Suffolk Birds 2009 Part 2 by Suffolk Naturalists' Society

Suffolk Bird Report 2009

The 2009 Suffolk Bird Report Systematic List roduction e list and its appendices have been written using data supplied by the county's dwatchers and conservation organisations. The raw data have been collated and rpreted by the following:ans and geese :cks me birds, rails to Crane ers to Spoonbill ntors tercatcher to Ruff pes to phalaropes iias to gulls

Gì Grieco Andrew Green John Davies John Grant Chris Gregory Mark Nowers Philip Murphy James Wright

Terns to auks Pigeons to woodpeckers Larks to Hedge Accentar Chats to thrushes Warblers to flycatchers Tits to shrikes Crows to buntings Appendices

Andrew Easton Malcolm Wright Derek Beamish Steve Fryett Andrew Gregory Phil Whittaker Rob Macklin Peter Kennerley

The 'official' British list is maintained by the British Ornithologists' Union (BOU). ecies are included in various categories according to their status, as follows: Category A - species which have been recorded in an apparently natural state at least once since January 1st 1950; Category B - species that would otherwise be in Category A but have not been recorded since December 31st 1949; Category C - species that, although originally introduced by man, either deliberately or accidentally, have established self-sustaining breeding populations; Category D - species that would otherwise appear in Categories A or B except that there is doubt that they have ever occurred in a natural state; ategory E - species that have been recorded as introductions, transportées or escapees from captivity, and whose breeding populations are not thought to be self-sustaining. I he main part of the species accounts consists of species that occurred in Suffolk in 2009, ich fall into Categories A and C. Where a species is included in multiple categories, this îown in the initial status summary. Categories D and E do not form part of either the tish or Suffolk lists. Species from these Categories that occurred in Suffolk in 2007 are luded as appendices to the main list. The order and nomenclature follow the latest published for The British List by the British rnithologists' Union (BOU 2006). This list can be accessed on their web site at vvw.bou.org.uk English names follow the same list. Subspecies are listed under the main species' heading, which includes the scientific name. The records for each species are listed mostly under the parish where the bird occurred, nietimes followed by a more precise location if known. The exception to this is at the river estuaries and larger, well-known sites criss-crossed by several parish boundaries e.g. • alberswick NNR, Minsmere, Orfordness, Alton Water, etc. The gazetteer on page 160 y ves locations for those sites not easily located on a standard road map. The order of records is north to south down the coastal region, working round the estuaries, then inland from the northeast to the southwest of the county. To minimise any potential threats to site security, some records of rare breeding birds are published anonymously and under a vague site heading. As much use as possible is made of systematic monitoring schemes such as the WeBS counts. Using such co-ordinated data instead of maximum counts gives a better idea of the Populations of each species wintering in the county on a given date. However, fluctuations ln n u m b e r s due to changing weather patterns will affect totals and higher counts are given ln e text after the table where appropriate. Counts from North Warren include Thorpeness 39

Suffolk Bird Report 2009 Meare, Church Farm Marshes and the shoreline between Thorpeness and Aldeburgh; he Aide/Ore Estuary includes the complex of the Aide, Ore and Butley rivers as well as Orfordness, Gedgrave reservoir and Havergate Island; and the Orwell includes Trim ey Marshes, Loompit Lake and Bourne Park Water Meadows. Counts from the Stour all re fer solely to the Suffolk side of the estuary. The larger part of the report, particularly for the more common species, is based upon ad hoc records. Data of that type are influenced by the distribution of birdwatchers, the weat 1er and other factors that result in imperfections. We are nonetheless indebted to those observ ;rs who have persevered with other studies, such as Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), Const int Effort Sites (CES) and transect counts and for making the results available for use A summary of the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is given for all those species for wh eh meaningful data are available. See 'A Guide to Recording Birds in Suffolk' elsewhere in this Report for information on submission of records. The following dĂŠfinitions are intended as a guide to the relative status of each specie; ; Very common: Occurs in large numbers in suitable habitat and season. Common: Occurs regularly or widely distributed in suitable habitat. Fairly common: Occurs in small numbers in suitable habitat and season. Uncommon: Occurs annually in small numbers. Scarce: One or two records each year or restricted to specific habitats. Rare: Occurs less than annually. Very rare: Less than 15 records in past 30 years. Accidentai: Less than three records in past 30 years. Included in the status description is a note if the species is included in either the Red or the Amber List of Birds of Conservation Concern '. This is a paper jointly produced by he leading bird conservation organisations in the UK. See Suffolk Bird Report Voi AT : 6-10 or further dĂŠtails. The following abbreviations are sometimes used in the systematic list:ad = adult N bird(s) flying north BBS = Breeding Bird Survey NNR = National Nature Reserve CES = Constant Effort Site R River CP = Country Park res = reservoir GC = Golf Course S bird(s) flying south GP = gravel pit SW = sewage works imm = immature WM = Water Meadow Ind. Est. = industriai estate WP = Water Park juv = juvenile WR = Wildfowl Reserve

3. The 2001 Baikal Teal.

Alan Tate

4. Greater Scaup at Livermere in \pd Lee 3regc

8. Cattle Egret at Bures in March. Stuart Read

10. Shag.

9. The Felixstowe Ferry Squacco H Ã®ron photographed at Wicken Fen! M n 7ar;[

Chris W

Systematic List UTE SWAN Cygnus olor >mmon resident. Categories A and C. Mute Swans were recorded breeding from 31 sites, with a total of 58 pairs which matches t;ie figures from last year although the number of cygnets was slightly lower with 74 ported. Not all breeding records were accompanied by the numbers of young, which came im just 20 of the nests. Other large herds in addition to the table below include 58 at Castle jrsh, North Cove, January 4th and 90 at the same site February 5th, 59 at Shipmeadow, I bruary 28th, 63 at Flixton, March 1st, 42 at North Warren, January 2nd, 52 at Boyton trshcs, May 12th, 54 at Shingle Street from November 16th until the end of the year, 46 Falkenham Marshes, March 3rd, 31 at Rosier Marshes, Old Felixstowe, March 14th and that included six cygnets at Trimley Marshes, June 30th. At Landguard Bird Peak monthly counts at selected sites: iservatory Mute Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec vans were noted on Minsmere 15 24 8 6 10 10 25 42 scattered dates in Orfordness 14 26 1717 12 6 11 9 year, with a Aide/Ore 134 62 65 6 14 9 11 r ximum of five Deben 215 186 154 121 78 97 129 . 82 ing out of the river Orwell Estuary HW 111 45 61 46 HP"'1 39 22 t; n north, Novem- Orwell Estuary LW 140 112 79 28 jr.: S , • - • . . fifSfS 7th and five Alton Water 16 10 : 13 28 1 3 28 s ith, December Redgrave Lake 43 90 75 62 th. In the south- HW = High Water LW = Low Water 1 st of the county 1 i t herds were present at Sudbury Common Lands, with counts of 110 on January 7th, 74, ( ¡ober 19th and 118 on December 31st emphasising what an important site it is. Good n Tibers were also present at Lakenheath Washes with 72, June 1 st and 80, October 18th. 1 NDRA ( B E W I C K ' S ) SWAN Cygnus columbianus bewickii I fly common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber List. he herd that had been present at the end of the previous year in the Minsmere/Westleton a a continued to show regularly in the first two months of the year and was last recorded a v'estleton on February 16th when 14 were present. This herd could be found in fields to ' north of the village, with a maximum of 41 on January 26th, and would then roost 0 -might at Minsmere. At Kessingland, 14 that flew north over the beach at 08.30, January ' • are likely to be birds from Minsmere where the same number roosted the previous night. A Shipmeadow there were six, January 31st, 14, February 14th and one remaining on February 19th. From mid-February birds on migration, returning to their northern breeding grounds, included 30 at Gunton that flew east, February 17th and two large groups on February 20th, when 80 flew east at Lowestoft Harbour at 09.15 and 90 east at Southwold at 09.00. At Peto's Marsh, Carlton Colville, 21 flew in from the east and landed, March 1st. Other records in the first winter period from the north-east include:Kessingland: single flew south. Mar 2nd. >orth Cove: Castle Marsh, two, Jan 13th. «eydon Marshes: two, Jan 22nd and 24th; 17, Feb 8th. "¡uberswick: Tinker's Marshes, three flew south, Feb 7th. Further down the coast at Orfordness three adults were on the ice of the frozen airfields January 1 Ith, two on the Aide WeBS count, January 18th and a single on the Deben at ""ton Marshes, January 4th and 17th. Nearby at Falkenham Creek, one was amongst Mute wans February 14th and 28th and March 3rd and at Butley Creek, two late birds on April •h- In the west there were 25 at Sedge Fen, Lakenheath, January 1st with the record nooper Swan herd, 150 at Kenny Hill, Mildenhall, January 8th and at 29 at Lakenheath !K ' es, February 8th. 41

Suffolk Bird Report 2009 In the second winter period the first returning birds were two at Minsmere, October 17tl :, where numbers built up to the end of the year reaching 37 on December 27th. Several othi r occurrences in the north-east related to birds flying over or in off the sea including a fami y party of two adults and two first-winters on October 31 st that flew low south-east ovi r central Lowestoft. Other sightings came from Bradwell, Castle Marsh, Kessingland, Mutfor 1, Breydon South Wall, Lowestoft North Beach, Aldeburgh, Snape Makings, Lake Lothir g and Gorleston. On North Warren grazing marsh, three were present on November 4th with four on 8 h and two on Orfordness, December 6th that may relate to the two on Havergate Island c n 20th. At Shingle Street 17 were present from December 23rd to the end of the year, whi e eight adults and one juvenile were atTrimley Marshes, December 19th. A single passage bi d flew over West Row on October 22nd and three were present at Fakenham Magna on the last day of the year. WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber List. Categories A and E. The year started with an excellent count, the highest ever recorded in Suffolk of 260 at Sedge Fen, Lakenheath on January 1st - this is the county's first-ever three-figure count. T1 is herd was accompanied by 25 Bewick's Swan; all of these swans are most likely to have be n wanderers from the Cambridgeshire Fens a id must have made an impressive sight. \t Westwood Marshes, Walberswick, there wĂ re five also on 1st, while on the following day at nearby Dingle Marshes seven flew in off the si a. Six were present at Lakenheath Fen RSPB in January 7th. Up to five were regularly seen at Minsmere from early January, with one last se ;n there on April 8th. Other reports that are likely to relate to the Minsmere birds include up to six, ac u ts anc t w 0 Whoo er Swan Su Gou h ' ' ' juveniles, ' n P'g fields at ooper wan u oug Westleton from January 13th to 19th and five at Benacre Broad on January 14th when two flew south. A notable count on February 15th was of 61 flying east over Sotterley Park. One was heard calling in flight over Hulver Str ;et in the early hours of February 22nd. At Lakenheath Washes there was an early arrival in the second winter period when 35 were present on October 1st, with 15 noted there later in the month on 26th. At Minsmere there was a singleton in early November and again during December increasing to three on 20th. Landguard Bird Observatory recorded the site's seventh record on November 3rd when seven flew south. At Gunton Beach three flew in off the sea on November 6th. In December a couple of records from the west of the county involved six at Boxford on 17th and four at Lackford on 19th. The final records of the year were five that flew south at Aldeburgh on December 27th and a single on Dingle Marshes the following day.

BEAN GOOSE Anserfabalis Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber List. Categories A and E. At the start of the year there was a single bird at Orfordness on the river at Pig Pail Bridge on 1 st. The two birds at North Warren from the end of 2008 were still present on January 1st; one was recorded there on January 6th and two again January 16th to 18th. The largest group of the year was at Minsmere on January 14th, when five arrived from the north, circled and then headed back again. 42

Systematic

List

For the second year running Taiga Bean Goose A.f. fabilis was recorded in Suffolk with t ree, possibly four, at Reydon Marshes, January 1 Ith to 13th (B J Small et al.). The only records from the second winterperiod carne from Landguard Bird Observatory, \ ĂŹere the seventh, eighth and ninth site records were recorded with two in off the sea, ' ivembcr 8th, two out of the river then south, November 25th and two north, December 12th. Other records were as follows:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; I vdon Marshes: single on Jan 1 Ith and from Jan 15th to 25th. ithwold Town Marshes: Jan 13th and 26th (same birds as above). nsmere: two, Jan 4th. 1 yton Marshes: Mar 5th. 1 wdsey: East Lane, one with swans, Jan 4th. mley Marshes: May 2nd (possible escapee). 1 NK-FOOTED GOOSE Anser brachyrhynchus l '.common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber List. Categories A and E. Numbers were down compared with the previous two years although four-figure numbers v re recorded on a few occasions with the north-east stili the stronghold. The largest flock c the year was encountered at Burgh Castle on November 30th when 6624 flew southt >t at dawn from the roost over the river at Berney Marshes on November 7th. This ! ck is undoubtedly related to the one feeding in fields recorded at Hobland Road, I owston Green, Belton, with 2000, November 28th, 5000, November 29th and 6000, f cember Ist. \ lot of records received were of birds in flight; a selection includes:> rgh Castle: 1200 flew overhead, Feb 26th; 5000 flew north at dusk to roost at Berney Marshes, Nov 'th. P ton: 4000 high south-east, Feb 4th. fc -dwell: 50 north-west, Oct 8th; 1000 south-east, Nov 27th. < leston: Beacon Park, 4000 south-west, Nov 18th. 1 iton: Waveney Forest, 1000 flew north, Oct 22nd. A >by: 19 flew south-west, Jan 21st; 17 west, Nov 21st. I und: 3000, Nov 16th and 19th feeding on winter cereal fields along Snake's Lane; 200 flew south 'ver Snake's Lane, Dee 9th. B ndeston Marshes: 2000, Jan 26th; 1500 flew south overhead, Feb 4th; 1000 feeding on winter ereal Dee 8th; 350, Dee 25th. S< nerleyton: 1000 north-east, Jan Ist; 250 over, Nov 28th; 30 feeding in a field, Dee Ist. Corton eliffs: eight flew north, Sep 13th. Clinton beaeh: 19 flew north, Nov 5th; 70 north-west, Nov 1 Ith. Oulton: 150, Oct 15th; 55 north, Nov 12th; 500 south-west, Nov 26th; 2000 flew over, Dee lOth. 1 ke Lothing: 98 north-west, Nov 1 Ith. Carlton Marshes: 60 flew north, Jan 4th. hxton: 50 north-east, Jan 14th; 150 west, Jan 25th; 270 north overhead, Feb 20th; 200 north overhead, Feb 24th; 1000 west, Oct 28th; 200 flew north-west and 45 south-west, Dee lOth. ! urther down the coast at Reydon and Southwold Town Marshes single figure flocks were noted in January with three Jan 1 Ith, four 14th and 15th, increasing to eight 18th and 19th, ' v e 2Ist, nine 22nd to 25th and finally eight Jan 26th. Four were also present at Reydon at end of the year on December 28th. At Minsmere three flew north-west over the reed - Oct 1 st, while at Thorpeness movement in October included ten flying south, 2nd, 11 south, 8th and 15 north, 22nd. As usuai the species was less frequent in south-east Suffolk, with two at Loompit Lake, nmley St Martin on January 3rd, with probably the same two counted on the Orwell Low an High water counts in January and February respectively. On the WeBS count in March wo were at Alton Water, March 15th. On September 28th, 21 flew south then in past guard ^ird Observatory and the same number flew south on October 17th. In

Suffolk Bird Report 2009 December, at Orfordness, one was on the Airfields with Greylags on 6th, with two presei t, 13th and at Sudbourne Marshes, on a WeBS count, two on 20th. One feral bird was present through the year at various sites in the west of the coun y including Micklemere, Lackford, Great Livermere and Long Melford where it associati d with Greylags. GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser albifrons Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. Categories A and E. In the first half of January Minsmere Levels held the main bulk of birds with a maximu n of 250 counted on January 6th. Within the flock on 5th and 7th an individual with a blac neck collar, inscribed with MBP was noted and was later present at North Warren on Mari h 4th. This bird had previously been recorded from Lithuania in the spring of 2007 and 200 i. From the middle of January to the end of March North Warren was the principal sit although numbers were down compared with recent years; counts of 318, January 27th, 34 ), February 8th and 202, March 7th were the highest monthly counts. A single bird was st II present on April 22nd. Other records from the first winter period include four, Reydi n Marshes, January 11th and probably the same birds nearby with a count of three, Southwo d Town Marshes, January 13th. At Aldringham Walks 60 were present on January 5th ai d four, Hazelwood Marshes, Feb 1 st. In the south-east at Landguard, 13 flew south then inland, January 9th and there was a good count of 345 on the Orwell High Water count in January. A first-winter was among ;t Greylags at Wherstead Strand on January 1 st and 4th, with a single at Trimley Marshes ( n April 19th. The flock of 31 present at the end of 2008 at Mickle Mere was still present in o the new year with at least 11 remaining until January 13th. A presumed feral bird was at ti e site on March 27th with probably the same bird at Great Livermere on April 15th and M; y 1st. The first bird of the second winter period flew over Beacon Park, Gorleston on Novemb r 11th. A singleton also flew over Eastwood Lodge, Walberswick, November 22nd. The ma n site was again North Warren with four on November 21st, with numbers building up n December to a maximum of 150 on 28th. The only record from Minsmere, the joint-highe st in this period, was 150 on December 23rd. At Hazelwood Marshes, four were present < n December 27th and four flew south at Thorpeness December 29th, while at Landguard ti n flew north, December 12th. GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser Common resident from feral flock. Amber List. Categories A, C and E. The Greylag Goose remains widespread and numerous. However breeding was reported from only 14 sites, with 38 broods, which is lower than previous years, but may be due o under-recording. The main site was Weybread GP where 14 broods totalled 83 young; Ding e Marshes and Livermere Lake had four broods while Hen Reedbeds and Ampton had three. Other three-figure flocks in addition to the table below were 320 at Weybread, January 2nd, 120 at Lound Waterworks, December 8th; 300 at Trimley Marshes, December 12th; 200 at Mickle Mere, January 31st; 296 at Higham, October 25th; 400 flying over Timworth, October 20th and 112 at Redgrave Lake, October 11th. It is interesting to compare the numbers today with those of 50 years ago in the Suffolk Bird Report for 1959, when there were only three records of 11 birds involving one, River Deben, February and March, five Lowestoft, October 11th and five, Walberswick, December 18th! At Landguard Bird Observatory, local wanderers were noted on 22 dates between March 7th and May 29th, with a maximum of eight south on April 13 th. Later in the year five flew south, September 29th. 44

Systematic List Peak monthly counts at selected sites: Jan Feb Mar Minsmere 146 84 135 33 North Warren 215 6 Orfordness 150 20 40 Aide/Ore Estuary 459 68 169 Deben 57 : 32 23 Orwell Estuary HW 292 182 32 Orwell Estuary LW 611 396 Alton Water 602 125 78 Lackford Lakes 172 266 ... Livermere Lake 760 149 HW = High Water LW = Low Water

Apr 94

Sep 260 13 24

...

124

â&#x20AC;˘i ' 43 807 -159 â&#x20AC;˘

Oct 245 260 8 147 222 57 -

619 6 900

Nov 229 285 80 270 355 176 140 360 939 j B -

Dec 176 227 190 179 114 2 212 300 50 -

{EATER CANADA GOOSE R ran tu canadensis ( mmon resident. Categories A, C and E. Breeding was recorded from 19 sites, with Orfordness, where six pairs bred, being the I ncipal site. A total of 34 broods with 68 young was noted in the county. Other large flocks addition to those in the table include 357 at Outney Common, Bungay, January 7th, 200 Hazelwood Marshes, January 11th, 150 at Covehithe, August 30th, 400 at Boyton irshes, December 10th, 200 at Trimley Marshes, December 30th, 235 at Fornham St artin, August 19th, 238 at Redgrave Lake, October 11th and 252 at Livermere Lake, igust 19th. The largest flock was located during the Aide WeBS count on January 18th at lyton, where 602 were present which are included within the table below:Peak monthly counts at selected sites: Jan Feb Mar Minsmere 38 30 32 17 North Warren 21 10 29 Orfordness 20 5 Aide/Ore Estuary 789 317 305 34 Deben 121 82 Orwell Estuary HW 65 35 72 Orwell Estuary LW 233 171 Lackford Lakes 160 245 H W = High Water LW = Low Water

Apr 21

Sep 53

% -

211 -

BKf 217

Oct 56 157 22 476 342 122

203

Nov 18 150 204 532 476 126 120 ; 57

Dec 53 210 376 637 1 32 60 103 I 23

An unusual sighting was of two on the sea at Pakefield Beach, February 22nd. At 1 andguard Bird Observatory, one flew north on January 9th and the species was noted from the site on 12 dates between March 8th and May 4th, with a maximum of three, April 19th. In June, 14 flew out of the river then north on 12th and 19 north on 22nd. Finally one flew south, November 8th. Sightings of a single Canada Goose x Greylag Goose hybrid at Redgrave Lake and Livermere Lake in January, February and October presumably relate to the same bird moving between the sites. BARNACLE GOOSE Rranta leucopsis Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant; increasingly common feral resident. Amber List. Categories A and E. The table below shows the main sites for this species in Suffolk. The 640 at Minsmere on January 18th beats last year's reserve record and was the largest recorded in the county during the year. In February there was movement along the coast in the south-east, when at

Suffolk Bird Report 2009 Orfordness on 22nd 90 flew south down the river and later 117 flew north. What might relat : to the same birds were 127 flying south past Undercliffe, Felixstowe and Landguard on th same day. Up to two were present at Lackford and other sites in the west through the year A scattering c f Peak monthly counts at threed sites: spring records ir Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec eluded 33 at Loun 1 Southwold 120 500 SSiiftf y Waterworks on Apr I Minsmere 640 149 385 151 260 200 300 10th, 28 at Sotterle/ North Warren 444 350 293 8 218 195 220 Park, April 13th an 1 90 at the wildlife park in Kessingland on May 4th. At Weybread GP one or two were note 1 between May and July and six atTrimley Marshes, May 23rd. The only confirmed breedin • for the year came from Minsmere where there were three broods of three, four and fi\ 2 young. Thirty-five were at Covehithe on August 30th, 100 at Kessingland sewage work , October 13th and 300 feeding on winter cereal at Kessingland, October 19th. At the end < f the year 31 were counted at Sudbourne Marshes during a WeBS count on November 22n 1, and 100 at the same location on December 20th, while on the latter date eight were prese t on the Airfields at Orfordness. (DARK-BELLIED) BRENT GOOSE Branta bermela bermela Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Red List. Categories A and E. Frequently seen moving offshore in the first winter in small numbers, with the large it count being 186 that flew south, February 10th at Kessingland. Other large flocks for ti e period include 800+ at Waldringfield, January 29th, 800 at Holbrook Bay, January 24th ai d 450+ at Collimer Point on the River Orwell, March 3rd. At Shotley Marshes there were on y nine first-winters in a flock of 928 (<1%) on April 4th. At Lakenheath RSPB 20 flew ov :r on April 13th, the largest total in west Suffolk since April 7th 1996 when 100 flew south ov ir Lackford lakes. A few birds were noted in late spring/early summer with a probable over-summering bi d at Orfordness, June 14th and July 25th and a single bird flew south past Thorpeness, June 24th. A group of four was noted at three sites in July; south at Thorpeness on 1st, south it Landguard on 10th and south past Orfordness, 11th. Autumn passage along the coast commenced in mid-September with single-figure cour ts until 30th when 146 Peak monthly counts at selected sites: (31 north and 1 5 Jan Sep Oct Nov Dec south) flew pi.st Feb Mar Apr : 9 Orfordness 101 84 25 .••••• 4 16 2 29 Kessingland and ... _ Aide/Ore Estuary 50 24 364 3 4 72 608 flew south past DebenWeBS 1038 643 5 1 47 333 643 Landguard Bird ObOrwell Estuary HW 474 595 602 357 B 3SÌ1 1-1 614 servatory. The species Orwell Estuary LW 621 1130 •458 83 was recorded with Stour Estuary 27 48 310 44 376 regularity along the Trimley Marshes 602 78 125 43 807 619 360 300 coast until the end of ilSHi Shotley Marshes 760 149 900 the year. Peak moveHW = High Water LW = Low Water ment was on October 31st, with 300 south at Gorleston, 1098 south at Thorpeness, 1160 south at Orfordness and 1732 south at Landguard Bird Observatory. Similar to last year, very few first-winter birds were noted, indicating a probable poor breeding season. One observer's notes include one juvenile, the first seen this winter, at Thorpe Bay, Trimley St Martin, October 23rd, one juvenile with eight adults, Loompit Lake, November 3rd and 56 adults and still no juveniles. Thorpe Bay, November 11th. An aberrant and possibly sick bird, with chestnut head and neck, no neck mark and faint chest and belly markings was present at Thorpe Bay, April 4th. 46

Systematic List ALE-BELLIED) BRENT G O O S E

Branta bernicla

hrota

ncommon winter visitor. Amber list. inton Warren: five north, Oct 17th (Lowestoft Lounge lizards). nacre Ness: adult north, Oct 12th (AC Easton). nth wold: south with 15 Dark-bellied Brents, Dec 2nd (R Drew). ydon Marshes: Jan 21st (C Fulcher). fordness: adult, Airfields Feb 8th and 14th; juv, Airfields, Mar 21st; adult, Managed Retreat, Nov 28th (Orfordness Bird Report), de: WeBS, Feb 22nd. LACK BRANT Branta bernicla nigricans ry rare visitor. An addition to the Orfordness list, one was present in the Gedgrave/Orfordness/Sudbourne -a February 8th to 15th (M Marsh et al.). Interestingly, on February 14th, at Orfordness, three subspecies of Brent Goose were present together. The observer was the same as ated Suffolk's first record of Black Brant on the Orwell Estuary back in 1975. jYPTIAN G O O S E

Alopochen

aegyptiaca

cally fairly common resident. Categories C and E. Reported from numerous locations in the north-east and the west, where it continues to ve its stronghold in the county. A few scattered records came from the south-east, while re were only two reports in the south from Long Melford and Sudbury. The highest counts ring the year were: 105, Lound Town Pits, January 14th; 84 at Burgh Castle, June 27th (see Id Note below); 36, Lackford Lakes, July 30th; 58, Livermere Lake, August 14th and 49, ;ham, September 9th. Breeding records were received from 17 locations, split between the north-east and west, 1 ese were from Weybread Gravel Pits, Lound Waterworks, Flixton Gravel Pits, Leathes m, Oakley, Beccles Quay, North Cove, Hen Reedbeds, Livermere Lake, Redgrave Lake, ckford Lakes, Barton Mere, Pakenham, Mickle Mere, Sapiston, Stowlangtoft and one ord from Baylham in the Gipping valley. At Linstead Parva, one was found dead under idside power lines.

fiELD N o t e low tide on June 27th at Burgh Castle, 84 Egyptian Geese were walking along dabbling in the wet mud, feeding in an identical manner to Shelduck. Egyptian Geese are generally thought to be grazers of plants with animals occasionally eaten by accident if they are on the plants being eaten. The Breydon Egyptian Geese appear to have copied the local Shelduck and learnt to intentionally target the molluscs as an alternative food source. Lowestoft Lounge Lizards

COMMON S H E L D U C K

Tadorna

tadorna

ocaily common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. The only other three-figure counts of adults away from sites covered in the table came w B U r g h C a S t l e F l a t s ' w h e r e 1 6 3 w e r e P r e s e n t o n May 3rd and 183, May 11th. C ata a v e IOQ ' ^ shown that there was a 15% drop in national wintering numbers between ' and 2002; however this was not reflected in Suffolk, where numbers have held up well. ls is illustrated by the graph below which shows the combined January count from the five major estuaries, i.e. the Blyth (data not available for 2000, 2002 and 2007), Aide/Ore, Deben, â&#x20AC;˘"well and Stour, in each of the past 15 years. 47

Suffolk Bird Report 2009 Monthly counts from the key sites: Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct :; 312 Blyth Estuary 305 493 iSISK 177 87 648 Aide/Ore Estuary 701 886 1041 Deben Estuary 479 554 413 39 251 312 Orwell Estuary HW 308 578 450 79 Orwell Estuary LW 570 833 Stour Estuary 1186 653 699 367 438 1023 _ 17 Livermere Lake* 111 170 161 * monthly maxima HW = High water LW = Low Water

Nov 266 565 26 342 324 634

Dec -

624 259 260 562 - -

Combined January Counts from the Estuaries 6000 5000 â&#x20AC;˘S

4000

3000

2000

O 1000 0

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Year Breeding numbers also compared favourably with recent years. At Orfordness 18 broc Js totalling 155 young were recorded, including 44 ducklings which were rescued havi lg become trapped in a pit in one of the former laboratory buildings. Nearby on Haverg; te Island, 51 young were present, June 17th, and in the west of the County, 53 young wi re counted at Livermere Lake, August 3rd. Elsewhere, four pairs were present along the But :y River, three broods were located at both Burgh Castle and Flixton GR and 24 ducklii gs were seen at Levington Creek in June. Hen Reedbeds, Dingle Marshes, Minsmere a id Lackford each held two pairs, while single pairs were noted at Sizewell, Boyton Marsh ;s, Melton, Landguard, Alton Water, Mickle Mere and Barton Mere. The only significant offshore movement involved 229 south off Landgua "d, December 2nd. M A N D A R I N

D U C K

Aix

galericulata

Uncommon feral visitor. Small breeding population. Categories C and E. In Ipswich two pairs bred successfully at Holywells Park, while breeding was proved for the first time in the west of the County, with one pair raising three young at Little Saxham. Havergate Island: River Ore, Nov 2nd. Somerleyton: Wicker Well, male, Apr 15th. Ipswich: Christchurch Park, eight (five males), Jan 4th; seven (three males), Aug 16th; ten, Sep 18th; ten, Dec 16th. Holywells Park, two pairs bred successfully raising four and two young respectively; ten, Dec 23rd. Victoria Nurseries, Westerfield Road, nine, Jan 1st; 12 (seven males), Dec 26th. Thetford: male, Apr 25th. Lackford Lakes: male, Jan 21st; pair, Apr 23rd; May 13th; three, May 18th; male, Nov 22nd. Little Saxham: pair with three young, Jun 17th. Bures St Mary: four, Mar 23rd. EURASIAN WIGEON

Anas

penelope

Common winter visitor and passage migrant. A few oversummer. Amber list. Categories A and E. Wintering numbers on the coast in January were at their lowest overall level for ten years. 48

Systematic List ie only other Monthly countsfromthe key sites: n table counts Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec c me from Burgh Blyth Estuary 74 640 117 117 4 ( istle, 250, Minsmere 561 700 452 36 29 106 429 768 f bruary 13 th and North Warren* _ 12 229 506 1830 2230 934 427 L cember 23rd; Aide/Ore Estuary 5345 3090 2716 189 620 1998 4491 B yton Marshes, Deben Estuary 26 582 428 614 795 469 242 • • 4 1 >2, April 5th and Orwell Estuary HW 807 594 519 ÌM'ÌÌ; 557 519 217 1234 1336 137.0 1066 : " Decoy, Orwell Estuary LW F ixton 127 86 90 38 48 73 0, Septem- Alton Water Stour Estuary 947 968 638 2 893 730 1019 b r 17th. 200 140 108 167 There was no Redgrave Lake* ... 124 130 42 f l f t t v 110 e dence of breed- Mickle Mere* 150 96 40 84 18 ßißii ii g, although a Livermere Lake* ~ 600 250 106 330 tr al of up to 24 GlfTord's Hall* 136 310 245 17 - '-v. ;;; 2 b i'ds oversum- Thorington Street Res.* 193 * monthly maxima HW = High water LW~ Low Water n red at five -istal and four inland sites. Offshore autumn passage followed the trend of recent years and was generally light. The st returning birds were recorded on August 23rd, with five males flying south off fordness, and numbers peaked on October 31st. Regular seawatching produced the lowing notable counts:singland: 176 south, Oct 31st. irpeness: 115 south, Sep 15th; 265 south, Oct 31st. ndguard: 396 south, Oct 31st. ' VDWALL Anas streperà 1 mmon resident and winter visitor. Amber list. Categories A and C. f. 2 tthly countsfromthe key sites: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov gle Marshes 4 16 76 26 10 42 smere* 434 110 289 121 112 144 287 85 113 168 56 th Warren* 188 24 143 136 39 '5' > 29 WQfe Estuary — 22 138 48 67 18 22 38 «II Estuary HW 695 60 12 86 108 414 «ell Estuary LW 223 256 722 385 mley Marshes* 126 43 90 350 226 ffiv ion Water 9 16 15 131 29 2 226 : ¡J dgraveLake* 143 Ì | | i 160 125 Mickle Mere* 57 109 70 ¡ekford Lakes* 47 53 83 30 26 75 95 76 62 1 liorington Street Res.* 34 22 114 102 62 2 161 96 "monthly maxima HW = High Water LW =Low L Water For the third year in four the County record total was broken, with the low-water WeBS count of 722 on the Orwell Estuary, January 18th, comfortably surpassing the previous high "t 545 recorded at Minsmere in December 2007. Atypically the highest count of the year at Mmsmere, which was a WeBS count, was made in August (434 on 21st). Apart from those in the table, other counts of note came from Leathes Ham, Lowestoft with 57, September 11th; Flixton Decoy, 50, October 28th; Livermere Lake, 56, January 19th; Barton Mere, 60, February 14th and Lakenheath Fen, 57, January 18th. Nationally the breeding population continues to increase, with the highest numbers in 49

Suffolk Bird Report 2009 southern and eastern England. This upward trend is probably reflected in Suffolk, where a total of 135 breeding pairs was recorded this year, which, although not as high as the 145 of 2007, does not include figures from two known strongholds from where data were n it forthcoming. Minsmere held a potential breeding population of 92 pairs, a site record, whi e elsewhere along the coast North Warren supported seven pairs and Boyton Marshes si ;. Inland a total of 14 pairs was reported from eight sites, including three broods at Thoringti n Street Reservoir. Gadwall Anas streperà x Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope hybrid A duck located amongst the Gadwall at Leathes Ham, Lowestoft, December 25th, show d a pinkish breast, pale-blue sides to an otherwise black bill, a small white patch on the re ir flanks and a plain head pattern indicating a male of this unusual parentage. EURASIAN TEAL Anas crecca Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Scarce resident. Amber list. Monthly countsfromthe key sites: Jan Feb Mar Apr Aug 69 18 350 Benacre Broad _ 82 587 Blyth Estuary 737 405 243 120 -Dingle Marshes 198 557 683 643 195 Minsmerc* 218 196 128 iif§© H i North Warren" 3544 1127 763 Aide/Ore Estuary 117 6 166 Debem Estuary 423 361 262 97 1 m § v.'Sv Orwell Estuary HW Orwell Estuary LW 453 531 i§§§ 106 40 Trimley Marhses* 273 700 7 12 Alton Water 45 -2 31 0 Stour Estuary 436 740 456 187 222 Ì0M'. Mickle Mere4 271 -, 26 42 470 155 Lackford Lakes* Gilford's Hall* 150 120 23 V * monthly maxima HW = High Water LW - Low Water

Sep

Oct

163 562 193 33 2

211 648 1465 220 735 121 658

850 27 223

1122 110 102

i§8 yij 56 32

Nov

101 4-

Dec .V:—

273

•Sjs® 840 240 1012 270 1009 1232 1200 69 272

617

j§Jgj

260 1070 260 3853 497 10 981 ...

120 238 -

The Aide/Ore Estuary complex held numbers approaching international importance (threshold of 4000) for the second successive winter, while in the west of the County the count of 617 at Lackford Lakes, November 27th, is a new site record. Aside from the table, other three-figure counts came from Breydon South Flats, 150. February 3rd; Burgh Castle, 238, February 15th and 300, December 23rd; Boyton Marshes, 119, April 3rd; Ringsfield, 100, February 11th; Outney Common, Bungay, 200, January 7th; Botany Farm, Farnham, 200, January 27th; Lakenheath Fen, 110, January 18th and 300, February 3rd and Lakenheath Washes, 155, December 14th. There was no repeat of last year's confirmed breeding, although a pair held territory at Dingle Marshes and four pairs were present at North Warren, June 14th. Return offshore passage began early with six south offKessingland, June 16th, and peaked in mid-September. The following notable movements were logged:Corton: 200, Sep 14th. Kessingland: 285 south, Aug; 77 north and 413 south, Sep, including 113 south, Sep 8th; 95 north and 186 south, Oct; 27 north and 202 south in Nov and Dec, including peak day-count of 142 south, Dec 2nd. Thorpeness: 162 north and 498 south, Sep, including peak day-count of 54 north and 174 south, Sep 14th. Landguard: nine north and 330 south, Sep, including peak day-count of 101 south, Sep 11th. 50

Systematic List 1 REEN-WINGED TEAL Anas carolinensis h tre visitor. N nsmere: male, Jan 1 Ith to Feb 1 Oth (J Kennerley et al.). IV ekle Mere: male, Mar 16th (D Archer et al.). These are the 25th and 26th County records of this Nearctic vagrant. 2 08 Correction: ( fTord's Park: male, Nov 15th - record included in error. 2 07 Correction: ( ford's Park: male, Nov 18th (A Gretton, J Oxford) - date and observers correeted. R VLLARD Anas platyrhynchos I ;v common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. ¡thly counts from the key sites: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Sep .ri ; Ii Estuary 54 28 65 gfe Marshes 252 180 92 30 .mere* 189 71 140 86 78 71 71 i. •h Warren* : 172 51 19 11 A Siri /Ore Estuary 486 268 228 30 n Estuary 202 103 62 56 ífófcít 119 ¿II Estuary H\V 154 351 74 i M. eü Estuary LW 361 363 n Water 124 34 30 110 204 83 r Estuary 95 38 71 30 92 56 _ :nheath Fen* 128 171 54 ... tord Lakes* 351 154 74 • - v- ' ; ngton Street Res.* 145 180 94 108 ithly maxima HW = High Water LW = Low Water

Oet 117 276 284 150 417 110 80 M- M «: 225 46

Nov 75 -

274 171 394 90 198 193 108 94 -

198 188

Dec "

30 562 224 400 160 128 172 -

_ _ 128 112

old-weather movement accounted for high WeBS counts on December 20th at Minsmere Lackford Lakes, with Minsmere achieving its highest count since October 1993 (when 6< were present). In addition to those in the table, three-figure counts were reeeived from Tl uley Marshes, 300, September 3rd; Redgrave Lake, 124, October 1 Ith; Mickle Mere, , January 17th; Thorpe Morieux, 116, October 25th and Sudbury Common, 140, January 2nd and 142, October 19th. Counts of 2737 at Flixton GP, August 2nd and 1000 at Livermere Lake, August 3rd, largely comprised hand-reared young birds released for shooting. espite the total number of breeding pairs being slightly down (233 compared with 237 2008), there was a further welcome increase in the number of reported breeding sites (31 compared with 29 in 2008). Minsmere with 97 pairs (80 in 2008) and Hen Reedbeds with 31(23 in 2008) were the two principal sites, although there were no figures from several "er coastal nature reserves in the north-east of the County which are known to hold strong Populations. ln

NORTHERN PINTAIL Anas acuta r >y common winter visitor and passage migrant; a few oversummer. Amber list. Catégories A and E. Overall, numbers were down on recent years in both winter periods, with no count eaching national importance (threshold of 280), although the total of 151 at North Warren, u ecember 1 Ith, is a new site record. mgle pairs were present at Orfordness and Havergate Island in June, but there was no ^ « c e o f breeding. A juvenile seen at Livermere Lake, July 6th, was thought to have

Suffolk Bird Report 2009 Away from the Monthly counts from the key sites: coast, records inJan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov E cluded particularly Blyth Estuary > 149 0 88 18 0 noteworthy counts North Warren* 14 95 ;; i 62 96 0 2 K 1 at Shipmeadow and Alde/Ore Estuary 276 133 4 66 l l l g f 72 ' 88 S i 0 O G 12 114 26 23 10 Gifford's Hall. It is Deben Estuary tt | v | J 47 46 40 likely that amongst Orwell Estuary HW 47 77 •• ' the following inland Orwell Estuary LW 102 öfe-Sti 122 31 64 120 39 2 0 70 records a few involve Trimley Marshes* 0 64 24 36 69 8 37 birds of captive Stour Estuary * monthly maxima HW = High water LW = Low Water oriein:Shipmeadow: 11, Feb 1 Ith; 50, Feb 16th. Staverton Park: pair, Mar 15th. Lakenheath Fen: two, Jan 7th; Jan 18th; Jan 27th; six, Oct 22nd. Redgrave Fen: two, Sep 16th, with one remaining until Oct 12th. Lackford Lakes: maximum monthly counts of eight, Jan Ist; five, Feb 24th; five, Mar 2nd; two (including leucistic male), Apr 2nd to 4th, with last of spring, male, Apr 25th; first of auti mn. Sep 18th, with three, Sep 19th; two, Oct 30th; three, Nov 2Ist; two, Dee 9th. Mickle Mere: three, Jan 20th; Mar Ist. Livermere Lake: two, Jan 19th; juvenile, Jul 6th; three (including leucistic male), Aug 3rd. Gifford's Hall: 30, Jan 26th; 48, Dee 9th. Thorington Street: Reservoir, two, Jan 30th. Offshore passage, which included three unseasonable records in late July, was logge i as follows:Lowestoft: two offshore, Jul 3Ist; five north, Sep 13th; 14 north, Sep 14th. Kessingland: five south in Jan; seven south, Jul 24th; two south, Jul 26th; four south, Aug 20th ten south in Sep; 22 south in Oct; six south in Nov; eight south, Dee 2nd. Southwold: three south, Sep 15th; one north, Oct 16th. Thorpeness: 14 south, Sep 7th; one north and five south in Oct; seven north and three south, Nov Oth: five north, Dee 14th. Landguard: six south in Sep; three north and 70 south in Oct, including 39 south, Oct 3Ist; 32 s )utb in Dee. GARGANEY Anas querquedula Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. The first arrived on the typical date of March 14th at Minsmere and Hazelwood Marsties Further birds were seen at four other sites before the end of the month, including three j airs at Loompit Lake, Trimley St Martin, March 18th. Breeding, although not proved, was suspected at Minsmere, Boyton Marshes and Lakenheath Fen, and juveniles were seen at all three sites during the summer. The last record involved two at Trimley Marshes, October 3rd Lowestoft: Leathes Ham, Sep 1 Ith to 2Ist. Benacre Broad: two males, Jun 14th. Covehithe Broad: juvenile, Sep 6th. Walberswick NNR: Westwood Marshes, male, Apr lOth. Minsmere: male, Mar 14th, Apr 8th to 1 Oth and May 4th to 1 Oth; two males, May 11 th and 12th; regula' sightings then onwards invol ving at least two males and one female until Aug 30th; juvenile, Sep 3rdNorth Warren: male, Apr 6th and 7th; three (one male), Aug 1 Ith; Aug 16th. Hazelwood Marshes: two, Mar 14th. Orfordness: two males, Mar 29th to Apr 19th, with three males, Apr 12th. Boyton Marshes: pair, Mar 17th, and then regularly until May 14th; juvenile, Jul 8th. Bawdsey: East Lane, Sep 7th to 13th. Trimley Marshes: male, Jul 9th; female, Sep 1 Ith; two, Oct 3rd. Trimley St Martin: Loompit Lake, three pairs, Mar 18th. Lakenheath Fen: pair, Mar 3Ist; two males and one female regularly throughout the breeding seaso"five, Aug 31 st.

Systematic List N( iTHERN SHOVELER Anas clypeata Co mon winter visitor and passage migrant. Uncommon resident. Amber list. Jan Feb Mar Apr Aug Sep 7 58 5 2 15 : _ Lowestoft Leathes Ham* 34 30 98 108 145 133 Minsmerc* 8 54 S l U ì 89 67 171 North Warren* 2 141 w Hill 210 5156 Aide/Ore Estuary 63 37 36 Orwell Estuary HW : 50 66 Orwell Estuary LW 100 32 56 63 34 Trimley Marshes* 2 3 0 48 S 42 37 Stour Estuary -86 91 41 Mickle Mere* „ 19 30 44 40 Livermere Lake* 33 16 29 7 Laekford Lakes* 24 3 2 15 Thorlngton Street Res.* * monthly maxima HW = High Water LW = Low Water

W to Es an Ls. Gi eq M Or br<

Nov 50 171 108 71 87 134 60 8 7•

17 82 13

15 30

Oct 20 165 18 135 60 -

Dec 56 149 175 142 26 67 -

imbers were generally slightly down in both winter periods, although the low-water 'S count on the Orwell Estuary of 134, November 22nd, is a new site record. In addition ie table, there was a non-WeBS count of 99 at Havergate Island (part of the Aide/Ore ary complex), September 12th. Only two other counts exceeded 30, but these did include scellent count from Lakenheath Fen, the highest inland count for over eight years:n heath Fen: 150, Feb 19th. rd's Hall: 45, Jan 30th. insmere supported a very impressive total of 45 pairs during the breeding season, lling the reserve record set in 1960, but only two broods were seen. Elsewhere, Boyton shes held four pairs (11 young seen), Hen Reedbeds two pairs and Dingle Marshes, rdness and Havergate Island one pair each. In the west of the County single pairs with ids were noted at Barton Mere and Livermere Lake.

Rl '-CRESTED POCHARD Netta rufina Sc. -ce winter visitor and passage migrant. Categories A and E. Of this year's records a female at Benacre Broad in October may have been a wild bird from the Continent, but the long-staying drake ranging between four sites in the south-east of!he County, and two flying offshore atThorpeness in late July, are more likely to have been of feral origin. Betiacre Broad: female, Oct 16th to 31st. ' h irpeness: two north offshore, Jul 27th. Bawdsey: East Lane, male, Jan 1st to Apr 26th. • rimley Marshes: male (same as Bawdsey), May 2nd to 31st; Jul 18th to Aug 8th; Sep 10th; Dec 4th; Dee 9th to 22nd. Trimiey St Martin: Loompit Lake, male (same as Bawdsey), Sep 5th to 9th. Alton Water: male (same as Bawdsey), Jun 12th; Dec 6th; Dec 31st. COMMON POCHARD Aythya ferina C ommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Uncommon resident. Amber list. Categories A and E. Following the trend of the past three years numbers were low in both winter periods, and ls year's peak count of 164 at Trimley Marshes, February 8th, is the lowest since 1976. This mirrors the continuing national downward trend, which saw a 44% decline in wintering numbers between 1995/96 and 2005/06, as a succession of mild winters led to a northeasterly shift in European distribution. Two further sites had counts above 50 in January:53

Suffolk Bird Report 2009 Bawdsey: East Lane, 65, Jan 6th. Thorington Street: Reservoir, 65, Jan 20th. Monthly counts from the key sites:

Aide/Ore Estuary Orwell Estuary HW Orwell Estuary LW Trimley Marhes* Lackford Lakes* Cavenham Pits* * monthly maxima

Jan

Feb

Mar

115 89

18 41

92 79

107 164

109

69 HW = High Water

Apr

Aug

Oct

Nov

0 7

Dec !

107 -

Sep

43 ...

71 58

100

; : 0;

LW - Low Water

Breeding was confirmed at two coastal and three Breckland sites, with a total of six bro >ds located. Offshore passage was generally light, but did include a movement of 95 (64 north and 31 south ) off Ness Point, Lowestoft, December 19th, the highest peak day-count offshore si ice 1997. Common Pochard Aythya ferina x Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca hybrid A male of this parentage was present at Loompit Lake, Trimley St Martin, March li th, and at nearby Trimley Marshes, March 20th. Canvasback Aythya valisineria hybrid A male present at Lackford Lakes, March 21st, and Livermere Lake, March 26th (S R itt, L Gregory), is thought to have been the same individual present in North Yorkshire in he autumn of 2008, and deemed by the BBRC to possibly exhibit some hybrid features. FERRUGINOUS DUCK Aythya nyroca Rare winter visitor and passage migrant. Minsmere: juv, Aug 28th to 30th (R Harvey et al.). Trimley Marshes: male, Mar 20th to Apr 8th (same as Loompit Lake). Trimley St Martin: Loompit Lake, male, Mar 18th (WJ Brame et al.). Livermere Lake: female, Apr 28th (JL Walshe, L Gregory). These are the first Suffolk records since the BBRC stopped assessing this species at he end of 2005. TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula Common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. Monthly counts from the key sites:

Minsmere* Aide/Ore Estuary Orwell Estuary HW Orwell Estuar}' LW Trimley Marhes* Alton Water Lakenheath Fen* Lackford Lakes Cavenham Pits* * monthly maxima

Jan 28 103 103 132 54 318 52 133 40 HW = High Water

Feb 65 79 40 97 42 346 42 123 -

Mar 42 68 57 -

28 110 44 äggg

Apr 55 -

Sep 21 0

CsîBf

Aug 9

Oct 0 61 24

—

—-

121

125 30

Nov 12 11 92 115

145 -

124 26

Dec 2 so 85 123 ••

308 y".

LW = Low Water

At Alton Water, the principal wintering site for this species in the county, the m a x i m u m count fell for the third successive year. As a consequence this site is no longer of n a t i o n a l 54

Systematic

List

¡m; (thi un coi ju\ Jul

irtance for Tufted Duck ^ ^ ^ shold 901). There was an isonably high non-WeBS it of 263 (including 26 niles) at Lackford Lakes, ^m W 30th. Five further sites had k / above 50: täL— • Alt iigham Walks: farm reservoir, ^ ^ ^ ^ 1 ik count in Oct of 120,18th; 51, I ^WSimmm— I sc 8th. -"*{< Wc read CP: 54, Nov 9th. Ba am Pits: 79, Feb 17th. Re rave Lake: 83, Feb 22nd; 62, ÄSBBIP^ 1 ir 15th. "" « ^ f r M> Sh ey: 96, Sep 21st. ceding was reported from 18 tes (14 in 2008); three sites we in the north-east, five in the JHj^ soi i-east and ten in the west. A TW' Tufted Duck Su Gough tot of 88 broods or pairs (55 in 20 ) was reported, with Minsmere accounting for 49 of these. le largest offshore movement of the year was of 55 north off Landguard, December 28th, the urgest offshore movement since 1989, when 200 flew south off Southwold, January 2nd. No ther coastal movement reached double-figures. Gl ATER SCAUP Aythya marita Fai v common winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list. jcords in the first winter period included late individuals at Livermere Lake in midA p and Havergate Island in mid-May. Kt ngland: three south, Jan 11th; on the sea, Feb 7th; north, Mar 6th. Mil mere: Island Mere, female, Jan 3rd to 12th, Jan 22nd, Feb 19th to Mar 10th and Apr 9th. Th peness: male north, Feb 6th. Ha ' rgate Island: May 11th. Baw dsey: East Lane, female, Jan 4th. Trimley Marshes: first-winter male, Jan 24th and Feb 7th to 14th. Trimley St Martin: Loompit Lake, male, Jan 20th; two males (adult and first-winter), Jan 21st to 24th. Alton Water: Jan 18th; first-winter male, Jan 24th; two, Jan 31st; male and female, Feb 15th; four, Feb 21st; Mar 3rd. Liurmere Lake: female, Apr 13th to 16th. The sole summer record involved a male on the Island Mere, Minsmere, July 9th to 11th, the third consecutive year that a male, possibly the same one, has visited the reserve in July.

R e c o r d s in t h e s e c o n d w i n t e r p e r i o d b e g a n e a r l y w i t h t w o m a l e s o f f L o w e s t o f t , September 5th, a n d p e a k e d in t h e s e c o n d h a l f o f D e c e m b e r , c o i n c i d i n g w i t h a spell o f c o l d weather.

Lowestoft: Ness Point, two males, Sep 5th. Lound: Waterworks, female, Dec 22nd. Benacre Pits: first-winter, Oct 27th to 31st.

I horpeness: three north, Sep 11 th; two south, Oct 22nd; south, Oct 31 st; two north, Dec 13th; north, Dec 20th; four south, Dec 22nd. 55 Bawdsey: East Lane, offshore, Dec 28th. "herstead: River Orwell, Dec 21st. Alton "olbrook: Lackford Water: Lakes: Holbrook two,two, Dec Bay, Sep 5th; first-winter, 25th. Dec 17th; Nov Dec 27th. 17th.

Suffolk Bird Report 2009 COMMON EIDER Somateria moltissima Uncommon winter visitor andpassage migrant. Has bred. Amber list. DĂźring the first winter period a total of 57 was recorded from five sites, including a fer ale on the Orwell Estuary WeBS count, February 22nd. There were single records in April (two south offThorpeness, 17th) and June (one r ÂĄale north off Kessingland, 6th). Autumn passage was noted from September Ist, and peaked in mid-December. All i aycounts exceeding 20 are listed below:Lowestoft: Ness Point, 36 north, Dee 13th. Kessingland: 24 north, Nov 9th; 41 north, Dee 12th. Southwold: 41 north, Dee 13th. Orfordness: 24 south, Sep 19th; 25 north and two south, Dee 13th. Landguard: 81 north and one south, Dee 12th. LONG-TAILED DUCK Clangula hyemalis Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. This year's total of ten individuals is the lowest for three years, but does include two t irds which overwintered on the Stour Estuary. Hopton-on-Sea: three north, Oct 12th. Stutton: Stour Estuary, two, Jan Ist to Feb 14th. Landguard: south, Nov 25th; two south, Dee 7th; south, Dee 16th; north, Dee 18th. COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra Declining non-breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list. Jan Kessingland North South Thorpeness North South Landguard North South

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

82 73

42 .12

38 13

S5 27

278 83

102 116

117 67

35 146

122 69

54 144

31 28

280 70

95 18

95 11

52 20

87 76

143 352

71 215

17 155

73 262

69 62

6 0

2 0

. 0

22 3

0 19

0 0

3 148

17 44

10 59

2 86

let ;

78 53 01 74 51

Accumulated monthly totals from Kessingland (Paul Read), Thorpeness (Dave Thurlow) and Landguard Bird Observatory are shown in the table. Passage was heaviest off Kessingland in May, with a maximum day-count of 110 north and 50 south, May ?nd whereas offThorpeness the maximum day-count was o f 145 north, January 11th, f o l l o w e d by a further peak in June. Unusually, sizeable rafts were noted off Minsmere and Landguard in January, and these, as well as all other counts of 50 or more, are listed below:Lowestoft: Ness Point, 70 north, May 2nd; 53 north, Sep 14th. Kessingland: 50 on the sea, May 2nd. South wold: 100 south, Jul 4th; 134, Jul 17th; 65, Aug 1st; 128 north and 281 south, Sep 30th. Minsmere: 200 on the sea, Jan 18th and 23rd; 53 on the sea, Jan 24th; 60, Feb 6th; 50, Feb 7th, 12th and 16th; 50, Sep 11th; 150, Sep 30th. Sizewell: 150, Jan 4th. Landguard: 200 on the sea, Jan 3rd. There were two inland records in April and three birds were seen on the estuaries:Breydon Water: South Flats, female, Jul 11th. Orfordness: first-summer male, River Ore, Apr 18th, and Stony Ditch, Apr 19th. Waldringfield: Deben Estuary, female, Dec 12th. Worlington: gravel pit, four (one male), Apr 11th. Cavenham Pits: female, Apr 25th. 56

Systematic

List

VE VETSCOTER Melanina fusca Un< mmon winter visitor andpassage migrant. Amber list. ( casional sightings of up to three off Minsmere compensateti for an otherwise poor sho ing during the first winter period. Kes ngland: south, Jan 5th; south, Jan 13th. Mii mere: two females on the sea, Jan 24th; three, Jan 26th; two, Feb 7th and 8th; male, Feb 12th; two, M ir 14th. Thi leness: north, Jan 23rd; north, Mar 8th. me was recorded between March 8th and October 1 Ith; thereafter the following were see¡ Ho| in-on-sea: three north, Oct 12th. Gu on: on the sea, Nov 2nd. Lo' itoft: Ness Point, three north, Oct 17th. Ke igland: north, Oct 1 Ith; north, Oct 12th; north, Nov 30th; three south, Dee 24th. Soi wold: male north, Oct 1 Ith; three, Oct 12th; Nov 30th. Mi mere: two south, Oct 16th; two north, Nov 14th; Scrape, Nov 30th. Th< leness: north, Oct 1 Ith; two south, Nov Ist; two north, Nov 30th; two south, Dee 29th. Ori dness: two south, Nov 1 st. Tri ,ey St Martin: River Orwell, male and female/first-winter, Dee 12th and 19th; Dee 2Ist to 24th. La miard: three south, Oct 31 st; two south, Nov 1 st; south, Dee 16th. CC IMON GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula Fai y common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. A long-staying male of questionable origin was Jan Feb Mar Apr Oct Nov Dee present at Flixton Decoy, Al' 're Estuary* 5 8 near 0 4 16 Lowestoft, until Di Estuar; 26 May 27th, and again from 0 0 0 0 22 2 OÍ 26 0 0 Estuary HW 8 1 5 August 2 Ist, and may 9 Estuar) LW 40 OÍ 2 38 account for the individuai 1 Al Water 20 6 5 0 16 18 0 seen offshore at Covehithe St, Estuary 0 13 Si ?! 3 64 93 .28 and subsequently on CoveLa ird Lakes* 9 5 9 15 8 16 11 hithe Broad, June 7th. 'hly maxima HW = High Water LW = Low Water Otherwise, the last of the spring was at Lackford Lakes on April 7th, and the first of the autumn passed Landguard on October 6th. 1 he only notable offshore passage occurred during strong south-easterly winds on December 2nd, when 27 were lo gged Aying south off Southwold, 15 south off Kessingland and ten south off Landguard. Ni

y counts from the key sites:

SMEW Mergellus albeli us Uncommon winter visitor Passage migrant. Amber list. ln

and

Minsmere r e m a i n s the only site the C o u n t y t o r e g u l a r l y h o s t t h i s

Popular species. Minsmere: male, Jan 3rd to Mar 8th, accompanied by 1-3 redheads 'hroughout; redhead, Dee 4th and l5 tnto 18th; male, Dee 23rdto31st. »und: Waterworks, redhead, Jan 6th.

Male Smew Peter Beeston

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER

Mergus

Fairly common winter visitor and passage

serrator

migrant.

Maximum counts fr )m the Orwell and St >ur Estuaries, the tr lin wintering sites, are si mmarized in the table. Surprisingly the peak count of the year was in October, namely a Wc BS count of 47 on the Stour Estuary on 11th. The low-water WeBS count of 29 on the On ell Estuary, January 18th, is the highest count made on the river since February 2001. The last of the spring flew past Kessingland, April 20th. There was one summer ree >rd involving a male and two females at Benacre Broad/Pits, June 28th to July 4th. Autumn passage began with two north offThorpeness and Corion, September 14th, nd was heavier than usual. Landguard logged the highest numbers, with three north and 25 south between October 14th and December 12th. Passage peaked on October 31st, wit! 36 south offThorpeness, 33 south off Orfordness and 29 south off Landguard, and agair on December 2nd, with 13 south off Southwold and 36 south off Landguard. Orwell Estuary Stour Estuary

Jail 29 28

Feb 26 22

Mar 10 36

Sep 0 1

Oct 0 47

Nov 2 2

Dec 17 5

GOOSANDER Mergus merganser Locally fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. First nested 2006. Maximum coi nts Sep Oct Nov Dec from Jan Feb Mar Apr the rr lin 13 4 1 2 0 2 1 9 wintering roost ite Lackford Lakes at Lackford are summarized in the table. Other records in the first winter period came fro n:Kessingland: redhead south, Jan 13th; redhead south, Feb 21st. Benacre Broad: redhead, Feb 3rd. Minsmere: male north, Apr 20th. North Warren: male, Mar 18th. Melton: River Deben, female, Apr 2nd and 3rd. Felixstowe: two south, Jan 4th. Trimley St Martin: Loompit Lake, 12 flew east, Jan 13th. Fritton Decoy: redhead, Feb 18th. Weybread GP: two redheads, Jan 5th. Barking: Pipps Ford, redhead, Jan 21 st; three, Feb 22nd. Baylham: Causeway Lake, three (one male), Feb 17th. Alton Water: redhead regularly Jan 2nd to Feb 11 th; three (one male), Feb 14th; Feb 21 st. Santon Downham: Little Ouse River, two, Jan 31st. Thetford: Nunnery Floods, three redheads, Jan 10th; eight (five males), Jan 27th. Barton Mills: three, Jan 5th. Sudbury: River Stour, adult and first-winter male, Jan 1 st to Mar 25th, one staying until Apr 4th. Stoke-by-Nayland: male, Jan 26th. Nayland: three, Feb 24th. For the fourth consecutive year a pair bred at Bamham along the Little Ouse River raising eight young. Records in the second winter period were received from:Burgh Castle: two (one male), Dec 23rd. Kessingland: male south, Dec 18th. Southwold: redhead north, Dec 17th. Minsmere: Island Mere, Dec 17th. Orfordness: south, Nov 14th. Landguard: south, Nov 16th; three south, Nov 18th. Trimley St Martin: Loompit Lake, male, Nov 15th. Levington: River Orwell, two, Dec 22nd. Freston: River Orwell, male, Dec 20th. North Cove: River Waveney, two (one male), Dec 24th. Weybread GP: two (one male), Dec 18th; redhead, Dec 24th, 30th and 31st. 58

Systematic List W¡ )ole: two (one maie), Dec 29th. Br aford: Suffolk WP, Dec 13th. Alt n Water: two redheads, Dec 13th to 17th; five, Dec 21st and 22nd; seven (one maie), Dec 23rd; ee (one maie), Dec 24th; redhead, Dec 26th; four (one maie), Dec 27th to 30th; three, Dec 3Ist. La cnheath Washes: two, Nov 15th. Tb ford: Nunnery Floods, two, Sep 5th. Su lury: River Stour, redhead, Dec 3Ist. Rl >DY DUCK Oxyura jamaicensis Ur mmon resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Catégories C and E. ot unexpectedly, considering the ongoing national culi, this species continues to decline in le County. All records are listed below, including the rare sight of one on the sea off M smere :— Bc ere Broad: Feb 3rd. Ce hithe Broad: male, Apr 13th. M: mere: male on the sea, Jan 7th; Island Mere, male, Jan 8th to 19th; pair regularly Jun 17th to ig Ist; one occasionally Aug 6th to Sep 20th. Ti ley Marshes: male, Jan 24th; two males, Apr 4th. Alf i Water: two, Feb 2Ist; Feb 22nd; Dee 22nd. Li mere Lake: female, Jan 2Ist; male, Jul Ist; two males, Jul 20th; juv of unknown provenance, ig 19th. La tord Lakes: male, Apr 6th. RI »-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa Re Jent. Catégories C and E. ports were received from 32 sites in the County, an improved coverage. However the sta ¡s of this introduced species is impossible to establish. Thirteen records of probable or co irmed breeding were submitted and the largest count, excluding birds released for sh< ting, wasól in Benhall on November lOth. Two birds were recorded at Landguard until M 29th after which only one bird was present until the end of the year. GREY PARTRIDGE Perdix perdìx Fo¡ nerly common resident, now localised. Red List. Catégories A, C and E. • his species remains scarce. Some 59 reports were received from 35 sites, an increase from 2008 of five sites, with breeding reported from just four sites, all in the west of the County. The highest count of 18 was received from Timworth on August 29th. Reports of breeding or possible breeding were received from:Great Livermere: six broods reported on the estate, June; adult with two large young, Jul 7th. Pakenham: Puttock's Hill, adult with six large young, Aug 9th. Fornham St Martin: pair with nine fledged juveniles, July 1 Ith. •itile Cornard: Workhouse Green, maies seen at two locations, June. COMMON QUAIL Coturnìx cotumix caree summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber List. A relatively quiet year for this species with six reports received from four sites. Breeding w as, however, confirmed at one site where a female and large brood were observed and Possible for another site, both of which were in the west of the County. ^'utford: male calling, May 20th (J D Wames). Attenham: male calling, Aug 9th (M Carr, D Carr). • mpton: two on roadside, July 4th (C Gregory); female with large brood, Aug 31st (J Walshe). äkenham: Puttock's Hill, two on roadside, May 17th (M Wright); male calling from wheat field, Aug9th(J Walshe). 59

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 COMMON PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus Very common resident, numbers augmented by releases. Categories C and E. Some 32 reports were submitted for this extremely common species from a total o ten sites. Whilst it is likely that breeding occurs in virtually every parish in the County inly seven reports of confirmed breeding were received. The highest count of 44 males hoi ling territories was at North Warren RSPB Reserve where regular monitoring of bird popula ions is undertaken. GOLDEN PHEASANT Chrysolophus pictus Scarce resident. Categories C and E. Only three records involving a possible maximum of three birds at just one site i the west of the County in 2009 suggest that this introduced game bird is on the verge o f t eing lost as a Suffolk species. Whilst both males and females have been observed over the past decade there has been little or no evidence of breeding in the wild. RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. For the second successive year the highest day-counts in both winter periods rea :hed above 2000 birds. The reference in Suffolk Birds 2008 to the high inshore populatio is of small fish in the southern North Sea during the depths of winter apparently still held ;ood in 2009 and these ample food supplies were plundered at least in January and Decemb r. In other months of both winter periods the numbers of birds were not so spectacular - e fact probably accounted for by the movement elsewhere of the fish supplies. Peak day counts in selected months were:The December peak in the a Âťve Dec Mar Apr Oct Nov Jan Feb table took place at Thorpenes on 665 606 66 2703 2001 257 117 December 14th. Most birds .vere moving north and this count, although occasionally topped in the past - most recently t / the 3294, Thorpeness, 22nd December 2008 (4710, Thorpeness, 4th January 2004) - still anks as one of the highest ever recorded in the county. It was made on a day when observ rs at localities further north also amassed substantial totals, eg 586, mostly north, off Kessinj. land, and 700 north in 40 minutes off Minsmere. The importance to this species of the area between Lowestoft and Aldeburgh is widely recognised but, nevertheless, the paucity of records from the extreme south of the count; was somewhat surprising. The concentrations of fish supplies must have been lacking here as the peak counts were only 30+ plus offEast Lane, Bawdsey, January 20th and 203 south and five north, off Landguard, December 5th. A total of eight presumed late-departing Suffolk birds, or passage birds from further south, was noted in May and, continuing the trend noted in recent years, the species was recorded in June, albeit just the one individual this year - off Thorpeness on 5th. BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gavia arctica Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. The recent upsurge in records of this species shows no sign of abating. The tota amassed in 2007, when more than 100 were reported, was not quite matched but 2008 > slightly lower total probably was. Allowing for duplication (and misidentification) it lS possible that about 80 birds were involved, a total that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Monthly totals were:Jan 13

Feb 15

Mar 14

Sep 1

Apr 8 60

Oct 16

Nov 7

Dec 15

Systematic

List

A to ri sum S Bro and

unseasonal bird flew north off Kessingland on June 1 Oth - could this be the precursor alar summer sightings? Red-throated Diver has made some appearances in recent ier months, so will its even more handsome near-relative follow suit? newhat surprisingly, only one long-stayer was reported. A bird frequented Oulton February 13th to April 4th, during which time it also made visits to Lake Lothing alton Dyke.

