SUFFOLK BIRD REPORT 1974 25th Year of Publication Editor W . H . PAYN

and The County Records Committee H . E . AXELL, B . J . BROWN, C . G . D . CURTIS, T H E V E N . P . H .

T.

HARTLEY, G . J . JOBSON a n d A . E . V I N E

Acknowledgements. We are as usual much indebted to the R.S.P.B, for allowing us to use records from its logs. The Editors of the Norfolk Bird Report, The Cambridge Bird Club Report, The Lowestoft Field Club Report and The Sujfolk Ornithologists' Group kindly passed on relevant records and correspondence. Suffolk Bird Reports. from the Editor.

Some back numbers are still available

6

Suffolk Natural Hütory, Vol. 17, Part 1

Transfer of parishes. A small number of parishes in the extreme north-east of the county have, under the recent reorganisation of Local Government, been transferred to Norfolk. Records from those parishes will of course no longer be included in this Report. Special Survey. Observers are particularly asked to note and report all cases of BREEDING or suspected breeding of redstart and long-eared owl during 1975 and 1976. It is also proposed to make a complete heronry count for 1976. Records for 1975 should be sent to the Editor at Härtest Place, Bury St. Edmunds (phone Härtest 224) by the end of January next. A Review of the Year Most unseasonable weather, a massive 'irruption' of roughlegged buzzards and an in-shore passage of little auks were the main features of an otherwise rather ordinary year. From January right through to the end of May the weather in Suffolk was cold, mainly dry and very sunless and following nearly two years of exceptionally low rainfall, by mid-summer drought conditions prevailed everywhere with lakes, ponds and streams very low or completely dry. Inevitably such conditions had a marked influence on wet-land species and poor breeding success among ducks and waders was widely reported. June was fine and warm but in July the weather went into reverse and the autumn and winter were wetter—and warmer— than for any similar period since records were kept. With such conditions dominant throughout much of Northern Europe the usual immigration of ducks, geese and grebes from that region was on a very minor scale though numbers of Bewick's swans from farther east were probably about average. Fewer wintering woodcock were reported. It is not clear whether the cold, sunless summer had any widespread influence on the breeding success of the smaller passerines but at Minsmere bearded tits bred less prolifically than usual. A very pronounced decrease of insectivorous birds such as redstarts, reed, sedge and grasshopper warblers, and nightingales was widely recorded. At Minsmere only half the usual number of Savi's warblers arrived and at Shotley it was thought that breeding turtle doves and sedge warblers were down by fifty per cent.

BIRD REPORT

7

It is of course now known that all these species are suffering from prolonged drought conditions in their winter quarters south of the Sahara. On the credit side six or seven pairs of grey wagtails bred or probably bred and a firecrest mated with a goldcrest at Walberswick and produced young. On the Breck tree pipits seem to be holding their own and there was a slight increase in nesting stonechats. A Cetti's warbler was identified in a new area. Among birds of prey, Suffolk marsh harriers had a disappointing season with only seven young from five nests. Kestrels are possibly slightly on the up-grade but the reverse applies to the sparrow hawk of which only one nest was known. Short-eared owls bred less well. More hobbies than usual were noted, several well into the summer, but breeding was not suspected. There was, as usual, a good tally of 'casuals'. Two new species were added to the county list—Cory's shearwater and the American wigeon. Both have been accepted by the Rarities Committee but in the case of the wigeon some doubt must naturally linger in view of the large number of waterfowl now in collections, some of which inevitably escape. Among the latter a white-faced tree-duck was recorded at Walberswick in May. Four goshawks and at least two red-footed falcons occurred and the now annual red kite again spent some weeks in the Walberswick/Westleton area. A very sedentary white Stork which spent months at Yoxford and Darsham was probably a feral bird. A Wilson's phalarope, the second record for the county of this American wader, turned up at Havergate Island, as did a lone little egret. A 'trip' of four dottereis at Minsmere was unusual. Five hoopoes, a sooty shearwater, a long-tailed skua and a gullbilled tern completed an interesting list. In all 234 species were recorded in Suffolk during the year.

Migration (Based on information supplied by H. E. Axell, B. J. Brown, R. S. Briggs, D. R. Moore, C. R. Naunton, M. Packard, J. E. L . Pemberton, D. Vaughan et al.) With exceptionally mild conditions prevailing throughout January and February little weather movement seems to have taken place. On the coast and particularly at Minsmere, a steady emigration of Corvidae was observed in early mornings during March.

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Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 17, Part 1

Other emigrants particularly noticed towards the end of the month were redwings making eastwards in misty weather and a light northward passage of chaffinches. A chiffchaff at Southwold on March 12th and a stone curlew near Bury St. Edmunds next day were the first summer migrants recorded. Generally, however, the cold spring weather, with persistent north-easterly winds—conditions which prevailed as far as southern Europe—inhibited the arrival of summer visitors and few were reported until the first small rush of swallows, sedge warblers, black caps and yellow wagtails about April 16th. A more pronounced passage, which included ring ousels, cuckoos, firecrests, wrynecks and the first pied flycatchers took place between 27th and 29th. A small number of Scandinavian rock pipits and water pipits were noted at Lowestoft at the beginning of April. More wrynecks and ring ousels were passing north at the beginning of May, though the wind was still in the north-east, and whimbrels predominated in a moderate wader movement recorded at Shotley and Walberswick. More wood warblers than usual were noted on the coast from late April onwards. Many were in füll song and tended to linger for some days before moving on. A small cross-country passage of black terns took place during the middle of the month and included a flock of 18 at Benacre. Coastal wader passage continued well into June, with ruffs, sanderlings, Temminck's and little stints, spotted redshanks and greenshanks much in evidence. Just as the arrival of our spring migrants had been delayed by adverse weather conditions, so their return southwards in autumn was probably held up by a continuous series of westerly depressions. Apart from the trickle of non-breeding waders which is always a regulär feature of the latter part of July, the first obvious migrants to come under notice were five herons in from the sea in misty weather at Walberswick on August 3rd. Little eise of note was reported until the middle of August when wheatears, whinchats, pied flycatchers, a few Sylvias and a sprinkling of immature black redstarts started to come through. Wader numbers rose and immigrant water rails were recorded at Shotley. T h e onset of anti-cyclonic weather in the last week in August produced a small fall of redstarts, the usual wheatears, an icterine and two barred warblers. September was wet and stormy. At the beginning of the month wheatears, redstarts and pied flycatchers were still Coming through

