Bird News - March 2004

March 2004

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Kingfisher - Lake Lothing - February 2004 - © Robert Wilton

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RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata ****
Kessingland - 1st (126 N, 22 S, 5 o/s), 2nd (10 N, 5 S, 1 o/s), 3rd (4 N, 8 S), 5th (5 N, 2 S, 3 o/s), 6th (3 N), 7th (37 N, 10 S, 4 o/s), 8th (42 N, 18 S, 3 o/s), 9th (43 N, 24 S, 8 o/s), 10th (15 N, 9 S, 6 o/s), 11th (19 N, 5 S, 7 o/s), 12th (7 N, 3 S), 13th (5 N, 3 S, 1 o/s), 14th (3 N, 6 S, 3 o/s), 15th (9 N, 3 S, 1 o/s), 16th (27 N, 2 S 1 o/s), 17th (1 N, 1 o/s), 18th (1 N, 3 S), 19th (2 S), 20th (1 S), 21st (1 S), 22nd (1 N, 1 S), 23rd (1 N, 1 S), 24th (1 N, 2 S), 25th (1 S), 27th (1 o/s), 28th (1 S), 30th (1 N).
Ness Point - 13th (2 N).

LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis
At least eight were on Leathes Ham on the 22nd.

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus ****
Kessingland - 1st (2 S), 3rd (1 S), 5th (1 N), 6th (1 N, 2 o/s), 7th (1 S), 8th (2 N, 1 S), 9th (4 N), 14th (1 N, 6 S), 15th (7 S, 1 o/s), 16th (1 S, 12 o/s), 17th (2 o/s), 27th (3 o/s).

FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis
Kessingland - 1s (7 N), 4th (1 N), 9th (1 N), 11th (2 N), 12th (5 N), 16th (1 N), 18th (1 N), 19th (3 N), 23rd (2 N), ) 27th (5 N),
29th (2 N), 30th (2 N), 31st (1 N).

Two 'normal' pale morph birds were found dead along Lowestoft North Beach on the 1st. Neither was oiled, nor was there any sign of injury. Twenty had been found dead along Blakeney Point, North Norfolk on February 29th, and the dark morph 'Blue' Fulmar on the sea off Ness Point on February 29th did not appear in the best of health. There have also been many dead Fulmars picked up in Northern France and Belgium. The cause of death remains unknown.

The web link below the photo makes reference to a mass die-off of Fulmars along the north-west coast of the USA in October-November 2003. Apparently 505 were found in Lincoln County, Oregon alone. The cause of death there also remains unknown at present. Thanks to Kelvin Hill for making us aware of this link.

http://www.tidepool.org/voices/gallobfulmar2.cfm

GANNET Morus bassanus ****
Kessingland - 1st (22 N), 2nd (1 N), 3rd (2 N), 6th (1 N), 7th (2 N), 8th (2 N), 9th (50 N), 10th (16 N), 11th (32 N), 12th (9 N), 13th (6 N, 1 S), 14th (1 N), 17th (2 N), 19th (11 N), 20th (10 N), 21st (25 N), 22nd (1 N, 1 S), 23rd (2 N), 24th (4 N), 25th (9 N), 26th (8 N, 1 S), 27th (53 N), 28th (8 N, 1 S), 30th (25 N), 31st (87 N).
Ness Point - 13th (2 N).

CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo ****
Kessingland - 1st (2 N), 2nd (4 S, 1 o/s), 3rd (1 S), 10th (1 N), 13th (1 S), 15th (1 N, 2 o/s), 17th (2 S, 2 N), 21st (1 N, 1 S), 24th (1 N), 26th (1 N, 1 S), 31st (1 S).
Ness Point - 4th (1 S), 31st (1 S).

EUROPEAN SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis
One was on Oulton Broad on the 13th. Not a very frequent sight on this stretch of freshwater despite being separated only by the lock at Oulton Broad from Lake Lothing.

CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis ****
Three flew north past Kessingland on the 4th, with four north past there on the 27th. A pair were in Kirkley Fen Park on the 13th.

BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla bernicla
Kessingland - 5th (6 flew north then returned south), 14th (4 N), 16th (1 N), 27th (1 N), 29th (14 N).

EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen aegyptiacus
A pair at Oulton Broad on the 20th had two young goslings with them.
Leathes Ham - 26th (1), 29th (pair).

SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna ****
Kessingland - 4th (1 S), 7th (1 N), 13th (2 N), 17th (1 N, 2 S), 18th (1 S), 19th (2 S), 26th (1 S), 27th (3 N, 2 S), 29th (6 S).

WIGEON Anas penelope ****
Kessingland - 4th (16 N), 9th (1 S), 12th (33 N), 14th (8 S), 18th (3 S, 12 o/s), 29th (1 S, 5 o/s).

GADWALL Anas strepera
Two were on Leathes Ham on the 13th. Six were at Lound Waterworks on the 21st..

TEAL Anas crecca
Kessingland - 11th (2 S), 18th (5 o/s), 24th (2 S), 29th (4 N, 2 S, 58 o/s).

PINTAIL Anas acuta
Kessingland - 9th (7 S).
Ness Point - 18th (2 S).

SHOVELER Anas clypeata
Kessingland - 17th (4 S).

TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula ****
Kessingland - 29th (2 N).

COMMON EIDER Somateria mollissima ****
Kessingland - 8th (4 N), 28th (2 S).

COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra ****
Kessingland - 3rd (6 N), 10th (2 N), 11th (1 N), 15th (1 N), 16th (1 N), 17th (2 N), 18th (1 N), 19th (3 N, 1 S), 23rd (15 N), 27th (12 N), 28th (5 S).

GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula
Kessingland - 18th (1 S).

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator
Kessingland - 10th (1 N), 14th (1 S).

RED KITE Milvus milvus
One flew eastwards over Burgh St. Peter, Norfolk on the 2nd, heading in our direction. Early March is usually a very good time around here for seeing Common Buzzards passing through, and nowadays Red Kites as well!

One untagged bird flew westwards low over Oulton Village, being mobbed by crows, early morning on the 21st.

MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus
A female flew in from the sea at 14:50 on the 16th at Kessingland.

COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo
One was seen at Ashby, near Lound, on the 14th. Four were seen there on the 20th, at least three on the 21st, and two there on the 27th and 31st.

Single birds were also noted over Beccles on the 26th, heading eastwards towards Worlingham, heading north over Kessingland on the 27th, and over south Lowestoft on the 28th.

PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus
One was at Fritton Marshes on the 6th.

RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa
Three were at Corton on the 1st and 6th. One was feeding on spilt bird seed in a garden at Gunton on the 18th.

GREY PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix
Five were seen at Corton on the 6th.

WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus
On the 1st two were in Kirkley Fen Park, Lowestoft.

OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus
Kessingland - 1st (1 N), 5th (1 N), 12 (1 N), 13th (8 N), 16th (2 S), 17th (2 S), 22nd (2 N), 27th (2 N), 28th (15 N), 29th (3 o/b).
Ness Point - 2nd (1), 4th (1 N).
Corton - 6th, one feeding on the groynes along the beach.
Lake Lothing - 13th (2).

AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta
One flew south past Kessingland on the 18th.

STONE CURLEW Burhinus oedicnemus
One heard calling frequently as it headed north over central Lowestoft at 21:38 on the 15th came as a bit of a surprise whilst listening out for Redwings heading back to the Continent!

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula
Kessingland - 4th (2 on beach), 5th (1 o/b), 6th (2 o/b), 7th (4 o/b), 14th (5 o/b), 15th (3 o/b), 16th (5 o/b), 17th (4 o/b), 19th (4 o/b), 25th (4 o/b).
Ness Point - 7th (1).
Lowestoft North Beach - 28th (1).

GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria
A flock of 36 flew north-westwards over Corton Sewage Works on the 6th. Sixteen were at Ellough, Beccles on the 22nd.

