Lowestoft Bird News - April 2006

RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata
Kessingland - 1st (1 N, 1 o/s), 2nd (1 N), 3rd (1 S), 5th (1 S), 6th (52 N, 1 S, 1 o/s), 7th (48 N, 1 S, 1 o/s), 8th (35 N, 1 S, 1 o/s), 9th (1 S), 10th (1 N), 11th (3 N, 2 S), 12th (11 N, 4 S), 13th (7 N, 2 o/s), 14th (11 N, 1 S), 16th (1 N), 17th (2 N), 20th (24 N, 21 S, 9 o/s), 21st (5 N, 4 o/s), 23rd (2 N, 2 o/s), 24th (8 o/s).

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

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer
One flew north past Kessingland on the 19th.

DIVER spp.
Kessingland - 6th (1 N), 7th (1 N), 9th (1 S), 13th (2 N), 14th (1 N).

LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis
At least eight were at Leathes Ham on the 21st.

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus
Kessingland - 3rd (1 o/s), 4th (1 N, 1 S), 5th (1 o/s), 6th (1 S), 7th (1 o/s), 17th (1 S).
Oulton Broad - 14th (4).
Fritton Lake - 27th (9 pairs).

FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis
One flew past Gunton Warren on the 1st.
Kessingland - 1st (2 N), 2nd (2 N, 3 S), 3rd (1 N, 2 S), 4th (1 N), 8th (2 N), 11th (5 N), 12th (2 N), 13th (2 N), 14th (1 N, 1 S), 15th (4 N), 17th (4 N, 1 S), 18th (9 N), 19th (7 N, 3 S), 20th (2 N, 3 S), 21st (3 N, 1 S), 22nd (5 N, 2 S), 23rd (5 N, 1 S), 24th (3 N, 1 S), 27th (1 N, 1 S), 28th (6 N, 8 S), 29th (3 N), 30th (5 N, 2 S).
Ness Point - 22nd (3 N), 23rd (2 S), 26th (1 N), 27th (1 S), 28th (2 N, 1 S), 29th (12 N).
Kessingland sewage works - 27th (1 N).

MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus
The first of the year flew north past Kessingland on the 17th.

GANNET Morus bassanus
Kessingland - 1st (14 N), 2nd (2 N, 2 S), 4th (2 N), 5th (3 N), 6th (84 N), 7th (41 N, 1 S), 8th (96 N), 10th (17 N, 6 feeding), 11th (71 N, 5 feeding), 12th (1 feeding), 13th (7 N), 14th (17 N, 2 feeding), 15th (8 N), 16th (6 N, 2 S), 17th (2 N), 18th (3 N), 19th (16 N, 1 feeding), 20th (8 N, 1 S), 21st (10 N), 22nd (6 N), 23rd (2 N), 26th (1 N), 27th (5 N), 28th (27 N, 2 S), 29th (19 N), 30th (12 N, 1 S).
Ness Point - 16th (2 N), 22nd (2 N), 26th (2 N), 29th (6 N).

CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo
Kessingland - 1st (1 N), 2nd (1 N), 3rd (10 N, 1 S), 4th (1 N), 5th (2 N), 6th (2 N), 8th (1 S), 12th (3 N), 13th (1 N, 1 S), 14th (3 N), 16th (2 N), 21st (1 N), 22nd (1 S), 23rd (2 N), 24th (2 N), 28th (1 N, 1 S), 29th (1 S) .
Ness Point - 26th (4 N, 1 S), 29th (2 N).

LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta
One was at Herringfleet Hills on the 18th.
Two were at Belton Marshes on the 25th.
One was at Burgh Castle on the 27th.

GREY HERON Ardea cinerea
Two flew north at Gunton Warren on the 6th.

SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia
One flew north westwards over Ashby at 17:00 on the 20th. Possibly the same individual seen on Breydon Water in the morning.

CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis
Lound water works - 14th (2), 15th (3).
Kessingland - 21st (12 N).
Leathes Ham - 21st (1).

BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis
Lound water works - 14th (63). Accompanied by one Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus.

DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Branta (bernicla) bernicla
Three were in the M.o.D. field at Corton on the 2nd. One immature was in Hamilton and Waveney Docks on the 3rd and 4th.
Kessingland - 3rd (1 N), 4th (3 S), 6th (5 N), 11th (2 S), 13th (1 N), 14th (1 N), 15th (1 S), 23rd (4 S).

Red-breasted Goose - Beccles - April 2006
©Neville Loth

[RED-BREASTED GOOSE Branta ruficollis
An adult was with Canada Geese at the Beccles Marshes trail lakes on the 2nd. Presumably the bird regularly seen with the Canada Geese at Somerleyton during the winter.]

EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen aegyptiacus
One flew north past Kessingland on the 11th.
A pair at Lound Waterworks on the 15th had two goslings with them.
Belton Marshes - 25th (6).
Fritton Warren - Belton - 26th (6 pairs).
Fritton Lake - 27th (3 pairs).

SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna
Kessingland - 1st (1 S), 3rd (2 N), 6th (3 N), 13th (1 S), 20th (2 S), 28th (5 N, 2 S).
Carlton Marshes - 16th (2).
Ness Point - 26th (5 N).

