SUFFOLK BIRDING with BINS
Supported by BINS and local birders
DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
SUNDAY 31ST
The adult Black Brant was again seen in the Levington area of the Orwell estuary before flying off S with Dark-bellied Brent Geese. 2 Great Northern Divers were noted off Kyson point on the River Deben early afternoon. Yet again, the ringtail Hen Harrier was seen just prior to dusk at Levington Creek. 800+ Pink-footed Geese were seen in flight over Blundeston & Somerleyton, it appeared a few birds were settling in the adjacent fields/marsh. At Walberswick, 2 Spotted Redshank and a single Greenshank were noted. 2 Slavonian Grebes remain at Alton water in Birchwood Bay. 29 Bewick's Swans still 0.5m S of the water tower at Blythburgh. 2 Tundra Bean & 180 White-fronted Geese remain at North Warren and 2 Little Gulls are present around the rigs at Sizewell. 7 Goosander were noted at Lackford Lakes and a single Shag in the wet dock at Ipswich.
SATURDAY 30TH
Both Great Northern Divers were present in the North of the county (Lake Lothing & Oulton Broad). The Black Redstart was again seen in the vicinity of Hamilton Dock. 29 Bewick's Swans remain South of the water tower at Blythburgh. On Dingle, 3 Whooper Swans, 3 Snow Bunting's and 49 Twite were noted. The 2 Red Kites were again noted SE of the chapel at Sotterley + 1 Common Buzzard. 2 Shags were seen in Ipswich docks off Bath street. A single Purp Sand and 2 Snow Bunting's were at Landguard. On Alton water, 3 Slavonian Grebes and the drake Goosander were again present. Greenshanks were noted at Woodbridge and 2 birds at Levington Creek. A Merlin was seen at Crag farm, Sudbourne. A ringtail Hen Harrier was seen by the hide on the Blyth at 1505hrs, also noted on the Blyth est were 3 Yellow-legged Gulls and 2, 1st winter Caspian Gulls. Pink-footed Geese sighting's today consisted of 2 birds on the fields N of North rd, Southwold, 6 birds W over the Blyth est, 6 birds S over Westleton and a single bird aswell as the lone Tundra Bean on the levels at Minsmere.
FRIDAY 29TH
2 Red Kites present at Sotterley late morning perched up 3/4 mile SE of the chapel cross-roads. 1 Shag noted in the Ipswich wet dock viewable from Neptune marina. 3 Velvet Scoter's S off Walberswick and a Greenshank noted in the creek nearest the beach car park. Drake Goosander at Alton Water from the White horse pub. Great Northern Diver still present on Lake Lothing. 10 Goosander + 3 Red-crested Pochard present on the slough at Lackford Lakes. 2 Tundra Bean Geese on North Warren viewable from the old railway line + 180 White-fronted Geese. Ringtail Hen Harrier again at 1600hrs at Levington Creek.
THURSDAY 28TH
2 Tundra Bean Geese were noted over the scrape at Minsmere this morning, on the adjacent levels a single Tundra Bean and a Pink-footed Goose were both seen. Both Great Northern Divers remain at Oulton Broad and Lake lothing. A possible Rough-legged Buzzard was reported from Glenham hall, over woodland close to the A12 late morning. The 29 Bewick's Swans remain South of the water tower at Blythburgh. 8 White-fronted Geese were seen on Shotley marshes and the Adult Black Brant and ringtail Hen Harrier were noted on the opposite side of the river at Levington. On the border at Santon Downham, the Great Grey Shrike was again seen briefly just North of the railway line. 1 Black Redstart and 3 Purple Sandpiers were seen at Ness point, Lowestoft. The female Greater Scaup continues to be present on the pits at Benacre.
WEDNESDAY 27TH
On North Warren, 180 White-fronted Geese and upto 22 Ruff were noted, at near-by Slaughden 20 Snow Bunting's were seen on the beach and a single Eider noted offshore. At Alton water, 2 Slavonian Grebes and a drake Goosander were seen from Tattingstone Wonder late morning, near-by the adult Black Brant was again picked up in amongst c1000 Dark-bellied Brent Geese in winter cereal fields at Chelmodiston @ TM.220.373. The 29 Bewick's Swans remain 0.5mile South of the water tower at Blythburgh. At Trimley Marshes a single Water Pipit was noted. The juvenile Great Northen Diver still remains on Oulton Broad along with 4 Goosander (3 drks). One of the Red Kites was seen perched mid-afternoon just South of Sotterley @ TM.454.834. 3 Hawfinch's were noted by the church at Sotterley. The Great Northen Diver and a single Shag was noted on Lake Lothing, the female Greater Scaup is still present on Benacre Pits and a Scandinavian type Jackdaw was noted along Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville.
