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Adult Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville.
December 31, 2000. Photo: Robert Wincup.WEEK ENDED 04 FEBRUARY 2001
Great Northern Diver Gavia immer
The first winter bird was still present on Lake Lothing, Lowestoft, up to 3rd February at least, usually towards the western end, between the shipyard and Oulton Broad.Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
One, Lake Lothing, Lowestoft, up to 3rd February.Bewick's Swan Cygnus (columbianus) bewickii
Five, Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 31st January.
Five, Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 2nd February.Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
25 on the sea off Pakefield, 3rd February.Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
One female, Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 2nd February.Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus
One again perched on posts carrying power cables on Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, up to 3rd February at least.Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria
20, Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 3rd February.Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima
Eight, Ness Point, 3rd February.Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
One adult, Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 3rd February.Barn Owl Tyto alba
Two, Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 2nd February.Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
One, Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 2nd February.Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
Five near the footbridge, Bloodmoor Road, Lowestoft, 3rd February.Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
One in gardens along London Road South, Lowestoft, 3rd February.
WEEK ENDED 28 JANUARY 2001
Great Northern Diver Gavia immer
The first winter bird was still present on Lake Lothing, Lowestoft, up to 28th January, usually towards the western end, between the shipyard and Oulton Broad.Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
10, Lake Lothing, 28th January.Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
11, flew east over Carlton Marshes, 28th January.Eider Somateria mollissima
One female, Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft Harbour, 26th January.Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
One drake, Hamilton Dock, 27th & 28th January.Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
One female, Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 24th & 26th January.Hen Harrier C. cyaneus
One male, Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 24th January.
One ringtail, Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 26th January.Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus
One again perched on posts and fences on Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 22nd and 26th January.Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
One, Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 26th January.Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
Two, Leathes Ham, Lowestoft, 28th January.
One, Sprats Water, Carlton Marshes, 28th January.Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima
Two, Ness Point, 27th January.Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans
One adult amongst the gull flock at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 27th January.Guillemot Uria aalge
One oiled 'bridled' individual at Ness Point, 27th January.Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
Three, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 28th January.Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
One, Ness Point, 27th January.Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
12, Oulton Broad North Railway Station, Oulton Broad, 27th January, increasing to 19 on the 28th.
18, Gorleston Bypass, 28th January.
25, Love Road, Lowestoft, 24th January.Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
One male, Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft Harbour, 26th January.Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti
One, Sprats Water, Carlton Marshes, 28th January.WILLOW TIT Parus montanus
One, Sprats Water, Carlton Marshes, 24th & 27th January.
Loosely associating with a Long-tailed Tit flock in the scrub alongside the footpath between Sprats Water and the grazing marshes.
Formerly bred in Lowestoft, but now an extremely rare bird locally. Pallas's Phylloscopus proregulus and Yellow-browed Warblers P. inornatus are far more common nowadays!Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret
30, Sprats Water, Carlton Marshes, 28th January.Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus
15, Sprats Water, Carlton Marshes, 28th January.
WEEK ENDED 21 JANUARY 2001
Great Northern Diver Gavia immer
The first winter bird was still present on Lake Lothing, Lowestoft, up to 20th January, usually towards the western end, between the shipyard and Oulton Broad.Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
At least one, Lake Lothing, Lowestoft, up to 20th January.Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
One flew over the Ole Frank pub, Gorleston Road, Oulton, 21st January.
With Ole Frank being the local name for the Grey Heron you couldn't find a more appropriate location to see one.Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata
One pinioned male on Oulton Broad, 20th January.Pochard Aythya ferina
One drake, Oulton Broad, 20th January.Tufted Duck A. fuligula
63, Oulton Broad, 20th January.Eider Somateria mollissima
One female, Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft Harbour, 20th January.
Two females, Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft Harbour, 21st January.Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
One drake, Hamilton Dock, 20th January.Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
Two females, Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 21st January.Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus
One back on Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 21st January.
Perched on gateposts and fences rather than on top of the power cable posts as before.Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima
Four feeding on the collapsed old promenade, north of Ness Point, 20th January.
