SUFFOLK BIRDING with BINS
Supported by BINS and local birders
Suffolks Scarce & Rare Bird Gallery
We hope to re-live those memories with some of the county's top birds captured on film.
Trumpeter Finch, Landguard Bird Obs - Lee Woods.
This individual, a county 2nd was found early on Saturday 21st May 2005, which enabled hundreds of birders to connect with this MEGA on it's first day, the bird stayed until the 25th May and by which time was estimated to be seen by upto c4000 birders! This bird was a county tick for most, although some did connect with the last and only previous record back in 1971 from Minsmere.
Pacific Golden Plover, Levington Creek - Lee Woods.
This first for Suffolk was a good find amongst Golden Plovers on the banks of the River Orwell. The Bird was initially elusive but did eventfully give itself up and show reasonably well for all to see. The bird was present in this area for upto 6 days.
Lesser Crested Tern, Minsmere - Lee Woods.
This bird was found at 19:45hrs on Wednesday July 20th from South hide and was still present the following morning til 09:00hrs when flew out to sea. The bird was then re-found further down the coast at East Lane during the afternoon of Friday 22nd July and stayed til 20:40hrs when it was last seen to fly out sea, as it did it crashed through the tamarisk bushes on the sea-wall, as per Eddie Marsh. This 3rd for Suffolk had previously been seen at several sites in neighbouring Norfolk before it's arrival at Minsmere.
Tawny Pipit, Minsmere Beach Beach - Lee Woods.
This individual was found in the dunes on the evening of 8th June. This species use to be almost annual in the county, but it's occurances of late have declined somewhat drastically, there has been 39 records in Suffolk to date.
2003.
Sabines Gull, Lowestoft - Mike Parker.
Without doubt one of the highlights of 2003. This well watched adult bird was seen through-out much of the summer months around Lowestoft harbour.
Aquatic Warbler, Orfordness - Steve Piotrowski.
2 Aquatic Warblers were trapped (adult & juvenile) on 14th / 15th August respectively. These birds consisted of the 6th & 7th records for the county with the last being in 1987 from Lowestoft North denes, had these two individuals been at a more accessible site, I'm sure they would of proved very popular amongst the county's birders!
2002.
Whiskered Tern, Lakenheath - Lee Woods.
This adult bird was found on the border with Norfolk and was seen on both sides of the river.
1970's.
Franklins Gull, Lowestoft 1977/8 - Mike Parker.
Suffolks first record involved this long staying individual in the Lowestoft area during the winter of 77/78. The only other record for the county involved a bird that spent the afternoon/evening on mudflats at Burgh Castle with Black-headed Gulls in 1991.
We hope to re-live those memories with some of the county's top birds captured on film.
2009.
Lesser Yellowlegs, Southwold/Walberswick - Mike Parker.
2008.
Pacific Golden Plover, Havergate Island - David Fairhurst.
This county 2nd was a good find on the island and comes only 3 years after the first and only was found at Levington Creek. This bird was present for no more than 2 hours before moving on North.
Lesser Yellowlegs, Minsmere - Sean Nixon.
The same individual that had been found the previous autumn was now in full summer plumage and communting between Southwold & Minsmere.
Raddes Warbler, Shingle Street - Bill Baston.
This individual found it's way into a net at a private ringing site at Shingle Street on 28th Sept. On release the bird went to ground and wasn't seen at all that day, the following day/s the bird fed and show well to all-comers along the path just South of the alotments.
Spectacled Warbler, Westleton Heath - Scott Mayson & Terry McGeever.
This bird was found early afternoon in May on the heath and was initially identified as a Subalpine Warbler. On release of news the bird promptly disappeared and didn't show again til 4pm where the id still remained as Subalpine, at 5.15pm and after good views the birds id was finally confirmed as a Spectacled Warbler, a national mega and the county's 2nd record! The bird was present til dusk and by this time had been seen by several observers and it was even seen to be collecting nest material! Despite extensive searching the following morning the bird could not be re-found.
Icterine Warbler, Landguard Bird Obs - Justin Zantboer.
