Lowestoft Bird News - October 2005

RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata
Kessingland - 1st (2 N, 2 S), 2nd (8 N, 6 S), 3rd (9 N, 2 S), 4th (4 N), 5th (2 N, 2 S), 8th (1 S, 2 on sea), 9th (3 N, 4 S), 10th (1 N, 2 S), 11th (2 N, 1 S, 1 o/s), 12th (4 N, 1 S), 13th (1 N, 1 S), 14th (6 N, 3 S), 15th (3 N, 1 S), 16th (4 N), 17th (5 N, 1 S), 18th (3 N, 2 S), 19th (4 N, 1 S), 20th (4 N, 3 S), 21st (3 N), 22nd (2 N, 3 S), 23rd (2 N, 1 S), 24th (1 N, 3 S), 25th (1 N, 2 S), 26th (6 N, 3 S), 27th (3 N, 1 S), 28th (1 N, 2 o/s), 29th (7 N, 4 S), 30th (1 S), 31st (4 N).
Ness Point - 2nd (1 N), 15th (1 N), 16th (3 N), 17th (1 o/s), 21st (4 N), 23rd (1 o/s), 28th (2 N), 29th (4 S).

BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gavia arctica
Singletons flew north past Kessingland on the 9th and 27th.

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

DIVER sp. Gaviidae
Kessingland - 26th (1 N), 29th (1 N).

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus
Kessingland - 14th (1 N), 18th (1 S), 24th (1 S), 30th (1 S, 2 o/s), 31st (1 N, 1 S, 1 o/s).
Ness Point - 28th (3 N).

RED-NECKED GREBE Podiceps grisegena
One was on Breydon Water on the 23rd.

MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus
Kessingland - 14th (1 N), 16th (1 N).

BALEARIC SHEARWATER Puffinus mauretanicus
Singles flew north close inshore past Kessingland on the 12th and 14th.

SOOTY SHEARWATER Puffinus griseus
Kessingland - 14th (2 N), 16th (3 N).

LEACH'S PETREL Oceanodroma leucorhoa
One flew south past Kessingland on the 19th.

Gannet (and Sky Lark !) - Ness Point - October 2005
©Andrew Easton

GANNET Morus bassanus
Kessingland - 1st (12 N), 2nd (13 N, 40 S), 3rd (49 N, 5 S), 4th (42 N, 87 S), 5th (16 N, 40 S), 7th (5 N, 4 S), 8th (13 N), 9th (9 N), 10th (6 N, 2 S), 11th (3 N, 4 S), 12th (5 N, 1 S), 13th (1 S), 14th (20 N ,1 S), 15th (17 N), 16th (40 N, 4 S), 17th (14 N, 2 S), 18th (5 N, 7 S), 19th (9 N, 5 S), 20th (8 N, 15 S), 21st (21 N, 16 S), 22nd (7 N, 1 S), 23rd (8 N, 4 S), 24th (23 N), 25th (10 N), 26th (7 N), 27th (2 N), 28th (1 N, 5 S, 1 o/s).
Ness Point - 1st (1 N), 16th (17 N, 32 S), 17th (1 N), 21st (112 S), 28th (21 N), 29th (1 N, 42 S).
Many of those seen on the 16th were quite close inshore, including one immature seen sitting on the sea with gulls only 200 metres out.

CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo
Kessingland - 1st (2 S), 3rd (1 S), 7th (1 N), 8th (1 S), 9th (1 S), 10th (2 S), 11th (1 S), 12th (1 S), 13th (1 S), 15th (2 N, 1 S), 16th (1 S), 17th (1 N, 1 S), 18th (1 S), 19th (4 S), 20th (1 N), 22nd (3 S, 1 o/s), 23rd (2 N, 2 S), 24th (1 S), 26th (2 N, 1 S, 1 o/s), 27th (4 S), 28th (1 S), 29th (1 o/s), 31st (3 S).
Hamilton Dock - 17th (2).
Ness Point - 17th (1 N), 28th (3 S).
Gunton Warren - 20th (1), 31st (1 S).

GREY HERON Ardea cinerea
Kessingland - 11th (4 S), 14th (1 N).
Gunton Warren - 22nd (1 S).

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Anser brachyrhynchus
A flock of over 100 flew east over Normanston at 7:30 a.m. on the 4th.
Ness Point - 16th ( five on sea then flew south).
Oulton Broad - 16th (c.350 flew eastwards at 8:30 a.m.), 22nd (c.1050 and c.300 flew over Oulton Broad, most of them westwards along the river valley towards Beccles).
Henstead - 20th (45 flew south at 8:55 a.m., just inland of the A12)
Gunton - 22nd (c.1000 S at 8:20 a.m.).
Pakefield - 22nd (300 S probably the second group seen over Oulton Broad).
Hopton - 23rd (large numbers heard going over early morning).
Over 1000 left roost at Berney Marshes early morning on the 22nd and headed south eastwards. At 8:20 they were seen over Gunton heading south, most then seem to have headed westwards as around 1400 were seen over Oulton Broad with most following the Waveney valley towards Beccles. Around 300 were also seen over Pakefield as well.

