Birds of S.W. Suffolk

92

BIRD

REPORT

F R and R. FISK, 8 Orchard Terrace, L o n d o n Road South, Lowestoft (LFC).

T . FRY, 22 Marlborough Road, Southwold.

DR. D . G . GARNETT, Fairfield House, Leiston.

B. GARTSIDE, T h e Spinney, Snape, S a x m u n d h a m .

C. C. T . Giles, Hopton, Diss.

J. A. GULLAND, 32 Marine Parade, Lowestoft ( L F C ) .

K. S. C. GILCHRIST, 44 S a x m u n d h a m Rd., Aldeburgh.

A. C. C. HERVEY, 66 Brook Lane, Felixstowe (Committee).

A. C. HOLME, 23 Marlborough Place, N.W.8.

E. W . C. JENNER, 119 Worthing Road, Lowestoft ( L F C ) .

H . E . JENNER, T h e Häven, Station Road, Corton, Lowestoft ( L F C ) .

G . JOBSON, T h e Pantiles, Mill Street, Westleton.

P. C. KIMBER, 70 Heath Lane, Ipswich.

F . H . KNIGHTS, the late, Bridge Cottage, Playford, N r . Ipswich.

MAJOR-GENERAL

G.

W.

LATHBURY,

C.B.,

D.S.O.,

M.B.E.,

Staff

College

House, Camberley, Surrey.

R. A. LONG, 1 Ivy Villas, H a r b o u r Road, Oulton Broad (LTC).

MRS. P. J. MACKESY, Lane E n d , Southwold.

R E MOREAU, c / o Bird R o o m , British M u s e u m (Natural History), Cromwell Road, S.W.7. , „ D . A. T . and MRS. MORGAN, H u n t s Barn, Knodishall.

H . S. MORRIS, Market Hill, Wickham Market ( L F C ) .

P. G . MOTT, R.A.F., Bawdsey, Woodbridge.

R. K . MURTON, 38 Heath Lane, Ipswich.

C. C. NESLING, Green F a r m House, Pettistree, Woodbridge ( L h C ) .

Miss M . S. VAN OOSTVEEN, Hill Cottage, Westleton, Saxmundham.

M . PACKARD, Over Hall, Shotley, Ipswich. .

MAJOR W . H . PAYN, M.B.E., Härtest Place, Bury St. E d m u n d s (Committee).

H . PEASE, Cedar House, Sudbourne, Waldringfield, Woodbridge.

R. M . PIGOT, 37 Lister Road, Ipswich.

J. R. READ, 3 Dell Road East, Oulton Broad ( L F C ) .

COMMANDER A. W . P. ROBERTSON, Deynes, D e b d e n , Saffron Waiden.

J. C. ROBSON, 28 Jupiter Road, Ipswich.

A. D . ROWE, 1 Meadlands Cottages, Needham Road, Stowmarket.

W . E. ROWE, Rose Villa, M o u n t Pleasant, Reydon ( L F C ) .

M . J. SEAGO, 92 St. Giles Street, Norwich.

R. SPENCER, 171 Victoria Road, Romford, Essex.

B. C . TURNER, 14 Heath Road, Ipswich.

A. E . VINE, Station House, Haverhill.

Miss J. M . WALKER, Fiatford Mill Field Centre, East Bergholt.

J. G . and MRS. WARNER, Corvette, 26 Hall Road, Oulton Broad ( L F C ) .

DR. P. R. WESTALL, T h e Old Vicarage, Stoven, Brampton, Beccles (Editor and Secretary).

MRS. D . WIGHTMAN, 67 Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich.

The Utters (LFC)

denote Lowestoft Field Club, through whom the observers' notes were received.

T H E BIRDS O F S O U T H - W E S T S U F F O L K .

By M A J O R W. H. P A Y N , M.B.E., M.B.O.U. INTRODUCTION.—Since Churchill Babington published his " Catalogue of the Birds of Suffolk " nearly seventy years ago, the west side of the county and in particular the south-west portion, has received scant attention ornithologically. C. B. Ticehurst's " History- of the Birds of Suffolk," which was a far more thorough work in all other respects, unfortunately dealt very largely with East Suffolk and the " Brecks."

