85
BIRD REPORT FOR Editor—DR.
1952.
P. R . WESTALL, M . A . , M . B . , B. Chir.
As already published in a circular sent r o u n d to m e m b e r s , the annual Bird R e p o r t is n o w considerably abbreviated, t h u s avoiding repetition of data presented in t h e Reports for 1950 and 1951. W e here publish only records of unusual occurrences, notes on rarer species, and observations adding to or altering t h e picture as presented previously. F o r the sake of brevity we have omitted scientific names. S o m e arrival and departure dates are listed at the e n d . T h e n u m b e r s refer, as before, to W i t h e r b y ' s Check-list of British Birds, 1941. M e m b e r s wishing to take part in organised field-work are asked to join in the enquiries r u n by t h e British T r u s t for Ornithology. M u c h work was d o n e by m e m b e r s in Alling u p t h e Census f o r m s for the B . T . O . Survey of b r e e d i n g species. A joint m e e t i n g with t h e B . T . O . was held at Ipswich on O c t . 29th, at w h i c h D r . Bruce C a m p b e l l gave a most interesting illustrated lecture on " Bird Research as a H o b b y , " a n d M r . S. C . Porter showed some of his splendid slides. Consideration is being given to t h e Organisation of both meetings and field-work in the f u t u r e . T h a n k s are d u e to t h e R.S.P.B, and the Lowestoft Field C l u b for the use of their notes, a n d apologies are tendered in advance for any inaccuracies in t h e list of observers. 2. HOODED CROW.—One seen Lakenheath, M a y 29th—a late date (AWPR). 4 ROOK.—On Oct. 25th 9 flew in f r o m sea, Benacre, on N o v . 9th 19 at E a s t o n , on N o v . 31st 19 at Walberswick ( G B G B , P R W , G J ) . 14. STARLING.—Immigration n o t e d f r o m Oct. 31st to N o v . 9th, mostly small parties f r o m 10 - 50, at rate of about 300 birds per h o u r on any one Stretch of coast f r o m D u n w i c h to Benacre. W i n d W . N . W , light, and birds flew in low over sea. (See u n d e r Fieldfare, Skylark, Rook, Long-tailed T i t and L a p w i n g ) . 18. HAWFINCH.—Oct. 30th, 1 m o v i n g S. M i n s m e r e ClifT; 3 o n Nov. 2nd ( J M W ) . 21. SISKIN.—Fewer records this year. 6 Aying S. Oct. 30th and 6 31st at M i n s m e r e ( J M W ) . [23. MEALY REDPOLL.—One, probably this race, N o v . 25th, Westleton ( M S V a n O).] 2 8 / 9 . TWITE.—Two, Aug. 17th, East Lane—exceptionally early date (JTF).
33. BULLFINCH.—Oct. 5th, flock c. 20, D u n w i c h ( L F C ) . O n Oct. 26th 74 counted Aying S. d u r i n g 2-hour passerine migration watch, Minsmere (JMW). 36. CROSSBILL.—Young seen on wing, J a n . 15th. D e a d chick f o u n d later conArming age, t h u s suggesting Nov. breeding in W . Suffolk where good breeding year reported ( A W P R , R K M ) . F e w e r breeding pairs at HerringAeet ( H E J ) . 40. CHAFFINCH.—Füll song F e b . 16th ( K S C G ) . D o m e d nest f o u n d in B r a n d o n area containing young ; platform of cow hair at entrance, and complete covering of moss ( A W P R ) . D u r i n g steady inAux of migrants at Walberswick, Oct. 12th, a male feil into sea just ofT-shore and was p r o m p t l y devoured by G.B.B. G u l l ( F K C ) . 54. 58.
LITTLE BUNTING.—One, Lowestoft Denes, O c t . 16th ( H E J ) . LAPLAND BUNTING.—One, Lowestoft D e n e s , Nov. 25th ( H E J ) .
86 59.
