A review of Suffolk ornithology in 1979

A R E V I E W O F S U F F O L K O R N I T H O L O G Y I N 1979 D . R . MOORE

Winter—January through March The year will best be remembered by most for the inclement weather of January, February and most of March. It was undoubtedly the worst period of hard weather since 1963.

Although' January was extremely cold, the first influx of birds was not apparent until early February. It was at this time that the Baltic Sea froze completely. Unprecedented numbers of divers, grebes, and wildfowl then appeared in eastern and southern England.

In Suffolk, many more Black-throated and Great Northern Divers were recorded than usual, as well as the rarer grebes. The latter included 8 Black-necked, 17 Slavonian, and 50 Red-necked, including 12 found dead.

Wild geese were more numerous than for many years, and included about 2,000 White-fronted Geese, 200 Bean Geese, 100 Pink-footed Geese and about 100 Barnacle Geese within the county. Most of these probably originated in Holland. Brent Geese are always present as winter visitors to Suffolk but numbers were higher than usual, and included examples of the palebellied race. This form is scarce in south-east England.

The numbers of Wigeon, Pintail, Scaup, Eider, Goldeneye, Goosander and Red-breasted Merganser were all high, but most remarkable was the influx of Smew. Generally only two or three are reported annually, but it was considered that at least 60 were present. The largest group was of 41 at Shingle Street in early January.

Another species which was noted in large numbers was the Hen Harrier.

These were best assessed at their communal roosts, and 76 were counted in all at seven sites. There was also an increase in the number of sightings of Common and of Rough-legged Buzzards.

Short-eared Owls are noted regularly every winter, but an estimated 40 were seen just at the coastal localities, which is unusual. Likewise, 28 Longeared Owls were discovered roosting at four sites.

Large numbers of Coots were on such water as remained unfrozen, and Shags were especially plentiful, with a group of up to 32 in Lowestoft Harbour. It was not really a good year for Waxwings, but nevertheless 13 were located in late January at six different localities.

The effects of the harsh conditions on our breeding species were not disastrous. Although Bitterns were found dead, it was considered that these were probably immigrants, and that our birds had already moved south. The county breeding population was not reduced in the subsequent summer.

However, Wrens did suffer badly, their numbers being reduced by as much as 90 per cent.

O n e or two species were reported at this time which were certainly out of season; these included Kentish Plover at Lowestoft—January 22nd, Whimbrel at Minsmere—February 12th, Chiffchaff at Walberswick—January 27th, and 4 Blackcaps in the county during January/February. Other species

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recorded during this period were 2 Ruddy Ducks, Red Kite, 2 Peregrines, Iceland Gull and 8 Great Grey Shrikes.

Spring The spring was as spectacular as the winter was severe. There was a noticeable passage of Firecrests in April, with at least 20 individuals located. April also produced two sightings of a Crane (which almost certainly refer to the same bird), a Hoopoe, a Grey-headed Wagtail and a Siberian Stonechat. The last two mentioned are, of course, only geographical races.

As May arrived there began a period of steady passage containing a number of rarer migrants, and more than the usual sprinkling of vagrants.

These included 2 Purple Herons, Glossy Ibis, Black Kite, 4 Montagu's Harriers, 2 Black-winged Stilts, 7 Dotterel, 2 Temminck's Stints, about 75 Black Terns, White-winged Black Tern, Bee-eater and 2 Wrynecks. This pattern continued into early June when two more Purple Herons, Night Heron, Little Egret, two more Temminck's Stints and a Red-necked Phalarope were reported.

Breeding Birds Broadly speaking, 1979 was a successful nesting season with Bitterns maintaining their numbers and recolonizing two former sites. Nine pairs of Marsh Harriers bred, although not all were successful, and 143 pairs of Avocets raised 69 young. Predation by gulls was prevalent at Havergate and adversely affected the results of ground nesting species. Increased numbers of Stone Curlews, Red-backed Shrikes and Woodlarks were located, possibly because of better observer coverage, but Woodlarks are making a slight recovery in numbers. Bearded Tits were not noticeably affected by the previous winter.

Cettis Warbiers have now spread widely over Kent and Norfolk but seem unable to do so in Suffolk, despite there being a suitable habitat. Savis Warbiers were present again, and a colony of Firecrests was discovered in the county. Golden Orioles continue to do well, and Hobbies seem to be attempting to gain a foothold. Twelve pairs of Black Redstarts, and at least twice as many Crossbills were also reported. Most observers also considered that Whitethroats were continuing to increase. The biggest disappointment was the presence of only one pair of Garganey.

Autumn Seabirds featured prominently from August onwards, with a S i n g l e Leach's Petrel, 4 Sooty and 14 Manx Shearwaters being identified, which is a q u i t e exceptional total for Suffolk.

Amongst the wildfowl, a drake Ferruginous Duck was located and two different Red-crested Pochards, and raptors were represented by a Honey Buzzard and also by a Peregrine. Two Spotted Crakes were reported, and 2

Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 18, Part 2 Cranes at Minsmere. There were other records of Cranes, possibly involving the same bird.

There were relatively few waders during the autumn. For example, there were fewer Little Stints and Curlew Sandpipers than in recent years. However, there were more than usual reports of some of the rarer waders. Kentis Plovers were at Minsmere, Havergate and Benacre, whilst a Dotterel was located (making the total for the year eight). Three nearctic species occurred, White-rumped and Pectoral Sandpipers and a Long-billed Dowitcher. Another Red-necked Phalarope was seen at Minsmere in late August.

Very few Arctic Skuas were reported but 4 Great Skuas appeared. Little Gulls were seen in very good numbers, including 86 moving south at Benacre on September 9th. About 40 Black Terns were recorded, as we as another White-winged Black Tern. A solitary Little Auk was seen briefly at Minsmere on November 5th.

Only 3 Wrynecks were found, but at Sizewell, where tern and gull watchin had been so fruitful, a Hoopoe and aTawny Pipit were discovered. Anothe Tawny Pipit was seen at Landguard Point. Further passerines of note were 2 Icterine Warbiers, 2 Barred Warbiers, 3 Wood Warbiers, 12 Firecrests and few, scattered records of Lapland Buntings.

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Winter—Mid-November through December Large numbers of Brent Geese and Shelducks were noted moving offshore during the early part of this period, and 2 Great Shrikes were discovered o coastal heathland. The weather at this time was very mild and it was therefor not surprising tofinda Blackcap and 3 Chiffchaffs in December, and also Firecrests. What was really surprising was the discovery of a Raven, the fi occurrence since they last nested in the county in 1889. The bird remained until the New Year.

Exotics Escaped species continue to occur, including the now feral Ring-necked Parakeet, which bred at two sites. A Pelican sp. was also reported, 2 Bla Swans (which were regularly seen on the coast), Chiloe Wigeon, Budgeriga and a Scarlet Macaw.

Editor's Note A more detailed account, including a separate review of the winter period January/March, will appear in Suffolk Birds 1979 to be published in autumn.

D. R. Moore Crosslands, Cage Lane, Boxted Cross, Colchester.

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 18 part 2.