Lowestoft Bird News - October 2007

A couple of new links for the New Year (both will open in new windows)

Birdline East Anglia - Suffolk October 07 review

Suffolk Birding with BINS

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

BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gavia arctica
Kessingland - 7th (1 N, 1 on sea), 8th (1 N), 9th (1 N), 10th (1 on sea), 12th (1 on sea), 13th (1 N), 15th (1 on sea), 27th (1 N).

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer
Kessingland - 21st (1 N), 26th (1 N).

DIVER sp.
Kessingland - 17th (1 N), 20th (1 N).

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus
Kessingland - 6th (1 N), 19th (1 S), (1 N), 24th (1 on sea), 31st (3 S).

FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis
Kessingland - 1st (2 N).

SOOTY SHEARWATER Puffinus griseus
Lowestoft North Beach - 1st (9 N), 2nd (2 N).
Kessingland - 1st (20 N), 2nd (1 N), 7th (1 N), 13th (3 N), 18th (1 N), 31st (1 N).
Corton - 1st (5 N).
Ness Point - 13th (3 north together).

At least 31 have been seen so far this month (some individuals may have been seen at more then one location on the 1st and 13th).

LEACH'S STORM PETREL Oceanodroma leucorhoa
One flew north past Pakefield on the 1st.

GANNET Morus bassanus
Ness Point - 2nd (43 N, 6 S), 3rd (1 N), 22nd (2 S).
Corton - 5th (3 N).
Kessingland - 1st (186 N, 15 S), 2nd (36 N, 1 S), 3rd (49 N, 4 S), 4th (23 N, 7 S), 5th (24 N, 10 S), 6th (1 N), 7th (42 N, 1 S), 8th (4 N), 9th (39 N, 7 S), 10th (10 N), 11th (12 N, 1 S), 12th (2 N), 13th (174 N), 14th (17 N), 16th (5 N, 1 S), 17th (1 N, 1 S), 18th (5 N, 1 S), 19th (20 N), 20th (19 N), 22nd (4 N), 23rd (5 N, 2 S), 24th (1 on sea), 26th (1 N, 2 S), 27th (1 N), 28th (1 N), 29th (6 N), 31st (1 N, 2 S).
Lowestoft North Beach - 26th (1 N).

CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo
Kessingland - 2nd (1 S), 4th (2 N), 5th (2 N), 7th (2 N), 8th (2 N), 9th (3 N, 1 S), 10th (2 N), 11th (1 S), 12th (1 N), 13th (2 S), 14th (1 N), 15th (2 S), 16th (3 N, 3 S, 2 on sea), 17th (3 N, 6 S, 1 on sea), 18th (3 N, 6 S), 19th (11 N, 3 S), 20th (8 N, 2 S, 1 on sea), 21st (15 N, 8 S), 22nd (8 S, 1 on sea), 23rd (3 N, 5 S), 24th (11 N, 6 S), 25th (1 N, 5 S), 26th (27 N, 5 S), 27th (12 N, 1 S), 29th (2 N, 2 on sea), 30th (2 N, 1 S), 31st (4 N, 3 S, 1 on sea).
Gunton Warren - 7th (5 heading inland off sea).
Lowestoft North Beach - 7th (3 heading inland off sea).
Ness Point - 22nd (1 S).
Lake Lothing - 26th (6).

LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta
13 flew past Burgh Castle at dusk on the 7th.
One was feeding along the shoreline near the railway footbridge at Lake Lothing on the 26th. Present again on the 27th. Still a rare sight in Lowestoft itself and even then usually just a flyby.

GREY HERON Ardea cinerea
One flew high inland in off the sea over Lowestoft North Denes on the 7th.
One was along Lake Lothing on the 27th.

[ BLACK SWAN Cygnus atratus
One was again with Mute Swans at Oulton Broad on the 24th and 25th. ]

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Anser brachyrhynchus
Corton - 7th (c.150 out to sea).
Gunton Warren - 7th (31 out to sea then returned westwards).
Gorleston - 1200 flew south east at 07:30 on the 11th, c.400 flew east on the 13th.
2690 flew south across Breydon from Berney Marshes on the morning of the 12th.
Kessingland - 13th (120 N).
Belton Marshes - several flocks totaling c.600 are regularly being seen flying over heading north towards Berney Marshes at dusk each evening up to the 13th at least. After flying out from Berney in the morning where they are spending the the rest of their day remains a mystery so far, but there were apparently a lot of geese in fields to the west of the A12 between Blundeston and Lound on the 13th. These seem likely to have been the Pink-feet.