BIRD REPORT SNOW BUNTING.—TWO a t S i z e w e l l , A u g . 3 0 t h — e a r l i e s t
Suffolk
date ( P C K , J C R ) . O n S e p t . 28th 30 flew in f r o m sea, Walberswick ( M F ) . 62. TREE S P A R R O W . — O c t . 25th 14, 26th 159, 27th 25, 30th 143, all Aying S. M i n s m e r e ( J M W ) . 69 WOODLARK.—Decrease noted Foxhall, S u t t o n H e a t h and Staverton ( R K M ) b u t spread reported Sotterley, F r i t t o n , Iken, Homersfield and Walpole ( L F C ) . 70 SKYLARK—Immigration observed Walberswick and S o u t h w o l d , Oct 31st to N o v . 3rd, flocKs u p to c. 25 with occaaionally one or two stariings ( G B G B , P R W , G J ) . 72. SHORELARK.—3 at Easton, J a n . 27th ( G B G B ) 2 N o v . 16th Walberswick ( F K C , P R W ) . At Havergate, small flock w h i c h a r n v e d Nov., 1951, was p r e s e n t Jan. and F e b . ( R S P B ) . 84 BLUE-HEADED W A G T A I L . — O n m a r s h n e a r Southwold two birds of this sub-species, one a male and the other a female bred with Yellow Wagtails. Both seen feeding y o u n g at nest ( T F , P R W ) . Several other birds seen various coastal areas f r o m April 4 t h . 88. YELLOW W A G T A I L . — N o t i c e a b l e shift of b r e e d i n g birds in Breck f r o m water meadows to heather d u r i n g last f o u r years ( A W P R ) . 89 GREY W A G T A I L . — A pair probablv bred C u l f o r d t h o u g h actual proof lacking ( A W P R , J D ) . O t h e r scattered records, of which one at H o p t o n , J a n . 12th, is u n u s u a l ( H E J ) . 108. WILLOW T I T . — P a i r w i t h five fiedged y o u n g , Mildenhall area, Tune 8th ( A W P R ) . Seen at Knettishall, Redgrave, H i t c h a m (ALB). T w o at Westleton, July 29th, to end of year ( M S V O , F K C , P R W , G J ) . 1 1 1 . LONG-TAILED T I T . — O n N o v . 2nd 11 flew S. M i n s m e r e ( J M W ) . O n N o v . Ist 9 flew in f r o m sea, Walberswick ( G B G B , P R W , G J ) . 122. BEARDED T I T . — A male seen Nov. 2nd in W . Suffolk ( J D ) . East Suffolk breeding population well u p to strength. (At t u n e of going t o press, it appears that a nucleus has survived t h e flood ot Jan. J l s t , 1V3J). 114. GREAT GREY S H R I K E . — O n e at M i n s m e r e , M a y 2 6 t h / 2 7 t h , is a late date ( R S P B ) . 119. RED-BACKED S H R I K E — Y o u n g ready to fly o n J u n e 5th, Santon Valley, an early date ( A W P R ) . 120 WAXWING.—At D u n w i c h , 3 on Jan. 8th, at Westleton 5 o n J a n . l l t h ( G J ) at O u l t o n Broad 2 o n M a r . 29th ( L F C ) . 1 2 6 / 7 . GOLDCREST.—Information on b r e e d i n g required. 128 FIRECREST.—Uncommon passage m i g r a n t and winter visitor. T h r e e seen with goldcrests, Foxhail on M a r c h 21st ( J T F ) . Satisfactory details supplied. 135 WOOD WARBLER.—A pair, Scott's Hall Coverts, J u n e 6th (per D A T M ) . O n e singing M a y 1 5 t h - 1 9 t h Brandon area ( A W P R ) . O n e singing, M i n s m e r e , J u n e 9 t h - 1 5 t h ( R S P B ) . T w o near Butley Creek, Aug. 4 t h ( L F C ) . 145. GRASSHOPPER W A R B L E R . — W i d e l y reported. At least 10 singing birds, M i n s m e r e ( R S P B ) . 162. BLACKCAP.—Fiedged young, M a y 21st, B r a n d o n — a n early date ( A W P R ) . , ^ 173. FIELDFARE.—32 flew in f r o m sea, Walberswick, Oct. 31st, and 30 on N o v . I s t ( G J ) . 174 MISTLE THRUSH.—During severe blizzard, M a r c h 2 8 t h / 2 9 t h , Song T h r u s h e s at H ä r t e s t deserted b u t a Mistle T h r u s h remained m c u b a t ing half-buried in snow and duly reared young ( W H P ) . O n e in füll song, July 15th, at S t a n t o n ( J D ) and one at B r a m p t o n , July 21st (BAC)—dates
