughley: 300, Jan 25th.

Cavenham: 200, Mar 11th.

Milden: 100, Feb 7th.

A poor spring was noted at Orfordness with just a few sightings between March 19th and April 3rd. The last individual of the spring was seen at Abbey Farm, Snape on April 5th.

The first record of the autumn was an early single bird at Lowestoft on August 25th, the earliest autumn arrival in Suffolk since 1953 (13, Playford, August 3rd) and the first in August since 1956 (Levington, 31st). However, this was an isolated individual as there were 145

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 no more records until the 20 recorded at RSPB Lakenheath on September 24th.

There were 16 reports of migrant flocks during the second winter period involving 100+ birds. Of note was that two of these came on November 6th, the same day as the influx of Blackbirds (see that species account for details). These were:Orfordness: 200, Nov 6th.

Landguard: 150, Nov 6th.

Other notable flocks were:Oulton Broad: 370, Oct 10th.

Orfordness: 370, Oct 8th.

Orford: Town Marshes, 980, Oct 8th.

Ipswich: Royston Drive, 390 west in 40 minutes, Oct 8th.

Ipswich: Holywells Park, 500, Dec 23rd.

Milden: 160, Oct 10th.

MISTLE THRUSH Turdus viscivorus Fairly common resident and scarce passage migrant. Amber list.

The worrying decline of this species at North Warren has continued with breeding numbers down from 37 pairs in 2007 to just 11 in 2011, a 70% decline. Three pairs were noted at Redgrave Fen and single pairs at Sizewell Belts and Church Farm, Thorington. There was also confirmed breeding at Boyton Marshes (two pairs), Ickworth, Cavenham, Kentwell Hall (Long Melford) and in the Hadleigh area at Stone Street, Cosford Hall and Peyton Hall. A total of 15+ individuals including several juveniles was observed at Upper Hollesley Common on June 14th and there were seven other probable breeding records in the county.

A flock of 20 at Beccles Common on September 18th was the only group gathering noted in the north-east, while further south, Holywells Park, Ipswich had gatherings of 12, October 9th and 15, November 6th. However, the most noteworthy report was of 46 at Arger Fen, Leavenheath, the largest flock in the west of the county for several years.

Mistle Thrush is " a surprisingly rare visitor" to Orfordness with only two birds in 2011 on October 9th and November 6th.

S P O T T E D F L Y C A T C H E R Muscicapa striata Declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

The north-east recorded the first arrival at Fressingfield, April 22nd, the earliest since 2000 when one was in Ipswich on the same date. This was followed by the west at Brettenham, May 6th then Stutton in the east, May 7th. Orfordness reported a poor spring with just one individual on May 14th and Landguard also fared badly with just a single bird.

May 10th and 11th and two, May 18th. One spring record of note came from Lodge Farm, Westhorpe with four, May 19th.

Overall the total of breeding pairs reported in Suffolk in 2011 improved by two compared with 2010 up to 53.

Breeding in the north-east involved 19 pairs with peak counts from Fressingfield with five pairs and Thorndon with six pairs. This total of 19 pairs was an improvement of one over 2010 (18 pairs); however, the number of sites fell from 23 to just nine. The south-east registered a possible improvement with just two confirmed pairs but it is probable a further eight may have bred. The species was recorded at 15 sites, the same total as in 2010.

A similar situation was recorded in the west with 16 pairs confirmed and a further eight likely to have bred. There were 27 pairs in 2010. Breeding records of note came from Long Melford where eight birds consisting of two family parties were reported, August 14th. At Brettenham a pair fledged five young from the corner of a house gutter.

Although it is often difficult to be certain of true passage migrants, except in the coastal belt, the autumn saw low numbers. There were three at Rookery Park, Carlton Colville, August 4th and three at Weston, near Beccles, September 3rd. Orfordness continued its poor year with a singleton on August 28th and two at Landguard, August 14th with a further two, 146

Systematic

List

August 24th. Final reports came from Lackford Lakes, September 25th and North Denes, Lowestoft, September 28th.

EUROPEAN ROBIN Erithacus rubecula Very common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

During the first winter period double-figure counts were reported from Millstream nature reserve, Rushmere St Andrew, with 13 on January 18th and Newbourne with 27 on February 15th and 27 located in Bixley Ward, Ipswich, January 16th. At Landguard a total of 15 attempted to overwinter with spring passage noted from February 22nd until May 9th with a maximum of nine, March 30th. There were few breeding records, although reports did include 55 pairs at Sizewell SWT, eight pairs at Church Farm, Thorndon, and 15 pairs at Redgrave Fen. Autumn passage of note was reported from:Orfordness: 40, Oct 13th; 40, Nov 12th.

Shingle Street: 20 plus, Oct 12th and 13th.

Landguard: 60, Oct 13th; 50, Nov 8th.

Alton Water: 20, Sep 24th.

Thorndon: allotments, 15, Oct 15th.

C O M M O N NIGHTINGALE Luseinia megarhynchos Fairly common summer visitor and scarce passage migrant. Amber list.

First noted in the county at Walberswick, April 5th, closely followed by reports from Minsmere, Landguard, Alton Water (four) and Maidscross Hill, Lakenheath, all on April 7th. Reports continued to trickle through during the rest of April with a noteworthy count of 12 singing at North Warren on April 19th.

In the north-east an improvement was seen over 2010 with records from 19 sites (13 in 2010) with concentrations at Blyth Estuary/Dunwich/26 at Westleton, 23 at Minsmere and 31 at North Warren. Interestingly North Warren had posted a 70% decline in 2010 with just 12.

In the south-eastern sector there was a small improvement over 2010 with 32 reporting sites (27 in 2010) but with lower concentrations than in the north-east. There were five at Alton Water, five at Blacksmiths Corner, Belstead, five in the Fynn Valley and 13 at Nacton.

In the west there were reports from 11 sites, the same as in 2010. However, the only significant count was seven noted at Temple Bridge.

Overall there was a slight increase in records over 2010 but nothing to suggest a major recovery has taken place. It will be interesting to see the results of the Nightingale survey taking place in 2012.

Autumn records were only reported from The Haven, Thorpeness, August 21 st and Temple Bridge, Icklingham, August 12th.

WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT Luscinia svecica cyanecula Rare passage migrant.

After an absence of two years a singing individual was a welcome record for 2011, and on a typical date.

Carlton Colville: White Cast Marshes, Mar 20th (R C Smith).

RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL Tarsiger cyanurus Very rare visitor.

Amazingly this species was recorded for the sixth year in succession with the ninth, tenth and eleventh Suffolk records.

Minsmere: Sluice, Oct 13th and 14th (S H Piotrowski et al.).

Orfordness: first-winter Oct 13th to 16th (D Crawshaw, G J 147

Red-flanked Bluetail Mark Ferris

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 Jobson, M C Marsh el at.).

L a n d g u a r d : first-winter, Nov 14th (N Odin, O R Slessor el al.).

This is the first site record for Orfordness and the Landguard bird is the latest recorded so far in Suffolk.

PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hypoleuca Fairly common passage migrant. Amber list.

For the first time since 2002, there were no spring records of this flycatcher in Suffolk.

The first record of the year was not received until August 6th when two were reported at Minsmere. Orfordness also had two on the same day and this was to be their only record in what was the worst year for this species since records began on the Ness. The only other record of more than one bird was of two at Landguard, August 23rd. The last year there were no spring records was 2002. A total of 12 sites reported sightings of which all but one were in the coastal belt, the exception being a single individual observed at Brandon, August 29th. There were no other multiple records and the last of the year was noted at Thorpeness Caravan Park with presumably the same individual seen on October 9th and 10th.

BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Occasionally overwinters. Amber list.

Overwintering reports in the first period came from only two sites with one individual noted at South Lowestoft Industrial Estate, February 10th and two present at Felixstowe, February 15th. The spring passage could not match 2010 but nevertheless reports came from 22 coastal sites with the first noted jointly from Orfordness and Landguard on March 13th with reports of multiple sightings from:Carlton Colville: two, Mar 27th.

Benacre: two, Mar 30th.

Covehithe Broad: two, Mar 17th.

Sizewell: four, Mar 28th to 31st.

Orfordness: two, Apr 3rd.

L a n d g u a r d : m a x i m u m of three, M a r 28th, Mar 30th and A p r 3rd.

The only inland reports came from Woodbridge Tide Mill, May 9th and Bury St Edmunds Beet Factory, April 7th.

Breeding was confirmed from the usual site at Sizewell power station with at least one pair fledging young. Less typical records of breeding came from Upper Hollesley Common where a pair and three juveniles were noted, June 14th and another successful pair with three young was noted at Ravenswood Estate, Ipswich, June 1st. It is also very possible that a pair bred at Bury Beet Factory as courtship was noted there on June 10th. A late report came from Benacre Sluice, June 10th and a first-summer male singing Heath Road Hospital, Ipswich on May 8th and again on June 28th was intriguing.

Post-breeding counts were noted from Sizewell with six on August 2nd and 6th. Autumn passage was noted at Landguard with singles on 28 dates from August 1st until November 28th with reports from a further 12 coastal sites. The key site was Ness Point, Lowestoft with high counts of three, October 14th, five, October 28th, three, October 29th and three, November 11th. There were four at Bawdsey, October 24th and three at Bawdsey Manor, October 28th.

Inland there were just two reports, from Boxford, July 13th and Wickhambrook, October 19th.

Records of possible overwintering came from Lowestoft with an individual seen on several dates between December 1st and 30th, Reydon with a single bird, December 12th and 18th, Beccles, December 24th and Felixstowe with one or two from November 22nd through to December 29th.

COMMON REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

148

Systematic List A report of two maies on Orfordness on April 2nd was early as was a singleton reported from Marsh Lane, Kessingland, April 4th. Inland another early record came from Bamham Cross Common, April 5th with a later maie noted at Rattlesden on May 1 st. Just five coastal sites recorded this species in a poor spring passage.

Breeding was confirmed with a pair at Minsmere, five pairs on Upper Hollesley Common, one pair on Sutton Common and two on Sutton Heath. Düring the breeding season there were records of four on Hollesley Common, April 29th and eight, May 24th and four on Sutton Common, May 13th. In July there were six plus noted on July 5th and four, July 6th ail on Hollesley Common.

An early juvenile turned up at Beach Farm, Benacre, June 30th but this did not herald a good autumn. There were records from only seven coastal sites with the bulk coming from Landguard with three, August 23rd and 24th and two, September 15th.

Inland the only autumn record was from Bury St Edmunds where a male was present on September 12th.

The final report in a disappointing year was from Minsmere, October 13th.

WHINCHAT Saxícola rubetra Fairly common passage migrant. Former/y bred. Amber list.

The first report was noted at Timbers House, Walberwick where a male was present on April 22nd with another at Dunwich Heath, April 25th. Orfordness recorded only two females both on May 14th and Landguard had singles on May 1 Ith and 25th. A total of nine coastal sites reported this species in the spring with the highest count from Minsmere where four were noted, May 14th.

Inland the poor spring was even more evident with just a female at Boxford, May 8th and another individual at RSPB Lakenheath, May 6th.

Numbers ringed on Orfordness show the continued decline of this species:2002 24

2003 55

2004 24

2005 44

2006 16

2007 24

2008 13

2009 15

2010 16

2011 15

Numbers did not improve during the autumn with the earliest returning bird noted at Minsmere, July 26th.

Although counts were lower than in the previous year, Orfordness was the key passage point recording higher numbers than elsewhere.

Corton: Sewage Works, five, Sep 24th.

Minsmere: ll,Aug25th.

Aldeburgh Marshes: seven, Sep llth.

Orfordness: 11, Aug 27th; 14, Aug 28th; eight Sep 1 Ith; six, Sep 18th.

Inland there were reports from just four sites with the best count being of four at RSPB Lakenheath, September 29th.

The last sighting of the year was from The Levels at Minsmere on October 18th.

EUROPEAN STONECHAT Saxícola torquatus Fairly common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

During the first winter period there were reports from seven sites in the north-east, three in the south-east and just two in the west involving mainly singletons. The only exception was Orfordness where three were present, January 9th.

Noteworthy spring movements were noted at Orfordness with nine on April Ist and six remaining during the rest of the month.

There were four on Upper Hollesley Common, March 20th and five, March 24th, six on Sutton Common, April 29th and four in Brandon Country Park, May 1 Ith. Overall there were 61 breeding pairs reported, down from 71 in 2010. This is very likely to be the resuit of two consecutive hard winters but the species has maintained a strong 149

Su ffolk Bird Report

2011

presence in Suffolk. Graham Button and Richard Tomlinson in their breeding bird work in the Sandlings noted that "Stonechat numbers are good around Sutton and Hollesley. The territories were larger on Sutton Common with the pairs being scattered over a wide area.

This was mainly due to the dry conditions early in the season and hence food availability.

On Upper Hollesley there was a similar pattern with breeding pairs moving away from the areas of old rank heather habitat onto the clearings and the edges of younger live heather.

We also were able to gain access onto Woodbridge airfield and the bunkers complex; these hold an additional seven/eight pairs. Early in the season numbers seemed low but were soon lifted by late arrivals through May. In all 96 pulii were ringed from 28 nests.''''

Key breeding sites:Walberswick: two pairs.

Westleton Heath: four pairs.

Dunwich Heath: 24 pairs.

M i n s m e r e : four pairs.

O r f o r d n e s s : five-six pairs.

Sutton Common: six pairs.

Upper Hollesley Common: five pairs.

Lower Hollesley Common: three pairs.

Some impressive post-breeding movements were seen at Orfordness where a record autumn count for Suffolk of 16 was noted, August 27th, with ten, August 28th and a further influx of 13, October 2nd. Nearby, at Shingle Street, there were five, September 1 Oth. Inland There were five at Brandon Country Park, October 17th and six at Berner's Heath, Icklingham, August 20th.

During the second winter period reports came from four sites in the west, six in the northeast and five in the south-east area with three at Orfordness until the end of the year.

2010 Addition: In the west of the county six pairs bred:Thetford Forest: five pairs.

Cavenham Heath: single pair.

N O R T H E R N W H E A T E A R Oenanthe oenanthe Common passage migrant and uncommon summer visitor. Amber list.

Wheatears were first noted at Landguard on the typical date of March 9th followed by singles at North Denes, Lowestoft, March 10th and Orfordness, March 12th. Other than a noteworthy seven at Orfordness, 26th, reports were few in March.

Inland the first record came from Icklingham on March 23rd with one at Foxhole Heath, Eriswell, March 25th.

Passage continued at a slow pace with mainly singletons until the first week of April.

From then until the end of the month things really improved, particularly in the east of the county, with peak counts f r o m : Lowestoft: North Denes, seven, Apr 24th.

Kessingland: Denes, four, Apr 3rd; nine, Apr 29th.

Benacre: Sluice, eight, Apr 8th; 11, Apr 20th; 18, Apr 23rd.

Minsmere: ten, Apr 10th; 19, Apr 17th.

Orfordness: 20, Apr 16th.

Landguard: 12, Apr 3rd; 15, Apr 6th; nine, Apr 13th; 15, Apr 15th; 30, Apr 16th.

Inland there were also some very good counts noted from the Brecks, which included, at Cavenham, the highest inland count of migrant Northern Wheatears since 23 were noted at Long Melford, April 20th, 1983.

Alton Water: eight, Apr 8th.

Cavenham Heath: 20, Apr 8th; seven, Apr 13th; six, Apr 17th.

Thetford Heath: seven, Apr 18th.

Foxhole Heath: four, Apr 25th.

150

Systematic List During May peak counts came from Burgh Castle with ten on May 2nd, Orfordness with seven, additional to local breeders. May 14th and Landguard with five, May 4th and 5th.

Breeding was confirmed at Orfordness where nine pairs produced at least 21 young; this was a big improvement over the five pairs in 2010 and the best since 11 pairs were present in 1998. Single pairs were also successful at Shingle Street and on Sutton Heath, the first time in this latter area since 2008.

Juveniles were noted on the move at Landguard, June 29th to July 1 st, July 11 th and July 21 st. There were five recorded at Shingle Street, July 23rd. During August most coastal sites were reporting migration with peaks towards the end of the month from:Covehithe: 12, Aug 24th.

Orfordness: 17, Aug 27th; 33, Aug 28th.

In September good numbers appeared in the first week with peak counts at:Dunwich: Beach, 15, Sep 14th.

Orfordness: 24, Sep 4th; 20, Sept 9th.

Landguard: 40, Sep 9th.

Many coastal sites reported good numbers well into October, including:Hopton-on-Sea: six, Oct 15th.

Gunton Warren: six, Oct 3rd.

Lowestoft: North Denes, six, Oct 8th.

Orfordness: ten, Oct 9th.

Hollesley Marshes: eight, Oct 5th.

Shingle Street: five, Oct 4th.

Inland, three were noted at Pipps Ford, August 24th, two at Beck Row, October 8th, three at Cavenham, September 18th and the final inland record from Cavenham Pits on the late date of October 27th.

Nearer the coast the final three reports of the year came from Lake Lothing, Lowestoft, November 8th, Great Glemham, November 13th and The Haven, Thorpeness, November 19th.

HEDGE ACCENTOR (DUNNOCK) Prunella inodularis Very common resident and fairly common migrant. Amber list At least 24 survived the first winter period at Landguard and one individual was re-trapped having been first ringed at Landguard in 2005.

A poor spring passage was noted at Landguard from March 1st to April 4th and then a late singleton, May 4th.

As usual there was little breeding data for this species but nesting pairs were recorded at Sizewell SWT, 29, Orfordness, six to eight and Landguard with ten. Of the 135 birds caught by ringers at Lackford during the year, 83 had been ringed previously at this site. Unlike 2010 there was no notable influx during the autumn which can be seen from the table showing the ringing totals for the last ten years from Orfordness:2002 30

2003 24

2004 13

2005 37

2006 17

2007 27

2008 16

2009 37

2010 93

2011 30

HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus Common but declining resident. Red List.

Several flocks were noted across the county; however, the flock sizes in the east of the county were noticeably down on previous years. Peak counts as follows:Lound: 65, Feb 3rd.

Lowestoft: Kirkley, 50, July 25th.

Badingham: 82, Aug 8th; 91, Aug 28th.

Shingle Street: 20, Oct 4th.

Landguard: 80 roosted, Aug 17th.

Trimley St Mary: 20, June 5th and 25th; 30, Aug 9th; 20, Dec 11th.

151

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 Little Waldingfield: 35, Jan 10th.

Sudbury: March survey of males holding territories revealed 138 (same as in 2010).

Long Melford: 20, June 3rd.

TREE SPARROW Passer montanus Uncommon and declining resident. Scarce passage migrant. Red List.

There were reports from 35 localities compared with 32 in 2010. However, flock sizes were well down on the previous year with a maximum of only four birds seen at Westleton in the north-east of the county and significantly smaller flocks than 2010 reported from the west.

Autumn passage at Landguard was between August 21 st and November 1 st.

Peak counts throughout the county were:Landguard: 13, Sep 9th; 12, Sep 14th Stoke-by-Nayland: Gifford's Hall, 22, Mar 5th Ampton: 20, Jan 1st; 30, Mar 13th Lackford Lakes: 22, Feb 2nd; 30, Feb 24th; 20, Mar 8th Word well: 30, May 31st YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flavissima Rapidly declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

There were reports from 80 sites with the spring passage starting with a male on Orfordness on March 30th. There were no double-figure counts in spring except at the well watched Boyton Marshes and at Falkenham where peak counts were:Boyton Marshes: ten, Apr 9th; 11, Apr 12th; ten, Apr 13th; 18, Apr 14th; 11, Apr 15th; 14, Apr 19th; 11 Apr 21st: ten, Apr 22nd; 20, April 24th.

Falkenham Marshes: ten, Apr 7th.

Autumn passage was stronger with double-figure counts at six sites:St James South Elmham: 22, Aug 14th; 68, Aug 21st.

Covehithe: ten, Aug 2nd.

Minsmere: ten, Aug 14th; 20, Aug 17th; 30, Aug 20th; 20, Aug 24th; 11, Aug 25th; 15, Aug 27th; ten, Aug 28th.

Boyton Marshes: ten, Aug 22nd; 17, Aug 29th.

Landguard: 38, Sep 9th; 36, Sep 14th.

Higham (Stour): 21, Sep 1st.

At Sutton, after good numbers were found breeding in 2010 local observers "returned to Barley crops at 'Sutton Hall Farms ' and 14 pulii from three nests were ringed on 2nd June.

Another was discovered at Erwarton on 1st June containing four young atfive/six days old.

The Barley crop held at least eight breeding pairs and other broods were seen in the adjacent crop ofpeas. A total of 17 pulii were ringed from four nests".

At Landguard during autumn passage seven were recorded north and 169 south between July 4th and October 7th. The last bird of the year was seen at Thorpeness on November 12th (T Hodge) the latest since 2003 when one was on Orfordness on November 16th.

Blue-headed Wagtail M.f. flava Uncommon passage migrant. Amber list.

Birds were noted in the spring at eight sites:Corton: Cliffs, May 7th.

Kessingland: Sewage Works, Apr 19th.

Benacre: Beach Farm, Apr 21 st.

North Warren: two, Apr 11th and 12th; Apr 13th and 15th.

Orfordness: Apr 17th; May 8th.

Boyton Marshes: Apr 12th and 14th; Apr 24th and 26th.

Landguard: Apr 20th; May 10th and 11th.

Alton Water: Apr 6th.

Grey-headed Wagtail M.f. thunbergi Scarce passage migrant. Amber list.

152

Systematic List Birds of this sub-species were seen at two sites in spring:Minsmere: Hospital Marsh, Apr 28th (J H Grant).

Landguard: May 1 Ith (S Goddard).

GREY WAGTAIL MotaciUa cinerea Fairly common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

This colourful bird continues to be well observed and was recorded from 28 locations in the north-east of the county, of which six held two or more birds:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Lowestoft: Kensington Gardens, two, Oct 9th.

Lowestoft: North Denes, two, Oct 13th.

Kessingland: Sewage Works, two. Mar 8th; Mar 21st; Oct 22nd.

Beccles Common: three, Sep 4th.

Weybread Mill: two, Feb 25th.

Halesworth: two, May 30th.

A similar picture comes from the south-east of the county with 18 locations of which at least seven held more than two birds:Boyton Marshes: three, Oct 4th.

Landguard: three, Aug 30th; six, Sep 30th.

Great Blakenham: male and female with food, June 1st.

Brantham: Sewage Works, two, Mar 2nd.

Cattawade: two, Mar 20th.

Pipps Ford: four, Sep 25th.

Needham Market: two, Jan 11th.

The west of the county had records from 30 sites of which ten held two birds or more.

Breeding was recorded at several sites:Ixworth Thorpe: two, May 12th.

Westhorpe: Lodge Farm, two, Feb 3rd.

Lakenheath Fen: two, Dec 10th.

Cavenham Pits: three, Mar 8th.

Stradishall: SW, breeding pair, Aug 14th.

Great Wratting: two, Apr 17th.

Long Melford: three (two adults and well-grown juv). May 13th; family party of four, June 7th.

LongMelford: Sewage Works, four, Jan 10th; two, Mar 21st; three, Sep 18th; six, Sep 22nd; three, Dec 28th.

Great Cornard: two, May 27th.

Little Cornard: treatment works, adult and juv, Mar 29th; two Aug 29th.

At Landguard during autumn 55 birds were noted moving south between August 29th and November 5th with a late single on December 26th.

PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba Very common resident, passage migrant and winter and summer visitor. Amber list.

This species is widely distributed in the county; however, the records submitted in 2011 were significantly down from those of 2010. There were only seven counts of 50 or more (20 in 2010) and four counts (nine in 2011) reached three figures. The highest count in east Suffolk was 40 at Kessingland compared with four counts in excess of 100 in 2010. The highest counts across the county were:Kessingland: Sewage Works, 40, Mar 1st.

Beccles Common: 200, Sep 4th.

Minsmere: 36, Dec 13th.

Boyton Marshes: 20, Apr 24th.

Landguard: 22, Oct 7th.

Copdoek: Teseo supermarket, 24, Aug 10th.

East Bergholt: 26, Nov 23rd.

Needham Market: 30, Jan 11th.

Lackford Lakes: 42, Jan 9th; 63 Jan 10th.

Mickle Mere: 114, Mar 14th.

Lakenheath Fen: 50, Oct 19th; 107, Dec 20th.

153

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 Long Melford: Sewage Works, 68, Jan 2nd; 44, Mar 7th.

Long Melford: 107, Sep 28th.

Clare: 85, Feb 9th.

On Orfordness only one breeding pair was recorded (two or three pairs in 2010).

At Landguard one pair nested in the nearby dock and local birds accounted for most site records. Spring passage was negligible. During autumn passage 339 moved south between August 30th and November 25th with a maximum of 22 south, October 7th.

White Wagtail M.a. alba Fairly common passage migrant.

There were 57 reports (91 in 2010) in the spring and five in the autumn period from a total of 31 sites; this species is always recorded predominately on spring passage and the five autumn records was the same number as in 2010. The first arrival was at Mutford on March 11th. The highest counts were four at Covehithe on April 1st and four at Boyton Marshes on April 19th.The autumn records were as follows:Beccles Common: three, Sep 4th.

Minsmere: Oct 4th.

Havergate Island: Sep 29th.

Levington Marina: two, Oct 4th.

Shelley: Oct 26th.

OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT Anthus hodgsoni Very rare visitor.

A bird at Lowestoft on October 15th and 16th is the fourth county record and the first since 2005.

Lowestoft: Sparrows Nest, Oct 15th and 16th (J Taylor et al.).

TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

This species continues to decline. In the north-east of the county there were only two spring records and five autumn records, all of single birds except for three at Corion Old Sewage Works on August 23rd. The south-east of the county fared little better with four birds on territory on Sutton Common, May 22nd and also four birds on Upper Hollesley Common on June 8th and records of singles or twos at Sutton Heath, Sutton Common, and Ipswich Golf Club. Breeding was confirmed at two sites on Sutton Common and Sutton Heath the first being ringed on June 21 st and the second, with four young, on July 14th.

In the west records were received from four sites all of which were in the spring with maximum counts of eight at North Stow, The King's Forest on April 23rd and five at The King's Forest (north-east) on May 31st.

Autumn birds were only noted at Landguard where 15 were noted between August 14th and October 16th with a daily maximum of two.

MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis Common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

In the first winter period few flock sizes exceeded double figures : North Warren: 13, Feb 17th.

Boyton Marshes: 12, Mar 7th.

Trimley Marshes: 29, Jan 9th; 14, Feb 12th.

Cavenham Heath: 23, Feb 24th; 30, Mar 8th.

Long Melford: 40, Jan 24th; 50, Feb 18th; 50, Mar 20th.

During autumn, significant counts were reported at:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Lowestoft: North Denes, 50, O c t 1st.

Lowestoft: Kensington Gardens, 50, Oct 11th.

Dunwich Heath: 200, Oct 15th.

154

Systematic

List

Minsmere: 250, Sep 9th; Beach: 200, Oct 13th.

Thorpeness: 140, Sep 13th.

Aldeburgh Marshes: 59, Sep 29th.

Orfordness: 70, Sep 10th; 300, Sep 15th.

Havergate Island: 272, Sep 9th; 305, Sep 10th; 42, Oct 11th.

Landguard: 1238, Sep 9th; 875, Sep 14th; 80, Sep 28th.

Pipps Ford: 43, Oct 19th; 66, Nov 1st.

Cavenham Heath: 60, Sep 25th; 40, Oct 23rd.

Great Waldingfield Airfield: 70, Nov 28th.

Breeding was confirmed at few sites. On Orfordness there was an estimated breeding population of 30-38 pairs although this does not include "The Point"; this is a decrease from 38-45 pairs in 2010.

