SUFFOLK BIRD REPORT FOR 1955 Sixth Annual Report RECORDS COMMITTEE : G. B. G. BENSON, W. H. PAYN,
F. K. COBB {Editor), F. C. C. COOK, DR. P. R. WESTALL, A. E. VINE.
THE winter was not a particularly severe one and nothing exceptional in the way of hard-weather visitors was noted ; Scaup for instance, were not plentiful and did not exceed thirty in any one party. Pintail, however, were present in larger numbers than previously, but this seems to be part of a trend which has been noticeable in recent years. Bewick's Swans were in higher numbers than usual, and again more numerous than Whooper Swans. Red-breasted Mergansers were on the Orwell in far higher numbers than in any recent years, as were Bar-tailed Godwits. Lapwings were reported as being much more numerous in several areas both in this winter and the following autumn. Up to ten Spotted Redshanks wintered in the Blyth area ; small parties of Shorelarks were recorded in two or three areas ; Glaucous Gulls again frequented Lowestoft Harbour ; Hooded Crows were decidedly scarce, but returned in more normal numbers in the following autumn ; no Great Grey Shrikes were recorded during the winter. The customary largeflockof Black-tailed Godwits wintered on the Orwell and Stour, the Blythflockappearing, as usual, towards the end of the winter ; winter records from the other estuaries were either nil or negligible. Bramblings may perhaps call for special comment, large flocks being present on the Stour and Orwell saltings in both this and the following winter. This species is usually regarded as being uncommon in Suffolk during the winter, at least in anything other than low numbers, owing, it is always suggested, to the absence of beech woods in the county, and these records of flocks feeding for some period of time on the saltings are therefore not without interest. In the breeding-season the cold spring probably caused havoc amongst the earlier broods, but this was more than redeemed by the exceptionally fine and warm weather which set in later on. Three pairs of Marsh Harriers and one pair of Montagu's Harriers bred ; Bearded Tits showed signs of a very successful season ;