Suffolk Birds 2013 Part 2

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 C O M M O N SANDPIPER

Actitis

Common passage migrant.

Amber

hypoleucos

Sometimes

overwinh

list.

There w e r e no January or February reports this year. T h e r e have been n o n e in Suffolk since

2007.

What

could

have

been

an

undiscovered o v e r w i n t e r i n g individual was seen at Lakenheath Fen on M a r c h 24th, t h e first evidence of possible o v e r w i n t e r i n g at an inland site since 2009 w h e n one was at T h e t f o r d , M a r c h 22nd. O t h e r w i s e the

first

of

the

s p r i n g was

located

on

Common Sandpiper Richard Allen

S o u t h w o l d Golf Course o n April 1 3 t h and a n o t h e r t h e f o l l o w i n g day at Lake Lothing, Lowestoft after w h i c h 16 sites r e p o r t e d this species d u r i n g April w i t h t w o being seen at six locations.

The main passage, as usual, occurred in May but w i t h very f e w multiple sightings, only Breydon South Wall w i t h four, 2 5 t h and t h r e e at each of M i n s m e r e , 24th, Lakenheath Fen, 1 5 t h and Livermere Lake, 8th, being t h e only locations w i t h m o r e than t w o birds. The only June records were of singles at Livermere Lake, 1st and M i n s m e r e , 3rd and 4th, and t w o birds at Lackford Lakes, 2nd.

An impressive 32 c o u n t y - w i d e sites r e p o r t e d this species d u r i n g July and August w i t h t h e first r e t u r n i n g bird f o u n d o n July 1st at Boyton Marshes. Peak totals in July were seven at A l t o n Water, 8 t h , seven at Hollesley Marshes, 15th, nine at M i n s m e r e , 25th, seven o n Orfordness, 2 7 t h and seven at Trimley Marshes, 2 9 t h .

August began w i t h seven on Orfordness, 3rd, t h e first of only t w o double-figure counts in t h e m o n t h w i t h 28 at Breydon South Wall, 7th, another seven at Tinker's Marshes, Walberswick, 13th, t h e n 29 s o u t h of C o r t o n Cliffs, 24th, nine at M i n s m e r e , 26th, eight, Covehithe Broad, 31st and, in t h e w e s t , Livermere Lake held nine o n 25th.

W i t h n u m b e r s d w i n d l i n g C o m m o n Sandpipers w e r e still recorded f r o m 22 sites in September.

High counts w e r e eight at Covehithe Broad, 5th, 2 1 o n M i n s m e r e Beach, 10th, w i t h eight t h e r e o n 12th, a n d l 3 o n Burgh Castle Flats, 20th.

There w e r e j u s t t h r e e reports in October, a single at O u l t o n Broad, 1 s t , t w o at Burgh Castle Flats, 6 t h and t h e last of t h e year, a singleton, at Livermere Lake on 18th.

GREEN SANDPIPER Fairly common

Tringa

ochropus

passage migrant.

Small numbers

overwinter.

Amber

list.

First w i n t e r records c a m e f r o m 13 sites in t h e north-east, nine in t h e south-east and nine in t h e west of t h e County. M u l t i p l e sightings w e r e made at Carlton Marshes, Shipmeadow (near Bungay), Ellough Airfield, Flixton Gravel Pits and S t o w m a r k e t Sewage Works, all w i t h t w o birds. Early spring passage birds a p p e a r e d at Hen Reedbeds and Cattawade on t h e Stour Estuary b o t h w i t h t h r e e birds present m i d - M a r c h and totals at Pipps Ford, Barking peaked at four on M a r c h 17th.

During April, 27 sites across t h e County r e p o r t e d this species. Pipps Ford still held four up until 1 0 t h t h e n t h r e e o n 1 4 t h and a single at t h e m o n t h ' s end as birds started t o m o v e o u t , w i t h a similar p a t t e r n at Gifford's Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland. The last birds of t h e spring passage w e r e r e c o r d e d at Hollesley M a r s h e s and Livermere Lake o n May 7 t h , Culford Park, May 8 t h , Dingle Marshes, M a y 1 4 t h and finally Carlton Marshes o n May 17th, a l t h o u g h t h e latter t w o birds w e r e possibly o v e r s u m m e r i n g .

Returning birds w e r e n o t e d at l l s i t e s d u r i n g June w i t h t h e first being on 7 t h at M i n s m e r e .

Thereafter in June singles were at Pipps Ford, Tuddenham St Martin, North Warren, Trimley Marshes, Ramsholt and Lackford Lakes, f o u r at Abbey Farm, Snape, 22nd and five at Ramsholt, 18th. Flixton Gravel Pits recorded seven o n 25th but t h e highest total was eight o n Orfordness, 29th.

Passage n u m b e r s increased during July w i t h reports f r o m 18 widespread localities. Peaks at t h e e n d of t h e m o n t h included nine, Carlton Marshes, 24th, 14, M i n s m e r e , 29th, eight, Pipps Ford,

92

Systematic List 25th and six, Trimley Marshes, 27th. In t h e west b o t h Lackford Lakes and Gifford's Hall, Stoke-byNayland recorded t h r e e birds.

As is usual, August records came f r o m even m o r e sites (27) and had t h e highest totals w i t h M i n s m e r e leading t h e way w i t h 25 o n 1st, 3 1 on 2nd, 2 1 on 5th and 30 on 24th. The 3 1 o n 2 n d is t h e second-highest total ever recorded in Suffolk only exceeded by t h a t of 45 at West Stow Sewage Farm way back o n August 9 t h 1955! Other impressive totals came f r o m Abbey Farm, Snape w i t h 12 o n 12th, Orfordness, 14 o n 2nd and 16 on 19th and Pipps Ford, 18 on 11th and 16 on 13th.

Numbers declined sharply in September but t h e r e were still 33 sites which reported this species t o t h e year's e n d . A b b e y Farm r e p o r t e d seven o n September 1st and Flixton GP held f o u r o n September 22nd, o n w h i c h date six w e r e recorded on t h e Deben Estuary. Thereafter t h e y w e r e all ones and t w o s apart f r o m four at Ingham in t h e west on November 29th and three at Cattawade o n December 18th.

SPOTTED REDSHANK Fairly common

Tringa

erythropus

passage migrant.

A few overwinter.

Amber

list.

M i n s m e r e was t h e most reliable site for this w a d e r w i t h Orfordness struggling, as t h e f o l l o w i n g monthly maxima s h o w : -

Minsmere Orfordness

Jan -

Feb 1 -

Mar 1 1

Apr 11 2

May 5 -

Jun 12 4

Jul 33 2

Aug 30 -

Sep 6 1

Oct

Nov

Dec

1

-

-

_

There w e r e 1 1 sites w h i c h recorded this species d u r i n g t h e first w i n t e r p e r i o d w i t h Dingle Marshes and Burgh Castle Flats b o t h having up t o t h r e e birds present.

Totals d u r i n g April and May peaked at 11 at M i n s m e r e on April 25th, w i t h Burgh Castle Flats having six o n May 5 t h and inland four birds were present on April 2 4 t h at Gifford's Hall, Stoke-byNayland. The last birds of spring were t h r e e at M i n s m e r e on May 8th.

None was t h e n n o t e d until June 7 t h w h e n t e n birds w e r e back at M i n s m e r e , w i t h Orfordness and Trimley Marshes b o t h recording single birds f r o m June 9th onwards and Orfordness f o u r f r o m 21st t o 23rd . Apart f r o m t h o s e t h r e e sites, Castle Marsh, Dingle Marshes and Walberswick also recorded birds m i d - m o n t h whilst at t h e month's end Trimley Marshes had five birds present rising t o eight by July 6 t h and t o t e n on August 2nd. The 33 on July 2 9 t h and 30 o n August 2 6 t h at M i n s m e r e w e r e all o n t h e Scrape.

There was a scattering of singles f r o m 13 sites d u r i n g September and October w i t h seven o n t h e Blyth Estuary, September 12th and f o u r at Trimley Marshes d u r i n g October. Inland t h e r e w e r e reports of singles f r o m five sites. The highest count of this period was eight at Abbey Farm, Snape o n October 8th.

2013 Addition: The group of five at Livermere Lake, April 30th is t h e largest ever recorded inland in Suffolk.

C O M M O N GREENSHANK Common passage migrant.

Tringa A few

nebularia overwinter.

First w i n t e r records came f r o m just t h r e e sites this year. The December 2012 bird at t h e A b b e y Farm and Botany Farm reserve was again seen a r o u n d Snape, January 5 t h and 6 t h and also February 2nd, w h i l e a n o t h e r single was r e p o r t e d f r o m M e l t o n o n t h e Deben Estuary on February 13th and M a r c h 27th. Inland t h e r e were t h r e e birds r e p o r t e d f r o m Old N e w t o n on February 25th, a remarkable u n p r e c e d e n t e d m i d w i n t e r sighting f r o m central Suffolk.

The first migrants were n o t e d f r o m mid-April w i t h Gifford's Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland recording one on A p r i l l 4 t h . This was quickly f o l l o w e d by singles at Minsmere, 15th and Lowestoft North Denes, 17th, while Burgh Castle Flats recorded t w o on 19th and Orfordness had five present on 25th.

Burgh Castle Flats r e p o r t e d t h e first double-figure c o u n t w i t h 12 o n May 6th, o n w h i c h date

93

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Gifford's Hall recorded eight. Spring migration seems t o have finished early this year a r o u n d midMay w i t h a single at N o r t h W a r r e n o n 16th, w h i l e Boyton Marshes and Trimley Marshes b o t h recorded birds on 18th. Singles at M i n s m e r e , 23rd and Havergate, 31st w e r e t h e only o t h e r lateMay records.

June records began w i t h t w o at Minsmere on 3rd, rising t o seven by 10th. Orfordness had five on 9th. There was a scattering of singles t h r o u g h o u t t h e m o n t h including one at Mickle M e r e on 24th.

Figures in July rose slowly w i t h t h e larger counts coming in f r o m 12th w h e n Trimley Marshes h o s t e d 12. M i n s m e r e r e c o r d e d seven o n 15th, 13 o n 1 6 t h and a peak of 16 o n 2 5 t h . Trimley Marshes had an impressive flock of 40 on July 2 8 t h but this figure was t o p p e d at Seafield Bay on t h e Stour Estuary w i t h 4 1 o n August 8th.

O t h e r August sightings included 14, Carlton Marshes, 10th, 13, M i n s m e r e , 18th and 18 south o f f C o r t o n Cliffs, 2 4 t h . In t h e west of t h e County, August records came f r o m Livermere Lake, 7 t h and Lackford Lakes, 23rd. Also inland, f o u r f l e w over Needham Market calling on 13th and Pipps Ford r e p o r t e d birds t h r o u g h o u t t h e m o n t h peaking at seven o n 19th, most likely t h e highest t o t a l ever r e c o r d e d in t h e Gipping Valley.

N u m b e r s d r o p p e d o f f a f t e r t h e first w e e k of S e p t e m b e r w h e n t h e highest figure was six at M i n s m e r e o n several dates, a l t h o u g h later in t h e m o n t h Abbey Farm, Snape recorded f o u r o n 17th and five w e r e r e p o r t e d f r o m M e l t o n o n t h e Deben Estuary on 22nd. The last record of t h e year in t h e w e s t was f r o m Lackford Lakes o n September 14th.

O c t o b e r sightings came f r o m seven sites w i t h Abbey Farm having up t o six birds present and M e l t o n still recording five. The o n e record f r o m t h e north-east during N o v e m b e r was of f o u r at Easton Broad on 18th. Further south, t w o were at Botany Farm, Farnham o n 2nd and a single bird remained at Cattawade o n t h e Stour Estuary into December. This was joined by another and t w o were seen o n six dates during early December and four, the largest group ever recorded in December in Suffolk, w e r e present o n 15th. The only other December sighting was one at M e l t o n on 8th.

LESSER YELLOWLEGS

Tringa

flavipes

Very rare visitor.

Havergate Island: adult/first-summer, Apr 24th (K Alexander).

A second f o r t h e reserve and t h e t e n t h record for Suffolk. The first Havergate record was on S e p t e m b e r 2 5 t h 1958.

W O O D SANDPIPER Fairly common

Tringa

glareola

passage migrant.

Amber

list.

A r e t u r n t o April sightings this year w i t h t w o birds recorded at M i n s m e r e on 25th. There w e r e also singles at f o u r o t h e r sites in April; Orfordness, 27th, North Warren and Boyton Marshes, b o t h o n 3 0 t h and inland at Gifford's Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland on 28th.

Records d u r i n g M a y came f r o m six s i t e s : Minsmere: 5th.

North Warren: three, 8th; two, 13th.

Boyton Marshes: 1st; four, 7th.

Trimley Marshes: 9th to 12th.

Cattawade: two, 1st and 2nd; one until 7th.

Stoke-by-Nayland: Gifford's Hall, four, 7th and 8th.

The first r e t u r n i n g bird and only June record was at M i n s m e r e , 21st t o 23rd. O t h e r w i s e it was July 1 2 t h b e f o r e t h e next bird a p p e a r e d , at Trimley Marshes, and at M i n s m e r e a single was recorded o n 18th. T h e r e a f t e r an increase in numbers occurred f r o m 23rd w i t h Carlton Marshes, W a l b e r s w i c k , M i n s m e r e , Orfordness, Boyton Marshes, Shingle Street and Trimley Marshes all recording t w o or m o r e w i t h M i n s m e r e peaking at seven on 26th.

August started o f f in a spectacular m a n n e r at M i n s m e r e w i t h 13 on 1st, t h e n a count of 24 on 2 n d w h i c h is t h e highest Suffolk site-total since t h e 'Great Fall' in September 1965 w h e n 30 w e r e recorded, also at M i n s m e r e . The highest recent figure was 22 at Walberswick NNR o n August 12th 94

Systematic List 2004. Other August records of note came f r o m Landguard, three, 24th, Livermere Lake, 3rd and Pipps Ford, Barking w i t h t w o birds f r o m 4 t h t o 11th. At t h e m o n t h ' s end t h e r e w e r e still birds present at Tinker's Marshes (Walberswick) and Covehithe Broad and M i n s m e r e w i t h t h e Walberswick bird remaining until September 12th.

An unusually late bird was still present at Trimley Marshes on October 27th, t h e latest in Suffolk since 2 0 0 1 w h e n one was present inland at Little Cornard also o n October 27th.

C O M M O N REDSHANK Common

winter

Tringa

totanus

visitor and passage migrant.

Declining

resident.

Amber

list.

Orfordness reported a very good year for this species, the breeding population being estimated at 25 t o 29 pairs, w i t h at least ten y o u n g fledged. Typically, t h e main concentration was o n t h e Airfields w h e r e there was a total of 13 t o 15 pairs (compared with a m a x i m u m of eight pairs in 2012).

Elsewhere breeding records came f r o m 11 coastal sites and t w o inland:— Carlton Marshes: two pairs.

North Cove: Castle Marsh, one pair.

Hen Reedbeds: one pair.

Dingle Marshes: eight pairs.

Minsmere: 29 pairs.

North Warren: nine pairs.

Butley River: nine pairs.

Boyton Marshes: two pairs.

Hollesley Marshes: four pairs.

Trimley Marshes: seven pairs.

Shotley Marshes: three pairs.

Higham (near Hadleigh): one pair.

Stoke-by-Nayland: Gifford's Hall, two pairs.

These figures s h o w a healthy, and very w e l c o m e , increase t o 100 pairs, d o u b l e t h e n u m b e r r e p o r t e d in 2012.

Coastal observers recorded a w e a l t h of data o n our estuaries outside of t h e breeding s e a s o n : Jan Minsmere 1 Aide/Ore 1499 Orfordness* 252 Deben 1206 Orwell 215 Stour 227 *monthly maxima

Feb 2 1389 86 1146 100 308

Mar 2 1122 75 958 231 360

Apr 22 61

Aug 15 250

445 255 450

126 437

Sep 7 153 108 1221 839 701

Oct 4 855 50 824 622 1010

Nov 7 1804 291 1358 378 281

Dec 8 1028 130 1538 1102 480

In a d d i t i o n t o t h e above table, 610 birds were recorded on t h e Blyth Estuary on April 23rd.

A u t u m n passage was detected f r o m early July w i t h Landguard Bird Observatory recording birds m o v i n g south f r o m 7th. Havergate Island recorded 5 1 o n July 18th. In t h e south Trimley Marshes saw an increase f r o m 14 birds during t h e breeding period t o 34 o n July 16th. Landguard's peak count came o n August 20th w h e n 17 f l e w south. Breydon South Wall recorded 22 o n August 10th.

Away f r o m t h e estuaries t h e r e were t w o late-November records, a single at Livermere Lake o n N o v e m b e r 10th and t w o on N o v e m b e r 27th at Lakenheath Fen. RUDDY TURNSTONE Common

winter

Arenaria

interpres

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

Counts at t h e principal estuarine and coastal sites w e r e : -

Lowestoft Aide/Ore

Jan 33 39

Feb -

49

Mar 36 46

Apr 39 1 95

Aug 58 -

Sep 25 -

Oct 20 19

Nov 8

Dec 32 32

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Jan 75 49 170

Deben Orwell Stour

Feb 151 16 106

Mar 71 10 199

Apr 52 11 160

Aug 2 177

Sep 79 45 402

Oct 91 69 188

Nov 107 31 234

Dec 84 47 292

Four sites in t h e north-east and 18 in t h e south-east recorded this species in t h e first w i n t e r p e r i o d . Spring m o v e m e n t f i n i s h e d w i t h t h r e e birds o n M a y 3 0 t h at Kessingland a n d t e n at L o w e s t o f t o n June 12th. A f e w records f r o m Lowestoft and M i n s m e r e t o July 3rd may have been late migrants or o v e r s u m m e r i n g non-breeders.

Returning n u m b e r s began t o build up as usual f r o m mid-July w i t h 16 being seen at Lowestoft and S t u t t o n Ness o n t h e Stour Estuary. Thereafter records w e r e received f r o m t h e usual coastal and e s t u a r i n e sites. There were n o records f r o m inland during t h e year.

O r f o r d n e s s r e p o r t e d a n o t h e r year w i t h p o o r totals w h i l e t h e Stour Estuary again shows its i m p o r t a n c e for this species.

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE Rare passage migrant.

Phalaropus

lobatus

Red list.

Two spring records w e r e received w h i c h may relate t o t h e same bird as it moved n o r t h a l t h o u g h t h e y w e r e 1 1 days apart.

Southwold: June 25th (L J Townsend).

Minsmere: June 14th (Multi-observers).

GREY PHALAROPE Scarce passage

Phalaropus

migrant

fulicarius

and rare winter

visitor.

As in t h e previous t w o years t h e r e w e r e t w o sites which had records f o r this species.

Corton: Cliffs, Sep 21st (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards).

Walberswick / Southwold: Dec 9th to 17th, much photographed (M J Thompson, B Buffery).

JACK SNIPE Uncommon

Lymnocryptes winter

minimus

visitor and passage migrant.

Amberlist.

A g o o d n u m b e r of reports were received for this species during the first period w i t h 46 records f r o m 16 sites in t h e east and five in t h e west, including t w o birds at eight sites and three at Oulton Broad, January 25th, Flixton Gravels Pits, February 3rd and 17th and Lakenheath Fen, February 20th.

D u r i n g A p r i l , r e p o r t s c a m e f r o m seven sites w i t h Flixton Gravels Pits h o l d i n g four, 7 t h and Lackford Lakes t h r e e o n t h e same date. The last bird of t h e spring was recorded f r o m t h e Butley River o n M a y 1st.

Trimley Marshes hosted t h e first r e t u r n i n g birds w i t h t w o on t h e early date of August 18th. It was S e p t e m b e r 2 6 t h before t h e north-east recorded any w i t h birds at Corton sewage w o r k s and Easton Broad while, inland, t h e first at Lackford was o n October 2nd .

Late w i n t e r reports came f r o m 20 widespread sites w i t h Minsmere having up to three while Botany Farm, Farnham had five, October 15th and Lackford Lakes also recorded five on October 13th.

EURASIAN WOODCOCK Declining

resident.

Scolopax

Fairly common

rusticรณla

winter

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

During t h e first w i n t e r p e r i o d reports came f r o m 87 widespread sites across t h e county, t h e m a j o r i t y being of single birds. The north-east again had t h e m a j o r i t y of m u l t i p l e birds w i t h eight sites r e c o r d i n g t h r e e or m o r e , t h e best of those being at Beccles C o m m o n w i t h f o u r o n January 21st, w h i l e O u l t o n recorded six o n January 25th. In t h e south, Bonny and Priestley Woods, b o t h in Barking, held f o u r birds o n January 16th, and Pipps Ford also recorded f o u r o n January 21st. In t h e w e s t of t h e County t h e best c o u n t was of seven at Tiger Hill, near Bures on January 3 0 t h .

W h a t w e r e p r o b a b l y passage birds included five at M u m b u r y Hills, W e s t l e t o n on M a r c h 29th, five at Ashby, April 2 n d and six at Parkhill, Lowestoft, April 7 t h w h i l e also o n t h e latter date, t h e 96

Systematic List best count o f t h e period, 16 at Flixton near Lowestoft, was recorded.

Reports d u r i n g t h e breeding season came f r o m t h e strongholds in n o r t h - w e s t Suffolk, i.e. The King's Forest, Knettishall Heath and Cavenham Heath.

Second a u t u m n / w i n t e r records came f r o m 32 sites w i t h t h e first r e t u r n i n g bird n o t e d o n Havergate Island o n S e p t e m b e r 19th and t h e n several sightings f r o m t h e L o w e s t o f t area and Orfordness o n O c t o b e r 1 2 t h and 13th. Four birds w e r e present at Fritton Waveney Forest o n December 9 t h , w h i l e t w o w e r e noted at t h e f o l l o w i n g sites; Culford Park, December 8 t h , Pipps Ford, December 14th, Bramford, December 27th and Lackford Lakes, December 31st.

C O M M O N SNIPE Common

winter

Gallinago

gallinago

visitor and passage migrant.

Probably

extinct as a breeding

species. Amber

list.

First w i n t e r reports w e r e received f r o m seven sites in t h e north-east, 18 in t h e south-east and t e n inland. A p a r t f r o m those in t h e table, interesting counts came f r o m Hollesley Marshes w h e r e after just a single bird was recorded o n January 31st, t w o weeks later, on February 13th, 90 w e r e present, d r o p p i n g t o t e n by 21st. Inland t h e r e w e r e 27 birds at Lakenheath Fen on January 21st rising t o 96 on M a r c h 16th, w h i l e Mickle M e r e had a count of 40 o n March 18th and Pipps Ford, Barking held 38 on M a r c h 31st. The last bird of spring was recorded at M i n s m e r e o n June 9th.

There was no indication of any breeding behaviour received.

Minsmere* North Warren* Aide/Ore** Deben Orwell Stour ""monthly maxima

Jan 6

Feb 8 11 58 90 9 19 56 0 2 15 **includes Orfordness

Mar 88 85 59 6 0 8

Sep 15 4 20 1 4 12

Oct 24 250 30 5 3 31

Nov 16

Dec 4

-

-

31 3 1 13

33 12 14 10

The 250 c o u n t e d by Dave T h u r l o w o n t h e South M a r s h at N o r t h W a r r e n , above, is t h e first three-figure t o t a l since December 2010 w h e n 200 w e r e at M i n s m e r e and 135 at N o r t h W a r r e n .

The first r e t u r n i n g birds w e r e t h r e e at Castle Marsh, N o r t h Cove o n July 13th; t h e n u m b e r s at this site t h e n rose t o 25 on July 30th and 30 on August 22nd. Elsewhere M i n s m e r e had up t o 20

by August 21st and Pipps Ford had t h e best inland influx w i t h 15 o n August 14th.

The late w i n t e r period saw seven north-east sites, 13 south-east and seven inland sites having birds present. The best figures of t h e s e w e r e at Dingle Marshes w i t h 27 o n S e p t e m b e r 2 2 n d , Trimley Marshes w i t h 30, October 29th and Botany Bay, Lakenheath w h e r e 32 w e r e recorded o n December 6th.

POMARINE SKUA Uncommon

Stercorarius

passage migrant.

pomarinus

A few

overwinter.

During t h e first w i n t e r period t w o were off Landguard, January 12th and February 20th. Further n o r t h along t h e coast a singleton was o n M i n s m e r e Beach and t h e Scrape, February 13th and 14th respectively. During M a r c h one was o f f Landguard on 16th.

Spring m i g r a t i o n started w i t h an early bird n o r t h o f f Thorpeness, April 1st and one was o f f Felixstowe, April 14th. In May, t h r e e were seen heading n o r t h past S o u t h w o l d at 07:10hr on 13th.

Singles w e r e o f f Felixstowe, May 15th, n o r t h off Thorpeness, May 22nd and n o r t h o f f Kessingland at 17:05hr o n June 6th. In general it was a quiet spring w i t h no repeat of t h e n u m b e r s seen in t h e previous spring.

During late summer, t w o adults w e r e n o t e d flying south o f f Ness Point, Lowestoft, July 3 0 t h .

Slightly f u r t h e r n o r t h , t h r e e w e r e off Corton Cliffs, August 23rd and t h e same day a juvenile was on t h e sea o f f M i n s m e r e . On August 2 4 t h t w o juveniles sparred w i t h an Arctic Skua o f f Gorleston d u r i n g t h e a f t e r n o o n and t h e next day, t w o juveniles were off Kessingland d u r i n g t h e m o r n i n g .

T h r o u g h o u t September and most of October, sightings w e r e sparse and l i m i t e d t o singletons 97

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 mostly o f f Kessingland, M i n s m e r e and Thorpeness. The most unexpected record f r o m this period was o f a j u v e n i l e bird chasing gulls j u s t inland at Burgh Castle Marshes, October 3rd. Sightings picked up t o w a r d s t h e e n d of t h e m o n t h w i t h t h r e e heading n o r t h off Thorpeness, O c t o b e r 2 7 t h and a n o t h e r t w o n o r t h t h e r e t h e f o l l o w i n g day.

In t h e last t w o m o n t h s of 2013, most sightings w e r e o f f Thorpeness w i t h m u l t i p l e sightings of five, N o v e m b e r 5 t h , t w o lingering offshore, N o v e m b e r 15th and t h r e e and t w o seen offshore, December 2 n d and 7 t h respectively. The last sightings of t h e year w e r e singletons o f f Landguard, December 2 7 t h and 3 0 t h .

ARCTIC SKUA Decreasing

Stercorarius

passage migrant.

parasiticus A few overwinter.

Red list.

The start of t h e year was typically quiet w i t h no sightings made until one dark-phase bird was seen flying n o r t h o f f Kessingland, April 23rd. A n o t h e r was seen off Orfordness t w o days later and t h e o n l y spring sighting made o f f Landguard NR was of t w o n o r t h , May 15th. The day before t w o w e r e seen flying n o r t h o f f Thorpeness.

Return passage in July d i d n ' t pick up until t h e last ten days of t h e m o n t h , w h e n t h r e e w e r e o f f Thorpeness and L o w e s t o f t on b o t h 2 0 t h and 21st. At t h e end of t h e m o n t h , seven f l e w south off L o w e s t o f t o n 3 0 t h six w e r e off Thorpeness, w h i c h included f o u r flying south, t h e same day and t h e f o l l o w i n g day t h r e e w e r e seen heading south off Lowestoft.

As expected, d u r i n g August totals continued t o increase w i t h t h e bulk of sightings m a d e along t h e n o r t h - e a s t coast of t h e c o u n t y at Lowestoft and Thorpeness. Notable counts included six o f f T h o r p e n e s s , 6 t h , 16 s o u t h o f f Thorpeness, 1 3 t h and 2 1 s o u t h past N o r t h Beach, L o w e s t o f t , a count w h i c h included seven pale adults, 18th. In t h e south-east of t h e county, t h e only n o t e w o r t h y m u l t i p l e sighting was o f f o u r o f f Landguard, 23rd.

In September, as o n e w o u l d expect, t h e year's peak totals w e r e recorded. By far t h e highest d a y - c o u n t s w e r e o n 1 1 t h , w h e n 73 f l e w s o u t h o f f Thorpeness, 33 w e r e o f f Sizewell b e t w e e n 0 7 : 1 0 h r and 0 9 : 4 5 h r and 19 w e r e o f f Lowestoft. U n d o u b t e d l y there w e r e g o o d n u m b e r s offshore and it was a g o o d day f o r passage w i t h favourable w e a t h e r b u t s o m e d u p l i c a t i o n b e t w e e n sightings is always going t o be a factor.

In O c t o b e r , seven passed s o u t h o f f Thorpeness, 10th, eight w e r e seen heading s o u t h o f f Landguard, 11th, t h r e e w e r e off M i n s m e r e t h e f o l l o w i n g day and t w o w e r e o f f S o u t h w o l d , 24th.

Towards t h e end of t h e year sightings died away w i t h only t h e occasional single bird recorded in N o v e m b e r and December, t h e last of t h e year o f f Thorpeness Haven o n December 31st.

LONG-TAILED SKUA

Stercorarius

Uncommon

migrant.

passage

longicaudus

All sightings of this much sought-after skua during 2013 were made on return passage w i t h no spring sightings being reported. The first record of t h e year was of one harassing terns off N o r t h Beach, Lowestoft o n August 17th. Three juveniles were off Sizewell, August 30th. The bulk of t h e sightings were made during September w i t h peak activity around September 10th and 11th, when on t h e latter date, f o u r were seen off Slaughden. Another three were off Southwold early morning on 15th.

The final sightings of t h e year w e r e of single juveniles o f f Gorleston and M i n s m e r e , October 12th. All records as f o l l o w s : Gorleston: south, Aug 20th (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards); juv north, 08:10hr, Oct 12th (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards).

Corton: north, Sep 1st (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards); north, Sep 11th (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards); juv north, Sep 21st (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards).

Gunton: south, Oct 11th (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards).

Lowestoft: juv offshore chasing terns, Aug 17th (A Easton); juv south, Aug 18th (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards); lingering offshore 18:15 - 19:15hr, Aug 30th (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards); south off Ness Point, Sep 1st (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards); south off Ness Point, Sep 2nd (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards).

Kessingland: south, Aug 19th (P Read); south, Sep 14th (P Read).

98

Systematic List Southwold: juv offshore 18:15-18:25hr, Aug 31st (D Walsh); south at 15:10hr, Sep 7th (B Small); three south 'early morning', Sep 15th (C Courtney); juv north, 09:50hr, Oct 11th (E Patrick).

Minsmere: juv north, 16:50hr, Oct 12th (J Grant).

Sizewell: two pale juvs north, 17:00hr and dark juv south at 17:45hr, Aug 30th (J Grant); Sep 15th (R Drew).

Thorpeness: two south, Aug 30th (D Thurlow); two south, Sep 11th (D Thurlow); north, Sep 15th (D Thurlow).

Slaughden: four south, Sep 11th (J Davies).

Bawdsey: East Lane, Oct 11th (S Abbott).

GREAT SKUA

Stercorarius

Fairly common

passage migrant.

skua A few overwinter.

Amber

list.

At t h e start of t h e year t h e r e w e r e f o u r January records, involving singletons past Thorpeness on 20th, past M i n s m e r e , 27th, n o r t h o f f Orfordness, January 23rd and on t h e beach at Benacre Broad, January 28th. Spring migration was t h i n on the ground w i t h t h e odd singleton seen heading n o r t h off Kessingland and Thorpeness in early April. Any m u l t i p l e occurrences at this t i m e w e r e limited t o t w o birds n o r t h o f f Thorpeness, April 11th and three o f f Landguard, April 16th.

Return m i g r a t i o n d i d n ' t really get going u n t i l a l m o s t m i d - S e p t e m b e r w h i c h s u m m e d up a d i s a p p o i n t i n g year overall f o r this species. Apart f r o m t w o past Bawdsey, S e p t e m b e r 2nd, t h e main peak came on S e p t e m b e r 11th w h e n eight w e r e seen off Sizewell and 14 w e r e seen passing s o u t h o f f Thorpeness. Sightings t h e n q u i e t e n e d d o w n until t h e end of t h e m o n t h w h e n t h r e e passed south o f f Thorpeness, 28th and t h e f o l l o w i n g day another t h r e e f l e w south off Lowestoft.

Overall during t h e a u t u m n period at Landguard a total of 25 was noted between September 11th and December 8 t h t h e only multiple occurrence being of four o n October 11th. On t h a t same day 19 were off Thorpeness and seven off Lowestoft. Later t h a t m o n t h five were off Lowestoft o n 25th.

In November t h e r e were still some n o t e w o r t h y occurrences, including five off Kessingland, 10th, a n o t h e r f i v e t h e f o l l o w i n g day off Thorpeness and a n o t h e r five, again o f f Thorpeness, 1 7 t h .

December saw a f e w m o r e records including a n o t h e r five off Thorpeness, 2nd. By this t i m e most of t h e records of this species came f r o m Thorpeness and at t h e end of t h e year, t h r e e w e r e seen flying n o r t h t h e r e on December 30th.

ATLANTIC PUFFIN

Fratercula

Scarce passage migrant.

arctica

Amber

list.

Five or six tideline corpses were f o u n d in March and April on beaches in t h e n o r t h of t h e c o u n t y b e t w e e n Lowestoft and Easton Broad.

A t o t a l of 13 live birds was r e p o r t e d in 2013, w i t h eight in t h e April t o June p e r i o d and five b e t w e e n late September and late November, slightly up on t h e totals of t h e previous t h r e e years.

Gorleston: Sep 27th; two, Nov 22nd.

Lowestoft: Oct 11th.

Southwold: north, Apr 9th; north, May 11th.

Thorpeness: south, May 21st; two north, June 2nd; June 3rd; north, June 5th; south, June 24th.

East Lane, Bawdsey: north, Oct 11th.

Totals of live Puffins reported 2004-2013 Year 2004 2005 2006 Totals 10 5 2

RAZORBILL Uncommon

Alca

2007 20

2008 8

2009 13

2010 7

2011 5

2012 8

2013 13

Oct 5

Nov

Dec 5

torda

passage migrant

and winter

Monthly totals of live Razorbills in 2013: Jan Feb Mar Apr 2 3 5 -

visitor. Amber

May

Jun 6

4

list.

Jul -

Aug 2

Sep 7

6

It was a fairly average year for this species, w i t h records evenly spread, and no large scale m o v e m e n t s or influxes evident.

99

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Totals of live Razorbills reported 2004-2013 Year 2004 2005 2006 Totals 36 48 23

LITTLE AUK Uncommon

Alle

2007 53

2008 341

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

40

70

36

82

45

alle

passage

migrant

and winter

visitor.

Yet a n o t h e r v e r y p o o r s h o w i n g f o r t h i s species, w i t h j u s t six live birds seen a n d o n e t i d e l i n e corpse r e p o r t e d . T w o w e r e r e c o r d e d in t h e first w i n t e r p e r i o d w i t h t h e r e m a i n d e r all in N o v e m b e r .

Hopton-on-Sea: on the sea, Mar 26th.

Gunton Beach: headless corpse on tide line, Nov 23rd.

Southwold: north, Jan 19th.

Dunwich: flew inland with a small flock of Starlings Sturnus vulgaris and Fieldfares Turdus pilaris, Nov 5th.

Thorpeness: south, Nov 11th; two north, Nov 15th.

C O M M O N GUILLEMOT Common

passage

migrant

Uria

aalge

and winter

visitor. Amber

list.

A m u c h i m p r o v e d s h o w i n g w i t h at least 8 7 0 r e p o r t e d d u r i n g 2 0 1 3 ; t h i s c o m p a r e s f a v o u r a b l y w i t h 4 9 2 in 2 0 1 2 a n d 6 3 4 in 2 0 1 1 . The t o t a l w a s b o o s t e d by larger n u m b e r s t h a n in r e c e n t years b e i n g n o t e d in N o v e m b e r a n d D e c e m b e r a n d a larger s p r i n g passage p e a k i n g in A p r i l . A c o m p a r i s o n o f t h e m o n t h l y t o t a l s f o r t h e last t h r e e years a p p e a r s b e l o w : Monthly totals of live Guillemots: Jan Feb Mar 2013 44 58 33 2012 141 9 4 2011 24 6 -

Apr

May

128 4 157

31 1 134

Jun 76 16 35

Jul

Aug

Sep

4 4 6

2 10

23 97

Oct 23 74

9

19

41

Nov 191 82 95

Dec 257 50 108

Monthlytotats of live Guillemots

T h e w e l l - w a t c h e d site o f T h o r p e n e s s again a c c o u n t e d f o r t h e bulk of t h e r e p o r t s o f t h i s species w i t h o v e r 7 3 % of all t h e records, w i t h an a n n u a l t o t a l of 6 4 0 ( c o m p a r e d w i t h c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o t a l s o f 3 3 1 in 2 0 1 2 , 3 5 2 in 2 0 1 1 , 86 in 2 0 1 0 , 1 0 8 in 2 0 0 9 a n d 3 8 7 in 2008).

At least 1 9 6 0 u n i d e n t i f i e d Auks w e r e r e p o r t e d o f f t h e coast o f Suffolk t h i s year, w i t h t h e vast m a j o r i t y of t h e s e likely t o have b e e n Guillemots. The spread of records broken d o w n by m o n t h b e l o w is b r o a d l y similar t o t h a t o f t h o s e specifically identified as Guillemots. However, t h e peak m o n t h was N o v e m b e r r a t h e r t h a n December, a n d t h e spring passage in April was even m o r e significant.

100

Systematic List Monthly totals of unidentified Auks: Jan Feb Mar 2013 3 51 143 2012 100 17 2

LITTLE T E R N

Sternula

Common summer

Apr 587 1

May 10 5

Jun 9 3

Jul 1 1

Aug -

5

Sep 13 239

Oct 47 552

Nov 956 112

Dec 140 128

albifrons

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

The first of t h e year was noted, surprisingly, in t h e Breck at Lackford Lakes o n April 13th, w i t h t h e next, m o r e typically, at Landguard on 18th. The first m u l t i p l e - c o u n t received was of t w o at M i n s m e r e o n April 30th, w i t h t h e next being 22 at Kessingland on May 5th.

Despite m u c h e f f o r t by conservation organisations, t h e r e is still no sign of any i m p r o v e m e n t in t h e breeding efforts of this species in t h e county w i t h breeding a t t e m p t s r e p o r t e d at only t h r e e sites, all of w h i c h ultimately failed t o produce any young.

Breeding Site Kessingland Benacre Dingle Marshes Walberswick Minsmere Sudbourne Shingle Street

No. of Pairs 6+

Fledged Young nil

? ? ? ?

?

5+

nil

?

?

?

? ?

Remarks Breeding attempted.

No details No details No details No details Failed probably due to prĂŠdation All nesting activity ceased by May 31st.

The highest day-count received was of 100+ at The Knolls, Felixstowe Ferry o n July 2 6 t h b u t t h e r e w e r e no large counts of passage birds f r o m t h e w e l l - w a t c h e d seawatching sites this year during July and August.

In September a t o t a l of 23 birds was recorded on four dates, w i t h t h e final record being of seven south past Landguard on 12th. Other t h a n t h e first record of t h e year, t h e only o t h e r r e p o r t of t h e species f r o m t h e west of t h e c o u n t y was of t h r e e at Lakenheath Fen RSPB on June 5th.

BLACK TERN

Chlidonias

Fairly common

passage migrant.

niger Amber

list.

A t o t a l of only 14 passed t h r o u g h t h e county during spring m i g r a t i o n b e t w e e n April 25th, w h e n t h r e e w e r e at Livermere Lake and t w o at Minsmere, and May 18th. This was very similar t o 2012 w h e n 15 w e r e recorded b e t w e e n April 25th and May 19th. Again, as is usual in spring, t h e m a j o r i t y w e r e away f r o m t h e coast.

All spring records are listed b e l o w : Minsmere: two, Apr 25th.

Landguard: May 10th; north, May 18th.

Lackford Lakes: May 5th; three, May 6th.

Livermere Lake: three, Apr 25th; two, May 6th; May 7th.

There w e r e t w o records in June, b o t h involving t w o birds, at Lackford Lakes o n 6th, and n o r t h past Landguard on 7th.

The first returning birds were t w o at Shingle Street on July 28th, and t h e species was then recorded along the coast almost every day during t h e m o n t h of August t h r o u g h until mid-September. Single birds w e r e thereafter noted at Landguard on September 17th and Stutton Mill on September 24th and t h e final record of t h e year was of a juvenile at Lakenheath Washes on October 5th.

The a u t u m n passage was m u c h i m p r o v e d this year w i t h a r o u n d 165 r e p o r t e d c o m p a r e d w i t h o n l y a r o u n d 30 in 2012. The largest site-total was 32 past G o r l e s t o n o n A u g u s t 12th, t h o u g h several o t h e r sites also had d o u b l e - d i g i t counts such as Landguard w i t h 2 1 o n August 2 4 t h , Lowestoft w i t h 13 on August 23rd and Thorpeness w i t h 13 on August 10th. O t h e r t h a n t h e final bird of t h e year m e n t i o n e d above only one o t h e r was recorded away f r o m t h e coast d u r i n g t h e a u t u m n , a j u v e n i l e at Cavenham Pits on September 1st.

101

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 SANDWICH TERN Common

Sterna

passage migrant.

sandvicensis Amber

list.

The first record of t h e year was of a single bird flying n o r t h at Ness Point, Lowestoft o n M a r c h 10th (the earliest since 2005 w h e n one was at Kessingland o n March 6th), w i t h t h e only o t h e r M a r c h records also being at Lowestoft, w i t h t w o o n 22nd and one o n 24th.

The next arrivals w e r e o n April 1st past L o w e s t o f t and Thorpeness w i t h sightings t h e r e a f t e r b e c o m i n g m o r e regular f r o m 6 t h onwards, a l t h o u g h passage was very light w i t h t h e m a x i m u m count being of just 15 at M i n s m e r e on April 29th. Small numbers continued t o pass t h r o u g h during May, w i t h d o u b l e - d i g i t counts only being achieved t o w a r d s t h e end of t h e m o n t h w i t h 13 past Kessingland o n 2 8 t h and 14 on Havergate Island o n 30th.

The table b e l o w shows m o n t h l y m o v e m e n t s past t w o w e l l - w a t c h e d coastal sites. C o m p a r e d w i t h last year it reveals t h a t many m o r e were n o t e d during June and July in 2013, a l t h o u g h these increased n u m b e r s d i d n ' t result in any breeding a t t e m p t s being made. This is t h e f o u r t h successive year t h a t this t e r n has failed t o breed in Suffolk.

Apr 13N

Kessingland

—

Thorpeness

2N 2S

May 59N 12S 20 N IS

Jun 132N 90S 107N 214S

Jul 104N 136S 51N 195S

Aug 126N 66S 103N 327S

Sep 65N 102S 43N 291S

Oct

Nov

-

-

9S

-

-

-

6S

1

The August and September passage totals past these t w o sites were also slightly higher t h a n in 2012. The species was recorded almost daily up until October 13th, w i t h t w o past Kessingland o n 18th, one past Gorleston on 19th and one south at Minsmere o n 24th being t h e remaining records f o r t h a t m o n t h . The f i n a l straggler of t h e year was one w h i c h f l e w s o u t h past Thorpeness o n N o v e m b e r 10th.

N o n e was recorded in t h e west of t h e county for t h e t h i r d successive year 2012 Correction: The January 2 3 r d record of Sandwich Tern at Slaughden published in t h e Earliest and Latest Dates of S u m m e r M i g r a n t s 2012 o n page 160 of Suffolk Birds 2012 was n o t verified. As such, t h e first date for Sandwich Tern in 2012 was March 2 6 t h at b o t h Thorpeness and Walberswick.

C O M M O N TERN Common

summer

Sterna

hirundo

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

One w h i c h f l e w n o r t h past Thorpeness on March 11th (D Thurlow) is t h e earliest date this species has ever been recorded in t h e county, beating t h e previous record by m o r e t h a n t w o weeks. That record was of one at Sizewell on March 26th 1980. Piotrowski in t h e Birds of Suffolk (2003) indicated t h a t t h e r e had up t o t h e n only been six records of C o m m o n Tern in Suffolk during t h e m o n t h of March. W i t h others in 2005 (28th) and 2006 (29th) this t o t a l has n o w risen t o nine records.

The next individual t o be recorded was on t h e m o r e typical date of April 9 t h at A m p t o n W a t e r in t h e Breck. Others f o l l o w e d at Pipps Ford o n 10th, M i n s m e r e and Corton o n 12th and t h e first m u l t i p l e records o n 15th w h e n t h r e e w e r e at b o t h M i n s m e r e and Lackford.

The only b r e e d i n g i n f o r m a t i o n received is summarized b e l o w : Minsmere: 103 breeding pairs. None fledged due to prĂŠdation.

Weybread G.P.: single pair raised two young.

Alton Water: 90 nests, 88 chicks ringed.

Lackford Lakes: at least one pair on nest rafts. At least one juvenile fledged.

Counts at t w o w e l l - w a t c h e d coastal sites are detailed b e l o w ; n u m b e r s in July, A u g u s t and S e p t e m b e r w e r e all m u c h higher t h a n t h e comparable n u m b e r s in 2 0 1 2 : -

102

Systematic List

Kessingland

Apr 3N

Thorpeness

7N

May 24N 5S 30N 7S

-

-

Jun 42N 22S 85N 129S

Jul 228N 1075S 147N 3104S

Aug 1008N 1062S 917N 6501S

Sep 237N 287S 224N 518S

Oct 2N IS 3N -

S o u t h b o u n d migrants w e r e noted f r o m mid-July and numbers picked up very quickly w i t h t h e highest day-count being 2656 past Thorpeness on July 30th, all bar four of t h e m heading south.

Numbers remained high t h r o u g h o u t early August and started t o tail off f r o m m i d - m o n t h . Despite t h e generally earlier passage, larger n u m b e r s w e r e still recorded t h r o u g h o u t t h e w h o l e of September c o m p a r e d w i t h 2012. October records were sparse w i t h just eleven recorded o n five dates b e t w e e n 1st and 12th. The final record of t h e year was o f t w o at Trimley Marshes o n November 10th.

ROSEATE TERN

Sterna

Scarce passage migrant.

dougallii Red list.

A similar t o t a l of sightings as in recent years, w i t h probably at least seven d i f f e r e n t birds involved, a l t h o u g h some individuals are likely t o have been seen at several sites as t h e y m o v e d d o w n t h e coast. Once again none s u m m e r e d or a t t e m p t e d to breed.

Lowestoft: North Beach, adult, July 7th; adult, Aug 6th; adult, Aug 11th.

Southwold: south, Aug 13th.

Mlnsmere: June 21st; adult and first-summer, June 22nd; adult, Aug 2nd.

Thorpeness: south, Aug 7th; south, Aug 13th; north, Sep 14th.

Landguard: June 21st.

Totals of Roseate Terns reported 2004-2013: Year 2004 2005 2006 Totals 3 7 10

ARCTIC TERN

Sterna

Fairly common

passage migrant.

2007 10

2008 4+

2009 10+

2010 5

2011 6+

2012 7-8

2013 7-9

paradisaea Occasionally

breeds. Amber

list.

A single bird at Lackford Lakes on April 16th was t h e first of t h e year, f o l l o w e d by 24 at t h e same site t w o days later o n 18th. On 19th t h e first coastal migrants w e r e n o t e d at Minsmere (one) and Kessingland (two) and on 20th l l f l e w t h r o u g h at Breydon Water.

A r o u n d 260 w e r e recorded in a fairly prolonged passage b e t w e e n April 1 6 t h and June 13th, w i t h a r o u n d 60 of t h e m passing t h r o u g h t h e far west of t h e county. There w e r e small peaks in early May, t h e n late May and a f u r t h e r small peak in n u m b e r s in early June. The highest dayc o u n t d u r i n g this p e r i o d was of 54 n o r t h past Thorpeness o n May 2 2 n d The f o l l o w i n g were recorded inland during t h e spring:Weybread Pits: Apr 19th; Apr 22nd.

Thorington Street: Reservoir, May 8th.

Livermere Lake: Apr 21st; 27, Apr 24th; Apr 26th; May 4th; two, May 7th.

