BIRD REPORT
117
29. Shag.—One Walberswick Aug. 20 and three there Nov. 6 and 7 ; single birds at Covehithe Sept. 26th, Lowestoft, Nov. 12 and Blythburgh, Dec. 26 (MSVO, DJP, EMG). 30. Heron.—In future results of heronry counts will not be given annually but a füll count of all nests in the county will be made and reported periodically. Meantime observers are asked to send in records of any newly-established heronries. 31. Purple Heron.—An immature male found injured under power lines on Herringfleet Marshes, on Sept. 9 (HEJ). 38. Bittern.—Breeding numbers were well maintained everywhere. Ten pairs—an increase of two—nested at Minsmere. There were three winter records from West Suffolk—one which frequented a wood at Stoke by Cläre for some weeks in the winter of 1960/61 was still present on Jan 28 (WHP) ; one seen on R. Lark at Mildenhall, Dec. 17 (AG) and one on R. Stour at Long Melford, Dec. 26 (AA). 42. Spoonbill.—One on Breydon throughout winter of 1960 /61 ; two there June 21 and one July 10 and 20 (RHH). One, probably the Breydon bird, at Blythburgh, Jan. 2 to 15 ; one there Apl. 29. An immature on Southwold /Walberswick marshes between Sept. 19 and Oct. 10 (MFB, DJP, EAG, GBGB, MSVO). At Minsmere three between May 17 and 21 and one between July 2 and Aug. 7 (HEA). Probably latter bird also seen Walberswick, July 3 and 31 (DJP). 45. Mallard.—540 present at Livermere, July 23 and 290 on R. Lark, July 26 (AEV). 46. Teal.—One shot at Icklingham on Oct. 2 had been ringed as a duckling near Antwerp, Belgium on July 8, 1956 (CSL). 47. Garganey.—One pair only bred at Minsmere and there were no other breeding records in the county. Other records were : a pair at Walberswick, March 21 to 23 and single birds there March 19, Apl. 13, July 31 and Aug. 2 and at Havergate, May 12 and 13 and Aug. 25 and at Snape on Sept. 27 (HEA, RSPB, DJP). 50. Wigeon.—Summer records were : one at Minsmere, June 8 and a pair on Breydon, June 21 (HEA, RHH). 52. Pintail.—A considerable drop in numbers reported in all areas. A max. of 55 at Havergate, Jan. 2 and 20 at Minsmere up to March 25. One there Aug. 18. 90 on Breydon, Dec. 31 (RSPB, HEA, RHH).