Little Gull - Lowestoft North Beach - ©Robert Wincup
GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus
Kessingland - 5th (1 N), 18th (2 o/s), 19th (1 N), 23rd (2 N), 30th (1 o/s).
Burgh Castle - 24th (4 ad's), 25th (3 ad's).
FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis
Kessingland - 3rd (3 S), 7th (7 N), 9th (1 S), 10th (1 N), 12th (1 N), 15th (1 N), 16th (1 N), 22nd (1 N), 23rd (1 N, 1 S), 25th (1 N), 26th (3 N), 27th (1 N), 28th (5 N), 29th (2 N), 31st (1 N).
GANNET Sula bassana
Pakefield - 15th (40 N).
Ness Point - 8th (250+ N), 10th (20 N, with several loitering to fish to the north), 18th (30 N), 20th (6 N).
Corton - 11th (2N).
Kessingland - 1st (35 N, 3 S), 2nd (64 N, 33 S, 10 feeding), 3rd (63 N), 4th (5 N), 5th (16 N, 7 S), 6th (28 N), 7th (120 N), 8th (245 N, 3 S), 9th (90 N, 10 S), 10th (161 N, 1 S), 11th (80 N, 2 S, 3 o/s), 12th (137 N, 17 S), 13th (164 N, 11 S), 14th (324 N, 6 S, 5 feeding), 15th (301 N, 3 S), 16th (134 N, 2 S, 8 feeding), 17th (31 N), 18th (276), 19th (56 N, 1 S), 20th (109 N, 10 S), 21st (19 N, 2 S), 22nd (107 N, 1 S), 23rd (70 N, 7 S), 24th (231 N, 5 S), 25th (71 N), 26th (230 N, 3 S), 27th (76 N, 3 S, 7 feeding), 28th (169 N, 2 S), 29th (100 N), 30th (73 N), 31st (66 N).Kessingland summary: During 117 hours and 45 minutes seawatching this month the total of Gannets recorded was 3 724. This equates to an hourly rate of 31.6 for the month. The hourly rates for Gannets during July in the previous four years were: 2000: 92; 2001: 7.9; 2002: 13.7; 2003: 14.7.
As detailed below, the total number of Great Skua's recorded this month was 25. This far exceeds totals for the previous four years: 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 3; 2003: 8.
The numbers suggest a relationship between the two species during this period. All of the Bonxies that were recorded were traveling north, as were the vast majority of Gannets. Bonxies always appeared during heavy Gannet movement. On one occasion I recorded a Bonxie forcing an immature gannet onto the sea, on another a Bonxie menacingly shadowed a group of 15 Gannets and on the 31st a group of 9 Gannets mobbed a Bonxie that had attempted to infiltrate their ranks. This is the first occasion that I have witnessed Gannets doing anything other than quietly getting on with their business.
[Paul Read 2004].
CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo
Kessingland - 1st (1 S), 3rd (1 S), 4th (11 N together), 5th (2 S), 6th (5 N), 7th (1S), 8th (1S), 9th (2 N, 1 S), 10th (7 N), 11th (2 S), 13th (1 N), 14th (1 S), 15th (1 S), 16th (1 S), 17th (1 N), 18th (1 S), 19th (1 N), 20th (4 in off sea), 22nd (2 N), 23rd (2 N, 1 S), 26th (1 N).
Ness Point - 18th (1 N), 20th (1 on sea), 27th (1 on groynes), 30th (1 N).
Leathes Ham - 27th (29 roosting in dead trees).
SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis
A first summer bird was in Hamilton Dock on the 9th to 28th at least. It had probably been brought into the area by the north-easterly gale on the 7th.
