October - December
December
December 7th
1 Greenshank and 1 Kingfisher seen on the River Deben at Melton along with the usual species.
November
November 21st
A Red Admiral in Bromeswell village, and at the farm reservoir by the Bromeswell-Ufford road 1 Green Sandpiper along with a Little Grebe.
November 20th
1 Greenshank and 1 Kingfisher by Wilford Bridge.
November 14th
A male Sparrowhawk flew over the sewage works, along with the usual species on the river.
November 10th
The Kingfisher was in its usual area. On the River Deben at Melton a typical selection of birds were present including, Little Egret, Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Redshank, Shelduck, Wigeon, Turnstone, 350+ Dunlin, Lapwing, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Cormorant. A Red Admiral was seen flying down river and the Common Darter was in its usual territory on the sunny river wall near the sewage works.
On Saddlemakers Lane, Melton a Red Admiral and a very worn Painted Lady were seen.
November 9th
The Kingfisher again by the sewage works and 3 Meadow Pipits.
November 8th
1 Kingfisher flying along the River Deben. On Melton Match Lakes Coot, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Mallard and a few Tufted Duck.
November 3rd
1 Kingfisher by the sluice near the sewage works and c.175 Dunlin on the River Deben.
October
October 27th
At Bromeswell Green woodland Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Jay and a single Treecreeper. Along Common Lane on the new pond dug out, 1 Little Egret and 1 Kingfisher flew along the dyke.
October 26th
At the sewage works in Melton 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Grey Wagtail. 1 Greenshank nearby on the river.
October 23rd
9 Little Egrets on the breached area opposite Melton Docks on the River Deben. As the tide was high most were in the trees at the back. 1 Kingfisher between the sewage works and Melton Docks and a Chiffchaff in the scrub around the sewage works.
October 13th
At Methersgate a Common Buzzard was seen sitting in a tree. Nearby a Tawny Owl was heard. Along the track from Sutton to Methersgate a male Kestrel and a female Sparrowhawk were seen.
October 12th
At Sutton 1 male Kestrel and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Between Sutton and Methersgate a Common Buzzard. Along the Bawdsey road between Sutton and Sutton Heath Yellowhammer, Meadow Pipit with a Grey Wagtail flying over. Many Red Admirals were flying strongly down the river valley towards the coast.
October 11th
River Deben, Melton - 1 Kingfisher and 1 Greenshank.
October 4th
River Deben, Melton - Mixed flock of 20+ Long-tailed Tits, 5-10 Blue Tits and 2 Great Tits around sewage works. Also 1 male Blackcap in bramble there. On the river 5 Little Egrets and the Black-tailed Godwit with colour band GR Y//W.
October 3rd
2 Small Tortoiseshell seen flying down the river path.
Painted Lady seen feeding on Dandelion on Saddlemakers Lane.
October 2nd
River Deben, Melton - Large numbers of Black-tailed Godwit near the sewage works, including two colour ringed birds. One that seen earlier on September 12th GR-Y//W and another with left tibia GR right tibia YX, this bird was also present on the Deben last November.
Thanks to Tomas, Jenny and Sigga from the UEA Cntre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation for details about these two Black-tailed Godwits.
GR YX was ringed as an adult male on spring passage in W Iceland.