It looks like we are going to have another good winter for this species.

GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser
300+ commuting regularly between stubble fields around Kessingland on the 14th.
375 around Kessingland sewage works area on the 18th.

BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis
One was with a pair of Egyptian Geese at Corton on the 5th. No doubt the same bird that during the summer consorts with a pair of Egyptian Geese at nearby Lound Waterworks.

DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla bernicla
Kessingland - 1st (1 S), 2nd (1 N), 3rd (23 N, 24 S), 4th (54 N, 35 S), 5th (12 N, 7 S), 10th (25 S), 11th (5 N, 146 S), 12th (1 N, 31 S), 13th (26 S), 14th (4 N, 164 S), 15th (54 N, 784 S), 16th (12 N, 210 S), 18th (4 N, 373 S), 19th (15 N, 496 S), 20th (4 N, 16 S), 21st (10 N, 18 S), 22nd (8 N), 23rd (12 N, 10 S), 24th (1 N, 1 S), 25th (21 S), 27th (7 S), 28th (16 S), 29th (15 S), 30th (61 S), 31st (2 S).
Ness Point - 2nd (3 N), 11th (8 S), 12th (3 S), 15th (several hundred S), 16th (12 N, 153 S), 17th (2 N, 17 S), 21st (29 S), 29th (122 S).
Lowestoft North Denes - 7th (8 N), 8th (7 S).
Corton - 15th (80 S), 23rd (1 N).
Gunton Warren - 18th (83 past in one hour), 28th (8 S).
Hamilton Dock - 17th (2).
Denes Oval - 19th (adult and two juveniles grazing).

PALE-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla hrota
One adult flew south past Ness Point on the 16th, accompanying a group of Dark-bellied Brent Geese and Eurasian Wigeon.
One was with two Dark-bellied Brents on the beach in Hamilton Dock on the evening of the 17th.

Brent Geese & Eurasian Wigeon ©Andrew Easton

Pale-bellied Brent Goose (left) - Ness Point - October 2005
©Andrew Easton

EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen aegyptiacus
A pair were at Hopton Holiday Village on the 4th, a pair were also seen in fields at Corton on the 5th accompanied by a lone Barnacle Goose.

SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna
Ness Point - 2nd (7 S), 15th (2 S), 28th (2 S), 29th (6 S).
Kessingland - 3rd (7 N), 4th (13 N, 5 S), 5th (2 S), 13th (3 S), 15th (5 S), 16th (1 N), 28th (5 S), 29th (1 S), 31st (1 S, 1 o/s).

EURASIAN WIGEON Anas penelope
Kessingland - 2nd (6 N), 3rd (24 N, 16 S), 4th (47 N, 31 S), 5th (8 N, 9 S), 7th (1 S), 8th (78 S), 9th (6 N), 10th (1 S), 11th (7 N, 31 S), 12th (48 S), 13th (9 S), 14th (9 S), 15th (138 N, 10 S), 16th (111 S), 17th (210 S), 18th (242 S), 19th (37 S), 20th (134 S), 24th (2 S), 28th (37 S), 29th (27 N, 15 S), 30th (29 S), 31st (11 N, 13 S).
Gunton Warren - 7th (10 S), 18th (83 past in one hour).
Ness Point - 16th (92 S), 17th (10 S), 28th (36 S), 29th (34 S).

GADWALL Anas strepera
Leathes Ham - 23rd (9).

EURASIAN TEAL Anas crecca
Kessingland - 1st (1 N, 2 S), 3rd (18 S), 4th (5 o/s), 5th (2 N, 26 S), 7th (1 N, 5 S), 8th (42 S), 9th (1 N), 11th (42 S), 12th (11 S, 7 o/s), 13th (9 S), 14th (2 S), 15th (62 S), 16th (76 S), 17th (10 S), 18th (33 S), 19th (5 S), 20th (7 S), 24th (8 S), 25th (4 S), 28th (8 N, 29 S), 30th (5 S, 7 o/s), 31st (1 S, 12 o/s).
Gunton Warren - 8th (15 S).
Corton - 8th (35 on sea).
Ness Point - 16th (26 S), 21st (20 S), 28th (33 S), 29th (5 S).

