BINS Spring..............................................................................Roy Marsh

was viewed from a distance and so the nest contents on the first two visits remain unknown.

According to BWP, Pochard nest in dense reeds and vegetation either very close to water or on platforms built up in water. In high breeding densities, there have been instances where nest sites have been found on small pools as well as man made water bodies such as reservoirs, ornamental ponds and fishponds. The nest is made of reed stems, leaves and other vegetation, and the shallow cup made in it is then lined with down. The female uses material within reach of the nest to make it and the movement of the female ’ s body moulds the cup.

One-off, or a new trend? There is no mention in BWP of nests of other species being used by Pochard. I have contacted Carl Barimore at the Nest Record Scheme at the BTO, to see if this breeding behaviour has been noted before. He in turn has made contact with the country ’ s most prolific Pochard nest recorder who records about ten nests annually and also posted a request on the Nest Record Scheme Yahoo forum for more information about Pochard using nests of other species, but no information concerning any other such breeding attempts has been forthcoming.

The Pochard is a secretive breeder. The breeding information in BWP is sparse in comparison with other species and so presumably much remains unknown.

Given my experience it would be worthwhile keeping an eye on the nests of species such as Great Crested Grebes and Coots, after their nesting attempt has finished, at sites which are frequented by Pochard to see if they become occupied by this species, in case this behaviour is replicated elsewhere.

References: Cramp & Perrins ‘The Birds of the Western Palearctic ’ Vol. 1, 1977 S.H. Piotrowski ‘The Birds of Suffolk’ Christopher Helm, London 2003 Suffolk Birds reports 2009 and 2010

Roy Marsh

Suffolk BINS –

‘With a Spring in our step?’

Now the cold winter period is seemingly forgotten, it’s time to reflect upon the spring. But was it a ‘Hot Spell’ or more of a ‘Damp Squib’?

One thing was for sure, as we moved through mid/late March, temperatures were soaring to the dizzy heights of twenty degrees, and with a few early migrants on the move all of us hoped the scene was set for a cracking period. But how was it in reality?

Suffolk, stilldelivering?... March – We ended my last report with a Glossy Ibis remaining at Minsmere. This visitor continued to please at Eastbridge and, at times, provided some cracking views, as did the second Greenland White-front at Boyton (both remaining throughout the month), whilst the Red-breasted Goose stayed until the 9th on Kirton Marsh. A Hoopoe was discovered on the 14th and was again present on the 15th at Brooke Industrial Estate, Lowestoft, probably the overwintering individual from 1st January with it or another seen along the Gorleston Road on the 28th. A Hooded Crow was found at Boyton on the 11th, giving many a chance to connect through until the 20th, a couple of Ravens were noted throughout the month, with a drake Greenwinged Teal discovered at Minsmere on the 25th, and seen again on the levels on the 28th making up the month’ s highlights.

Other MarchHighlights: The Great Grey Shrike continues to perform at Layham, Rough-legged Buzzard over Stutton Mill, Black Brant on Orwell estuary and Great White Egret at Minsmere on 6th. A Yellow-browed Warbler was reported from the ravine, Lowestoft on the 12th, two Common

Crane over Covehithe 21st, good numbers of Crossbills remained at Hollesley, providing stunning views, with a smattering of early common migrants and three additional Great Grey Shrikes concluding the month’ s recap.

(No)Surprise surprises then?... April – A Penduline Tit was heard briefly by Island Mere, Minsmere on the 6th, with the highlight of the month being the 28th and 29th with the two White Storks noted on marshes at Dagmate Lane, near Acle, and an Alpine Swift around the grain silo near ASDA. The 24th provided a day of possibles – with a possible Alpine Swift noted at Minsmere, and a possible Little Bunting seen very briefly at Landguard Bird Observatory (LBO) before flying south. LBO did come up trumps on the 10th, with a male Serin singing and seen in the Holm Oaks, then on the 30th a female Serin was found on the common and remained until early June at least, while a male Serin was also noted at the Denes Oval on the 11th – 12th.

Other AprilHighlights: Four Common Cranes were noted over Orfordness and then Lowestoft on the 1st, Great Grey Shrikes remained at Carlton & Hollesley, with the Glossy Ibis continuing to perform well at Eastbridge till 13th. A Hooded Crow was noted displaying over Town Marshes, Southwold on the 3rd, then one at Ness Point on the 8th. A Rough-legged Buzzard was seen over Benacre on the 16th. The 25th saw a report of a Roseate Tern from Minsmere concluding what was, in the main, a very quiet month for the County. Surely things would improve?

May-be or May-be not?... May – May proved to be a bit more like it! Bird of the spring for many, and a possible contender for bird of the year, was the cracking summer plumage Long-billed Dowitcher – a fifth for the county, found at Great Livermere on the evening of the 4th, but only remained until the 5th. A Tawny Pipit was present mid pm – evening only on the 6th at LBO, two Black-winged Stilts were heard over Minsmere on the 7th before being located on the levels where they showed distantly for the day. A White Stork was on roof tops in Sudbury on the 10th only; a Savi’ s Warbler was heard singing at Dingle on the 12th; an aberrant Common Swift initially causing a panic as it distantly displayed a white rump; two Red-rumped Swallows were seen over pools just south of the Abbey at Minsmere mid-morning, and a single bird noted early morning at East Lane on the 13th. Female Serin on the Icky ridge at LBO was noted on the 14th, possibly the same bird remaining into June?

The 26th was the purple day of May, with LBO producing a Greenish and Marsh Warbler, both trapped and ringed, a further Marsh Warbler was on Orfordness, and a singing Icterine Warbler was found along the disused railway track, Corton, plus a male Pied Flycatcher. A Marsh Warbler was noted at Boyton on 27th, plus Honey Buzzard through Sizewell, while a further Marsh Warbler, was singing and showing well at Great Livermere from 28th to 29th. The 28th also saw five Beeeaters north over Minsmere at 05:30 with the first-ever Dutch re-trap of a Marsh Warbler, discovered in the nets at LBO that day too. The 28th also saw Purple Heron over Lakenheath and four White Storks that evening. A Red-footed Falcon was reported from Elmswell on 28th, and seen again on the 29th. Also on the 29th two Glossy Ibis were noted at North Warren in the afternoon then, presumably the same birds, roosting at Minsmere in the evening, while LBO trapped its 3rd Marsh Warbler in four days! A Red-footed Falcon was found at Minsmere on the 30th and remained through to 31st at least, as did the two Glossy Ibis on the levels, making up the May highlights.

Other May Highlights: A Hoopoe was at Shingle Street in the evening of the 2nd, Serin heard only early morning at the Customs House, Felixstowe on the 5th, with a ring-tailed Monty ’ s noted north at LBO on the 10th, and one over Orfordness on the 7th. A cracking singing Wood Warbler was found on Sutton Heath on the 10th and continued to sing and show well through to June at least. The 11th proved a good day, with LBO producing Red-rumped Swallow, Wood Warbler, singing Serin, plus 11 Spotted Flycatchers on site, with Montagu ’ s Harrier and