Recent bird sightings in our area

January	February	March	April
May	June	July	August
September	October	November	January 2002

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2001

Yes those small white dots just offshore are gulls and not breaking waves. Most are Black-headed and Common Gulls, but there are a few Kittiwakes and the odd Mediterranean and Little Gull to be found.

Northerly gales are forecast in the lead up to the weekend so perhaps a Glaucous or Iceland Gull will join them soon.

Two TUNDRA BEAN GEESE Anser (fabalis) serrirostris at Flixton and Somerleyton Marshes on the 27th and 28th were a good cold weather bonus, and are still quite a rarity locally!

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata
Many can be seen in flight distantly offshore again this week, and one was in Hamilton Dock on the 25th.

Northern Gannet Morus bassanus
One adult flew north along the sandbank off Lowestoft on the 25th.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
A flock of 30 flew north past Ness Point on the 25th, and the same day the colour ringed bird seen in Lowestoft for the previous nine winters was back on Lake Lothing for its' tenth. A single flock of at least 130 flew south past Ness Point on the 29th.

Shag P. aristotelis
At least three first winters were at the western end of Lake Lothing on the 25th, with six there on the 28th. A single bird was in Hamilton Dock on the 29th.

Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus
22 flew north over Oulton Broad on the 30th.

TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE Anser (fabalis) serrirostris
Two were on Flixton Marshes on the 27th, Somerleyton Marshes on the 28th, and Blundeston Marshes on the 29th.

Pink-footed Goose A. brachyrhynchus
Two flew north at Lound on the 29th.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
Sixteen were in the gull roost field at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 26th.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
Ten were off Pakefield on the 30th.

Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
One female was in Hamilton Dock on the 25th, and what seems to have been the same individual drifted north on the sea past Ness Point shortly afterwards.

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
One was at Carlton Marshes on the 26th.

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo lagopus
The bird at Haddiscoe Marshes was present on the 29th and 31st.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
Single birds have been noted this week at Leathes Ham and Kirkley Fen, and two were in the ditch near the Long Road roundabout at Carlton Colville on the 31st.

Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima
Seven were at Ness Point on the 25th, and one was in Hamilton Dock on the 26th and 27th. Five were at Ness Point on the 29th and four on the 30th.

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
One was seen at Lound on the 29th, and several are being seen in gardens in the Haddiscoe and St Olaves area.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
One was at Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk on the 23rd and 25th.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
One was still present at the western end of Lake Lothing on the 25th and 28th.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
A first winter was at Ness Point on the 25th, and an adult was at Gorleston on the 28th.

Little Gull L minutus
Singles were seen at Ness Point and flying north over the town centre on the 26th, and two were at Gorleston on the 28th.

GLAUCOUS GULL L. hyperboreus
A first-winter was along Gorleston seafront on the 28th.

Guillemot Uria aalge
One very slightly oiled bird was perched on a groyne along Lowestoft north beach on the 25th, it or another was perched on the jetty at Ness Point on the 27th.

Barn Owl Tyto alba
One was seen at Lound on the 29th.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
On the 31st singles were noted on Lake Lothing, at Love Lane, Kirkley and along the ditch near the Long Road roundabout at Carlton Colville.

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
One was between Ness Point and the harbour on the 25th.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
One was at St Olaves on the 26th.

Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
Up to ten were again near the footbridge along Bloodmoor Road, Lowestoft up to the 30th at least, one of them is pictured to the left. They often wander around the gardens in the nearby Lansdowne Road area.

Black Redstart Phoenicuros ochruros
An adult male was again seen along the north shore of Lake Lothing on the 31st.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
One was at Sprats Water, Carlton Marshes on the 31st.

WILLOW TIT Parus montanus
One was seen and heard at Sprats Water, Carlton Marshes on the 31st, presumably the same bird seen in the last winter period.

Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
Pakefield Beach is again the place to see this species noted on the 26th (6), 29th (24) and 30th (12).

Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra
Five were perched on the overhead wires at Carlton Marshes on the 31st.

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 23, 2001

Offshore two to three thousand assorted gulls are currently vying for scraps around small trawlers just offshore or feeding at Ness Point. Early in the week a very large proportion of them were Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla which are often quite scarce in coastal waters in winter, on the 22nd most of the Kittiwakes had moved on. One distant gull initially appeared to be an adult Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus but on closer inspection it had one or two very small flecks of black on a couple of the primaries. The highlight of the week so far was a snowball fight at Burnt Hill Lane on the 22nd, although one participant left their telescope behind. Fortunately it was still there when he returned for it!

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata
Five were noted on the sea off Kessingland on the 18th, and at least 100 were offshore along the north beach at Lowestoft on the 19th; many of which were quite close inshore. On the 22nd only a handful of birds were close inshore but 100's were seen distantly.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Two were on the sea off Kessingland on the 18th, with one off Lowestoft north beach on the 19th.

Northern Gannet Morus bassanus
Three adults flew north along the sandbank off Lowestoft on the 19th, a further five flew north there on the 22nd.

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Five were roosting in Lowestoft harbour on the 18th, but on the Kittiwake wall rather than the South Pier, and presumably the same five were at the western end of Lake Lothing on the morning of the 19th, four on the 20th and at least three

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
Two were on Oulton Broad and twenty were in the gull roost field at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 22nd.

Mandarin Aix galericulata
The lone pinioned drake was still on Oulton Broad on the 23rd.

Teal Anas crecca
Three were on the sea off Gunton on the 20th.

Shoveler A. clypeata
Eight were on Leathes Ham, Lowestoft on the 19th, and seem to be more or less resident now.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
Twelve flew north distantly past Ness Point on the 19th, a flock of about 40 were off Pakefield on the 22nd.

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo lagopus
The regular bird at Haddiscoe Marshes was present up to the 23rd.

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
430 were in the fields at Burnt House Lane, Carlton Colville on the 18th.

Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima
Five were at Ness Point on the 22nd.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
One was still present at the western end of Lake Lothing on the 23rd.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Two adults were at Ness Point on the 22nd, one of them is missing the lower part of the right leg.

Little Gull L. minutus
An adult and a first winter bird flew in together at Ness Point on the 22nd.

Guillemot Uria aalge
At least seven were offshore along Lowestoft north beach on the 19th, though only a single oiled bird was close inshore. An apparently healthy individual was in Hamilton Dock on the 18th and 19th. Large numbers of auks can be seen in flight very distantly near the horizon on most days.

Razorbill Alca torda
Two flew north at Ness Point on the 22nd.

Barn Owl Tyto alba
One was perched on a road sign on the Rackham's Corner roundabout on the 17th.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
One was again along Lake Lothing on the 18th and 22nd.

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
Singles were at Ness Point on the 20th and 22nd.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
One flew over the Lowestoft town centre on the 22nd, and one was in the Tesco car park at Gunton on the 23rd (Christmas shopping can have its rewards!).

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
One was in Belle Vue Park, Lowestoft on the 23rd.

WEEK ENDED DECEMBER 16, 2001

The nine Bohemian Waxwings at Pakefield were the highlight of the week so far, but just to the south of our area at Covehithe the sight of over 3000 Red-throated Divers Gavia stellata flying north over a period of a few minutes was quite spectacular, with three Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca thrown in for good measure.

Also at Covehithe in fields just inland of the Broad itself, feeding with 275 Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis , were an unringed adult Red-breasted Goose B. ruficollis and the regular escaped Taiga Bean Goose Anser fabalis; there were also six Scaup Aythya marila on the Broad.

A small Canada Goose Branta canadensis was located at Southwold on the 16th, and a pictures of this bird and the Red-breasted Goose have been added to the Suffolk Gallery.

