Suffolk Birds 2014 Part 2 by Suffolk Naturalists' Society

Suffolk Birci Report 2014 CASPIAN GULL Scarce winter

Larus cachinnans visitor.

At t h e beginning of t h e year, t w o second-calendar year birds were present at Snape Wetlanc January 4 t h (D Fairhurst). Two first-winters w e r e at Trimley Marshes, March 2nd (E Lucking, Oldfield) and t w o w e r e at Felixstowe Ferry, March 4th. In t h e west a second-calendar year was at Lakenheath, January 19th w i t h up t o f o u r birds (a adult and t h r e e second-calendar years) noted at the Livermere pig fields f r o m January t o Marci including a green-ringed second-calendar year bird, January 23rd and February 23rd (L Gregor P Wilson). First-winters were recorded at Lackford Lakes, January 26th and February 15th, an Mickle M e r e , March 19th and 31st most probably being t h e roaming Livermere individuals. In t h e spring, a second-calendar bird was recorded daily at Mickle M e r e f r o m April 4 t h to 16t w i t h t h r e e birds present on April 8th and w h a t w e r e probably t h e same t h r e e birds on th Livermere pig fields on April 22nd (P Wilson). Five (all second-calendar year birds) w e r e at Mickl M e r e , May 6th (P Wilson), w i t h a final record of three t h e r e on May 10th. Over t h e s u m m e r months, in t h e south of t h e county, one was noted at Snape Wetland, Jun 21st t o 2 8 t h (D Fairhurst) and t w o w e r e o n M i n s m e r e Scrape, June 2 6 t h (R Harvey). In th Walberswick area an adult and second-summer were present, July 6th, 26th and August 5th ( Small). Numbers at Walberswick peaked at five, August 19th (C Fulcher) w i t h f o u r remaining August 30th (B Small). Inland a juvenile was noted at Rymer point, Fakenham Magna, July 17th (L Gregory) and thre birds, an adult, second-calendar year and a juvenile, w e r e at Livermere pig fields, July 30th Gregory, N Moran) w i t h a f u r t h e r record of an adult there, August 17th (R M Wright). In Septembe a second-calendar year was on t h e Livermere pig fields on 6th and 11th and t w o moulting juvenile were t h e r e on September 15th. Along t h e coast juveniles started to appear w i t h one on Minsmer Scrape, September 2nd and 5 t h (J Grant) and another on N o r t h Beach, Lowestoft, September 6t and a Polish metal-ringed first-winter bird, September 20th (A Easton). Further into t h e winter, a second-calendar year and an adult w e r e at Livermere pig field O c t o b e r 11th w i t h t h e adult r e p o r t e d again on October 19th and 2 6 t h . Five w e r e noted c Minsmere, November 24th (J Grant) and consisted of t h r e e adults, a second-winter and a firs winter. A short t i m e later, eight were n o t e d at N o r t h W a r r e n , N o v e m b e r 29th (S Piotrowski consisting of f o u r adults, a t h i r d - w i n t e r and t h r e e first-winters. So, based on those observation at least nine birds were present in this part of t h e county around t h a t t i m e . Elsewhere, an adu was present at Lakenheath Washes, December 12th, 16th and 27th (RSPB).

I CE LAN D G U LL Scarce winter

Larus glaucoides

visitor. Amber

list.

There was a good spread of records in the first winter period and, as always, many of t h e sighting related to single birds. In the west of the county, a second-winter spent the first winter period touring different sites and another bird, an adult, roosted w i t h it at Livermere Lake, March 15th. Towards t h e coast a second-winter frequently roosted at Snape Wetland and a first-winter made the M i n s m e r e and Sizewell area its winter home. Further south an adult was seen for a t i m e in the Felixstowe Docks complex, just before an adult Glaucous Gull arrived in t h e same area! There was a very late record from Yoxford at the end of May. The record for October 11th, by the same observer, is t h e earliest a u t u m n record in Suffolk since 2004 when one was at Southwold on October 9th. There were t w o records f r o m October to t h e end of t h e year, including an adult o n Minsmere Scrape, November 2nd. All sightings are as f o l l o w s : Minsmere: first-winter on south levels, Jan 8th to 10th (I Salkeld); following a fishing boat south, Feb 10th (R Drew); first-winter on the Scrape, Mar 7th to 10th (R Drew); first-winter on beach, Mar 20th; first-winter on Scrape, Mar 21st (A Rowlands); third-summer on Scrape, Apr 9th and 12th (J Grant, D Fairhurst); thirdsummer on Scrape Apr 17th and 18th (G Grieco); third-summer on Scrape, May 3rd (E Edwards); adult on Scrape, Nov 2nd (R Drew).

Systematic List ewell: first-winter around outfall rigs, Jan 9th and 12th (R Attenborrow, J Zantboer). orpeness: first-winter on pig fields, Feb 22nd and Mar 3rd (S Mayson); first-winter Mar 16th (S Mayson); first-winter north offshore, Mar 19th (J Davies); first-winter Mar 29th and Apr 6th (S Mayson). fordness; Oct 11th (S Piotrowski). ape Wetland: second-winter, Jan 4th to Mar 12th (D Fairhurst). dguard: adult, Mar 21st and 22nd (T Bagworth, J Zantboer et al.). xford: May 31st (S Piotrowski). /ermere Lake: second-winter roosted each night on the lake Mar 14th to 27th (L Gregory); adult Mar 15th (L Gregory, J Walshe); second-winter, Apr 14th (J Walshe). ckford Lakes: adult, Feb 14th, 19th and 20th, Mar 2nd (J Walshe). lickle Mere: second-winter, Feb 27th, Mar 22nd, 27th and Apr 15th (J Walshe, P Wilson). LAUCOUS GULL

Larus

hyperboreus

carce winter visitor. Amber

list.

A quieter year for this species w i t h a first-winter in t h e Minsmere area at t h e start of t h e year. There were three records f r o m t h e second half of t h e year including one on Havergate Island late September, a first-winter over t h e Minsmere Levels just before Christmas and at t h e end f December in Lowestoft. In the west of t h e county, reports came in of an adult at Lackford at t h e start and end of March, lost probably t h e same bird. A second-summer bird, noted at t h e end of April at Mickle Mere, /as considered t o be a hybrid b e t w e e n Glaucous Gull and Herring Gull. The bird on Havergate Island, below, is only t h e second September record this century. All sightings are as f o l l o w s : >ulton Broad: first-winter, 15:27hrto 15:44hr, before flying off east along Lake Lothing, Dec 31st (A Easton). Vlinsmere: first-winter, south offshore, Jan 1st (R Drew); first-winter north over Levels, Dec 22nd (I Salkeld). ìorpeness: unaged, Jan 4th and 7th (D Thurlow). avergate Island: Sep 25th (B Thompson), elixstowe Ferry: adult, Mar 16th (P Holmes). elixstowe: adult present around docks complex, Mar 16th to 23rd (S Abbott, P Oldfield, J Zantboer). sckford Lakes: adult, Mar 1st and 2nd (SWT Lackford); adult, Mar 27th (SWT Lackford). '¿lickle Mere: second-summer, possibly a Glaucous/Herring hybrid, Apr 29th (P Wilson). GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL

Larus marinus

ommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

A few oversummer.

Has bred recently. Amber

list.

It was a decidedly topsy-turvy year overall for this t r u e b r u t e of a gull. At t h e start of t h e year 21 were at Bawdsey, January 10th, 43 at N o r t h Warren, January 14th and 160 at Landguard, ¡anuary 16th. Other observations include 39 at Felixstowe Ferry, March 10th and 2 1 at Trimley Marshes, March 15th. At Minsmere 50 were noted on t h e Scrape, March 16th, increasing t o 100 >y March 27th. During t h e s u m m e r very few were recorded although one was noted at Trimley Marshes in July. No breeding activity was recorded f r o m anywhere in t h e county. In the west the only notable count made all year was of 19 at Lackford Lakes, March 19th. Towards t h e end of t h e year, unusually high numbers were noted over a short space of t i m e towards t h e end of November. In t h e n o r t h of t h e county, 3 3 1 were counted at t h e traditional Carlton Colville gull roost at Burnt Hill Lane, November 27th. Further south at Orfordness t h e r e were 290 and 600, November 23rd and 30th, respectively. The 600 on Orfordness is t h e highest total in Suffolk since 2002 w h e n 750 were at Pipps Ford, Barking on November 23rd. Elsewhere, 305 were at North Warren, November 29th w i t h 101 at Havergate Island, December 7th. After this, numbers dropped back considerably w i t h very few records made f r o m west Suffolk.

LITTLE TERN

Sternuta

Common summer

albifrons

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

The first of t h e year was noted along Breydon South Wall on April 17th. The next to arrive were

Suffolk Birci Report 2014 seen at Landguard and M i n s m e r e

on April 23rd, w i t h

more arriving daily after

that.

Düring t h e first breeding season since t h e launch, in September 2013, of t h e five-year EU LIFE+ Nature Little Tern Recovery Project it is encouraging t o see t h a t a small n u m b e r of y o u n g fledged at t w o sites in Suffolk this year. Breeding Site Kessingland Benacre Dunwich Corporation Marshes

No. of Pairs 6+ ?

Fledged Young 15 ?

Walberswick Minsmere Sudbourne Orfordness/Slaughden Shingle Street

? ?

? ? ?

nil ?

Knolls mouth of Deben

nil

Remarks Breeding attempted. No détails Colony disturbed mid-June, apparently by Foxes. No détails No détails No détails No breeding attempts. Nesting activity started by midMay, colony disturbed. Colony disturbed by windsurfers

Most activity in t h e summer was, not surprisingly, centred around Kessingland w h e r e t h e main breeding a t t e m p t occurred, although up to 40 birds were at Shingle Street on May 22nd. There w e r e no large post

breeding

gatherings reported, and no large passage totals. There was

Little Tern Peter Beeson

a small but noticeable increase in numbers reported f r o m around July 15th indicating t h a t a u t u m n passage was underway and most had departed by August lOth, w i t h just t w o more reports that m o n t h ; t w o past Orfordness on 25th and five past Gorleston on 29th. September records came f r o m Landguard o n 7 t h (one), Sizewell o n 19th (one) and Landguard again on 21st (two). The final record of t h e year, of t w o birds, also came f r o m Landguard, o n t h e relatively late date for this species of O c t o b e r 13th. This is t h e latest date in Suffolk since 1998 w h e n one lingered at Sizewell until N o v e m b e r 16th.

WHISKERED TERN Very rare

Chlidonias

hybrida

visitor.

An adult was w a t c h e d flying over t h e North Marsh and t h e n out t o sea at M i n s m e r e on t h e m o r n i n g of Aprii 26th (J H Grant). The sixth record of this species in Suffolk, and t h e first since one at Lakenheath in M a y 2005. BLACK TERN

Chlidonias

Fairly common

passage migrant.

niger Amber

list.

A very poor spring m i g r a t i o n in 2 0 1 4 w i t h just f o u r reports totalling 11 or 12 birds at t h r e e sites between April 21st and M a y 5th, ali in t h e west of t h e c o u n t y : Lakenheath/Hockwold Washes: Apr 29th; May 2nd. Livermere Lake: five, Apr 21st; Apr 22nd. Lackford Lakes: four, May 5th. Four at Lackford Lakes o n June 1 8 t h may have been failed breeders already on return migration rather t h a n late spring migrants. Autumn passage along t h e coast was also rather disappointing, w i t h just 26 individuals reported

Systematic List between July 13th, when one was with Little Terns at Kessingland Beach, and September 2nd, when six were seen at Minsmere. Of the total of 17 birds seen in August, 12 occurred during a three-day period between August 8th and lOth, with the remaining five individuals passing between August 21st and 27th. WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN

Chlidonias

leucopterus

Rare visitor. A juvenile was at Island Mere, Minsmere on September 2nd (D Holman). This constitutes t h e 39th Suffolk record, involving a total of 57 birds. SANDWICH TERN

Sterna

sandvicensis

Common passage migrant,

declining

summer

visitor. Amber

list.

Two at M i n s m e r e on March 22nd were the first of t h e year, and t h e only ones recorded in t h a t month. The next t o appear were at Kessingland and M i n s m e r e on Aprii 4 t h and t h e r e a f t e r throughout t h e spring and s u m m e r t h e species was recorded almost daily, although not in large numbers. Fourteen at Minsmere on April 23rd was t h e highest count received in t h e spring. The table below shows m o n t h l y movements past t w o well-watched coastal sites several miles apart. A l t h o u g h t h e r e w e r e again no breeding a t t e m p t s made in t h e county, t h e species was passing offshore t h r o u g h o u t May, June and July.

Kessingland

Apr 15N -

Thorpeness

32N 1S

May 34N 19S 54N 28S

Jun 123N 30S 185N 92S

Jul 64 N 22S 139N 132S

Aug 45N US 16N 47S

Sep 16N 13N 15N 31S

Oct IN 1S

Nov -

As w i t h t h e Black Tern and Common Tern t h e a u t u m n passage of this species was disappointing to say t h e least. Very low numbers were recorded along t h e entire coast, although t h e passage was prolonged, and t h e species was recorded v i r t u a l l y daily up t o October 5th, w i t h f u r t h e r records totalling nine birds on lOth, 13th and 30th. The final birds of t h e year w e r e an adult and juvenile at Stutton Ness on November 8th. None was recorded in t h e west of t h e county in 2014. COMMON TERN Common summer

Sterna

hirundo

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

The first bird of t h e year f l e w n o r t h past Kessingland on Aprii 2nd, closely f o l l o w e d by f o u r in the west of t h e county at Lackford Lakes on 3rd. The only breeding i n f o r m a t i o n received is summarized b e l o w : Lowestoft: three pairs nested on the roof of the boat-building college along Lake Lothing. Walberswick: three pairs nested on islands in the Blyth Estuary and at least four juveniles fledged. Minsmere: 13 breeding pairs. No young reared. Orfordness: 16+ pairs reared five or six young, the first breeding on site for 50+ years. Trimley Marshes: pair on nest raft. Alton Water: 80 pairs reared at least 136 young. Lackford Lakes: at least one pair on nest raft. Southbound migrants were on t h e move f r o m mid-July although the highest day count, of 194 past Thorpeness, didn't occur until August 26th. Counts at t w o well-watched coastal sites are detailed below and demonstrate that numbers recorded in July, August and September were ali dramatically lower than in recent years w i t h the corresponding totals for 2013 included for comparison:2014 Kessingland Thorpeness

Apr IN 5S 7N 1S

May 17N 19S 77N 43S

Jun UN 9S 103N 101S 99

Jul 96N 25S 200N 397S

Aug 63N 138S 121N 1024S

Sep 72N 66S 201N 24S

Oct -

4S 3N -

Suffolk Birci Report 2014 2013 Kessingland

Apr 3N

Thorpeness

May 24N 5S 30N 7S

Jun 42N 22S 85N 129S

Jul 228N 1075S 147N 3104S

Aug 1008N 1062S 917N 6501S

Sep 237N 287S 224N 518S

Oct 2N IS 3N -

On t h e evening of July 25th thousands of "Commic" and Sandwich Terns were watched pouring in to roost at Breydon Water (T Corcoran). That this mass of migrating terns was not noted passing off t h e Suffolk coast in subsequent days surely indicates that in 2014 most of t h e terns passed far out t o sea rather t h a n along t h e coast. October records w e r e again sparse this year w i t h just t e n recorded on five dates b e t w e e n 2nd and 8 t h and one final bird f l e w past Landguard on 30th. ROSEATE TERN

Sterna

Scarce passage migrant.

dougallii Red list.

The recent run of good years for this species came to an abrupt end w i t h none recorded at ali in 2014. The last blank years for this species w e r e way back in 1986 and 1979. Totais of Roseate Terns reported 2005-2014 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 7 10 10 4+ 10+

ARCTIC TERN

Sterna

Fairiy common

passage migrant.

2010 5

2011 6+

2012 7-8

2013 7-9

2014 nil

paradisaea Occasionaily

breeds. Amber

list.

A single bird at Lackford Lakes on April 19th was t h e first of around 60 individuals recorded on spring passage b e t w e e n April 19th and May 14th, split fairly evenly b e t w e e n t h e coast and inland This is a far lower t o t a l than t h e 260 recorded in 2013. Fourteen at Lackford Lakes on May 2nd was t h e highest site-total of t h e spring. The f o l l o w i n g were recorded inland during t h e s p r i n g : Livermere Lake: Apr 22nd; three, Apr 23rd; Apr 27th; May 2nd; two, May 4th. Lackford Lakes: Apr 19th; Apr 20th; three, Apr 22nd; three, Apr 23rd; 14, May 2nd; two, May 4th; two, May 6th. The only r e p o r t in June was of four n o r t h past Thorpeness on I s t . Once again t h e r e were no indications of any breeding activity this year. The next sightings w e r e n ' t u n t i l July 9 t h and l O t h , w i t h these marking t h e beginning of the a u t u m n passage w h i c h saw around 85 birds being reported between t h e n and October 23rd when t h e last bird of t h e year flew past Gorleston. This total was rather lower t h a n in recent years and compares poorly w i t h a r o u n d 130 in 2013, 110 in 2012 and around 200 in 2011. One at Lakenheath Washes on August 20th was t h e only inland record of t h e a u t u m n . C O M M O N GUILLEMOT Uria aalge Common

passage

winter visitor. Amber Around

1080

migrant

and

list.

Guillemots

were

r e p o r t e d in 2 0 1 4 c o m p a r e d w i t h 870 in WV

ÂŤr-Âť*'"

2013, 492 in 2012 and 634 d u r i n g

2011.

However, t h e m o n t h of January a c c o u n t e d for t h e Arctic Tern Su Gough

vast

bulk of t h e records w h e n 802 were recorded, w i t h 100

Systematic List IO of these past Thorpeness on 19th alone. A comparison of the monthly totals for the last four sars appears below, and reveals the paucity of records towards the end of this year compared ith previousyears:onthly totals of live Guillemots Mar Jan Feb 802 104 13 014 33 44 58 013 4 141 9 012 24 6 011

Apr 4 128 4 157

May 32 31 1 134

Jun 30 76 16 35

Jul 4 4 4 6

Aug 1 2 10 9

Sep 7 23 97 19

Nov 44 191 82 95

Oct 16 23 74 41

Dee 21 257 50 108

Whilst not all unidentified auks are reported, the 319 unidentified auks recorded in 2014 suggest a drop in total numbers of auks present off our coast this year. The combined total of Guillemots and unidentified auks this year was 1399, compared with 2830 in 2013 and 1657 in 2012. Monthly totals of unidentified Auks Jan Feb Mar 40 2014 42 5 51 143 2013 3 17 2012 100 2

Apr 1 587 1

May 2 10 5

Jun 6 9 3

Jul 1 1 1

Aug -

Sep 1 13 239

Oct 18 47 552

Nov 52 956 112

Dee 151 140 128

3AZORBILL Alca tordo Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor. Amber list. Monthly totals of live Razorbills in 2014 Jan Feb Mar Apr May 5 2 1 2

Jun

Jul

Aug 2

Sep 1

Oct

Nov

Dee

In contrast with the increased number of Guillemots reported this year, 2014 saw just 13 Razorbills reported, the lowest total for many years. On the bright side though, ali were live birds and not oiled i n d i v i d u a i or tideline corpses. Totals of live Razorbills reported 2005-2014 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 48 23 53 341 40

LITTLE AUK

2010 70

2011 36

2012 82

2013 45

2014 13

Alle alle

Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor. Another unremarkable year for this species, although an improvement on the last two years. After a Ione bird flew north past Thorpeness on October 26th there was a small flurry of birds seen between November 5th and lOth, the majority being concentrated on 5th and 6th. Ali reports received, totalling 46 birds for the year, are listed below. There was probably only a small degree of overlap of sightings between locations. Gorleston: five north, Nov 6th. Corton: three north, Nov 6th. Lowestoft: Ness Point, seven north, three south, Nov 5th; two, Nov 6th; north, Nov 7th; south, Nov lOth. Kessingland: south, Nov 5th. Minsmere: three south, Nov 5th; four north, Nov 6th. Sizewell: south, Nov 5th. Thorpeness: north, Oct 26th; two south and one on the sea, Nov 5th; north, Nov 8th; north, Nov lOth. Slaughden: south, Nov 7th. Felixstowe: Undercliffe, two south, Nov 6th. Landguard: north, four south, Nov 6th; south, Nov 7th.

101

Suffolk Birci Report 2014 ATLANTIC PUFFIN Fratercula arctica Scarce passage migrant. Amber list. A very poor year for this species, with just three individuals recorded northbound off Thorpeness being the only reports. The first was on January 12th, the next on January 19th and the final one on June 1st. Totals of live Puffins reported 2004-2013 2005 2006 2007 2008 5 2 20 8

2009 13

2010 7

2011 5

2012 8

2013 13

2014 3

ROCK DOVE/FERAL PIGEON Columba llvia Very common resident from feral stock. Categories A, C and E The Breeding Birds Survey (BBS) found Rock Doves in 7% of the 41 squares surveyed (12% in 2004, 10% in 2009) with a combined total of ten birds. Numbers were highest in the north-east where counts of 70 and above w e r e : Carlton Marshes: 70, May 30th. Covehithe: 132, Dec 4th. Sizewell: Hall, 320, Sep 12th. Thorpeness: 150, Oct 15th. In the south-east the peak counts came from the Spa Gardens, Felixstowe, with 40, December 9th and Landguard, 75 on November 26th. The highest counts from the west were:Stowmarket: 200, Jan 8th. Great Waldingfield: Airfield, 60, Oct 27th. On Orfordness they were present intermittently with maximum counts of 17, January 12th and 22, October 11th, but breeding was not proven in 2014. At Landguard they were present all year. STOCK DOVE Columba oenas Fairly common resident and passage migrant. Amber list. The highest counts of the year (apart from passage birds) were 54 at Barsham Marshes, September 12th, 102 at Bucklesham, February 15th and, in the west, 75 at Shelley, February 4th and 69 at Grove Farm, Thurston, December 23rd. The BBS found Stock Doves in 54% of the 4 1 squares surveyed (44% in 2004,40% in 2009) with a combined total of 71 birds. There were signs of occupancy by Stock Doves (adult birds, a nest, eggs or young) in 289 SCBOP Barn Owl boxes out of a total of 1673 active boxes/sites. On Orfordness breeding numbers were similar to 2013 at 22-25 pairs and it was noted that competition with Jackdaws for nesting sites is still a problem. A survey of Walberswick NNR and Dunwich Forest revealed about ten pairs in residence, while a late brood was found in an owl box at Mickle Mere, Pakenham, September 19th. At Minsmere in October, 91 flew south on 17th and 1250 on 20th, while at Landguard a total of 578 flew south between October 20th and November 8th, with a maximum of 274 on October 20th. COMMON WOOD PIGEON Columba palumbus Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. The highest counts in the first winter period were 550 at St Cross South Elmham Hall, January 20th, 750 at Westleton Walks, March 7th, 2067 at Trimley Marshes, February 23rd, 750 at Undley Common, Lakenheath, January 2nd, 700 at Long Melford, February 20th and 1500 near Livermere Lake, January 12th. The BBS found Wood Pigeons in 98% of the 4 1 squares surveyed (100% in 2004,100% in 2009) with a combined total of 1659 birds. On Orfordness a minimum of 15 pairs nested and 12 - 15 pairs at Landguard but this species is surprisingly furtive when nesting and both sites reported that they have difficulty in censusing this pigeon. 102

Systematic List In the spring a total of 880 flew south at Landguard between March 5th and May 26th, w i t h a oeakof 409, March 10th. Orfordness noted 350, October 12th. The 700 which flew south past Minsmere on October 17th A/asjust a forerunner of t h e 14500 which followed in their wake past the same site on t h e morning of October 20th (J H Grant). At Landguard a total of 10071 f l e w south b e t w e e n October 20th and \lovember 8th, w i t h a peak of 8530, October 22nd. The best counts in t h e second w i n t e r period were 400 at Trimley Marshes, October 26th and Oecember 7th, 500 at Brettenham, October 26th and 1000 near t h e same village, November 1st and 1000 along Lackford Lane, Lackford, December 7th. EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE Common

Streptopelia

decaocto

resident.

The BBS found Collared Doves in 71% of t h e 4 1 squares surveyed (63% in 2004, 67% in 2009) with a combined total of 135 birds. Two pairs nested again at Landguard, w h e r e t h e first nest was found on February 16th. A pair also nested near t h e Quay on Orfordness, providing t h e first ever breeding record for t h e site and a newly fledged juvenile was seen, August 10th. The highest counts in t h e north-east came f r o m Gorleston Harbour w i t h 47, August 24th and Oulton Broad, 40, December 19th. In t h e south-east 40 were at Goslings Farm, Trimley St M a r t i n , November 17th and 30 at Playford, August 16th, while in t h e west, Sudbury provided t h e best counts of 50, November 27th and 60, December 5th. EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE Declining summer

Streptopelia

turtur

visitor and passage migrant.

Red list.

Landguard recorded t h e first of t h e spring, April 22nd but this was closely followed by birds at Belton 23rd, Lackford o n 24th, Brandon CP o n 25th and Pipps Ford o n 26th. Only t h r e e m o r e singles passed t h r o u g h Landguard during t h e spring, on May 13th and 25th and June 1st. In t h e north-east of t h e county Turtle Doves w e r e f o u n d in 34 parishes/sites. Breeding was confirmed by just eleven pairs, including three pairs again at Minsmere. David Pearson f o u n d only three pairs during his five-yearly survey of t h e Walberswick NNR, Dingle reserve, Dunwich Forest and Lower Blyth Valley area and c o m m e n t e d "this bird has practically even from recently favoured

parts of Dunwich

disappeared

from the area,

Forest". A.count of five at Sizewell, June 18th, was

the most reported at any site in t h e county in 2014. In the south-east Turtle Doves were f o u n d in 38 parishes/sites and at a similar n u m b e r in t h e west of t h e county. M a x i m u m counts w e r e just t h r e e , at Butley, N e w b o u r n e Springs, Tunstall Forest and Rattlesden. The BBS clearly illustrates t h e dramatic decline of t h e Turtle Dove in our county. It was f o u n d in just 7% of t h e 4 1 squares surveyed, as opposed t o 54% in 2004 and 29% in 2009, w i t h a combined t o t a l of 11 birds. In the west t h e latest birds recorded were at Cock's Green, Great W e l n e t h a m and Livermere Lake, September 21st and one was at Hulver Street in t h e north-east on t h e same day. The final records came f r o m Landguard, on October 2nd, 14th and 16th. C O M M O N CUCKOO Declining summer

Cuculus canorus

visitor and passage migrant.

Red list.

The first calling birds w e r e at Minsmere, Eastbridge and O u l t o n Marshes, April 10th f o l l o w e d by Long M e l f o r d o n 12th and Sutton C o m m o n on 13th. Landguard recorded just f o u r singles between May 8 t h and June 6th and one was seen being chased out t o sea by M e a d o w Pipits Anthus pratensis,

May 27th.

The BBS f o u n d Cuckoos in 22% of t h e 4 1 squares surveyed (24% in 2 0 0 4 , 1 2 % in 2009) w i t h a combined t o t a l of 11 birds. A t o t a l of 12 probable or c o n f i r m e d breeding territories w e r e f o u n d along t h e north-east coast f r o m Carlton Marshes d o w n to Sizewell. David Pearson f o u n d ca. five territories during his survey of t h e Blyth Estuary to Dunwich area, "low numbers similar

103

to 2009".

Suffolk Birci Report 2014 The m a x i m u m c o u n t in t h e north-east was only three, at Kessingland Levels, Beccles Marshes M e n d h a m and Minsmere. Four were at Shingle Street, May 17th. Nine probable or confirmed breeding territories were f o u n d in t h e west but peak counts hert were higher, w i t h seven at Lakenheath Fen during May, seven at Lakenheath Warren, May 21s and four at Lackford Lakes, Aprii 30th.

FIELD NOTE Chris, t h e famous satellite-tagged Cuckoo, was seen on t h e north side of Cavenham Heath NNR, May 14th. He was tagged at Santon D o w n h a m on June l s t 2 0 1 1 as a second calendar year bird, so was f o u r years old in 2014 and is believed t o have bred in the Cavenham Heath area in recent years. His annual journeys to w i n t e r quarters at t h e southern end of t h e Congo rainforests have m a d e national news and have taught us m o r e about Cuckoo migration t h a n any o t h e r bird. His travels can be f o l l o w e d on t h e BTO website w w w . b t o . o r g . Malcolm

Wright.

Orfordness noted a very poor year w i t h one, Aprii 17th t o 19th, singles t h r o u g h May w i t h twc: on 25th, none in June and singles, July 20th and August 9th. The last in t h e west was a juvenik trapped and ringed at Livermere Lake, September 7th, w h i l e near t h e coast there w e r e record: f r o m Minsmere, September l l t h and Heveningham Park, September 14th. BARN OWL

Tyto alba

Fairly common

resident.

Amber list, CatĂŠgories A and E.

A f t e r suffering a very poor breeding season in 2013 due t o t h e coldest spring in m o r e than 50 years, Suffolk's Barn Owls bounced back in 2014 and reared a b u m p e r crop of young. There are n o w 1673 active boxes/sites in t h e SCBOP's database, including a small n u m b e r in n o r t h Essex and south Norfolk. Of these, 412 boxes/sites showed evidence of Barn Owl activity, in t h e f o r m of pellets, adults, eggs or young and 297 contained pulii. In Suffolk a record t o t a l of 778 pulii was ringed (502 in 2 0 1 2 , 1 0 3 in 2013) and 24 adults w e r e also caught. Brood sizes w e r e generally high, o f t e n of four or five young and several broods of six w e r e noted. A n u m b e r of second broods were f o u n d and a pair at W e s t h o r p e raised broods of f o u r and t h r e e in t h e same box. David Pearson f o u n d t w o pairs on his survey of t h e Blyth

Barn Owl Peter Beeson

Estuary t o Dunwich area and a pair at t h e Foxburrow W o o d area "represented

a return

to the Westwood

Marshes

area

after an absence of many years". On Orfordness birds w e r e present ail year w i t h a m a x i m u m of seven in July and t w o pairs bred and eight young w e r e ringed. At Lakenheath Fen up to f o u r w e r e present in the first w i n t e r period and up t o six in t h e second w i n t e r period. LITTLE OWL Fairly common

Athene

noctua

resident

Records came f r o m a total of 112 locations across t h e county (119 in 2 0 1 3 , 1 0 2 in 2012), with 46 of these locations in t h e north-east recording area, 40 in t h e south-east and 26 in t h e west. Fifteen Little Owls w e r e f o u n d using SCBOP boxes. The BBS f o u n d this species in 5% of t h e 41 squares surveyed (7% in 2004, 8% in 2009) w i t h a c o m b i n e d total of t w o birds. David Pearson did not find any Little Owls during his survey of t h e Walberswick NNR, Dingle Marshes, Lower Blyth

104

Systematic List alley and Dunwich Forest area. Nearly all t h e records were of single birds, or occasionally t w o . Three were seen near t h e River tour at Cattawade, July 1st and three were at N e w t o n Green, September 15th while a family party if four at Bentley Hall Farm, July 13th included t w o juveniles. On Orfordness one or t w o were seen ntermittently all year up t o October 12th but breeding was not confirmed. On Landguard a pair vas present all year and reared one young, w i t h all three still present, December 26th. TAWNY OWL :ommon

Strix aluco

resident

Reports came f r o m a total of 121 locations during 2014 (108 in 2013 and 100 in 2012), w i t h 64 of these in t h e north-east, 33 in t h e south-east and 24 in t h e west. The m a x i m u m count was five at Fritton Waveney Forest, November 9th. Elsewhere there were three at Flatford Mill, September 6th, Upper Hollesley C o m m o n , June 17th, Long M e l f o r d , August 24th and Sudbury, December 4th. Tawny Owls were f o u n d in 22 SCBOP boxes during t h e s u m m e r and t h e only road casualty reported this year was at Puttockshill, Pakenham, January 8th. Mabel, t h e w e l l - k n o w n resident owl in Christchurch Park, Ipswich, was noted again in January and March and again in t h e a u t u m n . This is a difficult species t o census and in w h i c h to discern any p o p u l a t i o n trends, so David Pearson's c o m m e n t "noted

at a few sites in Dunwich

Walberswick

are clearly lower than in 1999", raises some concern. Is this just a

NNR. Numbers

Forest and in some of the woods

local effect or is this species declining more widely? LONG-EARED OWL

Asio otus

Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Scarce resident. It was a very quiet year f o r this beautiful owl. The only records early in t h e year came f r o m : Dunwich: Beach, Jan 30th. Trimley Marshes: Jan 10th. Probably at least four pairs bred as f o l l o w s : Rendlesham Forest: young heard calling, June 17th. The King's Forest: site 1, pair bred and a juvenile was heard calling. Site 2, calling bird, May 15th. Great Livermere: pair bred in a plantation, minimum of two young calling, June 10th. One was also seen at Gazeley, May 21st. In the second w i n t e r period records came f r o m : Westleton: Clay Lane, Nov 10th. Minsmere: in off the sea, Nov 14th. Bucklesham: two, Nov 19th. SHORT-EARED OWL Uncommon

Asioflammeus

winter visitor and passage migrant.

Formerly bred. Amber

list.

Rather scarce in t h e first winter period w h e n records came f r o m ten coastal sites f r o m Minsmere south t o Levington Creek. All were of single birds apart f r o m t w o at Shingle Street f r o m January 5th to April 24th and t w o o n Orfordness, March 30th, April 23rd and May 3rd. The only record in the west all year was one h u n t i n g along t h e Lackford t o Cavenham lane, April 4th. The only midsummer record was one o n Orfordness at Pig Pail, June 28th. A u t u m n passage was q u i t e strong after t h e first at Shingle Street on t h e early date of August 22nd. In t h e north-east t h e r e w e r e 36 reports along t h e coast b e t w e e n t h e first at Thorpeness, September 12th and t h r e e at Belton Marshes, December 29th. At Gorleston, October 13th, t h r e e flew in o f f t h e sea and a f u r t h e r f o u r f l e w s o u t h over t h e sea. Five w e r e at Fritton Waveney Forest, October 18th, five at Humberstone Farm, Bradwell, November 26th and eight at Breydon South Wall, N o v e m b e r 2 9 t h . In t h e south-east records came f r o m 12 coastal sites w i t h a maximum of f o u r at b o t h Gedgrave Marshes, December 15th and Boyton Marshes, December 28th. Landguard noted birds on eight dates b e t w e e n August 23rd and N o v e m b e r 26th w i t h t w o , October 16th.

105

Suffolk Birci Report 2014 EUROPEAN NIGHTJAR Locally fairly

common

Caprimulgus summer

europaeus

visitor. Scarce migrant.

Red list.

The first churring bird was heard in The King's Forest, May 14th and t h e first in t h e Sandlings was at Westleton Heath on 16th. A t o t a l of 63 territories was r e p o r t e d f r o m t h e Sandlings heaths (56 in 2013, 58 in 2012). David Pearson f o u n d nine territories d u r i n g his five-yearly survey of t h e Walberswick NNR, Dunwich Forest, Westleton Heath and Lower Blyth Valley area and c o m m e n t e d "this species has by about

80% in our area since 1999".

declined

In Breckland, reports of c h u r r i n g males came f r o m 15

different sites in The King's Forest and Thetford Forest clear fells but this figure gives an incomplete picture of t h e t r u e situation. The last report f r o m t h e west was from Warren Wood, Thetford, August 9th and t h e final report of t h e year was one o n Westleton Heath, September 3rd. C O M M O N SWIFT Very common

Apus apus

summer

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

The first of t h e spring was o n e at Corton Radar Lodge, April 17th and t h e n birds appeared simultaneously at Ipswich and Lackford Lakes on 22nd. The first at well-watched M i n s m e r e was one at Island Mere, May 1st. May counts included 150 at Lackford Lakes, May 9th, 200 there, May 24th and 200 at Stowmarket, May 12th.

FIELD NOTE C o m m o n Swifts spend our w i n t e r in central and south-east Africa. Second-calendar year birds r e t u r n w i t h t h e adults t o t h e UK as non-breeders for t h e next one or t w o seasons. A l t h o u g h pair bonds may f o r m in t h e second calendar year and nesting a t t e m p t s may be m a d e in t h e t h i r d , c o n c e r t e d b r e e d i n g n o r m a l l y starts in t h e f o u r t h calendar year. Breeding adults will r e t u r n directly t o their nest sites, but younger birds can o f t e n be seen prospecting n e w sites by flying up t o holes or nest boxes, brushing t h e entrance or alighting briefly before d r o p p i n g away again. These birds are k n o w n as 'bangers'. Swift screaming parties consist of b o t h b r e e d i n g a n d n o n - b r e e d i n g birds. To assist householders, planners and developers in conserving Swifts, anyone in Suffolk can s u b m i t dĂŠtails of t h e presence of screaming parties a n d / o r t h e location of nest sites - for either this year or past years - via t h e dedicated SBRC w e b page: h t t p : / / w w w . s u f f o l k b r c . o r g . u k / s w i f t

In June, 1255 f l e w south at Thorpeness, 5th and 444 f l e w south at Landguard t h e same day, w h i l e " h u n d r e d s " w e r e noted l o w over t h e scrape at Hollesley Marshes, June 6th. A gathering of 350 at Trimley Marshes, June 2 9 t h had increased t o 500 by July I s t and 805 f l e w south at Thorpeness, July 5th. An interesting Observation was of 100 feeding low over t h e sea in very light drizzle at Ness Point, Lowestoft o n July l O t h . The BBS f o u n d Swifts in 44% of t h e 4 1 Squares surveyed (51% in 2004, 54% in 2009) w i t h a c o m b i n e d total of 149 birds. Five broods w e r e ringed f r o m nest boxes at Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham. Monthly Movements of Common Swifts at Landguard: Apr May Jun Jul In/North 0 32 44 153 South 200 542 302 0

Aug 1 538

Sep 0 4

Once again a s i m u l t a n e o u s d e p a r t u r e was n o t e d in t h e west, w i t h birds d e p a r t i n g f r o m Brettenham and Pakenham villages over July 28 and 29th. As usuai birds w e r e recorded for much of August w i t h some of t h e records relating t o birds feeding late broods.

106

Systematic List

FIELD NOTE On the afternoon of August 18th a juvenile Swift was picked up on the pavement outside the Fox Inn, Pakenham. Swifts are known to nest in the roof of the Inn. When I collected it an hour later, it was cold and torpid and weighed only 22g and I thought it was at death's door. That evening, more in hope than expectation, I took it to Judith Wakelam, who lives in Worlington, w h o is an expert at rehabilitating Swifts. She immediately set to work on it, warming it up on a hot plate, and once it had livened up she started to feed it on beetles, which she buys from a fishing supplies shop. It joined four other recovering Swifts in a box in Judith's kitchen and the next morning she told me that it was lively and feeding well. It continued to put on weight and about 12 days later was released and flew away strongly. Judith took in 25 Swifts during summer 2014 and successfully rehabilitated every one of them. Malcolm

Wright

Two at Long Melford, September 5th were t h e last inland but on the coast singles were at Belton, September 15th and Reydon Smear on 16th. A late bird was at Boyton Marshes, October 20th and a swift species which flew south-west at Butley Mills, November 13th "was probably ALPINE SWIFT

Common".

Apus melba

Rare visitor. 2013 Addition: A bird that was in Norfolk crossed the border and was seen over Redgrave Fen by several observers on April 17th 2013 (J Marchant et al.). EURASIAN HOOPOE

Upupa epops

Scarce passage migrant. Categories A and E. Kessingland: Denes, Apr 26th to 29th (S Harvey); Benacre/Kessingland Sluice, Oct 25th to 27th (C Buttle et al.). Framsden: Oct 29th to Nov 1st, same as Kessingland bird (B Buffery, S Abbott et al.). Shotley: Gate, Nov 4th (J Ledlie) and presumed to be the same bird at the Marina, Nov 7th (D Cook). EUROPEAN BEE-EATER Rare passage migrant.

Merops

apiaster

There were t h r e e records involving seven birds. Minsmere: two, June 19th, present for one hour (D Eaton). Aldringham Walks: north, 16.05 hours, May 16th (J Hampshire). Bawdsey: four, May 23rd (L G Woods). C O M M O N KINGFISHER Fairly common

Alcedo

resident. Amber

atthis list.