At Landguard six pairs bred. Autumn passage at Landguard was from September 7th until December 10th with a total of4,444 birds, including maximum one-day counts in September of 1238 south on 9th and 875 south on 14th; 80 migrant birds were grounded on September 28th.

ROCK PIPIT Anthuspetrosus Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant.

During the first winter period there were numerous reports of one to three birds mostly at coastal locations with higher counts at four sites:Corton: four, Mar 13th.

Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, four, Jan 16th; 14, Mar 6th.

Slaughden: 14, Jan 30th; five, Jan 22nd; eight, Jan 24th.

Orfordness: 12, Jan 16th.

During the second winter period reports of one to three birds continued with higher counts at six locations:Walberswick: Shore Pools, four, Nov 21st.

Minsmere Beach: five, Oct 9th; four, Oct 11th.

Orfordness: 20, Oct 29th.

Gedgrave Marshes: four, Nov 29th.

Landguard: six, Oct 12th.

Sutton: Stonner Point, four, Oct 16th.

On Orfordness the first autumn bird was noted on October 1 st with up to eight until the peak of 20 on 29th; up to ten were then present until the end of the year.

There were no reports from the west of the county.

Scandinavian Rock Pipit A.p. littoralis There was only one record of this sub-species in the county, from Walberswick:Walberswick: Mar 29th. (S V Howell).

WATER PIPIT Anthus spinoletta Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

There were reports from 19 sites of one to three birds, but none reported double-figure counts.

There were no reports from the west of the county. The only counts exceeding three were:Southwold: Town Marshes, five, Jan 3rd.

Minsmere: four, Jan 14th; five, Nov 10th.

North Warren: seven, Feb 2nd; eight, Feb 5th.

Snape Warren: eight, Jan 30th; seven, Feb 17th.

Orfordness: five, Jan 9th.

CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Categories A and E. Reasonable-sized flocks were reported from the north-east and west of the county in the first winter period:Fritton: Waveney Forest, 620, Mar 27th.

155

Su ffolk Bird Report

2011

M i n s m e r e : Scotts Hall Coverts, 100, M a r 26th.

Aldringham Walks: 60, Jan 22nd.

Parham: 71, Jan 23rd.

Hacheston: 54, Jan 16th.

Ipswich: Holywells Park, 80, Feb 28th.

F o r n h a m St Martin: Hall Farm, 60, Feb 20th.

Icklingham: 200, Jan 16th; 100, Jan 29th.

Bures: 60, Mar 2nd.

Large flocks were reported from eleven localities in the second winter period as follows:Flixton: 200, Oct 12th.

Hacheston: 46, Dec 5th.

Butley River: 50, Nov 26th; 80, Dec 12th; 220, Dec 22nd.

Shingle Street: 40, Oct 25th.

Falkenham: 60, Dec 9th.

Landguard: 109, Sep 22nd; 138, Oct 17th.

Ipswich: Holywells Park, 50, Nov 10th.

Stoke-by-Nayland: 60, Oct 30th; Withermarsh Green, 300, Dec 7th; G i f f o r d s Hall, 300, Dec 7th.

S u d b u r y : C o m m o n Lands, 50, D e c 30th.

A total of 116 breeding pairs was noted at Sizewell SWT reserve.

Autumn passage at Landguard was noted from September 3rd to December 1 st with 1478 south or in off the sea, and maxima of 109 south on September 22nd and 138 south on October 17th.

B R A M B L I N G Fringilla montifringilla Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant.

The significant first winter records were:Mutford: 56 north, Apr 6th.

Henstead: 50, Feb 2nd.

Marlesford: 132, Jan 30th.

Ben hall: 200 west, Jan 2nd.

Copdock: 200, Jan 24th; 250, Feb 21st.

Icklingham: 30, Jan 16th; 20, Jan 29th.

B r a n d o n : Mayday Farm, 50, M a r 14th; 55, Mar 20th.

The second winter produced few small flocks across the county:Dunwich Heath: 50, Oct 15th.

Gedgrave: 30, Dec 23rd.

Autumn passage at Landguard was noted from September 23rd to November 18th with seven in off the sea or south and 43 on site, with a maximum of four on October 20th.

EUROPEAN SERIN Serinus serinus Rare migrant. Amber list.

Another lean year, with just two birds reported in Suffolk and neither staying for a second day. The Landguard bird was the earliest-ever sighting in Suffolk:M i n s m e r e : only second site record, A p r 22nd (D A Fairhurst, C Lodge, E Marsh, R Drew).

Landguard: Mar 16th (D Pearsons et al.).

EUROPEAN G R E E N F I N C H Carduelis chloris Very common resident and passage migrant. Categories A and E. This well-recorded species produced only two reports in the first winter period of counts involving 50 or more birds:Ipswich: Holywells Park, 62, Jan 26th.

Stanton: 110, Jan 24th and 25th.

Spring passage at Landguard was again almost non-existent.

More abundant and widespread in the second half of the year with the following peak counts:Gorleston Harbour: 60, Nov 13th; 60, Nov 26th.

Flixton: 100, Sep 15th.

156

Systematic List Kessingland: 120, Dec 11th.

Sudbourne Marshes: 270, Nov 1st.

Shingle Street: 40, Oct 25th.

Landguard: 162, Oct 17th.

Ipswich: Holywells Park, 84, Dec 1st.

Hadleigh: Cosford Hall, 110, Dec 26th.

Autumn passage at Landguard recorded 885 south from September 9th to November 11th, with a maximum of 162 south on October 17th. These totals were again less than the previous year. Up to 20 were on site throughout October and November and again this was fewer than in 2010.

Whether we are still seeing the effects of Trichomonosis on the local population will be seen over the next few years.

EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis Common resident, summer visitor and passage migrant.

A number of records were received for the first winter period with smallish flocks at:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Flixton: Marsh Lane, 50, Feb 18th.

Hollesley: 50, Jan 2nd; 30, Jan 11th; 30, Mar 5th; 30, Mar 13th.

Felixstowe: Walton Marshes, 30, Feb 1st; 30, Feb 23rd.

Ipswich: Holywells Park, 30, Feb 24th; 30, Feb 26th; 32, Feb 28th.

Great Barton: 48, Feb 20th.

Bamham Cross Common: 70, Jan 29th.

Long Melford: 35, Feb 7th.

At Landguard spring passage involved 288 south from February 27th to May 8th with a maximum of 63 south on May 8th.

50 breeding pairs were noted at North Warren, the highest total ever recorded at that site.

The second winter period produced many recorded sightings of larger-size flocks with a steady build up of birds passing Landguard in mid-October being the largest:Minsmere: 50, Oct 25th.

Aldeburgh Marshes: 95, Aug 15th; 86, Aug 20th.

Iken: 72, Oct 26th.

Snape: Botany Farm, 250, Sep 8th.

Sudbourne Marshes: 120, Nov 1st.

Shingle Street: 100, Oct 9th.

Ipswich: Holywells Park, 55, Sep 26th; 150, Oct 22nd; 50, Dec 29th.

Cavenham Heath: 60, July 22nd.

Leavenheath: 80, Nov 11th.

Great Cornard: 80, Aug 15th.

Clare: 50, Oct 29th.

Autumn passage at Landguard was the highest autumn total there since 1983 when 24275 were recorded; it involved 16226 south (8464 in 2010) between September 8th and December 17th with maxima south in October of 1490 on 12th, 1175 on 19th, 1043 on 21 st and 1022 on 26th with an autumn maximum of 30 grounded birds between September 11th and October 24th.

EURASIAN SISKIN Carduelis spinus Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Uncommon resident.

Another good showing across the county in the first winter period, with the following peak counts:Blythburgh: 100, Jan 22nd.

Minsmere: 100, Jan 14th; 100, Feb 13th; Scott's Hall, 150, Jan 27th.

North Warren: 95, Feb 11th; 240, Mar 18th.

Ipswich: Holywells Park, 130, Feb 26th; 100, Mar 19th.

Cavenham Heath: 150, Mar 6th.

Lackford Lakes: 100, Jan 8th; 100, Jan 19th.

157

Su ffolk Bird Report

2011

Livermere Lake: 300, Feb 9th.

Spring passage at Landguard was again relatively light with a total of 21 south between March 11th and April 1st.

The second winter period also produced some significant peak counts although numbers were well down on the 2010 figures:Lowestoft: North Denes, 65, Oct 1st; 60, Oct 23rd; 47, Nov 10th.

Dunwich Heath: 100, Oct 15th.

Minsmere: 50, Oct 21 st.

Thorpeness: 80, Oct 16th; 50, Oct 28th.

Boyton Marshes: 120, Oct 4th.

Cavenham Heath: 100, Dec 21 st.

Autumn passage at Landguard was noted from September 9th to November 12th with 1793 (1226 in 2010) south or in off the sea with peak counts of 352 south, September 14th and 284 south, October 12th.

C O M M O N LINNET Carduelis cannabina Common resident, summer visitor and passage migrant. Overwinters in small numbers. Red List.

Sizeable flocks were reported in the first winter period as follows : Barsham Marshes: 40, Apr 2nd.

Walberswick: Hoist Covert, 120, M a r 29th.

Aldringham Walks: 80, Apr 16th.

Hazlewood Common: 42, May 22nd.

S u d b o u r n e : Ferry Farm, 190, Jan 23rd.

Lavenham: 50, Feb 12th.

Long Melford: 60, Jan 2nd.

Mickle Mere: 100, Feb 6th.

L a c k f o r d : B u n k e r ' s B a r n , 50, M a r 9th.

Icklingham: 100, Jan 16th; Weatherhill Farm, 100, Jan 16th; 250, Jan 23rd.

55 breeding pairs were noted at North Warren after 80 were recorded on Aprill6th.

Significant flocks were reported in the second half of the year:Breydon South Wall: 90, Dec 19th.

Kessingland: 60, Sep 10th; Sewage Works, 53, O c t 8th.

Barsham Marshes: 100, Nov 9th; 100, Nov 13th.

Aldeburgh Marshes: 56, Aug 8th; 72, Aug 15th.

Orfordness: 120, Oct 1st.

Havergate Island: 62, Oct 11th.

Landguard: 100, Aug 29th; 150, Sep 1st; 168, Sep 17th; 167, Oct 12th.

Chelmondiston: 90, Nov 5th.

Westhorpe: Lodge Farm, 400, D e c 3rd.

Hinderclay: 50, Aug 19th.

Livermere Lake: 500, Oct 13th; 50, Sep 20th.

Timworth: 50, Oct 30th.

Great Barton: Paltry Farm, 50, Aug 19th.

Shelley: 50, Oct 30th.

Great Waldingfield: Airfield, 50, Oct 11th; 70, Nov 20th.

Chilton: 75, Nov 21st; 50, Dec 2nd.

Stradishall: Airfield, 60, Aug 7th.

As in 2010 up to 40 pairs bred at Landguard with several more nearby, the first juveniles being noted on May 19th. Eighty birds were on site throughout the breeding season with up to 168 on site to mid-October, numbers declining thereafter with a maximum on site in December of nine birds. Autumn passage at Landguard involved 1,185 south from September 14th to November 13th with a maximum of 167 south, October 12th.

On Orfordness the breeding population remains stable with an estimated 15-20 pairs.

TWITE Carduelis flavirostris Locally fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. Red List.

158

Systematic List As in the previous year most of the reports came from the Walberswick/Dingle area; no records were received from the west of the county. All reports received are summarised as follows:Benacre: four, Nov 4th.

Southwold: Woodsend Marshes, 39, Jan 18th; Town Marshes, 60, Jan 1st.

Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, between three and 60 recorded Jan 2nd to Mar 27th; between four and 60 recorded Nov 2nd to Dec 10th.

Aldeburgh: three, Feb 8th.

Waldringfield: ten, Nov 18th; 14, Nov 19th; 50, Dec 4th.

Hemley: two, Jan 26th.

Bawdsey: 12, Jan 8th.

LESSER REDPOLL Carduelis cabaret Uncommon and declining resident. Declining winter visitor and passage migrant. Red List.

Reported from across the county in the first winter period with the following peak counts:North Cove: 20, Mar 5th.

Walberswick: 15, Feb 3rd.

Westleton Heath: 15, Mar 31st.

Minsmere: 18, Mar 26th.

Melton: 20, Mar 15th.

Martlesham Heath: 60, Mar 27th.

Purdis farm: Ipswich Golf Club, 50, Jan 10th; 25, Jan 19th; 21, Feb 9th; 20, Mar 14th.

Ipswich: 50, Feb 21st.

Great Waldingfield: Airfield 33, Jan 16th.

Brettenham: 20, Jan 28th.

Lackford Lakes: 30, Mar 8th.

Mickle Mere: 20, Jan 30th.

There was an increase in reports in the second winter period with higher peak counts:Flixton Decoy: 60, Dec 26th.

Kessingland: Sewage Works, 50, Oct 15th; 70, Oct 19th; 50, Oct 26th.

Dunwich Heath: 100, Oct 15th.

Hazlewood Marshes: 50, Oct 30th.

Landguard: 196 south, Oct 19th.

Great Waldingfield: Airfield, 52, Dec 25th.

Cavenham Heath: 60, Dec 21st.

On Orfordness the ringing total of 112 was the third three-figure total in the past four years. A total of 75 birds was ringed at Lackford Lakes during February and March.

Autumn passage at Landguard involved 1092 south between September 14th and November 26th with a maximum of 196 south, October 19th.

MEALY (COMMON) REDPOLL Carduelis flammea Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

The less common of the two regular redpoll species was reported from 28 localities this being twice the number of the previous year. Most records were of one to three birds, the sightings in excess of three were as follows:North Warren: four, Jan 2nd.

Iken: five, Oct 21st.

Sudbourne Marshes: six, Nov 1st.

Orford: Town Marshes, 12, Oct 8th.

Landguard: five, Nov 1st.

Brandon: Mayday Farm, eight. Mar 12th.

ARCTIC REDPOLL Carduelis hornemanni exilipes Very rare winter visitor.

The first record for the county since 2006, the bird was seen with the Mealy Redpolls at Brandon, as shown above.

159

Su ffolk Bird Report

2011

B r a n d o n : Mayday Farm, male C o u e ' s , M a r 12th and 13th (Breckland Birding Group, L Gregory, S Abbott et al.).

C O M M O N CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra Locally common resident and irruptive visitor.

Reported from 97 localities during the year with generally higher counts in the first half of the year. The count of 200 at Grimston's Covert, Westleton is the highest site total in Suffolk since June 28th 1997 when 330 flew south over Landguard. The counts in west Suffolk were well down on 2010. The peak counts were:Benacre Broad: 50, June 12th.

Benacre: 56, June 5th.

Covehithe: Easton Wood, 80, July 19th.

Westleton: Potbriggs, 60, M a y 5th; G r i m s t o n ' s Covert, 200, May 6th.

Dunwieh Heath: 60, Oct 15th.

M i n s m e r e : 50, J u n e 14th; S c o t t ' s Hall Coverts, 60, May 3rd; N o r t h Marsh, 50, May 8th.

Blaxhall Heath: 70, May 17th; 80, May 18th.

Upper Hollesley Common: 120, June 8th.

Boxford: ten, July 13th.

Thetford: O l l e y ' s Farm, 14, M a r 6th; 18, M a r 20th.

Santon Downham: 11, Apr 2nd; 12, Apr 6th.

Graham Button and Richard Tomlinson have kept an interested eye on the Crossbills in the Sandlings "Flocks of Crossbill were a common sight through the early part of the year, with 70+ being seen at Upper Hollesley. Sutton Heath/Common had smaller flocks of 10-15 and up to 30 were seen together around Tunstall Forest and Blaxhall link. The flocks again held juvenile birds and we are confident that it's only a matter of time before we have confirmed breeding at these sites".

Birds on passage at Landguard totalled 190 between May 10th and August 24th with a maximum of 38 south on July 24th and a further 21 between October 8th and 19th.

C O M M O N BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula Common but declining resident. Amber List.

This species continues to be widely reported from many localities with several small gatherings, the highest counts being in the west of the county; the peak counts reported were:Holton: six, Jan 16th.

Flixton: six, Dec 26th.

Mutford: six, May 13th.

Stonham Aspal: six, June 13th.

Parham: six, Dec 4th.

Pipps Ford: eight, Oct 12th.

Poslingford: ten, Feb 8th.

The Kings Forest: north-east, six, Jan 23rd.

Stanstead: Great Wood, ten, Feb 15th.

West Stow: Heath, 14, Feb 11th.

The only significant breeding report received involved 29 pairs at North Warren and Aldringham Walks (30 in 2010, 30 in 2009, 32 in 2008 and 37 in 2007).

Northern Bullfinch

P.p. pyrrhula

T h e r e w a s o n l y o n e s u b m i t t e d r e c o r d of this n o m i n a t e race in the c o u n t y : -

Dunwich Forest: Feb 6th (G Grieco).

HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustes Uncommon resident and rare passage migrant. Red List.

This increasingly scarce species was reported from just eight localities from across the county:-

160

31. Little Owl juvenile with shrew.

uz Cutting

33. European Bee-eater at Covehithe

34. Roller at Upper Hollesley Common

in M a y .

Clive Naunton

in J u n e .

35. Woodlark.

ciive Naunton

36. "Channel" Wagtail at Boyton in April.

James Kennerley

Bill Bastor

37. Booted Warbler at Landguard in

38. Hume's Leaf Warbler at Lowestoft

October.

in N o v e m b e r .

39. Nuthatch.

Chris Mayne

Sean Nixon

Liz Cutting

Systematic List Lowestoft: Kirkley, Jan 2nd.

Mutford: Big Wood, Mar 16th.

Sotterley: Park, one to eight birds recorded on 21 dates between Jan 10th and Mar 29th.

Rendham: seven, Feb 4th; Feb 17th; two, Feb 24th.

Reydon: Smear Marshes, Apr 16th.

Dunwich Cliffs: Apr 2nd to 5th.

Thorpeness: Nov Uth. Bamham Cross Common: one to three birds recorded on nine dates between Jan 16th and Feb 27th.

SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

Recorded from 11 locations in the first winter period with Kessingland and Dingle Marshes, Dunwich standing out as hosting the main concentrations of this species on the Suffolk coast. Some selected counts were:Gorleston: Pier, 15, Jan 27th; 35, Feb 5th.

Lowestoft: North Beach, two, Jan 23rd; Jan 27th.

Kessingland: one to 36 birds recorded on 25 dates between Jan 1 st and Mar 1 st.

Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, one to eight birds recorded on 19 dates between Jan 3rd. and Feb 27th.

Southwold Harbour: ten, Jan 12th.

Minsmere: Beach, ten, Feb 17th and 18th; six, Feb 21st to 24th; six Mar 1st; three. Mar 21st.

Thorpeness: three, Feb 11th; five, Mar 12th and 13th.

Slaughden: Feb 11th.

S n o w Bunting(s) P e t e r B e e s t o n Orfordness: 36, Jan 2nd; 30 Jan 9th; 21, between Jan 10th and Feb 6th.

Much more widespread in the second winter period and generally in greater numbers, with records from many coastal sites and the first sighting on September 16th at Minsmere.

The following are all of the records in September and October:Lowestoft: North Beach, Oct 15th.

Kessingland: two, Oct 22nd.

Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, four, Oct 17th.

Minsmere: Beach, Sep 16th; two, Sep 25th and 26th; singles, Oct 15th, 18th and 20th; two, Oct 21st.

Peak counts for November and December include a very rare inland record from Great Livermere the first in west Suffolk since 2004 (Knettishail, November 3rd to 11th): Lowestoft: North Beach, 20, Nov 10th.

Kessingland: 40, Nov 7th and 8th; 25, Nov 9th and 10th; 50, Nov 16th; 26, Dec 7th; 40, Dec 19th to 22nd.

Benacre Pits: 40, Nov 8th.

Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, 25, Nov 20th and Dec 9th; 20, Dec 10th; 22, Dec 18th.

Orfordness: 25, Nov 26th.

Bawdsey: ten to 16 birds recorded on eight dates between Dec 11th and 31st.

Bawdsey: East Lane, 16, Dec 12th.

Landguard: one to 15 birds recorded on 18 dates between Oct 26th and Dec 22nd.

Stutton Ness: 15, Nov 18th.

Great Livermere: Nov 6th. (P M Wilson).

LAPLAND LONGSPUR Calcarius lapponicus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

A scarce species in the first winter period with records from five coastal localities. The total of 74 at Breydon South Wall (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards) is the highest total in Suffolk since January 13th 1991 when 100 were at Sudbourne:Breydon South Wall: Jan 1st; 17, Jan 24th; 74, Jan 25th; 40, Jan 26th; five, Jan 29th.

Carlton Marshes: Mar 20th.

Orfordness: five, Jan 5th; two Jan 16th; four, Jan 23rd; three, Jan 30th; three, Feb 6th; four, Feb 13th; Mar 13 th.

161

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 Felixstowe Ferry: two to six birds recorded on seven dates between Feb 8th and 19th.

Landguard: Mar 13th; Mar 22nd.

Recorded in the second winter period from September 9th with reports from 12 localities (30 in 2009). All records are shown:Kessingland: Sep 18th, two, Sep 25th; Denes, Sep 18th.

Benacre: two, Oct 22nd.

Covehithe Broad: Sep 9th.

M i n s m e r e : Sep 17th to 19th; Sep 24th and 25th; Oct 15th; Dunes, Oct 28th.

Orfordness: Nov 5th.

Havergate Island: Oct 11th; two, Oct 19th.

Waldringfield: Nov 20th.

Felixstowe: Nov 11th.

Landguard: Oct 27th; Nov 17th.

Holbrook: Bay, three, Dec 10th.

As in 2010 there were two inland records, being the fourth and fifth from the west of the county; the bird at Great Waldingfield Airfield was the second recorded at the site, the first being on November 5th 2 0 0 6 : Great Waldingfield: Airfield, N o v 20th (S Read, D D a m a n t ) I c k l i n g h a m : Oct 23rd (J Davis)

2010 Correction Please note an error in the 2010 report: the bird at Dairy Farm, Ixworth was found by Steve Piotrowski on November 22nd and was subsequently seen on the next day by J Marchant and R Thewlis.

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW 2010 Correction The credit for this bird should have read J Pemberton et al.

Y E L L O W H A M M E R Emberiza citrinella Common resident and passage migrant. Red List.

As in recent years most of the larger gatherings came from the west of the county. With the exception of Barsham Marshes the records from the north-east and east of the county were significantly down on 2010 with the highest count of 50 in the east, the peak counts being:Barsham Marshes: 200, Jan 30th; 60, Nov 13th.

Beccles: Cut Throat L a n e , 50, Mar 3rd.

Nayland: End Wood, 50, Jan 4th; 60, Mar 5th.

Stoke-by-Nayland: Withermarsh Green, 70, Oct 30th and Dec 7th; Gilford's Hall, 60, Jan 1st; 50, Dec 7th.

Bures: 40, Mar 2nd; 40, Nov 24th.

Acton: 50, Feb 12th.

Clare: 60, Oct 29th.

H i g h a m : (between B u r y St E d m u n d s a n d N e w m a r k e t ) Heath Farm, 60, Jan 9th.

Brettenham: 100, Dec 18th.

Assington: Arger Fen, 50, Dec 7th.

Great Saxham: 120, Jan 29th.

Chilton: 40, Dec 2nd.

Timworth: 70, Jan 30th.

Graham Button and Richard Tomlinson in the Sandlings observed that " Yellowhammer numbers were higher than we had previously seen especially on Sutton Heath/Common. It may have been the Barley crops adjoining the nest territories helped, with many pairs travelling a considerable distance to feed in these crops. We had 10 nests and ringed a total of 20 pulii" A total of 93 birds was trapped and ringed at Lodge Farm, Westhorpe during March.

Fifty breeding pairs were noted at North Warren.

162

Systematic List LITTLE BUNTING Emberiza pusilla Very rare visitor.

The single record in 2011, a first record for Orfordness NNR, was a bird trapped and ringed in Chantry Reedbed:Orfordness: Oct 13th (D Crawshaw, G J Jobson, M Marsh).

2010 Addition: female trapped, Lackford, Apr 18th (Suff. Birds 2010: 148) is Suffolk's first spring record.

REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus Common resident and passage migrant. Amber list.

A number of small flocks were reported across the county with only one three-figure count from Barsham. Peak counts were:Barsham Marshes: 200, Jan 30th.

Kessingland: 34, Feb 27th.

Carlton Marshes: 27, Mar 23rd; 25, Apr 18th.

Aldeburgh Marshes: 42, Sep 29th.

Orfordness: 35, Mar 13th; 40, Oct 16th.

Trimley Marshes: 15, Feb 6th.

Nayland: End Wood, 20, Jan 4th; 19, Mar 5th.

Bures: 20, Mar 2nd.

Higham: (Stour) 60, Jan 21st.

Long Melford: 33, Sep 18th.

Breeding reports mostly came from the east of the county and included a continued decline to 27 pairs at North Warren (34 in 2010, 45 in 2009, 41 in 2008 and 35 in 2007).

The breeding estimate on Orfordness of 19-24 pairs was a little down on the 22-27 pairs of the previous year. The ringing total of 141 is the highest for four years.

At Minsmere the breeding estimate was 64 pairs (77 in 2010, 52 in 2009, 73 in 2008 and 69 in 2007;.

Autumn passage at Landguard involved a total of 66 south with a late bird on December 10th.

CORN BUNTING Emberiza calandra Locally common resident. Red List.

This farmland species is now restricted to just the south-east and west of the county, again there being no reports from the north-east of the county. There were records from 35 sites of which five had counts of more than ten as follows:Chelmondiston: 16, Mar 19th; 45, Nov 13th and Dec 31st.

Erwarton Ness: 50, Nov 13th and 18th.

Nayland: End Wood, 24, Jan 4th; 18, Mar 5th.

Great Waldingfield: Airfield, 15, A u g 7th; 18, Oct 11th; 30, Nov 20th and 28th; 40, Dec 2nd.

Lakenheath Fen: 90, Jan 31st; 13, Nov 15th; 17, Nov 19th.

B r e e d i n g d a t a c a m e f r o m t h r e e s i t e s in t h e e a s t o f t h e c o u n t y a n d s e v e n f r o m t h e w e s t ( t h r e e i n t h e l a r g e p a r i s h o f M i l d e n h a l l ) . B r e e d i n g w a s c o n f i r m e d at t w o o f t h e s e s i t e s : Alderton/Shingle Street: seven males - singing/breeding, Apr 27th.

Chelmondiston: probable breeding, June 1st and 6th; c o n f i r m e d breeding, July 17th.

Erwarton: nest in cereal crop with three young, two ringed, June 28th.

Stoke-by-Clare: possible breeding, Apr 2nd; probable breeding, Apr 8th and June 21st.

Great Waldingfield: Airfield, probable breeding, May 17th and 22nd; c o n f i r m e d breeding, A u g 7th.

Kedington: possible breeding M a y 30th and July 20th.

Mildenhall: Fen, probable breeding, May 21 st; Burnt Fen, probable breeding, June 2nd; Holywell Row, probable breeding, June 27th.

Lakenheath: Sedge Fen, probable breeding, June 2nd.

A s i n g l e b i r d v i s i t e d L a n d g u a r d o n A p r i l 17th.

163

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011

APPENDIX I - CATEGORY D SPECIES Species that would otherwise appear in Categories A or B except that there is reasonable doubt that they have ever occurred in Britain in a natural state.

No species were reported within this category other than proven escapees.

APPENDIX II - CATEGORY E SPECIES Species that have been recorded as introductions, transportĂŠes or escapees from captivity, and whose breeding populations (if any) are thought not to be self-sustaining. Where a species is also placed in other categories of the British List, this is indicated in the species' summary.

BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK Dendrocygna autumnalis South and Central America north to southeast Texas. BOU does not include this species in any category of the British List.

Redgrave Fen: Aug 19th.