Lackford Lakes: Apr 16th; 24, Apr 18th; three, Apr 19th; May 6th.

Lakenheath Washes: three, May 11th.

There was only a small handful of reports b e t w e e n June 3 0 t h and mid-July w i t h no indication of o v e r s u m m e r i n g and no reports of breeding activity.

Arctic Terns Peter Beeson 103

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 A u t u m n passage birds w e r e o n t h e move by late July, and a r o u n d 130 (compared w i t h a r o u n d 110 in 2012 and a r o u n d 200 in 2011) were recorded on passage b e t w e e n t h e n and N o v e m b e r 1 2 t h , w h e n t h e f i n a l bird of t h e year, a j u v e n i l e , was n o t e d south past Kessingland. The m a i n passage had tailed off by September 26th this year, w i t h just t e n birds recorded in October o n f o u r dates b e t w e e n 1 2 t h and 19th and f o u r birds in N o v e m b e r o n f o u r dates; Landguard, 3rd, G o r l e s t o n , 5 t h , S o u t h w o l d , 9 t h and Kessingland, 12th. A j u v e n i l e at Lakenheath Washes o n O c t o b e r 14th and 15th was t h e only inland record of t h e a u t u m n .

SABINE'S GULL Rare passage

Xema

sabini

migrant.

There w e r e t w o records of, presumably, t h e same bird on September 12th, a typical date for this species.

Sizewell: adult summer, north, 18:10hr, Sep 12th, same as Thorpeness bird, (D Fairhurst).

Thorpeness: adult summer, north, 18:05hr, Sep 12th, same as Sizewell bird (D Thurlow).

BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE Very common

Rissa

passage migrant

tridactyla

and winter

visitor. Small numbers

breed. Amber

list.

At t h e start of t h e year some g o o d counts w e r e made b u t it w a s n ' t as busy as t h e start of 2012.

Peak c o u n t s consisted of 54 o f f Thorpeness, January 1st and 114 t h e r e , m o s t of w h i c h w e r e f o l l o w i n g a ferry, January 13th. Further north, 39 f l e w south past Ness Point, Lowestoft, January 2 0 t h . At Landguard 50 w e r e present, February 6th. A n o t e w o r t h y occurrence was o f an inland sighting w h e n o n e , or maybe even t w o birds, w e r e seen - an adult at Rymer Point, B a m h a m , M a r c h 9 t h w i t h a n o t h e r adult at Lackford Lakes, March 18th.

On t h e coast, n o r t h w a r d passage m i g r a t i o n picked up t o w a r d s t h e end of M a r c h w i t h peak totals including 134 past Thorpeness, March 26th and 157 past there, April 8th. Almost all records of this species w e r e m a d e either at Thorpeness or Kessingland, w i t h Thorpeness n o r m a l l y having t h e higher n u m b e r s . Towards t h e end of t h e spring 153 w e r e seen past Kessingland, M a y 22nd and 120 f l e w n o r t h past M i n s m e r e , May 25th. During June, 145 w e r e o f f Kessingland, 10th and 290 o f f Thorpeness, 24th.

It was estimated t h a t there were about 200 nesting pairs in east Lowestoft including 149 nests (124 chicks) in t h e harbour and 38 nests (54 chicks) at Claremont Pier. A rogue pair of Herring Gulls predated chicks in almost all t h e nests on t h e wall in the harbour, whilst the pier birds escaped this predation.

Further south at Sizewell, 62 nests on the old Sizewell A 'near rig' and 88 nests on t h e 'far rig' were counted f r o m the shore in June.

From t h e m i d d l e of August numbers o f f t h e coast dipped w i t h mostly single-figure day-counts being made and it wasn't until towards the end of the year that numbers began to pick up. Most records by this t i m e were made f r o m Thorpeness including 372 on November 4 t h and 3 3 1 on November 24th. Plenty of birds were still being seen in the final m o n t h w i t h 400 north past Thorpeness, December 2nd and by t h e end of t h e m o n t h most birds seen w e r e t h e n heading south including 6 5 1 past Thorpeness, o n 22nd. Further south in Suffolk, at Landguard, 400 were recorded on 6th and 1336 on 31st.

BLACK-HEADED GULL

Very

common

migrant.

Black-legged Kittiwake Richard Allen

Amber

resident,

Chroicocephalus

winter

visitor

ridibundus

and

passage

list.

At t h e beginning of t h e year large roosts gathered at 104

Systematic List t h e traditional sites in t h e west of the county w i t h thousands at b o t h Lackford Lakes and Livermere Lake. The notable peak counts included 8500 at Lackford Lakes, January 26th and 7000 at Lackford Lakes and 8 0 0 0 at Livermere Lake, February 24th. March saw numbers increase at Livermere Lake w h e r e 13000 and 12000 w e r e present, 4 t h and 27th respectively, and decline at Lackford, w h e r e 8000 and 2500 w e r e present, 9 t h and 21st respectively.

On t h e coast, 709 w e r e c o u n t e d on t h e Blyth Estuary d u r i n g t h e January WeBS c o u n t , 1500 w e r e n o t e d o f f Orfordness, February 10th and 100 w e r e f o l l o w i n g a p l o u g h at Flixton near Lowestoft, February 21st. A good count of 4069 was recorded on t h e Stour Estuary d u r i n g t h e March WeBS survey and elsewhere smaller totals were received but nothing t o rival t h e gatherings at Lackford and Livermere in t h e west.

At Landguard spring passage m o v e m e n t s were n o t e d between M a r c h 3 0 t h and May 2 8 t h w i t h a d a y - m a x i m u m of 3 4 1 1 n o r t h , April 6 t h on which day 3000 w e r e off Thorpeness.

At Minsmere, 1316 breeding pairs were counted. Elsewhere eight pairs were on a small lake at Grange Farm, Chediston. On Orfordness breeding was a t t e m p t e d by 42 pairs ( d o w n f r o m 89 pairs in 2012), but all were predated. In the west of the county, breeding was confirmed at both Livermere Lake w i t h 35 juveniles and Mickle M e r e w i t h 5 1 juveniles, both on July 6th. There were no reports of successful breeding at Lackford Lakes. In late summer 300 juveniles congregated at Pipps Ford, August 12th and 700 were present there, August 21st, including 400 seen t o be fly-catching ants.

At t h e start of a u t u m n t h e r e w e r e no large congregations apart f r o m 1800 in a p r e - r o o s t gathering at Burgh Castle Flats, October 6th. At Landguard, 192 passed offshore, October 12th.

In t h e second w i n t e r period, roosts in t h e west of t h e county w e r e not as productive as at t h e start of t h e year; 6000 ' m o v e d west' at Livermere Lake on November 30th and 5000 roosted there, December 15th, w i t h no reports f r o m Lackford at this t i m e . In t h e south-east of t h e county, 1500 w e r e at W a l t o n Marshes, Felixstowe on December 10th. Compared w i t h earlier in t h e year m u c h smaller n u m b e r s f r e q u e n t e d t h e coastal estuaries t o w a r d s t h e end of t h e year, w i t h only 232 and 2 0 1 noted o n t h e Stour Estuary d u r i n g t h e November and December WeBS surveys.

LITTLE GULL

Hydrocoloeus

Fairly common

passage migrant.

minutus

Regularly

oversummers.

Small numbers

overwinter.

Amber

list.

As w i t h 2012, it was a relatively quiet start t o t h e year. The first records were of singletons south o f f Lowestoft Ness and n o r t h off Thorpeness, January 20th; given t h e date these could refer t o t h e same b i r d ! A first-winter was in Lowestoft Harbour, February 5th.

Spring passage had c o m m e n c e d by late March w h e n 30 were o f f S o u t h w o l d on 23rd and 34 were off Orfordness t h e f o l l o w i n g day. Other peak coastal day-counts Include 19 n o r t h off Hoptonon-Sea, M a r c h 2 6 t h and 14 n o r t h o f f Kessingland, M a r c h 29th. At M i n s m e r e 30 birds w e r e o n t h e South Levels, April 25th. Spring passage in t h e west of t h e county was poor c o m p a r e d w i t h recent years w i t h j u s t one at Lackford Lakes, April 10th and t w o at Livermere Lake, May 3rd. In t h e southeast, 2 1 f l e w n o r t h past Felixstowe Undercliffe, April 6th.

T h r o u g h o u t t h e s u m m e r small numbers w e r e at Minsmere, mostly a r o u n d t h e Scrape and t h e n in mid- t o late-July n u m b e r s started t o increase again w i t h 23 present, July 16th rising t o 75, July 25th. Elsewhere, 57 w e r e a r o u n d t h e Sizewell rigs, July 29th, 38 at a reservoir at Aldringham Walks t h e same day and 45 at M i n s m e r e , July 31st. The f o l l o w i n g m o n t h n u m b e r s increased o n t h e Scrape at M i n s m e r e w h e r e t h e peak c o u n t for t h e m o n t h was 180, August 4 t h and, at t h e end of t h e m o n t h , 130 w e r e at t h e Sizewell Rigs, August 3 0 t h . Further n o r t h along t h e coast t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n was m u c h sparser w i t h only single-figure totals at Kessingland and Lowestoft.

In September t h e focus was moved f r o m Minsmere t o t h e Sizewell Rigs w h e r e 70 were recorded, September 14th. A first-winter was inland at Lackford Lakes, September 27th. The f o l l o w i n g m o n t h t h e focus o f sightings shifted n o r t h up t h e coast w i t h 24 off Thorpeness, O c t o b e r 11th and 46 n o r t h passed Lowestoft Ness, October 12th, w h i l s t at t h e south end of t h e county, 20 w e r e at Landguard also o n O c t o b e r 12th. There was a n o t h e r record f r o m t h e w e s t , a f i r s t - w i n t e r at Lakenheath Fen, October 14th and 15th.

Suffolk Bird Report 2013 A f t e r m i d - O c t o b e r , sightings all b u t d r i e d up apart f r o m t w o singletons o f f Thorpeness and S o u t h w o l d , N o v e m b e r 11th and 21st respectively. The last record of t h e year was of a solitary a d u l t in Holbrook Bay, December 24th.

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Uncommon

resident,

Larus

winter

melanocephalus

visitor and passage migrant.

Rare breeder. Amber

list.

At t h e start of t h e year many singletons w e r e n o t e d w i t h t h e higher n u m b e r s t e n d i n g t o be at t h e coast. Four w e r e seen at Gorleston, January 13th and five at Benacre, January 19th. In t h e south-east of t h e county, five w e r e at Landguard, January 11th and 12th, w i t h six t h e r e , including five adults, January 23rd.

In west Suffolk a f i r s t - w i n t e r roosted regularly at Lackford Lakes f r o m January 1 9 t h t o M a r c h 2 9 t h ; it was j o i n e d by an adult, February 10th. Elsewhere singletons w e r e n o t e d at Cavenham Pits, January 2 0 t h , and a w h i t e colour-ringed bird at Livermere Lake, February 2nd w i t h an adult t h e r e , M a r c h 2 0 t h . Spring passage saw singles at Livermere Lake on M a r c h 25th, Mickle M e r e , April 14th, and Lakenheath Fen, May 3rd.

It w o u l d appear t h a t this species no longer breeds at Blythburgh, w h e r e t h e t r a d i t i o n a l Blackh e a d e d Gull c o l o n y has ceased t o exist, due a p p a r e n t l y t o an invasion by H e r r i n g a n d Lesser Black-backed Gulls. At M i n s m e r e t h e r e w e r e no reports of any b r e e d i n g and n u m b e r s on t h e Scrape w e r e disappointing, t h e highest count t h e r e being j u s t t h r e e o n July 4th. This was a f u r t h e r d r o p f r o m t h e counts m a d e in 2012, w h i c h w e r e vastly d o w n on 2011.

D u r i n g t h e s u m m e r n u m b e r s started t o build up, most probably consisting of birds f r o m t h e n e a r - c o n t i n e n t . Very g o o d n u m b e r s appeared along coast at W a l b e r s w i c k / S o u t h w o l d and inland at t h e nearby pig fields b e t w e e n t h e m i d d l e of July and early August. A single flock of 30 f l e w n o r t h o f f Kessingland, July 22nd. Some 40 birds w e r e t h e n regularly present at Dunwich b e t w e e n Dingle Hills and t h e Corporation Marshes beach; up t o 70 w e r e counted o n Walberswick Old Town Marshes, w i t h f u r t h e r flocks involving up t o 50 birds higher up t h e Blyth; 20-30 birds at a t i m e w e r e f e e d i n g o f f S o u t h w o l d beach involving m o s t l y adults and second-calendar-year birds. At Gorleston, 45 w e r e seen flying south, August 4 t h and 28 were on the Lowestoft Denes Oval Cricket pitch, August 3 0 t h . These high n u m b e r s were n o t m i r r o r e d f u r t h e r south in t h e county, w h e r e t e n at Landguard was t h e peak summer-count, August 20th. In t h e west t w o birds came in t o roost at Great Livermere o n several dates f r o m July 20th.

F r o m S e p t e m b e r o n w a r d s , n u m b e r s o n t h e coast started t o decline and in t h e w e s t of t h e c o u n t y t h e r e w e r e no m o r e records for t h e year after the end of July. At Landguard, 11 w e r e noted, O c t o b e r 4 t h and f u r t h e r n o r t h , 17 w e r e o f f Gorleston, O c t o b e r 13th and eight at L o w e s t o f t , N o v e m b e r 3 r d and 23rd. Smaller n u m b e r s w e r e seen at Pakefield, Kessingland and S o u t h w o l d .

C O M M O N GULL Very common

Larus canus

winter

visitor and passage migrant.

Scarce breeding

species. Amber

list.

The cold start t o 2013 lead t o large numbers being present a r o u n d t h e Covehithe pig fields and Benacre Broad w i t h an e s t i m a t e d 12000 t h e r e o n February 9th. At t h e south end of t h e county, up t o 5 0 0 0 w e r e in t h e Landguard area, February 6 t h and 1472 on t h e Stour Estuary d u r i n g t h e M a r c h WeBS. In t h e w e s t t h e m a i n roost site at Lackford Lakes hosted a peak of 1 0 0 0 0 birds, January 20th, decreasing t o 5500, January 25th; numbers t h e r e d r o p p e d t h e f o l l o w i n g m o n t h t o 3500, February 2 6 t h and 1500, M a r c h 11th. Away f r o m this site, 200 were at Leavenheath, January 3 0 t h and d u r i n g t h e spring, 200 w e r e at Stonham Aspal. Spring passage was very light apart f r o m 516 w h i c h f l e w n o r t h past Landguard, April 6th. At Orfordness this species was described as being present b u t in 'ever decreasing

numbers'

and no breeding t o o k place.

In t h e second w i n t e r period t h e r e w e r e no records f r o m west Suffolk b u t at Landguard 400 w e r e n o t e d , D e c e m b e r 2 9 t h . Only 35 w e r e on t h e Stour Estuary in N o v e m b e r and 107 o n t h e O r w e l l d u r i n g December. At o t h e r locations, 80 w e r e at Shingle Street, December 9 t h and 70 w e r e at Great G l e m h a m , D e c e m b e r 15th. A p a r t f r o m t h e Landguard December count, these w e r e m u c h l o w e r n u m b e r s t h a n w e r e recorded in 2012. j ' i 7

106

Systematic List RING-BILLED GULL Very rare

Larus

delawarensis

visitor.

There was a single record, in t h e west of t h e county, continuing t h e t r e n d of occurrences t h a t favour localities away f r o m t h e coast. Six o u t of Suffolk's 11 records have been in t h e west and this is t h e f i f t h for Lackford I Lackford Lakes: first-winter roosted, Feb 23rd (D Balmer, P Wilson).

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Very common

summer

Larus fuscus

visitor and passage migrant.

Increasing

numbers

overwinter.

Amber

list.

The principal gathering of w i n t e r i n g birds in t h e first w i n t e r period was of 290 o n January 18th at Lackford Lakes w h e r e 5 0 0 on February 2 6 t h probably i n c l u d e d r e t u r n i n g birds f r o m t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n . This increased t o 595, March 11th and at nearby Livermere Lake, a 1000-strong roost was present, M a r c h 27th. Smaller numbers w e r e present at coastal wetlands.

On Orfordness breeding numbers declined t o a b o u t 335 pairs. Worryingly this was d o w n f r o m 645 pairs in 2012 and had f o l l o w e d a p e r i o d of t w o years w h e n t h e l o n g - t e r m decline had stabilised s o m e w h a t . Ground-nesting birds at this site suffered a t o t a l breeding failure largely, once again, because of t h e increasing fox population resorting t o predating adult birds incubating their eggs. At Landguard breeding was noted in t h e docks but no i n f o r m a t i o n of any result was received. In Lowestoft t o w n centre and t h e Lake Lothing area r o o f t o p nesting was w i d e s p r e a d and many juveniles w e r e fledged. In Bury St. Edmunds seven pairs nested o n t h e council offices and eight 'large y o u n g ' w e r e noted, June 26th. Despite "egg-picking" being carried o u t , o n e pair bred nearby at t h e beet factory. Breeding pairs w e r e widespread in Ipswich in industrial estates and retail parks. Lesser Black-backed Gulls were mainly responsible for predating all t h e j u v e n i l e Mallards, M a n d a r i n Ducks and M o o r h e n s in Christchurch Park.

A count of 1700 birds at t h e Great Livermere pig fields, June 9 t h included 375 second-calendar year birds. There was an impressive roost count of 3000 birds at Livermere Lake, August 2 9 t h , 1650 t h e r e o n September 2 4 t h and 1500 on t h e nearby pig fields, October 20th.

In t h e second w i n t e r period, very f e w o v e r w i n t e r i n g birds w e r e seen, w i t h single-figure counts at some coastal sites and no records f r o m t h e west of t h e county. However, an exception was made w h e n 57 were recorded during t h e November WeBS survey on t h e O r w e l l Estuary.

Baltic Gull

Larus fuscus fuscus

A near-adult bird s h o w i n g strong characteristics of this sub-species was present on pig fields at Great Livermere, October 5 t h (L Gregory).

HERRING GULL Very common

Larus

resident,

and passage migrant.

At

the

start

of

argentatus winter

visitor

Red list. the

year,

at

Landguard, 1500 o n February 11th was t h e largest g r o u p recorded. On t h e Stour Estuary, 2 0 1 w e r e counted d u r i n g t h e M a r c h WeBS survey and 223

were

on

Havergate

Island,

January 1 8 t h . In t h e w e s t of t h e county, numbers w e r e low w i t h peak counts at Lackford Lakes consisting of 30, January 12th and 32, M a r c h 21st. At Livermere Lake, 47 w e r e noted on passage, April 1st.

The

breeding

fortunes

of

this Herring Gull Brian Small

species still reflect its red list status 107

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 and 2013 was sadly no different. On Orfordness, breeding pairs in 2013 declined f u r t h e r t o 80 f r o m 95 pairs in 2012. Success was limited to t h e pagoda roofs w h e r e around 50 chicks fledged. Breeding was also n o t e d in central Lowestoft on t h e r o o f t o p s of buildings a r o u n d Lake Lothing and also slightly f u r t h e r away o n residential and commercial premises. At Landguard t h e species nested in t h e adjoining docks.

During t h e a u t u m n some birds w e r e taking advantage of t h e post-harvest ploughing of f a r m l a n d w i t h 700 n o t e d o n a freshly-ploughed field at Flixton near Lowestoft, September 2 4 t h and 500 in t h e same area f o l l o w i n g a seed drill, October 6th. Further inland, 110 w e r e counted o n pig fields at Great Livermere on October 2 0 t h . Towards t h e coast 100 w e r e c o u n t e d d u r i n g t h e S e p t e m b e r WeBS c o u n t o n t h e O r w e l l Estuary. In t h e second w i n t e r period, n u m b e r s w e r e low, maybe due t o u n d e r - r e c o r d i n g b u t on t h e O r w e l l Estuary WeBS, 40 and 59 w e r e n o t e d d u r i n g t h e m o n t h s of N o v e m b e r and December respectively. A n o t e w o r t h y record was of 1000 over Bramford heading t o roost o n t h e O r w e l l Estuary, December 27th, as was 850 at Landguard o n 29th.

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Uncommon

winter

Larus

michahellis

visitor and passage migrant.

Small numbers

oversummer.

Amber

list.

It was a m u c h b e t t e r year f o r this gull w i t h especially g o o d n u m b e r s seen in t h e w e s t of t h e c o u n t y t h r o u g h o u t , starting w i t h 16 at roost at Lackford Lakes and seven o n pig fields at Great Livermere , January 12th and t w o at Lakenheath Washes, January 8th. The f o l l o w i n g m o n t h up t o 12 still f r e q u e n t e d Lackford Lakes, February 10th. Numbers remained relatively high for t h e rest of t h e spring w i t h t h e focus shifting t o Livermere Lake, w h e r e 13 were noted, M a r c h 29th w i t h eight still there, April 12th. Elsewhere, t e n were at Mickle Mere on March 29th and t w o there, April 16th.

Towards t h e coast, d u r i n g t h e same period, numbers w e r e l o w e r t h a n in t h e west. The only n o t a b l e records w e r e t w o first-winters at Gorleston Pier, January 1st, t h r e e adults, Breydon W a t e r s o u t h shore, January 2 2 n d and, f u r t h e r s o u t h along t h e coast, t w o o n t h e M i n s m e r e levels, February 21st. Further s o u t h still, f o u r w e r e in t h e vicinity of Felixstowe Pier, February 26th, and t h r e e at Felixstowe Ferry, M a r c h 1st and 2nd. In early s u m m e r up t o seven w e r e at M i n s m e r e Scrape, June 10th and f o u r at Tinker's Marshes, June 17th.

Towards t h e end of June t h e r e was a healthy rise in numbers as birds arrived f r o m t h e continent, w i t h most in t h e w e s t o f t h e county. At Livermere Lake, 26 were counted, July 11th, 27, August 1st, 31, A u g u s t 1 3 t h , 30, S e p t e m b e r 5 t h and 26 o n t h e pig fields t h e r e , O c t o b e r 2 0 t h . On Orfordness it was r e m a r k e d t h a t this was a ' p o o r ' year for t h e species. Elsewhere o n t h e coast only l o w single-figure counts w e r e made t h r o u g h o u t t h e year t h e only notable exception being of five at Tinker's Marshes, August 11th.

In t h e a u t u m n , t h r e e first-winters were at Gorleston, October 27th and t w o adults at M i n s m e r e , N o v e m b e r 17th. In t h e w e s t of t h e county five w e r e at Livermere pig fields on N o v e m b e r 10th and six w e r e at Livermere Lake, December 13th. The f o l l o w i n g day f o u r w e r e at Lackford Lakes and t w o at Lakenheath Washes. In t h e south-east of t h e county, t h r e e w e r e at Hollesley Marshes, N o v e m b e r 17th, and a t h i r d - w i n t e r f r e q u e n t e d Trimley Marshes, N o v e m b e r 30th, w i t h t w o still t h e r e , D e c e m b e r 7th.

CASPIAN GULL Scarce winter

Larus

cachinnans

visitor.

At t h e start of t h e year a f i r s t - w i n t e r bird f r e q u e n t e d t h e Lackford Lakes and Great Livermere area; it was d e e m e d t o be an individual o v e r w i n t e r i n g f r o m 2012 and was first seen o n a pig field at Great Livermere t h e n later at roost at Lackford Lakes, January 2nd (L Gregory). This bird was j o i n e d by a n e w f i r s t - w i n t e r o n January 18th and t h e r e was also a f o u r t h - w i n t e r bird at Lackford Lakes, January 2 7 t h (L Gregory) and t w o first w i n t e r s w e r e at Little Livermere, February 10th (P Wilson). The f i r s t - w i n t e r birds c o n t i n u e d t o f r e q u e n t t h e area in March. A n o t h e r f i r s t - w i n t e r w i t h a m e t a l ring a p p e a r e d and was seen at Lackford Lakes o n March 2nd and 21st and April 1st (P W i l s o n / W e s t Suffolk Birders). A f i r s t - w i n t e r was also at Mickle M e r e o n M a r c h 29th. Photographs

108

Systematic List suggest these sightings involved at least six individuals.

On t h e coast up t o t h r e e birds f r e q u e n t e d t h e Snape/Farnham area at Botany Farm w i t h an adult and f o u r t h - w i n t e r present, January 6 t h and a first w i n t e r t w o days later (D Fairhurst). Three birds, a second- and third-calendar year and an adult w e r e at nearby Abbey Farm, Snape on M a r c h 10th (D Fairhurst). Further n o r t h most records came f r o m M i n s m e r e w h e r e t h e first m u l t i p l e occurrence was of t h r e e f i r s t - s u m m e r birds, May 3 0 t h (D Fairhurst). Away f r o m M i n s m e r e , an adult was at S o u t h w o l d Town Marshes, January 10th (E Patrick) and a f i r s t - w i n t e r at Benacre, January 19th (C Fulcher). The f o l l o w i n g m o n t h an adult was at N o r t h W a r r e n (D Fairhurst).

Unusually, t w o spring "pulses" brought t w o first-summers to Great Livermere on May 10th w i t h t h r e e t h e r e o n May 11th, f o l l o w e d by f o u r different first-summers b e t w e e n June 3rd and 16th (P Wilson). Following an adult at Great Livermere on July 20th, at least seven birds w e r e recorded t h e r e in August, including t h r e e early juveniles o n August 1st, w i t h a m a x i m u m c o u n t of five (four juveniles) o n August 13th (P Wilson / W e s t Suffolk Birders).

The second w i n t e r p e r i o d in t h e w e s t produced seven different individuals in t h e Livermere area b e t w e e n September 2 4 t h and December 22nd (P Wilson), including a Belarus-ringed firstw i n t e r bird at t h e pig-fields on O c t o b e r 1st (L Gregory). In t h e s o u t h of t h e county, a second-calendar year bird was at Botany Farm, Farnham on several dates f r o m July 3 0 t h t o September 17th (D Fairhurst). An adult was present at Hollesley Marshes, N o v e m b e r 19th and also a t h i r d - w i n t e r , December 7th (P Kennerley). Two 'sub-adults' w e r e at M i n s m e r e , N o v e m b e r 21st. An adult was at Botany Farm o n December 22nd and w h a t was t h o u g h t t o be a d i f f e r e n t adult was present t h e f o l l o w i n g day (D Fairhurst). Further north, a first-winter was on groynes along N o r t h Denes, L o w e s t o f t on N o v e m b e r 2nd (A Easton) and again in H a m i l t o n Dock, N o v e m b e r 1 7 t h . Also o n 1 7 t h adult was seen o n M i n s m e r e Scrape (J Grant). A n o t h e r was o n M i n s m e r e Scrape, December 15th (K Smith) and an adult was n o t e d on t h e Blyth Estuary, December 29th (C Cornish).

ICELAND GULL Scarce winter

Larus

glaucoides

visitor. Amber

list.

It was a q u i e t year for this species. There were no records f r o m t h e west or t h e north-east of t h e county. The t w o records received are as f o l l o w s : Farnham: Botany Farm, second-winter, Dec 26th to 28th (D Fairhurst).

Landguard: adult, Mar 17th (T Bagworth).

GLAUCOUS GULL Scarce winter

Larus hyperboreus

visitor. Amber

Iceland Gull Richard Allen

list

It was a reasonable year for sightings, including a w e l l - w a t c h e d bird w h i c h f r e q u e n t e d t h e Lowestoft area d u r i n g late January. A n o t h e r f i r s t - w i n t e r was seen t h e r e in t h e second w i n t e r period. Further south a n o t h e r first-winter was seen and an adult passed by late o n in t h e year.

There w e r e n o reports f r o m t h e west of t h e county. All records as f o l l o w s : Gorleston: first-winter south over Cobham Island, 13:10hr, Mar 21st (R Fairhead).

Lowestoft: first-winter, Nov 16th to 24th (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards et al).

Oulton Broad: first-winter, Jan 17th to 26th (A Easton, N Skinner, R Fairhead).

Carlton Marshes: first-winter, Feb 17th and 20th (R Wilton).

Kessingland: first-winter, Jan 24th (P Read); first-winter south, Dec 6th (P Read).

Benacre Broad: first-winter, Jan 28th (A Rowlands).

Covehithe Broad: first-winter, Feb 2nd (C Fulcher).

Southwold: first-winter south, Nov 21st (E Patrick).

Walberswick: Tinker's Marshes, first-summer, May 14th (C Buttle).

Landguard: first-winter, Feb 28th (M May, J Zantboer); adult south, Nov 5th (W Brame, E Lucking, N Odin).

109

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 2012 Addition: Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, first-winter in roost, Dec 12th.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Common

winter

Larus marinus

visitor and passage migrant.

A few oversummer.

Has bred recently. Amber

list.

At t h e b e g i n n i n g of t h e year n u m b e r s w e r e n o t as high c o m p a r e d w i t h 2012. The m a i n roost at Lackford Lakes n u m b e r e d 46 o n January 5 t h increasing t o 64 on February 3rd. One was bearing a N o r w e g i a n leg-ring there, January 21st. Other notable counts f r o m Lackford included 29, February 1 0 t h and 31, M a r c h 21st but no counts w e r e s u b m i t t e d for t h e second w i n t e r period.

Towards t h e coast, 150 w e r e n o t e d on t h e M i n s m e r e Levels, February 10th and 200 w e r e at t h e lagoon area o n Orfordness, February 1 6 t h and a n o t h e r 73, M a r c h 10th. At Landguard a m a x i m u m of 200 was n o t e d , January 2 7 t h a n d February 6th. Further n o r t h , a n o t e w o r t h y n o r t h w a r d passage of 92 was recorded o f f Gorleston Cliffs, February 24th. During t h e spring, 190 w e r e n o t e d at N o r t h W a r r e n , April 12th and 150 o n t h e Blyth Estuary, April 23rd.

A b r e e d i n g a t t e m p t was c o n f i r m e d at a coastal site, but no i n f o r m a t i o n o n t h e b r o o d or success of this was f o r t h c o m i n g .

A l a t e - s u m m e r m o v e m e n t of 90 s o u t h was w i t n e s s e d o f f G o r l e s t o n o n August 2 n d and in S e p t e m b e r 144 passed s o u t h o f f Landguard o n 11th. M u c h later in t h e year, 150 w e r e at Landguard o n December 20th. Elsewhere along t h e coast, 174 w e r e o f f S o u t h w o l d , N o v e m b e r 21st and 78 at Trimley Marshes, N o v e m b e r 24th.

ROCK DOVE/FERAL PIGEON Very common

Columba

livia

resident from feral stock. Categories

A, C and E.

The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) f o u n d Rock Doves in 9% of t h e 46 squares surveyed (17% in 2 0 0 3 , 1 1 % in 2008) w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of nine birds.

Counts of 50 or m o r e came f r o m : Carlton Marshes: 167, Feb 26th.

Bungay: Wainford Mill, 210, Apr 1st.

Covehithe/Benacre Broads: 51, Oct 3rd.

Sizewell: Power Station, 150, Oct 30th.

Bawdsey: East Lane, 56, Apr 15th.

Felixstowe: 54, Dec 25th.

Stowmarket: 120, Mar 2nd.

Eye Airfield: 70, Oct 26th.

On Orfordness, Rock Doves were noted only around the Cobra Mist Building w i t h a peak count of 25, December 22nd. They were present all year at Landguard w i t h a maximum of 60, December 20th.

STOCK DOVE

Columba

Fairly common

resident

oenas and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

The highest c o u n t o f t h e year was of 150 at Lings Lane, C h e l m o n d i s t o n o n N o v e m b e r 19th.

Counts of 52 w e r e m a d e at Barsham Marshes, February 2 7 t h and 5 1 at Pipps Ford, June 11th b u t t h e best c o u n t in t h e w e s t was a l o w l y 23 at Great Livermere, August 11th.

The BBS f o u n d Stock Doves in 50% of t h e 46 squares surveyed (50% in 2003, 38% in 2008) w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of 64 birds. There w e r e signs of occupancy by Stock Doves (adult birds, a nest, eggs or young) in 308 Suffolk C o m m u n i t y Barn O w l Project (SCBOP) boxes/sites, f r o m a t o t a l of 1454 boxes or sites. A m i n i m u m of 24 pairs nested on Orfordness. At least t e n pairs nested in Chantry Park.

There was a strong passage s o u t h d o w n t h e coast in late October. At M i n s m e r e 200 f l e w s o u t h on 2 4 t h w h i l e o n 2 9 t h 280 w e r e r e c o r d e d at Thorpeness, 850 at Shingle Street a n d 749 at Landguard. The latter site recorded a t o t a l of 1 0 5 1 south b e t w e e n O c t o b e r 17th and N o v e m b e r 13th, w i t h t h e 749 on O c t o b e r 2 9 t h being t h e m a x i m u m day-total.

110

Systematic List C O M M O N W O O D PIGEON Very common

resident,

winter

Columba

palumbus

visitor and passage

migrant.

The highest counts in t h e first w i n t e r period w e r e 750 at Carlton Marshes, February 26th, 1000 at Westleton, February 8th, 1000 at W a l t o n Marshes, January 4th, 564 at Hacheston, January 2 7 t h and 700 at Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham, February 24th.

The BBS f o u n d W o o d Pigeons in 100% of the 46 squares surveyed (100% in 2 0 0 3 , 1 0 0 % in 2008) w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of 2062 birds. A m i n i m u m of 15 pairs nested on Orfordness and a similar n u m b e r at Landguard. Three c r e a m y / w h i t e leucistic birds w e r e n o t e d in t h e centre of Gazeley village d u r i n g t h e a u t u m n .

Southerly a u t u m n passage along t h e coast included 3700 at Thorpeness and 11000 at M i n s m e r e , b o t h on October 30th. At Landguard a t o t a l of 7284 f l e w south b e t w e e n October 2 4 t h and N o v e m b e r 16th, w i t h peaks of 3219 on O c t o b e r 29th and 3682 o n O c t o b e r 3 0 t h . An unexpected Inland record was of 738 south at Lackford Lakes, November 4th.

The only high count noted in the second winter period was of 800 at Great Livermere, December 1st.

EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE Common

Streptopelia

decaocto

resident

The BBS f o u n d Collared Doves in 72% of the 46 squares surveyed (67% in 2003, 66% in 2008) w i t h a combined t o t a l of 163 birds. Two of t h e SCBOP boxes were noted as occupied by Collared Doves.

The highest c o u n t f r o m t h e north-east came f r o m Lowestoft w i t h 48 on December 3rd, on houses in Notley

"mainly

Road". In the south-east t h e r e w e r e counts of 25 at Kirton Creek, January

19th and 20 at Ipswich, M a r c h 22nd. The highest counts came f r o m mid-Suffolk: 60 at Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham, January 19th, 70 at Stowmarket, February 20th, 60 at Risby, December 1st and 37 at Pakenham, N o v e m b e r 24th.

FIELD NOTE A survey c a r r i e d o u t in Sudbury logged 110 t e r r i t o r i e s , w h i c h compares closely t o t h e 107 territories f o u n d in a similar area in 2008 and indicates a stable population.

Martin

Peers

Present all year at Landguard w h e r e t w o pairs nested but in contrast t h e r e was just a single record on Orfordness, a single bird on May 1st.

EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE Declining

summer

Streptopelia

turtur

visitor and passage migrant.

Red list.

There was a simultaneous arrival on April 15th w h e n birds w e r e seen at t h e widely-separated locations o f M u t f o r d , W o o d b r i d g e and Great W e l n e t h a m . This was f o l l o w e d by birds in t h e Stonhams area f r o m 20th and at Lakenheath Fen on 24th. Landguard recorded a t o t a l of eight o n six dates b e t w e e n May 2nd and June 24th.

Turtle Doves are n o w so scarce t h a t observers appear to be r e p o r t i n g every sighting. Reports came f r o m a t o t a l of 23 parishes/sites in t h e north-east recording area, 33 in t h e south-east and 42 in t h e west. The BBS f o u n d Turtle Doves in 9% of t h e 46 squares surveyed (47% in 2003, 26% in 2008) w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of six birds. There w e r e only t h r e e breeding pairs at M i n s m e r e ( d o w n f r o m t e n pairs in 2012) and t w o probable breeding pairs at North Warren. Other b r e e d i n g reports w e r e very sparsely distributed. Five regularly visited a garden at Sizewell and o t h e r counts of note w e r e five at Boyton Marshes, June 4th, six at Hitcham, July 7 t h and t e n at Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham, August 25th "on wires over a wheat

field".

There was none in t h e w e s t after t h e last Lackford record on August 12th and f e w a n y w h e r e after early September. One f l e w s o u t h at Landguard o n S e p t e m b e r 2 0 t h , t h e r e was o n e at M i n s m e r e , S e p t e m b e r 2 6 t h and t w o October records: Bawdsey o n 5 t h and W e s t h o r p e o n 2 4 t h .

Ill

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 C O M M O N CUCKOO Declining

summer

Cuculus canorus

visitor and passage

migrant.

Red list.

The first of t h e spring was at Landguard, Aprii 1 2 t h , quickly f o l l o w e d by birds at A l d e b u r g h golf course and Lackford Lakes o n 15th and M i n s m e r e on 16th. Passage was p o o r at Landguard; after f u r t h e r records o n April 15th and 16th, a single on May 2 9 t h was t h e only o t h e r record of t h e year.

Common Cuckoo Richard Alien

FIELD NOTE The first bird was n o t heard calling o n Pakenham Fen unti) May 3rd, t h e latest date o f arrivai in 28 years of regulär recording at this site. But o n e or m o r e birds t h e n sang daily up t o July l O t h , w h i c h is later t h a n n o r m a l . In most years birds have gone by t h e end of June.

Malcolm

Wright

The BBS f o u n d Cuckoos in 20% of t h e 46 squares surveyed (27% in 2003, 28% in 2008), w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l o f 16 birds. Three were n o t e d at Easton Broad, June 2 8 t h and in t h e west five w e r e at Lakenheath Fen, May 16th and six males at Cavenham Heath, M a y 31st. Juveniles w e r e recorded f r o m a t o t a l o f 14 sites in t h e north-east d u r i n g July and August. A juvenile came t o drink at a garden p o n d in Pakenham, July 26th.

On Orfordness birds w e r e present f r o m Aprii 19th, w i t h f o u r on 21st. There were up t o t h r e e in M a y and t w o in June up t o 23rd, b u t f o u r on 21st. They w e r e o f t e n seen o n t h e airfield being harassed by M e a d o w Pipits Anthus pratensis,

t h e most likely host species. A juvenile was present

f r o m August 2 5 t h t o 31st.

The last in t h e west was a j u v e n i l e at Lackford Lakes, August 18th b u t t h e r e w e r e records o n t h e coast up t o S e p t e m b e r 3 0 t h , w h e n a j u v e n i l e was in t h e M i n s m e r e dunes. The final bird was at M u t f o r d , October 7 t h , t h e latest in Suffolk since one was o n Orfordness o n October 27th 2008.

BARN OWL Fairly common

Tyto alba resident.

Amber list. CatĂŠgories

A and E.

A f t e r several successful years, aided by t h e SCBOP, Suffolk's Barn Owls suffered a serious setback in 2013. The main factor causing this was t h e weather. A fairly hard w i n t e r led into t h e coldest spring in s o u t h e r n England f o r at least 50 years. Bitterly cold easterly w i n d s b l e w t h r o u g h o u t M a r c h and well into Aprii, w i t h snowfalls at t i m e s and this

affected

many

species.

This

was

evidently

c o m p o u n d e d for Barn Owls by a shortage of their main prey w h i c h is voles. Vole p o p u l a t i o n s are cyclical and 2013 appears t o have been a l o w point in t h e cycle. A t o t a l of 75 owls ringed by t h e Project was f o u n d dead and r e p o r t e d t o t h e BTO and this w o u l d have been an u n k n o w n f r a c t i o n o f t h e actual n u m b e r t h a t died.

M a n y o t h e r pairs failed t o b r e e d , no d o u b t because t h e females w e r e n o t in g o o d enough c o n d i t i o n t o lay a clutch of eggs.

A t o t a l of 1454 boxes or naturai sites is n o w in t h e Project's inventory. In 2013, 264 boxes/sites w e r e used

by Barn Owls ( d o w n f r o m 384 in 2012); 37 contained pellets, 140 adult owls, 2 1 eggs and 66 pulii. A total of 16 adults and 103 pulii was ringed, a very large decrease Barn Owl Peter Beeson

f r o m t h e 36 adults and 505 pulii ringed in 2012.

112

Systematic List At Lackford Lakes t h r e e y o u n g were ringed in a box in August. These fledged b u t t w o w e r e later f o u n d dead in a very emaciated state. At Pakenham Fen a box contained five eggs in late June and f o u r chicks o n July 2 5 t h but was d o w n t o t w o chicks by August 12th. These fledged but one was f o u n d dead nearby o n September 19th which weighed only 1 9 1 grams and had clearly starved. A c o m p l e t e failure t o rear any y o u n g was reported f r o m t h e Stour Valley.

A good spring count was of f o u r seen at Flixton, near Lowestoft o n April 3rd. Birds w e r e present o n Orfordness all year; t w o pairs nested and seven y o u n g were ringed.

LITTLE OWL

Athene

Fairly common

noctua

resident.

Reports came f r o m a t o t a l of 119 locations across t h e county (102 locations in 2 0 1 2 , 1 0 7 in 2011), w i t h 36 of these locations in t h e north-east, 37 in t h e south-east and 46 in t h e west. Eleven Little Owls w e r e f o u n d using SCBOP boxes. The BBS f o u n d this species in j u s t 7% of t h e 46 squares surveyed (7% in 2003, 9% in 2008) w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of four birds.

The vast m a j o r i t y of t h e reports involved one or occasionally t w o birds but a f a m i l y g r o u p of f o u r was at W a l n u t Tree Farm, Burstall, July 9th, a similar group of f o u r at Norton, July 21st and three were at Maids Cross Hill, Lakenheath, September 25th.

A pair nested o u t o n Orfordness and reared t w o y o u n g , t h e first c o n f i r m e d

breeding

there

present

since

2010.

Birds

were

at

Landguard all year but failed t o rear any young.

TAWNY OWL Common

Little Owl Richard Allen

Strix aluco

resident.

This w i d e s p r e a d but elusive owl is heard far m o r e o f t e n than it is seen and it remains d i f f i c u l t t o discern any t r e n d s in t h e county population. Records came f r o m a total of 108 sites in 2013 of w h i c h 39 w e r e in t h e north-east, 29 in t h e south-east and 40 in t h e west. Twelve Tawny Owls were f o u n d using SCBOP boxes during t h e year.

As w i t h Little Owl nearly all t h e reports were of one and sometimes t w o birds b u t t h e r e w e r e t h r e e at M i n s m e r e , February 9th, five at Bawdsey Hall, May 3 0 t h and five males were calling o n West Stow Heath in The King's Forest, June 2nd. Many local birders visit t h e clearfells in The King's Forest t o listen for churring Nightjars Caprimulgus

europaeus

and Tawny Owls are frequently heard

calling f r o m t h e plantations.

LONG-EARED OWL Uncommon

winter

Asio otus visitor and passage migrant.

Scarce

resident.

The only record of t h e 2 0 1 2 / 2 0 1 3 w i n t e r was of one f o u n d freshly dead on Cavenham Heath NNR, January 9th.

Spring m o v e m e n t began w i t h o n e at Landguard, M a r c h 2 0 t h and 2 2 n d and a single at Lakenheath Fen, M a r c h 2 4 t h was probably also in this category. Between April 5 t h and 1 4 t h t h e f o l l o w i n g records came f r o m t h e n o r t h - e a s t : Gorleston: Beacon Park, flew west, Apr 14th.

Hopton-on-Sea: disused railway, Apr 14th.

Corton: Church, singles flew out to sea at 19:.58hr and 20:20hr, Apr 14th.

Gunton: Hubbards Loke, Apr 5th.

Benacre: Beach Farm, in copse, Apr 13th.

On Orfordness singles w e r e seen on several dates b e t w e e n April 6 t h and May 16th, w i t h t w o , April 10th a n d t h r e e , April 25th. One was present t h e r e , July 6 t h t o 27th and w h a t may w e l l have been t h e same bird was seen September 25th t o October 6th.

113

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Birds w e r e recorded in f o u r d i f f e r e n t areas of The King's Forest b e t w e e n April 21st and June 6th. Breeding was c o n f i r m e d at one site and may have occurred at all four.

A u t u m n migrants w e r e recorded f r o m : Orfordness: Oct 12th.

Falkenham: two, Oct 2nd.

Landguard: Oct 15th; Oct 19th to 22nd. Two were trapped and ringed.

For t h e second year running no w i n t e r i n g birds were located at t h e year's end.

SHORT-EARED OWL Uncommon

winter

Asioflammeus

visitor and passage migrant.

Rare resident.

Amber

list.

Recorded f r o m a t o t a l of 20 sites along t h e coast and estuaries up t o t h e end of M a r c h , w i t h a peak c o u n t of five o n Havergate Island, January 5th. In t h e west w i n t e r i n g birds were seen at t h r e e sites up t o April 10th, w i t h a peak count of t w o . They were still widespread along t h e coast d u r i n g April, w i t h up t o t h r e e o n Orfordness but t h e only May records came f r o m Lakenheath Fen o n 2nd, M u t f o r d o n 15th, Walberswick on 21st and up t o t w o on Orfordness. One was p u t up by a Raven Corvus corax flying close o n B u r r o w Hill, Boyton o n M a y 19th and may have been one of t h e Orfordness birds.

During t h e s u m m e r t h e r e was one at Lakenheath Fen, June 9 t h but t h e only o t h e r records came f r o m Orfordness. At this site singles June 1st, July 27th, August 3rd and August 25th t o 31st suggest t h a t o n e s u m m e r e d s o m e w h e r e in t h e area. The last occasion t h a t b r e e d i n g a l m o s t c e r t a i n l y occurred in Suffolk was at a coastal site in 2005.

A u t u m n passage began w h e n one f l e w in o f f t h e sea at M i n s m e r e beach, September 26th. Birds w e r e t h e n recorded w i d e l y d o w n t h e coast t h r o u g h o u t O c t o b e r and November, w i t h peaks of f o u r at Landguard, October 2 5 t h and t h r e e at Orfordness, October 31st. A t o t a l of nine was seen flying in o f f t h e sea b e t w e e n t h e Lowestoft area and Thorpeness d u r i n g t h e a u t u m n a n d one f l e w high s o u t h chased by a Peregrine at M i n s m e r e , October 13th. Landguard r e p o r t e d a t o t a l of nine b e t w e e n O c t o b e r 13th and 2 7 t h and a later bird, N o v e m b e r 23rd.

T h e r e w e r e f e w e r records in D e c e m b e r w i t h t h e m o s t n o t a b l e c o u n t being of f o u r "on disturbed

shingle"

the

at Orfordness o n 22nd. There were no a u t u m n or w i n t e r reports f r o m anywhere

in t h e w e s t , w h i c h is unusual.

EUROPEAN NIGHTJAR Locally fairiy

common

Caprimulgus summer

europaeus

visitor. Scarce migrant.

Red list.

The earliest record was of o n e at Hemley, M a y 5th. One was c h u r r i n g at N o r t h Stow, in The King's Forest, M a y 8 t h b u t t h e first in t h e M i n s m e r e area was n o t until M a y 18th, w h e n one was

by Island M e r e .

A t o t a l of 56 t e r r i t o r i e s was r e p o r t e d f r o m t h e Sandlings heaths (58 in 2012 but 78 as recently as 2010). The RSPB r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e M i n s m e r e Nightjar p o p u l a t i o n "continues

to deciine".

Churring

birds w e r e w i d e l y r e p o r t e d f r o m clearfells in The King's Forest near West Stow and o t h e r sites.

The

latest

record

from

the

Sandlings was of t w o o n S u t t o n Common,

August

20th.

In

the

w e s t t h e last record w a s o f o n e feeding

over

the

observer's

garden in Lackford village, August 30th. N o n e was seen o n passage, when European Nightjars Richard Allen

Nightjars

unobtrusive.

