Lowestoft Bird News

A couple of links for local bird news

Birdline East Anglia - Suffolk June 08 review

Suffolk Birding with BINS

June was rather quiet as usual. Even the sea was rather quiet, with June often being a very good month for Manx Shearwaters, eight have been seen this year, but six of them were in one group. The highlight of the seawatching was a Thresher Shark leaping clear of the water off Kessingland on the 29th.

There are plenty of fish around offshore at the moment with large numbers of gulls surface dipping quite successfully for the plentiful whitebait from the coastline to the horizon on most days. There seems to be a lot of larger fish out there as well as many Gannets have been very actively plunge diving offshore throughout the month.

A five year National Dragonfly Atlas project to run from 2008-2013 was launched in April this year. Visit the link below to read more about it and see how you can help.

National Dragonfly Atlas - 2008 -2013

RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata
Kessingland - 5th (1 on the sea), 7th (1 on sea), 13th (1 N).

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus
Kessingland - 10th (2 N), 13th (4 on sea), 15th (3 on sea), 19th (1 on sea), 23rd (1 on sea).

FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis ****
Kessingland - 1st (2 N, 2 S), 2nd (1 N, 1 S), 3rd (2 N, 1 S), 4th (3 N, 3 S), 5th (7 N, 3 S), 6th (2 N, 2 S), 7th (17 N), 8th (8 N), 10th (3 S), 12th (2 S), 13th (10 N), 14th (1 S), 15th (2 N), 19th (1 N, 1 S), 22nd (1 N, S,1), 23rd (1 S), 25th (1 N), 27th (3 N), 29th (1 S).
Ness Point - 7th (3 N).
Gunton Warren - 10th (1).

One of the birds that flew past Ness Point on the 7th was a "Blue" Fulmar.

MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus ****
One flew north past Kessingland on the 6th.
Six flew north together past Kessingland on the 24th.
One flew south past Kessingland on the 30th.

GANNET Morus bassanus ****
Kessingland - 1st (5 N, 23 S), 2nd (7 N), 3rd (2 S), 4th (10 N, 9 S), 5th (2 N, 4 S), 6th (8 N, 1 S), 7th (14 N, 10 S), 8th (5 N, 1 S), 10th (1 N, 20 S), 11th (3 N), 12th (11 N, 4 S), 13th (58 N), 14th (8 N), 15th (2 N, 1 S), 16th (4 N, 12 S), 17th (4 N, 1 S), 16th (12 N, 2 S), 17th (4 N, 1 S), 18th (12 N, 2 S), 19th (16 N, 17 S), 20th (11 N, 6 S), 21st (12 N, 10 S), 22nd (19 N), 23rd (20 N, 11 S), 24th (21 N, 3 S), 25th (21 N, 6 S), 26th (6 N, 17 S), 27th (13 N, 17 S, 4 feeding), 28th (13 N, 18 S, 10 feeding), 29th (22 N, 6 S, 14 feeding), 30th (10 N, 19 S, 3 feeding).
Ness Point - 7th (9 were lingering to feed around the sewage outfall), 24th (2 lingering to feed offshore).
Lowestoft North Beach - 20th (1 N).

CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo ****
Kessingland - 2nd (1 S), 9th (6 N, 3 S), 13th (1 N), 18th (1 N, 1 S), 21st (1 S), 22nd (3 N), 24th (2 S), 25th (2 S), 28th (1 N).

SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis
One flying south at Ness Point on the 14th then settled on the sea for a spot of fishing.

LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta
One was at Belton Marshes on the 8th.
One was at Burgh Castle on the 16th.

GREY HERON Ardea cinerea
One flew north past Kessingland on the 19th.

MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor
The pair at Leathes Ham had a newly hatched brood of five cygnets on the 6th.
As a result war has now broken out again with the Canada Geese who also have a new family. The unpaired Canada Goose is suffering the most as he/she gets attacked by both the male Mute Swan and male Canada Goose!
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 8th (pair with 3 cygnets, plus two other pairs), 14th (3 pairs with broods of young).

CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis
Leathes Ham - 7th (pair with 7 young + an extra adult).

DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Branta (bernicla) bernicla
One flew north past Kessingland on the 2nd.
Two were resting on Lowestoft South Beach on the afternoon of the 5th, they headed off out to sea.

EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen aegyptiacus
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 14th (2), 24th (1).
Leathes Ham - 19th (1), 22nd (pair with 4 young).
Burgh Castle - 16th (29).

SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna
Kessingland - 2nd (1 S), 3rd (2 S), 4th (8 S), 5th (4 S).
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 8th (2), 14th (1).

WIGEON Anas penelope
Leathes Ham - 12th (2), 14th (2).