This individual was trapped, ringed & released on 07th August.
Citrine Wagtail, Landguard Bird Obs - Scott Mayson.
This bird was found late morning on Friday 29th August. After much debate, the bird was finally identified as an adult male and was the 5th record of such species within the county and the 1st for Landguard.
Red-spotted Bluethroat, Shingle Street - James Kennerley.
Although almost annual, this singing male Red-spotted Bluethroat was a superb shot and always nice to see.
Rustic Bunting, Landguard Bird Obs - Justin Zantboer.
This bird was discovered in the nets during the afternoon of 24th September, being only the 4th record for the county with the last being in 1996 from Corton, it proved popular with locals but only a handful of observers manage to catch up with this individual before it was released.
2007.
Squacco Heron, Minsmere
This 1 day bird was found early morning on Friday 13th July and although initially mobile the bird settled down on the levels and enjoyed by many through-out the day. The last county record was way back in 1912 so a county tick was had by those lucky enough to see this bird.
Female Ring-necked Duck, Loompit Lake - Lee Woods.
This bird (Suffolk's 9th record) was initially found on Loompit Lake, Trimley on Jan 14th and had moved on 2 days later, only to be found on Melton fishing lakes on Feb 8th before departing for good on 10th Feb.
Long-billed Dowitcher, Mistley - Sean Nixon.
This sighting on the River Stour was Suffolks 6th record of this nearctic wader and the first since 1985.
Barred Warbler, Landguard Bird Obs - Bill Baston.
This Barred Warbler was found and showing well in brambles in front of the Obs. This species occurs almost annually with LBO being a 'hot-spot' for it's occurances.
Lesser Whitethroat, Landguard Bird Obs - Justin Zantboer.
By DNA results, this Lesser Whitethroat proved to be of the race blythi and is probably the first proven record of this subspecies in the UK.
Little Bunting, Dunwich, Greyfriars Wood - Brian J Small.
This individual was trapped, ringed & released at a private ringing site in Dunwich and on release, the bird was shown to a small gathered party. Although Little Buntings are almost annual in neighbouring Norfolk, for some reason Suffolk birders seems to struggle to catch up with this species?
2006.
Lesser Scaup, Suffolk Water Park, Bramford - Lee Woods.
This sighting was Suffolks 2nd record of this species and the first twitchable following it's 7 day stay, the previous record being found at the same site on the afternoon of March 16th 2004 and was gone the next morning.
Spotted Sandpiper, Minsmere - Mike Parker.
This adult bird 'complete with spots' was found on the scrape on June 1st and was still present the next day. This sighting consisted of the 4th record for the county and the first twitchable 'spotted' bird.
Ross's Gull, Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft - Lee Woods.
This first for Suffolk was found in the Hamilton Dock/Ness point area of Lowestoft on Jan 6th, this high Arctic gull was twitchable for no more than 2 hours before disappearing. Much to the delight of those who missed out, the bird was re-found 2 days later and stayed until the 14th Jan although proved rather elusive during it's stay.
Red-flanked Bluetail, Thorpeness Common - Steve Blain.
This asiatic gem and one time mega, was Suffolks 2nd record and found on the disused caravan park at Thorpeness. The bird was present for 9 days and enjoyed by many birders from all over Britain.
Great Reed Warbler, Dingle Marsh - Eddie Marsh.
This 1st winter Great Reed Warbler was trapped, ringed & released and show to a small gathered crowd at Dunwich beach carpark. This was the 13th record for the county and the only one to be seen in October.
Lesser Grey Shrike, Shingle Street - Lee Woods.
This 1st summer female Lesser Grey Shrike was found on wires adjacent to the tennis courts at Shingle street. The bird was present in the area for four days and consisted of the 7th record for this species in the county.
Arctic Redpoll, Rendlesham Park - Lee Woods.
2006 proved to be a good year for this species within the county with at least 4 different individuals present early in the new year. This bird was discovered amongst Lesser Redpolls on a small housing estate.
Juv Rose-coloured Starling, Benacre - Mike Parker.