GLOSSY IBIS Plegadis falcinellus
Just when we thought birds would take a back seat in coming weeks (hence the Norfolk Hawker on the Homepage!) up pops bird of the year in the shape of a Glossy Ibis. This much traveled individual has found its way onto many a county list in recent weeks having been present in Devon for.... well, a long, long time. Next stop after departing 'home' (Bowling Green Marsh) was Otmoor RSPB, Oxon where it stayed until June 20th after which it embarked on a whistle stop tour of East Anglia. After a brief one day showing at Hanningfield Reservoir, Essex on the 25th, Suffolk birders were at the ready!!! The bird finally appeared on July 2nd at Minsmere where it gave many birders the run around. It was the same story on the 3rd with flight views the best most people could manage before it flew north over the shop at 15:30 (where one or two Lizards were resting!). Next stop was Berney Marshes, Norfolk where it was seen briefly at 19:20.
On the 4th birders gathered at Burgh Castle at 04:35 watched it fly south-east over the ruins. By the time the first Lizards had crawled out of bed the bird had flown back over Burgh Castle for a second time at 07:00, this time, accompanied by two Spoonbills. All three birds gave excellent views overhead (apparently!) before the Spooners moved off north and the ibis back to Berney. At 09:30 the bird once again took to the air heading east, was watched flying over Bradwell before doing a U-turn back to Berney where it remained for the rest of the day. We've got a theory that it saw Lound water works, who can blame it for turning back!!! The bird remained on Berney til the months end.
The last Suffolk Glossy Ibis in 1992 also found its way into Lizard Land. Like this individual it first appeared at Minsmere on May 6th, briefly at Walberswick, then at Carlton Marshes where it departed high to the north that night. On the 7th it was back and was last seen on the 8th.
Glossy Ibis - Minsmere (from the tea room!) - July 3rd, 2004 - ©Robert Wincup
LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta
Three flew north together past Corton at 05:35 on the 11th.
One flew south over Caldecott Road, Oulton Broad on the 17th.
SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia
Two flew north over Burgh Castle on the 4th.
GREY HERON Ardea cinerea
Kessingland - 17th (1 in off sea at 18:05), 21st (1 S), 22nd (1 S).
WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser albifrons
The injured bird was still on Oulton Broad on the 29th doing the rounds of the pleasure boats.
BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis
Thirty were at the Suffolk Wildlife Park at Kessingland on the 26th.
SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna
Kessingland - 2nd (2 S), 3rd (3 N).
Ness Point - 18th (5 N).
GADWALL Anas strepera
Kessingland - 28th (1 S).
SHOVELER Anas clypeata
Kessingland - 30th (1 N).
TEAL Anas crecca
Kessingland - 7th (8 S), 8th (30 S), 17th (13 S), 20th (2 S), 22nd (10 S), 24th (1 S), 28th (5 S), 29th (14 S).
POCHARD Aythya ferina
The resident drake was on Oulton Broad on the 29th.
Three juvenile's were present at a private site at Gunton on the 30th although they are unlikely to have been reared here.
TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula
Kessingland - 6th (3 S), 21st (1 S), 23rd (1 S), 30th (1 S), 31st (1 S).
COMMON EIDER Somateria mollissima
The first summer male was still present in Hamilton Dock on the 10th, 15th and 28th; and a female was close inshore off the beach at Corton on the 11th.
Kessingland - 23rd (5 N), 28th (5 N).
Common Eider - Hamilton Dock - July 10th, 2004 - ©Andrew Easton
COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra
Ness Point - 10th (14 S), 17th (52 S), 18th (35 N, 4 S), 20th (21 S), 24th (24 N).
Kessingland - 2nd (130 S, 20 o/s), 3rd (7 N, 35 S), 5th (3 N), 7th (3 N, 33 S), 8th (49 N, 116 S, 130 o/s), 9th (25 N), 10th (9 N), 11th (15 N), 12th (23 N, 6 o/s), 13th (11 N), 14th (17 N, 20 S), 15th (5 N), 16th (16 N, 14 S), 17th (15 N, 42 S), 18th (45 N, 26 S), 19th (24 N, 22 S), 20th (71 S), 21st (5 N, 1 S, 25 o/s), 22nd (7 N, 2 S), 23rd (2 N), 24th (13 N, 7 S), 25th (11 N, 1 S), 26th (30 S, 6 o/s), 27th (25 S), 28th (41 S), 29th (5 N, 45 S), 30th (19 N), 31st (10 N, 25 S).
