HOME | ABOUT US | PHOTO PAGE | SITE GUIDE | LOUNGE LIZARD ARTICLES | LINKS PAGE LOCAL NEWS - April to June 2000 inclusive
A guide to some of the sites mentioned below may be accessed here.
March 2000 June 2000 September 2000 December 2000 April 2000 July 2000 October 2000 January 2001 May 2000 August 2000 November 2000 Current news page WEEK ENDING 02 JULY 2000
Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)
One singing, Fisher Row, Oulton Broad, 26th to 27th June at least.Bearded Tit (Panurus biarmicus)
Castle Farm Marshes, Burgh Castle, group of 6-8 juveniles, plus a pair taking food to another section of reeds.
WEEK ENDING 25 JUNE 2000
Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus)
One was watched circling slowly over Oulton Broad, 24th June.Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix)
Pair, Burgh Castle, 24th June. Locally rather scarce.Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)
One singing, Fisher Row, Oulton Broad, 25th June. One was seen nearby last year so it could be a returning individual.Clouded Yellow Butterfly (Colias croceus)
One at the Herbert Barnes Nature Park, Cobholm Island, on the south wall of Breydon Water at 11:00 am 24th June.
Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)
One male which spent the early part of the day on the Norfolk side of Breydon Water 17th June, was reported to have crossed over to the Suffolk bank in the evening.Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)
One male, Corton, 15th June.
After a couple of very quiet weeks locally, this sometimes elusive bird livened things up a bit. Often singing from the hedgerow on the southern edge of the Holiday Camp.
Red-backed Shrike, Corton. (James Brown).
WEEK ENDING 28 MAY 2000
Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)
One, Lowestoft Cemetery, 26th May.
WEEK ENDING 21 MAY 2000
Blue-headed Wagtail (Motacilla [flava] flava)
One female, Corton, 15th May..
WEEK ENDING 14 MAY 2000
Eider (Somateria mollissima)
Two, female and 1st summer male, Lowestoft Harbour, 11th May.Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
Two, Corton, 14th May.Merlin (Falco columbarius)
One, Corton, 14th May.Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis)
One second summer, Riverside Road, 11th May. Many large gulls are using the building site on the former Co-op factory site on the south shore of Lake Lothing as a roost site.European Bee-eater(Merops apiaster)
Four roosted in a poplar in a garden in Back Lane, Burgh Castle on the evening of 10th May, the news broke too late for most people to see them that evening. Earlier in the day they had been noted flying north at Benacre Broad. The following morning the first bird took to the air at 5:20am BST, about 15 minutes after local sunrise, and was followed by the other three a couple of minutes later. They then spent about five minutes leisurely flying over the garden before heading off westwards, before being relocated by the recreation ground near the village hall, staying in the area until 10:20. Despite being in the County of Suffolk they will no doubt make it on to many a Norfolk list.
Four flew north over Oulton Road, Oulton, 12:15pm, relocated in nearby Union Lane 16:30 staying until 17:40 when they flew off high north west.
Local people reported they had been present the afternoon before.
For more pictures click here (videograb James Brown)
Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris)
One discovered in clifftop fields to the north of Corton, early on 13th May, performed well throughout the rest of the day around the sewage works and Churchyard area. The species can now unquestionably take its place on the Suffolk list.
The only previous accepted record for Suffolk was of a sight record in March 1823 in Oulton, but there has always been a bit of doubt about it. A later sight record, on 21st September 1894, of one feeding on groynes under Gorleston Pier is no longer considered acceptable.It has taken a while to appear here because I went to Scotland for a fortnight on the evening of the 12th! The source of much amusement.
For more pictures click here (videograb James Brown)
Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)
One showing characteristics of the Greenland race was at Corton, 12th May.Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)
One flew north, Corton, 14th May.Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis)
Three immatures, roosting on Kittiwake wall, Lowestoft harbour 6th - 9th May.Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo)
One, Hall Road, Oulton Broad, 4th May.Common Crane (Grus grus)
One flew north low over Lowestoft, 7th May.Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)
One, Burgh Castle Marshes, 6th May. Flew across Breydon Water from Acle Marshes in Norfolk.Common Swift (Apus apus)
Large numbers arrived in the Lowestoft area 6th and 7th May.Black Redstart (Phoenicuros ochruros)
At least three singing males in central Lowestoft.Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus)
One, Hopton golf course, 1st May.WEEK ENDING 30 APRIL 2000
Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis)
Two, immatures, Lake Lothing, flying towards Oulton Broad, 29th April.Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)
One migrant, Carlton Marshes, 24th April.Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)
One male, Barnards Meadow, 29th April.Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra)
One male, Corton, 28th April.WEEK ENDING 23 APRIL 2000
Most of the common summer migrants put in an appearance this week, with large numbers of Blackcaps in particular, and a Common Swift making an early arrival. The number of Robins (Erithacus rubecula) also remains very high.
