December
December 22nd
A Bullfinch in Bromeswell Green woodland and a Grey Wagtail flying down river.
December 21st
On Melton Match Lake Tufted Duck, a Cormorant flying over, Mute Swan, Coot and 3 Gadwalls - 2 males and 1 female.
The Water Rail was again in the reeds near Wilford Bridge.
December 20th
Along Brick Kiln Lane footpath a Kestrel, 1 male Bullfinch and a Wood Mouse were noted.
December 19th
1 Common Sandpiper on the Deben at Melton.
On Melton Match Lake 1 male Pochard, Tufted Duck and 1 Great Crested Grebe.
In the reedbed at Bromeswell Green a Water Rail and a Fieldfare flew over.
December 16th
1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Kingfisher on the Deben at Melton.
December 12th
1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Kingfisher on the Deben at Melton.
December 5th
At Melton along the Deben 1 Common Sandpiper and 11 Avocet.
Om Melton Match Lake 1 female Goldeneye.
November
November 22nd
In a field near Sutton Heath along the Bawdsey Road a large flock of mixed larks, buntings and finches including 100+ Linnet, 10+ Goldfinch, 10+ Chaffinch, 5+ Yellowhammer and 20+ Skylarks.
On the farm reservoir near Lower Farm, Sutton 4 Little Grebes and 2 Tufted Ducks.
From Stonner Point on the Deben Shelduck, Great Crested Grebe, Wigeon, Redshank, 4 Brent Geese, Great Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Cormorant, Turnstone and c.20 Curlew with some in an adjacent arable field.
November 21st
1 Greenshank and 1 Common Sandpiper on the Deben at Melton, along with Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing. Turnstone, 8 Knot, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Wigeon, Shelduck, Cormorant and Canada Goose. A Kingfisher was on the Ufford side of Wilford Bridge and a Reed Bunting.
At Melton Match Lake 2 Tufted Ducks, 1 Little Grebe, Moorhen, Coot and Mute Swan.
November 11th
Another colour banded Black-tailed Godwit on the Deben at Melton, this time right upper leg yellow/right lower leg white and on the upper left leg a green band above a red band.
November 9th
6 Avocets between Woodbridge and the sewage works along the Deben and the same colour banded Black-tailed Godwit form the 1st was seen again.
November 4th
On the Deben at Melton Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, 20 Turnstone, Redshank, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, 3 Grey Plover, Herring Gull, 1 Common Sandpiper, Little Grebe, Cormorant and a Grey Heron.
November 1st
At Melton along the Deben a colour ringed Black-tailed Godwit was found - on the left tibia two bands, green above with red below and on the right tibia two bands again, yellow above with white below with two black Xs on it.
October
October 28th
Along the Deben at Melton a nice selection of waders including 5 Avocets, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Knot, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Lapwing and 2 Common Sandpipers along with Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Moorhen, 2 Little Egrets, Grey Heron, Herring Gull, Jackdaw, Crow, Woodpigeon, Jay, Starling and Pheasant. A Roe Deer was noted on the far side of the river behind the breached area.
October 3rd
At Melton along the Deben 10 Turnstone, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Egrets, Mute Swan, Cormorant, Mallard, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Curlew, Redshank, 1 Kingfisher, Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Herring Gull, Grey Heron, Wigeon, Green Woodpecker, Black-headed Gull, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe and Pied Wagtail.
September
September 27th
At Sutton from Lower Farm 1 female Kestrel, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard. Nearby on the Deben 5 Grey Plover, 30+ Curlew, 50+ Redshank, Black-headed Gull and Herring Gull. On the farm reservoir Pochard, Tufted Duck and Little Grebe.
September 21st
Similar to the 19th with 2 Snipe, 1 Greenshank, 10 Ringed Plover, 1 Ruff and a Common Seal near Wilford Bridge.
September 19th
On the Deben at Melton 25+ Dunlin, 8 Oystercatcher, 200+ Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Wigeon, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 25 Cormorants, 50+ Redshank and 3 Knot.