GADWALL Anas strepera
Kessingland sewage works - 3rd (2).
Kessingland - 7th (1 S).
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 8th (3), 14th (2).
Leathes Ham - 19th (4).

TEAL Anas crecca
Kessingland - 1st (3 S), 3rd (4 S), 5th (2 S), 6th (2 S), 10th (1 S), 18th (2 S).

GARGANEY Anas querquedula
One female was at Castle Marshes, North Cove on the 14th.

SHOVELER Anas clypeata
Kessingland - 7th (3 N).
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 8th (5), 14th (2).
Belton Marshes - 21st (1).

POCHARD Aythya ferina
One drake was at Leathes Ham on the 14th, 22nd and 28th, with three there on the 19th.

TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula
Leathes Ham - 3rd (2), 8th (2), 12th (2), 22nd (2).
Kessingland - 7th (1 N), 12th (2 N) .

COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra ****
Kessingland - 2nd (6 N), 4th (112 N, 23 S, 9 on sea), 5th (42 N, 17 on sea), 7th (2 N), 9th (17 N), 10th (1 N, 2 S), 13th (1 N), 14th (28 N), 17th (6 S), 18th (8 N, 5 S), 21st (14 N), 22nd (3 N), 24th (4 S), 25th (25 S), 29th (10 S).

MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus
One male was hunting over the Kessingland Levels on the 1st.
Belton Marshes - 5th (1), 8th (1).
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 8th (1), 14th (1), 24th (1).

HOBBY Falco subbuteo
One flew west along the Kessingland Levels on the 1st.
One was at Carlton Marshes on the 8th.
Two arrived in off the sea at Kessingland on the 11th, one of which was carrying prey which appeared to be a Swift.
One was at Lound waterworks on the 14th and 28th.
One was at Flixton on the 14th.

OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus ****
Kessingland - 1st (1 S), 2nd (1 N), 3rd (1 N), 4th (1 S), 5th (2 N, 6 S), 6th (2 N), 7th (1 S), 8th (1 N), 21st (1 N), 25th (1 S), 28th (1 S), 30th (1 S) .
Leathes Ham - 7th (2), 12th (1).
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 14th (3 flew over), 24th (2-3).

AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta
Two were at Peto Marsh, Carlton Marshes on the 8th.
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 8th (2 flew over), 14th (1 flew over), 24th (2 flew over).
Kessingland - 7th (2 S).

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula
Lowestoft North Beach - 3rd and 4th (1).
Kessingland - 3rd (1 N, 1 S), 4th (1 S), 7th (3 N), 13th (1 S), 15th (1 o/b), 21st (1 S), 22nd (3 S).

At least two pairs at Kessingland Beach had successfully hatched chicks by the 1st of June.

LAPWING Vanellus vanellus
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 14th (12).

SANDERLING Calidris alba
Two were along Lowestoft North Beach on the 1st, with four there on the 3rd.

Sanderling - Lowestoft - June 2008 © Andrew Easton

DUNLIN Calidris alpina
Kessingland - 4th (8 S), 22nd (3 S).

SNIPE Gallinago gallinago
One was at Castle Marshes, North Cove on the 14th.

WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola
Three were seen at Waveney Forest on the evening of the 14th.

WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus ****
Kessingland - 2nd (2 N), 4th (2 S), 27th (1 S), 29th (3 S).
Lowestoft - 25th (1 S).

CURLEW Numenius arquata ****
Five flew south past Ness Point on the 21st.
One had paused to feed at the Denes Oval on the 23rd.
Four flew south over Lowestoft on the 25th.
Kessingland - 7th (2 S), 15th (1 S), 16th (1 S), 17th (11 S), 18th (1 S), 19th (5 S), 20th (1 S), 21st (6 S), 22nd (22 S), 24th (1 N, 11 S), 25th (28 S), 26th (4 S), 27th (1 S), 28th (7 S), 29th (85 S), 30th (21 S).

REDSHANK Tringa totanus
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 14th (2 to 4).

COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos
One was at Carlton Marshes on the 8th.

TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres
Kessingland - 3rd (1 N, 1 S), 5th (3 N), 6th (12 N), 7th (5 N).
Ness Point - 8th (1).
Lowestoft North Beach - 9th (1).

ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus
At 9:27 a pale phase adult flew north a few metres from the beach at Kessingland.
Three flew north past Kessingland at 17:40 on the 23rd.

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus****
One adult flew north at Ness Point on the 21st, and one flew south there on the 24th.
One second summer flew north past Kessingland on the 22nd.
Lowestoft North Beach - 20th (1 N).
Kessingland - 13th (1 N), 14th (1 N), 15th (1 on sea), 17th (2 on sea), 18th (1 N), 20th (1 on sea), 21st (2 N), 22nd (1 N), 23rd (1 N, 2 on sea), 24th (2 N, 1 S), 25th (3 N), 26th (1 S), 27th (2 N), 28th (1 S), 29th (4 N, 2 S).