BLACK SWAN Cygnus atratus Throughout Australia and Tasmania. Category E. H e v e n i n g h a m : Heveningham Park, Feb 10th; Feb 24th; May 24th.

Minsmere: Nov 22nd to Dec 17th.

W H O O P E R SWAN Cygnus cygnus Boreal region from Iceland to E Siberia. Categories A and E. Flixton: Gravel Pits, J u n e 26th to A u g 19th, presumed same as in 2 0 0 9 and 2010.

SWAN G O O S E Anser cygnoides Northeast Asia, winters central China. Category E. Weybread: Gravel Pits, Jan 1st to D e c 31st.

Parham: Feb 6th; Mar 27th; May 15th; Jul 17th; Nov 13th; Dec 4th.

Bawdsey: East Lane, N o v 28th.

L E S S E R W H I T E - F R O N T E D G O O S E Anser erythropus Forest bogs of northern Scandinavia east to eastern Siberia.

Netherlands to eastern China. Categories A and E.

Winters locally from

the

Bungay: O u t n e y C o m m o n , adult, Jan 16th.

Flixton: Gravel Pits, Jul 29th; Oct 28th.

BAR-HEADED G O O S E Anser indicus Breeds by lakes in central Asia from Mongolia to the Tibetan plateau. the Indian subcontinent and Myanmar (Burma) Category E.

Winters

throughout

Flixton: Gravel Pits, Jan 30th; Jun 4th; June 26th to A u g 19th; two, Oct 28th.

North Cove: Castle Marsh, two, Oct 23rd.

M i n s m e r e : three, June 14th; one intermittently, July 1st to Sep 4th.

Havergate Island: July 13th; Oct 16th.

Boyton: Boyton M a r s h e s RSPB, Oct 6th.

Lackford: SWT, June 21st; July 2nd; A u g 13th.

CANADA G O O S E Branta canadensis Breeds North America. Categories A, C and E. Minsmere: Jan 10th, considered to be one o f the smaller races.

SNOW G O O S E Chen caerulescens Breeds on tundra of northeast Siberia, Alaska and Canada to NW Greenland.

164

Winters from

Systematic List California to Texas and locally on Atlantic seaboard of eastern USA. Categories A, C and E. Pakenham: Mickle Mere, adult, Jan 4th; Feb 6th

EMPEROR GOOSE Chen canagica Breeds northeast Siberia and western Alaska. Winters from southern Alaska to northern California. Category E. Livermere Lake: adult, June 13th.

Laekford: SWT, adult, Jan 9th; Feb 8th.

Fornham St Martin: adult, Sep 3rd.

RED-BREASTED GOOSE Branta ruficollis Breeds Taimyr Peninsula in arctic Siberia. The majority winter on western shores of Black Sea in Bulgaria and Romania, with small numbers annual in the Netherlands. Categories A and E. The family party of two adults and three first-winter birds which arrived in coastal Suffolk in August 2010 remained into 2011, being recorded regularly at North Warren, and less frequently at Minsmere, as follows: five, January 1st to 19th; four, January 20th to 22nd; one, January 25th to February 23rd and five, March 10th and 11th. In the second winter period, the first bird was noted on August 10th, increasing to two on August 16th, then four from September 20th to the end of the year. In this period, Minsmere was the favoured locality, although occasional sightings came from Benacre and Covehithe Broads, Sizewell, and also North Warren from November 7th.

RUDDY SHELDUCK Tadorna ferruginea Morocco and Turkey east through Central Asia to Tibetan plateau. Winters to south of breeding range, with majority in Indian subcontinent. Feral population breeds in northern Europe. Categories B and E. Bradwell: Dec 22nd to 27th.

Burgh Castle: Aug 4th.

L o u n d : Water Works, Jan 9th; A u g 13th.

Flixton: Gravel Pits, M a r 27th; June 25th.

Weybread: Gravel Pits, Apr 4th; May 13th.

North Cove: Castle Marsh, Jan 18th to 30th; Feb 15th; M a r 11th.

Oulton: Marshes, Feb 14th; Feb 28th.

CAPE SHELDUCK Tadorna cana Breeds in southern Africa. Category E. Flixton: Gravel Pits, Oct 28th to Nov 5th; Dec 4th.

Minsmere: Jun 30th to Oct 4th.

MUSCOVY DUCK Cairina moschata Southern Mexico to northern Argentina and Brazil. Category E. Beccles: Quay, eight, Jan 8th; eight. Mar 7th; eight, July 26th.

WOOD DUCK Aix sponsa Canada to northern Mexico, Cuba and Bahamas. Category E. Lowestoft: Oulton Broad, male, Jan 3rd, Jan 8th, Jan 29th to 31 st; Mar 1 st to Apr 4th; Apr 20th to May 22nd; A u g 10th; Oct 28th; Nov 4th, 6th, 22nd; D e c 18th. Leathes Ham, male, Jan 24th, Feb 8th to 24th; M a r 1st to Apr 4th.

Trimley Marshes: SWT reserve, Apr 24th.

CHILOĂ&#x2039; WIGEON Anas sibilatrLx Breeds southern South America to Falkland Islands. Some winter southeast Brazil. Category E. Flixton: Gravel Pits, male, Feb 13th

Minsmere: Oct 19th and 22nd

165

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 W H I T E - C H E E K E D PINTAIL Anas bahamensis West Indies, and south to southern Brazil, Argentina, Category E.

Chile and the Galapagos

Islands.

Lowestoft: Leathes H a m , Sep 3rd, 24th, 30th; two, Sep 25th to 27th; three, Oct 2nd.

Benacre: Broad, two, O c t 17th; three, Oct 18th.

Covehithe: Broad Aug 5th.

M i n s m e r e : Apr 20th to 24th.

Trimley M a r s h e s : S W T reserve, male, Jan 9th; two males, Jan 22nd.

RED-CRESTED P O C H A R D

Netta

rufina

Breeds western Europe to central China. Winters to south of breeding range. Categories A, CandE. Flixton: Gravel Pits, four, M a r 7th; ten, Oct 28th.

Weybread: Gravel Pits, Mar 21st to Apr 4th.

Beccles: July 21st.

Minsmere: Oct 27th.

FERRUGINOUS D U C K Aythya nyroca Breeds southern Spain, and from eastern Europe to Caspian Sea, and east through Kazakhstan and western Mongolia to Tibetan Plateau. Winters eastern Mediterranean. Black and Caspian Seas, northeast A frica and Indian subcontinent. Categories A and E. Flixton: Gravel Pits, two, June 1st to 30th.

INDIAN P E A F O W L Pavo cristatus Breeds throughout the Indian subcontinent Category E.

from eastern

Pakistan south to Sri

Lanka.

Westleton: Westleton Heath, A p r 25th.

HELMETED GUINEAFOWL Sub-Saharan Africa. Category E.

Numida

meleagris

Boulge: ten, Nov 26th.

GREATER F L A M I N G O Phoenicopterus roseus Breeds locally in Spain, France and Sardinia, east to northern India, and south throughout much of Africa. Small feral population breeding in northern Germany where occasionally hybridising with Chilean Flamingo P. chilensis. Categories D and E. This bird is a known escapee from Marwell Zoo, Hampshire, affectionately known as Fiona. It was also seen at Welney in February, Ouse Washes in March and Titchwell (all Norfolk) in early April. On April 28th, the day after it departed from Minsmere, it was photographed in Berkshire.

Minsmere: bird with blue colour ring, Apr 8th to 27th; May 12th to June 30th; Sep 2nd to 30th; Dec 5th.

O r f o r d n e s s : bird with blue colour ring, as above, July 1st; Sep 28th; Nov 3rd.

Havergate Island: bird with blue colour ring as above, seen regularly, Oct 16th to Dec 18th.

LANNER FALCON Falco biarmicus Largely resident in arid regions of the southern Palearctic and throughout much of Africa.

In Europe, breeds in Italy and the Balkans, but more widespread in northern Africa from Morocco, south to Mauritania and east to southern Iraq. Category E. Corton: in off sea, Oct 17th.

SAKER FALCON Falco cherritg Breeds locally from eastern Europe across the Palearctic to the Tibetan plateau. European breeders winter in northeast Africa, while much of the Asian population is resident.

Categories D and E. Lowestoft: wearing j e s s e s , Oct 9th.

166

Systematic List SAKER/LANNER/HYBRID FALCON Falco biarmicus x cherrug The bird at Trimley, below, may be the same as the Gyr/Peregrine/ Saker hybrid that has been seen around Ipswich since at least May 2010. This bird which is probably an escapee from a pest-control worker was first mentioned when it chased Peregrines away from the newly erected nest box at The Mill on Ipswich Waterfront. It has also been responsible for raids in gardens in Ipswich.

Ipswich: still present. May 2010 - throughout 2011 (P Merchant et al.).

Trimley St. Martin: Loompit Lake, Oct 1 Ith (R Biddle).

Livermere Lake:, wearing jesses, Nov 11th until end of month.

HARRIS'S HAWK Parabuteo unicinctus Southwest USA south through Central and South America to southern Argentina and Chile.

Category E. Herringfleet: Jan 3rd.

Flixton: Feb 18th.

Oulton Broad: Feb 20th.

Ashby: Apr 3rd; Apr 19th.

B a r n b y : Marshes, A p r 6th.

Lakenheath Fen: Feb 8th.

RED-TAILED HAWK Buteo jamaicensis Widespread throughout temperate North America south to Costa Rica and West Indies.

Category E. Thetford Forest: what was presumably the long-staying bird from the previous year was noted, Mar 12th.

BUDGERIGAR Melopsittacus undulatus Drier regions of Australia. Category E. Landguard: Sep 18th; Oct 1st.

COCKATIEL Nymphicus hollandicus Widespread throughout interior Australia. Category E. Oulton: B r o a d July 5th.

Lowestoft: Oct 28th and 29th.

Landguard: Aug 22nd.

EURASIAN EAGLE OWL Bubo bubo Widespread throughout Europe and Asia. Category E. Reydon: June 9th.

BENGAL EAGLE OWL Bubo bengalensis Widespread throughout Indian subcontinent. BOU does not include this species in any category of the British List.

This very bedraggled bird was being attacked by large gulls but was rescued and taken into care.

Lowestoft: Lake Lothing, May 4th.

167

Suffolk Bird Report 2011

List of Contributors Whilst every effort has been made to make this list as comprehensive as possible, some observers names may have been inadvertently omitted. If your contribution has not been acknowledged, please accept my sincere apologies.

S & B Abbott, M D Abdulla, N Acheson, D Adelson, K Alexander, P R Allard, L Allen, N Andrews, E Anderson, M Angliss, J Arnold, R Attenborrow, C G Ayers.

S Babbs, D Backhouse, C Baines, D E Balmer, T Bamber, M F M Bamford, N Banham, S banks, L Barber, P J Barker, I Barthorpe, B Bastรณn, G Batchelor, A Batley, S Batty, D R Beamish, R Berry, M Biddle, R Biddle, BINS, Birdline East Anglia, Birdguides, D Borderick, W J Brame, J Brown, BTO Thetford, M Buckingham, B Buffery, T Butler, C A Buttle.

N Calbrade, N Cant, D Carr, M Carr, C Carter, D & M Carter, N Carter, M T Cartwright, I Castle, P Catchpole, M Cavanagh, D Cawdron, D Chambers, A Chapman, L Charlton, R Chittenden (Birdline East Anglia), J Clarke, S Clarkson, B Coates, J Coleman, G J Conway, M L Cornish, C Courtney, I Crapnell, D Craven, D Crawshaw, M Crisp.

M Dane, G D Daniels, C Darby, P J Dare, J Davidson, J Davies, J Davis, R Davis, S Dean, M Deans, E Dennis, R Diaper, J P Dickie, P Douch, D Dow, A Dowe, I Downie, R Drew, R Duncan.

A C Easton, D Eaton, C Elmer, P Etheridge, R Etheridge, J Evans, S Evans, A Excell.

R Fairhead, D Fairhurst, M Fairley, C Farrell, J Ferguson, M Ferris, Forest Enterprise, D Finch, S Fryett, C Fulcher.

B Galpin, J Gibbs, S Gillings, Gipping Valley Birders, J Glazebrook, S Goddard, A Goodall, A Gooding, S Gough, P Gowen, R Grafton, J H Grant, A Green, P D Green, A M Gregory, C Gregory, L Gregory, A Gretton, G Grieco.

P Hamling, R E Hammond, B Harrington, B and M Hart, A Harrop, R Harvey, I Hayward, J Higgott, P Hobbs, R Hoblyn, S Hodge, A Holden, C Holden, T Holland, P J Holmes, T J Hopkins, A Howe, S V Howell, T J Humpage.

R Ingleston, M Ixer.

M Jackson, C Jacobs, C J Jakes, S Jarvis, R Jennings, G J Jobson, R Johnson, B Jones.

M Kemp, P Kennerley, J Kennerley, T Kerridge, A Kettle, D B Kightley, C A Kirtland, B Knibbs, A Knowles.

P C Lack, Lackford Lakes Log, Lackford Ringing Group, Landguard Bird Observatory, D Langlois, J Lansdell, Lavenham Bird Club, J Levene, R Little, N Lloyd, A Long, D Lowe, Lowestoft Lounge Lizards, E Lucking.

B Macdonald, R Macklin, B Mackie, H Maclean, J MacGuire, P R Maddison, J March, J H Marchant, D Marsh, E Marsh, M Marsh, N Marsh, R Marsh, N J Mason, R Mason, J M Maskell, S Mayson, H Meadows, P J Merchant, C Michette, Mickle Mere Log, A Miller, 168

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 L Miller, M Miller, Minsmere RSPB, K Mitchell, D Moore, N J Moran, J Mousley, P W Murphy, A Musgrove, M Muttit.

P Napthine, A Nairn, National Trust Orfordness, Natural England, P Newton, S Nixon, R Noble, S Noble, North Warren RSPB, L Norton, M Nowers.

N Odin, P Oldfield, Orfordness Report.

M Packard, R Parfitt, S Patmore, E Patrick, D J Pearson, D Pearsons, M F Peers, K Perry, E I Peters, J Pett, S Piotrowski, G Piper, R Plowman, S Plume, T Pointer, M P Pratt.

J Rankin, P J Ransome, N Rawlings, A Rayner, P Read, S Read, G Rees, G Reeder, M Riley, R Rolph, C Ross, D Rothery, J A Rowlands, RSPB Lakenheath, R D Ruffell, C Ruffles, L Russell, S Ryan.

I Salkeld, T Seagon, K Shea, D Sheppard, N Sherman, E Shields, N Sills, D Sivyer, N Skinner, O Slessor, B J Small, K Smith, M Smith, P Smith, R Snook, J Spinner, P Stagg, R Stewart, W Stone, T Stopher, B Stuckey, R G Stewart, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, M Swindells. M Taylor, P Taylor, B Thompson, M J Thompson, D Thurlow, R F Tomlinson, J Trew, M Tickner, Trimley Marshes SWT, C Trollope, S Tusa.

D K Underwood, G Uney.

L Verrall, R Vonk.

D F Walsh, G D J WalshJ Walsh, J Walshe, J D WarnesR Watson, G Webb, R Whelan, I Whitaker, G White, S White, R D Whitehead, P Whittaker, B Wijnberg, G Wilson, P Wilson, R Wilton, R Wincup, D G Woodard, B Woodhouse, L G Woods, M T Wright, M Wright.

S R Youell, J Zantboer.

169

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011

Gazetteer This gazetteer gives locations for sites listed in the main checklist section of this issue of Suffolk Birds. The intention is to make it easier for newcomers to birdwatching, or those less familiar with the county, to be able to locate sites. Specific sites are given a six-figure reference where appropriate; larger sites are given a four-figure reference for the lkm square in which they are situated. Whilst a complete list of all sites would obviously be of most use, it would of necessity, be very long. Therefore, it does not, in general, contain parish names, which are easily located by reference to a standard road map.

Aldeburgh Town M a r s h e s Aide Estuary Aldringham Common A l d r i n g h a m Walks Alton Water A m p t o n Water B a r h a m Pits Barnhamcross Common Barsham Marshes Barton Mere Belle Vue Gardens, Lowestoft Benacre Broad Benacre Pits Bentley B e r n e r ' s Heath Blundeston Marshes Blyth Estuary Botany Bay Bowbeck Boxford Boyton M a r s h e s B r a c k e n b u r y Cliff, Felixstowe Brent Eleigh Breydon Water Bromeswell Carlton M a r s h e s Campsea Ashe Castle M a r s h e s Cattawade Marshes C a v e n h a m Heath C a v e n h a m Pits Christchurch Park, Ipswich Cobbold's Point C o m b s Lane Water M e a d o w s Cornard Mere Corton railway line Corton sewage works C o s f o r d Hall, Hadleigh Cove B o t t o m Covehithe Broad D e b e n Estuary Dingle M a r s h e s D u n w i c h Heath Eastbridge

TM450560 TM3957-4450 TM458606 TM4661 TM1436 TL8770 TM1251 TL8681 TM4090 TL910668 TM550944 TM530828 TM535842 TM120385 TL7976 TM5095 TM4575-4776 TL675854 TL9475 TL9640 TM3946 TM322360 TL943480 TM4706-5107 TM3050 TM4991 TM3256 TM475915 TM0932 TL755725 TL763715 TM164454 TM315349 TM043581 TL887391 TM537579 TM539982 TMO13446 TM4979 TM524808 TM2850-3238 TM4872 TM4768 TM452660

East Lane, Bawdsey Easton Broad Elveden Erwarton Bay Euston Lake/Park Fagbury Cliff Falkcnham M a r s h e s Felixstowe Ferry Fisher Row Flixton G P Foxhole Heath Fressingfield Fritton Decoy/Lake Frostenden Gedgrave Marshes Gifford's Hall Gipping Great Wood Glemsford Groton G u n t o n Warren Hardwick Heath Hare's Creek, Shotley Haughley Park Havergate Island Hazelwood M a r s h e s Hengrave Hall H e n Reedbeds Herringfleet M a r s h e s Herringswell Hinderclay Fen Holbrook Bay Hollesley C o m m o n s Holywells Park, Ipswich Homersfield Gravel Pits Icklingham Plains Ilketshall St L a w r e n c e Ipswich Golf Course Ipswich Wet D o c k Kedington Kentwell Hall, L o n g Melford Kessingland Levels Kessingland sewage works K i n g ' s Fleet K i n g ' s Forest, T h e

170

T M 3 54401 TM518794 TL8279 TM2333 TL9079 TM270346 TM3138 TM3237 TM507927 TM3187 TL735776 TM260775 TM4800 TM4781 TM410480 TM0137 TM075625 TL8348 TL9642 TM5495 TL854625 TM244360 TM000620 TM4147 TM435573 TL824686 TM470770 TM468977 TL7169 TM025788 TM1733 TM330474 T M 175435 TM287855 TL7573 TM3883 TM207433 TM169439 TL7046 TL863479 TM530850 TM533857 TM310379 TL8173

Gazetteer Kirton Creek Knettishall Heath Lackford Lakes Lake Lothing Lakenheath Fen Lakenheath Warren Lakenheath Washes Landguard Lavenham railway walk Layham pits Leathes Ham Leiston A b b e y Levington Creek Levington Marina Lineage Wood, Lavenham Livermere Lake Long Melford churchyard Long Mclford sewage works Loompit Lake Lound Waterworks Lowestoft Harbour Market Weston Fen Martlesham C r e e k Mayday Farm Mickle Mere Middleton Minsmere Minsmere Levels Mutford N e e d h a m Market Lake Ness Point North Denes, Lowestoft Northfield Wood North Warren Nowton Park Nunnery Lakes Old Newton Olley's Farm Orfordness Orwell Bridge Orwell Estuary Outney C o m m o n , Bungay Oulton Broad Oxley M a r s h e s Pakefield Beach Pakenham Fen Peewit Hill Pipps Ford Potter's Bridge Puttockshill Ramsey Wood Ramsholt M a r s h e s Redgrave and L o p h a m Fen Redgrave Lake Reydon M a r s h e s

TM292417 TL952804 TL800710 TM5392 TL7085 TL7580 TL7085 TM2831 TL9049 TM021402 TM530933 TM444643 TM237383 TM246380 TM890485 TL882716 TL868468 TL855459 TM255377 TG501007 TM5592 TL980787 TM2647 TL7983 TL937699 TM4267 TM4766 TM4667 TM4988 TM094548 TM555936 TM551951 TM024600 TM4658 TL866615 TL872815 TM0562 TL824815 TM4654-3743 TM175413 TM1641-2534 TM3290 TM5192 TM370435 TM5389 TL930680 TM289338 TM108538 TM509791 TL898695 TM065430 TM298423 TM046797 TM055767 TM485766

Santon D o w n h a m Sedge Fen, Lakenheath Shelley Shingle Street Shotley Marshes Shottisham Creek Sizewell Beach Slaughden Sole Bay Sotterley Park Southwold Boating Lake Southwold Town Marshes Spinny Marsh Staverton Thicks Sternfield Stonham Aspal Stour Estuary Stradishall Airfield Stratton Hall Stutton Mill Sudbourne Marshes Suffolk Water Park Sutton C o m m o n Sutton Heath Tangham Temple Bridge, Cavenham Theberton Grange Thetford Heath Thorington Street Reservoir Thorpeness C o m m o n Thorpeness Meare Tinker's Marshes Trimley Marshes Trinity Hall Farm, Moulton Tuddenham Heath Tuddenham St Martin Ufford Undley Upper Abbey Farm, Leiston Walberswick N N R Waldingfield airfield Waldringfield Pit Walpole Wangford Warren Westleton Heath West Stow Country Park Westwood Lodge Westwood Marshes Wetherden Weybread G P s Wherstead Strand Wilford Bridge Wolves Wood Wordwell Workhouse Green

171

TL818878 TL6784 TM0338 TM365425 TM248350 TM3043 TM4763 TM464555 TM5177 TM460850 TM510769 TM500754 TM292428 TM3650 TM3961 TM1359 T M 1032-2433 TL7452 TM254388 TM133330 TM4553 T M 120485 TM3247 TM308478 TM355485 TL758728 TM438652 TL845800 TMO12352 TM475604 TM4659 TM484760 TM2635 TL693651 TL7472 TM1948 TM300525 TL6981 TM453646 TM4674 TL8943 TM274438 TM3674 TL758842 TM4569 TL800713 TM465737 TM4773 TM0062 TM2481 T M 173408 TM291501 TM055440 TL828720 TL9037

Su ffolk Bird Report

2011

EARLIEST & LATEST DATES OF SUMMER MIGRANTS 2011 ARRIVALS Date Locality

DEPARTURES Date Locality

Garganey

M a r 21st

Minsmere

Oct 6th

Osprey

Mar 23rd

Blaxhall

Sep 27th

Landguard**

Hobby

Apr 2nd

Minsmere

Oct 20th

Oulton Broad Brecks*

Minsmere

Stone-curlew

M a r 13th

Foxhole Heath

Dec 31st

Little (Ringed) Plover

M a r 20th

Carlton M a r s h e s

Sep 14th

Livermere

Whimbrel

Mar 3rd

Thorpe Bay (Orwell)

Nov 11 th

Kingsfleet (Deben)

Wood Sandpiper

A p r 21st

Boyton

Sep 11th

Lackford

Little Tern

Apr 19th

Minsmere

Sep 25th

Shotley

Black Tern

A p r 19th

Lackford

Sep 26th

Thorpeness

S a n d w i c h Tern

Mar 31st

Minsmere

Nov 6th

Gorleston/ Southwold/ Thorpeness

C o m m o n Tern

Apr 7th

Lackford

D e c 5th

Thorpeness

Arctic Tern

Apr 19th

Landguard

N o v 22nd

Lowestoft

Turtle Dove

Apr 8th

Newbourne

Oct 11th

Minsmere

Cuckoo

Apr 6th

Snape

Sep 30th

High L o d g e

Nightjar

Apr 30th

Westleton

Jul 30th

Shingle Street

Swift

A p r 19th

Boyton

N o v 12th

Thorpeness/

Wryneck

Apr 9th

Shingle Street

Oct 2 n d

D u n w i c h Heath

Sand Martin

M a r 8th

Minsmere

Oct 11th

Gunton

Swallow

M a r 17th

Lackford

Dec 2nd

Minsmere

House Martin

M a r 26th

Lakenheath

Nov 29th

Crowfield

(Thetford)

Aldeburgh

Wood Warbler

N o n e 2011

N o n e 2011

Willow Warbler

M a r 30th

Cavenham/Landguard

N o v 5th

Orfordness

G a r d e n Warbler

A p r 8th

Bury St E d s

Oct 17th

Alton Water

Lesser Whitethroat

A p r 3rd

Minsmere

Oct 7th

Thorpeness

C o m m o n Whitethroat

Apr 6th

Fisher Row

Sep 28th

Corton

G r a s s h o p p e r Warbler

Apr 3 rd

Oulton B r o a d

Sep 14th

Gunton

Sedge Warbler

M a r 27th

Barsham

Sep 29th

Aldeburgh

R e e d Warbler

Apr 4th

Minsmere

Oct 13 th

Orfordness

Ring O u z e l

Apr 3 rd

Aldringham

N o v 13 th

Barsham

Spotted Flycatcher

Apr 22nd

Fressingfield

Sep 21 st

Lowestoft

Nightingale

Apr 5th

Walberswick

A u g 12th

Icklingham

Redstart

A p r 2nd

Orfordness

Oct 13 th

Minsmere

Whinchat

A p r 22nd

Walberswick

Oct 18th

Minsmere Haven, Thorpeness

Wheatear

Mar 9th

Landguard

Nov 19th

Pied Flycatcher

(Aug 6th)

(Minsmere)

Oct 10th

Thorpeness

Yellow Wagtail

Apr 2 n d

Shingle Street

N o v 12th

Thorpeness

Tree Pipit

Apr 8th

Hopton

Oct 16th

Landguard

* Overwintering birds ** Ozwald, west of Ipswich, October 19th

172

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011

A GUIDE TO RECORDING BIRDS IN SUFFOLK Introduction The foundation stone of any report is the data upon which it is based. Unless we all submit our records diligently, and in a usabie form, then the Suffolk Bird Report will not be a comprehensive account of the birds recorded in Suffolk.

The system The recording of the county's avifauna is the responsibility of the Suffolk Naturalists' Society, working in close co-operation with the Suffolk Ornithologists' Group. The linchpins of the system are the Recorders, who are the initial point of contact for all records. Because of the volume of records in Suffolk the county has been divided into three areas. See the inside front cover for a map and addresses.

Observers are reminded that Suffolk works to Watsonian vice-county boundaries, taking in areas that are now administered as Norfolk, Cambridgeshire or Essex. The most significant area affected is that of Lothingland, the northern limits of which follow the River Yare and include the south side of Breydon Water. We have retained these originai boundaries as we feel that sensible comparison of data can only be made from year to year if the recording area is kept constant.

Submission of records All observers are requested to submit their records monthly. We also suggest that the following format be followed: (a) Location (precise place name from the Ordnance Survey map plus parish if ambiguous). OS grid reference should be added if in any doubt or if reporting breeding locations. (b) Species (c) Date (d) Name and address of observer (e) Sex/age - male, female, juvenile etc. (f) Abundance - count numbers, frequency, etc. (g) Type of record - dead, ringed, etc. (h) Other comments considered relevant - behaviour etc. In particular see the list below for particular information required for each species. Ail claims of national rarities should, of course, be accompanied by a full description. The Recorder will automatically forward this to the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC).

If submitting a list of records for one particular site, please put ail détails at the top of the list and annotate with sex and/or frequency. Remember, if in any doubt as to the value of any record, please send it in!

A spreadsheet is available for submitting records and can be downloaded from the SOG website. This can be sent electronically to the Recorders and is a much easier and quicker method for them. Whilst this is not essential, we would encourage ail those who can to use this method of submitting their records.