One, Ness Point, 21st January.Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
Two, Leathes Ham, Lowestoft, 20th January.
They are currently fairly easy to see as the water level is so high at the moment that they are often feeding along the edge of the car park.Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
One adult, Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 21st January.Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis
One adult, Oulton Broad, resting with assorted other gulls, on the ice which covered 50% of the Broad, 20th January.Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
One, Kessingland Sewage Works, 21st January.Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
12 near the Ole Frank pub, Gorleston Road, Oulton, 21st January.
c.15 briefly by the Normanston Park roundabout, 20th January. Later flew westwards along Normanston Drive.
One flew along Stevens Street, Lowestoft, 20th January.
Two, Sands Lane, Oulton Broad, 20th January.
A mobile flock of 23 was sometimes seen near the first roundabout south of the Breydon Bridge on the A47,
Southtown, Great Yarmouth, 18th & 19th January.Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
One, Kessingland Sewage Works, 21st January.
One again foraging in gardens in Stevens Street, and Clemence Street, Lowestoft, 17th January.
There has also been one recently in Breydon Way, Lowestoft; and up to three at Kessingland Sewage Works.Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
32, Kessingland Beach/Benacre Ness, 21st January.
WEEK ENDED 14 JANUARY 2001
Great Northern Diver Gavia immer
The first winter bird was still present on Lake Lothing, Lowestoft, up to 14th January, usually towards the western end, between the shipyard and Oulton Broad.Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
One, Lake Lothing, Lowestoft, up to 13th January.Bewick's Swan Cygnus (columbianus) bewickii
Eight, Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 10th January.
Four still present on the 12th.
11 flew south-east, at dusk, over Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 13th January.Greylag Goose Anser anser
217, Lound Waterworks, 14th January.Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
302, Lound Waterworks, 14th January. Apparently a new site record.Eider Somateria mollissima
Two females, Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft Harbour, 9th to 14th January.Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
One drake, Lake Lothing, 13th January.
One drake, Hamilton Dock, 14th January.Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
One female, Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 8th January.
Two, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 14th January.
Four, Haddiscoe Marshes, 14th January.Hen Harrier C. cyaneus
One ringtail, Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 8th & 13th January.
One, Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 14th January.Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus
One back on Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 8th to 13th January.
Usually perched on the power cable posts.Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Two, Haddiscoe Marshes, 9th January.
One, Haddiscoe Marshes, 13th January.
Two, Haddiscoe Marshes, 14th January.Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
1200, in fields at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 13th January.
1860, in fields at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 14th January.Purple Sandpiper C. maritima
Eight, feeding on the collapsed old promenade, north of Ness Point, 8th January. Four on the 9th.
Two, Ness Point, 13th & 14th January.
A large section of the north beach has been scoured away by the sea, exposing much more than usual of the old seawall,
and at low tide the Purple Sandpipers seem to favour this area at the moment.Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
One adult Lowestoft North Beach, 10th January.
Two adult, Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 13th January. Neither bird had an injured leg, so at least three adults have been present lately.
Three adults, Ness Point, 14th January, two feeding at the sewage outfall.Little Gull L. minutus
One adult feeding at the sewage outfall off Ness Point, 14th January.Caspian Gull L. cachinnans
One adult amongst the gull flock at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, in the morning, 14th January.Yellow-legged Gull L. michahellis
One third winter, amongst the roosting gull flock at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 14th January.
One adult on the Birds Eye Factory roof, near Ness Point, 14th January.Barn Owl Tyto alba
Two, Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 8th January..
One, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 13th January.
One, Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk, 13th January.Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
At least two are being seen regularly at Thurlton Marshes, near Haddiscoe, Norfolk, at the moment.
There were at least four present in December.
One, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 13th January.Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
Five between Hamilton Dock and Ness Point, 14th January.Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
One male, Ness Point area, 8th, 9th & 12th-14th January.Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti
One in the reeds and scrub along the River Waveney at Barnby, 14th January.Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
One foraging in gardens in Stevens Street, Lowestoft, 11th January.