Recorded f r o m a total of 132 localities (123 in 2 0 1 3 , 1 0 4 in 2012), w i t h 50 of these in t h e northeast, 47 in t h e south-east and 35 in t h e west. Breeding was c o n f i r m e d or probable at 16 different sites. The BBS f o u n d Kingfishers in 7% of t h e 4 1 squares surveyed (2% in 2004, 4% in 2009) w i t h a combined total of t h r e e birds. The m a x i m u m count of four came f r o m several sites; O u l t o n Broad, February 2nd, Loompit Lake, September 12th, Lakenheath Fen in May and October 6th and Lackford Lakes, April 5 t h and June 19th. Birds were n o t e d visiting garden ponds in Brettenham and Pakenham villages. None was seen on Orfordness until July 19th and t h e r e w e r e occasional singles t h e r e a f t e r into December, w i t h t w o present for most of September and October. The sole record at Landguard was one o n September 8 t h . EURASIAN WRYNECK Uncommon

Jynx

torquilla

passage migrant.

Red list.

There were t h r e e spring records f r o m t h e north-east:

107

Suffolk Birci Report 2014 Benacre: Beach Farm, Apr 22nd to 26th (C Buttle); Sluice, Apr 23rd and 29th (C Darby). Minsmere: Sluice, Apr 25th (RSPB). Following on f r o m t h a t in 2013 there was another good a u t u m n passage along t h e coast and this involved a m i n i m u m of 22 birds. Lowestoft: North Denes, Sep 7th to 9th (P Rogers). Benacre: Sluice, Sep 6th and 7th (G Durrant). Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, Sep 12th (BINS). Westleton: Heath, Sep 7th (R Drew). Minsmere: one almost daily from Aug 26th to Sep 10th, with three Aug 28 and 29th, two Sep 5th and three Sep 7th; Dunes, Sep 21st and 22nd; Sluice, Sep 24th (RSPB et al). Thorpeness: Haven, Sep 2nd (V Grantham); Common, Sep 7th (J Davies). North Warren: Grazing Marshes, Sep 6th and 9th (J Davies). Aldeburgh: Marshes, Sep 2nd to 7th (M L Cornish). Slaughden: Sep 6th (Birdguides). Orfordness: trapped and ringed, Sep 7th (M Marsh); different bird, Sep 13th and 14th (M Marsh). Hollesley: Sep 9th (W Adams). Shingle Street: Aug 30th (N Mason). Bawdsey: Sep 4th and 5th (M L Cornish). Landguard: Aug 30th; two Sep 5th; three, Sep 6th; two Sep 7th; Sep 8th. There was a single record f r o m t h e west, t h e latest of t h e y e a r : Norton: Sep 28th (J Walshe). GREEN WOODPECKER Common resident.

Amber

Wryneck Peter Beeson

Plcus viridis list.

The BBS f o u n d Green Woodpeckers in 59% of t h e 4 1 squares surveyed (46% in 2004, 67% in 2009) w i t h a c o m b i n e d total of 38 birds. A total of 13 c o n f i r m e d or probable breeding territories was r e p o r t e d in t h e north-east recording area. While t h e BBS appears to indicate a fairly stable breeding p o p u l a t i o n , t h e r e are indications t h a t this is not t h e case in at least one area of t h e Suffolk coast. David Pearson has carried o u t a survey of t h e breeding birds of t h e Walberswick NNR, Lower Blyth Valley, Dingle Reserve and Dunwich Forest area at five yearly intervals since 1999. His r e p o r t for 2014 states "Five territories

were found

- this bird has become quite

scarce

and there were far fewer records than in the previous surveys". The reason for this w o r r y i n g finding is not k n o w n , nor t o w h a t extent t h e decline applies to t h e wider area around. The m a x i m u m counts in the south-east were four in Bourne Park, Ipswich, October 4 t h and at W i t n e s h a m , May 16th and five near the River Stour at Brantham, April 1st and August 7th. The 'Yaffle' appears t o be c o m m o n e r in t h e west, w h e r e peak counts w e r e five at Long M e l f o r d , February 21st, six at Cavenham Heath NNR, March 25th and at Sudbury in April and nine in Ickworth Park, September 15th. Two pairs at Brettenham on June 16th had t w o and four juveniles in tow. At Landguard t h e r e w e r e singles on eleven dates, July 4 t h t o August 2 8 t h and a later bird, October 2nd. GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Common

resident.

Scarce passage

Dendrocopos

major

migrant.

The first d r u m m i n g birds were noted at Pakenham, January 7th and t w o on Ipswich Golf Course, Purdis Farm, January 12th. A bird at Landguard, May 16th and 17th was reported as "probably the northern

race".

The BBS f o u n d Great Spotted Woodpeckers in 59% of t h e 4 1 squares surveyed (41% in 2004,

108

Systematic List â&#x20AC;˘6% in 2009) w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of 34 birds. A t o t a l of 19 c o n f i r m e d or probable breeding erritories was found in t h e north-east and ten in t h e west. David Pearson found 11 territories luring his survey and c o m m e n t e d "numbers

were about half those of 2009, with few

remaining

n Dunwich Forest" His counts were based on early spring d r u m m i n g sites. Landguard r e p o r t e d five b e t w e e n June 19th and October 12th and t h e r e were singles on Orfordness, September 14th and October 25th. At Minsmere beach one was noted flying in off the sea on October 24th. LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Uncommon resident. Red list.

Dendrocopos

minor

There w e r e records f r o m eight sites, although one was an unusual sighting of a bird flying along the coast. A slight increase on the n u m b e r of reports, up f r o m six sites in 2013. Thorpeness: flying north, Sep 18th. Iken Cliff: near the Iken Cliff car park, Oct 16th. Stratford St Mary: on border between Stratford St Mary and Dedham, Aug 30th. Pipps Ford: on four dates between Mar 5th and 21st, including a drumming bird. Bardwell: two, May 2nd, possibly breeding. Cavenham Heath NNR: two males, Mar 2nd and singles Mar 23rd and 25th; female, Dec 14th. Little Ouse Valley: singles on five dates between Jan 12th and Mar 12th; two females, Mar 5th; visiting garden feeders, Dec 14th. Lakenheath: Botany Bay, Nov 10th. COMMON KESTREL

Falco tinnunculus

Common resident. Scarce passage migrant.

Amber

list.

The n u m b e r of reports received in 2014 was similar t o that received in 2013 (including Birdtrack records). Reports came f r o m 202 sites across t h e county. BBS data for 2014 show that they were recorded in 12 of t h e 4 1 squares in Suffolk. A 6% increase has been noted nationally and a 1% increase in t h e East of England. There were also some encouraging signs on BBS squares w h e r e the number of individuals encountered rose f r o m nine in 2013 t o 16 in 2014. However, this figure is still below t h e average n u m b e r of individuals counted over t h e last t e n years w h i c h stands at 18.9. Further evidence of a dramatic decline in population in some areas of Suffolk is highlighted in David Pearson's r e p o r t in w h i c h he states t h a t t h e Kestrel is n o w virtually absent f r o m t h e Walberswick/Blyth/Dunwich area, whereas 15 years ago t h e r e were over a dozen pairs. Breeding was reported f r o m 14 sites; productivity appeared t o be good, w i t h at least f o u r pairs fledging t h r e e young. A possible migrant was logged flying south at Landguard on May 6th. Also at Landguard t w o flew south on September 26th and singles w e r e noted on t w o dates in October. Like last year there was an influx of juvenile birds on Orfordness in August and September, attracted by t h e plentiful supply of grasshoppers. MERLIN Uncommon

Falco

columbarius

winter visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

List.

It was an average year for this species. The 99 reports received in 2014 was a slight improvement on the 93 in 2013 and these came f r o m 4 1 sites, slightly fewer t h a n last year. The first winter period was rather quiet w i t h reports coming f r o m just eight sites across t h e county in January, nine in February and ten in March. All involved single birds except for t w o on Orfordness on January 26th, a pair at Landguard on three dates in March and t w o females at Berners Heath, also in March. It is likely that six or seven birds were present in t h e county during this period. April sightings included a female at Landguard o n April 6th and t h r e e reports f r o m t h e Breck, the last of these being o n April 26th. A late bird was seen at Belton Marshes on June 6th. During August reports of early returning birds came f r o m Boyton Marshes, Sutton C o m m o n and Bawdsey.

109

Suffolk Birci Report 2014 Potential passage birds were noted late in September at Minsmere, w h e r e one f l e w in off the sea, Thorpeness and Landguard. Other reports f r o m September came f r o m f o u r m o r e coasta sites and one in t h e west, w h e r e one was seen interacting w i t h a Eurasian Hobby Falco

subbutec

at West Stow. The f o l l o w i n g m o n t h one was seen flying in off t h e sea at Ness Point, Lowestoft or October 9th. The remaining eight reports f r o m October all came f r o m coastal locations, except for Lakenheath Fen w h e r e one was seen regularly until t h e end of t h e year. Reports of single birds came f r o m eight sites in November and included t w o birds on Orfordness on November 1st. By December most birds had settled d o w n on their winter quarters. Singles were seen at Belton Marshes and around the Boyton Marshes/Gedgrave area and there were t w o records f r o m t h e Breck. Records suggest that four or five birds were present in t h e latter part of the year. EURASIAN HOBBY Fairly common

Falco subbuteo

summer

visitor and passage

migrant.

A total of 423 reports was received in 2014 which is an increase of just over 25% o n last year's total of 337. Reports came f r o m 138 sites, an increase on last year's t o t a l of 114. There was a general consensus that this species was generally scarcer in 2014, possibly due t o a poor breeding success in t h e previous t w o years. The BBS data for 2014 seem to confirm this, as they showed sizeable decreases of 18% across t h e UK and 24% in England. The earliest-reported individual was seen at M i n s m e r e on April 3rd and this was followed by a f u r t h e r 23 reports f r o m 17 o t h e r sites in April. M i g r a n t s w e r e logged at Landguard on

Hobby Ed Keeble

eight dates in May. Spring counts were unremarkable and included five at Thorpeness on May 5th, six at Minsmere on June 1st and 13 at N o r t h Warren on June 4 t h . Finally, t h e 27 counted at Lakenheath Fen on May 17th is way d o w n on t h e totals of recent years. Breeding records came from 14 sites and included four pairs at Minsmere. Results of the annual survey of Thetford Forest were mixed. Only eight of the traditional 20 sites were occupied, the lowest number since 2008. However, six of the pairs that bred were successful, the highest proportion since 2008! There was plenty of movement along the coast in August and September. At Thorpeness t w o flew north on September 21st and t w o flew in off t h e sea at t h e same site five days later. At Landguard single birds were seen on one date in August and three in September. There were 20 reports in October, t h e latest coming f r o m Slaughden on October 21st and Kessingland on October 26th. Co-operative h u n t i n g was noted at Benacre Broad w h e r e three were seen chasing a Common Swift Apus apus on August 12th w i t h one eventually catching it (C A Buttle). FIELD NOTE At a site in t h e south of t h e county, a male Hobby was seen to bring a mouse (most likely W o o d M o u s e Apodemus

sylvaticus)

into t h e nest. The most likely explanation is t h a t he had stolen it

f r o m a C o m m o n Kestrel Falco tinnunculus,

as t h e literature records kleptoparasitism by Hobbies

o n a range of species, even including C o m m o n Tern Sterna hirundo\

(A Chapman, 1999)

The f e m a l e of t h e same pair was a f i r s t - s u m m e r bird and it appears t o be exceptional for Hobbies t o a t t e m p t t o breed at this age, let alone to do so successfully. The female in question seemed m o r e t h a n c o m p e t e n t and it was remarkable to reflect on t h e fact that by September she was catching dragonflies and chasing off Carrion Crows Corvus corone on flight feathers t h a t w e r e mostly m o r e than 12 months old. Ed Keeble

110

Systematic List ERBORINE FALCON

Falco peregrinus

Incommon but increasing

winter visitor and passage migrant.

Has bred since 2008. Categories A

nd E. A total of 362 reports was received in 2014, an increase of a b o u t 38% on t h e 262 in 2013. Birds were recorded f r o m 95 sites, t h r e e less t h a n in 2013. The g r o w i n g resident p o p u l a t i o n in t h e ounty n o w stands at a m i n i m u m of seven pairs and at least five t e r r i t o r i e s w e r e occupied hroughout t h e year. Consequently a significant number of reports referred t o were pairs or t w o (irds together. Data f r o m t h e 2014 BBS show an increase of 35% across t h e w h o l e of t h e UK. In January t w o were noted at Dingle Marshes and Dunwich Heath (both in Dunwich), Minsmere, >izewell and Levington Marina The following m o n t h t w o birds were seen at Carlton Marshes, Landguard, and Great Livermere, where a colour-ringed bird, seen feeding on a Common W o o d 3

igeon Columba palumbus,

was identified asa juvenile originating from Bristol. Pairs were also seen

on several dates around Trimley Marshes and along the River Stour between January and March. In March t h e resident pair at Lake Lothing was j o i n e d by a first-summer female on 30th, which was still present until April 12th at least. Elsewhere, t w o birds present on Orfordness w e r e also :oined by a t h i r d bird, an i m m a t u r e , on April 8th. Finally, in t h e north-east of t h e county t w o birds were seen at St Olaves on April 26th. By May it was evident t h a t no fewer than five pairs were a t t e m p t i n g t o breed in t h e county. However, breeding success was mixed and only t h r e e pairs managed t o fledge young. These included pairs on t h e Orwell Bridge, which bred for t h e seventh successive year, and at t h e derelict Sproughton Sugar Beet Works. Breeding was also confirmed for t h e first t i m e at a site in Bury St Edmunds, where a pair fledged one chick. The pair at Lake Lothing laid one egg but it failed to hatch and t h e pair at Felixstowe Docks also failed. Other pairs were also present at potential nest sites at Sizewell and on Orfordness, t h o u g h one of t h e latter pair is a possible hybrid w i t h an escaped Lanner F. biarmicus.

Elsewhere t w o birds were seen at Benacre o n June 5 t h and at

Heveningham Park on June 20th. In August an injured Peregrine was f o u n d near Long M e l f o r d and was taken into care w h e r e it was found t o have been shot (see Field Note). Reports came f r o m 11 sites in September and included one flying in off t h e sea at Bawdsey on September 26th and t h r e e birds at Landguard o n September 7th. In t h e latter part of t h e year, in addition t o t h e resident birds across t h e county, reports of w i n t e r i n g birds came f r o m t h e Stour Estuary, Trimley Marshes, Stradishall Airfield and Lakenheath Fen. In October t w o birds w e r e seen inland at Pipps Ford and Bowbeck, Bardwell. November sightings included t w o at Trimley Marshes and in December t w o w e r e seen at Hollesley Marshes. Observations of hunting behaviour came f r o m Snape Wetland where an adult caught a Common Redshank Tringa totanus

on January 5th, Benacre Broad w h e r e one caught and ate a Eurasian

Teal Anas crecca o n January 10th and Lackford Lakes w h e r e one t o o k a C o m m o n Tern Sterna hirundo on May 9th. FIELD NOTE A juvenile female Peregrine was f o u n d on a public f o o t p a t h near Long M e l f o r d on August 20th. Initially, Darren U n d e r w o o d , co-founder of t h e bird, t h o u g h t it had f l o w n into a fence and was stunned. But w h e n it was x-rayed, at a nearby vets, it became apparent it was peppered w i t h shot. After t r e a t m e n t it was taken t o Lavenham Falconry w h e r e it is being rehabilitated in t h e hope t h a t it can be released back into t h e wild. Darren

Underwood

ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET Scarce visitor. Categories

Psittacula

krameri

C and E.

The sole record this year was one at Easton Bavents, July 18th.

Ill

Suffolk Birci Report 2014 EURASIAN GOLDEN ORIOLE Scarce passage migrant.

Oriolus oriolus

Last bred in 2009. Red list.

There were only t w o records of this now-very-scarce county bird (six in 2013). The dates ar d locations of these sightings suggest that this was possibly t h e same bird. Minsmere: singing male, May 27th (J A Rowlands). Dunwich Heath: singing male, May 28th (J D Hogg). At t h e traditional breeding site, Lakenheath Fen RSPB, there were a n u m b e r of unconfirmt J reports; but RSPB staff were "confident that none was present". It is n o w highly probable that th s species is n o w extinct as a breeding bird in t h e county. A sad loss of national significance of a on> 3 much appreciated species. RED-BACKED SHRIKE

Lanius collurio

Scarce passage migrant;

formerly

bred. Red list.

It was a n o t h e r good year for this popular species w i t h records of nine individuals (11 in 201 c o m i n g f r o m five coastal sites:Corton: Old Sewage Works, June 5th (C Shaw); juvenile, Aug 28th and 29th (C Shaw). Lowestoft: Ness Point, juvenile, Sep 29th to Nov 9th (R Wilton). Southwold: Gun Hill, two juveniles, Sep 8th and 9th (C Fulcher). Minsmere: Dunes, May 28th to 30th (J H Grant). Landguard: juvenile, Sep 19th to 21st (M Angliss et al) with two additional birds, 21st (W J Brame, N Odin eta The bird at Ness Point, Lowestoft is t h e latest in Suffolk since 2002 w h e n one was at Sudbourr on N o v e m b e r 16th. LESSER GREY SHRIKE Very rare

Lanius minor

visitor.

For t h e second year running this sought-after species occurred in t h e county allowing mar observers excellent views. This is t h e t e n t h Suffolk record of this south European shrike. Hollesley (and Boyton Marshes RSPB): Hollesley, female, Sep 6th and 7th (J Forsyth, N Mason et al.). GREAT GREY SHRIKE

Lanius excubitor

Scarce passage migrant

and winter

visitor.

A quieter year for this species w i t h only five sightings (13 in 2013) confined t o t h e south an west of t h e c o u n t y : Landguard: Oct 17th and 18th (N Odin et al.). Thetford Forest: Mayday Farm/Spinks Lodge, Jan 10th (A Nairn). Cavenham Heath: Oct 23rd to 28th at least, although very elusive (West Suffolk Birders). Icklingham: Berner's Heath, Oct 27th into 2015 (D Cawdron). WOODCHAT SHRIKE Rare

Lanius senator

visitor.

There w e r e no sightings of this species in 2014, t h e first blank year since 2010. EURASIAN MAGPIE Very common

Pica pica

resident.

Reports of this w e l l - k n o w n species came f r o m 100 sites (101 in 2013) w i t h t h e m a j o r i t y of sightings coming f r o m t h e south-east of the county, but breeding was confirmed at only four sites. Magpies w e r e f o u n d in 85% of BBS squares surveyed, w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of 117 counted. Large roost counts came f r o m : Corton Sewage Works: 28, Jan 28th. Gunton Wood: 17, Mar 8th. Pipps Ford: 141, Jan 21st (site record roost count, 110 in 2013); 114, Feb 3rd. On Orfordness birds w e r e present on all visits t h o u g h no significant counts w e r e made. The breeding p o p u l a t i o n was estimated at 9 - 1 1 pairs. 112

Systematic List resent all year at Landguard, w i t h four pairs nesting; of these, t w o pairs reared seven young, c e failed and t h e o u t c o m e of t h e o t h e r is u n k n o w n . The spring m a x i m u m at t h e site was 20 on f

rch 9th w i t h a m a x i m u m , in a u t u m n , of 25 on October 25th. RASIAN JAY

Garrulus

glandarius

mmon resident and scarce passage

migrant.

Reports came from 95 sites (99 in 2013) with a major proportion of sightings coming from the southst of the county. Breeding was confirmed at only three sites w i t h 'probable' breeding at another, is species was found in 36% of BBS squares surveyed, w i t h a combined total of 23 birds counted. On Orfordness one f l e w across t h e Airfields t o t h e west on October 5th. At Landguard in spring singles were recorded on April 21st, 27th and 29th. A m i d - s u m m e r bird July 16th is an exceptional site record. In a u t u m n 13 w e r e noted f r o m September 16th t o tober 15th, w i t h a m a x i m u m of t h r e e on October 3rd. ESTERN JACKDAW

Corvus

â&#x20AC;˘ry common resident,

winter visitor and passage

monedula migrant.

Sightings came f r o m 109 sites (74 in 2013) w i t h a major p r o p o r t i o n of sightings coming f r o m e south-east of t h e county. Breeding was c o n f i r m e d at only four sites w i t h 'probable' breeding another. The BBS reported this species in 70% of squares surveyed, w i t h a combined t o t a l of )4 birds counted. Significant counts in t h e n o r t h east came f r o m : irgh Castle: 600, Sep 9th. ilton Marshes: 500, Oct 10th. â&#x20AC;˘veningham Park: 400, Feb 5th. On Orfordness birds were noted throughout the year, w i t h up t o 80 in September and November id 90 in October being t h e highest counts. The breeding population here was estimated at 24) pairs, all of w h i c h w e r e in various buildings on t h e site, including 9-12 in Lab 1. The partial illapse of t h e Coastguard Lookout near t h e Lighthouse meant t h a t only one pair nested there Jmpared w i t h at least eight pairs in 2013. Notable counts in t h e south-east came f r o m Levington Creek w i t h 1500 on January 27th and atford Mill w i t h 290 on February 13th. At Landguard, in spring, totals of six passed n o r t h , 39 south, six in o f f and five on site f r o m ebruary 17th t o June 19th, w i t h a m a x i m u m of six moving south on May 7th. In a u t u m n there ere totals of t w o n o r t h , 25 south and t w o on site f r o m September 21st until October 27th, w i t h maximum of seven south on September 28th. The huge corvid roost of c30000 Jackdaws and Rooks at Lakenheath Fen RSPB held c 15000 ackdaws t h r o u g h o u t much of t h e winter. At Lanket's Grove, Sapiston, 350 were present t h r o u g h o u t t h e second w i n t e r period. OOK

Corvus frugilegus

''ery common resident,

winter visitor and passage

migrant.

Records came f r o m 8 1 sites (56 in 2013) w i t h a major p r o p o r t i o n of sightings coming f r o m t h e south-east of t h e county. Breeding was c o n f i r m e d at only five sites. The 2015 Rookery Survey results will be included in next year's bird report. The BBS f o u n d this species in 53% of squares surveyed, w i t h a c o m b i n e d total of 744 birds counted. Large gatherings at Gapton Marshes, Bradwell peaked at 300 on January 10th. At Herringfleet Marshes, 396 w e r e n o t e d on February 1st, 1000 at Flixton, December 7th and 420 at Great G l e m h a m j u l y 27th. On Orfordness t h e first was one south on April 21st w i t h m o r e in May involving eight on 4th and 25th, 15 on 26th and 18 on 31st. No others were seen until seven on September 6th. Thirteen moved south on October 12th and t h e last of t h e year were t w o south on October 25th. At Butley Low Corner, 360 were noted on January 27th and 500 at Ramsholt on February 9th.

113

Suffolk Birci Report 2014 At Landguard spring passage totals were t w o north, 13 south and one in off b e t w e e n Februar\ 17th and April 14th, w i t h a m a x i m u m of t h r e e south, March 21st and 23rd and April 12th. Ir a u t u m n , t w o were recorded on November 4th. The massive corvid roost of c 30000 Jackdaws and Rooks at Lakenheath Fen RSPB held c 1500C Rooks t h r o u g h o u t much of t h e winter. High numbers w e r e also noted at Cavenham Heath w i t f 4 5 0 on March 26th and 700 o n July 21st.

CARRION CROW Very common

Corvus corone

resident,

winter visitor and passage

migrant.

Records came f r o m 115 sites (79 in 2013) w i t h a major p r o p o r t i o n of sightings c o m i n g f r o m the south-east of t h e county. Breeding was confirmed at only t w o sites. The BBS reported this species in 97% of squares surveyed, w i t h a combined total of 347 birds counted. Spring m o v e m e n t s consisted of a few coastal records w i t h birds on t h e move at Thorpeness on April 8 t h w i t h t w o moving n o r t h and 28 south; t h e f o l l o w i n g day 35 f l e w north and 26 south and 18 f l e w n o r t h on May 1st. On Orfordness birds were present t h r o u g h o u t t h e year w i t h up t o eight f r e q u e n t l y noted. A small passage was n o t e d in M a r c h w i t h 14 on 29th and 12 t h e next day. A larger m o v e m e n t occurred in October w i t h 13 o n 4th, 26 on 11th and 27 on 12th. Four pairs nested here w i t h three of these in t h e Cobra Mist c o m p o u n d (two o n t h e aerial masts and one in a tree) and t h e other was at t h e Holm Oaks. Large w i n t e r gatherings were seen at Snape Wetland w i t h 150 on February 5th and on the River Stour near Brantham w i t h 50 during January. At Trimley Marshes on April 13th there was a notable count of 116. At Landguard birds were present all year. Two pairs nested in t h e adjoining dock area rearing an overall t o t a l of seven young. As in previous years, intruders occasionally t u r n e d up o n site and were soon seen o f f by t h e locals. There was a spring m a x i m u m of 17 o n site on April 12th and 20 on site, September 3rd. Spring passage m o v e m e n t s consisted o f t e n north, 58 south and eight in o f f t h e sea, February 22nd t o May 21st, w i t h a m a x i m u m of 15 south, April 10th. Visible m o v e m e n t s in a u t u m n were of five north and 12 south f r o m September 25th t o November 1st, w i t h a m a x i m u m of six south on November 1st. At Bowbeck, Bardwell, in t h e west, the species was described as being ' a b u n d a n t ' w i t h up to 100 recorded on pig fields.

HOODED CROW Scarce winter

Corvus cornix

visitor.

There w e r e only t w o sightings of single birds:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Snape Wetland: Jan 8th and Feb 5th (D Fairhurst). Risby: Poor's Heath, Feb 1st and 2nd (C Gregory). As in previous years t h e r e w e r e a n u m b e r of sightings of hybrid Carrion/Hooded Crows w i t h up to t w o being seen at north-east coastal sites t h r o u g h o u t t h e year.

NORTHERN RAVEN Scarce visitor. Formerly

Corvus corax bred.

This impressive corvid is occurring more f r e q u e n t l y in t h e county leading t o much speculation about possible colonisation in t h e future. There w e r e a n u m b e r of c o n f i r m e d sightings of a single bird in March and April. It is assumed t h a t t h e M i n s m e r e bird f l e w n o r t h to Lowestoft on April 17th and t h e n f l e w all t h e way south t o Shingle Street on t h e same d a t e : Lowestoft North Denes: Apr 17th, same as Minsmere bird (A C Easton). Easton Broad: Apr 9th, same as Minsmere bird (C A Buttle). Minsmere: Mar 23rd to 17th Apr (R Drew). 114

Systematic List Shingle Street: Apr 17th, same as Minsmere bird (PJ Kennerley, J A Kennerley) On Orfordness, t w o w e r e present on November 9th and ntriguingly were seen, 'to engage in mutual preening'. A single bird was t h e n seen on November 15th and 16th. Records came from four sites in the south in w i n t e r : Drfordness: two, Nov 9th; Nov 15th and 16th (D Crawshaw, M Marsh). Gedgrave/Boyton Marshes: two birds were present, feeding on sheep carcass for a few days, in the area with sightings being made by many observers between Oct 26th and Dec 21st (S Abbott, M Cornish, B Buffery, S Goddard, N Mason et al.). GOLDCREST

Regulus regulus

Very common resident and passage

migrant

This 'crest' was f o u n d at 83 sites (73 in 2013) and breeding was confirmed at 17 sites and regarded as 'probable' at a f u r t h e r t w o . This species was found in 26% of BBS squares surveyed, with a combined total of 50 birds counted. The Walberswick area survey f o u n d this species to be less c o m m o n t h a n during t h e surveys of 1999 and 2004. M o s t singing birds w e r e in D u n w i c h Forest w h e r e just eight w e r e located (Pearson, 2014). On Orfordness t h e first of t h e year was one on March 9th w i t h another on April 5th being t h e only spring records. The first to return was one on September 6th w i t h t w o on 27th. In October only t w o were noted on any one day and in November up t o seven on 15th and six on 22nd were the largest numbers recorded. In December three on 6th were t h e last of t h e year. The table shows the ringing totals for t h e last five years. A better a u t u m n t h a n 2013! 2010 193

2011 35

2012 69

2013 4

2014 30

At Landguard spring passage ran f r o m March 13th until March 28th, w i t h a m a x i m u m of t w o on 13th and 26th. A u t u m n passage ran f r o m September 11th until November 22nd w i t h t h r e e birds lingering t o 30th and t w o until December 2nd, w i t h a m a x i m u m of 35 on October 14th. FIRECREST Uncommon

Regulus regular

ignicapilla

breeder and passage migrant.

Some overwinter.

Amber

list.

Records of this popular species came f r o m 34 sites (52 in 2013). Breeding was only c o n f i r m e d in t h e west at Thetford Forest and singing males were noted at six sites there. This species was found in 2% of BBS squares surveyed, w i t h a total of only one counted. A singing bird was f o u n d in t h e north-western section of Dunwich Forest on May 14th, a late date for a migrant (Pearson, 2014). On Orfordness t h e first of t h e year was an elusive overwintering bird on January 19th. It was noted again on February 23rd. The first 'true' spring migrant was seen at t h e Holm Oaks on March 2nd, w i t h a n o t h e r on March 9th w h e n t h e o v e r w i n t e r i n g bird was also seen. The first t o return in a u t u m n w e r e t w o on September 2 7 t h and 28th. The next one was on N o v e m b e r 15th w i t h a different bird present o n 22nd and t h e last of t h e year, also in November, on 30th. At Landguard t h e r e w e r e spring singles on nine dates f r o m March 3rd t o May 7th. A u t u m n passage ran f r o m September 11th to October 22nd, w i t h a m a x i m u m of three on September 28th. The Thetford Forest breeding population remained stable w i t h 30 territories being recorded (30 in 2013, 26 in 2012). 115

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 EURASIAN PENDULINE TIT Very rare

Remiz

pendulinus

visitor.

After a blank year in 2013 and six successive years of sightings t h e r e were t w o records involving t h r e e birds in 2014: t w o at M i n s m e r e and, o n t h e same date, an adult type flying a r o u n d the marsh and landing in willows at Botany Marshes, part of t h e new RSPB Snape Wetland reserve. I was relocated in t h e a f t e r n o o n , feeding on reedmace. Minsmere: two, adult and first-winter, Oct 25th (D Carter). Snape Wetland: adult, Botany Marshes, Oct 25th (D Fairhurst et al.). BLUE TIT

Cyanistes

Very common

caeruleus

resident and scarce passage

migrant.

Records of this widespread species came from 120 sites with breeding being confirmed at only 12 localities. At Lound Lakes 15 territories were recorded whilst at Sizewell SWT 76 territories were recorded BBS data shows this species in 100% of squares surveyed, w i t h a combined total of 356 birds counted. On Orfordness, t w o in t h e Village and one near the quay on October 2nd were t h e only records. At Landguard, as is usual, birds w e r e present all year w i t h one pair nesting. Six birds f r o m previous years survived t h e winter. Spring passage ran f r o m March 4 t h t o 23rd plus t h r e e later n e w birds on May 6th, 7th and 13th. The first juvenile was seen o n May 29th w i t h dispersing juveniles t u r n i n g up f r o m elsewhere f r o m June 12th until August 6th. A u t u m n passage ran from August 27th t o November 6th plus a later new bird o n 21st. There was a m a x i m u m of nine on September 2nd w i t h nine also on site, November 26th. Breeding was c o n f i r m e d at seven sites in t h e west w i t h an 'above average season' at Lackford Lakes SWT. GREAT TIT

Parus major

Very common

resident

and scarce passage

migrant.

Sightings of this widespread and w e l l - k n o w n t i t came f r o m 112 sites w i t h breeding confirmed at 2 1 localities. At Lound Lakes, ten territories were noted and 63 were recorded at Sizewell SWT. This species was f o u n d in 85% of BBS squares surveyed, w i t h a combined t o t a l of 190 birds counted. At Landguard birds were present all year w i t h four pairs nesting. Eleven birds f r o m previous years survived t h r o u g h t h e winter. Spring passage ran f r o m February 24th t o April 10th plus a later new female o n May 19th. The first juveniles appeared f r o m May 17th w i t h dispersing juveniles turning up o n site f r o m elsewhere f r o m then until August 5th, w i t h a m a x i m u m of 22, July 7th. A u t u m n passage ran August 31st to October 30th, w i t h a m a x i m u m of 15 August 31st and October 12th. At Lackford Lakes SWT, as w i t h t h e previous species, it was regarded as an 'above

average'

breeding season. COAL TIT

Periparus

Very common

resident

ater and scarce passage

migrant.

Records came f r o m 70 sites (53 in 2013) w i t h breeding being c o n f i r m e d at seven of these. At Sizewell SWT eight territories were noted. This species was found in 31% of BBS squares surveyed, w i t h a c o m b i n e d t o t a l of 109 birds counted. At Landguard there was one on June 8th, t w o , June 12th, one, September 30th and one, October 3rd. Ten were at Flatford Mill on October 10th, eight at Shrubland Hall, Coddenham, January 22nd and ten on Upper Hollesley C o m m o n , April 15th. The highest count was of 40 at High Lodge, Thetford Forest, on N o v e m b e r 19th and t h e r e were 14 in The King's Forest on April 15th, b o t h in t h e west. Continental Coal Tit Scarce passage

Periparus ater ater

migrant.

There were no records of this nominate race this year.

116

Systematic List VILLOW TIT

Poetile

lapidly declining

montana

resident and scarce passage migrant.

Red list.

As predicted in last year's report t h e nasal d r a w n - o u t calls of this t i t were not heard in Suffolk n 2014, despite much searching and a 'few odd second-hand irea, none ofwhich MARSH T U

were confirmed'.

Poetile

Fairly common

reportsfrom

the Santon

Downham

It is highly probable that this species is now extinct in Suffolk.

palustris

resident.

Red list.

Records canne f r o m 88 sites (79 in 2013) w i t h breeding being confirmed at ten of these. This species was f o u n d in 7% of BBS squares surveyed, w i t h a combined total of four birds counted. Most sightings involved one or t w o birds. Typically, reports carne f r o m w o o d e d areas in t h e northeast and west w i t h a scattering of reports f r o m t h e south. Breeding was c o n f i r m e d

at Sizewell

Belts w i t h

six

territories noted. In t h e Walberswick survey, numbers were substantially lower than in 2009 w i t h only a single pair in Dunwich Forest. At Landguard t h e f o u r t h site record involved one on September 9th (N Odin, C Ryde et al.). At Great

Livermere,

ringing activity

revealed

ten

i n d i v i d u a i and seven w e r e present in Bradfield Woods on October 7th. BEARDED TIT

Bearded Tit Su Gough Panurus

biarmicus

Uncommon resident and scarce passage migrant.

Amber

list.

Records of this popular species carne f r o m 43 sites, (28 in 2013) w i t h confirmed breeding at five of these. As usuai most reports carne f r o m t h e north-east, t h e population in t h e far west and a few reports of w a n d e r i n g birds in t h e south. At W e s t w o o d Marshes, Walberswick NNR, t h e Bearded Tit population was at its lowest level since 1991, badly affected by t h e winters of 2 0 1 1 / 1 2 and 2 0 1 2 / 1 3 , and probably by t h e more recent North Sea surge in December 2013. Just 15-20 pairs were considered to have bred on Westwood Marshes, no more than half the number in 2009, itself substantially lower than in 2004. Along the Blyth, the only summer record was from Delacroix Marshes, Walberswick, where a pair may have bred. A similar reduction from 2009 was evident at Hen Reedbeds where there were seven pairs, three of these in the salt-affected eastern section. On Orfordness at least t w o were in Chantry Reedbed on January 19th, w i t h t h e next, at least one, heard t h e r e on March 23rd. In October t h e usuai passage t h r o u g h t h e site took place w i t h 20 on 5th, six on 12th, t h r e e on 18th and 19th, t e n on 25th and three on 26th. In November after 12 on l s t , t e n were recorded on 8th and 9th w i t h 25 on 15th; many of these remained in Chantry Reedbed w i t h up t o 20 noted until December 21st. There was no evidence of breeding despite the first ever breeding pair in 2013. At t h e RSPB Snape Wetland feeding flights by t w o birds w e r e noted on May 15th and 17th and a flock of six juveniles seen on June l s t and 15th. At Boyton Marshes t e n were present on December 14th. At Lakenheath Fen RSPB there was an estimate of 37 territories giving a general idea about how many were present at t h e western fringe of t h e county. WOODLARK

Lululla

Fairly common

breeding

arborea species. Scarce on passage and in winter. Amber

list.

During t h e first w i n t e r period a single bird was trapped and ringed on Orfordness on February

117

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 23rd and a bird f l e w in off t h e sea there on March 19th. On t h e Suffolk Sandlings t h e r e was again a w e l c o m e rise in t h e n u m b e r of breeding pairs w i t h 1 1 1 recorded (90 pairs 2013); Rendlesham Forest saw a rise f r o m nine t o 15 pairs and Dunwich Forest t h e biggest rise f r o m t h r e e up t o nine. In t h e west of t h e county t h e number of pairs in t h e Suffolk Breck as a w h o l e stood at 66, d o w n 16% f r o m 2013 w h e n 79 singing males w e r e recorded. In The King's Forest a pair was observed w i t h t h r e e y o u n g on April 27th and a family party of five was seen on July 30th. During t h e a u t u m n , migrants were seen at several locations including t h e f o l l o w i n g : Corton: south, Oct 19th. Sizewell: Sep 20th. Thorpeness: south, Sep 23rd; south, Sep 30th. Shingle Street: Sep 19th. Bawdsey: Oct 30th. Landguard; Oct 10th; four south, Oct 16th; Oct 20th; Oct 22nd. At t h e e n d of t h e year, in t h e west of t h e county, 14 birds w e r e seen at Berner's Heath, Icklingham, N o v e m b e r 2 5 t h w i t h 11 still t h e r e on December 16th. Eleven individuals were recorded in The King's Forest on October 14th. SKYLARK Common

Alauda resident,

arvensis passage migrant

and winter

visitor. Red list.

During t h e first w i n t e r period t h e largest flocks recorded were as f o l l o w s : Bradwell: 75, Feb 11th. Sizewell: beach, 220, Jan 23rd; Abbey Farm, 200, Jan 23rd. Great Waldingfield: 90, Jan 27th. Breeding was recorded f r o m 15 locations. On Orfordness t h e population o n t h e main reserve was 16-20 pairs but The Point was n o t surveyed in 2014 (28 pairs 2013). The Great W a l d i n g f i e l d Airfield p o p u l a t i o n stood at 36 singing males, c o m p a r e d w i t h 40 pairs in 2013.A survey in t h e Walberswick area recorded 6 1 territories w h i c h was said t o be stable w i t h no change since 2009. During t h e a u t u m n migration a good n u m b e r of birds w e r e seen o n t h e move. On October 10th at Easton Bavents 78 f l e w s o u t h f o l l o w e d by 65 at Orfordness t h e next day. On 1 2 t h birds w e r e recorded at Bawdsey and Orfordness w i t h 105 and 75 respectively. October 3 0 t h saw 200 in o f f t h e sea at Ness Point, Lowestoft and 78 s o u t h at

Skylark Richard Allen

Landguard. The only large flock reported in t h e second w i n t e r period was of 50 birds in stubble at Corton sewage works on N o v e m b e r 30th. HORNED (SHORE) LARK Scarce winter

Eremophila

alpestris

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber list.

s^^p

During October birds were seen as f o l l o w s : Benacre: Oct 18th; three, Oct 21st to 25th. Thorpeness: eight south, Oct 30th. Slaughden: two south, Oct 28th. In November a single bird was seen on the Scrape at Minsmere on 12th and a single bird was at Benacre on 12th and 13th, then t w o birds there 15th to 19th. Benacre then held three birds from November 20th to the year's end, these birds also being seen nearby at Covehithe and Easton Broads during this time.