LITTLE GULL Larus minutus
Lowestoft North Beach - 20th (1 first summer).

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

SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis ****
Kessingland - 1st (5 N, 1 S), 2nd (3 N), 3rd (13 N, 1 S), 4th (27 N, 5 S), 5th (16 N, 6 S), 6th (6 N, 13 S), 7th (19 N, 10 S), 8th (20 N, 2 S, N), 10th (9 N, 2 S), 11th (2 N, 5 S), 12th (3 N, 7 S), 13th (18 N, 6 S), 14th (8 N, 7 S), 15th (3 N, 7 S), 16th (5 N, 6 S), 18th (14 N, 34 S), 19th (4 N, 6 S), 20th (6 N, 16 S), 21st (20 N, 4 S), 22nd (5 N, 14 S), 23rd (10 N, 20 S), 24th (19 N, 4 S), 25th (14 N, 6 S), 26th (4 S), 27th (3 N, 9 S), 28th (1 N, 4 S), 29th (6 N, 6 S), 30th (3 N, 9 S).
Ness Point - 7th (2 N).

ROSEATE TERN Sterna dougalli
One flew north past Ness Point at 16:50 on the 7th.

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo
Three were in Lowestoft Harbour on the evening of the 3rd. It remains to be seen if they will re-establish their roof nesting colony along Lake Lothing after they were washed out last year by the downpours in May and June. On the 7th several birds were showing interest in their usual roof nest site so the signs are encouraging.
Lowestoft North Beach - 6th (6).
Ness Point - 7th (15+ N), 8th (6).
Gunton Warren - 10th (2).

ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea
Ness Point - 7th (5+ N).

COMMIC TERN Sterna hirundo/paradisaea ****
Kessingland - 1st (5 N, 2 S), 2nd (2 N, 1 S), 3rd (4 N, 1 S), 4th (14 N, 1 S), 5th (4 N), 6th (29 N, 8 S), 7th (38 N, 10 S), 8th (11 N, 15 S), 10th (1 N, 4 S), 12th (20 N, 12 S), 13th (47 N, 21 S), 14th (27 N, 1 S), 15th (12 N, 2 S), 16th (2 N), 17th (1 N), 18th (8 N, 2 S), 19th (8 N), 20th (9 N, 10 S), 21st (2 N), 22nd (11 N), 23rd (2 N, 4 S), 25th (4 N), 27th (1 N), 28th (1 N), 29th (2 N), 30th (4 N).
Ness Point - 7th (20+ N).

LITTLE TERN Sterna albifrons ****
Kessingland - 1st (24 N, 1 S), 2nd (9 N, 1 S), 3rd (1 N), 4th (1 N, 3 S), 5th (4 S), 7th (1 S), 8th (8 N), 9th (1 S), 10th (3 N), 12th (1 N), 13th (2 S), 14th (2 N, 2 S), 15th (2 N), 18th (1 N), 20th (1 S), 22nd (1 N), 23rd (8 N), 24th (4 N, 1 S), 28th (2 S), 29th (2 S), 30th (3 N, 4 S).

AUK sp. Alcidae ****
Kessingland - 2nd (1 N), 6th (1 N), 13th (1 N), 17th (1 N), 20th (1 N), 25th (4 N), 29th (1 N).

[ COCKATIEL Nymphicus hollandicus
One flew over Beverley Close, Lowestoft on the 1st. ]

TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur
One was at Belton Common on the 8th.

CUCKOO Cuculus canorus
Kessingland Levels - 1st (1).
Belton Common - 4th (1), 8th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 3rd (1).
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 8th (1).
Carlton Marshes - 12th (1).

BARN OWL Tyto alba
Belton Marshes - 5th (1), 8th (1).
Carlton Marshes - 8th (2), 12th (3 hunting).
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 8th (2-3 hunting), 14th (2), 24th (1).
Burgh Castle - 16th (1).

Juvenile Tawny Owl - Oulton Broad - June 2008 © Tim Brown

TAWNY OWL Strix aluco
A pair at Bonds Meadow currently have three well grown young. Their diet has included Woodpigeon at least once, quiet a meal!
At least three were heard calling at Lound waterworks on the 14th.
Also present in Waveney Forest on the 14th.
One was seen at Castle Marshes, North Cove on the 24th.

LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus
One was hunting over Castle Marshes, North Cove, on the evening of the 16th.

BEE-EATER Merops apiaster
One flew north over Belton Common on the afternoon of the 22nd.

SWIFT Apus apus
Belton Common - 6th (c.150 appeared after the rain ceased), 7th (c. 40).
Kessingland - 6th (20 flew north between 17:20 and 17:55), 8th (19 N).
Ness Point - 7th (several were hawking low over the sea about a kilometre off Ness Point, the north westerly winds were presumably carrying many insects out to sea).

KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis
Two were at Lound waterworks on the 8th.

HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica
Belton Common - 6th (c.25 appeared after the rain ceased), 7th (c. 80).

MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis
Lowestoft North Denes - 2nd (1).

BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros
One was singing from roofs along London Road North, in central Lowestoft, on the evening of the 2nd.

CETTI'S WARBLER Cettia cetti
Kessingland sewage works - 3rd (3), 17th (3+).
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 14th (1 + 2 on the Norfolk side of the river).
Burgh Castle - 16th (1).

GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella naevia
Two were singing at Carlton Marshes on the 8th.

SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Kessingland sewage works - 17th (2).

REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Kessingland sewage works - 3rd (6+), 17th (1).
Belton Marshes - 5th (1).
Lound waterworks - 8th (2+).

Reed Warbler - Carlton Marshes - May 2008 © Andrew Easton

LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca
Kessingland sewage works - 3rd (2), 17th (1).
Carlton Marshes - 12th (1).

WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis
Gunton Warren - 2nd (4 pairs), 10th (4 singing).
Lowestoft North Denes - 2nd (2 pairs).
Kessingland sewage works - 3rd (3), 17th (6).

GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin
Kessingland sewage works - 3rd (3).
Carlton Marshes - 8th (2).

BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla
Gunton Warren - 2nd (1), 10th (1).
Lowestoft North Denes - 2nd (2).
Kessingland sewage works - 3rd (1), 17th (1).
Belton Common - 8th (1).

CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita
Gunton Warren - 2nd (1), 10th (2).
Kessingland sewage works - 3rd (1), 17th (1).
Belton Common - 8th (2).
Waveney Forest - 21st (6+ singing).

WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus
Gunton Warren - 2nd (2), 10th (1).
Lowestoft North Denes - 2nd (1).
Carlton Marshes - 8th (1).

HOODED CROW x CARRION CROW Corvus cornix x C. corone
One of the regular birds was at Burgh Castle on the 16th.

GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris
Gunton Warren - 10th (5 with young).

LINNET Carduelis cannabina
Belton Common - 5th (pair).
Gunton Warren - 10th (4).

CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra
47 were seen in Waveney Forest, Fritton on the 4th, all appeared to be adults. At least 30 were still present there on the 6th, and a small number were heard calling there on the 8th.
18 flew eastwards over Kessingland sewage works on the 17th.
Seven flew westwards over Belton Common on the 18th.
Several have also been noted passing over at Gunton recently as well.
A party of seven in Waveney Forest on the 21st included one juvenile.
Eight were at Lound waterworks on the 22nd, with 15 there on the 28th.

There is a fairly widespread irruption of this species underway at the moment.

YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella
Gunton Warren - 2nd (1 pair).
Belton Common - 5th (1).

NON-BIRD NEWS

THRESHER SHARK
One was seen leaping completely clear of the water off Kessingland on the 29th, the extremely long upper lobe of the tail fin was very evident.

HARBOUR PORPOISE
Kessingland - 24th (1 N), 27th (2 N), 29th (1 N).
Ness Point - 29th (1 N).

GREY SEAL
Kessingland - 3rd (1), 4th (1), 6th (1), 7th (1), 10th (1), 12th (1), 13th (1), 14th (1), 17th (1), 20th (1), 23rd (2), 25th (1), 27th (1), 28th (2), 29th (1).

Ness Point - Sammy the Turtle impersonator was once again at Ness Point on the 21st. For several years now this upside down Grey Seal has been wandering the coastline between Lowestoft and Hopton prompting frequent turtle reports. He always surfaces upside down, swims along upside down and submerges upside down, we have frequently followed him along the coast and have never seen him the right way up. Despite his upside down lifestyle he certainly seems to be thriving.

A Common Blue butterfly was on the Lowestoft North Denes on the 5th, and one was at Corton sewage works on the 8th.

One Small Heath was at Lound waterworks on the 8th, also on the 8th Red Admirals were seen at Carlton Marshes and Waveney Forest.

Broad-bodied Chasers were seen at Waveney Forest and Corton sewage works pond on the 8th. An Emperor Dragonfly was at Leathes Ham on the 8th.

Five Grass Snakes were seen at Carlton Marshes on the 8th.

A Poplar Hawkmoth was at Belton on the 8th.

Small Red-eyed Damselflies were seen at Leathes Ham and Lound waterworks on the 28th, with a few pairs already ovipositing at the latter site. Red-eyed Damselflies were seen at Corton sewage works pond on the 28th, but there were no Small Red-eyes there yet this year.

Two or three Norfolk Hawkers were seen at the Kessingland Levels on the 29th.


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