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator
Kessingland - 5th (1 S), 6th (1 S), 28th (2 S).
MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus
Three were seen at Burgh Castle on the 4th, 24th and 25th. Two males were at Castle Marshes on the 5th.
MONTAGU'S HARRIER Circus pygargus
At 16:45 on the 7th a male flew over the A143 at Haddiscoe flying from the Somerleyton side of the River Waveney towards Thurlton. This is the third consecutive month this species has been recorded in the area, unprecedented!!!
COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo
A pale phase bird flew over North Cove towards Aldeby on the 6th.
HOBBY Falco subbuteo
Kessingland - 2nd (1 S over the beach), 3rd (1 S over the beach), 12th (1 N over beach), 14th (1 S over beach), 20th (1 N over beach), 24th (1 N over sewage works).
Lound Water Works - juvenile was seen catching dragonflies on the 4th. This wonderful raptor seems to be increasing in our area which is great news.... except if you're a dragonfly!!!
Castle Marshes - 6th (3 hunting over marshes).
Oulton Broad - 11th (one flew NW closely pursued by three Common Terns intent on seeing it off).
Burgh Castle Flats - 25th (one over reedbed).
WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus
One was heard calling at Holly Road, Oulton Broad on the 4th and 31st.
At least four were heard calling in the reedbed at Burgh Castle on the 24th and 25th.
OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus
Kessingland - 1st (1 S), 5th (2 N, 3 S), 6th (1 N, 1 S), 7th (4 S), 9th (2 N), 10th (1 S), 11th (8 N, 13 S), 12th (5 N, 4 S), 13th (4 N, 19 S), 14th (1 N, 1 S), 16th (3 S), 17th (5 S), 18th (4 N), 19th (2 N), 20th (2 S), 21st (8 S), 22nd (3 S), 23rd (1 N, 29 S), 24th (6 N), 25th (5 S), 26th (13 S), 27th (5 N, 28 S, 6 o/b), 28th (4 S), 29th (1 N, 3 S), 30th (3 N), 31st (4 N, 11 S).
Ness Point - 24th (6 S), 27th (1 S).
RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula
Two were in Hamilton Dock on the 9th. One was on Lowestoft South Beach on the 15th. On was on Lowestoft North Beach on the 18th.
Ness Point - 21st (1).
GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria
One was with Lapwings in fields at Barsham Marshes, near Beccles, on the 30th.
GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola
Kessingland - 21st (1 S), 28th (1 S).
KNOT Calidris canutus
Kessingland - 18th (6 N), 19th (2 S), 20th (1 S), 21st (1 S), 22nd (1 S), 23rd (1 S).
SANDERLING Calidris alba
One summer plumaged bird flew south past Lowestoft North beach on the 17th, accompanied by four Dunlin.
DUNLIN Calidris alpina
Ness Point - 15th (1), 22nd (2), 25th (1).
Lowestoft North Beach - 17th (4 S), 27th (1).
Kessingland - 16th (15 S), 17th (4 S), 18th (3 S), 19th (4 S), 20th (3 S), 21st (10 S), 23rd (2 N, 2 S, 8 o/b), 24th (2 S), 25th (3 S), 27th (5 S), 30th (2 S), 31st (1 S).
RUFF Philomachus pugnax
One was at Burgh Castle on the 24th, with two there on the 31st.
CURLEW Numenius arquata
Kessingland - 1st (7 S), 2nd (24 S), 3rd (10 S), 4th (6 S), 5th (6 S), 6th (5 S), 7th (3 S), 8th (1 N, 22 S), 9th (1 N, 1 S), 10th (1 N), 11th (1 N, 1 S), 12th (1 N, 12 S), 13th (1 S), 14th (6 S), 15th (2 S), 16th (5 S), 17th (8 S), 19th (3 S), 20th (3 S), 21st (14 S), 22nd (3 S), 23rd (3 S), 26th (13 S), 27th (8 S), 28th (6 S), 29th (2 S), 30th (1 N).
