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Red Kite - Wales - January 2008 © Peter Ransome
March usually produces a passage of Buzzards and occasionally Red Kites. Will we be lucky this year ?
LOWESTOFT LOUNGE LIZARDS
A couple of links for local bird news
Birdline East Anglia - Suffolk March 08 review
Suffolk Birding with BINS
The first winter period of the new BTO Atlas came to an end on February 29th. Now is the time to submit your records, if you haven't already done so, either using your paper recording forms or online.
The breeding survey period begins on 1st April.
RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata
Kessingland - 2nd (23 N, 4 S), 3rd (7 N, 3 S), 4th (18 N, 1 S, 13 on sea), 5th (178 N, 10 on sea), 6th (81 N, 6 S), 7th (12 N, 7 S), 8th (41 N, 3 S, 2 on sea), 9th (17 N, 8 S, 3 on sea), 11th (1 N), 14th (1 N, 3 S), 17th (4 N, 4 S, 5 on sea), 18th (36 N, 1 S, 1 on sea), 19th (47 N, 9 S, 5 on sea), 20th (216 N, 30 S, 6 on sea), 21st (10 N, 1 on sea), 22nd (1 N, 1 on sea), 23rd (26 N, 28 S, 2 on sea), 24th (601 N, 1 S, 38 on sea), 25th (131 N, 3 S, 4 on sea), 26th (11 N, 5 S, 6 on sea), 27th (87 N, 7 S, 53 on sea), 28th (2 S), 29th (24 N, 7 S, 8 on sea), 30th (30 S, 1 on sea), 31st (31 S, 18 0/ S).
BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gavia arctica
Hamilton Dock/Lake Lothing - The overwintering individual was still present on the 24th at least.
Kessingland - 5th (1 N), 8th (1 N), 9th (1 S), 18th (2 N, 1 on sea), 24th (1 N, 1 on sea), 27th (1 N).
GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer
One flew north past Kessingland on the 4th.
One flew north past Kessingland on the 30th.
DIVER sp. ****
Kessingland - 2nd (1 N), 5th (3 N), 11th (1 N), 17th (2 N), 19th (1 S), 20th (1 N), 21st (1 N), 24th (3 N), 26th (2 N).
GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus
Kessingland - 5th (3N), 9th (2 N), 13th (1 N), 14th (2 S), 17th (3 N), 18th (1 N, 1 S), 19th (3 N), 20th (1 N, 2 S), 22nd (1 N), 25th (1 N, 3 on sea), 26th (12 on sea), 27th (1 N, 3 on sea), 30th (1 S), 31st (5 on sea).
Ness Point - 16th (1 N).
At least 12 were on Oulton Broad on the 21st.
BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis ****
One drifted south on the sea past Pakefield on the 31st.
FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis
Kessingland - 6th (1 N), 7th (1 N), 10th (1 S), 16th (1 N), 22nd (2 N), 26th (2 N), 29th (1 N), 30th (1 N).
Ness Point - 16th (4 N, 1 S).
Ness Point buoy - March 2008 © Andrew Easton
The two black and yellow buoys approximately 540 metres offshore, which were very useful "landmarks" when trying to describe where a seabird was to other observers, were both removed/dislodged in January this year. Fortunately one, the south cardinal, has just reappeared.GANNET Morus bassanus
Kessingland - 2nd (86 N), 3rd (40 N, 8 S), 4th (7 N, 4 S), 5th (166 N, 1 S), 6th (95 N, 2 S), 7th (532 N, 11 S, 1 on sea), 8th (204 N), 10th (1 S), 11th (14 N, 3 S), 12th (26 N, 14 S), 14th (28 N), 16th (50 N), 17th (50 N, 1 feeding), 18th (14 N, 1 S), 19th (19 N), 20th (162 N, 1 S), 21st (5 N, 7 S), 22nd (24 N), 23rd (7 N), 24th (6 N), 25th (73 N), 26th (36 N), 27th (4 N), 28th (4 N), 29th (8 N, 1 S), 30th (16 N), 31st (2 N, 1 S).
