Bird News - April 2004

April 2004

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Linnet - Corton - April 2004 - ©Andrew Easton

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*****NEWSPAGE PHOTOGRAPHS - AN ANNOUNCEMENT*****

Following the arrival of (a) Sunlight and nice weather at the weekends, and (b) a few birds, we can now resume normal service and show pictures of birds taken locally. Thanks you so much!

"Isn't the spring great? It grates on me", R. Fairhead 2004. Come on Rick cheer up!!!

RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata ****
Kessingland - 8th, 10th (1 N), 11th (2 N), 13th (2 N), 14th (2 N), , 25th (2 N), 28th (1 N).

BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gavia arctica
One flew north past Kessingland on the 9th at 12:10.

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer ****
One flew north past Kessingland on the 27th.

Diver spp.
On the 5th a distant Diver flew north past Kessingland.

LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis
At least eight were on Leathes Ham on the 2nd.

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus ****
Kessingland - 14th (1 S), 30th (1 S).
Oulton Broad - 24th (3).

FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis ****
Three tired looking individuals were being harassed by gulls close inshore off Ness Point on the 1st, all appeared to be rather dark. Fifteen were feeding behind a fishing boat off Ness Point on the 9th.

Kessingland - 1st (1 N), 2nd (2 N), 4th (1 S), 5th (1 N), 6th (9 N), 7th (8 N, 1 S), 8th (2 N), 9th (33 N, 9 S), 10th (15 N, 3 S), 11th (139 N, 1 S), 12th (10 N, 3 S), 13th (5 N, 4 S, 2 o/s), 15th (3 N, 3 S), 16th (8 N, 2 S), 17th (1 N), 18th (8 N, 6 S), 19th (1 N, 2 S), 20th (1 S), 21st (3 N), 22nd (4 N), 23rd (5 N), 24th (2 N, 1 S), 25th (7 N, 2 S), 26th (6 N, 3 S), 27th (9 N, 1 S), 28th (11 N), 29th (21 N, 3 S, 3 o/s), 30th (15 N, 2 S).

The total on the 11th included 125 following a small fishing boat at 19:20 B.S.T. Good numbers of Fulmars are regularly seen following fishing vessels in the late afternoon at this time of year. However, this is by far the largest number recorded and the total was collected during the latest early evening watch made this year.

One was seen passing Pakefield Cliffs on the 23rd.

Ness Point - 28th (20 N), 29th (1 N).

GANNET Morus bassanus ****
Kessingland - 1st (2 N), 2nd (3 N), 3rd (29 N, 1 S), 4th (2 N), 5th (4 N), 6th (2 N), 7th (16 N), 8th (29 N), 9th (22 N), 9th (22 N), 10th (46 N), 11th (42 N), 12th (10 N, 1 S), 13th (4 N), 14th (11 N), 14th (11 N), 15th (1 N), 16th (18 N), 17th (11 N), 18th (1 S), 19th (4 N), 21st (15 N, 1 S), 22nd (10 N), 23rd (10 N), 24th (13 N), 25th (24 S), 26th (17 N), 27th (3 N), 28th (63 N, 1 S), 29th (56 N, 6 S), 30th (54 N, 4 S).
Ness Point - 28th (15 N).

CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo ****
Kessingland - 5th (1 N), 6th (1 S), 7th (1 N), 8th (1 N, 2 S), 9th (1 S), 10th (1 N), 11th (1 N), 15th (2 N), 19th (1 N), 20th (1 N), 22nd (2 N), 23rd (1 N, 1 S), 24th (1 S), 25th (4 N, 1 S), 26th (1 N), 27th (4 N).
Ness Point - 1st (3 S).

GREY HERON Ardea cinerea
Kessingland - 13th (1 N).

MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor
Kessingland - 12th (5 o/s), 15th (12 on the levels).

GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser
Kessingland - 12th (5 S).

CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis
Kessingland - 9th (2 S), 13th (2 S).

DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla ****
Kessingland - 4th (2 N), 7th (1 S), 8th (1 N), 15th (5 S), 21st (1 N), 24th (1 S).

SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna ****
Kessingland - 2nd (3 N, 1 S), 3rd (2 S), 4th (1 S), 5th (2 S), 6th (1 N), 8th (1 N), 11th (1 N), 13th (2 S), 14th (3 N, 3 S), 15th (3 N, 13 S),
16th (3 N, 1 S), 17th (2 N, 2 S), 18th (1 S), 19th (2 N), 23rd (2 N), 24th (4 N, 4 S), 25th (6 S), 27th (1 S), 28th (1 S).
Oulton - Two flew high west over Holly Road on the 9th.
Kessingland sewage works - Three flew over on the 17th.

TEAL Anas crecca
Pakefield - 1st (3 S), 2nd (1 S), 10th (1 N), 13th (9 o/s), 14th (4 o/s).

GADWALL Anas strepera
Kessingland - 15th (2 S).

SHOVELER Anas clypeata
Kessingland - 2nd (1 S).

POCHARD Aythya ferina ****
One flew north past Kessingland on the 29th.

TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula ****
Kessingland - 10th (1 N), 25th (1 S), 29th (1 N), 30th (1 N).

COMMON EIDER Somateria mollissima
Kessingland - 2nd (1 S).

LONG-TAILED DUCK Clangula hyemalis
An adult male flew north past Kessingland and then Ness Point on the 27th.

COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra ****
Kessingland - 1st (1 N), 3rd (4 N, 2 S), 5th (21 N), 6th (4 N), 9th (1 N, 3 S), 10th (5 N, 18 o/s), 11th (5 N), 12th (10 N, 4 S, 8 o/s), 13th (2 S), 15th (3 N), 16th (4 N, 1 S), 17th (3 N), 20th (2 N, 2 S), 23rd (34 N, 1 S), 25th (6 N), 26th (1 N), 27th (7 N, 2 S), 29th (2 N).

VELVET SCOTER Melanitta fusca ****
At 15:15 on the 17th one flew south past Kessingland, about 200 metres from the beach. Single birds were also noted on the 21st (south) and 22nd (on the sea). Three flew north together past Ness Point on the 28th.

GOOSANDER Mergus merganser
A female was at Lound Waterworks on the 2nd. A pair flew along Oulton Dyke at Fisher Row on the 8th.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator ****
Kessingland - 14th (2 N), 23rd (3 S), 24th (1 S), 25th (2 S), 30th (2 N).
Ness Point - 28th (1 N).

RED KITE Milvus milvus
One was reported on Birdguides flying north at Pakefield early morning on the 3rd.

MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus ****
A male was over Peto's Marsh, Oulton on the 11th.
Two were seen at Kessingland on the 17th. The first was seen twice over the levels before a female drifted north over the village at mid-day. This was possibly a migrant as it arrived high from the north-east before loosing height as it passed over the sewage works.
On the 25th one flew north past Kessingland about 500 metres from the beach.

HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus
One female was circling over Lound Water Works/Browston golf course for 10 minutes on the afternoon of the 17th. They have been scarce this winter in the area.

COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo
One drifted west over South Lowestoft at 08:50 on the 20th.

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo lagopus
One flew south west along Corton disused railway track at 11:40 on the 27th.

SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus
At 14:15 on the 3rd and 14:55 on the 4th single Sparrowhawks flew south past Kessingland between 300 and 500 metres from the beach. Both birds were very low to the sea, at times almost dropping to the surface and neither appeared interested in flying towards the land.

HOBBY Falco subbuteo
One was at Fisher Row on the 22nd. Two were over Ashby together on the 24th and 25th.

WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus
One calling near Holly Road, Oulton on the 5th.

COMMON CRANE Grus grus
At 19:15 on the 19th three flew north calling over Carlton Marshes heading towards Fisher Row. Shortly after they were watched flying west at Herringfleet. Hopefully, these birds will remain in the area for a few days. Common Crane is almost annual in the area and is a typical early spring rarity in Lizard Land.

OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus ****
Kessingland - 5th (4 S), 6th (1 N), 8th (1 N), 10th (4 N, 19 S), 11th (2 N), 12th (6 S), 13th (1 N, 5 S), 14th (2 S), 15th (4 N, 1 S), 16th (7 S), 17th (2 N, 5 S), 19th (2 N), 20th (1 S), 22nd (3 S), 25th (6 S), 26th (1 S), 27th (2 N).
Hamilton Dock - 2nd (1).

AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta
Kessingland - 10th (1 N), 15th (1 S).

SANDERLING Calidris alba
Hamilton Dock - 2nd (2).

PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima
Ness Point - 1st (4), 2nd (7).

Bar-tailed Godwits - Corton April 25th 2004 - © Andrew Easton

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa ****
25 flew north past Kessingland on the 27th.

BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica ****
Seven flew north over Gunton on the 25th; two were resting, and later feeding, in a field at Corton the same day. Eight were in the same field on the 27th. One was along the North Beach at Lowestoft on the 27th before flying off south eastwards. Six were on the Dip Farm golf course at Gunton on the 28th.
Noted past Kessingland on the 26th (14 S, 2 N) and the 27th (4 S).

CURLEW Numenius arquata
Kessingland - 2nd (1 N), 5th (1 S), 15th (1 N, 5 S), 16th (2 N), 17th (6 S), 20th (1 S), 21st (3S), 22nd (2 S), 23rd (1 N), 24th (12 N),
25th (15 S), 27th (1 N).
Five were on Kessingland Levels on the 17th.

WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus ****
Three flew inland calling over Kessingland sewage works on the 17th having arrived from the sea.
Kessingland -16th (1 N), 21st ( 4 S), 22nd (6 N), 24th (1 S), 26th (5 N, 1S), 27th (1 N), 30th (2 N).
Corton - 25th (1S).

TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres
Ness Point - 7th (4), 10th (4), 22nd (1), 25th (8), 27th (5).
Pakefield - 9th (13 around car park), 22nd (5).

WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola
One was flushed at Corton disused railway track on the 3rd.

SNIPE Gallinago gallinago
One flew south over Kessingland sewage works on the 17th.

JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus
An unusual bird strike occurred at Meadow Primary School on the 2nd in the form of a Jack Snipe!!! Initially found by a dinnerlady who said a strange bird had just hit the hall window. She thought it might be a Woodpecker. Arriving outside the hall a stunned Jack Snipe was lying on the ground. After a bit of TLC it was released onto the schools water meadow before heading off to Fen Park. The highlight of the teaching day apparently!!!

COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos
One was seen at Fisher Row on the 22nd, and another was at Ness Point on the 28th.

GREAT SKUA Catharacta skua ****
Between 09:58 and 10:50 on the 14th three Bonxies lumbered north low to the sea past Kessingland. All were between 3.5 and 4 kilometres from the beach. A further three flew north there on the 27th, with another one north on the 29th.

ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus ****
At 14:15 on the 3rd a dark phase individual flew north past Kessingland approximately two kilometres from the beach. It attacked a Common gull before continuing north.
At 07:28 on the 15th a pale phase Arctic flew north approximately 2 kilometres from the beach.
18th (1 dark phase N), 27th (1 pale phase N), 28th (3 N, 2 dark + 1 pale phase), 29th (1 pale phase N).
One flew north past Ness Point at 07:40 on the 28th.

POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus ****
A breeding plumage adult flew north past Kessingland, approximately 1 kilometre offshore, at 7:37 on the 27th.

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus ****
One flew north past Kessingland on the 30th.

Iceland Gull - Lowestoft - April 2004 © Chris Darby

ICELAND GULL Larus glaucoides ****
A second winter bird on the Claremont Pier was reported on Birdguides on the morning of the 2nd. A second summer bird flew north over Kessingland Sewage Works on the 24th. A second summer was again on the Claremont Pier on the 27th, it reappeared there again on the 28th having flown north past Kessingland earlier in the day. A photo of it on the Claremont Pier appears above.

KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla ****
Kessingland - 1st (8 N, 3 S), 2nd (6 N, 1 S), 3rd (1 N, 1 S), 4th (2 N, 1 S), 5th (2 N), 6th (5 N), 7th (35 N, 4 S), 8th (45 N), 9th (4 N, 1 S), 10th (5 N), 11th (5 N), 12th (8 N, 7 S), 13th (6 N, 2 S), 14th (4 N, 2 S), 15th (3 N, 6 S), 16th (16 N, 11 S), 17th (10 N, 2 S), 18th (1 N), 19th (1 N, 26 S), 20th (4 N, 2 S), 21st (7 N, 4 S), 22nd (3 N, 6 S), 23rd (4 N, 6 S), 24th (7 N, 3 S), 25th (5 N, 3 S), 26th (3 N, 1 S), 27th (25 N, 4 S), 28th (37 N), 29th (34 N, 5 S), 30th (28 N, 3 S).

'commic' Tern ****
Two flew north past Ness Point on the 9th.
Kessingland - 14th (2 N), 15th (1 S), 16th (5 N), 19th (1 N), 20th (1 S), 21s t (1N), 22nd (10 N), 23rd (3 N), 24th (5 N), 25th (12 N), 26th (2 N), 27th (10 N), 28th (3 N), 29th (26 N), 30th (4 N, 1 S).
Ness Point - 28th (23 N, 1 S).

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo
The first of the year was seen between Lake Lothing and Oulton Broad from the 8th-10th.
At 17:15 0n the 11th a Common Tern flew north past Kessingland, my first sighting of the year. Three were displaying over Oulton Broad on the 24th.
Ness Point - 28th (1 N).

SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis****
Kessingland - 12th (1 N), 13th (2 N), 14th (4 N), 15th (2 N), 16th (4 N), 21st (1 N, 2 S), 22nd (3 N), 23rd (5 N), 24th (12 N), 25th (15 N), 26th (4 N, 2 S), 27th (11 N, 1 S), 28th (3 N), 29th (12 N, 4 S), 30th (13 N).
Ness Point - 23rd (1 N), 28th (2 N).

LITTLE TERN Sterna albifrons ****
The first of the year off Kessingland were two noted northbound on the 22nd, with another seven north on the 23rd, 26th (2 N, 3 S), 27th (12 N, 2 S).

RAZORBILL Alca torda
One was close inshore at Pakefield mid-afternoon on the 7th.

AUK sp. Alcidae ****
One flew north past Kessingland on the 29th.

STOCK DOVE Columba oenas
One was an unusual visitor to an urban bird table in Oulton Broad on the 25th, perhaps they will follow Woodpigeons in colonising our towns.

CUCKOO Cuculus canorus
The first of the spring was at North Cove Marshes on the 16th. One was calling at Lound Water Works on the 17th, 24th and 27th. Two were at Fisher Row on the 22nd. Three were at Barsham Drain on the 19th. One was calling at Carlton Marshes on the 25th.

BARN OWL Tyto alba
Two were at Carlton Marshes on the 6th.

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus ****
During strong winds on the 4th an individual rested in a poplar tree at Kessingland at 08:30 on the 4th. It stayed for 10 minutes before flying south towards the levels. Up to three have been seen over the marshes along the South Wall of Breydon Water on the 9th to 11th at least, with two still there on the 19th.
At 7:40 on the 24th one flew slowly south passed Kessingland about 300 metres from the beach.

SWIFT Apus apus ****
One very early individual flew north over Kessingland Wildlife Park on the 2nd. Two were over Oulton Broad on the 22nd and two were over Lowestoft Cemetery on the evening of the 24th. One flew eastwards over Ashby/Lound on the 25th. Many more were noted on the 27th, with three at Ness Point, three over Oulton Broad, one at Lound Waterworks and seven over North Quay Retail Park.
Over 100 were hawking over Leathes Ham on the 29th, with at least 50 there again on the 30th. Many more were over the town itself on the 30th as well.

