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	Home Wildlife Dragonflies 2004 Butterflies 2004 Moths 2004

Treecreeper - Corton Woods - April 2004 - ©Robert Wincup

RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata ****
Kessingland - 30th (1 N).



GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus
One was on the sea of Kessingland on the 19th.



FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis
Kessingland - 1st (1 N, 1 S), 2nd (1 N, 3 S), 3rd (5 N), 5th (3 N), 6th (3 N, 1 S), 7th (2 N), 8th (1 N), 9th (3 N, 1 S), 10th (9 N), 11th (7 N), 12th (2 N), 13th (2 N), 15th (1 N), 16th (6 N, 1 S), 17th (1 N), 18th (5 N), 19th (7 N, 1 S), 20th (1 N), 21st (1 N), 22nd (1 N), 23rd (1 N), 24th (2 S), 25th (4 N), 26th (11 N), 27th (2 N).



MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus
At 17:25 on the 2nd two Manx flew north past Kessingland just beyond the East Barnard buoy. At 17:45 a single Manx followed north approximately 4 kilometres from the beach. At 17:45 on the 24th a party of 8 hurtled north together just beyond East Barnard Buoy distance (3.1 kilometres from the sea wall), the same afternoon one passed Corton.



GANNET Morus bassanus ****
Ness Point - 1st (1 N), (2 N).
Kessingland - 1st (44 N), 2nd (27 N, 2 S), 3rd (82 N), 4th (4 N, 2 S), 5th (53 N), 6th (13 N, 7 S), 7th (12 N, 5 S), 8th (19 N), 9th (4 N), 10th (20 N, 1 S), 11th (18 N, 2 S), 12th (10 N, 4 S), 13th (48 N), 14th (25 N), 15th (7 N), 16th (19 N, 6 S), 17th (23 N, 5 S), 18th (22 N, 3 S), 19th (28 N, 1 S), 20th (60 N, 8 S), 21st (22 N, 4 S), 22nd (74 N, 1 S), 23rd (42 N, 1 S), 24th (82 N plus several feeding at and beyond 5 kilometre distance), 25th (10 N, 4 S, 20 feeding), 26th (45 N, 13 S, 20 feeding), 27th (26 N, 3 S, 5 feeding), 28th (23 N, 5 feeding), 29th (75 N, 6 S), 30th (84 N, 11 S).



CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo ****
Kessingland - 3rd (1 N), 5th (1 N), 11th (3 S), 12th (2 N), 15th (1 N), 16th (1 S), 22nd (1 N), 23rd (1 N, 1 S), 30th (1 N).



GREY HERON Ardea cinerea
Four circled northwards over Oulton Broad on the 26th. Two flew south past Ness Point on the 29th the same day 4 arrived off the sea at Kessingland.



LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta
One flew south close inshore past Kessingland on the 24th.



SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia
One first-year flew over Bloodmoor Road at 14:45 on the 6th. It flew eastwards and was last seen heading over Pontins Holiday Camp, Pakefield.



CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis
Kessingland - 3rd (3 N), 6th (16 N).
Carlton Marshes - 12th (13 N).
Two pairs with six goslings were at the Suffolk Wildlife Park, Kessingland on the 19th.



BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis
Kessingland - 10th (3 N).
27 were seen at Suffolk Wildlife Park, Kessingland on the 19th, this included a pair with two young. They regularly breed in the grounds, taking advantage of the perimeter fencing keeping out foxes. Just so long as they keep out of the Lion enclosure!
30 were seen near Somerleyton Marshes on the 8th.



EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen aegyptiacus
Pairs with young were seen at the Suffolk Wildlife Park, Kessingland on the 19th and at Lound Waterworks on the 20th and 27th.



SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna
Kessingland - 5th (2 N, then S), 8th (2 ad. 1 juv. on sea), 15th (2 S), 24th (2 S).
A pair with one duckling were at the Suffolk Wildlife Park, Kessingland on the 19th. A pair flew north at St. Olaves on the 20th.



POCHARD Aythya ferina
Drake present on Oulton Broad on the 28th.

TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula
Pakefield - 9th (pr. on sea).
Kessingland - 14th (1 S), 22nd (2 S), 23rd (6 S).



EIDER Somateria mollissima
Kessingland - 2nd (2 N), 23rd (1 N).
One was in Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft on the evening of the 14th.

COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra ****
Kessingland - 2nd (2 N), 3rd (15 N), 5th (7 N), 6th (3 N), 7th (6 N), 9th (9 S), 11th (12 N), 13th (3 N, 19 S, 3 o/s), 14th (3 N, 30 S), 15th (4 S), 16th (24 N, 26 S, 15 o/s), 19th (6 N), 20th (2 N), 21st (13 N), 22nd (3 N, 11 S, 30 o/s), 23rd (22 S), 27th (7 S), 28th (1 N, 1 S), 30th (15 N, 6 o/s).



RED KITE Milvus milvus
One flew over Kessingland Beach / Sluice heading west over the Levels early morning on the 11th.

Red Kite - Kessingland Beach - June 11, 2004 ©Robert Wincup

MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus
Two were seen at Carlton Marshes on the afternoon of the 5th, 7th (male), 12th. One male was at Somerleyton Marshes at dusk on the 8th with 3 seen on the 9th.



MONTAGU'S HARRIER Circus pygargus
A massive amount of fortune was involved in this sighting. While searching for Quail at Mutford/Gisleham late evening on May 31 a Barn Owl, which was quartering a set-aside field, dive bombed a stationary Montagu's Harrier. After flying around for a minute or so the Harrier returned to the same spot. Over the next hour or so it was seen a further three times giving prolonged close views. The local gulls and crows didn't appreciate it as much as the nine birders who beat the fading light to get there.

Despite being looked for extensively during the day on the 1st there was no sign but surprisingly the bird again returned in the evening from 19:00 onwards. The bird was aged as a 1st-summer male. There was no sign on the 3rd or 4th. By the way no Quail were heard, but there were no complaints!!!



HOBBY Falco subbuteo
Noted at Carlton Marshes on the evening of the 5th (2), 7th (3), 8th (2), 12th (1); Mutford on the 1st; Castle Marshes on the 13th; Oulton Broad on the 24th and 25th. One flew north past Kessingland on the 1st with one south there on the 11th.



QUAIL Coturnix coturnix
One was singing from by a pump house half way along Breydon South Wall on the evening of the 5th.



WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus
One was calling at 01:00 at Holly Road, Oulton Broad on the 15th. One was heard calling from the ditches along the south shore of Breydon Water on the 27th.



OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus ****
Kessingland - 2nd (1 N), 3rd (1 S), 4th (2 N), 5th (5 N), 7th (1 N), 9th (1 S), 10th (1 N, 1 S), 14th (1 S), 16th (1 N), 20th (1 S), 26th (3 S), 29th (1 S).
Ness Point - 29th (1).
One pair were at the Suffolk Wildlife Park, Kessingland on the 19th,



AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta
Kessingland - 11th (1 S).
Breydon South Shore - 27th (41).



RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula
Single birds were on the beach at Pakefield and at Ness Point on the 29th.



GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola
Kessingland - 10th (2 S).



DUNLIN Calidris alpina
Kessingland - 10th (8 N).



WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola
One was seen at Barnby Broad on the 28th.



CURLEW Numenius arquata ****
Kessingland - 7th (2 S), 8th (3 S), 9th (1 S), 11th (1 S), 14th (1 S), 16th (1 S), 17th (1 N, 4 S), 18th (33 S), 19th (2 N), 20th (2 S), 21st (4 S), 22nd (15 S), 23rd (50 S), 24th (3 S), 26th (50 S), 27th (128 S), 28th (26 S), 29th (21 S), 30th (78 S).
One flew south over Carlton Marshes late afternoon on the 8th. Single birds flew south over Oulton Broad on the 27th and 28th.

Curlew - Kessingland - June, 2004 ©Robert Wincup

WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus ****
Kessingland - 4th (2 N), 5th (3 N, 1 S), 27th (3 S), 29th (3 S), 30th (1 S).



BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa
Breydon South Shore - 27th (62).



BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica
Kessingland -1st (2 S), 5th (2 S), 10th (9 S), 27th (1 S).
Breydon South Shore - 27th (1).



GREENSHANK Tringa nebulosa
Breydon South Shore - 27th (1).



REDSHANK Tringa totanus
Kessingland - 23rd (1 S), 24th (2 S), 27th (2 S).



GREAT SKUA Catharacta skua
Kessingland - 1st (1 N), 5th (1 N), 23rd (1 N).



ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus
At 17:28 on the 25th a dark phase individual flew north past Kessingland about 3 kilometres from the beach. One was seen chasing gulls of Corton on the 24th.



LONG-TAILED SKUA Stercorarius longicaudus
At 10:10 on the 10th an adult flew north past Kessingland c200 metres from the beach. The flight was a relaxed fluent flap and glide. Although the light was not particularly helpful and little in the way of tonal variations was visible on the mantel and wings, the pale collar and breast were clearly seen. The most striking feature however was the body silhouette, which tapered from a rounded breast to an exquisitely long and elegant tail. This was without doubt the best ever view of an adult Long-tailed Skua at Kessingland.



Skua sp.
At 14:10 on the 15th a large Skua (probably a Bonxie) flew south past Kessingland attacking gulls as it went. Unfortunately the bird was at least 4 kilometres from the beach



MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus
Kessingland -1st (2 N; ad + 2nd-sum.), 2nd (1 ad S), 3rd (1 ad S), 7th (ad S), 8th (ad N), 10th (ad S), 12th (ad N), 14th (1 ad N), 17th (1 ad N), 18th (1 2nd sum. S), 19th (1 ad N).



LITTLE GULL Larus minutus
One 1st-summer was along Breydon South Wall on the 7th.



KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla ****
Kessingland - 1st (6 N, 1 S), 2nd (20 N, 8 S), 3rd (9 N, 2 S), 4th (11 N, 4 S), 5th (22 N, 2 S), 6th (11 N, 7 S), 7th (7 N, 14 S), 8th (10 N, 14 S), 9th (12 N, 15 S), 10th (14 N, 24 S), 11th (18 N, 31 S), 12th (17 N, 9 S), 13th (28 N, 7 S), 14th (15 N, 6 S), 15th (31 N, 8 S), 16th (15 N, 4 S), 17th (14 N, 3 S), 18th (23 N, 19 S), 19th (14 N, 5 S), 20th (14 N, 6 S), 21st (6 N, 1 S), 22nd (15 N, 6 S), 23rd (5 N, 2 S), 24th (3 N, 13 S), 25th (49 N, 22 S), 26th (10 N, 8 S), 27th (10 N, 5 S), 28th (16 N, 19 S), 29th (37 N, 14 S), 30th (5 N, 13 S).

SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicesis
Kessingland - 1st (1 N, 1 S), 2nd (12 N, 1 S), 3rd (12 N), 4th (2 N, 3 S), 5th (8 N), 6th (2 N), 7th (7 N, 1 S), 8th (7 N), 9th (2 N, 1 S), 10th (5 N, 1 S), 11th (13 N, 6 S), 12th (7 N, 1 S), 13th (7 N), 14th (6 N, 1 S), 15th (8 N), 16th (10 N, 4 S), 17th (10 N, 2 S), 18th (16 N, 1 S), 19th (15 N, 5 S), 20th (20 N, 1 S), 21st (5 N, 2 S), 22nd (14 N, 8 S), 23rd (4 N, 6 S), 24th (7 N, 8 S), 25th (10 N, 15 S), 26th (53 N, 9 S), 27th (21 N, 10 S), 28th (9 N, 11 S), 29th (16 N, 10 S), 30th (13 N, 25 S).
Ness Point - 29th (2 S).
Away from the immediate coast eight were seen flying noisily south over Carlton Colville church on the evening of the 29th.