TUESDAY 26TH
The 4 Redhead Goosander were again seen at Pipps Ford nr Needham Market this morning. As reported yesterday, the Snow Goose at Southwold is a hybrid and is still present on the Town marsh. 10 Tree Sparrows were present in the maize strip behind the row of cottages at Ampton. Only 1 Slavonian Grebe was reported from Alton Water. 2 Spotted Redshanks were again seen on the mudflats on the creek at Martlesham. Single Hawfinch noted by the church at Sotterley and a drake Goosander on the boating lake at Southwold. A 1st winter Caspian Gull was seen in the pigfields by Blythburgh and a 2nd winter Caspian Gull was noted on the Blyth estuary, nearby the 29 Bewick's Swans were still present 0.5 mile South of the water tower until they flew North early afternoon.
MONDAY 25TH
29 Bewick's Swans still 0.5 mile South of the water tower at Blythburgh. The 2 escaped Snow Geese that still remain on Town marshes, Southwold are in fact hybrid Barncle Geese. The Great Northern Diver still is present on Lake Lothing, 1 Black Redstart seen in Hamilton Dock and 2 Chiffchaff present in the denes at North Lowestoft. At Walberswick, 40 Twite, 5 Snow Bunting and a Greenshank were noted. A Black throated Diver was reported off Old Felixstowe near to where the Purple Sand has taken up residence. 2 Slavonian Grebes were again noted at Alton water in the bay opposite Larchwood.
SUNDAY 24TH
The Black Brant was again noted on the River Orwell from Trimley Marshes associating with upto 150 Dark-bellied Brent Geese. 2 escaped Snow Geese were present with the feral flock of Barncle Geese on Town marsh Southwold mid-morning. The Great Northern Diver is still present on Lake Lothing aswell as 4 Shag's, near-by 2 Black Redstart's were noted at Hamilton dock. Yesterday's Great Northern Diver remain in Holbrook Bay, River Stour along with 12 Reb-breasted Merganser's. Now upto 29 Bewick's Swans present just South of the water tower at Blythburgh this afternoon. The Purple Sandpiper remain on the sea defences off Old Felixstowe. 38 Bewick's Swans came into roost at Minsmere and a 1st winter Caspian Gull was noted on the reserve mid afternon. Greater Scaup still on Benacre Pits and 5+ Tree Sparrows around Beach Farm, on the beach at Kessingland 18 Snow Buntings can still be found.
SATURDAY 23RD
Upto 25 Bewick's Swan incl 4 juvs are now present 0.5 mile South of the water tower at Blythburgh West of the B1125. A Bonxie was noted over the reserve at Minsmere mid-morning. The juvenile Great Northern Diver remains on Lake Lothing. 4 redhead Goosander are present on Pipps Ford nr Needham Market. 188 White-fronted Geese were present on North Warren along with 2 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Tundra Bean Geese. At Alton Water, 3 Slavonian Grebes were noted from Tattingstone/Larchwood Bay area. 5 Purple Sands seen on the rocks off Ness point and a single Purp Sand was again on the sea defences off Old Felixstowe. The female Greater Scaup is still present on the pits at Benacre. The 2 Red Kites were again seen in the chapel at Sotterley mid-afternoon. The Great Northern Diver that has been present on Oulton Broad was again noted today in the North-West corner and yet another Great Northen Diver was noted in Holbrook Bay on the River Stour and finally no sign of the reported Black-bellied Dipper on Kirkley stream, Lowestoft East.
FRIDAY 22ND
A un-confirmed report of a probable Black-bellied Dipper was noted on Kirkley Stream, Lowestoft East of Long road between Fighting Cocks pub and Stradbroke Road @TM.530.910 mid-afternoon. 16 Bewick's Swans are still present just South of the water tower at Blythburgh and a adult Little Gull was noted on lagoons by the Felixstowe ferry golf club.