Pintail & Eurasian Wigeon ©Andrew Easton

Pintail & Eurasian Wigeon - Ness Point - October 2005
©Andrew Easton

PINTAIL Anas acuta
Kessingland - 10th (2 S), 11th (25 S), 14th (18 S), 17th (15 S), 19th (5 S), 20th (1 S), 21st (3 S), 28th (5 S).
Ness Point - 16th (11 S), 17th (4 S), 29th (2 S).

SHOVELER Anas clypeata
Kessingland - 5th (5 N), 16th (5 S).
Ness Point - 16th (2 S).
Leathes Ham - 23rd (22).

COMMON EIDER Somateria mollissima
Kessingland - 5th (23 N), 7th (10 N), 15th (5 N), 16th (14 N), 17th (2 N), 19th (3 N), 30th (2 N).
Lowestoft North Beach - 7th (2 north on sea.
Ness Point - 15th (2 S), 16th (30 N, 1 on sea).

COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra
Kessingland - 2nd (35 N, 11S), 3rd (16 N, 20 S), 4th (40 N, 4 S), 5th (10 N, 2 S), 7th (2 S), 8th (3 S), 9th (1 N), 14th (15 S), 15th (28 S), 16th (2 N, 1 S), 18th (1 S), 19th (6 S), 20th (1 N, 6 S), 21st (2 N, 1 S, 1 o/s), 22nd (4 N), 23rd (2 N, 1 o/s), 24th (3 N, 16 S, 1 o/s), 25th (2 N, 4 S, 2 o/s), 26th (9 N, 1 S), 27th (3 N, 8 S), 29th (2 S), 30th (2 N), 31st (2 N).
Ness Point - 17th (25 S), 28th (6 S), 29th (37 S).

VELVET SCOTER Melanitta fusca
Kessingland - 20th (1 N), 28th (2 S).
Lowestoft harbour - One was swimming around in Hamilton and Waveney Docks on the 23rd.

GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula
Ness Point - 16th (5 S), 28th (1 S).
Kessingland - 19th (1 S), 28th (2 S).

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator
Kessingland - 5th (1 N), 15th (2 S), 16th (2 S), 19th (1 N, 1 S), 27th (3 S), 31st (1 N).

GOOSANDER Mergus merganser
One male and three females/immatures flew south past Ness Point on the 28th.

Marsh Harrier - Lowestoft North Denes - October 2005
©Andrew Easton

MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus
One flew in off the sea over the North Denes campsite on the 1st and then continued westwards over Gunton Cliff and Corton Road.
Carlton Marshes - 9th (one female/immature), 23rd (3, adult male and 2 adult females).

HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus
Two males were hunting over the marshes on the south wall of Breydon Water on the 23rd.

SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus
One arrived in off the sea at Hopton on the 3rd.
Gunton Drive, Lowestoft - 20th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 18th (2).

RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa
Eight were in fields near Corton old sewage works on the 16th. Five were in fields near Radar Lodge on the 29th.

GREY PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix
Ash Farm, Mutford - 15th (22).
Corton (near Radar Lodge) - 23rd (12).

WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus
Kessingland sewage works - 14th (2).

OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus
Three flew south past Kessingland on the 4th.
Hamilton Dock - 17th (1).

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula
Kessingland - 11th (1 S), 12th (6 S), 22nd (7 on beach).
Hamilton Dock - 17th (1).

GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria
One was seen at Corton on the 7th.
At Beccles on the 23rd a flock of 80 were in a field to the south of Ellough Road, opposite PCE Automation, with 127 there on the 27th.

GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola
Kessingland - 7th (1 S), 29th (1 S).
Corton - 16th (1 S).
Lowestoft North Denes - 23rd (1 S).
Ness Point - 28th (2 S).

LAPWING Vanellus vanellus
One flew south over Gunton Warren on the 16th.

KNOT Calidris canutus
Ness Point - 12th (1), 17th (2 S).
Kessingland - 17th (2 S), 28th (3 S), 30th (5 S).

PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima
One was on the rocks at Ness Point on the 21st.

DUNLIN Calidris alpina
Kessingland - 4th (9 N), 12th (5 S), 28th (21 S), 30th (38 S), 31st (1 S).
Ness Point - 28th (15 S), 29th (4 S).

JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus
One flew north along Kessingland Beach on the 8th then dropped into cover.
One was found in a field opposite Mutford church on the 10th.
One was flushed from Gunton Cliff late afternoon on the 14th.
After several fruitless visits to the Corton new sewage works pond one was eventually seen on the 15th.

COMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago
Corton - 1st (1), 7th (4), 8th (7), 24th (3).
Carlton Marshes - 9th (2), 16th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 14th (2), 18th (3).

WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola
Lowestoft Cemetery - 15th (1).
Corton Church - 16th (1 flew west).
Gunton disused railtrack - 16th (1), 17th (1).
Mutford - 16th (1).
Corton - 26th (1).
Kessingland Beach - 31st (1).

BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica
Kessingland - 16th (1 S), 17th (3 N), 28th (1 S).

WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus
One flew north at Burgh Castle on the 23rd.

CURLEW Numenius arquata
Kessingland - 4th (1 N), 9th (1 S), 14th (1 N), 15th (1 N).
Corton - 16th (3 S).

GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus
One was seen in flight over Henstead water meadows on the 4th.

TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres
Ness Point - 12th (18).
Hamilton Dock - 15th (13), 17th (7), 29th (13).
Gunton Warren - 20th (3).
Kessingland - 4th (3 N), 12th (3 N, 2 S), 19th (3 S), 21st (4 N), 31st (2 S).

POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus
Kessingland - 5th (1 S then o/s), 16th (1 S), 25th (2 N), 29th (2 N).
Ness Point - 28th (1 S).

ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus
One very tired, and very pale, juvenile was sitting on the beach at Kessingland on the 2nd. It seemed oblivious to passers by and dog walkers, but a light aircraft passing low overhead appeared not to be to its liking as it promptly took to the air and headed south along the beach over the sluice towards Benacre.

Kessingland - 3rd (1 N), 5th (1 N, 1S), 11th (1 N), 14th (5 N), 16th (2 S), 24th (1 N, 1 S) .
Ness Point - 21st (1 N), 24th (6 N), 28th (1 S).

Arctic Skua - Kessingland - October 2005
©Andrew Easton

LONG-TAILED SKUA Stercorarius longicaudus
Kessingland - 3rd (1 N), 16th (1 S).

GREAT SKUA Stercorarius skua
One was sitting on the sea off Ness Point on the 16th, and one flew north past there on the 24th.

SKUA sp. Stercorarius sp.
Kessingland - 24th (1 N).

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus
Kessingland - 7th (1 N), 13th (1 o/s), 22nd (1 adult), 27th (1 S), 31st (1 N, 1 S).
Ness Point - 16th (1 S adult), 28th (2).
Links Road - 22nd (2 adults both ringed).
Breydon South Wall - 23rd (1 adult).
One adult bearing a green plastic ring was in Hamilton Dock on the 17th.

LITTLE GULL Larus minutus
Kessingland - 2nd (8 N, four adults and four first winters), 5th (2 N), 15th (6 N), 16th (1 N), 17th (4 N), 23rd (58 N), 24th (4 N), 25th (19 N), 27th (1 S).
Ness Point - 16th (2 S), 28th (1 S), 29th (3 S).

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus
A colour ringed bird, ringed as a chick at Orfordness in July 2000, but which itself nested successfully in Lowestoft this year; was spotted at a rubbish dump near Madrid, Spain on the 9th. It was last seen in Lowestoft on 18th August. It has been sighted in Spain and Portugal in previous years as well.

HERRING GULL Larus argentatus
A colour ringed first winter at Links Road car park on the 22nd and 29th hadn't come far; being one of the nine young fledged from the ground nesting pairs in Hamilton Dock this summer. The remainder were polished off as eggs or nestlings by the local Red Foxes.

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis
The usual adult was still along the North Beach at Lowestoft on the 13th, 22nd and 23rd.

KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla
Kessingland - 3rd (6 N), 4th (1 N), 5th (2 N), 14th (6 N), 15th (4 N), 16th (9 S), 20th (1 S).

SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvichensis
Kessingland - 1st (7 S), 2nd (4 N), 3rd (1 N), 15th (5 S), 16th (1 S), 17th (2 S), 30th (2 S).
Ness Point - 2nd (2 S).

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo
Kessingland - 24th (1 S).

"COMMIC" TERN Sterna hirundo/paradisaea
Kessingland - 1st (1 S), 2nd (5 N), 3rd (2 N).

BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger
One flew south past Ness Point on the 12th.

GUILLEMOT Uria aalge
One was found dead on Lowestoft North Beach on the 14th, another unwell individual was on Kessingland Beach the same day.
Ness Point - 17th (2 N), 21st (3 N), 28th (2 N).
Lowestoft North Beach - 22nd (1 N).

LITTLE AUK Alle alle
Kessingland - 23rd one flew south past then settled on the sea about 300 metres from the beach, 24th (3 N, 2 S).
Ness Point - 23rd one on sea then flew north.