MANDARIN DUCK Aix galericulata
A drake was at Leathes Ham on the 4th, with two there on the 5th to 29th. At least one of them was there on the 30th. Even more surprisingly a third drake appeared at Kessingland reedbed on the 9th. More immigrants from sunny Somerleyton?

Mandarins - Lowestoft - April 2006
©Andrew Easton
Is it just me, or does the one on the right look just like Yosemite Sam?

EURASIAN WIGEON Anas penelope
Kessingland - 3rd (2 N), 16th (2 N).

GADWALL Anas strepera
Kessingland - 21st (2 N), 25th (2 S).
Leathes Ham - 21st (2).
Fritton Lake - 27th (3 pairs).

TEAL Anas crecca
Kessingland - 1st (2 S), 25th (2 S), 30th (5 S).
Henstead - 14th (3 on the River Hundred).
Belton Marshes - 25th (7).

SHOVELER Anas clypeata
Kessingland - 15th (2 S), 25th (5 S).

POCHARD Aythya ferina
One male was at Leathes Ham on the 21st and 26th.

TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula
Kessingland - 1st (1 S).
Leathes Ham - 14th (14), 21st (22).
Fritton Lake - 27th (19 pairs).

COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra
Kessingland - 2nd (12 S), 3rd (5 N), 4th (14 N, 1 S), 6th (6 N), 7th (18 N), 8th (5 N, 6 o/s), 9th (10 N), 11th (2 S, 3 N), 12th (1 N),
14th (1 N), 15th (13 S), 16th (5 N, 4 S), 17th (32 N, 17 S), 18th (9 N, 2 S), 19th (2 N), 21st (1 N), 23rd (57 N), 29th (7 N), 30th (4 N).

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator
Kessingland - 4th (1 N).

GOOSANDER Mergus merganser
A female flew towards the coast along the River Hundred on the morning of the 17th.

MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus
One was seen at Ashby on the 2nd. Eight were seen along the River Waveney between Somerleyton and Oulton Dyke on the 8th.
A male was hunting over fields between Ashby and Somerleyton on the 29th.

HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus
One ringtail was seen at Blundeston Marshes on the 9th, 12th and 14th, with presumably the same bird, (a first year) also being seen at Carlton Marshes on the 14th.

Hen Harrier - Carlton Marshes - April 2006
©Andrew Easton

SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus
Lowestoft Cemetery - 16th (2).

COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo
Up to four were seen at Ashby on the 2nd, with at least three there on the 9th, and two on the 16th.
Two were also seen over Flixton Decoy on the 9th.
One drifted south at Henstead on the 12th, with three seen there on the 14th.
One drifted westward over Oulton Broad on the 14th.
One also drifted south eastwards over Mutford on the 14th.
One flew north over Bradwell on the 17th.
One flew over Elm Tree Road, Lowestoft on the 22nd.

OSPREY Pandion haliaetus
One flew eastwards over Gunton on the 21st and continued out over the sea.
One flew north over Kessingland on the morning of the 27th and was apparently seen shortly afterwards at Ness Point as well.

Osprey - Kessingland - April 2006
©Chris Darby

MERLIN Falco columbarius
One was hunting around fields near Corton old sewage works on the 26th. It successfully caught a Sand Martin along the cliff face there.

HOBBY Falco subbuteo
Two flew high eastwards over Carlton Marshes on the 14th.
One flew south past Kessingland on the 18th.
An adult arrived in off the sea at Ness Point at 6:30am on the 26th. Flying in at wave top height it only started to gain height about 50 metres from shore and then headed westwards over the net posts scattering Black-headed Gulls from the beach as it did so.
A pair were already attending to a nest at Fritton Lake on the 27th.
One was at Somerleyton on the 29th.
One flew north past Kessingland on the 30th.

RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa
Gunton - 8th (1).
Carlton Marshes - 9th (2).
One around the gasometer at Ness Point on the 13th and 14th shows that even game birds undertake some local movements. Many years ago a pair of Grey Partridges were seen sheltering from bad weather under a door on the site of the demolished South Pier pavilion (now the Lifeboat Station).

GREY PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix
At least four were at displaying and calling at Corton new sewage works on the 14th.

WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus
One was in the reedbed near Kessingland sewage works on the 4th.
One was flushed at Carlton Marshes on the 14th.
One was in reeds alongside the Waveney at Fritton on the 20th.
One was calling from the reedbed at Burgh Castle on the 30th.

OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus
Lake Lothing - 2nd (1 W).
Lound waterworks - 2nd (2), 15th (2).
Kessingland - 3rd (3 N), 4th (2 S), 5th (1 N), 9th (1 S), 12th (1 S), 17th (1 N), 19th (1 N), 22nd (1 S), 25th (4 S), 28th (1 S), 30th (1 N).
Ness Point - 22nd (4 S), 23rd (5 S).
Henstead - 29th (1).

AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta
Kessingland - 26th (2 N), 28th (1 S).