None flew south from Berney Marshes RSPB at dawn on the 14th, though large numbers flew north and west, accompanied by an adult Ross's Goose. None flew south on the 15th either, so it seems the feeding opportunities in north Suffolk aren't to their liking this year.

Lowestoft Cemetery (cycle track) - 27th (80 flew south over Lowestoft Cemetery.).
Gorleston - 29th (two skeins of up to 300 birds in total flew south-east over Beacon Park around 7am).
Henstead - 31st (350 - 400 flew south at around 7am).

It seems a few are trying their luck at finding a suitable feeding site in north Suffolk again.

WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser albifrons
Two sere seen flying north just west of Kessingland on the 2nd.
One was on Lowestoft North Denes near the net posts briefly on the 26th, before being flushed by dog walkers and then heading off south-westwards over the town.

GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser
On the 14th at Burgh Castle 112 flew south from roost at Berney Marshes RSPB.

LESSER SNOW GOOSE Anser caerulescens caerulescens
A white phase adult, in the company of c.150 Pink-footed Geese, left Berney Marshes RSPB at 7:50 on the morning of the 7th heading high to the south-east towards Lowestoft. The flock crossed the coast at Corton Wood/Dip Farm at 8:08 and continued at first eastwards and then south-eastwards high out to sea before being lost to view in the glare of the sun at 8:15. At some stage they turned back as, in the afternoon the Snow Goose was back at Berney Marshes again before flying of north towards the Filby area.

This bird arrived in North Norfolk on 15th September and remained with the Pink-footed Geese in that area until the 30th when it was seen in East Norfolk at Horsey and Winterton. It was noted in the Breydon area from the 5th October.

Still present with the Pink-feet at Berney Marshes, Norfolk, on the evenings of the 12th, 13th, 19th and 20th, along with an adult Ross's Goose as well on the 12th and 19th !

CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis
On the 14th at Burgh Castle 98 flew south from roost at Berney Marshes RSPB.
127 flew north-east over Bradwell on the 17th.

DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Branta (bernicla) bernicla
Lowestoft North Beach - 2nd (12 N, 22 S), 6th (7 S), 7th (3 S), 24th (9 N, 150 S), 25th (5 S).
Ness Point - 3rd (15 S), 22nd (24 S).
Corton - 5th (29 N, 1 S).
Kessingland - 1st (13 S), 3rd (50 N, 66 S), 4th (12 N, 16 S), 5th (4 N, 36 S), 6th (6 N, 35 S), 7th (8 N, 20 S), 8th (26 N, 36 S), 9th (2 N, 34 S), 10th (26 N, 8 S), 11th (2 N, 2 S), 12th (2 N), 13th (25 N, 321 S), 14th (32 S), 15th (4 S), 18th (10 N), 19th (12 N, 5 S), 20th (59 N, 62 S), 21st (1 N, 1 S), 22nd (21 N, 131 S), 23rd (12 N, 57 S), 24th (1 N, 194 S), 25th (6 N, 17 S), 26th (4 S), 27th (1 N, 6 S), 28th (1 N), 28th (1 N), 30th (1 N, 7 S), 31st (11 S).
Gunton Warren - 7th (1 N), 22nd (71 S), 23rd (28 S), 26th (1 juvenile on the beach).
Corton - One juvenile was on the playing field on the 27th, presumably the one that had been at Gunton warren the day before.

[ RED-BREASTED GOOSE Branta ruficollis
One was just across the River Waveney in Norfolk, on Gillingham Marshes, on the 26th. ]

SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna
One flew north past Ness Point on the 3rd.
Kessingland - 8th (3 N), 19th (2 N), 22nd (5 N), 30th (2 N).
Ness Point - 22nd (6 N).

[ MUSCOVY Cairina moschata
17 adults, plus immatures, were at Beccles Quay on the 7th. ]

WIGEON Anas penelope
Leathes Ham - 2nd (16), 15th (17).
Corton - 5th (5 on the sea).
Kessingland - 1st (21 S), 4th (4 S), 6th (5 S), 7th (3 N, 10 S), 10th (1 N), 11th (2 N), 15th (6 S), 19th (42 N), 20th (20 N), 21st (4 S), 22nd (49 S), 23rd (28 S), 24th (23 S), 25th (5 N, 11 S), 27th (6 N).
Gunton Warren - 7th (10 N).
Lowestoft North Beach - 7th (6 S), 24th (5 S).
Ness Point - 22nd (18 S).