GR Urn A for recc Mai fror 1 and No\

\T NORTHERN DIVER Gavia ¡miner nmon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. er the surge in records seen in recent years we might have expected a better showing is great hulk of a diver, but in general terms it was not to be. There were no records ed from the north-east recording area during January or February and only two in i - off Thorpeness on 5th and Minsmere on 21st. The area's only April record came vessingland on 28th and its only May record was one off Lowestoft on 6th. north-east area's first bird of the autumn was off Corton Cliffs on September 13th nere were only three others in this recording area during the month with eight in nber - including three off Minsmere on 29th - and eight in December. paucity of records in the first winter period was also reflected in the south-east ling area where there was just one reported in January - off East Lane, Bawdsey, on id one off the same locality on March 7th. he context of this relatively poor year by recent standards, Landguard bucked the trend ported a record year for the species. Two south on September 30th heralded a run of ngs from the observatory with two in October, two in November and seven in nber. m the estuaries, one was reported on the Deben at Waldringfield, December 6th, one een on several dates at various locations on the Orwell from November 25th to the end and one was on the Stour at Harkstead, November 18th. In addition, what may >een a different bird was at Alton Water, December 21 st to 26th.

rec( 1st, If and sigl Det 1 was yea: hav

LIT LE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis Loc ly common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. T:e reports of pairs from just 14 sites were down from the totals of 19 sites in 2008 and '7 i 2007 and once again cannot be taken to be a true reflection of this species' breeding status in the county. The total number of pairs reported was 79, slightly down on the previous year's total of 81 and 2007's total of about 94. ^'¡nsmere again dominated the breeding records with a total of 38 pairs, a site record topping 2008's 35 pairs, which itself was a site record. There were two other notable concentrations of breeding birds. Eleven pairs were noted at the Hen Reedbeds, well up on 'he previous year's six and back to the level of 2007, and 13 pairs were present at North Warren, slightly down on 2008's 16 pairs but much higher than the six pairs present in 2007. ' w o estuaries - the Deben and the Orwell - recorded counts that maintained their status as the county's most important wintering sites for the species. Their monthly maxima were:• . Other noteworthy counts m I*»™

—

Lane * » 5 : s 2; s 1 'nthBa^sey; h ^—ts.'jff.^r-'yy. —•/•jffa y' ^ v f . : JMWMIBMMaiEEMMBEM September 13th, 30 at Alton Water, October 18th, 38 at Thorington Street Reservoir, October 14th, 20 at Barton e Ju| ' y 30th and 17 at Lakenheath Fen, October 18th.

V E / A T C R E S T E D GREBE Podiceps cristatus rally common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. nere was ominous news from Alton Water, the county's key breeding locality, where 61

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 the ever-diligent John Glazebrook noted 12 pairs but "an almost total failure of nest due to the water level dropping continuously. Only one chick made it through to fledgin\g " he observed. This was a far cry from 2008, when 16 pairs raised a total of 35 young. Elsewhere, five sites in the north-east recording area held a total of nine pairs while hree south-east sites other than Alton Water held a total of seven pairs and in the west then was a total of nine pairs at five sites. Overall, the number of sites and the numbers of pairs .vere slightly down on previous years. Also down was the county's population in both winter periods, although Alton Vater bounced back from its poor breeding season with it's highest-ever count - 218 on Nove nber 22nd. In 2008 there was a remarkable gathering of 1210 off Minsmere on January 6th. approaching the Suffolk record of 1439 in Sole Bay in April 2000. However, totals in 1009 failed even to come close to these levels with the highest count being a mediocre 24 Ă&#x17D; off Thorpeness on January 3rd. Apart from the Alton Water count on November 22nd, )tals were even poorer in the second winter period, with the peak being only 117 off Thorpi ness on December 23rd. However, Weybread Pits weighed in with a creditable 44 on Dece nber 29th. RED-NECKED GREBE Podiceps grisegena Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. The downward trend seen in recent years was continued in 2009 with just eight ree irds, even less than the level seen in 2008 when there were nine reports involving ten indivie tals. There were only two records in the first winter period, one of which was some vhat unusual. Bearing in mind the decline in the county's records the species is somewha of a rarity anywhere these days, but especially so at localities away from the coast and the tidal stretches of our estuaries. Therefore, the record of a bird on the flooded environs of the -iver Aide at the RSPB'snew Abbey Farm reserve, westof Snape, on February lOth is partici larly eye-catching (R Macklin). The only other first winter report related to one on the River Deben at Ramsholt, Feb uary 23rd. Later in the year one was noted flying north off Hopton-on-Sea and Kessingland, Oc ober 12th. The only other records received were of singles south off Thorpeness, December 4t! and north off the same site, December 14th, at Levington Marina, November 25th, sout ĂŹ ofi Landguard, December 1 st and on the River Stour at Harkstead, Nov 26th.

Red-necked Grebe Peter Beeston

Systematic

List

SLA Una Th a rep Suffi from ofTK Uj of Fe three on 1 over In Wati Esta,

ONIAN G R E B E Podiceps auritus Imon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. preponderance of records from the Stour Estuary/Alton Water area was something of it performance, this part of the county now being firmly established as the species' k stronghold. What was slightly more surprising, however, was the lack of records sewhere. Indeed, in the north-east recording area only one 'Slav' was seen all year ;singland on November 30th. o six frequented the Holbrook area of the Stour Estuary in January and the first half uary. Some interchange between the estuary and Alton Water is hinted at with up to een at the reservoir during this period. In March, a single was at Levington Marina h and three were on Alton Water on 20th - these may have been part of the ntering population but, equally, may have been passage spring migrants. le autumn and second winter period this species remained scarce. Two were on Alton October 18th, with a singleton there, December 26th, and one was on the Deben y at Waldringfield, December 28th.

BLA Une: A num BurĂ§ Altoi Livei

K-NECKED G R E B E Podiceps nigricollis mon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. an year for this species, which, while always a scarcity, occasionally put in more JUS appearances than 2009's measly three records:Castle: Apr 20th (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards) Vater: Mar 20th, consorting with three Slavonian Grebes (P Whittaker) ere Lake: Apr 24th (T Stopher).

NOI HERN FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis Fain common summer visitor and passage migrant. Formerly bred. Amber list. Si oik lost this species as a breeding bird in the 1990s with the demise of the colony at Baw ey and it seems that in the subsequent decade we are experiencing more bad news. Whii 2001 was a bumper year, with a combined sightings total of 6019, no other year so ' a r ' come close and the trend continued in 2009. The relative scarcity of the species is indie ed by the fact that the year's highest day-count was a mere 46 (38 north and eight soutl off Thorpeness on March 9th. T1 way in which some sites records were submitted makes it impossible to tabulate the overail totals but the north-east recording area's monthly aggregates shown below demonstrate the temporal spread of records, and their relative sparsity:9

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

110

409

319

152

Observations at Orfordness and Landguard Bird Observatory echoed April's dominance >f we can call it that in such a poor year - and this in itself is noteworthy, as in recent years e species has been most numerous in May. In these southern Suffolk areas there was a noticeable dearth of records in the autumn and second winter periods, with none at all recorded off Orfordness after July 11th. n the context of such a lean year we can at least report something of a surprise. This "Pecies does not often feature in the west of the county so one seen by RSPB staff over a enheath Fen on November 26th must have induced a "double-take". Indeed, it is the west's lrst record since one was found dead at Trinity Hall Farm, Moulton, on July 24th, 1998. CORY'S SHEARWATER Calonectris diomedea ^ passage migrant. Ugh Up 0 n 2 0 0 8 onl South Â° ' y t h r e e substantiated records were received:1 "wold: south, July 17th (BJ Small); south, Sep 13th (BJ Small, D Walsh). r Peness: Sep 17th (N Mason, P Whittaker). 63

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 SOOTY SHEARWATER Puffinus griseus Uncommon passage migrant. Amber list. A fairly run-of-the-mill year for this thrilling mega-traveller from the south 'rn hemisphere, although it is as well to bear in mind that the year's accumulated total of 29 would have been beyond even the most optimistic seawatcher's dreams a few years ago The first of the year was reported off Southwold, August 1st - somewhat surprising1 / it was the month's only record. The last of the year was seen off Landguard Bird Observai >ry on November 29th, which is rather late but not a record-setter. Suffolk's latest-ever was s ;en on December 19th, 2002 off Southwold. The table below inevitably contains some duplication with birds being tracked at se\ tal sites on the same days. Aug 1

Sep 90

Oct 37

Nov 1

MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus Uncommon passage migrant. Amber list. June has been the month in which most individuals of this species have been recorde i in recent years, although the total of 31 made July the most prolific month in 2008. It .vas therefore something of a surprise that in 2009 September was far out in front when it c ime to accumulated totals. The monthly totals were as follows, with some degree of duplication being inevitab e:The total of 158 amassed in the table ai we Aug Sep Oct Jul Mav Jun is the county's highest since the 335 reco ded 25 0 93 30 2 8 in 2001. The highest day count of the /ear came on September 14th, when 22 were noted off Lowestoft and 35 were notei off Southwold - the old chestnut of duplication where seabird records are concerned t jing clearly illustrated here. One seen in the out-of-context setting of the Blyth Estuar on September 6th was said to have been a sick bird. BALEARIC SHEARWATER Puffinus mauretanicus Rare, but nearly annual, passage migrant. Critically endangered. Red list. It is tempting to refer to 2009's total of just two confirmed records as poor, but it is as well not to become too blasĂŠ about this species' occurrences off Suffolk. After all, it is still Europe's only Critically Endangered seabird with a known breeding population of only 2,000-2,500 pairs. However, these two accepted records come in the wake of 2008, w h e n ten birds were seen, a total that made it the best year since 2002 when 14 were recorded. A "probable" was reported off Orfordness on Nov 29th. The September 30th record is another example of how individual seabirds can be tracked as they make their way past our coastline:Corton: Sep 14th (JA Brown). Southwold: north, Sep 30th (B J Small). Minsmere: north, Sep 30th (R Drew). LEACH'S STORM-PETREL Oceanodroma leucorhoa Scarce passage migrant. Amber list. . Only four records made this a rather poor year for the species. However, this scant tota was one more than was seen in 2008 - and, of course, it was four more records than tinspecies' near-relative the European Storm-Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus could muster tinyear. The records were as follows :â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Southwold: north, Oct 9th (B J Small, P Whittaker). 64

Systematic List T! rpeness: north, Sep 18th (S Abbott, D Craven, R Waiden). 0: irdness: north, Sep 17th (D Crawshaw, M Marsh). Li dguard: north, Oct 9th (J Zantboer). is just possible that the records from Southwold and Landguard relate to the same bird. N< ÌTHERN GANNET Morus bassanus Ct imon passage migrant. Amber list. he trend for relatively high numbers to be encountered offshore in June, July and Ai ust - presumed foraging birds from breeding colonies to the north - was not so marked thi year. The table below shows the respective figures for these months to be 1000, 769 an 297 - well below the respective 2008 totals of 2744, 2227 and 2333. This may indicate th birds were finding food in a different part of the North Sea. However, the established pa rn with regard to spring and autumn passage was repeated, with northward movements in arch and southerly ones in October being markedly pronounced. s ever, it must be stressed that the table should only be used as a form of guidance, with th nevitable caveat regarding duplication:t P

ined Jay

Jan 211 69

Feb 432 75

Mar 2704 625

Apr 626 59

May 538 92

Jun 1000 165

Jul 769 170

Aug 297 24

Sep Oct 3578 6485 1000 1015

Nov 363 64

Dec 100 24

r the second successive year there was a sighting in the west of the county. Following the wo sub-adults that flew along the Little Ouse at the RSPB's Lakenheath Fen reserve on Oi ber 12th, 2008, an immature flew east over Denston on September 16th (M Ferris). CI AT CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo Co mon winter visitor and passage migrant: has nested since 1998. ter the fears expressed in Suffolk Birds 2008 over an apparent decline at the tree-nesting co; ìy at Loompit Lake, Trimley St Martin, it is gratifying to note that the total of 123 nests the in 2009 outnumbered the site's previous peak of c 100 in 2003. Loompit Lake's Great Co norants are regularly monitored by Robin Biddle and he estimates that the number of y°i g reared was about 200. ere was also good news from the RSPB's Lakenheath Fen reserve. Following on from wc ' Suffolk's first nesting record in 2007, a pair nested at the site in 2008 and there was a rep1 at performance in 2009, this time with two young being reared to the fledging stage the irst such event to be recorded in the west of the county. 1 wasn't just the breeding total that broke Loompit Lake records - the roost of between 340 and 360 birds on December 14th (W Brame) is the site's largest ever. The new record If considerably higher than the old one of between 270 and 280 birds on December 22nd 2004. I lsewhere, impressive roost counts came from the Lowestoft area, where the key roost site again was Fritton Lake. Here, observers reported monthly peaks of 298 on January 24th, 370 °n February 8th, 510 on November 29th and 365 on December 19th. The highest count in the west of the county was 120 at the Suffolk Wildlife Trust's Lackford Lakes reserve on October 25th. EUROPEAN SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. n comparison with recent years, this species was relatively scarce in 2009. Indeed, in the ally-favoured Lowestoft Harbour/Lake Lothing area only singles were noted in January, ebruary and March, with possibly an additional bird noted off nearby Kessingland on ary 30th. The two noted at Lowestoft on May 9th were presumably northward-bound Parage birds.

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 In the north of the county, the second winter period also produced low returns, w th passage birds noted off Lowestoft on September 10th and 13th, one off Kessingla id, November 26th, singles at Lowestoft, December 5th, 12th and 20th and one at Slaughd n, December 6th. In addition, a freshly dead bird found at Lowestoft on December 8th perhaps gives us some evidence of the origin of at least some of our wintering birds. It was ringed as a nestl :ig on the Isle of May, Fife, on June 14th, 2009. At the other end of the county, Ipswich Docks are often a favoured site and so it pro- ed again in 2009, with up to three there in January and four being noted on February 22 id, after which there were no further records in the first winter period. However, an immat ire was in the Ipswich Wet Dock, June 14th to 18th and another immature was at Woolversti tie on the latter date. Possibly the bird that had been in the Wet Dock in June, was notei at Gipping Weir, Ipswich on August 16th. Thereafter the only records from the south-east v. re off Landguard, November 2nd, in Ipswich Wet Dock, November 28th and December 2( th, and at Levington Marina, December 24th and 28th. GREAT BITTERN Botaurus stellaris Slowly increasing breeding population, scarce resident, passage migrant and winter visi or. Red list. The outstanding event of the year regarding this iconic Suffolk species was its first nes ng at the RSPB's Lakenheath Fen reserve. Four nests were confirmed, along with four boon ;rs - not bad for a site that was carrot fields in the mid-1990s! Nationally, conservation efforts on behal of this species by the RSPB and Natural Engl nd have been truly Herculean. Much of the following information has been gleaned from the two agencies' 2009 summary of monitoring w ark in the UK. There was a further increase in the numbe of booming males in Britain in 2009 - 82 v ere noted, up from 75 in 2008. There was no cha ige in the number of active nests, with 39 confirmed, but the total of 43 sites occupied by boomers vas up from 41 in 2008. Cold weather in January and February may have affected Great Bitterns across the country, with booming noted later than usual at a n u m b e r of sites. Booming at a Suffolk coastal site on February 14th was Britain's first of the year but 18 days later than the earliest record in 2008. The Suffolk coast held 28 boomers at seven sites, the highest number yet recorded and the highest number of sites since the monitoring programme began in 1990. The boomers' total was up by four from 2008, mainly due to an increase at Walberswick, where eight was said to be the highest number at the site for at least 25 years. There was also booming fÂ°' the first time since 1999 at a site that has suffered repeated saline incursions. There were 14 confirmed nests on the Suffolk Bittern Peter Beeston coast, down one from 2008, and the monitoring 66

Systematic List pi gramme noted a "distinct shift" in the distribution of nests. Minsmere has been the main ne ting site for a number of years but had just three confirmed nests, down from seven in 2( ¡8 and nine in 2007. The possible reasons for this decline are being explored. )n a more positive note, as mentioned above, confirmed nesting took place at sites that hi suffered saline incursions in recent years, the 2009 summary noted. There were two ac ve nests at one such site where there had been none in 2008 and at the other, three co firmed nests represented an "encouraging sign" as the site had been thought unsuitable di to its regular inundations. way from the breeding sites there was a fairly widespread scattering of wintering re. rds, especially during the first winter period when the county was in the grip of harsh wi ther. Selected wintering records are as follows:Si tourne: Cowton, Dec 1 lth. Ti iley Marshes: Mar 7th. Bi òrd: Stone Street, Feb lOth. Li ford Lakes: Feb 4th, two Feb 1 lth, singles Nov 4th and several dates in December. St lishall: found dead in garden in Hundon Close, Mar 1 Oth (S Jarvis). S( ACCO HERON Ardeola ralloides Ac dentai. :latively hot on the heels of the well-twitched bird at Minsmere on July 13th, 2007, wl h was the county's first since 1912, this individuai was far more secretive and was seen on by three fortunate observers. It subsequently relocated to Cambridgeshire. This is the 1 county record, the first ten prior to and including 1912. An account of its discovery ap ars later in the Bird Report. Fe stowe Ferry/Kingsfleet: first-summer, May 18th to 20th (W J Brame, P J Holmes, J Zantboer). CA TLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis Ve' rare visitor. n individuai first noted in a horse paddock just south-east of Bures on March 9th and S P< t some time later the same day at nearby Maltings Farm. This bird was present near Bi s until March 26th. What was presumed to have been the same bird was seen at Bower Ho se Farm, Polstead, on Aprii 8th. There have now been five Suffolk records of Cattle % t involving seven individuals. ° u s/Nayland: March 9th to 26th (S Read et al). Kersey/Polstead: March 3 lst to Apr 8th, same bird (A Gretton). LI I TLE EGRET Egretta garzetta locally common and increasing resident and passage migrant. Amber list. li would be interesting to establish a complete picture of the nesting fortunes of this species, which has become such a feature of our river estuaries and coastal wetlands - and 'ndeed many localities in the west of the county. As it is, we have only one reference to confirmed breeding in the records received - that of ten nests in a heronry at Woolverstone ood. Two adults were accompanied by a juvenile at Lackford Lakes July lst to 3rd, raising strong hopes that the species may have bred locally. Perhaps the west's first confirmed eeding record is imminent. A host of records from the west, covering a widespread <>rca and from every month from February to December, commenced with one found dead wxford, February 6th and the area's peak count was 12 at Lakenheath Fen, October 2«th. On the coast, the following monthly maxima from selected sites - especially Orfordness roadly indicate what is becoming a familiar pattern - small numbers wintering, a ,n , 8 of a spring passage and a post-breeding build-up before numbers fall away again er m the year. 67

Suffolk Birci Report 2009

Minsniere ¡Sörth Warren Orfordness

Jan Feb 3 a 2 5 11 11 10

Mar 11 17 14

Apr 20 15 12

Mav 10 12 12

Jun 20 12

Jul Aug 15 V 3 4 5 15 33

Sep 2 4 15

Oct 2 4. 17

Nov 4 14

¡P

Elsewhere, the highest concentrations reported were 30 at the Hen Reedbeds, August 1 »th and 47 on Havergate Island, June 19th. GREAT (WHITE) EGRET Ardea alba Rare, but increasing, visitor. This species' recent surge onto the Suffolk scene has been so dramatic that nowad lys sifting through observers' records to ascertain the numbers and the lengths of time they ire staying with us is something of a minefield. The following may not be complete or accurate, but given the vagaries of observ rs' reporting - with all sorts of news sources now involved - it is perhaps the best we can h >pe for:Hopton-on-Sea: Oct 14th (JA Brown). Breydon: South wall, Apr 26th (A C Easton, R Wilton). Castle Marsh/Barsham: Jan 30th to Mar Ist (M Dane, P Heath). Dingle Marshes: Jan 17th (G Grieco, C Courtney). Benacre/Hen Reedbeds/Minsmere/Walberswick: June 4th to Nov 15th (Multi observers). Dingle Marshes: Jan 17th (G Grieco, C Courtney). Minsmere: Jan 20th (JA Rowlands, et al.); Mar 3rd (J M Gibbs, JH Grant); Apr 9th (PD Green). North Warren: Feb 28th to Mar 18th (Multi observers), Dec 28th (S Nixon). Felixstowe Ferry: Jan 26th (T Humphries). Mickle Mere: Jan 20th (J Rankin). Pipps Ford: Feb 16th to Mar 12th, (J Rankin, R Rafe). Lackford Lakes: Nov 7th (P Aldous, P Holness). Lakenheath Fen: Oct 26th to "mid-December" with two on Oct 26th at least (RSPB). GREY HERON Ardea cinerea Common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. There seems little doubt that this species is under-recorded in Suffolk, both in relation to breeding and its migratory patterns. Breeding was confirmed at six sites: Hen Reedbeds (16 pairs), Sizewell (one pair), Woolverstone Wood (eight nests), Tendring Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland(at least four juveniles raised), Nether Hall, Pakenham (at least five fledged) and Little Wratting (reported only as confirmed). The Hen Reedbeds' breeding population continued its recent increase - there were 12 nests at the site in 2008 and nine in 2007. The following is a snapshot of this species' migratory movements relating to Suffolk, but it is likely that in reality there is far more to the story than is represented here:Hopton-on-Sea: in off the sea, Dec 20th. Lowestoft: in off the sea, Sep 14th, out to sea Sep 17th. Thorpeness: north, Apr 20th, two south, July 31st. Orfordness: Observers referred to "April's peak of 12 on 18th perhaps involved some migrants as tht only other count above six was the following day." Two in off sea, Aug 8th. The site's monthly maxima were:Jan 3

Feb 2

Mar 4

Apr 12

May 6

Jun 6

Jul 2

Aug 6

Sep 5

Oct 3

Nov 3

Dec •jglJ

Landguard: The observatory notes referred to "One north, Feb 13th, north Mar 2Ist, south Apr 14th, one north and one in off the seaApr 18th. Autumn - three north, 10 south ando in off the sea on 12 dates June 12th-Oct 17th. One south Dec 20th. " 68

Systematic List addition, noteworthy counts in the west of the county were eight at Redgrave Lake, Fc uary 22nd and eight at Redgrave Fen, September 25th, 15 at Lackford Lakes on Fc uary 28th rising to 22 there on March 14th and 15 at Lakenheath Fen, June 23rd. PI IPLE HERON Ardea purpurea Sa ce passage migrant. ow that the species has bred for the first time in the UK - with the historic happenings of 010 at the RSPB's Dungeness reserve well documented elsewhere - Suffolk has been pip ed to the post, as it were. We must remain hopeful that the county will chalk up a na1 nal "second" in the not-too-distant future. However, the events of 2009 were something of let-down with Minsmere - the site where such high hopes were raised in 2007 mi ering only two records, singles on April 30th and May 1st, a first-summer (JH Grant, R i irvey) and June 10th to 16th, an adult (JA Rowlands, et al.). multi-observed individual frequented the Hollesley Marshes/Shingle Street area April 8th :0th (N Mason, et al. ) and might well have been the bird seen at nearby Boyton Marshes on pril 16th (R Etheridge). first-summer bird was seen at Lakenheath Fen on May 4th to 24th (RSPB, B Bland, etc ). W1 ITE STORK Ciconia ciconia Vet rare passage migrant. is possible that the following records relate to one wandering individual:Ea' ridge: flew in from south, circled and flew off south, Apr 5th (P Sawyer). Th ngton Street: Mar 27th (MF Peers, P Hamling). GÌ »SSYIBIS Plegadisfalcinellus Ver rare visitor. ' itain's largest-ever influx of this species took place in September, with at least 37 md iduals recorded across Britain and Ireland. Some of these birds were ringed and the Bri h Trust for Ornithology carried out some interesting detective work. It was established ( ha ill except one of the birds had been ringed in the Doñana area of southern Spain; the °th individual was from the Camargue in southern France and had joined the wandering group on their travels. For more information see the BTO website. S ffblk featured strongly in the excitement and the following sets out all sightings which have been submitted to the British Birds rarities Committee. Three records, marked*, had not been formally accepted at the time of writing but they are included here in an attempt give as complete a picture as possible. Burgh Castle: ringed bird, Sep 27th (T Boulton, A Easton, R Wilton). Hopton-on-Sea: south, Oct 4th (bird information services), akefield: south, Oct 4th (bird information services); same as Hopton bird, southwold: south, Oct 4th (C Naunton, BJ Small) - same as Hopton and Pakefield bird. Hen Reedbeds: ringed bird north over Blyth Estuary, Sep 8th (R Drew, BJ Small et al.). "alherswick: south, Oct 4th (bird information services). Insn, ere: »two north, Sep 10th (R Drew); Oct 4th (M Thompson et al.)- same as Hopton/Southwold wd; Oct 18th (N J Moran, R K Moran). rfordness: »Oct 4th (D Crawshaw, M Marsh) - probably same as Hopton/Minsmere bird, oyton Marshes: Sep 10th to 21st (A M Gregory et al.), joined by second bird Sep 22nd to 24th (N Mason et al.), and a third Sep 25th to 27th (many observers). The trio were seen to leave at 08:30hrs on 27th. The third individual was the same as the Hollesley and Bawdsey bird, g leslev Marshes: Sep 20th and 21st (W J Brame, N Mason), avvdsey: north over East Lane, Sep 19th (P J Holmes) - same as Hollesley bird. La rit0WC: S 0 U t h ° V e r W a l t o n ' ° c t 6 t h ( M James >guard: out to sea and then north, Oct 6th (N Odin, J Zantboer et al.) - same as Felixstowe bird. 69

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 Cavenham Heath NNR: Oct lOth (L Gregory, T Humpage). West Stow CP: *Sep 20th (C Gregory). The bird which frequented Bawdsey, Hollesley Marshes and Boyton Marshes was colc urringed 'PJP' and had been present at Sutton Gault, Cambridgeshire, from September 1 Ith to 15th. EURASIAN SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia Uncommon passage migrant. Now increasingly Oversummers. Has overwintered. Amber ist. As in previous years, Minsmere and Orfordness/Havergate Island were strongly favoli ed, although there were no signs of breeding activity at the latter and numbers at the former ,ite were less than might reasonably have been expected. These sites' monthly maxima wei as follows:Minsmere Orfordness/Havergate Island

Mar 1 2

Apr 1 0

May 1 4

Jun -3 2

Jul 4 6

Aug Sep 3 " 21 ¡7

Oct .

The peak count of 21 at Orfordness on August 26th appears to be the highest count ii the county since 2007 when 22 were on Orfordness in August. There were 22 on Havel tate Island, August 16th 2005 and in 2002 unprecedented numbers frequented the site, reac iing 28 on August 2Ist. Interchange between the Dutch breeding colonies and eastern England is well documt ited and further examples emerged this year. A bird present on Orfordness on August 26tl and 27th was colour-ringed as a nestling in Holland on June 1 Oth, 2007. It had been also pri sent on Orfordness in July 2008 and it has spent its winters in Devon, to where it had retti ned by September 24th. The wanderings of another individuai referred to below also illu; rate the interchange:NLA 8048768: nestling ringed, Jun 1 Oth 2007, Oosterkwelder, part of Schiermonnikoc g, in Friesland 53°29'N 6°9'E, Netherlands. Field sighting: Jun 15th, 2008, Minsmere, 52°14'N 1°36'E, 336km WSW. Field sighting: Jul Ist, 2008,Trimley Marshes, 51°58'N 1°17'E, 360km WSW. Field sighting: Aug 2nd, 2008, Havergate Island, 52°5'N 1°32'E, 348km WSW. Field sighting: May Ist 2009, Havergate Island, 52°5'N 1°32'E, 348km WSW. This species is somewhat scarce in the west of the county, but two put in an appea ance at Lakenheath Fen on April 3Oth followed by one there on May 16th, and two c i r c l e d Lakenheath Fen on April 28th. These are the west's first records since an individuai was reported at Lakenheath Fen on August 24th, 2003. Elsewhere, the species was recorded as follows:Burgh Castle: May 3rd. Breydon: South Wall, July 1 Ith. Ashby: north, May lOth. Flixton GP: July 23rd. Benacre Broad: Apr 13th. Hen Reedbeds: Apr 12th. Dunwich Cliffs: two south, July 23rd. North Warren: May 2nd; three May 24th; seven May 27th; single June 2nd; two June 3rd; single. June 7th. Slaughden: south, well offshore, Oct 9th. Aide Estuary: Mar 13th. Trimley Marshes: July 9th and 17th. EUROPEAN HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Scarce passage migrant. Amber list. Following last year's exceptional autumn migration, 2009 proved to be a fairly average 70

Systematic List ye for this species. Although several reports were received, such a small percentage of de riptions were submitted that relatively few were accepted. There were in total six ac pted reports; three from the spring period and three from autumn, all involving single bir s. We haston: Sep 9th (D Adams). Ah ingham Walks: 16.04hrs on May 18th (R N Macklin). No h Warren: drifted north-west, midday, Jun 8th (R N Macklin). Na on: flying east over the A14, May 22nd (J Zantbocr). Pip s Ford: Sep 5th (J Walshe). We Stow: The King's Forest, North Stow, female, Aug 6th (P Hobbs). 20' Additions: Bel n: Sep 13th. Ho| m-on-Sea: Sep 13th; Sep 26th. BL Rai 1 birc yea brir Her, Stoi

CK KITE Milvus migrans passage migrant. ere was no repeat of last year's extraordinary series of events, when two long-staying were seen by many birdwatchers at several coastal sites. 2009 was a much more typical or this species and the only two accepted records involved single birds at two sites, ng the total for the County to 32. eedbeds: 10.15hrs, July 14th (R Drew). «land: May 3rd (D Archer).

RE KITE Milvus milvus Un*, mon but increasing winter visitor and passage migrant. Has bred in recent years. Ami list. T 3 species continues to be predominantly nomadic in habit in Suffolk. However, the 89 repo represent a significant increase on the 54 reports received in 2008 and are a slight inert- se on the 82 in 2007. Results of the BTO's Breeding Bird Survey indicate a significant inert se for this species of 57% across the UK, and surely it will not be too long before this s Pec s breeds again in Suffolk. Reports came from 55 sites across the county, and almost exclusively involved single roam ng birds. Up to three ranged widely along the coastal margin in the early part of the year; one was logged flying north at several sites in the north-east on February 18th. Another lrd w as seen at several sites around Ipswich between January and April and one seen regularly in the Brecks was presumably the same bird that was present in this area towards 'ne end of 2008. A similar pattern of sightings continued through March to May, the only additional reports of note being one lingering at Hen Reedbeds between March 21st and an d three likely passage birds drifting north at Gorleston on April 22nd. There were disappointingly few reports in June and July, but these did include a report of °" e s e e n on several dates around Denston Hall, Denston. Most of the seven reports in August cam e from the west, with the exception of single birds at Sotterley and Hulver Street " l~"'lcr end of the month. Unusually, there were no sightings in September and the only two ct °ber came from Minsmere and North Warren at the beginning of the month. The sole r c ^ ord in November came from Elveden and the final three reports of the year were of single lr 51 in December at Hawkedon and Stowlangtoft and two at Hoxne on December 21st. G J ^ I A N MARSH HARRIER

I•

1 comn

ion

Circus

aeruginosus

summer visitor and passage migrant. Increasing numbers overwinter. Amber

-009 was another very good year for this species, which continues to maintain a strong Prence in Suffolk. 71

Suffolk Birci Report

2009 Comprehensive rc ist counts at either end of he year helped give an accui ate estimate of the numberin; of wintering birds which r ise for the third consecutive y 'ar. Maximum counts carne fi im five sites during the lirst winter period and indi' ate that around 113 birds v ere present, compared with 03

V '"¿A VV

in 2008 and 86 in 2001 1 ;ak

^Mw ^ S S v S v

counts

during Jani ary included 30 at Westw >od Marshes, 19 at Easton Br >ad, 17 at Benacre Broad, 1 at Minsmere and 13 at N >rth Warren. Marsh Harrier Peter Beeston Spring passage was n >ted at Thorpeness, where one flew south offshore on March 3rd and another flew north on lay 3rd. At Kessingland one flew south on April 18th and finally at Landguard, one flew ii off the sea on May 7th. Reports of breeding carne from seven sites and it was generally a very successful sei >on. At Easton Broad/Cove Bottom productivity was slightly down with eight pairs raisin 19 young, compared with nine pairs raising 22 young last year. At Westwood Marshes s ven nests produced 16 young, a similar number to the eight nests last year. Three pairs nest d at Hen Reedbeds, the same number as in 2008. At Minsmere productivity was similar ti last year, with 23 young fledged from 12 nests (two of which failed), compared to 23 y< ung from 15 nests in 2008 (four of which failed). North Warren had its best season for se eral years with two pairs raising five young, an improvement on the two pairs that fledgei just two young in 2008. Elsewhere, a pair raised three young at a site on the Deben Estuar) and Lakenheath Fen had its best year by far, with 26 young fledging from ten nests. Possible passage birds were noted moving south at Landguard on two dates in Juh and one in August. Single birds were also noted moving south at Landguard on two dates in September and two in October; two flew south on November 28th. Co-ordinated counts carne from ten sites in the north-east during December, and indicateci that over 80 birds were present in this región. These included notable counts of 27 at Easton Broad and 24 at Westwood Marshes. Elsewhere, seven birds were counted on the WeB^ count along the Deben in November and five were on Orfordness in December. I n l a n d ' roosted at Lakenheath Fen in December. The likely total across the county during this period was around 121 birds, a huge increase on the estimate of 45 birds in 2008. i | S •

HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Red List. Despite a 9% increase in the number of reports of this species in 2009, fewer birds wetf present. The estimated total of 12 birds over the two winter periods is the lowest since 2006There were 146 records received compared with 134 in 2008 and reports carne from 49 site* compared with 42 last year. In the early part of the year at least six ringtails were present across the county; f°"r frequented sites along the coastal región and two more were in the west. Males were fa |r thin on the ground; the only records carne from the north-east where a single bird was at five locations from late January until early March. Elsewhere, one was seen at Leving'011 72

Systematic List on January 2Ist, and one flew north at Al ringham on February 15th. In the west two rit tails were recorded at four sites in the Br cks in January and at five sites in February. Tt birds were seen to go to roost on Berner's Ht th on at least three occasions between Ja lary and March. Elsewhere there were wi ;spread reports of single ringtails at nu erous sites up and down the coast during Fe uary; one was seen hunting with a maie at Oi on Fisheries, Burgh Castle and Carlton M: shes. On Orfordness two ringtails were set on two dates. There were fewer reports in M ch, mostly involving single ringtails, ap: t from maies that were seen at Wrentham Male Hen Harrier Peter Beeston on larch 5th and Kings Fleet on March 14th. .iring Aprii a male was seen at Wrentham and ringtails were recorded at five coastal Slti including two birds at Orfordness on Aprii 13th and two at Minsmere the following day. In e Brecks one was still present until at least the beginning of April. The next record was of unusually late female at Shotley on June 8th (R Biddle). îe first returning bird was a very early juvenile on Orfordness on August 22nd and an her was at Minsmere on August 3Ist. There were just two records for September inv ving a ringtail at Orfordness on 4th and one at Lakenheath Fen four days later. ngtails were more widespread in October being seen at five coastal locations. A maie wa at Breydon South Wall on October 3Ist. Ringtails were at Minsmere on seven dates in No 'tnber, including one Aying in off the sea on November 5th. Elsewhere, ringtails were als at Oulton Fisheries and three sites in the Brecks. ¡nsmere was a favoured site again in December, with single ringtails on ten dates plus a rt Je on Christmas Eve. Further north single ringtails were at two sites in December and twc were at Belton on December 20th. Up to two birds returned to roost on the Elveden Est te towards the end of the year and a male was at Timworth on November 9th. It is likely thaï six birds were present in the county during the second winter period, the same number as in 2008. S f J1

2001

2002

2003

2004

2006

2007

2008

2009

«ínter period

i4 :

6 7

2005

Tibie showing estimated total number of wintering birds between 2001 and 2009 MONTAGU'S HARRIER Circuspygargus n common passage migrant. Formerly bred. Amber List. A total of ten reports was received in 2009. These involved three reports during spring, •nvolving two birds, and seven reports during late summer, probably involving two birds. unn g spring a male was seen on passage near Lound, and an immature bird frequented rtordness for a week in June. In August a second year female first seen at Shingle Street Pu' in appearances at several sites in the south-east and remained in the area for three weeks. Is 'ndividual often proved to be very confiding and was last seen on Orfordness on 24th. L l e was also seen briefly in the Orford area in mid-August. nd Waterworks: male north, 11,25hrs and shortly afterwards was seen quartering fields at Belton, 6flyingnorth Apr 25th (A C Easton R wilton

Oit J

roness: second calendar-year female Jun 6th to 12th (M Marsh, D Crawshaw); juvenile ringtail g l3th to 24th. (M Marsh, P and J Kennerley et al.). 73

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 Orford: adult male flying south-east at 10.30hrs, Aug 16th (G Grieco, W Stone). Boyton Marshes: ringtail, Aug 22nd and 23rd, probably Orfordness bird (Multi observer). Shingle Street: ringtail, Aug 2nd, probably Orfordness bird (P Kennerley). Felixstowe Ferry: ringtail, Aug 2nd, probably Orfordness bird (WJ Brame, C Ruffles); ringtail, uig 15th, probably Orfordness bird (WJ Brame). Harrier sp.: A ringtail flew north past Landguard on April 30th. NORTHERN GOSHAWK Accipter gentilis Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant, uncommon resident All of the accepted reports of this species came from the west of the county and the majority of these were from sites within Thet ord Forest. There were several reports from 01 eys Farm, where two males, an adult and an immature, were seen together on several d ites early in the year. A displaying male was ;lso seen there in February. At Mayday Farm wo males and a female were present in mid-M rch and a male was displaying over The Ki g's Forest on two dates in April. Another male .vas displaying at a site in the Brecks away fron the forest areas. A total of six nests was located in Thetford Fc est. compared with just three in 2008, an increase w lieh perhaps indicates that the breeding populatii n is finally starting to increase significantly in the Brecks. Of these three were in Suffolk, but pre iuctivity was poor and only one was successful. Th( two failed clutches of two and five eggs were retri wed by BTO staff under licence. Moulted wing fea hers found at the two egg failures showed that sub-, dult Male Sparrowhawk Peter Beeston , , , ., .. . . ,â&#x20AC;&#x17E; c females were involved at both nests. Another cause for optimism was the discovery of the first nest found in a Corsican Pine, which opens up the possibility that this species is using a wider range of tree species for nest-sites than was previously thought, and that the population may be higher than previous estimates. Later in the year a female was seen near Berner's Heath on September 9th and one was at Bardwell on September 12th. Finally a male was seen hunting through woodland near Holywell Row, Mildenhall on December 4th. EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus Common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Over 400 reports were received in 2009; they came from 119 sites which is a 24% drop on the record 156 sites in 2008. BBS data show a slight increase in this species of 16%in the East of England, despite a drop of 18% nationally. At North Warren the breeding population remained stable at six pairs; elsewhere three pairs bred at Hen Reedbeds and two pairs nested at Sizewell SWT Reserve. Further breeding reports came from two sites in the south-east and six sites in the west. Sparrowhawks were recorded on just 25% of the visits along the Lavenham Railway Walks. During spring likely migrants included five birds together flying north at Earl Soham<,,: March 29th, and one unfortunate bird which was attacked and drowned by gulls offshore a1 Ness Point, Lowestoft on May 2nd. At Landguard two birds were logged on three dates if April. 74

Systematic List . itumn passage was only evident through a slight increase in the number of birds ree ded at favoured coastal sites. On Orfordness three birds were present on August 29th am wo on both September 19th and October 18th. At Landguard three birds were present on jptember 9th and 20th. As usual Sparrowhawks were regularly reported visiting observers' gardens where prey ine ded a Collared Dove and a mouse species. Other prey items of interest included a Wa ving, which was taken at Worlingham in March, and a Kingfisher at the Nunnery Lakes, The ford in December. CO IMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo Fai v common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant; increasing breeding population. F ports of this increasingly-widespread species came from just over 200 sites across Sufi >lk, a slightly lower total than in 2008. The number of sightings rose slightly to 513, con ared with 499 in 2008. BBS data show a rise of 6% nationally, perhaps an indication tha' umbers are levelling off after the large population increases in recent years. Buzzards wer recorded on five out of 12 visits to Lavenham Railway Walks. B ;eding was confirmed at 17 sites, a similar number to last year but one that is clearly onl a fraction of the actual breeding population in the county. A survey currently being car. d out in west Suffolk has identified 19 confirmed breeding pairs in this region alone. Noi ile counts during the year included nine at Brettenham on February 28th and Cavenham i, August 19th; ten at Cavenham Park on February 21 st and 12 over Gedgrave on Sep mber 12th. RO GH-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo lagopus Urn mmon winter visitor and passage migrant. I ere were several reports of this species in 2009, but only one has been accepted so far, the hers still requiring descriptions. The only report involved a single bird flying north at Ben ere late in April. Ben re: north, 09.40hrs, Apr 30th (C A Buttle). OSI *EY Pandion haliaetus Une mmon passage migrant. Amber list. In complete contrast with last year's record-breaking total of 80 reports, 2009 proved to he o. e of the poorest years on record. A mere 14 records were received, the lowest total for over 40 years. Reports came from just seven locations, compared with 46 last year; Lakenheath Fen provided over a third of the sightings. Tiiere were only four spring sightings; the first of the year was an exceptionally early bird atHenReedbeds on March 8th (SWT), the earliest-ever Suffolk record. The previous earliest date was March 29th in 1986 and 1997. The next sighting also involved an early migrant at J-akenheath Fen on March 27th and this was followed by two more sightings in the west at ^reat Barton in May and at Lakenheath Fen again in June. " c n Reedbeds: Mar 8th. jrfeat Barton: May 12th. Lakenheath Fen: Mar 27th; Jun 26th. Late summer sightings came from Minsmere, North Warren, Higham St Mary and akenheath Fen in August. During September passage birds were logged at three coastal o two inland sites; Hen Reedbeds also hosted the last bird of the year on September 12th. " e n Reedbeds: Sep 12th. ^ insmere: singles south, Aug 27th and Sep 3rd. orth Warren: south, Aug 27th. ndguard: singles south, Sep 4th and 6th. Sham St Mary/Hadleigh: Aug 10th. Ford: Sep 3rd. a *enheath Fen: Aug 30th; Sep 9th. 75

Suffolk Bird Report 2009 COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus Common but declining resident and scarce passage migrant. Amber list. After two consecutive years of increases in the number of reports of this species, thet was a significant drop in 2009. The 142 reports received represent a drop of almost 50% from the 279 reports in 2008. Reports carne from 70 sites, also well down on last year's te al of 103. This species does seem to be declining nationally; the BBS results for 2009 show i fall of 36% across the whole of the UK, and a fall of 5% in the East of England. Until rei ently Kestrel declines between the 1970s and 1990s have been linked to agricultural intensi fi ation on farmland habitats and the adverse effects this has had on the populations of mall mammals, but the reasons for more recent declines are not clear. It was recorded on fi' e out of 12 visits to Lavenham Railway Walks. Breeding was confirmed at 14 locations, including five pairs at North Warren and ingle pairs at Hen Reedbeds and Sizewell Belts. The only spring passage birds were noted at Landguard where one flew south on \pril 20th and another flew in off the sea on May 22nd. In late summer one flew in off the ea at Benacre Ness and landed exhausted on the beach on August 28th. On Orfordness theri were maximum counts of seven in late April but sadly four juvenile birds were found dea 1 and emaciated; as breeding did not take place at this site they were thought to be migran ; that perished through lack of sufficient food in the dry conditions. In autumn singles wer seen passing south at Landguard on two dates in both September and October. Prey items included a Common Lizard and a half-grown Brown Rat. FIELD

NOTE

The Suffolk Ornithological Records Committee has made a plea for more eff rt to be made by birdwatchers to collect breeding records for Kestrel now that it ; on the Amber list. There is little doubt that this once-common falcon is currently ui derrecorded in many areas of the County. C Gregory RED-FOOTED FALCON Falco vespertinus Rare visitor. There was just one accepted report of this species in 2009; a first-summer male put ' n a very brief appearance at Minsmere late in August. Minsmere: first-summer male between Bittern Hide and Island Mere Hide for ten minutes, Aug 30th (D Jones, P Montgomery). MERLIN Falco columbarius Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber List. A total of 69 reports of this species was received in 2009 compared with 99 in 200Âť which is about a 30% drop on last year. Reports carne from 31 sites, a slight r e d u c t i o n o " t h e 35 in 2008 and 37 in 2007; nevertheless records indicate that there were a similar number o f overwintering birds as in 2008. A s usuai Orfordness featured strongly, but otherwtse reports were well scattered across the County. , DĂźring the first winter period at least five birds were present in Suffolk; these include up to two birds in the north-east of the county and a maximum of three in the south-eas' Single birds were seen at 12 coastal sites during January and February; the only m u l t i p ' counts carne from Orfordness, where there were three on February 22nd. The only in'3 records carne from Ampton and Sedge Fen, Lakenheath in January. There were seven repo s from March; six of these carne from the south-east of the county including a female fly"1south at Landguard on March 9th. , The only April records carne from Benacre, where one was seen on April 30th, a,H 76

Systematic

List

Merlin Su Gough

Orfo atTr T1 all tr throi 28th.

iness where one remained until April 18th. The only summer report was of a female iley Marshes on June 22nd. first returning bird was logged at Orfordness on August 9th; this bird remained there nth, before being joined by two others on August 29th. A female chased a Blackbird h a garden in Trimley on August 22nd and one was seen at Lackford Lakes on August

Pa age movements were noted at Gorleston and Minsmere in September where birds were sen flying in off the sea, and at Landguard where a juvenile bird was present midmon: In October one flew north at Lowestoft on October 18th. At east five birds were present towards the end of the year; a female was at Belton Mars es on November 1st and two frequented Orfordness that month and at least one was present until the end of the year. Further south along the coast a single bird was seen on two toes n November at Trimley Marshes and the reports from Sudbourne and the Aide Estuary in Dt-ember probably related to the Orfordness birds. There were several reports from the west including a single bird at Ampton on October 2nd plus singles at Lackford Lakes and Lakenheath Fen on two dates in November and December, one of these being a female. EURASIAN HOBBY Falco subbuteo airly common summer visitor and passage migrant. The population of this popular falcon seems to have stabilised in Suffolk. A total of 335 reports was received in 2009, compared with 300 in 2008, records coming from 114 Nations, four more than last year. BBS results show an upward trend of 21% nationally, a nse thought to be linked to the steady northward spread of dragonflies. The earliest returning bird was seen at Hen Reedbeds on April 4th (SWT), the earliestÂŽver date for this species in Suffolk. There then followed 23 reports during April from 17 Rations across the County. Newly-arrived migrants gathered at several sites towards the end Â° 'he month; Minsmere hosted three on April 29th and nearby at North Warren, there were ou r on the same date. Once again by far the largest number nuir of birds was recorded at Lakenheath Fen, where 30 had gathered by April 30th. It iis quite remarkable how many 1 s latter site has attracted each spring since it became a reserve in 2001. Multiple Â°unts in May including maxima of 18 at North Warren on May 23rd, four birds on "ordness on May 16th and 23 at Lakenheath Fen on May 10th. 77

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 Breeding was confirmed at 14 locations, notably three pairs at Minsmere and two Âťairs at both Walberswick and North Warren. In Thetford Forest a minimum of 35 pair; was located as part of an ongoing study by the Forestry Commission. Of these four wc e in Suffolk and out of the 18 chicks ringed, five were from nests in Suffolk. This makes a total of 68 ringed birds to date. 2009 also saw the first colour-ring sighting of a bird whicl was ringed in 2008; this is significant because it shows that birds do not necessarily spend their first year in Africa as was previously believed. The unusually high number of records from September (78) was a clear indicatioi that pre-migratory birds were still common and widespread across the county. Ccastal movements were observed at six sites in September and inland probable migrants, invo ving two birds and a family group, were noted at two locations. There were no large counts in autumn; four birds at both Lackford Lakes and Bi y St Edmunds were the highest. By October most birds had departed; the only records ree ived were from Westleton, Minsmere, Lackford Lakes and Lakenheath Fen. The last birc was seen at Minsmere on October 25th. Feeding behaviour included a pair feeding on cockchafers at Lackford in June an one making an unsuccessful attempt to grab a Lesser Black-backed Gull chick in Lowe toft, also in June. In July one was watched chasing Emperor Dragonflies at Lound Waterv irks, and one caught a Swift at Brettenham (also see entry below). FIELD

NOTE

One observer witnessed a dramatic pursuit in his garden, in West Stow on At 31st, when a pair of Hobbies attacked a family of Swallows. During the attacl Hobby aerobatically dived in and out of the trees and hedges as it unsuccesi chased a young Swallow. C Gregory PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus Uncommon but increasing winter visitor and passage migrant. Has bred since 00S. Categories A and E. This species was widely recorded across the county and in every month of the yea The total number of reports increased to 181, compared with 140 in 2008 and 155 in 007. Sightings came from a record-breaking 72 locations across the County. There were reports of long-staying birds at four sites, but the only evidence of breeding came from the Orwell Bridge, where a pair bred successfully for the second year running' the pair was seen copulating in February and they eventually hatched four chicks. These were ringed in the nest, with each one being given a BTO ring and an individual colour nng^ On Orfordness, the two adults that were present at the end of 2008 remained there until April. At Felixstowe Docks a male regularly roosted on one of the cranes until at least Ma) Finally, in the west a sub-adult male roosted at the Bury Beet Factory complex from JanuaO until at least the end of July. An estimated eight or nine birds were present in the county during the first winter perio a similar number to last year. The majority of these were at coastal sites and included ft"1 birds in the north-east and up to five in the south-east. In the west, apart from the Bury btr one was at Bardwell and two were sparring together at Denston on January 30th. There were nine reports from April including the long-staying birds mentioned above an a probable female was seen on two dates at Bury Beet Factory. The five reports in Ma) included an immature on Orfordness and two juvenile Peregrines seen sitting on the parapel wall of Orwell Bridge, apparently watching the traffic go by; sadly one of the brood waS killed on the busy road. In June an immature bird flew north at Undercliffe, Felixstowe and reports of single bit 5 78

Systematic List camt from three sites in the west. July records included one at Minsmere and juveniles over Ipsw h and on Orfordness. The latter was a fledgling from the Orwell Bridge nest-site. Inlat i, singles were seen at four locations around Bury St Edmunds. Of the eight records from \ugust, all but one carne from coastal sites, the exception being one at Cavenham Heat in mid-month. Di ing September possible migrants were noted at Burgh Castle and Sizewell; single birds vere at a further seven coastal sites and inland at Barton Mills. In October up to three birds vere on Orfordness by mid-month. Elsewhere, one was seen attacking a corvid then a Ga let offshore at Southwold and two immature birds were at Levington. RT ords suggest that between six and nine birds were present during the second winter peric slightly fewer than in 2008. An adult and an immature were seen in the Lowestoft área: n immature bird put in several appearances at Minsmere and on Orfordness two adults were sen regularly and a third bird was seen occasionally. Inland at least one bird roosted at thi Jury Beet Factory complex, and this probably accounted for the reports received from five es in that area. The one at Bardwell in December was the third report from that site this > ar. WAT Fairi BÍ this r repor sevei pairs

R RAIL Rallus aquaticus ommon resident, winter visitor andpassage migrant. g recorded at 41 sites in the County, an increase of seven sites compared with 2008, sy but elusive species appears to be maintaining a stable population. The majority of concern wintering birds. However, breeding or probable breeding was recorded at ,ites, with the largest numbers at North Warren (56 pairs), the Hen Reedbeds (36 ¡nd Minsmere (22 pairs).

SPO TED CRAKE Porzana porzana Rare issage migrant; rarely oversummers. Amber List. Wi i three or four singing males present at three sites this was a further good year for this elusi\ species. There was a possibility of breeding at one site. Walb. swick NNR: Westwood Marshes, male singing, Apr 23rd (D J Pearson). ™>isi ere: seen briefly on the levels, Aug 30th (S Nixon). Laker, ieath Fen: male singing May 3rd, 6th and 7th and June 21st, possible breeding (RSPB). ( OMMON MOORHEN Gallínula chloropus er , yc ommon resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. his very common species continúes to be reported from suitable habitat at all times of le year. Breeding or probable breeding was reported from 18 sites. North Warren supported a srge breeding population (63 pairs) and elsewhere high breeding numbers were recorded Sizewell Belts (25 pairs). The results of winter counts at regularly-monitored sites are shown below:-

Minsmere Alde/Ore Estuary Deben Estuary Orwell Estuary Alton Water COMMONCOOT

Jan 4 13 18 13 38

Feb 6 26 21 22 15

Mar Oct Nov 35 18 11 30 íffíÉ? 7 14 18 18 28 25 19 65 72 21

Dec ..

7 9 19

Fulicaatra

• Common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. e nighest wintering counts for this species were recorded on Alton Water (703 on 79

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 January 8th and 651 on October 18th). Other I igh autumn/winter counts were received from Thor ngton Street Reservoir (140 on September 21st tnd October 10th) and Minsmere (130 on Nov briber 22nd). The peak count for Lackford L; kes was 231 which was recorded on July . 1st. Reports of breeding were received from >nly 12 sites, which is most likely a gross ur lerestimate. Counts from regularly monitored sites:-

Coot Su Gough

Aide/Ore Estuary Deben Estuary Orwell Estuary Alton Water Lackford Lakes

Jan 22 0 209 703 164

Feb 57 6 123 546 85

Mar 27 16 88 106 -

Oct 0 4 204 651 55

Nov ec 4 8 0 0 06: 555 539 ; S 33 92

COMMON CRANE Grus grus Rare passage migrant, becoming re-established as a very rare resident. Amber List After two years of failed attempts at breeding at the Lakenheath RSPB reserve, two of Cranes were at last successful with one young bird fledging in 2009. Common Crani believed to have last bred in the County in the late 16th or early 17th Century when tht Anglian Fens supported a breeding population. In addition to the two pairs in resider Lakenheath Fen a further 15 reports were received from other sites. All records are ine below:Breydon: South Wall, south, May 2nd. Fritton: Waveney Forest, two south, Mar 15th. St Olaves: two south-east, July 24th. Ashby: four south, later seen over Mutford and Reydon, Apr 5th; three north, May 1 Oth. Carlton Marshes: three over, Apr 11th; one over, May 10th; two over, June 20th. Carlton Coiville: five south, Apr 18th. Minsmere: on the levels, Feb 20th; north, Apr 18th; on the levels, July 21st. Redgrave Fen: over, May 3rd. Haverhill: west, Apr 19th. Sudbury: Apr 22nd.

iairs : are East ;e at ided

EURASIAN OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus Very common winter visitor and passage migrant. Common resident Amber list. Away from the estuaries in the first winÂŽ period, the highest count came fronl Livermere Lake where 34 birds were present on March 14th, a record county inland total. Breeding records were received from 12 sites across the

county

(19

2008)-

Aside from Orfordness thaj had an estimated 2W pairs, the other 11 slteS accounted for 20 p ^ Productivity was poor-

Oystercatcher Su Gough

14. Montagu's Harrier on Orfordness in August. James Kennerley

15. Common Buzzard

16. Juvenile Hobby near Hadleigh in September.

21. Roseate Terns and Sandwich Tern.

Sean Nix"

Systematic List w h the only fledged young reported from inland at Fornham St Martin. Only three chicks w e noted at Orfordness, ail of which were later predated. The only other report of eggs h; hing was from Flixton Gravel Pits. outhward movement on the coast was most evident at Landguard in July and August w 229 and 333 respectively. Other minor coastal observations peaked at Kessingland and 0 jrdness with 29 and 35 south respectively on July 26th. VeBS counts were as follows:Blyth Estuary Aide/Ore Estuary Deben Estuary Orwell Estuar) Stour Estuary

Jan »1 94 111 1505 879

Feb Mar 217 f 232 238 206 193 982 695 520 369

Apr 111

Aug

169

...

270

Sep •ff'%}'

580

835

Oct 23 ' 15 186 127 520

Nov 34 14 138 U95 190

Dee 50 104 1433

B \CK-WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus Ve • rare visitor. vo observers carrying out a regulär breeding bird survey on Tinker's Marsh at lerswick were rewarded with the discovery of a female Black-winged Stilt which they w< able to watch for 20 minutes. It was subsequently seen in Cambridgeshire. This record is e 26th for Suffolk the last having been in 2005. W terswick: female, Apr 21 st (W Russell, S Skingsly). PI D AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta Fa ly common resident, summer visitor and passage migrant on the coast. Amber list. eeding records were received from just six sites. At Minsmere, only nine young fledged fr( 1110 pairs and 26 pairs at Orfordness produced 'several broods' ail of which were later pr ated. There were five pairs at Dingle Marshes; four on Havergate and a single pair at Bc ton Marshes but the attempt suffered from prédation. Inland, there were two pairs at Li rmere Lake, the third successive year that there has been breeding activity at an inland siti ie Aide/Ore complex maintains its position as being of international importance while tht Jeben, Orwell and Stour are of national importance for wintering Avocets. eBS counts were as follows:Blytb Estuarv Aide/Ore Estuarv Deben Estuary Orwell Estuary Stour Estuary

Jan 456 1211 310 103 45

Feb 180 1011 432 0 32

Mar

Apr 99

251 24 14 40

Aug

Sep -

799 169 -

Oct 63 973 171 8 100

Nov 180 1124 156 219 101

Dee -

641 247 113 -

^ignificant counts aside from WeBS were received from the following locations:°Urgh Castle: 104, Jan 3Ist. »nape: 300, Feb 7th; 200, Oct 28th. Orfordness: 160, Oct 17th; 132, Dec 13th. Havergate: 239, Aug 9th; 318, Aug 13th. "Kley River: 667, Aug 2nd; 350, Oct 2nd; 340, Nov 12th. STONE-CURLEW Burhinus oedicnemus "cally fairly common summer visitor. Amber List. 'wo overwintering birds were recorded in the Brecks on January 5th. The next record, Probably 0 f an early returning migrant, was also from the Brecks on March 4th. he population was closely monitored again for the 25th consecutive year and a total of 81

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 230 pairs were found breeding in Breckland, including Norfolk. Ninety-eight of these f irs were in the Suffolk Breck and there were a further seven pairs on the coast (89 and eigi in 2008), making a total of 105 pairs in the county. It was not a particularly good nesting se: ;on and only 59 young were proven to have fledged from these pairs, although the true fi: ire would almost certainly have been higher, as large young can be quite mobile and are diff ult to find. The productivity in Suffolk was 0.56 (number of young fledged per breeding p ir). The UK population increased slightly again to 374 pairs, so Suffolk currently holds 28' of the national total. The largest post-breeding flock was 65+ birds in the Brecks on August 8th. Birds were observed on the coast into November with the final report being two on 1 th. LITTLE (RINGED) PLOVER Charadrius dubius Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Trimley Marshes provided the first record of the spring on March 14th. The next re was eleven days later on March 25th at Minsmere. Reports then became more widesp: with eight birds at Flixton GPs on April 22nd providing the highest count. Confirmed breeding records came from four sites, totalling just five pairs. This is now of Suffolk's rarest breeding species. Return passage was blurred by dispersing juveniles at breeding sites. The last recoi the autumn was one at Minsmere on September 6th.