Assessment of records Ail records come under the scrutiny of the Suffolk Ornithological Records Committee (SORC) and for rare or scarce species, vérification is sought - i.e. photographs, field sketches, witnesses, sound recordings (for calling or singing birds) and (most importantly) written descriptions. The SORC's policy for vagrants, classified as national rarities, is clear; records should be channelled through the County Recorder to be considered by the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC), whose décisions are accepted by SORC. A full list of

173

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 species that are considered by the SORC follows. The committee may also request further détails regarding any other species that, in the opinion of the committee, is out of context in terms of season, habitat or numbers.

A list of records which have not been accepted for publication can be found in Appendix III and includes those which have been circulated to the respective committees but were considered unacceptable due to either the identification not being fUlly established or, more rarely, a genuine mistake having been made. It does not include records still under considération.

Guide to species The following list shows all the species recorded in the county and thus this is also a checklist for Suffolk. For any species not listed, a full description will be required. The list shows those species accepted into Catégories A, B and C, as per the British Ornithologists' Union (see the Introduction to the Systematic List for more détails). Note that a large number of species included can also fall into Catégories D and E (basically as escapees); a description of such a bird may be requested but will be essential if it is believed that the bird is of wild origin.

A reminder that Turtle Dove, Yellow Wagtail, Nightingale, Spotted Flycatcher, Marsh Tit and Corn Bunting have ali been moved from Category 4 to category 3 - records of ali of them would be appreciated. Mediterranean Gull has been moved from 2 to 3, so descriptions will no longer be necessary.

SOG/SORC would also like to receive any breeding records for the following species: Kestrel, Ringed Piover, Lapwing, Common Snipe, Curlew, Redshank, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Swift, Sand and House Martin (colonies), Mistle Thrush, Willow Warbler and Reed Bunting.

Sandhill Crane, Audouin's Gull, Oriental Turtle Dove and Short-toed Treecreeper have been added to the Suffolk list in 2011.

Mute Swan Tundra (Bewick's) S w a n W h o o p e r Swan Bean G o o s e Tundra Taiga Pink-footed Goose Greater White-fronted Goose Greylag G o o s e Snow G o o s e Greater C a n a d a G o o s e Barnacle G o o s e Brent G o o s e Dark-bellied Pale-bellied Black Brant Red-breasted Goose Egyptian G o o s e R u d d y Shelduck* C o m m o n Shelduck Mandarin D u c k Eurasian Wigeon A m e r i c a n Wigeon Gadwall Baikal Teal Eurasian Teal G r e e n - w i n g e d Teal Mallard Northern Pintail Garganey

4 3 3 3 2 3 3 4 1 4 3 4 3 2 1 3 1 4 4 4 2 4 1 4 2 4 4 3

Blue-winged Teal Northern Shoveler Red-crested Pochard C o m m o n Pochard Ring-necked Duck Ferruginous Duck Tufted Duck Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup C o m m o n Eider K i n g Eider Long-tailed D u c k C o m m o n Scoter Velvet Scoter Bufflehead C o m m o n Goldeneye Smew Red-breasted Merganser Goosander R u d d y Duck Red-legged Partridge Grey Partridge C o m m o n Quail C o m m o n Pheasant Golden Pheasant Red-throated Diver Black-throated Diver Great Northern Diver

174

1 4 3 3 2 2 4 3 1 3 1 3 3 3 1 4 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 4 3 3 3 3

White-billed Diver N o r t h e r n Fulmar Cory's Shearwater Great Shearwater Sooty Shearwater Manx Shearwater Balearic Shearwater European Storm-petrel Leach's Storm-petrel Northern Gannet Great Cormorant European Shag Great Bittern Little Bittern Black-crowned Night-heron Squacco Heron Cattle Egret Little Egret Great Egret G r e y Heron Purple Heron Black Stork W h i t e Stork Glossy Ibis Eurasian Spoonbill Little Grebe Great Crested Grebe Red-necked Grebe

1 4 2 2 3 3 2 2 3 3 4 3 3 1 2 1 2 3 2 4 2 1 2 1 3 4 4 3

A Guide to Recording Birds in Suffolk Slavonian Grebe Black-necked Grebe European Honey-buzzard Black Kite Red Kite White-tailed Eagle Eurasian Marsh Harrier Hen Harrier Pallid Harrier Montagu's Harrier Northern G o s h a w k Eurasian Sparrowhawk C o m m o n Buzzard Rough-legged Buzzard Greater Spotted Eagle Osprey Lesser Kestrel C o m m o n Kestrel Red-footed Falcon Merlin Eurasian Hobby Eleonora's Falcon G y r Falcon Peregrine Falcon Water Rail Spotted Crake Little Crake Baillons C r a k e * Corncrake C o m m o n Moorhen Allen's Gallinule* C o m m o n Coot C o m m o n Crane Sandhill C r a n e Little Bustard Macqueen's Bustard Great Bustard Eurasian Oystercatcher Black-winged Stilt Pied Avocet Stone-curlew Cream-coloured Courser* Collared Pratincole Oriental Pratincole Black-winged Pratincole Little Ringed Plover Ringed Plover Killdeer Kentish Plover Greater Sand Plover Eurasian Dotterel American Golden Plover Pacific Golden Plover European Golden Plover Grey Plover Sociable L a p w i n g Northern L a p w i n g Red Knot Sanderling Semipalmated Sandpiper

3 3 2 2 3 2 3 3 1 2 2 3 3 3 1 3 1 4 2 3 3 1 1 3 3 2 1 1 2 4 1 4 3 1 1 1 1 4 1 3 3 1 1 1 1 3 4 1 2 1 2 2 1 4 4 1 4 4 3 1

Little Stint Temminck's Stint White-rumped Sandpiper Baird's Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Curlew Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper Dunlin Broad-billed Sandpiper Buff-breasted Sandpiper Ruff Jack Snipe C o m m o n Snipe Great Snipe Long-billed Dowitcher Eurasian Woodcock Black-tailed Godwit Bar-tailed Godwit Whimbrel Eurasian Curlew Terek Sandpiper C o m m o n Sandpiper Spotted Sandpiper Green Sandpiper Spotted Redshank Greater Yellowlegs C o m m o n Greenshank Lesser Yellowlegs Marsh Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper C o m m o n Redshank Ruddy Turnstone Wilson's Phalarope Red-necked Phalarope Grey Phalarope Pomarine Skua Arctic Skua Long-tailed Skua Great Skua Ivory Gull Sabine's Gull Kittiwake Slender-billed Gull Black-headed Gull Little Gull Ross's Gull Laughing Gull Franklin's Gull Mediterranean Gull Audouin's Gull C o m m o n Gull Ring-billed Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Herring Gull Yellow-legged Gull Caspian Gull Iceland Gull Glaucous Gull Great Black-backed Gull

175

3 3 2 1 3 3 1 3 4 1 2 3 3 4 1 1 3 4 3 4 4 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 1 1 3 4 4 1 2 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 4 1 4 3 1 1 1 3 1 4 2 4 4 3 3 3 3 4

Sooty Tern Little Tern Gull-billed Tern Caspian Tern Whiskered Tern Black Tern White-winged Black Tern Sandwich Tern Lesser Crested Tern C o m m o n Tern Roseate Tern Arctic Tern C o m m o n Guillemot Razorbill Black Guillemot Little Auk Atlantic Puffin Pallas's Sandgrouse* Feral Pigeon Stock Pigeon C o m m o n Wood Pigeon Eurasian Collared Dove European Turtle Dove Oriental Turtle Dove Rose-ringed Parakeet Great Spotted C u c k o o Common Cuckoo Yellow-billed Cuckoo Barn Owl Eurasian Scops Owl* Snowy Owl Little Owl Tawny O w l Long-eared Owl Short-eared Owl Tengmalm's Owl* European Nightjar C o m m o n Swift Pallid Swift Alpine Swift C o m m o n Kingfisher European Bee-eater European Roller Hoopoe Eurasian W r y n e c k Green Woodpecker Great Spotted Woodpecker Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Red-eyed Vireo Eurasian Golden Oriole Isabelline Shrike Red-backed Shrike Lesser Grey Shrike Great Grey Shrike Southern Grey Shrike Woodchat Shrike Red-billed C h o u g h * Black-billed Magpie Eurasian Jay Spotted Nutcracker

1 4 1 1 1 3 2 4 1 4 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 1 4 4 4 4 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 1 3 3 3 3 1 3 4 1 2 3 2 1 3 3 4 4 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 2 2 4 4 1

Suff Olk Blrd Report 2011 Eurasian Jackdaw Rook Carrion Crow H o o d e d Crow C o m m o n Raven Goldcrest Firecrest Eurasian Penduline Tit Blue Tit Great Tit Crested Tit Coal Tit Willow Tit Marsh Tit Bearded Tit Greater Short-toed Lark Crested Lark W o o d Lark Sky Lark H o r n e d (Shore) Lark Sand Martin Barn Swallow H o u s e Martin R e d - r u m p e d Swallow Cetti's Warbier Long-tailed Tit Greenish Warbier Arctic Warbier Pallas' Leaf Warbier Yellow-browed Warbier H u m e ' s L e a f Warbier Radde's Warbier D u s k y Warbier Western Bonelli's Warbier W o o d Warbier Common Chiffchaff Siberian C h i f f c h a f f Willow Warbier Blackcap G a r d e n Warbier Barred Warbier Lesser Whitethroat C o m m o n Whitethroat Spectacled Warbier Dartford Warbier M a r m o r a ' s Warbier Subalpine Warbier Sardinian Warbier Lanceolated Warbier C o m m o n Grasshopper Warbier River Warbier

4 4 4 2 2 4 3 1 4 4 2 4 2 3 3 2 1 4 4 3 4 4 4 2 3 4 2 1 2 3 â&#x20AC;˘1 2 2 1 3 4 2 4 4 4 3 4 4 1 3 1 2 1 1 3 1

Savi's Warbier Olivaceous Warbier Booted Warbier Icterine Warbier Melodious Warbier Aquatic Warbier Sedge Warbier Paddyfield Warbier Blyth's Reed Warbier Marsh Warbier Eurasian Reed Warbier Great Reed Warbier Bohemian Waxwing Wood Nuthatch Eurasian Treecreeper Short-toed Treecreeper Winter W r e n C o m m o n Starling Rosy Starling White-throated Dipper White's Thrush Ring Ouzel C o m m o n Blackbird Fieldfare Song T h r u s h Redwing Mistle Thrush Spotted Flycatcher E u r o p e a n Robin T h r u s h Nightingale C o m m o n Nightingale Bluethroat Siberian Blue R o b i n Red-flanked Bluetail Black Redstart C o m m o n Redstart Whinchat Stonechat Siberian Stonechat Isabelline Wheatear Northern Wheatear Pied W h e a t e a r Desert Wheatear White-crowned W h e a t e a r (White-tailed W h e a t e a r ) Red-breasted Flycatcher Collared Flycatcher Pied Flycatcher H e d g e Accentor Alpine Accentor H o u s e Sparrow Eurasian Tree Sparrow

1 1 1 2 2 2 4 1 1 2 4 1 3 3 3 1 4 4 2 2 1 3 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 1 3 2 1 1 3 3 3 3 1 1 3 1 1 1 2

I 3 4 1 4 3

Yellow Wagtail Blue-headed Wagtail Grey-headed Wagtail Black-headed Wagtail Ashy-headed Wagtail Citrine Wagtail G r e y Wagtail Pied Wagtail White Wagtail Richard's Pipit Blyth's Pipit Tawny Pipit Olive-backed Pipit Tree Pipit M e a d o w Pipit Red-throated Pipit R o c k Pipit Water Pipit Chaffinch Brambling European Serin European G r e e n f i n c h European G o l d f i n c h Eurasian Siskin C o m m o n Linnet Twite Lesser Redpoll C o m m o n (Mealy) Redpoll Arctic Redpoll Two-barred Crossbill C o m m o n Crossbill Parrot Crossbill T r u m p e t e r Finch Common Rosefinch Eurasian B u l l f i n c h Hawfinch Snow Bunting Lapland L o n g s p u r Lark Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Pine Bunting Yellowhammer Ciri Bunting Ortolan Bunting Rustie Bunting Little Bunting Yellow-breasted B u n t i n g Reed Bunting Black-headed Bunting C o m Bunting

* not recorded as wild since at least 1949

Key: 1 National Rarity - detailed description required.

2 County Rarity - notes detailing observation will always be required.

3 All records requested - supporting notes may be requested.

4 Specific records - records of breeding, large counts, earliest/latest dates, unusual inland records or migration/weather-related movements requested.

176

3 3 3 1 2 1 3 4 3 2 1 2 1 3 4 2 3 3 4 3 2 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 1 3 1 1 2 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 4 2 2 2 2 1 4 1 3

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011

Rare Birds in Suffolk 2010 David Walsh Accepted BBRC Records 2011 Black Stork Ciconia nigra: Felixstowe, adult, April 7th (W J Brame).

G l o s s y Ibis Plegadis falcinellus: Boyton M a r s h e s a n d Hollesley M a r s h e s , two, O c t o b e r 5th (J R e e c e , O R S l e s s o r e i a/.); p r e s u m e d s a m e . Dingle M a r s h e s a n d M i n s m e r e , intermittently O c t o b e r 7 t h - 2 0 t h (J H G r a n t , P G r e e n , J T r e w et al.); I p s w i c h , t h r e e , O c t o b e r 15th (R a n d Y M a r s h ) ; O r f o r d n e s s , O c t o b e r 2 0 t h ( D C r a w s h a w , E D Shields); M i n s m e r e , N o v e m b e r 26th-27th (I B e e t o n , B T o r o d e ) .

S a n d h i l l C r a n e Grus canadensis-.

K e s s i n g l a n d a n d g o i n g s o u t h , adult, O c t o b e r 2 n d ( C D a r b y ) ; p r e s u m e d s a m e N o r t h W a r r e n , O c t o b e r 2 n d ( S A b b o t t et al.); p r e s u m e d s a m e B o y t o n M a r s h e s a n d Hollesley M a r s h e s , O c t o b e r 2 n d to 7th (per S u f f o l k R e c o r d e r ) .

B r o a d - b i l l e d S a n d p i p e r Limicola falcinellus: B r e y d o n Water, adult, June 1 st to 3rd (R Fairhead et al.).

Audouin's Gull Larus audouinii: Minsmere, adult, May 9th (J H Grant et al.).

O r i e n t a l Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis: B a r s h a m , first-winter, April 13th-15th (R D o e , S Lester).

E u r o p e a n R o l l e r Coracias garrulus: U p p e r H o l l e s l e y C o m m o n , adult, J u n e 13th ( N A n d r e w s , N T h o r p e et al. p e r S u f f o l k Recorder).

Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus: D u n w i c h Heath, f i r s t - w i n t e r ( c o n s i d e r e d t o b e L. i. Isabellinus), O c t o b e r 14th ( D W o o d w a r d et al.).

E u r a s i a n P e n d u l i n e Tit Remiz pendulinus: M i n s m e r e , three, at least o n e m a l e , M a r c h 14th a n d 15th ( D Fairhurst et al.); p r e s u m e d s a m e Dingle M a r s h e s , two, m a l e s , M a r c h 2 4 t h ( P G r e e n ) . ' N o r t h e r n L o n g - t a i l e d Tit' Aegithalos caudatus caudatus: G o o s e Hill, n e a r L e i s t o n , M a r c h 2 2 n d (T Hodge).

Hume's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus hum el: L o w e s t o f t , N o v e m b e r I5th-19th ( S J o n e s etal. p e r S u f f o l k R e c o r d e r ) ; L o w e s t o f t , N o v e m b e r 19th-23rd (S J o n e s et al. p e r S u f f o l k R e c o r d e r ) .

B o o t e d W a r b l e r Iduna caligata: L a n d g u a r d , first-winter, O c t o b e r 16th (P J H o l m e s et al.).

S h o r t - t o e d T r e e c r e e p e r Certhia brachydactyla: L a n d g u a r d , M a r c h 24th to A p r i l 6 t h (N O d i n , O R Slessor et al.).

R e d - f l a n k e d Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus: M i n s m e r e , O c t o b e r 13th a n d M t h ( S H Piotrowski et al.); O r f o r d n e s s , first-winter, O c t o b e r 1 3 t h - 1 6 t h ( D Crawshaw, G J J o b s o n , M C M a r s h e i a / . ) ; L a n d g u a r d , f i r s t - w i n t e r , N o v e m b e r 14th ( N O d i n , O R Slessor et al.).

O l i v e - b a c k e d PipitAnthus hodgsoni: L o w e s t o f t , O c t o b e r I 5 t h a n d 16th (J Taylor et al.).

Accepted BBRC Records 2010 E u r a s i a n P e n d u l i n e Tit Remiz pendulinus-.

M i n s m e r e , four, M a r c h 16th to 20th, seven, M a r c h 21 st, at least t w o r e m a i n i n g to M a r c h 30th (J E v a n s , R Harvey, R W a i d e n et al. p e r S u f f o l k R e c o r d e r ) .

Published as up to seven, March 16th to 30th in last year's Suffolk Bird Report.

Savi's W a r b l e r Locustella luscinioides: O r f o r d n e s s , M a y I s t ( D Crawshaw, G J J o b s o n , M C M a r s h ) .

Omitted in error from list in last year's Suffolk Bird Report.

Accepted BBRC Records 2009 L e s s e r G r e y S h r i k e Lanius minor: T r i m l e y M a r s h e s N R , f i r s t - w i n t e r , S e p t e m b e r 14th ( M W r i g h t , J Z a n t b o e r et al.). Published incorrectly as 2010 in last year's Suffolk Bird Report).

BBRC Records 2008: identification accepted, but records placed in Category D Ross's G o o s e Anser rossii: H e r r i n g f l e e t a n d nearby, J a n u a r y 1 3 t h - 1 4 t h (P J R a n s o m e p e r S u f f o l k R e c o r d e r ) ; p r e s u m e d s a m e B u r g h C a s t l e , D e c e m b e r 14th (P R A l l a r d p e r S u f f o l k R e c o r d e r ) ; p r e s u m e d s a m e B r a d w e l l , D e c e m b e r 21 st (A E a s t o n p e r S u f f o l k R e c o r d e r ) ; p r e s u m e d s a m e Belton, D e c e m b e r 2 3 r d (R Fairhead p e r S u f f o l k R e c o r d e r ) .

Non-accepted records 2011 Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscata: Kessingland, August 10th Pallid Swift Apus pallidas: Landguard, October 31st Yellow Wagtail M.f. cinereocapilla/iberiae: Landguard, May 10th-12th C i t r i n e W a g t a i l Motacilla

citreola:

B o y t o n M a r s h e s , A u g u s t 28th

177

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 Non-accepted records 2010 C a s p i a n T e r n Hydroprogne

caspia:

H e n h a m , July 17th

SHORT-TOED TREECREEPER Certhia brachydactylo - lst for Suffolk Circumstances On March 24th, ORS returned to the ringing room just prior to 7.00am stating that he had a treecreeper. After ORS had processed two other birds which had been trapped at the same time, NO and ORS looked at the treecreeper. One look at the alula and NO asked ORS to look at the other features whilst he made a number of phone calls to get some locals down to the ringing room. Whilst NO was on the phone, ORS declared he was sure it was a Shorttoed Treecreeper. After référencé to Svensson (1992), NO decided the best thing to do was to take a note of the essential features and biométries and, rather than write a lengthy description, to take a sériés of photographs. The bird remained at Landguard for two weeks allowing a large number of observers to see and hear it in the field.

Description Obviously a treecreeper. Largest alula feather as Example D on page 248 of Svensson.

On the white wing bar pointed (not rounded) distai edges gave a stepped appearance. White tips to primaries small and distinct (not broad and extensive). Flanks dirty brownish. The whole plumage was worn with the tail even more so. Lower mandible pinkish extending ail the way to the tip. Upper mandible dark brown horn with a very fine pale cutting tip.

Feet/legs/soles pinkish brown with the soles slightly paler. Claws very pale pinkish horn.

Cali declared as Short-toed Treecreeper by many observers but sounded like a Dunnock to NO's ears. Behaviour différences noted from treecreeper were that the bird spent the bulk of its time low down in the végétation and worked up and down branches and trunks very mouse like. Seen feeding on the ground on a couple of occasions.

Nigel Odin and Oliver Slessor AUDOUIN'S GULL Larus audouinii - lst for Suffoik Circumstances When I am in Minsmere's East Hide on days which feel promising for visible raptor passage, I sometimes 'lock onto the sky' and search the blue yonder for hours, only looking infrequently at the scrape. This was the case on May 9th 2011, and when my fellow RSPB volunteer bird guide Mick Muttitt came in at about 11:15hr and asked if there were any of my 'questionable' birds about, (a tongue-in-cheek référencé to my prédilection for gulls), I answered that I didn't think so but told him I had been skywatching for most of the morning.

We had a little chuckle and we did then pay attention to the gulls, but only the usuai cast were present: Black-headed, Herring, Lesser Black-backed, Common and Mediterranean.

At about 1 l:30hr I continued skywatching and Mick leflt the hide.

At about 11:45hr I scanned the scrape again and had the biggest shock I have ever experienced in about 50 years of birdwatching! At the near end of one of the scrape's main bunds, in the middle distance but at an entirely manageable range, was a beautiful, redbilled, white headed, dark-eyed, pearly-grey-backed gull which I immediately recognised as an Audouin's Gull! I was simply astonished and gasped out loud, shouted out to the handfiil of people in the hide and asked if anyone had a camera. Visitors Mervyn and Val Broughton obliged with some passable record shots and I radioed the news out to the reserve's visitor centre. In a few moments several of the reserve's staff arrived, including Robin Harvey, Katie Smith, Ricky Whelan and BBRC chairman Adam Rowlands (who watched the bird through my scope!). The bird at this time was in sleeping posture with its head obscured and I said to Adam: Just wait until you see the bill on this one! A few seconds later the bill became visible and there was an audible gasp among the assembled throng! Ail agreed that this was an adult, full summer plumage Audouin's Gull and it was watched continuously until I left 178

Rare Birds in Suffolk 2011 the reserve at about 13:30hr. I understand it went missing for about an hour after this time but returned before leaving again, this time for good, at about 16:20hr.

Description An elegant, long-winged, medium-sized gull, a little smaller than the nearby Lesser Blackbacked Gulls, but noticeably larger than the Black-headed Gulls.

The most obvious feature was its bill which was, for the most part, a very striking, deep red. It was rather stout and parallel-sided but also noticeably blunt-ended and showed a black sub-terminal bar and a small, yellowish tip. The gape-line was relatively long, reaching to a point below the eye, and there were narrow red eye-rings surrounding what appeared at this range to be dark eyes. These features stood out well against a pristine, unsullied pure white head and hindneck. The head shape was distinctive, showing a sloping forehead, reminiscent of Caspian Gull, but also showing a rather flat crown.

The mantle was a subtle shade of pearly grey, perhaps just a little darker than the mantles of the nearby Black-headed Gulls. Concolorous with the mantle were the scapulars, all the wing coverts and the tertials. The latter were fringed pure white. The primaries, at least when the bird was at rest, (I did not see the bird in flight), looked long and each of the outer primaries was tipped with a 'droplet' of pure white. I could see the underside of P10, which was largely black but with a small white oval sub-terminal patch.

The breast and flanks showed a subtle, almost imperceptible, light grey cast and the belly and undertail coverts were pure white, as was the unmarked tail. The legs, which appeared neither overly long nor short, were ashen grey.

Occasionally the bird would bow its head so that its bill was pointing down and nearly making contact with the ground, as if in some form of display posture. On several occasions it stretched its wings, revealing black outer primaries and clearly showing the line of white droplets on the primary tips of each wing.

Identification of this gull was as clear-cut as it is possible to be. There were no dissenting voices, it was an adult Audouin's Gull, a first for Suffolk and, I understand, the sixth record for Britain.

John H Grant SANDHILL CRANE Grus canadensis - 1st for Suffolk Circumstances On Friday September 30th, I watched the reports of the Sandhill Crane heading south toward East Anglia in dismay because I had to transport my son and his possessions to Bristol University the next day. However, on the Saturday evening, after returning, I was pleased to see from the web that the bird had only passed Lincolnshire and had not entered Norfolk air space (or had not been seen to). I therefore decided to spend Sunday and Monday at Benacre Sluice waiting for the bird in an area with a good view both of the coast and also a reasonable distance inland. On Sunday October 2nd I headed to the sluice, texting the Lowestoft Lounge Lizards to say bring on the crane!, anticipating that they would be the first to distribute the news of the bird's passage through Suffolk.

Clear overnight skies had resulted in the departure of recent migrants, and at 10.30am, having searched the bushes without success, I walked through the Kessingland campsite towards the sewage works. Whilst in the tent site, I heard a crane calling overhead; looking up, it was about 100 feet directly above me and circling to gain height. The campers were then treated to the sight of a mad birdwatcher desperately trying to drag a camera from his rucksack, pointing it straight up in the air and firing as many shots as possible. The bird circled once then continued to climb, calling as it flew south along the coast towards Benacre and Southwold.

The identification of the bird as a crane was straightforward given the flight views; a large grey bird with a short bill, extended neck and feet in flight, grey body and forepart of the 179

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 underwing, black primaries and black trailing edge to the underwing. My problem was confirming that it was the Sandhill Crane due to i) a lack of experience of the species, compounded by confusing discussions that I had read on BirdForum describing the species as being small and making comparisons with Grey Heron (this bird was clearly much bigger than a Grey Heron); ii) I could not see the upper wings or the top of the head: although the pictures appeared to show a red forehead and white cheek, I needed to enlarge them to be certain; iii) 1 did not have details of juvenile Common Crane plumage to exclude it; they could also be expected in the area.

I rang the BINS hotline and discussed the sighting with them. Neither of us having sufficient confidence to start a full panic, we decided to put out a message that a crane species had flown south past Kessingland, in order to alert anyone on the coast. I headed back towards a computer to view the pictures in detail, at the same time discussing the sighting with Rob Wilton who had access to photographs that enabled us to rule out juvenile Common Crane. I was now convinced it was the Sandhill and was able to finally confirm all the required details when the photographs were enlarged. I subsequently received a call from BINS to say that Steve Abbott had seen the bird at North Warren at 11,43am. It remained there for half an hour before flying south again; it was then seen at Sudbourne and Gedgrave Marshes before finally settling down between Boyton Marshes and Hollesley Marshes. I caught up with the bird at Boyton the next day to photograph it and compile a detailed description. Interestingly, an e-mail to the Lounge Lizards site later in the week noted that a crane had been seen at Barnby on the morning of October 2nd and was identified as the Sandhill Crane when newspaper photographs were published during the week.

The crane stayed until 10.30am on October 7th when the last report from BINS was that it had flown high south from Boyton Marshes. It was presumed that the bird flew out to sea as it was not seen to go over Felixstowe or subsequently located in the southern counties. A note on BirdForum on November 9th stated that a Sandhill Crane was seen with Common Cranes on November 4th in the Badajoz province in Spain between Palazuelo and Torviscal: the nearby roost collects 25,000 cranes.

Description Size, structure and bare parts The identification of the bird as a crane was straightforward; a large grey bird, bigger than a Grey Heron, with its neck extended during flight, and trailing legs and feet. The bill was dagger-like, shorter than the head, and black. The legs extended in flight well beyond the tail and were also dark grey/black.

Plumage The neck, body and underwings were grey with black primaries and a black trailing wing edge; the tail was also black. When first seen, the upper wings could not be seen as the bird was directly overhead. The forehead was dark red extending from the upper bill onto the crown just behind the eye. The upper cheeks appeared to be lighter grey, almost white, extending around the red forehead and crown from the lower part of the bill back to behind the eye and up onto the crown. Viewed at Boyton, the winter plumage colours of the Sandhill Crane's body and Upperwing, not visible at Kessingland, showed well. The mixture of light and dark grey and sandy tones was extremely variable dependent on lighting, as was the colour of the cheeks which varied from light grey to very pale off white.