There are still very few leaves on the trees yet, with only Hawthorns providing any appreciable cover.Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus)
Three pairs, one with two young, Nicholas Everitt Park, Oulton Broad, 21st April.Eider (Somateria mollissima)
Two, female and 1st summer male, Lowestoft Harbour, 22nd April.Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
One ringtail, Carlton Marshes then later Oulton Marshes, 21st April.Hobby (Falco subbuteo)
One in off the sea early morning, Hopton golf course, 19th April.Common Crane (Grus grus)
One, Castle Marshes, North Cove, 23rd April.Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)
One, Carlton Marshes, 21st April.Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus)
One second summer, Lowestoft harbour, 23rd April.Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus)
One first summer, Castle Marshes, North Cove, 23rd April. Probably visiting from Aldeby rubbish tip on the opposite side of the River Waveney.Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)
One migrant flushed from hedge by Corton Sewage Works, 21st April.Common Swift (Apus apus)
One, south, Corton Sewage Works, 22nd April. The first week in May is a more usual arrival time in our area.House Martin (Delichon urbica)
Two, Oulton Broad, 21st April.Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis)
Two over Hopton golf course, 19th April.Blue-headed Wagtail (Motacilla [flava] flava)
One, Corton Sewage Works, 22nd April.Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla [flava] flavissima)
Five over Hopton golf course, 19th April.
Nine, Corton Sewage Works, 22nd April.Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)
One male, in hedgerow north of the church, Corton, 22nd April.Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)
One, Hopton golf course, 19th April.Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti)
While carrying out part of the British Trust for Ornithology / Wildlife and Wetlands Trust Naturalised Goose Survey 2000 count on 21st April, in the Oulton Broad tetrad, the opportunity was taken to count the number of singing birds. They were very vocal that day, and without duplication, there were at least eight singing south of the Broad, with possibly eleven there. North of the broad around Oulton Marshes there were three.Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella naevia)
Three singing, Carlton Marshes, 21st April.
One singing, Fisher Row, 21st April.Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)
One, Leathes Ham, Lowestoft, 22nd April.Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)
One, Hopton golf course, 19th April.
One in hedgerow north of the church, Corton, 22nd April.Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)
One, Carlton Marshes, 21st April.
Two, Corton, 22nd April.Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)
Two, Hopton golf course, 23rd April.Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)
Large numbers in all the town parks, especially 21st and 22nd April.Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)
One, Leathes Ham, Lowestoft, 22nd April. There don't seem to be many around this year yet.
Three, Kirkley Ham, 23rd April.Firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus)
One with Goldcrests (Regulus regulus), Belle Vue Park, Lowestoft, 22nd April.Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla)
Three, Arnold's Walk, 22nd April.WEEK ENDING 16 APRIL 2000
Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis)
Minimum of 10 loitering off Ness Point, Lowestoft 12th April.Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus)
Six adults loitering off Ness Point, Lowestoft, 12th April.Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis)
One, unringed, first winter, roosting on the Kittiwake wall at Lowestoft harbour mouth, 15th April.
(Shag on Lake Lothing, Lowestoft, photo Andrew Easton)
Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope)
Pair on the sea, Corton, 12th April.Shoveler (Anas clypeata)
Three, (pair + drake) Leathes Ham, Lowestoft, 12th April.Eider (Somateria mollissima)
Two, female and 1st summer male, Lowestoft Harbour, 15th April.Common Scoter (Melanitta nigra)
Two south past Ness Point, Lowestoft, 12th April.
One on the sea, Corton, 12th April.Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima)
Eight, Ness Point , Lowestoft, 12th April.
One, Ness Point, Lowestoft, 15th April.Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
12, Ness Point, Lowestoft, 12th April.Hoopoe (Upupa epops)
One reported in private gardens in Corton Road, Lowestoft, 12th -13th April. By the time local birders had heard about it, it had moved on, but is still being looked for.Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)
Two, Corton, April 12th.
One, Barnards Meadow, Lowestoft, 14th April.
One, Lowestoft North Denes, 16th April.Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris)
Three, Lowestoft Cemetery, 16th April.Redwing (Turdus iliacus)
10, Lowestoft Cemetery, 16th April.