This juvenile Rose-coloured Starling was found whilst observers were looking at a juvenile Dotterel that had been present in the same area at the time of this discovery.
2005.
Lesser Yellowlegs, Southwold/Walberswick - Mike Parker.
2008.
Pacific Golden Plover, Havergate Island - David Fairhurst.
This county 2nd was a good find on the island and comes only 3 years after the first and only was found at Levington Creek. This bird was present for no more than 2 hours before moving on North.
Lesser Yellowlegs, Minsmere - Sean Nixon.
The same individual that had been found the previous autumn was now in full summer plumage and communting between Southwold & Minsmere.
Raddes Warbler, Shingle Street - Bill Baston.
This individual found it's way into a net at a private ringing site at Shingle Street on 28th Sept. On release the bird went to ground and wasn't seen at all that day, the following day/s the bird fed and show well to all-comers along the path just South of the alotments.
Spectacled Warbler, Westleton Heath - Scott Mayson & Terry McGeever.
This bird was found early afternoon in May on the heath and was initially identified as a Subalpine Warbler. On release of news the bird promptly disappeared and didn't show again til 4pm where the id still remained as Subalpine, at 5.15pm and after good views the birds id was finally confirmed as a Spectacled Warbler, a national mega and the county's 2nd record! The bird was present til dusk and by this time had been seen by several observers and it was even seen to be collecting nest material! Despite extensive searching the following morning the bird could not be re-found.
Icterine Warbler, Landguard Bird Obs - Justin Zantboer.
This individual was trapped, ringed & released on 07th August.
Citrine Wagtail, Landguard Bird Obs - Scott Mayson.
This bird was found late morning on Friday 29th August. After much debate, the bird was finally identified as an adult male and was the 5th record of such species within the county and the 1st for Landguard.
Red-spotted Bluethroat, Shingle Street - James Kennerley.
Although almost annual, this singing male Red-spotted Bluethroat was a superb shot and always nice to see.
Rustic Bunting, Landguard Bird Obs - Justin Zantboer.
This bird was discovered in the nets during the afternoon of 24th September, being only the 4th record for the county with the last being in 1996 from Corton, it proved popular with locals but only a handful of observers manage to catch up with this individual before it was released.
2007.
Squacco Heron, Minsmere
This 1 day bird was found early morning on Friday 13th July and although initially mobile the bird settled down on the levels and enjoyed by many through-out the day. The last county record was way back in 1912 so a county tick was had by those lucky enough to see this bird.
Female Ring-necked Duck, Loompit Lake - Lee Woods.
This bird (Suffolk's 9th record) was initially found on Loompit Lake, Trimley on Jan 14th and had moved on 2 days later, only to be found on Melton fishing lakes on Feb 8th before departing for good on 10th Feb.
Long-billed Dowitcher, Mistley - Sean Nixon.
This sighting on the River Stour was Suffolks 6th record of this nearctic wader and the first since 1985.
Barred Warbler, Landguard Bird Obs - Bill Baston.
This Barred Warbler was found and showing well in brambles in front of the Obs. This species occurs almost annually with LBO being a 'hot-spot' for it's occurances.
Lesser Whitethroat, Landguard Bird Obs - Justin Zantboer.
By DNA results, this Lesser Whitethroat proved to be of the race blythi and is probably the first proven record of this subspecies in the UK.
Little Bunting, Dunwich, Greyfriars Wood - Brian J Small.
This individual was trapped, ringed & released at a private ringing site in Dunwich and on release, the bird was shown to a small gathered party. Although Little Buntings are almost annual in neighbouring Norfolk, for some reason Suffolk birders seems to struggle to catch up with this species?
2006.
Lesser Scaup, Suffolk Water Park, Bramford - Lee Woods.
This sighting was Suffolks 2nd record of this species and the first twitchable following it's 7 day stay, the previous record being found at the same site on the afternoon of March 16th 2004 and was gone the next morning.
Spotted Sandpiper, Minsmere - Mike Parker.
This adult bird 'complete with spots' was found on the scrape on June 1st and was still present the next day. This sighting consisted of the 4th record for the county and the first twitchable 'spotted' bird.