|
18.04.03 |
Vogalækur, Mırar, W Iceland |
Faxafloi |
|
22.04.03 |
Hofsstağir, Mırar, W Iceland |
Faxafloi |
|
25.04.03 |
Vogalækur, Mırar, W Iceland |
Faxafloi |
|
26.04.03 |
Vogalækur, Mırar, W Iceland |
Faxafloi |
|
27.04.03 |
Vogalækur, Mırar, W Iceland |
Faxafloi |
|
28.04.03 |
Vogalækur, Mırar, W Iceland |
Faxafloi |
|
17.03.04 |
Boyne Estuary, Co. Meath, E Ireland |
E Ire |
|
27.02.05 |
Swale Estuary, Kent, SE England |
SE Eng |
|
01.11.05 |
Deben Estuary, Suffolk, E England |
E Eng |
|
09.11.05 |
Deben Estuary, Suffolk, E England |
E Eng |
GR-Y//W This bird was ringed on 01.08.96 at Terrington, the Wash, Norfolk as a second year male, and has also been seen on:
|
25.09.96 |
Deben estuary, Suffolk |
|
01.10.96 |
Deben estuary, Suffolk |
|
16.10.96 |
Deben estuary, Suffolk |
|
04.01.97 |
Deben estuary, Suffolk |
|
17.01.97 |
Deben estuary, Suffolk |
|
30.01.97 |
Deben estuary, Suffolk |
|
14.02.97 |
Deben estuary, Suffolk |
|
05.03.97 |
Deben estuary, Suffolk |
|
22.08.97 |
Holbeach, the Wash, Lincs |
|
26.08.97 |
Elmley, Kent |
|
23.09.97 |
Deben estuary, Suffolk |
|
14.12.97 |
Deben estuary, Suffolk |
|
10.11.98 |
Deben estuary, Suffolk |
|
22.08.99 |
Deben estuary, Suffolk |
|
02.11.99 |
Deben estuary, Suffolk |
|
06.12.99 |
Deben estuary, Suffolk |
|
14.12.99 |
Deben estuary, Suffolk |
|
28.01.00 |
Deben estuary, Suffolk |
|
23.04.00 |
Burnham Norton, Norfolk |
|
30.04.00 |
Burnham Norton, Norfolk |
|
12.11.00 |
Blyth estuary, Suffolk |
|
15.11.00 |
Southwold, Suffolk |
July - September
September
September 27th
River Deben, Melton - Curlew, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mute Swan, Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, Turnstone, Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Greenshank, Dunlin, Cormorant, Canada Goose, Grey heron, 6 Little Egret, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 male Kestrel and 1 Chiffchaff calling by sewage works and Red Admiral
September 20th
River Deben, Melton - 6 Little Egrets and 2 Greenshank and the Kingfisher by the sluice near the sewage works.
September 18th
1 female Sparrowhawk flew over Saddlemakers Lane, Melton.
Bromeswell Green woodland - 2 Bullfinch heard calling. 2 Teal on recently dug pond in the reed area.
September 14th
River Deben, Melton - 1 Common Sandpiper near Wilford Bridge. 1 Kingfisher flew out from by sluice near sewage works. Again Chiffchaff and Blackcap both singing around sewage works.
1 male Sparrowhawk flew over Saddlemakers Lane, Melton.
September 13th
River Deben, Melton - 2 Spotted Redshank, 5 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron and 4 Greenshank. Chiffchaff and Blackcap both singing around sewage works.
September 12th
River Deben, Melton - Greenshank and 3 Little Egret. A Black-tailed Godwit with colour bands on its legs was found near Wilford Bridge. This was the same bird seen last year on 11th November on the Deben.
Around the sewage works - 1 male Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff and 1 juvenile Common Whitethroat, with 2 Stock Dove on opposite side of river.
September 11th
River Deben, Melton - 5 Wigeon, the first of the Autumn and 1 Common Sandpiper.
Bromeswell Green woodland - 2 Bullfinch, a male and female. 2 Teal on recently dug pond in the reed area.
September 6th.
River Deben, Melton - 1 Kingfisher, 2 Greenshank and 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers.
September 5th
2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers on the breached area opposite the sewage works. A few warblers around the sewage works in the scrub and reeds, with several Chiffchaffs, with one being territorial chasing a Great Tit and a Robin. Also a Reed Warbler in the reeds and a family of 2 adult and 2 juvenile Blackcaps in the brambles.
September 4th
1 adult Common Tern near the sewage works, along with 3 Greenshank and 1 Common Sandpiper near Wilford Bridge.