AUK sp. (Alcidae)
Kessingland - 2nd (12 N), 3rd (4 N), 4th (2 N), 5th (2 N), 10th (6 N, 1 o/s), 11th (2 N), 12th (2 N, 7 S), 13th (1 N), 14th (52 N), 15th (24 N), 16th (18 N), 17th (1 N), 18th (5 N), 20th (3 N), 22nd (7 N), 24th (1 N), 25th (1 N), 26th (2 N), 28th (1 o/s), 29th (1 N), 30th (1 N).
Ness Point - 16th (2 S), 28th (3 N), 29th (1 N).

WOOD PIGEON Columba palumbus
72 arrived in off the sea at Hopton on the 4th.
79 flew south over Gunton Warren on the 27th.

TAWNY OWL Strix aluco
Corton disused railtrack - 14th (1).

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus
Gorleston, Warren Lane - 14th (1).
Hopton disused railtrack - 16th (2).
Kessingland - 16th (1 S).
Gunton Warren - 23rd (1 arrived in off the sea).

BARN OWL Tyto alba
One was by the roadside at the Barnby bends late evening on the 4th. Three were in the air at the same time at Carlton Marshes on the 9th.

LITTLE OWL Athene noctua
Two were at Corton New Sewage Works on the 8th and 15th.

SWIFT Apus apus
One flew south over Corton Wood on the 29th.

KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis
One was commuting between Leathes Ham and Lake Lothing on the 9th.
One discovered the pond at Ash Farm, Mutford, on the 20th and spent most of the afternoon there.
One was in Hamilton Dock on the 29th.

GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis
Carlton Marshes - 9th (1), 23rd (1).
Kessingland Beach - 14th (2), 22nd (1).
Lowestoft Cemetery cycle track - 18th (1).
Gunton Warren - 20th (1).
Corton Woods - 26th (1).
Corton new sewage works - 29th (1).

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major
Corton Disused railtrack - 1st (1).
Hopton (Holiday Village) - 4th (1).
Sparrows Nest Park - 9th (1).
Gunton Woods - 22nd (3).
Corton Woods - 26th (1).
Gunton Warren - 27th (1).

SKY LARK Alauda arvensis
Ness Point - 16th (7 south over the sea, 1 feeding by the wind turbine), 28th (several were seen arriving in off the sea in the morning).
Kessingland sewage works - 18th (3).
Corton new sewage works - 29th (40).

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia
Gunton Warren - 1st (1), 8th (6 S).

SWALLOW Hirundo rustica
Gunton Warren - 1st (2).
Kessingland Beach - 2nd (7 S), 23rd (1 S).
Corton - 8th (5 S).
Lowestoft North Denes (campsite) - 9th (1 S).
Carlton Marshes - 9th (1 S).
Gunton - 17th (2 S), 18th (3 S).
Kessingland sewage works - 18th (2).
Hopton - 28th (1 S).

HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica
Sparrows Nest Park - 1st (3 S).
Hopton - 3rd (1 S).
Mutford - 13th (11).
Corton - 26th (2 S).

MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis
Gunton Warren - 10th (5), 14th (6).
Lowestoft North Denes - 15th (40).
Ness Point - 28th (several were seen arriving in off the sea in the morning).

ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus
Ness Point - 15th (3), 22nd (1), 23rd (1), 24th (2), 29th (3).
Kessingland sewage works - 14th (1).
Hamilton Dock - 17th (2), 29th (3).
Corton - 23rd (1).

GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea
Corton disused railtrack - 1st (1), 14th (1), 15th (1).
Gunton - 3rd (1 E), 15th (1), 17th (1).
Kessingland Sluice - 5th (5), 14th (1), 23rd (1).
London Road North - 7th (1 over the main high street being chased by a House Sparrow).
Corton - 7th (3).
Ness Point - 8th (1 S).
Lowestoft North Denes (net posts) - 8th (1 S).
Lowestoft North Denes (campsite) - 8th (2 S).
Kessingland Sewage Works - 8th (2), 14th (1), 18th (2).
Corton Woods - 15th (1 N).
Sparrows Nest Park - 21st (1).
Stevens Street - 22nd (1 S).
Corton new sewage works - 29th (1).

PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba
Kessingland Beach - 1st (25).
Kessingland sewage works - 14th (c30).

DUNNOCK Prunella modularis
Gunton Warren - 23rd (7). An increase on their more usual recent numbers, a fair indicator that immigrants are arriving along with all the other species at the moment.

ROBIN Erithacus rubecula
Around 30 were present at first light at Hopton holiday village on the 6th.
Kessingland sewage works - 14th (c10).

BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros
One was around the south Lowestoft Industrial Estate on the 28th. This species has declined rapidly around here over the last five years. Formerly a relatively common localised breeder and not uncommon passage migrant, sightings are now very few and far between at any time of year.

Although several breeding sites have been been destroyed and redeveloped there are still plenty of suitable sites around the harbour and Lake Lothing area which has always been their heartland in Lowestoft.