LITTLE TERN Sterna albifrons ****
Kessingland - 1st (30 N, 27 S), 2nd (98 N, 35 S), 3rd (85 N, 55 S), 4th (25 N, 21 S), 5th (108 N, 116 S), 6th (53 N, 80 S), 7th (33 N, 48 S), 8th (18 N, 18 S), 9th (27 N, 50 S), 10th (28 N, 27 S), 11th (33 N, 28 S), 12th (24 N, 13 S), 13th (46 N, 27 S), 14th (21 N, 14 S), 15th (6 N, 4 S), 16th (8 N, 6 S), 17th (4 N, 8 S), 18th (28 N, 35 S), 19th (6 N, 6 S), 20th (26 N, 12 S), 21st (34 N, 19 S), 22nd (27 N, 14 S), 23rd (7 N, 4 S), 24th (22 N, 5 S), 25th (20 N, 32 S), 26th (13 N, 9 S), 27th (8 N, 24 S), 28th (10 N, 23 S), 29th (8 N, 10 S), 30th (12 N, 30 S).



COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo
Lowestoft North Beach - 4th (c30 feeding offshore), 7th (4 S).

The roof nesting colony along Lake Lothing seems to be thriving. Up to at least fifty adults have been seen in flight over the roofs recently, so a total of 25 pairs seems likely. On the 20th 12 sitting adults could be seen on the one visible side of the roof.

Common Tern - Lowestoft North Beach - July 5th, 2004 - ©Robert Wilton

'Commic' Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea ****
Kessingland - 1st (7 N, 1 S), 2nd (9 N, 6 S), 3rd (4 N, 1 S), 4th (6 N, 1 S), 5th (4 N, 4 S), 6th (7 N, 3 S), 7th (3 N, 4 S), 8th (4 N, 2 S), 9th (1 N), 10th (3 N), 11th (3 N), 12th (2 N), 13th (2 N, 1 S), 14th (3 N, 2 S), 16th (1 N, 1 S), 17th (3 N, 1 S), 18th (5 N, 2 S), 19th (8 N), 20th (6 N, 1 S), 21st (7 N, 9 S), 22nd (2 N, 4 S), 23rd (1 S), 24th (6 N, 21 S, 16 feeding), 25th (15 N, 6 S), 26th (9 N, 6 S), 27th (9 N, 5 S), 28th (17 N, 4 S), 29th (2 N, 2 S), 30th (6 S).
Ness Point - 14th (45-50).



AUK sp. Alcidae
Kessingland - 12th (1 N), 16th (1 N), 17th (2 N), 18th (4 N), 19th (1 N), 20th (2 N), 21st (1 N), 26th (2 N).



TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur
One was singing at Mutford on the evening of the 1st. At the end of the month this species, along with Collared Doves, Stock Doves and Wood Pigeons, was regularly coming to a feeding station at Mutford. This species song had fast disappeared from our countryside over the years and it was nice to be reminded what they sound like!!! Three that flew over Holly Road, Oulton on the 10th were a long awaited garden tick for the observer.



CUCKOO Cuculus canorus
Three were seen at Carlton Marshes on the 7th, with 3 on Whitecast Marsh, Carlton Marshes on the 10th. There are at least five birds in the area. One was heard at Somerleyton Marshes on the 8th.



TAWNY OWL Strix aluco
An adult was feeding a juvenile at Mutford at dusk on the 1st. One was heard at Somerleyton on the 8th. Young were heard calling at Bond's Meadow on the 7th, three were present here late May.



BARN OWL Tyto alba
Two were hunting over fields at Mutford on the 1st and three were at Carlton Marshes on the evening of the 5th. A Kestrel was watched steeling food from a Barn Owl at Carlton Marshes on the 5th. Two were seen at Somerleyton Marshes at dusk on the 8th.



LITTLE OWL Athene noctua
Three were seen at Mutford at dusk on the 1st. Five were seen along the backroads at Ashby / Somerleyton on the 9th. All five were feeding on the road presumably catching beetles and moths.



SWIFT Apus apus ****
Good numbers seen feeding over Carlton Marshes / Oulton Broad late afternoon on the 7th.
Kessingland - 9th (60 S), 11th (44 S), 17th (61 S), 24th (120 S), 30th (54 S).



KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis
Single birds were noted at Kirkley Fen and St. Olaves on the 20th.



SWALLOW Hirundo rustica
Good numbers feeding over Carlton Marshes early in the month.



HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica
Good numbers have been feeding at dusk over Carlton Marshes. On the 5th c50 were present including a tail-less individual.



BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL Motacilla flava
One was along Breydon South Wall on the 7th.



YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flavissima
One was at Carlton Marshes on the 7th. A pair were at Gisleham on the 11th. One was along the south shore of Breydon Water on the 27th.



GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borealis
One was singing at Gunton Cliff on the 12th.



WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis
Appears to be the commonest of the summer warblers this year. Several pairs were along Lowestoft North Denes, Gunton Beach and at Corton on the 12th.

Whitethroat - Kessingland - June 11, 2004 ©Robert Wincup

LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca
In stark contrast to Whitethroat very scarce (or under-recorded?) this year with males noted on Lowestoft North Denes and Spratt's Water, Carlton Marshes on the 9th

CETTI'S WARBLER Cettia cetti
One was heard and seen on the south side of Oulton Broad on the 6th. Two were singing at Somerleyton Marshes on the 8th.
One was calling at Holly Road, Oulton Broad at 00:15 on the 9th. Two have been singing at Puddingmoor, Beccles recently while another has taken up residence in the Safeway car park, Beccles in the stream near the car wash!!! During visits to Carlton Marshes between from the 8th-10th at least 10 singing males were heard between Whitecast Marsh and Rookery park golf course. This included one around Rookery golf course car park. One was singing at Blocka Lane, west end of Fritton Lake on the 12th. One was singing at Lound Waterworks on the 27th. Assuming they have a good breeding year we can surely expect a range expansion.



GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella naevia
5+ were 'reeling' at Carlton Marshes on the evening of the 5th, 7th (2), 8th (3).



REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Following overnight rain on the 11th one was singing on Lowestoft North Denes early morning on the 12th.

ICTERINE WARBLER Hippolais icterina
Just outside the Lizard area one has been singing at Outney Common, Bungay from May 31 - June 30th. The song is absolutely brilliant, a master mimic!!! An impressive 13 species were recorded one day. It does a brilliant Blackbird alarm call and even had one of the local Oystercatcher's confused!!!

Icterine Warbler - Outney Common, Bungay - June 5, 2004 ©Mike Parker

WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus
Very scarce this year. Two were singing along Hall Road, Oulton on the 2nd as was one along Flycatcher Alley on the 4th. A family party were feeding in bushes near Spratt's Water, Carlton Marshes on the 6th, where three singers were present on the 7th. Further inland several were singing at Outney Common, Bungay on the 6th. On the 12th singing males were heard at Gunton Cliffs (2) and Waveney Forest (2).



BEARDED TIT Panurus biarmicus
One was calling at Whitecast Marsh, Carlton Marshes on the 5th. At least two were calling from the ditches along the south shore of Breydon Water on the 27th.



SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata
A pair were feeding four young in a garden bordering Normanston Park as of the end of the month. Other than this one bird in Gunton Woods on the 25th seems to be the only other record locally.



LINNET Carduelis cannabina
At least two family parties were seen at Gunton Beach on the 12th.

COMMON CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra
A flock of at least ten flew west over Sussex Rod, Lowestoft on the morning of the 20th.



REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus
Encouraging numbers seen at Carlton Marshes on the 5th with at least 10 singing males recorded. On visits between the 8th and 10th at least 20 males were noted between Whitecast Marsh and Rookery Park golf course.



YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella
Surprisingly none were noted at Corton railtrack / new sewage works on the 12th. Considering such high numbers were recorded during the second half of the winter, 100+, we hoped one or two pairs might stay on to breed. However, this doesn't appear to be the case. Further south at Gunton Beach at least 4 singing males are on territory and one newly fledged juvenile was seen. Just the one singing male was on Lowestoft North Denes the same day. At Carlton Marshes 2 pairs are in the Spratt's Water area including one pair feeding young. With many farmers becoming involved in the Countryside stewardship scheme we hope this species makes a real comeback in the next few years. The futures bright, the futures yellow?!?!



CORN BUNTING Miliaria calandra
Two were singing at Gisleham on the 11th.