114

are

invariably

Systematic List C O M M O N SWIFT Very common

Apus apus

summer

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

The first of t h e year was o v e r Ipswich, April 1 4 t h f o l l o w e d by sightings at Kessingland and M i n s m e r e and inland at Livermere Lake on 18th. Several observers c o m m e n t e d t h a t birds w e r e late arriving in their villages. The highest counts during May were 200 at M i n s m e r e on 16th, 200 at Pipps Ford o n 18th, 250 at Boyton Marshes on 23rd, 300 at Orfordness on 2 9 t h and 350 at Thorpeness caravan park on 30th. In t h e west t h e highest counts all came f r o m Lakenheath Fen w i t h a peak of 500, May 28th.

During June t h e r e w e r e several high counts at Trimley Marshes w i t h a peak of 600 on 16th and 420 f l e w south at Thorpeness on 23rd. The BBS f o u n d Swifts in 48% of t h e 46 squares surveyed (55% in 2003, 47% in 2008) w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of 213 birds. One observer f r o m Sudbury c o m m e n t e d t h a t "the general

impression

is of an average breeding

season after a late

start".

There were reports of a simultaneous departure of breeding birds and their young about July 28th/29th f r o m Sudbury, Brettenham and Pakenham and most areas appear to have been vacated by early August. By contrast one pair at Worlington was still feeding young in a nest box on August 30th.

Monthly Movements of Common Swifts at Landguard: Apr May Jun In/North 1 36 26 South 0 124 1947

Jul 137 308

Aug 9 346

Sep 0 0

The last records inland w e r e at Kedington and Haverhill, September 14th but t h e r e w e r e sparse records f r o m t h e coast all t h e way t h r o u g h t o late October w i t h t h e final birds at M i n s m e r e o n 27th and Felixstowe on 29th.

PACI FIC SWI FT

Apus pacificus

Vagrant.

One of t h e ornithological highlights of t h e year in Britain was t h e Pacific Swift, Suffolk's first record of this Asiatic species, at Trimley Marshes on June 15th and 16th (J Rankin et al.), having first been seen briefly at East Lane, Bawdsey on May 29th (J M o u n t a i n ) . It was also claimed briefly at Loompit Lake on 15th. There is an article on this bird towards t h e f r o n t of this Report.

EURASIAN HOOPOE

Upupa epops

Scarce passage migrant.

Categories

A and E.

Barking: in a garden, Apr 17th and 18th (J Kornjaca).

2011 Addition Wetheringsett: Wetherup Street, photographed in a vegetable garden, Apr 28th (K Bowden).

EUROPEAN BEE-EATER Rare passage

Merops

apiaster

migrant.

There w e r e no accepted records of this species in 2013, making it t h e first blank year for this species in Suffolk since 1999.

C O M M O N KINGFISHER Fairly common

resident.

Alcedo Amber

atthis list.

The BBS f o u n d Kingfishers in 2% of t h e 46 squares surveyed (7% in 2003, 9% in 2008) w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of one bird. The species was recorded f r o m a t o t a l of 123 sites (104 in 2 0 1 2 , 9 0 in 2011) w i t h 53 of these in t h e north-east, 35 in t h e south-east and 35 in t h e west. Breeding was confirmed at just 12 sites b u t undoubtedly many of t h e nesting sites are situated along inaccessible stretches o f rivers and streams.

The highest counts included t h r e e at Lake Lothing, January 8 t h , five at W e y b r e a d Gravel Pits, January 2 0 t h , f o u r o n t h e River Lark at Cavenham Heath NNR, April 13th and t h r e e at Pipps Ford, 115

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 April 2 9 t h . A c o u n t of five at Lackford Lakes, August 12th w i l l have included juveniles b r e d locally and t h e same applies t o five o n t h e Island M e r e at M i n s m e r e , September 26th. Late in t h e year t h e r e w e r e t h r e e o n t h e Stour Estuary, N o v e m b e r 17th and up t o six at Lakenheath Fen d u r i n g t h e second w i n t e r p e r i o d . On Orfordness t h e r e was a single o n January 1st after w h i c h it was recorded occasionally f r o m August 20th until t h r e e on October 5th and t w o on N o v e m b e r 13th.

EURASIAN WRYNECK Uncommon

Jynx

torquilla

passage migrant.

Red list.

There was just one spring r e c o r d : Boyton: May 29th (Birdguides).

A u t u m n passage was well above average f o r recent years. A m i n i m u m of 22 birds o n t h e coast o n August 2 4 t h / 2 5 t h and t h e r e w e r e several later records.

Corton: Sewage Works, Aug 24th to 27th (Lounge Lizards); Caravan Park, Aug 27th (Lounge Lizards).

Gunton: disused railway, Aug 24th and 25th (Lounge Lizards); Warren, Aug 26th (Lounge Lizards).

Lowestoft: North Denes, Aug 25th (P C Napthine); Cemetery, Aug 25th and 26th (A C Easton).

Easton Bavents: Sep 18th to 22nd (C A Buttle).

Southwold: south of the town, Sep 19th (G D Borderick).

Westleton: Walks, Aug 27th (I Salkeld).

Minsmere: five, Aug 25th, four in the dunes and one along the Sluice to Eastbridge path (R Harvey).

Sizewell: Power Station, Aug 25th (J H Grant).

Thorpeness: Beach, Sep 5th (J Davies).

North Warren: grazing marsh, Aug 25th (D A Fairhurst).

Orfordness: trapped, Aug 24th.

Landguard: four, Aug 24th; three, Aug 25th; single until 28th (probably involved at least five individuals); Sep 13th to 15th.

Shotley Point: Aug 27th (J Crapnell).

Bentley: village, Sep 2nd (S Abbott); possibly same, Brockley Wood/Old Hall Wood, Sep 2nd (E W Hutchings, M F Bamford).

NOTE W h i l s t t r y i n g t o decide w h e t h e r t o add "probably

the same bird" t o t h e Bentley record, above,

I was r e m i n d e d o f t h e occasion many years ago w h e n t h e r e w e r e t w o Wrynecks in Hollesley o n t h e same day. I had one at 09:30hr o n September 5 t h 1987 and Nick Pyke, t h e artist, also had o n e at t h e same t i m e over in Oak Hill, a b o u t a mile away in Hollesley. "I hear that you had a Wryneck "mine Nick

on a post in your garden"

was on the

I was asked m o r e t h a n once. "No that was Nick" I replied,

ground!"

Mason

GREEN WOODPECKER Common

resident.

Amber

Picus viridis list.

The BBS f o u n d Green W o o d p e c k e r s in 61% of t h e 46 squares surveyed (62% in 2003, 66% in 2008) w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of 43 birds. The species was w i d e l y r e p o r t e d f r o m all t h r e e recording areas and many of t h e records came f r o m Birdtrack.

A t o t a l of t e n breeding t e r r i t o r i e s was f o u n d at f o u r sites in t h e north-east; Carlton Marshes, O u l t o n Marshes, Lound Lakes and Hen Reedbeds. The highest counts in this area w e r e of f o u r at each of O u t n e y C o m m o n , Bungay, April 23rd and May 5 t h , Corton Sewage Works, August 3rd and M i n s m e r e S e p t e m b e r 22nd.

In t h e south-east, f o u r were at each of W i t n e s h a m , June 11th, Playford, August 29th and Bourne Park, Ipswich, S e p t e m b e r 7 t h and five w e r e at S t u t t o n Mill, August 4 t h .

There w e r e higher counts f r o m t h e west w i t h eight at Sudbury d u r i n g M a r c h , nine at Cavenham Heath NNR, April 13th and five at b o t h N o r t h Stow in The King's Forest, M a y 25th and I c k w o r t h Park, N o v e m b e r 11th.

Landguard r e p o r t e d singles o n seven dates b e t w e e n February 16th and October 14th.

116

Systematic List GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Common resident.

Scarce passage

Dendrocopos

major

migrant.

The first birds r e p o r t e d d r u m m i n g w e r e in February at Holywater M e a d o w s , Bury St Edmunds on 5th, Lackford Lakes on 8 t h and M i d d l e t o n on 10th. Eight were d r u m m i n g along t h e Little Ouse Valley near Santon D o w n h a m , March 8 t h and five around Dunwich village, April 23rd. There w e r e six at Long M e l f o r d , M a r c h 31st.

The BBS f o u n d Great Spotted Woodpeckers in 52% of t h e 46 squares surveyed (30% in 2003, 53% in 2008) w i t h a c o m b i n e d total of 30 birds. The species was widely recorded across t h e county f r o m many sites and six pairs nested o n five reserves in t h e north-east. Four at b o t h Marsh Lane, W o r l i n g h a m , June 19th and M i n s m e r e , July 3rd w e r e probably family parties. There w e r e also f o u r at each of Bourne Park, Ipswich, September 7th, Gifford's Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland in M a r c h and Lakenheath Fen d u r i n g May. Landguard n o t e d singles, April 10th and 29th and t h e n on nine days b e t w e e n June 2 8 t h and July 10th ( t w o on latter date) w i t h f u r t h e r birds on August 4 t h and September 8th.

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Uncommon

resident.

Dendrocopos

minor

Red List

There w e r e records f r o m only six sites, t w o in t h e south-east and four in t h e west. There may well be less t h a n five breeding pairs left in Suffolk.

Woolverstone: Nov 9th.

Hlntlesham: Great Wood, Mar 14th.

Leavenheath: Spouse's Grove, drumming. Mar 29th.

Cavenham Heath: NNR, one pair present during March and April may have nested.

Santon Downham: recorded from Feb 19th to the end of March. There were probably two pairs along the Little Ouse Valley. Calling, drumming and butterfly display were all noted.

Lakenheath Fen: Mar 3rd; Mar 20th.

C O M M O N KESTREL Common

resident.

Falco

tinnunculus

Scarce passage migrant.

Amber

list.

The 507 r e p o r t s (plus 515 s u b m i t t e d via Birdtrack) in 2013 gives a t o t a l of 1022 which is slightly d o w n o n t h e 1200 received in 2012.

Reports o f c o n f i r m e d b r e e d i n g came from

ten

sites

and

breeding

was

4r#SÂť-***

suspected at a n o t h e r t h r e e . In Sudbury a male was seen carrying a Slow W o r m fragilis

Anguis

t o a nest o n May 13th.

Notable c o u n t s i n c l u d e d nine at Flixton on December 11th, six at M i n s m e r e o n S e p t e m b e r 18th, six o n t h e Aide Estuary, October 13th and six at Berner's Heath, May 25th

Kestrel Richard Allen

During spring t h e only evidence of potential passage birds was a single bird in o f f t h e sea at Landguard Bird Observatory o n May 2 9 t h and a n o t h e r passing south t h e r e o n May 31st.

There was a notable influx of birds in August and September. This was particularly noticeable o n Orfordness w h e r e n u m b e r s reached 13 on August 24th peaking at 2 1 o n September 1st. O t h e r reports of migrants included singles in off the sea at N o r t h Beach, Lowestoft on September 13th and at S o u t h w o l d o n October 10th. At Landguard singles were logged flying south o n six dates in September, one f l e w n o r t h o n October 11th and single birds f l e w south on October 27th and 30th and N o v e m b e r 2nd. One brave individual was seen m o b b i n g an i m m a t u r e Goshawk gentilis

Accipiter

perched in a tree near Cavenham on N o v e m b e r 11th.

Finally a fledged bird was f o u n d dying at West Stow Country Park on July 25th - it was t h o u g h t t o have collided w i t h a t r e e or building.

117

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 RED-FOOTED FALCON Rare

Falco

vespertinus

visitor.

A f t e r j u s t one record in 2012 t h e r e w e r e t h r e e accepted reports of this species in 2013. A very obliging male arrived at Lakenheath Fen and remained there until June 5 t h delighting many visitors as it h u n t e d f o r insects over Joist Fen w i t h n u m e r o u s Hobbies Falco subbuteo.

The bird at Shingle

Street, t h e latest-ever in Suffolk and o n l y t h e second t o be recorded in O c t o b e r (Cavenham, O c t o b e r 2 n d 1987), was not so obliging!

Lakenheath Fen: adult male, May 3rd to June 5th (RSPB, multi-observer).

Bawdsey/Shingle Street: adult north, 16.20hr, Oct 12th (S Abbott et al).

Felixstowe: Aug 27th (W Brame).

MERLIN Uncommon

Falco winter

columbarius visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

List.

The 93 reports of this species in 2013 Is only slightly less t h a n last year's t o t a l of 96. Reports came f r o m 45 sites, exactly t h e same as in 2012.

It seems likely t h a t at least six birds spent t h e first w i n t e r period in t h e county. Single birds were seen at 11 coastal sites in January including t w o on Orfordness towards t h e end of the m o n t h . Fewer reports w e r e received in February w h e n singles w e r e seen at seven sites w i t h Orfordness again hosting t w o birds later in t h e m o n t h at least. In March reports came f r o m just four sites. Inland a male and a female w e r e seen o n separate occasions at several sites b e t w e e n January and March.

Single birds w e r e r e p o r t e d f r o m Minsmere, Orfordness, Havergate Island and Landguard in April and t h e r e w e r e r e p o r t s of a f e m a l e at Orfordness o n May 8 t h and 1 1 t h and at Trimley Marshes on M a y 14th. A late bird was still present on Orfordness o n June 16th.

The first r e t u r n i n g bird was also seen o n Orfordness on September 21st. A u t u m n migrants at Landguard included a pair flying south on October 16th and a f e m a l e / i m m a t u r e s o u t h offshore t h r e e days later. F u r t h e r r e p o r t s f r o m O c t o b e r came f r o m L o w e s t o f t , M i n s m e r e , Orfordness, Nacton, Earl S t o n h a m and Lakenheath Fen. The n u m b e r of reports increased in N o v e m b e r w i t h singles being seen at seven coastal sites and t w o sites in t h e n o r t h - w e s t . December proved t o be a q u i e t m o n t h o n t h e coast and t h e only reports came f r o m Walberswlck, w h e r e o n e was seen attacking a Starling Sturnus

vulgaris

m u r m u r a t i o n , and Landguard. Inland reports c a m e f r o m six

sites, including Lakenheath Fen w h e r e single birds were seen on five dates.

H u n t i n g b e h a v i o u r i n c l u d e d o n e seen h u n t i n g finches at Brewery Farm, Earl S t o n h a m o n O c t o b e r 1 2 t h using an u n d u l a t i n g flight t o mask its approach.

Hobby (with Red Deer) Peter Beeson 118

Systematic List EURASIAN HOBBY Fairly common

Falco

summer

subbuteo

visitor and passage

migrant.

The status of this species in Suffolk appears t o be fairly stable. The 336 reports (plus 157 via Birdtrack) received in 2013 represents a fall of nearly 11% o n last year's t o t a l of 381, b u t is a similar t o t a l t o 2011. Reports came f r o m 114 sites, one more t h a n in 2012.

The earliest returning bird was seen at Lakenheath Fen on April 13th, which was closely f o l l o w e d by one at M i n s m e r e t w o days later. There were a f u r t h e r 2 1 reports in April. Peak counts in M a y w e r e s o m e w h a t later t h a n in previous years, p r e s u m a b l y as a result of t h e long, cold spring.

Nevertheless numbers gradually built up at traditional sites during t h e m o n t h and these included five at Orfordness on May 1 9 t h and 35 at Lakenheath Fen on May 7th. M u l t i p l e counts c o n t i n u e d into June and M i n s m e r e attracted up t o seven birds t h r o u g h t h e m o n t h and five w e r e at Lackford Lakes o n June 6th.

Breeding was c o n f i r m e d at only t h r e e sites, and it was a poor year in T h e t f o r d Forest w h e r e only t w o nests w e r e f o u n d f r o m w h i c h t h r e e y o u n g fledged.

Pre-migration gatherings in a u t u m n included six birds at Thorpeness on September 18th. Single birds were observed at a n u m b e r of other sites in September and at nine sites in October, including five at Lakenheath Fen on October 4th. Lingering birds were r e p o r t e d f r o m Hazlewood Marshes o n O c t o b e r 2 2 n d and at Lakenheath Fen o n N o v e m b e r 2nd, t h e latest in Suffolk since 2007 (November 6 t h , Oulton).

PEREGRINE FALCON Uncommon

Falco

but increasing

peregrinus

winter visitor and passage migrant.

Has bred since 2008. Categories

A

and E. The 262 reports (plus 43 s u b m i t t e d via Birdtrack) represent a slight increase on last year's t o t a l of 244 and reflects this species' increasing abundance across Suffolk. Reports came f r o m 98 sites ( w i t h a n o t h e r seven via Birdtrack) c o m p a r e d w i t h 80 sites in 2012 and w e r e fairly evenly distributed across t h e regions of t h e county.

W i t h t h e n u m b e r of resident birds g r o w i n g year on year separating these f r o m w i n t e r i n g or passage birds is becoming increasingly difficult. An estimated 14 birds w e r e present in t h e first w i n t e r period, many of w h i c h were regularly r e p o r t e d f r o m traditional sites such as M i n s m e r e , Felixstowe and Trimley Marshes. The t w o adults f r o m previous years were present o n Orfordness f r o m January 1st t o March 3rd. Other notable sightings included t h r e e flying n o r t h at Ness Point, Lowestoft o n January 31st and a n o t h e r t h r e e at Lakenheath Fen o n February 9th. Elsewhere t w o birds w e r e seen at Cattawade and Trimley Marshes on t h e same day, March 31st. Coincidentally, sightings in t h e west also included a report of f o u r birds on t h e same day; t w o i m m a t u r e birds were seen at Cavenham Heath and t w o adults in Bury St Edmunds on March 27th. Two birds w e r e present o n Orfordness on April 10th.

This species has made a remarkable recovery in Britain over the last 30 years and is re-establishing itself as a breeding species in many t o w n s and cities in t h e UK. The small breeding population looks set t o increase in Suffolk as m o r e and m o r e pairs take t o man-made structures. In 2013 t h r e e pairs bred in t h e county, but only t w o w e r e successful. A pair nested at Lowestoft for t h e second year running and, after last year's disappointment, successfully raised t w o chicks. Sadly t h e female was f o u n d dead at Great Yarmouth Power Station later in t h e year. A n o t h e r pair nested in Felixtowe Docks but t h e i r eggs failed t o hatch. The pair on Orwell Bridge had mixed success; only t w o of t h e four eggs hatched. Pairs held t e r r i t o r y at t w o o t h e r sites but t h e r e was no evidence of breeding.

Sightings c o n t i n u e d into t h e s u m m e r m o n t h s w i t h single birds seen at seven sites in June and f o u r in July. In August r e p o r t s came f r o m eight sites including H e r r i n g f l e e t , Carlton M a r s h e s , M i n s m e r e , Pipps Ford and A m p t o n .

The 15 reports f r o m September included t w o birds at M i n s m e r e on 15th and t w o at Sizewell o n 13th and 28th. Singles w e r e seen at another five coastal locations plus t w o in t h e west. The increase in t h e n u m b e r of reports f r o m M i n s m e r e and Sizewell t o w a r d s t h e end of t h e s u m m e r

Suffolk Bird Report 2013 m o s t l y involved a pair w h i c h t o o k up residence on t h e A p o w e r station.

A lone a d u l t r e t u r n e d t o Orfordness t o w a r d s t h e end of September and r e m a i n e d t h e r e until t h e e n d of t h e year b u t t h e r e was no sign of t h e second adult so it is p r e s u m e d t o have died. A similar n u m b e r of reports was received f r o m October including potential migrants f l y i n g south at Thorpeness Haven o n October 15th and n o r t h at S o u t h w o l d o n October 11th. Also an i m m a t u r e bird f l e w s o u t h at Landguard o n O c t o b e r 19th. Passage c o n t i n u e d into N o v e m b e r w i t h a juvenile in o f f t h e sea at Bawdsey o n N o v e m b e r 1st closely f o l l o w e d by one flying south at Landguard t w o days later. No f e w e r t h a n 12 reports came f r o m t h e west in N o v e m b e r including a pair w h i c h was initially seen at M i c k l e m e r e t h e n at Puttockshill, also Pakenham t h e same day. It seems likely t h a t at least 16 birds w e r e present over t h e second w i n t e r period; these included long staying birds w h i c h r e m a i n e d at Felixstowe, M i n s m e r e and t h e Bury St Edmunds Beet Factory. Reports came f r o m 18 sites in D e c e m b e r ; all involved single birds apart f r o m t w o birds seen at S t u t t o n Mill, M i n s m e r e , E r w a r t o n Ness and Trimley Marshes.

ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET

Psittacula

krameri

Scarce visitor. Categories C and E. Ipswich: Stoke Park, Jan 1st - present intermittently at this site since Oct 21st 2012.

EURASIAN GOLDEN ORIOLE Scarce passage migrant.

Oriolus

oriolus

Red list.

There is little h o p e n o w of this b e a u t i f u l species regaining its presence as a b r e e d i n g bird in Suffolk in t h e near f u t u r e . Once again there was no evidence of breeding and none n o w since 2009.

Despite this a s s u m p t i o n a n u m b e r of intriguing spring reports came f r o m across t h e c o u n t y : Theberton Woods: male, June 7th (J A Kennerley).

Parham: May 6th (S Piotrowski).

Levington Creek: Apr 29th (T Mayhew); May Ist (E Patrick).

Ipswich: Christchurch Park, singing male, May 16th (R Snook).

Lakenheath Fen: yellow male and green, possibly female or first-summer male (RSPB).

The birds at Lakenheath Fen were present f r o m May 17th t o 26th. The sequence of song notes was different f r o m t h e males of previous years so, perhaps, a different bird was involved. On May 26th t h e bird was calling almost continuously, 19:05hr until 19:25hr, but was not heard later t h a t evening or t h e following m o r n i n g f r o m 04:50hr until 08:30hr despite sunny, bright and still conditions; likewise t h e day after. Deserving praise, P Dolton made a total of 18 visits in M a y t o check for any evidence of breeding. He is t h e only remaining m e m b e r of t h e Golden Oriole Group!

Some reports of singing prior t o May 17th and after 26th may have related t o a m e l o d i o u s Blackbird w h i c h was present in t h e East W o o d .

RED-BACKED SHRIKE Scarce passage

migrant.

Lanius collurio Formerly

bred. Red list.

A f t e r a f e w lean years this w a s a v e r y g o o d year f o r this striking, a t t e n t i o n - g r a b b i n g species w i t h sightings coming f r o m b o t h m i g r a t i o n periods. The bird at Stansfield o n June 2nd was an excellent inland sighting.

Spring sightings, all of singletons w e r e as f o l l o w s : Breydon South Wall: singing male, June 5th (J Ferguson).

Gunton Warren: female, June 9th and 10th (J Wright).

Lowestoft North Denes: adult male, May 18th and 19th (Lounge Lizards).

Walberswick: Westwood Marshes, May 26th (M Forbes).

Minsmere: Whin Hill, June 4th (I Salkeld); North Wall, June 7th (J A Kennerley).

120 7

Red-backed Shrike Brian Small

24. P a c i f i c S w i f t 'Bird of the Year' for many observers at Trimley in June. See article.

John Richardson

25. Wrynecks unusual double act at Landguard in August.

John Richardson

26. Lesser Grey Shrike at Aldringham Walks in September.

Chris Mayne

27. W o o d c h a t Shrike at Lowestoft in May. Chris Mayne

28. R e d - b a c k e d Shrike stunning male at Landguard in May.

John Richardson

32. Subalpine Warbler performed well to the masses at Landguard in April. See article.

33. M a r s h Warbler ringed at Landguard in May. Paul Oldfield

Bill Bastรณn

34. Savi's Warbler 'reeling' male at Lakenheath in May. Ian Goodall

Systematic List Landguard: male, May 18th (J Zantboer) Stansfield: male, June 2nd (S Jarvis).

S u m m e r / A u t u m n sightings:— Burgh Castle: male, July 15th. (R. Wilton).

Lowestoft: North Denes, juv, Aug 27th to 29th (Lounge Lizards); Ness Point, juv, Aug 28th to 31st (R Fairhead).

Westleton Walks: female, July 31st (I Salkeld).

Thorpeness: juv, Sept 15th to 18th (J Davies).

LESSER GREY SHRIKE Very rare

Lanius minor

visitor

The n i n t h Suffolk record of this s o u t h and east European shrike was a m u c h - o b s e r v e d and obliging i n d i v i d u a l , t h e first since 2009. It was active in horse paddocks next t o a f o o t p a t h , sometimes allowing very good o p p o r t u n i t i e s for photography.

Aldringham Walks: first-winter, Sep 15th to 23rd (P Burman, R Burman, J H Grant et ai).

GREAT GREY SHRIKE

Lanius excubitor

Scarce passage migrant

and winter

visitor.

It was a n o t h e r very good year for this popular species.

Bradwell: Gapton Marshes, Oct 14th (Lounge Lizards).

Corton: Radar Lodge, Oct 12th (G Grieco); Cliffs, two, between Holiday Camp and Radar Lodge, Oct 14th and 15th (R Fairhead).

Gunton Warren: Oct 12th (Lounge Lizards).

Covehithe: flew inland, Oct 14th (C A Buttle).

Wrentham: Guildhall Lane, Feb 22nd to Mar 23rd (E Marsh).

Westleton Walks: Oct 7th (J Evans, J A Rowlands).

Minsmere: in scrub on bank of North Cut, Oct 17th and 18th (J A Rowlands); Levels, Oct 20th (RSPB).

Sizewell: Oct 17th and 18th (D A Fairhurst).

Shingle Street: Oct 9th to 12th (S Abbott, N Mason, P R Kennerley et al).

Shottisham: Nov 9th (P R Kennerley, J A Kennerley).

Landguard: Oct 14th to 18th (P.OIdfield, S R Goddard, J Zantboer).

Icklingham: Berner's Heath, Oct 15th to Nov 3rd (D Cawdron, S J Holloway); Dec 20th (P A Whittaker).

WOODCHAT SHRIKE Rare

Lanius senator

visitor

There was j u s t one record of this much-sought-after migrant.

Lowestoft Denes: adult, the Oval, May 19th (C Mutimer).

EURASIAN MAGPIE Very common

Pica pica

resident.

Records of this visually striking, gregarious bird came f r o m 1 0 1 sites w i t h breeding c o n f i r m e d at only six. M o s t records w e r e in single figures w i t h only a f e w in double figures.

Magpies w e r e f o u n d in 66% of BBS squares surveyed (77% in 2012), w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of 1 1 1 birds c o u n t e d .

Sixty w e r e present at G u n t o n , January 16th and 80 there on February 16th.

On Orfordness birds w e r e present on all visits w i t h a peak c o u n t of 3 1 at t h e Lantern Marshes' roost o n February 3rd. The breeding population here was estimated t o be 10-12 pairs.

At Landguard birds w e r e present all year w i t h f o u r pairs nesting but only rearing one y o u n g b e t w e e n t h e m . There was a spring m a x i m u m of 19, M a r c h 14th and, in t h e latter part of t h e year, a m a x i m u m of 2 1 o n October 6th.

The only large roost counts came f r o m a long standing roost s i t e : Barking: Pipps Ford, 89, Jan 4th; 53, Nov 23rd; 110, Dec 9th.

Smaller roosts were noted at Fen Acre Farm, Haughley, w i t h 15 on March 26th and Stowmarket Sewage Works with 20 on December 28th. Breeding was probable at this latter site with five nests noted.

121

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 EURASIAN JAY Common

Oarrulus

resident

glandarius

and scarce passage

migrant.

Sightings of this o f t e n elusive b u t highly attractive and o f t e n raucous m e m b e r of t h e crow family came f r o m 99 sites. Breeding was c o n f i r m e d at only t h r e e sites all in t h e north-east of t h e county.

This species was f o u n d in 45% of BBS squares surveyed (41% in 2010) w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of 4 4 birds c o u n t e d .

Coastal spring m o v e m e n t s w e r e m u c h in evidence. At Kessingland Sewage Works, 20 f l e w n o r t h in groups of 16, t h r e e and a singleton on May 2 2 n d and at Thorpeness, 28 f l e w s o u t h o n M a y 14th. At Landguard a t o t a l of 67, plus one dead, was n o t e d b e t w e e n April 13th and June 14th, w i t h a m a x i m u m of nine, May 5th.

On Orfordness t w o o n t h e Airfield f l e w o f f high t o t h e west on April 28th and one was over t h e Village o n June 6th.

Eight w e r e at Scotland Fens, Capel St A n d r e w , o n O c t o b e r 2 4 t h and seven at Pipps Ford o n O c t o b e r 3 0 t h suggesting some m o v e m e n t s occurred in t h e a u t u m n a l t h o u g h t h e large n u m b e r s seen in s o m e years w e r e n o t evident. Surprisingly none was r e p o r t e d at Landguard in t h e a u t u m n .

WESTERN JACKDAW

Corvus

Very common

winter

resident,

monedula visitor and passage

migrant.

Reports o f this distinctive corvid came f r o m 74 sites b u t w i t h breeding c o n f i r m e d at only four.

The BBS r e p o r t e d this species in 74% squares surveyed (72% in 2010) w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of 652 birds.

Records of large congregations came f r o m a f e w sites:Covehithe: 900 in pig fields Nov 19th.

Sudbourne Marshes: 504, Oct 22nd.

Lakenheath Fen: 14000-21000 in roost, Jan 26th.

The BBS r e p o r t e d this species in 74% squares surveyed (72% in 2010) w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of 652 birds.

On O r f o r d n e s s birds w e r e present t h r o u g h o u t t h e year, w i t h up t o 100 in April and 120 in N o v e m b e r being t h e highest counts. There was a n o t h e r increase in breeding n u m b e r s , to the detriment

"possibly

of other species". At least 32 pairs w e r e recorded, c o m p a r e d w i t h 22-24 pairs in

2012 and 15 pairs in 2008. All w e r e in various buildings o n site, including eight or m o r e pairs at t h e Coastguard Lookout near t h e Lighthouse and nine or m o r e pairs in Laboratory 1.

At Landguard in spring a t o t a l o f 13 f l e w n o r t h and 30 s o u t h w i t h t w o in off t h e sea and nine o n site b e t w e e n M a r c h 3rd and M a y 2 8 t h w i t h a m a x i m u m of six south, April 24th. Two later birds w e r e present o n June 16th. In a u t u m n one n o r t h and nine south, w i t h five o n site w e r e recorded b e t w e e n S e p t e m b e r 18th and N o v e m b e r 27th, w i t h a m a x i m u m of t h r e e south, N o v e m b e r 8 t h .

A bird s h o w i n g t h e characteristics of t h e Nordic race Corvus monedula

monedula

was present

at Great Livermere on M a r c h 2 8 t h (P M Wilson).

A spectacular corvid roost at Lakenheath Fen held on some evenings an estimated 14000-21000 Jackdaws (RSPB).

ROOK

Corvus

Very common

frugilegus

resident,

winter

visitor and passage

migrant.

Reports of this sociable c o r v i d c a m e f r o m 56 sites b u t w i t h b r e e d i n g c o n f i r m e d at o n l y 1 1 locations.

Rooks w i l l be subject t o a c o u n t y - w i d e survey in 2015 and it will be i n t e r e s t i n g t o see w h a t c o m p a r i s o n s can be d r a w n f r o m this.

This species was f o u n d in 49% of BBS squares surveyed (71% in 2009) w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of 524 birds.

At Peasenhall 500 w e r e c o u n t e d o n August 5th.

On O r f o r d n e s s t h e first w e r e n o t seen u n t i l M a r c h 31st w h e n t h r e e w e r e n o t e d . One w a s present o n M a y 5 t h before t h e usual build up in June w h e n up t o 11 w e r e present on t h e shingle 122

Systematic List between t h e Lagoon and t h e Pagodas. In addition t o these, t w o counts off t h e Point p r o d u c e d 35 on 16th and 80 o n 23rd. There were no f u r t h e r sightings anywhere o n t h e site after these dates.

At Sudbourne Marshes, 376 were present on October 22nd w i t h 250 present at Shingle Street on October 2 9 t h .

At Landguard spring passage totals were of eight north, 23 south and t w o in off t h e sea b e t w e e n February 2 8 t h and May 13th w i t h a m a x i m u m of seven north, M a r c h 21st. In a u t u m n f o u r f l e w south on October 15th w i t h a n o t h e r f o u r south, November 8th.

Eight h u n d r e d f l e w t o roost at Great Livermere on October 26th and 4000 were seen o n fields at Fornham All Saints on January 22nd.

At a spectacular corvid roost at Lakenheath Fen t h e r e was estimated t o be b e t w e e n 6000-9000 Rooks arriving, w i t h a f o r m a l count of 7000 on October 8th (RSPB).

CARRION CROW Very common

Corvus corone

resident,

winter

visitor and passage

migrant.

Reports of this intelligent, adaptable corvid came f r o m 79 sites b u t w i t h breeding c o n f i r m e d at just five locations. They w e r e f o u n d in 96% of BBS squares surveyed (98% in 2012) w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of 6 3 1 birds counted.

This species was present t h r o u g h o u t t h e year on Orfordness w i t h up t o t e n f r e q u e n t l y noted.

Significant m o v e m e n t s were recorded t h e r e in March w i t h 23 on 2nd and 5 1 on 31st. A f t e r 17 o n April 1st n u m b e r s r e t u r n e d t o just t h e regular breeders. Four pairs nested - t h r e e of these w e r e in t h e Cobra Mist c o m p o u n d ( t w o on t h e aerial masts and one in a tree) and t h e o t h e r was in a small pine t r e e near t h e Quay.

Birds w e r e present all year at Landguard. Two pairs nested in t h e docks w i t h one pair rearing t w o and t h e o t h e r t h r e e young. Intruders occasionally t u r n e d up o n site and, as usual, w e r e soon seen off by t h e locals. Spring passage m o v e m e n t s n o t e d were of 16 north, 49 south and 19 in o f f t h e sea b e t w e e n March 3rd and May 30th. There was a m a x i m u m of seven south and seven in off on April 19th, giving a spring m a x i m u m of 16 on t h a t date. Singles f l e w south o n June 2 6 t h and July 3rd and 22nd. M o v e m e n t s at Landguard in a u t u m n of 37 south and f o u r in off t h e sea w e r e recorded b e t w e e n S e p t e m b e r 15th and N o v e m b e r 10th, including 17 s o u t h on O c t o b e r 15th. A m a x i m u m of 18 was o n site o n September 23rd.

In t h e west, 45 w e r e recorded at Thetford Heath on March 28th and 40 at Knettishall Airfield on December 8th.

HOODED CROW Scarce winter

Corvus cornix

visitor.

The only records came f r o m the north-east and O r f o r d n e s s : Lowestoft: Hamilton Dock, Mar 29th and 30th (M Bellwood).

Covehithe: Mar 5th to 21st, (C A Buttle); May 1st (C A Buttle); Nov 7th, in off the sea onto pig fields (multiobserver).

Dunwich: Dec 7th (G Grieco et ai).

Orfordness: Airfield, north, Oct 24th (G J Jobson).

There w e r e t h e usual records of hybrids f r o m t h e north-east recording area.

NORTHERN RAVEN Rare visitor. Formerly

Corvus corax bred.

There was a significant increase in sightings of this impressive, large corvid. 2013 surpasses 2009 as t h e best year for this species in Suffolk since at least 1870 w h e n breeding ceased in t h e county.

Minsmere: south, Apr 14th (R Drew); Levels, Sep 28th to 3rd Oct (P Eele et al).

Orfordness: Apr 10th, flew inland over the Cobra Mist building - a welcome addition to the site list (D Crawshaw, G J Jobson).

Gedgrave Marshes/ Boyton Marshes: May 18th (N Mason, R Johnson).

Ramsholt: Nov 17th (N Mason, L Potter).

123

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Felixstowe: Undercliffe, in off sea, Nov 16th (P Oldfield).

East Bergholt: two, Aug 20th (D Walsh).

Stoke-by-Nayland: Apr 17th to June 23rd (multi-observer); Gifford's Hall, May 26th, possibly the same bird (M Peers).

GOLDCREST

Regulus

Very common

resident

regulus and passage

migrant.

Reports of this d i m i n u t i v e , f u r t i v e species came f r o m 73 sites b u t w i t h breeding c o n f i r m e d at only o n e location and probable breeding being n o t e d at a f u r t h e r five sites.

BBS data s h o w Goldcrests w e r e f o u n d in 28% of t h e 47 squares surveyed (29% in 2010) w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of 35 birds counted.

On Orfordness an o v e r w i n t e r i n g female f r o m O c t o b e r 2012 was r e - t r a p p e d o n February 16th.

No o t h e r s w e r e r e c o r d e d until April w i t h o n e o n 7th, f o u r on 10th, t w o o n 13th, o n e on 1 4 t h a n d o n e o n 1 7 t h . It was a v e r y p o o r a u t u m n o n t h e Ness w i t h o n l y singles o n O c t o b e r 6 t h , 1 2 t h and 1 3 t h , t w o o n 19th and one o n 20th. There was j u s t one in November, o n 2nd, t h e last of t h e year.

The t a b l e shows t h e ringing totals of Goldcrests on Orfordness over t h e last five years. 2013 was by far t h e w o r s t year on r e c o r d : 2009 20

2010 193

2011 35

2012 69

201

At Landguard a bird f r o m March 1st t o 5th had o v e r w i n t e r e d unseen f r o m t h e previous a u t u m n .

Spring passage ran f r o m April 7 t h t o 22nd w i t h a m a x i m u m of 25 o n 9th. A u t u m n passage was very p o o r b e t w e e n October 1st and N o v e m b e r 7 t h w i t h a m a x i m u m o f eight o n O c t o b e r 2 5 t h f o l l o w e d by later singles on N o v e m b e r 2 7 t h and 3 0 t h and December 1st.

Ten at C o r t o n W o o d o n O c t o b e r 12th w e r e assumed t o be a u t u m n migrants.

Eight w e r e t r a p p e d and ringed at S t o w m a r k e t Sewage Works o n January 6 t h a n d eight at W o r d w e l l , June 9 t h , w h e r e breeding was regarded as " p r o b a b l e " .

FIRECREST Uncommon

Regulus regular

ignicapilla

breeder

and passage migrant.

Some overwinter.

Amber

list.

This tiny, restless, m u c h - s o u g h t - a f t e r ' j e w e l ' was seen at 52 sites. In T h e t f o r d Forest t h e r e w e r e 30 b r e e d i n g t e r r i t o r i e s including one in Brandon Town. M o s t records w e r e coastal and related t o one or t w o birds.

BBS data shows t h a t Firecrests w e r e f o u n d in 2% of squares surveyed (4% in 2010 ) w i t h j u s t five birds c o u n t e d .

Four w e r e present along t h e disused railway track at Corton o n April 13th and f o u r at G u n t o n W o o d , N o v e m b e r 18th.

On Orfordness t h e first sighting of t h e year was of t h r e e o n April 10th, f o l l o w e d by t w o on 13th and 14th and one o n 17th. One o n May 5 t h was t h e last of t h e spring. The first of a u t u m n was a single bird o n October 5 t h w i t h t h r e e t h e r e o n 2 6 t h and 27th. In N o v e m b e r singles w e r e n o t e d on five dates d u r i n g t h e m o n t h w i t h one a t t e m p t i n g t o o v e r w i n t e r .

At Landguard spring passage ran f r o m April 9 t h until May 16th w i t h a m a x i m u m of seven, April 1 5 t h . A u t u m n passage was f r o m O c t o b e r 1st u n t i l N o v e m b e r 6 t h w i t h a m a x i m u m of seven, October 25th.

A w a y f r o m t h e usual coastal sites one was t r a p p e d and ringed at Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham, O c t o b e r 19th.

EURASIAN PENDULINE TIT Rare

Remiz

pendulinus

visitor.

A f t e r a r u n of six successive years t h e r e w e r e n o records of Penduline Tits in 2013.

124

Systematic List BLUE TIT

Cyanistes

Very common

resident

caeruleus and scarce passage migrant.

Amber list (C.c.

obscurus)

This easily-recognizable and ubiquitous t i t was seen at a range of sites in good numbers across t h e county. Breeding was c o n f i r m e d at only nine sites. BBS data show t h a t this t i t was f o u n d in 98% of squares surveyed (98% in 2010) w i t h a c o m b i n e d total of 385 birds counted.

Three at Pig Pail o n Orfordness on January 1st was a surprise sighting. One was at t h e Holm Oaks t h e r e o n M a r c h 2 9 t h . There was one at Pig Pail on August 24th w i t h a n o t h e r t h e r e o n September 26th. Presumably this same bird was present on October 6 t h and t w o were also at Pig Pail on October 14th.

At Parham, 20 w e r e recorded on June 23rd and 35 at Methersgate, December 14th.

Two significant records of m o v e m e n t came f r o m Havergate Island w i t h 120 present on August 19th and 70 t h e r e on October 16th.

Blue Tits were present all year at Landguard w i t h t w o pairs nesting. Nine birds f r o m previous years survived t h e winter. Spring passage consisted of just four new birds between March 3rd and May 3rd. There was a m a x i m u m of five on site on both March 15th and April 19th. The first juvenile appeared on June 17th w i t h very few dispersing juveniles turning up on site f r o m elsewhere f r o m then until July 10th. A new adult t u r n e d up on July 21st. A u t u m n passage ran f r o m August 17th until November 1st w i t h a m a x i m u m of 11 on September 24th. Eight were on site on December 30th.

At Bowbeck, Bardwell, 60 w e r e present on February 2 6 t h and 49 w e r e at Great Livermere, N o v e m b e r 17th.

CES data in t h e western area suggested this species had a "good year after two poor G REAT TIT

years".

Parus major

Very common

resident

and scarce passage migrant.

Amber list (P. m.

newtoni).

The largest m e m b e r of t h e t i t f a m i l y was recorded f r o m m a n y sites across t h e c o u n t y w i t h breeding being c o n f i r m e d at 12 of t h e m .

BBS data show t h a t Great Tits w e r e f o u n d in 91% of squares surveyed (98% in 2010) w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of 2 3 1 birds counted.

At Lound Lakes 18 were present t h r o u g h o u t t h e year and breeding was c o n f i r m e d .

On Orfordness t w o w e r e in the Village on April 13th and a m u c h m o r e unseasonable bird was in t h e Village o n July 17th.

At Landguard Great Tits w e r e present all year w i t h t h r e e pairs breeding. Ten birds f r o m previous years s u r v i v e d t h e winter. Spring passage consisted of one n e w bird o n February 1 9 t h t h e n another, or t h e same, f r o m March 18th t o May 7th and later new females o n May 22nd and June 19th. There was a m a x i m u m of t e n on April 15th. The first juveniles w e r e n o t e d f r o m June 6 t h w i t h a m a x i m u m of 20 birds on site, June 30th. Dispersing j u v e n i l e s t u r n e d up o n site f r o m elsewhere, July 2nd t o August 8th. A u t u m n passage ran f r o m September 6 t h t o N o v e m b e r 7 t h w i t h a m a x i m u m of 17, September 25th.

Regular l o n g - t e r m m o n i t o r i n g at N e w b o u r n e Springs p r o d u c e d a y e a r - m a x i m u m of 1 1 o n April 23rd.

At S t o w m a r k e t , 25 w e r e present o n January 30th and at N e e d h a m Market Sewage Works 18 were present, October 15th.

CES data in t h e w e s t of t h e county suggested t h a t this species, unlike t h e Blue Tit, had a p o o r year for u n k n o w n reasons.

COAL TIT

Periparus

Very common

resident

ater and scarce passage migrant.

Amber list (P. a.

britannicus).

Coal Tits w e r e recorded at 53 sites w i t h breeding c o n f i r m e d only at one location and " p r o b a b l e breeding" at t w o others. Four breeding territories w e r e also noted at o t h e r sites. They were f o u n d in 26% of BBS squares surveyed (37% in 2010) w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of 62 birds counted.

Two w e r e seen at Landguard on July 1st.

125

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Continental Coal Tit Scarce passage

Periparus ater

ater

migrant.

A single bird of this race was at Landguard o n April 20th.

Birds t h a t w e r e possibly Continental Coal Tits w e r e at Landguard, September 3rd and 2 4 t h and O c t o b e r 9 t h and 17th.

WILLOW TIT Uncommon

Poecile

resident

montana

and scarce passage migrant.

Red list.

The nasal d r a w n o u t calls of this declining t i t may n o t be heard f o r m u c h longer in Suffolk.

Singing males w e r e only present at t w o West Suffolk locations, one less t h a n last year. Specific m a p references given by t h e observers seem t o suggest t h a t these records relate t o d i f f e r e n t individuals.

Santon Downham: two singing males, Feb 9th and 17th (D F Walsh); two singing males, Mar 3rd (T. Kerridge); four singing males, Mar 3rd (D F Walsh); single bird, Mar 19th (P R Kennerley, J A Kennerley).

Brandon: t w o singing males, Mar 2nd (D F Walsh).

It is w o r t h r e m i n d i n g ourselves t h a t this species is n o w a Category 2 m e a n i n g t h a t notes are r e q u i r e d by SORCto substantiate sightings.

MARSH TIT

Poecile

Fairly common

palustris

resident.

Red list.

This s p r i g h t l y p o p u l a r t i t was r e p o r t e d f r o m 79 essentially w o o d l a n d sites w i t h b r e e d i n g c o n f i r m e d or p r o b a b l e f r o m f i v e locations. As usual m o s t records came f r o m t h e w e s t of t h e county.

BBS data s h o w t h a t Marsh Tits w e r e f o u n d in 1 1 % of squares surveyed (5% in 2010) w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of seven birds c o u n t e d .

M o s t sightings w e r e of one or t w o birds w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g exceptions; seven w e r e recorded at N o r t h Cove SWT, April 3rd, five at T h e b e r t o n Woods, June 6 t h , f o u r at Pipps Ford, December 2 n d and 1 1 at Santon D o w n h a m (a real stronghold), M a r c h 8th.

BEARDED TIT Uncommon

Panurus

resident.

biarmicus

Amber

list.

Sightings of this n o t e w o r t h y , sociable bird came f r o m 28 sites w i t h c o n f i r m e d b r e e d i n g at five.

Breeding was c o n f i r m e d at M i n s m e r e and Hen Reedbeds w i t h 15 and five pairs respectively recorded. Breeding was also established at N o r t h Warren w i t h f o u r territories. Five w e r e at Abbey Farm, Snape, M a r c h 4 t h and it is likely t h a t birds bred at this site.

At M i n s m e r e 63 w e r e recorded on October 24th.

One pair bred o n Orfordness, t h e first-ever c o n f i r m e d breeding record for t h e site. T w o or t h r e e o v e r w i n t e r e d in t h e Chantry r e e d b e d and a pair r e m a i n e d into April giving h o p e t h a t t h e y m i g h t stay and breed. Unfortunately, t h e y w e r e n o t seen after April 21st. Then on May l l t h / 1 2 t h a pair was present in a small patch of reeds near t h e Pig Pail and a f e w weeks later in late July/early August at least five birds w e r e seen at t h e same site. The birds w e r e difficult t o observe b u t at least t w o of t h e g r o u p w e r e seen clearly e n o u g h t o c o n f i r m t h a t t h e y w e r e r e c e n t l y - f l e d g e d juveniles. Two w e r e in Chantry r e e d b e d o n O c t o b e r 6 t h w i t h eight present o n N o v e m b e r 9 t h and at least five r e m a i n e d until N o v e m b e r 30th.

At Lakenheath Fen, a l t h o u g h no full survey was carried o u t , t h e r e was an e s t i m a t e of 45 t e r r i t o r i e s being present on t h e reserve.

Presumed w a n d e r i n g birds w e r e seen at a n u m b e r of sites n o t a b l y : Burgh Castle: five, Jan 12th.

Boyton: six, Oct 29th.

Ramsholt: five, Dec 15th.

Brantham: seven, Jan 17th.

126

Systematic List WOODLARK

Lullula

Fairly common

breeding

arborea species. Scarce on passage and in winter. Amber

list.

There w e r e 90 pairs of this species on t h e Suffolk Sandlings (85 in 2012) an increase f o r t h e second year running. Included in t h a t total, Hollesley and Sutton Commons held 25 pairs ( 2 1 in 2012), Tunstall eight pairs t h e (same as 2012), t h e D u n w i c h area six pairs (nine in 2012) and M i n s m e r e 15, up three. Away f r o m t h e Sandlings breeding may have taken place at t h r e e o t h e r localities w h e r e birds w e r e present during t h e breeding season.