118

Systematic List SAND MARTIN Common summer

RiparĂŹa

riparia

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

The first returning bird was seen at Lakenheath Fen on March 15th followed by single birds at Cavenham ,19th and Alton Water, 20th with the first multiple occurrences being on 24th with three birds at both Covehithe Broad and Cavenham. By the end of the month 20 were present at Lakenheath Fen. The only breeding colonies reported were as f o l l o w s : Minsmere: 213 occupied nests. Cavenham: 45 pairs. Fornham St Genevieve: 40 pairs. Dispersing birds were seen from mid-July onwards on Orfordness, where the species is surprisingly scarce, w i t h 21 moving south there on three days. Landguard recorded 417 during the autumn passage with a maximum of 66 on August 30th. A flock of 160 plus was seen feeding over Loompit Lake, Trimley St Martin on July 28th. The last bird of the year was a late bird through Landguard on October 11th. BARN SWALLOW

Hirundo

Very common summer

rustica

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

There were no March records for the second year running, t h e first birds seen being on April 2nd with birds at Great Ashfield and Camps Heath, Oulton and t w o at Holton, all in t h e n o r t h of the county. The following day birds were seen at a further four locations w i t h seven at Covehithe Broad. The breeding population around Walberswick was 12 pairs in t h e surveyed area w h i c h shows a stable population over t h e last 15 years. In the west of t h e county in Bowbeck, Bardwell t h e species was said t o have had 'a good season' with eight pairs raising seven broods of up t o five young each. On Orfordness it was 'a poor year' w i t h only four or five pairs present. The highest day-counts at Landguard during a u t u m n were as f o l l o w s : Aug 29th: 1441 south. Aug 30th: 1520 south. Aug 31st: 1678 south. Sep 23rd: 3110 south. The only other site t o record a large n u m b e r was Shingle Street w h e r e 660 birds f l e w south on September 2 5 t h . The last stragglers of t h e year w e r e in N o v e m b e r w h e n eight birds w e r e observed, t h e latest of these being singles at Landguard, 20th and Walberswick 24th, t h e n a bird at Minsmere on 24th and 25th. HOUSE MARTIN

Delichon

Very common summer

urbicum

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

The first of t h e year was an early individual at West Stow o n March 23rd, t h e earliest since 2009 (March 18th, M u t f o r d ) ; t h e next one was not seen until April 5th w h e n a single was at Minsmere followed t h e next day by t w o at Mickle Mere. Numbers t h e n built up w i t h 20 at Minsmere, April 17th and 100 at Stowmarket on 18th. By May 9th, 200 were feeding over Lackford Lakes. Breeding numbers at t h e water t o w e r at Blythburgh returned t o ten pairs w h i c h was a w e l c o m e recovery, although t h e r e was n o w none in Walberswick or Blythburgh villages. Colonies were recorded f r o m seven locations in t h e west of Suffolk including eleven pairs at the Risbridge Estate, Kedington and 20 pairs in Sudbury. The youngsters of a pair in Brettenham did not fledge until September 26th. During t h e a u t u m n 250 birds w e r e seen f e e d i n g over N o r t h W a r r e n o n August 22nd. On Orfordness 200 w e n t south on September 6th. At Landguard 120 were recorded going south or coming in off t h e sea in August, 89 in September and 53 in October. In Long M e l f o r d 200 were seen t o land in a W e l l i n g t o n s tree in t h e churchyard on September 8th. T h e last r e p o r t s o f t h e y e a r w e r e birds in N o v e m b e r , a s i n g l e a t L o w e s t o f t , 2 n d a n d a s t r a g g l e r in W e s t l e t o n o n 1 3 t h .

119

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 RED-RUMPED SWALLOW Scarce

Cecropis daurica

visitor.

There w e r e t h r e e birds recorded in 2014, all in spring, w h i c h brings t h e County t o t a l t o A records involving 47 birds. Easton Bavents: south, May 9th (C Buttle, T Butler). Minsmere: Apr 17th (E Patrick et al.). Hollesley: May 12th (P R Kennerley). CETTI'S WARBLER Fairly common

Cettia cetti

resident

and rare passage

migrant.

The n u m b e r of t e r r i t o r i e s continues t o increase w i t h , perhaps, some 200 birds north of tf River Aide. M i n s m e r e counted 74 and t h e Walberswick area reported over 40. South of t h e Aide t h e coastal region d o w n t o t h e Essex border was not so populated but thei w e r e m o r e t h a n 30 k n o w n males. In t h e west Lakenheath RSPB had a m a x i m u m count of 29, w i t h breeding at Lackford for th first t i m e and isolated birds in, at least, five o t h e r localities. The Orfordness Report emphasised h o w little m o v e m e n t of this species is tracked wit singletons in April and t h e a u t u m n , although t h e latter did stay for 50 days f r o m October 5th unt N o v e m b e r 23rd. LONG-TAILED TIT Very common

Aegithalos

resident

caudatus

and scarce passage

migrant.

This easily identified and m u c h loved species maintains its status w i t h i n t h e county. Howeve it must be noted t h a t t h e n u m b e r of sightings received for analysis f r o m t h e three regions, namel north-east, south-east and west, were 1 3 9 , 4 4 3 and 17 respectively. They were f o u n d in 20 of th 4 1 BBS 1 k m squares surveyed involving 8 1 birds in all compared w i t h 76 in 2013 and 88 in 200 in t h e middle of t h e Atlas w o r k . GREENISH WARBLER Rare

Phylloscopus

trochiloides

visitor.

This makes t h e county t o t a l 17, all since 1981. This is t h e highest-ever annual t o t a l in Suffolk The Southwold birds were seen and heard singing simultaneously f r o m t h e Sewage Works bushes Southwold: Aug 29th and 30th (B J Small); Aug 30th only, second bird, both singing (C Fulcher, P J Kennerley J A Kennerley). Landguard: singing in the Holm Oaks, May 27th (T Bagworth, W J Brame, M May). The fifth site record. PALLAS'S LEAF WARBLER Uncommon

autumn

Phylloscopus

passage

proregulus

migrant.

A n o t h e r blank year for this species in Suffolk w i t h t h e others this century being 2006 and 2012 YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER Uncommon

autumn

passage

Phylloscopus

inornatus

migrant.

The r e m a r k a b l e expansion o f t h e w e s t e r n m i g r a t i o n of this species continues w i t h national weekly a u t u m n records in t h e UK of hundreds of birds and t h e expectation elsewhere of numerous birds t o appear w h e r e once t h e r e was none. W h e r e t h e m a j o r i t y w i n t e r is u n k n o w n although m a i n l a n d Spain holds some as d o t h e Canary Isles. A current t h e o r y is t h a t global w a r m i n g has enabled reverse migrants t o survive and return to t h e breeding grounds and create a viable westward migrating population. Another concept is that t h e y o u n g birds re-orientate and get t o t h e i r traditional w i n t e r i n g areas. In Suffolk t h e first a u t u m n bird, of a seasonal total of perhaps as many as about 40, appeared at Burgh Castle on September 20th and t h e r e was t h e n a steady f l o w w i t h a m a x i m u m site count of f o u r at Lowestoft on October 15th and a final bird at Southwold on November 10th.

120

Sanderling signs of summer plumage, at Lowestoft in July. Peter Ransome

23. Bar-tailed Godwits at Covehithe in May.

22. Purple Sandpiper one of the regular winter visitors to Ness Point. John Richardson

Clive Naunton

24. Greenshank at Minsmere in July. Stuart Read

26. Jack Snipe at IVhnsmere in May.

25. Eurasian Curlew conspicuous leucistic bird at Martlesham in April. Chris Mayr 3

Kath Aggiss

27. Mediterranean Gull record count of 310 birds at Walberswick in July.

28. K i t t i w a k e photographed at Minsmere in June.

Peter Ransome

Ian

Goodall

29. Short-eared Owl up to 10 birds counted at Gedgrave in November. John Richardson

30. Barn Owl an exceptional breeding year in 2014. Bill Baston

o i . n o o p o e very confiding bird at Kessingland and Framsden in October.

Stuart Read

Systematic List DUSKY WARBLER Rare autumn

Phylloscopus fuscatus

migrant.

Has

overwintered.

After t w o blank years, an exciting quartet of records w i t h at last a spring record out of a total of 28 since t h e first in 1987. There have been three in mid-winter w i t h the remainder in late a u t u m n . Oulton Marsh: Mar 19th to Apr 17th. The bird was often described as elusive by the bird hotlines during its stay but was well photographed (A C Easton). Boyton RSPB: Banters Barn, Nov 20th (S Abbott). Hollesley Marshes RSPB: Nov 15th to 19th (D Fairhurst, P Kennerley, M Cornish et ai.). Landguard: Custom House Nov 16th to 20th (N Odin et al.), the fourth site record. Previous quartets of Dusky Warblers have been recorded in Suffolk in 2002 and 2011. WOOD WARBLER Scarce summer

Phylloscopus

and autumn

sibilatrlx

migrant.

Red list.

A similar series of records as in 2013 w i t h no singing potential breeders. All five birds passed through d u r i n g a 15 day period in August. Shingle Street: Aug 20th (M Cornish). Bawdsey: Aug 23rd (M Cornish). Falkenham: Aug 14th (C Ruffles). Landguard: Aug 12th (S Piotrowski). Pipps Ford: Aug 9th (P Whittaker). C O M M O N CHIFFCHAFF Very common

summer

Phylloscopus

collybita

visitor and passage migrant.

A few

overwinter.

There w e r e many reports of w i n t e r i n g birds t h r o u g h o u t t h e county, w i t h a m a x i m u m of five seen at Kessingland Sewage Works on both February 23rd and December 13th. Landguard recorded spring passage f r o m March 10th until June 27th w i t h a m a x i m u m of 20 on April 11th. There w e r e some notable counts of singing birds w i t h maxima of 122 f r o m t h e Walberswick area and 70 at Sizewell catching t h e eye in t h e northeast w h i l e 20 at A l t o n W a t e r was t h e highest number d o w n t h e coast. Totals of over 20 in t h e west came f r o m Bures and Sudbury. The Constant Effort Site at Lackford saw 15 adults and 43 juveniles ringed, a similar result t o 2013 w h i c h had been t h e best year since 2004. There w e r e 133 birds c o u n t e d in t h e BBS 1km squares, similar t o previous years, but w i t h a dip to 109 in 2013. A u t u m n passage was slightly weaker t h a n 2013 on Orfordness. Landguard ringers t r a p p e d birds f r o m August 19th until N o v e m b e r 2 0 t h w i t h t h e t o p day _ _ â&#x20AC;&#x17E;â&#x20AC;&#x17E; , Chiffchaff Richard Allen seeing 20 o n September 20th. Birds showing characteristics of Siberian Chiffchaff were recorded at Oulton Marshes f r o m January 19th to 25th w i t h a second bird f r o m 22nd ( A Easton). Similar birds were also reported at Shingle Street on November 10th, and Bawdsey and Landguard, April 30th. WILLOW WARBLER Common but declining

Phylloscopus summer

trochilus

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

The earliest birds w e r e reported in March f r o m Cavenham Heath on 30th and Walberswick, North W a r r e n and Landguard o n 31st. Passage c o n t i n u e d at Landguard until June 5 t h w i t h a m a x i m u m of 30 on May 13th.

121

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 Described by Steve Piotrowski as an "abundant

breeder"

in his 2003 Avifauna t h e r e seems little

d o u b t t h a t breeding numbers have declined sharply since t h a t t i m e . Highest counts of singing birds f r o m t h e t h r e e regions were 2 1 in t h e Walberswick survey, eight at Purdis Heath and 20 at North Stow in The King's Forest. CES ringers at Lackford t r a p p e d only one bird whereas in their first year of ringing, 1992, they netted 16 adults and 35 juveniles. The species was found in only seven of t h e 4 1 BBS squares surveyed in t h e county w i t h a t o t a l of 16 birds compared w i t h 19 in 2013 and 38 in 2009 in t h e heart of t h e Atlas w o r k . Orfordness saw t h e low total of 50 ringed in t h e autumn whilst Landguard, always a more prolific site f o r this species, had birds f r o m July 29th until October 16th w i t h 25 on t h r e e days in t h a t period. An individuai showing characteristics of t h e race acredula

was present at Landguard on

August 31st. BLACKCAP Common eastern

Sylvia

summer

atricapilla visitor

and passage

migrant.

Overwintering

birds probably

originate

from

Europe.

Breeding n u m b e r s included 117 f r o m t h e Walberswick area surveyors and 39 at Sizewell. Nothing of note carne f r o m t h e south-east but t h e west had t h e only other counts of over a dozen w i t h 29 at Sudbury and 25 at Arger Fen, Bures-St-Mary. They w e r e f o u n d in 33 of t h e 4 1 squares surveyed in BBS w i t h 135 birds c o u n t e d compared w i t h 170 in 2013 and 138 in 2009.

FIELD NOTE What were considered to be returning winter visitors, t w o males and a female, were observed in north Ipswich gardens driving off all comers, including Starlings, from fat-ball feeders, in late December. Andrew

Gregory

However, t h e Hollesley ringers t r a p p e d as many as 313, presumably including locai birds as well as passage migrants, in t h e July t o September period. At Lackford t h e 149 ringed included t h e highest j u v e n i l e t o t a l in 23 years of CES w i t h September 2 n d seeing 44 y o u n g birds caught. A s u m m e r t o t a l of 135 was ringed at Great Livermere. On t h e coast Orfordness t o l d of a poor ringing year w i t h only 25 birds ringed compared w i t h totals in t h e forties in t h e t h r e e previous years. Landguard saw a spring passage f r o m March 30th t o June 30th w i t h a m a x i m u m of t e n on April lOth. Maxima of 20 were caught on both September 20th and October 14th during a protracted period of migration running f r o m August 25th until N o v e m b e r 30th. GARDEN WARBLER Common summer

Sylvia borin

visitor and passage

migrant.

The first bird of t h e year was n o t e d at Lackford on April 19th. Breeding season reports produced counts of 34 f r o m t h e Walberswick survey and 15 at Sizewell but no news f r o m t h e stronghold of North Warren. No site in t h e south-east held any n u m b e r of note. The Nunnery had seven singing birds, a couple more t h a n several o t h e r breeding areas in t h e west. They w e r e f o u n d in five of t h e 4 1 BBS squares surveyed w i t h just seven birds compared w i t h 1 1 in 2013 and 18 in 2009. The Hollesley ringers caught only nine birds in s u m m e r but t h e 18 at Lackford is t h e highest total in 23 years of CES there. Landguard had desultory passages f r o m April 22nd until May 13th and t h e n f r o m August 23rd until September 2 8 t h w i t h a late bird on October 30th. None was recorded on Orfordness in 2014.

122

Systematic List BARRED WARBLER Scarce passage

Sylvia nisoria

migrant.

After a b u m p e r crop of eight in 2010 only t w o singletons appeared in t h e next t h r e e years. There w e r e f o u r recorded in 2014. This year's Thorpeness birds were w e l l - w a t c h e d but led to some odd m o m e n t s , particularly w i t h photographers! Sizewell: Sep 12th (J H Grant). Thorpeness: Sep 7th to 11th (P J Kennerley, J A Kennerley et al.); second bird, Sep 7th to 20th (D Thurlow et al.). Hollesley: Sep 8th, trapped and photographed (R Duncan). LESSER WHITETH ROAT Fairly common

summer

Sylvia curruca visitor and passage

migrant.

Grove Farm, Thurston in t h e west had the first of t h e spring o n t h e early, but not record, date of April 9th. Breeding birds were reported t h r o u g h o u t t h e county but no site held a notable n u m b e r of pairs according t o information received. The Walberswick area survey found only six pairs and t h e usual principal site, N o r t h W a r r e n , d i d n ' t produce figures. They w e r e f o u n d in eight of t h e 4 1 BBS squares surveyed w i t h 14 birds compared w i t h 13 in 2013. Nevertheless Thorpeness produced 30 on August 15th and t h e Hollesley ringers had a t o t a l of 38 birds starting at t h e end of July. FIELD NOTE I briefly saw and heard a Lesser W h i t e t h r o a t in t h e garden at Greenacres in Alderton at dusk on December 3rd (2014). It didn't return t h e next morning and although I know it was a Lesser W h i t e t h r o a t , I can't be sure of t h e race - t h e light was poor and so I couldn't make o u t much detail o t h e r than t o c o n f i r m it was a Lesser W h i t e t h r o a t - t y p e bird w i t h dark grey lores, whitish throat, dark bill, light iris, grey-brown mantle and wings and o f f - w h i t e underparts. The bird called several times, w h i c h is what first attracted me, as it came d o w n t o t h e pond around 4 p m to get water. The call given was t h e usual rather persistent " t e t - t e t " . Sean Minns

Landguard saw spring passage f r o m April 11th t o May 29th w i t h a m a x i m u m of ten on April 22nd and held t h r e e breeding pairs. A u t u m n m o v e m e n t s there occurred f r o m early August until October 10th w i t h September 18th producing t h e highest count of seven. Orfordness produced t w o spring and six a u t u m n birds that were trapped and ringed. A late bird was on Lowestoft Denes on November 3rd. Even later was one recorded in Alderton on December 3rd (see f i e l d note above). This is Suffolk's second December record of Lesser W h i t e t h r o a t , t h e first having occurred in 2007 w h e n a bird w i t h a damaged w i n g remained at Benacre b e t w e e n November 28th and December 3rd. C O M M O N WHITETHROAT Common summer

Sylvia communis

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

Breeding i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m t h e north-east emphasised the lack of birds in areas used by deer and only 5 1 territories w e r e found in t h e Walberswick study area. They were found in 34 of t h e 4 1 BBS squares surveyed w i t h a t o t a l of 151 birds counted compared w i t h 140 in 2013. Thorpeness produced 4 0 on August 9th whilst Hollesley ringers caught nearly 100 birds during their July t o September efforts. Landguard saw spring passage f r o m April 13th until June 6th w i t h a m a x i m u m of six on May 8th and 13th and f o u r pairs bred. A u t u m n movements finished on October 21st after a m a x i m u m of 15 on September 6th. O r f o r d n e s s , w i t h 1 5 b r e e d i n g pairs, r i n g e d 1 0 9 b i r d s in t h e a u t u m n , s i m i l a r n u m b e r s t o t h e last three years.

123

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 DARTFORD WARBLER Uncommon

Sylvia

local resident.

undata

Scarce visitor. Amber

list.

A f t e r t h e d i s a p p o i n t m e n t of 2013, w h e n breeding numbers fell t o t h e lowest of t h e century, 2014 saw a strong recovery w i t h a 25% increase on 2013. The 75 pairs were still 60 below t h e peak count of 135 in 2009. Some t w o thirds of t h e birds were between t h e rivers Aide and Blyth w i t h the remainder mainly on t h e southern heaths t o t h e east of Woodbridge. Single wandering birds were noted in t h e a u t u m n in six locations, ranging f r o m Lowestoft Denes d o w n t o Clamp House, Chelmondiston by t h e River Orwell. SUBALPINE WARBLER Very rare

Sylvia

cantillans

visitor.

An 'Eastern Subalpine W a r b l e r ' S. c. cantillans/albistriata

was f o u n d o n August 29th by t h e

Custom House at Landguard. It, like t h e bird t h e previous year, was well-watched. This makes a total of 14 Subalpine Warblers for the county of which eight have been at Landguard. Landguard: Custom House, Aug 29th to Sep 3rd (W J Brame et al.). Subalpine W a r b l e r S. cantillans

is c u r r e n t l y t r e a t e d as a single species by BOURC, w i t h t h e

possible split of ' W e s t e r n Subalpine W a r b l e r ' and 'Eastern Subalpine W a r b l e r ' being on hold pending c o n f i r m a t i o n of the position of t h e N o r t h African race S. c. inornata

(the only taxon in

t h e g r o u p not recorded in Britain). C O M M O N GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Uncommon

and declining

summer

Locustella

naevia

visitor and passage migrant.

Red list

Cavenham Heath held t h e first of t h e year o n April 9th. Whereas some species generate a plethora of repetitive and, possibly, unnecessary reports this decreasing warbler w o u l d surely benefit, in recording terms, f r o m greater efforts. Analysis of t h e available i n f o r m a t i o n suggests some 29 birds may have sung for at least one day in t h e county. M o s t sites - 11 in t h e north-east, six in t h e south-east and f o u r in t h e west - had single birds. There were multiple reports f r o m breeding sites at Carlton Marshes w i t h three, Fisher Row, t w o and Lakenheath four. Two were also reported at Landguard. Just one bird was located in t h e f o r m e r stronghold of Walberswick and its surrounds. The decline, first n o t e d by Steve Piotrowski in his Avifauna of 2003, has c o n t i n u e d and t h e prospects for this species are not looking good. Birds were t r a p p e d at Landguard in September, w i t h t w o on 5th, one of which was caught again on 15th. Orfordness had t h r e e singletons in t h e a u t u m n , August 25th and September 6th and 7th. SAVI'S WARBLER Rare summer

Locustella

luscinioides

visitor and passage migrant.

Red list.

A f t e r an unexpected t h r e e last year, this lone record was more typical, making t e n in t h e last 16 years. Walberswick: Westwood Marshes, singing, June 8th to 19th (B J Small et al.). ICTERINE WARBLER Scarce passage

Hippolais

icterina

migrant.

There were no accepted records of Icterine Warbler in 2014. SEDGE WARBLER Common summer

Acrocephalus

schoenobaenus

visitor and passage

migrant.

The River Gipping at Yarmouth Road, Ipswich hosted t h e first singing Sedge Warbler of t h e year on t h e early but not record date of March 26th.

124

Systematic List Most notable counts of breeding birds were submitted f r o m t h e north-east. The Walberswick area survey tally was 134 w h i c h is a 25% decrease on 2009. Numbers in t h e teens came f r o m Oulton w i t h 15 and Carlton Marshes w i t h 18 w i t h a report of 50 f r o m Belton on August 3rd. Trimley Marshes held 16 t e r r i t o r i e s w i t h a b o u t t h e same o n Orfordness, and t h e Hollesley ringers tallied 135 birds in late summer. No counts of any particular note came f r o m t h e west, w i t h six at Temple Bridge, Icklingham and five at Lackford being t h e highest figures received. W i t h o u t reports f r o m some major reserves estimating a county breeding total is impossible. Orfordness ringers caught 217 on a u t u m n migration, well d o w n on previous years, and few were recorded at Landguard w i t h a m a x i m u m of only three on September 6th. BLYTH'S REED WARBLER Very rare

Acrocephalus

dumetorum

visitor.

Back in 1993 Fagbury Cliff had vegetation ideal for net setting and singles of this species were trapped in September and October drawing many eager birders. This 2014 record, only t h e t h i r d for Suffolk, was rather m o r e exclusive. Orfordness: first-winter, Aug 30th, trapped (D Fairhurst, M C Marsh et al.). MARSH WARBLER Scarce migrant.

Acrocephalus

palustris

Has bred. Red list.

There was only one accepted record of this species in 2014. This is essentially a bird t h a t will be found by its song or in a net. Minsmere: May 30th (S Piotrowski et al.). EURASIAN REED WARBLER Common summer

Acrocephalus

visitor and passage

scirpaceus

migrant.

Lakenheath heralded t h e spring arrivals w i t h a bird on April 15th. The comprehensive Walberswick area survey reported 330 territories, much t h e same as in 2009, reflecting t h e general idea that breeding numbers t h r o u g h o u t t h e county are currently stable. The Hollesley ringers caught 316 birds over t h e period July 26th t o September 27th. Landguard had maxima of three on single days in June and September. On Orfordness 84 were ringed in t h e a u t u m n w h i c h is about one sixth of t h e site total for 2010. GREAT REED WARBLER Acrocephalus Very rare passage migrant.

arundinaceus

The 16th and 17th for t h e county and t h e first since 2008 w h e n t w o were also recorded. Walberswick: Westwood Marshes, singing, May 16th (J J Hoare). Lackford Lakes: singing, May 5th, earliest ever in Suffolk (P Holness, A M Sheppard, H G Sheppard et al.). BOHEMIAN WAXWING Uncommon

winter

Bombycilla

visitor and passage

garrulus migrant.

The poor showing of Waxwings in t h e second w i n t e r of 2013 continued in 2014. The first w i n t e r period saw a total of 73 records, mostly f r o m t h e south-east of t h e county. In t h e north-east there were six reports, w i t h nine at Gunton Warren on January 28th being t h e largest. The last of t h e winter was seen at Reydon on February 16th. The south-east produced more records w i t h 67 during this period, reaching a peak o f t e n at Martlesham on January 30th, and a last sighting of eight birds at Ipswich on February 18th. Unlike in 2013, there were no records from t h e west during this period. The second w i n t e r p e r i o d produced only 1 1 records a l t o g e t h e r reaching a peak of 20 at Witnesham o n December 30th. The earliest report was of one at Gunton on November 23rd and there were no reports f r o m t h e west for this period. Conditions on t h e continent once again meant that there w e r e n ' t many chances to view this most attractive of passerines.

125

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 EURASIAN NUTHATCH Fairly common

Sltta

europaea

resident.

The n u m b e r of records s u b m i t t e d of this handsome bird was 127, similar t o t h e 135 in 2013. The north-east and west of t h e county once again provided a high p r o p o r t i o n , w i t h 50 records f r o m 15 sites and 68 records f r o m 3 1 sites respectively. These figures c o n t i n u e t h e t r e n d for stability s h o w n in t h e Suffolk Bird Atlas 2007-11. Eight were reported at Ickworth on September 15th. The t o t a l n u m b e r of sites sending in records was slightly d o w n f r o m 57 in 2013 t o 55. An individual reported at Landguard on June 6th (T Bagworth et al) is only t h e f o u r t h site record. EURASIAN TREECREEPER Common

resident.

Certhia

Amber list

familiaris

(C.f.britannica)

As in previous years, t h e r e w e r e few records of more t h a n a single pair at any one site w i t h no counts of m o r e t h a n five individuals. 248 records were s u b m i t t e d f r o m 94 sites, nearly t h e same n u m b e r as in 2013. Breeding was reported as f o l l o w s : Lound Lakes: three pairs Sizewell: Belts, six pairs; Reckham Pits, two pairs Alton Water: pair Single pairs w e r e reported f r o m four sites in t h e west. Generally t h e records seem t o support t h e t r e n d indicated in t h e Suffolk Bird Atlas 2 0 0 7 - 1 1 of a stable population in all areas of t h e county. EURASIAN WREN Very common

Troglodytes

resident

troglodytes

and scarce passage

migrant

Numbers of this a b u n d a n t songbird seem t o be continuing t h e stable t r e n d shown in 2012 and 2013 w i t h t h e count of individuals on t h e Breeding Bird Survey (287) slightly up on 2013, which had been t h e lowest since 2001. In t h e north-east recording area t h e r e were only seven records s u b m i t t e d w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g comparisons:Lound Waterworks: ten territories (21 in 2013) Carlton Marshes: seven territories (11 in 2013) Oulton Marshes: nine territories (eight in 2013) North Cove: SWT Reserve, five territories (nine in 2013) Hen Reedbeds: five territories (15 in 2013) Breeding was also reported a t : Gunton Warren: three territories Sizewell: SWT Reserve, 174 territories In t h e south-east, t h e r e w e r e 1000 reports c o m p a r e d w i t h 525 in 2013; 22 of t h e s e gave numbers in double figures w i t h a high of 33 at Brantham on March 5th. On Orfordness, this species c o n t i n u e d its recovery f r o m 2 0 1 1 (when it was d o w n t o a single pair), w i t h a m i n i m u m of five pairs. At Landguard t w o pairs bred and eight individuals overwintered. Spring passage produced a m a x i m u m of 12 o n April 3rd, w i t h an a u t u m n m a x i m u m of 20 on November 17th. There w e r e very f e w records s u b m i t t e d f r o m t h e west, but Lackford had a n o t h e r good year w i t h 26 juveniles t r a p p e d (15 in 2013). C O M M O N STARLING Very common

Sturnus

but declining

vulgaris

resident,

winter visitor and passage migrant.

Red list.

One indicator of t h e decline in this once-ubiquitous species was t h e Breeding Bird Survey count of individuals (306) compared w i t h a peak of 902 in 2005. The n u m b e r of 1km squares reporting individuals (22) was also t h e lowest since 2001. Everything points t o t h e decline of t h e Starling in Suffolk. A total of 884 records was submitted, but 825 of these came f r o m t h e south-east. As usual, t h e r e were some very high counts of flocks going t o roost w i t h 17 of 10000+ including:Minsmere: 30000, Feb 19th and 20th; 30000, Mar 2nd; 35000, Mar 3rd; 50000, Oct 17th; 30000, Nov 10th.

126

Systematic List Lackford Lakes: 17000, Oct 20th; 15000, Nov 28th; 17000, Dec 4th. Lakenheath Fen RSPB: 17000, Oct 22nd . Monthly maxima at Orfordness were as follows:Jan Feb Mar Apr May June 5 55 200 25 70 50

July 350

Aug 1000

Sep 200

Oct 600

Nov 400

Dec 50

At least 100 were observed to arrive in off t h e sea on October 19th, w i t h 450 on October 26th. At Landguard, t h e species was present all year w i t h a spring m a x i m u m of 240 on February 9th; however n o n e nested. The first visible m o v e m e n t of t h e a u t u m n was o n September 27th, preceding a t o t a l of 3832 f r o m t h e n until November 14th w i t h a m a x i m u m of 500 on October 25th (N Odin). ROSY STARLING

Pastor roseus

Rare visitor. Categories A and E The m u c h - p h o t o g r a p h e d 41st Suffolk record spent most of t h e day around Pinewood Avenue but roosted w i t h C o m m o n Starlings at t h e h a r b o u r : Lowestoft: adult, June 15th to 30th (C R Naunton). 2014 is t h e f o u r t h consecutive year t h a t t h e Rosy Starling has been recorded in Suffolk. RING OUZEL

Turdus

Fairly common

passage migrant.

torquatus Red list

As in 2013 reasonable numbers of t h e upland blackbird w e r e recorded. There w e r e 127 observations at 46 sites in 2014 compared w i t h 135 at 32 sites in 2013. The north-east produced 37 spring migration records f r o m 15 sites. The first was at Benacre Sluice, April 1st t o 3rd and t h e last at Tinker's Marshes, May 3rd. A record of four birds at Kessingland, April 19th t o 22nd, was t h e highest. The south-east had 16 spring records f r o m three sites w i t h a m a x i m u m of five at Landguard on April 22nd. There were also five spring sightings in the west of t h e county f r o m t w o sites, of which t h e earliest was one at Cavenham, March 19th and the latest one at BTO Nunnery Reserve, April 22nd. The Cavenham bird is t h e earliest spring arrival in Suffolk since 2003 w h e n there were singles at Bentley, March 6th and Landguard, March 11th. The a u t u m n produced slightly more records w i t h 25 reports f r o m t h e north-east, 40 f r o m t h e south-east and just four f r o m t h e west. Many of these reports were of m o r e than one bird w i t h the largest g r o u p being 30 at M i n s m e r e , October 14th. The earliest sightings came f r o m Thorpeness and Landguard, September 21st and t h e last was at Minsmere, November 22nd. On Orfordness, 2014 was another very poor year for this species, w i t h just one spring and one autumn record. C O M M O N BLACKBIRD Very common

resident,

Turdus merula winter visitor and passage

migrant.

The Blackbird is ubiquitous in Suffolk, and, according to t h e Suffolk Bird Atlas 2007-11, has a stable population. Nevertheless, it was only reported in 39 of t h e 47 1km squares in t h e Breeding Bird Survey and t h e n u m b e r of individuals reported in t h e BBS (369) was t h e lowest since 337 in 2004. Suffolk recorders submitted 1330 records f r o m 117 sites, compared w i t h 1852 records f r o m 149 sites in 2013, but this probably reflects under-recording rather t h a n p o p u l a t i o n decline, although t h e r e are some w o r r y i n g reports. There were few submissions of confirmed breeding, the most significant b e i n g : Dunwich to Walberswlck: 39 territories (a decrease since 2009, particularly in Dunwich Forest). Sizewell SWT: 24 breeding pairs. Landguard: ten pairs nesting (same as 2013). Damage t o w o o d l a n d by red deer was considered t o be a d o m i n a n t factor in t h e decline of this and several other species in Dunwich Forest. On Orfordness, it was "easily the worst year on record

127

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 for this species" particularly in spring w i t h a m a x i m u m of five and a poor a u t u m n w i t h maxima of eight in October, 25 in November and four in December. In t h e south-east, t h e m a x i m u m count was 59 at Playford, December 13th. At Landguard, nine males and seven females survived t h e winter, t h e oldest of w h i c h had been ringed in 2007. In t h e west t h e m a x i m u m count was 69 at BTO Nunnery Reserve, November 24th. The west, however, did produce one positive note in t h a t t h e 34 juveniles ringed at Lackford Lakes is t h e highest total in 23 years of ringing at this site. FIELDFARE Common

Turdus pilaris

winter

visitor and passage migrant.

Red list.

A l t h o u g h still in evidence t h e r e were fewer chances to see this handsome w i n t e r visitor. There were 28 reports of flocks involving 100 individuals or more, compared w i t h 5 1 in 2013. During t h e first w i n t e r period t h e most notable counts w e r e : Eyke: 300, Jan 14th and 17th. Cockfield: 250, Jan 8th. M o s t birds had gone by t h e end of April, w i t h a f e w stragglers lingering into May, t h e latest of w h i c h w e r e t h r e e at Peto's Marsh, Carlton Colville on 3rd. In t h e second winter period, the first record was on September 16th at Reydon Smear, otherwise late September/early October was typical for the first autumn sightings throughout the county. Passage at Landguard lasted f r o m October 6th to November 28th w i t h a maximum o f t e n on November 5th. Notable second w i n t e r flocks w e r e recorded as f o l l o w s : Icklingham: Berners Heath, 300, Nov 1st. Lackford: Lackford Lane to Risby, 500, Dec 7th. Orfordness had just one sighting, on November 22nd, making it t h e worst year on record at this site. SONG THRUSH Fairly common

Turdus resident,

philomelos winter visitor and passage migrant.

Red list.

The Song Thrush was reported in 29 of t h e 47 1km squares in the Breeding Bird Survey. This is the lowest figure since 2005, but also higher than any year between 1994 and 2005. The number of records received for this familiar garden bird was similar to 2013 w i t h 497 f r o m 99 sites compared w i t h 574 f r o m 102 sites. It is, however, still a species of concern, as shown by the breeding data of 2007-11 in t h e Suffolk Bird Atlas. There were 13 reports of breeding. Multiple pairs were recorded at: Dunwich Forest, 12 pairs, Landguard, four pairs, and Sizewell Belts, three pairs. Song Thrush was one of t h e species considered to have declined in Dunwich Forest because of damage to t h e woodland by red deer. At Lackford Lakes, seven juveniles were trapped, which is the highest number since 2007. Orfordness r e p o r t e d a poor year w i t h a few singles in spring and no m o r e t h a n five in a u t u m n . M i g r a t i o n of note during t h e a u t u m n was reported f r o m : Thorpeness: 800, Oct 14th, a particularly noteworthy total. Landguard: 200, Oct 30th. REDWING Common

Turdus iliacus

winter

visitor and passage migrant.

Red list.

As w i t h Fieldfare, 2014 was a quiet year for this handsome w i n t e r visitor w i t h 158 spring and 115 a u t u m n records. In t h e north-east of t h e county there were t h r e e spring counts of 100 or m o r e including:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Carlton Marshes: 230, Mar 30th. In t h e south-east t h e highest spring counts w e r e : Alton Water: 120, Jan 16th. Flatford Mill: 67, Mar 15th. In t h e w e s t : Assington: Spouses Grove, 610, Mar 15th. A p o o r spring was again noted at Orfordness w i t h no sightings of m o r e t h a n t w o birds.

128

Systematic List There was a similar story at Landguard, apart f r o m 43 on March 31st. The last spring sighting was at Oulton on May 14th, almost a m o n t h later t h a n the last in t h e south-east at Landguard o n April 19th and, in t h e west, three at Brettenham on April 15th. The first record of t h e a u t u m n was of five at Mickle Mere on September 25th. There were 13 reports of migrant flocks during t h e second w i n t e r period involving 100+ birds. Eleven of these were over a t w o - d a y period, October 13th and 14th. These i n c l u d e d : Bradwell: New Road, 233, Oct 13th. Southwold: 550, Oct 13th. Aldeburgh/Slaughden: 400, Oct 13th. Bawdsey. 500, Oct 14th. Barton Mills: 150, Oct 14th. On Orfordness, no a u t u m n sighting was higher than six birds. At Landguard, a u t u m n passage lasted f r o m October 13th t o December 27th w i t h a m a x i m u m of 132 again on October 14th. 2013 Correction: The reference to 30000 at Corton on May 14th should read April 14th. MISTLE THRUSH Fairly common

Turdus viscivorus

resident and scarce passage migrant.

Amber

list.

The Mistle Thrush has a patchy but steady breeding status according t o t h e Suffolk Bird Atlas 2007-11. The Breeding Bird Survey also indicates a fairly stable population w i t h 24 individuals reported f r o m 11 of t h e 47 1km squares surveyed (25 f r o m 16 in 2013). Slightly less records were submitted, 306 f r o m 9 1 sites against 330 f r o m 109 in 2013. Breeding was reported f r o m 17 sites compared w i t h six in 2013, but this is probably a case of m o r e reports being s u b m i t t e d . The species has almost disappeared f r o m t h e Walberswick area since 2009 w i t h t h e only report being of a single pair in Dunwich Forest. There were five double-figure counts spread across t h e county, including t h e f o l l o w i n g : Benhall: 25, Sep 9th; Lodge, 19, Sep 9th. East Bergholt: 16, Sep 4th. Culford Park: 21, July 27th. At Landguard t h e r e were no spring records and only singles in t h e a u t u m n : south, September 4th then seven singles n o t e d between October 2nd and November 18th plus later singles on six dates b e t w e e n December 6th and 22nd. SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Declining summer

Muscicapa

striata

visitor and passage migrant.

Red list.

The first report, f r o m t h e north-east, was noted on May 5th at Thornham Park and there were further reports from 19 sites during t h e spring. In the south-east sector there were reports from 15 sites but Landguard was t h e key venue for returning individuals w i t h an excellent passage noted from May 8th until June 4th w i t h a maximum of ten on May 13th. In the west of the county the first was noted at Long Melford on May 14th and there were records f r o m 13 other sites during t h e spring. Breeding was c o n f i r m e d f r o m eight sites in t h e north-east w i t h t e n pairs, t h e south-east recorded five pairs w i t h a five f u r t h e r possible breeding sites and t h e west w i t h 19 c o n f i r m e d Pairs and t w o possible additional pairs making a t o t a l of about 40 pairs in Suffolk in 2014. The key site once again was Brettenham w h e r e seven pairs produced a total of 29 young. The species was w i d e l y r e p o r t e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e county d u r i n g t h e a u t u m n w i t h m u l t i p l e records noted f r o m : Southwold: three, Sep 3rd. Minsmere: eight, Aug 12th; five, Aug 31st. Thorpeness: three, Aug 15th. Landguard: three, Sep 5th. Late individuals were n o t e d at Sproughton o n September 19th, Landguard, September 23rd and Benhall, September 28th. 129

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 EUROPEAN ROBIN Very common

Erithacus

resident,

rubecula

passage migrant

and winter

visitor.

Reports of first w i n t e r concentrations came f r o m Landguard w i t h 11 overwintering, 15 at Alton Water, January 16th, 16 at t h e Millstream Nature Reserve, Rushmere St Andrew, January 27th and 15 at Brantham, February 18th. Robins were recorded in 40 of t h e 4 1 BBS squares surveyed w i t h 205 pairs, d o w n f r o m t h e 235 in 2013 and t h e 3 3 1 recorded in 2009 in t h e heart of t h e Atlas period. Other breeding records were noted f r o m only a f e w sites w i t h Lound holding eight pairs and Sizewell, 62. A contrast of different results was evident w i t h Orfordness posting t h e worst ringing in ten years w i t h a total of only 5 1 but t h e total of 34 juveniles ringed at Lackford is t h e highest in 23 years of ringing at t h e site. During t h e early a u t u m n , high counts were reported f r o m Landguard w i t h 25 on September 29th and Playford, 4 1 o n September 20th. Higher counts, predictably, came in t h e next m o n t h f r o m Thorpeness w i t h 100 on October 14th, Landguard, 70 also on October 14th, Flatford, 20 on October 10th and Brantham, 27 on October 16th. A late influx was noted at Orfordness w i t h 18 on N o v e m b e r 15th, Landguard, 40 on November 12th and Playford, 2 1 on November 16th. C O M M O N NIGHTINGALE Fairly common

summer

Luscinia

megarhynchos.

visitor and scarce passage migrant.