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula
Kessingland - 1st (2 S), 4th (2 S), 5th (1 N), 9th (4 on beach).

GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria
One was in clifftop fields at Corton on the 26th.

LAPWING Vanellus vanellus
Lake Lothing - 2nd (1 S).

KNOT Calidris canutus
One was at Ness Point on the 15th.

PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima
Ness Point - 2nd (8), 9th (3), 13th (2), 15th (3), 16th (3), 22nd (3), 27th (2).

DUNLIN Calidris alpina
Kessingland - 28th (6 N).

JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus
One was flushed several times by farming operations at Mutford on the 18th.

COMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago
Carlton Marshes - 9th (2), 14th (5+ flushed by the Hen Harrier), 16th (4).
Henstead - 13th (1)
Beccles Marshes - 16th (2).

WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola
One flew through an Oulton garden on the 1st and one flew north westwards over London Road in Pakefield, also on the 1st.

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa
Burgh Castle - 27th (50).

BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica
Kessingland - 6th (1 S), 7th (1 S), 21st (1 S), 25th (2 S).
Burgh Castle - 27th (7).

WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus
Kessingland - 19th (1 N), 21st (1 N, 1 S), 22nd (1 N), 27th (1 N), 28th (7 N), 30th (2 N, 1 S).
Belton Marshes - 25th (17).
Gunton - 25th (1 flushed from the sea wall at Tramps Alley).
Beccles Marshes - 25th (1 flying eastwards), 29th (88), 30th (6).

CURLEW Numenius arquata
Kessingland - 6th (3 N, 1 S), 7th (1 S), 8th (1 S), 14th (2 S), 15th (6 S), 16th (2 N), 17th (1 N), 18th (1 N, 5 S), 22nd (1 N), 29th (2 N).
Belton Marshes - 25th (12).

SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus
Six were at Burgh Castle on the 27th.

GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia
One was at Belton Marshes on the 25th.
Two were at Burgh Castle on the 27th.

COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos
One was seen at Oulton Dyke on the 15th.
One was in Hamilton Dock on the 22nd.

TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres
Ness Point - 2nd (13), 15th (9), 16th (15), 23rd (13).
Lowestoft South Beach - 16th (26).

GREAT SKUA Stercorarius skua
One was seen on the wall of the South Pier at Lowestoft early morning on the 4th. Initially reported as an Arctic.
One flew north past Kessingland on the 15th.

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus
Kessingland - 2nd (2 adults N), 14th (2 adults N).
Pakefield - 3rd (2 adults), 14th (2 adults).
Lowestoft South Beach - 16th (1 1st summer).

GULL sp.
A first winter/summer bird that flew north with Herring Gulls over Gunton Warren at 7:10 on the 28th initially appeared to be a typical ICELAND GULL when viewed from below; but the contrastingly darker upper surfaces to the outer primaries seen as the bird continued northwards indicated that it was either a KUMLIEN'S GULL Larus glaucoides kumlieni or a leucistic HERRING GULL L. argentatus. Unfortunately it carried on flying northwards and so remains indeterminate.

KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla
Kessingland - 1st (5 N), 2nd (3 S), 3rd (11 N, 2 S), 4th (8 N), 5th (23 N), 6th (25 N, 4 S), 7th (5 N), 8th (3 N), 9th (2 N, 1 S), 10th (5 N), 11th (8 N), 12th(4N) 13th (1 N, 10 S), 14th (38 N, 6 S), 15th (15 N, 3 S), 16th (23 N, 5 S), 17th (35 N, 7 S), 18th (13 N, 3 S), 19th (11 N), 20th (4 N, 7 S), 21st (25 N, 3 S), 22nd (20 N, 3 S), 23rd (6 N, 2 S), 24th (1 N), 25th (1 N, 1 S), 26th (4 N, 1 S), 27th (11 N, 1 S), 28th (24 N, 1 S), 29th (25 N, 1 S), 30th (20 N, 2 S, 10 feeding).

SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis
Kessingland - 11th (1 N), 12th (1 N), 18th (2 N), 21st (6 N), 22nd (2 N), 27th (2 N), 28th (3 N), 29th (1 N), 30th (3 N).
One was on the groynes along Lowestoft North Beach on the 21st.
Ness Point - 22nd (1 N).

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo
Kessingland - 3rd (1 N), 7th (2 N).
Two were on the jetty in Mutford Lock, Lake Lothing on the 22nd, with one still there on the 23rd.
One was at Oulton Broad on the 24th.

'COMMIC' TERN Sterna hirundo/paradisaea
Kessingland - 16th (6 N), 17th (3 N), 18th (5 N), 21st (3 N), 22nd (4 N), 23rd (2 S), 26th (2 N), 27th (3 N), 28th (18 N, 2 S), 29th (2 N), 30th (4 N).
Ness Point - 22nd (3 N), 27th (5 N).

STOCK DOVE Columba oenas
Lowestoft - 1st (4 S), 8th (1 S).
Leathes Ham - 26th (1).
Mutford - 28th (4).

