Birdline East Anglia bird news for Suffolk for March 2007 by Robin Chittenden A Long-billed Dowitcher was found on the Stour Estuary at Mistley in Essex 9th-31st at least. The bird was seen to feed regularly on the Suffolk side of the Stour thus pleasing county listers in both Suffolk and Essex. Indeed for Suffolk birders it was the first in the county for twenty-two years. A Penduline Tit was discovered at Minsmere RSPB 9th but may have been glimpsed there on 28th February. A Green-winged Teals was discovered at Minsmere RSPB 1st-14th. A Long-tailed Ducks was off Gorleston 6th and a fine drake flew north past Hopton 24th. The two Black Brant was seen around the River Orwell at Loompit Lake , Levington Creek, Shotley Marshes and Collier Point until 20th. Two Tundra Bean Geese were at North Warren RSPB 8th. Only one Great Northern Diver was seen on River Deben at Felixstowe Ferry 21st . In Norfolk the Great Northern Diver stayed at Barton Broad until 11th. The largest count was still at Rutland Water with up to seven but had reduced to one or two by the end of the month. The Red-throated Diver was still at Lowestoft Hamilton Docks or Lake Lothing until 18th. A Black-necked Grebe was on the River Orwell at Trimley Marshes SWT 3rd and another at Great Livermere Lake 30th. The only Waxwing was one at Carlton Colville 7th-16th Spring migration had an early and faltering start. There was an influx of Firecrest along coastal Suffolk from 28th with birds seen at Landguard NR, Corton Woods, Warrenhouse Wood at Lowestoft, Gunton, Minsmere RSPB and Dunwich. Pairs of Garganey were at Minsmere RSPB 8th and Dingle Marshes RSPB 10th. A Woodlark was at Landguard NR 10th. A Swallow was at Lowestoft 9th. A Wheatear was at Landguard NR 11th. A Sedge Warbler was at Minsmere RSPB 27th. Notable were a count of seven White Wagtails at Benacre Pits 9th. Other highlights from Suffolk Benacre Pits Scaup Brantham Black Redstart Cattawade Black Redstart Dunwich Firecrest Felixstowe Purple Sandpiper Grove Wood Firecrest Lackford Lakes SWT up to four Caspian Gulls Landguard NR up to three Purple Sandpipers, up to three Firecrest 12th Lound Firecrest Lowestoft Shag, up to eight Purple Sandpipers Melton fishing lakes Shag Minsmere RSPB two Water Pipit, Jack Snipe, 3yr & 2w Caspian Gull, Smew, Scaup, Black Redstart Southwold Firecrest North Warren RSPB 45 Eurasian White-fronted Goose Rendlesham Forest Firecrest Sizewell Little Gull Thetford Forest High Lodge up to nine Crossbills Trimley Marshes SWT 29 Pink-footed Geese, eleven Eurasian White-fronted Geese Walberswick Marshes NNR 20 Twite Westleton Black Redstart Harlequin Wildlife Tours Bird and Wildlife Tours led by Robin Chittenden. For further information please contact us direct or take a look at the news page at www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk t 01603 633326 e robin@harlequinpictures.co.uk Harlequinpictures wildlife & landscape images by Robin Chittenden t 01603 633326 m 07941333970 e robin@harlequinpictures.co.uk www.harlequinpictures.co.uk Birdline East Anglia What's about? Simply call 09068 700 245 Please contact us with your sightings on t 01603 763388, e birdnews@birdline-eastanglia.co.uk or text 07941333970 www.birdnews.co.uk & www.birdline-eastanglia.co.uk Calls to 09068 numbers cost just 60p/min. Mobile phone rates may vary