COMMON REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus
One was in the Kessingland Sluice area on the 5th. Another was along Gunton disused railtrack on the 15th.

STONECHAT Saxicola torquata
Gunton Warren - 1st (2), 3rd (3), 4th (5), 5th (2), 7th (4), 13th (pair), 14th (2 pairs), 21st (2), 22nd (2), 23rd (1), 25th (2), 26th (2), 29th (2).
Lowestoft North Denes (campsite) - 1st (2), 8th (2), 9th (2), 14th (2), 15th (2), 18th (1), 22nd (3).
Ness Point - 8th one on the rocks at the Point itself.
Gorleston, Warren Lane - 14th (1).
Kessingland Sluice - 14th (1).
Corton (Radar Lodge) - 23rd (3).
Breydon South Wall - 23rd (2).

WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe
Gunton (Dip Farm golf course) - 2nd (1).
Lowestoft North Denes (campsite) - 2nd (2), 7th (2), 8th (2).
Lowestoft North Denes (net posts) - 9th (1).
Lake Lothing (south side) - 13th (1).
Kessingland Beach - 14th (1), 15th (1), 22nd (1).
Gorleston, Warren Lane - 14th (1).
Gunton Warren - 16th (1).
Corton old sewage works - 16th (1).
Hamilton Dock - 17th (1).

BLACKBIRD Turdus merula
56 were present at first light at Hopton holiday village on the 6th.
Corton - 7th (30+).
Kessingland sewage works - 14th (c50), 18th (40).
Lowestoft - 29th heard calling overhead after dark.

REDWING Turdus iliacus
Gunton - 6th (3).
Corton - 7th (7).
Gunton Warren - 13th (2).
Hopton - 14th (hundreds were watched arriving in off the sea).
Lowestoft Cemetery - 14th (21+), 17th (41).
Kessingland sewage works - 14th (200+), 18th (50).
Lowestoft Cemetery cycle track - 18th (12).
Carlton Marshes - 23rd (50+ W).
Lowestoft - 29th heard calling overhead after dark.

Large numbers were heard arriving early evening on the 14th in Lowestoft. Unsurprisingly, big numbers were around on the 15th, with groups seen passing south at Corton and Lowestoft throughout the day. Smaller numbers were present on the 16th, but new migrants were still arriving throughout the day up to dusk. Numbers at Gunton on the 17th had increased compared to those on the 16th.

Small numbers were seen arriving in from the sea throughout the day on the 22nd. One unfortunate individual was intercepted by gulls just a few metres from the shore. One of the perils of a daylight crossing.

FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris
One was seen at Corton on the 6th.
Gunton - 14th (1).
Corton disused railtrack - 15th (5 S).
Kessingland sewage works - 14th (1).
Hopton disused railtrack - 15th (5), 16th (1).
Lowestoft Cemetery - 18th (2 with Redwings).
Carlton Marshes - 23rd (30+ W).

SONG THRUSH Turdus philomelus
Corton - 6th (20+), 7th (25).
Gunton - 6th (40+).
Corton / Lowestoft - 14th (big arrival with good numbers everywhere), 15th (same 14th).
Kessingland sewage works - 16th (6).
Lowestoft - 29th heard calling overhead after dark.

RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus
Corton disused railtrack - 14th (1).
Gunton (Dip Farm) - 15th (1 at the shelter belt).
Hopton disused railtrack - 15th (3).
Lowestoft North Denes (campsite) - 22nd (1).
Warren Lane, Hopton - 22nd (1).
Oulton - 22nd - 24th two in a private garden.
Corton old sewage works - 26th (1 first winter male).

CETTI'S WARBLER Cettia cetti
One was in the reedbed near Kessingland sewage works on the 15th and 18th. Also heard at Carlton Marshes on the 23rd.

BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla
Lowestoft North Denes (campsite) - 1st (1).
Denes Oval (Flycatcher Lane) - 8th (1), 19th (6).
Corton - 7th (1), 15th (1), 26th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 14th (3), 16th (1).
Corton Woods - 17th (1).
Lowestoft Cemetery cycle track - 18th (1).
Gunton disused railtrack - 23rd (1).

YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER Phylloscopus inornatus
Gunton - Two were discovered on the 3rd, both with tit flocks. One was in the shelterbelts near the Dip Farm football pitch car park. The other was on the opposite side of Corton Road heading south through gardens. They were seen independently at the same time. One was still present along Hubbards Loke on the 4th at least. One was in Gunton Woods on the 14th. A different bird was in the Dip Farm shelter belt on the 15th to 17th.
Lowestoft North Denes - 3rd, one with a tit flock along "Flycatcher Lane" behind the Denes Oval. On the 6th one was on the North Denes slope just to the north of the Denes Oval, probably a new bird as there was a large arrival nationally that morning.
Corton - 6th one in Sallows along the coast road just north of Corton church, with two there on the 7th. 16th one along northern hedge of Broadland Sands holiday village.
Kessingland Sewage Works - 6th (1).
Warren Lane, Hopton - 14th (1), 22nd (1).
Corton disused railtrack - 14th (1), 15th (2), 16th (2, one of which was trapped and ringed), 17th (1 unringed).
Lowestoft Cemetery cycle track - 15th (1), 16th (1), 18th (1).
Benacre, Beach Farm - 14th (1 + male Black Redstart). Just outside our area, but worth a mention.

Including the one at Gunton in September (but excluding the out of area Benacre individual), the total for this year now stands at 16, one more than the previous highest count. The total may have gone higher if a few leaves had actually fallen off the trees this autumn!

This Yellow-browed was in Sparrows Nest Gardens last October
©Robert Wincup

CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita
Lowestoft North Denes (campsite) -1st (2), 6th (3), 7th (1), 8th (2). 9th (3), 22nd (2), 29th (2).
Gunton Warren - 3rd (1), 7th (1 singing), 8th (1), 13th (3), 23rd (1), 28th (1), 29th (1).
Gunton (Dip Farm) - 4th (1), 5th (1), 16th (1 singing), 29th (1).
Hopton - 4th (1 in song).
Hopton, Warren Lane - 14th (7).
Corton disused railtrack - 15th (2), 26th (1), 30th (1).
Lowestoft Cemetery cycle track - 18th (1).
Gunton Woods - 22nd (1).
Gunton Drive - 22nd (1).
Carlton Marshes - 23rd (1).
Corton - 26th (1).
Gunton disused railtrack - 29th (1).

WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus
One was along Gunton disused railtrack on the 5th.
Lowestoft North Denes (campsite) - 7th (1), 19th (1).

GOLDCREST Regulus regulus
Corton - 6th (20+).
Numerous everywhere on the 8th, but most had disappeared on the 9th. The afternoon of the 14th saw another big arrival with numerous birds heard and seen at all locations visited. The following day, 15th, large numbers were noted between Hopton and Lowestoft.

Huge numbers were still present on the 16th, with 222 ringed at Corton alone. Amazing to think they'd arrived from Scandinavia.

Kessingland sewage works - 18th (79 trapped and ringed).
Lowestoft Cemetery cycle track - 18th (9).
Lowestoft Cemetery - 18th (15).

Still present in large numbers throughout the area on the 17th and 18th, including in odd trees around Lowestoft Central Library, Clapham Road and Alexandra Road area. Numbers thinned out considerably from the 20th onwards, at which time increased numbers were being noted in central Norwich as they move farther westwards seeking milder winter climes.

FIRECREST Regulus ignicapillus
One, possibly two, were near the pond in Corton Woods on the 5th. One was in Belle vue Park on the 7th.
One was at Kessingland sewage works on the 14th.
One was ringed at Corton on the 16th.
One was in Belle Vue Park on the 18th.
Surprisingly scarce given the huge numbers of Goldcrests present, we normally have a few more than this in October.

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata
One was along Corton disused railtrack on the 14th.

EURASIAN NUTHATCH Sitta europaea
Now a great rarity in the Lowestoft area, one was seen in Corton Woods on the 5th. At least two, probably three, were seen at the north end of Corton Woods on the 9th. Three were seen there on the 17th. One still there on the 26th.

Hopefully this marks a genuine resurgence for the species locally. Great Spotted Woodpeckers have certainly bounced back in the last couple of years, so perhaps Lesser Spotted will be able to do the same.

COMMON TREECREEPER Certhia familiaris
A group of four were seen in Corton Woods on the 5th; a family party?

RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio
On the 1st to 3rd a juvenile was in bushes along the south shore of the River Hundred at Benacre just inland of Benacre Ness pumping station.

GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lanius excubitor
One frequented the Radar Lodge former MoD compound on the 23rd and 24th, making occasional forays southwards to the northern hedge of Broadlands Sands holiday village. Not quite sure how many tail feathers it possessed, but it certainly wasn't a full set! Any relation to the tailless Lesser Grey Shrike at Spurn recently?

JAY Garrulus glandarius
Lowestoft Cemetery cycle track - 18th (2).

JACKDAW Corvus monedula
Around 30 were noted arriving in off the sea at Hopton on the 3rd, with a further 32 seen arriving on the 4th.

CARRION CROW Corvus corone
Gunton Warren - 8th (6 S), 9th (7 S).