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia
Corton Cliffs - 3rd (3), 4th (2 N), 17th (3).
Kessingland Sewage Works - 11th (8), 12th (10+), 17th (20), 19th (100+).
Kessingland Beach - 11th (2 N), 13th (2).

SWALLOW Hirundo rustica
Two were at Mutford on the 2nd with one south over Corton on the 4th. Eight were on wires at Flixton on the 8th. One was noted over Lowestoft North Denes on the 10th. On the 11th two were seen heading north at Corton and one at Gunton.
Kessingland Sewage Works - 12th (15+), 17th (10), 19th (20).
Kessingland Beach - 11th (1 over Levels), 13th (1 N).
Lowestoft North Denes - 20th (4 S), 22nd (18), 23rd (7).
Lake Lothing - 24th (3).

HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica
One was at Mutford on the 14th.
Corton - 17th (2 S).
Kessingland - 17th (2).
Lound Waterworks - 25th (2).

TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis
One was at Kessingland sewage works on the 17th.

BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flava
Brilliant birds are Blue-headed Wagtails, well the males are. After last years poor showing one was present at Kessingland sewage works filter beds on the 12th with two on the 15th and 19th (1). A pair were at Corton on the 25th, although the male showed signs of mixed parentage with a green patch in the centre of the crown and yellow in the rear of the otherwise white supercilium (see photo below).

Blue-headed x Yellow Wagtail - Corton - ©Andrew Easton

YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flavissima
Hmmmm, Yellow Wagtails, they're pretty stunning as well. Noted at Kessingland Sewage Works on the 12th, 15th, 17th (4), 19th (4). One flew south over Hamilton Road on the 24th, and four were on Kessingland Beach the same day. Two were at Carlton Marshes on the 25th.

GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea
Kessingland Sewage Works - 4th (3), 12th (1).
Lake Lothing - 3rd (one flew over).
Ness Point - 9th (1 N).

WHITE WAGTAIL Motacilla alba alba
One was at Mutford on the 2nd.
Kessingland sewage works - 4th (2), 11th (2), 12th (4), 17th (2), 24th (2).

BOHEMIAN WAXWING Bombycilla garrulus
A small group have been visiting a garden in St. Pauls Close, Beccles on the 7th (8) and 8th (6) where they have been seen earlier in the year.

NIGHTINGALE Luscinia megarhynchos ****
One was singing at Kessingland Sewage Works on the 28th, with two singing in the vicinity on the 30th. Unfortunately a rather scarce bird in our area.

REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Somewhat unexpectedly a stunning male spent an hour in a Gunton Drive garden on the 13th. How we'd love to get a picture of one of these little beauties. It would certainly give that Magnolia Warbler a run for its money!!!!!! A female was present in a clifftop garden at Kessingland on the 19th.

Black Redstart - Ness Point- ©Andrew Easton

BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros
An immature male was still at Corton old sewage works on the 3rd with another male at the Pakefield Fisheries lab on the 2nd with another at the end of Pakefield Street on the 7th. Females were noted in Lowestoft gardens on the 5th (Harris Avenue) and 14th (Clifton Road). One was singing along Commercial Road, Lowestoft on the 23rd, with another along Hamilton Road on the 24th. A young male was singing at Ness Point on the 25th-28th, perhaps the same bird as that in Hamilton Road the previous day, a picture of it appears above.

WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra
Single males were noted on the Kessingland Levels on the 27th, and on the net posts on Lowestoft North Denes on the 28th.

NORTHERN WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe
Kessingland - 6th (1), 7th (1), 8th (1), 9th (1), 10th (2), 11th (1), 15th (2), 17th (3), 18th (1), 20th (2), 21st (5), 22nd (2), 23rd (2), 27th (1).
Lowestoft North Denes - 10th (4), 12th (3), 13th (1), 22nd (7), 23rd (4), 25th (1), 28th (1).
Gunton - 22nd (6).
Kessingland Levels near A12 - 23rd (9).
Corton - 22nd (6), 25th (1).

FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris ****
Six flew over Corton disused railtrack on the 4th and c210 were seen in a field near Lound on the 8th.
Six flew out of the reedbed at Kessingland sewage works at dawn on the 17th before heading south.
One was with a Ring Ouzel on Barnards Meadow, central Lowestoft on the 30th.

REDWING Turdus iliacus
Six were seen at Corton on the 3rd with two on the 4th. 15 were at Herringfleet Hills on the 4th. Three were at Carlton Marshes on the 8th. A few were calling over Lowestoft on the evening of the 12th.

Ring Ouzel - Corton - ©Derek Beamish

RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus ****
With so many appearing in Norfolk over recent days it was only a matter of time before Lizard Land turned up trumps. On the 19th a cracking male was at Kessingland Sluice north of the River Hundred. Hopefully, the first of many. One male was seen, and photographed, at Corton on the 24th.
A female was on Barnards Meadow, central Lowestoft on the 30th. Also on the 30th, and only just outside our area, three were in fields just south of the River Hundred at Kessingland Sluice.

LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca
On the 24th two were at Kessingland Sewage Works and one, or possibly two, were along Corton disused railway track on the 24th and 25th. One male was singing at Burgh Castle on the 25th

WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis
Three at Kessingland sewage works on the 17th (2 ringed).
Gunton railtrack - 22nd (3).

GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin
A female was trapped and ringed at Kessingland Sewage Works on the 24th. We would never have known she was there otherwise! On the 28th single birds were noted at Kessingland and Gunton.

BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla
Now present in good numbers throughout the area. Two were at Kessingland sewage works on the 4th. Three were at Gunton on the 9th.
Two males and a female were seen at Kessingland on the 11th and two males were trapped and ringed there on the 12th.
Kessingland sewage works - 4th (2), 11th (3), 12th (2 ringed), 17th [15 (8 ringed)].
'The Dell' Beccles - 19th (2).

CETTI'S WARBLER Cettia cetti
These mild winters are certainly benefiting these charismatic birds as they continue to expand in the north of the county. For the first time one was recorded singing at Lound Water Works on the 4th and was still present on the 27th. Can it be possible? A decent bird at Lound!!!

At the species a stronghold of Carlton Marshes and Fisher Row singing birds were recorded as follows: 8th (5), 11th (3). Another was heard at Holly Road, Oulton on the 9th along with 3 Song Thrush.

The expansion doesn't seem confined to the Waveney Valley as two were were at Kessingland on the 11th. One of which was ringed there on the 12th (pictured to the right). It fanned its tail which nicely displayed the 10 very broad feathers. Most passerines have 12.

Two were again seen Kessingland on the 17th with a third individual heard at Kessingland Sluice. All three were still present on the 24th at least.

(Photo: ©Robert Wilton)

SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Three were at Carlton Marshes on the 14th and three were at Kessingland sewage works on the 17th. Present in good numbers again at Kessingland on the 24th where four were trapped and ringed. Two were at Fisher Row on the 25th.

REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus
One was singing at Carlton Marshes on the 19th, with at least two at Kessingland on the 24th, one of which was trapped and ringed.

GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella naevia ****
The first of the spring was heard 'reeling' at Carlton Marshes on the evening of the 14th, and at least five were there on the 27th.
Noted at Fisher Row on the 22nd (1), at least two were there on the 25th, with one of them being photographable, see below. Three were at Kessingland on the 30th.

WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sibilatrix ****
A singing male was in Lowestoft Cemetery on the 30th. It favoured the south east hedge/tree row. at the entrance to Turner House. Another rather scarce bird in Lowestoft nowadays, it's certainly a lot easier to find a Yellow-browed Warbler!

CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita
Corton - 3rd (4).
Now arrived in reasonable numbers. Noted at Kessingland sewage works 8th & 11th (5), Kessingland - Wash Lane, Fisher Row 8th (2), Hall Road 8th (2), Herringfleet Hills 4th (2), Gunton Woods 7th (3), Corton Woods 7th (2).

Migrants are still arriving on the 15th with birds noted at Park Road, North Lowestoft and Lowestoft Library on the 15th.

WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus
The first of the year was singing at Herringfleet Hills on the 4th. Three were singing at Carlton Marshes on the 9th.
Pakefield - Kendal Road, Pakefield 7th.
Carlton Marshes - 9th (three).
Lowestoft - 10th (3 - Denes Oval, Belle Vue Park and Park Road).
Kessingland sewage works - 11th (2), 17th (2), 24th (one trapped and ringed).
Herringfleet Hills - 11th (2).

GOLDCREST Regulus regulus
At least four were along Corton disused railway track on the 3rd.

FIRECREST Regulus ignicapilla
One was along Corton disused railway track from the 3rd-4th and another was along Flycatcher Alley, Lowestoft on the 4th.
A male brightened an otherwise quiet visit to Kessingland sewage works on the 8th.

CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs
At least 60 were at Corton on the 3rd.

BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla
Bird of the month so far has been Brambling with the number of reports well up on previous years. At least four at Corton on the 3rd, including a fine male almost in full summer attire. Another was heard on the 10th (1). Elsewhere, a pair spent the day at a bird table in a garden in Kirkley, Lowestoft on the 3rd as did three at Mutford on the 8th (two males one female) and 10th (6). A female paid a brief visit to a clifftop garden at Kessingland on the 8th, where nearby gardens attracted three (two males one female) during the first week of the month with a further 6 frequenting another garden where they fed on sunflower kernels from March 16-April 7. Also recorded at Gunton Woods on the 7th (1). One male was at Kessingland Sewage Works on the 12th. Five were at Heathlands Caravan Park, Kessingland on the 13th-15th.

On the 19th, 12 seen at The Dell, Beccles included 4 males.

GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris
Ten were seen at Corton on the 3rd.

GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis
14 flew south over Kessingland sewage works on the 11th.

SISKIN Carduelis spinus
One was in a garden in Kirkley, Lowestoft on the 3rd. Three were over Caldecott Road on the 4th. At least 35 flew south over Corton on the 3rd. A flock of up to 11 were visiting feeders at Kessingland during the first week of the month. Another Kessingland garden has produced two from March 16th - April 7 where both Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers have also been seen.

LESSER REDPOLL Carduelis caberet ****
Three were at North Cove marshes on the 21st. One flew over Kessingland Sewage Works on the 24th.

LINNET Carduelis cannabina
At least 30 were at Corton on the 3rd.
Lowestoft North Denes - 10th (7).

BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula
A pair were along Corton disused railway track on the 3rd.
One was calling near the Wildlife Centre at Carlton Marshes on the 6th.
A male was seen at Kessingland sewage works on the 17th.

YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella
Ten were at Corton on the 3rd with 4 on the 8th.

REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus
Corton - 3rd (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 8th (1 male), 12th (4+ males), 17th (4).

BIRDS RECORDED IN LIZARD LAND DURING 2004: Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern 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, Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter, Velvet Scoter, Goldeneye, Smew, Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Rough-legged Buzzard, Kestrel, Merlin, Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Red-legged Partridge, Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Common Crane, 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, Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Turnstone, Pomarine Skua, Arctic Skua, Great Skua, Mediterranean Gull, Little Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Iceland Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Kittiwake, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Little Tern, Guillemot, Razorbill, Feral Dove, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Short-eared Owl, Common Swift, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wood Lark, Sky Lark, Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, (White Wagtail), Bohemian Waxwing, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Black Redstart, Common Redstart, Stonechat, Whinchat, Wheatear, Ring Ouzel, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, (Siberian Chiffchaff), Willow Warbler, 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.