BIRD REPORT

93

T h e following short survey is, therefore, an attempt to define the present-day status of the birds of this comparatively neglected area. It is essentially a record of the present day and the recent past, 110 attempt having been made to repeat or disprove observations from the more distant past except for purposes of comparison where a marked change of status has taken place.

BOUNDARIES.—The boundaries of the area under review have been defined as follows : to the east the inter-county boundary between East and West Suffolk ; to the south and west the county boundaries between Suffolk and Essex and Suffolk and Cambridgeshire respectively and to the north the railway line running from Stowmarket through Bury St. Edmunds to Newmarket.

TOPOGRAPHICAL.—For the benefit of those not intimately acquainted with the area under review, a word on its physical characteristics, particularly as they effect bird-life, may not be out of place.

South-west Suffolk is the most intensively cultivated portion of a county rightly renowned for " high-farming." Large fields are the rule, woodlands are scattered and seldom extensive ; waste and heathland scarcely exists, nor are there any large lakes, or bogs or fens worthy of the name. In short, while the whole area is intensely rural, it is far too tidy and highly-cultivated to be attractive to birds which require extensive marshes, woods or heathland for their well-being.

T h e Brett, the G l e m and the Box, small tributaries of the River Stour which forms the southern boundary of the area, include along their courses stretches of marsh, watermeadow and damp woodland which are attractive to many species.

The Stour itself and the gravel pits which occur here and there in its vicinity, provide feeding and nesting places for a number of water and marsh-loving birds and would well repay closer study.

On the light land round Hadleigh are a number of small, uncultivated Valleys where gorse and broom and rushes grow and which are deserving of further investigation, while the land to the east and south of Newmarket, along the Cambridgeshire border, with its huge fields and belts of beech and fir, may well receive an overflow of some of the " Breckland " species. At present records from this area are scanty.

CHANGES OF STATUS.—Within the last fifteen years changes in farming methods and outlook have brought about marked physical changes in the countryside which have had a most adverse effect on the status of several species of birds. T h e wholesale uprooting of hedgerows and the drastic cutting of those that remain, the reclaiming of all those small rough corners and waste places which formerly existed on all farms, has inevitably led to a decrease in such birds as Warbiers, Whinchats, Red-backed Shrikes and T r e e Pipits. Water birds such as Duck and Snipe have had their

94

BIRD REPORT

breeding haunts destroyed or reduced by the efforts of the Catchment Boards to convert all streams and brooks into bare, shallow canals. The process is continuing.

COMPLIMENTARY.—In the preparation of this report I have received much help from a number of observers resident in the area. Many of them have kindly sent me extracts from their note-books; others have given me verbal Information which has been of great value. Their initials appear in brackets after the observations for which they are responsible. I should like to express my best thanks to the following :— Messrs H. J. Boreham, F. Burreil, F. W. Beavis, C. Chipperfield, A. C. C. Hervey, E. S. Herod, Major N. B. Oakes, Major J. B. Oakes, Messrs. R. Morley, L. F. Ramm, A. E. Vine, S. G. Wheeler, and The Bury and District Naturalists' Society.

ROOK, SONG THRUSH, JACKDAW, BLACKBIRD, GREENFINCH, STARLING, CHAFFINCH, MOORHEN, YELLOW BUNTING, W O O D PIGEON, HOUSE SPARROW, STOCKDOVE, SKYLARK —All the above

are common and widely-distributed residents, Winter visitors and birds of passage throughout the area.

GREAT T I T , HEDGE SPARROW, BLUE T I T , W R E N ,

ROBIN.—The

above are widely distributed residents. Some Continental Robins visit the area in winter.

HOODED CROW.—Scarce winter visitor throughout area.

Less frequent than formerly.

CARRION CROW.—Scarce resident but appears to be on increase.

Recorded : Glemsford (ACCH), Härtest, Semer (WHP), Haverhill (AEV), Stowmarket area (HSC). Breeding Bury St. Edmunds (JBO, HJB), Ickworth (ESH), Stoke by Navland (LFR).