BIRD REPORT

9

and there was a moderate coastal passage of terns and waders, including a red-necked phalarope at Minsmere. Between the 13th and 15th a very marked fall of night migrants was recorded at Shotley where the hedges were fßll of blackcaps, whitethroats of both species, garden warblers and flycatchers. Whinchats also were prominent though this species was not widely reported during most of the autumn migration. T h e month ended with a continuing trickle of wheatears, the first goldcrests, many little gulls and a late swift at Pakefield. October, said to have been the coldest for sixty years, produced some o f t h e most interesting events—the arrival, ontwo days, oflarge numbers of rough-legged buzzards and the passage close inshore of storm-driven little auks. At the beginning of the month the first arrival of redwings, fieldfares and chaffinches was recorded at Lowestoft and Benacre, with bramblings, goldcrests, pied flycatchers and Phylloscopi and the odd grey wagtail a few days later and numbers of Fringillidae coasting south as is their wont. An interesting and somewhat unusual feature of this autumn passage was the number of larger birds that were seen actually making their landfall after crossing the North Sea. On Oct. 13th a short-eared owl arrived at Benacre, while a tired woodcock was seen to come in from the sea and drop into the sand-dunes at Sizewell. Next day, at Walberswick, another short-eared owl was seen Coming ashore and another woodcock made a daylight landfall at Shingle Street. On Oct. 23 rd a party of three short-eared owls came in at Minsmere, followed next day by three more which dropped down, evidently very tired, on the cliffs at Covehithe. The influx of rough-legged buzzards into Britain during October and November was on a scale never previously recorded. The majority seem to have come in over Suffolk. On October 22nd forty-five were counted within a few hours drifting southwards in small parties, over Minsmere. Two days later forty more were seen over Walberswick, moving south-west and including thirteen seen in the air together. Gales and storms had been a feature of October and it was a particularly severe northerly gale, during the last few days of the month, which drove huge and quite unprecedented numbers of little auks onto our eastern seaboard. During the next few days flocks and parties were reported heading northwards again towards their arctic wintering grounds. Flocks of several hundreds were noted off the Yorkshire coast and here in Suffolk

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Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 17, Part 1

parties of twenty or more were counted off Minsmere, Covehithe, Walberswick and Lowestoft on October 29th and 30th, with scattered records up to November 3rd. All were heading northwards. Additionally a number of 'wrecked' birds occurred on coastal broads or inland, including one, apparently uninjured, which spent several days thirty miles inland on Redgrave Lake. Among the little auks—some 18 in all—seen beating northwards off Lowestoft on October 29th were eiders, brent geese, little gulls and large numbers of waders. This northward passage continued next day. The exceptionally mild weather during the last two months of the year—December was warmer than October—encouraged a number of our summer migrants to linger well beyond their usual departure time. Besides a sprinkling of Phylloscopi and blackcaps, quite a number of swallows and house martins were recorded throughout November and on into the second week of December. Still more remarkable was the survival of a swift at Ipswich until the very cold night of December 9th. A common tern at Sizewell and turtle doves at Ipswich and Benacre lingered on well into the New Year. The remainder of the year, mild, wet and windy as it was, proved comparatively uneventful, apart from the now almost annual 'irruption' of waxwings. This however, was on a light scale in Suffolk. W.H.P. SYSTEMATIC L I S T

Records refer to single birds unless otherwise indicated. Black-throated diver.—Only reported from Minsmere where two present on Jan. 7th (AP). Great northern diver.—Minsmere, Jan. 13th (AP); Freston, Nov. 29th (AB, MM, PM). Red-throated diver.—Numbers off-shore in winter were generally low, varying between 25 and 40 in Jan./Feb., with smaller numbers in the latter months of the year. Great crested grebe.—Bred at: Ampton and Livermere, Culford, Barham, Bosmere and Bures, Weybread Pits, Homersfield, Minsmere and Holbrook Lake—a minimum of 23 pairs. Good numbers wintered on river estuaries including 45 in Holbrook Bay, R. Stour (SOG). Red-necked grebe.—R. Orwell, Freston, Jan. 19th/21st and Pinmill, Nov. lOth (MM, PM). Covehithe, July 17th (CRN).

11

BIRD REPORT

Slavonian grebe.—Pinmill, Jan./Feb. (AB, AW); Easton Broad, Mar. 17th and—same bird?—Benacre, Mar. 20th (CRN); Minsmere Oct. 21st/23rd (HEA, RHH); R. Deben, Nov. lOth (CGDC). Benacre, Nov. 14th (JRR). Black-necked grebe.—Benacre, Jan. 12th; Butley Creek, Aug. 16th (JP). Little grebe.—Reported breeding in four localities only, mainly near coast. Wintering numbers included 60/70 R. Orwell in Nov., 25 in Ipswich Docks, in Oct., 20 Trimley Lake and 21 Levington Lake and River (SOG). Manx shearwater.—Dunwich, July 7th (FKC). off Walberswick, Aug. lOth (DRM).

Three S.

Cory's shearwater Calonectris diomedea.—Off Lowestoft, Sept. 19th (DRM). What was very probably the same bird was seen heading N. off Dunwich some three-quarters of an hour earlier (FKC). NEW TO SUFFOLK. Sooty shearwater.—Minsmere, Aug. 7th (MGC, SRC). Storm petrel.—Benacre Ness, Oct. 30th (JC, HRH). Fulmar.—Present along coast in varying numbers between end Feb. and late Sept. with a max. of six together off Minsmere, May 19th (SOG) and Lowestoft, Aug. l l t h (BJB). Gannet.—Varying numbers off coast between end May and end Oct., included 15 at Minsmere on May 13th. An ad. found dead at Brightwell had swallowed a brass rod 17f ins. long (RS). Cormorant.—Recorded on coast and estuaries and inland on rivers and lakes during autumn and winter. There was also some over-summering by immature birds. High winter numbers included 80-100 on R. Orwell in Jan./Feb., 26 on R. Deben and 36 on R. Aide in Mar. and up to 60 roosting in trees at Melton, early winter. Shag.—A dozen coastal records in all, rather more than usual but some possibly referring to the same bird, between Jan. and end of year. One at Minsmere on July 3rd. Heron.—Breeding numbers probably about average but only incomplete 'counts' were received, including 38 nests on west side of county. Two prs. again bred in reedbeds at Minsmere. Observers are asked to produce a complete count for the whole of Suffolk during 1976.

