Birdline East Anglia bird news for Suffolk for January 2008 by Robin Chittenden The Lesser Yellowlegs was at Southwold Town Marshes all month and it was also seen nearby on the shore pools at Walberswick and Dingle during January . A rather early or wintering Kentish Plover was at Landguard NR was somewhat of a surprise 20th. It flew across the River Orwell to the Essex side so perhaps this is its, so far, undiscovered wintering location. A Great White Egret was at Thorpeness Mere and North Warren RSPB until 30th One of the three Lesser Snow Geese in Norfolk strayed into Suffolk being seen between Ashby and Somerleyton on the 14th. Similarly one of the four Ross’s Geese in Norfolk was between Ashby and Somerleyton 13th-14th. The American population of Ross’s Geese and Lesser Snow Geese have both mushroomed in recent years. This and the fact they have turned up with a suitable carrier species means that one can safely deduce that these are wild birds. Up to nine Tundra Bean Goose were at North Warren RSPB throughout January. Singles were at Trimley Marshes SWT 5th and near Somerleyton 13th-15th and two were at Mickle Mere 9th-12th Single Black Brants were on the Orwell Estuary at Thorpe Bay and Levington and another was nearby on the Stour Estuary. A Long-tailed Duck was at Alton Water 23rd-24th. A Richard’s Pipit was found at Shingle Street 7th-23rd. Out of season birds included eight Manx Shearwaters past Southwold 2nd and a Balearic Shearwater flew north past Sizewell 20th. A Ring-billed Gull was seen again at Lackford Lakes SWT 7th and at Lakenheath Fen RSPB 30th. The Glaucous Gull was at Carlton Colville until 5th, one was off Landguard NR 10th, one was at Sizewell and Minsmere on and off 11th-21st and one flew past Slaughden 20th. An Iceland Gull was at Cavenham Pits 5th, another was at Wangford Fen 18th, which was seen at Hockwold Washes nearby 27th and one past Thorpeness 20th and Orfordness NT 20th and one past Landguard NR 23rd Up to two Black-throated Divers remained on the River Orwell 27th at least, one at Alton Water 13th, two were on Stour Estuary 1st and one was still at Lowestoft Hamilton Dock or Lake Lothing throughout January. A Great Northern Diver was on the River Orwell 10th & 23rd and a Slavonian Grebe was still at Alton Water until 23rd. Two Common Cranes were at Lakenheath Fen RSPB 4th. This article is compiled and written by Robin Chittenden from Birdline East Anglia. Anyone can listen to the latest bird sightings by phoning 09068 700 245 Robin is available for private bird, wildlife or photography tours. For more information please look at the news page at www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk and view his photographs at www.harlequinpictures.co.uk Contact t 01603 633326 m 07941333970 e robin@harlequinpictures.co.uk Calls to 09068 numbers cost just 60p/min. Mobile phone rates may vary.