September 15th
The juvenile Curlew Sandpiper present since the end of August was seen on various dates up to the 15th. 5 Wigeon were present.
August
Few records for August
During the month at Melton along the Deben there was an influx of waders including up to 15 Dunlin, 20+ Ringed Plover, 30+ Lapwing, a maximum of 7 Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpipers, 50+ Redshank, 50+ Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Curlew and 2 Snipe. Highlights were a female Ruff on three dates, an adult Curlew Sandpiper on the 23rd and a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper on the 31st. Other birds included a Wigeon, a maximum of 5 Grey Herons, 10+ Cormorants, up to 8 Little Egrets and Shelduck.
July
No records for July
June
June 9th
At Melton along the Deben 2 Lapwings, 2 Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gull, Canada Goose, 2 Turtle Doves, Green Woodpecker, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Greenfinch, Pied Wagtail. Rook, Jackdaw, Cormorant, Blue Tit, Little Egret, Bullfinch and Chiffchaff.
June 8th
At Melton along the Deben a Cuckoo and singing Reed Warbler.
May
May 26th
At Stonner Point on the Deben at Sutton 2 Little Terns, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Curlew, Shelduck, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Goldfinch and Grey Heron.
On the reservoir near to Lower Farm, Sutton Tufted Duck, Mallard, Lapwing, Greylag Goose, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull and Chaffinch.
May 13th
At Sutton along the byway down to Lower Farm Skylark, Greenfinch, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Red-legged Partridge, Starling and Chaffinch with Shelduck, Tufted Duck and Mallard on the farm reservoir.
At Melton Match Lake Swift House Martin, Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan and 2 Common Terns.
May 12th
Another visit to Sutton Heath and Common with Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Tree Pipit, Linnet, Woodlark, Wheatear, Oystercatcher and Nightingale.
May 11th
At Bromeswell Green Whitethroat, Nightingale, Sedge Warbler, Pheasant and Woodpigeon. At Bromeswell Heath at the golf course singing Nightingale.
May 9th
Deben at Melton and Melton Match Lake 3 Greenshank, the 2 Common Terns again, Grey Heron, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Swift, Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin.
May 5th
A visit to Sutton Common and Heath with Woodlark, Tree Pipit, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Green Woodpecker, Rook, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon and Linnet.
May 4th
A walk along the Deben from the picnic site to Wilford Bridge with sightings of 2 Common Terns, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Canada Goose, Herring Gull, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gull, Mallard, Moorhen, Blue Tit, Crow, Woodpigeon and singing Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Reed Warbler.
At Melton Match Lake Swift, Swallow, and House Martin.
At Bromeswell Green Nightingale, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Cuckoo.
May 3rd
A walk along the Deben from Woodbridge to Melton with 2 Common Sandpipers, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Greenshank, 2 Common Terns and singing Turtle Dove, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler.
April
April 28th
Another early walk along the river footpath from Woodbridge to Melton with Grey Heron, Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit. Singing warblers included Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler and the reeling Grasshopper Warbler again.
At Melton Match Lakes Swift, Swallow and House Martin flying around with Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Mute swan and Mallard.
At Bromeswell Green singing Nightingale, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler and Chiffchaff.
April 27th
A walk along the river footpath from Woodbridge to Melton with the usual species including on the river Little Egret, Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit. Towards Melton close to the sewage works singing Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler and a reeling Grasshopper Warbler.
3 Swifts flew over Melton Match Lakes.
At Sutton Hoo Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Treecreeper, Green Woodpecker and Nightingale.
April 26th
At Bromeswell Green singing Nightingale, Chiffchaff and Blackcap.
April 25th
Another walk around Sutton Common with Chiffchaff, Skylark, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Greenfinch, Willow Warbler, Treecreeper, Green Woodpecker, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Kestrel, Rook, Jackdaw and Oystercatcher.
April 14th
Usual species along the Deben at Melton including 1 Greenshank and 1 Reed Warbler singing.
April 13th
A walk around Sutton Heath and Common with Skylark, 1 male Wheatear near the sewage works, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Goldcrest, Yellowhammer, Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warblers singing and Green Woodpecker.