North Cove - 6th (1).
Ness Point - 11th (1 S), 20th (5 S).
Corton - 17th (4 S).
WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus
Kessingland - 1st (1 S), 2nd (1 S), 4th (1 S), 6th (1 S), 8th (6 S), 9th (1 S), 11th (1 S), 12th (1 S), 13th (5 S), 14th (20 S), 15th (16 S), 16th (10 S), 17th (13 S), 18th (2 S), 19th (1 S), 21st (10 S), 22nd (4 S), 23rd (3 N, 3 S), 24th (1 S), 25th (5 S), 27th (23 S), 28th (2 S), 29th (6 S), 31st (1 S).
Kessingland Sluice - 28th (12 S).
Ness Point - 17th (1 S), 20th (1 S).
St. Margaret's Road, Lowestoft - 28th (1 over).
Holly Road, Oulton Broad - 28th (8 S).
Whimbrel - Ness Point - July 20, 2004 - ©Robert Wincup
BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica
Kessingland - 7th (4 S), 15th (1 N, 1 S), 17th (2 S), 22nd (1 N, 1 S), 25th (2 S), 27th (1 S), 28th (2 S), 30th (1 N).
REDSHANK Tringa totanus
Kessingland - 4th (1 S), 5th (1 S), 6th (1 S), 9th (2 S), 10th (5 S), 12th (2 N), 14th (1 S), 17th (1 S), 18th (6 S), 21st (2 S), 23rd (4 S), 25th (4 S), 27th (8 S), 28th (4 S).
Ness Point - 17th (1 S).
Burgh Castle Flats - 24th (c30 included three with leg-flags), 25th (c30 including a fourth leg-flagged individual).
GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia
Lound Water Works - 28th (1).
Kessingland - 17th (1 S).
Burgh Castle Flats - 24th (1).
Lowestoft North Denes - 26th (1 W calling @ 22:20).
GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus
Lound Water Works - 28th (2).
Barsham Drain - 29th (3), 30th (2).
Corton sewage works - 29th (1).
COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos
Hamilton Dock - 10th (1).
Burgh Castle Flats - 24th (2), 25th (1).
Lake Lothing - 26th (10), 27th (1).
Lound Water Works - 28th (3).
Corton sewage works - 30th (2).
TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres
Kessingland - 18th (2 N), 22nd (4 N), 24th (1 S), 25th (5 S).
Ness Point - 21st (1), 23rd (1), 25th (3), 29th (2).
Hamilton Dock - 24th (3).
Turnstone - Ness Point - July 23, 2004 - ©Robert Wincup
ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus
Pakefield - 15th (1 settled on sea).
Ness Point - 8th (1 N), 9th (1 N, 1 S), 15th (1 dark phase loitering), 18th (1 pale phase north), 20th (dark phase chasing gulls).
Kessingland - 7th (2 N both dark phase), 8th (4 N, one pale, three dark phase), 9th (1 N, 1 S, both dark phase), on the 11th 2 dark phase birds were lingering off shore, a.m. & p.m., attacking Sandwich Terns (with a high degree of success) In addition a dark phase bird flew low north before settling on the sea about 2 kilometres from the beach. This may have been one of the pair or a different individual, 12th (7 N, 3 lingering), 13th (1 N, 1 o/s), 14th (1 N), 15th (4 N, 1 o/s), 16th (2 N, 1 S, 1 o/s), 17th (1 N), 18th (3 N, 2 S, 1 o/s), 19th (1 N), 20th (3 N, 1 S), 21st (2 o/s), 22nd (1 N, 1 S), 23rd (2 S, 1 o/s), 24th (3 N, 1 S), 25th (4 N), 26th (1 N, 1 o/s), 27th (3 N), 28th (3 N, 1 S), 30th (4 N), 31st (2 N, 1 o/s).