Call The bird called several times in flight with a medium pitched single call 'Krrrk' sound.

Identification Identification as an adult winter plumage Sandhill Crane was straightforward based on 180

Rare Birds in Suffolk 2011 the red forehead and crown, paler cheeks, the black primaries and the restricted black on the trailing edge of the underwing. Adult Common Crâne has a black upper neck and head, white streak extending back from the eye and extensive black on the underwing secondaries.

Juvenile Common Crane has a rufous head which turns grey and then black as the neck darkens and also has extensive black on the underwing secondaries.

Six subspecies of Sandhill Crane are considered but identification often requires location information, which is impossible in migrating birds (Wikipedia). There is a clinal range of sizes across the Sandhill Crane distribution with the extremes varying in wingspan from five to seven feet. The confusing discussion on BirdForum, comparing the size compared to Grey Heron, had been caused by photographs showing the Lesser Sandhill race.

Chris Darby BOOTED WARBLER Hippolais (Iduna) caligata - 2nd for Suffolk Circumstances On October 16th, I found a small pale brown and white warbler at about 8.25am in front of the bird observatory in tali scrub (Holm Oak, Tamarisk, Eider). First impressions were of a phylloscopus, and ideas of Siberian Chiffchaff and Bonelli's Warbler came to mind but were soon dispelled as clearer views were obtained. A strenger pinkish bill, dark eye, diffuse pale eye-ring and an open faced expression, recalling a Melodious Warbler, made me realise that I was watching a Booted Warbler. Ten or more years ago this would have been easy, but my heart sank as I remembered Syke's Warbler together with the knowledge of several recent identification turn-arounds! I called over to the rest of the LBO regulars who were only a few metres away to come and look at this warbler, it's a small, pale hippo. Eventually they left their comfortable seats and joined me to view the bird. In the meantime, I had managed to fire off some shots with my woefully inadequate 300mm lens and was glad to be joined by some digiscopers. The bird was watched at fairly close range by many observers until at least 4.15pm when I finally left for breakfast! It had been trapped and ringed around midday, with Nigel Odin sending the biomĂŠtries to BBRC. The bird was not present on site the next day.

Description Size and shape Direct size comparison with Yellow-browed Warbler, Blue and GreatTits, Linnets, Robin etc. A small warbler, about the size of a Chiffchaff, but more robust and pot-bellied and with a small rounded head. This was especially so when sunning itself in the open. However, at times, it would appear sleeker with a hint of Reed Warbler about it as it moved purposely through the foliage, but it would never hold these poses at rest. The under-tail coverts were very short. Primary projection was about half the length of the exposed tertials.

Plumage Upperparts: from forehead to upper-tail coverts were a pale milky tea brown. The supraloral area was off white and merged with a diffuse off white eye-ring. This extended back behind the eye only a little way as a thin, diffuse supercilium. The cheeks and ear coverts were perhaps a shade browner (less noticeable in bright sunlight) than the upperparts and merged diffusely onto the lores. The upper border of the supraloral area was darker than the rest of the crown. This feature was often burnt out in streng sunlight and was clearly more apparent in shade.

Underparts: white from the chin to the under-tail coverts with just a hint of a buff wash to the latter; this was a dull, not crisp, white with feathering appearing a little scruffy on the belly. There was a patch of buff wash on the side of the breast/neck above the Shoulder.

Wings: darker greyer centres to lesser, median and greater coverts with broad pale milky brown fringes and tips. Primary coverts more uniform. The alula was darker grey. Tertials had dark, greyer brown centres with broad fairly neat pale, milky brown fringes. The closed 181

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 secondaries formed a browner/tawnier panel which in some light also hinted at olive, as a result of fringing on darker, greyer feathers, the primaries were darker and browner with very narrow pale edging.

Tail: duller, greyer milky brown than rump with paler fringing to the feathers and a neat, narrow white outer edge to the outer tail feather which was not readily visible at rest but seen when tail fanned. The tip was slightly notched. The tail was well proportioned with perhaps more length assumed due to the shorter under-tail coverts.

Exposed parts: the bill was stouter than ChiffchafPs, but not as heavy nor as long as Reed Warbler's, more like a Whitethroat's. At times it appeared short, narrow and spiky. It was broader based and finer tipped. Flesh coloured lower mandible and cutting edges. The culmen was horn-grey and this extended to the tip and spread onto the tip of the lower mandible as a smudge, appearing more defined in shade and almost totally lost in bright sunlight. The legs were dull, pale, grey-brown becoming dull flesh-brown in certain light.

Greyer feet were noted in photographs but not seen in the field. The eye was black.

Behaviour The bird fed actively in tali scrub to seven metres, but more regularly at two or three metres, chasing flying insects and, at times, seeming incredibly 'phyllosc-like', yet, at other times it would seem slower and more lumbering. It often dropped to ground level, hopping on bare soil and concrete alike. It would flick its wings and tail occasionally, especially when changing posture but certainly not habitually.

Identification Effort was made to totally eliminate Syke's Warbler, much to the displeasure of a few observers!

Paul Holmes

182

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011

Suffolk Ringing Report 2011 Simon Evans Over time, as statistical discrepancies are encountered, ringing figures become adjusted accordingly. With amended County totals for 2009 now at 58,173 and for 2010 at 59,229, what would the total for 2011 be? Could Suffolk's ringers break the 60,000 mark for the first time? Although the provisionai figure of 59,487 of 143 species (as at Aug 2012) will no doubt be adjusted, l'd be surprised if it were to increase significantly enough to pass through this barrier. Having said that, the total is none the less impressive, representing the highest annual total for the County yet, and contributing some 5.2% of the national total. A further 1,451 recoveries, birds found dead or alive more than 5km from their original site of ringing, were made in Suffolk, just over 7% of the national figure.

Among the recoveries, some 85 foreign-ringed birds were reported in Suffolk and 443 Suffolk-ringed birds were recovered abroad. The increased reporting of colour-ringed birds, in particular the gulls, waders and wildfowl, has again bolstered these foreign exchange recoveries. Included within the recoveries are Suffolk's first (and only Britain & Ireland's third) ringed Chiffchaff reported in Italy, as well as Suffolk's and Britain & Ireland's first recovery of a Polish-ringed Kingfisher. Both these records involved Orfordness, with the latter making it into the national press! In addition, confirmation was received that a Lesser Redpoll retrappped at Lackford Pits in March 2010, represents the first of this species, originally ringed in Germany, to be recorded anywhere in Britain & Ireland.

The Suffolk total is nationally the second-highest county figure for 2011, beating Norfolk into third (55,958). Sussex had by far the highest total with 102,291 ! Looking at the top five species in terms of numbers ringed in Suffolk, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird and Reed Warbler were ail present, as they were in 2010. However, Sedge Warbler dropped out of the top five with a ringing total decrease of roughly 33% compared with 2010. Blackcap made a new entry coming in at number three with an increase of nearly 33% on the 2009 total and approaching double the 2010 total. Is this reflective of the mixed fortunes of these two species or has a shift in ringing activity contributed? However, whilst it can be fun as well as informative to play with numbers, it is the quality of the various ringing projects within our boundaries that is of importance.

One of the BTO's longest running projects, the Constant Effort Site (CES) scheme is used to help monitor population dynamics and thus the status of our breeding birds. By standardising 12 visits throughout May, June, July and August in terms of duration, positioning and extent of netting used, analysis of the number, âge and sex structure of the catches helps us understand how our birds are doing. Of the six such sites running in the County in 2011, three made it to significant milestones. Hinderclay Fen (Jacquie Clark) and Lackford Pits (Lackford Ringing Group) celebrated their 20th year and Levington (Paul Newton) its 15th. Well done to ail involved.

The Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project (SCBOP) continues to go from strength the strength, expanding its efforts, particularly in the west of the county, as the steady rise in the numbers of these fantastic birds that are ringed reflects; it is the largest such project in Britain and Ireland and has gleaned much local and national praise. The new Foraging Farmland Bird Project (FFBP) which aims to look at the preferences and behaviours of some of our key farmland bird species, particularly Linnet, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting and Tree Sparrow, has, and will no doubt in future, contribute to a greater understanding of their requirements: see the Tree Sparrow Report. Continuing Re-trapping Adults for Survival (RAS) project work on species such as Siskin and Firecrest, is similarly helping us to understand what it is that these birds are up to and what key factors affect longevity and breeding success. The expanding use of colour-ringing and other unconventional markings, 183

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 noticeably more recently with birds of prey, dramatically illustrates the movements and behaviours of these birds. It just goes to show how rewarding the reporting of such field sightings can be.

A look at some of the scarcer species on the list again reveals a coastal bias as might be expected. A fully grown Hen Harrier, two Great Grey Shrikes, five Yellow-browed Warblers, three Dusky Warblers, two Red-flanked Bluetails plus single Pallas's, Booted and Marsh Warblers, Short-toed Treecreeper, and Little Bunting all contributed welcome 'wow' moments for a lucky few of the county's ringers. Disappointingly Willow Tit didn't make it onto the list in 2011.

The following table summarises the provisional figures for 2011 as well as the amended totals for 2009 and 2010. The information presented here is largely a result of the ringers directly submitting their data electronically to the BTO. Figures for some of our scarcer breeding species have been kindly provided by those ringers directly concerned. Whilst it is possible to readily view much of this information via the BTO website, it is as such, incomplete. Again I'd like to encourage the county's ringers to provide brief feedback on their years activities directly. In acknowledgement, I'd like to particularly thank Lee Barber and Allison Kew at the BTO, Colin Carter, Tim Cowan, Colin Jakes, Mike Marsh, Chris Mclntyre, David Pearson, Steve Piotrowski and John Walshe for their comments and input.

Apologies to anyone I've inadvertently missed.

[The following ringers, partnerships and groups supplied information; Abbott and Kennerley (Steve Abbott, Peter and James Kennerley and Mike Swindells), R E Batty, Colin Carter and The Kessingland Ringing Group, Catchpole, Cockram and Peters (Peter Catchpole, John Glazebrook, Ian Peters, Rodney West, Mike Pratt, Alan Miller, Mervyn Miller and Malcolm Cavanagh), Rob Duncan, Lackford R G (Colin Jakes, Malcolm Wright and Peter Lack), Landguard R G (Mike Marsh, David Crawshaw, Nigel Odin, Oliver Slessor and others), Market Weston R G (Nigel and Jacquie Clark and others), Newton and Wright (Paul Newton, Mick Wright and Dean Backhouse), Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project (Alec Hillier and others), SWT Tree Sparrow Project (Joe Davis and others), Brian Thompson and Nicola Hedges, Thetford Forest R G, John Walshe, Waveney Ringing Group (Steve Piotrowski, Stephen Flory, Chris Mclntyre and others). Apologies to anyone, or any group, that has been missed off this list.]

Jack Snipe Peter Beeston

184

Suffolk Ringing Report 2011 Species Mute Swan Cygnus olor Canada Goose Branta canadensis Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Wigeon Anas penelope Gadwall Anas strepera Teal Anas crecca Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Tufted Duck Aylhya fuligula Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Buzzard Buteo buteo Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Merlin Falco columbarius Hobby Falco subbuteo Peregrine Falco peregrinus Water Rail Rallus aquaticus Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Knot Calidris canutus Little Stint Calidris minuta Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Dunlin Calidris alpina Ruff Philomachus pugnax Jack Snipe Lymnocrvptes minimus Snipe Gallinago gallinago Woodcock Scolopax rusticola Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Curlew Numenius arquata Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Greenshank Tringa nebularia Redshank Tringa totanus Turnstone Arenaria interpres Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus Common Gull Larus canus Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Herring Gull Larus argentatus Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Common Tern Sterna hirundo

185

2009 3 5 6 0 0 39 3 0 0 0 10 0 0 80 1 92 0 12 4 3 22 4 25 77 0 23 4 6 32 42 0 0 447 1 2 15 5 46 4 0 9 1 0 2 10 513 7 110 56 1 1 203 35 0 186

2010 1 0 2 9 0 25 1 0 1 1 9 0 5 85 1 105 3 8 4 5 13 2 17 99 0 13 4 14 20 21 1 1 175 1 3 5 12 23 13 1 1 3 6 0 9 350 2 168 167 6 22 327 114 2 110

2011 1 0 5 2 1 16 15 7 0 0 13 1 0 81 5 84 0 3 4 4 12 5 28 87 5 13 9 19 46 10 0 0 361 0 5 6 7 54 16 0 10 1 1 1 11 378 1 134 51 1 3 544 149 0 85

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 Species Stock Dove Columba oenas Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Barn Owl Tyto alba Little Owl Athene noctua Tawny Owl Strix aluco Long-eared Owl Asio otus Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus Swift Apus apus Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Wryneck Jynx torquilla Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Red-backed Shrike Lantus collurio Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor Magpie Pica pica Jay Garrulus glandarius Jackdaw Corvus monedula Rook Corvus frugilegus Carrion Crow Corvus corone Goldcrest Regulus regulus Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Great Tit Parus major Coal Tit Periparus ater Willow Tit Poecile montana Marsh Tit Poecile palustris Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus Woodlark Lullula arborea Skylark Alauda arvensis Shore Lark Eremophila alpestris Sand Martin Riparia riparia Swallow Hirundo rustica House Martin Delichon urbicum Cetti's Warbier Cettia cetti Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Greenish Warbier Phylloscopus trochiloides Arctic Warbier Phylloscopus borealis Pallas's Warbier Phylloscopus proregulas Yellow-browed Warbier Phylloscopus inornatus Dusky Warbier Phylloscopus fuscatus Wood Warbier Phylloscopus sibilatrix Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Willow Warbier Phylloscopus trochilus Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Garden Warbier Sylvia borin Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca Whitethroat Sylvia communis Dartford Warbier Sylvia undata Grasshopper Warbier Locustella naex'ia Savi's Warbier Locustella luscinioides Booted Warbier Iduna caligata Melodious Warbier Hippolais polyglotta 186

2009 194 143 91 5 0 1 229 36 44 0 34 14 38 3 71 77 0 0 12 31 104 6 1 249 58 3854 3477 463 2 80 304 80 38 0 549 1949 187 213 1131 1 1 0 4 0 0 1362 1089 2864 385 599 1745 69 29 0 0 1

2010 185 195 159 11 1 2 315 36 49 1 17 27 27 1 72 83 1 0 14 50 73 4 6 961 74 5757 3904 473 1 80 448 68 19 5 399 1907 220 172 1540 0 0 0 0 0 3 1220 881 1859 287 455 1306 8 29 1 0 0

2011 152 143 134 6 0 4 444 30 56 0 23 18 38 2 59 70 0 2 29 39 72 4 0 558 60 5877 3925 528 0 132 215 92 17 2 579 2169 230 155 1224 0 0 1 5 3 1 1576 593 3368 213 449 1685 48 37 0 1 0

Suffolk Ringing Report 2011 Species Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus Nuthatch Sitta europaea Treecreeper Certhia familiaris Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Starling Sturnus vulgaris Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus Blackbird Turdus merula Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Redwing Turdus iliacus Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Robin Erithacus rubecula Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Stonechat Saxicola torquatus Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Dunnock Prunella modularis House Sparrow Passer domesticus Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Pied/White Wagtail Motacilla alba Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Brambling Fringilla montifringilla Greenfinch Carduelis chloris Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Siskin Carduelis spinus Linnet Carduelis cannabina Twite Carduelisflavirostris Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret Common Redpoll Carduelis flammea Redpoll (Common/Lesser) Carduelis flammea/cabaret Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra Grand Total Total Species 187

2009 3011 1 4121 21 25 90 0 948 598 1 2639 93 568 213 11 54 1542 40 0 23 9 17 19 158 10 1713 428 396 8 28 120 23 1081 2 0 2619 129 3146 2975 2984 614 11 1048 12

2010 3027 0 3617 15 35 122 0 722 654 2 3532 350 692 257 23 55 1774 52 0 23 13 66 21 101 13 1626 499 829 63 33 211 2 954 6 2 2651 451 2295 2779 645 910 30 1742 78

2011 2181 1 3079 7 29 139 1 818 761 1 3232 24 611 234 18 62 1602 54 2 8 13 14 20 177 30 1584 304 642 91 14 150 19 879 2 2 2248 678 2316 2519 1881 665 14 2106 150

7 113 0 251 97 691 0 1401 0 58173 133

4 87 1 212 59 818 1 1678 1 59229 145

13 107 0 237 33 869 1 1480 2 59487 143

Suff Olk Bird Report 2011

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2011 Included below is a selection of the more interesting recoveries reported in 2011 and a few from previous years that have only recently been received. They include the more unusual of reports, as available space allows, involving birds travelling greater distances or being older than usuai, and do not represent a complete account of the records available.

The selection was made from the online data presented by the BTO and information supplied directly by some of Suffolk's ringers.

The selection is presented in the new species order with the initial capture and ringing data on the first line. Foreign ringing scheme code (if applicable), ring number, âge and sex (if known), date and location are provided. The second and any subséquent lines report the means of recovery, date and location with coordinates. Following this, distance, direction and duration between reports is summarised. I have added a few comments to some of the records.

The accounts for some species, Lesser Black-backed Gull for instance, have had to be somewhat selective due to the vast number of recoveries. It may be of merit in the future to produce and publish a separate report for say the Gulls, if a more complete account for these birds is required.

Thanks to ali who take the time to record and report these valuable sitings.

Pink-footed Goose 1361945

Adult Male

06-04-2002

Alive (neck Alive (neck Alive (neck Alive (neck Alive (neck Alive (neck Alive (neck Alive (neck Alive (neck Alive (neck Alive (neck Alive (neck Alive (neck Alive (neck Alive (neck Alive (neck Alive (neck Alive

27-09-2002 collar seen) 19-10-2002 collar seen) 23-01-2003 collar seen) 18-02-2003 collar seen) 22-02-2003 collar seen) 22-11-2003 collar seen) 09-12-2003 collar seen) 24-12-2003 collar seen) 23-01-2004 collar seen) 04-03-2004 collar seen) 24-09-2004 collar seen) 20-11-2004 collar seen) 10-12-2004 collar seen) 02-01-2005 collar seen) 06-02-2005 collar seen) 28-02-2005 collar seen) 07-12-2005 collar seen) 09-01-2006

Blackburn, near Aberdeen: 57-1214 2°18'W (Grampian Region) Martin Mere, Tarlscough: 5 3 = 3 7 ^ 2°53'W (Lancashire) 400km S Oy 5m 21 d Holkham: 52°57'N 0°49'E (Norfolk) 513km SSE Oy 6m 13d Salmine: 53°53'N 2 ° 5 8 W (Lancashire) 370km S Oy 9m 17d Martin Mere, Tarlscough: 53 0 3VN 2°53 W (Lancashire) 400km S Oy 10m 12d Pilling: 53°56'N 2 ° 5 5 W (Lancashire) 365km S Oy 10m 16d near Brancaster: 52°55'N 0°37"E (Norfolk) 510km SSE l y 7m 16d Walsingham area: c. 52°53'N 0°52'E (Norfolk) 521km SSE l y 8m 3d Sussex Farm, near Burnham Market: 52°56'N 0°41'E (Norfolk) 511km SSE l y 8m 18d Wickhampton: 52°35'N 1°34'E (Norfolk) 570km SSE l y 9 m 17d Fluke Hall Marsh, Pilling: 5 3 0 5 6 ^ 2 ° 5 7 W (Lancashire) 366km S l y 10m 27d Martin Mere, Tarlscough: 53 0 37"N 2°53'W (Lancashire) 400km S 2y 5m 18d Sussex Farm, near Burnham Market: 52°56'N 0°41'E (Norfolk) 511km SSE 2y 7m 14d Acle Marshes: 52°37'N 1°39'E (Norfolk) 569km SSE 2y 8 m 4d Repps Mill, Bastwiek: 52°41'N 1°35'E (Norfolk) 560km SSE 2y 8m 27d Burnham Overy Staithe: 52°58'N 0°44'E (Norfolk) 509km SSE 2y 10m Od Findatie, Ballingry: Sô^OTM 3°20'W (Tayside) 131km S S W 2y 10m 22d near Great Yarmouth: 52°37'N 1°38'E (Norfolk) 569km SSE 3y 8m l d Martham Broad, West Somerton: 52°43'N 1°38'E

188

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2011 (neck collar Alive (neck collar Alive (neck collar Alive (neck collar Alive (neck collar Alive (neck collar Alive (neck collar Alive (neck collar Alive (neck collar Alive (neck collar Alive (neck collar Alive (neck collar Alive (neck collar Unknown Alive (neck collar Alive (neck collar Alive (neck collar Alive (neck collar Alive (neck collar Alive (neck collar Alive (neck collar

Canada Goose 5259287 Adult Long dead

seen) 05-03-2006 seen) 13-04-2006 seen) 07-10-2006 seen) 18-11-2006 seen) 15-12-2006 seen) 24-01-2007 seen) 17-03-2007 seen) 16-05-2007 seen) 02-10-2007 seen) 23-11-2007 seen) 15-12-2007 seen) 15-01-2008 seen) 24-01-2008 09-03-2008 seen) 22-10-2008 seen) 27-12-2008 seen) 23-02-2009 seen) 17-10-2009 seen) 30-10-2009 seen) 15-12-2010 seen)

13-07-2010 15-02-2011

5264446

Adult 28-06-2011 Freshly dead (shot) 25-10-2011

5265886

Adult 28-06-2011 Freshly dead (shot) 30-12-2011

Gadwall FA70921 DKC

Adult Male Freshly dead First-year

10-07-2005 29-01-2011 06-11-2010

4275250

Freshly dead (shot) 15-01-2011

(Norfolk) 558km SSE 3y 9m 3d Sussex Farm, near Burnham Market: 52°56'N 0°41'E (Norfolk) 51 lkm SSE 3y 10m 27d Blackburn: 57012™ 2°18'W (Grampian Region) 0km 4y Om 7d Horkstow: 53°38TS10°28'W (Humberside) 413km SSE 4y 6m Id Runham Church, Caister-on-Sea: 52°37'N 1°37'E (Norfolk) 566km SSE 4y 7m 12d Cart Gap, Eccles on Sea: 52°48'N 1°33'E (Norfolk) 548km SSE 4y 8m 9d Freethorpe: 52°35'N 1°32'E (Norfolk) 569km SSE 4y 9m 18d Blackburn: 57°12TM 2°18'W (Grampian Region) Okm 4y l i m l l d Holkham: 52057TM 0°49'E (Norfolk) 513km SSE 5y lm lOd Somerton: 52=42^ 1°39'E (Norfolk) 559km SSE 5y 5m 26d Cockthorpe, Wells: 52°56'N 0°56'E (Norfolk) 518km SSE 5y 7m 17d near Fleggburgh: 52°40'N l ^ E (Norfolk) 560km SSE 5y 8m 9d Brumstead: 52°47'N 1°29'E (Norfolk) 546km SSE 5y 9m 9d Thrigby: 52°38'N 1=38^ (Norfolk) 565km SSE 5y 9m 18d Kinellar, Blackburn: 57°11TM 2°18'W (Grampian Region) 2km 5y 1 lm 3d Blakeney Point: 52 D 58'N 0°59'E (Norfolk) 515km SSE 6y 6m 16d St Nicholas South Elmham: 52°23-N 1°24'E (Suffolk) 586km SSE 6y 8m 21d Waxham: 52 0 46"N 1°37'E (Norfolk) 553km SSE 6y 10m 17d Pilling: 53°56TSi 2 - 5 5 ^ (Lancashire) 365km S 7y 6m l l d Cley Marshes: 52°57'N 1°3'E (Norfolk) 518km SSE 7y 6m 24d Pye's Farm, Wiveton: 52°56'N 1°1'E (Norfolk) 519km SSE 8y 8m 9d An incredible account of this bird over a nine year period.

Thetford: c. 52 0 24"N 0°45'E (Norfolk) Haughley, Stowmarket: 52°13'N 0°57'E (Suffolk) 25km SSE Oy 7m 2d Thetford: c. 52°24'N 0°45'E (Norfolk) Fakenham Magna: c. 52°21'N 0°47'B (Suffolk) 6km SSE Oy 3m 27d Thetford: c. 52°24'N 0°45'E (Norfolk) Flempton, Bury St Edmunds: 5 2 - 1 7 ^ 0°39'E (Suffolk) 15km SSW Oy 6m 2d Lackford Pits: 52°18'N 0°38'E (Suffolk) Higham: 52°15'N 0°33'E (Suffolk) 8km SW 5y 6m 19d Hojer, Margrethe Kog, Tonder: 54°57'N 8°40'E (Jylland) Denmark

Friston: 52°10'N I ^ Ì T . (Suffolk) 563km WSW Oy 2m 9d 189

Su ffolk Bird Report

2011

The f i r s t Danish-ringed and only second f o r e i g n ringed G a d w a l l recovered in Suffolk. T h e first was f r o m the Netherlands.

Teal POL

Full-grown Male

02-03-2011

J10187

Alive 16-03-2011 (nasal s a d d l e seen) Alive 07-05-2011 (nasal s a d d l e seen)

Sao Jucinto Dunes N R , Aviero: 40 o 417M 0 8 ° 4 4 ' W

Portugal

EW65654

Full-grown Female

08-02-2011

C a u g h t by ringer

27-12-2011

Sao Jucinto Dunes N R , Aviero: 40 o 41"N 0 8 ° 4 4 ' W

Portugal Oy 0m 14d O r f o r d n e s s : 52°5'N 1 ° 3 4 ' E ( S u f f o l k ) 1 4 9 0 k m N N E Oy 2 m 4d Suffolk's s e c o n d Portugese-ringed Teal recovery.

There have been 2 9 other foreign-ringed birds recorded in Suffolk f r o m six E u r o p e a n countries.

Additionally, 115 S u f f o l k - r i n g e d birds have been recovered abroad.

B o r o u g h Fen Decoy, P e t e r b o r o u g h : 5 2 ° 3 9 ' N 0 ° 1 4 ' W (Cambridgeshire) near C h a r i t y Farm, Shotley: 51°59'N 1°15'E ( S u f f o l k ) 126km SE Oy 10m 19d

Cormorant 5238326

Nestling

G l 751

Alive 12-07-2007 (colour rings seen) Alive 30-03-2010 (colour r i n g s seen) Alive 29-03-2011 (colour rings seen) Nestling 26-04-2009 Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour

30-04-2005

22-11-2009 rings seen) 01-03-2010 rings seen) 11-07-2010 rings seen) 06-10-2010 rings seen) 04-09-2011 rings seen)

A b b e r t o n Reservoir, n e a r Colchester: 5 1 ° 4 9 ' N 0°51'E (Essex) H e e r e n k e e t , Zierikzee: 51 "401^ 3°52'E ( Z e e l a n d ) The N e t h e r l a n d s 2 0 9 k m E 2 y 2m 12d Havergate Island: 5 2 = 5 ^ 1°32'E ( S u f f o l k ) 5 6 k m E N E 4y 1 I m Od Havergate Island: 5 2 ° 5 ' N 1°32'E ( S u f f o l k ) 5 6 k m E N E 5y 10m 27d A b b e r t o n Reservoir, near Colchester: 51 " 4 9 ^ 0°51'E (Essex) O r f o r d n e s s : 52°5'N 1°34'E ( S u f f o l k ) 5 8 k m E N E Oy 6m 2 7 d Havergate Island: 5 2 = 5 ^ 1°32'E ( S u f f o l k ) 5 6 k m E N E Oy 10m 3d Havergate Island, near O r f o r d : 52°4'N P S O ' E ( S u f f o l k ) 5 3 k m E N E l y 2 m 15d L o o m p i t Lake: 5 1 ° 5 9 ' N \ °\TE ( S u f f o l k ) 3 5 k m N E l y 5m lOd Havergate Island: 5 2 ° 5 ' N 1°32'E ( S u f f o l k ) 5 6 k m E N E 2y 4 m 9d Two o f only f o u r recoveries f o r this s p e c i e s in Suffolk in 2 0 1 1 .