Presumably the same as seen on the 2nd January.Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus
5+ in the reeds along the River Waveney at Barnby, 14th January.Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra
Five, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 14th January.
WEEK ENDED 07 JANUARY 2001
Great Northern Diver Gavia immer Photo added to gallery
The first winter was still present on Lake Lothing, Lowestoft, up to 7th January, usually towards the western end, between the shipyard and Oulton Broad.Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
One, Lake Lothing, Lowestoft, up to 7th January.Little Egret Egretta garzetta
One, Benacre Broad, 2nd JanuaryBewick's Swan Cygnus (columbianus) bewickii
At least two adults on Wheatacre Marshes, Norfolk, viewable distantly from Somerleyton Railway Station, 1st January.Taiga Bean Goose Anser fabalis
One adult, with damaged primaries, and small metal ring, Benacre Broad, 6th January.Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
150, Lound Waterworks, 1st & 2nd January.
210, Benacre Broad, 6th January.Dark-bellied Brent Goose B. bernicla bernicla
One south past Ness Point, 7th January.Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata
One pinioned male on Oulton Broad, 2nd January.Wigeon Anas penelope
50 flying around Oulton Broad at dusk, 7th January may have roosted.Scaup Aythya marila
Four, Benacre Broad, 1st & 2nd January.Eider Somateria mollissima
One female/immature, Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft Harbour, up to 7th January.
One female/immature on the sea at Pakefield, Lowestoft, 1st January.Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
One drake, Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft Harbour, 3rd January.
Two drakes, Hamilton Dock and Lake Lothing, 6th & 7th January.
Usually to the east of the shipyard, best viewed from the footbridge over the railway.Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus
One female, Somerleyton Marshes, 1st January.
One ringtail, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 1st & 2nd January.
One, Lound Waterworks, 7th January.Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus
One on Haddiscoe and Thorpe Marshes, 1st January.Grey Partridge Perdix perdix
11, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 1st January.Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
One, Leathes Ham, Lowestoft, 1st January.
One, Sprat's Water, Carlton Marshes, 1st January.Sanderling Calidris alba
11, Benacre Broad, 1st & 2nd January.
12, Lowestoft South Beach, 7th JanuaryPurple Sandpiper C. maritima
Three, Ness Point, 1st January.
Two, Lowestoft North Beach, 7th January.Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus
One juvenile flying south over the dunes at Kessingland Beach, 2nd January.
This particular bird has an injured leg and had been seen the day before at Sizewell.Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
One adult, Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 1st January, different adult on the 6th.
One adult, High Street, north Lowestoft, 3rd January.
One adult on roofs north of Lowestoft Harbour, 7th January.Caspian Gull L. cachinnans Photos added to gallery
One adult amongst the gull flock at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 1st January.
Two adults amongst the gull flock at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 7th January.Yellow-legged Gull L. michahellis
One third winter, amongst the roosting gull flock at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 1st January.
One adult, Benacre Broad, 2nd January.Guillemot Uria aalge
One, Lake Lothing, 6th & 7th January.Barn Owl Tyto alba
One, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 1st January.
Two, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 6th January.
One, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 7th January.Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
Two, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 1st January.
One, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 6th & 7th January.Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
Two between Ness Point and Lowestoft Harbour, 1st January.
One, Ness Point, 7th January.Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
One, High Street, north Lowestoft, 3rd January.Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus Photos added to gallery
40 were present briefly in gardens opposite the Hotel Victoria on the southbound A12 in Lowestoft, 7th January.
10, Kessingland, 5th & briefly on the 6th January. Beside the old A12 near the northern roundabout.
2, Sotterley Park, 2nd January.
14, Kessingland, 1st & 2nd January.
28, near mini roundabout, Oulton, Lowestoft, 1st January.Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
One, Ness Point, 7th January.Stonechat Saxicola torquata
One pair, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 1st January.Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
One male in gardens at Holly Road, Oulton Broad, 7th January.Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
One foraging in gardens in Stevens Street, Lowestoft, 2nd January.Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
40-45, Kessingland Beach, 2nd and 7th January.Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra
Seven, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 1st January. Perched on power cables at OS grid reference TM500920.
