Suffolk Birds 2018

Suffolk Birds 2018

West Area Recorder Colin Jakes, 7 Maltward Avenue, BURY ST EDMUNDS IP33 3XN Tel: 01284 702215 Email: colin@jakes.myzen.co.uk

North-East Area Recorder Andrew Green, 17 Cherrywood, HARLESTON Norfolk IP20 9LP Tel: 07766 900063 Email: waveney@yahoo.com

South-East Area Recorder Scott Mayson, 8 St Edmunds Close, Springfields, Woodbridge, IP12 4UY Tel: 01394 385595 Email: smsuffolkbirder@gmail.com

SUFFOLK BIRDS VOL. 68

A review of birds in Suffolk in 2018

Editor Nick Mason Greatly assisted by Philip Murphy (Systematic List) and David Walsh (Rarer species)

Bill Baston (Photos) Phil Whittaker (Artwork)

Published by Suffolk Naturalists’ Society Compiled by Suffolk Ornithologist’s group 2018

Published by The Suffolk Naturalists’ Society, c/o The Museum, High Street, Ipswich IP1 3QH © The Suffolk Naturalists’ Society 2019 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the copyright owners.

The SNS is a Registered Charity No. 206084.

ISSN 0264-5793

Printed by Healeys, Unit 10, The Sterling Complex, Farthing Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 5AP.

Front cover: The American Bittern at Carlton Marshes – Richard Thewlis The copyright remains that of the photographers and artists.

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CONTENTS

Page

Editorial: Nick Mason.................................................................................................................................

Weather report: Edward Jackson...............................................................................................................

Review of scarce and rare birds in Suffolk in 2018: Craig Fulcher..........................................................

The British List: Brian Small.......................................................................................................................

Name change. SOG to SBG: Edward Jackson.............................................................................................

Black-tailed Godwits on the Stour Estuary – seasonal turnover: Ed Keeble.............................................

The 2017 Ringed Plover survey: Robin Harvey..........................................................................................

Birds and other wildlife in the Lackford area 1948/89: Alec Bull and Peter Lack.....................................

American Bittern at Carlton Marshes: Gavin Durrant, Rob Holmes and Rob Wilton................................

Semipalmated Sandpiper at Minsmere: Ally Riseborough........................................................................

White Storks at Theberton: Mike Cartwright............................................................................................

5 8 11 15 16 18 24 26 33 37 38

The 2018 Suffolk Bird Report Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 41 Systematic List..................................................................................................................................... 43 Appendices....................................................................................................................................... 192 Suffolk Ringing Report 2018: Simon Evans......................................................................................... 196 Rare Birds in Suffolk 2018: David Walsh.................................................................................................... 228 List of Contributors................................................................................................................................... 229 Earliest and Latest Dates of Summer Migrants . ...................................................................................... 231 A Guide to Recording Birds in Suffolk....................................................................................................... 232 Gazetteer.................................................................................................................................................. 236 Index of species:...................................................................................................................................... 238 The artwork in this Report is by Richard Allen, Peter Beeson, Terry Everitt and Richard Thewlis.

The photographs in this report are by Bill Baston, Dave Borderick, Will Brame, Alan Chaplin, Liz Cutting, Kit Day, Steve Gantlett, Ian Goodall, Jeff Higgott, Craig Holden, Rob Holmes, Chris Mayne, Andrew Moon, Peter Ransome and John Richardson.

We would like to point out that many photographs were submitted, all of them of publishable quality. In the end we had to go for those that fitted in best with this year’s bird report.

Barn Owl generally a poor breeding year for this species.

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Ian Goodall

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Notice to Contributors Suffolk Birds is an annual publication of records, notes and papers on all aspects of Suffolk ornithology. Except for records and field descriptions submitted through the county recorders, all material should be original. It should not have been published elsewhere or offered complete or in part to any other journal.

Authors should carefully study this issue and follow the style of presentation, especially in relation to references and tables. Where relevant, nomenclature and order should follow the latest published for The British List by the British Ornithologist’s Union (IOC list from 2018) and available on their web site at www.bou.org.uk. English names should follow the same list.

Contributions should, if possible, be submitted to the editor by e-mail or on a CD/DVD and written in Microsoft Word (Calibri font size 10). If typed, manuscripts should be double-spaced, with wide margins, on one side of the paper only. They must be in the final form for publication: proofs of longer papers are returned to authors, but alterations must be confined to corrections of printer’s errors. The cost of any other alterations may be charged to the author.

Photographs and line drawings are required to complement each issue. Suitable photographs of birds, preferably taken in Suffolk, can be either digital or in the form of 35mm transparencies.

Artwork is also required to complement each issue. A payment of £12 will be made to the artist for each original drawing.

Every possible effort will be made to take care of the original photographs and artwork.

However, photographers and artists are reminded that neither the editor nor the SNS can be held responsible in the unlikely event that loss or damage occur.

Authors may wish to illustrate their papers, but this will be subject to the illustrations being of the standard required by the editor and the decision on such matters will rest with him or her.

Material submitted for publication should be sent to the editor no later than March 1st of each year. Authors of main papers may request up to five free copies of the journal. Any opinions expressed in this Report are those of the contributor and are not necessarily those of the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society or the Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group.

Suffolk Ornithological Records Committee (at time of printing): Chair: Brian Small Area County Recorders: Colin Jakes, Andrew Green, Scott Mayson Bird Report Editor: Nick Mason (non-voting) Secretary: Craig Fulcher (craigfulcher@btinternet.com) Other Committee Members: Lee Gregory, Tim Humpage, Justin Zantboer, James Brown.

BBRC correspondent: Dave Walsh ADDRESSES Papers, notes, drawings and photographs: The Editor (Suffolk Birds), The Suffolk Naturalists’ Society, c/o The Museum, High Street, Ipswich IP1 3QH. Records: See inside front cover.

Suffolk Ornithological Records Committee – correspondence: The Secretary, SORC, c/o The Museum, High Street, Ipswich IP1 3QH – or sorcsec@gmail.com (craigfulcher@btinternet.com).

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Editorial

Editorial Nick Mason Another interesting ornithological year in and off the field. We have changed our name to The Suffolk Bird Group and an explanation for that change can be found amongst the articles.

As always, there is a reminder to get those records in as soon as possible to the three recorders.

We cannot have a bird report without them. On that point, you will notice that there are still no data from the Blyth WeBS counts – frustrating that! We would also suggest that while Birdtrack is a fantastic resource, and is easy to use, those more pertinent records are sent straight to the county recorders – otherwise they are in danger of being lost among literally thousands of other records. So those rarer records, those of interesting numbers of birds or out of season occurrences and especially of interesting behaviour shown – get them in to the three recorders.

We do not want them lost amongst the many thousands of BirdTrack records that are received.

And a reminder that as of January 2018 we are using the order and nomenclature of the IOC. This means that several species and groups have moved around, yet again! I hope this will be the last of such changes for a long while! In last year’s report I put a reference to Brian Small’s explanatory article from 2016 but this year I have decided to re-run it in this report.

Throughout this report there are several additions to 2017 data. These are mostly due to work done by the Breckland Birding Group and cover population studies in both the Suffolk and Norfolk parts of Thetford Forest. We are pleased to be able to include them here.

The articles this year are varied. Ed Keeble has written an intriguing piece on the seasonal variations in wader populations, specifically Black-tailed Godwit, on the Stour Estuary. The 2017 Ringed Plover and Little Ringed Plovers survey has been written up by the ever-dependable Robin Harvey. I was taken way back when reading Alec Bull’s piece on the birds of Lackford back in the late 1940s, and there are some up-to-date comments by Peter Lack. Good stuff!. The ornithological event of the year, the American Bittern at Carlton Marshes has been written up by three of the protagonists – Gavin Durrant, Rob Holmes and Rob Wilton. The agonising that we can go through when finding a rare bird is well summed-up by Ally Riseborough when he found the Semipalmated Sandpiper at Minsmere. Mike Cartwright’s attempts to find the origins of his White Storks at Theberton are well worth a read. Thankyou very much to each of them.

Thankyou also to the rest of the crew. The review this year has been written by Craig Fulcher who is the chair of SORC, so you have the cream – not that Eddie Marsh wasn’t, and thankyou Eddie for all your efforts in previous reports. Edward Jackson, who is the chair of the SBG, has again provided the year’s weather report. I am really pleased that the section writers continue to produce their pieces, some with a good deal of research. They are Gi Grieco swans and geese, Andrew Green ducks, John Davies game birds and grebes, John Grant divers and herons, Chris Gregory raptors and falcons, Ernie Lucking Oystercatcher and plovers, Ed Keeble the rest of the waders, James Wright skuas and gulls, Brian Buffery terns and auks, Darren Underwood pigeons, owls and woodpeckers, Phil Whittaker shrikes, corvids and tits, Nick Mason larks and hirundines, Richard Attenborrow crests, starling, thrushes, Steve Fryett flycatchers and chats and Paul Gowen sparrows, wagtails, pipits and finches. We have another excellent ringing report from Simon Evans, who has, again, put a lot of effort into this year’s report. Yes, I can’t say it too much – thanks to all of them. Changes from last year are – Peter Kennerley has taken over the warbler section and Adam Gretton the appendices. Many thanks go to the ‘retiring’ Andrew Gregory who has worked hard over the years preparing the warbler section and who actually took on the ringing report at one time – thanks Andrew.

We have been able to include some graphs based on BirdTrack data that show relevant 2018 differences compared with the long-term averages. Some of these show unusual movements and timings based on the “Beast from the East”. These have been supplied by our very own Scott Mayson. Thankyou Scott for those.

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018

David Walsh has gone over the top doing another excellent job of coordinating the BBRC section and with his efforts on the Rare Breeding Birds. He was a great help in coordinating the details of the rarer species in this report. A big thankyou to him. And also, thanks to the aforementioned Craig Fulcher, and the rest of SORC, for helping with the accuracy of rare bird records. Again, I shall say it – not a bad time to remind everybody to, please, get their records in to the three recorders. Those special records that make a difference need to go in separately, rather than just to Birdtrack, especially where we should like to credit the observers. We also welcome field notes on some of those special occasions. Go on – get yourself in print!

Again, the photographs have been expertly chosen and presented by Bill Baston while Phil Whittaker has used his teaching expertise to choose and present us with our artwork.

I cannot thank Philip Murphy enough for all of the effort and time that he puts in to making sure that the report is accurate and written to an acceptable standard. His knowledge of the birds of Suffolk remains legendary.

Once again Laurie Forsyth has proof-read the report and found all (I hope) of my mistakes.

When it comes to the data most of this comes through the three recorders; Andrew Green in the north-east, Scott Mayson in the south-east and Colin Jakes in the west of the county. Colin took over as West Area Recorder way back on January 1st 1994, over 25 years ago – what an amazing service to Suffolk’s ornithologists in the west of the county! Well done Colin!!

The contact details of the three recorders are inside the front cover.

I should like to make a special mention of the reports we get from both Orfordness and Landguard and thank the lot of you for your valuable work. I hope that you can see the usefulness of your data in the report. This must extend to all the other sites/organisations that have made a major contribution to the records – RSPB (Minsmere, Havergate, North Warren, Hollesley and Boyton Marshes, Lakenheath Fen) and SWT (especially Sizewell, Carlton Marshes, Trimley Marshes). It would be a thin report without their contributions!

Although the ‘we’ used here is the Suffolk Bird Group it is worth a reminder that this is a Suffolk Naturalists’ Society publication. And on that point, another reminder, that joint SNS/SBG membership is just £30 which is not bad when you consider that you receive, as well as our Harrier, the bird report (not in SBG membership), the SNS Transactions and White Admiral!

Our birds face many problems year on year. Loss of habitat, chemicals in the environment and netting when on passage are just three of them.

Red-breasted Merganser Richard Allen 6

Editorial

However, potentially one of the gravest dangers to our precious Suffolk coastline is the proposed building of Sizewell C. This is not an anti-nuclear comment. It is based on the fears that EDF cannot guarantee that the wetlands at Minsmere would not be negatively impacted by the development. Minsmere, as we all know, is of local, national and international importance and much of that is to do with the wetland areas that abut the proposed site. The proposal would already take up wetland SSSI land. Basically, the plan involves abstracting millions of gallons of water from the site and there is no way that that would not remove water from our special site right next door. The hydrology at Minsmere would be seriously affected. Without guarantees I do not see how it could possibly go ahead.

Last, but not least, I should like to mention the passing of Steve Goddard. Steve was an excellent naturalist and a good guy. His illness held him back but he still outdid a lot of us in the birds and insects he found. Richard Stewart has written an obituary in the summer edition of the Suffolk Argus, the magazine of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation. Thanks for inspiring us Steve.

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Suffolk’s Weather in 2018 Edward Jackson Our memories of most short-term weather events tend to fade quickly, but 2018 stands out as being a year with more significant extremes than usual. Headlines announcing the arrival of ‘The Beast from the East’ (and its junior partner the ‘Mini-Beast’!) appeared across all media, identifying a spell of fierce late wintery weather in late February and early March. With these bitter memories only recently behind us, along with most of the UK, Suffolk then experienced a long dry and hot summer with heatwaves in June and July.

Although the effects in 2018 were particularly marked, the ‘Beast from the East’ moniker is often used in met-speak to describe typical cold and wintery conditions affecting the UK that are generated by easterly winds coming off the near continent.

These winds result when a high pressure cell develops over Scandinavia, itself a response to the winter positioning and relative strength of the jet stream – the high-level circulatory wind system in the upper atmosphere. Despite highs also being (rather confusingly) known as anticyclones, in the northern hemisphere air circulates clockwise around them. When one builds over Scandinavia in winter, cold ‘Polar Continental’ air is drawn in from the north and east of the Eurasian landmass. If this air comes to the UK from as far away as Siberia, it can travel 5000 km over already very cold and typically snow-covered ground. Polar Continental air masses tend to produce the UK’s lowest winter temperatures, with thermometers sometimes plunging below -10 °C at night and remaining below 0 °C all day.

The strength of the wind depends in the relationship between the Scandinavian high and any low pressure systems to the south: the steeper the pressure gradient, the stronger the wind speeds funnelling between them. When these winds eventually track across the southern North Sea, the cold dry air picks up moisture and becomes unstable, delivering sleet and snow along the Suffolk coast and inland across the whole county, sometimes in significant amounts.

In the UK a heatwave is formally declared when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days when daily maximum temperatures meet or exceed its heatwave temperature threshold. The threshold varies by county: in Suffolk this is set at 27 °C. It is calculated with reference to the 1981 – 2010 climate data for the daytime maximum temperatures on July 15th, the mid-point of the meteorological summer.

Heatwaves again involve high pressure systems, but this time closer to home. In summer, the jet stream normally tracks to the north of the UK allowing large Highs to develop, often covering the whole of the country. low pressure systems are characterised by relatively rapidly ascending air, where warmer air masses rise up over cooler ones along weather fronts in an anti-clockwise spiral, typically resulting in cloud formation and rainfall. In contrast, highs are characterised by more gently descending air, spreading out in a clockwise spiral over larger areas – what goes up must come down! Under these high pressure conditions, the atmosphere is more stable, cloud formation is suppressed and the resulting clear skies allow the sun’s heat to raise temperatures at the ground and in the air column above it. High pressure systems are inherently slow moving and can persist for prolonged periods lasting days or weeks, giving dry and settled weather and increasing the chances of heatwaves.

The following season by season summary for Suffolk’s weather uses the standard Met Office format: December, January and February for ‘Winter’; March, April and May for ‘Spring’; June, July and August for ‘Summer’ and September, October and November for ‘Autumn’. Monthly temperatures refer here to the mean of all the daytime maximum readings. Comparisons with average temperatures and rainfall refer throughout to a Met Office 30-year long-term average also calculated from 1981 to 2010, the same period used to define the heatwave threshold.

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Suffolk’s Weather 2018

Winter: (December), January and February Winter 2017 – 2018 was generally rather unsettled, with weather systems coming in from the west for most of the time, allowing for only brief settled spells. Storm Caroline brought strong westerly winds at the end of the first week in December, as did Storm Dylan at the end of the month and Storm Eleanor in early January.

Temperatures fluctuated either side of average for December and January with some mild spells, but also some days with sharp frosts. The most widespread cold weather came in the final few days of February associated with the low temperatures and high wind chill of ‘The Beast from the East’, leading to a mean temperature 1.3 °C below the UK long-term average for the month.

December was wetter than average for Suffolk, with 20 or more days of either rain or snow.

January was an improvement, with roughly half the rain or snow of the last month: February was drier still, reflecting a UK average rainfall that was just 73% of the UK long-term figure.

The winter season was sunnier than normal: sunshine totals for the whole of the UK were 115% compared to average in December, 103% in January and 137% in February.

Spring: March, April and May The first few days of spring continued to be dominated by the ‘Beast’s’ easterly airflow and snowfalls, but then the season turned generally unsettled, with short spells of returning cold wintery weather interspersed with some drier and milder spells. Weather systems and winds approached the UK from the west for most of March and April, but then switched round to the east during May. Mid-March brought more snow in places; the third week of April saw a particularly warm spell and May, despite a brief cold period at the start of the month, saw high pressure build and ended as one of the warmest Mays on record.

March 2018 saw temperatures well below average in Suffolk, reflecting the UK monthly mean temperature that was 1.6 °C below the long-term average. Low temperatures continued into the first half of April, meaning a delayed start to the growing season and leaf burst in woodlands, scrub and hedgerows. In sharp contrast the four days April 18th to 21st were notably warmer and led to the highest April temperature since 1949 of 29.1 °C recorded in central London. Continuing this trend, daytime maximum temperatures for May were also higher, with the UK mean ending 1.7 °C above average.

Spring rainfall was above average in the east, with March and April both wetter and only May coming in drier. Sunshine totals for the UK overall were 83% of average in March, 90% for April and 132% for May, now also feted as the sunniest May on record.

Summer: June, July and August Most of summer 2018 was dominated by warm and generally very sunny weather, with only brief unsettled spells bringing rainfall, mostly of a showery and sometimes thundery nature. The high pressure that developed at the end May sustained an influence over the UK in which the weather turned increasingly settled and warm. More general showery rain in the last few days of July ended sequences of over 50 dry days at some eastern climate stations.

Temperatures were well above average for much of the summer season until early August, with many days recording above 30 °C somewhere in the UK and only lowered by brief cooler spells in mid-June and late July. In Suffolk, the heatwave threshold was met on several occasions as temperatures also climbed to 30 °C and above. UK monthly mean temperatures were 1.8 °C above average in June, 2.2 °C above in July, and 0.3 °C above in August. Overall, this summer is provisionally the equal warmest on record for the UK. June and July were also much drier than average and even though August saw more rain, the seasonal totals were between 90% and 50% below the long-term average across Suffolk. Sunshine totals for the UK overall were 142% of average in June, 138% for July and 90% for August.

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Autumn: September, October and November As the year progressed through the autumn equinox, in mid-September the first two named Atlantic storms of the 2018 – 2019 season, Ali and Bronagh, passed through the UK. High pressure then became established to give a sunny autumnal spell up to the end of the month, though with cooler nights.

More disturbance came in with Storm Callum on October 12th and it remained very unsettled until October 16th, after which high pressure returned to make the last week much colder, with night frosts in many areas. November started cold and then southerly winds brought ten days of milder air that eventually gave way to a colder spell at the end of the month Autumn temperatures across Suffolk were around 1.0 °C above the long-term average, with this mostly due to the mild spell in early to mid-November lifting that month’s average.

Autumn rainfall was between around 80% below average across the county and was matched by a generally sunnier season. Sunshine totals for the UK overall were 108% of average in September, 122% in October and 110% in November, with parts of coastal Suffolk showing the highest anomalies – of over 130%.

Return to Winter: December December 2018 saw generally changeable conditions, but just one named Storm – Deirdre – passing through on December 15th. Temperatures across Suffolk were around 1.5 °C above the long-term average, placing it in the top ten warmest Decembers since 1910.

Weather and Bird survival The results of the 2018 BTO/RSPB/JNCC Breeding Bird Survey show how many resident bird species were affected by The Beast from the East, arriving as it did at the start of the new breeding season. Year-on-year trends from 2017 to 2018 saw significant declines, particularly for smaller and more vulnerable species: Goldcrest was down 38%, Long-tailed Tit down 22% and Wren down 21%; Kingfisher was also down 38%. Breeding strategies for these and other species that can include double broods and larger clutch sizes mean that populations can bounce back after a year or two, providing the same weather conditions do not re-occur too frequently.

Summer heatwaves are usually declared once the main breeding season is over and the young of most species have fledged. However, intense and prolonged heat bakes the ground, causes drought stress in plants and consequently can affect the invertebrate communities on which many birds frequently rely for food. The inexperienced new generation is particularly at risk and, if juvenile survival rates decline, the number of new recruits into the breeding population can fall away sharply. Extreme weather events can, therefore, have long-lasting effects that may not be quantifiable until the next breeding season and beyond.

References www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/summaries/2018 : accessed August 2019 Breeding Bird Survey 2018 – Population Trends of the UK’s Breeding Birds : BTO/RSPB/JNCC Wildlife reports in British Wildlife : April 2018 – February 2019 Bird reviews in The Harrier: Spring 2018 – Spring 2019

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Review of scarce and rare birds in 2018

Review of rare and scarce birds in 2018 Craig Fulcher January Things started relatively quietly as can generally be expected at this time of year. The popular long staying Coues’s Arctic Redpoll at Hazlewood Common from 2017 continued into January and would ultimately remain into April! The Siberian Chiffchaff at North Warren, from December 2017, remained until 5th. Parrot Crossbills from 2017 remained on both Hollesley and Sutton Commons and at Santon Downham. A group of six Greenland White-fronted Geese arrived at Trimley SWT on 8th, a very large group by Suffolk standards and these birds stayed well into March. A Willow Tit for four days at Lakenheath Fen RSPB in the middle of the month gave a glimmer of hope that this species may still have a future in the west of the county. Continuing the good run of records in recent years from the Waveney Forest, a Rough-legged Buzzard was seen coming into roost from 19th. Glossy Ibises were recorded from Eastbridge, Wenhaston and Carlton Marshes and It is likely that at least two birds were involved. Lastly a pair of Ravens was discovered in the Gipping Valley and these birds went on to breed, being the first modern day record, surely a sign of things to come?

February Well if you thought January was quiet….two Siberian Chiffchaffs were found, a long-staying and often obliging bird at Levington sewage works from 2nd for over three weeks and, contrastingly, a one-day-bird seen at Boyton Marshes RSPB on 25th. The Parrot Crossbills were recorded at Sutton Common until 15th. Otherwise a Black-throated Diver at Lake Lothing on 8th and Glossy Ibises at Breydon Water and Leiston on 24th and 28th respectively were the other birds of note in what was a month that will be more remembered for the arrival of the “Beast from the East” than for its birds.

March With the extremely cold weather at the start of the month avian highlights were at a premium, but another Coues’s Arctic Redpoll was trapped at an undisclosed site in the south-east on 3rd and it would remain there until 16th. Glossy Ibises at Hopton (north of Ixworth) and Minsmere RSPB were the best of the rest in the first half of the month.

A change in weather conditions initiated an influx of White-spotted Bluethroats to the Felixstowe area. The first bird was trapped and ringed at Landguard on 18th, a second bird was discovered there on 19th and on 20th there was a total of four, three at Landguard and one at Trimley Marshes. The numbers gradually dropped off from 21st with the last bird being seen on 23rd. An adult Night Heron was photographed by a non-birder on the edge of North Warren RSPB on 31st; despite much searching, once the news came out, the bird was not seen again until unfortunately it was discovered dead on Church Farm Marsh on April 13th.

April The month started well with a cracking male Penduline Tit at Leathes Ham, Lowestoft for two days from 2nd. The third Coues’s Arctic Redpoll of 2018 was discovered at Upper Hollesley Common on 5th, staying until 7th, and the first returning Savi’s Warbler was heard reeling at Minsmere RSPB from 6th.

Shockwaves were sent through the Suffolk birding community on the evening of 7th when a photo of a Bittern from Carlton Marshes SWT was posted on Twitter. Nothing too unusual about that you would think; however, sharp eyes soon spotted that this bird was in fact an American Bittern! This was, of course, a first for Suffolk and I am sure many didn’t sleep well that evening worrying if it would still be there the next day. Luckily it was and it actually remained until May 11

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

16th; at times it would give incredible views and it was even heard and seen calling on occasions, perhaps displaying to a Eurasian Bittern.

The first Wryneck of the year was found at Middleton on 12th, a Green-winged Teal was on the Flash at Southwold on 14th and a very smart Black Kite was photographed over Bardwell on 19th.

May May is an eagerly awaited month in every birder’s calendar as the final summer migrants arrive and we hope for some exciting overshoots from the continent if the weather is conducive.

The month started well with a Red-rumped Swallow at Alton Water for two days from 2nd; this was the first of four seen in the month. The first Dotterel of the year was a brief visitor to Aldeburgh Marshes on the morning of 9th and the second Black Kite of the year was at Minsmere RSPB on 12th.

A singing Savi’s Warbler was at Westwood Marshes, Walberswick on 9th and Suffolk’s first spring record of Red-throated Pipit was at Boyton RSPB on 11th. Despite these two birds being the only national rarities recorded in May there were plenty of scarce birds recorded, with four Marsh Warblers, a Red-backed Shrike, two Temminck’s Stints, two pairs of Black-winged Stilts, three Honey Buzzards, singles of Purple Heron and White-winged Black Tern and, what was probably the best looking bird of the month, a stunning Red-spotted Bluethroat at Landguard on 15th.

June According to news coming from the continent it seemed the UK was going to be getting an invasion of Rose-coloured Starlings and soon birds were arriving across the country. Suffolk didn’t take long to get in on the action with a bird arriving at Landguard on 2nd which stayed until 4th; this was joined by another bird for a day on 3rd.

June 3rd also saw a female Montagu’s Harrier moving north through Shingle Street and a Honey Buzzard appearing at Minsmere RSPB; this bird lingered well into July and once again fuelled speculation about the possibility of this secretive species breeding in the area in the future. There was a record county total of 33 Red Kites together over Wrentham on 8th. A second Savi’s Warbler at Minsmere RSPB was discovered early in the month and the fifth Marsh Warbler of the year was found at Carlton Marshes on 17th. The west of the county didn’t miss out on all the action as there was a Honey Buzzard over Nunnery Lakes on 26th and a good inland record of a Hoopoe at Rickinghall on 20th.

There were two female Red-backed Shrikes in the county, one at Lakenheath Fen on 2nd and the other at Minsmere on 8th. A Grey-headed Wagtail was at Landguard on 11th.

July July can often be a quiet month and it’s fair to say that this year it was standard fare for this time of year. That said, midsummer is often prime time for Bee-eaters and this year was no exception with a group of four seen over Island Mere at Minsmere on the morning of 5th. A fine adult male Rose-coloured Starling was just reward for a dedicated inland patch worker at Long Melford on 15th. Two Honey Buzzards were photographed at Santon Downham on 11th, and a brief Pectoral Sandpiper was at Livermere Lake on the evening of 17th. A pair of Roseate Terns were at Benacre Broad on 24th and one or two on several dates at Minsmere. A Red-backed Shrike, probably an early autumn migrant, at Snape RSPB on 27th was the last notable sighting of the month.

Two White Storks at Theberton on 7th and 8th could well have been genuine Continental migrants.

August It took until 11th for the first scarce bird of the month to turn up when a Spotted Crake was 12

Review of scarce and rare birds in 2018

found at Lackford Lakes SWT; this bird showed well for over two weeks. On 13th a lovely American Golden Plover was discovered at Hazlewood Marshes. This was a really good bird for Suffolk and allowed many to add it to their county list as it hung around until 16th. On 18th another Nearctic wader turned up, this time at Minsmere RSPB. The bird in question was a Semipalmated Sandpiper; like the AGP a few days earlier there had not been a twitchable ‘Semi P’ for nearly a generation so Suffolk birders were both delighted and relieved it hung around until 23rd. A juvenile Dotterel flew south over Shingle Street on 13th.

There was evidence of some early drift migration from mid-month with the autumn’s second Red-backed Shrike on 17th and an early Barred Warbler at Covehithe on 18th. This was followed by a Red-breasted Flycatcher at Felixstowe on 22nd; also, on this date was the remarkable capture of an Ortolan Bunting in a garden in Hollesley! The year’s only Wood Warblers, just three, were noted on the coast. There was a considerable passage of Pied Flycatchers early in the month with 68 on 3rd being the highest day total. The year’s only Red-necked Phalarope was on Havergate Island on 28th and a couple of Wrynecks were seen in the last few days of the month with birds at Hollesley on 26th and Minsmere on 30th and 31st. A Tawny Pipit at Landguard on 30th was a good find even if its stay was all too brief. Finally, the second Barred Warbler of the month was discovered at Beach Farm, Benacre on 31st.

September September started as August finished, with a Barred Warbler, this one at Benacre Sluice on 1st. Thanks to the wonders of modern photography it was shown that it was a different bird from the one the previous day at Beach Farm. The same day a Wryneck was just up the coast at Kessingland. A Booted Warbler was found at Ness Point, Lowestoft on 6th; it hung about until the following day and often showed well. Also, on 6th, a Buff-breasted Sandpiper was on Havergate Island; this bird stayed until 8th and continued the good autumn for Nearctic waders in Suffolk.

As the month progressed more Wrynecks arrived with birds at Landguard (two), Kessingland Sluice and Southwold. An Ortolan was present at Landguard on 13th, but unfortunately no one knew until a few days later when a photo appeared online asking for an ID. A Pacific Golden Plover was a brief visitor to Aldeburgh Marshes on the morning of 20th whilst a Ferruginous Duck at Minsmere from 24th was rather more accommodating, as it stayed until October 19th.

Orfordness had a Pectoral Sandpiper on 16th and a Hoopoe on 29th while a decent inland record was a Grey Phalarope on Cavenham Pits for three days from 23rd. The autumn’s first Yellow-browed Warblers were in Lowestoft on 27th with seven more arriving before the month’s end. Lastly there was a Barred Warbler on 26th and a Blyth’s Reed Warbler on 30th, both in Lowestoft.

A Honey Buzzard inland over Old Newton on 14th was an excellent record.

October Westerly winds for much of the month meant it was far from a classic October, but despite that there was an unprecedented arrival of Yellow-browed Warblers on 7th. Over 50 birds were logged that day and it would prove to be a record year for this species in Suffolk with over 150 seen by the end of the autumn.

A few decent birds were still recorded throughout the month beginning with a Lesser Yellowlegs at Shingle Street on 3rd; it would later move to Hollesley Marshes RSPB where it lingered until 18th. The autumn’s first Great Grey Shrike was at Thorpeness on 7th; it would be 29th until another was discovered, inland at Great Barton.

A Wryneck at Southwold on 8th and a Barred Warbler at Oulton Broad on 9th were the last records for these respective species in 2018. The first Rough-legged Buzzard of autumn was seen at Pipps Ford on 10th, a good record for the Gipping Valley. Pallas’s Warblers, the seven-striped sprites from Siberia, are a highlight of any autumn and the first ones were seen at Gunton and 13

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Minsmere on 15th with another at Southwold Campsite on 20th. A late Hoopoe was at Landguard on 19th and a very late Little Bittern at Minsmere on 24th showed extremely well; the latter would have been a very popular bird had it stayed more than just the one day. Speaking of popular birds, one of the most photographed birds of the autumn must have been the Redbreasted Flycatcher at Southwold Campsite from 28th to 31st, the latest of its species in Suffolk.

November As we headed towards the end of autumn there were still some good birds being found. A Penduline Tit at Southwold Boating Lake on 2nd was unfortunately all too brief but the two Pallid Swifts found at Thorpeness on 11th were real crowd pleasers as they entertained birders for the whole afternoon. A first-year Rose-coloured Starling was discovered visiting feeders in a Kesgrave garden on 3rd; it would linger well into 2019.

The year’s only Leach’s Storm Petrel flew north past Southwold on 7th.

An adult White-billed Diver at Thorpeness on 11th was unfortunately discovered as a tideline corpse so the wait for a twitchable bird in the county goes on. A Pallas’s Warbler at Landguard on 5th and 6th was the last one recorded in the year and a Richard’s Pipit was at Felixstowe Ferry on 9th. Wintering birds started to make an appearance with two Great Grey Shrikes in the Brecks and four Rough-legged Buzzards spread across the county with birds at Lackford, Waveney Forest (two) and Havergate Island.

Horned (Shore) Lark dust-bathing at Kessingland in October.

Liz Cutting

December With it being a fairly mild month, it was a relatively quiet end to the year with only a handful of decent birds being seen. The first of these was a Dusky Warbler at Kessingland Sewage works from 2nd to 10th. Kessingland continued its good late form when a Red-rumped Swallow, Suffolk’s latest-ever record, which had been tracked coming down the coast from Norfolk, was found hawking along the promenade on the afternoon of 10th. Up to four Shore Larks were at East Lane, Bawdsey from 8th to the year’s end. The year ended with a Grey Phalarope and a Black-throated Diver at Minsmere on 13th and 28th respectively.

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The British List

The ‘Official’ List of British Birds Brian Small Keeping lists (for some at least) is part of the enjoyment of birding. Many and varied are kept, some rather competitively: on a grand scale there are World Life, European or Western Palearctic lists; then come country lists; in addition, county lists are kept relatively keenly kept as are Patch lists, Garden lists, Self-found lists, Day lists. It goes on, but such lists are certainly not for all – although even those who say they don’t keep lists perhaps secretly have some idea of what they might be….

However, what list and names do you use? You may have noticed some changes in the bird names used by the Suffolk Bird Report over the past few years. An attempt at standardizing the ‘official’ list of English names for species has been a process of fraught and on-going ‘negotiation’.

Alongside this has been an amazing acceleration in the use of modern genetic practices by the scientific community, which has opened up a whole new world of relationships between many species. The result has been a very different-looking “Avian Tree of Life”: who would have thought that falcons were actually close relatives of parrots and not other birds of prey? http://cdn.sci-news.com/images/enlarge2/image_3326_1e-Avian-Tree-of-Life.jpg http://cdn.sci-news.com/images/enlarge2/image_3326_2e-Avian-Tree-of-Life.jpg The UK has had its list of wild birds maintained by the British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU) since 1879. They drew on the help of many experts and even had their own Taxonomic Sub-Committee (TSC), which reviewed modern studies on birds that had, or may have occurred, in the UK, then, ultimately, would publish their decisions and the impact on ‘The British List’. Criticism has come from those who wanted a more proactive approach – many organizations were moving ahead faster than the BOU seemed to be able to keep up with.

So, amidst some condemnation, they decided to disband the BOU TSC and in August 2016, at a meeting of the BOU Council it was decided they would select a new taxonomy. It was agreed to ask the four main global avian taxonomic systems (eBird/Clements, HBW/BirdLife, Howard & Moore and IOC World Bird List) to submit a proposal that could be assessed against agreed criteria and related questions. Amongst these were various needs: to “use a consistent scientific approach to taxonomic decisions including higher level systematics; a transparent system in which the scientific rationale for taxonomic decisions is clearly articulated, both in general terms and for individual decisions; to review and update frequently to keep pace with scientific developments, new studies and new information”.

To cut a long story short, they ultimately selected the IOC (International Ornithological Congress) list, which was generally a popular choice as many ornithologists like the updates and the format, which is easy to download. They regularly indicate which species they are looking at for possible ‘splitting’ or ‘lumping’. As the BOU has adopted the IOC for the ‘official’ list for the UK from January 2018, so the Suffolk Report will follow. See the IOC website for lists to download – http://www.worldbirdnames.org/ [There is not a vast amount of differences between the lists. There will be some gains; Taiga and Tundra Bean Geese are separate species and Stejneger’s Stonechat (split from Siberian) will be treated as its own species in this report next year. Thayer’s Gull had been split from Iceland but during 2017 was placed back in with it. Redpolls, however, have moved the other way with Lesser and Mealy having been lumped as just the one species – Common Redpoll.]

As a final word, the shifting sands of bird genetics will no doubt come up with other changes to order and names, but hopefully we now have a list that fits into our ever-shrinking world. Time will tell…

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Suffolk Bird Group – A Change of Name Edward Jackson Glance at the title page of any volume of Suffolk Birds from 2004 onwards and you’ll see highlighted that this is a joint production by two long-established Suffolk natural history charities.

Suffolk Naturalists’ Society has always managed the publishing side, but this year the compilation of papers, systematic list reports, photos and artwork is credited to Suffolk Bird Group – the new name for Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group.

When ‘SOG’ was created over 40 years ago, in a time before the internet, Birdfairs, Springwatch and mass-market birdwatching magazines, the birding world was a rather different place. Since then, watching birds and other wildlife have become much more widespread and accessible activities, increasingly enjoyed by people of all ages and from all backgrounds. Should we need it, ‘going birding’ gives us the perfect excuse to spend time in the outdoors, either on our own or in the company of others. It’s good for our general health and well-being and for some there’s the added thrill of the chase to add new species to our life list, Suffolk list or this year’s list. There are also plenty of challenges: learning new ways to identify species by sight and sound; taking that stunning digital image; capturing the perfect jizz of a bird on paper or recording the harmonies of an early morning soundscape.

Many of us recognise the real value of keeping careful note of birds seen and heard and submitting records of our informal birding or participation in more formally arranged surveys.

Whether this is done directly to the Area Recorders or indirectly through online portals such as BTO BirdTrack, Suffolk Birds couldn’t exist without this dedication and discipline. We’re also generally much more aware of birds as key indicators of environmental change. Significant population declines in some wider countryside and urban species contrast with notable single species conservation successes or the dramatic range extensions of other species colonising from the south and adapting to opportunities offered by a changing climate.

However, although memberships of environmental organisations have risen steadily in recent years, reflecting the increasing interest in birds and wildlife in general, SOG membership has unfortunately not responded in a similar way. Numbers have at best been fairly static or even shown declines in some years.

SOG Council members have aired the idea of a change of name on a number of occasions in recent years, but never really taken things any further forward. However, last autumn we looked at the issue again and all agreed that the word ‘Ornithologists’ in our group name is probably discouraging some potential new members from joining, perhaps because the majority of birders don’t have the specifically academic or professional interests that this word may now imply.

Other county and regional birding clubs and groups around the UK have obviously been facing the same dilemma and many have also changed their name. At a rough count, around two thirds of them now have ‘birds’ or ‘birdwatching’ in their title, compared with the remaining third that still retain an ‘ornithological’ element.

SOG already had a great offer in terms of the activities and interests we promote. We have an attractive strapline in ‘For birds and for birders’, displayed most obviously on our full colour quarterly magazine The Harrier and of course this annual report is titled – ‘Suffolk Birds’!

Becoming ‘Suffolk Bird Group’ would therefore give more consistency and resonate with other wildlife interest groups in the county, such as Suffolk Bat Group and Suffolk Moth Group. We felt the change would allow us to promote what we do more effectively to our existing members and help us develop a broader, more diverse membership.

We also thought that such a move shouldn’t affect our relationship with SORC, the Suffolk Ornithological Records Committee, since its work in assessing the validity of records of rare and scare species found around the county does rely on careful scientific evaluation of the available evidence, by people with great experience.

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Suffolk Bird Group – A Change of Name

We shared the idea of a name change with our founder members and those of long standing, whose ‘SOG roots’ obviously run deep – and were encouraged by their positive responses.

Following due constitutional process, a formal resolution to change the charity’s name to ‘Suffolk Bird Group’ was debated and passed at our February 2019 AGM – and so ‘SOG’ became ‘SBG’, which conveniently meant just changing a single letter in our skydancing Marsh Harriers logo.

There have been a few short-term costs – including, sadly, losing the easy single syllable way of saying the original acronym. However, Council is confident that a more relevant and welcoming outward face should bring longer-term benefits of an increase in membership, more involvement in our activities, more opportunities for effective partnerships and greater financial security. Most importantly, working alongside other well-established county wildlife organisations, Suffolk Bird Group will continue to offer exciting and rewarding ways for people to become more connected to nature. We’ll stress the importance of recording as a vital part of everyone’s birding experience and also help in any way we can to highlight and counteract the biodiversity crisis.

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Black-tailed Godwits as an Example of Seasonal Turnover of Waders on the Stour Estuary Ed Keeble Summary This article uses colour-ring readings to estimate how many Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa use the Stour Estuary over a season, when turnover of migrants is taken into account.

This cannot be estimated from monthly WeBS counts alone, as without colour-ring readings we do not know if the individual birds making up a count are migrants or winterers, or how many of them are the same birds from one count to the next.

Analysis of the colour-ring data shows that there is a high level of turnover and that more than 5000 Black-tailed Godwits use the estuary in an average year, with more than 7000 when there is a late winter influx. This compares with an average peak WeBS count of 2300.

On the basis of these estimates, the number of Black-tailed Godwits using the Stour Estuary over a year exceeds 10% of the national population of the species and, in influx years, may exceed 10% of the international population.

This underlines a wider point which has conservation implications and applies not just to Black-tailed Godwits – when turnover is taken into account, an individual site may be much more important for a species than is indicated by peak counts alone.

Introduction We are fortunate that monthly counts have been carried out by WeBS (The Wetland Bird Surveyi) counters on our estuaries for many decades. From the counts, we know that a number of species peak in autumn (see species accounts for e.g. Redshank, Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit in this and previous Suffolk Bird Reports). But we do not know how many of the birds which are counted in autumn are migrants which will move on; how many are fresh migrants replacing birds which have already moved on; and how many are winterers which arrive alongside the migrants and will still be present and counted again in mid-winter. The same applies in reverse in spring- most of the winterers will still be present and counted, together with an unknown proportion of new or returning migrants.

You cannot address this issue of turnover by adding monthly WeBS counts together, because an unknown proportion of the counted birds are the same individuals from one count to the next. So, despite having the excellent WeBS monthly count data, we still are not able to use counts alone to estimate how many waders use our estuaries over a season.

This is not just an academic point. When wetlands are assessed for their importance, the key criterion is what percentage they hold of the international and national populations of waterbirds.

A wetland is considered internationally important if it regularly holds at least 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird and nationally important if it regularly holds 1% or more of the estimated Great Britain populationii. If the number of individuals held by a site is assessed by reference to the peak WeBS count over a season (which is usually by far the best available datum), then that reference number will only include the birds which were present at the time of the peak count and will not include those which passed through earlier or later in the season. So, for a site with a high level of turnover of a given species, the importance of that site for that species may be underestimated by quite some margin.

Using colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwits to estimate turnover It is possible to estimate turnover by monitoring the movements of individually-marked birds.

Colour-ringed birds are more useful for this exercise than birds carrying more technologically sophisticated satellite transmitters and data-loggers, as you need to monitor as many marked 18

Black-tailed Godwits on the Stour Estuary

birds as possible to get representative data. There is much to be learned from transmitters and data-loggers, but for studies at population level, old-school colour rings are best!

Black-tailed Godwits have been colour-ringed both in Great Britain and further afield for several decades. Graham Appleton’s “Wadertales” blog is an excellent source of further informationiii and many of us will have seen (and hopefully reported) colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwits. So, the species is an ideal candidate for a study of turnover.

On the Stour Estuary, the godwits often feed close to the shore on the rising and falling tide, much better for colour-ring reading than on the high tide when godwits are asleep with one leg tucked tantalisingly out of view. But it is still a challenge even here– finding a few colour-ringed godwits is easy enough, but finding most or all of them is another matter! Short-stayers may only be present for a few days and long-stayers can apparently disappear for weeks and then reappear, without giving away whether they have been hidden on the river or have been on an off-river break.

I am out and about on the Stour Estuary most days and have made an intensive effort to monitor the colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwits. I believe the results over the last five seasons July to May are sufficiently robust to enable some estimates of turnover and population to be made.

Turnover estimate It makes sense to look at the results over annual seasons (autumn/winter/spring) rather than over calendar years, so I present data below in charts which start when the first birds return in July (occasionally in June) and end when the last birds depart in April (occasionally in May). We do not have any oversummering immature godwits on the Stour Estuary, probably because they prefer fresh or brackish sites e.g. at Trimley Marshes on the Orwell or up the coast at Minsmere.

So, the chart for a season stops in May and I have six or eight weeks of godwit downtime before the next season starts!

I recorded an average of 71 colour-ringed godwits per year on the Stour over the five seasons 2014/15 to 2018/19, but the total per season varied between 50+ and 80+, depending in particular on whether there was a mid-winter influx of godwits flooded off the Ouse and Nene Washes. In 2018/19, for example, the winter was dry and as result numbers of overwintering godwits on the Stour Estuary were low with no influx. When we have a wet winter, several thousand additional birds move to coastal sites, including the Stour Estuary but also other sites such as the Alde Estuary and North Warren.

To understand turnover, it is essential to establish how the occurrences of individual birds build up over autumn, winter and spring in each season. By way of example, the Table 1 illustrates this for the 64 individual birds recorded in season 2016/17.

From this chart it can be seen that there was a population of winterers, with 17 colour-ringed birds arriving in autumn or early winter and remaining through the turn of the year into spring.

Some of these birds spent ten consecutive months on the river, just disappearing for a short May/ June visit to Iceland. Then there were a further 47 colour-ringed birds which passed through in autumn, or arrived later in the winter or passed through in spring. This basic pattern of migrants versus winterers (with migrants in the majority) has been repeated in each of the five seasons.

The extent and timing of this overlap between the migrants and the winterers is the key to understanding turnover. Over the five seasons, there were periods of relatively high overlap in late autumn, mid-winter (if there was an influx), and early spring. But the average value for this overlap was only 50% and there was no four-week period in any of the five seasons when more than 60% of the birds using the river over the season were present. By way of illustration, in season 2016/17 the highest overlap was just over 50% in late March/early April, when 35 out of the season’s 64 birds were present- see Table 2. It is reasonable to assume that the movements of the colour-ringed godwits are representative of the unringed godwits on the river and so usually fewer than half of the godwits which use the river over a season are present at the same time.

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Table 1.

Table 2.

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Black-tailed Godwits on the Stour Estuary

Population estimate based on WeBS data and turnover If the level of overlap between migrants and winterers is 50% (see above), then the peak WeBS count will not catch more than 50% of godwits which use the river over the season. It is important to recognise that this is not a shortcoming of WeBS counts – it just reflects the fact that each WeBS count is a snapshot of a shifting population.

It is, however, possible to take the peak WeBS counts and use them in combination with the estimate of overlap to provide an estimate of the number of godwits which used the river over the season: 1. The peak WeBS count over the five seasons on the Stour is variable, but it averages 2300 (with 1719 the lowest and 3618 the highest).

2. If the average peak WeBS count is 2300 and the level of overlap is taken as 50%, then the average number of godwits using the river over the last five seasons can be estimated at 2300 x 2 = 4600 godwits per season.

3. In the season with the highest WeBS peak count of 3500+, it may be that in excess of 3500 x 2 = 7000 godwits used the river.

This is an approximate method and the resulting estimates are eye-catchingly high, so it is useful to have an alternative method of estimating the population over a season.

Alternative user-population estimate based on “density” of colour-ringed birds An alternative approach is to record the frequency at which colour-ringed godwits appear within a flock (referred to as “density” of colour-rings). This may sound laborious, but if you spend long enough checking for colour-rings, it becomes second nature to keep a running total of how many birds you have checked! This density figure can then be multiplied by the number of individual colour-ringed godwits observed (in that period), to give a population estimate.

To take a simple example, if average density is 1 colour-ringed bird for every 100 unringed godwits over a given period and 10 colour-ringed godwits are seen over that period, then it suggests a population of 1000 godwits over that same period (see Gunnarsson et al. iv for an example of the use of this method). The attraction of this method is that with repeated counts over a period, it is possible to build up a rolling average for density which should reflect any changes during or between seasons, such as reduced or increased ringing effort locally or across the population as a whole, or a jump in the population due to an exceptionally good breeding season and an injection into the population of thousands of unringed juveniles.

Average density is relatively high on the Stour compared with the wider population of islandica Black-tailed Godwits, because over recent years numbers of godwits have been colour-ringed at nearby sites on the Orwell Estuary (with the combination orange-lime-orange or OLO on the right tibia) and on the Alde Estuary (with the combination green-yellow-green or GYG on the right tibia).

Applying this method to the Stour: 1. Average density of colour-ringed godwits on the Stour over the five seasons has been 1:76 (lowest over a season 1:86 and highest 1:63).

2. An average of 71 colour-ringed godwits has been seen on the Stour per season.

3. Applying the average density of 1:76 to the average number of colour-ringed godwits seen per season of 71 gives an estimate of 76 x 71 = 5396 birds using the Stour per season.

4. Taking the seasons individually, the lowest density-based estimate of birds using the Stour per season was 4100 (2014/15, a season with no influx) and the highest was 7100 (2015/16, an influx season).

The density method also allows an assessment of the wintering population, i.e. the relatively small number of birds which stay through December and January. An average of 15 colour-ringed 21

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

godwits was seen wintering on the Stour per season which – applying an average density of 1:76 – indicates a wintering population of around 1100. This reinforces the conclusion that winterers are a relatively small proportion (less than a quarter) of the godwits using the Stour Estuary over a season.

Summary and discussion in relation to the Stour Estuary The above supports the following propositions in relation to the Stour: • Only half of the birds using the river over the season are present at the same time, even at seasonal peaks. If follows that the number of birds using the river will significantly exceed the peak WeBS count for the season.

• The number of godwits using the river per season can be estimated using WeBS data and turnover data; or by using density data. Both methods produce strikingly-similar results.

• On either of these estimates, the number of godwits using the Stour over a season may be in excess of 5000 in an average year and 7000 in an influx year.

• The wintering flock is relatively stable at approximately 1000. So, the average number of migrants using the river in addition to the winterers is likely to be approximately 4000, plus approximately 2000 extra birds if there is a late-winter influx.

It is interesting to consider these numbers on the Stour in the context of national and international populations of islandica Black-tailed Godwits. Wider population estimates are complicated by a number of factors, most especially that the species is increasing – so older population estimates are out of date – (v); that birds may be counted both nationally and internationally when staging on migration and when wintering; and that significant numbers winter on rice fields in Portugal with limosa Black-tailed Godwits where separation of the subspecies is difficult (islandica estimated at 15,000- see Gunnarsson et al. cited at note iv above).

• The most recent estimate of the mid-winter (January) population of Black-tailed Godwits in Great Britain is 30000v. The wintering population of c1000 Black-tailed Godwits on the Stour Estuary is, therefore, approximately 3% of the national total and so it is nationally important.

But as discussed above, wintering birds are a minority of the birds which use the river.

• The peak population of Black-tailed Godwits in Great Britain is likely to occur in autumn, when migrants are present alongside winterers. The most recent estimate of the peak population including autumn totals is 39000vi. If this estimate is based on peak WeBS counts in August and September, then it may exclude birds which pass through Great Britain early in autumn (in July) and and/or late in spring (in April), so the true number of Black-tailed Godwits using sites in Great Britain may be higher, between 40000 and 50000.

• The estimated 5000 plus birds which use the Stour therefore reaches or exceeds 10% of the Great Britain population of 39000+.

• The international population of islandica Black-tailed Godwits was estimated at 50,000 as at 2002 (see Gunnarsson et al. cited at note iv above ) and is thought to have increased since then (viii), although no formal revised estimate is available. WeBS uses a reference figure of 610 as the 1% criterion for international importance, implying a reference population of 61,000.

• The number of birds using the Stour in a normal year may therefore approach 10% of the international population of 60000+. In an influx year, it is likely to exceed 10% of that population.

Wider discussion It seems likely that if colour-ringed godwits were intensively monitored at other sites which hold both wintering and passage populations, the number of birds using these sites would also be found to exceed peak WeBS counts by a large margin. The Thames Estuary, in particular may be used by a large proportion of the national and international population. Wintering sites which act as an end-destination for godwits and are not heavily used by migrants may experience a 22

Black-tailed Godwits on the Stour Estuary

single peak per season, which may be more closely reflected by WeBS counts.

This article has focussed on Black-tailed Godwits, but the obvious question is whether they are unique in this respect or whether a similar phenomenon can be confirmed for any other species. Red Knot winter in large numbers on the Stour Estuary and are present from November to March. Current indications from colour-ringed birds are that there is a similar pattern, with up to one quarter of birds on the river being on passage and, therefore, being additional to the wintering population which is present from December through into January. It is much more difficult, however, to follow individual Knot on the river and so it is correspondingly harder to say whether a bird is truly a migrant, or has wintered unseen on the river. This is work in progress! – See Suffolk Birds 2015: 33-35.

These issues of peak count versus turnover are also not confined to waders – the Brent Geese on the Stour reduce sharply in number in early spring and then we have an influx in April and May which we know from colour-rings to involve birds which have wintered further south and so are additional to our wintering birds. So, the user population of the Stour may in fact be closer to the sum of the mid-winter and the spring peaks, as they probably involve different birds.

As noted in the introduction to this article, the importance of sites for conservation purposes is routinely assessed by reference to average peak counts. This may be an adequate measure of importance for major sites, but it is potentially not adequate as a measure of importance for sites and for species where there is a high level of turnover. Smaller sites may even fail to qualify under the importance tests based on peak counts, but if turnover was factored in, then they would be recognised as important.

An effective conservation strategy for migratory birds must recognise the importance of a network of smaller staging sites along a flyway as well as the more obviously important wintering grounds. Individual birds are highly site-faithful and they may rely on the smaller sites which are cumulatively essential for that bird’s individual survival strategy over its long life (potentially more than 20 years for a godwit) – see the excellent discussion in Méndez et al. vii Even if individual birds winter at a site which is recognised as important, these birds may also use sites which are not recognised as important following current methods. These birds are not adequately protected by measures which are directed towards protecting that important wintering site, but neglect the network of smaller sites on which the bird also depends.

Acknowledgments I am very grateful to Jenn Gill and Mark Nowers for their encouragement and comments on this article. But any errors are, of course, my own.

Endnotes i https://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/webs ii Joint Nature Conservation Committee Guidelines for the Selection of Biological SSSIs. http:// jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/SSSI_Chpter17_Birds2015June.pdf iii https://wadertales.wordpress.com iv Gunnarsson TG, Gill JA, Potts PM, Atkinson PW, Croger RE, Gelinaud G, Gardarsson A, Sutherland WJ. Estimating population size in Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa islandica by colour marking. Bird Study (2005) 52: 153-158. v Frost et al. British Birds 112 March 2019 130-145. See Table 2. vi Frost et al. British Birds 112 March 2019 130-145. See Table 1. vii Méndez V, Gill JA, Alves JA, Burton NHK, Davies RG. Consequences of population change for local abundance and site occupancy of wintering waterbirds. Divers Distribution. 2018;24:24– 35. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12653

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The Suffolk Breeding Plover Survey 2017 Robin Harvey Introduction The last survey of breeding Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula in Suffolk was undertaken in 2007 as part of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)-led national survey. In the absence of a national project in 2017, SOG (now SBG) (supported by the Suffolk Little Tern Group) organised a team of volunteers to repeat the survey in Suffolk. The survey was extended to include Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius as coverage included sites with suitable habitat for both species.

The Ringed Plover is today most well-known as a bird of coastal shingle and scrapes. In the past it was also common in the Brecks with an estimated 400 pairs at the beginning of the 20th century (Piotrowski, 2003). In Suffolk, a decline in the breeding population inland has been followed by a rapid drop in numbers on the coast. This mirrors a decline nationally and the species has recently been added to the Birds of Conservation Concern Red List.

The Little Ringed Plover is more traditionally associated with recently-created or regularlymanaged wetland habitat including gravel pits and scrapes. It may also be found on farmland, acid grassland and coastal shingle. The Little Ringed Plover is not thought to be in decline nationally but the breeding population appears to be decreasing in Suffolk. There is general consensus, however, that breeding birds have been under-recorded in the county in recent years.

Methods The BTO kindly produced a list of core and sample tetrads identified as containing suitable habitat in 2007. The aim of the 2017 survey was to revisit as many of the previously-visited 2km core tetrads as possible in order to obtain an accurate estimate of the current population for both species. Observers were provided with a map and were asked to make two visits to each tetrad, the first between Apr 15th and May 14th and the second between May 15th and June 30th. The number and sex of all adult Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers were recorded and this information was used to assess how many breeding pairs were in each tetrad. There was no requirement to record the number of fledged young but in many cases this information was gathered as part of more detailed site surveys.

Thirty volunteers visited a total of 85 tetrads in 2017. These included all tetrads where Ringed Plovers had been recorded in 2007 and represented approximately 70 percent of the tetrads identified as core areas during the last survey.

Coverage of suitable breeding habitat for Little Ringed Plover was less complete, and formal survey data were supplemented with casual records received later in the year to produce the final total of breeding pairs.

Results Thirty-nine pairs of Ringed Plovers were located and these fledged 41 young. Eight pairs of Little Ringed Plovers were located during the survey, and six young fledged. Casual records were received of an additional four breeding pairs of Little Ringed Plovers, fledging one young giving a total of 12 pairs and seven young fledged.

Comparison with previous surveys and discussion Ringed Plover A summary of the results from 2017 in comparison with previous survey years is shown in Table 1.

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The 2017 Ringed Plover survey

Table 1. Breeding Ringed Plover in Suffolk, 1979-2017.

Year 2017 2007 1987 1979

No. of breeding pairs Percent change since last survey No. of sites 39 - 9.3 14 43 -77 22 183 -18 223

Young fledged 41 4 or 5

The report on the 2007 survey referring to the catastrophic decline since 1987 stated that “If we are to have ringed plover breeding on our beaches in only a few years time then drastic action is required” (Wright, 2007). It is pleasing to see that this decline has slowed with a nine-percent drop in the last ten years. The population is at a low ebb, however, and even a small decrease in the number of pairs is significant. It is also noticeable that there has been a huge decline in the number of sites with breeding birds. Only six sites supported a population of three or more pairs in 2017 (Table 2).

Table 2. Key sites for Ringed Plover in Suffolk in 2017: Site Number of pairs Orfordness 8 Landguard 5 Suffolk Coast NNR 5 Kessingland 4 Minsmere 3 Shotley 3

Number of fledged young 11 7 3 7 4 ?

It is also apparent that the bulk of the population continues to contract to inaccessible sites and/or sites where there is some degree of intervention or protection. Many of these sites benefit from rope and/or electric fencing excluding people, dogs and predators from key breeding areas and this, in combination with signage and wardening, has been successful in increasing productivity (Table 1). The minimum of 41 young fledged in 2017 is to be welcomed, but this success comes largely with an ever-increasing need for intervention.

Little Ringed Plover Little Ringed Plover first bred in Suffolk in 1948 and ‘The Birds of Suffolk’ describes an increase in the breeding population from ten pairs in 1972 to 14 in 1976 and 33 in 1990 (Piotrowski, 2003).

Seven locations supported 12 or 13 pairs in 2007 (Mason, 2008). The 12 pairs recorded in 2017 suggests that the Suffolk breeding population has not declined further in the last ten years, but is well below the peak in the 1990s. Presumably, this is largely due to a lack of suitable earlysuccessional habitat. It is possible that the species continues to be under-recorded due to the bias of birders and surveyors to coastal sites. There would be some value in encouraging further coverage of inland sites in future years.

Acknowledgements Thanks go to Neil Calbrade at the BTO for providing tetrad maps, David Walsh for providing casual records and to the many volunteers who gave up their free time to survey sites. Particular thanks go to those volunteers who found no plovers! [Well said – Ed!] References: Mason, N – Ed. (2008). Suffolk Birds 2007. Vol 57, 86. Suffolk Naturalists’ Society, Ipswich.

Piotrowski, S (1980). Suffolk Ringed Plover Survey 1979. Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group Bulletin 43: 1-9.

Piotrowski, S (2003). The Birds of Suffolk, 144-145. Helm, London.

Wright, M (2007). Breeding Ringed Plover in Suffolk 2007. Suffolk Birds 2007. 57: 39-41. Suffolk Naturalists’ Society, Ipswich.

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Birds and other wildlife in the Lackford area 1948-1949.

Some notes from a nature diary, with a few notes of present status by Peter Lack Alec Bull Between June 9th 1948 and mid-October 1949 my wife Rita and I lived at Pear Tree Cottage, Icklingham, situated about 300 yards up the Icknield Way from its crossing point with the road to West Stow. I was employed by Major T C Lucas at nearby Weatherhill Farm who had just recovered his farm from the ‘War Ag.’ (War Agricultural Executive Committee – charged with making the most of wartime agricultural land). The latter had taken it over and put in a tenant for the wartime period as, though the Major did go through the motions of farming, his main interests were Pheasants and his gun dogs. In his time in the Royal Army Medical Corps he had been Master of the Poona Foxhounds before the First World War. His dogs needed feeding and J D Sayer*1 who lived at Brook Farm, Lackford, just south of the bridge over the River Lark, had a flock of sheep grazing on marshy meadows and which were prone to liver fluke. I frequently had the job of going with the tractor and trailer to collect a dead sheep for the dogs. During the first part of the time I was there, these were dealt with by a German POW who had a flat at the back of the farmhouse but sometime in 1949 he was repatriated – as were a number of Ukrainians who had been coming out each day from a camp at Mildenhall. When Herbert (the POW) left, I was left with a 74-year-old veteran of the Boer War as my only help on 300 acres, so he had to take over the skinning and hanging of the dead sheep. They were hung in the pine trees at the top of the yard. On one occasion one of the dead sheep I collected had horns and neither of us could fathom out what it was, never having heard of Norfolk Horns at the time! *1 The main interest of Mr J D Sayer (usually known locally as JD) was his flock of sheep which, naturally enough, were Suffolk Blackface. He also had a small number of Norfolk Horns, similar to Suffolks but more rangily built and, of course, with horns. He was well aware of the precarious state of the Norfolk breed and is credited with saving them from extinction. For more information about him and the sheep see Peter Wade Martins (1993. Black Faces: a history of East Anglian sheep breeds. Norfolk Museum Service).

It should be remembered that the meadows where the sheep grazed were marshy and provided nesting habitat for several pairs of Redshank, Snipe, Lapwing etc but the main feeding area for these and many other species of waders and duck was just across the river at West Stow sewage farm into which Bury St Edmunds sewage was pumped, going round 10 or 12 pools by rotation (each was one acre or so of open beds), the ‘solids’ dissipating into the soil and the liquid effluent flowing away by way of the sewage stream which joined the River Lark just above Lackford Bridge. As they dried out they were ploughed over. When we first lived nearby, they were still being ploughed by a pair of horses, but a Ferguson tractor soon took over.

(PL – there are still some marshy areas in the northwest corner of what is now known as Sayer’s Breck (the recently (autumn 2017) acquired extension to SWT Lackford Lakes reserve) but they are clearly much reduced compared with 1948-1949.)

To give some idea of what the wildlife was like at that time, I have been through my nature diaries for the period we were living there and extracted notes relevant to points within half a mile of Lackford Bridge unless otherwise stated.

June 9th 1948 A male Redstart greeted us when we moved in and by June 15th we had a Nightjar churring in a spruce tree by the bedroom window.

(PL – Redstart is now only an occasional passage migrant. Nightjar still breeds nearby.)

By the end of June I made a list of the birds which would thereafter only be mentioned in the 26

Birds and other wildlife in the Lackford area

diaries if there was something special to add. These included Mallard, Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler, Little Grebe, Redshank, Snipe, Heron, Woodlark, Wheatear (three pairs were nesting on Ramparts Field which is now a picnic place), Lesser Redpoll, Tree Pipit and Stone Curlew. The last-named flew over every evening, flighting from the heaths to the river meadows. Mind you I did mention Tree Pipit once during the heat wave in 1949 when it perched on top of the Spruce at the corner of the cottage and indulged in its persistent little song from sunrise to sunset almost without a break!

June 30th Male Red-backed Shrike at the bottom of the track by the West Stow road. And a Willow Tit was singing in the Alder Carr (known as Letch – pronounced leech – Moor) and occupying the triangle created by the Icknield Way as it went down to the then Lackford Bridge, the West Stow road and the main Bury road. That Lackford Bridge was at the site of the old ford of the River Lark, hence Lackford, but when the road was altered some years later, the present crossing is about 100 yards downstream.

(PL – see below for more on Red-backed Shrikes; the area mentioned for Willow Tit was about the last place locally to record the species in the late 1990s.)

July 7th During an evening walk in the forestry we disturbed a Short-eared Owl which at that season was probably breeding, as we saw one several times subsequently including flying past the cottage one evening at dusk.

(This part of The King’s Forest was planted sometime after the Forestry Commission bought the Cadogan Estate on the death of Lord Cadogan in 1935, so the young plantations were still small. The exceptions were a Pine wood about half a mile from the river and a mixed Larch and Pine wood at about a mile.)

July 9th Redstart’s nest found near our entrance in the broken off top of a dead Elder which was hollow.

It later fledged successfully. Another pair lived in the garden and were frequent visitors to a shallow tin of water on our bird table, often heading a queue to bathe during hot weather.

July 11th We paid a surreptitious first visit to West Stow sewage farm down by the River Lark – we later got a permit. Highlights of the visit were our first ever Gadwall, a Greenshank and more than a dozen Green Sandpipers.

Between our arrival, and first walk down to Lackford Bridge, and July 13th an area bordering the river downstream on the Lackford side which had had visible Stone Curlews on it from the river bank, had been ploughed up and several disconsolate-looking Stone Curlews were standing about on the remains of their home. The land belonged to Gough of Lackford Manor.

(PL – Some Stone-curlews still breed in the Suffolk part of Breckland although it is now several years since any roosts even approaching 200 birds have been seen.)

July 15th We cycled up the Icknield Way to Elveden, down the A11 to Barton Mills then home along the Bury road. The traffic was not too bad!!

July 22nd Whilst taking a short cut home from the sewage farm across Mr Wagstaff’s barley stubble we discovered a small yellow-flowered member of the deadnettle family which we identified as Ground Pine. Our botanical reference book at the time was the illustrations to Bentham and Hooker, four excellent small drawings per page but with no text whatsoever. We had no idea 27

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

that it was new to Suffolk until a few years later when I started sending plant records to Francis Simpson who promptly threw the records out but had to reinstate it that year when I sent him a specimen. The same thing happened when I sent records to Frank Perring for the BSBI’s first Atlas, and with the same result. I actually went back every year for 38 years and found a specimen or two every time until the cottage was sold to a single lady with a couple of horses who apparently purchased an acre or more in the top corner of the field and laid it down to permanent grass which area was still there last time I looked 2 or 3 years ago.

September 1st On the Major’s field by Lackford Bridge a flock of Common Sandpipers flew over and on September 6th a flock of 30 Turtle Doves was on the wheat stubble there.

(PL – The area around Pear Tree Cottage is still a regular site for Turtle Doves.)

Although away from the Lackford area on August 12th and September 15th we cycled up the Icknield Way to Elveden. About a mile from home we passed an area where many of the Pine trees had failed, leaving an area of rough heathy grass and scattered young trees. On both occasions we disturbed a pack of Stone Curlew in excess of 200.

September 17th A Hobby appeared over Lackford Bridge, scattering Swallows and martins in all directions.

Hobby was still quite rare at that time. On the same date the first Rooks put in an appearance.

None had been seen locally since our arrival on June 9th.

(PL – Rooks are now everywhere and breeding which, clearly, they were not doing at that time – also see below.)

September 26th 200 Moorhens were counted on one of the sewage farm compartments near the road.

October 3rd and 22nd Again, by the sewage farm but on the road, a party of Crossbills was present with young still begging for food and being fed by the females. This seems an odd date.

Birds seen irregularly but quite frequently throughout our stay at Pear Tree Cottage included Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Hawfinch.

October 17th A party of 30 Woodlarks on a stubble field on the farm.

October 28th The first Hooded Crow arrived and soon joined the list of birds too frequent to mention on every occurrence. For example, on November 11th ten Hooded Crows were disturbed from a pine belt at dusk.

(PL – Both these birds and the Rooks were very likely birds coming in for the winter from the continent.)

December 14th We walked through the forestry at dusk to beyond Dale Pond to near where we had located a Rook roost among the young trees. The birds came in in long lines and poured down after circling briefly in enormous numbers. For instance one column on quite a broad front which came from the direction of Risby took about 15 minutes from the first to last. Moreover other columns were arriving from every direction. Our ‘count’ may have been miles out but we estimated at the time some 25000 birds. From a distance of about half a mile when they left the roost in one vast rush each morning all setting off in their various directions it sounded like a huge waterfall.

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Birds and other wildlife in the Lackford area

December 17th As a large hawk approached a passing Great Black-backed Gull let out a squawk of terror but the hawk just carried on. It was ‘probably a Peregrine’.

December 23rd While ploughing on one of the riverside fields just before dusk a female Peregrine landed in a Poplar about 500 yards ahead of me, closely followed by a smaller male which checked but did not land. As the tractor drew nearer the female moved to another tree a bit further on.

This happened twice but on the third occasion she sat tight and I was able to stop the tractor immediately beneath her perch and have a really close look before she flew onto a further tree on the other side of the field.

January 2nd 1949 Again working near the river I saw a Barn Owl and heard both Tawny and Little Owls calling within the space of one minute.

(PL – until a few years ago there was a regular site for Little Owl just north of Lackford Bridge.)

January 4th Hooded Crows now roosting in the big pine wood. On this date 13 were seen flying towards the sewage farm from their roost and 19 were seen on January 21st. (The late David Butt, then a senior master at Culford School, spent a while one late afternoon watching the corvid roost at some point during the winter and we heard later that he counted 103 Hoodies.)

Crossbills were seen from time to time, especially in the early months of the year and nests could be seen in roadside trees by the sewage farm and also in trees round Weatherhill farmyard.

Merlin also featured fairly frequently especially when flying towards the forestry to roost. The first Woodlark of the year arrived on January 30th while on January 31st an overwintering Green Sandpiper came flying upstream and landed by Sayer’s pond.

February 3rd A female Peregrine spent two hours perched in one of the poplars near the river, half-heartedly mobbed from time to time by Rooks, Jackdaws and Hooded Crows.

February 14th While I was searching for an elusive pig-squealing Water Rail in the Alder Carr near Lackford Bridge, Rita walked down to the bridge with the pram and by the time I had frustratedly emerged she had seen a juvenile White-tailed Eagle going south-west. (Description confirmed by an expert from British Birds magazine/journal – I cannot remember who it was but A W Boyd rings a bell.)

March 21st The first Wheatear arrived back on Ramparts Field. Three pairs nested there in 1949.

March 23rd First Redshanks back on Sayer’s marsh.

April 3rd At this late date I saw 30 Hooded Crows going to roost in the usual wood.

April 4th A very severe gale whipped up the Breck soil and while working on the fields near the cottage the Lark valley was sometimes blotted out completely by clouds of yellow dust. This did tremendous damage to autumn sown crops, in some cases cutting green leaves down to the ground.

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April 9th The first Nightingale arrived in the bush-covered brick earth pit at the end of the garden with the first Redstart in the garden on 11th and Tree Pipit on April 14th.

The garden area was about two acres, within high hawthorn hedges on three sides, the Icknield Way being the fourth, and with two spruce trees at the front of the cottage plus a big thicket of Blackthorn. Between the cottage and the brick earth pit were the remains of a brick kiln and also the pear tree which named the cottage. The Icknield Way where it passed the cottage had a good Breck flora with some nice clumps of Maiden Pink whilst along the edge of the forestry about 150 yards away across one small field we found Lesser Meadow Rue, Spanish Catchfly, Striated Catchfly and Star of Bethlehem. Although the last named is not accepted as being native I believe that it probably was. Breck soil is similar to the Russian steppes and the area had never been ‘domesticated’.

Beyond the end of the ‘garden’ area was what had been Icklingham Poor’s gravel pit. When the Americans were coming over and wanted a viable bomber base at Lakenheath, H Allen Newport took 10000 four-cubic-yard lorry loads of gravel from the pit in just two months, leaving a massive slash in the land, not terribly wide but probably 150 yards long and with walls 60 feet high in places. The floor of the pit was a thin band of yellow clay which supported a shallow pool of water for much of the year. This attracted birds such as Green Sandpipers and Crossbills to drink. The sheer wall on the north side of the pit held, in 1949, a Sand Martin colony of some 300 pairs. In addition, rabbits excavated tunnels especially where slippage had left a scree slope. Thus holes perhaps as much as ten to twelve feet above the floor of the pit were occupied by several pairs of nesting Jackdaws, Stock Doves and one pair of Little Owls.