Amber

list.

On a typical spring date t h e first report was received f r o m M a r t l e s h a m on April 9 t h f o l l o w e d by W e s t w o o d Lodge, Walberswick NNR, April 10th. The west first reported singing individuals on April 12th at Lackford Lakes and Maids Cross Hill, Lakenheath. This species was n o t e d f r o m 24 sites in t h e north-east, 50 sites in t h e south-east and 17 in t h e west. Breeding was a little m o r e difficult t o gauge but t h e north-east had 50 territories w i t h t h e key sites being Dunwich Forest w i t h eight, Minsmere, 16 and North Warren, 14. In t h e south-east t h e r e w e r e no c o n f i r m e d territories; however, multiple singing reports came f r o m Alton Water w i t h 28 o n May 9th, Sutton Hoo, seven on April 25th, Ipswich Golf Course, Purdis Heath, four, June 4 t h and Pipps Ford, four on May 3rd. In t h e west breeding was probable at only six sites w i t h t h r e e c o n f i r m e d pairs at Lackford Lakes. Nightingales were recorded in just four of t h e 4 1 BBS squares surveyed. A u t u m n reports w e r e noted f r o m Orfordness w h e r e one was trapped, July 12th this being t h e only site record of t h e year. Landguard reported singles on July 15th, August 5th, and September 5th and 21st. RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER Rare passage

Ficedula

parva

migrant.

A f i r s t - w i n t e r was recorded at Kensington Gardens, Lowestoft and o t h e r individuals at Thorpeness and Landguard, all t h r e e w i t h i n a f e w days in S e p t e m b e r : Lowestoft: Kensington Gardens, first-winter Sep 20th to 25th (A Easton). Thorpeness: Sep 17th (D F Walsh). Landguard: Sep 15th, trapped and ringed (T Bagworth, P Oldfield et al.). PIED FLYCATCHER Fairly common

Ficedula

hypoleuca

passage migrant.

Amber

list.

There was just a handful of spring reports, all w i t h i n a two-day period. All t h e records are listed:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Lowestoft: female, Apr 23rd. Kessingland: Sewage Works, male, Apr 22nd. Benacre: Beach Farm, male, Apr 22nd. Minsmere: male, Apr 22nd. Landguard: male, Apr 22nd. During a very good a u t u m n passage records w e r e noted f r o m 24 sites o n t h e coast w i t h an early migrant at Thorpeness on August 2nd and peak counts, all w i t h i n 17 days of each other, f r o m : Gunton: five, Aug 29th; Dip Farm, five Aug 28th. 130

Systematic List Southwold: Sewage Works, three, Aug 27th. Thorpeness: three, Aug 27th; four, Aug 30th. Orfordness: three, Sep 13th. Shingle Street: three, Sep 6th. Bawdsey: three, Sep 6th. Landguard: seven, Sep 5th. The only non-coastal report came from Ipswich on September 2nd. Late records were noted from Lowestoft Harbour on October 14th, Southwold Churchyard, October 13th and Landguard, October 15th. BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros. Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. A few overwinter. Amber list. During the first winter period this species was confined entirely to the coastal strip between Sizewell and Slaughden. Many observers reported singletons with t w o noted on several occasions and four at Sizewell power station on January 27th. The first spring migrants were reported from Dunwich on March 3rd, Ness Point, Lowestoft, March 9th, Dunwich Cliffs w i t h t w o on March 10th and Shingle Street on March 11th. A total of 22 coastal sites recorded mainly singletons w i t h the occasional t w o reported. One late report came from Ness Point, Lowestoft on June 1st. Breeding as usual was recorded at Sizewell power station w i t h at least one pair rearing t w o juveniles. A pair also bred successfully inland at Mildenhall where an adult and juvenile were seen on July 3rd. Early autumnal migration was noted at Gorleston, July 3rd, Corton, July 8th, both possibly having originated from Great Yarmouth breeding sites, and Landguard w i t h a juvenile present, July 7th and 8th, hopefully an indication of successful breeding somewhere within the Felixstowe Docks complex. Widely reported from the coastal belt in the autumn with mainly ones and twos; the best counts were noted f r o m : Lowestoft: Ness Point, three, Oct 2nd. Sizewell: four, Aug 23rd; four, Sep 20th. Landguard: four, Oct 29th. In the west of the county the only record came from Bowbeck, Bardwell, August 15th. An unexpected sighting was reported from Melton where a first-winter male was present on November 9th. Those probably intending to overwinter were noted from Blundeston w i t h t w o December 4th to 14th, Lowestoft, November 29th and Pakefield, November 27th and 29th. COMMON REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus. Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. Landguard recorded the first of a poor spring passage on April 5th, the passage there continuing until May 14th with a maximum of t w o on the last date. Elsewhere the only records during spring passage are listed:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Gunton W a r r e n : A p r 2 3 r d .

Lowestoft: North Denes, Apr 22nd. Kessingland: Sewage Works, Apr 22nd. Benacre: Beach Farm, Apr 11th; Apr 22nd. Minsmere: t w o , Apr 11th. Thorpeness: A p r 1 0 t h . Bawdsey: M a y 1 3 t h .

Icklingham: Deadman's Common, May 4th. Lackford Lakes: M a y 8 t h . Thetford H e a t h : M a y 4 t h .

Redstarts were first noted in the Sandlings at Sutton Heath on April 21st and Hollesley Common on May 6th w i t h an interesting report from Staverton where five were noted, May 17th. Breeding pairs were confirmed at Minsmere w i t h two, Woodbridge Airfield, t w o and six 131

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 a l t o g e t h e r on t h e Hollesley and Sutton heathland complex, w i t h f u r t h e r single pairs n o t e d at Cavenham Heath and Thetford in t h e west. W i t h a county total of 12 this is an i m p r o v e m e n t f r o m t h e seven pairs in 2013. One nest box at Hollesley C o m m o n had five young, June 21st. A u t u m n passage was noted at 20 coastal sites w i t h the first records f r o m Landguard o n August 20th and North Denes, Lowestoft and Minsmere, August 23rd. The highest counts w e r e of only t h r e e at Orfordness, August 31st, Bawdsey, September 15th and Landguard, September 1st and 5th. In t h e west t h e only t r u e a u t u m n passage migrants were individuals recorded at BTO Nunnery reserve on September 12th and 17th. An interesting record came f r o m Badingham on September 15th w h e n an individual was noted in an observer's garden. Late reports of singletons came f r o m Shingle Street, October 10th and Felixstowe, October 15th. WHINCHAT Declining

SaxĂcola

rubetra.

passage migrant.

Formerly

bred. Amber

list.

Spring passage was first r e p o r t e d o n April 3 0 t h w i t h singletons at Pakefield Beach, Benacre Sluice and Landguard. N o t e w o r t h y counts were reported f r o m North Cove/Castle Marshes w i t h t h r e e on May 13th and Landguard w i t h four on May 14th. This was a better spring t h a n in recent years w i t h a t o t a l of 17 coastal sites recording this species. One late individual was recorded at Minsmere, June 26th. In t h e west of t h e county t h r e e sites noted this species o n their spring passage; Lackford w i t h a male and f e m a l e o n May 6th, BTO Nunnery Reserve, April 25th and Lakenheath Fen, w i t h a female, April 24th and individuals on May 10th, 14th and 24th. The first a u t u m n record was received f r o m Minsmere on August 8th f o l l o w e d by N o r t h Warren, August 12th. Whinchats were widely reported o n t h e coastal belt during late August and early September w i t h peak c o u n t s : Belton Marshes: six, Aug 24th. Lowestoft: North Denes; 12, Sep 7th; eight, Sep 9th. Carlton Marshes: nine, Sep 11th; 13, Sep 16th. Easton Bavents: nine, Sep 6th. Minsmere: ten, Sep 10th; nine, Sep 12th; eight, Sep 14th. Orfordness: eight, Aug 23rd. Shingle Street: nine, Aug 28th; 14, Sep 6th. Bawdsey: 15, Sep 5th. Landguard: seven, Aug 28th; seven, Sep 5th. In t h e west reports came f r o m seven sites w i t h t h e first noted at Lakenheath Fen on August 16th. Late a u t u m n coastal records came f r o m Orfordness on October 12th and Landguard on October 14th w i t h t h e final sighting of the year noted at Lakenheath Fen on the late date of November 10th. EUROPEAN STONECHAT Fairly common

resident,

SaxĂcola

torquatus

winter visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

The north-east provided most of t h e first w i n t e r reports f r o m ten sites w i t h a m a x i m u m of three on W e s t l e t o n Heath, February 2 n d whilst records came f r o m six sites in t h e south-east w i t h peak counts f r o m Orfordness of five in January, 12, probably including early migrants, in February and 11 in March. In t h e west singles or t w o s were recorded at Cavenham, Berner's Heath, N o r t h Stow and Lakenheath Fen. A f t e r a very p o o r year f o r t h e Stonechat in 2013 it was encouraging t o see an increase in breeding territories, except at M i n s m e r e and Westleton Heath w h e r e numbers failed t o improve. Territories w e r e as f o l l o w s : Dunwich Heath: seven. Westleton Heath: one. Minsmere: two. Orfordness: nine (a site record). Woodbridge Airfield: two. Upper Hollesley Common: two. 132

Systematic List Sutton Common: two. South-east: an additional four possible sites. West: five pairs probably bred. It is interesting t o note t h e increase in breeding pairs at Orfordness w h e r e this species only became a regular breeder in 2002 and it now holds 25% of t h e county's breeding population. A considĂŠrable n u m b e r of offspring w e r e produced on Orfordness and most pairs were doublebrooded w i t h one pair producing three broods. The county total of breeding pairs is approximately 35, a distinct i m p r o v e m e n t over 2013. Post-breeding concentrations were noted f r o m Orfordness w i t h 15 o n October 12th, Shingle Street, eight, August 27th and Berner's Heath w i t h nine, September 18th. The species continued t o be well-recorded into t h e second w i n t e r period, particularly in t h e north-east. N o t e w o r t h y counts came f r o m Dingle Marshes, Dunwich w i t h four on December 21st and four pairs at Lakenheath Fen presumably preparing to overwinter. NORTHERN WHEATEAR Common passage migrant

Oenanthe

oenanthe.

and uncommon

summer

visitor. Amber

list.

Cavenham Heath provided the first sighting of t h e spring on March 10th w i t h the next reports from Breydon South Wall on March l l t h and Landguard, March 15th. Mid- to late-April saw t h e largest passage in t h e north-east w i t h peak counts f r o m : Breydon South Wall: 11, Apr 19th; ten, Apr 22nd. Kessingland: eight, Apr 19th; 12, Apr 26th. Walberswick: Tinker's Marshes, 13, Apr 20th. In t h e south-east t h e n u m b e r of reports was fewer but Landguard attracted t h e largest count with 23 on Aprii 29th and 30th. Landguard also saw t h e best of t h e May reports w i t h 18 on lOth, 15 on 13th and 20 on 14th. In the west, Breckland saw a good spring passage w i t h reports from 16 locations. The highest counts ail came f r o m Cavenham w i t h five, March 22nd, five, Aprii 9th and six, Aprii 16th. Late records came f r o m Corton on June 5th, Minsmere, June 7th and 8th and, finally, Cavenham, June 19th w h i c h was either a late migrant or potential local breeder. Orfordness remains t h e only c o n f i r m e d breeding site in Suffolk and continues t o flourish w i t h nine pairs, t w o of t h e m double-brooded. Local dispersion or early a u t u m n passage records were noted at Minsmere w h e r e a juvenile was present on June 27th w i t h further singles n o t e d July 24th and 30th. During lateAugust t h e peak counts w e r e n o t e d primarily in t h e north-east:Lowestoft: North Denes, ten, Aug 26th; 11, Aug 27th; 13, Aug 29th. Benacre: Sluice, ten, Aug 27th. Minsmere: t e n , A u g 2 8 t h .

During September peak counts came f r o m : Lowestoft: Lake Lothing (central), 12, Sep 20th. Benacre: Sluice, ten, Sep 6th. Sizewell: t e n , Sep 2 0 t h . Landguard: 11, Sep 7 t h .

During October t h e peak counts w e r e : Lowestoft: North Denes, six, Oct 16th. Benacre: Sluice, eight, Oct 14th. Orfordness: seven, Oct 12th. Passage in t h e west was only noted f r o m : Brettenham: Aug 24th. Long M e l f o r d : Sewage W o r k s , A u g 1 7 t h .

Northern Wheatear Peter Beeson

Mildenhall Airfield: Sep 1 6 t h .

133

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 Lakenheath: Maid's Cross Hill, Aug 21st; Fen, Sep 27th. Brandon: Aug 19th. Late records are not unusual but a report of t h r e e at N o r t h Denes, Lowestoft on October 30th was n o t e w o r t h y w i t h t h e final reports of singletons at Corton Cliff, N o v e m b e r 23rd and 24th, Thorpeness Beach, November 22nd and Bawdsey, November 30th. This latter bird is t h e latestever recorded N o r t h e r n W h e a t e a r in Suffolk. DESERT WHEATEAR Very rare

Oenanthe

deserti

visitor.

Unusually t h e r e w e r e t w o records of this species in (Watsonian) Suffolk in 2014 w i t h both birds overlapping in November. They are t h e f o u r t h and f i f t h records for t h e county f o l l o w i n g sightings in 1 9 8 7 , 1 9 9 0 and t h e last record having been at Easton Bavents between November 4 t h and 10th 2008. Both p e r f o r m e d well for those w h o travelled to see t h e m . Gorleston: first-winter female, Nov 7th to 14th (R Fairhead, R Murray et al.). Lowestoft: first-winter male, Nov 6th to 9th (C R Dale et al.). HEDGE ACCENTOR (DUNNOCK) Very common

resident

and fairly

Prunella common

modularis migrant.

Amber

list

Of t h e 19 o v e r w i n t e r i n g at Landguard, o n e individual was first n o t e d t h e r e in April 2008. Twelve w e r e recorded at Brantham o n January 13th and 1 1 o n February 13th. Spring passage was noted at Landguard f r o m March 10th until April 12th. Interesting counts d u r i n g t h e spring w e r e r e p o r t e d f r o m Playford w i t h 20 o n M a r c h 15th and Rushmere St A n d r e w w i t h 15, March 9th. Dunnocks were recorded in 36 of the 4 1 BBS squares counted w i t h 138 pairs compared w i t h 121 in 2013 and 153 in 2009 in t h e main Atlas period. Other breeding reports were f e w but Sizewell SWT posted 40 pairs, Orfordness 6-8 pairs and Landguard 12 pairs. During t h e a u t u m n Landguard reported a m a x i m u m count of 30, September 19th. Elsewhere other n o t e w o r t h y counts came f r o m Flatford w i t h 15 on October 10th and Westhorpe w i t h 1 1 o n November 18th. HOUSE SPARROW Common

Passer domesticus

but declining

resident.

Dunnock Su Gough

Red List.

There w e r e 543 records f r o m 89 sites noted across t h e county w h i c h is a significant increase f r o m t h e 350 records f r o m 72 sites of 2013. They were f o u n d in 26 of t h e 4 1 BBS squares. Flocks of 40 or m o r e birds were recorded at t h e f o l l o w i n g sites:Covehithe: 40, Aug 31st. Martlesham Heath: 40, Nov 23rd. Felixstowe: Walton Marshes, 50, Feb 12th; 40, Sep 12th. Acton: 86, Mar 26th. Great Cornard: 100, Mar 21st. Up t o 18 pairs 18 pairs nested at Landguard w h e r e t h e r e was a peak roost c o u n t of 140 on September 9th. TREE SPARROW Uncommon

Passer

and declining

montanus resident.

Scarce passage migrant.

Red List.

There w e r e 72 reports f r o m 28 sites across t h e county and, as w i t h t h e above species; this is a significant increase compared w i t h t h e 47 records f r o m 18 sites in 2013. Few records of over three birds w e r e r e c o r d e d in t h e north-east and south-east of t h e county. Significant flocks were 134

Systematic List reported f r o m A m p t o n in t h e west w h e r e w i n t e r feeding is undertaken. At West Row Fen 145 birds fledged f r o m 4 1 nesting attempts in nest boxes. Peak counts t h r o u g h o u t t h e county w e r e : Beccles (south-east): four, June 9th. Benacre: Beach Farm, four, Dec 7th. Easton Bavents: six, Oct 12th. Minsmere: 15 presumably passage birds, Oct 17th. Trimley Marshes SWT: seven, June 2nd. Stutton Ness: three to 24 recorded between Nov 6th and 27th. Cattawade: four, Oct 29th. Ampton: 60 to 113 between Jan 29th and Mar 5th: 100 to 200 between July 2nd and Dec 20th. Dalham: 20, Nov 23rd. Lackford Lakes: ten, Nov 19th; 12, Nov 26th. Timworth: three to 25 between Jan 12th and Apr 1st; 12 to 50, between July 11th and Dec 15th. Tuddenham (near Mildenhall): 12, Jan 5th. West Row Fen: 25, July 23rd; 30, Dec 1st; 80, Dec 28th. YELLOW WAGTAIL Rapidly declining

Motacilla flava

summer

flavissima

visitor and passage migrant.

Red list.

There w e r e 290 reports f r o m 83 sites. They w e r e only f o u n d in one of t h e 4 1 BBS squares. Breeding was recorded in crops in Boyton, Sutton and Bawdsey, but must have occurred elsewhere. The following are the only counts of 15 or more birds w i t h most reported as roosting:Burgh Castle: 30 to 99 between Apr 19th and 27th; 53, July 30th. St James South Elmham: 18, Aug 18th. Walberswick: 16, Sep 6th. Minsmere: 15, Aug 14th. Orford: 18, July 26th. Bawdsey: East Lane, 30, Aug 18th. At Landguard spring migration consisted o f t e n north, 5 1 south and 17 on site b e t w e e n April 11th and May 26th. In a u t u m n t w o north, 72 south and 45 on site were recorded b e t w e e n July 9th and October 1st.

Blue-headed Wagtail

M.f.

flava

Uncommon passage migrant. Amber list. Birds w e r e noted in t h e spring at six sites (14 in 2013 and eight in 2012):â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Lowestoft North Denes: May 12th. Benacre: Beach Farm, Apr 24th and 30th. Hollesley Marshes: Apr 29th. Falkenham Marshes: May 29th. Landguard: Apr 25th; Apr 30th; Sep 10th; Sep 16th. Trimley Marshes SWT: May 3rd. The t w o Landguard sightings in September are t h e first Suffolk a u t u m n records since September 11th 2003 w h e n one was at Felixstowe Ferry. Grey-headed Wagtail M.f. thunbergi Scarce passage migrant. Amber list. As in 2013 only one bird was recorded in t h e county during 2014. The 2013 bird was also at Landguard:Landguard: May 26th. (P J Holmes, W E Mackie et al.). GREY WAGTAIL Fairly common

Motacilla resident,

cinerea

winter visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

This colourful bird continues t o be well-observed and was recorded f r o m 128 sites (114 in 2013 135

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 and 9 1 in 2012), of w h i c h few held more t h a n t w o birds. They were only f o u n d in t w o of t h e 4 1 BBS squares. M a n y of t h e records below are presumably of m i g r a n t s : Corton: eight, Sep 20th; four, Oct 30th; Old Sewage Works, three, Sep 13th; seven, Sep 28th. Lowestoft: three, Nov 1st; Ness Point, three, Oct 11th. Kessingland: Cliffs, seven south, Sep 13th; Sewage Works, three, Sep 14th; Sep 20th; Oct 4th. Bungay: Outney Common, three, Jan 24th; Sluice, three, Sep 21st.. Wrentham: Mill Lane, three, Oct 1st. Minsmere: three, Apr 21st. Thorpeness: 13 north, Sep 21st. Bawdsey: ten, Oct 21st. Woodbridge: three, Apr 23rd. Landguard: 19 south, both Sep 8th and 23rd. Brantham: three, Sep 27th; Oct 17th; Nov 4th. Flatford Mill: three, Mar 15th and 16th. Bramford: five, Jan 6th. Stoke-by-Nayland: Thorington Street, three, Aug 8th. Sudbury: Common Lands, three, Nov 27th. Long Melford: three, Apr 22nd; Sewage Works, three to seven between May 3rd and Dec 31st. Icklingham: Temple Bridge, three, Sep 18th. A record a u t u m n passage at Landguard was noted f r o m July 3rd t o November 19th w i t h t e n n o r t h and, remarkably, 208 s o u t h w i t h a m a x i m u m of 19 south September 8th and 23rd. This exceptional passage was m i r r o r e d elsewhere on Britain's east coast. PIED WAGTAIL Very common

Motacilla

resident,

alba

passage migrant

and winter and summer

visitor. Amber

list.

This species is widely distributed in t h e county w i t h 584 records (323 in 2013 and 133 in 2012) f r o m 87 sites (91 in 2013 and 56 in 2012). It was recorded in 20 of t h e 4 1 BBS squares w i t h 33 individuals counted. The highest counts across t h e county w e r e : Flixton: 45, Nov 24th. Somerleyton: Marsh Lane, 38, Nov 27th. Kessingland: Sewage Works, 42, Jan 4th. Redgrave Fen: 100, Oct 10th. Bramford: 41, Jan 6th. Pipps Ford: 52, Feb 3rd. Needham Market: Sewage Works, 60, Jan 14th. Long Melford: 61, Dec 7th; Sewage Works, 50, Jan 18th; 59, Aug 17th; 84, Dec 31st. Great Livermere: pig fields, 50, Dec 5th; 200, Dec 28th. Lakenheath: Botany Bay, 120, Feb 7th; Fen RSPB, 81, Nov 9th. A u t u m n passage at Landguard was noted f r o m September 1st to November 1st involving 130 south w i t h a m a x i m u m of 23 south on October 11th. On Orfordness no breeding pairs were located for t h e t h i r d year running. White Wagtail

M.a.

Fairly common

passage

alba migrant.

There w e r e 55 records (64 in 2013 and 38 in 2012) f r o m a total of 3 1 sites (29 in 2013 and 20 in 2012); this species is always recorded p r e d o m i n a t e l y on spring passage w i t h f e w a u t u m n records. There was only one count of more than four birds as f o l l o w s : Corton Cliffs: six, Apr 5th (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards). Birds w e r e recorded at Alton Water t h r o u g h o u t t h e year, including sightings in January and December. RICHARD'S PIPIT Rare

Anthus

richardi

visitor.

There w e r e no s u b m i t t e d records of this species in 2014. 136

Systematic List OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT Very rare

Anthus

hodgsoni

visitor.

The sixth county record of this species was f o u n d and p h o t o g r a p h e d in mid-February and presumably t h e same bird was relocated nearby in t h e latter part of March. This is Suffolk's first winter record of this Asiatic pipit. Leiston: Feb 15th (D A Fairhurst); presumably same bird, Mar 19th to 21st and Mar 27th. TREE PIPIT

Anthus

trivialis

Declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list. The first bird of t h e year was heard in The King's Forest on Aprii 6th. There were 90 records from 39 sites in t h e county, a significant increase on 53 records and 27 sites in 2013. As in 2013, in t h e north-east and south-east of t h e county most of t h e records w e r e of single birds, t h e exceptions b e i n g : Lowestoft North Denes: two, Sep 7th. Westleton Heath: three, May 17th. Thorpeness: two, Apr 29th. Friston: Hazlewood Common, two, Apr 30th. Shingle Street: seven, Sep 8th. Orfordness: two, Sep 6th. Bawdsey: four, Aug 23rd; two, Sep 20th; seven, Sep 21st. Landguard: two to five, between Aug 15th and Sep 25th. There was no evidence of breeding in t h e east of t h e county. The picture in t h e west of t h e county was again significantly diffĂŠrent w i t h t h e majority of birds recorded in The King's Forest (ail sections). A t o t a l of 107 chicks was ringed in Thetford Forest (including Norfolk) (as per N Burton). Multiple counts were as f o l l o w s : Wordwell: two, May 31st. Elveden: Parsonage Heath, four, May 22nd. Cavenham Heath: two, May 25th. King's Forest (Central): two to four, between Apr 12th and July 17th. King's Forest (North-east): one to ten, between Apr 15th and June 13th. King's Forest (South-west): three, May 16th. King's Forest (North Stow): two to eight, between Apr 18th and May 15th. Brandon: Country Park, four, Apr 25th. The final bird of t h e year was seen at Bawdsey on October 14th. MEADOW PIPIT Common resident,

Anthus

pratensis

winter visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

There w e r e 424 records f r o m 89 sites in t h e county. The species was f o u n d in just three of the 41 BBS squares w i t h 11 birds counted. Significant counts were reported f r o m coastal sites:Corton: 200 south, Oct l l t h . Carlton Marshes: 130, Sep 19th. Pakefield Cliffs: 120, Sep 7th. Easton Bavents: 264 south, Oct lOth. Bawdsey: 600 in off the sea, Sep 21st. Significant smaller inland counts w e r e : Long Melford: 56, Sep 15th; 195, Sep 28th; 60, Oct 5th. Cavenham Heath: 80, Mar 19th; 45 to 80 between Sep 23rd and Oct 15th. Livermere Lake: 40, Sep 7th; 56, Sep 25th. There was a general paucity of breeding records given t h a t they can be f o u n d displaying on most river and sea walls. On Orfordness t h e r e was an estimated breeding population of 33 to 38 pairs (32 to 44 in 2013) with the a u t u m n passage greater t h a n 2013 including m a x i m u m daily counts of 300 on b o t h 137

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 September 20th and October 1st. A u t u m n passage at Landguard was from August 31st through until November 28th w i t h a total of 1920 birds (2741 in autumn 2013) including a maximum one-day count on October 11th of 327 south. RED-THROATED PIPIT Very rare

Anthus cervinus

visitor.

There were no s u b m i t t e d records of this species in 2014. It is a very difficult species to prove even by some of t h e most respected birdwatchers in our county. The piece below, w r i t t e n by Brian Small, goes some way towards explaining why most records, which are o f t e n of birds heard calling w h i l e flying over, are not accepted by SORC.

Difficulty in identification:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Red-throated Pipit is a very rare bird in Suffolk. Only four records have been proven to be acceptable: Loompit Lake, Trimley St Martin, May 15th 1982; Shingle Street, October 11th 1992; Shingle Street, trapped, September 30th 2000; Minsmere, October 14th 2001. The actual number of birds seen may well be more, but apart from first finding one, the observation of the necessary detail required t o convince a committee that it was indeed a Red-throated Pipit is difficult. The SORC has in recent years assessed (since it was removed as a national rarity by the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC)) and found 'not proven' a number of records and feels that perhaps an explanation may be required. Let me relate a day in a recent October when I was walking near the Birds Eye factory at Lowestoft. It had been good weather for migrants from the east - which of course was why I was there - and I was checking the long grass for hidden 'things'. I heard a call, perhaps from one of a group of pipits I had flushed. I recognised the call as that of a Red-throated Pipit - or at least thought I did - but it was just one call; almost subliminal and it did not call again. Was I sure? The call of Red-throated is like that, a high-pitched, lisping, 'speeeĂŻ - not rasping like Tree, but like a breath of wind in the grass. I had no more chances to confirm what I had heard as the birds were up and away. The pipits had been close, but in flight I could not see anything on any of t h e m that would say that one was different from the others or help me make up my mind - t h e call may not have even come from one of those I had flushed. After a spell of searching, I had to walk away knowing that in all likelihood I had just found a Redthroated Pipit, but had not heard or seen enough t o convince myself or a bird records committee. And therein lies the problem for anyone claiming a Red-throated Pipit: often they are flyovers; they may call just once or perhaps twice; as flight-only records they are hard to determine any real detail on. Of course, even if you are sure, then providing clear evidence that convinces a bird records committee is the next step, and sadly in the recently assessed and not proven records this has been lacking. Brian

Small

2013 Correction The record of a single bird at Landguard on October 29th 2013 should be deleted f r o m the 2013 report. ROCK PI PIT Fairly common

Anthus petrosus

(littoralis)

winter visitor and passage

migrant.

There w e r e 1 6 1 records f r o m 50 coastal sites and a single site f r o m t h e west of t h e county. During t h e first w i n t e r period there were numerous reports of one t o four birds w i t h higher counts at only t h r e e sites:Corton: five, Mar 13th. Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, seven, Jan 27th. Levington Creek: five, Jan 21st. The last bird of t h e spring was at Ness Point, Lowestoft on March 30th. The first of a u t u m n was at Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft on September 13th. During t h e second w i n t e r period reports of one to four birds continued w i t h higher counts at 138

Systematic List nine sites. The 102 c o u n t e d at Easton Bavents is t h e highest t o t a l ever recorded in Suffolk, exceeding 75 at Slaughden/Orfordness on November 14th 1 9 8 1 : Lowestoft Ness Point: 17 south, Oct 30th. Kessingland: five, Oct 31st. Easton Bavents: 102, Oct 12th (see field note below). Slaughden: 25, Nov 1st; 40, Nov 29th; five, Dec 30th. Havergate Island: five, Nov 9th. Orfordness: eight, Nov 1st. Boyton Marshes: six, Dec 15th. Bawdsey: East Lane, ten, Oct 14th. Landguard: five, Oct 15th. The single inland record at Lackford is the first report from west Suffolk since 2006 w h e n singles were at Cavenham Pits, October 14th and Shelley, November 2 n d : Lackford Lakes: Sep 28th. FIELD NOTE On October 12th an amazing 102 Rock Pipits w e r e recorded flying south at Easton Bavents before dropping into t h e area adjacent to t h e Southwold boating lake. Brian J Small

WATER PI PIT Uncommon

Anthus

spinoletta

winter visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

There w e r e 45 reports f r o m 25 sites mostly of one to three birds. Long-staying birds in t h e east were at Island Mere, Minsmere f r o m January 22nd t o 27th and t w o were on North Warren f r o m November 21st t o December 23rd. The only reports f r o m t h e west of t h e county were f r o m Lakenheath Fen. Lakenheath Fen: Feb 4th and 5th; max three, Nov 29th. No site in t h e county held more than three birds. CHAFFINCH Very common

Fringilla coelebs resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Categories A and E.

There was a considerable increase in t h e recording of this c o m m o n bird w i t h 1004 records (691 in 2013) f r o m 144 sites (155 in 2013) "with reasonable-sized flocks" (over 70 birds) reported f r o m ten sites in t h e county covering both t h e first and second w i n t e r p e r i o d s : Lowestoft Ness Point: 500, Oct 11th (see field note below). Minsmere Beach: 200, Oct 18th. Sizewell: Upper Abbey Farm, 71, Oct 13th. Eyke: 200, Jan 2nd; 250, Jan 17th; 250, Jan 22nd. Landguard: 73, Oct 20th. Shelley: 100, Feb 4th. Bures St Mary: Arger Fen, 70, Dec 5th. Ampton: 80, Dec 26th. Lackford: Lackford Lane, 300, Jan l l t h ; 100, Dec 28th. They w e r e recorded in 40 of t h e 4 1 BBS squares w i t h 381 birds counted. A total of 133 breeding territories was recorded on Sizewell SWT Reserve. A u t u m n passage at Landguard was noted f r o m September 1st t o December 1st involving 995 south or in o f f t h e sea w i t h a m a x i m u m of 126, October 16th. FIELD NOTE On October l l t h at Ness Point, Lowestoft, on a Suffolk Ornithologists' Group field trip, members were sheltering from rain when some small passerines were seen bouncing along just above the continued....

139

SuffolkRingingReport 2014

water. As they neared the shore we could pick out white on the wings and realised that they were Chaffinches. These original birds made landfall to our right and then we counted many more groups consisting of a dozen to over a hundred birds. As the weather front was moving away north, although still drizzly, it was noted that the birds started to veer more directly towards us and then a large group flew in over our heads. M o r e birds came in with lots more still heading south over the sea. As the weather cleared the birds started to come in to our left and we observed that they seemed to be coming in around t h e back of the weather front. In all we counted over 500 birds making landfall and a few hundred more moving south. This was quite awesome, witnessing migration in action. Gi Grieco

BRAMBLING

Fringilla

Fairiy common

winter visitor and passage

montifringilla migrant

There were 200 reports (201 in 2013) f r o m 108 sites (86 in 2013). The only significant first winter records w e r e : Corton: 53, Jan 3rd. Eyke: 50, Jan 2nd; 100, Jan 14th; 200, Jan 17th; 100, Jan 22nd. Alton Water: 50, Jan 19th. Lackford Lakes: 100, Apr 20th. The last bird of spring was at Tangham Forest o n May 3rd. The first of a u t u m n were four birds at Maid's Hill Cross, Lakenheath o n September 18th. The second w i n t e r flocks across t h e county i n c l u d e d : Flixton: 100, Nov 16th. Lowestoft North Denes: 50, Oct 19th. Southwold: 55, Oct 10th. Bawdsey: 51, Oct 14th. A l o w e r - t h a n - n o r m a l a u t u m n passage was recorded at Landguard f r o m September 17th t o November 16th w i t h t o t a l of 52 birds noted and a m a x i m u m of 19 south on October 22nd. EUROPEAN SERIN Rare migrant.

Serinus serinus

Amber

list.

There w e r e no s u b m i t t e d records of Serin in 2014. EUROPEAN GREENFINCH Common, but declining,

Carduelis chloris

resident and passage migrant.

Categories A and E.

There w e r e 482 reports (321 in 2013) f r o m 89 sites (99 in 2013). They were found in 23 of the 4 1 BBS squares w i t h a t o t a l of 105 birds c o u n t e d . This well-recorded bird p r o d u c e d only five reports in t h e first w i n t e r period of counts involving 50 or more birds:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Corton: 53, Jan 3rd. Rendlesham: 80, Jan 2nd; 100, Jan 22nd. Brettenham: 50, Mar 17th. Pakenham: Red Castle Farm, 120, Jan 16th. There w e r e six records of flocks involving 50 or more birds in t h e second w i n t e r p e r i o d : Flixton: 100, Nov 16th. Lowestoft North Denes: 50, Oct 19th. Southwold: 50, Oct 10th. Landguard: 88, Oct 11th; 122, Oct 20th. Lakenheath: Maids Cross Hill, 80, Oct 10th. Another low autumn passage at Landguard recorded just 241 south from October 10th t o 30th with a maximum of 122 south on October 20th. There were 14625 birds counted there in October 1983! EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH Very common

summer

Carduelis

carduelis

visitor and passage migrant.

Overwinters

in small

numbers.

A n o t h e r species w i t h a significant increase in records submitted. There were 893 records (590 140

Systematic List in 2013 and 249 in 2012) f r o m 128 sites (134 in 2013 and 68 in 2012). They were recorded in 27 of the 4 1 BBS squares w i t h a total of 184 birds counted. Counts of 100 or more birds were recorded as f o l l o w s : Southwold: 182, Oct lOth. Minsmere: 180, Oct 16th; 320, Oct 17th; 120, Oct 23rd. Thorpeness: 110, Oct lst; 160, Oct l l t h ; 110, Oct 25th. North Warren: 100, Oct l l t h . Snape Wetland: 200, Aug 20th; 230, Aug 25th; 160, Sep 23rd. Orfordness: 112, Oct l l t h . Playford: 120, Aug 2nd. Cavenham Heath: 200, Aug lst. A u t u m n migration at Landguard involved 6647 south, August 25th to November 25th (16226 in 2011), w i t h a m a x i m u m south of 1010 on October 20th and an a u t u m n m a x i m u m of grounded birds of 34 on September 30th. EURASIAN SISKIN

Carduelis spinus

Common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Uncommon

resident.

This species saw a considerable decrease of nearly 50% in both records and sites during 2014. There w e r e 108 (206 in 2013) records f r o m 44 sites (74 in 2013). There were no breeding records received. Flock sizes were generally much smaller than in t h e previous year w i t h counts of 50 or more birds recorded as f o l l o w s : Blundeston: 50, Dee l l t h . Minsmere: 70, Jan 15th; 60, Jan 30th; 50, Oct 17th. Earl Stonham: Brewery Farm, 60, Jan 26th. Needham Market: 100, Jan 22nd. Pipps Ford: 81, Jan 22nd. Cavenham Heath: 150, Jan 18th. Leavenheath: Spouses Grove, 100, Jan 31st. Santon Downham: 130, Jan 16th. Lackford Lakes: 50, Jan 3rd; 70, Nov 15th; 50, Dee 27th. A u t u m n passage at Landguard, which reflected t h e overall county decrease, was noted f r o m September 15th t o November 29th w i t h an overall total of only 108 (385 in 2 0 1 3 , 1 7 9 3 in 2011) south and a m a x i m u m count of 28 south on October lOth. CO M M O N LI N N ET Common summer

Carduelis canna bina

visitor and passage migrant.

Overwinters

in small numbers.

Red List.

There were 5 2 1 records (359 in 2013 and 184 in 2012) f r o m 109 sites (116 in 2013 and 82 in 2012) w i t h sizeable flocks in both winters. They were recorded in 2 1 of t h e 4 1 BBS squares w i t h 116 birds counted. Flocks of 100 upwards were reported in t h e first w i n t e r period f r o m the following sites:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Frostenden (West): 200, Feb 7 t h ; 100, Feb 1 4 t h .

Sizewell: Upper Abbey Farm, 100, Jan 23rd. Thorpeness: 230, A p r 8 t h .

Wherstead: 200, Mar 30th. Needham Market: Sewage Works, 158, Jan 8th. Shelley: 2 0 0 , Feb 4 t h .

Significant flocks of 100 upwards were reported in the second half of t h e year f r o m : Benacre: Sluice, 100, Oct lst. Thorpeness: 110, Oct lst; 200, Oct l l t h ; 102, Oct 12th; 181, Oct 25th. Snape: 140, Nov lOth. Landguard: 100 to 209 between Sep 2nd and Oct 12th. Stoke-by-Nayland: 200, Nov 17th; Withermarsh Green, 150, Nov 17th. Kersey: 175, Sep 22nd. 141

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 Norton: 100, Dec 9th. Livermere Lake: 100 to 255 between Aug 6th and Oct 12th. Lackford: Lackford Lane, 150, Dec 7th; 200, Dec 28th. Bardwell: Bowbeck, 100, Nov 1st. As in t h e previous four years up t o 40 pairs bred at Landguard w i t h several more nearby. A u t u m n passage at Landguard involved 926 south f r o m October 10th t o November 10th w i t h a m a x i m u m of 209 south o n October 11th. This compares w i t h totals of 336 in 2013, 577 in 2012, 1185 in 2 0 1 1 and 11530 in October 1983. TWITE

Carduelis

Locally fairly

flavirostris

common

winter visitor and passage migrant.

Red List.

There were 3 1 records f r o m nine sites, figures similar t o those of 2013. As in t h e previous year most of t h e reports came f r o m t h e Walberswick/Dingle area. No records were received f r o m t h e west of t h e county. First w i n t e r reports received are summarised as f o l l o w s : Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, 14 to 47 between Jan 5th and 14th. Hemley: two, Feb 1st. The latest birds in t h e first part of t h e year were at Hemley on February 1st. M o r e birds were present in t h e later part of t h e year w i t h t h e first a u t u m n bird t u r n i n g up at Landguard on September 24th. Second w i n t e r reports received are summarised as f o l l o w s : Easton Broad: Oct 22nd. Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, 22 to 60 between Dec 13th and 28th. Slaughden: two, Oct 25th; four to 20 between Nov 18th and Dec 9th. Orfordness: five, Nov 29th and Dec 6th. Shingle Street: 11, Oct 20th. Bawdsey: four, Oct 17th and 25th. Landguard: Sep 24th. Levington Lagoon: Oct 20th. LESSER REDPOLL Uncommon

Carduelis

and declining

cabaret

resident.

Declining

winter visitor and passage migrant.

Red List.