Kessingland summary - As with the Gannets and Bonxies, Arctic Skua numbers were well above those for the previous 4 years. 76 sightings were noted this month (hourly rate 0.64) The numbers for the previous years were: 2000: 32 (hr 31); 2001: 34 (hr 28); 2002: 37(hr 28); 2003: 24 (hr 21).Obviously many of the sightings were duplicated and the actual number of individuals is anybody's guess but it's still a high count. As with the Gannets and Great Skua's it's likely that the Arctic Skua numbers relate to another species, namely a very high Tern population during July. In particular Sandwich Tern numbers were three times higher than in any of my previous records, 3535 compared to the next highest: 1145 in 2003.
GREAT SKUA Stercorarius skua
Ness Point - 8th (2 N), 20th (1 N).
Kessingland - 7th (1 N), 13th (2 N), 14th (3 N), 15th (5 N, 1 o/s), 16th (3 N), 18th (4 N), 22nd (1 N), 23rd (2 N), 26th (1 N), 27th (1 N), 31st (1 N).
Skua spp. Stercorarius sp.
Kessingland - 15th (1 N c. 4 km's from beach), 24th (1N).
MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus
Kessingland - 2nd (2nd sum. S), 8th (adult N), 11th (ad. S), 12th (ad. S), 15th (ad. N), 17th (2nd sum. S), 23rd (adult N), 26th (ad N), 28th (ad N).
Pakefield - Three were resting on the green immediately south of the Jolly Sailors' pub on the 7th. Two were present on the 10th and 11th. On the 14th two juveniles were present, though they spent most of the time out to sea. They were seen begging for food from the adults, but were not successful. At least six birds are being seen in the area, three adults, one second summer and the two juveniles. With a bit of luck winter numbers will build up like they have in Great Yarmouth in recent years. One adult was present on the 19th. They associate with the Black-headed Gulls, and often settle on the beach or on the roofs of houses, especially those in All Saints Road. Easily viewable from the car park there. Two of them are full summer plumage adults, one of them is pictured below.
Lowestoft South Beach - 19th (ad), 29th (ad. N over 180 000 people watching the Airshow!).
Holly Road, Oulton Broad - 2 different were seen on the 22nd. Firstly in the morning, a 2nd yr. flew towards Oulton Broad, then late afternoon a cracking adult joined other Gulls and around 20 Common Terns catching flying Ants.
Mediterranean Gull - Pakefield - July 2004 - ©Robert Wilton
YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis
"Old Faithful" has returned once again. The very large adult that has now returned for at least its eighth year was on the groynes along Lowestoft North Beach near Birds Eye on the 15th. As usual when it first arrives it is moulting heavily.
An adult was seen on Burgh Castle Flats at low tide on the 24th and 25th.
LITTLE GULL Larus minutus
The first sighting of the summer came from Kessingland at 16:45 on the 11th when an immaculate adult flew south close to the beach.
Kessingland - 12th (2 N, 3 feeding north and south), 13th (1 S, 2 o/s), 17th (2 S), 18th (1 S), 20th (1 N, 1 S), 21st (3 S), 22nd (2 N, 1 S), 23rd (2 N, 2 S), 24th (5 N), 25th (10 S), 26th (1 S), 27th (1 N, 1 S), 28th (6 N, 2 S), 29th (3 N, 1 S), 30th (2 N, 4 S, 1 feeding), 31st (6 S).
Lowestoft North Beach - 18th (one adult on the groynes), 20th (2 S), 23rd (1), 25th (6 on groynes a.m., 4 on car park p.m.), 31st (1 adult on groynes).
Ness Point - 23rd (4 feeding offshore).
Corton - 30th (ad. S).