3rd ad, >ne of

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula Declining resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. A further worrying reduction in breeding reports, with just five sites supportin 16 pairs : Benacre: Sluice, two pairs, one with recently hatched young. Minsmere: single pair. Dingle Marshes: four breeding pairs. Orfordness: five pairs; three confirmed breeding, two fledging young. Landguard: four pairs, two raising one young each. The only flocks of over 50 birds in the first winter period were at Levington Creek, ith a peak of 72 on January 10th. There were 38 at North Warren on February 22nd. Good spring passage was noted at two sites:Breydon south wall: 40, Apr 29th; 121, May 9th; 151, May 16th; 100, May 17th. Orfordness: 43, Apr 25th; 34, Apr 26th; 58, May 9th; 52, May 14th. Peak autumn counts at coastal sites were as follows:Breydon: 24, Aug 24th. Minsmere: 13, Aug 13th. Thorpeness: Haven, 70, Oct 3rd. Orfordness: 60, Aug 24th. Havergate: 20, Aug 19th. Levington Creek: 60, Sep 2nd. Landguard: 32 south, Oct 16th. Landguard supported the largest flock in the second winter period with 130 on November 13th and 14th. All inland records are given:Lackford Lakes: singles on Mar 3rd, Mar 22nd, Apr 23rd; two, May 15th; Jul 8th. Mickle Mere: Apr 29th. Livermere Lake: Aug 2nd, Aug 31 st. Gifford's Hall Flood: May 14th. Lakenheath: two, May 14th. 82

Systematic

List

eBS data:Blvth Estuarv Aide/Ore Estuary Deben Estuary Orwell Estuary Stour Estuary

Jan 4 45 49 30 29

Feb 0 19 49 125 101

Mar

Apr 0

15 10 V.-. 1 5 10 29

Aug -

''ir''' -

Sep -

2 100

.' V 202 150

Oct Nov 38 0 46 ri 65 , 72 123 116 19 149

Dee -

21 82 63

'Ti dra' Ringed Piover Mi mere: nine, May 14th; three, May 20th; nine, June 3rd; two, June 8th. Orfordness, 'many' of the passage birds in May were reported to be of this race. K1 TISH PLOVER Charudrìus alexandrinus Se, e passage migrant. e bird on Orfordness on Aprii lOth was the earliest arrivai since 1983 when one was on ¿vergate on March 15th. The bird at Minsmere on Aprii 26th was considered to be the sar as that on Orfordness the same day. Mi mere: male on the Scrape then flew south at 1.15pm, Apr 26th (DThurlow et al.). Or dness: female, Apr lOth to 12th (M C Marsh, D Crawshaw); male, Apr 26th (M C Marsh, D C wshaw). El \ S I A N DOTTEREL Charadrius morìnellus Set e passage migrant. Amber list. 20( Additions: La- ^uard: juv, Sep 7th to 18th and another, Sep 13th (Suffolk Birds 2008: piate 10). El OPEAN G O L D E N PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria Co, •non winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. e highest single count of the year was 5670 on the Blyth's January WeBS count. At Fa! nham Creek there were 4000 present on January 17th. There were 15 other counts of ove 300 birds in the first winter period:Car on Colville: 500, Jan 26th and Feb 15th. Sou «old: Town Marshes, 500, Jan 26th; 1000, Feb lOth; 400, Feb 15th. Ori dness: 380, Feb 28th. Peli «towe Marshes: 1500, Jan 17th. Tri,, ley Marshes: 300, Feb 12th. £ ye: Cranley Green, 400, Mar 13th. Great Waldingfield: 300, Jan 2nd; 300, Jan 31st; 800, Mar 15th. Acton: 500, Mar 28th. Stow upland: Hall, 334, Jan 19th. Eon« Melford: 300, Mar 1 lth. T he last record in spring was a solitary bird on Minsmere Levels on Aprii 16th. The site a'so hosted the first bird of the autumn on June 23rd. The only other June records carne from Orfordness on 27th and 28th. The first notable autumn flock was on July 25th with 60 at Hazelwood Marshes, before the first three-figure counts carne through in August with 345 at Levington Creek on lOth and 300, Westhorpe, 15th. Typically lower counts carne in the second winter period, with ten counts of over 200 birds:— Kessingland: 600, Dee 20th; 300, Dee 26th. ""ordness: 281, Dee 19th. «aldringfield: 700, Dee 14th. ~®v,ngton Creek: 300, Nov 12th. ""rlingham: 500, Sep 6th. 83

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 Hulver Street: 200, Oct lOth. Brettenham: 400, Oct lOth. Long Melford: 750, Nov 28th. Pakenham: 300, Nov 26th. WeBS data:Blyth Estuary Aide/Ore Estuary Deben Estuary Orwell Estuarv Stour Estuary

Jan 5670 1760 13 298 25

Feb 240 1715 393 1420 0

Mar

Apr

72 • s v 0 0 30 • 0 6

Aug

Sep

137

117 V 94

Oct Nov ;; 20 81 1213 135 2272 20 136 460 0

Dee '

249 278 83 -

GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. Understandably, WeBS provided the main source of data with significant autumn pai age highlighted on the Stour. Would a more complete WeBS coverage in the autumn pn ide greater returns? Blyth Estuary Aide/Ore Estuarv Deben Estuarv Orwell Estuary Stour Estuary

Jan 17 36 239 206 381

Feb 3 42 509 247 180

Mar

Apr 1

4 201 45 866

1 -

Aug ifü ' ii i

Sep

Oct 0 16 61 473 "—SÌ 155 885 1215 1488 -

Nov 0 52 516 165 173

Dee -

45 85 89 -

The last records of spring follow, although the three birds in June may have een oversummering:Breydon: South Wall, 15, May 16th; nine, May 17th. Burgh Castle: Fiats, May 25th. Minsmere: 15, May 15th; single, June lOth and 1 Ith. Thorpeness: two south, May 17th; south, June 13th. Orfordness: 27, May 14th. A single bird at Minsmere on July 6th saw the onset of autumn movement, with 1; rger numbers observed from the month end:Kessingland: 28 south, Aug 4th; 35 south, Aug 5th. Thorpeness: 34 south, Jul 29th. Levington Creek: 26, Aug 5th; 162, Sep lOth. Landguard: 30, Aug Ist. Erwarton Bay: 201, Aug 18th. The Erwarton high tide roost held 2000 birds on Oct 1 st, the only large count noted at one site in the second winter period. Lakenheath provided the only records from the west of the county with four on April 13th and one on May 14th. These were the first in west Suffolk since 2005 (Cavenham P' ts ' March 28th). NORTHERN LAPWING Vanellus vanellus Very common winter visitor and passage migrant. Declining as a breeding species. Red HstA healthy return in the first winter period with four-figure flocks well represented:Carlton Marshes: 1000, Jan 17th; 1500, Jan 18th and 26th; 1000, Feb 9th and 13th; 1400, Feb 14». 1500, Feb21st. Southwold: Town Marshes, 1000, Feb lOth; 1500, Feb 1 Ith. Pakefield: Beach, 1060, Feb 19th. Minsmere: 831, Jan 18th. Orfordness: 1730, Feb Ist. 84

Systematic List Fai Fel Tri Mi Li* I of Grt fto site Mi La Li\ fio Br< Mi No; La Ca For

nham Creck: 2000, Jan 17th. itowe Marshes: 800, Jan 17th. ley Marshes: 1200, Feb 12th. le Mere: 616, Jan 19th. mere Lake: 613, Jan 19th; 720, Jan 26th; 500 Feb 18th. ceding records were received from 17 sites involving 107 pairs. The highest numbers nrs were at Eastbridge (32), North Warren (21), Higham/Thorington Street (21) and on (6). Only 11 sites were able to confirm breeding. Reports of fledged young came only five sites, all in the west of the county. ree-figure post-breeding flocks and autumn passage were recorded at the following :mere: 145, July 13th. >uard: 183 south, Oct 31 st. mere Lake: 100, June 29th; 250, Sep 4th. ports from the second winter period were typically lower with just three four-figure s: ion South Wall: 2500, Dec 5th. nere: 543, Dec 20th. I Warren: 445, Dec 4th; 500, Dec 5th; 450, Dec 11th. pard: 1450 south, Dec 20th, presumably a weather-related movement. iham Heath: 600, Dec 9th. lam St Martin: 500, Nov 29th; 2000, Dec 7th. Jan Feb Blyth Estuar) 2101 809 Aide/Ore Estuary 3120 3209 Deben Estuary 194 1549 Orwell Estuary 233 538 Stour Estuary 530 497

Mar 494 11 51 48

Apr Aug 20 ÌV" 16 rig 45 400

Sep -

277 669

Oct Nov 171 347 1336 543 2199 ; 57 733 423 649

Dec 2001 966 559

Ri KNOT Calidris canutus Loì illy common winter visitor andpassage migrant. Amber list. ' e majority of significant records carne from WeBS counts:Blyth Estuary Aide/Ore Estuary Debcn Estuary Orwell Estuarv Stour Estuary

Jan 700 81 160 1214 1284

Feb Mar Apr Aug va» 92 'k 33 .,•: 5 ;; 0 120 - 5 _ U93 32 0 4141 8 3

Sep 4-

0 0

Oct 0 9 11 0 1620

Nov Dec 36 59 v 3 39 25 535 1547 1406 -

1 ¡ie only three-figure counts in the first winter period away from WeBS were: Leyington Creek: 300, Jan lst. nmle y Marshes: managed retreat, 700, Jan 16th. feciphering late-spring records from early-autumn ones proved impossible, with birds Present at Minsmere throughout June. Three were present on June 3rd and a single on June . • Passage on Orfordness was more clearly defined with the last spring record on May • 'st and the first returning birds being three on July 1 lth. outhbound passage was noted at Kessingland (possibly oversummering birds), noipeness and Landguard with the following monthly peaks: •»Msingland: 25, June 18th; 25, Aug 25th; 33, Nov 3rd. n °rpeness: 18, Aug 5th; 35, Sep 8th; 14, Oct 22nd. L »ndgnard: 47 south, Oct 3lst. 0 'hree-figure reports were received for the second winter period apart from those ec orded on the WeBS counts.

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 SANDERLING Calidris alba Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant. Records were received from 17 coastal locations. Monthly maxima from the four tes dominating proceedings were:Lowestoft Kessingland Orfordness Minsmere

Jan 9

Feb

Mar

Apr

Mav

50 »

17 , •

Ssit

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep ¡fi» 7

Oct 4

Nov

>cc

".-

n 12

! -

Details of ali ten-plus counts are given:Lowestoft: South Beach, 23, Feb 7th; North Beach, 12, July 17th. Pakefleld: beach, 13, Jan 27th. Kessingland: 43, Jan lst; 45, Jan 3rd; 50, Jan 8th; 17, Feb 18th; 12, Dee 31 st. Benacre: 13, Feb 20th. Orfordness: 12, May 14th; ten, May 17th. Only two reports were received from WeBS counts. One was on the Blyth in Nove' ber and there were five on the Orwell in December. The only inland record was a passage bird at Livermere Lake on May 14th. Ali c the sightings in west Suffolk this century have been the period May 1 lth to 15th. LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta Uncommon passage migrant. Occasionally overwinters. The Melton bird remained through the winter from January 2nd to March 26th. Spring passage was disappointing. Ali records are given:Breydon South Flats: May 2nd. Thorpeness: May 16th. Minsmere: May 13th, 14th and 19th. Orfordness: May 14th, 17th, 19th and 20th. The first bird of the autumn was at Minsmere on June 26th. There were a furtht ten records there between August 4th and October 13th, with a peak of three on September 3th. Ali other autumn records are given: Benacre: Oct 23rd. North Warren: Aug 8th; Sep 7th; Sep 23rd. Orfordness: Aug lst; two, Aug 2nd. Boyton: Oct 2nd. Bawdsey: East Lane, Sep 5th; Sep 15th; two, Sep 19th and 20th. The Melton bird returned on November 2nd. A second wintering individuai was seen and photographed at Oulton Marshes on December 20th. TEMMINCK'S STINT Calidris temminckii Scarce passage migrant. Red list. A poor year with just two spring records. Minsmere: May 17th (D Carr). Hazelwood Marshes: May 24th (M P Pratt). WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER Calidris fuscicollis Rare passage migrant. 2006 Additions: There were two birds recorded on Orfordness in 2006 which were photographed but no submitted. They are unusual because they were present in November, the l a t e s t - e v e r m Suffolk. They constitute Suffolk's 23rd and 24th records. Some previous records, fr°m Breydon Water, which have been included, cannot be proved to have been in S u f f o l k . Orfordness: juv, Oct 2 lst to Nov 1 lth, 2006; ad, Oct 29th to Nov 12th, 2006 (both M C Marsh et ai)86

Systematic

List

20 1 Correction: lie individual recorded on Breydon Water, September 1st (multi-observer) never cai e to the Suffolk side and should, therefore, not have been included. This means that the well-watched bird at Minsmere, July 13th to 20th, 2008, was the 27th record for Su oik. PF TORAL SANDPIPER Calidris melanotos Sci ce passage migrant. iree autumn records were received. Co lithe Broad: juv, Sep 30th and Oct 1st (J H Grant el al.). Or dness: adult, Aug 16th. (M Marsh, D Crawshaw). Mi mere: July 9th. (D Pearson, R Drew). CI LEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea Un mmon passage migrant. e wintering bird at Melton remained until March 26th (G Grieco), with another wi ring individual at Trimley Marshes SWT Reserve on January 16th. < ily seven birds were reported in the spring:Bn ion South Flats: Apr 14th, earliest spring arrival since 1952 (two, Havergate Island, Apr 2nd). Mi nere: May 6th; May 23rd; May 28th. Or dness: Apr 18th; May 9th; May 23rd. tumn records were received from eight coastal localities but the only double-figure gal rings were on Orfordness. Br, Ion South Flats: six, Aug 29th; five, Aug 30th; eight, Sep 1st; two, Sep 19th. Bl> iurgh: two, Sep 6th. Dir e Marshes: Sep 9th. Mii nere: three, Aug 12th; two, Aug 18th; Aug 23rd; two, Aug 24th; two, Aug 29th; two, Sep 2nd; Sep 1 h; three, Sep 13th; four, Sep 14th; Oct 5th; two, Oct 7th. Or dness: 28, Aug 1 st; 25, Aug 2nd; Sep 5th. Mei in: Sep 9th and 11th. Lev gton Creek: Sep 10th. Lai juard: south, Aug 23rd; south Sep 30th. Pi 'sumably it was the same bird that returned to winter at Melton - it was seen on November 12th and December 7th (G Grieco). Another late autumn migrant or wintering bird was seen at Lakenheath on November 7th and 8th. PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris marĂtima airly common winter visitor. Scarce passage migrant. Amber list. Diligent observations at Lowestoft returned double-figure counts throughout the first winter period and highlighted the site's pre-eminence on the coast for this species. Lowestoft: monthly maxima: ten, Jan 10th and 17th; 12, Feb 22nd; 12, Mar 7th; 11, Apr 4th. j>awdsey: Jan 1st, 16th and 31st. elixstowe: Promenade, Jan 18th and 20th. Landguard: south, Feb 25th. The last bird of the spring was seen at Lowestoft on May 8th. This site also hosted the first autumn bird on August 2nd. Further passage was noted at Corton with one on September and at Landguard with birds on September 15th, 18th, 19th and 20th. One also flew s Â°uth there on October 3rd. hree sites recorded birds in the second winter period:^Won: Nov 15th. owestoft: Sep 27th; Oct 18th; nine, Nov 24th; six, Dec 21st. ou thwold: two, Oct 2nd, 10th and 12th. 87

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 DUNLIN Calidris alpina Very common winter visitor andpassage migrant. Red list. In the first winter period, the only three-figure counts aside from WeBS carne fron the following locations:Southwold: Town Marshes, 100, Feb lOth. Orfordness: 543, Jan 4th. Trimley St Martin: Loompit saltmarsh, 112, Jan 24th. Passage in May was well recorded on the coast:Breydon South Wall: 400, May 4th; 800, May 9th; 50, May 17th. Minsmere: 93, May 8th. Orfordness: 216, May 9th; 125, May lOth. There were seven birds on Orfordness on June 13th and 14th and a single inland re ord at Lakenheath on June 14th. A more genuine candidate for an autumn migrant was a single bird at Kessinglan on July 13th. Towards the end of the month, passage picked up along the coast with the hig lest counts recorded:Minsmere: 43, July 26th. Orfordness: 62, July 26th; 145, Aug Ist. Landguard: 57 south, Aug Ist. There was a slight rise in numbers in the latter winter period, with October 3 Ist bein an excellent day for southerly passage at Thorpeness, Orfordness and Landguard:Thorpeness: 405 south, Oct 3Ist. North Warren: 550, Nov 30th; 150, Dee 4th. Orfordness: 313 south, Oct 31 st; 114, Nov 28th; 360 on the managed retreat, Dee 19th. Meiton: 600, Dee 24th. Landguard: 133 south, Oct 3Ist. Erwarton Bay: 750, Oct Ist. In the west, seven sites returned records of 33 birds throughout the year. The hig est counts were of four birds at Lakenheath on May 14th and Livermere Lake on August 7th and 19th. WeBS data:Blyth Estuary Alde/Ore Estuary Deben Estuarv Orwell Estuarv Stour Estuary

Jan Feb 3608 1126 4782 618 1620 3639 3407 1551 2107 3280

Mar

Apr 31

251 168 41 449

Aug -

139 â&#x20AC;˘

147

: Âť? -

Sep -

172 95 sM 61 381

Dee

Nov 1170 738 249 658 2574 74 708 2190 1870 Oct -

2108 1358 833

RUFF Philomachus pugnax Common passage migrant. Small numbers overwinter. Red list. Monthly maxima at the well-represented sites are tabulated:Minsmere Orfordness Trimley retreat

Jan Eeb 2 9 1 1 -

Mar 12 7 -

Apr 9 18 1

May Jun Jul Aug Sep 4 7 8 2 3 1 1 4 15 1111

Sightings carne from 14 other sites all of which are listed:Covehithe Broad: Aug 24th; Aug 30th; six, Sep lOth. Southwold: Town Marshes, singles, Jan 23rd, Feb Ist, 15th and 18th. Dunwich: three, Sep 20th. Thorpeness: July 13th; three, July 18th; two, July 27th. North Warren: two, Feb 25th, Mar 8th, May 14th and Dee 19th. Boyton Marshes: Mar 5th; July Ist; Aug 22nd. 88

Oct 2 9

Nov -

Systematic

List

Hi Ah M; La Alt Lh Mi Tii

rgate: two, Aug 9th; Sep 12th. Complex: two, Feb 22nd. lesham Creek: five, Aug 23rd. Iguard: south, Sep 1st. n Water: Aug 19th. I mere Lake: Apr 18th to 20th; Aug 6th. de Mere: Jan 17th. vorth: four, Jan 3rd. mworth is an unexpected site for this species, especially in January, nly seven birds were recorded during WeBS counts. On the Aide/Ore there were three in bruary, two on the Orwell in March and singles on the Stour in April and August.

JA K SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus Ui ommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. bservations in the first period were somewhat limited with singles at seven coastal and tv> nland (Lackford Lakes and Lakenheath Fen) sites up to mid-March. Orfordness was the pr :ipal site with one or two in January and March and three in February. le sole April reports were of singles at Island Mere, Minsmere on three dates up to 22nd an one at North Warren, 16th. warton Bay on the Stour Estuary hosted the first returning birds with two on September 2( The only other September sighting occurred at Fritton, 30th. uring October to December there were reports from 12 widespread sites in the coastal re in, and inland at Lackford Lakes and Lakenheath Fen. Orfordness recorded the highest to s with a maximum of five, November 22nd. ngles were located on stubble fields on November 17th and December 30th at Mutford w re similar observations were made in January and December 2008 ( S u f f o l k Birds 21 8:86). C VIMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago ( I mon winter visitor and passage migrant. Probably extinct as a breeding species. Amber Iii is sad to report that there were no indications of even possible breeding in the county Wi h none being recorded at any sites between May 13th and July 18th. however, the following table of WeBS counts and monthly maxima clearly shows the continuing importance of our principal wetland sites for this species in the winter months:Significant counts from Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Sep additional sites during the 14 10 15 15 12 5 : 22 Minsmere4 first winter included:3 256 100 55 Carlton Colville: Peto's North Warren* 47 20 63 280 43 Aide/Ore** 77 Marsh, 74, Jan 26th. 0 21 7 5 14 9 Deben 8 Worlingham: 60, Feb 2nd. B 16 • 2 9 10 12 23 «ngay: Outney Common, 53, Orwell HW 1 Jan 7th. 9 4 41 15 -•'-•'•. i : Orwell LW 23 36 6 29 3 13 Aldeburgh/Friston: Hazel- Stour wood Marshes, 76, Jan * monthly maxima ** includes Orfordness, HW-High Water, LW-Low Water 17th. Thetford: Nunnery Lakes, 53, Mar 17th. It seems likely that the Thetford total included at least some passage birds. Other indicat e s of spring movements included 33, Minsmere, April 4th; 22, Levington, April 5th and °ne, Landguard, March 31st. Two south over Orfordness, July 18th were the first of the autumn but it was not until 'September that double-figure totals were reported with a peak of 24 in from offshore, Lowestoft, 13 th. 89

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 October's maximum was 36 on the Stour WeBS count, 11th and in November it was Orfordness, 22nd on which date three flew south over Landguard. The harsh weather during the third week of December included a marked influx Suffolk resulting in the year's highest totals being recorded. The peak site-total was of. North Warren, 19th and the figure of 280 on the Aide/Ore WeBS count, 20th include* on Aldeburgh Marshes and 55 on Orfordness. Additional counts of note during the pe included:Oulton Broad: 66, Dec 20th. Pakefield: 54, Dec 20th. Southwold: 20 in from offshore, Dec 17th. Trimley Marshes: 55, Dec 23rd.

59, ito 56, 97 od

EURASIAN WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticรณla Declining resident. Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. It would appear that this enigmatic wader is now extinct as a breeding species in co; tal Suffolk where none was recorded between April 19th and October 10th. At its still-favoi ed sites in the north-west of Suffolk up to seven roding males were located in The King's Fc est and five at Knettishall Heath. The breeding population may be at a low ebb but very impressive totals were recoi ed during both winter periods. During January and February there were reports of Woodt >ck from 65 sites across the county but principally in the north-east recording area where max na involved ten, Blundeston, January 10th; seven, Mutford, February 8th and six, Ashby, Jan\ iry 21 st. Harsh weather in January was presumably responsible for this widespread influx; sin ies were present in January at Landguard on 4th, 6th and 20th and at Orfordness, 10th and 1 th. Further north one flew in from offshore, Kessingland, January 5th and one was feeding < i a grass area outside the Bird's Eye Factory, Lowestoft, January 4th. Despite the coastal to Is, the largest gathering was recorded well inland with 50 flushed during a shoot on the Eu: on Estate, January 24th - this gives some indication as to the many hundreds that must 1 ve been present in the county at that time (see The Harrier 160: 35-36). Six at Newbourne Springs, March 13th probably included some passage birds. Sit gle spring migrants were at Landguard on March 7th and three dates in April up to mid-mo th, while at Orfordness two were present on March 19th and one on March 14th. Spring b ds were particularly evident in the north-east recording area from where reports of up to three were noted at 16 sites during the period. Coastal autumn migrants were noted from October 10th at Gunton. Woodcock were noted at 16 coastal sites during October and November including singles seen to fly in from offshore at Gorleston-on-sea, Lowestoft and Gunton. In October Woodcock were noted at Landguard on 21 st, 29th and 31 st (two) while in November two were on Orfordness, 9th and 11th and one at Landguard, 14th. The harsh weather during the third and fourth weeks of December induced a m a r k e d influx which was noted principally, but not exclusively, in the north-east coastal region. There were reports from as many as 35 localities in the latter region with maxima of seven, Scott's Hall, Minsmere, 22nd and four at each of Mutford, 20th and 24th; Westleton 21st and Warrenhouse Wood, Lowestoft, 21 st. Away from the north-east region, four were at Belstead, 24th and two at each of Orfordness, 24th and Landguard, 19th to 24th. The relatively few reports from well inland included one in a Great Barton garden on bare grass underneath a child's trampoline following a heavy snowfall, 19th. BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa L.l.islandica: Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. L. I. limosa: Scarce visitor. Formerly bred. Red list. The male limosa returned for its twelfth successive spring and summer on the Suffolk 90

Systematic List co -t; it displayed to female islandica at Minsmere and a second coastal wetland site, but to io avail. At the third coastal wetland site mentioned in Suffolk Birds 2008: 87, two limosa wc e present on May 29th and 30th. dditional reports of limosa involved up to four juveniles at Southwold in the autumn Ju 18th (two) with one remaining to July 21 st, July 26th to 30th and August 12th to 16th. oastal observers recorded a wealth of data during the course of WeBS and monthly co ints:Feb 144 42 278 101 457 2 133 1278

Mar

nle 121 612 117 486 4 -

1146

Apr 434 406

Aug

tf:Sj

'.-•'

4 73

si . . -

105

Sili

Sep

vv oo

Jan Blvth 46 Minsmere* 39 Aide/Ore 301 Orfordness* 58 Deben 325 Orwell HW 117 Orwell LW 381 Stour 579 Alton Water * monthly maxima, HW-High

957 141

Oct -

10 -

14 414 -

855 102

16 1114 39 309 20 -

502 21

Nov 56 39 884 78 361 568 746 606 28

Dee -

5 495 123 342 74 135 -

Water, LW-Low Water

here were several notable sightings in the first winter period from sites additional to e in the above table. A new county inland record total occurred on January 30th when were at Gifford's Park, Stoke-by-Nayland in the Brett Valley; the previous record was 25, also at Gifford's Park, on January 20th 2007. Singles were also noted inland in ary at Lackford lakes, 3rd and Livermere Lake, 19th. Further north, in the Waveney ey, a series of reports included 150, Shipmeadow, February 16th; 84, Beccles Marshes, lary 3rd and 60, St Olaves, February 4th. The RSPB is creating new wetland habitat ream of Snape; Black-tailed Godwits have been quick to take advantage with 300, any Farm, Farnham, January 27th and 100, Abbey Farm, Snape, February lOth. pring passage peaked sharply in Aprii although this is not generally reflected in the at ve table. Maximum gatherings in Aprii were o f 4 3 4 on the Blyth Estuary, 19th, 975, Aide Es iary, Aldeburgh, 14th; 564, Burgh Castle, 20th and 406, Minsmere, 16th. ummer gatherings of this wader are a feature of the Suffolk coast, although this year a la . of water meant that relatively few were attracted to the airfields of Orfordness. M ximum totals were 280, Burgh Castle, May 30th; 179, Minsmere, June 23rd; 144, Trimley Marshes, July 8th and 137, Southwold Town Marshes, August lst. The first juvenile 'slandica of the autumn was noted at Southwold Boating Lake, August 4th. ìJuring May to August observers located Black-tailed Godwits at seven inland sites. Peak gatherings involved 15, Lakenheath, June 26th; ten, Livermere Lake, August 2nd and ten, Gifford's Park, August lOth. Additional sightings included five in flight over The King's F °rest, August 4th and one at Barton Mere, August 13th. The totals at Alton Water in August and September are the highest ever recorded at the reservoir and perhaps relate to birds disturbed from roosts on the nearby Stour Estuary. The largest autumn flocks during September to December were those recorded on the w eBS counts, as shown in the table. During the autumn the principal estuary was clearly the Aide/Ore, although no counts were carried out on the Stour in December because of the adverse weather conditions. The year ended at inland sites with an impressive 94, Gifford's Park, December 9th and s, ngles at Lakenheath, November 8th and December 15th.

th 2 of Ja ^ Ja U F Bi

®AR-TAILED G O D W I T Limosa lapponica oirly common passage migrarti and locally common winter visitor. Amber list. C o u n t s f r o m o u r t o p sites w e r c : -

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 Relatively fe v were noted on ti e Aide/Ore Estua y away from C fordness. This ; ยก1 changed durii g severe weather on December 20th when 200 were noted on the estuary in the area f Hazelwood Marshes, Friston/Aldeburgh. The Deben attracted the highest totals in January and February but in March the count) s premier feeding site, Erwarton Bay on the Stour Estuary, attracted 410, the year's highi it total. It was also the largest feeding total in Suffolk since February 2003 when 419 were n the Stour Estuary. Spring passage featured prominently from late April to Mid-May. The principal coui s were:Burgh Castle: 15, Apr 25th; 16, May 14th. Kessingland Levels: 30, Apr 26th. Minsmere: 35, Apr 25th. Thorpeness: 39 north. May 3rd. Orfordness: 73, Apr 25th; 58, Apr 26th; 39, May 3rd. Landguard: 24 north, May 3rd. None was recorded between June 7th and June 25th. Southerly offshore autumn passe e peaked in late July and early August with 35, Thorpeness, July 29th; 18, Landguard, Aug st 1st and 16, Kessingland, August 5th. Of the 26 recorded on the August Stour WeBS count, 25 were in Erwarton Bay while n September and October all of the godwits located on the Stour WeBS counts were all at tl it site. Jan Orfordness* 15 Deben 42 Stour 11 * monthly maxima

Feb 11 19 0

Mar 0 1 410

Apr 73 7 0

Sep 2 0 120

Oct 11 11 36

Nov 1 11 0

Dec 6 0

The only report from west Suffolk occurred at Livermere Lake, April 16th. WHIMBREL

Numenius

phaeopus

Fairly common passage migrant. Occasionally overwinters. Red list. An early spring arrival was at the Hen Reedbeds SWT Reserve, Reydon on March 22 4 but there were no further sightings until early April with singles at Minsmere, 3rd a id Thorpeness, 5th. April's peak totals were 23, Beccles Marshes, 23rd; 16, Orfordness, 19th and 23rd; ยก3, Minsmere, 26th and 11, North Warren, 25th. The maximum seawatching day-total was 16 north, Kessingland, 17th; 53 flew north at Landguard during the period April 14th to May 26th. Inland sightings in April involved singles at Lakenheath, 19th and Whepstead, 24th. Orfordness was the principal site in May with up to 19 present daily to 9th; sightings peaked on 14th with 20 on site and 47 flying north. Elsewhere in the coastal region in May peak totals involved 24, Breydon South Flats, 9th; 12 north, Thorpeness, 3rd and 11, Shingle Street, 14th. Inland, singles were noted in May at Acton, Cavenham, Lackford Lakes and Lakenheath and as many as seven, Livermere Lake, 13th. There was a scatter of sightings in June which suggest that returning birds were present from 13 th onwards : 13th: three south, Landguard; singles at Orfordness and Boyton 17th: two south, Kessingland 20th: singles, south Felixstowe and Orfordness 28th: singles, Henstead, Orfordness and Shingle Street. Seawatchers noted a steady offshore passage from early July to early September. At Landguard, 55 flew south during the period from July 7th to September 8th. Further north in Juty the month's totals for Kessingland and Thorpeness were 96 and 43 respectively. Over the sea in the Lowestoft area, 22 flew south off Ness Point, July 17th and 17 offGunton, July 30th. 92

Systematic List Feeding totals in July and August were dominated by those from Orfordness with peaks i July of 19 on 18th and 18 on 26th, and in August of 30 on 13th. Orfordness also recorded the maximum offshore passage totals in August with 15 on 1st . d 25 on 6th. Elsewhere during August, passage totals for Kessingland and Thorpeness \ jre 36 and 11 respectively and 14 flew south off Ness Point, Lowestoft on 1st. The only inland reports during July and August were singles at Brettenham, July 20th d Bardwell, August 20th. Very few were located in September with a maximum of only four south off Ness Point, I iwestoft, 6th. Four south off Kessingland, October 31st was the year's final sighting. I JRASIAN CURLEW Numenius arquata mmon winter visitor and passage migrant. A few pairs breed. Amber list. An unexpected mid-winter inland record involved one at Weybread, January 7th but ' ; first sighting in the north-west of the county was of two, Nunnery Floods, Thetford, bruary 16th. During the spring and summer this wader was reported from ten sites in eckland; breeding probably took place at six of these but was only proven at one ! :ality. Counts at the principal estuarine sites were:These totals are Nov Oct Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Dec 1 11 in line with : 499 667 598 646 Aide/Ore 627 1009 SSA t ose we have 51 12 19 Orfordness* 65 102 55 55 35 c me to expect on 972 438 Deben 407 619 609 19 541 450 < ;r estuaries in Onvcll HW 240 674 778 502 â&#x20AC;˘J5 655 f :ent years. How- Onvell LW 575 437 402 528 W. < er, the report Stour 414 18 1037 735 529 423 78 ' jm Orfordness * monthly maxima, HW - High Water, LW = Low Water v as "The maxima ' s year were very disappointing with the only three-figure count being 102 on February - n d, and very low counts in the second half of the year ". One north off Thorpeness, February 1 st was probably the first coastal spring migrant, ring passage off Landguard was recorded during the period from March 8th to May 1st w ith 28, April 6th being the peak day-total. Birds south off Landguard, May 18th and May 21st (2) and Kessingland, May 23rd preceded the main phase of southerly autumn passage which commenced during the first week of June. Totals had peaked in June in 2008, but this year it was July which witnessed the largest movements:Kessingland: 40, June; 271, July; 54, Aug; max 49, July 28th. Thorpeness: 25, June; 291, July; 20, Aug; max 55, July 26th. Landguard: 42, June; 141, July, 123, Aug; max 96, Aug 1st. Overall, combined autumn passage totals were lower than in 2008. Notable late-summer gatherings included 270, Stour Estuary, August 23rd; 80, Blyth Estuary, July 26th; an August peak of 70 on Orfordness and 50, Hazelwood Marshes, Friston/Aldeburgh, August 8th. Of the 1037 recorded on the Stour WeBS count in September as many as 850 were in trwarton Bay. Very few were noted in addition to those in the above table, the principal exception being 91, Burgh Castle, December 12th. SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus airly common passage migrant. A few overwinter. Amber list. Peak totals were lower than in 2008 but it was again Minsmere and Orfordness which Wer e the most reliable sites for this wader with the following monthly maxima:93

Suffolk Birci Report 2009

Minsmere Orfordness

Jan 2 2

Feb 0 2

Mar Apr May 2 2 2 2 5 2

Jun 25 1

Jul 30 1

Aug 30 2

Sep Oct Nov 1 3 I 4 2 2

Dec ร ( ' 4

Elsewhere in January and February there were singles at Burgh Castle, Walberswic , Havergate Island, Martlesham Creek and Trimley Marshes and up to four at Dingle Marshe , Dunwich. Six at Burgh Castle on March 8th possibly included early passage birds but it was n t until April that a more widespread movement became apparent. Burgh Castle was ti e principal site with five on 5th, six on 20th and a maximum of seven on 25th. One or two we : also noted at Hazelwood Marshes and the Deben Estuary. In May, one or two were noted i i Orfordness, at Minsmere and Burgh Castle up to 13th. None was then recorded until June 15th when seven arrived at Minsmere which was j be the top site for autumn passage birds. Totals at Minsmere in June increased steadi throughout the month reaching the maximum of 25 on 28th and 30th. Elsewhere in June, o : was on Orfordness, 27th and 28th and three at Trimley Marshes, 28th and 30th. Totals at Minsmere in July increased from 23 on 1st to the maximum of 30 on 11th befo ; declining to 20 on 16th and ten on 31 st. Elsewhere in July reports were from four coast 1 localities and a peak of five, Trimley Marshes, 4th and 17th. The year's only inland sighting occurred at Lackford Lakes on August 23rd. At Minsme in August there were six on 1st increasing to 16 on 5th and the maximum of 30 on 11 i before declining to 11 on 19th and three during 24th to 27th. The first juvenile of the ye r was at Minsmere, 11th. No more than three were at five additional coastal localities i August. Only five localities, all coastal, reported this wader in September - the gathering of te , Dingle Marshes, Dunwich, 9th was the month's maximum and the final double-figure tot 1 of the year. No more than three were at five sites in October and two at six sites in November. Perha s because of the onset of harsh weather, totals increased in December with a maximum ยก four at each of Breydon South Flats, Orfordness and Dingle Marshes. C O M M O N R E D S H A N K Tringa totanus Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Declining resident. Amber list. All the reported breeding pairs of Redshank in the coastal region were on reserves. The totals of pairs at these reserves with the 2008 figures, where available, for comparison:Hen Reedbeds: two. Dingle Marshes: ten (10). Minsmere Scrape: nine (11). Minsmere levels: 11 (19). North Warren: 13(18). Orfordness: 17-22(15-18). This indicates a maximum population of only 62-69 pairs at the coast (78-81 in 2008; 98 in 2007; 144 in 2006). At North Warren, high water Redshank Su Gough levels weรงe maintained throughout the breeding season primarily to benefit Northern Lapwings but, as shown above, this had a detrimental effect on breeding Common Redshanks. The only reported breeding success was at Orfordness where a minimum of ten juveniles fledged. 94

Systematic List Inland breeding activity was only reported from Gifford's Hall (Stoke-by-Nayland), igham St Mary and Mickle Mere (Pakenham); Redshank were noted at five additional land sites during the breeding season. Coastal observers recorded a wealth of data on our estuaries outside of the breeding ason:Jan Feb Mar Apr Aug Sep Oct Minsmere* 4 17 32 20 51 10 39 . Aide/Ore 1213 1069 677 ftgJljJ 2289 1 Orfordness 294 237 113 142 Deben 621 1337 821 94 jftlt® 1295 1992 Orwell HW 535 1338 747 iffSr595 Orwell LW 1363 1178 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c Stour 386 545 327 62 1127 799 742 * monthly maxima, HW-Htgh Water, LW-Low Water

Nov 9 1736 338 896 818 1719 268

Dec 8 1033 423 836 646 1801

Despite the steady decline in the reported breeding population, the county's estuaries ntinue to attract and support a significant wintering population. Inland, sightings in luary involved up to five at Lakenheath and singles at Long Melford and Gifford's Hall, oke-by-Nayland. Autumn passage off Landguard was recorded between June 13th and November 22nd 1 olving a total of 123 birds; the peak months were July (47) and August (64) with a i ìximum day-total of 20, August 12th. Impressive inland totals late in the year at Lakenheath involved 21, December 14th and . November 11th. )MMON GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia mmon passage migrant. A few overwinter. Well-reported during the first three months of the year with singles at the Hen Reedbeds T Reserve, Breydon South Flats and the Stour Estuary. Multiple sightings involved three 0 the Deben Estuary and two on the lower Orwell Estuary. The first migrants were noted from mid-April including one south off Landguard, 13th. ie WeBS counters on April 19th recorded the first double-figure totals with 14 on the 1 ben Estuary and 11 on the Stour Estuary. Elsewhere in April, a maximum of nine was at ¡nsmere, 24th, and inland, birds were at Mickle Mere, Pakenham, 25th (2) and Gifford's Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland, 28th. By comparison with April, May was relatively quiet with peaks of only nine at Breydon South Flats, 2nd and Boyton, 15th and eight at Melton, 1st. 'n June, what are likely to have been late spring migrants were at five coastal sites and inland at Lackford Lakes up to 11th with a maximum of three, Orfordness, 1st. The migratory status of singles at Hazelwood Marshes, 13th and Minsmere, 15th and 17th is uncertain, but one on Orfordness, 20th was considered to be an early autumn bird. In the last ten days of June birds were recorded at five coastal localities and inland at Flixton GP with Peaks of four, Orfordness, 27th and three, Trimley Marshes, 30th. Totals were slow to increase in July and it was not until late in the month that significant groups were located e.g. ten, Orfordness, 25th and eight, Melton, 29th. In the west of ^uffolk, one or two Common Greenshanks were at five sites in July including one, Hinderclay Fen, 14th. August was easily the best month with sightings at 11 coastal and eight inland localities, ouble-figure gatherings were at six coastal sites:^ovehithe Broad: ten, Aug 25th. Winsmere: 14, Aug 14th. r| ston/Aldeburgh: Hazelwood Marshes, 26, Aug 8th. 95

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 Orfordness: ten, Aug 18th and 29th. Melton: 11, Aug 7th. Stour Estuary: 78, Aug 23rd (cf. 60, Aug 17th, 2008). As with the 2008 total, the Stour Estuary figure is the highest in Suffolk since August ;t 2002 when 96 were on Havergate Island. Inland sightings in August included five, Redgrave, 26th; three, Barton Mere, 20th a d singles, Hinderclay Fen, 4th and 16th. Totals declined sharply in September, the only double-figure gathering being 41 n the Stour Estuary, 20th. Maxima elsewhere involved eight, Melton, 1st and six, Orfordne s, 5th. October's peak was five, Melton, 26th. In November, at least one was on the Orw 11 Estuary and up to three on the Deben Estuary; particularly noteworthy late migrants n November involved singles at Benacre Broad, 22nd and well inland at Cavenham Pits, 13 i. The only December sightings were of singles on the Aide/Ore and Deben Estuaries. LESSER YELLOWLEGS Tringa flavipes Very rare visitor. Southwold and Walberswick: the adult bird from December 2008 was seen, intermittently, until b 16th (B J Small et at.). GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus Fairly common passage migrant. Small numbers overwinter. Amber list. Another excellent year for this wader commenced with sightings at eight localities dur ig January and February; one or two were at seven of these localities but as many as five w re at Hall Farm, Fornham St Martin, January 6th. A marked arrival of spring passage birds occurred in mid-March with six, Cavenham P, 14th and 15th and four at Stoke-by-Nayland, 16th, Pipps Ford, Barking, 16th and Flixton P, 15th. Overall, this wader was reported from 11 sites in March of which five were in ie Waveney Valley. Spring passage continued strongly up to mid-April with peaks of five, Cavenham GP, id and 3rd and Minsmere, 15th and four, Flixton GP, 1st to 6th, Flixton Marshes, 7th id Kessingland SW, 15th. None was reported in April after 26th. The only May sightings were at North Warren with three on 19th and one on 29t possibly all of these birds were non-breeders. One at North Warren, June 7th might have b< en the same bird as that on May 29th; however, the presence of one at Flixton GP, June >th would tend to suggest that both of these early-June sightings relate to early returning birds. Overall, returning birds were noted at ten sites in June with maxima of six, Flixton < iP> 29th and four, Lackford Lakes, 23rd. Passage strengthened considerably during July with reports from 20 widespread localities. This wader is often reported from lesser-known sites and July's maximum was well off the beaten track with eight at St James South Elmham, near Halesworth, 16th. Elsewhere in July peaks included seven, Hinderclay Fen, 14th and Redgrave, 23rd and six, Flixton GP, 9th. In August, Green Sandpipers were reported from more localities (25) and in higher totals than in any other month this year. The principal gatherings in August were:Minsmere: 11, Aug 4th; 12, Aug 7th. Redgrave: 16, Aug 24th. Livermere Lake: 20, Aug 1st. Hinderclay Fen: 13, Aug 4th; 11, Aug 16th. Lackford Lakes: nine, Aug 20th. Although, as expected, totals declined in September, there were reports from at least 1sites during the month. Easily the largest gatherings were 11, Redgrave, 9th and seven, Lackford, 19th. The decline in numbers continued into October but observers still managed to locate this 96

Systematic List \ ider at a minimum of 15 sites during the month. The maxima were five, Cavenham GP, . d and four, Lakenheath, 30th. Wintering birds were reasonably widespread in November and December with reports f ;>m at least 16 localities. Easily the top site was Fisher Row, Oulton with up to three in f ivember and as many as six there, December, 5th and 6th. Another lesser-known site to r port this wader in December was Brandon Sewage Works with two on Christmas Day. V OOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola t irly common passage migrant. Amber list. For the seventh successive year this wader occurred in Suffolk in April - one, Orfordness, th which remained there until May 4th. iwever, it was to be a poor spring passage; s htings were restricted to four coastal sites Minsmere, North Warren, Orfordness 1 Boyton - with a peak of three at the 1 ter site, May 13th and 14th. Late June witnessed the first returni ; birds with reports from Minsmere, North irren, Boyton and Trimley Marshes from h; Boyton was again the best site with three M 0 28th. Wood Only five were located during the course of Sandpiper Su Gough J y - Minsmere 5th; Boyton, 17th; inland at Gilford's Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland, 23rd and tv o, Burgh Castle, 31st. August was, as in most years, easily the best month for this wader with reports from eight c ÂŤtal and two inland sites. However, no locality attracted more than two at any one time, F haps indicating a poor breeding season. The only inland reports referred to one, 1 iderclay Fen, 16th and 17th and two, Redgrave, 24th. One flew south over Landguard, 7th, ti site's seventh record. None was reported after a single bird at Alton Water, September 1 st. C )MMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos < mmon passage migrant. Sometimes overwinters. Amber list. The days of Common Sandpipers regularly overwintering in Suffolk would appear to have ceased, hopefully temporarily. None had been present in November or December 2008 and this continued into 2009 with none reported during January and February. Singles on the Orwell Estuary, March 15th and at Nunnery Floods, Thetford, March 22nd were either early migrants or had overwintered undetected somewhere in those areas. What is likely to have been an early migrant was at Lackford lakes, April 5th. By the end April this wader had been reported from 12 localities but the largest gatherings were of only three Livermere Lake, 23rd and Leathes Ham, Lowestoft, 25th. Spring passage peaked in May and was the strongest since 2000. The highest totals occurred in mid-month and involved 13, Breydon South Wall, 14th; 12, Livermere Lake, '3th; 11 East Lane, Bawdsey, 13th and 11, Minsmere, 14th. Overall, observers reported Lommon Sandpipers from as many as 28 widespread localities during May. The final bird Â°f the spring was at Minsmere, June 4th. Just under three weeks later what is assumed to have been the first of the autumn was at Levington on the Orwell Estuary, June 23rd. Birds were widespread by the third week of July during which month they were noted at 19 sites. Maximum site totals during July involved n| ne, Orfordness, 18th and seven, Minsmere, 18th. As with many passage waders, August was easily the peak month for Common Sandpipers h reports from 32 widespread sites; as such, it is somewhat surprising that there were

Wlt

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 only two double-figure groups and they both involved birds flying south offshore! T ie largest gatherings were:— Gorlcston-on-sea: group of 20 south offshore, Aug 29th. Lowestoft: Ness Point, group of 32 south offshore, Aug 13th. Orfordness: eight, Aug 13th. Trimley Marshes: eight, Aug 6th. Flixton GP: nine, Aug 10th and 19th.September witnessed the inevitable decline in passage boti in terms of numbers involved and geographical spread. Observers located this species at 14 sites of which only three were not in the coastal region, and the highest site-totals were only five, Flixton P, 15th and four at each of Redgrave, 1 st, Melton, 1 st and Alton Water, 20th. There were two inland sightings in early October, at Hall Farm, Fornham St Martin, th and at Lackford Lakes, 7th. The final sightings of the year were both on October 20t singles at Melton (formerly a traditional wintering site) and south off Kessingland. RUDDY TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. Counts at the principal estuarine and coastal sites were:Lowestoft* Aide/Ore

Deben

Jan

Feb

Mar

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

142

131

143

103

íü

Apr

Orwell H W

133

Orwell LW

103

IfHi

107

236

343

Stour

230

.-Sii sísít! 134

309

* monthly maxima, HW-High Water, LW-Low Water

The Aide/Ore totals are well below those of 2008 and, unlike other years, there wa: no peak in sightings on the Stour Estuary in April. On the Orwell the high water and low w er counts were remarkably similar which has not been the case in recent years. Generally, to ils in November on all the estuaries were much lower than is normally the case in that mo: th. Additional reports during the early months included 27 at roost, Burnt Hill, Car on Colville, January 26th and 30, Gorleston Pier, March 28th. Spring passage totals at Minsmere involved monthly peaks of 11, March 25th;17, April 16th and nine, May 1st. Elsewhere up to five migrants were on Orfordness in May and the year's only inland record involved one at Lackford Lakes, May 16th. The first returning migrants were noted at several sites in the third week of JulySeawatching totals off Thorpeness and Kessingland peaked in July with 31 and 12 respectively while at Landguard the maximum monthly passage total occurred in August when 51 were recorded. Perhaps the year's most notable observation occurred during harsh weather in late December when 170 flew south off Thorpeness on 20th in what was presumably a weatherrelated movement. 2008 Correction: Stour Estuary: WeBS total in August should read 207 rather than 1207. RED-NECKED PHALAROPE Phalaropus lobatus Rare passage migrant. Red list. Bawdsey: East Lane pools, juv, Sep 9th (C Holden et al.). This individual was present for about two hours before being disturbed by a passing Hobby. 2006 Addition: Orfordness: June 4th, 2006, this photographed bird was also seen on Havergate Island on the (MC Marsh et al.). 98

same day

Systematic List REY PHALAROPE Phalaropus fulicarius arce passage migrant and rare winter visitor. uthwold: Harbour, Nov 19th (BJ Small). This single late-autumn record makes 2009 the worst year for this species in Suffolk since 99 when none was recorded. 11 MARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus i acommon passage migrant. A few overwinter. Very few were seen in the north-east of the county before spring migration - a quiet start what turned out a quiet year overall for this species. The first records of the year were gles seen from Ness Point, Lowestoft and Minsmere, February 1st and 16th respectively. During spring migration nine were seen off Southwold in a single flock heading north at 35, May 10th. The same flock was seen later that evening off Kessingland and then off >pton-on-Sea by other observers. The only other multiple occurrence was of two off orpeness, May 13th. Return passage in the autumn was almost as quiet. Singles were seen off the main coastal * tch points at Lowestoft, Southwold and Thorpeness from mid-September to the end of •vember. Four were seen off Thorpeness, October 3rd with two being seen off Ness Point, westoft on the same day. Another three were off Kessingland, October 5th and another t! ee were offThorpeness the next day. In the south of the county three were off Landguard, ( tober 9th. The final records of the year were a single off Kessingland, November 30th and P 'bably the same bird off Southwold the same day. A iCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus 1 creasing passage migrant. A few overwinter. Red list. On the whole a somewhat quieter year for this skua. During the autumn on some days s htings of this species were outnumbered by those of ti Great Skua. The first record of the year was of o heading north off Kessingland, April ' h and the following day two were st n on the sea adjacent to Benacre ! iad. From this point onwards ten or » -v. • sc records of mainly singletons flying ^ north offshore were made up to the end of June. This 'rend continued into July and there seemed to be no clear time when the spring passage ended and the autumn return Passage started. during July and August the trickle of records of mostly single birds continued and numbers really didn't pick up until the first week in September ^'gouT when 29 were off Ness Point, Lowestoft, 5 th; elsewhere on that same day, six were off Sizewell and five offThorpeness. The following day numbers were much lower with seven off Ness Point and three off Southwold. Numbers went back to singles after this date but increased a week later when six were noted off Southwold, September -ith. Five more were offThorpeness and seven off Southwold the following day. Seven were seen off Lowestoft, September 15th. Numbers didn't rise substantially again until October, when 17 were seen off owestoft, October 3rd, (compare that with the 36 Great Skuas also seen there that day), n the same day, seven were off Thorpeness and four off Southwold, (compared with and 12 Great Skuas seen from these locations on the same day respectively). Eight "•ore birds were off Orfordness also on 3rd. Eight were off Kessingland, October 5th. ^ ^ t h i s date sightings declined and only eight more were seen up to the end of the

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 The last two records of the year were of one past Thorpeness, November 30th and one last Aldeburgh, December 27th. LONG-TAILED SKUA Stercorarius longicaudus Uncommon passage migrant. 2009 was a year with similar numbers to those reported in 2008. Notable occurre ces were six seen from Ness Point, Lowestoft, September 6th and another two there the folio1 ing day. All other sightings involved singles. There were no records of any spring pas ige sightings. All records received are as follows:Lowestoft: six flew north between 15:25 and 18:20, Sep 5th (A Easton); two north, Sep 6th, (A Ea; m); single south, Sep 14th (Lowestoft Bird Club); single north between 07:00 and 08:00, Sep 17t (A Easton). Kessingland: north, Sep 14th (P Read); north, Sep 18th (P Read); north, Oct 5th (P Read). Southwold: north between 15:30 and 16:00, Sep 5th (B Small); north, Sep 1 Ith (P Whittaker, N Ma on); Sep 14th (B Small); juv, south, 09:50, Oct 16th (J Grant); juv dark phase, Oct 27th (B Buffer} Thorpeness: south, Sep 10th (D Thurlow). Orfordness: north, Oct 3rd (M Marsh, D Crawshaw). Landguard: singles north Sep 6th (P Merchant, E Patrick) and 16th (N Odin et al.). GREAT SKUA Stercorarius skua Fairly common passage migrant. A few overwinter. Amber list. It was a very good year for recording this species. Traditionally the first half of the ear is much quieter than the second and 2009 was no exception. Singles were off Kessing nd, January 30th and February 2nd, and another was offThorpeness, March 13th. One wa off Kessingland and three more were seen from Thorpeness, April 19th, the only mul pie sighting before July. The start of return passage was marked by two off Southwold, July 17th. Two and i ree were offNess Point, Lowestoft, September 5th and 6th respectively. Another 15 singles ere seen from various locations up until the end of September, when seven moved nortl off Minsmere, 30th. Coincidently just as in 2008, the first few days of October proved very good for st ing this species, with an excellent total of 36 noted offNess Point, Lowestoft, 17 off Thorpei ess, 15 off Orfordness and 12 off Southwold all on October 3rd. Thirteen were off Kessingi ind, October 5th and 18 were seen from Southwold, October 9th. After this date num >ers subsided again to mostly records of singletons including one seen inland over Eastbr dge before flying back out to sea, October 22nd. Two were off Kessingland and three off Southwold, November 29th. Further south, another was in the river mouth at Landguard, November 30th. The last record for the year was one off Kessingland, December 26th. SABINE'S GULL Xema sabini Rare passage migrant. Another good year for this delightful arctic gull. Three adults were noted along with the more expected juveniles. Three individuals were seen on the same day, September 13th and another two were noted, September 17th. All records received:Corton: adult north, 15:30, Sep 13th (J Brown). Minsmere: juvenile north, 10:45, Sep 17th (R Drew). Sizewell: adult north, 11:45, Sep 17th (J Grant). Thorpeness: juvenile and adult south at 15:30 and 15:50 respectively, Sep 13th (S Mayson, C Fulcher) Orfordness; juvenile north close inshore, Oct 14th (D Crawshaw). 2008 Addition: Gorleston: juv, Sep 24th. 100

Systematic List BI \CK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla ery common passage migrant and winter visitor. Small numbers breed. Amber list. arly in the year reasonable numbers were seen off the Suffolk coast but dii l't get close to matching the exceptional numbers seen at the same tin 3 in 2008. In the southern half of the county, 10 were off Landguard, January 5th and 91 an 107 were seen off Thorpeness on January 3r and 11th respectively. The further north or went in the county, the smaller numbers we e seen. A notable record was made in the we t of the county where an adult was seen at Li .-nheath Washes, January 31 st. he following month a good count of 135 was m e at Lowestoft, February 1st. That month, o\ all, sightings became more infrequent ai the second-highest count made was 50 ol "horpeness, February 28th. On most ot r dates when sightings were made W si le-figure counts were involved. v Juvenile Kittiwakes Peter Beeston s the spring progressed counts in eased again from all the traditi< al sea-watching sites. The highest figures were mostly off Thorpeness where 125 were st x March 31 st, 208, April 5th and 264, April 19th. Overall the bulk of sightings made was si ed between Kessingland and Thorpeness during this time. during the summer, breeding at Lowestoft resulted in 124 chicks being raised from 80 n s, 99 chicks came from 60 nests at the SLP site and the rest from the Claremont Pier. N information was received about any breeding activity on the Sizewell Rigs. ate-summer and autumn counts off the coast made up for the low numbers seen dl ng the same time in 2008. On September 14th, 203, 800 and 235 were seen off K singland, Southwold and Thorpeness respectively. After that numbers tailed off to mostly si de-figure counts but 125 went south past Landguard, November 29th and 204 were off T Âťrpeness, the day after. The final noteworthy count of the year was of 34 from K 1 singland, December 5th. Bi ACK-HEADED GULL Chroicocephalus ridibundus Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. \t the beginning of the year, numbers were high on some of the coastal estuaries, especially on the Blyth and the Aide, which especially for the Aide was a vast improvement on the previous year. Further south it was the opposite with much lower numbers being seen on the Deben and Stour. More WeBS data are shown in the table below. Other WeBS counts illustrated the spring build-up at Minsmere with 1311, March 15th and 2211, April 19th. In the west of the county a notable count of 7500 was made at Livermere Lake, January 31st; 'he following month, 2000 were present at the same site, February 12th and during the summer, 150 juveniles made up a flock of 200 there, July 16th. "reeding news countywide was mixed. There was an amazing site record of 1115 nests ^ Minsmere but no indication as to how successful they were. At least 68 pairs nested on ordness, a b ' S increase on the 36 pairs in 2008. The main concentration was at the Lantern Marshes colony where there was a total of 55 nests (25 in 2008). Out of all the colonies on s "e, the only young that fledged were at the Lantern Marshes colony, but despite the colony â&#x20AC;˘"creasing in size, the number of young that fledged was well down - 11 compared with 41 2008. As with other gull species here, fox predation is the likely cause for the poor success, some of the chicks might also have been taken by the Marsh Harriers which were 101

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 breeding nearby. In the west of the county, nine nests were confirmed at Lackford Lakes ai further nests confirmed at Livermere Lake but there was no indication as to how many youi were fledged successfully. Passage movements noted off Landguard included southerly movements of 202, Augi: 2nd, 101, October 18th and 210, December 20th. Elsewhere in the second half of the ye; 8000 were noted at Lackford Lakes, December 22nd. Elsewhere 352 were at Lakenhea Washes, November 11th. On the coast, 900 were at Dunwich, December 20th. Jan

Feb

Blyth

1994

5412

Mar

Aide/Ore

2713

2975

2236

Apr ìssjìs

Sep

Oct

Deben

863

959

1005

348

146 968

Stour

395

1560

763

321

348

Nov

821

1173

913

5181

293

228

t . i

Dec

75 1446

i ;

LITTLE GULL Hydrocoloeus minutus Fairly common passage migrant. Regularly oversummers. Small numbers overwinter. Ami r list. Just as in 2008, there was a slow start to the year with the first record in the north-east f the county coming from Kessingland, a first-winter, February 25th. From this date onwai s it was a much better year. Spring passage, although brief, saw good numbers with ten goi g down the river and out to sea at Landguard, 14 on the Minsmere Levels and 16 at Barsh; n Marshes, all on April 6th. Greater numbers were seen further west in the county. Appro mately 106 were thought to have passed through Livermere Lake and 30 were noted it Lackford Lakes also on April 6th. This movement ended as quickly as it began with only c e sighting made the following day - an individual past Kessingland. During the summer, numbers started to pick up from the end of the first week in July. M t coastal watch points, such as Lowestoft, only saw single-figure counts, except Covehi e where 60 flew north, July 20th. Further south 39 flew south off Thorpeness, July 25 i. Consistently high numbers were seen on Minsmere Scrape with a peak of 62 seen, Jj ¡y 22nd. Counts gradually increased as the autumn approached. In August good numbers remaii d in the Minsmere area and 75 were noted at Sizewell Rigs, 24th. Good numbers continu d with 86 noted at Sizewell Rigs, September 5th and 106 past Kessingland, October 12th. At Orfordness 8 8 flew north, October 14th. November was a much quieter month with 20 fly i ig north off Kessingland, 29th and on the same day 18 passed north off Orfordness. The fist record of the year was of two south past Gunton Beach, December 29th. MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus Uncommon resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Rare breeder. Amber list. Numbers of this exciting smart gull were lower in the first winter period than in 2008. In the north-east of the county, counts stayed in single figures at the traditional sites including a peak of nine at Pakefield Beach, January 10th. At the south end of the county, eight were at Shotley Marshes, February 4th. In West Suffolk, as in 2008, numbers were scarce over t h e winter with only one r e c o r d from Cavenham Pits, January 22nd. One was noted at Lakenheath Washes, February 21st. Whilst numbers remained static elsewhere in the county, numbers at Minsmere rose steadily during March to peak at 36 birds by 18th. By the following month, there were 45, April 18th; in May numbers dropped back but recovered to 40, June 20th. During the summer, breeding at Minsmere resulted in five young from two nests and at another coastal site, two young fledged from five nests. A very notable count of 73 was made at Southwold, July 18th which compared with very low single-figure counts for other sites that month. There was an inland summer r e c o r d of 102

Systematic

List

two at Livermere Lake, July 18th to 20th and at Laekford Lakes, again two were noted, . agust 5th. Along the coast, as was witnessed in 2008, numbers melted away from late J.ily onwards, with even Minsmere only managing single-figure counts. This was mostly t: e way it remained until the end of the year but Landguard did manage 11, September 8th a d 11th. During the second winter period, one was at Lackford Lakes, November 13th. Noteworthy Landguard was a hybrid first-winter Mediterranean x Black-headed Gull, December 13th. ong the coast, to see the highest congregations, one had to travel to Gorleston-on-sea v lere 11 were present, November 29th and Pakefield Beach where nine were noted, I cember 25th. At a lot of these traditional coastal sites single-figure counts were made at I s time. ( )MMON GULL Larus canus i ry common winter visitor and passage migrant. Scarce breeder. Amber list. This species was either poorly recorded or wasn't numerous in the county during the year a very few records were received. Of the records that were received the most notable counts v re of 1000 that roosted at Minsmere, January 5th and in the south of the county, 500 at I adguard, January 2nd and 3rd. At Orfordness, 184 seen, February 22nd, were probably f m the nearby Sudbourne pig fields. At Benacre Park, 800 were present, March 16th. In t west of the county, 300 were at Livermere Lake, January 14th and 520 were at L kenheath Washes, February 8th. n the second winter period an exceptional count of 3200 roosted at Lackford Lakes, 1 cember 22nd. Elsewhere 232 were at Stanningfield, December 28th. Nearer the coast 2 0 were at Landguard, December 18th. 3ne or two pairs attempted to breed at a traditional site but were unsuccessful. The following table shows WeBS data for our estuaries:Jan

Feb

Mar

Blvth

467

930

Apr -

Aide/Ore

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec ...

483

130

185

Deben

135

Stour

RLNG-BILLED GULL Very rare vagrant.

Larus

delawarensis

2008 Addition: Lackford Lakes: adult, Jan 7th (T Stopher). This bird is the tenth Suffolk record, fifth for West Suffolk and fourth for Lackford Lakes. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus ^ry common summer visitor and passage migrant. Increasing numbers overwinter. list.