GADWALL Anas strepera
Leathes Ham - 2nd (13), 8th (6), 15th (11), 26th (5), 31st (4 S).
Kessingland - 3rd (4 N), 16th (3 S), 22nd (11 S), 24th (4 S).

PINTAIL Anas acuta
Leathes Ham - 2nd (4), 6th (10), 8th (8), 15th (6), 25th (6).
Kessingland - 5th (2 N).

MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos
One flew south past Lowestoft North Beach on the 2nd.
One drake was on the sea off Corton on the 6th.

TEAL Anas crecca
Ness Point - 3rd (6 S).
Leathes Ham - 6th (2), 8th (3), 15th (1).
Kessingland - 2nd (5 S), 3rd (2 S), 4th (8 S), 5th (4 N), 6th (19 S), 7th (9 N, 38 S), 9th (3 S), 13th (46 N), 14th (15 S), 15th (14 S), 16th (3 S), 20th (9 N), 22nd (67 S), 23rd (16 S), 24th (1 on sea), 25th (1 S), 26th (2 N), 31st (17 N, 35 S).
Lowestoft North Beach - 24th (3 S).

GARGANEY Anas querquedula
At least two were still at Leathes Ham on the 15th.

SHOVELER Anas clypeata
Leathes Ham - 2nd (82), 8th (105), 15th (74), 23rd (2), 26th (20).
Kessingland - 20th (1 S).

Wildfowl numbers fell sharply at Leathes Ham on the 21st, as most of them flew off due to a number of firework rockets being let of horizontally across the lake towards the railway line during the afternoon. Presumably intended as a "laugh" to see how the ducks would react, or given the direction of firing maybe as a practice run to see if they can hit the Norwich to Lowestoft trains that runs beside it. Just one of the joys of fireworks being on sale in the half-term holiday before bonfire night!

MARBLED TEAL Marmaronetta angustirostris
Still present at Leathes Ham on the 2nd to 8th, having reappeared there on 30th September. It is now moulting into adult plumage, and has already developed a small crest on the nape. It also has a few new adult type more prominent white spots on the mantle.

Marbled Teal - Leathes Ham - October 2007- © Andrew Easton

POCHARD Aythya ferina
Leathes Ham - 8th (1), 20th (5).
Kessingland - 15th (1 S).

TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula
Leathes Ham - 2nd (11), 8th (8), 15th (4), 23rd (2), 26th (6).
Kessingland - 6th (2 S), 8th (2 S), 13th (2 S), 20th (1 N), 25th (1 N).

SCAUP Aythya marila
One flew south past Lowestoft North Beach with Brent Geese on the 24th.

COMMON EIDER Somateria mollissima
One drake flew north past Lowestoft North Beach on the 2nd.
Kessingland - 6th (3 N), 13th (2 N), 19th (1 N), 20th (5 N), 24th (12 N).
Ness Point - 20th (1 N).

COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra
Lowestoft North Beach - 2nd (3 S).
Ness Point - 3rd (2 S).
Pakefield - 3rd (c.100 on the sea).
Corton - 5th (10 N).
Kessingland - 1st (15 on sea), 2nd (10 S), 3rd (3 N), 5th (1 N), 6th (4 S), 8th (25 N), 9th (3 N, 1 S), 10th (3 N, 20 S), 11th (1 N), 13th (5 N, 27 S), 14th (7 N, 25 S), 18th (16 N, 2 S), 19th (6 N, 5 S), 20th (16 N, 2 S), 22nd (1 N, 5 S), 23rd (3 S), 25th (2 S), 26th (35 S), 31st (2 N).

GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula
Kessingland - 13th (1 S), 17th (1 on sea), 19th (1 on sea), 20th (1 S), 26th (1 N).

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator
One flew south past Lowestoft North Beach on the 1st.
Kessingland - 2nd (2 N), 13th (1 N), 20th (2 N, 1 S), 22nd (3 N), 25th (1 S).

COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo
One is being seen regularly at Mutford.

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo lagopus
One flew south over the Kessingland Levels early morning on the 27th, and later in the morning was also seen at Dunwich and Minsmere.