In west Suffolk t h e slight increase in 2012 failed to continue as in t h e Thetford Forest, including those in Norfolk, 79 pairs w e r e recorded (86 in 2012).The King's Forest held 24 territories w i t h possibly a f u r t h e r three. Probable breeding was also recorded f r o m a n o t h e r t h r e e sites.

During t h e a u t u m n , migrating birds were seen at t h e f o l l o w i n g sites:Southwold: Denes, two, Nov 2nd.

Thorpeness: Nov 14th.

Bawdsey: Oct 28th.

Landguard: three south, Oct 24th.

In t h e w i n t e r m o n t h s six w e r e seen at Abbey Farm, Snape on January 6th, 12 at Icklingham, January 2 0 t h and, at t h e end of t h e year, 13 at Cavenham Heath, December 26th.

SKYLARK

Alauda

Common resident,

arvensis passage migrant

and winter visitor. Red list.

The first w i n t e r period saw some sizeable flocks as f o l l o w s : Boyton Marshes: 300, Jan 24th.

Hinderclay: 160, Janl9th.

Stowupland: 870, Jan 24th - highest count since 1000 birds in the Aide Estuary complex in 1986.

Timworth: 100, Jan 19th.

Cavenham Heath: 350, Jan 19th.

Great Waldingfield: Airfield, 300, Jan 24th.

Cold w e a t h e r m o v e m e n t s were reported during January at Landguard w i t h a m a x i m u m of 87 south on 21st.

Breeding was c o n f i r m e d or p r e s u m e d f r o m t e n localities, There w e r e 75 pairs in t h e M i n s m e r e recording area (about t h e same as previously),

b e t w e e n 4 4 and 49 pairs o n

Orfordness (slightly d o w n o n t h a t of 2012) and 36 singing birds

Skylark Richard Allen

at Great Waldingfield Airfield (40 in 2012).

During a u t u m n migration, Landguard recorded 367 birds south in October t h e m a x i m u m daycount being 46 on 19th; o n t h e same date 50 f l e w south at Minsmere and 40 south at Orfordness.

In November, 32 w e r e seen t o come in off t h e sea at Gorleston o n 8 t h t h e n 24 in off t h e sea at Ness Point, Lowestoft on 11th.

2012 Correction: The c o m m e n t f o l l o w i n g t h e Barsham Marshes t o t a l of 140, February 3rd in t h e 2012 Report should have been placed after t h e Hinderclay t o t a l of 800, February 5th in t h e same table.

HORNED (SHORE) LARK Scarce winter

Eremophila

alpestris

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

The only r e p o r t in t h e first w i n t e r period was of a bird present on Havergate Island o n b o t h February 1 8 t h and April 7th.

During t h e a u t u m n a bird was seen away f r o m t h e i m m e d i a t e vicinity of t h e coast at Lower Holbrook o n October 12th and one was at Landguard b e t w e e n October 17th and 21st. Some of t h e f o l l o w i n g records most probably relate t o t h e same individuals:— Corton: three, Oct 17th and 18th with one on 19th.

127

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Lowestoft: North Beach, three, Nov 3rd.

Pakefield: two, Nov 6th and 7th.

Southwold: Denes, two, Nov 10th to 14th.

Benacre Sluice: two Nov 13th and 14th; two, Nov 21st.

Minsmere: Nov 5th.

Landguard: three south, Nov 8th.

SAND MARTIN

Riparia

Common

visitor and passage migrant.

summer

riparia Amber

list.

A bird on M a r c h 10th at Lakenheath Fen was a reasonably early record w i t h t h e next individual n o t being seen until April 1st, at M i n s m e r e . Four w e r e at Lackford Lakes and one at L o o m p i t Lake, b o t h o n April 9th. By April 18th numbers had built up w i t h 150 at M i n s m e r e .

Breeding colonies w e r e r e p o r t e d f r o m t h e f o l l o w i n g s i t e s : Corton Cliffs: 338 active holes.

Bungay: Constitution Hill, 105 active holes.

Covehithe: 158 active holes.

Easton Bavents: 193 active holes.

July saw t h e start of birds on t h e move as 60 w e n t south over Orfordness o n 13th t h e n 90 south t h r o u g h Landguard on 31st. Pre-dispersal gatherings were noted at Hollesley on August 29th w h e n 100 w e r e n o t e d w i t h 100 at W o o d b r i d g e t h e next day. Twelve w e r e still at Lakenheath o n S e p t e m b e r 15th t h e n singles at Landguard and Thorpeness on 23rd. The last birds of t h e year w e r e f o u r at N o r t h Denes, Lowestoft on t h e late date of October 26th.

A n albino bird was at M i n s m e r e on June 9 t h and 10th.

BARN SWALLOW Very common

Hirundo

summer

rustica

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

There w e r e no M a r c h records f o r t h e first t i m e since 1 9 9 1 t h e first bird being recorded on April 8 t h w i t h single birds at each of Carlton Marshes, Needham Lake and Lackford Lakes. The next day t h r e e w e r e at L o o m p i t Lake. By 12th birds w e r e at n u m e r o u s locations and by 26th n u m b e r s had built up w i t h 300 at Stutton.

Breeding records only came f r o m a f e w locations; at Herringfleet birds bred in t h e same shed by Smock M i l l as in 2012, on Orfordness t h e r e w e r e seven or eight pairs (six or seven in 2012), at Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham six pairs (the same as t h e previous year) and at West Stow, t h r e e pairs.

A u t u m n passage at Landguard saw a t o t a l of 2259 recorded moving south in August and 7759 south in September. M o v e m e n t s and gatherings d u r i n g August and September were as f o l l o w s : Burgh Castle: 100, Aug 11th.

Thorpeness: 310, Sep 23rd.

Hollesley: 230, Sep 11th.

Landguard: 1400 south Sep 13th; 4576 south, Sep 21st.

Cavenham: 100 on wires, Aug 14th.

There w e r e s o m e late birds d u r i n g N o v e m b e r w i t h records of ones and t w o s on several dates t h e last being t w o south at Landguard on 10th.

In D e c e m b e r a very late straggler was present at O r f o r d o n 1st and 2 n d (J M o u n t a i n ) . The previous December record was as recently as 2 0 1 1 o n 2nd at M i n s m e r e .

HOUSE MARTIN Very common

Delichon

summer

urbicum

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

The first bird of t h e year was n o t seen until April 8 t h w h e n a single individual was at Lackford Lakes. A n o t h e r singleton was at t h e same location on 11th f o l l o w e d on 12th by t e n at Kessingland reedbeds and t w o at M e l t o n sewage works. N u m b e r s t h e n built up steadily w i t h 30 at M i n s m e r e on 18th and 120 flying a r o u n d L o o m p i t Lake o n 26th.

Breeding was c o n f i r m e d or suspected at 17 locations. The regular B r e t t e n h a m birds w e r e back

by April 15th and had t w o broods w i t h t h e last of these birds n o t d e p a r t i n g until October 6th. Two 128

Systematic List pairs w e r e at each of Herringfleet, Somerleyton and Westleton Village Hall. During June a large gathering was noted at Loompit Lake w i t h 600 birds present on 13th and 400 still there on 15th.

In September, m o v e m e n t s d u r i n g migration were as f o l l o w s : Thorpeness: 800 south, 21st.

Hollesley: 300,11th.

Landguard: 673, 21st, with 1557 in the month.

Needham Market: Sewage Works, 100,18th.

The last f e w birds of the year were at Bury St Edmunds w i t h five on October 9th and West Stow w i t h one on October 28th. During November, late outgoing birds were recorded at Ness Point, Lowestoft with t w o on 2nd and t w o passed through Minsmere and a singleton over Landguard on 3rd.

2012 Addition: House Martin X Barn Swallow Hybrid: Stutton Mill: May 2nd (C Baines).

RED-RUMPED SWALLOW

Cecropis

daurica

Rare visitor.

There w e r e t w o records in 2013, bringing t h e Suffolk total to 38, involving 44 birds. The record at Landguard is t h e sixth for t h e site involving seven birds.

Kessingland: Sewage Works, Apr 18th and 19th (C Buttle).

Landguard: south, Sep 26th, (J Zantboer).

CETTI'S WARBLER Fairly common

Cettia

resident

cetti

and rare passage

migrant.

The c o u n t y has held over 200 pairs for several years, w i t h t h e m a j o r strongholds a r o u n d M i n s m e r e , so any m i n o r f l u c t u a t i o n s in assessed breeding numbers are likely t o be caused by incomplete counts. Steve Piotrowski, in t h e Birds of Suffolk (2003), t o l d of only t w o pairs surviving in 1989 w h i c h emphasises t h e remarkable recovery and spread of t h e species.

Reports of singing birds came f r o m over 50 different sites of w h i c h five w e r e in t h e west.

Orfordness saw t h r e e birds t r a p p e d in t h e a u t u m n whilst a f i f t h site record f o r Landguard occurred o n October 29th.

LONG-TAILED TIT Very common

Aegithalos

resident

caudatus

and scarce passage

migrant.

Little i n f o r m a t i o n was received t o suggest any change in status for this species. Data f r o m t h e Constant Effort Site in t h e west suggested t h a t juvenile mortality had been high because o f f o o d shortage. They w e r e f o u n d in 3 1 of t h e 47 BBS squares compared w i t h 33 in 2010, 23 in 2 0 1 1 and 22 in 2012.

Landguard r e p o r t e d a party of eight on March 14th and birds w e r e present o n five days in t h e a u t u m n f r o m October 15th t o November 24th. The Birds of Suffolk (2003) tells us t h a t 112 birds were ringed at this site in t h e October t o early-November period in 1993.

GREENISH WARBLER Very rare

Phylloscopus

trochiloides

visitor.

A single bird, despite r u m o u r s of m o r e , was present at Corton making f o u r in t h e last f o u r years o u t of a t o t a l of 14 since t h e first in 1981.

Corton: heard only, Aug 25th (J Brown).

PALLAS'S LEAF WARBLER Uncommon

autumn

passage

Phylloscopus

proregulus

migrant.

A f t e r t h e second blank year of t h e century in 2012, t h e r e were f o u r w e l c o m e records w i t h i n a six-day period.

129

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Lowestoft: North Denes, Oct 17th (multi-observer).

Southwold: campsite, Oct 12th (R J Holmes).

Minsmere: Sluice: Oct 18th (I Salkeld et al).

Orford: Oct 13th (S Abbott).

YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER Uncommon

autumn

passage

Phylloscopus

inornatus

migrant.

This m u c h - l o v e d species appeared in many places in t h e a u t u m n w i t h above-average n u m b e r s o n s o m e N o r t h Sea coastal sites, good counts in many areas of Britain and a f e w as far south as t h e Canary Islands. Consequently f r o m September 20th until October 19th Suffolk birders could f i n d one or m o r e a n y w h e r e o n t h e coast. Perhaps 30 different birds w e r e involved.

RADDE'S WARBLER Rare

Phylloscopus

schwarzi

visitor.

The second since 2009 brings t h e county t o t a l t o 21. Previous bird reports have been one o u t w i t h the total.

Shingle Street: Oct 16th (S Abbott, P Kennerley).

W O O D WARBLER Scarce summer

Phylloscopus

sibilatrix

visitor and uncommon

passage migrant.

Red list.

A repeat of a v i r t u o s o singing p e r f o r m a n c e f r o m last year's Sutton Heath bird was not t o be.

Indeed t h e r e w e r e o n l y seven records of m i g r a n t s : Minsmere: Apr 27th to 29th (J M Gibbs); Sluice bushes, Aug 25th (D A Fairhurst).

Hollesley: trapped and ringed, Aug 29th (J Zantboer).

Bawdsey: East Lane, Aug 12th to 14th (G Broderick, P Whittaker et al).

Landguard: May 14th; May 27th; Aug 19th (all three trapped and ringed).

130

Systematic List C O M M O N CHIFFCHAFF Very common

summer

Phylloscopus

collybita

visitor and passage migrant.

A few

overwinter.

Well over 500 bits or bites of i n f o r m a t i o n were received for this w e l l - k n o w n species w i t h five times as m a n y f r o m t h e south-east as f r o m each of t h e north-east and west.

They w e r e f o u n d in 34 of t h e 47 BBS squares, d o w n f r o m 40 in 2012. However little could be gleaned about breeding numbers f r o m the figures received from t h e three recorders w i t h 19 singing at Lound and 25 in Sudbury being t h e major counts submitted. A report f r o m t h e CES at Lackford t h a t the ringing of 14 adults and 43 juveniles was t h e best result since 2004 is encouraging.

Orfordness n o t e d spring passage f r o m April 13th until June 2nd. One bird ringed in May was r e t r a p p e d o n August 2 4 t h having n o t been noticed in t h e i n t e r v e n i n g p e r i o d . Landguard saw spring birds f r o m April 8 t h until June 19th w i t h a m a x i m u m of 12 o n April 15th. Both these April dates are unusually late as Chiffchaffs are usually present f r o m m i d - M a r c h .

Counts of p r e s u m e d a u t u m n migrants included 15 at Kessingland o n September 25th and 30 at Thorpeness o n September 22nd whilst t h e Hollesley ringers caught 30 on September 21st.

On Orfordness, a u t u m n m o v e m e n t s occurred f r o m September 14th until November 13th w i t h 22 o n October 6th being t h e m a x i m u m day-count. Ringing totals matched those of t h e last five years. At Landguard t h e activity period was about 50% longer than for t h e Ness running from August 21st until N o v e m b e r 23rd w i t h both September 26th and October 6 t h seeing a m a x i m u m of 20.

A bird heard and recorded at Corton by J Brown on October 14th showed characteristics of t h e sub-species 'tristis'.

One t r a p p e d at Landguard on October 18th also showed characteristics of an

eastern race.

WILLOW WARBLER Common summer

Phylloscopus

trochilus

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

Spring arrivals were heralded by one at Sotterley on April 8th.

They w e r e f o u n d in just t e n of t h e 47 BBS squares w i t h 19 birds counted. At t h e t u r n of t h e century t h e y w e r e regularly f o u n d in 20 squares.

A fairly desultory spring passage o n Orfordness lasted f r o m April 21st until May 26th w i t h never m o r e t h a n t h r e e birds on any one day. A u t u m n m o v e m e n t was f r o m August 4 t h until O c t o b e r 13th. The c u m u l a t i v e ringing t o t a l of 4 1 was in stark contrast w i t h some o t h e r years such as 2009 w h e n 230 w e r e recorded.

Landguard appears t o be better situated to receive the species as during the early-year m o v e m e n t f r o m April 12th t o June 2nd there was a m a x i m u m of 30 on April 26th. Likewise in t h e a u t u m n , 15 on August 17th was t h e greatest day-total during t h e period July 31st t o September 23rd.

BLACKCAP

Sylvia

Common summer

atricapilla

visitor and passage migrant

with a few over

wintering.

W i n t e r i n g birds were seen t h r o u g h o u t t h e county.

Breeding estimates were not available for many sites. Minsmere held 15 pairs and North W a r r e n 46. Stalwarts in t h e w e s t e s t i m a t e d c o n f i r m e d b r e e d i n g n u m b e r s of 20 at Lackford, 15 at Cavenham Heath, 18 at Lakenheath Fen and 20 at Sudbury. They w e r e f o u n d in 38 of t h e 47 BBS squares w i t h 170 individuals counted.

Once birds had stopped singing, reports become infrequent so a count of 70 birds, all ringed, near Hollesley Heath o n September 21st, is unprecedented (J Zantboer).

In t h e w e s t , 34 o u t of 36 t r a p p e d at Great Livermere were juveniles as w e r e 22 o u t of 23 in central Suffolk at N e e d h a m Market suggesting a successful season. However t h e CES ringers at Lackford Lakes considered 25 adults and 4 1 juveniles t r a p p e d t o be a d i s a p p o i n t m e n t .

Orfordness had only five spring passage birds and an a u t u m n m a x i m u m of 15 on October 12th.

There were 47 ringed, the fifth consecutive year that the annual ringing total there was in the forties.

Landguard r e p o r t e d spring migration f r o m April 7 t h t o May 31st w i t h a m a x i m u m of 25 o n April 23rd. A u t u m n m o v e m e n t started on August 19th and c o n t i n u e d u n t i l N o v e m b e r 14th w i t h a daym a x i m u m of 25 birds o n October 12th.

131

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 GARDEN WARBLER Common

summer

Sylvia borin

visitor and passage

migrant.

The first bird of t h e year, o n April 18th, was at Lackford.

Some 123 records for t h e species w e r e collected by t h e t h r e e c o u n t y recorders w i t h t h e n o r t h east p r o d u c i n g 67 of these, a b o u t one f i f t h of t h e corresponding t o t a l for t h e Blackcap. N o r t h W a r r e n held 45 t e r r i t o r i e s and M i n s m e r e t e n w h i c h seem pitiful totals c o m p a r e d w i t h t h e 2010 figures of 140 and 29 respectively.

Only t e n reports came f r o m t h e south-east.

In t h e west 46 reports c o m p a r e d w i t h 73 for t h e Blackcap may just reflect greater interest in t h e species. Maids Cross Hill, Lakenheath had t e n singing birds and Lackford five.

They w e r e recorded in eight of t h e 47 BBS squares.

W i t h Orfordness having t w o spring and three a u t u m n birds and Landguard eight in spring and a m a x i m u m of three on t w o dates in August this species is clearly not a numerous migrant in t h e county.

BARRED WARBLER Scarce passage

Sylvia

nisoria

migrant.

This was t h e second consecutive year t h a t this species has been recorded, w i t h o n e record, after a blank year in 2 0 1 1 and eight birds in 2010.

Landguard: Aug 29th (W J Brame).

LESSER WHITETHROAT Fairly common

summer

Sylvia

curruca

visitor and passage

migrant.

Landguard claimed t h e first of t h e spring o n April 16th and n o t e d spring passage f r o m t h a t date until June 14th w i t h a m a x i m u m of t e n on April 23rd. A single bird was t r a p p e d and ringed o n Orfordness o n May 5 t h In t h e east, N o r t h W a r r e n held 15 pairs, M i n s m e r e f o u r and Landguard t w o .

Reports f r o m t h e w e s t , in t h e b r e e d i n g season, w e r e of ones and t w o s except f o r five at B r e t t e n h a m o n April 28th. Only t h r e e pairs w e r e present at t h e well w a t c h e d sites of Lakenheath Fen ( t w o pairs) and Lackford Lakes (single pair).

Lesser W h i t e t h r o a t s were f o u n d in t e n of t h e 47 BBS squares w i t h 13 individuals c o m p a r e d w i t h 3 1 in 2011.

A u t u m n passage at Landguard ran f r o m August 10th t o October 1 8 t h w i t h m a x i m a of six o n August 10th and 12th.

Two w e r e on Orfordness o n S e p t e m b e r 21st. These l o w figures explain w h y t h e species is a p o p u l a r tick for a u t u m n birders.

C O M M O N WHITETHROAT Common

summer

Sylvia

communis

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

A l t o n W a t e r recorded t h e first of t h e year o n April 13th.

Landguard n o t e d spring passage f r o m April 1 5 t h u n t i l M a y 2 5 t h w i t h m a x i m a of 20 and 4 0 respectively on April 2 5 t h and 26th. Breeding news f r o m t h e north-east was sparse; Lound w i t h t e n pairs, D u n w i c h Heath w i t h 19 pairs and Thorpeness w i t h 20 pairs had t h e m o s t n o t a b l e r e p o r t e d numbers. M a n y reports w e r e received f r o m t h e south-east w i t h 34 t e r r i t o r i e s c o u n t e d in O r w e l l Country Park but only t h r e e o t h e r counts of probable breeders into d o u b l e figures w e r e claimed - f r o m Orfordness, Ramsholt and Pipps Ford. In w e s t Suffolk t h e highest breeding counts w e r e of 25 pairs and 22 pairs, respectively, at Sudbury and Maid's Hill Cross, Lakenheath ( M Peers).

Cavenham Heath and Lakenheath Fen b o t h just reached d o u b l e figures. The species was f o u n d in 36 of t h e 47 BBS squares w i t h 140 individuals c o u n t e d . The n u m b e r of individuals has v a r i e d w i d e l y over t h e last 15 years.

Near Hollesley Heath, 20 birds w e r e caught and ringed o n August 29th.

A u t u m n birds w e r e t r a p p e d at Landguard f r o m August 5 t h up t o October 18th w i t h a m a x i m u m of six being recorded o n b o t h August 10th and September 3rd.

132

Systematic List Orfordness has seen annual numbers of t r a p p e d birds steadily fall f r o m 121 t o 50 over t h e last fi ve years.

DARTFORD WARBLER Uncommon

Sylvia

locai resident.

undata

Scarce visitor. Amber

list.

As many had forecast, cold w i n t e r w e a t h e r c o n t i n u e d to adversely affect this species w i t h only 60 pairs recorded c o m p a r e d w i t h 127 in t h e first decade of this century. The n o r t h e r n heaths, including Snape W a r r e n had 47 t e r r i t o r i e s w i t h t h e remaining 13 o n t h e Sutton and Hollesley Heaths. It is w o r t h noting t h a t in m o d e m times, breeding was first c o n f i r m e d in 1996.

Roaming birds of u n k n o w n origin f r e q u e n t e d Gunton Warren f r o m October 31st for a m o n t h , Hollesley Marshes o n July 15th, Landguard, t h e f i f t h site record, on N o v e m b e r 2nd and Levington Lagoon, t h e bird first seen o n November 5 t h 2012, f r o m January 9 t h until Aprii 21st.

SUBALPINE WARBLER Very rare

Sylvia cantillans

albistriata

visitor.

In The Birds ofSuffolk

(2003), Steve Piotrowski stated "From 1986-1995,

this smallSylvia

warbler

was an almost annual visitor to Suffolk". Since t h e n there have only been t w o records; a dead bird at Sizewell in t h e a u t u m n of 2000 and a m o r e typical spring occurrence at Landguard in 2008, before t h e arrivai of this much-admired and confiding male. Seven of t h e 13 county records have been at Landguard. There is an article on this bird widely considered t o be an Eastern Subalpine Warbler, and t h e potential f o r its being a f u t u r e split to species' level, earlier in this report.

Landguard: Aprii 26th and 27th (P J Holmes).

C O M M O N GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Uncommon

and declining

summer

Locustella

naevia

visitor and passage migrant.

Red list.

The first bird of t h e year was at Fisher Row, Oulton on Aprii 7th.

M u c h has been w r i t t e n a b o u t t h e possibility that this species is being under-recorded because of t h e ageing h u m a n male ear becoming inefficient in its detection of t h e high pitched reel. However, coverage of t h e Suffolk sites seems t o be t h o r o u g h w i t h an estimate of over 30 pairs. Seven pairs at O u l t o n Marsh in t h e east and nine pairs at Lakenheath in t h e west, w e r e t h e highest counts.

Steve Piotrowski made no a t t e m p t t o q u a n t i f y t h e n u m b e r of breeders in The Birds ofSuffolk

(2003) apart

f r o m m e n t i o n i n g 25 pairs in t h e Walberswick area in t h e early 1970s.

Ringers o n Orfordness c a p t u r e d single birds o n August 21st, 23rd and 25th w i t h another o n October 2nd. Landguard recorded f o u r birds on Aprii 26th but just one in t h e a u t u m n , o n October 2nd. The birds on Orfordness and at Landguard on October 2nd are t h e latest in Suffolk since 2006 ( N o r t h W a r r e n , October 8th).

Common Grasshopper Warbler Peter Beeson

SAVI'S WARBLER Rare summer

Locustella

luscinioides

visitor and passage migrant.

Red list.

After only six records in t h e past 15 years this f l u r r y of reports made one t h i n k of a possible r e t u r n t o t h e golden 1970s, w h e n t e n males graced coastal reed beds in one year (1973).

Minsmere: singing male, May 12th to June 9th (M Fairley, J Rankin et al).

Lakenheath Fen: singing male, May 25th to June 7th (P J Dolton, M S Rayment, R L Smith et al).

Shotley: Hares Creek, adult trapped. June l l t h (J A Glazebrook).

133

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 ICTERINE WARBLER Scarce passage

Hippolais

icterina

migrant.

The t o t a l for this century reached 30 w i t h t h e capture of t w o typical August birds at different ringing stations.

Orfordness: trapped, Aug 22nd (M Marsh, G Stannard).

Landguard: trapped, Aug 25th (P J Holmes, E W Patrick).

SEDGE WARBLER Common

summer

Acrocephalus

schoenobaemus

visitor and passage

migrant.

The first of t h e year was at Lakenheath Fen o n April 13th.

In t h e 2010 r e p o r t an e s t i m a t e of 700 b r e e d i n g pairs was suggested for t h e county. In 2013 counts f r o m all sites w e r e m u c h l o w e r w i t h o u t provoking any c o m m e n t s a b o u t obvious declines, so it is likely t h a t this species, being accepted as c o m m o n , is n o t surveyed as t h o r o u g h l y as some o t h e r species. There were 84 territories at t h e Hen Reedbeds, 84 at Minsmere, 39 at N o r t h Warren and b e t w e e n 13 and 16 on Orfordness.

Ringers r e p o r t e d a f e w in spring and, as always, Orfordness, w i t h 487 birds t r a p p e d and ringed (469 in 2012, 214 in 2011), w a s p r o d u c t i v e in t h e a u t u m n . The last bird o f t h e year was at M i n s m e r e on S e p t e m b e r 26th.

MARSH WARBLER Scarce migrant.

Acrocephalus

palustris

Red list.

A pleasing s h o w i n g f o r this ebullient songster, w h i c h bred in 2010, b u t can fail t o appear at all in s o m e years.

Southwold: Bailey Bridge, June 9th to 11th (B J Small).

Hollesley: trapped, Aug 14th ( P Catchpole).

Landguard: May 14th (N Odin et al).

EURASIAN REED WARBLER Common

summer

Acrocephalus

visitor and passage

scirapaceus

migrant.

M i n s m e r e and East Lane, Bawdsey saw t h e earliest birds o n April 19th.

As w i t h t h e Sedge W a r b l e r t h o s e areas w h i c h s u b m i t t e d counts produced figures m u c h l o w e r t h a n in t h e p o p u l a t i o n estimate year of 2010. Again no surprise was expressed, suggesting many surveys w e r e i n c o m p l e t e . There w e r e 77 t e r r i t o r i e s r e c o r d e d at t h e Hen Reedbeds, 158 at M i n s m e r e , 85 at N o r t h W a r r e n and nine or t e n o n Orfordness.

O r f o r d n e s s r e p o r t e d a below-average t o t a l of 230 birds (359 in 2012) ringed in A u g u s t a n d S e p t e m b e r and recorded t h e last of t h e year o n October 18th.

BOHEMIAN W A X W I N G Uncommon

winter

Bombycilla

visitor and passage

garrulus migrant.

There w e r e only six " W a x w i n g years" b e t w e e n 1949 and 1995, so i r r u p t i o n s in successive years was very w e l c o m e . The first w i n t e r period saw a c o n t i n u a t i o n of t h e g o o d n u m b e r s n o t e d at t h e end o f 2012 w i t h a t o t a l of 353 records f r o m 80 sites. In t h e north-east t h e r e w e r e 68 doublefigure reports c u l m i n a t i n g w i t h 15 at Flixton on April 21st. The south-east t o l d a similar story w i t h five records of 50+ birds, w i t h a peak of 54 at Ipswich o n January 19th, and a last sighting of 26 birds, again at Ipswich, o n May 2nd. Unlike in 2012, t h e invasion reached t h e west d u r i n g this p e r i o d w i t h 60 records f r o m 27 sites, i n c l u d i n g 70 in Bury St Edmunds o n February 4 t h a n d c u l m i n a t i n g w i t h 19 at Thetford and 14 at S t o w m a r k e t o n April 14th.

The second w i n t e r period p r o d u c e d only five records a l t o g e t h e r reaching a peak of t h r e e at Ipswich o n December 16th. The earliest report was of t w o at Landguard o n N o v e m b e r 5 t h . There w e r e n o reports f r o m t h e west for this period. Conditions o n t h e Continent w e r e presumably n o t conducive t o giving us many chances t o v i e w this most attractive of passerines.

134

Systematic List EURASIAN NUTHATCH Fairly common

Sitta

europaea

resident.

It was g o o d t o see an increase in t h e n u m b e r of records s u b m i t t e d o f this h a n d s o m e b i r d f r o m 78 in 2012 t o 135 in 2013. T h e w e s t of t h e c o u n t y o n c e again p r o v i d e d a high p r o p o r t i o n , w i t h 35 sites r e p o r t i n g birds c o m p a r e d w i t h 3 4 in 2012. The t o t a l n u m b e r o f sites s u b m i t t i n g records w a s slightly u p f r o m 5 1 in 2012 t o 57. Of possible significance w e r e t h e second r e c o r d at L a k e n h e a t h Fen RSPB o n D e c e m b e r 1 0 t h a n d t h e first record in seven years f r o m S u d b u r y C o m m o n Land.

EURASIAN TREECREEPER Common

resident.

Amber

Certhia

familiaris

list (C.f.

britannica).

As in p r e v i o u s years, t h e r e w e r e f e w records of m o r e t h a n a single pair at any o n e site. A l t h o u g h 2 6 9 records w e r e s u b m i t t e d f r o m 93 sites, e v i d e n c e o f b r e e d i n g was o n l y r e p o r t e d at n i n e o f t h e s e . I n t e r e s t i n g l y , r e p o r t s w e r e r e c e i v e d f r o m 45 sites in 2 0 0 6 . Does t h i s r e f l e c t i n c r e a s e d r e c o r d i n g or a p o p u l a t i o n increase? The o n l y c o u n t of m o r e t h a n five was t e n at Santon D o w n h a m on March 8th.

EURASIAN W R E N Very common

Troglodytes

resident

troglodytes

and scarce passage

migrant.

N u m b e r s o f t h i s a b u n d a n t s o n g b i r d s e e m t o be stable c o m p a r e d w i t h 2012 a l t h o u g h t h e c o u n t of i n d i v i d u a l s o n t h e Breeding Bird Survey (267) was t h e l o w e s t since 2 0 0 1 (117). In t h e n o r t h east r e c o r d i n g area t h e r e w e r e 8 4 6 records w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g s h o w i n g c o m p a r i s o n s : Carlton Marshes: 11 territories (nine in 2012).

Oulton Marshes: eight territories (11 in 2012).

Lound Waterworks: 21 territories (26 in 2012).

Breeding w a s also r e p o r t e d a t : Hen Reedbeds: 15 territories.

North Cove SWT: nine territories.

Eastbridge: 22, June 8th.

In t h e s o u t h - e a s t , t h e r e w e r e 525 r e p o r t s , b u t o n l y six of t h e s e gave n u m b e r s in d o u b l e f i g u r e s w i t h a high o f 15 at A l t o n W a t e r o n A p r i l 2 8 t h . On Orfordness, t h i s species c o n t i n u e d its r e c o v e r y f r o m 2011, w h e n it was d o w n t o a single pair, w i t h a m i n i m u m of f o u r pairs.

At L a n d g u a r d t w o pairs b r e d and at least six individuals a t t e m p t e d t o o v e r w i n t e r In t h e w e s t t h e r e w e r e v e r y f e w records s u b m i t t e d , b u t Lackford had its best year since 2 0 0 4 w i t h n i n e a d u l t s a n d 15 j u v e n i l e s t r a p p e d .

C O M M O N STARLING Very common

Sturnus

but declining

vulgaris

resident,

winter

visitor

and passage

migrant.

Red list.

One e n c o u r a g i n g sign f o r t h i s declining species was t h e Breeding Bird Survey c o u n t of individuals (611). This w a s t h e highest since 2 0 0 5 (902). The n u m b e r of 1 k m squares r e p o r t i n g i n d i v i d u a l s (32) was also t h e highest f o r s o m e years (34 in 2007).

As usual, t h e r e w e r e s o m e v e r y high c o u n t s of flocks g o i n g t o roost w i t h 3 0 of 1000+ including:— Lowestoft: Harbour roost, 20000, Mar Brd; 30000, Mar 23rd; 15000, Nov 21st.

Dunwlch: 11210, Nov 5th.

Ipswich: 12000, Mar 11th.

Great Livermere: 16000, Jan 29th ; 12000, Dec 21st.

Cavenham Pits: 10000, Dec 15th.

Monthly maxima at Orfordness were as follows:Jan Feb Mar Apr May 2 0 287 20 5

Jun 600

Jul 300

Aug 80

Sep 10

Oct 1500

Nov 60

Dec 120

These are generally l o w e r t h a n in 2012, perhaps reflecting t h e c o n t i n u i n g decline o f t h i s species.

At L a n d g u a r d , t h e first visible m o v e m e n t o f t h e a u t u m n was f i v e o n S e p t e m b e r 21st, p r e c e d i n g 135

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 a total of 8245 during t h e period October 10th to December 12th, w i t h a m a x i m u m of 3430 on N o v e m b e r 8 t h (N Odin).

O n O r f o r d n e s s , a f e w w e r e o b s e r v e d t o a r r i v e in o f f t h e sea in O c t o b e r , w i t h 3 5 0 o n 1 2 t h , 1 4 7 0 o n 1 3 t h a n d 1 5 0 0 o n 1 4 t h . Up t o 5 0 r e m a i n e d t o t h e m o n t h ' s e n d a n d t h e n 120 o n D e c e m b e r 1 3 t h w a s t h e o n l y o t h e r significant c o u n t .

ROSY STARLING Rare visitor.

Pastor

Categories

roseus

A&

E.

T h e 3 9 t h a n d 4 0 t h Suffolk records are as f o l l o w s : Benacre Sluice: Oct 7th (C Buttle).

Orford: first-summer, Apr 23rd to 29th (D Fairhurst et al).

WHITE-THROATED DIPPER Rare winter

visitor

Cinclus cinclus

and passage

migrant.

Amber

list (C. c. gularis-

British

T h e l o n g - s t a y i n g T h e t f o r d b i r d , o f t h e n o m i n a t e race C.c.cinclus,

Dipper).

which arrived on November

6 t h 2 0 1 2 a n d b e c a m e t h e 3 4 t h Suffolk r e c o r d was last r e c o r d e d in T h e t f o r d o n M a r c h 21st 2 0 1 3 .

T h e 3 5 t h c o u n t y r e c o r d w a s f i r s t seen o n passage a t Liston in Essex b u t passed i n t o Long M e l f o r d , o n A p r i l 2 7 t h (D U n d e r w o o d ) .

RING OUZEL

Turdus

torquatus

Fairly common

passage

migrant.

Red list.

Reasonable n u m b e r s o f t h e u p l a n d b l a c k b i r d w e r e r e c o r d e d . T h e r e w e r e 136 o b s e r v a t i o n s at 3 2 sites in 2 0 1 3 c o m p a r e d w i t h 184 at 4 1 sites in 2012.

T h e n o r t h - e a s t p r o d u c e d 2 1 s p r i n g m i g r a t i o n records f r o m 14 sites. T h e first w a s o n Beccles C o m m o n o n A p r i l 1 3 t h a n d t h e last at M i n s m e r e , M a y 1st. These w e r e m o s t l y singles a n d t w o s e x c e p t f o r seven at A b b e y Farm, Snape, A p r i l 1 6 t h . The s o u t h - e a s t h a d 29 s p r i n g records w i t h a m a x i m u m o f f o u r at L a n d g u a r d o n A p r i l 2 6 t h . T h e r e w e r e also five s p r i n g sightings in t h e w e s t o f t h e c o u n t y of w h i c h t h e earliest w a s o n e at C a v e n h e a t h H e a t h , A p r i l 21st a n d t h e latest t h r e e at M a i d s Cross Hill, L a k e n h e a t h , A p r i l 2 3 r d .

T h e a u t u m n w a s a similar s t o r y w i t h 58 r e p o r t s f r o m t h e n o r t h - e a s t , 72 f r o m t h e s o u t h - e a s t a n d j u s t o n e f r o m t h e w e s t . M a n y of t h e s e r e p o r t s w e r e o f m o r e t h a n o n e b i r d w i t h t h e largest g r o u p b e i n g 3 0 at Bawdsey, O c t o b e r 1 2 t h . A l t h o u g h s p r e a d t h r o u g h o u t t h e parish, t h i s g r o u p o f 3 0 is t h e h i g h e s t s i t e - t o t a l in S u f f o l k since O c t o b e r 1 9 9 8 w h e n f i v e sites r e c o r d e d 3 0 o r m o r e , w i t h a peak o f 1 5 0 o n S o u t h w o l d Golf Course, 6 t h . The earliest s i g h t i n g c a m e f r o m L a n d g u a r d , S e p t e m b e r 2 8 t h a n d t h e last w a s at Landguard, O c t o b e r 2 9 t h .

FIELD N O T E O n t h e m o r n i n g o f O c t o b e r 1 2 t h I saw e i g h t o f t h e m a n y Ring Ouzels t h a t h a d a r r i v e d o v e r n i g h t in t h e B a w d s e y area. In t h e a f t e r n o o n I f o u n d a n o t h e r 16 in t h e Poplars a n d H a w t h o r n s w h i c h line t h e T w i n Banks b e h i n d Shingle Street. As I e m e r g e d f r o m t h e c o v e r o f t h e t r e e s a n o t h e r t e n f l e w s o u t h . T h a t t o o k m y o w n d a y - c o u n t t o 34. T h e r e m u s t have b e e n close o n 6 0 in t h e B a w d s e y Peninsula t h a t day.

N e x t day I w e n t t o have a n o t h e r l o o k at t h e m - t h e r e w a s n o sign o f any ouzels!

Nick

Mason

On O r f o r d n e s s 2013's sightings w e r e o n seven dates in a u t u m n w i t h a m a x i m u m o f 17 birds o n O c t o b e r 1 2 t h c o n t i n u i n g t h e i m p r o v e m e n t n o t e d in 2 0 1 2 .

C O M M O N BLACKBIRD Very common

resident,

Turdus winter

merula

visitor

and passage

migrant.

T h e B l a c k b i r d is u b i q u i t o u s in Suffolk, a n d t h i s is r e f l e c t e d by b e i n g r e p o r t e d in 4 6 o f t h e 4 7 l k m s q u a r e s in t h e B r e e d i n g Bird Survey, h o w e v e r t h e n u m b e r o f i n d i v i d u a l s r e p o r t e d in t h e BBS 136

Systematic List (376) was t h e l o w e s t since 2 0 0 4 (337). Suffolk recorders s u b m i t t e d 1852 records f r o m 149 sites, b u t , d e s p i t e t h i s , t h e r e w e r e f e w r e p o r t s of c o n f i r m e d b r e e d i n g , t h e m o s t significant b e i n g : Landguard: ten pairs nesting but with very low productivity On Orfordness, it was considered t o have been a very poor a u t u m n w i t h only t w o double-figure counts over this period. In t h e south-east, t h e m a x i m u m count was 232 at Landguard, October 10th.

Also at Landguard, eight males and 13 females survived t h e winter, t h e oldest of w h i c h had been ringed in M a y 2006. In t h e west t h e m a x i m u m count was 135 at Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham, February 13th.

FIELDFARE Common

Turdus

winter

pilaris

visitor

and passage

migrant.

Red list.

The f a m i l i a r w i n t e r sight of Fieldfares in fields, parks a n d gardens was e v i d e n t again. There w e r e 5 1 r e p o r t s o f flocks i n v o l v i n g 100 individuals or m o r e , c o m p a r e d w i t h 25 in 2 0 1 2 .

D u r i n g t h e first w i n t e r p e r i o d t h e m o s t n o t a b l e c o u n t s w e r e : Reydon: Smear, 300, Apr 14th.

Boyton: 200, Feb 12th.

Felixstowe Ferry: Walton Marshes, 200, Jan 28th.

Little Cornard: 800, Jan 19th.

M o s t birds h a d g o n e by t h e e n d of A p r i l , w i t h a f e w stragglers lingering i n t o May, t h e latest o f w h i c h was at Botany Bay, Lakenheath o n 5 t h .

In c o n t r a s t w i t h t h e s e e n c o u r a g i n g figures, it was a v e r y p o o r s p r i n g o n O r f o r d n e s s w i t h j u s t o n e record, o f f o u r birds, o n A p r i l 1 4 t h .

In t h e s e c o n d w i n t e r p e r i o d , t h e r e w e r e n o early arrivals, w i t h first records in early O c t o b e r f o r all t h r e e areas. These w e r e f o u r at Ness Point, L o w e s t o f t o n O c t o b e r 13th, t w o at Bawdsey o n O c t o b e r 9 t h a n d f o u r at W e s t S t o w CP o n O c t o b e r 1 0 t h . O r f o r d n e s s c o m p l e t e d a v e r y p o o r y e a r w i t h j u s t t h r e e records in O c t o b e r a n d t w o in N o v e m b e r . A u t u m n passage at Landguard lasted f r o m O c t o b e r 1 0 t h t o N o v e m b e r 2 8 t h w i t h m a x i m a of 6 0 o n O c t o b e r 1 0 t h a n d 1 3 t h .

N o t a b l e s e c o n d w i n t e r flocks w e r e r e c o r d e d as f o l l o w s : Dunwich: Beach, 250, Nov 5th.

Lakenheath Fen: 420, Nov 8th.

SONG THRUSH Fairly common

Turdus resident,

philomelos winter

visitor and passage

migrant.

Red list.

The Song T h r u s h w a s r e p o r t e d in 32 of t h e 47 1 k m squares in t h e Breeding Bird Survey. This is t h e l o w e s t f i g u r e since 2005, b u t also h i g h e r t h a n any year b e t w e e n 1994 a n d 2 0 0 5 . This is also r e f l e c t e d in t h e n u m b e r o f i n d i v i d u a l s in t h e BBS (65) b e i n g l o w e r t h a n any y e a r since 2 0 0 5 , b u t h i g h e r t h a n m o s t of t h e p r e c e d i n g 1 1 years.

T h e r e w e r e 5 7 4 r e c o r d s f r o m 102 sites. T h e r e w e r e seven r e p o r t s o f single pairs b r e e d i n g .

Further pairs w e r e r e c o r d e d at: Lound W a t e r w o r k s , eight pairs; Sizewell SWT reserve (13 in 2 0 1 2 ) ; L a n d g u a r d , t h r e e pairs, S u d b u r y , 19 pairs (19 in 2012) a n d N o r t h W a r r e n w h e r e , o n c e again a significant decrease w a s n o t e d , as b e l o w .

Song T h r u s h b r e e d i n g data, N o r t h W a r r e n , 2 0 0 2 t o 2 0 1 3 : Year Pairs

2002 33

2004

2003 28

43

2005 45

2006 45

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

39

40

47

45

20

12

9

M i g r a t i o n o f n o t e d u r i n g t h e a u t u m n was r e p o r t e d f r o m : Landguard: 1000, Oct 10th; 350, Oct 13th.

The 1 0 0 0 c o u n t e d at L a n d g u a r d is t h e highest i n d i v i d u a l s i t e - t o t a l in Suffolk since O c t o b e r 6 t h 1984 w h e n an e s t i m a t e d 1 0 0 0 0 f l e w s o u t h , also at Landguard.

REDWING Common

Turdus

winter

iliacus

visitor

and passage

migrant.

Red list.

A m o r e p r o d u c t i v e s p r i n g t h a n in 2 0 1 2 .

137

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 In t h e n o r t h - e a s t o f t h e c o u n t y t h e r e w e r e e i g h t c o u n t s of 100 or m o r e . At C o r t o n , o n M a y 1 4 t h , 4 5 0 0 f l e w w e s t in t h e m o r n i n g a n d 3 0 0 0 0 f l e w east at dusk - easily t h e highest t o t a l e v e r r e c o r d e d in S u f f o l k , s u r p a s s i n g t h e p r e v i o u s r e c o r d o f 6 0 0 0 at Landguard o n O c t o b e r 2 2 n d 2 0 0 0 . M a n y o f t h e h i g h e r c o u n t s w e r e o n t h e s a m e day, including:— Corton: 30000, Apr 14th.

Lowestoft: 3000, Apr 14th.

Kessingland: 1200, Apr 14th.

In t h e s o u t h - e a s t t h e o n l y significant c o u n t (on t h e s a m e day as a b o v e ) w a s : Snape: Abbey Farm, 1600, Apr 14th.

In t h e w e s t , t h e r e w e r e e i g h t s p r i n g c o u n t s of 100 o r m o r e , b u t n o n e o f o v e r 200.

A p o o r s p r i n g w a s again n o t e d o n O r f o r d n e s s w i t h f e w sightings u n t i l 6 4 o n t h e busy day o f A p r i l 1 4 t h . T h e r e w a s a s i m i l a r s t o r y at L a n d g u a r d . T h e last s p r i n g s i g h t i n g was at T h o r p e n e s s Caravan Park o n M a y 9 t h , b u t t h e r e w e r e t w o sightings, p r e s u m a b l y o f t h e s a m e o v e r s u m m e r i n g b i r d , at Kessingland Sewage W o r k s o n June 1 8 t h a n d July 2 7 t h (C Carter). This is t h e f i r s t e v i d e n c e o f o v e r s u m m e r i n g in Suffolk since 2002 w h e n a m o u l t i n g a d u l t was t r a p p e d at D u n w i c h , July 2 7 t h .

T h e f i r s t r e c o r d o f t h e a u t u m n was a s i n g l e t o n at I p s w i c h Golf Club, Purdis F a r m / R u s h m e r e St A n d r e w , o n S e p t e m b e r 2 5 t h f o l l o w e d by o n e at Bradfield W o o d s o n S e p t e m b e r 2 9 t h .

T h e r e w e r e 17 r e p o r t s of m i g r a n t flocks d u r i n g t h e s e c o n d w i n t e r p e r i o d i n v o l v i n g 100+ birds.

T h e f l o c k o f 8 2 0 0 at L a n d g u a r d o n O c t o b e r 1 0 t h is t h e s e c o n d highest i n d i v i d u a l s i t e - t o t a l e v e r r e c o r d e d in Suffolk, o n l y e x c e e d e d by t h e 3 0 0 0 0 o v e r C o r t o n o n A p r i l 1 4 t h 2013. Eleven o f t h e s e r e p o r t s w e r e o v e r a f o u r - d a y p e r i o d f r o m O c t o b e r 1 0 t h t o 14th. These i n c l u d e d : Landguard: 8200, Oct 10th; 600, Oct 13th.

Purdis Farm/Rushmere St Andrew: Ipswich Golf Club, 700, Oct 10th.

Lakenheath Fen RSPB: 250, Oct 10th.

MISTLE THRUSH Fairly common

Turdus

resident

viscivorus

and scarce passage

migrant.

Amber

list.

T h e M i s t l e T h r u s h is still a f a m i l i a r b i r d in t h e c o u n t y as e v i d e n c e d by t h e s u b m i s s i o n o f 3 3 0 r e c o r d s f r o m 109 sites. B r e e d i n g was o n l y r e p o r t e d f r o m six sites, b u t t h i s is p r o b a b l y a case o f under-reporting.

The Breeding Bird Survey also indicates a stable p o p u l a t i o n w i t h 25 individuals r e p o r t e d f r o m 16 of t h e 47 1 k m squares surveyed. Both these figures are m u c h t h e same as t h o s e f r o m recent years.

T h e r e w e r e six d o u b l e - f i g u r e c o u n t s s p r e a d across t h e c o u n t y , i n c l u d i n g t h e f o l l o w i n g : Beccles Marshes: 18, Aug 13th.

Dunwich: Raceground House, 25, Aug 3rd.

Pipps Ford: 26, Aug 6th.

Cavenham Heath: 20, Sep 4th.

Lakenheath: Christmas Hill Farm, 20, Nov 13th.

T h e o n l y r e p o r t s o f a u t u m n m i g r a n t s c a m e f r o m L a n d g u a r d w h e r e t h e r e w e r e 17 o v e r t h e period f r o m October 10th to N o v e m b e r 16th.

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Declining

summer

Muscicapa

visitor and passage

striata migrant.

Red list.