Amber

Large numbers roosted early in the summer at Minsmere Scrape. Figures included 1300, ay 31st and 2350, June 17th - understandably not ideal for the vulnerable nesting birds on The Scrape at that time. Seven nests were counted over the summer there. During the first w 'nter period, numbers were low at the reserve and barely made double figures but in the second winter period, 200 were counted, November 8th. By the following month numbers nad dropped when only five were noted, December 20th. Elsewhere in the county there were many pairs nesting in the docks at Felixstowe and irds nested widely on rooftops in central Lowestoft with good numbers of juveniles seen to fledge from these sites. At Orfordness, fox predation is becoming a serious problem with s onie areas of the reserve suffering total breeding failure and inspections revealed a few M

103

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 gull carcasses. The 2009 estimate for Suffolk was only 900 pairs of Lesser Black-bacl d Gulls with only an estimated 100-150 young fledging. This compares with 1500 pairs n 2008 with 300 young fledging. WeBS data received included:Blvth Aide/Ore

Jan

Feb

225

Mar

1008

2775

Sep

Apr

.. :

Oct

Nov

Dec

Deben

Stour

HERRING GULL Larus argentatus Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list. Winter roost counts included 1500 in the west of the county at Tostock House, Tosto January 2nd. In the south 1250 were counted at Landguard, January 5th; this is the lari ever count there early in the year. There were 400 at Landguard on December 27th in second winter period. In the north-east of the county, counts were not so high; WeBS cou from Minsmere included 146, February 22nd and 253, March 15th. From all the WeBS d received, the Aide/Ore complex serves as a good site for this species in terms of number both winter periods. At Walberswick, 250 were present, September 16th and apart from t count and WeBS data collected very few counts were made of this traditionally uni recorded gull in the second winter period. The table below shows the 2009 We counts : Jan

Feb

405

1058

1306

Deben

144

Stour

Blvth Aide/Ore

Mar

Apr

Sep

¡|_

Oct

Nov

st \e ts ta in at rS

Dec

:¿> í H i »

151

752

914

297

The breeding situation of this species appears very similar to that of the Lesser Bla itbacked Gull, with Orfordness showing a continued decline due to human and « disturbance. In 2009, 150 pairs attempted to breed compared with 200 the year before id the number of young fledged was down about 50% compared with 2008. This species, all ig with the Lesser Black-backed Gull, seems to do much better at breeding in urban areas such as the residential and business rooftops in Lowestoft town centre and in the s o u t h at Felixstowe Docks. No information on how many young were fledged successfully is available but in Lowestoft a lot of independent, juvenile gulls could be seen on rooftops and on the beach by late summer. YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Small numbers oversummer. Amber list. Overall it was the same story as in 2008 with numbers being much higher in the west ot the county than on the coast. Lakenheath saw the biggest flocks, both at the reserve and the gull roost field by the village. By the village, 30 birds were counted including 21 adults, January 4th. Observers noted a lot of commuting between this field and the washes. Later in the month 26 were seen at the Lakenheath Washes, January 26th. During this time, numbers at the coast remained in single figures, the highest count being of five at Blythburgh, January 2nd. Other sites along the coast that hosted this species included Oulton Broad where two were present, January 10th. Minsmere recorded a lot ot single birds but multiple occurrences included three, March 7th and 13th, and four, March 14th. With the approach of spring, sightings in west Suffolk tailed off quickly and the highest 104

Systematic

List

co nt made was three at Livermere Lake, April 15th and May 13th. At around the same time hir is remained on the coast and numbers did finally make it into double figures when ten wt e noted at Minsmere, May 31st. \s summer progressed numbers built up again both on the coast and in West Suffolk. On tht coast, seven were at Minsmere, June 17th and this rose to 13, July 8th. In the west of the co nty, 13 were at Livermere Lake and by the start of autumn, 20 were present at Thetford H< th, September 9th. In early autumn, numbers on the coast were back in single figures bu by the second winter period numbers had picked up again slightly with five at M ismere, November 13th, rising to seven, November 24th. Minsmere held pretty much all th :oastal records for this period. By this time in the west, 15 were noted at Lackford Lakes, N ember 29th. C SPIAN G U L L Larus cachinnans Si ree winter visitor. slightly quieter year in 2009 for this gull than 2008. An adult was at Southwold Harbour, Ja lary 4th (S Nixon) and a first-winter at Oulton Broad, January 10th and 11 th (R Wilton). T\ i adults were at Southwold Town Marshes, January 31st (B Small). From this point or ards the bulk of sightings were made at Minsmere with at least four different birds seen of tost ages, February 23rd and 24th (R Harvey). Most other sightings were of single birds dt ng this time. These sightings had dried up by the end of March although two secondw ters were on The Scrape, April 11th (S Mayson). â&#x20AC;˘n Orfordness, an adult was seen on the Managed Retreat on February 21st(M Marsh, D rawshaw). A second-summer was on the Lagoon, March 28th (M Marsh, D Crawshaw). In pril a third-summer bird was noted on 4th (M Marsh, D Crawshaw). Hiring the summer, two birds were noted at Minsmere on separate dates; a secondsu mer was on The Scrape, June 9th (S Mayson) and a 'near-adult' there in an evening to t, July 17th (R Drew). Summer records in the west of the county included a roosting ad it at Livermere Lake, July 16th (L Gregory) and a roosting juvenile there, August 3rd (P Wilson). 1 the second winter period, numbers on the coast were similarly low to the start of the ye r and most records came from Minsmere Scrape consisting of at least four different b" is of different ages. An adult was present, November 4th (R Drew), a first- and secondw ter, November 6th (A Rowlands) and a fourth-winter, November 16th (R Drew) and 20 h (R Harvey). Throughout December records of singletons were made but were still made up of different-aged birds showing that there were more birds present than the figures suggest and altogether making it difficult to gauge exactly how many birds were in the area. Winter records received from the west of the county include two at Lakenheath Washes, January 1st and 11th (D Underwood, L Gregory) rising to six including two third-winters and two adults, January 26th (P Wilson). As with Yellow-legged Gull, most records were centred on Lakenheath Washes but records were made at other inland sites including one at Livermere Lake, April 15th (L Gregory). Numbers were much lower in the second winter period with one bird seen at Lackford Lakes, November 21st and 28th (P Wilson) and another at Lakenheath Washes on the same day (RSPB). ICELAND G U L L Larus glaucoides Scarce winter visitor. Amber list There was one record from each of the three county areas. In the north-east of the county, a well-watched individual was at Lowestoft where it regularly appeared at Leathes Ham and Was a lso seen at Oulton Broad and Ness Point. A second-winter was at Felixstowe. In the West a > first-winter frequented the Lakenheath area and what was probably the same bird was seen at Olley's Farm. All records received are as follows:105

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 Lowestoft: first-winter, Leathes Ham, Jan 2nd, 11th, 14th, 21st and 23rd and Feb 11th (A Easton, Skinner, R Fairhead et al.); first-winter, Ness Point, Jan 18th (R Drew); on Bird's Eye factory rot Jan 25th (A Easton). Oulton Broad: first-winter on Broad (same as Leathes Ham bird), Jan 9th (R Smith). Felixstowe: second-winter around Felixstowe Pier, Jan 31st and Feb 2nd (P Oldfield). Lakenheath Washes: first-winter, Jan 1 Ith (L Gregory) and Feb 24th (D Holman). Lakenheath: first-winter in field north of village (same as January bird), Feb 22nd (L Gregory). Olley's Farm: first-winter in flight with seven Herring Gulls, Mar 14th (L Gregory). 2008 Addition: Lakenheath: village, second-winter, Jan 13th (D Balmer, P Wilson). GLAUCOUS GULL Larus hyperboreus Scarce winter visitor. Amber list 2009 was a relatively quiet year for this species but followed the trend of being mc : numerous than the Iceland Gull. A well-watched and well-travelled bird was a green-ring 1 first-winter, ringed as a chick on Bear Island, Svarlbad. This bird was widely seen up a 1 down the Suffolk coast, spending a lot of its time at Minsmere where it was first noted i January 2nd (J Gibbs). It was seen following a fishing boat off Thorpeness (D Thurlow) t e following day and the day after that it was at Sizewell (D Craven). Towards spring it appeal d to spend more time slightly further north being seen at Southwold Harbour, February 2Ă? h (B Small). It wasn't seen to return in the second winter period. In total looking at the r v data received for the county, there may have been four or five birds involved, includin; a first-winter noted in the west at Lakenheath. Other records besides the green-ringed b d included:Lowestoft: unringed first-winter on warehouse roof, Brook Business Park, Jan 17th (R Hammoi first-winter feeding offshore, 07:25, Mar 28th (A Easton); first-summer, north, 14:50, Apr 16th R Wilton). Oulton Broad: unringed first-winter, Jan 9th (A Easton). Kessingland: first-winter, north, 10:00, Jan 7th; first-winter, south, 10:30, Mar 4th; first-winter, no h, 09:00 and back south, 09:50, Mar 12th (P Read). Southwold: Harbour, two first-winters, one with green ring and the other unringed, Mar 22nd and 2 h (J Evans and R Waiden); second-summer, Harbour, Apr 16th (B Small, R Drew). Minsmere: Scrape, first-winter, Mar 7th (P Whittaker). North Warren: South Marsh, first-winter, Mar 3rd (S Mayson). Orfordness: Airfields, first-summer, Mar 28th ( M Marsh, D Crawshaw). Trimley Marshes: adult bathed in reservoir then flew east, Jan 2nd, (J Zantboer). Lakenheath Washes: adult, Feb 21st (RSPB Lakenheath). Second winter period:Gorleston: first-winter, south, Nov 28th (Lowestoft Bird Club). Lowestoft: first-winter, south, 08:50, Nov 14th (R Wilton). Kessingland: first-winter, south, Nov 28th (P Read). Minsmere: Scrape, first-winter, Nov. 1 Ith (R Drew). GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus marinus Common winter visitor and passage migrant. A few oversummer and has recently brea. Amber list In the first winter period, 70 were counted at North Warren on the marshes, January and 75 were at Landguard, January 5th. In the west of the county, 22 were at Lackford Lakes, January 15th. The following month, 102 were at Minsmere, February 22nd, rising to 14Âť. March 15th. At Orfordness the first half of the year only had small numbers but by the second autumn/winter period, the largest flocks noted were 60, October 31st and 64, December 13th. Minsmere held a total of 50, November 8th. During the summer there was no evidence of any breeding attempts at a traditional site or anywhere else in the county. 106

Systematic List During migration periods small numbers were noted on the move, especially at indguard. WeBS data illustrate the importance once again of the Aide/Ore complex for t is and other gull species:Blvth Aide/Ore

Mar

Apr

Jan

Feb

.: -

54-

ßeben

Stour

: 2

Sep

Oct

jMffi

Nov

Dec

-24

TTLE TERN Sternuta albifrons mmon summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. The first of the spring were three on The Scrape at Minsmere on April 22nd, with small nbers passing along the coast on subsequent days. Double-figure counts were first noted m May 3rd onwards, with the highest count being 130 feeding along the Holm Sand off westoft during May 17th to 19th. The month of May also saw the only inland record of year, of three birds passing through Lakenheath Washes on 14th. breeding success was apparently poor, with only three confirmed fledged young orted:-

-eeding Site

-•ssingland •nacre ngle Marshes umvich Beach nsmere aughden indguard

No. of

Fledged

Pairs

Voung

0 0 0

0 0

Remarks

Outcome unreported. Three young fledged. Incubated for two days only.

here was no post breeding gathering of birds in July at Minsmere this year, but many e noted offshore at Kessingland throughout the second half of the month. The highest da, -count was of 329 north and 253 south there on July 30th, with the amount of duplication noi known. vlost birds had departed the County by August 14th, and the only subsequent records were of one south past Gorleston on August 23rd and seven, also passing Gorleston, on August 25th. At Walberswick over 100 birds occupied the new areas of shingle along the shore in late May. Initial activity was mainly at the Dingle Reserve end and a few pairs began nesting. But these were disturbed, apparently by a mammalian predator. Then during June, more than 60 birds occupied the large shingle fan at the southern end of Corporation Marsh. Twelve nests were established here and incubated for two to three weeks. At the same time birds returned a,K ' established at least five more nests on the Dingle Reserve shore. Early in July most of 'hose birds deserted suddenly, probably because of bad weather. But a few remained active °n Corporation Marsh, and three or four juveniles were eventually fledged from this site. W( r

BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger air 'y common passage migrant. Amber list. After the first of the year, a single bird that flew north past Ness Point on May 4th, several Passed through, both along the coast and inland, between May 11th and 15th as 'Ollows:Corton Cliffs: May 13th. ess P o m t :

May 4th; May 13th; six, May 14th. 107

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 Minsmere: t h r e e , M a y 1 4 t h . Thorpeness: t h r e e , M a y 1 3 t h ; t w o , M a y 1 4 t h . Orfordness: six, May 13th. Landguard: 11, May 13th. Weybread G.P.: e i g h t , M a y 1 3 t h ; t h r e e , M a y 1 4 t h . Bramford: S u f f o l k W a t e r P a r k , f o u r , M a y 1 4 t h . Livermere Lake: f i v e , M a y 1 3 t h ; e i g h t , M a y 1 4 t h ; f i v e , M a y 1 5 t h . Lackford Lakes: n i n e , M a y 1 3 t h ; e l e v e n , M a y 1 4 t h ; s i x , M a y 1 5 t h . Lakenheath Washes: May llth. The only subsĂŠquent spring records were of four at Loompit Lake/Trimley Marshes c May 31 st, and two over the Minsmere Levels on June 4th. Four at Livermere Lake on June 29th were presumably the first non/failed breedc returning south rather than very late arrivais. Subsequently during the second half of t! year the following were recorded between July 17th and September 14th:Kessingland: three, Jul 19th; two, Aug lst; Aug 2nd; two, Aug 6th; Aug 24th; Aug 30th. Southwold: four, Aug lst; two, Sep4th; Sep 14th. Minsmere: t w o , J u l 1 7 t h ; J u l 1 8 t h ; J u l 2 1 s t a n d 2 2 n d ; t w o , J u l 2 4 t h ; f o u r , A u g 4 t h ; A u g 2 5 t h . Sizewell: A u g 7 t h ; A u g 9 t h a n d 1 O t h ; t w o , A u g 2 0 t h ; t w o , A u g 2 4 t h a n d 2 5 t h ; A u g 2 8 t h ; t w o , A u g 3 0 three, S e p lst; S e p 5th; two, S e p 8th.

Thorpeness: J u l 2 7 t h ; t h r e e , A u g 2 n d ; A u g 6 t h . Orfordness: Jul 18th; two, Aug lst. Landguard: two, Aug lst; two, Sep 8th; two, Sep 14th. Trimley Marshes: two, Aug lst. Lakenheath Washes: two, Aug 6th. WHITE-WINGED (BLACK) TERN Chlidonias leucopterus Rare passage migrant. A second-summer individuai was at Livermere Lake on May 14th. This is the 33rd Suffi < record, involving a total of 35 birds. Livermere Lake: s e c o n d - s u m m e r , M a y 1 4 t h ( T S t o p h e r ) . SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis Common passage migrant and declining summer visitor. Amber list. The first of the year were single birds passing Minsmere and Kessingland on Aprii st followed by a steady passage in small numbers, rarely reaching double figures, throughuat the rest of Aprii and May. From around June 5th numbers of Sandwich Terns feeding along the coast between Lowestoft and Thorpeness began to increase rapidly and this was soon followed by the formation of a large breeding colony at Minsmere. The sound and smeli of the colony was very apparent as you walked along the beach. This was the first major breeding attempt at Minsmere for 30 years, and was presumed to be due to a breeding failure at an early stage of a colony from elsewhere in the North Sea. Large numbers of young were hatched from the 550 nests but sadly none survived to fledging due to prĂŠdation. Elsewhere two pairs probably bred on Havergate Island. The table below shows monthly movements past three well-watched coastal sites:Kessingland

Thorpeness

Landguard

Apr

May

Jiin

Jul

Aug

Sep

56N

582N

189N

TON

15N

13S

12S

1042S

802S

54S

52S

21S

19N

15N

817N

547N

21N

372S

539S

133S

92S

I2N

18N

14N

19N

22S

12S

15S

108

Oct

Systematic List Individuals were still lingering off the coast until around the end of the first week in / igust, after which a prolonged and steady exodus continued throughout the rest of that r onth, through September and into early October. The final record of the year was of two s uth past Kessingland on October 17th. There were no reports from West Suffolk in 2009. ( )MMONTERN Sterna hirundo C mmon summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. For the second year running the first bird of the year arrived on April 1st, this time at V ,'ybread Gravel Pits. The next one was seen at Minsmere on 5th, with small numbers then a iving daily throughout the county, including the first two in the west at Lackford on 6th. Numbers began to pick up in the first week of May, and the highest day-count of spring p ssage birds was of 138 past Thorpeness on May 13th. In the west of the County the r iximum day-count was also recorded on May 13th when 34 were at Lackford Lakes. I ewhere in the west, birds were also noted at Lakenheath Washes and Livermere Lake d ring April and May. Counts at well-watched coastal sites are detailed below, and whilst numbers are lower t n those recorded in 2008 they are still well above those in other recent years:Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

14N

157N

322N

493N

281N

94N

18N

41S

179S

691S

767S

442S

Thorpeness

323N

305N

836N

141N

119N

12N

107S

174S

3282S

3935S

156S

Landguard

70N

49N

33N

26N

24N

21S

16S

79S

147S

47S

Kessingland

The incomplete breeding information received is summarized below:I vestoft: Lake Lothing, ten pairs on roof of boat building college. A fire in the building and the ssultant disturbance caused them to abandon the site. ^ ismere: 191 nests with good productivity. H ergate Island: no details. I mley Marshes: up to 70 birds present during breeding season but none bred due to Black-headed Gulls. A ..on Water: 53 nesting attempts on rafts raised over 90 chicks. N dham Lake: no details. ^ ybread G.P.: one nest containing three eggs. Lackford Lakes: breeding confirmed. A count of 135 o n t h e g r o y n e s a l o n g L o w e s t o f t N o r t h B e a c h o n July 18th indicated that southbound m i g r a n t s w e r e o n t h e m o v e f r o m m i d - J u l y at least, w i t h 142 in the s a m e spot 11 days later. T h e p e a k d a y - c o u n t for the a u t u m n m i g r a t i o n p e r i o d w a s 1351 (51 N, 1 3 0 0 S ) at Thorpeness o n A u g u s t 2nd, t w o days earlier than the equivalent peak p a s s a g e last y e a r at the same site; a f u r t h e r 1009 ( 1 2 N , 9 9 7 S) p a s s e d there o n A u g u s t 6th. Numbers d r o p p e d s o o n a f t e r but a steady p a s s a g e w a s m a i n t a i n e d into S e p t e m b e r , w i t h a brief surge into triple-digit c o u n t s d u r i n g 3rd to 5th. S m a l l n u m b e r s t h e n c o n t i n u e d to p a s s along the c o a s t until t h e f i n a l r e c o r d s o f the year of single birds at e a c h o f B o y t o n M a r s h e s and

Southwold on October 11th.

ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea airly common passage migrant. Occasionally breeds. Amber list. Thorpeness r e c o r d e d the f i r s t of the y e a r with singles n o t e d n o r t h b o u n d o n April 18th and Spring p a s s a g e w a s e v e n lighter t h a n the p o o r s h o w i n g in 2 0 0 8 , w i t h only a f u r t h e r 2 7 ^ p o r t e d a l o n g the coast u p to J u n e 19th. T h e only r e c o r d s inland w e r e as f o l l o w s : -

Lakenheath Fen: eight, May 11th. 109

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 Livermere Lake: s e v e n , M a y 1 3 t h . Lackford Lakes: f o u r . M a y 1 3 t h . No breeding attempts were noted in the County this year, and only one or two were .'en on and off at Minsmere during July. A total of 15 were reported along the coast between July 27th and August 23rd, wi h a further 17 passing along the coast between September 4th and 17th. After another gap he next run of birds appeared on October 3 rd with a total of 44 being seen between then nd the 12th, including the only double-figure counts of the year, of 18 and ten past South v, Id, on 7th and 9th respectively. The final record of the year was of one south past Landguard on October 27th. ROSEATE TERN Sterna dougallii Scarce passage migrant. Red list. The first of the year was one flying south past Thorpeness on May 27th, with the next ne on The Scrape at Minsmere on June 8th. Subsequently numbers built up on The Scrape at Minsmere until there were at least ix present on June 18th, with many remaining through to July 21st. It therefore came as li le surprise that the first-ever breeding attempt in Suffolk was made; a pair sat on eggs for n days but regrettably failed due to unknown causes. The only other records away from Minsmere came from the following sites:Lowestoft: N e s s P o i n t , t w o s i t t i n g o u t a s h o w e r o n a b u o y b e f o r e flying s o u t h , J u n e 2 0 t h ; N o r t h B e h g r o y n e s , A u g 8th a n d a n o t h e r A u g 15th. D i f f e r e n t individuals.

Thorpeness: n o r t h ,

J u l y 1st; s o u t h , J u l y 2 0 t h .

COMMON GUILLEMOT Uria aalge Common passage migrant and winter visitor. Amber list. Another very poor year along the whole coast; even totals of distant unidentified au s were low, with 120 north past Kessingland on February 24th being the only notable cou We can only hope that they are finding food farther offshore, and are not gone for good. The monthly totals at Thorpeness were as follows, and well illustrate the continuing era i in numbers, with only 108 birds in total throughout the year (compared with the corre ponding total of 387 in 2008):Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

North

South

Ma)'

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dei

\ 3

RAZORBILL Alca torda Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor. Amber list. The annual total of 40 live Razorbills reported during 2009 was a return to more normal numbers for Suffolk. T o t a l of live R a z o r b i l l s r e p o r t e d

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2001-2009 2007 2008 53

341

2009 40

The table below reveals a blank first winter period after the very poor numbers present at the end of 2008. The bulk of the records for the year came from October and November, and none was recorded in D e c e m b e r M o n t h l y t o t a l s of live R a z o r b i l l s in

2009

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

110

Systematic

List

LI TLEAUK Alle alle Um immon passage migrant and winter visitor. I fter the twelve seen in 2008 this was another rather quiet year for this species with just sev i individuals recorded, with all but one of them seen in October. Loi stoft: N e s s P o i n t , n o r t h , O c t 1 6 t h ; n o r t h , O c t 1 7 t h ; N o r t h B e a c h , s w i m m i n g a r o u n d t h e g r o y n e s , > >v7th.

Th peness: n o r t h ( a m ) , O c t 3 r d ; n o r t h , O c t Sla ;hden: n o r t h ( p m ) , O c t 3 r d ; s o u t h , O c t

4th. 17th.

AI ANTIC PUFFIN Fratercula arctica Sei ce passage migrant. Amber list. slight i m p r o v e m e n t this year, w i t h 13 r e c o r d e d , all b e i n g listed Lo

below:-

estoft: N e s s Point, north, Jun 20th ( A Easton); north, S e p 15th (A Easton).

ingland: t h r e e n o r t h , S e p 1 4 t h ; o n t h e thwold: O c t 3 r d ( R D r e w ) ; n o r t h , N o v T! rpeness: n o r t h , J a n 1 2 t h ( D T h u r l o w ) ; K< So

sea, S e p 18th; n o r t h , O c t 12th; n o r t h , O c t 16th (all P R e a d ) . Ist (R Drew, S Howell); north, D e c 13th (S M a y s o n ) . north, S e p 5th ( D Thurlow).

Rt CK PIGEON (DOVE) Columba livia Ve v common resident from feral stock. CategoriesA,

C and E.

Be d e s : 1 6 3 r o o s t i n g o n t h e c h u r c h , D e c 8 t h .

rdness: s m a l l

g r o u p o f t e n present in a n d o n the C o b r a M i s t building a n d

"no doubt breeds there".

:ak of 21 b e t w e e n J a n u a r y a n d M a r c h .

L; dguard: p r e s e n t a l l y e a r w i t h a m a x i m u m o f 1 3 , F e b 1 6 t h . lp vich Docks: t h e l a r g e f l o c k a t C l i f f Q u a y a p p e a r e d t o b e s m a l l e r

this year. M a x i m u m c o u n t w a s o n l y

50, F e b 2 2 n d .

St Edmunds: m o s t

o f the large buildings in the t o w n centre h a v e b e e n netted over in the past f e w

ears to p r e v e n t this s p e c i e s f r o m r o o s t i n g o r b r e e d i n g a n d this h a s p r o v e d to b e quite effective; 5 0 oted on Oct 3rd.

L ig Melford: s i n g l e

o n t h e c h u r c h , A u g 3 r d w a s the first s i n c e M a r c h . T h e local f e r a l p o p u l a t i o n is

n terminal decline (D U n d e r w o o d ) .

S OCK PIGEON (DOVE) Columba oenas f rly common resident and passage migrant. Amber list. Records came from just 38 localities this year, down from 50 in 2008. The Breeding Bird S rvey (BBS) found Stock Pigeons in 40% of the 53 squares surveyed (47% in 1999, 44% iE 2004), with a combined total of 70 birds. This species is a hole-nester and Stock Pigeons 0 signs of them were found in no less than 261 of the 960 boxes or sites monitored by the B.irn Owl Project. Adults were seen in 252 boxes/sites, eggs in 208 and young in 84. Only seven pairs bred on North Warren, down from 15 pairs in 2008, but it was noted that numbers there appear to fluctuate markedly from year to year. Around 40 pairs nested out on Orfordncss, a similar figure to 2008. The maximum count in the north-east was 31 at Carlton Colville, January 11 th, in the south-east it was 60 at Falkenham Creek, January 17th and in the west also 60 at Chadacre Park, Shimpling, January 2nd. Autumn passage at Landguard was quite light this year, with just 98 south (711 in 2008) between October 1 Ith and November 1 Oth, with a peak of 27, November 9th. At Minsmere, 155 flew south on November 17th. COMMON W O O D PIGEON Columba palumbus Very common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. The largest flocks in the north-east early in the year were 740 at East Green, Kelsale, January O t h and 1000 at Gunton, January 26th. In the west, 1000 were at Ingham, February 8th, 1500 at Fakenham Magna, February 16th and 1300 near Redgrave Lake, March 15th. A prolonged spring passage at Landguard saw 375 fly south on 22 days between March !3th and June 19th. 111

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 The BBS found Wood Pigeons in 100% of the 53 squares surveyed (100% in 1999,10 in 2004), with a combined total of 2885 birds. The almost white leucistic bird ag frequented the Mickle Mere and surrounding areas throughout the year. Autumn passage at Landguard logged 1868 flying south (29104 in 2008) on 13 d between October 17th and November 12th, with a maximum of 660 on November 4th. largest flocks late in the year comprised 1500 at Stradishall Airfield, October 28th, 150( Poslingford, November 4th and 1000 at Brettenham, November 7th.

% in ys te at

EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto Common resident. The BBS found Collared Doves in 66% of the 53 squares surveyed (57% in 1999, 6. % in 2004), with a combined total of 114 birds. At North Warren and Aldringham Walks th re was a further decline to just 13 pairs, the lowest total on record, as the following table sho s. The reasons for the decline are unclear. — _ — - — _ — —

...

—..

—

« — - — _

—I

— —

—

.,,, - . . . I -

- - —I

—

C o l l a r e d Doves a t N o r t h W a r r e n a n d A l d r i n g h a m W a l k s - B r e e d i n g P a i r s

1998

1999

200«

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Collared Doves remain rare on Orfordness, where there were only three records all yt r. The highest counts in the north-east were 51 at Friston, January 3rd and 38 at Knodish I, November 12th. Higher counts came from the west, with 60 at Sudbury, January 7th, 8C at Troston, January 30th and 48 at Great Livermere, November 24th. EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur Declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list. The first of the year was inland at Lackford Lakes on the early date of April 1 h and it was another nine days before the next v is reported, at Mutford, near Lowestoft, on 20th. A li; it spring passage at Lai 1guard saw ten record d between May 7th a d June 3rd. The only rep rt from Orfordness all sumn er was of two on the wires in the v i l l a g e , May 17th. It is a paradox that the scarcer a species becomes then the more it is reported. In 2009 more reports were submitted for Turtle Doves than for the other four species of pigeon and dove combined, even Turtle Dove Su Gough though it is now by far the scarcest. Reports came from a total of about 107 locations (100 in 2008, 71 in 2007). The north-east provided 39 of these sites, the south-east 29 and the west 39. The BBS found Turtle Doves in 28% of the 53 squares surveyed (37% in 1999, 54% in 2004), with a combined total of 21 birds. There were eight pairs on territory at Minsmere but a true picture of the catastrophic decline over the past 12 years comes from North Warren and Aldringham Walks, as shown in the following table. T u r t l e Doves a t N o r t h W a r r e n a n d A l d r i n g h a m W a l k s - B r e e d i n g P a i r s

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

The peak count for the year was a lowly six, jointly recorded at W a l s h a m - l e - W i l l o w s , August 20th and Boyton Marshes, August 27th. It is sobering to record that as relatively 112

Systematic List li le as 35 years ago the peak count in 1975 was a gathering of ca.360 at Levington in August (I otrowski 2003). Few were seen after the end of August and after a trickle of September records there were P o October sightings; at Landguard on 16th and a juvenile at Old Kirton Road, Trimley St N irtin on 25th. F DSE-RINGED PARAKEET Psittacula krameri S arce resident. Categories C and E. 1

westoft: f e m a l e at L e a t h e s H a m , J u n e 2 7 t h a n d o n e in t h e N o r t h D e n e s , N o v 5th.

S uthwold: m a l e f r o m J a n 17th to F e b 4th.

F vdon: Aug 13th. E

t t e n h a m : A u g 14th - c h a s e d o f f b y a flock o f c a . 5 0 H o u s e M a r t i n s .

( JMMON CUCKOO Cuculus canorus I ;clining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list. The first birds of the year were calling in Warren Wood, near to Thetford and at Sapiston, t ith on April 13th, followed by birds at Stradishall Airfield and Boyton Marshes on 16th and I irsham Marshes and Orfordness on 19th. Landguard only recorded four birds all year, on ay 6th and 8th and June 20th and 24th. An unusual record came from Beccles, where one \ as singing from a rooftop in the town centre on May 7th. Records came from a total of about 96 localities, with 40 of these in the north-east, 21 in ! e south-east and 35 in the west. The BBS found Cuckoos in 13% of the 53 squares rveyed (47% in 1999,24% in 2004), with a combined total of 13 birds. There was a regular n of birds on Orfordness up to mid-June and the highest count came from there with four i May 16th. The low count of five singing males at North Warren and Aldringham Walks 2008 plunged down to just a single calling bird in 2009 and the full extent of the recent ilamitous decline in numbers can be seen in their census figures for the past twelve years, his shows a 94% decline at this reserve from the peak in 2000. Cuckoo at North Warren and Aldringham Walks - Calling Males

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004 12;

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Birds called only very occasionally at Westwood Marshes and Walberswick NNR and ! rere was none on regularly visited farms in the Wrentham area. The only regular calling birds in the region were on Walberswick Common and at Reydon (David Pearson). Juveniles were reported from only five sites; Carlton Marshes, Minsmere, Weybread Gravel Pits, Long Melford and Shingle Street, with two at the latter site. The last record of the year also came from Shingle Street, on September 23rd. BARN OWL Tyto alba Fairly common resident. Amber list. Categories A and E. The Barn Owl Project goes from strength to strength, with a further 133 boxes installed during the year, bringing the total number of boxes up to 525. In addition the project also monitors a considerable number of boxes installed separately by landowners or individuals and a few natural sites, bringing the total number of boxes/sites monitored up to 960. Barn Owls or signs of owls (e.g. pellets) were found in 224 boxes/sites; adults were found in 177; e ggs in 131 and young in 113. A large quantity of pellets was collected from the boxes and sent to the Suffolk Wildlife Trust to assist with the Small Mammal Survey. The BBS found Barn Owls in 15% of the 53 squares surveyed (5% in 1999, 2% in 2004), with a combined total of eight birds. Conventional reporting came from about 129 sites, with inevitably some overlap with the sites monitored by the Project. The north-east provided 50 of these locations, the south-east 113

Suffolk Birci Report 2009 21 and the west 58. On Orfordness birds were present all year with a maximum of sever February 14th; four pairs nested and they probably fledged at least six young. Up to fou were seen hunting on Carlton Marshes during February. 2008 Addition: Hopton-on-Sea: one found dead, Sep 16th, showed signs of being of the race "guttata". LITTLE OWL Athene noctua Fairly common resident. Reports in 2009 came from a total of 90 localities, down from the 117 sites reported i 2008. The north-east provided 27 of these localities, the south-east 20 and the west 43. Th BBS found Little Owls in 8% of the 53 squares surveyed (5% in 1999, 7% in 2004), with combined total of four birds. Confirmed breeding came from 15 sites, with breedin probable at a further six. Signs of Little Owls were found in 19 of the boxes monitored b the Barn Owl Project; adults were found in 17, eggs in 11 and young in seven. It is unusual to see more than two Little Owls at a site but counts of four came fror Shingle Street, May 20th (probably a family) and Great Cornard, November 2nd. There wer two pairs out on Orfordness and a pair probably attempted to breed at Landguard bi apparently failed. TAWNY OWL Strix aluco Common resident. The much-watched bird in Christchurch Park, Ipswich (Suffolk Birds 2008: 112) was sti in its tree-top roost on January 1 st and for a while into the New Year. The bird was presei again from September onwards into 2010. Reports came from a total of 71 sites (95 in 2008), with 30 of these sites in the north-eas eight in the south-east and 33 in the west. Tawny Owls occupied at least 18 of the boxe monitored by the Barn Owl Project and eggs were laid in 16 of these and young were see in 13. The annual census figures from North Warren and Aldringham Walks show quite marked fluctuation from year to year. Perhaps this reflects the fact that this is quite a difficu species to survey. Tawny Owls at N o r t h W a r r e n a n d Aldringham Walks - Territories

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Road casualties were found at Tostock and Stow upland in September. As usual with this very resident species no birds were recorded from Orfordness or Landguard.

/|J

Âť4

Long-eared Owl Su Gough

LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Scarce resident. The only overwintering birds were found at the following two sites:Earl Stonham: Brewery Farm, Feb 28th and Mar 14th. Lackford Lakes: Jan 17th and Feb 5th. What were probably outgoing passage birds were found in the North Bushes at Minsmere, March 22nd, at Westhorpe, March 26th and 27th, at Leathes Ham, Lowestoft, April 24th and on Orfordness, April 23rd and 26th. 114

Systematic

List

Likely b r e e d i n g b i r d s w e r e l o c a t e d in f o u r d i f f e r e n t a r e a s o f T h e K i n g ' s Forest d u r i n g t h e eason and calling juveniles were heard a t two o f these locations o n July 22nd. A n o t h e r ossible b r e e d i n g bird w a s at N e t h e r Hall, P a k e n h a m , J u n e 25th and out o n O r f o r d n e s s a ingle b i r d w a s s e e n i n t h e C h a n t r y r e e d b e d o n M a y 14th a n d 3 0 t h a n d J u l y 19th a n d 2 5 t h . T h e o n l y a u t u m n m i g r a n t w a s o n e at the B l a c k B e a c o n , O r f o r d n e s s , O c t o b e r 15th a n d n o /intering birds w e r e found. HORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Rare resident. Amber list. A f e w w i n t e r i n g b i r d s w e r e in e v i d e n c e a t scattered sites d u r i n g J a n u a r y a n d F e b r u a r y , a t eydon M a r s h e s , Orfordness/Havergate Island, Trimley Marshes/Retreat, Puttock's Hill 'akenham), Great Livermere, Lakenheath Fen and Stradishall Airfield. Rather m o r e were ien at coastal sites during M a r c h a n d April a n d up t o M a y 6th, with singles a t nine sites i n te n o r t h - e a s t a n d f i v e s i t e s i n t h e s o u t h - e a s t , all p r e s u m a b l y o u t g o i n g m i g r a n t s . T h e r e w e r e f i v e o n O r f o r d n e s s b e t w e e n A p r i l 1 0 t h a n d 13 t h , t h e n t h r e e t o t h e e n d o f t h e tonth a n d t w o pairs a p p a r e n t l y h o l d i n g territory in early M a y , b u t n o n e w a s s e e n a f t e r M a y 5th. The first o f the a u t u m n w a s seen near M i n s m e r e Sluice on S e p t e m b e r 5th a n d thereafter lere w e r e a n o t h e r 17 c o a s t a l r e c o r d s i n t h e n o r t h - e a s t u p t o O c t o b e r 3 1 s t . S e v e n o f t h e s e irds w e r e s e e n f l y i n g in o f f t h e s e a a n d a n o t h e r f l e w s o u t h o f f s h o r e . T w o o f t h e b i r d s c o m i n g n off the sea arrived at 0 7 . 1 5 h r s off T h o r p e n e s s H a v e n a n d 0 9 . 1 5 h r s off Kessingland, robably after a n overnight crossing o f the N o r t h S e a (the t i m e s of the other birds w e r e not corded). Orfordness logged singles o n October 4th a n d31st and N o v e m b e r 7 a n d 8 t h and a n d g u a r d n o t e d b i r d s o n N o v e m b e r 8 t h a n d D e c e m b e r 13th. T h e r e w a s little s i g n o f intering birds a n d the only other D e c e m b e r r e c o r d s w e r e a t Belton M a r s h e s o n 13th a n d ess Point, L o w e s t o f t o n 25th. UROPEAN N I G H T J A R Caprimulgus europaeus ocally fairly common summer visitor. Scarce passage migrant. Red list. The first reported sightings w e r e o n the rather late date o f lay 20th, j o i n t l y at W e s t l e t o n H e a t h in the S a n d l i n g s a n d ear W e s t S t o w i n B r e c k l a n d . T h e r e a r e w o r r y i n g s i g n s that this s p e c i e s m a y b e g o i n g i n t o d e c l i n e , l i k e m a n y of o u r other s u m m e r visitors. D a v i d P e a r s o n reported t h a t i t w a s "reduced in Dunwich Forest to just seven churring males " a n d a t N o r t h Warren and A l d r i n g h a m Walks R o b Macklin reported "the worst season on record, with just two regularly churring males. Part of the decline can probably be explained by the s r P ing fire, which took out a large chunk of habitat on the Walks but other suitable-looking heathland territories were not occupied". T h e extent o f the d e c l i n e a t this site i n the last five years is r e v e a l e d b y t h e a n n u a l c e n s u s Nightjar Su Gough figures. 1M8 13

1999 13

Nightjars at North Warren and Aldringham Walks - Churring Males 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 14 10 12 12 13 10 8 8 7

2009 2

T h e r e w e r e 11 c h u r r i n g m a l e s a t M i n s m e r e , f i v e o n D u n w i c h H e a t h , t h r e e a t S n a p e 115

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 W a r r e n , t w o a t B l a x h a l l H e a t h a n d 11 o n S u t t o n a n d H o l l e s l e y C o m m o n s . T h r e e b i r d s w e r n o t e d a s still d i s p l a y i n g i n T h e K i n g ' s F o r e s t , A u g u s t 1 7 t h . T h e last r e c o r d o n the b r e e d i n g g r o u n d s w a s a t W e s t l e t o n H e a t h , A u g u s t 2 7 t h b u t whf w a s c l e a r l y a m i g r a n t w a s f l u s h e d a t F l i x t o n D e c o y , S e p t e m b e r 2 1 st. C O M M O N SWIFT Apus apus Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. T h e first S w i f t w a s s e e n o n the early date o f April 10th, w h e n o n e f l e w s o u t h a t Easto B a v e n t s . N o m o r e w e r e f o u n d until April 2 5 t h w h e n birds w e r e s e e n at T r i m l e y M a r s h e M i n s m e r e and inland atLackford Lakes, C a v e n h a m Heath and Lakenheath Fen. T h e B B S found Swifts in 5 3 % of the 53 squares surveyed ( 5 5 % in 1999, 5 1 % in 2004 with a c o m b i n e d total o f 2 4 6 birds. M a x i m u m counts during the breeding season reache j u s t 2 0 0 b u t this n u m b e r w a s n o t e d i n several places; f e e d i n g over a field a t M u t f o r d , Jun 2 5 t h a n d a t M i n s m e r e , M a y 14th, S p r o u g h t o n , J u n e 30th a n d Clare, July 10th. A t O r f o r d n e s s a v e r y large m o v e m e n t w a s n o t e d o n July 18th, with 4 5 8 0 flying sout b e t w e e n 0 6 2 0 h r s a n d 0 9 5 0 h r s , w h e n t h e m o v e m e n t s t o p p e d . L a n d g u a r d ' s r e c o r d s stretc from M a y 2 n d t o S e p t e m b e r 2 0 t h a n d t h e i r m a x i m u m w a s a l s o o n J u l y 1 8 t h , w i t h 6 8 4 s o u t l

In/North South

Monthly Movements of Common Swifts at Landguard Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep 0 55 515 41 0 1 0 377 420 1139 53 43

Oct 0 0

M o s t o f t h e l o c a l b r e e d i n g b i r d s h a d left P a k e n h a m b y J u l y 3 0 t h , w h i c h is a b o u t t h e usuh d a t e o f their d e p a r t u r e f r o m this locality, b u t a b i r d w a s r e c o r d e d visiting a n e s t in Hall Roas L o w e s t o f t o n A u g u s t 3 1 st, w h i c h is a late d a t e f o r s u c h activity. T h e r e w a s a t r i c k l e o f record u p t o m i d - S e p t e m b e r c u l m i n a t i n g i n s i n g l e s a t N e e d h a m M a r k e t , S e p t e m b e r 19th L a n d g u a r d , S e p t e m b e r 2 0 t h a n d K e s s i n g l a n d s e w a g e f a r m , S e p t e m b e r 2 2 n d . T h e r e w a s the a v e r y late r e c o r d o f a swift f e e d i n g over H a d l e i g h o n O c t o b e r 24th, w h i c h m a y possibly ha\ been a Pallid Swift. C O M M O N K I N G F I S H E R Ale edo atthis Fairly common resident. Amber list. Reports in 2 0 0 9 c a m e f r o m a total o f87 localities (101 i n 2008, 80 i n2 0 0 7 ) with 37 o these i n the north-east recording area, 2 0 in the south-east a n d 3 0 in the west. T h e BB' f o u n d K i n g f i s h e r s in 4 % o fthe 5 3 squares surveyed ( 2 % i n 1999, 2 % i n 2004), with c o m b i n e d total o f t w o birds. B r e e d i n g w a s c o n f i r m e d at j u s t n i n e sites b u t d o u b t l e s s t o o p l a c e a t m a n y o t h e r s , a s t h i s s p e c i e s i s f r e q u e n t l y t u c k e d a w a y a l o n g little river v a l l e y s w h e r e access isprivate or difficult. T h e m a x i m u m count o f four occurred along the brook a t Kirkley, Lowestoft, February 14th a n d also a t W e y b r e a d Gravel Pits on April 2 2 n d a n d A u g u s t 2nd. In the west Lackford L a k e s p r o v i d e d a n a l m o s t d a i l y r u n o f s i g h t i n g s t h r o u g h o u t t h e year. B i r d s w e r e n o t e d on four o fthe Aide Estuary W e B S counts; in January, March, October and December. On O r f o r d n e s s a s i n g l e w a s s e e n o n J a n u a r y 1st a n d 10th. T h e r e w e r e n o m o r e r e c o r d s o n the N e s s until o n e , A u g u s t 19th, t h e r e a f t e r a f e w r e p o r t s o f s i n g l e s until t h e y e a r s ' end, with t w o o n S e p t e m b e r 19th a n d 20th. EUROPEAN BEE-EATER Merops apiaster Rare passage migrant. Dunwieh: D i n g l e M a r s h e s , J u n e I s t ( P D G r e e n ) . Sutton Common: J u n e 2 7 t h ( G B u t t o n , R T o m l i n s o n ) . Sudbury: O c t 17th (P T a r r y ) . T h e O c t o b e r r e c o r d i s e a s i l y t h e l a t e s t e v e r r e c o r d e d i n t h e c o u n t y ; t h e p r e v i o u s latest 116

Systematic List ( i t e is A u g u s t 2 3 r d . S e v e r a l o t h e r s p o s s i b l y o c c u r r e d b u t h a v e n o t b e e n d o c u m e n t e d b y t h e ( iservers. A B e e - e a t e r calling, b u t not seen, over S t o w m a r k e t o n J u n e 1 Ith could have b e e n i ;'this s p e c i e s . ! OOPOE Upupa epops . arce passage migrant. Catégories A and E. There w a s a run of five early spring records as follows: I opton-on-Sea: A p r 5th, possibly t h e s a m e bird as at C o r t o n (1 R Smith). < o r t o n : O l d S e w a g e W o r k s , M a r 3 Ist and A p r Ist ( R M u r r a y et al). ! indguard: A p r 15th, t h e f o u r t h r e c e n t site r e c o r d ( m u l t i observer). irnham: G o r s e Industriai Estate, A p r 13th (per D B a l m e r ) , îetford: O l l e y s F a r m , April 13th, p r o b a b l y the s a m e bird as at B a m h a m . T h e c a r c a s s o f a bird w a s f o u n d in the s u m m e r : hlield-cum-Thorpc: f o u n d d e a d o n r o a d n e a r A s h f i e l d Lodge in J u n e , p h o t o g r a p h e d (L J o n e s p e r N O d i n ) . URASIAN WRYNECK Jynx torquilla ncommon passage migrant. Red list. There were four spring records with one well inland:? nacre: Sluice, A p r 13th to 15th ( R E H a m m o n d et al.). ilton: A p r 18th, in o b s e r v e r ' s g a r d e n (C Neville). estleton Heath: A p r 2 7 t h a n d 2 8 t h (R Drew, M D e a n s et al). onham Aspai: A p r 25th (J Foster). Another four c a m e through during the a u t u m n : opton-on-Sea: S e p 1 I t h (I Smith), en Reedbeds: t r a p p e d a n d ringed, Sep 20th ( S W T ) . insmere: N o r t h B u s h e s , then E a s t D u n e s , S e p 19th ( D E a t o n et al). rfordness: S e p 6th to 19th ( O r f o r d n e s s R e p o r t ) . f i E L D

H o o p o e Nick Andrews

N o t e

A Wryneck was trapped and ringed on Orfordness on September 6th. Although only seen on a couple of occasions it remained in the village until 19th, when if was fetrapped. During its stay its weight increased from 30.1 grams on 6th to 42.5 grams on 19th, an increase of over 40%. Orfordness observers 2008 Addition: Gorleston-on-Sea: S e p 9th to 1 I t h . GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis Common resident. Amber list. T h e B r e e d i n g B i r d S u r v e y f o u n d G r e e n W o o d p e c k e r s in 6 6 % of t h e 5 3 s q u a r e s s u r v e y e d ( 5 2 % in 1 9 9 9 , 4 6 % i n 2 0 0 4 ) , w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l o f 6 3 b i r d s . M o s t r e p o r t s i n 2 0 0 9 c a m e from t h e w e s t , w h e r e it w a s f o u n d i n o v e r 5 0 l o c a t i o n s a n d b r e e d i n g w a s c o n f i r m e d i n 1 1 , b u t t h i s w a s d o u b t l e s s t h e t i p o f a c o n s i d é r a b l e i c e b e r g . T h e m a x i m u m c o u n t at a n y o n e s i t e Was of eight in Ickworth Park, July 20th. However, this increasing species m a y have received a setback in 2009. T h e w a r d e n at N o r t h W a r r e n a n d A l d r i n g h a m W a l k s r e p o r t e d " a signiftcant decline of26% to just 31 pairs a fìer a record high of 42 pairs in 2008. The only plausible explanation seems to be the ejfect °fa much colder winter than in recent years". A l s o a l o n g t h e c o a s t , A b b e y F a r m , S n a p e 117

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 h e l d t h r e e p a i r s , S n a p e W a r r e n , e i g h t p a i r s , t h e S i z e w e l l S W T E s t a t e , s i x p a i r s a n Hen R e e d b e d s o n e pair. L a n d g u a r d n o t e d s i n g l e s o n a f e w d a t e s b e t w e e n M a y 2 2 n d a n d O c t o b e r 4 t h , w i t h t o on A u g u s t 5 t h a n d 9 t h . O n O r f o r d n e s s , t h e r e w e r e r e c o r d s o f o n e o r t w o o n a f e w d a t e s be veen J a n u a r y 1 s t a n d A p r i l 1 3 t h , b u t t h e o n l y l a t e r r e c o r d w a s a m a c a b r e o n e o f a d e a d j u Âżnile seen being carried by a Peregrine on Lantern Marshes, July 25th. GREAT S P O T T E D W O O D P E C K E R Dendrocopos major Common resident. Scarce passage migrant. R e p o r t s c a m e f r o m a t o t a l o f o n l y 5 4 l o c a t i o n s i n 2 0 0 9 ( 9 6 i n 2 0 0 8 , 8 2 i n 2 0 0 7 ) . s 45 o f t h e s e r e p o r t s c a m e f r o m t h e w e s t t h e r e w a s a p a u c i t y o f r e c o r d s f r o m t h e n o r t h - e ; t (5) a n d t h e s o u t h - e a s t ( 4 ) . T h e B B S f o u n d G r e a t S p o t t e d W o o d p e c k e r s i n 4 5 % o f t h e 5 3 s< ares s u r v e y e d ( 4 0 % i n 1 9 9 9 , 4 1 % i n 2 0 0 4 ) , w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l o f 3 2 b i r d s . A t N o r t h V rren a n d A l d r i n g h a m W a l k s t h e w a r d e n r e p o r t e d "a further drop in numbers to 17 pairs, t, 35% decline since the peak of 26 pairs in 2004 ". P e r h a p s t h e c o l d a n d s n o w i n e a r l y 2 0 0 9 af cted t h i s s p e c i e s t o o ? T h e f i r s t d r u m m i n g b i r d a t N o r t h W a r r e n w a s h e a r d o n F e b r u a r ) 4th. T h e r e w e r e four pairs on S n a p e W a r r e n a n d seven pairs on the Sizewell S W T Estate T h e o n l y r e c o r d o n O r f o r d n e s s i n v o l v e d o n e s e e n o n a t e l e g r a p h p o l e n e a r t h e c ÂĄ'ice, O c t o b e r 1 7 t h , b e f o r e flying s o u t h . L a n d g u a r d r e p o r t e d s i n g l e s o n 1 3 d a t e s b e t w e e n Ju 1st and October 29th. LESSER S P O T T E D W O O D P E C K E R Dendrocopos minor Uncommon resident. Red list. T h e r e w a s a f u r t h e r d e c l i n e i n t h e n u m b e r o f s i t e s r e p o r t i n g t h i s d i m i n u t i v e w o o d p - ker i n 2 0 0 9 t o j u s t n i n e ( 1 1 s i t e s i n 2 0 0 8 , 1 5 i n 2 0 0 7 , 2 0 i n 2 0 0 6 ) . T h r e e o f t h e s i t e s w e r e the north-east, w h e r e this species has b e e n extremely scarce in recent years. North Warren: d r u m m i n g a n d c a l l i n g , F e b 8 t h a n d 14th. Thorpeness: f l e w into M a r g a r e t W o o d , O c t 4 t h . Snape Warren: F e b 7th. B y c o n t r a s t t h e r e w e r e n o r e p o r t s f r o m t h e s o u t h - e a s t t h i s y e a r a n d t h e o t h e r s i x rei >rds c a m e from the west. Stoke-by-Nayland: T h o r i n g t o n Street, f e m a l e , J a n 2 n d , in a l d e r s b y t h e R i v e r Stour. Bury St Edmunds: o n e v i s i t e d a p e a n u t f e e d e r in a g a r d e n n e a r t h e A b b e y G a r d e n s , A p r 9th. Pakenham: o n e v i s i t e d a b i r d f e e d e r in a g a r d e n in M a n o r G a r t h , M a r 18th. West Stow: u p to t h r e e at C h i m n e y Mill d u r i n g A p r i l . Lakenheath Fen: m a l e , N o v 11th a n d 2 3 r d a n d D e c 2 3 r d . Santon Downham: at least o n e p a i r r e m a i n s in t h e Little O u s e valley. G R E A T E R SHORT-TOED L A R K Calandrella brachydactyla Very rare visitor. T h i s i n d i v i d u a l f o u n d o n t h e c o m m o n t a k e s t h e c o u n t y total t o 16. Landguard: M a y 13th (J Z a n t b o e r , N C a n t et al.). W O O D L A R K Lullula arborea Fairly common breeding species. Scarce on passage and in winter. Amber list. T h e d e c l i n e o f b r e e d i n g b i r d s o r b i r d s h o l d i n g t e r r i t o r i e s a l o n g t h e h e a t h l a n d o t the S u f f o l k c o a s t c o n t i n u e s w i t h 135 pairs, d o w n f i v e c o m p a r e d w i t h 2 0 0 8 , a n d 9 0 pairs down on 1999. T h e r e were six significant areas holding double f i g u r e s : Dunwich: 13 p a i r s ( 1 4 p a i r s 2 0 0 8 , 8 % d o w n ) . Minsmere: 18 p a i r s ( 2 2 p a i r s 2 0 0 8 , 2 2 % d o w n ) . North Warren and Aldringham Walks: 2 0 p a i r s ( 2 5 p a i r s 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 % d o w n o n t h e a l r e a d y l o w levels of 2008). Tunstall Forest: 11 p a i r s ( 1 2 p a i r s 2 0 0 8 , 8 % d o w n ) . Sutton and Hollesley Commons: 2 4 pairs. 118

Systematic In it wa: Ob track 27th,

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îetford Forest n u m b e r s w e r e also d o w n , f r o m 106 in 2 0 0 8 to 101. A t C a v e n h a m H e a t h .-stimated t h a t f i v e t o s i x p a i r s w e r e h o l d i n g t e r r i t o r i e s o n t h e r e s e r v e . ious m i g r a t i o n w a s n o t e d a t H o p t o n - o n - S e a , w i t h a s i n g l e a l o n g t h e d i s u s e d r a i l w a y vlay 7 t h a n d a t L a n d g u a r d w h e r e a s i n g l e w a s n o t e d , O c t o b e r 2 6 t h a n d f i v e , O c t o b e r 11 p a s s i n g s o u t h .

S K Y A R K Alauda arvensis Comi on resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Red list. Th re w e r e e i g h t r e p o r t s o f b r e e d i n g a n d o n e o f unco f i r m e d b r e e d i n g . A t N o r t h W a r r e n t h e r e was d e c l i n e o f 4 3 % d o w n f r o m 1 9 5 p a i r s in 2 0 8 t o 1 1 1 i n 2 0 0 9 . T h i s w a s a t t r i b u t e d to thi l i g h e r w a t e r l e v e l s i n s p r i n g a n d e a r l y sumi e r c o u p l e d w i t h a h a r s h w i n t e r . A t Orfo a s l i g h t i n c r e a s e w a s n o t e d w i t h 2 2 to 2 p a i r s c o m p a r e d w i t h 2 0 p a i r s i n 2008

In floe! reco wert Mut Bar< WesSud! Gre; Dt

Eus! Lak A Lan reco ° f 6"

ìe first w i n t e r p e r i o d t h r e e r e c o r d s o f of m o r e than 1 0 0 birds were ed a n d a t the e n d o f the y e a r six toted:— r d : 170, D e c 2 0 t h . tm Marshes: 120, D e c 3 1 s t . t o n : 3 0 0 , D e c 21st. ry: 135, J a n 7th. Waldingfield: A i r f i e l d , 1 5 0 , F e b 4 t h ; 140, O c t 1 7 t h ; 2 0 0 , 14th. Shore Lark Su Gough -, Park: 100, J a n 4th. heath: U n d l e y , 124, D e c 2 1 s t . Thorpeness migration w a s o b s e r v e d w h e n 7 0 flew i n off the sea, O c t o b e r 14th. A t guard p e a k m o v e m e n t w a s d u r i n g the last three m o n t h s o f the y e a r with 5 8 0 birds ded, O c t o b e r b e i n g t h e p e a k m o n t h w i t h 3 6 7 r e c o r d e d a n d a m a x i m u m o n e - d a y c o u n t moving south, 28th.

HORNED (SHORE) L A R K Eremophila alpestris Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. A poor year w i t h only three birds reported. A single w a s at Kessingland, O c t o b e r 2 5 t h then one or t w o b i r d s r e m a i n e d i n t h e a r e a u n t i l t h e e n d o f t h e y e a r , w i t h t w o b e i n g n o t e d a t Benacre B r o a d , N o v e m b e r 2 2 n d . A t F e l i x s t o w e F e r r y g o l f c o u r s e a n i n d i v i d u a l w a s n o t e d October 1 3 t h t o 2 2 n d , m o v i n g t o L a n d g u a r d o n 1 5 t h . SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia ommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. The f i r s t r e c o r d c o n c e r n e d a s i n g l e i n d i v i d u a l a t T h o r p e n e s s M e a r e , M a r c h 9 t h . A f u r t h e r reports c a m e i n M a r c h w i t h 2 0 0 - p l u s b i r d s b e i n g r e c o r d e d . N u m b e r s b u i l t u p i n A p r i l with 4 5 a t C a v e n h a m P i t s , 1 0 t h , 1 0 0 a t M i n s m e r e , 2 8 t h a n d 2 0 0 a t L o o m p i t L a k e , 1 6 t h . Breeding w a s r e p o r t e d f r o m t h r e e s i t e s , t h e m o s t s i g n i f i c a n t b e i n g a t C o r t o n C l i f f s w i t h ' n e s t holes counted. A tT h o r p e n e s s there were 116 occupied nests, slightly u p o n the - J 0 8 figure, w i t h b i r d s t a k i n g f u l l a d v a n t a g e o f f r e s h c l i f f f a l l , i d e a l f o r n e s t i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s . N o r t h W a r r e n a c c o u n t e d f o r 11 b r e e d i n g p a i r s . I n l a t e s u m m e r t h r e e f l o c k s of 1 0 0 - p l u s b i r d s w e r e o b s e r v e d : 1 0 0 a t C o r t o n C l i f f s , A u g u s t 8 t h ; 1 5 0 , T r i m l e y M a r s h e s , e Ptember 3rd and 250, Orford, A u g u s t 6th. A u t u m n passage at L a n d g u a r d involved 6 3 7 119

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 p a s s i n g s o u t h b e t w e e n J u n e a n d S e p t e m b e r w i t h a m a x i m u m o n e - d a y c o u n t o f 8 2 , Jul 25th. T h e r e w e r e f o u r O c t o b e r r e c o r d s i n v o l v i n g s i n g l e s a t O r f o r d o n 1 s t a n d 1 2 t h a n d f i v e c 25th and five a t G u n t o n W a r r e n o n 4th. BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. F i r s t n o t e d a t M u t f o r d w i t h a s i n g l e o n M a r c h 1 8 t h f o l l o w e d b y f u r t h e r s i n g l e s at J M e r e and C o r n a r d M e r e , 2 0 t h and C o r t o n a n d N o r t h W a r r e n , 21st. N u m b e r s built up A p r i l a n d M a y w i t h t h r e e - f i g u r e c o u n t s o f 100 at M i n s m e r e , A p r i l 2 8 t h a n d 103, Land M a y 3rd. T h e r e w e r e t e n r e p o r t s o f b r e e d i n g p a i r s w i t h t h e h i g h e s t c o u n t o f 11 p a i r s a t W a r r e n . T h i s w a s o n t h e l o w s i d e a s t h e b r e e d i n g p o p u l a t i o n o v e r t h e l a s t t w e l v e ye< b e e n b e t w e e n nine a n d t w e n t y pairs. O n O r f o r d n e s s there w e r e five o r six pairs wi nesting in the porch of the office. In late s u m m e r , a t S o m e r l e y t o n M a r s h e s , several t h o u s a n d w e r e o b s e r v e d o \ r e e d b e d s b e f o r e g o i n g t o roost as the s u n set. A t L a n d g u a r d , p a s s a g e w a s r e c o r d e d ( A u g u s t with 1435 and S e p t e m b e r with 3 6 4 5 birds and the highest one-day count \ 1400, S e p t e m b e r 7th. E i g h t b i r d s l i n g e r e d into N o v e m b e r w i t h t h e last i n d i v i d u a l a t D i n g l e M a r s h e s o n

ickle iring tard, orth has one the ring is of 'th.