Ness Point - 16th (32 N).
CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo
Kessingland - 1st (7 N, 55 S), 2nd (2 N), 3rd (1 N), 4th (1 N), 7th (1 N), 12th (1 S), 13th (2 N, 1 S), 14th (1 N, 1 S), 19th (15 N, 8 on sea), 20th (6 S), 21st (7 N, 2 S), 22nd (5 N), 24th (1 N, 2 on sea), 25th (1 S), 27th (2 N), 29th (4 S), 30th (1 N, 1 S), 31st (1 S).
Ness Point - 22nd (7 N).
SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis ****
One immature was around Gorleston harbour mouth on the 24th and 29th.
Two were roosting on the Kittiwake wall in Lowestoft Harbour on the evening of the 30th.
Shag - Gorleston - March 2008 © Mike ParkerLITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta
Two flew over Carlton Marshes on the 24th.
SACRED IBIS Threskiornis aethiopicus
An unringed individual was seen briefly at Burgh Castle on the morning of the 19th.
Either an escape or, probably more likely, a wanderer from the expanding feral population in southern Brittany, France.
There were over 1100 breeding pairs in 2005, and individuals are increasingly wandering to northern Brittany and Normandy. [Yésou, P. & Clergeau, P. 2005 Sacred Ibis: a new invasive species in Europe. Birding World 18 (12): 517-526.] In much the same way that increasing numbers of Cattle Egrets are wandering to the UK from the same region as well.
CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis
Two were at Lound water works on the 3rd.
Six were at Lound water works on the 23rd.
BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis
44 were at Lound water works on the 3rd, with 47 there on the 15th, and 35 on the 21st and 23rd.
DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Branta (bernicla) bernicla
Kessingland - 7th (7 S), 12th (3 S), 20th (4 N), 23rd (2 S), 27th (2 S), 29th (1 S), 30th (5 N).
Gorleston - 22nd (2 N).
EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen egyptiacus
A pair were at Lound water works on the 3rd and 23rd.
A pair were by the roundabout at Parkhill on the 17th.
Two pairs were at Oulton Broad on the 21st.
A pair were in fields between Browston and Belton on the 21st.
A pair with one gosling were at Beccles Quay on the 25th.
Egyptian Goose family - Beccles - March 2008 © Richard StratonSHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna
Kessingland - 3rd (1 S), 8th (1 N), 12th (3 S), 13th (1 S), 14th (1 N, 1 S), 30th (1 S), 31st (1 S).
Ness Point - 16th (3 S).
[ MUSCOVY Cairina moschata
One has appeared recently on Lound village pond. ]
WIGEON Anas penelope
Leathes Ham - 9th (2).
Kessingland - 9th (2 on the sea), 26th (1 N), 27th (32 N), 30th (1 N).
GADWALL Anas strepera
Leathes Ham - 9th (12), 15th (5), 21st (2).
Lound water works - 21st (7).
TEAL Anas crecca
Ness Point - 16th (1 N).
Kessingland - 21st (3 on sea), 29th (5 S), 31st (4 S).
Lound water works - 23rd (3).
MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos
Lake Lothing (ASDA) - 6th (2).
PINTAIL Anas acuta ****
Leathes Ham - 9th (4), 29th (2).
Kessingland - 31st (1 S).
SHOVELER Anas clypeata ****
Leathes Ham - 9th (14), 15th (4), 21st (2), 29th (1).
Kessingland - 8th (2 N, 2 S), 19th (2 N), 22nd (1 N).
TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula
Leathes Ham - 8th (6), 21st (2).
Ness Point - 16th (1 N).
Lound water works - 21st (3), 23rd (5).
POCHARD Aythya ferina
Leathes Ham - 8th (1).
COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra
Kessingland - 3rd (1 on sea), 4th (1 N), 6th (24 N), 7th (4 N), 13th (6 S), 14th (2 N), 17th (3 N), 19th (1 N), 20th (6 N), 22nd (1 N), 26th (2 N, 26 S), 27th (9 N, 7 S), 28th (3 S), 31st (114 N).
A drake was on Oulton Broad on the 20th.
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator
One flew north past Kessingland on the 18th.
MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus
One was at Carlton Marshes on the 21st and 24th.
COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo ****
One flew low over Mutford on the 7th, and it or another was also seen on the 13th.
One flew westwards over Oulton Broad on the morning of the 14th.
One flew south-westwards over Beacon Park, Gorleston at 10:20 on the 29th.
Three drifted north over Hulver towards Mutford on the 30th.
One was seen at Barsham Drain on the 31st.
RED KITE Milvus milvus ****
One flew south-westwards over Beacon Park, Gorleston at 09:55 on the 29th.
One flew north over Mutford on the morning of the 30th.
[ Two RED KITES flew south at Covehithe on the morning of the 9th. Did they sneak south undetected through Lizard Land first? ]
WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus ****
One was seen along Kirkley Brook on the 1st.
One was at Leathes Ham on the 8th.
One was feeding around the spring at Gunton Warren just to the north of Warrenhouse Wood on the 9th, and it or another was at the same place on the 31st !
All three (four?) birds were probably Europe bound migrants returning from their winter break somewhere in the UK.
OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus
Kessingland - 6th (1 N, 1 S), 13th (1 N), 21st (1 S), 24th (3 N).
Two were at Lound water works on the 3rd and 23rd.
Two were at Lake Lothing for most of the month up to the 30th at least.
One was at Ellough Airfield on the 30th.
AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta
One flew south past Kessingland on the 30th.
STONE CURLEW Burhinus oedicnemus ****
One arrived in off the sea at Kessingland on the morning of the 29th, and settled out of view below the shingle ridge by the shore.
RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula
Kessingland - 1st (1 S), 9th (1 o/b), 13th (1 N), 22nd (1 o/b).
GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria
150 were at Mutford on the 13th.
c.40 were at Peto Marsh, Carlton Marshes on the 24th.
42 were at Ellough Airfield on the 30th.
LAPWING Vanellus vanellus
One flew south past Kessingland on the 2nd.
Knot - Ness Point - March 2008 © Andrew EastonKNOT Calidris canutus
Kessingland - 1st (22 N), 2nd (1 N), 6th (40 S).
Two were feeding at Ness Point on the afternoon of the 21st, taking a break from flying into the gale no doubt. One of them was colour ringed, and had been ringed in the Netherlands in October 2007.
SANDERLING Calidris alba
Kessingland - 9th (2 S).
Gorleston - 22nd (2).
Hamilton Dock - 22nd (1).
PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima ****
Lowestoft North Beach - 6th (9), 20th (6), 29th (3), 30th (3).
Ness Point - 15th (5), 16th (6), 21st (6), 23rd (4).
Hamilton Dock - 22nd (5).
DUNLIN Calidris alpina
Corton - 8th (1 S).
Kessingland - 11th (1 S).
Ness Point - 16th (1 N).
COMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago
c.45 were at Peto Marsh, Carlton Marshes on the 24th.
Barsham Drain - 26th (2).
WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola ****
One was seen at Mutford on the 2nd.
Two were flushed at Mutford on the 13th.
One was flushed from a garden along Yarmouth Road near Tesco on the 13th.
One flew south over Gunton Warren on the 31st.
CURLEW Numenius arquata
One flew south past Kessingland on the 20th.
REDSHANK Tringa totanus
Lake Lothing (ASDA) - 6th (5).
GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus
One was along Kirkley Brook on the 1st
One was alongside the Waveney at North Cove on the 25th.
TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres ****
Lowestoft North Beach - 6th (30), 15th (8), 20th (16), 29th (8), 30th (13).
Lake Lothing (ASDA) - 6th (13).