STARLING Sturnus vulgaris
Hundreds of Starlings were noted arriving in off the sea at Ness Point on the 28th. One lone migrant was intercepted and killed by gulls as it neared shore off Ness Point on the 29th.

TREE SPARROW Passer montanus
Just as we bemoan the loss of this species to the area we hear that two were seen at a feeder at Wood Farm, Mutford, on the 3rd. Possibly just birds on passage as they used to regularly pass through in October, but with a bit of luck they may hang around.

Another flew south at Corton on the 23rd.

CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs
Corton - 7th (14).
Kessingland - 8th (Flock of 15 arrived in off the sea late afternoon).
Kessingland sewage works - 18th (20).

BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla
Gunton - 3rd (1), 15th (c30), 16th (6+).
Mutford - 3rd (1 on a bird feeder with Tree Sparrows!)
Corton - 6th (3), 7th (13), 15th (c70 mainly early morning), 21st (1).
Lowestoft North Denes (campsite) - 6th (4).
Sparrows Nest Park - 9th (1).
Links Road - 9th (1).
Lowestoft Cemetery - 12th (6+).
Flycatcher Lane, Lowestoft - 15th (10+).
Corton Woods - 15th (7).
Ness Point - 16th (2 with Greenfinches).
Kessingland sewage works - 18th (1).

GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris
Gunton Warren - 7th (36).
Lowestoft North Denes (campsite) - 9th (15 S).
Lowestoft North Denes (campsite to netposts) - 12th (173), 15th (100+).
Ness Point - 15th (250+ feeding).
Kessingland Beach - 15th (50+).
Kessingland sewage works - 18th (20).

GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis
Gunton Warren - 3rd (35).
Leathes Ham - 7th (8).
Lowestoft North Denes (netposts) - 12th (10).
Kessingland sewage works - 18th (20).

SISKIN Carduelis spinus
Gunton - 3rd (8 N), 15th (5), 16th (2).
Corton - 7th (64) 16th (25+), 30th (2).
Lowestoft North Denes (campsite) - 9th (7 S).

LINNET Carduelis cannabina
Carlton Marshes - 9th (43).
Gunton Warren - 13th (3).

TWITE Carduelis flavirostris
On the 1st four flew north at Benacre Pits and continued on over Kessingland Beach.

REDPOLL Carduelis flammea
Two were feeding on thistles at Kessingland on the 5th.
Lowestoft North Denes (campsite) - 9th (5 S).
Lowestoft Cemetery - 12th (2).
Gorleston, Warren Lane - 14th (2).
Corton disused railtrack - 15th (3 N), 16th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 14th (1).
Beccles Marsh Trail - 20th (6), 29th (1).
Gunton Warren - 22nd (5 S).
Corton - 23rd (2), 26th (23 trapped and ringed, 22 "Lesser"cabaret type and one "Mealy" flammea type).
Hamilton Dock - 29th (2 S).

BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula
One immature bird was seen along Gunton disused railtrack on the 6th.
Corton - 7th (1).
Carlton Marshes - 23rd (1), 29th (5+).
Corton Woods - 26th (2).

HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustes
One that dropped into a Kessingland garden late afternoon on the 14th was a pleasant surprise.
Another was seen at Dip Farm golf course, Gunton on the 15th before flying off south.

COMMON CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra
Corton disused railtrack - 15th (1 N).
Lowestoft Cemetery - 15th (3 over).

SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis
One was at Kessingland Beach on the 1st, with two there on the 5th. The mostly eaten corpse of a male was found there on the 8th.
Gunton Warren - 6th (1), 18th (1), 27th (2), 29th (3), 30th (5).
Warren Lane, Hopton - 14th (1).

LAPLAND BUNTING Calcarius lapponicus
Three were in a clifftop stubble field at Corton on the 14th, with 2 present on the 15th and one on the 23rd.

YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella
Gunton Warren - 14th (1), 23rd (2), 27th (1), 31st (2).

REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus
Corton - 5th (2 Radar Lodge compound), 7th (2).
Gunton Warren - 6th (2), 14th (2).
Kessingland Sluice - 5th (4).
Carlton Marshes - 9th (5).
Kessingland Beach - 14th (2), 22nd (4).

ESCAPES

BAR-HEADED GOOSE Anser indicus
One was with c.250 Barnacle Geese at Benacre Broad on the 26th.

RED-BREASTED GOOSE Branta ruficollis
One was with c.250 Barnacle Geese at Benacre Broad on the 26th.

INDIAN PEAFOWL Pavo cristatus
A peacock was wandering down Corton Street on the 6th.

COCKATIEL Nymphicus hollandicus
One flew north over Corton Woods on the 9th and was also seen continuing to head north at Stirrups Lane shortly afterwards.