[ LANNER Falco biarmicus
One flew south past Hopton on the 6th. ]

WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus
Two were heard at Burgh Castle on the 14th, with at least one still there on the 27th.

OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus
Gunton Warren - 7th (12 N).
Kessingland - 19th (1 N).

AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta
Seven flew south past Kessingland on the 22nd.

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula
One was on Gunton Beach on the 24th.

GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria
100+ were seen in flight over Ellough on the 2nd.
450 were in the field opposite PCE Automation, along Ellough Road, on the 7th.

GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola
Lowestoft North Beach - 2nd (1 N).
Burgh Castle Flats - 14th (2), 27th (1).

KNOT Calidris canutus
Three flew south past Kessingland on the 22nd.

SANDERLING Calidris alba
Kessingland - 5th (2 S).

LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta
Eight were at Burgh Castle Flats on the 7th.

CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea
One juvenile was at Burgh Castle Flats on the 7th.

PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima
One was along Lowestoft North Beach on the 31st.

DUNLIN Calidris alpina
On the 6th one flew in from Lake Lothing and landed on the large island at Leathes Ham and proceeded to feed there.
112 were at Burgh Castle Flats on the 14th.
Kessingland - 9th (2 S), 13th (5 S), 22nd (1 S).
Burgh Castle Flats - 27th (20).

COMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago
Four flew north at Barsham Drain, near Beccles, on the 7th.
One flew north over Mutford on the 8th.
One was flushed from the pond at Corton sewage works on the 26th.
One was at Beccles Marshes on the 26th.
Two were in flight over Burgh Castle on the 27th.

WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola
One was in Sparrows Nest Park on the 19th.
One was flushed from "Flycatcher Alley" behind the Denes Oval on the 26th.
One was flushed at Puddingmoor Beccles on the 26th.
One was flushed at Gunton Wood on the 27th.
One was flushed from a garden in Mutford on the 29th.
One arrived in off the sea at Hamilton Road on the 31st.

BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica
Kessingland - 4th (1 S).

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa
Burgh Castle Flats - 27th (198).

CURLEW Numenius arquata
Kessingland - 6th (1 N), 9th (1 S), 18th (1 S), 19th (1 N), 31st (1 S).
Lowestoft North Beach - 24th (1 S).
Beccles Marshes - 26th (2).
Burgh Castle Flats - 27th (6).

SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus
Two were at Burgh Castle Flats on the 7th and 12th, with at least one on the 13th and 14th.

REDSHANK Tringa totanus
One was in the ASDA inlet along Lake Lothing on the 26th.

GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia
One was at Burgh Castle Flats on the 12th and 14th, with two on the 13th and 20th.

TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres
Pakefield - 3rd (4).
Kessingland - 4th (1 N), 5th (1 N), 17th (1 S), 18th (1 N), 22nd (1 S).
Lake Lothing - 26th (7), 27th (8).

Short-eared Owl - Kessingland - September 2007- © Chris Darby

POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus
One juvenile flew north past Kessingland on the 19th.
One flew south past Kessingland on the 22nd.

ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus
Kessingland - 6th (1 N), 8th (1 N), 10th (1 S), 14th (1 S).
Lowestoft North Beach - 24th (1 flew south then back north).

GREAT SKUA Stercorarius skua
One flew north past Ness Point on the 2nd and then settled on the sea to feed on something floating in the water.
Kessingland - 1st (2 N, 1 on sea), 3rd (1 S), 5th (1 on the beach), 6th (1 N), 20th (1 N).

SKUA sp. Stercorarius sp.
Corton - 1st (1 S probably a Great Skua).
Kessingland - 10th (on on the sea).

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus
Lowestoft North Beach - 2nd (1 S adult), 8th (1 adult), 15th (1 Belgian ringed adult), 21st (1, one legged adult metal ringed, 1 2nd winter), 23rd (1 Belgian ringed adult), 24th (3, 2 adults both ringed, 1 2nd winter), 26th (1 Belgian ringed adult), 28th (2, 1 Belgian ringed adult, 1 2nd winter).
Pakefield - 2nd (5, 2 ad, 2 2nd winter, 1 1st winter), 3rd (1 first winter).
Kessingland - 1st (1 N), 5th (1 S), 6th (1 N), 7th (1 N), 8th (1 on sea), 11th (1 N), 27th (6 N).