Kessingland - 7th (7 S), 9th (7 N), 19th (4 N).
Ness Point - 21st (11).
Pakefield - 23rd (26).
Lowestoft South Beach - 30th (41).
The Dutch colour ringed individual, first seen in October 2007, was still present on the 29th.
MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus
Pakefield - 5th (7, 2 adult, 1 2nd winter, 4 1st winters), 23rd (2, 1st and 2nd winter/summers).
Corton - 8th (1 adult S).
Kessingland - 16th (1 N), 17th (1 S), 26th (2 N).
Glaucous Gull - Gorleston - March 2008 © Jeremy GaskellGLAUCOUS GULL Larus hyperboreus ****
A faded first winter bird has been lingering around the mouth of the River Yare at Gorleston Pier from the 12th to 31st. It ranges along the river between the Pier and northwards about as far as the Somerfield supermarket along Riverside Road, and frequently crosses between Norfolk and Suffolk.
Glaucous Gull - Gorleston - March 2008 © Dick Walden
KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla
Kessingland - 1st (18 S), 2nd (2 N), 4th (1 N), 5th (1 N), 6th (3 S), 7th (1 N, 1 S), 8th (3 N), 13th (1 N), 16th (1 N), 17th (4 N), 18th (2 N), 19th (1 N), 20th (2 N), 23rd (2 N), 24th (2 N), 25th (4 N), 26th (3 N), 30th (6 S), 31st (1 N, 2 S).
AUK sp. Alcidae
Kessingland - 2nd (3 N), 3rd (13 N), 4th (1 N), 5th (4 N, 1 S), 6th (4 N, 1 on sea), 7th (53 N), 8th (2 N), 25th (1 N).
Ness Point - 23rd (1 N).
BARN OWL Tyto alba
One flew across the A12 at the Rackhams Corner roundabout on the morning of the 9th.
One was hunting over the Kessingland Levels on the 14th.
One was at Carlton Marshes on the 24th.
Two were at Castle Marshes, North Cove on the 25th.
One was at Barsham Drain on the 26th.
Tawny Owl - Mutford - February 2008 © Stuart ReevesTAWNY OWL Strix aluco
One was found at its daytime roost at Mutford on the 9th (see above).
SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus
One was seen at Kessingland Beach on the 19th.
One was hunting over the marshes at Burgh Castle on the 23rd.
GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis
Oulton (St. Michael's Church) - 5th (1).
One was at Oulton Marshes on the 24th.
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major
One was at Oulton Marshes on the 24th.
WOOD LARK Lullula arborea
Two were seen at Gunton Warren on the 7th.
The species formerly bred in the Gunton Warren/North Denes area. They took advantage of the temporarily reduced levels of disturbance in the area in the 1940's when the area was fenced off and used as a mine field and rifle range. Nowadays the area is once again too busy for them to breed, but spring migrants still pass through occasionally.
SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia ****
One flew north at Kessingland on the 31st.
HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica ****
Two flew north at Kessingland on the 30th.
ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus ****
Hamilton/Waveney Dock - 6th (2), 9th (1), 23rd (1).
Lowestoft North Beach - 6th (1), 29th (1).
Ness Point - 23rd (1), 30th (1).
Rock Pipit - Lowestoft - November 2007 © Andrew EastonWATER PIPIT Anthus spinoletta
A summer plumaged bird was with Meadow Pipits in flooded fields near Barsham Drain, near Beccles on the 26th and 27th.
GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea ****
One was seen at Kessingland sewage works on the 9th, 13th and 18th, with two there on the 26th.
One was at Oulton Marshes on the 24th.
One flew north over Lowestoft North Denes on the 26th.
One was at Kessingland sluice on the 29th.
Five were at Kessingland sewage works on the 30th.
WHITE WAGTAIL Motacilla alba alba ****
One was in the horse paddock along Marsh Lane, Kessingland on the 15th.
One male was at Kessingland sewage works on the 26th.
