SUFFOLK BIRDING with BINS

LESSER GREY SHRIKE, Shingle Street 2007 - Bill Baston.

JULY HIGHLIGHTS

Friday 31st July 2009.

Minsmere - The Great White Egret continues to show from Island Mere + the Arctic Skua is still present on the scrape & then showing well on the beach during the evening.


Arctic Skua, Minsmere - Dick Walden.

Thursday 30th July 2009.

Southwold - The juv limosa Black-tailed Godwit remained on Town Marsh amongst 105 Black-tailed Godwits + 6 Whimbrel present.

Walberswick - A Great White Egret was present on Westwood Marshes early afternoon.

Minsmere - The Arctic Skua was again present on the scrape early morning + 6 LRP's present.

Havergate - 11 Spoonbills on Havergate Island RSPB.

Wednesday 29th July 2009.

Southwold - A 'lesser' Golden Plover which was almost certainly a PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER was seen very close South offshore this evening, also good numbers of Bar-wit & Curlew were noted + a single Arctic Tern. A juv YL Gull was present on the harbour wall.


Juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, Southwold - Brian J Small.

Minsmere - The Great White Egret contines to show on Island Mere + Arctic Skua on the scrape.

Tuesday 28th July 2009.

Blythburgh - 9 YL Gulls present on Blyth est this evening + 17 Dunlin & 8 Knot.

Minsmere - An Arctic Skua was seen from East hide then on the beach late morning + 2 LRP's on the scrape.

Bawdsey - 23 Crossbills South over Bawdsey Manor by 0700hrs.

Stowmarket - A probable Ring-necked Parakeet was seen over the A14 @ 1700hrs.

Monday 27th July 2009.

Southwold - The juv limosa Black-tailed Godwit continues to be seen on Town marsh this evening + 8 Whimbrel.

Minsmere - The Great White Egret is still present on Island Mere.

Sunday 26th July 2009.

Easton Bavents - Single Manx Shearwater offshore.

Southwold - The juvenile limosa Black-tailed Godwit was again present on Town marshes along with 12 Med Gulls & 10 Whimbrel, near-by 3 Crossbills were noted over Reydon & 79 Black-wits, 2 Bar-wits, 4 Knot + 80 Curlew on the Blyth est.

Minsmere - The Great White Egret continued to show on Island Mere from 0610-0635hrs at least. The scrape was rather devoid of water but did at least hold 43 Dunlin, 8 Ruff, 2 Common Sand, 5 Spot'shanks aswell as very good numbers of Sandwich Terns. On South scrape, 44 Liitle Gulls were noted.


Sandwich Terns with young, East scrape, Minsmere - Lee Woods.

Boyton - The 'flash' held 3 Green Sands, Common Sand, 2 Little-ringed Plovers, 37 Black-tailed Godwits , 2 Greenshank, and singles of both Ruff & Dunlin.


Juv Little-ringed Plover, Boyton Flash - Lee Woods.

Bawdsey - 13 Crossbills South over Bawdsey Manor early morning.

Trimley - The Red-crested Pochard remains on the reservoir, also noted were upto 14 Med Gulls, 5 Ruff, Spot'shank & Hobby.


Red-crested Pochard, Trimley Marsh SWT - Paul Oldfield.

Saturday 25th July 2009.

Kessingland - A Corys Shearwater was noted South offshore this morning.

Minsmere - The Great White Egret was again present on Island Mere this afternoon.

  
Great White Egret, Is.mere - Lee Woods (left) taken on 26.07.09 & Darren Underwood.

Orfordness - Highlights from the 'ness' included 10 Greenshanks, 10 Whimbrel, 3 Green Sands, Spot'shank, Long-eared Owl + a juv Peregrine which was observed with Green Woodpecker prey.


Juv Peregrine with Green Woodpecker, Orfordness - David Crawshaw.

Boyton - 2 LRP's, Whimbrel, Ruff, Common Sand & Greenshank noted.

Bawdsey - Red Kite noted over East Lane + 2 Common Sands present.

Landguard - Red Kite South over the Obs this at 1105hrs, presumed the same individual as the Bawdsey bird.

Friday 24th July 2009.

Minsmere - Male Garganey present on Island Mere + 2 Black Tern & 6 Ruff on South scrape this evening.

Woodbridge - A BLACK KITE was seen well over the Sutton end of the Woodbridge airbase runway from 1215-1218hrs before drifting off towards Woodbridge.

Thursday 23rd July 2009.

Flixton - a Spoonbill was a good sighting at Flixton GPs at 1300hrs.

Minsmere - 2 LRP's and a single Garganey were seen on the scrape today.

Trimley - The Red-crested Pochard, LRP, Green Sand, 2 Spot'Reds and a Clouded Yellow were noted on Trimley marsh SWT.