THURSDAY 21ST
50+ Pink-footed Geese and 14 Bewick's Swans flew North over Gunton mid-afternoon. 23 Bewick's Swans including 2 juvs remain in fields just South of the water tower at Blythburgh. At Kessingland Sewage works 2 Grey Wagtails were present on the filter beds and 21 Pink-footed Geese were seen to flyover.
WEDNESDAY 20TH
4 Slavonian Grebes were seen on Alton Water this afternoon, 2 birds were opposite Tattingstone Wonder and the other 2 individuals were seen off Larchwood bay.
TUESDAY 19TH
13 Bewick's Swans were seen to fly over Westleton Heath this morning and 4 Common Eider were noted off Southwold. Upto 6 House Martins were again present around Sizewell power station and 2 Little Gulls were present around the rigs offshore. A Firecrest was seen in the bushes adjacent to the sluice at Minsmere. The 21 Bewick's Swans still remain at Blythburgh just South of the water tower and yesterday's ringtail Hen Harrier was agin noted at Levington Creek late morning, finally upto 6 Tree Sparrows are regulary feeding by the maize strip at Beach farm, Benacre.
Tree Sparrow, picture courtesy of Mike Parker
MONDAY 18TH
A Great Grey Shrike was noted on the border with Norfolk at St. Helens picnic site, Santon Downham at 1045hrs only before flying off towards the old church. At Levington Creek a ringtail Hen Harrier was noted just before midday before flying off South and near-by the Purple Sandpiper remained just South of Felixstowe Ferry Golf course on sea defences. The juvenile Great Northern Diver remains on Lake Lothing. 2 House Martins roosted this evening on the Sizewell A power station complex. The female Greater Scaup was once again noted on the pits at Benacre and upto 6 Tree Sparrows were again seen in the maize strip adjacent to Beach farm.
SUNDAY 17TH
Both Great Northern Divers continue to perform well in the North of the county. Offshore a Balearic Shearwater was seen flying North off Kessingland at 0945hrs. One of the Red Kite's was seen perched between Sotterley and Stoven just East of Turners Farm @ TM455.830. The 20+ Bewicks Swans remain just South of the water tower at Blythburgh and finally 5 House Martin's appeared to roost at Sizewell A power station. Of interest, a co-ordinated roost count of Harriers in the county revealed 102 Marsh Harriers and only 2 Hen Harriers!
Red Kite at Sotterley, picture courtesy of James Wright
SATURDAY 16TH
The Great Northern Diver's from Lake Lothing and Oulton Broad were seen and showing very well this morning. The 21 Bewick's Swans are still present just South of the water tower at Blythburgh, just West of the B1125. 2 Common Buzzards and a single Red Kite were noted just South of Sotterley late morning. At Dingle marshes 3 Whooper Swans were present and 7 Snow Buntings noted on the beach and 2nd winter Caspian Gull and 7 Yellow-legged Gulls were seen on the near-by Blyth estuary. North Warren held 2 Tundra Bean Geese and 100+ White-fronted Geese and finally the Great Northern Diver was again seen approx. 1 mile North of Orford Quay.
FRIDAY 15TH
A Great Northern Diver was noted on the River Deben between Kirton creek and Ramsholt late morning
THURSDAY 14TH
Both Great Northern Divers remain in the Lowestoft area with one bird on Oulton Broad and the other individual on Lake Lothing. 2 Red Kites were again noted early afternoon around the chapel area at Sotterley Wood and 6 Caspian Gulls were seen on the Blyth estuary mid afternoon.
WEDNESDAY 13TH
The juvenile Great Northern Diver continues to be present on Oulton Broad. The adult Black Brant is again present in fields by Levington Creek carpark with 500+ Brent geese and 3 Bar-tailed Godwit's were noted on the adjacent river. On the Blyth estuary a 1st winter Caspian Gull was noted mid afternoon.