Shag 1407308

Nestling Freshly d e a d (natural c a u s e s )

01-07-2011 14-12-2011

Inner F a m e , F a m e Islands: 55°36"N l ' W W (Northumberland) Lowestoft: 52°28'N l ' W E ( S u f f o l k ) 4 1 3 k m S S E Oy 5 m 13d

Grey Heron DKC 221054

Nestling Sick (natural c a u s e s )

18-05-2010 12-12-2010

Osterild, Thisted: 5 7 ° 2 ' N 8 ° 5 1 ' E (Jylland) D e n m a r k S o m e r s h a m , near Ipswich: 52°5'N \°XE ( S u f f o l k ) 7 4 6 k m S W Oy 6 m 2 4 d Suffolk's fith D a n i s h bird. T h e r e has been 13 other foreign-ringed birds reported in the county, mainly f r o m the N e t h e r l a n d s .

Nestling

12-06-1999

de S c h o r r e n : 53°8'N 4 ° 5 4 ' E (Texel) T h e N e t h e r l a n d s

Spoonbill NLA

190

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2011 8042810

DEW 263015

NLA 8048768

Alive 15-05-2002 (colour marks seen) Alive 17-05-2002 (colour marks seen) Alive 23-05-2005 (colour marks seen) Alive 09-06-2006 (colour marks seen) Alive 09-06-2011 (ring read in field) Nestling 06-07-2011 Alive 16-10-2011 (colour rings seen) Alive 31-12-2011 (colour rings seen) Nestling 10-06-2007 Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour

07-11-2007 marks seen) 06-02-2008 marks seen) 25-04-2008 marks seen) 02-05-2008 marks seen) 15-06-2008 marks seen) 01-07-2008 marks seen) 06-07-2008 rings seen) 30-08-2008 marks seen) 09-10-2008 marks seen) 21-02-2009 rings seen) 14-03-2009 marks seen) 05-04-2009 marks seen) 13-04-2009 marks seen) 01-05-2009 marks seen) 24-09-2009 rings seen) 27-02-2010 rings seen) 26-03-2010 rings seen) 05-09-2010 rings seen) 27-10-2010 rings seen) 27-08-2011 rings seen) 04-09-2011 rings seen)

Stocks Reservoir, near Slaidburn: 53°59'N 2°26'W (Lancashire) 493km W N W 2y 11m 3d Leighton Moss: 54 0 9"N 2°48'W (Lancashire) 520km W N W 2y 1 l m 5d Leighton Moss: 54°9'N 2°48 r W (Lancashire) 520km W N W 5y 11m l i d Leighton Moss: 54°9'N 2°48'W (Lancashire) 520km W N W 6y 11 m 28d Orfordness: 52°5'N 1°32'E (Suffolk) 256km W S W l l y 11m 28d Mellum, Ostfriesische Inseln: 53°43'N 8°9'E (Ostfriesische Inseln) G e r m a n y Havergate Island: 52°5'N l°31'E (Suffolk) 480km W S W Oy 3m lOd North Fambridge: S l ^ T M 0°41'E (Essex) 554km W S W Oy 5m 25d Oosterkwelder: 53°29'N 6°9'E (Schiermonnikoog) The Netherlands River Taw, Barnstaple: 51°5TS 4°3'W (Devon) 743km W S W Oy 4m 28d Isley Marshes, Chivenor: 51-5™ 4°8'W (Devon) 748km W S W Oy 7m 27d Dungeness: 5 0 ^ 4 ^ 0°58'E (Kent) 455km SW Oy 10m 15d Breydon Water: 52°36'N 1°40'E (Norfolk) 316km W S W Oy 10m 22d Minsmere Nature Reserve, Westleton: 52°14'N 1 0 36"E (Suffolk) 3 3 6 k m W S W l y 0m 5d Trimley Marshes, near Felixstowe: S l ^ S N 1°16T3 (Suffolk) 370km W S W I y 0 m 2 1 d Orfordness: 52°57"N 1°3'E (Suffolk) 346km W S W l y 0m 26d Breydon Marshes: 52°36'N I°41'E (Norfolk) 315km W S W ly 2 m 20d Isley Marshes, Chivenor: 51 " 4 ^ 4 = 1 0 ^ (Devon) 751km W S W l y 3m 29d River Taw, Barnstaple: S l ^ T C 4°3'W (Devon) 743km W S W ly 8m l i d Dee Estuary, Burton: 53°15'N 3°2"W (Cheshire) 610km W l y 9m 4d River Taw, Barnstaple: 5 l ^ N 4°3'W (Devon) 743km W S W ly 9m 26d Dee Estuary, Burton: 53°15'N y i W (Cheshire) 610km W l y 10m 3d Havergate Island: 52°5'N 1°32'E (Suffolk) 348km W S W l y 10m 21d Isley Marshes, Chivenor: 51°4TS1 4°10'W (Devon) 751km W S W 2y 3m 14d River Taw, near Barnstaple: 5 l^TM 4°7'W (Devon) 747km W S W 2 y 8m 17d Berney Marshes: 52°35'N 1°38'E (Norfolk) 318km W S W 2y 9m 16d River Taw, Barnstaple: S l ^ M 4°3'W (Devon) 743km W S W 3y 2 m 26d Brownsea Island Lagoon: 5 0 ° 4 f N 1°57'W (Dorset) 635km W S W 3y 4 m 17d River Taw, Barnstaple: 51 0 5"N 4°3'W (Devon) 743km W S W 4y 2m 17d Havergate Island: 5205TM 1 °31 "E (Suffolk) 349km W S W 4y 2 m 25d

191

Su ffolk Bird Report Alive 08-10-2011 (colour rings seen)

Bowling (Devon) Another reported

2011

Green Marsh, Topsham: SO'HO'N 3°27'W 727km W S W 4y 3m 28d individual from the Netherlands was also in the county.

Marsh Harrier FH11667

Nestling Male Alive (wing-tag seen)

10-06-2011 18-10-2011

Sculthorpe Moor: 5 2 = 5 0 ^ O ^ E (Norfolk) Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve: 52°27'N O ^ l ^ (Suffolk) 48km S S W Oy 4 m 8d Although well observed, an excellent photograph confirmed the alphanumerics on the wing-tag.

Second-year Male Freshly dead

15- 12-2010 21 - 11-2011

Levington, near River Orwell: 52°0'N P I S E (Suffolk) Wetheringsett: 52°15'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) 30km N N W Oy 11m 6d

Buzzard GC54523

Hobby ES21677

Nestling

07-2010

Alive (colour rings seen)

06-2011

Site Confidential, near N e w Radnor: c. 52° 1 4 » 3°9AV (Powys) Minsmere: c. 52 0 15"N l ^ i (Suffolk) 3 2 4 k m E Oy 10m 15d Just goes to show the value of colour-ringing raptors!

Oystercatcher FR85071

FR82650

Adult Freshly dead (bird of prey) Adult Long dead (naturai causes)

23. •02-1986 25' •03-2011

Nestling

31-05-2010

23 •02-1986 18' •07-2011

Fagbury, Felixstowe: 5 r 5 7 " N 1°18'E (Suffolk) Wergea: 53°8TM 5°50'E (Friesland) The Netherlands 334km ENE 25y l m 2d Fagbury, Felixstowe: 51 0 57"N 1°18'E (Suffolk) Rinsumageast: 5 3 - 1 6 ^ 5°56'E (Friesland) The Netherlands 346km E N E 25y 4m 25d The only two Suffolk-ringed birds to be reported abroad in 2011, Sad endings for two 25 year old birds!

Avocet EG25238

EW43198

EW43218

EW43195

EW43134

Alive (colour rings Alive (colour rings Nestling Alive (colour rings Alive (colour rings Nestling Alive (colour rings Nestling Alive (colour rings Nestling Alive (colour rings Alive (colour rings

21-04-2011 seen) 18-10-2011 seen) 22-05-2011 29-07-2011

Greenabella Marsh, Graythorp, Hartlepool: c. 54°37'N r i 3 - W (Cleveland) Saltholme, nearTeesmouth: 54°36'N P I S W (Cleveland) 3km Oy 10m 21d Levington Lagoon: c. 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) 334km SSE l y 4m 17d Orfordness: c. 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Melton: 52°5-N l ^ O ' E (Suffolk) 16km W Oy 2m 7d

seen) 30-08-2011 seen) 29-05-2011 24-08-2011 seen) 22-05-2011 03-09-2011 seen) 31-05-2010 25-11-2010 seen) 18-02-2011 seen)

Alkborough Flats: 53°41'N 0°42'W (Humberside) 234km N W Oy 3m 8d Orfordness: c. 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Doel: S P ^ ' N 4°16'E (Oost-Vlaanderen) Belgium 205km ESE Oy 2 m 26d Orfordness: c. 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Lauwersmeer, Ezumakeeg: 53°21'N 6°9'E (Friesland) The Netherlands 340km E N E Oy 3m 12d Orfordness: c. 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Pinheirinhos Salt-Pans, near Alcochete: 38°44-N 9°0'W (Estremadura) Portugal 1,695km SSW Oy 5 m 25d Pinheirinhos Salt-Pans, near Alcochete: 38 0 44"N 9°0'W (Estremadura) Portugal 1,695km SSW Oy 8 m 18d The latter three records represent the only foreign recoveries of Suffolk-ringed Avocets in 2011.

Stone-Curlew EG91570

Nestling

24-09-2002

Site Confidential (Norfolk)

192

Selected Ringing Recoveries

for Suffolk in 2011

L o n g dead

20-12-2011

Wilde Street, B u r y St E d m u n d s : 52°23'N 0°30'E (Suffolk) 18km W S W 9y 2m 26d A rather strange location for this individual to be reported f r o m !

DEH

Nestling

01-05-1997

6356184

Alive (ring r e a d Alive (ring r e a d Alive (ring read Alive (ring read Alive (ring read

Husum-Porrenkoog: 54°28'N 9 ° l ' È (Schleswig-Holstein) Germany Minsmere: 52°15'N 1°37'E ( S u f f o l k ) 5 4 9 k m W S W 8y 10m 17d Minsmere: 52°14'N I ' l T E ( S u f f o l k ) 5 5 0 k m W S W 9y 9m 2 I d Minsmere: 52°15'N 1 ° 3 7 E ( S u f f o l k ) 7 4 7 k m W S W 1 Oy 10m 29d Minsmere: 52015™ \°?,TE ( S u f f o l k ) 5 4 9 k m W S W l l y 11m 2d Minsmere: 52° 15"N I °37'E (Suffolk) 5 4 9 k m W S W 12y 11m 3d O n e of five G e r m a n - r i n g e d L a p w i n g reported in Suffolk in 2 0 1 1 (report received).

Falkenham Creek, Falkenham: 5 2 ° f N 1°21'E (Suffolk) Plourin: 4 8 ° 3 0 ' N 4 = 4 1 ^ (Finistere) France 5 8 0 k m S W Oy 10m 5d

Lapwing

D D I 1536

18-03-2006 in field) 22-02-2007 in field) 30-03-2008 in field) 03-04-2009 in field) 04-04-2010 in f i e l d )

Adult Dead

10-03-2009 15-01-2010

The only Suffolk-ringed Lapwing reported abroad in 2011.

Sanderling NLA

Full-grown

H321997

Alive 09-03-2009 (colour rings seen) Alive 03-06-2009 (colour m a r k s seen) Alive 10-06-2009 (colour m a r k s seen)

Corton, near Lowestoft: 5 2 - 3 0 ^ l ' M E ( S u f f o l k ) 3 , 9 5 0 k m N N E Oy l l m ó d Benacre: 52°23'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) 3 , 9 3 6 k m N N E l y 2 m Od Lossiemouth: 57°42'N 3°15'W (Grampian Region) 4,339km N N E I y 2 m 7 d Only the second foreign-ringed Sanderling recorded in Suffolk. The first was also originally ringed in Mauritania.

First-year

River D e b e n , near Ramsholt L o d g e : 52 0 2"N 1°20'E (Suffolk) Baie D'aouatif, Banc D'arguin: 19°54'N 16°16'W M a u r i t a n i a 3 , 8 8 8 k m S S W 2y 3 m Id The only Suffolk-ringed Dunlin reported abroad in 2011.

Four foreign-ringed birds were recorded in Suffolk two from Sweden and singles from Norway and Germany.

03-04-2008

Baie D'aouatif, B a n c D'arguin: 19°53TM ló'MS'W

Mauritania

Dunlin NT82937

Caught by

18-08-2009 ringer

19-11-2011

EL34582

First-year Freshly dead (shot)

16-12-2006 02-04-2011

FRP GY85102

Full-grown Freshly dead (shot)

26-02-2008 02-12-2010

Woodcock Stowmarket: 5 2 = 1 1 ^ r O E ( S u f f o l k ) Lyakhovka, Borisov District: 54°17'N 28°18'E (Minsk) Belarus 1,830km E 4 y 3 m 17d Suffolk's first exchange with Belarus.

Autun: 4 6 ° 5 7 ' N 4°18'E (Saone-et-Loire) France Elveden: 52°23'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) 6 5 8 k m N N W 2 y 9 m 6d A sorry e n d for the first French-ringed bird recorded in Suffolk.

Black-tailed Godwit EW29481

Adult 29-08-2008 Alive 31-07-2010 (colour rings seen)

Iken M a r s h , near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E ( S u f f o l k ) Greenabella M a r s h , Greatham: 54°37'N 1 ° 1 3 W (Cleveland) 3 3 l k m N N W l y 11m 2d

193

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 Alive 29-06-2011 (colour rings seen)

Greatham, near Seal Sands: 54°37'N m W (Cleveland) 331km N N W 2y 10m Od Notably no foreign exchanges for this species reported from Suffolk in 2011.

First-year Freshly dead

18-09-1998 16-12-2011

Levington Creek, River Orwell: 52°0'N f l S E (Suffolk) Chelmondiston: 51 °591M 1° 12V. (Suffolk) 4km 13y 2m 28d Note the age of this bird. The longevity record, however, is 32 years and 7 months!

DDI 1755

Adult

12-08-2011

D D I 1441

Alive 29-10-2011 (colour rings seen) First-year 20-09-2009

NLA

Alive 20-04-2011 (colour rings seen) Adult 13-05-2009

Levington (Lagoon), on River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Perelle: 49°27'N 2°37'W (Guernsey) Channel Islands 393km SW Oy 2m 17d Levington (Lagoon), on River Orwell: 52°0'N T I S ' E (Suffolk) Hodoagerdissandur, Tjomes, Sudur-Thingeyjar: 66°5'N n ^ O ' W Iceland 1,882km N N W ly 7m Od Castricum: 52°32'N 4°36'E (Noord-Holland) The

1429266

Caught by ringer

18-09-2009

NLA

First-year

05-10-2009

1536261

Caught by ringer

14-07-2011

Curlew FA50799

Redshank

Netherlands Hazlewood, near Ham Creek: 52°9'N 1=33® (Suffolk) 212km W Oy 4m 5d Terschelling Oosterend: 53°22'N 5°17'E (Terschelling) The Netherlands Hazlewood near Ham Creek: 52°9'N 1°33'E (Suffolk) 286km W S W ly 9m 9d These are all four foreign exchanges for Suffolk in 2011, including the first to involve the Channel Islands.

Turnstone SR20023

Adult Male 13-01-2006 Alive 23-04-2011 (ring read in field)

Pakefield: 5 2 - 2 7 ^ 1°43'E (Suffolk) Ness Point, Lowestoft: 52°28'N l ^ ' E (Suffolk) 3km 5y 3m lOd

ER72447

Nestling 28-06-2010 Alive 05-09-2011 (colour marks seen)

ER72299

Nestling 28-06-2010 Alive 27-07-2011 (colour rings seen) Nestling 28-06-2010 Alive 01-08-2011 (colour rings seen)

Lowestoft: 5 2 = 2 8 ^ l ^ S ' E (Suffolk) Newburgh, Aberdeen: S ? 0 ^ 2°0'W (Grampian Region) 588km N N W l y 2m 8d The furthest movement of a Suffolk-ringed Kittiwake within Britain and Ireland.

Lowestoft: 52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) Hanstholm Havn: 57 0 VN 8°36'E (Jylland) D e n m a r k 678km NE I y 0 m 2 9 d Lowestoft: 5 2 = 2 8 ^ 1°45'E (Suffolk) Hanstholm Havn: 5 7 ° ? ^ 8°36'E (Jylland) D e n m a r k 678km NE l y l m 4 d Two of the four Suffolk-ringed birds reported in Denmark in 2011. The first year any have been recorded there.

Kittiwake

ER72470

Black-headed Gull EJ41681

Adult Freshly dead

17-11-1985 28-10-2011

SVS

First-year

06-10-1997

6172532

Alive 15-02-2005 (ring read in field)

Heacham: c. 52°54'N 0°28'E (Norfolk) Lowestoft: 52°28'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) 97km ESE 25y 11m l i d At almost 26 years old this bird died a little short of the longevity record of 29y 3m and 12d.

Pildammsparken, Malmo: 55°35'N 13°0'E (Malmohus) Sweden Needham Lake: 52°9TM l ^ E (Suffolk) 871km WSW 7y 4m 9d

194

Selected Ringing Recoveries

svs 6180357 EJ85115

Alive 02-02-2011 (ring read in f i e l d ) First-year 29-09-1999 Alive 19-01-2011 (ring read in field) First-year 31-12-1996 C a u g h t by ringer 11-05-2010 Alive 14-05-2011 (colour rings seen)

BYM FA00604 PLG FN91074

Nestling 10-06-2006 Alive 18-01-2011 (ring read in field) Adult 22-05-2011 Alive 10-12-2011 (colour rings seen)

for Suffolk in 2011

N e e d h a m Market: 52°9'N T 3 ' E ( S u f f o l k ) 9 9 6 k m W S W 13y 3 m 2 7 d P i l d a m m s p a r k e n , M a l m o : 55°35'N 13°0'E (Malmohus) Sweden Lowestoft: 52°30"N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 810km W S W 1 l y 3m 21d near Castle Hill, Ipswich: 52°4'N 1°8'E ( S u f f o l k ) Przykona Reservoir, Radyczyny, Turek: 52°0'N 18°39'E (Konin) Poland 1,198km E 1 3 y 4 m lOd Zb Przykona, Radyczyny, Przykona: 52°0'N 18°39'E (Konin) Poland 1,198km E 14y 4 m 13d Four other Suffolk-ringed birds were reported abroad: 3 to the N e t h e r l a n d s and one to Germany, Braslav: 55°38'N 27°2'E (Vitebsk) Belarus Lowestoft: 52°29'N 1°45'E ( S u f f o l k ) 1,685km W 4 y 7 m 8d Z b Przykona, Radyczyny, Przykona: 52°0'N 18°39'E (Konin) Poland W a n g f o r d L a n d f i l l Site, near Southwold: 52°21'N 1°38'E ( S u f f o l k ) 1,161km W Oy 6 m 18d A total of 16 foreign-ringed birds were recorded in Suffolk in 2011.

M e d i t e r r a n e a n Gull EP74563

Adult 27-01-1996 Alive 20-12-1998 (ring read in f i e l d ) C a u g h t by ringer 25-05-2001 Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour Alive (colour

13-02-2002 rings seen) 16-03-2002 rings seen) 31-12-2002 rings seen) 21-07-2005 rings seen) 18-09-2005 rings seen) 14-01-2006 rings seen) 03-02-2007 rings seen) 10-04-2009 rings seen) 08-12-2010 rings seen) 18-03-2011 rings seen)

20-06-2009

DEW

Nestling

5352054

25-09-2009 Alive (colour rings seen) Alive 08-04-2010 (colour rings seen)

First-year

Stratton Hall, Levington, near Ipswich: 52°0'N 1°16'E (Suffolk) 9 k m N N W 6y 1 I m 4d Copt Point, Folkestone: 5 ^ 5 ^ l ' W E (Kent) 9 5 k m S 9y 5 m 24d Stratton Hall, Levington, near Ipswich: 52°0'N r i ö ' E ( S u f f o l k ) 9 k m N N W 9y 7m 22d Stratton Hall, Levington, near Ipswich: 52°0'N 1°16'E ( S u f f o l k ) 9 k m N N W 9y 1 I m 18d Stratton Hall, Levington, near Ipswich: 52°0'N 1°16'E ( S u f f o l k ) 9 k m N N W 1 l y 0m 7d Molfsee: 54°16'N 10°4'E (Schleswig-Holstein) G e r m a n y 6 3 9 k m E N E 13y 2 m 14d Stratton Hall, Levington, near Ipswich: 52°0'N P l ö T i ( S u f f o l k ) 9 k m N N W 14y 10m 1 l d Stratton Hall, Levington, near Ipswich: 52°0TM r i ö ' E ( S u f f o l k ) 9 k m N N W 15y I m 19d N o t e the a g e of this bird, less than two m o n t h s short of the longevity record of 15y 3 m and 7d!

Pionierinsel Luhe, Stade: 53°35"N 9°36'E (SchleswigHolstein) G e r m a n y Great Yarmouth: 52°36'N 1°44'E ( N o r f o l k ) 5 3 7 k m W Oy 3 m 5d M i n s m e r e N a t u r e Reserve: 5 2 ° 1 4 ' N 1°37'E ( S u f f o l k ) 5 5 6 k m W S W Oy 9 m 19d The only foreign-ringed bird recorded in Suffolk in 2011.

C o m m o n Gull NLA

Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 5 1 = 5 6 ^ 1°19'E (Suffolk) Stratton Hall, Levington, near Ipswich: 52°0'N 1°16'E ( S u f f o l k ) 8 k m N N W 2y 10m 23d Kreekraksluizen: S I ^ y N 4°15'E (Zeeland) T h e N e t h e r l a n d s 2 0 9 k m E S E 5y 3 m 2 8 d Stratton Hall, Levington, near Ipswich: 52°0'N l'Mft'E (Suffolk) 9 k m N N W 6y 0m 17d Zandvlietsluis: Sl^OTM 4°17'E ( A n t w e r p e n ) Belgium 2 1 6 k m E S E 6 y I m 17d

17-12-2009 Waalkade, N i j m e g e n : S l ^ l T i 5°51'E (Gelderland)

195

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 The Netherlands 3694004

Alive 02-01-2011 (colour rings seen)

Felixstowe: 51°58TST 1 Q 21'E (Suffolk) 3 0 9 k m W l y 0m 16d One of only two foreign-ringed birds reported in Suffolk in 2011; the other was also f r o m the Netherlands.

GK38437

Nestling Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Nestling Alive (ring read in field) Nestling Alive (ring read in field) Nestling Alive (colour rings seen) Nestling Alive (colour rings seen) Nestling Alive (colour rings seen) Nestling Alive (colour rings seen) Adult Female Freshly dead (in net or cage) Nestling Alive (in net or cage) Nestling Alive (ring read in field) Nestling Alive (colour rings seen) Nestling Male

Orford Spit: 52°7'N r 3 3 " E (Suffolk) Boulogne sur Mer: 50°44"N 1°34'E (Pas-de-Calais) France 154km S 13y 2m 5d Boulogne sur Mer: 50°44TM l ^ ô E (Pas-de-Calais) France 148km S 15y l m l d Bologne sur Mer: 50°44TM 1°35'E (Pas-de-Calais) France 148km S 17y l m 18d Boulogne-Sur-Mer: 50=44™ 1°35'E (Pas-de-Calais) France 154km S 21y l m l d Boulogne-Sur-Mer: 50=44™ 1°35'E (Pas-de-Calais) France 154km S 24y 2 m Od Boulogne-Sur-Mer: 50°44'N r 3 5 " E (Pas-de-Calais) France 154km S 25y l m l d Boulogne-Sur-Mer: 50°43"N 1°36'E (Pas-de-Calais) France 156km S 26y l m 27d Boulogne-Sur-Mer: 50°43"N 1°34'E (Pas-de-Calais) France 156km S 28y l m 18d Orfordness: 52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Portimao: S? 0 ?™ 8 ° 3 1 W (Algarve) Portugal 1,840km SSW 23y 3m 24d Orfordness: 5 2 = 4 ^ 1 = 3 4 ^ (Suffolk) Quarteira: 37°4'N 8°6'W (Algarve) Portugal 1,832km SSW 23y 3m 6d Havergate Island: 52°4'N l ^ f E (Suffolk) Tanji: 13°21 "N l ô ^ W Gambia 4,608km S S W Oy 5m 7d Havergate Island: 52°47M 1°31'E (Suffolk) Ebel Kheaiznaya, Banc D'arguin: 19°54TM 1 6 » 1 ! W Mauritania 3,899km S S W l y 4 m 16d Havergate Island: 52°4'N Î ^ I E (Suffolk) Ebel Kheaiznaya, Banc D'arguin: 19°54'N 16°19'W Mauritania 3,899km S S W l y 4 m 29d Havergate Island: 52°4'N 1°31'E (Suffolk) Ebel Kheaiznaya, Banc D'arguin: 19°54'N 16°19'W Mauritania 3,899km S S W Oy 4 m 24d Orfordness: c. 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) o f î N o u a k c h o t t Beach: 18°4'N I6"1'W Mauritania 4,086km S S W Oy 11m l d Havergate Island: 52°4'N 1°31'E (Suffolk) Quarteira: 37°4"N 8°7'W (Algarve) Portugal 1,830km SSWOy 3m ld Zeebrugge: 51 »20™ 3°1 l ï (West-Vlaanderen) Belgium Orfordness: c. 52=5™ 1°34'E (Suffolk) 140km N W 5y 8m 24d Langli, Blavandshuk: 55°31'N 8°19'E (Jylland) D e n m a r k Orfordness: c. 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 5 8 5 k m SW Oy 9m 16d Reyndersweg, Velsen, Velsen Noord: 52°28'N 4°34'E (Noord-Holland) The Netherlands Ipswich Docks: 52°2'N 1°9'E (Suffolk) 2 3 8 k m W 2y l m 26d Neeltje Jans: c. 51'°37'N 3°42'E (Zeeland) The Netherlands Great Livermere: 52°18'N 0°45'E (Suffolk) 216km

GG56074

GG56134

GR36676

GG77888

GG77969

GG78113

GG78203

GR47899

BLB L902300 DKC 4L0144 NLA 5416830 NLA 5461901

Freshly dead (disease) Nestling Freshly dead

09-07-1983 14-09-1996 10-08-1998 27-08-2000 10-08-2004 09-09-2007 10-08-2008 05-09-2009 27-08-2011 03-07-1988 27-10-2011 03-07-1988 09-10-2011 03-07-2011 10-12-2011 11-07-2009 27-11-2010 11-07-2009 10-12-2010 11-07-2010 05-12-2010 15-06-2010 16-05-2011 10-07-2011 11-10-2011 10-07-2005 03-04-2011 02-07-2009 18-04-2010 14-07-2007 09-09-2009 29-06-2010 16-08-2011

196

Selected Ringing Recoveries

PRI

Nestling

AH9

Alive 02-05-2009 (colour rings seen) Alive ~ 25-04-2010 (colour rings seen) Caught by ringer 30-05-2011

20-06-1992

for Suffolk in 2011

W N W l y l m 18d Europoort Rotterdam: 51°57TSI 4°6'E (Zuid-Holland)

The Netherlands Orfordness: c . 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 174km W 16y 10m 12d Orfordness: c . 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 174km W 17y 10m 5d Orfordness: c. 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 174km W 18y 11m lOd A selection f r o m the ten foreign-ringed birds reported in Suffolk and the 308 Suffolk-ringed birds recorded abroad in 2011.