BIRD
REPORT
87
not in Handbook S o n g Chart. Flock of 50 flew inland f r o m shore Kessingland, Oct. 4th ( P W E C ) , and 31 flew in from sea, Walberswick, Nov. Ist (PRW). 175. SONG THRUSH.—Nest on ground at Wangford contained 4 young and an egg (PRW). 182. RING OUZEL.—Song recorded from one of two males at Corton, April 19th ( L F C ) . 184. BLACKBIRD.—One in almost füll song at Norton, Oct. 29th—not in Handbook S o n g Chart ( J D ) . At Havergate, where species not previously recorded, 1 on Oct. 19th, 4 on 20th, c. 40 Nov. 3rd, 7 on 4th, 5 on 7th, 1 on 9th, 1 on Dec. 4th, 1 on 15th. 186. WHEATEAR.—Exceptional passage, Lowestoft - Walberswick coast, Sept. lOth - 20th ( F K C , G J , P R W ) . T w o claimed Greenland race, one, Brandon, April 15th ( A W P R ) and one, Corton, Sept. 13th ( L F C ) . 197. WHINCHAT.—Decrease in breeding population noted, F o x h a l l Waldringfield ( J T F ) , Breck ( G W P R ) , Minsmere ( R S P B ) . 201. REDSTART.—Majority of nests, Brandon area, in rafter sites (as 202) ; 5 nests in one farm in sheds and barns ( A W P R ) . Exceptionally heavy passage Southwold - Dunwich coast, Sept. lOth - 20th ( J D , G J , G B G B , PRW). 202. BLACK REDSTART.—Several scattered records. Regulär in Lowestoft from April 8 t h ; at least 2 successful nests ( L F C ) . 205/6. BLUETHROAT.—One, Walberswick, Sept. 13th ( F K C ) . One, Corton, showing traces of blue on lower throat, Sept. l l t h ( H E J ) . 213. WREN.—13 counted in reeds, Benacre, picking food from water surface, F e b . 28th ( J T F ) . Often observed in reeds winter ( G B G B , PRW). 217. BLACKBELLIED DIPPER.—One, Euston, for a few days, early March, 1951 (per A E V ) . ( T h i s record was not received, but was published in British Birds, Vol. X L V , p. 369). 225. SWIFT.—Southward movement again observed mid-June between lOth and 20th, Minsmere ( R S P B ) . Particularly heavy on 18th at Southwold, one dav later than last year's, many thousands passing. Strong W. wind ( G B G B ) . 227. NIGHTJAR.—One churring, Aug. 26th, near Dunwich—not in Handbook S o n g Chart ( G J ) . 232. HOOPOE.—One, North Warren, April 13th ( R S P B ) . OneTattingstone Rectory, April 30th (per C C T G ) . One, Benacre Hall, M a y 5th ( G B G B , PRW). 234. KINGFISHER.—At Benacre, 4 seen involved in chasing activity, Sept. 16th ( G J ) . T w o fought vigorously Over and in dyke, St. Olaves, Dec. 7th. One, left in water, swam to bank, climbed out and flew off ( L F C ) . 239. WRYNECK.—More records this y e a r ; one successful neät E. Suffolk. 240. CUCKOO.—One mobbed a Marsh Harrier, M a y 2 5 t h ; a female " bubbling " on Aug. 24th ( J T F ) . 250. LONG-EARED OWL—One, Westleton, April 13th ( F K C ) . 251. SHORT-EARED OWL.—A pair present during breeding season one locality. Eleven put up on 150-yard Stretch of sea wall near Falkenham, Mar. 3rd (HP). 261. HOBBY.—One in Westleton - Minsmere area seen several times in J u n e and August ( A W P R , per M S V O , R S P B ) . A j., Havergate, Sept. 6th ( R S P B ) . 262. MERLIN.—One, Minsmere coast, M a y 4th—a late date ( D A T M ) . One in W . Suffolk, T u d d e n h a m Heath, N o v . 2nd ( J D ) . One seen to take a Bearded T i t , Dec. 13th ( D C T , R K M ) .