September 1st
The 5 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers were seen again, this time nearer to Woodbridge. The 6 Avocet were also on the same stretch and 2 Greenshank among the usual waders. 3 Little Egret and 3 Grey Heron - 1 adult and 2 juveniles. The Kingfisher was seen on the derelict boat near the island by Melton picnic site.
August
August 31st
Excellent day for waders on the Deben between Woodbridge and Melton with the usual species seen from the previous couple of days including the Spotted Redshank, with the first returning Avocets with 6 towards Woodbridge. The highlight has to go to the 5 Curlew Sandpipers seen on the bend of the river near the Sewage Works. This is the second year running they have frequented this part of the River Deben. Other birds include 100+ House Martins near the Tide Mill in Woodbridge along with a few Swallows and a single Swift. They were again 10+ Chiffchaffs calling in the scrub around the Sewage Works and in the same location a Kingfisher was seen and heard - the first since Winter. The Common Tern was again patrolling the river from Melton Docks towards Woodbridge.
August 30th
Similar to yesterday although the Common Sandpiper and House Martins were not seen. The Spotted Redshank was showing well. An adult Common Tern was seen on the stretch of river near the sewage works. A Common Seal was swimming down river towards Woodbridge.
August 29th
Lots of waders on the Deben including 4 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank - the first since Spring, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Dunlin, Curlew, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover. Also 5 Little Egrets, up to 10 Chiffchaffs calling around the Sewage works and 100+ House Martins around Melton Docks, which were then dispersed by a female Sparrowhawk.
August 18th
On the Deben at Melton, 4 Common Sandpiper and 2 Greenshank.
August 14th
2 Greenshank and 1 Common Sandpiper at Melton.
August 10th
Still 10 Greenshank with 2 Common Sandpiper, 60+ Redshank a Grey Plover and 21 Ringed Plover at Melton.
August 9th
With high tide at lunchtime the birds congregate on the breached area opposite Melton docks to the picnic site and along the river wall where only the top still shows above the tide. Today there were 6 Little Egrets, 10 Greenshank, 5 Common Sandpiper - the largest group seen on the river at one time, 30+ Black-tailed Godwit, 30+ Redshank, 10 Ringed Plover, 5 Curlew, 8 Turnstone, 3 Cormorant, several Black-headed Gulls, the juvenile group of 15 Shelduck, several Lapwing, Canada Goose.
August 7th
A Wood Sandpiper, a new patch bird was feeding by the island near the picnic site in Melton. Across the other side in the breach area were 13 Greenshank - the highest amount seen at one time. Also 2 Stock Dove.
August 2nd
Around 20 House Martins around the sewage works. Nearby on the river 3 Common Terns - 2 adults and 1 juvenile.
August 1st
24 Mute Swans were on the Deben near the sewage works. Also present 2 Common Tern, 2 Greenshank, 4 Turnstone and 1 Common Sandpiper on the river.
July
July 31st
A family of Swallows were seen near the picnic area at Melton struggling in the strong winds, the 3 juveniles spent most of the time sitting on one of the sluice fences.
July 28th
River Deben, Melton - 5 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Greenshank and 1 Common Sandpiper.
July 27th
More waders on the river between Woodbridge and Melton including the first returning Dunlin and 3 Ringed Plover. Also present 10+ Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Curlew, 25+ Redshank, 3 Greenshank and 10 Oystercatcher, A Turtle Dove was again heard calling near Melton Dock.
At Ufford on the stretch of river Emperor Dragonfly and Brown Hawker were patrolling up and down, with several Common Blue Damselfly and only a few Banded Demoiselle.
| Ufford TM295514 on triangle of grass near church 12-15 plants | ||
| Datura stramonium | Thorn apple | |
July 24th
High tide at dinner time and several waders on the area opposite the Melton Docks where the river wall is breached including a party of 8 Greenshanks, with Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing and Oystercatcher. Also present 1 Little Egret and 4 Grey Herons.