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Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 17, Part l

Purple heron.—Singles—mainly imms. or sub-adults—at Minsmere on May 13th, June 19th-29th, Aug. 19th/20th and Aug. 26th/27th. One, Walberswick, May 25th. Little egret.—The only example reported was at Havergate Island, June 17th (JP). Bittern.—Bred in usual numbers on coast, including 12/14 prs. at Minsmere where booming heard between Feb. 23rd and June lOth (HEA). Elsewhere winter birds noted on R. Stour (per JFR) and Boyton (MJFJ). White Stork.—One feeding in fields in Yoxford/Darsham area from Nov. 8th and on into the New Year, was thought to be an escaped bird. Spoonbill.—Present at Minsmere between Apl. 23rd and Sept. Ist, probably ten individuals in all, mainly imms. (HEA et al)\ one, Havergate in May (JP) and over Dunwich, May 27th (DD). Teal.—An example of the American race carolinensis was recorded at Walberswick between Apl. 20th and May 5th (FKC, GJJ) and at Minsmere from May l l t h to 20th (HEA, JMA, P J M et al). It was a drake in füll dress. Garganey.—Small numbers on passage along coast from Mar. 30th. Two/three prs. probably bred Minsmere. Wigeon.—Five, inc. two females, over-summered at Minsmere. Birds much dispersed in winter owing to flooding of fields and numbers appeared rather low. A m e r i c a n wigeon.—A pair visited Minsmere during summer. Drake and duck together between May 21st and June 7th, when duck disappeared until 27th when she rejoined the drake. Then one or other seen tili July 2nd. Despite careful watch, no young were observed (HEA, PJM, AW). What was probably one of these birds was seen at Benacre on May 20th (CRN). NEW TO SUFFOLK. Pintail.—Winter population probably much as usual, with highest number—240—at Havergate in Jan. and 150 on each of Rs. Orwell and Deben in Dec. A pr. at Framlingham Mere on May 8th. Scaup.—The second winter numbers of all sea-duck were rather below average, owing to the very mild weather conditions. Parties of up to eight only on R. Orwell, coastal broads, etc.

BIRD REPORT

13

Tufted duck,—Probably increasing with thc opening up of new gravel pits which prove attractive to it during winter and possible for breeding, e.g. c. 100 on Homersfield Gravel Pit in Jan. (DRM) and 90 on West Stow Gravel Pit, Nov./Dec. (AJL). Pochard.—Breeding population on Breck considered low (SOG); scattered breeding on coastal meres and lakes, including probably Henham (S). In winter 60 plus at West Stow (AJL) c. 150 Homersfield Gravel Pit (BJB, DRM) and up to 80 off Levington, both winters (CGDC, SOG). Golden-eye. Up to 85 on R. Orwell in Jan./Feb. but numbers during second winter were much reduced everywhere. Two inland at Bury B.F. ponds, Oct. 20th (AJL). Long-tailed duck.—Three on R. Orwell early Jan. (CGDC, RStJH) and four, early April (AB); otherwise scattered reports of singles only on coastal broads and estuaries during latter months of year.

Velvet scoter.—High numbers were again present off Walberswick/Dunwich/Minsmere during June and July. These included 50 off Dunwich, June Ist (FKC, AEC), 17 (HEA) off Minsmere on June 9th, and odd birds elsewhere. In winter c. 30 off Walberswick in Dec. (ALB), and singles Havergate, Dec. (JP) and R. Deben, Nov. (CGDC). C o m m o n scoter.—Summering population off Dunwich/ Minsmere reached c. 500 during May and June. Smaller numbers in winter included one or two off Ipswich docks in Sept./Oct.

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Suffolk

Natural

History,

Vol.

17, Part

1

Eider.—Small numbers—one to four only—present on coast from Lowestoft to the Orwell throughout much of the year with peak numbers of nine at Lowestoft in April, and on the R. Orwell in Jan./Feb. and 15 off Covehithe in Feb. Red-breasted merganser.—Small numbers on coastal broads and estuaries to end Apl. and from late Sept. with majority of records during Oct.—passage birds? Goosander.—Coastal records were: four, fs. or imms., Walberswick, Feb. 12th ( F K C , AEC) and pr. Apl. 4th ( S O G ) ; Minsmere, Apl. 28th and 15 Aying south, Nov. 18th (HEA). Inland records: up to three fs. at Homersfield Gravel Pit, Jan. ( B J B , D R M ) and m. and two fs. Redgrave Lake in Dec. ( S O G , W H P et al). Smew.—Small numbers, fs. and imms., on coastal broads/ estuaries in early months only. Shelduck.—Good breeding success on coast particularly Minsmere. Inland: Framlingham Mere, May 18th (SOG), Tuddenham June 16th (RH) and up to ten ads. at Livermere, spring and summer; pr. Barham, May 4th (RJC). Egyptian g o o s e . — T h e pr. now apparently established in the Leiston area nested twice, rearing two young from second clutch (DN). Greylag goose.—Ones and twos only and probably including feral birds, on coast from Jan. to June and from Aug. 7th when six, later reduced to two, arrived at Minsmere. Also occurred at Euston and Livermere. White-fronted goose.—Two flocks of 56 and 85 present at Minsmere and Sudbourne respectively in Jan. Very few indeed in latter months of year. Pinkfooted goose.—Very few indeed on coast during both winters. B e a n goose.—Two at Minsmere Level from Dec. 20th appeared referable to the race rossicus ( F K C ) . Brent goose.—Present in good numbers—max. 500—on both Rs. Orwell and Stour tili about Mar. 22nd. A laggard at Minsmere from Apl. 30th to May 25th. Also 434 Aying south off-shore there on Nov. 23rd, but otherwise Nov./Dec. population was rather low.

BIRD REPORT

15

Barnacle goose.—Five off Benacre, Jan. 27th (AB); a single at Minsmere between Apl. 12th and May 25th (HEA, D R M ) when it joined Canada geese at Reydon (DV). One at Oulton Broad, May 2nd. Mute swan.—Widespread and possibly increasing. R. Deben (GStJH) is high for that river.