BIRD REPORT
88
263 KESTREL.—Increase in n u m b e r s , N o v . and Dec., at C o r t o n and Herringfleet ( L F C ) . O n April 19th, at Oulton Broad, a pair executed a pass in m a n n e r of Harriers ( H E J ) . 268. ROUGH-LEGCED B U Z Z A R D . — W e s t l e t o n records : — F e b . 24th April 7th, 8th, 12th, 20th, M a y 12th ( M J S , G J , p e r D A T M , per M S V O ) . [269. COMMON B U Z Z A R D — O n e , Walberswick, Aug. 15th (GJ).] 271 MARSH H A R R I E R . — O n e breeding success, 3 y o u n g flew. O n e in W . Suffolk, M a y 26th (ALB), another, m o b b e d by P e r e g n n e , Dec. 14th ( ] D ) O n e seen to settle on water during a t t e m p t s to catch M o o r h e n , Oct. 23rd ( J M W ) . 272. MONTAGU'S H A R R I E R . — S e v e r a l birds, b u t no breeding reported. 284 OSPREY.—At M i n s m e r e an adult M a y I s t - 5th. T w o , M a v l 8 t h 22nd, w h e n joined b y a third ; all 3 seen to fly out to sea (RSPB) One, Lakenheath, M a y 6th ( W H P ) . One, N o r t h W a r r e n , M a y 18th ( C M A ) . 286 SPOONBILL.—At M i n s m e r e , one came in f r o m sea April lOth, remaining tili 16th. T w o present April 28th - M a y 2nd were twice seen to indulge in m u t u a l preening and bill crossing. O n e M a y .dSth ( R S P B ) . T w o , Blythburgh, April 1 I t h - 14th ( M J S ) . T w o , Walberswick, April l l t h and two again M a v 3rd (per M S V O , G B G B ) . One, Breydon, M a y 25th ( M J S ) . O n e , Brevdon, Sept. 14th ( M J S ) . One, Havergate, O c t . 14th - 23rd ( R S P B ) . 289 HERON — N e t h e r g a t e heronry, R . D e b e n , h a d 40 occupied nests ( H P ) . ' Livermere, 28 nests, April 20th, Redgrave Lake 3 ( J D ) . Previously unrecorded heronries at Stoke-by-Nayland, 12 or 13 occupied nests ( W H P ) and at Bawdsey m a r s h , 6 occupied nests ; one pair having nested there for several years according to the keeper ( A C C H ) . 4 occupied nests at Stratton Hall (per A C C H ) . 297. BITTERN.—Perhaps 11 b o o m i n g males at M i n s m e r e ( R S P B ) . 3 0 0 . WHOOPER S W A N . — A p a r t f r o m Single birds in Jan., Oct. a n d N o v . , 16 were seen over Benacre Broad Jan. l l t h and 4 on F e b . lOth ; 5 at Herringfleet, Dec. 21st (many observers). 302. M U T E S W A N . — 3 5 0 on R . Stour, Oct. 26th, a n d 400 - 500 D e c . 14th ( M P ) . 304. WHITE-FRONTED G O O S E . — A b o u t 600 at Breydon latter half Feb. L a s t seen M a r . 4th ( L F C ) . O n e off-shore Lowestoft, D e c . 20th V GJ). Five, Walberswick, D e c . 21st ( G B G B , F K C , P R W ) . 307 PINK-FOOTED G O O S E . — P e a k in Breydon area c. 3 0 0 , D e c . 1 9 5 1 , diminished after C h r i s t m a s to c. 100. L F C report smallest goose flgures since 1928. 311. BARNACLE G O O S E — O n N o v . 20th, 10 at Benacre, m o v i n g to Easton. T e n again at Walberswick, 21st ( P R W ) . 322. GARGANEY.—Estimated 7 pairs present, 4 b r o o d s seen, M i n s m e r e (RSPB). 323.
WIGEON.—About 8,000 o n R. Stour, D e c . 13th. ( F K C ) .
325. PINTAIL—80, M a r . 19th, Martlesham ( J T F ) . March 23rd ( L F C ) . 328. POCHARD.—Bred again W . Suffolk ( J D ) .
131, Breydon,
330.
TUFTED D U C K . — T w o pairs bred W . Suffolk ( J D ) . SCAUP D U C K . — A male, M i n s m e r e , April 7th, and one, Havergate, M a y 9th - l l t h are rather late dates ( R S P B ) . 331.
