A review of birds in Suffolk in 2020 Editor Nick Mason
Greatly assisted by Philip Murphy (Systematic List)
John Richardson (Photos) Phil Whittaker (Artwork)
Laurie Forsyth (Proofreading)
Published by Suffo L k N Atur AL i S t S ’ Society Compiled by S uffo L k B ir D G rou P 2021
Published by the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society, c/o the Museum, High Street, ipswich iP1 3QH
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Printed by Healeys, unit 10, the Sterling complex, farthing road, ipswich, Suffolk iP1 5AP.
Front cover: Greater Yellowlegs – Ed Keeble (With special thanks to Sean Nixon for adding reference material) the copyright remains that of the photographers and artists.
Editorial: Nick Mason 5
Review of national and county rarities in Suffolk in 2020: Nick Mason 8
Notes on the first species in the systematic list: Philip Murphy................................................................. 11
Weather in a changing climate: Edward Jackson ....................................................................................... 12
Spoonbills on Havergate Island – the follow-up: Mike Marsh ................................................................... 16
Sand Martin colony during the pandemic: Andrew Moon 21
Common Scoter overland migration: Justin Zantboer 29 Minsmere and Me: John Grant 32
Garden Birds over the years: Richard Attenborrow .................................................................................... 37
The Alton Water Gull-billed Tern: Andrew Gregory ................................................................................... 41
The Sooty Tern at Minsmere and Sizewell: John Grant .............................................................................. 43
Booted Warbler at Sizewell: Dave Fairhurst (and Adam Rowlands) 45
Rustic Bunting in Lowestoft: Rob Holmes 48
Greater Yellowlegs at Dunwich: Adam Rowlands 50 Steppe Grey Shrike at Benacre: Andrew Moon 53
The 2020 Suffolk Bird Report introduction 60
Systematic List 62 Appendices 210
List of contributors ............................................................................................................................... 214 earliest and Latest Dates of Summer Migrants ..................................................................................... 216 A Guide to recording Birds in Suffolk 217 Gazetteer 222
Rare Birds in Suffolk 2020: provided by Craig Fulcher 224 Index of species: 226
the artwork in this report is by: Richard Allen, Peter Beeson, Russell Boland, Ed Keeble, Peter Lakey, Jamey Redland, Richard Thewlis and Jan Wilczur.
the photographs in this report are by Bill Baston, Dave Borderick, Alan Chaplin, Liz Cutting, Ian Goodall, Jeff Higgott, James Kennerley, Peter Kennerley, Chris Mayne, Andrew Moon, Sean Nixon, 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.
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 Bird Group.
Suffolk Ornithological Records Committee:
Chair: Brian Small Area County Recorders: Colin Jakes (west), Richard Walden (north-east), Gi Grieco/Steve Fryett (south-east)
Bird Report Editor: Nick Mason (non-voting)
Secretary and BBRC correspondent: Craig Fulcher (sorcsec@gmail.com)
Other Committee Members: Will Brame, James Brown, David Fairhurst, Tim Humpage, Scott Mayson.
Rare Breeding Birds Panel: David Walsh
Papers, notes, drawings and photographs: the editor (Suffolk Birds), the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society, the Hold, 131, fore Street, ipswich, iP4 1LN.
Records: See inside front cover.
Suffolk Ornithological Records Committee – correspondence: the Secretary, Sorc, the Hold, 131, fore Street, ipswich, iP4 1LN – or sorcsec@gmail.com (craigfulcher@btinternet.com)..
every time, that’s every day, that i walked out of my home during the lockdowns in 2020, i felt a pang of pain for all those stuck in a flat in the middle of town. Not guilt – because that’s where i live – but a worry about how those people were coping. i was just lucky, being able to walk out of my house to visit heath, wood, grazing marsh, saltmarsh or the sea. When back home, i had a garden to sit in and birds and butterflies to prevent me from concentrating on my reading!
i sincerely hope that you have all got through this mostly unscathed. i know that many lost loved ones, me included.
throughout the report you will see comments such as ‘Covid-restricted’ where not all the data that we should normally expect to find are present. Many surveys did not take place, especially during the first lockdown. rSPB and SWt staff were furloughed and several volunteer surveyors were restricted in their movements. considering all that, i feel that we have a fair reflection of the state of Suffolk birds in 2020. Many people found solace in nature, especially near to home and it is clear that many found wildlife nearby of which they were not fully aware.
2020 is the first year since 2013 that there have been no additions to the list of Suffolk birds. there were, however, some real rarities and some of those gave Suffolk birders the chance to catch up with them in their home county. the Gull-billed tern was refound by Andrew Gregory and we have his account plus additional information from Philip Murphy and others. Rob Holmes has written about the rustic Bunting at Lowestoft that he found and Adam Rowlands about his finding of the Greater yellowlegs at Dunwich. Adam has also added to Dave Fairhurst’s account and description of the Sizewell Booted Warbler. the Sooty tern at Minsmere and Dunwich did not hang around but we are fortunate that John Grant was able to write a report on it. Not a full species, but of great interest is Steppe Grey Shrike. Andrew Moon, who found this bird, has written a full article on this ‘subspecies’ that was at Benacre in early october. it is not easy to get to grips with the taxonomy of this bird!
Wordsmith John Grant has also offered us up a touching and personal article on his devotion to
Minsmere. We should all be able to relate to his passion for a site and our own birding, and other wildlife, experiences here or elsewhere.
Spoonbills are certainly back! the number of sightings on the coast and at the temporarily flooded Lodge Marsh at ramsholt was impressive – and these birds are hopefully a permanent feature of our avifauna from now on. Mike Marsh has written about the 2020 nesting season on Havergate island and puts all these sightings into context. Justin Zantboer’s interesting piece describing the common Scoter movement overland and overnight shows us what we could all be missing when we watch too much tV at home! Another excellent article by Andrew Moon expands on his previous piece (Harrier No. 204 – spring 2021: 28 – 32) on nesting Sand Martins local to his home and Richard Attenborrow had time during lockdown to give us an account of the bird species in his garden over the years.
We thank everyone of the above writers for their efforts – all interesting and very worthy.
We are lucky to have the section writers that we do. it can take ages to work through all the records received from the county recorders, especially nowadays with thousands upon thousands of Birdtrack data. Gi Grieco starts off the systematic list with the game birds, geese and swans. the gamebirds now come at the beginning of the British list (yes, more changes!) – so he has kindly added them to his previous species. then come the ducks, all ably written up by Andrew Green. Nightjar, Swifts, cuckoo and pigeons then follow – covered by the dependable Darren Underwood. Darren also does the owls, Hoopoe, kingfisher and woodpeckers section which is much further on in the list, following the raptors. John Davies does a fine job with the rails, crakes and grebes section. i am pleased that Margie Carter continues with the Stone-curlew to plover section – it would be good to have more women contributing as well as to see them out in the field. Ed Keeble does a sterling job on the wader section, as well as helping us out in other ways with the report. the gulls and skuas sections are now either side of the terns in the British list – it is pleasing to see the effort that James Wright puts in. in between, the terns are knowledgeably covered by Brian Buffery, who is also doing the auks which now follow skuas! our chairman, chris courtney, writes on the divers and shearwaters and, the dependable Peter Lack on the storks, cormorants and herons. then follows Chris Gregory’s raptor section. He, of course, also does the falcons, which, as before, are at the end of the non-passerines.
the passerines start with ring-necked Parakeet. that species and the shrikes, corvids and tits are well covered by Phil Whittaker. Nick Mason writes about the larks and hirundines and then come all those warblers; we are fortunate to have the professional Peter Kennerley to cover this group. the crests, treecreeper and thrushes section is written by Richard Attenborrow and the robin, flycatchers, chats and wheatears by Steve Fryett. the sparrows, wagtails, finches and buntings section is a quite large one and is admirably written by Paul Gowen finally, the appendices, probable escapees and introductions, has been written by Adam Gretton
We thank every one of the above-mentioned writers for their time and effort and good grace in the face of adversity!
After doing a good stint with the ringing report, Simon Evans has retired from this task. thank you Simon for all that you did.
unfortunately, we could not find a replacement for Simon. there are some ringing records included in the report but they are in the systematic list. they appear at the end of the species involved. thank you especially to Mike Marsh and Dave Fairhurst for providing most of these. the rest i have taken from the Bto list of Suffolk ringing records. i am not a ringer and hope that they come across ok. it is fair to say that having the ringing info with the species is a reasonable way to go forward.
As usual, Philip Murphy has been delving around for extra information to make this report more interesting. He finds errors that i have overlooked and generally keeps the report afloat! Phil Whittaker has collated the artwork and John Richardson the photographs. We are genuinely fortunate to have such a broad range of excellent photographers in Suffolk and like to use as great a cross-section of them as we can.
i do need to give a big apology to Peter Beeson. Peter has provided us with first-class drawings for years. However, last year his drawings were not included – due to a mix-up. they are, however, well represented here!
We were unclear about who will be the area recorders going in to 2022. Steve Fryett will be continuing his good work for the south-east area. After a difficult year, Colin Jakes will continue his stint in the west. thankyou colin. Suffice to say that we are eternally grateful for the work that Andrew Green has done over many years. We are lucky to have Dick Walden to take on his role – possibly on a temporary basis – thank you Dick!
By the time this report is printed we should know more about the Sizewell c situation. i have been impressed by all those who have worked in their different ways to support Minsmere.
Given the number of ospreys that we see in the Alde estuary on both spring and autumn passage, hopefully the proposed introduction will go ahead and they will eventually breed at the site chosen by the Suffolk Wildlife trust.
As usual i should encourage everybody to submit their records to the relevant area recorder. thankyou to all those who do. And thankyou to all the organizations, such as Landguard Bird observatory, for your data. the Landguard data always arrives early in the year. We would welcome earlier receipt of data from other sources as well!
Compiled by Nick Mason and Brian Small
though the bird report shouldn’t concentrate on rare or scarce birds in Suffolk, there is inevitably an interest from most birders in what extralimital species have been found during the year – for some it is the icing on the cake and the result of a lot of hard work in the field (plus a small slice of luck)!
Below is a summary of rare and scarce bird found through the county. for whatever reason, there is clearly a lack of rarities in the first part of the year: some scarce species were still about from 2019, but few new birds were found in the first three months. Despite lockdown kicking in from late March, there were some notable species found. Some no doubt frustrated at being unable to travel to see some of these, but it also meant that many explored areas closer to home. fewer observers visiting sites where rarer species tend to be found raises the question as to what may have been missed in 2020?! it is also notable that all of the BBrc records below are on, or very near, the coast; likewise, the great majority of the Sorc records, 112 out of 125, also come from the coastal strip.
there were three good rarities remaining from 2019: the Siberian Stonechat at Hollesley Marshes remained until January 4th, the Eastern Yellow Wagtail was still present on Havergate island until february 13th and the well-watched Black-throated Diver at Bramford Water Park until March 20th. the Rough-legged Buzzard near Bawdsey also remained all month. An elusive drake Green-winged Teal was at Minsmere from the first day of the year remaining until March 12th. A first-winter Black Guillemot on the Stour estuary on 15th, unfortunately did not stay for longer than an hour or two – this is a much-needed species for many and is a true rarity in Suffolk.
the find of a first-winter Black Brant at the typical location, falkenham creek, from 12th, was excellent and it was last seen on March 3rd. A Black-throated Diver was off Minsmere on 15th.
the Green-winged Teal at Minsmere was last seen on 12th and on the same day a Blackthroated Diver was recorded off Landguard. Lockdown began on 16th, and another drake Greenwinged Teal was at Southwold from 21st until April 1st. Whitetailed Eagles were reported from Westleton and oulton Broad near the end of the month and records continued into April…
A Serin was at Hollesley Marshes on 6th. White-tailed Eagles were the thing to look out for during lockdown, with birds at Minsmere, ipswich, Pipps ford
and Needham Market, at least. others were claimed but not submitted to Sorc. A Purple Heron was at Southwold from 16th to 22nd and the same bird was likely seen at Westwood Marshes on 27th. An Iberian Chiffchaff was singing at Minsmere from 19th and was present until July 17th; initially kept quiet due to lockdown, once this was eased a bird that was much enjoyed by many. on 30th an early Melodious Warbler was trapped and ringed at Landguard and, on the same day, two Black Kites were over Minsmere, before one was later seen over Aldringham and the other Westleton.
Purple Herons were at Minsmere from 2nd until 4th and at the king’s fleet on 6th. Black kite records continued into the first few days of the month, but again few were submitted. A Great Reed Warbler was a good find at carlton Marshes on 9th and four smart White-winged Black Terns were seen at Southwold and then at carlton Marshes later the same day. A Short-toed Lark was at Landguard in the early morning of 15th before flying south. Golden Orioles were heard, and recorded, at Sibton, Hasketon, Blaxhall, Minsmere and redgrave fen. on 21st, a Marsh Warbler was recorded at Belstead Brook.
the month of the Marsh Warbler! Several birds were recorded throughout the county. A Common Rosefinch was at Landguard on 2nd and the only Savi’s Warbler of the year was at North Warren from 2nd until 10th. A Grey-headed Wagtail was at easton Bavents on 3rd, Blyth’s Reed Warblers were at North Warren on 6th and Southwold from 7th to 9th and a Hooded Crow at Minsmere on 7th. A Black-winged Stilt was a brief visitor to Dunwich Pools on 7th.
Suffolk played a small part of a national influx of Rose-coloured Starlings, with birds seen at ipswich, Southwold, North Warren and, over in the west, at West row. two more Golden Orioles were at North Warren on 9th and Hollesley Marshes on 14th. there were two records of Honey Buzzard on 14th, one at kirton and the other at Minsmere. A showy-at-times, first-summer female Red-footed Falcon was at North Warren from 16th to 18th and a first-summer male at Minsmere on 29th.
A singing male Serin was at the usual location, Landguard, on 2nd. Black-crowned Night Heron is a good find in Suffolk, so an adult photographed at carlton Marshes on 6th caught the attention – a juvenile was reported at Botany Marshes on 31st. A Honey Buzzard was seen over Butley on 17th and another Marsh Warbler was ringed in Hollesley on 20th. July was, however, a month for rare terns. A Sooty Tern was at Minsmere and Sizewell on 8th, a Caspian Tern at Minsmere on 10th and a Gull-billed Tern was first recorded at Alton Water on 29th.
the Gull-billed Tern was well-twitched on its return to Alton Water on 4th, remaining until 16th. it was also seen at trimley Marshes on 13th on one of its forays on the river. An adult Pacific Golden Plover spent an all-too-brief time on the Blyth estuary on 7th. Honey Buzzards were at reydon on 8th and ipswich on 24th, and another Rose-coloured Starling at knodishall on 9th and 10th. An Icterine Warbler was trapped and ringed at Pakefield cliffs on 12th and another good find was a Greenish Warbler, also in the north-east of the county, at Gunton, on 16th. Seawatching produced Balearic Shearwaters on 14th, 15th and 19th and a Sabine’s Gull on 30th flew past Southwold and Lowestoft. A juvenile Spotted Crake was a good find at Botany Marshes on 28th and was present until September 1st.
Barred Warblers were at Lowestoft on 8th and Minsmere on 21st. A Willow Tit was at knettishall
Heath on 14th and a Hoopoe photographed in Saxmundham on 16th. A Marsh Warbler was trapped and ringed at trimley Marshes on 18th and a Grey Phalarope was on Benacre Broad on 27th and 28th. Again, seawatching produced Balearic Shearwaters on 8th and 17th. A Cory’s Shearwater passed Lowestoft on 17th and a welcome Great Shearwater was logged off both Southwold then Lowestoft on 19th. Sabine’s Gulls were off thorpeness on 20th and kessingland on 27th. However, perhaps the main event was a distant Black-browed Albatross that was found heading south past Lowestoft on the afternoon of 28th, then tracked on its journey at Southwold and Sizewell.
Seawatching was less productive in october with just Sabine’s Gulls on 2nd at Southwold and Minsmere and a Grey Phalarope off Benacre on 5th. two big finds occurred on 3rd with a short-staying Booted Warbler at Sizewell and a cracking, much-admired Rustic Bunting at North Denes, Lowestoft. Both birds were seen briefly on 4th. A first-winter Steppe Grey Shrike was found at Benacre on 4th remaining to 7th. A Honey Buzzard was offshore from corton on 3rd. Red-breasted Flycatchers were at Landguard, from 3rd to 5th, then another there on 5th and a third in Lowestoft, also on 5th. Radde’s Warblers were at coastal sites on 3rd, 4th, 5th, 9th and 13th. Pallas’s Warblers, also near the coast, were recorded on 9th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 22nd and 23rd. A Dusky Warbler was at Minsmere on 16th and 17th and a Siberian Chiffchaff was photographed in Lowestoft on 16th.
Eastern Yellow Wagtails turned up again, with two at corporation Marshes, Dunwich, one from 4th and the other from 5th, both last seen on 16th. the adult male from Walberswick was relocated at carlton Marshes from 24th staying until December 6th. A popular Greater Yellowlegs was at Dingle Marshes from 7th to 19th.
A Penduline Tit was at Bramfield on 7th. in the west, a photographed Hooded Crow was a good find at Gifford’s Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland. A Hume’s Warbler was found at Gunton Meadows on 8th and yet more Pallas’s Warblers were found on 7th, 9th and 13th. A Siberian Chiffchaff was at Minsmere on 8th and Dusky Warblers at Landguard from 9th to 15th and Southwold on 9th and 10th. on 25th, a Richard’s Pipit visited Hollesley Marshes.
A Black-throated Diver passed Landguard on 5th, with red-throated Divers. A Siberian Chiffchaff was photographed at Lackford Lakes on 19th. A Rough-legged Buzzard took up residence in the Sudbourne/orfordness area from 26th and was present there well into 2021. finally, on 26th, a Hooded Merganser was found on Wantisden/Staverton Pools and it also was present well into 2021. this bird was not thought to be of wild origin and may well have come from christchurch Park.
Red-legged Partridge it is somewhat ironic that the first species in the Systematic List in the 2020 Suffolk Bird report – red-legged Partridge – is the final species in the systematic List in the first Suffolk Bird report 70 years ago in 1950! the species order used in the 1950 Suffolk Bird report was Witherby’s check-List of British Birds (1941).
Whilst red-legged Partridge is the first Suffolk bird on the list, the first species from a British perspective is actually capercaillie Tetrao urogallus regarding capercaillie – on page 486 of c. B. ticehurst’s avifauna “A History of the Birds of Suffolk” (1932) we read that “in 1865 the late Maharajah Duleep Singh turned out at Elveden some Capercailzie (sic) (Tetrao urogallus) from Scotland, which, however, soon died off. In 1878 some eggs were procured from the same source; these were successfully hatched but the young soon pined and died owing, it as thought, to unsuitable food”
Black Grouse and Red Grouse following on in the British list are Black Grouse, Ptarmigan and red Grouse. Attempts to introduce Black Grouse Lyrurus tetrix and red Grouse Lagopus lagopus to Suffolk heaths both on the coast and in Breckland between the mid-nineteenth century and the early years of the 20th century were more successful than those of capercaillie. However, Suffolk’s relatively dry climate, predation by red foxes Vulpes vulpes and the intervention of the first World War were probably the principal causes for both species becoming extinct in Suffolk by the 1930s.
August is here again and with it comes the release of two reports reflecting our latest knowledge of issues relating to weather and climate. the first is the Met office annual report on the uk’s weather, looking back at 2020. the data it contains form the basis for the descriptions of annual and seasonal weather patterns in our part of the east of england – the significant events and comparisons with past trends. the second is the far more wide-ranging and impactful publication by the international Panel on climate change, the title of which – ‘iPcc Working Group 1 report, Climate Change 2021: the Physical Science Basis’ – belies the fact that it contains some uncomfortable truths. More of these later, but let’s summarise the weather in 2020 for our part of the uk, as it’s important to keep placing these annual reviews on the record.
Across the uk as a whole, 2020 was warmer than average compared with the annual temperatures recorded in the 30 years from 1981 to 2010. it also ranks as the third warmest year in the 136 years since 1884, exceeded only by 2008 and 2014. All the top ten warmest years since the mid-1800s have occurred since 2000. it was also the sixth wettest year since 1862 and the eighth sunniest since 1919, so is remarkable for being ranked in the top ten years for all these three key weather variables.
2020 was also a year of uk extremes. it saw the wettest february on record, the sunniest spring, a heatwave in the summer, a day in october breaking rainfall records and numerous incidences of flooding in the autumn and early winter.
the mean annual temperature across england (the average between the daytime maxima and night-time minima) was 10.7°c, a full 1.0°c and, therefore, almost 10% above the 30-year average. Suffolk lies well within the zone of this temperature anomaly, so this outcome certainly applies here. rainfall across the uk was 114% of the 30-year average, but most of Suffolk was at or slightly below average, with the Shotley peninsula between the orwell and Stour being up to 15% drier. record sunshine levels in spring helped the uk be 109% sunnier than average, with Suffolk enjoying up to 120% of average sunshine over the full year, particularly in the south-west of the county.
As in previous reports, the following season by season summary uses the standard meteorological format of ‘Winter’ as December, January and february; ‘Spring’ as March, April and May; ‘Summer’ as June, July and August and ‘Autumn’ as September, october and November. the Met office combines monthly data from weather stations around Suffolk to create averages for the county and region as a whole, smoothing out the inevitable variations experienced at particular locations. unfortunately, the AccuWeather website used last year to give some more fine-grained detail to these summaries, by highlighting specific records from east Bergholt, Santon Downham and Lowestoft, no longer appears to have these data readily accessible. Where comparisons of average temperatures and rainfall are cited, they refer to the Met office 1981-2010 30-year long-term mean. Where the phrase ‘on record’ is used, data on the more extreme rainfall, temperature and other weather events are referenced to the baseline for uk weather recording established 160 years ago in 1862 – or in the case of sunshine records, which commenced later, to the 100-year baseline of 1919.
Winter: (December), January and February
Winter 2019/2020 was the fifth wettest on record, as well as the fifth mildest. A strong jet stream in the upper atmosphere was frequently directed towards the uk, allowing a succession of Atlantic low pressure systems to push their weather fronts across the country.
Named storms ciara, Dennis and Jorge brought significantly wet and windy weather towards the
Suffolk’s Weather in a Changing Climate: 2020
end of the winter period, making this february the wettest on record. At 237% of the uk average, rainfall totals were well above normal virtually everywhere, with many places experiencing more than three times the expected average. february 2020 was also the fifth wettest of any calendar month on record.
on the changing nature of our winters Dr Mark Mccarthy, head of the Met office’s National climate information centre, has observed: ‘We have seen a number of exceptionally wet winters in the last decade and due to climate change we expect UK winters to become wetter. Of the top 10 wettest winters, four have occurred since 2007 and seven since 1990, while there has been a 17% increase in the total rainfall from extremely wet days’. this unusually wet weather at the end of winter came as the breeding season for resident species was underway and is likely to have impacted on some early nesting attempts.
After this remarkably wet period there was a marked change to much drier and more settled weather patterns from mid-March onwards, with more records exceeded. Along with the whole of the uk, Suffolk experienced its sunniest spring since records began in 1919, recording over 135% more sunshine hours than the 30-year long-term average. there were more sunshine hours this spring than in most meteorological summers. remarkably, only the summers of 1976, 1995 and 1998 were sunnier than spring 2020. this spring was also warmer than average, mostly due to a very warm April when temperatures in the second week were almost 2.0°c higher than average, a trend which continued through into a warmer than average May. Spring temperatures across Suffolk were between 0.5°c and 1.0°c above the long-term average, although there was an east-west split, with the coastal areas slightly cooler than those inland.
With the warmth and sunshine came a significant reduction in spring rainfall. Along with most of the east of england, rainfall in Suffolk was only 30 to 50% of the 1981-2010 average, contributing to the uk’s fifth driest spring on record.
this combination of factors was likely to favour breeding attempts for many resident and migrant species, although as ground conditions became drier it would be challenging for species relying on terrestrial invertebrates to feed their young.
After the sunny and dry spring, the three summer months were mostly unsettled, although each did contain some hot weather, August appreciably so. June and August were warmer than average, but July was generally cooler, so temperatures across the uk in the summer season ended just slightly above average. However, the warmest uk regions were in the east and southeast and the temperature anomaly across most of Suffolk was 1.0°c to 1.5°c above the long-term average.
in terms of a single day’s event July 31st was the third warmest day on record for the uk, with a temperature of 37.8°c verified at Heathrow. However, perhaps even more consequential was the significant heatwave across east and south-east england during early August as hot, humid air moved north from the near continent. Heatwaves are declared when a location experiences maximum daytime temperatures for at least three days above a calculated threshold based on the long-term average, which for Suffolk is 27°c. in this 2020 heatwave temperatures exceeded 34°c across parts of the east and south-east for six consecutive days. in addition, there were five ‘tropical nights’ over the six nights from August 8th to 13th, when overnight temperatures remained above 20°c.
the heat and associated humidity generated thunderstorms, torrential downpours and flashflooding, making this one of the most significant heatwaves with subsequent rainfall events to affect southern england in the last 60 years. recent Met office research predicts that the chances of such extreme high temperatures in the uk are increasing. under a high co2 emissions
scenario, by the end of the century the uk could potentially be seeing 40°c days every three to four years on average.
Summer 2020 ended with two named storms: ellen on August 19th and francis on August 24th.
Having named storms in a summer month is not unprecedented, but it is unusual to have two so close in succession. Partly because of these storms, many areas across northern and western Britain experienced higher than average summer rainfall, but this did not extend across into the east and south-east. Suffolk was drier than usual, with rainfall anomalies of 70% to 90% below average extending up to 30km inland from the coast. the coastal strip also countered the uk overall trend of a dull and cloudy summer by experiencing sunshine totals around 110% of the long-term average.
Heatwaves and extreme rainfall events are likely to have their greatest impact on the survival of inexperienced juveniles, whose recruitment into the breeding population the following spring is a significant factor affecting population trends.
Autumn produced fewer contrasts overall, but still managed to include another extreme rainfall event which broke national records. A relatively sunny and dry September was followed by a dull and wet october and then a near normal November, balancing out rainfall and sunshine totals across the season as a whole. temperatures across Suffolk and the east of england were generally up to 1.0°c higher than the long-term average. Night-time temperatures remained relatively mild, with fewer frosts than normal recorded throughout the autumn.
Storm Alex tracked across the uk from october 2nd to 4th. Although Suffolk escaped relatively lightly compared with areas further west and north, its associated rainfall made october 3rd the wettest day on record in the uk as a whole, with enough rain falling across the country – 7.5 km3 in total – to fill the 7.4 km3 capacity of Loch Ness to overflowing. So, the uk’s first and third wettest days on record, in october and february respectively, both occurred in 2020.
Seasonal weather patterns and longer-term climatic shifts are among the major factors affecting trends in bird populations. By mid-autumn in a normal year all the results from volunteers carrying out the twin visit Bto Breeding Bird Survey have usually been collated online. However, fieldwork for 2020 was severely compromised by the first covid-19 lockdown. coverage of survey squares was 40% down in england and 49% down for the uk as a whole. the number of ‘early’ visits carried out in england was 86% down on the 2019 season and although by the time of the second ‘Late’ visits this shortfall was reduced to 40%, the challenge for Bto statisticians to produce reliable population trends for many species has been considerable. further details of how the biases introduced by lockdown have been managed can be found on the Bto website.
December was generally wet and mild, with some colder interludes. Normal December rainfall had already been exceeded in Suffolk by the middle of the month. then Storm Bella brought more heavy rain and strong winds on December 26th, despite snow the day before making for an official White christmas in some parts of the county. However, snow days when at least 50% of the ground is covered with snow at 09:00hr are becoming increasingly rare. only four christmas days in the last 50 years have recorded ‘widespread snow’, defined as snow lying at more than 40% of uk weather stations.
Suffolk’s weather in the wider context
the increasing incidence in these annual summaries for Suffolk of rising temperatures, extreme rainfall events and other weather phenomena are the personally experienced local expressions of the changes affecting human and natural communities globally. the intergovernmental Panel on climate change report published in August 2020, signed off by 195 governments worldwide
Suffolk’s Weather in a Changing Climate: 2020
and headlined a ‘code red for Humanity’, provides evidence that climate change is ‘worldwide, rapid and intensifying’. it unequivocally attributes this to human activities releasing greenhouse gases – primarily carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. compared with the pre-industrial baseline of 280 parts per million in 1800, atmospheric co2 rose once again in 2020 to 413ppm. All these gases blanket incoming heat from the sun, preventing it from re-radiating back to space. As a consequence, the global ‘weather machine’ is being energised to an extent not seen for thousands of years, as it transfers this excess heat northwards and southwards towards the polar latitudes.
By the time you read this, we will know to what extent the meeting of international organisations, national governments, scientists and volunteer groups at the uN coP26 climate change conference in Glasgow – and also the first round of the parallel coP15 Biodiversity convention conference in china – have been successful in driving top-down responses to the climate and ecological emergencies. Whatever these outcomes are, they can be complemented and reinforced by any contributions we make by changing our own individual behaviours and lifestyles.
References for national and regional weather summaries: www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/summaries/index accessed August 2020
for uk bird population trends: www.bto.org/our-science/projects/bbs/latest-results/bbs-trends-2020 accessed August 2020
for information on global climate change: www.ipcc.ch/2021/08/09/ar6-wg1-20210809-pr/ accessed August 2020
this is a follow-up to the report on the Spoonbill colony in the 2019 Suffolk Bird report (pages 19-22).
eurasian Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia have been attempting to colonize the Alde/ore estuary in Suffolk since 1997 but until now they have never been successful. then in 2020, three pairs fledged a total of four chicks at rSPB Havergate island. A brief history and the exciting events of 2020 are documented below.
the first breeding attempt on the Alde/ore was at National trust orfordness in 1997 when three nests were built in a large colony of european Herring Larus argentatus and Lesser Blackbacked Gulls L. fuscus and at least one egg was laid. unfortunately, this attempt ended in failure as was the case for subsequent breeding attempts at the same site in several years up to 2008, including 2002 when ten nests were built. one of the reasons for the failures is most likely to have been disturbance and predation by red foxes Vulpes vulpes; this is also thought to have been one of the main factors contributing to the decline and almost-complete disappearance of the gull colony over the same period.
Although the large gull colony at orfordness was in rapid decline, the numbers breeding at Havergate were on the rise and at the same time the number of Spoonbills being recorded there was also increasing. it was thought that the habitat was suitable for Spoonbills to establish a breeding colony, and since 2007 the rSPB staff have been making efforts to encourage this to happen. initiatives have included building artificial nests on the ground, erecting artificial nesting platforms, providing piles of nesting material and putting out model decoy birds. the efforts were finally rewarded in 2019 when five pairs nested. the nesting area was a grassy island covered by tussocks of Sea couch Elytrigia atherica and also used by many nesting pairs of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, similar in many ways, although on a smaller scale, to the site that had been used at orfordness (about 5km upriver). unfortunately, there was not a successful outcome. young hatched in at least three of the nests, but they were predated by a eurasian Badger Meles meles and none survived.
As a result of this disappointment, it was decided to dig out the 350m ditch surrounding the nesting area and install a partially-submerged predator fence. the fencing work was completed over the winter months and it was then a waiting game. Would the breeding Spoonbills be back or had the predation event of 2019 deterred them from returning?
two birds, an adult and an immature, had been present during the winter months, arriving in December 2019 and staying until at least february 13th 2020. the first sign of spring migration was of an adult that was seen on March 19th, possibly the same bird that had been seen nearby on orfordness on March 8th. unfortunately, our visits to the reserve in the spring months were few and far between owing to the covid-19 restrictions so records for this period are a bit patchy. However, we did record three birds on April 8th (including a Dutch colour-ringed bird) and then five on April 15th, all of which were unringed. the colour-ringed bird remained in the local area for a few weeks, being seen at Hollesley Marshes in late April, and then moved north to the Holkham colony in Norfolk where it was confirmed to have bred. it is therefore possible that these April birds were just passing through, using Havergate as a stopover en route to colonies at Holkham or in the Netherlands.
this slow start to the spring was disappointing and it was feared that we would not see any breeding activity this year. Luckily this was soon to change when in May a small flock took up residence with up to 15 birds being present in the second half of the month and then regular counts of 10-16 birds in June. importantly, these birds frequented the now-fenced nesting island,
spending most of the time near the artificial platforms and decoy birds where the nesting took place in 2019. the signs were now looking very promising and plenty of interaction between the birds was observed, including mutual preening, “playing” with sticks and copulation. unfortunately, due to the distance (450-500m) from our observation points and the height of the vegetation it was very difficult to monitor exactly what was happening and often it was hard to even be sure how many birds were present. in order to gather more information on the state of play, a drone (with zoom lens) was flown over the area on May 15th and then again on 20th. on the first date there was no evidence of any nesting activity but unusually two pairs had separated from the main flock near the artificial platforms at the front of the island and were standing about 30m away in the grass in the middle of the island. We felt that this was an interesting development and something on which to keep a close eye, and so it proved. the drone flight on 20th clearly showed that there were now two obvious nests in this location, one with a bird apparently incubating (Nest A) and the other (Nest B) containing at least one egg and an adult standing alongside. A further drone flight on May 29th showed birds sitting tight on both nests.
on June 11th it was noted that the nesting birds were acting very aggressively towards any other individuals that tried to land near the nests so it was suspected that either the eggs had hatched or were close to hatching. the drone was put up next day and this confirmed our suspicions with at least two small chicks being visible in one of the nests. over the next few weeks, the progress of the chicks was monitored using a combination of field observations and drone flights. it is interesting to note that a third pair partially built a nest near to the other two. However, it appeared to be a half-hearted attempt being more of an untidy pile of sticks rather than a proper nest; no eggs were ever seen, and the sticks soon disappeared probably having been stolen by the birds from the adjacent active nests.
At the end of June there were the first signs of the young leaving the nests with at least two being observed running around, begging for food from the adults and occasionally flapping their wings. over the next couple of weeks, they became more active but remained close to the nests. they were often seen flapping, or raising, their wings and then on July 20th came the moment for which we had all been waiting, a first proper flight. two of the youngsters were seen to fly 30m from the nesting area to the front of the island. they then flew again, briefly landing outside of
the fence, before flying back to the nesting area. At long last we had fledged Spoonbills, the first to have done so in Suffolk for over 300 years! After the disappointing events of the previous year this was certainly an emotional moment for all concerned. over the next week we were able to confirm that all four of the youngsters had fledged and at least two were regularly seen feeding outside of the fence. the first sign of the young leaving Havergate was on July 26th when one was seen to fly strongly south with a group of ten adults. this was presumably a feeding foray as all four youngsters were seen back on site a couple of days later.
in late June we became convinced that there was another active nest in the south-east corner of the island, about 35m from the others. it was well hidden in the vegetation so from our observation points we could not be 100% certain, but again the drone provided the information that we needed. on July 3rd it showed that there was a nest containing four eggs with an adult in attendance in the location we suspected (Nest c). unfortunately, this nest was not successful. the adults incubated for about four weeks, but no young were ever seen. third nest (c). Havergate island, 3rd July 2020.
in July it was often hard to get an accurate count of the number of adults that was present on the island as they were usually standing close together or partially hidden by vegetation. Most counts were of 12-18 birds, but these were probably underestimates and higher counts were made that included 22 on July 3rd and 30 on July 20th and 30th (these counts included the four fledged young). Good numbers continued to be seen throughout August with several counts of 20-25 but very few were seen after the end of the month. the notable exception was on September 12th when a flock of 46 was briefly present before flying off upriver, a new Suffolk record. it seems highly likely that this flock of 46 included most, if not all, of what was then a county record gathering of 44 Spoonbills that had been present at Hazlewood Marshes on the Alde estuary only the day before i.e. September 11th. in early September, on a day when no Spoonbills were present, the nesting island was visited so that the fence could be checked and the nests inspected. the nests were made mostly of woody plant stems, probably Umbelliferae or Brassicaceae sp. one of the successful nests (Nest B) also contained two large pieces of plastic, a blue piece that had clearly been visible in the drone pictures and a long brown piece that we had seen one of the adults playing with early in the season. the unsuccessful nest (Nest c) was found to contain some small eggshell fragments, so it is possible that some of the eggs did hatch.
As already mentioned, the drone proved to be an invaluable tool in monitoring the progress of the nests and this is summarized in the table below.
Nest observations recorded by RSPB drone imaging.
Nest A Nest B Nest c middle of island (left) middle of island (right) se corner of island 15/05/2020 pair present, no nest visible pair present, no nest visible nothing 20/05/2020 adult incubating adult standing by nest, nest nothing containing at least one egg
29/05/2020 adult incubating adult incubating nothing 12/06/2020 2+ small chicks in nest adult incubating nothing 19/06/2020 3 medium-sized 1 medium-sized chick adult present in chicks in nest & 1 egg in nest area but no nest visible 03/07/2020 3 large chicks near nest 1 large chick in nest adult incubating, 4 eggs 10/07/2020 3 large chicks near nest 1 large chick near nest adult incubating 20/07/2020 3 large chicks in nest area 1 large chick in nest area adult incubating 20/07/2020 3 fledged juvs. 1 fledged juv. adult incubating, 2-3 eggs
Although Havergate was the site used for breeding, very little feeding activity was observed there. it is possible that they might have been feeding nocturnally at Havergate, but it seems more likely they were using local freshwater sites on the mainland as evidenced by the following observations.
At Hollesley Marshes (5km to the SW) small numbers were seen intermittently in May/June, peaking at six on June 1st, but receding water levels meant that the site became unsuitable for feeding by late June. A new, accidentally-created wetland, on the river Deben at Lodge Marsh, ramsholt (13km to the WSW) provided ideal feeding habitat during late June to August. Seven birds were present here on June 30th followed by several double-figure counts in July with a peak
of 16 on 15th/16th. Numbers started to decrease in August and very few were seen after the middle of the month. Juveniles were seen there on August 7th (2) and 11th (4) and were almost certainly the fledged chicks from Havergate.
in late August the attention switched upriver from Havergate to the inter-tidal area at Hazlewood Marshes (10km to the NNe on the Alde estuary), a site where there has been a regular congregation of Spoonbills in August/September in recent years. up to 12 were present in late August, building up to a peak count of 44 on September 11th after which numbers quickly declined. on the date of their occurrence, as mentioned before, these 44 Spoonbills formed the largest flock ever to be recorded in Suffolk. However, this record was very short-lived as 46 were on Havergate only the next day.
Hopefully, now that chicks have fledged successfully at Havergate, we shall see the establishment of a flourishing colony there in the years to come. if they do, it will be interesting to see how they continue to utilize the wetlands in the wider local landscape and how this contributes to their success.
Sand Martins really are one of the true harbingers of spring and often arrive back in this country when the weather is decidedly inclement, usually from late March onwards, but sometimes even earlier. the first birds to arrive back in the uk are frequently found feeding low over lakes or reservoirs, quite often in cold, wet and windy conditions. they are clearly very hardy birds, but occasionally there can be quite high mortality if they are suddenly faced with a severe cold snap on migration, or when they arrive back in Britain.
the worldwide range of the Sand Martin is truly colossal and extends right across eurasia, Asia and North America (where it is known as Bank Swallow), with the winter range reaching as far south as southern Asia, Africa and South America. their generic name riparia is derived from the Latin word riparius meaning ‘of or belonging to a bank of a river’. the only comparable swallow or martin with a larger breeding and winter range is the (Barn) Swallow (Hirundo rustica), with the latter also wintering in Australia. According to Bto statistics there were between 71 and 225 thousand Sand Martin nests in the uk in 2016, with the majority nesting north of a line from the Severn to the Wash. this is just 4% of the european population, which is put at between 2.4 and 4.5 million pairs. Both of these totals are, however, well below population sizes from 20-30 years ago; indeed, estimates of the uk breeding population exceeded one million pairs in the 1960s. Despite that rather gloomy statistic it would seem as though numbers in the uk have actually increased slightly since 1994.
British birds, following extensive ringing studies, are known to migrate south in autumn through france and Spain and then on into Morocco, continuing south and then east to their main wintering range in the semi-arid Sahel zone of western Africa (approximately from Senegal in the west to Burkina faso and Ghana in the east). the Sahel lies to the south of the Sahara Desert, but to the north of the humid, tropical savannahs, and extends from the Atlantic in the west to the red Sea in the east. this area is clearly one prone to a fluctuating climate and, indeed, severe droughts in the Sahel region in the winters of 1968-69 and 1983-84 led to huge declines in the uk population. fortunately, they are prolific breeders and have been able to make up many of the losses in subsequent years. in the spring birds return north to Britain on a more easterly route, firstly across the Sahara, then northwards via tunisia, italy and france.
Studies have also revealed that they are diurnal migrants, so the need to lay down large fat deposits (unlike most nocturnal migrants) is not so important, although this may not be the case if they have to cross the Sahara Desert. interestingly, following the Sahel drought there is evidence that at that time their migration route shifted further east, instead of following the west coast of northern Africa, as had been the case originally.
it is known, again from ringing studies, that small groups of birds (at least) migrate together, frequently from the same colony, so it is possible that some birds stay together throughout the year. As only a tiny proportion of birds are ringed it would be difficult to extrapolate this further, but Sand Martins are most often seen in flocks so perhaps colony-faithfulness may extend to a wider attachment throughout the year. this is not to suggest that they did not mix with other Sand Martins from across europe, either in their winter quarters or on migration. As mentioned above, Sand Martins are frequently faithful to their natal colony, although that fidelity is slightly stronger in adults than juveniles. Nevertheless, those birds that do move to another colony seldom do so if it is more than ten kilometres away, with no more than 6.5% of adults moving to another colony between ten and 99 kilometres away in subsequent seasons, with slightly more juveniles (11%) doing so. A lot of the statistics listed above arose from a huge ringing programme
Sand Martins (Riparia riparia) at Wenhaston Black Heath
undertaken by the Bto in the mid-1960s which reached a peak of 75000 birds ringed in 1966.
As might be expected mortality is highest amongst juvenile birds in the autumn as they migrate south, but conversely mortality is highest amongst adults in spring, partly because they can arrive back at their breeding area in poor weather. Survival rates vary but are suggested to be close to 30-50% for adults and 20-40% for juveniles; this means that on average, they only live for a few years. the oldest adult in the uk survived at least 7 years and 9 months.
it is quite difficult to assess the actual numbers of breeding birds before 1991, the species was seldom mentioned in Suffolk Bird reports prior to that year and if there were any reports they usually related to early or late migrants. Nevertheless, there is no reason to think that it was not an abundant breeding bird in earlier times. Piotrowski (2003) states: ‘Up until 1968, there were large numbers of the species present in many areas’. A county-wide census in 1991 amassed a minimum total of 2646 breeding pairs, with the largest colony being of 1443 pairs in the cliff faces between covehithe and Southwold. these coastal sand cliffs still remain a very important breeding habitat in Suffolk, although they have always been in a constant state of flux with the ever-present risk of cliff falls providing a real hazard for birds, as well as humans. More recent annual counts of breeding birds have reached 1113 in 2002, 1053 in 2010 and, more encouragingly, 1063 in 2018, with the majority of these along the coast. No doubt the prevailing weather, especially in spring, can seriously impact on the number of birds that arrive in Suffolk to breed each year.
Sand Martins nest primarily in vertical sandy cliffs, quarries or sand pits, although they will adapt to use artificial nest sites; indeed, i have watched nesting pairs using drainage holes in canal banks. Whilst many Sand Martins are very faithful to their natal colonies, they can also be very fickle and will abandon a colony one year and move elsewhere, before returning to the original colony the following year! usually, they will excavate a new nest hole each year, but many of the existing holes at Wenhaston were actually re-used (although further excavation may have taken place), whilst many new holes were created. these holes can be up to one metre in length, sloping upwards with a small nesting chamber at the end to which they add nesting material such as small twigs, roots and other small dry plant items which are then lined with feathers. Sand Martins, typically, lay four or five eggs (although they are known to lay up to seven) and incubation normally takes about 14 days, with fledging taking a further 19 days.
Past studies have revealed that breeding success is correlated with the length of the burrow, with those nesting in holes of less than 70 centimetres in length, being less successful (50%) than those that nest in holes longer than 70 centimetres (73%). it may be the case that more mature and experienced birds are quite likely to have longer nest holes and it is well known that older, more mature birds, return to the nesting colonies first and tend to choose burrows higher up on the face of the cliff, which are more likely to be safe from predators. the sand pit face at Wenhaston is mostly near-vertical, so the colony is largely safe from the obvious predators like Weasel (Mustela nivalis), Stoat (Mustela erminea) and Brown rat (Rattus norvegicus). Nevertheless, opportunistic red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), which have an earth nearby, would soon snaffle any youngsters that were unfortunate enough to fall out of their nests.
Prior to the winter of 2014/15 the sand pit at Wenhaston Black Heath was completely choked with gorse and the sand face was barely visible. in that winter the pit was cleared of extensive degenerate gorse and the sand face exposed. it seems very unlikely that Sand Martins would have bred here historically, or at least not for many years beforehand. All this sterling work was carried out by the Suffolk Wildlife trust (SWt) and the Wenhaston commons Group (WcG).
the first year that birds bred was in 2016 when about 25 pairs nested and up to 80 birds were seen around the pit, although breeding success was unknown. the following year, in 2017, the first birds arrived back on April 6th and once again they bred successfully; my notes for June 19th 2017 state that: ‘50 plus birds seen with many young in nest holes.’ it seems likely that a number of young were raised successfully as several nests were still in use by the end of July, although it is not known whether or not these were second broods.
in 2018 the first three birds arrived back at the quarry on April 18th, but there were very few sightings during the spring. the last five birds were seen on June 11th and i didn’t witness any attempts to enter the nest holes. unfortunately, 2019 proved to be another blank year with just seven birds being seen on April 20th (although they were exploring nest holes), one on 30th, two on May 22nd and finally 12 birds on June 27th, which were also seen to explore nest holes.
following a severe gorse fire on the north and east side of the quarry in the autumn of 2019, much of the older stands of gorse bushes had been decimated. once again SWt and WcG stepped in and grubbed out much of the old root systems of these bushes, leaving those sides of the pit much more open. A low fence was also put in place as a safety measure to deter human visitors and provide some privacy for the birds.
Because we were all affected by the countrywide lockdown imposed on us on March 23rd with the instruction to ‘stay local’ it seemed a very logical step and an ideal opportunity to spend some time studying the local Sand Martins, as well as other birds and insects in the immediate area close to our house.
the first Sand Martins arrived back on April 5th and immediately started exploring the disused holes in the sandy cliff in the quarry. unlike in 2019, these birds stayed around and were soon joined by others, increasing to ten by April 15th, by which time five holes were being explored, and 20 on 22nd, with ten holes in use. they soon started collecting nesting material (small roots and other plant material) from nearby slopes (where the old gorse stands had been). By the end of the month their numbers had increased to at least 40 birds and 15 nest holes were in active use. As we entered May it was becoming more difficult to count accurately the number of birds, but with 46 holes in use by May 15th it was safe to assume that 46 pairs were nesting (i.e. at least 92 birds).
the first juveniles could be seen congregating at the front of five nest holes by June 15th, increasing incrementally to 19 nest holes by June 20th, 40 on June 30th and then 45 on July 2nd, involving at least 102 youngsters on the latter date (from at least 45 pairs). By July 11th most of these youngsters had left the nest holes and all these would have been first broods.
Sand Martins (Riparia riparia) at Wenhaston Black Heath
it seems incredible that a pair of Sand Martins, having raised a brood of youngsters, would contemplate going through the whole process again, but that is exactly what happened! By August 12th at least 19 holes were in use, of which 11 were in holes that hadn’t been used before. Whether any of those birds that nested in these 11 holes were nesting for the first time, or whether they were birds that had already raised a brood successfully (or failed) in another hole, is impossible to say. there is no question that many of the adults feeding young of their second broods looked, not surprisingly, rather tatty!
Another 42 young were raised from the second broods, making a grand total of at least 144 youngsters during 2020 – a fantastic achievement – particularly bearing in mind that this is a minimum total and doesn’t allow for nests not visible from the footpath, or those holes in which i did not see any young and which may have fledged unseen.
the majority of broods held two or three youngsters, but three of the first broods had four young and one even had five. Whilst it was quite comical watching the young fighting to get to the edge of the nest hole to attract the attention of their parents, inevitably the weaker siblings probably lost out. of those that had two broods, the best hole was one that had three young in the first brood and then four in the second brood and another had three and three. to raise seven and six youngsters, respectively, from single holes in one year is quite astonishing and a tribute to the diligence of the parents.
However, there is a slight twist to this tale which is that second broods are not necessarily with the same partner or even in the same nest; furthermore some females leave their first broods before they are fully fledged, to start a second brood with another male, presumably leaving the original male to carry on feeding them! there was no way of knowing whether any of this happened at Wenhaston, but either way it still leaves one in awe of their dedication to raising young.
Alan Miller managed two sessions to trap and ring birds at the colony during the summer, so it would be interesting to perhaps learn of their onward travels or maybe even see them return to the colony. Alan had also managed to trap a few birds in 2017 and one of these birds had been ringed as a juvenile at Minsmere in 2014, a clear indication of a bird remaining faithful to the general area, if not exactly the same colony. Some of the birds that i managed to photograph collecting nesting material were carrying rings, although unfortunately i wasn’t able to read the ring numbers.
i realised that the only way to keep track of the number of nest holes in use, as well as the number of young fledging, was to take a series of photographs of the face of the sand pit. this then allowed me to annotate the printed image with
• the number of holes in use
• the number of young present
• the number of new holes being excavated i was then able to monitor how many new young were appearing at the nest holes, as well as how many new holes were being excavated by updating the annotated colour print-out on every visit (black and white prints were indecipherable!). As quite a few new holes were appearing i had to keep retaking photographs of the face of the pit so that i could keep up to date with the ongoing developments. Additionally, because the nesting holes were spread out across three separate faces of the pit face it meant that i couldn’t just take one picture, i had to take three or four! equally some nests were just not visible from the footpath and i would estimate that maybe 15% of the nest holes were missing from the analysis because, although i could see birds entering the face, i couldn’t actually see the holes. the likelihood is that the final number of pairs and young is higher by approximately 15%.
it is fair to say that the monitoring of the colony was quite a time-consuming task to try and keep up with the coming-and-going of the adults, as well as the young which would soon
scramble back down the nest holes at the first sign of danger – alerted by the calls of their evervigilant parents. incidentally, both Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus) and Hobbies (Falco subbuteo) were regular visitors to the colony, but usually the adults were incredibly quick at seeing them and sounding the alarm. i did not observe any predations during the summer. it was also a very rewarding experience and provided me with a huge insight into the amount of effort required by these birds to excavate the holes, incubate the young and then keep them fed. thankfully the summer was generally dry and fine; fortunately one wet spell in July didn’t seem to affect them adversely, although it coincided with the start of the second broods, which may well have been fortuitous.
Not surprisingly, the main diet of Sand Martins is flying insects, and usually pretty small ones at that. i was interested to see that one of the youngsters had been served up with a rather large crane fly (Tipulidae), which was eventually consumed after a bit of a struggle!
it was evident that a small proportion of the youngsters had ticks around their faces, mostly in those holes that had the larger broods and invariably it seemed that the smaller, less-dominant birds were those with most ticks. No doubt the rather crowded and stuffy environment at the end of a one-metre long nest hole provide the ideal environment for bird ticks to survive. clearly these parasites must influence the longevity of those birds affected.
the parents were very diligent at removing the faecal sacs from the end of
the nest holes and it was rather comical watching them trying to scramble back into the nest hole whilst the youngsters were right at the entrance calling loudly for food. Quite frequently the young refused to budge and the adults had to literally scramble underneath them to get back into the hole!
it is well known that Sand Martins are rather prone to ‘dreads’ at nesting colonies and this happened quite frequently at Wenhaston. the typical alarm call of adults is a loud repetitive trill, usually uttered when they see a raptor approaching, mainly Hobby, Sparrowhawk or kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), although i did hear the same alarm call when a juvenile cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) flew in and landed at the top of the quarry! these alarm calls always resulted in a very swift dispersal of all the birds away from the nesting area, often in one flock, but sometimes in all directions; at the same time all of the juveniles amassing at the end of the hole waiting to be fed scurried rapidly back down into their holes. the adults frequently returned within a few minutes if the ‘coast was clear’, but it would take a lot longer before the juveniles would gather enough courage to creep back to the entrance of their holes.
it was perhaps inevitable that 2021 would prove to be a disappointment compared with 2020, so a total of no more than nine nesting pairs is a bit of a comedown after the success of the previous year.
i should like to thank Alan Miller (recently retired from SWt) and Jonathan Alder (WcG) for encouraging me to write an account for the local village newsletter, which has prompted me to write this more extensive article, and also for providing me with a history of the management at this site.
Balmer, D.e., Gillings, S., caffrey, B.J., Swann, r.L., Downie, i.S. & fuller r.J. 2013. Bird Atlas 201711: the breeding and wintering birds of Britain and Ireland. Bto Books, thetford. cramp, S. (ed.) 1988. Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa: the birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 5: tyrant flycatchers to thrushes. oxford university Press. Mead, c.J. 1979a. colony fidelity and interchange in the Sand Martin, Bird Study, 26:2, 99-106. Mead, c.J. 1979b. Mortality and causes of death in British Sand Martins. Bird Study 26:2, 107112.
Mead, c.J. & Harrison, J.D. 1979. overseas movements of British and irish Sand Martins. Bird Study 26:2, 87-98 Piotrowski, S. 2003. The Birds of Suffolk. Helm, London. robinson, r.A., Balmer, D.e., and Marchant, J.H. 2008. Survival rates of hirundines in relation to British and African rainfall. Ringing & Migration 24: 1–6. turner, A. & rose, c. 1989. A Handbook to the Swallows and Martins of the World. Helm, London.
Justin Zantboer
one of the benefits of the National Lockdown which started in March 2020 was that it gave birders a chance to spend a lot more time at home, giving them the opportunity to add new species to their garden lists. However, even the most dedicated garden listers would probably only ever dream of adding a sea-duck to their lists, but for a few nights from March 31st 2020, for several observers across the country, including a few fortunate Suffolk birders, that dream would become a reality as a huge overland passage of common Scoter occurred.
the first most knew that something exceptional was starting was via social media at 09:54hr on March 31st when the first flock passed over Hadfield, Derbyshire, located on the western edge of the Peak District. this was followed by good numbers of reports from both sides of the Peak District being noted during that first night. this first wave saw a high proportion of the records from the northern half of england with the corridor between Liverpool Bay and the Humber estuary being the most significant.
the next night, April 1st through to 2nd, no doubt with birders being better prepared and wanting to add such an unexpected species to their garden lists, saw much larger numbers of records, again with the bulk of the birds using the Liverpool Bay / Humber estuary corridor. reports from east Anglia were limited to just five, with three from Norfolk and one from cambridge with Suffolk chipping in with a record of 2+ calling over Sudbury at 02:25hr.
the next three nights being April 2nd – 3rd, 3rd – 4th and 4th – 5th, although Northern england still had the higher percentage of reports, saw higher numbers of reports in Southern england. these were most likely birds moving over between the Severn and thames estuaries and the Wash, with many records from the Home counties and even over London suburbs, some involving multiple flocks. it was during these three nights that east Anglia saw a higher percentage of its records.
on the night of April 2nd – 3rd, birds were heard overhead in Norfolk at Swaffham at 23:19hr and in Suffolk, overhead at Belstead at 00:10hr and 00:15hr and Woodbridge at 00:02hr and 00:42hr. the night of April 3rd – 4th was busier in east Anglia with birds heard overhead at four sites in cambridgeshire between 22:00-02:00hr and three sites in Norfolk between 00:5901:21hr. Suffolk had four records with birds heard over Hollesley at approximately 22:00hr, ipswich at 23:04hr and Beccles at 23:11hr and 23:26hr. that was is it for both Norfolk and Suffolk, although cambridgeshire had at least another five records from three sites the next night, April 4th – 5th, between 23:30-05:00hr.
overland passage of migrating common Scoter in the uk has been suspected for a while, given the predictable appearance of birds on inland waterbodies in the spring and autumn. However, these typically small groups of birds represent only a tiny fraction of the large numbers that winter around both the North Sea and irish Sea coasts. if the majority of wintering individuals routinely migrate overland, then this handful of grounded birds must be the exception rather than the norm. recent studies have suggested that common Scoter movement overland can be expected over some parts of the country between late March to mid-April and then again from late July to September. these studies have also revealed that it might not be just a few lost individuals making these inland crossings but is most likely to be a high percentage of the uk’s overwintering population. recordings have been taken of possibly thousands of birds crossing the Peak District since autumn 2017.
Although it would now seem that this is an annual event, albeit varying in date and intensity each year and being dependent on prevailing weather conditions and other factors, the number of reports received overnight on the three nights between April 1st – 4th is unrivalled by anything seen before in uk birding history. overnight on 1st – 2nd there were reports from at least 60 sites, the vast majority in Lancashire, yorkshire and Northumberland, with some localities reporting that multiple flocks were passing over on a near-constant basis for extended periods of time during the night. the geographical distribution of records during the night suggests that the vast majority of birds were moving between the northern irish Sea and North Sea coast of northern england; with two clear corridors emerging. the first, perhaps involving birds that had wintered off the North Wales coast, moving inland over the Mersey and Wirral area, cutting across the Peak District to the Humber and out to sea over Spurn; the second, involving birds using the Solway firth to cross into Northumberland before reaching the coast. A third route, perhaps involving birds that had wintered between the southern irish Sea and the South Wales coast, saw birds moving inland between the Severn and the thames estuaries and the Wash, became more apparent on 2nd – 3rd and 3rd – 4th but was less pronounced than the northern corridors due to the much lighter scattering of records from the southern half of england.
Studies suggest that birds leave the West coast at dusk and quickly begin moving east over land. on the night of April 1st – 2nd, after the first movement the previous night, it seems that it first became apparent that a large movement was underway shortly after darkness fell. the first report received of the evening was at 20:54hr from Maghull, a short distance inland from crosby, Lancashire. this was quickly followed by reports from another site in Lancashire and the Western edge of the Peak District in Derbyshire, of flocks of common Scoter continuously calling overhead by 21:15hr. By 22:00hr there were reports from West yorkshire, followed shortly afterwards by reports from Northumberland. it seems that the peak movement, however, was between 22:30hr and midnight, with a staggering 34 flocks and at least 2870 calls over Spurn, east yorkshire. it didn’t end there though as multiple flocks were still moving over Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, well into the early hours of April 2nd, suggesting flocks continued to depart from the irish Sea or beyond, for several hours after dusk. it is impossible to put an accurate figure on just how many birds were involved but it’s likely that many thousands of common Scoter must have taken the opportunity presented by the calm weather conditions from March 31st to April 5th to commence spring migration towards their Arctic breeding grounds. it will be interesting to see if the same movements are seen again or if the number of records during 2020 were the result of birders being locked down so putting more effort into their garden lists. With the increased use of noc-migging, i suspect that we will only see an increase in records of unexpected species such as common Scoter passing over our gardens overnight. i for one will certainly be keeping a look out for calm, overnight conditions at the prime times in the future.
Date Time Location Number of birds
01/04/2020 02:25hr Sudbury 2+
03/04/2020 00:02hr Woodbridge 2+ 03/04/2020 00:10hr Belstead 2+ 03/04/2020 00:15hr Belstead 2+ 03/04/2020 00:42hr Woodbridge 2+ 03/04/2020 22:00hr Hollesley 2+ 03/04/2020 23:04hr ipswich 2+ 03/04/2020 23:11hr Beccles 2+ 03/04/2020 23:26hr Beccles 2+
references:
https://www.birdguides.com/articles/migration/citizen-science-reveals-nocturnal-scoterhttps://www.birdguides.com/articles/migration/citizen-science-reveals-nocturnal-scoter-migration-routes
it was love at first sight. A sparkling Sunday morning in early May 1975, would change my life forever. As the mini-bus crested the rise of the little red-brick bridge that gave the idyllic hamlet of eastbridge its name, i looked to the east and saw the silhouette of my first-ever Marsh Harrier roller-coastering high in the wide blue sky, above a rippling sea of golden reeds. i was transfixed. i was elated. i was falling under a spell. Seconds before, we had passed through what seemed to me an enchanted settlement that was – at least to this raw and far-from-worldly-wise 21-yearold who was more used to the functional, stark and urban skyline of my native Portsmouth –like something out of the pages of a fairy-tale. eastbridge. Homely, welcoming, tolkien-esque eastbridge. i half expected a Hobbit to wave cheerily to us from one of the flower-filled gardens. i instantly experienced a strange premonition that this was somewhere that would become central to my life.
Passing by the wonderfully-named and highly-enticing eel’s foot inn – a hostelry that would come to mean so much to me – the suspicion took firmer hold. By the time the mini-bus carrying our St osyth Birdwatching and Preservation Society contingent from the clacton area of essex had snaked through gloriously-sunlit and bird-filled woodland to arrive at the rSPB Minsmere car park, i just knew. Pompey, the city of my birth and where my family had lived, loved and worked for centuries, would always be so, so special. But this extraordinary place – magnetic, magical, Minsmere – was calling me to it, irresistibly, and i was only too thrilled to surrender. i fell into its arms, immersed myself in its myriad charms, and the love affair began. throughout that first visit i felt as if all my lucky stars had aligned to produce a magnificent starburst of excitement. that tingling thrill has been repeated on every subsequent visit. Minsmere is at the very epicentre of my universe. it is the Pole Star around which so much of my life revolves. it is a ‘local patch’ like no other. yes, it was love at first sight, but, in truth, i had flirted with Minsmere for years before i set foot in it. its reputation went before it. As a shy, introverted, schoolboy growing up in city backstreets but already beguiled by birds, i escaped at every opportunity to the nearby wild havens of Langstone Harbour, farlington Marshes, Hayling island and, when my horizons widened a little, Pagham Harbour and the New forest. By some sort of strange osmosis, the name Minsmere seeped into my consciousness. At first far out on the fringes of my burgeoning birding radar, it gradually filled me with inquisitive interest. What was this paradise far away to the east? could it really be as wonder-filled as reports suggested? i was soon to find out.
When it came to applying for employment during a year at college studying journalism, i chose Suffolk as my preferred option and the East Anglian Daily Times took me on – but i had to wait a while before i could live and work in the county that had struck my imagination so vividly. i was sent to clacton and could only enjoy tantalisingly-infrequent Minsmere forays. A switch to the newspaper’s Sudbury office at last gave me Suffolk residence, but it was too far inland for a Pompey lad. it did, however, lead me to meet old-school ornithologist Major William ‘Bill’ Payn, of Hartest. countless birding trips with Bill – to north Norfolk, the Brecks and the then top-secret Golden oriole wood at Lakenheath – were topped by several trips to Minsmere to see his old friend Bert Axell.
Bert Axell. the mastermind of Minsmere. A towering man and a colossus of conservation. And here was this raw trainee reporter often sitting in his living room sipping his tea and nibbling nervously at cakes made by Joan, his wife for 63 years until they both died, within about a month of each other, in 2001. Awestruck and tongue-tied do not come close. But i needn’t have worried. Bert had a reputation for being belligerent, bellowing, bombastic. in reality, i found him to be precisely the opposite. kind, wise, polite (usually!) and unfailingly helpful. i count myself
fortunate in so many ways in relation to Minsmere, but perhaps most of all because i could count Bert as a friend.
When the chance came in 1977 to take charge of the East Anglian Daily Times’ Leiston office i had to give it serious thought. i accepted within two seconds! to have Minsmere as part of my professional reporting ‘patch’ – and to be able to live within five kilometres of it – was the stuff of this now fully-qualified journalist’s dreams.
By then, Bert had moved on from managing Minsmere to become the rSPB’s roving land use adviser and Jeremy Sorensen was now the reserve’s senior manager. Jeremy and Bert. chalk and cheese, save for an unswerving devotion to Minsmere. in his time at Minsmere, Jeremy always exuded an air of charming eccentricity.
Minsmere Memories – October 1st 1979. News didn’t travel as fast then as it does now. No WhatsApp groups, not even any mobile phones. for example, i learnt of Britain’s first Greater Sand Plover, at Pagham Harbour, while i was spending christmas 1978 at home in Portsmouth. After a few days down there, my mum remembered she’d been keeping a newspaper cutting for me – it was the story of the sand plover just a few miles along the coast! i was there later that same day! And i frequently recall a Suffolk example of news travelling more slowly in the ‘good old days’. in the following year, 1979, i’d been in Portsmouth for my sister’s weekend birthday celebrations. returning to Suffolk on the Monday i went straight to Minsmere (of course) and ‘found’ a Long-billed Dowitcher on the Scrape. i raced back to triumphantly announce my great ‘discovery’ – only to be deflated when Jeremy Sorensen casually told me it had been there all weekend – and i had been down in Pompey, blissfully unaware of the big news!
My abiding memory of Jeremy is from the early 1980s when bird-races - manic, 24-hour challenges chalking up as many species as teams possible in order to raise money for conservation causes – were annual events. Jeremy was invariably the star of debonair David tomlinson’s Country Life team that took on Bill oddie’s somewhat less organised crew which always included Walberswick National Nature reserve supremo cliff Waller. i can see Jeremy now in my mind’s eye – in a flashy, open-top sports car wangled for the day by David, wearing a bizarre Biggles-type leather flying helmet. Jeremy is one of two birders i have met over the years that had faculties approaching the supernatural. As well as being a thoroughly wonderful human being, the incomparable richard richardson had the sharpest eyesight i have ever witnessed. His astonishing observational skills were simply uncanny. And Jeremy had ears like Jodrell Bank – so to avoid any muffling of sounds and to maximise his ‘radar’ on bird races he folded the ear flaps of that flying helmet out at 90 degrees to his head. Hilarious as it made his appearance, it worked. i well recall being in his backup team one year and finding a singing Wood Warbler at Sutton Heath. David’s sports car roared into the car park and, even before the engine was switched off, Jeremy exclaimed ‘Wood Warbler singing away to our left!’ of course, he was right.