WOOD PIGEON Columba palumbus
Lowestoft - 1st (376 S), 8th (84 S).
Fisher Row - 2nd (3 flushed).
Over 1200+ were in fields at Kessingland on the 8th. No doubt many of the large numbers passing south over Lowestoft in recent weeks have been stopping off there to feed.

COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocta
One at Hamilton Dock on the 17th was observed drinking sea water and picking at seaweed apparently to eat.

TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur
One was feeding in a garden at Mutford on the 22nd, with two there on the 28th.

CUCKOO Cuculus canorus
One was at Oulton Marshes on the 18th.
One was calling at Henstead on the 24th. Probably trying to convince itself it really was worth flying all the way from Africa to shiver in the current wintery gloom!
One was at Fisher Row on the 25th.
One was calling at Fritton Lake on the 25th and 27th.
One was at Barsham Drain , near Beccles, on the 28th.
One was calling at Caldecott Road, Oulton Broad on the 27th.
One was at Fisher Row on the 29th.

BARN OWL Tyto alba
Beccles Common - 2nd (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 4th (1).

Follow this link to find out more about the Suffolk Community Barn Owl project. It aims to reverse the fortunes of the Barn Owl in Suffolk by the provision of nest boxes. This will open in a new window.

LITTLE OWL Athene noctua
Ashby - 2nd (one calling).
Corton new sewage works - 14th (1).

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus
One was seen early morning on the 9th at Fisher Row, Oulton.
What was presumably the same bird was seen just to the south of there at Carlton Marshes at midday the same day.
Seen at Carlton Marshes again on 16th, it then flew north towards Fisher Row.
One was seen early morning on the 20th at Corton.

COMMON SWIFT Apus apus
One early individual was over Flixton Decoy on the 9th, and with the icy winds to welcome it no doubt it wishes it hadn't left Africa. (Two had been seen along the Norfolk coast on the 8th.)
Two were seen at Gunton on the 25th.
One was over the Lowestoft Cemetery area on the evening of the 25th.
Two were over Caldecottt Road, Oulton Broad on the 26th.
One was over Leathes Ham on the 29th.

ALPINE SWIFT Apus melba
One reappeared over Asda car park and around the grain silo at around 7:48 on the 1st. It spent a few minutes soaring around high over Lake Lothing before flying off westwards towards Oulton Broad.

One was next seen by Colin Carter, just to the south of our area, over Benacre Hall at 12:27 heading south fast!

Just after 18:00 one had returned to the grain silo area, it was seen on and off there until just before 19:00 when a second bird joined it and both were still present in the area until 19:20 at least, and were last seen to the north, and judged to be near the Old Nelson Street area where they had first appeared on the 28th March.

On the 2nd one flew in from the north at 6:40 and remained around the grain silo area until 7:10 when it, as on the 1st, drifted off westwards. Quite likely the bird seen later over Whitlingham Lane Country Park, Norwich and seen up to 12:30. One seen over Aldeburgh and Minsmere during the day was presumably the second individual.

At 16:45 one appeared from the north over Old Nelson Street and slowly headed south towards the grain silo, later returning north and then spending much time patrolling over London Road North and the harbour. At 17:40 the second bird suddenly joined it; the two then headed south to skirt around a very heavy downpour and promptly reappeared as the storm cloud cleared out to sea.

At 18:24 both passed low over the Somerfield car park and then tacked south over Marine Parade and London Road South all the way to Kensington Gardens and the CEFAS fish lab. Just one then returned north over the harbour, before it then headed back south at around 19:10 and was lost to view low behind roofs. As both disappeared to the south the CEFAS complex is certainly a good candidate for their as yet undiscovered roost site.

None were seen in Lowestoft on the 3rd, but during the day they were both seen over Walberswick and Minsmere where a third bird joined them. All apparently flew south from there at dusk.

The Asda car park on the south bank of Lake Lothing directly opposite the grain silo seems to be the best general area to view from. You can park by the grain silo itself in Commercial Road but the view to the south is blocked by the silo itself. Alternatively try the top floor of the Somerfield multi storey car park, off Battery Green Road, for views over the north of the town, with the grain silo still in view.

There have been three previous records from Lowestoft: 6th September 1963, 26th August 1966 and 28th May 1999.

Alpine Swifts - Lowestoft - March 2006
©Andrew Easton

KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis
One was at Fritton Lake on the 27th.

GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis
Beccles Common - 1st & 2nd (1).
Gunton Warren - 6th (1), 9th (1), 15th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 14th (1).
Lound water works - 15th (2).
Carlton Marshes - 16th (1).
Beccles Marshes - 16th (1).
Lowestoft Cemetery - 16th (1), 25th (2).
Corton new sewage works - 20th (2).
Burgh Castle - 30th (1).

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major
Beccles Common - 2nd (2).
Corton new sewage works - 14th (1), 23rd (1).
Lound water works - 15th (1).
Beccles Marshes - 16th (1).
Lowestoft Cemetery - 16th (1).
Gunton Warren - 22nd (1).

SKY LARK Alauda arvensis
Ten were on the playing field by Corton church on the 26th, with 16 there on the 28th and 30th.

