BIRD REPORT
515
Cuckoo.—Ca. eight <$ <$ on the Reserve. Last song on July 8th. Meadow Pipits were fosterers in most areas ; there was no evidence that Reed Warbiers were. Tawny Owl.—Noticeably fewer than in 1959. Nightjar.—Ca. 20 pairs bred. Last heard on August 3rd and not seen after September 5th. Woodlark.—Six pairs bred. First song on February 21st. Except for an isolated occurrence of one on October 15th, the species was absent after August 9th. B e a r d e d Tit.—Following the exodus which was seen in autumn 1959, only very few were present on the marshes in the winter. A remarkably interesting return of birds occurred in the first few days of March and some passed through bearing Walberswick colour rings. A census taken when birds were feeding first broods showed 30 pairs ; undoubtedly there were a few other pairs but the population was still smaller than in the previous year. The carrying of food to nestlings was first seen on April 17th and last on August 28th. Concentration in the reeds near the Sluice and excited highflying (up to 3-400 ft.) began on September 18th and occurred many times up to the end of October. Attempted emigration of small groups, Aying high southwards over the dunes but returning, was often witnessed at early morning in this period. On October 6th and 17th, small groups moved off south and did not return within the next hour. An interesting occurrence was a Single bird in an eider bush 20 yards inside the wood behind the warden's bungalow, at 12.45 on September 25th, a day when there was increased activity amongst the birds on the marsh. By the end of the year, the winter population was about 75 birds. Wheatear.—Three pairs bred (one pair in 1959). Stonechat.—Three pairs bred and there was a probable fourth $ breeding. ( <J cJ of this species can be polygamous.) Whinchat.—The breeding stock was down to five certain pairs. Nightingale.—Over 40 pairs were known and the probable total was nearer 50 pairs, in an area, excluding the marsh, of ca. 1,000 acres. Seidom recorded after July 22nd. G r a s s h o p p e r Warbier.—16 pairs, none away from the marshes. Song from April 9th to August 16th. T r e e Pipit.—14 pairs. September 24th.
First arrival on April 8th, last seen on