RED-RUMPED SWALLOW Hirundo daurica Rare visitor. T h e r e w e r e t h r e e r e c o r d s , t w o i n t h e s p r i n g a n d o n e l a t e i n t h e y e a r . T h e r e h a v e now een 30 county records of this swallow involving 33 birds. Minsmere: B i t t e r n H i d e , A p r i l 2 9 t h (S W h i t e , J A l m o n d et al.). Livermere Lake: M a y 3 r d ( D B a l m e r , P W i l s o n ) . Thorpeness: O c t 31st ( R Joliffe). HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbicum Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. S p r i n g a r r i v a l s t a r t e d w i t h a n e a r l y i n d i v i d u a l a t S u f f o l k W a t e r P a r k , B r a m f o r d , N rch 1 9 t h . T h i s w a s t h e o n l y r e p o r t f o r t h e m o n t h a n d t h e n e x t r e p o r t w a s a g a i n o f a s i n g l e ">ird a t L a c k f o r d L a k e s , A p r i l 1st. N o l a r g e g a t h e r i n g s w e r e n o t e d d u r i n g t h e s p r i n g b u t in rrly s u m m e r 1 0 0 w e r e n o t e d in t h e B l a c k b o u r n e Valley, July 2 9 t h , 100, G r e a t L i v e r m e r e , August 1 3 t h a n d 1 1 0 , A b b e y F a r m , S n a p e , A u g u s t 3 0 t h . D u r i n g S e p t e m b e r l a r g e r m o v e m e n t s were noted, the m o s t significant b e i n g : Kessingland: s e w a g e w o r k s , 3 0 0 m o v i n g south, S e p 1st; 2 0 0 m o v i n g south, S e p 8th. Orford: 750, S e p 19th. Shingle Street: 2 5 0 , S e p 19th. Landguard: 5 1 6 , S e p 24th. Little Cornard: 5 0 0 , S e p 23rd. B r e e d i n g r e p o r t s c a m e f r o m n i n e s i t e s w i t h t h e h i g h e s t t o t a l s a t P a k e n h a m ( t e n nests). S u d b u r y ( 11 n e s t s o n a l o c a l h o u s i n g e s t a t e ) , D u n w i c h ( e i g h t n e s t s d o w n from 2 0 in 20Ul a n d N o r t h W a r r e n (42 nests, u p f r o m 3 4 in 2008). L a t e b i r d s w e r e n o t e d , i n O c t o b e r , f r o m f o u r l o c a t i o n s i n t h e n o r t h - e a s t o f the county w i t h s i n g l e s a t O u l t o n B r o a d o n 6th, M i n s m e r e , 10th a n d C o r t o n W o o d s a n d Bradwell. 17th. FIELD NOTE A pre-migration gathering of 250 House Martins was observed at Boyton Marshes clinging to the top of a large willow. Neil Murphy __ 120

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[CHARD'S P I P I T A nth us richardi ire visitor. A lean year, with just a single report o f a bird in flight, S u f f o l k ' s 60th record. < irton: cliffs, S e p 19th (J B r o w n ) . i07 Correction: The following record of an early migrant was not submitted and should be removed f r o m ; e Suffolk records, i r t h Warren: S e p 11th, 2 0 0 7 . VWNY P I P I T A nth us campestris 1 ire visitor. A gap o f f i v e y e a r s since t h e individual at M i n s m e r e ; this t a k e s the c o u n t y total to 40. T h e d on Sutton C o m m o n , o fwhich there are excellent photographs, is the first sighting i n ffolk a w a y f r o m the i m m e d i a t e vicinity of the coast. ' tton C o m m o n : M a y 3 r d ( E M a r s h ) . Ĺ&#x2019;E P I P I T Anthus trivialis 1 irly common summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list. Breeding in Thetford Forest showed a small decline with 30 nests, d o w n three o n 2008, 1 t t h e n u m b e r o f p u l i i ringed w a s u p t o 9 3 , a n i n c r e a s e o f 1 3 o n 2 0 0 8 . A l o n g t h e S u f f o l k i astal b e l t t h e T r e e P i p i t i s i n s e r i o u s d e c l i n e . I n 2 0 0 8 i t w a s f o u n d a t e i g h t l o c a t i o n s w i t h t pairs; this i s n o w d o w n t o f o u r pairs a t S u t t o n C o m m o n w i t h n o s i n g i n g m a l e s b e i n g r lotted i n t h e W a l b e r s w i c k , B l y t h b u r g h a n d W e s t l e t o n areas. A t C a v e n h a m s i n g i n g a n d c ;playing w a s n o t e d a n d at N o r t h S t o w in T h e K i n g ' s F o r e s t eight s i n g i n g m a l e s w e r e h e a r d . There w e r e n o r e p o r t s i n M a r c h a n d d u r i n g A p r i l a n d M a y o n l y o n e s a n d t w o s w e r e c served. I n J u l y a t S u t t o n C o m m o n six w e r e n o t e d o n 6th. In t h e a u t u m n l a t e p a s s a g e b i r d s w e r e r e c o r d e d i n t h e n o r t h - e a s t o f t h e c o u n t y w i t h s i n g l e s a Gunton, H o p t o n - o n - S e a a n d N o r t h D e n e s , Lowestoft, S e p t e m b e r 19th. A t L a n d g u a r d e ht w e r e n o t e d b e t w e e n S e p t e m b e r 1 4 t h a n d 2 7 t h w i t h t w o o n 19th. N EADOW P I P I T Anthus pratensis ( mmon resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. In t h e f i r s t w i n t e r p e r i o d f l o c k s i z e s d i d n o t e x c e e d d o u b l e f i g u r e s . A t L o n g M e l f o r d 6 0 v re p r e s e n t o n J a n u a r y 2 n d a n d 8 0 o n F e b r u a r y 2 2 n d . D u r i n g a u t u m n p a s s a g e t h r e e f i g u r e Cl unts w e r e r e p o r t e d : C | rton: cliffs. 2 0 0 , S e p 19th. Lowestoft: N o r t h D e n e s , 2 0 0 , O c t 10th. kcssingland: s e w a g e w o r k s , 100, O c t 5th. Â°rford: 3 5 0 , S e p 19th. Shingle Street: 3 5 0 in f r o m s e a , S e p 19th. Breeding w a s c o n f i r m e d at five sites. O n O r f o r d n e s s there w e r e 4 0 t o 5 0 pairs ( c o m p a r e d w i t h 4 0 i n 2 0 0 8 ) - t h i s p i p i t " w a s found to be common and was found on all visits to the site". At N o r t h W a r r e n 2 2 p a i r s w e r e r e c o r d e d , s e v e n p a i r s a t D u n w i c h M a r s h e s a n d a s i n g l e p a i r at S o u t h M a r s h , S i z e w e l l . A t L a n d g u a r d s e v e n p a i r s r a i s e d s e v e r a l b r o o d s . At L a n d g u a r d a u t u m n p a s s a g e w a s f r o m S e p t e m b e r t h r o u g h until D e c e m b e r w i t h a total Â°f 2076 birds, i n c l u d i n g m a x i m u m o n e - d a y c o u n t s o f 2 1 2 south, S e p t e m b e r 6th, 3 1 3 south, October 28th and 6 0 g r o u n d e d birds, O c t o b e r 23rd. ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus a 'rly common winter visitor and passage migrant. During the first quarter of the year there were n u m e r o u s reports of single birds mostly a t coastal l o c a t i o n s . C o u n t s o f t h r e e c a m e f r o m L e v i n g t o n C r e e k , J a n u a r y 1 st a n d E a s t L a n e , 121

SuffolkRingingReport

2009

B a w d s e y , J a n u a r y 27th. T h e r e w a s a r e p o r t o f five a t H o l b r o o k B a y o n J a n u a r y 3rd a n d the largest c o u n t o f 1 4 w a s o n O r f o r d n e s s , F e b r u a r y 14th. T h e last bird r e p o r t e d i n the earl) part o fthe year c a m e f r o m Lowestoft atN e s s Point were a single bird w a s noted on Apri 14th. In the second half o fthe year the first report w a s again at N e s s Point with a record o r S e p t e m b e r 11th. Staying a t this site four w e r e o b s e r v e d o nO c t o b e r 4th a n d double-figure c o u n t s w e r e m a d e a t t w o o t h e r l o c a t i o n s w i t h 1 5 o n O r f o r d n e s s , N o v e m b e r 2 1 s t a n d 14 at C o r p o r a t i o n M a r s h , D u n w i c h , N o v e m b e r 14th. Sixteen birds were n o t e d a t Landguarc d u r i n g a u t u m n p a s s a g e w i t h singles o nsite o n five dates during S e p t e m b e r . W A T E R P I P I T An thus spinoletta Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. Most reports came from Minsmere with 4 6 followed b y Southwold with 17 bui Southwold's T o w n M a r s h e s held the most birds with eight, January 24th and 20, Februar) 7th. A t M i n s m e r e the h i g h e s t c o u n t s w e r e six o n J a n u a r y 18th a n d 15, M a r c h 15th. A i O r f o r d n e s s there w e r e six reported f r o m M a r c h 2 2 n d to April 12th. T h e o n l y bird reported in b r e e d i n g p l u m a g e also c a m e f r o m Southwold, M a r c h 29th. T h e last bird o f the first w i n t e r p e r i o d w a s r e c o r d e d a t O r f o r d n e s s , A p r i l 16th a n d the first r e t u r n i n g bird w a s a t M i n s m e r e , O c t o b e r 10th. T h e bulk o f the records c a m e f r o m coastal locations but observations w e r e m a d e furthei i n l a n d a t F l i x t o n G r a v e l P i t , M a r c h 1 5 t h a n d L a k e n h e a t h F e n w h e r e t h e r e w e r e t h r e e o n the reserve o n F e b r u a r y 16th. Y E L L O W W A G T A I L Motacilla flava flavissima Rapidly declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list. S p r i n g p a s s a g e started o nA p r i l 4 t h w i t h single b i r d s r e p o r t e d a t L a k e n h e a t h Fen and O r f o r d . F o r t h e r e s t o f t h e m o n t h m o v e m e n t w a s w e a k e x c e p t f o r f i v e o n O r f o r d n e s s , 5tb i n c r e a s i n g t o e i g h t b y 11th; n u m b e r s r e m a i n e d h i g h a t t h i s site d u r i n g t h e m o n t h w i t h ten r e p o r t e d o n three days. A t f o u r other sites g r o u p s o f five w e r e noted: L i v e r m e r e Lake, Apri 19th; East L a n e , Bawdsey, April 14th; N o r t h Warren, April 29th a n d B o y t o n M a r s h e s , Apri 25th; earlier a t B o y t o n seven w e r e observed, April 14th. T h e r e w a s n o e v i d e n c e o f b r e e d i n g success, b u t pairs w e r e n o t e d a t six locations in suitable habitat a n d carrying food, a sad decline for this attractive wagtail. A u t u m n p a s s a g e w a s s t r o n g e r w i t h d o u b l e - f i g u r e c o u n t s a t six sites, all in A u g u s t : Minsmere: 11, A u g 13th; 1 2 , A u g 14th; 17, A u g 15th. North Warren: 4 0 , A u g 2 8 t h . Landguard: 11, S e p 4 t h . Trimley Marshes: 15, A u g 8 t h . Pakenham: P u t t o c k ' s H i l l , 2 5 , A u g 9 t h . Thorington Street: t e n , A u g 2 6 t h . T w o birds lingered into the last quarter o fthe year: a t N o r t h B e a c h , L o w e s t o f t , October 1 0 t h a n d M i n s m e r e , O c t o b e r 1 3 t h . A t L a n d g u a r d d u r i n g a u t u m n p a s s a g e o n e w a s recorded north and 66 south with a one-day m a x i m u m count of eleven, September 4th. Blue-headed Wagtail M.f. flava Uncommon passage migrant. Amber list. T w o m a l e s o b s e r v e d a t t w o sites, o n e staying for t w o days. Southwold: A p r 2 4 t h ( R D r e w ) . Orfordness: A p r 1 8 t h a n d 1 9 t h ( O r f o r d n e s s R e p o r t ) . G R E Y W A G T A I L Motacilla cinerea Fairly common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. T h e G r e y W a g t a i l w a s w e l l d o c u m e n t e d w i t h o v e r 2 6 0 s i g h t i n g s r e p o r t e d , h a l f coming 122

Systematic List from t h e n o r t h - e a s t o f t h e c o u n t y . M o s t o b s e r v a t i o n s w e r e o f o n e o r t w o b i r d s b u t a t L o n g Melford s e w a g e works eight were recorded, M a r c h 7th. T h e r e were five at M i n s m e r e , M a r c h 12th a n d a g a i n a t L o n g M e l f o r d d u r i n g t h e s e c o n d h a l f o f t h e y e a r f i v e w e r e s e e n , S e p t e m b e r 5th. A t L a n d g u a r d d u r i n g a u t u m n f i v e w e r e r e p o r t e d n o r t h a n d 6 5 s o u t h w i t h a m a x i m u m one-day c o u n t o f five, O c t o b e r 12th. Breeding w a s the s a m e a s in 2 0 0 8 with ten pairs reported, but probable breeding sites were two d o w n on 2 0 0 8 with only four. PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba Very common resident, passage migrant and winter and summer visitor. Amber list. T h e P i e d W a g t a i l is w i d e l y d i s t r i b u t e d i n t h e c o u n t y a n d t h i s w a s r e f l e c t e d i n t h e n u m b e r of reports. I n the first h a l f o f the y e a r t h e r e w e r e t w e l v e d o u b l e - f i g u r e r e p o r t s a n d i n t h e second there were ten, the m o s t noteworthy being 9 4 at L o n g M e l f o r d s e w a g e w o r k s feeding on the filter beds, D e c e m b e r 19th. T h e r e w e r e five c o u n t s o f t h r e e - f i g u r e gatherings: Sudbury, 1 8 0 in a local c a r p a r k , F e b r u a r y 19th; S t o w m a r k e t , 120, M a r c h 3rd; m o r e t h a n 100 going t o roost, Blyth Estuary, M a r c h 3rd; L i v e r m e r e L a k e 116, A u g u s t 31st a n d B u r y S t Edmunds, 200, October 31st. At N o r t h W a r r e n several traditional breeding sites w e r e a b a n d o n e d with breeding d o w n 4 2 % o n 2 0 0 8 w i t h j u s t s e v e n p a i r s , w h i c h is a l s o w e l l b e l o w t h e l a s t t w e l v e - y e a r a v e r a g e o f twelve pairs. O n O r f o r d n e s s three pairs nested w i t h o n e pair raising t w o b r o o d s in a d i g g e r opposite the office. Breeding pairs w e r e also c o n f i r m e d i n the listed locations:West of the county: A m p t o n Water; S u d b u r y C o m m o n ; T h o r i n g t o n Street; H a l l F a r m , F o r n h a m S t Martin. North-east of the county: A b b e y F a r m , S n a p e ; t h r e e pairs, Sizewell Belts; K e s s i n g l a n d s e w a g e w o r k s . South-east of the county: F r a m l i n g h a m , j u v e n i l e s being f e d b y parent; an adult w i t h t w o j u v e n i l e s , River D e b e n , M e l t o n ; f o u r adults with 17 j u v e n i l e s , L o o m p i t L a k e ; a single pair at L a n d g u a r d . White Wagtail M.a. alba Fairly common passage migrant. T h e r e w e r e 3 0 r e p o r t s in t h e s p r i n g a n d t w o in t h e autumn period. A t O r f o r d the first arrival w a s on M a r c h 28th. T h e f o l l o w i n g d a y o n e w a s n o t e d a t E a s t Lane, B a w d s e y a n dtwo days later one w a s X , - ' recorded at C o r t o n S e w a g e W o r k s . T w o w e r e observed in September with a single at /ยกPf?' Lowestoft D e n e s on 3rd and Landguard on 8th.

White Wagtail Su Gough

BOHEMIAN WAXWING Bombycilla garrulus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. In t h e w e s t o f t h e c o u n t y a t S u d b u r y b i r d s w e r e n o t e d f r o m t h e start o f t h e y e a r t o t h e second w e e k in M a r c h . A single w a s reported o n J a n u a r y 10th the n u m b e r increasing t o nine b y 29th, to 24, F e b r u a r y 2 4 t h a n d to 26, M a r c h 11th, these staying until M a r c h 15th. I n t h e s o u t h - e a s t 4 1 w e r e p r e s e n t a t C o p d o c k , J a n u a r y 1st. O t h e r n o t a b l e f l o c k s w e r e observed at: Kesgrave, 67, January 23rd and 6 0 plus February 3rd; Rendlesham, 6 0 , February 1 7 t h a n d I p s w i c h 3 0 , M a r c h 4 t h . B i r d s s t a y e d i n t h e I p s w i c h a r e a w i t h a f u r t h e r 'en r e p o r t s f o r A p r i l w i t h t h e last o b s e r v a t i o n o f four, A p r i l 2 8 t h . 123

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 I n the n o r t h - e a s t t h e first r e p o r t w a s o f six at G u n t o n W a r r e n , J a n u a r y 3 r d w i t h a furthi 3 1 o b s e r v a t i o n s m a d e i n t h e L o w e s t o f t a r e a w i t h t w o - f i g u r e c o u n t s i n s e v e r a l l o c a t i o n s , th m o s t notable being: Lowestoft (north) 25, January 21st to 26th and Lowestoft (south-west 3 0 , F e b r u a r y 1 4 t h . A t W o r l i n g h a m 3 2 w e r e r e c o r d e d , M a r c h 1st a n d a t B e c c l e s 3 1 w e i noted, M a r c h 7th. T h e last report for this period w a s a single a t L e a t h e s H a m , Lowestoft o A p r i l 18th. There were no reports from the second winter period. W I N T E R WREN Troglodytes troglodytes Very common resident and scarce passage migrant. A t L a c k f o r d L a k e s b r e e d i n g w a s s u c c e s s f u l w i t h five adults a n d 14 j u v e n i l e s , this bein the highest n u m b e r since 2 0 0 4 . A t C a v e n h a m H e a t h the W r e n w a s o b s e r v e d at a tradition: site a n d b r e e d i n g w a s proven. A t A b b e y Farm, S n a p e there w e r e 18 pairs, a t H e n Reedbei four pairs were recorded and on Sizewell S W T reserve 137 pairs were noted, ten pairs dow c o m p a r e d with 2008. A t L a n d g u a r d there w a s a light passage in the spring and autum p e r i o d s with a m a x i m u m o f five, N o v e m b e r 5th. Fourteen birds overwintered at Landguai s u r v i v i n g f r o m 2 0 0 8 , w i t h a f u r t h e r f i v e r e c o r d e d in t h e latter p a r t o f the year. FIELD NOTE At St Olaves, in January, birds were noted roosting in an old House Martin's nest: Unfortunately on the 29th too many were trying to squeeze in and the nest fell down. Lounge Lizards HEDGE ACCENTOR (DUNNOCK) Prunella nodularis Very common resident andpassage migrant. Amber ÂĄist. A t L a n d g u a r d 1 7 b i r d s s u r v i v e d o v e r t h e w i n t e r p e r i o d , i n c l u d i n g o n e r i n g e d i n 2 0 0 1 , an t e n p a i r s n e s t e d . N e s t i n g w a s a l s o c o n f i r m e d a t ; S i z e w e l l S W T r e s e r v e , 2 1 p a i r s , e i g h t paii d o w n o n 2 0 0 8 ; A b b e y F a r m , S n a p e w i t h 11 p a i r s ; C a v e n h a m H e a t h a n d P a k e n h a m . A t N o r l W a r r e n in 2 0 0 9 t h e p o p u l a t i o n o f this s p e c i e s w a s a l s o low, d o w n 3 2 pairs to 173 a n d dow 4 2 % on the 3 0 0 pairs in 1999. A t M o o r b r i d g e F a r m , H a r l e s t o n , 2 4 w e r e r i n g e d i n a g a m e c o v e r strip, F e b r u a r y 9th D Ăź r i n g t h e y e a r 2 4 0 w e r e r i n g e d a t t h r e e c o a s t a l s i t e s : M u t f o r d 1 8 ; C o r t o n , 3 4 anc K e s s i n g l a n d S e w a g e W o r k s , 188. T h e best m o n t h w a s S e p t e m b e r with 4 2 a n d the highes o n e - d a y c o u n t o f 2 4 a t K e s s i n g l a n d S W , S e p t e m b e r 2 9 t h . T h i s m o v e m e n t w a s a l s o n o t e d a; Heligoland during the previous days. V.

1998 229

1999 300

2000 264

2001 265

Breeding Dunnock at Nrth Warren 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 236 266 274 269 270

2007 278

2008 205

2009 173

EUROPEAN ROBIN Erithacus rubecula Very common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. D u r i n g t h e f i r s t w i n t e r p e r i o d 1 5 w e r e ringed a r o u n d a g a m e s t r i p a t M o o r c r o f t F a r m , Harleston o n February 9th. A t least five birds overwintered o n O r f o r d n e s s with the same n u m b e r at L a n d g u a r d . A c o u n t o n a n A t l a s visit r e v e a l e d 17 a t S t a n t o n o n J a n u a r y 27th. A p o o r spring p a s s a g e w a s n o t e d f r o m b o t h O r f o r d n e s s a n d L a n d g u a r d . T h e first report f r o m L a n d g u a r d w a s o n M a r c h 3rd with a p e a k o f five o n April lOth. Breeding records were low with only Sizewell S W T providing data o f 78 breeding pairs and Lackford posting a poor breeding season, d o w n 3 7 % based on an eighteen-year average. 124

Systematic List During the a u t u m n the first returning birds were noted t Orfordness f r o m September 5th with a m a x i m u m of 5 o n S e p t e m b e r 17th and 19th and with 1 4 resent o n O c t o b e r 2 2 n d . A small influx w a s ยกported at B o y t o n w h e r e n i n e w e r e p r e s e n t o n eptember 18th. A t L a n d g u a r d passage w a s irst n o t e d o n A u g u s t 6 t h w i t h a m a x i m u m o f 5 on O c t o b e r 31st. A t least six w e r e t h o u g h t a be overwintering a t L a n d g u a r d towards the nd of the year. OMMON NIGHTINGALE Luscinia legarhynchos. airly common summer visitor and scarce assage migrant. Amber list. First r e p o r t e d o n A p r i l 9 t h a t M i n s m e r e h e r e t w o w e r e h e a r d w i t h a n o t h e r at Robin Su Gough ldringham Walks, April 10th followed b y andguard, T u d d e n h a m S t M a r t i n a n d M a r t l e s h a m o n A p r i l 11th. W i d e l y r e p o r t e d i n t h e est o f t h e c o u n t y w h e r e t h e f i r s t r e c o r d c a m e f r o m L a c k f o r d o n A p r i l 1 0 t h w i t h f o u r t h e r e ti A p r i l 2 9 t h . A n i n t e r e s t i n g r e c o r d c a m e f r o m C o n v a l e s c e n t H i l l W o o d o n F e l i x s t o w e eafront o n April 13th. Breeding totals held up quite well but there was n o i m p r o v e m e n t o n 2008. This species ontinues t o decline countrywide, albeit at perhaps a slower pace in Suffolk. T h e key reeding sites w e r e D u n w i c h w i t h 30 pairs, M i n s m e r e , 2 3 pairs, N o r t h W a r r e n , 4 0 pairs a n d dton Water, 28 singing males. T h e last r e p o r t s o f individuals c a m e f r o m M u t f o r d o n July 7th, A l t o n W a t e r o n July 11th nd o n several dates a t L a n d g u a r d b e t w e e n A u g u s t 13th a n d S e p t e m b e r 5th. T h e final ghting of the year c a m e f r o m A l t o n Water o n S e p t e m b e r 6th w h e n t w o w e r e heard croaking i the u n d e r g r o w t h . 'LUETHROAT Luscinia svecica are passage migrant. Amber list. There were no records of Bluethroat in 2009. 008 Addition: owestoft: M a r 26th ( A H o r s m a n ) . KED-FLANKED BLUETAIL Tarsiger cyanurus Very rare visitor. A f i r s t - w i n t e r individual w a s f o u n d at M i n s m e r e o n O c t o b e r 14th a n d stayed o v e r a w e e k until 21st. T h i s w a s t h e f o u r t h c o n s e c u t i v e y e a r t h a t this s p e c i e s h a s b e e n r e c o r d e d i n t h e county a n d i s S u f f o l k ' s f i f t h r e c o r d . T h e b i r d d e l i g h t e d its f i n d e r a s w e l l a s h u n d r e d s o f observers, m a n y o f w h o m s a w it well b y s h o w i n g the n e c e s s a r y patience! Minsmere: first-winter, O c t 14th t o 21st (J H G r a n t et al.). BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros. Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Occasionally overwinters. Amber list. Wintering r e c o r d s w e r e , a s u s u a l , f a i r l y s p a r s e w i t h t h e o n l y s i g h t i n g s c o m i n g f r o m t h e n o r t h - e a s t w i t h s i n g l e t o n s at E a s t o n B a v e n t s , J a n u a r y 2 4 t h , F l i x t o n R o a d a l l o t m e n t s , B u n g a y , February 2 0 t h , D u n w i c h H e a t h , J a n u a r y 2 2 n d a n d , p r o b a b l y t h e s a m e b i r d , a t t h e C o a s t g u a r d Cottages t h e r e o n 2 4 t h . 125

SuffolkRingingReport

2009

T h e f i r s t s p r i n g m i g r a n t a p p e a r e d a t H e r i t a g e G r e e n , K e s s i n g l a n d , M a r c h 3 r d f o l l o w e d bv a m a l e a t M a r t l e s h a m C r e e k , M a r c h 9th a n d p o s s i b l y t h e s a m e b i r d o n t h e s a m e d a y at W o o d b r i d g e Yacht Club. T h e spring r u n consisted of m a i n l y single birds at 14 sites u p to May 2 n d a n d i n c l u d e d a m a x i m u m o f t h r e e a t O r f o r d n e s s , M a r c h 2 1 st a n d t h r e e a t L a n d g u a r d M a r c h 3 0 t h . I n l a n d , p a s s a g e b i r d s w e r e n o t e d at A l t o n W a t e r , A p r i l 1st, W h i t e h o u s e R o a d I p s w i c h , A p r i l 9 t h , B r e t t e n h a m , A p r i l 3 r d a n d a m a l e a t G r e a t A s h f i e l d o n A p r i l 4 t h . A lati m a l e w a s r e p o r t e d f r o m L a n d g u a r d on J u n e 14th. B r e e d i n g t o o k place a t Sizewell w h e r e juveniles w e r e seen late in the season and a M i l d e n h a l l Airfield, for the first time, w h e r e adults w e r e n o t e d f e e d i n g y o u n g o n July 7th In the a u t u m n the first were noted o n Orfordness, A u g u s t 8th and at M i n s m e r e , Augus 1 3 t h . T h e r e w e r e m u l t i p l e s i g h t i n g s d u r i n g S e p t e m b e r a t S i z e w e l l w i t h b o t h a d u l t s a n d uf to t h r e e j u v e n i l e s present. O n e w a s in t h e s h e e p p a d d o c k s at E a s t o n B a v e n t s o n S e p t e m b e 12th a n d 17th a n d t w o w e r e a t S o u t h w o l d o n S e p t e m b e r 18th. D u r i n g O c t o b e r individual w e r e r e p o r t e d f r o m six s i t e s w i t h s e v e r a l r e c o r d s i n t o N o v e m b e r . N o t e w o r t h y r e p o r t s carni f r o m B u r y S t E d m u n d s o n N o v e m b e r 4th a n d F i s h e r R o w , O u l t o n o n N o v e m b e r 11th. C O M M O N R E D S T A R T Phoenicurus Uncommon summer visitor and passage W i d e l y reported i n t h e coastal belt Orfordness, Havergate and Landguard on reports came from Corton Old Sewage M a y 11th. T h r e e w e r e reported o n U p p e r by, a t H o l l e s l e y H e a t h , M a y 9th.

phoenicurus. migrant. Amber list. d u r i n g t h e spring, t h e first r e c o r d s c a m e fron April 4 t h f o l l o w e d b y M i n s m e r e , A p r i l 5th. Furthe Works, M a y 15th and a m a l e w a s at Thorpeness H o l l e s l e y C o m m o n f r o m M a y 6 t h w i t h four, closi

B r e e d i n g w a s o n l y c o n f i r m e d a t M i n s m e r e w h e r e a p a i r w a s s e e n t o f e e d y o u n g , J u n e 10t! a n d H o l l e s l e y w h e r e y o u n g w e r e s e e n in June. I n l a n d m a l e s w e r e r e c o r d e d a t H i n d e r c l a y Fen M a y 10th a n d W e s t S t o w CP, M a y 30th. D u r i n g the a u t u m n passage, o n c e again the coastal belt p r o v i d e d m o s t of the reports fron A u g u s t 8th, at Landguard, up t o S e p t e m b e r 20th. Multiple counts c a m e f r o m : Corton: f o u r , S e p 18th. Gunton: d i s u s e d r a i l w a y l i n e , t h r e e , S e p 9 t h ; t h r e e , S e p 1 6 t h ; f o u r , S e p 17th; t h r e e , S e p 18th. Southwold: f i v e , S e p 18th. Minsmere: t h r e e , S e p 15th. North Warren: g r a z i n g m a r s h , f i v e , S e p 17th. Orfordness: f i v e , S e p 16th; t w o , S e p 19th. Bawdsey: t h r e e , S e p 2 0 t h . Landguard: f i v e , S e p 18th. I n l a n d a j u v e n i l e w a s n o t e d a t H a d l e i g h o n S e p t e m b e r 6th. F i n a l l y t h e last r e c o r d s o f the year c a m e f r o m Corton O l d Sewage Works o n October 15th and f r o m Kessingland Sewage W o r k s from O c t o b e r 1 0 t h t o 1 2 t h . W H I N C H A T Saxicola rubetra Fairly common passage migrant. Former breeder. Amber list. S p r i n g p a s s a g e w a s f i r s t n o t e d o n A p r i l 2 5 t h . A l l r e c o r d s a r e listed:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Lowestoft: N o r t h D e n e s , M a y 6 t h ; t h r e e . M a y 7 t h ; t w o , M a y 15th. Minsmere: m a l e , M a y 7 t h . Thorpeness: M a y 1 4 t h a n d 15th. Orfordness: m a l e , A p r 2 5 t h ; f e m a l e , M a y 9 t h ; t w o , M a y 10th; M a y 14th. Boyton: M a y 1 4 t h . Bawdsey: E a s t L a n e , M a y 1 5 t h ; m a l e , M a y 18th. Landguard: s i n g l e s f r o m M a y 9 t h to J u n e 5 t h . A v e r y late m a l e w a s n o t e d a t B r e y d o n S o u t h W a l l o n J u n e 27th. A r e a s o n a b l e a u t u m n p a s s a g e w a s s e e n w i t h t h e f i r s t r e t u r n i n g b i r d n o t e d a t Minsmere o n A u g u s t 7th. P e a k c o u n t s for the passage were r e c o r d e d f r o m : 126

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Corton: S e w a g e W o r k s , s e v e n , S e p 10th. vlinsmere: f i v e , S e p 8th. Orfordness: n i n e , A u g 2 4 t h ; 17, S e p 5th. Shingle Street: six, S e p 17th. Trimley Marshes: 21, S e p 7th. The only inland records during a u t u m n passage c a m e f r o m Pipps Ford, Barking, w h e r e a single w a s n o t e d S e p t e m b e r 5 t h a n d E a r l S t o n h a m w i t h t w o , S e p t e m b e r 6th. T h e r e w a s a \Vhinchat a t L a n d g u a r d o n O c t o b e r 22nd, b u t the final bird o f the y e a r w a s a v e r y late n d i v i d u a l a t A l t o n W a t e r b e t w e e n D e c e m b e r 7 t h a n d 1 Oth ( G J J o b s o n et al. ); t h i s is t h e l a t e s t ince 1 9 8 4 w h e n o n e r e m a i n e d , also at A l t o n Water, b e t w e e n D e c e m b e r 9 t h a n d 24th. ÂťTONECHAT Saxicola torquatus 7 airly common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. A n average showing in the coastal belt during the first vinter p e r i o d w i t h p e a k c o u n t s o f four, N o r t h C o v e Castle M a r s h , F e b r u a r y 5th; ten, O r f o r d n e s s , F e b r u a r y : 1 s t ; f i v e , B o y t o n , J a n u a r y 1st a n d f i v e , L a n d g u a r d , /larch 13th. T h e O r f o r d n e s s p e a k in F e b r u a r y m a y well ave included m i g r a n t s as dispersal w a s quickly evident. Vlthough this species w a s w i d e l y r e p o r t e d i n t h e w e s t uring this p e r i o d there w e r e n o sizeable gatherings. The m a i n b r e e d i n g sites w e r e : unwich: 2 6 territories, tinsmere: n i n e territories, nape Warren: t w o territories, orth Warren: t w o territories, 'rfordness: t w o o r t h r e e territories, iitton and Hollesley Commons: 2 0 territories, erner's Heath: t h r e e p a i r s p l u s a n a d d i t i o n a l t h r e e m a l e s noted A p r 2 n d . hetford Forest: 17 territories. During t h ea u t u m n there were reports o f eight at v'estleton H e a t h , A u g u s t 1 6 t h ; t e n a t S i z e w e l l B e a c h , < ĂŹctober 17th; five a t T h o r p e n e s s H a v e n , S e p t e m b e r Stonechat Brian Small 6th; t e n o n O r f o r d n e s s , S e p t e m b e r 13th a n d u p t o n i n e there i n O c t o b e r ; three a t A b b e y F a r m , S n a p e , O c t o b e r 16th a n d six, C a v e n h a m , O c t o b e r 12th. During the second winter period the key wintering sites were:Beeeles Marshes: four, D e c 14th. North Warren: four, N o v 15th. Hazelwood Marshes: four, N o v 7th. Orfordness: up t o seven in N o v ; nine, D e c 13th. Boyton: three, D e c 10th. ORFORDNESS L O G A leucistic bird first seen A u g u s t 23th in the village w a s seen again o n a f e w days i n September. It w a s s e e n a n d t r a p p e d o n 6 t h , a n d w a s a l s o s e e n a t t h e P i g P a i l B r i d g e , w i t h the last s i g h t i n g o n O c t o b e r 2 2 n d , s h o w i n g j u s t h o w m o b i l e this s p e c i e s c a n be.

NORTHERN W H E A T E A R Oenanthe oenanthe Common passage migrant and uncommon summer visitor. Amber list. This h a r b i n g e r o f s p r i n g w a s f i r s t n o t e d o n the c o a s t a t S h i n g l e S t r e e t a n d L a n d g u a r d , March 1 4 t h . T h e f i r s t s i g h t i n g i n l a n d o c c u r r e d a t L a k e n h e a t h F e n o n t h e s a m e d a y f o l l o w e d 127

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 by a bird o n Great Waldingfield Airfield o n March 15th. T h e e x p e c t e d tricklc o f r e c o r d s c a m e d u r i n g the last w e e k o f M a r c h f r o m a h o s t o f coastal sites m a i n l y i n t h e n o r t h - e a s t a n d f r o m s i t e s in t h e w e s t o f t h e c o u n t y . T h e highest counts in March were five o n Orfordness, 1 6 t h a n d f o u r a t S h i n g l e S t r e e t , 3 0 t h . P e a k c o u n t s in A p r i l were low c o m p a r e d with recent years with t h e best b e i n g f i v e at L o w e s t o f t N o r t h D e n e s o n 12th a n d s e v e n at L a n d g u a r d o n 4 t h . T h e best o f the spring p a s s a g e w a s not seen until early M a y with nine at H o p t o n - o n - S e a , 7th, 1 8 a t the N o r t h Denes, Lowestoft, 7th and ten there, 9th and 22 at L a n d g u a r d , 9th. T h e last coastal m i g r a n t w a s recorded at Minsmere, June 4th. Inland there were five at C a v e n h a m , April 10th and three o n Stradishall Airfield, April 26th. T h e only reports o f the Greenland race came from M i n s m e r e with two, April 2 2 n d and Wangford F e n w i t h one, M a y 10th.

Northern Wheatear Su Gough

Breeding was only confirmed from Orfordness w h e r e the population increased f r o m five i n2 0 0 8 t o six pairs i n 2009. T h e first r e t u r n i n g b i r d s w e r e n o t e d f r o m A u g u s t 1st a t T h o r p e n e s s H a v e n . R e c o r d ; steadily increased throughout the m o n t h with the peak counts f r o m : Corton: S e w a g e W o r k s , f o u r , A u g 2 9 t h . Lowestoft: N o r t h D e n e s , f i v e , A u g 2 5 t h . Easton Broad: f i v e , A u g 3 0 t h . Orfordness: 15, A u g 13th; 2 4 , A u g 2 9 t h Havergate Island: f o u r , A u g 14th. A l t h o u g h widely reported during S e p t e m b e r itw a s not until the third w e e k that numbers began to increase with double figure counts f r o m : Hopton-on-Sea: 13, S e p 15th. Corton: Cliff, 16, S e p 15th; 11, S e p 19th; s e w a g e w o r k s , 18, S e p 16th. Lowestoft: N o r t h D e n e s , 12, S e p 16th. Easton Bavents: 11, S e p 17th. Southwold: 25, S e p 18th. North Warren: 2 3 , S e p 18th. Orfordness: 2 0 , S e p 5 t h a n d 6th; 3 3 , S e p 16th; 2 4 , S e p 2 7 t h . Landguard: 14, S e p 16th. Inland there w a s a surprising report o feight a t G r e a t A s h f i e l d , S e p t e m b e r 4th, three at P i p p s Ford, B a r k i n g , S e p t e m b e r 1 st a n d f o u r , L a v e n h a m , S e p t e m b e r 4th. D u r i n g the rest o f the m o n t h reports faded out. In October, however, a good run of r e c o r d s c a m e f r o m the coastal belt involving m a i n l y single birds b u t there w e r e three at L o w e s t o f t a n d t w o a t E a s t o n B a v e n t s o nO c t o b e r 10th. L a t e r e c o r d s of possibly the same bird, w e r e n o t e d a t L o w e s t o f t N o r t h D e n e s , N o v e m b e r 5 t h a n d 6 t h a n d Kessingland, N o v e m b e r 6th. PIED WHEATEAR Oenanthepleschanka Very rare visitor. F o l l o w i n g u p a v a g u e r e p o r t o f a ' W h e a t e a r s p ' a t S h i n g l e S t r e e t f r o m t h e p r e v i o u s day, P e t e r a n d J a m e s K e n n e r l e y f o u n d a n d i d e n t i f i e d t h i s b i r d o n O c t o b e r 1 9 t h . T h i s well-watched b i r d w a s t h e s e c o n d r e c o r d f o r S u f f o l k , t h e f i r s t v i s i t i n g F a g b u r y i n O c t o b e r 1 9 9 4 . A foil a c c o u n t o f its d i s c o v e r y a p p e a r s l a t e r in t h e B i r d R e p o r t . Shingle Street: f e m a l e , O c t 19th (J A a n d P R K e n n e r l e y et al.). 128

Systematic List RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus Fairly common passage migrant. Red list. There w a s a poor passage i n the spring with the first noted f r o m the sheep p a d d o c k s at Easton Bavents where a male was present on M a r c h 30th with another by the Butley River the f o l l o w i n g day. R i n g O u z e l s w e r e r e p o r t e d at 14 coastal sites w i t h m u l t i p l e r e c o r d s b e i n g two a t H o p t o n - o n - S e a on April 14th a n d t w o a t L a n d g u a r d o n April 13th. T h e only inland records w e r e n o t e d at H a l l F a r m , F o r n h a m St M a r t i n o n A p r i l 17th a n d W a r r e n W o o d , S a n t o n D o w n h a m w h e r e a f e m a l e o n M a y 25th w a s the final report of the spring. T h e a u t u m n f a i l e d t o b e t t e r t h e s p r i n g f o r t h i s r e d list s p e c i e s w i t h o n l y a h a n d f u l o f reports possibly indicating a further decline. O n O c t o b e r 10th a f e m a l e w a s a t Lowestoft, four were o n Southwold C o m m o n , one was at Kessingland sewage works and another single bird w a s on Westleton Heath. T h e only other a u t u m n records c a m e f r o m O r f o r d n e s s , with t w o o n O c t o b e r 14th, B a w d s e y w i t h a single bird o n O c t o b e r 12th a n d L a n d guard w i t h s i n g l e s o n S e p t e m b e r 23rd, O c t o b e r 13th a n d t h e last bird o f t h e y e a r o n O c t o b e r 24th. BLACKBIRD Turdus merula Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. The first winter period passed with f e w gatherings o f note except 9 3 at East Green, Kelsale o n January 13th a n d a January m a x i m u m o f 3 0 at L a v e n h a m Railway Walk. Orfordness reported a peak passage o f 3 0 o n March 9tha n dLandguard recorded Blackbird m o v e m e n t f r o m F e b r u a r y 28th until M a y 3rd with a p e a k o f 4 0 o n M a r c h 21st. B r e e d i n g data w e r e low b u t Sizewell Belts p o s t e d 2 9 pairs, N o r t h W a r r e n 148, A b b e y Farm, Snape, ten and Landguard, 12-13. FIELD NOTE Kirkley, Lowestoft. On May 14th a Blackbird fished out and then dismembered and ate a newt from a garden pond. Lowestoft Lounge Lizards During the autumn the best of from:Kcssingland: 30, O c t 13th; 50, O c t Orfordness: 30, O c t 10th. Landguard: 136, O c t 31st. Great Cornard: 30, O c t 13th. During December the peak L a v e n h a m R a i l w a y W a l k it w a s

the p a s s a g e w a s s e e n in O c t o b e r w i t h p e a k c o u n t s r e p o r t e d 17th; 100, O c t 27th.

count from Mutford was 5 0 o n December 20th and at 22.

FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list. A reasonable first winter with the majority of the m a j o r flocks c o m i n g f r o m the north-east and the west o f the county. January peak counts:Beecles Marshes: 2 0 0 , Jan 1st. Hulver Street: 2 5 0 , J a n 29th. Farnham: B o t a n y F a r m , 200, J a n 2nd. Kedington: 3 0 0 , Jan 2 2 n d . February peak counts : Oulton: 2 0 0 , F e b 28th. Westleton: 140 south-east, F e b 21st; 300, F e b 25th. Fornham St Martin: Hall F a r m , 200, F e b 28th. Long Melford: S e w a g e W o r k s , 175, Feb 20th; 4 2 9 , F e b 21st; 5 0 0 , F e b 2 2 n d . Stradishall: A i r f i e l d , 2 0 0 , F e b 18th. 129

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 March peak counts:Mutford: 175, M a r 19th. Palgrave: O a k F a r m , 2 0 0 , M a r 9 t h . Ampton: 2 0 0 , M a r 2 7 t h . Elveden: 2 8 0 , M a r 2 7 t h . B y April the b u l k o f m i g r a t i n g birds h a d p a s s e d t h r o u g h b u t 180 w e r e r e p o r t e d at Denstoi A p r i l 1st. T h e r e m a i n i n g d o u b l e - f i g u r e r e p o r t s c a m e f r o m B o y t o n M a r s h e s w i t h 1 7 , A p r 3rd, T i m w o r t h 4 0 , A p r i l 4 t h a n d D e n s t o n w h e r e 3 0 w e r e n o t e d o n A p r i l 2 0 t h . T h e f i n a l sprin record came from Kessingland reed bed with a male noted on April 22nd. A v e r y e a r l y a u t u m n r e c o r d f o r t h i s s p e c i e s o c c u r r e d a t B e c c l e s C o m m o n o n A u g u s t 13th A m a z i n g l y t h e r e w e r e n o S e p t e m b e r r e c o r d s , t h e n e x t F i e l d f a r e n o t b e i n g r e p o r t e d unti O c t o b e r 10th at G u n t o n . T h e m a j o r coastal p a s s a g e w a s seen o n O c t o b e r 27th with 300 Corton Cliff; 240, G u n t o n Warren; 700, Kessingland S e w a g e Works and 300, Landguari T h e noteworthy reports for the rest of the a u t u m n were f r o m : Oulton Marsh: 100, N o v 2 1 s t . Mutford: 2 0 0 , D e c 2 n d : 150, D e c 2 8 t h . Blundeston: M a r s h L a n e , 100, D e c 2 1 s t . Icklingham: W e a t h e r h i l l F a r m , 150, D e c 8th. Ixworth Thorpe: 140, N o v 2 6 t h ; 2 0 0 , D e c 2 3 r d . Cavenham: 2 0 0 , N o v 5th; 2 0 0 , D e c 9 t h . Icklingham: 3 5 0 , N o v 6th. SONG T H R U S H Turdus philomelos Fairly common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list. T h e r e were f e w records sent in during the first winter period with only ones o r two reported. Spring p a s s a g e a t L a n d g u a r d w a s noted f r o m F e b r u a r y 2 3 r d until A p r i l 21st with ; m a x i m u m o ffive, April 17th. D u r i n g t h e b r e e d i n g s e a s o n t h e k e y sites i n t h e n o r t h - e a s t w e r e S i z e w e l l B e l t s w i t h five p a i r s a n d N o r t h W a r r e n w i t h 4 7 p a i r s . W i d e l y r e p o r t e d i n t h e w e s t o f t h e c o u n t y ; t h e key a r e a s w e r e S u d b u r y w h e r e 2 0 h e l d t e r r i t o r i e s d u r i n g A p r i l a n d f i v e w e r e s i n g i n g at S t a n t o n April 2nd. A u t u m n p a s s a g e w a s n o t e d in t h e s e c o n d h a l f o f S e p t e m b e r w i t h 4 0 , G u n t o n , S e p t e m b e i 19th, 11, C r e e t i n g St M a r y , S e p t e m b e r 2 0 t h a n d 12, L a c k f o r d , S e p t e m b e r 2 9 t h . A later influx coincided w i t h other thrush migration with 30, Corton, O c t o b e r 14th; 30, G u n t o n , October 10th; 60, K e s s i n g l a n d S e w a g e W o r k s , O c t o b e r 10th; 125, O r f o r d n e s s , O c t o b e r 10th a n d 30. L a n d g u a r d , S e p t e m b e r 30th and 6 0 there, O c t o b e r 31st. T h e 125 recorded o n Orfordness is the highest total i n Suffolk since 2 0 0 2 w h e n 150 w e r e noted at Lowestoft, O c t o b e r 10th and T h o r p e n e s s , O c t o b e r 1 3 t h . T h e o n l y r e c o r d o f n o t e l a t e r i n t h e y e a r c a m e f r o m C r e e t i n g St M a r y w h e r e 11 w e r e r i n g e d o n N o v e m b e r 5 t h . REDWING Turdus iliacus Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list. M o s t of the first winter concentrations c a m e f r o m the north-east rather than the west with peak counts from:Beccles Marshes: 150, F e b 2 1 s t . Kelsale: E a s t G r e e n , 100, J a n 1st. Passage m o v e m e n t was seen early with records f r o m : Hulver Street: 130, M a r 1st. Hazelwood Marshes: 2 5 0 , M a r 8th. Creeting S t Mary: 110, M a r 12th. Hadleigh: 100, M a r 2 n d . Late reports c a m e f r o m Stanton, 20, April 2nd; Kentwell Hall, L o n g Melford, three April 130

Systematic

List

st; T h o r i n g t o n S t r e e t , a s i n g l e t o n , A p r i l 1 s t a n d t h e f i n a l b i r d o f t h e s p r i n g n o t e d o n l a v e r g a t e , A p r i l 13 t h . Early returning birds were recorded at Flixton D e c o y with three, S e p t e m b e r 17th and Norton, a s i n g l e t o n , S e p t e m b e r 20th. T h e next reports c a m e on O c t o b e r 10th w h e n a general thrush influx w a s s e e n : ,unton: 3 0 . iessingland: S e w a g e W o r k s , 3 0 . horpeness: C o m m o n , 30. Inland there were reports f r o m : ladleigh: 100, O c t 18th. Vmpton: 130, O c t 18th. Jury St Edmunds: H a r d w i c k H e a t h , 100, O c t 13th. T h e largest influx o f the a u t u m n o c c u r r e d o n O c t o b e r 17th with p e a k counts f r o m : owestoft: N o r t h D e n e s , 1200. vessingland: S e w a g e W o r k s , 3 0 0 . ackford Lakes: 5 0 0 . A n additional large influx w a s noted at Landguard with 1000 on October 27th. F u r t h e r r e p o r t s t o t h e y e a r ' s e n d w e r e n o t e d at L o n g M e l f o r d w i t h 6 0 , N o v e m b e r 15th a n d Temple B r i d g e , C a v e n h a m H e a t h , 100, D e c e m b e r 9 t h . vIISTLE T H R U S H Turdus viscivorus. airly common resident and scarce passage migrant. Amber list. Winter r e c o r d s w e r e predictably sparse with four, P a k e n h a m , J a n u a r y 11th, six, B o t a n y Jay, L a k e n h e a t h , J a n u a r y 8 t h a n d f o u r , H a l l F a r m , F o r n h a m S t M a r t i n , J a n u a r y 1 8 t h . S p r i n g p a s s a g e w a s n o t e d a t L a n d g u a r d w i t h s i n g l e s o n f i v e d a t e s b e t w e e n M a r c h 1 st a n d April 7 t h . B r e e d i n g w a s c o n f i r m e d at t e n sites m o s t l y in t h e w e s t a l t h o u g h a k e y b r e e d i n g p o p u l a t i o n vas r e c o r d e d a t N o r t h W a r r e n w i t h 2 6 pairs. Post-breeding flocks were reported f r o m : â&#x20AC;˘unwich: M o u n t P l e a s a n c e , 15, S e p t 9th. ioyton: six, A u g 8th. Jury St Edmunds: 15, S e p t 2 7 t h . "avenham: 2 0 , Jul 10th a n d 11th; 22, A u g 11th. A u t u m n passage recorded a t Landguard peaked at four, September 20th. CETTI'S WARBLER Cettia cetti F airly common resident and rare passage migrant. Inspite o f a relatively severe 2 0 0 8 / 9 winter, and subsequent pessimistic predictions, this species c o n t i n u e d t o i n c r e a s e w i t h a total o f at least 2 2 3 m a l e s i n t h e c o u n t y w i t h m o s t t o be f o u n d in the coastal strip. M i n s m e r e held 95 m a l e s a n d N o r t h W a r r e n 3 7 males, w h i c h is over half the population, whilst L a k e n h e a t h h a d the t o p i n l a n d tally o f six. The start o f the cold spell in m i d - D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9 also brought despairing predictions, but s o m e w e r e s e e n f e e d i n g in t h e s n o w s o a c r a s h i n n u m b e r s , as h a p p e n e d i n t h e e i g h t i e s , is n o t e x p e c t e d . COMMON G R A S S H O P P E R WARBLER Locustella naevia Uncommon and declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list. With an ageing population of birders, one fears that s o m e m a y not hear the high pitched song leading t o u n d e r r e c o r d i n g i n the b r e e d i n g season. T h e species is not k n o w n for site fidelity b u t s o m e traditional territories held b r e e d i n g birds with, p e r h a p s , seven pairs o n the coast and a t least 18 i n the w e s t , with .Lakenheath h o s t i n g seven a n d G r e a t L i v e r m e r e three. Seven w e r e r i n g e d a t D u n w i c h b e t w e e n A u g u s t 11th a n d S e p t e m b e r 19th. O n the latter date five w e r e t r a p p e d on O r f o r d n e s s . 131

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Common summer visitor andpassage migrant. T h e f i r s t b i r d o f s p r i n g w a s a t H e n R e e d B e d s o n A p r i l 2 n d w i t h o t h e r s a t M e l t o n o n 6th a n d O r f o r d n e s s o n lOth. S u g g e s t i o n s w e r e that it w a s a p o o r b r e e d i n g s e a s o n with pair/singing m a l e totals o f 6 8 a t H e n R e e d b e d s , 129 a t M i n s m e r e , 7 4 a t N o r t h W a r r e n and double-figure estimates at Sizewell, Orfordness and Trimley Marshes. Lakenheath offered n o figures but the population s o u n d e d healthy to the casual visitor but Great L i v e r m e r e with 15 p a i r s a n d C a v e n h a m w i t h t e n c o n t r i b u t e d w e l l i n t h e w e s t . A u t u m n p a s s a g e d r e w f e w c o m m e n t s except f r o m O r f o r d n e s s w h e r e o f the 191 birds ringed in A u g u s t , 6 5 w e r e t r a p p e d o n 24th. M A R S H WARBLER Acrocephalus palustris Scarce migrant. Red list. M o r e n u m e r o u s if t h e w e a t h e r is f r o m the e a s t d u r i n g its m i g r a t i o n p e r i o d . A l l f o u r were sight a n d sound records. Minsmere: f r o m t h e N o r t h W a l l , M a y 14th (J A R o w l a n d s et al.). T h l s w a s t h e earliest arrivai since May lOth, 2 0 0 2 . Thorpeness: C a r a v a n P a r k , J u n e 7 t h ( S M a y s o n ) . Landguard: J u n e 6 t h ( N O d i n , G P l a n k et al.); J u n e 1 I t h ( G G r e g o r y , N O d i n et al.). EURASIAN R E E D WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus Common summer visitor and passage migrant. T h e first o f the year a p p e a r e d a t M i n s m e r e o n April 8th, with the next a t Lakenheath on lOth. P a s s a g e b e g a n o n O r f o r d n e s s o n April 2 6 t h w i t h a s t e a d y increase t h r o u g h May. Four o n J u n e 8 t h a t L a n d g u a r d w e r e notable for n u m b e r and date at that site. C o u n t s d u r i n g the b r e e d i n g s e a s o n f o u n d 9 0 territories a t N o r t h W a r r e n a n d 5 2 a t H e n R e e d b e d s w i t h n u m b e r s in the teens at Carlton Marshes, Snape, Sizewell, Orfordness, B o y t o n a n d T r i m l e y M a r s h e s . N e w s f r o m the west was sparse. R e t u r n m o v e m e n t s t e n d t o b e slightly later than for S e d g e Warbier with O r f o r d n e s s ringers c a t c h i n g 1 4 4 in A u g u s t , 115 d u r i n g September and s e e i n g their last o f t h e y e a r o n O c t o b e r 15th. I C T E R I N E WARBLER Hippolais icterina Scarce passage migrant. T h i s c a n b e a d i f f i c u l t s p e c i e s t o s e e w e l l a s it s h r i e k s its s o n g f r o m the u p p e r c a n o p y i n Central E u r o p e s o s p r i n g b i r d s a t coastal spots are well r e c e i v e d . T h e r e w e r e t h r e e b i r d s r e c o r d e d i n the c o u n t y a l l o f t h e m o n t h e s a m e t w o d a y s . M a y 14th is t h e earliest d a t e i n S u f f o l k since 1 9 8 8 (Landguard, M a y 13th):Reed Warbler Peter Beeston Thorpeness: s i n g i n g m a l e a t t h e w e s t e n d o f t h e old c a r a v a n site M a y 14th a n d 15th ( B J S m a l l , L G W o o d s ) . Shingle Street: M a y 14th a n d 15th ( B B u f f e r y , P a n d J K e n n e r l e y et al.). Landguard: M a y 14th a n d 15th ( W J B r a m e et al.). A s in 2 0 0 7 , there w e r e n o a u t u m n sightings. 2008 Addition: Hopton-on-sea: S e p 21 st. 132

Systematic List V1ELODIOUS WARBLER Hippolais polyglotta Rare passage migrant. F i v e d a y s i n m i d - M a y p r o d u c e d f i v e hippolais w a r b l e r s f o r f o u r c o a s t a l a r e a s . T h e t w o Melodious Warblers are the earliest sightings for this species since 1983 (Landguard, M a y 7th) a n d t h e y w e r e f o u n d at:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; )rfordness: r i n g e d o n M a y 17th - t h e s e c o n d f o r t h e site ( M M a r s h , D C r a w s h a w ) . andÂĄ>uard: e i g h t h f o r t h e site, s i n g i n g m a l e o n M a y 17th t o 19th, m o v e d t o t h e C u s t o m s H o u s e s c r u b by the s e c o n d d a y ( G G r e g o r y , N O d i n , E P a t r i c k et al.). BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla Common summer visitor and passage migrant with a few overwintering. The first county wintering bird w a s noted o n a Belton bird table i n 1950/1 since w h e n overwintering records have b e c o m e unremarkable, especially a s m o s t birds skulk until the â&#x20AC;˘pring. T h e p r e s u m p t i o n h a d b e e n t h a t i m p r o v e d w i n t e r w e a t h e r h a s e n c o u r a g e d B r i t i s h B l a c k c a p s t o o v e r w i n t e r . H o w e v e r I a n N e w t o n i n h i s 2 0 1 0 p u b l i c a t i o n ' B i r d Migration' tates that f r o m the late 1 9 8 0 s t h o u s a n d s o f B l a c k c a p s w i n t e r i n g in B r i t a i n c a m e f r o m w e s t entral E u r o p e . S u r p r i s i n g l y o n l y o n e r e c o v e r y o f a B r i t i s h - b r e d B l a c k c a p h a s b e e n o b t a i n e d n w i n t e r s o a t p r e s e n t it i s c o n s i d e r e d t h a t m o s t B r i t i s h B l a c k c a p s c o n t i n u e t o w i n t e r i n beria a n d n o r t h e r n A f r i c a . O b v i o u s l y all i d e a s o n m i g r a t i o n , e s p e c i a l l y first a n d last d a t e s , nust be t e m p e r e d b y this n e w information. P a s s a g e is t h o u g h t t o b e g i n in A p r i l b u t is u s u a l l y w e a k , if p r o l o n g e d . O r f o r d n e s s h a d its irst o n A p r i l 1 0 t h w i t h t h e l a s t o f t h e s p r i n g o n M a y 1 4 t h , w h i l s t t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g d a t e s "or L a n d g u a r d w e r e A p r i l 4 t h a n d M a y 3 1 s t . A total o f 9 0 territories w a s f o u n d at N o r t h W a r r e n , only t w o m o r e t h a n in the lowest y e a r )f t h e l a s t 1 2 , w h i c h w a s 1 9 9 9 . O t h e r n o t a b l e c o u n t s c a m e f r o m S i z e w e l l w i t h 2 6 , S u d b u r y 12 a n d G r e a t C o r n a r d 1 3 . C l e a r l y h u g e s w a t h e s o f t h e c o u n t y h o l d l a r g e n u m b e r s o f b r e e d i n g )irds w h i c h r e m a i n w e l l h e a r d b u t u n r e c o r d e d . A u t u m n p a s s a g e a t t h e t w o p r i n c i p a l c o a s t a l ringing s t a t i o n s w a s f r o m A u g u s t 1 3 t h t o October 31st a t O r f o r d n e s s a n d S e p t e m b e r 2 n d to N o v e m b e r 30th a t L a n d g u a r d . A total o f i 5 birds w a s ringed a t Kessingland o n S e p t e m b e r 8th, this being the highest day-catch mywhere in 2009. GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia boriti ommon summer visitor and passage migrant. It w a s s u g g e s t e d b y S t e v e P i o t r o w s k i i n h i s Birds of Suffolk ( 2 0 0 3 ) t h a t p a s s a g e b e g i n s i n earnest i n t h e last w e e k i n A p r i l a n d recent o b s e r v a t i o n s h a v e certainly c o n f i r m e d this assertion. W e y b r e a d p r o d u c e d the first r e c o r d o f t h e y e a r o n A p r i l 2 2 n d f o l l o w e d t h e n e x t day by o n e at T h o r p e n e s s . L a n d g u a r d s a w five c a u g h t o n M a y 13th w h i l s t O r f o r d n e s s h a d only three s p r i n g records. T h e h i g h l i g h t o f t h e b r e e d i n g s e a s o n w a s the r e m a r k a b l e total o f territories h e l d at N o r t h Warren w h e r e 186 w e r e counted, the highest-ever site total for this t r a n s - S a h a r a n m i g r a n t which w a s t h e o n l y o n e o f s u c h to s h o w a n increase i n n u m b e r s a t t h e site. M i n s m e r e h e l d 21 territories w i t h little n o t a b l e n e w s f r o m e l s e w h e r e . A u t u m n p a s s a g e w a s desultory w i t h the latest bird a t L a n d g u a r d o n S e p t e m b e r 26th. LESSER W H I T E T H R O A T Sylvia curruca Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant. Most are expected to arrive f r o m mid-April o n w a r d s and this year w a s typical with birds at M i n s m e r e o n 11th, O r f o r d n e s s o n 1 3 t h a n d f i v e a t L a n d g u a r d a n d f o u r a t b o t h G r e a t Cornard a n d Sudbury C o m m o n on 21st. Again breeding numbers were worrying with only 2 3 males at North Warren, ten at Minsmere, seven a t S n a p e a n d four a t Sizewell. T h e coastal strip f r o m A l d e b u r g h t o 133

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 S o u t h w o l d is t r a d i t i o n a l l y r e g a r d e d a s t h e s t r o n g h o l d o f t h i s s p e c i e s . O d d r e p o r t s c a m e froi the west regarding breeding with Lackford Lakes holding two pairs after above-averag numbers passed through. R e t u r n p a s s a g e b e g a n w i t h a flourish a t O r f o r d n e s s w i t h a s i t e - r e c o r d t e n b i r d s o n A u g u 1 3 t h a n d a t o t a l o f 2 5 ringed b y t h e t i m e m o v e m e n t e n d e d o n S e p t e m b e r 2 7 t h . L a n d g u a i never held m o r e than two migrants with the final bird on September 30th. C O M M O N W H I T E T H R O A T Sylvia communis Common summer visitor and passage migrant. T h e f i r s t w a s s e e n a t M i n s m e r e o n A p r i l 1 1 t h . O r f o r d n e s s h a d a n o t a b l e 1 5 o n M a y 14t w h i l s t , a t L a n d g u a r d , p a s s a g e w a s p r o l o n g e d w i t h t h e f i r s t o n A p r i l 1 6 t h a n d t h e last o M a y 2 5 t h w i t h e i g h t b i r d s o n e a c h o f M a y 2 n d , 7 t h a n d 2 3 r d . I n l a n d , T h o r i n g t o n S t r e e t hel three o n April 16th. N o r t h W a r r e n r e p o r t e d 1 8 6 b r e e d i n g t e r r i t o r i e s , t h e t h i r d c o n s e c u t i v e y e a r i n w h i c h thi p r e v i o u s l y e x p e c t e d 3 0 0 p l u s c o u n t h a d n o t b e e n r e a c h e d . A t l e a s t s e v e n p a i r s b r e d oi O r f o r d n e s s w i t h t h r e e a t L a n d g u a r d w h e r e t h e i r p r e s e n c e c l o u d s t h e b e g i n n i n g o f auturrn p a s s a g e . A w a y from t h e c o a s t s o m e o b s e r v e r s e s t i m a t e d b r e e d i n g n u m b e r s a t v a r i o u s t i m e d u r i n g early s u m m e r w i t h d o u b l e - f i g u r e c o u n t s a t S t o w m a r k e t , W o r k h o u s e G r e e n (Littk Cornard), Redgrave and Cavenham Heath. R e t u r n p a s s a g e c o n t i n u e d until O c t o b e r 10th a t L a n d g u a r d b u t O r f o r d n e s s r e p o r t e d a higl ringing total f o r t h e y e a r o f 121 b i r d s w i t h 6 9 o f t h o s e in A u g u s t i n c l u d i n g 2 0 o n 13th. DARTFORD WARBLER Sylvia undata Uncommon local resident. Scarce visitor. Amber list. B y early D e c e m b e r thoughts were already turning to 2 0 1 0 a s local watchers wondered h o w m u c h m o r e t h e s p e c i e s c o u l d s p r e a d a s t h e t o t a l p a i r s f o r s u m m e r 2 0 0 9 h a d r e a c h e d a; least 135. D u n w i c h h e l d 4 3 o f the 7 2 pairs in t h e m a i n a r e a w h i l s t t h e c o m m o n s n o r t h o f the R i v e r D e b e n h a d 41. T h e cold w e a t h e r b r o u g h t fears that the population w o u l d crash with o n e s e n i o r e x p e r t p r e d i c t i n g t h a t o n l y t h o s e l i v i n g in h a b i t a t s w e l l s u p p l i e d w i t h W e s t e r n or C o m m o n G o r s e w o u l d s u r v i v e . W a s h e right? Wandering o r immigrant birds were noted at Thorpeness, Orfordness, including a May record, a n d the f o u r t h site r e c o r d a t L a n d g u a r d o n N o v e m b e r 4th. G R E E N I S H WARBLER Phylloscopus trochiloides Very rare visitor. T h e tenth c o u n t y record and the first since 2 0 0 4 : Landguard: a n o b l i g i n g bird, c a u g h t a n d r i n g e d , p e r f o r m e d f o r m a n y o u t s i d e t h e f e n c e a n d in the H e l i g o l a n d t r a p a r e a o n S e p 17th a n d 18th ( G G r e g o r y , N O d i n , J Z a n t b o e r et al.). T h i s bird was i d e n t i f i e d a f t e r m u c h d e b a t e d u e t o t h e p r e s e n c e o f a s e c o n d w i n g bar. A R C T I C WARBLER Phylloscopus borealis Very rare visitor. The fourth county record. The birds o f 1993 and 1996 were enjoyed by m a n y at Fagbury a n d C o r t o n r e s p e c t i v e l y , w h i l s t t h e b i r d ringed i n 2 0 0 0 a t D u n w i c h w a s n o t r e l o c a t e d a f t e r r e l e a s e . C o n s e q u e n t l y this y e a r ' s b i r d at L a n d g u a r d w a s g r e e t e d w i t h delight. It w a s the first f o r the O b s e r v a t o r y and, d e s p i t e its m i d w e e k a p p e a r a n c e , w a s e n j o y e d b y m a e s t r o s within t h e c o m p o u n d a n d t y r o s w i t h o u t . H a v i n g b e e n f o u n d it w a s t r a p p e d late i n t h e day. Landguard: f i r s t - y e a r c a u g h t a n d r i n g e d , S e p 1 st a n d 2 n d ( P J H o l m e s et al.). PALLAS'S L E A F WARBLER Phylloscopus proregulus Uncommon autumn passage migrant. T h e status o f Pallas's Warbler h a s c h a n g e d f r o m very rare, through rare and scarce, t o 134

Systematic List ts p r e s e n t a s s e s s m e n t s o 2 0 0 9 w a s a t y p i c a l a n d d i s a p p o i n t i n g f o r a l l w h o a d m i r e t h i s lopular g e m . lopton-on-Sea: O c t o b e r 2 6 t h ( M u l t i - o b s e r v e r ) . YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER Phylloscopus inornatus Jncommon autumn passage migrant. It i s a c l e a r i n d i c a t i o n t h a t t h i s s p e c i e s h a s c h a n g e d its s t a t u s s o r a d i c a l l y t h a t it s e e m s i n n e c e s s a r y t o list a l l r e c o r d s . I n h i s Birds of Suffolk ( 2 0 0 3 ) S t e v e P i o t r o w s k i r e p o r t e d t h a t bout 100 individuals h a d b e e n noted since 1983, there having b e e n only five i n the receding 7 3 y e a r s since it w a s first r e c o r d e d i n 1910. S i n c e the turn o f the c e n t u r y p e a k s >f 4 0 b i r d s h a v e b e e n s e e n i n e a c h o f t w o a u t u m n s . Q u a i n t l y d e s c r i b e d i n B W P , i n a m a n n e r e c a l l i n g t h a t o f a T V t a l e n t s h o w j u d g e r a t h e r t h a n a s c i e n t i s t , a s h a v i n g 'a song Usappointingfor such a charming bird' o n e w o n d e r s w h e t h e r it h a s b e e n h e a r d i n S u f f o l k . In 2 0 0 9 a b o u t 2 0 b i r d s w e r e s e e n , m o s t f o u n d f r o m S i z e w e l l n o r t h w a r d s w i t h t h e r i n g i n g lotspots o f O r f o r d n e s s a n d L a n d g u a r d r e p o r t i n g o n l y o n e e a c h . Inland o n e w a s in H o l y w e l l s Park, I p s w i c h o n S e p t e m b e r 2 0 t h w i t h a bird r e p o r t e d f r o m he w e s t a t B r e t t e n h a m o n O c t o b e r 7th. E x t r e m e d a t e s w e r e S e p t e m b e r 18th a t L o u n d a n d )ctober 29th at Lowestoft. :008 Addition: lopton-on-Sea: S e p 21st. iADDE'S WARBLER Phylloscopus schwarzi (are passage migrant. T h e c o u n t y total is n o w 20. owestoft: N o r t h D e n e s , O c t 2 9 t h ( R W i n c u p , J A B r o w n , R W i l t o n et at.). i'horpeness: O c t o b e r 2 2 n d and 2 3 r d (S M a y s o n , P W h i t t a k e r etal). aUSKY WARBLER Phylloscopus fuscatus tare passage migrant. After a b l a n k year in 2 0 0 8 there w a s just o n e in 2009, bringing the county total t o 2 0 a n c e the first in 1987. >unton: N o v e m b e r 2 n d to 8th. A l o n g staying bird that c o u l d b e elusive in t h e cliff-side b u s h e s ( N Blacker et al.). WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sibilatrix Uncommon passage migrant. Former breeder. Red list. It m a y b e n e c e s s a r y t o r e a l i s e t h a t t h i s s p e c i e s i s o n t h e v e r g e o f b e i n g r e c l a s s i f i e d a s scarce w i t h only five r e c o r d s this year f o l l o w i n g f o u r in e a c h o f the last t w o years. Lowestoft: M a y 1 st, bird singing a n d p h o t o g r a p h e d in N o r m a n s t o n P a r k ( A C E a s t o n et al.); G u n t o n Cliff, A u g 2 9 t h , also p h o t o g r a p h e d ( A C E a s t o n ) . Southwold: M a y 17th ( B J Small). Minsmere: M a y 2 n d ( R S P B ) . Aldringham: M a y 19th ( D T h u r l o w ) . COMMON CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. A few overwinter. It c a n b e d i f f i c u l t t o a s s e s s w h e n s p r i n g p a s s a g e s t a r t s a s e a r l y r e c o r d s m a y b e e x p l a i n e d by wintering birds and/or local birders b e g i n n i n g to sense s u m m e r is nigh. H o w e v e r there certainly s e e m e d t o b e a flurry o f activity in m i d - M a r c h with reports f r o m coast a n d countryside. O r f o r d n e s s a n d L a n d g u a r d held p e a k c o u n t s , o f 16 a n d 12 respectively, o n April 4th. 135