Minsmere Memories – July 5th 1985.
Lured to West Hide on a misty dawn by a phone call the previous evening from assistant warden trevor charlton, David Bakewell and i peered across the Scrape to see the ghostly shape of a Greater yellowlegs materialising in the mare’s tail. David confidently announced that if there was such a rarity here there must be ‘something else’ up the coast. After a fruitless search at Benacre Broad we returned to Minsmere and joined a queue of birders outside North Hide. We assumed that they were waiting for the ‘Legs’ and said nothing. eventually inside the hide, i was sitting next to Derek Moore when he exclaimed ‘there it is!’ i scanned the Scrape and couldn’t see anything of note – only to be told that it was hawking insects high up. Strange, i thought. until i realised that the rest of the birders were watching a Black-winged Pratincole! What a double!
i feel privileged to have such memories, and they’ve been added to greatly in more recent years. i have always maintained that birding is about far, far more than simply the birds, as endlessly fascinating as they are. for me, it’s also about the landscapes to which we birders are drawn, the fun we have and the friendships we form. over six decades now, Minsmere has provided riches beyond my wildest dreams in all three of those categories. there can’t be many more gently beautiful, more intoxicatingly-alluring nature reserves than Minsmere can there (neighbouring Sizewell A, B and, perish the thought, c, aside)? it’s something that’s often overlooked by more blinkered birders, but such landscape beauty adds immensely to the pleasure of watching birds, common or rare. At least, it does for me. this beauty, and the fun and the friendships, lures me back to Minsmere time and time again. the place even made working a pleasure for me! i spent the last few years of my journalistic career working as the East Anglian Daily Times’ environment correspondent and i really did have to go to Minsmere when stories broke, honest guv! the Springwatch years (and the fun-filled after-show gatherings at the eel’s foot), the endless habitat management, and, yes, the twitches – they all had to be covered!
i moved back to live in Leiston about 20 years ago – even the 25 miles or so from ipswich to Minsmere had proved too far for me. i was inexorably drawn back, the pull irresistible. Now, from my converted loft-cum-bird-observatory at my home on the northernmost edge of town, i can scan the airspace above the reserve, beyond a wide horizon of kenton Hills and Sizewell Beach. Poking up from my skyline there’s my ‘sticky-uppy tree’, a giant Wellingtonia, and a tall, skeletal communications mast. Both are visible from many parts of the reserve and i use them in some sort of trigonometry of the mind to fix points at Minsmere when i stare out from home, and vice versa when i’m on the hallowed ground.
i’ve been lucky enough to experience that electrifying pulse of excitement on finding a rarity several times – but these two occasions in particular had me properly panic-stricken and frenetically frazzled! on May 9th 2011, i scanned the gulls on the Scrape’s ‘Wiggly Bund’ for the umpteenth time that morning and nearly exploded. A superb adult Audouin’s Gull –Suffolk’s first individual of the species (and only the sixth for Britain) – was staring back at me. A plea to a rather bemused visitor who had a camera and a breathless radio call to the Visitor centre (i was a volunteer guide back then) ensued when i had almost regained my composure and the rest is ornithological history, as they say. talking to some charming visitors on the public viewing platform on July 8th 2020, they must have thought i’d lost my senses when i shouted ‘get onto this tern!’ A skua-like shape over the distant ruined chapel had caught my eye and when the penny dropped that it was a tern, at that distance either Bridled or Sooty, i became a gibbering wreck. frustration over, its departure to the south thankfully ended when it lingered at Sizewell.
it’s an obsession. Minsmere – its varied habitats, its breath-taking biodiversity, its landscape beauty, its visitors, its staff – has become the dominant force in my birding life. My family often joke that it’s the dominant force in my life, full stop. Such is the bond i feel with the place, i rarely go birding anywhere else. it’s a local patch par excellence – is there a better one anywhere in the uk? i am forever grateful that fate, with a little determination on my own part, has conspired to offer it to me as ‘my’ local patch. i walk its trails virtually daily, often casting my mind back to characters sadly no longer with us. i see Bert striding confidently ahead, or sit with my much-missed eastbridge friend kerry cobb on what he called the ‘grandstand’ in the dunes and i can hear his dry wit once more. or i stroll with Derek Moore, lapping up his improbable, obviously embellished but highly entertaining tales and feel his arm around my shoulder once again. these and so many others i miss dearly. But the birds, always, always, snap me out of any maudlin mood.
i spend so much time on the ‘patch’ that the law of averages has kicked in and i’ve had the good fortune to stumble across a few exciting rarities and reserve ‘firsts’. i generally dislike listing, but i have to admit i’m somewhat proud to have seen, at the time of writing in January, 2021, a total of 311 species on the reserve – perhaps more than anyone else in history! But i’ve experienced some painful misses too of course! Some highs and lows are recalled in the panels that accompany this text but words cannot convey the true depth of emotion such incidents create when they unfold on a site you love as much as i love Minsmere. if you thoroughly, and intimately, immerse yourself in a local patch, the birds – indeed all of its biodiversity – take on so much more meaning and are endowed with an extra layer of resonance and wonder.
Many of us old-timer birders feel this way – i know that our editor Nick Mason feels exactly the same way about his beloved heaths of Hollesley for example – and perhaps with global travel adding to the unfolding climate crisis there’s all the more reason to adopt local patches more fervently in future.
Minsmere Memories – July 12th 2015, May 31st 2019 and September 28th 2020. With the highs come the lows. these three dates are etched on my heart. i know i’m not alone in experiencing a few personal disasters in life – family losses, relationship breakdowns, work crises. each one horrific, as they would be to anyone. But, in birding terms at least, these three take some beating. When Adam rowlands, Minsmere’s senior manager at the time, phones me at home and asks if i’m sitting down, i know what to expect. A rarity at Minsmere. But i categorically do not expect to be told there’s a Black-browed Albatross sitting on the pool behind South Hide! As Adam is giving the gory details he breaks off. it’s flying, he says. Seems to be heading south over the dunes. Within minutes i’m at Sizewell, gazing despairingly out to sea. one of the biggest dips of all time. fast forward to September 28th 2020. An albatross dip that’s even worse! Scouring the Sluice Bushes, news comes through of a (the same?) Black-browed Albatross heading south, first off Lowestoft and then, tantalisingly, off Southwold. Scan from the dunes. Nothing. then the crushing news. it’s been
seen to the south, off Sizewell and thorpeness. We needed height to see the distant passing giant. We were too low – and i was low for days, if not weeks, afterwards. it was the bunting blues that kicked in on May 31st 2019. i’d walked the dunes twice that morning. Nothing. News of a possible ortolan seeped out while i was at home having lunch. Hints later that it may have been a cretzschmar’s. race back out to the dunes. Nothing. And that night excruciating photos of the bird emerged – it was indeed a cretzschmar’s and it had been present while i searched just a few metres too far to the north. Low points in my enduring love affair with Minsmere do not come much lower than that.
i shall tread the trails of Minsmere for as long as i am physically able to do so, although there is currently a sense of impending doom, an ominous dark cloud, hanging over this most treasured of places. if the powers that be had any real respect for our environment, the catastrophic impact that Sizewell c would have on Minsmere would instantly make such a prospect unimaginable. i, and many thousands of others, live in hope that Minsmere does not have to suffer such a fundamentally-damaging blow and that sanity will prevail.
As i travel the winding woodland road to Minsmere, i am always tingling with anticipation, just as i was in that mini-bus from clacton all those years ago. And, without wishing to sound too pretentious, i’ll let you into what has been a long-held secret of mine – i sometimes tweak in my mind my favourite sentence in all of english literature. it’s from JA Baker’s incomparable masterpiece The Peregrine and he’s referring to spending a winter following and studying the species in the bleak marshlands of north-east essex. in this stunning sentence, he writes of the ‘winter land’ but it’s a paraphrase that haunts me as i approach Minsmere. i say to myself: ‘My pagan head shall sink into Minsmere’s land, and there be purified’.
You win some, you lose some: differences in the birds seen in an Ipswich garden in 2019 and 2020 as well as how they’ve changed since 2006 – based on our BTO Garden Birdwatch counts
We’ve been submitting weekly online counts to the Bto Garden Birdwatch for our 80 square metre small garden in the centre of ipswich since 2005, so i thought it might be interesting to see how numbers have changed since then, but also, given the extraordinary circumstances of 2020, to look at a comparison of differences between then and 2019. for those of you that don’t know, being a participant in Garden Birdwatch gives you access to a certain amount of historical data for your garden, so we can pick any week since starting and see the maximum numbers of each species seen at one time over that week. for instance, we saw up to 12 Blue tits in week 52 of 2011. this information can also be extracted on a quarterly or annual basis. for each species you can also see the total number of weeks they’ve been seen. it’s a small garden and, as with everywhere, there are less and less bird-friendly areas around us as people remove trees and pave over areas. We are, however, near a school field and not far from christchurch Park, which compensates to a certain extent. even with the constraints given above, we’ve seen 51 species in total, which is not bad, especially as fly overs don’t count in this (other than raptors during lockdown!). As you’ll see the dominant species have changed over the years and this is pretty much in line with the national data Bto produce. i can only find a national comparison between 1995 and 2019, but the trends are still much the same.
Greenfinch – a bird that has declined
Week 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019
1-4 4 3 3 3 0 2 1 0 5-8 4 2 3 2 0 3 0 1 9-12 2 3 2 3 3 2 0 0 13-16 2 3 2 1 1 0 0 0 17-20 1 2 1 4 2 3 0 0 21-24 1 2 3 0 1 0 2 0 25-28 2 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 29-32 5 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 33-36 5 3 2 0 1 0 0 0 37-40 4 3 0 4 0 0 0 0 41-44 4 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 45-48 4 2 0 2 3 0 0 0 49-52/3 4 4 0 3 2 0 0 0
Goldfinch – a bird that has increased
Week 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019
1-4 0 0 8 1 4 4 6 29 5-8 0 0 0 6 1 4 21 30 9-12 0 2 10 2 4 5 5 2 13-16 0 2 4 5 12 2 3 17-20 2 1 1 3 3 5 3 2 21-24 0 2 1 2 4 4 6 1 25-28 2 1 4 4 4 4 1 0 29-32 2 2 2 7 6 8 1 2 33-36 2 2 2 4 7 10 2 5 37-40 0 2 1 20 20 3 6 5
Week
We think that Blackbirds are always there, but the figures show that we did not see them for weeks on end in 2019, but they returned in 2020 to the levels they were at when we started in 2006.
Collared Dove, Blue Tit, Dunnock Always present over all three years
Like them or not, they’re very successful and have been strutting up and down and getting fat on the seeds we provide over all the years.
Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch
our local decline mirrors the national one for the first three of these species. in the case of Greenfinch, from being the dominant species at the feeders to extinction in 13 years. Starling goes from being seen most weeks in reasonable numbers to the occasional wanderer and, of course, the ubiquitous House Sparrow, already down to sightings one week in two in 2006, to zero in 2019 and a six week stay of one juvenile female in 2020. chaffinches are still around, but in much smaller numbers, which we could probably have anticipated, having seen several individuals with growths on their legs and feet three or four years ago.
the biggest regret of all. Not only are there smaller numbers in the area, but, having nested behind our bargeboards for 25 years or more, they suddenly stopped.
Carrion
All species that have gone from occasional to common, although looking at the national rankings, these are all increases peculiar to us, except for Long-tailed tit which mirrors a national increase. Being anthropomorphic, it’s nice for us that we’ve got lots more of endearing species like Long-tailed tit, Goldfinch and coal tit as well as the occasional spectacular Sparrowhawk foray.
Just to show the sort of interesting comparisons you can see, here are two tables – for Goldfinch and Greenfinch, which show the rise and fall of these two species bi-annually from 2005 to 2019 showing the maximum seen in four-weekly periods over each year.
Species 2006 Weeks
Largest 2020 Weeks Largest seen gathering seen gathering seen gathering
Largest 2019 Weeks
Chaffinch 33 7 16 4 13 3
Robin 28 1 41 2 46 2
House Sparrow 24 5 6 1 Wren 21 1 6 2 19 1
Great Tit 18 2 33 4 45 3 Magpie 17 2 40 2 50 4 Swift 13 26 9 6 15 14
Goldfinch 10 2 40 30 43 11
Carrion Crow 4 4 18 3 25 3 Blackcap 4 1 7 1 1 1 Swallow 4 2 2 1 Sparrowhawk 2 1 5 3 18 3
Song Thrush 2 2 3 2 2 1
Feral Pigeon 2 2 Green Woodpecker 1 1 House Martin 1 1 Goldcrest 1 1 1 1
Long-tailed Tit 1 3 20 10 34 8 Jay 1 1 1 1 4 3 Jackdaw 1 1 1 2
Coal Tit 28 2 27 2
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 1 Redwing 1 1 4 45 Mistle Thrush 3 1 Buzzard 6 2 Hobby 1 1 Peregrine 1 1 Kestrel 3 3
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 1 Stock Dove 3 2
National rankings 1995 and 2019
Species 1995 national ranking 2019 national ranking
Blue Tit 1 1
Blackbird 2 3 House Sparrow 3 7 Robin 4 4 Great Tit 5 5 Dunnock 6 6 Starling 7 13 Greenfinch 8 15 Collared Dove 9 10
Chaffinch 10 11 Magpie 11 9 Wood Pigeon 12 2 Wren 13 17 Coal Tit 14 12
Song Thrush 15 22 Carrion Crow 16 16 Jackdaw 17 14 Great Spotted Woodpecker 18 19
Species 1995 national ranking 2019 national ranking
Long-tailed Tit 19 18
Goldfinch 20 8 Nuthatch 20
the total species by year was 27 in 2006, 25 in 2019 and 30 in 2020, so we gained in that aspect during lockdown and arrested the downward trend.
By quarter, the breakdown is as follows:
Quarter
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
2006 species 18 20 23 14 27 2019 species 21 16 17 16 25 2020 species 20 24 16 19 30
it looks from our data that July to September is the period when we have definitely lost the biggest variety of species, so presumably this reflects fewer breeding birds.
So, what did we gain in the first lockdown, when everything really did come to a standstill? Not a lot when you look at it, except for raptors, especially Buzzards. this is certainly something you wouldn’t have predicted 20 years ago, that Buzzards soaring over the centre of ipswich would be a not infrequent occurrence. We also had Hobby, Peregrine and kestrel and these were all viewed in the period of full lockdown as well as the Sparrowhawks that we normally see. Apart from that, it was really just an extension of long-term trends. Several species are seen on more weeks of the year than usual, but that’s mostly because we were there all the time, whereas in 2019 we were absent from the garden, on holidays and family visits a lot of the time.
the biggest conclusion is that doing the Garden Birdwatch produces really interesting data for us and hopefully contributes a bit to the national picture of our birdlife.
on August 4th my wife wanted some gentle exercise. We strolled at Alton Water, first Lemons Hill and then the Wonder loop before going to the reservoir’s dam where there were throngs of people enjoying “the great outdoors”.
on the top car park, i set up my ‘scope to scan the reservoir. common terns Sterna hirundo were numerous and focusing on the railings of the reservoir’s draw-off tower i noticed a hunched shape looking distinctly uncommon. Quickly moving to the water’s edge, and although the bird was still distant, the view suggested that i was looking at a Gull-billed tern. i telephoned Lee Woods using a cautious ‘probable’ suggestion. He immediately sent me the image taken by A Jones on July 29th which mirrored my view. i re-called Lee to convert ‘probable’ to ‘certain’. i forwarded that picture to my wife’s ‘proper’ phone so that i could enlarge the frame to show her the bird. Locals such as chris Baines and ed keeble soon arrived. Paddle boarders had disturbed the bird after only three observers had seen it. James everett mooted the idea that it had ‘gone to the estuary’ but, luckily, i was able to tell him that it had resettled as the ‘third from the left’ on the railings. the number of birders increased rapidly so we retreated obviously not realising that the tern would remain available for so many to enjoy over the next few days.
i have seen the species in at least 14 countries with the first in Majorca in 1971 and the largest flock being 100+ in Hong kong in 1994. However, this is my first British sighting. Gull-billed terns bred in the Netherlands in 2020 for the first time since 1958.
Having read the Bird News Analysis section in the october 2020 issue of Birdwatch, it would appear that this Gull-billed tern was found initially at Alton Water on July 29th (and was possibly present on July 30th). it was then absent until August 4th. What could possibly have been the same bird was at Seaton creek (cleveland) on August 2nd and Snettisham (Norfolk) on August 3rd, but not definitely linked by BBrc, before returning on August 4th to Alton Water where it remained until August 16th, although on August 13th it was on the orwell estuary at trimley Marshes, on the river and on the reservoir.
Having finally departed from Alton Water, what is assumed to have been the same bird was at Gibraltar Point (Lincolnshire) on August 18th and 19th.
of interest – in 1949, what is assumed to have been the same pair of Gull-billed terns was present at Abberton reservoir, just south of colchester in essex, during July of that year and then returned there and bred, unsuccessfully, in 1950, Britain’s sole breeding record (A New Guide to the Birds of Essex, Dr S. cox, 1984)
{there have been 19 records of Gull-billed terns in Suffolk, with 25 individuals involved. the last was at Landguard on June 14th 2005 and, before that, there were two at Landguard on May 1st 1997.
excepting records from Breydon Water in the 19th and early-20th centuries, this is Suffolk’s first-ever non-coastal sighting, and also the first-ever to have not been a one-day record.
it is a species that has never before been readily twitchable in Suffolk – so for many, this longstaying bird was a chance to admire it and add it to their Suffolk list, myself included!
it is fairly easily identified – from Sandwich tern Thalasseus sandvicensis – by its shorter but thicker black bill. See photograph.
it is a species regularly seen around the Mediterranean, the Middle east and east to china, but not regularly seen in Britain. However, as Andrew mentions, there has been a spread to the other side of the english channel and North Sea. Perhaps more of them may cross over to ‘our’ coasts in the near future? – Ed.]
i freely admit it. Blasphemous as it may sound, the irresistible attraction for rSPB Minsmere that i’ve felt for 45 years or so was starting to wear a bit thin by the start of July 2020. the coronavirus lockdown was drastically reducing the camaraderie shared by locals and visitors alike, drought conditions were taking their toll, a seemingly year-on-year decline in once-common species was a continuing concern and there were precious few surprise birds to lift the spirits. i try not to take any of the reserve’s undoubted treasures for granted, but even so i admit that my virtually daily trudges around the Scrape were starting to feel a bit samey.
However, on July 8th, things exploded into a frenzied fireball of excitement.
At 11.07hr, during a pleasant chat on the public viewing platform overlooking the reserve’s South Scrape with visitors Jim and Jeanne collinson, from Nottinghamshire, i noticed a bird flying towards us from near the ruins of the old Leiston Abbey. it simply did not add up. its rakish silhouette and consummate grace reminded me of a Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus , but i could see a white forehead, white underwing surfaces and a white breast. Above South Hide the bird jinked eastwards and flew above the South Scrape fence line towards Minsmere Sluice. the penny dropped. it was a tern. With very dark upperparts. Surely not? Surely it couldn’t be? But it was!
At this range and with these views i erred on the side of caution (Bridled O. anaethetus or Sooty, although i strongly suspected the latter) but Jim and Jeanne probably didn’t think much caution was being exhibited when i shouted to them that they must, just must, get onto this bird. they did indeed and jaws dropped as it lost height and skimmed over the sluice and turned south to head towards Sizewell.
Many years ago, while seawatching alone at Southwold, i saw what i am still 99% convinced was a frustratingly-distant southbound Bridled tern. i wasn’t confident enough to submit that one – it remains one that got away – and i feared i might well suffer the same fate with this bird.
A few minutes before this current bombshell event, robin Harvey and Nick forster of the rSPB’s Minsmere team had joined us briefly on the platform, but had now left. i tried to phone robin – no reply. i contacted Adam rowlands, the rSPB’s Suffolk manager, and my great friend richard Drew who lives nearby and breathlessly explained to both what had just transpired. i messaged the local clubbers Nature News WhatsApp group, of which i am a member, to sound the alarm and suggest that Sizewell might be worth a visit. Straight away!
A run, or stagger, back to the Minsmere car park – via the toilets thanks to a badly timed but desperately urgent requirement – was followed by a short but stress-filled drive to Sizewell. A check of the phone on arrival and bingo! richard had messaged clubbers to say it was indeed a Sooty tern and it was flying around the old Sizewell A nuclear power station’s disused inflow and outflow rigs just offshore.
for about 100 birders who converged on Sizewell with impressive speed, this exquisite bird put on a spell-binding performance. it somewhat incongruously landed several times on the ugly, rusting, rigs which are covered in breeding kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla it even called loudly and gratingly a few times. its Long-tailed Skua-like appearance and stunning, stark, black-andwhite beauty was remarked upon by several observers before it flew off south and was lost to view just before 13.00hr. for the late-arriving birders there were the usual slightly embarrassed commiserations but for some their disappointment was perhaps offset by the excellent and cleverly-named Sizewell tea cafe offering “Sooty Special” bacon baps and chips at £5 a time!
for me, all those spring hours at Minsmere, that seemed a little samey, were rewarded. i shall
not be doing any Victor Meldrew grumpiness again for a while. the flame of love is rekindled. the passion that never really went away, but just simply subsided a little, is burning as brightly as ever.
in size, the Sooty tern was appreciably larger than common tern Sterna hirundo, with which it was seen in close company. indeed, it seemed only a little smaller than the numerous kittiwakes that nest on both rigs. it could be picked out easily, even with the naked eye, when it visited the nearer rig, due to its size, rakish outline and black upperparts. the forecrown was pure white, with very short white supercilia extending to a point just above the eyes, but the area between the eyes and the base of the bill was black. crown, nape, mantle and upperwing surfaces were uniform black, perhaps very slightly more jet black on the crown and nape. Almost imperceptible were the very thin white leading edges of the wing ‘arms’ – a feature that i have noticed more in photographs of the bird than i did in the field! the deeply-forked tail was also black but the longest, outer, tail feathers were white, save for their greyish distal inner webs. the underwing surfaces showed marked contrast between the blackish primaries, greyish secondaries forming an obvious trailing edge, and the white underwing coverts. the bird’s underparts were pure, gleaming white. the bill appeared entirely black and was about as long as the distance between its base and the bird’s nape. When the bird was at rest on top of the closer-to-shore rig, the rather long legs could be seen clearly and appeared dark greyish. to the end of 2019 there have been 22 British records of Sooty tern. it breeds on oceanic islands in the tropical regions of the indian and Pacific oceans, throughout the caribbean and the southern region of the red Sea (Brit. Birds 113:608) this constitutes Suffolk’s fourth record of the species, and the third for rSPB Minsmere. the previous records are: 1900 – moribund, Santon Downham, late March/early April 1966 – Minsmere, June 11th 1976 – Minsmere, August 3rd
We usually include write-ups of some of the rare birds that turn up in Suffolk during the year – especially when it is a first for the county. this year we have descriptions of a few species that are real rarities but have occurred before in Suffolk.
David fairhurst found a Booted Warbler Iduna caligata at Sizewell on october 3rd 2020, with the bird showing briefly the next morning.
We have included here his description that was submitted to the BBrc (British Birds rarities committee). Maybe this could encourage others to submit birds in the same way to either BBrc or Sorc? We have also included Adam rowlands’ description which was submitted as back-up to David’s version.
the three previous Suffolk (Watsonian) records of Booted Warbler are; Gorleston-on-Sea, September 3rd and 4th 1996, Landguard, october 16th 2011 and Lowestoft, September 6th and 7th 2018.
i was interested in Adam’s final comments about some birders seeing a Garden Warbler Sylvia borin and mistaking it for the Booted. i was recently guilty of this regarding some pipits, when i saw what i wanted to see rather than what was actually there!
Ed.
Saturday october 3rd 2020 saw light south-easterly winds, low cloud and drizzle on the Suffolk coast and it was soon clear that migrants were arriving. the feature of the day was thrushes and particularly Song thrushes Turdus philomelos, with an estimated 8000 arriving in-off the sea between Aldeburgh and Dunwich, mostly in the morning. interestingly the majority weren’t stopping on the coast but powering off high inland.
earlier in the day, a rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica had been found in Lowestoft and a redbreasted flycatcher Ficedula parva at Landguard.
i had spent the day birding the cliff-tops and bushes between Sizewell Hall and thorpeness and had had a great day, with an hour of light left i headed north to the Sycamores Acer pseudoplanatus and scrub just east of the A station at Sizewell. upon arrival at the Sycamores, i noticed a common redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus and a eurasian reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus (both new for the day) and then a small warbler hopped up in gorse Ulex sp. bushes just a few metres away. this bird was different, instantly it was obvious it wasn’t a ‘regular’ species and going through a mental checklist i came to the conclusion that it was a Booted Warbler. the bird was favouring the northern most Sycamore and the low bushes and bracken Pteridium aquilinum around it.
Within just a minute or two of seeing the bird i had put the news out and rang the few local birders who i knew would be able to make it before dark.
i had always thought that if i found a Booted Warbler it would be fraught, with brief views of a skulking warbler, gnashing of teeth and hours of searching. However, here in front of me almost continually on show with views ranging down to just 8 metres at times was a superb Booted Warbler.
i have seen a couple of Sykes‘s Warblers Iduna rama but this species was quickly ruled out by the Sizewell bird by its having dark centres to the tertials, a relatively short tail and a dark tip to the spiky bill.
Several observers managed to make it to Sizewell that evening including Adam rowlands, Mike cartwright and richard Drew. the next morning the bird was present at first light, showing for just Mike cartwright and John Grant, before disappearing. it was a very nondescript bird and, therefore, rather difficult to write down the features; also, some colours changed as the light on the bird changed clearly a warbler, roughly a tiny bit bigger than a common chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita but with a different shape – thinner, longer-tailed and bodied and a more spiky-billed appearance. the plumage was the most striking feature being very pallid brown with no olive tones at all; the brown was unlike the warmer orange-brown of a reed Warbler and several times i did consider that i was misidentifying it and it was in fact something like a Blyth’s reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum or a Siberian (tristis) chiffchaff, P. c. tristis but they were quickly discounted and i kept coming back to Booted Warbler.
Head – an odd shape, strangely-domed/rounded (unlike Acrocephalus warblers which appear quite flat-crowned to me). A narrow pale-whitish supercilium was noted extending from the bill to just behind the eye but like several features on the bird this, at times, was hardly discernible
Bill – a pale, pinkish lower mandible with a dark tip, dark upper mandible
Legs – very thin and pale greyish, occasionally showing pinkish tones but variable depending on distance from the bird and background. feet slightly darker coloured than the legs
Upperparts – crown, nape, mantle and wings a pale grey-brown (a very unusual colour in a uk regular breeding bird context)
Underparts – (throat, breast, belly and undertail), grey-white in colour
Tail – similar colour to the upperparts but with dirty-white outer tail feather/s (not always visible and in fact only seen on a few occasions)
october 3rd had seen south-easterly winds and frontal rain providing ideal conditions for a fall of migrants on the Suffolk coast. i had spent the day searching for migrants between thorpeness and Aldeburgh and shortly after i returned home at 5.10pm i took a call from Dave fairhurst to say he had just found a Booted Warbler in front of Sizewell A Power Station. i immediately headed out and by 5.20pm i was with Dave and watching the bird.
Dave obviously takes the credit as the finder and identifier, but i have provided this as a supporting description.
the following description was compiled shortly after my observations, which lasted about 15 minutes.
frequently showing well. initially foraging low down in bracken, but moved into Sycamores where it spent some time in canopy (possibly as a consequence of the close presence of observers). relatively slow and steady movements when foraging, not hyperactive. feeding by leaf gleaning and brief fly-catching sallies. No obvious wing- or tail-flicking. No call heard. identified by structure, behaviour, strikingly pallid plumage colouration and bill pattern.
Booted Warbler, Sizewell
Size and structure: Similar size to a common chiffchaff, with structure most reminiscent of a Phylloscopus, but occasionally suggesting an Acrocephalus
Bare parts: Bill dark, with extensive pale flesh on lower mandible which showed a dark tip which was difficult to determine, but visible when viewed from below against dark background. Dark eye. relatively long, pale, greyish flesh legs – exact colour difficult to determine. Darker ‘ankles’ where tarsus joins toes.
Head: indistinct face pattern with dark smudge on lores and indistinct pale supercilium extending to just behind eye. Grey-brown eye-stripe, concolorous with crown and ear coverts
Upperparts: overall, a dull grey-brown, appearing very pale and pallid in dull light. When out in the open in bracken appeared more typically sandy, milky tea-coloured, but tone and colour varied with viewing angle and light conditions. Pale tips to greater coverts forming subtle impression of a wing-bar. Pale fringes to secondaries producing a ‘ghosted’ pale wing panel at some angles. Distinct dark centres to tertials visible when viewed from behind, but not so obvious when viewed in profile.
Underparts: Pale greyish-white, with no buff tones discerned by me in the dull light conditions. Dull-white outer tail feathers visible from below.
the bird was apparently still present at first light the following day and seen by a few observers. However, it was not reliably reported after about 8am when several observers were deceived by a Garden Warbler Sylvia borin feeding in the same area. As well as finding and identifying the Booted, Dave fairhurst was able to advise the observers of their error with the Garden Warbler.
[the Booted Warbler breeds in eastern finland, eastwards across central russia to western Siberia, and from central and northern kazakhstan eastwards to western Mongolia and western Xinjiang province in china. it winters in northern and peninsula india as far south as the state of karnataka.
By the end of 2019 there had been 171 British records of Booted Warbler (British Birds 113, october 2020:626). the first record was on fair isle in September 1936, but the remaining 170 have all occurred since 1959.]
A curious paradox of a passion for birds is the not-infrequent desire for misfortune to befall their migrations. this contradiction is none more so than in autumn when birds of the year are embarking on maiden migrations carried by inexperienced wings. Malign and inclement weather systems are eagerly awaited by birders beguiled by these great winged departures from distant breeding sites. the forecast for Saturday october 3rd 2020 held great promise for a conspiracy of season, weather and avian misadventure.
With high pressure reaching deep into northern europe and a lurking low-pressure system centred over france moving northwards, the trap was set. the conducive conditions over Scandinavia induced a major departure of migrants fleeing cooler, darker, northern latitudes. Drifting on the easterlies out over the German Bight sea area west of Denmark, nocturnal migrants increasingly found themselves funnelled along a rain-laden frontal edge of low cloud in the southern North Sea. Bearing: north Suffolk coast. imperative: landfall. At dawn, the vanguard of the overnight flight began to arrive in the increasingly tempestuous conditions. these itinerants included an east Asia-bound bunting: an egg in June; now a detoured rider of the storm.
Arriving at Lowestoft North Denes early morning, a circuit of the disused overgrown campsite produced a trickle of arriving Song thrushes Turdus philomelos and a noticeable increase in migrant robins Erithacus rubecula. Bumping into Andrew easton at the foot of Gunton cliff, we joined forces to work the vegetation for migrants; a fleeing common Snipe Gallinago gallinago towards the end of our search gave momentary excitement. Having combed the usual spots with little reward, Andrew headed back to his car at the Denes oval and i retraced my steps to Links Hill.
Ascending Links road, the ticking and flicking of robins along the southern edge of Warrenhouse Wood demanded a closer look. Approaching the stunted White Poplar Populus alba clump on the seaward side of this most-easterly wood, newly-arrived robins were holding court all along the
Rustic Bunting in Lowestoft
elm-dominated edge (Ulmus sp.). overhead, the Song thrush rush was quickening, the ‘tsips’ of these voyagers from across the North Sea increasingly punctuating the gloomy october morning.
Scanning the robin ranks for something blue-tailed, amongst the soundscape of ticking transients i became aware of a tick with a difference: a thin, high-pitched ‘tsic’ almost beyond the edge of hearing. insistent and close by, a minute passed before i realised that this enigma was emanating from the poplars immediately in front of me. Despite its apparent proximity, i could not locate the source. time was ticking, quite literally.
At this point, a robin came to the rescue and saw off the ticking target, the mystery bird flying – still calling – a short distance to a Gorse Ilex sp. bush in the nearby marram grass Ammophilia arenaria. Bins up, a bunting. Back on, jinking in the shaded gorse litter. White tips to the wing coverts, bubble-gum pink legs, whitish underparts…with raspberry-ripple flank stripes, and, turning, a face with yellow tramlines. And raised crown feathers hinting at a crest. the jigsaw puzzle was rapidly piecing together. this was no reed Bunting E. shoeniclus despite the rational part of my mind attempting to sabotage my optimism. rustic Bunting!
urgently switching to documentary mode, a few photographs were rattled off just as the bunting slunk into the marram out of view. A call to Andrew to cautiously announce my ‘ticking bunting’ discovery luckily reached him before he had reached his car. Arriving post-haste, we reviewed my back-of-camera images.
Moving into the dunes to view the area where i thought the bunting would be, resulted in its flushing towards Links road car park where it alighted in a small patch of marram. With Andrew in agreement as to the identity, the news was announced on my twitter feed and the local birders’ WhatsApp group.
As the first birders began to arrive, the rustic Bunting eventually showed in the Links road car park thanks to Andrew’s relocation. the bunting proved to be exceptionally confiding and performed well throughout the day to an appreciative audience. it was seen early the next morning in the same area but was reported to have flown high to the south around 08:15hr, the last sighting. Ageing and sexing of E. rustica in the field is considered doubtful, although the obviously-pointed retrices (tail flight feathers) are highly suggestive of its being a first calendar year (-winter) bird.
the rustic Bunting has undergone a marked population decline since the 1980s (edenius et al, 2016, Cambridge University Press), with some parallels to the drastic range-wide population collapse of the yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola. Since the 1990’s peak, occurrences have declined with it having been re-admitted to the BBrc list in 2015 (after having been removed in 2006).
County # Site First / Last Seen Notes
5th Lowestoft october 3rd and 4th 2020 first-winter 4th Landguard September 23rd and 24th 2008 first-winter, trapped and ringed 3rd corton September 14th 1996 age and sex uncertain 2nd Landguard october 3rd 1992 immature male 1st Minsmere october 24th 1962 female, trapped and ringed
A spring record in Suffolk is long overdue. of Norfolk’s 17 records of rustic Bunting (to the end of 2019), seven have been in the spring between March 27th and June 9th, although four were during the period May 16th to 23rd.
According to British Birds 113:648, the rustic Bunting breeds in northern Sweden and finland eastwards across russia to eastern Siberia and the kamchatka peninsula, and southwards to the Baikal region. the species generally migrates south-eastwards to winter in eastern china, the korean peninsula and southern Japan.
on the early morning of November 7th, i was in some doubt as to where to go birding. options were limited by the english covid-19 Lockdown restrictions and i knew i would be restricted to sites close to home. the wind had been in the Se and it felt like there was a chance of finding a Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus or Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti on the coast. However, the lure of the two eastern yellow Wagtails Motacilla tschutschensis, at Dingle Marshes was appealing. i opted for Dingle in the vague hope that i would stumble across a Desert Wheatear on the shingle ridge (always the optimist!).
i arrived at Dunwich pre-dawn and walked the 2.5 kilometres north to the coastal section of the rSPB reserve where the wagtails had been frequenting. After sunrise i connected with the first-winter wagtail and with a number of other observers arriving on site i started the walk back southwards along the shingle ridge. A kilometre to the south i saw a flock of Linnets Linaria cannabina get up ahead and followed them in the hope of finding a twite L. flavirostris. At 8:50hr, after a brief conversation with tim oakes, who was on his way northwards for the wagtails, i returned my attention to the Linnet flock and then noticed a solitary wader in one of the shore pools managed by Suffolk Wildlife trust. the bird was motionless and facing away. its structure suggested common Greenshank T. nebularia, but the plumage was browner, with more distinct pale spotting on the upperparts and the legs appeared bright orange-yellow. My immediate suspicion was that the bird was a Greater yellowlegs, but this seemed barely credible, given the late date.
As the bird started to move around it revealed a distinctly upturned bill and scattered dark spotting on the underparts, further suggesting Greater, but without a size comparison i was reluctant to make such a bold claim. After a few tense minutes, the bird flew a short distance, revealing dark wings and a square-cut white rump, and landed next to a common redshank T. totanus which was distinctly smaller. this confirmed the identification beyond all doubt and i immediately put the news out via the Suffolk BiNS WhatsApp group. i had seen Lee Woods, who coordinates the group, watching the wagtails to the north, so i also called him to check that the message had been received and after a short wait i was joined by around 15 local observers who had been in the area to look for the wagtails. fortunately, the shingle ridge allowed for plenty of social distancing! Whilst we were watching the yellowlegs, the two eastern yellow Wagtails appeared close by –providing one of those rare occasions when eastern and western vagrants meet in the uk i left the site at 09:25hr, but the bird continued to show well during its protracted stay. the following description was compiled shortly after my observations on November 7th. identified by leg colour, size, bill structure and pattern, dark spotting on underparts and plumage pattern in flight. the bird was fortunately very settled, feeding by picking at the water’s surface and frequently catching small fish which were caught whilst wading around a shallow pool. it was not heard to call by me.
Size and structure: Despite lack of any direct comparison when located alone, clearly a large Tringa sandpiper. Appeared >10% larger when seen alongside common redshank in all proportions and more reminiscent of common Greenshank (although this species not present for direct comparison). constantly wading in shallow water during my period of observation, so leg length difficult to ascertain, but stood slightly taller than common redshank in direct comparison. reasonably long primary projection, c.50% of tertial length, but primary tips falling level with tail tip at rest.
Bare parts: Bill medium long relatively thick and slightly upturned. Black with olive-grey basal 1/3. eye dark blackish. Legs bright orange-yellow.
Head: crown streaked dark greyish-black on white background. White supercilium most prominent in front of eye, streaked finely dark grey behind eye. Dark loral spot at base of bill but broken in front of eye so not forming an eye-stripe. ear coverts finely streaked dark grey. Nape and hind neck similarly finely streaked dark grey.
Upperparts: Mantle, scapulars and wing coverts largely greyish-brown. Some scattered blackish feathers in mantle and upper scapulars. Majority of scapulars and tertials greyish-brown with white spotted/notched fringes. two or three innermost greater coverts similarly marked and seemingly newer than rest of coverts which were worn, dark greyish-brown and relatively uniform. White tail barred with greyish-brown visible at rest
Underparts: fore-neck white, finely streaked dark grey and extending onto breast. rest of underparts white, with scattered blackish spots/arrowheads. fine dark grey barring on sides of vent.
In flight: Showed distinct, square-cut white rump contrasting with barred tail. Wings uniformly dark above.
the bird showed well on the same pools, despite being absent occasionally for periods, until the final sighting on November 19th. other supporting identification features were subsequently assessed from the many published photographs:-
• Bill length: Assessment of photos showed bill length to be c 1.25-1.3x longer than head profile width.
• feathering at the base of bill and nostril: images show that the feathering fell well short of the proximal edge of the nostril at the base of the bill.
• Leg length: the bird was wading in shallow water all the time i watched it, obscuring the tarsus and often much of the tibia, so i was unable to assess leg length. images show the bird to be long-legged.
• Secondaries: the spotted fringes to the secondaries, as distinct from the plain secondaries of Lesser yellowlegs T. flavipes, were captured in several images.
the bird could be aged as second-calendar-year+ by the different-aged feathers and variegated pattern in the upperparts, including black feathers scattered amongst the mantle and upper scapulars and blackish spotting/arrowheads on the underparts. Several observers speculated that the very worn wing coverts indicated that the bird was a second-calendar-year.
i have seen many Greater yellowlegs previously on trips to North America and found one at elmley, kent in 1999. it breeds from southern Alaska across subarctic canada eastwards to Labrador and Newfoundland. it migrates through the uSA to winter in the southern coastal states of uSA, central America, the caribbean and South America (Brit. Birds 113:604).
the Dingle record represents the 35th record for Britain and the fourth for Suffolk (including records from the Watsonian Vice county) following individuals at Breydon South Shore in September 1975, Minsmere and Walberswick in July and August 1985 and Southwold and Burgh castle in May 1995.
Many birdwatchers always keep an eagle-eye on weather patterns, especially at certain times of year, such as in the spring and autumn. Whether it is to try and determine if the wind conditions would be suitable for a productive seawatch (sadly infrequent on the Suffolk coast!) or whether onshore winds might be appropriate for displacing birds of eastern origin in the autumn away from their normal southbound routes. it was very apparent that early october was shaping up very nicely to produce what looked like perfect conditions for the grounding of potentially rare birds from the east. furthermore, the mouth-watering synopsis for october 2nd 2020 was forecasting an easterly wind that was originating from well to the east of the caspian Sea, about 5000 kilometres to the south-east of Suffolk! these conditions, combined with persistent rain, were ideal conditions to bring in rare birds originating in eastern europe, russia or beyond.
Saturday October 3rd: As predicted, it remained very wet in Suffolk. However, the roll call of rare birds from the very start of the day was quite astonishing! Great Snipe Gallinago media, redbreasted flycatcher Ficedula parva, richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi and a Shore Lark Eremophila alpestris were all reported from Landguard. At around the same time, a fine rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica was found at Lowestoft Denes, along with a Wryneck Jynx torquila, a very late Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus which flew south and, nearby, a radde’s Warbler Phylloscopus schwarzi seen briefly at Gunton. Not far to the south a Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor excubiter arrived at Benacre and another was seen briefly at Southwold near the campsite, before flying off to the west. finally, to round off the day, a Booted Warbler Iduna caligata put in a late appearance at Sizewell.
Sunday October 4th: the day dawned, not surprisingly, rather wet again. the Booted Warbler at Sizewell soon made itself scarce and was not seen again after its initial sighting shortly after daybreak. Likewise, the rustic Bunting showed well initially, but then flew off to the south mid-morning and didn’t show again. A superb radde’s Warbler was found at Southwold and was behaving cooperatively (at times) and showing well to most visitors.
the same day, after watching the latter, AVM decided to head north to Benacre to look for the Great Grey Shrike that had been seen several times. on the way down to Benacre he met cB who had just seen the Great Grey Shrike which had been hunting in a hedge close to Beach farm. AVM continued down the track and almost at the seaward end
of the hedge he located the Great Grey Shrike, which showed well, albeit briefly. He confirmed that it was a Great Grey Shrike, showing a black bill and solid black mask. unfortunately, it moved away as he was taking the waterproof cover off his camera and he didn’t see where it had gone. He then walked south along the cliff edge and after some time noted what was obviously a shrike perched in a distant hedge line, but no further details were discernible at that range. He retraced his steps back up the track and then along the hedge line to where he had last seen the bird. As he crested the hill and walked past the concrete pillbox, he was able to confirm that the shrike was still present in the same section of hedge.
AVM then removed his telescope from its tripod and replaced it with his camera and long lens and began to take some pictures. He then slowly approached the bird, which didn’t move (unusual for a Great Grey Shrike!). the bird was face-on the whole time. He was able to get about 60 metres away when it started to rain more heavily and the bird (probably in response to the rain) then dropped down a little bit and proceeded to move further into the bush. He could still see the bird, but it was difficult to see any more details. knowing that Great Grey Shrikes are normally very flighty and that other people were in the area looking for the bird, he decided to leave the area after putting out the news that the Great Grey Shrike was still present.
Because the weather was so bad, AVM (as well as his camera) were soaking wet – for the second day in a row! – he hadn’t bothered to try to dig out his glasses to review the images at the time. oops!
it wasn’t until that evening that AVM finally got around to uploading his images… BANG! one look at the images quickly revealed that this was no ordinary Great Grey Shrike. it was incredibly pale grey, with an even paler grey bill and a dark tip to both mandibles (most obvious on the culmen); in addition, the rather dull black eyeline didn’t extend to the bill. He realised without resorting to any books that it looked identical to Steppe Grey Shrike – a bird he could remember seeing incredibly well at Holland-on-Sea in essex, way back in November 1996.
He quickly texted Dave fairhurst (with an image of the bird) stating that it looked a ‘dead ringer’ for Steppe Grey Shrike. Dave’s reply was favourable and after involving Brian Small (along with a few more images), the agreement was that it was indeed a Steppe Grey Shrike! However,
Dave did inject a dose of realism into the situation when he said that AVMs views, along with the photos, might still struggle to get the record accepted by the British Birds rarities committee! He then mentioned two unseen features that were important to secure: a more extensive white primary patch on the closed wing which, although larger, did not extend onto the secondaries in flight and also the longer primary extension (compared with Great Grey Shrike) the news went out that there was a Steppe Grey Shrike at Benacre, as well as a Great Grey Shrike.
Monday October 5th: AVM arrived on site at just after sunrise (not that any sun was visible in the constant light rain) and walked slowly down to the shrike’s favoured bush. When he was still some distance away, he glimpsed a pale bird fly out of the bush, drop down into the field and then fly back into the bush. it was still present! frustratingly, although he knew it was still in the bush, he couldn’t see it! in the end he was parallel with the bush and no more than five metres away. After staring at the bush for some time, he finally saw the bird deep within the hawthorn and not willing to show itself! He managed to get some shots at close range, but they were all obscured one way or the other and he wasn’t able to see all of the bird at once! Steppe Grey Shrikes are typically approachable and unafraid, but this was ridiculous!
He was soon joined by richard Drew and Brian Small and shortly afterwards cB and Ally riseborough joined the group. We all enjoyed the close, if somewhat obscured, views. Whilst we were chatting, cB explained to AVM that he had seen the bird the previous day in exactly the same bush! once the rain had cleared and it started to behave more like a shrike, it was possible to see all of the other features that were not visible on the first day: i.e. the longer primary extension, as well as the large white primary patch that was confined to the primaries, the latter most noticeable in flight. Many Suffolk birders, as well as quite a few from further afield, were able to visit the site over the next few days. Perhaps uniquely, certainly in the uk, it was possible to see both Great Grey Shrike and Steppe Grey Shrike in the same place at the same time! it continued to show well until october 7th when it was seen for the last time. it was spooked by a Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus on the latter date and that may well have precipitated its departure.
Description:
Age: clearly a first-winter bird based on its strikingly pale-grey upperparts, the greatly-reduced black mask and pale lores, as well as the noticeably pale bill, with a distinctive pinkish base.
General character and appearance: obviously a ‘grey shrike type’, and, to all intents and purposes, it seemed similar to a Great Grey Shrike. However, subtle differences were apparent from the outset (or at least when i started looking at my photos!). Strikingly pale-grey, almost pallid, upperparts, an even paler-grey and rather oversized bill (compared with Great Grey Shrike), with a large hook on the upper mandible and a dark tip to both mandibles. Noticeably long claws. A bold charcoal-black mask behind the eye, but the lores were pale greyish-white. Apart from the first two sightings when the bird was mostly along the bush edges (or inside) during poor weather, its behaviour in fair weather was typically shrike-like, sitting up prominently on the tallest twigs constantly on the lookout for prey.
Upperparts: crown, back and mantle: very pale-grey, much paler than on nominate excubitor, dirty white fringe to scapulars separating them from the remiges (mainly when hunched up in the bush), although this ‘fringe’ tended to disappear when it was perched upright on top of the hedge. on the closed wing the primaries and secondaries were black, but with a prominent large white flash close to the base of the primaries, more striking and extensive than on excubitor the inner primaries had off-white tips and the secondaries had prominent off-white fringes which extended along the outer webs onto the tips, visible in flight as a very fine trailing edge to the inner wing. At least six or seven primary tips were visible on the closed wing beyond the tertials. When perched, the primary extension quite clearly extended onto the base of the tail, compared with the primary extension of excubitor which sometimes barely seems to cover the upper tail coverts. tertials: charcoal-black with broad off-white tips. Median coverts: charcoal-black with off-white fringes. Greater coverts: charcoal-black (coverts only glimpsed in one image as the wing was raised). rump: off-white, contrasting with back, mantle and upper tail. Alula: pale charcoal with thin off-white fringe.
Underparts: rather greyish-white, but slightly warmer on the breast, with a rather peachy or pinkish tinge to the upper breast. No evidence was seen of any barring.
Tail: black with white outer-tail feathers. Although not visible in a side-on view, the tail was distinctly graduated and tapered to a point when seen from back on, with the central (black) tail feathers being longer than the outer (white) tail feathers.
Face: dominated by a charcoal-coloured mask that extended from the eye onto the rear ear coverts, with the appearance of a downward ‘hook’ at the rear. Greyish-white band above the eye extending from just in front of the eye and tapering down near the upper rear end of the mask. Lores: rather plain greyish-white. cheeks: off white.
Bill: rather pale-greyish, with a distinct pinkish tinge towards the base, and a rather blackish tip to both mandibles, which extended half-way along the culmen of the upper mandible; also dark around the nostril. the bill was stout and noticeably bulbous, with a strong downward curve to both the upper and lower mandibles, ending in a large hook on the upper mandible. the bill was, without doubt, one of the bird’s most distinctive features being noticeably pale and proportionately longer and (perhaps) stouter than in excubitor.
Legs: black, quite long and noticeably stout, with long claws (very obvious at close range!). clearly useful for subduing wriggling prey! certainly, longer and stouter than i can recall on Great Grey Shrikes (in fact the long, stout legs always seem to be a feature of Steppe Grey Shrikes, whereas they never seem to be that prominent on Great Grey).
In flight: the very broad white primary patch could be seen to be confined to the primaries, with no extension onto the secondaries and was at its widest across the inner primaries (where it covered about 70-80% of each feather) and extended almost to the edge of the wing (where it covered perhaps only 30-40% of each feather).
Steppe Grey Shrike has had a real roller-coaster of a ride as far as its taxonomic status is concerned. the very first British record was on fair isle, Shetland on September 21st 1956. it was seen initially before being trapped. rather entertainingly it was variously known as Bogdanoff’s Shrike (Dresser 1895), then Grimm’s Grey Shrike (Dresser 1902) until it became Steppe Shrike (edberg 1954). it was then considered to be a subspecies of Great Grey Shrike and was appropriately referred to as ‘a desert race of the Great Grey Shrike’ in the account. the second British record was in october 1964 and also on fair isle. there were then no further records until the first Suffolk sighting at Landguard in December 1986 (still the latest-ever in Britain). five further British records occurred up until 1993, including the second Suffolk record at easton Bavents in october 1992 and then an astonishing influx of five records in Britain in 1994.
By the time the next Steppe Grey Shrike arrived, at Holland-on-Sea, essex in November 1996 (the 14th British record) it had been adjudged by the British ornithologists union (Bou) to be the subspecies pallidirostris of Southern Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis) and therefore a new bird for all uk birders, as that species had never occurred before in Britain. Although happily accepted by British birders, it did seem to be a rather uncomfortable juxtaposition taxonomically, especially as there was an obvious geographical gap between the rest of the Lanius meridionalis subspecies and pallidirostris! twelve further records followed with the most recent being one on Shetland in october 2017 which is the 26th British record and is, interestingly, listed as Lanius pallidirostris in the 2017 BBrc report, rather than L. meridionalis pallidirostris as in all BBrc reports since 1996. So, according to the 2017 BBrc report, ioc at that time recognised Steppe Grey Shrike as a monotypic species.
the new taxonomic status of Steppe Grey Shrike remained in place until January 2019 when the international ornithological committee (ioc) reviewed the whole classification of the ‘Great Grey Shrike’ complex. this reassessment meant that Southern Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis) became the monotypic iberian Grey Shrike, whilst the rest of the subspecies, that had previously
been subsumed within the L. meridionalis group, were shunted back into Lanius excubitor. consequently, this meant that Steppe Grey Shrike became, once again, a subspecies of Great Grey Shrike and no longer a defined species on its own! it will remain a strange irony that the status of Steppe Grey Shrike as a ‘tickable’ species didn’t coincide with any of the Suffolk records!
it does seem strange that a bird as distinctive as Steppe Grey Shrike isn’t categorised as a monotypic species, since it does seem so completely different compared with many other subspecies in the excubitor complex. Not only is pallidirostris structurally different (shorter tail, more pointed wing and heavier leg and foot), but its plumage is also quite visually distinct (see Description), especially in the first-winter phase. in addition, its behaviour is also markedly at variance with Great Grey Shrike, being conspicuously tame and approachable (presumably because it normally encounters few humans within its home range). Not only that but it also mostly occurs in dry, treeless deserts populated with thorn scrub, Saxaul shrubs and caragana bushes (a family of leguminous dwarf shrubs) or in similar arid landscapes. As others have suggested, it could perhaps be renamed Saxaul Grey Shrike (or Desert Grey Shrike). the most recent ioc World Bird List update (January 2021) merely restates its previous decision “… Restore to status as ssp. of excubitor pending better resolution of this complex.”! Maybe one day taxonomists will return to this fascinating shrike and reinstate its justified status as a full species!
Just to add some spice into the mixture, races of the Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) from the Nearctic (now split off from Lanius excubitor), are spread well into eastern Asia, reaching northern Mongolia and eastern kazakhstan to the west. So, we may well get the first British record of Northern Shrike (mostly likely from the Nearctic) before we see Steppe Grey Shrike being split again!
Lanius excubitor pallidirostris – Distribution and migration: the huge home range of this subspecies is essentially bordered to the west by the caspian Sea, extending right through kazakhstan to the Gobi Desert in southern Mongolia and northern china in the east, and Afghanistan, kashmir, NW Pakistan and Ne iran in the south. rather curiously it
is a partial long-distance migrant, although some parts of the populations are strictly sedentary, principally those birds residing/wintering in turkmenistan and iran. those nesting further north in uzbekistan and kazakhstan are true migrants and whilst some might winter in iran, others travel as far southwest as eastern Sudan, eritrea, ethiopia and northern Somalia. those birds wintering in north-east Africa follow a south-westerly route in autumn over the Arabian Gulf; it is these birds that are most likely to be responsible for British records. Normally birds will leave their breeding grounds in mid-September and return in March and April. Apart from one in spring and one, rather bizarre, summer record (isle of Man, June 7th to July 12th 2003), all British birds have arrived between September 14th and December 6th, (the latter date referring to the Landguard bird), with the majority occurring in october and November. rather interestingly the weather conditions that were responsible for the arrival of the first British record on fair isle in 1956 were nearly identical to the weather pattern on october 2nd 2020: “During this period there had been a generally easterly airflow south of a high-pressure centre from the Transcaspian region across middle and southern Europe and the northern shores of the Mediterranean.” (Williamson 1957).
Previous Suffolk records (as mentioned above):
1986: Landguard, December 6th
1992: easton Bavents, october 4th to 7th Not only was the 1992 record just a few kilometres to the south of Benacre, but the arrival and departure dates are exactly the same as the 2020 sighting – precisely 28 years before! An amazing coincidence.
References: clement., P. (1995). Southern and eastern Great Grey Shrikes in northwest europe. Birding World 8: 300-309.
Del Hoyo, J., elliott, A and christie, D.A. eds (2008). Handbook of Birds of the World. Pendulinetits to Shrikes. Vol 13. Holt, c. et al (2018). report on rare birds in Great Britain in 2017. British Birds 111: 592-3. Hudson, N. et al (2010). report on rare birds in Great Britain in 2009. British Birds 103: 606. Hudson, N. et al (2011). report on rare birds in Great Britain in 2010. British Birds 104: 594-5. Lefranc, N. and Worfolk, (1997) SHRIKES. A Guide to the Shrikes of the World yale university Press.
Piotrowski, S (2003). The Birds of Suffolk. Helm, London. Williamson, k. A (1957) Desert race of the Great Grey Shrike, New to the British isles. British Birds 50: 246-249.
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, with many thanks to them all:
Gamebirds, Swans Larks, hirundines Nick Mason and geese Gi Grieco
Ducks Andrew Green Warblers, inc. Long-tit Peter Kennerley
Nightjar, swift, pigeons, Waxwing, Nuthatch, then Darren treecreeper, Starling, Richard Attenborrow owls and woodpeckers Underwood Dipper, Wren, thrushes
rails and grebes John Davies Spotted fly, robin, chats, wheatears, other Steve Fryett raptors (incl. falcons) Chris Gregory flycatchers
oystercatcher to plovers Margie Carter Sparrows, wagtails, pipits, Dunnock Paul Gowen finches, buntings
Other waders
Ed Keeble
terns and auks Brian Buffery
Skuas and gulls James Wright Divers and shearwater Chris Courtney
Storks to cormorants Peter Lack Appendices
Shrikes, corvids, crests, tits Phil Whittaker
Adam Gretton
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, 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 222 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
Common resident; numbers augmented by releases. Categories C and E. found across the county, being recorded at 141 sites, of which over 50% were from the northeast section although there was just one confirmed breeding from that area. of the 11 breeding sites, two came from the south-east, one from the north-east and the remaining eight from the west. there were smaller coveys reported compared with 2019. the highest was 195 released birds at Bto Nunnery reserve, thetford and there were 30 released birds at ramsholt. Bto BBS data were much reduced in 2020 with covid curtailing surveying. only 21 squares were surveyed, less than half of the normal total. red-legged Partridges were recorded in eight BBS squares in 2020, compared with 30 the previous year and the number of individuals was 20, down from 119.
GREY PARTRIDGE
Formerly common resident, now localised. Red List. Categories A, C and E.
Numbers were up compared with the previous year, which is some positive news for this declining species. the species was recorded at 61 sites, slightly up on the 58 sites in 2019. More than half of the records came from the west. in the north-east there were 17 sites where the species was found while in the south-east, where the species is generally scarcer, only nine sites. Good news in the number of breeding sites involved, an increase to 12 from the four last year, although all of these came from the west with no confirmed breeding elsewhere in the county. At cavenham, young were seen in a garden, at Pakenham there was a pair with 12 large juveniles and a family covey of six birds was noted at Hopton. Also, in the west there were nine sites which recorded coveys of between ten and 55 birds; the latter count recorded at Ampton on November 3rd, was considered to involve released birds. in the north-east there were three sites with counts of over ten and in central Suffolk the main area was around Westhorpe with 20 at Lodge farm on July 20th and 26 at Hall farm on August 17th.
COMMON QUAIL Coturnix coturnix
Scarce summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber List.
After the “Quail year” in 2019 with at least 17 birds there were much lower numbers in 2020.
the records from the Alde estuary suggest that breeding may have taken place in the vicinity.
Alde Estuary: May 23rd; Aug 15th (M cornish)
Snape: present and photographed in a garden from oct 1st to 3rd (D Walduck)
Kedington: calling from a barley field south of the village, May 16th (S Jarvis)
Very common resident; numbers augmented by releases. Categories C and E.
the most frequently-encountered game bird in the county. the number of sites from which it was recorded was 264, up from 147 last year. the majority of records came from the north-east area, and, as with its near relatives, the Partridge species, the south-east is where this species is much-less-frequently encountered or reported.
Despite the number of reports, breeding or probable breeding records were relatively low, with only 24 records in total. eleven were in the north-east including a female with several chicks at Hazlewood Marshes. A minimum of seven broods was counted on orfordness with a total of 28 chicks; it was estimated that five of those fledged. on Havergate island rSPB there were broods of three and one, with one nest of four eggs that probably didn’t hatch. in the west, at Hopton, it was noted that there was a strong wild population despite no local releases. At a private woodland in Hadleigh there were 16 territories located that equated to 0.19 territories / hectare. At West Stow there were adults with a brood noted. the highest counts around the county were 35 at euston, 30 at both Ampton and Great Livermere, the latter of which had melanistic reared birds. there were counts of 47 birds at Great Glemham, 30 at Sycamore farm, Bramford and 27 at trimley Marshes and over 20 at tinker’s Marshes, Walberswick.
on November 16th i set off from ramsholt to do my monthly Deben WeBS count. As i walked north, i was aware that there was shooting on the far side of the river at kirton. i hoped that it would not effect the counting on that side of the river – but didn’t think that it was duck shooting.
two hours later as i returned, just past the rocks, i was met with a frenzy of six Pheasants on the river wall, the birds scattering in all directions. A little later there were another three on the wall, which also flew off loudly. i rarely see Pheasants on the river wall and, clearly, these birds had all crossed the river, a good 700m, to escape the guns.
Nick MasonScarce resident. Categories C and E.
Just the three records, all males, reported this year. there is anecdotal evidence that the first bird, which had been released, was reported on several dates up until mid-March. As usual, all records came from euston.
Euston: feb 17th (D Walsh); two, feb 18th (D Balmer); Mar 18th (D Walsh)
(DARK-BELLIED) BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla bernicla
Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber List. Categories A and E. in the north-east the species is predominantly encountered on passage. the first phase of movement noted in the autumn was during September 26th to 28th but the main peak passage was on october 2nd and 3rd with 623 off Southwold and 550 south off Minsmere on the former date. other large counts were 444 off thorpeness on october 14th, 358 off Minsmere on November 8th and 250+ off Ness Point, Lowestoft on November 29th. feeding records involved 150 on Aldeburgh Marshes on January 20th, and single birds at carlton Marshes in late January and Hazlewood Marshes on May 14th. the passage noted further up the coast was also encountered off Landguard Bird observatory with their peak passage day-counts of 2148 heading south on october 2nd and 4277 south the following day. the total of 530 north off Landguard in May included a peak day-count of 200 on 22nd. the 145 birds seen heading north off Landguard in June were all noted within the first six days of the month. the monthly passage records at Landguard are recorded in the table below. the first autumn bird was seen off Landguard on September 3rd.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec N+out 26 12 414 65 530 145 0 0 22 37 22 61 S+out 51 66 107 4 0 0 0 0 83 7574 1939 183
the largest individual site-counts on the estuaries of south-east Suffolk were 1000 at falkenham on february 3rd, 650 at king’s fleet on february 17th, c.600 at kirton on December 12th, 570 at Woodbridge on January 10th and 500+ at Brantham on April 12th.
Peak WeBS counts in the table below:
Jan Feb Mar Sep Oct Nov Dec
Alde WeBS 209 96 3 - - -Deben WeBS 1171 562 172 1 78 366 1052 Orwell WeBS 311 75 778 - 213 297 830 Stour 1582 - 1129 - - - -
there was just a single record from the west in 2020, one at cavenham Heath on December 27th.
Uncommon winter visitor. Amber list.
Just a handful of records. those in the first winter period were noted on marshes or fields whereas later in the year birds were only noted on passage.
Benacre Broad/Covehithe: Benacre, Jan 12th and in a winter wheat field south of Benacre Broad the following day
Minsmere: south, Nov 8th
Thorpeness: south, oct 16th
Aldeburgh Marshes: five, including three first-winter birds, Jan 1st to 8th (present since Dec 23rd 2019)
Falkenham Marshes: juv, feb 3rd
Landguard: south then north, Nov 28th
Scarce visitor.
A sole record for 2020 from a location where the species has now occurred in nine years so far this century.
Falkenham Marshes: intermittently, feb 12th to Mar 3rd (W J Brame et al)
GREATER CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis
Common resident. Categories A, C and E. Widespread around the county, with a tendency to be present at more sites in the west, although the south-east continues to have larger flock sizes. the number of breeding sites was slightly down from last year with 14 of the 27 sites being in the west. Pair numbers were up to 60, an increase from the 52 the previous year and which continues a rise in recent years, with again, over 50 percent being in the west. the number of young was reduced compared with last year, with 117 reported but many records just note breeding with no additional details. Notable breeding records included 27 goslings hatched on the Wilderness Pond in christchurch Park, ipswich although only ten survived to maturity. on orfordness at least six pairs nested with 26 young recorded and 19 went on to fledge. elsewhere, ten broods were noted at Lakenheath fen rSPB, 14 young from possibly three broods at Nether Hall, Pakenham, broods of nine and six young at Lackford Lakes and four pairs at Walberswick. Breeding records from less-typical sites included Lindsey tye, Hanchett village and Hawstead Place, Haverhill. the highest counts in the north-east recording area were 208 at Aldeburgh Marshes on September 19th, 165 at Southwold town Marshes on November 12th and 128 on reydon Marshes on December 3rd. As mentioned, much larger counts were made in the south-east with several counts in the hundreds at Boyton Marshes during the year but these were eclipsed by 1000 on August 17th at this site – the largest canada Goose flock recorded in the county since September 1996 when 1340 were at Livermere Lake. elsewhere, 450 were at Sudbourne Marshes on December 25th and 400 at Hollesley Marshes on December 30th. in the west, 320 were counted at fornham St. Martin on December 29th, 300 at Gifford’s Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland on January 5th and 200 at Livermere Lake on June 1st. individual site-counts higher than the 1300 at Livermere Lake in September 1996 are 1600, Livermere Lake, october 20th 1994 and 1800, Lackford Lakes, December 1989. the vast Alde/ ore/Butley estuaries complex held 2148 on the January 2013 WeBS count.
Peak WeBS counts in the table below: Jan Feb Mar Sep Oct Nov Dec
records of canada x Greylag Goose hybrid birds came from the Bto Nunnery reserve, thetford with up to six present, at cavenham with seven and at carlton Marshes with one. A canada x Barnacle Goose hybrid was at tuddenham St Mary.
Canada Geese in Christchurch Park in 2020 only ten goslings survived out of the 27 that hatched successfully. it seems highly likely that the majority of the 17 that failed to survive were consumed by the site’s marauding Lesser Black-backed Gulls Larus fuscus. Despite the size and aggression of the adult geese, any gosling that strayed from its family group became easy prey for the gulls. the goslings had no defence when the gulls attacked principally because, unlike Mallard Anas platyrhynchos ducklings they have never been capable of diving to safety at this site.
