Recent bird sightings in our area

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WEEK ENDING 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.

The diver will hopefully remain well into the New Year as it did last year. How long the shrike stays remains to be seen. More pictures of the shrike can be viewed on the Lowestoft Gallery page.

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata
Large numbers of divers were moving north offshore at Ness Point on the 27th. In an hour and a half 1,051 were counted. Just odd ones and two making short local movements were noted on the 28th and 30th.

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer
One flew north with a group of Red-throated Divers past Ness Point on the 27th. The Lake Lothing individual was seen from the 26th-2nd December. Once again it is frequenting the western end of the waterway, between the shipyard area and Oulton Broad. The status of this species has changed dramatically over the last year in Lowestoft. This is attributed to an increase in seawatching from Ness Point.

Gannet Morus bassanus
One adult passed north at Ness Point on the 27th.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Five were on Lake Lothing on the 27th, with four on Oulton Broad on the 30th.

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Late afternoon of the 28th seven flew from Lake Lothing to roost on the ledge and steps at the end of Lowestoft South Pier, and on 2nd December seven again roosted there, and 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.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla
Two flew south past Ness Point on the 27th.

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

Mandarin Aix galericulata
The lone drake was still at Oulton Broad on the 28th, and being pinioned it will probably remain a lot longer.

Shoveler Anas clypeata
Six were on Leathes Ham, Lowestoft with six at Lound Water Works on the 27th.

Wigeon A. penelope
Five flew south past Ness Point on the 27th. 12 flew over Carlton Marshes on the 30th.

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo lagopus
The rough-leg has been a bit patchy so far this week at Haddiscoe, but was still being seen on 1st and 2nd December. This may 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.

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus
One ringtail was hunting over Whitecast Marsh, Carlton Colville on the 28th.

Peregrine Falco peregrinus
An immature male was over Haddiscoe Marshes on the 28th.

Merlin F. columbarius
A female was feeding over a stubble field at Haddiscoe Marshes for twenty minutes on the 28th.

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

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
Six flew in from the sea at Ness Point on the morning of the 27th. Large numbers continue to spend the day feeding in the field at Burnt Hill Lane, and on the 28th Turnstones, and single Snipe Gallinago gallinago and Redshank Tringa totanus were also feeding there.

Sanderling Calidris alba
Five were at Ness Point/Hamilton Dock on the 27th.Eleven were on Lowestoft South Beach at dusk on the 28th, with twelve there on the 2nd December.

Purple Sandpiper C. maritima
Two flew south past Hamilton Road on the 27th and one was at Ness Point on the 29th, with eight there on 1st December.

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

Turnstone Arenaria interpres
52 were in the harbour and South Beach on the evening of the 28th. 14 were in the gull roost field at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on 2nd December.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Adults have been noted at Lake Lothing on the 26th and Hamilton Dock and the South Pier on the 30th and 1st December. An adult also briefly visited the gull roost field at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on 2nd December.

Black-headed Gull L. ridibundus
Amongst the birds on the South Pier on the 28th was one bearing a Polish metal ring.

Yellow-legged Gull L. michahellis
An adult was present at the Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 27th November and 2nd December. Another bird was roosting at the eastern end of Lake Lothing on the 30th.

CASPIAN GULL L. cachinnans
A second winter bird roosted with Great Black-backed Gulls L marinus in Lowestoft Harbour on the evening of the 28th. An adult was present in the gull roost at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville at mid-day on the 30th, and mid-afternoon on 1st December.

GLAUCOUS GULL L. hyperboreus
The first-winter found on the 27th was still present in Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft on the 30th, but was not seen on 1st December. It spends most of its time on the sandy beach near the SLP construction yard. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be in the best of health, and may now have succumbed. On one or two occasions it has been seen preening in the water where its underparts have become saturated, so presumably it doesn't have any waterproofing. Not a good thing if you're a gull. Hopefully its condition isn't as bad as it seems.