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer
The Lake Lothing bird was still present on the 10th, but could not be located on the 16th.

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Two were on Lake Lothing on the 10th, with at least five on the 16th.

Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus
A flock of 29 was on the marshes between Haddiscoe and Wheatacre, Norfolk on the 15th.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
16 were in the gull roost field along Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 10th.

Pintail Anas acuta
One flew south past Kessingland on the 16th.

Eider Somateria mollissima
A pair were on the sea off Pakefield on the 15th, along with a single Common Scoter Melanitta nigra and an oiled Guillemot Uria aalge.

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
A female was at Carlton Marshes on the 10th.

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo lagopus
The regular bird at Haddiscoe Marshes was reported to have been joined by a second bird on the 11th, a single bird was still present on the 15th.

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria
c.50 flew west over Kessingland on the 15th with 157 near the sewage works as well. Around 300, and a single Grey Plover P. squatarola were in fields near Gisleham on the 16th.

Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima
Nine were at Ness Point on the 16th.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Up to 32 are being seen in a pre roost gathering on Breydon Water at the moment. During the day many of them can be seen (and fed if you want a closer look) on the beach between the two piers at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. An adult was in Lowestoft harbour on the 16th

Yellow-legged Gull L. michahellis
A first winter bird (pictured to the left in a videograb by James Brown) was in the gull roost field at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 16th.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Singles were seen along Lake Lothing and on Oulton Broad on the 16th.

Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
Nine were feeding in gardens near the junction of Lansdowne and Shelton Road, Pakefield on the 15th, and on the 16th they ranged between there and the Kessingland bypass northern roundabout.

Black Redstart Phoenicuros ochruros
An adult male was seen along the north shore of Lake Lothing on the 14th and 16th.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
One was at Kessingland sewage works on the 15th.

Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus
One was in Belle Vue Park, Lowestoft on the 15th.

Siskin Carduelis spinus
Around ten (an increase on the one or two there last weekend) were with the mixed finch flock at Sprat's Water, Carlton Marshes on the 16th. Although not with the flock itself two Bullfinches Pyrrhula pyrrhula were there as well, with another at nearby Rookery Park Golf Club.

Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret
Five were at Carlton Marshes on the 10th, with at least two still there on the 16th.

MEALY REDPOLL C. flammea
One was still present at Carlton Marshes on the 10th. Once again the large Goldfinch C. carduelis flock was feeding in the Alder Carr between the visitor's centre and Spare's Water. It is best to look during the morning when light conditions are at their best.

Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
Eleven were on Pakefield beach on the 15th.

WEEK ENDED DECEMBER 09, 2001

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer
The Lake Lothing bird (pictured to the left) was still present on the 8th and 9th showing very well. Once again towards the western end of the waterway where it was accompanied by gulls trying to scavenge a meal.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
One was in Hamilton Dock on the 8th.

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
The first bird came into roost on the South Pier at 3:40 on the 8th. On the 9th five were at the western end of Lake Lothing.

Wigeon Anas penelope
c350 were at Haddiscoe 8th.

Eider Somateria mollissima
Several flew north past Ness Point on the 9th. The largest group was 17 strong.

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
A female was noted at Haddiscoe, Norfolk on the 8th.

Hen Harrier C. cyaneus
A female was noted at Haddiscoe, Norfolk on the 8th.

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo lagopus
The regular bird was again seen at Haddiscoe, Norfolk from the 3-9th. On the 7th it flew off towards St. Olaves, Suffolk at 3:10pm presumably to roost.

Peregrine Falco peregrinus
Two were in the Haddiscoe / Fritton Marshes area on the 6th and 8th.

