85
BIRD REPORT FOR Editor—DR.
1952.
P. R . WESTALL, M . A . , M . B . , B. Chir.
As already published in a circular sent r o u n d to m e m b e r s , the annual Bird R e p o r t is n o w considerably abbreviated, t h u s avoiding repetition of data presented in t h e Reports for 1950 and 1951. W e here publish only records of unusual occurrences, notes on rarer species, and observations adding to or altering t h e picture as presented previously. F o r the sake of brevity we have omitted scientific names. S o m e arrival and departure dates are listed at the e n d . T h e n u m b e r s refer, as before, to W i t h e r b y ' s Check-list of British Birds, 1941. M e m b e r s wishing to take part in organised field-work are asked to join in the enquiries r u n by t h e British T r u s t for Ornithology. M u c h work was d o n e by m e m b e r s in Alling u p t h e Census f o r m s for the B . T . O . Survey of b r e e d i n g species. A joint m e e t i n g with t h e B . T . O . was held at Ipswich on O c t . 29th, at w h i c h D r . Bruce C a m p b e l l gave a most interesting illustrated lecture on " Bird Research as a H o b b y , " a n d M r . S. C . Porter showed some of his splendid slides. Consideration is being given to t h e Organisation of both meetings and field-work in the f u t u r e . T h a n k s are d u e to t h e R.S.P.B, and the Lowestoft Field C l u b for the use of their notes, a n d apologies are tendered in advance for any inaccuracies in t h e list of observers. 2. HOODED CROW.—One seen Lakenheath, M a y 29th—a late date (AWPR). 4 ROOK.—On Oct. 25th 9 flew in f r o m sea, Benacre, on N o v . 9th 19 at E a s t o n , on N o v . 31st 19 at Walberswick ( G B G B , P R W , G J ) . 14. STARLING.—Immigration n o t e d f r o m Oct. 31st to N o v . 9th, mostly small parties f r o m 10 - 50, at rate of about 300 birds per h o u r on any one Stretch of coast f r o m D u n w i c h to Benacre. W i n d W . N . W , light, and birds flew in low over sea. (See u n d e r Fieldfare, Skylark, Rook, Long-tailed T i t and L a p w i n g ) . 18. HAWFINCH.—Oct. 30th, 1 m o v i n g S. M i n s m e r e ClifT; 3 o n Nov. 2nd ( J M W ) . 21. SISKIN.—Fewer records this year. 6 Aying S. Oct. 30th and 6 31st at M i n s m e r e ( J M W ) . [23. MEALY REDPOLL.—One, probably this race, N o v . 25th, Westleton ( M S V a n O).] 2 8 / 9 . TWITE.—Two, Aug. 17th, East Lane—exceptionally early date (JTF).
33. BULLFINCH.—Oct. 5th, flock c. 20, D u n w i c h ( L F C ) . O n Oct. 26th 74 counted Aying S. d u r i n g 2-hour passerine migration watch, Minsmere (JMW). 36. CROSSBILL.—Young seen on wing, J a n . 15th. D e a d chick f o u n d later conArming age, t h u s suggesting Nov. breeding in W . Suffolk where good breeding year reported ( A W P R , R K M ) . F e w e r breeding pairs at HerringAeet ( H E J ) . 40. CHAFFINCH.—Füll song F e b . 16th ( K S C G ) . D o m e d nest f o u n d in B r a n d o n area containing young ; platform of cow hair at entrance, and complete covering of moss ( A W P R ) . D u r i n g steady inAux of migrants at Walberswick, Oct. 12th, a male feil into sea just ofT-shore and was p r o m p t l y devoured by G.B.B. G u l l ( F K C ) . 54. 58.
LITTLE BUNTING.—One, Lowestoft Denes, O c t . 16th ( H E J ) . LAPLAND BUNTING.—One, Lowestoft D e n e s , Nov. 25th ( H E J ) .