most recent update
Tundra Bean Geese - Herringfleet - January 2006 - ©Andrew Easton
RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata
Kessingland - 1st (66 N, 6 S, 6 o/s), 2nd (133 N, 8 S, 8 o/s), 3rd (24 N, 2 S, 2 o/s), 4th (30 N, 31 S, 29 o/s), 5th (34 N, 8 S, 4 o/s), 6th (44 N, 4 S, 6 o/s), 7th (90 N, 4 S, 4 o/s), 8th (36 N, 16 S, 1 o/s), 9th (45 N, 2 o/s), 10th (48 N, 13 S, 6 o/s), 11th (128 N, 7 S, 31 o/s), 12th (13 N, 1 S, 4 o/s), 13th (5 N, 3 S, 4 o/s), 14th (4 N, 1 S), 15th (13 N, 9 S, 1 o/s), 16th (5 N, 6 S, 3 o/s), 17th (11 N, 3 S, 2 o/s), 18th (11 N, 4 o/s), 19th (6 N, 4 S), 20th (15 N, 4 S, 2 o/s), 21st (18 N, 42 S), 22nd (35 N, 11 S), 23rd (58 N, 7 S, 9 o/s), 24th (14 N, 4 S), 25th (7 N, 2 S), 26th (173 N, 21 S, 6 o/s), 27th (58 N, 7 S, 3 o/s), 28th (55 N, 2 S, 3 o/s).
Ness Point - 4th (1 N), 7th (60+ S), 11th (1 N), 26th (185 N).
BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gavia arctica
One flew south then settled on the sea off Pakefield on the 6th, when it could be seen to be acquiring it's breeding plumage. One was also noted north past Kessingland on the 8th.
DIVER spp.
Kessingland - 5th (1 N), 10th (1 N).
GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus
Kessingland - 1st (1 N), 2nd (2 o/s), 3rd (1 N, 2 o/s), 4th (6 o/s), 5th (2 N, 2 o/s), 6th (1 S, 2 o/s), 7th (7 N, 2 S, 3 o/s), 9th (1 N), 10th (3 N, 4 S), 11th (2 S, 14 o/s), 12th (1 o/s), 17th (2 S, 1 o/s), 23rd (1 o/s), 26th (1 o/s), 27th (3 N, 2 S, 1 o/s).
Worlingham (Marsh Lane) - 5th (3).
Ness Point - 11th (2 S).
Oulton Broad - 11th (5).
FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis
Kessingland - 11th (1 N), 16th (2 N), 22nd (10 N), 23rd (1 N), 24th (12 N), 26th (1 N), 27th (2 N), 28th (1 N).
Ness Point - 4th (1 N), 7th (60+ S), 11th (1 N), 26th (4 N).
GANNET Morus bassanus
Kessingland - 4th (4 N), 7th (8 N), 8th (1 N, 1 S), 10th (9 N), 12th (12 N), 14th (4 N), 16th (1 N), 19th (1 N), 21st (10 N), 22nd (40 N, 6 S), 24th (16 N, 2 S), 25th (36 N, 2 S), 26th (25 N, 1 S), 27th (6 N), 28th (5 N).
Ness Point - 7th (3 N), 26th (58 N).
CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo
Kessingland - 4th (1 S), 7th (1 N), 11th (1 N, 1 S), 12th (1 S), 13th (1 N), 23rd (1 S), 24th (1 N), 25th (1 N), 27th (2 N).
Ness Point - 6th (3 S).
LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta
One was at North Cove on the 1st and another settled to feed in a road side ditch at Hulver on the 4th.
BEWICK'S SWAN Cygnus (columbianus) bewickii
On the 15th 25 flew eastwards over St.Olaves. On the morning of the 27th several flocks were noted leaving for Europe over Gisleham, Kessingland (72) and Gorleston (100+); one herd of 30 rested on the sea for twenty minutes off Kessingland before flying off eastwards. Perhaps they knew snow would be arriving on the 28th.
On the 28th 13 flew westwards over Oulton Broad at 08:15, and a further 75 flew south over there at 11:15.
PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Anser brachyrhynchus
Belton Marshes - 4th (2500+). They later flew north across the River Waveney into Norfolk, some settling on Haddiscoe Island and the others at Halvergate/Berney Marshes.
Stevens Street, Lowestoft - Heard calling in flight overhead at 6:43am. I would probably have been oblivious to their presence had I not been woken shortly beforehand by a painful muscle cramp.
TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE Anser (fabalis) serrirostris
Herringfleet Hills - 4th (8), 5th (8), 7th (8), 10th (4).
Somerleyton Marshes - 22nd (1).
GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser
Somerleyton Marshes - 22nd (147).
BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis
Lound water works - 4th (300), 10th (387).
DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla bernicla
Kessingland - 4th (2 S), 6th (2 S), 8th (4 S), 14th (1 S), 16th (2 S), 27th (3 N).
Gunton Warren - 21st (8 S).
EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen aegyptiacus
Somerleyton Marshes - 22nd (26), 25th (33).
SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna
Carlton Marshes - 3rd (3 NW).
Kessingland - 5th (2 S), 11th (1 S), 12th (1 S), 17th (1 S), 18th (1 S), 22nd (2 S), 24th (1 S).
Egyptian Goose & Mandarin Duck - Somerleyton - February 2006
©Andrew EastonMANDARIN DUCK Aix galericulata
A drake at Somerleyton Marshes on the 25th appeared to be having an identity crisis, it seemed to think it was an Egyptian Goose! Red-breasted Goose and Bar-headed Goose were also present there on the 25th.
EURASIAN WIGEON Anas penelope
Kessingland - 1st (9 S), 2nd (12 N), 14th (1 S), 19th (7 S), 22nd (2 S), 28th (1 N).
Worlingham (Marsh Lane) - 5th (80).
GADWALL Anas strepera
Kessingland - 2nd (1 N).
Lound Waterworks - 4th (24).
Leathes Ham - 19th (2).
TEAL Anas crecca
Kessingland - 1st (2 S), 2nd (3 N), 14th (4 S), 15th (2 S), 22nd (7 S).
Worlingham (Marsh Lane) - 5th (20).
MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos
Worlingham (Marsh Lane) - 5th (20).
SHOVELER Anas clypeata
Leathes Ham - 19th (15).
TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula
Lound Water Works - 4th (17).
COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra
Kessingland - 1st (1 S), 4th (1 N), 10th (1 N), 11th (6 N), 21st (6 N), 24th (15 N), 26th (8 N), 27th (7 N).
Ness Point -26th (1 N).
EIDER Somateria mollissima
Kessingland - 20th (1 N).
GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula
Lound Water Works - 4th (drake).
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator
Three flew north past Kessingland on the 9th, with another south past there on the 22nd.
MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus
Kessingland Levels - 5th (1).
HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus
Waveney Forest - 4th (ringtail flying westwards along the River Waveney).
Somerleyton Marshes - 26th (1 male).
COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo
One was seen between Lound Waterworks and Ashby on the 15th.
ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo lagopus
The first year bird was again across the border on Haddiscoe Island, Norfolk on the 4th and 5th, and was still present on the 15th and 25th. Viewable from the edge of Waveney Forest along the river bank or more distantly from Burgh Castle ruins. It spends most of the time sitting on the ground impersonating a mound of earth; though it did make one prolonged flight, being mobbed vigorously by two Marsh Harriers as it did so.
Grey Partridge - Ellough - December 2005
©Andrew EastonCOMMON CRANE Grus grus
One flew westwards over Nebb Wood, Flixton on the afternoon of the 9th.
OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus
Kessingland - 4th (1 N).
Ness Point - 18th (1).
AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta
Burgh Castle - 4th (2).
RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula
Kessingland - 5th (2 on beach), 15th (3 o/b), 16th (3 o/b), 17th (3 o/b), 19th (3 o/b).
Hamilton Dock - 25th (4).
GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria
Between 50 and 100 were feeding with Lapwings in fields at Gisleham, by the South Lowestoft Industrial Estate, on the 8th.
KNOT Calidris canutus
Kessingland - 9th (7 N), 23rd (2 S).
SANDERLING Calidris alba
Hamilton Dock - 4th (2), 7th (2), 25th (3).
Kessingland - 10th (15 S).
PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima
Ness Point - 4th (4), 7th (5), 19th (7), 25th (1), 26th (3).
Hamilton Dock - 25th (2).
DUNLIN Calidris alpina
Burgh Castle - 4th (4).
WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola
One was seen between Blundeston and Somerleyton on the 22nd.
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa
Burgh Castle - 4th (17), 26th (340).
CURLEW Numenius arquata
Kessingland - 27th (1 N).
REDSHANK Tringa totanus
Kessingland - 8th (1 N), 10th (1 o/b).
TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres
Kessingland - 7th (1 S), 12th (1 o/b), 16th (1 o/b), 17th (1 o/b).
Pakefield - 19th (32).
Hamilton Dock - 25th (25).
MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus
Kessingland - 8th (2 adults N), 22nd (1 adult N).
Pakefield - 10th (1 adult), 19th (4 adults).
Gorleston - 19th (2 adults).
Ness Point - 26th (1 adult).
LITTLE GULL Larus minutus
A first winter was again in Hamilton Dock on the 4th and 11th.
"Lowestoft" Herring Gull - Aldeby, Norfolk - February 2006
©Andrew GreenHERRING GULL Larus argentatus
On 11th July 2005 eleven Herring Gull nestlings were colour ringed with red rings, at the SLP yard in Lowestoft Harbour. Of these, six have been seen subsequently, not a bad percentage at all. The bird pictured above, known to his friends as WALter, was at Aldeby rubbish tip up to 14th February at least. Three of the others have been also been seen there in recent months. Herring Gulls are not renowned for making long distance movements, but the other two Lowestoft youngsters have traveled much farther afield to northern France.
Adults birds are already taking up territories on many of the town roofs, and one ringed as a nestling with a red plastic ring at Orfordness in July 1999 was seemingly settled in along Newcombe Road in late January. It has previously wandered as far away as The Netherlands, although Southwold and Aldeby are as far as it has been seen in the last three years!
KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla
Kessingland - 1st (2 N), 6th (1 S), 24th (4 N), 25th (2 N), 26th (2 N), 28th (1 N).
Ness Point - 26th (10 N).
GUILLEMOT Uria aalge
Ness Point - 7th (2 S), 26th (4 N, 4 on sea).
LITTLE AUK Alle alle
A surprise find at lunchtime in Bevan Street, Lowestoft on the 10th was a lightly oiled Little Auk. It was taken into care by the RSPCA.
Little Auk - Lowestoft - February 2006
©Steffan WhiteAUK sp. (Alcidae)
Kessingland - 2nd (1 N), 3rd (1 N), 4th (2 N), 7th (6 N, 1 o/s), 8th (3 N, 1 S), 9th (2 N), 10th (1 N), 11th (1 N), 12th (3 N), 19th (3 N), 21st (3 N), 22nd (1 N, 1 o/s), 24th (3 N), 26th (7 N, 1 S), 27th (6 N), 28th (9 N, 1 S).
Ness Point - 26th (19 N).
STOCK DOVE Columba oenas
Worlingham (Marsh Lane) - 5th (5).
Corton Woods - 19th (3).
TAWNY OWL Strix aluco
Two have been heard calling in Gunton Wood in early February.
LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus
One was found near Somerleyton pound (TM484962) on the 22nd.
SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus
Two were noted around the Kessingland Sluice/Benacre Ness area on the morning of the 8th. Very scarce this winter and the first sign of them here this winter. One was also seen on Haddiscoe Island, Norfolk on the 4th, with three there on the 14th and 26th, viewed from the Waveney Forest.
GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis
Kessingland - 5th (1).
Worlingham (Marsh Lane) - 5th (1).
LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos minor
One was seen by allotments near Crown Meadow, central Lowestoft on the 9th, and a female was seen at North Cove on the 18th.
SKY LARK Alauda arvensis
Flixton Marsh Lane - 22nd (40).
ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus
Ness Point - 4th (1), 18th (1), 26th (1).
Hamilton Dock - 11th (1).
Burgh Castle - 26th (2).
GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea
Kessingland Sewage Works - 5th (1).
Lowestoft Town Centre - 24th (1 flying between the shop roofs).
One was feeding along the stream by the cycle path by the Sports Centre in Water Lane on the 19th.
WAXWING Bombycilla garrulus
12 were in Lucerne Close, Carlton Colville on the 11th, increasing to 13 on the 13th, 14th and 24th.
Probably the same group of 13 were seen along the cycle path near Marham Road on the 19th, and 12 along Pinbush Road, South Lowestoft Industrial Estate on the 24th were probably the same wandering group.
STONECHAT Saxicola torquata
Carlton Marshes - 3rd (1).
Herringfleet Marshes - 19th (1).
REDWING Turdus iliacus
Carlton Marshes - 11th (2), 25th (1).
Gunton Wood - 9th (20).
Redwing & Fieldfare - Somerleyton - February 2006
©Andrew EastonFIELDFARE Turdus pilaris
Worlingham (Marsh Lane) - 5th (100).
Carlton Marshes - 11th (64), 25th (30).
BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla
One male is still enjoying it's winter break in Oulton Broad, it was still present on the 28th.
CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita
Kessingland sewage works - 21st (1).
Stevens Street, Lowestoft - 22nd (1).
BEARDED TIT Panurus biarmicus
Somerleyton Marshes - 3rd (3). Indeterminate numbers were also heard calling from the reeds alongside the River Waveney on the 4th at Waveney Forest and Burgh Castle.
COAL TIT Parus ater
Corton Woods - 19th (3).
NUTHATCH Sitta europaea
One was seen near Gunton Hall on the 13th.
HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus
Stevens Street, Lowestoft - 2nd (4). An increase of one since last week.
GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris
St. Olaves - 26th (66).
SISKIN Carduelis spinus
North Cove - 1st (130+).
Kessingland - 5th (30).
Blundeston - Somerleyton - 22nd (120).
LINNET Carduelis cannabina
Seven were along the North Beach at Lowestoft on the 6th.
Flixton Marsh Lane - 22nd (60).
LESSER REDPOLL Carduelis cabaret
35 were at Mutford on the 23rd.
BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Lound Water Works - 10th (2).
SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis
Kessingland Beach - 2nd (25), 3rd (30).
YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella
One at Gunton Warren on the 18th was the first to return from wherever they spend the winter months.
REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus
St. Olaves - 26th (1).
NICE BIRD SHAME ABOUT ITS ORIGIN
BAR-HEADED GOOSE Anser indicus
Lound water works - 4th (1 with the Barnacle Geese).
Herringfleet Marshes - 19th (1).
Somerleyton Marshes - 25th (1).
Red-breasted Goose & Canada Goose - Somerleyton - February 2006
©Andrew EastonRED-BREASTED GOOSE Branta ruficollis
Somerleyton Marshes - 25th (with Canada Geese).
NON-BIRD NEWS
A Grey Seal was seen at Kessingland on the 1st and 19th, and one was in Hamilton Dock on the 4th. On the 4th a Harbour Porpoise was seen passing south, then later north, past Ness Point. Harbour Porpoises were noted off Kessingland on the 9th, 11th (2), 14th, 16th and 27th(2). Common Seals were in Hamilton Dock on the 25th and off Kessingland on the 28th.
A Stoat was watched dragging a Wood Pigeon carcass across the road at Mutford on the 11th.
Occasional sunnier spells recently have seen the appearance of the odd butterfly, with Red Admirals seen at Herringfleet on January 21st, central Lowestoft on February 1st and a Small Tortoiseshell at Henstead on 4th.
A Wasp was also on the wing on the 18th.