T h e first r e p o r t was of t w o at Great C o r n a r d o n M a y

Spotted Flycatcher Peter Beeson

6 t h f o l l o w e d by singles n o t e d at Cavenham Heath o n M a y 7 t h , K e n t w e l l Hall, Long M e l f o r d , M a y 1 1 t h a n d Fressingfield, M a y 1 3 t h . T h e r e w e r e t w o o n O r f o r d n e s s o n M a y 1 8 t h a n d Landguard r e p o r t e d a reasonable spring passage f r o m M a y 2 3 r d until June 1 4 t h w i t h a peak c o u n t of four, M a y 2 9 t h .

B r e e d i n g r e p o r t s w e r e s o m e w h a t l o w e r t h a n last y e a r w i t h t h e n o r t h - e a s t h o l d i n g f i v e pairs, t h e s o u t h - e a s t j u s t t w o , a l t h o u g h t h e r e w e r e p o t e n t i a l t h r e e o t h e r

138

Systematic List sites u n c o n f i r m e d , a n d t h e w e s t once again held t h e bulk of Suffolk's b r e e d i n g records w i t h 19 pairs w i t h a f u r t h e r f o u r p r o b a b l e b r e e d i n g sites. Once again t h i s shows a year o n y e a r d e c l i n e f r o m 39 in 2 0 1 1 a n d 2 6 in 2 0 1 2 . In t h e BBS survey t h e y w e r e o n l y r e c o r d e d in t w o o f t h e 4 7 squares w i t h t h r e e individuals c o u n t e d . The key site was B r e t t e n h a m w i t h five pairs a n d 1 1 chicks n o t e d . O n e successful pair f r o m Great W r a t t i n g nested in t h e t h a t c h e d r o o f of a cottage.

A u t u m n passage was first n o t e d f r o m M i n s m e r e a n d L a n d g u a r d o n A u g u s t 6 t h w i t h r e p o r t s f r o m a t o t a l o f 19 sites in t h e coastal area. The best c o u n t s w e r e t h r e e f r o m b o t h L o w e s t o f t N o r t h Denes o n A u g u s t 31st a n d Pakefield Holiday Centre o n August 2 5 t h . Inland t h e last b i r d was n o t e d at Lakenheath Fen RSPB o n S e p t e m b e r 2 4 t h .

The final r e p o r t of t h e year was f r o m Kessingland Caravan Park o n O c t o b e r 5 t h .

EUROPEAN ROBIN Very common

Erithacus

resident,

rubicula

passage

migrant

and winter

visitor.

D u r i n g t h e first w i n t e r p e r i o d gatherings w e r e n o t e d at M a r t l e s h a m Heath w i t h 1 1 o n January 3 0 t h a n d t e n , M a r c h 2 n d a n d S t o w m a r k e t w i t h 26 o n January 3 0 t h . Spring passage was n o t e d f r o m L a n d g u a r d b e t w e e n M a r c h 2 0 t h a n d A p r i l 2 4 t h w i t h a peak c o u n t of t e n o n A p r i l 1 2 t h a n d 13th. The h i g h e s t b r e e d i n g c o u n t s w e r e n o t e d f r o m Lound Lakes w i t h t e n .

Robins w e r e r e c o r d e d in 4 4 of t h e 4 7 BBS squares, s i m i l a r t o r e c e n t years w i t h 2 3 5 b i r d s c o u n t e d , a slight d r o p f r o m recent years.

NOTES F R O M O R F O R D N E S S A r a r i t y in w i n t e r o n O r f o r d n e s s , o n l y o n e Robin was r e c o r d e d f r o m January 1st u n t i l J a n u a r y 1 3 t h w i t h n o f u r t h e r sightings u n t i l M a r c h 2 4 t h . A r e - t r a p p e d i n d i v i d u a l o n M a r c h 31st h a d b e e n c a u g h t in O c t o b e r 2 0 1 2 suggesting it had b e e n o v e r w i n t e r i n g b u t u n d e t e c t e d .

Peak a u t u m n passage was n o t e d f r o m : Corton: 30, Oct 12th; Old Sewage Works, 23, Oct 19th.

Somerleyton: 26, Oct 12th.

Dunwich: 24, Oct 27th.

Thorpeness: 25, Oct 3rd.

Orfordness: 70, Oct 12th.

Shingle Street: 25, Oct 9th.

Landguard: 80, Oct 10th; 40, Oct 15th.

Levington Creek: 25, Oct 13th.

Assington: 11, Sept 24th.

As t h e y e a r d r e w t o a close t e n p r e p a r e d t o o v e r w i n t e r at Landguard.

C O M M O N NIGHTINGALE Fairly common

summer

Luscinina

visitor

megarhynchos.

and scarce passage

migrant.

Amber

list.

This species w a s f i r s t n o t e d at W a l d r i n g f i e l d o n A p r i l 1 3 t h a n d T h o r r i n g t o n S t r e e t Reservoir, A p r i l 1 4 t h q u i c k l y f o l l o w e d by M i n s m e r e , Landguard, M a r t l e s h a m H e a t h a n d Lackford all o n A p r i l 1 5 t h . By t h e e n d o f A p r i l a n d i n t o e a r l y M a y n u m e r o u s sites h a d r e p o r t e d s i n g i n g m a l e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y in t h e s o u t h - e a s t . In t h e n o r t h - e a s t 13 sites r e p o r t e d s i n g i n g males w i t h t h e b e s t c o u n t s f r o m M i n s m e r e , 18 a n d N o r t h W a r r e n , 17 w h i c h w e r e very similar t o t h e n u m b e r s in 2 0 1 2 .

In t h e s o u t h - e a s t singing males w e r e n o t e d at 4 0 sites w i t h t h e highest c o u n t s f r o m K i r t o n Creek w i t h five, R a m s h o l t , five, A l t o n Water, e l e v e n a n d O r w e l l C o u n t r y Park t h e highest w i t h 16. In t h e w e s t singing males w e r e n o t e d f r o m 12 sites w i t h t h e highest c o u n t s f r o m T h o r r i n g t o n Street w i t h five, Lackford, f o u r a n d M a i d s Cross Hill, e i g h t . Overall a t o t a l o f 65 sites r e c o r d e d t h i s species w h i c h is w e l l d o w n o n 2012 w h e n t h e r e w e r e a t o t a l of 9 4 sites. A u t u m n records w e r e n o t e d f r o m Orfordness w i t h a singleton t r a p p e d a n d ringed o n August 2 2 n d t h e o n l y record f o r t h i s site d u r i n g t h e year, L a n d g u a r d r e c o r d e d singles o n A u g u s t 6 t h a n d 2 0 t h a n d Lackford r e p o r t e d a s i n g l e t o n on August 12th.

139

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT Rare passage

migrant,

Amber

Luscinina svecica

cyanecula

list.

T h e r e w e r e n o records in 2 0 1 3 .

RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL Very rare

Tarsiger

cyanurus

visitor.

A f t e r a blank 2012 t h e t w e l f t h Suffolk record was a f i r s t - w i n t e r individual n o t e d at D o w e r House, Sizewell f r o m O c t o b e r 1 4 t h t o 1 7 t h (C A Holt).

RED BREASTED FLYCATCHER Rare passage

Ficedula

parva

migrant.

A f e m a l e o r f i r s t - s u m m e r m a l e was at Kensington G a r d e n s , L o w e s t o f t o n June 3 r d (J A B r o w n ) .

This was t h e t e n t h spring record in Suffolk and t h e latest since o n e was at Landguard on June 12th 1985.

A first record f o r Orfordness was t r a p p e d and ringed o n September 2 7 t h (D Crawshaw, G Stannard).

A b i r d w a s at Felixstowe f r o m S e p t e m b e r 3 0 t h u n t i l O c t o b e r 1st (E W Patrick et al).

PIED FLYCATCHER Fairly common

Ficedula

passage

hypoleuca

migrant.

Amber

list.

O n c e again a p o o r s p r i n g passage w i t h t h e o n l y records n o t e d f r o m L o u n d Lakes o n A p r i l 2 0 t h , a f e m a l e o n O r f o r d n e s s , M a y 1 8 t h a n d o n e r e c o r d e d at L a k e n h e a t h Fen RSPB o n M a y 2 6 t h .

T h e f i r s t a u t u m n r e p o r t c a m e f r o m Landguard, A u g u s t 5 t h a n d h e r a l d e d an i m p r e s s i v e a u t u m n passage w i t h t h e n o r t h - e a s t h a v i n g records f r o m 2 1 sites a n d t h e s o u t h - e a s t seven.

Peak c o u n t s c a m e f r o m : Lowestoft: three, Aug 24th; cemetery, three, Aug 27th.

Minsmere: five, Aug 24th.

Bawdsey: four, Aug 19th; three, Aug 24th.

Landguard: six, Aug 24th.

Later singles w e r e n o t e d f r o m C o r t o n Radar Lodge w i t h p r e s u m a b l y t h e s a m e b i r d at C o r t o n Disused Railway o n O c t o b e r 1 3 t h , Kessingland Caravan Park, S e p t e m b e r 3 0 t h u n t i l O c t o b e r 3 r d and Landguard on September 30th.

BLACK REDSTART Uncommon

summer

Phoenincurus visitor

ochruros.

and passage

migrant.

Occasionally

overwinters.

Amber

list.

U n u s u a l l y t h e r e w e r e no r e p o r t s d u r i n g t h e first w i n t e r p e r i o d . T h e f i r s t s p r i n g m i g r a n t s w e r e n o t e d at Island M e r e , M i n s m e r e o n M a r c h 1 8 t h f o l l o w e d by singles at C o v e h i t h e M a r c h 21st a n d Sizewell, M a r c h 21st. Landguard r e c o r d e d s p r i n g passage f r o m April 9 t h u n t i l M a y 1 8 t h . Elsewhere m u l t i p l e records c a m e f r o m : Lowestoft: Denes, four, Apr 12th; three Apr 14th.

Kessingland: Denes, three Apr 12th.

Southwold: Harbour, three, Apr 9th.

Sizewell: Power Station, four May 4th.

Landguard: five, Apr 12th.

W h i l s t w i d e l y r e c o r d e d in t h e coastal b e l t d u r i n g t h e s p r i n g t h e r e w a s j u s t o n e r e p o r t f r o m t h e w e s t , a t Risby, w h e r e a f e m a l e w a s p r e s e n t o n A p r i l 8 t h . I n t e r e s t i n g r e p o r t s o f w a n d e r i n g i n d i v i d u a l s c a m e f r o m Stevens Street, L o w e s t o f t , June 2 4 t h a n d S l a u g h d e n Sailing Club June o n 2 5 t h . B r e e d i n g w a s o n l y c o n f i r m e d at Sizewell P o w e r S t a t i o n w i t h a f e m a l e seen f e e d i n g t w o y o u n g on August 3rd.

D u r i n g t h e a u t u m n Landguard n o t e d t h e m a i n passage birds f r o m July 3 0 t h until S e p t e m b e r 2 2 n d .

There w e r e multiple counts f r o m : Lowestoft: Poplars Primary School, two, Oct 21st.

Orfordness: two, Oct 19th.

Shingle Street: two, Aug 31st; two, Oct 19th - possibly the same as the Orfordness birds.

140

Systematic List Laridguard: two, Aug 24th and 26th; three, Oct 25th and 28th.

I n d i v i d u a l s p o s s i b l y p r e p a r i n g t o o v e r w i n t e r w e r e n o t e d at Foxglove Close, W o r l i n g h a m , N o v e m b e r 1 7 t h t o 21st, Ness Point, L o w e s t o f t , N o v e m b e r 2 7 t h , Campsea Ashe, D e c e m b e r 2 8 t h a n d Landguard o n D e c e m b e r 10th.

C O M M O N REDSTART Uncommon

summer

Pheonicurus

visitor

phoenicurus.

and passage

migrant.

Amber

list.

First n o t e d at L a n d g u a r d o n A p r i l 1 4 t h closely f o l l o w e d by H o p t o n , A p r i l 1 5 t h . O r f o r d n e s s r e p o r t e d a p o o r s p r i n g w i t h j u s t o n e record, a f e m a l e , o n April 2 7 t h . Landguard r e c o r d e d passage f r o m A p r i l 1 4 t h u n t i l M a y 1 8 t h w i t h a m a x i m u m of five present o n A p r i l 1 9 t h . In t h e n o r t h - e a s t a n d s o u t h - e a s t a t o t a l o f 14 sites r e p o r t e d this species. In t h e w e s t t h e r e w e r e j u s t f o u r r e p o r t s , f r o m The King's Forest w i t h t w o males n o t e d on A p r i l 21st a n d singles f r o m Cavenham, April 1 9 t h , B a m h a m Cross, A p r i l 1 9 t h a n d Santón D o w n h a m , M a y 11th. Breeding f l u c t u a t e d o n c e again as can be seen in t h e c h a r t w i t h a t o t a l of nine pairs f r o m t h r e e sites.

B r e e d i n g Redstarts o n Suffolk coast o v e r last 1 1 y e a r s : Year

2013 9

2012 12

2011 7

2010 10

2009 6

2008 7

2007 8

2006 12

2005 10

2004 13

2003 12

A u t u m n s a w t h e first r e t u r n i n g i n d i v i d u a l r e c o r d e d at The Grove, Felixstowe o n July 2 2 n d . T h e bulk of t h e records c a m e f r o m 22 sites in t h e n o r t h - e a s t w i t h j u s t six in t h e s o u t h - e a s t a n d n o reports f r o m the west.

The highest c o u n t s c a m e f r o m : Lowestoft: North Denes, three, Aug 30th.

Orfordness: three, Sep 14th.

Shingle Street: three, Sep 14th.

Landguard: six, Aug 27th; three, Oct 1st.

T h e final r e p o r t c a m e w i t h a s i n g l e t o n n o t e d by W e s t l e t o n C o m m o n o n O c t o b e r 16th.

WHINCHAT Declining

Saxícola

passage

rubetra.

migrant.

Formerly

bred. Amber

list.

T h e first s p r i n g r e p o r t c a m e f r o m Benacre Sluice, A p r i l 1 4 t h f o l l o w e d by o n e at N o r t h Denes, L o w e s t o f t t h e f o l l o w i n g day. A n average s p r i n g passage was seen w i t h all sightings listed:— Easton Bavents: Apr 25th.

Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, Apr 26th.

Lowestoft: Lake Lothing, Apr 26th.

Breydon South Wall: Apr 27th.

Minsmere: May 11th.

Aldeburgh Marshes: May 14th.

Orfordness: males, Apr 20th and 21st; female, May 26th.

Landguard: very noteworthy six, Apr 26th; May 15th.

Beccles Marshes: May 26th.

Bromeswell: Heath, female, June 11th.

Pipps Ford: two, Apr 19th.

Brockley: two, Apr 27th.

Timworth: June 3rd.

Lakenheath Fen RSPB: two, Apr 26th to 28th.

T h e first sign o f a u t u m n passage c a m e f r o m M i n s m e r e Levels o n A u g u s t 5 t h . T h e r e was a n o t h e r n o t i c e a b l e increase in n u m b e r s c o m p a r e d w i t h 2 0 1 1 a n d 2012. Peak passage w a s n o t e d d u r i n g t h e last w e e k o f A u g u s t . T h e r e w e r e o n l y t w o d o u b l e - f i g u r e c o u n t s t h r o u g h o u t t h e coastal b e l t w i t h t h e peak c o u n t s f r o m : Gunton: Disused Railway, five, Aug 25th.

Lowestoft: North Denes, five, Aug 24th; seven, Aug 25th.

Pakefield Cliffs: five, Aug 24th.

141

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Southwold: Buss Creek, six, Sep 1st.

Benacre: Sluice, 11, Aug 24th.

Dunwich: Heath. Seven, Aug 25th; Beach, six, Sep 3rd.

Minsmere: Dunes, five, Aug 25th.

Orfordness: 14, Aug 25th; seven, Sep 14th.

Shingle Street: seven Sep 12th; five, Sep 13th.

Landguard: seven, Sep 12th; five, Sep 13th; seven, Sep 14th.

Thetford Heath: two, Aug 26th.

I n l a n d t h e o n l y o t h e r r e p o r t s c a m e f r o m Lakenheath Fen RSPB w i t h singles n o t e d o n S e p t e m b e r 1 2 t h a n d O c t o b e r 5 t h . T h e f i n a l r e p o r t s of t h e y e a r c a m e f r o m Benacre o n O c t o b e r 1 9 t h a n d Orfordness, October 24th.

SIBERIAN STONECHAT

Saxícola

mourus

A f i r s t - w i n t e r i n d i v i d u a l o f t h i s race w a s n o t e d at

iSüe.

/'Ç

T r i m l e y M a r s h e s SWT f r o m O c t o b e r 1st t o 8 t h (P H o l m e s et al). T h e r e is an a r t i c l e o n t h e b i r d e a r l i e r in this report.

STONECHAT Fairly

common

migrant.

During

Saxícola

Amber the

torquatus

resident,

winter

visitor

and

passage

list. first

winter

period

the

north-east

r e p o r t e d f r o m f o u r sites w i t h a m a x i m u m o f t w o at N o r t h W a r r e n o n J a n u a r y 8 t h . In t h e s o u t h - e a s t t h i s species w a s m o r e w i d e l y r e p o r t e d f r o m 1 1 sites w i t h the

key site

Orfordness

with

up t o

four

during — f V "

J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y a n d u p t o six d u r i n g M a r c h . T h e w e s t r e p o r t e d f r o m j u s t t w o sites w i t h m a x i m a o f f o u r at C a v e n h a m H e a t h , J a n u a r y 9 t h a n d L a k e n h e a t h Fen ¿ r -

RSPB w i t h t h r e e , J a n u a r y 1 9 t h . Passage birds w e r e n o t e d at A l t o n W a t e r , A p r i l 8 t h a n d A s s i n g t o n w h e r e a

•iraxAuf filvlj).

f e m a l e w a s p r e s e n t o n M a y 21st.

As p r e d i c t e d in Suffolk

Birds 2012 concerns regarding

t h i s species w e r e f o u n d e d a n d t h e harsh w i n t e r o f 2 0 1 2 / 3 and especially t h e dreadful April of

Siberian Stonechat Brian Small

2013

w e a t h e r h a d a d r a m a t i c e f f e c t o n t h e i r n u m b e r s . Just n i n e o r t e n b r e e d i n g pairs in t h e c o u n t y is a w o r r y i n g d e c l i n e a n d is clearly seen in t h e coastal heaths w h e r e 2 0 1 2 t h e b r e e d i n g status w a s 39 pairs c o m p a r e d w i t h j u s t six in 2 0 1 3 - in fact six of t h e c o u n t y ' s heaths f a i l e d t o r e c o r d b r e e d i n g In 2 0 1 3 h a v i n g d o n e so in 2 0 1 2 . O n l y o n e p a i r w a s r e c o r d e d f r o m t h e w e s t o f t h e c o u n t y , a t T h e t f o r d . This is t h e l o w e s t n u m b e r o f b r e e d i n g pairs in t h e c o u n t y f o r 28 years w h e n t h e r e w e r e j u s t t e n pairs in 1 9 8 5 f o l l o w i n g t h e severe w i n t e r o f 1 9 8 4 / 5 . T h e key site f o r a u t u m n dispersal w a s O r f o r d n e s s w h e r e 12 w e r e n o t e d , S e p t e m b e r 2 9 t h , six, O c t o b e r 1 3 t h a n d s e v e n , O c t o b e r 31st. D u r i n g t h e s e c o n d w i n t e r p e r i o d 12 sites in t h e c o u n t y r e c o r d e d S t o n e c h a t s w i t h t h e b e t t e r n u m b e r s seen in t h e w e s t w i t h f o u r o n Berners H e a t h , N o v e m b e r 2 9 t h a n d D e c e m b e r 9 t h a n d f o u r also at L a k e n h e a t h Fen RSPB d u r i n g t h i s p e r i o d .

NORTHERN WHEATEAR Common

passage

migrant

Oenanthe

oenanthe.

and uncommon

summer

visitor. Amber

list.

T h e first s p r i n g arrival was r e c o r d e d o n M a r c h 1 9 t h at L a n d g u a r d b u t t h e n e x t s i g h t i n g o n t h e coast a p p e a r e d 12 days later at O r f o r d n e s s , p o t e n t i a l l y a p o o r spring. H o w e v e r , r e p o r t s c a m e in q u i c k l y d u r i n g t h e start o f A p r i l w i t h t h e first passage o f n o t e in t h e n o r t h - e a s t w i t h 13 at G u n t o n W a r r e n o n A p r i l 1 3 t h a n d 18 at N o r t h Denes, L o w e s t o f t o n A p r i l 1 5 t h . L a n d g u a r d surpassed t h i s 142

Systematic List w i t h 50 A p r i l o n 1 5 t h . A s e c o n d m a j o r passage o c c u r r e d o n April 2 6 t h a n d 2 7 t h a n d was r e c o r d e d all a l o n g t h e coast w i t h t h e highest c o u n t s f r o m : Corton: 105, Apr 26th.

Breydon South Wall: 30, Apr 27th.

Pakefield Cliffs: 40, Apr 26th.

Kessingland: Caravan Park, 31, Apr 26th.

Dingle Marshes: 31, Apr 26th.

Orfordness: 35, Apr 27th.

Landguard: 110, Apr 26th.

In t h e w e s t it was similar p a t t e r n w i t h t h e first r e p o r t f r o m C a v e n h a m H e a t h o n M a r c h 2 9 t h f o l l o w e d by h i g h c o u n t s f r o m t h e same site w i t h 12, A p r i l 15th, 13, A p r i l 21st a n d 12, April 2 4 t h .

O t h e r n o t e w o r t h y r e p o r t s in t h e w e s t c a m e f r o m Lavenham w i t h six o n April 1 8 t h a n d Lakenheath A i r f i e l d , five, M a y 1 5 t h .

A late passage was n o t e d at Landguard w i t h 1 1 o n M a y 14th, nine, M a y 1 6 t h a n d six, M a y 2 3 r d .

The last i n d i v i d u a l o f t h e s p r i n g passed t h r o u g h at Benacre Sluice o n June 8 t h .

T h e C o r t o n c o u n t w a s t h e h i g h e s t - e v e r r e c o r d e d in t h e s p r i n g f r o m t h e n o r t h - e a s t a n d t h e Landguard c o u n t w a s t h e i r highest s p r i n g c o u n t since A p r i l 2 0 t h 2 0 0 6 w h e n 114 w e r e present.

Breeding w a s c o n f i r m e d o n O r f o r d n e s s w i t h seven pairs, d o w n f r o m 1 1 pairs in 2012, a n d w i t h all pairs seen f e e d i n g y o u n g it is t h o u g h t at least e i g h t y o u n g f l e d g e d .

A u t u m n passage got underway w i t h t h e first report f r o m Minsmere - a juvenile at t h e sluice, July 2 6 t h t o 28th. The main a u t u m n passage was seen during t h e last week of August w i t h peak counts f r o m : Corton: Radar lodge, ten, Aug 28th.

Lowestoft: North Denes, 17, Aug 27th.

Minsmere: ten, Aug 24th.

Orfordness: 18, Aug 24th.

Landguard: 25, Aug 25th.

Later n o t e w o r t h y counts c a m e f r o m Benacre Sluice w i t h 15 on September 15th, Orfordness, six, October 13th and T h e t f o r d Heath, nine, September 13th. The final reports came f r o m Gorleston Cliffs w h e r e t w o w e r e present O c t o b e r 2 8 t h and Landguard w i t h t h e final sighting o n N o v e m b e r 5th.

HEDGE ACCENTOR (DUNNOCK) Very common

resident

and fairly

Prunella common

modularis migrant.

Amber

list

D u r i n g t h e first w i n t e r p e r i o d seven w e r e n o t e d at Pipps Ford January 1st a n d 15 at S t o w m a r k e t J a n u a r y 3 0 t h . A f e e d i n g s t a t i o n at B r e w e r y Farm, S t o n h a m r i n g e d 43 o n F e b r u a r y 3 r d w i t h 2 1 ringed there on March 14th.

D u n n o c k s w e r e r e c o r d e d in 4 1 of t h e 47 BBS squares w i t h 1 2 1 i n d i v i d u a l s c o u n t e d , a s i m i l a r s i t u a t i o n c o m p a r e d w i t h r e c e n t years. T h e highest b r e e d i n g r e p o r t s c a m e f r o m L o u n d Lakes w i t h e i g h t pairs, O r f o r d n e s s f i v e t o seven pairs w i t h 12 pairs at L a n d g u a r d . I n l a n d Lackford Lakes t r a p p e d 23 a d u l t s a n d 33 j u v e n i l e s d u r i n g t h e year, w h i c h is a b o v e t h e average. O r f o r d n e s s r e c o r d e d a n o t a b l e i n f l u x in t h e a u t u m n w i t h 35 p r e s e n t O c t o b e r 1 2 t h w i t h 2 1 b i r d s r i n g e d .

Landguard r e c o r d e d a u t u m n passage f r o m S e p t e m b e r 1 9 t h until N o v e m b e r 2 n d w i t h a peak c o u n t of 3 0 o n O c t o b e r 1 2 t h .

Over t h e past t e n years r i n g i n g t o t a l s o n O r f o r d n e s s s h o w 2 0 1 3 as t h e s e c o n d - b e s t y e a r ; t h i s t a b l e also illustrates t h e y e a r by year f l u c t u a t i o n s : 2004

2005

2006

2007

13

37

17

27

HOUSE SPARROW Common

but declining

Passer

2008 16

2009 37

2010 93

2011 30

2012 18

2013 39

domesticus

resident.

Red List.

There w e r e 3 5 0 records f r o m 72 sites across t h e c o u n t y w h i c h is a significant increase c o m p a r e d w i t h t h e 165 records f r o m 39 sites in 2012. House S p a r r o w s w e r e r e c o r d e d in 23 of t h e 4 7 BBS squares. Flocks o f 4 0 or m o r e birds w e r e r e c o r d e d at t h e f o l l o w i n g s i t e s : 143

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Covehithe: 40, Aug 31st.

Martlesham Heath: 40, Nov 23rd.

Felixstowe: Walton Marshes, 50, Feb 12th; 40, Sep 12th.

Acton: 86, Mar 26th.

Great Cornard: 100, Mar 21st.

A t L a n d g u a r d f i v e t o t e n pairs nested w i t h a peak c o u n t of 140 r o o s t i n g o n S e p t e m b e r 3rd.

TREE SPARROW Uncommon

Passer

and declining

montanus resident.

Scarce passage

migrant.

Red List.

T h e r e w e r e 4 7 r e p o r t s f r o m 18 sites (28 in 2 0 1 2 a n d 35 in 2011). Only o n e record o f o v e r t h r e e birds was r e c o r d e d in t h e east o f t h e c o u n t y . Significant flocks w e r e r e p o r t e d f r o m A m p t o n in t h e w e s t w h e r e w i n t e r f e e d i n g is u n d e r t a k e n . Peak c o u n t s t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t y w e r e : Minsmere: beach, five south, Sep 10th.

Ampton: 50 t o 160 between Jan 14th and Mar 25th; 60 t o 150 between Aug 27th and Dec 15th.

Little Livermere: 20, Mar 23rd.

Tlmworth: 18 to 40, between Sep 8th and Dec 9th.

YELLOW WAGTAIL Rapidly

declining

Motacilla

summer

flava

visitor

flavissima

and passage

migrant.

Red list.

T h e first r e c o r d o f t h e year w a s f r o m C a r l t o n M a r s h e s o n A p r i l 1 0 t h .

T h e r e w e r e 2 8 2 r e p o r t s f r o m 9 6 sites. The f o l l o w i n g are c o u n t s of 2 0 or m o r e birds:— Minsmere: Levels, 31, Apr 16th; Beach, 20, Aug 24th.

Trimley Marshes: 34, Sep 14th.

Shelley: 20, Apr 20th.

T h e r e w e r e f e w b r e e d i n g records received. A pair b r e d at S o m e r l e y t o n and, inland, at Knettishall H e a t h , H i g h a m (near Hadleigh), Gifford's Hall (Stoke-by-Nayland) a n d N e w t o n Green. Cereal crops w e r e used.

A u t u m n passage o n O r f o r d n e s s c o n s i s t e d o f j u s t a j u v e n i l e o n A u g u s t 4 t h a n d t h r e e o t h e r birds in t h a t m o n t h a n d t h r e e o n S e p t e m b e r 1st a n d a s i n g l e t o n o n 1 1 t h . At L a n d g u a r d t h e r e w e r e f i v e s o u t h , 4 6 n o r t h a n d 26 o n site b e t w e e n July 7 t h a n d S e p t e m b e r 2 6 t h .

T h e last b i r d r e c o r d e d i n l a n d w a s at B r a n d o n o n S e p t e m b e r 2 8 t h b u t , o n t h e coast, t h e f i n a l b i r d w a s at L a n d g u a r d o n N o v e m b e r 3 r d .

Blue-headed Wagtail Uncommon

passage

M.f.

migrant.

flava Amber

list.

Birds w e r e n o t e d in t h e s p r i n g at 14 sites ( e i g h t in 2 0 1 2 ) : Carlton Marshes: one t o three, between Apr 17th and 27th.

Benacre: Beach Farm, three, Apr 25th.

Covehithe Broad: two, Apr 29th.

Southwold: Apr 16th.

Minsmere: Levels, Apr 16th and May 5th; Scrape, two, Apr 27th.

North Warren: Grazing Marshes, two, Apr 14th; Apr 23rd.

Orfordness: May 1st.

Boyton Marshes: Apr 23rd; two, May 7th.

Shingle Street: Apr 9th; Apr 15th.

Bawdsey: Apr 15th.

Sutton Heath: Apr 29th.

Falkenham Marshes: May 7th; two, May 12th.

Stoke-by-Nayland: Giffords Hall, two, Apr 20th; Apr 21st.

Grey-headed Wagtail Scarce passage

migrant.

M.f.

Amber

thunbergi list.

O n l y o n e b i r d w a s r e c o r d e d in t h e c o u n t y d u r i n g 2 0 1 3 : Landguard: Sep 6th (P Oldfield).

144

35. Waxwing small flocks wintered in the county.

Bill Baston

36. Rosy Starling first-summer at Orford in April.

Chris Mayne

37. Siberian Stonechat first record as new 'split' at Trimley in October. See article.

John Richardson

38. Nightingale rare view out in the open.

Liz Cutting

39. Black Redstart around Minsmere Sluice in March.

John Richardson

40. R e d - b r e a s t e d Flycatcher surprise find in Lowestoft in June.

Chris Darby

41. Pied Flycatcher migrant at Shingle Street in August.

Bill Baston

43. Two-barred Crossbill first record since

42. W h i t e W a g t a i l temale of mixed (Pied x White) pair from 2012. See article.

James Kennerley

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44. Parrot Crossbill See article on Parrot Crossbill invasion.

James Kennerley

45. Hawfinch less frequent at Sotterley this year.

John Richardson

46. C o r n Bunting still to be seen at Bawdsey/Shingle Street.

47. S n o w Bunting smart winter male, part of a small influx at Southwold in November.

Chris Mayne

Sean Nixon

Systematic List GREY WAGTAIL Fairly common

Motacilla resident,

cinerea

winter

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

This colourful bird continues t o be well observed and was recorded f r o m 40 sites (26 in 2012) in t h e north-east of t h e county, of w h i c h only one held m o r e than t w o birds:— Minsmere Sluice: three, Aug 19th.

A similar picture comes f r o m t h e south-east of t h e county w i t h 27 sites (18 in 2012) of w h i c h six held m o r e t h a n t w o birds:— Landguard: six south, Sep 15th; three, Oct 3rd.

Farnham: Botany Farm, three, Oct 15th.

Bramford: five, Sep 3rd; three, Sep 20th; four, Dec 27th.

Barking: Pipps Ford, four, May 28th; three, Aug 17th.

Needham Market: Sewage Works, four, Mar 17th; three, Sep 3rd.

Stowmarket: three, Apr 22nd.

The west of t h e county had records f r o m 47 sites (47 in 2012) of w h i c h f o u r held more t h a n t w o birds:— Long Melford: three, Mar 30th; four Apr 1st.

Pakenham: Mickle Mere, three. Mar 20th.

Mildenhall: West Row Fen, three, June 3rd.

Barton Mills: four, June 8th.

Breeding in t h e west was probable or c o n f i r m e d at Barton Mills, Pakenham, Temple Bridge (Icklingham), Stowmarket SW, Bramford, Stratford St Mary, Boxford, Thorington Street, Sudbury, Great Cornard, Clare, Kedington and Wixoe.

PIED WAGTAIL Very common

Motacilla

resident,

alba

passage migrant

and winter and summer

visitor. Amber

list.

This species is w i d e l y distributed in t h e county w i t h 323 records (133 in 2012) f r o m 9 1 sites (56 in 2012). They w e r e f o u n d in 22 of t h e 47 BBS squares.

The highest counts across t h e county w e r e : North Cove: Castle Marsh, 56, Oct 20th.

Kessingland: Sewage Works, 40, Jan 25th; 41, Feb 17th.

Southwold: Boating Lake, 57, Sep 1st.

Brantham: 100, Jan 31st; 50, Mar 3rd.

Bramford: 46, Dec 27th.

Stowmarket: 105, Jan 30th; 100, Feb 15th; 120, Apr 18th; 200, Oct 21st; Sewage Works, 80, Jan 25th.

Bury St Edmunds: 220, Jan 29th; 200, Dec 7th.

Long Melford: 47, Jan 27th; 52, Oct 16th; Sewage Works, 54, Dec 29th.

On Orfordness no breeding pairs were located for t h e second year running.

A u t u m n passage at Landguard was n o t e d f r o m August 4 t h t o N o v e m b e r 15th w i t h 233 south and a m a x i m u m of 25 south o n October 7th.

W h i t e Wagtail M . a , alba Fairly common

passage

migrant.

There w e r e 64 records (38 in 2012) f r o m a t o t a l of 29 sites (20 in 2012); this species is always recorded p r e d o m i n a t e l y o n spring passage w i t h a f e w a u t u m n records. The only counts of m o r e t h a n f o u r birds w e r e as f o l l o w s : Burgh Castle: Humberstone Marshes, 16, Mar 21st, largest site-total since 1994 when 45 at Minsmere, Mar 24th.

Carlton Marshes: six, Apr 19th.

Kessingland: Sewage Works, five, Apr 1st.

Stowmarket: Sewage Works, six, Apr 19th.

2012 Addition: One in Felixstowe Docks complex, January 22nd t o February 13th - Suffolk's first m i d - w i n t e r record of W h i t e Wagtail.

145

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 RICHARD'S PIPIT Rare

Anthus

richardi

visitor.

A single record o f this species was recorded, a typical l a t e - a u t u m n bird in exactly t h e same locality and same dates as in 2012.

Covehithe: Nov 8th to 11th (C A Buttle).

TREE PIPIT Declining

Anthus

summer

trivialis

visitor and passage migrant.

Red list.

There w e r e 53 records f r o m 27 sites in t h e county. As in 2012, in t h e north-east and south-east of t h e c o u n t y all records were of single birds, t h e only exception being t h o s e f r o m Landguard.

Landguard: two, May 9th; two, Aug 25th.

The picture in t h e west of t h e county was again significantly different in t h a t counts of up t o nine birds w e r e recorded in The King's Forest (all sections). 18 nests w e r e f o u n d in t h e w h o l e of T h e t f o r d Forest (including Norfolk) w i t h 42 chicks ringed (per R Hoblyn). The only o t h e r m u l t i p l e counts w e r e as f o l l o w s : Mildenhall Woods: two, Apr 18th; four May 20th.

Thetford Warren: two, July 5th.

At Landguard 11 w e r e n o t e d b e t w e e n August 12th and September 19th w i t h a daily m a x i m u m of t w o on August 2 4 t h and 25th.

M E A D O W PIPIT

Anthus

Common

winter

resident,

pratensis visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

There w e r e 298 records f r o m 83 sites in t h e county. Significant flocks w e r e r e p o r t e d f r o m : Barsham Marshes: 40, Jan 20th.

Corton: Caravan Park, 40, Oct 15th.

Kessingland: Sewage Works, 40, Jan 23rd.

Dunwich: 54, Sep 29th.

Orfordness: 150, Sep 14th and 15th; 350, Sep 21st; 200, Sep 22nd; 40, Sep 29th; 52 Oct 13th.

Havergate: 80, Oct 15th.

Shingle Street: 85, Sep 24th.

Great Glemham: 24, Feb 9th.

Earl Stonham: Brewery Farm, 50, Sep 23rd.

Pipps Ford: 23, Sep 14th; 40, Oct 3rd.

Cavenham Heath: 30, Nov 1st.

Livermere Lake: 30, Oct 6th.

Groton: 50, Nov 28th.

Breeding was c o n f i r m e d at Castle Marsh in N o r t h Cove and Oulton Marshes.

On Orfordness t h e r e was a significant decrease in t h e estimated breeding p o p u l a t i o n d o w n t o b e t w e e n 32 and 4 4 pairs (45 t o 52 in 2012) w h i c h included six pairs o n " t h e Point". A u t u m n passage o n Orfordness was greater than in 2012 w i t h m a x i m u m daily counts in September of 150 o n 14th and 15th, 350 o n 21st and 200 on 22nd.

A u t u m n passage at Landguard was f r o m September 10th until December 28th w i t h a t o t a l of 2 7 4 1 birds including a m a x i m u m one-day count on September 21st of 717 south.

A u t u m n passage at Thorpeness was noted from September 15th until October 24th with a maximum one-day count, t h e highest total on the Suffolk coast in 2013, on September 21st of 1518 south and five other daily counts exceeding 200 birds. Three hundred and seventy-four birds were also recorded at North Denes, Lowestoft on September 21st, presumably part of the same movement as above.

RED-THROATED PIPIT Very rare

Anthus

cervinus

visitor.

A single bird was recorded f l y i n g south at Landguard. This is t h e first record for t h e site and t h e f i f t h f o r Suffolk, previous sightings having been in 1 9 8 2 , 1 9 9 2 , 2000 and 2001.

Landguard: Oct 29th, the latest ever in Suffolk (W J Brame, M May, N Odin).

146

Systematic List ROCK PIPIT

Anthus petrosus

Fairly common

winter

(littoralis)

visitor and passage

migrant.

There w e r e 124 records f r o m 48 coastal sites. During t h e first w i n t e r p e r i o d t h e r e w e r e numerous reports of one t o t h r e e birds w i t h higher counts at only f o u r sites:Breydon South Wall: four, Jan 8th; five, Mar 29th and 30th; 11, Mar 31st.

Orfordness: ten, Apr 6th.

Hollesley Marshes: six, Jan 28th.

Levington Creek: four, Jan 3rd; six, Jan 26th; four, Feb 12th.

The last of spring was in Lowestoft on April 9 t h and t h e first of t h e a u t u m n was also in Lowestoft on September 23rd.

During t h e second w i n t e r period reports of one t o t h r e e birds c o n t i n u e d w i t h higher counts at eight sites:Lowestoft: Ness Point, four, Nov 29th.

Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, four, Oct 27th.

Slaughden: eight, Dec 6th.

Orfordness: ten, October 20th.

Farnham: Botany Farm, five, Dec 7th.

Hollesley Marshes: eight, Nov 2nd.

Landguard: five, Oct 15th.

Stutton Ness: four, Nov 1st.

At Landguard a u t u m n m o v e m e n t was b e t w e e n September 17th and December 2nd w i t h t w o n o r t h , 37 s o u t h and 16 on site and a d a y - m a x i m u m of five o n October 12th.

In previous bird reports littoralis

Rock Pipits may have been m e n t i o n e d separately. Brian Small

has w r i t t e n o n this t h e m e . It is most likely t h a t t h e vast m a j o r i t y of Rock Pipits in Suffolk are littoralis,

n o t f r o m t h e n o r t h of Britain but f r o m Scandinavia. It is suggested t h a t any claims of

petrosus,

a particularly sedentary f o r m , should be s u b m i t t e d to SORC.

WATER PIPIT Uncommon

Anthus

winter

spinoletta

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

There w e r e 55 reports f r o m 25 sites mostly of one t o three birds. The only reports f r o m t h e west of t h e c o u n t y were f r o m Lakenheath Fen w i t h singletons and t w o on N o v e m b e r 23rd.

The last of spring was at Trimley Marshes on April 21st and t h e first of a u t u m n at Slaughden o n N o v e m b e r 16th.

Only one site held m o r e t h a n three birds:— Snape: Abbey Farm, four, Jan 8th and 14th.

CHAFFINCH

Fringilla

coelebs

Very common

resident,

winter

visitor and passage migrant.

Categories A and E.

There was a considerable increase in t h e recording of this c o m m o n bird w i t h 6 9 1 records (244 in 2012) f r o m 155 sites (60 in 2012). They were recorded in 45 of t h e 47 BBS squares having been seen in all squares in recent years. Reasonable-sized flocks (over 50 birds) w e r e r e p o r t e d f r o m 12 sites in t h e c o u n t y covering b o t h t h e first and second w i n t e r p e r i o d s : Pakefield Cliffs: 150, Apr 14th.

Mutford: 70, Mar 11th.

Westleton: 100, Jan 20th.

Thorpeness: 61, Oct 5th; 127, Oct 6th.

Earl Stonham: Brewery Farm, 230, Jan 19th Stoke-by-Nayland: 150, Nov 18th.

Boxford: 100, Nov 28th.

Brettenham: 100, Feb 24th; 60, Apr 4th.

Lackford: Bunker's Barn, 100, Dec 1st.

Livermere Lake: 100, Jan 13th.

Ampton: 100, Feb 18th.

147

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Thetford Heath: 120, Apr Ist and 2nd.

A u t u m n passage at Landguard was noted f r o m September 3rd t o November 27th w i t h 1760 south or in off t h e sea, w i t h maxima of 174, October 11th, 193, October 17th and 162, October 22nd.

BRAMBLING

Fringilla

Fairly common

winter

montifringilla

visitor and passage

migrant

There w e r e 2 0 1 reports f r o m 86 sites. The only significant first w i n t e r records w e r e : Covehithe: 100, Jan 23rd.

Newbourne Springs: 50, Feb 1st.

Bury St Edmunds: 54, Feb 10th.

Lackford: Bunker's Barn, 200, Jan 2nd; 250, Jan 5th.

Cavenham Heath: 80, Feb 24th.

Livermere Lake: 50, Jan 12th; 70, Jan 20th.

The last of spring was on May 4 t h and t h e first of a u t u m n , September 2 5 t h b o t h at M i n s m e r e .

The second w i n t e r flocks across t h e county i n c l u d e d : Rendlesham: 120, Dec 20th.

Lakenheath: Maids Cross Hill, 55, Dec 17th.

Thetford: 50, Dec 14th.

Santon Downham: 50, Dec 13th.

A u t u m n passage at Landguard was recorded f r o m September 2 6 t h t o N o v e m b e r 2 8 t h w i t h a t o t a l of 160 birds n o t e d .

EUROPEAN SERIN Scarce migrant.

Serinus serinus

Amber

list.

There was just one record f o r t h e y e a r : Landguard: Apr 23rd, the 20th site record (T Bagworth, N Odin).

2012 Addition: Four were recorded in each of 2000 and 2012 making t h e m the best-ever years for the Serin in Suffolk.

EUROPEAN GREENFINCH Common

but declining

Carduelis chloris

resident

and passage migrant.

Categories

A and E.

There w e r e 3 2 1 reports f r o m 99 sites. They w e r e recorded in 30 of t h e 47 BBS squares. This w e l l - r e c o r d e d bird produced only t w o reports in t h e first w i n t e r period of counts involving 50 or m o r e birds:— Mickle Mere: 50, Jan 11th.

Lakenheath Airfield: 50, Jan 17th.

There w e r e eight records of flocks involving 50 o r m o r e birds in t h e second winter period:Flixton: 80, Aug 28th; 50, Oct 1st to 31st; 70, Dec 4th.

Felixstowe: 60, Nov 12th; Ferry, 50, Nov 8th; 62, Dec 4th.

Landguard: 80, Nov 19th.

Lakenheath: Maids Cross Hill, 120, Oct 18th.

A very low a u t u m n passage at Landguard recorded just 168 s o u t h (1013 in 2012) f r o m O c t o b e r 6 t h t o N o v e m b e r 1 1 t h , w i t h a m a x i m u m of 65 south o n October 24th.

EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH Very common Overwinters

Carduelis

summer

in small

visitor

carduelis

and passage

migrant.

numbers.

A n o t h e r species w i t h a significant increase in records s u b m i t t e d . There w e r e 590 records (249 in 2012) f r o m 134 Goldfinch Richard Allen

Sites (68 in 2012).

148

Systematic List They w e r e recorded in 33 of t h e BBS squares, a similar figure c o m p a r e d w i t h those of the last nine years.

Counts of 100 or m o r e birds were recorded as f o l l o w s : Corton: 170 on passage, Oct 16th.

Minsmere: 129 on passage, Oct 24th.

Thorpeness: 124 on passage, Oct 6th; 112 on passage, Oct 29th.

Norton: 200, Feb 17th.

West Stow CP: 100, Sep 9th.

Livermere Lake: 100, Nov 16th.

Mickle Mere: 100, Sep 1st.

Lakenheath Fen: 100, Jan 1st; 200, Jan 14th; 100, Feb 1st.

M o v e m e n t at Landguard involved 6162 south (8932 in 2012, 16226 in 2011) b e t w e e n September 3rd and December 19th including a m a x i m u m south in October of 750 on 24th and an a u t u m n m a x i m u m of g r o u n d e d birds of 70 on t h e same day.

EURASIAN SISKIN Common

winter

Carduelis spinus

visitor and passage migrant.

Uncommon

resident.

There w e r e 206 records f r o m 74 sites w i t h another good showing across t h e county in t h e first w i n t e r period, w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g counts of 100 and a b o v e : Barsham Marshes: 100, Mar 10th.

Herringfleet: Hills, 100, Jan 8th.

Purdis Farm: Ipswich Golf Club, 100, Jan 23rd; 100, Feb 15th.

Earl Stonham: Brewery Farm, 150, Feb 23rd.

Needham Market: Sewage Works, 120, Jan 6th.

Livermere Lake: 100, Jan 29th.

Culford Park: 100, Jan 3rd; 500, Jan 22nd.

Lackford Lakes: 110, Jan 5th.

Cavenham Heath: 200, Jan 10th.

Thetford: 150, Jan 23rd.

Santon Downham: 100, Mar 7th; 300, Mar 8th.

Apart f r o m a juvenile at Santon D o w n h a m in May t h e r e was no evidence received of breeding.

The second w i n t e r period also produced some significant peak c o u n t s : Lackford Lakes: 200, Oct 26th; 140, Nov 6th.

Cavenham Heath: 250, Dec 14th.

A u t u m n passage at Landguard was n o t e d f r o m September 11th t o N o v e m b e r 13th w i t h 385 south (1011 in 2 0 1 2 , 1 7 9 3 in 2011) including a m a x i m u m count of 50 south o n October 22nd.

C O M M O N LINNET Common summer

Carduelis

cannabina

visitor and passage migrant.

Overwinters

in small numbers.

Red List.

There w e r e 359 records (184 in 2012) f r o m 116 sites (82 in 2012) w i t h sizeable flocks in b o t h winters. They w e r e recorded in 26 of t h e 47 BBS squares. Flocks of 100 and above w e r e r e p o r t e d in t h e first w i n t e r period f r o m t h e f o l l o w i n g sites:— Orfordness: 105, Mar 2nd.

Bawdsey: East Lane, 130, Jan 2nd Earl Stonham: Brewery Farm, 100, Feb 3rd; 150, Feb 9th; 350, Feb 22nd; 300, Mar 11th; 154, Apr 20th.

Needham Market: Sewage Works, 200, Jan 6th; 150, Feb 4th.

Lackford Lakes: 100, Jan 11th and 12th.

Thetford Heath: 120, Mar 28th.

Flocks of 100 on June 9 t h and 108 o n June 11th suggests a g o o d local breeding p o p u l a t i o n .

Significant flocks of 100 and above w e r e r e p o r t e d in t h e second half of t h e year f r o m : Thorpeness: 152, Oct 24th.

Needham Market: Sewage Works, 180, Dec 8th; 112, Dec 28th.

Livermere Lake: 163, Nov 10th.

Lackford: 200, Dec 1st; Bunker's Barn, 100, Dec 24th.

149

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Cavenham: 150, Dec 28th; Heath, 150, Dec 26th.