130 on

Whooper swan.—Very small numbers only, up to five, with one party of nine at Havergate, between Oct. and Dec. Bewick's swan.—Once again coastal numbers were high during both winters; sixty-five at Reydon in Feb., fifty-nine at Southwold in Jan. and up to fifty at Minsmere in Dec. Smaller herds or groups also at Boyton, Sudbourne, Shingle Street, R. Deben and Wickham Market. By contrast numbers on Breckland rivers and meres were low. Buzzard.—Coastal records were of one or two in Feb., Apl., May., July, Oct. and Nov. On the Breck singles between Jan. and May 9th and in Aug. and Nov. and three together on Feb. lOth. Rough-legged buzzard.—The three or four birds present near coast at the end of 1973 remained there until end of Feb. while two more were recorded on the Breck as late as Apl. 25th (CAEK) with another seen at Staverton next day (CGDC). Autumn brought a phenominal 'irruption' of this usually very scarce and irregulär immigrant. At Minsmere, on Oct. 22nd, five observers counted during the course of a 44 hour watch, forty-five rough-legged buzzards as they came in from the sea and headed away southwards (PG, R H H , RK et al). Two days later a further forty birds were counted over Walberswick, including thirteen seen in the air at once. These birds too passed on in a S.W. direction (CW). Single birds from these two 'arrivals' were observed at Lowestoft and heading south over Felixstowe on Oct. 22nd and 24th (FJF), but a number remained in the county, including about 10 which over-wintered in an area bounded by Benacre/Minsmere/Darsham (HEA, G L C , FKC, AEYV, GJJ). Others up to a maximum probably of two in each locality were recorded during Nov./Dec. at Oulton Broad (RSB, DRM), Sudbourne/Chillesford/Butley (RJW), Boyton/Sutton (SJB), Shotley (MP, AB), four/five at Havergate, Nov./Dec. (JP) and one at Charsfield (SOG). Inland u p to five were thought to have wintered on the Breck (CAEK, AEV, T T ) , while two 'probables' were reported at Groton on Nov. lOth (CJL).

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Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 17, Part 1

Sparrow hawk.—There was only one positive breeding record—from Minsmere—where one young was reared. The few other summer reports were from the vicinity of Breckland where undetected nesting may have taken place. Widespread winter and passage records, some 20 in all, from coastal belt and the Breck. Goshawk.—Passage birds at Minsmere, Apl. 12th/14th (HEA, JMA, PJM) and Apl. 26th (HEA), Oulton Broad, Apl. 19th (RSB) and Walberswick Nov. l l t h (JH, TB, DT) and—same bird?—Nov. 17th (RVAM). Red kite.—One at Walberswick, Feb. l l t h and 18th (AP) and another in the area Walberswick/Blythburgh/Darsham/ Hinton from about Nov. 29th until well into Jan. 1975 (many observers). Hobby.—Noted on coast, possibly 12-14 individuals in all, between May 16th and June 19th, and Aug. 12th and Nov. 2nd— the latter a very late date for the species. One report only from Breck, in late May. Merlin.—Winter and passage birds occurred in about average numbers in coastal belt and in the west, with up to three together at one or two localities. At Walberswick, on Dec. 3Ist, a male was seen to rob a sparrow hawk of its prey (DRM). Red-footed falcon.—Minsmere, May 2nd (PJM) and hawking insects with black-headed gulls, May 19th (HEA, PJM). Kestrel.—Breeding population remains very low. Fair winter and passage numbers including five together at Boyton on Apl. 8th. Marsh harrier.—Bred with much less success than in previous year viz: a bigamous male and two females at Minsmere reared only three young, from one nest. Another pair nested unsuccessfully. Elsewhere another pr. reared three young at second attempt after first nest had been forsaken owing to human disturbance. Male bird of this successful nest was still feeding young on Sept. 8th. One other pair reared one young. Odd birds, mainly females and imm. males irregularly on coast during summer, autunin and winter with one adult male at Walberswick in Dec. H e n harrier.—Winter and passage birds were recorded in usual numbers both on coast and Breck to Apl. 29th and from Oct. 6th.

17

BIRD REPORT

Montagu's harrier. A male and female together at Minsmere Apl. 28th and another male, May 6th (HEA). A female, Walberswick, May 20th (DRM, FKC); in Breckland a pr. displaying, May 29th (CRN) and a male and female irregularly on various dates between June Ist and 22nd (RWHG, TT). Osprey.—Minsmere, May 18th and 26th/31st (HEA) and one at Sudbourne, May 19th, seen eating a fish in a road-side tree (GHO). In autumn one at Havergate, Sept. 5th (JP) and what was possibly the same bird seen that day Aying across the Orwell to Shotley and then away inland (RMB, MM, PM).

Red-legged partridge Partridge

Quail.—Knettishall, Apl. Aug. 18th (GLC, CRN).

'Thanks to fine weather at hatching time both species did well in most areas. Fifteen large coveys of grey partridge present in an area of some 300 acres round Risby. A covey of 43 red-legs counted at Fornham in Oct. 13th

(SOG)

and

Walberswick,

Pheasant.—The population of wild pheasants was well above average in most places. Golden pheasant.—Present in small numbers in many Breckland localities. Nine seen together at Lakenheath. Water rail.—Thinly distributed as resident or winter visitor in suitable habitat. Düring winter one spent eight weeks in a garden in the centre of Felixstowe where it foraged round a pond and on lawn and kitchen garden. It was frequently heard calling (FJF). Spotted crake.—One found dead, Blaxhall, Oct. 3rd (SOG). Coot.—Widespread, with high summer and winter population including 247 at Thorington St. Reservoir in Nov. (AB). Ringed plover.—Passage birds of the arctic race tundrae occurred at Ness Point, Lowestoft in Sept. and Nov. (BJB). Little ringed plover.—Three prs. bred near coast and four at usual sites inland. Passage ads. and imms. inland and on coast up to end Sept.

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Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 17, Part 1

Kentish plover.—At Minsmere Mar. 29th and May 12th, 21st/22nd and June 4th. Singles at Havergate Island irregularly during summer. Grey plover.—Present on coast but mainly at Minsmere, in every month except July. A few in füll dress in May and on June 22nd. Noted also on passage and in winter up to a max. of 200 on Rs. Stour and Orwell. Dotterel.—One assuming summer plumage, Martlesham, May 7th (RS, AW, DW) and four on arable field at Minsmere, May 16th (EF). Turnstone.—Noted up to mid-May when a number at Ness Point were in breeding dress. Average autumn passage to midOct. with scattered wintering birds. Snipe.—Ninety at Framlingham in Jan. (SOG) and 170 at Minsmere, end Nov. (GJJ), are high numbers for present day. Jack snipe.—More than usual recorded, including eight in a small area at Bourne Bridge in March. Last noted in spring on May 4th; first in autumn Oct. 5th. Woodcock.—Breeding population was probably about average but number of winter immigrants was low as a result of mild weather in eastern Europe. Whimbrel.—Spring and autumn passage was light with first record on Apl. 20th and last on Nov. 5th. Black-tailed godwit.—No breeding took place, probably owing to heavy grazing of former nesting locality. High passage numbers in spring and autumn, with 230 roosting at Minsmere in mid-Apl. (HEA), a peak of 75 at Havergate in Aug. (JP) and 950 on R. Stour in mid-Sept. (Stour Grp). Bar-tailed godwit.—A good spring passage included 84 at Minsmere on Apl. 23rd and 15 inland at West Stow Gravel Pit on Apl. 28th (SOG). Winter numbers low everywhere. Green sandpiper.—A light spring and autumn passage with fewer and less widespread winter records. Wood sandpiper.—A migration.