Common Tern (left), Arctic Tern (centre) and Little Gull - Lowestoft North Beach - 18th July 2004 - ©Andrew Easton
KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla
Kessingland - 1st (13 N, 13 S), 2nd (14 N, 34 S), 3rd (3 N, 3 S), 4th (9 N, 4 S), 5th (5 N, 3 S), 6th (7 N), 7th (5 N, 2 S), 8th (39 N, 6 S), 9th (8 N, 4 S), 10th (12 N, 9 S), 11th (9 N, 14 S), 12th (12 N, 5 S), 13th (25 N, 14 S), 14th (7 N, 46 S), 15th (4 N, 6 S), 16th (9 N, 10 S), 17th (11 S), 18th (13 N, 4 S), 19th (4 N, 7 S), 20th (18 N, 19 S), 21st (2 N, 12 S), 22nd (6 N, 13 S), 23rd (16 N, 17 S), 24th (19 N, 5 S), 25th (5 N, 5 S), 26th (8 N, 12 S), 27th (9 N, 27 S), 28th (18 N, 30 S),
29th (3 N, 44 S), 30th (8 N, 25 S), 31st (4 N, 13 S).
SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis
A colour ringed adult was on the groynes along Lowestoft North Beach on the 15th. It proved to have been ringed as a nestling at Zeebrugge, Belgium in May 1997.
Kessingland - 1st (11 N, 23 S), 2nd (8 N, 34 S), 3rd (14 N, 20 S), 4th (17 N, 10 S), 5th (45 N, 63 S), 6th (29 N, 64 S), 7th (6 N, 22 S, 6 feeding), 8th (46 N, 25 S), 9th (2 N, 41 S), 10th (80 N, 23 S), 11th (83 N, 130 S), 12th (137 N, 207 S), 13th (152 N, 130 S), 14th (53 N, 142 S), 15th (81 N, 107 S), 16th (48 N, 120 S),
17th (60 N, 157 S), 18th (209 N, 262 S), 19th (50 N, 83 S), 20th (48 N, 99 S), 21st (21 N, 54 S), 22nd (13 N, 49 S), 23rd (54 N, 79 S), 24th (63 N, 30 S), 25th (60 N, 85 S), 26th (69 N, 37 S), 27th (44 N, 50 S), 28th (31 N, 17 S), 29th (16 N, 11 S), 30th (9 N, 9 S), 31st (11 N, 40 S).
Lowestoft North Beach - 1st (21), 5th (8), 14th (85), 15th (135), 20th (5).
Ness Point - 10th (12 feeding offshore), 11th (20+ feeding offshore).
Numbers dropped from from 135 - 5 along Lowestoft North Beach between the 15th and 20th. On the 20th 146 were counted on Benacre Broad.
COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo
Lowestoft North Beach - 5th (13), 11th (25+ feeding offshore), 14th (36).
Pakefield Beach - 14th (12 feeding).
The first juvenile terns have started to appear along Lowestoft North Beach. Over the coming weeks numbers of Common and Sandwich Terns will build up, then there's the Little Gulls which when they first appear look absolutely brilliant. Last year Arctic and Black Terns also put in an appearance. Go on get that sea air into ya!!!
The roof nesting colony along Lake Lothing continues to do well. Over 60 adults were seen in the air at once over the roof during the week, and on the 11th eight juveniles could be seen on the limited part of the that can be viewed clearly from the opposite shore. They varied in size from newly hatched to those which were probably only a couple of days short of their first flight. There were also several birds sitting tight on nests.
Seven fledged juveniles were being fed at Lake Lothing on the 20th. These birds are still a few days away from being fully airborne when they'll be led down Lake Lothing towards the coast. Numbers along Lowestoft North Beach remain high with many feeding birds offshore. At least three juveniles wait patiently on the groynes for the next Sand Eel.
A recently fledged juvenile was on Oulton Broad on the 29th.
Common Tern - Lowestoft North Beach - July 5th, 2004 - ©Robert Wilton
ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea
Lowestoft North Beach - 18th (one adult flew north close inshore, a picture of it appears further up this page).
Kessingland - 18th (one adult north with Common and Sandwich Terns).
'COMMIC TERN' Sterna sp.