As in t h e previous t h r e e years, up t o 40 pairs bred at Landguard w i t h several m o r e nearby.

A u t u m n passage at Landguard involved 336 south b e t w e e n October 5 t h and December 14th w i t h a m a x i m u m of 56 south o n October 29th. The 336 compares w i t h 577 in 2 0 1 2 , 1 1 8 5 in 2 0 1 1 ...and 11530 in 1983!

TWITE

Carduelis

Locallyfairly

flavirostris

common

winter

visitor and passage migrant.

Red List.

There were 34 records f r o m t e n sites. As in t h e previous year most of t h e reports came f r o m t h e Dunwich area. No records were received f r o m the west of t h e c o u n t y f o r t h e f o u r t h successive year.

First w i n t e r reports received are summarised as f o l l o w s : Covehithe: five, Apr lOth, the last of spring.

Southwold: Woodsend Marshes, 30 to 36 between Jan 13th and Mar 3rd.

Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, 40, Jan 4th; 20, Jan 5th; Corporation Marshes, 28, Jan lOth. Ramsholt: 11, Jan 13th.

In t h e second w i n t e r period a count of 100 at Dingle Marshes is the highest t o t a l in Suffolk since 2004 w h e n 100 w e r e at Holbrook, January 18th and 103 at S o u t h w o l d , M a r c h I s t . All reports received are s u m m a r i s e d as f o l l o w s : Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, 15 to 100 between Oct 27th and Nov 28th; Corporation Marshes, 57, Dee 14th.

Slaughden: three, Nov 13th.

Waldringfield: 12, Nov 17th.

Landguard: 20, Sep 21st, the first of autumn.

LESSER REDPOLL Uncommon

Carduelis

and declining

cabaret

resident.

Declining

winter

visitor and passage migrant.

Red List.

This species continues t o be w i d e l y reported w i t h 175 records f r o m 80 sites. First w i n t e r period peak counts w e r e : Purdis Farm: Purdis Heath, 25, Feb 16th.

Boxford: 45, Feb 24th; 33, Mar 19th.

Livermere Lake: 30, Jan 29th.

Culford Park: 33, Jan 22nd.

Lackford Lakes: 50, Feb Ist. Cavenham Heath: 30, Apr 22nd and 23rd.

The Kings Forest (North Stow): 27, Apr 18th.

Lakenheath: Undley, 80, Mar 19th; Fen RSPB, 26, Jan 27th; 21, Feb 9th.

There w e r e no records of breeding in Suffolk in 2013 w h i c h leads, perhaps, t o a n e w strapline "probably

extinct

as a breeding

species".

There were fewer reports in the second winter period with the following peak counts:Corton: 21, Oct 20th.

North Cove, SWT: 50, Dee 8th.

Thorpeness: presumably ali on passage, 100, Oct 18th; 300, Oct 24th; 60, Oct 30th; 50, Nov 13th; Häven, 48, Oct 24th.

Martlesham Heath: 30, Sep 23rd; 20, Oct 16th.

Landguard: 28, Oct 22nd.

West Stow CP: 50, Nov 6th.

Lakenheath Fen: 22, Oct 29th; 29, Nov 2nd; 47, Nov 13th.

A u t u m n passage at Landguard involved 619 s o u t h (504 in 2012, 1092 in 2011) b e t w e e n S e p t e m b e r 21st and N o v e m b e r 23rd w i t h a m a x i m u m of 256 south on O c t o b e r 29th.

MEALY ( C O M M O N ) REDPOLL Uncommon

winter

Carduelis

visitor and passage

flammea migrant

The less c o m m o n of t h e t w o regulär redpoll species had an increased n u m b e r of records for t h e year w i t h 3 1 records (nine in 2012) f r o m 17 sites (seven in 2012). Ali records w e r e of one t o 150

Systematic List five birds w i t h t h e exception of t h e f o l l o w i n g : Lowestoft: North Denes, 20, Oct 16th.

Thorpeness Häven: 35, Oct 24th, ail birds trapped and ringed.

Lakenheath Fen: 20, Oct 29th; 16, Nov 2nd; ten, Nov 8th; 14, Nov 13th, ail birds trapped and ringed.

(COUES'S) ARCTIC REDPOLL Very rare winter

Carduelis hornemanni

exilipes

visitor.

A f t e r t h e excitement in 2012 w i t h Suffolk's first Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll t h e r e was a single record of t h e m o r e c o m m o n Coues's Arctic Redpoll in 2 0 1 3 : Minsmere Sluice: Oct 13th (J H Grant).

2012 Addition: M e n t i o n e d in t h e ringing report but not in t h e systematic list, an Arctic Redpoll was t r a p p e d and ringed at Santon D o w n h a m o n M a r c h 4 t h 2012 (N Calbrade) and seen t h e f o l l o w i n g day (BTO ringers).

TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL

Loxia

ieucoptera

Accidentai.

See t h e article on page 33. These t w o birds, t h e first in Suffolk since 1889, were seen by just a f e w f o r t u n a t e observers:Havergate Island: two juvs, July 20th (D Fairhurst).

T h o r o u g h searching of nearby European Larches Larix decidua failed t o find any others! There was a widespread influx of this species into Britain in t h e second half of 2013.

COM M O N CROSSBILL Locally common

Loxia

resident

curvirostra

and irruptive

visitor.

There was a significant rĂŠduction in records for t h e year w i t h 119 records (223 in 2012) f r o m 47 sites (79 in 2012) w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g peak c o u n t s : Fritton: Waveney Forest, 23, Dec 28th.

Westleton: Grimston's Covert, 20, Apr 17th.

Upper Hollesley Common: 25, Apr 24th; 30, June 28th.

Lackford Lakes: 20, Mar 15th and 16th.

Mayday Farm: 30, Nov 13th; 30, Nov 25th; 30, Dec 9th.

The only passage of m o r e t h a n one bird at Landguard was ten south on October 28th.

PARROT CROSSBILL Rare winter

Loxia

pytyopsittacus

visitor.

The w i n t e r i n g flock, described in t h e earlier article o n page 37, was w e l l - w a t c h e d at Tunstall C o m m o n and in t h e forest at S u d b o u r n e and d r e w many observers b e t w e e n O c t o b e r and December. N o t t o be left o u t , a slightly smaller flock was recorded in t h e west of t h e county d u r i n g December. These are t h e first Suffolk records since 1991.

Tunstall: six to 16 birds recorded between Nov 23rd and Dec 22nd (D Fairhurst, P Kennelly et al).

Sudbourne: same flock as above, Dec 24th to year's end (M Marsh).

Mayday Farm/Spinks Lodge: two to 13 birds recorded between Dec 8th and year's end.

C O M M O N BULLFINCH Common

but declining

Pyrrhula resident.

pyrrhula

Amber

List.

This species c o n t i n u e s t o be w i d e l y r e p o r t e d w i t h 299 records f r o m 145 sites. They w e r e recorded in j u s t eight of t h e 47 BBS squares, a decline f r o m 12 in 2012 and 13 in 2011.

Only t e n localities had over five birds; these w e r e : Blundeston: Waddling Lane, seven, Jan 26th.

Minsmere: ten, Nov 17th.

Great Glemham: seven, Dec 22nd.

151

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Earl Stonham: Brewery Farm, ten, Feb 23rd; nine, Sep 1st.

Pipps Ford: up to 12 between Jan 21st and Dec 24th.

Needham Market: Sewage Works, six, July 15th; ten, July 30th.

Stowmarket: seven, Feb 15th.

Groton: eight, Nov 28th.

Stoke-by-Nayland: Tendring Hall, six, Dec 12th.

Norton: Grove Farm, seven, Sep 18th; eight, Oct 27th; 11, Nov 13th; 22, Dec 7th.

HAWFINCH Uncommon

Coccothraustes resident

coccothraustes

and rare passage migrant.

Red List.

This increasingly scarce species was reported f r o m seven sites (four in 2012) across t h e c o u n t y : Gunton: Oct 12th.

Sotterley Park: up to eight birds between Jan 20th and Mar 24th.

Snape Warren: Apr 16th.

Melton: two, Jan 18th.

Bawdsey: Hall, Apr 28th to May 2nd.

Landguard: Mar 23rd; Oct 6th.

Purdis Farm: Ipswich Golf Club, three, June 7th.

SNOW BUNTING Locally common

Plectrophenax winter

nivalis

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

There w e r e 170 records f r o m 4 0 coastal sites. Significant counts w e r e : Gorleston: 50, Nov 30th.

Lowestoft: North Beach, 30, Nov 16th; Hamilton Dock, 49, Nov 16th.

Pakefield: Beach, ten to 64 recorded between Nov 5th and Dec 3rd.

Kessingland: 30, Feb 14th.

Benacre: 30, Nov 30th.

Southwold: Harbour, 30, Nov 6th.

Landguard: 16 to 39 recorded between Nov 18th and Dec 8th.

The last bird of spring was at Landguard on April 18th and t h e first of a u t u m n at Trimley Marshes on S e p t e m b e r 12th.

2012 Correction: The bird recorded at Knettishall Airfield was present for t h r e e days f r o m N o v e m b e r 3rd t o 5th.

LAPLAND LONGSPUR Uncommon

winter

Calcarius

lapponicus

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

Overall t h e r e w e r e 16 records f r o m t e n coastal sites. There w e r e no records f r o m t h e west of t h e c o u n t y in 2013. A scarce species in t h e first w i n t e r period w i t h only t w o r e c o r d s : Orfordness: Apr 10th.

Alderton: three, Jan 8th.

Recorded in t h e second w i n t e r period f r o m September 12th w i t h reports f r o m nine coastal sites:Corton: Cliffs, Oct 20th; Sewage Works, Oct 12th to 15th; three, Nov 19th; four, Nov 23rd; two, Nov 24th.

Southwold: Denes, Nov 10th and 11th; Harbour, Dec 15th to 17th.

Sizewell: Oct 17th.

Orfordness: Oct 6th; Slaughden, Nov 30th.

Waldringfield: Nov 17th.

Bawdsey: two, Oct 8th.

Landguard: Sep 22nd to 24th; Oct 21st.

Trimley Marshes: Sep 12th.

YELLOWHAMMER Common

resident

Emberiza

citrinella

and passage migrant.

Red List.

There w e r e 187 records f r o m 92 sites. As in recent years most of t h e larger gatherings came 152

Systematic List f r o m t h e central rĂŠgion and w e s t of t h e county. Counts of 50 or m o r e w e r e : Barsham Marshes: 60, Mar 8th.

Beccles: CutThroat Lane, 60, Feb 13th.

Earl Stonham: Brewery Farm, flocks up to 335 birds between Jan 19th and Apr 30th. This is the largest total since 2006 when 540, Lackford Lakes, Jan 30th.

Pipps Ford: 53, Nov 15th.

Assington: 50, Dec 6th.

Boxford: 60, Nov 28th.

Lavenham: 100, Mar 17th; 50, Apr 18th.

Norton: Grave Farm, 61, Jan 13th; 80, Mar 3rd.

Knettishall Airfield: 60, Dec 8th.

Lackford: Bunker's Barn, 100, Dec lst.

Icklingham: 100, Nov 24th.

Timworth: 60, Jan 20th; 50, Jan 22nd.

The King's Forest (south-west): 100, Nov 24th.

Yellowhammers were recorded in 3 1 of t h e 47 BBS squares.

REED BUNTING

Emberiza

Common resident

and passage migrant.

schoeniclus Amber

iist.

There w e r e 230 records (117 in 2012) f r o m 77 sites (60 in 2012). A n u m b e r of small flocks w e r e reported across t h e county w i t h only three-figure counts f r o m the west of the county. Significantly large counts w e r e made at Lackford Lakes. Peak counts w i t h i n t h e county w e r e : Carlton Marshes: 27, Jan 8th; 25, Feb 9th.

Earl Stonham: Brewery Farm, 40, Jan 19th.

Livermere Lake: 50, Jan 9th; 74, Jan 26th.

Lackford Lakes: 130, Jan 18th; 550, Nov 4th.

Lakenheath: Undley, 40, Mar 19th.

The table b e l o w shows breeding numbers at M i n s m e r e . It illustrâtes a disturbing d e c l i n e : 2007 69

2008 73

2009 52

2010 77

2011 64

2012 63

2013 52

In s u p p o r t of t h e above, Reed Buntings were only f o u n d in five of t h e 47 BBS squares, a 50% d r o p since t h e t e n in 2009. Between 19 and 24 pairs bred on Orfordness, similar t o 2012, b u t w e l l d o w n on t h e 30 t o 40 pairs in 2008.

Ringing totals on Orfordness over last five y e a r s : 2009 122

2010 94

2011 141

2012 98

2013 106

A u t u m n migration on Orfordness in October included 40 on 5 t h and at Landguard involved 47 south and 24 o n site between September 17th and December 8th w i t h ten south on October 15th.

FIELD

NOTE

Reed Bunting records f r o m a small back garden o n t h e Stoke Park Estate, Ipswich: one was seen o n January 26th, and numbers built up steadily during cold w e a t h e r t o a m a x i m u m of t e n o n February 1 8 t h (including five males); good numbers remained t h r o u g h o u t M a r c h w i t h record counts of 1 1 o n M a r c h 23rd and 2 4 t h (including six males). There were seven birds in early April; n u m b e r s t h e n slowly d w i n d l e d , w i t h four still present o n May 17th and one male was seen up t o M a y 26th. There were no m o r e sightings until June 16th w h e n a female r e t u r n e d , clearly gathering food, before a male was present f r o m June 17th t o 23rd. In t h e second w i n t e r period a pair r e t u r n e d o n December 7th. These records are u n p r e c e d e n t e d - in previous years up t o t h r e e birds have been seen for no m o r e t h a n a couple of days at a t i m e in late winter.

D F Walsh

153

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 CORN BUNTING Locally common

Emberiza resident.

calandra

Red List.

Overall records s h o w this species' numbers c o n t i n u i n g t o d r o p w i t h i n t h e county w i t h only t h e flocks at Lakenheath Fen being of any significance. There w e r e 48 records f r o m 19 sites (25 in 2012 and 35 in 2011) of w h i c h five sites had counts of t e n or m o r e : Bawdsey: Manor, 12, Jan 31st; East Lane, ten, July 9th.

Great Waldingfield: Airfield, 11, Sep 9th.

Lakenheath Fen: 15, Jan 14th; 120, Jan 16th; 112, Jan 19th; 120, Jan 26th; ten, Jan 27th; 25, Nov 26th; 15, Dee 15th.

Lakenheath: Sedge Fen, 30, May 6th.

The c o u n t of 120 at Lakenheath Fen is t h e largest in Suffolk since 2005 w h e n 140 w e r e also at Lakenheath Fen o n M a r c h l s t .

Breeding on t h e coast was only recorded in t h e East Lane/Shingle Street area w i t h five pairs, w h i l e in t h e w e s t t h e r e were several sites w i t h probable or definite breeding noted.

154

Systematic List

APPENDIX I - CATEGORY D SPECIES Species t h a t w o u l d o t h e r w i s e appear in Categories A or B except t h a t there is reasonable d o u b t t h a t t h e y have ever occurred in Britain in a natural state.

There are no species in this category in 2013.

APPENDIX II - CATEGORY E SPECIES Species t h a t have been recorded as introductions, transportĂŠes or escapees f r o m captivity, and w h o s e breeding populations (if any) are t h o u g h t not t o be self-sustaining. W h e r e a species is also placed in o t h e r categories of t h e British List, this is indicated in t h e species' summary.

BLACK SWAN

Cygnus

atratus

Throughout Australia and Tasmania. Category E. Oulton: Oulton Marshes, two, Mar 18th; two, Mar 31st.

North Cove: Carlton Marsh, Apr 7th; two, Apr 19th.

Somerleyton: Marshes, Apr 13th.

Blundeston: Marshes, two, Apr 10th.

Brantham: Cattawade, five, Oct 7th; Dec 17th; Dec 20th.

SWAN GOOSE

Anser

cygnoides

Northeastern Asia, winters central China. Category E. Weybread: Gravel Pits, Jan 18th; Apr 22nd; Apr 25th; May 4th.

Parham: intermittently, Feb 3rd to Dec 15th.

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Breeds Greenland,

Anser

brachyrhynchus

Iceland and Spitsbergen.

Winters Britain and Denmark

to Belgium.

Categories

A and E. Weybread: Gravel Pits, Jan 24th; Feb 19th; two, Apr 8th and 9th; two, Apr 21st and 22nd; Apr 30th; May 4th; May 11th.

LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Forest bogs of northern

Anser

Scandinavia

to eastern China. Categories

erythropus

east to eastern Siberia. Winters locally from

the

Netherlands

A and E.

Southwold: Easton Marsh, adult, Jan 27th.

Minsmere: Eastbridge, adult, Jan 19th.

This bird a r r i v e d w i t h t h e onset of a p e r i o d of particularly cold weather. Initially seen near Eastbridge w i t h Greylag Geese Anser anser on January 19th, it disappeared for a f e w days. W h e n it was relocated at S o u t h w o l d one week later, In t h e company of a large flock of Barnacle Geese Branta

leucopsis,

its credentials appeared m o r e favorable. As its provenance is uncertain, this

individual is included in Category E. SNOW GOOSE

Chen caerulescens

Breeds on tundra of northeastern Siberia, Alaska and Canada to NW Greenland. Winters California to Texas and locally on Atlantic seaboard of eastern USA. Categories A, C and E. Pakenham: Mickle Mere, Jan 3rd.

Livermere Lake: May 31st.

Stour Estuary: Dec 7th and 8th.

EMPEROR GOOSE Breeds northeastern California.

Category

from

Chen canagica Siberia

and western

Alaska.

E. 155

Winters

from

southern

Alaska

to

northern

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Lackford Lake: SWT, Sep 12th; Dec 8th and 9th; present intermittently since Mar 27th 1997.

Livermere Lake: June 24th; June 28th.

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. Benacre: Broad, two, Sep 19th and 20th; two, Sep 23rd.

Easton Bavents: Easton Marshes, four, Jan 16th; three, Jan 25th; six, Jan 26th; Sep 19th; Reydon: Reydon Marshes, six, Jan 19th; three, Jan 20th.

Walberswick: two, Sep 29th; two, Oct 1st; two, Nov 13th.

Minsmere: two, Oct 13th.

Aldeburgh: North Warren RSPB, up to five (including the possibly genuinely wild one) present intermittently, Jan 1st to Feb 18th; two, Oct 10th; Nov 12th and 13th; Dec 15th and 16th.

Sudbourne: Marshes, Feb 3rd.

Snape: RSPB wetland, juvenile, intermittently, Oct 6th to Dec 30th.

Trimley Marshes: SWT, two, Sep 1st.

It is still unclear w h e t h e r any w i l d Red-breasted Geese occurred in Suffolk in 2013. The presence of t w o j u v e n i l e birds at N o r t h W a r r e n p r o v o k e d considerable discussion regarding t h e i r provenance. The first of these arrived o n December 2 8 t h 2012 and j o i n e d t h e t h r e e adults t h a t had been present o n t h e reserve for some t i m e . On January 4 t h 2013 a n o t h e r first-winter bird arrived at N o r t h W a r r e n w i t h a g r o u p of Greater W h i t e - f r o n t e d Geese Anser albifrons;

this flock

having initially a p p e a r e d at Hollesley Marshes RSPB on December 2 7 t h 2012 during a period of cold weather. This bird remained at Hollesley w i t h t h e Greater W h i t e - f r o n t e d Geese u n t i l t h e end of 2012 and was relocated at N o r t h Warren o n January 4 t h . During its stay at N o r t h W a r r e n , this second bird associated only w i t h t h e Greater W h i t e - f r o n t e d Geese, and ignored t h e o t h e r Redbreasted Geese o n site. W h a t w e r e p r e s u m a b l y t h e same f i r s t - w i n t e r birds w e r e also seen at Easton Marshes, w i t h o n e o n January 16th, f o l l o w e d by t w o at Reydon Marshes on January 19th, and t w o at Easton Marshes S o u t h w o l d on January 26th.

RUDDY SHELDUCK

Tadorna

ferruginea

Morocco and Turkey east through Central Asia to Tibetan plateau . Winters to south of range, with majority in Indian subcontinent.

Feral population breeds in northern Categories B and E. Weybread: Gravel Pits, Jan 24th and 25th.

North Cove: Castle Marsh, Oct 20th; Nov 29th to Dec 1st.

Benacre: Benacre Broad, juvenile, Sep 19th and 20th.

Easton Bavents: Easton Broad, juvenile, Sep 13th.

Lackford Lakes: SWT, Dec 14th; Dec 28th.

Livermere Lake: Dec 29th.

Timworth: Oct 30th.

MUSCOVY DUCK

Cairina

breeding Europe.

moschata

Southern Mexico to northern Argentina and Brazil. Category E. Beccles: Quay, two, May 6th; six, June 30th.

W O O D DUCK

Aixsponsa

Canada to northern Mexico, Cuba and Bahamas. Category E. Lowestoft: Oulton Broad, male, intermittently, Jan 4th to Feb 15th; July 22nd; Oct 7th to 10th; Nov 5th to 17th; Leathes Ham, male, Jan 11th; Feb 22nd to May 15th; Oct 22nd to 24th; Normanston Park, May 22nd.

RED-CRESTED POCHARD

Netta

rufina

Breeds western Europe to central China. Winters to south of breeding range. Categories A, C and E. Weybread: Gravel Pits, pair, Jan 6th.

156

Systematic List REEVE'S PHEASANT

Syrmaticus

reevesii

Forests of central China. Category E. Benacre: Oct 9th.

Sapiston: three, Oct 18th.

Fornham St. Martin: Hall Farm, Sep 4th.

Capel St. Mary: Apr 15th.

GREAT BUSTARD

Otis tarda

The appearance of a Great Bustard on f a r m l a n d near Lavenham o n April 17th was t h e cause of m u c h speculation. A l t h o u g h it was un-ringed and untagged it was believed t o be one of t h e captive-bred birds t h a t was released on Salisbury Plain in 2011. U n f o r t u n a t e l y it was not seen again o n subsequent days; however, w h a t was presumed t o be t h e same bird was recorded in Great D u n m o w in Essex six days later. The bird was r e p o r t e d to have settled on farmland ciรณse t o Salisbury Plain in October 2012 finally r e t u r n i n g t o t h e original release site in early July 2013.

Lavenham: imm/sub-adult, Apr 17th (G Cรกrter, N Oliver, R Rush) - released Salisbury Plain 2011, lost both wing tags in first year. Probably same bird seen in Essex on Apr 23rd.

SAKER x LANNER FALCON Livermere Lake: Jan 19th.

Falco cherrug *

biarmicus

SAKER x PEREGRINE FALCON Falco cherrug x peregrinus Landguard:juvenilefemale, Oct 21st, wearing jesses.

HARRIS'S HAWK

Parabuteo

Southwestern USA south Category E. Blythburgh: May 8th.

unicinctus

through

Central

and South America

to southern

Walberswick NNR: Westwood Marshes, May l l t h .

Minsmere: Whin Hill, Apr 7th, wearing jesses.

Aldeburgh: Hazlewood Marshes, Apr 25th; Hazlewood Common, May 12th.

COCKATIEL Widespread

Nymphicus throughout

hollandicus interior

Australia.

Category E.

Landguard: July 17th.

EURASIAN EAGLE OWL Widespread

throughout

Bubo bubo Europe and Asia

Nacton: June 17th.

ZEBRA FINCH Australia

Taeniopygia

guttata

and the eastern Lesser Sundas in Indonesia.

Lowestoft: Denes, Aug 25th.

157

Category E.

Argentina

and

Chile.

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013

Suffolk Ringing Report 2013 Simon

Evans

Looking back at 2013 n o w f r o m t h e s u m m e r of 2014, evokes memories of a cold and w e t year, a p r o t r a c t e d miserable spring, a late and brief s u m m e r and a relatlvely dank and q u i e t a u t u m n .

Thoughts of p o o r survival rates f o r many of our resident birds, t h e late r e t u r n of many migrants, the delayed breeding f o l l o w i n g t h e low productivity season of 2012, t h e lowest since t h e Constant Effort Scheme (CES) began in 1983, ail conjure up a g l o o m y picture. The n u m e r o u s reports of t h e discovery o f dead Barn Owls, having starved in t h e poor conditions, darken t h e picture f u r t h e r as t h e y have t h e i r poorest season, according t o many, since at least t h e e n d of t h e Second W o r l d War. But was it ali d o o m and g l o o m ? Late breeding, by up t o five weeks for some species, proved relatively productive for many of our warblers and t h e occurrence of some unusual second broods for o t h e r species certainly helped t o liven our countryside and boost t h e captures for o u r ringers.

Over t h e past five years w e have witnessed a slight but steady increase in t h e n u m b e r of birds ringed in t h e county, finally breaking t h r o u g h t h e 60000 barrier in 2012. W i t h t h e above t h o u g h t s in m i n d , surely this u p w a r d t r e n d w o u l d n ' t continue. Sure e n o u g h t h e provisionai figure f o r 2013 of 52,593 s a w a significant d r o p in numbers of birds ringed b u t stili it represents t h e highest county t o t a l in Britain and N o r t h e r n Ireland f o r t h e year, an impressive 5.5% of t h e n a t i o n a l t o t a l .

F u r t h e r m o r e , w i t h over t w o t h o u s a n d ringing recoveries of birds f o u n d m o r e t h a n five kilométrés f r o m t h e i r original site of ringing, t h e county c o n t r i b u t e d 9.6% of t h e national data.

A m o n g s t t h e recoveries, 193 reports of foreign-ringed birds w e r e n o t e d in t h e c o u n t y as well as 4 2 0 reports being received of Suffolk-ringed birds recorded abroad. Yet again, t h e m a j o r i t y of these involved colour-ringed or marked birds, notably Gulls and waders. Included a m o n g s t these recoveries are t h e first British-ringed Lesser Black-backed Gull t o Switzerland and t h e first Icelandic-ringed Sanderling and Belgian-ringed Turnstone t o t h e county. O t h e r notables being t h e first Suffolk-ringed Sedge W a r b l e r t o Mali, Swift t o Belgium, Blackbird t o Poland and t h e first French-ringed Snow Bunting t o Suffolk.

In t o t a l 138 species appeared in t h e ringing totals for 2013. No new species made it o n t o t h e c o u n t y ringing list d u r i n g t h e year b u t t h e r e w e r e s o m e w e l c o m e returns of birds having n o t been r e c o r d e d in recent years. These i n c l u d e d Pintail, C o r m o r a n t , Icterine Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher and Hawfinch, but sadly no Lesser-spotted Woodpeckers or W i l l o w Tits again!

Significant déclinés in t h e captures of some species, notably Lesser Redpoll, Goldfinch, Blackbird and Y e l l o w h a m m e r played a m a j o r part in t h e d r o p in t h e c o u n t y numbers. Over t w o t h o u s a n d f e w e r Lesser Redpolls, probably as a resuit of a p o o r breeding season for this species, exemplifies h o w t h e f o r t u n e s of a single species can have a large effect. Blackcap, Sedge W a r b l e r and W i l l o w W a r b l e r n u m b e r s also s h o w e d m a r k e d decreases. In contrast, increases in Siskin and M e a d o w Pipit captures helped balance things a little.

In t e r m s of t h e n u m b e r s of each species ringed in t h e county, t h e t o p five saw Blue Tit and Great Tit remain at n u m b e r s one and t w o respectively. Reed Warbler m a d e a return, c o m i n g in at n u m b e r t h r e e , having d r o p p e d o u t of t h e t o p f i v e in 2012. G r e e n f i n c h m a d e a n e w e n t r y at n u m b e r f o u r and Goldfinch d r o p p e d one place f r o m 2012, t o t h e n u m b e r five slot this year. Of t h e scarcer species caught, five W r y n e c k , five Y e l l o w - b r o w e d Warblers, t w o Icterine Warblers, t w o Marsh Warblers, one Savi's W a r b l e r and a single Red-breasted Flycatcher put in t r a d i t i o n a l coastal appearances t o brighten t h e day of a f e w of t h e county's ringers.

The f o l l o w i n g table summarises t h e provisionai figures for 2013 as w e l l as any a m e n d m e n t s n o t e d for any of t h e previous f e w years. The i n f o r m a t i o n presented here is largely a resuit of t h e ringers directly s u b m i t t i n g their data electronically t o t h e BTO; as such, I am probably n o t aware of ali t h e ringers in t h e county or t h e i r activities so, if you'd like t o be included here and currently a r e n ' t , please m a k e contact. Figures for s o m e of o u r scarcer b r e e d i n g birds have b e e n kindly p r o v i d e d by t h o s e ringers directly concerned. W h i l s t it is possible t o readily v i e w m u c h of this

158

Suffolk Ringing Report 2013 i n f o r m a t i o n online, it is as such, incomplete. In an a t t e m p t to make as c o m p l e t e a report as is possible only t h e available data can be included so if you're a sole operator, partnership or ringing group secretary, please get in t o u c h .

In a c k n o w l e d g e m e n t , l'd like t o particularly t h a n k Rob Robinson at the BTO, Peter Catchpole, Colin Carter, Tim Cowan,, Lee Gregory, Alee Hillier, David Fairhurst, Mike Marsh, John Walshe and Mick Wright for their c o m m e n t s and input. In addition, t h e following ringers and groups are k n o w n t o have been active in t h e c o u n t y in 2013. A b b o t t and Kennerley, RE Batty, Catchpole, Cockram & Peters, Dingle Bird Club, Rob Duncan, Kessingland RG, Lackford RG, Landguard RG, Paul N e w t o n , Suffolk C o m m u n i t y Barn Owl Project, T h o m p s o n & Hedges, Thetford Forest RG, and Waveney RG. M y apologies t o anyone l've inadvertently missed.

Little Owl Peter Beeson 159

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 2009 3 5 6 0 0 39 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 80 1 92 0 12 4 3 22 77 4 25 0 23 4 6 32 42 0 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

Species Mute Swan Cygnus olor Canada Goose Branta canadensis Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Wigeon Anas penelope Gadwall Anas strepera Teal Anas crecca Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Pintail Anas acuta Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Grey Partridge Perdix perdix Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 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 Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Knot Calidris canutus Sanderling Calidris alba Little Stint Calidris minuta Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Dunlin Calidris alpina Ruff Calidris pugnax Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes 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 160

2010 1 0 2 9 0 25 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 9 0 5 85 1 105 3 8 4 5 13 99 2 17 0 13 4 14 20 21 0 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 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 13 1 0 81 5 84 0 3 4 4 12 87 5 28 5 13 9 19 46 10 0 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

2012 3 0 0 11 1 24 10 0 0 2 1 0 2 0 21 0 2 52 8 101 0 7 1 1 24 74 4 4 1 4 12 6 36 15 1 0 1 125 3 0 10 10 21 12 0 0 7 3 0 5 176 18 62 44 1 23 275 105 0 63

2013 0 1 0 0 1 8 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 14 0 5 64 4 43 0 8 5 3 15 46 0 5 0 6 1 5 14 10 8 0 0 66 2 10 12 6 20 2 0 4 2 10 0 3 184 9 164 42 2 8 302 88 0 88

Suffolk Ringing Report 2013 2009 194 143 91 5 0 1 229 36 44 0 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 0 1362 1089 2864 385 599 1745 69 29 0 0 0 1 3011

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 Ow Tyto alba Little Owl Athene noctua Tawny Owl Strix aluco Long-eared Owl Asio otus Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus Swift Apus apus Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Wryneck Jynx torquilla Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Red-backed Shrike Lanius 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 proregulus Yellow-browed Warbier Phylloscopus inornatus Dusky Warbier Phylloscopus fuscatus Radde's Warbier Phylloscopus schwarzi 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 naevia Savi's Warbier Locustella luscinioides Booted Warbier Iduna caligata Icterine Warbier Hippolais icterina Melodious Warbier Hippolais polyglotta Sedge Warbier Acrocephalus schoenobaenus 161

2010 185 195 159 11 1 2 315 36 49 1 0 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 0 3 1220 881 1859 287 455 1306 8 29 1 0 0 0 3027

2011 152 143 134 6 0 4 445 30 56 0 0 23 18 38 2 59 70 0 2 29 39 72 4 0 558 60 5907 3948 532 0 132 215 92 17 2 579 2169 230 155 1228 0 0 1 5 3 0 1 1576 593 3368 213 449 1685 48 37 0 1 0 0 2181

2012 184 160 85 6 0 2 702 29 39 0 1 23 128 36 2 29 91 0 1 21 64 69 5 5 1114 42 5620 3354 519 0 105 186 122 24 0 132 1503 143 79 994 1 0 0 3 0 1 4 1367 913 2663 205 347 1052 53 20 0 0 0 0 2084

2013 185 162 83 4 0 2 140 13 5 3 0 19 76 35 6 35 53 0 0 16 50 52 1 5 246 45 6219 2942 513 0 60 224 78 16 0 212 1581 125 102 847 0 0 0 5 0 0 6 1335 701 2144 163 304 1070 18 8 1 0 2 0 1707

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Species 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 Bluethroat Luscinia svecica Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva 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 Serin Serinus serinus Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Siskin Carduelis spinus Linnet Carduelis cannabina Twite Carduelis flavirostris Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret Common Redpoll Carduelis flammea Redpoll (Common/Lesser) Carduelis flammea/cabaret Arctic Redpoll Carduelis hornemanni Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra Grand Total 176 Species Total Species 162

2009 1 4121 21 25 90 0 948 598 1 2639 93 568 213 11 54 1542 40 0 0 0 23 9 17 19 158 10 1713 428 396 8 28 120 23 1081 2 0 2619 129 3146 0 2975 2984 614 11 1048 12 7 0 113 0 251 0 97 691 0 1401 0 58173

2010 0 3617 15 35 122 0 722 654 2 3532 350 692 257 23 55 1774 52 0 0 0 23 13 66 21 101 13 1626 499 829 63 33 211 2 954 6 2 2651 451 2295 0 2779 645 910 30 1742 78 4 0 87 1 212 0 59 818 1 1678 1 59229

2011 1 3079 7 29 139 1 818 761 1 3235 24 611 234 18 62 1603 54 0 2 0 8 13 14 20 177 30 1585 304 642 91 14 150 19 879 2 2 2250 678 2337 0 2542 1881 665 14 2131 150 13 0 107 0 237 0 33 869 1 1480 2 59625

2012 3 2986 4 43 117 0 859 473 15 3998 153 733 260 22 69 1837 50 1 0 0 28 11 46 7 50 146 1476 378 540 52 30 93 9 989 3 3 2406 401 3023 1 3407 1141 1144 0 4286 22 40 1 184 1 306 0 21 1424 0 1374 0 60390

2013 2 2871 17 30 94 0 686 389 12 2535 501 527 131 28 39 1382 53 0 0 1 21 9 26 18 60 66 1349 268 458 37 17 145 8 1518 4 0 2230 639 2864 0 2542 2510 773 0 2223 187 7 0 12 0 202 1 75 796 0 1313 5 52593

133

145

143

143

138

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2013

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2013 Simon Evans The f o l l o w i n g pages detail a selection of t h e m o r e interesting recoveries r e p o r t e d in 2013 and a f e w f r o m previous years t h a t have only been received recently. They include t h e m o r e unusual of reports, as space allows, involving birds travelling greater distances or being older than usuai, and d o not represent a c o m p l e t e account of t h e records available. The selection was made f r o m t h e o n l i n e data presented by t h e BTO and i n f o r m a t i o n supplied d i r e c t l y by s o m e of Suffolk's ringers. Again, I w o u l d like t o continue t o encourage t h e county's ringers and observers to f o r w a r d their data directly for inclusion in t h e report. The online recoveries data provides only a limited and selective v i e w of w h a t has actually been recorded.

The selection is presented in species order w i t h t h e initial capture and ringing data o n t h e 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 t h e means of recovery, date and location w i t h coordinates. Following this, distance, direction and d u r a t i o n b e t w e e n reports is summarised. I have added a f e w c o m m e n t s t o some of t h e records.

As has been t h e case previously, t h e accounts for some species, notably t h e gulls and waders, have had t o be s o m e w h a t additionally selective due t o t h e vast n u m b e r of recoveries, particularly those involving observations of colour-ringed and tagged birds.

M a n y thanks t o ali t h e observers w h o take t h e t i m e and effort t o record these sightings and t h e n report t h e m .

Wigeon FV03496

Teal EX92842 EX92852

EX92854

Mallard GC94880

GR28938

Gannet 1383716

Cormorant NLA

First-year Female Freshly dead (shot)

28-09-1977 01-01-1990

Nacton Decoy: 52°1'N 1°14'E (Suffolk) Mortagne-Sur-Gironde: 45°29'N 0°46'W (Charente-Maritime) France 741km SSW 12y 3m 4d A very late report! Brought down in her prime. The longevity record for this species is 34 years 7 months!

Adult Male Freshly dead (shot) First-year Male Freshly dead (shot)

15-01-2012 02-09-2013 22-01-2012 10-10-2013

First-year Male Freshly dead (shot)

22-01-2012 05-01-2013

Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Friston: 52°10'N 1°32'E (Suffolk) 3km l y 7m 18d Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) River Aide, Iken: 52°9'N 1°31'E (Sutfolk) 4km l y 8m 18d Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Iken, Woodbridge: 52°9'N l'32'E (Suffolk) 3km Oy l i m 14d

Adult Female Freshly dead (shot)

16-10-2011 08-10-2012

Adult Male

02-08-2012

Freshly dead (shot)

01-09-2013

Nestling Dead

19-06-2001 16-05-2013

Great Saltee Island: 52"7'N 6°37'W (Wexford) Reydon: 52°20'N 1°40'E (Suffolk) 565km E l l y 10m 27d

Nestling

30-05-2006

Enkhuizen, de Ven: 52°44'N 5°17'E (Noord-Holland) The Netherlands

near Charity Farm, Shotley: 51°59'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Freston: 52°0'N 1° 10'E (Suffolk) 6km WNW Oy l i m 22d Abberton Reservoir, near Colchester: 51°48'N 0°49'E (Essex) Ramsholt/Bawdsey: c.52°l'N 1"21'E (Suffolk) 44km ENE l y 0m 30d

163

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 9008260

Alive (colour rings seen)

05-05-2007

G1450

Nestling

16-05-2013

Alive (colour rings seen)

11-08-2013

Alive (colour rings seen) 29-10-2013

Shag 1387186

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

13-06-2002 09-04-2008

Freshly dead

19-02-2013

Nestling

28-06-2009

Long dead

11-04-2013

NLA

Nestling

27-06-2011

8053668

Alive (colour rings seen)

07-05-2013

Alive (colour rings seen)

10-05-2013

Alive (colour rings seen)

16-05-2013

1407248

Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 263km WSW Oy l i m 5d The only foreign exchange involving Suffolk for this species in 2013.

Abberton Reservoir, near Colchester: 51°49'N 0°51'E (Essex) Frampton Marsh: 52°55'N 0°1'E (Lincolnshire) 135km NNW Oy 2m 26d Livermere Lake: 52°18'N 0°45'E (Suffolk) 55km N Oy 5m 13d

Isle of May: 56°11'N 2°34'W (Fife Region) Craigleith, Firth of Forth: 56°4'N 2°43'W (Lothian Region) 16km SW 5y 9m 27d Bawdsey: 52°0'N 1"25'E (Suffolk) 533km SSE lOy 8m 6d Brownsman, Fame Islands: 55°37'N 1°38'W (Northumberland) Lowestoft: 52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 414km SSE 3y 9m 14d

Spoonbill

Marsh Harrier GR18885 Nestling Female

01-07-2013

Alive (wing-tag seen)

20-07-2013

Alive (wing-tag seen)

04-11-2013

Sparrowhawk EX05617 Adult Female Freshly dead (hit glass)

14-04-2010 01-06-2013

DN64899

First-year Male Freshly dead (hit glass)

20-09-2012 25-07-2013

DN96915

First-year Male Freshly dead (hit by car)

27-04-2013 06-05-2013

First-year Female

30-11-2012

Freshly dead

01-08-2013

Kestrel ET44797

Afsluitdijk, Den Oever: 52°56'N 5°2'E (Noord-Holland) The Netherlands Frampton Marsh, Boston: 52°56'N 0°0'W (Lincolnshire) 338km W l y 10m lOd Minsmere Nature Reserve, Westleton: 52°14'N 1°36'E (Suffolk) 245km WSW l y 10m 13d Frampton Marsh, Boston: 52°56'N 0°0'W (Lincolnshire) 338km W l y 10m 19d A relatively quiet year for this species, this being one of three reports of birds from the Netherlands in the county in 2013.

near Burnham Market: 52°57'N 0°43'E (Norfolk) Tagged 'KC' (black on green) Burnham Overy Staithe: 52°57'N 0°43'E (Norfolk) 0km Oy 0m 19d near Felixstowe: 51°59'N 1°23'E (Suffolk) 117km SSE Oy 4m 3d

Ipswich: 52°4'N 1°11'E (Suffolk) Ipswich Old Cemetery: 52°3'N 1°9'E (Suffolk) 2km 3y l m 18d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°56'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) Trimley St Martin, Felixstowe: 51°59'N 1°18'E (Suffolk) 6km N Oy 10m 5d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°56'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) Stones Green: 51°53'N 1°8'E (Essex) 14km WSW Oy 0m 9d

Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve: 52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) Denton's Farm, Blackborough End: 52°41'N 0°29'E (Norfolk) 27km N Oy 8m I d

164

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2013 Hobby EP45286

Peregrine BLB H86278

AJ59583

Nestling Freshly dead

08-08-2009 19-05-2013

Wangford Warren: 52°24'N 0°36'E (Suffolk) Etang du Desert, Ermenonville: 49°7'N 2°41'E (Oise) France 394km SSE 3y 9m l l d

Second-year Male Dead (natural causes)

10-09-2011 (12-02-2013)

Adult Female Freshly dead

03-06-2013 21-10-2013

Adinkerke: 51°4'N 2°36'E (West-Vlaanderen) Belgium Harwich: 51°57'N 1"15'E (Suffolk) 136km NW l y 5m 2d The fourth foreign-ringed and second Belgian-ringed Peregrine reported in the county.The others were from Norway and Sweden.

Lowestoft: 52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) Great Yarmouth Power Station: 52°35'N 1°44'E (Norfolk) 14km N Oy 4m 18d

Oystercatcher FA50784 Adult Alive (ring read in field)

26-09-1996 25-07-2009

Falkenham Creek: 52°1'N 1'21'E (Suffolk) Nieuwpoort: 51°7'N 2°45'E (West-Vlaanderen) Belgium 140km SE 12y 9m 29d Nieuwpoort: 51°8'N 2"44'E (West-Vlaanderen) Belgium 137km SE 13y 6m 2d Nieuwpoort: 51°8'N 2°44'E (West-Vlaanderen) Belgium 137km SE 16y 7m 3d The only foreign exchange for this species involving the county this year.

Caught by ringer

28-03-2010

Alive (ring read in field)

29-04-2013

Nestling

08-07-1997

Alive (colour rings seen)

23-06-2012

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

29-05-2011 08-11-2012

Alive (colour rings seen)

24-04-2013

EW43305

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

15-06-2013 21-08-2013

EW43217

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

29-05-2011 11-11-2011

EW43134

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

31-05-2010 25-11-2010

Alive (colour rings seen)

18-02-2011

Alive (colour rings seen)

15-02-2012

Avocet DEW 5303530 EW43218

Stone-Curlew EW20311 Nestling Dead (natural causes)

12-07-2006 19-04-2013

165

Fahrehofter, Westerkoog: 54°42'N 8"48'E (Schleswig-Holstein) Germany Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 561km WSW 14y l i m 15d Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Prunjepolder: 51°42'N 3°50'E (Zeeland) The Netherlands 162km ESE l y 5m lOd Westenschouwen Inlaag, Westenschouwen: 51°40'N 3°44'E (Zeeland) The Netherlands 156km ESE l y 10m 26d Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Prunjepolder: 51°42'N 3°50'E (Zeeland) The Netherlands 162km ESE Oy 2m 6d Orfordness: c.52 0 5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Estuaire Charente, Port-Des-Barques: 45°57'N 1°4'W (Charente-Maritime) France 708km SSW Oy 5m 13d 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 5m 25d Pinheirinhos Salt-Pans, near Alcochete: 38°44'N 9°0'W (Estremadura) Portugal 1,695km SSW Oy 8m 18d Pinheirinhos Salt-Pans, near Alcochete: 38°44'N 9°0'W (Estremadura) Portugal 1,695km SSW l y 8m 15d All five foreign exchanges for the county reported this year.

Site Confidential (Suffolk) Icklingham: 52°20'N 0°35'E (Suffolk) 8km SW 6y 9m 7d

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 ER43597

Nestling Caught by ringer

Ringed Plover NV85392 Adult

02-06-1990 03-10-2012

Rakeheath Farm: 52°22'N 0°34'E (Suffolk) Elveden Estate, near Mildenhall: 52°21'N 0°34'E (Suffolk) 2km 22y 4m l d ER43597 is included here as it has been confimed as a new longevity record for the species.

22-09-2011

Black Point, Hayling Island: 50°47'N 0°57'W (Hampshire) Coney Hill, near Minsmere: 52°14'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 241km NE Oy l i m 3d Eastoke, Hayling Bay: 50°47'N 0°58'W (Hampshire) 2km l y l i m 27d

Alive (colour rings seen)

25-08-2012

Caught by ringer

18-09-2013

NOS

Adult

19-05-2006

7432225

Alive (colour rings seen)

06-10-2013

Sanderling ISR 872526

Adult Alive (colour rings seen)

17-05-2008 27-05-2013

NLA

Age Unknown

24-11-2011

H321337

Alive (colour rings seen)

27-05-2013

Knot Igelddas, Porsanger: 70°13'N 24°56'E (Finnmark) Norway Holme: 52°10'N 0°32'E (Suffolk) 2,371km SSW 7y 4m 17d The fourth Norweigan-ringed Knot recorded in the county. No other foreign-ringed birds were reported in Suffolk in 2013.

Sandgerdi, Gullbringu: 64°2'N 22°42'W Iceland Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 1,937km SE 5y 0m lOd Ebel Kheaiznaya, Banc D'arguin: 19°54'N 16°18'W Mauritania Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 3,902km NNE l y 6m 3d The first Icelandic-ringed Sanderling and the third from Mauritania to be reported in Suffolk.

Curlew Sandpiper NV41678 First-year Caught by ringer

23-09-2006 20-07-2012

Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Parque National Marismas Del Odiel, Huelva: 37°16'N 6°55'W (Huelva) Spain 1,776km SSW 5y 9m 27d The first Suffolk-ringed bird to be reported abroad and only the second British-ringed bird to Spain.

A Norweigan-ringed bird caught by a ringer in 1982 is the only other foreign exchange for this species involving the county.

Dunlin PLG

First-year

01-09-2012

JT42409

Freshly dead

13-02-2013

BT15569

First-year

18-08-2009

Caught by ringer

26-07-2013

Ujscie Wisly, Swibino: 54°21'N 18°57'E (Slupsk) Poland Aldeburgh Marshes: 52°9'N 1°33'E (Suffolk) 1,182km W Oy 5m 12d The 28th Polish-ringed Dunlin reported in the county.

River Deben, near Ramsholt Lodge: 52°2'N 1°20'E (Suffolk) Wrangle Tofts: 53°2'N 0°11'E (Lincolnshire) 136km NNW 3y l i m 8d

Adult Freshly dead (shot)

26-08-2011 05-01-2013

Snipe SR45434

166

Hazelwood, near Ham Creek: 52°9'N 1°33'E (Suffolk) Friston: 52°10'N 1°32'E (Suffolk) 3km l y 4m lOd

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2013 Woodcock DEH

First-year

22-03-2011

IA115754

Freshly dead (shot)

19-01-2013

Griefswalder Oie, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: 54°15'N 13°55'E (Rostock) Germany Bailingdon, Sudbury: 52°2'N 0°42'E (Suffolk) 914km WSW l y 9m 28d Only the second German-rlnged Woodcock to be reported in the county.