April 15th evening We walked downstream from Lackford Bridge as far as the old piece of wet willow woodland where we came upon an amazing sight of at least 300 bats (estimated) feeding to and fro over the river for the length of the woodland. These were, so far as we could tell, virtually all species from the small Pipistrelles to the much larger Noctules and every possible size in between. I would have loved to know what they all were!

There was a large pond behind the Brook Farm buildings which was much-used by Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Redshank and Lapwings, the last two species especially when they had young families. Whilst working on the Major’s weedy fields by the river I happened on nests of all the duck species bar Shoveler plus Redshank, Lapwing, Reed Bunting and Yellow Wagtail.

April 23rd We were kept awake for much of the night by a Nightingale singing at full decibels in the blackthorn thicket near the bedroom window. Later during the day we discovered that a second male had arrived but there was only one female, hence the extra loud singing!

(PL – the neighbourhood is still a good site for Nightingales.)

April 30th A male Whinchat was singing between West Stow road and Lackford Bridge by Letch Moor.

May 8th A Wood Warbler was singing in one of the belts behind Lackford Manor. It stayed there for about a fortnight.

May 9th A sudden increase in the number of Turtle Doves suggested new arrivals. At the same time two male Redstarts were fighting over a nestbox I had put in one of the hedges. One of them put small amounts of dead grass in the box but then gave up and the box was not used after all.

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Birds and other wildlife in the Lackford area

I made a map of the area from the cottage to Weatherhill Farm, including the river fields and Lackford Bridge, and entered all the nests that we found in that area. Most were successful in those days – the Major made sure the Magpies were rare! These included everything from three Linnets’ nests in gooseberry bushes in the garden at the same time, a Wren’s nest in a stalk of sprouting broccoli in the farm garden and a used Nightjar nest within 100 yards of the cottage in the forestry opposite. One egg had hatched and the other was addled.

May 12th The first Red-backed Shrike arrived back by Ramparts Field.

June 6th A Nightjar was churring in the Spruce tree by the bedroom window at dusk and we watched it from just a few feet away. I was able to prove those people wrong who say that the change of pitch while the bird is churring is due to the bird turning its head. It does not. The head remains still but the beak which is fully open most of the time while the bird is churring is half closed momentarily and then reopened. Not many people have the privilege of watching Nightjars from less than about 6 feet!

June 12th A pair of Red-backed Shrikes was by Lackford Bridge, mobbed by a Yellow Wagtail. Three Hawfinches flew over (they are usually singles or in pairs).

June 19th The Whinchat was singing opposite Letch Moor cottages.

June 28th A pair of Red-backed Shrikes was feeding a nest full of young in a bramble clump by one of the Major’s riverside fields.

July 6th Tree Pipit bathing in the tin on the bird table.

July 10th A pair of Red-backed Shrikes on Ramparts Field with newly-fledged young. And two families, one at either end, on July 16th.

July 13th The Whinchat male opposite Letch Moor Cottages when I passed seemed very agitated.

July 18th Three newly fledged Wheatears and an adult on the field by the gravel pit – presumably from Ramparts Field about 150 yards away.

July 23rd Another family of Red-backed Shrikes, newly fledged, by the Cavenham road from Lackford.

July 24th I woke up early and found a nice morning though with mist in the valley. So I cycled through West Stow, called in at Culford Lake, through to Flempton and then through Lackford to arrive at Weatherhill Farm to attend to the livestock at 7am and all within two miles of home. By the time I arrived I had seen 60 species of birds. Later that morning we walked to Lackford and up the 31

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Cavenham road, turning into a track on the right beside what had been Clamps Heath eventually taking another track which brought us back to the Cavenham road one field on the Lackford side of Bunkers Barn. Between that point we found three pairs of Red-backed Shrikes including those mentioned the previous day. Then there were two families on Ramparts Field and up to the forest edge above the cottage. Five families within little more than a mile.

(PL – just goes to show….!)

July 26th The Whinchats apparently fledged.

August 1st A pair of Woodlarks and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the garden.

August 7th The pair of Whinchats with either four or five young was in the Jerusalem Artichoke patch not far from Ramparts Field. (The Major had two such strips of about an acre each. If there was a potato shortage he would lift them and sell for a good price. If not he would fence them and run his pigs on to root most out but they would always leave enough tubers to crop the following year.)

August 9th Whilst cutting Lucerne which was in bloom, for a late hay crop, large numbers of butterflies were seen including Small Tortoiseshells, Peacocks, Painted Ladies, Small Coppers, Common Blues, Graylings, Meadow Browns, Walls, Large Whites, Small Whites, Brimstones and many Clouded Yellows. Others eg Red Admirals may have escaped notice.

(PL – Wall is now more or less confined to the coast in Suffolk; Grayling does still occur in the area although it is not common.)

August 18th Short-eared Owl was seen passing the cottage suggesting that they were again present during the summer. Red-backed Shrike families were still present until nearly the end of August as was Nightjar. However, the Whinchat family moved up to the scrubby land opposite Pear Tree Cottage until well into September, by which time the Forestry Commission had started clearance operations and the area was coniferised over the winter 1949-1950.

One point I had not mentioned during the late spring – I found a Grey Wagtail’s nest in a cavity where a brick was broken on the wall of Flempton Lock. Grey Wagtails were not known to nest in Suffolk at that time. After several weeks when the birds seem to have left I visited the nest again and found three eggs all of which were sterile. We had noticed that the male of the pair did not have full adult plumage so he was probably infertile at that stage.

(PL – now a few pairs breed at various points along the river, often in or around the old locks.)

August 12th We took a picnic up the sandy track that goes from Lackford to Risby and enjoyed it beside a piece of woodland. In the woodland I found a keeper’s gibbet containing two Sparrowhawks, a Kestrel, a Tawny Owl, a Little Owl and three Long-eared Owls. The latter were not decomposed so must have been living nearby. Also, the usual Jays etc.

Due to our very deep drinking water well becoming polluted we regretfully left Pear Tree Cottage on October 22nd.

(PL – Some of the above appeared in a chapter of Alec Bull’s autobiographical book The Lowing Herd published privately in 1999.)

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American Bittern at Carlton Marshes

American Bittern at Carlton Marshes April 7th to May 16th, 2018 First For Suffolk Gavin Durrant, Rob Holmes, Rob Wilton and John Grant Finding it I was at SWT Carlton Marshes on Saturday April 7th 2018 hoping to photograph Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris having been told of three bitterns being seen there the previous day.

At approximately 18:00 I was walking down the South track on Share Marsh when I spotted a Chinese Water Deer Hydropotes inermis in a clearing in the reeds. While I was taking a photo, I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, a large brown bird flying into the tall sedges. After about 15 minutes the bird (which at the time I thought was a Eurasian Bittern), walked across a clearing and went into a dyke. This enabled me to take a few photos, albeit looking into the sun.

Later at home when checking the photos, I noted that this bittern did look different from those that I’d seen in the past at RSPB Minsmere. I tweeted out the photos for others to see. Shortly after I tweeted, I received a message from Rob Holmes stating that he was pretty sure it was an American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus. Many more replies followed saying the same and much excitement ensued!

We think that we had about 4500 visitors to the reserve, including some who visited on several occasions, and others from as far afield as Spain, Belgium, Germany and Holland, as well as Aberdeen! We raised £4000 in donations over the weeks it was here.

Gavin Durrant Identifying it The adage “what’s hit’s history; what’s missed is mystery”, from the days of the nineteenth century gentlemen-collectors, still holds true today, although the gun has fortunately been replaced by the telephoto lens. But the remarkable discovery that occurred at Carlton Marshes in April 2018 could so easily have remained an untold mystery were it not for the dedicated recording of voluntary warden, Gavin Durrant, who, on an evening walk, momentously photographed a ‘Bittern’ just before it retreated into the anonymity of the reeds.

On Saturday April 7th 2018, having spent the day over the border in Norfolk, it seemed highly improbable that I should go on to identify a new bird for Suffolk. But in the age of digital imagery and the ubiquitous connectivity of the internet, where interesting sightings are published almost instantaneously, the discovery of a rare bird increasingly happens behind a computer as much as it does in the field. This phenomenon which has, on occasion, resulted in the true identity being deciphered in time for the unmasked rarity to be enjoyed by the twitching fraternity, the 2006 Devon Long-billed Murrelet Brachyramphus perdix being a celebrated example.

Upon returning home mid-evening I proceeded to make a well-earned cup of tea after a long day in the field photographing wildlife. Scrolling through my Twitter feed, Gavin’s evocative photograph of a ‘Bittern’ he had found earlier in the evening at Carlton Marshes (a Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserve in the lower Waveney Valley just to the south-west of Lowestoft) immediately piqued my curiosity. Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris is a good local record—and a species rarely photographed in this corner of the county—but this, to give it its local East Anglian moniker, was no Butterbump.

The neat parallel chestnut neck stripes on a fawn plumage, pale supercilium and lack of a black cap instantly generated visceral astonishment: the tweet clearly showed an American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus! But in Suffolk, in April? I cautiously responded to Gavin’s tweet: “Looks 33

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Steve Gantlett

American Bittern remained until early May.

American Bittern a Suffolk ‘first’ discovered at Carlton Marshes in April.

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Rob Holmes

American Bittern at Carlton Marshes

like an American Bittern!” well aware of the ramifications of announcing the presence of such a magnitudinous rarity on social media. But this was not a difficult identification nor did it require expert determination; the photo clearly showed the salient and definitive features of American Bittern. Putting aside my incredulity, I retweeted Gavin’s picture to alert the birding community and reserve staff that Sunday would see an unprecedented twitch on the marshes. Gavin’s tweet thread quickly lengthened as others realised the startling identity of this soon-to-be famous botaurus.

The appearance of the American Bittern could not have come at a better time in the story of Carlton Marshes. A public appeal to raise a million pounds, a key part of a funding jigsaw, to create a rewilded watery wilderness as far as the eye can see, was boosted by the donations of grateful twitchers who—in some cases—spent days staking out Share Marsh, the focus of sightings, before connecting with the furtive American superstar.

The serendipitous nature of the discovery of such an astounding vagrant was made all the more remarkable by the uncanny coincidence of this date being a very special day for local birding friend, Rob Wilton, who had earlier celebrated his marriage to his wife, Erin. On the eve of the wedding, Rob and I had even joked about a mega rarity interrupting proceedings! That the wedding party should go on to make a post-nuptial visit to Carlton Marshes a few hours before Gavin’s fortuitous discovery is a spatial juxtaposition of the most extraordinary kind and the perfect footnote to the account of a wholly unexpected addition to Suffolk’s avifauna.

Rob Holmes A Birder, a bride and a bittern On Wednesday 31st May 31st 2016, a photograph of a ‘bittern’ at Carlton Marshes was posted on social media by Kevin Coote and was quickly re-identified as a night heron. At the time, I was in Rome, minutes away from proposing, at the Trevi Fountain. As is tradition, we flipped a coin into the fountain and made our wishes and Erin said, “Yes!”. Before leaving, I tossed another coin in for good measure in the hope that the heron would still be there the following day.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t and I vowed not to throw money away like that again.

Rare birds do have an uncanny knack of turning up at the most inconvenient times but lightning surely doesn’t strike twice. Or so I hoped in the build-up to our wedding. However, as we know, it did indeed strike me twice.

Whilst strolling out to ‘The Scrape’ at Carlton Marshes, on the evening of Friday April 6th 2018, I passed a delighted Jonny Ellis, who had just watched an aerial display of three Eurasian Bitterns over Share Marsh. Given the status of Bittern here, I was excited about the prospect of seeing these, having only ever seen this species on the reserve once before in 30 years! As time was short, I didn’t bother wandering across to Share Marsh where Jonny had seen them land. I was relaxed and felt indifferent about seeing them. Normally, I would have hot-footed my way to the track closer to where they landed. However, the following day Erin and I were due to get married so I just wanted to relax. When Andrew Easton, who was one of my best men, arrived we decided to scan from afar in the hope that they would repeat their earlier antics. Despite our best efforts the bitterns didn’t take to the air in the hour or so we stood chatting.

After the main event of the day (and my life!) on April 7th, it wasn’t long before I was back at Carlton, this time as a married man! Mrs Wilton and I had decided we would take a walk across the marshes after the wedding service for some fresh air, photographs and, of course, a spot of birding! This was a popular decision with both the birding and non-birding contingents, as the sun was shining. Whilst we were being driven down to ‘The Scrape’ by our great friend, and reserve warden, Matt Gooch in an appropriately-decorated SWT vehicle, Andrew Easton was on best man duties carrying my optics up the track – something he has refused to do since! Once our formal photos had been taken, we had many group shots with our nearest and dearest. At one point the many assembled birders posed for a photograph. As fate would have it, or maybe not have it, 35

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

we casually stared across the Scrape at Share Marsh. Little did we know that we were peering in the exact direction where the American Bittern would be photographed a few hours later. A brief appearance by a Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius turned out to be the birding highlight of the walk but the hoped-for bittern fly-by didn’t happen. I kind of dread to think what might have been had the American Bittern made its maiden appearance that day at that precise moment!

When we arrived at the evening venue, I was relieved to see my birding friends were present, thus reassuring me there was an absence of quality birds around. I had been expecting a synchronized wind-up to happen at some point on the day, so when James Wright sidled over wearing a big grin, I was ready. Or so I thought! It was late in the evening when he announced, “There’s an American Bittern at Carlton!” – which I instantly dismissed out of hand. He then pointed out the scrum of birders skulking by the bar looking at the pictures on their phones and suggested that I should go and have a look at the pictures, an idea which once again I completely dismissed. However, they were doing an exceptionally good job of pretending something mega had been found. And the pictures, well, they looked convincing. There wasn’t any doubt that they were of an American Bittern, but I knew they were straight off Google. The penny only really dropped when they zoomed out revealing the Hallmark of truth, “©Gavin Durrant” in one of his Tweets. Gulp! Obviously, people took as much delight in telling Erin, who, like me, also thought it was one big joke.

I fully expected to wake up the following morning to a multitude of messages with minute-byminute updates of the American Bittern. However, much to my relief, it didn’t show up until midday, by which time I had been able to enjoy our family breakfast, tidy the venue and drop everything at home. The only slight complication was the fact that we were supposed to be heading to the airport at 13:30 heading to the airport for a relaxing afternoon before an early-morning flight to Verona, on Monday. The rest, as they say, is history and we arrived at midnight having both had good flight views of the American Bittern and my second Eurasian Bittern at Carlton.

Rob Wilton Natural range and British occurrences According to BBRC – “American Bittern is widespread across Canada, mostly south of 60°N, and throughout USA except southern states. Northern breeders migrate to winter mostly south of 40°N in USA and into Central America” Britain’s first record of American Bittern concerned an individual that was shot near Puddletown, Dorset, in 1804. This bird found its way into the Natural History Museum in London. The irony of this record is that it was described by ornithologists in England before it was properly known by American naturalists!

The majority of the subsequent British records up to the end of 2001 came, as would be expected, from western areas but our neighbours in Essex notched up the second British record in unusual circumstances. A mounted specimen of an immature that had been shot at Wendons Ambo in 1826 was discovered at Saffron Walden Museum during research for Simon Wood’s ‘The Birds of Essex’, which was published in 2007. Although it had been correctly identified by the eminent Victorian ornithologist Henry Seebohm in about 1892 the record failed to reach ornithological circles. It finally gained official acceptance in 2002 following extensive research by Nick Green.

The species is said to be declining in its native North American range, probably due to marshland habitat loss, and this decline is mirrored in modern British records. Indeed, in the first decade of the current century there were only two occurrences, in Cornwall and Pembrokeshire, the latter bird having been found dead.

According to the BBRC Report for 2018, up to the end of that year there had been 39 accepted records of American Bittern in Britain (BBRC no longer has any jurisdiction over Irish records). Of these 39, 29 were prior to 1950.

John Grant 36

Semiplanted Sandpiper at Minsmere

Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla Minsmere, August 18th to 23rd 2018 Ally Riseborough I was in the East Hide at Minsmere at 08:30 on August 18th when I ‘scoped a small wader on the far side of the Scrape. It was on its own and looked grey and white. I watched it for a few minutes before it disappeared behind the furthest island to the left of the hide.

With none of the usual suspects in the hide that morning, to help with the ID, I was at a bit of a loss as to what it was.

I was then joined by Jon Evans and Gerald Jobson and, having told them of my find, the bird reappeared a bit closer. We were thinking Little Stint Calidris minuta but with reservations as the bird was pale and without any obvious Vs on the mantle.

Referring to my Collins Bird Guide App, by a process of elimination, I tentatively suggested that it was a Semipalmated Sandpiper. Jon and Gerald agreed. This is when I started to feel the pressure! As more people were arriving in the hide, I was feeling rather stressed to put out the news – but there is always that doubt – although Gerald was keen to do so!

It was surprising under how much pressure I did felt with this bird – whether to put the news out and it being a mistake, or should I wait? As it happens, I did get some stick for not putting it out immediately from a couple of birders. They would probably have been the ones who would have been annoyed if I had got it wrong!

At 10:45 hours Eddie Marsh arrived with a visiting American birder friend, Bob Toleno from California. Bob agreed with my identification, pointing out some key facts confirming that it was indeed a juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper. The reserve staff were then told and the news spread more widely.

I spent a long time watching this bird and took in all the relevant features so that I would be able to identify one again in the future. Perhaps sometimes, when twitching a bird, we don’t give it as much time as we should?

Description Size: When seen later, on South Scrape, it was at least 25% smaller than an accompanying Dunlin Calidris alpina. General the same size as a Little Stint.

It had short primary projection with primaries about 3mm beyond the tail.

Upperparts: Brownish streaked cap, white supercilium, dark loral stripe and ear coverts. Mantle was scaly greyish brown; upper scapulars greyish with blackish centres; lower scapulars grey with dark anchors, white tips and rufous edging. When flying showed a wing bar across primaries and secondaries. Tail was dark in centre with large areas of white at sides.

Underparts: White with light-brownish streaks on sides of breast. Chin, throat, belly and undertail coverts white. When flying showed greyish trailing edge to wings.

Bare Parts: Legs black appearing quite long. Bill black, short, broad at the base and blunt tipped.

Behaviour: When feeding it showed a slow methodical pecking and dipping, not ‘busy, busy’ like a Little Stint.

Normal range This species breeds on the tundra of western Alaska eastwards across Arctic Canada as far as southern Baffin Island and coastal Labrador; it has bred in extreme north-eastern Siberia. It winters in Central America and on the coasts of tropical South America as far south as Brazil and Peru. In the USA it migrates across the Great Plains and the eastern seaboard.

Previous Suffolk records were at: Felixstowe Ferry, October 1982-April 1983, Minsmere, August 1986, Trimley Marshes, May 1993, Burgh Castle, September 2003 and Minsmere, July 2008. As such, the 2018 individual in August is Suffolk’s sixth record and the third for Minsmere.

Fortunately the bird remained at Minsmere for five days and was well-watched by local birders and those from further afield.

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018

White Storks at Theberton – where did they come from?

Mike Cartwright White Storks Ciconia ciconia at Theberton July 7th 2018 Arriving home at 21.30hr I checked that evening’s bird news on Birdguides and saw that there had been a report of a White Stork at 19.30hr at Middleton. This was followed by another report at 19.50hr of two in an Oak tree Quercus Sp. by the B1122/B1125 junction at Theberton (there had been no BINS message). This is just down the road for me and with the possibility that they might be roosting I decided to try and locate them. Arriving at the location there was no sign of them but after a quick search I relocated them roosting in a nearby Cedar tree Cedrus Sp. at 21.50hr. I tried putting out the news but I think the Football World Cup was proving more popular!

July 8th 2018 Returning the following morning I watched the storks from 05.00hr still in the Cedar tree where they were preening and eating what appeared to be Cockchafer Beetles Melolontha melolontha from the canopy. They left the Cedar tree at 05.50hr and landed in the pea Pisum Sp. field below where they continued to feed. I could see that they were both colour-ringed but could only get the complete details from one of them.

Unfortunately, BINS did not put out any of the messages I sent in (again probably because of the Football World Cup). However, I did contact Birdguides who proved very helpful both with putting out the information as well as some information regarding escaped and colour-ringed White Storks (see below). I left at 08.30hr and the two Storks were later reported at 10.00hr flying south over Hollesley Marshes but were not reported subsequently – possibly they returned to the Continent.

Possible origins: The hot summer of 2018 was officially declared a heatwave on June 22nd (Wikipedia) and this continued with hot, dry and sunny weather over much of the country between July 5th and 8th (Met Office). Given the easterly winds of the period there is a real possibility that these birds could have been of European origin. Indeed, Dave Fairhurst speculated that they could have been failed breeders which had drifted west in the unusually hot weather of the period before re-orientating back to Europe the following day.

Colour ring details: With the above in mind, the colour rings raised the real possibility that we might be able to find out the possible origins of these birds (or so we thought!).

The ring details were noted as follows: On one stork the colour ring was above the knee on the left leg. The ring was blue, coded EH in white and the bottom of the ring had an orange band about a third of the width of the blue.

No metal ring was seen.

The other stork was also colour-ringed but unfortunately it was not possible to get the details of this other than it also had a dark blue ring on its left leg coded white but because it was positioned just above the foot it was much harder to see and no further information was gleaned.

Whilst updating Birdguides they informed me that getting a match for a colour ring could be a lot harder than one might think – the reasons they gave for this are as follows:

38

White Storks at Theberton

Birdguides White Storks are expanding their breeding range in northern Europe and as they colonise new towns and villages in Belgium and, particularly, Germany these birds are unofficially colourringed when they first start to breed. Village communities “adopt” their nesting White Storks and, in many cases, unofficial leg rings are fitted to young birds in the nest so that they can be identified if they return to the same community in subsequent years. While it is admirable that communities show such pride in their birds, it appears to be a practice that is not co-ordinated or official in any way and so the birds cannot be tracked internationally.

Bearing in mind what Birdguides had said I thought it would be worth a try – as you never know. However, I have had no luck but did find out the following: The Norfolk escapees: In Norfolk there are free-flying White Storks from Shorelands Wildlife Gardens at Langmere which were originally ringed in Poland. These are regularly recorded throughout Norfolk but have green colour-rings.

Euring – the coordinating organisation for European bird ringing schemes: This organisation had no record of these birds.

The White Stork Team (Re-introductions): I contacted the re-introduction project in Sussex who in turn contacted other partners but no one had any knowledge of these birds. Indeed, most of these birds in West Sussex are pinioned and will remain so prior to release so that they imprint on their local area.

The BTO – coordinates and controls ringing in Britain: As with Euring, the BTO had no record of these birds.

Dave Fairhurst and Mike Marsh: Both tried, without success, to ascertain the origins of these two White Storks.

Other sightings of White Stork: Checking on the Birdguides website for the period May 1st to September 30th 2018 there are no records of colour-ringed White Storks that matched the Theberton birds (although obviously this would not be easy/possible for fly-over birds). Records of two birds together was, however, unusual (and assumes that the two birds remained together).

Conclusion: These two storks are not known escapees or to be from a reintroduction programme in the UK as far as I can ascertain.

There are no other reported sightings on Birdguides either before or after July 7th and 8th in the UK. With the weather conditions at the time it would seem reasonable to assume that they were probably from Europe.

However, from this point it gets harder.

Perhaps the original Birdguides comment that they may originate from an unofficial colourringing programme in Belgium/Germany could be a possibility.

The other possibility, as always, is they were escapes either from the UK which looks less likely or from somewhere in Europe.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like we are going to find out for sure!

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Subsequent update: An interesting post-script to the story is that, although where it came from cannot be established, EH was seen again! I received this email from Tony from the White Stork Team: Dear Mike I’m afraid that I never managed to find out anything about the origins of your White Stork (EH) but I thought you might be interested to hear that on December 11th 2018 I saw it at the Knepp Estate in West Sussex where it was in the company of an unringed bird and one of the Knepp reintroduction project birds.

Apologies for the delay in letting you know but this email system was hiding all emails older than three months and I couldn’t find your details!

Best wishes, Tony

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Systematic List

The 2018 Suffolk Bird Report Systematic List Introduction The list and its appendices have been written using data supplied by the county’s birdwatchers and conservation organisations. The order has changed and follows the revised BOU list. The raw data have been collated and interpreted by the following:Swans and geese

Gi Grieco

Larks, hirundines

Ducks

Andrew Green

Warblers, inc. Long-t Tit Peter Kennerley

Game birds, grebes to Crane John Davies Waxwing, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Starling, Divers to Spoonbill John Grant Dipper, Wren, thrushe

Nick Mason

Richard Attenborrow

Raptors (incl. falcons) Chris Gregory

Oystercatcher to plovers Ernie Lucking

Spotted Fly, Robin, chats, wheatears, other Steve Fryett flycatchers, Dunnock

Other waders Ed Keeble

Skuas to gulls James Wright

Sparrows, wagtails, pipits, inches, buntings

Paul Gowen

Appendices

Adam Gretton

Terns to auks

Brian Buffery

Pigeons to woodpeckers

Darren Underwood

Shrikes, corvids, crests, tits

Phil Whittaker

The ‘official’ British list is maintained by the British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU) and, from 2018, uses the International Ornithological Congress world list. Species are included in various categories according to their status, as follows: • Category A – species which have been recorded in an apparently natural state at least once since January 1st 1950; • Category B – species that would otherwise be in Category A but have not been recorded since December 31st 1949; • Category C – species that, although originally introduced by man, either deliberately or accidentally, have established self-sustaining breeding populations; • Category D – species that would otherwise appear in Categories A or B except that there is doubt that they have ever occurred in a natural state; • Category E – species that have been recorded as introductions, transportees or escapees from captivity, and whose breeding populations are not thought to be self-sustaining.

The main part of the species accounts consists of species that occurred in Suffolk in 2018, which fall into Categories A and C. Where a species is included in multiple categories, this is shown in the initial status summary. Categories D and E do not form part of either the British or Suffolk lists. Species from these Categories that occurred in Suffolk in 2018 are included as appendices to the main list.

The order and nomenclature follow the latest published for The British List by the BOU using the International Ornithological Union list (BOU 2018). This list can be accessed on their web site at www.bou.org.uk English names follow the same list. Subspecies are listed under the main species’ heading, which includes the scientific name.

The records for each species are listed mostly under the parish where the bird occurred, 41

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

sometimes followed by a more precise location if known. The exception to this is at the river estuaries and larger, well-known sites criss-crossed by several parish boundaries e.g. Walberswick NNR, Minsmere, Orfordness, Alton Water etc. The gazetteer on page 236 gives locations for those sites not easily located on a standard road map.

The order of records is north to south down the coastal region, working round the estuaries, then inland from the northeast to the southwest of the county. To minimise any potential threats to site security, some records of rare breeding birds are published anonymously and under a vague site heading.

As much use as possible is made of systematic monitoring schemes such as the WeBS counts.

Using such co-ordinated data instead of maximum counts gives a better idea of the populations of each species wintering in the county on a given date. However, fluctuations in numbers due to changing weather patterns will affect totals and higher counts are given in the text after the table where appropriate. Counts from North Warren include Thorpeness Meare, Church Farm Marshes and the shoreline between Thorpeness and Aldeburgh; the Alde/Ore Estuary includes the complex of the Alde, Ore and Butley rivers as well as Orfordness, Gedgrave reservoir and Havergate Island; and the Orwell includes Trimley Marshes, Loompit Lake and Bourne Park Water Meadows. Counts from the Stour all refer to the Suffolk side and both sides of the estuary if stated.

The larger part of the report, particularly for the more common species, is based upon ad hoc and Birdtrack records. Data of that type are influenced by the distribution of birdwatchers, the weather and other factors that result in imperfections. We are nonetheless indebted to those observers who have persevered with other studies, such as Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), Constant Effort Sites (CES) and transect counts and for making the results available for use. A summary of the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is given for all those species for which meaningful data are available – further information can be found on the BTO website.

See ‘A Guide to Recording Birds in Suffolk’ elsewhere in this Report for information on submission of records.

The following definitions are intended as a guide to the relative status of each species: Very common: Occurs in large numbers in suitable habitat and season.

Common: Occurs regularly or widely distributed in suitable habitat.

Fairly common: Occurs in small numbers in suitable habitat and season.

Uncommon: Occurs annually in small numbers.

Scarce: One or two records each year or restricted to specific habitats.

Rare: Occurs less than annually.

Very rare: Less than 15 records in past 30 years.

Accidental: Less than three records in past 30 years.

Included in the status description is a note if the species is included in either the Red or the Amber List of ‘Birds of Conservation Concern’. This is a paper jointly produced by the leading bird conservation organisations in the UK. See Suffolk Bird Report Vol.47: 6-10 for further details.

The following abbreviations are sometimes used in the systematic list:ad = adult N = bird(s) flying north BBS = Breeding Bird Survey NNR = National Nature Reserve CES = Constant Effort Site R = River CP = Country Park res = reservoir GC = Golf Course S = bird(s) flying south GP = gravel pit SW = sewage works imm = immature WM = Water Meadow Ind. Est. = industrial estate WP = Water Park juv = juvenile WR = Wildfowl Reserve

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Systematic List

(DARK-BELLIED) BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla bernicla Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber List. Categories A and E. Mainly a wintering bird on the estuaries from the Deben to the Stour, with passage noted offshore along the coast often in short peaks in October and November. As in 2017 less passage was noted along the coast in the north-east with only one flock numbering over a thousand; 1450 which flew south past Minsmere on October 11th with a further 200 past the same site the following day. [Compare these totals with only ten years ago e.g. on October 30th 2008, southerly passage peaked at 3840 off Thorpeness, 1500 off Minsmere and 1295 off Lowestoft. Further south on the same date, passage totals were 5700 off Orfordness and 12890 off Landguard.]

The next passage event was a week later with 360 south past Minsmere on October 18th and 500 south past Ness Point, Lowestoft on October 19th with 415 past Minsmere and 300 past Thorpeness on the same day. On October 27th, 160 flew north at Ness Point. On October 28th, 109 passed south off North Denes, Lowestoft and 200 passed Minsmere. Finally, 300 flew south past Minsmere on November 16th. In the south-east, Landguard’s peak southerly autumn daytotal was only 495.

In the south-east the usual large flocks were present along the Deben, Orwell and Stour Estuaries in the first-winter period. The largest flocks were 850 at Holbrook Bay on January 5th, 1000 on winter cereal at Stutton Ness on January 13th, 420 at Trimley Marshes on January 21st, 500 at Holbrook Creek on February 13th, 427 at Falkenham Creek on February 20th and 1040 on Aldeburgh Marshes on March 12th. Into spring and 738 flew past Landguard on April 13th on their way north and 568 were at Seafield Bay on May 24th. Between May 28th and June 2nd, no fewer than 1089 flew north or out to sea past Landguard.

In the west a single bird was at Mickle Mere between January 18th and 22nd before relocating to Barton Mere on January 25th.

A few summer records included three on the sea at Thorpeness on June 11th, one at Carlton Marshes on June 16th and 17th, three, Orfordness, June 18th, one on Minsmere Scrape, also on June 18th, one south past Landguard on July 14th and one around Aldeburgh Marshes and Havergate Island from August 10th to 27th.

Passage records at Landguard are recorded in the table below: Monthly totals at Languard Bird Observatory were:- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov N+out 90 26 260 743 1080 1 36 60 S+out 250 44 567 54 2 1 1335 733

Dec 38 107

Peak monthly WeBS counts in the table below: Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec Alde WeBS 42 90 249 3 41 87 Deben WeBS 693 951 820 3 4 165 733 Orwell HW 712 608 325 183 19 209 741 Stour WeBS 88 633 1336 1196 76 1396 1941

In the second winter period there were generally low numbers on the estuaries in October and it was not until mid-November that there were three-figure flocks; 241 at Holbrook Bay on November 13th and then numbers built up at Trimley Marshes with 113 on November 25th rising to 482 on December 30th.

(PALE-BELLIED) BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla hrota Uncommon winter visitor. Amber list.

Similar to 2017 there were very few records of this subspecies during the year. An initial bird was at Aldeburgh on the first day of the year, presumably the bird that had been at Hazlewood Marshes on December 31st 2017, followed by one at Slaughden on January 7th, then one also at 43

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Slaughden between March 23rd and 25th. Later in the year 20 were at Minsmere on October 11th and one flew south off Sizewell beach on November 17th with eight Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

BLACK BRANT Branta bernicla nigricans Scarce visitor.

For the second successive year there were no reports of this North American and east Siberian subspecies in Suffolk.

GREATER CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis Common resident. Categories A, C and E. This species was recorded across the county with many sites having numbers below 100 birds, but at the traditional sites regular flocks were over 100.

From the BBS records Canada Geese were found in five 1km squares, just a bit lower than in 2017. The number of individuals was also lower in number, dropping to 92 the lowest figure since 2013. There were fewer breeding reports than is normal for this species although it is unclear whether this shows a decline in numbers or a reduction in records submitted. There had been 23 sites in 2017 where breeding occurred but this had dropped to 14 in 2018. Additionally, the number of pairs fell from 45 to 24 and young from 38 to 21. Most breeding records came from the west, having half of the locations recorded for the year. Seven pairs nested on Orfordness with 11 young counted. Carlton Marshes had five breeding pairs while there were two pairs at Boyton Marshes with broods of five and six young at Hall Farm, Fornham St. Martin and a pair had eight young at Mickle Mere.

In the north-east there were only a few occasions when large flocks were recorded although the 500 at Southwold on January 1st is the highest recorded in the county during the year. Other large flocks in the area were 130 at Redgrave Fen on September 15th, c.200 at Dunwich beach on September 27th and 150 at Southwold on November 30th.

In the south-east there were regular three-figure counts at both Boyton and Hollesley Marshes with 400 on December 25th being the largest at the former site and a maximum of 355 on December 12th at the latter. Other large counts from the south-east were 110 at Flatford Mill on June 9th, c.230 at Loompit Lake on August 15th and 140 at Falkenham Creek on November 21st.

The largest counts from the west were 117 at BTO Nunnery Lakes reserve, Thetford on March 19th, 152 at Timworth on September 4th, 176 at Gifford’s Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland on September 7th and the highest for the area, 320, at Higham St Stephen on December 14th.

The monthly WeBS counts: Alde WeBS Deben WeBS Orwell HW Stour WeBS

Jan 639 45 54

Feb 1160 18 98 299

Mar 146 14 20 35

Apr 38 66 170

Sep 107 258 294

Oct 575 87 104 318

Nov 724 236 59

Dec 522 134 438

BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant; increasingly common feral resident. Amber List.

Categories A and E. Most of the records during both winter periods, as usual, were in the north-east of the county.

In the first winter period there were no exceptionally-large flocks with birds dispersed across a number of sites; for example, on January 1st there were c.200 at Kessingland, c.100 at Southwold and 200 at North Warren. There were higher counts of 266 at North Warren on January 8th and 290 on February 28th at Minsmere where the numbers rose to 750 on March 1st. Numbers decreased during the remainder of March before starting to increase again from the end of August and into September with 500 at Minsmere on September 13th and c.580 at Southwold on September 23rd. The largest flock of the year was c.1000 at Southwold on October 12th and during the rest 44

Systematic List

of the year flocks numbered in the low hundreds at a few sites, the exceptions being 500 on Minsmere Scrape on October 22nd and 24th and 600 at Covehithe on November 23rd.

Elsewhere in the county low numbers were recorded in the south-east with only single-figure counts at Hollesley and Boyton Marshes up to mid-March but higher numbers on passage past Landguard Bird Observatory, the highest being 96 on March 18th. From November 17th there was a single bird initially at Hollesley Marshes with numbers eventually reaching 27 on December 19th with one regularly associating with the Greylag Geese flock.

In the west up to ten were at Lackford Lakes between January 10th and 15th with one or two feral birds regularly noted at a number of sites, although there were four at Centre Parcs, Elveden on July 21st.

Breeding was recorded at three sites, the most to date, with Minsmere, as usual, the principal location with 24 breeding pairs. Breeding also occurred at Shotford Heath, Weybread where there were four adults with eight goslings at the yacht club on the south side of Ocean Pit, part of Weybread Gravel Pits. A new location for 2018 was at Old Hall Farm, St. Nicholas South Elmham where there were two pairs with broods of four and one goslings.

GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser Common resident from feral flock. Amber List. Categories A, C and E. This is by far the most commonly encountered goose species in the county, being widespread in all three recording areas with large flocks in each, although, as last year, there were no flocks that reached four figures. Greylag Goose was recorded from 16 BBS 1km squares, just slightly lower than in 2017 but there was a rise in the number of individuals counted with 109, up from 87. After the highest-ever number of breeding sites in 2017 (27) the number dropped to a more typical 17 sites with both the north-east and west each having a similar total. There was a total of 43 pairs noted and the overall number of young actually counted was 100 although not all were recorded.

There were five breeding pairs at Carlton Marshes and three at Hen Reedbeds. In the south-east there were five pairs around Hollesley Marshes and at Trimley Marshes at least 53 young were seen. In the west several pairs bred successfully on the angling lake at West Stow CP, at Culford Park there were 28 young from seven broods and at Livermere Lake there were six broods.

The highest count from the north-east was 400 on January 1st, although this included birds from both Carlton Marshes and Castle Marsh combined while at Thorpeness Haven there were 250 on September 30th. From the south-east there were some regular high counts of over 250 and the highest, from a selection of sites, were 547 at Trimley Marshes on January 14th, 360 on Havergate Island on September 6th, 300 at Boyton Marshes on November 10th and 600 at Hollesley Marshes on December 18th and 19th. The west has the largest population of this species; there were 250 at Lakenheath Fen on January 13th, 636 at Livermere Lake on February 17th, 519 at BTO Nunnery reserve, Thetford on November 12th and 442 at Mickle Mere on December 18th.

Peak monthly counts: Dingle Marshes WeBS Minsmere WeBS North Warren WebS Alde WeBS Deben WeBS Orwell WeBS Stour WeBS Orfordness Trimley Marshes Alton Water WeBS

Jan 140 170 330 621 36 10 44 280 547 61

Feb 239 114 31 441 31 401 105 30 398 85

Mar 161 12 101 4 8 46 12 105 70

45

Oct 95 102 87 24 87 102 201

Nov 171 1 2 105 360 220 446 446 225

Dec 271 280 314 90 82 160 12 349 436

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

TAIGA BEAN GOOSE Anser fabalis Rare winter visitor. Red list. Categories A and E. There was a single record of this goose which breeds in the taiga region from Scandinavia east to the Urals. The bird, at Hollesley Marshes, where it mixed with Greylags and White-fronted Geese, may have been around longer than a single day.

Hollesley Marshes: Feb 16th (D Fairhurst et al.).

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Anser brachyrhynchus Fairly common winter visitor, principally to north-east area, and passage migrant. Amber List.

Categories A and E. After a few years when several large flocks were observed, 2018 followed the previous year in having smaller totals; there were only two counts of over a thousand birds during the year, viz, 1600 at Oulton Marsh on January 18th and 2500 at the same location on February 3rd.

Other large counts for the year from the north-east are as follows:

Breydon South Wall: 450, Jan 1st.

St. Olaves: 300 north and 60 south, Jan 13th; 200 south-east, Jan 20th.

Somerleyton: 200 over, Jan 1st; c.600 north over Marsh Lane, Oct 24th; 200, Nov 15th.

Lound Lakes: c.300 in five or six parties over from south, Dec 9th.

Blundeston Marshes: 200 west, Feb 9th; c.900 on an early-autumn sown arable field before flying off towards Burgh Castle, Oct 27th.

Oulton Marsh: 700 circled then north-west, Nov 25th.

Carlton Marshes: 200, Dec 9th.

In the south-east up to two were present at Trimley Marshes in the first winter period apart from a flock of 33 which occurred there only on January 12th. At Boyton Marshes five were present between March 14th and April 3rd. There were up to four birds at Hollesley Marshes on October 24th, then regular sightings until the end of the year at this site and also at nearby Gedgrave and Boyton Marshes, reaching a maximum of 50 on December 2nd. The flock included two birds with white neck-collars with black characters, X65 and X75. These came from a Svalbardbreeding population and were caught and marked together in Trøndelag, Norway during Spring migration in 2015. They have been reported in Norway and Denmark, as well as Belgium and The Netherlands in winter but this is the first time they have been reported in the UK. There was a passage of 25 birds over Sudbury on November 12th. A feral bird was noted at a number of locations in the west during the year while another presumed escapee was at Trimley Marshes in August.

TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE Anser serrirostris Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. Categories A and E. It was a much quieter year for this species with no repetition of the large flocks seen in 2017.

There was a single record from the north-east recording area, with two at Red House Lane in Leiston on December 23rd and 24th.

In the first winter period, normally four, but up to seven (January 8th to 12th) frequented Trimley Marshes with the last sighting on March 19th.

From November 24th until the end of the year four were present in a field in the Gulpher Road/ Marsh Lane area of Old Felixstowe. These consisted of two adults and one juvenile with the other undetermined. There were also four birds at Hollesley Marshes from December 2nd and these were considered to be different individuals from those at Felixstowe; these fed on harvested fields and would sometimes fly on to the reserve Scrape.

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser albifrons Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. Red List (from Green). Categories A and E. Numbers were back to normal after the large flocks early in 2017. There had been no large flocks in the second winter period of 2017 and this continued into the start of 2018 until January 8th when the flock at North Warren increased to 156 rising further to 215 two days later; this 46

Systematic List

Greater White-fronted Goose at North Warren in February.

Andrew Moon

turned out to be the largest recorded flock of the whole year. During the first winter period North Warren was the principal site with 27 on March 27th being the last record there. Elsewhere in the north-east, 50 flew north at Aldeburgh Marshes on January 6th and 160 flew north at the same site on March 4th, 13 flew south offshore at Minsmere on March 21st and five flew over Reydon Smear on March 26th. In the south-east, Trimley Marshes and the Boyton/Hollesley Marshes complex had regular small numbers reaching a maximum of 13 at the former site and 20 at both of the other sites. A single bird was the last seen at Hollesley Marshes Scrape on March 26th.

Obviously late March witnessed the departure of our wintering birds.

The first bird in the second winter period was at Aldeburgh Marshes on October 23rd followed by a number of sightings from various locations including 20 which flew east on the Blyth Estuary on November 17th and landed east of Mights Bridge, Southwold, 16 at Dingle Marshes, Dunwich on November 18th, 35 at Burgh Castle on November 24th and 25 which flew over Carlton Marshes on November 25th. Numbers built up at North Warren in December reaching 122 on 19th. The corpse of a first-winter bird was found on the beach at Easton Broad on November 19th. In the south-east the pattern of groups at Trimley Marshes and at both Hollesley and Boyton Marshes mirrored those from earlier in the year. At Trimley Marshes a maximum of four was present on December 26th while at Hollesley Marshes there were nine on December 16th, made up of a party of two adults with five juveniles plus a separate adult and juvenile, and at Boyton Marshes, 11 were recorded on December 20th. In the west, there was a single record of 28 at Higham, near Newmarket, on December 14th.

Greenland White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons flavirostris Very rare winter visitor. Red list.

There was a flock of six Greenland White-fronted Geese at Trimley Marshes from January 8th until March 11th (W J Brame). This is the highest total of this subspecies in Suffolk since way back in 1956 when ten occurred well inland at Hartest, February 20th.

47

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor Common resident. Amber List. Categories A and C. Mute Swans were found in suitable wetland habitat throughout the county. During the BTO Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) there was a slight reduction from ten in 2017 to eight occurrences in 1km squares and the number of individuals was, for the second year running, over 100 although the count of 120 was about a third lower than the highest-ever count, of 179, in the previous year.

The number of sites where Mute Swan were recorded, as well as the number of pairs and the number of young reported were all lower than in 2017; from 37 sites to 27, 52 pairs to 44 and 112 young to 86. The north-east had the most sites and pairs and within that part of Suffolk the main breeding sites were Sizewell SWT reserve with five pairs, Carlton Marshes with four pairs and three breeding pairs at North Cove/Castle Marsh. Sometimes there can be a high mortality rate and, from the original five, only one fledged from one of the two pairs on Orfordness whilst at Boyton Marshes all three hatched young from a single pair died over the course of a month.

The south-east estuaries held the herds with the highest numbers with Falkenham Creek being the area in both winter periods where the peak totals were noted. At that site there was a count of 152 on February 8th and c.100 on December 6th. Nearby Kirton and Hemley also had large numbers reaching 110 and 106 respectively while Loompit Lake on the Orwell Estuary held 90 in February and 80 in December. At Sudbourne Marshes there were 100 present on December 24th. In the north-east the highest counts came from North Cove/Castle Marsh, reaching 121 on January 6th and 66 at St. Olaves on February 2nd. In the west, Lackford Lakes was the site that tended to have the highest numbers which reached 86 on August 19th. The other sites in the area with large herds were Lakenheath Fen and Sudbury Common with their respective high counts of 70 and 78.

The total of 66 on Orfordness, April 22nd is the highest-ever recorded at this site. There were 11 records of this swan spread over seven months from Landguard with a maximum of ten west, October 4th.

Peak WeBS counts: Alde WeBS Deben WeBS Orwell HW Stour WeBS

Jan 212 217 39 20

Feb 162 54 31 4

Mar 68 158 48 5

Apr 146 39 24

Sep 82 58 28

Oct 65 119 47 42

Nov 64 143 125 82

Dec 138 97 118 45

The Stour Estuary population peaked at 950 in 1959.

TUNDRA (BEWICK’S) SWAN Cygnus columbianus Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber List.

Tundra Swan, much like its relative, Whooper Swan tend to favour wintering on the Suffolk coast around the Minsmere area. In 2018 this was the pattern again in the first-winter period when, from the start of the year, there were initially nine birds along Lymballs Lane, Westleton the number increasing to 14 birds including three first-winters, up until March 7th. These birds roosted at Minsmere. Other records from the north-east during this period were one at North Cove/Castle Marsh on January 6th, seven circled Ocean Pit at Weybread GP before flying east on January 10th and 16 flew east at St Olaves on February 16th.

In the south-east generally a single bird associating with Mute Swans on the marshes along the Deben, around Falkenham and Kirton up until March 7th with three noted at Hemley on January 26th. In the west there were up to nine birds seen around the Lakenheath area, initially two at Sedge Fen on January 6th rising to nine in mid-February and decreasing to two on March 18th. At Mickle Mere there were six present on January 10th.

In the second-winter period birds were at Minsmere from November 13th, building up to nine 48

Systematic List

Tundra (Bewick’s) Swan showing well on the fields at Higham in December.

Kit Day

birds on December 13th, before relocating to Red House Lane, Leiston until the end of the year. A single bird was at North Warren on December 26th. At Pipps Ford, on November 17th, five were recorded on passage by nocturnal flight calls. On December 11th four birds seen on water off Havergate Island before they flew off calling over Boyton Marshes and headed up Butley Creek.

In the west two feral birds were present from December 10th to 19th at Thorington Street and the Gifford’s Hall area, Stoke-by-Nayland.

WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber List. Categories A and E. Every year a small number of this species occur on the Suffolk coast during the two winter periods and 2018 was no exception. There were two birds at North Cove/Castle Marsh on January 1st with a single bird there on January 5th and 6th. On January 21st there were seven birds at Walberswick and that was the start of regular sightings between Dunwich and Minsmere, but at the latter site more frequently. The maximum number reached was eight and at times included three first-winter birds. The last sighting of the first-winter period was five at Minsmere on March 22nd.

Return passage started on October 22nd with one at Island Mere, Minsmere followed by two in off at Minsmere and one north at Pakefield the following day and one in off and continuing west at Aldeburgh on 28th. Similar to earlier in the year the section between Eastbridge and Dunwich held up to eight birds until the end of the year, with at least six first-winter birds with Minsmere again being the principal location to find them.

In the south-east there was a single bird amongst the herd of Mute Swans in the Falkenham Creek to Kirton Creek area throughout January and February. Two adult birds frequented Boyton Marshes from January 22nd to March 25th. At Pipps Ford eight flew west on November 2nd and there were two birds on Stonebridge Marshes, Capel St. Andrew on December 11th with a single bird recorded throughout the month.

Although not reaching the record numbers of 2017 there were, at times, large herds encountered in the west of the county. The largest of these, in the early part of the year, held 170 at Sedge Fen on January 6th and 222 at Lakenheath Fen on February 3rd, with regular high counts at the latter site during the period. A single bird flew west at Bowbeck, Bardwell on March 30th and a presumed sick or injured bird was present at Lakenheath Fen in late April and early May. 49

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

A single bird was at Brundon, Sudbury on September 29th that had apparently been present for some time and was still recorded in to December. At Livermere Lake there were three on October 22nd and a single at Lackford Lakes on October 27th before the large herds appeared again with 114 at Lakenheath Fen on November 25th and 157 at Sedge Fen, Lakenheath on December 22nd.

EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen aegyptiaca Locally fairly common resident. Categories C and E. Records for 2018 were atypical for Egyptian Goose. Normally it is recorded in larger numbers and more breeding sites in both the north-east and west. However, in 2018 there was a noticeable reduction in the number of large flocks in the north-east and this area, for the first time, had fewer breeding records than the south-east.

The species was found in five of the 1KM BBS squares, fairly typical of recent years, with the numbers counted just a bit higher than the last two, totalling sixteen. There was a total of 20 sites where breeding was recorded, most prevalently in the west where more than half of them were located, containing 15 of the 26 pairs and 52 of the 88 young. A selection of the more notable breeding records were; three pairs at Herringfleet Mill, a pair with nine young at Weybread Gravel Pits, a brood of eight at Botany Marshes, Snape, a nest at Newland’s garage, Trimley St Mary with four recently fledged young, a nest on top of the swimming pool building at Trimley St Mary, a pair with eight young at Cavenham Heath, a pair with a young brood on ice at Barnham Cross Common and three broods at Livermere Lake.

Similarly, with fewer breeding records in the north-east there were fewer large flocks. The two main counts were of 25 at Burgh Castle on August 28th and 30 at Herringfleet Mill where two birds on south marsh were joined by a further 28 from the west side of the river. In the southeast Alton Water was, as usual, the main location for this species and the only site in the area to have flock counts in double figures with the highest being 35 on September 11th. In the west the species was, as mentioned, more numerous and there were three sites that had flocks of over 50 birds; a moulting flock of 95 at Livermere Lake on June 20th, 75 at Timworth on September 5th and 94 at Hall Farm, Fornham St. Martin on November 19th.

At Livermere Lake a presumed Egyptian Goose x Shelduck hybrid was present on September 8th and again on November 3rd and 11th.

COMMON SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna Locally common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

Monthly counts from the key sites: Jan Feb Blyth Estuary* 400 252 Alde/Ore Estuary 1023 1123 Hazlewood Marshes* 750 205 Deben Estuary 319 470 Orwell Estuary 216 327 Stour Estuary 1736 1339 Livermere Lake* 40 66 *monthly maxima

Mar 80 348 300 616 125

Apr 110 274 154 284 10

Sep 140 215 14 92 -

Oct 196 610 128 54 639 72

Nov 40 1080 295 187 496 144

Dec 360 316 348 679 96

After five consecutive poor years, there are encouraging signs that the wintering population is recovering, a trend that is also being noted nationally. The year’s highest count, the February WeBS count of 1123 on the Alde/Ore Estuary, equals last year’s peak count at this site (which was the highest for ten years), and the February WeBS count of 470 on the Deben Estuary is the highest at this site since 591 were present in March 2012. At Hazlewood Marshes, part of the vast Alde/Ore Estuary complex, numbers increased through the spring and early summer, with counts of 248, May 6th, 275, June 1st and 350, July 7th, suggestive of a build-up of adults prior to their 50

Systematic List

annual migration to the Wadden Sea where they moult.

Breeding data from three annually-recorded sites, namely Sizewell and Orfordness on the coast and Livermere Lake in the west of the county, suggests that the breeding population is stable, although aside from these three sites there is clearly much under-recording. A total of 38 pairs was reported at 14 sites (52 pairs at 21 sites in 2017), of which almost half were on Orfordness, where 18 pairs raised 124 ducklings of which at least 60 fledged, while 50 ducklings were present in three separate creches at Livermere Lake in June and five pairs bred at Sizewell. A brood of 16 ducklings was at Landguard on July 16th.

There was a significant coastal movement on November 16th involving 148 south off Southwold, 100 on the Scrape at Minsmere and 65 south off Landguard. Southerly passage off Landguard totalled 66 in September, 91 in October and 132 in November.

MANDARIN DUCK Aix galericulata Uncommon feral resident. Small breeding population. Categories C and E. Brandon Country Park and Christchurch Park, Ipswich remain the non-breeding strongholds with peak counts of 19 on November 14th and December 5th and 29, including 19 males, on November 7th, respectively. Breeding was confirmed at two sites, with a pair nesting in a box in trees beside the old decoy pond at Ipswich Golf Club, Purdis Farm for the fourth consecutive year, although no young were reported, while in the west of the county a female was seen with one duckling on the Little Ouse River at Brandon in early June. Any young that did reach the ponds would have been quickly consumed by Lesser Black-backed Gulls Larus fuscus.

Lowestoft: Kensington Gardens, male, Oct 28th.

Fritton Lake: two, May 10th and 17th.

Darsham: Apr 21st.

Minsmere: male regularly, Jan 1st to 18th; male, Apr 30th.

Woodbridge: male, Apr 26th.

Ipswich: Christchurch Park, ten (seven males), Jan 2nd; 12, Feb 2nd; five (three males), Mar 19th; eight males, Apr 26th; five males, May 8th; six, June 14th and July 5th; five, Aug 4th; 29 (19 males), Nov 7th; 12 (seven males), Nov 29th; 17 (13 males), Dec 19th; Holywells Park, nine, Feb 27th.

Stutton: Mill, Jan 1st; Feb 16th; Mar 19th.

Mandarin Duck a touch of exotic colour at Pakefield in October.

51

Peter Ransome

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Pipps Ford: Mar 2nd.

Great Bealings: female, June 14th.

Purdis Farm: Ipswich Golf Club, five (three males), Mar 6th and 21st and Apr 3rd; two pairs, Apr 10th; nesting pair, Apr 18th to June 5th, with additional pair, May 1st, two additional males, May 14th and additional male, May 22nd; June 25th; two (one male), Sep 13th; six, Sep 26th; four, Oct 4th; ten, Nov 6th; two (one male), Dec 25th.

Santon Downham: three, Feb 4th; six, Mar 14th; seven, Apr 1st.

Brandon: Country Park, nine, Jan 7th and 9th; 11, Feb 24th; six, Mar 2nd and 10th; four, July 14th; eight, Aug 11th; 17, Sep 17th; 11, Oct 3rd; 19, Nov 14th and Dec 5th. Little Ouse River, female with one young, June 4th.

Thetford: Nunnery Lakes, two, Feb 28th.

Cavenham: pair, Apr 4th; Apr 29th.

Bury St Edmunds: River Lark, male, Nov 6th.

Long Melford: River Stour, two, Aug 12th.

Stoke-by-Nayland: Tendring Hall, three (two males), Mar 11th.

GARGANEY Spatula querquedula Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Has overwintered. Amber list.

Spring passage began with a male at Snape Wetland on March 6th, the earliest for four years, and continued through to mid-May, with a peak count of five at Lakenheath Fen/Washes on March 29th.

There were only two records in June, although given that this species is very secretive when breeding it is possible that single pairs bred at Southwold, Minsmere and Lakenheath Fen. This, however, was not proven. The frequency of records picked up from mid-July, including counts of four at Minsmere from July 18th to 21st and at Lakenheath on August 11th. The only sightings after mid-September involved singletons at Trimley Marshes, September 20th and Aldeburgh Marshes, October 10th.

Carlton Marshes: male, May 12th and 14th.

Southwold: pair, Apr 14th and May 2nd to 8th; three (two males) regularly, May 10th to 17th; male regularly,

Dave Borderick

Garganey pair at Southwold in May. 52

Systematic List May 18th to 30th, with additional male, May 20th to 22nd; pair, June 1st.

Walberswick: Tinker’s Marshes, male, May 6th to 8th; three (two males), May 10th; pair, May 13th; male, May 21st.

Minsmere: male, Mar 16th; pair, Apr 13th; three, Apr 14th; two, Apr 20th; male, Apr 28th to 30th and May 2nd; pair, May 9th; male, May 10th; one or two regularly, July 16th to Aug 1st, with four, July 18th to 21st; Aug 7th, 22nd, 29th and 30th; two, Aug 31st; three, Sep 3rd.

Aldeburgh Marshes: male, May 4th; Aug 27th to 30th; Oct 10th.

Snape Wetland: male, Mar 6th to 11th; three (two males), Apr 3rd; two juveniles regularly, July 19th to 26th; Aug 6th; Aug 20th.

Havergate Island: Aug 6th, 20th and 22nd.

Boyton Marshes: male, Apr 16th.

Shingle Street: Sep 9th.

Bawdsey: East Lane, Aug 15th; juvenile regularly, Aug 26th to Sep 4th.

Trimley Marshes: two, Apr 15th; Apr 16th; male, Aug 18th to 20th; Sep 20th.

Redgrave: Fen, male, Apr 20th and 21st.

Earl Stonham: Brewery Farm, pair, May 13th.

Pipps Ford: pair, Apr 13th.

Lakenheath Fen/Washes: male, Mar 9th; five, Mar 29th; male, Apr 1st, 13th and 24th; pair, Apr 26th and 29th and May 4th; male, May 12th and 14th; three, May 22nd; July 21st; four, Aug 11th; Aug 15th and 20th.

Livermere Lake: male, Apr 28th and 29th.

Cavenham Pits: pair, Apr 19th.

Lackford Lakes: pair, May 13th.

Mickle Mere: male, May 6th.

Barton Mere: male, Jun 26th.

FIELD NOTE A pair arrived at Southwold Flash on April 14th and was present from May 2nd until 8th. On May 10th three birds were present and were observed displaying, with both males croaking and throwing their heads back and the female performing some bill-snapping. Three days later, the female was obviously paired up with one of the males, while the second was very vocal and actively flying around the area. The female then disappeared, and the lone male was not seen after May 22nd. On June 1st the pair was observed again, the first time the female had been seen since May 13th. The consensus was that she had been sitting on eggs, while her partner remained in the area. Unfortunately, there were no further sightings.

Craig Fulcher NORTHERN SHOVELER Spatula clypeata Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Uncommon resident. Amber list.

Monthly counts from the key sites:

Jan Minsmere* 145 North Warren* 104 Alde/Ore Estuary 400 Orfordness* 106 Boyton Marshes* 4 Hollesley Marshes* 26 Orwell Estuary 71 Trimley Marshes* 59 Livermere Lake* 66 *monthly maxima

Feb 144 122 229 123 12 20 45 70 74

Mar 65 19 111 111 62 55 90 67 57

Apr 184 112 55 50 53 86 36

Sep 19 33 12 4 12 43 111

Oct 120 15 44 56 7 6 58 78 105

Nov 260 13 99 50 11 91 128 223

Dec 235 90 244 105 3 40 142 144 -

Peak-site-WeBS counts of 400 at the Alde/Ore Estuary in January and 260 at Minsmere in November and a non-WeBS, site-record count of 223 at Livermere Lake, November 4th helped maintain the non-breeding population at record levels. Aside from those in the table, further 53

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

counts exceeding 50 during the first winter period included 82 at Leathes Ham, Lowestoft, January 13th and 20th, 52 at Gibbonsgate Lake, East Bergholt, February 4th, 120 at Lakenheath Fen, March 18th and 64 at Mickle Mere, March 22nd. Significant gatherings continued through the spring, summer and early autumn, with 54 at Minsmere, May 1st, 72 at Trimley Marshes, July 18th, 69 at Livermere Lake, August 30th and 70 at Leathes Ham, September 19th.

During the second winter period, notable counts from sites not included in the table included 75 at Bell Meadow, Bury St Edmunds, November 3rd and 147 at Lackford Lakes, December 21st.

Despite a reduced count from Minsmere (45 pairs compared with 66 in 2017), there was a very encouraging breeding season, with data received from 19 sites, almost double that of 2017. Two pairs fledged young at Carlton Marshes and Orfordness, with further successful pairs noted at Boyton Marshes, Trimley Marshes, Mickle Mere and Gifford’s Hall. Breeding was also reported at Walberswick (seven pairs), Dingle Marshes (seven), North Warren (five), Snape Wetlands (five), Easton Broad (two), Sizewell (two), Hollesley Marshes (two), Lakenheath Fen, Livermere Lake and White Horse Marshes, East Bergholt. On Orfordness the two broods that were seen comprised 20 ducklings, of which at least ten fledged.

GADWALL Mareca strepera Common resident and winter visitor. Amber list. Categories A and C. Monthly counts from the key sites:

Jan Feb Minsmere* 146 292 Alde/Ore Estuary 208 161 Orwell Estuary 266 5 Trimley Marshes* 34 Loompit Lake* 262 Lackford Lakes* 123 *monthly maxima

Mar 165 36 114 37 125 -

Apr 117 35 31 -

Aug 54 106 108

Sep 150 165 146 76 -

Oct 140 13 114 128 -

Nov 237 61 221 47 220

Dec 224 179 321 85 273

The wintering population has remained broadly stable over the past five years. Minsmere remains the only site where the average annual peak count exceeds the threshold for national importance of 250, although for the past three Januarys the year’s largest gathering has been at Leathes Ham, Lowestoft where this year a count of 320 was made on 7th January.

A total of 43 pairs at 14 sites compared with 107 pairs at 21 sites in 2017 would, on face value, appear to indicate a poor breeding season. However, no figures were forthcoming from Minsmere (where 60 pairs bred last year), although a WeBS count there of 105, May 20th would indicate a still-sizeable breeding population. Orfordness enjoyed a record season with a total of 11 pairs (five pairs in 2017). The 11 broods seen on Orfordness comprised 84 ducklings, of which at least 40 fledged. Furthermore, eight pairs bred at Dingle Marshes, an increase from four pairs in 2017.

A male on Wilderness Pond, Christchurch Park, central Ipswich on September 12th is the first site record.

EURASIAN WIGEON Mareca penelope Common winter visitor and passage migrant. A few oversummer and occasionally breed. Amber list. Categories A and E. Monthly counts from the key sites:

Jan Feb Minsmere* 851 470 North Warren 1400 1200 Alde/Ore Estuary 5324 5229 Hazlewood Marshes* 1000 390

Mar 350 338 923 54

Apr 136 2 11

Sep 200 0 9

Oct 310 8 183 530

Nov 431 250 3135 -

Dec 410 1080 2591 -

Systematic List

Jan Orfordness* 1364 Havergate Island* 796 Boyton Marshes* 290 Hollesley Marshes* 2200 Deben Estuary 809 Orwell Estuary 890 Trimley Marshes* 624 Stour Estuary 809 Carlton/Oulton Marshes* 310 Mickle Mere* 170 Gifford’s Hall* 650 *monthly maxima

Feb 1085 350 1650 858 932 675 948 389 101 450

Mar 440 350 1700 858 727 600 363 240 115 460

Apr 358 250 250 8 32 245 26 150 6 230

Sep 20 160 6 80 12 49 1 8 5

Oct 280 60 300 344 216 130 174 80 70

Nov 1048 682 150 760 942 773 318 776 75 110

Dec 1016 563 600 1000 780 1233 516 1137 55 290 250

Overall numbers in both winter periods were more typical of recent years following the high counts during the winter of 2016/17. Aside from those in the table, the only other significant counts in the first winter period involved 250 at the Blyth Estuary, January 3rd, 100 flying east over Oulton Broad, February 8th and a WeBS count of 137 at Sizewell, February 19th.

During the second winter period, further three-figure counts involved 550 at the Blyth Estuary, November 15th, 121 at Lackford Lakes, December 1st, 116 at Hen Reedbeds, December 9th and 100 flying east over Oulton Broad, December 22nd.

There was the usual smattering of summer records, including seven at Minsmere, June 26th and one south off Landguard, July 28th, although there was no evidence of breeding.

During the first winter period, significant offshore counts involved 120 off Bawdsey, January 6th, 203 off Gunton, January 7th and 180 south off Southwold the following day and 309, probable emigrants, flying east out to sea off Landguard, Eurasian Wigeon Richard Allen March 26th. Offshore autumn passage was very poor and only four day-counts reached three figures. Indeed, the cumulative total logged by Landguard Bird Observatory during daily seawatching between September and December failed to reach four figures for the first time in at least ten years; southerly passage off Landguard comprised 91 in September, 498 in October and 283 in November.

Southwold: 375 south, Nov 16th.

Minsmere: 130 south, Oct 11th; 500 south, Nov 16th.

Landguard: two north and 111 south, Nov 19th.

MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

Monthly counts from the key sites:

Jan Feb Covehithe Broad* 65 Dingle Marshes 120 43

Mar -

Apr 17 55

Aug -

Sep 181 254

Oct 140 172

Nov 160 84

Dec 195

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Minsmere North Warren Alde/Ore Estuary Orfordness* Havergate Island* Deben Estuary Orwell Estuary Trimley Marshes* Alton Water Livermere Lake* Culford Park* *monthly maxima

Jan 353 132 691 379 229 129 72 69 57 76

Feb 211 32 340 196 48 80 59 -

Mar 122 53 127 65 60 46 -

Apr 102 26 120 -

Aug 159 2 178 211 350 147

Sep 202 38 75 150 77 194 127 129 65

Oct 215 95 65 160 60 95 88 110 1000 103

Nov 304 65 412 394 146 56 114 91 143 2000 68

Dec 477 110 539 402 131 167 68 193 120 -

The winters of 2015/6 and 2016/7 saw good counts of this familiar dabbling duck in the county despite a continuing national decline, but this year overall numbers were low in both winter periods. It should be noted that the high counts from Livermere Lake come with the usual caveat that captive-bred birds are released each summer for shooting. Aside from the table, notable WeBS counts at Minsmere also included 111 in May and 169 in July. Elsewhere during the summer, three-figure counts were made at Heveningham Park, with 400 on July 20th, Redgrave Fen, with 172 on August 30th and Sudbury, with 190 on August 31st. The only other significant counts were in December, with 210 at Sudbury on 4th, 115 at Nunnery Lakes, Thetford on 10th and 150 at Sibton Park on 23rd.

A total of 118 breeding pairs was reported from 31 sites, which compares favourably with 116 pairs from 43 sites in 2017. As usual there was much under-recording and it is difficult to put these figures into meaningful context, but at four sites which are surveyed annually it was a mixed picture. There was an excellent breeding season at Orfordness with 21 pairs compared with eight in 2017, while the numbers at Sizewell and Dingle Marshes remained the same with 15 and nine pairs respectively. However, at Hen Reedbeds the population has declined to just six pairs, the lowest since 2003, from a peak of 31 pairs in 2009. On Orfordness, 20 broods were noted consisting of 134 ducklings but the number fledged would probably been a lot lower than this.

NORTHERN PINTAIL Anas acuta Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant; a few oversummer. Amber list. Categories A and E. Monthly counts from the key sites: Jan Feb North Warren* 322 221 Alde/Ore Estuary 230 132 Orfordness* 105 72 Deben Estuary 105 109 Orwell Estuary 53 50 Stour Estuary 87 20 *monthly maxima

Mar 120 31 28 101 8 52

Oct 1 3 6 0 3 4

Nov 95 74 50 22 46 0

Dec 255 67 29 54 46 19

Following the previous year’s low numbers, there was some improvement in 2017, particularly in January. The highest count, a non-WeBS count of 322 at North Warren, January 12th, is the highest at this site for three years, while the January WeBS count of 230 on the Alde/Ore Estuary is similarly the highest at this vast site since 2015.

A female was seen with a single duckling on the Scrape at Minsmere on July 13th, confirming breeding in the county for the second time in three years and for only the fourth time since 1951.

The duckling was seen again four days later, but unfortunately was not thought to have fledged.

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Systematic List

A pair was also present at Hollesley Marshes into late June, but there was no proof of breeding.

The following records were received from the west of the county. They include a count of 60 at Gifford’s Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland on March 21st, the largest gathering in the west since 72 were present at the same site in November 2012.

Lakenheath Fen/Washes: three, Jan 11th; Jan 13th and 18th; five, Mar 4th; three, Mar 5th; two, Mar 17th and 25th; Aug 25th.

Thetford: Nunnery Lakes, Sep 7th, Oct 20th and 21st; Dec 27th.

Livermere Lake: three, Mar 4th; four, Mar 7th; two, Oct 7th; five, Oct 12th; two, Oct 13th.

Cavenham Pits: two, Mar 4th.

Lackford Lakes: Jan 13th and 22nd; two, Feb 28th; five, Mar 3rd; ten, Mar 5th; 12, Mar 18th; six, Mar 21st; two, Dec 21st.

Mickle Mere: three, Mar 4th; two, Mar 27th to 29th; regularly, Apr 10th to 28th, with three, Apr 11th and 13th and two, Apr 12th.

Stradishall Airfield: seven (five males), Mar 8th.

Stoke-by-Nayland: Gifford’s Hall, monthly maxima of 16, Jan 2nd; 26, Feb 15th; 60, Mar 21st and 15, Apr 8th.

Thorington Street Reservoir: female, Oct 31st.

The following coastal movements were received. Autumn passage was generally disappointing with total numbers logged off Landguard at their lowest for at least ten years (see Wigeon).

Gorleston: six north, Jan 6th; three north, Jan 7th.

Corton: eight south, Jan 7th; south, Oct 13th.

Lowestoft: two south, Oct 19th.

Southwold: two south, Jan 7th; five, Sep 18th; three south, Nov 16th.

Minsmere: 15 south, Oct 11th; 30 south, Nov 16th.

Landguard: south, Jan 10th; south, Aug 27th; south, Sep 1st and 22nd; 24 south in Oct including 11 south on 11th; 20 south in Nov.

EURASIAN TEAL Anas crecca Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Scarce resident. Amber list.

Monthly counts from the key sites:

Jan Feb Blyth Estuary* 650 Dingle Marshes* 220 113 Minsmere* 1089 425 North Warren* 400 260 Alde/Ore Estuary 3115 2661 Hazlewood Marshes* 1200 850 Havergate Island* 494 Orfordness* 1153 810 Boyton Marshes* 125 80 Hollesley Marshes* 1600 400 Deben Estuary 609 408 Orwell Estuary 225 408 Trimley Marshes* 740 324 Stour Estuary 163 604 Carlton Marshes* 120 190 Lakenheath Fen/Washes* 56 150 Lackford Lakes* 450 120 Culford Park* 154 91 Mickle Mere* 145 150 *monthly maxima

Mar 37 348 173 739 400 172 250 180 705 154 165 219 400 26 275 48 155

Apr 120 393 28 5 80 80 115 46 61 106 73 22 45 103 95

Aug 180 50 2 100 80 145 3 10 349 20 -

Sep 6 79 650 2 300 190 220 210 250 96 267 306 137 110 156 10 28 -

Oct 128 1400 120 510 150 400 260 450 266 715 970 189 2 8 -

Nov 355 52 1351 265 2051 93 573 80 700 1036 1258 1150 361 45 30 420 130 360

Dec 120 166 1300 670 2896 501 1472 150 800 1127 572 719 787 9 397 177 350

In the first winter period overall numbers were below the average of recent years, but were much improved in the second winter period. In particular, for the second December in the past three years a site record WeBS count was logged on the Deben Estuary involving 1127 birds and the 57

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

November WeBS count of 1258 on the Orwell Estuary is the highest at this site for five years.

Aside from those in the table, further significant counts during the first three months of the year included 250 at Castle Marsh, North Cove, January 9th; 400 at Burgh Castle, January 13th, 170 at Oulton Marshes, March 18th and 140 at Barton Eurasian Teal Richard Allen Mere, February 25th.

Additional counts later in the year included 250 at Higham near Hadleigh, September 7th; 340 at Aldeburgh Marshes, September 29th; 139 at Benacre, November 22nd; 170 at Tendring Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland, December 14th and 75 at Bell Meadow, Bury St Edmunds, December 30th.