notably light

spring and

autumn

BIRD REPORT

19

C o m m o n sandpiper.—Possibly over-summered in Southwold area (DV). One at Levington to Dec. 27th (MM, PM). A flock of 17 seen to come into Benacre Broad in evening Aug. 6th (DRM). Spotted redshank.—Present on coast throughout year but numbers generally low. G r e e n s h a n k . — A rather light spring passage from mid-Apl. to late June and then on return from mid-July to Nov. 16th. Only ones and twos in most areas, with a max. of five at Minsmere in August. Noted inland at Redgrave in Apl. and Bury B.F. ponds in Aug./Sept. Knot.— Passage and winter numbers generally low. Purple sandpiper.—More over-wintered than for many years. One of two over-wintering birds at Minsmere remained until Apl. 28th. U p to nine or ten wintered at Ness Point. Also occurred at Southwold, Shingle Street, Felixstowe and Minsmere between Oct. and end of year. Little stint.—Small numbers only on passage from Mar. 30th— early—to latter end of June. Then from mid-July to Nov. lOth. T e m m i n c k ' s stint.—An unusually pronounced spring passage was noted at Minsmere from May 12th to June 2nd with one or two birds on most dates and four daily between 13th and 18th. None occurred in autumn. Pectoral sandpiper.—Minsmere: June 6th/7th and 14th/30th (HEA, J M A , P J M , G J J et al).

Sept.

C u r l e w sandpiper.—Small numbers only in spring to late June. In autumn a peak of 65 at Havergate in Aug. Last noted on Sept. 15th. S a n d e r l i n g . — A small coastal passage from mid-May to June 25th and from mid-July to Nov. 23rd, highest number being 11 at Minsmere on Oct. 29th. T h e usual wintering birds at Lowestoft and elsewhere. Ruff.—Very little display was noted among spring passage birds at Minsmere. A light autumn migration to mid-Nov. Eight recorded inland at Bury B.F. ponds on Aug. 3Ist ( D D

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Suffolk Natural Iiistory, Vol. 77, Part 1

Avocet.—Ninety-eight prs. bred at Havergate but fledged only six young. At Minsmere thirty-five prs. bred, of 40 prs. originally present, and produced 58 young. Some clutches were destroyed by coots, moorhens and oyster catchers (HEA). Two ads. and three young were seen at another locality (GBH). One seen inland at Bures, Sept. 4th (KTB). A few birds remained on coast tili mid-Nov. Grey phalarope.—Bulcamp Marsh, Oct. 23rd (S). Red-necked phalarope.—Minsmere, Aug. lOth and Sept. 5th/7th. Walberswick, Aug. 20th/26th. Wilson's phalarope.—Havergate Island, July 25th to Aug. 8th (JP et al). Stone Curlew.—Four breeding prs. only were located on coast. Insufficient information was received to make an accurate assessment of Breckland breeding numbers though 12 to 15 prs. were known. Arctic skua.—It was a poor year for this species. Only noted between May 19th and end of June and from July 20th to Oct. 26th. Highest numbers occurred Aug./Sept. Great skua.—Sizewell, Oct. 14th (JCH, SFH) and two, Southwold, Aug. 26th (TWG, JMG). P o m a r i n e skua.—Walberswick, Aug. Ist (JRR), Benacre, Oct. 6th (DRM) and Ness Point, Lowestoft, Oct. lOth (JRR). Long-tailed skua. A first summer bird at Minsmere, Aug. 24th (HEA, PJM, AW et al). Great black-backed gull.—Small numbers on coast in winter and a thin passage in spring and autumn. Only imms. present May/July. Sixty counted at West Stow on Nov. 3rd (AJL). L e s s e r black-backed gull.—Up to 200 at Minsmere in early March, with some display later. Six ads. of the Scandinavian race occurred there on June Ist (HEA). Herring gull.—The breeding colony of this and the previous species on Orfordness was not reported on. A few prs. of both species were located breeding on islands in R. Aide (RJC). Glaucous gull.—A number of imms. were recorded rather irregularly during the year between Lowestoft and Minsmere. One or two were thought to have over-yeared.

BIRD REPORT

21

Iceland gull.—An imm. at Ness Point, Jan. 16th (BJB), an adult Minsmere, Oct. 8th (HEA). N.B. The attention of observers is drawn to a paper in British Birds 68:1:24 which indicates that hybridization between herring and glaucous gulls is regulär in Iceland and that plumage features alone are not sufficiently distinct to separate with certainty immature examples of glaucous and Iceland gulls. Mediterranean gull.—Minsmere, Apl. 16th and 22nd (HEA), Covehithe, Aug./Nov. (FKC, RVAM). Little gull.—Noted on coast irregularly from Mar. to Nov. Numbers were at times high, with majority immature. First of latter noted at Minsmere on Mar. 13th with three to seven daily from mid-May to mid-July, two to six in Aug. and one to three irregularly during Oct. Single adults occurred in Apl., June and Nov., and four adults with one or two juvs. during Sept. Regulär at Lowestoft, mainly imms., during late summer and autumn but odd ads. from July 27th including c. seven ads. with thirteen imms. on Sept. 29th. Smaller numbers to end of month, and two/three at Lowestoft/Pakefield until Oct. lOth. Single imms. elsewhere, e.g. Easton and Walberswick, in May and June. An imm. inland at Bury B.F. ponds on Aug. 26th. Black-headed gull.—Bred at Havergate, 1,500 prs.; Minsmere, 450 prs. and R. Blyth c. 40 prs. The colony at the Bury B.F. ponds was not reported on. Sabine's gull.—Walberswick, Aug. 18th (PT, MW) was only record. Kittiwake.—At Lowestoft the breeding colony has now spread to St. John's Church and to the Yacht Club as well as South Pier. Some 40 young were reared by that number of prs. (BJB). Small numbers elsewhere on coast irregularly during year. Black tern.—A rather light spring passage with the first record inland at Felsham on Apl. 23rd (JCW) and five at Livermere, May 16th (CAEK). Small numbers on coast tili late May included 18 at Benacre, May 17th (RSB). Autumn passage extended from July 20th to Oct. 6th, highest number being 12 at Havergate on Aug. 3Ist (JP). Gull-billed tern.—Sizewell, May lOth (MAH, DN).