Bewick's Swan Cygnus (columbianus) bewickii
Good numbers seem to be present in the south end of the Waveney Valley this winter. On the 6th 25 were at Thurlton Marshes, Norfolk with 24 there on the 8th. On the 9th a flock of 40 were on Wheatacre Marshes and a distant flock of 29 flew west at Carlton Marshes early afternoon. 35 were on marshes on Breydon South on the 9th.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
Noted at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, on the 8th (3) and 9th (18); Gorleston, in fields beside the A12, 8th (2); Haddiscoe 8th (2); Lake Lothing 9th (1); and Oulton Broad 9th (2).

Mandarin Aix galericulata
The lone drake was still at Oulton Broad on the 9th, and being pinioned it will probably remain a lot longer.

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria
Noted at Haddiscoe on the 8th (35) and Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 9th (5).

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
Noted at Haddiscoe on the 8th (600+); and Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville 8th (635) and 9th (200+).

Sanderling Calidris alba
Two were feeding along Lowestoft North Beach on the 5th, and twelve were on Lowestoft South Beach on the 8th.

Purple Sandpiper C. maritima
Five were at Ness Point on the 5th, with two on the 8th.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
One was again at Lake Lothing on the 8th. Most likely a returning individual as one has been seen here for three winters running now.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Fifteen were feeding along Lowestoft North Beach on the 5th. 49 were feeding in the gull roost field at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 8th, and 54 roosted in Lowestoft Harbour the same evening.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
An adult flew south at Ness Point on the 5th, and an adult was on the playing fields at Normanston Park, Lowestoft, on the 6th. An adult flew out to sea at Gorleston Harbour on the 8th.

GLAUCOUS GULL L. hyperboreus
A first-winter was at Breydon Water on the 8th. It was present for about thirty minutes before the rising tide pushed it off. It flew southeast towards the coast with a group of large gulls. There's every chance it is the Benacre Broad individual seen on the 2nd. If so hopefully it will become a little more reliable.

Little Gull L minutus
Four adults flew south at Ness Point on the 5th, and an oiled first winter was on Lowestoft North Denes the same day. Four adults and a first-winter flew south together past Gorleston Cliffs on the 8th.

Guillemot Uria aalge
One badly oiled bird was on Lowestoft North Beach on the 5th.

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
One was quartering marshes on Breydon South Shore late afternoon on the 9th.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Lake Lothing is the place to see Kingfishers at the moment. Two were seen on the 9th. The best place to look is from the railway bridge near Leathes Ham. They make frequent crossings of the river west of the bridge.

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
Three were between Ness Point and the harbour on the 5th.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
Singles were at Corton Sewage Works on the 3rd and the Birds Eye Factory, Lowestoft on the 8th.

Pied Wagtail M. alba
19 were roosting, along with a pair of Collared Doves Streptopelia decaocta, in the trees outside Dorothy Perkins in Lowestoft town centre on the evening of the 5th. Most of the leaves have fallen now, so they can be seen quite clearly.

Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
Six were still present along Bloodmoor Road, Lowestoft on the 3rd.

Stonechat Saxicola torquata
Four were seen at Carlton Marshes on the 9th.

Jackdaw Corvus monedula
The bird showing characteristics of an eastern race was again in the gull roost field at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 3rd. Jackdaws are notoriously variable, and a paler grey lower border to the nape patch is well within the colour range of the British and west European race. However, this particular individual has a prominent white patch on the sides of the neck. Even with the neck hunched into the body an obvious pale grey collar is formed.

Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret
One flew over Haddiscoe on the 8th and six were at Carlton Marshes on the 9th.

MEALY REDPOLL C. flammea
Two were found on the 9th at Carlton Marshes, one of these birds is pictured to the left in a videograb taken by James Brown. They were with a large flock of Goldfinches C. carduelis feeding in the Alder Carr between the visitors centre and Sprat's Water.

Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
15 were along Breydon South Shore on the 9th.