A total of eight coastal sites held small numbers throughout spring and early summer, but there was no evidence of breeding.

In general, offshore autumn passage from June 4th (Landguard) was very disappointing (see Wigeon and Pintail). Total numbers logged off Landguard in the second half of 2017 were the lowest for ten years and plummeted even further this year to a cumulative total of 724 (compared with 1975 in 2017). That said, an impressive count of 1037 was logged off Southwold on November 16th, the highest offshore day-count recorded in Suffolk since 1500 flew south off the same site on September 1st 1994. The following three-figure day-counts were received: Gorleston: 300 north, Oct 27th.

Lowestoft: 118, Oct 27th.

Minsmere: 100 south, Oct 11th.

Southwold: 26 north and 1011 south, Nov 16th.

Landguard: 105 south, Oct 27th.

Southerly passage off Landguard totalled four in June, six in July, 128 in August, 219 in September, 284 in October, 177 in November and 74 in December.

GREEN-WINGED TEAL Rare visitor.

Anas carolinensis

Southwold: Flash, male, photographed, Apr 14th (B J Small et al.).

The 37th county record of this Nearctic vagrant and the second at Southwold following one at Town Marshes in March 1995. Of the six now seen in April this century, all but one have been present for just one day at a coastal site, suggestive of northbound spring migration after arriving on this side of the Atlantic the previous autumn. The exception was a male which remained at Dunwich shore pools from April 20th to 25th in 2004.

RED-CRESTED POCHARD Netta rufina Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Categories A and E. The record from Lackford Lakes almost certainly involves a male of captive origin (or the offspring of captive-bred individuals), but those seen on the coast in late summer/early autumn are possibly migrants of wild origin from the near-Continent.

Covehithe Broad: male, Sep 13th.

Aldeburgh Marshes: three, Aug 12th to 30th (multi-observed).

Lackford Lakes: male, Mar24th and 25th.

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Systematic List

COMMON POCHARD Aythya ferina Fairly common but declining winter visitor and passage migrant. Uncommon resident. Red list.

Categories A and E. Monthly counts from the key sites: Jan Orwell Estuary 39 Trimley Marshes* 53 Alton Water* 15 Livermere Lake* Lackford Lakes* 80 *monthly maxima

Feb 39 92 66 -

Mar 41 46 82 -

Apr 34 22 13 -

Oct 9 32 43 -

Nov 20 24 78 38

Dec 3 39 127 104

Nationally non-breeding numbers continue to fall to record lows and in Suffolk the situation is little better. Aside from the table, the only other counts to exceed 30 were the March WeBS count of 49 on the Alde/Ore Estuary and 68 at Loompit Lake, Trimley St Martin, March 26th, while in the north-east of the county the largest gatherings comprised only six at Minsmere, April 2nd and 5th and Aldeburgh Marshes, September 9th.

Breeding numbers in the county were also down, with two confirmed pairs (eight confirmed pairs in 2017) and a further three unconfirmed (same as 2017). At Mickle Mere a female was seen with four ducklings on June 19th, whilst at Loompit Lake a female was seen with four ducklings on July 1st. Three pairs were present at Snape Wetlands, but there was no confirmation of breeding.

A male on Wilderness Pond, Christchurch Park, central Ipswich on April is the first site record.

FERRUGINOUS DUCK Aythya nyroca Rare winter visitor and passage migrant.

Minsmere: first-winter male, Sep 24th to Oct 19th (S J Message et al.).

There have been 23 records of this central and east European diving duck this century, 14 of which have been at Minsmere.

TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula Common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Monthly counts from the key sites: Jan Feb Alde/Ore Estuary 4 68 Orwell Estuary 47 39 Weybread Gravel Pits* 122 102 Alton Water* 100 60 Nunnery Lakes* 101 48 Lackford Lakes* 84 *monthly maxima

Mar 98 42 130 47 130

Apr 68 2 10 61 71

Oct 0 56 176 38 -

Nov 4 38 210 212

Dec 0 44 198 47 229

Alton Water has been the principal wintering site in the county since at least 1990 and indeed regularly supported four-figure numbers between 1994 and 2006, but counts in 2018 were very disappointing. Instead numbers were highest at Lackford Lakes during the second winter period, although the maximum count of 229 on December 21st is the county’s lowest annual peak since 1976 (168 at Lackford in February). Apart from the tabulated figures, the only other counts to exceed 50 involved 54 at Livermere Lake, April 28th, 52 at Trimley Marshes, May 22nd and 65 at Nunnery Lakes, Thetford on August 24th.

A total of 27 breeding pairs was reported from 17 sites (23 pairs from 15 sites in 2017), and is the highest for five years, although the usual issue with under-reporting makes an accurate assessment of breeding status difficult. At three sites which are surveyed annually the situation 59

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

was varied, with three pairs at Dingle Marshes and Orfordness, compared with one pair and no pairs in 2017 respectively, but at Hen Reedbeds, where four pairs bred last year, there was none.

Although three pairs nested on Orfordness, only one brood, of three ducklings, was seen.

GREATER SCAUP Aythya marila Fairly common but declining winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

In summary it was another poor year for this chiefly marine diving duck, the fourth in the past five. During the first winter period records came from just three sites between February 12th and March 19th.

Bawdsey: East Lane lagoons, female, Feb 17th.

Orwell Estuary: female off Wherstead, Feb 12th; female ranging between Ipswich Docks and Freston, Mar 12th to 17th.

Lound Lakes: male, Mar 4th to 19th.

There was an unusual run of records in August involving an adult female and a juvenile at East Lane, Bawdsey between 15th and 24th, a female on the Scrape at Minsmere on 17th and a juvenile at the same site on 29th which remained until September 5th.

Records during the second winter period were slightly more numerous and included one from the west of the county.

Hopton-on-Sea: two, Oct 26th.

Benacre Broad: two (one male), Nov 18th to 24th.

Minsmere: three south offshore, Oct 23rd; south offshore, Nov 16th; male, Nov 18th to Dec 4th.

Stour Estuary: Stutton, male, Nov 22nd.

Alton Water: male, Dec 28th to 30th.

Livermere Lake: first-winter, Oct 27th to 31st.

COMMON EIDER Somateria mollissima Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Has bred. Amber list.

The start of the year was unremarkable, with a total of 25 logged offshore from six sites between January 5th and March 18th and no day-count exceeded four. Additional records in January involved two on the Stour Estuary on three dates and a male in Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft on 20th and 21st.

A male on the sea off Landguard from April 10th to 13th was the sole record for the month and was followed by a single summer sighting involving one south off Landguard, June 10th.

Autumn passage began with two males flying south off Orfordness on September 23rd, but did not gain momentum until the second half of October. In fact, all day-counts exceeding 20 occurred on three days at the end of October during northerly winds and involved birds flying north.

Gorleston: 36, Oct 28th.

Lowestoft: 74, Oct 28th.

Southwold: 81, Oct 28th.

Minsmere: 37, Oct 28th.

Aldeburgh: 40, Oct 28th.

Slaughden: 29, Oct 27th.

Shingle Street: 25, Oct 29th.

The only record away from the immediate coastline in the second winter period concerned a female on the Stour Estuary on December 14th.

VELVET SCOTER Melanitta fusca Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

The year began quietly with just three records in the first three months, all in the north-east of the county between January 4th and 21st.

Dunwich: on sea, Jan 4th.

Minsmere: two north, Jan 21st.

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Systematic List Thorpeness: two on sea, Jan 14th.

Unusually there were sightings in each of the next three months, involving one south off Lowestoft, April 6th and one seen regularly in the flock of Common Scoters off Dunwich and Minsmere between May 26th and June 18th, which was joined by a second bird on the latter date. There were no further reports until October 23rd, when one flew north off Minsmere.

Thereafter records were fairly regular, particularly in the north-east, until the end of the year.

Gorleston: on sea, Nov 10th; six south, Dec 2nd; north, Dec 12th; five on sea, Dec 13th; Dec 20th.

Hopton-on-Sea: four on sea, Dec 25th; five on sea, Dec 29th to 31st.

Corton: on sea, Nov 11th.

Lowestoft: two, Oct 26th; north, Oct 28th and 29th.

Kessingland: north, Oct 26th.

Southwold: three south, Oct 28th; Oct 29th; Nov 10th.

Minsmere: north, Oct 23rd; three north, Oct 27th; north, Oct 28th and 29th; on sea, Oct 31st to Nov 3rd; Nov 14th and 15th; two, Nov 21st; north, Dec 3rd; Dec 16th.

Thorpeness: two north, Oct 24th.

Slaughden: two south, Oct 27th; north, Oct 28th.

Felixstowe: Dec 3rd.

Landguard: three north, Nov 19th; three south, Nov 20th.

COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra Declining non-breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Landguard North 6 25 19 92 78 144 87 8 5 70 90 17 South 30 2 2 69 1 120 129 22 7 29 204 56

Accumulated monthly totals from daily seawatching at Landguard Bird Observatory are shown in the table and, although an overall improvement on last year, are below the average for recent years. All significant movements are summarised below:

Corton: 540 north, Dec 24th.

Lowestoft: 123, Oct 28th.

Southwold: 104 north and 30 south, Oct 28th; 88 north and 46 south, Oct 29th; 122 north and eight south, Nov 19th.

Common Scoter female at East Lane, Bawdsey, in December.

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Chris Mayne

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Minsmere: 200 north, Oct 27th.

Landguard: 80 north and 45 south, Apr 27th; 88 north and 77 south, June 10th; 100 south, July 31st; ten north and 120 south, Nov 19th.

Sizeable inshore rafts were logged in the north-east of the county in all months, except April, with four-figure numbers off Dunwich and Minsmere in June and July and again in November and December. The large flock of non-breeders in June and July was particularly unexpected, indeed such numbers have not been recorded in the county in summer since the regular counts of one thousand and above in Sole Bay through the mid-1950s and 1960s and last noted in 1970. All rafts of 100 and above are summarised below:

Gorleston: 200, Nov 1st; 110, Dec 27th.

Corton: 120, Jan 1st; 500, Nov 11th.

Dunwich/Minsmere: peak monthly day-counts of 200, Jan 1st and 5th; 400, Feb 17th; 550, Mar 5th; 500, May 10th; 1000, June 15th, 17th, 18th and 26th; 1000, July 10th to 13th and 15th to 17th; 300, Aug 6th; 200, Sep 5th; 200, Oct 11th; 2000, Nov 16th; 1100, Dec 11th.

Thorpeness/Aldeburgh: peak day-count in Jan of 400, 28th; 100, Mar 16th; 300, Aug 12th.

Away from the immediate coastline, singletons were present on Lake Lothing, Lowestoft on January 1st to 4th, March 19th to 22nd and April 2nd and 3rd; on the Stour Estuary, January 2nd to 5th; on the Orwell Estuary, February 18th and on Benacre Broad, March 19th. In the second winter period, further singletons were recorded on Island Mere, Minsmere, October 31st, on Benacre Broad, November 21st to 25th and on the saline lagoon at East Lane, Bawdsey, December 12th to 26th.

LONG-TAILED DUCK Clangula hyemalis Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

A long-staying individual, frequently reported among the raft of Common Scoters between Walberswick and Minsmere during January and February, compensated for an otherwise poor year for this popular sea duck. The following records were received during the first winter period:

Gorleston: north, Feb 4th.

Lowestoft: on sea, Jan 21st.

Walberswick/Dunwich/Minsmere: regularly on sea, Jan 5th to Feb 21st.

Thorpeness: on sea, Jan 14th.

The only record in the second winter period involved two off Minsmere on October 28th.

COMMON GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

Monthly counts from the key sites: Jan Feb Alde/Ore Estuary* 17 0 Orwell Estuary* 18 17 Stour Estuary* 38 28 Alton Water* 5 6 Lackford Lakes* 11 6 *monthly maxima

Mar 0 10 3 6 6

Nov 0 11 20 1 5

Dec 10 15 13 13 7

It was a poor year, a situation that mirrors the national trend where overall numbers have fallen to their lowest since 1979. Besides those in the table, no other counts reached double figures.

The last record in spring, two noted on the Stour Estuary WeBS count on April 15th, was followed by an unusual June record involving a male moulting into eclipse plumage at Snape Wetland on 1st. There were no further records until one was present on Easton Broad, October 5th.

Offshore autumn passage was similarly disappointing, with a peak day-count of nine south off Southwold, November 16th.

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Systematic List

SMEW Mergellus albellus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

Minsmere continues to be the most reliable location for this sought-after winter visitor, with further sightings from just two other sites. All records refer to redheads.

Oulton Broad: two, Mar 1st to 4th.

Minsmere: Feb 6th; two, Feb 7th to Apr 3rd; Dec 14th and 15th.

Stour Estuary: Nov 10th to 27th.

COMMON MERGANSER (GOOSANDER) Mergus merganser Locally fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Monthly counts from the key sites: Jan Feb Mar Apr Minsmere* 9 12 6 5 Thorpeness Meare* 7 7 13 0 *monthly maxima (including offshore counts at Minsmere)

Oct 10 0

Nov 11 11

Dec 18 8

Minsmere and Thorpeness Meare were the most reliable sites to encounter this species in both winter periods and monthly maxima are summarised in the table. These two sites are approximately five miles apart and interchange between them does occur, so these counts do undoubtedly include some duplication. A roost count of 18 on the scrape at Minsmere on December 16th is the highest in the county since 2012.

Goosander drake in Christchurch Park in February. Craig Holden

Elsewhere, there was a good spread of records in the first winter period, with the last of the spring at Gifford’s Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland on the late date of May 11th.

Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, two redheads, Jan 12th.

Aldeburgh: eight over town, Jan 25th.

Slaughden: redhead regularly, Jan 1st to 28th.

Orfordness: redhead, Jan 14th to Apr 7th.

Landguard: south, Jan 2nd; north, Mar 18th.

Orwell Estuary: three, Mar 18th (WeBS count).

Ipswich: Christchurch Park, redhead, Jan 17th to 20th; two (one male), Jan 23rd and 24th; three (two males), Jan 25th; redhead, Jan 26th; two (one male), regularly Jan 28th Mar 14th.

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Fritton Lake: Jan 15th.

Oulton Broad: two males, Mar 3rd; three (two males), Mar 18th; eight (four males), Mar 19th; male, Mar 20th.

North Cove: River Waveney, Feb 10th; two, Mar 4th.

Heveningham: Park, Mar 1st.

Pipps Ford: male, Jan 3rd.

Purdis Heath: Ipswich Golf Club, two (one male), Mar 9th.

Alton Water: male, Jan 1st and 4th; redhead, Jan 10th; male, Feb 12th.

Lakenheath Fen: two, Jan 20th.

Thetford: Nunnery Lakes, redhead, Jan 1st to 19th.

Elveden: Center Parcs, four (two males), Jan 6th.

Redgrave Lake: redhead, Jan 8th.

Livermere Lake: redhead, Jan 7th.

Cavenham Pits: Mar 25th.

Lackford Lakes: two males, Jan 14th and 15th; two, Feb 1st; Feb 16th; two, Mar 21st.

Stoke-by-Nayland: Gifford’s Hall, redhead, Apr 6th; May 11th.

An early returning redhead on the River Stour at Long Melford, September 1st was followed by the main autumn arrival from mid-October. During the second winter period records were chiefly concentrated in the north-east of the county along the coast and the lower Waveney valley.

Gorleston: two redheads offshore, Dec 16th.

Lowestoft: two south offshore, Oct 19th.

Kessingland: four south offshore, Nov 12th.

Southwold: offshore, Nov 1st.

Dunwich: nine south offshore, Dec 27th.

Thorpeness: two offshore, Oct 29th.

Landguard: south, Dec 5th; two south, Dec 12th.

Fritton: Marshes, Nov 23rd.

Oulton: Marsh, four, Dec 15th; four Dec 30th.

Oulton Broad: six redheads, Nov 26th and 27th; five redheads, Nov 28th; eight (one male), Nov 30th; seven (one male), Dec 1st to 7th; six (one male), Dec 8th; seven, Dec 14th; six, Dec 15th; five, Dec 16th.

Carlton Marshes: six (one male), Dec 2nd; five, Dec 6th; Dec 17th; six, Dec 18th; Dec 23rd to 25th.

North Cove: River Waveney, five redheads, Nov 27th.

Worlingham: River Waveney, four, Dec 11th.

Thetford: Nunnery Lakes, Nov 27th.

Lackford Lakes: Nov 17th.

Long Melford: River Stour, redhead, Sep 1st.

Bures St Mary: Hold Farm, Nov 3rd.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Orwell Estuary* Stour Estuary* *monthly maxima

Jan 29 40

Feb 24 21

Mar 23 15

Apr 2 20

Nov 10 30

Dec 27 17

Peak counts from the two principal wintering sites are presented in the table and, following the pattern of recent years, were low. The last record of spring concerned five on the Stour Estuary on May 1st and this was followed by an unseasonable female at Hazlewood Marshes on June 27th.

There were no further sightings until four flew south off Minsmere, October 1st. Autumn passage gathered pace at the end of October, with a notable count of 12 north off Southwold on 28th, and continued through to the end of November. Numbers peaked during a significant southerly movement on November 16th which included counts of 15 off Covehithe, 53 off Southwold, 57 off Minsmere and 37 off Landguard, while 13 also flew south off Landguard on November 27th.

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Systematic List

RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa Common resident; numbers augmented by releases. Categories C and E. Some 102 records were received from 47 sites, far fewer than in 2017. However, this widespread and common species tends to be under-recorded.

Breeding was confirmed from 11 sites, a slight increase on the previous year. High counts totalling between 60 and 100 birds were received from several sites where captive-bred birds were released for shooting. At the isolated coastal site of Orfordness, up to three birds were recorded intermittently and at Landguard a maximum of four birds was recorded. One pair at Landguard attempted to breed but the eggs were predated.

GREY PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix Formerly common resident, now localised. Red List. Categories A, C and E. With 111 reports from 46 sites it appears that this species had a less successful year than in 2017. As in recent years the majority of sightings occurred in the west of the County. Unusually there were no records of this species from the south-east.

Breeding was confirmed at six sites with possible or probable breeding at a further three, again, a slight decline from 2017, but following the trend of recent years.

The highest count was of 44 birds at Westhorpe on October 3rd. However, counts of 20 or more birds were received from a further four sites.

COMMON QUAIL Coturnix coturnix Scarce summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber List.

A quiet year for this species with only two records, the lowest total since 2006 when, as with 2018, there were only two reports. Both were of single birds calling. These are detailed below: Falkenham: calling, King’s Fleet, Aug 5th (W J Brame).

Wickhambrook: Genesis Green, July 3rd (R Duncan).

COMMON PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus Very common resident; numbers augmented by releases. Categories C and E. Records of this extremely widespread and common species were received from only 39 sites and breeding was confirmed at only seven of these. Increasingly, attention is being paid to the impact of the release of large numbers of these captive-bred birds on local populations of wild birds, mammals and reptiles. In order to better understand this a more comprehensive picture of the status of this and other species of captive-bred game-birds may become necessary.

GOLDEN PHEASANT Chrysolophus pictus Scarce resident. Categories C and E. Six reports were received during the year, all, as in 2017, from Euston. All records were of adult birds and the highest count was of four, suggesting that there has been little change in the population. All records are included below, singletons unless stated:

Euston: three, Jan 9th (per Bird Guides); Jan 18th (West Suffolk Birders); three, Feb 10th (per Bird Guides); four, Feb 21st (E W Patrick); two, Mar 10th (per Bird Guides); May 8th (per Bird Guides).

RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Green list (from Amber).

For the second successive year there were remarkably few large gatherings of this species off the Suffolk coast. In the first winter period the highest count fell well short of the numbers we have seen in some recent years and related to 469 flying south off Pakefield Cliffs on January 20th.

Totals of 200 were reported off Minsmere on January 12th and January 21st, and flocks of half that number were seen there on January 6th, 10th, 11th and 20th, with 306 also logged moving north at Orfordness on the latter date. Landguard’s monthly totals for January and February were less than eye-catching, being 169 and 109 respectively.

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018

After a noticeable general paucity in February, a gathering of 100 off Minsmere on March 9th was noteworthy and possibly consisted of birds that had spent their winter further south in the Greater Thames Estuary. The vast majority of the 109 off Gorleston on March 28th were certainly on their way north, as were the 160 that flew past the same location on March 31st. As would be expected, numbers dwindled rapidly thereafter, with the last of the northward-heading birds being seen off Dunwich on May 19th.

The autumn’s first returning bird, which heralded only a minor sprinkling of individuals reported until late in the year, was noted off Landguard on the relatively early date of August 12th. Observers at Orfordness reported “very few in October and November” – a comment that could have applied to our entire coastline. The highest count in this period was a rather meagre 61 off Corton Cliffs on October 2nd.

There was, however, a late flourish towards the end of the year, including 450 off Minsmere on December 3rd and 2018’s highest count of c600 off Dunwich Cliffs on December 20th. During December, gatherings off Minsmere included c100 on December 10th, 16th and 21st, 200 on 24th and 29th and 500 on 28th. Elsewhere, three other counts also stood out as the year drew to a close – 313 south off Orfordness on December 29th, and 200 assembled off Slaughden on December 31st, on which day 247 flew north past Landguard, with 41 heading in the opposite direction.

Suffolk Birds 2017 reported the sad tale of a Red-throated Diver freed from fishing net entanglement at Carlton Marshes, only for it to be found dead three days later. Somewhat surprisingly, the species was recorded again on the nature reserve in the year under review, this time in happier circumstances when an individual frequented the River Waveney adjacent to the reserve from January 30th to February 2nd. Another, or perhaps the same bird, was seen on the same river, at North Cove, on March 30th.

BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gavia arctica Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

In recent years we have witnessed a return to this species’ true county status – it is in fact only very infrequently encountered. The days when some observers made knee-jerk assumptions about this species thankfully appear to be behind us. In both 2008 and 2009 about 80 were reported. In 2018 there were just four acceptable records. The reality is likely to be that this, for once, does not reflect a catastrophic population crash but, instead, is the result of some observers taking a rather more cautious approach to the species’ identification.

The accepted records are: Lowestoft: Lake Lothing, Feb 8th (J Ferguson).

Minsmere: Mar 21st to Apr 5th (N Mason et al.); Dec 28th (C Ireland).

Landguard: Apr 13th (W J Brame).

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

Only 15 reports of this species were received from our north-east recording area, with a temporal spread from January 1st to April 21st and October 2nd to December 16th. Bearing in mind the considerable amount of duplication in observers’ records that must exist, it can be seen that it was not a bumper year for the species here. The same could also be said of our south-east recording area, where just 23 reports were received, spanning from January 1st to February 8th and November 11th to December 18th.

All records received referred to singletons, save for two on the sea off Kessingland Cliffs on April 21st and two off Stutton Ness on the Stour Estuary on January 2nd.

WHITE-BILLED DIVER (YELLOW-BILLED LOON) Gavia adamsii Very rare visitor.

After the gripping events of October 14th, 2017, when an individual was watched by a fortunate few as it flew south off Corton Cliffs and Lowestoft and, reportedly, Kessingland and Covehithe, 66

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Great Northern Diver Richard Allen

this greatly-sought-after hulk of a diver featured again in Suffolk in 2018. However, whereas the previous year’s bird – which represented only the county’s fifth record – brought with it a buzz of excitement, the sixth record was tinged with sadness.

The corpse of a fine-looking specimen, in virtually full-summer-plumage, was discovered on the beach at Thorpeness on November 18th. A photograph of the body was posted on social media and a search for the corpse was subsequently made, but it was never found. It is widely assumed that this unfortunate bird was the one that had entertained many admirers during its stay in the Margate area of Kent from November 2nd to 6th as plumage details, such as could be seen in the photograph, appeared to match up.

Thorpeness: corpse on beach, photographed, Nov 18th (J Littlewood).

LEACH’S STORM-PETREL Oceanodroma leucorhoa Scarce passage migrant. Amber list.

Only one was seen in Suffolk in 2018, and by just one fortunate observer. It is the latest in Suffolk since 2013 when a tardy individual was off Thorpeness on December 2nd.

Southwold: Nov 7th (BJ Small).

NORTHERN FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis Declining passage migrant. Formerly bred. Amber list.

The monthly aggregate totals for our north-east and south-east recording areas are listed below, but may well include a degree of duplication: North-east South-east

Jan 18 2

Feb 1 1

Mar 5 4

Apr 11 27

May 15 14

Jun 5 6

Jul 3 0

Aug 3 6

Sep 9 0

Oct 5 0

Nov 0 0

Dec 3 1

Sadly, there seems to be no cause for optimism regarding the status of this species in Suffolk.

The worrying decline noted in recent years continued unabated.

Although there were several days on which multiple sightings were reported, the numbers involved were – by the standards of even just a few years ago – low indeed. By far the highest 67

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

day-count, and the only one to reach double figures, was 14 off Gunton Cliffs on January 7th. At Orfordness, where observers reported “another poor year for the species”, seven flew north on April 2nd and Landguard’s highest day-count also came in the same month, with two north and three south on April 27th. In fact, April was again the month in which most Northern Fulmars were reported in the county, as it often has been in the recent past. A hint, at least, of the species’ decline can be illustrated by recent north-east and south-east recording areas’ combined totals for that month. As can be seen from the above table, 2018’s total was 38. This is a slight increase over 2017’s total of 33 but just consider the month’s 86 in 2016, the 88 in April 2015 and the 192 in April 2014 and some sense of the decline can be gained.

Such a bleak picture makes the discovery of Northern Fulmar corpses even more sad. Three such occurrences were reported in 2018 – on beaches at Easton Broad on January 17th, Covehithe on March 9th and Orfordness on February 24th.

SOOTY SHEARWATER Ardenna grisea Uncommon passage migrant.

Given that there may be some duplication in observers’ reports, it seems that perhaps only 17 individuals were watched as they sped past the Suffolk coast during their epic return journeys to the Southern Hemisphere in 2018. The total in 2017 was a mere 14, so it can be seen that, once again, it was a far from being a vintage year for this undeniably thrilling seabird. Avid Suffolk seawatchers always hope for strong northerly autumnal winds to bring seabirds down the North Sea, but in recent years such events have been few and far between. Consequently, “Sooties”, along with many other exciting seabirds, have been in short supply.

The first of the year was seen to pass Southwold on August 26th. September produced the bulk of the meagre sightings, with ten individuals logged, and there were six seen in October – the last of the year’s disappointing haul being off Minsmere on October 29th.

The highest day-count was a mere two, achieved on three occasions – off Corton Cliffs on September 4th, Minsmere on September 11th and Slaughden on October 28th.

MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus Uncommon passage migrant. Amber list.

The dearth of productive seawatching conditions referred to above resulted in a similarly disappointing number of “Manxies” being encountered. The first was off Minsmere on July 10th and two were seen off Corton Cliffs on the following day. Only two were reported in August but a total of at least 12 was logged during September and nine were recorded during October. Of those nine, the four noted off Southwold on October 28th represented not only the highest daycount of 2018 but also the final sighting of the year.

LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis Locally common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Green list (from Amber).

An increase in reports of breeding or probable breeding, from 13 sites in 2017 to 23 in 2018, suggests a more positive outlook for this sometimes-overlooked species. Outside of the breeding season populations appear to remain healthy with counts in excess of 20 birds being recorded at eight sites. The highest individual site-count of non-breeding birds was recorded at Thorington Street Reservoir where 45 were present on September 7th (M F Peers). The results of winter counts at regularly-monitored sites are shown below: Alde/Ore Estuary Deben Estuary Orwell Estuary Stour Estuary

Jan 50 38 16 28

Feb 48 37 13 19

Mar 3 19 4 –

Apr – – 7 – 68

Sep – – – 19

Oct 7 – 4 28

Nov 49 32 16 33

Dec 21 39 11 14

Systematic List

RED-NECKED GREBE Podiceps grisegena Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list (from Amber).

Only two reports were received for this species in the first winter period and four for the second, relating to a probable total of five birds. All records were of single birds and are detailed below:

Gorleston: Oct 27th, (P R Allard) Gunton: Oct 6th (J A Brown) Sizewell: Mar 6th (J Bowdrey) Stour Estuary: Stutton Ness, Jan 6th (C Baines); Stutton, Nov 22nd (D F Walsh); Holbrook Bay, Nov 17th (D F Walsh).

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus Locally common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

With reports of probable or confirmed breeding being received from 14 sites, the same total as in 2017, this species appears to be fairly stable. Whilst breeding was confirmed at Alton Water, the stronghold for this species, no indication was available of numbers of breeding pairs this year; however, it was reported that the water level was too high for nesting in late May and that over 20 non-breeding birds were present in late June.

Wintering birds were recorded in reasonable numbers at many coastal sites and reservoirs. In the first winter period the highest count, of approximately 200 birds, occurred at Alton Water on January 19th (R Leavett) whilst in the second winter period the highest count was from Dunwich Cliffs on December 20th when 275 where recorded on the sea (J Grant). The results of winter counts at regularly-monitored sites are shown below: Alde/Ore Estuary Deben Estuary Orwell Estuary Stour Estuary Alton Water

Jan 3 6 18 2 75

Feb 5 3 6 28 93

Mar 1 9 43 11 54

Apr – 8 10 24 68

Sep – – – 13 84

Oct – – – 59 97

Nov – – – 12 96

Dec 6 8 – 12 201

SLAVONIAN GREBE Podiceps auritus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list (from Amber).

A total of 15 records was submitted from six sites, suggesting that two birds frequented the Stour Estuary during the first winter period and a further five between the dates of November 18th and December 9th. Elsewhere in the county single birds were recorded from four sites as detailed below: Burgh Castle: Nov 14th; Nov 22nd to 27th.

Southwold: north, Oct 28th.

Minsmere: Jan 31st; on sea, Oct 31st; Nov 15th.

Bawdsey: East Lane, Nov 19th.

BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

A quiet year for this species with only reports of single birds received from four sites. All records are detailed below: Shingle Street: Mar 29th (S Abbott).

Alton Water: Nov 29th (S Baines).

Livermere Lake: Apr 15th (T Stopher).

Cavenham Pits: May 13th (B Woodhouse).

This is the fourth consecutive year that this species has been recorded at Livermere Lake.

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WHITE STORK Ciconia ciconia Scarce passage migrant.

Two colour-ringed individuals were present at Theberton on July 7th and 8th, and their discovery set Leiston birder Mike Cartwright off on a mission to establish their origin. It was a brave attempt, and his Herculean efforts came to nought, but they did reveal much about White Storks in the UK and gave plenty of food for thought regarding future records of the species in Suffolk. There is a brief article by Mike earlier in the report.

It transpires that the White Stork Project aims to release many individuals of the species in the near future, so we may see some of their birds wandering to Suffolk in years to come. They will certainly be welcome.

In addition to the Theberton birds, another individual was seen at Sturmer (just in Essex) and Sudbury on March 29th, although it was not known if it bore any leg rings.

GLOSSY IBIS Plegadis falcinellus Scarce but increasing visitor.

The long-staying individual in the Minsmere and Eastbridge area, referred to below, was enjoyed by scores of observers. It spent much of its time in flooded fields at Eastbridge and so was a welcome distraction for many visitors on their way in to RSPB Minsmere. It paid a brief visit to the wetland area of EDF Energy’s habitat creation scheme at nearby Aldhurst Farm, Leiston, on February 28th during a spell of hard weather and may well have been the bird seen at North Warren on April 20th, the last date it was seen in the Minsmere area.

All records are listed below: Burgh Castle: May 4th (R Bell).

Breydon Water: South Wall, Feb 24th (P Noakes).

Carlton Marshes: Jan 30th (A Easton); June 10th (R Wilton).

Wenhaston: Jan 29th to Feb 1st (per BINS).

Minsmere: adult, Jan 17th to Feb 27th; perhaps same, Mar 10th to Apr 20th (S Abbott et al); Sep 27th (RSPB); Oct 3rd (R Flindall); Oct 29th (per BINS).

Leiston: Feb 28th (per BINS).

North Warren: Apr 20th (D Thurlow).

Aldeburgh: Aldeburgh Marshes, Sep 22nd to Oct 6th (M L Cornish et al.).

Snape Wetlands: June 30th (A V Moon); Aug 2nd (A V Moon).

Barham: Aug 25th (per BINS) Hopton (West Suffolk): Mar 4th to 13th (per West Suffolk Birders).

EURASIAN SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia Uncommon passage migrant. Now increasingly oversummers and overwinters. Amber list.

Monthly maxima at some of the species’ favoured haunts are as follows: Minsmere N Warren/Hazlewood/Aldeburgh Orfordness/Havergate/Hollesley

Jan 0 1 1

Feb Mar Apr May Jun 1 3 1 3 8 1 4 1 3 0 0 1 1 2 1

Jul Aug 9 5 0 14 2 16

Sep Oct Nov Dec 9 0 0 0 13 0 0 2 18 1 0 0

As can be seen from the above table, the year’s largest gathering was 18. The count was made on Havergate Island on September 13th. The island remains the best bet for the re-colonisation of Suffolk by this species as a breeder – let us hope that the decoy birds and nest platforms there do the trick in the not-too-distant future. With the species having established a breeding colony in north Norfolk and nesting taking place elsewhere in the UK, surely Suffolk will entice them to take the plunge soon?

On several occasions Eurasian Spoonbills were seen on obvious migratory travels, the most interesting of such sightings being on September 22nd when a party of nine flew south over Sparrow’s Nest, Lowestoft, and subsequently over Minsmere. The six that flew south over 70

Systematic List

Glossy Ibis showed exceptionally well at Eastbridge in February.

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Kit Day

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Landguard Bird Observatory later the same day could also have been members of this group.

The two that called in to Pipps Ford, Barking on June 1st were surprise visitors to the site, and constitute the first Gipping Valley record.

In the west of the county, the species was encountered only at the RSPB’s Lakenheath Fen nature reserve, with singles on March 18th and July 26th, and four on September 22nd. It is interesting to note the date of the latter occurrence – it was the day of the coastal movement noted above so clearly there were some strong migratory Spoonbill urges taking hold.

EURASIAN BITTERN Botaurus stellaris Slowly increasing breeding population, scarce resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

Amber list (from Red).

The adjective “iconic” is certainly over-used in relation to the Suffolk coast, but it is probably justified when applied to this species. For many years our coastal reedbeds have been its national stronghold, but now, after immense and impressive conservation work elsewhere in the UK, we have lost a little of our domination. It’s not wise to be too parochial in such matters, of course, and we must acknowledge the habitat creation and management that has taken place in such areas as the Somerset Levels, which now leads the way nationally as far as Great Bittern numbers are concerned.

Once again, we are greatly appreciative for the co-operation offered to us by Simon Wooton, Senior Conservation Scientist in Species Monitoring and Research at the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science. He has again kindly provided us with the UK national summary of the Great Bittern’s breeding season in 2018. It shows that the year-on-year increase in the Great Bittern population since 2007 continued in the year under review. There was a minimum of 188 booming males recorded at a total of 82 sites, up from 166 boomers at 72 sites in 2017.

There was, however, a slight drop in breeding numbers on the Suffolk coast – the total of 26 boomers was down from the 33 reported in 2017. Any disappointment at this figure was offset by the report recording another increase in nesting attempts along our coast – up from 11 in 2017 to 17 in the year under review.

The report shows that in The Fens area, which includes the western fringes of Suffolk, there was an increase to at least 34 boomers (with a maximum of 38) from a minimum of 27 (and a maximum of 29) in 2017.

At RSPB Minsmere nine booming males and eight nests were reported and breeding activity was noted at five other sites in coastal Suffolk. At RSPB Lakenheath Fen, monitoring suggested that there were ten booming males – an increase from eight boomers in 2017 – and six active nests.

Few reports were received of wandering birds seen well away from known breeding haunts. Of note among these were singles at Brantham Mill on October 15th and Lackford Lakes on April 12th.

AMERICAN BITTERN Botaurus lentiginosus Accidental.

An “American star with stripes” is how a report in the East Anglian Daily Times described this totally unexpected addition to the Suffolk list, and what a star this stripe-necked relative of “our” Great Bittern was! Hundreds of birdwatchers, from far and wide, enjoyed this stunning male individual and many even heard it calling as it frequented Carlton Marshes nature reserve. Its discovery could not have been better timed, either. It came shortly after Suffolk Wildlife Trust launched its Sir David Attenborough-backed £1million appeal to help it pay for an ambitious extension to this already highly impressive reserve, and the twitchers gave several hundred pounds to the fund.

There was also another reason why this transatlantic vagrant’s discovery was extraordinarily timed. The circumstances gave rise to one of Suffolk ornithology’s most unusual – and heartwarming – rarity stories. Local birder Rob Wilton and his bride Erin invited wedding guests out onto the marshes for a post-ceremonial walk around the couple’s beloved reserve. The wedding procession reached a raised bank that gave a panoramic view of the reedbeds and photographs 72

Systematic List

were duly taken. Back at the wedding reception that evening, news came through of a “bittern” being photographed that very afternoon, in the very reedbed that could be seen in the wedding photographs. Except this “bittern” was being identified on social media as an American! Word spread like wildfire around the reception and any hangovers were overcome the next day as the “star with stripes” performed for the happy couple and many of the guests. What a wonderful way to start married life!

The Carlton Marshes American Bittern is Britain’s first spring arrival since 1999 when one was in Cornwall, May 13th to 17th – this was described as “An astonishing spring record”. British records are usually, although obviously not always, in autumn or winter.

The BBRC report for this bird says that “Towards the end of its stay in Suffolk the American Bittern was heard pumping”, a call not unlike a Eurasian Bittern; apparently “for some observers it proved possible to hear both American and European Bitterns pumping/booming at the same time at Carlton Marshes” Carlton Marshes: adult, Apr 7th to May 16th (G Durrant, R Holmes et al.).

There is an article on this ornithological event earlier in this bird report.

LITTLE BITTERN xobrychus minutus Very rare visitor. Probably bred in the past.

An immature that was an all-too-brief visitor to RSPB Minsmere’s North Marsh added to Suffolk’s excellent procession of rare heron species enjoyed by observers in 2018. Had it lingered longer than a few hours, and had there not been two recent Little Bitterns in Suffolk – at RSPB Lakenheath Fen in 2015 and Trimley Marshes in 2016 – this youngster would have undoubtedly attracted a far larger crowd of admirers. This is the latest in Suffolk since 1886 when one was shot at Kessingland on November 11th and the latest in Britain since 2004 when one was in Montgomeryshire on October 29th.

Minsmere: North Marsh, first-winter, Oct 24th (M Bennett et al).

Jeff Higgott

Little Bittern discovered at Minsmere in October.

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON Nycticorax nycticorax Very rare visitor.

Suffolk Birds 2017 referred to an individual seen by just one observer at Carlton Marshes SWT on May 31st as “one that got away”. We could say the same again here. An adult was seen on the southern edge of the RSPB’s North Warren nature reserve, but it evaded observers who searched in vain for it subsequently. Anecdotally it was hardly surprising the bird was not seen again as it was found dead after the initial sighting at Church Farm Marshes, North Warren on April 13th.

North Warren/Aldeburgh: adult, photographed, Mar 31st (T Kingsbury).

CATTLE EGRET Bulbulcus ibis Annual visitor in recent years.

The upsurge in records that we have seen in recent years continued in 2018. There were some long-stayers, and records of up to four at one favoured locality, so the prospect of imminent breeding in the county appears to be strengthening – it took place in neighbouring Essex for the first time in 2019, a year in which both Hampshire and Northamptonshire also recorded their first breeding records.

A degree of duplication in the following records is likely. For example, the individual seen flying north at Hollesley Marshes on May 30th was probably the same bird seen at Minsmere later that day. Members of Carlton Marshes’ quartet probably account for sightings at nearby Castle Marsh on December 11th and 12th and North Cove on November 11th and December 11th and 12th:

Breydon South Wall: Sep 4th; Sep 14th to 23rd; Oct 3rd.

Burgh Castle: Aug 20th to Oct 3rd (J Burton).

Bungay: Outney Common, July 17th (per BINS).

Lowestoft: Leathes Ham, Aug 15th to 24th (A Easton et al.).

Carlton Marshes SWT: up to four, Oct 7th to Dec 31st (G Durrant et al.).

Minsmere: May 15th (I Salkeld), May 30th (G Grieco), June 5th (BJ Small), Oct 1st to 27th, also seen in the Eastbridge area, (P Phillips et al.).

Hollesley Marshes: north, May 30th (S Abbott, P Kennerley).

Landguard: second site record, north, May 26th (W Brame).

Trimley Marshes: Oct 28th (E Lucking).

GREY HERON Ardea cinerea Common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Although there was a predictable deluge of reports, so few referred to nesting activity that it is impossible to assess this species’ current breeding status. There were only 12 sites where the annual breeding survey showed breeding to have occurred but there is little information as to their success. Two sites in the north-east held 11 nests. There was a total of ten nests in the two Deben Estuary heronries. In the west there were three sites with double-figure nest counts.

John Glazebrook’s comments do not make for happy reading. His data from one heronry, meticulously gathered since 1983, show a peak of just under 40 nests in1990 and then a steady decline to just three in the year under review.

The highest counts received that did not relate to breeding birds were 15 on the Alde Estuary WeBS counts in February and October, and 12 at 74

Grey Heron Terry Everitt

Systematic List

Wherstead Strand on January 13th.

This species’ migratory habits are often overlooked, but observers’ reports reminded us that it can indeed be quite a traveller. Two flew north off Pakefield Cliffs on September 15th, two headed inland after being watched approaching Minsmere from far out to sea on September 18th and a group of six came in off the sea at Southwold on October 6th.

Grey Heron migration was also witnessed at Landguard Bird Observatory, with spring singles on March 4th and 29th and April 7th and 25th. One was also seen on June 2nd. Fourteen were noted between August 2nd and November 8th, with a maximum of two in-off on August 21st and two south on October 28th. In addition, a grounded individual strutted about the reserve on December 14th.

PURPLE HERON Ardea purpurea Scarce passage migrant.

The Thorpeness and first Minsmere records below are assumed to relate to the same individual.

This and the bird seen in September by just one fortunate observer were among the highlights of an impressive list of rare and scarce members of the heron family seen in Suffolk during the year under review. The Thorpeness bird was flying with a Grey Heron.

Minsmere: photographed, May 29th to June 1st (S H Piotrowski et al.), adult in flight, Sep 3rd (R Kelly).

Thorpeness: north, with Grey Heron, May 28th (S Mayson).

GREAT (WHITE) EGRET Ardea alba Uncommon, but increasing, visitor.

All that’s left now is for this imposing species to start breeding in the county – that is how it seems now that its establishment as a familiar Suffolk bird is complete. It can be expected to be encountered in every month of the year and on just about any wetland, whether it be on the coast, in the Brecks, or anywhere in between. That was certainly the case in 2018 as there was a plethora of observers’ records from widely-spread parts of Suffolk.

That being said, three sites stood out as favoured haunts of the species – Dingle Marshes, Minsmere and Lakenheath Fen. Up to three graced Dingle Marshes throughout January and February, with at least two remaining through March and into early April. Three were reported again from this site on October 28th and November 26th.

Three were seen at Minsmere on August 20th and 22nd but on October 4th and 5th a quartet frequented the nature reserve’s Island Mere area. Numbers here were back down to three on October 6th, 17th and 18th.

Lakenheath Fen held the county’s record gathering of six on March 18th 2016 and it was just one short of that total on January 7th and 13th, with four being recorded at the site on February 4th and up to three on several dates up to March 20th. Four were also reported from this excellent wetland on December 2nd.

A further four gathered off the South Wall of Breydon Water on November 22nd, with three there the next day, and three at Cavenham on April 13th. Such multiple gatherings were the cream of the crop of observers’ reports, but there was also a veritable deluge of ones and twos from a wide range of localities which included Redgrave and Lopham Fen on January 7th, Mickle Mere on June 8th and 9th and December 4th, and the British Trust for Ornithology’s Nunnery Lakes on November 9th.

With so many records being submitted it is not surprising that the species is frequently being seen on its travels through the county. Indeed, Landguard Bird Observatory‘s tenth and eleventh records came in October 13th and 20th respectively.

LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta Locally common and increasing resident and passage migrant. Green list (from Amber).

Information about breeding birds came from a record nine locations. At one coastal site where there had been 14 pairs in 2017 there was just a single nest with only one juvenile seen; 75

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several dead birds were found after the period of bitterly cold and windy weather dubbed the “Beast from the East” in late February and early March. Despite this setback the total number of 53 pairs in the county was favourably comparable with the 56 (from eight sites) in 2017, and fledged young were reported from four sites. Year-on-year figures from 2009 until 2018 show a noticeable increase in the number of confirmed or suspected breeding pairs in the county: Sites 6 4 5 8 7 7 8 6 8 9

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Confirmed and probable breeding pairs 40 37 36 43 37 64 58 42 56 53

The table below offers monthly maximum counts. It clearly shows that peak numbers are, predictably, reached immediately after the breeding season, with totals waning as winter wears on. Where the juveniles involved in these peaks come from must remain a matter of conjecture – it is likely that some are local and some are from further afield, including the near-Continent: Jan 10

Feb 14

Mar 8

Apr 14

May 12

Jun 20

Jul 34

Aug 57

Sep 46

Oct 38

Nov 36

Dec 14

In presenting these totals, one feature stood out amidst the submitted data. It is the importance to this species of the RSPB’s Cattawade Marshes and the nearby Stour Estuary. Hogmarsh, on the estuary, produced the county’s highest submitted day-count, with 57 on August 13th. The total was submitted by RSPB officer Mark Nowers and a retired RSPB stalwart, Russell Leavett, weighed-in with some additional impressive Cattawade counts. These included 42 on August 20th, 31 on September 7th, 46 on September 16th and 38 on October 2nd.

Observers on Orfordness commented as follows: “As in the previous year present on all visits with the notable exception of March 11th just after the unusually cold early spring. Numbers were then much lower than in recent years with a maximum of just 30 on July 14th.”

At Landguard, observers noted seven between March 27th and June 2nd, with a maximum of three north on May 18th. A total of 22 was noted there between July 31st and November 11th, with a maximum of nine south on August 1st.

Elsewhere in the county there was little reference to visible migration being undertaken by this species. There were only two reports of birds being seen offshore – one flew south off Kessingland on May 28th and two headed in the same direction “far out to sea” off Minsmere on October 11th.

NORTHERN GANNET Morus bassanus Common passage migrant. Amber list.

An early surge in numbers was noted in February, presumably involving birds heading north to their breeding sites, and another, much larger movement was obvious in October, presumably involving individuals heading south for the winter. Such a pattern is now to be expected as it is broadly in line with movements noted in recent years.

The following table gives the accumulated monthly totals for both of our coastal recording areas, although the data should be treated with some caution as a degree of duplication is surely involved. However, it is noticeable that there is a surprising level of disparity in the respective 76

Systematic List

areas’ totals for some months. This may be the result of vagaries in the level of reporting among observers and their differing levels of enthusiasm for seawatching: North-east South-east

Jan 12 26

Feb 473 8

Mar 26 8

Apr May 1 76 2 17

Jun 1 9

Jul Aug 10 45 21 10

Sep Oct 292 1860 31 109

Nov Dec 123 6 101 21

In addition to the above data, observers at Orfordness reported that the species was “frequently present offshore, but in much smaller numbers than some previous years.” They highlighted the 23 that passed north on January 27th as “the only noteworthy count until 19 south on September 23rd.” Also mentioned in their report were the 21 north and six south on October 27th, 35 north and 12 south on November 3rd and 19 north on December 29th.

The year’s highest day-count was reported, somewhat surprisingly, not in October when the strong autumnal movement was taking place but in February, when the year’s much smaller early northward flights were being noted. A total of 417 passed Ness Point, Lowestoft, on February 23rd.

On September 24th, displaced juveniles were noted in locations not usually associated with the species with one at Great Livermere and four east over Holbrook Bay. This is the third consecutive year with sightings in west Suffolk – Icklingham in 2016 and in 2017.

EUROPEAN SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list (from Amber).

Lowestoft’s sheltered docks and harbour, and nearby Lake Lothing and Oulton Broad, were again the most favoured area for this species in both the first and second winter periods. There were 18 reports of up to two birds in this locality between January 1st and May 16th, and four reports, again of up to two birds, between December 8th and 29th.

Other reports from our north-east recording area were:

Gorleston Harbour: Mar 28th.

Corton Cliffs: Mar 27th.

Benacre Sluice: Mar 8th.

Southwold: Boating Lake, Nov 22nd.

Minsmere Beach: Dec 11th; Dec 20th.

Thorpeness: Haven, Jan 1st.

Slaughden: Mar 12th, four, Mar 22nd; Oct 27th.

European Shag at Needham Market Lakes in March.

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018

The species’ traditional haunt in the south-east of Suffolk is on the River Orwell at Ipswich Wet Dock, but only one, on December 3rd, was reported from this locality. However, there were several reports from elsewhere on the Orwell, between January 5th, when two were reported at Freston, and March 22nd, when one was seen at Wherstead Strand. None was reported from the river in the second winter period.

At Landguard Bird Observatory the species was recorded on January 20th, February 18th, March 7th and 21st, October 19th, November 27th and 28th and December 23rd and 25th.

Other reports from our south-east recording area were:

Bawdsey: East Lane, Mar 15th; two, Mar 16th.

Felixstowe Ferry: Sep 3rd; Sep 12th.

Stutton Ness: Nov 25th.

Alton Water: Jan 13th.

Needham Lake: immature, Mar 11th to 13th; Oct 3rd.

This last, at Needham Lake, is the first Gipping Valley record for over 30 years.

One found dead on Orfordness on March 25th had been ringed as a chick on Brownsman, Farne Islands, on June 4th 2016.

GREAT CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Has bred since 1998.

Suffolk Birds 2017 reported that the 3253 Great Cormorants that left their Loompit Lake roost and flew out to sea over Landguard on January 16th was a county record total for the species. That record didn’t stand for long. It was broken in 2018 when a colossal total of 3403 poured out of the Orwell Estuary from the lake early on November 25th, representing quite a counting challenge for the observatory’s dawn brigade. Additional impressive counts from this site included 2669 leaving the lake on January 14th and 3205 doing so on December 12th. The long-running saga of the fight against Natural England’s highly controversial licensing of Great Cormorant culling at Loompit Lake remains unresolved, but if any killing is taking place at the site it is not reducing the wintering numbers and so its justification must remain in question. Tree-nesting at this site, however, is on the decline. Will Brame reports that in 2018 the number of nests had fallen to 91 from 116 the previous year. In 2015 the number was 127 and in 2016 it was 123 – a downward trend that is sad indeed.

At the other end of the county’s coastline, the Fritton Lake roost continued to be used and it produced increased numbers. A total of 1750 flew over Gorleston heading towards the lake on March 3rd and a similar number left the roost on November 17th.

Elsewhere, the 640 assembled on Minsmere Levels on March 17th made for an impressive sight, as did gatherings on Orfordness, the year’s largest of which were 480 on February 25th and 413 on November 8th.

Lackford Lakes’ totals dominated the reports from the west of the county. The site’s highest counts in the first winter period were 70 on January 31st and 37 on February 16th. Returning birds numbered 26 on August 15th, with totals building up to 40 on October 7th, 78 on November 24th and 92 on December 1st.

WESTERN OSPREY Pandion haliaetus Uncommon passage migrant. Amber list.

The 90 reports received in 2018 were a significant improvement on the 59 in 2017. They included 27 spring sightings from 15 sites, with the usual bias towards coastal sites. The earliest report (via Birdtrack) came from Minsmere on March 25th, but typically most reports were from April and May. These included lingering birds at Carlton Marshes and at Minsmere, where two were present on May 28th. There were just two inland records.

Oulton Broad: June 2nd.

Lowestoft: Apr 13th; May 10th.

Carlton Marshes: Apr 19th; May 5th; May 13th; May 21st; May 25th.

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Systematic List Kessingland: Sewage Works, Apr 1st; June 2nd.

Minsmere: Mar 25th; Apr 3rd; Apr 10th; May 3rd; May 6th; two May 28th.

North Warren: May 26th.

Hazlewood Marshes: Apr 29th.

Shingle Street: May 13th.

Ramsholt: Apr 24th.

Felixstowe: May 10th.

Ipswich: May 9th.

Trimley Marshes SWT: May 6th; May 14th.

Cattawade: May 1st.

Lakenheath Fen: May 17th.

Mickle Mere: Apr 5th.

The 64 late summer/early autumn reports came from 19 sites. The first returning bird was seen at Corton on August 3rd and there were a further 21 reports from August. Long-stayers included one at Hazlewood Marshes from late August to late September, which was joined by a second bird from September 6th to 9th. Elsewhere lingering birds in late August included single birds on the Blyth Estuary, at Minsmere and on Orfordness. There were two at Minsmere mid-September.

The last sightings involved single birds at both Landguard and Ipswich on October 7th.

Corton: Aug 3rd; in off sea Sep 20th.

Lowestoft: North Denes, Sep 9th.

Hen Reedbeds: Sep 7th to 9th; Sep 15th.

Blyth Estuary: Aug 27th to 29th; Sep 4th to 13th.

Minsmere: Aug 20th; Aug 28th; Sep 2nd; Sep 7th; two, Sep 15th.

Iken: Aug 28th.

Hazlewood Marshes: Aug 23rd; Aug 28th; Aug 30th and 31st; two, Sep 6th to 9th; Sep 15th; Sep 20th.

Iken: Aug 28th.

Orfordness: Aug 30th to Sep 9th.

Havergate Island: Sep 19th.

Bawdsey: Sep 16th.

Martlesham Creek: Sep 20th to 23rd.

Landguard Bird Observatory: Oct 7th.

Ipswich: Oct 7th.

Bentley: Sep 19th.

Trimley Marshes: Sep 8th.

Levington Creek: Sep 11th.

Stour Estuary: Aug 19th; Aug 28th: Sep1st; Sep 7th.

Felsham: Sep 23rd.

EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Scarce passage migrant. Amber list.

There were seven accepted records of this species in 2018; unusually most were from inland sites. Passage birds were seen at three sites in late May and at two sites in June. At Minsmere one was present from early June until mid-July. There was also an intriguing record of two photographed at Santon Downham in July. The only autumn report came from mid-Suffolk.

Bungay: north 11.30hr, May 30th (S H Piotrowski).

Minsmere: June 3rd to July 15th, photographed (multi-observer).

Old Newton: juvenile, Sep 14th (D M Archer).

Thurston: Black Bourn Valley SWT Reserve, May 28th (J Walshe).

Santon Downham: two, photographed, July 11th (B Best).

Lakenheath Fen: May 27th, photographed (A Banwell).

Nunnery Lakes: adult male, June 26th (N Moran).

Additional 2017 Record: This bird appeared as Plate 13 in the report but was not in the Systematic List!

Lakenheath Fen: Aug 1st (I Goodall).

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018

EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus Common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Reports came from 169 parishes which represents a second consecutive increase (121 in 2017 and 116 in 2016). This species was found on seven of the 45 BBS squares compared with six in 2017 and five in 2016.

At Landguard Bird Observatory up to two were logged on 14 dates from March 17th to May 7th, with three present on April 24th. Reports of autumn passage included singles in off sea at Slaughden on September 9th and at Ness Point, Lowestoft on October 27th.

At Middleton one individual flew into a window on September 23rd but flew off apparently unharmed and one was seen to take a Northern Lapwing on two dates in April at Great Livermere.

NORTHERN GOSHAWK Accipiter gentilis Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant; uncommon resident This species continues to do well in its stronghold in west Suffolk where 11 pairs nested, nine of which were successful. A total of eight chicks was ringed and colour-ringed under licence. Of the 42 reports received nine were off-forest sightings in the Suffolk Brecks many of which were dispersing juveniles in autumn and winter. Elsewhere, one was seen at Pipps Ford in February.

A female was watched on several dates in April as it hunted on the ground for Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus on a warren near Lackford.

WESTERN MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant. Increasing numbers overwinter. Amber List.

It was another mixed year for this species; the year started off well with good first winter counts, but breeding success was very variable possibly contributing to a comparatively low latewinter count.

Reports from across the county indicate that about 154 birds were present in the early part of the year, a marked improvement on the 135 in 2017 and 95 in 2016. Selected first winter period counts (four or more present) were as follows –

Fritton/ Waveney Forest: 11, Feb 23rd.

Oulton Broad: four, Jan 15th.

Burgh Castle: eight, Feb 14th; 11, Mar 18th.

Western Marsh Harrier (male and female) Peter Beeson 80

Systematic List Carlton Marshes: four, Jan 3rd.

Cove Bottom: eight, Jan 11th.

Reydon: Potters Bridge, 18, Jan 3rd.

Dingle Marshes: 27, Jan 21st.

Minsmere: 25, Jan 23rd.

Orfordness: seven, Jan to Mar Boyton Marshes: six, Feb 9th.

Deben Estuary: four, Feb 2nd.

Lakenheath Fen: 20, Jan 2nd.

Logged coastal movement at Landguard Bird Observatory included one south, February 2nd, two south, March 22nd and one south, March 30th.

Confirmation of breeding came from 16 sites, one more than in 2017 (one confidential site has been omitted from the list below). At least 62 nests were found, nine more than in 2017, but productivity at many sites was disappointing. Just 79 young fledged, which is substantially down on last year’s total of 90 but, perhaps more worryingly, it continued the recent downward trend. In 2016 productivity exceeded two chicks per nest, in 2017 it fell to 1.69 and in 2018 to 1.27. Breeding success at both flagship sites, Minsmere and Lakenheath Fen, was particularly disappointing with only five successful nests out of 13 at the latter site which fledged ten young.

However, there were successes elsewhere, notably at Westwood Marshes and on Orfordness which had its best year ever with four nests, beating the previous highest count of three in 2002.

Data from selected sites is as follows:

Carlton Marshes: one nest just outside the reserve / one young fledged Benacre Broad: two nests / three young.

Easton Valley: nine nests / at least three young fledged.

Hen Reedbeds: three nests (one failed) / three young.

Walberswick NNR: Westwood Marshes, six nests / 14 young.

Dingle Marshes: one nest / one young.

Minsmere: eight nests / 12 young.

North Warren: two nests / five young.

Snape Wetlands: three nests / four young fledged.

Upper Butley River: two nests, both failed.

Orfordness: four nests / 13 young.

Hollesley Marshes: two nests / two young.

Bawdsey: one nest / three young.

Trimley Marshes: one nest / two young.

Lakenheath Fen: 13 nests, five successful / ten young.

On July 28th four immature birds were seen going to roost in maize crop at Puttockshill, Pakenham.

Passage was noted at North Beach, Lowestoft where one flew in off sea on September 7th and at Landguard Bird Observatory where the observations were as follows: single birds south on August 14th and September 6th; three south September 22nd and one in off the sea on September 28th.

Another flew in off the sea on November 2nd and one flew north on November 25th.

The estimated second winter total was 93 compared with 133 in 2017. Second winter counts involving four or more birds came from the following sites: Carlton Marshes: eight, Dec 8th.

Dingle Marshes: seven, Nov 5th.

Minsmere: 24, Dec 16th.

Slaughden: six, Dec 29th.

Orfordness/Havergate Island: ten, Nov and Dec. Lakenheath Fen: 25, Nov 18th.

Other observations included a juvenile bird seen tussling with a juvenile Goshawk at Cavenham Heath on July 26th. An immature male with green wing tags, from the Hawk and Owl Trust in Norfolk ringing scheme, was seen at Livermere Lake on September 8th, and what was probably the same bird was seen at Redgrave Fen on December 9th.

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018

HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Red List.

It was another poor year for this species with the estimated numbers present during both winter periods well down in single figures. Sightings came from 11 coastal sites in the first winter period and probably involved four wide ranging individuals. Up to two males were seen at four sites in January and by March two ringtails were also present. Inland there were just four reports, including the male from December 2017 which continued to roost at Lakenheath Fen through January until February 23rd at least. The only other inland record was of a ringtail seen at Cavenham Heath on March 21st.

Spring reports came from Carlton Marshes where a male was seen on three dates in April and from Westleton Heath and Orfordness where ringtails were present up to mid-April. Inland a male was seen at Great Barton on April 13th and at Lakenheath Fen the following day. The only other spring sighting came from Minsmere on May 13th.

An early returning ringtail was seen at Icklingham on September 23rd but the next reports were not until the first week of October when ringtails were seen at several coastal sites. In the last week of October there was a report of a male at Worlingham and a ringtail was seen flying in off the sea at Bawdsey. Things looked more promising in November with sightings from numerous locations along the coastal margin involving a minimum of five birds, four ringtails and one male. At Orfordness two ringtails were present on November 11th but inland the single ringtail seen at Stradishall three days later was the only record from the west. The only male seen during November was flying west at Burgh Castle on 18th. The nine reports from December included a long-staying bird on Orfordness which remained until the end of the year and a male at Hollesley Marshes on December 30th.

Year 1st winter period 2nd winter period

2009 6 6

2010 2011 15 22 13 10

2012 21 15

2013 13 15

2014 13 7

2015 9 7

2016 8 6

2017 11 8

2018 5 6

MONTAGU’S HARRIER Circus pygargus Uncommon passage migrant. Formerly bred. Amber List.

After a blank year last year, there was just one accepted record for 2018, involving a sighting on the coast in early summer.

Shingle Street: female, June 3rd (J Mynott).

Although this harrier now breeds regularly in Norfolk, breeding has not been proven in Suffolk since 1967.

RED KITE Milvus milvus Uncommon but increasing winter visitor and passage migrant. Has bred in recent years. Green list (from Amber).

Reports came from 249 sites across the county (446 records in all) and, although considerably fewer than the 321 in 2017, this species is being seen with increasing regularity in Suffolk.

Typically, the majority of the sightings came from the west where a breeding population is slowly becoming established.

The year started well with numerous reports of a minimum of four birds ranging widely along the coastal margin during the first three months. Notable records included two at Wrentham at the end of January and on four dates in February. Up to three birds were recorded at Wrentham (except June 8th – see below) in all but two months of the year (August and December) perhaps attracted by the presence of the long-staying escapee Black Kite. Elsewhere two birds were seen at Kessingland in February and at Lowestoft, Ashby and Minsmere in March.

The first indications of passage movement came from Covehithe where three flew south on March 9th and in April three birds were seen over Piper’s Vale, Ipswich and in the Blythburgh/ Minsmere area from mid-month. At Landguard Bird Observatory single birds were logged flying 82

Systematic List

south on two dates in late April. The majority of May reports came from the north-east and included two at Tinker’s Marshes, Walberswick. There were also two at East Bergholt and four birds were seen together at Barrow.

June saw a remarkable gathering of 33 birds all in the air together at Wrentham on 8th, which is the largest group ever recorded in Suffolk. The birds, presumably migrants, were photographed by a local farmer and disappeared just as quickly as they arrived. In July reports of two birds came from five sites and there were three over Beccles on July 7th.

Once again breeding took place in the west of the county and although it is very difficult to put an accurate figure on the breeding population in this area, there may be as many as eight pairs. Of the three pairs that Red Kite slowly becoming more regular in the county.

Dave Borderick were closely monitored, two bred successfully; one pair fledged two chicks and the other pair fledged one. The former were wing-tagged under licence.

There were fewer reports from August and no real evidence of any autumn passage. From September single birds were reported from several sites in the north-east with just one sighting in the south-east at Alton Water on the last day of December. In west Suffolk reports of single birds came from 11 sites during November and December and a group of seven was seen at Dalham on December 18th.

Year No. of reports

2007 2008 6 82

2009 2010 89 98

2011 217

2012 232

2013 308

2014 226

2015 265

2016 2017 2018 322 321 446

BLACK KITE Milvus migrans Rare passage migrant.

There were just two accepted records of this species in 2018, both occurred in spring.

Minsmere: north over car park, 07.15hr, May 12th, photographed (P Eele, J A Rowlands).

Bardwell: Apr 19th, photographed (D Tomlinson).

WHITE-TAILED EAGLE Haliaeetus albicilla Very rare winter visitor. Red list. Categories A and E. There were no sightings in 2018.

Correction to 2017 record

Stutton: one was on the saltmarsh on Apr 26th (not 25th) (C Baines, E Keeble).

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo lagopus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

It was another fairly quiet year for this species. The overwintering bird continued to roost at Waveney Forest and was last seen in late February. Another, or the same bird, returned to the same site in November and was joined briefly by a second bird. Elsewhere one was present in the Orfordness area for about five weeks from early November. Although quite elusive at times 83

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

it made frequent forays to neighbouring areas including Havergate Island and Boyton Marshes.

Inland an early migrant was seen near Stowmarket in October and another flew north over Lackford Lakes into The King’s Forest at the beginning of the second week of November.

Fritton: Waveney Forest, photographed roosting in Suffolk, Jan 19th to Feb 25th (R Wilton et al.); roosting in Suffolk, Nov 21st to Dec 2nd (R Wilton et al.); second individual present, Nov 23rd to 30th, at least (R Wilton et al., DF Walsh et al.).

Havergate Island RSPB/Orfordness: first-winter present, Nov 6th to Dec 27th (D Fairhurst et al.).

Pipps Ford: flew south-west, 15:45hr Oct 10th (P Whittaker).

Lackford/The King’s Forest: Nov 8th (C Gregory).

The Pipps Ford bird is the earliest arrival in Suffolk since 2010 when one was at Minsmere on September 30th.

COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo Common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant; increasing breeding population.

This species was recorded in the majority of parishes across the county and continues to flourish.

It was found in 25 of the 45 BBS squares surveyed which beats last year’s previous highest total of 21. Forestry Commission sources estimate that the total in Thetford Forest alone (Norfolk and Suffolk) is about 100 pairs. Confirmation of breeding came from 18 sites across the county.

Notable counts in double figures between February and May were as follows: Carlton Marshes: 19, May 5th.

Minsmere: ten, May 3rd.

Thorpeness: ten, Mar 16th.

Falkenham Creek: 19, Feb 8th.

Bawdsey Marshes: 12, Mar 21st.

Pipps Ford: 11, Feb 22nd.

Lakenheath Fen: 15, Feb 22nd.

Berner’s Heath: ten, Mar 19th.

Likely passage birds were noted at Belton where five flew north on April 18th and at Orfordness where eight flew over on May 4th. Reports of breeding came from at least 22 sites.

Notable counts during late summer included 12 at Stoke-by-Nayland and 14 at Sudbury both on August 30th. An influx from mid-September resulted in the following counts:

Kessingland Levels: 18, Sep 29th.

Minsmere: 12, Sep 13th.

Theberton: 11, Sep 30th.

Hollesley Marshes: 11, Sep 24th.

Felixstowe: 20, Sep 24th.

Inland, a post-breeding flock comprising a mixture of 20 adult and juvenile birds was seen on a freshly-ploughed field at Puttockshill, Pakenham on September 6th. Finally, a female with a broken wing, which was found at Stutton Mill on January 5th, was taken into care.

FIELD NOTE An attempted aerial food pass between an adult and a juvenile bird at West Stow Country Park on August 15th proved unsuccessful and resulted in the youngster plunging precariously into dense woodland to retrieve the prey item. Fortunately, it soon reappeared unscathed.

C Gregory WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus Fairly common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Reports of this shy, secretive species remain reasonably high, despite fewer records being received than in the past two years. In part this reduction may be due to the impact of severe weather late in the first winter period when numbers were significantly affected, for example by 50% at Hen Reedbeds, but also as there was a lack of recorders available to monitor all of 84

Systematic List

the main sites. Birds were however recorded at more sites, 69 compared with 54 in 2016 with a number of isolated pairs being recorded at inland sites.

Where systematic monitoring of breeding territories was carried out, Westwood Marshes was found to be supporting the highest total with 32, whilst Easton Broad held 27 and Benacre Broad 18. Again, monitoring was not undertaken at Lakenheath Fen to avoid unnecessary disturbance to the breeding cranes. In total, reports of breeding or probable breeding were received from 22 sites, suggesting that the breeding status in the county remains relatively stable.

The highest counts of birds outside of the breeding season occurred at Lakenheath Fen, where six were recorded and Trimley Marshes, four recorded, both on January 13th. In the second winter period the highest count received was of four birds at Santon Downham on November 18th.

The record of a Water Rail at Landguard on Christmas Day is of interest.

Water Rail is no longer monitored by the Rare Breeding Birds Panel.

SPOTTED CRAKE Porzana porzana Rare passage migrant; rarely oversummers. Amber List After a blank year in 2017, a bird was present at Lackford Lakes for at least two weeks; it may, however, have been there at an earlier date.

Lackford Lakes: juv, Aug 11th to 27th (A Chaplin, multiobserver).

This is the first site record at Lackford since 1999 when a juvenile was present from August 26th to September 17th.

Spotted Crake skulking visitor to Lackford Lakes in August.

Alan Chaplin

COMMON MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

There was a considerable drop in the number of records of this normally very common species when compared with 2017. This is perhaps an indication of the effects of severe weather late in the first winter period. Only 222 reports were received from 53 sites, i.e. some 90% fewer reports from 68% fewer sites compared with 2017.

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Confirmed or probable breeding was recorded at 24 sites, a decrease of 16 from the previous year.

The highest count for the year was again at Sudbury where 66 were recorded on February 26th (M Peers). The results of winter counts at regularly-monitored sites are shown below: Counts from regularly-monitored sites Jan Feb Alde/Ore Estuary 16 8 Deben Estuary 11 8 Orwell Estuary 5 6 Stour Estuary 28 16 Alton Water – 8

Mar 1 6 19 – 7

Apr – 3 20 6 9

Sep – – – 9 26

Oct – – – 16 36

Nov 4 15 2 24 26

Dec 12 9 2 6 19

EURASIAN COOT Fulica atra Common but declining resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Records were received from only 31 sites, less than half the total reported in 2017 suggesting that this species may also have suffered in the severe weather late in the first winter period.

Breeding or probable breeding was, however, reported from 20 sites, a similar total to 2017.

Wintering numbers at the usual stronghold of Alton Water peaked at only 70 on January 21st (J A Glazebrook) – in November 1999 there was a record count there of 3090! However, this number was exceeded at Loompit Lake where 200 were present on January 25th (L G R Evans). In the second winter period at Lackford Lakes numbers peaked at 417 birds on December 8th (West Suffolk Birders), this being the highest count in the county in 2018. The results of winter counts at regularly-monitored sites are shown below: Counts from regularly-monitored sites Jan Feb Alde/Ore Estuary 45 67 Deben Estuary – 1 Orwell Estuary 73 53 Stour Estuary 8 16 Alton Water 70 54

Mar 85 8 35 – 54

Apr – – 31 – 15

Sep – – – 38 16

Oct – – – 30 16

Nov – – – 29 52

Dec – 1 1 14 93

COMMON CRANE Grus grus Scarce passage migrant. Has bred since 2007. Amber List.

Breeding was again confirmed at Lakenheath Fen where one pair raised two young, the second fledging some six weeks later than the first. The number of birds at Lakenheath fluctuated throughout the year with a peak of nine recorded on February 1st (RSPB).

Reports were received from some 17 sites away from the breeding area relating to between 16 and 28 birds. All these records are included below: St Olaves: seven circled then south-east, May 19th.

Lowestoft: three north, Oct 12th.

Carlton Marshes: two west, Apr 14th; west, Apr 20th; seven, May 19th.

North Cove: Castle Marsh, three north, Mar 31st.

Pakefield: two north-west, May 4th.

Reydon: five south-west, May 19th; north, Dec 31st.

Southwold: three in off then north, Mar 31st; two over golf course, May 22nd Walberswick: Tinker’s Marshes, Dec 12th.

Walberswick NNR: Westwood Marshes, five in off, May 19th; two drifted south then back north later, May 22nd.

Dunwich Heath: two south, Sept 23rd.

Minsmere: five north, May 20th; two south, May 22nd; three South Levels then north, May 29th; June 7th and 8th; north, Dec 31st.

Thorpeness: two circled then drifted south, Apr 23rd.

86

Systematic List Snape: Botany Marshes RSPB, Apr 23rd and 24th.

Little Blakenham: two, Feb 2nd.