22

Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 17, Part 1

Common tern. Bred well at Havergate and Minsmere. Two occurred inland at Bury B.F. ponds, Aug./Sept. (AJL). One off Sizewell atomic Station throughout Nov./Dec. and well on into 1975. Arctic tern.—A pr. bred unsuccessfully at Havergate (JP) at Minsmere a male mated with a common tern, but nest lost (HEA). More passage birds than usual noted between Apl. and mid-Sept., including nine at Lowestoft on Sept. (BJB, DRM).

and was late llth

Roseate tern.—Recorded only from Minsmere where one occurred on Jiily lOth (JFD), two on Sept. 13th and one the following day (HEA). Little tern.—Some thirty-two prs. bred at five coastal sites. Two noted inland at Weybread Pits, Aug. 6th (SOG). Sandwich tern.—Breeding took place at Havergate, where many young were devoured by gulls, and at Minsmere where 750 prs. reared some 600 young. fFewer than usual were reported during May, Razorbill | Sept. and Oct., the majority being, as usual, Guillemot oiled casualties. Little auk.—Exceptional numbers were driven inshore onto the east coast of Britain following severe gales at the end of Oct. and many reached the Suffolk shore. On Oct. 29th parties of up to 20 strong were counted off Minsmere (HEA), Covehithe (HRH), Dunwich (FKC) and Lowestoft (BJB), all heading north. More occurred next day, including 12 at Walberswick (FKC) and 18 in all at Lowestoft (BJB), with one or two still passing off-shore until Nov. 3rd. All were heading northwards. A few were driven inland, including one on the 'Island mere' at Minsmere, one at Saxmundham (HEA), one at Benacre (GJJ, D R M et al) and a straggler which spent several days—Nov. 2nd/ 9th—thirty miles inland on Redgrave Lake (DMSO). See also page 36.

23

BIRD REPORT

Turtle dove.—Local decreases were reported but a flock of 60 counted at Tuddenham, West Suffolk on June 16th (RH). Cuckoo.—Numbers remain low with further local decreases. Barn owl.—Reported breeding or present during the year in 26 parishes, in three of which it was considered to be increasing. Little owl.—Still scarce.

Reported from 16 parishes only.

Tawny owl.—Widespread and the only 'common' owl in the county. Long-eared owl.—Reported breeding at two sites near coast and at three in Breckland. One Breckland pr. was considered to have been double-brooded. Short-eared owl.—Bred Breck, number of prs. uncertain; at Havergate, where present all year, and possibly at one other coastal site. A very marked immigration noted from mid-Oct. At Trimley on Nov. 4th thirty-six were seen together, the numbers there dropping, as birds dispersed, to about five on Nov. 20th (RAP). Nightjar.—There was a further slight decrease in numbers of this heathland species. Swift.—Like some of our other summer migrants, a few lingered later than usual and included one at Ipswich between Nov. 5th and Dec. 9th. Kingfisher.—Widespread and in fair numbers but doubtfully up to the level of 12 years ago. Hoopoe.—Five reported—Minsmere, Apl. 28th (PS, JS, DW); Sizewell, May 28th; Martlesham, May 19th (RS); Polstead, Aug. 2nd (G. B. Scott per WHP) and a very late and probably immature bird at Thorpeness, Nov. 16th/18th (many observers). Green woodpecker.—Reported present during the year, though not necessarily as breeding, in 40 parishes. Eight prs. Minsmere, four or five prs. Cavenham. Probably increasing Sudbourne but still very scarce or absent from high farming and hence timberless areas. Great spotted woodpecker.—Thinly wherever suitable mature timber exists.

but widely

spread

24

Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 17, Part 7

Lesser spotted woodpecker.—Records received covering 31 localities. Present at three sites in Ipswich. Wryneck.—At least eight between Apl. 12th and May 28th at Southwold, Walberswick and Minsmere and inland at Horringer and Bradfield St. Cläre. A very light return passage on coast only between Aug. 30th and Oct. 6th. Woodlark.—Breeding population remains low and very few reports of the species were received. However six singing birds were present in one coastal area (GJJ). Shore lark.—Numbers were rather down on recent years. At Minsmere up to 40 present until Mar. 22nd, then fewer to Apl. 5th. First in autumn on Oct. 26th with a max. of c. 30 at Walberswick, Minsmere and Aldeburgh to end of year.

Swallow House martin

Sufficient insect life was evidently available in the uniquely mild winter weather to sustain a number of both species well into Dec., viz: Swallow: Dec. 2nd, Stratford St. Andrew; 5th, East Bergholt; 7th, Minsmere; 9th, Sudbourne; lOth, Charsfield. House martin: Dec. 9th, Orford; lOth, Freston and 13th, Sizewell.

Golden oriole.—First arrival at inland breeding site on May 13th, and a pr. with at least two young observed on July 21st though more were probably present in area during the summer. Singles also recorded at Minsmere, May 26th/27th (HEA), Walberswick, June 24th (FKC) and Benacre on same date (GG).' Of particular interest was a male almost caught in a fruit cage, where it had been feasting on raspberries, at Härtest on July 18th. Observer knows the bird abroad and described it accuratelv y (per WHP). Carrion crow.—Population probably about normal. A 'freak' with pale wing bars and a pale bill noted at Freston durine 6 winter (AB). Hooded crow.—A remarkable flock of 62 seen at Reydon on Feb. 22nd (B. L. Sage in B. Birds). On Mar. 30th 45-50 were also counted in a very considerable coastal movement of corvids at Benacre and Covehithe (DO). Wintering numbers up to 11— on coast and estuaries with one or two on Breck to Apl. 7th.

BIRD REPORT

25

Magpie.—Four possible immigrants came in very high from north-east and calling continuously at Benacre on Oct. 6th (DRM) One or two also noted on shore at Minsmere Oct. 1 lth/26th (HEA). Willow tit. An example of the northern race borealis occurred in the bushes at Minsmere sluice on Sept. 15th/16th. CharacterPJM) P

gC

featUrCS

VCry

n0ticeable

Long tailed tit.-Population following another mild winter. noted at Minsmere on Oct. 17th.

ls

"

Also

ca

'l-note (HEA,

now high and well spread Coastal passage southwards

Bearded tit.—Breeding population at Minsmere rather lower than of recent years and less successful. First emigration— northwards-noted there on Sept. 9th/10th. Small numbers dunng winter at Holbrook in Feb. (RBW) and Bourne Park in uec. Only recorded mland at Cavenham, March 31st (SOG). 0 n e > c l o s e t 0 shore at Minsmere, Mar. 14th/15th T ~ (HEA, PJM); West Stow, Mar. 30th (SOG). ' /

Fieldfare.