April 11th
The Common Sandpiper was again by Wilford Bridge.
April 8th
12 Swallows over Melton Match Lake.
April 5th
A female Sparrowhawk with a captured Woodpigeon was in Cogent car park, Dock Lane, Melton.
March
March 31st
The Common and Green Sandpipers were again present at their regular haunt by Wilford Bridge.
March 30th
At Bromeswell Green 2 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Chiffchaff singing.
March 24th
The Common Sandpiper was present on the Deben by Wilford Bridge and a Chiffchaff was singing on the other side of the river in the trees by the walkway through the reeds.
March 22nd
A Chiffchaff was singing down Brick Kiln Lane.
March 16th
During a walk from Woodbridge to Melton along the river path the usual species were encountered along with 1 Avocet and 3 Knot.
A Small Tortoiseshell was seen along Saddlemakers Lane.
March 15th
The Common Sandpiper was on the Deben at Melton.
March 11th
A visit to Sutton Heath where 2 Woodlarks were present along with 11 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, Blue Tit and Coal Tit. A dead Badger was by the side of the Hollesley road.
February
February 21st
The Common Sandpiper was present on the Deben again near to Wilford Bridge along with a Snipe.
February 17th
The Common and Green Sandpipers were present on the Deben again near to Wilford Bridge.
February 15th
Along the Deben between the picnic site and Wilford Bridge, Redshank, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Curlew, 61 Wigeon, Common Gull, Pied Wagtail, Mallard, Jackdaw, Rook, Shelduck, Canada Goose, 1 Little Egret, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Little Grebe and Crow.
At Melton Match Lake 2 Cormorants, 1 Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Coot, Moorhen and Mallard.
February 14th
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard in the Burkes Wood behind Melton recreation ground and nearby in Hutchinson's Meadow a Green Woodpecker.
February 8th
During a walk along the river path from Martlesham Creek to Woodbridge birds present were Lapwing, Redshank, Dunlin, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Wigeon, Teal, Shelduck, Mallard, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting and Grey Plover.
February 7th
On the Deben by Wilford Bridge 1 Common and 1 Green Sandpiper present along with a Snipe and 8 Little Grebes.
February 1st
Lots of the usual waders and ducks on the Deben, also a Green Sandpiper and a Little Egret, with a female Sparrowhawk flying over. On Melton Match Lake the female Aythya hybrid was present again with Tufted Duck and Pochard. Also three Great Crested Grebes with a pair doing their amazing courtship display, upright with pond weed in their mouths.
January
January 31st
The usual species on the Deben including 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Green Sandpiper.
January 26th
The 'Redhead' Aythya hybrid was present on Melton Match Lakes along with Cormorant, Coot, Tufted Duck and Mute Swan
January 25th
The Common Sandpiper again and 1 Snipe on the Deben.
On the grazing meadows past Wilford Bridge 3 Fieldfare, 1 Curlew, 2 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 50-60 Lapwings, Starling and Black-headed Gull, with several Rabbits to the edge of the field including an all black individual.
January 21st
1 Common Sandpiper on the Deben at Melton.
January 19th
The usual species on the Deben including 1 Common Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, Teal, Turnstone, Cormorant, Greylag Goose and a Sparrowhawk flying over.
On the grass by Girdlestones two Herring Gulls foot paddling for food.
January 11th
Along the River Deben, Melton between the picnic site and Wilford Bridge 1 Snipe, 5 Avocet, 2 Turnstone, Lapwing, Redshank, Dunlin, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Wigeon, Shelduck, Black-headed gull, Mallard, Canada Goose, Moorhen, 1 Common Sandpiper, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull and 2 Little Grebe.
On Melton Match Lakes the 'Redhead' Aythya hybrid was present again along with Tufted Duck. Along Brick Kiln Lane Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Robin, Blackbird, Redwing and Magpie.
January 6th
The 'Redhead' Aythya hybrid was present on Melton Match Lakes along with Tufted Duck.