Systematic List Gadwall Alias streperà x Eurasian Wigeon Alias penelope hybrid The male hybrid, first seen in March 2011, was again present at Orfordness from February 18th to March 3rd and from December lst to the end of the year. EURASIAN TEAL Anas crecca Common winter visitor andpassage migrant. Scarce resident. Amber list. Monthly counts from the key sites: Jan Feb Mar Apr Burgh Castle* 150 20 510 454 454 114 Blyth Estuar) 171 Dingle Marshes 880 34 Minsmere* 1270 138 38 407 North W'arren* 1300 600 464 520 154 Aide/Ore Estuary* 3047 3272 Deben Estuary 536 405 207 165 Orwell Estuar) HW 701 76 82 209 Orwell Estuar) LW 987 586 Stour Estuar) 1061 2375 Farnham Botany Farm* 510 8 Snape Abbey Farm* 300 450 245 92 •y-"-.--' 135 Lakenheath Fen* 153 -Lackford Lakes* 158 200 : — Higham (near Hadleigh) 104 76 Tendring Hall* 300 200 || *monthly maxima HW =High Water
Sep
Nov Dee 150 50 40 501 60 300 420 614 685 728 24 72 690 299 1178 3637 16 269 1056 144 195 824 821 942 511 501 400 500 1520 40 20 30 41 250 215 480 93 180 74 120 120 120 LW =Low Water -
Oct 0 45 184 787 100 1103 81 177
Total numbers in December benefited from the month's heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding and were higher than the December average of recent years. They included a particularly impressive count at the RSPB's new site at Botany Farm Marshes, Farnham of 1520, December 26th. Aside from those sites covered in the table, the only other significant counts in the first winter period were of 100 at Castle Marsh, North Cove, January 13th and 143 at Mickle Mere, March 18th. High summer counts were made at Minsmere of 142, July 22nd and 689, August 30th and at Trimley Marshes on the Orwell Estuary of 128, August 14th. In the second winter period additional three-figure counts were more widespread and included 150 at Breydon South Shore, October 9th, 206 at Alton Water, November 18th, 350 at Fritton Decoy, December 19th, 181 at Culford Park, December 18th and 420 at Gifford's Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland, December 15th. Breeding was not suspected, although two coastal sites held small numbers throughout the spring and summer. There was one notable offshore movement in the first winter period involving 344 south off Landguard, January 3Ist. Small summer movements were recorded from June lOth onwards, when a singleton flew south off Kessingland, but return passage did not gain momentum until August 12th, when 99 were recorded off Orfordness and 67 offThorpeness. It peaked on September 24th and counts on this date included 629 south off Landguard, the highest offshore day-count recorded at a single site since 1500 flew south off Southwold, September Ist 1994. The following significant movements were logged through the autumn and second winter period:Gorleston: 238 south, Sep 24th. Kessingland: two north and 180 south, Sep 24th. Dunwich: 300 south, Dee 13th. Thorpeness: 243 south, Sep 23rd; one north and 390 south, Sep 24th; 117 south, Oct 26th; 135 north and six south, Dee 2nd; 95 north and 15 south, Dee 29th. Landguard: 20 north and 103 south, Sep Ist; 629 south, Sep 24th; 464 south. Dee 14th.
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