332. GOLDEN-EYE.—80 on R . Orwell, F e b . 24th ( M P ) . one, Redgrave Lake, D e c . 28th ( J D ) .
W e s t Suffolk,
BIRD REPORT
89
334. LONG-TAILED DUCK.—Three at Shingle Street, F e b . 3rd ( F C C ) . O n e , Easton Broad, N o v . 2nd ( M J S ) . T w o , on R. Orwell, D e c . 28th (JTF). 337. EIDER DUCK.—TWO off-shore, Benacre, N o v . 29th ( G B G B ) . D e c . 6th, 7th, 8th, 21st and 27th, u p to 6 off-shore Walberswick ( P R W , BAC, G B G B , GJ). 350. STORM PETREL.—One b r o u g h t into L o w e s t o f t bv fishing boat, N o v . 17th, died 23rd. Post m o r t e m revealed growth above valve of heart (RAL, EWCJ, HEJ). 351. LEACH'S FORK-TAILED PETREL.—Signs of disastrous W e s t Coast wreck as follows :—One corpse on road, Reydon, Oct. 17th, another, Shadingfield, Oct. 30th. O n e off-shore, Walberswick, Oct. 3 I s t . O n e (believed this species) chased and killed by gulls off Walberswick, N o v . Ist. A corpse at L o n g M e l f o r d , N o v . 7th ( G B G B , P R W , R S , W H P , G J ) . 368. FULMAR PETREL.—More records than usual, 10 - 12 d u r i n g April, M a y , J u n e , Aug. and Sept. (many observers). 370. GREAT CRESTED GREBE.—Additional breeding sites—Livermere a n d Redgrave ( J D ) . 371. RED-NECKED GREBE.—One, off-shore Lowestoft, D e c . 18th ( H E J ) . 373. SLAVONIAN GREBE.—Two off D u n w i c h , D e c . 7th ( L F C ) . O n e o n R . S t o u r , Dec. 13th ( F K C ) . 374. BLACK-NECKED GREBE—One, Benacre, Sept. 14th - 29th ( M J S , F K C , P R W , G B G B , G J , M P ) . One, Easton Broad, Oct. 1 7 t h - N o v . 2 n d ( M J S , P R W , G B G B ) . O n e offshore, Walberswick, Oct. 12th, and o n e R . S t o u r , Oct. 19th ( F K C ) . 376. GREAT NORTHERN DIVER.—One picked u p alive but exhausted o n beetfield, O u s d e n , N o v . 8th ; released at Stoke-by-Nayland ( W H P , A E V ) . 378. BLACK-THROATED DIVER.—One, Easton Broad, April 29th (RBB). 379. RED-THROATED DIVER.—Heavy passage off-shore, Benacre to M i n s m e r e , end Sept. O n 27th, at least 40 in area, b u t 8 only on 29th (PKC, M P , GBGB, PRW, MJS). 386. BAR-TAILED GODWIT.—Unusually heavy spring passage. Peak of 90 at Havergate April 30th ( R S P B ) . 387. BLACK-TAILED GODWIT.—At Blvthburgh, f r o m 1 5 0 - 225 F e b . 2 0 t h - A p r i l l l t h ( P R W , G B G B ) . O n the Orwell, 373 Jan. 5th ( M J S ) , f r o m 400 - 500 Oct. and N o v . ( J T F , F K C ) . 400. GREY PHALAROPE.—One, Havergate, Oct. 26th - 27th ( R S P B ) . 401. RED-NECKED PHALAROPE.—One at St. Olaves Sept. 5th ( L F C ) . O n e , Walberswick, Sept. 7th ( P R W , D A T M ) . O n e , Revdon, Sept. lOth - 17th ( P R W , G B G B , J D , G J , BAC). One, Havergate, Aug. 14th 16th, and o n e Sept. 6th ( R S P B ) . 406. CURLEW-SANDPIPER.—Only spring record 2, April 2nd, Havergate ( R S P B ) . Highest a u t u m n n u m b e r 11, Reydon and Walberswick, Sept. 21st. ( F K C ) . 408. TEMMINCK'S STINT.—One, Havergate, Sept. 18th - 21 st ( R S P B ) . 411. AMERICAN PECTORAL SANDPIPER.—One, ( P R W ) , still there Sept. 2nd ( D A T M ) .
Reydon,
Aug.