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 Breeding estimates catching the eye included 4 7 territories at Sizewell, 127 at Nor Warren and 25 at Sudbury. A u t u m n p a s s a g e b e g a n i n m i d - A u g u s t a n d , a g a i n , O r f o r d n e s s a n d L a n d g u a r d h a d the p e a k c o u n t s o f 14 a n d 15 r e s p e c t i v e l y o n t h e s a m e day, S e p t e m b e r 2 0 t h . R e p o r t s c o n t i n u t h r o u g h o u t t h e rest o f the y e a r until those s e e n f r o m early N o v e m b e r o n w a r d s w e r e expeci to winter. T h e aberrant bird returned t o L a v e n h a m for its third year but there were n o oth r e p o r t s o f a n y t h i n g o t h e r t h a n t h e n o m i n a t e r a c e {Suffolk Birds 2007: 1 3 9 ; British Birds 10 174-188). W I L L O W W A R B L E R Phylloscopus trocliilus Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. A bird o n M a r c h 14th a t M i n s m e r e c o u l d b e the earliest ever w i t h usually most n a r r i v i n g until A p r i l . O r f o r d n e s s h a d a n o t e w o r t h y 2 0 o n A p r i l 4 t h w i t h f u r t h e r g o o d falls May, none o fwhich however coincided with those o nM a y 7th when Hopton-on-Sea w 13, L o w e s t o f t 15, P a k e f i e l d t e n a n d L a n d g u a r d 3 0 all h a d m u l t i p l e arrivals. T w o reports b e m o a n e d the fall in b r e e d i n g n u m b e r s c o m p a r i n g this y e a r with 1999 that the Westleton area held 4 8 territories , a reduction of s o m e 7 5 % , whilst N o r t h Warrei total h a d d r o p p e d b y over a half to 47. M i n s m e r e c o u n t e d 2 6 singing males. S o m e g o o d falls w e r e n o t e d d u r i n g a n a u t u m n p a s s a g e that stretched f r o m late July un O c t o b e r 7 t h . U n l i k e t h e p r e v i o u s s p e c i e s , s y n c h r o n i z a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e c o a s t a l s i t e s w a s It o b v i o u s b u t b o t h O r f o r d n e s s a n d L a n d g u a r d h a d t h e i r h i g h e s t totals in A u g u s t w i t h coui o f 3 0 o n 8 t h a t O r f o r d n e s s a n d 2 9 t h a t L a n d g u a r d . T h e f o r m e r s i t e h a d a r e c o r d y e a r l y ring? total of 230. G O L D C R E S T Regulus regulus Very common resident and passage migrant. M o r e likely t o feature a s a P u b Quiz answer than in a birding s u m m a r y the Golden c o n t i n u e s to b e considered a n a b u n d a n t b r e e d e r but not w o r t h c o m m e n t i n g o n except by t ever-diligent reporters of N o r t h Warren. There, only 2 4 pairs survived the winter after ar o f six s e a s o n s w i t h a m e a n b r e e d i n g total o f 6 0 pairs. A t the e n d o f M a y f i v e m a l e s we n o t e d at S u d b u r y a n d four at N o w t o n Park. P a s s a g e o n t h e c o a s t w a s f r o m M a r c h 1 4 t h t o A p r i l 2 6 t h w i t h a d a i l y m a x i m u m o f fi at L a n d g u a r d o n M a r c h 17th a n d 19t A u t u m n m o v e m e n t started in m i d - O c t o b r w i t h t e n s e e n a t L o w e s t o f t o n t h e 1 4 t h ar J a m a x i m a o f n i n e a t O r f o r d n e s s o n 17th a n d five at L a n d g u a r d o n 15th. Orfordness had a year total o f 20: small beer compared with the 427 of 2005. F I R E C R E S T Regulus ignicapilla Uncommon regular breeder and passage migrant. Some overwinter. Amber list. A d m i t t e d l y a t a d g e b e t t e r l o o k i n g than its c o n g e n e r t h e G o l d c r e s t , this species is m u c h m o r e a c c u s t o m e d t o t h e a t t e n t i o n of roving birders and hence produces many m o r e r e p o r t s i n ail s e a s o n s . T h e first Firecrest b r e d in the U K m 1962 a n d now, almost fifty years on,

Firecrest Su Gough

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careful f i e l d w o r k in T h e t f o r d Forest s u g g e s t s the b i r d h a s b e c o m e a r e g u l a r b r e e d e r w i t h a leak count o f 85 territories i n 2007. F u r t h e r m o r e u p t o 2 5 birds over-wintered i n 2009, J e m o n s t r a t i n g t h e r e s i l i e n c e o f t h e s p e c i e s . O n e b i r d r e t u r n i n g f o r its s e c o n d s u m m e r b e c a m e he second-oldest r i n g e d Firecrest i n Britain ( G r e g C o n w a y a n d the B T O ) . T h e s e birds are hared by N o r f o l k and Suffolk, but clearly county boundaries m u s t not prevent the overall ĂŽature o f this c o l o n i s a t i o n f r o m b e i n g realised. S a n t o n D o w n h a m C h u r c h y a r d r e m a i n s a p o p u l a r v e n u e at w h i c h to e n j o y s o u n d a n d sight probably b e c a u s e i t is n e a r t o t h e h u n t i n g g r o u n d f o r t h o s e s e e k i n g s p e c i e s s c a r c e e l s e w h e r e in t h e c o u n t y . Autumn reports were plentiful with an eye-catching seven at Southwold on October 9th and five a t b o t h K e s s i n g l a n d a n d T h o r p e n e s s t h e f o l l o w i n g day. I n t h e s a m e m o n t h Jrfordness held nine birds o n 9th and 22nd. L a n d g u a r d saw five on the f o r m e r date. Overwintering birds w e r e a t m a n y coastal sites w i t h C o r t o n h o l d i n g five o n D e c e m b e r '.8th a n d j u s t p i p p i n g o t h e r p l a c e s f o r t o p c o u n t . SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata airly common but declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list. As usual the first bird appeared well into May, o n 7th a t L a n d g u a r d w h e r e passage ontinued until J u n e 9th. T h e r e w e r e ten at L a n d g u a r d o n M a y 10th whilst a small fall o n he c o a s t b e t w e e n C o r t o n a n d T h o r p e n e s s o n M a y 15th p r o d u c e d a m a x i m u m o f f i v e a t owestoft. O r f o r d n e s s s a w only six birds i n M a y w i t h three o f these o n 24th. Assessing breeding n u m b e r s is extremely difficult with this apparently obvious species v h i c h m a k e s t h e s o r t o f 2 0 0 7 s u r v e y s e e m w e l l w o r t h w h i l e ( S u f f o l k Birds 2007: 4 2 - 4 4 ) . lowever, a n analysis o f a string o f one-line records suggests that a t least 5 2 pairs bred n 2009. I n the east there w e r e p e r h a p s 1 4 pairs i n c l u d i n g six at T h o r n d o n , whilst the vest h e l d a t least 3 8 p a i r s , i n c l u d i n g s e v e n p a i r s a t B r e t t e n h a m a n d t h r e e a t B r a d f i e l d S t ieorge. A u t u m n passage started a tL a n d g u a r d o n A u g u s t 18th a n d continued to S e p t e m b e r 16th vith l a t e r b i r d s a t S h i n g l e S t r e e t o n 1 9 t h a n d B e c c l e s o n 2 1 s t .

tED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER Ficedula parva tare visitor. T h e r e w e r e t h r e e r e c o r d s w i t h a b i r d at T h o r p e n e s s that p r o v e d e l u s i v e f o r a n o t o r i o u s listeading twitcher b u t obliging for patient locals a n d visitors needing light relief after seeking he G r e e n i s h W a r b l e r a t L a n d g u a r d . iizewell: O c t 10th ( R C o o m b e s , R H a r v e y ) , horpeness: C a r a v a n P a r k , S e p 14th t o 18th ( S M a y s o n et al.). andguard: S e p 14th ( G G r e g o r y , A Kettle, B M a c k i e ) . PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hypoleuca 'â&#x20AC;˘airly common passage migrant. Amber list. Spring p a s s e d i n a couple o fdays for lovers of this p o p u l a r s p e c i e s w i t h singles a t C o r t o n a n d L a n d g u a r d on M a y 15th f o l l o w e d b y o n e the n e x t d a y a t S o u t h w o l d a n d t w o at Landguard. In the a u t u m n r e c o r d s w e r e s c a r c e with m a x i m a i n S e p t e m b e r at coastal a r e a s o f three a t C o r t o n on 16th, L a n d g u a r d o n 1 7 t h ' t ' and B e n a c r e o n 1st and f i v e at

Pied Flycatcher

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SuGough

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 T h o r p e n e s s o n 1 6 t h . O r f o r d n e s s s a w s i x b i r d s , all i n A u g u s t . T h e l a s t w a s a t T h o r p e n e s s o n S e p t e m b e r 2 1 st. B E A R D E D TIT Panurus biarmicus Uncommon resident. Amber List. Breeding pairs o f this h a n d s o m e reedbed dweller continue t o thrive and records c a m e f r o m 2 4 sites. Fifteen birds w e r e present at B u r g h Castle, S e p t e m b e r 27th and 54 at B r e y d o n south wall o n O c t o b e r 13th. B i r d s w e r e also a t Carlton M a r s h e s , f r o m S e p t e m b e r t o O c t o b e r with a m a x i m u m of eight o n October 4th. S u r v e y s at W a l b e r s w i c k N N R l o c a t e d o n l y 2 5 p a i r s ( 4 5 p a i r s 2 0 0 8 ) . H o w e v e r , at this site, 2 0 0 p o s t - b r e e d i n g birds w e r e seen in flocks o f b e t w e e n eight a n d 4 0 o n O c t o b e r 8th. A t Minsmere, 2 3 nests were located and post-breeding evidence was just a s positive with n u m b e r s p e a k i n g at 2 0 0 'erupting' birds o n O c t o b e r 8th. At D u n w i c h and D i n g l e M a r s h e s , 144 w e r e t r a p p e d a n d r i n g e d d u r i n g t h e year. T h e b r e e d i n g p o p u l a t i o n c o n t i n u e d t o fall, h o w e v e r , a t N o r t h W a r r e n w h e r e o n l y s e v e n p a i r s w e r e l o c a t e d ( n i n e i n 2 0 0 8 ) a n d t h i s "may well be as a result of more open water and wetter conditions being created in the main reedbed to provide more opportunities for bitterns ". A t H e n R e e d b e d s b r e e d i n g a c t i v i t y i n c r e a s e d t o 15 p a i r s ( n i n e i n 2 0 0 8 ) O n O r f o r d n e s s , a f l o c k o f b i r d s p e a k e d a t 2 5 o n J a n u a r y 1 8 t h w i t h m a n y still p r e s e n t i n February. Thereafter, n u m b e r s declined a n d only two were present b y M a r c h 22nd. T h e usual O c t o b e r m o v e m e n t took place with small n u m b e r s present and a m a x i m u m of ten until 29th. In N o v e m b e r only t w o w e r e seen a n d n o n e r e m a i n e d to overwinter. At Lakenheath Fen, the n o w well established population continues to thrive a n d develop, with b e t w e e n 104 a n d 110 breeding territories o n the fen, including for the first time two p a i r s in B o t a n y B a y ( 3 5 in 2 0 0 7 , 7 5 in 2 0 0 8 ) . T h e o n l y o t h e r s i g n i f i c a n t s i g h t i n g in the west w a s 16 a t R e d g r a v e F e n , J a n u a r y 1st. LONG-TAILED T I T Aegithalos caudatus Very common resident and scarce passage migrant. R e p o r t s c a m e f r o m 2 0 sites but b r e e d i n g w a s c o n f i r m e d a t only ten o f t h e m . T h e B B S r e c o r d e d L o n g - t a i l e d Tits in 5 4 % o f the 5 3 s q u a r e s s u r v e y e d ( 4 8 % in 2 0 0 8 ) with a c o m b i n e d total o f 9 0 birds (79 i n 2 0 0 8 ) T h e highest count o f this diminutive species w a s i n the north-east at C o r t o n W o o d , with 100 p r e s e n t o n M a r c h 12th. O t h e r sites held large f l o c k s a t v a r i o u s t i m e s d u r i n g the year, with 31 a t Botesdale, A u g u s t 9th and 35 at Flixton. M a y 24th. Sizewell Belts h e l d 13 b r e e d i n g pairs (21 in 2 0 0 8 ) . A t N o r t h W a r r e n , this species suffered badly over the harsh winter with just 33 pairs located, a worrying 6 1 % decline c o m p a r e d w i t h t h e 8 5 pairs i n 2 0 0 8 - this i s t h e lowest total o n r e c o r d a t t h e site. T h e m a j o r i t y o f the population w a s centred on the wet w o o d l a n d areas a tthe W a r r e n with just ten pairs o n the Walks. Only two sightings were m a d e on Orfordness, with single birds present on February 22nd a n d N o v e m b e r 15th. A t L a n d g u a r d t w o w e r e present, J a n u a r y 21st a n d F e b r u a r y 19th. I n s p r i n g , a total o f 2 9 b i r d s w a s r e c o r d e d o n s e v e n d a t e s b e t w e e n M a r c h 5 t h a n d 2 1 st w i t h a m a x i m u m o f 12, M a r c h 16th. I n the a u t u m n , s e v e n o n S e p t e m b e r 2 6 t h p r e c e d e d a total o f 85 o nnine dates b e t w e e n O c t o b e r 15th a n d N o v e m b e r 11th a n d three later birds appeared o n D e c e m b e r 8th. High counts c a m e from t h e west o f the county with breeding being confirmed at B r e t t e n h a m w i t h a m a x i m u m o f 3 3 , J u l y 1st a n d a t L a c k f o r d L a k e s w h e r e b r e e d i n g n u m b e r s w e r e 'the highest for 18 years '. A f l o c k o f 3 2 m o v e d t h r o u g h g a r d e n s o n J u n e 1 2 t h i n Hadleigh and breeding w a s also c o n f i r m e d inthe area. 138

Systematic List FIELD NOTE Early one morning I had a remarkable encounter when several family groups of Long-tailed Tits met in one of the clearings and there were over 40 birds calling and buzzing around; sometimes a family group would huddle in a row on a branch, just like excited school children - the first time I think that some of the young had realised that there were other LTTs sharing their world! Colin Jakes 2004 National Rarity update Northern Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus caudatus T h e 2 0 0 4 r e c o r d o f N o r t h e r n L o n g - t a i l e d T i t o f t h e n o m i n a t e r a c e A.c.caudatus h a s n o w been formally accepted b y the British Birds Rarities Committee. The record has been p u b l i s h e d as involving a m i n i m u m o f f o u r birds, b u t it is likely that f i v e o r e v e n six birds were present. M a n y observers h a d the opportunity to enjoy t h e m as they toured Westleton H e a t h for over six weeks. Westleton Heath: four, f i v e o r six birds seen regularly b e t w e e n J a n 2 5 t h and M a r 7th, 2 0 0 4 (P Bullett, B J S m a l l et al.). (Suffolk Birds 2004: 145 and plate 23). BLUE TIT Cyanistes caeruleus Very common resident and scarce passage migrant. Reports of this ever-present bird have again decreased this y e a r a n d it r e m a i n s a m u c h u n d e r - r e c o r d e d species i n m o s t a r e a s o f S u f f o l k w i t h r e p o r t s c o m i n g from o n l y 11 s i t e s ( 2 0 in 2 0 0 8 ) . T h e B B S f o u n d B l u e Tits in 9 8 % o f 5 3 s q u a r e s surveyed ( 9 5 % i n 2 0 0 8 ) with a c o m b i n e d total o f 331 birds. At Mutford Big W o o d 2 4 pairs nested in boxes with clutch sizes of 8-13 eggs. Sizewell Belts S W T s a w a decrease in b r e e d i n g pairs d o w n to 41 (61 in 2 0 0 8 ) . A t N o r t h W a r r e n this species w a s n o t surveyed this year although 2 7 pairs used nestboxes on the reserve, eight at N o r t h W a r r e n and 19 at Aldringham Walks. The boxes produced 249 eggs at a n average clutch size o f 9.22 and fledged 121 y o u n g a t a n average o f 4.48 with eight boxes failing t o produce any young. Breeding was c o n f i r m e d a t L a c k f o r d L a k e s , w h e r e t h i s s p e c i e s h a d i t s ' b e s t season' s i n c e 2 0 0 1 . I n t h e s o u t h - e a s t o f t h e c o u n t y a t C r e e t i n g S t M a r y , 5 0 w e r e Blue Tit Su Gough t r a p p e d a n d ringed o n O c t o b e r 9 t h . A t L a n d g u a r d , b i r d s w e r e p r e s e n t all y e a r e x c e p t A p r i l 2 1 st t o M a y 1 6 t h a n d M a y 18th t o J u n e 11th. S p r i n g p a s s a g e t o o k place f r o m F e b r u a r y 2 8 t h to April 20th, w i t h a later bird o n M a y 17th. D i s p e r s i n g juveniles turned u p f r o m J u n e 12th, with a light a u t u m n p a s s a g e c o n t i n u i n g t o a t least O c t o b e r 28th, w i t h a m a x i m u m o f six o n site A u g u s t 16th a n d N o v e m b e r 9th. GREAT TIT Parus major Very common resident and scarce passage migrant. O n c e again this widespread c o m m o n species w a s under-reported with records c o m i n g f r o m only 1 2 sites (23 in 2008). T h e B B S recorded G r e a t Tits in 9 4 % o f the 53 s q u a r e s surveyed ( 9 8 % i n 2 0 0 7 ) with a c o m b i n e d total of 2 2 5 birds. In M u t f o r d B i g W o o d , 4 5 pairs nested i n b o x e s p r o d u c i n g 3 3 5 eggs w h i c h f l e d g e d 2 1 6 139

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 y o u n g . This species w a s not s u r v e y e d at N o r t h W a r r e n although 4 6 pairs u s e d nest boxes a t the site, 2 2 a t N o r t h W a r r e n a n d 2 4 at A l d r i n g h a m W a l k s . T h e 4 6 b o x e s p r o d u c e d 3 3 5 e g g s at a n a v e r a g e c l u t c h size o f 7 . 2 8 a n d f l e d g e d 2 1 6 y o u n g a t a n a v e r a g e o f 4 . 7 0 w i t h eight boxes failing to rear any young. Sizewell Belts S W T saw a nincrease in breeding pairs u p f r o m 41 in 2 0 0 8 t o 50 territories (51 in 2007). A tLackford Lakes, after a disastrous 2 0 0 8 b r e e d i n g s e a s o n , 'good numbers ' f l e d g e d a n d a t W e s t S t o w C P a p r o d u c t i v e r i n g i n g s e s s i o n produced 5 8 % juveniles. T h e r e w e r e n o sightings on O r f o r d n e s s during the year. A t L a n d g u a r d , t h i s s p e c i e s w a s p r e s e n t all y e a r w i t h t w o p a i r s b r e e d i n g . S p r i n g p a s s a g e ran f r o m February 21st t o M a r c h 2 2 n d with a m a x i m u m six o n M a r c h 17th.The first j u v e n i l e s a p p e a r e d f r o m M a y 2 8 t h w i t h dispersing j u v e n i l e s t u r n i n g u p o n site f r o m J u n e 11th t o A u g u s t 20th. A u t u m n p a s s a g e w a s f r o m S e p t e m b e r 21st t o October 31st, with a m a x i m u m of ten, O c t o b e r 6th. COAL T I T Periparus ater Very common resident and scarce passage migrant. R e c o r d s for this conifer-loving species c a m e f r o m 2 0 sites across the county w i t h as usual a high percentage o fthese being f r o m the north-west o fthe county. Evidence o f breeding c a m e f r o m only 11 sites (ten i n 2 0 0 8 ) - this c o m m o n resident is clearly u n d e r - r e c o r d e d across the county. A t N o r t h W a r r e n C o a l Tits s e e m t o h a v e s u r v i v e d a fairly h a r s h w i n t e r in g o o d n u m b e r s . T h e birds were almost totally c o n f i n e d to conifer areas and the 4 2 breeding pairs represent a 2 8 % decline f r o m 2008. Just two pairs used nestboxes, both on Aldringham Walks, laying 2 2 e g g s a n d f l e d g i n g 17 y o u n g (46 i n 2007). Sizewell Belts h e l d ten pairs (15 i n 2008). T h e B B S recorded this species i n 2 0 % o fthe 5 3 squares ( 1 0 % in 2008); the c o m b i n e d total f r o m each square w a s 4 3 (22 i n 2008). T h e highest c o u n t in the west o f the county w a s ten at N o r t h S t o w in T h e K i n g ' s Forest, April 29th. A p r o d u c t i v e r i n g i n g s e s s i o n at W e s t S t o w C P p r o d u c e d 5 0 % j u v e n i l e s , F e b r u a r y 22nd. A t L a n d g u a r d singles w e r e r e c o r d e d o n J u n e 14th a n d 2 3 r d only. Continental Coal Tit Periparus ater ater Scarce passage migrant. A single bird w a s recorded at S p a r r o w ' s Nest, Lowestoft o n October 2 n d ( L o u n g e Lizards). T h r e e w e r e present at L a n d g u a r d April 6th to 10th w i t h o n e r e m a i n i n g to 2 2 n d . O n e S e p t e m b e r 14th w a s 'probably' o f this race. W I L L O W TIT Poecile montana Uncommon resident and scarce passage migrant Red List. In the north-east o f the county a breeding record, dated June 28th, of a single pair c a m e f r o m Fressingfield, w h e r e three chicks successfully fledged. I n the north-west this species c o n t i n u e s its t e n u o u s f o o t - h o l d a s a b r e e d i n g bird a n d r e c o r d s c a m e f r o m six sites (11 i n 2 0 0 8 , s e v e n i n 2 0 0 4 ) all i n t h e T h e t f o r d F o r e s t area. F i v e o f t h e s e r e c o r d s w e r e o f s i n g i n g m a l e s a n d o n e p a i r w a s r e c o r d e d a s b e i n g , ' o n territory' o n F e b r u a r y 1 6 t h . B r e e d i n g w a s again not conclusively c o n f i r m e d at any of these sites a n d only noted as " p r o b a b l e " at one site. A singleton w a s a t L a n d g u a r d o n J u n e 14th ( G G r e g o r y , N O d i n ) the fifth site record. T h e B B S did not record any W i l l o w Tits in S u f f o l k this year. M A R S H T I T Poecile palustris Fairly common resident. Red list. M a r s h Tits are continuing t o decline as a breeding bird and although records c a m e from 140

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6 3 locations across the c o u n t y (74 i n 2 0 0 8 ) the n u m b e r s present w e r e a g a i n low, m a i n l y singles or pairs of birds. M a r s h Tits were f o u n d in a p r o m i s i n g 13% o f the 53 B B S squares s u r v e y e d ( 2 3 % i n 1996, 7 % in 2 0 0 1 , 4 % in 2 0 0 8 ) . T h e c o m b i n e d total o f t h e s e w a s 15 birds. North Warren held three breeding pairs (two in 2008) and at Sizewell Belts three pairs bred (three i n 2008). In the north-east single and t w o bird sightings c a m e f r o m a n u m b e r o f sites, w i t h three a t N o r t h C o v e S W T reserve February 7th and D e c e m b e r 31st. A t Minsmere, five birds w e r e p r e s e n t , S e p t e m b e r 9 t h w i t h t h r e e D e c e m b e r 1st i n t h e c a r p a r k a r e a a n d o n f e e d e r s . In t h e w e s t f o u r b i r d s w e r e s e e n at A m p t o n W a t e r , M a r c h 2 7 t h , M o u l t o n , N o v e m b e r 15th, N o w t o n Park, July 12th a n d D a l h a m , N o v e m b e r 15th. In a B r e t t e n h a m g a r d e n , t h e r e w a s o n l y o n e sighting, o n D e c e m b e r 31 st, w h e r e a s d u r i n g 2 0 0 8 birds h a d b e e n regular visitors to the g a r d e n t h r o u g h o u t the year. In the south-east only three sightings o f single birds were received including o n e at Landguard, June 16th EURASIAN NUTHATCH Sitta europaea Fairly common resident. R e c o r d s c a m e f r o m 3 5 sites, w i t h b r e e d i n g c o n f i r m e d a t o n l y f o u r o f t h e m . Five w e r e north-eastern sites, with a m a x i m u m o f ten birds a t M i n s m e r e w h e r e b r e e d i n g w a s c o n f i r m e d . T h i s s p e c i e s w a s f o u n d in 2 % o f the B B S s q u a r e s s u r v e y e d ( 5 % i n 1995, 8 % i n 2000, 0 % in 2008). B r e e d i n g w a s also c o n f i r m e d at K e n t w e l l Hall, L o n g M e l f o r d , w h e r e f o u r y o u n g fledged, M a y 27th. In t h e s o u t h - e a s t sightings o f single birds c a m e f r o m o n l y f o u r sites. T h i s a g a i n c a n n o t b e fully representative o fthis species' c o m p l e t e distribution, w h e n considering the extent o f suitable w o o d l a n d sites across the county. A good n u m b e r of sightings c a m e f r o m the north-west, but breeding was only c o n f i r m e d at t h r e e o f t h e m in this area a n d p r o b a b l e b r e e d i n g a t another. T h r e e w e r e a t C h a d a c r e P a r k , S h i m p l i n g , J a n u a r y 1st a n d a t N o w t o n P a r k , J u l y 12th. F o u r w e r e p r e s e n t a t L o n g M e l f o r d , D e c e m b e r 28th. EURASIAN T R E E C R E E E R Certhia familiaris Common resident. This small w o o d l a n d specialist w a s recorded mainly in ones and twos f r o m 77 sites across the county (90 in 2008) with birds present including m a n y singing males, in the breeding s e a s o n at m o s t o f t h e s e locations. B r e e d i n g w a s c o n f i r m e d at 13 sites. T h e B B S r e p o r t e d this species as present inonly 1 5 % of the 53 squares surveyed ( 1 6 % in 1995, 1 6 % in 2000, 8 % in 2 0 0 8 ) w i t h a c o m b i n e d total o f eight birds. At N o r t h Warren, breeding n u m b e r s have increased steadily since the turn of the century a n d 15 p a i r s i n 2 0 0 9 r e p r e s e n t e d a n e x c e l l e n t s h o w i n g a f t e r a slight d e c l i n e t o 12 p a i r s i n 2008. T h e majority of the population w a s found o n the edge of the wetlands at the W a r r e n although two pairs were located at Church W o o d and Alexander Wood. Singles were atLandguard, June 27th and September 24th. T h e highest single count w a s o f five i n G r e y friar's W o o d , D u n w i c h , O c t o b e r 18th EURASIAN PENDULINE T I T Remiz pendulinus Very rare visitor. T h i s s p e c i e s c o n t i n u e s to a p p e a r annually, w i t h t w o r e c o r d s in 2 0 0 9 c o m p r i s i n g a total o f four birds. The 2008 record from Minsmere, Oulton Broad and Carlton Marshes has now been formally accepted by the British Birds Rarities Committee. Dingle Marshes: u p to t h r e e , a t least o n e m a l e , M a r 2 0 t h t o 3 0 t h ( P D G r e e n et al.). 141

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 Lakenheath Fen: m a l e , J a n 2 6 t h t o 2 9 t h ( T D C o d l i n et al.). 2008 Minsmere: t w o , m a l e s , F e b 3 r d to A p r 2 n d ( D F a i r h u r s t , N S h e r m a n et al.); p r e s u m e d s a m e , Oulton Broad, A p r 4th, ( D and G Moore); presumed same, Carlton Marshes, A p r 8th ( M Gooch). EURASIAN G O L D E N O R I O L E Oriolus oriolus Scarce summer resident and passage migrant. Red list. T h e r e w e r e f o u r s i g h t i n g s o f t h i s n a t i o n a l l y i m p o r t a n t c o l o u r f u l s p e c i e s o u t s i d e o f its usual breeding area (four in 2008). Westleton: s i n g i n g m a l e , J u n e Ist ( D J P e a r s o n ) . Ipswich: H o l y w e l l s P a r k , s i n g i n g m a l e , A p r 2 5 t h . West Stow CP: s i n g i n g m a l e , J u n e 11th ( C G r e g o r y ) . Denston: s i n g i n g m a l e , J u n e 2 6 t h ( M Ferris). T h e Golden Oriole has bred inthe county at Lakenheath since 1967 but since 1998 only 2-3 pairs have been present. A t Lakenheath Fen in 2009, two singing males appeared o n April 29th and were seen and m o r e frequently heard throughout May. O n e nest w a s easily viewable and nesting activity was seen b y m a n y visitors t o the reserve. Breeding was p o s i t i v e l y c o n f i r m e d w i t h f o u r y o u n g f l e d g e d . D e s p i t e a t r e m e n d o u s c o n s e r v a t i o n e f f o r t , it r e m a i n s t o b e s e e n h o w l o n g this s p e c i e s c a n r e t a i n its t e n u o u s f o o t h o l d a s a n a t i o n a l a n d county breeding species. RED-BACKED S H R I K E Lanius collurio Scarce passage migrant; formerly bred. Red List. A fairly average year, with records c o m i n g f r o m five sites, totalling s i x birds (13 i n 2008, six i n 2006). T h e Sapiston record is intriguing. Hopton-on-sea: f e m a l e , M a y 2 3 r d . (1 N S m i t h ) . Benacre: j u v e n i l e , S l u i c e , A u g 2 5 t h ( C A Buttle). Trimley Marshes: f e m a l e b y m a n a g e d r e t r e a t , M a y 14th ( P A Whittaker); adult f e m a l e , S e p t e m b e r 21 st. (J Z a n t b o e r ) . Lakenheath Fen: m a l e n e a r B o t a n y B a y , A u g 28th. (D Tomlinson). Sapiston: m a l e , July 3 r d (D T o m l i n s o n ) . 2008 Addition: Gorleston: M a y 2 8 t h ; S e p 9th. Hopton-on-Sea: S e p 14th. L E S S E R G R E Y SH RIKE Lanius minor Red-backed Shrike Su Gough Very rare visitor. T h i s v e r y r a r e s p e c i e s m a d e its e i g h t h a p p e a r a n c e i n the c o u n t y a n d i s the first s i n c e the b i r d a t S h i n g l e S t r e e t i n 2 0 0 6 ; u n f o r t u n a t e l y , u n l i k e its w e l l - w a t c h e d p r e d e c e s s o r , it s t a y e d for o n l y o n e day. Trimley Marshes: f i r s t - w i n t e r , S e p t e m b e r 14th. (J Z a n t b o e r , M W r i g h t et al.). GREAT G R E Y S H R I K E Lanius excubitor Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor This w a s a relatively g o o d year for this species with single birds being reported f r o m five sites, the s a m e as i n 2 0 0 8 , only o n e o f these coastal. Corton: O l d S e w a g e w o r k s , A p r 7 t h ( N J S k i n n e r ) . Brettenham: w i d e l y r a n g i n g bird, F e b 14th (M a n d D C a r r ) . Lakenheath Fen: o v e r w i n t e r i n g b i r d f r o m 2 0 0 8 r e m a i n e d in t h e c a r p a r k a r e a into A p r i l . 142

Systematic

List

The King's Forest: J a n 3 0 t h ( T B a m b e r ) . Berner's Heath: M a r 1 5 t h a n d 2 7 t h ( L G r e g o r y , C A E K i r t l a n d ) . W O O D C H A T S H R I K E Lanius Senator Very rare visitor. A single record of a first-summer female w a s well-observed by those quick-off-the-mark at G e d g r a v e M a r s h e s , June 21st. This isthe first since 2 0 0 6 and the c o u n t y ' s 26th record. Gedgrave: J u n e 2 I s t ( m u l t i - o b s e r v e r ) . E U R A S I A N JAY Garrulus glandarius Common resident and scarce passage migrant B r e e d i n g reports included 14 pairs a tN o r t h W a r r e n a n d A l d r i n g h a m W a l k s (20 pairs i n 2008, a significant decline o f 4 4 % ) and three pairs at the E D F Sizewell Estate. Spring p a s s a g e a t L a n d g u a r d c o m p r i s e d 1 3 individuals f r o m Aprii 12th t o M a y 30th, w i t h a m a x i m u m of three on April 25th. A s o m e w h a t p e c u l i a r o c c u r r e n c e involved o n e m i m i c k i n g T a w n y O w l calls at T h e K i n g ' s Forest, N o r t h Stow April 28th ( P Hobbs). B L A C K - B I L L E D M A G P I E Pico pica Very common resident Just six roost counts and gatherings were reported through the year as follows:Redgrave and Lopham Fen: 8 8 , J a n Ist. Oulton: F i s h e r R o w , 8 1 , F e b 15th. Aldringham-cum-Thorpe: A t T h e W a l k s , 3 1 , J a n 14th. Orfordness: 2 0 , A u g 2 9 t h . Ipswich: C h r i s t c h u r c h P a r k , 3 0 , F e b 1 I t h . Pipp's Ford: 8 6 , F e b 13th. A significant 2 2 % decline i n the breeding population t o 5 0pairs at North W a r r e n and A l d r i n g h a m Walks after 6 4 pairs in 2008. A t O r f o r d n e s s u p t o 12 p a i r s w e r e located. At L a n d g u a r d there w a s a spring m a x i m u m o f eight, M a r c h 16th then, i n a u t u m n , 16 f r o m S e p t e m b e r 2 5 t h to O c t o b e r 15th. E U R A S I A N JACKDAW Corvus monedula Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant Large gatherings were reported from just three locations a s follows:Aldringham-cum-Thorpe: 3 7 6 , D e c 2 6 t h o n o u t d o o r p i g u n i t s a t The Walks. Gipping: D e a l P l a n t a t i o n , 3 6 0 0 , O c t 1 4 t h , m i x e d f l o c k s w i t h Rooks. Great Livermere: 6 0 0 , J u l y 1 2 t h , m i x e d f l o c k w i t h R o o k s . Magpie Peter Beestort T h e only breeding reports received were 31 pairs at N o r t h Warren and Aldringham Walks (47 pairs in 2010) and 15-20 pairs at Orfordness. A t L a n d g u a r d spring p a s s a g e involved six north a n d n i n e south p l u s five birds o n site f r o m F e b r u a r y 2 2 n d t o J u n e 3r.d w h i l e , i n a u t u m n 1 5 s o u t h a n d o n e i n o f f t h e s e a o n s e v e n dates f r o m S e p t e m b e r 23rd t oN o v e m b e r 7th, with a m a x i m u m four south o n O c t o b e r 19th and 26th. O n e s h o w i n g c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f t h e N o r d i c r a c e Corvus monedula monedula w a s f o u n d a t A l d e b u r g h f r o m N o v e m b e r 7th t o D e c e m b e r 15th ( D Fairhurst, R D r e w ) and another showing the characteristics of this race at Levington, M a r c h 7th ( W J Brame). 143

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 ROOK Corvus frugilegus Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant Just 12 notable concentrations were reported mainly f r o m the west o f the county a s follows : Flixton : 1000 Jan 10th and Feb 11 th; 5 0 0 0 , D e c 2nd, m i x e d flock w i t h J a c k d a w s o n w i n t e r cereal f i e l d s ; 1 0 0 0 0 D e c 2 1 s t inc. a f e w J a c k d a w s ; 5 0 0 0 , D e c 2 9 t h , m i x e d f l o c k w i t h J a c k d a w s . Deal P l a n t a t i o n , 3 6 0 0 O c t 14th, m i x e d flock w i t h J a c k d a w s .

Gipping:

B r e t t e n h a m : 750 Jan 24th and 200 Mar 1st. L a v e n h a m : 2 0 0 0 Jan 4 t h , p r e - r o o s t g a t h e r i n g with J a c k d a w s . Long Melford: 3 0 0 0 J a n 18th, p r e - r o o s t g a t h e r i n g w i t h J a c k d a w s .

T i m w o r t h : 430, Jan 30th.

Great Livermere: 6 0 0 , July 12th, m i x e d flock with J a c k d a w s . A t L a n d g u a r d s p r i n g p a s s a g e involved five n o r t h a n d 17 s o u t h p l u s f o u r o n site f r o m F e b r u a r y 2 8 t h to M a r c h 28th, w i t h a m a x i m u m o f s e v e n s o u t h o n M a r c h 14th t h e n a late bird o n M a y 2 n d . In a u t u m n there w a s j u s t a single bird south O c t o b e r 18th, f o u r n o r t h a n d three south October 23rd, one south, on both October 28th and October 29th. B r e e d i n g totals were d o m i n a t e d b y reports f r o m the Reydon/Peasenhall/Snape triangle and Hadleigh areas a s follows:Reydon/Peasenhall/Snape: an a m a z i n g 1 9 1 7 o c c u p i e d nests f r o m 4 7 r o o k e r i e s w e r e l o c a t e d w i t h i n this t r i a n g l e . T h e h i g h e s t c o u n t s o f n e s t s w e r e R e y d o n , 2 0 7 , B r a m f i e l d , 2 5 4 , D a r s h a m F l o c k F a r m , 132, Y o x f o r d , 169, K e l s a l e N o r t h G r e e n , 119, S a x m u n d h a m , 118 a n d T h e b e r t o n C l a y H i l l s , 147 (J B Lockhart). H a d l e i g h : Twenty r o o k e r i e s w e r e l o c a t e d w i t h i n six m i l e s of H a d l e i g h totalling 8 1 2 n e s t s i n c l u d i n g p e a k c o u n t s o f 151 at H i n t l e s h a m a n d 112 at H i t c h a m . A c o r r e c t e d c o u n t o f 2 3 r o o k e r i e s in t h e s a m e a r e a in 2 0 0 8 w a s 8 9 3 r e s u l t i n g in a d e c l i n e o f 81 n e s t s i n c l u d i n g 6 2 f e w e r at H i n t l e s h a m (A Gretton).

CARRION CROW Corvus corone Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant L a r g e gatherings w e r e r e p o r t e d f r o m only three sites as f o l l o w s : 194 J a n 14th; 120 M a y 2 5 t h ; 150 D e c 8th; 198 D e c 2 6 t h - all a r o u n d o u t d o o r p i g u n i t s at A l d r i n g h a m Walks.

Aldringham-cum-Thorpe:

Berner's Heath: 117 Feb 4th. Redgrave and Lopham Fen: 300 Jan 1st. Spring passage at Landguard involved 61 south plus three in off the sea o n 1 7 dates f r o m M a r c h 2 n d t o M a y 10th, with a m a x i m u m 13 s o u t h o n A p r i l 12th. E l s e w h e r e f i v e c a m e in o f f t h e s e a at B e n a c r e N e s s o n A p r i l 4 t h a n d 12 i n o f f t h e sea a t Kessingland Denes on April 22nd. The only breeding report came from North Warren a n d A l d r i n g h a m W a l k s w i t h 3 2 pairs ( 3 5 in 2 0 0 8 a n d 2 6 i n 2 0 0 7 ) . A u t u m n p a s s a g e a t L a n d g u a r d i n v o l v e d 17 s o u t h a n d o n e i n off the sea o n eight dates f r o m S e p t e m b e r 28th t o October 26th, with a m a x i m u m o f s i x south o n O c t o b e r 14th. H y b r i d " C a r r i o n / H o o d e d C r o w s " w e r e at B e n a c r e Pits o n April 7th, April 18th, April 2 2 n d a n d A u g u s t 24th, while t h r e e w e r e a t B u r g h C a s t l e o n A u g u s t 3 1 st, C o r t o n September 4th and N o v e m b e r 30th and Kessingland Levels on September 26th.

Hooded Crow

Su Gough

HOODED CROW Corvus comix Scarce winter visitor Just t h r e e s i g h t i n g s o n t h e c o a s t in 2 0 0 9 . 144

Systematic List C o r t o n : Mar 31st (D Eaton).

Thorpeness: in o f f t h e s e a et al.). Levington: M a r 16th ( W J

at 0 8 3 0 h r s o n S e p 2 7 t h - c o n t i n u e d f l y i n g w e s t i n l a n d ( B S m a l l , R J o l i f f e Brame).

RAVEN Corvus corax Very rare visitor. Formerly bred. Yet a n o t h e r e x c e l l e n t y e a r f o r this exciting s p e c i e s w h i c h a p p e a r s to b e g a i n i n g g r o u n d in S u f f o l k w i t h r e p o r t s f r o m s e v e n s i t e s a c r o s s t h e c o u n t y . It w a s t h e b e s t y e a r i n S u f f o l k s i n c e at least 1 8 7 0 w h e n b r e e d i n g c e a s e d in the c o u n t y : F r i t t o n : Decoy, A p r 5th (A Easton, R Wilton).

Benacre/Covehithe:

in p i g f i e l d s , M a r 16th t o 2 2 n d ( C B u t t l e , R W a i d e n ) .

M i n s m e r e : s o u t h o v e r levels M a r 2 n d (J G i b b s , J H G r a n t , M M u t t i t t ) ; a l s o seen f l y i n g s o u t h at S i z e w e l l (J H G r a n t ) .

Lower Holbrook: F e b 14th (P West Stow CP: t w o , A u g 2 9 t h

and J Kennerley). ( P M Wilson, D E Balmer).

COMMON STARLING Sturnus vulgaris Very common but declining resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Red List. S e v e r a l l a r g e g a t h e r i n g s a n d r o o s t s w e r e r e p o r t e d f r o m a c r o s s t h e c o u n t y in t h e f i r s t w i n t e r period as follows:Lowestoft: 5 0 0 0 , M a r 19th. North Warren: 1 0 0 0 0 , at r e e d b e d r o o s t J a n 2 n d ; 1 0 0 0 0 r o o s t i n g in b a m b o o at T h o r p e n e s s J a n 12th. I p s w i c h : 2000, Jan 22nd. T i m w o r t h : 15000, Jan 26th; 10000, Jan 21st; 15000, M a r 3rd.

A m p t o n : 3000, Feb 8th.

Lakenheath:

B o t a n y Bay, 1 2 0 0 0 , J a n 7th.

Thetford: 18000, Feb 8th.

A t L a n d g u a r d 3 0 0 + were noted, January 6th followed by a spring m a x i m u m o f 120, M a r c h 1 8 t h a n d 1 9 t h . A f t e r a m i d - s u m m e r p e a k o f 1 5 0 0 o n A u g u s t 4 t h a n d 11 s o u t h o n S e p t e m b e r 19th a u t u m n p a s s a g e w a s n o t e d f r o m O c t o b e r 10th to N o v e m b e r 2 6 t h w i t h 4 3 4 3 i n o f f the sea o r flying south, with a m a x i m u m o f 1827, October 28th and 800 roosting on the dock lights, O c t o b e r 30th. At Orfordness significant arrivals were 1200, M a r c h 21st and 2000, M a r c h 22nd. Passage m o v e m e n t s i n a u t u m n i n c l u d e d 140, O c t o b e r 15th, 1200, O c t o b e r 17th a n d 2 0 0 0 , O c t o b e r 18 th. Significant gatherings and roosts late in the year i n v o l v e d : Blythburgh: 5 0 0 0 0 , N o v 2 2 n d . Hen Reedbeds: 60000, Dec 1st. Leiston: 30000 S, Dec 19th.

Snape Maltings/Iken:

1 0 0 0 0 , N o v 6 t h ; 1 5 0 0 0 , N o v 2 1 s t ; 5 0 0 0 0 , N o v 2 2 n d ; 6 0 0 0 0 , D e c 1st.

L a c k f o r d L a k e s : 1500, Nov 30th; 15000, Dec 3rd; 10000, Dec 9th; 8000, Dec 12th. T i m w o r t h : 8000, Dec 28th.

HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus Common but declining resident. Red List. A slightly b e t t e r p i c t u r e in 2 0 0 9 w i t h m o r e f l o c k s r e p o r t e d f r o m B T O A t l a s s q u a r e s . P e a k counts were: S o m e r l e y t o n : W h i t e H o u s e F a r m , 5 0 , A u g 19th. Lowestoft: K i m b e r l e y R o a d , 5 0 , F e b 16th. Pakefield: 6 8 , D e c 9th, in a t h i c k e t o f D u k e o f A r g y l l ' s Tea P l a n t o n t h e c l i f f e d g e .

Eastbridge: 60, Dec 27th. Friston: 113, Jan 3rd in one tetrad. T r i m l e y St M a r t i n : Old Kirton R o a d 4 0 J u n e 24th; 6 0 S e p 18th; 3 0 N o v 28th.

145

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 Landguard: 182, Sep 9th. Stowmarket: 5 0 , J a n 3 1 s t ,

by f e e d i n g station. S u d b u r y : 100, J a n 7th in o n e t e t r a d in n o r t h o f t o w n .

Timworth: 50, Dec 28th.

Breeding reports were sparse b u t included 293 pairs in Sudbury (295 in 2008 a n d 301 in 2 0 0 7 ) a n d a d e c l i n e to j u s t 17 p a i r s at N o r t h W a r r e n and Aldringham Walks ( 3 2 in 2008 a n d 2 7 in 2007). TREE SPARROW Passer montanus Uncommon and declining resident. Scarce passage migrant. Red List. A n extremely encouraging year with reports from 27 " localities with several large flocks reported f r o m the west of the county. Peak counts were: H o u s e Sparrow Su Gough Benacre: n i n e , O c t 2 6 t h ; 12, N o v 2 2 n d ; 12, D e c 8th; 16, D e c 27th.

Orfordness: f i v e , A u g . 3 0 t h . Landguard: 4 0 o n e i g h t d a t e s f r o m A u g Stoke-by-Nayland: W i t h e r m a r s h G r e e n ,

2 6 t h t o O c t 17th, m a x . 19, S e p 5 t h . seven, M a r 22nd.

D a l h a m : 15, N o v 15th, in g a m e strip.

Moulton: nine, Dec 2nd. Mildenhall/West Row: ten, Mar 19th at nestboxes; 120, Dec 21st.

Lackford Lakes:

14, D e c 2 4 t h , a t f e e d i n g s t a t i o n .

Wordwell: 15, Mar 27th. F o r n h a m St M a r t i n : Barton Bottom, six, Jan 2nd, in pig fields. A m p t o n : t e n , J a n 2 n d ; 5 0 , J u l y 2 7 t h ; 150, A u g 14th; 130, A u g 3 0 t h ; 6 0 , S e p 2 7 t h ; 9 0 , O c t 18th. P a k e n h a m F e n : t e n , J a n 4 t h , in g a m e strip.

CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Categories A and E. R e a s o n a b l e - s i z e d f l o c k s w e r e r e p o r t e d f r o m t h e n o r t h - e a s t a n d w e s t o f the c o u n t y in the first winter period:Westleton: 2 0 0 , B r i c k K i l n W a l k s J a n 17th; o n o u t d o o r p i g u n i t s , 100, F e b 2 5 t h . A l d r i n g h a m - c u m - T h o r p e : 100, A l d r i n g h a m W a l k s F e b 18th.

Friston: 182, Jan 3rd; 80, Feb 5th. Stoke-by-Nayland: W i t h e r m a r s h G r e e n , 1 0 0 , Harleston: M o o r b r i d g e F a r m , 7 3 , J a n 4 t h .

Jan 26th.

A m p t o n : 100, J a n 1st; 2 8 0 , J a n 2 n d ; 7 0 in g a m e strip, F e b 17th. E u s t o n : Sparrow Hall, 80, Jan 4th.

S p r i n g p a s s a g e a t L a n d g u a r d i n v o l v e d 6 0 s o u t h o r o n site, M a r c h 12th to M a y 4th, with a m a x i m u m of 2 0 south on M a r c h 14th and April 4th. B r e e d i n g r e p o r t s i n c l u d e d 1 3 4 pairs at E D F S i z e w e l l Estate ( 1 4 1 in 2 0 0 8 a n d 138 in 2 0 0 7 ) a n d 7 0 p a i r s a t S u d b u r y ( 7 6 in 2 0 0 8 a n d 7 4 in 2 0 0 7 ) . A u t u m n passage a t L a n d g u a r d w a s noted f r o m A u g u s t 30th to D e c e m b e r 5th with 1334 s o u t h o r in o f f the s e a , w i t h a m a x i m u m o f 160 s o u t h o n O c t o b e r 2 3 r d . Large flocks w e r e reported f r o m just six localities in t h e s e c o n d winter period a s follows:F l i x t o n : W h i t e H o u s e F a r m , 150, S e p 13th; 2 0 0 , D e c 7 t h .

Westleton: 200, Dec 1st. Aldringham-cum-Thorpe: 1 3 0 o n o u t d o o r Thorpeness: 8 0 o n s t u b b l e , S e p 2 9 t h . Leavenheath: 100 in g a m e strip, D e c 11th. Icklingham: 20Ă&#x201C;, Dec 8th.

pig units, D e c 26th.

146

Systematic List BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant A s with the b a c k - e n d of 2008, B r a m b l i n g s w e r e extremely thin o n the g r o u n d in the first w i n t e r p e r i o d w i t h p e a k c o u n t s o f j u s t t e n a t A m p t o n , J a n u a r y 1st a n d s i x . H i g h L o d g e , T h e t f o r d , M a r c h 18th. S p r i n g p a s s a g e at L a n d g u a r d i n v o l v e d six birds b e t w e e n M a r c h 19th a n d April 14th, w i t h a m a x i m u m of two, April 14th, while O r f o r d n e s s n o t e d single birds o n A p r i l 4 t h , 1 2 t h a n d 1 6 t h . I n t h e n o r t h - e a s t o f t h e c o u n t y a m a l e w a s at a b i r d t a b l e i n B u n g a y on April 19th and 20th. Bramblings were recorded again in September with a female at M i n s m e r e , September 19th and four, Fisher Row, Oulton, S e p t e m b e r 30th preceding p e a k second winter counts of just 21 on the disused railway line at Corton, October 24th, 20, Westleton, D e c e m b e r 21st a n d 20, B e r n e r ' s H e a t h , N o v e m b e r 5th. A u t u m n p a s s a g e at L a n d g u a r d w a s n o t e d f r o m S e p t e m b e r 2 5 t h to D e c e m b e r 9th w i t h 2 4 in o f f t h e s e a o r s o u t h a n d 2 2 o n site, w i t h a m a x i m u m o f six o n O c t o b e r 13 th a n d 2 7 t h . EUROPEAN SERIN Serinus Rare migrant. Amber list.

serinus

2006 Correction: T h e a d d i t i o n a l r e c o r d in the 2 0 0 7 B i r d R e p o r t o f a b i r d a t K e s s i n g l a n d , J u n e 2nd, 2 0 0 6 , should not have been included. EUROPEAN GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris Very common resident and passage migrant. Categories A and E. Very f e w reports w e r e received i n the first winter period with the only counts o f note involving 9 0 at L o n g M e l f o r d S W on January 8th and 50, Assington on January 27th. Spring passage atLandguard was almost non-existent with just individual birds moving south, April 8th a n d M a y 4th a n d a p e a k of f o u r o n site i n spring. A slight d e c l i n e o f 1 5 % to 9 2 pairs w a s r e c o r d e d at N o r t h W a r r e n a n d A l d r i n g h a m W a l k s ( 1 0 8 in 2 0 0 8 a n d 101 in 2 0 0 7 ) . T h e trend w a s reversed at S u d b u r y w h e r e 120 b r e e d i n g pairs w e r e l o c a t e d ( 1 0 7 in 2 0 0 8 a n d 116 in 2 0 0 7 ) . A u t u m n p a s s a g e a t L a n d g u a r d w a s p r e c e d e d by six south, A u g u s t 4 t h then 2 3 1 8 s o u t h f r o m S e p t e m b e r 2 1 st t o N o v e m b e r 2 6 t h , w i t h a m a x i m u m o f 2 9 6 s o u t h , O c t o b e r 1 1 t h . U p to 100 w e r e o n site t h r o u g h o u t N o v e m b e r a n d D e c e m b e r . M o r e abundant and widespread in the second half o f the year with the following peak counts:Flixton: 60, A u g 25th; 100, Sep 6th and 29th, Oct 11th and Nov 5th.

Lowestoft: 5 0 K e n s i n g t o n G a r d e n s , N o v 2 n d . Orfordness: 111 ringed in a u t u m n , w e l l d o w n o n f i v e - y e a r - a v e r a g e ; Creeting St Mary: 9 8 r i n g e d in O c t o b e r in t w o s e s s i o n s . Great Cornard: 50, Oct 5th. Long Melford:

4 5 , O c t 18th.

s e w a g e f a r m , 6 0 , N o v 4 t h ; 168, N o v 7th.

EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. Overwinters in small numbers V e r y scarce o n the coast in the first w i n t e r period a n d just five sizeable flocks r e p o r t e d f r o m the west of the county as follows:-

Earl Stonham: 5 1 B r e w e r y F a r m , F e b 2 8 t h . Stowmarket: 56, Feb 1st. Assington: 5 0 , J a n 2 7 t h . Lakenheath Fen: 110, J a n 2 7 t h . Euston Park: 70, Jan 4th. A t L a n d g u a r d spring p a s s a g e involved two north a n d 64 south f r o m M a r c h 16th to M a y 2 8 t h w i t h a m a x i m u m o f 12 s o u t h o n M a y 3rd. 147

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 Breeding reports included a small decline t o28 pairs atNorth Warren and Aldringham W a l k s (36 in 2 0 0 8 a n d 3 2 i n 2 0 0 7 ) a n d 56 pairs at S u d b u r y (56 in 2 0 0 8 a n d 4 7 i n 2007). A u t u m n p a s s a g e at L a n d g u a r d i n v o l v e d 5 0 4 3 s o u t h , S e p t e m b e r 1 st t o D e c e m b e r 8th w i t h a m a x i m u m o f 1502 south, O c t o b e r 11th and a p e a k o f 8 0 g r o u n d e d birds, O c t o b e r 11th. A u t u m n p a s s a g e w a s a l s o n o t e d at M i n s m e r e w i t h 7 5 n o r t h O c t o b e r 1 st a n d 4 0 0 n o r t h in o n e hour, O c t o b e r 8th, 7 4 n o r t h at N o r t h W a r r e n , O c t o b e r 17th a n d 55, O r f o r d n e s s , O c t o b e r 6th a n d 4 0 south, O c t o b e r 17th. O t h e r w i s e G o l d f i n c h e s w e r e still r e l a t i v e l y s c a r c e i n t h e s e c o n d h a l f o f t h e y e a r p e a k i n g at:Gunton Warren: 80, Oct 11th. Boyton Marshes: 40, Oct 11th; 50, Oct 18th; 34, Nov 11th. Creeting St Mary : 81 ringed in t w o s e s s i o n s in O c t o b e r . Pipp's Ford: 80, Sep 3rd. S u d b u r y : C o m m o n Lands, 60, Oct 19th. F o r n h a m St M a r t i n : Hall Farm, 60, Aug 9th.

West Stow CP: 50, Sep 7th. EURASIAN SISKIN Carduelis spinus Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Uncommon resident. A v e r y g o o d s h o w i n g a c r o s s the c o u n t y in the first w i n t e r period, albeit in relatively l o w numbers, with the following peak counts:North Cove: 5 0 , J a n 2 6 t h ; 6 0 , F e b 2 8 t h . Carlton Marshes: 100, Feb 12th. Minsmere: 60, Mar 5th. Sizewell: 100 Kenton Hills, Feb 22nd. Snape: 6 0 , A b b e y F a r m , R S P B S n a p e M a r s h e s , F e b 10th. Upper Hollesley Common: 7 0 , M a r 3 0 t h .

Kirton Creek: 100, Feb 24th. Pipp's Ford: 98, Jan 31st. Creeting St Mary: 6 3 t r a p p e d a n d ringed in F e b r u a r y . Boxford: 60, Feb 6th. Great Livermere: 180, Jan 15th. Ampton Water: 50, Feb 15th. Lackford Lakes: 70, Feb 10th. Cavenham Heath and Pits: 150, J a n 19th a n d J a n 2 2 n d . Santon Downham: 120, Feb 17th. S p r i n g p a s s a g e a t L a n d g u a r d i n v o l v e d s i x n o r t h a n d 2 9 s o u t h f r o m M a r c h 2 n d t o M a y 1 st w i t h a m a x i m u m o f 13 s o u t h o n M a r c h 14th. N o b r e e d i n g r e c o r d s w e r e r e c e i v e d f r o m t h i s s p e c i e s ' h e a r t l a n d s in t h e w e s t o f t h e c o u n t y w h i l e in t h e east a f e m a l e w i t h six j u v e n i l e s w a s at H u l v e r Street n e a r L o w e s t o f t , M a y 21st. A u t u m n p a s s a g e a t L a n d g u a r d w a s n o t e d f r o m S e p t e m b e r 1 1 t h t o D e c e m b e r 1st w i t h 4 2 0 south o r in off the sea with a m a x i m u m o f 160 south o n October 26th. Other m o v e m e n t s included 50, Corton, October 23rd, 50, Minsmere, October 27th and 20 south, Orfordness, N o v e m b e r 21st. T h e o n l y o t h e r c o u n t s o f n o t e in t h e latter h a l f o f t h e y e a r w e r e 8 0 a t L a c k f o r d L a k e s o n O c t o b e r 31st a n d 50, D e c e m b e r 8th a n d 120, N u n n e r y Floods, T h e t f o r d , D e c e m b e r 3rd. COMMON LINNET Carduelis cannabina Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Overwinters in small numbers. Red List. Sizeable flocks w e r e only reported f r o m t e n localities in the first winter period a s follows : Lowestoft: N o r t h D e n e s , 6 0 , M a r 2 6 t h . Aldringham Walks: 190, Jan 14th. Alton Water: 13Ă&#x201C;, J a n 2 5 t h . 148

Systematic List Chelmondiston: 120, Jan 25th.

Brantham: 80+, Jan 10th. Earl Stonham: B r e w e r y Farm, 170, Creeting St Mary: 120, Feb 4th. Stowmarket: 125, Jan 18th. Groton: 66, Jan 14th.

Jan 10th; 120, M a r 2 4 t h .

Troston: 150, Jan 23rd.

S p r i n g p a s s a g e at L a n d g u a r d w a s hardly n o t e d w i t h j u s t f o u r south o n A p r i l 15th a n d six south on April 16th. Breeding reports included a further decline to just 4 0 pairs at North Warren and Aldringham Walks (63 in 2008 and 69 in 2007). Elsewhere, R S P B Snape supported 16 pairs, O r f o r d n e s s 1 1 - 1 7 pairs b u t u p t o 7 0 o n site in A p r i l a n d u p to 4 0 p a i r s a t L a n d g u a r d with the first juveniles noted o n M a y 21st a n d 8 5 birds o n site t h r o u g h o u t the b r e e d i n g season. A u t u m n passage atLandguard involved 1071 south from September 21st to D e c e m b e r 9th with a m a x i m u m o f 109 south, O c t o b e r 28th a n d 4 6 south, N o v e m b e r 17th. A t O r f o r d n e s s there w e r e 110, S e p t e m b e r 27th, 3 0 in O c t o b e r then 60, N o v e m b e r 15th a n d December 20th. A v e r y r e s p e c t a b l e s h o w i n g in the s e c o n d h a l f o f t h e y e a r w i t h f l o c k s r e p o r t e d f r o m a c r o s s the county as follows:-

Benacre Broad: 100, Sep 4th. Westleton: 400, Dec 21st. Theberton: 60, Nov 12th. Sizewell: Ash Wood, 60, Nov 18th.

Aldringham Walks: 70, Oct 4th; 80, Dec 8th. Gedgrave: 120, Aug 16th. Shingle Street: 130, Sep 30th. Landguard: 100+, S e p 2 7 t h . Creeting St Mary: 68, S e p 29th; 96, O c t 5th: 150, Assington: 100, Dec 11th. Long Melford: 4 0 0 , D e c 28th. Cavendish: 60, Nov 21st. Bury St. Edmunds: M o r e t o n Hall, 6 0 , S e p 27th.

O c t 10th.

F o r n h a m S t M a r t i n : Hall F a r m , 3 0 0 , D e c 24th.

^SSjk

I n g h a m : 250, Sep 9th.

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TWITE Carduelis flavirostris Locally fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. Red List. R e c o r d e d f r o m 11 s i t e s i n v o l v i n g t e n c o a s t a l localities a n d o n e record f r o m t h e west, at Lakenheath Fen. M o s t of the reports c a m e f r o m the Walberswick/Dingle area a n d a r e summarised as f o l l o w s : Breydon South Wall: four, Feb 8th. Reydon Marshes: 12, Jan 11th. Southwold: W o o d s e n d M a r s h e s , seven, Jan 24th. Walberswick: T i n k e r ' s M a r s h e s , 16, Feb 1st. Walberswick and Dunwich Beach: 4 0 , J a n . 2 n d a n d 10th; 4 5 , J a n 13th; 4 0 , Feb.8th a n d 14th; 4 0 , O c t 26th, O c t 2 8 t h , N o v 2 2 n d and D e c 20th. Boyton: B u t l e y R i v e r Saltings, 4 0 , Feb 28th. Sutton: Stornier Point, 2 5 , Jan 11th.

Waldringfield: 25, Jan 17th and Dec 6th. Falkenham Creek: 25, Feb 28th.

Twite Su Gough

149

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 Lakenheath Fen: flew e a s t c a l l i n g , N o v 8 t h . ( L G r e g o r y ) . T h e bird at Lakenheath is the first sighting i n the west o f Suffolk since 1996 w h e n two were atLivermere Lake, March 20th. LESSER REDPOLL Carduelis cabaret Uncommon and declining resident. Declining winter visitor and passage migrant. Red List. R e p o r t e d f r o m a c r o s s the c o u n t y in the first winter period, albeit in small n u m b e r s , with the following peak counts:North Cove: 40, F e b 2 2 n d : 20, Feb 25th. Laekford Lakes: 5 0 , M a r 2 5 t h a n d 2 7 t h ; 6 0 c o m i n g t o n i g e r f e e d e r s , M a r 3 0 t h ; In b o t h w i n t e r p e r i o d s 138 birds w e r e trapped and ringed.