Once again a number of very late birds were

28th; B Tq M i m ° y t 0 n ' J U n e 5 t h a n d 1 Ith (GJJ, KS, MJFJ et al); Minsmere to end May (HEA) and on Breck be ween May 9th (CAEK) and June 19th (ALB). First in autumn •—three at Tunstall—on Aug. 28th (JCH, SFH).

Redwing. -Late single birds at Walberswick, June 2nd (GTT) singing^PJM) 616 t h r ° U g h ° U t M a y a n d o n 25th, when it was Wintering numbers were unusually low everywhere. ^ r n g o u f e l - - A pronounced spring passage from Apl. 18th to May 25th with peak numbers between Apl. 22nd and 30th— eight at Minsmere on 28th. Autumn migration was light. t

Wheatear.—A minimum of 15 breeding prs. in Breckland but none, apparently, in coastal belt. Rather low numbers durings both migrations. Stonechat - E i g h t or nine breeding prs. on coast and two or more on Breck is a distinct improvement on past three seasons. Whinchat.—Exact breeding position uncertain but probablv R e " ? f e d . f u r t h " \ e J - a t Minsmere. Eleven prs. located in one Breckland area (CAEK).

26

Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 17, Part 1

Redstart.—The decline in numbers which began about 1969 continues and comparatively few breeding records were received. The Minsmere population is now some 20 prs. Black redstart.—Bred: Lowestoft, seven prs. definitely and possibly two more (BJB, DRM); Sizewell, two prs. (AC) and Ipswich, one/two prs. (CGDC, AB). Also noted on passage, mostly males, from late Mar. to early May and including four at Sizewell and two East Bridge (FKC) and imm. male singing at Wickham Market (GJJ). A small autumn movement Sept./Nov. Nightingale.—An apparent decrease almost everywhere. An incomplete survey by the Suffolk Ornithologist's Group found nightingales in 30 parishes. Cetti's warbler.—One Minsmere, Feb. 19th (HEA); one, trapped and ringed, Oulton Broad, Oct. 20th (RSB). Savi's warbler.—First at Minsmere, Apl. 17th and last Sept. 1 Ith. Three prs. bred there, a decrease (HEA). One at Walberswick from May 8th, with two 'reeling' on Aug. 2nd (GJJ). Icterine warbler.—Minsmere, Aug. 30th/31st (HEA, PJM, GJJ). Chiffchaff.—Very late, possibly over-wintering birds at Southwold, Jan. 7th (DV) and Ipswich, Dec. 7th (RBW). Blackcap.—Probably over-wintering at Southwold, Feb. 22nd (EGF) and Martlesham, Dec. 7th (SJB). Barred warbler.—A small passage—two, possibly three—at Minsmere and Sizewell, Aug. 30th to Sept. 2nd (HEA, AB, J F D , PJM, GJJ). One at Benacre, Oct. 19th (CRN). Wood warbler.—Spring passage on coast with at least six singing males located between Apl. 24th and May 28th. Inland singing males at Elveden and West Stow. A late record from Benacre, July 1 Ith. Goldcrest.—Breeding population is probably back to pre1962 level. Firecrest.—Exceptionally high numbers—at least 17—noted on or near coast between Feb. and early May. Also one singing at Ipswich, July 3rd (SOG). A male paired to a female goldcrest at Walberswick was seen feeding young in July (CW, FKC, AEC, GJJ). One at Walberswick in Dec. (ALB).

BIRD REPORT

27

Pied flycatcher.—Spring records, all ms. as is usual at Walberswick, Apl. 28th (FKC, AEC) and May 5th to 7th (DE JTS, ECS) and Felixstowe, May 7th (CJR). Autumn migration to Oct. 5th was very light. Red-breasted flycatcher.—Lowestoft, Oct. 9th (JRR). Rock pipit.—Up to twelve apparently referable to the Scandinavian race httoralis occurred at Lowestoft in late Mar /earlv y Apl. (BJB, DRM). ' Water pipit.—One, possibly two, at Lowestoft late Mar. to Apl. 4th (BJB). Two or three wintered Minsmere area with last there on Apl. 20th and first in autumn on Nov. 2nd (HEA). Pied wagtail. Roosts of some 325, mainly imms., in reedbed and alders at Belstead on Aug. 23rd (AC, MM, PM) and of 150 in reeds at Minsmere, Oct. 25th (HEA). White wagtail.—Benacre, March 17th and Minsmere, up to three between Mar. 16th and 18th and singles on a number of dates in Apl. and up to May 8th. Blue-headed wagtail.—A m. at Minsmere, Apl. 28th to May 19th, and at Sproughton, Apl. 21st (MM, PM). wagtail.—'Two prs. bred near Ipswich, separate sites (RJC, AB) and two prs. on R. Lark (PJE). One pr. each on Rs. btour (LCC) and Box (CJL) in summer were believed to have bred. A pr. also bred on Norfolk bank of R. Waveney (DRM). Good numbers of wintering and passage birds. Waxwing.—Irruption again took place from mid-Nov. onwards Largest flock was 29 feeding for some weeks on hawthorn berries beside the A12 at Woodbridge in Nov. and Dec. Small numbers or Singles at Pakefield, Ipswich, Minsmere, Oulton Broad, Stutton and at Framlingham, Bury St. Edmunds, Cläre, Mildenhall and Barningham, during late Nov. and Dec. Great grey shrike.—The population of wintering birds was probably at usual level with first immigrant on Oct. 3rd One found dead in a house at Orford (JW). Another was seen to catch a vole and impale it on a gorse bush at Southwold (DV). Red-backed shrike.—12 prs. located in coastal belt and probably a minimum of 16 prs. on Breck.