Black-tailed Godwit EW71306

Adult

27-11-2011

Alive (colour rings seen)

18-07-2013

NLA

Nestling

05-06-2006

3619040

Alive (colour rings seen)

24-06-2007

Levington Creek, River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Bakkagerdi, Borgarfjordur: 65°32'N 13°48'W Iceland 1,730km NNW l y 7m 21d Nijefurd, Workum: 52°58'N 5°25'E (Friesland) The Netherlands Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 279km WSW l y 0m 19d The eighth report of a Suffolk-ringed bird in Iceland and the first Dutch-ringed individual reported in the county.

Bar-tailed Godwit DB87977 Adult Female Long dead

11-08-2006 08-07-2013

Leverton Outgate: 53°0'N 0°8'E (Lincolnshire) Port of Felixstowe, Felixstowe: 51°57'N 1°18'E (Suffolk) 141km SE 6y 10m 27d

Redshank ISR

Nestling

22-06-2008

625099

Caught by ringer

20-08-2013

DD11931

Adult Alive (colour rings seen)

12-08-2011 07-11-2011

DD11301

Adult Dead

10-09-2007 23-07-2013

DD11465

First-year Alive (colour rings seen)

01-10-2009 04-05-2012

Alive (colour rings seen)

10-05-2013

First-year Alive (colour rings seen)

15-08-2008 11-04-2011

Caught by ringer

13-05-2012

Caught by ringer

12-06-2013

Kaldbakur, Husavik, Sudur-Thingeyjar: 66°2'N 17°22'W Iceland Levington Lagoon: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) 1,879km SSE 5y I m 29d The eighth report of an Icelandic-ringed bird to the county. Others have come from Netherlands (5) plus singles from Sweden, Denmark, Germany and France.

Levington Creek, River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Le Trou Bleu: 47°18'N 1°59'W (Loire-Atlantique) France 572km SSW Oy 2m 26d Levington Creek, River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Stadur, Hrutafjardur, Vestur-Hunavatns: 65°9'N 21°8'W Iceland 1,942km NW 5y 10m 13d Levington Creek, River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Jokulsarlon, Breidamerkursandur, Austur Skaftafells: 64°3'N 16°12'W Iceland 1,680km NW 2y 7m 3d Kvisker, Oraefi, Austur Skaftafells: 63°59'N 16°26'W Iceland 1,684km NW 3y 7m 9d Levington Creek, River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Westerlanderkoog: 52°53'N 4°55'E (Noord-Holland) The Netherlands 267km ENE 2y 7m 27d Normerdijk, Westerland: 52°54'N 4°55'E (NoordHolland) The Netherlands 268km ENE 3y 8m 28d Normerpolder, Westerland: 52°54'N 4°55'E (Noord-Holland) The Netherlands 268km ENE 4y 9m 28d

Turnstone NOS 7236345

First-year Alive (colour rings seen)

17-08-2012 03-08-2013

BLB 99Z37095

Adult Female Alive (ring read in field)

08-05-2012 30-07-2013

DB69932

167

Revtangen, Klepp: 58°45'N 5°29'E (Rogaland) Norway North Beach, Lowestoft: 52°29'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 735km SSW Oy l i m 17d Oostende: 51°14'N 2°53'E (West-Vlaanderen) Belgium Lowestoft North Beach: 52°29'N 1°45'E (Suffolk)

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 160km NNW l y 2m 22d Only the third report of a Norweigan-ringed bird to the county and the first from Belgium.

Arctic Skua DKC Nestling 6239576 Alive (ring read in field)

23-06-1994 17-09-2013

Soltuvik, Sand, Sandoy: 61°50'N 6°53'W Faeroes Sizewell: 52°12'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 1,186km SSE 19y 2m 25d The first foreign exchange for this species with Suffolk.

Nestling Alive (ring read in field)

20-07-1991 12-11-2012

Caught by ringer

25-06-2013

EX56827

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

25-06-2013 24-09-2013

EL48382

Adult Alive (colour rings seen)

08-07-2007 11-05-2013

ER72053

Nestling Alive (ring read in field)

05-07-2007 28-06-2013

ER72367

Nestling Dead

25-06-2009 25-02-2013

Puffin Island: c.53°19'N 4°2'W (Anglesey) Lowestoft: 52°29'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 399km ESE 21y 3m 23d Lowestoft: 52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 399km ESE 21y 11m 5d Lowestoft: 52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) Findhorn Beach: 57°40'N 3°39'W (Grampian Region) 672km NNW Oy 2m 30d Puffin Island: c.S3°19'N 4°2'W (Anglesey) Minsmere RSPB Reserve: 52°14'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 399km ESE 5y 10m 3d Lowestoft: 52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) Boulogne sur Mer: 50°44'N 1°35'E (Pas-de-Calais) France 193km S 5y 11m 23d Lowestoft: 52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) Porsnoan, lle-D'ouessant: 48°27'N 5°5'W (Finistere) France 658km SW 3y 8m Od The latter two show both the Lowestoft birds reported in France.

Kittiwake EP67391

Black-headed Gull One of the ten Suffolk-ringed birds reported abroad and two of the 15 foreign-ringed birds recorded in the county in 2013.

EP28146 Adult 09-02-1991 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°56'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) Felixstowe: 51°57'N 1°21'E (Suffolk) 3km 15y 0m 8d Alive (ring read in field) 17-02-2006 Felixtowe: 51°57'N r i 9 ' E (Suffolk) 3km 21y 11m 23d Freshly dead (injury) 01-02-2013 near Castle Hill, Ipswich: 52°4'N 1°8'E (Suffolk) ES38768 First-year 31-12-1996 Riga: 56°57'N 24°6'E (Latviya) Latvia 1,583km ENE Alive (ring read in field) 05-07-2005 8y 6m 4d Alive (ring read in field) 04-04-2007 near Rumbula, Riga: 56°53'N 24°14'E Latvia 1,583km ENE lOy 3m 4d Alive (ring read in field) 22-05-2009 Rumbula, Riga: 56°53'N 24°14'E (Latviya) Latvia 1,583km ENE 12y 4m 21d Rumbula, Riga: 56°53'N 24°15'E (Latviya) Latvia Alive (ring read in field) 19-04-2012 1,584km ENE 15y 3m 19d Alive (ring read in field) 28-04-2013 Rumbula: 56°53'N 24°14'E (Latviya) Latvia 1,583km ENE 16y 3m 28d PLG Adult 16-03-2001 Wladyslawowo: 54°47'N 18°25'E (Gdansk) Poland Freshly dead (hit by car) 30-09-2013 Bromeswell: 52°6'N 1°21'E (Suffolk) 1,168km WSW FN14136 12y 6m 14d Adult 08-06-2002 Pildammsparken, Malmo: 55°35'N 13°0'E SVS (Malmohus) Sweden Freshly dead 04-01-2013 River Deben, Waldringfield: 52°3'N 1°20'E (Suffolk) 6403450 860km WSW lOy 6m 27d Mediterranean Gull BLB Nestling E901274 Alive (ring read in field)

31-05-2002 29-11-2012

168

Kwaadmechelen: 51°6'N 5°9'E (Limburg) Belgium Lowestoft: 52°27'N 1°44'E (Suffolk) 279km WNW lOy 5m 29d

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2013 Alive (ring read in field)

21-11-2013

PLG

Adult

11-05-2004

FN27453

Alive (colour rings seen)

07-11-2011

Alive (colour rings seen)

11-07-2013

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

31-05-2008 21-11-2009

Alive (colour rings seen)

05-04-2010

Alive (colour rings seen)

22-07-2010

Alive (colour rings seen)

11-03-2011

Alive (colour rings seen)

27-02-2012

Alive (colour rings seen)

08-01-2013

Alive (colour rings seen)

10-08-2013

HGB 382590

Common Gull Nestling NOS

06-07-2011

5153878

27-05-2012

Alive (colour rings seen)

Lesser Black-backed Gull GH36705 Adult Caught by ringer

Gismeroy, Mandai: 58°0'N 7°28'E (Vest-Agder) Norway Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 757km SSW Oy 10m The only foreign exchange for the species reported in 2013.

19-07-1986 24-11-2007

Alive (colour marks seen) 06-04-2008 Alive (colour rings seen)

29-07-2008

Alive (colour marks seen) 22-03-2009 Alive (colour marks seen) 28-03-2010 Alive (colour marks seen) 02-04-2011 Alive (colour marks seen) 06-06-2011

GG75899

Lowestoft: c.52°27'N 1°44'E (Suffolk) 279km WNW l l y 5m 21d Rz.Wisla, Zastow Karczmiski: 51°16'N 21°52'E (Radom) Poland Melton: 52°6'N 1°20'E (Suffolk) 1,418km W 7y 5m 27d Gibraltar Point, Skegness: 53°6'N 0°19'E (Lincolnshire) 1,482km W 9y 2m Od Orspuszta, Retszilas: 46°51'N 18°34'E (Fejer) Hungary Keyhaven Marshes: 50°43'N 1°33'W (Hampshire) 1,534km WNW I y 5 m 2 1 d Pett Level: 50°55'N 0°41'E (Sussex) 1,382km WNW l y 10m 5d Blythburgh: 52°19'N 1°35'E (Suffolk) 1,365km WNW 2y I m 21d Pett Level: 50°55'N 0°41'E (Sussex) 1,382km WNW 2y 9m 8d Pett Level: c.50°54'N 0°40'E (Sussex) 1,383km WNW 3y 8m 27d Radipole Lake, Weymouth: 50°36'N 2°27'W (Dorset) 1,595km WNW 4y 7m 8d Benacre Nature Reserve, Kessingland: 52°23'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) 1,359km WNW 5y 2m lOd A further three reports of birds from Poland and one from Belgium were received in 2013.

Alive (colour rings seen)

01-04-2012

Alive (colour rings seen)

04-05-2013

Alive (colour rings seen)

15-07-2013

Nestling Alive (ring read in field)

07-07-1992 02-04-1999

Alive (ring read in field)

13-03-2001

Alive (ring read in field)

25-05-2013

169

Foxhall, near Ipswich: 52°3'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) near Wingmore Farm, Stoke Orchard: 51°56'N 2°6'W (Gloucestershire) 230km W 21y 4m 5d Orfordness: 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 22km E 21y 8m 18d near Hempsted, Gloucester: 51°51'N 2°17'W (Gloucestershire) 243km W 22y 0m lOd Orfordness: 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 22km E 22y 8m 3d Orfordness: 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 22km E 23y 8m 9d Orfordness: 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 22km E 24y 8m 14d Shortwood Landfill Site, Pucklechurch: 51°29'N 2°28'W (Avon) 264km WSW 24y 10m 18d Orfordness: 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 22km E 25y 8m 13d Orfordness: 52°S'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 22km E 26y 9m 15d Botany Marshes, nearSnape: 52°10'N 1°28'E (Suffolk) 20km NE 26y l i m 26d Orfordness: 52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Maasvlakte, Rotterdam: 51°57'N 4°3'E (ZuidHolland) The Netherlands 170km E 6y 8m 26d Maasvlakte, Rotterdam: 51°57'N 4°3'E (ZuidHolland) The Netherlands 170km E 8y 8m 6d The Hague: 52'5'N 4"19'E (Zuid-Holland) The

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013

GG75716

Nestling Male Caught by ringer

12-07-1992 15-05-2013

GR36676

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

03-07-2011 10-12-2011

Alive (colour rings seen)

07-06-2012

Alive (colour rings seen)

09-10-2012

Alive (colour rings seen)

05-11-2013

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

11-07-2009 27-11-2010

Alive (colour rings seen)

14-11-2011

Alive (colour rings seen)

22-11-2013

GG78569

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

01-07-2012 03-03-2013

GG77490

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

10-07-2005 31-03-2013

GG49830

Nestling Alive (ring read in field)

03-07-1994 24-01-2013

DKC

Nestling

28-06-2011

5034316

Alive (colour rings seen)

02-06-2012

FRP

Nestling

11-07-2005

EA670056

Alive (colour rings seen)

21-01-2010

DEW

Nestling

04-07-2008

N006660

Alive (colour rings seen)

24-01-2010

Alive (colour rings seen)

11-04-2010

GG77888

Herring Gull GG45254 First-year Freshly dead (disease)

05-12-1987 11-07-2013

GF50103

Nestling

01-07-1995

Freshly dead

03-10-2013

NLA

Nestling

19-06-2008

5424144

Alive (colour rings seen)

17-12-2011

170

Netherlands 188km E 20y 10m 18d Orfordness: 52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Europoort: 51°57'N 4°8'E (Zuid-Holland) The Netherlands 177km E 20y 10m 3d Havergate Island: 52°4'N 1°31'E (Suffolk) Tanji: 13°21'N 16°48'W Gambia 4,608km SSW Oy 5m 7d Tanji: 13°21'N 16°48'W Gambia 4,608km SSW Oy 11m 4d Tanji: 13°21'N 16°48'W Gambia 4,608km SSW l y 3m 6d Tanji: 13°21'N 16°48'W Gambia 4,608km SSW 2y 4m 2d Havergate Island: 52°4'N 1°31'E (Suffolk) Ebel Kheaiznaya, Banc D'arguin: 19°54'N 16°18'W Mauritania 3,899km SSW l y 4m 16d Iwik, Pare National du Banc D'arguin: 19°53'N 16°18'W Mauritania 3,901km SSW 2y 4m 3d Iwik, Pare National du Banc D'arguin: 19°53'N 16°18'W Mauritania 3,901km SSW 4y 4m l i d Havergate Island: 52°4'N 1°31'E (Suffolk) At Sea, off Banc D'arguin: 20°11'N 17°7'W (At Sea) North Atlantic 3,898km SSW Oy 8m 2d Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Pointe-A-La-Bise: 46°15'N 6°12'E (Geneve) Switzerland 731km SSE 7y 8m 21d Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Kafountine, Casamance: 12°55'N 16°45'W Senegal 4,656km SSW 18y 6m 21d Hirsholm, Frederikshavn: 57°29'N 10°37'E (Jylland) Denmark Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 834km SW Oy 11m 5d Umicore, Calais: 50°56'N 1°45'E (Pas-de-Calais) France Drinkstone: 52°13'N 0°51'E (Suffolk) 156km NNW 4y 6m lOd Amrun/Odde: 54°42'N 8°20'E (Nordfriesische Inseln) Germany Drinkstone: 52°13'N 0°51'E (Suffolk) 567km WSW l y 6m 20d Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 535km WSW l y 9m 7d A selection from the 292 reports of Suffolk-ringed birds recorded abroad and 41 reports of foreignringed birds reported in Suffolk.

They include the first British-ringed bird to Switzerland, and for Suffolk - 2nd to Senegal, 7th to Gambia and the 6th from Denmark.

Pitsea Marshes, Basildon: 51°32'N 0°30'E (Essex) Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°56'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 72km NE 25y 7m 6d Leth Sgeir, Sound of Jura: 56°53'N 5°46'W (Highland Region) Lowestoft: 52°30'N 1°44'E (Suffolk) 687km SE 18y 3m 2d Moerdijk: 51°41'N 4°35'E (Noord-Brabant) The Netherlands Wangford Landfill, near Reydon: 52°20'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 216km WNW 3y 5m 28d

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2013 NOS

Nestling

10-06-2002

4237765

Alive (colour rings seen)

29-01-2006

NOS FA27521

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

23-06-2006 31-01-2010

NOS FA34555

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

01-06-2010 12-03-2011

Alive (colour rings seen)

09-03-2012

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

02-06-2010 10-12-2010

Alive (colour rings seen)

12-03-2011

NOS 4271066

Caspian Gull Nestling PLG

Kattskjaera, Stange: 60°34'N 11°15'E (Hedmark) Norway Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1"34'E (Suffolk) 1,114km SSW 3y 7m 19d Storoy, Mandal: 57°59'N 7°26'E (Vest-Agder) Norway Drlnkstone: 52°13'N 0°51'E (Suffolk) 765km SW 3y 7m 8d Hornoya, Vardo: 70°23'N 31°9'E (Finnmark) Norway Minsmere: 52°14'N 1°36'E (Suffolk) 2,528km SW Oy 9m l i d Minsmere RSPB Reserve: c.52°14'N 1°36'E (Suffolk) 258km SSE 4y Om 18d Hornoya, Vardo: 70°23'N 31°9'E (Finnmark) Norway Lowestoft: c.52°28'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) 2,501km SW Oy 6m 8d Minsmere: 52°14'N 1°36'E (Suffolk) 2,528km SW Oy 9m lOd A selection from the 36 reports of Suffolk-ringed birds recorded abroad and 7 reports of foreignringed birds reported in Suffolk.

A further two reports of Norwegian-ringed birds were received.

27-05-2002

Jankowice, Babice: 50°2'N 19°26'E (Bielsko-Biala) Poland Honington: 52°20'N 0°45'E (Suffolk) 1,326km WNW lOy 8m 16d Zb.Kozielno, Paczkow: 50°29'N 16°58'E (Opole) Poland Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°14'N 1°35'E (Suffolk) 1,085km WNW Oy 4m lOd Havergate Island, Orford: 52°4'N 1°30'E (Suffolk) 1,088km W 2y 5m 28d Zb Kozielno, Paczkow: 50°28'N 16°58'E (Opole) Poland Great Livermere Lake: 52°18'N 0°45'E (Suffolk) 1,143km WNW Oy 2m 5d Zb Kozielno, Paczkow: 50"28'N 16°58'E (Opole) Poland Great Livermere: 52°19'N 0°45'E (Suffolk) 1,143km WNW Oy 2m 13d Four of the five reports involving Polish-ringed birds in the county in 2013. None from the Ukraine this year.

DN12680

Alive (colour rings seen)

12-02-2013

PLG

Nestling

27-05-2010

DN18675

Alive (colour rings seen)

07-10-2010

Alive (colour rings seen)

24-11-2012

PLG

Nestling

25-05-2012

DN28915

Alive (colour rings seen)

30-07-2012

PLG

Nestling

24-05-2013

DN29210

Alive (colour rings seen)

06-08-2013

Greater Black-backed Gull Nestling NOO OA04333 Alive (colour rings seen)

09-06-2001 11-09-2011

DKC

Nestling

27-06-2011

3095933

Alive (colour rings seen)

01-12-2012

DKC

Nestling

27-06-2011

3094564

Alive (colour rings seen)

18-03-2012

DKC

Nestling

28-06-2011

3095205

Alive (colour rings seen)

27-12-2011

171

Lyngholmen: 58°0'N 7°0'E (Vest-Agder) Norway Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 743km SSW 10y 3m 2d Graesholm, Frederikshavn: 57°29'N 10°36'E (Jylland) Denmark Orfordness: c.52"5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 833km SW l y 5m 4d Graesholm, Frederikshavn: 57°29'N 10°36'E (Jylland) Denmark Orfordness: c.52"5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 833km SW Oy 8m 20d Pikkerholm, Frederikshavn: 57°30'N 10°36'E (Jylland) Denmark Wangford Landfill, near Reydon: 52°20'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 811km SW Oy 5m 29d

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 DKC 3094819 DKC 3081716

Little Tern NV82475

01-07-2011 23-02-2013

Nestling

16-06-2007

Dead

20-10-2013

Nestling Freshly dead

29-06-1995 22-06-2013

Great Yarmouth: c.52°37'N 1°44'E (Norfolk) Benacre Broad: 52°23'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) 26km S 17y l i m 24d

25-06-2000 03-07-2013

Breydon Water: 52°37'N 1°42'E (Norfolk) Alton Water Reservoir, near Tattingstone: c.51°59'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) 81km SSW 13y 0m 8d

Nestling Dead (oiled)

29-06-1996 05-01-1997

Isle of May: 56°11'N 2°34'W (Fife Region) Dunwich: 52°16'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 513km SSE Oy 6m 7d

Adult Freshly dead

08-07-2011 01-04-2013

Garbh Eilean: c.57°54'N 6°22'W (Western Isles) Benacre: 52°23'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) 799km SE l y 8m 24d

10-06-2010 01-03-2013

Wrentham: 52°23'N 1°39'E (Suffolk) Reydon, Southwold: 52°19'N 1°39'E (Suffolk) 6km S 2y 8m 19d llkestshall St Andrew: 52°25'N 1°29'E (Suffolk) Halesworth: S2°21'N 1°30'E (Suffolk) 8km S 4y 10m 8d

C o m m o n Tern SV58066 Nestling Freshly dead (in building)

Guillemot X37623

Razorbill K27657

Stock Dove EW96850 Nestling Dead EL16994

Nordre Ronner: 57°21'N 10°55'E (Laeso) Denmark Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1"34'E (Suffolk) 838km SW l y 7m 22d Saltholm, Tarnby: 55°38'N 12°47'E (Sjaelland) Denmark Covehithe: 52°22'N 1°42'E (Suffolk) 810km WSW 6y 4m 4d Five of the six reports from Denmark and one of the 66 from Norway in 2013.

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

Nestling Freshly dead (disease)

12-07-2008 20-05-2013

Woodpigeon FA90963 Adult Freshly dead (injury) FH49066 Adult Freshly dead (shot)

28-04-1998 22-05-2013 21-01-2013 24-07-2013

Ipswich: 52°3'N 1"10'E (Suffolk) Ipswich: 52°3'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) Okm 15y Om 24d Alderton: 52°1'N 1°25'E (Suffolk) Wells-next-the-Sea: c.52°57'N 0°51'E (Norfolk) l l l k m NNW Oy 6m 3d

Turtle Dove EG82551 Second-year Male Freshly dead

05-07-2010 19-08-2013

Gislingham: 52°17'N 1°2'E (Suffolk) Coldham Lane, Gislingham: 52°18'N 1°2'E (Suffolk) 2km 3y l m 14d

Tawny O w l GC28208 Nestling Freshly dead GR01237 Nestling Freshly dead (hit by car)

08-05-2007 03-04-2013 03-06-2011 02-04-2013

Kettlebaston: 52'7'N 0°52'E (Suffolk) Hitcham: 52°7'N 0°53'E (Suffolk) 2km 5y 10m 26d Monks Hall, Syleham: 52°21'N 1°14'E (Suffolk) near Eye Airfield: 52°19'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) 9km WSW l y 9m 30d

28-06-2012 07-06-2013

Wangford Warren: 52°24'N 0°36'E (Suffolk) Wangford Warren: 52°24'N 0°36'E (Suffolk) 0km Oy l i m lOd

Nightjar LB12492

Adult Male Freshly dead

172

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2013 LC84507

Nestling Male Caught by ringer

17-07-2012 18-06-2013

Wangford Woods: 52°24'N 0°37'E (Suffolk) nearTwo Mile Bottom: 52°27'N 0°42'E (Norfolk) 8km NE Oy l i m l d

Adult

03-05-2012

Freshly dead

15-06-2013

Adult

24-05-2013

Freshly dead (storm)

02-08-2013

Alton Water Reservoir, nearTattingstone: c.51°59'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) Gent: 51°3'N 3°43'E (Oost-Vlaanderen) Belgium 208km ESE l y I m 12d The first Suffolk-ringed swift to Belgium and only the second reported abroad. The first was recovered in France in May 1989, five years after it had been ringed as an adult.

Alton Water Reservoir, nearTattingstone: c.51°59'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) Woodbridge: 52°5'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 18km NE Oy 2m 9d

First-year Freshly dead (predated) First-year Freshly dead

04-10-2010 12-07-2013 14-07-2012 04-03-2013

Ipswich: 52°4'N 1°11'E (Suffolk) Ipswich: 52°4'N r i O ' E (Suffolk) 2km 2y 9m 8d Nunnery Drive, Thetford: 52°24'N 0°45'E (Norfolk) Bamham, Thetford: 52°23'N 0°45'E (Suffolk) 2km Oy 7m 18d The only two recovery reports for the species in the county this year.

Adult Female Freshly dead

11-06-2007 25-06-2013

High Lodge, Brandon: c.52°26'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) High Lodge Centre: 52°26'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 0m 14d A reasonable age for this species but still well short of the longevity record of 16y 9m 19d.

Nestling Freshly dead (shot)

22-05-2012 27-06-2013

Adult Female Long dead (in nestbox)

05-08-2012 13-06-2013

Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c.52°ll'N 1°5'E (Suffolk) Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c . 5 2 ° l l ' N 1°5'E (Suffolk) 0km l y I m 5d Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c.52°ll'N 1°5'E (Suffolk) Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c . 5 2 ° l l ' N 1°5'E (Suffolk) 0km Oy 10m 8d

Goldcrest SVS

First-year Male

03-10-2012

SV9395

Caught by ringer

23-10-2012

ERB414

First-year Male

16-12-2012

Caught by ringer

24-11-2013

Full-grown Male

21-04-2013

Caught by ringer

05-05-2013

Swift SB78698

SH12658

Magpie EW64745 EX81238

Jay DB04217

Jackdaw EX94322

EX94360

Firecrest ECH214

Svenska Hogarna: 59°27'N 19°30'E (Stockholm) Sweden Alderton: 52°1'N 1°25'E (Suffolk) 1,398km SW Oy 0m 20d The only foreign exchange for the county this year, and the third ever from Sweden.

Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c . 5 2 ° l l ' N 1°5'E (Suffolk) Great Livermere: 52°18'N 0°45'E (Suffolk) 27km W N W O y l l m 8d

Nature Reserve, Walton-on-the-Naze: 51°52'N 1°17'E (Essex) Tangham Farm, Boyton: 52°5'N 1°26'E (Suffolk) 27km NNEOyOm 14d

173

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Great Tit T881118 D188606

Marsh Tit V522746

Woodlark TP41063

07-07-2007 07-04-2013 10-04-2013

Caught by ringer

18-04-2013

Juvenile Alive (ring read in field)

06-08-2008 27-03-2010

Minsmere: 52°15'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) Minsmere Nature Reserve, Westleton: 52°14'N 1°36'E (Suffolk) 3km l y 7m 21d

Nestling Female Alive (colour rings seen)

01-04-2012 05-05-2013

Parsonage Heath: 52°24'N 0°39'E (Suffolk) near Cranwich Heath: 52°30'N 0°37'E (Norfolk) 12km N l y l m 4d

15-09-2011 28-06-2013

Pett Level: c.50°54'N 0°40'E (Sussex) Corton, Lowestoft: c.52°31'N 1°44'E (Suffolk) 195km NNE l y 9 m 13d Pett Level: c.50°54'N 0°40'E (Sussex) Fen Farm, Bungay: 52°26'N 1°26'E (Suffolk) 179km NNE Oy 9m l i d Fen Farm, Bungay: 52°26'N 1°26'E (Suffolk) Pett Level: c.50°54'N 0°40'E (Sussex) 179km SSW Oy l m 19d In addition, two Suffolk-ringed birds were recovered in Spain.

Sand M a r t i n Y055138 First-year Male Caught by ringer Y428455

First-year Male Caught by ringer

09-09-2012 20-06-2013

Y807259

Adult Male Caught by ringer

20-06-2013 08-08-2013

First-year Alive (in building)

16-08-2012 26-07-2013

D673381

First-year Caught by ringer

19-08-2013 04-09-2013

D673094

First-year Caught by ringer

11-08-2013 21-08-2013

D453427

First-year Caught by ringer

26-08-2013 03-09-2013

Swallow Y424615

Cetti's Warbler D217168 First-year Female Caught by ringer

Cadborough, Rye: 50°56'N 0°43'E (Sussex) Rumburgh: 52°23'N 1°28'E (Suffolk) 170km NNE Oy 11m lOd Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Pett Level: c.50°54'N 0°40'E (Sussex) 153km SSW Oy 0m 16d Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Gibraltar Point, Skegness: c.53°6'N 0°19'E (Lincolnshire) 136km NW Oy 0m lOd near Charity Farm, Shotley: 51°59'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Pett Level: c.50°54'N 0°40'E (Sussex) 127km SSW Oy 0m 8d Again, no foreign exchanges involving Suffolk Swallows were reported in 2013.

04-09-2013 05-10-2013

D719827

First-year Male Caught by ringer

06-10-2013 15-12-2013

D719796

Full-grown Male Caught by ringer

06-10-2013 16-10-2013

First-year

28-09-2013

Caught by ringer

06-10-2013

Chiffchaff EEE427

Levington, near River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Levington: 52°0'N r i 5 ' E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 9m Od Gibraltar Point, Skegness: c.53°6'N 0°19'E (Lincolnshire) Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°56'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 147km SSE Oy 0m 8d

Juvenile Freshly dead (hit glass) First-year Female

Sizewell Belts, Sizewell: 52°13'N 1°36'E (Suffolk) Walberswick: 52°18'N 1°38'E (Suffolk) 10km NNE Oy l m I d Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1°27'E (Suffolk) Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52"9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 14km NE Oy 2m 9d Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1°27'E (Suffolk) Shingle Street: 5 2 T N 1°26'E (Suffolk) 4km Oy 0m lOd

Heysham Harbour, Heysham: 54°2'N 2°55'W (Lancashire) Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 370km SE Oy

174

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2013

CHB907

Full-grown Male Caught by ringer

20-03-2012 07-04-2013

CND794

First-year Male Caught by ringer

19-03-2011 10-07-2012

Caught by ringer

17-07-2012

Caught by ringer

23-04-2013

Willow Warbler ERB145 Juvenile Male Caught by ringer

21-07-2012 08-06-2013

DYB140

Om 8d A fair movement in just eight days!

Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°56'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) near Kettlestone: 52°50'N 0°55'E (Norfolk) 104km NNW l y 0m 18d Rye Meads: c.51°46'N 0°0'W (Hertfordshire) Stuston Common: 52°21'N 1°9'E (Suffolk) 102km NE l y 3m 21d Stuston Common: 52°21'N 1°9'E (Suffolk) 102km NE l y 3m 28d Stuston Common: 52°21'N 1°9'E (Suffolk) 102km NE 2y l m 4d

Great Livermere: 52°18'N 0°45'E (Suffolk) Culford School: c.52°18'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) 6km W Oy 10m 18d Hinderclay Fen: 52°22'N 0°58'E (Suffolk) Hinderclay Fen: 52°22'N 0°58'E (Suffolk) 0km l y 0m 7d

Adult Female Freshly dead

27-07-2012 03-08-2013

Blackcap BLB

First-year Male

02-08-2012

12816663

Caught by ringer

14-04-2013

Y818502

First-year Female Freshly dead (cat)

12-09-2012 24-04-2013

Y393414

First-year Male Caught by ringer

28-08-2011 01-10-2011

D094451

First-year Male Freshly dead

13-10-2012 18-06-2013

D538308

First-year Female

21-09-2013

Caught by ringer

27-09-2013

Juvenile Caught by ringer

30-08-2013 22-09-2013

Garden Warbler D405503 Adult Male Caught by ringer

11-05-2013 19-08-2013

Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°15'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) Pett Level: c.50°54'N 0°40'E (Sussex) 164km SSW Oy 3m 8d

Whitethroat X007296 Adult Male Caught by ringer

08-05-2011 16-06-2013

Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°56'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) Howdon Wetlands: 54°59'N 1°28'W (Tyne & Wear) 386km NNW 2y l m 8d Bainton Gravel Pits: 52°38'N 0°22'W (Cambridgeshire) near Hollesley Heath: 52°3'N 1°26'E (Suffolk) 139km ESE Oy 4m 5d

D495081

Y207678

Adult Male Caught by ringer

Grasshopper Warbler D047149 First-year Male

Sint Laureins: 51°1S'N 3°32'E (Oost-Vlaanderen) Belgium Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°56'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 171km WNW Oy 8m 12d near Hollesley Heath: 52°3'N 1°26'E (Suffolk) Nice: 43°42'N 7°15'E (Alpes-Maritimes) France 1,024km SSE Oy 7m 12d Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Les Escletxes, El Papiol: 41°26'N 2°2'E (Barcelona) Spain 1,192km S Oy l m 3d Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1°27'E (Suffolk) Clayton, Newcastle-under-Lyme: 52°59'N 2°13'W (Staffordshire) 269km WNW Oy 8m 5d Gibraltar Point, Skegness: c.53°6'N 0°19'E (Lincolnshire) Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 141km SE Oy 0m 6d Hill Farm, Chelmondiston: 51°59'N 1°13'E (Suffolk) Marsworth Reservoir, nearTring: 51°48'N 0°40'W (Hertfordshire) 131km W Oy 0m 23d The three foreign exchanges for the county and some of the furthest movements within the UK for the species involving Suffolk in 2013.

16-05-2013 21-09-2013

18-08-2012

175

Walberswick: 52°18'N 1°38'E (Suffolk)

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Caught by ringer

22-05-2013

Bainton Gravel Pits: 52°38'N 0°22'W (Cambridgeshire) 141km WNW Oy 9m 4d

Sedge Warbler X550372 First-year Caught by ringer

04-08-2013 14-08-2013

Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Squire's Down: 50°58'N 2°22'W (Dorset) 299km WSW Oy Om lOd Walberswick: 52°18'N 1°38'E (Suffolk) Pepingen: 50°45'N 4°10'E (Brabant) Belgium 246km SE Oy Om 8d Thatcham Marsh, Thatcham: c.51°24'N 1°16'W (Berkshire) 223km WSW Oy 9m 7d Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1°27'E (Suffolk) Lac Debo: 15°14'N 4"3'W Mali 4,120km S Oy 5m 21d Hinderclay Fen: 52°22'N 0°58'E (Suffolk) Rio Guadaira: 37°23'N 5°57'W (Sevilla) Spain l,751km SSW l y 8m 23d Brandon Fen: c.52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) Ria de Villaviciosa: 43°28'N 5°26'W (Oviedo) Spain l,092km SSW Oy l m 3d Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Pantano de la Torre Del Aguila, El Coronil: 37°1'N 5°42'W (Sevilla) Spain l,769km SSW Oy l l m 23d The Haven, Thorpeness: 52°10'N 1°36'E (Suffolk) Ria de Villaviciosa: 43°28'N 5°26'W (Oviedo) Spain l,099km SSW Oy Om 16d Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1°27'E (Suffolk) Salburua, Vitoria-Gasteiz: 42°51'N 2°38'W (Alava) Spain l,067km SSW Oy l l m 17d Note the first Suffolk-ringed bird reported in Mali and the five to Spain. In addition, ten were also reported in France.

D047206

First-year Caught by ringer

19-08-2012 27-08-2012

Caught by ringer

26-05-2013

L992562

First-year

03-08-2011

X786044

Caught by ringer Juvenile

24-01-2012 27-06-2009 22-03-2011

Caught by ringer L683122 Juvenile Caught by ringer

08-07-2011 11-08-2011

X548980

First-year Caught by ringer

02-09-2012 25-08-2013

Y823091

Juvenile Caught by ringer

23-08-2012 08-09-2012

D049619

First-year Caught by ringer

19-08-2012 05-08-2013

Reed Warbler X891776 First-year

10-08-2009

Caught by ringer

28-04-2013

D088375

First-year Caught by ringer

29-08-2012 17-08-2013

X365875

Juvenile

08-08-2013

Caught by ringer

10-09-2013

Adult

03-07-2010 05-08-2010

V345804

Caught by ringer Y129145

06-08-2012 First-year 30-09-2012 Caught by ringer

POL

01-10-2011 First-year

A342041

03-08-2013 Caught by ringer

176

Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1°27'E (Suffolk) Gosforth Park, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne: 55°1'N 1°37'W (Tyne & Wear) 387km NNW 3y 8m 18d Walberswick: 52°18'N 1°38'E (Suffolk) Litlington: 50°47'N 0°9'E (Sussex) 198km SSW Oy l l m 19d Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve: 52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) Pett Level: c.50°54'N 0°40'E (Sussex) 173km S Oy l m 2d Levington, near River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Salburua, Vitoria-Gasteiz: 42"51'N 2°38'W (Alava) Spain l,058km SSW Oy l m 2d Trimley Marshes, Trimley St Mary: c.51°58'N 1°17'E (Suffolk) Manecorro, Parque Nacional de Donana: 37°5'N 6°32'W (Huelva) Spain l,764km SSW Oy l m 24d Roncanito - Odemira, Beja: 37"37'N 8°41'W (Baixo Alentejo) Portugal near Hollesley Heath: 52"3'N 1°26'E (Suffolk) l,788km NNE l y lOm 2d Included in the above are the two Suffolk-ringed birds recovered in Spain. Others were reported in Belgium (3), France (2) and Portugal (2). A342041 is only the second Portugese-ringed Reed Warbler to be recaptured in the county.

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2013 Waxwing NV08850 NV14822

Blackbird CL98676

CT98154

LC82006

LB25271

First-year Female Alive (colour rings seen) First-year Female Freshly dead (hit glass)

01-02-2013 03-04-2013 14-01-2013 25-01-2013

Thetford: 52°24'N 0°43'E (Norfolk) Brandon: 52'76'N 0°37'E (Suffolk) 7km NW Oy 2m 2d Alderton: S2°1'N 1°25'E (Suffolk) Ipswich: 52°1'N 1°11'E (Suffolk) 16km WOyOm l i d

Juvenile Unknown (ring only)

14-06-2003 25-11-2013

Juvenile Female

20-06-2004

Freshly dead (cat)

19-03-2013

Thetford: 52°24'N 0°43'E (Norfolk) Bamham Cross Common, Thetford: 52°23'N 0°43'E (Suffolk) 3km lOy 5m l i d Creeting Hill, Needham Market: 52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) Needham Market, Ipswich: 52°9'N 1°2'E (Suffolk) 2km 8y 8m 27d Harlesthorpe, Clowne: 53°17'N 1°16'W (Derbyshire)

Adult Female 31-12-2010 Freshly dead (natural causes) 12-03-2013

Aldeburgh: 52°9'N 1°35'E (Suffolk) 230km SE 2y 2m 9d Meadows, Nottingham: 52°56'N 1°9'W (Nottinghamshire) Oulton, Lowestoft: 52°29'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) 200km ES E 2y I m 4d Darlton: c.53°15'N 0°51'W (Nottinghamshire) Seven Hills, Ingham: c.52°20'N 0°43'E (Suffolk) 147km SE Oy l i m 3d Ipswich: 52°4'N 1'11'E (Suffolk) Koksijde: 51°6'N 2°39'E (West-Vlaanderen) Belgium 148km SE Oy 5m 7d Koksijde: 51°6'N 2°39'E (West-Vlaanderen) Belgium 148km SE Oy 5m lOd Flordon Road, Creeting St Mary: 52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) Brylantowa, Kolobrzeg: 54°9'N 15°32'E (Koszalin) Poland 991km ENE Oy 5m Od Heligoland: 54°10'N 7°55'E (Helgoland) Germany Mutford: 52°26'N 1°38'E (Suffolk) 459km WSW 49 days Utklippan: 55°57'N 15°42'E (Blekinge) Sweden Chelmondiston: 51°59'N 1°12'E (Suffolk) 1,045km WSW 2y 3m 9d Ottenby: 56°12'N 16<>24'E (Oland) Sweden Alderton: 52°1'N 1°25'E (Suffolk) 1,080km WSW Oy 9m 26d Included in the above is the first Suffolk-ringed Blackbird to Poland and one of two to Belgium. A further three were reported in the Netherlands.

The two Swedish-ringed birds along with two from Germany and two from the Netherlands represent the six foreign-ringed birds reported in the county.

First-year Female

20-02-2011

Alive (ring read in field)

24-03-2013

LC39389

Adult Male Freshly dead (hit by car)

29-01-2012 01-01-2013

LE86147

Full-grown Female Caught by ringer

25-02-2013 01-08-2013

Caught by ringer

04-08-2013

LE90762

First-year Female Freshly dead (hit glass)

18-11-2012 18-04-2013

7880680 DEW

First-year Female Caught by ringer

16-10-2013 04-12-2013

SVS 4581678

First-year Female Caught by ringer

31-10-2010 09-02-2013

SVS 4609803

First-year Male Caught by ringer

22-03-2012 17-01-2013

Adult Male Freshly dead (hit wires)

11-02-2010 08-04-2013

near Hollesley Heath: 52°3'N 1°26'E (Suffolk) Hollesley, Woodbridge: 52°3'N 1°26'E (Suffolk) 0km 3y l m 28d A sad end for this male which clearly favoured the area.

28-09-2010 06-01-2013

Walberswick: 52°18'N 1°38'E (Suffolk) Montemor-O-Novo: 38°39'N 8°13'W (Alto Alentejo) Portugal 1,698km SSW 2y 3m 9d The 15th Suffolk-ringed Song Thrush recovered in Portugal being the sole foreign exchange in 2013.

Fieldfare LC24620

Song Thrush RX80824 Adult Freshly dead (shot)

177

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Robin L231320

First-year Caught by ringer

22-10-2012 07-12-2013

First-year

22-10-2012

Caught by ringer

14-12-2013

BLB 12457056

Full-grown Caught by ringer

29-09-2011 19-10-2013

NOS

First-year

21-10-2012

EE60802

Dead

13-03-2013

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

07-06-2010 23-05-2011

Alive (colour rings seen)

02-06-2013

D052795

Stonechat L295939

House Sparrow TH63585 Juvenile

TE93216

Freshly dead (hit by car) Full-grown Female Long dead

Tree Sparrow Y757511 Full-grown

18-08-2010

06-03-2012 07-03-2013

D389589

Full-grown Male Caught by ringer

05-10-2013 04-12-2013

D072448

Full-grown Dead

19-10-2012 02-09-2013

near Brick Kiln Farm: 52°29'N 0°35'E (Norfolk) near Santon Downham: 52°27'N 0°40'E (Norfolk) 7km SE Oy l i m 16d The King's Forest: 52°21'N 0°38'E (Suffolk) 16km SSE 2y 11m 26d

Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°56'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) Felixstowe: 51°57'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 2km 2y 6m 24d Moonrakers, Wenhaston: 52°19'N 1"33'E (Suffolk) Moonrakers, Wenhaston: 52°19'N 1°33'E (Suffolk) Okm Oy 9m 16d

14-03-2013 16-04-2012 01-02-2013

Freshly dead

Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°56'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) Newtown Park: c.50°46'N 1°31'W (Hampshire) 236km WSW l y l m 15d Gibraltar Point, Skegness: c.53°6'N 0°19'E (Lincolnshire) Methersgate, Sutton: 52°4'N 1°20'E (Suffolk) 134km SSE l y l m 22d Essen: 51°28'N 4°28'E (Antwerpen) Belgium Orfordness: c.52°5'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 211km WNW 2y Om 20d Lista Fyr, Farsund: 58°6'N 6°34'E (Vest-Agder) Norway Horringer, Bury St Edmunds: 52°12'N 0°39'E (Suffolk) 753km SSW Oy 4m 20d

The Barracks, Little Livermere: 52°18'N 0°44'E (Suffolk) Smalley: 52°59'N 1°23'W (Derbyshire) 162km WNW l y 0m l d Kilnsea Clays: 53°36'N 0°8'E (Humberside) The Barracks, Little Livermere: 52°18'N 0°44'E (Suffolk) 150km SSE Oy l m 29d Kilnsea Clays: 53°36'N 0°8'E (Humberside) Mildenhall Fen: 52°22'N 0°26'E (Suffolk) 139km S Oy 10m 14d

Yellow Wagtail L724438 Juvenile Male Caught by ringer

21-08-2011 17-04-2013

Western Farm, St James: 52°23'N 1°24'E (Suffolk) Nieuwpoort: 51°8'N 2°44'E (West-Vlaanderen) Belgium 167km SSE l y 7m 27d Only the fourth Suffolk-ringed Yellow Wagtail reported abroad and the first to Belgium. The others have been singles to France, Portugal and the Netherlands.

Pied/White Wagtail L844608 Juvenile Male Long dead

30-07-2011 23-02-2013

Kessingland, Lowestoft: 52°24'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) Kessingland, Lowestoft: 52°24'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) 0km l y 6m 24d

09-06-2012 20-07-2013

Snake Wood: 52°29'N 0°40'E (Norfolk) High Wrong Corner, Thetford Warren: 52°24'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) 10km S l y l m l i d

Tree Pipit L889875

Nestling Female Caught by ringer

178

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2013 M e a d o w Pipit D388409 First-year Caught by ringer D388334

Spurn Head: 53°34'N 0°6'E (Humberside) Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°56'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 200km SSE Oy Om 6d Spurn Head: 53°34'N 0°6'E (Humberside) Orfordness: c.52°5'N l 0 34'E (Suffolk) 192km SSE Oy Om l i d

17-09-2013 23-09-2013

First-year Caught by ringer

17-09-2013 28-09-2013

Adult Male Freshly dead

05-08-2007 25-09-2013

Leiston: c.52°13'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Minsmere: 52°15'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 6km NE 6y l m 20d Another year with no foreign exchange reports for this species.