Philip MurphyScarce winter visitor and passage migrant; increasingly common feral resident. Amber List. Categories A and E. the coastal strip, particularly from North Warren northwards is where this goose is mainly present in Suffolk with fewer in the south-east while, compared with other feral goose species, it is scarce in the west.
Breeding occurred this year at three of the 2019 sites, with 12 breeding pairs at Minsmere which included four family groups, some over two months old and three or four goslings about two weeks old on south Scrape. At carlton Marshes there were three breeding pairs and a pair was noted on Havergate island. No information was received from Weybread GP where three pairs were present in 2019.
Numbers are always higher during the winter periods. the first large flock of the autumn was of 870 flying in from the north-east over Southwold and settling at Walberswick on September 28th. the largest flocks were 1200 on Southwold town Marshes on December 17th, 950 at Walberswick on october 7th, 800 at reydon Marshes on January 4th, 650 at covehithe on December 12th and 500 at North Warren on December 25th.
Peak WeBS counts in the table below: Jan Feb Mar Sep Oct Nov Dec Minsmere - - 212 1 100 - 239 North Warren 66 182 - - 82 150 239
the two main sites in the south-east with regular larger flocks were Hollesley Marshes and Boyton Marshes, no doubt the same birds moving between these two close sites. the largest counts were 85 at the former site on february 2nd and 65 on January 20th at the latter. four which flew over the Whitehouse estate, ipswich on May 31st are the first site record. Some passage was seen past Landguard Bird observatory; the main counts being 22 south on March 2nd, a further 69 south two days later and 18 north on July 31st. in the west 30 at centre Parcs, elveden on March 3rd is a larger than typical flock size in the area. elsewhere, there were single feral birds noted at the Black Bourn Valley Nr, ixworth and Mickle Mere as well as two birds at Bto Nunnery reserve, thetford on July 11th. overall, during the year, Landguard recorded 126 south and 59 north.
1502037 (red S/k) 1st-year 11/07/2010 roxton Gavel Pits, near roxton, Bedfordshire 52°09’N 00°19W alive (colour-rings seen) 12/04/2020 Minsmere, Suffolk 52°14’N 01°36’e - 131km e
GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser Common resident from feral flock. Amber List. Categories A, C and E. the species continues to be widespread across the county with ever-growing numbers. the reported total of 43 breeding sites is a significant increase when compared with the 27 sites in 2019. of these 43 sites, nearly 50% are in the north-east area. Additionally, there was an increase in the number of breeding pairs, rising from 73 last year to 97 in 2020. Despite this, there was less information on the number of young (only totalling 75). Some notable breeding records include 20 adults with six families of goslings varying from one to six weeks old at Herringfleet, ‘multiple’ broods at Snape Wetlands, 16 to 18 juveniles at Lound Lakes, eight broods at Lakenheath fen, five broods at culford Park, ‘several’ broods up to ten goslings at Hollesley Marshes, at Staverton/Wantisden Lakes up to ten goslings were seen, a pair with eight recently hatched goslings at ipswich Golf club, Purdis farm and a pair with one young and another nest with six eggs at Ampton Water. At Spinks Lodge, elveden upper Warren, thetford forest a Greylag Goose gosling was adopted by a canada Goose family. the largest individual site-flock this year was 750 at Livermere Lake on June 1st. However, the figure of 1405 on the extensive Alde/ore/Butley estuaries in the January WeBS count is a new county record total. the highest-ever individual site-count is of 2085 at Livermere Lake on November 11th 2007. other large flocks around the county were 674 at Boyton Marshes on September 9th, 669 at trimley Marshes on December 16th, 600 at Hollesley Marshes on January 1st and 600 at Lakenheath Washes on January 6th. of several large flocks at castle Marsh, North cove, the largest was 600 on october 5th; elsewhere 525 were at flixton GP on November 28th, c.500 at Loompit Lake, trimley St Martin on october 18th and 300 at Higham St Mary on September 12th.
Peak WeBS counts in the table below: Jan Feb Mar Sep Oct Nov Dec Alde 1405 - 95 - - -Deben 1 60 48 302 98 106 79 Orwell 138 27 61 300 503 330 187 Stour 74 - 52 - - -North Warren 82 126 80 3 239 39 266 Lakenheath Fen 365 484 347 390 363 442 594
Common winter visitor northwards from Lowestoft, uncommon elsewhere. Uncommon passage migrant. Amber list. Categories A and E. there were fewer large flocks compared with 2019 and, of the larger counts observed in the north-east, most were in the first winter period. the highest count was of 1500 at Breydon Water South Wall on february 5th. other notable flocks were c.800 at Somerleyton Marshes on January 24th, 600 at the same site on January 19th and 600 at oulton Marsh on January 4th. there was an injured bird, due to shooting, that was unable to fly, at carlton Marshes between January 26th and March 7th, with possibly the same bird seen again on the site on May 5th. there were some early returning records in the autumn such as 13 that flew west at eastbridge, before heading south-east towards Sizewell on September 9th, 24 south off Southwold on September 24th and a flock of 16 birds which circled over Aldeburgh Marshes on September 25th before flying south with another bird also present on the marshes. other passage included ten in off at thorpeness with a further 80 south on october 12th. During the second winter
period there were only two counts in the north-east area into triple figures, c.500 at Somerleyton Marshes on December 17th and c.200 flying north-east at Beccles on December 13th.
in the south-east, 20 flew south at Shingle Street on January 1st. up to three birds were present at Hollesley Marshes between January 5th and March 3rd; these birds also moved to Boyton Marshes on a handful of occasions.
Later in the year in the south-east, there was a scattering of birds starting with one at ramsholt on September 28th. there were then two at kirton on october 12th, six flew south past Landguard Bird observatory on october 17th and one was at trimley Marshes on october 21st. A single bird associated with Greater White-fronted Geese on December 16th and 25th at Sudbourne Marshes. Some passage was noted by calling birds; 32 over Pipps ford on November 5th by nocturnal flight calls and two flocks totalling c.150 going high north-west over Stutton on December 10th that were heard but not seen. in the west there were 13 at Brandon Park Heath on November 27th and at least two birds, calling, high over knettishall Airfield on November 29th.
TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE Anser serrirostris
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber List. Categories A and E.
At the start of the year there was some movement with four over the Blyth estuary on January 1st, one south-east over Leiston on January 2nd, three on Minsmere Scrape on January 3rd and 16 at oulton Marsh the next day. there was a single bird on covehithe Broad from January 6th until 21st with an additional seven over the site on January 9th. three birds were present on the Blyth estuary on January 17th with probably the same birds also noted on single dates in the month at Southwold town Marshes and North Warren. in the south-east two sites regularly held birds; at trimley Marshes two birds were present up to March 22nd and at Hollesley Marshes they were present from the start of the year until february 5th with a maximum count of 21 on both January 2nd and february 4th; these birds were also noted at orford, Havergate island, Gedgrave and Boyton Marshes. At the latter site there were 30 birds present on January 2nd. Additionally, 31 flew south past Landguard Bird observatory on January 3rd.
in the second winter period in the north-east an early bird arrived at Minsmere on october 16th, then all remaining records for the area came in the last month of the year. on the first day of December there were eight at North Warren and 12 flew north at Sizewell. A singleton was at Snape Marshes on a few dates from December 1st to 9th and four were at theberton on December 4th. from December 7th to 12th 22 birds were in fields alongside Wenhaston Lane, Blythburgh before rising to 25 from 13th to the end of the year. the birds commuted between the site and both Southwold town and reydon Marshes.
in the south-east birds were regularly present at trimley Marshes reaching a maximum of ten on December 10th. up to two birds were at White Horse Marsh, cattawade between November 29th and December 5th. there was again a flock at Hollesley Marshes that reached a maximum count of 15 on December 22nd. Some of these birds were also noted at Sudbourne Marshes. there was passage off Landguard; two north on November 29th, one south the following day, which had also been seen past east Lane, Bawdsey and finally one north on December 13th. there were just a couple of records in the west in 2020 – one present at Lakenheath fen on November 7th and one at Mickle Mere on both December 4th and 12th; this bird regularly moved between the two sites.
Amongst the 16 birds at oulton Marsh on January 4th was an individual wearing a neck collar fitted on kolguyev island, russia in August 2017.
kolguyev island is situated in the Barents Sea off the north-western coast of russia, approximately 600km north-east of Archangel. this is also the site where two adult Greater
Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. Red List (from Green). Categories A and E. Present with varying numbers on the marshes in the north-east of the county at the start of the year. Some movement was noted on the first couple of days of January including 16 flying high west over reydon, 20 south, probably the same birds, over both Gorleston and carlton Marshes and 18 which flew in off the sea at kessingland and then headed south. the largest flock was of 352 at North Warren on January 5th, of which 82 were feeding on grassland and a further 270 flew south towards Aldeburgh Marshes at dawn. further down the coast, Hollesley Marshes regularly had a flock present with a maximum count of 183 on March 9th, while some of these birds were also noted at Boyton Marshes. there were smaller numbers at trimley Marshes, the largest flock being of 74 on January 3rd. in the west at Mickle Mere, nine birds were present from January 1st to 6th, increasing to ten from 7th to 9th and at Lakenheath Washes six on January 18th. A bird of unknown origin was at Livermere Lake on April 25th. there were a couple of birds out of season – one at covehithe Broad on May 21st and one at carlton Marshes on May 31st. return passage began on october 15th when 12 flew high west at eastbridge. further passage noted was ten in off the sea at Benacre on November 30th and 150 in off at Minsmere on the same day. the largest counts in the period were 280 south over Leiston on December 15th, 211 at North Warren on December 9th, 196 at Harrow Lane, theberton on December 7th, 150 at covehithe Broad on December 17th and 150 at oulton Marsh on December 6th. inland, at a site not renowned for the species, c.200 were at Hintlesham Golf course on october 18th. More typically, the marshes around Hollesley, Boyton, Gedgrave and Sudbourne often had birds present, the highest count being of 310 at Gedgrave Marshes on December 9th. Away from this main area, three were in a flooded field at eyke on November 2nd, regular birds were on the Stour estuary with 54 at White Horse Marsh, cattawade on December 2nd and 100 at flatford on December 20th. At Pipps ford birds were picked up by nocturnal flight calls on both November 11th and December 9th, with 11 birds noted at nearby Barham and Baylham on from December 23rd and 24th, then at Pipps ford on December 27th.
in the latter part of the year there were more sightings in the west starting with a small flock calling over Walsham-le-Willows on November 29th. Birds were noted in small numbers, often on a single day, at a few sites such as 12 over Pakenham fen on December 2nd, six at Sturmer Mere, kedington on December 17th, including three juveniles, and 39 in a flooded field at fornham St. Genevieve the same day. up to 13 birds were at Mickle Mere in December, seven at Hunston from December 11th to 13th and up to 42 at the Black Bourn Valley Nr, ixworth, from December 10th to 25th.
Please see Bean Goose field note above.
Locally fairly common resident. Categories C and E.
As is typical for this species the west is the area where it is most prevalent, being recorded at 32 sites. there were lower numbers again in the north-east and Alton Water, as ever, was the most favoured spot in the south-east.
Breeding records came from 24 sites, up from the 17 of the previous year. of these 24 sites, over 50% were in the west. the area had 16 of the reported 28 pairs and 45 of the 85 young. As is known for this species it does start breeding early in the year and this was recorded in 2020 with an adult on a nest at Bto Nunnery reserve, thetford on January 23rd. Some notable breeding details were three pairs at cavenham Pits, seven adults and eight juveniles at Bto Nunnery
reserve, and broods of five young at each of Hall farm, fornham St. Martin, Stoke-by-Nayland and thetford. elsewhere, two pairs were at Shotford Heath, Weybread including one with six young goslings, two pairs with a total of 12 young at thorpeness Meare and a pair with seven young at Snape Wetland. in the south-east “many” juveniles were observed at Alton Water, seven goslings at Stratford St. Mary and a pair with seven small goslings at Boyton Marshes. the highest counts were 110 at Livermere Lake on June 12th, c.100 at Alton Water (a new site record just exceeding the 96 on August 4th 2019) on August 13th, 78 at Hall farm, fornham St. Martin on September 8th and 77 at timworth on october 4th. the largest flocks in the northeast were 18 at Blythburgh on January 8th, 17 at Aldeburgh on December 3rd and 16 at carlton Marshes on September 8th.
At Denston Hall, Denston on January 5th, there was a presumed egyptian Goose x ruddy Shelduck hybrid and at Livermere Lake, in June and July, there were up to three similar hybrids.
Common resident. Amber List. Categories A and C. found across the county on the rivers, lakes and marshes of Suffolk. records came from a total of 188 sites around the county, of which over half were from the north-east. there were no data for Mute Swan during the Bto Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) in 2020.
Peak WeBS counts in the table below: Jan Feb Mar Sep Oct Nov Dec Alde 94 18 141 - - -Deben 117 10 162 125 99 15 171 Orwell 84 74 41 157 70 69 15 Stour 149 - 183 - - -Lakenheath Fen 11 28 27 28 38 44 32
the number of breeding sites in each area increased compared with the previous year; in total there were 52, split as 21 in the north-east, 17 in the west and 14 in the south-east. from these there were totals of 71 pairs and 139 young, again both being an increase on 2019. More than 50% of the details of the young were reported in the west. Notable breeding records from each area included five pairs on reydon Marshes, a pair with nine cygnets on the river Stour at Wixoe, eight young at Bto Nunnery reserve, thetford, three successful pairs at Lackford Lakes totalling 14 young, a pair with seven young at church farm, Burgh castle, broods of seven and four at east Lane, Bawdsey, two broods each with three young on the river Lark at West Stow and five cygnets noted at each of Padley Water/chillesford Wood and Lakes, Needham Market Lake and Stratford St Mary.
Several sites reported herd sizes into three figures. the peak count was of 179 on November 28th at flixton Gravel Pits where there were four counts of over 100 during the year. others in the north-east were 150 at carlton Marshes on January 25th and 120 at Hazlewood Marshes on August 30th. in the south-east there were seven sites that had counts of over 100, the highest of which were at cattawade with 140 on January 11th, february 7th and again on March 1st. other three-figure counts were 131 at felixstowe ferry on february 13th, 111 at Alderton on January 24th and 110 at both east Lane on January 2nd and Stutton Mill on August 15th. in the west two sites had herds of over 50; three occasions at Livermere Lake, the largest of which was 75 on June 7th and at Higham St Mary there were 52 on March 4th.
At Minsmere on 29th october, on island Mere a Mute Swan was caught and killed by an otter. the otter held the swan by its head, which was submerged and dragged it the full width of the west end of the mere, the swan making only a few feeble flaps.
Nick Burfield
TUNDRA (BEWICK’S) SWAN Cygnus columbianus bewickii
Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber List.
As is characteristic for the species in recent years it was encountered most regularly on the coastal strip between Blythburgh and Leiston, being noted in that area during both winter periods. elsewhere, there were occasional sightings of birds on the move. there were 11 at Leiston on January 1st and 2nd, with the birds departing on the latter day, initially alighting by the B1122 at Aldringham before moving further up the coast to Blythburgh. Birds remained in the area through the month, being also seen at Westleton and Minsmere and part of the flock sometimes headed back to Leiston. they were last noted near Hinton fiveways, Blythburgh/ Westleton with 13 birds on february 3rd.
the first returning birds in the second winter period were three birds, two adults and a first-winter, at Minsmere on November 9th which remained in the area until November 23rd. Movement was noted at carlton Marshes where 15 flew west on November 29th and on the same day what are likely to have been six of those birds were recorded at Heveningham, cookley Green and Bungay. the following day seven flew west at Mutford and there were eight at carlton Marshes which included three first-winter birds. Additionally, 11 flew low north-west over Leiston on December 25th and on the same day eight flew inland over Southwold in two groups, of six and two. on Boxing Day two flew in off the sea at Ness Point, Lowestoft. there were just two records in the south-east during the year; three flew off the old airfield at orfordness and headed inland on November 30th and a bugling flock of seven adults and a juvenile came in off the sea over orfordness and headed inland over Sudbourne Marshes on December 25th. Similarly, there were few records from the west; at Lakenheath fen rSPB, 20 birds were recorded on the Washes (actually Hockwold, Norfolk) on January 23rd and two on february 20th, nine, including one first-winter, were at Bto Nunnery reserve, thetford on November 30th and five at the Black Bourn Valley Nr, Norton/thurston on December 25th.
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber List. Categories A and E. the west of the county continues to hold large herds of this wintering swan species. During the first winter period there were a few three-figure counts at Lakenheath fen rSPB including 100 on January 18th, 180 on January 19th and 180, feeding on fields south of the river, on february 17th. other records elsewhere in the area were seven at Mickle Mere, which included two juveniles, on January 6th and at cavenham Heath a flock of 13, which included four juveniles, flew west along the river on January 19th. there were six early returning birds at Lakenheath fen on September 26th. As per the early part of the year, large herds were noted on the reserve with 260 on october 9th, rising to 290 three days later. (these figures were eclipsed by a flock of 1328 birds at roost on the Norfolk side on Hockwold Washes on october 17th, where it was noted that the flock contained just 35 juveniles suggesting a poor breeding season. the following day this number increased to 1776 during a WeBS count, eclipsing the previous highest count in the county in 2017.) elsewhere in the area the species was encountered at Brandon with one adult and three juveniles flying over on october 18th, 800 at kenny Hill, north-west of Mildenhall, on both November 14th and 15th and 70 at the same site on December 1st. At Mildenhall fen five flew over on November 22nd and at cavenham Heath 13, including four juveniles, flew over on December 1st. on the Suffolk coast there was the usual small number of wintering birds. During the first winter period up to seven birds, four adults and three juveniles, were present throughout January in the Minsmere, Dunwich and Walberswick area. in february, and up to March 10th, this decreased to six birds, then just two adults on March 15th on Westwood Marshes, Walberswick NNr. three late birds flew over Westleton Heath on April 20th. During the same time frame, up to three birds were present regularly in Hollesley, behind Shingle Street up until mid-March. they also commuted to other nearby sites such as Boyton and Hollesley Marshes. At the latter site the last
sighting of the three birds was on March 16th. the first birds of the autumn on the north-east coast were two over Southwold on November 9th, then four flew south, including one first-winter bird, at Dingle Marshes on November 20th. up to five birds were present at Minsmere from late November until the end of the year. A single bird was on carlton Marshes on December 20th. in the south-east, two early arrivals were at Shingle Street on october 7th, a single bird flew past ramsholt down the Deben estuary on November 23rd and six flew west at Landguard Bird observatory on November 30th.
COMMON SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna Locally common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.
Monthly counts from the key sites: Jan Feb Mar Oct Nov Dec Blyth Estuary* 190 71 124 55 - 40 Alde/Ore Estuary 898 - 378 - -Hazlewood Marshes* - - 110 500 400Deben Estuary 304 403 387 100 210 312 Orwell Estuary 400 91 229 82 223 296 Stour Estuary 540 - 448 - -*monthly maxima
Numbers in the first winter period were generally unremarkable. Aside from those in the table, the only other three-figure gatherings were at Livermere Lake, with 168 on January 26th, and at orfordness, part of the vast Alde/ore estuary complex, with 154 on february 19th. the concentration at Hazlewood Marshes, also part of the Alde/ore estuary complex, remained sizeable through months not covered in the table, with peak monthly counts of 366, May 22nd; 150, June 12th and 22nd; 180, July 7th; 144, August 30th and 620, September 19th. the second winter period followed a similar trend to the first and, apart from those in the table, the only other notable counts were 115 on Havergate island, october 17th, 150 at iken, october 30th and November 3rd and 100 on Minsmere Scrape, November 30th.
During the breeding season a total of 43 confirmed pairs was logged at 16 sites, compared with 62 pairs at 17 sites in 2019, this reduction most likely a reflection of difficulties in recording rather than a poor season per se. A total of 73 young in 14 broods (45 of which fledged) was noted on orfordness, while at Livermere Lake at least five pairs bred successfully. Although up to 29 adults were seen prospecting at Landguard during the period from february 14th to July 8th, the only evidence of successful breeding at this site was of a single brood of five ducklings on June 30th. there was a pronounced southerly offshore passage in November, no doubt involving birds returning from moulting grounds in the Wadden Sea. Notable counts included 75 off Landguard on 9th and 236 off Landguard, 142 off Minsmere, 137 off Bawdsey and 71 off thorpeness on 30th. GR55661 (lime S7) adult male
Uncommon feral visitor. Small breeding population. Categories C and E. this naturalised species continues to consolidate its population in the county, and for the second consecutive year the record count was set with a total of 36 in christchurch Park, ipswich, September 20th.
Breeding was proven at christchurch Park, where a female was observed accompanying four small young, July 8th and, more unexpectedly, at occold, where a pair nested in a Barn owl (Tyto
alba) box sited in a rear garden in the centre of the village. Having first seen a pair in their garden on May 11th, and prospecting the box a few weeks later, very early morning on July 8th the attention of the garden’s owners was drawn to the female of the pair making a lot of noise on top of the box and obviously calling to her young. the owners, realising the ducklings were probably stuck inside, unscrewed the front plate of the box. immediately one duckling jumped down and ran into bushes, followed not long after by two more, and the relieved female quickly rounded them up and took them off to a nearby ditch, after which they were not seen again.
Barsham Marshes: male, Apr 25th
Minsmere: male, Apr 28th; female, oct 29th
Ipswich: christchurch Park, 32, Jan 24th; 23 (15 males), feb 18th; six (three males), Mar 8th; 29, including female with four young, July 8th; 36, Sep 20th; 15, Nov 29th; 25 (20 males), Dec 9th. Holywells Park, pair, Nov 22nd
Middleton: Minsmere river, pair, Apr 10th to 12th; May 14th
Purdis Farm: ipswich Golf club, four males, Apr 9th; 18 (13 males), Nov 18th
Occold: pair bred, siting nest in a garden Barn owl box, and raised three young, May 11th to July 8th
Santon Downham: Little ouse river, three, Jan 10th; five, feb 5th; four, Mar 14th; two, Apr 10th
Lakenheath Fen: male, May 19th
Brandon: two, Apr 8th. country Park, 19, Jan 27th; 14 (nine males), feb 7th; ten, Mar 15th; five, Apr 19th; four, May 30th; three, June 7th and Aug 22nd; 11, Sep 12th; three, oct 13th; two, Nov 27th; eight, Dec 21st
Cavenham Heath: male, Mar 14th and May 4th
Lindsey: Lodge farm, two, June 17th
Sturmer Mere: two males, Apr 14th
Cornard Mere: pair, Apr 20th
Nayland: Apr 12th
Monthly maxima were:
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 27 29 11 8 14 18 28 24 36 3 35 35
Quite where they all went to in october is unknown. the peak count of 35 in December on 13th included a pair copulating. counting larger groups of Mandarin Ducks (apart from when they are mounting in the summer months) is far from straightforward. the males can be very active; there is much chasing and posturing and they are remarkably adept at diving.
Philip Murphy
GARGANEY Spatula querquedula
Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Has overwintered. Amber list. the first of the year was present at Lackford Lakes on the typical date of March 11th. individuals were then noted at three further sites before the end of the month, including the flight call of one which was sound-recorded as it migrated over a garden in Woodbridge pre-dawn on 24th. A pair took up residence at town Marshes, Southwold from early April and possibly nested, the female not being seen for two weeks in late April/early May. However, there were no further sightings after the female reappeared on May 12th. the only other evidence of possible breeding involved a displaying pair at Minsmere, May 4th, although there was no survey at Lakenheath fen, a traditional breeding site, where two males were noted in May.
As expected, records tailed off after August, with sightings from four sites in September and on two dates in october involving a singleton at Lackford Lakes, the last on 27th; this is two days later than the latest in 2019, and the latest since 2017 (November 2nd, Lackford).
Carlton Marshes: Apr 19th and 22nd; two regularly, July 24th to Aug 8th; Aug 20th
Southwold: town Marshes, pair regularly, Apr 5th to May 12th
Hen Reedbeds: July 30th
Minsmere: male, Mar 29th; Apr 7th; two, Apr 10th and 21st; male, Apr 22nd; displaying pair, May 4th; two males, May 28th; May 31st; June 21st; Aug 28th to 31st; regularly, Sep 18th to 30th, with two, Sep 24th
North Warren: male, May 23rd and 24th and June 16th
Snape Wetland: male, June 1st; two, July 13th; three (one male), July 14th to 19th; July 20th; Sep 5th
Alde Estuary: three, Aug 30th
Boyton Marshes: July 30th and Aug 2nd and 3rd
Hollesley Marshes: male, May 25th
Ramsholt: Aug 21st and 28th
Woodbridge: Mar 24th
Trimley Marshes: May 4th, Aug 11th and then regularly, Aug 24th to Sep 12th; two, Sep 15th
East Bergholt: White Horse Marsh, male, June 19th
Lakenheath Fen: male, Mar 18th and 23rd and May 15th; two males, May 22nd; three, Aug 3rd; Sep 20th
Cavenham Pits: male, July 19th
Livermere Lake: male, Apr 5th; three (two males), Apr 11th to 13th
Lackford Lakes: Mar 11th; oct 11th; oct 27th
Mickle Mere: male, Apr 20th
Little Cornard: Stone farm, two, Apr 23rd
NORTHERN SHOVELER Spatula clypeata
Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Uncommon resident. Amber list.
Monthly counts from the key sites:
Jan Feb Mar Apr Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Carlton Marshes 1 150 36 - - - 46 70 37 Southwold Town Marshes* 90 - 35 22 - - 60 65 145 Minsmere* 365 250 195 28 13 49 180 170 181 North Warren* 104 200 485 - - 2 21 6 63 Alde/Ore Estuary 253 - 211 - - - - -Orfordness* 267 175 - - - - - -Havergate Island* 260 - - - 32 70 215 310 201 Hollesley Marshes* 50 75 140 86 - - - 35 35 Orwell Estuary 65 0 48 - 16 82 42 79 82 Trimley Marshes* 90 44 58 15 13 - 147 122 183 Lakenheath Fen* 40 50 87 40 57 131 40 2 24 *monthly maxima
Non-breeding numbers were particularly impressive during the first winter period, highlighted by the WeBS count of 485 at North Warren on March 8th, a new site record and the largest count made in the county since 500 congregated at Minsmere during the harsh, freezing conditions of mid-January 1962. A non-WeBS count of 365 at Minsmere, January 28th is the largest gathering there since 2014 and a count of 150 at carlton Marshes, february 26th is a site record. A significant arrival at the end of August included 65 at Dingle Marshes, Dunwich on 31st, with a further additional count of 127 at Livermere Lake, September 11th and numbers continued to build through october to a peak second-winter count of 310 at Havergate island, November 16th. offshore passage at Landguard involved 17 between August 21st and December 7th. incomplete data, including a lack of surveys at many nature reserves traditionally known to support this species, means it is impossible to draw any worthwhile conclusions on the breeding season. Single pairs were confirmed to have bred at Boyton Marshes and Snape Wetlands, while there were seven breeding pairs at Walberswick and two in the valley at easton Marshes. in addition, breeding probably occurred at Lodge Marsh, ramsholt (two pairs), carlton Marshes and Barton Mere (single pairs at both sites) and Dingle Marshes, Minsmere and North Warren (unknown numbers at these three sites).
GADWALL Mareca strepera
Common resident and winter visitor. Amber list. Categories A and C.
Monthly counts from the key sites: Jan Feb Mar Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Lowestoft Leathes Ham* 205 18 - - - - - 200
Minsmere* 381 292 328 342 400 427 150 539
Alde/Ore Estuary 334 - 128 - - - -Orwell Estuary 131 133 22 0 111 48 97 92
Lakenheath Fen* 90 89 63 638 420 55 89 53
Thorington Street Reservoir* 120 44 44 - - - - 134 *monthly maxima
outside the breeding season overall numbers were high and similar to last year, with three counts in particular standing out. A non-WeBS count of 638 at Lakenheath fen, August 22nd does come with the proviso that a sizeable proportion of these birds were on the Norfolk side of the Little ouse river, while WeBS counts of 334 at the Alde/ore estuary, January 12th and 539 at Minsmere, December 13th are the highest at these two reserves for 16 years and six years, respectively.
Aside from those in the table, further three-figure counts in the first winter period included 228 at Lackford Lakes, January 6th; 120 at town Marshes, Southwold, January 26th; 120 at North Warren, february 28th and 100 at Pathways farm, Gunton, March 7th. Lakenheath fen also held significant numbers during late spring/early summer with 130, May 24th and 162, June 19th, while 130 were noted at carlton Marshes, June 23rd. there was one additional high count during the second winter period involving 125 at flixton GP, November 28th.
A total of 29 breeding pairs at 17 sites (54 pairs at 20 sites in 2019) provides an incomplete picture of the breeding season, since surveys were not conducted at Minsmere and North Warren, reserves traditionally supporting significant populations. on orfordness, 31 ducklings were recorded in five broods, ten of which fledged, while four broods were noted at Lakenheath fen on June 19th.
Landguard reported an annual offshore total of 53 with peak monthly counts of 21 in october and 17 in July including a peak day count of 15 south on July 3rd.
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 Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec
Stour Estuary* 1854 480 219 - - - 700Gifford’s Hall* 400 400 300 - - - - 175 Thorington Street Reservoir* 68 100 12 - 23 - - 110 *monthly maxima
following the trend of the past few years, overall wintering numbers were low, although, since it was not feasible to conduct a complete set of WeBS counts at most of the main wintering sites, comprehensive year-on-year comparison is not possible. Aside from those in the table, further three-figure counts in the first winter period involved 177 at Lackford Lakes, January 6th; 130 at Higham (near Hadleigh), february 6th and 100 at Lakenheath fen, february 27th. in the second winter period, additional significant counts included 500 on the Butley river and 125 at iken, November 3rd; 250 at Dingle Marshes, November 18th; 350 at flixton GP, November 28th; 120, Gedgrave Marshes, December 10th and 350 at Snape Wetland, December 15th. there was no evidence of breeding. in June only singletons at trimley Marshes and carlton Marshes stayed for longer than one day, while a record of six at flixton GP on 20th is suggestive of captive origin.
the only notable offshore records during the first half of the year involved 141 south off thorpeness, January 13th, 120 off Southwold, January 18th and 100 on the sea off Slaughden, february 8th. return migration began with four south off Minsmere, July 31st, although there were no further records until eight flew south off Landguard, August 30th. Passage peaked in the first half of october and the following significant coastal movements were logged:
Southwold: 410, oct 2nd; 150, Nov 29th
Dunwich: 100 south, Nov 29th
Minsmere: 150 south, Sep 18th; 300 south, Sep 19th; 200 south, oct 2nd; 175 south, oct 14th
Thorpeness: 465 south, oct 14th
Slaughden: 346 south, oct 2nd
Bawdsey: east Lane, 400 south, oct 2nd
Felixstowe: 185 south, Sep 17th
Landguard: one north and 380 south in Sep including peak day-counts of 107 south on 3rd and 110 south on 17th; 45 north and 1299 south in oct including peak day-counts of 465 south on 2nd, 356 south on 3rd and 283 south on 14th; 188 south in Nov including peak day-count of 115 south on 9th
ignoring the four-figure counts from Livermere Lake, which come with the usual caveat that captive-bred birds are released at this site each summer for shooting, numbers in both winter periods were disappointing. this reflects the national picture, where the non-breeding population
is at an all-time low having declined by 35% over the past 25 years. other than those in the table, additional notable gatherings included 100 at cavenham Pits, January 5th; 135 at thorington Street reservoir, January 10th; 263 at Snape Wetland, August 29th; 109 at trimley Marshes, December 11th and 107 at covehithe Broad, December 12th.
A total of 82 breeding pairs was reported from 30 sites (131 pairs from 36 sites in 2019), the three most productive sites being Livermere Lake (15 pairs), orfordness (13 pairs) and christchurch Park, ipswich (12 pairs). the breeding season was long, with first broods detected in mid-March and young ducklings still present at christchurch Park from November 20th onwards into 2021.
During the main breeding season, ten broods totalling 73 ducklings were recorded. the first and last broods were initially noted on March 12th and June 29th respectively. the largest brood was of 16 ducklings. As to how many survived is unknown but the Lesser Black-backed Gulls Larus fuscus must have had their fair share. However, it was frequently noted that when approached by a gull, the ducklings would dive and resurface up to three metres away which seemed to somewhat confuse the would-be predators. on November 20th a female Mallard was present on Wilderness Pond with 15 newly-hatched ducklings of which five were still present in early January 2021. A new brood of three Mallard ducklings on December 4th on Wilderness Pond was seen only on that date.
Tony Powell and Philip Murphy
Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant; a few oversummer. Bred in 2016 and 2018. Amber list. Categories A and E.
Monthly counts from the key sites: Jan Feb Mar Oct Nov Dec
Blyth Estuary* 145 75 11 50 - 8 Minsmere* 73 75 18 84 60 65 North Warren* 147 100 152 40 26 120 Alde/Ore Estuary 108 - 22 - -Hollesley Marshes* 50 54 40 - - 35 Deben Estuary 137 90 93 11 63 45 Orwell Estuary 69 55 10 30 49 60 Stour Estuary* 84 85 34 - 200*monthly maxima
incomplete sets of WeBS counts from some of the key sites do not hide the fact that nonbreeding numbers were very disappointing. indeed, following a run of poor years, the Alde/ ore estuary is no longer a wintering site of national importance and the year’s maximum count at North Warren of 152, March 8th is this site’s lowest annual peak since 2010. Aside from those in the table, the only other significant counts received were from trimley Marshes of 100, September 27th and nearby Levington of 53, November 8th.
Breeding was not confirmed, although a pair was present at Minsmere during the spring. the following records were received from the west of the county:
Lakenheath Fen: three, Sep 5th; two, Sep 6th and 13th; four, Sep 20th; two, oct 11th
Cavenham Pits: female, Aug 30th to Sep 6th
Livermere Lake: male, oct 5th and Nov 8th
Lackford Lakes: male, Jan 18th; male, Dec 12th and 14th
Mickle Mere: male, Dec 9th
Norton: female, oct 28th
Sturmer Mere: male, Jan 6th; five (four males), Nov 16th
Stoke-by-Nayland: Gifford’s Hall, 24, Jan 5th; 16, feb 6th and Mar 4th; two, Mar 16th; 24, Dec 9th; ten, Dec 31st
Thorington Street Reservoir: two, Dec 9th
During the first winter period offshore passage was recorded between January 16th and April 11th, with a peak day-count of 25 on the sea off Slaughden, february 8th. return passage, which began with singletons off Southwold and Minsmere, August 29th, was the most pronounced for five years. Maximum numbers were recorded off Landguard during easterly winds in early october, with six north and 53 south on 2nd and 39 south on 3rd. the following offshore records were received:
Lowestoft: six north, Aug 30th; three, Nov 29th
Southwold: south, Aug 29th; Sep 18th; 21, Sep 19th; four south, Sep 26th; nine, oct 2nd; four, oct 13th; Nov 9th; three south, Nov 28th; four, Nov 29th
Walberswick: nine south, oct 1st; six south, oct 8th
Dunwich: 14 south, Sep 20th
Minsmere: seven south between Jan 16th and 30th; two south, feb 20th; north, Aug 29th; ten south, Sep 17th; 20 south, Sep 18th; 20 south, Sep 19th; ten south, oct 2nd
Thorpeness: two south, feb 19th; three north and one south, Apr 2nd; two south, Apr 11th; five north and 25 south between oct 5th and 24th; 20 north, Dec 28th
Slaughden: 25 on sea, feb 8th; 15 south, oct 2nd
Landguard: four south, Jan 18th; two south, Sep 3rd; south, Sep 9th; six north and 132 south in oct including peak day-counts of six north and 53 south on 2nd and 39 south on 3rd; 60 south in Nov including peak daycount of 35 south on 9th
EURASIAN TEAL Anas crecca
Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Scarce resident. Amber list.
Monthly counts from the key sites: Jan Feb Mar Apr Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Herringfleet Marshes* 183 250 - - - - - - 50 Carlton/Oulton Marshes* 150 200 62 - 150 - 100 100 24 Blyth Estuary* 530 500 200 - 110 20 125 - 29 Southwold Town Marshes* 525 - 141 80 - - 250 160 375 Dingle Marshes* 12 150 - - 110 150 166 180 100 Minsmere* 1500 600 326 50 280 650 727 400 763 North Warren* 351 162 229 - - 37 87 326 350 Alde/Ore Estuary 1772 - 1337 - - - - -Hazlewood Marshes* - - 200 - 70 300 - 200Snape Wetland* - - 128 - 105 4 6 - 450 Havergate Island* 700 500 - - 110 110 635 270 764 Boyton Marshes* 700 380 200 114 - - - -Hollesley Marshes* 850 450 250 172 - - - -Deben Estuary* 667 961 433 - - 160 430 684 757 Orwell Estuary 623 18 87 - 26 238 101 252 337
Trimley Marshes* 485 196 116 - - - 756 824 631 Stour Estuary 109 - 120 - - - - -Lakenheath Fen* 152 111 161 - 114 240 15 30 25 Cavenham Pits* 150 - 120 - - - - - 30 Lackford Lakes* 85 125 50 - - - 120 - 160 Gifford’s Hall* 130 100 70 - - - - - 63 *monthly maxima
following the downward trend of the last few years, non-breeding numbers were again disappointing. At the Alde/ore estuary, the county’s principal wintering site, WeBS counts show that the winter of 2019/2020 was the poorest for six years. this was most likely weather-related, with winter temperatures much milder than normal in the Baltic, and for europe as a whole the winter was the warmest on record. three-figure counts from sites not appearing in the table
included 108 at culford Park, January 12th; 125 at Aldeburgh Marshes, october 30th; 100 at Mickle Mere, November 1st and a WeBS count of 122 at Alton Water, November 15th. regular sightings involving small numbers were received from five coastal sites throughout late spring and early summer, but there was no evidence of breeding.
Birds began returning to the Scrape at Minsmere from mid-June, with counts of 38 on 17th and 45 on 22nd. offshore autumn passage was slightly above the average of recent years, with the highest day-count of 216 north and 298 south off Minsmere on August 29th. the following notable movements were received – August 29th being an excellent day:
Lowestoft: 260 north, Aug 29th
Southwold: 120, Aug 28th; 138, Aug 29th; 324 south, oct 2nd; 145 south, Nov 29th
Minsmere: 120 south, Aug 11th; 216 north and 298 south, Aug 29th; 200 south, Sep 17th; 220 south, oct 2nd; 120 south, oct 14th
Thorpeness: 84 north and 35 south, Aug 30th; four north and 310 south, oct 14th
Slaughden: 308 south, oct 2nd
Landguard: 729 south in Aug including peak day-counts of 277 on 28th and 175 on 29th; 23 north and 532 south in Sep including peak day-count of ten north and 166 south on 18th; two north and 512 south in oct including peak day-counts of 235 south on 2nd, 104 south on 3rd and one north and 148 south on 14th; 461 south in Nov including peak day-count of 385 on 29th
Rare visitor.
Breydon Water: male, feb 6th (P r Allard)
Southwold: male, Mar 21st to Apr 1st (B J Small et al.)
Minsmere: male, Jan 1st to Mar 12th (r Harvey et al.) three records in one year is the highest annual total since 2010 – when four were recorded –single males at Minsmere in January and December and on orfordness in April and December. there is a possibility, which obviously cannot be proven, that all four records in 2010 referred to just one bird. there must also be a possibility that the Minsmere and Southwold records in 2020 also referred to one bird. of the county’s 42 records of this North American dabbling duck, 14 have now been at Minsmere.
RED-CRESTED POCHARD Netta rufina
Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Categories A and E.
A male on the Scrape at Minsmere for two days in late february may have been of wild origin, but a male paired with a female Mallard at ilketshall St Andrew was almost certainly of captive origin.
Minsmere: male, feb 28th and 29th Ilketshall St Andrew: male, paired with female Mallard and accompanying eight small (hybrid?) ducklings on farm pond, Apr 16th
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:
the non-breeding population was centred around the orwell estuary and, in addition to those in the table, a count of 51 from Loompit Lake, trimley St Martin, february 3rd was also received.
otherwise, numbers were very disappointing. the peak count at Alton Water was just 21, December 13th (compared with a maximum count of 246 in 2019), the highest count in the west of the county was 49 at Lackford Lakes on November 15th and a total of seven at kessingland, January 1st was the maximum count from the north-east. A series of significant, and largely unseasonable, counts from flixton GP included monthly maxima of 98 in April, 88 in May and 65 in June, followed by a peak of 105 in November, but considering the history of wildfowl releases at this site, these counts clearly comprised a high proportion of birds of captive origin.
As in the previous year, breeding was confirmed at only two sites. Single broods were noted at Loompit Lake, June 8th and Alton Water, August 7th, the latter comprising the first confirmed breeding at this site. elsewhere, unconfirmed breeding pairs were reported from covehithe Broad, Lodge Marsh, ramsholt, Livermere Lake and Lackford Lakes.
Landguard’s peak offshore total was ten south on october 3rd.
Common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.
Monthly counts from the key sites:
Jan Feb Mar Apr Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Orwell Estuary 83 36 48 - 5 36 47 49 71
Trimley Marshes* 83 64 26 - 59 16 47 11 51
Alton Water* 38 16 26 17 30 42 24 66 63
Lackford Lakes* 94 - 65 55 80 50 130 100 65
*monthly maxima
total wintering numbers were very disappointing having fallen for the third consecutive year. the maximum WeBS count at Alton Water was just 66, November 15th, the lowest annual peak at this site since the mid-1970s when the reservoir was under initial construction. Aside from those in the table, additional counts exceeding 50 in the first winter period included a WeBS count of 70 at the Alde/ore estuary, March 8th; 57 at east Lane, Bawdsey, January 19th; 64 at Weybread GP, January 12th; 58 at West Stow country Park, April 7th and 55 at thorington Street reservoir, January 10th. there were two further notable counts in the second winter period involving 60 at Weybread GP, December 5th and 57 at Nunnery Lakes, thetford, December 3rd. Monthly maxima at flixton GP comprised 276 in April, 291 in May, 70 in June and 215 in November, but these counts come with the usual proviso that birds of captive origin have been released here in the past (see common Pochard).
the number of breeding records received was very similar to last year, with a total of 21 breeding pairs at 13 sites (22 pairs at 12 sites in 2019), including four broods at Weybread GP and three broods at Nunnery Lakes.
A female on April 26th and a male and female on June 3rd are probably only the fourth and fifth site records and the first since 2005.
Tony Powell and Reg Snook
Fairly common but declining winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.
the number of records in the first winter period was above average and included a popular, long-staying group of five on the Stour estuary.
Minsmere: Scrape, Mar 16th
Thorpeness: male south offshore, Jan 27th
Trimley St Martin: Loompit Lake, male, Jan 12th; two, including first-winter male, Jan 23rd; male, Jan 26th; two, including first-winter male, Jan 28th
Trimley Marshes: male, Jan 21st
Stour Estuary: five, Jan 19th to feb 7th
considering that the national wintering population has declined by 60% in the last ten years and is now at its lowest since the 1980s, the excellent showing in the second winter period was both unexpected and welcome. the period began slowly with one record in late September, followed by a further three individuals up to November 29th. However, easterly winds on November 29th saw an unprecedented southerly movement along the coast, the highlight of which was an impressive total of 81 logged by Brian Small and craig fulcher off Southwold, surpassing the county’s previous peak passage day-count of 71 south off Landguard, february 11th 1991. Smaller, but still significant numbers were logged off Lowestoft (56), Aldeburgh (15) and Shingle Street (17) on the same day. the largest flock ever recorded in Suffolk involved 420 on the orwell estuary during particularly severe weather on february 21st 1954 while a fortnight later, on March 7th 1954 the county’s largest-ever offshore gathering involved 200 off Gorlestonon-Sea.
A good scattering of records involving one or two birds was then received to the end of the year, including one from the Gipping Valley.
Lowestoft: Ness Point, 56 south offshore, Nov 29th
Carlton Marshes: oct 24th to Nov 2nd and Dec 5th to 7th; two, including first-winter male, Dec 8th to 16th; female, Dec 17th to 30th
Covehithe Broad: male, Nov 29th to Dec 6th
Southwold: two north offshore, Sep 26th; 81 south offshore, Nov 29th. Boating Lake, female, Dec 1st to 5th
Minsmere: south offshore, Nov 22nd; Scrape, male, Dec 2nd to 8th
Thorpeness: south offshore, oct 16th
Aldeburgh: 15 south offshore, Nov 29th. Marshes, female, Dec 13th and 22nd
Shingle Street: 17, Nov 29th
Waldringfield: Deben estuary, female, Dec 26th to 31st
Landguard: north offshore, Dec 1st
Stutton: Stour estuary, female, Dec 14th to 26th
Alton Water: female, Nov 12th to Dec 2nd
Barham Pits: male, Dec 23rd and 24th
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Has bred. Amber list. the year began slowly with singletons off Shingle Street, January 3rd; Bawdsey, January 25th and Landguard, January 11th, february 19th and March 21st. there were no further records until the end of April when the frequency of sightings picked up, with a total of 20 birds logged from seven coastal sites between April 27th and May 31st. there was a trickle of records through the summer involving singletons off Landguard, June 5th and Benacre, June 25th; five off Minsmere, July 17th and two off Bawdsey, August 8th, followed by singletons off Southwold, August 9th and off Havergate island, August 16th.
Autumn passage was light with only two day-counts exceeding 15, namely 25 south off Minsmere, September 2nd and 17 north off thorpeness, october 14th. A total of 22 was noted off Landguard between September 29th and November 28th.
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list. for the first time since comprehensive reporting began in the late 1970s, there were no records in the first winter period. instead, the first of the year was not seen until September 27th, when one flew north off Bawdsey and Minsmere. the next was found amongst a flock of common Scoter off Dunwich in early November and was followed by regular sightings to the end of the year, often associating with rafts of common Scoter between covehithe and Bawdsey, including seven off covehithe, December 28th.
Covehithe: south, Dec 25th; seven on sea, Dec 28th
Southwold: male on sea, Nov 22nd; north, Dec 25th Dunwich: on sea, Nov 4th, 6th and 28th; one north and one on sea, Dec 5th Minsmere: north, Sep 27th; one north and two south, Dec 22nd Thorpeness: two south, Dec 1st; two north, Dec 26th
Aldeburgh/Slaughden: two on sea, Nov 26th and 27th; on sea, Nov 28th; two on sea, Nov 29th; on sea, Dec 9th; two on sea, Dec 15th; on sea, Dec 22nd Bawdsey: east Lane, north, Sep 27th; two north, Nov 29th and Dec 2nd; two on sea, Dec 5th and 27th
Landguard: south, Nov 14th; north, Nov 29th; three south, Dec 18th
Melanitta nigra
Declining non-breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.
Thorpeness
Landguard
Accumulated monthly totals from thorpeness (Dave thurlow) and Landguard Bird observatory are shown in the table. Numbers were consistently high off thorpeness, with over 250 logged in every month except March and August and over 1000 logged in May, while further south off Landguard cumulative numbers were well below the average of recent years. Peak monthly movements exceeding 100 are summarised below:
Southwold: 88 north and 19 south, oct 2nd
Minsmere: 291 south, Jan 28th; 190 south, feb 12th; four north and 185 south, Mar 19th; 512 north, Sep 28th; 500 south, oct 2nd; 250 north and 45 south, Nov 23rd; 170 south, Dec 4th
Thorpeness: 381 south, Jan 27th; 227 south, feb 10th; 205 south, May 4th; 50 north and 60 south, June 22nd; 238 north, Sep 28th; 32 north and 78 south, Nov 30th; 260 south, Dec 6th
Bawdsey: east Lane, 155 north, Sep 28th; 130 north, oct 25th; 39 north and 80 south, Nov 29th
Felixstowe: 65 north and 44 south, Nov 29th
Sizeable inshore rafts were reported in all months of the year, except June and August, between Southwold and Bawdsey. Peak monthly day-counts of 100 or more are summarised below:
Southwold: 500, May 27th; 180, Sep 29th; 450, Nov 22nd
Dunwich/Minsmere: 200, July 6th; 300, Sep 30th; 220, oct 1st; 500, Nov 19th
Thorpeness/Aldeburgh/Slaughden: 260, Jan 5th; 250, feb 8th and 12th; 200, Mar 22nd; 100, Apr 24th; 150, Sep 29th; 200, oct 30th; 700, Nov 28th; 500, Dec 3rd
Bawdsey: east Lane, 300, Dec 27th
Away from the immediate coastline, three were present in Holbrook Bay, on the Stour estuary, January 4th, with two noted there, January 20th and 23rd, while singletons were present on the orwell estuary at Nacton, January 4th; on the Scrape at Minsmere, february 8th, 25th and 28th and March 13th and at Benacre Broad, November 7th to 10th. in addition, flight calls from small migrating groups of indeterminate size were heard as they flew over gardens in Beccles, flixton (near Bungay) and north-west ipswich, all part of a nationwide movement, after dark on April 2nd and 3rd, as described in the article earlier in this report.
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.
A long-staying and well-watched first-winter male, which had been present on the orwell estuary since mid-December 2019, compensated for an otherwise poor start to the year.
Dunwich: two offshore, Jan 29th
Landguard: south offshore, Mar 15th
Long-tailed Duck Russell Boland
Orwell Estuary: first-winter male ranging between freston and Levington, Jan 1st to feb 17th records were more regular during the second winter period. the first involved a singleton drifting on the sea at Minsmere on the exceptionally early date of october 3rd, while the majority, as is usual, were not logged until November. the date, october 3rd, is the earliest since singles at Lackford lakes, September 19th 1994 and south off Landguard, August 1st 1989.
Benacre Broad: Nov 4th and 5th Covehithe Broad: Nov 8th to 10th; first-winter male, Dec 4th to 31st Southwold: two offshore, Nov 17th; offshore, Nov 22nd Minsmere: on sea, oct 3rd; Scrape, oct 28th; Scrape, first-winter male, Nov 15th; south offshore, Nov 17th Thorpeness: north offshore, Nov 16th Landguard: south offshore, Dec 26th
COMMON GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. Monthly counts from
Numbers were low, indeed no count reached three figures for the third successive year. Aside from the table, the only other gathering of note involved 13 on the Alde estuary at Aldeburgh on february 8th.
the last of the first winter period was on the orwell estuary at Wherstead, April 5th, while the next, an atypical August record, flew south past Landguard on 5th. otherwise, there were no further sightings until one flew south past Minsmere on october 11th. this heralded the start of a very light offshore autumn passage, which was most noticeable off Minsmere where a total of 14 was logged up to the end of November.
SMEW
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.
All sightings during the first winter period were from Minsmere between January 20th and April 13th, with up to three present, including a courting pair (probably the first known occurrence of such behaviour in Suffolk). A redhead briefly on the lagoons at east Lane, Bawdsey, December 12th and a redhead which flew over the south levels at Minsmere the following day accounted for the only two records during the second winter period.
Minsmere: redhead, Jan 20th to Mar 3rd; three (one male), Mar 4th to Apr 13th, with pair observed displaying and copulating, Mar 7th and 8th; redhead, Dec 13th
Bawdsey: east Lane, redhead, Dec 12th
GOOSANDER (COMMON MERGANSER) Mergus merganser
fairly common winter visitor
Monthly maxima from Minsmere and thorpeness Meare, currently the two most reliable sites, are in the above table. they undoubtedly involve some duplication and also account for the sightings at carlton Meres, Leiston and Aldringham in late November and December. the year’s largest gathering of 23, which included five males, roosted on the Scrape at Minsmere, January 30th.
other records received for the first winter period comprise the following, and include the last of the spring at North Warren on April 19th:
Gorleston: male south, Jan 5th; two south, Jan 19th
Carlton Marshes: Jan 2nd and Apr 10th
Blyth Estuary: six (two males) east, Jan 1st
North Warren: Mar 11th; three redheads north, Mar 14th; two, Mar 17th; four redheads, Mar 20th; Apr 19th
Landguard: south, Jan 17th; four west, Apr 17th
Freston: orwell estuary, redhead, Jan 4th and 5th
Stutton Mill: redhead, Apr 6th
Cattawade: Mar 1st
Alton Water: two, Jan 14th; Mar 8th
Pipps Ford: redhead, Jan 5th and Mar 16th
Coddenham: Sharmford Mere: redhead, Mar 14th
Barham Pits: two redheads, Jan 1st
East Bergholt: flatford Mill, redhead, Jan 18th
Mildenhall: river Lark, male, feb 21st
Bures St Mary: river Stour, two (one male), Jan 2nd there was an atypical late-summer record involving a singleton at Nunnery Lakes, thetford, August 27th, otherwise there were no further sightings until September 28th at kessingland. records were more widespread during the second winter period and involved the following:
Kessingland: west, Sep 28th
Southwold: offshore, Nov 9th
Blyth Estuary: west, Nov 24th
Walberswick: oct 14th
Dingle Marshes: south, Nov 4th and 16th
Aldringham: 11 south, Dec 14th; seven north, Dec 18th
Aldeburgh: two south, Nov 3rd
Orfordness: male, Nov 28th; three, Dec 30th
Snape: Alde estuary, two, Dec 13th
Havergate Island: two, oct 17th; Nov 16th
Hollesley: river ore, four redheads, oct 25th; redhead regularly, Dec 17th to 22nd
Deben Estuary: seven, Nov 15th (WeBS count)
Falkenham: king’s fleet, two, Nov 22nd
Landguard: south, Nov 1st; two south, Nov 21st; four south, Nov 30th; south, Dec 25th
Chelmondiston: orwell estuary, three redheads, Nov 22nd
Freston: orwell estuary, male, Dec 4th
Purdis Farm: ipswich Golf club, two redheads, oct 29th
Worlingham: river Waveney, five (two males), Nov 24th and 30th
Carlton-cum-Kelsale: Meres, four (one male), Nov 28th; five redheads, Nov 30th; 15 (four males), Dec 23rd
Leiston: 18 east, Dec 27th
Needham Market: Lake, redhead, Nov 20th and 21st; two, Nov 22nd
Pipps Ford: five, Dec 6th
Lakenheath Fen: four (three males), Nov 22nd
Santon Downham: Nov 21st
Thetford: Nunnery Lakes, oct 22nd and 23rd and Dec 4th
Worlington: two redheads, Dec 8th, 22nd and 28th
Livermere Lake: redhead, oct 13th
Lackford Lakes: three males, Nov 30th
Bury St Edmunds: river Lark, redhead, Dec 4th
Stansfield: three redheads, Nov 2nd
Sudbury: common Lands, redhead, oct 21st
Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant.
Jan Feb Mar Oct Nov Dec
Orwell Estuary* 25 7 32 2 45 37
Stour Estuary* 30 8 28 - 37 10 *monthly maxima
Peak counts from the two principal wintering sites are presented in the table and at both sites were significantly down on those of 2019. indeed, totally unexpectedly and without precedent, the year’s maximum count occurred offshore in March, with 30 north and 21 south off thorpeness on 26th, spring passage being traditionally very light off the Suffolk coast. regular seawatching at thorpeness also provided the last sighting of the spring, with a singleton south on April 23rd. the first of the autumn flew south off Dunwich, September 2nd, although offshore passage did not gain momentum for another month. A total of 40 was logged off Landguard between october 2nd and December 20th, with a peak day-count of six north and two south, october 14th, while a total of 29 was logged off thorpeness between october 6th and December 13th, also with a peak day-count of six north and two south, october 14th. Away from the usual sites, a redhead was present at Lake Lothing, Lowestoft from December 18th to the end of the year.
Locally fairly common summer visitor. Rare passage migrant. Amber list. A ‘churring’ male at West Stow on May 2nd was the first to be reported in 2020. this was followed by three at Snape Warren on May 7th and then a ten-day gap before birds were found at both Sutton common and upper Hollesley common on May 17th.
A total of 50 breeding territories was identified during surveys in the the Sandlings. this was considerably lower than the 69 territories found in 2019, but, due to covid restrictions, it was only possible to carry out partial surveys at several sites in 2020. of the sites that were able to complete full surveys, 28 potential breeding territories were recorded in 2020, compared with 26 territories across the same sites in 2019. the largest concentration was again at Sutton and Hollesley commons where 15 territories were located, an increase of one on the 2019 figure
for this extensive locality. there was no survey of the Breckland population during 2020.
After a small number of August sightings, the last of the year was seen at eastbridge on September 6th.
COMMON SWIFT Apus apus
Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. the first returning birds of the year (both singles) were seen at carlton Marshes and Mildenhall on April 18th. these were followed by four at the Bto Nunnery Lakes reserve on 19th, three at trimley St. Martin on 20th and two at Lackford Lakes on 21st. there was then a widespread arrival with a total of 37 additional sites reporting their first sightings before the end of April. these included some quite large totals for April, including 40 birds at Lackford Lakes on 29th and around 50 birds at trimley Marshes on 30th. there then followed a count of 200 birds at Minsmere on May 1st and an impressive 1000 birds there on May 4th, whilst 300 were counted along the Southwold sea front on May 7th. information relating to the breeding success of this species during 2020 was fairly sparse, but totals from the small number of monitored sites below seem generally positive. However, common Swift is currently an ‘Amber listed’ Bird of conservation concern and the Breeding Bird Survey for england showed a 15% decline between 2019 and 2020. in order to try and help this species’ fortunes Save our Suffolk Swifts (a joint project between the Suffolk Wildlife trust and the Suffolk Bird Group) has been highlighting the plight of the Swift, including promoting the erection of nest boxes across the county.
Wenhaston: total of 16 nests found in the village
Wickham Market: total of 51 nests was found
Crowfield: seven boxes used with the last bird fledging on the exceptionally late date of Sep 11th (B Hart, M Hart)
Bury St Edmunds: St John’s church, 32 pairs raised 48 chicks (up from the 19 pairs which reared 41 young in 2019)
Worlington: All Saints church, 25 pairs nested there was a huge southerly movement of Swifts along the east coast of england during the last few days of June, culminating in a new uk record day count of 46026 heading south past Gibraltar Point in Lincolnshire on 29th of the month. Suffolk also experienced its own new county record day-count of 17500 birds moving south past Southwold early on the same day. this amazing passage peaked at an estimated 300 birds per minute (B J Small). the 29th also saw an impressive count of 11500 south at Minsmere, whilst, further down the coast, Landguard logged its maximum day count of the year with 2040 birds going south past the observatory. these had been preceded by high counts of 4050 south past Hopton-on-Sea on June 27th and 1000 at trimley Marshes on June 28th. A slightly later count of 2000 birds over felixstowe on July 6th is also noteworthy. these large movements of Swifts remain largely unexplained, but are thought likely to be associated with birds moving ahead of rain systems in order to feed. Monthly Movements of common Swifts at Landguard:
A total of 19 localities reported sightings during September (24 in 2019). these were followed by october records from Westleton Heath and the Alde estuary (two birds) on 3rd, Benacre on 5th and, finally, kessingland and Dunwich Heath on 6th.
COMMON CUCKOO Cuculus canorus
Declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list.
the first bird of the spring was present in the king’s forest on April 7th and was followed by what may have been the same bird at both West Stow and Lackford on April 9th. Denston then had a singing male on April 10th, whilst Westleton Heath and knettishall Heath both recorded their first birds on April 12th. A further 50 sites reported their first birds of the year before the end of April, with a slight upsurge in reports from 19th onwards.
Although the Breeding Bird Survey was restricted in 2020 (and the sample size small), three (14%) of the 21 squares that could be surveyed were found to have cuckoos present, compared with just five (11%) of squares in 2019. Peak counts of five birds came from Lakenheath fen on May 17th and Hollesley Marshes on May 28th. elsewhere, counts of four birds came from carlton Marshes, Minsmere, Martlesham creek, North Stow, cavenham Heath and Little cornard.
Juveniles were recorded at a total of 13 widespread sites which, for the most part, will be indicative of breeding within the local area, the exception being any later records that may involve birds on migration.
Hepatic (or rufous morph) females were seen at the Bto Nunnery Lakes reserve on April 27th and 30th and carlton Marshes on May 22nd.
three sites recorded birds during october; Minsmere on 6th, kesgrave on 16th and, finally, Shingle Street on 17th. these are the first october records since 2013 (october 7th, Mutford) and the latest since Suffolk’s latest-ever record on october 27th 2008.
FERAL PIGEON Columba livia
Very common resident from feral stock. Categories A, C and E.
An under-recorded species with most records received relating to counts of flocks of birds. there were no confirmed breeding reports, which is obviously not a true reflection of this species’ current status within the county. reports of more than 50 birds came from the following sites.
Snape: Snape Maltings to iken church, 99, Aug 27th
Bawdsey: east Lane, 60, Jan 19th
Felixstowe: 100, Jan 27th; Landguard, 53, oct 24th
Trimley St. Mary: 71, feb 6th
Trimley St. Martin: 70, Sep 19th
Ipswich: the majority of larger counts came from along the river orwell between the docks and Wherstead with flocks of 100 birds reported on five dates between Jan 9th and Apr 19th
Tuddenham St Mary: 80, oct 10th
Bury St. Edmunds: 70, Sep 3rd
Sudbury: 75, Jan 23rd
Haverhill: 100, feb 7th and 80, Mar 3rd
Fairly common resident and passage migrant. Amber list. in contrast with 2019, there were several reasonably good-sized flocks reported during the first winter period. All counts of 25 birds or more during this period are listed below:
Hollesley Marshes: 35, feb 19th; 30, feb 28th
Trimley Marshes: 67, feb 1st; 38, feb 2nd
Ampton: 25, Jan 26th
Cavenham: 100, feb 8th
the Breeding Bird Survey volunteers managed to record a total of 25 Stock Doves in 11 of the 21 squares that they were able to visit in 2020 (52.3% occupancy compared with 45.5% in 2019). in addition, reports of probable or confirmed breeding were received from a total of 22
sites (23 in 2019). there was no breeding survey on orfordness during 2020 although the nesting population was thought to be ‘healthy’ (the site held 26 pairs during 2019). At least ten pairs were present in christchurch Park, ipswich during the breeding season.
Post-breeding season reports included a flock of 100 birds at kirton creek on September 28th and 72 at easton Bavents on December 30th. However, most autumn counts of note related to birds flying south as part of a movement of Wood Pigeons (cf).
Southwold: 45, oct 26th
Minsmere: 48, oct 9th; 32, oct 26th; 45, Nov 4th
Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. there were several sizeable flocks reported during the first-winter period, the largest of which are listed below. As can be seen, most of these reports were from the west of the county:
Willingham St Mary: 350, Jan 19th
Pakenham: 500, Jan 16th
Lackford to Cavenham: 1000, Mar 17th
Cavenham: 1000, Jan 24th
Nowton: 460, Jan 11th
Bures: 500, Jan 29th
Haverhill: Hanchett, 314, feb 13th
As is probably to be expected, Woodpigeons were recorded in all 21 squares that were visited as part of the Breeding Bird Survey (with a total of 795 birds counted in these squares). Landguard held between ten and 15 breeding pairs, but there were very few other reports of probable or confirmed breeding. However, one pair was observed rearing at least three broods in an ipswich garden. A somewhat unseasonable breeding season flock of 500 birds was seen at Long Melford on June 2nd; they were flushed from an oilseed rape crop by a passing Hobby Falco subbuteo. A flock of 575 birds was then in the same area on July 24th.
Autumn passage appeared much lighter than in 2019. in this latter year, Landguard had logged 228 north and 6372 south between october 10th and November 18th; however, in 2020 observers at this well-watched site recorded only 1766 birds south between october 18th and November 19th with a maximum day count of 865 on November 4th. elsewhere, 425 birds were counted flying south past Southwold on october 26th and 330 flew south at Minsmere on the same day. Another 318 birds then went south past Minsmere on November 4th. (see Stock Dove) other sizeable counts during the autumn and second winter period were as follows:
Boyton Marshes: 500, Nov 30th
Levington Creek: 400, Nov 26th
Pipps Ford: 600, oct 17th
Great Barton: 500, oct 25th
Lindsey Tye: 400, Nov 14th
Bildeston: 700, Nov 18th
Declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list. the first report of the spring was of a singing male at Westleton on April 16th. A further 14
sites recorded birds by the end of the month before these were followed by a more general arrival during May.
Birds were reported from a total of 85 sites during the breeding season involving an estimated 106 pairs (compared with 105 pairs at 80 sites in 2019). According to the rare Breeding Birds Panel’s website ‘the Turtle Dove now bears the unwanted title of the UK’s fastest declining bird, with numbers having fallen by 98% since 1970. Over the last decade the population has halved in number every four years.’ it is hoped that the 2021 National turtle Dove survey will provide a clearer picture of this species’ fortunes and that an action plan can be formulated to help reverse these appalling declines. Bird on May 19th. the sole record from Landguard is of a single on May 19th.
Seven sites recorded sightings in September with the last of these being at Boyton Marshes on 14th, Hulver Street, Henstead on 15th and, finally, ramsholt on 16th.
2019 Correction
“…where nine had been noted in 2018” (Suffolk Birds 2019:146) should have read “…where none had been noted in 2018”
EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto Common resident.
this is another species that continues to be under-recorded. indeed, Brantham was the only site that reported a record of confirmed breeding in 2020, whereas, in reality, this is a common and widespread breeding species within the county.