Two, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 6th January.
Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus in the surf at Kessingland. Videograb: Tim Brown.HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR 2001
WEEK ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000
The cold snap on the continent quickly prompted swans, thrushes, waxwings, snipe and woodcock to head westwards across the North Sea from Christmas Eve onwards. The Rough-legged Buzzard at Haddiscoe was probably a new arrival as well.
Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata
Minimum of 26 on the sea off Kessingland Beach, 27th December.Great Northern Diver G. immer
One first winter still present on Lake Lothing, Lowestoft, up to the 31st December, usually towards the western end, between the shipyard and Oulton Broad.Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Two, Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft Harbour, 25th December.
One, Lake Lothing, Lowestoft, 27th & 31st December.Bewick's Swan Cygnus (columbianus) bewickii
Two adults flying south west over St Margarets Church, 29th December were also seen as they flew over Somerleyton Marshes.
Seven, Somerleyton Marshes, 29th December. Moved to Reedham Marshes, Norfolk, on the 30th December.Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus
700 in flight over The Island, Haddiscoe, just to the north of the River Waveney, 26th December.Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
103 in flight over Fritton Lake, 29th December.
150+, Lound Waterworks and adjacent fields, 30th December.Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
Four, Oulton Broad, 27th December.
68, Somerleyton Marshes, 30th December.Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata
One pinioned male on Oulton Broad, 27th December.Wigeon Anas penelope
800 on flooded grazing marsh Castle Marshes, Barnby, 26th December.Teal A. crecca
50 on flooded grazing marsh Castle Marshes, Barnby, 26th December.Pintail A. acuta
1 on flooded grazing marsh Castle Marshes, Barnby, 26th December.Shoveler A. clypeata
5 on flooded grazing marsh Castle Marshes, Barnby, 26th December.Eider Somateria mollissima
Four, including one adult male on the sea of Rider Haggard Lane, Kessingland, 27th December.
Three female/immatures off Pakefield, 30th December.
Two females/immatures, Gorleston, 31st December.Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
Two, Haddiscoe Marshes, 29th December.Hen Harrier C. cyaneus
One, probably two, ringtails, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 27th December.Common Buzzard Buteo buteo
One in flight over Benacre Ness and the Kessingland Levels, 29th December.Rough-legged Buzzard B. lagopus
One seen on Haddiscoe Marshes, between Haddiscoe and Thorpe, Norfolk, 28th December.
One juvenile perched on the chimney of Black Mill, Wheatacre Marshes, 30th December. Best viewed from Somerleyton Railway Station.
Seen from Haddiscoe Bridge on the 31st December.Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
One, Leathes Ham, Lowestoft, 26th & 29th December.
One, Sprat's Water, Carlton Marshes, 27th December.Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria
Five, Somerleyton Marshes, 30th December.
70, along Hobland Road, north of Lound Waterworks, 31st December.Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima
Nine, Ness Point, 25th December.Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus
One flushed at Kirkley Fen, 29th December.
One in flight, Somerleyton Marshes, 30th December.Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
Five in flight at Somerleyton Marshes, 30th December.Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
Four flushed at Carlton Marshes, 29th December.Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
One adult on the South Pier, Lowestoft, 29th December.
One adult feeding at Ness Point, 30th December.
One adult, Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 30th & 31st December.Caspian Gull L. cachinnans
Two adults amongst the gull flock at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 31st December.Yellow-legged Gull L. michahellis
One amongst the roosting gull flock at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 29th December.Barn Owl Tyto alba
One along Rotterdam Road and in Lowestoft Cemetery, central Lowestoft, 27th December.Little Owl Athene noctua
One, Hobland House, Hobland Road, Bradwell, 31st December.Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
One, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 27th December.Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
One, Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft Harbour, 25th December.Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
Three beside the old A12 at Kessingland, 28th & 29th December. This had increased to six on the 30th, and 13 on the 31st.