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia
Kessingland - 1st (1 S), 4th (15), 14th (2), 17th (8+), 19th (30), 22nd (20).
Gunton Warren - 8th (1 S).
Corton old sewage works - 9th (10), 23rd (50+ around the adjacent cliff face, digging enthusiastically).
Corton new sewage works - 14th (1).
Lound water works - 15th (1).
Oulton Broad - 15th (3).
Fritton Warren/Waveney Forest - 20th (4).
Ness Point - 23rd (4 S).

SWALLOW Hirundo rustica
Singles flew south over both Asda and Somerfield car parks on the 1st.
One was seen at Ashby on the 2nd.
Three flew north over the Somerfield car park in central Lowestoft on the 3rd.
Herringfleet Hills - 4th (2), 8th (1).
Barsham Drain - 4th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 4th (2), 19th (5), 20th (15), 24th (c.50).
Beccles Common - 4th (2).
Gunton Warren - 8th (1 S), 12th (2 N).
Worlingham Marshes - 8th (7).
Kessingland - 8th (2 N), 9th (1), 14th (2 N), 17th (3 N, 2 S), 22nd (2 S).
Carlton Marshes - 9th (2), 17th (4).
Corton old sewage works - 9th (1).
Flixton Decoy - 9th (6).
Henstead - 14th (2 around their nesting site).
Corton new sewage works - 14th (1), 20th (1).
Blundeston - 14th (1 W).
Beccles Marshes - 14th (2), 16th (2).
Oulton Broad - 15th (4).
Castle Marshes, Barnby - 16th (9).
Lowestoft North Denes - 17th (4 N), 22nd (4 N, 8 S), 23rd (30+ S).
Ness Point - 18th (3 S).
Fritton Warren/Waveney Forest - 20th (46).
Elm Tree Road - 22nd (2).

On the 23rd, although several new migrants had arrived, a constant stream of Swallows and a few Sand Martins were heading south along the coast; but as it felt more like a winters day we can hardly blame them.

HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica
Kessingland sewage works - 4th (1), 19th (4), 22nd (2), 27th (6).
Kessingland - 8th (1), 9th (2), 17th (1).
Carlton Marshes - 9th (1).
Flixton Decoy - 9th (4).
Oulton Dyke - 15th (2).
Henstead - 23rd (7 over, but none around their nest sites yet.)

TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis
One was by the stream just north of Warrenhouse Wood on the morning of the 9th, it then departed northwards.
Two were at Kessingland sewage works on the 27th.

MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis
Lowestoft - 1st (4 S).

YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flavissima
One was at Carlton Marshes on the 9th.
Two flew north over Kessingland Beach on the 14th.
One was at Gunton Warren on the 19th.
One was at Kessingland sewage works on the 20th.
One flew south over Lowestoft North Denes on the 22nd.
Two flew south over Lowestoft North Denes on the 23rd.
One flew north over Corton old sewage works on the 23rd.
Three were on the bowling green in Kensington Gardens on the 24th. Making a pleasant change from the flyover only ones we've been getting recently.
Three were on the Denes Oval on the 26th.
Four were on the playing field in Corton on the 27th.
One was on the putting green at Broadland Sands at Corton on the 27th.
One was on Lowestoft North Denes on the 27th.
One was at Belton Marshes on the 27th.
One was at Fritton Marshes on the 30th.

GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea
One was at the Poplars Primary School, St. Margaret's Road in Lowestoft on the 13th.
One was at Kessingland sewage works on the 25th.

WHITE WAGTAIL Motacilla alba alba
Beccles Common - 1st (1).
North Denes (Net posts) - 17th (1).
Denes Oval - 20th (1), 23rd (2), 24th (1), 26th (1), 27th (1).

PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba yarrelli
Lowestoft - 1st (1 S).
Kessingland sewage works - 4th (20).
Denes Oval - 20th (1), 27th (2).

NIGHTINGALE Luscinia megarhynchos
One was singing at Leathes Ham on the 27th to 30th.

Black Redstart (left) & Common Redstart - Lowestoft - April 2006
©Andrew Easton

BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros
On the 4th a male was at Altro in Pinbush Road on the South Lowestoft Industrial Estate, another was there on the 12th. A very scarce sight in Lowestoft in the last couple of years.
Pakefield - 6th (1).
Denes Oval - 7th - 8th (1 immature male). Singing a few times on the 8th and 9th.
South Lowestoft - 12th (1 female/immature was on the seafront putting green by the Thatched Restaurant opposite Cliff Road.)
Hamilton Road - 21st (1 singing).
North Denes (Net posts) - 21st (3), 22nd (1).
Beccles Common - 30th (1).

COMMON REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus
A smart male was in the Birds Eye car park north of Ness Point on the 23rd.
Another fine male was at Kessingland sewage works on the 24th, with two there on the 25th!

WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra
A male was around the North Denes net posts on the 25th.

Whinchat - Lowestoft - April 2006
©Andrew Easton

WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe
Two were at Corton on the cliff top mini golf course south of Radar Lodge on the 7th.
One was just to the south of the River Hundred around Benacre Pits on the 12th.
Lowestoft North Denes - 8th (1), 15th (1), 16th (1), 19th (6).
Lake Lothing - 15th (1).
Hamilton Dock - 15th (1), 16th (3).
Denes Oval - 17th (4), 23rd (2).
Ness Point - 18th (1), 19th (1).