Cavenham Heath: 60, Mar 29th. Stanton: 100, Jan 3rd. S p r i n g p a s s a g e at L a n d g u a r d w a s a l m o s t non-existent w i t h j u s t single birds n o t e d o n April 1st, 2 n d , 3 r d a n d 2 0 t h . A t O r f o r d n e s s o n e w a s r e c o r d e d o n A p r i l 1 2 t h a n d 1 2 o n A p r i l 1 3 t h . W i t h n o b r e e d i n g r e p o r t s r e c e i v e d c a n it b e a s s u m e d t h a t t h i s s p e c i e s n o l o n g e r b r e e d s in t h e c o u n t y ? T h e last coastal r e g i o n s i g h t i n g i n v o l v e d o n e a t St. C r o s s , S o u t h E l m h a m , M a y 1st. R e c o r d e d a g a i n o n S e p t e m b e r 2 8 t h w i t h a single b i r d at L o w e s t o f t N o r t h D e n e s f o l l o w e d by a discernible a u t u m n passage as follows:Kessingland SW: 7 9 t r a p p e d and ringed, O c t 19th. Minsmere: 50, O c t 1 I t h ; 3 0 N , O c t 15th. Sizewell: 30, O c t 13th. Thorpeness: 30, O c t 2 3 r d and 2 5 t h . North Warren: 4 0 + o v e r H a v e n F e n , O c t 18th. Orfordness: 4 S , O c t 17th; 18S, O c t 2 5 t h ; 17, N o v 7th. Landguard: 1045 n o t e d O c t 12th t o D e c 9 t h , m a x 4 6 4 S , O c t 2 6 t h . A n o t h e r e x c e p t i o n a l a u t u m n p a s s a g e . V e r y f e w f l o c k s r e p o r t e d i n t h e s e c o n d w i n t e r p e r i o d a n d all f r o m t h e s o u t h - e a s t o f t h e c o u n t y , c o m p r i s i n g 4 8 , M a r t l e s h a m H e a t h , N o v e m b e r 3 0 t h w i t h 3 0 t h e r e D e c e m b e r 1st a n d 25, Alton Water, D e c e m b e r 26th. MEALY (COMMON) REDPOLL Carduelis flammea Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant T h e less c o m m o n o f the two regular redpoll species w a s reported f r o m just seven localities as follows:C o r t o n : o n d i s u s e d r a i l w a y line, O c t 2 3 r d . North Cove: t w o , F e b 2 5 t h ; F e b 2 8 t h ; t w o , M a r 1st.

M u t f o r d : Feb 22nd.

North Warren: H a v e n

F e n , t r a p p e d a n d ringed, O c t 2 8 t h .

Hemley: two, Feb 25th.

Kirton Creek: two, Feb 24th. Landguard: O c t 2 6 t h ; N o v 6 t h . COMMON CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra Locally common resident and irruptive visitor. R e p o r t e d from m a n y l o c a l i t i e s i n t h e f i r s t h a l f o f t h e y e a r w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g p e a k c o u n t s : Lowestoft: 30, J a n 1st. Dunwieh Forest: 47, M a r 14th. Dunwich Heath: 24, F e b 28th. Westleton Heath: 26, J a n 4th; 20, F e b 2 5 t h . Olley's Farm: 30, F e b 28th. Thetford Warren: 35, M a r 12th. A small influx occurred into the county f r o m June with birds recorded f r o m across the county until the year's end. Peak counts w e r e : 150

Systematic List Dingle Marshes: 20, Oct 31st. Dunwich Heath: 26, Oct 17th and 36, Oct 18th. M i n s m e r e : 2 9 , July 11th; 2 0 , July 16th.

Upper Hollesley Common: 120, June 11th. Great Saxham: 27, July 11th. West Stow CP: 65, Nov 8th. Santon Downham: 40, Oct 4th; High Lodge, 30, Oct 14th and 37, Dec 21st.

A u t u m n p a s s a g e at L a n d g u a r d i n v o l v e d j u s t f i v e n o r t h , S e p t e m b e r 1 6 t h a n d a s i n g l e s o u t h , October 26th. COMMON ROSEFINCH Carpodacus erythrinus Rare passage migrant. Has bred. J u s t o n e s i g h t i n g i n v o l v e d a s i n g i n g m a l e in the sluice b u s h e s a t M i n s m e r e in M a y . Minsmere: s i n g i n g m a l e in sluice b u s h e s , M a y 30th ( D M a r t i n ) . COMMON BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula Common but declining resident. Amber List Widely reported f r o m m a n y localities across the county with several small gatherings reported:M u t f o r d : eight, D e c 20th. Earl Stonham: B r e w e r y F a r m , ten, M a r 15th. Cornard Mere: eight, S e p 23rd. C l a r e : eight, F e b 20th.

West Stow CP: ten, Nov 8th. Redlingfield: 13, Dec 15th (just SE of Eye).

T h e only breeding report received involved a small decline t o 30 pairs at N o r t h W a r r e n and Aldringham Walks (32 in 2008 and 37 in 2007). In autumn Landguard reported two south, October 28th and 29th. HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustes Uncommon resident and rare passage migrant. Red List This increasingly scarce species was reported f r o m just five localities f r o m across the county:H o p t o n - o n - S e a : f l e w over g o l f c o u r s e , M a r 14th. Sotterley Park: three, J a n 2 n d ; two, Jan 13th; Jan 24th; Jan 2 9 t h . Felixstowe: D o c k s , M a y 5th.

Stowmarket: Sep 19th. Bamham Cross Common: Feb 16th. 2008 Additions: Gorleston: three, A p r Ist. Bamham Cross Common: ten, March.

LAPLAND LONGSPUR Calcarius lapponicus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. Very scarce i n the first winter period with just one individual regularly seen at D u n w i c h beach from January 4th to March 3rd.

Lapland Bunting Su Gough

151

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 R e c o r d e d a g a i n f r o m S e p t e m b e r 12th w i t h r e p o r t s f r o m n i n e localities in the s e c o n d w i n t e r period:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Burgh Castle: S e p 2 7 t h . C o r t o n Cliffs: flew north, Oct 7th. C o r t o n : Radar Lodge, Oct 13th and 17th.

Gunton Warren: Nov 4th. Lowestoft: N e s s P o i n t , in o f f t h e sea, O c t 10th. Lowestoft: L i n k s R o a d , f l e w N E o u t t o s e a , O c t Orfordness: f l e w s o u t h , O c t 14th.

11th.

Havergate Island: flew onto Orfordness, Sep 12th.

Landguard:

flew south, N o v 6th.

SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list Only recorded f r o m five locations in the first winter period with Kessingland and Orfordness/Shingle Street standing out as hosting the m a i n concentrations of this species on the Suffolk coast. Peak counts w e r e : K e s s i n g l a n d : 70, Jan 1st and 3rd; 80, Jan 10th; 60, Feb 1st, 13th and 28th; 62, Feb 22nd; 50, Mar 1st; four, M a r 29th.

O r f o r d n e s s : 16, Jan 24th; 55, Feb 8th.

Shingle Street: 64, Jan 1 Ith; 60+, Jan 13th. Shotley Point: 12, Jan 6th. Recorded again i n mid-September with one in off the sea at Hopton-on-Sea and one O r f o r d n e s s , S e p t e m b e r 13th f o l l o w e d b y t w o B e n a c r e Pits, S e p t e m b e r 15th. T h e O r f o r d n e s s bird w a s the earliest arrival in the county since 1986 w h e n they were also n o t e d o n S e p t e m b e r 13th (but n o locality given). M u c h m o r e w i d e s p r e a d in the s e c o n d - w i n t e r p e r i o d w i t h the following p e a k counts: Lowestoft: N o r t h B e a c h , 11, N o v 7 t h . K e s s i n g l a n d : ten, S e p 29th; 25, O c t 24th; 55, N o v 2 3 r d a n d 28th; 92, D e c 24th. Southwold: 18, N o v 15th; 3 0 , N o v 3 0 t h .

Minsmere: 14, Nov 10th. O r f o r d n e s s : 40, Nov 22nd; 40, Dec 6th.

Shingle Street: 14, Oct 20th. Y E L L O W H A M M E R Emberiza citrinella Common resident and passage migrant. Red List A s i n recent years m o s t of the larger gatherings c a m e f r o m the west of the c o u n t y with the following p e a k counts:-M u t f o r d : 20, Mar 15th; 40 Ash Farm, Nov 29th.

Knodishall: B u r r e l l ' s F a r m , 55, J a n 3 r d . Boyton Marshes: 14, Jan 1st; 28, Jan 18th; 12, Jan 29th. Earl Stonham: B r e w e r y F a r m , 150, J a n 13th ( 1 4 1 t r a p p e d a n d r i n g e d in Harleston: M o o r b r i d g e F a r m , 100, J a n 4 t h . Leavenheath: 60, Dec 11th. Great Cornard: 5 0 , J a n 14th; 6 0 , F e b 2 6 t h ; 2 5 O c t 3 0 t h ; 4 4 , N o v 10th. Sudbury: 40, Jan 11th. Long Melford: 45, Nov 1st.

2009).

H Ă¤ r t e s t : 45, Nov 20th.

Clare: 30, Nov 21st. Kedington: 60, Jan 16th. Little Saxham: 80, Nov 18th. F o r n h a m St M a r t i n : Hall Farm, 40, Nov. 18th.

Breeding reports were few and far between and included 58 pairs atNorth Warren and A l d r i n g h a m W a l k s ( 5 2 in 2 0 0 8 a n d 7 0 in 2 0 0 7 ) slightly r e v e r s i n g t h e d e c l i n e o f r e c e n t y e a r s p l u s 18 p a i r s at M i n s m e r e a n d 12 p a i r s a t S n a p e W a r r e n ( 1 5 in 2 0 0 8 ) . 152

Systematic List ORTOLAN BUNTING Emberiza hortulana Rare passage migrant. T h e r e w e r e t w o s i g h t i n g s in 2 0 0 9 i n c l u d i n g a n a b e r r a n t i n d i v i d u a l at L a n d g u a r d i n A u g u s t . C o r t o n : S e p 2 0 t h t o 2 6 t h ( P H a w k i n s et al.). Landguard: a n a b e r r a n t i n d i v i d u a l A u g 2 5 t h ( P J H o l m e s , P M e r c h a n t , N O d i n

et al.).

REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus Common resident and passage migrant. Amber list. Very few flocks were reported across the county although Lackford Lakes provided a notable exception attracting hundreds of birds. Peak counts w e r e : Kessingland: 2 5 t r a p p e d a n d ringed, F e b 7th. Orfordness: 122 ringed t h r o u g h o u t t h e year.

Havergate Island: 21, Jan 13th; 15, Feb 13th; 21, Feb 18th. Boyton Marshes: 14, Jan 29th. Lavenham: 15, Nov 15th. Lackford Lakes: 7 3 , J a n 15th; 6 5 , F e b 2 4 t h ; 130, O c t 12th; 2 0 8 ,

O c t 2 1 s t ; 6 4 ringed, N o v 11th ( i n e 5 3 f i r s t - y e a r b i r d s ) ; 6 2 , r i n g e d N o v 1 7 t h ( i n e 5 0 f i r s t - y e a r b i r d s ) . 3 8 8 w e r e ringed o v e r b o t h w i n t e r periods. Euston Park: 4 0 in g a m e strip, J a n 2 7 t h .

B r e e d i n g r e p o r t s m o s t l y c a m e f r o m the east o f the c o u n t y i n c l u d i n g 5 2 p a i r s at M i n s m e r e ( 7 3 in 2 0 0 8 a n d 6 9 in 2 0 0 7 ) , a r e c o r d 4 5 pairs at N o r t h W a r r e n (41 in 2 0 0 8 a n d 3 5 in 2 0 0 7 ) , 2 0 - 2 7 pairs at O r f o r d n e s s , s e v e n pairs at H e n R e e d b e d s , six pairs at D i n g l e M a r s h e s a n d f i v e p a i r s a t S i z e w e l l B e l t s . A t L a k e n h e a t h F e n t h e r e w e r e "well over a hundred pairs but access to count about a fifth of the reedbed is restricted because of the Cranes ". A u t u m n p a s s a g e at L a n d g u a r d i n v o l v e d 3 6 s o u t h a n d 11 o n site f r o m S e p t e m b e r 2 2 n d t o N o v e m b e r 15th including a m a x i m u m o f eight south, October 28th. I n D e c e m b e r singles flew s o u t h a t L a n d g u a r d , 3 r d a n d 2 4 t h . CORN BUNTING Emberiza calandra Locally common resident. Red List. This enigmatic farmland species is n o w restricted to just the south-east o f the county, w i t h r e p o r t s f r o m n i n e l o c a l i t i e s , a n d t h e w e s t o f t h e c o u n t y , w h e r e it w a s e n c o u n t e r e d a t t e n localities. O n l y three sites held sizeable c o u n t s as f o l l o w s : Chelmondiston: 12, Jan 17th; 42, Jan 25th; 27, Oct 7th; 35, Dec 1st.

Great Waldingfield Airfield: 50, Jan 2nd; 58, Jan 7th and 19th; 65, Jan 17th; 15, Mar 10th; 20, Mar 15th; 4 5 , O c t 17th; 5 0 , D e c 14th.

Lakenheath: B o t a n y Bay, 11, J a n 8 t h . Breeding reports were received f r o m Shingle Street, Falkenham, Chelmondiston, Shotley, Little Cornard, Sudbury, Great Waldingfield Airfield, a n d Stoke-by-Clare. A full b r e e d i n g s u r v e y o f this f a s t - d i s a p p e a r i n g s p e c i e s s h o u l d b e c o n s i d e r e d a priority t o a s s e s s its t r u e status in the county.

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I -

C A T E G O R Y

S P E C I E S

S p e c i e s t h a t w o u l d o t h e r w i s e a p p e a r i n C a t é g o r i e s A o r B e x c e p t t h a t t h e r e is r e a s o n a b l e d o u b t that t h e y h a v e e v e r o c c u r r e d in B r i t a i n (or S u f f o l k ) in a natural state. GOLDEN EAGLE Aquila chrysaetos Remote mountains and forest areas across Europe, most of Asia and North America, sometimes down to sea level. Has bred in Lake District. A s u b - a d u l t bird w a s seen a n d p h o t o g r a p h e d at O r f o r d o n M a y 2 n d ( S Rutt, P J R a n s o m e ) . T h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f t h i s b i r d w a s n o t i n d o u b t b u t its p r o v e n a n c e h a s b e e n q u e s t i o n e d . G o l d e n E a g l e i s e x t r e m e l y r a r e a w a y f r o m its b r e e d i n g r a n g e , a n d s i g h t i n g s f r o m l o w l a n d E n g l a n d are exceptional. Prior to this sighting, a report of a sub-adult Golden Eagle c a m e from Stithians Reservoir, Cornwall, on April 20th 2009. Subsequent sightings in England, not necessarily of this same individuai, c a m e from the West Midlands in M a r c h 2010, the Isle o f W i g h t and Worcestershire in April 2010, a n d C o r n w a l l i n M a y 2010. T h e s e reports suggest that one o r m o r e birds are r o a m i n g southern England. Although the origin of the S u f f o l k b i r d ( a n d o t h e r s ) r e m a i n s u n k n o w n , S O R C c o n s i d e r e d t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f it b e i n g a n e s c a p e e t o b e g r e a t e r t h a n t h a t o f a w i l d b i r d r e a c h i n g S u f f o l k . C o n s e q u e n t l y , it h a s n o t b e e n a d d e d to C a t e g o r y A o f the Suffolk List.

A P P E N D I X

II -

C A T E G O R Y

S P E C I E S

Species that have b e e n r e c o r d e d as introductions, transportées or e s c a p e e s f r o m captivity, and w h o s e breeding populations (if any) are thought not t o b e self-sustaining. W h e r e a s p e c i e s is a l s o p l a c e d in o t h e r c a t é g o r i e s o f the British List, this i s i n d i c a t e d in t h e s p e c i e s ' summary. BLACK SWAN Cygnus atratus Throughout Australia and Tasmania. Category E. Mendham:Apr 19th. Barnby: B a r n b y M a r s h e s , D e e 6th. O u l t o n : O u l t o n B r o a d , Jul 9th, lOth a n d 13th. H e v e n i n g h a m : Dee 29th.

Minsmere: two, Oct 17th. Alton Water: two, Jun 1 Ith. W H O O P E R SWAN Cygnus cygnus Boréal région from Iceland to eastern Siberia. Catégories A and E. F l i x t o n : G r a v e l Pits, A p r 2 8 t h to M a y 6th.

BEAN GOOSE Anserfabalis Breeds widely across northern Eurasia from Norway to eastern Siberia. Winters locally from British Isles east to Japan. Catégories A and E. W e y b r e a d : G r a v e l Pits, M a r 30th t o A p r 2nd, b e l i e v e d t o b e o f the n o m i n a t e f o r m (Taiga B e a n G o o s e ) . F l i x t o n : G r a v e l Pits, J u n 2 3 r d to Jul 2 9 t h , b e l i e v e d t o b e o f the n o m i n a t e f o r m (Taiga B e a n G o o s e ) .

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Anser brachyrhynchus Breeds Greenland, Iceland and Spitsbergen. Winters Britain and Denmark to Belgium. Catégories A and E. Mendham: Dee 5th. 154

Systematic List Alton Water: J a n 2 4 t h ; t w o , O c t 2 9 t h . Gt. Blakenham: C h a l k pit, F e b 17th. Baylham: F e b 17th ( s a m e as Gt. B l a k e n h a m

above).

LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser erythropus Forest bogs of northern Scandinavia east to eastern Siberia. Winters locally from the Netherlands to eastern China. Categories A and E. B e n a c r e : B e n a c r e B r o a d , t w o , A u g 5 t h t o 8th, A u g 2 4 t h t o 2 7 t h .

W e y b r e a d : Gravel Pits, two, Jul 13th and 14th; Aug 4th. F l i x t o n : G r a v e l Pits, t w o . M a r 7th; A p r 6 t h ; t w o , A u g 19th t o 2 6 t h . B u n g a y : O u t n e y C o m m o n , t h r e e , J a n 7th; t w o , N o v 2 6 t h . Stoke-by-Nayland: T h o r i n g t o n S t r e e t r e s e r v o i r , a d u l t , A u g 2 8 t h .

BAR-HEADED GOOSE Anser indicus Breeds by lakes in central Asia from Mongolia to the Tibetan plateau. Winters throughout the Indian subcontinent and Myanmar (Burma) Category E. F l i x t o n : G r a v e l Pits, t h r e e , Jul 7 t h t o 2 9 t h ; A u g 2 n d .

B u n g a y : Outney Common, two, May 5th, Aug 10th to 12th.

SNOW GOOSE Chen caerulescens Breeds on tundra of north-eastern Siberia, Alaska and Canada to north-western Greenland. Winters from California to Texas and locally on Atlantic seaboard of eastern USA. Categories A and E. Livermere Lake: a d u l t , Jul 2 0 t h ; A u g 5th a n d 19th. L a c k f o r d : adult, Jan 11th; Oct 30th. P a k e n h a m : M i c k l e M e r e , adult, J a n 1st, 19th a n d 2 8 t h ; F e b 15th; D e c 2 7 t h .

EMPEROR GOOSE Chen canagica Breeds north-eastern Siberia and western Alaska. Winters from southern Alaska to northern California. Category E. Livermere Lake: a d u l t , Jul 2nd, 15th a n d 2 0 t h . Lackford: adult, Oct 2nd.

RED-BREASTED GOOSE Branta ruficollis Breeds Taimyr Peninsula in arctic Siberia. The majority winter on western shores of Black Sea in Bulgaria and Romania, with small numbers annual in the Netherlands. Categories A and E. North Cove: C a s t l e m a r s h , adult, J a n 16th; F e b 3 r d t o 5th. Covehithe: C o v e h i t h e B r o a d , a d u l t , A u g 2 4 t h a n d 3 0 t h . Southwold: T o w n M a r s h e s , a d u l t , J a n 13th. Reydon: R e y d o n M a r s h e s , a d u l t , J a n 2 2 n d . M i n s m e r e : adult, Jan 6th, 18th and 27th; Aug 9th; Sep 17th; Oct 31 st.

North Warren: a d u l t ,

f r o m 2 0 0 8 t o J a n 5th; J a n 16th; Feb 14th t o 18th; M a r 2 n d , M a r 8th a n d 9 t h ; O c t 17th; N o v 7 t h t o 3 0 t h ; D e c 3 r d a n d 10th. Orfordness: s o u t h d o w n t h e river w i t h a f l o c k o f 9 0 B a r n a c l e G e e s e , F e b 2 2 n d Felixstowe: U n d e r c l i f f e , F e b 2 2 n d , s o u t h w i t h B a r n a c l e G e e s e ( s a m e a s at O r f o r d n e s s a b o v e ) .

RUDDY SHELDUCK Tadorna ferruginea Morocco and Turkey east through Central Asia to Tibetan plateau. Winters to south of breeding range, with majority in Indian subcontinent. Feral population breeds in northern Europe. Categories B and E. Hopton-on-Sea: Aug 12th. L o u n d : Water Works, two, A u g 29th. B r o a d , t w o , S e p 5th.

Covehithe: C o v e h i t h e

155

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 Southwold: two, Sep 11th. Minsmere: two, Sep 10th. Bungay: O u t n e y C o m m o n ,

two, N o v 26th (same as Covehithe above). W e y b r e a d : G r a v e l Pits, t w o , O c t 5 t h ( s a m e a s C o v e h i t h e a n d S o u t h w o l d a b o v e ) .

MUSCOVY DUCK Cairina moschata Southern Mexico to northern Argentina and Brazil. Category E. Beccles: Quay, 23, Feb 8th; 18, Nov 6th.

WOOD DUCK Aix sponsa Canada to northern Mexico, Cuba and Bahamas. Category E. O u l t o n : O u l t o n B r o a d , m a l e f r o m 2 0 0 8 t o M a r 2 5 t h ; N o v 7 t h t o 12th; D e c 21 st t o 2 9 t h .

I p s w i c h : Christchurch Park, May 18th.

RED-CRESTED POCHARD Netta rufina Breeds western Europe to central China. Winters to south of breeding range. Categories A, C and E. Flixton: G r a v e l Pits, s e v e n , N o v 2 6 t h ( p r o b a b l y r e l e a s e d b i r d s ) . REEVE'S PHEASANT Syrmaticus reevesii Forests of central China. Category E. Eastbridge: Oct 7th. Rushbrooke: N o r t h H i l l C o v e r t , M a y 15th. Great Welnetham: s i n g l e bird, F e b , p r o b a b l y s a m e a s BOBWHITE QUAIL Escapee. Category E.

Colinus

R u s h b r o o k e bird.

virginianus

B o w b e c k : male, June 4th. F o r n h a m St M a r t i n : pair, June 11th.

Little Livermere: m a l e ,

A u g 17th.

HARRIS'S HAWK Parabuteo unicinctus Southwestern USA south through Central and South America to southern Argentina and Chile. Category E. L o u n d : WaterWorks, Jan 10th.

Landguard:

s i n g l e J a n 15th; S e p 13th, 2 4 t h a n d 2 5 t h . T h e s e f o l l o w o n f r o m t h e f i r s t site r e c o r d s in

2 0 0 8 , and m a y be a bird f r o m a nearby housing estate, used for falconry. Felixstowe: D o c k s , J a n 17th; M a r 13th ( s a m e as at L a n d g u a r d a b o v e ) .

RED-TAILED HAWK Buteo jamaicensis Widespread throughout temperate North America south to Costa Rica and West Indies. Category E. T h e t f o r d F o r e s t : l o n g - s t a y i n g i n d i v i d u a l w a s still p r e s e n t d u r i n g M a r c h at least.

GYR FALCON PEREGRINE FALCON Falco rusticolus x F. peregrinus Landguard: M a y 2 n d a n d 3 r d . A f a l c o n e r ' s h y b r i d , k n o w n t o h a v e b e e n lost o n l a n d f i l l d u t i e s w e e k s p r i o r t o this a n d w a s r e - c a u g h t i n I p s w i c h t h e w e e k f o l l o w i n g t h e s e s i g h t i n g s .

COCKATIEL Nymphicus hollandicus Widespread throughout interior Australia. Category E. Lowestoft: Jul 6 t h ; N e s s P o i n t , M a y 7 t h ; N o r t h D e n e s , A u g 17th. O u l t o n : Oulton Broad, A p r 21st and 22nd. Landguard: M a y 2 2 n d .

Trimley: Aug 21st. 156

several

Systematic List ISLAND CANARY Serinus canaria Resident on Madeira, Azores and western Canary Islands. Category E. Landguard: s o u t h , N o v 25th. COMMON REDPOLL Carduelis flammea BorĂŠal forests of Europe, Asia and North America. CatĂŠgories A and E. Kessingland: S e w a g e Works, Oct 19th - trapped - wearing a b l u e plastic ring, s u g g e s t i n g captive

origin ( m o s t likely f r o m B e l g i u m ) . T h e poli w a s f a d e d y e l l o w - o r a n g e , a c o l o u r s h o w n b y c a p t i v e b i r d s w h i c h have n o t b e e n f e d a c o l o u r Supplement in their diet.

APPENDIX III - Schedule of Non-accepted Records T h e f o l l o w i n g list c o n s i s t s o f r e c o r d s t h a t w e r e n o t a c c e p t e d , e i t h e r b y t h e B B R C rarities) o r S O R C (county rarities). I n the majority o f cases the record w a s not because the relevant Committee was not convinced, o nthe evidence submitted, identification h a d been fully established. In only a f e w cases were the C o m m i t t e e that a mistake had been made. Non-accepted records 2009: Blue-winged Teal Anas discors: E r w a r t o n Bay, S t o u r Estuary, M a r c h 23rd. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis: L e v i n g t o n C r e e k , A u g u s t 30th. Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola: Brockley, n e a r B u r y St E d m u n d s , Great White Egret: S h i n g l e Street, Jan 9th. P u r p l e H e r o n : Southwold, Sep lOth.

Black Kite: L a c k f o r d ,

M a y 2nd.

Goshawk: Benacre, Apr 17th. G o s h a w k : E a s t lane, B a w d s e y , F e b 3rd. Curlew Sandpiper: M i n s m e r e , t h r e e , M a r 15th. Willow Tit: C a s t l e m a r s h e s , B e c c l e s , two, M a r 2 9 t h . Cory's Shearwater: T h o r p e n e s s , S e p 4th. Icterine Warbler: M i n s m e r e , S e p 2 2 n d .

157

(national accepted that the satisfied

two, M a y 5th.

SuffolkRingingReport 2009

List of Contributors W h i l s t e v e r y e f f o r t h a s b e e n m a d e t o m a k e this list a s c o m p r e h e n s i v e a s p o s s i b l e , s o m e observers n a m e s m a y have been inadvertently omitted. Ifyour contribution has not been acknowledged, please accept m y sincere apologies. S & B Abbott, D Adelson, P R Allard, L Allen, N Andrews, D Archer, I Archer, J R Askins, R Attenborrow, C G Ayers. S Babbs, D Backhouse, D E Balmer, T Bamber, M F M Bamford, C Bannister, P Barker, I Barthorpe, B Baston, P Batchelor, S Batty, D R Beamish, A B e a u m o n t , D Bell, B Bellamy, K Bennett, R Berry, R Biddle, A Bimpson, BINS, Birdline East Anglia, Birdguides, S Bishop, N C Blacker, K Bliss, K Blowers, M Bonfield, A Botwright, T Boulton, W J Brame, M Breaks, K Brett, J A Brown, R M Brown, S B r o w m , J Bruce-Lockhart, J Brydson, B T O Thetford, B Buffery, A Bull, M Bunn, A Burrows, C Burton, C A Buttle. N Calbrade, N Cant, D Carr, M Carr, C Carter, D & M Carter, M T Cartwright, I Castle, P Catchpole, M Cavanagh, D Cawdron, A C h a p m a n , R Chittenden (Birdline East Anglia), J Clarke, K Coates, J Coleman, G J Conway, R Coombes, D Cormack, C Courtney, T Cowan, J Cracknell, D Craven, D Crawshaw. M Dane, C Darby, P J Dare, J Davidson, J Davies, J Davis, S Dean, M Deans, P Dickinson, R Drew, R Duncan. S E d w a r d s , A C Easton, M Elliott, P Etheridge, R Etheridge, J E v a n s , L G R E v a n s , S Evans, A Excell. I & B Fair, R F a i r h e a d , D Fairhurst, M Ferris, F o r e s t E n t e r p r i s e , D F i n c h , S Flory, M Forbes, L Forsyth, S Free, K F r e e m a n , S Fryett, C Fulcher, D F Fuller. J and K Garrod, J Gaskell, J Gibbs, S Gillings, J Glazebrook, S Goddard, M Gooch, A Goodall, S Gough, D Gowen, P Gowen, J H Grant, A Green, P D Green, A M Gregory, C Gregory, G Gregory, L Gregory, A Gretton, G Grieco. P Hamling, B Harrington, R Harris, B and M Hart, R Hartley, R Harvey, P Hawkins, I G Henderson, J Higgott, P Hobbs, R Hoblyn, C Holden, D Holman, P J Holmes, A Howe, S V Howell, T J Humpage. M Jackson, C Jacobs, C J Jakes, M James, S Jarvis, G J Jobson, C Johnson, R Johnson, R Joliffe, D Jones. M K e m p , P Kennerley, J Kennerley, T Kerridge, A Kettle, J C King, A Knowles. P D M E

C Lack, Lackford Lakes Log, Lackford Ringing Group, Landguard Bird Observatory, Langlois, C Lansdell, L a v e n h a m Bird Club, J Law, M L e e d h a m , D I Leech, I Levett, Linsley, N Lloyd, C Lodge, N C Loth, D Lowe, G Lowe, Lowestoft L o u n g e Lizards, Lucking.

R Macklin, I Maclean, J H Marchant, D Marsh, E Marsh, M Marsh, N Marsh, R Marsh, D Martin, N J M a s o n , S M a y s o n , Mickle M e r e Log, A Miller, M Miller, G Millins, Minsmere RSPB, M R Morley, N J Moran, G Morris, J Mousley, N Murphy, P W Murphy, R Murray, A Musgrove, M Muttit, C Mynott. 158

List of Contributors A Nairn, P Napthine, National Trust Orfordness, Natural England, A Needle, C Nelson, C Neville, D Newton, P Newton, S Nixon, North Warren RSPB, M Nowers. N Odin, P O'Keeffe, P Oldfield. J Palmer, R Parfitt, M Parker, P Parker, S Paterson, E Patrick, J Patterson, D J Pearson, D Pearsons, M F Peers, S Piotrowski, G Piper, R P l o w m a n , D Pointon, J Pollock, C Powell, M P Pratt, G Price, D Pye. M Radford, R Rafe, J Rankin, P J Ransome, N Rawlings, A Rayner, P Read, S Read, G Reeder, M Riley, A Riseborough, D and K Roberts, M Robinson, D Rothery, P R o w e , R Rowe, J A Rowlands, R S P B Lakenheath, C Ruffles, W Russell. I Salkeld, P Sawer, D Sheppard, N Sills, R Q Skeen, N Skinner, O Slessor, B J S m a l l , I N Smith, K Smith, M Smith, P Smith, R C Smith, R Smurthwaite, P Spurgeon, R Stewart, W Stone, T Stopher, A Stuart, D Sutton, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, E Swarts, M Swindells. M Taylor, R M Thewlis, G T h o m p s o n , D Thurlow, D Tomlinson, M P T o m s , L J Townsend, C N Tricker, Trimley M a r s h e s S W T D K Underwood, R J Upton. P J Vincent, RVonk. B Wainwright, J Wakelem, R Waiden, T Wallis, D F Walsh, I R Walsh, J Walsh, J Walshe, J D Warnes, R Weale, G Webb, L H Weeks, I Whitaker, P Whittaker, P Wilson, R Wilton, R Wincup, L G Woods, P Woolnough, B Wright, J Wright, K Wright, M T Wright, M and R.Wright, J Wylson. J Zantboer.

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Gazetteer T h i s gazetteer gives locations for sites listed i n the m a i n checklist section o f this issue o f Suffolk Birds. T h e i n t e n t i o n i s t o m a k e i t e a s i e r f o r n e w c o m e r s t o b i r d w a t c h i n g , o r t h o s e less familiar with t h e county, t o b e able t o locate sites. Spécifié sites are given a six-figure reference w h e r e appropriate; larger sites are given a four-figure reference for the 1 k m square i n w h i c h t h e y a r e s i t u a t e d . W h i l s t a c o m p l é t é list o f ail sites w o u l d o b v i o u s l y b e o f m o s t use, it w o u l d o f n e c e s s i t y , b e v e r y l o n g . T h e r e f o r e , i t d o e s n o t , i n g é n é r a l , c o n t a i n p a r i s h n a m e s , which are easily located by reference t o a standard road map. Aldeburgh Town Marshes

TM450560

Easton Broad

TM518794

Aide Estuary

TM3957-4450

Elveden

TL8279

Aldringham Common

TM458606

Erwarton Bay

TM2333

Aldringham Walks

TM4661

Euston Lake/Park

TL9079

Alton Water

TM1436

Fagbury Cliff

TM270346

A m p t o n Water

TL8770

Falkenham Marshes

TM3138

B a r h a m Pits

TM1251

Felixstowe Ferry

TM3237

Barnhamcross Common

TL8681

Fisher R o w

TM507927

Barsham Marshes

TM4090

Flixton G P

TM3187

Barton Mere

TL910668

Foxhole Heath

TL735776

Belle Vue Gardens, Lowestoft

TM550944

Fressingfield

TM260775

Benacre Broad

TM530828

Fritton Decoy/Lake

TM4800

B e n a c r e Pits

TM535842

Frostenden

TM4781

Bentley

T M 1 2 0 3 85

Gedgrave Marshes

TM410480

Berner's Heath

TL7976

G i l f o r d ' s Hall

T M O 137

Blundeston Marshes

TM5095

Gipping Great Wood

TM075625

Blyth Estuary

TM4575-4776

Glemsford

TL8348

Botany Bay

TL675854

Groton

TL9642

Bowbeck

TL9475

Gunton Warren

TM5495

Boxford

TL9640

Hardwick Heath

TL854625

Boyton Marshes

TM3946

Hare's Creek, Shotley

TM244360

Brackenbury Cliff, Felixstowe

TM322360

Haughley Park

TM000620

Brent Eleigh

TL943480

Havergate Island

TM41475

Breydon Water

TM4706-5107

Hazelwood Marshes

TM435573

Bromeswell

TM3050

Hengrave Hall

TL824686

Carlton Marshes

TM4991

Hen Reedbeds

TM470770

Campsea Ashe

TM3256

Herringfleet Marshes

TM468977

Castle Marshes

TM475915

Herringswell

TL7169

Cattawade Marshes

TM0932

Hinderclay Fen

TM025788

Cavenham Heath

TL755725

Holbrook Bay

TM1733

C a v e n h a m Pits

TL763715

Hollesley C o m m o n s

TM330474

Christchurch Park, Ipswich

T M 164454

Holywells Park, Ipswich

T M 175435

C o b b o l d ' s Point

TM315349

Homersfield Gravel Pits

TM287855

C o m b s Lane Water Meadows

TM043581

Icklingham Plains

TL7573

Cornard Mere

TL887391

I l k e t s h a l l St L a w r e n c e

TM3883

C o r t o n railway line

TM537579

Ipswich Golf Course

TM207433

Corton sewage works

TM539982

Ipswich Wet D o c k

T M 169439

Cosford Hall, Hadleigh

TMO134461

Kedington

TL7046

Cove Bottom

TM4979

Kentwell Hall, L o n g M e l f o r d

TL863479

Covehithe Broad

TM524808

Kessingland Levels

TM530850

Deben Estuary

TM2850-3238

Kessingland sewage works

TM5338578

Dingle Marshes

TM4872

K i n g ' s Fleet

TM310379

Dunwich Heath

TM4768

K i n g ' s Forest, T h e

TL8173

Eastbridge

TM452660

Kirton Creek

TM292417

East Lane, Bawdsey

TM354401

Knettishall Heath

TL952804

160

29. Arctic Warbler, ringed at Landguard in September.

BUI Bastรณn

30. Great Grey Shrike at Lakenheath in

31. Penduline Tit at Dingle Marshes i

March.

David Hermon

32. Two of the Ampton Tree Sparrows in December.

Jon Evar

Lee Gregory

Gazetteer Lackford Lakes

TL800710

Shelley

TM0338

Lake Lothing

TM5392

Shingle Street

TM365425

Lakenheath Fen

TL7085

Shotley Marshes

TM248350

Lakenheath Warren

TL7580

Shottisham Creek

TM3043

Lakenheath Washes

TL7085

Sizewell Beach

TM4763

Landguard

TM2831

Slaughden

TM464555

Lavenham railway walk

TL9049

Sole Bay

TM5177

L a y h a m pits

TM021402

Sotterley Park

TM460850

Leathes H a m

TM530933

Southwold Boating Lake

TM510769

Leiston Abbey

TM444643

Southwold Town Marshes

TM500754

Levington Creek

TM237383

Spinny Marsh

TM292428

Levington Marina

TM246380

Staverton Thicks

TM3650

Lineage Wood, Lavenham

TM890485

Sternfield

TM3961

Livermere Lake

TL882716

Stonham Aspal

TM1359

Long Melford churchyard

TL868468

Stour Estuary

TM1032-2433

Long Melford sewage works

TL855459

Stradishall Airfield

TL7452

Loompit Lake

TM255377

Stratton Hall

TM254388

Lound Waterworks

TG501007

Stutton Mill

TM133330

Lowestoft Harbour

TM5592

Sudbourne Marshes

TM4553

Market Weston Fen

TL980787

Suffolk Water Park

T M 120485

Martlesham Creek

TM2647

Sutton C o m m o n

TM3247

Mayday Farm

TL7983

Sutton Heath

TM308478

Mickle Mere

TL937699

Tangham

TM355485

Middleton

TM4267

Temple Bridge, Cavenham

TL758728

Minsmere

TM4766

Theberton Grange

TM438652

Minsmere Levels

TM4667

Thetford Heath

TL845800

Mutford

TM4988

Thorington Street Reservoir

TMO12352

Needham Market Lake

TM094548

Thorpeness Common

TM475604

N e s s Point

TM555936

Thorpeness Meare

TM4659

North Denes, Lowestoft

TM551951

Thorington Street Reservoir

TMO 12352

Northfield Wood

TM024600

Tinker's Marshes

TM484760

North Warren

TM4658

Trimley Marshes

TM2635

Nowton Park

TL866615

Trinity Hall Farm, M o u l t o n

TL693651

Nunnery Lakes

TL872815

Tuddenham Heath

TL7472

Old Newton

TM0562

T u d d e n h a m St M a r t i n

T M 1948

Olley's Farm

TL824815

Ufford

TM300525

Orfordness

TM4654-3743

Undley

TL6981

Orwell Bridge

TM175413

Upper A b b e y Farm, Leiston

TM453646

Orwell Estuary

TM1641-2534

Walberswick N N R

TM4674

Outney C o m m o n , Bungay

TM3290

Waldingfield airfield

TL8943

Oulton Broad

TM5192

W a l d r i n g f i e l d Pit

TM274438

Oxley Marshes

TM370435

Walpole

TM3674

Pakefield Beach

TM5389

Wangford Warren

TL758842

Pakenham Fen

TL930680

Westleton Heath

TM4569

P e e w i t Hill

TM289338

West Stow C o u n t r y Park

TL800713

Pipps Ford

T M 108538

Westwood Lodge

TM465737

Potter's Bridge

TM509791

Westwood Marshes

TM4773

Ramsey Wood

TM065430

Wetherden

TM0062

Ramsholt Marshes

TM298423

Weybread GPs

TM2481

Redgrave a n d L o p h a m Fen

TM046797

Wherstead Strand

T M 173408

Redgrave Lake

TM055767

Wilford Bridge

TM291501

Reydon Marshes

TM485766

Wolves Wood

TM055440

Santon D o w n h a m

TL818878

Wordwell

TL828720

S e d g e Fen, L a k e n h e a t h

TL6784

Workhouse Green

TL9037

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SuffolkRingingReport 2009

EARLIEST AND LATEST DATES OF SUMMER MIGRANTS ARRIVALS Date Locality

DEPARTURES Date Locality

Garganey

M a r 14th

Minsmere/Hazelwood

Oct 3rd

Osprey

M a r 8th

Hen Reedbeds

S e p 12th

Hen Reedbeds

Hobby

Apr 4th

Hen Reedbeds

Oct 25th

Minsmere

Trimley Marshes

Stone-curlew

Mar 24h

Brecks*

Nov 7th

Coast*

Little ( R i n g e d ) Plover

M a r 14th

Trimley Marshes

Sep 6th

Minsmere

Whimbrel

Mar 22nd

Hen Reedbeds

Oct 31st

Kessingland

Wood Sandpiper

A p r 30th

Orfordness

S e p 1st

Alton Water

Little Tern

Apr 22nd

Minsmere

A u g 25th

Gorleston

Black Tern

May 4th

N e s s Point

S e p 14 th

Landguard

S a n d w i c h Tern

A p r 1st

Minsmere/Kessingland

O c t 17th

Kessingland

C o m m o n Tern

A p r 1st

Weybread

O c t 11th

Southwold/Boyton

Arctic Tern

A p r 18th

Thorpeness

Oct 27th

Landguard

Turtle Dove

A p r 11th

Lackford

Oct 25th

T r i m l e y St Martin

Cuckoo

A p r 13th

Thetford/Sapiston

Sep 23rd

Shingle Street

Nightjar

May 20th

West Stow/Westleton

Sep 21st

Flixton Decoy

Swift

A p r 10th

Easton Bavents

Sep 27th

Kessingland**

Wryneck

A p r 13 t h

Benacre

Sep 20th

Hen Reedbeds

Sand Martin

M a r 9th

Thorpeness

Oct 25th

Orford

Swallow

M a r 18th

Mutford

N o v 19th

Dingle Marshes

House Martin

M a r 19th

Bramford

O c t 17th

Corton/Bradwell

Tree Pipit

A p r 15th

Minsmere

Sep 27th

Landguard

Yellow Wagtail

A p r 4th

Lakenheath/Orfordness

O c t 13th

Minsmere

Nightingale

A p r 9th

Minsmere

Sep 6th

Alton Water

Redstart

Apr 4th

Orfordness/Havergate O c t 15th

Corton

Whinchat

Apr 25th

Orfordness

D e c 10th

Alton Water

Wheatear

M a r 14 t h

Shingle St/Landguard

N o v 6th

Kessingland

Ring Ouzel

Mar 30th

Easton Bavents

Oct 24th

Landguard

Grasshopper Warbler

Apr 9th

Fisher Row, O u l t o n

Sep 6th

Haven,

Sedge Warbler

Apr 2nd

Hen Reedbeds

S e p 19th

Lowestoft

Reed Warbler

A p r 8th

Minsmere

O c t 15th

Orfordness

Garden Warbler

Apr 22nd

Weybread

Sep 26th

Landguard

Lesser Whitethroat

A p r 11th

Orfordness

Sep 30th

Landguard

C o m m o n Whitethroat

A p r 11th

Minsmere

O c t 10th

Landguard

Wood Warbler

M a y 1st

Lowestoft

A u g 29th

Lowestoft

Willow Warbler

M a r 14th

Minsmere

O c t 12th

Gunton

Spotted Flycatcher

May 7th

Landguard

Sep 21st

Beccles

Pied Flycatcher

M a y 15th

Corton/Landguard

Sep 21st

Thorpeness

Island/Landguard

Ignores overwintering birds

* * N B S w i f t s p e c i e s at H a d l e i g h , O c t 2 4 t h

162

Thorpeness

SuffolkRingingReport 2009

A GUIDE TO RECORDING BIRDS IN SUFFOLK Introduction T h e f o u n d a t i o n s t o n e o f a n y r e p o r t is t h e d a t a u p o n w h i c h it i s b a s e d . U n l e s s w e all s u b m i t our records diligently, and i n a usable form, then the Suffolk Bird R e p o r t will not b e a comprehensive account of the birds recorded in Suffolk. The system T h e r e c o r d i n g o f the c o u n t y ' s avifauna is the responsibility of the S u f f o l k Naturalists' Society, w o r k i n g in close c o - o p e r a t i o n w i t h the S u f f o l k Ornithologists' G r o u p . T h e linchpins o f the s y s t e m a r e the R e c o r d e r s , w h o are the initial p o i n t o f c o n t a c t for all records. B e c a u s e o f the v o l u m e o f records i n S u f f o l k the c o u n t y has b e e n divided into three areas. See the inside front cover for a m a p and addresses. Observers are reminded that Suffolk works to Watsonian vice-county boundaries, taking in areas that a r e n o w administered a s Norfolk, Cambridgeshire o r Essex. The m o s t s i g n i f i c a n t a r e a a f f e c t e d is t h a t o f L o t h i n g l a n d , t h e n o r t h e r n l i m i t s o f w h i c h f o l l o w t h e R i v e r Yare and include the south side of Breydon Water. W e have retained these originai boundaries as w e feel that sensible comparison o f data can only b e m a d e from year t o year if the recording area iskept constant. Submission of records All observers are requested t o submit their records monthly. W e also suggest that the following format be followed: (a) L o c a t i o n (precise place n a m e f r o m t h e O r d n a n c e Survey m a p plus parish if a m b i g u o u s ) . O S g r i d r é f é r e n c é s h o u l d b e a d d e d if in a n y d o u b t or if r e p o r t i n g b r e e d i n g locations. (b) Species (c) Date (d) N a m e and address of observer (e) S e x / a g e - m a l e , f e m a l e , j u v e n i l e etc. (f) A b u n d a n c e - c o u n t n u m b e r s , frequency, etc. ( g ) T y p e o f r e c o r d - d e a d , ringed, e t c . (h) O t h e r c o m m e n t s c o n s i d e r e d r e l e v a n t - b e h a v i o u r etc. I n p a r t i c u l a r s e e t h e list b e l o w for particular information required for each species. Ail claims o f national rarities should, o f course, b e a c c o m p a n i e d b y a full description. T h e R e c o r d e r will autom a t i c a l l y f o r w a r d t h i s t o t h e British Birds R a r i t i e s C o m m i t t e e ( B B R C ) . I f s u b m i t t i n g a l i s t o f r e c o r d s f o r o n e p a r t i c u l a r s i t e , p l e a s e p u t ail d é t a i l s a t t h e t o p o f t h e list a n d a n n o t a t e w i t h s e x a n d / o r f r e q u e n c y . R e m e m b e r , if in a n y d o u b t a s t o t h e v a l u e o f a n y record, p l e a s e s e n d it in! A spreadsheet is available for submitting records and can be downloaded from the S O G website. T h i s c a n b e sent electronically to the R e c o r d e r s a n d i s a m u c h easier a n d q u i c k e r m e t h o d f o r t h e m . W h i l s t t h i s i s n o t e s s e n t i a l , w e w o u l d e n c o u r a g e ail t h o s e w h o c a n t o u s e this m e t h o d o f submitting their records. Assessment of records Ail records c o m e under the scrutiny o fthe Suffolk Ornithological Records C o m m i t t e e ( S O R C ) a n d f o r r a r e o r s c a r c e s p e c i e s , v é r i f i c a t i o n is s o u g h t - i.e. p h o t o g r a p h s , f i e l d Sketches, witnesses, s o u n d recordings (for calling o r singing birds) and ( m o s t importantly) w r i t t e n d e s c r i p t i o n s . T h e S O R C ' s p o l i c y f o r v a g r a n t s , c l a s s i f i e d as n a t i o n a l rarities, is c l e a r ; r e c o r d s s h o u l d b e c h a n n e l l e d t h r o u g h t h e C o u n t y R e c o r d e r t o b e c o n s i d e r e d b y t h e British Birds R a r i t i e s C o m m i t t e e ( B B R C ) , w h o s e d é c i s i o n s a r e a c c e p t e d b y S O R C . A f u l l l i s t o f species that are considered by the S O R C follows. T h e committee m a y also request further 163

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 détails r e g a r d i n g a n y o t h e r s p e c i e s that, in the o p i n i o n o f the c o m m i t t e e , is o u t o f c o n t e x t in terms of season, habitat or numbers. A list o f r e c o r d s w h i c h h a v e n o t b e e n a c c e p t e d f o r p u b l i c a t i o n c a n b e f o u n d in A p p e n d i x III a n d i n c l u d e s t h o s e w h i c h h a v e b e e n circulated t o the respective c o m m i t t e e s but w e r e considered unacceptable due t o either the identification not being fully established or, m o r e rarely, a g e n u i n e m i s t a k e h a v i n g b e e n m a d e . I t d o e s n o t i n c l u d e r e c o r d s still u n d e r considération. Guide to species T h e f o l l o w i n g list s h o w s all t h e s p e c i e s r e c o r d e d i n t h e c o u n t y a n d t h u s t h i s i s also a c h e c k l i s t f o r S u f f o l k . F o r a n y s p e c i e s n o t l i s t e d , a f u l l d e s c r i p t i o n w i l l b e r e q u i r e d . T h e list shows those species accepted into Catégories A, B and C, as per the British Ornithologists' U n i o n (see the Introduction to the Systematic List for m o r e détails). N o t e that a large n u m b e r of species included can also fall into Catégories D and E (basically a s escapees); a description o f such a bird m a y b e requested but will b e essential if it is believed that the bird is of wild origin. T h e r e are a f e w c h a n g e s to r e c o r d i n g catégories of birds in S u f f o l k this year. Turtle Dove, Y e l l o w W a g t a i l , N i g h t i n g a l e , S p o t t e d F l y c a t c h e r , M a r s h Tit a n d C o m B u n t i n g h a v e ali b e e n m o v e d f r o m C a t e g o r y 4 t o c a t e g o r y 3 - r e c o r d s o f ali o f t h e m w o u l d b e a p p r e c i a t e d . M e d i t e r r a n e a n G u l l h a s b e e n m o v e d f r o m 2 to 3, so descriptions will n o longer b e necessary. S O G / S O R C w o u l d also like t o receive any breeding records for the following species: Kestrel, Ringed Piover, Lapwing, Common Snipe, Curlew, Redshank, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Swift, Sand and House Martin (colonies), Mistle Thrush, Willow Warbler and Reed Bunting. S n o w G o o s e a n d B a i k a l T e a l h a v e b e e n a d d e d t o t h e S u f f o l k list a n d E s k i m o C u r l e w h a s b e e n r e m o v e d f r o m it. Mute Swan

Northern Shoveler

Red-necked Grebe

Tundra (Bewick's) Swan

Red-crested Pochard

Slavonian Grebe

Whooper Swan

C o m m o n Pochard

Black-necked Grebe

Bean Goose

Tundra

Ring-necked Duck

Northern Fulmar

Taiga

Ferruginous Duck

Cory's Shearwater

Tufted Duck

Great Shearwater

Greater White-fronted Goose 3

Greater Scaup

Sooty Shearwater

Greylag Goose

Lesser Scaup

M a n x Shearwater

Pink-footed Goose

Snow Goose

C o m m o n Eider

Balearic Shearwater

Greater Canada Goose

Long-tailed Duck

European Storm-petrel

Barnacle Goose

C o m m o n Scoter

Leach's Storm-petrel

Brent Goose

Dark-bellied

Velvet Scoter

Northern Gannet

Pale-bellied

Bufflehead

Great Cormorani

Black Brant

C o m m o n Goldeneye

European Shag

Red-breasted Goose

Smew

Great Bittern

Egyptian Goose

Red-breasted Merganser

Little Bittern

Ruddy Shelduck *

Goosander

Black-crowned Night-heron

C o m m o n Shelduck

Ruddy Duck

Squacco Heron

Mandarin Duck

Red-legged Partridge

Cattle Egret

Eurasian Wigeon

Grey Partridge

Little Egret

American Wigeon

C o m m o n Quail

Great Egret

Gadwall

C o m m o n Pheasant

Grey Heron

Baikal Teal

Golden Pheasant

Purple Heron

E u r a s i a n Teal

Red-throated Diver

Black Stork

G r e e n - w i n g e d Teal

Black-throated Diver

White Stork

Mallard

Great Northern Diver

Glossy Ibis

N o r t h e r n Pintail

Yellow-billed Diver

Eurasian Spoonbill

Garganey

Little G r e b e

European Honey-buzzard

B l u e - w i n g e d Teal

Great Crested Grebe

Black Kite

164

A Guide to Recording Birds in Suffolk R e d Kite White-tailed Eagle Eurasian Marsh Harrier Hen Harrier Pallid Harrier Montagu's Harrier Northern Goshawk Eurasian Sparrowhawk Common Buzzard Rough-legged Buzzard Greater Spotted Eagle Osprey C o m m o n Kestrel Red-footed Falcon Merlin Eurasian Hobby Eleonora's Falcon G y r Falcon Peregrine Falcon W a t e r Rail Spotted Crake Little C r a k e Baillons Crake* Corn Crake Common Moorhen Allen's Gallinule* Common Coot Common Crane Little Bustard Macqueen's Bustard Great Bustard Eurasian Oystercatcher B l a c k - w i n g e d Stilt Pied Avocet Stone-curlew Cream-coloured Courser* Collared Pratincole Oriental Pratincole Black-winged Pratincole Little R i n g e d P l o v e r Ringed Plover Killdeer Kentish Plover Greater Sand Plover Eurasian Dotterel American Golden Plover Pacific G o l d e n Plover European Golden Plover Grey Plover Sociable L a p w i n g Northern Lapwing Red Knot Sanderling Semipalmated Sandpiper Little S t i n t T e m m i n c k ' s Stint White-rumped Sandpiper Baird's Sandpiper

3 2 3 3 1 2 2 3 3 3 1 3 4 2 3 3 1 1 3 3 2 1 1 2 4 1 4

Pectoral Sandpiper Curlew Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper Dunlin Broad-billed Sandpiper Stilt S a n d p i p e r

3 1 1 1 4

Spotted Sandpiper Ruddy Turnstone Wilson's Phalarope Red-necked Phalarope Grey Phalarope Pomarine Skua Arctic Skua Long-tailed Skua Great Skua

1 3 3 1 1 1 1 3 4

Buff-breasted Sandpiper Ruff Jack Snipe C o m m o n Snipe Great Snipe Long-billed Dowitcher Eurasian Woodcock Black-tailed Godwit Bar-tailed Godwit Whimbrel Eurasian Curlew Spotted Redshank Common Redshank Marsh Sandpiper Common Greenshank Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Green Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper Terek S a n d p i p e r C o m m o n Sandpiper

Ivory Gull Sabine's Gull Kittiwake Slender-billed Gull Black-headed Gull

1 2 1 2 2 1 4 4 1 4 4

Little G u l l Ross's Gull Laughing Gull Franklin's Gull Mediterranean Gull

3 1

Iceland Gull Glaucous Gull

3 3 2 1

Great Black-backed Gull Sooty Tern Little Tern Gull-billed Tern

C o m m o n Gull Ring-billed Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Herring Gull Yellow-legged Gull Caspian Gull

165

2 3 3 4 1

Caspian Tern Whiskered Tern Black Tern White-winged Black Tern Sandwich Tern

1 1 3 2 4

1 2 3 3 4 1 1

Lesser Crested Tern C o m m o n Tern A r c t i c Tern Roseate Tern Common Guillemot Razorbill Black Guillemot

1 4 3 3 3 3 2

3 4 3 4 4

Little A u k Atlantic P u f f i n Pallas's Sandgrouse* Feral P i g e o n Stock Pigeon

3 3 1 4 4

3 4 1 3 1 1 3 3 1

C o m m o n Wood Pigeon Eurasian Collared Dove European Turtle Dove Rose-ringed Parakeet Great Spotted Cuckoo Common Cuckoo Yellow-billed C u c k o o Barn O w l Eurasian Scops Owl*

4 4 3 3 1 3 1 3 1

3 1 4 1 2 3 3 3 3

Snowy Owl Little O w l Tawny O w l Long-eared Owl Short-eared Owl Tengmalm's Owl* European Nightjar C o m m o n Swift Pallid S w i f t

1 3 3 3 3 1 3 4 1

3 1

Alpine Swift Common Kingfisher

2 3

2 4 1 4

European Bee-eater European Roller Hoopoe Eurasian W r y n e c k

2 1 3 3

3 1 1 1

Green Woodpecker Great Spotted W o o d p e c k e r Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Greater Short-toed Lark

4 4 3 2

3 4 2 4 4 3 3 3 3 4 1 4 1

Crested Lark Wood Lark Sky L a r k Horned (Shore) Lark Sand Martin Barn Swallow House Martin Red-rumped Swallow Richard's Pipit Blyth's Pipit Tawny Pipit Olive-backed Pipit Tree Pipit

1 4 4 3

Suffolk Bird Report 2009 M e a d o w Pipit R e d - t h r o a t e d Pipit Rock Pipit Water Pipit Yellow Wagtail Blue-headed Wagtail Grey-headed Wagtail Black-headed Wagtail Ashy-headed Wagtail Citrine Wagtail Grey Wagtail Pied Wagtail White Wagtail Bohemian Waxwing White-throated Dipper Winter Wren Hedge Accentar Alpine Accentar European Robin Thrush Nightingale C o m m o n Nightingale Bluethroat R e d - f l a n k e d Bluetail Siberian Blue Robin Black Redstart C o m m o n Redstart Whinchat Stonechat Siberian Stonechat Isabelline Wheatear Northern Wheatear Pied Wheatear Desert Wheatear White-tailed Wheatear White's Thrush Ring Ouzel C o m m o n Blackbird Fieldfare Song Thrush Redwing Mistle Thrush Cetti's Warbier Lanceolated Warbier C o m m o n Grasshopper Warbier River Warbier Savi's Warbier Aquatic Warbier Sedge Warbier Paddyfield Warbier

4 2 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 1 3 4 3 3 2 4 4 1 4 1 3 2 1 1 3 3 3 3 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 3 4 4 4 4 4 3 1 3 I 1 2 4 1

Blyth's Reed Warbier Marsh Warbier Eurasian Reed Warbier Great Reed Warbier Olivaceous Warbier Booted Warbier Icterine Warbier Melodious Warbier Blackcap Garden Warbier Barred Warbier Lesser Whitethroat C o m m o n Whitethroat Spectacled Warbier Dartford Warbier M a r m o r a ' s Warbier Subalpine Warbier Sardinian Warbier Greenish Warbier Arctic Warbier Pallas' Leaf Warbier Yellow-browed Warbier H u m e ' s Leaf Warbier R a d d e ' s Warbier Dusky Warbier Western Bonelli's Warbier Wood Warbier C o m m o n Chiffchaff Siberian Chiffchaff Willow Warbier Goldcrest Firecrest Spotted Flycatcher Red-breasted Flycatcher Collared Flycatcher Pied Flycatcher B e a r d e d Tit L o n g - t a i l e d Tit B l u e Tit G r e a t Tit Crested Tit CoalTit W i l l o w Tit M a r s h Tit Wood Nuthatch Eurasian Treecreeper E u r a s i a n P e n d u l i n e Tit Eurasian Golden Oriole Isabelline Shrike Red-backed Shrike

1 2 4 1 1 1 2 2 4 4 3 4 4 1 3 1 2 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 2 1 3 4 2 4 4 3 3 2 1 3 3 4 4 4 2 4 2 3 3 3 1 3 1 3

Lesser Grey Shrike Great Grey Shrike Southern Grey Shrike Woodchat Shrike Eurasian Jay Black-billed Magpie Spotted Nutcracker Red-billed C h o u g h * Eurasian Jackdaw Rook Carrion Crow Hooded Crow C o m m o n Raven C o m m o n Starling R o s y Starling House Sparrow Eurasian Tree Sparrow Red-eyed Vireo Chaffinch Brambling European Serin European Greenfinch European Goldfinch Eurasian Siskin C o m m o n Linnet Twite Lesser Redpoll C o m m o n Redpoll Arctic Redpoll Two-barred Crossbill C o m m o n Crossbill Parrot Crossbill Trumpeter Finch Common Rosefinch C o m m o n Bullfinch Hawfinch Lark Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Lapland Longspur Snow Bunting Pine Bunting Yellowhammer Ciri Bunting Ortolan Bunting Rustie Bunting Little Bunting Yellow-breasted Bunting Reed Bunting Black-headed Bunting C o m Bunting

1 3 1 2 4 4 1 2 4 4 4 2 2 4 2 4 3 1 4 3 2 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 1 3 1 1 2 3 3 1 1 3 3 1 4 2 2 2 2 1 4 1 3

* not recorded as wild since a t least 1949

Key: 1 2 3 4

National Rarity - detailed description required. C o u n t y R a r i t y - n o t e s d e t a i l i n g o b s e r v a t i o n w i l l always b e r e q u i r e d . All records requested - supporting notes m a y be requested. Specific records - records of breeding, large counts, earliest/latest dates, unusual inland records or migration/weather-related movements requested. 166

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Rare Birds in Suffolk 2009 David Walsh

Accepted BBRC Records 2009 Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides:

F e l i x s t o w e F e r r y a n d K i n g s f l e e t area, f i r s t - s u m m e r , M a y 18th t o 2 0 t h ( W J B r a m e , P J H o l m e s , J Z a n t b o e r ) ; a l s o s e e n in C a m b r i d g e s h i r e . Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus: H e n R e e d b e d s , R e y d o n , S e p t e m b e r 8th, ringed ( R D r e w , B J S m a l l et al.); B o y t o n M a r s h , o n e , S e p t e m b e r 10th t o 21st, t w o 2 2 n d t o 2 4 t h , t h r e e , 2 5 t h t o 2 7 t h , t h i r d b i r d r i n g e d ( P J P ) , ( A M G r e g o r y et al.); B a w d s e y , S e p t e m b e r 19th ( P J H o l m e s ) ; H o l l e s l e y , S e p t e m b e r 2 0 t h t o 2 1 s t , ringed ( P J P ) , ( W J B r a m e et al.); B u r g h C a s t l e , S e p t e m b e r 2 7 t h , r i n g e d ( T B o u l t o n , A E a s t o n , R W i l t o n ) ; P a k e f i e l d , S o u t h w o l d , W a l b e r s w i c k a n d M i n s m e r e , O c t o b e r 4th, ( C N a u n t o n , B J S m a l l , M T h o m p s o n et al.); F e l i x s t o w e a n d L a n d g u a r d P o i n t , O c t o b e r 6 t h ( M J a m e s , N O d i n , J Z a n t b o e r et al.); C a v e n h a m H e a t h N N R , O c t o b e r 10th ( L G r e g o r y , T H u m p a g e ) ; M i n s m e r e , O c t o b e r 18th ( N J a n d R K M o r a n et al.). Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus: T i n k e r ' s M a r s h , W a l b e r s w i c k , f e m a l e , A p r i l 2 1 s t ( W R u s s e l l , S S k i n g s l y ) . A l s o s e e n in C a m b r i d g e s h i r e . Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes-. S o u t h w o l d a n d W a l b e r s w i c k , adult, D e c e m b e r 5th 2 0 0 8 t o F e b r u a r y 16th ( B J S m a l l et al.). Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor: T r i m l e y M a r s h e s N R , f i r s t - w i n t e r , S e p t e m b e r 14th ( M W r i g h t , J Z a n t b o e r et al.).

E u r a s i a n Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus:

Lakenheath Fen, January 26th to 29th (T D Codlin et al.);

D i n g l e M a r s h e s , u p t o t h r e e , i n c l u d i n g at least o n e m a l e , M a r c h 2 0 t h t o 3 0 t h ( P D G r e e n et al.). Arctic Warbler Phytloscopus borealis: L a n d g u a r d P o i n t , f i r s t - w i n t e r , S e p t e m b e r 1st a n d 2 n d ( P J H o l m e s et al.). Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus: M i n s m e r e , f i r s t - w i n t e r , O c t o b e r 14th t o 2 1 s t (J H G r a n t

et al.). Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka: et al.).

S h i n g l e Street, f e m a l e , O c t o b e r 19th (J A a n d P R K e n n e r l e y

Accepted BBRC Records 2008 Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidrispusilla: M i n s m e r e , a d u l t , J u l y 18th ( D F a i r h u r s t , R H a r v e y et al.). Eurasian Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus: M i n s m e r e , t w o , m a l e s , F e b r u a r y 3 r d t o A p r i l 2 n d ( D F a i r h u r s t , N S h e r m a n et al.); p r e s u m e d s a m e , O u l t o n B r o a d A p r i l 4 t h ( D a n d G M o o r e ) ; p r e s u m e d same, Carlton Marshes, April 8th ( M Gooch).

Accepted BBRC Records 2004 'Northern Long-tailed Tit' Aegithalos caudatus caudatus: J a n u a r y 2 5 t h t o M a r c h 7 t h ( P B u l l e t t , B J S m a l l et

Westleton Heath, a m i n i m u m o f four,

al.).