Three were at Kessingland sewage works on the 29th and 30th.
One was seen in Wilde Street, Lowestoft on the 30th.
Four were on the Denes Oval on the 31st.
PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba yarellii ****
Morrisons roost (Gisleham) - 2nd (174), 9th (119), 12th (293), 16th (147), 23rd (176), 28th (182).
15 were at Kessingland sewage works on the 26th.
Two were at Kessingland sewage works on the 30th.
BLUETHROAT Luscinia svecica
A non-birder phoned a relative on the morning of the 26th to ask about an unfamiliar bird he had seen sitting, apparently exhausted as it allowed a very close approach, on the pavement along London Road South opposite Waterloo Road. It was described as being like a Robin but with a bright blue upper breast, with a rusty red band below that, and it also had a tan coloured tail base.When asked if he had noted any coloured spot in the blue he confirmed he hadn't noticed anything; but the size of the spot is highly variable and is not always that obvious. Given the early date it is virtually certain to have been a white-spotted race bird though, and one of that race had been found at Winterton earlier the same morning.
It was looked for during the day, but not relocated. This would be only the second individual of that race recorded in the Lowestoft area, the first being seen at Ness Point on 24th March 2001. Click here to see details of that bird.
BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros ****
Two males were at Kessingland Sluice on the 29th.
One female was in a garden in Harris Avenue on the 29th. (The third spring running in the same garden so quite likely a returning individual).
A male and female were around Kessingland Sluice on the 30th.
One was at the Denes Oval on the 30th.
STONECHAT Saxicola torquata ****
Gunton Warren - 17th (1).
Lowestoft North Denes (Netposts) - 18th (2), 20th (2), 23rd (2).
Kessingland (Coopers Lane) - 15th (1), 17th (1).
Kessingland - 30th (2).
WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe ****
One was around Benacre Pits on the morning of the 13th, and in the afternoon it was north of the River Hundred in Lizard Land!
One was at Gunton Warren on the 15th.
One was on the North Denes on the 17th.
Kessingland Beach - 18th-19th (1).
Corton (old sewage works) - 29th (1).
Birds Eye - 30th (1).
Lowestoft North Denes - 30th (4), 31st (1).
FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris
Lound water works - 3rd (2).
REDWING Turdus iliacus ****
Lowestoft - 1st (2 were heard heading eastwards over the town during the evening), 6th (many heading east in the evening).
Lound water works - 3rd (2).
Oulton (St. Michael's Church) - 5th (12).
Kessingland sewage works - 26th (2).
"Flycatcher Lane" Denes Oval - 31st (1).
CETTI'S WARBLER Cettia cetti
One was at the Kessingland Levels at the end of New Road on the 14th.
Two were at Kessingland sewage works on the 26th.
SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus ****
One was at Barsham Drain on the 31st.
BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla ****
One male was along "Flycatcher Lane" by the Denes Oval on the 31st.
One was at Beccles on the 31st.
Given the dearth of winter records locally both were presumed to be newly arrived migrants.
CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita ****
Four were at Kessingland sewage works on the 13th.
Kirkley (Laurel Road) - 15th (2).
Ness Point - 15th (4).
North Denes - 15th (2).
"Flycatcher Lane" Denes Oval - 15th (2), 31st (1).
Warrenhouse Wood - 15th (4), 20th (1), 21st (1), 23rd (1), 30th (1), 31st (1).
Lound water works - 15th (1 singing).
Gunton Warren - 17th (1).
Lowestoft (Stevens Street) - 17th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 19th (2 trapped and ringed), 26th (1 trapped and ringed), 30th (3).
Oulton Broad (Romany Road) - 20th (1).
Oulton - 21st (1).
Mutford - 27th (1).
Kessingland (High Path) - 30th (1).
Barsham Drain - 31st (3 +).
Thick fog and drizzle on the 15th grounded quite a few migrating Chiffchaffs, and smaller numbers of Firecrests, along the Suffolk coast.