As w i t h Siskin t h e r e was a significant decrease in b o t h records and sites in 2014, w i t h 108 records (175 in 2013) f r o m 59 sites (80 in 2013). First w i n t e r period peak counts w e r e : North Cove SWT: 40, Jan 5th; 70, Jan 22nd. Minsmere: 20, Mar 18th. Upper Hollesley Common: 19, Mar 25th. Sutton Common: 25, Mar 26th. Newbourne Springs: 16, Feb 6th. Purdis Farm: Ipswich Golf Club, 25, Mar 10th. East Bergholt: 100, Feb 24th. Pipps Ford: 23, Feb 12th. Lackford Lakes: 25, Feb 7th. There were no records of breeding received. There were fewer reports in t h e second w i n t e r period w i t h peak c o u n t s : Martlesham Heath: 50, Aug 25th; 53, Aug 26th; 40, Sep 20th. Stoke-by-Nayland: Thorington Street, 30, Dec 15th. Leavenheath: Spouses Grove, 30, Dec 24th. A u t u m n passage at Landguard involved just 46 south f r o m October 20th to November 28th w i t h a m a x i m u m of ten south on November 6th. MEALY ( C O M M O N ) REDPOLL Uncommon

winter

Carduelis

visitor and passage

flammea

migrant.

The less c o m m o n of t h e t w o regular redpoll species saw a reduced n u m b e r of records and sites for t h e year w i t h 26 records (31 in 2013 and nine in 2012) f r o m 12 sites (17 in 2013 and seven in 142

Systematic List 2012). Ail records were of one to t h r e e birds w i t h just t w o exceptions as f o l l o w s : Lackford Lakes: eight, Feb 7th. Lakenheath Fen RSPB: seven, Jan 7th. C O M M O N CROSSBILL Locally common

Loxia curvirostra

resident and irruptive

visitor.

For t h e second year in succession a significant réduction in records for t h e year w i t h 70 (119 in 2013 and 223 in 2012) f r o m 23 sites (47 in 2013 and 79 in 2012). The peak counts w e r e : Ashby: 13, Feb 3rd; Dell, 20, Feb 21st. Fritton: Waveney Forest, 18 to 22 between Jan 2nd and 14th. Minsmere: 15, Apr 17th. Tangham Forest: ten, Apr 12th. Icklingham: Berners Heath, 22, Jan lOth. Lackford Lakes: 25, Jan 8th. Mayday Farm: 18, Jan 5th; 20, Mar 5th. Kings Forest (West Stow): 15, Jan 25th. Thetford Warren: 30, Apr 3rd. PARROT CROSSBILL Rare winter

Loxia

pytyopsittacus

visitor.

Three flocks, and a single bird, were reported during the first winter period, i.e. a new one at Fritton and those remaining f r o m 2013 at Tunstall/Sudbourne and Mayday Farm. The singleton was in The King's Forest.

FIELD NOTE Parrot Crossbills Waveney early 2014 Events in t h e Waveney Forest in early 2014 added t o t h e growing picture of widespread occurrences w i t h i n t h e county. At least one female was present w i t h 20+ Common Crossbills from January l O t h to 14th 2014. This flock was mobile w i t h i n t h e forest and it was not until February 19th that they settled in t h e belt of large trees between t h e t w o overhead power lines running f r o m t h e parking lot t o w a r d s Fritton Marshes. They were frequently disturbed by Eurasian Sparrowhawks Accipiter

nisus. Their regulär occurrence here enabled observers t o

carefully examine the birds, and an estimated eight Parrots were present on 19th February. Over the next few days they continued to be reported w i t h a maximum of at least 18 Parrots together wìth three Commons on 22nd, 13 or more Parrots on 23rd, nine on 24th, one on 25th and, finally, three Parrots on 26th. In addition, five were reported f r o m Ashby Dell on 21st February. Lounge Lizards

website

The détails of t h e flocks are as f o l l o w s : Fritton: Waveney Forest, up to 18 birds between Jan lOth and Feb 26th with max of 18, Feb 21st and 22nd (Multi-observer). Sudbourne: Sudbourne Wood, (present since Dee 24th 2013) six to 18 birds between Jan 8th and 18th, with max of 18, Jan 18th. Mayday Farm/Spinks Lodge: (present since Dee 8th 2013) up to eight birds between Jan 5th and Mar 5th, with max of eight, Jan 5th. The King's Forest: Feb 19th (P Hobbs, R Hobbs). C O M M O N ROSEFINCH Carpodacus Rare passage migrant. Has bred.

erythina

A single record in t h e county, t h e ninth for Landguard. Landguard: May 27th. (P J Holmes, P Oldfield, W E Mackie et al.). 143

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 C O M M O N BULLFINCH Common but declining

Pyrrhula

pyrrhula

resident. Amber

List

This species continues to be widely reported w i t h significant increases in both records and sites w i t h 508 records (299 in 2013) f r o m 186 sites (145 in 2013). It was recorded in just eight of t h e 4 1 BBS Squares w i t h nine individuals counted. Only 12 localities had over five birds, these w e r e : St Cross South Elmham: seven, Jan 3rd. Dunwich: six, Jan 30th. Thorpeness: six, Nov 16th. Hazlewood Marshes SWT: seven, Oct 25th. Stonham Aspal: seven, Jan 14th and 23rd. Westhorpe: ten, Dec 5th. Thurston: Grove Farm, seven to 11 between Jan 14th and Mar 14th; nine to 15 between Oct 10th and Dec 30th. Pipps Ford: seven, Feb 16th. Stoke-by-Nayland: Withermarsh Green, eight, Nov 17th. Sudbury: Ballingdon Treatment Works, six, Jan 1st. Livermere Lake: six, Dec 26th. West Stow CP: seven, Jan 23rd. FIELD NOTE At East Bergholt, I was surprised t o find unfledged Bullfinches in mid-August in a nest t h a t had been in use since as far back as May. A check of literature shows t h a t it is not unusual for Bullfinches to have a second or even a third brood, w i t h Ticehurst's "A History of the Birds of Suffolk"

recording an example of chicks still in t h e nest in t h e county o n August 21st.

Ed Keeble

HAWFINCH Uncommon

Coccothraustes

coccothraustes

resident and rare passage migrant.

Red List

This increasingly scarce species was reported f r o m four sites (seven in 2013 and f o u r in 2012) all in t h e coastal r e g i o n : Thorpeness: Oct 15th and 19th. Bawdsey: Oct 17th. Landguard: Apr 30th. Purdis Farm: Ipswich Golf Club, June 4th and 11th. There were no reports received f r o m t h e traditional site at Sotterley. SNOW BUNTING

Plectrophenax

nivalis

Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list There w e r e 173 records f r o m 33 coastal sites, similar figures to those of 2013. Significant flock counts w e r e : Pakefield Beach: 13 to 57 between Jan 1st and Feb 1st. Kessingland: 25, Jan 19th. Covehithe: ten to 24 between Dec 4th and 23rd. Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, 15 to 50 recorded between Dec 7th and 25th. North Warren: same as Thorpeness, Haven, 23, Dec 19th. Slaughden: six to 55 between Nov 16th and Dec 13th. Orfordness: 30, Nov 24th. Landguard: ten recorded between Jan 25th and 31st; 11, Nov 19th. LAPLAND LONGSPUR Uncommon

winter

Calcarius

lapponicus

visitor and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

There w e r e seven records (16 in 2013) f r o m seven coastal sites (ten in 2013) all of which were in t h e north-east of t h e county. 144

32. Green Woodpecker juveniles regularly seen over the summer. Liz Cutting

33. Wryneck at Benacre in Aprii.

34. Tree Pipit declining visitor, on Hazlewood Common in August. Eddie Marsh

35. Waxwing a quieter year for this charismatic visitor.

Chris Darby

Bill Baston

36. Desert Wheatear fourth county record at Lowestoft in November. Peter Ransome

37. Dusky Warbler elusive visitor to Oulton Marshes in March/April. Peter Ransom

38. Barred Warbler at Thorpeness in September. John Richardson

39. Eastern Subalpine Warbler surprise find at Felixstowe in August. Barry Woodhouse

40. Great Grey Shrike at Landguard in October. Chris Mayne

41. Lesser Grey Shrike at Hollesley Marshes in October. Chris Mayne

42. Red-breasted Flycatcher at Lowestoft in September. Chris Darby

43. Rosy Starling stunning adult at Lowestoft in June. Chris Darby

44. White-throated Sparrow ringed at Landguard in June. Paul Oldfield

45. Parrot Crossbill birds from the 2013 invasion seen until March. Bill Bastoi

46. Bullfinch a juvenile bird always an encouraging sight. Liz Cutting

47. C o m m o n Rosefinch first-summer male at Landguard in May. Chris Mayne

Systematic List There w e r e no records in t h e first w i n t e r period. The records for t h e second winter period f r o m September w e r e : Breydon South Wall: first autumn record, Sep 16th. Corton: Oct 30th; Cliffs, Nov 6th; Sewage Works, Nov 30th. Southwold: Golf Course, Dee 26th. Minsmere: Scrape, Sep 30th. Thorpeness: Oct 7th. WHITE-THROATED SPARROW Very rare

Zonotrichia

albicollis

visitor.

A single bird was trapped and ringed at Landguard and is the first site record. It was only present on the one day as was t h e previous bird seen at Woodbridge on June 6th 2010. This is t h e f o u r t h record for Suffolk. Landguard: June 19th (T Bagworth, et al.). YELLOWHAMMER

Emberiza

citrinella

Common resident and passage migrant.

Red List

There w e r e 189 records f r o m 8 1 sites. They were recorded in 27 of t h e 4 1 BBS squares w i t h 107 individuรกis counted. As in recent years most of t h e larger gatherings carne from t h e west of the county. Counts of 50 or more w e r e : Westhorpe: 60, Nov 20th. Bures St Mary: Arger Fen, 100, Dee 15th. Shelley: 60, Feb4th. Great Waldingfield: Airfield, 95, Oct 27th. Long Melford: 61, Dee 13th; 100, Dee 20th; 200, Dee 31st. Earl Stonham: Brewery Farm, 200, Feb 21st; 96, Mar 24th. Lackford: Bunkers Barn, 50, Jan 29th; Lackford Lane, 50, Dee 7th; 150, Dee 28th. ORTOLAN BUNTING Rare passage

Emberiza

hortulana

migrant.

A single male was f o u n d at Landguard and represented t h e only county record for the year. Landguard: Sep 5th (P J Holmes et al.). REED BUNTING

Emberiza

schoeniclus

Common resident and passage migrant.

Amber

list.

There were 323 records (230 in 2013 and 117 in 2012) from 80 sites (77 in 2013 and 60 in 2012). They were found in six BBS squares w i t h eight individuรกis counted. A n u m b e r of small flocks were reported across t h e county. Peak counts w i t h i n t h e county w e r e : St James South Elmham: 80, Dee 31st. Benacre: Sluice, 50, Oct 12th. Minsmere: 50, Oct 16th. Sizewell: Upper Abbey Farm, 45, Jan 20th and Feb 17th. Havergate Island: 35, Nov 9th. Orfordness: 40, Sep 27th; 30, Oct l l t h . Dalham: 30, Nov 23rd. Lackford: Lackford Lane, 40, Dee 28th. A u t u m n passage at Landguard involved 24 south and 26 on site b e t w e e n September 16th and November 12th w i t h a m a x i m u m five on site Reed ESunting Richard Alien

on October 20th. 145

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 CORN BUNTING Locally common

Emberiza resident.

calandra

Red List.

Overall records show that this species' numbers continue t o drop w i t h i n t h e county. There were 63 records f r o m 20 sites of w h i c h only three had counts of more than six b i r d s : Chelmondiston: Lings Lane, 31, Oct 24th. Great Waldingfield: Airfield, 16, Oct 27th. Lakenheath Fen RSPB: 15, Dec 29th. Breeding was reported f r o m Bawdsey, Risby, M o u l t o n and Great Waldingfield, but not f r o m t h e far n o r t h - w e s t of t h e county.

146

Systematic List

APPENDIX I - CATEGORY D SPECIES Species t h a t w o u l d otherwise appear in Categories A or B except that there is reasonable doubt that they have ever occurred in Britain in a natural state. No reports in 2014.

APPENDIX II - CATEGORY E SPECIES Species t h a t have been recorded as introductions, transportĂŠes or escapees f r o m captivity, and whose breeding populations (if any) are t h o u g h t not to be self-sustaining. Where a species is also placed in o t h e r categories of t h e British List, this is indicated in t h e species' summary. TRUMPETER SWAN

Cygnus buccanator

Breeds Alaska and western Canada south to northern prairie states of USA, and winters from south-eastern Alaska and coastal British Columbia south to southern border of Washington. Reintroduced into southern Ontario around the Great Lakes Boyton: Boyton Marshes RSPB, two, second-winters, Dec 14th to 31st (S Minns et al.). The discovery of these t w o unringed and fully-winged birds generated considerable discussion regarding their provenance and age. Despite much speculation that they may have originated from North America, their true origin became clear in January 2015 when news emerged that Trumpeter Swans had bred in the waterfowl collection at Letheringham Lodge near Wickham Market in 2013. These birds were the surviving offspring from that mating, which had recently been evicted by their parents. BLACK SWAN

Cygnus atratus

Throughout Australia and Tasmania. Landguard: offshore, May 8th; presumed same flew inland, May 11th. Trimley St Martin: Thorpe Bay, Sep 6th; presumed same Loompit Lake, Sep 9th to 23rd; Nov 30th; River Orwell, Dec 26th. Stutton: Stutton Mill, two, Dec 20th. Brantham: Cattawade; Jan 13th; July 7th and 27th. Lackford: SWT, Nov 15th. Livermere Lake: Apr 26th and 27th; May 2nd and 21st; Aug 24th; Dec 29th. SWAN GOOSE

Anser cygnoides

North-eastern Asia, winters central China. Parham: intermittently, from 2013 to Apr 6th; Dec 21st and 26th. Brettenham: Nov 1st and 4th. EMPEROR GOOSE

Anser

canagica

Breeds north-eastern Siberia and western Alaska. Winters from southern Alaska to northern California. Lackford: SWT, Feb 5th; May 2nd; Nov 8th and 26th. Present intermittently since Mar 27th 1997. Livermere Lake: July 9th. LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Forest bogs of northern

Scandinavia

Anser

erythropus

east to eastern Siberia. Winters locally from the

Netherlands

to eastern China. Categories A and E. Minsmere: RSPB, four, juveniles, roosted on the Scrape on night of Dec 30th/31st. Aldeburgh: North Warren RSPB, four, juveniles, Dec 31st. The arrival of these birds at Minsmere on Dec 30th was one of the biggest surprises of the year. News broke on Dec 31st w h e n RSPB staff were contacted by Swedish project staff, advising that a satellite-tracked bird had been on the Minsmere reserve the previous day. Later on Dec 31st the group was relocated at North Warren and over the next few days they moved locally between North Warren, Hazlewood Marshes and Sudbourne Marshes. As details of these birds gradually emerged it became clear that they are the captive-bred offspring of wild Lesser White-fronted Geese which had been 147

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 caught as goslings on the breeding grounds t o t h e north of t h e Ural Mountains in Russia. They are kept at Nordens Ark in south-western Sweden where they will remain as part of a long-term breeding project. The Swedish release scheme aims to boost the numbers of this rapidly-declining species in Europe by releasing young birds into t h e wild at sites in Swedish Lapland where Lesser White-fronted Geese currently breed. All were ringed and five were fitted w i t h satellite transmitters that enabled their movements t o be monitored. After leaving northern Sweden, four of t h e cohort migrated to southern Norway in late August and remained there until arriving at Minsmere on Dec 30th. After staying for just five days, they moved t o Jabbeke in Belgium on Jan 4th 2015, t h e n on t o The Netherlands on Mar 12th, where they remained until being last reported on Mar 25th. 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. Catégories A and E. Covehithe: Covehithe Broad, two, Dec 26th. Easton Bavents: Easton Broad, two, Jan 2nd. Southwold: Town Marsh, Jan 6th; Oct lOth. Reydon: Reydon Marshes, two, Dec 31st. Walberswick: two, Oct l l t h . Aldeburgh: North Warren RSPB, two adults remaining from 2013, to Jan 2nd only; then two adults, intermittently, Oct 31st to Dec 20th. Snape: RSPB Wetland, juvenile, first recorded Oct 6th 2013, seen regularly until Mar 12th. Landguard: in flight, Nov Ist. 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. Ferai population breeds in northern Europe. Catégories B and E. Lackford: SWT, Jan 3rd and 18th. Livermere Lake: Jan 2nd and 21st. Timworth: Jan 4th. CAPE SHELDUCK

Tadorna cana

Breeds in southern Africa. Bucklesham: Oct 22nd and Nov l l t h . Trimley St Martin: Loompit Lake, Sep 21st and 28th; Dec 7th and 8th. Freston: River Orwell, Dec 12th. MUSCOVY DUCK

Cairina

Southern Mexico to northern Beccles: Quay, four, June Ist.

moschata Argentina

and

Brazil.

Alton Water: three, Oct 12th; two, intermittently, Nov 9th to Dec 21st. RED-CRESTED POCHARD

Netta

rufina

Breeds western Europe to central China. Winters to south of breeding range. Catégories A, C and E. Flixton: Gravel Pits, five, Mar 2nd; two, Mar 9th; seven, June 8th. RINGED TEAL

Callonetta

leucophrys

Breeds southeastern Bolivia to southeastern Brazil and Livermere Lake: May 3rd. Pakenham: Mickle Mere, May 18th to 24th; June 28th. REEVE'S PHEASANT

Syrmaticus

reevesii

Forests of central China. Bardwell: Bowbeck, immature, Sep 14th. 148

Uruguay.

Systematic List GREEN PHEASANT

Phasianus versicolor

Endemic to Japan. Wangford (West): Mar 8th. BLACK KITE

Milvus

migrans

Breeds throughout Mediterranean basin and continental Europe except maritime northwest and Scandinavia, east to European Russia and western Kazakhstan. Most winter Africa. Other races migratory, dispersive or resident, sub-Saharan Africa, central and eastern Asia, Indian subcontinent, eastern and south-eastern Asia and Australia. Categories A and E. Wrentham: adult with captive-origin colour rings, June 23rd to Dec 31st, and into 2015. Same as Bawdsey and Alderton bird. Alderton: adult with captive-origin colour rings, June 13th. Bawdsey: Quay and village, June 13th. This bird was first seen over Bawdsey Quay, viewed from Felixstowe Ferry, in the late morning on June 13th (W Brame), then slowly drifted north towards Bawdsey village and Alderton where it spent the remainder of the day. It was only when it settled to roost in the evening that the colour rings were seen. These rings were not of the type used on wild birds and so it has been assumed that it had escaped from captivity but its origin remains unknown. The rings also established that the Wrentham bird was the same individual. Although no details have been submitted t o SORC for sightings between the Bawdsey and Wrentham arrival dates, Black Kites were reported from Dunwich on June 21st, and Reydon and Benacre on June 22nd, and may relate to this individual. Had the rings not been seen, it is likely that this bird would have been included within the main report. HARRIS'S HAWK

Parabuteo

unicinctus

South-western USA south through Central and South America to southern Argentina and Chile. Aldeburgh: North Warren RSPB, intermittently, Feb 19th to 21st; Mar 9th; May 6th and 15th; Nov 24th and 30th; Dec 1st and 20th. SAKER

Falco cherrug

Breeds locally from eastern Europe across the Palearctic to the Tibetan plateau. European breeders winter in north-eastern Africa, while much of the Asian population is resident. Categories D and E. Bradwell: Gapton Marshes, Apr 5th and 8th (R Robinson). RED-RUMPED PARROT

Psephotus

haematonotus

South-eastern Australia. Lowestoft: Hamilton Dock, June 21st to 26th. GREY PARROT

Psittacus

erithacus

Africa from Ivory Coast and islands in the Gulf of Guinea to Kenya, south to Tanzania and Landguard: Aug 7th. MONK PARAKEET

Myiopsitta

Angola.

monachus

South America, Category E. Elmswell: July 8th. C O M M O N MYNA Acridotheres tristis Central, south & south-eastern Asia. Mostly resident or dispersive, although migratory. No BOU category. Shingle Street: south, May 16th.

Central Asian

breeders

Landguard: south, May 16th.

The same bird is believed to be responsible for these t w o sightings, passing Shingle Street about 40 minutes before arriving at Landguard. It stayed at Landguard for less than 20 minutes before departing t o t h e north. 149

SuffolkRingingReport 2014

Suffolk Ringing Report 2014 Simon Evans As I look t h r o u g h t h e 2014 ringing data now, in early a u t u m n of 2015, one t h o u g h t keeps popping into my mind, ' w h a t a différence a year makes'. This t i m e a year ago I was doing t h e exact same t h i n g w i t h t h e 2013 data, leavlng it as late as I dare, and t h e e d i t o r w o u l d allow, before looking for trends, différences, similarities and anomalies upon w h i c h t o c o m m e n t . One t h i n g w h i c h I vividly r e m e m b e r f r o m t h a t period was t h e 'annus horribilis'

t h a t 2013 had been for our

Barn Owls, t h e i r w o r s t year in t e r m s of survival and breeding, for many a generation. Then, in 2014, probably t h e i r most successful year o n record f o r t h e county w i t h over 900 individuals ringed, t h e vast m a j o r i t y of these being chicks in t h e nest. W h a t a recovery year! Since t h e 2013 figures were provisionally tallied, over a year ago, over 5000 additional birds have been added t o t h e county ringing totals for that year. Representing an addition of over 10%, I can only assume some clérical or administrative adjustment is responsible for this. This j u m p involved one species in particular, Siskin. W i t h an additional 1800 birds, they were launched into second place in t h e adjusted t o p five f o r t h e year, b u m p i n g Goldfinch d o w n into sixth. From experience, I k n o w t h a t 2014 was a relatively poor ringing year, for both Siskin and Redpoll so, w i t h very l o w provisionai figures for b o t h species r e p o r t e d in 2014 so far, will t h i s reflect an accurate représentation of w h a t actually happened? A year's t i m e will tell. The updated ringing total for 2013 is n o w 57770. The provisionai figure for 2014 currently sits at 55597, a slight drop on t h e previous year but again representing t h e highest county t o t a l in Britain and N o r t h e r n Ireland w i t h an impressive 5.3% of t h e national total. W i t h over 2000 ringing recoveries of birds f o u n d more t h a n five kilométrés f r o m their original site of ringing, t h e county also c o n t r i b u t e d 7.9% of t h e national data. In amongst t h e recoveries, 178 reports of foreign-ringed birds were noted in t h e county as well as 374 reports being received of Suffolk-ringed birds recorded abroad. As is now t h e norm, t h e m a j o r i t y of these involved colour-ringed or marked birds, notably gulls and waders. Included amongst these recoveries are t h e first Suffolk-ringed Dunlin t o Iceland, C o m m o n Gull t o Denmark, Lesser W h i t e t h r o a t to Belgium, Dunnock t o Denmark, Lesser Redpolls t o France and Norway and C o m m o n Redpoll t o Norway. Additionally, t h e first Danish-ringed Goldcrests, Pintail and Yellowlegged Gull, as w e l l as German-ringed Herring and Caspian Gulls were reported in t h e county. In total, 130 species appeared in t h e ringing table for 2014. W h i t e - t h r o a t e d Sparrow became t h e 225th species t o be ringed in t h e county and Barred Warbler made a w e l c o m e return since t h e last one caught in 2006. An impressive 125 Grey Wagtails were ringed in t h e county, largely d o w n t o t h e efforts of t h e folk at Landguard. Two Water Pipits were trapped in t h e west of t h e county, a régional first l'm sure. No Peregrine chicks w e r e ringed in 2014, t h e first year that this has been t h e case since t h e first brood was ringed in 2009. And of t h e scarcer species, seven Wrynecks, f o u r Yellow-browed Warblers, a single Blyth's Reed W a r b l e r and a Red-breasted Flycatcher appeared in t h e nets near t h e coast. M o s t of our breeding warblers appeared t o have had a better breeding season in 2014, a fact largely reflected in t h e National CES data. One slightly w o r r y i n g exception can be seen f r o m the o n g o i n g decline in t h e n u m b e r of W i l l o w Warblers ringed in t h e county. Nationally, only 160 C o m m o n Crossbills w e r e ringed; of these, 118 were ringed in Suffolk, some 74% of t h e national t o t a l w i t h 116 being caught at High Lodge, Thetford Forest, clearly indicating t h e importance of this site f o r t h e species. Now, as many of you have expressed an interest and appear t o enjoy this feature, here are t h e t o p five f o r t h e year! Goldfinch popped back in at n u m b e r five w i t h Reed Warbler climbing one place, t o n u m b e r four. Blackcap put in a sterling effort t o reach n u m b e r three, whilst Great Tit climbed one t o n u m b e r t w o . Blue Tit held on t o t h e number one slot once more. Sadly, Greenfinch d r o p p e d o u t of t h e t o p five again. 150

Suffolk Ringing Report 2014 The f o l l o w i n g table summarises t h e provisionai figures for 2014 as well as any a m e n d m e n t s noted for any of t h e previous few years. The information presented here is largely a resuit of t h e ringers directly submitting their data electronically t o t h e BTO, and whilst it is possible t o view much of this information online, it is incomplete. In an a t t e m p t to make as complete a report as is possible, only t h e available data can be included so, if you're a sole operator, partnership or ringing group secretary, please get in touch. In acknowledgement, l'd like to particularly thank Tim Cowan, Lee Gregory, Alee Hillier, Mike Marsh and John Walshe f o r t h e i r c o m m e n t s and input. In addition, t h e f o l l o w i n g ringers and groups are k n o w n t o have been active in t h e county in 2014: A b b o t and Kennerley, RE Batty, Catchpole, Cockram & Peters, Dingle Bird Club, Rob Duncan, Janette Troop, Kessingland RG, Lackford RG, Landguard RG, Paul N e w t o n , Suffolk C o m m u n i t y Barn Owl Project, T h o m p s o n & Hedges, Thetford Forest RG, Ken Venus, Waveney Bird Club and Mick Wright. Apologies to anyone l've inadvertently missed.

151

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 Species 2009 MuteSwan Cygnusolor 3 Canada Goose Branta canadensis 5 Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 6 Wigeon Anas penelope 0 Gadwall Anas streperĂ 0 Teal Anas crecca 39 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 3 Pintail Anas acuta 0 Tufted Duck Aythya fu ligula 0 Grey Partridge Perdix perdix 0 Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 0 Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 0 0 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 0 Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 10 Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 0 Goshawk Accipiter gentilis 0 80 Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Buzzard Buteo buteo 1 Water Rai! Rallus aquaticus 3 22 Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 4 Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 25 Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus 77 0 Little Ringed Piover Charadrius dubius 23 Ringed Piover Charadrius hiaticula 4 Golden Piover Pluvialis apricaria Grey Piover Pluvialis squatarola 6 32 Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 42 Knot Calidris canutus 0 Sanderling Calidris alba 0 Little Stint Calidris minuta 0 Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea 447 D u n 1 i n Calidris alpina 1 Ruff Philomachus pugnax 2 Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus 15 Snipe Gallinago gallinago 5 Woodcock Scolopax rusticola 46 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 4 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 0 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 9 Curlew Numenius arquata 1 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 0 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 2 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Greenshank Tringa nebularia 10 513 Redshank Tringa totanus Turnstone Arenaria interpres 7 Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 110 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 56 Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 1 Common Gull Larus canus 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 203 Herring Gull Larus argentatus 35 Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 0 Common Tern Sterna hirundo 186 0 Little Auk Alle alle 194 Stock Dove Columba oenas Woodpigeon Columba palumbus 143 91 Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 5 Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 0 Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri 152

2010 1 0 2 9 0 25 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 9 0 5 85 1 5 13 2 17 99 0 13 4 14 20 21 0 1 1 175 1 3 5 12 23 13 1 1 3 6 0 9 350 2 168 167 6 22 327 114 2 110 0 185 195 159 11 1

2011 1 0 5 2 1 16 15 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 13 1 0 81 5 4 12 5 28 87 5 13 9 19 46 10 0 0 0 361 0 5 6 7 54 16 0 10 1 1 1 11 378 1 134 51 1 3 544 149 0 85 0 152 143 134 6 0

2012 3 0 0 11 1 24 10 0 0 2 1 0 2 0 21 0 2 52 8 1 24 4 4 74 1 4 12 6 36 15 1 0 1 125 3 0 10 10 21 12 0 0 7 3 0 5 176 18 62 44 1 23 275 105 0 63 0 184 160 85 6 0

2013 0 1 0 0 1 8 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 16 0 5 67 4 3 17 0 5 46 0 6 1 5 14 10 8 0 0 66 2 10 14 8 20 2 0 4 4 17 0 4 184 9 164 42 2 8 302 88 0 88 0 192 211 92 4 0

2014 2 0 0 0 0 24 4 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 18 0 7 62 16 6 20 10 16 69 2 22 1 0 29 2 0 0 0 39 1 2 11 6 23 2 0 3 6 7 0 11 326 2 162 42 0 1 390 65 0 140 1 120 139 102 6 0

Suffolk Ringing Report 2014 Species 2009 Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 1 Barn Owl Tyto alba 229 Little Owl Athene noctua 36 Tawny Owl Strix aluco 44 Long-eared Owl Asio otus 0 Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus 0 Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus 34 Swift Apus apus 14 Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 38 Wryneck Jynx torquilla 3 71 Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 77 92 Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 0 Merlin Falco columbarius 12 Hobby Falco subbuteo 4 Peregrine Falco peregrinus 0 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 0 Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor 12 Magpie Pica pica 31 Jay Garrulus glandarius 104 Jackdaw Corvus monedula 6 Rook Corvus frugilegus 1 Carrion Crow Corvus corone 249 Goldcrest Regulus regulus 58 Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla 3854 Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus 3477 Great Tit Parus major 463 Coal Tit Periparus ater 2 Willow Tit Poecile montana 80 Marsh Tit Poecile palustris 304 Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus 80 Woodlark Lullula arborea 38 Skylark Alauda arvensis 0 Shore Lark Eremophila alpestris Sand Martin Riparia riparia 549 1949 Swallow Hirundo rustica 187 House Martin Delichon urbicum 213 Cetti's Warbier Cettia cetti 1131 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus 1 Greenish Warbier Phylloscopus trochiloides 1 Arctic Warbier Phylloscopus boreaiis 0 Pallas's Warbier Phylloscopus proregulus Yellow-browed Warbier Phylloscopus inornatus 4 0 Dusky Warbier Phylloscopus fuscatus 0 Radde's Warbier Phylloscopus schwarzi 0 Wood Warbier Phylloscopus sibilatrix 1362 Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 1089 Willow Warbier Phylloscopus trochilus 2864 Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 385 Garden Warbier Sylvia borin 0 Barred Warbier Sylvia nisoria 599 Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca 1745 Whitethroat Sylvia communis 69 Dartford Warbier Sylvia undata 29 Grasshopper Warbier Locustella naevia 0 Savi's Warbier Locustella luscinioides 0 Booted Warbier Iduna caligata 0 Icterine Warbier Hippolais icterina 1 Melodious Warbier Hippolais polyglotta Sedge Warbier Acrocephalus schoenobaenus 3011 Blyth's Reed Warbier Acrocephalus dumetorum 0 1 Marsh Warbier Acrocephalus palustris 153

2010 2 315 36 49 1 0 17 27 27 1 72 83 105 3 8 4 1 0 14 50 73 4 6 961 74 5757 3904 473 1 80 448 68 19 5 399 1907 220 172 1540 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1220 881 1859 287 0 455 1306 8 29 1 0 0 0 3027 0 0

2011 4 445 30 56 0 0 23 18 38 2 59 70 84 0 3 4 0 2 29 39 72 4 0 558 60 5907 3948 532 0 132 215 92 17 2 579 2169 230 155 1228 0 0 1 5 3 0 1 1576 593 3368 213 0 449 1685 48 37 0 1 0 0 2181 0 1

2012 2 702 29 39 0 1 23 128 36 2 29 91 101 0 7 1 0 1 21 64 69 5 5 1114 42 5620 3354 519 0 105 186 122 24 0 132 1503 143 79 994 1 0 0 3 0 1 4 1367 913 2663 205 0 347 1052 53 20 0 0 0 0 2084 0 3

2013 4 140 13 7 3 0 23 91 39 6 38 63 43 0 8 5 0 0 17 56 59 1 5 270 45 6559 3126 591 0 64 257 83 16 0 236 1911 132 104 911 0 0 0 9 0 0 6 1381 704 2272 164 0 308 1074 18 9 1 0 2 0 1745 0 2

2014 8 924 18 57 0 0 43 55 69 7 39 69 99 0 4 0 0 0 30 41 62 0 8 643 35 6738 3374 521 0 88 410 122 26 0 312 1817 78 183 1091 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 1858 608 3219 253 1 379 1381 33 17 0 0 0 0 2164 1 0

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 Species 2009 2010 Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 4121 3617 Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus 21 15 Nuthatch Sitta europaea 25 35 Treecreeper Certhia familiaris 90 122 Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla 0 0 Wren Troglodytes troglodytes 722 948 654 Starling Sturnus vulgaris 598 Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus 1 2 3532 Blackbird Turdus merula 2639 Fieldfare Turdus pilaris 93 350 568 692 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 257 Redwing Turdus iliacus 213 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus 11 23 54 55 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Robin Erithacus rubecula 1542 1774 40 52 Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos Bluethroat Luscinia svecica 0 0 Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 0 0 0 0 Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva 23 23 Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca 9 13 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 17 Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 66 19 21 Whinchat Saxicola rubetra 101 Stonechat Saxicola torquatus 158 Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 10 13 Dunnock Prunella modularis 1713 1626 428 499 House Sparrow Passer domesticus 829 Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 396 8 63 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 28 33 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 120 211 Pied/White Wagtail Motacilla alba 2 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis 23 954 1081 Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 2 6 Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus 2 0 Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta 2619 2651 Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 129 451 Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 3146 2295 Greenfinch Carduelis chloris 0 0 Serin Serinus serinus 2975 2779 Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 2984 645 Siskin Carduelis spinus 614 910 Linnet Carduelis cannabina 11 30 Twite Carduelis flavirostris 1048 1742 Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret 12 Common Redpoll Carduelisflammea 78 Redpoll (Common/Lesser) Carduelis flammea/cabaret 7 4 0 0 Arctic Redpol Carduelis homemanni 113 87 Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus 0 1 Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula 251 212 Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes 0 0 97 Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis 59 White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis 0 0 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella 691 818 little Bunting Emberiza pusilla 0 1 Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus 1401 1678 0 1 Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra 59229 Grand Total !58173 180 Species Total Species 133 145

154

2011 3079 7 29 139 1 818 761 1 3235 24 611 234 18 62 1603 54 0 2 0 8 13 14 20 177 30 1585 304 642 91 14 150 19 879 2 2 2250 678 2337 0 2542 1881 665 14 2131 150

2012 2986 4 43 117 0 859 473 15 3998 153 733 260 22 69 1837 50 1 0 0 28 11 46 7 50 146 1476 378 540 52 30 93 9 989 3 3 2406 401 3023 1 3407 1141 1144 0 4286 22

2013 2963 19 36 98 0 720 411 12 2846 525 580 208 33 39 1473 53 0 0 1 21 9 26 19 60 66 1417 273 458 41 17 152 8 1522 4 0 2585 953 3010 0 2650 4277 773 0 2379 216

2014 3163 0 24 118 0 1008 451 7 2452 8 514 280 8 91 1698 48 0 0 1 24 8 18 11 88 47 1631 586 303 34 125 200 36 1386 0 2 1859 440 2787 0 2864 992 895 0 245 131

13 0 107 0 237 0 33 0 869 1 1480 2 59625

40 1 184 1 306 0 21 0 1424 0 1374 0 60390

16 0 12 0 205 2 75 0 797 0 1327 5 57770

3 0 118 0 218 0 5 1 620 0 1239 0 55597

143

138

130

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2014

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2014 Simon Evans The f o l l o w i n g pages detail a selection of t h e more interesting recoveries reported in 2014 and a few f r o m previous years t h a t have only recently been received. They include t h e more unusual reports, as space allows, involving birds travelling greater distances or being older than usual, and do not represent a complete account of t h e records available. The selection was made f r o m t h e online data presented by t h e BTO and information supplied directly by some of Suffolk's ringers. I should like t o continue t o encourage the county's ringers and observers to f o r w a r d their data directly for inclusion in t h e report. The online recoveries data provide only a limited and selective view of w h a t has actually been recorded. The selection is presented in species' order w i t h t h e initial capture and ringing data on t h e first line. Foreign ringing scheme code (if applicable), ring number, age and sex (if known), date and location are provided. The second and any subsequent lines report t h e means of recovery, date and location w i t h coordinates. Following this, distance, direction and duration between reports is summarised. I have added a few comments t o some of the records. As is n o w t h e growing case, t h e accounts for some species, notably t h e gulls and waders, have had to be somewhat additionally selective due to the vast number of recoveries, particularly those involving observations of colour-ringed and tagged birds. There are a couple of a m e n d m e n t s t o make to t h e reported 2013 recoveries. They involve Peregrine H86278 and Knot 7432225. The f i n d i n g locations for b o t h these foreign-ringed individuals was misreported and d o n ' t actually involve Suffolk. Many thanks to all the observers w h o take the time and effort to record these sightings and then report t h e m . Canada Goose

5153361

Full-grown

28-12-2007

Alive (ring read in field)

16-01-2014

First-year Male Caught by ringer

11-12-2005 10-11-2006

Needham Lake, Needham Market: 52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) Needham Lake: 52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 0m 19d

Gadwall

FP97890

Slimbridge: 51°43'N 2°24'W (Gloucestershire) Slimbridge: 51°43'N 2°24'W (Gloucestershire) 0km Oy 10m 30d Kirton, Felixstowe: 52°0'N 1°18'E (Suffolk) 256km E 8y l m 4d Blunham: 52°9'N 0°19'W (Bedfordshire) Barber's Point, River Aide: 52°9'N 1°33'E (Suffolk) 128km E l y 9m 24d

Freshly dead (hit by car) 15-01-2014 FP57238

First-year Male Freshly dead

06-03-2013 30-12-2014

Adult Female Freshly dead (shot)

17-12-2010 05-01-2014

First-year Female

31-10-2011

Freshly dead (shot)

09-10-2014

POL

First-year Male

02-03-2011

J10187

Alive (colour rings seen) 07-05-2011

Teal EW90573

EX17855

Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Iken, Woodbridge: 52°9'N 1°31'E (Suffolk) 4km 3y 0m 19d near Charity Farm, Shotley: 51°58'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°12'E (Suffolk) 4km 2y 11m 8d Reserva Natural Das Dunas de Sao Jacinto, Aveiro: 40°40'N 8°45'W (Aveiro) Portugal Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk)l,493km NNEOy 2m 5d Orfordness: c. 52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 1,493km NNEOy 2m 6d

Alive (colour rings seen) 08-05-2011

155

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 Pintail

Margrethe Kog , Hojer: 54°55'N 8°39'E (S0nderjyllands) Denmark Friston: 52°10'N 1°31'E (Suffolk) 562km WSW 3y 11m 28d The first Danish-ringed Pintail to be reported in Suffolk. Twenty-one Suffolk-ringed birds have been reported in Denmark in the past.

DKC

First-year Female

04-11-2010

4275245

Freshly dead (shot)

01-11-2014

NOS

Nestling

15-06-2011

BA30299

Freshly dead (on wire netting) 25-10-2011

Cormorant

Store Rova, Bokn: 59°13'N 5°31'E (Rogaland) Norway Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°15'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 812km SSW Oy 4m lOd Only the second report of a Norwegian-ringed Cormorant in the county.

Shag

1459358

Nestling Freshly dead

08-07-2013 30-01-2014

Inchkeith, Firth of Forth: c.56°l'N 3°7'W (Fife) Lowestoft: 52°28'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) 506km SE Oy 6m 22d

FRP

Nestling

07-05-2014

DB119602

Alive (colour rings seen)

06-07-2014

Buisson Gros Marais, Petite Camargue: 43°36'N 4°19'E (Gard) France Carlton Marshes: 52°28'N 1°40'E (Suffolk) 1,005km N Oy l m 29d A great re-sighting for this species.

NLA

Nestling

12-05-2014

8058806

Alive (colour rings seen) 17-09-2014

G l o s s y Ibis

Spoonbill

Onderdijk, Vooroever: 52°46'N 5°7'E (NoordHolland) The Netherlands Old Hall Marshes: 51°46'N 0°51'E (Essex) 311km WSW Oy 4m 5d Havergate Island: 52°4'N 1°31'E (Suffolk) 257km WSW Oy 5m 8d Havergate Island: 52°4'N 1°31'E (Suffolk) 257km WSW Oy 6m 25d Another quiet year for this species, this individuai being the only foreign-ringed bird reported in the county.