Herring Gull GG76836

Adult

GC22711

Alive 13-03-2011 (ring read in field) First-year 16-12-2006

GR20426

GR20463

SFH HT281555

06-11-1993

Alive 08-07-2010 (colour marks seen) Alive 27-02-2011 (colour marks seen) Alive 19-06-2011 (colour marks seen) Nestling 04-07-2010 Alive 22-05-2011 (colour rings seen) Nestling 11-07-2010 Alive 12-03-2011 (colour rings seen) Alive 26-12-2011 (colour rings seen) Nestling 06-07-2010 Alive 03-01-2011 (colour rings seen)

Slippery Gowt Landfill, near Wyberton: 52°57'N ( ) ° ( m (Lincolnshire) Orfordness: c . 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 144km SE 17y 4 m 7d near Hempsted, Gloucester: S l ^ l l S I 2°17'W (Gloucestershire) Lowestoft: North Beach: 52°29'N l ^ B (Suffolk) 284km E N E 3y 6m 22d Orfordness: 5 2 = 5 ^ 1°34'E (Suffolk) 265km E 4y 2m l i d Lowestoft: North Beach: 52°29'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 284km E N E 4y 6m 3d Havergate Island: 52°4TM 1°31'E (Suffolk) Oostende: 5 1 = 1 2 ^ 2°54'E (West-Vlaanderen) Belgium 136km SE Oy 10m 18d Havergate Island: 52°4'N 1°3l'È (Suffolk) Chouet: 49°30'N 2°32'W (Guernsey) Channel Islands 403km SW Oy 8m Id Treffieux: 47°37'N 1 ° 3 2 W (Loire-Atlantique) France 541km S S W l y 5m 15d Uusikaarlepyy: 63°38'N 22°25'E (Vaasa) Finland Wangford Landfill Site, near Southwold: 52°21'N 1°38'E (Suffolk) 1,744km SW Oy 5m 28d The only foreign-ringed Herring Gull recorded in Suffolk in 2011. There were 21 Suffolk-ringed birds reported abroad.

Caspian Gull PLG

Adult Female

01-05-2010

DN18534

Alive 02-11-2010 (colour rings seen) Nestling 27-05-2010 Alive 12-03-2011 (colour rings seen)

Zb. Kozielno, Paczkow: 50°29'N 16°58'E (Opole)

Poland

PLG DN 18595

Minsmere: 52°14'N l ^ ó E (Suffolk) 1,084km W N W Oy 6m Id Zb. Kozielno, Paczkow: 50°29T\[ ló-SS'E (Opole) Poland Minsmere: 52°14'N 1°36'E (Suffolk) 1,084km W N W Oy 9m 13d These are the seventh and eighth records of Polish-ringed birds in Suffolk. A further seven originated in Ukraine.

Greater Black-backed Gull MA26823

MA2661

Second-year 29-01-2011 Alive 08-02-2011 (colour rings seen) Alive 27-03-2011 (colour rings seen) Adult 09-01-2010 Alive 01-01-2011 (colour rings seen) Alive 26-07-2011

Rainham Tip: 51°29'N 0°1 l'È (Greater London) Sizewell: 52°12TM 1°37'E (Suffolk) 127km N E Oy 0m lOd Orfordness: 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 117km N E Oy l m 26d Pitsea Landfill Site: 51°32-N 0°30'E (Essex) Reydon: 5 2 = 2 0 ^ 1°37'E (Suffolk) 118km N E Oy 11m 23d Roan: 64°1 m l O ^ E (Sor-Trondelag) Norway

197

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 (colour rings seen)

1,513km N N E l y 6 m 17d

Common Tern SR89420

Nestling

03-07-2010

C a u g h t b y ringer

03-09-2010

Nestling

23-07-2010

SR89489

Caught by NLA Z035779

ringer

03-09-2010

Nestling 18-06-2007 Alive 20-07-2009 (ring read in field)

Alton Water Reservoir, n e a r T a t t i n g s t o n e : c. 51°59'N 1°7'E ( S u f f o l k ) Parque National M a r i s m a s Del Odiel, H u e l v a : 370 1 6 ^ 6°55"W (Huelva) S p a i n 1,753km S S W Oy 2m Od Alton Water Reservoir, n e a r T a t t i n g s t o n e : c. 5 1 ° 5 9 ' N 1°7'E ( S u f f o l k ) Parque National M a r i s m a s Del Odiel, H u e l v a : S ? " ^ ™ 6°55"W (Huelva) S p a i n 1,753km S S W Oy I m 1 l d Terneuzen: 5 I " 2 0 ' N 3°49'E (Zeeland) T h e N e t h e r l a n d s M i n s m e r e Nature Reserve: 52°14'N 1°37'E ( S u f f o l k ) 182km N W 2 y l m 2 d The only foreign exchanges reported for S u f f o l k in 2011 including the first two to Spain, caught o n the s a m e day!

Stock Dove EW98031

Nestling Caught by ringer

28-06-2010 24-05-2011

A b b e y Farm, Flixton: 5 2 ° 2 5 ' N 1°24'E ( S u f f o l k ) Thomdon: 52°17'N l ^ E (Suffolk) 24km S W Oy 10m 26d

28-07-2010 23-12-2010

Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 5 1 ° 5 6 T S 1 1 0 ^ (Suffolk) Lieuron: 4 7 ° 5 1 ' N l ^ W (Ille-et-Vilaine) F r a n c e 5 1 0 k m S S W Oy 4 m 2 5 d Only the third Suffolk-ringed bird reported abroad all have been in France.

Woodpigeon FC20837

Adult Freshly dead (shot)

Barn Owl GC10292

Nestling F e m a l e 15-07-2005 C a u g h t in nestbox 0 5 - 0 7 - 2 0 0 8 Caught in nestbox Caught in nestbox

06-09-2010 06-09-2011

Tiptree Priory, Tiptree H e a t h : 51°48TSI 0°43"E (Essex) near C a l f o r d Green, Kedington: 52°4'N 0°29"E (Suffolk) 34km N N W 2y 1 l m 20d Kedington: 52°4'N0°29'E (Suffolk) 3 4 k m N N W 5y l m 2 2 d Kedington: 52°4'N0°29"E(Suffolk) 34km N N W 6y l m 2 2 d

First-year Freshly dead (in building) Nestling Freshly d e a d (hit by car)

20-11-2005 07-04-2011

O r f o r d n e s s : c. 52°5'N 1°34'E ( S u f f o l k ) Orfordness: c. 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 0 k m 5y 4 m 18d

28-05-2010 15-04-2011

Mildenhall Fen: 52°22'N 0 ° 2 6 ' E ( S u f f o l k ) lcklingham: 52°20'N 0 ° 3 4 ' E ( S u f f o l k ) 10km E S E Oy 10m 18d

02-07-2003 02-06-2011

near Stowupland: c. 5 2 ° 1 2 ' N 1°3'E ( S u f f o l k ) S a x h a m Street: 5 2 = 1 2 ^ 1°3'E ( S u f f o l k ) 0 k m 7 y 1 I m Od

Full-grown Freshly d e a d

23-03-2010 14-01-2011

Brasschaat: 51°18TSI 4 ° 3 0 ' E ( A n t w e r p e n ) B e l g i u m Haverhill: 52°5'N 0 ° 2 6 ' E ( S u f f o l k ) 2 9 4 k m W N W Oy 9m 22d The only foreign-ringed O w l reported in S u f f o l k in 2011. Sadly m o s t reports involve birds that have died.

Nestling M a l e Caught by ringer

30-06-2010 01-06-2011

near W a r r e n Wood: 52°25"N 0 ° 4 3 ' E ( N o r f o l k ) Brandon Park: 52025TM 0°36'E (Suffolk) 8km W Oy 1 l m 2d

06-07-2011

Rz Drawa, Bogdanka, D r a w n o , Z a c h o d n i o p o m o r s k i e : 53°9'N 15°52'E (Szcezecin) P o l a n d

Little Owl EL03307

ET44771

Tawny Owl GN61694

Adult Freshly dead (hit by car)

Long-eared Owl BLB HI68850

Nightjar LB45064

Kingfisher PLG

Nestling Female

198 /

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2011 YN16870

Caughtbyringer

25-09-2011

Orfordness: c. 52°5'N 1°34E (Suffolk) 972km W Oy 2m 19d Suffolk's first foreign exchange f o r this species.

Greater-spotted Woodpecker CW50297

Full-grown M a l e C a u g h t by ringer

07- 08-2010 06- •03-2011

LA51021

Full-grown M a l e C a u g h t by ringer

27- •03-2007 20- •04-2011

CF68563

Seeond-year Female 11- •06-2006 Freshlydead 11- •05-2011

Hilfield, Elstree: 51 "39™ 0 ° 2 0 ' W (Hertfordshire) T a n g h a m Farm, Boyton: 52°5'N 1°26'E (Suffolk) 131km E N E Oy 6 m 27d First Mill Meadow, Stowmarket: ( S u f f o l k ) First Mill M e a d o w , Stowmarket: (Suffolk) 0 k m 4 yrs 0m 24days Aldeburgh: 52°9'N 1°35'E ( S u f f o l k ) Aldeburgh: 5 2 ° 9 ' N l ^ E ( S u f f o l k ) 0 k m 4 y 1 I m Od

Jackdaw Nestling

23- •05-2010

Dead

14- •05-2011

BXD857

First-year Female C a u g h t by ringer

09-10-2010 07-11 - 2 0 1 0

DJH843

First-year M a l e C a u g h t by ringer

05-09-2011 25-09-2011

DPN876

Adult Male Dead

13-11-2010 27-03-2011

BRJ559

First-year M a l e Freshly dead (eat)

06-04-2010 25-01 -2011

AVE955

First-year Female C a u g h t by ringer

31-03-2008 20-11 - 2 0 0 8

Caughtbyringer

25-01-2011

First-year Male C a u g h t by ringer

06-10-2008 26-11 - 2 0 0 8

Petten: 52°46'N 4°40'E (Noord-Holland) T h e N e t h e r l a n d s Kessingland, Lowestoft: 52°24'N 1 0 43"E ( S u f f o l k ) 2 0 4 k m W Oy l m 2 0 d Only the third foreign-ringed Firecrest for S u f f o l k and the first f r o m the N e t h e r l a n d s . T h e others both c a m e from Belgium.

L448338

First-year Female Caughtbyringer

05-12-2010 12-03-2011

V005546

First-year Female Freshly dead (cat)

16-10-2010 18-04-2011

Biggleswade: 5 2 = 5 » O ^ W ( B e d f o r d s h i r e ) Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 5 r 5 6 T M 1°19'E ( S u f f o l k ) 110km E Oy 3m 7d Flatford Mill, East Bergholt: S l ^ W r i " E ( S u f f o l k ) Croxton, F u l m o n d e s t o n : 52°50'N 0°56'E ( N o r f o l k ) 9 9 k m N Oy 6 m 2d Two fairly g o o d m o v e m e n t s for this species.

EX07069

near B l a c k b o r o u g h End, King's Lynn: 52°41'N 0°28'E (Norfolk) T h e Glebe, D e n n i n g t o n , Woodbridge: 52°14'N 1°20'E ( S u f f o l k ) 7 8 k m S E Oy 1 I m 2 I d Historically, a Suffolk-ringed Jackdaw recorded in Belgium and birds f r o m D e n m a r k (2) and the Netherlands (1) are the only recorded foreign e x c h a n g e s for this species.

Goldcrest Holland, N o r t h Ronaldsay: 5 9 ^ 2 » 2 0 2 6 W ( O r k n e y ) F l o r d o n Road, Creeting St M a r y : 5209TM l ^ E ( S u f f o l k ) 831 km S S E Oy 0 m 2 9 d Altens, A b e r d e e n : 57°6'N 2 ° 5 ' W ( G r a m p i a n Region) Shotley Gate: S l ^ T M 1°16'E ( S u f f o l k ) 6 1 2 k m S S E Oy 0 m 20d T a n g h a m Farm, Boyton: 52°5'N 1°26'E ( S u f f o l k ) Texel: 53=81^1 4 ° 5 1 ' E ( T e x e l ) T h e N e t h e r l a n d s 2 5 9 k m E N E Oy 4 m 14d The second Suffolk-ringed bird recorded in the Netherlands. Singles have also been recorded in Sweden, Germany, Denmark, France and the North Sea!

Firecrest

NLA Y50612

n e a r T h e t f o r d L o d g e Farm: 5 2 ° 2 6 ' N 0°40'E ( S u f f o l k ) Sandleheath, Fordingbridge: 50°55"N l ^ O W ( H a m p s h i r e ) 2 4 1 k m S W Oy 9 m 19d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51 " 5 6 » l ' W E (Suffolk) S o u t h a m p t o n C o m m o n . : 50°55'N 1°25'W (Hampshire) 2 2 1 k m W S W Oy 7m 2 0 d S o u t h a m p t o n C o m m o n : 50°55'N 1°25'W ( H a m p s h i r e ) 221km W S W 2y 9 m 2 5 d

Great Tit

199

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 Coal Tit X775629

First-year C a u g h t b y ringer

19-10-2009 10-03-2010

Ipswich: 52°4'N 1°1 l ' È ( S u f f o l k ) Polstead, Colchester: 52°0'N 0 ° 5 4 ' E ( S u f f o l k ) 2 1 k m W S W Oy 4 m 19d

Adult F e m a l e C a u g h t by ringer

03-08-2006 07-05-2011

M i n s m e r e : 52°15'N \°1TE ( S u f f o l k ) M i n s m e r e Nature Reserve: 5 2 ° 1 5 ' N 1°37'E ( S u f f o l k ) 0 k m 4 y 9 m 4d

Pett Level: c. 50°54'N 0 ° 4 0 ' E (Sussex) Hazelwood, near H a m Creek: 52°9TM 1°33'E ( S u f f o l k ) 152km N N E Oy 8m 4d Iken M a r s h , near Iken: 5 2 ° 9 ' N 1°34'E ( S u f f o l k ) N a g d e n M a r s h , Faversham: c. 51°20'N 0 ° 5 4 ' E (Kent) 102km S S W l y 0 m 8d N a g d e n M a r s h , Faversham: c. 51°20'N 0 ° 5 4 ' E (Kent) 102km S S W l y 3 m 3d

Marsh Tit T308024

Bearded Tit L567903

Full-grown Female Caught by ringer

06-11-2010 10-07-2011

L I 17745

First-year F e m a l e C a u g h t by ringer

11 - 0 7 - 2 0 1 0 19-07-2011

C a u g h t by ringer

14-10-2011

Sand Martin X156681 FRP

Juvenile Caught by ringer First-year

26-06-2009 25-07-2011 20-08-2010

6520253

Caught by

14-06-2011

ringer

I n g h a m : 5 2 ° 1 7 ' N 0°42'E ( S u f f o l k ) Glasbury: c. 52°2'N 3°13'W (Powys) 269km W 2y 0m 29d Pk 21, Sandouville: 4 9 ° 3 0 ' N 0°19'E ( S e i n e - M a r i t i m e ) France Covehithe: 52°22TM 1°42'E ( S u f f o l k ) 3 3 3 k m N N E Oy 9m 25d The 16th French-ringed bird recorded in Suffolk. A single S u f f o l k - r i n g e d bird was also reported in Spain in 2011.

Swallow L724961

Western Farm, St J a m e s , S E l m h a m : 52°23'N 1°24'E (Suffolk) Pett Level: c. 5 0 = 5 4 ^ O'HO'E (Sussex) 173km S S W Oy 0 m 2 0 d Woodbridge Sewage Works: c. 52°4TM 1°17'E (Suffolk) Canton Magistris, Verbania: 45°56'N 8°30'E (Alpine Area) I t a l y 8 6 1 k m S E Oy 7 m 2 0 d Iken M a r s h , near Iken: 5 2 ° 9 ' N 1 ° 3 4 E ( S u f f o l k ) Schuinshoogte, N e w c a s t l e : 2 7 ° 4 2 ' S 29°56'E R e p u b l i c of S o u t h A f r i c a 9 , 3 0 0 k m S S E Oy 2 m 18d T h e 14th S u f f o l k - r i n g e d Swallow recorded in South Africa and the 7th to ftaly.

Juvenile

14-08-2011

C a u g h t by ringer

03-09-2011

L353196

First-year M a l e C a u g h t by ringer

10-09-2010 30-04-2011

L490490

First-year Caught by

ringer

09-09-2010 27-11 - 2 0 1 0

Juvenile M a l e C a u g h t by ringer

09-09-2011 03-11-2011

Walberswick: 5 2 ° 1 8 ' N 1°38'E ( S u f f o l k ) L a c k f o r d L a k e s S W T Reserve: 5 2 0 1 8 ^ 0 ° 3 7 ' E ( S u f f o l k ) 7 0 k m W Oy l m 2 5 d

Landguard Point, Felixstowe: S l ^ W 1°19'E (Suffolk) C r e w k e r n e : 5 0 = 5 3 ^ 2 = 4 8 ^ (Somerset) 3 0 9 k m W S W 2 y 4 m 3d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°56'N I ° I 9 ' E (Suffolk) Gibraltar Point, Skegness: c. 5 3 ° 6 ' N 0 ° 1 9 ' E (Lincolnshire) 147km N N W Oy 6m Od Gibraltar Point, Skegness: c. 53°6'N 0°19'E (Lincolnshire) 147km N N W Oy 10m 25d Both g o o d m o v e m e n t s for this species.

Cetti s Warbler Y399209

Long-tailed Tit AVH693

Full-grown Freshly d e a d

28-10-2008 03-03-2011

CHB197

Full-grown Female C a u g h t by ringer

14-11 - 2 0 1 0 14-05-2011

C a u g h t by

09-10-2011

ringer

Chiffchaff CJX356

Adult

17-04-2011

Bardsey Island: 52°45'N 4 ° 4 8 ' W ( G w y n e d d )

200

Selected Ringing Recoveries C a u g h t by

ringer

20-10-2011

CAK372

First-year C a u g h t by ringer

22-09-2009 07-04-2011

BPL526

Full-grown C a u g h t by ringer

04-04-2009 24-03-2010

FRP

First-year

14-09-2010

RR8393

C a u g h t by ringer

26-03-2011

for Suffolk in 2011

T h e Haven, T h o r p e n e s s : 52° 1CN 1 °36'E ( Suffolk) 4 3 9 k m E Oy 6 m 3d Westonzoyland: 51 °6TM 2 ° 5 7 ' W (Somerset) Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 5 r 5 6 " N 1°19'E ( S u f f o l k ) 3 1 0 k m E N E l y 6m 16d O r f o r d n e s s : c . 5 2 ° 5 ' N 1°34'E ( S u f f o l k ) P Dell' Arco, Ventotene: 40°47'N 13°24'E (Frosinone & Latina) Italy 1,546km SE Oy 11m 20d Suffolk's first and only the third British-ringed C h i f f c h a f f recovered in Italy Plaisance, Saint-Froult: 4 5 ° 5 4 ' N 1°4'W (CharenteMaritime) F r a n c e O r f o r d n e s s : c. 52°5'N 1 °34'E ( S u f f o l k ) 7 1 4 k m N N E Oy 6 m 12d T h e second French-ringed bird reported in Suffolk.

O t h e r s were f r o m Spain (four), Netherlands (three) and B e l g i u m (one).

Willow Warbler CHB440

Full-grown Female C a u g h t by ringer

26-04-2011 31-05-2011

BXL432

First-year C a u g h t by ringer

08-09-2009 03-05-2011

DNB823

First-year Female C a u g h t by ringer

28-08-2010 20-08-2011

Juvenile Male Caught by ringer First-year Male C a u g h t by ringer

02-06-2011 30-08-2011 25-09-2011 21-10-2011

X480369

Juvenile Female C a u g h t by ringer

11-07-2009 05-04-2011

R020191

First-year F e m a l e C a u g h t by ringer

17-08-2003 26-03-2004

Y388592

First-year Male C a u g h t by ringer

28-08-2011 01-09-2011

L549877

First-year Male C a u g h t by ringer

02-10-2010 06-05-2011

BLB

First-year Female C a u g h t by ringer

15-10-2011 26-10-2011

First-year M a l e Freshly dead (hit by car) First-year M a l e

09-04-2011 01 -08-2011

C a u g h t by

22-10-2011

Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51 " 5 6 « 1 ° 19'E (Suffolk) Ardochy, near Kilmorack: c. 5 7 ° 2 7 ' N 4 ° 3 4 ' W (Highland R e g i o n ) 7 2 0 k m N N W Oy l m 5d Foxhall, near Ipswich: 52°2"N 1°14'E ( S u f f o l k ) C a l f of M a n : c. 54°3'N 4 ° 4 9 ' W (Isle of M a n ) 4 6 2 k m W N W ly 7m 25d Great Livermere: 52°18'N 0 = 4 5 ^ ( S u f f o l k ) W r a y s b u r y Gravel Pits: 51 " 2 7 ^ O ^ W (Berkshire) 130km S W Oy 11m 2 3 d

Blackcap X161882 L901774

12510646 BLB 12139795 NLA BA12056

30-09-2011

Penclacwydd: 51 " 4 0 « 4 ° T V I ( D y f e d ) Shingle Street: 5 2 ° m 1°26E (Suffolk) 383km E Oy 2m 28d Flordon Road, Creeting St Mary: 52°9'N l ^ T î (Suffolk) Beni M e s s o u s , Algiers: S ô M ô ' N 2°58"E Algeria 1,716km S Oy 0 m 2 6 d Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1°27"E (Suffolk) Lebbeke: 51 °0'N 4°8'E ( O o s t - V l a a n d e r e n ) B e l g i u m 2 2 0 k m E S E l y 8m 2 5 d Foxhall, near Ipswich: 52°2'N 1 ° 14'E ( S u f f o l k ) Marestay, M a t h a : 45°52'N O ^ W (CharenteMaritime) France 6 9 5 k m S Oy 7 m 9d Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1°27E (Suffolk) D u n e s du M o n t St Frieux, Dannes: 50°35'N 1°36'E (Pas-de-Calais) France 164km S Oy 0 m 4d Flordon Road, Creeting St Mary: 52=9™ 1=3® (Suffolk) Utsira: S g ^ T M 4 ^ 3 ^ (Rogaland) N o r w a y 8 3 2 k m N N E Oy 7 m 4d Lebbeke: 5 1 = 0 ^ 4°8'E (Oost-Vlaanderen) B e l g i u m Kessingland, Lowestoft: 52°24TM 1°43'E ( S u f f o l k ) 228km N W O y O m l i d Awirs: 50°36'N 5°24'E (Liege) B e l g i u m B u r y St E d m u n d s : 52° 15"N 0°42'E ( S u f f o l k ) 3 7 3 k m W N W Oy 3m 23d Tungelroysche Beek: 5 1 - 1 3 ^ 5°3TE ( L i m b u r g )

The Netherlands ringer

Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 5 1 = 5 6 « l " ^ ( S u f f o l k ) 3 0 8 k m W N W Oy 0 m 2 2 d Included above are all eight foreign e x c h a n g e s for this species in 2 0 1 1 .

201

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 Garden Warbler Y276126

L438973

Juvenile

28-07-2011

C a u g h t by

ringer

20-08-2011

First-year Caught by

ringer

25-08-2010 08-03-2011

Alton Water Reservoir, n e a r T a t t i n g s t o n e : c . 51 " 5 9 ^ \°TE ( S u f f o l k ) Pett Level: c. 5 0 0 5 4 « 0 ° 4 0 ' E (Sussex) 125km S S W Oy 0 m 2 3 d Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1 ° 2 7 E (Suffolk) Nsuatre Scrub: 7°25N 2 ° 2 9 W Ghana 4,973km S Oy 6m 1 l d The first Suffolk-ringed bird to G h a n a and the only foreign e x c h a n g e involving the county in 2011.

Lesser Whitethroat Y264268

Y296616

Juvenile

29-06-2011

C a u g h t b y ringer

25-08-2011

Juvenile C a u g h t by ringer

24-08-2011 24-09-2011

Wintersett Reservoir, W a k e f i e l d : 53°37TM 1°26'W (West Yorkshire) M i n s m e r e Nature Reserve: 52°15'N 1°37'E ( S u f f o l k ) 255km SEOy l m 2 7 d Sycamore Farm, Grundisbuigh: c. 52°6"N 1 ° 1 3 E (Suffolk) Sava, Jarse, Ljubljana: 4 6 = 5 ^ 14°32'E (Slovenija) Yugoslavia 1,176km S E Oy l m Od The first exchange for the county with Yugoslavia. Singles have also made it to Egypt, Italy, Lebanon and Switzerland.

Whitethroat V049439

First-year Freshly d e a d

08-08-2006 21-04-2010

near Hollesley Heath: 5 2 ° 3 ' N 1°26'E ( S u f f o l k ) Hendaye: 4 3 ° 2 2 ' N 1°46'W (Pyrenees-Atlantiques) France 9 9 4 k m S S W 3y 8 m 13d The fourth Suffolk-ringed Whitethroat to France.

Others have r e a c h e d Spain (three), Portugal (two) and M o r o c c o (one).

Sedge Warbler An incredible 35 Suffolk-ringed Sedge Warblers were recorded abroad in 2011, including; T796371

First-year C a u g h t by ringer

04-08-2005 18-08-2005

T326064

First-year C a u g h t b y ringer

13-08-2004 20-08-2004

T796371

First-year C a u g h t b y ringer

04-08-2005 13-08-2005

X893066

First-year C a u g h t by ringer

08-08-2009 31-03-2010

L683304

First-year C a u g h t by ringer

19-08-2011 23-08-2011

L496119

First-year Caught by

04-08-2011 10-08-2011

ringer

FRP

First-year M a l e

14-09-2009

6219272

C a u g h t by ringer

24-04-2011

FRP 6054243

First-year 09-08-2009 Alive 25-04-2011 (ring read in f i e l d )

Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1 °2TE (Suffolk) Melsele: 5 1 ° 1 3 ' N 4 ° 1 6 ' E ( O o s t - V l a a n d e r e n ) B e l g i u m 2 1 6 k m E S E O y O m 14d Walberswick: 52°18'N 1°38'E ( S u f f o l k ) U e b e r s y r e n : 49=38™ 6°17'E L u x e m b o u r g 4 4 0 k m SE Oy 0 m 7d Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 5 2 ° 3 N \°2TE (Suffolk) Hulst, N i e u w N a m e n : S P l î ' N 4°9'E ( Z e e l a n d ) T h e N e t h e r l a n d s 2 0 5 k m E S E Oy 0 m 9d Walberswick: 52°18'N 1°38'E ( S u f f o l k ) Rio G u a d a i r a : 37°23'N 5 ° 5 7 ' W (Sevilla) S p a i n 1,760km S S W Oy 7 m 2 3 d Brandon Fen: 52°27'N 0 ° 3 1 ' E ( S u f f o l k ) Le M a s s e r e a u , Frossay: 4 7 ° 1 4 ' N 1°55"W ( L o i r e Atlantique) F r a n c e 6 0 6 k m S S W Oy 0 m 4d near Hollesley Heath: 52°3'N 1°26'E ( S u f f o l k ) Tour A u x M o u t o n s , D o n g e s : 4 7 ° 1 9 ' N 2 ° 4 W (LoireAtlantique) F r a n c e 5 8 3 k m S S W Oy 0 m 6d N o t e the distances covered by L 6 8 3 3 0 4 and L 4 9 6 1 1 9 in only a matter o f days!

Tour A u x M o u t o n s , D o n g e s : 4 7 ° 1 9 ' N 2 ° 4 ' W (LoireAtlantique) France L a c k f o r d Bridge: 52018TM 0 ° 3 7 ' E ( S u f f o l k ) 5 8 7 k m N N E l y 7m lOd Trunvel, Treogat: 4 7 - 5 3 ™ 4 ° 2 1 ' W (Finistere) France Southwold: 5 2 ° 1 8 ' N 1°39'E ( S u f f o l k ) 6 5 1 k m N E l y 8m 16d The latter t w o records w e r e the only two f o r e i g n ringed birds recovered in the c o u n t y in 2011.