Accepted BBRC Records 2001 Baikal Teal Anas formosa: M i l e s et

M i n s m e r e , f i r s t - w i n t e r m a l e , N o v 18th t o 2 9 t h , 2 0 0 1 ( P G r e e n , W T S

al.).

SQUACCO HERON

A rdeola ralloides - 1 2 t h for Suffolk.

Circumstances I a m spoilt f o r c h o i c e in t e r m s o f birding sites o n the Felixstowe peninsula. M o n d a y 18th M a y 2 0 0 9 saw m e arriving at Felixstowe Ferry after work. At around 3.20pm, I was scanning along the ditches of the golf course sluice w h e n , as I peered along the southern arm, staring b a c k at m e w a s the unmistakeable f o r m of a f i r s t - s u m m e r S q u a c c o H e r o n ! Quickly m a k i n g s o m e m e n t a l notes, I d e c i d e d t o d u c k d o w n to avoid flushing the bird, a n d p h o n e the n e w s o u t . I h a d a n o t h e r q u i c k l o o k a t t h e b i r d a n d , a t t h i s m o m e n t , it f l e w o v e r m y h e a d . I e v e n t u a l l y l o s t s i g h t o f it a s i t d r o p p e d d o w n j u s t s h o r t o f t h e K i n g s f l e e t . D e s p i t e s p e n d i n g o v e r t w o h o u r s l o o k i n g f o r it, I n e v e r s a w i t a g a i n . T h e r e w e r e , i n f a c t , o n l y t w o f u r t h e r 167

Suffolk Blrd Report 2009 sightings, b y Paul H o l m e s the following day a n d by Justin Z a n t b o e r the day after. T h e bird t h e n m o v e d to C a m b r i d g e s h i r e w h e r e it p r o v e d s o m e w h a t easier to ' t w i t c h ' ! Description A small heron, seen briefly resting o n the ground. In terms of size, there w a s nothing to c o m p a r e i t w i t h , b u t m y i m p r e s s i o n w a s t h a t it w a s m u c h s m a l l e r t h a n a L i t t l e E g r e t . I t w a s h u n c h e d up, m a k i n g it l o o k n o larger t h a n a C o m m o n C o o t . I d i d n ' t n o t e t h e l e g colour, b u t t h e e y e w a s y e l l o w a n d t h e l o r e s w e r e also y e l l o w . T h e bill w a s b l a c k distally f o r a q u a r t e r o f its length, w i t h a p a l e l o w e r m a n d i b l e a n d a p a l e cutting e d g e o n the u p p e r m a n d i b l e ; the rest o f the bill w a s bluish g r e y w i t h a d a r k e r c u l m e n . T h e head and crown were heavily streaked with brown and buffy-white, forming a few long p l u m e s over the n a p e onto the mantle. T h e face w a s pale, the mantle and scapulars were both earthy-brown. T h e breast sides h a d a mixture of b r o w n streaks and buff. T h e centrai n e c k , breast, belly, v e n t a n d tail w e r e w h i t e . T h e w i n g s a n d u p p e r tail w e r e w h i t e . I n s u m m a r y , a t rest it a p p e a r e d a s a m a i n l y b r o w n bird b u t w h e n seen i n flight it w a s m a i n l y white with just a dark saddle and neck. Will Brame PIED WHEATEAR

Oenanthe pleschanka - second for Suffolk.

Circumstances F o l l o w i n g a r e p o r t o f a w h e a t e a r at Shingle Street t h e p r e v i o u s day, m y father a n d I p o p p e d d o w n there at first light o n 19th O c t o b e r t o see i f w e c o u l d locate it; any late October w h e a t e a r o n t h e c o a s t is w o r t h a s e c o n d l o o k , a l t h o u g h until n o w ali t h o s e w e h a d s e e n h a d p r o v e d t o b e N o r t h e r n . W e a r r i v e d a t a b o u t 7 . 4 5 a m , a n d s e a r c h e d t h e a r e a s f r o m w h i c h it h a d b e e n reported, adjacent to the car park and o n the roof of one of the cottages. A f t e r looking f o r f i f t e e n m i n u t e s o r so, w e c o u l d f i n d n o s i g n o f it there. A t this point, w e d e c i d e d t o follow our usuai circuit which would take us past a couple of areas which migrant Northern W h e a t e a r s always s e e m t o favour. W h e n we w e r e s o m e 2 0 0 m to the south o f the Martello T o w e r , n e a r t h e e n d o f t h e c o n c r e t e p a t h c r o s s i n g t h e s h i n g l e ridge, I s p o t t e d m o v e m e n t t o t h e left a n d i m m e d i a t e l y g o t m y b i n o c u l a r s o n t o it; this w a s q u i c k l y f o l l o w e d b y m e a n n o u n c i n g : T v e g o t a w h e a t e a r dad, it's a P i e d ' . M y f a t h e r s w i f t l y g o t o n to t h e bird, and c o n f i r m e d that it w a s i n d e e d a f e m a l e P i e d W h e a t e a r . It w a s p e r c h e d o n a s m a l l t w i g o f a long-dead plant, occasionally dropping d o w n onto the shingle, then returning t o the same perch. It w a s o n l y about 2 5 m f r o m u s at this point, but w e w e r e l o o k i n g east into the low m o r n i n g s u n , s o a f t e r t a k i n g a f e w p o o r r e c o r d p h o t o g r a p h s , w e c i r c l e d a r o u n d it a n d obtained good v i e w s with the sun behind us, through both binoculars and a 3 2 x telescope. O n c e w e h a d s e e n t h e indistinct m o t t l i n g t o t h e m a n t l e a n d s c a p u l a r s as w e l l as the solid dark b r o w n breast band m a k i n g u s certain t h e identification w a s correct, m y father t e l e p h o n e d B r i a n S m a l l a t 8 . 1 5 a m t o s u g g e s t t h a t h e s h o u l d c o m e d o w n t o s e e it, a s t h e y h a d only b e e n s p e a k i n g about this species the previous w e e k a n d w e w e r e well a w a r e that h e had n o t s e e n the o n l y p r e v i o u s b i r d i n Suffolk. I t h e n texted the n e w s out a n d it w a s broadcast via the B I N S n e t w o r k . W h i l e w e w a i t e d for others t o arrive, I c o n t i n u e d to p h o t o g r a p h the b i r d , w h i c h at o n e p o i n t s a t w i t h i n f i v e m ĂŠ t r ĂŠ s o f m e f o r s e v e r a l m i n u t e s . A s o t h e r o b s e r v e r s b e g a n t o a r r i v e , t h e b i r d r e m a i n e d o n t h e s h i n g l e ridge a n d n e a r b y f e n c e , a t o n e p o i n t b a t h i n g i n a f r e s h w a t e r p o o l ; it w a s q u i t e a p p r o a c h a b l e , s h o w i n g l i t t l e c o n c e r n f o r n e a r b y o b s e r v e r s . T h e w h e a t e a r w a s e n j o y e d b y a s t e a d y s t r e a m o f birders. A l t h o u g h w e h a d t o leave, I u n d e r s t a n d it r e m a i n e d i n v i e w a n d s h o w e d w e l l u n t i l d u s k ; h o w e v e r , i t w a s n o t p r e s e n t t h e f o l l o w i n g day. Description A s l i m , d e l i c a t e a n d n o t i c e a b l y d a r k w h e a t e a r , w i t h a c o n s p i c u o u s w h i t e r u m p a n d tail.

Rare Birds in Suffolk 2009 a n d n a r r o w b l a c k tip t o the tail. It l a e k e d the b u l k o f N o r t h e r n W h e a t e a r a n d a p p e a r e d slightly l o n g e r tailed. It s h o w e d a long p r i m a r y projection, slightly longer than the tertial l e n g t h . T h e b i l l w a s s l i m a n d b l a c k . T h e l e g s w e r e f i n e a n d b l a c k . N o c a l l w a s h e a r d . It o f f e n dropped onto the shingle t o collect food items, but rarely remained there for long, and p r e f e r r e d to p e r c h o n small twigs, seed heads a n d xerophytes, u p to 5 0 c m above the g r o u n d . W h e n it l a n d e d , it m o m e n t a r i l y h e l d its w i n g s slightly s p r e a d f r o m t h e b o d y , e n a b l i n g t h e black underwing-coverts t o be seen. Itrarely flew m o r e than 2 0 m at any time. The head was a uniform cold dark greyish brown and laeked a prominent supercilium, although the supra-loral area w a s slightly w a r m e r a n d brighter than the rest of the head, with the c o l o u r s p r e a d i n g n a r r o w l y above the top of the bill j o i n i n g the t w o sides together. T h e e y e - r i n g w a s a l s o slightly w a r m e r t h a n the side o f the h e a d . T h e n a p e w a s similar in c o l o u r to the head, while the mantle and scapulars were a similar cold greyish-brown but with slightly paler feather fringes, creating a faint mottled effect. T h e overall i m p r e s s i o n o f the tail w a s o f m o r e white a n d less black t h a n a N o r t h e r n w o u l d show, a n d t h e w h i t e o n t h e r u m p a n d u p p e r t a i l - c o v e r t s w a s m o r e extensive. T h e tail p a t t e r n w a s that o f a typical wheatear, b u t with a n a r r o w e r black tip than a N o r t h e r n w o u l d show, a l t h o u g h t h e b l a c k e x t e n d e d a l o n g t h e o u t e r w e b o f t6 f o r a p p r o x i m a t e l y h a l f its visible length, a n d slightly less so a l o n g the outer e d g e o f t5. The patterning on the closed wing was quite contrasting, with dark centres marked with pale tips a n d b r o a d fringes. T h e primary, m e d i a n and lesser coverts were blackish, fringed dingy white, a n d the greater coverts edged pale buff and tipped white, forming a narrow white w i n g b a r across the tips o f the greater coverts. T h e tertials were blackish, e d g e d and tipped dingy white or very pale buff, and the secondaries were dark brown, narrowly edged dingy white, w h i c h created a pale panel in the closed wing. T h e primaries w e r e dark b r o w n , narrowly e d g e d pale buff towards the bases, the inner 4 - 5 were also tipped pale buff. T h e alula was black with narrow dingy white fringes and the underwing-coverts were black. T h e chin and throat were dull greyish-white at the centre and m o r e w a r m and b r o w n towards the sides, but overall paler than the c r o w n and sides of the head. Extending across t h e b r e a s t t h e r e w a s a s o l i d b r o w n b r e a s t b a n d , a l t h o u g h a l o n g t h e l o w e r e d g e it w a s s l i g h t l y w a r m e r , richer b r o w n , particularly towards the sides, but in the centre this w a r m e r t o n e w a s a b s e n t ; h o w e v e r , a t o n e p o i n t t h e b i r d b a t h e d a n d f l e w b a c k o n t o t h e f e n c e . Its u n d e r p a r t feathering b e c a m e m a t t e d a n d it c o u l d b e s e e n that the b a s e s t o the m a t t e d breast feathers a l s o s h o w e d a distinct c i n n a m o n - b r o w n t o n e w h i c h i s s h o w n in j u s t o n e p h o t o g r a p h , b u t was not noted by us at the time and has not been c o m m e n t e d upon by other observers. T h e flanks w e r e w a s h e d with a delicate pale cinnamon-brown, this being paler towards the centre of the belly and richest along the lower rear flanks. The centre of the belly and undertailcoverts were white. Comments I d o n ' t h a v e m u c h previous experience of f e m a l e Pied W h e a t e a r at this time o f the year. A l t h o u g h this b i r d w a s w i d e l y r e p o r t e d a s a first-winter, it a p p e a r e d t o s h o w n o m o u l t contrast in the greater coverts. A s adults have a c o m p l e t e post-breeding m o u l t they are also in fresh p l u m a g e i n a u t u m n , s o w e are u n s u r e o f the Ă˘ g e o f the bird a n d think it m a y b e better t o leave it u n a g e d u n l e s s other features are visible i n p h o t o g r a p h s that c a n b e u s e d reliably to d e t e r m i n e the Ă˘ge. O n e possibility could b e the state of w e a r o f the primaries. O n a f i r s t - w i n t e r t h e s e a r e n o t r e p l a c e d in its p o s t - j u v e n i l e m o u l t a n d will b e u p t o t h r e e o r f o u r m o n t h s older than those of an adult.This m e a n s they m a y appear m o r e w o r n and s h o w less c o n s p i c u o u s pale tips than an adult d o e s at this time o f year. A s the pale p r i m a r y tips w e r e not striking, it w a s p r o b a b l y a first-winter bird. James Kennerley

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SuffolkRingingReport 2009

Suffolk Ringing Report 2009 Simon Evans 2 0 0 9 w a s a l a n d m a r k y e a r for the British Trust for O r n i t h o l o g y ( B T O ) as it celebrated the h u n d r e d t h anniversary o fthe R i n g i n g S c h e m e i n Britain a n d Ireland, and Suffolk ringers efforts matched the occasion. Provisional figures of just over 53,500 birds ringed, the c o u n t y ' s highest a n n u a l total a n d nearly 1,200 recoveries represent a b o u t 6 % a n d 8 % of the national figures respectively. A n impressive contribution! I n c l u d e d i n t h e r e c o v e r i e s d a t a 1 9 9 b i r d s ringed i n S u f f o l k w e r e r e p o r t e d a b r o a d a n d n e w s w a s r e c e i v e d o f 2 9 f o r e i g n ringed b i r d s m a k i n g a n a p p e a r a n c e i n t h e c o u n t y . T w o n e w s p e c i e s w e r e a d d e d t o t h e C o u n t y ringing l i s t : P e r e g r i n e a n d B u z z a r d , a n d o n e t e m p o r a r i l y r e m o v e d : G o s h a w k , the birds reported last y e a r actually b e i n g in N o r f o l k . O f the scarcer species four Yellow-browed Warblers, and single Marsh, Melodious, G r e e n i s h and A r c t i c W a r b l e r s w e r e c a u g h t and three W r y n e c k s a n d a single W i l l o w Tit m a d e i t i n t o S u f f o l k ' s n e t s . C e t t i ' s W a r b l e r r i n g i n g n u m b e r s c o n t i n u e t o rise a s t h e s p e c i e s s p r e a d s across the c o u n t y a n d D a r t f o r d W a r b l e r n u m b e r s indicate a m a r k e d increase in f o r t u n e with a reversal of the d o w n w a r d trend since 2006. E a r l y i n 2 0 1 0 t h e B T O l a u n c h e d a n o n l i n e v i e w o f t h e N a t i o n a l a n d C o u n t y ringing t o t a l s w i t h s e l e c t e d r e c o v e r i e s . T h i s m u c h a w a i t e d a p p l i c a t i o n a l l o w s u s all t h e o p p o r t u n i t y to v i e w t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n d i r e c t l y from t h e B T O ' s h o m e p a g e . H o w e v e r , t h e r e a r e c u r r e n t l y a n u m b e r o f shortfalls w i t h t h e data a n d as s u c h it is i n c o m p l e t e . I w o u l d t h e r e f o r e like t o e n c o u r a g e a l l t h e c o u n t y ' s ringers t h a t a r e r e s p o n s i b l e f o r d a t a s u b m i s s i o n t o f o r w a r d c o p i e s o f t h e i r results with c o m m e n t s t o either the editor o r the relevant regional county recorder, if not directly to myself. T h e information presented here istherefore a compilation of data, s o m e d i r e c t l y from t h e B T O a n d s o m e f r o m t h e r i n g e r s t h e m s e l v e s . A n n u a l a v e r a g e s o n t h e t o t a l s h a v e n o t b e e n r u n a s h a s b e e n d o n e p r e v i o u s l y , p r i m a r i l y b e c a u s e t h e totals d a t a f o r 2 0 0 6 to 2 0 0 8 i s still u n d e r r e v i s i o n . T h e factors affecting the n u m b e r s o f birds that are c a u g h t are c o m p l e x , b u t essentially the b i r d s n e e d t o b e p r e s e n t a n d t h e ringers w i l l i n g a n d a b l e t o c a t c h t h e m . O v e r m o r e r e c e n t years ringing emphasis has b e c o m e focused on population d y n a m i c s and a s a result m a n y individual species studies have been taken up. Some, through such projects a s the B T O ' s C o n s t a n t E f f o r t S c h e m e ( C E S ) a n d R e - t r a p p i n g A d u l t s f o r S u r v i v a l ( R A S ) t o others like the Suffolk C o m m u n i t y B a r n O w l project a n d the L a n d g u a r d Ringing G r o u p ' s fantastic w o r k o n t h e l a r g e r g u l l s . T h e s e s t u d i e s f o c u s ringer's e f f o r t s a n d t h e n u m b e r s o f s u c h s p e c i e s ringed a n d r e c o v e r e d h a s i n c r e a s e d . In 2009 the county Tree Sparrow Project, launched and co-ordinated through the Suffolk Wildlife Trust ( S W T ) , resulted i n 3 8 7 birds b e i n g r i n g e d a n d c o l o u r ringed, largely i n the west of the county. T h e annual total o f3 9 6 h a d a 9 8 % input f r o m this project! T h e annual a v e r a g e t o 2 0 0 6 w a s 2 9 b i r d s ; l e t ' s h o p e this c h a r i s m a t i c little b i r d c o n t i n u e s t o thrive. 2 0 0 9 s a w t h e f o r m a t i o n o f t h e T h e t f o r d F o r e s t R i n g i n g G r o u p w h i c h d e s p i t e its n a m e is active within Suffolk. Their total o f 6,362 birds for the year saw 2,581 of t h e m being within the County. T h e g r o u p operate m a n y specific projects w h i c h include R A S w o r k o n Firecrest, Siskin a n d Crossbill. 112 o f the 113 Suffolk-ringed Crossbills w e r e caught a t H i g h Lodge, representing 4 5 % o f the National total. O f the 14Swifts, 4 were ringed prior t o release having being hand reared. Nestlings d i s c o v e r e d in peril f r o m a c r o s s t h e r e g i o n f o u n d t h e i r w a y t o a little v i l l a g e in W e s t S u f f o l k where Judith W a k e l a m goes t o extraordinary lengths t o assist their development. She has b e c o m e a n international expert with a n incredible success rate, passing o n her skills and findings t o similar m i n d e d people f r o m South Africa t o Russia. H e r e ' s h o p i n g that one o f these birds isrecaptured somewhere. 170

Suffolk Ringing Report 2009 T h e table b e l o w s u m m a r i s e s the annual total o f 5 3 , 5 7 0 birds o f 133 s p e c i e s b e i n g r i n g e d by Suffolk ringers in 2009. There follows a number of selected recoveries with comments. T h e L a n d g u a r d R G c o n t r i b u t e d an i m p r e s s i v e 6 , 8 9 5 a l t h o u g h only 2 , 7 6 2 w e r e e a u g h t at the observatory ( m a n y o fthe others were o n Orfordness); the first time this figure has ever d i p p e d b e l o w the 3 , 0 0 0 m a r k . In terms o f n u m b e r s the ' g r o u p a w a r d ' g o e s to the C a t c h p o l e C o c k r a m a n d Peters g r o u p w h o ringed a stunning 9,662 birds, 1 8 % of the c o u n t y total. T h e 'individual a w a r d ' m u s t go t o J o h n W a l s h e for his incredible contribution o f7,177, 1 3 . 5 % o f the C o u n t y total; h ealso assists other g r o u p s a n d projects. In a c k n o w l e d g e m e n t I ' d like t o t h a n k a n u m b e r o f s t a f f at the B T O , e s p e c i a l l y P e t e r Lack, Jez B l a c k b u r n , G r e g Conway, Lee Barber and R o b Robinson for their time and c o m m e n t s . Whilst the majority of the data w a s already with the BTO, the following ringers, partnerships and groups supplied information and comment; Abbott and Kennerley (Steve A b b o t t , Peter a n d J a m e s K e n n e r l e y a n d M i k e Swindells), R E Batty, C o l i n Cárter, C a t c h p o l e C o c k r a m a n d Peters (Peter Catchpole, J o h n Glazebrook, Ian Peters, R o d n e y West, M i k e Pratt, A l a n Miller, M e r v y n Miller a n d M a l c o l m C a v a n n a h ) , R o b D u n c a n , L a c k f o r d R G (Colin Jakes, M a l c o l m Wright and Peter Lack), Landguard R G (Mike Marsh, Nigel Odin and others), Market Weston R G (Nigel and Jacquie Clark and others), N e w t o n and Wright (Paul Newton, Mick Wright and Dean Backhouse), Suffolk C o m m u n i t y Barn O w l Project (Alee Hillier and others), S W T Tree Sparrow Project (Joe Davis and others), Brian T h o m p s o n and Nicola Hedges, Thetford Forest R G , John Walshe, Waveney Bird Club (Steve Piotrowski, Stephen Flory, Chris Mclntyre and others) and with apologies to anyone I have missed. Total

Species M u t e S w a n Cygnus olor C a ñ a d a G o o s e Branta canadensis S h e l d u c k Tadorna tadorna T e a l Anas crecca M a l l a r d Anas platyrhynchos M a r s h H a r r i e r Circus aeruginosus S p a r r o w h a w k Accipiter nisus B u z z a r d Buteo buteo K e s t r e l Falco tinnunculus H o b b y Falco subbuteo P e r e g r i n e Falco peregrinus W a t e r R a i l Rallus aquaticus M o o r h e n Gallínula chloropus O y s t e r c a t c h e r Haematopus ostralegus A v o c e t Recurvirostra avosetta S t o n e - c u r l e w Burhinus oedicnemus R i n g e d P l o v e r Charadrius hiaticula G o l d e n P l o v e r Pluvialis apricaria G r e y P l o v e r Pluvialis squatarola L a p w i n g Vanellus vanellus K n o t Calidris canutus D u n l i n Calidris alpina R u f f Philomachus pugnax J a c k S n i p e Lymnocryptes minimus S n i p e Gallinago gallinago W o o d c o c k Scolopax rusticóla B l a c k - t a i l e d G o d w i t Limosa limosa B a r - t a i l e d G o d w i t Limosa lapponica C u r l e w Numenius arquata 171

3 5 5 39 3 10 79 1 92 12

4 3 22 5 23 42 23 4 6 32 42 376 1 2 15 5 44 4 11

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 Species C o m m o n S a n d p i p e r Actitis hypoleucol S p o t t e d R e d s h a n k Tringa erythropus G r e e n s h a n k Tringa nebularia R e d s h a n k Tringa totanus T u r n s t o n e Arenaria interpres K i t t i w a k e Ris sa tridactyla B l a c k - h e a d e d G u l l Chroicocephalus ridibundus M e d i t e r r a n e a n G u l l Larus melanocephalus C o m m o n G u l l Larus canus L e s s e r B l a c k - b a c k e d G u l l Larus fuscus H e r r i n g G u l l Larus argentatus C o m m o n T e r n Sterna hirundo S t o c k D o v e Columba oenas W o o d p i g e o n Columba palumbus C o l l a r e d D o v e Streptopelia decaocto T u r t l e D o v e Streptopelia turtu C u c k o o Cuculus canorus B a r n O w l Tyto alba L i t t l e O w l Athene noctua T a w n y O w l Strix aluco N i g h t j a r Caprimulgus europaeus S w i f t Apus apus K i n g f i s h e r Alcedo atthis W r y n e c k Jynx torquilla G r e e n W o o d p e c k e r Picus viridis G r e a t S p o t t e d W o o d p e c k e r Dendrocopos major W o o d l a r k Lullula arborea S k y l a r k Alauda arvensis S a n d M a r t i n Riparia riparia S w a l l o w Hirundo rustica H o u s e M a r t i n Delichon urbicum T r e e P i p i t Anthus trivialis M e a d o w P i p i t Anthus pratensis R o c k P i p i t Anthus petrosus Y e l l o w W a g t a i l Motacilla flava G r e y W a g t a i l Motacilla cinerea P i e d / W h i t e W a g t a i l Motacilla alba W a x w i n g Bombycilla garrulus W r e n Troglodytes troglodytes D u n n o c k Prunella modularis R o b i n Erithacus rubecula N i g h t i n g a l e Luscinia megarhynchos B l a c k R e d s t a r t Phoenicurus ochruros R e d s t a r t Phoenicurus phoenicurus W h i n c h a t Saxicola rubetra S t o n e c h a t Saxicola torquatus W h e a t e a r Oenanthe oenanthe R i n g O u z e l Turdus torquatus B l a c k b i r d Turdus merula F i e l d f a r e Turdus pilaris S o n g T h r u s h Turdus philomelos R e d w i n g Turdus iliacus M i s t l e T h r u s h Turdus viscivorus 172

Suffolk Ringing Report 2009 Species

Total

C e t t i ' s W a r b l e r Cettia cetti G r a s s h o p p e r W a r b l e r Locustella naevia S e d g e W a r b l e r Acrocephalus schoenobaenus M a r s h W a r b l e r Acrocephalus palustris R e e d W a r b l e r Acrocephalus scirpaceus M e l o d i o u s W a r b l e r Hippolais polyglotta B l a c k c a p Sylvia atricapilla G a r d e n W a r b l e r Sylvia borin L e s s e r W h i t e t h r o a t Sylvia curruca W h i t e t h r o a t Sylvia communis D a r t f o r d W a r b l e r Sylvia undata G r e e n i s h W a r b l e r Phylloscopus trochiloides A r c t i c W a r b l e r Phylloscopus borealis Y e l l o w - b r o w e d W a r b l e r Phylloscopus inornatus C h i f f c h a f f Phylloscopus collybita W i l l o w W a r b l e r Phylloscopus trochilus G o l d c r e s t Regulus regidus F i r e c r e s t Regulus ignicapilla S p o t t e d F l y c a t c h e r Muscicapa striata P i e d F l y c a t c h e r Ficedula hypoleuca B e a r d e d T i t Panurus biarmicus L o n g - t a i l e d T i t Aegithalos caudatus B l u e T i t Cyanistes caeruleus G r e a t T i t Pa rus major C o a l T i t Periparus ater W i l l o w T i t Poecile montana M a r s h T i t Poecile palustris N u t h a t c h Sitta europaea T r e e c r e e p e r Certhiafamiliaris J a y Garrulus glandarius M a g p i e Pica pica J a c k d a w Corvus monedula R o o k Corvus frugilegus C a r r i o n C r o w Corvus corone S t a r l i n g Sturnus vulgaris H o u s e S p a r r o w Passer domesticus T r e e S p a r r o w Passer montanus C h a f f i n c h Fringilla coelebs B r a m b l i n g Fringilla montifringilla G r e e n f i n c h Carduelis chloris G o l d f i n c h Carduelis carduelis S i s k i n Carduelis spinus L i n n e t Carduelis cannabina T w i t e Carduelis flavirostris C o m m o n R e d p o l l Carduelis flammea L e s s e r R e d p o l l Carduelis cabaret R e d p o l l ( C o m m o n / L e s s e r ) Carduelis flammea/cabaret C o m m o n C r o s s b i l l Loxia curvirostra B u l l f i n c h Pyrrhula pyrrhula S n o w B u n t i n g Plectrophenax nivalis Y e l l o w h a m m e r Emberiza citrinella R e e d B u n t i n g Emberiza schoeniclus Grand Total 173

185 27 2215 1 3038 1 2338 304 418 1318 69 1 1 4 1295 934 235 55 54 23 304 1127 3730 3265 451 1 80 25 88 28 12 104 2 595 418 396 2571 124 3084 2925 2938 601 11 10 1015 113 241 97 652 1384 53570

SuffolkRingingReport 2009

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2009 I have listed a selection o f 'interesting' recoveries w h i c h have b e e n reported during 2 0 0 9 a n d w h i c h i n v o l v e S u f f o l k , e i t h e r a s t h e ringing p l a c e o r t h e f i n d i n g p l a c e . T h e r e a r e a f e w from e a r l i e r y e a r s , b u t m o s t o f t h e s e h a v e o n l y r e c e n t l y b e e n r e p o r t e d . T h e s e a r e b y n o m e a n s a c o m p l e t e record and b y definition are often the m o r e unusual reports o f birds, either because of where they were found o rbecause of being very m u c h older than usual. These r e c o r d s w e r e s u p p l i e d b y i n d i v i d u a l ringers o r g r o u p s o r w e r e e x t r a c t e d f r o m t h e f i l e s h e l d by the British Trust for Ornithology. It i s w o r t h n o t i n g t h a t a s u b s t a n t i a l n u m b e r o f s u c h r e c o v e r i e s a r e o f b i r d s s e e n i n t h e field with colour rings. This is especially due t o s o m e long-running schemes, such a s for Black-tailed G o d w i t s a n d several gulls. S o m e o f these s c h e m e s are U K - b a s e d , but others are p r i m a r i l y b a s e d a b r o a d . It is a l w a y s w o r t h l o o k i n g t h r o u g h f l o c k s o f w a d e r s a n d g u l l s to see if y o u c a n see c o l o u r rings a n d then report t h e m . All these a d d t o the picture o fwhat is h a p p e n i n g to o u r birds, a subject w h i c h will b e c o m e increasingly important as the environm e n t c h a n g e s b e c a u s e of factors such as climate change. C o l o u r rings also often m e a n that o n e bird is sighted m a n y times, w h i c h in turn gives u s a m u c h better idea o f the overall patterns of m o v e m e n t s of such species. R e c o v e r i e s a r e l i s t e d i n s p e c i e s o r d e r w i t h ringing d e t a i l s o n t h e f i r s t l i n e : r i n g n u m b e r (or colour combination), age and/or sex (see below for codes), date o fringing, place o f ringing with latitude and longitude coordinates if k n o w n ( acounty o r country is specified if n o t S u f f o l k ) ; a n d r e p o r t details o n the s e c o n d a n d a n y s u b s e q u e n t lines: the m e a n s o f the recovery (control m e a n s caught and released b y another ringer), date o f report, place o f report w i t h latitude a n d longitude i f k n o w n , a n d then there m a y b e details o f t i m e lapsed, distance f r o m ringing place (kilometres) a n d direction w h e r e these are available. N o t e that sometimes where there have been multiple sightings these are summarised t o a greater o r lesser extent. White-fronted Goose DEW First-year F e m a l e 318336 Field sighting

04/12/2002 05/01/2009

Canada Goose 5230726 Adult 08/09/2005 Fresh dead (shot) 12/12/2009 Gadwall FP98447 Shag 1443699

Bingum-Einhaus, Leer: 53°13'N 7°24'E (Aurich & O l d e n b u r g ) Germany M i n s m e r e Nature Reserve, Westleton: (Suffolk) 406km W S W N e e d h a m Lake, N e e d h a m Market: (Suffolk) Earsham: (Norfolk) 4 2 k m N E

Nestling Male Fresh dead

26/07/2008 02/01/2009

Rye Meads, Hoddesdon: (Hertfordshire) Higham: (Suffolk) 66km N E

Nestling Fresh dead

14/06/2009 08/12/2009

Isle o f M a y : 5 6 ° 1 l ' N 2 ° 3 4 ' W ( F i f e R e g i o n ) Lowestoft: (Suffolk) 4 9 8 k m SSE

10/06/2007

O o s t e r k w e l d e r : 5 3 ° 2 9 ' N 6 ° 9 ' E (Schiermonnikoog) The Netherlands Minsmere Nature Reserve, Westleton: (Suffolk) 336km W S W Trimley Marshes, near Felixstowe: (Suffolk) 370km WSW Havergate Island: (Suffolk) 3 4 8 k m W S W H a v e r g a t e Island: ( S u f f o l k ) 3 4 8 k m W S W

Spoonbill NLA Nestling 8048768 Field sighting

15/06/2008

Fiejd sighting

01/07/2008

Field sighting Field sighting

02/08/2008 01/05/2009

174

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2009 Sparrowhawk D A 8 2 5 2 2 First-year M a l e Caught by ringer

27/09/2008 30/07/2009

South Foreland: (Kent) H a d d o n Hall: (Suffolk) 104km N

Nestling Dead

27/06/2008 05/01/2009

M i l d e n h a l l Fen: ( S u f f o l k ) Westbourne, Emsworth: (Hampshire) 195km S S W

Nestling Field sighting

03/08/2008 07/06/2009

Site C o n f i d e n t i a l , B r a n d o n Park: ( S u f f o l k ) Near Hockwold: (Norfolk) 6km N A s p l e n d i d r e p o r t o f a r e t u r n i n g c o l o u r r i n g e d bird t o its h o m e in t h e B r e c k s

Peregrine GG98068 Nestling Field sighting

28/04/2009 25/07/2009

Black Ooze, River Orwell, near Ipswich: (Suffolk) Orfordness: (Suffolk) 29km E N E Again, note the value of colour-marking raptors

Oystercatcher FR85109 First-year Sick (disease) FS99345 Nestling C a u g h t b y ringer Fresh dead Adult Male FA62463 Field sighting Field sighting FA50784 Adult Field sighting

23/02/1986 04/06/2009 23/06/1979 15/11/1986 12/09/2009 21/07/1997 03/05/2008 12/04/2009 26/09/1996 25/07/2009

F a g b u r y , Felixstowe: ( S u f f o l k ) Warden: (Kent) 68km S S W Boyton Marshes: (Suffolk) Fagbury, Felixstowe: (Suffolk) 19km S W H a v e r g a t e Island: ( S u f f o l k ) 3 k m H o l b e a c h St M a t t h e w : ( L i n c o l n s h i r e ) Orfordness: (Suffolk) 133km SE Orfordness: (Suffolk) 133km SE Falkenham Creek: (Suffolk) Nieuwpoort: 51°7'N 2°45'E (West-Vlaanderen) Belgium 1 4 0 k m S E

Adult

18/05/2007

Field sighting

18/02/2008

Igaldas, P o r s a n g e r : 7 0 ° 1 3 ' N 2 4 ° 5 6 ' E ( F i n n m a r k ) Norway T h o r p e Bay, Felixstowe: ( S u f f o l k ) 2 , 3 6 9 k m S S W P r e s u m a b l y initially c a u g h t o n s p r i n g p a s s a g e , this b i r d is o n l y t h e 7 t h f o r e i g n r i n g e d k n o t r e p o r t e d in S u f f o l k a n d t h e s e c o n d from N o r w a y . O t h e r s h a v e previously come from Netherlands(2), Germany(l), Denmark(T) and Iceland(l)

Kestrel ET44740 Hobby EF26843

Knot NOS 7469902

Sanderling NLA Full-grown H321997 Field sighting

Dunlin NR18021

03/04/2008 03/06/2009

Baie D'aouatif, Banc D'arguin: 19°53'N 16°15'W Mauritania Benacre: (Suffolk) 3,936km N N E T h i s bird is t h e f i r s t f o r e i g n ringed S a n d e r l i n g r e p o r t e d in S u f f o l k . J u s t o n e S u f f o l k ringed b i r d h a s b e e n r e p o r t e d a b r o a d a n d that w a s in M a u r i t a n i a !

ringer

26/07/2008 24/07/2009

Orfordness: (Suffolk) Butterwick: (Lincolnshire) 140km N W

Black-tailed Godwit EW29415 Adult C a u g h t b y ringer

25/08/2006 28/01/2009

ES38979

30/08/2008

Hazelwood, near H a m Creek: (Suffolk) Reserve Naturelle de Moeze, Moeze: 45°54'N 1°2'W ( C h a r e n t e - M a r i t i m e ) France 7 2 0 k m S S W Levington (Lagoon), on River Orwell: (Suffolk)

Adult Caught by

Adult

175

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 Field s i g h t i n g

26/02/2009

Alresford Creek, Colne Estuary: (Essex) 2 7 k m S W E W 2 9 4 1 5 is t h e 5th S u f f o l k r i n g e d bird r e p o r t e d in France. Five have a l s o b e e n r e p o r t e d in I c e l a n d a n d o n e in D e n m a r k . Foreign ringed b i r d s r e p o r t e d in t h e c o u n t y involve t w o f r o m F r a n c e and t w o from Iceland. A u t u m n p a s s a g e b i r d s c o l o u r r i n g e d in G e r m a n y h a v e also b e e n p r e v i o u s l y r e c o r d e d

First-year Caught by Adult Caught by

10/08/2000 05/09/2009 09/02/2002 02/10/2009

L e v i n g t o n ( L a g o o n ) , o n R i v e r Orwell: ( S u f f o l k ) Hazelwood, near Ham Creek: (Suffolk) 2 7 k m N E R u m n e y Estuary, Cardiff: (Glamorgan) Hazelwood, near Ham Creek: (Suffolk) 3 2 9 k m E N E

Nestling

15/06/1989

A r u p Vejle, Fjerritslev: 5 7 ° 1 ' N 8 ° 5 5 ' E ( J y l l a n d )

Fresh d e a d Adult Field s i g h t i n g

20/02/2009 13/10/1990 05/04/2009

Adult Field s i g h t i n g

27/01/1996 15/05/2004

Field s i g h t i n g

28/04/2007

Field s i g h t i n g

04/06/2009

First-year Field s i g h t i n g

28/01/1996 06/06/2009

Redshank DB60027 DK76362

ringer ringer

Black-headed Gull DKC 6217069 EP74085

EP74621

Denmark Botesdale: (Suffolk) 7 2 6 k m S W Bramford Landfill: (Suffolk) R u s k e n v e e n s e Pias, H o o g k e r k : 5 3 ° 1 2 ' N 6 ° 3 1 ' E ( G r o n i n g e n ) The Netherlands 3 8 7 k m E N E L a n d g u a r d Point, Felixstowe: ( S u f f o l k ) Hirsholm, Frederikshavn: 57°29'N 10°36'E (Jylland)

D e n m a r k 857km NE

ES99851

H i r s h o l m : 5 7 ° 2 9 ' N 1 0 ° 3 7 ' E ( J y l l a n d ) Denmark 858km N E H i r s h o l m : 5 7 ° 2 9 ' N 1 0 ° 3 7 ' E ( J y l l a n d ) Denmark 858km N E N e a r C a s t l e Hill, I p s w i c h : ( S u f f o l k ) R u s k e n v e e n s e Pias, H o o g k e r k : 5 3 ° 1 2 ' N 6 ° 3 1 ' E ( G r o n i n g e n ) The Netherlands 3 8 5 k m E N E A f u r t h e r 11 S u f f o l k r i n g e d b i r d s w e r e r e p o r t e d abroad; Russia(8), Finland(l), G e r m a n y ( l ) and Netherlands(l) N o t e : 6 2 1 7 0 6 9 w a s j u s t u n d e r 2 0 years o l d

Mediterranean Gull FRP FS70554

Nestling

10/06/2008

L e P l a t i e r D ' o y e Plage: 51 ° 0 ' N 2 ° 2 ' E ( P a s - d e - C a l a i s )

France 25/05/2009

Great Livermere Lake: (Suffolk) 170km N N W

22/07/2000 13/12/2009

151 S u f f o l k ringed b i r d s w e r e r e p o r t e d a b r o a d in 2009; Spain(87), Morocco(21), France(15), Portugal( 13), N e t h e r l a n d s ( 7 ) , B e l g i u m ( 7 ) a n d Western S a h a r a ( l ) . Five f o r e i g n ringed b i r d s w e r e r e p o r t e d in S u f f o l k , ail o n O r f o r d n e s s ; F r a n c e ( 2 ) a n d singles f r o m Netherlands, Belgium and Spain Orfordness: (Suffolk) 87km N E of Dakhla: 24° 17'N 15°21'E W e s t e r n

Nestling Field s i g h t i n g Field s i g h t i n g

10/07/2004 11/07/2009

T h e m o s t southerly r e c o v e r y in 2 0 0 9 Orfordness: (Suffolk) Orfordness: (Suffolk)

Field s i g h t i n g

30/09/2009

Field s i g h t i n g

Lesser Black-backed Gull

redYUF

Nestling Field s i g h t i n g

S a h a r a 3408km SSW red U C F

13/08/2009

Playa d e D o n i n o s , n e a r Ferrol, La C o r u n a : 4 3 ° 3 0 ' N 0 8 ° 1 9 ' W Spain 1 2 0 4 k m S W Quarteira, Algarve: 37°04'N 0 8 ° 0 7 ' W P o r t u g a l 1834km S S W

176

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2009

Nestling Field sighting

19/07/1997

A n excellent series of sightings tracking the a u t u m n m i g r a t i o n o f t h i s b i r d f r o m O r f o r d n e s s in m i d - J u l y t o n o r t h S p a i n in m i d - A u g u s t a n d t h e n t o s o u t h e r n P o r t u g a l in late S e p t e m b e r . Orfordness: (Suffolk)

09/01/2003

El O u a t i a ( T a n T a n P l a g e ) : 2 8 ° 3 0 ' N 1 1 ° 2 0 ' W

Field sighting

02/09/2003

Marismas del Odiel, Huelva 37°1 l ' N 0 7 ° 5 6 ' W 1816km S S W

Field Field Field Field Field

19/11/2005 28/02/2007 25/11/2007 10/07/2008 18/11/2009

El Ouatia (Tan Tan Plage): M o r o c c o

Morocco 2832km SSW

sighting sighting sighting sighting sighting

Malaga, Malaga: 36°43'N 0 4 ° 2 5 ' W

Spain

1772km S S W

El Ouatia (Tan Tan Plage): M o r o c c o Whitton, Ipswich: (Suffolk) - breeding

El Ouatia (Tan Tan Plage): M o r o c c o T h i s b i r d w a s ringed as a c h i c k at O r f o r d n e s s in 1 9 9 7 a n d r e g u l a r l y w i n t e r s at El O u a t i a in s o u t h e r n M o r o c c o . It h a s n o w b e e n s e e n t h e r e in f o u r w i n t e r s J a n u a r y 2 0 0 3 a n d N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 5 , 2 0 0 7 a n d 2 0 0 9 . In r e c e n t y e a r s t h e o n l y s i g h t i n g o f it b a c k in B r i t a i n w a s in J u l y 2 0 0 8 w h e n it w a s f o u n d b r e e d i n g in I p s w i c h on the roof of a disused b a k e r y

Herring Gull

GG92348

Nestling Field sighting

03/07/1993 29/06/2009

GG77010

Nestling Field sighting

11/07/2005 06/11/2009

S i x S u f f o l k ringed b i r d s w e r e r e p o r t e d a b r o a d in 2009: France(3), Netherlands(2) and Belgium (1) Orfordness: (Suffolk) Forteiland, Ijmuiden: 5 2 ° 2 7 ' N 4 ° 3 3 ' E ( N o o r d H o l l a n d ) The Netherlands 2 0 7 k m E Lowestoft: (Suffolk) Oostende: 51°12'N 2°54'E (West-Vlaanderen)

Belgium 162km SSE

Glaucous Gull 18/07/2008 21/03/2009

Bear Island: 7 4 ° 2 1 ' N 19°10'E S v a l b a r d Orfordness: (Suffolk) 2603km S S W T h i s is t h e f i r s t c o l o u r - r i n g e d G l a u c o u s G u l l t h a t h a s b e e n s e e n at O r f o r d n e s s . B e f o r e it a p p e a r e d at O r f o r d n e s s it h a d b e e n s e e n s e v e r a l t i m e s at o t h e r sites o n the Suffolk coast between Lowestoft and M i n s m e r e

Field s i g h t i n g

13/07/2008 01/11/2008

Havergate Island: (Suffolk) Boulogne-Sur-Mer: 50°42'N 1°36'E (Pas-de-Calais)

Field sighting

28/06/2009

NOS

Nestling

3024326 NOS 389519

Field sighting Nestling

15/06/2009 13/12/2009 30/06/2008

Fresh dead

25/04/2009

Covehithe: (Suffolk) 727km S S W A f u r t h e r t w o N o r w e g i a n ringed b i r d s w e r e s e e n o n Orfordness: black JA296 and black JA142

02/07/1996 14/04/2009

N o r t h Weir Point, O r f o r d B e a c h : ( S u f f o l k ) Zeebrugge: 51°20'N 3°11'E (West-Vlaanderen)

green LE

Nestling Field sighting

Great Black-backed Gull HT21173

Nestling

France 152km S L e Portel: 5 0 ° 4 2 ' N 1 ° 3 4 ' E ( P a s - d e - C a l a i s ) France 152km S H o r n o y a , V a r d o : 7 0 ° 2 3 ' N 3 1 ° 9 ' E ( F i n n m a r k ) Norway Lowestoft: (Suffolk) 2,500km S W Amlandsstranda, Mandai: 58°0'N 7°32'E (Vest-Agder)

Norway

Little Tern NV88376

Nestling Caught by

ringer

Belgium 143km SE

177

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 T h e 7 t h S u f f o l k ringed b i r d r e p o r t e d in B e l g i u m . Singles have also been previously reported in Germany, France, M o r o c c o and Guinea Bissau

Common Tern XR08100

Nestling Fresh dead

05/07/1995 16/06/2009

Trimley Marshes, near Felixstowe: (Suffolk) Abberton Reservoir, near Colchester: (Essex) 3 4 k m WSW

Barn Owl GC67304

Full-grown Female 12/03/2009 Fresh d e a d (hit car) 2 2 / 0 6 / 2 0 0 9

Near Thorney: (Cambridgeshire) Exact Location Unknown: (Suffolk) 107km S E

Adult Male Caught by ringer

20/08/2005 29/06/2009

Near Hollesley Heath: (Suffolk) Tangham Farm, Boyton: (Suffolk) 4 k m

Nestling Female Field sighting

20/06/2007 16/05/2009

Lakenheath Warren: (Suffolk) The K i n g ' s Forest: (Suffolk) 11km SE

17/08/2007 29/07/2009

Iken Marsh, near Iken: (Suffolk) River Lochy, near Camisky: 5 6 ° 5 3 ' N 5 ° 2 ' W

Nightjar CW12877

Woodlark TJ30024

Sand Martin V448991

First-year Caught by

ringer

(Highland Region) 677km N W

Meadow Pipit V582590

X020364

First-year 30/09/2007 Fresh dead (glass) 29/04/2009 Juvenile Caught by

12/09/2009 ringer

28/09/2009

Orfordness: (Suffolk) Rugsund: 61°52'N 5°17'E (Sogn og Fjordane) Norway 1 , 1 1 0 k m N N E Orfordness: (Suffolk) H o e v e n e n : 5 1 ° 1 8 ' N 4 ° 2 4 ' E ( A n t w e r p e n ) Belgium 214km ESE T h e f i r s t S u f f o l k ringed M e a d o w P i p i t t o N o r w a y a n d t h e 5th t o B e l g i u m

Grey Wagtail V970706

First-year Female Caught by ringer

06/09/2008 28/02/2009

Nanjizal, Land's End: (Cornwall) N e e d h a m Market Sewage Works: (Suffolk) 526km ENE

Pied/White Wagtail V063011

First-year Female 03/03/2006 F r e s h d e a d (hit c a r ) 3 0 / 0 3 / 2 0 0 9

Kessingland, Lowestoft: (Suffolk) Kessingland: (Suffolk) 3 k m

First-year Fresh dead (cat)

13/11/2008 08/02/2009

Dyce: 5 7 ° 1 2 ' N 2°1 l ' W (Grampian Region) Rendlesham, Woodbridge: (Suffolk) 610km SSE A n unfortunate demise for such a stunning bird!

First-year

16/09/2009

Greifswalder Oie, Ostvorpommern: 54°15'N 13°55'E ( R o s t o c k ) Germany

14/10/2009

L a n d g u a r d Point, Felixstowe: (Suffolk) 8 7 9 k m W S W O n l y t h e 2 n d G e r m a n ringed R o b i n r e p o r t e d i n Suffolk

Waxwing NW41945

Robin DEH ZD76648

Caught by

ringer

178

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2009 Nightingale TC86376

Nestling Male C a u g h t b y ringer

07/06/2007 09/05/2009

First-year Female

06/10/2002

Bradfield Woods: (Suffolk) Lackford Lakes S W T Reserve: (Suffolk) 19km N W T r a p p e d o n a C E S s e s s i o n at L a c k f o r d , this m a l e returned t o S u f f o l k f o r t h e s e c o n d y e a r

Blackbird NLA LI 64595 CL96889

K o r v e s k o o i , d e K o o g : 5 3 ° 7 ' N 4 ° 4 8 ' E (Texel) T h e

Netherlands C a u g h t b y ringer First-year Female Fresh dead

20/03/2009 23/11/2008 26/07/2009

L a n d g u a r d Point, Felixstowe: (Suffolk) 2 7 0 k m W S W Orfordness: (Suffolk) Ylikyla, Pyharanta: 60°55'N 2 1 ° 2 6 ' E (Turku-Pori)

Finland 1,560km NE A d d i t i o n a l l y , a S u f f o l k ringed b i r d w a s r e p o r t e d in

Germany Grasshopper Warbler X749276

First-year Caught by

ringer

13/09/2009 19/09/2009

Pett L e v e l : ( S u s s e x ) Orfordness: (Suffolk) 146km N N E

06/08/2009 16/08/2009 08/08/2009 12/08/2009

Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: (Suffolk) Uskmouth, Newport: (Gwent) 309km W Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: (Suffolk) U e b e r s y r e n : 4 9 ° 3 8 ' N 6 ° 1 7 ' E Luxembourg 4 3 3 k m S E N o t e o n l y a f o u r d a y d u r a t i o n ! O n e o f six r e p o r t e d a b r o a d in 2 0 0 9 . T h r e e o t h e r s w e n t t o F r a n c e a n d t w o to B e l g i u m Mars-Ouest, Saint-Philbert-De-Grand-Lieu: 47°2'N

Sedge Warbler X514891 X891196

FRP

First-year Caught by First-year Caught by

ringer ringer

First-year Male

22/08/2007

Caught by

ringer

31/05/2009

Flordon Road, Creeting St M a r y : ( S u f f o l k ) 6 0 1 k m NNE

Juvenile Caught by

ringer

08/08/2009 24/08/2009

First-year C a u g h t by

ringer

16/09/2008 07/08/2009

Meols, Wirral: (Merseyside) Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: (Suffolk) 3 4 4 k m ESE The Haven, Thorpeness: (Suffolk) Vassmyra, Mandai: 58°1'N 7°29'E (Vest-Agder)

1°38'W (Loire-Atlantique) F r a n c e

5595228

Reed Warbler X305683

V890845

Norway 750km NNE X387325

First-year Caught by ringer

29/08/2008 21/05/2009

Walberswick: (Suffolk) Castricum Duinen: 52°33'N 4°37'E (Noord-Holland)

X603267

Juvenile C a u g h t by ringer

16/07/2009 21/08/2009

N e a r Charity Farm, Shotley: (Suffolk)

X202947

Juvenile Male C a u g h t b y ringer

13/07/2008 26/09/2009

Great Livermere: (Suffolk) West D o w n Plantation, Tilshead: (Wiltshire) 2 2 1 k m WSW

X397331

First-year Female C a u g h t b y ringer

28/09/2008 12/05/2009

Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: (Suffolk) Gemaal Leemans, Wieringermeer: 52°55'N 5°3'E ( N o o r d - H o l l a n d ) The Netherlands 2 6 2 k m E N E

The Netherlands 205km E Jaizbia, Hondarribia: 4 3 ° 2 1 ' N 1°49'W (Guipuzcoa) Spain 9 8 7 k m SSW T w o j u v e n i l e b i r d s w e r e a l s o r e p o r t e d in B e l g i u m h a v i n g b e e n ringed o n O r f o r d n e s s . A n o t h e r b i r d w e n t to France

Blackcap

179

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 NLA V367900

Full-grown Male

25/04/2009

Fresh dead

11/05/2009

Aldringham: (Suffolk) 205km W

Kennemer Duinen: 52°25'N 4°33'E (Noord-Holland)

The Netherlands

Garden Warbler X348442

30/06/2009

B a i n t o n G r a v e l Pits: ( C a m b r i d g e s h i r e )

25/07/2009 08/07/2009 09/08/2009

Orfordness: (Suffolk) 145km ESE F l o r d o n R o a d , C r e e t i n g St M a r y : ( S u f f o l k ) Pett L e v e l : ( S u s s e x ) 1 4 2 k m S S W

20/08/2008 20/05/2009

Pett L e v e l : ( S u s s e x ) Landguard Point, Felixstowe: (Suffolk) 1 2 4 k m N N E

First-year

29/03/2009

L a g u n a d e la N a v a , F u e n t e s d e N a v a : 4 2 ° 5 ' N 4 ° 4 5 ' W ( P a l e n c i a ) Spain

Caught by ringer Juvenile Dead First-year Caught by ringer

14/04/2009 19/07/2006

L a n d g u a r d Point, Felixstowe: ( S u f f o l k ) 1 , 1 8 7 k m N N E Bradfield Woods: (Suffolk)

07/12/2009 16/04/2009 22/04/2009

Taroudant: 30°28'N 8°52'W M o r o c c o 2,541km SSW Orfordness: (Suffolk) H a m m e S i n t A n n a : 51 ° 6 ' N 4 ° 9 ' E ( O o s t - V l a a n d e r e n )

First-year Female Fresh dead (cat)

14/04/2008 21/01/2009

First M i l l M e a d o w , S t o w m a r k e t : ( S u f f o l k ) Eterville: 4 9 ° 8 ' N 0 ° 2 5 ' W (Calvados) F r a n c e 3 5 2 k m SSW

First-year M a l e

04/10/2008

Caught by

ringer

19/03/2009

Driehoek, Castricum: 52°33'N 4°37'E (NoordH o l l a n d ) The Netherlands L a n d g u a r d Point, Felixstowe: ( S u f f o l k ) 2 3 5 k m

First-year Caught by ringer

22/10/2005 04/01 /2009

Shingle Street: (Suffolk) N e e d h a m M a r k e t S e w a g e W o r k s : ( S u f f o l k ) 31 k m W N W B N L 5 0 1 represents a n e w National longevity record f o r this s p e c i e s at 3 y e a r s 2 m o n t h s 13 d a y s

Nestling Caught by ringer

16/05/2009 22/11/2009

Gipping: (Suffolk) T h o m h a m Hall, T h o r n h a m M a g n a : ( S u f f o l k ) 1 0 k m N N E Note: T h e movement of 10km, a long way for a M a r s h Tit

ER22503

Nestling Fresh dead

19/05/2002 08/02/2009

Orfordness: (Suffolk) Semere Green, Pulham Market: (Norfolk) 4 5 k m NNW

EL45064

First-year Long dead

13/03/2008 21/09/2009

L a n d g u a r d Point, Felixstowe: ( S u f f o l k ) Caister-on-Sea: (Norfolk) 85km N N E Both these birds show large movements for Magpies

23/12/2007 11/11/2009 09/07/2009 10/11/2009

Iken M a r s h , n e a r I k e n : ( S u f f o l k ) Kilnsea Clays: (Humberside) 188km N N W Kilnsea Clays: (Humberside) Tuddenham: (Suffolk) 147km S

X812474

Juvenile Caught by ringer Juvenile Caught by ringer

Lesser Whitethroat V639468

First-year Caught by

ringer

Chiffchaff ESI FA4976 BJY476 BPL563

Belgium 210km ESE CCX927

Goldcrest NLA Y24310

Firecrest BNL501

Marsh Tit X625819

Magpie

Tree Sparrow V903477 X452572

Full-grown Caught by ringer Juvenile Fresh dead

O f t h e 19 r e c o r d e d m o v e m e n t s i n / o u t o f S u f f o l k , 7 involve m o v e m e n t e x c h a n g e s with Kilnsea Clays, Spurn, H u m b s

180

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2009 X399993

Full-grown Dead

25/10/2008 04/04/2009

Winterton: (Norfolk) N e a r Flixton: (Suffolk) 4 0 k m S S W A r e m a r k a b l e r e c o v e r y f r o m a p a i r o f l e g s f o u n d in a M o o r h e n n e s t , o n e w i t h a ring o n !

First-year M a l e Fresh d e a d (sick) Full-grown Female Fresh dead Adult Female Fresh dead (glass)

30/11/2002 11/10/2009 13/03/2009 20/07/2009 24/01/2007 14/04/2009

Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: (Suffolk) Hollesley: (Suffolk) 2 k m Landguard Point, Felixstowe: (Suffolk) Rodway, Kynnersley: (Shropshire) 2 7 5 k m W N W Thrandeston: (Suffolk)

Chaffinch R388399 X004057 V077494

Logumklostervej, Tinglev: 5 4 ° 5 7 ' N 9°10'E (Jylland)

D e n m a r k 605km ENE T h e 4 t h S u f f o l k ringed C h a f f i n c h r e p o r t e d in D e n m a r k and the only international exchange i n v o l v i n g t h e c o u n t y in 2 0 0 9

Greenfinch VT29569

First-year Female Fresh dead Full-grown Female Fresh d e a d (sick) Adult Male Long dead

14/02/2002 21/03/2009 14/04/2008 15/06/2009 20/10/2007 10/07/2009

T873914

First-year Female C a u g h t b y ringer

24/03/2006 16/04/2006

V032970

Adult Male C a u g h t b y ringer

23/02/2008 31 / 0 3 / 2 0 0 9

V951230

Adult Male Fresh d e a d (car)

16/02/2008 08/06/2009

X001702

First-year Male C a u g h t by ringer

27/03/2008 19/03/2009

First-year Male C a u g h t b y ringer

10/04/2008 09/08/2009

First-year Caught by

26/09/2007

TJ50323 TK59459

Dunwich: (Suffolk) Dunwich: (Suffolk) 2km Kilnsea Clays: (Humberside) Rumburgh: (Suffolk) 161km SSE T h e d d l e t h o r p e St H e l e n , M a b l e t h o r p e : ( L i n c o l n s h i r e ) Sotterley, B e c c l e s : ( S u f f o l k ) 1 4 2 k m S E

Siskin Chelmondiston: (Suffolk) Gelbensande, Bad Doberan: 54°12'N 12°18'E ( R o s t o c k ) Germany 7 8 1 k m E N E Brandon: (Suffolk) Itzehoe, Edendorf-Garten:53°57'N 9°29'E

(Schleswig-Holstein) G e r m a n y 616km ENE

X119516

Tangham Farm, Boyton: (Suffolk) Inkee, Taivalkoski:65°44'N 2 8 ° 3 6 ' E (Oulu) F i n l a n d 2,158km N E Brandon: (Suffolk) P o d e l u s y : 4 9 ° 5 0 ' N 1 4 ° 3 4 ' E ( P r a h a ) Czech Republic 1,017km E S E Tangham Farm, Boyton (Suffolk) H a n d o l , A r e : 6 3 ° 1 6 ' N 1 2 ° 2 7 ' E ( J a m t l a n d ) Sweden 1,402km N N E A s w e l l as n u m e r o u s m o v e m e n t s b e t w e e n S u f f o l k a n d t h e H i g h l a n d R e g i o n , a n o t h e r i n d i v i d u a l a l s o m a d e it to G e r m a n y

Twite T938130

V465735

ringer

03/01/2009

Cant Clough Reservoir: (Lancashire) Corporation Marshes, Dunwich: (Suffolk) 303km ESE Walberswick: (Suffolk) Heysham Harbour, Heysham: (Lancashire) 360km WNW

First-year Female

23/12/2006

Caught by

ringer

05/11/2008

C a u g h t by

ringer

04/02/2009

Heysham Harbour, Heysham: (Lancashire) 360km WNW

First-year Male C a u g h t b y ringer

08/10/2008 28/10/2009

Ramsley Reservoir: (Derbyshire) The Haven, Thorpeness: (Suffolk) 247km E S E

Common Redpoll X083395

181

SuffolkRingingReport 2009 Lesser Redpoll X466482

First-year 18/10/2008 Fresh dead (glass) 13/05/2009

X460058

First-year Male Caught by ringer

29/09/2008 16/03/2009

Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: (Suffolk) Lipwood Hall, Haydon Bridge: (Northumberland) 408km N W Near Hollesley Heath: (Suffolk) Hockai, Francorchamps: 50°29'N 5°59'E (Liege)

Belgium 361km ESE

Bullfinch T881022

First-year Female C a u g h t b y ringer

25/08/2006 27/09/2009

T r i m l e y M a r s h e s , T r i m l e y St M a r y : ( S u f f o l k ) Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: ( S u f f o l k ) 1 5 k m N E

First-year Female Field s i g h t i n g

22/02/2009 03/12/2009

Kessingland, Lowestoft: (Suffolk) Oesterdam: 51°29'N 4°13'E (Zeeland) T h e

Caught by

28/12/2009

Oesterdam: 51°29'N 4°13'E (Zeeland) T h e

Snow Bunting TH45169

Netherlands 200km ESE ringer

Netherlands 200km ESE Field s i g h t i n g

30/12/2009

Oesterdam: 51°29'N 4°13'E (Zeeland) T h e

N e t h e r l a n d s 200km ESE 311 days A l t h o u g h 3 o t h e r b i r d s w e r e r e c a p t u r e d at K e s s i n g l a n d h a v i n g b e e n o r i g i n a l l y ringed at C a i s t e r o n - s e a , N o r f o l k , it is T H 4 5 1 6 9 t h a t ' s t h e star. It n o t o n l y h a d its B T O ring r e a d t w i c e in t h e f i e l d , a n d w a s c o n t r o l l e d b y a D u t c h ringer, it w a s a l s o r e p o r t e d as a sight r e c o r d 2 3 t i m e s b y 17 o b s e r v e r s o f 4 nationalities between 28/11/2009 and 23/02/2010 quite a celebrity!

Reed Bunting V583106 X686816

First-year M a l e C a u g h t b y ringer Juvenile M a l e Caught by ringer

13/10/2007 30/10/2009 27/07/2009 21/11 /2009

Orfordness: (Suffolk) Holme Bird Observatory: (Norfolk) 120km N W Marston Sewage Farm, Grantham: (Lincolnshire) Near Charity Farm, Shotley: (Suffolk) 170km SE

182

SuffolkRingingReport 2009

NOTES

183

SuffolkRingingReport 2009

NOTES

184

SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY Founded in 1929 by Claude Morley (1874-1951), the Suffolk Naturalists' Society pioneered the study and recording of the County's flora, fauna and geology, to promote a wider interest in natural history. Recording the natural history of Suffolk is still one of the Society's primary objects, and members' observations are fed to a network of specialist recorders for possible publication, and deposited in the Suffolk Biological Records Centre, jointly managed with Ipswich Museums. Suffolk Natural History, a review of the County's wildlife, and Suffolk Birds, the County bird report, are two high quality annual publications issued free to members. The Society also publishes a quarterly newsletter and organises an interesting programme of field excursions and winter lectures at venues throughout the County. The Suffolk Naturalists' Society offers a joint membership with the Suffolk Ornithologists' Group at a reduced subscription. This entitles joint members to receive literature and attend the meetings of both organisations. If you are not yet a member of the Society but would like to join, contact Mrs J. Hardingham, c/o The Museum, High Street, Ipswich IP1 3QH. M E M B E R S H I P CATEGORIES: Individual Family Corporate

SNS £15 £17 £17

Joint membership SNS/SOG £26 £30

CONTENTS Page Editorial: Nick Mason Review of the Year: Adam Gretton and Nick Mason Baikal Teal: 2001 bird accepted by BOURC (new species for Suffolk) Brian Small

5 8 10

Snow Goose: 2008 bird at Ashby accepted as wild (new species for Suffolk) Brian Small Eskimo Curlew: 19th Century record considered unsafe Peter Kennerley

13 15

CrĂ˘nes of Lakenheath Fen, 2007-2009: breeding biology Norman Sills

Rookery Survey: survey in north-east Suffolk Jamie Brice-Lockhart

Nest finding observations, data and records: breeding bird surveys at Sutton, Blaxhall and Tunstall Commons Richard Tomlinson and Graham Button Tony Hurrell: obituary David Pearson

33 37

The 2009 Suffolk Bird Report: Introduction

Systematic List

Appendices

154

List of Contributors

158

Gazetteer

160

Earliest and Latest Dates of Summer Migrants

162

A Guide to Recording Birds in Suffolk

163

Rare Birds in Suffolk 2009: David Walsh

167

Suffolk Ringing Report 2009: Simon Evans

170

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