Groups of birds appear more likely to be reported and the largest of these are listed below:
Carlton Marshes: 20, oct 30th
Thorpeness: 20+, Nov 8th
Ipswich: Belstead Brook Park, 18, Dec 25th
Rickinghall: peak counts of 25, May 4th; 28, May 9th; 28, June 7th
Pakenham: 18, oct 4th
Bury St. Edmunds: up to 30 visiting garden feeders during the first winter period
Lindsey Tye: 22, oct 25th
Haverhill: Hanchett, 23, July 1st; Ladygate Wood, 30, Sep 30th
Fairly common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. reports for this widespread species were received from some 81 sites or localities in 2020, a slight increase on the previous year. However, restrictions on access due to the covid pandemic appear to have prevented an accurate assessment of breeding or probable breeding and records were submitted from only eight sites. the highest counts of individual birds outside of the breeding season were 24 at Westwood Marshes and approximately 20 at easton Valley; however, again, the covid restrictions prevented any formal monitoring to be carried out.
Rare passage migrant; rarely oversummers. Amber List.
only one record was received for this species in 2020. it showed well at times during its four-day stay.
Snape: Botany Marshes rSPB, juvenile, photographed, Aug 28th to Sep 1st. (c fulcher et al.)
COMMON MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus
Water Rail Jan Wilczur
Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. With reports of birds present at 162 sites ranging from nature reserves to villages, this species remains extremely common throughout the county. Breeding or probable breeding was reported from some 54 sites, an increase of 17 on the total for 2019. At least ten pairs were present during the breeding season in Holywells Park, ipswich. the highest count of wintering birds was 49 at Alton Water on october 18th (WeBS count). the results of winter counts at regularly-monitored sites, where access was still possible despite the covid restrictions, are shown below:
counts from regularly monitored sites Jan Feb Mar Apr
Alde/Ore Estuary 0 0 0 - - - - -
Deben Estuary 0 0 10 - 0 1 0 0
Orwell Estuary 209 115 26 - 59 64 124 132
Stour Estuary 7 - 2 - - - -Alton Water 38 - 21 - 50 37 21 20
Moorhen behaviour, Wilderness Pond, Christchurch Park, Ipswich there are at least four terrapins (species unknown) in Wilderness Pond. on particularly warm days between spring and autumn they haul themselves out of the water and lay, soaking
up the heat, on a large, partially-submerged, fallen tree trunk. on August 14th, yet another warm day, in a long, dry summer, i was not surprised to see four terrapins on the tree trunk; however, what did surprise me was the sight of an adult Moorhen which was preening itself whilst standing on one of the terrapins. this preening continued for about five minutes before the Moorhen moved off onto the pond. Judging by the totally unfazed reaction of both the bird and the reptile, i got the impression that such behaviour had occurred on previous occasions at the site.
Philip MurphyEURASIAN COOT Fulica atra common but declining resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. records for this still-widespread and common species were received from 72 sites, almost the same as was recorded in 2017. Breeding or probable breeding was recorded at 25 sites, a 25% increase on the number recorded in the last two years. eight pairs were present during the breeding season in Holywells Park, ipswich.
Alton Water for a second year failed to record the highest count of non-breeding or wintering birds, recording a maximum of only 90 birds on August 23rd, this being surpassed by counts of 150 at redgrave Lake on November 26th, 142 at Lakenheath fen rSPB on March 8th and 120 at Loompit Lake on January 28th and february 5th. the results of winter counts at regularlymonitored sites, where access was still possible despite the covid restrictions are shown in the table.
counts from regularly monitored sites Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec
Alde/Ore Estuary 3 0 7 - - - -Deben Estuary 10 11 11 - 15 16 16 9 Orwell Estuary 8 3 9 - 34 35 9 18 Stour Estuary 9 - 10 - - - -Alton Water 8 - 8 - 28 49 27 27
A pair of coots had bred successfully on Wilderness Pond in 2019 but both adults and the five fledged juveniles were not present at this site after June 28th (Suffolk Birds 2019: 111). the first sighting of a coot on Wilderness Pond in 2020 was on March 12th and was assumed to be one of 2019’s birds. By March 18th it was nest building but increasing water levels had submerged this impressive structure by April 7th. coots are typically aggressive and this individual was noted vigorously chasing away Mallards that got too close to the nest, and even the site’s two Little Grebes. on April 10th it was seen pursuing a Moorhen both on the water and on the pond’s main island which induced memories of Alton Water’s coot X Moorhen hybrid between february 1981 and August 1982! (Brit. Birds 76: 407-409).
By April 13th it had commenced building another nest but on April 24th reports were that it was “not doing much” – presumably it was beginning to realise that its mate was not going to return. it was not seen after May 1st.
Tony Powell and Philip MurphyCOMMON CRANE Grus grus
Scarce passage migrant. Has bred since 2007. Amber List
Breeding was again confirmed at Lakenheath fen rSPB reserve for the 14th consecutive year (young fledging in nine of those years) with two pairs, one a new pair, attempting to breed. the regular pair fledged one young and the second pair failed at the egg stage on two occasions. Sightings of one, or possibly two, pairs, during the breeding season at two sites on the coast, and the recording of a failed nesting attempt, provide hope that the species will expand its breeding
range in Suffolk in the near future. Small numbers of birds were reported at Lakenheath and from the surrounding areas from January to october with peak counts of ten on february 7th and nine on August 17th. interestingly, two adult and two juvenile birds were recorded at Lakenheath Washes on August 14th.
elsewhere in the county reports were received from 20 other sites, all of birds in flight. A number of these records relate to the same birds recorded by different observers such as the flock of six first recorded over reydon on April 7th, then subsequently at eastbridge, Sizewell, Aldringham and Aldeburgh. All these records are detailed below:
Oulton Marshes: two over, Sep 16th
Lowestoft: kirkley, west, Sep 16th
Carlton Marshes SWT: three, Mar 13th; two, June 3rd
Beccles: four over south-east, Aug 1st
Worlingham Marshes: four west, Mar 13th
Reydon: six, south, Apr 7th
Saxmundham: Apr 24th
Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, two, Mar 6th
Minsmere RSPB: two north-west, Mar 29th; two north, Sep 29th
Eastbridge: six circled then south, Apr 7th; seven circled and then north, Apr 19th
Sizewell: kenton Hills, two east then north-west, Mar 6th
Leiston: two west, Apr 2nd
Aldringham: six south, Apr 7th
Aldeburgh: six west, Apr 7th; two north-east, May 25th; two north, Sep 28th
Woodbridge: two, June 25th
Ipswich: two over, Mar 7th; one recorded during nocturnal migration, Aug 7th
Cattawade: two, Apr 1st
Pakenham Fen: two north-west, Mar 17th
Elmswell: two north-west, Mar 28th
Hadleigh: two, Mar 28th
the total of ten common cranes at Lakenheath fen rSPB is the highest individual site-total in Suffolk since february 4th and July 9th 2016 when on both dates 11 were at Lakenheath fen. out of interest, the highest-ever total of common cranes to be recorded in Suffolk is the flock of 26 seen heading south over Higham St Mary on the Suffolk/essex border on october 16th 1977 –later in the day they were seen over tollesbury and foulness in essex and Ashford in kent before, according to the 1977 BBrc report, they may “..subsequently thought to have been seen leaving the coast at Folkstone” (British Birds 71:497)
Locally common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Green list (from Amber).
there was a decrease in the number breeding records received, down from 25 sites in 2019 to 18 sites in 2020, possibly as a result of the limitations placed on travel and access due to covid-19. Monitoring of nonbreeding and wintering birds was also affected by covid restrictions; however, individual site- counts in excess of 20 birds were received from three localities, the highest being 35 at orfordness on January 12th (D crawshaw). the results of winter counts at regularly-monitored sites, where access was still possible despite the covid restrictions, are shown below:
counts from regularly monitored sites
Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec
Alde/Ore Estuary 43 3 7 - - - - -
Deben Estuary 38 32 21 - 34 39 46 57
Orwell Estuary 34 18 9 - 39 52 40 28
Stour Estuary 9 - 15 - - - -Alton Water 2 - - - 2 3 3 5
Little Grebes on Wilderness Pond, Christchurch Park, Ipswich in 2020 the site’s first-ever breeding record had occurred in 2019 when a single juvenile was hatched but it failed to survive (Suffolk Birds 2019:95). in 2020 one in partial breeding plumage (assumed to be one of the 2019 birds) was first noted on Wilderness Pond on March 4th. By March 18th a second bird was present and nest building had commenced. up to April 22nd the pair had constructed three nests but all were submerged and abandoned because of rising water levels. for the next 38 days there were frequent sightings of Little Grebe, but only one bird at any one time. the reason for this conundrum became immediately apparent on May 30th when the two adults were present and accompanied by four newly-hatched juveniles. over the next week, both adults were seen feeding the juveniles but on only one occasion was a juvenile seen on an adult’s back. the juveniles were highly vocal, especially when an adult surfaced with food items that were not identified. only one adult was seen with the juveniles from June 5th onwards and no adults after June 27th. By June 15th the juveniles were noted as being almost adult-sized. All four juveniles remained on Wilderness Pond until at least July 20th with the last sighting being of one on August 10th.
on September 4th, an adult (one of the breeding birds?) was on Wilderness Pond and was joined by a second bird on September 25th. Both birds remained on site until october 12th after which one was present into 2021.
Tony Powell and Philip Murphy
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list (from Amber). twenty-eight reports were received for this popular, but scarce, winter visitor, relating to five birds.
in the first winter period one was recorded from freston on the orwell estuary on January 9th and another from Waldringfield on the Deben estuary on february 19th. in the second winter period all but one of the reports refer to up to two birds on the orwell estuary, seen between the November 7th and 19th and between December 15th and 18th. Most of these occurred between Wherstead and Woolverstone, whilst a single bird was recorded at Levington creek and Lagoon on November 7th and 8th. finally, a singleton was recorded at Stutton Ness on the Stour estuary on December 20th.
Locally common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. reports of probable or confirmed breeding were received from only nine sites, significantly lower than 2019, probably due to covid-19 restrictions limiting access and site visits. outside of the breeding season counts in excess of 100 birds were received from two sites, Minsmere and Alton Water. in the first winter period the highest counts were of 141 at Alton Water on January 12th (WeBS count) and 170 on the sea off Minsmere on february 5th (J H Grant).
in the second winter period the highest count was of 160 birds at Alton Water on December 13th (WeBS count). the results of winter counts at regularly-monitored sites, where access was still possible despite the covid restrictions are shown below:
counts from regularly monitored sites
Alde/Ore Estuary
Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec
3 1 9 - - - - -
Deben Estuary 1 9 11 - 0 2 3 5 Orwell Estuary 31 5 34 - 0 5 10 18
Stour Estuary 16 - 17 - - - - -
Alton Water 141 - 106 - 119 83 70 160
compare this year’s highest count of 170 off Minsmere on february 5th with the county’s highest-ever totals, also off Minsmere, of 1439 on April 20th 2000 and 1210, January 6th 2008
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list (from Amber). Some 21 reports were received for this species in the first winter period all from the Stour estuary, suggesting that up to six birds were present between January 4th and february 18th. four birds were later recorded on Alton Water on March 7th. No birds were recorded elsewhere in the county during this period. in the second winter period all but one of the eleven records received, relating to up to three birds, were again from the Stour estuary between october 13th and December 29th. the exception was a single bird offshore from Minsmere beach on November 30th.
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. it was an improved year for this species with a probable seven birds recorded at six sites. two birds were present in the first winter period and the remainder in the second:
Woodbridge: feb 27th
Waldringfield: Dec 27th to 30th
Trimley Marshes: Aug 24th to Sep 2nd
Alton Water: Aug 4th
Stutton Ness: Jan 18th to 23rd
Lackford Lakes: two, Nov 3rd to 5th
Locally fairly common summer visitor. Occasionally overwinters. Amber List. the first records of returning birds were on March 2nd in the Brecks and on March 15th in the Sandlings. there was a total of 52 breeding pairs in Suffolk. A total of 20 breeding pairs were recorded in the Sandlings, up from 14 in 2019.
According to the rSPB, 2020 was a record year, nationally, for breeding Stone-curlews on their reserves (29 compared with 23 in 2019).
A note from the Brecks recorders “No monitoring was possible during 2020 due to COVID restrictions”, however numbers are thought to be stable. Post-breeding counts in the Brecks included 81 at cavenham Heath on August 24th and 50 at Honington on August 1st. the last report from the Sandlings was of 17 birds on November 4th. the Brecks recorded two birds at cavenham Heath on october 30th.
Landguard: sixth site record, May 22nd (J Zantboer) – there have now been sightings of single Stone-curlews in each of the last three years
Rare visitor. Bred in 2014. two records were received: Dunwich Shore Pools: one briefly on June 7th, before flying north (B J Small)
Very common winter visitor and passage migrant. Common but declining resident. Amber list.
the highest site-count again came from the orwell estuary, with 850 recorded on November 15th. the highest inland count was from Lakenheath fen with 20 on July 20th. the highest-ever inland count of oystercatchers in Suffolk is 34 at Livermere Lake on March 14th 2009.
Breeding was recorded at thorington, Hazlewood Marshes, orfordness, where 22 pairs fledged a minimum of seven young, Boyton Marshes, Hollesley Marshes, Havergate island, Woodbridge area at farlingaye School and Wilford Bridge. ipswich railway Station, Stutton Mill and trimley Marshes. included in the inland records, breeding was confirmed at Lakenheath fen, five pairs with a minimum of four fledged young, Bto Nunnery reserve, two young, Mickle Mere, one pair with two young and at timworth, one pair also with two young.
A news story in the east Anglian Daily times of May 13th, related to how quiet ipswich railway Station had been during and after the first Lockdown period. the relative lack of disturbance had led to a pair of oystercatchers nesting on the station’s canopy roof which could be viewed from the footbridge.
Southerly autumn passage at Landguard peaked at 253 in August.
WeBS Data:
Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec
Blyth Estuary - - - - - - -Alde Estuary 47 14 152 - - - -Deben Estuary 76 132 109 - 58 59 62 86 Orwell Estuary 849 936 595 - 730 768 1665 1255 Stour Estuary - - 475 - - - - -
Fairly common resident, summer visitor and passage migrant on the coast. Increasingly regular at inland sites. Amber list.
Breeding records were received from the following locations: Carlton Marshes: pair with young Benacre Broad: pair raised young Minsmere: 72 pairs nested, down from 96 in 2019, only four young fledged Orfordness: 47 pairs nested, down from 72 in 2019, no birds were thought to have fledged Hazlewood Marshes: 20 pairs, minimum of eight birds fledged Boyton Marshes: 14 pairs nested, 14 young fledged Hollesley Marshes: 48 pairs nested – all predated by carrion crows and kestrel Trimley Marshes: ten pairs, no young due to predation Lakenheath Fen: seven pairs nested and ten young fledged. first breeding record on the reserve and the highest total (24) ever at this inland site in Suffolk 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Number sites 6 6 9 8 8 13 16 14 15 9 Confirmed pairs 189 208 212 154 215 242 253 237 309 220
counts of 250 or more, other than WeBS, were as follows:
Blyth Estuary: 322, Jan 17th
Iken: 475, oct 30th
Tunstall: 450, Nov 29th Havergate Island: 670, Aug 28th. 760, oct 17th
Brantham: 250, Jan 21st
Cattawade: 400, Jan 11th inland sightings of Avocets were at: Lakenheath fen, Gifford’s Hall (Stoke-by-Nayland) and cavenham Heath.
WeBS Data: Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec
Blyth Estuary
Alde Estuary 1728 41 456 - - - - -
Deben Estuary 165 188 114 - 136 244 289 567 Orwell Estuary 86 49 42 66 110 122 103 Stour Estuary - - 162 - - - - -
the figure of 1728 on the Alde estuary in January appears to be the highest-ever in Suffolk.
FS88593 (y11/BGN) nestling
03/06/2014 Batz-Sur-Mer, Loire-Atlantique, frANce 47°16’N 02°28’W alive (colour-ring seen) 15/04/2020 Havergate island, Suffolk 52°04’N 01°30’e - 606km NNe
reports in 2020 of Avocets that had been colour-ringed on orfordness in previous years included birds seen in Germany (1), the Netherlands (2), france (1), Somerset (1), kent (1), Greater London and Norfolk (2). the sighting in Germany is shown in full below.
EW43478 (yellow ci) nestling
17/06/2018 orfordness, Suffolk 52°05’N 01°34’e alive (colour-ring seen) 17/10/2020 crildumersiel, Niedersachsen, GerMANy 53°40’N 08°02’e -468km eNe
Very common winter visitor and passage migrant. Declining as a breeding species. Red list. counts of 1000 or more:
Breydon Water: 2000, feb 5th
Carlton Marshes: 1000, Nov 11th
Blyth Estuary: 1120, feb 8th
Minsmere: 1200, Jan 15th Timworth: 1100, Dec 14th
Great Livermere: 1600, Jan 1st, 1500, feb 23rd, 1000, Nov 19th
Breeding was confirmed on the coast at Southwold common, five pairs fledged 15 young, North Warren, ten pairs, Minsmere, nine fledged, orfordness, 45 pairs, a record site number, fledged 24 young, Boyton Marshes, two pairs fledged two young, Hollesley Marshes, no figures, trimley Marshes, 22 pairs fledged 15 young. in the west of the county breeding was confirmed at Long Melford, Gifford’s Hall where 12 young seen, Mickle Mere, young seen, Mildenhall fen and Lakenheath fen where nine broods were recorded. exact figures were not obtained at some sites due to covid restrictions.
Landguard’s peak day-total was 126 south, November 30th.
WeBS Data:
Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec Blyth Estuary
Alde Estuary 3270 - 268 - - - -Deben Estuary 726 889 54 - 105 659 1545 2900 Orwell Estuary 928 1 40 - 26 333 506 790 Stour Estuary 532 - 47 - - - - -
Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Green list (from Amber). Notable counts of 700 or more were reported as follows:
Breydon Water: 6000, feb 5th; 10000 minimum, Dec 30th
Carlton Marshes: 800, Dec 8th
Orfordness: 750, Mar 8th
Falkenham Marshes: 1000, feb 4th
Great Barton: 1000, Nov 19th; 1000 Dec 8th the 10000 at Breydon Water in December is the highest-ever total in Suffolk exceeding the previous highest of 7500 on the Blyth estuary, December 4th 1999.
WeBS Data:
Blyth Estuary
Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec
Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec
Alde Estuary 96 - 750 - - - -Deben Estuary 284 - - - 53 670 531Orwell Estuary 169 - 137 - 121 132 1 248 Stour Estuary - - - - - - - -
Very rare visitor. this species should, perhaps, be regarded as rare rather than very rare. this is the sixth record since 2010.
Blyth Estuary: 2nd-cal-year+, Aug 7th (B J Small)
Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. this species was recorded in every month of the year from coastal sites. the last report from inland Suffolk concerns a single bird at Lakenheath fen on March 30th 2015. counts of 100 or more came from the following locations:
Havergate Island: 130, Jan 7th, 110, feb 21st, 122 Nov 16th
River Deben: ramsholt, 135, feb 12th
Trimley Marshes: 193, Nov 18th Landguard recorded 58 south between July 5th and November 30th, with a peak day-total of 23 on August 5th.
WeBS Data:
Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec Blyth Estuary
Alde Estuary 124 1 - - - -Deben Estuary 124 406 420 - 284 250 340 254 Orwell Estuary 28 2 100 - 244 1 291 280 Stour Estuary 108 - 829 - - - - -
Declining resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list (from Amber). counts of 100 or more:
Southwold: 112, Aug 12th
Hazlewood Marshes: 125, May 16th, 120, May 19th
Havergate Island: 125, Aug 28th
Ramsholt: Lodge Marsh, 121, Aug 22nd
Landguard: max roost total of 148, Jan 8th
Breeding records in 2020, exact figures not always obtained::
Southwold: pair, outcome unknown
Minsmere: breeding confirmed, juveniles present
Aldeburgh: pair on the beach
Orfordness: eight pairs, five young fledged
Landguard: five pairs, no young reared
Trimley Marshes: pair, fledglings unknown
Double-figure counts of birds considered to be of the race tundrae came from:
Southwold: 11, May 19th
Blyth Estuary: ten, May 8th
Alde Estuary: 250, May 10th – record Suffolk individual site total
Hazlewood Marshes: 120, May 19th
WeBS Data:
Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec Blyth Estuary
Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec
Alde Estuary 10 - 15 - - - - -
Deben Estuary 31 52 0 - 34 83 6 37 Orwell Estuary 45 - 2 - 146 100 4Stour Estuary 4 - - - - - - -
Charadrius dubius
Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. the first returning birds in the west of the county were reported at Gifford’s Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland on March 16th and in the east one at Southwold on March 19th. two birds were seen in a puddle at Alderton on March 25th.
Breeding was confirmed at carlton Marshes where a pair raised at least one young and Pipps ford where three pairs raised a minimum of three young. there was possible breeding at an additional site in the north of the county and at a site in the very south.
Birds were recorded at various coastal sites and in central Suffolk the highest site-total was of ten at Pipps ford on May 25th. one was reported at Landguard on May 2nd. the last recorded sighting of the year was at kessingland on September 27th.
three birds were present, from March 28th until April 4th, on a flood pool at a housing development site in Bury St. edmunds. B Woodhouse
KENTISH PLOVER Charadrius alexandrinus
Rare passage migrant. No records in 2020. ten have been recorded in Suffolk so far this century – single birds in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2016, 2017, 2019 and two in 2009.
EURASIAN DOTTEREL Charadrius morinellus
Scarce passage migrant. Red list.
No records in 2020. the only blank years in Suffolk so far this century have been 2009, 2016 and 2020. the most productive year was 2017 when as many as 11 were recorded.
RED KNOT Calidris canutus
Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. it is not possible to draw any conclusion from the numbers below about the size of the wintering flock on the Stour in 2020. in
the period 2017 to 2019 it peaked at well in excess of 5000 birds. Away from the regular wintering flocks, there were rather few records in double figures, but as expected there were reports of small flocks of passage birds in May and into June. these probably relate to long-distance migrants of the nominate race canutus which winters mainly in north-western Africa, and breeds in Siberia. Late spring and mid-summer records of birds in non-breeding plumage may, however, relate to second calendar year birds of the race islandica oversummering along the coasts of the North Sea. for example, there was a flock of 40 at Hazlewood Marshes on June 16th, which included birds in non-breeding plumage. there was an excellent record of a single bird inland at Long Melford on December 6th (D k underwood). this is the first site record. WeBS high-water count 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 Estuary 363 - 1 - - - - -Deben Estuary 156 191 - - 19 46 103 257 Orwell Estuary 1 - 400Stour Estuary (Suffolk shore) 2102 - 759 - - - - -Stour Estuary (incl Essex) 2282 - 1583 - - - - - -
Autumn passage off Landguard was noted between July 9th and November 24th totalling 142 with a peak monthly total of 75 in october and a maximum day-total of 12 south on october 25th.
2018 Addition the record at cavenham Pits, March 3rd is the first multiple occurrence since 2000 when eight were at Lakenheath fen, May 5th. the only other multiple occurrence in west Suffolk is of four at Lackford Lakes SWt on october 15th 1988 in which year there were also singles at Lackford on September 28th and october 28th.
SANDERLING Calidris alba
Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list (from Green).
During the first winter period there were few reports and the only counts into double figures were of 12 at kessingland on february 11th and 11 at felixstowe on february 14th.
Spring passage birds were widespread along the coast from early April, but generally in small numbers with the exception of 25 at Landguard on April 17th. there were ten at trimley Marshes on May 19th, but otherwise few reports in late May and early June. returning migrants were reported in small numbers from July 16th, with 36 reported at Southwold on August 25th. thereafter only singles or small numbers were reported from coastal sites in the second winter period, with eight at kessingland on December 28th.
Autumn passage off Landguard totalled 31 between July 24th and october 21st with a peak monthly count of 12 in both August and october and a maximum daycount of 12 south on october 13th.
LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta
Fairly common passage migrant. Occasionally overwinters.
As in 2020, there were very few reports of Little Stint in the county this year.
No spring passage birds were recorded for the first time since 1972 (when there was no entry for Little Stint in the Bird report).
the first sighting of the autumn came from Minsmere on July 16th. thereafter there were sightings of one to four birds from a dozen coastal sites, including one south off Landguard, August 5th, with several lingering into the first week of october. Singles were at trimley Marshes until November 2nd and on Havergate island on November 30th
As in 2018 and 2019 there were no inland records and no mid-winter sightings.
A Norwegian-ringed bird was on the Alde estuary, August13th to 15th (Harrier203: 25)
Scarce passage migrant.
two birds were recorded on spring passage, a typical total in recent years. As in 2019, none was reported on the coast north of trimley.
Trimley Marshes: May 4th to 6th (P Holmes)
East Bergholt: White Horse Marsh, May 16th (D Gretton et al.)
Scarce passage migrant. None was reported this year, the first blank year since 2000.
Uncommon passage migrant. Has overwintered. Amber list (from Green). there were only six reports of birds seen on spring passage, as follows:
Blyth Estuary: June 8th and 9th
Minsmere: May 5th
Alde Estuary: May 10th; May 16th; three, May 22nd
Orfordness: Apr 29th
Trimley Marshes: June 1st
Lakenheath Fen: June 13th – only the fifth spring record for west Suffolk Autumn passage numbers were higher than in 2018 and 2019, with over 60 birds recorded and a peak in the second week of September. Several sites had counts of more than five birds.
Blyth Estuary: eight, Sep 14th
Minsmere: 12, Sep 12th
Havergate Island: 14, Sep 11th
Ramsholt: seven, Aug 30th to Sep 3rd the first report of the autumn was from Minsmere on July 23rd and the last was of a lingering bird with an injured leg at carlton Marshes until october 27th.
Fairly common winter visitor. Scarce passage migrant. Amber list. the best site for this species remains Ness Point, Lowestoft. Purple Sandpipers were recorded there in the first winter period from January 1st until March 21st with a peak count of 15 on february 15th, a very similar pattern to 2019. Winterers returned there from october 2nd and were present until the year’s end with a peak count of 11 on November 2nd. often autumn birds arrive at other sites than those where we expect them. this was true this year with the first returning birds, two, at Southold on August 31st. one to four wintering birds were recorded from another nine coastal sites (Hopton-on-Sea, Southwold, Benacre, Minsmere, Sizewell, thorpeness, Slaughden, east Lane and Landguard). unusually, there was a juvenile with Dunlin at Hazlewood Marshes from September 7th to 11th. Landguard’s first and last dates surpass those of Ness Point as follows; up to three were noted regularly at Landguard from January 1st up to April 25th; two at this site on May 15th might have been passage birds. Landguard’s first report of the autumn was one on September 1st and 2nd and then up to three were noted there irregularly from September 27th to November 29th with one, sometimes two, in the last week of December.
DUNLIN Calidris alpina
Very common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber List. the WeBS high water count data in the table below indicate a population of over 12000 on Suffolk’s estuaries in the first winter period, made up of over approximately 4000 on the Stour estuary (taking the estuary as a whole), 2000 on the orwell estuary, 2000 on the Deben estuary and 4000 on the Alde estuary. this is broadly comparable with the equivalent figure of 13000 for
2019. in the second winter period, the WeBS high water count data are incomplete, but counts of over 4000 from the orwell and Deben are high by recent standards. there was a much lighter spring passage than in 2019, with few reports of flocks exceeding 100 birds in April or May. the only inland records were from Lakenheath where the highest count was of five on May 20th. only a few birds were seen in June, but these included two inland at Lakenheath on June 13th.
returning adults were reported from early July, with the first juvenile noted on July 16th. there was an extended southerly autumn passage off Landguard between July 5th and November 28th totalling 418 birds. the peak monthly total was 147 in November (812 in october in 2019) with a maximum day-total of 67 south on November 9th. WeBS high-water count 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 Estuary
Alde/Ore Estuary 3608 - 86 - - - - -Deben Estuary 2043 2003 901 143 1138 2629 4805 Orwell Estuary 2350 3000 212 12 24 414 2338 4032
Stour Estuary (Suffolk shore) 2293 - 1639 - - - - -Stour Estuary (incl Essex) 4143 - 2582 - - - - - -
Fairly common passage migrant. Small numbers overwinter. Red List. in the first winter period, the only report was of a wintering bird at Melton on the Deben estuary.
Spring passage was also very light, with North Warren being the only site to hold more than five birds with seven on March 23rd. the only inland spring record was a single bird at Livermere Lakes on April 29th. there was only one record in May, a single bird at Aldeburgh Marshes on 2nd and a handful of records in June, including a male in breeding plumage at Hollesley Marshes on 21st.
in autumn, numbers were also very low with the only counts in double figures being ten at Minsmere on both July 22nd and August 20th. there were also ten inland at Lakenheath on August 3rd, with birds present until August 23rd. Numbers tailed off rapidly through october and only a few birds were reported in the second winter period, the highest count being of five from carlton Marshes on November 25th. it is of interest that there were six at carlton Marshes on November 23rd 2019 and six, nearby at oulton Marsh on November 28th 2018.
L.l.islandica: Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.
L.l.limosa: Scarce visitor. Formerly bred. Red list.
there was a good number of reports of birds of the nominate race limosa, reflecting the trend in recent years. Some or most of the juveniles are likely to be from the small, but increasing, breeding population on the ouse Washes and Nene Washes:
Carlton Marshes: three, May 16th
Benacre: juv, Aug 24th
Minsmere: eight, June 25th; three, June 26th; four, Aug 2nd
Hazlewood Marshes: juv, Aug 29th
Boyton Marshes: two, Mar 26th; juv, Sep 8th
Ramsholt: juv, Sep 11th to 16th
Lakenheath: July 25th
confirmed records of birds from the continental population of limosa are very rare in the county despite many birds having been colour-ringed on the continent, but the following records from orfordness relate to individuals which were colour-ringed in the Netherlands.
2007 Addition:
Orfordness: June 24th (second-summer, colour-ringed in the Netherlands in June 2006)
2017 Addition
Orfordness: July 1st (adult, colour-ringed in the Netherlands in June 2013)
2018 Addition
Orfordness: July 7th and 8th (same individual as in 2017 above)
2019 Addition
Orfordness: June 25th to 30th (same individual as in 2017 and 2018 above) in relation to the islandica subspecies, numbers in the county in the first winter period reached a peak of at least 3500 in february (including the Stour estuary as a whole). in spring, numbers built-up in March and April, with a marked exodus in the last week of April, as is typical. records from later in May and in early June relate to oversummering immatures and non-breeders. there were 172 at Southwold on May 24th and 107 at Hazlewood Marshes on June 16th.
return passage was first evident from late June, with records of presumed returning adults inland at Lakenheath on June 26th and Gifford’s Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland on June 28th (45 there on July 7th 2019). there was an excellent inland total of 66 at Lakenheath on July 2nd, which are likely to be recently-arrived migrants. this is the site’s highest total of this species since 2015 when 170 were present on March 29th. on the coast, there was a high count of 660 on the Blyth estuary on July 20th.
Given the large numbers of Black-tailed Godwit on the coast in autumn it is somewhat surprising that the only records at Landguard this year (2020) were of seven south, July 4th and five south on July 29th.
WeBS data are incomplete and so it is not possible to estimate the population in the second winter period.
WeBS high water count 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 Estuary
Alde/Ore Estuary 465* - 1449* - - - - -Deben Estuary 539 409 467 760 539 421 179 Orwell Estuary 374 289 141 874 763 811 393 Stour Estuary (Suffolk shore) 200 - 841 - - - - -Stour Estuary (incl Essex shore) 1970 - 1146 - - - - -*noted as an undercount
An adult female Black-tailed Godwit ringed at Seaton Marshes, Devon on March 5th 2011 was found freshly dead at fornham St Martin, near Bury St edmunds, on August 10th 2019
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. Away from the orwell and Stour estuaries, the count of 81 birds on the Alde estuary in January is notable.
Spring passage was much lighter than in 2019 and concentrated into the last two weeks of April, with the largest flock reported being 26 at Aldeburgh on April 27th. the 11 at Hazlewood
Marshes on June 16th may have been oversummering.
Several flocks were seen migrating south in autumn, the first being six past Landguard on the early date of June 30th. Southerly offshore passage peaked in August with counts past Landguard and Southwold of 205 and 80 respectively.
there were no reports of more than 50 birds in the second winter period, but there were 44 on Havergate island on November 30th. there was an excellent inland record of one at Lakenheath fen on November 12th – the first-ever record of a Bar-tailed Godwit in west Suffolk in November. the only october record of Bar-tailed Godwit in west Suffolk is particularly noteworthy – eight flying west accompanied by ten knot and ten Grey Plovers over eriswell on 9th in 1985. the highestever total of Bar-tailed Godwits in west Suffolk remains the flock of 120 flying eNe over risby way back on April 29th 1982.
WeBS high-water count 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 Estuary
Alde/Ore Estuary 81 - - - - - - -Deben Estuary - 36 14 9 8 28 26 Orwell Estuary 1 - 20 - 6 10 6
Stour Estuary (Suffolk shore) 55 - - - - - - -Stour Estuary (incl Essex shore) 55 - 137 - - - - - -
EURASIAN
Fairly common passage migrant. Occasionally overwinters. Red list. Migrants were reported from March 19th when a bird was heard calling over Shingle Street. Passage peaked during the last two weeks of April and first week of May, with over 100 birds recorded. the largest flocks reported were of at least 60 birds at Beccles on April 24th and 37 at reydon on April 5th. Additionally, Landguard recorded 135 birds offshore between April 16th and May 14th, with a maximum 39 north on April 23rd there were a few records of single birds from the west of the county in spring and two at Lakenheath fen on August 4th, but no larger groups. there was, however, a notable record of two flocks involving two and seven birds, heading inland west of ipswich on April 18th and apparently following the A14. there were several records of single birds during June and a flock of eight at Minsmere on 19th of that month, which may have been early autumn migrants. few double-figure counts were made over the autumn, but 25 were seen past Minsmere on August 3rd. only small numbers were seen past Landguard with a total of 50 between June 30th and September 16th. Passage tailed off in September and there was just one record in october, at Benacre on 5th.
At Landguard, where none had been recorded on spring passage, 17 were recorded between october 5th and December 25th with a maximum of two on November 27th.
Numenius arquata
Common winter visitor and passage migrant. A few pairs still breed. Red list (from Amber).
Data from monthly WeBS counts suggest that numbers in the county peaked at approximately 3000 in the first winter period. Numbers reduced as birds began to migrate away from the estuaries in early spring.
As is usual, there were several inland records from february which are likely to refer to returning breeders. the first bird was noted back at Nunnery Lakes, thetford on february 6th and there were 16 at cavenham on March 6th. the status of this species as a breeding bird in Suffolk remains precarious, with fewer than ten breeding pairs being reported. return passage was noted from May 27th (Landguard), with a peak in late June and early July. there were also double-figure counts from the Blyth estuary in June. which may relate to birds returning early to Suffolk; 18 reported from there on May 19th were either late spring birds or were oversummering on the Blyth estuary. Landguard recorded 174 south in June and 431 in July, with a maximum day-count of 178 south on July 9th.
WeBS data are incomplete and so it is not possible to estimate the population in the second winter period. WeBS high water count data (with totals for the Suffolk shore of the Stour estuary and for the estuary as a whole):
Blyth Estuary Alde/Ore Estuary 1417 156* 1097 - - - - -Deben Estuary 357 512 493 467 279 245 201 Orwell Estuary 517 350 368 387 1 340 240 259 Stour Estuary (Suffolk shore) 200 - 456 - - - - -Stour Estuary (incl Essex shore) 881 - 680 - - - - -*noted as an undercount
CURLEW
CT187176 (white f0V) 1st-year 04/07/2018
Siikalatva, Pohjois-Pohjanmaa, oulu, fiNLAND 64°35’N 25°31’e alive (colour-ring seen) 28/01/2020 trimley Marshes, near felixstowe, Suffolk 51°57’N 01°16’e - 1982km SW
CT183053 (white cHL) nestling 07/07/2016
Siikalatva, Pohjois-Pohjanmaa, oulu, fiNLAND 64°31’N 25°37’e alive (colour-ring seen) 06/03/2020
Siikalatva, Pohjois-Pohjanmaa, oulu, fiNLAND 64°31’N 25°37’e Siikalatva, Pohjois-Pohjanmaa, oulu, fiNLAND 64°31’N 25°37’e
8518340 adult male 22/05/2019 Derk Hoekstrastuifdijk, oosterend, terschelling, NetHerLANDS 53°25’N 05°25’e alive (colour-ring seen) 08/11/2020 Sudbourne Marshes, Sudbourne, Suffolk 52°07’N 01°34’e - 296km WSW
Common passage migrant. A few birds overwinter. Amber list. No birds were reported in the first winter period. there were early records of single birds at Pipps ford on March 6th and trimley Marshes on March 8th. thereafter, spring passage was noted from the second week of April. the majority of reports related to one or two birds, including two birds displaying at Stutton Mill on the Stour estuary on April 23rd. there were six at Heveningham on April 27th. inland records were sparse, with records of one or two birds from eight sites.
After a few records in late May and June, including a bird at Minsmere on June 23rd, return passage was evident from the first week of July. thereafter there were widespread reports of single birds or small groups, but with fewer double-figure counts than in 2019 (which was an exceptional year). Selected high counts were as follows:
Carlton Marshes: 13, Aug 11th
Minsmere: ten, Aug 3rd
Hazlewood Marshes: 11, July 26th
Havergate Island: ten, Aug 11th in the second winter period reports from the upper reaches of the orwell estuary at ipswich on November 1st and December 22nd suggest that one intended to overwinter in the area.
Fairly common passage migrant. Small numbers overwinter. Amber list. there were widespread records of single birds in the first winter period from over 20 sites, the majority away from the coast; these typically involved one or two birds. Spring passage birds were also well spread, with the highest counts being of four at cavenham on March 8th and 11 at Pipps ford on March 20th, an excellent spring passage record. A returning bird was reported from Snape on June 2nd, a typically early date. the highest counts were in mid-August, with notable totals from carlton Marshes. the 35 at carlton is the highest individual site total in Suffolk since August 9th 1955 when 45 were at West Stow Sewage farm. Peak counts from sites holding ten or more birds were as follows:
Carlton Marshes: 35, Aug 13th
Flixton: 20, Aug 18th
Blyth Estuary: 11, Aug 10th
Minsmere: 16, Aug 3rd
Snape: ten, July 24th
Alde Estuary: ten, Aug 17th
Ramsholt: 14, Aug 3rd there was as usual a scatter of reports in the second winter period from the coast and inland, but none of more than three birds.
Decreasing passage migrant. A few overwinter. Amber list. there were probably at least ten birds in the county in the first winter period, with potentially a higher total if counts of up to three from the Blyth estuary, Southwold, Walberswick and Dingle Marshes related to different individuals. the highest single count from the Blyth estuary area was of four at Blythburgh on January 17th. there were additional birds on the Stour estuary, at Snape and at Havergate island, where there were four on January 4th.
Spring passage was light, with very few breeding plumage birds reported. the highest total was of three at Dingle Marshes on May 3rd. the first birds of return passage were noted at Minsmere on June 17th, a little later than usual, and numbers there peaked at 17 on August 4th. As usual, there were relatively few reports away from Minsmere, but these did not include four at trimley Marshes on September 7th and three at ramsholt on July 2nd. in the second winter period numbers appeared to be similar to those reported earlier in the year, presumably with many of the same birds involved. there were four present on Havergate in November and December.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS Tringa melanoleuca
Accidental.
A well-watched individual at Dingle Marshes in November is the fourth record for the county. the three previous records were at Breydon Water, September 1975, Minsmere, July/August 1985 and Southwold/Burgh castle, May 1995. See article earlier in this report. Dingle Marshes: Nov 7th to 19th (J A rowlands et al.)
COMMON GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia
Common passage migrant. A few overwinter. Amber list (from Green). in the first winter period, there were two on the Stour estuary and one at carlton Marshes, with one at Minsmere on January 17th. there were very few reports in March and the first presumed migrants did not appear until mid-April. the highest counts in April were five on the Stour estuary on April 20th and five on the Deben estuary on April 26th. Numbers barely picked up in May with reports of up to three birds from fewer than 20 sites, but in the first week of May flocks were reported of 17 at carlton Marshes on 5th and 15 on the Deben estuary on 3rd. there were reports of a single bird at Lakenheath fen during June and of presumed migrants from the middle of that month with two at Hollesley on 14th. After the high numbers recorded in autumn 2019, lower numbers were reported in 2020 with few flocks of ten or more birds. the regular autumn flock on the Stour estuary peaked at 31 on August 5th. elsewhere, there were at least 20 at ramsholt on August 26th and 20 at Hazlewood Marshes during September. only seven flew south off Landguard in July with five on 9th. in the second winter period, presumed overwintering birds were recorded from carlton Marshes, Hazlewood Marshes, Havergate, the Deben estuary and the Stour estuary. A record of nine on the Deben estuary on November 2nd may have related to late migrants.
Passage migrant in small numbers. Amber list. the first spring bird was at Southwold on April 23rd. Passage was very light, with reports from only six sites and the only count of more than one bird being of three at Hollesley Marshes on May 1st. there was one at Lakenheath fen from May 4th to 6th and another there on May 31st. the first June record was from carlton Marshes on June 5th and the first juvenile was reported from Minsmere on July 24th. in contrast with the high numbers in 2019, only two flocks of five or more were reported in a light autumn passage:
Carlton Marshes: six, Aug 13th
Ramsholt: six, Aug 1st there were three at Lakenheath from August 13th to 16th, the highest inland total since July 20th 2014 when four were at Mickle Mere. there were no records after September 1st when two were at Lodge Marsh, ramsholt..
COMMON REDSHANK Tringa totanus
Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Declining resident. Amber list. Data from the monthly WeBS counts on the principal estuaries are set out in the table below. in the first winter period, there were at least 3700 in the county, including a report of 600 from the Blyth estuary on January 10th. this figure closely corresponds to that for 2019. Breeding data are incomplete for 2020. However, 35-40 pairs were estimated on orfordness, where a minimum of 23 chicks fledged. further south in the county, 15 pairs were reported from trimley Marshes with six chicks fledged and a minimum of 14 fledged juveniles was reported at White Horse Marsh, east Bergholt. inland, there were three breeding pairs at Lakenheath fen. in autumn there was the usual build-up at Hazlewood Marshes with a count of 900 on August 15th. Data for the second winter period are incomplete. WeBS high-water count 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 Estuary
Alde/Ore Estuary 1615 62* 765 - - - - -Deben Estuary 742 991 571 882 535 1155 646 Orwell Estuary 204 255 204 180 60 284 881 563
Stour Estuary (Suffolk shore) 240 - 252 - - - - -Stour Estuary (incl Essex shore) 515 - 678 - - - - -*noted as an undercount
DB69929 Adult 06-02-2008
Alive (colour rings seen) 21-03-2008
Alive (colour rings seen) 03-06-2009
Alive (colour rings seen) 26-10-2009
Alive (colour rings seen) 13-08-2012
Alive (colour rings seen) 23-10-2013
Alive (colour rings seen) 24-09-2014
Alive (colour rings seen) 02-11-2015
Alive (colour rings seen) 02-11-2016
Levington creek, orwell estuary: 51°59’N 1°14’e (Suffolk)
Levington creek: 51°59’N 1°14’e (Suffolk) 0km 0y 1m 15d
Levington creek: 51°59’N 1°14’e (Suffolk) 0km 1y 3m 28d
Levington creek: 51°59’N 1°14’e (Suffolk) 0km 1y 8m 20d
Levington creek: 51°59’N 1°14’e (Suffolk) 0km 4y 6m 7d
Levington creek: 51°59’N 1°14’e (Suffolk) 0km 5y 8m 17d
Levington creek: 51°59’N 1°14’e (Suffolk) 0km 6y 7m 18d
Levington creek: 51°59’N 1°14’e (Suffolk) 0km 7y 8m 27d
Levington creek, orwell estuary: 51°59’N 1°14’e (Suffolk) 0km 8y 8m 27d
Alive (colour rings seen) 16-11-2017
Levington creek, orwell estuary: 51°59’N 1°14’e (Suffolk) 0km 9y 9m 10d
Alive (colour rings seen) 21-01-2020
Levington creek: 51°59’N 1°14’e (Suffolk) 0km 11y 11m 15d
Alive (colour rings seen) 19-07-2020
Sílavík, Höfn, Hornafjörður: 64°15’N 15°13’W (Austur-Skaftafellssýsla) iceland 1,660km NNW 12y 5m 13d
Alive (colour rings seen) 28-08-2020
Levington creek, orwell estuary: 51°59’N 1°14’e (Suffolk) 0km 12y 6m 22d
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 700 in January, with the highest count elsewhere being 61 at Lowestoft on January 31st. Small numbers of birds were reported from coastal sites in late spring, with late migrants including 22 at Stutton Mill on the Stour estuary on May 20th. there were several reports in June which may relate to oversummering birds or to migrants, but no counts of more than ten birds. As in previous years, there was a marked arrival in the last week of July with 20 in Seafield Bay on the Stour estuary on July 20th and 15 at trimley Marshes on 24th. Numbers increased through the autumn, but data are incomplete for the second winter period.
there were no inland records in 2020. WeBS high water count 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 Estuary
Alde/Ore Estuary 70 - 30 - - - - -Deben Estuary 85 78 83 83 107 95 100 Orwell Estuary 244 2 5 17 69 119 193 358 Stour Estuary (Suffolk shore) 156 - 31 - - - - -Stour Estuary (incl Essex shore) 368 - 107 - - - - - -
Rare passage migrant. Red list. there were no records of this species this year, the first blank year since 2016
Scarce passage migrant and rare winter visitor.
there were two records of this species this year, after a blank year in 2019.
Benacre: 1st-winter photographed, Sep 27th and 28th (c A Buttle et al); south offshore, oct 5th (multi-observer)
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Green list (from Amber). this species was reported from over 20
sites in the coastal belt and four sites inland, which is broadly comparable with 2019. the first returning bird of the autumn was noted at Aldeburgh on September 19th and there appeared to have been an arrival at the end of the month, with birds being seen in off the sea at Southwold on September 28th and Minsmere on october 3rd. there were also several reports of birds on the shore or in coastal dunes over the same period and inland singles were reported at cavenham on September 30th and Honington on october 1st. At Landguard, two were present on october 3rd (see above) and singles on october 11th and November 27th.
As usual, the majority of reports related to three birds or fewer, but there were six at Pipps ford on January 1st.
EURASIAN WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola
Declining resident. Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.
in the first winter period, there were reports from fewer sites than in 2018 or 2019. the majority of reports related to single birds and there were no counts of more than ten birds.
Mid-summer records of displaying birds came from six sites in the north-west of the county, with reports of two roding males at one site. there were no reports of roding males on the coast after encouraging reports in 2017, 2018 and 2019, but data may be incomplete.
the first autumn arrivals were reported on earlier dates than in 2019. one at Aldeburgh on September 21st, was followed by several coastal records in the first week of october. reports from coastal sites indicate that there may have been a further arrival in the last week of November.
Numbers in the second winter period were broadly comparable with 2019, with reports from over 40 inland and coastal sites. there were no reports exceeding five birds.
At Landguard, where none had been recorded on spring passage, 17 were recorded between october 5th and December 25th with a maximum of two on November 27th.
Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Last bred in 2007. Amber list.
As is usual, reports came from widespread inland and coastal sites in both winter periods. there were, however, far fewer high counts than in 2019 and there were no three-figure totals. the highest counts received were as follows:
Somerleyton: 56, Jan 24th
Carlton Marshes: 45, Nov 26th
Lackford Lakes: 60, Jan 18th
there was a single ‘drumming’ bird at Snape in June and July, so hope remains that this species will recolonise the county after an
absence as a breeding bird of over ten years. reports of single birds at several coastal locations from mid-July are likely to refer to early autumn arrivals.
At Landguard, 17 were noted between August 15th and November 30th with a maximum count of four on November 9th.
Very common passage migrant and winter visitor. Small numbers breed. Red list (from Amber).
At the start of the year small numbers were noted around the coast with six off Sizewell beach, January 9th. further south, 30 were off Landguard, January 12th and towards the end of the month numbers at Sizewell beach had reached 30, January 30th. the following month, 31 were at the Sizewell rigs, february 7th and numbers increased there to 50 by March 6th.
During the summer, returning birds were noted nesting on the Sizewell rigs, with nest material being gathered but no estimates or counts as to how many nests or fledged young were produced, although 450 birds were recorded there, July 8th. further up the coast in Lowestoft, the large colony on the tower of our Lady, Star of the Sea roman catholic church was again present with nesting also noted on the claremont Pier (47 nests) as well as buildings around the inner harbour, Battery Green road and Surrey Street but no accurate nest or chick counts were received for these other sites.
During the summer months, local movements included 264 off thorpeness, June 1st and 177 from the same location the following day. elsewhere, 70 were noted on Minsmere Scrape, June 1st and in the south of the county, at Landguard, a total of 123 which involved 18 north and 105 south on June 19th was described in the LBo report as being “unprecedented”. throughout the summer, birds were regularly recorded from thorpeness and Minsmere along with 243, that included 24 juveniles, around the Sizewell rigs, August 6th.
During the autumn, numbers declined to mainly single-figure counts around the coast with a slight rise in sightings towards the end of the year, when 25 were off Southwold, November 21st and 30 off thorpeness, December 13th and 26th. in the south of the county, 59 were off Landguard which included 25 southbound birds, December 19th.
Rare passage migrant.
A good year for this species with at least five, but probably six, different birds noted on return passage, including two along the beach and lingering briefly onshore. All records as follows: Lowestoft: Ness Point, juv north, 09:05hr, Aug 30th (Multi-observer)
Kessingland: juv on beach pools then west, 13:20hr, Sep 27th (c Darby et al)
Southwold: moulting adult north, 07:27hr, Aug 30th (Multi-observer); north, 08:50hr, oct 2nd (Multiobserver)
Minsmere Beach: first-winter north along tideline, 09:43hr, then briefly on Scrape, oct 2nd (J Grant et al) Thorpeness: adult north along beach, then inland, Sep 20th (G Grieco, A faiers)
Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.
At the beginning of the year there were some good-sized roosts noted in the west of the county, mainly at Livermere Lake. the pattern of sightings from that site included 6000, January 12th, 7000, february 4th and 8000, february 23rd, before numbers declined to 1500, March 9th. elsewhere in the west, counts were much lower at other sites with the pick being 630 and 410 at Lackford Lakes, January 5th and 18th respectively. Later that month, 650 were recorded at Lakenheath Washes, 31st and the following month, 500 were at Lackford Lakes, february 5th and 265 at the Bto Nunnery reserve on 8th. on the coast a notable gathering of over 400 was feeding just metres offshore at east Lane, Bawdsey, January 13th, in a linear flock that stretched for 400 metres. other notable flocks included 1200 at the Blyth estuary, January 1st, and that same month, during WeBS counts, 1168
and 1251 were noted on the Deben and Alde estuaries respectively. elsewhere along the coast, 410 were at easton Bavents, february 16th and 850 at Minsmere, March 11th. in the south of the county, 970 were noted at Alton Water, January 12th.
Breeding records from the west of the county consisted of 14 nests located at Livermere Lake with other sites holding a small number of breeding pairs involving two at Lackford Lakes and another two on an agricultural reservoir at Hall farm, fornham St. Martin. on the coast, on orfordness, a minimum of 22 pairs nested with 17 of these on king’s Marshes with a few chicks seen early on but no young fledged. At Minsmere 1500 nests were noted with virtually no fledged young. further south, seven nests were noted at Boyton Marshes and three at Hollesley Marshes.
Summer roosts included 1500 at Livermere Lake, July 23rd with 800 there, August 6th the same day that 600 were at Lakenheath Washes.
At the end of the year peak roost counts at Livermere Lake included 3500, November 29th and 1000, December 14th. on the coast, 346 were at carlton Mashes, November 27th and 3100 on pig fields by the Blythburgh water tower, December 12th. in the south of the county, 439 were at trimley Marshes SWt, December 4th and 400 at ramsholt, December 30th.
Fairly common passage migrant. Regularly oversummers. Small numbers overwinter. With no observations during the first winter period, an adult off Landguard on March 28th was the first recorded sighting of the year and the only one made during March. the next records of spring passage were most notable, with 43 at Landguard, April 5th and seven there the following day. in the north of the county, nine were at carlton Marshes, April 5th. in the west of the county most records came from Livermere Lake with the first being of an adult, April 6th and nine, including eight adults, April 17th. Nearby, at Lackford Lakes, six adults were present, April 23rd. During early summer, small numbers were at Minsmere with a peak of five first-summer birds on the Scrape, June 7th and 13th and ten off thorpeness Haven, June 21st. throughout the summer small numbers remained in the Minsmere area; totals started to increase from midJuly both there and at other locations with 27 noted off thorpeness, July 19th and a peak at Minsmere Scrape of ten, July 31st. the following month numbers continued to increase with 25 north off thorpeness, August 14th and 45 there, August 18th and 33 on Minsmere Beach, August 30th. elsewhere during August, singletons were noted at Lowestoft North Beach, 13th and Ness Point, 20th and 26th, three were at Southwold, 29th and two south of Landguard on 15th. through the autumn, numbers declined to mostly single figure observations along the coast with highlights of 30 north off thorpeness, September 17th and 18 at the Sizewell rigs, September 27th. elsewhere, three were noted north off Gunton cliff, September 26th and the following day one came in off the sea and headed west over Gunton Warren. further into the autumn, sightings declined further but there was a notable count of 116 off thorpeness, october 12th. At the end of the month 39 off Lowestoft Ness Point, 29th was a standout count but no records were received for December.
the figure of 116 Little Gulls, off thorpeness, is the highest in Suffolk since August 30th 2013 when 130 were around the Sizewell rigs.
Uncommon resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Rare breeder. Amber list.
At the beginning of the year numbers were generally low with single-figure gatherings at a few sites in the north-east with an exception being at a field adjacent to kessingland sewage works where 25 and 44 were counted, January 4th and 6th respectively. it’s not evident from the records received where these birds came from or went to either side of these dates!
During the spring, numbers started to increase at Minsmere with 14 on March 4th, rising to 45, March 11th. Numbers peaked with 80, April 8th. further south spring passage included 20 off Landguard, April 16th. in the west of the county, two adults were at the Bto Nunnery reserve,
thetford on May 21st, which was the only observed multiple occurrence in the west of the county this year. in the summer, singletons were at Livermere Lake with an immature bird, June 29th and July 19th. An adult was also present there, July 22nd and a single juvenile was also noted, August 10th and 11th. elsewhere in west Suffolk an adult was at Lakenheath fen rSPB, August 3rd and an adult at Long Melford, october 24th. Breeding success was thought to be very low, with 55 pairs at Minsmere producing no young. At a nearby site, 22 pairs were thought to have relocated from Minsmere and produced small numbers of fledged young but, overall, it was a poor breeding year. there were some movements during the summer with 29 in a single flock north off Benacre, June 2nd, 24 south past Landguard, June 7th and 28 north over Beccles, June 12th. During the following month, 40 flew over Wenhaston Black Heath, July 7th and 50 were at Benacre Broad, July 15th. in the south of the county, 62 were at trimley Marshes, August 14th and at Sudbourne, 12 were seen hawking insects with Black-headed Gulls, July 31st with similar behaviour noted in the north at Gunton with 15 hawking flying ants also with many Black headed Gulls, August 15th; such behaviour had been seen over Gorleston/Southtown on August 20th 2019 (Suffolk Birds 2019:132). None of the threefigure sized flocks were recorded during late summer unlike in recent years. in fact, observations dropped away into the autumn with only single-figure counts from a number of locations. Most of the sightings later in the year came from the Lowestoft area with nine in the vicinity of Gunton Beach, November 15th and December 29th and in the south of the county, numbers at Landguard peaked at six on November 29th.
COMMON GULL Larus canus Very common winter visitor and passage migrant. Scarce breeding species. Amber list.
At the start of the year, 200 were on the Blyth estuary, January 1st, 210 in a field by the railway line at Darsham station, January 3rd, 1250 at Benacre Broad and covehithe Broad, January 6th and a notable total of 1000 flying southeast over Wenhaston Black Heath at dusk (presumably to roost on the Blyth estuary), January 26th. At Weybread Gravel Pits 700 were counted at roost on february 17th. in the south of the county 300 were at Landguard, January 26th, 350 at east Lane, Bawdsey, february 14th, 194 at Alton Water, January 12th and 60 at Hollesley Marshes rSPB, february 6th. in the west of the county, roost totals at the main inland sites were low with just three at Lackford Lakes and a further 21 at Lakenheath Washes, January 2nd. Numbers were disappointing with no trace of the large roosts of previous years (eg 1000 at Lackford Lakes in february 2019).
During the following month, 50 were at Gifford’s Hall (Stoke-by-Nayland) on february 6th and 40 were present there on March 4th. Whilst numbers remained low at other inland sites into the spring, 122 were seen following a plough at Denston on March 28th.
During the summer single juveniles were noted at Minsmere, July 16th and Sizewell, August 13th. there were no records of any breeding attempts anywhere in the county. Passage movements of the species were noted off Landguard with a notable highlight of 48 south, August 1st. roosts and gatherings at the year’s end included 1000 flying east over Wenhaston Black Heath at dusk, December 16th, 650 at Heveningham and Huntingfield, November 29th and 500 and 320 in the south of the county at Lodge farm, Lindsey, october 15th and near Hadleigh on November 14th, respectively. on the coast 95 were at east Lane, Bawdsey, December 12th.
COMMON
2018 Correction – Russian Common Gull the first-calendar – year bird, December 15th, Livermere Lake (Suffolk Birds 2018: 106) – site of observation was Lackford Lakes. [Also, for larophiles, see the excellent article in the 2019 Norfolk Bird and Mammal report (pages 39 – 45) concerning apparent russian common Gulls in the Norfolk Brecks 2014 – 19 by Peter Wilson]
Common winter visitor and passage migrant. A few oversummer. Has recently bred. Amber list.
At the beginning of the year 400 were present at Landguard, January 12th and february 22nd and during the spring 200 were present there on April 14th. further north much smaller numbers were noted with 45 on the Blyth estuary, January 5th and 11th and at easton Bavents, 52, february 16th. in the west of the county, 11 were at the Livermere pig fields on January 26th and ten at Lakenheath fen rSPB on 20th.
During the spring, numbers declined to mostly single-figure observations; the peak at Minsmere consisted of 12 birds, June 19th. there were no reports of any breeding attempts in the county.
Later in the year through the autumn and into the winter, one of the highest counts from the west of the county was of 12 at Lakenheath fen rSPB, october 30th- this followed on from only single figure counts being made for other sites close by throughout the year. Passage movements included 75 south off Southwold, September 26th and on the same day 47 flew south off Landguard.
in the second winter period, numbers peaked during November when this species undergoes a passage movement, including 750 at Landguard, November 14th and 500, December 4th, 74 flew south there on December 18th. further north, 105 were on Havergate island, November 16th and the following day, 466 were seen in a seven-minute scan during the morning with “many thousands more” estimated on the move offshore from Southwold. Nearby, 388 were counted on Minsmere Levels also on November 17th. At the end of November, 114 remained on the Minsmere Levels, 30th and the previous day 230 were noted at Hollesley/Shingle Street.
on orfordness a pair bred successfully in 2008; two of the juveniles were colour-ringed and reported separately from near Boulogne in northern france in late autumn 2008 (Suffolk Birds 2008: 177); this is addition to the summary of records of Great Black-backed Gull breeding in Suffolk in Ed Keeble’s article on pages 32 – 35 of the 2019 Suffolk Bird Report.
colour-ringed birds seen at Havergate island/orfordness area in 2020 included ones that had been ringed as nestlings in Norway (9), Denmark (3) and Germany (1). Details of the German bird are shown in full below.
J01504 (yellow HA226) nestling 04/07/2013 Helgoland, Helgoland, GerMANy 54°10’N 07°55’e alive (colour-ring seen) 05/11/2020 North Weir Point, orfordness, Suffolk 52°02’N 01°27’e - 492km WSW
Scarce winter visitor. Amber list.
Another quiet year for this species with just three sightings, all being one-day records. it’s likely that the Minsmere and Bawdsey records are of the same bird. At Minsmere a secondcalendar-year Glaucous x Herring hybrid was on the Scrape, March 11th and 14th (t Williams, A rowlands). in the west of the county, a third-calendar-year bird considered to be a Glaucous x Herring Gull hybrid, was seen at Livermere Lake on the rather unseasonable dates of July 1st and 13th (P Wilson). All sightings as follows:
Southwold: town Marshes, Apr 26th (Suffolk BiNS)
Minsmere: first-winter in off sea, landed briefly on east Scrape, mid-morning, bathed and then flew off south, Nov 6th (J Grant)
East Lane: first-winter on lagoon before flying north, Nov 7th (G Grieco)
Scarce winter visitor. Amber list.
As with 2019, there were few records in 2020 – seven of probably only six separate birds. the rymer Point (Barnham) and Bto Nunnery reserve records in December probably refer to the same bird, with both being made on the same day. At the start of the year an adult was seen at Aldeburgh for one day only and a first-winter appeared on a rooftop in oulton at the end of the year (going on to spend the first few months of 2021 in the Lowestoft area). All sightings as follows:
Oulton: first-winter photographed on house roof in kempshorn close, Dec 30th (D Marsh)
Aldeburgh: adult on beach opposite the Brudenell Hotel, Jan 14th (A Perkins)
Landguard: first-winter, feb 2nd (N odin); second-winter Dec 20th (P Holmes)
Barnham: rymer Point, first-winter, Dec 19th (P Whiteman)
Thetford: Bto Nunnery reserve, third-calendar-year roosted, Jan 29th to feb 6th (i Henderson); first-winter, Dec 19th (i Henderson) – probably same as Barnham
Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list.
At the beginning of the year there were a number of modest-sized roosts scattered across the west and coastal regions of the county. Peak counts in the west were of 350 at tuddenham St Mary, January 5th, 420 at the Livermere pig fields, January 26th and 250 at Lakenheath Washes, January 20th. on the coast, 480 were on the Blyth estuary, January 5th, 2000 at Landguard, January 13th and 1200 between Sizewell and thorpeness, January 30th. During the January WeBS count, 958 were counted on the Alde estuary.
During spring, notable counts included 450 at roost on Livermere Lake, March 22nd, 340 on Barsham Marshes, May 6th and the same day, 300 were at Southwold seafront.
west wind with drizzle. We were sheltering on the south side of Martello tower W, on a windy morning in poor visibility attempting a seawatch. As we scanned the sea, we noted a large Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus close to the shore rocks. it was surfacing occasionally and moving slowly south. Also, on the roughish sea were six or more Herring Gulls. the gulls suddenly took to the air in panic and we saw the Grey Seal surface with a gull in its mouth, the legs and feet clearly visible. the gulls continued to fly around the seal which dived and surfaced again, still with the gull’s legs visible, before being lost from view. this behaviour was also witnessed by fellow birder ray york, who was standing with us. David and Margie Carter.
Will Brame and Mike Marsh have also experienced a seal attacking a bird. on August 22nd 2000 the species involved were common Seal Phoca vitulina and Greatcrested Grebe on the orwell in thorpe Bay. the Seal captured the Grebe from below on at least five occasions and threw it around in a similar manner to that seen between Leopard Seal and Penguin prey – although not stripping any skin or feathers from the bird. So, it was more like play – as in cat and mouse. the next day a less-than-well Great-crested Grebe was noted on Loompit Lake.
Will Brame.
Breeding records from orfordness were of a total of 55 pairs compared with 75 pairs in 2019 and 68 pairs in 2018. it was noted that breeding records were not fully recorded from the cobra Mist building or ‘the point’ in 2020. A total of about 18 young was thought to have fledged on the Pagodas. Some birds fledged on top of the cobra Mist building, but due to covid-19 restrictions, it wasn’t possible to access that structure for an accurate count and no chicks were noted on Lantern Marshes. elsewhere in the county, breeding was noted in the docks at Landguard and also in and around residential and commercial rooftops in central Lowestoft and ipswich.
During late summer, numbers started to build at the main roost sites; at Great Livermere for instance, 252 were counted on June 18th, rising to 520, July 1st and 800, August 11th. Numbers there declined to double-figure counts during the autumn and increased towards the end of the year with a peak of 198, November 21st. on the coast, numbers were following a similar pattern with notable counts of 350 at Hollesley and Shingle Street, September 22nd, 384 on the orwell during the September WeBS count and 950 on Havergate island, November 16th. elsewhere, 700 were at Landguard, December 4th and 385 were on the pig fields by Blythburgh water tower, December 12th.
Also, a Herring Gull that had been colour-ringed on 14/01/2017 at Pitsea Landfill Site, essex was seen at Minsmere on 21/03/2020. it appears to have just been passing through at Minsmere because a few weeks later on 10/05/2020 is was seen north of the Arctic circle at kvaloyvagen, troms, Norway and then on 04/02/2021 it was in north france at cap Blanc Nez.
reports in 2020 of birds that had been colour-ringed as nestlings at Havergate island, orfordness or felixstowe included birds seen in france (2), Belgium (1) and the Netherlands (3).
Uncommon visitor. Amber list. throughout the year a total of 108 different birds was seen at a number of sites, this count
made possible by the careful diligence and analysis of birds by Dawn Balmer and Peter Wilson. Pig fields in the west of the county were the most productive sites as they usually are with large gulls and the main peak counts during the first winter period came from tuddenham St Mary, where nine were recorded, January 5th and five on both January 26th and february 8th. During the spring, up to six were seen together at Livermere Lake, March 22nd and singletons were at the Bto Nunnery reserve, thetford on April 3rd and May 9th.
on the coast, numbers were mostly of singletons around the Minsmere and Sizewell area and the Blyth estuary for the first two months. Numbers peaked at Minsmere Scrape with four on february 29th and March 22nd. further south numbers were lower but records of two came from Hollesley Marshes on January 2nd and Havergate island on 4th.