WEEK ENDED DECEMBER 02, 2001

What a week it's been so far. Last weekend's highlights, Great Northern Diver and Red-backed Shrike, were still present along Lake Lothing on the 1st December. The shrike appears to have left overnight as it could not be located on the 2nd. A first-winter Glaucous Gull spent four days in Hamilton Dock, though may now have succumbed to ill health. Up to seven Shags are roosting on the South Pier and then spending the day feeding along Lake Lothing.

To the left is picture of the Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides leaving its roost at Horsey Mere, Norfolk at 7.15am on the 2nd December 2001. Click on the image to view a montage of shots of this bird in flight.

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer
The Lake Lothing individual was once again it is frequenting the western end of the waterway, between the shipyard area and Oulton Broad on the 2nd.

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Shags roosting on the South Pier Late afternoon on November 28th seven flew from Lake Lothing to roost on the ledge and steps at the end of Lowestoft South Pier, and on December 2nd seven again roosted there as can be seen in the image intensified video image to the left.

Watching their efforts to get onto the small ledge on the end of the South Pier can cause much hilarity. Their antics include long circuits of the entire harbour complex apparently to pluck up the courage to attempt a landing, aborting their attempts at the last moment, the slide down the wall into the sea when they fail, and being pushed off the ledge if they land too close to another bird. During the day the best place to find them is at the western end of Lake Lothing from between the bridge that crosses the railway line near Leathes Ham and Oulton Broad.

Bewick's Swan Cygnus (columbianus) bewickii
At least 40 were at Thurlton Marshes, Norfolk, (a little to the north of Haddiscoe) on the 2nd.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
Pairs have been noted at Lake Lothing 27th; Oulton Broad 30th; and Carlton Marshes 30th and 2nd December.

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo lagopus
Adult Rough-legged Buzzard, Haddiscoe, Norfolk The rough-leg became a bit patchy in its appearances in the last week of November. This may have been be due to disturbance as most of the cattle were taken off the marsh for the winter between the 21st and 24th. In previous winters it has spent some time on Somerleyton Marshes where it has been viewed from Somerleyton railway station, and on the morning of the 2nd it did fly across the road in that direction.

To the left is a shot of it taken on December 2nd at Haddiscoe.

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria
A flock of 33 was in the gull roost field at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 2nd.

Sanderling Calidris alba
Twelve were at Lowestoft South Beach on the 2nd.

Purple Sandpiper C. maritima
Eight were at Ness Point on the 1st.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
One was seen at Lake Lothing on 2nd.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres
14 were in the gull roost field at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on 2nd.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
An adult also briefly visited the gull roost field at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on 2nd. Another was noted at Hamilton Dock/South Pier on the 1st.

Yellow-legged Gull L. michahellis
An adult was present at the Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 2nd.

CASPIAN GULL L. cachinnans
An adult was present in the gull roost at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on 1st and 2nd.

GLAUCOUS GULL L. hyperboreus
This first-winter was on Benacre Broad on the 2nd. It is believed to have been a different bird to the one that was in Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft from November 27th-30th as it was in much better health.

In days gone by when Lowestoft was home to a thriving fishing industry this species used to be a regular winter visitor. However, in the last couple of decades it has become increasingly scarce.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
A single bird flew east along Lake Lothing on the 26th and 2nd December, and one, possibly the same bird, was in the harbour on 1st and 2nd December. Three were at Kessingland Sewage Works on the 2nd December.

Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
Six were seen along Bloodmoor Road, south Lowestoft on the afternoon of the 2nd.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
One was at Kessingland Sewage Works on the 2nd.

RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio
1st winter Red-backed Shrike The first-winter remained near the railway footbridge at Lake Lothing from November 26th - December 1st. This bird constitutes Suffolk's latest ever record. The previous latest birds in recent times were at Gunton, Lowestoft on November 5th 1994 and at Oxley Marshes, Hollesley in south Suffolk on November 10th-11th, 1997. Although neither could match the previous record holder, one at Oulton on November 12th, 1883.

Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
A single bird was in the MoD fields at Corton on the 2nd.