Alive (colour rings seen) 20-10-2014 Alive (colour rings seen) 07-12-2014

Marsh Harrier

GF65270

GC97578

Nestling Female Alive (wing-tag seen)

18-06-2014 27-09-2014

Alive (wing-tag seen)

03-12-2014

Alive (wing-tag seen)

20-12-2014

Alive (wing-tag seen)

26-12-2014

Nestling Female

18-07-2013

Alive (wing-tag seen)

14-12-2013

Alive (wing-tag seen)

19-02-2014

Alive (wing-tag seen)

20-04-2014

Lakenheath Fen; 52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) near Burscough: 53°37'N 2°52'W (Lancashire) 262km WNW Oy 3m 9d near Stoke St. Gregory: 51°1'N 2°55'W (Somerset) 284km WSW Oy 5m 15d near Catcott: 51°10'N 2°51'W (Somerset) 272km WSW Oy 6m 2d near Stockland Bristol: 51°10'N 3°4'W (Somerset) 284km WSW Oy 6m 8d Elmley Marshes, Isle of Sheppey: c.51°22'N 0°48'E (Kent) North Fambridge: 51°37'N 0°40'E (Essex) 30km NNW Oy 4m 26d Langenhoe: 51°48'N 0°57'E (Essex) 48km NNE Oy 7m l d Upton Warren: 52°16'N 2°6'W (Worcestershire) 223km WNW Oy 9m 2d 156

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2014

GF65267

Goshawk MA05884

Water Rail DE14645

Alive (wing-tag seen)

24-04-2014

Alive (wing-tag seen)

10-05-2014

Nestling Female

28-06-2013

Alive (wing-tag seen)

13-01-2014

Alive (wing-tag seen)

24-03-2014

Nestling Female Alive

30-05-2010 25-05-2014

Site Confidential (Suffolk) Elveden: 52°22'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) Okm 3y l i m 25d An interesting recovery of this female being released from a crow trap in Elveden Park.

Full-grown Male

27-04-2014

Caught by ringer

23-07-2014

Western Farm, St James, South Elmham: 52°22'N 1°24'E (Suffolk) Western Farm, St James, South Elmham: 52°22'N 1°24'E (Suffolk) 0km Oy 2m 26d

Oystercatcher FA62463 Adult Male

FR82650

Avocet EW43222

Wilstone Reservoir: 51°48'N 0°42'W (Hertfordshire) 114km WNW Oy 9m 6d Lakenheath Fen: 52°24'N 0°30'E (Suffolk) 115km N Oy 9m 22d Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve: 52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) El Hondo Natural Park: 38°10'N 0°45'W (Alicante) Spain l,589km S Oy 6m 16d Los Carrizales de Elche: 38°9'N 0°43'W (Alicante) Spain l,592km S Oy 8m 24d A few examples of how the tagging of these birds is revealing some of their movements.

21-07-1997

Alive (ring read in field)

03-05-2008

Alive (ring read in field)

12-04-2009

Alive (ring read in field)

20-05-2012

Alive (ring read in field)

15-03-2014

Holbeach St Matthew: c. 52°52'N 0°6'E (Lincolnshire) Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 133km SE lOy 9m 12d Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 133km SE l l y 8m 22d Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 133km SE 14y 9m 29d Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 133km SE 16y 7m 22d Fagbury, Felixstowe: 51°57'N 1°18'E (Suffolk)

Adult 23-02-1986 Long dead (wild mammal) 12-06-2011

Eeltjemeer: 53°16'N 5°55'E (Friesland) The Netherlands 346km ENE 25y 3m 20d A late report of the latter individual, the eleventh to the Netherlands.

Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 0km Oy 10m lOd Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 0km l y 9m 26d Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour: 50°40'N 1°58'W (Dorset) 291km WSW 2y 7m lOd Dunkirk, Little Downham, near Ely: 52°27'N 0°13'E (Cambridgeshire) Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 100km ESE l y l m 13d Havergate Island: 52°4'N 1°31'E (Suffolk) 98km ESE l y l m 20d Orfordness: c.52"4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Doel: 51°19'N 4°16'E (Oost-Vlaanderen) Belgium 205km ESE Oy 2m 26d

04-06-2011 Nestling Alive (colour rings seen) 14-04-2012 Alive (colour rings seen) 30-03-2013 Alive (colour rings seen) 14-01-2014

EL93873

Nestling

20-06-2013

Alive (colour rings seen) 02-08-2014 Alive (colour rings seen) 09-08-2014 EW43218

29-05-2011 Nestling Alive (colour rings seen) 24-08-2011

157

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 Alive (colour rings seen) 08-11-2012

Prunjepolder: 51°42'N 3°49'E (Zeeland) The Netherlands 162km ESE l y 5m lOd Westenschouwen Inlaag, Westenschouwen: 51°40'N 3°43'E (Zeeland) The Netherlands 156km ESE l y 10m 26d Prunjepolder: 51°42'N 3°49'E (Zeeland) The Netherlands 162km ESE 2y 7m 14d EW43218 was the only foreign exchange involving Suffolk for the species in 2014.

Alive (colour rings seen) 24-04-2013

Alive (colour rings seen) 12-01-2014

Ringed Plover

NV41534

Adult Male

25-05-1997

Caught by ringer

25-06-2003

Caught by ringer

07-05-2008

Caught by ringer

26-04-2011

Caught by

06-05-2014

ringer

Caught by ringer

04-07-2014

Adult

15-11-2009

Caught by ringer

22-05-2014

Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 0km 6y I m Od Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 0km lOy 11m 12d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 0km 13y 11m I d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 0km 16y 11m l i d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 0km 17y l m 9d A great age for this bird, but two and a half years off the longevity record for the species.

Knot

SR48224

Levington Creek, River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Dynjandisvogur, Dynjandi, Arnarfjordur: 65°43'N 23°12'W (Vestur-isafjaroarsysla) Iceland 2,059km NW 4y 6m 7d

Red Knot Ed Keeble 158

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2014 SR48212

Dunlin NT55688

Adult

26-01-2009

Caught by rlnger

25-05-2014

First-year

08-09-2010

Levington Creek, River Orwell: 52°0'N 115'E (Suffolk) Dynjandisvogur, Dynjandi, Arnarfjordur: 65°43'N 23°12'W (Vestur-isafjaroarsysla) Iceland 2,059km NW 5y 3m 29d First records of Suffolk-ringed birds ever r reported in Iceland. Twenty-two reports of Norweigan-ringed birds were received.

Levington Creek, River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Sand: 60°12'N 1°24'W (Shetland) 926km N 3y 8m 20d Sand: 6012'N 1°24'W (Shetland) 926km N 3y 8m 22d River Deben, near Ramsholt Lodge: 52°1'N 1°19'E (Suffolk)

Alive (colour rings seen) 28-05-2014 Alive (colour rings seen) 30-05-2014 NT82949

First-year

18-08-2009

Freshly dead (bird of prey) Belfast Harbour RSPB: 54°37'N 5°52'W (Belfast) 560km WNW 4y 8m 24d River Deben, near Ramsholt Lodge: 52°1'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) Nupskatla, Melrakkasletta, Nordur-Thingeyjar: 66°30'N 16°31'W (Norour-Pingeyjarsysla) Iceland 1,891km NNW 8y 10m 21d Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Vasa Sacos, Santarem: 38°49'N 8°57'W (Santarém) Portugal 1,689km SSW 5y 8m l l d The first Suffolk-ringed Dunlin reported in Iceland and the fourth to Portugal.

12-05-2014 NT82627 First-year

05-08-2005

Alive (ring read in field)

26-06-2014

First-year Caught by ringer

25-08-2007 06-05-2013

Adult

28-12-2013

Caught by ringer

01-12-2014

EX84638

Adult Freshly dead (shot)

07-02-2013 31-01-2014

RUM

First-year

24-09-2013

PS004657

Freshly dead (shot)

22-01-2014

BT09616

Snipe SV97444

Alton Water Reservoir, near Tattingstone: c.51"58'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) Alton Water Reservoir, near Tattingstone: c.51°58'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) 0km Oy l i m 3d

Woodcock

Hardings Farm, Norton: 52°15'N 0°54'E (Suffolk) Sotterley, Beccles: 52°24'N 1°36'E (Suffolk) 51km ENE Oy l i m 24d Kamenka, Primorskiy Districi: 60°1'N 3010'E (Sankt-Petersburg) Russian Federation Beccles: 52°27'N 1°33'E (Suffolk) 1,952km WSW Oy 3m 29d

Black-tailed Godwit EW71268

Adult

Levington Creek, River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Paxton Pits: 52°15'N 0 1 5 ' W (Cambridgeshire) 107km WNW 2y 2m 12d Hazlewood, near Ham Creek: 52°9'N 1°33'E (Suffolk) Nordurkot, Midnes: 6 4 1 ' N 22°43'W (Gullbringusysla) Iceland 1,930km NW 2y l i m 21d Nordurkot, Midnes: 6 4 1 ' N 22°43'W (Gullbringusysla) Iceland 1,930km NW 3y 10m 30d Levington Creek, River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Bakkagerdi, Borgarfjordur: 65°31'N 13°48'W

27-11-2011

Alive (colour rings seen) 08-02-2014 EW90556

Adult

23-07-2010

Alive (colour rings seen) 14-07-2013 Alive (colour rings seen) 22-06-2014 EW71306

Adult

27-11-2011

Alive (colour rings seen) 18-07-2013 159

Suffolk Bird Report 2014 (Norour-Mülasysla) Iceland 1,730km NNW l y 7m 21d Bakkergerdi, Borgarfjordur Eystri: 65°33'N 13°46'W (Norour-Mülasysla) Iceland 1,731km NNW 2y6m 3d Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Akureyri, Eyjafjardar: 65°40'N 18°3'W (Suour-Pingeyjarsysla) Iceland 1,867km NW Oy 6m 25d near Charity Farm, Shotley: 51°58'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Hvallatur, Breidafjordur, Austur Bardastrandar: 65°25'N 22°46'W (Austur-Baroastrandasysla) Iceland 2,023km NW 15y 2m 30 Included above are four of the five reports received of Suffolk-ringed birds in Iceland.

Alive (colour rings seen) 30-05-2014

EX92880

Adult 04-10-2013 Alive (colour rings seen) 29-04-2014

ET36805

Full-grown

13-03-1999

Freshly dead

12-06-2014

Curlew FP29724

FH68991

FP01491

Nestling 12-06-2000 Freshly dead (natural causes) 09-06-2014

Mildenhall: c.52°21'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) 28km SW 13y l i m 28d near Honington Airfield: 52°19'N 0°45'E (Suffolk)

Nestling 10-05-2014 Freshly dead (wild mammal) 12-10-2014 Adult Alive (colour rings seen)

Green Sandpiper CE98308 First-year Female Caught by ringer

Greenshank DK95135 Adult

Redshank DB60077

Bodney Camp, Watton: c.52°33'N 0°45'E (Norfolk)

Lough Beg, Ringaskiddy: 51°49'N 8°19'W (Cork) 623km W Oy 5m 2d Wibdon Wharf: 51°40'N 2°37'W (Gloucestershire) Euston: 52°22'N 0"46'E (Suffolk) 246km ENE 2y 8m 22d

27-09-2011 18-06-2014

28-08-2013

Western Farm, St James South Elmham: 52°22'N 1°24'E (Suffolk) Western Farm, St James South Elmham: 52°22'N 1°24'E (Suffolk) 0km Oy 10m 25d

23-07-2014

03-09-1998

Freshly dead (shot)

01-09-2013

First-year

12-09-2000

Caught by ringer

20-09-2009

Falkenham Creek, Falkenham: 52°1'N 1°21'E (Suffolk) Site Confidential (Pas-de-Calais) France 175km SSE 14y 11m 29d The sixth report of a Suffolk-ringed bird to France. Historically, others have been reported in Ghana, Mauritania and Nigeria

Alive (colour rings seen) 03-01-2011 Alive (colour rings seen) 25-08-2011 Alive (colour rings seen) 28-02-2012 Alive (colour rings seen) 19-10-2012 Alive (colour rings seen) 14-11-2013 Alive (colour rings seen) 0 1 - 1 2 - 2

Levington Creek, River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Levington Creek, River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) 0km 9y 0m 8d Freston, near Ipswich: 52°1'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) 6km WNW lOy 3m 22d Nacton Shore: 52°0'N 1°13'E (Suffolk) 2km lOy 11m 13d Freston, near Ipswich: 52°1'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) 6km WNW l l y 5m 16d Freston, near Ipswich: 52°1'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) 6km WNW 12y l m 7d Levington Creek: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) 0km 13y 2m 2d 0 1 4 Freston, near Ipswich: 52°1'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) 6km WNW 14y l m 16d

160

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2014 DB60135

Adult

Levington Creek, River Orwell: 52"0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Nacton Shore: 52°0'N 1'13'E (Suffolk) 2km lOy 3m 8d Nacton Shore: 52°0'N 1°13'E (Suffolk) 2km l l y l m 19d Levington Creek: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) 0km 12y 3m 9d Nacton Shore: 52°0'N 1°13'E (Suffolk) 2km 13y 3m 19d Levington Creek, River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Levington Creek: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) 0km Oy l m 27d Levington Creek, River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) 0km Oy 9m 25d Loch of Kinnordy, Angus: 56°40'N 3°3'W (Angus) 589km NNW l y 7m I d Loch of Kinnordy: 56°40'N 3°3'W (Angus) 589km NNW 2y 7m I d Kinnordy: 56°40'N 3°4'W (Angus) 589km NNW 3y 6m 25d Kinnordy: 56°40'N 3°4'W (Angus) 589km NNW 4y 6m 16d Freston, near Ipswich: 52°1'N 110'E (Suffolk) 6km WNW 5y 3m 16d Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Stadur, Reykholasveit, Austur-Bardastrandar: 65°28'N 22°22'W (Austur-Baroastrandasysla) Iceland 2,009km NW 5y 8m 7d Levington Creek, River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Nacton Shore: 52°0'N 1°13'E (Suffolk) 2km l y 10m 16d Trimley Marshes, near Felixstowe: 51°58'N 1°16'E (Suffolk) 4km 2y 2m 3d Nacton Shore: 52°0'N 1°13'E (Suffolk) 2km 3y l m 15d Skriduklaustur, Fljotsdalur: 65°1'N 14°57'W (Norour-Mulasysla) Iceland 1,720km NNW 4y 8m 16d Langhus, Fljot, Skagafjardar: 66°4'N 19°7'W (Skagafjaroarsysla) Iceland Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 1,934km SE l y 3m 22d Included above are the only foreign-exchange reports received for this species, all three involving Iceland.

20-08-2001

Alive (colour rings seen) 28-11-2011 Alive (colour rings seen) 09-10-2012 Alive (colour rings seen) 29-11-2013 Alive (colour rings seen) 09-12-2014 DD11421

First-year

06-09-2009

Alive (colour rings seen) 02-11-2009 Alive (colour rings seen) 01-07-2010 Alive (colour rings seen) 07-04-2011 Alive (colour rings seen) 07-04-2012 Alive (colour rings seen) 31-03-2013 Alive (colour rings seen) 22-03-2014 Alive (colour rings seen) 22-12-2014 DD35898

First-year Alive (ring read in field)

24-10-2008 01-07-2014

DD11463

First-year

01-10-2009

Alive (colour rings seen) 17-08-2011 Alive (colour rings seen) 04-12-2011 Alive (colour rings seen) 16-11-2012 Alive (colour rings seen) 17-06-2014

Nestling

25-06-2013

778114

Caught by ringer

17-10-2014

Nestling Alive (ring read in field)

20-07-1991 12-11-2012

Caught by ringer

25-06-2013

Alive (ring read in field)

23-01-2014

Nestling

01-07-1995 11-07-2005

Kittiwake EP67391

ES28892

Puffin Island: c.53°19'N 4°1'W (Isle of Anglesey) Lowestoft: 52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 399km ESE 21y 3m 23d Lowestoft: 52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 399km ESE 21y 11m 5d North Beach, Lowestoft: c.52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 399km ESE 22y 6m 3d Inchkeith, Firth of Forth: c.56°l'N 3°7'W (Fife) Lowestoft: 52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 506km SE lOyOm lOd Lowestoft: 52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 506km SE 15y 0m Od

Caught by ringer 01-07-2010 Caught by ringer 161

Suffolk Bird Report 2014 Alive (colour rings seen) 10-04-2012

Lowestoft: 52°28'N 1"45'E (Suffolk) 506km SE 16y 9m 9d Lowestoft: 52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 506km SE 17y 9m 12d Lowestoft: c.52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 506km SE 18y 9m 9d Lowestoft: c.52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 506km SE 19y 0m 25d Lowestoft: 52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) Lowestoft: c.52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 0km Oy l m lOd Kinghorn: 56°4'N 3°10'W (Fife) 513km NW Oy 6m 30d Lowestoft: c.52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) Lowestoft: c.52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 0km Oy 0m 6d Skallerup Klit, Hjorring: 57°30'N 9°52'E (Nordjyllands) Denmark 762km NE Oy l m 23d The longevity record for the species is 28 years, 6 months and 5 days. Let's hope that both EP67391 and ES28892 can survive to challenge it.

Alive (colour rings seen) 13-04-2013

EX56833

Alive (ring read in field)

10-04-2014

Alive (ring read in field)

26-07-2014

Nestling

25-06-2013 04-08-2013

Alive (colour rings seen) 24-01-2014 Freshly dead EY29658 Nestling Alive (ring read in field) Long dead

07-07-2014 13-07-2014 30-08-2014

Black-headed Gull

ES38811

First-year Alive (ring read in field)

31-12-1996 05-12-2014

NLA

Nestling

25-06-2002

3419248

Alive (ring read in field)

22-02-2014

SVS

First-year

29-09-1999

6180357

Alive (ring read in field)

19-01-2011

Alive (ring read in field)

15-07-2011

Alive (ring read in field)

18-11-2012

Alive (ring read in field)

03-11-2013

Alive (ring read in field)

14-12-2014

SVS

Adult

16-03-2004

6410292

Alive (ring read in field)

25-12-2014

EH20145

Nestling Long dead

21-06-2005 05-11-2014

EX27509

First-year Alive (ring read in field)

23-12-2010 07-03-2014

near Castle Hill, Ipswich: 52°4'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) near Jaywick, Clacton-on-Sea: 51°46'N 1°7'E (Essex) 34km S 17y 11m 4d Dronten: 52°34'N 5°43'E (Ijsselmeerpolders) The Netherlands Slaughden, near Aldeburgh: 52°7'N 1°36'E (Suffolk) 285km W l l y 7m 28d Pildammsparken, Malmo: 55°34'N 13°0'E (Skane) Sweden Lowestoft: 52°30'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 810km WSW l l y 3m 2 I d Lowestoft: 52°30'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 810km WSW l l y 9m 16d Lowestoft: 52°30'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 810km WSW 13y l m 20d Lowestoft: 52°30'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 810km WSW 14y l m 5d Lowestoft: 52°30'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 810km WSW 15y 2m 15d Pildammsparken, Malmo: 55°34'N 13°0'E (Skane) Sweden Lowestoft: 52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 811km WSW lOy 9m 9d Blythburgh: 52°19'N 1°36'E (Suffolk) Brean: 51°16'N 3°1'W (Somerset) 338km WSW 9y 4m 15d near Castle Hill, Ipswich: 52°4'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) Witoszowka Reservoir, Swidnica: 50°49'N 16°28'E (Dolnoslaskie) Poland 1,071km E 3y 2m 12d Two Suffolk-ringed birds were reported abroad and 31 reports of foreign-ringed birds in the county were received.

M e d i t e r r a n e a n Gull

PLG

Adult Female

FN16121

Alive (colour rings seen) 05-07-2014

15-05-2012

J. Ryn, Wejdyki, Ryn, Warminsko-Mazurskie: 53°55'N 21°30'E (Warminsko-Mazurskie) Poland Walberswick: c.52°19'N 1°39'E (Suffolk) 162

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2014

PLG

Nestling

FN16146

Alive (colour rings seen) 12-07-2014

1,336km W 2y I m 20d J. Ryn, Wejdyki, Ryn, Warminsko-Mazurskie: 53°55'N 21°30'E (Warminsko-Mazurskie) Poland Orfordness: 52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 1,348km W Oy I m l d Additionally, two reports of Belgian-ringed birds were received for the county.

11-06-2014

C o m m o n Gull

ET11364

Second-year Male Freshly dead

09-01-1997 23-01-2014

Chelmondiston: 51°58'N 1°12'E (Suffolk) near Aarhus: c. 56°9'N 10°12'E (Ârhus) Denmark 747km NE 17y 0m 14d The first Suffolk-ringed bird reported in Denmark.

07-1986 24 11-2007

Foxhall, near Ipswich: 52°3'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) near Wingmore Farm, Stoke Orchard: 51°55'N 2°6'W (Gloucestershire) 230km W 21y 4m 5d Orfordness: 52"4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 22km E 21y 8m 18d near Hempsted, Gloucester: 51°51'N 2°16'W (Gloucestershire) 243km W 22y 0m lOd Orfordness: 52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 22km E 22y 8m 3d Orfordness: 52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 22km E 23y 8m 2d near Hempsted, Gloucester: 51°51'N 2°16'W (Gloucestershire) 243km W 24y 0m 28d Orfordness: 52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 22km E 24y 8m 14d Shortwood Landfill Site, Pucklechurch: 51°28'N 2°28'W (South Gloucestershire) 264km WSW 24y 10m 18d Orfordness: 52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 22km E 25y 8m 13d Orfordness: 52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 22km E 26y 9m 15d Havergate Island: 52°4'N 1°31'E (Suffolk) 19km E 27y 10m 30d Orfordness: 52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Quarteira: 37°4'N 8°6'W (Faro) Portugal 1,832km SSW 23y 3m 6d Quarteira: 37°4'N 8°6'W (Faro) Portugal 1,832km SSW 24y 4m 16d Quarteira: 37°4'N 8°6'W (Faro) Portugal 1,832km SSW 26y 2m 29d Foxhall, near Ipswich: 52°3'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 22km E 23y 0m 14d Orfordness: c.52°4'N l 0 34'E (Suffolk) 22km E 23y 9m 19d Albion Landfill Site, Albert Village: 52°45'N 1°31'W (Leicestershire) 205km WNW 24y 4m 6d Playa de Meiras, Valdovino: 43°36'N 8°12'W (Coruna) Spaln 1,173km SW 24y 6m 21d Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 22km E 24y 10m 9d Albion Landfill Site, Albert Village: 52°45'N 1°31'W (Leicestershire) 205km WNW 25y 3m l d Cotesbach Landfill, Cotesbach: 52°25'N 1°13'W (Leicestershire) 173km WNW 25y 8m 17d Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 22km E

Lesser B l a c k - b a c k e d G u l l

GH36705

Adult Caught by ringer

Alive (colour marks seen) 06 04-2008 Alive (colour rings seen) 29 07-2008 Alive (colour marks seen) 22 03-2009 Alive (colour marks seen) 21 03-2010 Alive (colour marks seen) 16 08-2010 Alive (colour marks seen) 02 04-2011 Alive (colour marks seen)06 06-2011

Alive (colour rings seen) 01-04-2012 Alive (colour rings seen) 04-05-2013 Alive (colour marks seen) 18-06-2014 GG56134

GG44254

Nestling Alive (ring read in field)

03-07-1988 09-10-2011

Alive (ring read in field)

19-11-2012

Alive (ring read in field)

02-10-2014

Adult Caught by ringer

21-05-1988 04-06-2011

Alive (colour rings seen) 11-03-2012 Alive (colour rings seen) 27-09-2012 Alive (colour rings seen) 12-12-2012 Alive (colour rings seen) 30-03-2013 Alive (colour rings seen) 22-08-2013 Alive (colour rings seen) 07-02-2014 Alive (colour rings seen) 18-07-2013 163

Suffolk Bird Report 2014

FP86205

Second-year

25y 10m 22d near Wingmore Farm, Stoke Orchard: 51°55'N 2°6'W (Gloucestershire) Earsham: 52°25'N 1°24'E (Norfolk) 245km ENE Oy 7m 28d Earsham: 52°25'N 1°24'E (Norfolk) 245km ENE l y 5m 3d Earsham: 52"25'N 1°24'E (Norfolk) 245km ENE 2y 8m 12d Pinto: 40°15'N 3°37'W (Madrid) Spain 1,304km S 4y 0m 13d Earsham: 52°25'N 1°24'E (Norfolk) 245km ENE 4y 4m 3d Pinto: 40°15'N 3°37'W (Madrid) Spain 1,304km S 5y 3m 5d Alcaza de San Juan Tip: 39°22'N 3°12'W (Ciudad Real) Spain 1,397km S 6y 0m 9d Pinto: 40°15'N 3°37'W (Madrid) Spain 1,304km S 7y 0m l d Cottenham: 52°16'N 0°7'E (Cambridgeshire) 157km ENE 7y 4m 4d Battery Green, Lowestoft: 52°28'N 1°45'E (Suffolk) 269km ENE 8y 9m 27d Havergate Island: 52°4'N 1°31'E (Suffolk) AtSea, c.25km Nw of A Coruna: 43°30'N 8°40'W (Bay of Biscay) Bay of Biscay 1,218km SW Oy 2m 25d Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Burhou: 49°43'N 2°15'W (Alderney) Channel Islands 374km SW 14y 0m 13d Orfordness: c. 52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 9m lOd Stanton Harcourt: 51°43'N 1°25'W (Oxfordshire) 209km W 5y 5m l l d Boulogne-Sur-Mer: 50°42'N 1°36'E (Pas-deCalais) France 154km S 4y 2m l l d Havergate Island: 52°4'N 1°31'E (Suffolk) At Sea, 18km off Isla Salvora, A Coruna: 42°28'N 9°13'W (North Atlantic Ocean) North Atlantic Ocean (other parts) 1,337km SW Oy 3m 12d Vil de Matos: 40°16'N 8°28'W (Coimbra) Portugal 1,516km SSW Oy 4m 8d Havergate Island: 52°4'N 1°31'E (Suffolk) Tanji: 13°21'N 16°48'W (Gambia) The Gambia 4,608km SSW Oy 5m 7d Tanji: 13°21'N 16°48'W (Gambia) The Gambia 4,608km SSW Oy l i m 4d Tanji: 13°21'N 16°48'W (Gambia) The Gambia 4,608km SSW l y 3m 6d Tanji: 13°21'N 16°48'W (Gambia) The Gambia 4,608km SSW 2y 4m 2d Tanji: 13°21'N 16°48'W (Gambia) The Gambia 4,608km SSW 3y 3m 15d Tanji: 13°21'N 16°48'W (Gambia) The Gambia 4,608km SSW 3y 4m 28d

31-10-2005

Alive (colour marks seen) 28-06-2006 Alive (colour marks seen) 03-04-2007 Alive (colour marks seen) 13-07-2008 Alive (colour marks seen) 13-11-2009 Alive (colour marks seen) 06-03-2010 Alive (colour marks seen) 05-02-2011 Alive (colour marks seen) 09-11-2011 Alive (colour rings seen) 01-11-2012 Alive (colour rings seen) 07-03-2013 Alive (colour marks seen) 27-08-2014 GR27321

Nestling 02-07-2014 Alive (colour rings seen) 27-09-2014

GA36249

Nestling 08-07-2000 Alive (colour rings seen) 21-07-2014 Alive (colour rings seen) 18-04-2003 Alive (colour marks seen) 19-12-2005 Alive (colour marks seen) 19-09-2004

GR27158

Nestling 29-06-2014 Alive (colour rings seen) 11-10-2014

Alive (colour rings seen) 06-11-2014 GR36676

Nestling 03-07-2011 Alive (colour rings seen) 10-12-2011 Alive (colour rings seen) 07-06-2012 Alive (colour rings seen) 09-10-2012 Alive (colour rings seen) 05-11-2013 Alive (colour rings seen) 18-10-2014 Alive (colour rings seen) 01-12-2014

164

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2014 ESM

Adult

25-11-2012

6197198

Alive (colour rings seen) 11-05-2013 Alive (ring read in field)

10-05-2014

SVS

Nestling

07-07-2012

8120089

Alive (colour rings seen) 08-09-2014

Puerto de la Caleta de Valez: 36°43'N 4°4'W (Malaga) Spain Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 1,763km NNEOy 5m 16d Minsmere RSPB: 52°13'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 1,779km NNE l y 5m 15d Nidingen, Kungsbacka: 57°18'N 11-54'E (Hailand) Sweden Honington: 52°19'N 0°45'E (Suffolk) 902km SW 2y 2m l d Mllton Landfill Site: 52°15'N 0°7'E (Cambridgeshire) 939km SW 2y 3m 3d A selection from the 47 reports of foreignringed and 268 of Suffolk-ringed birds received.

Alive (colour rings seen) 10-10-2014

Herring Gull

GA36537

Nestling 15-07-2000 Alive (colour marks seen) 05-04-2003

Orfordness: c. 52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Wetherden, near Stowmarket: 52°13'N 0°55'E (Suffolk) 47km WNW 2y 8m 21d Wetherden, near Stowmarket: 52°13'N 0°55'E (Suffolk) 47km WNW 5y 4m 13d Blaringhem: 50°40'N 2°22'E (Nord) France 168km SSE 6y 6m lOd Brouwersdam, Scharendijke: 51°43'N 3°49'E (Zeeland) The Netherlands 160km ESE 14y 5m 5d Port of Felixstowe, Felixstowe: 51°57'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) Boulogne-Sur-Mer: 50°42'N 1°36'E (Pas-deCalais) France 141km S Oy 4m 27d Walton-on-the-Naze: 51°51'N 1°16'E (Essex) 12km SSW Oy 6m 23d Holland Haven: 51°48'N 1°13'E (Essex) 19km SSW l l y 7m 26d Daneshill Landfill Site: 53°22'N 1°0'W (Nottinghamshire) Holland Haven: 51°48'N 1°12'E (Essex) 229km SE Oy 10m 19d Felixstowe: 51°57'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 222km SE 2y I m 19d Havergate Island: 52"4'N 1°31'E (Suffolk) Chouet: 49°30'N 2°31'W (Guernsey) Channel Islands 403km SW l y 2m 3d Port de Montoir-De-Bretagne: 47°18'N 2°7'W (Loire-Atlantique) France 591km SSW l y 4m 6d near Klein Partwitz, Bautzen: 51°31'N 14°9'E (Dresden) Germany Minsmere RSPB Reserve: c. 52°13'N 1°36'E (Suffolk) 865km W 3y 5m 17d Moerdijk: 51°40'N 4°34'E (Noord-Brabant) The Netherlands Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 227km W 7y 4m 21d Included above is the first German-ringed bird reported in the county and a selection from the 36 reports involving Suffolk-ringed birds abroad.

Alive (colour marks seen) 28-11-2005 Alive (colour marks seen) 25-01-2007

GN56505

Alive (ring read in field)

20-12-2014

Nestling

10-07-2002

Alive (colour marks seen) 07-12-2002 Alive (colour marks seen) 02-02-2003 Alive (colour rings seen) 08-03-2014 GR08116

Adult

27-02-2012

Alive (colour rings seen) 15-01-2013 Alive (colour rings seen) 15-04-2014 GG78808

27-06-2013 Nestling Alive (colour rings seen) 30-08-2014 Alive (colour rings seen) 02-11-2014

DEH

Nestling

11-06-2011

EA180565

Alive (colour rings seen) 28-11-2014

NLA

Nestling

28-06-2007

6143026

Long dead

18-11-2014

Yellow-legged Gull

DKC

First-year Male

Enghaveparken, Copenhagen: 55°40'N 12°33'E (K0benhavn) Denmark

21-08-2012

165

Suffolk Bird Report 2014 4264506

Alive (colour rings seen) 07-09-2014

Honington: 52°19'N 0°45'E (Suffolk) 855km WSW 2y Om 17d The first report of a foreign-ringed bird in the county. Keep at it you Larophiles!

Caspian Gull

DEH

Nestling

EA68143

Alive (colour rings seen) 03-08-2014

PLG

Nestling

DN29227

Alive (colour rings seen) 23-01-2014

PLG

Nestling

DN22376

Alive (colour rings seen) 04-04-2014

PLG

Nestling

DN28906

Alive (colour rings seen) 28-12-2014

Reddern, Oberspreewald-Lausitz: 51°42'N 14°6'E (Brandenburg) Germany Walberswick: 52°19'N 1°40'E (Suffolk) 854km W Oy 2m Od Zb Kozielno, Paczkow: 50°28'N 16°58'E (Opolskie) Poland Rymer Barn, Seven Hills, Little Livermere: 52°19'N 0°43'E (Suffolk) 1,144km WNW Oy 7m 30d Zb Kozielno, Paczkow: 50°28'N 16°58'E (Opolskie) Poland Walberswick: 52°18'N 1°40'E (Suffolk) 1,081km WNW Oy 10m l l d Zb Kozielno, Paczkow: 50°28'N 16°58'E (Opolskie) Poland Leiston: 52°12'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 1,087km WNW 2y 7m 3d The first German-ringed bird reported in the county and the three Polish-ringed birds reported in 2014.

03-06-2014

24-05-2013

25-05-2012

Great Black-backed Gull

RUM

Nestling

ES16123

Alive (colour rings seen) 21-11-2014

15-06-2014

Kandalakshskiy Nature Reserve, Severnoe Lesnichestvo: 67°4'N 32°28'E (Murmansk Oblast) Russian Federation Minsmere: 52°13'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 2,368km SW Oy 5m 6d Brighton Marina, Brighton: 50°48'N 0°7'W (Brighton and Hove) 2,571km SW Oy 6m 15d Only the third report of a Russian-ringed bird in the county. Twenty-two reports of Norwegian-ringed birds was also received.

Alive (colour rings seen) 30-12-2014

Sandwich Tern

NLA

Nestling

1585554

Alive (colour rings seen) 16-07-2014

Slijkplaat, Haringvliet: 51°46'N 4°7'E (ZuidHolland) The Netherlands Minsmere RSPB: 52°13'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 180km WNW Oy 0m 22d The fourth report of a Dutch-ringed bird in Suffolk. Others have come from Germany (1) and Belgium (1) in the past.

24-06-2014

C o m m o n Tern

SV18211

SR89479

Nestling

16-07-2002

Alive (ring read in field)

18-06-2014

Nestling

23-07-2010

Alton Water Reservoir, nearTattingstone: c.51°58'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) near Newton: 52°1'N 0"48'E (Suffolk) 22km W l l y l l m 2d Alton Water Reservoir, near Tattingstone: c.51°58'N 1°7'E (Suffolk)

Freshly dead (on wire/netting) 11-06-2014

Alton Water Reservoir, nearTattingstone: c.51°58'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) 0km 3y 10m 19d

Woodpigeon

FC20342

Full-grown

19-04-2004

Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 166

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2014 Caught by ringer

04-05-2014

Adult

01-08-2007

Caught by ringer

12-04-2011

Caught by ringer

26-04-2014

First-year

24-08-2008

Caught by ringer

27-06-2014

GN76811

Nestling Female Caught by ringer

04-06-2007 02-06-2014

GC78418

Nestling Female

13-07-2008

Caught in nestbox

29-06-2014

GC51091

First-year Female Caught in nestbox Caught in nestbox

09-01-2009 01-06-2012 11-06-2014

GR68788

Nestling

12-06-2014

Dead (bird of prey)

18-09-2014

Nestling Female Caught by ringer

07-08-2013 09-05-2014

GR62781

Nestling Dead (hit by car)

11-05-2012 18-04-2014

GR39078

Nestling 29-04-2014 Freshly dead (hit by train) 16-08-2014

GR80104

07-05-2014 Nestling Freshly dead (drowned) 21-06-2014

FC20931

FC20962

Landguard Point, Felixstowe: (Suffolk) Okm lOy Om 15d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: (Suffolk) Landguard Point, Felixstowe: (Suffolk) Okm 3y 8m l i d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: (Suffolk) Okm 6y 8m 25d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: (Suffolk) Landguard Point, Felixstowe: (Suffolk) Okm 5y 10m 3d

51°55'N 1°19'E 51°55'N 1°19'E 51°55'N 1°19'E 51°55'N 1°19'E 51°55'N 1°19'E 51°55'N 1°19'E

Barn O w l

GR61053

Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Winston: 52°12'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) 28km WNW 6y 11m 29d Higham Hall, near Higham: 51°58'N 0°57'E (Suffolk) near Ragmarsh Farm, Wrabness: 51°55'N 1°7'E (Essex) 14km ESE 5y 11m 16d Mutford: 52°25'N 1°39'E (Suffolk) Mutford: 52°25'N 1"39'E (Suffolk) Okm 3y 4m 23d Mutford: c. 52°25'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 2km 5y 5m 2d near Whatfield Hall, Whatfield: 52°4'N 0°57'E (Suffolk) Pitwell Farm: 52°10'N 1°16'W (Northamptonshire) 152km W Oy 3m 6d Great Ashfield: 52°15'N 0°55'E (Suffolk) Muston: c.52°55'N 0°46'W (Leicestershire) 136km NW Oy 9m 2d

Tawny O w l

Aldeburgh Golf Club: 52°10'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) near Aldeburgh: c.52°10'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 2km l y 11m 7d Thornham Parva: 52"18'N 1°4'E (Suffolk) Mellis, near Eye: 52°19'N 1°4'E (Suffolk) 2km Oy 3m 18d Mickfield: 52°13'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) Shrubbery Farm, Mickfield: 52"12'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) 2km Oy l m 14d

Nightjar

CL43616

Adult Male Caught by ringer

29-07-2007 23-06-2009

Caught by ringer

11-07-2014

Thetford Forest: 52°25'N 0°36'E (Suffolk) Brandon Park: 52°25'N 0°36'E (Suffolk) Okm l y 10m 25d near Brandon Park: 52°25'N 0°37'E (Suffolk) 2km 6y 11m 12d

Great Spotted W o o d p e c k e r

CW06324

First-year Male Caught by ringer

07-04-2005 27-05-2006

Caught by ringer

07-04-2010

Caught by ringer

26-03-2014

Old Newton: 52°13'N 1°1'E (Suffolk) Old Newton: 52°13'N 1°1'E (Suffolk) Okm l y l m 20d Old Newton: 52°13'N 1°1'E (Suffolk) Okm 5y 0m Od Old Newton: 52°13'N 1°1'E (Suffolk) Okm 8y 11m 19d A good age for this species. The longevity record is 11 years, 1 month and 15 days. 167

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 Kestrel

ET44736

Nestling 29-06-2007 Freshly dead (hit by piane) 09-06-2014

ET44837

Nestling Long dead (hit wires)

14-06-2014 24-09-2014

Adult Caught by ringer

15-06-2006 01-11-2014

Adult Female

11-08-2007

Mildenhall Fen: 52°22'N 0°25'E (Suffolk) RAF Mildenhall: 52°21'N 0°27'E (Suffolk) 3km 6y l i m l l d Chelsworth Village: c. 52°4'N 0°52'E (Suffolk) Ipswich: 52°1'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) 22km ESE Oy 3m lOd

Jay

DA65213

DN85893

Caught by

ringer

Brandon: 52°25'N 0°37'E (Suffolk) Brandon: 52°27'N 0°37'E (Norfolk) 3km 8y 4m 17d Fiatford Mill, East Bergholt: 51°57'N I T E (Suffolk) Fiatford Mill, East Bergholt: 51°57'N I T E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 8m 16d

27-04-2014

Jackdaw

EY50210

Nestling Freshly dead (drowned)

12-06-2013 27-03-2014

EY50284

Nestling Freshly dead (shot)

02-06-2014 09-08-2014

First-year Female

29-10-2014

Caught by ringer

08-11-2014

First-year Female

13-09-2014

Caught by ringer

15-10-2014

Juvenile Female Caught by ringer Adult Male Caught by ringer

02-09-2007 28-05-2014 19-08-2007 13-03-2014

First-year Caught by ringer

21-11-2007 23-02-2013

Caught by ringer

26-03-2014

Caught by ringer

30-10-2014

T212001

First-year Male Freshly dead (cat)

13-02-2005 06-11-2014

V156943

Juvenile

08-07-2006

Needham Market: 52°9'N I T E (Suffolk) Badley, Needham Market: 52°10'N I T E (Suffolk) 2km Oy 9m 15d Creeting St Peter: 52"10'N I T E (Suffolk) Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c.52°10'N 1°4'E (Suffolk) 4km Oy 2m 7d

Goldcrest

DKC R05099 DKC P81277

Blavand Fuglestation, Blavand: 55°33'N 8°4'E (Ribe) Denmark Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 576km SW Oy 0m lOd Blavand Fuglestation, Blavand: 55°33'N 8°4'E (Ribe) Denmark Bawdsey Manor: 51°58'N 1°24'E (Suffolk) 592km SW Oy I m 2d The first ever reports of any Danish-ringed Goldcrests in Suffolk, both coming in the same year.