Numbers declined into the early summer but later started to build up once again with six at Livermere Lake, July 23rd and August 10th. Whilst those were the peak daily counts, other birds seen on other dates around that time were, according to observers’ notes, different individuals –thus showing how many different birds of all ages actually pass through the county. on the coast, numbers were slightly lower, highlights being three at Southwold Harbour, August 28th and three along Lowestoft North beach, September 6th. three were on Minsmere Scrape, September 18th. Numbers peaked with 11 at Benacre Broad on September 23rd and four there the following day. further into the autumn, in the west of the county, numbers declined with the pick of the sightings being two at tuddenham St Mary on November 21st, and two at Lackford Lakes the following day. At the end of the year, four were at Livermere pig fields, December 21st and singletons at the Bto Nunnery reserve, December 22nd and 25th these being different birds. on the coast, numbers were higher with most sightings concentrated at Minsmere rSPB with 13 present on the Scrape, November 2nd and six, November 15th and 20th and December 5th and 13th. elsewhere, a notable count of 11 was made on Havergate island, November 16th and four were in pig fields at Blythburgh water tower, December 16th and three there, December 31st.
DA41144 (yellow PPX9) nestling 24/05/2020 Wyspa na rz.Wisla, kepa Nadbrzeska, Mazowieckie, POLAND 52°18’N 21°13’e alive (colour-ring seen) 08/08/2020 Southwold, Suffolk 52°18’N 01°39’e - 1333km W
DN34898 (yellow Pc98) nestling 04/06/2017
Zalew Mietkowski, Dolnoslaskie, POLAND 50°57’N 16°34’e alive (colour-ring seen) 22/03/2020 Minsmere, Suffolk 52°14’N 01°36’e - 1043km W
eA204522 (yellow X522)nestling 03/06/2018
Bad Duben, Leipzig, GERMANY 51°34’N 12°37’e alive (colour-ring seen) 04/09/2020 Havergate island, Suffolk 52°04’N 01°30’e - 765km W
YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Small numbers oversummer. Amber list. At the beginning of the year, the largest gatherings were found, as they usually are, in the west of the county. At Lackford Lakes, six were present, January 2nd and the following day, five were at Lakenheath Washes. Nine were at tuddenham St Mary pig fields, January 5th. the following month numbers reduced with peaks of only three noted at both tuddenham St Mary, february 8th and Mickle Mere, february 10th. overall, these numbers were a slight decline on the previous year. on the coast there were many single records, mostly in the Blyth estuary and at Minsmere. Multiple records did occur and involved four on the Blyth estuary on January 11th, two at carlton Marshes, March 18th and four were at Southwold, March 19th.
Whilst numbers remained lower on the coast, numbers inland increased during the spring with peak counts of nine at Great Livermere, March 22nd and three at Mickle Mere the same day. Later in the spring, 11 were at Great Livermere, May 23rd. Whilst numbers on the coast remained in single figures until the end of the summer, numbers in the west increased with notable counts at Livermere Lake of 24, June 26th, 47 at roost, July 14th and 57, July 23rd. Numbers at Livermere Lake continued to increase, notably with 91 at roost there, August 10th. By this time the majority were adults with smaller numbers of first- and second-year birds. on the coast, numbers had started to increase by the end of August with 37 on pig fields around Blythburgh water tower, 23rd. the figure of 91, above, is the highest-ever individual site-total to be recorded in Suffolk, the previous highest being 82 at Great Livermere on August 12th 2015.
During the autumn, the number of birds at the coast declined and sightings became more infrequent; peak counts were of 15 at Benacre Broad, September 24th and three at Minsmere Scrape, october 8th. in the west of the county numbers also declined with the main site still being Great Livermere with 32, September 24th. from october onwards numbers dwindled with a maximum of five at Livermere pig fields, october 7th, four at tuddenham St Mary pig fields, November 21st and four at both Lackford Lakes, November 29th and at Livermere pig fields, December 21st. in the south of the county, the most noteworthy counts were of ten at Havergate island rSPB, November 16th and six at Hollesley Marshes rSPB, November 18th. in the north-east of the county, it was also a quiet end to the year with numbers declining through the final two months with most records from Minsmere. Highlight counts were of 14 on Minsmere Scrape, November 2nd and seven November 8th. During December single individuals were noted at Minsmere, carlton Marshes and covehithe Broad.
Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. Increasing numbers overwinter. Amber list.
At the start of the year, numbers were generally low but there were some notable counts in the west of the county including 1282 birds of mixed ages at Lakenheath Washes rSPB, January 3rd. elsewhere 290 were at tuddenham St Mary. During the following month 600 were counted at roost at Mickle Mere, february 3rd and at the pig fields at Livermere, 465 were counted, february 22nd. During the following month 450 roosted at Livermere Lake, March 22nd but by this time most birds and roosts appeared to have dispersed. on the coast much smaller gatherings were present with 35 at Havergate island rSPB, January 27th, 20 at Hollesley Marshes rSPB, february 2nd and 29 at carlton Marshes SWt, february 15th being the only counts of note.
During the summer, 500 nests were counted on Havergate island and on orfordness a breeding total of 35 pairs was recorded compared with 52 pairs in 2019 and 87 in 2018. it was noted that no breeding records were recorded from the cobra Mist building or “the point” in 2020. A total
of about five young, all on the Pagodas, was thought to have fledged. Some birds fledged on top of the cobra Mist building, but no counts were possible, and no young were seen on Lantern Marshes. elsewhere in the county, this species was noted in and around central Lowestoft nesting on the rooftops of residential and commercial buildings and several nesting pairs were noted in Southwold along the Wangford road. to the south, 32 pairs with 15 young were recorded at Hollesley Marshes and birds were noted nesting in felixstowe Docks and ipswich. in the west of the county, breeding was seen to take place in Bury St. edmunds with one pair on the West Suffolk council buildings in Western Way and in Brandon at oMAr industrial premises with six young seen there.
During late summer, roosts built up before the southward dispersal with 2000 at Livermere Lake, August 11th and 1600 there on September 3rd. the pig fields at Livermere still held 700 on october 7th and the following month, 600 were noted at Lackford Lakes, November 15th. overwintering birds elsewhere included 740 at Lakenheath Washes, December 19th and 400 at the Bto Nunnery reserve, thetford on December 27th, whilst numbers towards the coast were much lower with the most noteworthy count being 110 on Havergate island, November 16th.
F
in ipswich, single pairs bred successfully on the roofs of both the town Hall and christchurch Mansion, each rearing one young.
Philip Murphy
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL reports in 2020 of birds that had been colour-ringed as nestlings on Havergate island, orfordness or in felixstowe included birds seen in france (10), Belgium (5), the Netherlands (6), Germany (1), Spain (41), Portugal (8), Morocco (26), Western Sahara (1), Mauritania (3) and the Gambia (1).
in December 2020 colour-ringed birds seen on pig-fields at tuddenham St Mary included birds that had been ringed in Norway (1), Denmark 2), Germany (8) and the Netherlands (2).
Very rare visitor.
As described in the article earlier in this bird report, on July 29th this adult was seen and photographed at Alton Water (A Jones). Subsequently, the bird was tracked as far north as cleveland but, on August 4th, it returned to Alton Water (A Gregory et al) where it was seen daily until August 16th, giving some excellent views. it is Suffolk’s first-ever twitchable Gull-billed tern! occasionally it left the reservoir area and was seen at trimley Marshes, on the river and reserve reservoir, on August 13th (e Zantboer, J Zantboer). this is the 25th individual seen in the county (19 records involving 25 individuals); the previous four to this were all seen at Landguard, in spring, in 1991, 1997 (two) and 2005. excluding Breydon records, this is Suffolk’s first-ever non-coastal record and the first to have ever been present for more than one day.
Very rare migrant. An adult caspian tern was reported flying north over the east Scrape at Minsmere at 18:57hrs on July 10th (S Abbott, k Musgrove). this is the 53rd record in the county and the first since 2017.
Common passage migrant and summer visitor. Amber list. the first sightings of the year were of a single bird at Minsmere on March 23rd followed by
three in the Waveney Valley at flixton Gravel Pits on April 3rd. As in 2019, throughout the spring and summer, the species was recorded intermittently at several coastal sites but generally only in small numbers. Some northbound migration was noted with a peak count of 131 flying past thorpeness on April 18th.
Also, as in 2019, a significant flock gathered at Minsmere with numbers peaking at about 400 on April 29th. unfortunately, although 70 pairs nested, all breeding attempts failed.
As autumn migration got underway, the species was recorded most days along the coastal strip until mid-october. there was just one notable count with 45 at Havergate island on August 14th. the final records were of birds seen flying north past thorpeness (one), Minsmere (one) and Southwold (two) on october 15th.
SANDWICH TERN
three colour-ringed Sandwich terns from the ythan estuary in north-east Scotland were seen at Minsmere in April/May 2020. one of these had a fascinating list of sighting as shown below.
DE53918 (white efD) 1st-year 18/08/2010 ythan estuary, Aberdeenshire, ScotLAND alive (colour-rings seen) 21/03/2013 kommetjie, near cape town, SOUTH AFRICA – 10314km SSe alive (colour-rings seen) 22/05/2017 de Scheelhoek, Zuid Holland, NETHERLANDS – 726km SSe alive (colour-rings seen) 14/11/2018 De kelders, Gansbaai, Western cape, SOUTH AFRICA – 10377km SSE alive (colour-rings seen) 27/04/2020 Minsmere, Suffolk – 610km SSe
Common passage migrant and scarce summer visitor. Amber list. the first records of the year were of a single bird flying north off Minsmere on April 21st, followed by four at the same site on 27th. thereafter, sightings continued almost daily. Most activity in early spring was centred on Minsmere with numbers peaking at 158 on May 18th but unfortunately, the small colony, which was established here in 2019, was not repeated. However, a colony was established at Benacre Broad where a peak count of 182 was noted on July 18th.
Breeding in 2020 was essentially at kessingland and Benacre. None nested at Minsmere.
Breeding Site
No. of Pairs
Fledged Young Remarks
Gorleston 0 0
No records kessingland 62 24-29
Seven fledged in 2019 kestrel predation
Benacre 33 33 otter or fox predation covehithe Broad 0 0 No records Walberswick 0 0 No records Dunwich, corporation Marshes 0 0 No records Minsmere 0 0 No records
Seven fledged in 2019 orfordness/Slaughden 0 0 No breeding attempts Shingle Street 0 0 No records
A very unexpected record for west Suffolk was of seven adults flying east over Lakenheath Washes at 07:15hr on August 16th (P Wilson). inland sightings are rare and, previously, since 2013, have all been in the spring. this is the latest date for Little tern in west Suffolk so far this century.
there was no post-breeding gathering reported and autumn passage was light with a maximum count of only eight birds flying south past Slaughden on August 25th. the year’s final record was of two at Benacre Broad on the following day.
Little Terns in west Suffolk the total of seven at Lakenheath on August 16th 2020 is the highest-ever in west Suffolk, the previous highest having been five, also at Lakenheath, on May 7th 2006. of the 16 records in west Suffolk so far this century, eight have been at Lakenheath, four at Livermere Lake, three at Lackford Lakes and one at Mickle Mere. 12 of these 16 records occurred in May. there were 16 records in the 1990s (ten years compared with 21 this century) of which as many as 14 were at Lackford Lakes where extreme dates were April 16th (1996) and September 22nd (1991). these latter two dates are also the earliest- and latest-ever in west Suffolk.
SOOTY TERN Onychoprion fuscatus Accidental.
An adult was at Minsmere briefly on July 8th. it was seen in flight at 11.10hr over the South Scrape and the sluice heading south towards Sizewell (J Grant et al). it was relocated at 11.31hr in flight around the Sizewell power station outfall rigs. it stayed in that area, occasionally landing on the rigs, before flying south at 12.52hr (M cornish et al). this is the fourth record in Suffolk (the first being of a moribund bird at Santon Downham in late March/early April 1900) with the previous two sightings to this, in 1966 and 1976, remarkably also being at Minsmere. See the article earlier in this report. According to BBrc the same bird was seen in Ayrshire, July 23rd and Northumberland, July 28th and 29th.
ROSEATE TERN Sterna dougallii Scarce passage migrant. Red list. there were considerably more reports than the two in 2019 but, as usual, most were from Minsmere where some birds lingered for several days:
Lowestoft: Aug 15th
Dunwich Heath: two, June 15th
Minsmere: three, June 7th; three, June 12th; two, June 13th and 14th; two, June 16th; June 17th; June 19th to 22nd; June 24th; June 27th; two, July 14th; July 15th
Thorpeness: June 8th; Aug 26th
Trimley Marshes SWT: Aug 9th
Totals of Roseate Terns reported 2011-2020
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 6+ 7-8 7-9 0 3 9 5-6 10+ 2 11+
Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. the first sightings along the coastal strip were of seven birds at carlton Marshes on April 5th followed by one at Minsmere on April 8th. Numbers at Minsmere increased steadily thereafter with a peak count of 300 reported on June 22nd.
the first inland records were of single birds at cavenham Pits and Ampton Water also on April 5th followed by two at Lackford Lakes on April 18th. thereafter, sightings were widespread (thetford, Haverhill, redgrave, Great Livermere, Lackford Lakes, Lakenheath) but all were of five birds or fewer.
the only breeding information received is summarised below: Minsmere: up to 276 pairs nested but no chicks fledged. Orfordness: no breeding attempts
Havergate Island: total of 8 pairs nested with two chicks fledging Hollesley Marshes: pair nested but predated at egg stage
Alton Water: nesting on breeding rafts produced a good number of fledglings but no details available Lackford Lakes SWT: two pairs held territory but breeding attempts failed Southbound migration was evident from early August but there were no post-breeding gatherings of note other than 60 feeding off trimley Marshes on August 9th. the birds at Alton Water stayed on-site until late August with 89 still present on 23rd. off-shore sightings continued regularly until late September. the last record was of a single bird flying north off Southwold on october 3rd.
Fairly common passage migrant. Last bred in 2008. Amber list. the first records of the year were of 11 birds flying north off Landguard on April 17th, followed by one at Livermere Lake on April 28th. there were no further inland records, probably because of covid lockdown restrictions, but some spring passage was observed along the coastal strip. there was a notable passage on April 29th when up to 25 birds were seen flying north off-shore from Landguard to Southwold: Southwold: 25, Apr 29th
Minsmere: c. ten, Apr 22nd
Thorpeness: 18, Apr 29th; ten, May 4th; two, May 5th; four, May 13th
Hollesley Marshes: two, May 16th
Bawdsey: two, Apr 29th
Landguard: 11, Apr 17th; nine, Apr 29th
Livermere Lake: Apr 28th there were no more sightings until an adult was recorded at Minsmere on July 14th and 15th. once again, there were no signs of breeding activity anywhere in the county.
Autumn passage was noted along the Suffolk coast (but not north of Southwold) mainly during August. in total, records were received of at least 60 individuals but there was only one doublefigure count; 14 birds flew south past Southwold on August 25th. there were no inland sightings. the final record of the year was of a single bird flying north off Landguard on october 2nd.
WHITE-WINGED (BLACK) TERN Chlidonias leucopterus
Rare visitor.
on May 9th, four adults in full summer plumage were watched and photographed hawking over Southwold town Marshes from 6.30hr to 6.45hr when they flew off to the north (W Hancock et al). they were re-located and photographed at 7.14hr as they passed through carlton Marshes. (r Holmes et al).
the only previous multiple occurrences since 1950 have been two at reydon, June 14th 1990 and two, Brantham/flatford, June 2nd to 5th 1991. this group of four is the largest in Suffolk since April 22nd 1901 when eight were at Breydon Water.
this is the 43rd Suffolk record, involving 64 birds. in recent years, sightings have become more frequent, the previous two reports being of single birds at Minsmere in June 2019 and Lackford Lakes in May 2018.
BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger
Fairly common passage migrant.
Spring migration was sparse with only 11 birds at three sites between April 17th and May 31st. However, in spring, the great majority of records are usually from inland sites, where in 2020, coverage was severely limited by lockdown:
Minsmere: May 29th; May 31st
Livermere Lake: five, Apr 17th
Lakenheath Fen/Washes: four, Apr 23rd
Autumn passage was lower than in recent years with a little over 30 birds. Migration was first noted on August 13th and was almost over by the end of the month, but two birds lingered at Alton Water from September 13th to 15th. Autumn records came from two west Suffolk sites where three birds were noted. the final sightings of the year were of a single bird flying north off Southwold on october 13th and one at Livermere Lake, october 11th to 13th.
Corton: two, Aug 29th
Lowestoft: two, Aug 19th
Southwold: three, Aug 25th; two, Aug 29th; Aug 31st; oct 13th
Dunwich: Sep 2nd
Minsmere: Aug 30th
Sizewell: two, Aug 13th; Aug 15th; Aug 16th
Thorpeness: Aug 14th; Aug16th
Shingle Street: Aug 30th
Bawdsey: seven, Aug 17th
Trimley Marshes SWT: Aug 17th
Alton Water: two, Sep 13th to 15th
Livermere Lake: oct 11th to 13th
Lakenheath Fen/Washes: two, Sep 30th
GREAT SKUA Stercorarius skua
Fairly common passage migrant. A few overwinter. Amber list.
During the first two months of the year records of this species were few and far between; all records were of singletons with birds seen from Minsmere Sluice, January 14th and 28th and off thorpeness, february 17th.
During the spring there were three sightings off Minsmere Sluice with single birds seen, March 4th, 17th and 23rd. the first multiple sightings occurred the following month with three seen off thorpeness, April 15th and 20th. in May, again, there were very few passage records, only singletons off thorpeness, May 3rd and 5th and a single summer record from the same location, a singleton on July 4th. Single birds were noted off Landguard on six dates between March 5th and May 4th.
return passage commenced from the middle of August with two off Slaughden, August 15th and five south off Aldeburgh and four off corton, August 27th. Another two went south off corton, August 29th and the following day two went south off Slaughden.
there were no records in September until five south off Ness Point, Lowestoft on 17th and ten, including four together, south off Southwold on 18th. Sightings continued for the rest of the month spread well all along the coast, with three and five south past Gunton cliff and Sizewell respectively, 26th with the peak total being eight off orfordness the same day. the following day three were noted south off Southwold.
During october sightings declined slightly and started to be more confined to the coast between Minsmere and Aldeburgh. At the start of the month, nine were off Southwold and three off Minsmere, 2nd and three were noted south past Minsmere again on 11th and 12th. further south two went south past Slaughden, 28th. reasonable numbers remained throughout November and most consistently around the Minsmere and Sizewell areas with a few at other locations. it was away from the Minsmere area, however, that the peak counts were made with eight off Southwold, 17th and 23 off Ness Point, Lowestoft on 21st. December was a quiet month with only singletons noted off Minsmere on 1st, thorpeness and Landguard, 5th, east Lane, Bawdsey, 26th and thorpeness on 28th.
Uncommon passage migrant. A few overwinter.
the only first winter record involved an individual off Minsmere and Aldeburgh, January 14th and perhaps the same bird off Southwold/easton Bavents the following day.
During spring passage only four birds were noted, with one north off Dunwich cliffs, April 29th and three north off thorpeness, May 5th.
the first return passage bird was seen harassing Herring Gulls off east Lane, Bawdsey, July 27th. in August, singles flew south off North Denes, Lowestoft on 14th and Landguard, 15th.
During the autumn, numbers slowly picked up with multiple occurrences involving three south past thorpeness between 15.20hr and 16.50hr, September 26th, two south, 10:42hr, east Lane, Bawdsey, october 11th and two north off Minsmere, october 14th.
During the final two months of the year there were more sightings including eight off thorpeness, November 16th and 21st, two off Southwold, November 17th and another two off Minsmere, November 19th. three days later four dark-phase individuals lingered off Minsmere, pirating Herring Gulls, November 22nd, a day after five were seen off east Lane, Bawdsey. in December, two were noted off thorpeness, 30th on which date another flew south along the beach at covehithe.
Decreasing passage migrant. A few overwinter. Red list.
As in 2019, there were no sightings in either January or february. What is assumed to have been an early spring migrant flew north off Landguard on March 21st. the only April records involved one north off Dunwich, 29th while off thorpeness there was a dark-phase bird, 15th and a pale-phase on 17th. May witnessed what could have been the same bird north off thorpeness, Minsmere and Southwold on 6th and singles off Landguard, 11th and thorpeness, 7th and 15th. During the summer the first returning birds were seen with one chasing a common tern over Minsmere Scrape before heading back out to sea, July 22nd, on which date one flew north off Landguard, and off Southwold, a dark-phase individual flew south at 17:55hr and a pale-phase bird chasing kittiwakes offshore at 18:02hr, July 24th. As expected, sightings increased in August notably on 14th with five south off North Denes, Lowestoft and two off both Southwold and Minsmere. on 15th multiple counts involved four off corton and three off Benacre. the year’s highest count occurred on August 27th with southerly movements of ten and 13 off corton and Aldeburgh respectively. August 30th also witnessed some impressive totals with nine off both corton and Southwold and six off thorpeness.
there were few sightings in September until the month’s end with four off Lowestoft and three off orfordness, 26th, five off Southwold, 27th and a group of seven off Slaughden on 30th. the peak days in october were 2nd with nine off Landguard and five off both Minsmere and east Lane, Bawdsey and 14th with five again off Minsmere. the only November records involved two south off Sizewell, 2nd and singles off kessingland, 5th and thorpeness, 16th. there were no December records.
Uncommon passage migrant.
A much better year for this species with all sightings from mid-August to mid-october. the main concentration of sightings was from August 27th to 30th with at least four seen at both Southwold and thorpeness, August 30th. there were several multiple occurrences of two seen together and individuals came onshore at Minsmere, August 27th and october 14th.
Corton: juvenile north, 16:10hr, Aug 27th (J Brown)
Lowestoft: two juveniles north, Ness Point prior to 08:45hr, Aug 30th (J Brown)
Covehithe: north, 09:25hr, Sep 17th (A riseborough, c Buttle)
Southwold: south then landed on sea, Aug 15th (A Moon); north, 13:42hr and 14:53hr, Aug 27th (BiNS); north, 06:30hr, south, 07:27hr and north, 12:47hr, Aug 29th (J Grant, B Small S Mayson); two juveniles drifted slowly high south, 11:00hr, juvenile north, 11:37hr and another south, 12:12hr, Aug 30th (J Grant, r Walden)
Minsmere: pale-phase individual, Lucky Pool, 11.40hr after soaring over Sluice and engaging in brief spar with a Hobby; another flew off high north, 11.55hr, Aug 27th (J Davidson, J Grant); dark-phase juvenile individual lingered offshore, Aug 30th (J Grant, S Abbott); north, 13:30hr, Sep 18th (e Patrick); north then west at Sluice and continued inland over eastbridge, oct 14th (r Harvey)
Thorpeness: two south between 06:30hr and 09:30hr, Aug 16th (D thurlow); two dark- and one pale-phase individuals south, 09:20hr, Aug 21st (S Abbott); four, Aug 30th (D thurlow); adult north, 09:00hr, Sep 17th (S Abbott); Sep 29th (P Whittaker); oct 12th (D thurlow)
Slaughden: juvenile south, Aug 29th (M riley); three dark-phase juveniles south, Aug 30th (P kennerley)
Bawdsey: east Lane, dark-phase juvenile south, 09:03hr, Aug 30th (S Abbott); two dark-phase juveniles south, 08:25hr, Sep 26th (S Abbott)
Landguard; south, 09:16hr, Aug 29th (P Holmes)
Without knowing exactly how many Long-tailed Skuas were involved in the above records we can say that it could have been the best year in Suffolk since 2012 when southerly passage off thorpeness included 11, August 26th, 14, August 30th and 12, September 23rd.
Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor.
this was another poor year for this species with only seven records relating to a minimum of ten individuals.
the sightings were all in the period from october 15th to December 24th from various locations between Lowestoft and thorpeness. this is the earliest autumn arrival since 2011 (but only by one day – october 14th).
Lowestoft: Nov 20th
Southwold: two, oct 15th; oct 16th; two, Dec 24th
Minsmere: two, Nov 23rd
Sizewell: oct 16th
Thorpeness: Nov 21st
Common passage migrant and winter visitor. Amber list.
Around 1850 guillemots were reported in 2020 compared with 376 in 2019 and 340 in 2018. the increase in sightings is due to increased observer effort with the vast majority of records coming from a single observer, the redoubtable Dave thurlow, watching from thorpeness on many dates throughout the year. 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, the possibility of significant double-counting is low in 2020. the figures include unidentified auks (nine in 2020, 39 in 2019) as these are most likely to be Guillemots.
the peak counts were both off thorpeness; 650 on January 27th (645 south) and 326 on 12th october (320 north). the monthly totals for the last three years are shown in the table below:
Monthly totals of live Guillemots
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2020 838 27 1 3 110 102 1 17 51 496 95 116 2019 92 9 2 1 0 0 1 0 8 84 22 157 2018 115 7 26 3 1 0 0 0 9 122 23 31
RAZORBILL Alca torda
Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor. Amber list. there were records of 73 birds during the year. As with common Guillemots, the increase over recent years’ totals is the result of increased observer effort. on the majority of dates, only one bird was noted but there were peak counts of 17 on January 6th and eight on January 28th, both off thorpeness. the monthly totals for the last three years are shown in the table below:
Monthly totals of live razorbills
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2020 32 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 7 12 6 11 2019 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 4 2 1 2018 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 1 the table below shows the variability in the number of sightings each year in the last decade:
totals of live razorbills reported 2011-2020 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 36 82 45 13 27 39 13 6 14 73
Very rare visitor. Amber list. A first-winter bird flew west past Mistley Quay, on the Suffolk side of the Stour estuary channel, shortly after midday on January 15th. it lingered on the Stour for about an hour off Brantham/ Manningtree, before flying east at 13:19hr (A kettle et al). it was photographed. this the 11th record for Suffolk, all of single birds, and the first away from the coast. the previous record was of a bird tracked off-shore from Slaughden to Lowestoft in November 2015.
Black Guillemot this year’s Black Guillemot is the first-ever Suffolk record from south of Slaughden. there were six Suffolk records during 1863 to 1991 but five have been recorded so far this century including singles in each of 2005, 2006 and 2007. Just to put these Suffolk records into perspective, Black Guillemot has been recorded in Norfolk in every year this century apart from 2002 with a peak annual total of up to 15 in 2011 (Norfolk Bird and Mammal report). for Suffolk birders of a certain generation, memories of the first-winter Black Guillemot which remained in the Dunwich shorepools from January 9th to 13th back in 1980 are starting to fade somewhat! this remains as Suffolk’s only-ever really twitchable Black Guillemot. Philip Murphy
Scarce passage migrant. Red list. there was only one sighting in 2020, when two birds flew north past Gunton cliffs on the morning of September 26th (J Brown). totals of live Puffins reported 2011-2020 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Green list (from Amber). following 2019’s welcome return to four figures counts, the first winter period of 2020 continued with some comparable concentrations especially from the traditionally favoured north-eastern section of the coast.
A conservative count of 500 birds in Sole Bay from Southwold on January 4th, acknowledged to have been a likely underestimate by the observer, was followed by 1054 south past Aldeburgh on January 5th and 1500 south past Southwold, January 15th. other peak counts came around the end of the month, with several counts by indefatigable red-throated Diver counter Dave thurlow off thorpeness. He recorded 1275 south, January 27th, 1119 south, January 30th and 1743, (all south bar four), January 31st. in addition, circa 1800 were counted north from Sizewell on february 4th following disturbance from a wind-farm service vessel, but thereafter counts rapidly tailed off for the remaining first winter period with only 689 off thorpeness, february 3rd and 350 off Southwold, february 8th being of particular note. Spring counts of 330 in a dispersed flock off eastern Bavents on April 1st and 301 (predominantly north), from thorpeness on April 4th indicate return movements to breeding areas.
As ever records were altogether sparser from the south-east recording area with maxima of 90 north from orfordness, January 1st and 123 north off Landguard on March 19th. A well-watched and photographed individual was observed at ipswich Wet Dock and Marina between october 26th and 31st but was subsequently, sadly, found dead on November 1st. it had been observed repeatedly fishing by means of swimming with its head submerged rather than diving, suggesting a likely physiological problem.
it should also be noted that the pandemic will have very likely reduced coverage by some observers making this year’s counts probably less comprehensive than in other years. occasional birds were observed throughout the summer and early autumn with a build-up of returning wintering birds only really evident from November during the second winter period with 461 birds recorded off thorpeness on November 21st. A significant southbound passage was observed at the start of December with 2100 past Ness Point, Lowestoft and 5198 past thorpeness on December 6th. the latter once again, curtesy of the redoubtable Mr thurlow, representing the single largest count of the species for the year. it is in fact the second highest ever in Suffolk, the highest was on December 31st 2011 when 5642 passed south and 27 north off thorpeness – counted, of course, by David thurlow. Also of note was a record of 3500 birds observed passing north past covehithe on christmas Day.
the south-east sector also had peak counts during December albeit with altogether more modest totals, with Landguard Bird observatory recording a total of 298 for the month, a little down on the 337 recorded for the same period during 2019.
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. four records, representing a below average year for this increasingly scarce winter visitor, although covid-19 may also have been a factor limiting observer effort this year. the Bramford bird was first present in 2019.
Accepted records for 2020 are: Minsmere: feb 15th (S Abbott et al.)
Landguard: Mar 12th (W J Brame et al.); Dec 5th (W J Brame)
Bramford: Suffolk Water Park, wellphotographed, Dec 29th 2019 until feb 20th (L G Woods et al.)
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. A year of below average sightings, for which a factor as elsewhere, may in part be attributed to reduced observations as a result of lockdown restrictions. records from the north-east sector, during the first winter period for 2020, included the long-staying individual first reported on Benacre Broad on December 16th 2019. this individual continued its stay throughout the winter being last sighted on March 21st 2020. Singles meanwhile were noted south past Gorleston, January 2nd and south past thorpeness, January 6th. Also, two individuals were present at Weybread Gravel Pits from January 7th to 20th. A bird was observed intermittently on the Alde estuary at Slaughden on January 9th, 25th and 30th and february 8th. in addition, a southbound singleton passed Aldeburgh, April 15th.
the south-east sector witnessed at least two birds on the orwell estuary from January 1st (one bird having been present since at least December 30th 2019). the majority of sightings came from Stoke Sailing club at freston with three birds being reported between freston and Woolverstone on January 11th. At least one bird was still present until february 17th. elsewhere in the south-east singles were noted during January at Havergate and off orfordness on January 23rd (presumably the same bird). Landguard recorded singletons northbound on April 9th and 16th.
the second winter period started with a northbound bird passing Sizewell, September 26th and then two south past Slaughden, october 2nd. A bird was present on the sea off Minsmere on october 11th and 12th with a further record from Hazlewood Marshes on october 29th. Quite likely this same bird was again recorded on the lower stretches of the Alde estuary on November 8th with further records suggesting a continuing presence here between November 20th and December 28th. reports of additional singletons came from Minsmere Beach, November 20th and southbound off thorpeness, December 5th.
Meanwhile, the south-east sector delivered a summer-plumaged individual that was seen to drift south past east Lane, Bawdsey on September 28th. However, there were no further sightings until mid-November when a bird was spotted during the WeBS count off Stonner Point on the Deben estuary on November 15th. Presumably it was the same individual that was reported two days later from the opposite bank at Methersgate, November 17th.
November 21st witnessed a singleton north passed east Lane, the same date seeing one pass south past Landguard. An additional record of a north bound bird, came from Landguard on December 14th.
Very rare visitor. there have been several sightings in the North Sea recently, in 2020 these included filey Brigg and Bempton cliffs, both yorkshire and Holy island, Northumberland. this bird (aged as eightcalendar-year+) was seen off Lowestoft, Southwold, Sizewell and thorpeness: Lowestoft: Sep 28th (G Hawes) Southwold/Sizewell/Thorpeness: Sep 28th (c fulcher, B J Small et al.)
Scarce passage migrant. Amber list. Another sparse year for this declining species with once again a single record for the fourth consecutive year.
Thorpeness: Haven, along tideline, 11:54hr Sep 8th (e Patrick, D elliot, G Jobson, N firman)
Declining passage migrant. Formerly bred. Amber list. Another large increase in recorded sightings occurred during 2020 following on from the already significant increase in numbers reported during 2019 compared with 2018. As reported last year there is no ready explanation available for this phenomenon in what continues to be a nationally declining species especially linked with widespread ingestion of plastic and polymer waste. the north-east sector reported a total of at least 1026 individual records, up from 145 in 2019, itself an 86% increase on 2018. Although once again, as per last year’s report, all such figures must be qualified with the likelihood of some duplications. recorded throughout the year, thorpeness witnessed both the first and last fulmar sightings of 2020 with one north on January 6th and one, also north, on December 28th. in between these dates, notable counts included: 71 (all north bar one) from Minsmere March 21st and 54 north the same day from Ness Point, Lowestoft. counts from thorpeness included 41 north, April 17th and 46 north and two south, April 20th.
the latter part of August produced some significant movements with a number of observers recording at least 67 birds passing Southwold during the first three hours of the morning of August 20th. A further movement was noted on August 29th with 30 north past corton and 70 north past Southwold. records from the south-east sector include 14 records from east Lane, Bawdsey predominately during April, including eight on 22nd. Landguard recorded fulmars on 56 separate dates between february 8th and September 12th with a maximum of eight north on April 17th, on which date a single bird was seen flying over the tomline Wall at felixstowe golf course heading, at least temporarily, obliquely inland.
Rare autumn passage migrant.
An irregular and much sought-after large shearwater species in Suffolk waters, this year’s record is the first since 2017. this sighting coming during a period of north-easterly winds that also produced several Balearics and a single Great Shearwater. cory’s Shearwater did not feature on the county list prior to 1974, following which observations have no doubt been aided, by improvements in optics. Past occurrences have ranged between 5th July and November 10th with five off Southwold on September 30th 1991 still representing the largest single sighting. Lowestoft: south, 10.20hr Sep 17th (B J Small)
Uncommon passage migrant.
At 58 sightings, a far more productive year for that dedicated band of sea-watchers for whom sight of the characteristic arcing flight of one of these delightful pelagic wanderers, is guaranteed
to warm the cockles. Subject to the usual caveats with regard to uncertain duplications in records this was a much-improved annual haul over the estimated 16 from 2019 and 17 from 2018. Although this is far short of the 114 sightings of 2015 and 119 in 2016.
A typical start to passage commenced on July 29th with one north from thorpeness. Almost a month then elapsed before the next sighting, off Slaughden, August 25th. thereafter, a steady stream of records ensued all from the north-east section of the county, apart from two south past Landguard also on August 25th.
Multiple sightings were the exception not the rule with seven north past Ness Point, Lowestoft on August 30th being the highest single count. As reported elsewhere, September 17th was a peak day for Suffolk seabird movements during 2020, this day including 19 separate sightings of Sooty Shearwaters, although likely as usual, an indeterminate number of individuals.
totals are as follows: July August September October 1 21 29 8
Very rare passage migrant. two sightings of a single bird on 19th September constitute only the county’s 10th record of this magnificent and much sought after oceanic long-distance migrant. two days of moderate northerly winds from 15th swung around to the north-east from 17th although remaining relatively light, peaking at just 17kph. Sufficient nevertheless, to serve up a small selection of quality seabirds, including this Great Shearwater, the first for Suffolk since 2011.
completing an epic annual migration from its breeding grounds in the tristan da cunha island group in the South Atlantic this species completes a roughly circular migration, heading north along the eastern coasts of first South and then North America before crossing the Atlantic during August when the majority of British sightings are made off our south western coasts. thereafter, the majority track southwards along the eastern littoral of the Atlantic to return to their natal islands to breed. consequently, very few enter the North Sea, as borne out by the rarity and desirability of connecting with this species from coastal Suffolk.
Lowestoft: north past Hamilton rd coastguard, 09.58 Sep19th, same as Southwold bird (r Wilton, A c easton)
Southwold: north, 08.40 – 08.50hr Sep 19th (B J Small, P Whiteman)
Uncommon passage migrant. Amber list.
2020’s record of up to 60 individuals, (even accounting for a degree of duplication) is a huge improvement on the paltry four ‘manxies’ seen off Suffolk during 2019. the latter year shares the dubious honour, along with 2012, of having the joint-lowest number on record. However, this still falls far short of past big years such as the 335 recorded in 2001 or even the 159 year-total for 2011.
this year saw a welcome return to some spring records from the north-east sector with the first sighting being of one north past thorpeness on April 2nd. this was followed by further singletons on April 26th, May 5th and June 6th, all also past thorpeness, with two south there on June 8th. four further records came before the end of June from thorpeness and Southwold. thereafter, there were no fresh sightings made until the end of July when thorpeness produced two south on July 30th and one north, July 31st.
With the exception of a further bird north from thorpeness on August 9th, there was once again a pause in sightings until the end of August when the year’s highest total of ten birds in a single group was observed heading south past corton on 26th with three more northbound an hour later. records of different birds that same day came from Lowestoft and Southwold from where a group of six was observed heading north. further sightings of singletons followed
during the last days of August from Gunton, Southwold and thorpeness as well as two birds north from Slaughden, August 29th.
Another gap in records followed until mid-September when further, mostly single sightings, occurred comprising a total of 12 birds on September 16th, 17th and 19th from a number of vantage points, ranging from Lowestoft to Landguard. these observations coincided once again with the period of north-easterly winds, as reported elsewhere, that brought a number of other exciting sea birds within observational range. these latter sightings included the year’s first reports from the south-east recording area with one north past Landguard Bird observatory on September 17th and two past east Lane, Bawdsey on September 19th.
two further records came on September 26th when singles were sighted moving south off Aldeburgh and orfordness. one extremely late ‘manxie’ came in just in time for christmas with a bird south past Landguard on December 24th.
Rare, but nearly annual, passage migrant. Critically endangered. Red list. 2020 witnessed a welcome and significant improvement for Suffolk sightings of this critically endangered species. this follows the single record from 2019 which itself followed three entirely blank years between 2016 and 2018. As usual, prevailing weather conditions play some role in the occurrence of sightings as most birds were concentrated around two periods of predominantly north and north-easterly air flows during mid-August and mid-September. timings and directions of travel, suggest the August sightings involve at least seven individuals and those from September three separate birds. Nevertheless, the resulting total of ten birds makes this the second-best year on record, surpassed only by the exceptional 14 birds from 2002.
Corton: north, 07.50hr Aug 15th (J A Brown)
Lowestoft: two south, 15.25 Aug 19th (r Wilton); two north, 08.35 Sep 17th (B J Small)
Minsmere: north, 15.03hr Aug 14th (S Abbott, r Drew)
Southwold: north, 05.55hr Aug 15th (c fulcher); north, 11:40hr Aug 15th (c fulcher); two south, 15:58 Aug 19th (B J Small); two north, 08:00hr Sep 17th (c fulcher, N Vipond); north, 08:37hr Sep 17th (c fulcher, N Vipond)
Bawdsey: east Lane, north, 09:02hr Sep 8th (S Abbott)
WHITE STORK Ciconia ciconia
Scarce passage migrant.
After a single sighting in 2019, there were three records in 2020, all in the west of the county where records have to be treated cautiously as there is a free-flying flock in south Norfolk, just north of Lakenheath.
Lakenheath Fen: May 11th (rSPB); Aug 9th and specifically noted as possibly from the free-flying collection (D White)
Mildenhall: Aug 7th (per recorder)
Common passage migrant. Amber list.
the pattern of records in 2020 was very similar to previous years. A few records in January and february with numbers then building through March with the highest being 1034 off Minsmere Sluice on 21st and 826 off Ness Point, Lowestoft on the same date (all the latter were noted as flying north). through April numbers were lower (maximum 500 off Minsmere Sluice on 2nd) and only seven more day-counts of more than 100 through the month.
Numbers were low until late July when the next count of 100+ was noted on 24th (120 off thorpeness) from when there were only a few counts of 100+ until october 2nd when 375 were counted off Minsmere Beach. the highest autumn count was of 810 off thorpeness on october 12th with the only 100+ count after october 20th being of 110 at thorpeness on November 16th.
As in 2019 there were no inland records.
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list (from Amber).
As usual the Lowestoft area produced the majority of the records. Lake Lothing had records of one or two birds regularly from January to early May and then, apart from two records (September 16th and November 5th) from December 6th to the end of the year. there were two birds at Gorleston, also on September 16th and regularly two at oulton Broad in february, March and especially April including three on April 20th. one on December 18th was the only record at oulton Broad from later in the year.
At the other end of the county there were records from Southwold, Minsmere, Slaughden, thorpeness, Bawdsey, Martlesham creek, Woodbridge, Landguard, Levington, trimley Marshes, freston, ipswich and Wherstead with the highest counts anywhere in the county being of five south past thorpeness on June 17th (D thurlow) and four at Minsmere, october 2nd. five Shags in Suffolk (June 17th) is somewhat surprising given the date. this is the highest site-total of Shags in Suffolk in June since 1988 when six were at Lowestoft on 1st.
the comment in the 2018 Bird report that the two records of european Shag that year at Needham Market Lake are the first Gipping Valley records for over 30 years (Suffolk Birds 2018: 78) is incorrect. there have been sightings of european Shag in the Gipping Valley at Needham Market Lake and/or Suffolk Water Park, Bramford in 1985, 1988, 1990, 1994 and 1996 – our apologies to the observers concerned!
GREAT CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo
Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Has bred since 1998. unlike the last few years, the Loompit Lake roost held much lower numbers in 2020, the highest totals of birds reported there being about 400 on January 28th and 300 on November 26th. However, the LBo report states “3462 out February 14th” – presumably these birds had come from Loompit Lake? the highest counts in 2020 were along the Alde estuary primarily on Havergate island where the highest counts were of 5070 on March 4th and 4630, November 26th with three more counts of over 3000. these counts of 4630 and 5070 are the highestever recorded in Suffolk exceeding the previous maximum of 3678 counted from Landguard on November 19th 2019. elsewhere the highest numbers were at Landguard where birds were recorded throughout the year. in the first winter period the highest count was 3462, february 14th after which numbers dropped quite sharply. in the second autumn/winter period numbers started to rise during october with four figures reached by 15th with the highest total being 3518 offshore on December 26th. overall, there were 24 counts there of more than 2000. the species was seen in all months along the length of the coast only rarely reaching more than a few hundred although Ness Point, Lowestoft recorded 1000+ on November 29th. inland the highest counts were of 47 at Lakenheath fen rSPB, January 23rd, 45 at Lackford Lakes, December 12th and 33 at culford Park on october 17th.
A total of 14 colour-ringed cormorants were seen at Havergate island in 2020. these had been ringed as chicks in Germany (2), Denmark (2), the Netherlands (4), Nottinghamshire (2) and essex (4).
GLOSSY IBIS Plegadis falcinellus
Scarce but increasing visitor.
As previously it is difficult to determine how many birds were involved in the records but there were thought to be three birds in the Burgh castle/carlton Marshes area on December 2nd. records received were:
Burgh Castle: oct 30th; Nov 4th to 7th; Dec 2nd
Carlton Marshes: May 17th to 23rd; Sep 19th; two, Nov 4th; two, Nov 23rd to Dec 2nd
Southwold area: over town Sep19th
Dunwich: three south then north-west, Nov 4th
Snape: June 1st
Landguard: south, Apr 9th
And away from the immediate coastal strip:
Ipswich: north-west over town, Apr 30th; two over christchurch Park, Nov 23rd
Lavenham: over May 3rd
EURASIAN SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia
Uncommon summer visitor. Increasingly overwinters. Breeding recommenced in 2019. Amber list. 2020 saw the first successful breeding of Spoonbills in Suffolk since the late 17th century or early 18th century. Spoonbills have been attempting to breed on the Alde estuary since 1997, and 2019 produced the first five nests, on Havergate island, although none was successful. But 2020 saw four fledglings from three pairs, also on Havergate island. it proved very difficult to prove nesting was occurring until a drone was flown over the site on May 20th when two nests
were found in vegetation (not on the artificial platforms which had been used in 2019). in due course these hatched and fledged three and one young respectively. in late June another nest was suspected 30-40m from the other two. A drone flight on July 3rd confirmed that there were four eggs. these were incubated for about four weeks but no young were ever seen. Hopefully there will be other breeding sites before long. for example, there were several sightings at trimley Marshes including two birds recorded moving sticks around on the reservoir although there was no sign of breeding. See article earlier in this report.
outside of this, records were received from all along the coast from oulton Broad to trimley especially in the southern half and throughout the year, except December. All of the highest counts were in September from Hazlewood Marshes with the peak total being 44 on 11th. Havergate had 25 on August 3rd and ramsholt held 16 on July 12th but no other site had more than seven at a time. the total of 44 at Hazlewood Marshes on September 11th is the highestever in Suffolk, easily surpassing the previous peak of 34 on Havergate island on July 18th 2019. it is assumed that most, if not all, were Havergate birds.
Between 2010 and 2020, a total of 345 juvenile Spoonbills fledged successfully at the colony at Decoy Wood, Holkham NNr in north Norfolk (British Birds 114: 316).
Slowly increasing breeding population, scarce resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Amber list (from Red).
A national summary of breeding Bitterns was not produced in 2020 so there are no firm definitive figures to compare with previous years. However, as usual, Bitterns were recorded in and around reedbeds all along the Suffolk coast with the breeding population centred on Minsmere, Dingle Marshes and North Warren where most of the birds are resident. outside of this central area there were also booming birds heard at carlton Marshes, oulton Marshes, Benacre Broad, easton Valley, Boyton Marshes and trimley Marshes, the last for the second year running and where the species is thought to have bred. inland there were also resident birds at Lakenheath fen; a full survey was not possible but there were seven booming males and one confirmed nest. the only record away from these sites was a bird reported by BiNS
Very rare visitor there have now been eight records in the 21st century: 2000, 2005, 2008 (two), 2017, 2018 and 2020 (two). there were two records in 2020:
Carlton Marshes: adult photographed, July 6th (r Howlett)
Farnham/Snape: Botany Marshes, juv in willows, then Ne, 19:30hr, July 31st (M Linsley)
Annual visitor in recent years.
As in previous years it is difficult to be certain as to how many birds were involved in the various records. the highest totals were the seven birds flying north at Mutford on Aug 7th and a group of up to six at Boyton Marshes around the end of July. the records received were:
Carlton Marshes: two, June 2nd and 3rd (N carter, P Napthine)
Mutford: seven north, Aug 7th (S reeves)
Southwold/Reydon: seen at both sites and presumed to be the same bird, Sep 26th (B Small)
Minsmere: May 21st and 22nd (r flindell, e Sames)
North Warren: oct 10th (k Loveridge)
Snape Wetlands: July 19th to 29th (multi-observers)
Aldeburgh: over Golf course, June 2nd and 14th (i rowlands)
Boyton Marshes: Apr 7th to 12th; five July 28th; six, July 29th; four, Aug 2nd (various observers)
Alton Water: five, Aug 7th (G Jobson)
Trimley: two, Aug 14th to 20th P Holmes et al.)
Landguard: Mar 24th (P Holmes et al.) – 3rd site record inland there were two records:
Flixton GP and Homersfield: along the Waveney Valley, June 20th (S Piotrowski)
Lakenheath Fen: Aug 13th (D White); oct 15th (rSPB) the flock of seven over Mutford on August 7th is Suffolk’s highest-ever individual site total. 2020 is the best year so far recorded for cattle egret in Suffolk, particularly bearing in mind the events of August 7th when at least 12 were noted in our county.
Common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.
As usual, many records were received of a few birds from all over the county but even saying this it is likely that many go unrecorded. Largely due to the pandemic there were very few counts of breeding birds at heronries: the first birds were seen back at one inland colony on January 27th and there were at least nine active nests at another, also inland, on April 20th.
Away from nesting colonies the highest counts were of 22 birds at thorpeness common on october 3rd, 19 along the orwell between ipswich Docks and Woolverstone, January 11th, 17 on the Strand, Wherstead, January 1st and 15 at Walberswick, September 30th with seven more records of ten or more all from coastal areas. the highest inland counts were of nine at Lakenheath fen on August 7th and eight there on September 20th. A total of 32 was noted from Landguard between June 8th and october 26th with a maximum of six south and one west on october 3rd.
Scarce passage migrant. there were four records in 2020 but whether more than one bird was involved (and if so, how many) is impossible to know:
Southwold (west): adult photographed, Apr 16th to 22nd (B Small et al.)
Walberswick NNR: Westwood Marshes, adult, presumed Southwold bird, Apr 27th (B Small)
Minsmere: adult summer plumage, May 2nd to 4th (rSPB)
Falkenham/Felixstowe: king’s fleet, adult photographed, May 6th (c courtney et al.)
the adult at Southwold on April 16th is the earliest arrival in Suffolk since 2009 when one was at Hollesley Marshes/Shingle Street on April 8th. this bird on April 8th 2009 is Suffolk’s earliestever record. the second-earliest arrival was at Minsmere on April 9th 2008.
GREAT (WHITE) EGRET Ardea alba
Uncommon, but increasing, visitor.
As in 2019, and previously, there were records throughout the year although many fewer from April to September than through the winter months. they occurred on most wetlands with records predominating along the coastal marshes. for example, carlton Marshes had records of one or two birds in every month with the only record of more being of five on october 17th and three on several dates from then until December 5th. the Dingle Marshes area was similar with records in every month with a maximum of four on several dates in January and february and, again, in November and December. the Minsmere area also had records throughout the year and with three or four on several dates in the second half of September and early october. inland records were dominated by those from Lakenheath fen rSPB where there were records in all months except April and May and up to six birds throughout August to December. A bird that appeared at Lakenheath fen in the winter had been ringed earlier in the year in Lithuania. Lackford Lakes had only one record (two birds) in March but another 11 records (all of one bird) between August and December. other inland sites (single birds unless stated) included Black Bourn Valley, thurston/Norton, November 8th, cavenham Heath, June 5th (2) and September 6th, Hunston, December 15th, Mickle Mere, April 6th, Long Melford, September 26th and october 25th, Pipps ford, August 14th and September 4th, and Stoke-by-clare, January 7th.
Locally common and increasing resident and passage migrant. Green list (from Amber).
As for Grey Heron, there were few specific breeding records. At one inland site at least six active nests were recorded on April 20th with eight fledged and another ten chicks spread over four nests on April 26th. Breeding was confirmed at at least one more site. overall, 45 nests were located at five sites. However, there must be several more breeding colonies of this species. Away from breeding sites the highest counts came from coastal areas. there were 59 at carlton Marshes on July 14th and 24th and several more counts between 20 and 50. the highest inland count was of 19 at Lakenheath fen rSPB on January 25th and 17 (including 12 arriving to roost) at Lackford Lakes, october 6th (a site record count). otherwise, there were records from all over the county not least because this is a species which is still considered as one to report! reports from Landguard were principally in the summer and autumn with 31 noted during the period from June 30th and December 12th with a peak day-total of five west on July 6th. the total of 59 at carlton Marshes in July is impressive but still less than half of the county’s peak individual site-total of 122 at Alton Water on December 16th 2012.
WESTERN OSPREY Pandion haliaetus
Uncommon passage migrant. Amber list. the 141 reports received in 2020 eclipsed last year’s record-breaking total of 114. Sightings came from 55 sites across the county, although, typically the vast majority were from coastal locations. the 34 reports from spring and early summer came from 29 sites and mostly involved passage birds. However, at least one bird lingered in the Blyth estuary/ Southwold town Marshes area from mid- to late May, and two birds were seen together there on May 19th. in contrast, a number of autumn birds spent several weeks on the county’s estuaries during the late summer/ early autumn period. the earliest spring bird was seen inland at Worlington on April 3rd, closely followed by one at Walberswick four days later. Burgh Castle: May 7th.
Lowestoft: North Denes, north Apr 24th
Oulton: May 9th
North Cove: castle Marshes, north, June 23rd
Kessingland: south, May 7th; June 27th
Southwold: town Marshes, May 20th and 24th
Blyth Estuary: two, May 19th
Hen Reedbeds: May 16th; May 20th and 21st
Walberswick: Apr 7th
Dunwich: north, May 7th
Minsmere: June 30th
Sizewell: south, May 8th
Thorpeness: north, June 8th
Aldringham Walks: south, May 8th
Aldeburgh: south, May 2nd
Shingle Street: offshore, June 17th
Ramsholt: June 30th
Sutton: Methersgate, Apr 24th
Melton: Apr 24th
Felixstowe: Apr 24th
Stutton Mill: Apr 26th and 29th
Cattawade: May 14th
East Bergholt: May 5th
Crowfield: Apr 19th.
Elmsett: May 17th
Worlington: Apr 3rd
Mildenhall: May 28th
Lakenheath Fen: May 17th
Thetford: Nunnery Lakes Nr, Apr 30th
there were 107 reports from the late summer/ early autumn period. Several of the 26 sites hosted long-staying individuals, including the Blyth, Alde, Deben and Stour estuaries. No fewer than six different birds were present on Suffolk’s estuaries on September 13th at least. As well as numerous sightings of single birds on the Blyth estuary between August and october, two were present for five days in September. it was a similar story on the Alde estuary where birds frequented the area from August to mid-September, with reports of two on six dates in September and three on September 13th. the Deben hosted a juvenile bird during September and at least one bird was present on and off on the Stour estuary from late August. it was here that the year’s second-latest sighting was present involving an individual which remained in the area until November 26th; what was surely the same bird was noted, also on November 26th, nearby at Alton Water. the year’s latest record, and Suffolk’s second-ever December record involved one over the orwell bridge on the orwell estuary on December 6th. Suffolk’s latest-ever osprey involved a juvenile which remained in the river Stour Valley at Nayland-with-Wissington between September 24th and December 12th 2006.
Breydon South Wall: Aug 11th
Burgh Castle: Aug 27th; Sep 2nd; Sep 9th
Lound Lakes: Aug 23rd
Lowestoft: south, July 1st; south, Sep 5th
Oulton Broad: Sep 20th
Carlton Marshes: Sep 20th and 21st
Beccles: south, July 10th; Aug 11th.
Bungay: outney common, Aug 27th
Southwold: offshore, Aug 25th
Reydon: Sep 15th
Blythburgh: south, July 10th; Aug 25th
Blyth Estuary: Aug 24th to 25th; Sep 3rd; Sep 5th; two Sep 6th to 10th; Sep 12th; Sep 13th; Sep 15th; Sep 17th; Sep 19th and 20th; Sep 22nd; Sep 24th; Sep 28th; oct 6th to 10th
Walberswick: Sep 11th to 13th
Minsmere: oct 5th
Thorpeness: oct 5th
Aldeburgh: Aug 31st
Hazlewood Marshes/ Alde Estuary: Aug 20th; Aug 26th to Sep 4th; two, Sep 5th to 12th; three Sep 13th; Sep 14th
Boyton; Jul 6th
Woodbridge/ River Deben: July 17th; Sep 7th; Sep 12th to 15th; Sep 17th; Sep 19th; Sep 24th; Sep 27th; Sep 29th; oct 2nd and oct 10th
Landguard Bird Observatory: south, Aug 28th; south, oct 5th
Ipswich/Wherstead: orwell Bridge, Dec 6th
Alton Water: Sep 12th; Sep 29th; oct 7th and oct 8th; Nov 26th
Stour Estuary: Aug 27th; Aug 30th; Sep 2nd; Sep 5th; Sep 9th to 21st; oct 17th; Nov 14th to 16th; Nov 25th and 26th
Badingham: Sep 4th
Brantham: Sep 14th
Brettenham: Sep 10th
Lakenheath Fen: July 28th; Aug 1st to 3rd; Aug 20th
Scarce passage migrant. Amber list.
there were six accepted reports of this species in 2020; all but one were summer observations from coastal locations. the single autumn sighting came from corton in early october. this bird, on october 3rd, is the latest to be recorded in Suffolk since 2008 when one was seen over Hollesley on october 4th. the latest-ever documented records in Suffolk are on october 12th 2001 at Landguard, october 13th 2002 at Gunton, Lowestoft and october 15th 2000 at Landguard (2). A repeat of the 2000 and 2008 influxes would be most welcome!
Corton: south close inshore, oct 3rd. (Ac easton et al)
Reydon: pale-phase adult, Aug 8th. (BJ Small)
Minsmere: photographed flying south, June 14th. (r Harvey)
Butley: July 17th. (A clements)
Kirton: dark-morph over falkenham Marshes, midday, June 14th. (WJ Brame)
Ipswich: dark-morph juvenile, south, Aug 24th (J Zantboer)
Common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.
reports came from 144 parishes which is a slight increase on the 140 in 2019. the much-reduced BBS coverage resulted in this species being recorded in just one of the 44 tetrad squares in Suffolk in 2020, compared with four in 2019. the population trend graphs show a continuing decline in numbers both in the county and across the uk
At Landguard, spring movement of single birds was logged on 14 dates between March 12th and May 1st. Also, two were seen there on April 4th and two flew south on April 10th
and May 2nd. in the autumn three were noted at Landguard on october 10th and two flew south offshore at thorpeness on August 14th.
NORTHERN GOSHAWK Accipiter gentilis
Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant, uncommon resident
A total of 11 pairs nested in the west of the county which is one fewer than in 2019. Although no ringing could take place due to covid restrictions, breeding success was good, and averaged out at 2.7 young per pair per nest for the whole of the Breckland forest population. further observations came from four locations in mid-Suffolk during spring and there was a report of a female at Stutton on April 10th. sightings of single birds came from Ampton, cavenham Heath and Hopton (near redgrave) during the summer months. up to two birds were recorded at the Nunnery Lakes, thetford in all months except between June and September. Both winter periods produced the usual reports of birds hunting at various sites scattered across the Brecks.
Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant. Increasing numbers overwinter. Amber List. covid-19 restrictions meant that the amount of coverage that observers were able to carry out was severely limited at key times of the year. therefore, roost counts and breeding details were not as comprehensive as usual. consequently, it is difficult to assess accurately how this species fared in Suffolk in 2020. Similarly, reduced BBS coverage provided less information than usual. the counts that were received from the first winter period were as follows: Carlton Marshes: eight, Mar 13th Walberswick NNR: Westwood Marshes, six, Mar 15th Minsmere: 36, Jan 19th. Havergate Island: three, Jan 27th Trimley Marshes: three, Jan 5th Lakenheath Fen RSPB: 12, Jan 1st the roost count of 36, Minsmere on January 19th 2020 has only been exceeded in Suffolk by 37 at Westwood Marshes NNr in the first winter period of 2008 and 38 at Belton Marshes, february 8th 2015. At an un-named site in Norfolk, 95 were counted at roost in December 2019.
reports involving potential spring migrants were received from Landguard, where singles flew south on March 13th and April 27th. confirmation of breeding came from just 14 sites, as many sites were
less well monitored and, in some cases, only the number of pairs or fledged young was recorded:
Carlton Marshes: three pairs fledged ten chicks, all of which were tagged
Benacre Broad: pair nested
Easton Valley: seven pairs nested
Walberswick NNR: Westwood Marshes, five pairs nested Dingle Marshes: nest recorded Minsmere: nest
Snape Wetlands: three pairs bred, one failed the other two fledged three and four young Boyton Marshes: pair fledged two chicks
Orfordness: two pairs nested and five young fledged Boyton Marshes: pair fledged two young Hollesley Marshes: pair fledged one chick
Trimley Marshes: pair fledged one chick
Lakenheath Fen RSPB: nest was found and the five chicks ringed and tagged; 17 fledged young were seen in flight over the reserve in late summer
Lackford Lakes SWT: pair fledged two young – a new site record (see field Note) in addition to the above, two pairs showed breeding behaviour in the Levington area in early June and another pair was suspected to have bred at another site in the south of Suffolk.
Year Sites Confirmed breeding pairs Total pairs Min no of young fledged
2004 11 44 48 107
2005 55 64 145 2006 8 48 2007 65 70 2008 52 60 2009 55 61 2010 55 62 2011 72 79 2012 58 59 2013 63 63 2014 60 61 2015 60 64 92 2016 16 60 65 120 2017 16 58 60 91 2018 18 64 66 85 2019 20 66 66 70 2020 16 28 31 45
Autumn migrants included one in off the sea at Benacre on october 7th, a first winter bird flying north offshore at Walberswick on october 15th, and two first winter birds flying north offshore at Minsmere on october 11th. At Landguard, two flew north and six south between August 22nd and october 28th. there were fewer counts in 2020, but those involving four or more birds during the second winter period came from the following sites:
Walberswick NNR: Westwood Marshes, 16, Dec 20th
Minsmere: 22, Dec 21st
North Warren: ten, Dec 15th
Sudbourne Marshes: six, Dec 25th
Ramsholt: four, Dec 30th
Trimley Marshes SWT: four, Dec 11th
Lakenheath Fen: 20, Dec 5th there were several observations of wing-tagged birds:
Southwold: male with red wing tags, January 19th; male with red tags ‘AB’, March 18th and 19th and again on July 6th; another male (reydon bird) with red wing tags ‘BV’, July 10th
Reydon Marshes: immature male with red ‘BV’ tags, January 1st and again on December 17th
Snape Wetlands: female with red wing tags, March 14th; juvenile with red wing tags, July 16th; female with red wing tags ‘fi’, July 12th and August 29th. the latter was ringed/tagged at Buckenham, Norfolk in June 2019
Ramsholt: juvenile with red wing tags, Sep 24th
Livermere Lake: one with red wing tags, August 6th
Like many other people i was furloughed in spring 2020, but it did give me the opportunity to concentrate more on birding from home and on my local patch as part of my daily exercise. on one such occasion i came across a male Marsh Harrier seemingly defending a territory at Lackford Lakes in early April. the bird promptly started displaying enthusiastically over the area and after a few days was successful in attracting a mate. the pair was subsequently seen gathering nest material and went on to breed successfully, fledging two young in July.
Chris Gregory
Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Red List. the number of reports received for this species was undoubtedly affected by the covid restrictions. in the first winter period reports were received from 14 coastal sites and these were likely to have involved five individuals; two males and three ringtails. the male which was present on orfordness towards the end of 2019 was still present at the start of the year and remained in that area until early March. elsewhere in January, single males were seen on the Alde estuary and at Westleton. ringtails were present at four other coastal sites, including Benacre Broad where one was seen to go to roost on January 5th. the only inland report came from Lakenheath fen on January 31st. the long-staying male on orfordness provided the only record for february and relatively few reports were received from March. these included single ringtails at Westleton Heath and erwarton and the male on orfordness, which was last seen on March 8th. the only multiple sighting came from Westhorpe (ten km north of Stowmarket) where two ringtails were seen once in late March and again in early April. in the west a ringtail was again present at Lakenheath fen on March 6th. in April single ringtails were seen at four coastal sites and over Stoke Park, ipswich on 17th and a male was seen flying north at Bawdsey on 22nd. in the west another male, presumed to be a passage bird, was seen at Hopton on April 23rd. A late ringtail was seen at Minsmere on May 10th and what was probably the same bird was also reported in that area on Suffolk BiNS on two other dates in early May. June records came from North Warren on 9th and knodishall on 16th (possibly the same bird?).
An early returning bird was seen at Lakenheath fen on August 21st. there were more reports from the second winter period, particularly during November when the second lockdown restrictions were eased. reports indicate that there was a similar number of birds present as in the first winter period, i.e., four ringtails and a male. Wintering birds started to return from early
october and the six reports from this month all came from coastal locations. these included a ringtail in off the sea at Southwold on october 10th and singles flying south at Landguard on october 26th and November 23rd. there were 24 reports from 16 coastal sites and two inland sites in November. A male flew north-east at Sudbourne on November 1st and another or the same bird was subsequently seen at Burgh castle three days later. Wide-ranging single ringtails were seen at numerous sites throughout the month. over in the west of the county there were reports of a ringtail at Mildenhall fen on November 22nd and at Haverhill two days later. Although December saw a reduction in the number of reports, the 17 that were received indicated that at least two ringtails continued to be present at locations up and down the Suffolk coast. finally, a male was seen on orfordness on December 9th.
MONTAGU’S HARRIER Circus pygargus
Uncommon passage migrant. Formerly bred. Amber List. there were no accepted records of this species in 2020, the first blank year since 2017.
RED KITE Milvus milvus
Uncommon but increasing winter visitor and passage migrant; increasing breeding population. Green list (from Amber). 2020 was something of a landmark year for this species in Suffolk as there were definite signs of the red kite expanding its range as a breeding species. Breeding attempts were reported from eight locations and suspected at another five locations. All were in the west of the county, apart from a pair that bred successfully at a site near ipswich. Given the secretive nature of this species during the breeding season it is possible that other nesting attempts went undetected or unreported. covid restrictions hampered monitoring efforts but four pairs were known to have bred successfully, two were known to have failed and the outcome of two others was unknown.
evidence of spring passage came mostly from south-east Suffolk and peaked in late March/ early April. Notable movements in late March included ten at upper Hollesley common on March 22nd; ten at trimley Marshes on March 23rd and five at Hollesley Marshes on March 25th. further inland 12 were seen at Stoke-by-Nayland on April 2nd.
Autumn passage was less obvious, but potential migrants included three flying south at kessingland on August 13th and one in off the sea at Dunwich cliffs on September 9th.
early winter roost counts in west Suffolk peaked at 26 on January 28th and towards the end of the year a pre-roost group of 16 birds was counted at Pakenham. reports of wing-tagged birds came from Hessett (yellow 4A tagged by thames ringing Group) and Denston (White cA tagged in west Suffolk).