Wednesday 22nd July 2009.

Lound - 5 Crossbills noted at Lound waterworks.

Minsmere - Black Tern, Arctic Tern, Garganey, 2 Spot'shanks, Ruff & 32 Little Gull noted around the scrape this afternoon.

Thorpeness - Single Manx Shearwater seen North offshore @ 1230hrs.

Bawdsey - 4 Crossbills South over Bawdsey Manor @ 0630hrs.

Lower Layham - Not scarce or rare but this young Tawny Owl has been showing well at Lower Layham nr Hadleigh.


Tawny Owl, Lower Layham, nr Hadleigh - Bill Baston.

Tuesday 21st July 2009.

Southwold - Single juvenile limosa Black-tailed Godwit again on Southwold marshes.

Minsmere - Roseate, Black & Arctic Terns all present on South scrape late afternoon + Great White Egret present on Island mere early evening.

Bawdsey - 9 Crossbills South over Badsey Manor this morning.

Monday 20th July 2009.

Hen Reedbed- The Great White Egret still remains 2mls West of Reydon at Hen Reedbeds SWT West of the A1095 from viewing platform along river wall.

Minsmere - Single Roseate Tern still present on South scrape + Garganey.

Landguard - An unconfirmed rpt of a BEE-EATER possibly a BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER was seen high South over the common this morning as per LBO website.

Ipswich - A Black Redstart was noted on the Ravenswood estate.

Sunday 19th July 2009.

Covehithe - Sea-watching from 09:00-11:00hrs produced 2 Bonxies and singles of both Pom & Arctic Skuas.

Southwold - 1 juv limosa Black-tailed Godwit remains on the marshes at 06:25hrs.

Hen Reedbed - The Great White Egret continued to perform for much of the day viewable from the viewing platform along the riverbank West of Southwold.

Minsmere - 3 Roseate Terns (1st summer & 2 adults) + 2 Arctic Terns present on South scrape this morning.

 
1st summer Roseate Tern, Minsmere - Brian J Small.

Bawdsey - 87 Crossbills South over Bawdsey Manor between 04:50 and 06:45hrs.

Trimley - Red-crested Pochard still on Trimley Marsh SWT + 2 Hobbies & Clouded Yellow.

Saturday 18th July 2009.

Lowestoft - 3 Manx Shearwaters North off Ness point @ 1715hrs.

Benacre - Single Red-breasted Merg still on the pits + Arctic Skua noted offshore.

Southwold - 2 juvenile limosa Black-tailed Goswits + 12 Whimbrel noted on the practice drive at Southwold golf course + an impressive count of 73 Med Gulls!

 
Juvenile limosa Black-tailed Godwits, Southwold Marsh - Brian J Small.

Minsmere - The 4 Roseate Terns were again viewable on South scrape along with a single Black Tern this afternoon. A near-adult Caspain Gull was present on East scrape late evening.

Thorpeness - 5 Manx Shearwtaers offshore prior to 0720hrs.

Trimley - Drake Red-crested Pochard on Trimley Marsh SWT.

Friday 17th July 2009.

Southwold - The first Corys Shearwater of this years sea-watching was seen South offshore @ 1145hrs + also 11 Manxies, 2 Bonxies, 15 Whimbrel, 134 Common Scoter, 2 Spot-Red & 2 Bar-wits noted.

Minsmere - 3 Spoonbills on the scrape this morning + 2 Roseate Terns & 2 Black Terns present on West scrape early afternoon.

Trimley - Single Spoonbill on Trimley marsh SWT summer flood then later on the reservoir + 5 Spotshanks, 4 Little Gulls, 3 Greenshanks & Hobby.


Spoonbill, Trimley Marsh SWT - Paul Oldfield.

Lakenheath - 2 male Golden Orioles still present in the West wood.

Thursday 16th July 2009.

Hen Reedbeds - The Great White Egret was again present this morning.

Minsmere - 4 Roseate Terns, 1 Arctic Tern, 50 Little Gulls, 18 Spotted Redshank, and Yellow Wagtail were present on or around the scrape whilst a drake Garganey was present on Island mere. 20 Crossbills flew south and the 4 Spoonbills were also seen flying over.

  
Spoonbill & Roseate Tern, Minsmere - Eddie Marsh.

Boyton -3 Little Ringed Plover and 3 Greenshank on the flash.

Trimley - An eclipse drake Garganey was  present on the SWT reserve together with 2 Spotted Redshank, 7 Ruff, 1 Greenshank and 16 Mediterranean Gulls (including a colour ringed juvenile). 5 Little Egrets and a first summer Hobby were also seen.

Wednesday 15th July 2009.