MAGPIE.—Widely distributed resident, greatly on increase everywhere.

JAY.—Plentiful resident.

HAWFINCH.—Apparently scarce and very local but easily overlooked. Recorded : Härtest, Whepstead annually (WHP), Haverhill (AEV), six pairs in parks Bury St. Edmunds (JBO). Breeding : Cavendish (WHP), Horringer (B & DNHS).

GOLDFINCH.—Well distributed resident. Has not increased very markedly in recent years but HJB notes a great increase on forty years ago in Bury St. Edmunds area. Decreasing Sudbury area (RM).

SISKIN —Scarce winter visitor. Recorded : flock of 100, Whepstead, 1946 (NBO), River Glem 1946-49 (ACCH).

LFSSER REDPOLL.—Scarce winter visitor.

Recorded : Härtest, Boxted frequently (WHP), Whepstead (NBO).

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95

LINNET.—Resident and plentiful winter visitor. Suffers from destruction of waste-land breeding places.

BULLFINCH.—Fairly plentiful though local resident. Recorded : several hundred in fruit orchard at Stanstead during winter, 1936 (WHP), Hadleigh, Härtest (WHP), Haverhill (AEV), Bury St. Edmunds (JBO), Sudbury (RM).

CROSSBILL.—Irregulär vagrant. Recorded : Härtest three times and once Cavendish (WHP), Stoke by Nayland (LFR).

BRAMBLING.—Regulär winter visitor in varying numbers throughout area.

CORN BUNTING.—A local resident which after steady increase in 1930's is now decreasing again, possibly due reclaiming of waste-land. Recorded : Breeding Cavendish, Gt. Bradley (WHP), Lidgate, along Bury St. Edmunds - Newmarket road (B & D N H S ) , Sudbury (RM, SGW), Haverhill several pairs, Westley (AEV).

REED BUNTING.—Regulär breeding bird where conditions suitable but becoming scarcer due to land reclamation.

Widely distributed in winter away from breeding quarters. Recorded : Cavendish, Glemsford and Härtest (WHP), Sturmer (AEV).

Bred Sudbury 1952 (RM), Bury St. Edmunds, two pairs, 1952 (JBO).

TREE SPARROW.—Somewhat local resident.

Recorded : Härtest breeding (WHP), Bury St. Edmunds (B & DNHS), Haverhill, Kersey and Dalham (AEV), Sudbury (RM), Whepstead (NBO).

W O O D LARK.—Passage migrant, possibly breeds. Recorded : Härtest (WHP). Possibly bred Ickworth 1950 (NBO), also Newmarket area (AEV).

TREE PIPIT.—Well distributed summer visitor wherever conditions suitable. Recorded breeding : Bury St. Edmunds (HJB), Cornard, three nests (RM), Cläre, Stoke bv Nayland, Waldingfield (WHP), Haverhill, five - six pairs (AEV), Ickworth (ACCH), Whepstead (NBO).

MEADOW PIPIT.—Winter visitor and bird of passage.

Breeds sparingly. Recorded : Haverhill (AEV), Härtest, Long Melford (WHP). Breeding Bury St. Edmunds (HJB). Bred Sudbury area tili about five years ago (RM).

YELLOW WAGTAIL.—Bird of passage and scarce summer visitor. Recorded : Haverhill once or twice (AEV). Two pairs Bury St. Edmunds, 1952 (JBO), pair Sudburv, but nest destroyed by cattle 1952 (RM).

GREY WAGTAIL.—Regulär winter visitor in very small numbers.

No evidence of breeding. Recorded : Haverhill (AEV), Härtest (WHP), Stowmarket area (HSC).

BIRD

96 PIED

REPORT

WAGTAIL.—Plentiful s u m m e r visitor and passage migrant.

Regulär in winter.

1952 ( W H P ) .

Flock

of

thirteen,

Härtest,

November,

T R E E CREF.PER.—Common resident where conditions suitable.

Suffered severely during hard winter of 1947-48 and in many places has not yet fully recovered.