LAPWING Vanellus vanellus
Several were on the move at Corton Sewage Works on the 6th. A flock of 42 flew north, and another of 130 flew eastwards during the afternoon; but at dusk four straggling flocks, totaling 380 birds, were watched heading out to sea.

SANDERLING Calidris alba
Kessingland - 6th (4 o/b), 7th (15 o/b), 10th (5 o/b), 16th (5 o/b), 17th (5 o/b), 19th (1 o/b), 25th (2 o/b).
Ness Point - 7th (2), 13th (1).

PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima
Ness Point - 1st (2), 4th (6), 7th (6), 12th (4), 13th (7), 27th (4), 31st (2).

DUNLIN Calidris alpina
Kessingland - 13th (6 S), 14th (2 S), 15th (6 S), 16th (16 S, 5 o/b).

JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus
On the 30th one flew into a window at Meadow Park School, Lowestoft. Upon release after it recovered it flew off towards Kirkley Fen Park.

COMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago
Noted at Corton on the 6th (3), 7th (1), 13th (7), 24th (3) and 25th (1).

WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola
One was seen near Kessingland Sewage Works on the 6th.

CURLEW Numenius arquata ****
Kessingland - 18th (2 S), 21st (1 S), 27th (1 S), 30th (2 N).
Ness Point - 31st (3 S).

TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres
Kessingland - 2nd (3 o/b), 4th (12 o/b), 6th (9 o/b), 7th (10 o/b), 10th (2 o/b), 14th (1 o/b), 15th (3 o/b), 16th (5 o/b), 17th (5 o/b), 19th (2 o/b), 22nd (6 o/b), 24th (1 o/b), 25th (5 o/b), 29th (8N).
Ness Point - 1st (1), 4th (3), 13th (11), 18th (4).

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus
Pakefield - 1st (4, 2 adult, 1 2nd winter, 1 1st winter), 31st (2 summer plumaged adults).
Lowestoft - An adult was scavenging scraps from a garden in Normanhurst Close on the 13th, along with several Black-headed Gulls. It's so much easier when the birds comes to you!
Kessingland - 10th (2 adults north), 25th (1 adult over Kessingland Levels).
Ness Point - 31st (1, 2nd summer north then on sea).

ICELAND GULL Larus glaucoides
A first winter was seen at Ness Point on the 9th before it headed out to sea.

KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla ****
Kessingland - 5th (1 N), 7th (11 N, 1 S), 8th (2 N), 9th (14 N), 10th (8 N), 11th (2 N, 15 S), 12th (4 N, 4 S), 13th (1 N), 14th (1 S), 18th (1 N, 2 S), 22nd (3 S), 23rd (2 N), 24th (2 N), 25th (1 N), 26th (2 N), 27th (2 N, 3 S), 28th (1 S), 29th (8 N), 30th (44 N, 1 S), 31st (51 N).

Breeding birds have now started appearing in Lowestoft, both on the Kittiwake Wall in the harbour and on the Claremont Pier, where there were 24 on the 23rd.

AUK sp. Alcidae ****
Kessingland - 1st (75 N), 2nd (1 N), 3rd (2 N), 6th (1 N), 7th (1 N), 8th (3 N, 2 S), 9th (2 N), 10th (8 N, 1 S), 11th (100 N, 1 S), 12th (99 N), 13th (1 S), 14th (5 N, 1 S), 15th (1 S), 16th (6 N), 27th (4 S), 28th (2 S), 30th (1 N).
Ness Point - 26th (3 N).

Single dead Guillemot and Razorbill were washed up on Kessingland beach between the 17th and 23rd.

BARN OWL Tyto alba
One was at Carlton Marshes on the 7th. Two were seen at Somerleyton Marshes on the 12th.

LITTLE OWL Athene noctua ****
One was heard calling at Ashby, near Lound on the 14th and 31st; another was heard at Corton on the 27th.

TAWNY OWL Strix aluco
Two were heard calling in the Belle Vue Park/Arnold's Walk area of Lowestoft on the 6th.

KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis
One was in Kirkley Fen Park, Lowestoft on the 1st.

WOOD LARK Lullula arborea
One seen twice in flight at Corton on the 7th was a pleasant surprise.

HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica
A probable flew north over an observer queued in traffic near Mutford Lock bridge in Oulton Broad early morning on the 2nd. Not entirely unexpected given the numbers present along the south coast for a couple of weeks now.

MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis
Many birds were seen and heard passing overhead at both Gunton and Corton on the 17th.

ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus
One was at Ness Point on the 2nd, with two there on the 13th.

GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea
One was at Kessingland Sewage Works on the 6th, 7th and 13th. Three were feeding together at Corton, near the old sewage works site, on the 18th.

PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba
18 were roosting in the bare trees outside Dorothy Perkins in Lowestoft Town Centre on the evening of the 2nd. Fourteen were gathering on nearby roofs there on the 5th before dropping down into the trees at dusk. One White Wagtail was with two Pieds at Horn Hill, Lowestoft on the 21st.

BOHEMIAN WAXWING Bombycilla garrulus
Nine were at Caldecott Hall Golf Course, Fritton on the 30th.

BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros
A female/immature male was in a garden in Sharon Drive, Lowestoft on the 24th, with another at Corton old sewage works on the 31st.

STONECHAT Saxicola torquata ****
A pair were at Carlton Marshes on the 7th. A male was on Gunton Beach on the 17th and 25th. One was on Kessingland Beach on the 28th.

NORTHERN WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe ****
Corton - 17th (two males were in the cliff top fields near the site of the old sewage works), 29th (1 at the old sewage works).
Lowestoft - 18th & 31st (one along the seawall at the North Beach).
Kessingland Beach - 28th (10+), 29th (3).
Gunton Beach - 29th (1).

BLACKBIRD Turdus merula
Increased numbers of very wary birds, presumably winter migrants heading back to Europe, were present at Corton on the 13th, but were not present on the 14th. A few were heard passing over Lowestoft on the evening of the 14th. A group of ten along Corton disused railway track on the 18th were most likely migrants. Two were heard calling in flight over Lowestoft on the evening of the 28th.

FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris
On the 17th 80 were seen at Mutford and a single bird was noted at Corton. Ten were noted at Corton on the 18th.

Redwing - © Andrew Easton

REDWING Turdus iliacus
Six were in Kirkley Fen Park, Lowestoft, on the 13th.

On the evening of the 14th, at 22:15 and 23:15, numerous Redwings could be heard calling in flight over central Lowestoft as they headed eastwards back to Europe. Several more were heard on the evening of the 15th, despite the blustery wind, around 20:20, 21:30 and 23:00. Smaller numbers were heard again on the evenings of the 16th and 17th. Large numbers were again passing eastwards over Lowestoft on the evening of the 18th in light rain and blustery winds.

At least 300 were at Mutford on the 17th, and at least fifty were at Corton disused railway track on the 18th.

780 were counted flying low over Oulton Broad between 07:10 and 08:10 on the 18th. The majority were heading south, but few were heading westwards.

BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla
A male was seen at Corton disused railway track on the 18th. Two males were seen there on the 27th, though neither were singing.

CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita
One was in a garden at Oulton Broad on the 2nd. Two were at Kessingland Sewage works on the 7th and 13th, one of which was the Siberian type bird.

There after the following (mainly singing birds) were noted.
Corton - 17th (3), 18th (1), 21st (1), 27th (3), 31st (1).
North Denes, Lowestoft - 25th (1).
Gunton - 17th (2), 24th (2).
Kessingland - 22nd (1), 27th (5).

GOLDCREST Regulus regulus
At least four at Corton disused railway track, and two at CEFAS at Pakefield on the 31st were apparent migrants.

FIRECREST Regulus ignicapilla
Two were still at Kessingland Sewage Works on the 7th, with at least one still there on the 13th. One was along Corton disused railway track on the 31st, often accompanying Goldcrests Regulus regulus.

COAL TIT Parus ater
One was noted along the disused railway track at Corton on the 18th.