TUESDAY 12TH
2 Tundra Bean Geese were present on North Warren RSPB along with 74 White-fronted Geese, 2 escaped Red-breasted Geese and upto 7 Ruff. In the South of the county, an adult Black Brant was noted on Shotley marshes and presumed the same bird was then seen on the opposite side of the Orwell at Levington Creek. The juvenile Great Northern Diver is still presnt on Lake Lothing. Offshore a single Arctic Skua was noted off Dunwich along with good numbers of divers/grebes. The Purple Sandpiper is still present on sea defences opposite Felixstowe Ferry Golf club.
Great Northern Diver, picture courtesy of Mark Breaks
MONDAY 11TH
The only news received today was of the 2 escaped Red-breasted Geese on Town marshes, Southwold aswell as 21 Ruff.
SUNDAY 10TH
Two Great Northern Diver's were present in the North of the county, with yesterday's bird still present on Oulton Broad, a new arrival was found on Lake Lothing showing well East of the railway bridge. Two Red Kites were in seen by the chapel crossroads at Sotterley late morning aswell as 2 Common Buzzards. The Bewick's Swan's remain half a mile South of the water tower at Blythburgh with 20 birds now being present and finally 4 Purple Sandpiper's are present at Ness point, Lowestoft.
Purple Sandpiper, picture courtesy of Mark Breaks
SATURDAY 9TH
The 2 Whooper Swans remain on Dingle marshes aswell as 35 Twite and 7 Spotted Redshank, near-by a Firecrest was seen in Greyfriars Wood, Dunwich. Great Northern Diver present on Oulton Broad viewable from the yacht station til early afternoon at least. The long staying Osprey was again seen well in the Nayland are of the county. A 2nd winter Caspian Gull was present on the scrape at Minsmere late afternoon along with a single Water Pipit.
FRIDAY 8TH
A House Martin carried on the late show with a single individual being noted around Southwold chruchyard at 0900hrs. 19 Bewick's Swans (2 juv) were seen just South of the water tower at Blythburgh from the B1125 and near-by 2 Whooper Swans were present on the shore pools at Dingle and a single Whooper Swan was present on Westwood Marsh, Walberswick. 50+ Little Gulls were noted off Southwold this afternoon with a further 3 birds seen around the rigs at Sizewell, just further up the coast at Minsmere a Lapland Bunting was present in the denes behind East hide and finally the Osprey was seen again at Nayland. Late News for 20th Nov, Yellow-browed Warbler noted at Sizewell levels, this sighting consist's of Suffolk's latest record for this species.
THURSDAY 7TH
The record breaking Osprey was again seen along Bear St, Nayland just after 0800hrs, also on the late side was December's 3rd ever record of Sand Martin which was seen at Minsmere late morning.
WEDNESDAY 6TH
Late News from Sunday concerned a probable Eagle Owl 1m SE of Hadleigh at Great Reydon Wood @ TM.052.408. The juvenile Osprey was again seen along Bear St, Nayland, this occurance now consist's of Suffolk's latest ever sighting of this species.
juvenile Osprey, Bear St, Nayland.
TUESDAY 5TH
The only news of note was the Purple Sandpiper off Old Felixstowe
MONDAY 4TH
Purple Sandpiper on sandbar just North of the ferry golf clubhouse in Old Felixstowe. The female Greater Scaup still remain on the pits at Benacre and 5 Tree Sparrows were present in the maize strip just West of the nearby Beach Farm.
SUNDAY 3RD
A Black Guillemot was seen to fly South off Kessingland at 0920hrs. A Shorelark, 10+ Snow Buntings and several Twite still remain just North of the big breach at Dingle marshes. A Great Northern Diver was noted on the River Ore approx 1 mile North of Orford Quay early afternoon. No sign of the Osprey in the Nayland area of the county. The 1st winter Arctic Tern is still present off Sizewell Rigs mid afternoon. Black Redstart by the sewage works at Ness point + 3 Purple Sandpipers present. A single House Martin was seen at Benacre.
SATURDAY 2ND
Suffolk's 2nd latest ever record of Arctic Tern was seen today, a 1st winter bird was noted off the rigs at Sizewell this morning, further up the coast was a male Greater Scaup that was seen on sea off Minsmere before flying off South and finally 11 Bewick's Swans were noted over Westleton late afternoon.
FRIDAY 1ST
No news either way of the Osprey from Nayland, 3 adult Bewick's Swans were noted in fields just east of Westleton.