NUTHATCH.—Common resident in suitable localities. Recorded Boxted, Härtest, Stoke b v Nayland, Ickworth, Long Melford, Lavenham ( W H P ) , Bury St. E d m u n d s (JBO), Drinkstone (B & D N H S ) .

C O A L T I T . — L o c a l and seldom common resident.

Conifers appear essential for its existence. Recorded : Newmarket (AEV), Whepstead (NBO), Bury St. E d m u n d s (JBO), Härtest, Stoke

by Nayland ( W H P ) .

M A R S H T I T . — L o c a l resident.

Recorded : Stoke by Nayland, Härtest ( W H P ) , S u d b u r y (RM), Whepstead (NBO), Drinkstone (B & D N H S ) .

W I L L O W T I T . — V e r y local resident, nowhere plentiful.

Haunts drier localities than previous species. Recorded : Härtest regularly ( W H P ) , Bury St. E d m u n d s (JBO).

L O N G - T A I L E D T I T . — W e l l distributed resident, b u t has still not recovered f r o m winter of 1947.

RED-BACKF.D S H R I K E . — S u m m e r visitor to suitable localities.

Has suffered f r o m reclamation of waste-land haunts. M u c h less plentiful Härtest area than twenty years ago ( W H P ) . Recorded : Newmarket (AEV), Stoke bv Nayland ( L F R ) , Bury St. E d m u n d s several pairs 1952 (JBO, AEV, HJB). S u d b u r y , three pairs bred successfully ( R M , S G W ) .

WAXWING.—Occurs f r o m time to time during " invasion " years. Recorded : Somerton 1932 ( W H P ) .

S P O T T E D FLYCATCHER.—Plentiful summer visitor.

PIFD FLYCATCHER—A very rare straggler.

Recorded: Härtest 1933 ( W H P ) .

GOLDCREST—Resident and winter visitor; seldom plentiful and has not yet recovered f r o m severe winter of 1947. Recorded : Bury St. E d m u n d s (JBO), S u d b u r y breeding 1950 ( S G W , R M ) , Ickworth 1950, two or three nests (NBO), Härtest formerly bred but none seen since 1947 ( W H P ) .

CHIFFCHAFF.—Summer visitor and bird of passage.

WILLOW

WARBLER.—Plentiful

summer

visitor

and bird

of

passage.

WOOD

WARBLER.—Scarce bird of passage ; may breed Newmarket

arca (AEV).

(WHP).

Recorded:

Bury

St. E d m u n d s

(JBO),

Härtest

BIRD REPORT

97

REED WARBLER.—Summer visitor where local conditions are suitable. Recorded : eleven nests Sudbury area, several destroyed by cattle 1952 (RM).

SEDGE WARBLER.—Summer visitor and bird of passage where conditions suitable. Recorded: Härtest (WHP), Glemsford, breeding (ACCH), Semer (WHP).

GARDEN WARBLER.—Summer visitor and bird of passage but seldom plentiful. Scarcer than formerly, Sudbury area (RM).

BLACKCAP.—Summer visitor and bird of passage, more plentiful than Garden Warbler. The two species usually do not occur together. Increasing in numbers Sudbury area (RM).

COMMON WHITETHROAT.—Widespread summer visitor and passage migrant.

LESSER WHITETHROAT.—Well distributed summer visitor and passage migrant, plentiful in some localities, but is frequently overlooked despite distinctive song. Recorded: five or six nests annually Sudbury area (RM). Stoke by Nayland, Härtest (WHP).

FIELDFARE.—Winter visitor and bird of passage in varying numbers. Feeding regularly on windfall apples, Westley (HJB).

MISTLE THRUSH.—A widespread resident, winter visitor and bird of passage.

REDWING.—Winter visitor and passage migrant in varying numbers.

WHEATEAR.—Bird of passage spring and autumn. Recorded : Härtest, usually on same fields year by year, Sudbury (WHP).

WHINCHAT.—Scarce summer visitor. Recorded : Bred Sudbury 1950 and 1951 (RM).

STONECHAT.—Winter visitor to lanes and hedgerows far from breeding haunts. Recorded: Hawkedon, bred 1931 (NBO).