Minsmere - 4 Spoonbills, 1 Arctic Tern, 25 Spotted Redshank, 6 Ruff, 1 Knot and 6+ Yellow-legged Gulls were all noted on the scrape this evening. A Red-veined Darter was also noted in off the sea.

 
Spoonbills & Red-veined Darter, Minsmere - James Kennerley.

Tuesday 14th July 2009.

Hen Reedbed - A Black Kite was seen passing over mid-morning.

Creeting St Mary - 8 Crossbills north West over

Monday 13th July 2009.

Hen Reedbed - The Great White Egret continues its stay

Minsmere - 2 Roseate Terns still present on the scrape

Sunday 12th July 2009.

Minsmere - 3 Roseate Terns and 21 Spotted Redshanks were present on the scrape.

Boyton - A Garganey was present late evening together with 4 Egyptian Geese, 2 Greenshank, and 38 Black-tailed Godwit.

Trimley- No sign all day of yesterdays Red-footed Falcon.

Pakenham - 2 Crossbills flew east over Fen road mid-morning.

Saturday 11th July 2009.

Hen Reedbed - The Great White Egret was present for much of the day.

Minsmere - 3 Roseate Terns, 62 Little Gulls, 30 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Greenshank, and 1 Arctic Tern were present on the scrape whilst 3 Spoonbills were seen flying over the reedbed and the drake Scaup remained on Island Mere. 29 Crossbills flew over the work centre mid morning. A further 21 Crossbills were at Mount Pleasant Farm.

Tunstall - 31 Crossbills.

Boyton - 1 Drake Garganey was seen.

Trimley - A Female Red-footed Falcon was seen flying towards the pig fields late afternoon but was not relocated. 3 Spotted Redshank and 2 Mediterranean Gulls were present on the SWT reserve.

Arctic Tern Minsmere - Photo's by Bill Stone

Friday 10th July 2009.

Minsmere - 4 Roseate Terns, 35 Little Gulls, 29 Spotted Redshanks, 5 Ruff and 2 Spoonbills were the highlights at Minsmere. No Sign of yesterday evenings Pectoral Sandpiper however.

North Warren - 3 Green Sandpipers on the south marsh.

Boyton - 1 Little Ringed Plover remains on the flash.


Little Tern at Benacre by Danny Porter www.dannysdigiscoping.com

Boyton - 3 Little Ringed Plover still present.

Ipswich - A Red Kite was seen low over the A14 mid morning.

Needham Market - A lone Common Sandpiper was present on the lake.

Tuesday 7th July 2009.

Melton - 1 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpipers and 1 Greenshank noted.

Boyton - 3 Little Ringed Plovers.

Monday 6th July 2009.

Minsmere - 3 Roseate Terns were seen on west scrape with Little Ringed Plover, 10 Little Gulls, 6 Yellow-legged Gulls, 29 Spotted Redshank, 3 Ruff, 2 Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and Pintail elsewhere on the scrape.

Boyton - Up to 6 Little Ringed Plovers (2 adults 4 Juvs), 5 Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper were on the flash.

Sunday 5th July 2009.

Minsmere - 1 Little Ringed Plover and Wood Sandpiper present on south scrape.

Boyton - 5 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Ruff, 51 Black-tailed Godwit on the flash.

Trimley - 8 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 4 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Common Sandpiper on Trimley Marshes SWT

Cattawade - 9 Greenshank , 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2+ Little Ringed Plover, and 18 Little Egrets on the RSPB reserve.

Lavanham - 1 Red Kite over at midday.

Superb Spot Fly photo by David & Margie Carter, Brettenham

Saturday 4th July 2009.

Benacre - 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel all on the broad

Southwold - Seawatching between 5 and 6:30am produced 1 Fulmar, 5 Little Gull, 100 + Common Scoter and 4 Whimbrel south. Town marshes held 23 Mediterranean Gulls.

Minsmere - 3 Roseate Tern (only 2 remaining to early afternoon), 4 Little Gull and 3 Spotted Redshank present.

Boyton - 3 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank on the first flash.

Trimley - 3 Spotted Redshanks, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper and 4 Ruff were seen on Trimley Marshes SWT.

Friday 3rd July 2009.

No reports returned today.

Thursday 2nd July 2009.

Benacre - The 3 Red-breasted Mergansers remain on the pits.

Photo courtesy of Mike Parker

Minsmere - A Great White Egret was present on the levels early morning, whilst a Spoonbill was noted flying east towards the scrape

Wednesday 1st July 2009.

Benacre - 3 Red-breasted Mergansers were again on the pits, whilst 2 Little Gulls were on the broad itself.

Trimley - Possible Honey Buzzard over A14 at 16:35hrs, before drifting South towards Trimley St Mary.