28

Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 17, Part 1

Hawfinch.—Up to 40 at Staverton and 32 in winter in one N. Suffolk wood. Also present during year at Herringswell, Culford, West Stow, Groton, Tuddenham, Dunwich, Sudbourne, Walberswick and Minsmere. Siskin.—Six juvs. ringed at Brandon in June indicate breeding in area. One ringed Brandon, Mar. 3Ist was recovered Netherlands, Oct. 22nd (SC). Twite.—Flocks of between 50 and 100 at Havergate, Walberswick and Minsmere, Oct. to Dec. Redpoll.—High numbers in many areas included 150 at one site on Breck in Jan. Mealy redpoll.—Two, probable, at Ipswich, Apl. 12th (RBW) and two or three at Minsmere during May (HEA). Crossbill.—Probably average breeding population on Breck. Small numbers near coast, May to Dec. Brambling.—A very late bird at Iken, June 16th (HCW). Good wintering numbers of between 200 and 300 at Lakenheath, Butley, Sproughton and Mildenhall. Corn bunting.—Recorded in summer at Erwarton, Harkstead, Freston, Holbrook, Shotley, Raydon, Wenham, Washbrook, Hadleigh, Ellough and Risby. Possibly bred also at Sudbourne and Walberswick. A flock of thirty at Havergate in Dec. Snow bunting.—Low numbers only on coast, Oct. onwards.

A D D I T I O N S FOR PREVIOUS YEARS

1971 Trumpeter bullfinch.—Rhodopechys githaginea. Minsmere, May 30th to June 15th (F. K. Cobb, D. J. Holman et al). The FIRST record for BRITAIN. Another was also recorded in Sutherland on June 8th and 9th of the same year. 1973 Red-footed falcon.—The record of a f. at Walberswick May 30th (F. K. Cobb, Mrs. A. E. Cobb, Miss A. J. Towns) was first rejected, then finally accepted by the Rarities Committee, making a total of five for the year.

BIRD REPORT

29

F I R S T AND L A S T D A T E S OF S U M M E R V I S I T O R S ,

Species Garganey Chiffchaff Stone curlew

First seen Mar. 7 Mar. 12 Mar. 13

Sandwich tern Wheatear

Mar. 19 Mar. 23

Sand martin Willow warbler Swallow Garden warbler

Mar. 27 Mar. 31 Apl. 3 Apl. 4

Redstart

Apl.

4

Minsmere Cavenham Sizewell Walsham le Willows Foxhall

House martin Blackcap Turtle dove

Apl. Apl. Apl.

5 7 8

West Stow Holbrook Westerfeld

T r e e pipit

Apl.

y

Sedge warbler Common tern

Apl. 10 Apl. 10

Santon Downham Sizewell Minsmere

Yellow wagtail Cuckoo Whinchat Lesser whitethroat Nightingale Grasshopper warbler Little tern Reed warbler Whitethroat

Apl. Apl. Apl. Apl. Apl. Apl. Apl. Apl. Apl.

Swift Spotted flycatcher Nightjar Red-backed shrike

May 4 May 7 May 11 May 17

10 10 12 13 15 17 19 20 23

Locality Minsmere Southwold Burv St. Edmunds Dunwich Felixstowe

Minsmere West Stow Sizewell Holbrook Walberswick Minsmere Minsmere Holbrook Newmarket / Foxhall Keddington Härtest Minsmere Walberswick

1974

Last seen Dec.

Locality 7

Sept. 29 Oct. 25 Nov. 10 Sept. 23 Dec. 10

Ipswich Ipswich Easton Bav.j Shingle St. Nacton Minsmere Charsfield

Oct. 20 Oct. 24

Walberswick Lake Lothing Dec. 13 Sizewell Dec. 7 Martlesham Over-wintered Ipswich

Sept. 1 Minsmere Sept. 29 Minsmere Over-wintered Sizewell Oct. 13 Boyton Sept. 6 Southwold Oct. 9 Minsmere Sept. 28 F o r n h a m Aug. 27 Oct. 13 Oct. 19

Minsmere Sizewell Minsmere

Oct. 11 Dec. 9 Oct. 4 Sept. 15 Sept. 26

Southwold Ipswich Minsmere Lakenheath Minsmere

L I S T OF OBSERVERS

H . E. Axell Mrs. J. M . Axell J. R. N . Bainbridge F. N . Royle-Bantoft J. M . Benfield T . Bispham R. M. Blindell A. Botwright B. J. Brown P. Brown Dr. K. T . Brown R. S. Briggs A. L . Bull S. J. Burneil A. Cage

F. K . Cobb M r s . A. E. C o b b M . G Chadwick G. L. Clarke J. Clarke Mrs. L. C. Cook A. Cook D r . S. Cox R. J. Copping S. R. Cupitt C. G . D. Curtis J. F. D e n n y D . Dorling H . P. D u n n C. W . Dunster

D. Elphick P. J. Ewins F. J. French M . Fitch E. G. Flaxman E. Free R. W. H . Garner T . W. Gladwin Mrs. J. M . Gladwin P. G o t h a m G. Goyder P. Hansford M . A. Hall J. Hill G. B. Hoare

30

Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 17, Part 1 L I S T OF OBSERVERS

P. J. Howard J. C. Holyfield Mrs. S. F. Holyfield R. H . Hogg R. N . H o p p e r H. R. Holt G. St. J. Hollis R. H u r m a n L. H . Hyde Dr. O. Ive G. J. Jobson M . J. F. Jeanes Mrs. L . F. Kellow C. A. E. Kirtland R. Knight A. J. Last K. R. Long C. J. Lowe P. J. Makepeace R. V. A. Marshall M. Marsh Miss G . Mitchell D. R. Moore P. M u r p h y C. R. N a u n t o n D. Nesling D. Ockleton D . M . S. Orr

(Contd.)

G. H . Oxborrow M . Packard A. Parker J. Partridge W. H. Payn Miss N . Pelling J. E. L . Pemberton W. J. Plumb R. Ä. Pomroy K. C. Ramsay Mrs. D. ParkerRhodes J. R. Read P. Richardson Sir J. F. Rowley, Bt. C. J. Rowlands L. Rutterford M . J. Seago P. Silburn J. T . Simpson J. Smith Miss E. A. Smith W . C. Smith R. Snook R. Spall T h e Earl of Stradbroke E. C. Still

Suffolk Ornithologists' G r o u p P. T ä t e T . Talbot H. G. Tyler C. T h o m p s o n Mrs. G. Townsend Lord Tollemache B. Tucker D. Tye D. Vaughan A. E. Vine C. Waller T h e Hon. M r s . J. Watson J. C. Wakerley F. G. G . W a y m a n R. B. Warren R. J. Waters A. E. Welch A. Westcott Mrs. D . Westcott D. Wimpress H. L. C. Wightman M . Woodcock H. C. Wood A. W y n n e R. Yindell