A mass arrival occurred on the 20th with at least 69 being counted between Kessingland an Hopton. Some individual site counts appear below. Further south in Suffolk an amazing total of 170 were at Landguard, Felixstowe.
Broadland Sands (Corton) - 6.
Corton new sewage works - 9.
Gunton Warren - 2.
North Denes (Net posts) - 16.
Denes Oval - 12.(Probably some duplication of above birds as they got pushed off from the Net posts area.)
Kessingland Beach - 3.
This total would put most autumn days to shame never mind a spring one!

Lowestoft North Denes - 21st (8), 22nd (2), 23rd (2), 27th (7).
Denes Oval - 23rd (4).
Corton new sewage works - 23rd (4), 29th (2).
North Denes (Net posts) - 25th (5).
Gunton (Dip Farm football pitch) - 25th (2).
Gunton/Corton (Pleasurewood Hills car park) - 25th (3).
Corton (field by church) - 26th (1).
Corton (Broadland Sands - Radar Lodge) - 27th (11).
Gunton (Dip Farm pitch & putt golf course) - 26th (6).
Henstead - 29th (1).
Corton old sewage works - 30th (1).
Beccles Common - 30th (1).

RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus
One flew south over Gunton Cliff on the morning of the 7th.
A male arrived in off the sea north at Ness Point on the 17th and continued heading inland over the Birds Eye factory.
A male that briefly visited a garden in Elm Tree Road on the afternoon of the 17th may just possibly have been this same individual, but with the numbers arriving in East Anglia at the moment it's just as likely to be a different bird.
Two males were at Kessingland sewage works on the 18th.
One flew north over Kessingland sewage works on the 19th.
One male was on the Denes Oval on the 20th.
One male was at Henstead on the 21st.
One was just south of Kessingland Sluice on the 22nd.
A pair were at Corton new sewage works on the 23rd.
A male was at Corton new sewage works on the 26th.
Three were reported on Birdguides at Burgh Castle on the 27th.

FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris
One was on the Denes Oval on the 22nd, with two there on the 24th.
Three were on the Dip Farm pitch and putt golf course at Gunton on the 24th.

SONG THRUSH Turdus philomelus
5+ extremely wary individuals were flushed at Corton new sewage works on the 14th. Presumably wintering migrants on their way back to Europe.

REDWING Turdus iliacus
Lowestoft - 2nd (22 S).
Beccles Common - 2nd (20 W).
Denes Oval - 9th (1).

MISTLE THRUSH Turdus viscivorus
Corton new sewage works - 14th (2).
Denes Oval - 20th (1).
Beccles Marshes - 23rd (1).
Lound Waterworks - 29th (3).

CETTI'S WARBLER Cettia cetti
Carlton Marshes - 2nd (4 singing), 9th (4 singing), 14th (7 singing), 17th (3).
Lound waterworks - 2nd (1), 15th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 4th (1), 8th (1), 14th (1), 17th (1), 19th (1), 22nd (1), 25th (2), 27th (2).
Beccles Marshes - 16th (1).
Oulton Marshes - 18th (3).
Herringfleet Hills - 18th (1).
Belton - 25th & 26th (1).
Oulton Broad (Hall Road/Caldecott Road) - 26th (1).
Fritton Lake/Lound Waterworks - 27th (1 singing).
Fritton Marshes - 30th (1 singing).

GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella naevia
At least three were singing at Fisher Row, Oulton on the 16th.
One was singing from brambles along Gunton Cliff, just north of the Denes Oval, on the 23rd.
One was singing at Beccles Marshes on the 25th and 30th.
One was at Carlton Marshes on the 27th and 29th.

SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
One was singing at Carlton Marshes on the 14th to 16th.
Three were singing at Oulton Marshes on the 18th.
Five were at Kessingland sewage works reedbed on the 19th.
One was at Beccles Marshes on the 23rd.
Two were at Belton on the 25th.
Two were at Kessingland sewage works reedbed on the 25th.
Six were singing at Belton on the 26th.
Three were at Kessingland sewage works reedbed on the 27th.
Four were singing at Carlton Marshes on the 29th.

REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus
One was at Kessingland sewage works on the 20th.
One was at Beccles Marshes on the 23rd.
Two were singing at Belton on the 26th.
One was singing at Fritton Lake on the 27th.
Two were at Carlton Marshes on the 27th.
One was at Burgh Castle on the 27th.
Four were at Burgh Catsle on the 30th.

LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca
One was singing just to the south of our area on the 12th in scrub around Benacre pits.
Two were singing along the disused railtrack at Corton on the 23rd.
One was along the disused railtrack at Gunton on the 24th.
Four were along the disused railtrack at Gunton on the 24th.
Two were at Belton on the 25th.
One was singing along the cliff face above Kessingland Beach on the 25th-30th.
One was singing at Beccles Common on the 26th.
Three were at Belton on the 26th.
Five were along Gunton Cliff above the camp site on the 27th.
One was around Battery Green roundabout on the 27th.
One was singing along Denmark Road by the railway line on the 27th.
One was along the cycle track next to Lowestoft cemetery on the 27th.
Four were at Kessingland sewage works on the 27th.
One was singing at Henstead on the 29th.
One was singing at Lound Waterworks on the 30th.
Two were singing at Beccles Common on the 30th.

COMMON WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis
Single birds were seen at Sprats Water Lane, Carlton Colville, at Castle Marshes, Barnby and at Beccles Marshes on the 16th.
On the 17th single birds were at Lowestoft North Denes and at Kessingland sewage works.
One was singing at Henstead on the 18th.
Four were at Kessingland sewage works on the 19th.
One was at Gunton Warren on the 19th.
Three were singing at Fritton Warren/Waveney Forest on the 20th.
One was at Kessingland Beach on the 20th.
One was in Lowestoft Cemetery at Normanston on the 21st.
Two were along Gunton Cliff on the 21st, with a further two on Gunton Warren.
Five were at Gunton Warren on the 22nd.
Six were along the disused railtrack at Gunton on the 22nd.
One was in tamarisks north of Ness Point on the 22nd.
Three were in scrub along Lake Lothing on the 22nd.
At least six were in the Birds Eye car park north of Ness Point on the 22nd and 23rd.
Four were at Kessingland sewage works reedbed on the 22nd.
One was at Beccles Marshes on the 23rd.
Eleven singing males were around the Belton and Caldicott Hall golf course area on the 25th.
Six singing males and one female were at Belton on the 26th.
One was singing by Hamilton Dock on the 26th and 27th.
Nine were at Kessingland sewage works reedbed on the 27th.

GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin
One was at the disused railtrack at Corton on the 23rd.
One was at Kessingland sewage works on the 27th.
One was singing at Waveney Forest on the 30th.
Two were singing at Beccles Common on the 30th.

BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla
Kessingland sewage works - 4th (1), 14th (4), 19th (1), 27th (8).
Pakefield - 5th (1).
Henstead - 5th (1).
Warrenhouse Wood - 7th (1), 8th (1), 21st (3).
Corton Wood - 8th (2).
Beccles Cemetery - 9th (1).
Carlton Marshes - 9th (1).
Flixton Decoy - 14th (3).
Corton new sewage works - 14th (1), 23rd (2).
Beccles Common - 14th (1), 26th (2).
Lound waterworks - 15th (2).
Lowestoft Cemetery/Cycle track - 16th (1), 27th (4).
Oulton Marshes - 18th (1).
Herringfleet Hills - 18th (5).
Fritton Warren/Waveney Forest - 20th (31).
Corton Church - 20th (1).
Gunton Cliff - 21st (2).
Gunton (Hubbards Loke) - 21st (2).
Gunton Warren - 22nd (1).
Beccles Marshes - 23rd (2).
Belton - 25th (6 singing), 26th (16 singing + 2 females).
Fritton Lake - 27th (25 singing).
Beccles Common - 30th (6+ singing).
Mostly males seen up to the 20th, when females started to become more numerous.

CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita
Gunton Warren - 1st (1), 9th (1), 15th (1), 20th (2), 22nd (2).
Beccles Common - 1st & 2nd (5).
Gunton Hall - 2nd (1).
Warrenhouse Wood - 2nd (2), 6th (3), 8th (1), 9th (2).
Fisher Row - 2nd (2).
Kessingland (High Path) - 2nd-4th (1), 8th & 9th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 4th (3), 16th (3), 20th (1), 27th (6).
Pakefield - 5th (3).
Henstead - 7th (1).
Corton new sewage works - 14th (2).
Lound waterworks - 15th (3).
Lowestoft Cemetery/Cycle track- 16th (2), 27th (1).
Fritton Warren/Waveney Forest - 20th (26).
Gunton Drive - 20th (1).
Belton - 26th (8 singing).
Fritton Lake - 27th (17 singing).

WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus
Four were singing at Beccles Common on the 2nd, where none were noted on the 1st, so apparently newly arrived on the Sunday.
Kessingland sewage works - 4th (1), 13th (1), 27th (2).
Lowestoft North Denes - 8th (1).
Carlton Marshes - 9th (2), 14th (5+), 15th (3).
Kessingland (High Path) - 14th (1), 16th (1).
Beccles Common - 14th (2).
Beccles Marshes - 14th (1).
Blundeston Marshes - 15th (3).
Oulton Marshes - 18th (7).
Herringfleet Hills - 18th (7).
Ness Point - 19th (one on the rocks between the Point and Hamilton Dock).
Fritton Warren/Waveney Forest - 20th (6).
Gunton Drive - 20th (1).
Gunton Warren - 22nd (2).
Belton - 25th (10 singing), 26th (15 singing).
Beccles Common - 30th (6+ singing).

There appears to have been another increase in numbers for the second year running. Hopefully there will still be a few hanging around to breed after those pausing on passage have moved on.