Buxhall: Apr 14th.

Santon Downham: one or more over calling, Apr 18th.

Lackford: two, May 4th.

EURASIAN STONE-CURLEW Burhinus oedicnemus Locally fairly common summer visitor. Occasionally overwinters. Amber List.

The first returning birds were recorded in the Brecks on March 9th and in the Sandlings on March 22nd.

In the Sandlings area there were 15 breeding pairs. The total of breeding pairs in the Suffolk/ Norfolk Brecks was down from 114 pairs in 2017 to 93 pairs in 2018. Clutches were lost to eggers in May and for the majority of the period after this, through June and July, birds were largely absent. Ten were counted on August 21st and the maximum post-breeding roost count reached 44 on September 12th, with 12 still present on October 5th.

RSPB monitoring was reduced due to the loss of EU funding for 2018.

The fourth site record for Landguard occurred on April 14th (N Odin).

The latest reports were of four in the Sandlings on October 20th and two in the Brecks on October 26th.

2017 Update.

Given that we now have a fuller picture of Stone Curlews breeding in Suffolk in 2017, we have the following update: 84 pairs were confirmed to breed in the county in 2017, 71 in the Brecks and 13 on the coastal Sandlings. In addition, six other pairs were present including one on the coast. It is estimated that around 20 pairs bred in areas not currently monitored, so the total county population was around 110 pairs (RSPB).

BLACK-WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus Rare visitor.

In 2017 we had a record year for this species involving eight birds, but in 2018 it was two records of four birds:

Thetford: two second-calendar year birds, male and female, May 28th (N Moran).

Pipps Ford: two, photographed, May 30th (P Whittaker).

EURASIAN OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus Very common winter visitor and passage migrant. Common but declining resident.

Amber list.

The highest site-count, again, came from the Orwell Estuary, with 480 noted on December 9th at Trimley Marshes. The highest inland counts came from Livermere Lake with ten birds on March 8th and Lakenheath Fen with 11 on July 8th.

Breeding was recorded with one pair at Carlton Marshes, two at Dingle Marshes, Dunwich and seven at Minsmere. There were 21 pairs on Orfordness with a minimum of eight fledged young. At Landguard three pairs bred but failed.

Eurasian Oystercatchers Peter Beeson 87

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

WeBS data: Blyth Estuary Alde Estuary Deben Estuary Orwell Estuary Stour Estuary

Jan – 74 40 808 836

Feb – 204 91 858 703

Mar – 17 98 602 344

Apr – 128 238 459

Sep – 73 523 528

Oct – 25 70 614 198

Nov – 26 46 153 573

Dec – 17 74 392 450

PIED AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta Fairly common resident, summer visitor and passage migrant on the coast. Amber list.

The breeding population was around 237 pairs, slightly down on 2017, with one site still to report; birds nested at a minimum of 14 locations with similar totals to the last two years.

Records include the following:

Carlton Marshes: five pairs raised 15 young, the first time the species has nested on the reserve.

Benacre Broad: 12 pairs, five young fledged.

Covehithe Broad: four pairs, two young fledged.

Walberswick NNR: total of 14 pairs at two locations, failed to raise any young.

Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, two pairs nested but no young fledged.

Minsmere: 96 pairs nested up from 69 in 2017, but predation meant no young fledged.

Hazlewood Marshes: nine pairs, four young fledged.

Orfordness: minimum of 52 pairs nested, up from 35 in 2017; 20 young were thought to have fledged making it the most successful site in the county.

Havergate Island:24 pairs, no young fledged.

Boyton Marshes: 11 pairs, no young fledged.

Trimley Marshes: four pairs, eight young fledged, Stoke-by-Nayland: Gifford’s Hall, four pairs bred but none was successful.

Lakenheath Fen: two pairs were present in suitable habitat, but breeding was not confirmed.

Year Number sites Confirmed pairs

2009 6 173

2010 6 229

2011 6 189

2012 6 208

2013 9 212

2014 8 154

Counts of 250 or more, other than WeBS, were as follows: Blyth Estuary: 350, Jan 3rd; 508, Jan 28th.

Pied Avocets Richard Allen 88

2015 8 215

2016 13 242

2017 16 253

2018 14 237

Systematic List Minsmere: 380, Aug 7th.

Hazlewood Marshes: 250, Mar 14th.

Iken: 850, Feb 18th; 700, Dec 20th Havergate Island: 538, Sep 13th; 430, Nov 6th; 359, Dec 9th.

Kirton Creek: 250, Jan 18th.

Trimley Marshes: 261, Oct 31st.

Brantham: Seafield Bay, 289, Oct 5th.

Inland sightings of Avocets were at: Mickle Mere, Lakenheath Fen and Gifford’s Hall, Stoke-byNayland.

WeBS data: Blyth Estuary Alde Estuary Deben Estuary Orwell Estuary Stour Estuary

Jan – 935 268 165 90

Feb – 1250 209 32 290

Mar – 278 105 84 –

Apr – 11 6 –

Sep – – – 14 14

Oct – 199 219 129 3

Nov – 908 239 38 353

Dec – 905 575 195 1

NORTHERN LAPWING Vanellus vanellus Very common winter visitor and passage migrant. Declining as a breeding species. Red list.

Counts of 2000 or more: Oulton Marsh: 3000, Jan 1st; 2000, Nov 23rd.

Trimley Marshes: 2000, Jan 27th; 2500, Nov 25th.

Pakenham: Queach Farm, 2000, Nov 27th.

Livermere Lake: 3000, Dec 2nd; 2000, Dec 23rd.

Breeding was confirmed at Oulton Marsh with five pairs and five young fledged, Carlton Marshes, seven pairs, Hen Reedbeds where two pairs raised six young, Dingle Marshes, Dunwich, five pairs, Minsmere, 26 pairs, Sizewell SWT, two pairs, Orfordness, 22 pairs and 20 fledged young, Boyton Marshes, single fledged young, Hollesley Marshes, four pairs incubating, Bawdsey Marshes, two young, Trimley Marshes, nine young, Shotley Marshes, one pair, Cattawade Marshes, 13 pairs, White Horse Marshes, East Bergholt, ten pairs, Higham, near Hadleigh, 36 fledged juveniles and Gifford’s Hall, Stoke-byNayland, 37 fledged juveniles.

WeBS data: Blyth Estuary Alde Estuary Deben Estuary Orwell Estuary Stour Estuary

Jan – 1479 96 159 76

Feb – 1458 961 1694 501

Northern Lapwing Terry Everitt

Mar – 318 16 20 –

Apr – – 27 20 58

89

Sep – – 215 200 47

Oct – 16 461 119 86

Nov – 136 610 764 650

Dec – 960 1186 654 815

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Green list (from Amber).

Counts of 700 or more were widespread with the largest flocks as follows: Breydon South Wall: 2000, Jan 1st.

Breydon: Herbert Barnes Park, 2600, Jan 26th.

Gedgrave Marshes: 800, Nov 9th; 700, Nov 10th.

Levington Creek: 700, Jan 1st; 1000, Jan 30th.

Eye: 950, Jan 22nd.

Pakenham: 3000, Nov 24th; 3000, Nov 27th

WeBS Data:

Blyth Estuary Alde Estuary Deben Estuary Orwell Estuary Stour Estuary

Jan – 17 52 61 –

Feb – – – 622 25

Mar – – – 40 –

Apr Sep – – – 1 – 94 – 151 –

Oct – – 118 198 25

Nov – – 698 40 –

European Golden Plover at Landguard in September.

Dec – – 575 50 –

Chris Mayne

PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis fulva Very rare visitor.

This is the fifth Suffolk record following individuals in 2005, 2008, 2013 and 2015.

Aldeburgh Marshes: adult, Sep 20th (M L Cornish, B J Small et al.).

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis dominica Accidental.

This is the third Suffolk record following individuals in 2003 and 2012. For many Suffolk birders this was the chance to catch up with the species in Suffolk, especially as it remained for four days and was in adult plumage.

Hazlewood Marshes: well-photographed, Aug 13th to 16th (M L Cornish, R Drew, D A Fairhurst).

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GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola Common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Amber list.

Present in every month of the year, but only on coastal scrapes and estuarine sites.

Counts of at least 100 from individual sites were: Hazlewood Marshes: 100, Mar 14th.

Trimley Marshes: 300, Feb 3rd.

Levington Creek: 200, Jan 30th.

Stutton Ness: 100, Jan 5th.

Webs Data:

Blyth Estuary Alde Estuary Deben Estuary Orwell Estuary Stour Estuary

Grey Plover Peter Beeson Jan – 58 88 145 305

Feb – 18 230 132 686

Mar – 4 139 48 307

Apr – – 34 0 66

Sep – – 283 130 388

Oct – 10 201 180 339

Nov – 18 417 276 113

Dec – 194 464 39 180

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula Declining resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list (from Amber).

Counts of 100 or more: Hazlewood Marshes: 500, Jan 1st; 112, May 21st; 195; May 26th.

Trimley Marshes: 160, Sep 9th; 120, Sep 14th; 130, Sep 15th.

In the articles section of this bird report is the write-up of the 2017 breeding plover survey.

Records of breeding in 2018: Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, two pairs Minsmere: three pairs Snape/Botany Marshes: single juvenile Orfordness: nine pairs, 13 fledged young Shingle Street: pair with three chicks Landguard: six pairs, no young

WeBS data:

Blyth Estuary Alde Estuary Deben Estuary Orwell Estuary Stour Estuary

Jan – 15 2 54 45

Feb – 34 46 17 30

Mar – 1 16 15 7

Apr – – 16 3 0

Sep – – 18 2 83

Oct – 11 53 2 8

Nov – 13 32 55 2

Dec – 14 37 101 0

Sightings of birds considered to be of race tundrae were:

Hazlewood Marshes: 60, May 1st.

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant.

The first arrival was on March 11th at Lakenheath Fen. Breeding was confirmed at Pipps Ford where four pairs produced clutches of three or four young of which ten were fully fledged by July 24th. One failed at the first attempt due to flooding and there were the usual episodes of predation.

Singles and twos visited various coastal sites in August and September. The highest counts were: Minsmere: nine, Aug 4th and 5th.

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The last recorded sighting of the year was at Trimley Marshes on September 16th.

2017 Addition The 2017 breeding plover survey resulted in 12 pairs of Little Ringed Plovers being located which fledged only seven young.

EURASIAN DOTTEREL Charadrius morinellus Scarce passage migrant. Red list.

Aldeburgh Marshes: photographed, May 9th (M L Cornish).

Shingle Street: juvenile south, Aug 13th (P Kennerley).

The Shingle Street bird was initially heard calling; it took a while, approximately ten seconds, to pick it up in flight. It was quite high, but fortunately came in the observer’s direction from the south and passed overhead. It then did a 180 degree turn to the south and, still high and calling, headed off towards East Lane.

RED KNOT Calidris canutus Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

Data from the monthly WeBS counts on the principal estuaries are set out in the table below.

Records in both winter periods were mainly concentrated on the Stour Estuary. The WeBS data indicate a flock approaching 7000 in the first winter period and 4000 in the second winter period (in both cases taking the Stour Estuary as a whole); the respective totals in 2017 were 10000 and 6000.

It is difficult to assess the effects of the adverse weather conditions (the so-called “Beast from the East”) on our Knot in late February and early March as numbers normally decline on our estuaries at that time. But several inland records are a clear indication that birds were feeling the effects of the freeze.

Thetford: Nunnery Lakes, Mar 1st (West Suffolk Birders).

Cavenham Pits: two, Mar 3rd (T Humpage, West Suffolk Birders).

Pipps Ford: Mar 2nd (P Whittaker).

These are the first West Suffolk records since 2006. The Pipps Ford record is only the second in the Gipping Valley, the first having occurred at Bramford, April 22nd and 23rd 1983.

As is usual, the wintering flock had largely departed by the end of March and birds did not return in any numbers until November.

Away from the regular wintering flocks, there were rather few records in double figures, but as is usual there were reports of small flocks of passage birds in May and into June. These probably relate to long-distance migrants of the subspecies canutus which winters much further south in Africa, and breeds in Siberia. The highest spring count was of 15 at Minsmere on May 14th, with 27 at Minsmere on June 19th perhaps being birds oversummering in NW Europe.

Very few were recorded in autumn, prior to the return of the wintering birds in November, which included 85 south off Landguard on November 7th.

WeBS data (with totals for the Suffolk shore of the Stour Estuary and for the estuary as a whole): Jan Feb Mar Apr Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Blyth Alde/Ore 7 4 1 Deben 0 10 41 9 – 1 2 0 42 Orwell 500 650 1701 0 Stour (Suffolk shore) 5050 1010 110 1 1 2 85 Stour (incl Essex) 6738 5257 1240 21 1 3 10 4549 2644

SANDERLING Calidris alba Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list (from Green).

During the first winter period reports mostly came from Covehithe northwards, with a maximum count of 14 at Covehithe on January 12th.

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Systematic List

Spring passage birds were widespread, but in small numbers, from late March, with the largest flock being 23 at Landguard on March 27th. Birds were reported from several coastal sites in June, including two birds in breeding plumage flying north at Hollesley on June 11th.

Returning migrants were reported in small numbers from July 6th, with the only counts in double figures coming from Benacre, Southwold and Landguard, where 11 flew south, August 18th.

Only singles or small numbers were reported from coastal sites in the second winter period.

LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta Fairly common passage migrant. Occasionally overwinters.

Spring passage birds were recorded as follows:

Walberswick: two, May 19th; May 21st.

Minsmere: Apr 14th; May 20th.

Orfordness: Apr 19th.

Hollesley Marshes: two, Apr 13th; single bird reported until May 6th.

Trimley Marshes: May 13th; May 20th, two, May 21st.

Lakenheath Fen: Apr 27th.

The first sighting of a very poor autumn came from Minsmere on July 13th. Thereafter there were sightings of one to three birds from up to ten coastal sites, but with no larger counts. The last of the year was at Minsmere on October 2nd. There were no inland records this year.

For the first time since 2007 there were no winter records of Little Stint.

TEMMINCK’S STINT Calidris temminckii Scarce passage migrant.

There were just two records in 2018, the worst since 2009 when there were also only two records.

Walberswick: May 31st and June 1st (C Fulcher et al.).

Trimley Marshes: May 11th to 13th (J Zantboer et al.).

PECTORAL SANDPIPER Calidris melanotos Scarce passage migrant.

Two were reported, one from the coast and one an excellent inland record.

Orfordness: first-calendar-year, Sep 15th and 16th (G Stannard, M C Marsh).

Livermere Lake: July 17th (P M Wilson).

The Livermere bird is the eighth West Suffolk record since the first in September 1977 at Bury St Edmunds Beet Factory ponds.

SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER Calidris pusilla Very rare visitor.

There was one record, the first in Suffolk for ten years. There is a brief article about the finding of this bird by Ally Riseborough near the front of the bird report. This is the sixth record for Suffolk, previous occurrences having been in 1982/83, 1986, 1993, 2003 and 2008. The 1986 and 2008 birds were also at Minsmere.

Minsmere: juvenile, Aug 18th to 23rd (J Evans, G J Jobson, A Riseborough et al.)

CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea Uncommon passage migrant. Has overwintered. Amber list (from Green).

There were spring records during mid-April to Mid-June from five sites: Blyth Estuary: three, May 13th.

Minsmere: June 6th to 11th.

Hazlewood Marshes: peak of three on May 4th and 5th.

Hollesley Marshes: Apr 13th and 14th.

Trimley Marshes: Apr 14th.

The April 13th bird at Hollesley Marshes is the earliest spring bird in Suffolk since 1952 (two, 93

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Havergate Island, April 2nd).

Autumn passage brought higher numbers than in 2017, but there were only three sites with peak counts of more than five birds: Hazlewood Marshes: 16, July 31st.

Orfordness: The Lagoon, 23, July 29th.

Havergate Island: nine, Aug 6th.

The first report of the autumn was from Minsmere on July 17th and the last was from Hazlewood Marshes on October 25th.

PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima Fairly common winter visitor. Scarce passage migrant. Amber list.

The most regular site for this species remains Ness Point, Lowestoft. Purple Sandpipers were recorded there in the first winter period from January 1st until April 28th, with the highest count being 17 on March 27th. The last bird of the spring was at Landguard on May 3rd.

The first returning bird at Ness Point was seen on October 21st, with up to eight birds present there until the year’s end.

One or two birds were recorded from another seven sites, including Slaughden and East Lane, with an unexpected record of a bird with Dunlin in Seafield Bay on the Stour Estuary on April 23rd.

Purple Sandpiper at the Ness Point wintering site in February.

Bill Baston

DUNLIN Calidris alpina Very common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber List.

The WeBS data in the table below indicate a population in excess of 12000 in the first winter period, made up of over approximately 6000 on the Stour (taking the estuary as a whole), 1500 on the Orwell Estuary, 1500 on the Deben and 3500 on the Alde. In the second winter period, the WeBS data indicate a population of over 10000 on the same basis.

Numbers were low in March and it seems likely that this reflects birds leaving the estuaries due to adverse weather conditions (the so-called “Beast from the East” in February and early March).

Consistent with this, there were several inland records in March, including Cavenham, Livermere Lake, Lackford Lakes, Hopton, Lakenheath Fen and one at Nunnery Lakes, Thetford with two dead Dunlin nearby, on March 3rd. Two hundred and forty flying south at Minsmere on March 1st and 91 south past Landguard on the same date seem likely to have been part of a hard-weather movement.

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Systematic List

Passage was evident from late April into May, but with lower numbers than in 2017. There was a maximum count of 130 at Hazlewood Marshes on May 15th. There were no inland records this spring.

There were several reports of birds in June and so it is not possible to say when autumn passage commenced, but the first double-figure report was of 11 at Havergate on July 11th and juveniles were noted from July 20th.

Autumn passage at Landguard lasted from July 30th to December 5th with a peak of 374 west on November 16th.

WeBS data (with totals for the Suffolk shore of the Stour Estuary and for the estuary as a whole):

Dunlin smart adult at Minsmere in June.

Dave Borderick

Jan Feb Mar Apr Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Blyth Alde/Ore 3298 4050 36 195 1327 1643 Deben 1525 1521 202 157 – 99 801 2704 3528 Orwell 1582 636 305 8 – 9 400 1910 1833 Stour (Suffolk shore) 4150 3624 772 192 145 128 2680 2638 1491 Stour (incl Essex) 6895 5185 1791 332 145 131 2696 2965 3751

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER Calidris subruficollis Rare visitor.

There was one record of a juvenile on Havergate Island. This is the 12th record for Suffolk and the second for Havergate, the first having occurred there in August 1997.

Havergate: juvenile, photographed, Sep 6th to 8th (P R Kennerley et al.).

RUFF Calidris pugnax Fairly common passage migrant. Small numbers overwinter. Red List.

In the first winter period, the only report of five or more birds was from Hollesley Marshes, where the small wintering flock peaked at eight on March 26th. Spring passage was also light with no reports of more than ten birds and only two inland reports at Livermere Lake, March 11th and Gifford’s Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland and Higham, nearby, on April 18th.

In early autumn, numbers were also unexceptional, with the only site reporting numbers in double figures being Minsmere with a peak of 15 on September 12th.

Numbers tailed off rapidly through October and the only apparent winterers were a bird at Martlesham Creek into December and a report of six from Oulton Marshes on November 28th.

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa L.l.islandica: Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

L.l.limosa: Scarce visitor. Formerly bred. Red list.

There were reports of the nominate limosa subspecies as follows. The bird at Livermere Lake was colour-ringed and is one of 26 headstarted birds which were released at WWT Welney in 2017 (Wildlife and Wetlands Trust).

Minsmere: one or two present July 14th to Aug 4th.

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Orfordness: colour-ringed, July 8th to 28th.

Livermere Lake: Aug 4th.

Data from the monthly WeBS counts on the principal estuaries are set out in the table below.

Numbers in the county in the first winter period reached a rather modest peak of 2300 (including the Stour Estuary as a whole).

Spring passage peaked in late April, with a marked departure in the last week of the month, as is usual. This coincided with records of small groups inland, including nine at Lakenheath Fen/ Washes on May 1st. Records from later in May and in June probably relate to oversummering immatures and non-breeders, with peaks at Minsmere of 500 on June 10th, Hazlewood Marshes with 169 on June 23rd and Trimley Marshes with 123 on June 25th. There were also June records from Mickle Mere and Lakenheath, with 20 at the latter site on June 17th.

Return passage was first evident from early July and by October the population exceeded 3000, when counts from the estuaries (including the Stour Estuary as a whole) and other sites are combined. This is similar to the total in 2017.

WeBS data (with totals for the Suffolk shore of the Stour Estuary and for the estuary as a whole): Jan Feb Mar Apr Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Blyth Alde/Ore 770 1066 57 412 277 424 Deben 118 259 179 323 – 666 848 106 41 Orwell 335 386 399 450 – 750 486 499 282 Stour (Suffolk shore) 154 163 111 724 795 748 24 14 37 Stour (incl Essex) 1075 605 114 1105 1485 1764 1435 1316 447

BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica Fairly common passage migrant and locally common winter visitor. Amber list.

Data from the monthly WeBS counts on the principal estuaries are set out in the table below.

As in previous years, there were two distinct peaks in numbers, in February and November, suggesting that there is a regular flock of birds which stage in the county on their way to and from wintering grounds elsewhere. The size of this flock varies from year to year, but usually comprises a few hundred birds, although totals were much reduced this year.

Spring passage numbers were lower than in 2017, but included a peak of 34 at Hazlewood Marshes on April 29th and 23 on Orfordness on May 7th. There was a flock of 12 inland at Lakenheath Fen also on April 29th. This is the highest site-total in West Suffolk since 2012 when 23 went over Boxford, April 25th and 20, Lackford Lakes, April 29th.

WeBS data (with totals for the Suffolk shore of the Stour Estuary and for the estuary as a whole): Jan Feb Mar Apr Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Blyth Alde/Ore 98 8 7 1 89 Deben 7 9 35 15 – 0 1 1 1 Orwell 15 21 5 6 – 0 6 6 0 Stour (Suffolk shore) 0 123 115 3 0 0 0 0 0 Stour (incl Essex) 70 123 146 3 0 0 0 50 16

2017 Addition: The count of 737 on the Suffolk side on the Stour Estuary in the February WeBS count is a record county estuarine total.

WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus Fairly common passage migrant. Occasionally overwinters. Red list.

Migrants were reported from March 16th at North Warren, with peak passage occurring over the last two weeks of April and first week of May. Landguard recorded 152 birds between April 96

Systematic List

7th and June 2nd. Peak counts of ten or more birds are set out below.

Carlton Marshes: 27, Apr 28th.

North Cove: 48, May 3rd.

Hazlewood Marshes: 19, May 4th.

Orfordness: 17, Apr 22nd; 44, May 6th.

Hollesley Marshes: 16, Apr 14th.

Landguard: 45, Apr 19th, including 36 south.

Reports in June included seven past Landguard on June 14th. There were reports from fewer sites than in 2017, but several groups were seen flying south, including 60 past Gunton on July 20th. Landguard recorded 106 between June 14th and September 14th, with a Whimbrel Richard Allen maximum day-count of 33 south on July 29th. There were several inland records, including five south at Nunnery Lakes, Thetford on July 21st and five at Lakenheath Fen on August 1st.

Passage tailed off in September, with the last at Minsmere on 23rd, and there were no records in October.

EURASIAN CURLEW Numenius arquata Common winter visitor and passage migrant. A few pairs may still breed. Red list (from Amber).

Data from the monthly WeBS counts on the principal estuaries are set out in the table below.

These suggest that numbers peaked in the county at approximately 2000 in the first winter period, when counts from the estuaries and other sites are combined. Numbers reduced as birds began to migrate away from the estuaries in early spring. Passage continued into April, with 56 north past Landguard on April 18th.

There were several inland records from February and reports from sites in the Brecks in May and June suggest that the species continues to cling on as a breeder in the county. A two-year study in 2017/2018 revealed that 86% of nests in the Norfolk and Suffolk Brecks failed due to predation, mainly by foxes (per H Ewing).

As usual, return passage was noted from early June. Offshore autumn passage was light, with Landguard recording 137 south in June, commencing on 4th, but only ten south in July. There were 326 in Seafield Bay on the Stour Estuary on August 18th.

The total population (including the Stour Estuary as whole) in the second winter period was lower than in 2017 and did not reach 2000.

WeBS data (with totals for the Suffolk shore of the Stour Estuary and for the estuary as a whole): Jan Feb Mar Apr Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Blyth Alde/Ore 661 893 87 179 150 209 Deben 185 400 271 230 – 469 374 373 510 Orwell 308 285 237 250 – 428 423 372 281 Stour (Suffolk shore) 339 601 442 545 258 399 248 583 676 Stour (incl Essex) 549 996 688 903 657 897 588 733 704

COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos Common passage migrant. A few birds overwinter. Amber list.

The wintering bird at Oulton Broad from late 2017 remained into January in its fourth successive winter at this site and another was reported from Ipswich on January 21st.

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Spring passage was light, with records coming from 30 coastal and seven inland sites and with peak numbers in the latter half of May. The highest count was of five was from Tinker’s Marshes, Walberswick on May 25th.

There were several reports from early June which may have been late spring migrants, with birds later in the month probably being early returning birds. These included birds inland at Nunnery Lakes, Thetford on June 24th and Livermere Lake on June 19th. Thereafter there were widespread reports of single birds or small groups, mostly involving five or fewer birds, but with selected higher counts listed below. These figures are noticeably lower than those of a decade ago.

Gorleston: ten south, Aug 31st.

Minsmere: 11, July 31st.

Orfordness: six, Aug 17th – “a disappointing year”.

Trimley Marshes: eight, July 19th.

Livermere Lake: five, Aug 18th to 23rd.

No reports were received for the second winter period.

GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus Fairly common passage migrant. Small numbers overwinter. Amber list.

There were widespread records of single birds in the first winter period coming from over 20 sites, the majority away from the coast. These typically involved one or two birds, but three were recorded from Aldeburgh on January 6th and five from Staverton on January 2nd. Spring passage birds were also well spread, with the highest counts being of four birds at Cattawade on April 14th. There was a late bird on May 29th at Nunnery Lakes, Thetford.

Return passage was first detected in early June with a bird at Hollesley Marshes on June 11th.

Selected high counts from coastal sites during July and into September were as follows: Minsmere: ten, Aug 8th.

Snape Marshes: 16, July 19th.

Orfordness: six, Aug 26th; four, Sep 30th.

Hollesley Marshes: nine, Sep 3rd.

High counts at inland sites were as follows:

Flixton GP: ten, Aug 12th.

Hinderclay Fen: eight, July 28th.

Lakenheath Fen: up to seven, last sighting Aug 22nd.

Mickle Mere: six, July 3rd.

As is normal, numbers tailed off during October and into the second winter period. Records came from over 25 sites (rather more than in 2017) from October to December, mostly of one or two birds but with reports of four birds from Alton Water, November 11th, five from Hollesley Marshes, October 19th and an impressive six from Martlesham Creek on November 13th.

SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus Fairly common but decreasing passage migrant. A few overwinter. Amber list.

Records in the first winter period were sparse, with no reports of multiple birds. Single birds were reported from Breydon, Dingle Marshes, Minsmere, Hazlewood Marshes, Snape, Orfordness and the Deben Estuary.

Spring passage was light with individuals reported during April and into May, with the only report of multiple birds being of three at Breydon on April 1st.

There was a single bird inland at Lakenheath Fen from April 13th to 18th, which may be the same bird as occurred there in spring 2017, and there was another at Pipps Ford on April 22nd.

Late migrants were on Orfordness, May 5th and a different bird, May 6th and 7th.

The first birds of return passage were noted at Minsmere on the typically early date of June 6th and numbers peaked at Minsmere at 24 on July 17th. There were very few autumn records away from the prime site of Minsmere.

Numbers were low in late autumn and winter, with a maximum of five on the Blyth Estuary on November 13th. One on Orfordness on November 10th and 11th might well have been the same 98

Systematic List

bird which subsequently wintered on Havergate, and a single bird was seen on the Orwell Estuary and the Stour Estuary in November.

2017 addition: Stoke-by-Nayland: Gifford’s Hall, Apr 10th.

COMMON GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia Common passage migrant. An increasing number overwinter. Amber list (from Green).

In the first winter period, single overwintering birds were reported from Hazlewood Marshes and the Deben Estuary. On the Stour Estuary, the regularly-returning flagged bird, which breeds in Scotland, was present for at least its fourth winter and a minimum of five overwintered.

Spring passage was evident from late March into May, but with only three counts in double figures, one of which was an excellent inland record. The record of 11 at Mickle Mere is the highest total in West Suffolk since May 9th 2001 when 12 were at Lakenheath.

Orfordness: 15, May 6th.

Trimley Marshes: 14, May 24th.

Mickle Mere: 11, May 21st.

Autumn passage was noted from mid-June into October. As is usual, the highest counts came from the Alde/Ore and Stour Estuaries, with the only other double-figure count being from the Deben Estuary.

Hazlewood Marshes: 28, Aug 13th.

Orfordness: 34, July 28th; 39, July 29th.

Deben Estuary: 14, Aug 6th.

Stour Estuary: Seafield Bay, 34, Sept 26th.

In the second winter period, the recent trend for multiple birds overwintering continued with at least six on the Stour Estuary and four on the Deben Estuary in December. the highest-ever wintering total in Suffolk.

WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola Fairly common passage migrant. Amber list.

The first spring birds were at Nunnery Lakes, Thetford and Lakenheath Fen, both on April 22nd.

Reports continued into May with most involving one or two birds, but with reports of three as follows: Hollesley Marshes: three, May 7th.

Pipps Ford: three, May 14th, the highest-ever recorded in the Gipping Valley.

The first autumn record was of a bird at Minsmere on June 17th (as in 2017). Passage was light with reports from nine coastal and two inland locations (Mickle Mere and Lakenheath Fen/ Washes). Selected high counts were as follows: Carlton Marshes: three, July 2nd.

Minsmere: very vocal flock of seven, Sept 2nd.

Snape: three, Aug 22nd.

There was a bird at Lakenheath on September 1st but the final bird of the year was at Minsmere the day after.

LESSER YELLOWLEGS Tringa flavipes Rare visitor One record of a juvenile. Initially found at Shingle Street this bird was seen to fly north calling on 6th and was relocated at Hollesley Marshes where it showed well at times. This is the 13th Suffolk record. As from January 1st 2019 records of this Nearctic wader will no longer be considered by the British Birds Rarities Committee.

Shingle Street: juvenile, Oct 3rd to 6th (H Wright et al.).

Hollesley Marshes: same, Oct 6th to 18th (N Mason et al.).

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COMMON REDSHANK Tringa totanus Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Declining resident. Amber list.

Data from the monthly WeBS counts on the principal estuarine sites are set out in the table below.

In the first winter period, there were approaching 4400 in the county, including a report of 800 from the Blyth Estuary on January 3rd.

Over 100 breeding pairs were reported from the coast, including 31 pairs at Minsmere and a minimum of 40 on Orfordness which fledged a minimum of 20 young. There were two pairs reported inland from the Stour Valley and one pair in the north-west of the county.

Numbers in early autumn were rather lower than in 2017, with the highest counts being 510 at Hazlewood Marshes on August 15th and 581 on the Deben WeBS on September 9th. In August, 125 flew south off Landguard.

In the second winter period, there were approaching 4500 in the county, when counts from the estuaries (taking the Stour Estuary as a whole) and other sites are combined.

WeBS data (with totals for the Suffolk shore of the Stour Estuary and for the estuary as a whole): Jan Feb Mar Apr Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Blyth Alde/Ore 2188 1495 107 1022 1455 675 Deben 518 752 338 333 – 581 661 1004 1336 Orwell 257 506 340 347 – 232 192 399 717 Stour (Suffolk shore) 295 362 191 236 383 488 282 648 451 Stour (incl Essex) 658 867 716 880 499 633 1015 1084 1163

RUDDY TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

Data from the monthly WeBS counts on the principal estuarine sites are set out in the table below.

In the first winter period, numbers reported on the estuaries in the county peaked at over 500 in February, with the highest count elsewhere being 24 at Gorleston Pier on January 13th. There was an influx of passage birds on the Stour Estuary in April, with 206 in Seafield Bay on 14th.

Small numbers of birds were reported from coastal sites in late spring, including seven at Hazlewood Marshes on May 19th. There was an inland record of one at Lakenheath Fen on May 21st, the first West Suffolk record since 2015 when two flew east at Great Livermere on August 22nd.

There were a few records in June and July, but the first count in double figures was at Hazlewood Marshes, with 11 on July 31st. Numbers increased through August and by December a total of over 600 was recorded on the estuaries (taking the Stour Estuary as a whole), similar to 2017.

WeBS data (with totals for the Suffolk shore of the Stour Estuary and for the estuary as a whole): Jan Feb Mar Apr Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Blyth Alde/Ore 46 40 4 5 24 Deben 38 67 29 58 50 47 38 73 Orwell 181 121 63 10 28 121 209 186 Stour (Suffolk shore) 94 222 82 160 244 78 61 83 229 Stour (incl Essex) 131 336 184 292 323 117 159 110 406

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RED-NECKED PHALAROPE Phalaropus lobatus Rare passage migrant. Red list.

There was one record as follows.

Havergate: juvenile, photographed, Aug 28th (D Fairhurst et al.).

Totals of this species fluctuate wildly in Suffolk: figures for the last five years have been, 1, 4, 0, 10, 0.

GREY PHALAROPE Phalaropus fulicarius Scarce passage migrant and rare winter visitor.

There were two records including an excellent inland record at Cavenham. This bird may have been present longer but was not formally reported.

Minsmere: photographed, Dec 13th (multiple observers) Cavenham Pits: photographed, Sept 23rd to at least 25th (may have been present since Sept 22nd) (T Humpage et al.).

The Cavenham Pits bird is the first West Suffolk record since one at Livermere Lake, December 2nd and 3rd 2012. Prior to that, the only record, in the ‘modern era’ occurred at Thorington Street Reservoir on October 29th 1986.

JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Green list (from Amber).

This species was reported from over 20 sites in the coastal belt and five sites inland and in the west of the county, which is favourably comparable with 2017. As usual, there was an increase in reports from March, suggesting spring passage through the county, with some birds lingering into May. Singles were noted in March at Landguard, 21st and Orfordness, 18th and 24th.

The first returning birds of autumn were noted at Minsmere and Nunnery Lakes, Thetford, both on October 1st, followed by one at Landguard on, October 2nd.

Also, as usual, the majority of reports related to single birds, but there were reports of three or more birds as follows:

Minsmere: three, Apr 7th to 14th.

Aldeburgh Marshes: five, Oct 10th.

East Bergholt: White Horse Marsh, three, Dec 21st.

Pipps Ford: four, Dec 23rd.

A bird was reported as having been taken by a cat at East Bergholt on March 3rd and a corpse was found on the beach at Minsmere on March 5th, both presumably victims of the hard weather at the time.

EURASIAN WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola Declining resident. Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

In the first winter period, there were reports from over 80 sites which is appreciably more than in recent years (for example, just over 50 sites in 2017). It seems likely that this is due to birds being on the move and feeding during the day due to adverse weather conditions (the socalled “Beast from the East”) in late February and early March. For example, ten were recorded at Mutford on March 1st. There were several records of birds being picked up dead, including six between Benacre and Southwold on March 8th.

The majority of reports, apart from the hard weather period, related to individuals, but 14 were reported on January 27th from Heveningham where 16 had been present in January 2017.

Data from Birdtrack shows a spike in sightings coinciding with the Beast from the East, reflecting either birds moving into the county, or birds becoming bolder and more conspicuous in daylight under the extreme conditions. Once the severest of the snow fall had passed birds soon moved back to their usual habitats. The autumn arrival was somewhat below the historical average in part due to the lack of easterly winds during the October and November when bird traditionally arrive from the Europe. See graph: 101

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Spring passage at Landguard involved 13 between February 28th and April 11th, although sightings close to the former date probably related to harsh weather movements.

Mid-summer records came from only four sites in the north-west of the county. As in 2017, there was a report of a bird in mid-summer in the coastal belt, which is encouraging.

The first autumn arrival was reported from East Bergholt on October 15th, with further reports on the coast into November. Landguard reported 14 sightings in the period from October 17th to November 23rd with a maximum day total of two on November 16th and 17th.

Numbers were low in the second winter period, with reports from just over 30 inland and coastal sites, which is favourably comparable with 2017.

COMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Extinct as a breeding species. Amber list.

As is usual, reports came from widespread inland and coastal sites. There were numerous counts in double figures, with records of 60 or more birds at coastal sites as follows. Carlton Marshes continues to yield very high counts; the total of 471 is the highest in Suffolk since December 21st 2007 when 500 were at Southwold Town Marshes.

Carlton Marshes: highest count of 471, Jan 21st.

North Cove: 80, Feb 18th.

Hazlewood Marshes: 60, Jan 2nd.

Eastbridge: 60, Feb 27th.

Minsmere 100, Dec 7th.

Away from the coast, the highest counts were of 58 at Nunnery Lakes, Thetford on March 25th and 41 at Thurston on February 23rd.

As with Woodcock, Birdtrack data (see graph below) shows a spike in reports coinciding with the “Beast from the East”. During the ‘Beast’ in early March the reporting rate for Snipe increased from around 10% of complete lists to nearly 30% as birds were driven away from their usual haunts to find food in gardens and parks, a pattern matched by Woodcock and Fieldfare as well as some other species dependent on open ground for feeding.

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At Landguard, spring passage involved eight between March 5th and April 30th. An early autumn bird was present on July 23rd at Landguard, where autumn movements totalled 33 between August 30th and November 27th with a maximum of six on October 6th.

For the third year in succession there were a few records in May and June. Very encouragingly, these included displaying birds at three coastal sites and there were also birds in June at a fourth site. With ongoing habitat improvements at a number of sites, there must be a prospect that this species will return as a breeding bird in the county.

BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla Very common passage migrant and winter visitor. Small numbers breed. Red list (from Amber).

At the start of the year, counts were notably higher than in 2017 during the first two months.

Data of birds off Landguard included peak counts of 78 on January 3rd and 71 on January 24th.

Throughout the spring numbers dispersed from Landguard as the breeding season approached with only low single-figure counts made on most days. A notable record from the west of the county was of an adult seen at Lakenheath Fen RSPB on March 17th. Of the 13 West Suffolk records of Black-legged Kittiwake so far this century, seven have been in March, two in October and singles in January, April, July and November. Later in the spring numbers increased at Minsmere with 180 on the Scrape, May 17th.

During the summer, breeding was noted on the offshore rigs at Sizewell, with 240 nests counted during July. At Lowestoft, 446 nests produced 507 young (which is an improvement from the previous year when 408 nests produced 443 young). The Catholic Church in Gordon Road supported 151 of these nests and 44 were on Claremont Pier. The remaining nests were well scattered around the town centre and docks.

Outside the breeding season numbers offshore included 200 north off Minsmere Beach, October 28th and 152 off Gunton Cliffs on the same day. Further south, towards the year’s end, numbers off Landguard increased, with 97 on December 18th and 150 on December 29th.

Totals of this pelagic gull have decreased dramatically off the Suffolk coast in the last decade.

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SABINE’S GULL Xema sabini Rare passage migrant.

There were no records submitted for Sabine’s Gull during 2018, the first blank year for this Arctic-breeding species in Suffolk since 2006.

BLACK-HEADED GULL Chroicocephalus ridibundus Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

At the start of the year, winter roosts in the west of the county centred mainly on Livermere Lake, with 2500 on January 12th and 7000, February 7th. As spring approached, these figures increased to 9000, February 22nd and 10000 on March 5th. Elsewhere, 200 were noted at Lackford Lakes on January 14th and 3000 at Cavenham Heath/Pits, February 18th. In the south of the county, much smaller counts were recorded, albeit with good numbers noted during WeBS counts with 928 on the Deben Estuary during the February 18th count and 452 on the Alde Estuary on the same day. In the following month, 1925 were noted on the Stour Estuary during the March 18th WeBS count and 944 were logged on the Orwell Estuary on the same day. Elsewhere, 120 were at both Hollesley Marshes, January 1st and Trimley Marshes, January 9th; numbers at the latter site had increased to 400, January 25th. Elsewhere 267 were noted during the WeBS count at Alton Water, February 18th. During the spring, 800 were at Flatford Mill, April 3rd. At Landguard, spring passage was noted from March 8th, with a maximum of 309 south on April 5th. Other notable spring counts, were from Minsmere where the highest count was 3077, April 16th.

During the spring and summer, breeding occurred at Lackford Lakes with 21 nests, down from 50 pairs in 2017 when many nests were predated by badgers. Elsewhere 33 nests were noted at Livermere Lake and three at Mickle Mere. Later in the summer, a roost of 2500 at Livermere Lake included around 500 juveniles on July 22nd. The main county breeding site was, again, Minsmere, where on the Scrape, 2500 pairs nested during the summer. Breeding was noted at Alton Water, where the first pair had bred in 2016; 17 pairs bred on the tern rafts during 2018, up from three pairs in 2017. A minimum of 23 pairs bred on Orfordness but probably only three young fledged.

During late summer and into the autumn, gatherings of note were 1000 at Hazlewood Marshes, July 27th and 1000 at Landguard which were seen to be feeding on hatching insects on July 23rd and 1500 doing the same on August 19th. Autumn passage past Landguard included peaks of 93 south, July 16th and 109 south, September 28th. In the north of the county, 6000 were at Burgh Castle, September 5th and, later in the autumn, a roost of 4500 was noted inland at Livermere Lake on November 7th.

At Landguard, 267 were noted south offshore, December 25th and on the same day 200 were at Hollesley Marshes and 300 at East Lane, Bawdsey. Overall, apart from WeBS surveys, very few records were received for this species towards the end of the year, with peaks of 575 and 549 on the Deben Estuary during the November and December WeBS counts respectively.

LITTLE GULL Hydrocoloeus minutus Fairly common passage migrant. Regularly oversummers. Small numbers overwinter.

The first records of the year were of two off Landguard, January 31st.

There was a brief passage movement up and down the length of the Suffolk coast at the start of March with a number of reports coming in, with 12 north off Sizewell Beach, March 3rd, 15 off Landguard also on March 3rd and six off Thorpeness Haven, the following day. Further north, four were noted on the sea at Gorleston, March 18th. There was an impressive but brief spring passage at sites in the west of the county with two at Livermere Lake on April 13th increasing to eight the following day. Much higher numbers were seen at Lackford Lakes with 37 on April 15th – the highest West Suffolk total since 2009 when 106 passed through the Livermere Lake area on April 6th. Six were at Livermere Lake and two at Lakenheath Fen RSPB on the same day. The only other inland sightings made after this date were of two at Livermere Lake, April 19th. Small numbers were on the coast during this time, with one at Aldeburgh Marshes and two at Southwold Town Marshes, April 15th. Six were present at Alton Water during the WeBS count on April 14th. Later 104

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on in the spring an impressive count of 50 was noted feeding off Pakefield on May 22nd.

During the summer, numbers started to build up quickly in the Minsmere area with the Scrape being the centre of attention; ten were counted, July 1st, rising to 53, July 11th and peaking for that month at 68, on 28th. The following month, numbers remained high at Minsmere with counts of 70, August 4th and a peak of 109 on August 19th.

Numbers started to decline with the approach of autumn but 60 still remained at the Sizewell rigs, September 6th. During the autumn, small numbers were seen in the south of the county; one was off Landguard Bird Observatory, October 24th and another was distant off Bawdsey before it was seen to be captured by a large gull and dragged into the sea, October 27th. Further north, nine were off Slaughden, October 28th and on the same day 15 were off Gunton Cliffs and 13 off Southwold. Off Lowestoft Ness, 30 birds were noted feeding on October 30th. Towards the end of the year, two were seen off Landguard, November 1st with a singleton there, November 22nd and two again, December 1st. Four were seen off Southwold on November 18th.

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Ichthyaetus melanocephalus Uncommon resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Rare breeder. Amber list.

At the start of the year, numbers were mainly distributed in the north-east and the south-east of the county along the coast. In the north, most were seen in and around Lowestoft, a traditional overwintering area. At Gunton Beach, four were present, January 4th and five were noted at Gorleston, January 7th. At Landguard, no more than three were present on any day but they were seen on most dates during January.

The following month, five were noted at Landguard, February 7th. Back in the north of the county, like the previous month, four were at Gunton Beach, February 1st; in March this had increased to six by 8th. In the west of the county, numbers were low all year; the pick of the sightings were of two adults at Cavenham Pits, March 16th and one adult and three juveniles at Bury Mediterranean Gull Richard Thewlis St. Edmunds on different dates from July 22nd to August 5th.

As summer approached, numbers started to build in the Minsmere area, with 123, March 31st, increasing to 205, April 16th. Further south, numbers had increased, albeit not as much, but 11 on April 18th and 18 south on April 20th at Landguard were notable. The summer’s peak count was of 275 on Minsmere Scrape, June 29th, much lower than the record 2017 figure of 535 at the same site on June 25th.

There was a good breeding season at Minsmere, where 48 breeding pairs fledged 30 young with the first chicks seen on June 7th; this is a slight increase on the figure in 2017 figures when 35 pairs fledged 28 chicks. These totals of 48 breeding pairs and 30 young are the highest-ever recorded in Suffolk. Away from Minsmere, much smaller numbers were seen along the coast and venturing slightly inland were probably wanderers from the core population at Minsmere. As with previous years, late summer saw numbers decline at Minsmere with the main counts appearing in the north of the county, including the Lowestoft area, with 151 at Corton sewage works, a number which included 19 juveniles, on August 4th, 100 remained there, August 21st with 40 noted at Gunton Beach and on the sea the following day. This normally coincides with large numbers over 105

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the border in east Norfolk, consisting of Continental birds, going by the sheer numbers involved.

Numbers at inland sites remained low throughout the autumn period and later in the year two adults were at Tuddenham St Mary on November 22nd. On the coast, numbers declined as autumn turned to winter with a maximum of nine at Gorleston, December 9th. On the whole, numbers then settled back into the same numbers and distribution as seen at the start of the year.

COMMON GULL Larus canus Very common winter visitor and passage migrant. Scarce breeding species. Amber list.

In the first winter period, roosts in the west of the county included 300 at Tuddenham St Mary, January 27th, and 100 and 200 noted at Cavenham Heath and Pits, February 18th and March 14th respectively. There were no reports from Lackford Lakes during the first winter period, where usually the largest flocks are seen. On the coast, this species was only recorded in notable numbers during WeBS counts with 41 on the Alde Estuary during the February 18th survey and much higher numbers on the Suffolk side of the Stour Estuary with 815 recorded during the March 18th count.

There was breeding success at a coastal site with one young being fledged from a total of two pairs. The successful pair nested in a hollow on the top of a telegraph pole!

During the summer, the most notable gathering was 24 at Livermere Lake, which included one juvenile, July 27th. Elsewhere during the summer, up to two birds were noted at Minsmere, July 11th and 20th, one flew north past Gunton Warren, July 9th and towards the south of the county, singletons were at Snape Wetlands and Hazlewood Marshes, July 26th and 27th respectively.

At the end of the year, roosts included 216 at Lackford Lakes and 60 at Tuddenham St Mary, December 15th but elsewhere very few were seen, with estuary WeBS totals staying mainly in single figures in the final two months of the year. The only exception to this was at Landguard where 210 were noted, December 25th and 70 went south offshore, December 30th.

Russian Common Gull Larus canus heinei

Livermere Lake: third-calendar-year, Mar 18th (P M Wilson); first-calendar-year, Dec 15th (P M Wilson).

RING-BILLED GULL Larus delawarensis Rare visitor.

There were no records submitted for Ring-billed Gull during 2018.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus marinus Common winter visitor and passage migrant. A few oversummer. Has recently bred. Amber list.

At the start of the year, 35 were noted at Lackford Lakes, January 22nd and 18 at Livermere Lake, January 28th. On the Stour Estuary, 60 were recorded during the January 21st WeBS count and, in the spring, there was a peak count of 700 at Landguard on April 2nd.

During the summer months, low single-figure counts were received from Minsmere peaking at five, June 1st and three, June 17th and July 11th. At North Warren grazing marshes, two were present on June 13th and 14th. There were no apparent breeding attempts during 2018.

In autumn, around 250 were noted along the coast between Minsmere Sluice and Sizewell, October 26th and the following month, 350 were recorded at Minsmere, November 23rd.

Orfordness observers also noted an influx during November, with 448 on 3rd and 518 on 8th and during the November 11th WeBS count, 239 were noted on the Alde Estuary. In the south of the county, at Landguard, 600 were recorded on October 28th. In the west of the county, at the end of the year, 57 were at roost at Lackford Lakes on December 15th.

GLAUCOUS GULL Larus hyperboreus Scarce winter visitor. Amber list.

During the first few months of 2018 several sightings were made of first-winters from a number of coastal locations. It’s not entirely clear if these could refer to the same well-travelled first106

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winter individual or if there was more than one but a bird did appear to develop site loyalty at Minsmere for the first four months of the year.

In the west of the county, a secondcalendar-year bird did a tour of a few inland sites. Out of all the reports received, only one sighting was made during the autumn, off Dunwich. All sightings are as follows:

Kessingland: first-winter, Mar 2nd and 3rd (Lowestoft Lounge lizards).

Benacre Broad: first-winter, Mar 8th, 9th and 12th (C A Buttle).

Covehithe: first-winter south, Mar 10th (C Lansdell).

Easton Bavents: first-winter, Mar 15th (C A Buttle).

Southwold: Harbour, first-winter, Jan 1st Glaucous Gull at Walberswick in January.

Andrew Moon (B Small); first-winter, Jan 7th (A Moon).

Dingle Marshes: first-winter, Jan 1st (BINS).

Dunwich: first-winter on beach, Jan 7th (A Rafinski); first-winter, Jan 13th to 28th (R Drew, P Napthine et al); first-winter, Feb 21st (S Minns); first-winter south offshore, Oct 28th (BINS).

Minsmere: first-winter on various dates, Jan 1st to Mar 26th (many observers); first-summer, Apr 5th to 9th (I Salkeld); first-summer on south levels, Apr 14th (A Rowlands); first-summer on Scrape, Apr 29th (A Rowlands).

Sizewell: first-winter on beach, Jan 27th (S Read); Feb 3rd (M Whitcombe).

North Warren: first-summer on grazing marshes, Apr 1st to 3rd (P Bryant); first-summer, South Marsh, Apr 8th (M Cornish); first-summer, South Marsh, Apr 21st (S Piotrowski).

Thorpeness: first-summer south, Apr 6th (P Whittaker).

Orfordness: second-calendar-year north offshore, Jan 27th; possibly the same bird, The Lagoon, Mar 17th and 18th (D Crawshaw et al).

Felixstowe Ferry: Apr 20th (PJ Holmes).

Landguard: immature north, Mar 31st (W J Brame, N Odin).

Trimley Marshes: Apr 8th (E Lucking).

Livermere Lake/Great Livermere pigfields/Mickle Mere/Queach Farm, Pakenham: second-calendar-year, Mar 24th to April 24th (S Bishop, P Holness, P M Wilson et al.).

ICELAND GULL Larus glaucoides Scarce winter visitor. Amber list.

Out of the few sightings received, there was a good geographical spread of records with one early in the year in the north-east of the county, a second summer seen during spring in the south-east and a first-winter touring sites in west Suffolk. All sightings received are as follows:

Lowestoft: Leathes Ham, first-winter, Jan 14th (J Brown).

Kessingland: Levels, first-winter, Jan 1st (A Easton); Jan 7th (R Walden); Jan 16th (BINS); Sewage Works, first-winter, Jan 13th (S Piotrowski).

Easton Bavents: north, Jan 4th (BINS).

Landguard: second-summer, May 26th (W J Brame, N Odin et al.).

Tuddenham St Mary: pig fields, first-winter, Jan 26th to Feb 17th (T Kerridge).

Lackford Lakes: first-winter, same as Tuddenham St Mary bird, Feb 16th (S Abbott, N Mason, P Whittaker).

Livermere Lake: first-winter, Mar 18th to 27th (P M Wilson et al.).

Great Livermere: pig fields, first-winter, Mar 31st and Apr 6th (P Holness, P M Wilson, J Walshe).

Barnham: Rymer Point, first-winter, Apr 28th (West Suffolk Birders).

The Landguard bird is particularly late.

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EUROPEAN HERRING GULL Larus argentatus Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

In the west of the county the only notable roost was of 404 at Lackford Lakes on January 14th.

Elsewhere, 80 were at Tuddenham St Mary, January 27th and 50 on a pig field by Cavenham Heath, February 18th. On the coast, 1500 were at Landguard, February 10th, but apart from that, numbers appeared to be low and thinly dispersed away from the main wetland areas. There were 198 and 387 noted on the Alde Estuary during the January 21st and February 18th WeBS counts respectively. One hundred and thirteen were counted on the Deben Estuary during the February 18th WeBS, and on the March 18th WeBS, 121 were noted on the Orwell Estuary. In the spring, numbers built up at Livermere Lake with 250 noted, March 25th.

During the summer two pairs bred in Sudbury, producing two young. On the coast, 68 pairs nested on Orfordness (producing 45 chicks), which was favourably comparable with the 69 pairs in 2017 and 76 pairs in 2016. At Landguard, this species was noted nesting in the adjoining docks and one pair reared two young on the museum roof.

As the year drew to a close, inland roosts built up with 300 at Livermere Lake, October 18th, increasing to 350, November 3rd and 7th and, at Lackford Lakes, counts of 200, November 24th and 650 on December 15th were recorded. On the coast, an impressive 1307 were noted on the Alde Estuary during the November 11th WeBS count and during the December 9th WeBS, 116 were on the Deben Estuary and 118 on the Orwell Estuary. Another noteworthy count from the end of the year was of 2000 at Landguard on November 19th.

CASPIAN GULL Larus cachinnans Scarce visitor, primarily on the winter months. Amber list.

In the first winter period, two were on Minsmere south levels, January 14th (RSPB) and a firstwinter at Hollesley Marshes, January 16th (P Kennerley). In the west of the county, two thirdcalendar-year birds were at the Burrell Way Industrial Estate in Thetford on January 2nd (West Suffolk Birders) and up to four were at Lackford Lakes, January 14th and 20th; on the former date there were two second-calendar-year and two fourth-calendar-year birds and on the latter date three second-calendar-year birds and a fourth-calendar-year bird (PM Wilson). Elsewhere, three were on the Blyth Estuary, January 27th (BINS), two at Tuddenham St Mary, February 17th (P M

Sean Nixon

Caspian Gull juvenile at Walberswick in August.

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Wilson) and a second-calendar-year bird at Cavenham Pits, March 4th (T Humpage). At Lackford Lakes, two adults and a third-winter remained, February 21st (E Patrick).

During the spring a third-calendar-year bird was at Livermere Lake, March 18th and April 15th (PM Wilson) and a second-calendar-year bird at Mickle Mere, April 12th (D Balmer, P M Wilson).

Elsewhere in the spring, one was noted at Hollesley Marshes, April 21st and the following day one was at Trimley Marshes (S Piotrowski).

During the summer, small numbers were seen on Minsmere Scrape with two, June 6th (S Piotrowski) and 19th (R Harvey) and, the following month, three were at Minsmere, July 14th and four, 25th (J Grant). Later in the summer, four were at Livermere Lake, which involved a juvenile, second-calendar-year and two adults, August 8th with six there on September 13th (P M Wilson).

An interesting record of a juvenile was recorded on groynes at Gunton Warren, October 12th (A Easton); this bird was colour-ringed as a pullus in the south-east of the Czech Republic in May. In the west, there were seven at Livermere Lake on November 3rd (West Suffolk Birders), five at Tuddenham St Mary, November 24th (D Balmer, P M Wilson) and five at Lackford Lakes, December 18th (PM Wilson). In the south of the county, three, including a German green-ringed bird, were at Hollesley Marshes, November 27th (P Kennerley, D Sheppard) and two there on December 2nd (D Shepherd). Three were at Trimley Marshes, December 2nd (P Holmes). Later in the month, two remained at Hollesley Marshes, December 25th (J Kennerley, P Kennerley). In the north of the county, Minsmere held the majority of the records with mostly singletons on most dates in the final two months of the year. A peak count of six was recorded on the Scrape, November 13th (J Grant), which consisted of two adults, one third-winter and three secondwinters. Three were seen on Minsmere Scrape on December 13th, 21st and 27th (J Grant).

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Small numbers oversummer. Amber list.

At the start of the year, modest totals were at inland wetland sites including seven at Lackford, January 14th and nine at Tuddenham St Mary, January 10th.

During the spring, numbers decreased at Lackford and Tuddenham St Mary and most appeared to relocate to Livermere Lake with up to five there, March 18th and four, April 6th. On the coast smaller numbers were noted with one at Gorleston, January 6th, whilst at Landguard no more than one was seen on several dates during the first half of the year. An adult was at Lowestoft, and later Oulton Broad, March 3rd but most sightings came from Minsmere where two were noted, February 18th and 25th.

During the summer months, numbers at Minsmere peaked at 15, July 21st but, on most dates there, numbers seen remained in single figures. In the west of the county, numbers at Livermere Lake rose sharply as the summer progressed, first with 11 noted, June 19th, rising to 27, July 17th and 40 by July 22nd.

In late summer and autumn numbers at Livermere Lake climbed further with 51 present, August 20th and the peak for the year was of 60, September 20th. On the coast, numbers were much lower with the exception of 24 at Covehithe pig fields, September 30th. Most sightings again continued to be made at Minsmere Scrape and Levels with the majority being single-figure counts up until the year’s end.

Other locations that held birds were Benacre Broad with two, November 23rd and Gorleston Harbour with one, December 28th. Further south in the county, numbers were very low all year until the autumn when six were noted at Havergate Island RSPB, October 24th and six on Hollesley Marshes, November 19th plus four there, November 29th. Away from the main inland gatherings at Great Livermere, 15 were noted at Tuddenham St Mary, October 5th and November 24th. Towards the end of the year, birds dispersed somewhat away from Great Livermere but up to 15 remained in and around the area of the pig fields there, December 15th. At other sites nearby, five were seen at Lackford Lakes, December 1st and two were at Lakenheath Fen RSPB the following day. At the end of the year, three were at Mickle Mere, December 31st.

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. Increasing numbers overwinter. Amber list.

In the west of the county, numbers gradually increased during the first winter period with 250 at Lackford Lakes on January 14th and 300 at Tuddenham St Mary on January 27th. At a pig field near Cavenham Heath, 400 were recorded, February 18th, 250 were at Livermere Lake, February 22nd and on the same day 400 were noted at Mickle Mere. At Mickle Mere, 500 were counted at roost, March 8th and at Livermere Lake, 700 roosted, March 18th. On the coast, 591 were recorded on an Alde WeBS count on March 18th.

During the summer, one pair successfully raised a chick at Sudbury. On the coast, a total of 97 pairs nested on Orfordness (producing 15 chicks) which is notably lower than the 239 pairs which nested there in 2017; so after a recovery in 2017, numbers were back near to 2016 levels when 91 pairs nested. Elsewhere in the county, this species was noted nesting widely once again on rooftops of residential and commercial properties in central Lowestoft, Ipswich and in the docks at Felixstowe. Adults of this species wreaked havoc upon the offspring of Mallards, Moorhens and Mandarin Ducks on the ponds in Christchurch Park, central Ipswich.

During the late summer, roost gatherings once again built up in the west of the county, peaking with 1800 at Livermere Lake, August 22nd and 300 there on September 6th. Later in the autumn, 1150 were noted at Tuddenham St Mary, October 5th and 4400 were at Livermere Lake, October 18th. Numbers then dropped with 200 at Lackford Lakes on November 24th and at Mickle Mere on December 31st. Elsewhere, 200 were noted at Hollesley Marshes, November 19th and 57 were on the Alde during the November 11th WeBS count, which is a notable count for a species that isn’t found in large numbers in such habitat outside of the breeding season, as most head south for the winter.

SANDWICH TERN Thalasseus sandvicensis Common passage migrant, declining summer visitor. Amber list.

The first sightings of the year were of single birds at Minsmere on March 23rd, 26th and 29th followed by three seen in that area on April 2nd. Thereafter, throughout the spring and summer, the species was recorded intermittently at several coastal sites but only in small numbers. However, a significant flock gathered at Minsmere where numbers peaked at about 375 by the end of April.

The first successful breeding at Minsmere since 1978 had occurred in 2017 when 13 pairs successfully fledged four young. Breeding took place at Minsmere again in 2018 but although 32 pairs nested, only two young fledged. [In 2017, 4665 pairs fledged 4400 young at Scolt Head in Norfolk].

As autumn migration got underway, the species was recorded on most days along the coastal strip until early-October. There was just one notable count, with 60+ at Benacre Broad on July 24th. The final records were in October with four at Minsmere on 18th and a singleton flying past Southwold on 27th.

LITTLE TERN Sternula albifrons Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

The first record of the year was of two at Lakenheath Fen on April 19th – this is noteworthy as sightings in West Suffolk are now rare with the three seen in 2016 being the only other records since 2013. The next sightings were of a single bird off Landguard on 24th followed by three at Minsmere on 30th. Thereafter, sightings were daily until late July.

After the slight upturn in 2017, when 21 young fledged, breeding success in 2018 was again poor. This compares poorly with Norfolk where up to 320 young fledged in 2017 (Norfolk Bird and Mammal Report 2017:130).

Breeding Site Gorleston Kessingland

No. of Pairs 0 55

Fledged Young 0 4 110

Remarks No records 19 fledged in 2017

Systematic List Breeding Site No. of Pairs Fledged Young Remarks Benacre 50 0 Colony moved to Kessingland Covehithe Broad 0 0 No breeding attempts, two

fledged in 2017 Walberswick 0 0 No breeding attempts Dunwich, Corporation Marshes 0 0 No breeding attempts Minsmere 0 0 No breeding attempts Orfordness/Slaughden 0 0 No records Shingle Street 0 0 No breeding attempts

Most activity in early spring was centred on Benacre Broad where a colony of 50 pairs was established but then dispersed after a Red Fox Vulpes vulpes got through the electric fence. It is assumed that these birds moved to Kessingland and augmented the small colony already there; a total of 55 pairs nested but only four young fledged, primarily due to predation by gulls.

The only post-breeding gathering reported was of 120 at Benacre Broad on July 31st. Autumn passage was light with a peak count of 25 past Lowestoft on July 29th being the only double-figure total. The year’s last records were of five off Landguard on August 24th and one off Lowestoft the following day.

ROSEATE TERN Sterna dougallii Scarce passage migrant. Red list.

There were more reports than in recent years. Almost all of the sightings were of adult birds at Minsmere, some of which lingered for a few days:

Benacre Broad: two, July 24th.

Minsmere: two, June 19th; July 5th; two, July 8th; July 9th; two, July 10th; July 12th; July 22nd; July 27th to 29th; Aug 24th.

The bird at Minsmere on August 4th is the latest since one flew north off Thorpeness on September 14th 2013.

Totals of Roseate Terns reported 2009-2018 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 10+ 5 6+ 7-8 7-9 0

2015 3

2016 9

2017 5-6

2018 10+

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

The first sighting on the coast was on April 2nd at Oulton Broad with three birds at Landguard and a single bird at Minsmere on April 4th. Numbers at Minsmere increased steadily thereafter with a count of 95 on April 29th.

The first inland record was of four at Pipps Ford on April 3rd. Throughout April, inland sightings were widespread (Haverhill, Livermere Lake, Lackford Lakes, Lakenheath, Mickle Mere, Cavenham and Thorington Street) but were of four birds or fewer apart from the 14 which were noted at Alton Water on April 15th.

The breeding information received is summarised below: Minsmere: total of 120 pairs fledged 40 young.

Orfordness: one pair nested on King’s Marshes. Three chicks hatched but only one fledged.

Alton Water: up to 100 birds present. Nesting on breeding rafts was observed but no details.

Lackford Lakes SWT: one pair seen nest building but outcome unknown.

Lakenheath Fen/Washes: one pair nested but outcome unknown.

Thorington Street Reservoir: one pair probably nested on nearby private lake. At least one chick fledged.

Southbound migration was evident from late July but the only post-breeding gathering of note was of c250 birds at Sizewell on July 29th. Sightings continued regularly until early October.

The last records were of a single bird flying south off Lowestoft on October 27th and four at Trimley Marshes on November 11th – the latest in Suffolk since 2011 when two flew north past Thorpeness on December 5th.

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ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea Fairly common passage migrant. Last nested in 2008. Amber list.

The first records of the year were of a single bird at Landguard on April 15th, followed by 40 flying north past the same site on April 19th. There was a minor influx on May 2nd when there were up to ten birds at Alton Water and nine at Livermere Lake. Otherwise, spring passage both inland and along the coastal strip was sparse: Minsmere: Apr 24th; Apr 26th; Apr 28th; May 1st.

Landguard: Apr 15th; 40, Apr 19th; two, Apr 21st; eight, May 5th; 12, May 11th.

Alton Water: cten, May 2nd; May 3rd.

Livermere Lake: Apr 29th; nine, May 2nd.

Lackford Lakes: Apr 26th; two, Apr 28th; May 2nd.

Lakenheath Fen/Washes: Apr 21st and 22nd; May 4th.

Once again, there were no signs of breeding activity anywhere in the county and no more sightings until July 2nd when a single adult bird was at Minsmere. Thereafter, small numbers of adults and juveniles were seen at Minsmere fairly regularly until August 7th, peaking at nine on the Scrape on July 9th.

Autumn passage was again poor. In total, there were records of about 60 birds. Peak numbers were just six reported off Lowestoft on September 23rd and seven past Landguard on October 6th.

The final records of the year were of a bird off Southwold on November 1st and one past Landguard two days later.

WHITE-WINGED (BLACK) TERN Chlidonias leucopterus Rare visitor.

An adult was at Lackford Lakes for about 30 minutes on the morning of May 7th (A Hall). The bird was later relocated on the same day at Livermere Lake early in the afternoon (J Myers, A Kettle et al.) where it stayed until about 16:00 hr when it was seen to fly off high to the northeast. This is the earliest in Suffolk since 2011 when one was at Minsmere, April 30th. It is only the third record of White-winged Tern for west Suffolk, the previous two having been at Lakenheath Fen in June 1994 and Livermere Lake in May 2009.

This is the 41st Suffolk record; the previous having been at Havergate Island in August 2017.

BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger Fairly common passage migrant.

Spring migration was sparse with only 18 birds at just three sites between May 12th and June 7th. As is usual in spring, the majority of sightings were at inland sites:

Minsmere: four, May 26th.

Livermere Lake: May 25th.

Lakenheath Fen/Washes: May 12th; eight, May 24th; two, May 25th; two, June 7th.

Autumn passage was similar in numbers to 2017 with a minimum of 60 birds. The majority of sightings were concentrated around Minsmere with some birds apparently lingering in that area.

Migration was noted until October 16th when a particularly late individual was seen at Hollesley Marshes. As in 2016, all sightings were along the coast with no reports from west Suffolk sites: Corton: two, Sep 4th.

Lowestoft: seven, Sep 5th.

Southwold: July 29th; Sep 18th.

Minsmere: July 1st to 4th; July 16th; July 22nd; July 24th and 25th; four, July 28th; three, Aug 1st and 2nd; Aug 9th; three, Aug 10th to 12th; Aug 13th; Aug 19th to 24th; Sep 16th.

Sizewell: two, Aug 1st; two, Aug 12th; three, Aug 19th to 21st; two, Aug 22nd; two, Aug 27th; Sep 3rd; eight, Sep 5th; three, Sep 6th.

Thorpeness: two, Sep 7th and 11th.

Orfordness: Aug 18th; three, Sep 15th.

Hollesley Marshes: Oct 14th to 16th.

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GREAT SKUA Stercorarius skua Fairly common passage migrant. A few overwinter. Amber list.

At the start of the year singles were noted off Landguard, January 1st, 3rd and 15th and at the other end of the county, another singleton was off Ness Point, Lowestoft on January 3rd. During the summer a bird was noted south off Dunwich Cliffs, June 3rd – either a late spring individual or a wandering non-breeder.

Other singletons were off Slaughden, August 15th and Southwold, August 26th.

During autumn two flew north off Landguard, September 5th and, in the north of the county, singles flew north off Corton Cliffs on September 4th and south off Ness Point, Lowestoft, September 6th. Later in the month two were off Gunton Cliffs, September 23rd.

Overall, September was a quiet month but things picked up in October. Off Landguard, sightings during the last three months of the year consisted of two north, October 2nd and one north on October 6th then they were recorded on 17 dates between October 26th and December 29th with a maximum of four on December 7th. Overall October had a good spread of records, with highlights being 16 off Southwold, October 28th, six off Minsmere, October 7th, five off Slaughden, October 27th and four off East Lane, Bawdsey on October 26th. Minsmere and Southwold saw most of the sightings in October.

Three went north off Orfordness and two south, November 3rd, with further singles north on December 11th and south on 19th. Other November and December multiple sightings included three off Southwold, November 7th and five off Minsmere, November 18th and three off Southwold and Minsmere, December7th and 10th respectively. One remained off Minsmere until December 21st four were off Landguard, December 7th and another on December 29th. Overall during the year numbers were down but the Great Skua is still the most numerous skua species off our coast.

POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus Uncommon passage migrant. A few overwinter.

A rather poor year for this species with no apparent sightings made before September and no location had a day count that broke into double figures. The first observation of the year was of one off Landguard, September 2nd with another, September 19th which flew south at 11:35hr after it had successfully forced a Herring Gull to regurgitate its food which it duly devoured.

Further north, two were off Thorpeness, September 11th and nearby at Orfordness, one flew south offshore, September 23rd.

During October some passage was noted with five south off Hopton-on-Sea, two south off Corton Cliffs, singles off Kessingland and Thorpeness all on October 26th. Two days later one was off Minsmere, 28th.

In November a dark phase first-winter flew south off Thorpeness Haven on 6th and one was off Southwold on 10th. In December, the only records were of singles off Landguard Bird Observatory on 1st and 18th.

ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus Decreasing passage migrant. A few overwinter. Red list.

As with the other skua species it was a quiet year.

At the start of the year, one flew north off Dunwich beach, January 7th. There were no further sightings until June when singles went north off Kessingland, 10th and Slaughden, 14th with five off Landguard on June 10th.

Four were off Southwold on July 29th, probably the first of autumn. The only other sightings before September were of singles past Slaughden, August 15th and Ness Point, Lowestoft on August 27th.

From September onwards, the frequency of sightings, as expected, increased, albeit predominantly with singletons seen going south mostly from the Lowestoft and Minsmere areas.

Later in the month several multiple sightings were made, with six off Gunton Cliffs, September 23rd, 113

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

and the following day, three were off Minsmere Beach. During those two days smaller numbers were seen off a few other locations also. At Landguard, three went south, September 22nd.

In October, most sightings were off Minsmere with five south on 1st and two on 7th. Further south at Landguard, one went north, 2nd and one south on 3rd. It was a quiet end to the year with only singletons seen off Minsmere on five dates between October 22nd and 28th. The last record of 2018 involved one south off Ness Point, Lowestoft on November 12th.

LONG-TAILED SKUA Stercorarius longicaudus Uncommon passage migrant.

A very poor year with only three sightings, all in the north-east of the county during September.

All sightings as follows:

Lowestoft: juvenile off Gunton Cliff, Sep 23rd (J Brown); off Ness Point, Sep 22nd (Lowestoft Lounge Lizards).

Thorpeness: south, 14:25hr, Sep 11th (P Whittaker).

COMMON GUILLEMOT Uria aalge Common passage migrant and winter visitor. Amber list.

Only around 340 Guillemots were reported in 2018 compared with 1000 in 2017 and 3250 in 2016. As always, there is the possibility that birds on passage may have been seen at more than one location (or may have lingered in the area) and, therefore, could have been counted more than once. However, with sightings on many dates, double-counting is likely to be insignificant in 2018.