In Bromeswell Green Woodland the wet meadow was awash with butterflies, moths and bees. A couple of Ringlet, Meadow Brown, 1 Small Copper and Painted Lady, several Large Whites and numerous Silver Y moths feeding on the thistles. Lots of Honey Bees and Bumblebees.
July 21st
1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Greenshank on the Deben and a Turtle Dove opposite the sewage works.
July 19th
Lots of butterflies on the rough grassland by the footpath between Brick Kiln Lane, Melton and Decoy Farm butterflies included Small Skipper, Red Admiral 1, Common Blue 30+, Small Heath 10+, Meadow Brown 10+, Gatekeeper 10+ and Grayling 5.
July 18th
2 Common Sandpiper and 2 Greenshank on the River Deben in Melton.
July 17th
On the rough grassland by the footpath between Brick Kiln Lane, Melton and Decoy Farm butterflies included Small Skipper 5+, Common Blue 10+, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and the first record of Grayling.
July 14th
Four Greenshank were on the River towards Wilford Bridge. Gatekeeper butterflies are now on the wing with several seen along the footpath towards Wilford Bridge along with Small Skipper and a Comma.
Early July
The warm weather continued and more waders are returning on the River Deben between Woodbridge and Melton. This included at least three Greenshanks, a dozen Curlew, 10+ Black-tailed Godwit and several Redshank. Also present were two Little Egrets and the family of Oystercatchers are still about with the three chicks now full grown and the adults encouraging them to move on.
Lots of butterflies are on the wing - at Bromeswell Green woodland Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Large White and Meadow Brown could be found. An insect seen on bramble was Rutpela maculata.
Rutpela maculata on bramble in Bromeswell Green woodland.
Following a footpath off Saddlemakers Lane, through Willow woodland to rough grassland bordered by bramble, bracken and trees there were numerous butterflies including 3 Comma, 10+ Ringlet, 10+ Meadow Brown, Red Admiral, 3 Gatekeepers - the first of the year, Large Skipper and 1 Small Copper.
Comma Polygonia c-album
Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus
A cycle ride to Ufford where the road crosses the River Deben, is a stretch of river good for dragonflies and damselflies. Damselfly species seen include Common Blue, Blue-tailed, Large Red Damselfly and and the graceful Banded Demoiselle along with Black-tailed Skimmer and Brown Hawker Dragonflies.
Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens
Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula
Large Skipper Ochlodes venata
April - June
June
June 29th
Further signs of birds returning with 2 Curlew and a Black-tailed Godwit.
A female Stag Beetle was found on the pavement near to the Primary School.
The warm sunny day was good weather for butterflies and a walk along the footpath, from the bridleway at the end of Brick Kiln Lane, towards Decoy Farm was successful with several species including 20+ Meadow Brown, 15+ Small Heath, 5 Common Blue - the two males both very worn, an unknown Skipper sp and single Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell and Small White. Two species of damselfly were seen, Blue-tailed and Common Blue. A female dragonfly was seen to catch and eat a Small Heath Butterfly. This area of rough grassland has plenty of wild plants for the butterfliesd including Nodding Thistle, Viper's Bugloss, Creeping Thistle, St. John's Wort, Creeping Cinquefoil.
June 28th
A cycle to Rendlesham Forest and Sutton Heath to do some flora recording for the Suffolk Flora Atlas. Birds seen were Tree Pipit, Woodlark and a male and juvenile Stonechat.