FIRECREST Regulus ignicapillus
Kessingland sewage works - 4th and 5th (1).
Corton old sewage works - 9th (1).
Kensington Gardens - 12th (1), 13th (1).
Kessingland - 27th (2 in a private garden).

BEARDED TIT Panurus biarmicus
At least three were heard at Belton on the 25th.

CONTINENTAL COAL TIT Parus ater ater
One of this colourful blue-grey backed birds passed through a Kessingland garden on the 1st, part of a general movement of Tits along the coast of at least Norfolk and Suffolk taking place at the moment. A Coal Tit, of unknown race, was heard singing at the Kessingland sewage works on the 4th. Three Coal Tits were with a small tit flock between the Denes Oval and Warrenhouse Wood on the 9th, at least two of them were continental race birds.

Four Continental Coal Tits were trapped and ringed at Landguard, Felixstowe on March 31st.

BLUE TIT Parus caeruleus
Six passed south through central Lowestoft on the 1st, amongst many small passerines on the move that morning.

NUTHATCH Sitta europaea
One was heard at Gunton Hall on the 2nd. One visited a bird table in a garden adjacent to Normanston Park on the 14th, a first for that garden. Another encouraging sign that this species is finally making a comeback in our area.

TREECREEPER Certhia familiaris
Gunton Hall - 28th (pair).
Waveney Forest - 30th (2 singing).

JAY Garrulus glandarius
Lowestoft Cemetery - 16th (2).
Sparrows Nest Park - 22nd (2).
Warrenhouse Wood - 22nd (1).
North Denes (Net Posts) - 25th (1).
Waveney Forest - 30th (3).

CARRION CROW Corvus corone
One at the Denes Oval on the 8th was busily collecting beakfulls of gull feathers to line its nest. It would occasionally put some down to rearrange them to get a better grip, carefully placing one foot on top of them to stop them blowing away.

CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs
At dawn on the 1st there was marked southbound passage of passerines, mostly finches but with Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail and even Blue Tits included. Over 200 Chaffinches passed through up to 8:00. Linnets, Greenfinches and Siskins were mixed in with them as well.
At least nine were seen arriving in off the sea over Lowestoft North Denes early morning on the 26th.

BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla
One flew over Lound Waterworks on the 2nd. One was in an Oulton garden on the 3rd. One was at a bird feeder at North Cove nature reserve on the 8th and 9th. One was in a garden at St. Olaves on the 8th and 9th.
One was in a garden in Kessingland on the 14th.
Three were seen in Waveney Forest on the 14th.
One was in a garden at Gunton on the 18th.
Two were seen in Waveney Forest on the 20th.
Five were in a garden in Gunton Drive on the 20th.

GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris
Lowestoft - 1st (12 S).
Gunton Warren - 6th (4), 9th (12), 15th (4), 22nd (9).
Kessingland sewage works - 14th (6).

GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis
Ashby - 2nd (5).

SISKIN Carduelis spinus
Lowestoft - 1st (29 S).
Kessingland - 3rd-5th (up to 6 at garden feeders).
Beccles - 6th (one on a garden feeder, the second there this year. They were the first recorded there in six years).
Lound waterworks - 15th (2).
Fritton Warren/Waveney Forest - 20th (6), 30th (1).
Belton - 25th (1).
Lowestoft North Denes - 28th (2 N).

LINNET Carduelis cannabina
Lowestoft - 1st (15 S).
Gunton Warren - 1st (20), 6th (5), 9th (9), 15th (9), 22nd (6).
Ashby - 16th (20+).
Kessingland sewage works - 14th (6).

LESSER REDPOLL Carduelis cabaret
Three were around the Beccles Marsh trail lakes on the 9th, and a Redpoll was heard at North Cove nature reserve the same day.
Two were at Lound Waterworks on the 16th.

CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra
A flock of 25 was at Blocka Lane, Fritton on the 9th.
At least 18 were in Waveney Forest on the 30th, one of the males was giving brief snatches of song.

BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Caldicott Hall - 12th (2).
Carlton Marshes - 15th (2).
Blocka Lane, Fritton - 14th (2).

YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella
Gunton Warren - 6th (1), 9th (3), 15th (5), 22nd (3).
Kessingland sewage works - 14th (1).

CORN BUNTING Miliaria calandra
Three were at Carlton Marshes on the 17th.

BUDGERIGAH Melopsittacus undulatus
One flew in and rested for a while on a roof in Battery Green Road, Lowestoft on the evening of the 3rd. Later it flew off northwards.

NON-BIRD NEWS

Harbour Porpoises were seen offshore at Kessingland on the 1st, 5th, 7th, 21st (3), 24th, 28th and 29th (2). Three or four were offshore between Gunton and Corton on the 8th, with one there on the 26th. A Common Seal was seen at Kessingland on the 28th.

A Pipistrelle Bat was on the wing at Beccles on the 24th.

On the butterfly front, on the 16th a Painted Lady was seen at Fisher Row, Oulton and a Small White was at Hamilton Dock. A Speckled Wood was at Corton Wood on the 19th. A Holly Blue was in Corton Wood on the 27th.

An Adder was seen at Gunton Warren on the 21st.