The peak count was off Orfordness where approximately 104 were seen distantly “too far offshore for positive identification – most were probably Common Guillemots” on January 27th; apart from 29 off Covehithe on October 1st, all other counts were under 20 and most were in single figures. The monthly totals for the last three years are shown in the table below: Monthly totals of live Guillemots 2016 – 2018:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June 2018 115 7 26 3 1 0 2017 59 8 2 0 45 10 2016 1513 1094 4 0 45 94

July 0 8 1

Aug 0 2 0

Sep 9 34 13

Oct 122 812 30

Nov 23 22 383

Dec 31 6 72

RAZORBILL Alca torda Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor. Amber list.

There were only six records for the year, the lowest annual total in Suffolk for at least 30 years.

All the sightings were of single birds on different dates.

The monthly totals for the last three years are shown in the table below: Monthly totals of live Razorbills 2016 – 2018

Jan Feb Mar Apr May 2018 1 0 0 0 0 2017 2 0 0 0 0 2016 14 6 0 0 1

June 0 0 0

July 0 1 0

Aug 0 0 1

Sep 1 0 3

Oct 3 8 7

Nov 0 2 7

Dec 1 0 0

The table below shows the variability in the number of sightings each year: Totals of live Razorbills reported 2009-2018 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 40 70 36 82 45 13 27 39

2017 13

2018 6

LITTLE AUK Alle alle Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor.

This was another poor year for this species with only 28 being recorded (29 in 2017, 130 in 2016) and, as always, there is the possibility of individuals being seen at more than one location.

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There was an unexpected first winter sighting at Bawdsey on January 13th with a bird seen close inshore.

Remarkably, all other sightings in the year were in a five-day period between October 27th and 31st. Records came from various locations along the whole Suffolk coastline from Gorleston to Landguard. The peak count was on October 28th with 13 sightings.

The only records of more than a single bird were: Gorleston: two, Oct 28th.

Southwold: five, Oct 28th.

Slaughden: six, Oct 27th.

ATLANTIC PUFFIN Fratercula arctica Scarce passage migrant. Red list.

There were just three sightings in 2018, all of single birds flying north offshore: Southwold: Oct 26th (B Small).

Minsmere: Dec 1st (R Drew).

Landguard: Nov 11th (N Odin, W Brame et al.).

Totals of live Puffins reported 2009-2018 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 13 7 5 8 13 3 1 4

2017 1

2018 3

FERAL PIGEON Columba livia Very common resident from feral stock. Categories A, C and E. Reports of 50 or more birds came from the following sites: Lowestoft: 50, Jan 7th; 120, Ness Point, Jan 13th.

Aldeburgh: 64, Dec 14th.

Landguard: 64, Oct 24th.

Sudbury: 76, Feb 5th.

Haverhill: 100, Dec 13th.

STOCK DOVE Columba oenas Fairly common resident and passage migrant. Amber list.

A total of 11 sites reported counts of 30 or more birds during the first winter period, the highest of which were of 75 at Trimley Marshes on January 13th, 42 at Little Livermere, January 29th, 100 at Harkstead, February 13th and 43, Creeting St Peter, February 23rd.

This species was recorded in 58% of the BBS squares this year, slightly lower than the 61% figure for 2017, but higher than that found in 2016 (54%). Probable or confirmed breeding was reported at 13 widespread sites. Orfordness held the highest concentration of breeding birds with an estimated 27 pairs on the site, whilst the Sizewell SWT reserve managed 12 breeding pairs.

Unlike in 2017 autumn passage was very quiet with a total of 39 birds heading south past Landguard on October 24th being the only notable movement.

The largest gatherings during the second half of the year were as follows: Lackford: Lackford to Cavenham Road, 46, Nov 17th.

Stoke-by-Nayland: Gifford’s Hall Park, 120, Sept 14th; 80, Oct 7th; 50, Nov 16th.

Bures St Mary: Hold Farm, 100, Aug 23rd.

COMMON WOODPIGEON Columba palumbus Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

There were several reports of reasonably large flocks during the first part of the year, the largest of which are listed below. It is possible that the later flocks were augmented by birds moving back north through the country on spring migration.

Trimley Marshes: 740, Feb 3rd; 523, Feb 25th; 1400, Apr 4th.

Harkstead: 525, Feb 13th.

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Stutton Mill: 900, Jan 29th.

Great Livermere: 500 on pig fields, Jan 5th.

Lackford: Bunker’s Barn, 800, Feb 23rd.

Lackford/Risby: Lackford Lane, 500, Feb 14th.

Lidgate: 580, Jan 10th.

Great Waldingfield: disused airfield, 700, Mar 13th.

There were very few records of confirmed breeding, but the BBS again found birds in 100% of the 45 squares visited by its volunteers – a total of 2075 individuals counted. Breeding population estimates were received from Landguard, where there were thought to have been 12 to 15 pairs, and Orfordness, where there was a minimum of 15 pairs.

In contrast with last year, there was only a very light autumn passage noted with 1598 birds logged heading south past Landguard between October 15th and November 15th, the maximum day count being of 650 birds on November 6th. In addition, 550 birds were reported from Minsmere on November 2nd.

The only sizeable count in December was of 520 birds at Bramfield on 15th.

EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur Declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

The first report of 2018 was of two birds at All Saints South Elmham on April 7th. This was followed by a singleton at Dennington on April 17th, before a more general arrival of birds occurred from around 20th of the month.

Following on from last year’s comment, this species has been added to the Rare Breeding Birds Panel list of species that they monitor annually and we would again urge observers to send in all records of Turtle Doves. During 2018 there were an estimated 113 pairs of Turtle Doves in Suffolk. Of these, only five were confirmed breeders (with juveniles seen), a further 60 pairs were considered ‘probable’ breeders and the remainder ‘possible’. The area around Minsmere and Westleton remains a stronghold with an estimated 15 territories present. A total of five birds was located in three of the 45 squares surveyed by the BBS; a small decrease on the 2017 figures.

The BirdTrack reporting rate graph for Turtle Dove in Suffolk for 2018 (graph below) suggests

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Systematic List

birds returned on time and were reported at a similar level to the historical average. Let’s hope the Suffolk population can buck the trend and remain stable or increase.

Birds were reported from 12 sites during September, those at Boyton on 27th, Botesdale on 28th and Capel St Andrew on 29th being the latest.

One in the village on Orfordness is the first site record since August 30th 2015. There were no reports of Turtle Dove at Landguard in 2018.

EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto Common resident.

The Breeding Bird Survey recorded another increase in the distribution of this species in 2018 with birds found in 67% of the squares surveyed (30 of 45 squares), up from the 63% occupancy rate in 2017. Breeding was confirmed at just six sites, clearly a gross under-representation of a species that breeds commonly across the county.

The largest counts reported during the year were:

Trimley Marshes: 42, Nov 11th.

Hadleigh: a pre-roost gathering of 90 birds, Nov 11th.

Livermere Lake: 43, Oct 24th.

Bury St Edmunds: 31, visiting gardens, Dec 15th.

Sudbury: 30, feeding in a garden, Nov 12th.

COMMON CUCKOO Cuculus canorus Declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

A singing male at Stoke-by-Nayland on April 9th was the first reported during 2018. There was then one at Melton on April 12th, followed by a more general arrival on April 14th, when seven more sites received their first birds. By the end of the month, Cuckoos had been recorded at 47 widespread localities.

During the breeding season, BBS volunteers recorded Cuckoos in 20% of the 45 squares visited (lower than the 22% rate recorded in 2017, but the same as the 2016 level). Breeding was ‘confirmed’ at a total of 11 sites, but must have taken place at many others. The highest counts

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received involved six birds between Sizewell Beach and Thorpeness on May 10th, six birds (five males and a female) at Lakenheath Fen on May 18th, five on Westleton Heath, May 31st and five at Minsmere, June 2nd. Meadow Pipit was considered to be the main host species on Orfordness.

The BirdTrack reporting rate for Cuckoo in Suffolk for 2018 (graph previous page) shows birds arrived on time and were if anything more prevalent than the historical average. As expected for Cuckoo birds soon departed and by the end of June very few birds were reported as the adults had already started their southward migration.

The only hepatic (rufous morph) female reported during the year was at Aldeburgh Marshes; first seen on May 4th, it was still present (assuming it was the same bird) on July 23rd.

The only August sightings came from Aldeburgh Marshes, Dunwich Heath and Boyton Marshes.

There were then three final September reports; Aldeburgh Marshes on 2nd, Minsmere on 3rd and Trimley Marshes on 8th.

WESTERN BARN OWL Tyto alba Fairly common resident. Categories A and E. Although only partial data were available from The Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project for the year, it is clear that 2018 was a very poor breeding season. Of the 1012 boxes/locations that were checked, volunteers found many sites unoccupied and just 125 active Barn Owl nests. From these, the average brood size was 2.08 young per pair. The story was the same on Orfordness where only two pairs nested, producing clutches of two and three chicks; of these, only two youngsters are thought to have fledged, one of which was found dead shortly Barn Owl Peter Beeson afterwards. This would strongly suggest that 2018 was a very poor vole year.

Other observations involved a peak count of six birds at Carlton Marshes on March 13th and one at Landguard on November 12th.

TAWNY OWL Strix aluco Common resident. Amber list.

The reports received indicate that this species remains present in suitable habitat throughout the county. Although breeding was confirmed at just five sites, pairs held territories at many others and breeding, no doubt, took place in a large proportion of these. The largest number reported during the breeding season was five birds (two males and three females) heard calling in Ickworth Park at dusk on April 20th.

An interesting report was of a bird seen sitting on a road at Wrentham on August 8th with a mouse’s tail hanging out of its mouth. The habit of searching for prey by roads is a common cause of death for Barn Owls, but can also be dangerous for Tawny Owls; in 2018 birds were found dead on roads at Cavenham and Stutton.

LITTLE OWL Athene noctua Fairly common ‘naturalised’ resident.

This species was reported from approximately 83 sites during the year; this showed a good spread across the county, but, no doubt, does not reflect its true status as this species can remain rather unobtrusive and not easy to detect.

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The Breeding Bird Survey results show that Little Owls were located in just three (7%) of the 45 squares surveyed. Reports of probable or confirmed breeding came from 13 locations, with another 41 sites reporting sightings during the main breeding season. The largest breeding density reported was around Sutton Common, where four males held territories.

An interesting report was of a bird seen feeding on a road-kill Brown Hare Lepus europaeus at Ixworth on July 4th.

LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Scarce resident.

As is so often the case, Long-eared Owls were very few and far between in the first-winter period; one at Eastbridge on February 20th and another in the Minsmere north bushes on March 21st were the only reports received during this period.

There were a small number of reports during the breeding season, most coming from The Brecks, where breeding was confirmed for two pairs and thought probable for a third. Away from The Brecks, a pair fledged two young in the south of the county.

There was a small passage of autumn birds noted on the coast during late-October, involving up to six birds, as listed below. These birds arrived at the same time as the peak arrival of Shorteared Owls (below).

Lowestoft: North Beach, two, in off at 13:40hr and 13:45hr, Oct 27th.

Minsmere: near South Hide, Oct 31st.

Slaughden: in off, Oct 27th.

Havergate Island: Oct 29th.

Landguard: Oct 28th.

Sadly, the Minsmere bird was found dead the day after the above sighting.

In the final part of the year a calling bird was sound-recorded as it flew over Pipps Ford during the night of November 17th/18th, one was seen at Minsmere on December 11th and there was a bird reported from Thurston on December 28th.

Dave Borderick

Long-eared Owl at Minsmere in October.

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SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Formerly bred. Amber list.

With very few reported at the end of 2017, it was a little surprising that records were received from eight sites during the first two months of the year. This may, in part, be explained by birds arriving in January from the near Continent. Birds were seen coming in off the sea at Minsmere on January 10th and Slaughden on January 27th. Peak counts during this period were of four birds seen at Oulton Marsh on January 5th and three at Felixstowe Ferry on January 25th and, again, on February 5th. There then followed a light movement of birds during March and April – with a bird at Risby on March 20th being one of only two sightings in West Suffolk during the year (see below).

There were three ‘one-day’ June sightings this year; Minsmere on 1st, Orfordness on 9th and Lakenheath Fen on 22nd, but no indication of any breeding territories anywhere.

Numbers gradually increased during September before there was a noticeable arrival during October, peaking on 27th. All of the reports below are of birds seen flying in off the sea, unless stated otherwise: Gorleston: Oct 27th.

Lowestoft: Oct 12th; 14, between Lowestoft and Corton, Oct 27th; Gunton Cliffs, two, Oct 28th.

Kessingland: Oct 27th.

Southwold: Oct 23rd; two, Oct 27th.

Dunwich Heath: south offshore, Oct 7th.

Minsmere: Oct 20th; north offshore, Oct 26th.

Slaughden: two, Oct 27th.

Orfordness: Oct 27th.

There were reports from 17 sites during the second winter period, most referring to sightings of single birds, but with a count of three at Sudbourne Marshes on December 16th being the highest.

Short-eared Owl RichardThewlis

EUROPEAN NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus europaeus Locally fairly common summer visitor. Scarce migrant. Amber list.

A singing male at Minsmere on May 9th was the first record of the year. This was followed by reports from nearby Dunwich and Westleton Heaths on 11th and 14th respectively. The first in the west was present at West Stow Heath on May 16th.

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A total of 65 territories was located in The Sandlings during the breeding season, down from 78 in 2017. Of the main sites, Minsmere held ten territories (12 in 2017), 13 territories were found on Sutton and Hollesley Commons (14 in 2017) and Rendlesham Forest had 11 territories (down from 17 in 2017). There was no breeding survey in The Brecks.

There was just a handful of sightings in August before the final bird of the year was reported from Hollesley on September 7th.

COMMON SWIFT Apus apus Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

Two birds seen over Bury St Edmunds on April 20th tied for the earliest sighting of the year with two seen at Minsmere on the same day. A further four sites – Lowestoft, Mutford, Seafield Bay and the BTO’s Nunnery Lakes reserve in Thetford – recorded their first birds of the year on April 21st, before a more general arrival took place from April 22nd. The highest count received during May was of 150 birds at Trimley Marshes on 16th, whilst June counts included 300 birds at Minsmere on 4th and 300 feeding over North Denes, Lowestoft on 30th.

As with House Martin, the BirdTrack reporting rate graph matches most people’s experience that Swifts are being reported less than a few years ago, arrival was on time but soon fell away and the reporting rate during the breeding season was typically some 10-15% below expected.

As expected for this species very few reports were made after mid-August as birds headed south for the winter.

The BBS fieldwork recorded just 105 birds in 38% of the 45 squares visited, the lowest total since 2000. Despite this, a total of 17 sites then reported confirmed breeding, with totals from the three monitored nestbox projects all showing improvements on 2017.

Little/Earl Stonham: Brewery Farm, eight pairs raised 19 young (seven pairs in 2017).

Bury St Edmunds: St John’s Church, 23 boxes in use (compared with five in 2017).

Worlington: All Saint’s Church, 34 of 43 boxes occupied (32 occupied in 2017).

The table below shows the monthly movements through Landguard, there being an obvious peak in southerly movements during June and July, the peak daily counts being of 307 on July 28th and 685 on July 31st.

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Monthly Movements of Common Swifts at Landguard: Apr May June July In/North 1 35 73 33 South 8 0 596 1148

Aug 0 47

Sep 0 2

The late July peak was also observed at a number of other sites on the coast, with high counts being received from the following localities: Corton: Stirrups Lane, 380, July 29th.

Lowestoft: Gunton Cliffs, 500 south, July 29th.

Minsmere: 1000 south, July 29th.

Thorpeness: Thorpeness Common, 830, July 28th.

Trimley Marshes: 254, July 29th.

After a modest August passage, September reports were received from seven sites, all, apart from Bury St Edmunds, being on the coast; the latest of these were at Landguard on 19th, Slaughden on 22nd and Orfordness on 30th.

A swift species was reported over Ipswich on November 13th and finally, a swift species, thought to be either this species or Pallid Swift, was seen at Minsmere on November 18th (R Findall).

PALLID SWIFT pus pallidus Very rare visitor.

A multiple occurrence (Suffolk’s sixth and seventh birds) and the first in the county since the well-watched bird at Kessingland between March 26th and April 6th in 2010. According to David Walsh “The birds performed splendidly on and off throughout the afternoon and were seen by perhaps 50 observers. Sadly, one was seen being taken by a Sparrowhawk shortly before dusk. The remaining individual was not seen the following day, or subsequently”.

Thorpeness: two juveniles, Nov 11th (K Loveridge, B J Small, D F Walsh et al.).

COMMON KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis Fairly common resident. Amber list.

Severe weather is known to result in forced movements of this species (especially away from inland sites towards coastal areas) and this certainly appears to have happened during the cold spell that the county endured during late February and early March. Indeed, Belstead Brook Park, Ipswich and West Stow Country Park did not see the return of any birds until August – perhaps post-breeding movements of juveniles? It is likely that many birds perished in the harsh conditions experienced.

Despite the comments above, confirmed breeding occurred at ten sites – a continued increase on the eight sites in 2017 and six sites in 2016. Of these, a pair at Ipswich Golf Club, Purdis Farm are known to have failed as their eggs were found smashed beneath the nesting tunnel.

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Pallid Swift at Thorpeness in November.

Jeff Higgott

Common Kingfisher still putting on a show at Lackford Lakes.

Ian Goodall

Systematic List

Of note, one was observed catching and eating a Common Newt Lissotriton vulgaris in a garden pond at Stonham Aspal on February 2nd.

EUROPEAN BEE-EATER Merops apiaster Scarce but now usually annual passage migrant.

Minsmere: four, circled Island Mere before flying east, 08.20hr, July 5th (D R Eaton et al.).

This species has now been recorded at Minsmere in four of the last five years. In the last 20 years, only in 1998, 1999 and 2013 has this species not been recorded in Suffolk.

EURASIAN HOOPOE Upupa epops Scarce passage migrant. Categories A and E. There were three sightings during 2018, all present on just one day, including one in a fortunate observer’s garden.

Orfordness: Sep 29th, photographed (M C Marsh et al.) – first site record.

Landguard: Oct 19th, photographed (M Scragg et al.) – fifth site record in the modern era.

Rickinghall: June 20th, photographed (J Farrow).

EURASIAN WRYNECK Jynx torquilla Uncommon passage migrant. No longer breeds in UK. There was just one spring sighting during 2018, this bird being the earliest spring sighting since one at Shingle Street on April 9th 2011: Middleton: photographed, Apr 12th (A Perkins).

Typically autumn passage was better and involved eight individuals, as follows:

Kessingland: The Hollies, Sep 1st (J Burgess); Sluice, Sep 8th and 9th (J Ferguson).

Southwold: along footpath between boating lake and Might’s Bridge, Sep 13th (C Fulcher) – also seen at Easton Bavents, Sep 15th (B J Small); sewage works, Oct 8th (J D Coleman).

Minsmere: Sluice, Aug 30th and 31st (J H Grant).

Hollesley: photographed, Aug 26th (M Fox).

Landguard: Sep 6th to 19th; second bird intermittently Sep 8th to 13th.

Wryneck charismatic species at Landguard in September.

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John Richardson

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dryobates minor Uncommon resident. Red list.

There was a similar number of sightings reported to 2017, the majority of which were again from what might now be described as the ‘regular’ sites.

Santon Downham: several reports of single birds or a pair between Feb 16th and Mar 24th, with two males present on the latter date (several observers).

Cavenham/Icklingham: Temple Bridge and Cavenham Pits, drumming, Mar 13th and 18th (B Woodhouse).

Lakenheath Fen RSPB: Apr 1st (RSPB).

Pipps Ford: Mar 13th and 14th, excavating hole but no nesting (P Whittaker).

Newbourne: Newbourne Springs, heard calling, July 22nd (G Pratt) and 23rd (G Richardson).

Semer: Feb 6th (M Beacon).

Kersey: Feb 20th, perhaps same as above (M Beacon).

East Bergholt: Flatford Mill, Feb 17th and 18th (J Bingley).

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major Common resident. Scarce passage migrant.

There was another increase in the percentage of occupied squares found during the Breeding Bird Survey in 2018; birds were found in 24 of the 45 squares surveyed (53% compared with 51% in 2017). Actual breeding was then confirmed at just 11 sites, but must have occurred at many more. The five pairs recorded on the SWT Sizewell reserve was the highest concentration reported.

During the spring, Landguard recorded singles on three dates (April 19th, April 22nd and May 30th), followed by a further 11 singles in autumn between August 22nd and December 4th.

2017 Addition Great Spotted Woodpecker Peter Beeson An interesting population study, carried out by the Breckland Birding Group in 2017, estimated that there was a total of around 480 individuals throughout Thetford Forest covering areas in both Norfolk and Suffolk.

GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis Common resident.

This is another species that appeared to be hit quite hard by the severe weather in the first winter period. A number of sites reported a decrease in numbers and comments such as ‘notably scarce following the harsh spell of weather’ (Ickworth Park), ‘rather scarce during 2018’ (Cavenham Heath) and ‘numbers down this year’ (Sudbury) were received.

Regardless of the perceived decrease in overall numbers noted above, the BBS workers still managed to record a total of 35 birds across 23 (or 51%) of the 45 squares surveyed; the same rate of occupancy as found in 2017. Breeding was reported as probable or confirmed at 23 sites, including five pairs at the Sizewell SWT Reserve. In the west, the Breckland Birding Group 124

Systematic List

estimated the total Thetford Forest population in 2017 to be approximately 210 individuals.

Singles were recorded at Landguard Point on June 15th and 18th and August 4th.

FIELD NOTE At about 9am on April 19th 2018, I noticed a Green Woodpecker land on a recently pollarded willow tree Salix spp. in my neighbour’s garden in Stonham Aspal. On checking through binoculars, I realised it was constructing a nest hole. It worked for a few minutes, then rested on the trunk nearby for a while, then repeated the process. After about an hour, it flew off but apparently returned within a minute. However, after watching through a ‘scope, I realised it was not the same bird returning but the male and female of a pair working in shifts!

The changeover took place regularly until about 4pm, then was repeated the following three days until the hole was completed.

According to BWP, excavation of a new nesting hole can take up to a month – obviously these birds were in a hurry!

B Buffery.

COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus Common resident. Uncommon passage migrant. Amber list.

Reports came from 165 parishes in 2018, a drop of 25% on last year’s total of 218. This species was found in 14 of the 45 BBS squares (19 in 2017 and nine in 2016). It was recorded in five out of 12 months along the Lavenham Railway Walks.

Breeding was confirmed at just 12 sites, but productivity appears to have been good. Reports included a pair near Landguard which raised five young and another pair at Lindsey Tye which fledged four.

Autumn passage included singles seen flying in off the sea in at Corton, Ness Point, Lowestoft in September and Slaughden in October and at Gorleston in December. Single birds were seen flying south past Landguard on three dates in September. At Landguard Bird Observatory dispersing juveniles from elsewhere were occasionally noted on site in the summer and autumn.

Common Kestrel Terry Everitt

FIELD NOTE At Minsmere 13 Common Kestrels were seen hunting together over a recently-cut area on the South Levels on September 15th. After that, ten were seen on four other dates in September and on October 1st.

RSPB RED-FOOTED FALCON Falco vespertinus Rare visitor After a productive year last year there were no reports of this species in 2018.

MERLIN Falco columbarius Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Red List.

There were 78 reports of this species in 2018, compared with 82 in 2017 and 92 in 2016.

Reports from eight coastal sites and six sites in the west of the county suggest at least six birds 125

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

were present across the county during the first winter period. Notable sightings included a male at Carlton Marshes on January 2nd and a single bird which remained on Orfordness and was joined by a second bird on January 27th. Inland two were seen at Lakenheath Fen on January 1st and another at Brettenham on February 26th.

April sightings came from Oulton Marshes and Bawdsey Marshes and single birds were logged on two dates at Landguard Bird Observatory. The long-staying bird remained on Orfordness until April 28th and two were present there on one date in mid-April. Reports of late birds came from the Upper Butley River on May 4th and Landguard Bird Observatory on May 1st and 2nd.

The first autumn bird was a juvenile which was seen on Dunwich Heath on August 28th.

Passage became more notable in September when single birds were seen flying south offshore at Southwold on September 18th and at Slaughden two days later. Inland one was at Lackford Lakes on September 28th.

Reports came from 13 coastal locations in the second winter period involving at least five birds.

October highlights included a juvenile male at Trimley Marshes on October 6th, joined briefly by a second bird over the next two days. Elsewhere a female took up residence on Orfordness from October 7th. The only inland record was of a female at Timworth on October 16th.

A first-winter bird first noted at Covehithe and Gorleston during early November was probably responsible for the other four sightings in that area during the month. One was seen flying in off the sea at Gorleston on December 2nd and finally one was seen to take a Dunlin at Stutton Mill on December 22nd.

EURASIAN HOBBY Falco subbuteo Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant.

The total number of reports received in 2018 was 583, a disappointing drop on last year’s 836, but still significantly higher than the 2016 total of 370.

The earliest reports of returning birds came from Aldeburgh, Lakenheath Fen and Great Livermere, all on April 14th. There were a further 32 reports during April. Spring passage was

Eurasian Hobby at the reliable Lakenheath Fen site in May. 126

Ian Goodall

Systematic List

noted inland at Higham (near Hadleigh) where five arrived together on May 11th. May also saw the usual gatherings at favoured sites across the county; these included maximum counts of 20 at Minsmere on May 20th, 11 at North Warren on May 5th and seven at Botany Marshes, Snape on May 20th. Lakenheath Fen, typically, held the largest counts, peaking at 56 on May 6th.

A total of 17 nests was located in Thetford Forest; over half of these Hobbies (with Bittern) Richard Thewlis were in Suffolk of which four were successful. The results of the 16th year of the Forestry Commission Hobby survey indicated that the population in the forest seems to have stabilised following a big drop in the number of successful pairs in 2012 due to the very cold, wet spring. Breeding was confirmed at another 12 sites across the county, including Minsmere which held four pairs, and was suspected at a further four locations.

Inland three were seen hunting for cockchafers low over a grassy field at West Stow on June 18th.

Potential passage birds were seen flying in off the sea at Gunton Beach and Covehithe on September 23rd and at Minsmere Beach on October 30th, which was the last report. There were 16 other reports from October.

2017 Correction The first date given in First and Last dates in the 2017 Bird Report was March 23rd. This was an error.

As stated in the systematic list, the first date was April 7th at Minsmere.

PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus Uncommon but increasing winter visitor and passage migrant. Has bred since 2008. Categories A and E. A total of 327 reports was received in 2018 which is down on the 433 in 2017 but almost identical to the 2016 total of 326. This species was encountered in two of the 45 BBS squares for the first time; previously only singles were recorded in 2000 and 2008.

Favoured locations included Lowestoft where two were seen on three dates in January and at Minsmere where up to two were reported every month except for July. On Orfordness the species was recorded throughout the year with two present from January to May and then from September to December. A pair was also present sporadically throughout the year at Landguard Bird Observatory and two were seen at Trimley Marshes on several dates between January and March. At Hollesley Marshes the pair was reported to be ‘back in their usual tree’ in January. In the west up to two were present at Lakenheath Fen during the first winter period and after an absence of over a month the wintering bird reappeared at Stradishall Airfield on January 28th.

A total of seven pairs was present across the county; of these, four pairs attempted to breed but only two were successful. These two successful pairs were at Piper’s Vale (Orwell Bridge) where four chicks fledged and at a confidential site in the west of the county where two chicks fledged. Nesting also took place at Felixstowe and Ipswich Waterfront but the eggs failed to hatch at both sites. An egg was taken for DNA analysis from the latter site. Although pairs appeared to be holding territory at Lowestoft, Orfordness and Sizewell there was no evidence of breeding.

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Sadly, the female present on St Mary’s Church at Bungay failed to attract a mate but she remained faithful to the site until July at least and was photographed on the church in mid-June.

Potential autumn migrants included one flying north offshore at Southwold on September 23rd and one in off the sea at Bawdsey on September 20th. A juvenile was present on August 17th at Landguard Bird Observatory where an immature was noted on August 30th and two juveniles on September 26th.

In November two birds were present at Breydon South Wall and another two were seen on five dates at Minsmere. The pair returned in November to Hollesley Marshes where at least one remained until the end of the year and an adult was seen eating a Eurasian Teal on December 8th. Up to two birds continued to frequent Minsmere throughout December. In the west of the county the adult bird returned to Stradishall Airfield on November 8th for its sixth consecutive winter and a pair was seen hunting together near Cavenham on December 16th.

ROSE-RINGED (RING-NECKED) PARAKEET Psittacula krameri Scarce resident. Categories C and E. It was reasonable year again for this species with possibly nine birds present county-wide.

There were not, however, confirmed breeding reports from anywhere in the county.

A well-watched and much-reported bird was present in the Lowestoft area at Oulton Broad from November 2nd to December 31st at least.

On Orfordness a male flew south-west over the Holm Oaks, October 27th, providing the first site record.

One put in an appearance at Landguard on September 26th (N Odin, E W Patrick, R Spiers et al.). providing the fifth site record.

A small group of Ring-necked Parakeets was present in urban areas and parks in Ipswich from January 27th to the end of the year with a maximum of four birds in Christchurch Park and St Mary’s Estate on various dates.

Inland, there were just two sightings of singletons:

Mildenhall Fen: Jan 1st to Dec 31st.

BTO Nunnery: Dec 10th.

RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio Scarce passage migrant; formerly bred. Red list.

After four in 2017 and three in 2016 there were six records – a reasonable year for the ‘Butcher Bird’, and in the north-east, intriguingly, a singing male and a female were seen in spring, both at Minsmere.

Minsmere: male, along Eastbridge footpath, May 18th; presumed same, near Bittern Hide, May 24th; presumed same, in song, Whin Hill, May 31st (D R Eaton et al.); female, North Bushes, June 8th (RSPB).

In the south-east there were three autumn sightings:

Snape Wetlands RSPB: Abbey Farm, male, July 27th (A V Moon).

Shingle Street: juvenile, Aug 17th (per Suffolk BINS).

Landguard Bird Observatory/Manor Terrace: female, Aug 1st (N Odin et al.).

Inland, only one briefly visited the west of the county.

Lakenheath Fen RSPB: adult female, photographed near visitor centre, June 2nd (RSPB).

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Red-backed Shrike handsome male at Snape in July.

Andrew Moon

Systematic List

LESSER GREY SHRIKE Lanius minor Very rare visitor.

For the fourth year running there were no sightings of this species.

GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lanius excubitor Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor.

Searching for this often-elusive shrike can be difficult and on the coast there was only one sighting.

Thorpeness: former Caravan Site, Oct 7th (J Davies).

In the west of the county there were sightings at four sites in the second winter period:Pakenham: Puttockshill, including Livermere Road, Oct 29th and 30th (C Fulcher, West Suffolk Birders et al.).

Brandon Park Heath: Nov 2nd to Dec 9th at least (G Conway, D F Walsh et al.).

Mayday Farm: Nov 2nd, probably same as above (per Suffolk BINS) The King’s Forest (North West): Nov 8th (S Bishop).

Surprisingly, there were no records in the first winter period.

2017 addition

Berner’s Heath: two, Jan 5th (E F Keeble, D F Walsh).

WOODCHAT SHRIKE Lanius senator Rare visitor.

There were no sightings of this species in 2018. It has not been seen in the county since 2013.

EURASIAN GOLDEN ORIOLE Oriolus oriolus Rare passage migrant. Last bred 2009. Red list.

After one sighting in 2017 and a blank year in 2016 there were, sadly, no sightings of this striking species.

EURASIAN JAY Garrulus glandarius Common resident and scarce passage migrant BBS recorded birds in 21 of the 45 squares surveyed with 44 individuals counted. Breeding was confirmed at 11 sites in the north-east. Ten (possibly migrants) were seen at Thorpeness on October 16th.

At Landguard, Jays are scarce and only singles were noted on April 21st, May 6th and October 20th.

There was no confirmed breeding in the south-east and the highest count was of seven birds at Pipps Ford on December 12th.

In the west, ten were recorded at Brandon Country Park, June 10th. Breeding was confirmed at five west sites, with ‘probable’ breeding at one other.

Not included in the 2017 Report were data showing a population total of c800 estimated individuals in Thetford Forest (Breckland Birding Group).

EURASIAN MAGPIE Pica pica Very common resident.

In the north-east breeding was confirmed at six sites, although no significant counts were made.

Magpies occurred in 26 of the 45 BBS survey squares, with a total of 96 birds present.

On Orfordness, Magpies were present on all visits with no significant counts made, although 12 were noted on December 29th. The breeding population remained stable and was estimated at six or seven pairs.

At Landguard, Magpies, as is usual, were present all year. Four pairs nested, with three of these 129

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

pairs each rearing four young. There was a spring maximum at Landguard of 13, March 6th, a summer peak of 13, June 29th and an autumn maximum of 12, September 27th.

At the long-term roost in the Gipping Valley at Pipps Ford numbers increased in February from 48 on 7th to 78 on 24th. Although this represents a slight increase on 2017, numbers were still down significantly on recent years e.g. 144 in 2015.

In the west, 18 were recorded at Lakenheath Fen, February 16th and 20 at Brandon Country Park, June 4th. Breeding was confirmed at only one western site.

2017 Addition: Data indicated a total Thetford Forest population estimated at c200 individuals (Breckland Birding Group).

WESTERN JACKDAW Coloeus monedula Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

This widespread species breeds widely across the county and is often bolstered by immigrants from the Continent in autumn and winter.

Jackdaws occurred in 31 of the 45 BBS squares surveyed with a total count of 448.

Breeding was confirmed at six sites in the north-east with significant counts of large congregations at a number of sites including 190 at Heveningham/Huntingfield, March 6th, and 150 at Redgrave Fen on November 10th.

On Orfordness, Jackdaws were present all year with the highest counts being 60, March 25th, 115, April 7th and 60, September 15th. The breeding population was estimated at 23 pairs, all of which were in buildings on site.

At Landguard, in spring a total of seven went north, 39 south and two ‘in off’. Nine were on site between March 21st and May 31st, with maxima of eight south, March 26th and three north, four south, and one on site on May 15th. In autumn two went south, September 17th, two south, October 31st and four south, November 18th.

In the west breeding was confirmed at six sites. A total of 150 was seen at Redgrave Fen, November 10th, and, significantly, 4000 were reported roosting at Lakenheath Fen RSPB on February 16th.

A significant congregation was observed early in the year with 800 at Dock Lane, Melton on January 1st. At Loompit Lake, Trimley St Martin, 440 were present on March 3rd. In autumn c300 were recorded at Richardson’s Lane, Chelmondiston and 300 on the Stour Estuary WeBS count on December 14th.

Birds showing characteristics of the Nordic subspecies monedula were at Landguard, March 5th (one), May 18th (four) and May 29th (three). Another was present at Gulpher Road, Felixstowe on December 1st.

ROOK Corvus frugilegus Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

This gregarious species was confirmed breeding at eight sites in the north-east and west.

Rooks featured in 30 of the 45 BBS survey squares with a total of 628 birds being counted.

Large flocks were noted at a number of north-east coastal and inland sites, including significant counts of 225, Thorpeness, September 7th and nearby 525 at Sizewell Beach, November 17th, which could have been immigrants.

On Orfordness the first were not until May with two present on 19th, then regularly until June 10th, with a count of 140 on June 3rd by far the largest total. In September, four flew north on 22nd.

At RSPB Hollesley Marshes 300 were seen, April 6th and 300, later in the year, at RSPB Boyton Marshes on October 13th with 500 present there on December 14th.

At Landguard there was a spring total of three north and 11 south, March 21st to April 22nd, with a maximum of eight on April 1st. In autumn sightings were very scarce with only one south, 130

Systematic List

October 21st.

Towards the year’s end, 500 were present on the Stour Estuary WeBS count, December 14th, the same date and number as at Boyton, above.

In Mid Suffolk, 333 were present at the gravel pits at Pipps Ford on January 23rd and, on the Shotley peninsula, 250, Harkstead on February 13th.

A gathering of 2250 at Hardwick Heath, Bury St Edmunds on October 28th is a significant count. Huge flocks of roosting Rooks together with Jackdaws were at Lakenheath Fen RSPB, with a maximum of 5000 Jackdaws on January 28th.

CARRION CROW Corvus corone Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

BBS data showed this widespread corvid present in 41 of the 45 survey squares with 331 birds present. Breeding was confirmed at eight locations across the county.

A sizeable count of 81 was made on RSPB Minsmere South Levels, February 25th and 47 gathered at Gunton Dip Farm, September 20th.

On Orfordness this species was present all year with a maximum of 18 on March 25th which presumably included some passage birds. No other significant sightings were made until again 18 on October 14th. Five pairs nested with four in the Cobra Mist/Lantern Marshes area and another at the Holm Oaks.

At Landguard, they were present all year. Two pairs nested in the adjoining dock; one pair failed, the other reared four young. Site maxima were 21, April 14th in the spring and 15, October 3rd in the autumn. Spring passage movements involved 13 north and 25 south, March 7th to May 20th, with a maximum of 13 north on April 14th. Three flew north, June 28th. Observations of visible migration in the autumn recorded four south, October 21st, four south, 24th and four south, November 2nd.

Sightings in the south-east illustrate just how important are estuaries for this corvid with 180 on the Stour Estuary WeBS count on December 14th and 130 at Martlesham Creek on April 22nd. Inland, high concentrations came from Sycamore Farm, Swilland with 80, May 11th and Dr Watson’s Wood, Rushmere St Andrew with 50 on August 14th. Further west, breeding was confirmed at four sites with a high count of 200 birds at Tuddenham St Mary, August 14th.

2017 Addition: Data showed a total Thetford Forest population estimated at c3000 individuals (Breckland Birding Group).

HOODED CROW Corvus cornix Scarce winter visitor.

After two sightings in 2017 and previously two blank years there was only one ‘Hoodie’ seen.

Benacre Sluice: Oct 13th. (J A Martin)

NORTHERN RAVEN Corvus corax Increasingly common visitor. Breeding recommenced in 2018.

Ravens, which can be surprisingly easily overlooked, have captured the attention and imagination of many Suffolk birders in the last few years.

Sightings are continuing to be more widespread in the south-east and west of the county.

There were, however, no records from the north-east.

At RSPB Hollesley Marshes, single Ravens were seen on three dates; February 15th and March 30th and 31st. Other sightings were of single birds at Alton Water, January 4th and Hintlesham Great Wood, January 30th.

Two Ravens seen in the Gipping Valley and adjacent areas on 11 dates between January 4th and December 28th did, in fact, breed. Ravens last bred in Suffolk at Stutton in 1869 and Euston in 1870 – so recent events are a welcome return after 148 years!

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In the west breeding was confirmed at two sites and post-breeding family groups were seen as follows: Cavenham: four, Aug 2nd, ‘presumed family’ group soaring. (C Gregory); two adults with two juveniles, Sep 24th (R Ayres).

It is important to continue to monitor Ravens in Suffolk, but equally important to remember that they are often subject to considerable persecution (or at least they were in Victorian times!).

BOHEMIAN WAXWING Bombycilla garrulus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

It was quite a lean year for this popular and attractive bird which proved quite a contrast with the multiple sightings of the early months of 2017. The berry crop in Europe must have been a good one in 2017 as there had been only one second winter record in 2017, at Reydon on December 1st. This was mirrored in the first winter period in 2018 when there was only one sighting in Suffolk, of four at Beacon Park, Gorleston, January 23rd.

Reports of small numbers came from 17 sites in the north-east in the second winter period of 2018; with maxima of five at Reydon, November 28th to 30th and four at Reydon, December 7th, and Minsmere, December 30th.

There were no sightings in the south-east of the county in 2018 and only one record in the west, at Hanchett Village in Haverhill, December 30th. (20 sightings from nine sites in west Suffolk in 2017).

John Richardson

Bohemian Waxwing at Reydon in November.

COAL TIT Periparus ater britannicus Very common resident. Amber list.

Sightings mainly reflected this species preference for coniferous forest although it is often also seen in small numbers in other habitats including urban gardens.

Coal Tits were recorded in 14 of the 45 BBS survey squares with 44 counted. Breeding was 132

Systematic List

confirmed at six sites in the north-east and two in the west with 16 pairs being recorded at SWT Sizewell.

At Landguard, five were noted from June 15th to 19th and, in autumn, singles recorded on September 25th and 29th and October 18th.

At Upper Hollesley Common, a stronghold for this species, a maximum of 20 on April 1st was notable. SWT Trimley Marshes, an unexpected site for this species, held 12 on November 11th.

Survey work in The King’s Forest (central) on April 23rd showed 30 territories in 30% of the whole forest suggesting a possible overall total of c100 territories.

2017 Addition: data suggest a total 2017 Thetford Forest population estimated at c8100 individuals (Breckland Birding Group).

Continental Coal Tit Periparus ater ater Scarce passage migrant Landguard: Mar 26th; Apr 9th to 12th; two Apr 16th; two Apr 18th.

MARSH TIT Poecile palustris Fairly common resident. Red list.

Nationally, the long-term decline of this popular species continues and as is usual recording levels were high but with only small numbers reported.

BBS surveying found Marsh Tits in only three of the 45 squares covered with six birds being seen. Breeding in small numbers was confirmed at five sites in the north-east with six pairs breeding at SWT Sizewell.

At SWT North Cove, 15 were noted on December 22nd.

The highest count in the south-east was three, Pipps Ford, November 9th.

In the west, breeding was confirmed at 13 sites, with “probable” breeding at two others and pairs “on territory” at another two locations.

WILLOW TIT Poecile montanus Scarce resident and very rare passage migrant. Red List.

This species is now almost extinct in the county and there was only one record:

Lakenheath Fen RSPB: unringed bird seen and heard calling, Jan 16th to 19th (S Evans, P Whittaker).

EURASIAN BLUE TIT Cyanistes careruleus Very common resident and scarce passage migrant.

This most familiar and successful bird was confirmed breeding at ten locations in the northeast with an impressive 73 pairs at SWT Sizewell. They were recorded in 44 of the 45 BBS squares with a combined total of 401 birds counted.

On Orfordness, where it is scarce, two were present on January 1st and then no others were seen until three on September 30th, which stayed until October 14th. Two elusive birds remained to the year’s end. In addition, a further four were present on October 21st.

At Landguard they were present all year with one pair nesting which reared one young. Four birds from previous years survived the winter, the oldest from September 2015; three of these were not noted after March. Spring passage ran from March 10th to April 22nd, with a maximum of six on March 23rd. The first juvenile appeared on June 6th, with dispersing juveniles from elsewhere from June 15th to August 5th. Autumn passage ran from August 20th to November 14th, with a maximum of 13, September 26th.

Inland, high counts came from the urban Mill Stream Nature Reserve, east Ipswich with a maximum of 47, July 23rd. SWT Trimley Marshes held 28 on February 3rd.

At Lackford, breeding was poor with juvenile numbers the lowest since 2012 (CES). The highest count in the west was 60 at Great Livermere on September 8th.

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2017 Addition – The total Thetford Forest population was estimated at c5740 (Breckland Birding Group).

GREAT TIT Parus major Very common resident and scarce passage migrant.

This abundant species was a confirmed breeder at 12 sites mainly, in the north and west, with a significant 56 breeding pairs at SWT Sizewell.

BBS visits found birds in 41 of the 45 squares visited with 224 birds present.

At Landguard, birds were on site all year with four pairs nesting. Ten birds from previous years survived the winter with the oldest from May 2014. Spring passage ran from March 11th to April 9th with a later new female, June 13th, and a maximum of 11 on April 7th. The first juveniles appeared on May 21st, with Great Tit Terry Everitt dispersing juveniles from elsewhere, to July 27th, with a maximum of 16, July 4th and 11th. Autumn passage ran from September 24th to November 5th, with a maximum of 14 on October 19th.

As with Blue Tit, high counts came from the urban Mill Stream Nature Reserve, east Ipswich with a maximum 30 on July 21st.

Perhaps surprisingly, one of the highest counts, of 27, came from SWT Trimley Marshes on February 3rd and 25 were noted at Pipps Ford also on February 3rd.

At Lackford SWT, as with Blue Tit, it was a below-average breeding season (CES).

2017 Addition: In 2017 the total Thetford Forest Population was estimated at c4100 (Breckland Birding Group).

EURASIAN PENDULINE TIT Remiz pendulinus Rare visitor.

There were two sightings of this rare reedbed specialist. The Southwold bird Is the first November record since 2007 when one was at Minsmere, 4th to 6th, and up to four at Dingle Marshes, 12th to 25th.

Lowestoft: Leathes Ham; singing male, photographed, Apr 2nd and 3rd (A C Easton et al.).

Southwold: Boating Lake, Nov 2nd (R J Holmes).

BEARDED (TIT) REEDLING Panurus biarmicus Uncommon resident. Green List (from amber).

Breeding was confirmed at sites in the northeast and south-east coastal reedbeds but was present with probable breeding at others and at two sites in the west. Breeding sites and totals are given below: 134

Eurasian Penduline Tit elusive bird at Leathes Ham in April.

Peter Ransome

Systematic List Benacre NNR (Benacre Broad): six Benacre NNR (Covehithe Broad): three Benacre NNR (Easton Valley): 18 Hen Reedbeds: six. “six territories, good breeding season, several large family groups” (A Miller).

Walberswick NNR (total): 22 Dingle Marshes (RSPB): present, but no count made in 2018 due to lack of capacity for monitoring.

Minsmere (RSPB): present but no count made in 2018 due to lack of capacity for monitoring.

North Warren (RSPB): present, but no count made in 2018 due to lack of capacity for monitoring.

Snape Wetlands (RSPB): two, adult carrying food Chillesford (Butley River): three Trimley Marshes (SWT): two, adults seen over spring and summer Redgrave Fen (SWT): breeding, but no numbers. Both Suffolk and Norfolk sides of reserve.

Lakenheath Fen (RSPB): 11. “no specific survey, but minimum of 11 pairs recorded ad hoc”.

On Orfordness, the overwintering flock from 2017 remained, with 29 on January 1st and 30 on February 3rd. Up to eight remained throughout March with at least one still present, April 8th.

In September on Orfordness, two were seen on 30th with the next being five on October 19th. At least two of these remained until November 3rd. None was seen thereafter.

Probable dispersing birds were seen at a number of sites during autumn and the second winter periods with a maximum of eight at Colton Creek, Chelmondiston on October 14th.

In the west, breeding was not fully confirmed at any site. However, at RSPB Lakenheath Fen “ad hoc recording found a minimum of 11 pairs”. Twelve were also present there on May 20th.

WOODLARK Lullula arborea Fairly common breeding species. Scarce on passage and in winter. Green list (from Amber).

This is a species that was immediately affected by the ‘Beast from the East’. Most Woodlark, especially on Sutton and Hollesley Commons, were well into the breeding process at the time. All eggs were lost, meaning that the birds had to start afresh after the cold and snow had passed.

In the west, in the Suffolk part of Thetford Forest, there were 59 singing males, down from 73 in 2017. In the whole of the forest there were an estimated 180 individuals. There were at least six pairs in The King’s Forest. Records of breeding behaviour also came from North Stow and Culford Heath and, of course, the well-watched Cavenham Heath. At Cavenham there were up to nine pairs with food seen being carried and family parties seen on the main track.

There was a total of 118 territories on the coastal heaths, a reduction of 11% compared with 2017. In the north-east Woodlark bred in at least 12 locations, the most northerly being Benacre.

There were 15 pairs in Dunwich Forest, 17 at Minsmere and five in the parish of Westleton. North Warren held seven territories and Snape Warren four.

In the south-east numbers were similar to previous years, although data were not forthcoming from all sites. There were eight pairs in Tunstall Forest, at least ten in Rendlesham Forest, nine on Woodbridge Airfield and 31 in the Sutton and Hollesley complex. A pair with four juveniles was observed at Ipswich Golf Course from July 2nd to 4th, at least (N Sherman).

At Landguard a few birds were recorded, including five north on April 12th and, in autumn, five south and two west in October.

An overwintering flock of 11 was recorded at Hollesley on a set-aside field on December 16th (J Zantboer).

Very unexpectedly, one was singing over Landguard on February 15th, the site’s first February record.

Woodlark were heard singing in every month of the year in Hollesley, although the August bird was brief and only heard once (N Mason).

SKYLARK Alauda arvensis Common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Red list.

As usual, Skylarks were well-recorded in January with 121 at Carlton Marshes SWT on 21st, 65 135

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

at Boyton, 15th, 35 at Fornham-All-Saints, 6th, 32, Knettishall Airfield, 8th, 26, Great Cornard, 16th and 44 at Great Livermere on 29th. In February there were flocks of 60 at Corton, 30 at East Lane and 40 at Harkstead.

Breeding figures were similar to 2017, although many records received did not show breeding activity. There were 45 BBS squares monitored with Skylarks in 39 of them, the figures over the last few years remaining similar. There were 269 individuals counted, the number rising yearby-year after the drop that occurred in 2013, there having been 375 in 2012. Twenty pairs were recorded at Sizewell SWT. On Orfordness 31 pairs bred in the main area which is an increase from the 19-22 pairs of 2017. There were 26 singing males between Rickinghall and Botesdale on June 13th, 12 pairs on Cavenham Heath, 38 territories at Great Waldingfield on March 13th and, the same recorder (M Peers) counted 120 territories in the Stour Valley between Rodbridge, Long Melford and Higham Sy Mary, a 10% decline compared with 2017.

There were good-sized flocks recorded in October, including 70 on Minsmere Beach on 11th, 60 on Hollesley Marshes on 4th, 60, Puttockshill, Pakenham on 31st and 85 on Knettishall Airfield on the same day. The Knettishall flock increased to 120 by November 4th and there were 70 at Timworth on November 2nd. A notable flock of 90 was on Orfordness on November 11th.

In December there were 45 at Corton on 24th, 40 at Sudbourne Marshes on 11th and 40 on Boyton Marshes on 16th. At Landguard there were 32 present on October 14th, 89 flew south on October 17th and then the numbers dropped off until there were 13 on December 4th.

The monthly totals at Landguard were: Jan Feb Mar Apr N 0 0 2 0 IN/S 2 8 13 2 Max on 0 1 5 2

May 0 0 1

June 1 0 0

July 0 0 0

Aug 0 1 0

Sep 0 0 0

Oct 2 393 3

Nov 0 134 1

Dec 0 19 0

HORNED (SHORE) LARK Eremophila alpestris Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

There was only one spring record, a singleton at Minsmere on April 22nd (RSPB).

The autumn was much more productive:

Kessingland: Denes, two, well-watched, Oct 20th to 29th (J Ferguson et al.)

Covehithe Broad: Nov 10th (C A Buttle).

East Lane: three, Dec 8th to 23rd, four Dec 24th to year’s end (J Kennerley, P Kennerley).

Landguard: Oct 21st (N Odin).

The East Lane birds were generally very confiding, but occasionally would fly inland when disturbed by dogs. They moved up the beach to Shingle Street on several days, normally returning to their favoured spot by the seaward lagoon.

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Green list (from Amber).

The first bird of the year was at Minsmere on March 14th. In the west there were birds at both Lackford Lakes and Cavenham on March 27th.

Spring gatherings of note included 43 at Trimley Marshes on April 29th and 40 at Alton Water on May 3rd. There were 50 at Lakenheath Fen on April 13th and 50 at Cavenham Pits on April 22nd.

Breeding data based on active nest holes:

Sand Martins Peter Beeson 136

Systematic List Covehithe: 126 Dunwich: 10 Easton Bavents: 210 Walberswick (East Hill): 18 Minsmere: 347 Thorpeness: 110 Upper Butley River: 44+ Pipps Ford: 100 Cavenham Pits: 98, including 42 juveniles seen, Aug 6th

There were, of course, regular sightings from and around the main breeding sites.

The graph below compares historical Sand Martin records received with those from 2018.

The more obvious dip in June and July records is not easy to explain and is possibly due to late breeding. The spike in August suggests this as it is a month later than most years.

A leucistic bird was at Minsmere on July 29th and 30th (J Grant).

On August 27th 70 roosted at Burgh Castle. At East Lane there were 100 on July 7th and 40 were at Loompit Lake on August 24th. In the west there were 30 at each of West Stow, August 9th, Lakenheath Fen on August 14th and Cavenham Pits on August 26th.

At Landguard 100 were recorded flying south between June 19th and September 24th, with a maximum of 11 on September 19th.

There were single birds at both Gunton and Corton on September 20th (possibly the same bird) with the last record of the year being six at Landguard on September 24th.

BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. Green list (from Amber).

Two birds on February 28th, in Stowmarket, are the earliest (D Carter, M Carter). In fact, they are the earliest-ever recorded in Suffolk – the county’s first-ever February record. The next birds appeared at Minsmere on March 31st. There was then a steady flow of records throughout the 137

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county in April.

The highest spring counts (none in the south-east): Minsmere: 100, Apr 27th.

Aldeburgh Marshes: 150, Apr 28th.

Friston: 150, Apr28th.

Livermere Lake: 100, Apr28th; 150, Apr 29th.

West Stow: 300, Apr 29th.

Lackford Lakes: 90, Apr 28th.

A clear arrival at the end of April.

Very few records of breeding activity were received. However, they were recorded in 28 of the 45 BBS squares.

The figure of 128 individuals was way down on the 228 in 2017. That was, however, well up on the 145 in 2016 and 130 in 2015.

Autumn gatherings were widespread with the larger ones detailed here:

Barn Swallows Peter Beeson Burgh Castle: 500, Aug 27th.

Corton Cliffs: 200, Sep 20th.

Worlingham: Sewage Works, 200, Aug 18th.

Chillesford: 400, Aug 11th; 600, Aug14th; 1000, Aug 16th; down to 100, Aug 17th (M Linsley).

Landguard: 150, Sep 10th; 243, Sep 11th; 366, Sep 13th; 370, Sep 19th (N Odin et al.).

Westhorpe: 100, Aug 8th.

Livermere Lake: 80, Sep 11th.

Cavenham: 100, Aug 22nd.

The details for Swallows at Landguard are in the table below.

Monthly totals at Landguard: Jan Feb Mar N 0 0 0 IN/S 0 0 0

Apr 26 161

May 67 319

June 7 52

July 0 64

Aug 2 473

Sep 4 3156

Oct 11 139

Nov 0 6

Dec 0 0

There was an individual inland at Thorington Street on October 12th. There were 12 records in November, all on the coast, with one at Minsmere on 13th but the last of the year was at Landguard on 15th.

HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbicum Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

The first bird of the year was at Livermere Lake on April 2nd followed by one at Corton on 5th.

Throughout April birds were recorded across the county.

Larger spring gatherings were at:

Snape Wetlands RSPB: 160, Apr 24th.

Friston: 150, Apr 28th, feeding over farm reservoir.

Loompit Lake: 80, Apr 13th.

Alton Water: 300, May 2nd; 400, May 3rd.

Livermere Lake: 70, Apr 27th.

Mickle Mere: 60, May 13th.

As usual, most breeding data came from observers in the west. There were 28 pairs in Pixey Green, Stradbroke and, in the west, Rickinghall (15 pairs), Assington (6), Sudbury (26 plus some 138

Systematic List

in town centre) and Nayland (25). The BBS data show that they were recorded in 11 squares compared with 16 in 2017. There were 73 counted but 117 in 2017 and 76 in 2016.

The BirdTrack reporting rate graph for House Martin in Suffolk for 2018 (below) makes for depressing viewing, after an initial good arrival in late April reports soon fell away and were way below the historical average for the breeding period. An increase in autumn is probably related to birds outside of Suffolk passing through on migration rather than indicative of a successful breeding season in Suffolk.

There was a good number of large gatherings in autumn:

Corton: Cliffs, 500, Sep 20th.

Carlton Marshes: 100, Aug 26th.

Minsmere: Dunes, 200, Sep 13th; 750, Sep 26th.

Hazlewood Marshes: 260, Sep 7th.

Aldeburgh Marshes: 400, Sep 21st.

Orfordness: 200, Sep 2nd.

Boyton Marshes: 750, Sep 22nd; 250, Sep 25th.

East Lane: 70, Aug 6th; 90, Sep 15th.

Landguard: 102, Sep 17th; 224, Sep 18th; 575, Sep 19th; 91, Sep 21st; 550, Sep 23rd; 338, Sep 25th.

Pipps Ford: 331, Sep 22nd.

Nunnery Lakes: 80, Aug 26th.

Livermere Lake: 80, Aug 12th; 100, Aug 19th; 170, Sep 11th.

Cavenham: Pits, 120, Aug 27th.

Sudbury: 100, Sep 8th.

Monthly totals at Landguard were: Jan Feb Mar N+out 0 0 0 S + in 0 0 0

Apr 1 11

May 5 15

June 18 9 139

July 0 0

Aug Sep 0 0 6 2014

Oct 0 38

Nov 0 0

Dec 0 0

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

October birds were at Southwold, 6th, two at Nunnery Reserve on 9th and one at Landguard from 21st to 24th. The final House Martin of the year was at North Denes, Lowestoft on November 4th.

RED-RUMPED SWALLOW Ceropis daurica Scarce visitor.

There were six records of, probably, five birds in 2018. It was the best year in Suffolk since 2010 when there were also five birds. It was the best year in Suffolk since 1987 when six birds were recorded. Most were in May but the latest was, remarkably, in December at Kessingland. The total in Suffolk now stands at 52 records involving 58 birds.

Corton: Old Sewage Works, May 28th (J A Brown).

Kessingland: photographed, Dec 10th (C A Buttle et al.).

North Warren: May 7th (J Davies).

Shingle Street/East Lane, Bawdsey: May 13th and 17th, presumed to be the same bird (P R Kennerley).

13th: “A Red-rumped Swallow was noted over the seawall between Shingle Street and East Lane at 07:40hr before drifting off south”. 17th: “East Lane, Bawdsey – A Red-rumped Swallow was seen over the lagoons at East Lane between 08:40 – 09:20hr”.

Alton Water: May 2nd and 3rd, photographed (C Courtney et al.).

December 10th is a very late date for Red-rumped Swallow. The previous late-autumn record is November 25th 1987 at Southwold. One frequented the north Norfolk coast between Cley and Thornham during the period December 17th 2015 to January 1st 2016. It was the first Redrumped Swallow ever to be recorded in Britain in December and January.

Red-rumped Swallow captured in flight at Kessingland in December.

Andrew Moon

CETTI’S WARBLER Cettia cetti Fairly common resident and rare passage migrant.

The explosive song of the Cetti’s Warbler is now so familiar that it is often taken for granted at wetlands throughout the county. So it came as something of a shock to discover that the brief 140

Systematic List

period of harsh weather in February had decimated the population, particularly on the coast. By early March, when its song should have been a familiar component of the spring chorus, birders realised that it was completely absent from some sites and much scarcer at many others.

Analysing data from BirdTrack – it is clear that ‘The Beast of the East’ that struck the whole of the UK in late February/early March in 2018 had a huge impact on several species including Cetti’s Warbler. Being right on the edge of its range Cetti’s Warbler is well known to be affected by cold weather events and the BirdTrack reporting rate chart (figure 1) reveals how the reporting rate fell by as much as 50% during March. This reduction in reporting rate lasted for most of the year and many coastal sites which once held good numbers of Cetti’s Warblers recorded few, if any, birds. It wasn’t until the end of the year that the reporting rate returned to the historical average and it may take a few more years for the species to fully recover.

Fig. 1. BirdTrack historical and 2018 reporting rates for Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti in Suffolk David Walsh, who has been monitoring the number of singing males throughout the county for several years on behalf of the Rare Breeding Birds Panel (RBBP), has produced figures that provide an accurate indication of the scale of the decline. In 2018, 140 singing males were heard throughout the county, down from 428 in 2017, representing an 67% fall. Losses were greatest in the north of the county where 256 males in 2017 fell to just 46 in 2018 – an 82% drop. South of Sizewell the decline was less severe; 91 males in 2017 falling to 50 in 2018, representing a 45% decline, and in the west of the county the decline was on a similar scale, 81 males in 2017 falling to 44 in 2018. Birds disappeared completely from several sites that held ten or fewer birds in 2017. Bucking this trend was the increase from 17 to 19 singing males at Snape RSPB, which is at odds with all other well-monitored sites in the county. Changes at selected sites throughout the county are shown in table 1.

Table 1. Number of singing male Cetti’s Warblers Cettia cetti in 2017 and 2018 at selected well141

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

monitored sites in Suffolk.

Location Carlton Marshes SWT Benacre NNR (Easton valley) Hen Reedbeds SWT Walberswick NNR (Westwood Marshes) Minsmere RSPB Sizewell SWT North Warren RSPB Snape RSPB Hollesley & Boyton Marshes RSPB Lackford Lakes SWT Lakenheath Fen RSPB

2018 5

2017 17

%age change -70%

2 1 4 4 1 18 19 4 7 25

15 7 34 90 19 31 17 9 10 59

-87% -86% -88% -96% -95% -42% +11% -55% -30% -58%

Away from recognised breeding sites, a wintering bird remained on Orfordness from February 3rd to 17th but may have succumbed in the cold weather. No further sightings came from Orfordness until September 22nd and just four birds were ringed there in 2018 compared with 23 the previous year, reflecting how badly this species fared in the cold spring. At Landguard, a juvenile on July 16th is the eighth site record.

LONG-TAILED TIT Aegithalos caudatus Very common resident and scarce passage migrant.

Historically, the Long-tailed Tit is one of the species most seriously affected by the impact of prolonged periods of cold weather. In recent years, however, they have become regular visitors to garden feeders where supplementary feeding may help them ride out the worst of the winter weather. Being numerous and widespread, and not the subject of nationwide or county-wide monitoring programmes, regional population trend data rely on the results of the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). These indicate a more or less stable population with occasional slumps, as occurred in 2018 when the number of occupied 1-km squares declined by 41% across the county from the 2017 total. The 2017 BBS for Thetford Forest (including the Norfolk section) revealed an estimated population of 1700 individuals. This is, however, a resilient species which raises large broods so any decline is likely to be short-term provided mild winters remain the norm.

In 2018, it was recorded daily at many sites throughout the year and in good numbers, so the effect of the cold weather in February is unclear. At least 11 pairs nested at Sizewell SWT, whereas just one or two breeding pairs were mentioned from several other reserves. The Lackford CES noted that adult numbers were reduced by the cold winter, and post-fledging survival was low.

Double-figure post-breeding flocks were regularly noted, the largest being up to 35 at Brandon CP in early October. Landguard’s maximum was 21 on October 19th.

WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sibilatrix Scarce spring and autumn migrant. Last bred in 2003. Red list.

Just three recorded and none lingered. This is the lowest total in Suffolk since 2011 when no birds weres recorded in the county.

Minsmere: Aug 24th (R Drew).

Thorpeness: Aug 7th, trapped and ringed (S Abbott).

Earl Stonham: Brewery Farm, Aug 5th, trapped and ringed (J Walshe).

2017 Corrections The singing bird featured on Plate 42 of Suffolk Birds 2017 was at Brandon. The earliest date given in the Earliest and Latest days of summer migrants 2017 table (p209) was incorrect. The correct date is April 27th at Thorpeness.

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Systematic List

YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER Phylloscopus inornatus Fairly common autumn passage migrant.

Another outstanding showing. The final total certainly exceeded 150 individuals and was probably 157, making 2018 the best year on record in the county. With so many birds arriving and with the potential for underrecording (and duplicating) sightings, it proved challenging to maintain an accurate estimate of the number that reached Suffolk.

The first two arrived at Gunton and Sparrow’s Nest, Lowestoft, on September 27th and a further seven were noted in late September; three more in the Lowestoft area, Yellow-browed Warbler at Southwold in October. two at Landguard and singles at Shingle Street Andrew Moon and Bawdsey.

A second, much larger, arrival began on October 7th centred on the Lowestoft area where 39 were found that day, along with 11 along the mid-coast sector between Southwold and Aldeburgh, but only four further south. New birds continued to make landfall along the entire coast daily until October 21st when the total for the month had reached 138; 84 in the Lowestoft area, 36 along the mid-coast and 18 in the south-east.

There were no further reports until late October when three were in the Lowestoft area on 27th and 28th and another at Shingle Street on 29th. The final reports came in November from Minsmere from 16th to 23rd, Lowestoft on 18th and Dingle Marshes on 21st.

The concentration of birds around Lowestoft was unprecedented, with reports of three or even four birds together from favoured locations. Other locations recording up to three together in October included the Southwold area, Minsmere, Thorpeness, Aldeburgh, Orfordness and Shingle Street. The only report from Orfordness was of three on October 6th and although Landguard recorded singles on 14 dates between September 29th and October 19th, the only multiple occurrence there was two on October 12th.

There were three records from inland sites: Mutford: Oct 7th (K Blowers).

East Bergholt: Oct 12th to 14th (M D Nowers).

Thetford: Nunnery Lakes, Oct 18th (N Calbrade).

Since 1968, occurrences of this delightful sprite from the forests of northern Asia have been monitored in the Report on scarce migrant birds in Britain, published annually in British Birds. The total recorded in Britain between 1968 and 2017 exceeded 30000 individuals and it has become by far the most numerous migrant included in that report. Numbers reaching some counties are now so large that no attempt is made to provide a realistic estimate. Consequently, 2017 will be the final year that Yellow-browed Warbler appears in that report. Suffolk will continue to provide an annual estimate in this report but birders will no longer have a ready source by which to compare the annual county total with those in neighbouring counties and regions.

PALLAS’S LEAF WARBLER Phylloscopus proregulus Rare autumn passage migrant. First mid-winter record in 2017.

Four birds between mid-October and early November is a typical showing by recent standards.

This is a species which shows a large annual fluctuation in the number reaching our shores.

There have been three blank years in Suffolk since the turn of the century (2006, 2012 and 2014).

Lowestoft: Gunton Warren, Oct 15th, photographed (P Leafe).

Southwold: Campsite, Oct 20th, photographed (C Fulcher et al.).

143

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Minsmere: Oct 15th (C Reid, D Short et al.).

Landguard: Nov 5th and 6th, trapped, ringed and photographed (T Holland et al.).

2017 Correction The annual total was at least four, possibly five.

Pallas’s Leaf Warbler elusive sprite at Landguard in November.

Will Brame

RADDE’S WARBLER Phylloscopus schwarzi Rare visitor.

No reports in 2018 but one late acceptance for 2017 which becomes the 25th record for the county, and on a typical date. The total of four in 2017 is Suffolk’s highest-ever annual total.

2017 addition Minsmere: Sluice bushes, Oct 14th (J Davidson et al.).

DUSKY WARBLER Phylloscopus fuscatus Rare visitor.

Occurrences of Dusky Warbler in Suffolk began to pull ahead of Radde’s about a decade ago and this record sees it extend that lead; this is the 32nd to reach the county, and typically the date is a week or two later than Radde’s. December records are not unusual and Kessingland sewage works is no stranger to overwintering birds of this species.

Kessingland: Sewage Works, Dec 2nd to 10th, photographed (R Wincup et al.).

WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus Declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

A bird at the Nunnery Lakes, Thetford, on March 30th, was the earliest arrival and was followed by singles at four other sites in the west of the county in the first week in April. The first on the coast appeared at Minsmere on April 7th, Orfordness on April 8th and Landguard on April 9th after which migrants became widespread with reports from many locations across the county.

Spring totals at Landguard peaked at 20 on April 27th.

The demise of the Willow Warbler as a breeding bird in the east of the county is a stark reminder of just how susceptible some of our most familiar and numerous breeding species are to climate change. The only breeding report in the east came from Sycamore Farm, Swilland, with nine territorial males in May. Looking back just ten years to the 2008 report, North Warren RSPB reported 60 breeding pairs, Minsmere (47), Snape Warren (6) and Sutton Heath (10); no breeding attempts were reported from any of these sites in 2018. In the period 1994–2017 Suffolk BBS data show a c. 68% decline in the number of 1-km squares where this species was recorded during the breeding season.

Most breeding season reports come from the west of the county where it is also in decline and it may not be too long before this region suffers a similar fate. Reports of territorial males in 2018 included ten at Thetford Warren, 24 in The King’s Forest and 12 at nearby Wordwell, six at Stradishall Airfield (down from 11 in 2017), three at Sudbury (down from six in 2017) and two at Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham (down from six territories in 2017). The Thetford Forest population in 2017 (including Norfolk) was estimated at 2600 individuals. Lackford CES failed to catch a single bird in 27 ringing sessions in 2018, compared with 1992 when 51 were caught.

From BirdTrack data reveals that birds arrived about a week later than normal and were reported less frequently during the summer months (fig, 2). This lower than average reporting rate mirrors the species northward shift of its breeding range. Autumn migration was also poor with fewer BirdTrack complete lists containing Willow Warbler.

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Fig. 2. BirdTrack historical and 2018 reporting rates for Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus in Suffolk.

Southbound passage was generally subdued with Landguard being the only site recording double figures. Here, the first southbound bird appeared on July 24th but there were no further reports until August 1st after which it was seen on most days until September 25th; passage peaked in August with 19 on 17th, 30 on 22nd and 16 on 23rd, after which numbers quickly dropped, the only other double-figure count being ten on September 12th. Passage at Orfordness followed a similar pattern although numbers were lower; just 63 birds were ringed in 2018, well down on the last two years; 179 in 2017 and 151 in 2016. The last of year were singles at Shingle Street on October 8th and Landguard on October 9th.

2017 Addition

Hollesley: the bird on March 13th (D Shepherd) is Suffolk’s earliest-ever spring arrival.

COMMON CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. A few overwinter.

Reports of wintering birds in the first winter period came from several coastal and inland locations including Kessingland SW, Melton SW (up to eight), Levington Creek (up to four), Nunnery Lakes, West Stow SW and Lakenheath Fen where six were ringed on January 16th. A singing bird was heard at Hazlewood Common on January 13th, an extremely early date, and it wasn’t until March 10th that the next was heard, at Carlton Marshes. The Hazlewood bird was the first record of a Chiffchaff singing in Suffolk in January since 1999 at Long Melford on 2nd.

The first migrant made landfall at Landguard on March 10th and passage continued there until June 25th. Arrivals peaked on April 14th when 15 were at Landguard and 20 at Orfordness.

Chiffchaff remains a common and widespread breeding bird throughout the county. Notable counts of territorial males included 30 in The King’s Forest, 24 at Sudbury – down from 32 territorial males in 2017 – and 15 at Bures. The 2017 BBS estimated the Thetford Forest (including Norfolk) population to be c. 6500 individuals.

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Using BirdTrack to show reporting rates, it is apparent that the cold weather in March delayed the arrival of Chiffchaffs, pushing it back by around a week, with the first noticeable arrival occurring in the third week of March (Fig. 3). The BirdTrack reporting rate followed the historical average for the rest of the year suggesting the population is stable. A peak in reports at the end of November coincides with a run of Easterlies suggesting these relate to bird arriving from Europe to spend the winter in the UK or further south

Fig. 3. BirdTrack historical and 2018 reporting rates for Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita in Suffolk.

In the east of the county Chiffchaffs have replaced Willow Warblers as a breeding bird at many locations. However, Chiffchaffs may also be encountering problems. One observer commented that overall counts for his regular section of the Stour Valley in 2018 showed a 25% decline from 2017 following year-on-year increases since 2010. Furthermore, the Lackford CES ringed only 24 juveniles, the lowest number since 2008. While it is unwise to read too much into one season, ongoing BBS monitoring may soon establish if numbers may be starting to decline.

The earliest autumn migrants appeared at Landguard on August 24th and Orfordness on August 26th. Numbers peaked in late September with 15 on Orfordness on 22nd, and 15 at Landguard on 27th and 30th and then declined to single-figure totals throughout October. The last at Orfordness was found on October 21st and just 80 were ringed here, compared with 335 in 2017, 162 in 2016 and 171 in 2015.

As the year drew to a close, birds continued to trickle through Landguard with singles on 26 dates between November 4th and December 28th. Kessingland SW continued to attract wintering birds throughout December, with 14 on 9th being particularly notable – this is the highest winter total from a single site in Suffolk. The last of the year were at Alton Water on December 30th and Long Melford S W on December 31st.

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‘Siberian Chiffchaff’ P. c. tristis Scarce visitor in late autumn and winter. Rare in spring.