Ross's Gull, Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft - Lee Woods.
This first for Suffolk was found in the Hamilton Dock/Ness point area of Lowestoft on Jan 6th, this high Arctic gull was twitchable for no more than 2 hours before disappearing. Much to the delight of those who missed out, the bird was re-found 2 days later and stayed until the 14th Jan although proved rather elusive during it's stay.
Red-flanked Bluetail, Thorpeness Common - Steve Blain.
This asiatic gem and one time mega, was Suffolks 2nd record and found on the disused caravan park at Thorpeness. The bird was present for 9 days and enjoyed by many birders from all over Britain.
Great Reed Warbler, Dingle Marsh - Eddie Marsh.
This 1st winter Great Reed Warbler was trapped, ringed & released and show to a small gathered crowd at Dunwich beach carpark. This was the 13th record for the county and the only one to be seen in October.
Lesser Grey Shrike, Shingle Street - Lee Woods.
This 1st summer female Lesser Grey Shrike was found on wires adjacent to the tennis courts at Shingle street. The bird was present in the area for four days and consisted of the 7th record for this species in the county.
Arctic Redpoll, Rendlesham Park - Lee Woods.
2006 proved to be a good year for this species within the county with at least 4 different individuals present early in the new year. This bird was discovered amongst Lesser Redpolls on a small housing estate.
Juv Rose-coloured Starling, Benacre - Mike Parker.
This juvenile Rose-coloured Starling was found whilst observers were looking at a juvenile Dotterel that had been present in the same area at the time of this discovery.
2005.
Trumpeter Finch, Landguard Bird Obs - Lee Woods.
This individual, a county 2nd was found early on Saturday 21st May 2005, which enabled hundreds of birders to connect with this MEGA on it's first day, the bird stayed until the 25th May and by which time was estimated to be seen by upto c4000 birders! This bird was a county tick for most, although some did connect with the last and only previous record back in 1971 from Minsmere.
Pacific Golden Plover, Levington Creek - Lee Woods.
This first for Suffolk was a good find amongst Golden Plovers on the banks of the River Orwell. The Bird was initially elusive but did eventfully give itself up and show reasonably well for all to see. The bird was present in this area for upto 6 days.
Lesser Crested Tern, Minsmere - Lee Woods.
This bird was found at 19:45hrs on Wednesday July 20th from South hide and was still present the following morning til 09:00hrs when flew out to sea. The bird was then re-found further down the coast at East Lane during the afternoon of Friday 22nd July and stayed til 20:40hrs when it was last seen to fly out sea, as it did it crashed through the tamarisk bushes on the sea-wall, as per Eddie Marsh. This 3rd for Suffolk had previously been seen at several sites in neighbouring Norfolk before it's arrival at Minsmere.
Tawny Pipit, Minsmere Beach Beach - Lee Woods.
This individual was found in the dunes on the evening of 8th June. This species use to be almost annual in the county, but it's occurances of late have declined somewhat drastically, there has been 39 records in Suffolk to date.
2003.
Sabines Gull, Lowestoft - Mike Parker.
Without doubt one of the highlights of 2003. This well watched adult bird was seen through-out much of the summer months around Lowestoft harbour.
Aquatic Warbler, Orfordness - Steve Piotrowski.
2 Aquatic Warblers were trapped (adult & juvenile) on 14th / 15th August respectively. These birds consisted of the 6th & 7th records for the county with the last being in 1987 from Lowestoft North denes, had these two individuals been at a more accessible site, I'm sure they would of proved very popular amongst the county's birders!
2002.
Whiskered Tern, Lakenheath - Lee Woods.
This adult bird was found on the border with Norfolk and was seen on both sides of the river.
1970's.
Franklins Gull, Lowestoft 1977/8 - Mike Parker.
Suffolks first record involved this long staying individual in the Lowestoft area during the winter of 77/78. The only other record for the county involved a bird that spent the afternoon/evening on mudflats at Burgh Castle with Black-headed Gulls in 1991.