Rare passage migrant.
there was just one accepted occurrence of this species in 2020. this involved two birds at Minsmere on April 30th which was followed on the same day by sightings of single birds at three neighbouring coastal locations. initially both birds appeared together over Minsmere, where they were photographed; they then split up, one apparently drifting north over Westleton Heath and the other flying south. the latter was subsequently seen over Sizewell and Aldringham Walks before returning north, also on April 30th.
Westleton Heath: one of the Minsmere birds, 08:20hr, Apr 30th (t oakes)
Minsmere: two together, Apr 30th (r Drew et al)
Sizewell: one of the Minsmere birds south, 07:55 hr, Apr 30th (J Grant)
Aldringham Walks: same bird as at Sizewell circled overhead until 08:15hr, then flew south before returning north, lingering between Sizewell and Leiston. it was last seen flying high north over Sizewell, 09.20hr (J Grant)
With the news last year of the demise of the ringed individual that escaped from Banham Zoo, perhaps observers fortunate enough to see this species will now feel more confident that their sightings involve truly wild birds. the escapee had frequented the Wrentham area in north-east Suffolk since June 2014, occasionally wandering further afield and causing Sorc a headache!
C GregoryScarce annual visitor. Red list. Categories A and E.
During spring this year, two satellite-tagged birds from the isle of Wight reintroduction scheme put in appearances at several locations in Suffolk. A third bird, untagged but ringed, and presumed to be of wild origin, was seen briefly at Minsmere in late March.
An immature male ‘G939’ was tracked flying over Bungay and Mendlesham on April 15th. the bird then flew inland over Stowmarket before roosting at Shrublands Park, coddenham/Barham that evening. on leaving its roost site the following day it headed west passing over Bury St edmunds around midday at a height of just under 400m and continued along the Lark Valley into cambridgeshire.
the second satellite tagged bird was a female ‘G324’, which roosted overnight over the border in SW Norfolk, just north of Lakenheath fen rSPB reserve on April 4th. the same bird was then tracked as it flew north-east to the North Norfolk coast before returning south where it was photographed passing over Bungay. it then continued to Peasenhall where it roosted in a nearby wood on April 6th. the following day it continued its journey south, passing over ipswich before heading to essex.
in addition to the Sorc-accepted records, there were several reports of White-tailed eagle for which no descriptions were received.
Minsmere: continental bird, Apr 7th (r Harvey); juvenile with a blue ring, Mar 27th (rSPB)
Ipswich: second c/y bird (G324) south, Apr 7th. (e Zantboer, J Zantboer et al)
Pipps Ford: juvenile ioW satellite-tagged bird (G393), over at 17.25hrs and appeared to go to roost in Shrublands Park, Apr 15th (P Whittaker)
Needham Market: juvenile bird (G393), Apr 16th (H cook et al)
Lakenheath Fen RSPB: female ioW bird (G324) roosted overnight near the reserve just over the county boundary in Norfolk, Apr 4th (rSPB)
the two birds in the period 2000-2009 involved two together over North Warren and orfordness on february 13th 2000.
ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo lagopus
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. the juvenile from 2019 continued to overwinter on the Bawdsey peninsular until february 8th. the only other accepted record came from the Sudbourne and orfordness area where one initially seen on Boxing Day, remained until the end of the year.
Bawdsey peninsular: Jan 1st to feb 8th (Multi-observer)
Sudbourne/Orfordness: first-calendar-year videoed, Dec 26th to 31st (A raine et al)
COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo
Common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant; increasing breeding population. Now a common sight across most of Suffolk, reflecting the continued increasing population trend for this species across england. results from BBS showed it was recorded in ten of the 44 tetrads in the county in 2020, compared with 24 in 2019. Just 12 were counted, compared with 44 the previous year.
confirmation of breeding came from 22 sites.
During spring there were several notable counts during late March to early April, almost certainly involving passage birds. these included 12 at Leiston on March 23rd moving north in one group, and 11 at Aldeburgh two days later. the following counts were all made on April 7th: 16 at Mutford; ten at chelmondiston; 16 at king’s fleet; 13 at Manningtree (just in essex); ten at trimley Marshes and 13 at east Bergholt. More high counts followed a few days later and included 12 over oulton Broad on April 9th, 22 drifting south over Aldringham Walks on April 11th and 28 flying west at Aldeburgh the next day.
Autumn passage included 12 at Benacre Broad on September 10th and 16 at Landguard on the same day.
Later in the year high counts came from chelmondiston where there were 21 on November 18th and December 28th.
Sadly, the persecution of the common Buzzard continues, despite a perceived ‘increasing level of tolerance’ among gamekeepers and landowners (eADt). in february 2018 two corpses were found in woodland “on the edge of a shooting estate” on the banks of the river Dove, near Hoxne. in September 2020 Suffolk police’s rural crime team and the rSPB investigations team launched an investigation following the discovery of a dead common Buzzard on land in west Suffolk. Several guns and a quantity of pesticides were seized in relation to their investigation.
WESTERN BARN OWL Tyto alba
Fairly common resident. Amber list, Categories A and E. unfortunately, no nest box breeding data were available from the Suffolk community Barn owl Project. However, 2020 was noted as being a ‘very poor breeding season’, at least in the west of the county. of the records that were received, breeding was confirmed at just 13 sites, including two pairs at Levington creek and two pairs that fledged a total of four young Barn Owl, June 21st at Bentley
on orfordness. Birds were displaced from their 2019 breeding sites at West Stow by Jackdaws and Stock Doves.
Six birds were seen around the Heveningham and Huntingfield area on July 16th (the highest count received), whilst five were present at carlton Marshes on february 10th.
TAWNY OWL Strix aluco
Common resident. Amber list.
Breeding season reports were received from a total of 67 widespread sites in 2020. of these, breeding was confirmed at just five sites (15 in 2019) with possible or probable breeding reported from a further 13 sites, but, in reality, is likely to have occurred at many of the other sites that reported birds during this period.
A stunned tawny owl was found in the road at Holbrook on January 5th and taken into care, whilst a road casualty was found at fornham St. Martin on May 20th.
The Christchurch Park, Ipswich Tawny Owl in 2020 the tawny owl which returned to its easily-visible daytime roost site on November 9th 2019 after an absence of 27 months (Suffolk Birds 2019: 36-37; Suffolk Birds 2019: 147) was initially present in 2020 up to January 30th. By this time it was widely acknowledged as being the bird Mabel, which had first been seen at this site on September 21st 2008. it was then apparently absent until May 6th and on May 23rd it was present with two downy juveniles which attracted many observers and photographers. there was no sighting after early June but on october 28th she was back in fer usual tree where she remained, attracting many admirers, into 2021.
Reg Snook
LITTLE OWL Athene noctua
Fairly common resident.
A total of 110 sites reported birds during the year, a significant increase on the 81 sites reporting birds in 2019. it would be good to know that this increase was down to a genuine uplift in the Little owl population, but it seems likely that at least some of this increase can be put down to increased effort by observers around their local areas during the national lockdown.
Probable or confirmed breeding reports came from 13 sites (14 in 2019).
A pair nested again on orfordness, raising two young.
LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Scarce resident.
Birds were reported from just three sites during the first winter period, two in the east and one in the west. these involved a roosting bird seen in the observer’s garden at Wenhaston on february 4th, 11th and 12th, whilst another was seen roosting at Snape Wetlands
3rd, 7th and 12th. the site in the west held four roosting birds on January 30th and March 1st. A bird reported from carlton Marshes on March 15th and 18th may well have been on spring passage. there then followed reports from eight sites during the breeding season (five of which were in Breckland) with confirmed breeding (involving an overall total of seven pairs) at four of these.
Autumn passage was almost non-existent and involved just a single bird at Lowestoft North Beach on November 7th. there were no second winter reports.
SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Formerly bred. Amber list.
Birds were reported from a total of 14 coastal sites during the first two months of the year. these included sightings of three birds at Burgh castle on January 19th (with two there on february 6th), a peak count of three birds at carlton Marshes, february 13th, two at Shingle Street which were reported regularly throughout the period, up to two on orfordness throughout, two on Havergate island, January 27th and two at Hollesley Marshes, february 26th.
Spring passage was very light with most records during March and May coming from the above-mentioned sites. intriguingly, numbers dropped at the end of March and there was just a single April record (from Hollesley on April 23rd) before a small increase in sightings during May.
three sites recorded Short-eared owls during June and/or July, as follows:
Carlton Marshes: June 1st Benacre: July 20th. chased out to sea by Little terns before heading north Orfordness: pair present from May into June, but did not attempt to nest and departed in late June
Autumn passage began in August with a bird at Minsmere on 20th. there was then a protracted period of arrivals that continued until the end of November and involved reports from around 43 coastal sites. these sightings included a total of 19 birds coming in off the sea across 11 sites, the last of which involved one arriving at Minsmere on November 20th. Peak counts during the autumn included four at carlton Marshes on october 18th, four at Minsmere on october 14th, three at Landguard, october 5th and three at trimley Marshes on August 26th.
Numbers decreased during December with reports of nine birds being received from seven sites, the three birds present on Lantern Marshes, orfordness on 30th being the only multiple sighting.
there were just two sightings in the west of the county during the year, both involving singletons; Livermere Lake on october 23rd and Lakenheath fen on November 22nd.
Scarce passage migrant. Categories A and E. there were just two sightings in 2020.
Felixstowe: in private grounds, Apr 23rd Saxmundham: photographed, Sep 16th (no finder recorded)
Fairly common resident. Amber list. A total of seven sites reported confirmed breeding (up from five sites in 2019), including two
pairs at both Lakenheath fen and Lackford Lakes; at this latter site one pair utilised an artificial nesting bank. Breeding was also considered probable at another two sites, but is likely to have occurred at a number of additional sites as breeding season reports were received from a further 27 localities.
one unfortunate bird was found in a Laxfield garden after it had flown into a window and stunned itself. thankfully, it was able to fly off, apparently unharmed, after a short period of recuperation.
Landguard Bird observatory recorded a single bird on September 22nd, the only site record during 2020.
Scarce but now usually annual passage migrant. there were no records of european Bee-eater in Suffolk in 2020, only the second ‘blank’ year this century, the other being 2013.
Uncommon passage migrant. Red list.
the total of five birds located in 2020 was the same as in 2019 and included two spring records, one of which was in the west of the county:
Hopton-on-Sea: Sep 6th
Lowestoft: North Denes, oct 3rd and 4th (J A Brown)
Thorpeness: thorpeness common, Aug 17th to 21st. (J Davies)
Snape: Apr 20th (J Mountain)
Thelnetham: photographed, Apr 20th (B Blackburn)
Uncommon resident. Red list. reports were received from six sites during 2020, all from the north-west of the county. Although breeding was not confirmed, it seems likely that birds at Santon Downham attempted to nest, possibly on the Norfolk side of the Little ouse river.
Santon Downham: the majority of the reports were received between Jan 8th and Mar 22nd, peaking with four birds on Mar 14th; single bird was heard calling, Aug 5th
Thetford: Little ouse Valley, singles on feb 5th and Mar 18th; Nunnery Lakes, Nov 22nd and Dec 3rd
Brandon: Brandon Park Heath, Nov 25th
Knettishall Heath: June 6th; ‘a single bird noted in November’
Cavenham Heath: several sightings of a pair between Mar 7th and Mar 11th; one seen in a mixed tit flock, Sep 14th
Lackford Lakes: sightings of a single bird on five dates between Jan 25th and Apr 26th
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major Common resident. Scarce passage migrant.
two birds were ‘drumming’ at Belstead Brook Park, ipswich on January 21st, followed by one at Minsmere on february 6th. No other ‘drumming’ birds were then reported until early March.
After an apparent reduction in the distribution of this species during the 2019 Breeding Bird Survey, it is good to report that the numbers found in 2020 were more closely aligned to the 2018 figures (and previous ten-year average) – a total of 13 birds was found occupying ten of the 21 squares visited. in addition, probable or confirmed breeding reports came from 25 widespread sites, and included an impressive six territories in a wood near Hadleigh, and two pairs confirmed as breeding at both christchurch Park in ipswich and Genesis Green, Wickhambrook.
Landguard Bird observatory recorded two singletons during the spring – on April 10th and 23rd – before a more pronounced autumn arrival. Singles were logged on 18 dates between June 24th and october 10th, with two birds observed on June 23rd, July 12th and September 11th. one was then present from November 26th to 29th and, what was assumed to be the same bird, was seen on six dates between December 12th and 31st.
finally, two birds were heard ‘drumming’ in the west in December – thurston on 15th and Wetherden on 27th. Although this is not unheard of, Great Spotted Woodpeckers more normally commence drumming and any associated courtship behaviour from mid-January onwards. one was watched as it flew high westwards over christchurch Park, ipswich on october 27th, until lost to sight.
Common resident. Amber list. there was a notable decline in the distribution of this species during the Breeding Bird Survey. Birds were found in eight of the 21 one-kilometre squares visited (38%) compared with 26 (59%) of the 44 squares visited in 2019. this is likely (at least in part) to be a reflection of the reduced number of squares visited due to coronavirus restrictions. Despite the BBS showing an apparent decline, breeding was confirmed at 22 widespread sites, an increase on the 19 sites that reported confirmed breeding during 2019. the largest counts received all involved totals of six birds and were as follows; outney common, Bungay on April 9th and 10th, Needham Market Lake on April 23rd and the area around Heveningham and Huntingfield on July 24th.
Singles were recorded at Landguard Bird observatory on five dates between July 21st and August 11th, plus two on July 30th.
Common resident. Uncommon passage migrant. Amber list. reports came from 213 parishes in 2020, one fewer than in 2019. BBS data continued to show a fluctuating population trend for this species in eastern england. in a much-reduced BBS coverage it was recorded in eight of the 44 tetrads in Suffolk in 2020 compared with 12 in 2019. the number of individuals was also down to nine, six fewer than in 2019.
Spring movement was noted at Landguard where singles were logged flying south on three dates in March and one date in both April and May. confirmation of breeding came from 22 sites across the county. reports of note included one pair that fledged four young on orfordness and another pair that fledged five young at Brewery farm, Little Stonham.
Autumn passage included one flying south offshore at Minsmere on September 23rd. At Landguard two flew in off the sea on September 12th, one flew south on September 17th, another flew in off the sea on September 23rd and two flew south on october 6th and 10th. Dispersing juveniles from other sites were also noted at Landguard from early August to mid-November. A male was a road casualty at timworth on September 16th.
Rare visitor there were three accepted reports of this species in 2020, all involved immature birds and all were in June. A first-summer male was seen flying south over Breydon Water on June 1st and a couple of weeks later a firstsummer female spent three days at North Warren in mid-June. finally, a second first-summer male put in a brief appearance at Minsmere in late June.
Breydon Water (south shore): 1st-summer male south, 07:14hr, June 1st (P Allard)
North Warren: 1st-summer female, June 16th to 18th (r Harvey et al)
Minsmere: 1st-summer male photographed, June 29th (J Palmer)
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Red List. the 88 reports received in 2020 is an increase on the 78 received in 2019 and significantly higher than the 59 in 2019. the 29 reports from the first winter period included 14 from coastal locations, all involving single birds. it was a similar picture inland where single birds were seen at five Breckland sites.
April sightings inland included a female at freckenham and the Nunnery Lakes reserve at thetford. the latest spring reports were of a female at Minsmere beach on May 18th and one at Dunwich Heath two days later.
the first returning birds were seen flying in off the sea at Minsmere beach on August 27th and Southwold on August 30th. further migrants were logged at Benacre, thorpeness, Hollesley, Bawdsey and Landguard in September and there were also two sightings in the west at icklingham and Brandon cP.
in october one flew in off the sea at Benacre and two were seen flying south at Landguard on two dates. reports from october came from 21 coastal sites and Glemsford in the west all
involving single birds. the number of reports fell in the last two months; sightings came from six coastal locations and five inland sites in November and eight coastal sites and one inland site in December.
Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant.
the 891 reports received in 2020 (including 358 via Birdtrack) is the highest number of reports ever submitted to the report. the number of records submitted via Birdtrack has undoubtedly bolstered the number of reports of this species in the last decade, but even without these it would have still been the largest total to date. the reduced BBS coverage resulted in this species being recorded in just one tetrad (same as 2019) and just one individual was seen (same as in 2019).
the first report of a returning bird came from Leiston on April 10th, the same date as in 2019. there were 20 other reports from across the county in April. Newly-arrived birds began gathering at traditional sites from May and the highest count typically came from Lakenheath fen where 60 were counted on May 15th. elsewhere, numbers peaked a bit later with eight at carlton Marches and 14 at Minsmere on June 9th.
Breeding was confirmed at seven sites and suspected at another four. these included three pairs at Benacre and two in the Walberswick area. Pairs were present at ten other sites across the county. A survey carried out over an area of 50 square kilometres south of ipswich found four confirmed pairs and two probable pairs. this equates to around ten pairs per 100 square kilometres, which is within the range of recently-published density estimates from elsewhere in england (e keeble).
there were several observations of birds seen hunting passerines offshore or flying in off the sea during late summer/ early autumn, some of these involving family parties. there were no fewer than 91 reports from october, as birds lingered well into the autumn. Minsmere hosted an impressive 22 on october 10th, the largest gathering ever recorded in Suffolk in october. unfortunately one collided with the Bittern Hide several days later and was taken into care. the last record also came from Minsmere where a very late bird was reported on November 2nd.
Uncommon but increasing winter visitor and passage migrant. Has bred since 2008. Categories A and E.
the 386 reports received of this species is slightly down on the 419 in 2019. Birds were widely reported, particularly along the coastal margin and in the west throughout the year. At the start of the year birds from 2019 continued to overwinter at several sites, including one at carlton Marshes, a maximum of three on the Blyth estuary and two at Hollesley Marshes. elsewhere, two birds were seen on orfordness, at Landguard and trimley Marshes and near cavenham during January. in february three were present at Lake Lothing and up to two birds were seen at Landguard throughout the month. in the west the lone wintering bird at the former Stradishall
Airfield was joined briefly by a second on february 25th. in March two birds were seen at Benacre Broad and Wherstead and a pair continued to frequent the cavenham area. the first signs of breeding behaviour occurred in April when displaying birds were seen over two locations in ipswich and the pair on orwell Bridge was seen successfully repelling an attack by another pair. there were just six reports from May, including two seen at Wenhaston on two dates and two at trimley Marshes late in the month. June was also fairly quiet, with reports from just eight sites, including a non-breeding pair around the cavenham area. reports came from just four locations in July, including one of the Sizewell birds which was sadly killed by a car on a nearby road – it was carrying a Little egret at the time!
2020 was another productive year for the county’s breeding pairs, with eight pairs fledging at least 15 young. fortunately, the pandemic did not impact on the monitoring of this species as much as others and reports of confirmed breeding came from eight sites (same as in 2019) and breeding was suspected at another. See details below:
Lowestoft: Lake Lothing, pair nested but unfortunately one of the adults had to be taken into care in early summer and the eggs were predated Sizewell Power Station – pair fledged two chicks
Felixstowe Docks – one chick fledged Orwell Bridge – pair fledged three chicks
Martlesham Heath – pair fledged three young Great Blakenham – two chicks fledged South Suffolk – pair fledged two chicks at an undisclosed site Bury St Edmunds – pair fledged two chicks which were ringed under licence in addition to the above, a pair was recorded intermittently throughout the year in central ipswich, but even though two juveniles were seen in late June, breeding could not be proven. on orfordness a single bird was present throughout the breeding season. the number of reports of apparent non-breeding birds during late spring/ early summer suggests that there is a potential for more birds to breed in the county if sufficient nest sites were available. Summary table of confirmed number of breeding pairs in last decade: Year Confirmed breeding/pairs Total pairs 2010 1 2
the five reports from August included two juveniles on two dates at Hollesley Marshes and two at Great Livermere, also on two dates. An increase in activity in September resulted in reports of single birds from eight sites, two birds at three sites and three at Worlingham Marshes. in the west the bird returned to the former Stradishall Airfield for its eighth winter in early September but was not seen again. By october wintering birds had started to occupy their favoured sites both along the coastal margin and in the west. A number of sites hosted two birds, including carlton Marshes, Westwood Marshes and Hollesley Marshes. in the west a pair seen near cavenham on three dates was thought to be the same pair returning to exactly the same location to overwinter for the third year, although it is quite possible that they may have been in that vicinity for most of the year. Also in the west, towards the end of the year one was regularly seen roosting on Pakenham church.
Hunting behaviour included one seen chasing gulls around the offshore platforms at Sizewell on May 18th. At Hazlewood Marshes one caught and ate a Dunlin on September 7th, one was seen chasing three teal into the sea off Southwold on September 19th and in November one took a Wigeon at Hollesley Marshes.
ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET Psittacula krameri
Scarce resident. Categories C and E.
After only one present in January 2019 in the north-east, there were sightings in 2020 from mid-April to the end of the year of singles or two birds together in several areas around Lowestoft and oulton.
Parakeets were noted in ipswich old cemetery throughout the year. up to four individuals were seen with one male and three female first-winters being noted on January 3rd, suggesting that breeding took place at this site in 2019. five were in christchurch Park, ipswich during october and November and two in Holywells Park, ipswich on october 18th. outside of the environs of ipswich, two were present at Brantham, october 26th and a single bird at Hintlesham, october 4th. there were no sightings in the west of the county.
RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio
Scarce passage migrant; formerly bred. Red list.
After four in 2017, six in 2018 and only three in 2019, there were 12 sightings of this enigmatic bird:
Gunton Warren: juv, Aug 24th (BiNS) Aug 28th and 29th (J Wright)
Southwold Common: juv Aug 15th to 20th (B Moyes)
Walberswick: female, June 2nd (S H Piotrowski)
Westleton Common: male, June 11th (A V Moon)
Minsmere: Levels, male, May 22nd (BiNS); South Levels, juv, Aug 20th (J Zantboer); Dunes, juv, Aug 20th to 23rd (A V Moon) – same bird
Thorpeness Common: male, May 22nd (S Mayson)
Hollesley: female, June 8th (S Abbot, P kennerley, N Mason)
Minsmere: South Levels, juv, June 20th (J Zantboer)
East Lane Bawdsey: juv male, Sept 7th to 9th (S Abbott, N Mason, e W Patrick et al)
Felixstowe Ferry: Sep 7th (P Holmes)
Shingle Street: Sep 9th (B Hart, M Hart)
A pair bred at an undisclosed location but appear to have failed at the egg stage.
Very rare visitor. there have been no sightings of this species in Suffolk now for six years.
Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor. it is difficult to ascertain just how many of this free-roaming attractive species were present in the county, when considering the selected records and dates that follow. obviously, a wellmarked arrival occurred during the third and fourth weeks of october:
Kessingland: Denes, oct 3rd to oct 8th (J ferguson)
Benacre: Beach farm, first-winter, Steppe Grey Shrike, oct 4th to 7th (A V Moon); oct 15th and 16th (c A Buttle)
Southwold: campsite, oct 3rd (BiNS)
Aldringham: oct 18th to 19th oct (J A rowlands)
Sudbourne: oct 17th (S Abbot, B Buffrey)
Tunstall: Great Wood, oct 23rd (BiNS)
Sutton Common: oct 20th (N Mason)
Upper Hollesley Common: oct 23rd to 25th (N Mason et al.)
Ipswich: Apr 22nd, the year’s only spring record (J Attenborrow, r Attenborrow)
Timworth: first-year bird, present on farmland, oct 19th to 22nd (D cawdron)
See article earlier in this report for details of the Benacre Southern/Steppe Grey Shrike which was at Benacre from November 4th to 7th.
Rare visitor.
After five blank years since 2013 and a single sighting in 2019 there were no sightings in 2020.
Rare passage migrant. Last bred in 2009. Red List
After a blank year 2018 and a single sighting in 2019 there were seven accepted records of this striking but elusive species.
Sibton: May 19th (f Hawkins)
Minsmere: Scott’s Hall, singing male, May 29th (S Piotrowski)
North Warren: singing male, June 9th (c Small)
Hasketon: sound recorded, May 20th and 21st (Per J H Grant)
Blaxhall: sound recorded, May 24th ((S talbot-Hurn)
Hollesley Marshes RSPB: singing first-summer male, June 14th. (P J kennerley, J A kennerley, M Marsh)
Redgrave Fen: May 31st (chad)
Common resident and scarce passage migrant this species was recorded in eight of the 21 BBS survey squares with 12 individuals seen. in the north-east there were many records of one to four birds with the highest counts being eight at both outney Marshes, Bungay, April 7th and Dingle Marshes, November 4th. Breeding
activity was noted at 27 sites in this area with no fully confirmed records of successful breeding. in the south-east breeding was confirmed or ‘probable’ at three sites with a high count of nine at Woodbridge Airfield on october 27th. three fledged juveniles were in St Matthew’s churchyard, ipswich on June 26th.
At Landguard 12 Jays were present from April 8th to May 9th, with a maximum of two, April 22nd and May 2nd. Somewhat surprisingly, there were no autumn reports from this site. there were some high counts of this species in the west with 15 at Brandon on october 6th and ten at both Bto Nunnery reserve, thetford on october 10th and Santon Downham, November 4th.
Very common resident. this widespread and noticeable species was reported throughout the county. BBS Data recorded Magpies in 15 of the 21 squares surveyed with a total of 48 seen. in the north-east, this species was widely reported especially on Birdtrack; of these records 81 related to breeding behaviour with nine confirming breeding.
Six pairs nested on orfordness. reports from the south-east provided peak roost counts from: christchurch Park, ipswich, 53, December 10th and Pipps ford, 123, January 4th. Breeding behaviour was noted at five sites, with confirmation of breeding at three of these.
At Landguard this species was present all year with four pairs nesting, two of which reared five young. there was a spring maximum of 22, April 7th, a summer peak of 14, July 15th and an autumn maximum of 17, November 7th.
Higher counts than is usual came from several sites in the west including; Lakenheath fen, 22, January 31st, Hanchett Village, Haverhill, 20, March 2nd and Bto Nunnery reserve, thetford with 17 on November 13th.
Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. this conspicuous species was widely reported across the county, being seen in 14 of the BBS survey squares, with 315 individuals recorded.
A significant total of 3000 flew over Wenhaston Black Heath on July 5th. there were also several three-figure counts in the north-east of the county which included; 400 covehithe, february 5th, 500, thorpeness, february 11th and 450, covehithe Broad, March 8th. Breeding activity was noted in 104 records with fully confirmed breeding recorded in 11 of these.
At Landguard, in spring, a total of 19 flew north, 57 south and five were on site between March 3rd and June 7th. there was a maximum of only one north and nine south on March 16th. in autumn, a total of 41 flew north and six south, with nine on site, September 11th to November 5th, with the 41 going north and five south on october 18th. there were several high counts in the south-east, including; c 400 at copdock, february 19th, 300, flatford, August 10th and c 200 Levington creek, November 26th.
Breeding was confirmed at three sites in the west with a roost count of 500 at rSPB Lakenheath fen on february 17th. other significant counts in the west came from several sites including; 200, cavenham Heath, September 18th, 250, Bury St edmunds, flying to roost November 8th and 154, Brandon, December 30th.
A group of 20 which flew high westwards over ivry Street, central ipswich at 09:50hr on october 20th was considered likely to involve migrants (see Suffolk Birds 2019: 159.).
Birds showing characteristics of the Nordic Jackdaw race C. m. monedula, were seen at Wenhaston Black Heath, July 5th (an unexpected date of occurrence of what is usually considered to be a scarce winter visitor), Livermere Pig fields, November 21st, tuddenham St Mary, November 20th and Wordwell on both December 12th and 19th.
Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. BBS data showed rooks in 14 of the 21 survey squares covered, with 345 individuals present. the largest concentration of rooks in the north-east, was of 500, Wenhaston Black Heath, July 5th.
in the south-east, 350 were recorded at east Lane, Bawdsey on January 6th. At Landguard a total of seven went north and 19 south from March 11th to May 2nd plus three north on June 23rd, with a maximum of five north on April 24th. in autumn 15 passed south between August 31st and November 12th with a maximum of four south on october 18th.
At trimley Marshes SWt, 250 were noted on october 28th. in the west three-figure counts came from 15 sites, including 500 at timworth, November 23rd and 400, Little Saxham on January 16th. in central Suffolk, three-figure totals included 300, Westhorpe, July 5th and 500, Great Ashfield, July 15th.
Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. As usual reports came from a good range of widespread coastal and inland sites. BBS Data showed this corvid present in 20 of the 21 survey squares, with 148 individuals present. fifty were present at Dip farm, Gunton on october 23rd. Hybrid carrion crow/Hooded crows were present at Lound on february 25th and kessingland Levels, october 9th. on orfordness three pairs were present. At Martlesham creek 102 were seen, April 3rd and at Alton Water, 250, January 13th. At Landguard this corvid was present all year. three pairs nested in the adjoining dock with a new pair rearing three young and another four young but a third pair, none. there was a spring maximum of 30, March 20th and an autumnal peak of 28, September 22nd. Spring passage movements were noted with 42 north, 117 south and 13 west between february 6th and June 1st, with a maximum of 12 north one south and 13 west March 20th. Visible migration in autumn involved three going south, September 6th then three north and five south october 18th to November 22nd, with a maximum of four south on october 18th. Brandon Park Heath hosted 46 on April 15th. FC42388 full-grown 01/05/2020 Landguard Point, felixstowe, Suffolk 51o56’N 01o19’e freshly dead (road casualty) 13/05/2020 Dover, kent 51o07’N 01o15’e - 89km S A good movement for a carrion crow.
Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. After a blank year in 2019 there were two ‘Hoodies’ present in the county: Minsmere: south, May 7th (D fairhurst) Stoke-by-Nayland: Giffords Hall, Nov 8th to 13th (A Gretton) the Stoke-by-Nayland bird is the first in the west of the county since 2014 when one was at risby on february 1st and 2nd.
Increasingly common resident and visitor. Breeding commenced in 2018. ravens are continuing to gain a foothold in the county and are quite numerous as the many Birdtrack records testify. in the north-east records of one or two birds came from 13 sites. two ravens were noted by one observer on September 15th moving south with four common
Buzzards at chillesford. Also, at the same site over a few dates in october they were feeding with other corvids in a stubble field. Possible breeding was noted at one site in the southeast. the only record of more than two birds together in the south-east was of three at Pipps ford on March 25th which included a “possible” juvenile. one was watched foraging amongst seaweed on the tideline at Shingle Street on August 23rd (r Snook).
in the west of the county ravens were reported in every month of the year and from an impressive number of sites across the area. A pair was feeding on a deer carcass at Black Ditches, cavenham on January 13th. three birds were seen together at several sites with four being noted at Bto Nunnery reserve on December 26th.
Breeding was confirmed in the west with a pair successfully fledging two young.
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.
it was another lean year for this attractive and popular winter visitor. up to six birds were seen from January 9th to february 26th in the Lowestoft/carlton colville area and a well-observed group of four was at Wangford (in the east) from March 11th to 15th. the highest count in this area was nine at Walberswick on March 12th.
A flock of up to 12 birds was seen on a few dates in early March in the rendlesham forest area. these birds were feeding on two types of berries, and one of them had been colour-ringed in Aberdeen on December 7th 2019 (A V Moon).
A single bird flew north past Landguard on November 10th. five birds entertained observers at Spouse’s Vale Nr, Leavenheath on March 10th.
Very common resident and scarce passage migrant. Amber list.
BBS figures show this species present in four of the 21 survey squares with five birds seen. in the north-east various indications of possible breeding were noted at 39 sites, with two records of confirmed breeding. Most of these records related to sightings of between one and four birds with only a few exceptions. the highest was of eight in Dunwich forest on february 2nd.
After a record-equalling 30 at Landguard in 2019 (18 in spring, 12 in autumn), totals at this site were noticeably lower in 2020 with ten in the spring from May 19th to June 25th with a maximum of two on both June 3rd and 9th and only two in autumn both on August 11th. A nest box on upper Hollesley common was occupied by ten young.
As we have come to expect, high counts came from Brandon Park Heath with a maximum of 37, September 2nd. Breeding in the west was confirmed at six sites with “probable” noted at a further two sites. At Wideham farm, West Stow a pair successfully bred under a roof tile. A survey of private woodland near Hadleigh found seven breeding territories. A survey of private woodland near Hadleigh found seven breeding territories.
Scarce passage migrant Landguard: Mar 25th
MARSH TIT Poecile palustris
Fairly common resident. Red list. the Marsh tit is one of the declining scarce birds that is always well-reported from across the county and once again there was a good number of reports. this species was not seen in any of the 21 BBS squares surveyed this year.
Breeding was confirmed at three sites in the north-east, with possible breeding indicated at another four sites. the highest counts of four birds came from Minsmere rSPB, January 25th and North cove february 14th.
A pair held territory at Melton Park and three young were fledged successfully. other reports of breeding activity came from another four sites in the south-east with confirmed breeding from one of these.
the higher number of records in the west were more promising with breeding confirmed at six sites, and “probable” activity from another six. the highest count in the county came from this area with 11 recorded at Brandon Park Heath on September 2nd. Survey work at a private woodland near Hadleigh found three breeding territories and juveniles were seen there.
Many reports came of one or two birds visiting both urban and semi-rural garden feeders, in both winter periods, which illustrates the importance of this type of artificial provision for this species.
Scarce resident and very rare passage migrant. Red List.
After two sightings of Willow tit in 2017, a single record in 2018 and 2019 there was one accepted record on the Suffolk/Norfolk border.
Knettishall Heath: Sep 14th (M Dick)
in the systematic list we stated that there were no records of Willow tit in Suffolk in 2019. However, in the ringing report there was mention of a single bird without any details. this bird was ringed by Bto staff near Santon Downham on the Suffolk side of the river.
Very common resident and scarce passage migrant.
BBS data showed this ubiquitous species in 20 of the 21 squares surveyed with 141 birds present.
A remarkable count came from Wenhaston Black Heath with 72 being recorded from an observer’s garden on July 9th.
Analysis of the numerous Birdtrack records submitted in the north-east showed indicative breeding and confirmed breeding at many sites across the area.
High counts in the south-east area in autumn came from Bawdsey Hall, 35, october 25th and Needham Market Lake, 20, September 15th
A pair of Blue tits bred successfully in a hole in the flintwork on the north wall of St Matthew’s church, ipswich where a pair of coal tits had bred unsuccessfully in 2015 (Suffolk Birds 2015:121).
Philip Murphy
Blue tits were present all year at Landguard, one pair nested rearing three young. Six birds from previous years survived the winter, the oldest from September 2018. Spring passage ran from March 4th to April 12th with a maximum of 13 on March 16th. New birds arrived on May 7th and, 19th, a male with young, June 13th and a moulting adult on June 28th. Autumn passage ran from August 27th to November 8th with a maximum of 35, october 9th.
Breeding was confirmed from 21 sites in the west. High counts came from Nowton Park, Nowton, 47 on March 1st and Santon Downham with 51 on November 4th. Survey work at a private woodland site near Hadleigh found 30 territories, per 0.35/hectare.
Roosting behaviour of a Blue Tit, in Ipswich, relative to sunset and weather
• observations recorded in october 2020
• outside light is in front porch and is undercover and north facing
• roosting behaviour is clearly influenced by both light and weather
• when clear, bird roosted from nine minutes before to seven minutes after sunset (average 0.33 minutes before sunset)
• when overcast bird roosted from 14 minutes before to 35 minutes before sunset (average 24.5 minutes before sunset)
• during heavy rain, bird roosted 34 and 42 minutes before sunset (average 38 minutes before sunset)
Don WalkerGREAT TIT Parus major
Very common resident and scarce passage migrant.
BBS Data recorded this species in 16 of the 21 squares surveyed, with 66 individuals counted. in the north-east, Birdtrack records came from a wide range of sites with indicative and confirmed breeding noted at a good number of these locations. High counts came from a few sites including, 23 at North cove, february 14th and 20, Dingle Marshes, february 21st. “Good numbers of juveniles” were seen at the Street, Butley in June.
Great tits were present at Landguard throughout, where four pairs nested and 15 birds from previous years survived winter with the oldest from May 2014 still present. Spring passage ran from March 4th to April 9th plus a later bird on April 27th, with a maximum of 14 on March 11th. Dispersing juveniles occurred at Landguard between May 25th and August 17th with maximum day-counts of 16 on June 17th and 21st. Autumn passage ran from August 27th until November 5th with a maximum of 14 on September 2nd. the west of the county provided the highest counts with a maximum of 30 at Brandon Park on october 14th and 31, Santon Downham, November 4th. Breeding was confirmed at a private woodland census near Hadleigh with 11 territories recorded. in central Suffolk, 20 were recorded at rickinghall on November 10th.
EURASIAN PENDULINE TIT Remiz pendulinus Rare visitor.
After one in 2017, and two in both 2018 and 2019 there was just one record of this attractive reedbed visitor. it is only the second non-coastal record in Suffolk, the first having been at Lakenheath fen rSPB, January 26th to 29th 2009. Bramfield: photographed, first-calendar year, female, Nov 7th (J foulger, i Last) there have now been 31 records of Penduline tit in Suffolk involving 50 individuals.
Uncommon resident. Green List (from amber)
As is usual the highest concentrations of this acrobatic reedbed dweller came from the reedbeds in the north-east of the county. eruptive behaviour by at least 113 birds was noted at easton Bavents on october 18th but “with many more still present in the reeds” (B Small).
At Walberswick, 60 were seen on June 2nd with “many juveniles” noted in the reeds on the Blyth estuary on September 1st and a maximum count of 80 at Minsmere rSPB, october 17th. there was a peak count of 12 on orfordness on
January 1st with a few still present until March 11th. Breeding was confirmed at trimley Marshes SWt and “at least” 15 were present there on october 17th. the highest count in the west was, as usual, at Lakenheath fen rSPB, but consisted of only 15 birds, on october 18th. A presumed wandering bird was seen along the river Lark at icklingham on November 19th.
Fairly common breeding species. Scarce on passage and in winter. Green list (from Amber). on January 1st there were 15 counted at Minsmere. Breeding numbers in the Sandlings in 2020 appeared to be identical to those in 2019, although some locations may not have been monitored. the Hollesley and Sutton complex of sites remains a stronghold. the total of 20 pairs at Minsmere was an improvement. there were eight pairs in the Westleton area (6 in 2019), but on the southern edge of the Sandlings at ipswich Golf course, Purdis farm only two pairs were recorded. only two pairs were recorded at North Warren, which is low when you consider the amount of heathland at this site and the fact that it had eight pairs in 2019. table showing breeding numbers, over last ten years, of Woodlark in Sandlings strongholds: 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Dunwich area 4 9 8 16 15 18 16 15 18 15 Minsmere 11 12 15 20 21 27 24 17 17 20 Rendlesham/Tunstall 15 21 17 25 27 21 22 18 21 16 Hollesley/Sutton 20 22 25 25 29 32 29 31 32 36
Overall Sandlings Total 72 88 92 118 127 141 133 118 127 127
in the west of the county, breeding was proven at several sites with Brandon Park Heath holding six pairs, Berners Heath/icknield Heath, seven, cavenham Heath, up to six, Dead Man’s Grave, icklingham, four, knettishall Heath up to three and at least 14 pairs (presumably more) in the king’s forest.
Post-breeding records came from Brandon Park Heath, cavenham Heath, the king’s forest (21 on September 10th), the Mayday farm area and icknield Heath, icklingham (15 on September 12th). this latter site, a recent conversion to heathland, seems to have tremendous potential. there were few winter records received.
Spring movement was noted at Landguard with singles present on March 19th and on three days in April.
Autumn movements were noted at Slaughden where two went south on october 23rd. At Landguard, 32 flew south between october 5th and November 4th with a maximum of seven on october 5th, eight south on october 6th and another eight south the next day. A single bird at Landguard on June 25th was “exceptional”.
this year’s excellent autumn passage total of 32 at Landguard is identical to that in autumn 2019 at the same site which was described as “an unprecedented record autumn passage” (Suffolk Birds 2019: 165)
the largest winter flocks recorded were in the Sandlings, with ten on Aldringham common on December 14th and 12 at Aldhurst farm, Leiston on December 20th.
Common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Red list. Skylarks were recorded throughout the year and right across the county.
the main phase of spring passage at Landguard occurred during february to April and involved 36 flying south with a peak one-day total of eight on february 19th. Southerly autumn passage at the same site involved only 521 between September 30th and December 12th with a peak of 62 south on october 7th.
Many records mentioned birds singing, but there were few mentions of proven breeding. the largest flocks are shown below:
Easton Bavents: 250 in fields to the north, oct 10th, the largest count of the year
Dingle Marshes: 125, oct 22nd. Good numbers here all year
Minsmere: beach, 80, oct 12th
Havergate Island: 65, Jan 27th. Good numbers all year
Landguard: 62, oct 7th
Stutton: 60, Nov 15th; 60, Dec 31st
Holbrook: adjacent to royal Hospital School, c.70, Jan 20th
Chelmondiston: 100, Dec 5th
Ixworth: 70, Nov 9th
Icklingham: Weatherhill farm, 80, Jan 4th
Cavenham Heath: 62, Nov 4th; 62, Dec 4th
Long Melford: Sewage Works, 90, Dec 5th
Lindsey: 100, Jan 5th
other sites that showed good numbers throughout 2020 included Southwold town Marshes, Dunwich Beach, Shingle Street, east Lane, Brantham, Lackford and Great cornard.
Several of the october records shown above will have included birds passing through on autumnal movements.
HORNED (SHORE) LARK
Eremophila alpestris
Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.
After the flurry of records in 2019, including the one in the west, there were only five this year. Birds were present at kessingland during both winter periods and there was, typically, one at Landguard in october. Both, also, were rather elusive at times.
Kessingland: beach, Jan 2nd to feb 28th (J coleman); cliffs and beach, up to three, Nov 11th to 18th (J ferguson)
Landguard: oct 3rd (LBo) the Landguard record is the earliest autumn arrival in Suffolk since 2010 when one was at covehithe, September 28th.
Very rare vagrant.
Landguard: May 15th, 06:00 to 08:45 (P Holmes et al.) there was a pre-1950 record which was a bird shot on Breydon South Wall on November 7th 1889.
this is the 18th county record, the first since 2010. eight, including this bird, have been during the period May 8th to 31st, eight during September 5th to November 17th and singles on June 24th and June 29th to July 1st.
the principal site is Landguard with this the sixth record, the others having been in 1992, 1996, 1997, 2001 and 2009. unfortunately, it did not stay long!
Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Green list (from Amber). the first of the year was at ixworth on March 8th. the next record, of a singleton, was two days later at cavenham.
Large groups in April and May included the following:
Hopton-on-Sea: 50, May 6th
Flixton: Gravel Pits, 200, May 13th
Kessingland: 80, Apr 30th
Southwold: town Marshes, 60, Apr 4th; 150, Apr 12th; 150, Apr 29th
Minsmere: Levels, 60, Apr 9th; 160, May 21st; 150, June 27th
Thorpeness: 60, May 5th
North Warren: Grazing Marshes, 150, Apr 29th Pipps Ford: 141, Apr 27th there were 70 counted at Lackford Lakes on August 26th. Breeding data were quite scant, but it was confirmed at covehithe with 50 nesting pairs, Wenhaston, Black Heath with 62 and chillesford, with up to 15 active nests in early June. in the west, birds bred at cavenham Pits where numbers were difficult to obtain. i can see that some sites would not have been possible to monitor because of covid restrictions. there was a real dearth of autumn records from across the county. However, at Landguard, southerly autumn passage consisted of 411 between June 22nd and october 22nd with a maximum 89 on July 6th. the last birds of the year were at Landguard on october 22nd and at Southwold on october 25th.
Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. Green list (from Amber). the first Suffolk record was at Belton on March 3rd, the same March arrival date as 2019. other March arrivals included 22 at the traditional site at east Lane on 24th with the first at Minsmere on 25th. the first bird recorded in the west was on April 4th at Ampton. Based solely on entries in Suffolk Bird reports, the total of 22 at east Lane, Bawdsey on March 24th is the largest gathering ever recorded in Suffolk in March.
the single Barn Swallows recorded on March 3rd at felixstowe and Belton in 2019 and 2020 respectively share the distinction of being the earliest-ever March arrivals in Suffolk, the nextearliest being on March 6th 1922 (no locality given, ticehurst 1932). the only february record was in 2019 at Sudbourne on 17th. in the ten years 2011 to 2020, Barn Swallows were recorded in Suffolk in December in seven of those years whereas in the previous ten years, 2001 to2011 there had been none in December
there were few breeding records for the year, again making me wonder what we were doing on our daily allowed exercise! Breeding, however was recorded at a few sites in the west, and in the east, at Butley, Boyton Marshes, Hollesley Marshes, east Lane, the Deben yacht club in Woodbridge and Brantham. flocks of 40 or more in spring:
Flixton: 80, Apr 28th
Pipps Ford: 100, Apr 29th
BTO Nunnery Reserve: 40, Apr 17th, 45, Apr28th
Long Melford: 40, May 1st
Groups started to build up in July: Chillesford: numbers in 60s and 100s before 300, July 16th
Lindsey: 116, 23rd, 100, 27th
Autumn numbers of 50 and above: Covehithe: 225 south, oct 6th
Benacre: Sluice, 100, oct 19th Minsmere: 180, Aug 4th
Hollesley Marshes: 200, Sep 5th
Shingle Street: 100, Sep 1st, 100, Sep 9th
Bawdsey Hall/Alderton Marshes: 120, Sep 18th
East Lane: 60, oct 9th
Trimley Marshes: 450, Sep 5th
Landguard: many records of good numbers including 400, Sep 5th and a maximum day-count of 1428, Sep 9th
Lakenheath Fen: 106, Sep 12th
Lindsey: 60, Sep 4th Nayland: 50, Aug 23rd this year’s southerly autumn passage at Landguard (July to November) totalled 5100 which is just under 80% of 2019’s figure of 6408. the last Swallows recorded in the west were at Pakenham with 30 at the Water Mill on September 29th. in the south-east there were 22 on pig-fields by Sutton common on october 22nd and one at Landguard on November 23rd. the last of the year, however, was a bird at Walberswick Marshes/ Dingle Marshes, Dunwich on December 2nd. it is worth reproducing the monthly totals at Landguard here, and thanking those stalwarts for their invaluable data:
Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.
As with Swallows, the first House Martins were not as early arriving as last year with no March records received. the first bird was at Pixey Green, Stradbroke on April 5th – closely followed by birds at kessingland, Stowmarket (two) and Pakenham on 6th and one at Great Livermere on 7th. there were few large gatherings recorded in spring – although there would have been more if not for lockdown. the only reports in excess of 100 were:
Flixton: 120, Apr 28th
Lackford: 120, June 4th
Breeding records were received from the following localities around the county. Special thanks go to those who bother to get this data in to the recorders:
Shipmeadow: Wenhaston: Blackheath
Middleton: rectory
Butley: 17 pairs
Hollesley: at least ten houses with nests
Woodbridge: football club
Brantham: Crowfield:
Pinewood: (now a separate parish outside ipswich)
Harkstead: Stowlangtoft: 100+ nesting on Water tower, July 23rd
Pakenham: Water Mill Bury St Edmunds: Barrow: Fornham All Saints: Lackford: Lavenham: there were many records of large flocks in August and just into September. including at Pixey Green, Stradbroke, Hazlewood Marshes, Santon Downham, Bto Nunnery reserve, Great Livermere, Lackford Lakes, cavenham and Long Melford. However, the largest gatherings were:
Blyth Estuary: 250, Aug 31st; 230, Sep 1st
Eastbridge: 100, Aug 12th
Snape: Botany Marshes, 150, Aug 29th Shingle Street: 200, Aug 28th; 250 on Martello tower, Sep 15th; 3000, Sep 14th there were plenty of birds still around in october: Covehithe: 450 south, 6th Minsmere: 380, 7th; 450, 8th
Landguard: last bird of the year there, 26th Lakenheath: 12, 4th on November 4th there was a bird at Havergate island and two at Shingle Street, close by. there were singletons in the north-east at North Warren on November 15th and Aldeburgh on 17th, with the final Suffolk bird being at Hen reedbeds on November 20th. Monthly totals at Landguard, these figures are not dissimilar to last year: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec N/out 0 0 0 1 4 2 0 104 0 1 0 0 IN/S 0 0 0 3 35 15 21 7 673 153 0 0
Landguard’s totals for the August to october during the last four autumns have been: 20172241; 2018 – 2058; 2019 – 944 and 2020 – 833.
Scarce visitor. there were no red-rumped Swallows recorded in Suffolk in 2020, the first blank year since 2016.
Fairly common resident and rare passage migrant. cetti’s Warbler is now widespread throughout the county and even the smallest patches of suitable habitat can host a pair or two. Most records still come from coastal sites where most of the county’s wetlands are found and the concentration of observers is highest. However, an increasing number of reports now come from inland sites, including the outskirts of ipswich where small patches of suitable habitat exist.
the number of locations where this species is being recorded is becoming too large to monitor accurately, though in 2020 many of the larger wetland reserves were not surveyed making yearon-year comparison of the number of singing males difficult. representative reports received from well-watched sites with suitable habitat including Walberswick NNr, the Benacre area,
Snape Warren rSPB, Boyton Marshes and Hollesley Marshes rSPB, ramsholt, trimley Marshes SWt and Belstead Brook Park, each recorded three or four singing males suggesting that the species continues to thrive, while favoured localities such as Shingle Street held nine or more singing birds after the breeding season.
consolidation in the west of the county continues with reports coming from at least 23 sites. Lakenheath fen rSPB remains the top location with 17 singing males in early february, 13 in May, 15 in September and ten or more to the year’s end. Lackford Lakes recorded up to 11 singing males, seven singing males were found along the river Lark Valley between temple Bridge, cavenham/ icklingham and the A11 fiveways roundabout, Barton Mills, and four at Bto Nunnery reserve, thetford.
At Landguard, dispersing or migrant birds, all singles, were recorded on March 9th to 15th, March 27th, September 29th, october 7th and November 4th. this year’s total of five is easily Landguard’s highest-ever annual total, surpassing the two in 2017. there have now been 14 records of cetti’s Warbler at Landguard since the first there on May 6th 1989.
Very common resident and scarce passage migrant.
Widespread and numerous throughout the county with the largest flocks reported being 38 at cavenham Heath NNr, 37 at Market Weston, 36 at Brandon Park Heath and 32 at Hadleigh. this species often begins nesting quite early in the year, and adults were observed feeding young from May 7th.
Away from breeding sites, orfordness reported up to seven present from the start of the year until at least March 11th; after this date covid restrictions prevented further observations. At Landguard, spring movements were recorded between february 1st and March 25th, peaking at 18 on March 9th and 17 on March 16th. two birds ringed here in November 2019 were retrapped in March. in autumn, 52 bird-days were recorded between october 12th and November 11th, with a maximum of ten on october 17th.
Scarce spring and autumn migrant. Last bred in 2003. Red list. the 12 records in 2020 represent a bumper haul in the county; in recent years bettered only by 16 in 2010. Single-figure annual totals have become the norm and singing birds in spring are increasingly rare. Most arrivals this year fell within the well-established occurrence patterns; two late April birds represent a below average spring showing, and only one was a singing bird which unfortunately didn’t stay long. An exceptional nine appeared in the peak early autumn passage window between late July and early September, which included three at Landguard. the only bird to linger for more than one day was a very late individual at Shingle Street in early october. this is the first october record in Suffolk since 2001 when the county’s latest-ever was at Lowestoft on 22nd. the only other records of Wood Warbler in Suffolk in october occurred in 1992 (Landguard – 1st), 1993 (felixstowe – 3rd), 1994 (Landguard – 11th) and 1998 (Southwold 11th).
Gunton: disused railway line, Aug 16th and 17th.
Lowestoft: Aug 16th
Minsmere: Aug 28th
Alde Estuary: Aug 15th
Havergate: Sep 7th
Hollesley: upper Hollesley common, August 20th
Shingle Street: oct 3rd to 7th
Landguard: Apr 27th; July 24th; July 26th; Aug 2nd
Ixworth Thorpe: thorpe carr, singing male, Apr 22nd
Very rare visitor.
Lowestoft: Gunton Meadow, Nov 8th (J Wright et al.) the county total moves on to ten.
Fairly common autumn passage migrant. there were no spring reports this year and numbers in autumn were well down on the previous two autumns which saw exceptional numbers arrive in the county. However, autumn passage was still above average and 2020 proved to be another good year for this Siberian sprite. it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain an accurate running total of occurrences in the county with reports of multiple birds at some sites, some of which linger beyond one day, resulting in multiple reports of the same individual appearing, often with differing or vague site names, e.g., Lowestoft, when submitted to county recorders or entered into Birdtrack.
Arrivals in 2020 were fairly evenly spread along the coast, with a minimum of 19 between Landguard and orford, 28 between Aldeburgh and kessingland and approximately 20 in the Lowestoft area but only one north of here, at Gorlestonon-Sea on october 14th and 15th. the first of the year arrived on September 18th with birds at Aldeburgh and Hollesley Marshes rSPB, and were followed by a trickle of singles on most days until September 27th. the main arrival took place between September 28th and october 6th when at least 41 were found. it was the north-east of the county, particularly the Lowestoft area, which received the lion’s share of these records including three at Sparrow’s Nest, Lowestoft, on September 29th, while just 11 were found south of Aldeburgh.
A second, smaller arrival became apparent from october 10th to 17th, when seven arrived at sites in the south-east and 11 in the north-east. Bringing the passage to a close were two late birds at Minsmere on october 22nd and the last of the year, at Warrenhouse Wood, Lowestoft, on November 8th. All records came from coastal locations apart from one at Lakenheath fen rSPB on october 12th. this is the first site record at Lakenheath since 2008 when singles were present on September 27th and october 14th.
Uncommon autumn passage migrant. First mid-winter record in 2017. the only inland occurrence, and the earliest of the year, was at cordell Hall fishponds,
Stansfield on october 9th. this is the first time Pallas’s Leaf Warbler has been recorded in the west of the county. A further 13 arrived at typical coastal locations between october 14th and November 13th, including four at Landguard. this year’s total of 14 has been bettered on just three previous occasions; 22 in 1994 and 18 in 1996 and 2003, and equalled in 2004. three were at Landguard on November 9th.
Hopton-on-Sea: oct 17th (i Smith)
Corton: Sewage Works, oct 14th to 17th (r Smith, J A Brown et al.); disused railway line, oct 16th (r Holmes et al.)
Gunton: disused railway line, oct 16th (r Wilton)
Lowestoft: Gordon Street, oct 17th (A c easton); kirkley cemetery, oct 22nd (J Barber)
Pakefield: Pakefield Park, oct 23rd (c Mutimer)
Minsmere: Sluice bushes, Nov 7th and 8th (D eaton et al.)
Bawdsey: east Lane, oct 15th (M Linsley et al.) – (see field Note below)
Landguard: Nov 7th to 10th, trapped and ringed, photographed (J turner-Moss et al.); another Nov 9th, photographed (P J Holmes et al.); another Nov 9th to 11th (J turner-Moss et al.); another Nov 13th and 14th, trapped and ringed, photographed (J turner-Moss et al.)
Stansfield: cordell Hall, photographed, oct 9th (r Duncan)
on arrival at east Lane car park about 08:20 hr on october 15th i spoke (at some distance) with a birder who was sea watching from the seawall at the south end of the car park. He indicated that it was quiet and after a brief chat i dropped down the bank to look at the Sea Buckthorn scrub. As soon as i reached the path at the bottom of the slope, i noticed movement low down (c. 1 m above ground level) in the Buckthorn some 5 m in front of me and i raised my bins just as the bird hovered with its back to me. it showed a pale-yellow rump, wing-bars, supercilium and crown stripe on a small dullish green warbler and i shouted “Pallas’s” to the birder behind me, who immediately dropped down the slope and also saw it. i managed to keep contact with the bird briefly as it foraged higher up than its original position although still quite low – at about eye height. i noted the two wing-bars with a shorter median covert bar, pale tips to the tertials, a prominent supercilium and a large-headed appearance. i heard no vocalisation. the bird disappeared into the thick Buckthorn cover but was relocated briefly about 40 minutes later by John Pilgrim at the northern end of the Sea Buckthorn scrub. i continued to search for the bird unsuccessfully for about an hour before having to leave although it was reported again from the site by several observers including David carter and Peter Phillips.
M Linsley
Rare visitor.
With just 27 previous records, the four reports in 2020 represent an exceptional arrival and would have equalled 2017, the best year to-date, had it not been for the belated acceptance of a bird in St edmund’s churchyard, Southwold which takes the 2017 total to five (see below). the prolonged stay by this year’s Southwold bird enabled many observers to catch up with this exceptionally obliging individual. Landguard now becomes the top location in the county with five records, and the county total moves on to 31.
Gunton: disused railway line, photographed, oct 3rd (J A Brown, A c easton, r Wilton)
Southwold: campsite, photographed, oct 4th to 11th (c fulcher et al.)
Minsmere: North bushes, oct 5th and 6th (J H Grant et al.)
Landguard: trapped and ringed, photographed, oct 13th (J turnerMoss et al.). fifth site record and the first there since 2006.
Additional record for 2017
Southwold: St edmund’s churchyard, oct 19th (D Walden) this takes the 2017 total to five, a record annual total for Suffolk.
Rare visitor. three in a year is a good showing but has been bettered in 2002, 2011 and 2014 with four records each. these late-autumn birds take the county total to 36. of these 36 records, 13 have been found in November, whereas there has only been one record of radde’s Warbler being found in November, on 2nd in 1994 at kessingland.
Lowestoft: North Denes, photographed, Nov 9th to 15th, (r Wilton et al.)
Southwold: campsite, photographed, Nov 9th and 10th (B J Small et al.)
Minsmere: Sluice bushes, photographed, oct 16th and 17th (c ireland, D f Walsh et al.) Surprisingly, this is the first record for Minsmere.
WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus
Declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. the first of the year was at Landguard on April 4th, and was followed by singles at Hollesley on April 5th and Beccles common on 6th. thereafter, daily reports came from many coastal locations throughout April and early May although most moved on quickly. Passage peaked at Landguard on May 1st with nine birds, and the last of spring migrants was also at Landguard, on June 17th. territorial birds are now scarce in the east of the county, so six singing birds at outney common, Bungay, on April 24th is particularly noteworthy if these relate to breeding birds. elsewhere in the east, two breeding territories were found at Aldringham Walks and a pair bred successfully at Wenhaston Black Heath.
Away from the coast the breeding population is faring better. the king’s forest remains the most important site in the county with 15 singing males in the north-east sector on May 25th, and 31 on May 28th in the north-west sector where breeding was confirmed on July 7th when three family groups were seen. reports of singing males came from another 12 sites in the west, mostly of one or two birds, but higher counts included ten at cavenham Heath NNr, eight at Brandon Park Heath, five at West Stow Heath, five at Newmarket Heath and three at a site near Hadleigh.
return passage along the coast began in July and peaked in August. At Landguard the first arrived on July 17th, numbers peaked at 45 on August 18th and 30 on August 23rd and 24th, and continued to September 15th. elsewhere along the coast, other notable counts included 15 at Minsmere on August 11th and 24 at Ness Point, Lowestoft, and 22 at Havergate island rSPB, both on August 24th. in the west, the last was at Lakenheath fen rSPB on September 30th.
october occurrences are not unusual and this year included three at kessingland on 4th, and singles at Lowestoft North Denes on 5th, Havergate island rSPB on 6th, and the last of the year at Landguard on october 15th.
COMMON CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita
Very common summer visitor and passage migrant. Increasing numbers overwinter. Present throughout the year. carlton Marshes SWt and Leathes Ham reported birds on January 1st and reports of wintering birds came from at least 26 locations in January and february, including an impressive eight at Needham Market Lake on January 23rd. two singing birds were heard at Sudbury on february 19th and one at Brantham on March 8th, after which singing birds were noted widely. At Landguard, the first was recorded on february 29th and passage there continued until June 15th, with a peak of 20 on March 19th. the february 29th bird at Landguard is the site’s earliest-ever spring arrival, albeit on the Leap Day! the second-earliest at this site was on March 1st 1997.
As a breeding bird, this species can be found in the smallest patch of woodland or scrub, and there can scarcely be a thicket or copse anywhere in the county that does not support at least one breeding pair, making it one of the most numerous, and widespread, breeding species in the county. in the east, notable counts of singing males included 14 at Wenhaston Black Heath, 13 at outney common, Bungay, 16 along the river Deben between Martlesham creek and Bromeswell, 15 at Belstead Brook Park, and 30 at Needham Lake. Surveys of singing males in the west revealed 16 at Bto Nunnery Lakes on March 20th and 21 there on April 8th, 41 in the northern part of the king’s forest on May 28th, 19 at Barrow, 38 just south of Bury St edmunds between Hardwick Heath and Horringer and 41 in a private wood near Hadleigh.
Autumn passage at Landguard began on August 24th and continued to November 30th, peaking at 27 on September 21st.
November and December reports are likely to refer to wintering birds, and many come from water treatment plants. in this period birds were recorded from at least 23 locations, mostly in the west of the county. All were singles apart from three at Halesworth WWtP on December 7th, and two at each of thorpeness WWtP, Bto Nunnery Lakes, Great cornard and Lakenheath fen rSPB.
KVJ954 first-year 19-09-2019 near Hollesley Heath: 52°3’N 1°25’e (Suffolk) caught by ringer 05-01-2020
Jardin de Lorette: 49°28’N 2°33’W (Guernsey) channel islands 401km SW 0y 3m 17d caught by ringer 19-03-2020 Helgoland: 54°10’N 7°55’e (Helgoland) Germany 493km eNe 0y 6m 0d
LCC841 Nestling 09-05-2019 kings forest,chalk Lane, North Stow: 52°20’N 0°40’e (Suffolk) caught by ringer 28-10-2020 canal Vell, tarragona: 40°43’N 0°46’e (tarragona) Spain 1,291km S 1y 5m 19d
‘Siberian Chiffchaff’ P. c. tristis
Scarce visitor in late autumn and winter. Rare in spring. three birds, one in mid-winter and two in late autumn represent a typical showing in Suffolk. A better understanding of the characters and vocalisations of this understated Phylloscopus is producing more reports within the county. in fact, it is now being reported so frequently and widely throughout the uk that 2019 becomes the final year that this former national rarity will feature in the Report on scarce migrant birds in Britain published in British Birds, and from 2020 reports of this subtly-distinctive taxon will no longer be collated at the national level.
Lowestoft: North Denes, photographed, oct 16th (r Holmes et al.)
Landguard: trapped and ringed, photographed, Nov 8th (J turner-Moss et al.)
Lackford Lakes SWT: photographed, Dec 19th (i Porter)
Very rare visitor.
Minsmere: Apr 19th to July 17th, photographed and sound recorded (t Williams et al.) this is the fourth Suffolk record.
GREENISH WARBLER Phylloscopus trochiloides
Rare visitor.
this single record becomes the 11th in autumn and takes the county total to 21. Why Suffolk fares so poorly for this species in autumn when Norfolk can match or better Suffolk’s all-time autumn tally in a single year remains a mystery – e.g., up to 24 in Norfolk in autumn 2020 (British Birds 113:723).
Gunton: disused railway line, Aug 16th (J Wright, J A Brown et al.)
Rare visitor.
Carlton Marshes SWT: May 9th (J Napthine, P Napthine)
What is assumed to be the same individual was relocated just over the county boundary in Norfolk, at Burgh St Peter on June 2nd. the county total becomes 19.
SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Common summer visitor and passage migrant.
Sedge Warblers usually return directly to their breeding territories and singing males provide the first evidence of their arrival. two singing males at Boyton Marshes rSPB on April 2nd, followed by birds at Barsham Marshes on 3rd, and at both Lackford Lakes SWt and Lakenheath fen rSPB on 6th formed the vanguard of the spring arrivals, and singing birds were widely reported after this. At Landguard, where the species does not breed, just two single birds were recorded in the spring, on May 1st and 2nd, despite the extensive coverage the site receives.
Breeding season data are not available for many reserves where access was restricted in April and May due to covid-19 restrictions. Much of what is available relates to the period before midMay after which song output can be greatly reduced or may have ceased completely. Notable counts of singing males include 18 at Barsham on April 12th, 17 along the twin Banks at Shingle Street on April 19th, 15 at Hollesley Marshes rSPB on May 16th and 15 at Boyton Marshes rSPB on May 18th. Most sites in the west reported single-figure totals of singing males, although ten singing males were at cavenham Heath NNr on April 15th, and 17 singing males were heard from the floodbank footpath at Lakenheath fen rSPB on June 14th.
Autumn passage often goes unnoticed and is under-reported. Landguard recorded just eight individuals in autumn; one on July 26th, two on August 23rd and three on 24th, and two on September 4th. these were, however, eclipsed by the 925 caught for ringing at nearby trimley Marshes SWt, with monthly totals of 132 in July, 710 in August and 61 in September; the peak day was August 11th when 103 were ringed and an estimated 250 birds were seen on the reserve. Lakenheath fen recorded its latest on September 12th, and the last of the year were two ringed at trimley Marshes on September 20th.