The one legged adult Mediterranean Gull is a Dutch bird ringed as a chick in June 1997, it first turned up in Lowestoft in September 1997 and has been been returning each winter since then and so is now 10 years old. It has over the years lost most of one leg, and with it a white plastic ring, but still has the numbered metal ring on the other leg to confirm it is the same bird.

LITTLE GULL Larus minutus
Lowestoft North Beach - 2nd (1 N), 24th (6 S).
Kessingland - 1st (20 N), 2nd (2 N), 3rd (4 N), 5th (2 N, 10 S), 6th (11 N, 6 S), 7th (3 N), 9th (1 N), 19th (1 N), 20th (27 N).

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis
The regular adult was along Lowestoft North Beach up to the 26th, and now appears to have finished moulting and is looking quite smart now.

KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla
Kessingland - 1st (3 N), 6th (4 N), 20th (4 N), 22nd (4 N).

SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvichensis
Two flew north past Kessingland on the 3rd.
Two flew south past Lowestoft North Beach on the 6th.
One flew south past Ness Point on the 13th.
One flew south past Kessingland on the 18th.

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo
One was at Burgh Castle on the 12th.
Kessingland - 18th (2 N), 22nd (1 S).

ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea
Kessingland - 15th (1 S), 16th (1 S).

'COMMIC' TERN Sterna hirundo/paradisaea
Kessingland - 4th (1 S), 7th (1 N).

GUILLEMOT Uria aalge
One was diving for fish in Hamilton Dock on the 2nd.
One was just offshore at Ness Point on the 4th.
One was watched swimming along Lake Lothing past ASDA on the 26th.

PUFFIN Fratercula arctica
One flew north past Kessingland on the 19th.

AUK sp. Alcidae
Lowestoft North Beach - 2nd (1 N).
Kessingland - 1st (2 N, 1 on sea), 5th (1 N), 6th (3 N, 2 on sea), 7th (12 N), 8th (1 on sea), 10th (2 N), 12th (1 N), 14th (1 on sea), 17th (13 N, 11 S), 18th (1 N), 19th (4 N, 1 S), 20th (1 N), 21st (1 N), 22nd (2 N), 23rd (8 N, 1 S), 24th (2 N), 25th (2 N), 31st (1 S).
Ness Point - 22nd (1 S).

Superb Parrot - Gunton - October 2007- © Andrew Easton
Well camouflaged in the bramble bushes !

[ SUPERB PARROT Polytelis swainsonii
A parakeet found feasting on blackberries along Gunton disused railtrack on the 5th proved to be a female (or immature) of this Australian species. It later transpired it had first been noted in the area on the 2nd, and was still present on the 6th. ]

BARN OWL Tyto alba
Two were at Barsham Drain near Beccles on the 6th.
A male ringed as a chick at Ash Farm, Mutford, in 2006 was found to be the proud father of 3 chicks at Church Farm, also in Mutford this year.

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus
One was seen flying south over Kessingland Beach on the 13th.

KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis
Two were at Leathes Ham on the 2nd.
One was at Oulton Broad on the 3rd and 14th.
One was at Burgh Castle on the 7th and 14th.
One was at Lound Waterworks on the 14th.
One was at Belton Marshes on the 20th.
One was along Lake Lothing on the 26th.

SKY LARK Alauda arvensis
A flock of 15 flew south over Gunton Warren on the 22nd.
Lowestoft North Denes - 27th (5 S).
Kensington Gardens - 27th (5 S).

SHORE LARK Eremophila alpestris
One was on Pakefield Beach, near the Jolly Sailors pub, on the 1st to 3rd at least.

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia
Gunton Warren - 4th (3 N), 7th (1).

SWALLOW Hirundo rustica
Henstead - 3rd (6).
Oulton Broad - 3rd (3).
Lowestoft North Denes - 4th (15 N, 7 S).
Gunton Warren - 4th (10 N), 15th (2 S).
Corton - 4th (5 N).
Mutford - 4th (3), 15th (2 S).
Kensington Gardens - 27th (1 S).

HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica
Henstead - 3rd (30).

TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis
Benacre Sluice - 7th (1).

MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis
20 were in fields at Barsham Drain, near Beccles, on the 6th.
12 were at Gunton Warren on the 19th.
Kensington Gardens - 27th (25 S).

ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus
Corton Beach - 14th (3).
Lowestoft North Beach - 20th (1)
Ness Point - 22nd (2).
Lowestoft Harbour - 25th (1).
Ness Point-Harbour - 31st (4).

GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea
One was seen and heard in flight over Lowestoft North Denes on the 3rd and 4th.
One was at Kessingland on the 6th.
One was at Leathes Ham on the 7th.
One flew over Corton disused railtrack on the 7th and 26th.
Five flew north at Gunton Warren on the 8th.
One was in Sparrows Nest park on the 12th.
One flew over Dip Farm golf course Gunton on the 13th.
One flew over Lowestoft Town Centre on the 16th and 27th.
One flew over Lowestoft Cemetery on the 19th.
One was at Lound Waterworks on the 20th.
One was at Corton new sewage works on the 21st.
One was at Kensington Gardens on the 27th.
One flew south at Gunton warren on the 27th.

PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba yarrelli
c.50 were in fields at Barsham Drain, near Beccles, on the 6th.
At least 153 were at a pre-roost gathering on jetties, and nearby boats, at the Yacht Club in Nicholas Everitt Park, Oulton Broad on the 14th.

BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros
Two were along the seawall between Lowestoft Harbour and Ness Point on the 31st, one of them a very smart male.

COMMON REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Benacre Sluice - 7th (2).
Gunton (Dip Farm golf course) - 7th (1).

WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra
One was on Lowestoft North Denes on the 19th, with perhaps the same at Gunton warren on the 21st.

STONECHAT Saxicola torquata
Lowestoft North Denes - 3rd (1), 4th (1), 7th (1), 9th (1), 15th (1), 19th (2), 21st (1), 22nd (1).
Gunton Warren - 5th (1), 6th (1), 7th (4), 8th (4), 12th (2), 15th (3), 19th (2), 20th (1), 21st (2), 22nd (2), 23rd (2), 25th (2), 26th (1), 28th (2).
Corton new sewage works - 5th (1), 6th (2), 7th (2), 14th (3), 26th (1).
Carlton Marshes - 5th (2), 23rd (4).
Barsham Drain (near Beccles) - 6th (1).
Radar Lodge (Corton) - 6th (1), 7th (2), 20th (3), 21st (2).
Kessingland - 6th (3)
Pakefield Cliffs - 7th (1).
Gorleston (Beacon Park) - 15th (3).
Beccles Marshes - 26th (3).

Their favoured grassy field at Carlton Marshes (and up till now at least the best spot for watching Barn and Short-eared Owls at close quarters whilst they are hunting) had been partially ploughed up on the 23rd. More bad news in an autumn already notable for the very low numbers of formerly common passage migrants.

WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe
Lowestoft North Denes - 2nd (3), 3rd (8), 4th (4), 9th (1), 17th (2).
Kessingland - 2nd (1).
Pakefield - 4th (1).
Ness Point (Birds Eye car park) - 6th (1).
Corton (MoD fields) - 6th (1).
Corton Beach - 14th (1).
Breydon South Wall - 28th (1).

RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus
Gunton disused railtrack - 5th (1).

FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris
Two were feeding by the net post on Lowestoft North Denes on the 10th.
Two were on the Denes Oval on the 11th.
One was at Burgh Castle on the 14th.
57 were flying around at North Cove on the 14th.
One was on Lowestoft North Denes on the 17th.
Six were at Belton Marshes on the 20th.
10 were at Burgh Castle on the 20th.
One was on the Denes Oval on the 21st
14 were at Carlton Marshes on the 23rd.
11 were at Gunton on the 26th.
28 were at Mutford on the 29th.

BLACKBIRD Turdus merula
A few were heard calling overhead over Lowestoft overnight on the 5th.
Corton/Hopton - 6th (20+), 20th (20+).
Kessingland sewage works - 8th (12).
Corton - 14th (50+).
Many Blackbirds and a few Redwings and Song Thrushes were arriving at dawn over Lowestoft on the 13th, and many more were in evidence on the 14th.

One arriving early morning on the 20th, that had probably had a fairly uneventful crossing of the North Sea until then, had a nightmare last 2 kilometres as it was chased by a posse of large gulls. It did make it safely to the coast and once there the gulls lost interest.