There were five reports of ‘Siberian Chiffchaffs’ in 2018 although one refers to a bird initially seen in December 2017:

Lowestoft: Gunton Warren, photographed, Oct 19th (P Leafe).

North Warren RSPB: Jan 4th and 5th (E F Keeble, D F Walsh), present since Dec 30th 2017.

Orfordness: ringed, Nov 4th (D Crawshaw, M Marsh).

Boyton Marshes: photographed, Feb 25th (D Carter, M Carter) Levington: Sewage works, Feb 2nd to 25th (P Holmes et al.).

A reminder to readers that Siberian Chiffchaff remains a county rarity. All claims of this race supported by a description and ideally with photographs and/or a sound recording should be sent to SORC for review.

2017 Correction The statement on page 138 of Suffolk Birds 2017 that a bird Orfordness on April 23rd is Suffolk’s first spring record of Siberian Chiffchaff is incorrect. There have been at least eight additional reports of this subspecies in Suffolk this century.

SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Common summer visitor and passage migrantwa The first appeared at Minsmere and North Warren on April 4th, followed by Lakenheath Fen RSPB on April 5th and Orfordness on April 7th. New arrivals quickly settled into breeding territories and as more birds arrived their raucous chattering song became an integral component of the April chorus. Estimated totals of territorial males included 22 at Carlton Marshes SWT, 20

Fig. 4. BirdTrack historical and 2018 reporting rates for Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus in Suffolk.

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at Westwood Marshes, Walberswick NNR, 29 at Hen Reedbeds SWT, 15 at Sizewell SWT, 60 at Aldeburgh Marshes, 18–21 on Orfordness and 30 at Lakenheath Fen RSPB. No data are available from Minsmere, where the reedbeds were not surveyed in 2018 Comparison of data from BirdTrack shows that Sedge Warblers arrived as per their historical average. After their initial arrival the reporting rate dropped by as much as 10% compared with the historical average (fig. 4); could this mean fewer birds arrived and were thus on fewer BirdTrack complete lists? A small spike in mid-September also went against the expected pattern; as most British birds depart in August could these have been Scandinavian breeders displaced into East Anglia by unfavourable conditions encountered on migration?

Following a blank spring, the first of the year at Landguard appeared on August 15th and passage there continued until September 22nd, with singles on eight dates and two on August 28th and September 13th. At Orfordness, southbound passage peaked at 80 on August 5th, and 362 birds were ringed there, compared with 1507 in 2017 and 822 in 2016. One at Nunnery Lakes on October 1st was late for an inland location, and the last of the year was on Orfordness on October 13th.

BLYTH’S REED WARBLER Acrocephalus dumetorum Very rare visitor.

The number of records slowly creeps up, this being the sixth for the county.

Lowestoft: North Denes, Sep 30th (J A Brown, R Wincup et al.).

This is the first record for the north-east of the county, the others having been at Fagbury (two), Orfordness, Landguard and Bawdsey.

EURASIAN REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus Common summer visitor and passage migrant.

The first of the year appeared on cue at West Stow CP on April 11th, followed by another at

Fig. 5. BirdTrack historical and 2018 reporting rates for Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus in Suffolk.

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Corton on April 13th. Newly-arriving breeders typically go directly to breeding sites, making it difficult to separate these from birds still on passage. Lacking suitable habitat Landguard receives very few, the first there on April 30th, with no further reports until a small movement from May 21st to June 22nd, with a maximum of three on both May 26th and June 3rd.

BirdTrack revealed that in spring Reed Warblers arrived on cue with the historical average but from May onwards were reported at a lower level than expected (fig. 5), perhaps due to fewer birds arriving? A noticeable peak in late August/early September was unexpected and bucked the historical trend. Being a later migrant than Sedge Warbler, it could be these were British birds held up at the end of month by less favourable weather conditions for migration.

Surveys of regular breeding sites located 25 territories at Carlton Marshes SWT, 70 at Hen Reedbeds SWT, 25 at Sizewell SWT and 10–12 at Orfordness. The Stour Valley held c. 90 singing males including 45 between Rodbridge (Long Melford) and Higham St Mary, c. 100 were estimated at Lakenheath Fen RSPB and 25 at Redgrave Fen SWT. Minsmere’s reedbeds were not surveyed in 2018 and there is no figure available for the number breeding there.

Birds were on the move at Landguard from July 10th and passage there continued until October 16th, all singles apart from two on eight dates. At Orfordness, passage peaked at 45 on September 1st but dropped to just ten by 15th and only single-figure totals thereafter with two on October 14th being the last of the year; ringing effort here produced 225 birds, compared with 658 in 2017 and 575 in 2016. Last of the year were at Landguard on October 16th and Aldeburgh Marshes on October 25th.

MARSH WARBLER Acrocephalus palustris Scarce migrant. Bred in 2010. Red list.

Four singing males in late May and one in mid-June is the best showing since 2012.

Gunton: Disused railway line, singing male, May 28th (J A Brown et al.).

Corton: Links Road, singing male, May 28th and 29th (J A Brown et al.).

Carlton Marshes SWT: June 17th to 22nd (J Evans, M Gooch, P Noakes).

Thorpeness: former caravan site, singing male, May 26th and 27th (S B Mayson, L G Woods et al.).

Shingle Street: singing male, May 29th (G Grieco et al.).

BOOTED WARBLER Iduna caligata Very rare visitor Just the third record for Suffolk, this proved to be a popular crowd-puller as it performed well in the scrub and bushes by the Birds Eye factory.

The first two records were at Gorleston in September 1996 and Landguard in October 2011.

Lowestoft: Ness Point, first-winter, Sep 6th and 7th (J Cyprus et al.).

ICTERINE WARBLER Hippolais icterina Scarce passage migrant.

For the second successive year there were no reports of this warbler in Suffolk.

Booted Warbler at Lowestoft in September.

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COMMON GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella naevia Uncommon and declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

A precursor to the main arrival was heard at Carlton Marshes SWT on April 10th. There were no further reports until April 18th when a singing male was heard at Lakenheath Fen RSPB, followed the next day by males at Aldeburgh Marshes and Chillesford.

Widespread reports of singing males came from many sites across the county but confirmed breeding reports are few and far between, so a female with a well-developed brood patch trapped at Trimley Marshes on May 28th and seen carry food on June 11th is welcome. Singing males that renained for a week or longer were found at ten sites in the north including Oulton Marshes (one singing male), Carlton Marshes SWT (five), Hen Reedbed (one), Minsmere RSPB (three), North Warren RSPB (four), Sizewell SWT (one) and Aldeburgh Marshes (one, intermittently to Aug 21st).

Eight locations in the south-east hosted singing males and breeding probably occurred at most.

In the west two were at Lakenheath Fen RSPB in April, with one singing until June 23rd, and again on July 19th, perhaps suggesting a second breeding attempt. Singles sang at the Nunnery Lakes on May 1st and July 11th.

There were no reports from Landguard this year. Orfordness had a disappointing autumn with just four birds: singles August 26th and 27th, September 1st and retrapped there on 8th, and the last of the year on September 30th.

SAVI’S WARBLER Locustella luscinioides Rare summer visitor. Has bred. Red list.

Savi’s Warblers have reeled from Suffolk’s reedbeds in eight of the last nine years and the three records this year match the 2017 total. The first Minsmere bird is the earliest-ever recorded in the county; the previous earliest date being April 11th 1998 also, not unsurprisingly, at Minsmere.

The BBRC report for 2018 has presumed that the two singing males at Island Mere, Minsmere, were the same individuals that spent the spring and summer here in 2017.

Walberswick NNR: Westwood Marshes, male in song, May 9th (W Russell).

Minsmere RSPB: singing males, Island Mere, Apr 6th to July 27th (R Fraser, J Lovell et al.); second bird, June 1st to July 21st (G S Bowen, D F Walsh et al.).

EURASIAN BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Overwintering birds are widely considered to be from eastern Europe.

A minimum of 25 wintering birds was reported between January 20th and March 26th. Most were visiting garden feeders at inland locations although one at Landguard on January 24th was unexpected although not without precedent – one was noted there on January 16th 2007.

The first coastal migrants appeared slightly later than usual, at Landguard on April 4th and Orfordness, with ten, on April 8th, so singing males at Leiston on March 16th and Long Melford Sewage Works on April 2nd may have been wintering birds. Orfordness reported a disappointing spring passage with the last on April 29th, while at Landguard spring passage extended from April 4th to June 20th with a peak of 11 on April 14th.

Breeding season surveys in the west of the county revealed 11 singing males at Leavenheath, 25 in the central area of The King’s Forest, 12 at Arger Fen, 30 in the Sudbury area and 16 at Bures. The 2017 BBS estimated the total Thetford Forest (including Norfolk) population at c. 6000 individuals. At Lackford Lakes, CES ringing found similar numbers to last year with 26 adults and 65 juveniles caught, the last on October 14th.

At Orfordness the first returning bird appeared on August 25th and passage peaked at 19 on September 22nd, with the last of the year on October 28th. Ringing sessions trapped 96 birds compared with 180 in 2017 and 134 in 2016. Passage at Landguard extended from August 21st to November 27th, peaking in the last week of September with 30 on 23rd and a maximum of 40 on 25th.

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In December, wintering birds were reported from Kessingland SW on 2nd and 11th, Chelmondiston on 16th, Stowmarket and Trimley SWT on 23rd and Newmarket on 31st.

GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant.

The first of the year appeared at Alton Water on April 14th. Migration was subdued with few reports; Landguard recorded singles on five dates between May 2nd and 28th, and one was on Orfordness on May 20th.

Although BBS data for Suffolk indicate that the number of occupied 1-km squares has remained largely unchanged in the long-term, anecdotal observations of Garden Warbler suggest it may be declining as a breeding bird in the south-east of the county where it has disappeared from sites where it formerly nested regularly. This is supported by BBS data for eastern England which show Blackcap Richard Thewlis a decline of almost 40% between 1994 and 2017. Breeding season reports came from Dingle Marshes, Darsham Marshes, Minsmere RSPB, Sizewell SWT, North Warren RSPB, Thorington Church Farm SWT, and at several sites in the west. Apart from Sizewell SWT which recorded 14 breeding territories, no other location had more than seven territories.

The 2017 BBS estimated c. 1200 individuals in Thetford Forest (including Norfolk). At Lackford Lakes Constant Effort Site numbers were steady with nine adults and six juveniles trapped (seven adults and four juveniles in 2017).

Autumn passage was generally poor, particularly in the south-east. At Landguard, single birds were noted on 11 dates from August 21st, with two there on October 15th. Orfordness recorded just three, on September 2nd, 9th and 29th. Comparative data for other regions is lacking, but in the north-east numbers peaked late-August and early September with ten at both Thorpeness on August 30th and September 1st, and Corton on September 2nd. The last of the year was at Landguard on October 17th.

BARRED WARBLER Sylvia nisoria Scarce passage migrant.

Five individuals in 2018 represent the best showing since eight appeared in 2010, and the lingering and often showy bird at Benacre sluice proved to be particularly popular.

Lowestoft: Ness Point, photographed, Sep 26th (J Cyprus); Oulton Broad, briefly in observer’s garden, Oct 9th (R C Smith).

Benacre: Beach Farm, photographed, Aug 31st (C D Darby); Sluice, photographed, Sep 1st to 3rd (J Cyprus et al.).

Covehithe: first-winter, Aug 18th (C Fulcher).

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LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant.

The first of the year was at Alton Water on April 10th, followed by one at Landguard on April 12th and reports from many locations thereafter. Passage at Landguard continued until May 3rd, with a daily maximum of eight on April 23rd, but at Orfordness the only report was of one on April 28th.

Reports of singing birds and breeding attempts came from many locations throughout the county, with Sizewell SWT reporting seven territories, and four pairs nested at Landguard where the first juveniles appeared on June 16th.

Southbound migrants were first noted at Orfordness, and Landguard, on August 4th; numbers peaked at the latter site at seven on August 17th. Passage continued through September and late stragglers continued into October. The last of the year were at Benacre Broad and Southwold golf course on October 29th.

The BirdTrack reporting rate shows the percentage of complete lists including Lesser Whitethroat was 20-25% above that expected for mid-April, with birds taking advantage of the good weather conditions conducive to migration (fig. 6). After a week or so these early arrivals had moved on and the reporting rate returned to a near expected level for the remainder of the year.

Fig. 6. BirdTrack historical and 2018 reporting rates for Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca in Suffolk.

October also produced three reports of birds showing the characters of the Siberian breeding race S. c. blythi but no details of these birds were received by SORC. Observers are reminded that blythi is a county rarity. The identification of this form is not straightforward and the committee is still striving to come up with workable criteria with which we might be able to assess records.

All claims should be sent to SORC for review.

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2017 Correction The earliest date given in the Earliest and Latest dates of summer migrants 2017 table (p 209) was incorrect. The correct date is April 13th at Elmsett.

COMMON WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis Common summer visitor and passage migrant.

The first of the year was discovered at Orfordness on April 8th, and others followed at Great Bealings on April 12th, Mutford on 15th and Livermere Lake on April 18th. Passage continued through the remainder of April and peaked at Landguard with ten on May 3rd.

Breeding reports came from all regions and the population throughout the county remains healthy. The most detailed summary information comes from the west where surveys revealed 30 territorial males at Lidgate, 14 at Bures, 13 at Higham, near Hadleigh, 15 at Lakenheath Fen RSPB, 16 at Rickinghall, 14 at Stradishall Airfield and 16 at Sudbury. The 2017 BBS estimated the Thetford forest population (including Norfolk) to be c. 950 individuals.

Return passage was evident at Landguard from mid-July onwards, and peaked at eight on August 4th whereas on Orfordness passage peaked between August 25th and September 1st with ten present on both dates – and just 67 were ringed there this year, compared with 214 in 2017.

The last of the year was at Landguard on October 7th.

DARTFORD WARBLER Sylvia undata Uncommon local resident. Scarce visitor. Amber list.

The snow cover and freezing temperatures in late February had less impact on this species than many had expected. All breeding sites in the county are monitored annually and in 2018 the overall number of Dartford Warblers was 112 singing males across 14 sites. This compares with 129 males at 16 sites in 2017. This, however, masks considerable regional differences; sites centred around Westleton and Minsmere appeared largely unaffected, actually increasing from 58 males in 2017 to 72 in 2018. Elsewhere, the number of singing males fell from 70 in 2017 to just 40, with the southern heaths being particularly badly hit, falling from 50 to 25 singing males.

No birds were reported from the Brecks.

Away from the regular breeding locations birds were seen at:

Lowestoft: Gunton, Jan 1st to Feb 3rd.

Benacre: Beach Farm, Nov 18th.

Covehithe: possibly the Benacre bird, Nov 19th to 22nd.

Minsmere: between East Hide and the Sluice bushes, five on Dec 11th.

Orfordness: Oct 21st; Nov 11th.

Chillesford: Feb 17th and 24th.

Hollesley Marshes: Jan 5th.

GOLDCREST Regulus regulus Very common resident and passage migrant The smallest British bird is thriving at the moment, being very scarce or absent as a breeding species only in treeless areas such as the Fens, Scottish Highlands, Northern Isles and Outer Hebrides. It is obviously relishing the run of mild winters. Widespread across Europe, its status in Suffolk mirrors the rest of the Continent. The Breeding Bird Survey produced 40 individuals from 15 squares compared with 67 from 23 in 2017.

In the north-east, BirdTrack produced 690 records from 69 sites. As there were only 12 other records, it shows the value of BirdTrack in record keeping. There were 50 at Dunwich Heath on November 6th, as well as 30 there on November 14th and 30 at Minsmere on November 8th.

More significantly, there were 128 reports of breeding pairs, including 13 at Sizewell SWT, 11 at Minsmere and nine at Carlton Marshes.

There were 77 records in the south-east area with reports from 13 sites including maxima at 153

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Landguard of 80 on November 9th and 70 on October 19th. Also at Landguard, spring passage lasted from March 11th to April 14th with a maximum of eight on April 12th; autumn passage was from September 30th to November 21st with six birds lingering into December.

On Orfordness in spring, one on March 17th was the first followed by two on 24th, eight the next day and one on 30th. There were up to four in April until the last on 22nd.

The first to return were three on Goldcrests Richard Thewlis October 14th with 30 on 20th and 50 on 27th. In November there was a maximum of 40 on 10th with two lingering until at least December 2nd.

It was a better year for this species on Orfordness as can be seen from the table below, which shows the ringing totals for the last five years: 2014 30

2015 549

2016 276

2017 24

2018 117

In the west, there were 65 records from 45 sites, surely under-recording. These included 16 territorial males in The King’s Forest on April 24th.

COMMON FIRECREST Regulus ignicapilla Regular but uncommon breeder and passage migrant. Some overwinter. Green list (from Amber).

There are probably a lot more individuals of this jewel of a crest than you would deduce from the submitted figures (or anecdotally from those whose hearing doesn’t run to high frequencies).

In the north-east there were 108 reports from 19 sites plus a further 87 records from BirdTrack, which were mostly duplications. These records, which were mostly of single birds, included one breeding pair at Minsmere, where there was none in 2017, but five territories in 2016. The highest totals were, however, eight at Kessingland on March 30th and 31st.

There were fewer records in the south-east, which produced 74 from 11 sites, with a high of six at Landguard on April 17th.

Spring passage at Landguard lasted from March 14th to May 3rd, and in autumn Common Firecrest showing well at Landguard in March.

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from October 28th to November 30th.

There was a better year on Orfordness with 12 in spring culminating with one on May 5th; this included a maximum of five on April 7th and 8th. There were, however, only four records in autumn.

In its strongholds in the west of the county, there were 26 records from seven sites, mostly from Santon Downham and Brandon. In Thetford Forest as a whole, a total of about 250 breeding pairs was reported in 2017, indicating a healthy population overall.

A comparative table of singing males in the Suffolk section of Thetford Forest shows the following reasonably steady population: Year Singing Males

2009 19

2010 41

2011 33

2012 26

2013 38

2014 34

2015 43

2016 35

2017 42*

2018 26*

*There was reduced observer coverage in 2017 and 2018 and extrapolated totals are 50 in 2017 and 40 in 2018 EURASIAN NUTHATCH Sitta europaea Fairly common resident.

The highly-sedentary Nuthatch is a noticeable bird of park and woodland thanks to its bright colouration, distinctive call and habit of climbing upside down. The number of records submitted in 2018 was 208 from 80 sites compared with 279 from 88 in 2017 and 103 from 44 in 2016. There were 35 confirmed breeding records, a substantial increase compared with only 11 in 2017.

The north-east and west of the county provided a high proportion, with 82 records from 16 sites and 106 from 46 respectively. However, after 2017’s 67 records it was disappointing to see only 20 records from 18 sites in the south-east and this area still seems to have far fewer Nuthatches than in years gone by.

There were 20 breeding pairs estimated at Ickworth Park and 15 other reports of confirmed breeding. Encouragingly, the whole of Thetford Forest was estimated to hold 720 individuals.

The Suffolk Breeding Bird Survey produced five individuals from five squares, much in line with previous years.

EURASIAN TREECREEPER Certhia familiaris Common resident. Green list (from Amber) (C. f. britannica) Ubiquitous in Europe, this most unobtrusive of birds is replaced by Short-toed Treecreeper C. brachydactyla in parts of the south of the continent and is entirely absent from Iceland. It occurs throughout Suffolk according to the Suffolk Bird Atlas 2007-11, and is more widespread than the Nuthatch, being able to utilise conifers to a greater extent. As in previous years, there were few records of more than a single pair at any one site with a maximum count of five of five at Baylham on June 5th. A total of 502 records was submitted from 100 sites, compared with 464 from 124 in 2017. These consisted of 367 from 40 sites in the north-east, 34 from 14 in the south-east and 101 from 46 in the west.

Breeding was reported from Sizewell SWT, where 11 pairs were recorded, the same as in 2017, plus 42 others in the north-east and 15 in the west.

Also of interest is the estimate of 860 individuals in Thetford Forest as a whole.

Field Note On December 15th I was in central Ipswich, between The Cricketer’s Public House and the swimming Pool. There are five Plane trees there. I was astonished to see a Treecreeper foraging in these Plane trees right there in the town centre.

P Murphy.

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EURASIAN WREN Troglodytes troglodytes Very common resident and scarce passage migrant The familiar sound of the tiny bird with the large voice is heard throughout the county, as befits one of, if not the commonest species in the country. Not surprisingly, the Wren continues to be reported throughout Suffolk, continuing the stable trend shown in recent years, helped by a succession of mild winters. After three years of increasing counts of individuals on the Breeding Bird Survey the total was lower with 380 as against 467 in 2017 and the number of 1km. BBS squares reporting this species was down from 47 to 39.

In the north-east recording area, there were only 231 records submitted from 98 sites, (1898 from 105 in 2017) with the following indications of breeding: North Cove: 12 breeding pairs.

Sizewell SWT: 136 breeding pairs (as in 2017).

Darsham: 12 breeding pairs (ten in 2017).

The largest gathering reported was of a remarkable 56 at Knodishall on June 13th In the south-east, there were 255 reports from 23 sites, of which the highest count of 21 was at Trimley Marshes SWT on April 8th.

On Orfordness, the brief recovery shown by this species in 2017 came to a halt with no breeding recorded. The Orfordness Report indicates that “this was probably due to February’s harsh weather”. None was seen between April 14th and August 4th. After that date it was still regularly seen with a maximum of 12 on October 28th, which probably included passage birds.

At Landguard three or four pairs bred and at least 12 individuals overwintered. Spring passage lasted from March 11th to May 17th. Autumn passage was from September 27th to November 11th and there was a maximum count of 15 on October 20th, In the west 38 records were submitted from 16 sites, (34 from 18 in 2017) with 17 at BTO Nunnery Lakes, Thetford on September 22nd being the highest count. Three records were of confirmed breeding, but of far more significance was an estimate of the total population of Thetford Forest (Suffolk and Norfolk) at 18700 individuals.

COMMON STARLING Sturnus vulgaris Very common but declining resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

The Starling has been declining since the 1950s, but still has an estimated European population of 40 million pairs and a visible public profile thanks to sites like Minsmere promoting the viewing

Common Starlings spectacular murmurations at Minsmere in the first winter period.

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of evening murmurations. However, the numbers in the Suffolk Breeding Bird Survey decreased from 367 to 277, and the number of 1km. squares reporting Starlings decreased to 20 from 30, which is the lowest level since 2002. Nationally, trends are steadier with just a 1% and 5% decrease over one and five years.

There were 2090 records submitted to recorders from 159 sites compared with 1953 from 194 in 2017. These consisted of 1623 records from 91 sites from the north-east of the county, 404 from 38 in the south-east and 63 from 30 in the west.

There was an increase in the number of 10000+ flocks going to roost with 18 compared with 12 in 2017 and nearly up to the 2016 total when 20 were reported.

These included: Minsmere: 40000, regularly from Jan 29th to Apr 3rd and from Dec 20th to year’s end.

Hen Reedbeds: 30000, Nov 1st to Dec 31st.

Blythburgh: 12000, Jan 9th Cavenham: 15000, Nov 11th.

Livermere Lake: 10000, Feb 4th.

Monthly totals at Landguard were: Jan Feb Mar Apr 50 25 1000 2000

May 50

June 200

July 100

Aug 150

Sep 80

Oct 50

Nov 500

Dec 140

The high numbers in March and April are considered to be pre-emigration gatherings.

At Landguard, there were 57 flocks of 1000+ during the year. The species was present all year although scarce in the winter months with a spring maximum of 360 on March 24th. There was a midsummer peak of 1200 on July 27th. There were visible movements in the autumn of 8071 between October 6th and November 30th, with a maximum of 4490 on October 28th (N Odin).

The maximum roost total was 3500 on October 22nd.

ROSE-COLOURED (ROSY) STARLING Pastor roseus Rare visitor. Categories A & E. In June there had been a large irruption in Europe of these charismatic and beautiful passerines, so, it was no surprise when the 44th Suffolk record turned up at Landguard on June 2nd. This

Rosy Starlings in varying plumages at Landguard in June.

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was a female/first-summer male which remained until June 4th and it was joined by two adults on June 3rd.

Suffolk record number 47 soon followed with an adult found with Common Starlings in Long Melford on July 15th. This bird only stayed for one day and was very elusive.

Much more viewable was the juvenile that formed the 48th record for the county. This turned up at Bugsby Road, Kesgrave on November 3rd and stayed to the end of the year.

The annual total of five is the highest-ever recorded in Suffolk. There have been ten Landguard records of this species.

Landguard: first-summer photographed, June 2nd to 4th (P J Holmes et al.); two adults, June 3rd (N Odin et al.).

Kesgrave: juv/first-winter, photographed, Nov 3rd to 2019 (M J Deans et al.).

Long Melford: adult, photographed, July 15th (D K Underwood et al.).

RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus Fairly common passage migrant. Red list The first of the year was at Cavenham Heath on April 4th.

Once again there was a significant number of sightings of this attractive thrush on passage in Suffolk, but totals were slightly down on previous years. There were 124 records from 27 sites compared with 166 observations at 45 sites in 2017. As expected, there were more spring than autumn sightings (102 compared with 22)

Ring Ouzel handsome male at Shingle Street in May.

Liz Cutting

The north-east produced 73 spring migration records, the last of which was at Corton Common, May 1st. The south-east had 25 spring records, culminating in a singleton at Shingle Street, May 7th. There were also four spring sightings in the west of the county, of which the latest was one at BTO Nunnery Lakes, April 22nd.

The autumn produced 14 reports from the north-east, seven in the south-east and one in the west. Most of these reports were of singletons. The earliest sighting came from SWT Trimley 158

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Marshes on September 29th. The latest were at Corton and Landguard both on October 28th.

On Orfordness, spring passage consisted of just two birds and there were no birds in autumn in what was a very poor year.

At Landguard, birds were noted in the spring from April 11th to May 1st with a maximum of two on April 29th and autumn passage from October 6th to 28th with a maximum of two on 6th and 7th.

COMMON BLACKBIRD Turdus merula Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

In the national Breeding Bird Survey, the Blackbird showed a steady trend during the last year.

Indeed, most long-term trends for this species are very steady. It is common more or less everywhere in Europe with an estimated 50 million pairs thanks to its hardiness and versatility. This healthy state of affairs is borne out by the Suffolk Breeding Bird Survey with 429 individuals being reported from 44 of the 1km. squares compared with 459 from 48 in 2017. Suffolk recorders submitted 3097 records from 159 sites compared with 3284 from 229 in 2017 and reports of breeding came from 18 sites, including five breeding pairs in Reydon Wood (four in 2017), 23 at Sizewell Belts (23 also in 2017), Common Blackbird Richard Allen and six at Gunton Meadow, north Lowestoft.

In the north-east, the maximum counts were 50 at Warren Road, Hopton-on-Sea on November 17th and 40 at Thorpeness, October 28th.

On Orfordness a “respectable” total of 76 birds was ringed, although well down on 2017’s figure of 112. In spring there was a maximum of 19 birds on March 18th and an autumn maximum of 40 on October 28th.

In the south-east, the maximum was 90 at Landguard on October 28th. There were also 50 at Trimley Marshes on November 17th and three counts of fifty at Landguard on March 17th and November 16th and 17th.

At Landguard, ten males and seven females survived the winter with the oldest from 2012 and seven or eight pairs nested. The maximum on spring passage (March 8th to May 7th) was 50 on March 17th. Autumn passage, which lasted from September 29th to November 30th, peaked at 90 on October 28th.

October 28th was obviously the peak date for Blackbird arrivals with maxima of 90 at Landguard and 40 at both Orfordness and Thorpeness.

In the west the maximum count was 32 at BTO Nunnery Lakes, Thetford on November 26th.

There were reports of 19 breeding pairs in the area and it is noteworthy that there were an estimated 2140 individuals in Thetford Forest as a whole.

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FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

As usual, Britain’s mild winters attracted about one million Fieldfares and plenty of these were to be seen in Suffolk. Compared with 349 records in 2017 (220 in the first winter and 129 in the second winter period), there were 706 in 2018 (453 and 253). These broke down by area as 319 (211 and 108) from 63 sites in the north-east, 274 (176 and 98) from 73 in the south-east and 113 (67 and 46) from 46 in the west. There were 75 reports of flocks involving 100 individuals or more, compared with 25 in 2016, including one with more than 1000 individuals (see below).

During the first winter period the most notable counts were: Sotterley Park: 300, Jan 25th.

Landguard: 1259 south, Jan 17th – considered to be in response to colder weather.

Walsham-le-Willows: 300, Jan 23rd.

Most birds had gone by mid-May, with a last sighting of one at Sutton Common on May 21st.

Spring passage at Landguard was from February 27th to April 16th with a maximum of four on March 24th. On Orfordness, a small flock of 15 birds was present until February 18th, otherwise just ten birds on five dates were seen, the last being on April 15th.

In the second winter period, the first record was of an early arrival on September 6th at Landguard, which remained there for three days. October witnessed arrivals throughout the county. Passage at Landguard lasted from October 16th to December 10th with a maximum of 181 on October 24th. Orfordness had a poor second winter with just six birds on four dates from October 6th to 27th. Notable second winter flocks were recorded as follows:

Sudbourne: orchards, 450, Dec 28th.

Westhorpe: Lodge Farm, 330, Nov 26th Berner’s Heath: 500, Nov 2nd.

The King’s Forest: 450, Nov 3rd.

During the Beast of the East in early March many gardens and parks were blessed with several Fieldfares that had sought shelter from the heavy snow. The BirdTrack reporting rate graph (above) shows how the percentage of complete lists with Fieldfare on them rose from around 160

Systematic List

12% to around 45%, illustrating the intensity of this mass cold weather movement. Within a week the reporting rate returned to a normal level as birds returned to the countryside.

2017 Correction: The record of 21 birds at Wenhaston on August 28th, given as the earliest second winter record in Suffolk Birds 2017 (Vol. 67) is erroneous.

SONG THRUSH Turdus philomelos Fairly common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

Previously, nearly every garden had its pair of Song Thrushes, but although it seems to be arresting its 20th century post 1940s decline, it is still a species of note domestically. Although the Bird Atlas 2007-11 gives a drop of 54% 1995-2010, the U.K. Breeding Bird Survey has an 18% decrease from 2017 to 2018, but a 22% five-year increase. The Suffolk Breeding Bird Survey also showed a decrease with 73 birds from 28 squares compared with 123 from 40 in 2017. The number of records received for this familiar garden bird was 682 from 122 sites compared with 1046 from 201 in 2017.

In the north-east, there were 565 records from 78 sites with an impressive maximum of 100 at Gunton disused railway line on October 11th. Seventeen breeding pairs were reported including eight at Sizewell SWT (as in 2017) and two in Reydon Wood and at North Cove. In the southeast there were 65 records from 17 sites and the largest gathering was of 30 at the orchards in Sudbourne on December 28th. The west produced 52 records from 27 sites, seven of which confirmed breeding. A record of 20 at Sudbury on March 22nd was the largest reported followed by 19 at BTO Nunnery Lakes on October 13th. At Lackford Lakes CES, seven adults and four juveniles were caught, which was thought to be an indication of reduced numbers. The total number of individuals for the whole of Thetford Forest was estimated at c2000.

Orfordness had a similar year to 2017 with up to six over spring until May 5th. There was just one record in July, involving a juvenile on 22nd, and the next was not until September 29th, then up to six in October and just one December record following a poor autumn. The 11 birds ringed was “a rather disappointing total”.

At Landguard, at least three successfully overwintered, with the oldest bird being from March 2013. Spring passage was from March 11th to April 29th, with a maximum of ten on March 17th – the same date as Landguard’s maximum spring passage total of 50 Blackbirds. Two pairs bred without success. Autumn passage ran from September 4th to November 30th with a maximum of 40 on October 11th.

REDWING Turdus iliacus Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

This attractive thrush is still common in its northern breeding grounds and was visible in impressive numbers in 2018 with 838 records from 160 sites compared with 447 records from 149 sites in 2017; 383 of these were in the spring and 455 in the autumn. This compares with 192 spring and 255 autumn records in 2017.

In the north-east of the county there was only one spring count of 100 or more: Carlton Marshes: 300, Mar 24th.

In the south-east there were five spring counts of higher than 100 including: Otley: 300, Jan 30th; 200, Mar 27th.

Trimley Marshes: 150, Mar 11th.

In the west there were 11 spring counts of over 100, including: Cavenham: 265, Mar 14th.

Bury St Edmunds: 200, Mar 15th.

Thorington Street: 180, Mar 26th.

Over the whole county there was a total of 17 three-figure spring flocks.

There were a few spring records on Orfordness with a maximum of ten on April 14th.

At Landguard spring passage lasted from February 16th to April 15th with a maximum of 70 161

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on March 24th.

The last spring sighting was at Minsmere on May 25th, noticeably later than the last in the south-east at Landguard and Orfordness on April 15th. and, in the west, three at Santon Downham also on April 15th.

The first autumn records in the north-east were of singles at Pathways Farm, Lowestoft and Gunton on September 25th. In the south-east, the earliest was of one at Landguard on October 1st. On the previous day, there was a report from the west of one at Brandon Park Heath.

There were ten reports of migrant flocks during the second winter period involving 100+ birds, 14 less than in 2017. These included: Weybread: Gravel Pits, 228, Oct 7th Otley: 200, Nov 26th Brandon: 160, Oct 7th Thetford: BTO Nunnery Reserve, 275, Oct 11th

On Orfordness, birds were present from October 6th (35) to November 4th. The total of 12 birds ringed indicated a poor year for Redwings at the site where 59 had been ringed in 2017.

At Landguard, autumn passage lasted from October 1st to November 30th with a maxima of 69 on October 6th and 90 on November 16th.

MISTLE THRUSH Turdus viscivorus Fairly common resident and scarce passage migrant. Red list (from Amber).

The Red-listed Mistle Thrush suffered another five % decline from 2017 to 2018, similar to that between 2016 and 2017, on the national Breeding Bird Survey. However, it is still fairly widespread in Suffolk and has a steady breeding status according to the Suffolk Bird Atlas 20072011. However, the Breeding Bird Survey is slightly down with 25 individuals from 15 1km. squares compared with 40 from 19 in 2017.

Suffolk recorders sent in 505 records from 158 sites compared with 473 from 175 sites in 2017.

Breeding was reported from 21 sites, compared with 26 in 2017, but this is still probably a case of under-reporting.

There were few notable doublefigure counts, including the following: North Cove: 24, July 21st.

Melton: St Audrey’s Park, 25, Aug 11th.

Pipps Ford: 22, Aug 28th.

Culford Park: 25, Aug 8th.

Lindsey: 20, Aug 8th.

At Landguard there were four spring records and a juvenile on June 2nd but none in the autumn. On Orfordness one was in the village on April 14th, a rare sighting!, and only the fourth site record since 2010.

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata Declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

The first report in the northeast was from Thorpeness on May 9th (two). In the south-east

Spotted Flycatcher Richard Thewlis 162

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Landguard recorded its first on April 29th followed by the next on May 15th with a maximum of three noted, June 1st. The west of the county saw the first arrival in Sudbury on May 8th.

During spring/summer the north-east recorded this species from 16 sites with two breeding pairs confirmed and five unconfirmed pairs. In the south-east records came from only six sites with three confirmed pairs and two other possible pairs. The west reported from 24 sites with 15 confirmed pairs and a possible further nine unconfirmed pairs. Key sites were Brettenham with three pairs and Sudbury with four. A total of 20 confirmed pairs and 16 possible pairs is much in line with 2017 (27 plus eight).

BBS data for England show a steep decline of 40% over a ten-year period (2007-2017) whilst Suffolk has unfortunately fared worse declining 31% from 52 pairs in 2007 to a potential 36 pairs in 2017.

From BirdTrack – The worrying decline of Spotted Flycatcher in Suffolk is highlighted by the BirdTrack reporting rate graph, birds arrived later than expected and during the summer months were hardly reported at all. Could this suggest that most of the birds being reported in the spring and autumn are birds from outside of Suffolk and only occurring during migration?

The best of autumn migration was noted at Reydon with four on July 31st, Minsmere with three, August 28th and Millstream Nature Reserve in Ipswich, six on August 13th. Final sightings came from BTO Nunnery Lakes, Thetford on September 17th, Reydon Smear, September 22nd and the last of the year at Landguard on October 18th.

It is distinctly worrying that there were no sightings of Spotted Flycatcher on Orfordness in 2018.

2017 Correction The earliest arrival in 2017 was at Lakenheath Fen on May 4th, not on March 4th as in the earliest/latest table.

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EUROPEAN ROBIN Erithacus rubecula Very common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

During the first winter period high counts were reported from: Great Glemham: 32, Feb 4th.

Trimley Marshes: 14, Feb 3rd.

Playford: 15, Feb 17th.

Sudbury: 14, Feb 3rd.

Bury St Edmunds (west): 36, Mar 13th Santon Downham: 20, Feb 22nd.

Thetford: Nunnery Lakes, 30, Feb 24th.

Breeding was reported from established sites at SWT Sizewell with 68 pairs and North Warren, 14 pairs with Lackford CES recording 22 juveniles ringed, which is an above average return.

Orfordness recorded another poor year for ringed Robins with the lowest figure for ten years, jointly with 2014, of 51.

This table for ringed Robins on Orfordness shows 2018 was a poor year:

Autumn highlights came from:

Orfordness: 20, Oct 28th.

Landguard: 20, on three dates – Oct 11th; 14t and; 20th.

Alton Water: 22, Sept 23rd; 24, Oct 19th.

Ipswich: Mill Stream Nature Reserve, 29, Aug 21st.

Thetford: Nunnery Lakes, 26, Oct 6th.

Later concentrations came from Landguard with 18 on November 15th and 21, November 17th with Nunnery Lakes, Thetford, 20 on November 10th. Prior to the end of the year at least 13 prepared to overwinter at Landguard.

BLUETHROAT

Luscinia svecica

Red Spotted Bluethroat Rare passage migrant.

Luscinia svecica svecica

Landguard: male, May 15th (P J Holmes, N Odin et al.).

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Red-spotted Bluethroat obliging male at Landguard in May.

Bill Baston

White Spotted Bluethroat Luscinia svecica cyanecula Rare passage migrant.

Amazingly four different individuals were recorded very close to each other geographically in the space of a few days in March. Four in such close proximity has not been recorded before in Suffolk, the previous county record is of three at Landguard between March 20th and 23rd 2005.

These are the first White-spotted Bluethroats in Suffolk since 2011 when a singing male graced White Cast Marshes at Carlton Colville on March 20th.

Landguard: male, trapped and ringed, Mar 19th to 23rd (C Deeks et al.); male, photographed, Mar 20th and 21st (T Holland et al.); different bird, photographed, Mar 20th (W Brame et al.).

Trimley Marshes: Mar 18th to 20th (N Rayment, S Rayment).

COMMON NIGHTINGALE Luscinina megarhynchos Declining summer visitor and scarce passage migrant. Red list.

Unexpectedly, the first report was from Felixstowe Dock on April 8th followed by Reydon, Southwold and North Warren all on April 15th, and Lackford Lakes in the west on April 17th.

The BirdTrack reporting rate graph for Nightingale(below) suggest that birds arrived on schedule and as typical for this species soon got down to breeding with the reporting rate falling as birds stopped singing and got on with breeding. Reporting rate levels were around average suggesting that the Suffolk population of Nightingale is stable. As normal few birds were reported during the autumn months.

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A total of 13 sites reported singing birds in the north-east with the key breeding sites being Dunwich with three, Westleton Common with five, Minsmere, eight and North Warren, 14.

The south-east had the bulk of the Suffolk reports in 2018, a total of 54 sites, with the key territories being Bromeswell with at least three (April 29th), Sutton Hoo with seven, Piper’s Vale, six, May 5th and Alton Water, 20.

In the west 18 sites recorded this species with four at Lackford Lakes on April 18th and three at Maidscross Hill, Lakenheath also on April 18th.

Overall the recording was noted at a total of 85 sites which is an improvement over the 65 in 2017. Although breeding territories totalled just 52, Suffolk continues to remain steady compared with a BBS England ten-year trend showing a decline of 27% (2007-2017). Mid-summer records of juveniles are not common, therefore two juveniles with an adult at Trimley Marshes on June 22nd and again on July 21st are noteworthy.

Autumn records came from Minsmere, August 16th and Trimley Marshes, September 2nd.

EUROPEAN PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hypoleuca Fairly common passage migrant. Red list.

Following just one spring record in 2017 it is encouraging to see a big improvement in 2018; all records are listed and are singletons unless stated otherwise:

Corton: disused railway line, two, May 1st; May 2nd; May 28th; Sewage Works, May 1st.

Lound Lakes: May 3rd.

Oulton Marshes: May 4th.

Lowestoft: Leathes Ham, May 3rd; North Denes, May 2nd.

Southwold: May 2nd.

Orfordness: May 26th.

Landguard: May 18th.

The first autumn report was from Minsmere on August 1st and heralded a significant passage solely in the north-east. Just two days later, on August 3rd, the total number of birds reported was 68 and came from 14 sites. The fall was also seen in east Norfolk with 13 at Winterton and 17 at Great Yarmouth [Norfolk Bird News]. This is the biggest single-day total since September 166

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10th 2002 when 106 were present between Hopton-on-Sea and Lowestoft which was the biggest since the Great Fall of September 1965.

Highest counts were noted from: Corton: 14.

Kessingland: eight.

Southwold: 12 Aldeburgh: 14.

On August 4th there were still reports of 30 from 11 sites. Singles continued to be recorded throughout the north-east in September with the last reports from Lowestoft (east) with a singleton October 12th to 14th and two reported at the same site on October 13th.

The south-east did not see the same fall as the north-east but a reasonable autumn passage was noted from late August with Landguard, the key site, noting three on August 1st, four on August 21st, five, August 31st and five on September 6th. The final sighting in the south-east was also from Landguard, on September 25th.

RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER Ficedula parva Rare passage migrant.

There were only two records in the year. The first was in August at Felixstowe, an expected arrival time, but the second was a late first-winter at Southwold Campsite. It was present for four days. It is the latest-ever sighting in Suffolk, the previous latest was at Hopton-on-Sea on October 24th 2012.

Southwold: campsite, photographed, Oct 28th to 31st (N Andrews, C Fulcher, N Vipond, L Woods).

Felixstowe: Aug 22nd (C Courtney).

Red-breasted Flycatcher parading nicely at Southwold in October.

John Richardson

BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. A few overwinter. Red list.

First winter reports came from the Lowestoft Ness Point/Dock area with four records of an 167

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individual between January 7th and January 30th and Sizewell with up to two seen on a number of dates from January 20th to February 26th.

There was a good spring passage with the first record in the north-east of two at Bungay, March 15th to March 18th. In the south-east, Landguard reported passage from March 13th and in the west a male was at Little Waldingfield on March 15th. The best spring counts were as follows: Kessingland: Dunes, four, Apr 12th.

Southwold: four, Mar 18th.

Orfordness: four, Apr 1st.

Landguard: four, Mar 16th; seven, Mar 19th; six, Mar 20th; six, Mar 21st.

These Landguard totals coincide with the arrival of three White-spotted Bluethroats at the same site.

It is worth noting the increase in spring reports from the west of the county (not necessarily passage birds), all sightings are listed:

Bury St Edmunds: St Johns street, singing male, Apr 26th to 29th; Town Centre, singing male, May 9th; confidential site, two males holding territory, May 9th.

Troston: Mar 27th.

Cavenham Heath: Apr 1st.

Icklingham Plains: Mar 30th.

Barnham Cross Common: male, Mar 29th.

Late passage reports came from Minsmere Levels on May 19th, Orfordness, June 10th and Landguard, June 9th.

2018 was another encouraging year for Black Redstart as a breeding species in Suffolk; as last year, birds were reported from nine sites and the number of pairs rose from ten in 2017 to 13 which is the highest since 1994 when the county had 14 pairs. Two pairs successfully raised young at different sites in Lowestoft, with an additional male on territory, whilst the sighting of a juvenile at Landguard on June 24th suggested that breeding had taken place nearby. A pair bred successfully at Sizewell Power Station and another pair was present. In the west of the county seven pairs were located at four sites.

Year on year totals: Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Number sites 2 4 5 4 1 2 2 5 9 9

Confirmed breeding pairs 2 4 4 2 1 2 1 3 5 3

Total 2 5 5 5 1 2 2 5 10 13

Autumn passage began with reports of singletons at Minsmere, July 6th and Aldeburgh, July 22nd. The highest counts were seen at Lowestoft with four on September 2nd, 15th and 16th.

Second winter sightings were noted from: Gorleston: Pier, Nov 11th.

Lowestoft: Ness Point, two, Nov 1st; two, Nov 4th; two, Dec 9th, two, Dec 16th.

Easton Bavents: Dec 4th.

Thorpeness: Nov 11th.

Orfordness: Nov 17th.

Felixstowe Ferry: Nov 10th.

Landguard: Nov 2nd; Nov 6th; Nov 9th.

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Black Redstart handsome male showing well at Landguard in March.

Kit Day

COMMON REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus.

Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

The first report of the year was of two at Landguard on April 13th, then singles at Aldeburgh, April 15th, Upper Hollesley Common, April 16th, Felixstowe, April 16th, two at Carlton Marshes on April 25th and one at the BTO Nunnery Lakes, Thetford on April 25th. In the north-east there were reports of spring passage from seven coastal sites, the south-east, eight sites within the coastal belt and in the west, seven sites.

Good numbers were noted in the Sandlings with six territories on the Woodbridge Airbase, May 3rd, eight in Staverton Park, May 4th and eight on Upper Hollesley Common on May 9th.

Elsewhere there was an intriguing report of three at Martlesham Creek on April 22nd. Breeding was confirmed with one pair at Minsmere, five, Sutton and Hollesley Commons, eight in Staverton Park/Thicks, three, Woodbridge Airfield and two pairs in the west with an additional pair that may have bred. Therefore, the total of 19 equals the highest number of pairs breeding since 2016; the previous highest was in 2005 when 22 were present within the coastal belt.

Autumn passage began with singletons noted at Cavenham Heath and Temple Bridge, Cavenham/Icklingham (possibly the same bird?) on July 15th followed by Orfordness, July 21st and Gunton, July 26th. A total of 18 mainly coastal sites reported passage of one or two birds with the best count being from Landguard where six were present on September 6th. The last 169

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report from the west was at BTO Nunnery Lakes on August 29th. Elsewhere birds were at Gunton on October 8th, Landguard, October 11th and, the last of the year, at the Old Sewage Works, Corton on October 15th.

Common Redstart bathing male on Upper Hollesley Common in May.

John Richardson

WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra.

Declining passage migrant. Formerly bred. Red list.

A small increase in spring passage was noted compared with recent years. All records are listed and are singletons unless stated otherwise:

Corton: Sewage Works, two, May 1st Carlton Marshes: Apr 13th.

Benacre: Sluice, two, Apr 29th; May 3rd; Pits. Apr 25th.

Southwold: male, May 6th.

Minsmere: male, June 6th.

Aldeburgh Marshes: May 3rd.

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Systematic List Landguard: May 10th and 11th.

Trimley Marshes: male, Apr 21st and 22nd.

Cavenham Heath: May 4th.

Berner’s Heath: May 6th.

Lakenheath Fen: Apr 26th.

The first autumn reports came from Marsh Lane, Kessingland on August 3rd, Bawdsey, August 6th, and Stradishall Airfield, August 8th. The main passage was seen around the last week of August with the following high counts: Gunton: ten, Aug 22nd.

Kessingland: Cliffs, seven, Aug 29th.

Aldeburgh Marshes: 13, Aug 21st.

Orfordness: ten, Aug 27th.

Landguard: six, Aug 29th.

Passage continued well into September with peak counts from:

Carlton Marshes: 11, Sep 15th.

Lowestoft: North Denes, eight, Sep 3rd; nine, Sep 7th; eight, Sep 8th; 14, Sep 14th.

Minsmere: ten, Sep 22nd; Levels, ten, Sep 6th to 9th.

Aldeburgh Marshes: 15, Sep 1st; 19, Sep 2nd; nine, Sep 6th; 15, Sep 7th.

Orfordness: 14, Sep 1st; 15, Sep 9th.

Shingle Street: seven, Sep 13th; nine, Sep 15th.

Landguard: 13, Sep 5th; 12, Sep 7th; nine, Sep 8th; 11, Sep 9th; ten, Sep 12th.

It was reported from Orfordness that just three Whinchats were ringed in 2018 which is the lowest total since 1999.

The last report in the west came from Cavenham on September 13th and from the coast, Landguard on September 21st and Minsmere, October 19th and 20th with a couple of November records both from Minsmere on 8th and 11th and 12th, which possibly refer to the same individual.

Additional 2017 records Singles were recorded at Cavenham Heath on August 31st and September 3rd and Honington on September 3rd.

EUROPEAN STONECHAT Saxicola rubicola Fairly common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

There was a significant increase in first winter reports throughout the county following the excellent breeding success seen in 2017. The highest counts were noted from:

Carlton Marshes: four, Jan 28th.

North Cove/Castle Marsh: four, Jan 6th.

Covehithe: four, Jan 28th.

Sizewell Belts: four, Feb 19th.

Snape Wetlands: four, Jan 17th.

Orfordness: peak of nine during January and five in February.

Sutton Common: four, Feb 2nd.

Falkenham: King’s Fleet, eight, Jan 26th.

Levington Creek: six, Jan 17th.

Cavenham Heath: six, Feb 8th; six, Mar 3rd.

Lakenheath Fen: six, Jan 1st: five, Feb 16th.

Unexpected records of singletons were noted at Creeting St Peter on February 26th, Stowmarket, February 26th and Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds on February 4th. Landguard recorded a noteworthy spring passage from March 10th until April 12th with a maximum of ten on March 21st.

The number of breeding pairs was predictably lower than the high of 103 in 2017 due to the ravages of the “beast from the east” in late February-early March 2018. The total of 74 breeding 171

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pairs is still very good for the county with 20 in the north-east, 16 in the south-east and 38 in the west. The key sites were as follows: Dunwich (combined): eight pairs.

Minsmere: four pairs.

Sutton and Hollesley Commons: 11 pairs.

Woodbridge Airfield: four pairs.

Breckland (Inc. The King’s Forest): 34 pairs (a total of 96 birds was ringed in 2017).

Autumn gatherings were noted at Aldeburgh Marshes with five on October 10th and 19th, a maximum of seven on Orfordness during October and November, ten at Cavenham Heath on September 17th and eight, Brandon Country Park, September 28th.

Stonechats were widely reported during the second winter period and the highest counts were recorded at: Sizewell Belts: four, Dec 12th.

Cavenham Heath: four, Dec 9th.

Berner’s Heath: four, Nov 10th.

The King’s Forest: five, Nov 10th.

Lakenheath Fen: five, Dec 17th.

NORTHERN WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe Common passage migrant and uncommon summer visitor.

With very cold weather in early March it is hardly surprising that the first sighting was not until March 17th at Orfordness, a week later than in 2017. The next appeared at Landguard and Cavenham, both with two birds and both on March 25th, followed by two at Hollesley Marshes on March 30th with the final report of the month from Landguard on March 31st; in all, a very poor March passage.

The first report in the north-east was from Kessingland Dunes on April 2nd. Peak April counts were predominately towards the end of the month in the south-east: Carlton Marshes: six, Apr 25th.

Lowestoft: North Denes, eight, Apr 26th; six, Apr 27th.

Benacre Sluice: nine, Apr 26th.

Orfordness: 15, Apr 28th.

Landguard: 33, Apr 23rd; 28, Apr 25th; 35, Apr 26th; 40, Apr 27th; 40, Apr 29th.

The good passage continued into early May with peak counts from: Lowestoft: Lake Lothing, eight, May 1st.

Benacre: Beach Farm, 14, May 1st; Sluice, 13, May 3rd.

Minsmere: nine, May 2nd.

Orfordness: 16, May 5th – these included at least eight of the Greenland subspecies leucorhoa.

Landguard: 50, May 1st; 46, May 2nd; 25, May 3rd; 20, May 4th.

Timworth: four, May 1st.

Icklingham: Deadman’s Grave, four, May 3rd.

Cavenham Heath: four, May 4th.

The highest count from Landguard of 50 on May 1st is the highest there since April 26th 2013 when 110 were present on site; also, on that same day in 2013, 105 were recorded at Corton.

The final reports of the spring passage, all singletons, were noted from Oulton Marshes on May 28th and Landguard, May 27th – with three very late records on June 11th, 13th and 20th from the latter site.

From BirdTrack – The Spring of 2018 started slowly for Wheatear, traditionally one of our earliest summer migrants the cold spring seemed to delay their arrival with the BirdTrack reporting rate graph showing a below average reporting rate for late March/Early April. However, with warmer weather in late April a mass arrival was witnessed with the reporting rate shooting up above the historical average as birds took advantage of the good conditions. Autumn migration was a much slower affair with a lower reporting rate than normal, perhaps due to the long periods of westerly winds?

172

Systematic List

Once again, Orfordness was the only breeding site in the county with five pairs rearing a minimum of ten fledglings; the number of pairs was down from seven in 2017 and ten in 2016, which is a cause for concern. Unfortunately, BBS data for England back up the Orfordness concerns showing a ten-year decline in England of 18% (2007-2017).

Autumn passage was first noted at Minsmere on July 31st followed by a steady flow of reports throughout August and September. Peak counts were recorded at: Lowestoft: North Denes, five, Sep 7th; five, Sep 22nd.

Benacre: sluice, five, Sep 7th; five, Sep 27th.

Aldeburgh Marshes: five, Aug 21st.

Orfordness: six, Sep 22nd.

Landguard: nine, Aug 22nd.

The west recorded a poor autumn passage with only a handful of reports from Cockfield (two), September 22nd, Stansfield, September 13th and Lakenheath, August 20th with the last sighting in The King’s Forest (central) on October 10th.

Late reports included three on Orfordness on October 18th, singles at Landguard on October 18th and Kessingland, October 26th with a very late record from Aldeburgh on November 11th.

HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus Common but declining resident. Red List.

There were 280 records from 52 sites noted across the county with many notable flocks of this once-common bird. The BBS figures show there has been very little change in abundance of this species in the past five years: BBS Squares Birds counted

2014 26 236

2015 20 253

2016 24 287

2017 24 274

Flocks of 40 or more birds were recorded at the following sites: 173

2018 23 255

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Stutton: 40, Aug 27th.

Landguard: 40 or more birds were recorded on 63 days with peak counts of 110, Aug 1st and 120, Aug 2nd.

Trimley St Martin: 57, Jan 14th; 46, Jan 22nd.

Hadleigh: 60, Apr 2nd; 60 Nov 27th.

Bures: 50, Nov 3rd.

Great Livermere: 85, Nov 20th; 40, Dec 2nd.

Haverhill: Hanchett Village, 41, Jan 6th.

House Sparrows were noted on Orfordness on at least eight dates between April 21st and July 29th with a maximum of eight on May 28th.

TREE SPARROW Passer montanus Uncommon and declining resident. Scarce passage migrant. Red List.

Although both records and sites increased in 2018 this species continues to be hard to find and see, particularly in the east of the county.

Records Sites

2014 72 28

2015 84 33

2016 79 26

2017 69 18

2018 85 21

Few records of over three birds were recorded in the north-east and south-east of the county except at Easton Bavents. Significant numbers were reported from Ampton in the west where winter feeding is undertaken. Peak counts throughout the county were:

Easton Bavents: 15, Jan 12th; 43, Jan 13th; 12, Jan 17th; five, Jan 28th; 30, Feb 6th; 25, Feb 12th; six, Mar 22nd.

Fornham St Martin: Hall Farm, up to 30, Feb 14th to July 12th; up to 22, Aug 6th to Dec 23rd.

Ampton: up to 70, Jan 12th to Feb 21st; up to 350, Aug 7th to Dec 23rd.

Timworth: up to 40, July 16th to Sep 4th.

Livermere Lake: up to 18, Jan 14th to July 15th; 44, Oct 31st.

Mildenhall Fen: 43, Jan 10th.

Breeding was recorded at two main sites. A total of 82 young fledged at Ampton, and 99 nestlings were ringed in nest boxes at Mildenhall Fen. Breeding was also recorded at Great Livermere and Timworth.

Tree Sparrows were recorded at Landguard on six dates between September 14th and October 25th with a maximum on those two dates. Compare this with 1983 when 4675 were recorded at Landguard between October 6th and November 13th.

HEDGE ACCENTOR (DUNNOCK) Prunella modularis Very common resident and fairly common passage migrant. Amber List.

There were 250 records from 48 sites noted across the county with many small flocks of this common bird. As with House Sparrow the BBS figures show there has been very little change in abundance of this species in the past five years: BBS Squares Birds counted

2014 38 151

2015 32 130

2016 36 115

2017 39 151

2018 35 130

Counts of more than ten throughout the county were:

Botany Marshes RSPB: 11, Mar 14th.

Landguard: up 12 pairs nested raising few young; autumn passage Sep 1st to Nov 8th, max 16, Nov 5th.

Pipps Ford: 12, Dec 16th.

Brandon CP: 20, June 4th.

Breeding was recorded at a number of sites with 42 pairs at Sizewell SWT Reserve and 16 juveniles ringed at Lackford Lakes.

174

Systematic List

Ringing totals of Dunnocks on Orfordness had been 35 in 2016 and 29 in 2017 but in 2018 the figure declined to 15. This decrease was “perhaps due to the effects of the cold spring”.

WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flavissima Rapidly declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

The number of records and sites based on BBS data was very similar to 2017: Records Sites

2014 290 83

2015 184 75

2016 188 59

2017 285 74

2018 278 67

The first bird of the year was at Hollesley Marshes on April 6th.

There was confirmed breeding at Carlton Marshes, Higham St Mary, Knettishall Airfield, Mickle Mere and Timworth.

There were only six counts of nine or more birds:

Burgh Castle: 20, Apr 29th; 60, Aug 27th.

Aldeburgh: 12, Apr 29th.

Landguard: three south and six on site, Sep 6th.

Stoke-by-Nayland: Gifford’s Hall, nine, Aug 15th.

Livermere Lake: nine, Aug 23rd.

Spring migration at Landguard involved 34 birds between April 12th and May 13th and autumn migration involved a total of 65 birds between July 7th and October 3rd.

Blue-headed Wagtail M.f. flava Uncommon passage migrant. Amber list.

Single birds were noted in the spring at five sites (four in 2017, six in 2016, four in 2015 and six in 2014): Carlton Marshes: Apr 14th to 18th.

Walberswick: May 6th.

Minsmere Levels: Apr 5th; Apr 12th; Apr 17th to 20th.

Aldeburgh Marshes: Apr 15th.

Hollesley Marshes: Apr 14th; Apr 23rd.

The bird at Minsmere on April 5th is the earliest since 1994 (April 5th – no location given).

This is the earliest date since 1983 when Suffolk’s earliest-ever Blue-headed Wagtail was at Alton water on March 28th and 29th 1983.

Grey-headed Wagtail M.f.thunbergi Scarce passage migrant. Amber list.

The only record was from Landguard:

Landguard: June 11th (T Holland, E Lucking, N Odin et al.).

CITRINE WAGTAIL Motacilla citreola Very rare visitor.

There were no submitted records of this species in 2018.

GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea Fairly common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list (from Amber).

This colourful bird continues to be well-observed. However, few sites held more than three birds. Some of the records below are presumably of migrants with a number being the same birds: Gunton: four, Oct 4th.

Kessingland: Sewage Works, four, Mar 17th; four, Sep 22nd; four, Dec 4th.

175

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Worlingham: Marsh Lane, eight, June 23rd (two pairs with two young each).

Landguard: four, Sep 4th; four Sep 10th; 11, Sep 22nd; four, Oct 14th.

Long Melford: Sewage Works, four, Feb 24th; four Mar 3rd.

Cavenham Heath: five, Apr 5th.

Icklingham/Cavenham: Temple Bridge, five, Mar 12th; five Apr 7th.

Breeding was confirmed at eight sites (six in 2017, 12 in 2016) within the county (Hoxne, Worlingham Marshes, Pipps Ford, Boxford, Mickle Mere, Icklingham, Cavenham Heath and Santon Downham) with a further three sites (four in 2017, seven in 2016) indicating probable breeding.

Return migration at Landguard involved 64 birds between August 24th and November 13th (96 in autumn 2017, 132 in 2016).

PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba Very common resident, passage migrant and winter and summer visitor. Green List (from Amber).

This species is widely distributed in the county. Both the number of records and sites returned to those of 2015 and 2016: 2014 584 87

Records Sites

2015 89 41

2016 53 26

2017 498 82

2018 91 31

Breeding records came from across the county and show a stable situation: BBS Squares Birds counted

2014 20 33

2015 26 55

2016 22 51

2017 24 49

2018 23 38

Significant counts across the county were:

Oulton Broad: 73, Jan 9th.

Minsmere: 55, Sep 27th.

Martlesham Creek: 50, Dec 28th.

Needham Market: Sewage Works, 100, Jan 6th.

Stowmarket: Sewage Works, 150, Jan 24th.

Long Melford: Sewage Works, up to 107, Jan 6th to Mar 3rd; up to 107, Dec 15th to 28th.

Chilton: 50, Nov 22nd.

Kedington: 50, Jan 25th.

Lakenheath Fen RSPB: 140, Feb 18th.

Autumn passage at Landguard was noted from September 22nd to November 14th with only 27 recorded and a maximum of four south on October 17th. This is a big decrease compared with autumn 2017 when 179 were recorded at Landguard; However, totals in 2016 and 2015 were only 51 and 48 respectively.

White Wagtail M.a. alba Fairly common passage migrant. Amber list.

The number of records and sites showed 2018 to be an average year for this species which is always recorded predominately on spring passage with few autumn records: Records Sites

2013 64 29

2014 55 31

2015 74 34

2016 46 30

There were six records of four birds or more as follows: 176

2017 63 22

2018 69 28

Systematic List Corton: 21, Apr 4th; ten, Apr 5th.

Covehithe: eight, Apr 5th; seven, Apr 6th.

Easton Bavents: seven, Mar 22nd.

Hollesley Marshes RSPB: six, Apr 14th.

The 21 at Corton is the highest site total since 1994 when 45 were at Minsmere on March 24th.

There were two records from the west: One was at Hulback’s Farm, Arger Fen, Assington on September 16th and two at Thorington Street on October 12th.

RICHARD’S PIPIT Anthus richardi Rare visitor.

There was a single record of this species in 2018: Felixstowe Ferry: Nov 9th (W J Brame).

TAWNY PIPIT Anthus campestris Rare visitor.

The only record in 2018 was a bird found at Landguard. Picked up by call at 09:20 hours and found feeding on the reserve.

Landguard: Aug 30th (W J Brame et al).

MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis Common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

Both the number of records and sites were half those of the previous year suggesting this species fared badly during the cold winter months: Records Sites

2014 424 89

2015 77 35

2016 85 37

2017 507 98

2018 263 45

Significant counts of passage birds were reported from coastal sites:

Corton: 100, Apr 13th; 123, Sep 16th.

Lowestoft: North Denes, 170, Sep 22nd.

Carlton Marshes: 200, Sep 12th.

Minsmere: 50, Sep 23rd.

Orfordness NNR: 250, Sep 22nd.

Hollesley Marshes: 250, Sep 14th; 200, Sep 27th.

Shingle Street: 60, Sep 25th.

Bawdsey: East Lane, 150, Sep 15th.

Landguard: 300, Sep 13th; 153, Sep 21st; 941, Sep 22nd; 178, Sep 24th; 100, Sep 25th.

Significant inland counts were:

Belstead: 70, Feb 3rd.

Boxford: 40, Nov 9th.

Brandon CP: 110, Oct 10th; 65, Oct 24th.

This is a common bird on Orfordness where the estimated breeding population of 22 pairs was considerably down on the previous two years (34 to 38 pairs in 2017 and 27 to 32 pairs in 2016) probably due to high mortality during the severe cold weather in February and March. The ringing total of 162 was the lowest for over ten years.

Spring passage at Landguard was noted from February 27th to April 29th with a maximum of 70 on April 10th.

Autumn passage at Landguard was from August 30th until December 4th with a total of 2595 birds including a maximum one-day-count of 941 in/south on September 22nd.

TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis Declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list.

177

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

This species showed an increase in records from 2017 but with similar number of sites as the previous year: Records Sites

2014 90 39

2015 70 38

2016 41 23

2017 62 35

2018 82 36

In the north-east and south-east of the county, there was no sign of breeding with most of the records being of single birds, with three exceptions: Lowestoft: North Denes, two, May 28th.

Hollesley: two, trapped and ringed, Aug 17th.

Landguard: four, Apr 28th.

The picture in the west of the county was again significantly different with the majority of birds recorded in The King’s Forest (all sections) with the first of the year at Berners Heath on April 6th.

Multiple counts were as follows: Cavenham: three, Aug 29th.

Icklingham: Berner’s Heath, three, Apr 6th.

The King’s Forest (Central): up to nine, Apr 12th to June 25th.

The King’s Forest (North-east): four, May 4th.

The King’s Forest (North-west): four, Apr 7th; five, May 5th.

The King’s Forest (South-west): two, Apr 25th.

The King’s Forest (North Stow): three, May 2nd and 19th.

Wordwell: two, May 15th.

Elveden: two, May 10th.; Parsonage Heath, four, May 3rd; Centre Parcs, three, June 13th.

Mayday Farm: three, May 4th.

Breeding was confirmed in Thetford Forest where 34 nests were found and monitored with 109 young ringed, six of which were tagged with geolocators.

Late migrants were at Landguard on October 9th and October 18th to 20th.

RED-THROATED PIPIT Anthus cervinus Very rare visitor.

As in 2017 one bird was recorded in the county. It was discovered during a Breeding Bird Survey and was seen and heard to call when accompanied by Skylarks. This is Suffolk’s sixth record and only the second in spring, the first having also been the county’s first-ever record of this north Eurasian-breeding pipit, at Loompit Lake, Trimley-St-Martin on May 15th 1982.

Boyton Marshes RSPB: May 11th (P R Kennerley).

WATER PIPIT Anthus spinoletta Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

The number of records for this species decreased, with mostly single sightings, however, the number of sites increased: Records Sites

2014 45 25

2015 52 19

2016 72 19

2017 116 18

2018 88 26

Records of four or more birds were only noted from one site as follows:

Lakenheath Fen RSPB: up to nine, Jan 2nd to Apr 18th.

Nine is the highest site-total in the County since 2010 when there were up to 17 at Southwold in January and 20 at Minsmere in December.

ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant.

178

Systematic List

The number of records and sites was a five year high with all records, as expected, from coastal locations: Records Sites

2014 161 50

2015 122 50

2016 128 45

2017 167 42

2018 272 71

During the first winter period there were numerous reports of up to four birds with counts of six or more at only seven sites:

Slaughden: eight, Jan 1st.

Orfordness:28, Jan 20th.

Shottisham Creek: six, Jan 21st.

Landguard: ten, Mar 6th.

Trimley Marshes: ten, Jan 7th.

Levington Creek: eight, Feb 2nd; 20, Feb 3rd; seven, Feb 8th.

Holbrook Creek: nine, Feb 13th.

During the second winter period reports of up to four birds continued with 12 sites recording counts of five or more: Breydon South Wall: eight, Oct 25th.

Lowestoft: Ness Point, eight, Oct 6th.

Blythburgh: five, Nov 13th.

Thorpeness: seven, Oct 6th.

Aldeburgh Marshes: six, Nov 4th.

Sudbourne Marshes: six, Dec 24th.

Havergate Island: 15, Nov 6th; 17, Dec 9th.

Orfordness NNR: eight, Nov 11th; eight, Dec 9th.

Hollesley Marshes: six, Oct 4th.

Shingle Street: five, Oct 13th and 25th.

Levington Lagoon: 12, Nov 8th.

Levington Creek: five, Dec 10th.

On Orfordness birds were present between January 1st and March 25th with a maximum count of 28 on January 20th. The first birds returned on September 22nd and were present until the end of the year with a maximum day-count of eight on both November 11th and December 9th.

At Landguard, only 32 were logged during autumn from September 28th to November 15th compared with 104 in 2017.

CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Categories A and E. The number of records and sites for this common bird continue to fluctuate wildly for no obvious reason: Records Sites

2014 1004 144

2015 60 40

2016 27 19

2017 709 135

2018 246 58

Breeding was reported from a number of sites across the county with 92 breeding pairs counted at Sizewell Belts, the same as in 2017. The BBS data suggest a very stable population of Chaffinches: BBS Squares Birds counted

2014 42 391

2015 43 427

179

2016 42 297

2017 48 329

2018 44 300

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Reasonable-sized flocks of 50 or more were reported from eight sites with peak numbers as follows: Corton Cliffs: 104, Apr 3rd; 357, south, Apr 4th.

Thorpeness: 100, Oct 17th.

Upper Hollesley Common: 150, Dec 16th.

Landguard: 204, Oct 6th.

Boxford: 60, Nov 9th.

Bures: 80, Feb 5th.

Little Livermere: 65, Jan 29th.

Cavenham: 100, Apr 2nd.

The birds at Corton Cliffs, and probably Cavenham, were presumably pre-emigration gatherings.

On Orfordness 11 birds were ringed, this being the highest total since 14 in 2012.

Autumn migration at Landguard was between September 6th and November 28th with totals of nine north and 977 south/in off and a maximum day-count of 204 south on October 6th. The maximum autumn total on Orfordness was also on October 6th when 45 were present.

BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant.

The number of records shows a steady increase upwards with the number of sites remaining reasonably constant: Records Sites

2014 200 108

2015 181 84

2016 197 84

2017 207 77

2018 264 93

There were only 11 records of 20 or more birds, a significant decrease in number from the previous year: Gorleston: Beacon Park, 37, Apr 15th.

Southwold: Sewage Works, 28, Apr 15th.

Minsmere: 30, Oct 15th.

Upper Hollesley Common: 20, Dec 16th.

Ampton: 40, Jan 29th; 23, Apr 12th.

The King’s Forest (Central): 50, Dec 6th.

Icklingham: Berner’s Heath, 100, Nov 10th.

Brandon CP: 24, Oct 17th; 50, Oct 28th; 80, Nov 26th.

Being on the same date, the Gorleston and Southwold birds were presumably in pre-emigration gatherings.

The first returning bird in the autumn on Orfordness was on September 29th.

Spring passage at Landguard was noted from March 22nd to April 14th involving 17 birds.

Autumn passage at Landguard was recorded from September 25th to November 30th with a total of 80 birds noted with a maximum eight on October 17th.

HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothaustes Uncommon resident and rare passage migrant. Red List.

The huge invasion into England, in late autumn of 2017, resulted in an unusually high number of records in the first winter period. However, the majority of records were of single birds. The following records are of two or more birds: Corton: disused railway line, three, Apr 3rd.

Lowestoft: Lake Lothing, two, Apr 4th.

Sotterley Park: up to 18, Jan 1st to Mar 31st; two, Dec 22nd.

Wrentham: Cemetery, up to six Jan 25th to Apr 6th.

Southwold: Sewage Works, five, Apr 15th.

Minsmere: two, Mar 26th.

180

Systematic List

Hawfinch Peter Beeson

Hawfinch one of the Wrentham birds in January.

Dave Borderick Chillesford: two, Jan 19th.

Tattingstone: up to 11, Jan 3rd to Mar 15th.

Flatford: up to five, Jan 4th to Apr 22nd.

Stoke-by Nayland: eight, Feb 14th.

Long Melford: Kentwell Hall, up to six, Jan 14th to Mar 3rd.

Brandon CP: two, Oct 7th to 9th.

Thetford: three, Mar 24th.

Singles were at Landguard on April 15th and June 2nd.

EURASIAN BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula Common but declining resident. Amber List.

This popular species continues to be widely reported but with a reduction in both records and sites from the previous year: Records Sites

2014 508 186

2015 477 158

2016 282 99

2017 379 150

2018 325 136

2017 8 16

2018 7 19

The BBS data showed little change from the previous year: BBS Squares Birds counted

2014 8 9

2015 11 22

15 sites recorded five or more birds:

Minsmere: five, Jan 10th; six, Jan 28th; six, Nov 11th.