REDSTART.—Scarce resident and passage migrant. Recorded : Härtest frequently, Lavenham (WHP). Bred Horringer 1952 (B & DNHS). Probably breeds Hardwick (HJB).

BLACK REDSTART.—Very scarce bird of passage. Recorded: Härtest (B & DNHS). Male picked up dead, Sudbury, April 1952 (WHP).

NIGHTINGALE.—Summer visitor greatly on increase.

SWALLOW.—Summer visitor and bird of passage, rather less plentiful than formerly.

HOUSE MARTIN.—Summer visitor and bird of passage, less plentiful than formerly.

SAND MARTIN.—Summer visitor and passage migrant, breeding where conditions suitable.

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BIRD REPORT

SWIFT.—Summer visitor which is increasing.

NIGHTJAR.—Scarce summer visitor and bird of passage.

Recorded : Härtest, Oct. 1950 (WHP), Whepstead 1943 (NBO), Bury St. Edmunds (B & D N H S ) . Probably Newmarket area (AEV). Stoke by Nayland, seen every year and nested a year or two ago (LFR).

KINGFISHER.—Resident where conditions suitable.

GREEN WOODPECKER.—Well distributed resident. Suffered severely during cold winter of 1947 but appears to have recovered its numbers everywhere.

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER.—Resident where conditions suitable and appears to be on increase.

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER.—Resident in suitable localities and seems to be on increase. Very easily overlooked and is probably commoner than appears. Wanders from breeding haunts during winter. Recorded : Breeds Boxted, Lavenham, Stoke by Nayland (WHP), Haverhill (AEV).

WRYNECK.—Fifty years ago quite plentiful, now only a very scarce summer visitor and passage migrant. Recorded : at least one all summer 1952 Chilton (SGW), possibly second in another locality Sudbury (RM), Bury St. Edmunds 1951 and 1952 (JBO), Ickworth 1952 (ESH).

CUCKOO.—Summer visitor and bird of passage, less plentiful than formerly, Härtest (WHP).

L I T T L E O W L . — C o m m o n resident.

LONG-EARED OWL.—Scarce resident.

Recorded: Ickworth, breeds (ESH), Long Melford (FWB), Stoke by Nayland (LFR), Boxted (WHP).

SHORT-EARED OWL.—Winter visitor. Recorded: Bildeston, Cläre, Somerton (WHP), Stoke by Nayland (LFR).

T A W N Y O W L . — C o m m o n resident.

Some birds at Härtest resemble continental " grey " type (WHP).

B A R N OWL.—Resident and appears to be maintaining its numbers.

KESTREL.—Well distributed resident.

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD.—Rare winter visitor. Recorded: Brockley 1932 (WHP).

C O M M O N BUZZARD.—Rare vagrant.

Recorded : Härtest 1 9 3 4 (WHP), Stoke by Nayland 1952 (LFR).

HEN HARRIER.—Rare vagrant. Recorded:—Somerton 1937 (WHP).

SPARROW HAWK.—Widespread resident.

HERON.—Resident, appears to be on increase. Occurs all seasons of the year on streams and ponds. Single nests have

BIRD REPORT

99

occurred from time to time at Boxted and Long Melford. Only breeding colony at Stoke by Nayland consisted of thirteen occupied nests 1952 (WHP).

M U T E SWAN.—Resident where conditions suitable.

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE.—Geese, probably of this species, have been reported passing over area in winter. Frequently, however, mute swans are mistaken for geese by the inexpert.

MALLARD.—Resident and winter visitor along River Stour and on smaller streams and lakes.

TEAL.—Scarce winter visitor. Recorded: Härtest, Boxted, Long Melford (WHP), Ickworth (ESH), Stoke by Nayland (LFR).

PINTAIL.—Very scarce winter visitor. Recorded : River Stour, Long Melford 1947 ( W H P ) .

WIGEON.—Winter visitor in hard weather. Recorded : Stoke b y Nayland (LFR).

T U F T E D DUCK.—Scarce resident and winter visitor.

Recorded : Ickworth in winter (ACCH, ESH), Cornard, Long Melford (WHP), Stoke by Nayland—two pairs have bred since 1950 (LFR).

