Birdline East Anglia bird news for Suffolk for April 2008
by Robin Chittenden
Minsmere RSPB was one of Suffolk's hotspots in April with a Red-rumped Swallow there 7th. It was also seen at North Warren RSPB and Thorpeness. Also at Minsmere RSPB was a Purple Heron 9th-10th and the Penduline Tits were heard again 4th. Two Penduline Tits were at Fisher Row 4th and the seen again nearby at Carlton Marshes SWT 8th.
One that got away was a possible Pacific Swift over Landguard 26th.
Scarce migrants were a rather elusive Hoopoe at Hollesley 17th-19th, a Wryneck at Landguard NR 21st and a Serin flew seen to fly in off the sea at Felixstowe 22nd and another flew north at Lowestoft 28th.
A Black Kite was at Boyton Marshes RSPB 8th-10th and again over there and Gedgrave Marshes 21st-26th, one lingered in the Brecks and Bury St Edmunds area mid-month, one flew west over Dunwich Cliffs 20th, one over Beccles 21st, one over Benacre 22nd, one Ashby Dell 26th and one at Minsmere RSPB 26th. This year though all records will be 'clouded' by news, that in March London Zoo managed to lose three Cape Verde/Black Kite hybrids and a Black Kite from a storm damaged aviary. It is going to be difficult task for the county bird recorders to satisfy themselves that all sightings this spring were not these escapees. I expect the 'British Birds' rarities committee (the people that adjudicate records of UK rare birds) are somewhat relieved that they had 'demoted' Black Kite from their list of species they consider, only a couple of years ago..
A Rough-legged Buzzard flew north over Darsham 5th and one flew south over Boyton Marshes RSPB 12th. A male Montagu's Harrier flew south-west over Halvergate 26th. A Great White Egret was again at North Warren RSPB 5th-15th and two Common Cranes flew south over North Warren RSPB 15th. Four Spoonbills were at Minsmere RSPB 22nd and another was at North Warren 28th. A Stone-curlew was at Levington 30th. Two Temminck's Stints were at Minsmere RSPB 28th-29th. The Shorelark was still at Landguard NR until 26th.
A summer plumaged Red-throated Diver was at Alton Water until 16th. The juvenile Glaucous Gull was seen on and off at Minsmere RSPB and an Iceland Gull dropped in there 17th. The Black Brant was still at Thorpe Bay early in the month and a Raven flew south over Ipswich 9th.
Returning summer visitors included Common Tern Minsmere RSPB 1st, Ring Ouzel near Aldringham 1st, a Yellow Wagtail at Shingle Street 1st, Sedge Warbler Shingle Street & Minsmere RSPB 3rd, two Grasshopper Warblers at Carlton Marshes & Trimley Marshes SWT 10th, Nightingale Minsmere RSPB 12th, Lesser Whitethroat Landguard NR 12th and Little Tern 16th.
This article was written & compiled by Robin Chittenden from Birdline East Anglia. Anyone can listen to the latest bird sightings by phoning 09068 700 245
He 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
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