Eastbridge: five, Oct 22nd.

Thorpeness: five, Aug 21st.

181

2016 11 15

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Great Glemham: seven, Jan 8th.

Playford: Dr Watsons Wood, five, Aug 22nd.

Trimley Marshes: six, Feb 25th; seven, Mar 19th; five, Apr 8th.

Alton Water: five, Dec 30th.

Flatford Mill: six, Jan 21st.

Pipps Ford: five, Feb 17th; six, Apr 3rd; six, Sep 2nd.

Earl Stonham: Brewery Farm, 13, Feb 8th.

Thorington Street: ten, Jan 2nd; six, Dec 14th.

Great Cornard: six, Feb 16th.

Thurston: Grove Farm, seven, Feb 23rd; five, Dec 28th.

Lidgate: six, Jan 10th.

Wickhambrook: ten, Jan 18th.

Singles were recorded at Landguard on January 12th and 21st, March 9th and April 14th and 16th.

EUROPEAN GREENFINCH Chloris chloris Very common, but apparently declining, resident and passage migrant. Categories A and E. British subspecies C. c. harrisoni is on Red List.

After last year’s five-year high the number of records and sites in 2018 showed a significant decrease which was emphasised by the reduction in flock sizes reported: Records Sites

2014 482 89

2015 44 31

2016 35 23

2017 345 116

2018 147 81

The BBS data also show a steady decline of this species within the county: BBS Squares Birds counted

2014 25 113

2015 33 109

2016 23 100

European Greenfinch another attractive species in decline.

182

2017 24 83

2018 22 78

Liz Cutting

Systematic List

Counts of 20 or more birds were recorded as follows: Shotley Marina: 40, Feb 26th.

Tattingstone: 20, Jan 14th.

Newton Green: 40, Dec 3rd.

Bures: 40, Feb 5th.

Chilton: 20, Nov 25th.

Rickinghall: 50, Jan 10th.

Ampton: 27, Aug 7th.

Brandon Park: 20, Jun 4th; 26, Oct 17th.

Lakenheath Fen RSPB: 31, Feb 4th.

Ringing totals for the past six years at Orfordness again show a worrying decline in numbers: 2013 5

2014 4

2015 39

2016 24

2017 19

2018 4

The autumn passage at Landguard was the lowest ever recorded with a visible migration of only 22 seen moving south between October 7th and November 13th, a far cry from the 453 seen in 2017 and approximately 0.15% of the October 1983 figure of 14625 at this site. Only three birds were ringed all year and no birds from previous years were retrapped. There was only one record on Orfordness involving a single bird on October 14th.

TWITE Linaria flavirostris Declining winter visitor and passage migrant. Red List.

There were 17 records from five sites. As in the previous year, the highest counts came from Dingle Marshes. A single record from the west of the county involved a bird calling overhead at Brandon Country Park on October 12th.

There were first winter reports as follows: Walberswick: Corporation Marshes, four, Jan 8th; 30, Jan 22nd.

Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, up to 44, Jan 5th to Feb 12th.

There were second winter reports as follows:

Kessingland: Oct 13th.

Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, up to ten, Oct 28th to Nov 30th.

Aldeburgh: two, Oct 28th.

Brandon CP: Oct 12th (G Conway).

The Brandon bird is the first in West Suffolk since 2009 when a calling bird flew east over Lakenheath Fen on November 8th. So far, these are the only Twite in West Suffolk this century.

COMMON LINNET Linaria cannabina Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Overwinters in small numbers. Red List.

Although the number of records and sites decreased there were sizeable flocks in both winters: Records Sites

2014 521 109

2015 101 61

2016 61 49

2017 620 126

2018 486 89

The BBS data show a steady increase in individuals recorded in each square: BBS Squares Birds counted

2014 23 133

2015 25 112

2016 26 137

2017 31 162

2018 28 225

Flocks of 200 or more birds were reported from the following sites, excluding Orfordness and 183

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Landguard: The significant counts in the first winter period were: Ellough: 400, Feb 12th.

Theberton: 200, Mar 2nd.

Erwarton Ness: 350, Feb 14th.

Harkstead: 200, Feb 13th.

Westhorpe: West Farm, 250, Jan 2nd.

Bardwell: 300, Jan 30th.

Thurston: 200, Jan 4th.

Timworth: 200, Jan 11th.

Lackford: 200, Feb 14th.

The Kings Forest (North-west): 300, Jan 25th.

Lidgate: 220, Jan 10th.

The significant counts in the second winter period were:

Trimley Marshes: 200, Oct 17th.

Stoke-by-Nayland: 300, Nov 11th; Gifford’s Hall, 200, Nov 16th.

Fornham All Saints: 200, Nov 27th.

Livermere Lake: 200, Nov 4th.

Elveden: 250, Nov 30th.

On Orfordness flocks of up to 250 birds were seen in the first winter period and around 100 from September to the year’s end. An estimated breeding population of 12 to 15 pairs is similar to 2017.

Spring passage at Landguard was of 55 south between April 5th and 20th. An estimated 30 to 40 pairs bred at Landguard with several more nearby. Autumn passage numbers at Landguard were considerably down on the previous year (2857) with a total of only 327 south between October 8th and December 20th and a maximum day-total of 91 south on October 14th.

MEALY (COMMON) REDPOLL Acanthis flammea Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

The number of records and sites was approximately double the previous year’s figures.

However, the majority of sightings were of single birds: Records Sites

2014 26 12

2015 3 3

2016 24 18

2017 25 12

2018 51 22

Two or more birds were reported from only six sites:

Covehithe: up to three, Jan 7th to Feb 23rd.

Minsmere Dunes: two, Nov 18th.

Friston: Hazlewood Common, up to four, Jan 1st to Apr 10th.

Melton Park: two, Apr 13th.

Stutton: ten, Jan 15th.

Lakenheath Fen RSPB: three, Jan 13th.

LESSER REDPOLL Acanthis cabaret Declining winter visitor and passage migrant. Probably extinct as a breeding species. Red List.

The size of the flocks of this species continues to reduce with very few reaching 40. The significant counts in the first winter period were: Covehithe: 50, Feb 21st and 22nd; 40, Feb 23rd.

Minsmere: 60, Apr 14th.

Friston: Hazlewood Common, 40, Jan 27th.

The King’s Forest (North-west): 80, Apr 14th.

Lackford: 40, Feb 14th.

There were fewer reports in the second winter period: 184

Systematic List Thorpeness: Haven, 66, Oct 19th; 50, Oct 21st.

The King’s Forest (Central): 40, Nov 24th.

The King’s Forest (North-west): 40, Nov 8th; 100, Nov 15th.

On Orfordness the ringing results for the last five years show that 2018 was one of the worst years following the best ever in 2017, demonstrating the fluctuating fortunes of this species: 2014 0

2015 204

2016 129

2017 238

2018 3

Autumn passage at Landguard was back to more-expected numbers after last year’s high total of 1236. There were 137 recorded from October 14th to November 17th with a maximum of 49 on October 24th.

‘COUES’S ARCTIC REDPOLL’ Acanthis hornemanni exilipes Very rare winter visitor.

The single bird first reported in November 2017 remained well into 2018 and showed well for many visiting birders. There were two other records.

Friston: Hazlewood Common, Jan 1st to Apr 11th (first found by M L Cornish in November 2017).

Upper Hollesley Common: Apr 5th to 7th (J Richardson et al.).

Undisclosed site in south-east: Mar 3rd to 16th, trapped and ringed (C Bridge et al.).

It was the best year in Suffolk for Coues’s Arctic Redpoll since 2006 when four were located (two in the Sandlings, two in The Brecks) between January and April.

PARROT CROSSBILL Loxia pytyopsittacus Rare winter visitor.

There were flocks at either end of the county from November 2017 into 2018. The Santon Downham birds were seen on both sides of the river.

Parrot Crossbill stunning male at Upper Hollesley Common in February.

185

John Richardson

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Upper Hollesley Common: six, Jan 5th, 6th and 18th.

Sutton Common: Jan 6th; three, Feb 15th.

Santon Downham: 19, Jan 11th; 24, Jan 14th.

One assumes that these birds returned to the pine forests of Scandinavia.

RED CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra Locally common resident and irruptive visitor.

The number of records and sites of this species has increased over the past three years.

However, with this highly mobile species, there is a distinct possibility of duplicate recording of flocks particularly between feeding and roosting areas: Records Sites

2014 70 23

2015 54 33

2016 50 26

2017 59 31

2018 78 37

Records of ten or more birds were as follows:

Lowestoft: North Denes, 11, Nov 8th.

Minsmere: 17, May 11th; 19, June 8th; 12, Sep 27th; 25, Oct 29th.

Thorpeness: Golf Course, 26, May 23rd; 18, Oct 31st; 11, Nov 10th.

Aldringham Walks: 15, May 23rd.

Upper Hollesley Common: 22, Apr 1st; 15, Apr 6th.

Sutton Common: 15, Apr 6th.

Sutton Heath SCDC: 17, Apr 1st.

The King’s Forest (Central): ten, Nov 7th.

The King’s Forest (North-west): ten, Nov 7th; 14, Nov 8th; 20, Nov 10th; 19, Nov 25th.

EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. Overwinters in small numbers.

Not a good year for this species with both the number of records and sites being only half of what they were in 2017; possibly giving a more genuine indication of the species’ status within the county: Records Sites

2014 893 128

2015 82 45

2016 51 35

2017 773 155

2018 331 74

The BBS data show little change from 2017, which probably shows a more accurate picture of their status: BBS Squares Birds counted

2014 29 194

2015 33 199

2016 37 169

2017 39 255

2018 36 280

Counts of 100 or more birds were recorded from six sites with peaks as follows:

Worlingham Marshes: 100, Nov 3rd.

Minsmere: 100, Nov 19th.

Thorpeness: 100, Oct 17th.

Boyton: 100, Mar 25th.

Landguard: 481 south, Oct 17th.

Fornham All Saints: 100, Nov 27th.

Spring passage at Landguard was of 336 south between March 16th and June 11th. After the previous year’s record (22984), autumn numbers at Landguard dropped dramatically to a total of 2791 south from September 10th to December 6th with a maximum day-count, all going south, 186

Systematic List

of 481 on October 17th.

EUROPEAN SERIN Serinus serinus Rare migrant. Amber list.

There were no submitted records of this species in 2018, the first blank year in Suffolk since 2014. There was a single bird in 2017 and six at three sites in 2016.

EURASIAN SISKIN Spinus spinus Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeding still probably occurs.

Both the number of records and sites were five-year-maxima for this species: Records Sites

2014 108 44

2015 183 69

2016 143 52

2017 197 68

2018 244 76

Counts of 100 or more birds were recorded as follows:

Minsmere: 100 to 150, Jan 1st to Feb 22nd; 120, Dec 30th.

Butley: 250, Jan 1st.

Upper Hollesley Common: 160, Apr 1st.

Cavenham Heath: 100, Jan 30th.

Thetford BTO: 150, Jan 12th; 120, Feb 6th; 100, Dec 7th.

Spring passage at Landguard involved 142 between March 24th and May 22nd, with a maximum of 50 south, April 10th. Autumn passage at Landguard involved a total of 627 (419 in autumn 2017) from September 6th to November 17th with a maximum day-count of 76 south on October 17th (see Goldfinch).

LAPLAND LONGSPUR Calcarius lapponicus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

2018 was another below-average year for this species in the county with records of single birds from seven sites. As recently as 2016 there were 30 records of this bunting in Suffolk from 17 sites.

Lapland Longspur coastal visitor to Kessingland in October.

187

Andrew Moon

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Corton: Old Sewage Works, Nov 11th; Radar Lodge, Nov 5th.

Kessingland Cliffs: Oct 20th.

Benacre: Beach Farm, Oct 13th.

Easton Broad: Mar 22nd.

Southwold Denes: Oct 14th.

Slaughden: Jan 13th to 21st and 28th.

SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.

The numbers of both records and sites was similar to 2017 with birds seen in expected locations with the exception of the inland bird at Knettishall Airfield: Records Sites

2014 173 33

2015 86 21

2016 60 22

2017 121 31

2018 133 3

Craig Holden

Snow Bunting at North Warren in January.

Significant coastal flocks were very mobile and duplication of recording must be assumed. Peak totals were noted at: Kessingland Cliffs: 30, Dec 30th.

Benacre: up to nine, Oct 29th to 31st.

Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, up to 12, Jan 1st to Feb 22nd.

Minsmere: 22, Feb 22nd.

Thorpeness: 29 to 42, Jan 1st to 28th.

Aldeburgh: 30, Jan 2nd.

Slaughden: 22 to 50, between Jan 5th and Feb 2nd.

Orfordness: 16, Dec14th onwards into 2018.

Knettishall Airfield: photographed, Nov 4th to 11th. (Photographed by N Moran).

Singles also frequented Knettishall Airfield in 2012 from November 3rd to 5th and in 2004 from November 3rd to 11th – the proximity of these three sets of dates relating to the occurrence of Snow Buntings well inland at Knettishall Airfield is remarkable.

188

Systematic List

CORN BUNTING Emberiza calandra Locally common resident. Red List.

The number of records and sites continues to increase although most flock sizes remain small with only six sites having counts of six birds or more with the Shotley Peninsular holding five of these: Records Sites

2015 48 320

2016 31 16

2017 70 17

2018 74 25

Corn Bunting singing male at the Bawdsey ‘stronghold’ in April.

Chris Mayne

Shingle Street: ten, Apr 6th.

Erwarton Ness: 44, Dec 20th; 22, Dec 28th; 46, Dec 30th.

Harkstead: 50, Feb 13th.

Chelmondiston: Ling’s Lane, 30, Feb 11th; Bylam Lane, 31, Jan 5th; Pin Mill, 15, Jan 5th.

Singing birds were recorded at several sites, including Shingle Street and East Lane in the south-east and Tuddenham, Risby, Higham, Stansfield and Mildenhall in the west, although no confirmed breeding was reported.

YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella Common but declining resident and passage migrant. Red List.

This species was again well recorded with flock sizes being on average larger than in more recent years.

The BBS data show remarkably similar figures for the past five years: 189

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

BBS Squares Birds counted

2014 29 123

2015 28 133

2016 27 139

2017 30 138

2018 27 128

As in recent years most of the larger gatherings came from the west of the county. Counts of 50 or more were:

Halesworth: Cookley Bush, Hill Farm, 85, Oct 1st.

Easton Cliffs: 80, Jan 7th and 12th.

Huntingfield: 50, Oct 18th.

Westhorpe: Lodge Farm, 300, Mar 18th; West Farm, 70, Jan 2nd.

Hinderclay: 200, Feb 10th.

Barnardiston: 100, Oct 18th.

Elmsett: 110, Dec 31st.

Boxford: 50, Nov 9th.

Thurston: Grove Farm, 50, Jan 22nd and Feb 23rd; 180, Dec 28th.

Hawstead: 100, Jan 12th.

Wixoe: Sturmer Mere, 50, Mar 22nd.

Singles were noted at Landguard early in the year on February 21st and March 16th, 25th and 26th, and in the autumn on October 25th and 29th. One singing in the village on Orfordness on April 7th is “a rare sighting for the reserve and the first since 2015” ORTOLAN BUNTING Emberiza hortulana Rare passage migrant.

As in 2017 there were single records from two coastal sites in 2018. The first of the year was a juvenile bird trapped and ringed in a garden at Hollesley, the other was seen at Landguard three weeks later.

Hollesley: juvenile trapped and ringed, Aug 22nd (R Duncan, J Zantboer).

Landguard: male photographed, Sep 13th (A Williams).

COMMON REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus Common but declining resident and passage migrant. Amber list.

The year showed an approximate 50% decrease in both records and sites. However, large flock were still reported throughout the county: Records Sites

2014 323 80

2015 79 47

2016 52 31

2017 448 91

2018 222 52

Peak counts within the county were:

Easton Bavents: 100, Dec 4th.

Easton Cliffs: 150, Jan 7th; 120, Jan 12th.

Havergate Island: 100, Oct 26th.

Orfordness NNR: 120, Oct 14th.

Trimley Marshes: 70 south, Oct 14th.

Hinderclay: 200, Feb 10th.

Knettishall Airfield: 120, Jan 8th; 60, Oct 31st; 50, Nov 25th.

Lackford Lakes: 167, Dec 8th.

Cornard Mere: 53, Jan 13th.

Another excellent ringing total of 238 was achieved on Orfordness during the year, a small increase on 2017; this site’s breeding population was estimated at a minimum of 21 pairs. The past five years’ ringing totals on Orfordness are as follows: 2014 159

2015 182

2016 301 190

2017 215

2018 238

Systematic List

The total of 238 ringed on Orfordness was boosted by 162 birds being ringed in October which included a record day-catch of 93 on 14th.

Autumn passage at Landguard was much lower than that on Orfordness with only 26 (103 in 2017) noted between September 7th and October 29th with a maximum of seven south on October 17th.

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018

APPENDIX I – CATEGORY D SPECIES Species that would 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 2018.

APPENDIX II – CATEGORY E SPECIES Species that have been recorded as introductions, transportees or escapees from captivity, and whose breeding populations (if any) are thought not to be self-sustaining. Where a species is also placed in other categories of the British List, this is indicated in the species’ summary.

RED-BREASTED GOOSE Branta ruficollis Breeds Taimyr Peninsula in arctic Siberia. The majority winter on western shores of Black Sea in Bulgaria and Romania, with small numbers annual in The Netherlands. Categories A and E. Aldeburgh: Golf Club and North Warren, two, Nov 17th.

BAR-HEADED GOOSE Anser indicus Breeds by lakes in central Asia from Mongolia to the Tibetan plateau. Winters throughout the Indian subcontinent and Myanmar (Burma). Category E.

Carlton Marshes: two, June 9th Minsmere: two, June 2nd; Sep 26th.

Orfordness: two (probably a pair), Jan 28th; presumably the same two birds as at Minsmere flew over airfields, June 3rd.

Hollesley Marshes: two, Jan 1st.

EMPEROR GOOSE Anser canagica Breeds north-eastern Siberia and western Alaska. Winters from southern Alaska to northern California. Category E. Higham St Mary: Dec 14th.

SNOW GOOSE Anser caerulescens Breeds on tundra of north-eastern Siberia, Alaska and Canada to north-western Greenland.

Winters from California to Texas and locally on Atlantic seaboard of eastern USA. Categories A, C and E. Kessingland: blue phase, Jan 1st.

SWAN GOOSE Anser cygnoides North-eastern Asia, winters central China. Category E. The Parham individual has been noted intermittently there since 2013.

Parham: Jan 1st; Jan 13th; Jan 21st; Feb 4th; Feb 18th; Apr 8th.

Lackford Lakes and West Stow CP: Mar 25th to May 25th.

LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser erythropus Forest bogs of northern Scandinavia east to eastern Siberia. Winters locally from The Netherlands to eastern China. Categories A and E. Livermere Lake: Aug 19th, Nov 8th.

Thetford: BTO Nunnery Lake, Oct 4th to 19th.

BLACK SWAN Cygnus atratus Throughout Australia and Tasmania. Category E. Beccles Marshes: two, Feb 11th.

Falkenham Creek: Nov 21st; Dec 6th.

192

Systematic List Felixstowe: Marsh Lane, Nov 24th; Dec 26th; Kings Fleet, Dec 27th.

Holbrook Creek: five, Apr 28th.

Stour Estuary: Cattawade RSPB, two, May 11th; Sep 27th.

Lackford Lakes: Feb 17th.

Bury St Edmunds: Spring Lane LNR, Jan 14th; Jan 23rd.

UPLAND GOOSE Chloephaga picta South Chile, Argentina and the Falkland Islands. Category E.

Boyton: four, May 30th; five June 20th to 24th and July 7th; falling to four, July 20th to 31st; four, Sep 10th.

RUDDY SHELDUCK Tadorna ferruginea Morocco and Turkey east through Central Asia to Tibetan plateau. Winters to south of breeding range, with majority in Indian subcontinent. Feral population breeds in northern Europe. Categories

B and E. Livermere Lake: June 20th; July 30th; Sep 20th; two, Oct 31st.

[Sturmer Mere: May 20th (just in Essex but almost visible from Suffolk).]

WOOD DUCK Aix sponsa Canada to northern Mexico, Cuba and Bahamas. Category E. Thorpeness Meare: unringed, Oct 13th to Dec 31st.

RED-CRESTED POCHARD Netta rufina Breeds western Europe to central China. Winters to south of breeding range. Categories A, C and E. Flixton: Gravel Pits, eight, Jan 28th; six, Aug 12th.

HOODED MERGANSER Lophodytes cucullatus South central Canada to south-eastern USA. Categories A and E. This bird had a yellow colour-ring on its left leg: Blythburgh: Oct 27th to Dec 31st.

HELMETED GUINEAFOWL Numida meleagris Widely distributed in Africa and south-western Arabia. Category E. Tattingstone: six, Jan 13th.

REEVE’S PHEASANT Syrmaticus reevesii Forests of central China. Category E. Most/all records are assumed to relate to males, although this was often not specified.

Ipswich: town garden, Sep 19th.

Stowlangtoft: two, May 2nd.

Fornham St. Martin: Hall Farm, Feb 8th; two, Mar 25th; Apr 10th; two, June 6th.

Timworth: Apr 3rd.

INDIAN PEAFOWL Pavo cristatus Breeds throughout the Indian subcontinent from eastern Pakistan south to Sri Lanka. Category E. An interesting paper in British Birds 112: 317-348 (Cheke 2019) described a long-standing feral population in Oxfordshire and included a wider brief survey of the species in Britain, concluding that ‘they are substantially under-recorded by birdwatchers.’ Cheke recommended that the BOU should recognise the species as a naturalised exotic (possibly along with Black Swan) and that it should be added to BirdTrack to aid recording efforts.

Southwold: sewage works, Apr 15th, May 6th and 18th.

Martlesham Creek: Jan 22nd; May 28th; Sep 30th.

Levington Creek: June 9th.

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Suffolk Bird Report 2018

WHITE STORK Ciconia ciconia Breeds Iberian Peninsula and temperate central and eastern Europe east to western Russia, Turkey and Iran. Reintroduction projects are returning the species to its former range in northwestern Europe (and now the UK, at Knepp in West Sussex, as featured on Springwatch 2019).

Winters sub-Saharan Africa and increasingly in Iberian Peninsula.

There were fewer sightings than in recent years, as below. Mike Cartwright saw the Theberton birds and noted a colour ring on one of the birds (a white ‘EH’ on a blue ring with an orange band).

Despite considerable efforts it was not possible to establish the origin of this bird, but Birdguides advised there are now a number of unofficial and uncoordinated stork-ringing schemes in Belgium and Germany. An interesting postscript was that this individual was subsequently seen at the Knepp estate, West Sussex on December 11th, with two other storks. They are included here as their provenance is unknown. See article earlier in this report.

Theberton: two, July 7th and 8th (both colour-ringed), later reported flying south over Hollesley Marshes.

Boyton Marshes: Mar 29th.

Hollesley Marshes: Mar 29th (same bird as above); south, July 10th.

GOLDEN EAGLE Aquila chrysaetos Europe and northern Asia through to Japan, plus Canada and western USA. Categories A and E. Minsmere: July 12th and 18th (on latter date also seen over Eastbridge).

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, C and E Asia, Indian subcontinent, E and SE Asia and Australia.

Categories A and E. As stated in the 2017 report, this colour ringed bird arrived in Suffolk at Bawdsey on June 13th 2014. It appeared in the Wrentham area on June 23rd 2014 and has remained in this area since that date.

Wrentham: seen throughout the year, but no reported records of this bird away from Wrentham.

Escapee from Banham Zoo named ‘Gadget’.

HARRIS’S HAWK Parabuteo unicinctus Southwestern USA south through Central and South America to southern Argentina and Chile.

Category E.

North Cove: Castle Marsh and North Cove SWT reserve, June 3rd.

Minsmere: Nov 13th.

SAKER Falco cherrug Central Europe and Northern Africa through to central Asia and northern India. Categories D and E.

Minsmere: North Marsh, May 10th (wearing jesses). Not reported as a hybrid, but two hybrids involving Sakers were included in 2013 report.

ALEXANDRINE PARAKEET Psittacula eupatria Indian sub-continent to Indochina. Category E. Oulton Broad (south): July 17th.

PALE-HEADED ROSELLA Platycercus adscitus Queensland to New South Wales, Australia. Category E. Cratfield: Rookery Farm, June 2nd to 4th.

BUDGERIGAR Melopsittacus undulatus Drier regions of Australia. Category E. Landguard: July 26th.

194

Systematic List

ZEBRA FINCH Taeniopygia guttata Across much of Australia and parts of Indonesia. Category E. Playford: Apr 15th.

195

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Suffolk Ringing Report 2018 Simon Evans Over the last ten years of writing this report I’ve mentioned that observing and studying trends in numbers of birds ringed involves many factors. The interplay of population, environmental and climatic variables, along with capture effort, however focused, logically contributes to the actual outcome. However, in 2018, the climate certainly played a leading role as the Review of the Weather illustrates. The ‘Beast from the East’, the grey, damp, cool spring and heavy rainfall in early June, without doubt had an adverse impact on migration and breeding success for many species and was further reflected in the results of long-term monitoring studies like CES. With the ringing figures for 2017 remaining surprisingly unchanged from those reported a year ago, the provisional figure for 2018 of 43,525 indicates a marked decrease of over 20%. The 2017 figure is the lowest total for ten years, with the 2018 number being the lowest for at least 15 years. Let’s hope this trend doesn’t continue!

Looking at year on year comparisons across the range of species ringed within the county, notable declines in numbers for wildfowl, waders, gulls, hirundines, finches and many species of warbler as well as some raptors can only mean that the overall total will inevitably drop. With few significant increases this is true, but how much have changes in effort contributed I wonder? One fellow county ringer recently commented on how few waders are caught in the county, despite the extent of Suffolk’s coastal mudflats and estuaries. Cold, wet, muddy late nights aren’t for everyone, I guess!

My personal 2018 highlights included ringing and tagging two more Red Kite chicks, a chance encounter with three gorgeous Common Curlew chicks whilst out monitoring Stone-curlews and ringing broods of five nestling Nightingales and six nestling Redstarts. The latter are the first

Common Firecrest showing well at Landguard in March.

196

Kit Day

Suffolk Ringing Report 2018

brood to be reared in one of our new Breckland nest boxes. Continued work alongside Action for Swifts across West Suffolk and East Cambridgeshire has led to some close monitoring of key colonies. Ringing swiftlets for productivity, fledging success, dispersal and longevity studies has resulted in just shy of 50% of the Swifts ringed across the UK being ringed in this region.

Despite the initial ‘Doom and Gloom’, for the sixth year running Suffolk provided the highest county ringing totals across Britain and Ireland, accounting for 4.4% of the total. Recoveries of birds found more than five kilometres from their original ringing site fell to just 3% of the national totals. Included within these recoveries were 257 reports of Suffolk-ringed birds abroad but just 24 reports of foreign-ringed birds in the county. Notables here were the first Lesser Whitethroat to Germany and the first Whitethroat to The Gambia as well as the first French-ringed Bar-tailed Godwit and Channel Island-ringed Firecrest to Suffolk.

During 2018, 126 different species made it onto the county ringing tables and with no additional new species, the overall species ringing total remains at 227. Suffolk contributed 57% of the Woodlarks, 33% of Avocets, 30% of Dartford Warblers, 18% of Nightingales, 17% of Water Pipits and 33% of the Black Redstarts to the UK totals. Additionally, one of only two Pallas’s Warblers and the only Ortolan Bunting ringed in Britain and Ireland came from Suffolk nets. Of other scarcer species, a single Bluethroat and a record-breaking 17 Yellow-browed Warblers were also caught in the county.

Now for the top five ringed species pop pickers! At number five, down one place, is Blackbird.

A re-entry at number four for Reed Warbler. Great Tit climbs one to number three knocking Goldfinch clean out of the top table. Blackcap remains at number two; so that means that yet again Blue Tit takes the top spot, a position it has held since 2010. National data comparison similarly shows Blue and Great tit in the top five but Chaffinch, Chiffchaff and Goldfinch replace Blackbird, Blackcap and Reed Warbler.

The following table summarises the provisional figures for 2018 as well as any amendments noted for any of the previous few years. This information is largely gleaned from the BTO’s online data but is augmented by the reports from ringers themselves, particularly with reference to some of the more sensitive species.

In acknowledgement, I’d like to thank Kessingland Ringing Group for forwarding their data directly to me. The following ringers and groups are also known to have been active in the county in 2018: Abbott & Kennerley, RE Batty, Chris Bridge, Catchpole, Cockram & Peters RG, Dingle Bird Club, Rob Duncan, Janette Troop, Lackford RG, Landguard RG, Little Ouse RG, Newton & Backhouse, Stanny Farm RG, Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project, Thetford Forest RG, Thompson & Hedges, Ken Venus, John Walshe, Waveney RG and Mick Wright. Apologies to anyone I’ve missed or am unaware of. You know what to do!

Simon: spe24@btinternet.com

197

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Species Mute Swan Cygnus olor Canada Goose Branta canadensis Greylag Goose Anser anser Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Mandarine Duck Aix galericulata Wigeon Anas penelope Teal Anas crecca Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Pintail Anas acuta Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Grey Partridge Perdix perdix Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Red Kite Milvus milvus Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Buzzard Buteo buteo Water Rail Rallus aquaticus Spotted Crake Porzana porzana Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Knot Calidris canutus Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima Dunlin Calidris alpina Ruff Philomachus pugnax Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus Snipe Gallinago gallinago Woodcock Scolopax rusticola Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Curlew Numenius arquata Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Greenshank Tringa nebularia Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Redshank Tringa totanus Turnstone Arenaria interpres Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus Common Gull Larus canus Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Herring Gull Larus argentatus Little Tern Sternula albifrons Common Tern Sterna hirundo Little Auk Alle alle Stock Dove Columba oenas Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Barn Owl Tyto alba

2014 2 0 0 0 0 0 24 4 0 0 1 3 0 0 19 7 62 16 6 0 20 10 16 69 2 22 1 0 29 2 0 39 1 2 11 6 23 2 0 3 6 7 11 0 326 2 162 42 1 391 64 0 140 1 120 140 102 6 8 924 198

2015 3 0 0 0 1 0 28 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 18 8 56 10 2 0 17 7 8 59 0 12 2 2 8 6 0 43 0 11 20 5 39 0 0 1 5 4 2 1 331 3 34 11 3 29 14 1 46 0 85 145 78 5 2 620

2016 58 1 0 7 0 1 37 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 8 45 8 3 1 9 10 1 48 0 17 3 0 9 11 0 38 0 6 14 9 104 4 1 4 0 5 5 0 326 2 49 14 0 215 48 0 72 0 65 131 70 6 5 533

2017 13 0 0 5 0 3 4 4 1 0 0 0 2 1 10 6 56 12 8 0 11 7 21 66 7 17 8 1 76 3 1 66 0 1 8 4 59 6 0 7 1 4 6 1 331 1 59 9 0 55 49 0 102 0 82 120 41 2 7 824

2018 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 3 0 2 19 8 31 9 4 0 10 4 15 16 1 12 0 4 57 4 0 23 0 0 11 6 14 2 0 4 0 0 3 0 170 0 24 63 8 37 67 0 140 0 52 106 38 0 4 214

Suffolk Ringing Report 2018 Species Little Owl Athene noctua Tawny Owl Strix aluco Long-eared Owl Asio otus Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus Swift Apus apus Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Wryneck Jynx torquilla Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Merlin Falco columbarius Hobby Falco subbuteo Peregrine Falco peregrinus Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor Magpie Pica pica Jay Garrulus glandarius Jackdaw Corvus monedula Rook Corvus frugilegus Carrion Crow Corvus corone Goldcrest Regulus regulus Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Great Tit Parus major Coal Tit Periparus ater Willow Tit Poecile montana Marsh Tit Poecile palustris Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus Woodlark Lullula arborea Skylark Alauda arvensis Sand Martin Riparia riparia Swallow Hirundo rustica House Martin Delichon urbicum Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis Pallas’s Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus Radde’s Warbler Phylloscopus schwarzi Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Garden Warbler Sylvia borin Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca Whitethroat Sylvia communis Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus Nuthatch Sitta europaea Treecreeper Certhia familiaris Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Starling Sturnus vulgaris

2014 18 57 0 43 55 69 7 39 69 99 0 4 0 0 30 41 63 0 8 643 35 6747 3375 522 0 88 410 122 26 312 1817 78 183 1092 0 0 4 0 0 1858 0 608 3219 253 1 379 1381 33 17 0 0 2164 1 0 3163 0 24 118 1008 451 199

2015 13 30 0 56 95 49 1 20 73 96 0 3 3 0 25 27 39 1 3 4107 67 7065 3623 968 0 126 297 153 30 164 817 164 201 1175 0 4 11 0 3 1625 0 579 2903 195 0 409 931 8 20 0 1 1705 0 2 2910 2 58 130 1011 682

2016 4 32 0 45 90 52 2 18 53 122 1 2 2 1 12 18 29 4 3 1806 87 4910 2473 519 1 65 273 76 18 526 1456 112 248 1087 1 5 16 0 1 1950 0 688 3098 145 0 411 796 20 21 2 0 1715 2 0 2824 0 21 99 1124 430

2017 8 48 1 29 133 66 0 35 61 135 0 2 4 1 18 30 32 0 5 1017 43 5903 2978 451 0 74 160 126 11 45 822 79 279 1155 0 3 8 2 1 2551 1 967 3223 188 2 329 1082 37 26 0 0 2492 0 2 2951 3 51 117 1090 564

2018 21 24 0 49 147 29 1 20 55 74 0 1 2 0 6 16 34 3 2 1224 63 5325 2973 490 0 73 59 58 28 379 527 45 85 1098 0 1 17 0 3 1158 0 801 3233 186 0 372 854 23 28 0 0 1223 0 0 2303 0 42 86 827 426

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Species 2014 2015 2016 2017 Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus 7 1 11 5 Blackbird Turdus merula 2457 2040 2624 3048 Fieldfare Turdus pilaris 8 31 7 30 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 515 383 559 414 Redwing Turdus iliacus 280 192 515 442 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus 8 12 2 6 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 91 54 36 59 Robin Erithacus rubecula 1700 1562 2041 1423 Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos 48 57 39 58 Bluethroat Luscinia svecica 0 0 0 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva 1 1 0 1 Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca 24 14 9 2 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 8 8 5 14 Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 18 30 23 26 Whinchat Saxicola rubetra 11 24 47 8 Stonechat Saxicola torquatus 88 137 143 174 Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 47 36 28 44 Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka 0 1 0 0 Dunnock Prunella modularis 1633 1548 1499 1558 House Sparrow Passer domesticus 586 455 593 662 Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 303 689 682 613 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 34 30 14 7 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 125 74 69 75 Pied/White Wagtail Motacilla alba 200 141 109 143 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis 36 42 92 67 Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 1386 632 1466 1275 Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus 0 2 6 3 Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta 2 3 7 0 Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 1860 2014 1767 1362 Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 440 453 496 332 Greenfinch Carduelis chloris 2788 3111 2503 2225 Serin Serinus serinus 0 0 1 0 Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 2863 3598 3684 3136 Siskin Carduelis spinus 992 2874 3736 1039 Linnet Carduelis cannabina 895 1425 837 667 Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret 245 2944 1764 2014 Common Redpoll Carduelis flammea 131 2 38 7 Redpoll (Common/Lesser) Carduelis flammea/cabaret 3 21 15 20 Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra 118 0 0 0 Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula 218 205 158 247 Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes 0 0 2 0 Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis 5 44 0 0 Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus 0 1 0 0 White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis 1 0 0 0 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella 620 972 888 968 Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus 1239 1367 1130 1102 Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra 0 0 0 8 Grand Total 55623 61701 57179 54914 227 Species Total Species

130

200

134

134

138

2018 2 2085 73 475 545 9 43 1065 47 1 0 34 13 22 6 126 70 0 1066 522 611 1 25 33 99 1007 1 2 1758 466 1320 0 1939 1109 445 946 28 1 0 139 1 0 0 0 728 1 976 0 43525 126

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2018

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2018 Simon Evans The following pages detail a selection of the more interesting recoveries reported in 2018 and a few from previous years that have only been received more recently. They include the more unusual of reports, as space allows, involving birds travelling greater distances or being older than usual, and do not represent a complete account of the records available. The selection was largely made from the online data presented by the BTO and information supplied directly by some of Suffolk’s ringers.

I would like to continue to encourage the county’s ringers and observers to forward their data directly. The online recoveries data provides only a selective view of what has been recorded, so, if you wish to have your records included, please pass them on.

The selection is presented in species order with the initial capture and ringing data on the 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 the means of recovery, date and location with coordinates. Following this, distance, direction and duration between reports is summarised. I have added a few comments to some of the records.

As is the ongoing case, the accounts for some species have had to be somewhat selective due to the vast number of recovery reports of colour-ringed and tagged individuals.

Many thanks to all those who take the time to record, photograph and report their sightings.

Simon. spe24@btinternet.com

Common Kingfisher Terry Everitt 201

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Canada Goose 5122958 Adult Female 01-07-2014 Nunnery Lakes, Thetford – E Lake (LakeeNun): c. 52°23’N 0°45’E (Norfolk) Alive (neck collar seen) 07-07-2014 Nunnery Lakes, Thetford – E Lake (LakeeNun): c. 52°23’N 0°45’E (Norfolk) 0km 0y 0m 6d Alive (neck collar seen) 19-08-2014 Redgrave Fen: 52°21’N 0°59’E (Suffolk) 18km ESE 0y 1m 18d Alive (neck collar seen) 11-10-2014 Nunnery Lakes, Thetford – D Lake (LakedNun): c. 52°23’N 0°44’E (Norfolk) 0km 0y 3m 10d Alive (neck collar seen) 12-04-2015 Thetford: c. 52°23’N 0°44’E (Norfolk) 0km 0y 9m 11d Alive (colour rings seen) 07-10-2015 Great Livermere: 52°18’N 0°45’E (Suffolk) 10km S 1y 3m 6d Alive (neck collar seen) 29-05-2016 Nunnery Lakes, Thetford – A Lake (LakeaNun): c. 52°23’N 0°44’E (Norfolk) 2km 1y 10m 28d Alive (neck collar seen) 27-12-2016 Lackford Lakes: 52°17’N 0°38’E (Suffolk) 14km SW 2y 5m 26d Alive (neck collar seen) 22-01-2017 Nunnery Lakes – A Lake (Lakea-Nun): c.

52°23’N 0°44’E (Norfolk) 2km 2y 6m 21d Alive (neck collar seen) 06-11-2017 Kilverstone: 52°24’N 0°46’E (Norfolk) 3km 3y 4m 5d Alive (neck collar seen) 21-05-2018 Nunnery Lakes, Thetford – A Lake (LakeaNun): c. 52°23’N 0°44’E (Norfolk) 1km 3y 10m 20d Greylag Goose 5270510 Adult Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) 5270522

Adult Female

26-06-2012 Hickling Broad: 52°43’N 1°34’E (Norfolk) 01-11-2012 Covehithe: 52°22’N 1°42’E (Suffolk) 42km SSE 0y 4m 6d 02-03-2013 Covehithe: 52°22’N 1°42’E (Suffolk) 42km SSE 0y 8m 4d 15-08-2013 Benacre Broad: 52°23’N 1°42’E (Suffolk) 40km SSE 1y 1m 20d 04-12-2013 Covehithe: 52°22’N 1°42’E (Suffolk) 42km SSE 1y 5m 8d 08-07-2014 Covehithe: 52°22’N 1°42’E (Suffolk) 42km SSE 2y 0m 12d 05-06-2015 Ranworth Broad, Ranworth: 52°40’N 1°28’E (Norfolk) 8km SW 2y 11m 10d 04-09-2015 Dingle Marshes: 52°16’N 1°37’E (Suffolk) 51km S 3y 2m 9d 15-12-2015 Bridgefoot Marshes, Southwold: 52°19’N 1°40’E (Suffolk) 45km S 3y 5m 19d 02-07-2016 River Bure, Thurne: 52°41’N 1°31’E (Norfolk) 7km SSW 4y 0m 6d 19-10-2016 Bridgefoot Marshes, Southwold: 52°19’N 1°40’E (Suffolk) 45km S 4y 3m 23d 22-01-2017 Easton Bavents: 52°21’N 1°41’E (Suffolk) 42km S 4y 6m 27d 01-05-2017 Covehithe: 52°22’N 1°42’E (Suffolk) 42km SSE 4y 10m 5d 12-08-2017 Benacre Broad: 52°22’N 1°42’E (Suffolk) 40km SSE 5y 1m 17d 26-05-2018 Covehithe: 52°22’N 1°42’E (Suffolk) 41km SSE 5y 11m 0d 11-11-2018 Dingle Marshes: 52°16’N 1°37’E (Suffolk) 50km S 6y 4m 16d 26-06-2012 Hickling Broad: 52°43’N 1°34’E (Norfolk) 202

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2018 Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen) Alive (neck collar seen)

Pintail FH02274

Adult Female

Little Egret GV77571

Nestling

12-08-2012 Hickling Broad: 52°43’N 1°34’E (Norfolk) 0km 0y 1m 17d 09-11-2012 Benacre Broad: 52°23’N 1°42’E (Suffolk) 40km SSE 0y 4m 14d 02-03-2013 Covehithe: 52°22’N 1°42’E (Suffolk) 42km SSE 0y 8m 4d 08-07-2014 Covehithe: 52°22’N 1°42’E (Suffolk) 42km SSE 2y 0m 12d 09-03-2015 Hen Reedbeds, Reydon: 52°20’N 1°37’E (Suffolk) 45km S 2y 8m 11d 04-09-2015 Dingle Marshes: 52°16’N 1°37’E (Suffolk) 51km S 3y 2m 9d 19-01-2016 Covehithe: 52°22’N 1°42’E (Suffolk) 42km SSE 3y 6m 24d 04-07-2016 near Walberswick: 52°18’N 1°39’E (Suffolk) 47km S 4y 0m 8d 22-01-2017 Easton Bavents: 52°21’N 1°41’E (Suffolk) 42km S 4y 6m 27d 12-08-2017 Benacre Broad: 52°23’N 1°42’E (Suffolk) 40km SSE 5y 1m 17d 18-03-2018 Covehithe: 52°22’N 1°42’E (Suffolk) 41km SSE 5y 8m 20d 17-09-2018 Bridgefoot Marshes, Southwold: 52°19’N 1°40’E (Suffolk) 45km S 6y 2m 22d 20-09-2018 Southwold Boating Lake, Southwold: 52°19’N 1°40’E (Suffolk) 46km S 6y 2m 25d

20-02-2006 Slimbridge Swan Pipe: 51°44’N 2°24’W (Gloucestershire) Freshly dead (shot) 02-11-2018 Nacton: 52°0’N 1°13’E (Suffolk) 250km ENE 12y 8m 13d A sad end for this duck at a little over three years shy of the longevity record.

23-05-2018 Walthamstow Wetlands No 1 Island: 51°59’N 05°35’W (Greater London) Alive (colour rings seen) 18-08-2018 River Deben, Melton, Woodbridge: 52°5’N 1°19’E (Suffolk) 112km NE 0y 2m 26d I’m sure we’ll be seeing more colour-ring resightings of Little Egret in the county.

Shag 1492994 1499560

Nestling Dead Nestling

Freshly dead 1486148

Nestling

Freshly dead 1490630

Nestling

Freshly dead

18-06-2017 Isle of May: 56°10’N 2°33’W (Fife) 23-03-2018 Bawdsey: 52°0’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) 533km SSE 0y 9m 5d 23-06-2017 Inchkeith, Firth of Forth: c. 56°1’N 3°8’W (Fife) 24-03-2018 Minsmere: 52°14’N 1°36’E (Suffolk) 521km SE 0y 9m 1d 04-06-2016 Brownsman, Farne Islands: 55°37’N 1°38’W (Northumberland) 31-03-2018 Orfordness: 52°4’N 1°33’E (Suffolk) 447km SSE 1y 9m 27d 17-06-2017 Inner Farne, Farne Islands: 55°36’N 1°40’W (Northumberland) 09-03-2018 Sizewell: 52°11’N 1°36’E (Suffolk) 436km SSE 0y 8m 20d 203

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Cormorant G1751

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen)

G1450

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen)

Sparrowhawk ES38995 Nestling Female Freshly dead Avocet EW43170

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen)

26-04-2009 Abberton Reservoir, near Colchester: 51°48’N 0°50’E (Essex) 22-11-2009 Orfordness: 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 58km ENE 0y 6m 27d 01-03-2010 Havergate Island: 52°5’N 1°31’E (Suffolk) 56km ENE 0y 10m 3d 11-07-2010 Havergate Island, near Orford: 52°5’N 1°31’E (Suffolk) 53km ENE 1y 2m 15d 06-10-2010 Loompit Lake: 51°59’N 1°16’E (Suffolk) 36km ENE 1y 5m 10d 04-09-2011 Havergate Island: 52°5’N 1°31’E (Suffolk) 56km ENE 2y 4m 9d 01-07-2012 Orfordness: 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 58km ENE 3y 2m 5d 10-02-2014 Havergate Island: 52°5’N 1°31’E (Suffolk) 56km ENE 4y 9m 15d 19-11-2017 Havergate Island: 52°5’N 1°31’E (Suffolk) 56km ENE 8y 6m 24d 09-12-2018 Loompit Lake: 51°59’N 1°16’E (Suffolk) 35km ENE 9y 7m 13d 16-05-2013 Abberton Reservoir, near Colchester: 51°48’N 0°50’E (Essex) 11-08-2013 Frampton Marsh: 52°55’N 0°1’E (Lincolnshire) 135km NNW 0y 2m 26d 29-10-2013 Livermere Lake: 52°18’N 0°45’E (Suffolk) 55km N 0y 5m 13d 11-04-2015 Livermere Lake: 52°18’N 0°45’E (Suffolk) 56km N 1y 10m 26d 20-09-2015 Livermere Lake: 52°18’N 0°45’E (Suffolk) 56km N 2y 4m 4d 07-05-2016 Fornham St Martin: 52°16’N 0°43’E (Suffolk) 51km N 2y 11m 21d 23-08-2016 Lackford Lakes: 52°17’N 0°38’E (Suffolk) 57km NNW 3y 3m 7d 12-01-2017 Lackford Lakes: c.52°17’N 0°38’E (Suffolk) 56km NNW 3y 7m 27d 10-09-2017 Livermere Lake: 52°18’N 0°45’E (Suffolk) 56km N 4y 3m 25d 31-01-2018 Livermere Lake: 52°18’N 0°45’E (Suffolk) 55km N 4y 8m 15d 03-07-2009 Rishangles: 52°15’N 1°9’E (Suffolk) 14-04-2018 Thrandeston: 52°20’N 1°6’E (Suffolk) 10km NNW 8y 9m 11d 10-07-2010 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 18-07-2010 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 0m 8d 17-04-2011 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 9m 7d 11-02-2012 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 7m 1d 30-06-2012 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 11m 20d 06-04-2013 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 8m 27d 01-02-2014 River Alde: 52°8’N 1°30’E (Suffolk) 9km NNW 3y 6m 22d 204

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2018 Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) EW43335

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen)

EW43232

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen)

27-04-2014 Minsmere: 52°14’N 1°36’E (Suffolk) 18km NNE 3y 9m 17d 07-06-2014 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 3y 10m 28d 15-03-2015 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 8m 5d 14-07-2015 Breydon Water: 52°36’N 1°39’E (Norfolk) 58km N 5y 0m 4d 26-09-2015 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 2m 16d 19-03-2016 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 8m 9d 06-05-2016 Minsmere: 52°14’N 1°36’E (Suffolk) 18km NNE 5y 9m 26d 08-04-2017 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 8m 29d 10-05-2017 Spuikom, Oostende: 51°13’N 2°55’E (West-Vlaanderen) Belgium 135km SE 6y 10m 0d 24-03-2018 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 8m 14d 26-06-2018 Minsmere: 52°14’N 1°36’E (Suffolk) 17km NNE 7y 11m 16d 26-05-2014 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 21-06-2014 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 0m 26d 23-08-2014 Polder Breebaart, Termunten: 53°18’N 7°4’E (Groningen) The Netherlands 396km ENE 0y 2m 28d 02-07-2015 Polder Breebaart: 53°16’N 7°4’E (Groningen) The Netherlands 394km ENE 1y 1m 6d 06-05-2016 Boyton Marshes: 52°3’N 1°29’E (Suffolk) 6km WSW 1y 11m 10d 11-12-2016 Polder Breebaart: 53°16’N 7°4’E (Groningen) The Netherlands 394km ENE 2y 6m 15d 27-08-2018 Gibraltar Point, near Skegness: 53°5’N 0°18’E (Lincolnshire) 141km NW 4y 3m 1d 04-09-2018 Gibraltar Point, near Skegness: 53°5’N 0°18’E (Lincolnshire) 141km NW 4y 3m 9d 18-06-2011 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 30-07-2011 Trimley Marshes, near Felixstowe: 51°57’N 1°16’E (Suffolk) 25km WSW 0y 1m 12d 21-03-2012 Prunjepolder: 51°42’N 3°49’E (Zeeland) The Netherlands 162km ESE 0y 9m 3d 16-06-2012 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 11m 29d 21-04-2013 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 10m 3d 08-03-2014 Frampton Marsh: 52°55’N 0°0’E (Lincolnshire) 141km NW 2y 8m 18d 14-07-2014 Freiston Shore: 52°57’N 0°5’E (Lincolnshire) 140km NW 3y 0m 26d 26-08-2014 Havergate Island: 52°4’N 1°30’E (Suffolk) 4km 3y 2m 8d 02-04-2015 RSPB Frampton Marsh: 52°55’N 0°0’E (Lincolnshire) 142km NW 3y 9m 15d 205

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Grey Plover DD11484 First-year Caught by ringer

13-03-2016 Snettisham Mudflats: c. 52°51’N 0°26’E (Norfolk) 116km NW 4y 8m 24d 11-05-2016 RSPB Frampton Marsh: 52°55’N 0°0’E (Lincolnshire) 141km NW 4y 10m 23d 05-08-2017 Havergate Island: 52°4’N 1°30’E (Suffolk) 4km 6y 1m 18d 16-04-2018 RSPB Frampton Marsh: 52°55’N 0°0’E (Lincolnshire) 141km N 6y 9m 29d 12-08-2018 Havergate Island: 52°4’N 1°30’E (Suffolk) 4km 7y 1m 25d 15-11-2009 Levington Creek, River Orwell: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 07-09-2018 Levington Lagoon: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 0km 8y 9m 23d

Bar-tailed Godwit FRP First-year

06-11-2010 Moeze: 45°54’N 1°1’W (CharenteMaritime) France FS85019 Long dead 24-03-2018 Stutton Mill, Stutton: 51°57’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 690km NNE 7y 4m 18d The first French-ringed ‘Barwit’ reported in Suffolk. Only singles from Sweden and Norway have been reported in the past.

Black-tailed Godwit EW71025 First-year 17-10-2008 Levington Creek, River Orwell: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) Alive (colour rings seen) 11-02-2010 Alresford Creek, Colne Estuary: 51°49’N 0°58’E (Essex) 27km SW 1y 3m 25d Alive (colour rings seen) 05-03-2018 Alresford Creek, Colne Estuary: 51°49’N 0°58’E (Essex) 25km SW 9y 4m 16d Alive (colour rings seen) 12-08-2018 Alresford Creek, Colne Estuary: 51°49’N 0°58’E (Essex) 25km SW 9y 9m 26d ES38979 Adult 30-08-2008 Levington Creek, River Orwell: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) Alive (colour rings seen) 26-02-2009 Alresford Creek, Colne Estuary: 51°49’N 0°58’E (Essex) 27km SW 0y 5m 27d Alive (colour rings seen) 24-01-2018 River Stour, Mistley: (Essex) 13km WSW 9y 4m 25d EW90556 Adult 23-07-2010 Confidential Site: (Suffolk) Alive (colour rings seen) 30-06-2013 Fuglavik, Midnes: 64°1’N 22°43’W (Gullbringusýsla) Iceland 1,921km NW 2y 11m 7d Alive (colour rings seen) 22-06-2014 Nordurkot, Midnes: 64°1’N 22°43’W (Gullbringusýsla) Iceland 1,930km NW 3y 10m 30d Alive (colour rings seen) 09-07-2015 Fuglavik, Midnes: 64°1’N 22°43’W (Gullbringusýsla) Iceland 1,921km NW 4y 11m 16d Alive (colour rings seen) 03-07-2016 Fuglavik, Midnes: 64°1’N 22°43’W (Gullbringusýsla) Iceland 1,921km NW 5y 11m 10d Caught by ringer 24-02-2017 Levington Lagoon: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) SW 6y 7m 1d Alive (colour rings seen) 15-06-2018 Fuglavik, Midnes: 64°1’N 22°43’W (Gullbringusýsla) Iceland 1,921km NW 7y 10m 23d One of three reports of Suffolk-ringed birds in Iceland in 2018. EW90556 has 206

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2018 been very site-faithful to Fuglavik in Iceland, presumably its breeding site Dunlin BT88148

Adult

02-06-2018 Ynyslas National Nature Reserve, Borth: 52°49’N 04°03’W (Ceredigion) Alive (colour rings seen) 13-08-2018 Havergate Island: 52°4’N 1°30’E (Suffolk) 382km E 0y 2m 11d No foreign exchanges for Dunlin involving Suffolk in 2018 Woodcock EY11597 First-year

12-02-2016 Gadlas, Ellesmere: 52°55’N 2°56’W (Shropshire) Freshly dead (domestic animal) 27-01-2018 Gipping: 52°12’N 1°1’E (Suffolk) 279km ESE 1y 11m 15d Snipe SX65391 First-year Caught by ringer Redshank DB69033

Adult

Freshly dead (bird of prey) DB69736 First-year Caught by ringer Freshly dead DB69923 First-year Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen)

20-11-2014 Levington Lagoon: 51°59’N (Suffolk) 24-10-2018 Levington Lagoon: 51°59’N (Suffolk) 0km 3y 11m 4d

1°14’E 1°14’E

14-09-2002 Levington Creek, River Orwell: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 02-03-2018 Black Ooze, Orwell: 52°2’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 6km NW 15y 5m 16d 07-10-2006 Levington Creek, River Orwell: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 30-09-2011 Levington Creek, River Orwell: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 11m 23d 09-05-2018 Minsmere RSPB Reserve: 52°14’N 1°36’E (Suffolk) 37km NE 11y 7m 2d 26-10-2007 Levington Creek, River Orwell: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 27-10-2007 Thorpe Bay: 51°59’N 1°16’E (Suffolk) 3km 0y 0m 1d 21-03-2008 Levington Marina: 51°59’N 1°15’E (Suffolk) 3km 0y 4m 24d 20-12-2008 Levington Creek: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 1m 24d 30-09-2009 Levington Marina: 51°59’N 1°15’E (Suffolk) 3km 1y 11m 4d 28-06-2010 Levington Creek, River Orwell: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 8m 2d 02-08-2011 Levington Marina: 51°59’N 1°15’E (Suffolk) 3km 3y 9m 7d 08-03-2012 Levington Creek: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 4m 11d 13-08-2012 Levington Marina: 51°59’N 1°15’E (Suffolk) 3km 4y 9m 18d 31-01-2013 Levington Creek: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 3m 5d 18-02-2014 Levington Creek: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 3m 23d 04-09-2014 Levington Creek: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 10m 9d 06-03-2015 Levington Creek: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 4m 8d 26-01-2016 Levington Creek: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 0km 8y 3m 0d 207

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Caught by ringer

25-07-2018 Levington Lagoon: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 0km 10y 8m 29d Caught by ringer 08-10-2018 Levington Lagoon: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 0km 10y 11m 12d A single Suffolk-ringed bird was reported in Iceland, the 29th such record Kittiwake EH48847 Nestling Caught by ringer Alive (colour marks seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Caught by ringer Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Caught by ringer Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) ER72026

Nestling Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field)

Caught by ringer Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) ER72023

Nestling Alive (ring read in field)

Caught by ringer Alive (ring read in field)

18-07-2004 Lowestoft: 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 01-07-2010 Lowestoft: 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 11m 13d 27-06-2011 Lowestoft: 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 11m 9d 07-07-2012 Lowestoft: 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 11m 19d 25-06-2013 Lowestoft: 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 8y 11m 7d 05-03-2014 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 9y 7m 15d 04-08-2014 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 10y 0m 17d 21-02-2015 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 10y 7m 3d 05-08-2015 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 11y 0m 18d 08-03-2016 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 11y 7m 19d 18-06-2016 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 11y 11m 0d 09-03-2017 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 12y 7m 19d 25-03-2018 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 13y 8m 7d 01-05-2018 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 13y 9m 13d 13-07-2006 Lowestoft: 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 08-07-2012 Lowestoft: 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 11m 25d 13-04-2013 Lowestoft: 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 9m 0d 23-03-2014 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 8m 10d 02-03-2015 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 8y 7m 17d 17-06-2015 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 8y 11m 4d 10-03-2016 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 9y 7m 26d 04-03-2017 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 10y 7m 19d 23-03-2018 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 11y 8m 10d 04-07-2018 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 11y 11m 21d 13-07-2006 Lowestoft: 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 13-03-2014 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 8m 0d 15-07-2014 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 8y 0m 2d 27-03-2015 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 8y 8m 14d 208

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2018 08-03-2016 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 9y 7m 24d Alive (colour rings seen) 25-03-2018 Lowestoft: c. 52°27’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 0km 11y 8m 12d Two reports of Suffolk-ringed birds to France were received in 2018 Alive (colour rings seen)

Black-headed Gull SFH Nestling

20-06-2006 Tammela: 60°48’N 23°43’E (Hame) Finland ST241657 Caught by ringer 28-02-2018 Lowestoft: 52°27’N 1°42’E (Suffolk) 1,627km WSW 11y 8m 8d EL56822 First-year 26-12-2006 near Castle Hill, Ipswich: 52°4’N 1°8’E (Suffolk) Freshly dead (disease) 12-03-2018 Clacton-on-Sea: 51°46’N 1°6’E (Essex) 32km S 11y 2m 14d Reports of Suffolk-ringed birds were received from Germany (1) and The Netherlands (2).

Additional reports of three Polish-ringed birds and one Dutch-ringed bird in Suffolk were received.

Mediterranean Gull EL45108 Adult Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (colour rings seen) EL45100

Second-year Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen)

15-01-2010 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 02-12-2010 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 10m 17d 16-10-2011 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 9m 1d 20-11-2013 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 3y 10m 5d 11-11-2014 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 9m 27d 26-01-2016 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 0m 11d 23-01-2017 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 0m 8d 22-11-2017 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 10m 7d 24-11-2017 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 10m 9d 30-01-2018 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 8y 0m 15d 15-01-2010 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 02-12-2010 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 10m 17d 29-10-2011 Great Yarmouth Beach: 52°35’N 1°44’E (Norfolk) 78km NNE 1y 9m 14d 24-07-2013 Great Yarmouth Beach: 52°35’N 1°44’E (Norfolk) 78km NNE 3y 6m 9d 30-01-2015 Great Yarmouth: 52°36’N 1°44’E (Norfolk) 80km NNE 5y 0m 15d 25-11-2015 Great Yarmouth Beach: 52°36’N 1°44’E (Norfolk) 80km NNE 5y 10m 10d 04-01-2017 Great Yarmouth Beach: 52°35’N 1°44’E (Norfolk) 79km N 6y 11m 20d 17-04-2017 Total Colony, Antwerpen: 51°15’N 4°19’E (Antwerpen) Belgium 221km ESE 7y 3m 2d 209

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Alive (colour rings seen)

19-01-2018 Great Yarmouth Beach: 52°35’N 1°44’E (Norfolk) 79km N 8y 0m 4d PLG Nestling 13-06-2011 J.Rynskie, Rybical: 53°55’N 21°31’E (Warminsko-Mazurskie) Poland FN16112 Alive (colour rings seen) 27-08-2017 Orfordness: 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 1350km 6y 2m 14d Alive (colour rings seen) 18-07-2018 Minsmere: (Suffolk) 1,342km W 7y 1m 5d A further three reports of Hungarianringed birds in Suffolk were also received Common Gull EX27551 First-year

07-02-2012 near Castle Hill, Ipswich: 52°4’N 1°8’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 06-08-2018 Tveitevannet, Bergen: 60°21’N 5°21’E (Hordaland) Norway 956km N 6y 5m 30d ETM Adult Female 12-06-2011 Kakrarahu, Laanemaa: 58°46’N 23°25’E Estonia UT253 Alive (colour rings seen) 03-03-2018 Leathes Ham, Lowestoft: 52°28’N 1°43’E (Suffolk) 1,528km WSW 6y 8m 19d Only the second report of a Suffolk-ringed bird to Norway and the 13th to the county from the Baltic States Herring Gull GG93596 Nestling Alive (ring read in field) GF92635

Nestling Alive (colour marks seen) Alive (colour marks seen) Alive (colour marks seen) Alive (colour marks seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen)

GC22711 First-year Alive (colour marks seen) Alive (colour marks seen) Alive (colour marks seen)

09-07-1994 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 03-02-2018 Clacton-on-Sea: 51°46’N 1°6’E (Essex) 44km SW 23y 6m 25d 19-07-1998 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 17-04-1999 Barling Landfill Site, Barling: 51°34’N 0°47’E (Essex) 78km SW 0y 8m 29d 15-04-2001 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 8m 27d 26-10-2004 Holkham Gap: 52°58’N 0°48’E (Norfolk) 111km NNW 6y 3m 7d 14-10-2005 Holkham Gap: 52°58’N 0°48’E (Norfolk) 111km NNW 7y 2m 25d 30-09-2006 Holkham Gap: 52°58’N 0°48’E (Norfolk) 111km NNW 8y 2m 11d 16-01-2008 Holkham Gap: 52°58’N 0°48’E (Norfolk) 111km NNW 9y 5m 28d 27-02-2010 Holkham Gap: 52°58’N 0°48’E (Norfolk) 111km NNW 11y 7m 8d 24-02-2011 Wells-next-the-Sea: 52°56’N 0°50’E (Norfolk) 108km NNW 12y 7m 5d 02-02-2012 Holkham Gap: 52°58’N 0°48’E (Norfolk) 111km NNW 13y 6m 14d 16-04-2013 Edgefield: 52°52’N 1°5’E (Norfolk) 93km NNW 14y 8m 28d 03-03-2014 Holkham Gap: 52°58’N 0°48’E (Norfolk) 111km NNW 15y 7m 12d 01-12-2016 Holkham Gap: 52°58’N 0°48’E (Norfolk) 111km NNW 18y 4m 12d 10-06-2018 Holkham Gap: 52°58’N 0°48’E (Norfolk) 111km NNW 19y 10m 22d 16-12-2006 near Hempsted, Gloucester: 51°50’N 2°16’W (Gloucestershire) 08-07-2010 Lowestoft North Beach: 52°28’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 284km ENE 3y 6m 22d 27-02-2011 Orfordness: 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 265km E 4y 2m 11d 19-06-2011 Lowestoft North Beach: 52°28’N 1°45’E (Suffolk) 284km ENE 4y 6m 3d 210

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2018 Alive (colour rings seen)

11-12-2017 Beddington Farmlands: 51°22’N 0°8’W (Greater London) 157km ESE 10y 11m 25d Alive (colour rings seen) 05-11-2018 North Quay Retail Park, Lowestoft: 52°27’N 1°44’E (Suffolk) 282km ENE 11y 10m 20d GR36558 Nestling 03-07-2011 Havergate Island: 52°4’N 1°30’E (Suffolk) Alive (colour rings seen) 08-12-2011 Blaringhem: 50°40’N 2°24’E (Nord) France 166km SSE 0y 5m 5d Alive (colour rings seen) 13-04-2014 Havergate Island: 52°4’N 1°30’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 9m 10d Alive (colour rings seen) 21-03-2015 Pitsea Landfill Site: 51°32’N 0°30’E (Essex) 92km SW 3y 8m 18d Alive (colour rings seen) 28-11-2015 Cotesbach Landfill, Cotesbach: 52°25’N 1°13’W (Leicestershire) 190km WNW 4y 4m 25d Alive (colour rings seen) 09-11-2018 Kirkby-on-Bain: 53°7’N 0°9’W (Lincolnshire) 164km NW 7y 4m 6d Alive (colour rings seen) 17-11-2018 Cotesbach Landfill, Cotesbach: 52°25’N 1°13’W (Leicestershire) 190km WNW 7y 4m 14d Nine reports of Suffolk-ringed birds abroad were received. Five to France, two to Belgium and two to The Netherlands Lesser Black-backed Gull GH35784 Nestling Caught by ringer Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) GG49462

Nestling Alive (ring read in field) Alive (ring read in field)

GA08948

Nestling Alive (colour marks seen) Alive (colour marks seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen) Alive (colour rings seen)

13-07-1986 Orfordness: 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 06-06-2013 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 26y 10m 24d 24-07-2013 Botany Marshes, near Snape: 52°10’N 1°28’E (Suffolk) 11km NNW 27y 0m 11d 30-08-2014 Shawell: 52°24’N 1°12’W (Leicestershire) 192km WNW 28y 1m 17d 25-01-2016 Temporary Pits in Water Eaton: 51°58’N 0°44’W (Milton Keynes) 158km W 29y 6m 12d 29-12-2018 Amwell Nature Reserve: 51°47’N 0°0’W (Hertfordshire) 114km WSW 32y 5m 16d 08-07-1989 Orfordness: 52°4’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 18-05-2018 Sloterplas Amsterdam: 52°22’N 4°49’E (Noord-Holland) The Netherlands 223km E 28y 10m 10d 26-06-2018 Erasmusgracht, Amsterdam: 52°22’N 4°49’E (Noord-Holland) The Netherlands 223km E 28y 11m 18d 13-07-1996 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 27-04-1997 Desembocadura Rio Velez, Velez-Malaga: 36°46’N 4°6’W (Malaga) Spain 1,758km SSW 0y 9m 14d 08-04-1998 Velez-Malaga: 36°46’N 4°4’W (Malaga) Spain 1,759km SSW 1y 8m 26d 25-04-1999 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 9m 12d 23-04-2000 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 3y 9m 10d 08-04-2001 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 8m 26d 30-03-2002 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 8m 17d 25-05-2003 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 10m 12d 211

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 10-04-2004 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 8m 28d Alive (colour rings seen) 13-08-2005 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 9y 1m 0d Alive (colour rings seen) 02-04-2006 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 9y 8m 20d Alive (colour rings seen) 08-04-2007 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 10y 8m 26d Alive (colour rings seen) 28-11-2007 Caleta de Velez: 36°45’N 4°4’W (Malaga) Spain 1,761km SSW 11y 4m 15d Alive (ring read in field) 31-12-2017 Caleta de Velez: 36°43’N 4°4’W (Malaga) Spain 1,764km SSW 21y 5m 18d Alive (ring read in field) 14-02-2018 Caleta de Vélez: 36°42’N 4°4’W (Malaga) Spain 1,767km SSW 21y 7m 1d GR36615 Nestling 03-07-2011 Havergate Island: 52°4’N 1°30’E (Suffolk) Alive (colour rings seen) 05-02-2012 Anza, near Agadir: 30°25’N 9°39’W (Morocco) Morocco 2,573km SSW 0y 7m 2d Alive (colour rings seen) 12-10-2012 Malaga: 36°43’N 4°25’W (Malaga) Spain 1,769km SSW 1y 3m 9d Alive (colour rings seen) 04-11-2012 Pinto: 40°15’N 3°42’W (Madrid) Spain 1,372km SSW 1y 4m 1d Alive (colour rings seen) 09-02-2013 Caleta de Velez: 36°45’N 4°4’W (Malaga) Spain 1,758km SSW 1y 7m 6d Alive (colour rings seen) 26-01-2017 Lower Compton Landfill, near Calne: 51°25’N 1°59’W (Wiltshire) 251km WSW 5y 6m 23d Alive (colour rings seen) 08-01-2018 Colmenar Viejo: 40°39’N 3°43’W (Madrid) Spain 1,331km SSW 6y 6m 5d Alive (colour rings seen) 23-03-2018 Havergate Island: 52°4’N 1°30’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 8m 20d Alive (colour rings seen) 21-11-2018 Park Grounds Landfill: 51°32’N 1°55’W (Wiltshire) 244km WSW 7y 4m 18d Alive (colour rings seen) 20-12-2018 Park Grounds Landfill: 51°32’N 1°55’W (Wiltshire) 244km WSW 7y 5m 17d GA11190 Nestling 09-07-2016 Havergate Island: 52°4’N 1°30’E (Suffolk) Alive (colour rings seen) 14-10-2017 Aguino Beach, Ribeira: 42°31’N 9°1’W (Coruna) Spain 1,324km SW 1y 3m 5d Alive (colour rings seen) 28-09-2018 L’eree Aerodrome: 49°27’N 2°39’W (Guernsey) Channel Islands 413km SW 2y 2m 19d GA11258 Nestling 09-07-2016 Havergate Island: 52°4’N 1°30’E (Suffolk) Alive (colour rings seen) 03-11-2016 Eirol Landfill, near Eirol: 40°36’N 8°34’W (Aveiro) Portugal 1,489km SSW 0y 3m 25d Alive (colour rings seen) 09-05-2018 At Sea: 52°7’N 2°46’E (North Sea) North Sea 87km N 1y 10m 0d A selection from the 196 reports of Suffolk-ringed birds abroad, notables being 13 to The Gambia and five to Mauritania.

Alive (colour rings seen)

Woodpigeon FH32451 Adult Caught by ringer Collard Dove EX27977 First-year Freshly dead (injury)

11-11-2012 Thetford Lodge Farm: c. 52°26’N 0°40’E (Suffolk) 07-10-2018 Thetford Lodge Farm: c. 52°26’N 0°40’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 10m 26d 13-01-2013 Alderton: 52°0’N 1°24’E (Suffolk) 23-04-2018 Woodbridge: 52°5’N 1°17’E (Suffolk) 11km NW 5y 3m 10d 212

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2018 Barn Owl GN39165

Nestling

Tawny Owl AJ60861

Nestling

04-07-2004 Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°09’N 1°33’E (Suffolk) Freshly dead (disease) 07-01-2018 Woodbridge: 52°5’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 18km WSW 13y 6m 3d GC45243 Nestling Male 09-07-2007 Olney: 52°09’N 0°40’W (Milton Keynes) Caught by ringer 25-11-2018 Great Livermere: 52°18’N 0°45’E (Suffolk) 101km ENE 11y 4m 16d GC51118 Nestling Male 20-07-2008 Kettlebaston: 52°07’N 0°52’E (Suffolk) Sick (cold weather) 12-03-2018 Browns Farm, Hitcham: 52°03’N 0°53’E (Suffolk) 3km 9y 7m 20d GV24643 Nestling 22-06-2017 Sutterby Church, near Spilsby: 53°23’N 0°07’E (Lincolnshire) Long dead (in building) 15-04-2018 Trimley St Martin: 51°59’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 163km SSE 0y 9m 24d GV52029 Nestling 30-06-2017 near Laxton: 52°56’N 0°06’W (Northamptonshire) Freshly dead 12-03-2018 Barnby Broad: 52°27’N 1°39’E (Suffolk) 155km E 0y 8m 10d GV26595 Nestling 28-06-2017 Clopton: 52°09’N 1°15’E (Suffolk) Freshly dead (hit by car) 10-02-2018 Thornham: 52°57’N 0°34’E (Norfolk) 101km NNW 0y 7m 13d Unfortunately GN39165 died just 20 months short of the longevity record.