3 Ist
417. RUFF.—Inland records :—2 at W e s t Stow A u g . 30th ( J D ) , and 1 there S e p t . 4th (ALB). O n Southwold marshes, 9 on Sept. 23rd, 7 O c t . lOth, 8 on l l t h , 3 o n 31st ( G B G B , P R W ) . 423. WOODSANDPIPER.—Aug. 4 t h , a t least 26, R e y d o n ( I C T N ) . Inland records at W e s t Stow Aug. 23rd and 30th ( J D ) . O n e as late as O c t . 20th Havergate ( R S P B ) .
90
BIRD
REPORT
431. SPOTTED REDSHANK.—Recorded every m o n t h in coastal d i s t r i c t s . H i g h e s t n u m b e r s u p to 15 July - Aug. at M i n s m e r e (RSPB). and 9 o n O c t . 3 I s t , Walberswick ( G B G B . P R W ) . 438.
LITTLE
RINGED
PLOVER.—A
pair
hatched probably J u n e 8th ( P R W , T F ) . 440/1.
bred
successfully,
3
chicks
A few o t h e r records received.
GOLDEN PLOVER.—54, R e y d o n , A p r i l 9 t h .
About
200
Little
Waldingfield, second week D e c . (FBB). 449. LAPWING.—18 flew in f r o m sea, Walberswick, Nov. I s t , a n d 84 on' 3rd ( G J ) . 451. AVOCET.—At Havergate 40 pairs bred. T h r e e clutches infertile. Over 120 chicks hatched, and 95 - 105 reached free-flying State. Somebirds remained verv late, 5 seen late Oct., 2 Nov. 13th - 24th, and 1 D e c . I s t - 4 t h . F o r füll report see Bird Protection, 1952, published by R S P B . 462 BLACK TERN.—Several scattered records in addition to :—6 at Reydon April 29th ( G B G B , P R W ) , 7 at M i n s m e r e M a y 17th ( R S P B ) , one a u t u m n record, a j. at B u r y Aug. 26th - S e p t 5th ( H J B ) . 464.
W H I T E - W I N G E D BLACK T E R N . — O n e a t M i n s m e r e 2 1 s t M a y ( R S P B ) .
467. SANDWICH TERN.—Early arrival at Havergate, 4 o n April 9 t h . A week later 50 present. About 40 pairs b r e d . O n J u l y 9th 100 adults. and 52 y o u n g counted ( R S P B ) . M a n y birds seen u p and d o w n coast throughout summer. 469. COMMON TERN.—At Walberswick 14 nests counted on J u n e 1 5 t h , b u t u p to Sept. 7th only 2 v o u n g seen in flight. Several nests bullt u p 2 - 3 inches high with dead reed stems ( P R W , G B G B ) . Late straggler, Oct. 26th - 28th, Havergate (RSPB). 471. LITTLE TERN.—About 40 pairs bred Walberswick. First chicks seen J u n e 14th. O n July 20th c. 125 birds seen, b u t only 3 juveniles. (PRW, GBGB). 477
LITTLE
GULL.—At
26th - 27th ( R S P B ) . GJ,
JD,
Minsmere
an
imm.
May.
12th
and
again
A n i m m . , Benacre, Sept. 14th - 16th ( P R W , F K C ,
LFC).
478. BLACKHEADED GULL.—At Woolpit, near Bury, mixed flock of gulls estimated at 15,000 on field newly spread with fish m a n u r e ( A W P R ) . O n R . Orwell 1 0 , 0 0 0 - 2 0 , 0 0 0 estimated Oct. 1 2 t h - N o v . Ist ( J T F ) . 481.
COMMON
GULL—C.
482
HERRING
G U L L — 1 , 0 0 0 - 1,500
500 on
R.
Orwell on
R.
Oct.
12th-18th
Orwell
Ocl.
(JTF).
12th - 26th
(JTF). 487 GLAUCOUS GULL.—One or two, p u r e w h i t e phase, regulär in L o w e s t o f t H a r b o u r N o v . and Dec. ( L F C ) . A few o t h e r records. 483. KITTIWAKE.—On J u n e 15th an adult and 3 in moult, Walberswick ( G B G B , P R W ) . T w o adults and one in moult, M i n s m e r e , same date ( F K C ) ' O n J u n e 17th 82 flew d o w n coast f r o m N . and settled o n and a r o u n d S o u t h w o l d H a r b o u r Pier. A b o u t 15 w e r e adults, one pair of which locked bills and r u b b e d bills d o w n each o t h e r ' s necks. R e m a i n d e r all in heavy m o u l t , p r e s u m a b l y first s u m m e r birds ( G B G B ) . 491.