D878686
1st-year 08/08/2017 orfordness, Suffolk 52°05’N 01°34’e caught by ringer 23/08/2018 Salreu, Aveiro, PORTUGAL 40°43’N 08°34’W - 1480km SSW
S085465
1st-year 01/09/2019 orfordness, Suffolk 52°05’N 01°34’e caught by ringer 12/08/2020 Bahine, Guerande, Loire-Atlantique, FRANCE 47°17’N 02°25’W - 605km SSW
Very rare visitor. With just six previous records in the county, the simultaneous arrival of two singing males in early June is unprecedented. But when set against a backdrop of the westward expansion of the breeding range into northern europe, and increasing spring occurrences in western europe in what proved to be a bumper spring for the species in the uk, then these two spring records fit nicely within what is becoming an established late spring occurrence pattern. there were 24 Blyth’s reed Warblers located in Britain during the period from May 21st to early June, eight of which were during June 5th to 7th which includes the two Suffolk birds (British Birds 113: 430).
Blyth’s Reed Warbler at Southwold, June 7th Andrew Moon
Southwold: second-calendar-year, singing male, sound recorded and photographed, June 7th to 9th (c fulcher et al.)
North Warren: second-calendar-year, singing male, sound recorded, June 6th (J A rowlands et al.) this is only the second year with more than one Blyth’s reed Warbler in Suffolk – singles were trapped at fagbury cliffs in 1993 on September 19th and october 4th.
Common summer visitor and passage migrant. the first of the year was at Martlesham creek on April 7th which was followed by others at Minsmere rSPB and Lackford Lakes SWt on April 9th, after which it was widely reported throughout the county. Most of the extensive reedbeds in the east of the county and those at Lakenheath fen rSPB, which play host to large numbers of breeding reed Warblers, were not surveyed this year. Many also breed in smaller stands of Phragmites reed that fringe the extensive networks of dykes and ponds in grazing marshes throughout the county, which observers were able to visit. this year we are able to report numbers from some of these lesser-known sites that are rarely mentioned for this species, but which this year have come to the fore.
Notable counts of singing birds include 40 along the Blyth Valley between Wenhaston and Blythburgh, 29 along the river Deben between Martlesham creek and Bromeswell on April 29th, 23 at Belstead Brook Park on May 7th, ten at Hollesley Marshes rSPB on May 16th, 21 at Boyton Marshes rSPB on May 27th and at least 25 along the twin Banks behind Shingle Street on June 10th. Surveys of singing males in the west of the county in May recorded 16 at cavenham Heath
NNr on 14th, 20 at Lackford Lakes SWt on 17th, 60 from the floodbank footpath at Lakenheath fen rSPB on 17th and 20 at cornard Mere on 30th. Six pairs nested at Bto Nunnery Lakes, thetford where breeding was confirmed on July 12th. this species is poorly represented at Landguard but at nearby trimley Marshes SWt a total of 291 birds was trapped for ringing, including 199 in August and 45 in September with the last caught there on September 20th. october records came from Landguard with two on 3rd and singles on october 5th and 6th, and thorpeness on october 9th.
L777919
1st-year 10/08/2016 orfordness, Suffolk 52°05’N 01°34’e caught by ringer 11/08/2020 Noyant, Soulaire-et-Bourg, Maine-et-Loire, frANce 47°32’N 00°31’W - 526km SSW
Scarce migrant. Bred in 2010. Red list. An exceptional year with eight singing males, three of which were seen with suspected females, at six locations in the county between May 21st and June 30th. Although breeding was not proven at any of these sites, these birds were in suitable breeding habitat and, therefore, the locations and observers’ names are not included here.
Additional reports away from possible breeding sites include:
Hollesley: trapped and ringed, June 20th (r Duncan et al.)
Landguard: singing male, sound recorded, June 2nd (N odin et al.)
Trimley: Marshes SWT: trapped and ringed, photographed, Sep 18th (J Zantboer et al.) the trimley Marshes bird trapped and ringed on September 18th is the latest to be recorded in Suffolk since 1995 when one was at Minsmere on September 25th. the county’s only other october records, at Southwold on 11th in 1994 and fagbury cliffs, trimley St Mary between 20th and 23rd in 1990, are also Suffolk’s latest-ever recorded Marsh Warblers.
Very rare visitor.
Sizewell: oct 3rd and 4th (D fairhurst et al.) the fourth in Suffolk. found late in the afternoon on what had been an outstanding Saturday with migrants arriving throughout the day on an easterly airstream. it showed well to those who reached Sizewell before the daylight faded and was still present very early the following morning but soon disappeared, to be replaced by a Garden Warbler in the same bushes, which confounded would-be observers who were late off the mark.
Previous records were at Gorleston-on-Sea, September 3rd and 4th 1996, Landguard, october 16th 2011 ad Lowestoft, September 6th and 7th 2018.
Rare visitor.
Landguard: trapped and ringed, photographed, Apr 30th (J turner-Moss et al.). Ninth site record this is the 19th county record and the first since 2009 when singles were on orfordness, May 17th and Landguard, May 17th to 19th. it is also the county’s earliest-ever record, surpassing the previous earliest on May 7th 1983 at Landguard. this is also an early arrival by national standards – the only other April records traced so far this century in the annual “Report on scarce birds in Britain” published in the British Birds journal are April 24th, 2008 and April 25th to 28th, 2019, both at Portland, Dorset.
Melodious Warbler must be one of the very few scarce migrants for which Suffolk has significantly more records than Norfolk, where up to the end of 2019 there had been only five (two in 1957 and singles in 2008, 2011 and 2015).
Increasingly scarce passage migrant.
Pakefield: trapped and ringed, Aug 12th (D Beamish) this is the first in Suffolk since 2016 (August 29th, Landguard)
Scarce summer visitor. Has bred. Red list.
North Warren: sound recorded, June 2nd to 10th (r Hughes et al. per Suffolk recorder)
With no records coming from the reedbeds at Minsmere or Walberswick, this reeling male was the only individual reported in the county this year.
Locustella naevia
Uncommon and declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list.
Almost all reports of this secretive species refer to singing birds in the spring and this year was no exception. the first was heard at charsfield on April 4th, followed by oulton Marshes on April 7th and Bto Nunnery Lakes, thetford on April 10th. from April to July, singing birds were reported from at least 13 coastal sites and ten inland locations in the west. Most sites held just one bird, but two were reported from Beccles Marshes, Walberswick NNr, North Warren rSPB, Aldeburgh Marshes, Boyton Marshes rSPB, Lakenheath fen rSPB and Bto Nunnery Lakes, thetford. eclipsing all of these, however, was an exceptional nine singing males at sites within Southwold on April 26th. A passage bird was at Landguard on May 4th. reports of successful breeding are few and far between, and almost all refer to birds extracted from mist nets for ringing. the only reports of successful breeding this year came from trimley Marshes SWt where an adult and juvenile were trapped on August 11th and thorpeness, where a recently-fledged juvenile was trapped on August 19th. there were no September records but the last of the year came from Landguard on october 4th, the latest in Suffolk since one at North Warren on october 8th 2006, the county’s latest-ever.
Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Overwintering birds are widely considered to be from eastern Europe.
Wintering birds were widely reported throughout the county and often seen when visiting garden feeders. in the early part of the year, between January and early March, reports were mostly of single birds, from Lowestoft, Bungay, Minsmere, Hadleigh, Great cornard and Bury St edmunds. the first was heard in song in Bury St edmunds on March 12th and arrivals became apparent towards the end of March, including three in song at Lackford Lakes on 24th, and more so throughout April. At Landguard, the first migrant arrived on April 2nd and passage continued there until June 18th, reaching a peak of 20 on April 12th.
Being one of the most numerous and widespread of the breeding warblers, singing birds were heard at many locations including green spaces in urban locations. Particularly noteworthy were 54 singing males between Hardwick Heath and Horringer just south of Bury St edmunds, 47 at a private site near Hadleigh, 38 in the north-east sector of the king’s forest, 25 at Belstead Brook Park, 20 at Holywater Meadows in Bury St edmunds, 18 at both rickinghall and Martlesham Heath, and 15 at each of Bto Nunnery Lakes, Barrow and Needham Market Lake. from early June onwards reports fell sharply as birds became less vocal, and no double-figure counts were
reported again during the breeding season.
Autumn passage at Landguard was noted from August 24th and continued until November 19th, peaking at an impressive total of 55 on october 5th. there were widespread sightings throughout october and into November, though these may have included arrivals of wintering birds. reports in early December came from garden feeders in Lackford, Great cornard and Hadleigh, with others at Wenhaston Black Heath on 21st, oulton Broad on 27th, and Beccles, ipswich and reydon Smear on 31st.
the total of 55 Blackcaps is the highest site-total at Landguard since 1984, also on october 5th, when about 500 were present. these birds had arrived as the tail-end of Hurricane “Hortense” had resulted in torrential rain and gale-force easterly winds hitting the area.
S744264
15862284
16099845
1st-year female 05/10/2020
Landguard Point, felixstowe, Suffolk 51o56’N 01o19’e caught by ringer 12/10/2020
Batardeau, Saint-clement-des Baleines, charente-Maritime, FRANCE 46o13’N 01o31’W – 666km SSW
Assenede, oost-Vlaanderen, BELGIUM 51o13’N 03o46’e caught by ringer 06/04/2020 Landguard Point, felixstowe, Suffolk 51o56’N 01o19’e - 187km WNW
1st-year female 26/08/2019
1st-year female 10/10/2019 Wingene, West-Vlaanderen, BELGIUM 51o04’N 03o16’e caught by ringer 06/04/2020 Landguard Point, felixstowe, Suffolk 51o56’N 01o19’e - 166m NW
Note that the two Belgian-ringed Blackcaps shown above were caught at Landguard on the same day in early April.
ATD8132
Squire’s Down, Dorset 50o58’N 02o21’W caught by ringer 06/10/2020 Landguard Point, felixstowe, Suffolk 51o56’N 01o19’e - 277km eNe
1st-year male 25/09/2020
GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin
Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant. the first report of the year came from Stradbroke on April 15th, followed by Brandon Park Heath on April 19th, after which single birds were regularly reported until the end of April when many breeding territories were occupied. Most sites only reported singing males and there no reports of confirmed breeding this year. this species remains quite localised along the coast but becomes more numerous and widespread inland.
With breeding season data lacking from many of the larger managed sites which normally provide census data, lesser-known locations that rarely receive a mention in this report came to the fore this year. in the east, five singing males were found at tattingstone Place, three at Wenhaston Black Heath and three at outney common, Bungay. farther inland, the discovery of 15 singing males at a private site near Hadleigh is particularly noteworthy. other inland locations hosting multiple singing males include 11 in the king’s forest (northern sectors combined), nine at Santon Downham, six at Needham Market Lake and West Stow cP, five at both Lackford Lakes SWt and Bto Nunnery Lakes and four at Assington thicks.
After breeding, Garden Warblers gradually depart from Suffolk and this year was typical in this respect. Autumn passage at Landguard began on July 30th and continued until october 3rd, with
single birds recorded on just seven dates. the final reports of the year came in october, from Minsmere and Landguard on 3rd and Sizewell on 4th.
Scarce passage migrant, but only two spring records. A disappointing year with just two reports:
Lowestoft: North Denes, in brambles, Sep 8th (r Wincup et al.) Minsmere: Sluice, first-winter, Sep 21st (M Hoit) there have been only three blank years so far this century – 2008, 2009 and 2011. the highestever annual total of Barred Warblers in Suffolk is ten, in 2001.
LESSER WHITETHROAT Curruca curruca
Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant. the first of the year was a singing male at Needham Market Lake on April 8th, followed by singles at North Warren on April 11th and Livermere Lake on April 12th. Arrivals picked up from April 15th with widespread reports from breeding locations and coastal sites until the end of the month. Spring passage at Landguard began on April 15th and peaked in early May when ten were present on May 7th, 8th and 12th, after which numbers declined until the last on May 23rd. As a breeding bird, single singing males with well-spaced territories are the norm, so five at Great cornard on April 23rd, which increased to 11 on April 25th bucked this trend, although some may have been passage migrants as only three were present on 27th. elsewhere in the west of the county, four were singing at Little cornard on May 3rd and four between Westley and Horringer on May 8th. in the east, four singing males were at Pipers Vale, ipswich on April 21st, five within Wherstead Parish on May 2nd and three along the twin Banks behind Shingle Street on May 6th. Six pairs bred at Landguard with juveniles noted there from June 9th. in autumn, there were numerous reports of one or two birds from many locations in August and September with a maximum site total of only six which were noted at Landguard on August 20th and September 12th, and Minsmere on September 3rd. occasional sightings continued through october, with the latest at Sparrow’s Nest, Lowestoft, on November 5th. this late date is possibly indicative of its being an “eastern Lesser Whitethroat” C. c. blythi/halimodendri. 8858902
Common summer visitor and passage migrant. the common Whitethroat remains one of the county’s most widespread breeding warblers and its distinctive scratchy song is a characteristic sound of overgrown hedgerows, scattered scrub and overgrown tangles. the first of the year appeared at Stradbroke on April 7th, Stutton Mill on April 9th and Little cornard on April 10th. these were followed by daily sightings throughout the county although it was not until April 20th that reports became widespread. Spring passage at Landguard began on April 15th and peaked at 15 on May 8th. counts of singing males in April and May included 20 at Hopton-on-Sea, 15 at outney common, Bungay, nine along the river Deben between Martlesham creek and Bromeswell, ten at Needham Lake, 15 at Pipps ford and 13 in Wherstead Parish. A survey of the northern sectors of the king’s forest recorded 32 singing males on May 28th. At Landguard, six or seven pairs bred, with the first juveniles noted on June 16th.
Post-breeding, numbers on the coast suggested a gradual departure in August and September and no obvious arrivals were reported apart from 30 at thorpeness old caravan site on August 28th. Autumn passage at Landguard included a maximum of just eight on August 24th. october saw the last of year, with singles at Benacre on 4th, and both Landguard and Leiston on 10th.
DARTFORD WARBLER Curruca undata Uncommon local resident. Scarce visitor. Amber list.
Dunwich and Westleton Heaths and Minsmere remain the species’ stronghold in Suffolk with at least 95 pairs located across six sites during breeding season surveys. elsewhere in the north of the county, a further four pairs were located at Walberswick, four at North Warren/Aldringham Walks, one at Sizewell and two at thorpeness. Numbers on the southern heaths bounced back to near-normal levels with 47 territorial pairs located across the four extensive sites, plus another five pairs on three smaller heaths nearby, although these and other patches of suitable heathland were not fully surveyed in 2020.
Dispersing birds, all singles, were encountered at several coastal sites between Benacre Sluice and Landguard, and most occurred from August to october. Singles at Landguard on october 3rd and November 2nd are the ninth and tenth records for the observatory – this is the first year that more than one has been recorded at Landguard.
Just one report came from the Suffolk Brecks, at Berner’s Heath on November 8th but it was not relocated on subsequent days (D Balmer).
COMMON FIRECREST Regulus ignicapilla Regular, but uncommon, breeder and passage migrant. Some overwinter. Green list (from Amber). the firecrest is fairly well established in the county and according to the european Breeding Bird Atlas 2 (2020), it has increased its range northwards in europe, at least partly due to climate change, with abundance reflecting the species’ preference for coniferous woodland. this specialised habitat preference is perhaps reflected in the Pan-european common Bird Monitoring Scheme showing it at 2426 of the 13859 sites. Many of our autumn records are probably from the largely migratory north and east european populations. overall, in the county, there were 168 records from 64 sites in 2020. in the north-east there were 94 reports from 31 sites compared with 225 reports from 34 sites in 2019. these records, which were mostly of single birds, included three at Southwold on october 4th. there were fewer records in the southeast, which produced 52 from 26 sites compared with 59 from 15 in 2019 with a spring high of six at Landguard on March 18th. Spring passage there lasted from March 8th to April 16th, with singles also on May 15th and June 5th. Autumn
passage was from october 4th to November 12th with a maximum of six on November 7th and two birds staying to November 30th. there were no records from orfordness, apart from two on January 1st and four on March 18th, which is not surprising given the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. there was also a count of four singing at Staverton/Wantisden on May 15th. A single bird was ringed at trimley Marshes on october 19th, the first reported on the reserve since November 2018.
in its western strongholds, there were 22 records from seven sites, compared with 18 from ten in 2019, mostly from Santon Downham and Brandon, where six were seen on April 5th.
Very common resident and passage migrant. the Goldcrest is widespread and common over most of europe, with no major shift in distribution between the two european Breeding Bird Atlases; indeed, the Pan-european common Bird Monitoring Scheme revealed it in 6472 of the 13859 sites covered. it is also widely reported in Suffolk. the Breeding Bird Survey nationally has shown an increase of 25% between 1995 and 2019. Locally the survey produced 11 individuals from six squares (in both cases, the lowest total since 2001) in Suffolk, there were 824 records from 162 sites. in the north-east, there were 573 records from 77 sites compared with 650 from 79 in 2019 with a maximum of 100 at thorpeness on october 17th. there were only two reports of breeding pairs. there were 93 south-easterly records from 29 sites compared with 181 from 40 with a maximum of 60 at Landguard on october 15th, but only nine confirmed breeding reports. At Landguard, spring passage was from March 9th to April 6th with a maximum of five on March 18th. Autumn passage was September 23rd to November 20th with a maximum of 60 on october 15th as above. there was no mention of Goldcrest on the covid-19 restricted orfordness report, but the trimley ringing report mentions 19 individuals between March and December with 15 of these in october. in the west, there were 158 reports from 56 sites compared with 39 from 20 in 2019 and 15 breeding pairs were recorded compared with 36 in 2019. there was a group of 32 at Brandon Park Heath on November 17th, one of six double-figure counts there in october and November. in central ipswich, at least eight singing males were in christchurch Park, May 4th and an adult was watched feeding fledged juveniles in St. Matthew’s churchyard, June 19th.
Very common resident and scarce passage migrant. Widespread and common throughout most of europe, the Wren has hardly changed in range between the two european Breeding Bird Atlases and, indeed, could be benefiting from a warming climate and milder winters. the Pan-european common Bird Monitoring Scheme reflects this abundance with records from 11715 out of 13859 sites. in england, the Breeding Bird Survey showed an increase of 10% between 2019 and 2020. the species went up from 17th to 16th between 2019 and 2020 in the Bto Garden Birdwatch table. there is little to be read into the total of 136 birds from 19 squares. Apart from this, there were 2372 records submitted from 236 sites. in the north-east recording area there were 2107 records submitted from 135 sites compared with 1946 from 104 in 2019.
in the south-east, there were 112 reports from 28 sites, (444 from 47 in 2019) of which the highest count of 18 was at Belstead Brook Park on May 28th. records were submitted for 59 breeding pairs in the area. on orfordness, there were no known breeding records for the third year in succession.
At Landguard three or four pairs bred as in 2018 and 2019 with juveniles appearing from June 12th and at least 11 individuals overwintered, the oldest from 2017. Spring passage lasted from March 9th to June 3rd. Autumn passage was from September 14th to November 9th and there was a maximum count of ten on october 13th, 14th and 23rd. At trimley Marshes, 22 birds were ringed between July and November and the weekly count there gave a peak of four. in the west there were 153 records from 73 sites, (23 from 12 in 2019), of which the highest counts were of 47 at Brandon Park on May 3rd and 43 at rickinghall on May 4th. there were also 23 breeding pairs reported.
i had already been up and down the concrete track at east Lane looking for migrants and was now wandering slowly back to the car when my attention was grabbed by a pair of extremely vociferous Wrens low in the hedge not two metres in front of me. intrigued i stood watching and it quickly became apparent that they were following something which was moving slowly down the inside of the hedge toward me. the Wrens were shortly joined by three equally upset Dunnocks. i peered into the hedge to see if i could see what all the fuss was about. As i did so the small ginger and white face of a Weasel Mustela nivalis poked out of the hedge right beside me. i am not sure which of us was the most startled by the others presence, but the weasel immediately shot back into the hedge to continue its journey still hotly pursued by the Wrens who were determined to warn of its presence to all and sundry. Peter Phillips.
Fairly common resident. the noisy and colourful Nuthatch is a successful breeding bird across europe as is shown by a slight increase in breeding distribution between european Breeding Bird Atlas 1 and 2 and a doubling in population since 1980 (Pan-european common Bird Monitoring Scheme). the Breeding Bird Survey nationally has shown an increase of 105% between 1995 and 2019 and its ranking on Bto Garden Birdwatch improved from 26th to 20th from 1995 to 2019 and remained at 20th in 2020, but with a slightly decreased recording rate.
the Breeding Bird Survey nationally showed a small increase over 2019, but over the last ten years the increase is 35%. Locally, there were three individuals from three squares, which is about the average since 1994. the number of records submitted in 2020 was 284 from 110 sites compared with 190 from 82
in 2019, with 52 reports of confirmed breeding. there were 90 records from 26 sites in the northeast and 53 from 16 in the south-east. the west of the county again provided a high proportion, with 141 records from 68 sites, with the most seen at any one time being 11 at Brandon country Park on April 5th. there were 44 breeding pairs reported in the county’s western stronghold, including an estimated 15 to 20 pairs in ickworth Park.
F IELD N OTE
christchurch Park, ipswich was formerly a stronghold for Nuthatches but none has been noted there since 2014.
EURASIAN TREECREEPER Certhia familiaris Common resident. Green list (from Amber) (C.f. britannica) Without competition from the Short-toed treecreeper C. brachydactyla, the eurasian treecreeper can be found in a wide range of wooded habitat in Britain and has had a stable population since c1980. it seems to be less abundant than the Nuthatch in europe, the Paneuropean common Bird Monitoring Scheme showing it at 3812 of the 13659 sites. 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. the Breeding Bird Survey reported four individuals from three squares, which indicates under reporting more than anything else.
A total of 577 records from 155 sites were reported, compared with 536 from 134 in 2019. these consisted of 304 from 55 sites in the north-east (374 from 56 in 2019), 161 from 41 in the south-east (91 from 39) and 112 from 59 in the west (71 from 42).
Breeding was reported from six sites in the north-east, seven in the south-east and 17 in the west and no more than eight individuals were seen together anywhere in the county. Brandon country Park is a stronghold with between six and eight individuals on five dates between January and September.
ROSE-COLOURED (ROSY) STARLING Pastor roseus Rare visitor. Categories A & E. the irruptive rosy Starling invaded Britain in 2020 and there were five sightings in Suffolk as a result.
the landmark 50th Suffolk record was seen in an ipswich garden on June 4th (D f Walsh) soon to be followed by number 51 at Southwold on June 8th (J Nottage) and 52nd at Landguard Point on June 9th, which was a secondcalendar-year male (P Holmes, N odin). there was another in West row on 16th (V Norman).
the last sighting of the year and 54th Suffolk record was an adult male at knodishall on August 9th and 10th (J french et al.).
this year’s total of five equals the previous highest annual figure set in 2018.
eleven of the 54 Suffolk records have been at Landguard. the first Landguard record, in September 1993, was the first to be recorded in Suffolk since November 1955. An adult at Lowestoft in May 1960 was, by virtue of its tameness and worn plumage, considered to be an escapee.
Very common but declining resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list. the Starling has hardly changed in range between the two european Breeding Bird Atlases and is still practically ubiquitous in europe, but the population has declined 64% since 1980, possibly due to agricultural intensification. in Britain the species dropped from 7th to 13th between 1995 and 2019 on the Bto Garden Birdwatch table and reporting rates dropped again between 2019 and 2020. unsurprisingly, the Suffolk Breeding Bird Survey stayed at an historically low level of 211 from 11 1km squares, the lowest since 2000 when there were 197.
A total of 1642 records was submitted to recorders from 151 sites compared with 1948 from 173 in 2019. these consisted of 1497 records from 104 sites from the north-east of the county, 85 from 21 in the south-east and 60 from 26 in the west.
Breeding was reported from 18 sites in the west and three from the south-east. there was a large increase in the number of 10000+ flocks going to roost with 18 compared with eight in 2019, the same as in 2018 (but there were no flocks of 100000+). these included:
Minsmere: 60000, Apr 30th; 50000, Nov 17th; 40000, Nov 11th; 40000, Nov 22nd
Blythburgh: Hinton Hall, 20000, Nov 4th
Hen Reedbeds: 20000, Nov 4th there were also five other 20000+ counts and five more from 10000 to 20000 and a total of 38 gatherings of over 1000. in the south east, there were only two counts of 1000 – at Botany Marshes, Snape and Landguard on August 31st. the largest in the west were as follows:
Lakenheath: 10000, oct 25th
Lackford Lakes: 10000, Nov 15th and 16 dates with four-figure totals
At Landguard, the species was present all year although scarce in the winter months with a spring maximum of 80 on March 19th. None nested. there was a midsummer peak of 900 on August 31st. there were visible movements in the autumn of 3510 between october 12th and November 27th, with a maximum of 933 on october 23rd (N odin). At trimley Marshes the peak count was 320 between March 8th and 15th.
the total at Hen reedbeds on october 1st 2006 should have read 120000 rather than 12000.
Fairly common passage migrant. Red list.
the ring ouzel has hardly changed in range between the two european Breeding Bird Atlases, even if there has been a population decline in Britain. it was another good year for sightings of this charismatic thrush on passage in Suffolk. there were 193 records from 55 sites compared with 218 observations at 45 sites in 2019. there was a similar number of autumn and spring sightings (101 to 92).
the north-east produced 69 spring migration records, the last of which was at Westleton Heath, May 1st. the south-east had 18 spring records, culminating in one at Woodbridge, April 30th. there were also five spring
sightings in the west of the county, of which the latest was one at Maidscross Hill, Lakenheath on April 30th.
the autumn produced 59 reports from the north-east, 41 in the south-east and one in the west. Most of these reports were single individuals. the earliest sightings came from Pipps ford and Southwold common, both on September 17th. the latest was at Landguard on october 27th. Most records were of a single bird with a few threes and fours, but 17 were reported at orford yacht club on September 28th.
At Landguard, only one was noted in the spring from April 22nd to 26th and autumn passage from September 21st to october 27th included a maximum of two on october 14th to 16th.
Very common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.
Already widely distributed and abundant, the Blackbird actually enlarged its range between the two european Breeding Bird Atlases. the Pan-european common Bird Monitoring Scheme reflects this abundance with records from 12866 of the 13859 sites. in the national Breeding Bird Survey, the Blackbird was unchanged from 2019 to 2020 steadying the 3% decline over the ten years ending in 2019 and remained third on the Bto Garden Birdwatch table having been seen in over 80% of participating gardens. the Suffolk Breeding Bird Survey showed 168 individuals being reported from 20 1km. squares compared with 382 from 43 in 2019. this is not surprising due to the limitations of lockdown. Suffolk recorders submitted 2558 records from 205 sites compared with 2473 from 192 in 2019 and reports of breeding came from 11 sites, including 33 territories in a private wood near Hadleigh. in the north-east, there were 2427 reports from 161 sites with a maximum of 35 on Beccles common on April 2nd. in the south-east, there were 101 reports from 28 sites and the maximum was 40 at both the twin Banks, behind Shingle Street on November 30th and at Landguard, october 17th and November 30th. At Landguard, six males and seven females survived the winter and nine or ten pairs nested with very limited success. the maximum on spring passage (March 3rd to April 25th) was 22 on April 22nd. Autumn passage, which lasted from September 29th to December 7th, had a high of 40 on both october 17th and November 30th. thirteen birds were ringed at trimley Marshes and a few were seen on the reserve during most months with a maximum of 11 in November. in the west there were only 30 reports from 16 sites and the
were of 42 at rickinghall on May 2nd and 39 at the same site, December 20th. LL17172
Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list. Although fairly widely distributed and abundant, the fieldfare has ceased expanding its range between the two european Breeding Bird Atlases. the Pan-european common Bird Monitoring Scheme shows records from 3379 of the 13859 sites. Although still a familiar sight, anecdotally, there seem to have been fewer fieldfares than usual locally, but the figures don’t reflect this. compared with 359 records in 2019 (247 in the first winter and 112 in the second winter period), there were 438 from 163 sites in 2020 (216 and 222). these broke down by area as 241 (120 and 121) from 71 sites in the north-east, 73 (31 and 42) from 42 in the south-east and 124 (65 and 59) from 50 in the west. there were 46 reports of flocks involving 100 individuals or more, compared with 42 in 2019, but none with more than 1000 individuals.
During the first winter period the most notable counts were:
Peasenhall: 300, Mar 10th Combs: 200, Apr 8th Lindsey: 540, Jan 18th
All birds seem to have gone by the end of April, with a last sighting of one at Landguard on April 29th. in the north-east, the last sighting was as early as April 20th at North Warren. Spring passage at Landguard was from March 11th to April 29th with a maximum of three on April 9th. in the second winter period, the first records were on october 3rd at Southwold, Lowestoft North Denes and covehithe, with birds seen throughout the county by 9th. Passage at Landguard lasted from october 12th to December 2nd with a maximum of only 14 on November 5th. over the county, the most notable flocks of 100 or over were as follows: Westhorpe: 200, Dec 24th
Chelmondiston: 200, Dec 1st.
Barrow: 350, December 15th
Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list. Although fairly common, the redwing ceased expanding its range between the two european Breeding Bird Atlases and has also shown a moderate decline in population. the Pan-european common Bird Monitoring Scheme shows records from 1526 of the 13859 sites. As a winter visitor to Suffolk, it was visible in better numbers in 2020 than in 2019, with 539 records from 143 sites compared with 414 from 130, 183 of which were in the spring and 356 in the autumn. in the north-east of the county there were 326 reports from 69 sites (104 from 15 in spring, 222 from 60 in the autumn) with a highest spring count of 250 at Stradbroke on March 30th, one of only two over 100. in the south-east there were 106 records from 37 sites (36 from 19 spring, 70 from 27 autumn) with three spring counts higher than 100 including 200 at raydon on March 15th. in the west there were 107 reports from 37 sites, (43 spring, 64 autumn) with a spring maximum of 167 at Brandon on March 28th. over the whole county there was a total of 11 three-figure spring flocks.
At Landguard spring passage lasted from March 2nd to April 21st with a maximum of 15 on March 11th. the last spring sighting in the north-east was at North Warren on April 26th, slightly earlier than the last in the south-east – at Broomheath, Woodbridge on April 27th. and, in the west, three were at Bto Nunnery, thetford on April 25th. in the north-east the first records of the autumn were on September 27th including 14 at Aldeburgh. in the south-east, the earliest was of ten at felixstowe ferry on September 26th. on September 27th, there was a western report of 11 at Pakenham. there were 22 reports of migrant flocks during the second winter period involving 100+ birds, including five of over 1000 including a very large passage on october 11th Trimley Marshes: 15000 (J Zantboer) – see field note below
Thetford: Bto Nunnery, 2460 oct 12th the highest count in the central Suffolk was of 250 at Westhorpe on october 17th.
At trimley Marshes, few birds were seen apart from the exceptional passage on october 11th. that total is the second highest-ever to be recorded in Suffolk, having only been surpassed by the 30000 which flew east at dusk over corton on April 14th 2013. Landguard’s highest total is 8200 on october 10th 2013.
At Landguard, autumn passage lasted from September 27th to December 12th with a maximum of 69 on october 14th.
on october 11th at least 15,000 redwings left the Port in flocks of 100-1000 about an hour after dawn. these birds were tracked leaving Scandinavia the previous evening then crossing the North Sea at Holland between 01:00-02:00hr bound for the uk. After departing felixstowe, and once we’d put the news out that something extraordinary was happening, flocks were seen heading up the Stour Valley.
Justin ZantboerFairly common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Red list. ubiquitous throughout the continent, the Song thrush’s population has been stable between the two european Breeding Bird Atlases. the Pan-european common Bird Monitoring Scheme reflects this abundance with records from 11602 of the 13859 sites. Nationally, the Song thrush seems to be gradually reversing its long-term post-war decline; the uk Breeding Bird Survey has shown a 7% increase from 2019 to 2020. However, the species dropped from 15th to 23rd between 1995 and 2020 on the Bto Garden Birdwatch table. it may be affected by the lockdowns, but the Suffolk Breeding Bird Survey showed the number of individuals reported as 36 compared with 81 in 2019 and the lowest since 2000. the number of squares occupied also decreased from, 36 to 16, the lowest since 2001. the number of records received for this familiar garden bird was 1007 from 193 sites compared with 700 from 125 in 2019. you can see the positive lockdown effect there. in the north-east, there were 752 records from 98 sites with a maximum of 8000 between Aldeburgh and Dunwich on october 3rd (D fairhurst). in fact, there seems to have been an influx generally in the county around this date with eight other gatherings of over 100 here on either 3rd or 4th. the 8000 on october 3rd involved birds coming in from the sea. they did not stop when they reached the coastline but carried on inland. this figure has only been exceeded once in Suffolk; this was on october 6th 1984 when, during strong gales attributed to the remnants of Hurricane Hortense, an estimated 10000 Song thrushes flew south over felixstowe. there were no significant reports of breeding. in the south-east there were 123 records from 35 sites and the largest gathering noted was of 120 at Landguard, 3rd. the west produced 132 records from 60 sites, and the only significant breeding report was of 35 territories between Hardwick Heath and Horringer (south edge of Bury St edmunds). there was a maximum gathering of 31 birds reported at Brandon Park on october 4th. At Landguard, two successfully overwintered with the oldest from September 2018. Spring passage was from March 9th to April 26th, with a maximum of five on April 26th. two pairs bred with one pair rearing two young. Autumn passage ran from September 27th to December 8th with a maximum of 120 on october 3rd.
Fairly common resident and scarce passage migrant. Red list (from Amber) the Mistle thrush has expanded its range northwards between the two european Breeding
Bird Atlases, but its population has remained fairly stable. the Pan-european common Bird Monitoring Scheme shows records from 8321 of the 13859 sites. in Suffolk the Breeding Bird Survey showed the lowest-ever figures with 16 individuals from four 1km. squares compared with 29 from 12 in 2019, but, again, lack of observers during lockdown will have contributed.
Suffolk recorders sent in 533 records from 152 sites compared with 378 from 128 sites in 2019. Breeding was reported from 20 sites, compared with 14 in 2019, but this is still probably a case of under-reporting. the reports broke down as follows:
North-east: 314 from 57 South-east: 55 from 22 West: 164 from 73 there were few notable double-figure counts, but they did include the following: Heveningham: 28, July 24th Butley: the Street, 45, Aug 28th Cavenham: 20, Aug 19th
At Landguard there was one on January 31st and in the autumn, nine singles between September 15th and october 31st. this species was not mentioned in any reports from orfordness and none was observed at trimley Marshes. the total of 45 at Butley is very impressive but it has been exceeded on five occasions so far this century with the two maximum counts being of 132 Shelley, just south of Hadleigh, August 2001 and 55 Pipps ford, August 31st 2003.
Declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list. the west of the county duly reported the first spring arrivals at both redgrave and Lopham fen and Denston Hall, Denston on May 1st with a high count of four noted at kentwell Hall, Long Melford, May 7th. the first reported in the south-east was at Landguard, May 6th, with three present there on May 28th, in the centre of the county at Gipping (two) on May 7th and in the north-east at Sotterley, May 8th with the highest count being of four at Mutford on May 9th. During the spring up to the end of June this species was noted at 12 sites in the north-east, 11 sites in the south-east and 30 in the west of the county.
Breeding in the north-east was only confirmed from two sites; however, several sites recorded this species in suitable breeding habitat during the spring/summer. the south-east confirmed breeding from four sites involving five pairs. one of these sites was Melton Park which had its first reported breeding for several years. As expected, the bulk of the confirmed breeding was reported in the west with 18 sites involving 21 pairs plus a “probable” additional four pairs. two pairs were noted at each of kentwell Hall, Brettenham and Hopton (near knettishall). therefore, the total number of breeding pairs was probably 32 which includes possible pairs, which is slightly up on 2019 (30 pairs).
one unfortunate individual was found dead having flown into a house window at troston on June 22nd.
family parties were noted at Great cornard (five, July 20th), kentwell Hall, Long Melford (eight, July 20th) and West Stow (five, August 8th). Autumn passage was noted at Landguard from July 28th and reports came from several coastal sites. the best count of the autumn was three noted at Lowestoft North Denes September 5th. the last sighting in the west came from Maidscross Hill, Lakenheath on September 4th and the final report, on the coast, was from Southwold campsite where an individual was present on october 15th and 16th.
Very common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.
first winter counts were noted from:
Blythburgh: 17, Jan 1st
Dunwich: 14, Jan 28th
Landguard: 19 birds successfully overwintered
Knettishall: Heath, 17, Jan 19th
Brandon: country Park, 23, feb 28th
Spring passage was noted at Landguard from March 4th until May 12th with a maximum of eight on March 4th, March 16th and April 4th. further high counts during the spring were reported from:
Bungay Town: 18, Mar 30th; outney common, 23, Apr 7th
Halesworth: 15, Mar 15th
Little Ouse Valley: 22, Mar 18th
Brandon: country Park, 38, May 9th
Rickinghall: 22, May 4th
As a result of the national lockdown there were no breeding reports, apart from a survey of a private wood near Hadleigh which found 61 territories and three pairs which bred at Landguard. During the autumn migration high counts were reported from:
Covehithe: 30, oct 6th
Southwold: sea front, 45, Sept 21st; 50, oct 3rd
Thorpeness: common, 40, oct 3rd
Landguard: peak count 150, oct 3th. this count is the largest in Suffolk since october 20th 2012 when 200 were present, also at Landguard. the highest-ever count from Landguard was on october 16th 1988 when about 1000 were noted of which 265 were ringed
Thetford: Bto Nunnery reserve, 29, Aug 18th; 26, Sept 28th; 26, oct 30th
Brandon: Heath, maximum of 23, oct 15th
Second winter concentrations were reported from:
Rickinghall: 18, Nov 20th
Thetford: Bto Nunnery reserve, 15, Dec 15th
Brandon: Park Heath, 19, Dec 23rd
From the past. Robin, 1990 and 1991
We read on page 242 of Steve Piotrowski’s avifauna “The Birds of Suffolk” (2003) that “A pair which nested in a disused iced drinks machine in Felixstowe in consecutive summers in 1991 and 1992 is unusual”. the 1990 SBr states that “Five chicks were successfully fledged”. the 1991 SBr gives no indication as to whether or not the breeding attempt was successful.
S790069 1st-year 14/10/2019 isle of May, fife, ScotLAND 56o10’N 02o33’W caught by ringer 03/10/2020 Landguard Point, felixstowe, Suffolk 51o56’N 01o19’e - 536km SSe
16218917 1st-year 12/10/2019 ursel, oost-Vlaanderen, BELGIUM 51o07’N 03o28’e caught by ringer 03/10/2020 Landguard Point, felixstowe, Suffolk 51o56’N 01o19’e - 175km WNW
Fairly common summer visitor and scarce passage migrant. Red list. first reported from the north-east at Westleton on April 5th followed by Wenhaston Black Heath April 7th and North Warren (two) April 8th. the first records in the south-east came from Purdis Heath, April 6th, Wherstead Woods, April 7th and Martlesham (two), April 8th. in the west one was reported from the Hadleigh river Walk on April 7th which was followed by birds at Lackford Lakes, April 9th and cornard Mere, April 10th. in the north-east there were territories at 25 sites with the highest counts from: Westleton Common: five, May 2nd
Wenhaston Black Heath: five found on a survey
Darsham Marshes: ten, Apr 24th
Aldeburgh: Golf course, six, Apr 25th
Hazlewood Marshes SWT: five, May 22nd
the south-east reported territories at 49 sites with the highest counts from:
Sutton Hoo: five
Martlesham Creek to Bromeswell (River Deben): five, May 27th
Ipswich: Pipers Vale, eight, Apr 12th; ten, Apr 26th; 13, Apr 28th
Trimley Marshes SWT: ten, Apr 15th
Wherstead Parish: 17, Apr 23rd, with a total of 21 territories located in the parish
Purdis Heath: seven, Apr 12th
Alton Water: 17 singing males, May 3rd in the west of the county birds were recorded at 17 sites with the best counts being from: Hadleigh: river Walk, four, Apr 11th; four, Apr 22nd; six noted in private woods
Lackford Lakes: four, Apr 30th
Lakenheath: Maidscross Hill, three, May 18th
A common Nightingale, initially ringed as a juvenile at Bawdsey Manor on June 16th 1988 was retrapped at the same site in 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995 and 1996 – a remarkable example of site fidelity and longevity. it is estimated that it must have flown in the region of 75000km during the course of its migratory travels. At the time it was the longest-lived common Nightingale to be recorded in the British isles.
there was little confirmed breeding data due to national lockdown restrictions although it is encouraging to see the overall number of reporting sites increase from 75 in 2019 to 91 in 2020. All three sectors increased with the north-east receiving reports of territories from 25 sites, the south-east 49 sites and the west 17 sites. this increase may well have been due to more “local patch” recording during lockdown.
Landguard reported a bird on June 10th, presumably a non-breeder, with singles on autumn migration on July 18th, August 7th to 10th, August 8th and August 17th and 18th. the last sighting from the west was noted from Maidscross Hill, Lakenheath on August 2nd. other late records were noted at trimley Marshes, August 18th, thorpeness, August 17th, Westleton common, August 19th and, finally, Bawdsey Hall on September 1st. one in christchurch Park, ipswich, April 19th to 21st, is somewhat surprisingly the first site record (S Grimwade et al.).
A nestling common Nightingale ringed at Bromeswell on May 29th 2018 was controlled by ringers at kartong in the Gambia, 4631 km south-south-west of Bromeswell on January 5th 2019 and November 7th 2019.
Red-spotted Bluethroat Luscinina svecica svecica
Rare passage migrant there were no records in 2020. White-spotted Bluethroat Luscinia svecica cyanecula
Rare passage migrant there were no records in 2020. this sub-species is a BBrc rarity as from 2021.
Fairly common passage migrant. Red list. this year’s spring passage was poor compared with the last few years. Just three singletons
noted from reydon Pits April 20th to 24th, Southwold Sewage Works, May 9th and a male at Great Waldingfield Airfield, April 20th; there were no records from the south-east in spring.
Autumn passage was first reported from Gunton on August 7th and Landguard, August 8th. A major fall of Pied flycatchers occurred all along the Suffolk coast on August 15th involving at least 130 birds.
the total of 130 Pied flycatchers on our coastline on August 15th was the highest since the “Great fall” of September 3rd 1965 when, during appalling weather conditions, as many as half a million small passerines arrived, many of them completely exhausted, between Sizewell and Hopton-on-Sea. the three most numerous species were common redstart (250000), Northern Wheatear (100000) and Pied flycatcher (“tens of thousands”). As the weather started to improve on September 4th, estimates of Pied flycatchers included 5000 at Minsmere and 4000 a Walberswick. the only other recent coastal count of Pied flycatchers to reach three figures was on September 10th 2002 when 106 were present between Hopton-on-Sea and Lowestoft.
Double-figure counts were reported from Southwold with 30, Minsmere Sluice, 12, Shingle Street, 11, east Lane, 20 and Landguard, 22. Numbers quickly dwindled over the following days but there were still seven at Southwold on August 17th. A total of 16 sites in the north-east and five in the south-east noted this species in the autumn whilst the west had just two autumn records from Bury St edmunds on August 18th and 19th and Bto Nunnery reserve in thetford from August 19th to 23rd and christchurch Park, ipswich, August 20th. the final reports of the year came from Sparrow’s Nest, Lowestoft october 6th, Hollesley Marshes, october 7th and finally Landguard on october 8th.
Ficedula parva Rare passage migrant. for the first time in the county, three different individuals all occurred on the same day, october 5th. this is the 18th record for the Lowestoft area and the nineteenth and twentieth records for Landguard. the first county record was at Pakefield on September 2nd 1956; the county total is now 79.
Lowestoft: North Denes, in shelter belt, oct 5th (J Wright et al)
Landguard: oct 3rd until oct 5th (M Marsh et al); second bird, oct 5th (W Brame, D Langlois et al)
Annual totals of three have occurred in Suffolk on nine occasions, but the best years were 2003 with four and way back in 1964 with five. However, to put three Suffolk totals into perspective, peak annual totals in Norfolk so far this century have been 28 in 2014 and 22 in both 2001 and 2002.
BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros.
Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Occasionally overwinters. Amber list. the only overwintering reports were received from Sizewell where an individual was noted on several dates between January 8th and March 9th with two reported there on March 6th, and
Hollesley Marshes, february 2nd.
Several sites recorded spring passage in the north-east with the first noted at oulton Broad on March 11th and a peak count of four at Southwold, April 4th. Migration was also noted further inland at Holton Gravel pits, April 14th and Saxmundham, March 30th and Little Stonham, April 6th.
the first report from the south-east came from orfordness Nt on March 14th with three noted at Shingle Street on March 21st. Landguard reported spring passage from March 24th until April 12th with a maximum of five on March 25th. Less typical sightings were reported from Woodbridge, April 8th and Belstead Village where a male was present on April 23rd.
From the past. Black Redstart, Bird Report 1992 the singing male in Portman road chose to take up residence at the ipswich town football Ground. Whilst presumably enjoying the peace of the ‘close season’, it nevertheless managed to survive a Dire Straits concert!
Sightings continue to be more frequent in the west and central region of the county than in past years with singletons noted from Stowmarket, April 17th, Walsham-le-Willows, April 14th, Little Stonham, April 6th, a female at Preston St Mary, April 1st and a male at Pakenham Water Mill on March 22nd. Breeding records; six sites, six confirmed pairs, eight total pairs. these figures are not directly comparable with 2019 due to a lack of monitoring at the west Suffolk airbases: Lowestoft: three confirmed pairs
Sizewell: one confirmed pair (female feeding a juvenile in a bush close to Sizewell A on June 6th)
Landguard/Felixstowe: one confirmed pair (up to two juveniles July 2nd to August 28th suggesting nesting nearby)
Brandon: one confirmed pair (at the oMAr industrial premises: pair + three newly-fledged juveniles, June24th)
Additional possible breeding at Bury Beet factory, where a bird was heard to use an alarm call and rAf Lakenheath in the north-east birds were found at Minsmere, June 25th, Minsmere Sluice, July 31st and Aldeburgh (river Alde) on July 12th – these were more likely to have been wanderers than autumn migrants. the key autumn site was the area around Ness Point, Lowestoft where many sightings were reported with peak counts of five on october 4th and october 15th. there were four on orfordness on october 14th with Landguard recording two juveniles present from July 2nd until August 28th. reports from Lowestoft, Ness point continued into November with three reported November 4th and the last sighting November 24th. elsewhere an individual was noted at Landguard on November 12th and an adult in an observer’s garden in Stowmarket was present from November 13th until 20th.
Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. upper Hollesley common provided the first sighting of spring April 15th with nine reported at the same site by April 27th and five recorded at nearby Staverton on May 15th. it was a poor spring passage with Landguard recording singles on just three dates – May 1st, May 5th and May 6th. in the west of the county the first was at Great Waldingfield on April 17th with the only other reports from Brandon country Park, May 7th and the king’s forest, May 20th.
Breeding records came from the following sites:
Minsmere: six pairs
Woodbridge Airfield: three pairs
Staverton Park/Thicks: five pairs
Sutton and Hollesley Commons: 13 pairs, including a record 11 pairs on upper Hollesley common The Kings Forest: central, one pair the total of breeding pairs was 28, compared with 29 in 2019, which maintains the recent
improvement. the traditional breeding site at the king’s forest (NW) did have two males holding territory but confirmation of a successful outcome was not obtained.
Autumn passage was recorded from Landguard on August 7th, West Stow country Park, August 8th and Southwold Harbour, August 12th. the best autumn counts were noted from:
Gunton: disused railway, five, Sep 17th
Minsmere Sluice: three, oct 5th
Aldeburgh: five, Sept 17th
Landguard: five, Sept 28th; four, oct 3rd and 4th in the west singletons were reported from:
Stowmarket: juvenile, oct 6th
Denston: male, Sept 6th
Cavenham Pits: Aug 23rd
Brandon: Park Heath, Sept 24th there was a late report from Landguard on october 16th (see field note), with the final record of the year noted at Benacre Sluice on october 19th.
Landguard, october 16th 2020. A common redstart was seen to be taken by a Sparrowhawk. B Hart and M Hart
WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra.
Declining passage migrant. Last bred in 2004. Red list. Spring records for this species continue to be scarce, with 2020 being no exception. All records are listed as singles unless stated: Kessingland: Apr 29th
Walberswick: female, May 14th
Dunwich Heath: male, Apr 12th
Minsmere: two, May 7th
North Warren: male, Apr 27th
Aldeburgh Marshes: Apr 28th and 29th
Landguard: Apr 28th; two, Apr 29th; three, May 6th there were no spring records reported in the west, the first year that this has occurred since 2010.
Autumn passage started with some early reports of singletons from Lowestoft North Denes July 10th, carlton Marshes, July 18th and Minsmere Dunes, July 27th. Passage was widely noted in the north-east coastal belt but the south-east coast had a poor autumn passage.
Highest counts from August: Minsmere: 11, Aug 30th; Levels, four, 16th, Sluice, four, 17th; Alde Estuary: four, Aug 12th; 11, Aug 28th
Shingle Street: four, Aug 17th
Landguard: four, Aug 15th
High counts during September:
Minsmere Dunes: six, Sep 4th; seven, Sept 5th; six, Sept 8th
Alde Estuary: seven, Sept 1st; 17, Sept 4th
Sutton Common/Upper Hollesley Common: six, Sept 5th
there was a total of ten autumn records from five sites in the west, all singletons, with the first noted at Honington on August 23rd. two were at Hadleigh on September 2nd with the last sighting at Bto Nunnery reserve, thetford on october 9th. elsewhere final reports were both noted from Hollesley Marshes with a single bird on october 14th and two on october 22nd.
final report was of one at Hollesley, November 19th.
EUROPEAN STONECHAT Saxicola rubicola
Fairly common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list.
Widely reported throughout the Brecks and coastal belt during the first winter period. Peak counts were reported from:
Carlton Marshes: three, feb 18th
Sizewell Beach: three, Jan 17th
Hollesley Marshes: four, Jan 10th; five, Jan 20th
Upper Hollesley Common: four, feb 5th
Lower Hollesley Common: six, Mar 14th
Orfordness: 11, feb 27th
Landguard: seven, Mar 4th
Cavenham Heath: four Jan 7th; seven, Mar 2nd; six, Mar 8th
Kings Forest (NW): seven, Mar 7th
Lakenheath Fen: six, Jan 1st; five, feb 15th
Less typical sightings were noted from combs near Stowmarket, with two, March 2nd, Woolpit where a male was present on March 8th, ickworth Park, March 2nd and risby, two, on January 15th.
With national lockdown restrictions in place the total of breeding pairs was certainly underreported in the west. However, the Suffolk Sandlings posted a 37% increase from 53 pairs in 2019 to 73 pairs in 2020. overall, there were 45 pairs in the north-east, 34 pairs in the south-east and 11 pairs in the west making a total of 90 pairs. Judging by the double-figure post-breeding counts submitted from some Breckland sites it was likely to have been a successful breeding year. one pair in the king’s forest (NW) produced eight young from three broods. key sites: Dunwich Heath and Forest: 13 pairs
Minsmere: 18 pairs
Westleton Heath: six pairs
Woodbridge Airfield: six pairs
Hollesley Commons: 14 pairs
Some impressive post-breeding groups were reported from Brandon Park Heath and elsewhere: Minsmere: eight, Aug 31st
Shingle Street: eight, Aug 12th
Sutton Heath: 11, Aug 20th
Cavenham Heath: nine, Sep 18th
Brandon: Park Heath, 25, Aug 9th; 27, Aug 27th; 16, Sep 28th; ten, oct 14th
The King’s Forest (Central): eight, July 26th;
The King’s Forest (NW): 13, July 26th; 17, Sep 10th;
the count of 27 at Brandon Park Heath on August 27th is the highest-ever autumn site total in Suffolk surpassing the 22 at Brandon country Park on September 15th 2019. the highest-ever site total in Suffolk remains the 31 on orfordness on March 24th 2008.
this species was reported throughout the coastal belt and Brecks during the second winter with peak counts from:
Aldeburgh Marshes: five, Nov 26th
Upper Hollesley Common: seven, oct 25th: seven, Nov 6th
Cavenham Heath: five, Dec 4th.
Berner’s Heath: ten, Nov 8th; eight, Nov 11th
Saxicola maurus
Very rare vagrant. the first-year male first recorded at Hollesley Marshes on December 1st 2019 remained there until January 4th 2020. it remained fairly watchable throughout its five-week stay.
Oenanthe oenanthe
Common passage migrant and uncommon summer visitor. Multiple sites reported the first sighting this year on March 16th: North Denes, Lowestoft; carlton Marshes; Benacre Sluice (four); covehithe Broad; Minsmere (two) and cavenham Heath. in the north-east there were other early reports from Lound Lakes on March 18th and Dunwich Heath, March 28th. Spring reports came from 23 sites in ones or twos, the best count, of five, was at the Haven, thorpeness on April 25th. two reports came from further inland: flixton Gravel Pits, April 16th, Stowupland, May 5th and Stradbroke, with two on May 5th. A couple of spring laggards or failed breeders were noted at Benacre Sluice, June 5th and Aldringham Walks, June 16th. in the south-east orfordness recorded its first bird March 18th and Landguard March 17th. reported from a total of ten sites, the best of the spring passage was seen at Landguard with 17 on April 19th, ten on April 24th and 18, April 29th. Less typical reports came from chelmondiston April 20th and from central Suffolk at Pipps ford April 25th and 26th and Stowupland on May 5th. the west of the county had just two more March records – icklingham Plains on March 21st and cavenham Heath, with four, March 17th. Spring records were noted from a total of 14 sites with multiple counts at Stradishall Airfield, with two on May 7th, Stowlangtoft, two, April 24th, Marham Park, next to fordham all Saints, five, April 24th and cavenham Heath with four on April 11th. Breeding was only recorded on orfordness where six pairs, the same number as in 2019, fledged eight young (ten young in 2019).
From the past. Northern Wheatear, Suffolk Birds 1995
Breeding or possible breeding was noted at seven sites involving a possible 13 pairs: Benacre. one juvenile, July 8th.
Minsmere. one pair bred but none fledged.
Aldeburgh. North Warren, two pairs.
Havergate. one pair bred, first since 1963.
Felixstowe. Landguard, three pairs bred with the first juvenile noted on June 4th.
Cavenham. cavenham Heath, five pairs, including one brood of six young.
Barnham. thetford Heath, two present during May at least.
Autumn passage started in late July with singles noted at Walberswick, July 30th, Boyton Marshes, July 24th, felixstowe ferry, July 25th and Landguard on July 28th with the first of the autumn in the west at Honington on August 1st. the best of August’s passage was noted at: Lowestoft: North Denes, eight, Aug 17th
Benacre Pits: eight, 18th Minsmere: six, 16th; eight, 18th Havergate Island: four, 14th Shingle Street: four, 10th Honington: five, 23rd the best counts in September were: Gunton Warren: seven, Sep 9th Lowestoft: North Denes, eight, 5th; six, 17th Benacre Sluice: seven, 5th Covehithe: six, 29th Minsmere: six, 20th and 21st Alde Estuary: nine, 4th; 11, 5th Havergate Island: four, 2nd Shingle Street: four, 12th; six, 30th East Lane/Shingle Street: five, 9th Landguard: 15, 5th; six, 7th An impressive passage was recorded in october with peak counts from: Kessingland: seven, oct 8th Benacre: 14, 7th; Sluice, eight, 3rd Walberswick: 15, 7th Minsmere: six, 4th; eight, 7th Thorpeness Haven: eight, 3rd Shingle Street: five, 5th Landguard: five, 5th; seven, 7th the final sightings of the year, all singletons, were reported from Benacre Pits on october 18th, Brandon Park Heath, october 24th, Landguard, November 3rd and Havergate island on November 4th.
(WHITE-THROATED) DIPPER Cinclus cinclus Rare vagrant. Amber list there have been no records since 2016.
Common but declining resident. Red List. there were 53 records from 28 sites noted across the county with few notable flocks of this once-common bird. the 2020* BBS figures shown were covid-restricted:
Squares
counted
flocks of 40 or more birds were recorded at the following sites: Landguard: 30 to 35 pairs nested at the cottage and fort. fifteen birds retrapped from previous years, with oldest from December 2014. the year’s peak count was 120 on September 4th Trimley St Martin: 40, Aug 15th Hadleigh: 70, Jan 19th
Great Waldingfield: 61, Dec 28th
Bury St Edmunds (West): 75, Mar 25th; 90, Apr 20th; 65, Aug 15th Barrow: 50, May 31st; 50, Dec 17th Haverhill: Hanchett Village, 50, Jan 31st
House Sparrow hunting for food in my garden i noted a female House Sparrow move through the hedge and shrubs, some
with ivy growing through, almost out of sight and while doing so jump from branch to branch heavily in order to flush out insects such as craneflies. When any such insect does get spooked then the House Sparrow will fly out to catch it. i watched this on a number of occasions and deemed it was a deliberate action.
Gi Grieco
EURASIAN TREE SPARROW Passer montanus
Uncommon and declining resident. Scarce passage migrant. Red List. Although there were fewer records in 2020 the number of sites showed a small increase:
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Records 84 79 69 85 58 53 Sites 33 26 18 21 20 28
few records of over three birds were recorded in the north-east and south-east of the county with the only significant numbers being reported from the west where winter feeding is undertaken. Peak counts were:
Fornham St Martin: Hall farm, up to 24, Jan 19th to Dec 1st
Ampton: up to 150, Jan 8th to May 13th
Great Livermere: up to 28, Jan 19th to Sep 6th
Timworth: up to 70, oct 22nd to Dec 24th tree Sparrows were recorded at Landguard on nine dates between August 13th and November 6th with a maximum of five on october 11th. the last year when four-figure totals were recorded at Landguard was 1983 when 4675 flew south between october 6th and November 13th.
DUNNOCK (HEDGE ACCENTOR) Prunella modularis
Very common resident and fairly common passage migrant. Amber List. there were 124 records from 86 sites noted across the county with no significant counts at any of these. the 2020* BBS figures shown were covid-restricted:
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020* BBS Squares 32 36 39 35 36 13* Birds counted 130 115 151 130 140 40* counts of more than ten were restricted to Landguard: Landguard: 40, June 13th; up to 12 pairs nested; spring passage Mar 6th to Apr 9th, max 30, Mar 24th and 25th, autumn passage Sep 2nd to oct 17th, max 25, Sep 14th and 29th and oct 14th
Rapidly declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list. the number of records decreased; however, the number of sites mirrored the previous two years:
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Records 184 188 285 278 177 109 Sites 75 59 74 67 61 62 the first bird of the year was at Aldeburgh on April 9th. there was confirmed breeding at thorpeness, Hollesley, Sutton Hoo, chelmondiston, Mildenhall fen and Pakenham. there were only four counts of ten or more birds Alde Estuary: 49, Aug 28th; 20, Sep 12th
Trimley Marsh SWT: 12, Aug 19th
Brandon CP: ten, Aug 10th
Spring migration at Landguard involved 34 birds (26 in spring 2019) between April 23rd and May 23rd and autumn migration involved a total of 53 (71 in autumn 2019) birds between July 6th and September 21st. the last bird of the year was at Dunwich Pools on November 4th.
Grey-headed Wagtail M. f. thunbergi
Scarce passage migrant. Amber list. only one bird, which was present, in sheep paddocks, for a single day in 2020. this is only the fourth Suffolk record in June, the others being on 5th in 1992 at Landguard and 2015 Loompit Lake, trimley St Martin and on 11th at Landguard in 2018.
Easton Bavents: male, June 3rd (B J Small)
EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla tschutschensis
Accidental.
After the first two for Suffolk last year, these three new birds take the Suffolk total up to five! the Havergate bird was considered to be the one from 2019.
Carlton Marshes: 2cy+ sang, Nov 24th to Dec 6th (J H Grant et al.)
Dunwich: corporation Marshes, 1cy, Nov 4th to 16th (B J Small et al.); second bird, 2 cy+, Nov 5th to 16th (B J Small et al.)
Havergate Island: first-winter, Nov 12th to 14th 2019 (D fairhurst, P kennerley), relocated in february 2020, feb 4th to 13th (M Marsh)
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.
Trimley Marshes: four, Sep 5th
Long Melford: four, May 7th; Sewage Works, seven, July 25th; four, Aug 23rd
Pakenham: Watermill, four, Jan 3rd
Thetford BTO: five, oct 5th
Santon Downham: four, June 19th
A pair bred successfully within the vicinity of christchurch Park, ipswich, fledging three juveniles.
Autumn migration at Landguard involved 39 birds between August 24th and November 11th with a peak count of 11 south, September 9th.
Very common resident, passage migrant and winter and summer visitor Green List (from Amber). this species is widely distributed in the county. 2020 showed a significant increase in both records and sites, but for no obvious reason.
Significant counts across the county were:
Oulton Broad: 59, Jan 6th; 115, Jan 12th
Minsmere: 50, oct 12th
North Warren: 145, Dec 15th
Hollesley Marshes: 68, Nov 17th
Needham Market Lake: 100, Jan 23rd; 80, Nov 21st
Long Melford: 58, Dec 5th; Sewage Works, 59, Sep 14th
Haverhill: 85, Jan 7th
Lackford: 75, Mar 3rd
Cavenham: 55, Mar 7th
Thetford BTO: 50, Apr 18th
Autumn passage at Landguard was noted from September 30th to october 29th with 33 recorded (33 in 2019, 27 in 2018, and 179 in 2017) and a maximum of ten south on october 14th. At least five pairs nested in the adjoining dock, with these birds and their offspring regularly feeding on site with a maximum of 48 on August 15th.
White Wagtail M. a. alba
Fairly common passage migrant. Amber list. the number of records and sites showed similar figures to those in 2019 for this species which is always recorded principally on spring passage with few autumn records:
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Records 74 46 63 69 30 30 Sites 34 30 22 28 17 23
the first spring sightings were at Lower Hollesley common and Landguard on March 6th, a typically-early first date. there were only four records of four birds or more as follows: Benacre: 18, Mar 17th Covehithe: 14, Mar 20th Hollesley: 12, Apr 2nd Trimley Marshes: five, Mar 21st the total of 18 at Benacre on March 17th is the second-highest site-total since March 24th 1994 when 45 were at Minsmere.
RICHARD’S PIPIT Anthus richardi Rare visitor. there was a single record of richard’s Pipit this year, at Hollesley Marshes in late November: Hollesley Marshes: Nov 25th (D fairhurst et al.)
MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis
Common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. Both the number of records and sites showed an increase in 2020:
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Records 77 85 507 263 79 115 Sites 35 37 98 45 42 57
Significant counts of passage birds were reported from coastal sites:
Corton Cliffs: 142, Sep 13th
Southwold: 50, oct 4th
Minsmere: up to 120, Sep 16th to oct 7th Thorpeness: 250, Sep 16th; 100, Sep 22nd and 29th
Havergate Island: 550, Sep 28th; 180, oct 6th; 40, oct 17th
Bawdsey: east Lane, 60, oct 9th
Significant inland counts were:
Long Melford: 60, Sep 20th; 51, oct 24th; 90, Dec 6th
Rickinghall: 59, Nov 20th; 73, Dec 20th
Icklingham: icknield Heath, 40, Sep 12th
Cavenham Heath: 41, Jan 19th; 40, Sep 28th and 29th; 40, oct 10th
Brandon CP: 97, Sep 11th; 44, Sep 14th; 48, Sep 28th
Spring passage at Landguard was noted from february 25th to May 6th with a maximum of ten south on March 18th.
Autumn passage at Landguard was from August 17th until December 2nd with a total of 2073 birds south including maximum one-day-counts of 357 south on September 9th and 231 south on october 5th; the maximum monthly total of southerly passage was 1007 in September.
Declining summer visitor and passage migrant. Red list. this species showed an increase in both records and sites from the previous year but with the east of the county, again, being particularly devoid of this species:
Records 70 41 62 82 53 70 Sites 38 23 35 36 30 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: Walberswick: two, oct 7th
Thorpeness: two, oct 4th Alde Estuary: four, oct 4th 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). the first of the year was reported from Mayday farm on April 6th.
Multiple counts were as follows: Cavenham Heath: two, Aug 29th and 30th
The King’s Forest (Central): up to five, Apr 26th to Sep 10th
The King’s Forest (North-east): up to six, May 17th to 20th
The King’s Forest (South-west): two, Apr 23rd
The King’s Forest (North Stow): two, June 1st; two June 21st Mayday Farm: up to four, Apr 6th to June 3rd
Mildenhall: two, May 28th
Brandon: cP, two, May 30th; Park Heath, up to six Apr 15th to Sep 14th
Thetford Forest (Central): six, June 8th
Thetford Forest (Forest Drive): two, Apr 21st
Thetford BTO: two, Aug 9th Breeding was confirmed/probable at icknield Heath, the king’s forest and Mildenhall Woods. Autumn passage at Landguard involved 11 south between August 9th and october 10th.
WATER PIPIT Anthus spinoletta
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. the number of records for the year dropped slightly but the number of sites increased with mostly single sightings:
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Records 52 72 116 88 145 131 Sites 19 19 18 26 23 31
the last recorded in spring was at Minsmere on April 2nd and 10th. the first of autumn was of two at corton on october 17th. records of four or more birds were noted from only seven sites as follows:
Herringfleet Marshes: up to 16, Jan 1st to 14th
Carlton Marshes: five, Jan 25th; up to ten, Nov 8th to Dec 29th
Flixton: Gravel Pits, four, Nov 28th
Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, five, Jan 17th; five, Nov 11th
Hazlewood Marshes: eight, feb 22nd
North Warren: five, Nov 23rd
Lakenheath Fen: four, Jan 1st; eight, Nov 7th
Correction to 2018 Addition in 2019 Report: Lakenheath fen rSPB statement that “up to nine January 2nd to April 18th (Suffolk Birds 2018: 178) is the highest-ever total at a non-coastal site in Suffolk” to read “highest-ever total in west Suffolk”
Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant the number of records and sites for 2020 almost mirrored those of 2019 with all records, as expected, from coastal locations:
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Records 122 128 167 272 77 78 Sites 50 45 42 71 30 29
During the year there were numerous reports of up to four birds with counts of five or more at only six sites:
Carlton Marshes: five, Nov 26th.