WEEK ENDING 09 APRIL 2000
Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis)
Two first winters, roosting on the Kittiwake wall at Lowestoft harbour mouth, viewable from the South Pier, 8th April. One bearing a colour ring originates from the Isle of May, Fife, Scotland. We had three from there wintering 1998/99.Eider (Somateria mollissima)
Female, Ness Point, Lowestoft, 6th April.Merlin (Falco columbarius)
Male flew south over Sparrows Nest Park, Lowestoft, 9th April.Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
One northbound migrant calling at night, Lowestoft, 7th April.
One southbound migrant calling at night, Lowestoft, 8th April.Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima)
Seven, Ness Point, Lowestoft, 8th April.Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis)
One, Benacre Broad, 8th April.Common Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)
Light southbound passage, c.30 birds, Lowestoft, 8th April.
115, feeding late evening, Denes Oval, Lowestoft, 8th April.Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)
40, Kessingland Sewage Works, 8th April.Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
4, Kessingland Sewage Works, 8th April.Shore Lark (Eremophila alpestris)
Two, Kessingland Beach, just north of Benacre Sluice, 8th April.Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava flavissima)
One, Kessingland Sewage Works, 8th & 9th April.
Two, in sheep pens north of the Boating Lake, Southwold, 9th April.White Wagtail (Motacilla alba alba)
Three, Kessingland Sewage Works, 8th April. One on 9th.
One, in sheep pens north of the Boating Lake, Southwold, 9th April.Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)
Two, Kessingland Sewage Works, 8th April.Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)
Male, around the bowling green, Sparrow's Nest Park, Lowestoft, 6th April.
Female, Arnold's Walk, below Lowestoft Lighthouse, 8th April.Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus)
One, in sheep pens north of the Boating Lake, Southwold, 9th April.Redwing (Turdus iliacus)
Small numbers of migrants calling at night, Lowestoft, 7th April.
Large numbers of migrants calling at night, Lowestoft, 8th April.Firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus)
Singing male, St Margarets Church, Lowestoft, 7th April.
One, Gunton, Lowestoft, 7th April.
One, on the slope behind the Denes Oval, Lowestoft, 9th April
Higher numbers than usual for the spring in our area.Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)
Five (2 + 2 + 1) flew south over Lowestoft between 9.00 and 09.30, 8th April, accompanied by small number of Rooks (C. frugilegus), Carrion Crows (C. corone) and Jackdaws (C. monedula).Eurasian Siskin (Carduelis spinus)
Occasional southbound pairs throughout the day, Lowestoft, 8th April.Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)
Three around the nesting area between Corton and Hopton, 1st April.Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
One flew north at Corton, 1st April.Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)
Male, Sparrow's Nest Park, Lowestoft, 1st April; one female, Denes Oval, Lowestoft, 1st & 2nd April; and one first summer male, Denes Oval, 2nd April.Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)
Three, North Denes Camp Site, Lowestoft, 1st & 2nd April.Firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus)
One, Warrenhouse Wood, Lowestoft, 1st & 2nd April.
One, Fisher Row, Oulton Broad, 3rd April.
WEEK ENDING 26 MARCH 2000Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis)
Three immatures, roosting on the Kittiwake wall at Lowestoft harbour mouth, viewable from the South Pier, 25th March.Garganey (Anas querquedula)
One drake, Island Mere Hide, Minsmere RSPB reserve, 26th March.Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Three west over Ashby/Fritton Lake, 25th March.
Two south, Bencare, 26th March.Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus)
One juvenile west over Ashby/Fritton Lake, 25th March. Arrived from the north-east, Belton/Burgh Castle area.Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima)
Three, Ness Point, Lowestoft, 25th March.Common Redpoll (Carduelis flammea)
Ten, St Helena, Dunwich Forest, 26th March. A good number for this locally scarce bird.Common Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra)
Pair, Ashby, 25th March.
Three, St Helena, Dunwich Forest, 26th March.
Black-throated Diver (Gavia arctica)
The first winter bird present from December 1999 was still present up to at least 18th March. It favours Hamilton Dock, but does wander as far as Mutford Lock at Oulton Broad.
(Black-throated Diver, Lowestoft, photo Andrew Easton)
Pomarine Skua (Stercorarius pomarinus)
16, mostly juveniles but included 3 or 4 adult types, north past Ness Point, Lowestoft, 15th March; 4, north, 16th, and 4 north 18th. Very unseasonal records, following the large numbers that had been seen between Dunwich and Sizewell during January and February.
March 2000 June 2000 September 2000 December 2000 April 2000 July 2000 October 2000 January 2001 May 2000 August 2000 November 2000 Current news page
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