REDWING Turdus iliacus
Corton disused railtrack - 4th (10+), 5th (20+), 14th (10).
Barsham Drain (near Beccles) - 6th (20).
Kessingland sewage works - 8th (20), 18th (20+).
Gunton Warren - 12th (1).
Corton/Hopton -20th (20+).

CETTI'S WARBLER Cettia cetti
One was at Kessingland sewage works on the 8th.

DARTFORD WARBLER Sylvia undata
One rather elusive individual was at Gunton Warren on the 19th to 21st; favouring the large central bramble/gorse complex as in previous years.

BARRED WARBLER Sylvia nisoria
One was trapped and ringed at Burgh Castle on the 19th.

LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca
Pakefield Cemetery - 7th (1).
Corton disused railtrack - 14th.
"Flycatcher Alley" Denes Oval - 21st (1).

WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis
Lowestoft North Denes - 5th (1).

BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla
Lowestoft North Denes - 5th (1), 19th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 8th (2), 18th (1).
Lowestoft Cemetery (cycle track) - 17th (1), 24th (1).
Sparrows Nest Park - 19th (1).
"Flycatcher Alley" Denes Oval - 22nd (1).
Gunton Warren - 22nd (1).
Corton Wood - 26th (1).
Corton old sewage works - 26th (1).

YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER Phylloscopus inornatus
One was at Corton disused railtrack on the 3rd, with two there on the 4th, and one again on the 7th.
One was trapped and ringed at Burgh Castle on the 3rd.
One was seen near the water tower in Hollingsworth Road, Lowestoft on the 4th.
Two were seen together in Gunton Wood on the 6th and 7th, and at least one was still there on the 10th to 12th, with at least two again present on the 13th to 16th. They are usually along the path through the Sallows running next to the meadow. There are thought to have been three present on several occasions since the 6th.
One was along Warren Lane, Hopton on the 7th.
Another individual was trapped and ringed at Burgh Castle on the 10th.
One was at the northern end of Warrenhouse Wood on the 11th.
One was with a tit flock in "Flycatcher Alley" on the 14th, the flock then moved on towards Sparrows Nest.
One was in a private garden in Mutford on the 14th.
One was along the Lowestoft Cemetery cycle track on the 17th.
At least one was still present at Gunton Wood on the 17th to 30th and two were seen together on the 29th.
One was at the Cobholm riverside car park at Breydon south wall on the 24th.

CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita
Lowestoft Cemetery (cycle track) - 3rd (1), 4th (1), 24th (1).
Lowestoft North Denes - 4th (2), 5th (2), 9th (1), 10th (1), 21st (1).
Arnolds Walk - 4th (1).
Corton disused railtrack - 4th (3), 5th (4), 6th (4), 14th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 8th (3).
Gunton Warren - 9th (1), 15th (1), 27th (1).
Corton Wood - 26th (1), 27th (1).

WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus
One was in "Flycatcher Alley" behind the Denes Oval on the 8th.

GOLDCREST Regulus regulus
Gunton Warren - 19th (3).
Lowestoft Cemetery - 26th (11).

FIRECREST Regulus ignicapillus
One was in Sparrows Nest Park on the 1st and 5th.
One was along Hubbards Loke/Dip Farm shelterbelt at Gunton on the 2nd.
One was at Corton disused railtrack on the 3rd.
One was in Corton Wood on the 6th.
One was trapped and ringed at Kessingland sewage works on the 9th.
One was in "Flycatcher Alley" behind the Denes Oval on the 14th.
One was in Gunton Wood on the 16th.
One was trapped and ringed at Burgh Castle on the 20th.
One was seen in a garden in Kessingland on the 24th to 26th.
One was in Gunton Wood on the 25th.
One was in Corton Churchyard on the 25th.
Two were just below the lighthouse in Sparrows Nest Park on the 26th.
One was in St. Margaret's Churchyard, Lowestoft on the 26th.
Three were seen in Corton Wood on the 26th.
Two were in Gunton Wood on the 31st.
Two were in Sparrows Nest Park on the 31st.

PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hypoleuca
One was along the cycle track/disused railtrack next to Lowestoft Cemetery on the 3rd and 4th.
One was along the slope of Gunton Cliff above the old camp site on the 4th.
One was in Belle Vue Park on the 4th.

BEARDED TIT Panurus biarmicus
Four were at Benacre sluice on the 7th, and were making tentative flights high north across the Hundred River into Lizard Land airspace, though in the end they went back to the Benacre shoreline.
An unknown number were heard calling at Burgh castle on the 20th.
An unknown number were heard calling at Whitecast Marsh, Oulton Broad on the 25th.