First-year Male

31-03-2013

Freshly dead (hit glass)

01-05-2013

DKC

Adult

23-01-2010

AX32022

Caught by ringer

01-12-2013

DEW

First-year Male

17-02-2013

82125181

Caught by ringer

28-12-2013

NOS

First-year Female

27-09-2012

EF06515

Caught by ringer

20-03-2013

NOS 8E60526

First-year Female Caught by ringer

01-10-2010 28-02-2013

NOS

First-year Male

23-09-2012

EE79762

Caught by ringer

26-01-2013

The Barracks, Little Livermere: 52°18'N 0°44'E (Suffolk) Hunndalen, Gjovik: 60°46'N 10°38'E (Opland) Norway 1,118km NNE Oy l m Od Gedser Odde, Sydfalster: 54°33'N 11°58'E (Lolland) Denmark Thetford Lodge Farm: c.52°26'N 0°41'E (Suffolk) 782km WSW 3y 10m 8d Itzehoe/Edendorf-Garten: 53°57'N 9°29'E (Schleswig-Holstein) Germany Thetford Lodge Farm: c.52°26'N 0°41'E (Suffolk) 610km WSW Oy 10m l l d Barstadvik, Orsta: 62°22'N 6°12'E (More og Romsdal) Norway Mildenhall Fen: 52°22'N 0°26'E (Suffolk) 1,163km SSW Oy 5m 21d Utsira: 59°19'N 4°53'E (Rogaland) Norway Thetford Lodge Farm: c.52°26'N 0°41'E (Suffolk) 809km SSW 2y 4m 27d Bomyra, Randaberg: 59°0'N 5°34'E (Rogaland) Norway Thetford Lodge Farm: c.52°26'N 0°41'E (Suffolk) 791km SSW Oy 4m 3d All six foreign exchanges for this species in 2013. A West Suffolk landslidel

Chaffinch V613391

Brambling D404038

Greenfinch First-year Female TL72323

Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve: 52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) Orby, near Skegness: 53°10'N 0°12'E (Lincolnshire) 84km NNW Oy 10m 19d Wicken Fen: c.52°18'N 0°16'E (Cambridgeshire) Wickham Market: 52°9'N 1°22'E (Suffolk) 77km ESE 5y 6m 30d Flordon Road, Creeting St Mary: 52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) Nightingale Wood: 51°35'N 1°43'W (Wiltshire) 200km WSW Oy l m 9d Eynsford: 51°22'N 0°12'E (Kent) Bury St Edmunds: 52°14'N 0°43'E (Suffolk) 103km NNE Oy 7m 19d

03-11-2012

Freshly dead (hit glass)

22-09-2013

TH47975

Full-grown Male Freshly dead (hit glass)

15-11-2007 14-06-2013

TX85278

First-year Female

07-10-2013

Caught by ringer

16-11-2013

Adult Male Freshly dead (disease)

08-12-2012 27-07-2013

First-year Male Caught by ringer

18-02-2007 08-06-2013

TS90018

Goldfinch V340718

179

Dunwich: 52°16'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°15'N 1°37'E

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013

First-year Female

26-10-2013

Caught by ringer

19-11-2013

X008232

First-year Male Caught by ringer

19-10-2011 06-03-2013

Y780469

First-year Male Freshly dead (hit glass)

19-12-2012 05-05-2013

Y871723

First-year Female Caught by ringer

03-11-2012 08-11-2012

L230783

Juvenile Freshly dead (cat)

21-09-2012 25-03-2013

D119080

First-year Female Caught by ringer

13-10-2012 30-03-2013

Adult Female Caught by ringer

24-02-2013 24-05-2013

D239834

First-year Female Freshly dead

07-03-2013 21-06-2013

D239869

First-year Male Caught by ringer

07-03-2013 02-06-2013

V032755

First-year Female Alive (trapped)

09-02-2008 03-03-2009

L728574

First-year Male Alive (trapped)

12-03-2011 26-02-2012

L184526

First-year Female Caught by ringer

07-04-2011 28-02-2013

X363935

First-year Female Caught by ringer

26-03-2011 02-03-2013

Caught by ringer

08-03-2013

Caught by ringer

09-03-2013

Caught by ringer

13-03-2013

Caught by ringer

14-03-2013

Caught by ringer

19-03-2013

L672372

First-year Male Freshly dead (hit glass)

28-02-2012 13-05-2013

D204873

Adult Male Caught by ringer

19-03-2013 17-05-2013

Caught by ringer

19-05-2013

D594559

Siskin D227115

180

(Suffolk) 2km 6y 3m 21d Longman, Inverness: 57"29'N 4°13'W (Highland Region) near Stowmarket: 52°11'N 0°58'E (Suffolk) 676km SSE Oy 0m 24d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°56'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) Coolcush, near Dungannon: 54°29'N 6°45'W (Tyrone) 607km WNW l y 4m 15d Thetford Lodge Farm: c.52°26'N 0°41'E (Suffolk) Ballinamallard: 54°23'N 7°37'W (Fermanagh) 591km WNW Oy 4m 16d Polstead: 52°0'N 0°54'E (Suffolk) Jonkershove: 50°58'N 2°55'E (West-Vlaanderen) Belgium 173km SE Oy 0m 5d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°56'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) Vineuil: 46°53'N 1"37'E (Indre) France 562km S Oy 6m 4d Leiston: c.52°13'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Pasteur, Vimy: 50°22'N 2°48'E (Pas-de-Calais) France 223km SSE Oy 5m 17d The latter three records indicate all the Suffolkringed birds reported abroad in 2013.

near Hollesley Heath: 52°3'N 1°26'E (Suffolk) Melvich: 58°33'N 3°55'W (Highland Region) 798km NNW Oy 3m Od Polstead: 52°0'N 0°54'E (Suffolk) Ardvar, Drumbeg: 58°15'N 5°7'W (Highland Region) 793km NNW Oy 3m 14d Polstead: 52°0'N 0°54'E (Suffolk) Dallcharn, near Tongue: c. 58°28'N 4°21'W (Highland Region) 792km NNW Oy 2m 26d Brandon: 52°26'N 0°35'E (Suffolk) Site Confidential (West-Vlaanderen) Belgium 226km SE l y 0m 22d Tangham Farm, Boyton: 52°5'N 1"26'E (Suffolk) Plombieres: 50°44'N 5°57'E (Liege) Belgium 348km ESE Oy l i m 14d High Lodge, near Brandon: c.52°26'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) Hamme Sint Anna: 51°6'N 4°9'E (Oost-Vlaanderen) Belgium 282km ESE l y 10m 21d High Lodge, near Brandon: c.52°26'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) Nienoordsrand, Leek: 53°10'N 6°22'E (Groningen) The Netherlands 392km ENE l y l i m 4d Nienoordsrand, Leek: 53°10'N 6°22'E (Groningen) The Netherlands 392km ENE l y l i m lOd Nienoordsrand, Leek: 53°10'N 6°22'E (Groningen) The Netherlands 392km ENE l y l i m l l d Nienoordsrand, Leek: 53°10'N 6°22'E (Groningen) The Netherlands 392km ENE l y l i m 15d Nienoordsrand, Leek: 53°10'N 6°22'E (Groningen) The Netherlands 392km ENE l y l i m 16d Nienoordsrand, Leek: 53°10'N 6°22'E (Groningen) The Netherlands 392km ENE l y l i m 21d High Lodge, near Brandon: c.52°26'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) Grinder, Grue: 60°24'N 12"3'E (Hedmark) Norway 1,127km NE l y 2m 15d Chelmondiston: 51°59'N 1°12'E (Suffolk) Barstadvik, Orsta: 62°22'N 612'E (More og Romsdal) Norway 1,192km NNE Oy I m 28d Barstadvik, Orsta: 62°22'N 6°12'E (More og Romsdal) Norway 1,192km NNE Oy 2m Od

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2013 Wibrin: 50 o 10'N 5°43'E (Luxembourg) Belgium Flordon Road, Creeting St Mary: 52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) 393km NW Oy l i m 26d Loppem: 51°9'N 3°12'E (West-Vlaanderen) Belgium Flordon Road, Creeting St Mary: 52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) 186km NW l y 0m 4d Itzehoe/Edendorf-Garten: 53 0 57'N 9°29'E (Schleswig-Holstein) Germany Flordon Road, Creeting St Mary: 52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) 598km WSW 4y 0m 4d Graff Vorland, Bomlo: 59°36'N 5°12'E (Hordaland) Norway Rose Hill, Ipswich: 52°2'N 1°11'E (Suffolk) 877km SSW l y l i m 29d In addition to the above, a further two birds ringed in Suffolk were reported in Norway.

BLB 12630792

First-year Female Caught by ringer

03-03-2012 01-03-2013

BLB 12253791

First-year Female Caught by ringer

13-03-2012 17-03-2013

DEW

First-year Female

28-03-2009

90041339

Caught by ringer

01-04-2013

NOS

First-year Male

03-04-2011

7H56611

Caught by ringer

01-04-2013

Juvenile Female Alive (trapped)

23-07-2011 06-11-2011

Great Livermere: 52°18'N 0°45'E (Suffolk) El Burgo, la Linea de la Concepción: 36°11'N 5°20'W (Cadiz) Spain 1,854km SSW Oy 3m 14d Late news of the 14th report of a Suffolk-ringed Linnet in Spain.

Lesser Redpoll D191072 First-year Female

13-10-2012

Caught by ringer

25-05-2013

Y546845

Adult Male Caught by ringer

21-03-2012 25-05-2013

BLB 12658899

Adult Male Caught by ringer

19-07-2012 11-12-2012

Caught by ringer

08-02-2013

Caught by ringer

19-02-2013

Caught by ringer

03-12-2013

BLB 12630624

First-year Caught by ringer

29-02-2012 11-01-2013

DKC

First-year Male

12-04-2012

P65441

Caught by ringer

13-11-2013

NLA

First-year Male

16-10-2011

BA39819

Caught by ringer

21-03-2013

NOS

First-year Female

29-09-2013

7H70207

Caught by ringer

26-10-2013

NOS HC17670

First-year Caught by ringer

25-09-2013 08-11-2013

Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1°27'E (Suffolk) Bettyhill: 58°31'N 4°14'W (Highland Region) 803km NNW Oy 7m 12d Tangham Farm, Boyton: 52°5'N 1°26'E (Suffolk) Bettyhill: 58°31'N 4"14'W (Highland Region) 800km NNW l y 2m 4d Sourbrodt: 50°29'N 6°8'E (Liege) Belgium Holywell Row: 52°22'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) 442km WNW Oy 4m 22d Mildenhall: 52°21'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) 441km WNW Oy 6m 20d Barton Mills: 52°20'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) 441km WNW Oy 7m Od Holywell Row: 52°22'N 0"31'E (Suffolk) 442km WNW l y 4m 14d Wibrin: 50°10'N 5°43'E (Luxembourg) Belgium Mildenhall: 52°21'N 0"31'E (Suffolk) 436km NW Oy 10m 13d Blavand Fuglestation, Oksbol: 55°33'N 8°5'E (Jylland) Denmark The Häven, Thorpeness: 52°10'N 1°36'E (Suffolk) 568km SW l y 7m l d National Park de Groote Peel, Asten: 51°20'N 5"47'E (Noord-Brabant) The Netherlands Iken Marsh, near Iken: S2°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 304km WNW l y 5m 5d Monstermyr, Flekkefjord: 58°16'N 6°33'E (VestAgder) Norway near Hollesley Heath: 52"3'N r 2 6 ' E (Suffolk) 763km SSW Oy 0m 27d Haland, Tysvaer: 59°19'N 5°30'E (Rogaland) Norway Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve: 52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) 824km SSW Oy I m 14d In addition to the above, four reports of Suffolkringed birds in Belgium were received, including one from 2003!

Linnet Y138993

181

Suffolk Bird Report 2013 Common Redpoll D390649 First-year Caught by ringer

21-10-2013 10-12-2013

Caught by ringer

17-12-2013

NOS

First-year Maie

20-09-2013

HD22637

Caught by ringer

29-10-2013

D311863

First-year Maie Caught by ringer

24-10-2013 26-11-2013

Kilnsea Clays: 53°36'N 0°8'E (Humberside) Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve: 52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) 131km S Oy I m 19d Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve: 52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) 131km S Oy I m 26d Store Faerder, Tjome: 59°4'N 10°32'E (Vestfold) Norway Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve: 52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) 965km SW Oy I m 9d The Häven, Thorpeness: 52°10'N 1°36'E (Suffolk) Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve: 52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) 81km WNW Oy I m 2d

Snow Bunting FRP First-year Maie SY027838 Alive (colour rings seen)

29-12-2012 10-03-2013

Hoverport: 50°58'N 1°53'E (Pas-de-Calais) France Shingle Street: 52°1'N 1°26'E (Suffolk) 121km NNW Oy 2m 9d The only foreign recovery report for the county and our first from France.

Reed Bunting L117587 First-year Caught by ringer

14-02-2010 27-08-2013

Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Thornham: 52°57'N 0°35'E (Norfolk) 111km NW 3y 6m 13d

Brent Geese Orfordness Richard Allen

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182

List of Contributors

List of Contributors Whilst every effort has been made t o make this list as comprehensive as possible, some observers names may have been inadvertently o m i t t e d . If your c o n t r i b u t i o n has not been acknowledged, please accept my sincere apologies. It is d o u b t f u l t h a t ail those w h o only s u b m i t t o Birdtrack will feature here.

S & B A b b o t t , D Adelson, P Aldous, K Alexander, P R Allard, A Allen, L Allen, N A n d r e w s , R A t t e n b o r r o w , C G and J Ayers.

S Babbs, C Baines, D E Balmer, T Bamber, R Baptiste, P J Barker, I Barthorpe, B Baston, G Batchelor, D R Beamish, R Bell, M Bellward, M Biddle, R Biddle, S Biddle, J H Bingley, BINS, Birdline East Anglia, Birdguides, Birdtrack (thousands), S Bishop, D Borderick, G Bowen, W J Brame, G B Brown, J Brown, BTO Thetford, M Buckingham, B Buffery, P Burman, 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, G Cavey, D Cawdron, R Chittenden (Birdline East Anglia),T Churchyard, N A and J A Clark, F A Clements, B T C Coates, J Coleman, R Conner, G Conway, R Coombes, T Corcoron, C Cornish, M L Cornish, A Cottee, C Courtney, D Craven, D Crawshaw, N Crouch, M Crowley, J Cyprus.

C Darby, P J Dare, G Davies, J Davies, G Dawson, S Dean, M Deans, P Dolton, D Dorling, A Dove, A Drake, R Drew, R Duncan, G Durrant.

A C Easton, D Eaton, M A Eaton, P Eele, M Ellis, P Etheridge, R Etheridge, J Evans, L G R Evans, J Evans, A Excell.

B Fair, R Fairhead, D Fairhurst, M Fairley, C Farrell, A R Farrar, J Ferguson, M Forbes, Forest Enterprise, S Fryett, C Fulcher, R Fuller.

J Gibbs, G i p p i n g Valley Birders, J Girling, J Glazebrook, S G o d d a r d , M Gooch, A Goodall, R G o o d e r h a m , A Gooding, S Gough, P Gowen, S Graham, J H Grant, A Green, D J Green, P D Green, A M Gregory, C Gregory, L Gregory, A Gretton, G Grieco.

I Hambleton, P Hambling, R H a m m o n d , A Harriss, B Harrington, B and M Hart, C Hartwell, R Harvey, G Hawes, D Hayward, C Herrington, C Hewson, J Higgott, P Hobbs, R Hoblyn, C Holden, C Holt, S J Holloway, A L Holmes, P J Holmes, R Holmes, P Holness, M R H o p t o n , S H o r w e l l , A H o w e , S V Howell, T J Humpage.

C Ireland, M Ixer.

E Jackson, C Jacobs, C J Jakes, S Jarvis, G J Jobson, R Johnson, S Juneau.

E Keeble, M Kemp, P Kennerley, J Kennerley, T Kerridge, A Kettle, A King, E King.

P C Lack, Lackford Lakes Log, Lackford Ringing Group, Landguard Bird Observatory, D Langlois, J Lansdell, 0 Last, Lavenham Bird Club, I Leeks, J Levene, N Lloyd, C Lodge, N Loth, D Lowe, Lowestoft Lounge Lizards, E Lucking.

T McGeever, H Maclean, J H Marchant, D Marsh, E Marsh, M Marsh, N Marsh, R Marsh, N J Mason, J M Maskell, T Mayhew, S Mayson, Mickle M e r e Log, A Miller, M Miller, S Minns, M i n s m e r e RSPB, G MoatesC M o o r e , D M o o r e , S M o o r e , N J M o r a n , M Morely, J M o u n t a i n , J Mousely, C M u t i m e r , 183

Suffolk Bird Report 2013 P W M u r p h y , A Musgrove, M M u t t i t .

A Nairn, P N a p t h i n e , National Trust Orfordness, Natural England, A Needle, P Nixon, S Nixon, S Noble, N o r t h W a r r e n RSPB, M Nowers.

N Odin, K Offord, M Offord, P Oldfield, Orfordness Report, J Owen.

R Parfitt, P Parker, S Patmore, E Patrick, B Pearson, D J Pearson, D Pearsons, S Pedley, M F Peers, G Pettingale, D Phillips, A Pike, S H Piotrowski, S P Piotrowski, R Plowman, M P Pratt, K Puttick.

A Rafinski, G Rankin, J Rankin, J D K Rankin, P J Ransome, A Rayner, H Read, P Read, S Read, G Reeder, S Rendall-Read, J Richardson, M Riley, A Riseborough, D Roberts, R Rolph, D Rothery, J A Rowlands, RSPB Lakenheath, R D Ruffell, C Ruffles.

I Salkeld, S Satchell, P Shaw, D Sheppard, N Sherman, N Sillett, N Sills, D Sivyer, T Skerl, N Skinner, O Slessor, B J Small, K Smith, P Smith, R Stewart, W Stone, T Stopher, B Stuckey, R G Stewart, Suffolk W i l d l i f e Trust, W Sutherland, M Swindells.

M Taylor, B T h o m p s o n , M J T h o m p s o n , D Thurlow, D Tomlinson, L Townsend, J Trew, C N Tricker, Trimley Marshes SWT. D K Underwood, J Underwood.

K Verlander, P Vincent, N Vipond, R Vonk.

J W a l d r o n , R W a i d e n , D F Walsh, G D J Walsh, J Walsh, J Walshe, J D Warnes, S Waters, R Weale, L H Weeks, I Whitaker, D W h i t e , P Whittaker, P Wilson, R W i l t o n , D G W o o d a r d , B W o o d h o u s e , L G Woods, M T W r i g h t , R M W r i g h t .

J Zantboer.

/

184

Gazetteer

Gazetteer This gazetteer gives locations for sites listed in t h e main checklist section of this issue of Suffolk Birds. The i n t e n t i o n is t o make it easier for newcomers t o birdwatching, or those less familiar w i t h t h e county, t o be able t o locate sites. Specific sites are given a six-figure reference w h e r e appropriate; larger sites are given a four-figure reference for t h e 1km square in w h i c h they are situated.

Whilst a c o m p l e t e list of all sites w o u l d obviously be of most use, it w o u l d of necessity, be very long. Therefore, it does not, in general, contain parish names, which are easily located by reference t o a standard road map.

Aldeburgh Town Marshes Aide Estuary Aldringham Common Aldringham Walks Alton Water Ampton Water Barham Pits Barnhamcross Common Barsham Marshes Barton Mere Belle Vue Gardens, Lowestoft Benacre Broad Benacre Pits Bentley Berner's Heath Blundeston Marshes Blyth Estuary Botany Bay Bowbeck Boxford Boyton Marshes Brackenbury Cliff, Felixstowe Brent Eleigh Breydon Water Bromeswell Carlton Marshes Campsea Ashe Castle Marshes Cattawade Marshes Cavenham Heath Cavenham Pits Christchurch Park, Ipswich Cobbold's Point Combs Lane Water Meadows Cornard Mere Corton railway line Corton sewage works Cosford Hall, Hadleigh Cove Bottom Covehithe Broad Deben Estuary Dingle Marshes Dunwich Heath Eastbridge

TM450560 TMB957-4450 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 TM013446 TM4979 TM524808 TM2850-3238 TM4872 TM4768 TM452660

East Lane, Bawdsey Easton Broad Elveden Erwarton Bay Euston Lake/Park Fagbury Cliff Falkenham Marshes Felixstowe Ferry Fisher Row Flixton GP Foxhole Heath Fressingfield Fritton Decoy/Lake Frostenden Gedgrave Marshes Gifford's Hall Gipping Great Wood Glemsford Groton Gunton Warren Hardwick Heath Hare's Creek, Shotley Haughley Park Havergate Island Hazlewood Marshes Hengrave Hall Hen Reedbeds Herringfleet Marshes Herringswell Hinderclay Fen Holbrook Bay Holywells Park, Ipswich Homersfield Gravel Pits Icklingham Plains llketshall St Lawrence Ipswich Golf Course Ipswich Wet Dock Kedington Kentwell Hall, Long Melford Kessingland Levels Kessingland sewage works King's Fleet King's Forest, The Kirton Creek

185

TM354401 TM518794 TL8279 TM2333 TL9079 TM270346 TM3138 TM3237 TM507927 TM3187 TL735776 TM260775 TM4800 TM4781 TM410480 TM0137 TM075625 TL8348 TL9642 TM5495 TL854625 TM 244360 TM000620 TM4147 TM435573 TL824686 TM470770 TM468977 TL7169 TM025788 TM1733 TM175435 TM287855 TL7573 TM3883 TM207433 TM 169439 TL7046 TL863479 TM530850 TM533857 TM310379 TL8173 TM292417

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Knettishall Heath Lackford Lakes Lake Lothing Lakenheath Fen Lakenheath Warren Lakenheath Washes Landguard Lavenham railway walk Layham pits Leathes Ham Leiston Abbey Levington Creek Levington Marina Lineage Wood, Lavenham Livermere Lake Long Melford churchyard Long Melford sewage works Loompit Lake Lound Waterworks Lowestoft Harbour Market Weston Fen Martlesham Creek Mayday Farm Mickle Mere Middleton Minsmere Minsmere Levels Mutford Needham 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 Common, Bungay Oulton Broad Oxley Marshes Pakefield Beach Pakenham Fen Peewit Hill Pipps Ford Potter's Bridge Puttockshill Ramsey Wood Ramsholt Marshes Redgrave and Lopham Fen Redgrave Lake Reydon Marshes Santon Downham

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 TL818878

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 Common Sutton Heath Tangham Temple Bridge, Cavenham Theberton Grange Thetford Heath Thorington Street Reservoir Thorpeness Common Thorpeness Meare Tinker's Marshes Trimley Marshes Trinity Hall Farm, Moulton Tuddenham Heath Tuddenham St Martin Ufford Und ley Upper Abbey Farm, Leiston Walberswick NNR Waldingfield airfield Waldringfield Pit Walpole Wangford Warren Westleton Heath West Stow Country Park Westwood Lodge Westwood Marshes Wetherden Weybread GPs Wherstead Strand Wilford Bridge Wolves Wood Wordwell Workhouse Green

186

TL6784 TM0338 TM365425 TM248350 TM3043 TM4763 TM464555 TM5177 TM460850 TM510769 TM 500754 TM292428 TM3650 TM3961 TM1359 TM 1032-2433 TL7452 TM254388 TM 133330 TM4553 TM 120485 TM3247 TM308478 TM355485 TL758728 TM438652 TL845800 TM012352 TM475604 TM4659 TM484760 TM2635 TL693651 TL7472 TM1948 TM300525 TL6981 TM453646 TM4674 TL8943 TM274438 TM3674 TL758842 TM4569 TL800713 TM465737 TM4773 TM0062 TM2481 TM 173408 TM291501 TM055440 TL828720 TL9037

Earliest and Latest Dates of Summer Migrants 2013

EARLIEST AND LATEST DATES OF SUMMER MIGRANTS 2013 ARRIVALS Date

DEPARTURES Locality

Date

Locality

Garganey

M a r 25th M i n s m e r e

Oct 2 9 t h

Trimley

Osprey

Apr 7 t h

Pipps Ford

Oct 2nd

Minsmere/Westleton

Hobby

Apr 13th

Lakenheath Fen

Nov 2nd

Lakenheath Fen

Stone-curlew*

M a r 17th Cavenham Heath

Nov 16th

Little Livermere

Sep 2 9 t h

Flixton GP

Little (Ringed) Plover

M a r 18th Cattawade

Whimbrel**

(Jan 18th T h o r p e Bay, Trimley) M a r 29th Thorpeness

Oct 2 4 t h

Minsmere

W o o d Sandpiper

Apr 25th

Minsmere

Oct 2 7 t h

Trimley Marshes

Little Tern

Apr 13th

Lackford

Sep 12th

Landguard

Black Tern

Apr 25th

Livermere/Minsmere

Oct 5 t h

Lakenheath

Sandwich Tern

M a r 10th Lowestoft

Nov 10th

Thorpeness

C o m m o n Tern

M a r 11th Thorpeness

Nov 10th

Trimley Marshes

Arctic Tern

Apr 16th

Lackford

Nov 12th

Kessingland

Turtle Dove

Apr 15th

Mutford/Woodbridge/

Oct 2 4 t h

Westhorpe

Cuckoo

Apr 12th

Landguard

Oct 7 t h

Mutford

Nightjar

May 5th

Hemley

Aug 30th

Lackford

Swift

Apr 12th

Ipswich

Oct 29th

Felixstowe

Wryneck

May 29th Boyton

Sep 22nd

Easton Bavents

Sand M a r t i n

M a r 10th Lakenheath Fen

Oct 2 6 t h

Lowestoft

Swallow

Apr 8 t h

Carlton Marshes

Dec 2nd

Orford Minsmere/Landguard

Great W e l n e t h a m

House M a r t i n

Apr 8 t h

Lackford

Nov 3rd

Wood Warbler

Apr 27th

Minsmere

Aug 29th

Hollesley

Willow Warbler

Apr 8 t h

Sotterley

Oct 3 0 t h

Thorpeness

Garden W a r b l e r

Apr 18th

Lackford

Sep 7 t h

Kessingland

Lesser W h i t e t h r o a t

Apr 16th

Landguard

Oct 18th

Landguard

A l t o n Water

Oct 18th

Landguard Minsmere

C o m m o n W h i t e t h r o a t Apr 13th Grasshopper W a r b l e r

Apr 7 t h

Fisher Row

Oct 18th

Sedge W a r b l e r

Apr 13th

Lakenheath

Sep 26th

Minsmere

Reed Warbler

Apr 19th

East lane/Landguard

Oct 18th

Orfordness

Ring Ouzel

Apr 13th

Beccles

Oct 29th

Landguard

Spotted Flycatcher

M a y 6th

Great Cornard

Oct 5 t h

Kessingland

Nightingale

Apr 13th

Waldringfield

Aug 2 2 n d

Orfordness

Redstart

Apr 14th

Landguard

Oct 16th

Westleton

Whinchat

Apr 14th

Benacre

Oct 2 4 t h

Orfordness

Wheatear

M a r 19th Landguard

Nov 5 t h

Landguard

Oct 13th

Corton

Pied Flycatcher

Apr 20th

Lound

Yellow Wagtail

Apr 10th

Carlton Marshes

Nov 3rd

Landguard

Tree Pipit

Apr 13th

King's Forest

Sep 2 6 t h

Benacre

*

New arrivals not o v e r w i n t e r i n g birds

* * January bird presumably o v e r w i n t e r i n g

187

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013

A GUIDE TO RECORDING BIRDS IN SUFFOLK Introduction The f o u n d a t i o n stone of any r e p o r t is t h e data upon w h i c h it is based. Unless w e ail s u b m i t our records diligently, and in a usable f o r m , t h e n t h e Suffolk Bird Report w i l l not be a comprehensive account of t h e birds recorded in Suffolk.

The system The recording of t h e county's avifauna is t h e responsibility of t h e Suffolk Naturalists' Society, w o r k i n g in close co-operation w i t h t h e Suffolk Ornithologists' Group. The linchpins o f t h e system are t h e Recorders, w h o are t h e initial point of contact for ali records. Because of t h e v o l u m e of records in Suffolk t h e county has been divided into t h r e e areas. See t h e inside f r o n t cover for a m a p and addresses.

Observers are r e m i n d e d that Suffolk works t o Watsonian vice-county boundaries, taking in areas t h a t are n o w administered as Norfolk, Cambrldgeshire or Essex. The most significant area affected is t h a t of Lothingland, t h e n o r t h e r n limits of w h i c h f o l l o w t h e River Yare and include t h e south side of Breydon Water. W e have r e t a i n e d t h e s e originai b o u n d a r i e s as w e feel t h a t sensible c o m p a r i s o n of data can only be m a d e f r o m year t o year if t h e recording area is kept constant.

Submission of records Ali observers are requested t o s u b m i t their records monthly. We also suggest t h a t t h e f o l l o w i n g f o r m a t be f o l l o w e d : (a) Location (precise place n a m e f r o m t h e Ordnance Survey map plus parish if ambiguous). OS grid reference should be a d d e d if in any d o u b t or if r e p o r t i n g breeding locations. (b) Species (c) Date (d) N a m e and address of observer (e) Sex/age - male, iemale, j u v e n i l e etc. (f) A b u n d a n c e - c o u n t numbers, frequency, etc. (g) Type of record - dead, ringed, etc. (h) O t h e r c o m m e n t s c o n s i d e r e d relevant - b e h a v i o u r etc. In p a r t i c u l a r see t h e list b e l o w f o r p a r t i c u l a r i n f o r m a t i o n r e q u i r e d f o r each species. Ail claims of n a t i o n a l rarities should, of course, be a c c o m p a n i e d by a full description. The Recorder w i l l automatically f o r w a r d this t o t h e British Birds Rarities C o m m i t t e e (BBRC).

If s u b m i t t i n g a list of records f o r one particular site, please put ail détails at t h e t o p of t h e list and a n n o t a t e w i t h sex a n d / o r frequency. Remember, if in any d o u b t as t o t h e value of any record, please send it in!

A spreadsheet is available for s u b m i t t i n g records and can be d o w n l o a d e d f r o m t h e SOG website.

This can be sent electronically t o t h e Recorders and is a m u c h easier and quicker m e t h o d for t h e m .

W h i l s t this is n o t essential, w e w o u l d encourage ail t h o s e w h o can t o use this m e t h o d o f s u b m i t t i n g t h e i r records.

Assessment of records Ail records c o m e u n d e r t h e scrutiny of t h e Suffolk Ornithological Records C o m m i t t e e (SORC) and f o r rare or scarce species, vérification is sought - i.e. photographs, field sketches, witnesses, sound recordings (for calling or singing birds) and (most i m p o r t a n t l y ) w r i t t e n descriptions. The SORC's policy f o r vagrants, classified as national rarities, is clear; records should be channelled t h r o u g h t h e County Recorder t o be considered by t h e British

Birds Rarities C o m m i t t e e (BBRC),

w h o s e décisions are a c c e p t e d by SORC. A full list of species t h a t are considered by t h e SORC follows. The c o m m i t t e e may also request f u r t h e r détails regarding any o t h e r species t h a t , in t h e o p i n i o n of t h e c o m m i t t e e , is o u t of context in t e r m s of season, habitat or numbers.

188

A Guide to Recording Birds in Suffolk A list of records w h i c h have not been accepted for publication can be f o u n d in Appendix III and includes t h o s e w h i c h have been circulated t o t h e respective c o m m i t t e e s b u t w e r e considered unacceptable due to either t h e identification not being fully established or, m o r e rarely, a genuine mistake having been made. It does not include records still under considération.

Guide to species The f o l l o w i n g list shows ali the species recorded in t h e c o u n t y and thus this is also a checklist for Suffolk. For any species not listed, a full description w i l l be required. The list shows t h o s e species accepted i n t o Catégories A, B and C, as per t h e British O r n i t h o l o g i s t s ' U n i o n (see t h e I n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e Systematic List for more détails). Note that a large n u m b e r 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 t h a t t h e bird is of w i l d origin.

A r e m i n d e r t h a t Turtle Dove, Yellow Wagtail, Nightingale, Spotted Flycatcher, Marsh Tit and Corn Bunting have ail been moved f r o m Category 4 t o category 3 - records of ail of t h e m w o u l d be appreciated.

A r e m i n d e r t h a t Black-throated Diver and Grey Phalarope have been m o v e d f r o m 3 t o 2, especially for those seen at sea.

SOG/SORC w o u l d also like to receive any breeding records f o r t h e f o l l o w i n g species:

Kestrel,

Ringed Piover, Lapwing, Common Snipe, Curlew, Redshank, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Common Swift, Sand and House Martin (colonies), Mistle Thrush, Willow Warbler and Reed

Gull,

Bunting.

Pacific Swift is f i r m l y established on t o t h e Suffolk list in 2013.

Mute Swan Tundra (Bewick's) Swan Whooper Swan Bean Goose Tundra Taiga Pink-footed Goose Greater White-fronted Goose Greylag Goose Snow Goose Greater Canada Goose Barnacle Goose Brent Goose Dark-bellied Pale-bellied Black Brant Red-breasted Goose Egyptian Goose Ruddy Shelduck * Common Shelduck Mandarin Duck Eurasian Wigeon American Wigeon Gadwall Baikal Teal Eurasian Teal Green-winged Teal Mallard Northern Pintail Garganey Blue-winged Teal Northern Shoveler Red-crested Pochard

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 1 4 3

Common Pochard Ring-necked Duck Ferruginous Duck Tufted Duck Greater Scaup LesserScaup Common Eider King Eider Long-tailed Duck Common Scoter Velvet Scoter Bufflehead Common Goldeneye Smew Red-breasted Merganser Goosander Ruddy Duck Red-Iegged Partridge Grey Partridge Common Quail Common Pheasant Golden Pheasant Red-throated Diver Black-throated Diver Great Northern Diver White-billed Diver Northern Fulmar Cory's Shearwater Great Shearwater Sooty Shearwater Manx Shearwater Balearic Shearwater European Storm-petrel 189

3 2 2 4 3 1 3 1 3 3 3 1 4 3 3 3 2 4 3 3 4 3 3 2 3 1 4 2 2 3 3 2 2

Leach's Storm-petrel Northern Gannet Great Cormorani European Shag Great Bittern Little Bittern Black-crowned Night-heron Squacco Heron Catti e Egret Little Egret Great Egret Grey Heron Purple Heron Black Stork White Stork Glossy Ibis Eurasian Spoonbill Little Grebe Great Crested Grebe Red-necked Grebe 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 Goshawk Eurasian Sparrowhawk Common Buzzard

3 3 4 3 3 1 2 1 2 3 3 4 2 1 2 2 3 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 3 2 3 3 1 2 2 3 3

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Rough-legged Buzzard Greater Spotted Eagle Osprey Lesser Kestrel Common Kestrel Red-footed Falcon Merlin Eurasian Hobby Eleonora's Falcon Gyr Falcon Peregrine Falcon Water Rail Spotted Crake Little Crake Baillons Crake* Corncrake Common Moorhen Allen's Gallinule* Common Coot Common Crane Sandhill Crane 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 Lapwing Northern Lapwing Red Knot Sanderling Semipalmated Sandpiper 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

2 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 3 3 2 1 3 3 1 3 4 1 2

Ruff Jack Snipe Common Snipe Great Snipe Long-billed Dowitcher Eurasian Woodcock Black-tailed Godwit Bar-tailed Godwit Whimbrel Eurasian Curlew Terek Sandpiper Common Sandpiper Spotted Sandpiper Green Sandpiper Spotted Redshank Greater Yellowlegs Common Greenshank Lesser Yellowlegs Marsh Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper Common 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 Common Gull Ring-billed Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Herring Gull Yellow-legged Gull Caspian Gull Iceland Gull Glaucous Gull Great Black-backed Gull Sooty Tern Little Tern Gull-billed Tern Caspian Tern Whiskered Tern Black Tern White-winged Black Tern Sandwich Tern Lesser Crested Tern 190

3 3 4 1 1 3 4 3 4 4 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 1 1 3 4 4 1 2 2 3 3 3 3 1 2 4 1 4 3 1 1 1 3 1 4 2 4 4 3 3 3 3 4 1 4 1 1 1 3 2 4 1

Common Tern Roseate Tern Arctic Tern Common Guillemot Razorbill Black Guillemot Little Auk Atlantic Puffin Pallas's Sandgrouse* Feral Pigeon Stock Pigeon Common Wood Pigeon Eurasian Collared Dove European Turtle Dove Oriental Turtle Dove Rose-ringed Parakeet Great Spotted Cuckoo Common Cuckoo Yellow-billed Cuckoo Barn Owl Eurasian Scops Owl* Snowy Owl Little Owl Tawny Owl Long-eared Owl Short-eared Owl Tengmalm's Owl* European Nightjar Common Swift Pallid Swift Pacific Swift Alpine Swift Common Kingfisher European Bee-eater European Roller Hoopoe Eurasian Wryneck 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 Chough* Black-billed Magpie Eurasian Jay Spotted Nutcracker Eurasian Jackdaw Rook Carrion Crow Hooded Crow Common Raven Goldcrest

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 1 2 3 2 1 3 3 4 4 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 2 2 4 4 1 4 4 4 2 2 4

A Guide to Recording Birds in Suffolk Firecrest Eurasian Penduline Tit BlueTit Great Tit Crested Tit Coal Tit Willow Tit Marsh Tit Bearded Tit Greater Short-toed Lark Crested Lark Wood Lark Sky Lark Horned (Shore) Lark Sand Martin Barn Swallow House Martin Red-rumped Swallow Cetti's Warbler Long-tailed Tit Greenish Warbler Arctic Warbler Pallas' Leaf Warbler Yellow-browed Warbler Hume's Leaf Warbler Radde's Warbler Dusky Warbler Western Bonelli's Warbler Wood Warbler Common Chiffchaff Siberian Chiffchaff Willow Warbler Blackcap Garden Warbler Barred Warbler Lesser Whitethroat Common Whitethroat Spectacled Warbler Dartford Warbler Marmora's Warbler Subalpine Warbler Sardinian Warbler Lanceolated Warbler Common Grasshopper Warbler River Warbler Savi's Warbler Olivaceous Warbler Booted Warbler Icterine Warbler Melodious Warbler

3 1 4 4 2 4 2 3 3 2 1 4 4 3 4 4 4 2 3 4 2 1 2 3 1 2 2 1 3 4 2 4 4 4 3 4 4 1 3 1 2 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 2

Aquatic Warbler Sedge Warbler Paddyfield Warbler Blyth's Reed Warbler Marsh Warbler Eurasian Reed Warbler Great Reed Warbler Bohemian Waxwing Wood Nuthatch Eurasian Treecreeper Short-toed Treecreeper Winter Wren Common Starling Rosy Starling White-throated Dipper White's Thrush Ring Ouzel Common Blackbird Fieldfare Song Thrush Redwing Mistle Thrush Spotted Flycatcher European Robin Thrush Nightingale Common Nightingale Bluethroat Siberian Blue Robin Red-flanked Bluetail Black Redstart Common Redstart Whinchat Stonechat Siberian Stonechat Isabelline Wheatear Northern Wheatear Pied Wheatear Desert Wheatear White-crowned Wheatear (White-tailed Wheatear) Red-breasted Flycatcher Collared Flycatcher Pied Flycatcher Hedge Accentor Alpine Accentor House Sparrow Spanish Sparrow Eurasian Tree Sparrow Yellow Wagtail Blue-headed Wagtail

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 1 3 4 1 4 1 3 3 3

Grey-headed Wagtail Black-headed Wagtail Ashy-headed Wagtail Citrine Wagtail Grey Wagtail Pied Wagtail White Wagtail Richard's Pipit Blyth's Pipit Tawny Pipit Olive-backed Pipit Tree Pipit Meadow Pipit Red-throated Pipit Rock Pipit Water Pipit Chaffinch Brambling European Serin European Greenfinch European Goldfinch Eurasian Siskin Common Linnet Twite Lesser Redpoll Common (Mealy) Redpoll Arctic Redpoll Two-barred Crossbill Common Crossbill Parrot Crossbill Trumpeter Finch Common Rosefinch Eurasian Bullfinch Hawfinch Snow Bunting Lapland Longspur Lark Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Pine Bunting Yellowhammer Ciri Bunting Ortolan Bunting Rustie Bunting Little Bunting Yellow-breasted Bunting Reed Bunting Black-headed Bunting Corn Bunting

3 1 2 1 3 4 3 2 1 2 2 3 4 2 3 3 4 3 2 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 1 3 2 1 2 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 4 2 2 2 2 1 4 1 3

* 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 Ail 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.

191

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013

Rare Birds in Suffolk 2013 David

Walsh

Accepted BBRC Records 2013 Black Stork Ciconia nigra: W e s t l e t o n Heath, t w o , adults, M a y I s t (K D Offord).

Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes:

Havergate Island RSPB, adult/first-summer, April 2 0 t h and 21st

(R Straton et al.).

Pacific Swift Apus pacificus. Bawdsey, May 2 9 t h (N Mason, J and M M o u n t a i n ) ; p r e s u m e d same Trimley Marshes LNR, June 15th t o 16th (J Rankin et al.).

Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor: Aldringham Walks, Leiston, first-winter, September 15th t o 23rd (P and R Burman, J H Grant et al.).

Savi's Warbler Locustella luscinioides: M i n s m e r e , male in song, May 12th t o June 9 t h ( M Fairley, J Rankin et al.). Lakenheath Fen, male in song, May 25th t o June 7 t h (P J Dolton, M . S. Rayment, R L Smith et al.). Near Hares Creek, Shotley, adult, 11th June (J A Glazebrook).

Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus. Sizewell, October 14th t o 17th (C A Holt et al.).

Siberian Stonechat SaxĂ­cola maurus: Trimley Marshes LNR, first-winter, October 1st t o 8 t h (P J Holmes et al.).

Two-barred Crossbill Loxia leucoptera: Havergate Island, t w o , juveniles, July 20th (D Fairhurst et al.).

Record 'held' at BBRC Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans:

Landguard, male, April 26th t o 2 7 t h (P Holmes et al.).

2013 Special case: Great Bustard Otis tarda: Lavenham, i m m a t u r e / s u b - a d u l t male, Apr 17th (G Carter, N Oliver, R Rush per Suffolk recorder). Released Salisbury Plain 2011, lost b o t h w i n g tags in first year. Flew o f f south. Probably same bird seen in Essex on April 23rd 2013.

192

Index of Speeles

Alphabetical Index of Species Accounts - Common Names Alpine Swift American Golden Piover American Wigeon Arctic Redpoll Arctic Skua Arctic Tern Avocet Baird's Sandpiper Balearic Shearwater Barn Owl Barnacle Goose Barred Warbier Bar-tailed Godwit Bean Goose Bearded Tit Bee-eater Bewick's Swan Bittern Black Kite Black Redstart Black Stork Black Tern Black-throated Diver Blackbird Blackcap Black-headed Gull Black-necked Grebe Black-tailed Godwit Black-winged Stilt Bluethroat Blue Tit Blue-winged Teal Brambling Brent Goose Buff-breasted Sandpiper Bullfinch Buzzard Canada Goose Carrion Crow Caspian Gull Cattle Egret Cetti's Warbier Chaffinch Chiffchaff Citrine Wagtail Coal Tit Collared Dove Crossbill Common Crane Common Gull Common Rosefinch Common Sandpiper Common Scoter Common Tern Coot

-

-

1S1 98 103 83 -

67 112 49 132 90 46 126 115 45 69 -

140 72 101 65 136 131 104 74 89 -

140 125 -

148 49 -

151 79 48 123 108 70 129 147 131 -

125 111 151 82 106 -

92 60 102 81

Cormorani Corn Bunting Corncrake Cory's Shearwater Crossbill Cuckoo Curlew Curlew Sandpiper Dartford Warbier Dipper Dotterei Dunlin Dunnock Dusky Warbier Eider Egyptian Goose Ferai Pigeon Ferruginous Duck Fieldfare Firecrest Fulmar Gadwall Gannet Garden Warbier Garganey Glaucous Gull Glossy Ibis Goldcrest Golden Pheasant Golden Oriole Golden Piover Goldeneye Goldfinch Goosander Goshawk Grasshopper Warbier Great Black-backed Gull Great-crested Grebe Great Egret Greater Yellowlegs Great Grey Shrike Great Northern Diver Great Reed Warbier Great Skua Great Snipe Great-spotted Woodpecker Great Tit Green Sandpiper Green-winged Teal Green Woodpecker Greenfinch Greenish Warbier Greenshank Grey Heron Grey Partridge 193

68 154 81 66 151 112 91 87 133 136 85 88 143 -

59 51 110 58 137 124 66 53 68 132 56 109 72 124 65 120 85 62 148 63 78 133 110 73 71 -

121 65 134 99 -

117 125 92 54 116 148 129 93 71 64

Grey Phalarope Grey Plover Grey Wagtail Greylag Goose Gull-billed Tern Guillemot Hawfinch Hen Harrier Herring Gull Hobby Honey Buzzard Hooded Crow Hoopoe House Martin House Sparrow Hume's Warbler Iceland Gull Icterine Warbler Isabelline Shrike Jack Snipe Jackdaw Jay Kentish Plover Kestrel Kingfisher Kittiwake Knot Lapland Longspur Lapwing Leach's Petrel Lesser Black-backed Gull Lesser Grey Shrike Lesser Redpoll Lesser Scaup Lesser-spotted Woodpecker Lesser Whitethroat Lesser Yellowlegs Linnet Little Auk Little Bunting Little Egret Little Grebe Little Gull Little Owl Little (Ringed) Piover Little Stint Little Tern Long-billed Dowitcher Long-eared Owl Long-tailed Duck Long-tailed Skua Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Mandarin Duck

96 85 145 48 -

100 152 77 107 119 74 123 115 128 143 -

109 134 -

96 122 122 -

117 115 104 86 152 86 67 107 121 150 -

117 132 94 149 100 -

70 73 105 113 84 87 101 -

113 59 98 129 121 54 51

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013 Manx Shearwater Marsh Harrier Marsh Sandpiper Marsh Tit Marsh Warbler Meadow Pipit Mealy Redpoll Mediterranean Gull Melodious Warbler Merlin Mistle Thrush Montagu's Harrier Moorhen Mute Swan Night Heron Nightingale Nightjar Nuthatch Olive-backed Pipit Ortolan Bunting Osprey Oystercatcher Pacific Golden Plover Pallas's Warbler Pallid Swift Parrot Crossbill Pectoral Sandpiper Penduline Tit Peregrine Pheasant Pied Flycatcher Pied Wagtail Pink-footed Goose Pintail Pochard Pomarine Skua Puffin Purple Heron Purple Sandpiper Quail Radde's Warbler Raven Razorbill Red Kite Red-backed Shrike Red-breasted Flycatcher Red-breasted Goose Red-breasted Merganser Red-crested Pochard Red-flanked Bluetail Red-footed Falcon Red-legged Partridge Red-necked Grebe Red-necked Phalarope

67 76 -

126 134 146 150 106 -

118 138 78 81 45 -

139 114 135 -

80 83 -

129 -

151 87 124 119 64 140 145 47 55 58 97 99 72 88 64 130 123 99 75 120 140 156 63 156 140 118 64 74 96

Red-rumped Swallow Redshank Redstart Red-throated Diver Red-throated Pipit Redwing Reed Bunting Reed Warbler Richard's Pipit Ring Ouzel Ring-billed Gull Ringed Plover Ring-necked Duck Robin Rock Pipit Roller Rook Roseate Tern Rose-ringed Parakeet Rosy Starling Rough-legged Buzzard Ruddy Duck Ruddy Shelduck Ruff Rustic Bunting Sabine's Gull Sand Martin Sanderling Sandwich Tern Savi's Warbler Scaup Sedge Warbler Semipalmated Sandpiper Serin Shag Shelduck Shore Lark Short-eared Owl Short-toed Lark Shoveler Siberian Stonechat Siskin Skylark Slavonian Grebe Smew Snipe Snow Bunting Snow Goose Song Thrush Sooty Shearwater Sparrowhawk Spoonbill Spotted Crake Spotted Flycatcher

194

129 94 141 65 146 137 153 134 146 136 107 84 -

139 147 -

122 103 120 136 79 64 156 89 -

104 128 86 102 133 59 134 -

148 69 51 127 114 -

57 142 149 127 74 62 97 152 155 137 67 78 73 81 138

Spotted Redshank Starling Stock Dove Stonechat Stone-curlew Storm Petrel Subalpine Warbler Swallow Swift Tawny Owl Tawny Pipit Teal Temminck's Stint Tree Pipit Tree Sparrow Treecreeper Tufted Duck Turnstone Turtle Dove Twite Two-barred Crossbill Water Pipit Water Rail Waxwing Wheatear Whimbrel Whinchat Whiskered Tern White-fronted Goose White Stork White-rumped Sandpiper White-tailed Eagle Whitethroat White Wagtail White-winged (Black) Tern Whooper Swan Wigeon Willow Tit Willow Warbler Woodchat Shrike Wood Lark Wood Sandpiper Wood Warbler Woodcock Woodpigeon Wren Wryneck Yellowhammer Yellow-browed Warbler Yellow-legged Gull Yellow Wagtail

93 135 110 142 82 67 133 128 115 113 -

53 87 146 144 135 58 95 111 150 151 147 81 134 142 90 141 -

47 72 -

75 132 145 101 46 52 126 131 121 127 94 130 96 111 135 116 152 130 108 144

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013

Suffolk Ornithologists' Group f X m SOG are i The voice of Suffolk birdwatchers

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• Download a membership application form from our Website • Or write to Matthew Deans, Membership Secretary 49c Oak Hill, Hollesley, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3)V or tel: 07912 859747

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195

Su ffolk Bird Report 2013

Naturalists' Society Founded in 1929 by Claude Morley (1874-1951), t h e Suffolk Naturalists' Society pioneered the study and recording of t h e County's flora, fauna and geology, to promote a wider interest in natural history.

Recording t h e natural history of Suffolk is still one of the Society's primary objects, and members' observations are fed t o a n e t w o r k of specialist recorders for possible publication, and deposited in t h e Suffolk Biological Records Centre, jointly managed w i t h Ipswich Museums.

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MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES: SNS

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196

West Area Recorder Colin Jakes, 7 Maltward Avenue, BURY ST EDMUNDS IP33 3XN Tel: 01284 702215 Email: colin@jakes.myzen.co.uk

North-East Area Recorder Andrew Green, 17 Cherrywood, HARLESTON Norfolk IP20 9LP Tel: 07766 900063 Email: andrew@waveneyl.fsnet.co.uk

South-East Area Recorder Scott Mayson, 8 St Edmunds Close, Springfields, WOODBRIDGE, IP12 4UY Tel: 01394 385595 Email: smsuffolkbirder@gmail.com

CONTENTS Page Editorial: Nick Mason

5

W e a t h e r report: Edward Jackson

7

Review of scarce and rare birds in Suffolk in 2013: Lee Woods

9

W o r k at Boyton and Hollesley Marshes, RSPB: Aaron Howe

20

Stone-curlews in Breckland, 1985 - 2013: Malcolm

22

Wright

Red Kites breed again in Suffolk: Chris Gregory Pacific Swift 'second' for Suffolk: Jim Mountain/Jonny

24 Rankin

28

Parrot Crossbill irruption in Suffolk, 2 0 1 3 / 2 0 1 4 : Peter Kennerley

33

Two-barred Crossbills on Havergate, iuly 20th: David Fairhurst

37

Mixed P i e d / W h i t e Wagtail breeding at Shingle Street: James Kennerley/Peter

Kennerley....

38

Siberian Stonechat at Trimley Marshes: Paul Holmes

39

Eastern Subalpine Warbler at Landguard: Paul Holmes

41

The 2013 Suffolk Bird Report Introduction Systematic List

43 45

Appendices

155

Suffolk Ringing Report 2013: Simon Evans

158

List of Contributors

183

Gazetteer

185

Earliest and Latest Dates of Summer Migrants

187

A Guide to Recording Birds in Suffolk

188

Rare Birds in Suffolk 2013: David Walsh

192

Index of species:

193

ÂŁ10.00