Hazlewood Marshes: 15, oct 29th; ten, Nov 1st
Aldeburgh Marshes: eight, oct 28th; five, oct 31st
Havergate Island: five, Jan 27th; 15, feb 13th; six, Mar 19th; up to 30, oct 1st to Nov 16th
Deben Estuary: five, Nov 16th; Stonner Point, five, Jan 12th; six, Nov 13th the last bird of spring in the county was on Havergate island on April 8th. the first of autumn was at Landguard on September 27th. At Landguard there were 86 bird-days between September 27th and November 28th with a maximum of 11 south, october 13th.
ED07104(green AMP) 1st-year 16/08/2019 Lista fyr, farsund, Vest-Agder,
NorWAy 58°06’N 06°34’e alive (colour-rings seen) 19/10/2020 Slaughden, Aldeburgh, Suffolk 52°08’N 01°35’e - 734km SSW
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:
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Records 60 27 709 246 44 92 Sites 40 19 135 58 35 58 the 2020* BBS figures shown were covid restricted:
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020* BBS Squares 43 42 48 45 43 19* Birds counted 427 297 329 304 266 95*
flocks of 50 or more were reported from ten sites with peak numbers as follows:
Lowestoft: Ness Point, 810 south, 07:00hr to 10:45hr, Mar 15th; 75 south, oct 9th
Easton Bavents: 50, oct 14th
Leiston (north): up to 100, Mar 22nd to 25th
Knettishall Airfield: 100, Nov 26th
Ampton: 100, Jan 18th
Little Livermere: 90, Mar 7th
Lackford: 50, Jan 4th; Bunkers Barn, 50, oct 18th
Mildenhall Fen: 50, Jan 6th; 50, Nov 22nd
Thetford Forest (central): 50, Mar 14th it is surprising that the marked southerly movement at Lowestoft on March 15th was not recorded elsewhere in Suffolk.
Autumn migration at Landguard was between August 31st and November 26th with a total of 605 south/in off and a maximum day-count of 53 south on october 5th.
Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. the number of records and sites for the year closely mirrored those of 2019:
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Records 181 197 207 264 125 123 Sites 84 84 77 93 61 58
there were only four records of 20 or more birds, a significant reduction in flock sizes over the past two years:
Minsmere: 25, oct 6th; 50, oct 17th
Brandon: 50, Mar 28th; 44, oct 29th
Spring passage at Landguard was noted from March 23rd to April 19th with a maximum daytotal of only two on March 27th. A laggard individual at Landguard on May 12th is the latest in Suffolk since 2007 when one was at Sparrow’s Nest Gardens, Lowestoft, also on May 12th
Autumn passage at Landguard was recorded from September 27th to November 12th with a total of 29 birds and a maximum of five on october 5th.
Uncommon resident and rare passage migrant. Red List. there were 22 records from 13 sites, the majority of which were of single birds mostly in the
second winter period. october 4th witnessed a small, but marked, coastal passage.
Lowestoft: Sparrows Nest, two, oct 4th
Kessingland: Sewage Works, Sep 28th
Sotterley Park: two, feb14th; up to four, Nov 20th to Dec 30th
Thorpeness: oct 4th
Aldeburgh: oct 3rd and 4th
Landguard: oct 4th; oct 10th
Hadleigh: river Walk, July 16th
Mildenhall: oct 15th
Barnham Cross Common: Mar 22nd
Thetford BTO: two, Nov 29th
Brandon: country Park, oct 11th; Nov 3rd; Park Heath, two, Sep 28th; three, oct 15th; oct 24th; Sewage Works, two, Dec 27th Passage migrant Hawfinches have been recorded at Landguard in 12 years so far this century with a maximum annual total of three in 2016.
EURASIAN BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula Common but declining resident. Amber List. this popular species continues to be widely reported and in 2020 the figures similar to the previous year: 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Records 477 282 379 325 180 173 Sites 158 99 150 136 100 97 the 2020* BBS figures shown were covid-restricted: 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020* BBS Squares 11 11 8 8 7 3* Birds counted 22 15 16 20 10 6*
12 sites recorded five or more birds: Barsham: six, feb 11th
Wenhaston: Black Heath, six, oct 14th
Dunwich: Dingle Hills, six, oct 18th Minsmere: six, Jan 28th
Theberton Wood: 20, Aug 12th
Chillesford Wood: five, Dec 27th
Melton: five, Dec 10th
Stoke-by-Nayland: thorington Street, six, Jan 5th; six, Dec 9th
Rickinghall: six, Apr 25th; six, July 30th; six, Dec 30th and 31st
Lackford Village: six, Dec 19th
Brandon: Mayday farm, five, Jan 11th
Thetford Forest: five, feb 5th the total of 20 at theberton Wood is the highest in Suffolk since 2013 when 22 were at Grove farm, Norton on December 7th. Singles were at Landguard on March 26th, April 12th and November 5th.
Rare passage migrant. Has bred. there was a single coastal record of this species in the county in 2020. there have now been 34 records in Suffolk involving at least 39 birds. this is a classic locality and date and the tenth record for Landguard.
Landguard: female/first-summer male, June 2nd (N odin, J turner-Moss et al)
Common, but declining, resident and passage migrant. Categories A and E. British subspecies C. c. harrisoni is on Red List. this species showed a significant increase in records but a continued and worrying decline in sites:
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Records 44 35 345 147 50 73 Sites 31 23 116 81 41 38 the 2020* BBS figures shown were covid-restricted: 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020*
BBS Squares 33 23 24 23 23 9* Birds counted 109 100 83 79 92 23* counts of 20 or more birds were only recorded from seven sites as follows:
Shingle Street: 38, oct 28th; 85, oct 31st
Felixstowe Ferry: 30, Nov 29th
Landguard: 39, oct 23rd
Bury St Edmunds (West): 30, Mar 16th; 28, Apr 25th; 48, June 3rd; 40, Dec 30th
Lackford Lakes: 20, Nov 14th
Brandon: 60, Dec 13th; 65, Dec 30th
Thetford BTO: up to 30, Jan 3rd to Dec 7th the autumn passage at Landguard recorded 138 seen moving south between September 29th and November 18th, with a maximum of 39 on october 23rd. recent annual autumn passage totals at Landguard have included 22 in 2018, 453 in 2017 and 1013 in 2012.
Declining winter visitor and passage migrant. Red List. there were 34 records from just four sites. As in the previous year, the most regular counts came from Dunwich and Walberswick. there were first winter reports as follows:
Covehithe Broad: four, feb 1st
Easton Bavents: two, Jan 31st; four, feb 5th
Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, up to 17 between Jan 4th and Mar 6th there were second winter reports as follows:
Walberswick: Shore Pools, 25, Dec 1st – same flock as below Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, up to 20, oct 23rd to Dec 19th
the bird at tinker’s Marshes, Walberswick on April 24th (Suffolk Birds 2019: 213) shares the distinction of being the latest-ever spring bird in Suffolk with single birds also on April 24th, at Walberswick in 1992 and Landguard in 1991.
Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Overwinters in small numbers. Red List. the number of records and sites slightly increased in 2020:
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Records 101 61 620 486 103 144 Sites 61 49 126 89 65 78 the 2020* BBS figures shown were covid-restricted:
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020* BBS Squares 25 26 31 28 29 12* Birds counted 112 137 162 225 183 58*
Significant flocks were reported from the following sites:
Easton Bavents: 300, oct 14th
Chelmondiston: 500, Nov 5th; 200, Nov 23rd; 250, Dec 5th
Westhorpe: 250, Sep 7th
Long Melford (South-west): 120, oct 25th
Knettishall: 400, Nov 29th
Pakenham: 120, Nov 3rd; 100, Dec 26th
Timworth: up to 180, July 31st to Dec 9th
Black Bourn Valley NR: 100 roosting, Jan 30th
Denston: 100, Jan 11th
Great Barton: 200, Aug 28th
The King’s Forest (Central): 200, July 10th
Lackford: 150, Mar 27th
An estimated 25 to 35 pairs bred at Landguard with several more nearby, similar to the previous year. Autumn passage at Landguard involved 840 (878 in 2019, 327 in 2018, 2857 in 2017) south between october 5th and November 25th with a maximum day-total of 96 south on october 5th. twenty-eight adults were retrapped from previous years at Landguard with the oldest from June 2014.
REDPOLL Acanthis flammea
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. Despite unprecedented numbers of Lesser redpoll sightings in 2020, this was a very poor year for common redpolls in Suffolk with only four records and sites noted and only one multiple count:
Corton: old Sewage Works, oct 14th
Thorpeness Haven: two trapped and ringed, oct 16th
Landguard: oct 7th
Lakenheath Fen RSPB: feb 27th
Declining winter visitor and passage migrant. No evidence of breeding since 2006. Red List. there were 143 records (75 in 2019) from 64 sites (31 in 2019) of this species during 2020 with significant flocks throughout the county, particularly in the west, which had an exceptional total on knettishall Heath in December. this flock of 800 at knettishall Heath on December 28th is the largest in Suffolk since January 1st 1976 when 800 were at tuddenham St Mary. Significant
counts of 100 or more birds were as follows:
Southwold: 105, oct 12th
Westleton Heath: 150, oct 1st
Minsmere: 430, oct 17th; 400, oct 18th
Eastbridge: 200, oct 21st
Knettishall Heath: 400, Nov 28th; 800, Dec 28th
Icklingham: Berner’s Heath, 250, oct 31st; 250, Nov 8th; 100, Nov 14th
The King’s Forest (North-west): 400, oct 11th
Thetford Heath: 100, Dec 28th
Thetford BTO: up to 104, Nov 29th to Dec 28th
Brandon: Park Heath, up to 180, Sep 22nd to Dec 25th the coastal records for sites between Southwold and eastbridge in the above list probably involve passage birds.
Autumn passage at Landguard totalled 2333 birds (14 in 2019, 137 in 2018, 1236 in 2017) recorded between September 5th and November 27th with a maximum 172 south on october 23rd. this total of 2333 at Landguard is the site’s highest-ever autumn figure, easily exceeding the previous highest of 1520 in 2008. What makes this year’s figure even more remarkable is that only 14, the site’s lowest-ever autumn total, had been noted only a year before in 2019.
AFN8748
AXJ6155
1st-year 10/10/2020
Deer Park croft, nr Avoch, Highland, ScotLAND 57°34’N 04°09’W caught by ringer 11/11/2020
Landguard Point, felixstowe, Suffolk 51°56’N 01°19’e - 720km SSe
Blackmiddens, Aberdeenshire, ScotLAND 57°19’N 02°57’W caught by ringer 19/10/2020
1st-year 29/10/2019
Landguard Point, felixstowe, Suffolk 51°56’N 01°19’e - 659km SSe
S743145 adult male 25/10/2019 Landguard Point, felixstowe, Suffolk 51°56’N 01°19’e caught by ringer 15/02/2020 Harze (Aywaille), Liège, BELGIUM 50°27’N 05°39’e - 344km eSe
in addition to the above recoveries, single birds from Lincolnshire and kent were also caught at Landguard in autumn 2020.
Locally common resident and irruptive visitor. the number of records and sites of this species has fluctuated over the past five years. 2020 was an excellent year for this species in the county with birds seen at nearly 100 different locations. it is a highly-mobile species so there is a distinct possibility of duplicate recording of flocks particularly between feeding and roosting areas: 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Records 54 50 59 78 72 215 Sites 33 26 31 37 24 93
few were noted in the first part of the year but records of flocks of 20 or more birds were recorded from 19 sites across the county from early June onwards which are indicative of a sizeable irruption:
Lowestoft: North Denes, 52, oct 11th; Gunton, 24, oct 12th; 25, oct 16th
Westleton: 30, oct 1st; 25, oct 9th
Dunwich Heath: 20, June 23rd; 37 to 100, oct 15th to 26th
Minsmere: 30, June 8th; up to 30, July 11th to oct 15th
Sizewell Beach: 25, oct 17th
Thorpeness: 40, oct 1st; 30, oct 17th
Alde Estuary: 20, oct 16th
Blaxhall: 23, oct 15th
Upper Hollesley Common: 100, oct 12th; 60, oct 17th; 20, oct 21st
Sutton Common: 35, oct 13th
Landguard: 76 south, July 6th; 64 south, oct 5th
Icklingham: icknield Heath, 30, oct 24th; Berner’s Heath, 30, Nov 8th
The King’s Forest (North Stow): 57, Nov 22nd
Mayday Farm (Brandon): 60, Nov 1st; 20, Dec 16th
Brandon: 29, oct 29th; country Park, 28, oct 11th; 20, oct 29th; Park Heath, 102, oct 14th; up to 48, oct 18th to Dec 26th
the totals of 78 south, July 6th and 64 south, october 5th are the highest day-totals during a record autumn for this species at Landguard which saw 231 south, June 10th to September 9th and 184 south, october 5th to 27th. Landguard’s record day-total remains 330 which flew south over Suffolk’s south-easterly point on June 28th 1997.
Rare winter visitor.
2019 Addition: Birds seen by observer at garden pond.
Santon Downham: two, male and female, Mar 29th (S J Holloway)
Very common resident, summer visitor and passage migrant. Increasingly overwinters in small numbers. the number of records and sites of this species continues to fluctuate for no apparent reasons:
BBS figures shown
covid-restricted:
Apart from Landguard, counts of 100 or more birds were recorded from only three sites with peaks as follows:
Minsmere: 100, Dec 4th; 150, Dec 27th
Bawdsey, East lane: 150, oct 9th
West Stow: 150, Jan 4th in mixed flock with Greenfinches Spring passage at Landguard involved 514 south between March 11th and June 10th with a maximum of 81 on April 27th. After the previous year’s total of 10936, autumn numbers at Landguard decreased to 9039 south from September 4th to December 2nd with a maximum of 1878 south on october 7th.
Works on cornhill in ipswich town centre in 2018/19 included the planting of four Norway Maples Acer platanoides trees. in April 2020, during the first lockdown, the Norway Maples were in full leaf. i noted that a pair of Goldfinches was showing a lot of interest in one particular tree and the male was heard singing frequently from various song posts around cornhill. i was not in a position to keep a close check on this site until mid-November when the last of the leaves fell from the Norway Maple in which the Goldfinches had shown much interest in the spring, revealing a small nest constructed in a fork of the tree. Although i had no definite proof, i could only assume that a pair of Goldfinches had bred on cornhill, albeit with unknown success. the nest was still clearly visible in late January 2021.
Philip Murphy
EUROPEAN SERIN Serinus serinus
Rare migrant. Amber list. there were three single records involving one bird at the traditional Landguard site and a further one from Hollesley: Hollesley Marshes: Apr 6th (c Shaw)
Landguard: July 2nd, 6th and 9th (M May, N odin, J Zantboer, J turner-moss et al.) – the site’s 32nd record
EURASIAN SISKIN Spinus spinus
Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Very scarce breeder. After a poor 2019 the number of records and sites in 2020 returned to the previous average figures with a significant number of large flocks across the county: 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Records 183 143 197 244 78 164 Sites 69 52 68 76 30 69
counts of 100 or more birds were recorded from 13 sites as follows:
Corton Cliffs: 185, Sep 13th
Lowestoft: Gunton, 100, oct 5th
Benacre: 100, oct 5th
Minsmere: 273, Sep 16th; 388, Sep 28th; 300, oct 5th; 100, Nov 16th; 100, Dec 7th
Eastbridge: 100, oct 16th
Thorpeness Haven: 100, Sep 29th
Staverton Lakes: 200, Sep 29th
Landguard: see below
Culford Park: 100, Jan 20th; 150, Nov 14th
Lackford Lakes: 150, Dec 24th
West Stow CP: 120, Dec 30th
Thetford BTO: 110, Jan 24th and 30th; 100, Nov 25th; 120, Dec 4th; 200, Dec 13th
Santon Downham: 150, Jan 8th; 120, Jan 10th; 250, Jan 24th
Spring passage at Landguard involved 32 (11 in 2019, 142 in 2018) between february 19th and June 4th. Autumn passage at Landguard involved a total of 4903 (77 in 2019, 627 in 2018, 419 in 2017) from June 15th to November 26th with maximum day-counts of 618 south on october 1st and 730 south on october 5th. this year’s autumn total of 4903 at Landguard is the highest ever recorded at this site, being more than double the previous highest autumn figure of 2208 in 1993. Not surprisingly, the day-counts this year of 618 (october 1st) and 730 (october 5th) are the highest-ever recorded at Landguard.
october 5th witnessed a particularly heavy passage with 730 at Landguard, 300 at Minsmere and 100 at each of Gunton and Benacre.
Lapland Bunting, Shingle Street, September 8th James Kennerly
Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. there were 21 records from 13 coastal sites during the last four months of the year with only kessingland having more than two birds on any one day:
Corton Cliffs: oct 17th
Kessingland: two, Sep 21st, seven, Sep 27th and 28th; Sep 29th and 30th; oct 10th and 12th; Dec 5th Benacre: oct 7th and 10th
Easton Bavents: Sep 28th
Hen Reedbeds: Sep 19th
Southwold: Golf course, Sep 28th
Walberswick: oct 7th Dunwich: oct 1st; Nov 5th and 6th Aldringham Walks: oct 9th Havergate Island: oct 9th Shingle Street: Sep 8th Landguard: Sep 26th and 27th; two, oct 13th; oct 16th; Nov 6th, 20th and 22nd – the best year for this species at Landguard this century
Trimley Marshes SWT: oct 22nd
Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant. Amber list. the numbers of both records and sites continued to show a decrease with birds seen in the expected coastal locations:
Significant coastal flocks were very mobile and duplication of recording must be assumed. Peak totals were noted at:
Kessingland: up to eight Jan 1st to Mar 20th; up to ten Nov 17th to Dec 5th
Covehithe: 15, Jan 3rd
Dunwich / Walberswick: nine to 30, Jan 1st to Mar 13th; two to 22, Nov 4th to Dec 31st
Locally common resident. Scarce passage migrant. Red List. the number of sites continues to decrease; however, numbers are increasing in the west of the county:
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Records 48 31 70 74 24 41 Sites 20 16 17 25 19 17
Significant site counts were:
Chelmondiston: up to ten, Jan 13th to June 1st; up to four Nov 18th to Dec 22nd
Haverhill: Ladygate Wood, 14, Nov 6th
Mildenhall Fen: 12, Nov 22nd
Lakenheath Fen RSPB: 13, Jan 12th; 12, feb 17th; 65, Mar 13th; 25, Mar 16th; 13, Dec 13th
Lakenheath Sedge Fen: ten, June 20th in the east of the county singing birds were recorded at two sites in chelmondiston and at east Lane. in the west breeding was confirmed at West row and singing males were at chilton, freckenham and Mildenhall fen. Single birds were at Landguard on May 8th and, rather unexpectedly, on July 2nd.
Common but declining resident. Uncommon passage migrant. Red List. the 2020* BBS figures shown were covid restricted:
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020*
BBS Squares 28 27 30 27 26 10* Birds counted 133 139 138 128 118 64*
counts of 40 or more were:
Ellough: 40, feb 28th
Westhorpe: 50, Mar 7th; 70, Apr 10th; up to 120, Dec 26th to 31st (up to 450 at this site in 2019)
Lavenham: railway Walk, 40, feb 16th
Knettishall Airfield: up to 70, Nov 8th to 29th
Thelnetham: 100, Dec 14th
Timworth: up to 80, oct 12th to Dec 24th
Ampton: 40, Jan 18th
Icklingham: 150, Jan 4th
Black Bourn Valley NR: 40, Dec 10th
An unexpected winter record involved one at Landguard on february 3rd where spring passage between March 7th and May 7th totalled 14 birds, with a maximum of three south on March 7th. there were only three in the autumn at this well-watched site, on october 9th, october 10th and November 13th.
Very rare visitor. Although only present on two days, this bird gave many birders the chance to catch up with this species in Suffolk. it offered exceptional views to those present.
Lowestoft: North Denes, oct 3rd and 4th (A easton, r Holmes) there is an article by rob Holmes earlier in this bird report.
COMMON REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus
Common but declining resident. Uncommon passage migrant. Amber list. the year showed another decrease in both records and sites:
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Records 79 52 448 222 72 62 Sites 47 31 91 52 55 37
Peak counts within the county were:
Easton Bavents: 50, feb 8th; 30, feb 12th; 30, oct 29th
Dunwich: Dingle Marshes, 30, oct 29th
Minsmere: 35, oct 9th
Havergate Island: 40, feb 13th; 30, Sep 28th; 30, oct 15th; 60, oct 17th
Trimley Marshes: 40, oct 18th
Knettishall Airfield: 38, Jan 26th; up to 90, Nov 11th to 29th
Mildenhall Fen: 30, Nov 22nd
Lakenheath Fen RSPB: up to 28, Jan 1st to June 14th
Spring passage at Landguard involved singles on 15 dates between february 3rd and April 10th. Autumn passage at Landguard was similar to the previous year with 37 (31 in 2019, 26 in 2018) noted between September 27th and November 9th and a maximum of four south on october 27th.
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.
there were no reports in 2020.
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.
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING DUCK Dendrocygna viduata
Breeds in sub-Saharan Africa and much of South America.
Livermere Lake: May 17th; June 7th
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).
All the records below are thought to refer to the same pair, except for that at Lakenheath fen.
Minsmere: feb 8th; then two, Apr 14th, May 19th and 21st, Aug 15th, oct 28th and Nov 4th
Thorpeness: two, Aug 15th, flying north, same as Minsmere birds
Aldeburgh Marshes: two, Sep 5th
Snape Wetlands: two, Aug 30th and 31st
Sudbourne Marshes: two, Dec 9th, 16th and 25th
Boyton Marshes: two, July 22nd; single, Aug 2nd, then two Aug 17th, Sep 13th and 30th
Hollesley Marshes: regular pair from Jan 1st to Mar 1st, then June 16th to 24th, July 3rd, July 16th to 27th; oct 14th, Nov 12th, Nov 22nd to 25th; Dec 17th, presumably the same as at Boyton Shingle Street: two, Jan 25th
Lakenheath Fen: June 14th
EMPEROR GOOSE Anser canagica
Breeds north-eastern Siberia and western Alaska. Winters from southern Alaska to northern California.
Levington Creek: June 26th
North-eastern Asia, winters central China. Category E.
Carlton Marshes: three, June 7th and 8th
Snape Wetlands: juv, June 1st; adult June 2nd and 7th; July 14th, 21st and 25th; Aug 29th
Hollesley Marshes: Mar 31st
Parham: single, found on the same large pond for the last four years (and previous Parham records back to 2010), Jan 26th; feb 9th; May 17th
Throughout Australia and Tasmania.
Minsmere: oct 10th to 17th, with second bird, oct 11th; oct 29th
Ramsholt: two, June 30th; July 2nd to 28th; Aug 1st to 7th
Trimley St Martin: Loompit Lake, oct 22nd; Nov 14th
Trimley Marshes: May 14th and 15th; June 14th; Sep 10th; oct 25th and 28th; Nov 4th and 11th
Landguard: west, Apr 17th
Stour Estuary: cattawade, two, Jan 11th; two, feb 7th and 8th; three, Mar 1st; single, Mar 15th. Brantham, two Jan 12th and May 29th. Hogmarsh island (Brantham), Mar 27th; May 4th
Stour Valley (TM03W): precise location not given, but two birds, Aug 4th and 20th. Possibly two of the estuary birds taking a trip up river
Ingham: Jan 8th
Kedington: with Mute Swans on the river Stour, oct 25th
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, D and E.
Landguard: west, Sep 3rd – third site record
Livermere Lake: June 1st and 4th, apparently paired with an egyptian Goose, remained until July 27th at least
Thetford: Bto Nunnery Lake, two apparent hybrids with egyptian Goose, May 9th to 25th; then one, Sep 21st to Dec 1st, with two on Nov 29th
Cavenham Pits: May 31st
Denston: Nov 7th (apparent hybrid with egyptian Goose)
SOUTH AFRICAN SHELDUCK Tadorna cana
Widespread across most of South Africa north tp Botswana and the highlands of central Namibia. Minsmere Scrape: Mar 14th to 20th Havergate Island: female with canada Geese, feb 7th
MUSCOVY DUCK Cairina moschata
Southern Mexico to northern Argentina and Brazil. Category E. Withersfield: sewage works, two, May 5th
WOOD DUCK Aix sponsa
Canada to northern Mexico, Cuba and Bahamas. Categories D and E. Thorpeness Meare (and vicinity): female, Apr 11th, May 30th, June 1st, July 11th, Aug 1st, Sep 30th and oct 12th. on the first two dates it was observed trying to pair up with a drake Mallard.
AMERICAN WIGEON Mareca americana
North America, wintering south to Central America. Categories A and E. Flixton; Gravel Pits, escapee, seen regularly from Apr 5th to May 24th (big release on Apr 5th? – see also red-crested Pochard and ferruginous Duck)
WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAIL Anas bahamensis
Discontinuous distribution in the Caribbean and South America. Lackford Lakes: Nov 8th
Breeds western Europe to central China. Winters to south of breeding range. Categories A, C and E. Flixton: Gravel Pits, up to 26 birds, seen regularly from Apr 5th to May 24th; then 12, June 20th; single, Aug 18th
Weybread: Gravel Pits, pair, Mar 17th and 22nd; female May 16th Cavenham Heath: Jan 4th Lakenheath Fen: male, May 17th
Breeds on the North American prairies. Winters from British Columbia and Great Lakes southward along both coasts to central Mexico. Categories A and E. Flixton: Gravel Pits, up to six birds, seen regularly from Apr 26th to June 20th
Breeds Southern and Eastern Europe to central Asia. Categories A and E
Flixton Gravel Pits: two or three regularly from Apr 5th to June 20th
Endemic to New Zealand.
Flixton: Gravel Pits, Apr 6th
South central Canada to south-eastern USA. Categories A and E. the male with a yellow ring on its left leg at the Wilderness Pond, christchurch Park in ipswich was present from August 2019 into 2020. When not in christchurch Park, it was seen on the upper reaches of the river orwell between West end road and Stoke Bridge, and the lower reaches of the river Gipping. A female was released on february 14th by the ipswich Borough council Parks and evening Star, but did not pair with the male as hoped, but was only interested in the site’s female Mallards! it is not clear if this was the same bird that was seen at Staverton on february 28th.
Blythburgh: present from Dec 2019 – adult male, Jan 1st to Mar 3rd.
Wantisden: Staverton Lakes, adult female feb 28th, Dec 26th to 31st
Ipswich: christchurch Park, long-staying colour-ringed male, Jan 3rd to Mar 5th, May 1st to 18th, and July 22nd to Sep 27th, attracting plenty of press interest, especially when it wandered into a local cosmetics shop one day in January!
Widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa.
Horringer: four, Apr 16th
GOLDEN PHEASANT Chrysolophus pictus
Forests of central China. Category C and E. it appears likely that this species will now remain in the escapees section as there is no longer a self-sustaining population in Suffolk.
Euston: released male, feb 17th and then several dates to Mar 18th. intriguingly a second male was reported on feb 18th
INDIAN PEAFOWL Pavo cristatus
Breeds throughout the Indian subcontinent from eastern Pakistan south to Sri Lanka. Category E. reported from significantly more sites than in 2019 (four), with only two sites in 2017.
Barsham Marshes: May 2nd
Southwold: sewage works, June 9th
Westleton: July 24th
Minsmere: May 20th
Martlesham Creek: May 23rd
Levington Creek: Apr 24th
Witnesham: five, Apr 25th
Hadleigh: cosford Hall, female present from Jan 16th to late May, then left as mysteriously as she had arrived
Chevington: female, July 24th
Livermere Lake: three, Sep 24th
Lakenheath: Maidscross Hill, June 2nd
LAUGHING KOOKABURRA Dacelo novaeguineae
Eastern and south-western Australia. this is thought to be the same bird as was reported from Long Melford in Suffolk Birds 2016 being there in 2015 and 2016 (then not identified to species level) and is thought to have been present since then, showing impressive survival skills through uk winters!
Glemsford: present during much of the year, mainly observed by non-birders
SAKER FALCON Falco cherrug
Breeds from eastern Europe east to Manchuria, winters south to Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia. Category D and E.
Worlington: probable Saker x Peregrine hybrid, May 17th
BUDGERIGAR Melopsittacus undulatus
Drier regions of Australia.
Lowestoft: tonning Street, June 14th Ipswich: ivry Street, Sep 8th
GREY PARROT Psittacus erithacus
Resident in equatorial Africa.
Thetford: Nunnery Lakes reserve, Nov 20th
BRAHMINY STARLING Sturnia pagodarum
Resident in Nepal and India.
Newmarket: adult visited the observer’s garden, July 17th
ATLANTIC CANARY Serinus canaria
Resident on the Canaries, Azores and Madeira.
Minsmere: May 25th
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, D Agombar, A Alam, P Aldous, WeBS counters, P Allard, A Allen, c Allen, N Andrews, Attenborrow, t Austin, M Avery, r Ayers.
S Babbs, M Bacon, t Bailey, A Baird, S Ball, D e Balmer, t Bamber, S Banks, L Barber, P Barker, i Barthorpe, D Basham, B Baston, G Batchelor, e Bathgate, M Beacon, D Beamish, S Bellfield, B Betts, r Biddle, BiNS, Birdline east Anglia, Birdguides, Birdtrack (thousands), S Bishop, r Bleach, k Blowers, W J Brame, L Broadbent, M Broughton, J Brown, D Buckingham, B Buffery, c A Buttle.
N calbrade, B calversbert, D carr, M carr, D & M carter, N carter, M cartwright, i castle, M cavanagh, G cavey, D cawdron, t child, r chittenden (Birdline east Anglia), J clark, G conway, M L cornish, S cossey, c courtney, J cracknell, D crawshaw, L cuthbert, H cutting, L cutting, J cyprus.
c Dale, c Darby, J Davidson, J Davies, J Dawson, P Douch, r Drew, r Duncan, G Durrant.
A c easton, D eaton, eBird, N edwards, D elliott, J evans, S P evans, A excell.
A faiers, D fairhurst, M fairley, J ferguson, M ferris, N fincham, N firman, H fisher, r flicking, r flindall, forest enterprise, L forsyth, S free, t frost, S fryett, c fulcher.
J Gaskell , P Gilson, Gipping Valley Birders, J Glazebrook, c Good, A Goodall, M Gooch, P Gowen,
J H Grant, Green, P Green, A M Gregory, c Gregory, A Gretton, G Grieco, M Grimmer, S Grimwade.
B Harrington, B and M Hart, c Hartwell, r Harvey, r Hastings, W Hatton, J Hawkins, D Hayward, i Henderson, c Herrington, J Higgott, J Hobbs, r Hoblyn, J Hogg, Hollesley Wardens, S J Holloway, P J Holmes, r Holmes, P Holness, P Hooper, A Howe, S V Howell, t Humpage, e Hutchings.
e D Jackson, c J Jakes, S Jarvis, G J Jobson, r Johnson, A Jones, B Jones, c Jones.
e keeble, c keeling, M kemp, J kennerley, P kennerley, t kerridge, A kettle, S kingdon, P kitchener, D kightley.
P c Lack, Lackford Lakes Log, Lackford ringing Group, r land, Landguard Bird observatory, D Langlois, Lavenham Bird club, J Lawley, r Leavett, D lee, P Leman, J Lewis, P Ling, M Linsley, N Livesey, N Loth, k Loveridge, D Lowe, Lowestoft Lounge Lizards.
P Maddison, r Main, J Marchant, A Marfleet, M Marsh, J Mason, N J Mason, t Mayhew, S Mayson, B MacDonald, S McAvoy, r Mcintyre, J Meed, Mickle Mere Log, A Miller, M Miller, P Miller, S Miller-Smith, S Minns, Minsmere rSPB, A V Moon, N J Moran, 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 Nixon, S Noble, N Norman, North Warren rSPB, M Nowers.
N odin, M offord, P oldfield, G oxborough, orfordness report.
e Patrick, B Pearson, D Pearsons, M f Peers, P Phillips, D Ping, S H Piotrowski, S P Piotrowski, B Pleasance, r Plowman, L Potter, A Powell.
A rafinski, J D k rankin, P J ransome, e ranson, N rawlings, S read, L record, t reddit, c regan, J richardson, G riley, A riseborough, A rivett, J A rowlands, rSPB Lakenheath, rSPB Minsmere, rSPB North Warren.
i Salkeld, P Sewell, c Shaw, P Shaw, M Sheard, D Sheppard, N Sherman, N Sibbett, N Sills, G Siskos, B J Small, J Small, P Smith, S Smith, r Snook, P Stancliffe, P Stopher, G Stewart, Suffolk Wildlife trust, W Sutherland..
M taylor, P telford, D thurlow, A tietjen, D tomlinson, L townsend, J trew, trimley Marshes SWt, D tuckey, e turner.
D k underwood.
k Venus, k Verlander, P Vincent, N Vipond, r Vonk.
r Walden, B Wallace, D f Walsh, J Walshe, S Waters, Waveney Bird club, r West, WeBS counters, West Suffolk Birders, D White, P Whiteman, P Whittaker, P Wigens, t Williams, B Wilson, P M Wilson, r Wilton, G Woodard, B Woodhouse, L G Woods, M Wortley, J Wright, M t Wright, r M Wright.
e Zantboer, J Zantboer.
With apologies to anyone we have left out!
DEPARTURES
Date Locality Date Locality
Garganey Mar 11th Lackford oct 27th Lackford osprey Apr 3rd Worlington Dec 6th orwell Bridge Hobby Apr 10th Leiston Nov 2nd Minsmere Stone-curlew Mar 2nd Brecks Nov 14th Sandlings
Little (ringed) Plover Mar 6th Stoke-by-Nayland Sep 27th kessingland Whimbrel Mar 19th Shingle Street oct 5th Benacre Wood Sandpiper Apr 23rd Southwold Sep 1st ramsholt Little tern Apr 27th thorpeness oct 15th Southwold/Minsmere/ thorpeness
Black tern Apr 17th Livermere oct 13th Southwold/Livermere Sandwich tern Mar 23rd Minsmere oct 15th Minsmere/Southwold/ thorpeness
common tern Apr 5th carlton Marshes oct 3rd Southwold
Arctic tern Apr 17th Landguard oct 2nd Landguard Nightjar May 2nd West Stow Sep 6th eastbridge Swift Apr 18th carlton Marshes/ Mildenhall oct 6th kessingland/Dunwich cuckoo Apr 7th the Ling’s forest oct 17th Shingle Street turtle Dove Apr 16th Westleton Sep 16th ramsholt Wryneck Apr 20th Snape/thelnetham oct 4th Lowestoft
Sand Martin Mar 8th ixworth oct 25th Southwold Swallow Mar 3rd Belton Dec 2nd Walberswick/Dunwich House Martin Mar 5th Stradbroke Nov 20th Hen reedbeds Wood Warbler Apr 22nd ixworth thorpe oct 27th Shingle Street Willow Warbler Apr 4th Landguard oct 15th Landguard Sedge Warbler Apr 2nd Boyton Sep 20th trimley Marshes reed Warbler Apr 7th Martlesham oct 9th thorpeness Grasshopper Warbler Apr 4th charsfield oct 4th Landguard Garden Warbler Apr 15th Stradbroke oct 4th Sizewell Lesser Whitethroat Apr 8th Needham Market Nov 5th Lowestoft common Whitethroat Apr 7th Stradbroke oct 10th Landguard/Leiston ring ouzel Mar 8th Martlesham Nov 15th Landguard Spotted flycatcher May 1st Denston/redgrave oct 16th Southwold Nightingale Apr 5th Westleton Sep 1st Bawdsey Pied flycatcher Apr 20th reydon/ Great Waldingfield oct 8th Landguard Whinchat Apr 12th Dunwich oct 22nd Hollesley Wheatear Mar 16th Six locations Nov 4th Havergate yellow Wagtail Apr 9th Aldeburgh Nov 4th Dunwich tree Pipit Apr 6th Brandon oct 10th Landguard
House Martin – latest date was November 29th at Landguard common Whitethroat – earlies date was March 23rd at Lowestoft and Worlingham Whinchat – earliest date was March 26th at Hollesley Wheatear – earliest date was March 13th on orfordness
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SBG/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.
there have been a number of changes in categories from BBrc. So no longer BBrc, but records and descriptions still required by Sorc, the following have moved from 1 to 2: Surf Scoter, Whitebilled Diver, Black-winged Stilt, Lesser yellowlegs, Penduline tit, Arctic Warbler, Blyth’s reed Warbler, red-flanked Bluetail and citrine Wagtail. Moving in the opposite direction from 2 to 1 are the following: Lesser Scaup, ferruginous Duck (again!), kentish Plover, Subalpine Warbler, Ashy-headed Wagtail, red-throated Pipit, Arctic redpoll and rustic Bunting.
As a reminder, having moved from category 3 to 2, are Golden oriole and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (away from the Brandon/Santon Downham area). unusually, there were no additions to the Suffolk list in 2020.
red-legged Partridge 4
Grey Partridge 3 common Quail 3 common Pheasant 4 Golden Pheasant 3
Brent Goose - Dark-Bellied 4
Brent Goose - Pale-Bellied 3 Brent Goose - Black Brant 2 red-breasted Goose 1 canada Goose 4 Barnacle Goose 3 Snow Goose 1 Greylag Goose 4 taiga Bean Goose 2 Pink-footed Goose 3 tundra Bean Goose 3 Greater White-fronted Goose 3 Mute Swan 4 tundra (Bewick’s) Swan 3 Whooper Swan 3 egyptian Goose 3 common Shelduck 4 ruddy Shelduck * 1 Mandarin Duck 4 Baikal teal 1 Garganey 3 Blue-winged teal 1 Northern Shoveler 4 Gadwall 4 eurasian Wigeon 4 American Wigeon 2 Mallard 4 Northern Pintail 4 eurasian teal 4 Green-winged teal 2 red-crested Pochard 3 common Pochard 3 ferruginous Duck 1 ring-necked duck 2 tufted Duck 4 Greater Scaup 3 Lesser Scaup 1 common eider 3 king eider 1 Surf Scoter 2 Velvet Scoter 3 common Scoter 3 Long tailed Duck 3 Bufflehead 1 common Goldeneye 4 Smew 3 red-breasted Merganser 3 Goosander 3 ruddy Duck 2 european Nightjar 3 Alpine Swift 2 common Swift 4 Pallid Swift 1 Pacific Swift 1 Great Bustard 1 Macqueen’s Bustard 1 Little Bustard 1 Great Spotted cuckoo 1
yellow Billed cuckoo 1 common cuckoo 3 Pallas’s Sandgrouse * 1 feral Pigeon 4 Stock Pigeon 4 common Wood Pigeon 4 european turtle Dove 3 oriental turtle Dove 1 eurasian collared Dove 4 Water rail 3 corncrake 2 Little crake 1 Baillons crake* 1 Spotted crake 2 Western Swamphen 1 common Moorhen 4 Allen’s Gallinule* 1 eurasian coot 4 Sandhill crane 1 common crane 3 Little Grebe 4 red-necked Grebe 3 Great crested Grebe 4 Slavonian Grebe 3 Black-necked Grebe 3 eurasian Stone-curlew 3 eurasian oystercatcher 4 Black-winged Stilt 2 Pied Avocet 4 Northern Lapwing 4 Sociable Plover 1 european Golden Plover 4 Pacific Golden Plover 1 American Golden Plover 2 Grey Plover 4 common ringed Plover 4 Little ringed Plover 4 killdeer 1 kentish Plover 1 Greater Sand Plover 1 eurasian Dotterel 2 Whimbrel 4 eurasian curlew 4 Bar-tailed Godwit 3 Black-tailed Godwit 4 ruddy turnstone 4 Great knot 1 red knot 4 ruff 3
Broad-billed Sandpiper 1 Stilt Sandpiper 1 curlew Sandpiper 3 temminck’s Stint 3 Sanderling 3 Dunlin 4 Purple Sandpiper 3 Baird’s Sandpiper 1 Little Stint 3 White-rumped Sandpiper 2 Buff-breasted Sandpiper 2 Pectoral Sandpiper 3 Semipalmated Sandpiper 1 Long-billed Dowitcher 1
eurasian Woodcock 3 Jack Snipe 3 Great Snipe 1 common Snipe 4 terek Sandpiper 1 Wilson’s Phalarope 1 red-necked Phalarope 2 Grey Phalarope 2 common Sandpiper 3 Spotted Sandpiper 1 Green Sandpiper 3 Lesser yellowlegs 2 common redshank 4 Marsh Sandpiper 1 Wood Sandpiper 3 Spotted redshank 3 common Greenshank 3 Greater yellowlegs 1 cream-coloured courser * 1 collared Pratincole 1 oriental Pratincole 1 Black-winged Pratincole 1 Black-legged kittiwake 4 ivory Gull 1 Sabine’s Gull 2 Slender-billed Gull 1 Black-headed Gull 4 Little Gull 3 ross’s Gull 1 Laughing Gull 1 franklin’s Gull 1 Audouin’s Gull 1 Mediterranean Gull 3 common Gull 4 ring-billed Gull 2 Great Black-backed Gull 4 Glaucous Gull 3 iceland Gull 3 european Herring Gull 4 American Herring Gull 1 caspian Gull 3 yellow-legged Gull 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull 4 Gull-billed tern 1 caspian tern 1 Lesser-crested tern 1 Sandwich tern 4 Little tern 4 Sooty tern 1 roseate tern 3 common tern 4 Arctic tern 3 forster’s tern 1 Whiskered tern 1 White-winged tern 2 Black tern 3 Great Skua 3 Pomarine Skua 3 Artic Skua 3 Long-tailed Skua 3 Little Auk 3 common Guillemot 3 razorbill 3
Black Guillemot 2
Atlantic Puffin 3 red-throated Diver 3 Black-throated Diver 2 Great Northern Diver 3 White-billed Diver 2 Black-browed Albatross 1 european Storm-petrel 2 Leach’s Storm-petrel 3 Northern fulmar 4 cory’s Shearwater 2 Sooty Shearwater 3 Great Shearwater 2 Manx Shearwater 3 Balearic Shearwater 2 Black Stork 1 White Stork 2 Glossy ibis 3 Northern Gannet 3 european Shag 3 Great cormorant 4 eurasian Spoonbill 3 eurasian Bittern 3 American Bittern 1 Little Bittern 1 Black-crowned Night-heron 2 Squacco Heron 1 Western cattle egret 3 Grey Heron 4 Purple Heron 2 Great egret 3 Little egret 3 Western osprey 3 european Honey Buzzard 2 Greater Spotted eagle 1 eurasian Sparrowhawk 3 Northern Goshawk 2 Marsh Harrier 3 Hen Harrier 3 Pallid Harrier 1 Montagu’s Harrier 2 red kite 3 Black kite 2 White-tailed eagle 2 rough-legged Buzzard 2 common Buzzard 3 Western Barn owl 3 european Scops owl * 1 Snowy owl 1 tawny owl 3 Little owl 3 tengmalm’s owl* 1 Long-eared owl 3 Short-eared owl 3 eurasian Hoopoe 3 european roller 1 common kingfisher 3 european Bee-eater 2 eurasian Wryneck 3 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 4 Green Woodpecker 4 Lesser kestrel 1
common kestrel 4 red-footed falcon 2 eleonora’s falcon 1 Merlin 3 eurasian Hobby 3 Gyr falcon 1 Peregrine falcon 3 ring-necked Parakeet 3 red-backed Shrike 3 isabelline/Daurian Shrike 1 Lesser Grey Shrike 1 Great Grey Shrike 3 Southern Grey Shrike 1 Woodchat Shrike 2 red-eyed Vireo 1 eurasian Golden oriole 2 eurasian Jay 4 eurasian Magpie 4 Nutcracker 1 red-billed chough * 2 Western Jackdaw 4 rook 4
carrion crow 4 Hooded crow 2 Northern raven 3 Bohemian Waxwing 3 coal tit 4 crested tit 2 Marsh tit 3 Willow tit 2 eurasian Blue tit 4 Great tit 4 eurasian Penduline tit 2 Bearded reedling 3 Woodlark 4 eurasian Skylark 4 crested Lark 1 Shore Lark 3 Greater Short-toed Lark 2 Sand Martin 4 Barn Swallow 4 House Martin 4 red-rumped Swallow 2 cliff Swallow 1 cetti’s Warbler 3 Long-tailed tit 4 Wood Warbler 3 Western Bonelli’s Warbler 1 Hume’s Leaf Warbler 1 yellow-browed Warbler 3 Pallas’s Leaf Warbler 2 radde’s Warbler 2 Dusky Warbler 2 Willow Warbler 4 common chiffchaff 4 (Siberian chiffchaff) 2 iberian chiffchaff 1 two-barred Warbler 1 Greenish Warbler 2 Arctic Warbler 2 Great reed Warbler 1 Garden Warbler 4 Aquatic Warbler 2
Sedge Warbler 4
Paddyfield Warbler 1 Blyth’s reed Warbler 2 eurasian reed Warbler 4 Marsh Warbler 2 Booted Warbler 1 eastern olivaceous Warbler 1 Melodious Warbler 2 icterine Warbler 2 Lanceolated Warbler 1 Grasshopper Warbler 3 river Warbler 1 Savi’s Warbler 1 Blackcap 4 Garden Warbler 4 Barred Warbler 3 Lesser Whitethroat 4 common Whitethroat 4 Dartford Warbler 3 Marmora’s Warbler 1 Spectacled Warbler 1 Subalpine Warbler 1 Sardinian Warbler 1 common firecrest 3 Goldcrest 4 eurasian Wren 4 eurasian Nuthatch 3 eurasian treecreeper 3 Short-toed treecreeper 1 rosy Starling 2 common Starling 4 White’s thrush 1 ring ouzel 3 common Blackbird 4 fieldfare 4 redwing 4 Song thrush 4 Mistle thrush 4 Spotted flycatcher 3 european robin 4 Siberian Blue robin 1 Bluethroat 2 thrush Nightingale 1 common Nightingale 3 red-flanked Bluetail 2 european Pied flycatcher 3 collared flycatcher 1 red-breasted flycatcher 2 Black redstart 3 common redstart 3 Whinchat 3 european Stonechat 3 Siberian Stonechat 1 Stejneger’s Stonechat 1 Northern Wheatear 3 isabelline Wheatear 1 Desert Wheatear 1 Pied Wheatear 1 White-crowned Wheatear 1 Dipper 2 House Sparrow 4 Spanish Sparrow 1 eurasian tree Sparrow 3
Alpine Accentor 1
Dunnock 4
Western yellow Wagtail 3
Blue-headed Wagtail 3
Grey-headed Wagtail 2
Black-headed Wagtail 1 Ashy-headed Wagtail 1 eastern yellow Wagtail 1 citrine Wagtail 2 Grey Wagtail 3 Pied Wagtail 4
White Wagtail 3 richard’s Pipit 2 Blyth’s Pipit 1 tawny Pipit 2 Meadow Pipit 4 tree Pipit 3 olive-backed Pipit 2
red-throated Pipit 1 Water Pipit 3 rock Pipit 3 chaffinch 4 Brambling 3 Hawfinch 3 eurasian Bullfinch 3 trumpeter finch 1 common rosefinch 2 european Greenfinch 4 twite 3 common Linnet 4 common redpoll 3 Lesser redpoll 3 Arctic redpoll 1 Parrot crossbill 2 red crossbill 3 two-barred crossbill 1
* 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.
european Goldfinch 4 european Serin 2 european Siskin 4 Lapland Bunting 3 Snow Bunting 3 corn Bunting 3 yellowhammer 4
Pine Bunting 1 ortolan Bunting 2 cretzschmar’s Bunting 1 cirl Bunting 2 Little Bunting 2 rustic Bunting 1 yellow-breasted Bunting 1 Black-headed Bunting 1 reed Bunting 4 White-throated Sparrow 1 Lark Sparrow 1
4 Specific records – records of breeding, large counts, earliest/latest dates, unusual inland records or migration/weather-related movements requested.
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
tM450560
Alde estuary tM3957-4450
Aldringham common tM458606
Aldringham Walks tM4661
Alton Water tM1436
Ampton Water tL8770
Barham Pits tM1251
Barnhamcross common tL8681
Barsham Marshes tM4090
Barton Mere tL910668
Bawdsey Marshes tM340390
Belle Vue Gardens, Lowestoft tM550944
Benacre Broad tM530828
Benacre Pits tM535842
Bentley tM120385
Berner’s Heath tL7976
Blundeston Marshes tM5095
Blyth estuary tM4575-4776
Botany Bay tL675854
Bowbeck tL9475 Boxford tL9640
Boyton Marshes tM3946
Brackenbury cliff, felixstowe tM322360
Brent eleigh tL943480
Breydon Water tM4706-5107
Bromeswell tM3050
carlton Marshes tM4991 campsea Ashe tM3256 castle Marshes tM475915
cattawade Marshes tM0932
cavenham Heath tL755725
cavenham Pits tL763715
christchurch Park, ipswich tM164454
cobbold’s Point tM315349
combs Lane Water Meadows tM043581 cornard Mere tL887391
corton railway line tM537579 corton sewage works tM539982 cosford Hall, Hadleigh tM013446 cove Bottom tM4979 covehithe Broad tM524808
Deben estuary tM2850-3238
Dingle Marshes tM4872
Dunwich Heath tM4768 eastbridge tM452660 east Lane, Bawdsey tM354401 easton Broad tM518794 elveden tL8279 erwarton Bay tM2333
euston Lake/Park tL9079 fagbury cliff tM270346 falkenham Marshes tM3138 felixstowe ferry tM3237 fisher row tM507927 flixton GP tM3187 foxhole Heath tL735776 fressingfield tM260775 fritton Decoy/Lake tM4800 frostenden tM4781 Gedgrave Marshes tM410480 Gifford’s Hall tM0137 Gipping Great Wood tM075625 Glemsford tL8348 Groton tL9642 Gunton Warren tM5495 Hardwick Heath tL854625 Hare’s creek, Shotley tM244360 Haughley Park tM000620 Havergate island tM4147 Hazlewood Marshes tM435573 Hengrave Hall tL824686 Hen reedbeds tM470770 Herringfleet Marshes tM468977 Herringswell tL7169 Hinderclay fen tM025788 Holbrook Bay tM1733 Hollesley Marshes tM375450 Holywells Park, ipswich tM175435 Homersfield Gravel Pits tM287855 icklingham Plains tL7573 ilketshall St Lawrence tM3883 ipswich Golf course tM207433 ipswich Wet Dock tM169439 kedington tL7046 kentwell Hall, Long Melford tL863479 kessingland Levels tM530850 kessingland sewage works tM533857 king’s fleet tM310379 king’s forest, the tL8173 kirton creek tM292417 knettishall Heath tL952804 Lackford Lakes tL800710 Lake Lothing tM5392 Lakenheath fen tL7085 Lakenheath Warren tL7580 Lakenheath Washes tL7085 Landguard tM2831 Lavenham railway walk tL9049
Layham pits
tM021402
Leathes Ham tM530933
Leiston Abbey tM444643
Levington creek tM237383
Levington Marina tM246380
Lineage Wood, Lavenham tM890485
Livermere Lake tL882716
Long Melford churchyard tL868468
Long Melford sewage works tL855459
Loompit Lake tM255377
Lound Waterworks tG501007
Lowestoft Harbour tM5592
Market Weston fen tL980787
Martlesham creek tM2647
Mayday farm tL7983
Mickle Mere tL937699
Middleton tM4267
Minsmere tM4766
Minsmere Levels tM4667
Mutford tM4988
Needham Market Lake tM094548
Ness Point tM555936
North Denes, Lowestoft tM551951
Northfield Wood tM024600
North Warren tM4658
Nowton Park tL866615
Nunnery Lakes tL872815
old Newton tM0562
olley’s farm tL824815
orfordness tM4654-3743
orwell Bridge tM175413
orwell estuary tM1641-2534
outney common, Bungay tM3290
oulton Broad tM5192
oxley Marshes tM370435
Pakefield Beach tM5389
Pakenham fen tL930680
Peewit Hill tM289338
Pipps ford tM108538
Potter’s Bridge tM509791
Puttockshill tL898695
ramsey Wood tM065430
ramsholt Marshes tM298423
redgrave and Lopham fen tM046797
redgrave Lake tM055767
reydon Marshes tM485766
Santon Downham tL818878
Sedge fen, Lakenheath tL6784
Shelley tM0338
Shingle Street tM365425
Shotley Marshes tM248350
Shottisham creek tM3043
Sizewell Beach tM4763
Sizewell SWt tM460640
Slaughden tM464555
Snape Wetland tM385585
Sole Bay tM5177
Sotterley Park tM460850
Southwold Boating Lake tM510769
Southwold town Marshes tM500754
Spinny Marsh tM292428
Staverton thicks tM3650
Sternfield tM3961
Stonham Aspal tM1359
Stour estuary tM1032-2433
Stradishall Airfield tL7452 Stratton Hall tM254388
Stutton Mill tM133330
Sudbourne Marshes tM4553
Suffolk Water Park tM120485
Sutton common tM3247
Sutton Heath tM308478 tangham tM355485 temple Bridge, cavenham tL758728 theberton Grange tM438652 thetford Heath tL845800 thorington Street reservoir tM012352 thorpeness common tM475604 thorpeness Meare tM4659 tinker’s Marshes tM484760 trimley Marshes tM2635 trinity Hall farm, Moulton tL693651 tuddenham Heath tL7472 tuddenham St Martin tM1948 ufford tM300525 undley tL6981 upper Abbey farm, Leiston tM453646
Walberswick NNr tM4674
Waldingfield airfield tL8943
Waldringfield Pit tM274438
Walpole tM3674
Wangford Warren tL758842 Westleton Heath tM4569
West Stow country Park tL800713 Westwood Lodge tM465737 Westwood Marshes tM4773 Wetherden tM0062
Weybread GPs tM2481 Wherstead Strand tM173408 Wilford Bridge tM291501 Wolves Wood tM055440 Wordwell tL828720 Workhouse Green tL9037
Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maura
Hollesley Marshes, bird from 2019 until Jan 4th
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis Havergate island, bird from 2019 until feb 13th
Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus Minsmere rSPB, 2cy+ male in song, Apr 19th to July 17th (t Williams et al.)
Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus
carlton Marshes SWt, 2cy+ male in song, May 9th (J & P Napthine)
Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides North Warren rSPB, 2cy+ male in song, June 2nd to 10th (r Hughes et al. per Suffolk recorder)
Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus
Minsmere rSPB and Sizewell, 6cy+, July 8th (M L cornish, J H Grant et al.)
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia
Minsmere rSPB, 3cy+, July 10th (S Abbott, k Musgrove)
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Alton Water, 3cy+, July 29th (A Jones per Suffolk recorder)
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica
Alton Water, £cy+, Aug 4th to 16th (A Gregory et al. per Suffolk recorder)
Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva
Blyth estuary, 2cy+, Aug 7th, (B J Small)
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica
trimley Marshes, 3cy+, Aug 13th (e & J Zantboer)
Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris
Lowestoft, 8cy+, Sep 28th (G Hawes)
Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris
Southwold – also seen past Sizewell and thorpeness, 8cy+, Sep 28th (c fulcher, B J Small et al.)
Booted Warbler Iduna caligata
Sizewell. 1cy+, oct 3rd and 4th (D fairhurst et al.)
Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica
Lowestoft, North Denes, 1cy, oct 3rd and 4th, (A easton, r J Holmes et al.)
Steppe Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor pallidirostris
Benacre, 1cy, oct 4th to 7th (c A Buttle, A Moon et al.)
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis
Dunwich, corporation Marshes, 1cy, Nov 4th to 16th (B J Small et al.)
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis
Dunwich, corporation Marshes, 2cy+ male, Nov 5th to 16th (B J Small et al.)
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Dingle Marshes, 2cy+, Nov 7th to 19th (J A rowlands et al.)
Hume’s Warbler Phylloscopus humei
Lowestoft, Gunton Meadows, 1cy+, Nov 8th (J Wright et al.)
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis
carlton Marshes, 2cy+ sang, Nov 24th to Dec 6th (J H Grant et al.)
Accepted Cat E (not thought to be of wild origin)
Hooded Merganser Lothodytes cucullatus
Butley, Wantisden Pools, 1cy+, Dec 26th to May 26th 2021 (c Shaw et al.)
Alpine Swift -
American Golden PloverAmerican WigeonArctic redpoll 203
Arctic Skua 126
Arctic tern 124
Avocet 97
Baird’s SandpiperBalearic Shearwater 133 Barn owl 146
Barnacle Goose 66 Barred Warbler 177
Bar-tailed Godwit 105 Bean Goose 68 Bearded tit 161
Bee-eater 149 Bewick’s Swan 71 Bittern 136
Black-browed Albatross 131 Black kite 145 Black redstart 189 Black StorkBlack tern 125 Black-throated Diver 130 Blackbird 183 Blackcap 175
Black-headed Gull 113 Black-necked Grebe 95 Black-tailed Godwit 104 Black-winged Stilt 96 Bluethroat 188 Blue tit 160 Blue-winged tealBlyth’s reed Warbler 173 Brambling 200 Brent Goose 64 Buff-breasted SandpiperBullfinch 201 Buzzard 146 canada Goose 65 carrion crow 157 caspian Gull 121 cattle egret 137 cetti’s Warbler 166 chaffinch 200 chiffchaff 171 citrine Wagtailcoal tit 159 collared Dove 90 crossbill 204 common crane 92 common Gull 115 common rosefinch 201 common Sandpiper 108
common Scoter 82 common tern 124 coot 92 cormorant 135 corn Bunting 208 corncrakecory’s Shearwater 131 crossbill 204 cuckoo 88 curlew 107 curlew Sandpiper 103 Dartford Warbler 178 Desert WheatearDipperDotterel 100 Dunlin 103 Dunnock 195 Dusky Warbler 170 eider 82 egyptian Goose 69 feral Pigeon 88 ferruginous Duckfieldfare 184 firecrest 178 fulmar 131 Gadwall 75 Gannet 134 Garden Warbler 176 Garganey 73 Glaucous Gull 117 Glossy ibis 135 Goldcrest 179 Golden Pheasant 63 Golden oriole 155 Golden Plover 98 Goldeneye 84 Goldfinch 205 Goosander 85 Goshawk 141 Grasshopper Warbler 175
Great Black-backed Gull 116 Great-crested Grebe 94
Great egret 138 Greater yellowlegs 109 Great Grey Shrike 155 Great Northern Diver 130 Great reed Warbler 172 Great Skua 125 Great SnipeGreat-spotted Woodpecker 150 Great tit 161 Green Sandpiper 108 Green-winged teal 79 Green Woodpecker 150
Greenfinch 202
Greenish Warbler 172
Greenshank 109
Grey Heron 137 Grey Partridge 62 Grey Phalarope 111 Grey Plover 99 Grey Wagtail 196 Greylag Goose 67 Gull-billed tern 121 Guillemot 127 Hawfinch 200 Hen Harrier 143 Herring Gull 117
Hobby 152 Honey Buzzard 140 Hooded crow 157 Hoopoe 148 House Martin 165 House Sparrow 194 Hume’s Warbler 168 iceland Gull 117 icterine Warbler 175 isabelline ShrikeJack Snipe 111 Jackdaw 156 Jay 155 kentish Plover 100 kestrel 151 kingfisher 148 kittiwake 113 knot 100 Lapland Longspur 207 Lapwing 98 Leach’s Petrel 131 Lesser Black-backed Gull 120 Lesser Grey Shrike 155 Lesser redpoll 203 Lesser ScaupLesser-spotted Woodpecker 149 Lesser White-frontLesser Whitethroat 177 Lesser yellowlegsLinnet 203
Little Auk 127
Little Bittern -
Little BuntingLittle crakeLittle egret 138
Little Grebe 93
Little Gull 114
Little owl 147
Little (ringed) Plover 100
Little Stint 102
Little tern 122
Long-billed Dowitcher -
Long-eared owl 147
Long-tailed Duck 83
Long-tailed Skua 127
Long-tailed tit 167
Magpie 156 Mallard 76 Mandarin Duck 72
Manx Shearwater 132
Marsh Harrier 141 Marsh SandpiperMarsh tit 159
Marsh Warbler 174 Meadow Pipit 197
Mealy redpollMediterranean Gull 114 Melodious Warbler 174 Merlin 151 Mistle thrush 181 Montagu’s Harrier 144 Moorhen 91
Mute Swan 70 Night Heron 137 Nightingale 187 Nightjar 86 Nuthatch 180 olive-backed Pipitortolan Buntingosprey 138 oystercatcher 96
Pacific Golden Plover 99 Pallas’s Warbler 168
Pallid HarrierPallid SwiftPectoral Sandpiper 103 Penduline tit 161 Peregrine 152 Pheasant 63
Pied flycatcher 188 Pied Wagtail 196 Pink-foot 66 Pintail 77 Pochard 79
Pomarine Skua 126 Puffin 128
Purple Heron 137 Purple Sandpiper 103 Quail 62 radde’s Warbler 169 raven 157 razorbill 128 red kite 144 red-backed Shrike 154 red-breasted flycatcher 189 red-breasted Goosered-breasted Merganser 86
red-crested Pochard 79 red-flanked Bluetailred-footed falcon 151 red-legged Partridge 62 red-necked Grebe 94 red-necked Phalarope 111 red-rumped Swallow 166 redshank 110 redstart 190 red-throated Diver 129 red-throated Pipitredwing 184 reed Bunting 209 reed Warbler 173 richard’s Pipit 197 ring ouzel 182 ring-billed Gullringed Plover 99 ring-necked Duckrobin 186 rock Pipit 199 rollerrook 157 roseate tern 123 rose-ringed Parakeet 154 rosy Starling 181 rough-legged Buzzard 146 ruddy Duckruddy Shelduck 211 ruff 104 rustic Bunting 209 Sabine’s Gull 113 Sand Martin 164 Sanderling 101 Sandwich tern 121 Savi’s Warbler 175 Scaup 80 Sedge Warbler 172 Semipalmated SandpiperSerin 206
Shag 134 Shelduck 72 Shore LarkShort-eared owl 148 Short-toed Lark 163 Shoveler 74 Siskin 206
Skylark 162 Slavonian Grebe 95 Smew 85 Snipe 112 Snow Bunting 207 Snow GooseSong thrush 185 Sooty Shearwater 131 Sparrowhawk 140 Spoonbill 135
Spotted crake 91 Spotted flycatcher 186 Spotted redshank 109 Starling 182 Stock Dove 88 Stonechat 192 Stone-curlewStorm Petrel 131 Subalpine WarblerSurf ScoterSwallow 164 Swift 88 tawny owl 147 tawny Pipitteal 78 temminck’s Stint 102 tree Pipit 198 tree Sparrow 195 treecreeper 181 tufted Duck 80 turnstone 111 turtle Dove 89 twite 202 Water Pipit 199 Water rail 91 Waxwing 158 Wheatear 193 Whimbrel 106 Whinchat 191 Whiskered ternWhite-fronted Goose 69 White Stork 133 White-rumped SandpiperWhite-tailed eagle 145 Whitethroat 177 White Wagtail 197 White-winged (Black) tern 124 Whooper Swan 71 Wigeon 75 Willow tit 159 Willow Warbler 170 Woodchat Shrike 155 Wood Lark 162 Wood Sandpiper 109 Wood Warbler 167 Woodcock 112 Woodpigeon 89 Wren 179 Wryneck 149 yellowhammer 208 yellow-browed Warbler 168 yellow-legged Gull 119 yellow Wagtail 195
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 Biodiversity Information Service.
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 holds two Members’ evenings a year in Spring and Autumn.
The Suffolk Naturalists’ Society offers a joint membership with the Suffolk Bird 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 visit www.sns.org.uk
Editorial: Nick Mason 5
Review of national and county rarities in Suffolk in 2020: Nick Mason 8
Notes on the first species in the systematic list: Philip Murphy................................................................. 11
Weather in a changing climate: Edward Jackson ....................................................................................... 12
Spoonbills on Havergate Island – the follow-up: Mike Marsh ................................................................... 16
Sand Martin colony during the pandemic: Andrew Moon 21
Common Scoter overland migration: Justin Zantboer 29
Minsmere and Me: John Grant 32
Garden Birds over the years: Richard Attenborrow .................................................................................... 37
The Alton Water Gull-billed Tern: Andrew Gregory ................................................................................... 41
The Sooty Tern at Minsmere and Sizewell: John Grant .............................................................................. 43
Booted Warbler at Sizewell: Dave Fairhurst (and Adam Rowlands) 45
Rustic Bunting in Lowestoft: Rob Holmes 48
Greater Yellowlegs at Dunwich: Adam Rowlands 50
Steppe Grey Shrike at Benacre: Andrew Moon 53
The 2020 Suffolk Bird Report
Introduction 60 Systematic List 62 Appendices 210
List of Contributors ............................................................................................................................... 214 Earliest and Latest Dates of Summer Migrants ..................................................................................... 216
A Guide to Recording Birds in Suffolk 217 Gazetteer 222
Rare Birds in Suffolk 2020: provided by Craig Fulcher 224 Index of species: 226