STARLING Sturnus vulgaris
One flock of at least 300 arrived in off the sea at Gunton Warren on the 7th and continued strongly inland.
112 were noted at Kessingland sewage works on the 8th.
Five were watched a arriving in off the sea at Gunton Warren on the 20th.
30 arrived in off the sea over Lowestoft North Denes on the 21st.
Lots were arriving in off the sea at Lowestoft on the 31st along with many Thrushes as well.

JAY Garrulus glandarius
Jays seem to have had a successful year this year as just about everywhere you go at the moment you see several flying backwards and forwards with their throats bulging with food to bury.

SISKIN Carduelis spinus
Lowestoft North Denes - 4th (4 S), 27th (35 S).
Sparrows Nest Park - 4th (5 S).
Corton disused railtrack - 4th (2), 14th (10).
Gunton Warren - 7th (6 N).
Kessingland sewage works - 8th (10).
Gunton disused railtrack - 26th (9 S).
Kensington Gardens - 27th (30 S).

CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs
Kessingland sewage works - 8th (3).
Kensington Gardens - 27th (20 S).

BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla
One was heard flying over the Lowestoft North Denes on the 4th..
At least two were heard calling in Sparrows Nest Park on the 4th.
One was at Links Road with Chaffinches on the 6th.
One was at Corton disused railtrack on the 7th.
Three were at Kessingland sewage works on the 8th.
Two were in "Flycatcher Alley" behind the Denes Oval on the 9th.
One was at Gunton Warren on the 12th.
One flew over Burgh Castle on the 14th.
One was at Corton old sewage works on the 14th.
Three were at Kessingland sewage works on the 18th.
One was at Lowestoft Cemetery on the 19th and 26th.
One was at Radar Lodge, Corton on the 20th.
At least three were with Chaffinches at Gunton Wood on the 22nd.
At least one was at Nicholas Everitt Park, Oulton Broad on the 25th.
Five were with Chaffinches at The Ravine/Gunton Cliff on the 26th.

GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris
Gunton Warren - 4th (15+).
Lowestoft North Denes - 7th (50+).

GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis
Lowestoft North Denes - 4th (12 S).
Gunton Warren - 7th (c.50 N).

LINNET Carduelis cannabina
Lowestoft North Denes - 4th (3).
Kessingland sewage works - 8th (5), 18th (2).
Gunton Warren - 12th (1), 27th (6).

REDPOLL Carduelis cabaret
Gunton Warren - 7th (c.50 N), 21st (1 N).
Corton disused railtrack - 9th (1 trapped and ringed), 26th (4 N).
Lowestoft North Denes - 10th (2 N), 15th (1 S), 21st (1 N), 27th (2 S).
Burgh Castle - 14th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 18th (1).
Corton new sewage works - 21st (4).
Kensington Gardens - 27th (3 S).

BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula
A male of the nominate Scandinavian/northern European race was trapped and ringed at Burgh Castle on the 24th.

LAPLAND BUNTING Calcarius lapponicus
One was with Meadow Pipits on the old caravan site on Lowestoft North Denes on the 3rd.
One was in fields to the south of Radar Lodge, Corton on the 21st.

SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis
Two were at Ness Point on the 2nd to 14th.
One was along Lowestoft North Beach on the 30th.

REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus
One was on Lowestoft North Denes on the 4th.
One was at Corton old sewage works on the 5th.
Three were at Radar Lodge, Corton on the 7th.
Two were at Kessingland sewage works on the 18th.
One was flushed at Gunton Warren on the 21st.

NON-BIRD NEWS

GREY SEAL
Kessingland - 3rd (1), 5th (2), 6th (1), 7th (2), 11th (1), 12th (1), 17th (1), 18th (1), 21st (1), 24th (1), 26th (1), 27th (1), 28th (1), 29th (1), 30th (1), 31st (1).

COMMON SEAL
Burgh Castle - 13th (1).
Kessingland - 16th (1), 18th (1), 23rd (1), 24th (1).

HARBOUR PORPOISE
Kessingland - 16th (1 S).

MINKE WHALE
On the morning of the 13th one was feeding approximately 1.5 kilometres from the beach off Kessingland, between 9:35 and 10:10.