GREAT SKUA.—Sept. 4th, one chasing terns off Walberswick ( G J ) .
493.
ARCTIC
SKUA.—One,
Walberswick,
July
31st
(MSVO).
One,
Easton, Aug. 31st ( P C K ) . 495 16 RAZORBILL.—One ad. and one j. off Y a r m o u t h July 5th ( L F C ) . A j. swimming in Buss Creek, R e y d o n , Aug. 8th ( G B G B , P R W ) . 2 offshore Benacre, Sept. 27th ( P R W ) . 2 Nov. 18th and one D e c . 31st in river off Havergate ( R S P B ) . 503. PUFFIN.—A juvenile corpse near Easton, J a n . 27th ( G B G B ) . One
offshore, Minsmere,
Aug.
14th
(RSPB).
BIRD REPORT
91
504. CORNCRAKE.—Nest containing 13 eggs July 2nd (LJB). Aug. 20th, one Walberswick (JPP per DATM). [One, Walberswick, Sept. 2nd (GJ).] 505. SPOTTED CRAKE.—One heard calling at Minsmere April 8th - May 4th. For füll account see Bird-Protection, 1952, published by RSPB. 511. COOT.—c. 2,000 reported on river near Aldeburgh in Dec. (per KSCG). 32 on Havergate Dec. 7th—first record for the island (RSPB). 520. QUAIL.—One heard at Water Hall, near Sturmer, end May beginning of June (M. Joaquin Chornet per R. F. Moreau).
FIRST AND LAST RECORDS OF SOME MIGRANTS, 1952. First seen. Last seen Yellow Wagtail 7/4 12/10 Red-backed Shrike 9/5 8/9 Spotted Flycatcher 2/5 1 /10 Chiffchaff 12/3 5/10 Willow Warbier 22/3 7/10 Reed Warbier 14 / 4 2019 Sedge Warbier .:>. 9/4 19/9 Garden Warbier 12/4 19/9 Blackcip 7/4 19/9 Whitethroat 9 /4 12/10 Lesser Whitethroat 11/4 18/9 Wheatear 8 /3 28/10 Whinchat 10/4 1 /10 Redstart 6/4 11/10 Nightingale 9/4 11/9 Swallow 6/4 24/10 House Martin 914 10/10 Sand Martin 2/4 11/11 Swift 24 /4 28/11 Nightjar 10/5 1/10 Cuckoo 11/4 12/9 Turtle Dove 10/4 16/9 Stone Curlew 4 /4 31 /10 Common Tern 19 14 19/10 Little Tem 2014 11/10 LIST OF OBSERVERS. THE HON. B. BARRINGTON, Poplar Farm, Hollesley. R. B. BARSTOW, 33 Madeira Park, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. G. B. G. BENSON, 17 South Green, Southwold (Assistant Editor). A. C. BIRD, Highdene, Park Road, Lowestoft (LFC). F. B. BLACKIE, Garden Cottage, Holbrook Hall, Little Waldringfield, Sudbury. H. J. BOREHAM, 43 Cornfield Road, Bury St. Edmunds. R. J. BRAY, 53 Quay Street, Haiesworth. A. L. and MRS. BULL, 16 The Ling, Garboldisham, Diss. S. ]. CLARKE, 111 Long Road, Lowestoft (LFC). SUPT. W. S. CLARKE, Police Station, Regent Road, Lowestoft (LFC). F. K. COBB, Old Hall Farm, Shotley, Ipswich (Committee). DR. D. W. COLLINGS, 40 Hotson Road, Southwold. Miss B. A. CONEY, St. James' Green, Southwold. F. C. COOK, 91 Beresford Road, Lowestoft (Chairman of Committee). P. W. E. CURRIE, 102 Bürden Lane, Cheam, Surrey. J. DENNY, Bury Lane, Stanton, Bury St. Edmunds. J. T. FENTON, 6 Falcon Street, Ipswich.