Freshly dead (hit by car) Little Owl EY87379 First-year Freshly dead Nightjar LH66404

Nestling Female

Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Swift SH12630

Adult

Freshly dead (predated) Kingfisher SA61707 First-year Caught by ringer Great Spotted Woodpecker LA47076 First-year Female Caught by ringer Caught by ringer

21-05-2018 Church Farm, Thorington: 52°25’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 01-09-2018 Mettingham Castle, Bungay: 52°26’N 1°27’E (Suffolk) 8km NW 0y 3m 11d 13-02-2015 near Soham: 52°22’N 0°20’E (Cambridgeshire) 07-01-2018 Mildenhall: 52°20’N 0°30’E (Suffolk) 12km ESE 2y 10m 25d 15-06-2015 Dersingham Bog NNR: 52°49’N 0°27’E (Norfolk) 20-08-2015 near Thetford Warrren, Elveden: 52°24’N 0°39’E (Suffolk) 47km SSE 0y 2m 5d 15-06-2018 Thetford Warren: (Norfolk/Watsonian Suffolk) 48km SSE 3y 0m 0d 21-05-2013 Alton Water, Tattingstone: c. 51°58’N 1°6’E (Suffolk) 21-05-2018 Dovercourt: 51°55’N 1°13’E (Essex) 10km SE 5y 0m 0d 23-06-2018 Hinderclay Fen: 52°22’N 0°58’E (Suffolk) 02-09-2018 Culford School: 52°18’N 0°41’E (Suffolk) 22km WSW 0y 2m 10d 27-09-2008 Thorndon: 52°16’N 1°7’E (Suffolk) 28-06-2009 Thorndon: 52°16’N 1°7’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 9m 1d 26-02-2010 Thorndon: 52°16’N 1°7’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 4m 30d 213

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Freshly dead LE90896 Full-grown Female Caught by ringer Caught by ringer LB57177 First-year Female Caught by ringer Green Woodpecker DE39318 Adult Female Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Merlin DA76813

Nestling Male

Caught by ringer Peregrine GR39024

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

AJ59581

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

Jay DE39311 First-year Caught by ringer DD52259 Adult Freshly dead (hit by car) Magpie EL45234

Nestling

Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer EY16794

Juvenile

Freshly dead (trapped)

11-08-2010 Thorndon: 52°16’N 1°7’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 10m 15d 30-05-2011 Thorndon: 52°16’N 1°7’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 8m 3d 03-06-2018 Thorndon: 52°16’N 1°7’E (Suffolk) 0km 9y 8m 7d 14-01-2013 The Barracks, Little Livermere: c. 52°18’N 0°44’E (Suffolk) 03-02-2018 Gardens, Little Livermere: 52°18’N 0°44’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 0m 20d 12-04-2018 The Barracks, Little Livermere: c. 52°18’N 0°44’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 2m 29d 16-02-2013 Barton Mills: 52°20’N 0°30’E (Suffolk) 24-02-2018 Barton Mills: 52°20’N 0°30’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 0m 8d 25-06-2014 Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°14’N 1°37’E (Suffolk) 01-05-2016 Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°14’N 1°37’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 10m 6d 01-11-2018 Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°14’N 1°37’E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 4m 7d 03-07-2018 Confidential Site in Highland near Tongue: (Highland) 28-08-2018 National Trust, Dunwich Heath: 52°14’N 1°37’E (Suffolk) 787km SSE 0y 1m 25d 05-06-2017 The Mill, Ipswich Dock, Ipswich: 52°03’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 28-12-2018 Moor Green Lakes: 51°36’N 0°50’W (Wokingham) 158km SW 1y 6m 23d 03-06-2013 Lowestoft: (Suffolk) 15-05-2018 Breydon Water, Great Yarmouth: (Norfolk) 16km NNW 4y 11m 12d 01-01-2013 Thorndon: 52°16’N 1°7’E (Suffolk) 06-01-2018 Thorndon: 52°16’N 1°7’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 0m 5d 22-01-2015 Herringfleet: c. 52°30’N 1°38’E (Suffolk) 27-12-2018 Somerleyton: 52°30’N 1°39’E (Suffolk) 1km 3y 11m 5d 27-05-2015 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 02-04-2017 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 10m 6d 13-01-2018 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 7m 17d 26-05-2018 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 11m 29d 06-07-2017 Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°14’N 1°37’E (Suffolk) 21-04-2018 Bodney: 52°32’N 0°41’E (Norfolk) 71km WNW 0y 9m 15d

214

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2018 Jackdaw EY90295

Nestling

Freshly dead (shot) Carrion Crow FH56587 First-year Female Sick Coal Tit D963668 First-year Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Marsh Tit X362521 First-year Male Caught by ringer Caught by ringer

22-05-2015 Hollybush Farm, Broome: 52°28’N 1°26’E (Norfolk) 01-07-2018 Bungay: 52°26’N 1°26’E (Suffolk) 3km 3y 1m 9d 04-06-2018 Lowestoft: 52°27’N 1°42’E (Suffolk) 05-08-2018 Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft: 52°27’N 1°41’E (Suffolk) 1km 0y 2m 1d 01-10-2014 Leiston: 52°12’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 15-11-2014 Leiston: 52°12’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 1m 14d 21-09-2015 Leiston: 52°12’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 11m 20d 10-03-2016 Leiston: 52°12’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 5m 9d 08-04-2018 Fowlmere RSPB Reserve: 52°5’N 0°2’E (Cambridgeshire) 105km W 3y 6m 7d 13-02-2010 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 05-03-2017 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 0m 20d 20-03-2018 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 0km 8y 1m 7d

Blue Tit L683148 Juvenile Male Caught by ringer

19-07-2011 Brandon Fen: c. 52°26’N 0°30’E (Suffolk) 28-10-2011 Brandon Fen, Lakenheath Fen: c. 52°26’N 0°31’E (Suffolk) 1km 0y 3m 9d Caught by ringer 21-06-2016 Brandon Fen: c. 52°26’N 0°30’E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 11m 2d Caught by ringer 23-05-2017 Brandon Fen: c. 52°26’N 0°30’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 10m 4d Caught by ringer 16-01-2018 Brandon Fen, Lakenheath Fen: c. 52°26’N 0°31’E (Suffolk) 1km 6y 5m 28d L732329 Juvenile Male 08-08-2011 Thorndon: 52°16’N 1°7’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 05-10-2011 Thorndon: 52°16’N 1°7’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 1m 27d Caught by ringer 06-01-2018 Thorndon: 52°16’N 1°7’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 4m 29d Y277719 Juvenile Female 02-08-2012 Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°14’N 1°37’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 01-11-2012 Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°14’N 1°37’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 2m 30d Caught by ringer 04-08-2016 Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°14’N 1°37’E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 0m 2d Caught by ringer 23-08-2018 Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°14’N 1°37’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 0m 21d Caught by ringer 26-08-2018 Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°14’N 1°37’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 0m 24d Two of the county’s older individuals Great Tit L671264 First-year Female Caught by ringer

15-03-2011 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 28-04-2011 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 1m 13d 215

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer L801209

Juvenile Female

Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer D417387 First-year Female Caught by ringer Caught by ringer TX12121 First-year Female Caught by ringer Freshly dead Woodlark TP29663

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen) Freshly dead (hit glass) NZ09622

Nestling Alive (colour rings seen)

29-02-2012 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 11m 14d 02-04-2013 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 0m 18d 06-03-2016 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 11m 20d 19-03-2017 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 0m 4d 30-03-2018 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 0m 15d 20-07-2011 Thetford Lodge Farm: c. 52°26’N 0°40’E (Suffolk) 26-07-2011 Thetford Lodge Farm: c. 52°26’N 0°40’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 0m 6d 18-11-2012 Thetford Lodge Farm: c. 52°26’N 0°40’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 3m 29d 12-01-2014 Thetford Lodge Farm: c. 52°26’N 0°40’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 5m 23d 31-01-2015 Thetford Lodge Farm: c. 52°26’N 0°40’E (Suffolk) 0km 3y 6m 11d 27-02-2016 Thetford Lodge Farm: c. 52°26’N 0°40’E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 7m 7d 07-04-2018 Thetford Lodge Farm: c. 52°26’N 0°40’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 8m 18d 12-06-2014 Polstead: 51°59’N 0°53’E (Suffolk) 11-02-2017 Market Drayton: 52°53’N 2°29’W (Shropshire) 250km WNW 2y 7m 30d 24-12-2018 Market Drayton: 52°53’N 2°29’W (Shropshire) 250km WNW 4y 6m 12d 06-02-2015 Rievaulx: 54°15’N 1°7’W (North Yorkshire) 15-02-2015 Rievaulx: 54°15’N 1°7’W (North Yorkshire) 0km 0y 0m 9d 02-07-2018 Barnham School: 52°22’N 0°44’E (Suffolk) 243km SE 3y 4m 26d 25-05-2015 North Stow Hall: 52°21’N 0°40’E (Suffolk) 25-02-2016 The King’s Forest: (Suffolk) 3km 0y 9m 0d 01-03-2018 West Wellow: 50°97’N 1°58’W (Hampshire) 217km SW 2y 9m 4d 31-05-2017 The King’s Forest: (Suffolk) 27-03-2018 near Santon Downham: c.52°28’N 0°40’E (Norfolk) 13km N 0y 9m 24d

Swallow Y677143 First-year

25-08-2018 Flatford Mill, East Bergholt: 51°57’N 1°0’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 02-09-2018 Nosterfield Quarry Reedbed: c. 54°13’N 1°35’W (North Yorkshire) 306km NW 0y 0m 8d D825705 First-year 14-08-2016 Kilnsea Clays: 53°36’N 0°7’E (East Riding of Yorkshire) Freshly dead 05-05-2018 Eyke, Woodbridge: 52°6’N 1°22’E (Suffolk) 185km SSE 1y 8m 21d An unexpected direction for Y677143 given the time of year Long-tailed Tit DKP189 Full-grown Caught by ringer

19-02-2012 Bridge Wood, Ipswich: 52°1’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 10-02-2015 Bridge Wood, Ipswich: 52°1’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 11m 22d 216

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2018 Caught by ringer

22-02-2018 Bridge Wood, Ipswich: 52°1’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 0m 3d DYB054 Adult Female 04-05-2012 Hinderclay Fen: 52°22’N 0°58’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 05-05-2012 Hinderclay Fen: 52°22’N 0°58’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 0m 1d Caught by ringer 29-06-2013 Hinderclay Fen: 52°22’N 0°58’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 1m 25d Caught by ringer 30-08-2014 Hinderclay Fen: 52°22’N 0°58’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 3m 26d Caught by ringer 01-07-2016 Hinderclay Fen: 52°22’N 0°58’E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 1m 27d Caught by ringer 31-07-2017 Hinderclay Fen: 52°22’N 0°58’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 2m 27d Caught by ringer 05-05-2018 Hinderclay Fen: 52°22’N 0°58’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 0m 1d Some good longevity reports for this species.

Willow Warbler JYE812 First-year Female Caught by ringer Chiffchaff HRC941

19-08-2017 Deer Park Forest Croft: 57°34’N 4°10’W (Highland) 29-04-2018 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 712km SSE 0y 8m 10d

Juvenile

25-06-2017 Chelmarsh Reservoir, near Bridgnorth: 52°28’N 2°23’W (Shropshire) Caught by ringer 14-04-2018 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 260km ESE 0y 9m 20d HVL063 First-year 26-09-2017 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 21-01-2018 Capitán-Brazo Del Este, la Puebla Del Río: 37°6’N 6°9’E (Sevilla) Spain 1,704km SSE 0y 3m 26d CIJ First-year 31-03-2018 Essex Farm: 49°43’N 2°10’W (Alderney) Channel Islands 192141 Caught by ringer 05-04-2018 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 347km NE 0y 0m 5d Only the sixth report of a Suffolk-ringed bird to Spain and the second ringed in the Channel Islands to reach Suffolk.

Sedge Warbler AFB1482 Juvenile Caught by ringer AVD4835

Juvenile

Caught by ringer S709937

Nestling

Caught by ringer D879410 First-year Caught by ringer S567253 First-year Caught by ringer

20-08-2018 Kirkton of Logie Buchan: 57°20’N 2°1’W (Aberdeenshire) 26-08-2018 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 629km S 0y 0m 6d 19-08-2018 Meikle Tarty, near Ellon: 57°19’N 2°0’W (Aberdeenshire) 31-08-2018 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) 627km S 0y 0m 12d 28-07-2018 Newburgh: 57°18’N 2°0’W (Aberdeenshire) 01-09-2018 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 625km S 0y 1m 4 15-08-2017 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 03-05-2018 Teifi Marshes, Ceredigion: 52°4’N 4°38’W (Ceredigion) 425km W 0y 8m 18d 01-08-2018 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) 08-08-2018 Clatford: 51°24’N 1°47’W (Wiltshire) 232km W 0y 0m 7d 217

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 A couple of quite distant movements in short period of time. Single Suffolkringed birds were reported in France and Belgium Reed Warbler L576649 First-year

28-08-2010 Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3’N 1°27’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 10-05-2015 Trimley Marshes: 51°57’N 1°17’E (Suffolk) 15km SW 4y 8m 12d Caught by ringer 14-07-2018 Trimley Marshes: 51°57’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 14km SW 7y 10m 16d L097498 First-year 25-08-2010 Kessingland, Lowestoft: 52°24’N 1°43’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 01-06-2018 Carlton Marshes SWT: c. 52°27’N 1°40’E (Suffolk) 7km NW 7y 9m 7d S563860 First-year 11-08-2017 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 20-07-2018 Betley Mere, Betley: 53°1’N 2°23’W (Staffordshire) 279km NW 0y 11m 9d S130365 First-year 31-07-2016 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 11-06-2018 Castricum: 52°31’N 4°36’E (NoordHolland) The Netherlands 222km E 1y 10m 11d FRP Adult 07-08-2017 Plaisance, Saint-Froult: 45°54’N 1°4’W (Charente-Maritime) France 8152912 Caught by ringer 05-05-2018 Kessingland: c. 52°24’N 1°43’E (Suffolk) 750km NNE 0y 8m 28d Additionally, Suffolk-ringed birds were reported in France (7) and Belgium (1).

Blackcap AXC0531

Juvenile

14-07-2018 Woolston Eyes No 3 Bed: 53°23’N 2°31’W (Warrington) Caught by ringer 17-09-2018 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) 305km SE 0y 2m 3d APD1376 Juvenile 30-07-2018 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 11-08-2018 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 0m 12d Caught by ringer 30-09-2018 Pertwood Farm: 51°11’N 2°17’W (Wiltshire) 255km SW 0y 2m 0d ARD0290 First-year Male 03-09-2018 Shirebrook Valley, Hackenthorpe: 53°20’N 1°23’W (South Yorkshire) Caught by ringer 15-09-2018 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) 238km SE 0y 0m 12d S568263 First-year Male 31-08-2018 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 26-10-2018 Jews’ Gate: 36°7’N 5°20’W (Gibraltar) Gibraltar 1,850km SSW 0y 1m 25d S568500 First-year Male 03-09-2018 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 03-10-2018 Noain: 42°45’N 1°37’W (Navarra) Spain 1,059km S 0y 1m 0d A single Suffolk-ringed bird was also reported in France.

Garden Warbler AED6841 First-year Caught by ringer

05-08-2018 Haxton Down: 51°15’N 1°43’W (Wiltshire) 11-08-2018 Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 52°3’N 1°27’E (Suffolk) 237km NE 0y 0m 6d 218

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2018 Z804036

Adult

Caught by ringer

01-07-2018 Hambleton West: 52°39’N 0°41’W (Rutland) 26-08-2018 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) 158km ESE 0y 1m 25d

Lesser Whitethroat D963984 Adult Female

08-08-2015 Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°8’N 1°33’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 21-04-2018 Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°8’N 1°33’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 8m 13d Caught by ringer 03-09-2018 Lisdorf: 49°18’N 6°46’E (Saarland) Germany 484km E 3y 0m 26d The first Suffolk-ringed bird to be reported in Germany.

Whitethroat AFB5361 Juvenile

14-07-2018 Golden Wood, Shotley: 51°58’N 1°15’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 21-08-2018 Rnn Marais D’yves, Yves: 46°1’N 1°3’W (Charente-Maritime) France 682km SSW 0y 1m 7d D278202 Second-year Male 04-06-2015 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 05-06-2015 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 0m 1d Caught by ringer 25-01-2018 Kartong: 13°4’N 16°44’W (Gambia) The Gambia 4,613km SSW 2y 7m 21d The first Suffolk-ringed bird to be reported in The Gambia.

Firecrest CIJ First-year Male

30-03-2016 Longis Reserve: 49°43’N 2°10’W (Alderney) Channel Islands 176405 Caught by ringer 30-03-2018 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 371km NE 2y 0m 0d Caught by ringer 01-04-2018 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 371km NE 2y 0m 2d The first reports of a Firecrest ringed in the Channel Islands to be recorded in Suffolk.

Goldcrest JKT984 First-year Male Freshly dead (cat) Nuthatch TJ97890 First-year Female Caught by ringer Caught by ringer TS18639 First-year Male Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer

20-10-2017 Kilnsea: 53°36’N 0°7’E (East Riding of Yorkshire) 28-02-2018 Framlingham: 52°12’N 1°21’E (Suffolk) 176km SSE 0y 4m 8d 06-09-2015 Brandon: 52°26’N 0°37’E (Suffolk) 27-11-2016 Brandon: 52°26’N 0°37’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 2m 21d 17-11-2018 Brandon: 52°26’N 0°37’E (Suffolk) 0km 3y 2m 11d 11-10-2015 Thetford Lodge Farm: c. 52°26’N 0°40’E (Suffolk) 08-11-2015 Thetford Lodge Farm: c. 52°26’N 0°40’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 0m 28d 17-04-2016 Thetford Lodge Farm: c. 52°26’N 0°40’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 6m 6d 18-11-2018 Thetford Lodge Farm: c. 52°26’N 0°40’E (Suffolk) 0km 3y 1m 7d 219

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Treecreeper HRP040 Full-grown Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Starling LB79437 First-year Male Caught by ringer Caught by ringer LE29221 First-year Male Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer LJ53004

Juvenile

Freshly dead (in net or cage)

10-02-2015 Bridge Wood, Ipswich: (Suffolk) 21-01-2017 Bridge Wood, Ipswich: (Suffolk) 0km 1y 11m 11d 21-11-2017 Bridge Wood, Ipswich: (Suffolk) 0km 2y 9m 11d 06-05-2018 Bridge Wood, Ipswich: (Suffolk) 0km 3y 2m 26d

52°1’N 1°10’E 52°1’N 1°10’E 52°1’N 1°10’E 52°1’N 1°10’E

16-02-2011 Ipswich: 52°3’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 25-04-2011 Ipswich: 52°3’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 2m 9d 17-05-2018 Ipswich: 52°3’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 3m 1d 27-03-2012 Ipswich: 52°3’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 07-04-2012 Ipswich: 52°3’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 0m 11d 18-02-2013 Ipswich: 52°3’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 10m 22d 20-01-2015 Ipswich: 52°3’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 9m 24d 27-03-2017 Ipswich: 52°3’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 0m 0d 01-04-2018 Ipswich: 52°3’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 0m 5d 30-05-2016 Eastcote: 51°34’N 0°23’W (Greater London) 06-05-2018 Northgate Allotments, Ipswich: 52°1’N 1°9’E (Suffolk) 119km ENE 1y 11m 6d

Blackbird CL11932 First-year Female Freshly dead (cat)

18-12-2010 Kesgrave: 52°3’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 15-03-2018 Kesgrave: 52°3’N 1°13’E (Suffolk) 1km 7y 2m 25d LE09069 Juvenile Male 04-07-2011 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 07-07-2018 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 0m 3d LK48650 Adult Female 14-12-2017 Knepp Castle Estate: c. 50°58’N 0°22’W (West Sussex) Caught by ringer 17-03-2018 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 158km NE 0y 3m 3d LC83330 Adult Male 28-10-2016 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) Dead 04-04-2018 Kyrönlahti, Ylöjärvi: 61°42’N 23°31’E (Hame) Finland 1,726km NE 1y 5m 7d There was the 92nd report of a Dutchringed bird in the county. Suffolk-ringed birds were also reported in Denmark (2), Norway (1) Germany (1) and The Netherlands (1).

Fieldfare LH07274 First-year Female Freshly dead (cat)

26-01-2013 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) 03-03-2018 Whaddon: 52 °01’N 0°02W (Buckinghamshire) 155km W 5y 1m 5d

220

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2018 Song Thrush RF47306 First-year

14-03-2013 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 03-05-2013 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 1m 19d Caught by ringer 16-05-2014 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 2m 2d Caught by ringer 09-03-2015 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 11m 23d Caught by ringer 09-03-2017 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 3y 11m 23d Caught by ringer 08-07-2018 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 3m 24d BLB First-year 07-10-2017 Herentals: 51°10’N 4°49’E (Antwerpen) Belgium 25Z33879 Freshly dead 22-01-2018 Felixstowe: 51°56’N 1°19’E (Suffolk) 257km WNW 0y 3m 15d Only the 4th report of a Belgian-ringed bird in Suffolk.

Mistle Thrush LH21350 First-year Freshly dead

19-10-2015 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) 23-05-2018 Hollesley: 52°2’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) 1km 2y 7m 4d

Robin Y898373 First-year

06-09-2012 Rushmere St Andrew: 52°4’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 20-09-2012 Rushmere St Andrew: 52°4’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 0m 14d Caught by ringer 14-11-2013 Rushmere St Andrew: 52°4’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 2m 8d Caught by ringer 26-06-2014 Rushmere St Andrew: 52°4’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 9m 20d Caught by ringer 25-09-2014 Rushmere St Andrew: 52°4’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 0m 19d Caught by ringer 31-01-2017 Rushmere St Andrew: 52°4’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 4m 25d Caught by ringer 16-01-2018 Rushmere St Andrew: 52°4’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 4m 10d Caught by ringer 20-02-2018 Rushmere St Andrew: 52°4’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 5m 14d A quiet year for Robins on the reporting front with no foreign exchanges.

Nightingale Y276125 Adult Male Caught by ringer Caught by ringer TZ11003

Second-year Male

Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer

28-07-2011 Alton Water, Tattingstone: c. 51°58’N 1°6’E (Suffolk) 13-05-2017 Alton Water: c. 51°59’N 1°7’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 9m 15d 03-05-2018 Alton Water: c. 51°59’N 1°7’E (Suffolk) 2km 6y 9m 5d 08-06-2015 Maidscross Hill Nature Reserve: 52°24’N 0°31’E (Suffolk) 11-05-2016 Maidscross Hill Nature Reserve: 52°24’N 0°31’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 11m 3d 12-05-2018 Maidscross Hill Nature Reserve: 52°24’N 0°31’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 11m 4d 13-06-2018 Maidscross Hill Nature Reserve: 52°24’N 0°31’E (Suffolk) 0km 3y 0m 5d 221

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 TV58186 Nestling Caught by ringer Stonechat Z901120

Nestling

Caught by ringer Alive (colour rings seen)

Tree Sparrow S105480 Full-grown Caught by ringer S102691 Full-grown Caught by ringer Z478022 Full-grown Freshly dead (hit by car) Dunnock L844609

Juvenile Male

Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Y276818 Adult Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Y278303

Juvenile Male

Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer

28-05-2017 Rendlesham: 52°4’N 1°22’E (Suffolk) 08-05-2018 Lackford Lakes SWT Reserve: 52°17’N 0°37’E (Suffolk) 56km WNW 0y 11m 10d 20-05-2016 Site Confidential, near Sutton Common: c. (Suffolk) 01-05-2017 Clee Hill, Cleobury Mortimer: c. 52°23’N 2°36’W (Shropshire) 274km WNW 0y 11m 11d 14-04-2018 Clee Hill, Cleobury Mortimer: c. 52°23’N 2°36’W (Shropshire) 274km WNW 1y 10m 25d 17-10-2018 Kilnsea Clays: 53°36’N 0°7’E (East Riding of Yorkshire) 16-12-2018 Great Livermere: 52°18’N 0°45’E (Suffolk) 150km SSE 0y 1m 29d 09-10-2017 Kilnsea Clays: 53°36’N 0°7’E (East Riding of Yorkshire) 12-03-2018 The Barracks, Little Livermere: c. 52°18’N 0°44’E (Suffolk) 149km SSE 0y 5m 3d 31-12-2014 The Barracks, Little Livermere: c. 52°18’N 0°44’E (Suffolk) 16-08-2018 Cragmire Lane, Wrangle: 53°3’N 0°7’E (Lincolnshire) 92km NNW 3y 7m 16d 30-07-2011 Kessingland, Lowestoft: 52°24’N 1°43’E (Suffolk) 17-09-2011 Kessingland, Lowestoft: 52°24’N 1°43’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 1m 18d 05-04-2014 Kessingland: c. 52°24’N 1°43’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 8m 6d 05-03-2016 Kessingland: c. 52°24’N 1°43’E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 7m 4d 19-05-2018 Kessingland: c. 52°24’N 1°43’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 9m 19d 17-12-2011 Chelmondiston: 51°59’N 1°12’E (Suffolk) 24-01-2012 Chelmondiston: 51°59’N 1°12’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 1m 7d 09-02-2013 Chelmondiston: 51°59’N 1°12’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 1m 23d 12-02-2015 Chelmondiston: 51°59’N 1°12’E (Suffolk) 0km 3y 1m 26d 18-02-2016 Chelmondiston: 51°59’N 1°12’E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 2m 1d 30-12-2016 Chelmondiston: 51°59’N 1°12’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 0m 13d 13-04-2018 Chelmondiston: 51°59’N 1°12’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 3m 27d 03-09-2012 Moathill Farm, Westhorpe: 52°18’N 0°58’E (Suffolk) 01-12-2012 Moathill Farm, Westhorpe: 52°18’N 0°58’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 2m 28d 02-03-2014 Moathill Farm, Westhorpe: 52°18’N 0°58’E (Suffolk) 0km 1y 5m 27d 05-04-2015 Moathill Farm, Westhorpe: 52°18’N 0°58’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 7m 2d 28-11-2015 Moathill Farm, Westhorpe: 52°18’N 0°58’E (Suffolk) 0km 3y 2m 25d 222

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2018 Caught by ringer Grey Wagtail S656364 Juvenile Long dead (storm) Pied/White Wagtail D281976 First-year Freshly dead (cold weather) Meadow Pipit D875361 Juvenile Freshly dead (cat) AJE5711 First-year Caught by ringer

10-03-2018 Moathill Farm, Westhorpe: 52°18’N 0°58’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 6m 7d 20-06-2017 Needham Market Sewage Works: 52°9’N 1°3’E (Suffolk) 24-03-2018 Pipps Ford, Needham Market/Barking: 52°8’N 1°4’E (Suffolk) 2km 0y 9m 4d 06-11-2017 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 01-03-2018 Port of Felixstowe, Felixstowe: 51°56’N 1°19’E (Suffolk) 2km 0y 3m 23d 24-08-2016 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) 04-03-2018 Shalford, Guildford: 51°12’N 0°34’W (Surrey) 178km WSW 1y 6m 8d 22-09-2018 Shingle Street: 52°1’N 1°26’E (Suffolk) 18-11-2018 Hilfield, Elstree: 51°38’N 0°20’W (Hertfordshire) 129km WSW 0y 1m 27d

Rock Pipit NOS First-year

27-09-2017 Lista Fyr, Farsund: 58°6’N 6°34’E (VestAgder) Norway 8E26260 Alive (colour rings seen) 07-01-2018 Levington Lagoon: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 758km SSW 0y 3m 11d Alive (colour rings seen) 27-11-2018 Levington Lagoon: 51°59’N 1°14’E (Suffolk) 758km SSW 1y 2m 0d One of only eight reports of foreignringed birds in Suffolk, all but one involving Norway.

Chaffinch X556631 First-year Female

Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Caught by ringer X362120 First-year Male Caught by ringer Z651507 First-year Female Freshly dead (hit glass) Z446489 First-year Male Caught by ringer Caught by ringer

28-02-2009 Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°8’N 1°33’E (Suffolk) 09-04-2011 Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°8’N 1°33’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 1m 12d 02-10-2011 Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°8’N 1°33’E (Suffolk) 0km 2y 7m 4d 23-11-2013 Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°8’N 1°33’E (Suffolk) 0km 4y 8m 26d 30-03-2014 Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°8’N 1°33’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 1m 2d 28-01-2018 Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°8’N 1°33’E (Suffolk) 0km 8y 11m 0d 17-01-2010 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 06-01-2018 Brewery Farm, Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 11m 20d 23-11-2015 Bawdsey Hall, Bawdsey: 51°59’N 1°24’E (Suffolk) 23-04-2018 Lonin, Roan: 64°7’N 10°31’E (SorTrondelag) Norway 1,447km NNE 2y 5m 0d 22-03-2018 Earl Soham: 52°13’N 1°15’E (Suffolk) 22-04-2018 Grimstadvatnet, Hareid: 62°21’N 5°58’E (More og Romsdal) Norway 1,160km N 0y 1m 0d 23-04-2018 Grimstadvatnet, Hareid: 62°21’N 5°58’E (More og Romsdal) Norway 1,160km N 0y 1m 1d 223

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 D281948

Adult Male

02-11-2017 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 25-03-2018 Castricum: 52°31’N 4°36’E (NoordHolland) The Netherlands 234km ENE 0y 4m 23d Caught by ringer 07-04-2018 Castricum: 52°31’N 4°36’E (NoordHolland) The Netherlands 234km ENE 0y 5m 5d All five Chaffinch foreign exchange reports received for 2018.

Brambling D281621 First-year Male

09-10-2017 Landguard Point, Felixstowe: 51°55’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 13-03-2018 Straight Mile, near Romsey: 50°59’N 1°26’W (Hampshire) 218km WSW 0y 5m 4d S473145 First-year Male 11-03-2017 Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°8’N 1°33’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 02-05-2018 Moen, Gran: 60°25’N 10°33’E (Opland) Norway 1,072km N 1y 1m 21d Recaught north of Oslo, S473145 represents the only foreign exchange Brambling for Suffolk in 2018.

Bullfinch Z339194 First-year Female Caught by ringer AVA5730 First-year Female Caught by ringer Freshly dead (injury) Greenfinch TS68900

Second-year Female

Caught by ringer TK01669 First-year Male Caught by ringer Common Redpoll Z993537 First-year Male Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Lesser Redpoll Y888265 First-year Male Caught by ringer S226606

Juvenile

26-07-2015 Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 1°27’E (Suffolk) 16-09-2018 Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley: 1°27’E (Suffolk) 0km 3y 1m 21d 21-04-2018 Newbourne (Mill Rd): c. 52°1’N (Suffolk) 05-05-2018 Newbourne (Mill Rd): c. 52°1’N (Suffolk) 0km 0y 0m 14d 08-09-2018 Newbourne (Mill Rd): c. 52°1’N (Suffolk) 0km 0y 4m 18d

52°3’N 52°3’N 1°18’E 1°18’E 1°18’E

09-06-2013 Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°14’N 1°37’E (Suffolk) 13-09-2018 Minsmere Nature Reserve: 52°14’N 1°37’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 3m 4d 11-03-2018 The Old Forge, Cropwell Bishop: 52°54’N 0°59’W (Nottinghamshire) 20-07-2018 Muntons Maltings, Stowmarket: 52°10’N 1°0’E (Suffolk) 158km ESE 0y 4m 9d 07-01-2018 Feltwell, Thetford: 52°29’N 0°31’E (Norfolk) 20-01-2018 Brandon: 52°26’N 0°37’E (Suffolk) 8km SE 0y 0m 13d 14-04-2018 Brandon: (Suffolk) 9km ESE 0y 3m 7d 16-12-2012 Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°8’N 1°33’E (Suffolk) 28-01-2018 Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°8’N 1°33’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 1m 12d 27-08-2016 near Dalchork, near Lairg: 58°2’N 4°25’W (Highland) 224

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2018 05-03-2018 Newbourne (Mill Rd): c. 52°1’N 1°18’E (Suffolk) 762km N 1y 6m 6d S560593 Juvenile 20-08-2017 Deer Park Forest Croft: 57°34’N 4°10’W (Highland) Caught by ringer 14-04-2018 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) 710km SSE 0y 7m 25d S566995 First-year 15-04-2018 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 05-05-2018 Deer Park Forest Croft: 57°34’N 4°10’W (Highland) 710km SSE 0y 0m 20d Z973489 First-year 23-01-2017 High Lodge, near Brandon: c. 52°25’N 0°39’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 05-04-2018 le Clos Pointu, Saint-Malo-De-Phily: 47°52’N 1°46’W (Ille-et-Vilaine) France 536km SSW 1y 2m 13d Caught by ringer 07-04-2018 le Clos Pointu, Saint-Malo-De-Phily: 47°52’N 1°46’W (Ille-et-Vilaine) France 536km SSW 1y 2m 15d S082976 First-year Male 14-10-2017 Orfordness: c. 52°5’N 1°34’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 02-04-2018 la Vialette, le Malzieu-Forain: 44°49’N 3°22’E (Lozere) France 817km S 0y 5m 19d S562990 Adult Male 25-03-2017 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 17-11-2018 Castricum: 52°31’N 4°36’E (NoordHolland) The Netherlands 222km ENE 1y 7m 23d All four foreign exchange Redpolls for Suffolk in 2018, including two of only six reports ever to France.

Caught by ringer

Goldfinch L142034 Adult Male Caught by ringer

30-10-2010 Rose Hill, Ipswich: 52°2’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 26-11-2018 Ipswich: 52°3’N 1°10’E (Suffolk) 2km 8y 0m 27d D113328 First-year Male 20-10-2012 The Barracks, Little Livermere: c. 52°18’N 0°44’E (Suffolk) Freshly dead 15-08-2018 Knapton: 53°57’N 1°8’W (York) 222km NW 5y 9m 26d S760607 First-year Male 14-01-2018 Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°8’N 1°33’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 24-04-2018 Calf of Man: c. 54°3’N 4°48’W (Isle of Man) 476km WNW 0y 3m 10d S562533 First-year Male 15-01-2017 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 15-01-2017 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 0m 0d Caught by ringer 09-04-2018 Calf of Man: c. 54°3’N 4°48’W (Isle of Man) 473km WNW 1y 2m 25d AJB7373 First-year Male 11-11-2017 South Walney, Barrow-in-Furness: c.

54°2’N 3°12’W (Cumbria) Caught by ringer 24-03-2018 West Farm, Westhorpe: 52°17’N 0°58’E (Suffolk) 340km SE 0y 4m 13d Additionally, Suffolk-ringed birds were reported in Belgium (3) and France (2).

Siskin L184890

Juvenile Male

Caught by ringer

20-07-2011 High Lodge, near Brandon: c. 52°26’N 0°39’E (Suffolk) 05-09-2015 Brandon: 52°26’N 0°37’E (Suffolk) 4km 4y 1m 16d 225

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Caught by ringer Caught by ringer Y558039 First-year Female Freshly dead (hit glass) S562792 First-year Male Caught by ringer S981786 Adult Male Caught by ringer S113724 First-year Male Caught by ringer

05-03-2017 Brandon: 52°26’N 0°37’E (Suffolk) 4km 5y 7m 13d 29-12-2018 Brandon: 52°26’N 0°37’E (Suffolk) 3km 7y 5m 9d 07-04-2013 Brandon Fen, Lakenheath Fen: c. 52°26’N 0°31’E (Suffolk) 19-04-2018 Walkerburn: 55°37’N 3°1’W (Scottish Borders) 422km NNW 5y 0m 12d 12-03-2017 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) 30-03-2018 Tain: 57°47’N 4°4’W (Highland) 729km NNW 1y 0m 18d 22-02-2018 Culford School: c. 52°18’N 0°40’E (Suffolk) 28-04-2018 Drummond, Inverness: 57°27’N 4°13’W (Highland) 653km NNW 0y 2m 6d 24-02-2016 Brandon Fen, Lakenheath Fen: c. 52°26’N 0°31’E (Suffolk) 05-04-2018 Itzehoe, Edendorf-Garten: 53°57’N 9°28’E (Schleswig-Holstein) Germany 619km ENE 2y 1m 12d f

Yellowhammer L965004 First-year Male

28-03-2011 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 19-02-2012 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 10m 22d Caught by ringer 01-04-2018 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 0km 7y 0m 4d TT64107 Nestling Female 04-07-2012 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 19-08-2012 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 3km 0y 1m 15d Caught by ringer 17-02-2013 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 7m 13d Caught by ringer 30-05-2015 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 2km 2y 10m 26d Caught by ringer 20-03-2016 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 3km 3y 8m 16d Caught by ringer 06-05-2017 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 2km 4y 10m 2d Caught by ringer 05-05-2018 Brewery Farm, Earl Stonham: c. 52°11’N 1°5’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 10m 1d Y818032 Adult Female 21-08-2012 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) Caught by ringer 08-04-2018 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’E (Suffolk) 0km 5y 7m 18d Great local effort and longevity results but still nearly six years shy of the longevity record which is 11 years, nine months and 28 days.

Reed Bunting L837535 First-year Male Caught by ringer Y617007 First-year Female Caught by ringer Caught by ringer

09-01-2011 Iken Marsh, near Iken: (Suffolk) 10-02-2018 Iken Marsh, near Iken: (Suffolk) 0km 7y 1m 1d 30-12-2011 Iken Marsh, near Iken: (Suffolk) 03-03-2012 Iken Marsh, near Iken: (Suffolk) 0km 0y 2m 2d 09-02-2013 Iken Marsh, near Iken: (Suffolk) 0km 1y 1m 10d 226

52°8’N 1°33’E 52°8’N 1°33’E 52°8’N 1°33’E 52°8’N 1°33’E 52°8’N 1°33’E

Selected Ringing Recoveries for Suffolk in 2018 Caught by ringer Y222414 First-year Male Caught by ringer Caught by ringer AAA0186 First-year Male Caught by ringer

10-02-2018 Iken Marsh, near Iken: 52°8’N 1°33’E (Suffolk) 0km 6y 1m 11d 15-04-2012 Brandon Fen, Lakenheath Fen RSPB: c.

52°26’N 0°31’E (Suffolk) 05-07-2012 Brandon Fen, Lakenheath Fen RSPB: c.

52°26’N 0°31’E (Suffolk) 0km 0y 2m 20d 06-05-2018 Brandon Fen: c. 52°26’N 0°30’E (Suffolk) 1km 6y 0m 21d 21-12-2017 Wrentham: c. 52°23’N 1°39’E (Suffolk) 14-05-2018 Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve, Skegness: 53°5’N 0°19’E (Lincolnshire) 119km NW 0y 4m 23d

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Rare Birds in Suffolk 2018 David Walsh Accepted BBRC records 2018 Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca: Minsmere RSPB, first-winter, September 24th to October 19th (S J Message et al.)

American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus: Carlton Marshes SWT, adult male in song, April 7th to May 16th (G Durrant, R Holmes et al. per Suffolk recorder).

Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus: Minsmere RSPB, first-winter, October 24th (M Bennett et al.).

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva: Aldeburgh Marshes, adult, September 20th (M L Cornish, B J Small et al.)

Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla: Minsmere RSPB, juvenile, August 18th-23rd (J Evans, G J Jobson, A Riseborough et al.).

Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes: Shingle Street, juvenile, October 3rd-6th (H Wright et al.); same, Hollesley Marshes RSPB, October 6th-18th.

Pallid Swift Apus pallidus: Thorpeness, two juveniles, November 11th (K Loveridge, B J Small, D F Walsh et al.).

Booted Warbler Iduna caligata: Ness Point, Lowestoft, first-winter, September 6th-7th (J Cyprus et al.).

Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides: Minsmere RSPB, male in song, April 6th to July 27th (R Fraser, J Lovell et al.); second bird, male in song, June 1st to July 21st (G Bowen, D F Walsh et al.). Westwood Marshes, Walberswick, male in song, May 9th (W Russell).

Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris: Landguard, first-winter, August 30th (W J Brame et al.).

Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus: Boyton Marshes RSPB, May 11th (P R Kennerley).

‘Coues’s Arctic Redpoll’ Acanthis hornemanni exilipes: Hazlewood Common, Friston, November 28th 2017 to April 11th (M L Cornish et al.). Undisclosed location, March 3rd-16th (C J Bridge et al.). Upper Hollesley Common, April 5th-7th (J G Richardson et al.).

Records found not proven 2018 BBRC: Tengmalm’s Owl Aegolius funereus Hollesley, October 10th-14th. Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis Lowestoft, September 13th. Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Somersham, April 16th.

SORC: European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus Wickham Market, July 31st. Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba Trimley St Martin, July 6th. Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica Landguard, April 21st.

‘Coues’s Arctic Redpoll’ long stayer still at Hazlewood Common in March.

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Systematic List

List of Contributors Whilst every effort has been made to make this list as comprehensive as possible, some observers names may have been inadvertently omitted. If your contribution has not been acknowledged, please accept my sincere apologies. It is doubtful that all those who only submit to Birdtrack will feature here.

S Abbott, D Adelson, A Alam, P Aldous, WeBS Counters, M Amsden, N Andrews, D Apps, R Attenborrow, D Austin, T Austin, K Axelsson, R Ayers.

S Babbs, M Bacon, C Baines, C Baker, D E Balmer, T Bamber, S Banks, L J Barber, P Barker, I Barthorpe, S Bartlett, C R Bartrum, B Baston, G Batchelor, E Bathgate, M Bennett, R Biddle, J Bingley, BINS, Birdline East Anglia, Birdguides, Birdtrack (thousands), S Bishop, K K Blackmore, L Bool, G D Borderick, M Bournat, N Bournat, G Bowen, B Bradnum, W J Brame, M T Breaks, A Bright, R Brockman, M A Broughton, D Brawn, K Brooke, G B Brown, J Brown, P Brown, S Brown, BTO Thetford, A Buckingham, D Buckingham, M Buckingham, B Buffery, T Butler, C A Buttle.

A M Cage, N Calbrade, B Calversbert, G W Candelin, D Carr, M Carr, D & M Carter, N Carter, M Cartwright, I Castle, M Cavanagh, G Cavey, D Cawdron, D W Chambers, A Chaplin, P Chaplin, D Cheney, R Chittenden (Birdline East Anglia), T Churchyard, C Clark, S J Clarkson, F A Clements, R Clements, M Coleman, P Collins, G Conway, M J Cook, J Copp, G Coppard, M L Cornish, C Courtney, S Cox, C Crafford, D Crawshaw, N Crouch, L Cutting, J Cyprus.

C Darby, A Damant, G J Daniels, J Davidson, G Davies, J Davies, R Davies, R Dazley, M Deans, C Deeks, J P Dickie, E Dixon, P Dolton, P Douch, R Drew, R Duncan, G Durrant.

A C Easton, D Eaton, eBird, M Edrich, R Etheridge, C Evans, J Evans, L G R Evans, S P Evans, A Excell.

A Faiers, D Fairhurst, M Fairley, J Farrow, J Ferguson, M Ferris, P Finch, M Fitch, R Flindall, P Follett, Forest Enterprise, L Forsyth, B Fountain, M Fox, A Franklin, R Fraser, S Free, S Freeman, N French, S Fryett, C Fulcher.

S Gillings, P D Gilson, Gipping Valley Birders, T Gladwin, J Glazebrook, S R Goddard, N Goldsmith, M Gooch, P Gowen , S Graham, J H Grant, A Green, A M Gregory, C Gregory, A Gretton, G Grieco, S Grimwood, B Guy. A Hall, J C Hannam, B Harrington, Great Bittern showing well at Minsmere in November.

A Harris, R Harris, J Harrold, B and Peter Ransome M Hart, C Hartwell, R Harvey, C Herrington, B Hewlett, J Heywood, J Higgott, R Hoblyn, J Hogg, T Holland, Hollesley Wardens, S J Holloway, A Holmes, P J Holmes, R Holmes, P Holness, A Howe, S V Howell, T Humpage, E W Hutchings.

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C Ireland, E D Jackson, M Jackson, C J Jakes, S Jarvis, G J Jobson, R Johnson, M F Johnstone, A Jones, B Jones, C M Jones.

E Keeble, C Keeling, R Kelly, M Kemp, A D Kennelly, J Kennerley, P Kennerley, T Kerridge, A Kettle, D B Kightly, D King, V King, T Kingsbury, J Kornjaca.

P C Lack, Lackford Lakes Log, Lackford Ringing Group, Landguard Bird Observatory, D Langlois, P Leafe, R Leavett, J Levene, M and D Linsley, N Lloyd, A Longbon, J Lovell, G Lowe, Lowestoft Lounge Lizards, E Lucking.

R N Macklin, P Maddison, J March, H Marchant, J Marchant, D Marsh, E Marsh, G Marsh, M Marsh, J P Martin, C Mason, J E Mason, N J Mason, R Mason, T Mayhew, S Mayson, L McBrien, S McAvoy, S Message, Mickle Mere Log, R Middleditch, A Miller, M Miller, S Minns, Minsmere RSPB, A V Moon, A Moore, S Moore, N J Moran, G E Morris, J Mountain, B Moyes, N Murphy, P W Murphy, A Musgrove, C Mutimer, J Myers.

A Nairn, P Napthine, National Trust Orfordness, Natural England, S E Newbold, S Nixon, R Noble, S Noble, P Noakes, North Warren RSPB, M Nowers.

N Odin, P Oldfield, Orfordness Report.

M Padmore, R Parfitt, D Parry-Davies, E Patrick, S Paul, P Pearson, D Pearsons, M F Peers, A Piccolo, D Ping, S H Piotrowski, S P Piotrowski, B Pleasance, R Plowman, L Potter, S Potter, K Power.

A Rafinski, G Rankin, J D K Rankin, P J Ransome, N D Rawlings, N Rayment, S Read, L Record, J Richardson, G Riley, A Riseborough, D and K Roberts, S Roberts, J A Robinson, P Robertson, A Rogers, J A Rowlands, RSPB Lakenheath, RSPB Minsmere, RSPB North Warren, R D Ruffell, E M Ruffles, L Russell, W Russell.

D Sadler, I Salkeld, C A Saul, J Secker, J Seggar, D Sheppard, N Sherman, D Short, C Showell, J Shrimpton, T B Simon, G Siskos B J Small, J M Small, J Smallwood, A Smethurst, P Smith, R Smith, E Solomon, D Spensley, N Spicer, S Stachnicki, P Stancliffe, A J Steele, T Stopher, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, W Sutherland.

M Taylor, P Telford, G Thomas, B G Thompson, D Thurlow, M M Tickler, A Tietjen, D Tomlinson, R Tomlinson, Trimley Marshes SWT, J Troop, J A Turner, G Twinberrow.

D K Underwood.

K Verlander, P Vincent, N Vipond, R Vonk.

R Walden, D F Walsh, J Walshe, S Waters, E Watson, Waveney Bird Club, WeBS counters, West Suffolk Birders, D White, I White, P Whittaker, P Wigens, A Williams, P M Wilson, R Wilton, R Wincup, G P Womack, G D Woodard, G Woodard, B Woodhouse, D Woodmansey, L G Woods, S Worsfold, M Wortley, M T Wright, R M Wright, D Wrycraft.

A Young.

E Zantboer, J Zantboer, C Zockler.

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EARLIEST AND LATEST DATES OF SUMMER MIGRANTS 2018 ARRIVALS DEPARTURES Date Locality Date Locality Garganey Mar 6th Snape Wetlands Oct 10th Aldeburgh Osprey Mar 25th Minsmere Oct 7th Landguard/Ipswich Hobby Apr 14th Aldeburgh/Lakenheath/ Oct 30th Minsmere

Great Livermere Stone-curlew Mar 9th Brecks Oct 26th Brecks Little (Ringed) Plover Mar 11th Lakenheath Fen Sep 16th Trimley Marshes Whimbrel Mar 16th North Warren Sep 23rd Minsmere Wood Sandpiper Apr 22nd Thetford/Lakenheath Sep 2nd Minsmere Little Tern Apr 19th Lakenheath Fen Aug 25th Lowestoft Black Tern May 12th Lakenheath Fen Oct 16th Hollesley Marshes Sandwich Tern Mar 23rd Minsmere Oct 27th Southwold Common Tern Apr 2nd Oulton Broad Nov 11th Trimley Marshes Arctic Tern Apr 15th Landguard Nov 3rd Landguard Turtle Dove Apr 7th South Elmham Sep 29th Capel St Andrew Cuckoo Apr 9th Stoke-by-Nayland Sep 8th Trimley Marshes Nightjar May 9th Minsmere Sep 7th Hollesley Swift Apr 20th Minsmere/ Sep 30th Orfordness

Bury St Edmunds Wryneck Apr 12th Middleton Oct 8th Southwold Sand Martin Mar 14th Minsmere Sep 24th Landguard Swallow Feb 28th Stowmarket Nov 15th Landguard House Martin Apr 2nd Livermere Lake Nov 4th Lowestoft Wood Warbler Aug 24th Minsmere Willow Warbler Mar 30th Thetford Oct 9th Landguard Garden Warbler Apr 14th Alton Water Oct 17th Landguard Lesser Whitethroat Apr 10th Alton Water Oct 29th Benacre/Southwold Common Whitethroat Apr 8th Orfordness Oct 7th Landguard Grasshopper Warbler Apr 10th Carlton Marshes Sep 30th Orfordness Sedge Warbler Apr 4th Minsmere/ Oct 13th Orfordness

North Warren Reed Warbler Apr 11th West Stow Oct 25th Aldeburgh Ring Ouzel Apr 4th Cavenham Oct 28th Corton/Landguard Spotted Flycatcher Apr 29th Landguard Oct 18th Landguard Nightingale Apr 8th Felixstowe Sep 2nd Trimley Marshes Redstart Apr 13th Landguard Oct 15th Corton Whinchat Apr 13th Carlton Marshes Nov 12th Minsmere Wheatear Mar 17th Orfordness Nov 11th Aldeburgh Pied Flycatcher May 1st Corton Oct 14th Lowestoft Yellow Wagtail Apr 6th Hollesley Marshes Oct 3rd Landguard Tree Pipit Apr 6th Icklingham Oct 20th Landguard

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A GUIDE TO RECORDING BIRDS IN SUFFOLK Introduction The foundation stone of any report is the data upon which it is based. Unless we all submit our records diligently, and in a usable form, then the Suffolk Bird Report will not be a comprehensive account of the 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 with the Suffolk Bird Group. The linchpins of the system are the Recorders, who are the initial point of contact for all 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 now administered as Norfolk, Cambridgeshire or Essex. The most significant area affected is that of Lothingland, the northern limits of which follow the River Yare and include the south side of Breydon Water. We have retained these original boundaries as we feel that sensible comparison of data can only be made from year to year if the recording area is kept constant.

Submission of records All observers are requested to submit their records monthly. We also suggest that the following format be followed: (a) Location (precise place name from 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, female, juvenile etc. (f) Abundance – count numbers, frequency, etc. (g) Type of record – dead, ringed, etc. (h) Other comments considered relevant – behaviour etc. In particular see the list below for particular information required for each species. All claims of national rarities should, of course, be accompanied by a full description. The Recorder will automatically forward this to the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC).

If submitting a list of records for one particular site, please put all details at the top of the list and annotate with sex and/or 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 from the SBG 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 would encourage all those who can to use this method of submitting their records.

Assessment of records All records come under the scrutiny of the Suffolk Ornithological Records Committee (SORC) and for rare or scarce species, verification is sought – i.e. photographs, field sketches, witnesses, sound recordings (for calling or singing birds) and (most importantly) written descriptions. The SORC’s policy for vagrants, classified as national rarities, is clear; records should be channelled through the County Recorder to be considered by the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC), whose decisions are accepted by SORC. A full list of species that are considered by the SORC follows. The committee may also request further details regarding any other species that, in the opinion of the committee, is out of context in terms of season, habitat or numbers.

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A list of records which have not been accepted for publication can be found in Appendix III and includes those which have been circulated to the respective committees but were considered unacceptable due to either the identification not being fully established or, more rarely, a genuine mistake having been made. It does not include records still under consideration.

Guide to species The following list shows all the species recorded in the 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 Categories A, B and C, as per the British Ornithologists’ Union (see the Introduction to the Systematic List for more details). Note that a large number of species included can also fall into Categories D and E (basically as escapees); a description of such a bird may be requested but will be essential if it is believed that the bird is of wild origin.

A reminder that Turtle Dove, Yellow Wagtail, Nightingale, Spotted Flycatcher, Marsh Tit and Corn Bunting have all been moved from Category 4 to category 3 – records of all of them would be appreciated.

A reminder that Black-throated Diver and Grey Phalarope have been moved from 3 to 2, especially for those seen at sea.

SOG/SORC would also like to receive any breeding records for the following species: Kestrel, Ringed Plover, 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.

SORC has decided to move 3 species from 2 (county rarity) to category 3 (all reports required and notes may be requested). They are Cattle Egret, Glossy Ibis and Raven.

Moving the other way, from category 3 to 2, are Golden Oriole and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (away from the Brandon/Santon Downham area).

American Bittern has been added to the Suffolk list in 2018.

Brent Goose – Dark-Bellied Brent Goose – Pale-Bellied Brent Goose – Black Brant Red-breasted Goose Canada Goose Barnacle Goose Snow Goose Greylag Goose Taiga Bean Goose Pink-footed Goose Tundra Bean Goose Greater White-fronted Goose Mute Swan Tundra (Bewick’s) Swan Whooper Swan Egyptian Goose Common Shelduck Ruddy Shelduck * Mandarin Duck Baikal Teal Garganey Blue-winged Teal Northern Shoveler Gadwall Eurasian Wigeon American Wigeon Mallard Northern Pintail

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

Eurasian Teal Green-winged Teal Red-crested Pochard Common Pochard Ferruginous Duck Ring-necked duck Tufted Duck Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup Common Eider King Eider Surf Scoter Velvet Scoter Common Scoter Long Tailed Duck 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 233

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

Great Northern Diver White-billed Diver Black-browed Albatross European Storm-petrel Leach’s Storm-petrel Northern Fulmar Cory’s Shearwater Sooty Shearwater Great Shearwater Manx Shearwater Balearic Shearwater Little Grebe Red-necked Grebe Great Crested Grebe Slavonian Grebe Black-necked Grebe Black Stork White Stork Glossy Ibis Eurasian Spoonbill Eurasian Bittern American Bittern Little Bittern Black-crowned Night-heron Squacco Heron Western Cattle Egret Grey Heron Purple Heron

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

Suffolk Bird Report 2018 Great Egret Little Egret Northern Gannet European Shag Great Cormorant Western Osprey European Honey Buzzard Greater Spotted Eagle Eurasian Sparrowhawk Northern Goshawk Marsh Harrier Hen Harrier Pallid Harrier Montagu’s Harrier Red Kite Black Kite White-tailed Eagle Rough-legged Buzzard Common Buzzard Great Bustard Macqueen’s Bustard Little Bustard Water Rail Corncrake Little Crake Baillons Crake* Spotted Crake Western Swamphen Common Moorhen Allen’s Gallinule* Eurasian Coot Sandhill Crane Common Crane Eurasian Stone-curlew Eurasian Oystercatcher Black-winged Stilt Pied Avocet Northern Lapwing Sociable Plover European Golden Plover Pacific Golden Plover American Golden Plover Grey Plover Common Ringed Plover Little Ringed Plover Killdeer Kentish Plover Greater Sand Plover Eurasian Dotterel Whimbrel Eurasian Curlew Bar-tailed Godwit Black-tailed Godwit Ruddy Turnstone Great Knot Red Knot Ruff Broad-billed Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper Curlew Sandpiper Temminck’s Stint Sanderling Dunlin

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

Purple Sandpiper Baird’s Sandpiper Little Stint White-rumped Sandpiper Buff-breasted Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Semipalmated Sandpiper Long-billed Dowitcher Short-billed Dowitcher Eurasian Woodcock Jack Snipe Great Snipe Common Snipe Wilson’s Phalarope Red-necked Phalarope Grey Phalarope Terek Sandpiper Common Sandpiper Spotted Sandpiper Green Sandpiper Lesser Yellowlegs Common Redshank Marsh Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper Spotted Redshank Common Greenshank Greater Yellowlegs Cream-coloured Courser * Collared Pratincole Oriental Pratincole Black-winged Pratincole Black-legged Kittiwake Ivory Gull Sabine’s Gull Slender-billed Gull Black-headed Gull Little Gull Ross’s Gull Laughing Gull Franklin’s Gull Audouin’s Gull Mediterranean Gull Common Gull Ring-billed Gull Great Black-backed Gull Glaucous Gull Iceland Gull European Herring Gull American Herring Gull Caspian Gull Yellow-legged Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Gull-billed Tern Caspian Tern Lesser-crested Tern Sandwich Tern Little Tern Sooty Tern Roseate Tern Common Tern Arctic Tern Forster’s Tern Whiskered Tern 234

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

White-winged Tern Black Tern Great Skua Pomarine Skua Artic Skua Long-tailed Skua Little Auk Common Guillemot Razorbill Black Guillemot Atlantic Puffin Pallas’s Sandgrouse * Feral Pigeon Stock Pigeon Common Wood Pigeon European Turtle Dove Oriental Turtle Dove Eurasian Collared Dove Great Spotted Cuckoo Yellow Billed Cuckoo Common Cuckoo Western Barn Owl European Scops Owl * Snowy Owl Tawny Owl Little Owl Tengmalm’s Owl* Long-eared Owl Short-eared Owl European Nightjar Alpine Swift Common Swift Pallid Swift Pacific Swift European Roller Common Kingfisher European Bee-eater Eurasian Hoopoe Eurasian Wryneck Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Great Spotted Woodpecker Green Woodpecker Lesser Kestrel Common Kestrel Red-footed Falcon Eleonora’s Falcon Merlin Eurasian Hobby Gyr Falcon Peregrine Falcon Ring-necked Parakeet Isabelline Shrike Red-backed Shrike Lesser Grey Shrike Great Grey Shrike Southern Grey Shrike Woodchat Shrike Red-eyed Vireo Eurasian Golden Oriole Eurasian Jay Eurasian Magpie Nutcracker Red-billed Chough *

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

A Guide to Recording Birds in Suffolk Western Jackdaw Rook Carrion Crow Hooded Crow Northern Raven Bohemian Waxwing Coal Tit Crested Tit Marsh Tit Willow Tit Eurasian Blue Tit Great Tit Eurasian Penduline Tit Bearded Reedling Woodlark Eurasian Skylark Crested Lark Shore Lark Greater Short-toed Lark Sand Martin Barn Swallow House Martin Red-rumped Swallow Cliff Swallow Cetti’s Warbler Long-tailed Tit Wood Warbler Western Bonelli’s Warbler Hume’s Leaf Warbler Yellow-browed Warbler Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Radde’s Warbler Dusky Warbler Willow Warbler Common Chiffchaff Siberian Chiffchaff Iberian Chiffchaff Greenish Warbler Arctic Warbler Great Reed Warbler Garden Warbler Aquatic Warbler Sedge Warbler Paddyfield Warbler Blyth’s Reed Warbler Eurasian Reed Warbler Marsh Warbler Booted Warbler Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Melodious Warbler Icterine Warbler Grasshopper Warbler River Warbler

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

Savi’s Warbler Lanceolated Warbler Blackcap Garden Warbler Barred Warbler Lesser Whitethroat Common Whitethroat Dartford Warbler Marmora’s Warbler Spectacled Warbler Subalpine Warbler Sardinian Warbler Common Firecrest Goldcrest Eurasian Wren Eurasian Nuthatch Eurasian Treecreeper Short-toed Treecreeper Rosy Starling Common Starling White’s Thrush Ring Ouzel Common Blackbird Fieldfare Redwing Song Thrush Mistle Thrush Spotted Flycatcher European Robin Siberian Blue Robin Bluethroat Thrush Nightingale Common Nightingale Red-flanked Bluetail European Pied Flycatcher Collared Flycatcher Red-breasted Flycatcher Black Redstart Common Redstart Whinchat European Stonechat Siberian Stonechat Stejneger’s Stonechat Northern Wheatear Isabelline Wheatear Desert Wheatear Pied Wheatear White-crowned Wheatear Dipper House Sparrow Spanish Sparrow Eurasian Tree Sparrow Alpine Accentor

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

Dunnock Western Yellow Wagtail 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 Meadow Pipit Tree Pipit Olive-backed Pipit Red-throated Pipit Water Pipit Rock Pipit Chaffinch Brambling Hawfinch Eurasian Bullfinch Trumpeter Finch Common Rosefinch European Greenfinch Twite Common Linnet Common Redpoll Lesser Redpoll Arctic Redpoll Parrot Crossbill Red Crossbill Two-barred Crossbill European Goldfinch European Serin European Siskin Lapland Bunting Snow Bunting Corn Bunting Yellowhammer Pine Bunting Ortolan Bunting Cirl Bunting Little Bunting Rustic Bunting Yellow-breasted Bunting Black-headed Bunting Reed Bunting White-throated Sparrow Lark Sparrow

* 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.

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

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Gazetteer This gazetteer gives locations for sites listed in the main checklist section of this issue of Suffolk Birds. The intention is to make it easier for newcomers to birdwatching, or those less familiar with the county, to be able to locate sites. Specific sites are given a six-figure reference where appropriate; larger sites are given a four-figure reference for the 1km square in which they are situated. Whilst a complete list of all sites would obviously be of most use, it would of necessity, be very long. Therefore, it does not, in general, contain parish names, which are easily located by reference to a standard road map.

Aldeburgh Town Marshes Alde Estuary Aldringham Common Aldringham 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

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 TM164454 TM315349 TM043581 TL887391 TM537579 TM539982 TM013446 TM4979 TM524808 TM2850-3238 TM4872 TM4768

Eastbridge East Lane, Bawdsey 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 Ilketshall St Lawrence Ipswich Golf Course Ipswich Wet Dock Kedington Kentwell Hall, Long Melford Kessingland Levels Kessingland sewage works King's Fleet 236

TM452660 TM354401 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 TM169439 TL7046 TL863479 TM530850 TM533857 TM310379

Gazeteer King's Forest, The Kirton Creek Knettishall Heath Lackford Lakes Lake Lothing Lakenheath Fen Lakenheath Warren Lakenheath Washes Landguard Lavenham railway walk Layham 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

TL8173 TM292417 TL952804 TL800710 TM5392 TL7085 TL7580 TL7085 TM2831 TL9049 TM021402 TM530933 TM444643 TM237383 TM246380 TM890485 TL882716 TL868468 TL855459 TM255377 TG501007 TM5592 TL980787 TM2647 TL7983 TL937699 TM4267 TM4766

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 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

Red-breasted Merganser drake at Oulton Broad in February.

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TM4667 TM4988 TM094548 TM555936 TM551951 TM024600 TM4658 TL866615 TL872815 TM0562 TL824815 TM4654-3743 TM175413 TM1641-2534 TM3290 TM5192 TM370435 TM5389 TL930680 TM289338 TM108538 TM509791 TL898695 TM065430 TM298423 TM046797 TM055767 TM485766

Dave Borderick

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Alphabetical Index of Species Accounts – Common Names Alpine Swift American Bittern American Golden Plover 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-browed Albatross 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 Blyth’s Reed Warbler Brambling Brent Goose Buff-breasted Sandpiper Bullfinch Buzzard Canada Goose Carrion Crow Caspian Gull Cattle Egret Cetti’s Warbler Chaffinch Chiffchaff Citrine Wagtail Coal Tit Collared Dove Crossbill Common Crane Common Gull Common Rosefinch

– 72 90 – 185 113 112 88 – – 118 44 151 96 46 134 123 48 72 – 83 167 – 112 66 159 150 104 69 95 87 164 133 – 148 180 43 95 181 84 44 132 108 74 140 179 145 175 132 117 – 86 106 –

Common Sandpiper Common Scoter Common Tern Coot Cormorant Corn Bunting Corncrake Cory’s Shearwater Crossbill Cuckoo Curlew Curlew Sandpiper Dartford Warbler Desert Wheatear Dipper Dotterel Dunlin Dunnock Dusky Warbler Eider Egyptian Goose Feral Pigeon Ferruginous Duck Fieldfare Firecrest Fulmar Gadwall Gannet Garden Warbler Garganey Glaucous Gull Glossy Ibis Goldcrest Golden Pheasant Golden Oriole Golden Plover Goldeneye Goldfinch Goosander Goshawk Grasshopper Warbler Great Black-backed Gull Great Crested Grebe Great Egret Greater Yellowlegs Great Grey Shrike Great Northern Diver Great Reed Warbler Great Skua Great Snipe Great Spotted Woodpecker Great Tit Green Sandpiper Green-winged Teal 238

97 61 111 86 78 189 – – 185 117 97 93 153 – – 92 94 174 144 60 50 115 59 160 154 67 54 76 151 52 106 70 153 65 129 90 62 186 63 80 150 106 69 75 – 129 66 – 113 – 124 134 98 58

Green Woodpecker 124 Greenfinch 182 Greenish Warbler – Greenshank 99 Grey Heron 74 Grey Partridge 65 Grey Phalarope 101 Grey Plover 91 Grey Wagtail 175 Greylag Goose 45 Gull-billed Tern – Guillemot 114 Hawfinch 180 Hen Harrier 82 Herring Gull 108 Hobby 126 Honey Buzzard 79 Hooded Crow 131 Hoopoe 123 House Martin 138 House Sparrow 173 Hume’s Warbler – Iceland Gull 107 Icterine Warbler 149 Isabelline Shrike – Jack Snipe 101 Jackdaw 130 Jay 129 Kentish Plover – Kestrel 125 Kingfisher 122 Kittiwake 103 Knot 92 Lapland Longspur 187 Lapwing 89 Leach’s Petrel 67 Lesser Black-backed Gull 110 Lesser Grey Shrike 129 Lesser Redpoll 184 Lesser Scaup – Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 124 Lesser White-fronted Goose 192 Lesser Whitethroat 152 Lesser Yellowlegs 99 Linnet 183 Little Auk 114 Little Bittern 73 Little Bunting – Little Crake – Little Egret 75 Little Grebe 68 Little Gull 104 Little Owl 118 Little (Ringed) Plover 91

Index of Species Little Stint Little Tern Long-billed Dowitcher Long-eared Owl Long-tailed Duck Long-tailed Skua Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Mandarin Duck Manx Shearwater Marsh Harrier Marsh Sandpiper Marsh Tit Marsh Warbler Meadow Pipit Mealy Redpoll Mediterranean Gull Melodious Warbler Merlin Mistle Thrush Montagu’s Harrier Moorhen Mute Swan Night Heron Nightingale Nightjar Nuthatch Olive-backed Pipit Ortolan Bunting Osprey Oystercatcher Pacific Golden Plover Pallas’s Warbler 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 Warbler Raven Razorbill Red Kite Red-backed Shrike Red-breasted Flycatcher Red-breasted Goose

93 110 – 119 62 114 142 129 55 51 68 80 – 133 149 177 184 105 – 125 162 82 85 48 74 165 120 155 – 190 78 87 90 143 – 122 93 134 127 65 166 176 46 56 59 113 115 75 94 65 144 131 114 82 128 167 192

Red-breasted Merganser Red-crested Pochard Red-flanked Bluetail Red-footed Falcon Red-legged Partridge Red-necked Grebe Red-necked Phalarope Red-rumped Swallow Redshank Redstart Red-throated Diver Red-throated Pipit Redwing Reed Bunting Reed Warbler Richard’s Pipit Ring Ouzel Ring-billed Gull Ringed Plover Ring-necked Duck Robin Rock Pipit Roller Rook Roseate Tern Rose-ringed Parakeet Rosy Starling Rough-legged Buzzard Ruddy Duck Ruddy Shelduck Ruff Rustic Bunting Sabine’s Gull Sand Martin Sanderling Sandwich Tern Savi’s Warbler Scaup Sedge Warbler 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 239

ADD PAGE NOs

64 58 – 125 65 69 101 140 100 169 65 178 161 190 148 177 158 106 91 – 164 178 – 130 111 128 157 83 – 193 95 – 104 136 92 110 150 60 147 93 187 77 50 136 120 – 53 187 135 69 63 102 188 192 161 68 80

Spoonbill Spotted Crake Spotted Flycatcher Spotted Redshank Starling Stock Dove Stonechat Stone-curlew Storm Petrel Subalpine Warbler Surf Scoter Swallow Swift Tawny Owl Tawny Pipit Teal Temminck’s Stint Tree Pipit Tree Sparrow Treecreeper Tufted Duck Turnstone Turtle Dove Twite 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 Warbler Woodchat Shrike Wood Lark Wood Sandpiper Wood Warbler Woodcock Woodpigeon Wren Wryneck Yellowhammer Yellow-browed Warbler Yellow-legged Gull Yellow Wagtail

70 85 162 98 156 145 171 88 – – – 137 121 118 177 57 93 177 174 155 59 100 116 183 178 84 132 172 96 170 – 46 70 – 83 153 176 112 49 54 133 144 129 135 99 142 101 115 156 123 189 143 109 175

Suffolk Bird Report 2018

Suffolk Bird Group Who we are  Founded in 1973 by a group of Suffolk birdwatchers  Associated with the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society  SBG remains an independent birding group and is a registered charity

Protecting Birds

What we do

 Actively lobbies to protect key Suffolk habitats

Networking  A voice for Suffolk birdwatchers

 Provides a county-wide field force of bird surveyors

 With established links to many naturalist and conservation organisations

 Promotes BTO bird surveys and organises special SBG surveys

Media

 Assists with conservation projects to improve breeding success

 Strong web presence - www.suffolkbirdgroup.org  Active Twitter feed - @suffolkbirds1

- Swifts

 Quarterly magazine - The Harrier

- Barn Owls

 Annual review - Suffolk Birds report

- Peregrines - Waders

Trips and talks

 Partners with Suffolk Wildlife Trust and other bird groups

 Annually (20+) field trips - ideal for novices or experts and young or old alike

 Assists with funding for bird hides and other birding amenities

 Opportunities to visit hot spots and receive practical ID tips in the field

 Contributes to community events, including dawn chorus walks

 Programme of talks and presentations - variety of topics (county, national, or international) with quality speakers

 Provides bursaries for special projects

Suffolk Bird Group

For birds & for birders SBG Registered Charity No. 801446

Join as at:

www.suffolkbirdgroup.org 240

Founded in 1929 by Claude Morley (1874–1951), the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society pioneered the study and recording of the County’s flora, fauna and geology, to promote a wider interest in natural history.

Recording the natural history of Suffolk is still one of the Society’s primary objects, and members’ observations are fed to a network of specialist recorders for possible publication, and deposited in the Suffolk Biological Records Centre, jointly managed with Ipswich Museums.

Suffolk Natural History, a review of the County’s wildlife, and Suffolk Birds, the County bird report, are two high quality annual publications issued free to members. The Society also publishes a quarterly newsletter and organises an interesting programme of field excursions and winter lectures at venues throughout the County.

The Suffolk Naturalists’ Society offers a joint membership with the Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group at a reduced subscription. This entitles joint members to receive literature and attend the meetings of both organisations.

If you are not yet a member of the Society but would like to join, contact Mrs J. Hardingham, c/o The Museum, High Street, Ipswich IP1 3QH.

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES:

Individual Family Corporate

SNS £15 £17 £17

Joint membership SNS/SOG £30 £35

Page Editorial: Nick Mason................................................................................................................

Weather report: Edward Jackson..............................................................................................

Review of scarce and rare birds in Suffolk in 2018: Craig Fulcher.........................................

The British List: Brian Small......................................................................................................

Name change. SOG to SBG: Edward Jackson............................................................................

Black-tailed Godwits on the Stour Estuary – seasonal turnover: Ed Keeble............................

The 2017 Ringed Plover survey: Robin Harvey.........................................................................

Birds and other wildlife in the Lackford area 1948/89: Alec Bull and Peter Lack....................

American Bittern at Carlton Marshes: Gavin Durrant, Rob Holmes and Rob Wilton...............

Semipalmated Sandpiper at Minsmere: Ally Riseborough.......................................................

White Storks at Theberton: Mike Cartwright...........................................................................

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SUFFOLK BIRDS 2018

CONTENTS

The 2018 Suffolk Bird Report Introduction........................................................................................................................ 41 Systematic List.................................................................................................................... 43 Appendices....................................................................................................................... 192 Suffolk Ringing Report 2018: Simon Evans........................................................................ 196 Rare Birds in Suffolk 2018: David Walsh................................................................................... 228 List of Contributors........................................................................................................... 229 Earliest and Latest Dates of Summer Migrants ................................................................ 231 A Guide to Recording Birds in Suffolk............................................................................... 232 Gazetteer.......................................................................................................................... 236 Index of species:..................................................................................................................... 238

Vol. 68

£10.00