| Suffolk Flora Survey 2006 2km tetrad TM3048/TM3148/TM3049/TM3149 | |||
| Species name | Common name | ||
| Malva sylvestris | Common mallow | ||
| Rumex obtusifolius | Broad-leaved dock | ||
| Cynoglossum officinale | Hound's-tongue | ||
| Convolvulus arvensis | Field bindweed | ||
| Matricaria discoidea | Pineapple weed | ||
| Linaria vulgaris | Common toadflax | ||
| Rosa canina | Dog rose | ||
| Sambucus nigra | Elder | ||
| Betula pendula | Silver Birch | ||
| Prunus spinosa | Blackthorn | ||
| Crataegus monogyna | Hawthorn | ||
| Quercus robur | Oak | ||
June 27th
Return migration started with a Greenshank on the river near the picnic area in Melton. There were up to 25 Lapwings also, the most seen for a while.
|
June 5th A further visit ot Rendlesham for the flora survey. Suffolk Flora Survey 2006 2km tetrad TM3048/TM3148/TM3049/TM3149 | |||
| Species name | Common name | ||
| Silene latifolia | White Campion | ||
| Dactylis glomerata | Cocksfoot | ||
| Arrhenatherum elatius | False oat-grass | ||
| Stellaria graminea | Lesser stitchwort | ||
| Arenaria serpyllifolia | Thyme-leaved sandwort | ||
| Arctium minus | Lesser Burdock | ||
| Lepidium latifolium | Dittander | ||
| Oxalis articulata | Pink oxalis | ||
| Polygonum aviculare | Knotweed | ||
| Reseda lutea | Weld | ||
| Spergularia rubra | Sand spurrey | ||
| Galium saxatile | Heath bedstraw | ||
| Viola tricolor | Wild pansy | ||
| Juncus effusus | Soft rush | ||
June
Of all the waders that can be found on the river only Oystercatcher and Lapwing have been seen throughout the month. A pair of Oystercatchers have raised three young and a pair of Lapwings were seen display flying mid month on the area opposite Melton Docks. There are several Shelduck and breeding Mallard, Canada Goose and Mute Swan. The pair of Mute Swans on Melton Match Lake have got four cygnets, and also there the pair of Great Crested Grebes had one chick. Tufted Duck are still on the lakes.
May
Mid to late May
Most of the waders moved on for Spring migration to their northern breeding areas, so it has been fairly quiet. There are several warblers to be heard along the river path with 8-10 singing Reed Warblers, also Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Blackcap. A couple of Turtle Doves have been seen and heard occasionally and a Nightingale is often heard singing near to the Melton Docks, the first time noted along that part.
11th May
2 Common Tern, 1 Little Egret, 1 Greenshank and 2 Whimbrel at Martlesham Creek.
5th May
Another walk from Martlesham, along Sandy Lane my first Lesser Whitethroat of the year and along Martlesham Creek, 1 Whimbrel and 2 Common Terns.
4th May
A longer walk today before work starting from Martlesham Creek was a good idea with several Sedge and Reed Warblers singing in the reed filled ditches and at Kyson Point 3 Whimbrel were seen along with 2 Common Terns. Just 1 Common Sandpiper near the Tidemill in Woodbridge.
The first Orange Tip butterflies of the year, 1 along the ditch by the Deben near Wilford Bridge and another along Saddlemakers Lane.
A lunch time wander along the river found the warblers a lot quieter than first thing in the morning. The highlight was the sighting of 12 terns, probably Common Terns, seen briefly over Melton Match Lakes before flying up river and over the private fishing lake in Bromeswell along Common Lane.
3rd May
The 3 Common Sandpipers were still near Wilford Bridge, and at the Melton Match Lakes there were two Egyptian Goose, a male present with the female found yesterday.
A third visit to Rendlesham Forest for the flora survey.
| Suffolk Flora Survey 2006 2km tetrad TM3048/TM3148/TM3049/TM3149 | |||
| Species name | Common name | ||
| Ornithopus persillus | Bird's foot | ||
| Centaurea nigra | Black knapweed | ||
| Ranunculus bulbosus | Bulbous buttercup | ||
| Vicia sativa | Common Vetch | ||
| Euphorbia lathyris | Caper Spurge | ||
| Medicago lupulina | Black medick | ||
| Pilosella officinarum | Mouse-ear Hawkweed | ||
| Pentglottis sempervirens | Green alkanet | ||
2nd May - A new month and slightly warmer.