Feeding in berry bearing bushes just south-east of the roundabout at the northern end of the Kessingland bypass. OS grid reference TM530881.
Five wandering between St Margarets Church and Royal Avenue, Lowestoft, early morning, 29th December.
Three first winter birds, at the junction of St Margarets Road and Oulton Road, Lowestoft, 27th & 28th December.
Local residents reported two had been present since the 25th. OS grid reference TM542941.
Two seen in Royal Avenue, Lowestoft, 28th December were additional to the earlier three.
Two, St Pauls Close, Beccles, 25 & 26th December.
Eight, Haddiscoe Church, Norfolk, 30th December.
Bohemian Waxwings, Lowestoft, 27th December (videograbs: Tim Brown)
More pictures of these birds are on the gallery page, click here to view.Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
One, Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft harbour, 27th December.
One, Lake Lothing, 27th December. On the roof of the boat building school.
One, Ness Point, 29th December.Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
Large flocks of new arrivals were noted around Lowestoft, Fritton and Beccles on the 25th and 26th December.
Brought in by the same cold snap moving in from the continent that the Waxwings arrived on.
Several small flocks arriving from off the sea early morning 28th December.
50+, Hobland Road, Bradwell, 31st December.Redwing T. iliacus
13, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 27th December.
Several small flocks arriving from off the sea early morning 28th December.
50, Carlton Marshes, 29th December.
20+, Hobland Road, Bradwell, 31st December.Siskin Carduelis spinus
70, Somerleyton Railway Station, 30th December.
30-35, 'old golf course' off Long Road, Lowestoft, 29th December.Lesser Redpoll C. cabaret
25+ in Alder carr in Castle Marshes Nature Reserve, Barnby, 26th December.
20-25, 'old golf course' off Long Road, Lowestoft, 29th December.
WEEK ENDED 24 DECEMBER 2000
Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata
Minimum of 20 on the sea off Kessingland Beach, 21st December.Great Northern Diver G. immer
One first winter still present on Lake Lothing, Lowestoft, up to the 23rd December, usually towards the western end, between the shipyard and Oulton Broad.
Great Northern Diver, Lake Lothing. (Andrew Easton)Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Two, Lake Lothing, Lowestoft, 21st December.Cormorant P. carbo
One of the 'Continental' race sinensis, Oulton Broad, 23rd December. This bird, ringed in the nest as a juvenile at Abberton Reservoir, Essex, in summer 1991, has been returning to winter on Lake Lothing and Oulton Broad every year since 1991.Bewick's Swan Cygnus (columbianus) bewickii
Six flew north-west over Lowestoft, on the morning of the 18th December.Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
13 south past Kessingland, 21st December.
10 south past Ness Point, 21st December.Wigeon Anas penelope
800 on flooded grazing marsh Castle Marshes, Barnby, 23rd December.Gadwall A. strepera
10 on flooded grazing marsh Castle Marshes, Barnby, 23rd December.Teal A. crecca
250 on flooded grazing marsh Castle Marshes, Barnby, 23rd December.Pintail A. acuta
10 on flooded grazing marsh Castle Marshes, Barnby, 23rd December.Shoveler A. clypeata
Five south past Ness Point, 21st December.
20 on flooded grazing marsh Castle Marshes, Barnby, 23rd December.Eider Somateria mollissima
10, including one adult male, south past Ness Point, and later Kessingland 21st December.
13, including six adult males, north past Kessingland, 21st December.Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
20 south past Kessingland, 21st December.
10 south past Ness Point, 21st December.Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
One south past Ness Point, 21st December.Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus
One ringtail, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 18th December.Sanderling Calidris alba
Two, Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft harbour, 21st December.Purple Sandpiper C. maritima
Seven, Ness Point, 21st December.
Still the highest number reported this winter, in other years there are usually double figure counts.Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
One flying south along Stevens Street, central Lowestoft, 22nd December, had probably just been flushed from a nearby garden.
It appeared to drop into the overgrown allotments beside the railway along Denmark Road.Curlew Numenius arquata
One south past Pakefield, Lowestoft, 21st December.Arctic Skua S. parasiticus
One off Ness Point, 23rd December.Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
One adult with roosting gulls at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 21st December.Caspian Gull L. cachinnans
One adult with roosting gulls at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 21st December.Barn Owl Tyto alba
Two, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, at dusk 18th December.
One, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 21st December.Tawny Owl Strix aluco
One calling in gardens along Squires Walk, Gunton, 21st and 22nd December.Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
Three, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 18th & 21st December.Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
One, Kessingland Sewage Works, 21st December.
Two flying west along Lake Lothing, 23rd December.Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
Three nominate race birds, Kessingland Sewage Works, 21st December.Marsh Tit Parus palustris
One in Alder carr near railway crossing, Castle Marshes, Barnby, 23rd December.Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret
30 in Alder car near railway crossing, Castle Marshes, Barnby, 23rd December.Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Female in Alder carr near railway crossing, Castle Marshes, Barnby, 23rd December.Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
40, Kessingland Beach, from Rider Haggard Lane, 21st December.Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra
Two, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 18th December.Common Seal Phoca vitulina
Seven resting in shallow pools on the tideline at Kessingland Beach, 21st December.
Whilst common offshore around Lowestoft they rarely venture on to the beaches themselves, preferring the sandbanks farther out to sea.
WEEK ENDED 17 DECEMBER 2000
Great Northern Diver G. immer
One flew north past Pakefield, 14th November.
One first winter still present on Lake Lothing up to the 16th December, usually towards the western end, between the shipyard and Oulton Broad.
Shore Crabs Carcinus maenas seem to form the bulk of the diet of this individual; small ones of which are swallowed whole. The larger ones are grasped by the legs on one side, then flicked sharply to the side resulting in the Diver holding a beak full of legs. The bird then quickly retrieves the unfortunate crab before it sinks and repeats the action on the other side until the legs are all removed.Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
One Lake Lothing, 14th and 16th December.Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
Two, Lake Lothing,14th December.Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata
One pinioned male on Oulton Broad, 14th December.Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
60 south past North Beach, Lowestoft, 13th December.
14 females off Rider Haggard Lane, Kessingland, 16th December.Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
One female, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 17th December.Redshank Tringa totanus
14, Lake Lothing, 14th December.Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima
One, Ness Point, 14th December.
Five, Ness Point, 16th December.Arctic Skua S. parasiticus
Four south past Kessingland, 11th December.
Two past Ness Point, 13th December.
One on the sea off North Beach, Lowestoft, 13th December.
One off Pakefield, and two at Ness Point, 14th December.Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
One adult, scavenging for roadside scraps with Black-headed Gulls L. ridibundus , Norwich Road, central Lowestoft, 14th December.Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvichensis
One, Lake Lothing, 13th December.
Apparently the latest ever in Suffolk, the previous latest date being 20th November 1991, when eight were seen at Minsmere.Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
Three, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 17th December.House Martin Delichon urbica
Three south over Lowestoft, 15th December. Two at Ness Point and one at Pakefield.Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
One, Lowestoft Harbour, 14th December.Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
Two, Ness Point area, 16th December.
One, Ness Point, 17th December.
One, Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft harbour, 17th December.Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
Two nominate race birds calling, Kessingland Sewage Works, 16th December.
One, Leathes Ham, Lowestoft, 17th December.Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
42, Kessingland Beach, from Rider Haggard Lane, 16th December.
WEEK ENDED 10 DECEMBER 2000
Great Northern Diver G. immer
Still present on Lake Lothing up to the 10th December, usually towards the western end, between the shipyard and Oulton Broad.Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
One Lake Lothing, 7th & 10th December.Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata
One pinioned male on Oulton Broad, 6th December.Turnstone Arenaria interpres
45, with the gull flock at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 10th December.Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus
One, possibly two, off Pakefield, 9th December.Arctic Skua S. parasiticus
One dark juvenile chasing gulls off Ness Point, 6th December.
Two, one pale and one dark phase juvenile chasing gulls off Ness Point, 10th December.Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
One colour ringed adult (21N) on the North Denes, Lowestoft, 6th December.
One adult, Ness Point, 10th December.Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans
One adult with roosting gulls at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, 10th December.Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
One, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 6th December.
Two, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 9th December.
One, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 10th December.Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
One, flew over Lowestoft Cemetery, 7th December.Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
One pair, Ness Point area, 7th December.
One female, Ness Point, 9th December.
One female, North Denes sea wall near the caravans, 9th December.BARRED WARBLER Sylvia nisoria
The first winter bird on the disused railway line/cycle path and overgrown allotments between Lowestoft Cemetery and Normanston Drive, found on the 26th November was still present up to the 6th December at least.
Barred Warbler, Lowestoft, December 2000 (Andrew Easton)Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella
50, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 9th December.Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra
Two, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 9th December.
Great Northern Diver G. immer
The first winter seen in Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft Harbour, 27th & 28th November was relocated on Lake Lothing on the 2nd December, initially at the Mutford Lock end by the road bridge at Oulton Broad, though by 15:30 it had swum eastwards past Brooke Business Park and was viewable from the footbridge over the railway line at the end of Harbour Road.
Still present on the 3rd, again between Brooke Business Park and Mutford Lock, Oulton Broad.
The previous records for Lowestoft Harbour were in 1979 and the 1999/2000 winter. After a 20 year gap between records we have now had two in a year !.
First winter Great Northern Diver, Hamilton Dock. Videograb: Tim Brown.Gannet Morus bassanus
One adult north past Pakefield, 2nd December.Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
One on Lake Lothing, viewable from the footbridge over the railway line, 2nd December. It appeared to be heading towards the harbour to roost.
One flying eastwards along Lake Lothing and over the A12 bridge into the harbour at dusk, 3rd December.Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
Five, on Oulton Broad, 3rd December.
Four, Lake Lothing, between the Grain Silo and the A12 bridge, 3rd December. Two later roosted with the large gulls in the harbour itself at dusk.Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata
One pinioned male on Oulton Broad, 2nd & 3rd December. In the past there have been a pinioned pair, plus an unpinioned male present.
Mandarin Duck, Oulton Broad. Videograb: Tim Brown.
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
c.20 very distantly on the sea off Pakefield, 2nd December.Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
Adult female and first winter, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 3rd December.Hen Harrier C. cyaneus
One ringtail, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 3rd December.Sanderling Calidris alba
One, Links Road car park, 2nd December.
12 Lowestoft South Beach, 3rd December.Turnstone Arenaria interpres
80, Lowestoft South Beach and Pier, 3rd December.Arctic Skua S. parasiticus
One dark juvenile chasing gulls off Ness Point, 27th November to 2nd December. On the 29th it was also watched chasing gulls over Links Road car park, and on the 2nd December was ranging between Ness Point and Kessingland.Auk sp.
Ten distant birds flying north, 2nd December. Most likely all Guillemots.Guillemot Uria aalge
One on Lake Lothing, 27th November and 3rd December.Stock Dove Columba oenas
34, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 3rd December.Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
Two together, Carlton Marshes, Carlton Colville, 3rd December.
Generally around OS grid reference TM501917
Short-eared Owl, Carlton Marshes. Videograb: Tim Brown
Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
One, Lowestoft Pier, 3rd December.Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
One adult male, Commercial Road, 3rd December. On buildings opposite the grain silo.
BARRED WARBLER Sylvia nisoria
The first winter bird on the disused railway line/cycle path bordering Lowestoft Cemetery, found on the 26th November was still present up to the 3rd December. As confiding as ever, though it can disappear into the overgrown allotments between the cycle path and Normanston Drive for a while. On the 3rd it also disappeared into the neighbouring gardens.
A previous December bird at South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, in 1992 made it to the 6th before being eaten by a cat.
For pictures click here.Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus
One rather elusive individual on Pakefield beach feeding in marram grass just south of the Church, 2nd December.
When flushed by a Kestrel it flew strongly inland, and did not appear to return.
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