202

Selected Ringing Recoveries

for Suffolk in 2011

Reed W a r b l e r Similarly, 20 Suffolk-ringed Reed Warblers were recorded abroad in 2011 15 to France, four to Belgium and one to Portugal.

P934370

Juvenile Female Caught by ringer

13-08-2003 22-07-2011

R865129

First-year Female Caught by ringer

20-09-2003 16-08-2006

Caught by ringer

11 -07-2008

Caught by ringer

04-07-2011

T217079

First-year Caught by ringer

04-08-2004 19-08-2011

X396194

Juvenile Maie Caught by ringer

20-07-2010 21-06-2011

X961726

First-year Caught by ringer

19-08-2010 23-08-2011

BLB 11222586

First-year Female Caught by ringer

03-08-2009 11-07-2011

FRP

First-year Maie

29-08-2010

6075904

Caught by ringer

21-05-2011

Orfordness: c. 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9T>J 1°34'E (Suffolk) 8km N 7 y 11m 9d Walberswiek: 52°18'N 1°38'E (Suffolk) near Boughton, Stoke Ferry: 52°35'N 0°31'E (Norfolk) 82km W N W 2y 10m 27d near Boughton, Stoke Ferry: 52°35'N 0°31 "E (Norfolk) 82km W N W 4y 9m 21d near Boughton, Stoke Ferry: 52°35'N 0°31 "E (Norfolk) 82km W N W 7y 9m 14d Walberswiek: 52°18'N 1°38'E (Suffolk) Pett Level : c. 50°54'N 0°40'E ( Sussex) 170km SSW 7y 0 m 15d Hengistbury Head Centre: 50°43'N 1°46'W (Dorset) near Charity Farm, Shotley: 51°59TM 1°15'E (Suffolk) 253km ENE Oy 1 l m ld Walberswiek: 52° 1 8 ^ 1°38'E (Suffolk) Colos, Odemira: 37°35'N 8°44'W (Baixo Alentejo) Portugal 1,824km SSW I y 0 m 4 d Ingooigem: 5 0 - 4 9 ^ 3°26'E (West-Vlaanderen) Belgium Oxley Marshes, Hollesley: 52°27M l ^ ô ï (Suffolk) 194km N W l y 11m 8d Camping, Chenac-Saint-Seurin-D'uzet: 45°30'N 0 0 4 9 ^ (Charente-Maritime) France Hazelwood, near Ham Creek: 52°9TM 1°33'E (Suffolk) 759km N N E Oy 8m 22d The latter two were the only foreign-ringed birds to Suffolk in 2011.

Blackbird Seven Suffolk •ringed birds were reported abroad and eleven foreign-ringed birds recorded in Suffolk in 2011, including: CF47863

First-year Female Caught by ringer

21-01 -2009 15-11-2011

LC24920

Adult Maie Caught by ringer

13-03-2011 27-10-2011

LB64667

Adult Maie Caught by ringer

09-01-2010 06-04-2010

LA75133

09-02-2010 Adult Maie Freshly dead (cat) 22-07-2011

LC00159

07-03-2011 09-04-2011

DKC

Adult Female Freshly dead (hit glass) First-year Female

8A75228

Caught by

06-11 -2011

SVS

Adult Maie Caught by ringer

21-03-2010 31-01-2011

First-year Female

30-10-2009

Caught by ringer

13-10-2011

02-11-2011

Rose Hill, Ipswich: 52°2'N 1 0 11'E (Suffolk) I s l e o f M a y : 56° 11TS1 2°34'W (Fife Région) 522km N N W 2y 9m 25d near Hollesley Heath: 52°3'N 1°26'E (Suffolk) Bardsey Island: 52°45'N 4°48'W (Gwynedd) 430km W N W Oy 7m 14d Bungay: 52°26'N V l S T i (Suffolk) Vaskivesi, Virrat: 62°7'N 23°44'E (Vaasa) Finland 1,712km N E Oy 2m 28d Mutford, near Beccles: 52°26TM 1°39"E (Suffolk) Uusikyla, Nastola: 60°54"N 26°4'E (Hame) Finland 1,757km ENE l y 5 m 13d Chelmondiston: 5 1 = 5 9 ^ 1°12'E (Suffolk) Jackarby, Porvoo: 60°25TM 25°53'E (Uusimaa) Finland 1,784km ENE Oy l m 2d Lindeskov, Orbaek, Fyn: 55°15TSI l O ^ i (Jylland)

Denmark

4575266 SVS 4546962

ringer

Orfordness: c. 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 693km W S W Oy 0 m 4d Gasshult, Misterhult: 57°27TM 16°37'E (Kalmar) Sweden Chelmondiston: 51°59TS1 1°12E (Suffolk) 1,160km W S W Oy 10m lOd Falsterbo, Fyren: 55°23'N 12°49'E (Malmohus)

Sweden Orfordness: c. 5 2 = 5 ^ 1°34'E (Suffolk) 825km W S W l y 11m 13d

203

Su ffolk Bird Report 2011 Song Thrush FRP

First-year

14-10-2010

JA581714

Caught by

NLA

First-year

07-11-2010

L307535

Caught by ringer

20-11-2010

First-year Caught by

ringer

07-10-2010 29-09-2011

First-year Freshly dead (cat)

17-10-2005 14-11 -2006

ringer

12-10-2011

Dune Mayon, Marck: 50°56'N 1°57"E (Pas-de-Calais) France Ikcn Marsh, near Iken: 52=9™ 1°34'E (Suffolk) 138km N O y 11m 28d Castricum: 52°32'N 4°36'E (Noord-Holland) T h e Netherlands Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 211km W Oy 0m 13d Only the second French-ringed bird and the 14th from the Netherlands to be recorded in Suffolk.

Robin X023939

T648190

Orfordness: c. 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Beachy Head: 50=44™ 0°15'E (Sussex) 176km SSW Oy l l m 2 2 d Dunwich: 52°16'N 1°37"E (Suffolk) Wilrijk: 51°101Si 4°24'E (Antwerpen) Belgium 228km ESE l y 0 m 28d The third Robin from Suffolk to Belgium.

Nightingale TC86376

Nestling Male Caught by ringer

07-06-2007 09-05-2009

Caught by ringer

15-05-2010

Caught by ringer

19-05-2011

Second-year Male Caught by ringer

24-05-2010 08-05-2011

Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°56™ 1°19'E (Suffolk) Revtangen, Klepp: 58°45™ 5°30'E (Rogaland) N o r w a y 802km N N E Oy 1 I m 14d The second Redstart from Suffolk to Norway. Others have been recorded in Spain (four), France (two) and singles to Portugal, Morocco and the Channel Islands.

No foreign-ringed birds have been reported in Suffolk.

Nestling Female Caught by ringer

01-06-2010 25-08-2011

Tunstall Common: 52°8'N r 2 8 " E (Suffolk) near Weyboume: 52 0 56"N 1 °TE (Norfolk) 92km N N W l y 2 m 24d

26-08-2008 04-05-2011

Bungay: 52°26 , N l°27'E (Suffolk) Meeting House Hill, near North Walsham: 52°48™ 1°25'E (Norfolk) 41km N 2y 8m 8d

Kilnsea Clays: 53°36'N 0°8'E (Humberside) The Barracks, Little Livermere: 52° 18"N 0°44"E (Suffolk) 150km SSE Oy 0 m 24d Lackford Lakes Swt Reserve: 52° 18"N 0 ° 3 7 E (Suffolk) Kilnsea Clays: 53°36-N 0°8'E (Humberside) 149km N N W Oy 10m 28d Spurn Point: 53°34'N 0°6'E (Humberside) The Barracks, Little Livermere: 52=18™ 0°44'E (Suffolk) 147km SSE Oy I m 13d Kilnsea Clays: 53°36TM 0°8'E (Humberside) Mildenhall Fen: 52022TM 0°26'E (Suffolk) 139km S

Bradfield Woods: c.

Lackford Lakes Swt (Suffolk) 19km N W Lackford Lakes Swt (Suffolk) 19km N W Lackford Lakes Swt (Suffolk) 19km N W

52° 11TM 0°49'E (Suffolk) Reserve: 52°18'N 0°37'E l y 1 I m 2d Reserve: 52°18'N 0°37'E 2y 1 I m 8d Reserve: 52° 18™ 0 o 37"E 3y 1 I m 12d

Redstart X005275

Stonechat V872620

House Sparrow TK83429

First-year Female Dead

Tree Sparrow Y373547

Full-grown Caught by ringer

17-10-2011 10-11-2011

L799514

Full-grown Caught by ringer

28-11-2010 26-10-2011

Y372309

Full-grown Caught by ringer

07-10-2011 20-11-2011

L653827

Full-grown Caught by ringer

04-10-2010 21-10-2010

204

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2011

X919300

L743190

Full-grown L o n g dead (in nestbox) Full-grown Caught by ringer

02-10-2009 23-03-2011 28-10-2010 05-01-2011

Oy 0 m 17d Kilnsea Clays: 5 3 ° 3 6 ' N 0°8'E ( H u m b e r s i d e ) Mildenhall Fen: 5 2 ° 2 2 ' N 0 ° 2 6 ' E ( S u f f o l k ) 139km S l y 5 m 21d Kilnsea Clays: 5 3 ° 3 6 ' N 0°8'E ( H u m b e r s i d e ) Mildenhall Fen: 5 2 ° 2 2 N 0°26E (Suflfolk) 139km S Oy 2m 8d Yet m o r e S u f f o l k / H u m b e r s i d e interchange!

Yellow Wagtail L724916

Juvenile

14-08-2011

Caught by ringer

21-08-2011

Western Farm, St J a m e s , S E l m h a m : 52°23TM 1°24'E (Suffolk) Beiton Marshes: 52°34'N 1°39'E ( N o r f o l k ) 2 7 k m N E Oy 0 m 7d

Meadow Pipit L146732

First-year Freshly dead

13-09-2010 27-11-2011

near Hollesley Heath: 52°3'N 1°26'E ( S u f f o l k ) Boliqueime, L o u l e : 37°9'N 8 ° 8 ' W (Algarve) P o r t u g a l 1,818km S S W l y 2 m 14d T h e only foreign exchange for t h e county in 2011 with the second Suffolk-ringed bird reported in Portugal.

AdultMale C a u g h t by ringer

22-01-2006 12-03-2010

Cliffe: 51°26'N 0 ° 2 9 ' E (Kent) H i g h Lodge, near Brandon: c. 52°26'N 0°40'E ( S u f f o l k ) 1 1 2 k m N 4 y I m 18d

T h e t f o r d Lodge Farm: c. 5 2 ° 2 6 ' N 0°41'E ( S u f f o l k ) M o e r z e k e : 51°4TSI 4°10'E ( O o s t - V i a a n d e r e n ) B e l g i u m 2 8 4 k m E S E l y O m 13d T h e t f o r d L o d g e Farm: c. 52°26'N O ^ l ï ( S u f f o l k ) Anholt by: 56°42TM 11°33'E ( A n h o l t ) D e n m a r k 8 4 5 k m E N E Oy 3 m 4d T h e t f o r d L o d g e Farm: c. 5 2 ° 2 6 ' N 0°41'E ( S u f f o l k ) Dividalen Fs, Malselv: 68°47'N 19°40'E ( T r o m s ) N o r w a y 2 , 0 7 8 k m N N E 3y 3 m 19d Borrevannet, Horten: 59°23'N 10°26'E (Vestfold) N o r w a y Iken M a r s h , near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E ( S u f f o l k ) 9 7 6 k m S W Oy 5 m 26d

Chaffineh R885344

Brambling L126099

Adult Male C a u g h t by ringer

21 -01 - 2 0 1 0 03-02-2011

L800007

Adult Male C a u g h t by ringer

09-01 -2011 13-04-2011

V612745

AdultMale C a u g h t by ringer

08-02-2008 27-05-2011

NOS EC67494

First-year Female C a u g h t by ringer

01-10-2010 27-03-2011

NOS ED70258

First-year Male Caught by ringer

15-10-2010 07-04-2011

Revtangen, Klepp: 5 8 ° 4 5 N 5°30'E (Rogaland) N o r w a y H i g h Lodge, near Brandon: c. 5 2 ° 2 6 ' N O ^ O ï ( S u f f o l k ) 7 6 5 k m S S W Oy 5 m 2 3 d All five foreign e x c h a n g e s f o r the county in 2 0 1 1 listed above including the first to D e n m a r k .

Greenfinch VX36704

First-year Male Freshly dead

13-12-1997 08-09-2010

R u s h m e r e St A n d r e w : 52°4TM 1°11"E ( S u f f o l k ) Great H a m p d e n , Great Missenden: 51°42'N 0 ° 4 7 ' W ( B u c k i n g h a m s h i r e ) 141km W S W 1 2 y 8 m 2 6 d A new longevity record for the species in Britain and Ireland!

BE25195

First-year M a l e Alive (in net or cage) First-year Female C a u g h t by ringer

16-02-2005 03-08-2011 27-09-2011 20-11 -2011

Thetford: c. 52°24'N O M S B ( N o r f o l k ) Wyken Hall: 5 2 ° 1 8 ' N 0°52'E ( S u f f o l k ) 14km S E 6y 5 m 18d Kellington: c. 5 3 ° 4 2 ' N T l l W ( N o r t h Y o r k s h i r e ) T h e Barracks, Little Livermere: 52°18 r N 0 ° 4 4 ' E ( S u f f o l k ) 2 0 2 k m S E Oy I m 2 4 d

First-year Male Caught by ringer

29-10-2005 31 -07-2011

TC18347

Goldfinch T929542

Oxley M a r s h e s , Hollesley: 5 2 ° 2 ' N l ^ ô ï ( S u f f o l k ) Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1 °27'E

205

Suffolk Bird Report 2011 ( S u f f o l k ) 3 k m 5y 9m 2d T h o r n d o n : 52°17TM 1°7'E ( S u f f o l k ) near Borgue: 54°49'N 4 ° 1 0 ' W ( D u m f r i e s & Galloway) 4 4 9 k m N W l y 3m 19d South Walney, Barrow-in-Furness: c. 54°2'N 3° 12 W (Cumbria) Ipswich: 52°4"N 1°1 l ' E ( S u f f o l k ) 3 6 6 k m S E Oy 7m 8d Derwent Valley: c. 5 3 ° 2 4 ' N 1°45'W (Derbyshire) L a c k f o r d L a k e s Swt Reserve: c. 5 2 ° 1 8 ' N 0 ° 3 7 ' E ( S u f f o l k ) 2 0 1 k m SE Oy l m 15d Kilnsea: 53°37'N 0°8'E ( H u m b e r s i d e ) L a k e n h e a t h Fen R S P B Reserve: 52°27'N 0 ° 3 1 ' E ( S u f f o l k ) 133km S Oy 8 m 2d St. Venant. Bethune: 50 o 37"N 2°32'E (Pas-de-Calais) France Leiston: c. 52°13'N 1°34'E ( S u f f o l k ) 190km N N W l y l m lOd T h e only foreign e x c h a n g e G o l d f i n c h for S u f f o l k in 2011 a n d the first ever from France.

L185722

Adult M a l e Freshly d e a d

01-03-2010 20-06-2011

T826693

First-year M a l e

15-04-2009

L609594

C a u g h t by ringer Full-grown C a u g h t by ringer

23-11-2009 29-10-2010 14-12-2010

L744573

First-year M a l e C a u g h t by ringer

17-04-2011 19-12-2011

FRP 6543055

First-year Female C a u g h t by ringer

17-11-2010 27-12-2011

T036280

Juvenile F e m a l e C a u g h t by ringer

06-06-2004 12-05-2010

X460402

Adult Female Freshly dead (cat)

21 - 0 3 - 2 0 0 9 (06-08-2011)

L841638

First-year M a l e C a u g h t by ringer

19-03-2011 22-06-2011

LI 26391

First-year M a l e Freshly d e a d (hit glass) First-year M a l e Freshly dead (drowned) First-year M a l e C a u g h t by r i n g e r

13-03-2010 16-01-2011 10-04-2008 01-04-2011 12-03-2011 03-04-2011

Leiston: c. 52° 13W 1 °34-E ( S u f f o l k ) I t z e h o e / E d e n d o r f - G a r t e n : 53°57'N 9°29'E (SchleswigHolstein) G e r m a n y 5 6 3 k m E N E Oy Om 2 2 d The 1 Ith and 12th S u f f o l k - r i n g e d birds to G e r m a n y .

Full-grown C a u g h t by ringer

18-04-2010 16-03-2011

Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51 " 5 6 ^ 1 ° 1 9 E (Suffolk) West Farm, Westhorpe: 52°17'N 0°59'E ( S u f f o l k ) 4 6 k m N N W Oy 10m 2 6 d

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Nestling Male C a u g h t by ringer

05-06-2010 18-08-2010

Slaithwaite M o o r : 5 3 ° 3 7 ' N 1 = 5 6 ^ (West Yorkshire) M a n s h e a d End: 53°40'N 2 ° 0 ' W (West Yorkshire) 8 k m N W Oy 2 m 13d Dingle M a r s h e s : c. 5 2 ° 1 7 ' N l ^ ' E ( S u f f o l k ) 2 8 1 k m E S E Oy 5 m lOd Slaithwaite Moor: 5 3 ° 3 7 ' N r S ó W (West Yorkshire) C o r p o r a t i o n Marshes, D u n w i c h : c. 52° 18"N 1°39'E ( S u f f o l k ) 2 8 1 k m E S E Oy 7 m 29d Slaithwaite M o o r : 5 3 = 3 7 « 1 ° 5 6 W (West Yorkshire) Dingle M a r s h e s : c. 5 2 ° 1 7 ' N 1°38'E ( S u f f o l k ) 2 8 1 k m E S E Oy 9 m 9d The three greatest m o v e m e n t s for the species involving S u f f o l k in 2011.

Siskin

XI19459

L651619

Thetford: 52°24'N 0 ° 4 3 ' E ( N o r f o l k ) High L o d g e , near B r a n d o n : c. 5 2 ° 2 6 ' N 0°40'E ( S u f f o l k ) 6 k m N W 5y 1 l m 6d near Hollesley Heath: 5 2 ° 3 ' N 1 °26'E ( S u f f o l k ) Tarland: 57°TN 2 ° 5 2 W ( G r a m p i a n Region) 6 2 8 k m N N W 2 y 4 m 16d Brandon: 5 2 ° 2 6 ' N 0°35'E ( S u f f o l k ) Tarbet, C n o c , Loch L o m o n d : c. 56° 12"N 4 ° 4 2 ' W (Strathclyde) 541 k m N W Oy 3 m 3d T h e t f o r d L o d g e Farm: e. 5 2 ° 2 6 ' N 0°41 "E ( S u f f o l k ) Innellan, D u n o o n : 55053TM 4 ° 5 7 W (Strathclyde) 531 k m N W Oy 10m 3d T a n g h a m Farm, Boyton: 52°5TM 1°26'E ( S u f f o l k ) Kaiserslautern: 4 9 ° 2 3 ' N 7°49'E ( R h e i n h e s s e n - P f a l z )

Germany 540km SE 2y 1 lm 22d

Linnet X005632

Twite X647916

X648111

X647916

15-11-2010 11-06-2010 09-02-2011

Nestling 05-06-2010 Alive 14-03-2011 (colour rings seen)

206

/

Selected Ringing Recoveries

for Suffolk in 2011

Lesser Redpoll L191132

First-year Male

09-11-2010

C a u g h t by ringer

29-10-2011

X397258

First-year C a u g h t by ringer

28-09-2008 11-01-2011

L291611

First-year Caught by ringer

14-10-2010 11-04-2011

L620737

Adult Male C a u g h t b y ringer

17-10-2010 17-04-2011

Caught by ringer

28-10-2011

First-year C a u g h t by

ringer

24-10-2010 20-10-2011

X365238

First-year Male C a u g h t by ringer

14-12-2010 19-10-2011

BLB 10929606

First-year Female Caught by ringer

26-11-2008 17-10-2011

NLA

First-year Female

25-03-2011

AT37056

Caught by ringer

21-10-2011

L603055

C a m a u l t Muir, near Kiltarlity: 5 7 ° 2 5 » 4 ° 3 0 ' W (Highland Region) O r f o r d n e s s : c. 5 2 ° 5 » 1°34'E ( S u f f o l k ) 7 0 9 k m S S E Oy 11 m 2 0 d Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 5 2 ° 3 » l°2TE (Suffolk) Hamilton: 5 5 ° 4 6 » 4°2'W (Strathclyde) 5 4 7 k m N W 2y 3 m 14d C o p e l a n d Bird Observatory: 5 4 ° 4 1 » 5 ° 3 2 ' W ( D o w n ) High L o d g e , near Brandon: c. 5 2 ° 2 6 » 0°40'E ( S u f f o l k ) 4 8 0 k m E S E Oy 5 m 2 8 d Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 5 2 ° 3 » 1°27"E (Suffolk) C a l f of M a n : c. 5 4 ° 3 » 4 ° 4 9 ' W (Isle of M a n ) 4 7 4 k m W N W Oy 6 m Od H e u s d e n , Asten: 5 1 ° 2 0 » 5°47'E (Noord-Brabant) T h e N e t h e r l a n d s 3 0 9 k m ESE l y 0 m 1 Id T h e Haven, T h o r p e n e s s : 52° 1 0 » 1°36'E ( S u f f o l k ) Soddra U d d e n , Enskar, Hartso: 5 8 ° 4 1 » 17°29'E ( S o d e r m a n l a n d ) S w e d e n 1,234km N E Oy 1 I m 26d Lackford Lakes S W T Reserve: 52° 1 8 » 0°37'E (Suffolk) Wibrin: 5 0 ° 1 0 » 5°43'E ( L u x e m b o u r g ) B e l g i u m 4 2 7 k m S E Oy 10m 5d M e c h e l e n : 5 1 ° 2 » 4°27'E ( A n t w e r p e n ) Belgium near Hollesley Heath: 5 2 - 3 » 1°26'E ( S u f f o l k ) 2 3 8 k m W N W 2 y 10m 21d Spinnekoppenvlak, K e n n e m e r d u i n e n : 5 2 ° 2 4 » 4°35'E (Noord-Holland) The Netherlands Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 5 2 = 3 » I °27'E ( S u f f o l k ) 2 1 7 k m W Oy 6 m 2 6 d A n additional two Suffolk-ringed birds were reported in Belgium in 2011.

Common Redpoll L603206

First-year C a u g h t by ringer

30-10-2010 07-03-2011

NOS 7H52872

Full-grown M a l e C a u g h t by ringer

16-10-2010 29-03-2011

T h e Haven, T h o r p e n e s s : 52° 1 0 » 1°36'E ( S u f f o l k ) Shooters Hill: 5 1 ° 2 8 » 0°4'E (Greater L o n d o n ) 131km S W Oy 4 m 5d Utsira: c. 59° 1 9 » 4°53'E (Rogaland) N o r w a y H a d d o n Hall: c. 5 2 ° 4 » l ° 1 9 ' E ( S u f f o l k ) 8 3 6 k m S S W Oy 5m 13d T h e first C o m r e to Suffolk f r o m Norway. T h e only other foreign e x c h a n g e is of a G e r m a n - r i n g e d bird to Suffolk.

Snow Bunting TJ64809

First-year Female Alive

09-01-2011 26-12-2011

Kessingland, Lowestoft: 5 2 = 2 4 » l°43"E ( S u f f o l k ) Egmond-Aan-Zee: 5 2 ° 3 7 » 4°37'E (Noord-Holland) T h e N e t h e r l a n d s I 9 8 k m E Oy l l m I7d The fourth Suffolk-ringed bird recorded in the Netherlands.

O n e other has been recorded in Italy in the past.

Stowmarket: 5 2 ° 1 1 » l°0'E ( S u f f o l k ) University of East Anglia, N o r w i c h : 5 2 ° 3 7 » l ° 1 4 ' E ( N o r f o l k ) 5 l k m N N E 6y 3 m 2 6 d Poolsbrook, Staveley: 5 3 ° 1 5 » 1°20AV (Derbyshire) B a r s h a m M a r s h e s : 5 2 0 2 7 » 1°32'E ( S u f f o l k ) 2 1 2 k m E S E l y 7m 7d

Reed Bunting T385217

First-year Female C a u g h t by ringer

21-12-2004 16-04-2011

V980573

Juvenile M a l e C a u g h t by ringer

21-06-2009 28-01-2011

X365046

First-year Female Caught by ringer

23-10-2010 27-03-2011

X893919

First-year Female

26-09-2009

Lackford Lakes Swt Reserve: 520 1 8 » ( W E (Suffolk) N o r t h o r p e Fen: 5 2 ° 4 5 » 0 ° 2 0 ' W (Lincolnshire) 8 2 k m N W Oy 5m 4d Walberswick: 5 2 ° 1 8 » 1°38'E ( S u f f o l k )

207

S uff Olk Blrd Report 2011

NOS 8E52894

Caught by finger

20-01-2011

Adult Male Caught by ringer

27-09-2008 09-01-2011

Marais de Cre, Cre: 47°40TM O ^ W (Sarthe) F r a n c e 531km SSW l y 3m 25d The third Suffolk-ringed bird to France. Others have been reported in Sweden (one) and Belgium (one).

Varstad, Vestby: 59°38TM 10°42"E (Akershus) Norway Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 1,007km SW 2 y 3 m 13d Only the third Norweigan-ringed bird recorded in Suffolk.

There have been no other foreign controls in the county.

Notes

208

SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY Founded in 1929 by Claude Morley (1874-1951), the Suffolk Naturalists' Society pioneered the study and reeording of the County's flora, fauna and geology, to promote a wider interest in natural history.

Reeording the natural history of Suffolk is still one of the Society's primary objects, and members' observations are fed to a network of specialist recorders for possible publication, and deposited in the Suffolk Biological Records Centre, jointly managed with Ipswich Muséums.

Suffolk Natural History, a review of the County's wildlife, and Suffolk Birds, the County bird report, are two high quality annual publications issued free to members. The Society also publishes a quarterly newsletter and organises an interesting programme of field excursions and winter lectures at venues throughout the County.

The Suffolk Naturalists' Society offers a joint membership with the Suffolk Ornithologists' Group at a reduced subscription. This entitles joint members to receive literature and attend the meetings of both organisations.

If you are not yet a member of the Society but would like to join, contact Mrs J. Hardingham, c/o The Muséum, High Street, Ipswich IP1 3QH. M E M B E R S H I P CATEGORIES: Individual Family Corporate

SNS £15 £17 £17

Joint membership SNS/SOG £28 £32

CONTENTS Page Editorial: Nick Mason Review of the Year: Lee Woods Minsmere RSPB Reserve 2011: Adam Rowlands and Robin Harvey

5 8 14

Suffolk Tree Sparrow Project 2008 - 2011: Steve Piotrowski, Simon Evans and John Walshe

16

A study into the breeding population of the Common Buzzard Buteo buteo in West Suffolk: Chris Gregory

28

A study of Sparrowhawks in a small area of Suffolk, 2000 to 2011 : Reg Woodard

31

Sandhill Crâne - a new bird for Suffolk: Steve Abbott

38

Audouin's Gull Larus audouinii at Minsmere - a new bird for Suffolk: John H Grant Oriental Tùrtle Dove - a new bird for Suffolk: Richard Doe Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla - a first for Suffolk: Oliver Slessor

40 ' 42 43

September 16th, 2011 - a day to remember. The seabird movement off Suffolk: John Grant

45

The 2011 Suffolk Bird Report Introduction

47

Systematic List

49

Appendices

164

List of Contributors

168

Gazetteer

170

Earliest and Latest Dates of Summer Migrants

172

A Guide to Recording Birds in Suffolk

173

Rare Birds in Suffolk 2011: David Walsh

177

Suffolk Ringing Report 2011: Simon Evans

183

PRICE

£7.50