C O M M O N POCHARD.—Scarce winter visitor Ickworth ( E S H ) .

CORMORANT.—A few occur most winters along River Stour at Sudbury. Twenty or more noted by many observers 1952.

SHAG.—One shot on farmhouse chimney, Härtest, winter 1943 (WHP).

LITTLE A U K . — A rare vagrant. Recorded: Härtest 1930 (WHP), Lidgate 1950 ( A E V ) .

LEACH'S FORK-TAILED PETREL.—One picked up dead Nov. 1952, Long Melford ( W H P ) .

GREAT CRESTED GREBE.—A scarce summer visitor.

Recorded : Bures (WHP), Stoke by Cläre (AEV).

LITTLE GREBE.—Resident and winter visitor where conditions suitable. Recorded: Boxted and Sudbury (WHP), Breeds Ickworth (ACCH), Whepstead 1945 (NBO), Stoke by Nayland (LFR).

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER.—One picked up alive Nov. 1 9 5 2 , Ousden (AEV).

T U R T L E DOVE.—Common resident, appears to be increasing.

CURLEW.—Occasionally seen passing over on migration.

WOODCOCK.—Scarce resident and winter visitor in varying numbers. Recorded : two or three pairs breed annually Ickworth (ESH), bred Stanstead 1952 (WHP).

SNIPE.—Resident and winter visitor in decreasing numbers.

JACK

SNIPE.—Winter visitor in small numbers.

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100

C O M M O N SANDPIPER.—Scarce bird of passage.

Annually at Glemsford gravel pits ( A C C H ) .

G R E E N SANDPIPER.—Scarce bird of passage.

A flock occurs every autumn on a pond at Somerton (WHP).

REDSHANK.—Summer visitor and bird of passage. Recorded : Härtest on passage (WHP). Three pairs breed Sudbury area but scarcer than formerly (RM), breeds Stoke by Nayland ( L F R ) .

R I N G E D PLOVER.—Scarce bird of passage.

Recorded : River Stour - L o n g Melford (WHP).

G O L D E N PLOVER.—Winter visitor and bird of passage.

LAPWING.—Resident, winter visitor and bird of passage.

S T O N E C U R L E W . — A few pairs probably breed in area between Bury St. E d m u n d s and Newmarket (AEV). Recorded : Härtest Oct. 1936 (WHP).

C O M M O N TERN.—Scarce bird of passage.

Occasional Glemsford gravel pits ( A C C H ) .

BLACK-HEADED G U L L , C O M M O N GULL.—The habits of these two species of gull seem to have changed considerably in the past 25 years. Formerly their appearance inland was taken to herald the onset of stormy weather, but nowadays considerable numbers of gulls spend much of their time inland feeding or resting on water-meadows and arable fields and they are almost as plentiful in summer as winter. A. E. Vine, who has made a careful study of both species considers that those which feed in the east of the area travel down the Valleys of the Stour and the Gipping to roost at night on the estuaries of the Stour and Orwell, while those from the west side of the county fly northwards to the Wash to roost.

HERRING GULL.—Occasional in winter. R e c o r d e d : L o n g Melford, Haverhill (AEV).

G R E A T BLACK-BACKED GULL—Occasional bird of passage and winter visitor. R e c o r d e d : Bury St. E d m u n d s ( H J B ) , L o n g Melford, Haverhill (AEV), Härtest (WHP).

W A T E R RAIL.—Scarce resident and winter visitor.

Recorded : Boxted L o n g Melford (WHP), Sturmer (AEV), Stoke by Nayland (LFR).'

C O R N CRAKE.—Very scarce bird of passage.

Fifty years ago bred plentifully in many parts of area and up to 1938 two or three occurred every autumn. N o record since that year.

COOT.—Resident in suitable localities. R e c o r d e d : Ickworth ( A C C H ) , Stoke by Nayland ( L F R ) .

PHEASANT,

RED-LEGGED

PARTRIDGE,

Breeds

PARTRIDGE.—Resident

varying numbers throughout area.

QUAIL.—One, Glemsford, 1 9 4 6 ( A C C H ) .

in