Kessingland - 1st (1 N, 2 S), 2nd (2 N, 1 S), 3rd (3 N), 4th (4 N, 6 S), 5th (7 S), 6th (17 N, 12 S), 7th (8 N, 3 S, 2 feeding),
8th (3 S), 9th (6 N, 9 S, 4 feeding), 10th (12 N, 9 S, 4 feeding), 11th (9 N, 25 S, several feeding), 12th (15 N, 29 S), 13th (25 N, 17 S), 14th (14 N, 22 S), 15th (14 N, 12 S), 16th (18 N, 39 S), 17th (22 N, 39 S), 18th (41 N, 72 S), 19th (13 N, 35 S), 20th (29 N, 42 S), 21st (14 N, 37 S), 22nd (24 N, 67 S), 23rd (52 N, 219 S), 24th (10 N, 31 S), 25th (23 N, 60 S), 26th (26 N, 29 S), 27th (22 N, 63 S), 28th (45 N, 86 S), 29th (26 N, 66 S), 30th (29 N, 45 S), 31st (25 N, 84 S).
LITTLE TERN Sterna albifrons
Kessingland - 1st (24 N, 13 S), 2nd (28 N, 18 S, 14 feeding), 3rd (7 N, 41 S, 5 feeding), 4th (2 N), 5th (6 N, 8 S), 6th (3 N, 14 S), 7th (3 S), 8th (7 N, 12 S), 9th (1 S), 10th (4 N, 7 S), 11th (10 N, 13 S), 12th (2 N, 10 S), 13th (12 N, 3 S), 14th (3 N, 1 S), 15th (1 N, 1 S), 16th (2 N, 2 S), 17th (2 N), 18th (58 N, 59 S, 50 lingering), 19th (2 N, 19 S), 20th (2 N, 11 S), 21st (1 S), 22nd (16 S), 23rd (8 N, 2 S), 24th (7 N, 8 S), 25th (1 S), 27th (9 N, 18 S), 28th (3 N, 1 S), 29th (5 S), 31st (5 N, 7 S).
Pakefield - 14th (2).
Ness Point - 10th (1 S), 11th ( 1 feeding offshore).
BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger
Kessingland - 25th (1 N).
AUK sp. Alcidae
Kessingland - 9th (4 N), 12th (4 N), 14th (1 N), 24th (1 N).
TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur
One was singing at Burgh Castle on the 4th, 25th and 31st.
CUCKOO Cuculus canorus
On the 1st one flew south over Kessingland Beach. One juvenile was perched on telephone lines in Holly Road, Oulton Broad on the 9th.
TAWNY OWL Strix aluco
Noted in Mutford Wood on the 10th. One was perched on telephone wires at Blundeston on the evening of the 25th, and one was at Holly Road, Oulton Broad on the 30th.
BARN OWL Tyto alba
One was hunting mid-morning over Castle Marshes / North Cove on the 6th with one present on the evening of the 29th. Another was over Kessingland Levels on the 11th. Two were hunting over marshes at Burgh Castle on the 24th.
LITTLE OWL Athene noctua
One was at Lound Waterworks on the 11th, being harassed by Goldcrests, a Chaffinch and a Blackbird.
SWIFT Apus apus
Numbers of nesting birds appears to be down on last year in the St. Margaret's Road area, north Lowestoft. However, during recent evenings good numbers have been feeding over the Lowestoft North Beach / Lighthouse area and much higher numbers have been feeding in the Carlton Marshes over the last few weeks. On June 29 one group numbered c.60 over the sea wall.
Fair numbers have been feeding over Lowestoft North Beach / Belle Vue Park area daily this month. Summer evenings just wouldn't be the same without the sound of screaming swifts overhead.
Blue Sky + Swift - Worthing Road, Lowestoft - July, 2004 - ©Robert Wincup
KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis
A pair were feeding three young in Gunton Hall Lake on the 4th, and more than one could be heard calling there on the 31st. One was also seen in Kirkley Fen Park on the 31st.
GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis
Noted at Gunton Hall and Corton disused railtrack on the 4th, North Cove on the 5th and Lound Waterworks on the 11th, Warren House Wood on the 25th..
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major
Noted at Lound on the 4th; Castle Marshes 6th (2).
SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia
Twenty were trapped and ringed at Corton on the 11th.
YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava
While watching waders on Burgh Castle Flats on the evening of the 24th, 39 Yellow Wagtails were counted overhead. The birds were passing south between 19:00 and 21:00 in small groups, usually in pairs although the largest group numbered 7. Suspecting there might be a roost in the reedbed the site was visited again on the 25th. Once again several were watched flying over the ruins. After a while we eventually found where the birds were dropping in the reeds and counted an amazing 202 between 19:45 and 21:10. The largest group that came in was 10. With the exception of 3 all birds arrived from the north and west. Many more undoubtedly arrived silently from the other side of the river from Haddiscoe Island, so quite how many roost there is anyone's guess. A figure in the region of 300 wouldn't be out of the question.
Looking in the Birds of Norfolk it seems this isn't a new site as over 800 gathered at a post-breeding communal roost in both 1990 and 1992. It'll be interesting to see if numbers build up here in the coming days / weeks. Get counting!!!
Birds of the Western Palearctic says that breeding ground roosts peak in August-September. One winter roost in Africa numbered 57 000 although we don't think the reedbed here is quite big enough for that number!!!
GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea
One was at Kessingland Sluice on the 14th.
BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros
Two young fledged in the Lowestoft Harbour area late June.
Black Redstart - Whapload Road 1950 - ©Jim Warner (supplied by Jim Read)
CETTI'S WARBLER Cettia cetti
One was singing at Holly Road, Oulton Broad on the 31st, the first heard there for several weeks. Hopefully they have been too busy feeding young to sing!.
ICTERINE WARBLER Hippolais icterina
The master mimic which delighted birders at Outney Common, Bungay remained from May 31 - July 2nd. With no sight or sound on the 4th / 5th it seems as though the Icky has taken a sickey!!!
CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita
Several were heard at North Cove on the 6th involving three family parties.
MARSH TIT Parus palustris
Two including one juvenile were seen at North Cove on the 6th.
BEARDED TIT Panurus biarmicus
One was calling at Burgh Castle on the 4th with two groups there on the 25th.
TREECREEPER Certhia familiaris
At least four were at North Cove on the 6th.
One was calling in Corton Woods on the 30th.
One was in Kirkley Fen Park on the 31st.
Spotted Flycatcher, juvenile (left) and adult - Gunton Hall/Tesco - July 31st, 2004 - ©Andrew Easton
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata
Normanston Drive - pair raised four young.
Rookery Park golf course - 7th (1)/
Gunton Hall - lake near Tesco at Gunton on the 9th (pair), they were feeding three juveniles on the 31st.
Carlton Colville Church - 2nd (pr. with 3 young), 18th (1 ad. 2 juv), 20th (2 juv's); nearby at Carlton Manor on the 27th a pair were feeding young.
Beccles Common - 11th (pr. with 4 young).
Caldecott golf course - 28th (1).
Carlton Manor -
HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus
35-40 were noted along Arbour Lane, Pakefield on the 14th. An encouraging count. Also good to hear was that one pair in the Burnt Hill area has raised three broods already, not bad considering the less than glorious summer temperatures this year!!!
As in 2003 a post-breeding flock is present along the clifftop footpath at Corton old sewage works. On the 30th c30 were present including many juveniles. Several juveniles were also present at the north of the village itself.
This House Sparrow failed to attract a mate in 2004 though it wasn't through lack of effort!!!
July, 2004 - Steven's Street, Lowestoft - ©Andrew Easton
COMMON CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra
One feeding on thistles at Ness Point early morning on the 8th will hopefully be the forerunner of an invasion.
One was seen at Caldecott golf course on the 28th.
YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella
One male was singing along Corton disused railtrack on the 4th.