GOLDCREST Regulus regulus ****
Lound water works - 15th (3).
Gunton Warren - 15th (1).
Gunton Wood - 23rd (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 26th (1).
Ness Point (Birds Eye car park) - 26th (1).
Warrenhouse Wood - 26th (3+), 30th (4+).
FIRECREST Regulus ignicapillus ****
One was still at Kessingland sewage works on the 15th.
Warrenhouse Wood - 15th (2+), 30th (3+), 31st (1).
"Flycatcher Lane" Denes Oval - 15th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 18th (2), 19th (1 trapped and ringed), 26th (1 trapped and ringed), 30th (4). Three have been ringed here so far this year.
Kensington Gardens - 26th (1).
Corton disused railtrack - 30th (1).
Kirkley Cemetery - 31st (1).
JAY Garrulus glandarius
Lound water works - 15th (4).
Gorleston (Woodfarm Lane) - 15th (4).
Lowestoft (Royal Avenue) - 27th (3 together visiting gardens).
Lowestoft (Renoir Place) - 29th (1).
STARLING Sturnus vulgaris
1160 flew north at Kessingland in a four hour period on the morning of the 19th.
c.2000 were around coastal gardens in Kessingland on the evening of the 27th.
CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs ****
New Road, Fritton (Waveney Forest) - 18th (c.50).
A small northbound passage of Chaffinches was noted at Kessingland on the 19th.
40+ have been in a Mutford garden from the 18th to 22nd, increasing to at least 50 by the 28th.
Kessingland sewage works - 26th (10).
Lowestoft (Normanston Drive) - 13th-27th (15+ at garden feeders).
BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla ****
New Road, Fritton (Waveney Forest) - 18th (10).
Gunton Wood - 18th (1).
Kessingland (High Path) - 18th (1).
Mutford - 19th-22nd (up to 3), 27th (1), 30th (4).
Oulton - 11th-23rd (1 at a garden feeder).
Lowestoft (Renoir Place) - 24th (1), 29th (2).
Lowestoft (Normanston Drive) - 27th (2 at a garden feeder).
Lowestoft (Bosquet Close) - 30th (1).
"Flycatcher Lane" Denes Oval - 31st (1).
GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris
Gunton Warren - 15th (6), 17th (8).
Kessingland sewage works - 26th (10).
SISKIN Carduelis spinus ****
Mutford - 2nd (5), 28th (2).
Kessingland (High Path) - 17th (2 at a garden feeder).
Flixton - 21st (15).
Oulton - 19th (6 at a garden feeder).
North Cove - 22nd (1 at a garden feeder), 26th (1 at a garden feeder).
Lowestoft (Normanston Drive) - 27th (4 at garden feeders).
Kessingland (Coastguard Lane) - 30th (2 at a garden feeder).
Hulver - 30th (16 at garden feeders).
LINNET Carduelis cannabina
Gunton Warren - 3rd (5), 15th (6), 17th (12).
Lowestoft North Denes (Netposts) - 20th (8).
Barsham sewage works - 26th (50+).
LESSER REDPOLL Carduelis cabaret
Barsham Drain - 26th (2).
YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella
Gunton Warren - 2nd (1), 17th (1), 20th (3).
One was in a Mutford garden on the 18th.
Barsham sewage works - 26th (20+).
REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus ****
Two were at Kessingland sewage works on the 13th and 30th, with one there on the 26th.
One was in a Mutford garden on the 15th, with 3+ from the 18th to 22nd, and one on the 28th.
Oulton Broad (Romany Road) - 23rd (1).
Barsham Drain - 26th (6).
NON-BIRD NEWS
GREY SEAL
Kessingland - 5th (1), 19th (1).
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Kessingland - 4th (1), 17th (1 N), 20th (1 N), 23rd (1 N), 26th (1 feeding).
CHINESE WATER DEER
Kessingland Level - 1st (1).
RED FOX
One was seen at Dukes Head Street in central Lowestoft early morning on the 9th.