Blue Tit

V860036 V804664

V742519

Leiston: 52°13'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Leiston: 52°13'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 8m 26d Great Livermere: 52°18'N 0°45'E (Suffolk) Great Livermere: 52°18'N 0°45'E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 6m 22d Rose Hill, Ipswich: 5 2 T N 1°10'E (Suffolk) Rose Hill, Ipswich: 52°1'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 3m 2d Rose Hill, Ipswich: 5 2 T N 1°10'E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 4m 5d Rose Hill, Ipswich: 5 2 T N 1°10'E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 11m 9d A good age for these birds but still a little short of the longevity record of 10 years, 3 months and 10 days.

Great Tit

Bourne Wood: 52°46'N 0°24'W (Lincolnshire) Barrow: 52°13'N 0°34'E (Suffolk) 90km SE 9y 8m 24d Creeting Hill, Needham Market: 52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) 168

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2014

X156180

Caught by ringer

30-07-2006

Caught by ringer

24-07-2007

Caught by ringer

12-11-2007

Caught by ringer

04-01-2009

Caught by ringer

18-04-2011

Caught by ringer

21-01-2014

First-year Maie

25-09-2008

Caught by ringer

05-11-2014

Adult Caught by ringer

04-01-2009 07-03-2009

Caught by ringer

26-01-2013

Caught by ringer

12-01-2014

First-year Caught by ringer

08-11-2009 23-01-2013

Caught by ringer

20-11-2014

Creeting Hill, Needham Market: 52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) 0km Oy 0m 22d Flordon Road, Creeting St Mary: c. 52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) 0km l y 0m 16d Flordon Road, Creeting St Mary: c. 52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) 0km I y 4 m 4 d Needham Market Sewage Works: 52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 5m 27d Flordon Road, Creeting St Mary: c. 52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 9m lOd Flordon Road, Creeting St Mary: c. 52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 6m 13d High Lodge, Brandon: c. 52°25'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) High Lodge, near Brandon: c. 52°25'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) 0km 6y l m l l d Again, some good âges for the species. The longevity record is currently 13 years, 11 months and 5 days.

Coal Tit

X450088

Thetford Lodge Farm: c.52°25'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) Thetford Lodge Farm: c. 52°25'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) 0km Oy 2m 3d Thetford Lodge Farm: c.52°25'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 0m 22d Thetford Lodge Farm: c.52°25'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 0m 8d

M a r s h Tit

L025547

Melton Park, Woodbridge: 52°7'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) Melton Park, Woodbridge: 52°7'N 1"19'E (Suffolk) 0km 3y 2m 15d Melton Park, Woodbridge: 52°7'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 0km Sy 0m 12d

Woodlark

TP41063

Parsonage Heath: 52°24'N 0°39'E (Suffolk) near Cranwich Heath: 52°30'N 0°37'E (Norfolk) 12km N l y l m 4d near Cranwich Heath: 52°30'N 0°37'E (Norfolk) 12km N 2y 6m 27d

Nestling Female 01-04-2012 Alive (colour rings seen) 05-05-2013 Alive (colour rings seen) 28-10-2014

Sand M a r t i n

D103152

Juvenile Female Caught by ringer Caught by ringer

25-07-2013 22-06-2014 08-07-2014

First-year Caught by ringer

17-09-2010 22-06-2014

Y785272

Nestling Female Caught by ringer

05-07-2013 26-04-2014

D980518

First-year

30-07-2014

L391921

Powgavie, Inchture: 56°25'N 3°9'W (Perth and Kinross) Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°15'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 557km SSE Oy 10m 28d Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°15'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 557km SSE Oy 11m 13d Pett Level: c.50°54'N 0°40'E (East Sussex) Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°15'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 164km NNE 3y 9m 5d In addition, four French-ringed birds were reported in the county in 2014.

Swallow

Ballakillowey, Isle of Man: 54°6'N 4°43' Kessingland: c.52°24'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) 469km ESE Oy 9m 21d Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 169

SuffolkRingingReport 2014

D980518

Caught by ringer

27-08-2014

First-year Caught by ringer

30-07-2014 27-08-2014

Rye Meads: c.51°46'N 0°0'W (Hertfordshire) 116km WSW Oy Om 28d Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Rye Meads: c.51°46'N 0°0'W (Hertfordshire) 116km WSW Oy Om 28d Another year with no foreign exchange reports for this species and the county.

House Martin

L844163

Adult Male Caught by ringer

11-06-2011 26-04-2014

Y682129

Nestling Male

19-07-2013

Caught in nestbox

02-07-2014

Kessingland, Lowestoft: 52°24'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) Kessingland: c.52°24'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 10m 15d Rushmere, near Kessingland: 52°25'N 1°40'E (Suffolk) Rushmere, near Kessingland: 52°25'N 1°40'E (Suffolk) 0km Oy 11m 13d Only three Suffolk-ringed birds have ever been reported abroad. Singles to Finland, France and Spain.

Long-tailed Tit

CXP540

Full-grown Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer

25-07-2009 08-12-2009 13-02-2011 27-03-2012 17-04-2013 08-11-2014

Thorndon: 52°16'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) Thorndon: 52°16'N 1 V E (Suffolk) 0km Oy 4m 13d Thorndon: 52°16'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) 0km l y 6m 19d Thorndon: 52°16'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 8m 2d Thorndon: 52°16'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) 0km 3y 8m 23d Thorndon: 52°16'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 3m 14d A good survival report of this bird. The longevity record is currently 8 years and 11 months.

DEK108

First-year Freshly dead (cat)

21-09-2013

ELX670

First-year

Walberswick: 52°18'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) Congdon's Shop, near Launceston: 50°34'N 4°25'W (Cornwall) 462km WSW Oy 6m 29d Fields Farm, near Fawley: 50°49'N 1°22'W (Hampshire) Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 224km ENE Oy 5m 14d Singleton Hill, Ashford: 51°7'N 0°49'E (Kent) Kessingland: c.52°24'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) 154km NNE Oy 7m 9d Queen Mary Reservoir: 51°25'N 0°28'W (Surrey) Queen Mary Reservoir: 51°25'N 0°28'W (Surrey) 0km Oy 0m 4d Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1°27'E (Suffolk) 151km ENE l y 0m 4d

Chiffchaff

19-04-2014 06-10-2013 Caught by ringer 20-03-2014 EJR626

Juvenile Caught by ringer

06-08-2013 15-03-2014

HCJ281

Full-grown Caught by ringer

08-10-2013 12-10-2013

Caught by ringer

12-10-2014

Willow Warbler

EBY235

First-year Caught by ringer

25-07-2014 23-08-2014

CHB572

First-year

07-09-2011

Caught by ringer

28-08-2013

First-year

06-09-2014

Caught by ringer

22-09-2014

DVL553

Blairgorm: c.57°15'N 3°36'W (Highland) Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 663km SSE Oy 0m 29d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) Mizottes deTriaize, Triaize: 46°19'N 1°9'W (Vendee) France 650km SSW l y 11m 21d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) Etang-De-Moisan, Messanges: 43°48'N 1°22'W (Landes) France 926km SSW Oy 0m 16d The two reports of Suffolk-ringed birds to 170

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2014 France.Others have been received from Denmark, Spain and Morocco historically. Blackcap Y776071

Adult Male

24-07-2012

Caught by ringer

25-05-2014

Z264296

First-year Male Caught by ringer

24-08-2014 16-09-2014

X583756

First-year Male

05-04-2014

Caught by ringer

05-10-2014

First-year Male

22-09-2013

Freshly dead

13-04-2014

FRP

First-year Male

19-04-2013

6998789

Caught by ringer

02-09-2014

D719672

Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1°27'E (Suffolk) near Edington: 51°18'N 2°6'W (Wiltshire) 259km WSW l y 10m I D Walberswick: 52°18'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) Pett Level: 50°54'N 0°40'E (East Sussex) 170km SSW Oy 0m 23d Sycamore Farm, Witnesham: 52°6'N 1°12'E (Suffolk) Etang-De-Moisan, Messanges: 43"48'N 1°22'W (Landes) France 942km SSW Oy 6m Od Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1"27'E (Suffolk) Pila: 53°9'N 16°42'E (Wielkopolskie) Poland 1,037km EOy 6m 22d Canteraine, Rue: 50°16'N 1°40'E (Somme) France Flordon Road, Creeting St Mary: c.52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) 214km N l y 4m 14d The 3rd French-ringed bird to be reported in Suffolk. A single Suffolk-ringed bird was also reported in Belgium.

Garden Warbler

D973641

D826269

Juvenile

11-07-2014

Caught by ringer

07-08-2014

Juvenile Caught by ringer

19-07-2014 03-08-2014

Wheldrake Ings Nature Reserve, Wheldrake, York: c.53°52'N 0°55'W (York) Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1°27'E (Suffolk) 259km SE Oy 0m 27d Kessingland: c.52°24'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) Hilfield, Elstree: 51°39'N 0°19'W (Hertfordshire) 164km WSW Oy 0m 15d

Lesser W h i t e t h r o a t

Y682377

First-year Caught by ringer

14-09-2013 03-05-2014

D699388

First-year

01-09-2013

Caught by ringer

19-08-2014

X549084

First-year Caught by ringer

08-09-2012 27-08-2014

Z014330

Second-year Male

25-05-2014

Caught by ringer

02-06-2014

Caught by ringer

27-08-2014

Kessingland: c.52°24'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) The Headland, Hartlepool: c.54°40'N 1°12'W (Hartlepool) 319km NW Oy 7m 19d Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1°27'E (Suffolk) Mechelen: 51°1'N 4°27'E (Antwerpen) Belgium 237km ESE Oy 11m 18 The first Suffolk-ringed Lesser Whitethroat to be reported in Belgium.

Whitethroat

Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Kilnsea Clays: 53°36'N 0°7'E (East Riding of Yorkshire) 195km NNW l y 11m 19d Flordon Road, Creeting St Mary: c. 52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) Flordon Road, Creeting St Mary: c.52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) 0km OyOm 8d Pett Level: 50°54'N 0°40'E (East Sussex) 142km SSW Oy 3m 2d

Grasshopper Warbler

D047149

First-year Male

Walberswick: 52°18'N 1°37'E (Suffolk)

18-08-2012 171

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 Caught by ringer

22-05-2013

Caught by ringer

30-04-2014

Bainton Gravel Pits: 52°37'N 0°22'W (Peterborough) 141km WNW Oy 9m 4d Bainton Gravel Pits: 52°37'N 0°22'W (Peterborough) 141km WNW l y 8m 12d

Sedge W a r b l e r

D897595

Juvenile

16-07-2014

Caught by ringer

05-08-2014

Juvenile

25-07-2012

Caught by ringer

24-07-2014

FRP

First-year

20-08-2011

6508646

Caught by ringer

12-04-2014

FRP

First-year

02-08-2013

7253288

Caught by ringer

03-06-2014

FRP

First-year

29-07-2008

5029904

Caught by ringer

27-06-2010

FRP

First-year

23-08-2013

7236353

Caught by ringer

02-08-2014

D288906

Juvenile

17-07-2014

Caught by ringer

17-08-2014

Y222682

Loch of Leys, Banchory: 57°4'N 2°30'W (Aberdeenshire) Herringfleet: c.52°31'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 571km SSE Oy Om 20d Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve: 52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) Litlington: 50°46'N 0°9'E (East Sussex) 187km S l y 11m 29d Reserve de Briere Sud, Saint-Joachim: 47°22'N 2°12'W (Loire-Atlantique) France Kessingland: c. 52°24'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) 624km NNE 2y 7m 23d Pk 21, Sandouville: 49°30'N 0°19'E (SeineMaritime) France Brandon Fen: c.52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) 329km N Oy 10m I d Tour Aux Moutons, Donges: 47°19'N 2°4'W (Loire-Atlantique) France Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1°27'E (Suffolk) 583km NNE l y 10m 29d Trunvel, Treogat: 47°52'N 4°21'W (Finistere) France Brandon Fen, Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve: c.52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) 615km NE Oy 11m lOd Brandon Fen, Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve: c.52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) Roseliere, Chenac-Saint-Seurin-d'Uzet, Charant-Maritime: 45°31'N 0°49'W France 777km S Oy l m Od Included above are the four French-ringed birds reported in the county plus one of 11 Suffolk-ringed birds reported in France. Interestingly, the three involving Lakenheath Fen Reserve, were all trapped during CES sessions.

Reed Warbler

T506167

Juvenile Male Caught by ringer

08-08-2007 19-07-2014

V869978

First-year Female Caught by ringer

11-08-2008 10-07-2014

X917380

First-year Female

12-09-2009

Caught by ringer

27-06-2010

Caught by ringer

05-06-2011

Caught by ringer

29-07-2012

Caught by ringer

05-05-2013

Caught by ringer

06-07-2014

Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 11m l i d Walberswick: 52°18'N 1"37'E (Suffolk) Carlton Marsh: c.52°27'N 1°40'E (Suffolk) 18km NNE 5y 10m 29d Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1°27'E (Suffolk) Gosforth Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne: 55°1'N 1°37'W (Tyne and Wear) 387km NNW Oy 9m 15d Gosforth Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne: 55°1'N 1°37'W (Tyne and Wear) 387km NNW l y 8m 24d Gosforth Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne: 55°1'N 1°37'W (Tyne and Wear) 387km NNW 2y 10m 17d Gosforth Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne: 55°1'N 1°37'W (Tyne and Wear) 387km NNW 3y 7m 23d Gosforth Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne: 55°1'N 1°37'W (Tyne and Wear) 387km NNW 4y 9m 24d 172

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2014 D716112

First-year Caught by ringer

26-08-2013 26-09-2013

D227536

First-year Caught by ringer

12-08-2013 13-09-2014

BLB

First-year

09-09-2013

13225321

Caught by ringer

18-05-2014

Adult Female

20-08-2012

6830097

Caught by ringer

06-06-2014

FRP

Adult

31-05-2014

7572516

Caught by ringer

26-07-2014

FRP

Second-year

21-05-2011

6549180

Caught by ringer

20-07-2014

POL

First-year

14-09-2007

A255507

Caught by ringer

10-08-2009

NLA

First-year

06-09-2014

BD00270

Caught by ringer

27-09-2014

Walberswick: 52°18'N 1"37'E (Suffolk) Noain: 42°45'N 1°37'W (Navarra) Spain 1,089km SSW Oy l m Od near Hollesley Heath: 52°3'N 1°25'E (Suffolk) El Coronil: 37°4'N 5°34'W (Sevilla) Spain 1,754km SSW l y l m l d Grembergen: 51°3'N 4°7'E (OostVlaanderen) Belgium Levington, near River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) 225km WNW Oy 8m 9d Plaisance, Saint-Froult: 45°54'N 1°4'W (Charente-Maritime) France Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°15'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 732km NNE l y 9m 17d Station Stoc N684, le Treport: 50°3'N 1°24'E (Seine-Maritime) France Levington, near River Orwell: 52°0'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) 217km N Oy l m 25d Les Barthes-De-Quartier-Bas, Villefranque: 43°27'N 1°28'W (Pyrenees-Atlantiques) France Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 993km NNE 3y l m 29d Paul Do Taipal, Coimbra: 40°15'N 8°40'W (Coimbra) Portugal Alton Water Reservoir, nearTattingstone: c.51°58'N 1°7'E (Suffolk) 1,505km NNE l y 10m 27d Zwanenwater, Sint Maartensvlotbrug: 52°48'N 4°40'E (Noord-Holland) The Netherlands Orfordness: c.52°4'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 226km WSW Oy 0m 21d Five Suffolk-ringed birds were additionally reported abroad, two in France, two in Portugal and one in Belgium.

Starling

LA57873

LA57939 RC44563

31-10-2007 Ipswich: 52°4'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) First-year Male Caught by ringer 11-05-2009 Ipswich: 52°4'N 110'E (Suffolk) 0km l y 6m lOd Caught by ringer 08-05-2013 Ipswich: 52°4'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 6m 7d Caught by ringer 10-07-2014 Ipswich: 52°4'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 8m 9d First-year Male 21-12-2007 Ipswich: 52°4'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 04-01-2014 Ipswich: 52°4'N l l O ' E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 0m 14d First-year Male 08-03-1987 Ipswich: 52°4'N l l O ' E (Suffolk) Unknown (ring only- so cannot tell actual age) 15-01-2014 Narberth: 51°46'N 4°45'W (Pembrokeshire) 407km W 26y 10m 7d One Suffolk-ringed bird was also reported in Belgium.

Blackbird

LA35612

CW87247

Full-grown Female Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Nestling Male

04-02-2007 02-01-2009 16-04-2010 17-03-2012 02-12-2012 01-05-2013 13-10-2013 09-12-2014 25-07-2007

Caught by ringer

21-02-2008

Ipswich: 52°4'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) Ipswich: 52°4'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) 0km l y 10m 29d Ipswich: 52°4'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) 0km 3y 2m 12d Ipswich: 52°4'N 1° 10'E (Suffolk) 0km 5y l m 13d Ipswich: 52°4'N 1° 10'E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 9m 28d Ipswich: 52°4'N 1° 10'E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 2m 27d Ipswich: 52°4'N 110'E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 8m 9d Ipswich: 52°4'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 10m 5d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 0km Oy 6m 27d 173

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 Caught by ringer

15-06-2009

Caught by ringer

29-06-2011

Caught by ringer

10-06-2012

Caught by ringer

19-03-2013

Caught by ringer

18-08-2013

Caught by ringer

30-07-2014

LA39297

First-year Male Caught by ringer

11-11-2011 08-03-2014

LC37152

Adult Female

14-11-2013

Freshly dead (cat)

16-06-2014

First-year Female Freshly dead (hit glass)

26-04-2011 19-01-2013

First-year Female Caught by ringer

11-10-2010 21-11-2013

First-year Male Caught by ringer

08-03-2014 31-12-2014

Earl Soham: 52°13'N 1°16'E (Suffolk) Oakhill Cottage: c. 52°13'N 1°16'E (Suffolk) 2km Oy 9m 23d

First-year Caught by ringer

29-03-2009 06-03-2010

Caught by ringer

16-04-2011

Caught by ringer

25-09-2011

Caught by ringer

28-01-2012

Caught by ringer

28-10-2012

Caught by ringer

07-09-2013

Caught by ringer

30-03-2014

Juvenile

20-08-2014

Caught by ringer

05-10-2014

First-year Freshly dead (cat)

13-10-2013 19-04-2014

Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 0km Oy 11m 5d Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 0m 18d Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 5m 27d Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 9m 30d Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 0km 3y 6m 29d Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 5m 9d Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 0m I d Cors Ddyga, Llangefni: 53°13'N 4°19'W (Isle of Anglesey) Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3'N 1°27'E (Suffolk) 410km ESE Oy l m 15d Kessingland: c.52°24'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) Vallabrink, Taby: 59°27'N 18°3'E (Stockholm) Sweden 1,281km NE Oy 6m 6d Only the fourth Suffolk-ringed bird reported in Sweden. In addition, one Dutch-ringed bird was reported in the county.

BLB 21Z06357 FH A707896

Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 0km l y 10m 21d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 0km 3y 11m 4d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 10m 16d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 7m 22d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 0m 24d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 0m 5d Lapwings, Dunwich: 52°16'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) Market Drayton: 52°52'N 2°28'W (Shropshire) 286km WNW 2y 3m 25d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) Kapellen: 51'19'N 4°25'E (Antwerpen) Belgium 225km ESE Oy 7m 2d Jambes: 50°27'N 4°51'E (Namur) Belgium Pettaugh: 52°10'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) 321km NW l y 8m 24d Luuki, Espoo: 60°19'N 24°39'E (Uusimaa) Finland Rushmere St Andrew: 52°4'N r i O ' E (Suffolk) 1,711km WSW 3y l m lOd Suffolk-ringed birds were also reported in Norway (1), Sweden (2), Germany (1) and The Netherlands (1) Additionally, five Dutch-ringed birds were reported in the county.

Fieldfare

LB01182

Robin

X556697

Z046518

Y682511

174

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2014 Stonechat

Y593927

Nestling Male

28-04-2014

Caught by ringer

27-09-2014

First-year

26-04-2008

Caught by ringer

19-05-2009

Caught by ringer

11-03-2011

Caught by ringer

12-03-2014

Caught by ringer

28-04-2014

First-year

28-09-2009

Caught by ringer

01-03-2014

First-year Sick (hit glass)

31-10-2013 12-03-2014

Hall Road Station, near Crosby: c.53°28'N 3°3'W (Merseyside) Shingle Street: 52°1'N 1°25'E (Suffolk) 343km ESE Oy 4m 30d

Dunnock

R996206

X901288

D767612

Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 0km l y 0m 23d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 10m 13d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 10m 14d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 0m 2d Flordon Road, Creeting St Mary: c. 52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) Oxwich Marsh: c.51°34'N 4°10'W (Swansea) 364km W 4y 5m I d Great Livermere: 52°18'N 0°45'E (Suffolk) Braband So: 56°9'N 10°7'E (Ärhus) Denmark 744km NE Oy 4m 9d The first Suffolk-ringed Dunnock reported abroad. Singles from Norway and The Netherlands have been recorded in Suffolk.

Tree S p a r r o w

D033952

Juvenile

20-09-2012

Caught by ringer

29-09-2014

The Barracks, Little Livermere: c.52°18'N 0°43'E (Suffolk) Kilnsea Clays: 53°36'N 0°7'E (East Riding of Yorkshire) 150km NNW 2y 0m 9d

Grey Wagtail

R697173

Nestling

12-04-2014

Caught by ringer

28-09-2014

Stanborough, near Welwyn Garden City: 51°46'N 0°13'W (Hertfordshire) Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 108km E Oy 5m 16d

Pied/White Wagtail

V683846

First-year Female Long dead (hit glass)

17-03-2013 02-04-2014

Kessingland, Lowestoft: 52°24'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) Balintore Harbour: 57°45'N 3°55'W (Highland) 694km NNW l y 0m 16d A good distance moved, sadly ending in tragedy.

Corton: 52°31'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) Berendrecht: 51°21'N 4°19'E (Antwerpen) Belgium 220km SE Oy 0m 7d The Häven, Thorpeness: 52°10'N 1°36'E (Suffolk) At Sea: 61°0'N 5°19'W (North Atlantic Ocean) North Atlantic Ocean (other parts) 1,069km NNW Oy 5m 20d Sizewell Belts, Sizewell: 52°13'N 1°36'E (Suffolk) Trebujena: 36°52'N 6°10'W (Cadiz) Spain 1,812km SSW Oy 2m 17d All three Suffolk-ringed birds reported abroad, induding the first to a ship in the North Atlantic.

M e a d o w Pipit

D826548

First-year Caught by ringer

16-09-2014 23-09-2014

D311623

First-year

08-11-2013

Freshly dead (on ship)

28-04-2014

First-year Freshly dead (trapped)

18-09-2014 05-12-2014

D963645

175

Suffolk Bird Report 2014 Chaffinch

T743806

Adult Female Caught by ringer

01-01-2006 09-11-2012

T658322

Freshly dead (cat) Adult Female Caught by ringer

22-05-2014 02-05-2007 05-04-2014

L231176

Adult Female

15-10-2012

Rose Hill, Ipswich: 52°1'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) Rose Hill, Ipswich: 52°1'N 1°10'E (Suffolk) Okm 6y 10m 8d Ipswich: 52°3'N 1°9'E (Suffolk) 3km 8y 4m 21d High Lodge, Brandon: c.52°25'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) High Lodge, near Brandon: c.52°25'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 11m 3d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) near Videbaek: 56°4'N 8°37'E (Ringkdbing) Denmark 663km NE l y 7m 20d Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c.52°10'N 1°4'E (Suffolk) Rihtniemi, Pyharanta: 61°4'N 21°19'E (TurkuPori) Finland 1,578km NE 3y 6m 12d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) Overroda, Tavelsjo: 64°7'N 19°58'E (Vasterbotten) Sweden 1,735km NE l y 8m 2d Vinkenbaan, Westenschouwen: 51°40'N 3°42'E (Zeeland) The Netherlands Kirton, Felixstowe: 5 2 T N 1°18'E (Suffolk) 170km WNWOy 4m 27 Included above are all four foreign exchanges for the county in 2014.

Freshly dead (hit by car) 04-06-2014 L671382

Adult Male

19-03-2011

Freshly dead (hit glass)

01-10-2014

Adult Male

20-10-2012

Freshly dead (hit glass)

22-06-2014

NLA

Adult Male

02-11-2013

V700799

Freshly dead (hit glass)

29-03-2014

Brambling D404047

First-year Male

31-03-2013

Freshly dead

11-05-2014

D321755

Adult Male Caught by ringer

10-02-2014 10-10-2014

NOS

First-year Female

23-09-2013

EF68966

Caught by ringer

05-03-2014

NLA V500811

First-year Male Caught by ringer

12-01-2011 10-01-2014

L231258

Greenfinch TC11945 Juvenile Male

The Barracks, Little Livermere: c.52°18'N 0°43'E (Suffolk) Scalloway: 60°7'N 1°16'W (Shetland) 880km N l y l m lOd Thetford Lodge Farm: c.52°25'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) Store Faerder, Tjome: 59°4'N 10°31'E (Vestfold) Norway 959km NE Oy 8m Od Revtangen, Klepp: 58°45'N 5°30'E (Rogaland) Norway Brandon Fen, Lakenheath Fen: c. 52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) 767km SSW Oy 5m lOd Assen: 52°58'N 6°31'E (Drente) The Netherlands Culfordheath: c.52°19'N 0°43'E (Suffolk) 398km W 2y 11m 29d Another year of West Suffolk rule, with all three foreign exchanges involving the region.

14-06-2009

Caught by ringer

07-07-2009

Caught by ringer

14-05-2010

Caught by ringer

10-06-2011

Caught by ringer

18-02-2012

Caught by ringer

07-06-2012

Caught by ringer

11-05-2013

Caught by ringer

26-04-2014

Landguard Point, Felixstowe: (Suffolk) Landguard Point, Felixstowe: (Suffolk) 0km Oy 0m 23d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: (Suffolk) 0km Oy 11m Od Landguard Point, Felixstowe: (Suffolk) 0km l y 11m 27d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: (Suffolk) 0km 2y 8m 4d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: (Suffolk) 0km 2y 11m 24d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: (Suffolk) 0km 3y 10m 27d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 176

51°55'N 1°19'E 51°55'N 1°19'E 51°55'N 1°19'E 51°55'N 1°19'E 51°55'N 1°19'E 51°55'N 1°19'E 51°55'N 1°19'E 51°55'N 1"19'E

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2014

TX30850

Caught by ringer

28-06-2014

First-year Female

26-10-2013

Caught by ringer

20-02-2014

First-year Male Caught by ringer Adult Male Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Adult Male Caught by ringer

27-03-2007 06-12-2014 24-02-2008 25-12-2008 29-11-2014 30-12-2011 13-03-2014

(Suffolk) 0km 4y 10m 12d Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55'N 1°19'E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 0m 14d Gibraltar Point, Skegness: c. 53°6'N 0°19'E (Lincolnshire) near Hollesley Heath: 52°3'N 1°25'E (Suffolk) 139km SSE Oy 3m 25d A good number of captures of TC11945 indicating his survival and preference for the area. Longevity record is 12y, 8m, 26 days.

Goldfinch

V180893 T172352

Y617002

Y778681

First-year Female Caught by ringer Caught by ringer

D817688

First-year Female Caught by ringer

Y129283

Adult Male Caught by ringer

FRP

First-year Female

7091558

Caught by ringer

Brandon: 52°25'N 0°36'E (Suffolk) Brandon: 52°25'N 0°36'E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 8m 9d Brandon: 52°2S'N 0°36'E (Suffolk) Brandon: 52°25'N 0°36'E (Suffolk) 0km Oy 10m l d Brandon: 52°25'N 0°36'E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 9m 5d Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Rievaulx: 54°15'N l ' 7 ' W (North Yorkshire) 295km NW 2y 2m l l d 22-04-2014 Rise Lane, Catwick: 53°52'N 0°16'W (East Riding of Yorkshire) 27-11-2014 Barrow: 52°13'N 0°34'E (Suffolk) 193km SSE Oy 7m 5d 24-12-2014 Barrow: 52°13'N 0°34'E (Suffolk) 193km SSE Oy 8m 2d 16-10-2014 Kilnsea: 53°37'N 0°7'E (East Riding of Yorkshire) 02-11-2014 Flordon Road, Creeting St Mary: c.52°9'N 1°3'E (Suffolk) 175km SSE Oy 0m 17d 03-11-2012 Trimley Marshes, Trimley St Mary: c.51°58'N 1°16'E (Suffolk) 15-04-2013 Loppem: 51°9'N 3°12'E (West-Vlaanderen) Belgium 161km SE Oy 5m 12d 03-02-2013 St. Venant, Bethune: 50°37'N 2°31'E (Pas-deCalais) France 14-01-2014 Culfordheath: c.52°19'N 0°43'E (Suffolk) 229km NNWOy 11m l l d Some good survival reports from the Brandon area plus the only two foreign exchanges of the species for Suffolk in 2014.

Siskin

X342105

First-year Male Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer

14-09-2008 14-12-2008 26-04-2009 21-03-2010 04-06-2011 15-04-2014

D036181

First-year Female

25-09-2013

Caught by ringer

05-03-2014

Caught by ringer

05-04-2014

First-year Male

30-03-2009

Thetford: 52°24'N 0°43'E (Norfolk) Thetford: 52°24'N 0°43'E (Norfolk) 0km Oy 3m Od Thetford: 52°24'N 0°43'E (Norfolk) 0km Oy 7m 12d Thetford: 52°24'N 0°43'E (Norfolk) 0km l y 6m 7d Thetford: 52°24'N 0°43'E (Norfolk) 0km 2y 8m 21d High Lodge, near Brandon: c.52°25'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) 6km NW 5y 7m l d High Lodge, near Brandon: c.52°25'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) West Tofts: 52°28'N 0°42'E (Norfolk) 6km NNE Oy 5m 8d Queenamidda, Rendali: 59"4'N 3°6'W (Orkney) 774km NNWOy 6m l l d In addition, a Suffolk-ringed Siskin was reported in Belgium, the only foreign exchange for this species involving the county.

Twite

T938592

Deer Hill Reservoir, near Huddersfield: 53°36'N 177

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 1°54'W (West Yorkshire) Easton Broad: 52°21'N 1°40'E (Suffolk) 278km ESE 5y 6m 22d Booth Wood Reservoir, Rishworth: 53°37'N 1°58'W (West Yorkshire) Bawdsey: 52°0'N 1°25'E (Suffolk) 291km SE Oy Om 6d Booth Wood Reservoir, Rishworth: 53°37'N 1°58'W (West Yorkshire)" Bawdsey: 52°0'N 1°25'E (Suffolk) 291km SE Oy Om 16d Booth Wood Reservoir, Rishworth: 53°37'N 1°58'W (West Yorkshire) near Dunwich: 52°16'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 284km ESE Oy 3m 4d Booth Wood Reservoir, Rishworth: 53°37'N 1°58'W (West Yorkshire) near Dunwich: 52°16'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 284km ESE Oy 2m 26d Booth Wood Reservoir, Rishworth: 53°37'N 1°58'W (West Yorkshire) near Dunwich: 52°16'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) 284km ESE Oy 2m 18d

Alive (colour rings seen) 22-10-2014 Z380643

First-year

12-10-2014

Alive (colour rings seen) 18-10-2014 Z380547

First-year

02-10-2014

Alive (colour rings seen) 18-10-2014 D979422

First-year

16-09-2014

Alive (colour rings seen) 20-12-2014 Z380527

First-year

02-10-2014

Alive (colour rings seen) 28-12-2014 Z380609

First-year

10-10-2014

Alive (colour rings seen) 28-12-2014

Lesser R e d p o l l

D288370

First-year

05-03-2014

Caught by ringer

25-04-2014

Adult Maie

02-01-2014

Caught by ringer

22-04-2014

First-year Maie

07-11-2012

Caught by ringer

23-02-2014

Caught by ringer

26-02-2014

First-year Maie Caught by ringer

28-10-2012 02-06-2014

Caught by ringer

06-07-2014

Adult Maie

13-11-2013

Caught by ringer

13-06-2014

Adult Female

01-11-2012

Caught by ringer

26-12-2013

D708927

First-year Maie Caught by ringer

20-10-2013 05-05-2014

NOS

Full-grown

12-10-2013

HE02141

Caught by ringer

10-01-2014

D287634

Y969757

Y818944

D287171

Y806065

Brandon Fen, Lakenheath Fen: c.52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) Lerwick: c.60°7'N 1°10'W (Shetland) 860km N Oy l m 20d Brandon Fen, Lakenheath Fen: c.52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) Bettyhill: 58°31'N 4°13'W (Highland) 738km NNW Oy 3m 20d Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve: 52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) Balvraid, Dornoch: 57°55'N 4°6'W (Highland) 675km NNW l y 3m 16d Balvraid, Dornoch: 57°55'N 4°6'W (Highland) 675km NNW l y 3m 19d near Hollesley Heath: 52°3'N 1°25'E (Suffolk) Blairgorm: c.57°15'N 3°36'W (Highland) 662km NNW l y 7m 5d Blairgorm: c.57°15'N 3°36'W (Highland) 662km NNW l y 8m 8d Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve: 52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) Breakachy: 57°27'N 4°34'W (Highland) 643km NNW Oy 7m Od Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°15'N 1°37'E (Suffolk) Lievin: 50°25'N 2°46'E (Pas-de-Calais) France 219km SSE l y l m 2 5 d near Hollesley Heath: 52°3'N 1°25'E (Suffolk) Indresund, Hovag, Lillesand: 58°7'N 8°13'E (Aust-Agder) Norway 800km NNE Oy 6m 15d Blikshavn, Karmoy: 59°12'N 5°18'E (Rogaland) Norway Undley Farm, Undley: 52°24'N 0°30'E (Suffolk) 813km SSW Oy 2m 29d Y806065 is the first Suffolk-ringed Lesser Redpoll reported in France and D708927 the first reported in Norway. 178

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2014 C o m m o n Redpoll

D775254

Adult Male Caught by ringer

02-03-2014 07-07-2014

Caught by ringer

20-07-2014

First-year

21-10-2013

Caught by ringer

10-12-2013

Caught by ringer

21-01-2014

First-year Male

14-03-2014

Caught by ringer

02-04-2014

NOS

Full-grown Female

11-11-2010

9H67688

Caught by ringer

12-03-2011

D390649

Y689199

Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°9'N 1°34'E (Suffolk) Blairgorm: c.57°15'N 3°36'W (Highland) 657km NNW Oy 4m 5d Blairgorm: c.57°15'N 3°36'W (Highland) 657km NNW Oy 4m 18d Kilnsea Clays: 53°36'N 0°7'E (East Riding of Yorkshire) Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve: 52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) 131km S Oy I m 19d Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve: 52°27'N 0°31'E (Suffolk) 131km S Oy 3m Od High Wrong Corner, Thetford Warren: 52°24'N 0°40'E (Suffolk) Sore Merkeskog, Utsira: 59°18'N 4°52'E (Rogaland) Norway 810km NNE Oy 0m 19d Blikshavn, Karmoy: 59°12'N 5°19'E (Rogaland) Norway Brandon: 52°25'N 0°36'E (Suffolk) 808km SSW Oy 4m l d Y689199 is the first Suffolk-ringed Common Redpoll reported in Norway.

Snow Bunting

TJ64868

First-year Female 28-11-2013 Alive (colour rings seen) 19-03-2014

Pakefield: c.52°27'N 1°43'E (Suffolk) Theddlethorpe Dunes: 53°22'N 0°13'E (Lincolnshire) 143km NW Oy 3m 19d

Yellowhammer

X081580

X539619

First-year Female

09-03-2008

Caught by ringer

05-04-2009

Caught by ringer

23-01-2010

Caught by ringer

19-03-2011

Caught by ringer

10-04-2014

First-year Female

15-02-2009

Caught by ringer

26-02-2012

Caught by ringer

10-03-2014

Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c.52°10'N (Suffolk) Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c.52°10'N (Suffolk) 0km l y 0m 27d Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c.52°10'N (Suffolk) 0km l y 10m 14d Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c.52°10'N (Suffolk) 0km 3y 0m lOd Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c.52°10'N (Suffolk) 0km 6y I m l d Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c.52°10'N (Suffolk) Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c.52°10'N (Suffolk) 0km 3y0m l l d Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c.52°10'N (Suffolk) 0km 5y 0m 23d

1°4'E 1°4'E 1°4'E 1°4'E 1°4'E 1°4'E 1°4'E 1°4'E

Reed Bunting

D453817

D539433

First-year Female

22-09-2013

Caught by ringer

16-02-2014

First-year Female

14-10-2013

Caught by ringer

30-10-2014

near Charity Farm, Shotley: 51°58'N 1°15'E (Suffolk) Steyning: 50°52'N 0°19'W (West Sussex) 164km SW Oy 4m 25d Gibraltar Point, Skegness: c.53°6'N 0°19'E (Lincolnshire) Sizewell Belts, Sizewell: 52°13'N 1°36'E (Suffolk) 131km SE l y 0m 16d

179

SuffolkRingingReport 2014

List of Contributors Whilst every effort has been made to make this list as comprehensive as possible, some observers names may have been inadvertently o m i t t e d . If your contribution has not been acknowledged, please accept my sincere apologies. It is d o u b t f u l that ail those w h o only submit t o Birdtrack will feature here. S & B A b b o t t , M D Abdullah, W Adams, M Addison, D Adelson, P Aldous, T Atkins, P R Allard, L Allen, Alton WeBS Counters, N Andrews, D Archer, R Attenborrow, D Austin, D V Avis, C G and J Ayers, R Ayers. S Babbs, C Baines, D E Balmer, T Bamber, M F M Bamford, M Banham, S Banks, A Barnett, I Barthorpe, C R Bartrum, B Baston, G Batchelor, M Battle, D R Beamish, R Biddle, D Billing, BINS, Birdline East Anglia, Birdguides, Birdtrack (thousands), S Bishop, J R Blackburn, D Borderick, W J Brame, J F Bright, R Brockman, G B Brown, J Brown, BTO Thetford, M Buckingham, B Buffery, R Buisson, IJ Burfield, T Butler, C A Buttle. A M Cage, N Calbrade, B Calversbert, T Cameron, N Cant, D Carr, M Carr, C Carter, D & M Carter, N Carter, I Castle, P Catchpole, M Cavanagh, D Cawdron, D W Chambers, M Chadwick, C ChadwyckHealey, P Cheke, R Chittenden (Birdline East Anglia), F C Clark, N A and J A Clark, F A Clements, B T C Coates, J C Coe, J Coleman, P Collins, G Conway, D Cook, G Coppard, M L Cornish, C Courtney, S Cox, J Crapnell, D Crawshaw, M G Creighton, N Crouch, L Cutting. C Darby, C Dale, G J Daniels, Dare, J Davidson, J Davies, A P Davis, C Davis, S Dean, M Deans, J P Dickie, S Doe, P Dolton, E J Dowding, J M Dowson, R Drew, R Duncan. T Earl, A C Easton, D Eaton, M A Eaton, P Eele, M Ellis, C Elmer, P Etheridge, R Etheridge, J Evans, L G R Evans, J Evans, S P Evans, P Ewart, A Excell. B Fair, I Fair, R Fairhead, D Fairhurst, M Fairley, C Farrell, J Ferguson, Forest Enterprise, B Fountain, S Fryett, C Fulcher, R Fuller. J Gibbs, S Gillings, Gipping Valley Birders, J Glazebrook, S Goddard, M Gooch, R Gooderham, A Gooding, S Gough, P Gowen, S Graham, J H Grant, V Grantham, A Green, D J Green, P D Green, A M Gregory, C Gregory, L Gregory, A Gretton, G Grieco, R D Gross. I Hambleton, P Hambling, R H a m m o n d , J Hampshire, R E Harbird, R G Harris, B Harrington, T J E Harrison, J Harrold, B and M Hart, C Hartwell, R Harvey, G Hawes, C Herrington, J Higgott, J Hoare, P Hobbs, R Hoblyn, J Hogg, C Holden, C Holt, S J Holloway, D Holman, A L Holmes, P J Holmes, P Holness, M R Hopton, R Howard, A Howe, S V Howell, C Hullis, T J Humpage, E W Hutchings. E Jackson, C Jacobs, C J Jakes, L Jaques, R Jarman, S Jarrett, S Jarvis, D Jobbins, G J Jobson, C Johnson, R Johnson, B Jones. E Keeble, C Keeling, M Kemp, P Kennerley, J Kennerley, T Kerridge, A Kettle, D B Kightly, V King, R Knight, J Kornjaca. P C Lack, Lackford Lakes Log, Lackford Ringing Group, Landguard Bird Observatory, D Langlois, S Lawrence, Lavenham Bird Club, R Leavett, J Ledley, J Levene, N Lloyd, C Lodge, N Loth, G Lowe, Lowestoft Lounge Lizards, E Lucking.

180

Suffolk Bird Report 2014 C McKintyre, P Maddison, J H Marchant, D Marsh, E Marsh, M Marsh, N Marsh, R Marsh, J A Martin, N J Mason, T Mayhew, S Mayson, D Mellor, M Merritt, Mickle Mere Log, A Miller, M Miller, S Minns, M i n s m e r e RSPB, G Moates, S M o o r e , N J Moran, J M o u n t a i n , J Mousely, B Moyes, R Mudhar, C M u t i m e r , P W Murphy, A Musgrove. A Nairn, P Napthine, National Trust Orfordness, Natural England, C Naunton, S Nixon, R Noble, S Noble, N o r t h Warren RSPB, M Nowers. N Odin, M Offord, P Oldfield, N Oliver, Orfordness Report, J Owen. R Parfitt, P Parker, E Patrick, B Pearson, D J Pearson, D Pearsons, M F Peers, Y Perlman, E I Peters, G Pettingale, T J Phillips, S H Piotrowski, S P Piotrowski, G Piper, R Plowman, D Porter, C Poulson, C Powell, M P Pratt, K Puttick. A Rafinski, G Rankin, J Rankin, P J Ransome, A Rayner, H Read, P Read, S Read, D G Rees, A P Richards, J Richardson, M Riley, B D Robertson, M Robertson, P Rogers, R Rolph, D Rothery, J A Rowlands, RSPB Lakenheath, RSPB North Warren, R D Ruffell, C Ruffles, P J Rutt. I Salkeld, A Scott, C Shaw, M D Shaw, P Shaw, M J C Shelley, D Sheppard, N Sherman, N Sillett, N Sills, D Sivyer, N Skinner, 0 Slessor, B J Small, A Smith, M Smith, N Spicer, M Stannard, A J Steele, R Stewart, W Stone, T Stopher, B Stuckey, S Steveson, R G Stewart, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, W Sutherland, D Sulway, M Swindells. C Taylor, M Taylor, B Thompson, M J Thompson, D Thurlow, D Tomlinson, Trecktellen Org., J Trew, C N Tricker, C E Trollope, Trimley Marshes SWT, M Tucker, P Turner, M Twinn, D Tyler. D K Underwood. K Verlander, P Vincent, N Vipond, R Vonk. J Waldron, R Waiden, D F Walsh, G D J Walsh, J Walshe, J D Warnes, G M Waterman, S Waters, E Watson, WeBS counters, M Webster, L H Weeks, 1 Whitaker, D W h i t e , P Whittaker, R Wilby, B Williamson, P Wilson, R W i l t o n , D G Woodard, B Woodhouse, L G Woods, J Wright, M T Wright, R M Wright. E Zantboer, J Zantboer.

SuffolkRingingReport 2014

Gazetteer This gazetteer gives locations f o r sites listed in t h e main checklist section of this issue of Suffolk Birds. The intention is t o make it easier for newcomers to birdwatching, or those less familiar w i t h t h e county, t o be able t o locate sites. Specific sites are given a six-figure reference w h e r e appropriate; larger sites are given a four-figure reference for t h e 1km square in w h i c h they are situated. Whilst a complété list of ail sites w o u l d obviously be of most use, it w o u l d of necessity, be very long. Therefore, it does not, in général, contain parish names, w h i c h are easily located by reference t o a standard road map. Aldeburgh Town Marshes Aide Estuary Aldringham Common Aldrlngham Walks Alton Water Ampton Water Barham Pits Barnhamcross Common Barsham Marshes Barton Mere Bawdsey Marshes Belle Vue Gardens, Lowestoft Benacre Broad Benacre Pits Bentley Berner's Heath Blundeston Marshes Blyth Estuary Botany Bay Bowbeck Boxford Boyton Marshes Brackenbury Cliff, Felixstowe Brent Eleigh Breydon Water Bromeswell Carlton Marshes Campsea Ashe Castle Marshes Cattawade Marshes Cavenham Heath Cavenham Pits Christchurch Park, Ipswich Cobbold's Point Combs Lane Water Meadows Cornard Mere Corton railway line Corton sewage works Cosford Hall, Hadleigh Cove Bottom Covehithe Broad Deben Estuary Dingle Marshes Dunwich Heath Eastbridge East Lane, Bawdsey

TM450560 TM3957-4450 TM458606 TM4661 TM1436 TL8770 TM1251 TL8681 TM4090 TL910668 TM340390 TM550944 TM530828 TM535842 TM120385 TL7976 TM5095 TM4575-4776 TL675854 TL9475 TL9640 TM3946 TM322360 TL943480 TM4706-5107 TM3050 TM4991 TM3256 TM475915 TM0932 TL755725 TL763715 TM 164454 TM315349 TM043581 TL887391 TM537579 TM539982 TM013446 TM4979 TM524808 TM2850-3238 TM4872 TM4768 TM452660 TM354401

Easton Broad Elveden Erwarton Bay Euston Lake/Park Fagbury Cliff Falkenham Marshes Felixstowe Ferry Fisher Row Flixton GP Foxhole Heath Fressingfield Fritton Decoy/Lake Frostenden Gedgrave Marshes Gifford's Hall Gipping Great Wood Glemsford Groton Gunton Warren Hardwick Heath Hare's Creek, Shotley Haughley Park Havergate Island Hazlewood Marshes Hengrave Hall Hen Reedbeds Herringfleet Marshes Herringswell Hinderclay Fen Holbrook Bay Hollesley Marshes Holywells Park, Ipswich Homersfield Gravel Pits Icklingham Plains llketshall St Lawrence Ipswich Golf Course Ipswich Wet Dock Kedington Kentwell Hall, Long Melford Kessingland Levels Kessingland sewage works King's Fleet King's Forest, The Kirton Creek Knettishall Heath Lackford Lakes 182

TM518794 TL8279 TM2333 TL9079 TM270346 TM3138 TM3237 TM507927 TM3187 TL735776 TM260775 TM4800 TM4781 TM410480 TM0137 TM075625 TL8348 TL9642 TM5495 TL854625 TM244360 TM000620 TM4147 TM435573 TL824686 TM470770 TM468977 TL7169 TM025788 TM1733 TM375450 TM175435 TM287855 TL7573 TM3883 TM207433 TM 169439 TL7046 TL863479 TM530850 TM533857 TM310379 TL8173 TM292417 TL952804 TL800710

Gazetteer Lake Lothing Lakenheath Fen Lakenheath Warren Lakenheath Washes Landguard Lavenham railway walk Lay ham pits Leathes Ham Leiston Abbey Levington Creek Levington Marina Lineage Wood, Lavenham Livermere Lake Long Melford churchyard Long Melford sewage works Loompit Lake Lound Waterworks Lowestoft Harbour Market Weston Fen Martlesham Creek Mayday Farm Mickle Mere Middleton Minsmere Minsmere Levels Mutford Needham Market Lake Ness Point North Denes, Lowestoft Northfield Wood North Warren Nowton Park Nunnery Lakes Old Newton Olley's Farm Orfordness Orwell Bridge Orwell Estuary Cavenham Heath Outney Common, Bungay Oulton Broad Oxley Marshes Pakefield Beach Pakenham Fen Peewit Hill Pipps Ford Potter's Bridge Puttockshill Ramsey Wood Ramsholt Marshes Redgrave and Lopham Fen Redgrave Lake Reydon Marshes Santon Downham Sedge Fen, Lakenheath Shelley Shingle Street

TM5392 TL7085 TL7580 TL7085 TM2831 TL9049 TM021402 TM530933 TM444643 TM237383 TM246380 TM890485 TL882716 TL868468 TL855459 TM255377 TG501007 TM5592 TL980787 TM2647 TL7983 TL937699 TM4267 TM4766 TM4667 TM4988 TM094548 TM555936 TM551951 TM024600 TM4658 TL866615 TL872815 TM0562 TL824815 TM4654-3743 TM175413 TM1641-2534 TL755725 TM3290 TM5192 TM370435 TM5389 TL930680 TM289338 TM 108538 TM509791 TL898695 TM065430 TM298423 TM046797 TM055767 TM485766 TL818878 TL6784 TM0338 TM365425

Shotley Marshes Shottisham Creek Sizewell Beach Sizewell SWT Slaughden Snape Wetland Sole Bay Sotterley Park Southwold Boating Lake Southwold Town Marshes Spinny Marsh Staverton Thicks Sternfield Stonham Aspal Stour Estuary Stradishall Airfield Stratton Hall Stutton Mill Sudbourne Marshes Suffolk Water Park Sutton Common Sutton Heath Tangham Temple Bridge, Cavenham Theberton Grange Thetford Heath Thorington Street Reservoir Thorpeness Common Thorpeness Meare Tinker's Marshes Trimley Marshes Trinity Hall Farm, Moulton Tuddenham Heath Tuddenham St Martin Ufford Undley Upper Abbey Farm, Leiston Walberswick NNR Waldingfield airfield Waldringfield Pit Walpole Wangford Warren Westleton Heath West Stow Country Park Westwood Lodge Westwood Marshes Wetherden Weybread GPs Wherstead Strand Wilford Bridge Wolves Wood Wordwell Workhouse Green

183

TM248350 TM3043 TM4763 TM460640 TM464555 TM385585 TM5177 TM460850 TM510769 TM500754 TM292428 TM3650 TM3961 TM1359 TM1032-2433 TL7452 TM254388 TM133330 TM4553 TM 120485 TM3247 TM308478 TM355485 TL758728 TM438652 TL845800 TM012352 TM475604 TM4659 TM484760 TM2635 TL693651 TL7472 TM1948 TM300525 TL6981 TM453646 TM4674 TL8943 TM274438 TM3674 TL758842 TM4569 TL800713 TM465737 TM4773 TM0062 TM2481 TM 173408 TM291501 TM055440 TL828720 TL9037

SuffolkRingingReport 2014

EARLIEST AND LATEST DATES OF SUMMER MIGRANTS 2014 ARRIVALS

DEPARTURES

Date

Locality

Date

Garganey*

Mar 1st

Bucklesham

Oct 28th

Minsmere

Osprey

Mar 5th

Kirton Creek

Nov 30th

Orfordness

Minsmere

Locality

Hobby

Apr 3rd

Oct 26th

Kessingland

Stone-curlew

Mar 13th Cavenham Heath

Nov 5th

Fakenham Magna

Little (Ringed) Plover

Mar 24th Pipps Ford

Sep 30th

Pipps Ford

Whimbrel

Apr 1st

Hollesley Marshes

Oct 31st

Thorpeness

W o o d Sandpiper

Apr 21st

Brantham

Sep 10th

Minsmere

Little Tern

Apr 17th

Breydon Water

Oct 13th

Landguard

Black Tern

Apr 21st

Livermere

Sep 2nd

Minsmere

Sandwich Tern

Mar 22nd Minsmere

Nov 8th

Stutton Ness

C o m m o n Tern

Apr 2nd

Kessingland

Oct 30th

Landguard

Arctic Tern

Apr 19th

Lackford

Oct 23 rd

Gorleston

Turtle Dove

Apr 22nd

Landguard

Oct 16th

Landguard

Cuckoo

Apr 10th

Minsmere/Oulton

Sep 14th

Heveningham

Nightjar

May 14th The King's Forest

Sep 3rd

Westleton Heath

Swift

Apr 17th

Corton

Oct 20th

Boyton

Wryneck

Apr 22nd

Benacre

Sep 28th

Norton

Sand M a r t i n

Mar 15th Lakenheath Fen

Oct 11th

Landguard

Swallow

Apr 2nd

Nov 25th

Minsmere

Nov 13th

Westleton

Oulton/Holton/ Great Ashfield

House M a r t i n W o o d Warbler

Mar 23rd West Stow -

Aug 23rd

Bawdsey

W i l l o w Warbler

Mar 3 0 t h Cavenham Heath

Oct 16th

Orfordness

Garden Warbler

Apr 19th

Lackford

Oct 30th

Landguard

Lesser W h i t e t h r o a t * *

Apr 9th

Thurston

Dec 3rd

Benacre/Alderton

C o m m o n W h i t e t h r o a t Apr 13th

Landguard

Oct 21st

Landguard

Grasshopper Warbler

Apr 9th

Cavenham

Sep 15th

Landguard

Sedge Warbler

Mar 26th Ipswich

Sep 29th

Hollesley

Reed Warbler

Apr 15th

Oct 12th

Landguard

Lakenheath

Ring Ouzel

Apr 1st

Benacre

Nov 22nd

Minsmere

Spotted Flycatcher

May 5th

Thornham

Sep 28th

Benhall

Nightingale

Apr 9th

Martlesham

Sep 21st

Landguard

Redstart

Apr 5th

Landguard

Oct 15th

Felixstowe

Whinchat

Apr 30th

Pakefield/Benacre/ Landguard

Nov 10th

Lakenheath Fen

Wheatear

Mar 10th

Cavenham

Nov 30th

Bawdsey

Pied Flycatcher

Apr 22nd

Kessingland/Benacre/ Minsmere/Landguard

Oct 15th

Landguard

Yellow Wagtail

Mar 16th

Walberswick

Oct 13th

Corton

Tree Pipit

Apr 6th

The King's Forest

Oct 14th

Bawdsey

* Excluding bird at Trimley, January 5th * * Including bird w i t h damaged wing, Benacre, Nov 28th t o Dec 3rd

184

A Guide to Recording Birds in Suffolk

A GUIDE TO RECORDING BIRDS IN SUFFOLK Introduction The f o u n d a t i o n stone of any report is the data upon which it is based. Unless w e ail submit our records diligently, and in a usable f o r m , then the Suffolk Birci Report will not be a comprehensive account of t h e birds recorded in Suffolk. The system The recording of the county's avifauna is the responsibility of the Suffolk Naturalists' Society, working in close co-operation w i t h t h e Suffolk Ornithologists' Group. The linchpins of the system are the Recorders, w h o are the initial point of contact for ali records. Because of the volume of records in Suffolk the county has been divided into three areas. See the inside front cover for a map and addresses. Observers are reminded that Suffolk works to Watsonian vice-county boundaries, taking in areas that are n o w administered as Norfolk, Cambridgeshire or Essex. The most significant area affected is that of Lothingland, t h e northern limits of which follow t h e River Yare and include t h e south side of Breydon Water. We have retained these originai boundaries as we feel that sensible comparison of data can only be made f r o m year to year if t h e recording area is kept constant. Submission of records Ali observers are requested to submit their records monthly. We also suggest that the following format be followed: (a) Location (precise place name f r o m the Ordnance Survey map plus parish if ambiguous). OS grid reference should be added if in any doubt or if reporting breeding locations. (b) Species (c)

Date

(d) Name and address of observer (e) Sex/age - male, iemale, juvenile etc. (f)

Abundance - count numbers, frequency, etc.

(g) Type of record - dead, ringed, etc. (h) O t h e r c o m m e n t s considered relevant - behaviour etc. In particular see t h e list below for particular i n f o r m a t i o n required for each species. Ail claims of national rarities should, of course, be accompanied by a full description. The Recorder will automatically forward this to t h e British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC). If s u b m i t t i n g a list of records for one particular site, please put ail détails at t h e top of t h e list and annotate w i t h sex a n d / o r frequency. Remember, if in any doubt as to the value of any record, please send it in! A spreadsheet is available for submitting records and can be downloaded f r o m the SOG website. This can be sent electronically to the Recorders and is a much easier and quicker method for them. Whilst this is not essential, we w o u l d encourage ail those w h o can to use this m e t h o d of submitting their records. Assessment of records Ail records come under t h e scrutiny of t h e Suffolk Ornithological Records Committee (SORC) and for rare or scarce species, vérification is sought - i.e. photographs, field sketches, witnesses, sound recordings (for calling or singing birds) and (most importantly) w r i t t e n descriptions. The SORC's policy for vagrants, classified as national rarities, is clear; records should be channelled through t h e County Recorder t o be considered by t h e British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC), whose décisions are accepted by SORC. A full list of species t h a t are considered by t h e SORC follows. The c o m m i t t e e may also request f u r t h e r détails regarding any other species that, in t h e opinion of t h e c o m m i t t e e , is out of context in terms of season, habitat or numbers. A list of records which have not been accepted for publication can be found in Appendix III and includes those w h i c h have been circulated t o t h e respective committees but were considered 185

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 unacceptable due t o either t h e identification not being fully established or, more rarely, a genuine mistake having been made. It does not include records still under considération. Guide to species The f o l l o w i n g list shows all t h e species recorded in t h e county and thus this is also a checklist for Suffolk. For any species not listed, a full description will be required. The list shows those species accepted into Catégories A, B and C, as per t h e British Ornithologists' Union (see t h e Introduction t o t h e Systematic List for more détails). Note t h a t a large n u m b e r of species included can also fall into Catégories D and E (basically as escapees); a description of such a bird may be requested but will be essential if it is believed t h a t t h e bird is of wild origin. A reminder that Turtle Dove, YellowWagtail, Nightingale, Spotted Flycatcher, Marsh Tit and Corn Bunting have ali been moved from Category 4 to category 3 - records of all of them would be appreciated. A r e m i n d e r t h a t Black-throated Diver and Grey Phalarope have been moved f r o m 3 t o 2, especially for those seen at sea. SOG/SORC w o u l d also like t o receive any breeding records for t h e f o l l o w i n g 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. There have been a f e w changes of category f r o m BBRC over t h e past y e a r : M o v i n g f r o m Category 1 to 2 are Lesser Scaup, Penduline Tit, Blyth's Reed Warbler and Citrine Wagtail. SORC, of course, will still require descriptions of these species, M o v i n g f r o m Category 2 to 1 are Aquatic Warbler, Tawny Pipit, Red-throated Pipit and Rustie Bunting. Descriptions of these species will need t o be sent t o BBRC. Surf Scoter and Great Knot w e r e added to t h e Suffolk list in 2014. Mute Swan Tundra (Bewick's) Swan Whooper Swan Bean Goose Tundra Taiga Pink-footed Goose Greater White-fronted Goose Greylag Goose Snow Goose Greater Canada Goose Barnacle Goose Brent Goose Dark-bellied Pale-bellied Black Brant Red-breasted Goose Egyptian Goose Ruddy Shelduck * Common Shelduck Mandarin Duck Eurasian Wigeon American Wigeon Gadwall Baikal Teal Eurasian Teal Green-winged Teal Mallard Northern Pintail Garganey Blue-winged Teal Northern Shoveler

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

Red-crested Pochard Common Pochard Ring-necked Duck Ferruginous Duck Tufted Duck Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup Common Eider King Eider Long-tailed Duck Common Scoter Surf Scoter Velvet Scoter Bufflehead Common Goldeneye Smew Red-breasted Merganser Goosander Ruddy Duck Red-legged Partridge Grey Partridge Common Quail Common Pheasant Golden Pheasant Red-throated Diver Black-throated Diver Great Northern Diver White-billed Diver Northern Fulmar Cory's Shearwater Great Shearwater Sooty Shearwater 186

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

Manx Shearwater Balearic Shearwater European Storm-petrel Leach's Storm-petrel Northern Gannet Great Cormorani European Shag Great Bittern Little Bittern Black-crowned Night-heron Squacco Heron Cattle Egret Little Egret Great Egret Grey Heron Purple Heron Black Stork White Stork Glossy Ibis Eurasian Spoonbill Little Grebe Great Crested Grebe Red-necked Grebe Slavonian Grebe Black-necked Grebe European Honey-buzzard Black Kite Red Kite White-tailed Eagle Eurasian Marsh Harrier Hen Harrier Pallid Harrier

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

A Guide to Recording Birds in Suffolk Montagu's Harrier Northern Goshawk Eurasian Sparrowhawk Common Buzzard Rough-legged Buzzard Greater Spotted Eagle Osprey Lesser Kestrel Common Kestrel Red-footed Falcon Merlin Eurasian Hobby Eleonora's Falcon Gyr Falcon Peregrine Falcon Water Rail Spotted Crake Little Crake Baillons Crake* Corncrake Common Moorhen Allen's Gallinule* Common Coot Common Crane Sandhill Crane Little Bustard Macqueen's Bustard Great Bustard Eurasian Oystercatcher Black-winged Stilt Pied Avocet Stone-curlew Cream-coloured Courser* Collared Pratincole Oriental Pratincole Black-winged Pratincole Little Ringed Plover Ringed Plover Killdeer Kentish Plover Greater Sand Plover Eurasian Dotterel American Golden Plover Pacific Golden Plover European Golden Plover Grey Plover Sociable Lapwing Northern Lapwing Great Knot Red Knot Sanderling Semipalmated Sandpiper Little Stint Temminck's Stint White-rumped Sandpiper Baird's Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Curlew Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper

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

Dunlin Broad-billed Sandpiper Buff-breasted Sandpiper Ruff Jack Snipe Common Snipe Great Snipe Long-billed Dowitcher Eurasian Woodcock Black-tailed Godwit Bar-tailed Godwit Whimbrel Eurasian Curlew Terek Sandpiper Common Sandpiper Spotted Sandpiper Green Sandpiper Spotted Redshank Greater Yellowlegs Common Greenshank Lesser Yellowlegs Marsh Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper Common Redshank Ruddy Turnstone Wilson's Phalarope Red-necked Phalarope Grey Phalarope Pomarine Skua Arctic Skua Long-tailed Skua Great Skua Ivory Gull Sabine's Gull Kittiwake Slender-billed Gull Black-headed Gull Little Gull Ross's Gull Laughing Gull Franklin's Gull Mediterranean Gull Audouin's Gull Common Gull Ring-billed Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Herring Gull Yellow-legged Gull Caspian Gull Iceland Gull Glaucous Gull Great Black-backed Gull Sooty Tern Little Tern Gull-billed Tern Caspian Tern Whiskered Tern Black Tern White-winged Black Tern Sandwich Tern 187

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

Lesser Crested Tern Common Tern Roseate Tern Arctic Tern Common Guillemot Razorbill Black Guillemot Little Auk Atlantic Puffin Pallas's Sandgrouse* Feral Pigeon Stock Pigeon Common Wood Pigeon Eurasian Collared Dove European Turtle Dove Oriental Turtle Dove Rose-ringed Parakeet Great Spotted Cuckoo Common Cuckoo Yellow-billed Cuckoo Barn Owl Eurasian Scops Owl* Snowy Owl Little Owl Tawny Owl Long-eared Owl Short-eared Owl Tengmalm's Owl* European Nightjar Common Swift Pallid Swift Pacific Swift Alpine Swift Common Kingfisher European Bee-eater European Roller Hoopoe Eurasian Wryneck Green Woodpecker Great Spotted Woodpecker Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Red-eyed Vireo Eurasian Golden Oriole Isabelline Shrike Red-backed Shrike Lesser Grey Shrike Great Grey Shrike Southern Grey Shrike Woodchat Shrike Red-billed Chough* Black-billed Magpie Eurasian Jay Spotted Nutcracker Eurasian Jackdaw Rook Carrion Crow Hooded Crow Common Raven Goldcrest Firecrest

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

SuffolkRingingReport 2014 Eurasian Penduline Tit BlueTit Great Tit Crested Tit Coal Tit Willow Tit Marsh Tit Bearded Tit Greater Short-toed Lark Crested Lark Wood Lark Sky Lark Horned (Shore) Lark Sand Martin Barn Swallow House Martin Red-rumped Swallow Cetti's Warbier Long-tailed Tit Greenish Warbier Arctic Warbier Pallas' Leaf Warbier Yellow-browed Warbier Hume's Leaf Warbier Radde's Warbier Dusky Warbier Western Bonelli's Warbier Wood Warbier Common Chiffchaff Siberian Chiffchaff Willow Warbier Blackcap Garden Warbier Barred Warbier Lesser Whitethroat Common Whitethroat Spectacled Warbier Dartford Warbier Marmora's Warbier Subalpine Warbier Sardinian Warbier Lanceolated Warbier Common Grasshopper Warbier River Warbier Savi's Warbier Olivaceous Warbier Booted Warbier Icterine Warbier Melodious Warbier

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

Aquatic Warbier Sedge Warbier Paddyfield Warbier Blyth's Reed Warbier Marsh Warbier Eurasian Reed Warbier Great Reed Warbier Bohemian Waxwing Wood Nuthatch Eurasian Treecreeper Short-toed Treecreeper Winter Wren Common Starling Rosy Starling White-throated Dipper White's Thrush Ring Ouzel Common Blackbird Fieldfare Song Thrush Redwing Mistle Thrush Spotted Flycatcher European Robin Thrush Nightingale Common Nightingale Bluethroat Siberian Blue Robin Red-flanked Bluetail Black Redstart Common Redstart Whinchat Stonechat Siberian Stonechat Isabelline Wheatear Northern Wheatear Pied Wheatear Desert Wheatear White-crowned Wheatear (White-tailed Wheatear) Red-breasted Flycatcher Collared Flycatcher Pied Flycatcher Hedge Accentor Alpine Accentor House Sparrow Spanish Sparrow Eurasian Tree Sparrow Yellow Wagtail

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

Blue-headed Wagtail Grey-headed Wagtail Black-headed Wagtail Ashy-headed Wagtail Citrine Wagtail Grey Wagtail Pied Wagtail White Wagtail Richard's Pipit Blyth's Pipit Tawny Pipit Olive-backed Pipit Tree Pipit Meadow Pipit Red-throated Pipit Rock Pipit Water Pipit Chaffinch Brambling European Serin European Greenfinch European Goldfinch Eurasian Siskin Common Linnet Twite Lesser Redpoll Common (Mealy) Redpoll Arctic Redpoll Two-barred Crossbill Common Crossbill Parrot Crossbill Trumpeter Finch Common Rosefinch Eurasian Bullfinch Hawfinch Snow Bunting Lapland Longspur Lark Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Pine Bunting Yellowhammer Ciri Bunting Ortolan Bunting Rustie Bunting Little Bunting Yellow-breasted Bunting Reed Bunting Black-headed Bunting Com Bunting

* not recorded as wild since at least 1949 Key: 1 National Rarity - detailed description required. 2 County Rarity - notes detailing observation will always be required. 3 All records requested - supporting notes may be requested. 4 Specific records - records of breeding, large counts, earliest/latest dates, unusual inland records or migration/weather-related movements requested. 188

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

Rare Birds in Suffolk 2014

Rare Birds in Suffolk 2014 David

Walsh

Accepted BBRC Records 2014 Black Stork Ciconia nigra: Lowestoft, south to Kessingland and Covehithe, June 5th (6 Hawes et a!.). Trimley Marshes, juvenile, November 15th and 16th (P J Holmes, P Oldfield, G Parker et al.)-, presumed same, Hazlewood Marshes, November 17th (J and M Mountain). Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus: Minsmere RSPB and Sizewell, juvenile, September 21st (J H Grant, R Walden et at.). Little Crake Porzana parva: Minsmere RSPB, juvenile/first-winter, September 30th t o October 13th (R C Knight

etal.).

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus: Cavenham, family of six, t w o adults and four juveniles, July 19th to 28th (D Langlois, E Lucking et at.) then Livermere, July 29th (P Wilson et al.) and back at Cavenham, July 30th; Livermere, one adult, August 1st; Cavenham, family of six, August 6th; Cavenham, one adult and the four juveniles, August 7th to 9th; Cavenham, one adult, August 12th. Collared Pratincole Glareola pratĂncola:

M i n s m e r e RSPB, adult, July 15th t o 27th (R Drew, D

Fairhurst, J A Rowlands et al.). Great Knot Calldris tenuirostris: Breydon Water (south shore), adult, July 14th and 15th (P R Allard et al.). Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida: Minsmere RSPB, adult, April 26th (J H Grant). Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor: Boyton and Hollesley Marshes RSPB, adult female, September 6th and 7th (J Forsyth, N Mason et al.). Eurasian Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus: Minsmere RSPB, t w o , adult and first-winter, October 25th (D Carter). Snape Wetlands RSPB, Botany Marshes, adult, October 25th (D Fairhurst et al.). 'Eastern Subalpine Warbler' Sylvia cantillans cantillans/albistriata:

Landguard, August 29th to

September 3rd (W J Brame et al.). Savi's Warbler Locustella luscinioides: Westwood Marshes, Walberswick, male in song, June 8th to 19th (B J Small et al.). Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum.

Orfordness, first-winter, August 30th (D Fairhurst,

M C Marsh et al.). Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus

arundinaceus:

Holness, A M Sheppard, H G Sheppard etal.).

Lackford Lakes, male in song, May 5th (P

Westwood Marshes, Walberswick, male in song,

May 16th (J J Hoare). Desert Wheatear Oenanthe

deserti: Lowestoft, first-winter male,

November 6th to 9th (C R Dale et al.). Gorleston, first-winter female, November 7th t o 14th (R Fairhead, R Murray et al.). White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichla

albicollis:

Landguard, June 19th (T Bagworth et al.). Accepted BBRC Records 2013 Pacific

Golden

Plover

Pluvialls

fulva:

Orfordness, June 29th t o July 3rd (D Fairhurst, M C Marsh, G Stannard et al.). 'Eastern Subalpine Warbler' Sylvia cantillans/albistriata: and 27th (P J Holmes 1999 Non-accepted

cantlllans

Landguard, male, April 26th etal.).

record:

Brunnich's Guillemot, Southwold and Covehithe, January 189

SuffolkRingingReport 2014

Alphabetical Index of Species Accounts - Common Names Alpine Swift American Golden Piover American Wigeon Arctic Redpoll Arctic Skua Arctic Tern Avocet Baird's Sandpiper Balearic Shearwater Barn Owl Barnacle Goose Barred Warbler Bar-tailed Godwit Bean Goose Bearded Tit Bee-eater Bewick's Swan Bittern Black Kite Black Redstart Black Stork Black Tern Black-throated Diver Blackbird Blackcap Black-headed Gull Black-necked Grebe Black-tailed Godwit Black-winged Stilt Bluethroat Blue Tit Blue-winged Teal Brambling Brent Goose Buff-breasted Sandpiper Bullfinch Buzza rd Canada Goose Carrion Crow Caspian Gull Cattle Egret Cetti's Warbler Chaffinch Chiffchaff Citrine Wagtail CoalTit Collared Dove Crossbill Common Crâne Common Gull Common Rosefinch Common Sandpiper Common Scoter Common Tern

107 -

90 100 74 -

104 42 123 81 39 117 107 38 60 66 131 63 98 57 127 122 92 66 80 73 -

116 -

140 42/43 -

144 70 41 114 96 -

120 139 121 -

116 103 143 72 94 143 83 53 99

Coot Cormorani Corn Bunting Corncrake Cory's Shearwater Crossbill Cuckoo Curlew Curlew Sandpiper Dartford Warbler Dipper Dotterei Dunlin Dunnock Dusky Warbler Eider Egyptian Goose Ferai Pigeon Ferruginous Duck Fieldfare Firecrest Fulmar Gadwall Gannet Garden Warbler Garganey Glaucous Gull Glossy Ibis Goldcrest Golden Pheasant Golden Oriole Golden Piover Goldeneye Goldfinch Goosander Goshawk Grasshopper Warbler Great Black-backed Gull Great-crested Grebe Great Egret Greater Yellowlegs Great Grey Shrike Great Knot Great Northern Diver Great Reed Warbler Great Skua Great Snipe Great-spotted Woodpecker Great Tit Green Sandpiper Green-winged Teal Green Woodpecker Greenfinch Greenish Warbler 190

72 60 146 72 -

142 103 83 78 124 -

75 79 134 121 52 44 102 51 128 115 58 46 59 122 49 97 64 115 56 112 75 54 140 55 69 124 97 65 62 -

112 77 57 125 90 -

108 116 84 47 108 140 120

Greenshank Grey Héron Grey Partridge Grey Phalarope Grey Plover Grey Wagtail Greylag Goose Gull-billed Tern Guillemot Hawflnch Hen Harrier Herring Gull Hobby Honey Buzzard Hooded Crow Hoopoe House Martin House Sparrow Hume's Warbler Iceland Gull Icterine Warbler Isabelline Shrike Jack Snipe Jackdaw Jay Kentish Plover Kestrel Kingfisher Kittiwake Knot Lapland Longspur Lapwing Leach's Petrel Lesser Black-backed Gull Lesser Grey Shrike Lesser Redpoll Lesser Scaup Lesser-spotted Woodpecker Lesser White-front Lesser Whitethroat Lesser Yellowlegs Linnet Little Auk Little Bunting Little Crake Little Egret Little Grebe Little Gull Little Owl Little (Ringed) Plover Little Stint Little Tern Long-billed Dowitcher Long-eared Owl

85 63 56 88 76 135 41 -

100 144 68 95 110 66 114 107 119 134 -

96 124 -

88 113 113 -

109 107 91 77 144 76 59 94 112 142 -

109 147 123 -

141 101 -

72 61 64 92 104 74 77 97 -

105

Index of Speeles Long-tailed Duck Long-tailed Skua Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Mandarin Duck Manx Shearwater Marsh Harrier Marsh Sandpiper Marsh Tit Marsh Warbier Meadow Pipit Mealy Redpoll Mediterranean Gull Melodious Warbier Merlin MistleThrush Montagu's Harrier Moorhen Mute Swan Night Heron Nightingale Nightjar Nuthatch Olive-backed Pipit Ortolan Bunting Osprey Oystercatcher Pacific Golden Piover Pallas's Warbier Pallid Harrier Pallid Swift Pectoral Sandpiper Penduline Tit Peregrine Pheasant Pied Flycatcher Pied Wagtail Pink-footed Goose Pintail Pochard Pomarine Skua Puffin Purple Heron Purple Sandpiper Quail Radde's Warbier Raven Razorbill Red Kite Red-backed Shrike Red-breasted Flycatcher Red-breasted Goose Red-breasted Merganser Red-crested Pochard Red-flanked Bluetail Red-footed Falcon

53 90 120 112 48 45 59 67 -

117 124 137 142 93 -

109 129 69 72 38 -

130 106 126 137 145 70 73 76 120 69 -

78 116 111 56 130 136 39 48 51 89 102 63 79 56 -

114 101 66 112 130 -

54 50 -

Red-Iegged Partridge Red-necked Grebe Red-necked Phalarope Red-rumped Swallow Redshank Redstart Red-throated Diver Red-throated Pipit Redwing Reed Bunting Reed Warbier Richard's Pipit Ring Ouzel Ring-billed Gull Ringed Piover Ring-necked Duck Robin Rock Pipit Roller Rook Roseate Tern Rose-ringed Parakeet Rosy Starling Rough-Iegged Buzzard Ruddy Duck Ruddy Shelduck Ruff Rustie Bunting Sabine's Gull Sand Martin Sanderling Sandwich Tern Savi's Warbier Scaup Sedge Warbier Semipalmated Sandpiper Serin Shag Shelduck Shore Lark Short-eared Owl Short-toed Lark Shoveler Siskin Skylark Slavonian Grebe Smew Snipe Snow Bunting Snow Goose Song Thrush Sooty Shearwater Sparrowhawk Spoonbill Spotted Crake Spotted Flycatcher Spotted Redshank 191

56 65 -

120 86 131 56 138 128 145 125 138 127 -

75 -

130 138 -

113 100 111 127 70 55 148 80 -

91 119 77 99 124 52 124 -

140 60 44 118 105 -

50 141 118 65 54 89 144 -

128 58 69 64 72 129 84

Starling Stock Dove Stonechat Stone-curlew Storm Petrel Surf Scoter Swallow Swift Tawny Owl Tawny Pipit Teal Temminck's Stint Tree Pipit Tree Sparrow Treecreeper Tufted Duck Turnstone Turtle Dove Twite Velvet Scoter Water Pipit Water Rail Waxwing Wheatear Whimbrel Whinchat Whiskered Tern White-fronted Goose White Stork White-rumped Sandpiper White-tailed Eagle Whitethroat White Wagtail White-winged (Black) Tern Whooper Swan Wigeon Willow Tit Willow Warbier Woodchat Shrike Wood Lark Wood Sandpiper Wood Warbier Woodcock Woodpigeon Wren Wryneck Yellowhammer Yellow-browed Warbier Yellow-Iegged Gull Yellow Wagtail

126 102 132 73 -

53 119 106 105 -

47 78 137 134 126 51 87 103 142 53 139 71 125 134 82 132 98 40 64 -

67 123 136 99 39 45 117 121 112 117 86 121 88 102 126 107 145 120 95 135

SuffolkRingingReport 2014

Suffolk Ornithologists' Group / ™

SOG are The voice of Suffolk birdwatchers An independent birding group and registered charity

F o r

c o n s e r v a t i o n ;

F o r

e a j o y v u m t

P r o v i d i n g b i r d i n g resources...

P r o t e c t i n g birds

Annually 20+ field trips - ideal for novices or

Active lobby protecting habitats and extending birding amenities

experts, young or old; practical birding skills Programme of talks and présentations - variety

Generates and undertakes conservation projects that have secured excellent outcomes:

of topics (county, national, or international) with quality speakers

- Contributed to seveial species breeding successes (Barn Owls,

...and m e d i a

Peregrine Falcon etc.)

Strong web presence - www.sogonline.org.uk

- Involved with Community and education projects

Active Twitter feed - @suffolkbirds1

- Organises and hosts dawn chorus walks

Annual review - Suffolk Birds report

- On-going participation in key surveys for the BTO, such as BBS, the Bird Atlas, plus studies for environmental waste companies etc.

Quarterly magazine - The Harrier

J°*n

U $

Membership of SOG is open to everyone. • Download a membership application form from our Website Or write to Matthew Deans, Membership Secretary 49c Oak Hill, Hollesley, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3JY or tel: 07912 859747

F o r

b i r d s

S tf o r

b i r d e r s

www.sogonline.org.uk SOG Registered Charity No. 8 7 1 4 4 6

192

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 t w o 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.

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES: SNS

Joint membership SNS/SOG

Individual

£15

£30

Family

£17

£35

Corporate

£17

CONTENTS P a g e

Editorial: Nick Mason

Weather report: Edward Jackson

Review of scarce and rare birds in Suffolk in 2014: Lee Woods

Derek Moore RIP: Various Lesser White-fronted Goose in Suffolk:

18 Gi Grieco

Surf Scoter, Stutton Ness: Ed Keeble

Great Knot at Breydon Water: Craig Fulcher

Little Crake at Minsmere: Richard Knight

Black-winged Stilts breeding in west Suffolk: Colin Jakes and Malcolm

Wright

Common Swift roosting amongst foliage: Steve Piotrowski

Pallid Harrier at Minsmere: Paul Holmes

The 2014 Suffolk Bird Report Introduction

Systematic List

Appendices

147

Suffolk Ringing Report 2014: Simon Evans

150

List of Contributors

180

Gazetteer

182

Earliestand Latest Dates of Summer Migrants

184

A Guide to Recording Birds in Suffolk

185

Rare Birds in Suffolk 2014: David Walsh

189

Index of species:

190

ÂŁ10.00