An example of the nominate race "Continental" Coal Tit was trapped and ringed at Corton disused railway track on the 27th. The strikingly blue-grey mantle is shown to good effect in the photo above. At least six other Coal Tits, including a party of five, were seen there on the 27th, though these stayed in the tree tops and the upperparts were not seen well enough to confirm their race.

GREAT TIT Parus major
Large numbers of Great Tits, and quite a few Blue Tits Parus caeruleus were passing along Corton disused railway track on the morning of the 27th. This included a single flock of 20 Great Tits. Numbers had dwindled by midday though. A BTO ringed bird was also trapped that had not been ringed at this site, so it will be interesting to find out how far it had travelled to get here.

HOODED CROW Corvus cornix/CARRION CROW Corvus corone
Better views on the 8th of the Hooded Crow, first seen on the 7th, in field to the south of Corton Sewage Works showed it to have black undertail coverts, and black on the belly. So unfortunately it was just a hybrid. A small number of hybrids are regularly seen at Sidegate Lane, Gorleston and at Burgh Castle. Perhaps this is one of the Gorleston ones wandering.

CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs
Four were trapped and ringed at Corton on the 3rd. At least 50 were there on the 17th, with four more ringed. Another nine were ringed there on the 31st.

BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla
One male was with Chaffinches at Corton on the 6th, and one, possibly the same was heard only on the 7th. At least six were there on the 17th, with four of them being trapped and ringed. Three were again at Corton on the 18th, with at least two there on the 21st, one on the 27th, and two on the 31st.

GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris
One was trapped and ringed at Corton on the 3rd, with another four ringed there on the 31st.

SISKIN Carduelis spinus
One was seen along the disused railway track at Corton on the 6th before it headed northwards. Also on the 6th, 19 were noted at St. Olaves.

Single birds were seen at Gunton and Corton on the 17th. Three flew east over Gunton on the 18th. One was singing in a garden in Oulton Broad on the 18th, two were in a Beccles garden on the 23rd and two were in a Kessingland garden on the 26th. At least six were seen at Corton on the 27th, and five were at Caldecott Hall Golf Course, Fritton on the 30th.

LINNET Carduelis cannabina
Eight were on the sea wall along Lowestoft North Beach on the 4th, at least 30 were at Corton on the 6th, with 25 at the old sewage works site at Corton on the 18th.

LESSER REDPOLL Carduelis cabaret
One was at Caldecott Hall Golf Course, Fritton on the 30th.

BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula
A pair were at Gunton Woods on the 15th. Two were along Corton disused railway track on the 27th and 31st.

HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustes
One flew north over Corton Sewage Works early morning on the 7th before turning westwards and heading inland.

YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella
Seven were trapped and ringed at Corton on the 3rd. At least 90, and probably over 100 were feeding in the stubble field alongside the disused railway line at Corton on the 7th. Fifty were still present on the 17th, and a further nine were ringed.

One flew south over Oulton Broad on the 18th.

SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis
Kessingland Beach - 2nd (24), 3rd (24), 4th (12), 6th (17), 7th (17), 8th (12), 15th (5), 16th (5), 17th (1), 18th (3), 22nd (3), 24th (1).

REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus
Mutford - 13th (4).
Corton - 13th (4), 17th (1).

BIRDS RECORDED IN LIZARD LAND DURING 2004: Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Fulmar, Gannet, Cormorant, Eurasian Shag, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Bewick's Swan, Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Scaup, Eider, Common Scoter, Velvet Scoter, Goldeneye, Smew, Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Red-legged Partridge, Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Stone Curlew, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Sanderling, Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ruff, Jack Snipe, Common Snipe, Woodcock, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Turnstone, Arctic Skua, Mediterranean Gull, Little Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Kittiwake, Guillemot, Razorbill, Feral Dove, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wood Lark, Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Bohemian Waxwing, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, (Siberian Chiffchaff), Goldcrest, Firecrest, Bearded Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Brambling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, Bullfinch, Hawfinch, Snow Bunting, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting.