Recent bird sightings in our area

WEEK ENDED SEPTEMBER 02, 2001

Passerines have peaked following wet and windy weather this week. The Wryneck at Gunton Warren departed overnight on the 27th, but the next goodie wasn't too far away. Overnight rain on the 29th produced a small arrival of migrants next morning, the highlight being the second Red-backed Shrike locally this autumn at Gunton.

Numbers Speckled Wood butterflies are exceptionally high as their rapid expansion continues. An amazing 14 were along Gunton disused railtrack.

And here is the rest of the weeks news up to the 31st............

Northern Gannet Morus bassanus
14 flew north, and six flew south past Ness Point on the 29th.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Birds were noted arriving in off the sea at Ness Point on the 29th and Corton on the 31st.

Teal Anas crecca
10 flew south past Ness Point on the 27th, with a further 56 on the 29th. On the 31st 20 flew south over Dip Farm golf course.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
7 flew in off the sea and headed inland at Corton on the 29th.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
25 drifted south on the sea 500 metres off Ness Point on the 29th.

Grey Partridge Perdix perdix
A pair with 5 young were seen at Mutford on the 28th and 1 was at Corton on the 31st.

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
An unusual sight on the 27th was a juvenile noted 400 metres out to sea at Ness Point, it was flying strongly northwards and continued to do so rather than heading in towards the coast.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus
15 flew north past Ness Point on the 27th, 1 also went south but later turned back north again.

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria
A single bird flew south at Ness Point on the 29th.

Grey Plover P. squatarola
3 flew south at Ness Point on the 29th.

Knot Calidris canutus
One bird, apparently the same individual, flew south and a few minutes later north past Ness Point on the 27th. On both occasions it was accompanied by a single Oystercatcher.

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
Birds flew south at Ness Point on the 29th and north at Lowestoft North Beach on the 31st.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
One flew over Gunton on the 30th.

Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus
A single dark phase bird flew north past Ness Point on the 27th, with 2 north on the 29th.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
An adult was again roosting on rooftops at North Quay Industrial Estate on the 27th, but as it was sitting down it was impossible to say if it was the ringed bird from the day before. A juvenile was roosting in a ploughed field on Pakefield Cliffs on the 31st.

Little Gull L. minutus
10, including 4 juveniles were feeding at the sewage outfall at Ness Point on the 27th. 6 adults and a juvenile were there on the 29th, with a single adult on the 31st.

Guillemot Uria aalge
One was watched drifting north on the sea 100 metres off Ness Point on the 29th.

House Martin Delichon urbica
Good numbers were around on the 31st. At 8:00am groups of 26, 14 and 7 flew north over Lowestoft North Denes. Possibly the highest single day total this year locally???

WRYNECK Jynx torquilla

One of the two birds found on the 26th was still present amongst the dunes at Gunton Warren on the 27th. It generally favoured the fenced off area below and to the north of the wartime pillbox, a picture of this bird appears to the left.

However, there was no sign on the 28th following a clear night.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis
Three around the old MoD site on the Hopton/Corton border on the 30th were most likely migrating birds.

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
Birds flew south over Lowestoft Cemetery on the 27th and Lowestoft North Denes on the 31st.

Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
One was at Pakefield Cliffs on the 27th, and another was on the disused railway line at Gunton on the 30th.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
Once again fairly good numbers have been arriving and have been noted at Lowestoft North Denes net posts 29th (1) 31st (2), Ness Point 29th (2 flying in off the sea), the old MoD site on the Hopton/Corton border 30th (7) and Corton Cliffs 31st (2). Away from the coast one dropped into a field at Mutford on the 28th.

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra
Once again a few of these smart chats have been dotted around the area. Birds have been noted at the following sites this week, Gunton Warren 27th (1), the old MoD site on the Corton/Hopton border 30th (2), Gunton disused railway line 30th (2) and Corton Cliffs 31st (1).

Stonechat S. torquata
The juvenile found on the 26th was still present at Gunton Dunes on the 28th.

Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca
Birds were found at Belle Vue Park (1) and Gunton disused railway line on the 31st. But where on earth are all the Spotted Flycatchers Muscicapa striata?

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca
A few were noted at Lowestoft Cemetery and Gunton Warren on the 27th, one was singing well at the former site in the morning. Several Common Whitethroat S. communis were also noted at Gunton Warren. Whether these individuals were migrants or locally bred birds is hard to tell.

RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio

Red-backed Shrike - juvenile The second juvenile of the autumn was found at Gunton disused railway line on the 30th. It was still present on the 31st and proved elusive all day.

It is best to look for this bird from the seaward side, from the football pitches. From here scan the bushes near the concrete wartime shelter. This worked late afternoon on the 31st when it gave continuous views for half an hour, the only prolonged views of the day! It is easily flushed so avoid walking down the railway track itself.

Two before September begins is almost like the old days....

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
Good numbers are along the coast at the moment. A flock of 63 at the old MoD on the 31st included lots of juveniles. Stunning birds!!!

Other Wildlife
Butterflies continue to be well represented along the disused railway line at Corton, with Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria tricus, Wall Lasiommata megera, Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus, Common Blue Polyommatus icarus, a single Painted Lady Cynthia cardui and two very tatty Commas Polygonia c-album being amongst those seen on the 27th. On the 28th a Brown Argus was seen at Mutford. This species has been very scarce in the last two years.

Speckled Wood Butterfly As with last week, Speckled Woods are being recorded at new sites, on the 28th singles were noted at Kirkley Fen and the old golf course off Stradbroke Road for the first time. The individual pictured to the left was photographed at Corton disused railway line a couple of years ago, before they had colonised Belle Vue Park where five were seen on the 28th. No less than fourteen Speckled Woods were noted along the disused railway line at Gunton on the 29th, along with Gatekeeper, and Comma. A Comma was also seen in Belle Vue Park the same day. During the last week Red Admirals Vanessa atalanta have increased in numbers considerably, numbers are now rated poor as opposed to almost non existent.

Two Harbour Porpoises Phocoena phocoena were offshore at Ness Point early afternoon on the 28th, with one on the 31st.

WEEK ENDED AUGUST 26, 2001

Perhaps it is simply a case of good observer coverage but the last few weeks have been extremely productive at Ness Point. Other than seabirds waders have been of considerable interest with several unusual records e.g. Green and Curlew Sandpiper, Snipe and Little Stint, as well as good numbers of other species e.g. Grey Plover and Common Sandpiper.

Passerines are also on the move. Redstart, Northern Wheatear, Whinchats and Pied Flycatchers have all been seen. An extremely elusive Red-backed Shrike was at Kessingland Sluice from the 20th-24th and two stunning Wrynecks at Gunton Dunes, Lowestoft on the 26th rounded off a most productive week.

And here is the rest of the weeks news............

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
Two flocks totalling 156 flew south over Kessingland Levels on the evening of the 20th. Breeding is known to have taken place on the lake at Kessingland Wildlife Park this year.

Wigeon Anas penelope
9 flew south past Ness Point on the 22nd.

Teal A. crecca
41 flew south past Ness Point on the 22nd with others noted at Gunton Dunes, 4 inland on the 24th and 5 at Kessingland Sluice on the 25th.

Eider Somateria mollissima
1 flew north past Lowestoft North Denes on the 23rd.

Grey Partridge Perdix perdix
12 were in clifftop fields at Corton on the 20th.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus
40 passed south at Ness Point on the 21st, with a further 2 on the 22nd.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
12 passed south at Ness Point on the 21st, with 2 more on the 22nd.

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria
6 passed south at Ness Point on the 21st.

Grey Plover P. squatarola
25 were counted moving south at Ness Point on the 21st, with 2 on the 22nd plus 1 south at Kessingland on the 25th.

Knot Calidris canutus
Birds flew south at Lowestoft North Beach on the 24th (6) and Kessingland Beach on the 25th (9).

Common Redshank Tringa totanus
1 flew south at Ness Point on the 22nd.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia
A flock 16 that flew south over Kessingland Cliffs on the 25th had flown in from the west.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Ness Point is a regular site for this species this time of year and 3 were feeding on the rocks on the 22nd, with 5 on the 25th. Double figure counts are slightly more unusual. A flock of 13 that landed on the jetty during a spell of rain on the 23rd rivals the average winter Purple Sandpiper count.

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
2 flew south at Ness Point on the 21st. Despite there being hundreds upon hundreds of Black-tailed Godwits L. limosa a short distance north on Breydon Water nearly all of the godwits that have passed Ness Point recently have been Bar-tailed.

Curlew Numenius arquata
1 flew south past Ness Point on the 25th.

Whimbrel N. phaeopus
3 flew south at Ness Point on the 22nd.

Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus
Birds were noted at Ness Point on the 20th (4), 21st (2 pale phase, north) and 22nd (1 pale phase north).

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Adults were seen at Ness Point and Kessingland Dunes/Benacre Pits on the 20th and 24th, and a juvenile feeding on Kessingland Dunes in the evening of the 20th had a dark green plastic ring on one leg. This individual was probably of German origin, unfortunately the letters couldn't be read with any certainty.

An adult joined Black-headed Gulls L. ridibundus feasting upon ants Formicidae undertaking their nuptial flights over central Lowestoft on the 24th. An adult with a metal ring on the right tibia was roosting on rooftops at North Quay Industrial Estate on the 26th.

Little Gull L. minutus
Very good numbers are offshore at Lowestoft North Beach/Ness Point at the moment. On the 22nd a total of 153 drifted south on the sea past Ness Point in a two hour period. Most were adults with only five juveniles noted. Other daily peaks have been On the 23rd, 95 on the 23rd (including a single flock of 82) and 60 on the 24th. At Kessingland 5 were catching flying ants over Kessingland Village on the 25th, with a further 11 on the sea from Kessingland Beach. By the 26th most seem to have moved on.

Herring Gull L. argentatus
A bird colour ringed as a chick at Orfordness, Suffolk in 1998, was resting on Kessingland Beach on the 25th. This particular bird has been seen previously at Lowestoft, but seems very fond of Southwold Harbour as well.

Yellow-legged Gull L. michahellis
The regular adult was again on groynes along the North Beach on the 22nd.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
A flock of 10 flew north past Lowestoft North Beach on the 20th.

Common Tern S. hirundo
30 flew south past Ness Point on the 22nd, a few of these were on the sea with the Little Gulls initially.

Black Tern Chlidonias niger
2 adults flew south at Ness Point on the 20th, with three juveniles and an adult south there on the 22nd.

Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
An adult was in horse paddocks north of Kessingland Village on the 25th. Another was at Hopton on the 26th.

Tawny Owl Strix aluco
Singles were calling in Sparrow's Nest Gardens during the evening of the 23rd and St. Margarets Churchyard, Lowestoft on the 24th from 6:45-7:00am.

Little Owl Athene noctua
1 was calling at Ashby at 8:00pm on the 24th.

Swift Apus apus
Numbers of swifts have decreased rapidly during the last week. Most birds seen recently have been heading south. However, on the 25th a group of 30 was hawking insects over Kessingland Cliffs with another group of 20 over Kessingland Village.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
An orange and blue blur flew along the River Hundred at Kessingland Sluice before zipping south over the bushes the Red-backed Shrike had buried itself in on the 20th. Another flew over a garden at St. Olaves on the 24th carrying a fish.

WRYNECK Jynx torquilla
Two of these brilliant birds were found on the 26th at Gunton Warren coinciding with an arrival of several commoner migrants, especially Whinchats. They remained elusive for periods during the morning and weren't seen after about 1:30pm, around the time persistent rain set in. These are the first Wrynecks locally for three years and were greatly appreciated.

Sand Martin, Swallow and House Martin
Good numbers of Swallows Hirundo rustica have been on the move all week accompanied by smaller numbers of Sand Martins Riparia riparia. On the 25th several Sand martins were at Kessingland. It is likely that most House Martins Delichon urbica that passed south over Kessingland Village were on the move as well because this species is, sadly, very scarce locally as a breeder.

Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
The first of the autumn was along Gunton disused railtrack on the 26th.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
Birds have been seen at Lowestoft North Denes on the 20th and 26th (3), Hamilton Dock on the 24th, Hopton golf course, Corton Cliffs and Gunton Beach on the 26th.

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra
The autumn's first was at Kessingland Sluice on the 20th others have been at Gunton disused railtrack 23rd (2), 25th (1), 26th (3), Hopton 23rd (1), Lowestoft North Denes 23rd-25th (1), 26th (5), Gunton Dunes 24th (2), 25th (1), Corton Cliffs 24th (1), Kessingland Sluice 24th (4) - 25th (5) and Ness Point 26th (1).

Stonechat S. torquata
Juveniles were at Kessingland Sluice on the 20th and Gunton Dunes on the 26th.

Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti
One calling at St. Olaves on the 25th was a long awaited garden tick for the observer.

Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca
Due to the fact this species was virtually non-existent in Lowestoft last autumn, it is encouraging that 7 have been found already. After the first at Corton on the 18th birds have been at the old railway bridge along St. Margarets Road, Lowestoft on the 22nd (1), Belle Vue Park/Sparrow's Nest Gardens on the 23-24th (3), 25th (1), Gunton disused railtrack on the 25th (1) and Corton Disused railtrack on the 25th (1).

RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio
A juvenile was in the bramble scrub just south of the River Hundred, at Kessingland Sluice from the 20th-24th. This individual was highly elusive throughout its stay and wasn't seen at all on the 23rd. Throughout its five day it crossed the River Hundred into Lizard Land briefly on the first day.

Escapes
A blue and white Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus was at Ness Point on the 20th. On the 25th a parakeet sp. was heard calling over Kessingland Village and Kessingland sewage works and was later seen flying south over the pig fields south of Benacre Broad.

Other Wildlife
A Common Seal 'pup' Phoca vitulina was an unusual sight on the jetty at Ness Point on the 20th with presumably the same individual feeding close to the shore on the 22nd.

The upsurge in numbers of Speckled Wood butterflies Pararge aegeria tricus has been impressive in recent years. Individuals have been seen several at sites this year locally for the first time. Sightings this week have been seen in Arnold's Walk (2), Sparrow's Nest Gardens/Belle Vue Park (4), Gunton disused railtrack (1), Kessingland sewage works (6), Kessingland Village (1), Pakefield Cliffs (7). Several were freshly emerged and in pristine condition.

Butterflies continue to be well represented along the disused railway line at Corton, with Wall Lasiommata megera, Common Blue Polyommatus icarus and Holly Blue Celestrina argiolus amongst those noted on the 24th. Painted Lady's Cynthia cardui have been very thin on the ground this year with only a couple of records to date, one at Kessingland on the 25th was only the third reported.

Finally, a Stoat ran across the road into a supermarket car park at Pakefield on the 25th. Anyone interested in the 'two 4 one' offer on tins of rabbit should follow suit!!!

WEEK ENDED AUGUST 19, 2001

A good start to the week with Breydon Water once again the epicentre of ornithological activity. The mud was heaving with waders throughout the week. The spectacle of hundreds of Avocets and Black-tailed Godwits at the high tide roost at the northern end of the estuary is spectacular. The other great entertainers are the six Spoonbills which have been present for over a week now. They spend most of the roosting on the river banks opposite Burgh Castle.

Seabird passage past Ness Point on Sunday 19th was largely over by about 9:00 am, and up to this time a single SOOTY SHEARWATER flew north at 7:48 am, numerous Northern Gannets and Northern Fulmars were passing both north and south and 14 Black Terns had flown south. The wind had switched to south from the easterlies of the day before and was stronger and gustier. The remainder of the day was marked by a strong southbound passage of ducks and waders, highlights included 205 Teal, 43 Oystercatchers, 48 Ringed Plovers, 24 Golden Plover, and a flock of 15 Common Sandpipers.

Seawatching at Ness Point on Saturday 18th in a strong easterly wind was very successful with the highlight being three SOOTY SHEARWATERS heading north together just this side of the sandbanks. During the day an impressive total, for Lowestoft, of ten SOOTY SHEARWATERS were seen; two were close inshore, five were at about the distance of the sandbanks and three were distant. In addition there were three distant MANX SHEARWATERS and a fourth that was probably a BALEARIC SHEARWATER but the distance of the bird in question rendered definite identification difficult and we await a more amenable individual. Other highlights were 55 Grey Plover south including a flock of 16, 14 Arctic Skua north, three Great Skua north, and eight Black Terns.

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata
Diver records are unusual in August, so a Red-throated that flew north at Ness Point at 10:50 on the 17th is particularly noteworthy.

SOOTY SHEARWATER Puffinus griseus

Sooty Shearwater
An excellent week for this species with at least twelve seen passing north off Ness Point. The first was seen at 11:30 on the 16th, with a further ten observed throughout the day on the 18th. Of the latter, two were close inshore, five were at about the distance of the sandbanks and three were distant, the highlight of the day was undoubtedly a party of three just inshore of the sandbanks at 14:40. The final record of the week was of a single bird at 7:48 on the 19th.

September is generally the best month for Shearwaters in Lowestoft so lets hope for suitable weather next month.

The photo shows the one seen during the Lowestoft pelagic of August 21st 1999.

MANX SHEARWATER P. puffinus
Three flew distantly north past Ness Point on the 18th and a fourth Manx type that was probably a BALEARIC SHEARWATER P. mauretanicus also passed north but the distance of the bird in question rendered definite identification difficult and we await a more amenable individual.

Northern Gannet Morus bassanus
42 flew north past Ness Point on the 16th with 5 on the 17th. The strong easterly winds on the 18th helped produce a count of 108 most of which were northbound.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Two single birds flew north past Ness Point on the 18th.

Northern Fulmars Fulmarus glacialis
Six flew north at Ness Point on the 16th, a singleton on the 17th, twelve on the 18th and ten on the 19th.

SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia
The star birds locally at the moment are the six Spoonbills which have been present for over a week at Breydon Water. They spend most of the time roosting on the river banks opposite Burgh Castle where they were on the 15th. This is where they spent most of the 14th. During the morning at low tide three of the birds roosted in tidal inlet at Burgh Castle on the south side of the river. These included the individual with a blue plastic ring on either leg. The close views enabled the white inscription on both rings to be read, RR on both rings. Mid-afternoon all six juveniles were present.

At least four were still present on the 17th when they were feeding in channel near Berney Marshes. The birds can be identified as juveniles as the bills are pale and they lack any obvious crest. Also, when flying the wing tips are obviously black tipped.

White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons
The suspected escape was with the Greylag Geese, Anser anser, roosting on south side of the river at Burgh Castle Flats on the 14th.

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
35 were noted at Lound Waterworks on the 14th, but by the 19th there were 124 present, including some juveniles. It will be interesting to see how numbers of Barnacles increase over the coming months.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
Four juveniles flew south at Ness Point on the 14th, with another three there on the 19th.

Wigeon Anas penelope
Four flew south past Ness Point on the 19th.

Teal A. crecca
After a quiet start to the week with just three south past Ness Point at 18:30 on the 16th, numbers picked up considerably with 139 south on the 18th and 205 on the 19th.

Mallard A. platyrhynchos
A single bird flew south past Ness Point on the 19th.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
Four flew south past Ness Point on the 19th.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
Passage birds noted at Ness Point during the week included four north on the 17th, 54 south on the 18th and 34 south on the 19th.

Hobby Falco subbuteo
One flew in from the north at 17:40 and attempted to snatch a Swift from amongst the large numbers of the latter feeding at Ness Point and just offshore. It was unsuccessful and then headed off inland in pursuit or more. Shortly after it was seen flying south over Battery Green roundabout apparently feeding in flight, but its prey was not identified.One was seen at Lound Water Works on the 17th in flight and perched in a tree.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus
After a single on the 16th and five on the 18th, 43 flew south at Ness Point on the 19th.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Six passed south at Ness Point on the 17th, one of which stopped briefly on the jetty to feed. None were seen on the 18th but on the 19th 48 flew south there, and increased numbers were feeding on the mudflats at Breydon the same day.

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria
After a single bird south past Ness Point on the 16th no more were seen until the 19th when a total of 24 flew south.

Grey Plover P. squatarola
Counts made at Ness Point of southbound migrants were three on the 14th, eight on the 16th, 55 on the 18th (including a flock of 16) and 32 on the 19th. Almost all were still in immaculate breeding plumage.

Ruff Philomachus pugnax
Seventeen were in the tidal inlet at Burgh Castle Flats, with a further 3 on Breydon South Flats on the 14th. Numbers had increased to 29 on the 17th at Burgh Castle.

Dunlin Calidris alpina
Southbound migrants noted at Ness Point comprised a single on the 16th, 13 on the 17th, and 24 on the 19th. Two stopped to feed on the jetty there on the 19th along with a Ringed Plover.

Curlew Sandpiper C. ferruginea
A single bird flew south past Ness Point in a Dunlin flock on the 19th. The same day three were feeding along the south shore of Breydon.

Common Redshank Tringa totanus
Four flew south at Ness Point on the 17th, with a further 15 south on the 19th.

Common Greenshank T. nebularia
Three were at Burgh Castle Flats on the 14th & 17th, and two flew south past Ness Point on the 16th, with a further single bird south there on the 19th.

Green Sandpiper T. ochropus
One was at Lound Waterworks on the 17th.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
18 southbound migrants were noted at Ness Point on the 19th including 15 in one flock. Elsewhere birds have been seen along the south shore of Breydon Water on the 14th (1), 19th (6) and Burgh Castle Flats on the 17th (3).

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
Noted at Ness Point on the 16th (one south), 18th (one each north and south) and the 19th (15 south).

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Birds flew south at Ness Point on the 14th (25), 16th (10), 17th (6), 18th (1) and 19th (5). At Burgh Castle two were in the tidal inlet on the 17th.

Curlew N. arquata
Two flew south past Ness Point with two Whimbrel on the 16th.

Snipe Gallinago gallinago
Two were on Burgh Castle Flats on the 14th. Far more unusual were three that flew south at Ness Point Sewage Outfall that afternoon, and another flew south close inshore at Ness Point with two Ringed Plovers on the 19th.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Ten were again present at Ness Point on the 18th but the group now includes two juveniles. Two southbound migrants were noted passing south out to sea there on the 19th.

Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus
A pale phase adult was at Ness Point Sewage Outfall on the 14th. A further 14 flew north there on the 18th, with just a single bird south on the 19th.

Great Skua S. skua
Three flew north at Ness Point on the 18th.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
An adult was at Ness Point sewage outfall briefly on the 17th, and one flew south there on the 18th. An adult was along the south shore at Breydon on the 19th.

Little Gull L. minutus
Good numbers are around once again. On the 14th 30 were on the sea between Link's Hill car park and Ness Point. All were adults with the exception of one juvenile. 17 were at Ness Point on the 15th. Large numbers were milling around offshore and settled on the sea at Ness Point throughout the day on the 16th, with up to 20 in view at a time, including a couple of juveniles. Numbers appeared to have dropped on the 17th with just 6 noted, with only about ten seen on the 18th and even fewer on the 19th.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo
A large southbound passage was evident throughout the day on the 16th, often involving flocks rather than pairs or family groups. The largest single flock was one of thirty six. Very much smaller numbers of Sandwich Terns S. sandvicensis were also on the move as well. There was a similar southbound passage of Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla on the same day, though the flocks were much smaller in size and rarely reached double figures. All three of these species were still evident in small numbers on the 18th and 19th, but passage was in both directions.

Arctic Tern S. paradisaea
One was at Ness Point on the 15th, and a juvenile flew south there on the 18th.

Black Tern Chlidonias niger
One flew east over Oulton Village on the 15th. Other birds were noted at Ness Point on the 16th (three south), 18th (seven south and one north), and on the 19th (14 south).

Swift Apus apus
Large groups were feeding out to sea at Ness Point on the 16th, often at great height and at least as far out as the sewage outfall.

Swallow Hirundo rustica
Six flew south at Ness Point on the 14th. On the 19th a party of three, an adult plus two juveniles, settled to drink from rainwater puddles at Ness Point. They then rested briefly on the seafront railings before continuing to battle south together into the strong gusting headwind. We wished them well on their long arduous journey south.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
The first autumn wheatear locally was seen on the 14th along the south shore of Breydon Water, and on the 18th singles at Lowestoft bus depot near Ness Point and Dip Farm football field Gunton. Passerines are on the move, yipppeeeeee!!!!!!!!

Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca
One was feeding along the disused railway line at Corton on the 18th.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina
Five flew south at Ness Point on the 16th, and a single Goldfinch C. carduelis also headed south there the same day.

Other Wildlife
Red-eyed Damselflies, Erythromma najas, were again present at Lound Water Works on the 14th and 17th along with a good selection of other dragonflies including Ruddy Darter, Sympetrum sanguineum and Southern, Aeshna cyanea and Brown Hawkers, A. grandis. The two hawker species were also noted at Corton disused railway line along with large numbers of Migrant Hawkers Aeshna mixta.

Two adult Harbour Porpoises, Phocoena phocoena, were offshore at Ness Point during the afternoon of the 16th, most of the day on the 17th, and again on the 18th and 19th. A Common Seal, Phoca vitulina, was there on the 17th, and a Grey Seal, Halichoerus grypus was just offshore there on the 18th.

Painted Lady butterfly On the butterfly front at Lound good numbers of Holly Blues, Celestrina argiolus, were noted as well as a single Purple Hairstreak, Quercusia quercus, flitting around an Oak Tree, Quercus robus. Speckled Woods, Pararge aegeria tricus, as well as being at Lound were also seen at Corton disused railtrack and Arnold's Walk. Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus and Wall Lasiommata megera were also present along Corton disused railway track. Painted Lady Cynthia cardui (pictured to the left) have been very scarce this year and one on the 15th in Lowestoft was the first we have seen this year, but that other well known immigrant the Silver Y Moth Autographa gamma is around in quite good numbers.

WEEK ENDED AUGUST 12, 2001

After noting the first signs of autumn migration of passerines in the area last week, it is pleasing to note that it is still continuing, with a Northern Wheatear at Covehithe Cliffs just to the south of our area on the 6th, and a Wood Warbler in Lowestoft the following morning.

SOOTY SHEARWATER Puffinus griseus
One flew north at Ness Point at 1:00pm on the 9th. A group six Manx Shearwaters, P. puffinus, went in the same direction at 3:05pm, a single Manx was seen there on the 10th. This year has undoubtedly been Lowestoft's best ever year for the latter species due to the fact people have actually been seawatching.

Northern Gannet Morus bassanus
A few were off Ness Point on the 8th with c50 passing north on the 9th. Fulmars, Fulmarus glacialis, have also been seen in reasonable numbers with 10 on the 9th.

SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia
Juvenile Spoonbill The six juveniles found recently on Breydon Water were once again in the area on the 8th and 12th. A few Greylag Geese, Anser anser, were accompanied by an adult White-fronted Goose, A. albifrons, of suspect origin at the same site on the 8th.

On the 12th the birds roosted for most of the day at Burgh Castle. At 5:20pm as the tide started to drop they flew off, heading straight for the exposed mud at the eastern end of Breydon Water, in the process they cut across Church Farm and Burgh Castle Marshes on the south shore of the estuary. One of these birds has two blue plastic rings on the legs but has been slightly out of range to get any details. One of the birds is pictured to the left with a Greylag Goose in the background.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
Eight 1st year birds flew south at Ness Point mid-morning on the 11th.

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo
One was at Lound Water Works on the 11th. The bird had very fresh plumage with no wear or missing feathers. The tips to all the tail feathers were also pale with no broad dark subterminal band, indicating it was a young bird, though how locally it was reared we will never know.

Common Coot Fulica atra
The most bizarre record on the week concerned a Coot that drifted backwards, south on the sea past Ness Point at 8:00pm on the 8th. The dusky tone to the bill indicated it was a juvenile. Whether it was a genuine migrant having a rest or a bird overwhelmed by the tide flowing out of Breydon remains a mystery.

Knot Calidris canutus
Eight passed Ness Point on the 10th.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Birds passed Ness Point on the following dates: 9th (2), 10th (2) and 11th (1).

Turnstone Arenaria interpres
On the 11th ten stunning summer plumaged birds were on the jetty at Ness Point in the afternoon.

Ruff Philomachus pugnax
Fifteen were on the Burgh Castle Flats on the 8th along with two Common Greenshank, Tringa nebularia, one of the latter species flew south calling over Ness Point the same evening.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
One at Lound Waterworks from the 10-11th was a welcome addition to more than one local list.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Birds have been seen during the week at Hamilton Dock: 1 on the 8th, Corton Cliffs: 3 on the 11th, Burgh Castle: 1 on the 11th.

Curlew Numenius arquata
A flock of 29 flew south past Ness Point on the 11th along with 1 Whimbrel, N. phaeopus.

POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus
An adult flew south at Ness Point during the evening on the 8th along with fourteen Arctic Skuas, S. parasiticus, in a two hour seawatch. Another 15 Arctics were logged on the 9th with a further two on the 10th.

LONG-TAILED SKUA S. longicaudus
A dark phase juvenile drifted south at Ness Point on the evening of the 8th. Long-tailed Skuas are good birds locally but are undoubtedly under recorded.

GREAT SKUA S. skua
One passed north at Ness Point on the 9th.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Adults were seen at Corton Cliffs, North Quay Industrial Estate, Lowestoft and Breydon Water on the 11th.

Little Gull L. minutus
At least ten were at Ness Point sewage outfall on the 8th, with good numbers there on the 10-11th.

Great Black-backed Gull L. marinus
Although not confirmed as a breeder locally two very young birds were in Hamilton Dock on the 8th. It seems fairly likely they were raised somewhere in Lowestoft. Most of the Herring/Lesser Black-backed Gull populations seem to have gravitated towards the coast, with several groups of 1st year birds milling around at Ness Point. How many pairs will breed in Lowestoft in 2002?

Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
A juvenile was at Corton on the 11th.

Common Swift Apus apus
Small numbers have been observed heading south during the week, apparently southbound migrants rather than local birds feeding. Yet another sign than autumn migration is well under way.

Swallow Hirundo rustica
Underlining the comment made above regarding autumn migration, 12 flew south at Ness Point on the 11th. A gathering of 50 were hawking insects over the fields at Corton Cliffs the same day.

WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sibilatrix
A singing bird in trees bordering the small playground and allotments opposite the Harris Middle School in Church Road, Lowestoft was a surprise find for one lucky observer walking to work early on the morning of the 7th. If it had of stayed it would have sparked a twitch, but unfortunately it didn't....

Pectoral Sandpiper Waders are probably the most difficult group of birds to observe in the Lowestoft area largely due to lack of suitable habitat. Away from the mudflats of Breydon Water and Burgh Castle there are very few places for them to feed.

So a Pectoral Sandpiper, Calidris melanotos, such as the one pictured left, which is currently at Cantley Sugar Factory, Norfolk would be a new bird for our area.

Other Wildlife
Lowestoft's 'big three' aquatic mammals were seen on the 8th. Two Harbour Porpoises, Phocoena phocoena, performed superbly in the evening close inshore at Ness Point. A Grey Seal, Halichoerus grypus, surfaced just off the jetty, while a Common Seal, Phoca vitulina, was feeding in Hamilton Dock. Two Harbour Porpoises were again present at Ness Point on the 11th. Red-eyed Damselflies, Erythromma najas, Brown Hawkers Aeshna grandis and Black-tailed Skimmers Orthetrum cancellatum were present at Lound Water Works on the 12th

A Hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus, crossed the road at Corton sewage works on the 6th, a few moments earlier..........

WEEK ENDED AUGUST 05, 2001

Northern Gannet Morus bassanus
Five flew north past Ness Point on the 4th, two adults plus three immatures. A few more were still passing later in the afternoon.

SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia
Six that were present on Breydon Water on the 5th flew off south in the morning. They circled up and were lost in heat haze. At this point they crossed the county boundary into Suffolk.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta
45 were on the South Flats at Breydon Water on the 4th. Hundreds of birds on the South Flats on the 5th included a minimum of 150 Avocet.

Ruff Philomachus pugnax
Three were on the South Flats at Breydon Water on the 4th & 5th.

Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
One was on the South Flats at Breydon Water on the 4th, with two there on the 5th.

Little Gull L. minutus
3 were offshore at Ness Point on the 4th with 10 resting on the groynes and as many settled on the sea on the 5th.

Yellow-legged Gull L. michahellis

Yellow-legged Gull

The regular adult was again on groynes along the North Beach on the 5th, a photo of this bird appears at left. A picture of the same bird in flight taken in 1999 can be viewed by clicking here.

As you can see it is currently moulting heavily. Yellow-legged Gulls tend to moult a lot earlier than our local Herring Gulls L. argentatus.

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea
A juvenile was seen at Ness Point on the 2nd.

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
An adult is present in a fridge in Sharon Drive, north Lowestoft after fatally flying into a house window on the 1st. This is a little way from any typical breeding habitat, so it seems the autumn migration is now under way.

Ruddy Shelduck at Benacre Broad Although the three Ruddy Shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea, recently present at Benacre Broad have departed, apparently for Oxfordshire, we thought the fact there were 101 present in The Netherlands during the week might be of interest. Granted the country does have a feral population but according to Euro Birdnet this number is around 15 pairs. Not that we are speculating but where did the others come from? Are there any other feral populations around?

Other Wildlife
Red-eyed Damselflies Erythromma najas are again present at Kirkley Fen this year, with up to 14 being noted recently. These are slightly closer to home than those at Lound Waterworks which is the main site for this species locally. Two Harbour Porpoises, Phocoena phocoena, were close inshore off Ness Point and along the north beach on the 4th and up to five on the 5th. Two of those on the 5th were apparently a mother and calf, as they were keeping tightly side by side and one was about half the size of the other.

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