Lee Woods
BINS Winter 2014 pretty much started off as 2013 ended, with a continuous stream of low depressions battering much of the UK, resulting in extremely high winds and record levels of rain.
An adult Caspian Gull was present on the practice green at Southwold 2nd, other birds of note seen on this day included three Tundra Bean Geese on North Warren, five Velvet Scoter off Slaughden, a Rough-legged Buzzard on Orfordness, two Water Pipit on Hollesley Marsh, two adult Black Brant on Orwell Estuary, viewable from Hares Creek, and a single Slavonian Grebe on Alton Water. Great Northern Diver
January 2014 Those hardy souls who braved the weather during the annual New Year’s Day Bird Race struggled in the inclement conditions that resulted in one of the lowest scores for some years. That said, highlights from the day included an immature Glossy Ibis which was present all month on Oulton Marsh, 42 Snow Bunting on the beach at Pakefield, female Long-tailed Duck on Covehithe Broad, two Caspian Gull (adult and first-winter) were noted on the scrape at Minsmere whilst offshore a first-winter Glaucous Gull drifted south. In the south of the county a Black-throated Diver was on Alton Water and a Great Northern Diver was seen from Stutton Ness. Waxwing
The 3rd saw a juvenile Iceland Gull off the rigs at Sizewell, which remained on and off throughout the month often frequenting Minsmere South levels, two Great Northern Divers were now off Stutton Ness, Stour Estuary, three Greater Scaup were present on the lagoons at East Lane, single Pale-bellied Brent Goose on Slaughden Marshes and the number of Velvet Scoters offshore from Slaughden had risen to 10+ birds. A second-winter Iceland Gull was present on Botany Marsh, Snape 4th and was seen intermittently throughout the month, also two 1st winter Caspian Gull noted 4th. The two adult Black Brant were again seen at Hares Creek on the 4th and nearby a Black-throated Diver was seen along The Strand. The first Waxwing sighting of the year came on the 5th with three birds being seen along the Leiston–Saxmundham Road, also seen on the same date were eight Parrot Crossbill at Spinks Lodge, Mayday Farm and a first-winter Caspian Gull along the A11 Red Lodge bypass. An unseasonal Garganey was noted on the reservoir at Trimley Marsh SWT and nearby a Jack Snipe was at the retreat.
T H E HA R R I ER – M a r c h 2 0 1 4
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