A lovely walk along the river between Woodbridge and Melton, in the early morning sun, which encouraged the warblers to be more vocal than of late. 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Whitethroats, a Blackcap, Sedge Warbler and at least 8 Reed Warblers between the section from the sewage farm to Wilford Bridge. A Nightingale was heard singing on the opposite side of the river from the sewage farm - the first time I've heard one there.
Waders included Oystercatcher - gettting more vocal all the time, the odd Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank, a lone Dunlin, 2 Greenshank along with 3 Common Sandpipers near to Wilford Bridge.
Highlight was a new species for my local patch - a female Egyptian Goose on Melton Match Lakes.
A Swift over the village was the first for the area this year.
Another visit to Rendlesham Forest for the flora survey.
| Suffolk Flora Survey 2006 2km tetrad TM3048/TM3148/TM3049/TM3149 | |||
| Species name | Common name | ||
| Ceratocapnos claviculata | Climbing corydalis | ||
| Cardimine flexuosa | Wavy bittercress | ||
| Erophila verna sensu | Common whitlow-grass | ||
| Elytrigia repens | Common couch | ||
| Anthoxanthum odoratum | Sweet vernal grass | ||
| Coronopus squamatus | Swine-cress | ||
| Carex arenaria | Sand sedge | ||
April
28th April
A Turtle Dove was seen and heard along the footpath leaving Woodbridge towards Melton.
Along Saddlemakers Lane, Melton butterflies present were Green-veined White, Speckled Wood and Peacock.
27th April
A walk around part of Rendlesham Forest to survey a 2km tetrad for the Suffolk Flora survey.
A Common Lizard was seen while walking around.
| Suffolk Flora Survey 2006 2km tetrad TM3048/TM3148/TM3049/TM3149 | |||
| Species name | Common name | ||
| Cochlearia danica | Danish Scurvygrass | ||
| Pteridium aquilinum | Bracken | ||
| Lamium purpureum | Red deadnettle | ||
| Achillea millefolium | Yarrow | ||
| Plantage lanceolata | Ribwort Plantain | ||
| Heracleum sphondylium | Hogweed | ||
| Anthriscus sylvestris | Cow Parsley | ||
| Taraxacum officinale | Dandelion | ||
| Lamium album | White deadnettle | ||
| Galium verum | Lady's bedstraw | ||
| Sisymbrium officinale | Hedge Mustard | ||
| Urtica dioica | Common Nettle | ||
| Rubus fruticosus | Bramble | ||
| Claytonia perfoliata | Spring Beauty | ||
| Erodium cicutarium | Common Stork's-bill | ||
| Veronica persica | Common field Speedwell | ||
| Capsella bursa-pastoris | Shepherd's purse | ||
| Viola arvensis | Field Pansy | ||
| Anchusa arvensis | Bugloss | ||
| Myosotis discolor | Changing forget-me-not | ||
| Arabidopsis thaliana | Thale cress | ||
| Senecio vulgaris | Groundsel | ||
| Galium aparine | Goosegrass | ||
| Geranium molle | Dove's-foot cranes-bill | ||
| Artemesia vulgaris | Mugwort | ||
| Tripleurospermum inodorum | Scentless Mayweed | ||
| Urtica urens | Annual Nettle | ||
| Cerastium fontanum | Common Mouse-ear | ||
| Cirsium arvense | Creeping Thistle | ||
| Senecio jacibaea | Ragwort | ||
| Myosotis ramosissima | Early forget-me-not | ||
| Verbascum thapsus | Great mullein | ||
| Veronica hederifolia | Ivy-leaved speedwell | ||
| Crassula tillaea | Mossy stonecrop | ||
| Plantago coronopus | Buck's-horn plantain | ||
| Rumex acetosella | |||