Auk sp. Alcid sp.
Huge numbers of auks were moving north past Ness Point on the 27th. In a one and a half hour period 2,632 were counted. One or two flocks were 30 strong. The spectacle of groups of divers and auks continuously moving through was impressive to say the least. It would have been nice to have spent longer looking but the Glaucous Gull in Hamilton Dock warranted more attention!!! A Guillemot Uria aalge drifted north past Ness Point on the 30th.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Lake Lothing is the place to see Kingfishers at the moment. At least three were seen on the 27th with one on the 30th. 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
On the 27th three to four were between Ness Point and Lowestoft Harbour, and one was along Lake Lothing.

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. Hopefully the first of many.

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
One was on the rocks/harbour wall at the end of Hamilton Road on the 28th and 30th.

Stonechat Saxicola torquata
Three were at Carlton Marshes on the 30th.

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

RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio
The first-winter remained near the railway footbridge at Lake Lothing from the 26th-1st December showing very well, although it does venture onto the railway embankment and even into the gardens to the north of the railway line. It is usually catching various bugs from the very obvious embankment of freshly turned soil. 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.

Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Thousands came in to roost in Lowestoft Harbour on the 30th.

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 27th and 30th. 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. A videograb of this bird appears further down the page to view click here. An interesting bird well worth a look.

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

Other Wildlife
A Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum was still clinging on to life at Mutford on the 26th. This species does sometimes just cling on into December, though the recent sharp frosts locally may prevent that this year.

WEEK ENDED NOVEMBER 25, 2001

Just when we thought things were slowing down the surprise of the month pops up in the shape of a Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio. Presumably the same Great Northern Diver Gavia immer has made a welcome return to Lake Lothing. Other returning visitors on show included Peregrines Falco peregrinus, Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus, and Caspian Gulls Larus cachinnans. It looks as though it could be a good winter!

To the left is a videograb by Jeff Higgott of the drake Baikal Teal Anas formosa at Minsmere RSPB reserve. It's certainly worth a look, after all when was the last time you heard of even a proven escaped one?

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata
A single bird flew south at Ness Point on the 24th.

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER G. immer
Just one week after we said we hoped one would winter on Lake Lothing this year what is almost certainly the 2001/2 individual was back on Lake Lothing on the 25th. It was frequenting the western end of the waterway, between the shipyard area and Oulton Broad. The Shore Crabs it terrorised last winter are obviously irresistable!!!

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Six were on Lake Lothing on the 25th, along with two Little Grebes Tachybaptus ruficollis.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
44 were feeding offshore at Ness Point on the 25th, and an orange colour ringed bird ( with white letter B ) at Haddiscoe Bridge the same day was most likely the same individual that has wintered at Lake Lothing and Oulton Broad every year since 1991, the year it was ringed as a nestling at Abberton Reservoir, Essex.

Shag P. aristotelis
Four were along Lake Lothing on the 25th. In previous winters birds have roosted on the artificial kittiwake breeding wall in Lowestoft Harbour. Go and have a look, no excuses, it's well lit at night!!!

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
A flock of 42 was again offshore at Pakefield on the 24th.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla
A single individual was in the gull roost field at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 21st.

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus
A first winter female was hunting at Carlton Marshes on the 24th and 25th.

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo lagopus
The regular bird was at Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk on the 20th and 25th.

Peregrine Falco peregrinus
The regular pair were at Fritton Marshes, with an immature on nearby Haddiscoe Marshes on the 20th. One was on Fritton Marshes on the 25th.

Sanderling Calidris alba
Ten were feeding along the tideline to south of the South Pier, Lowestoft, on the 21st, and one flew south at Ness Point on the 24th.

Purple Sandpiper C. maritima
Four were at Ness Point on the 24th.

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus
Two were on farmland at Mutford on the 22nd. It has certainly been a good year for catching up with this species.

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
Two were at Sprat's Water, Carlton Marshes, on the 24th with one at Castle Marshes on the 25th.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
One was feeding on the exposed mud along Lake Lothing on the 25th.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres
15 were feeding at Ness Point on the 24th, including the colour ringed individual seen previously. 39 were feeding in a field at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 25th.

CASPIAN GULL Larus cachinnans

Two adults were seen in day roost of gulls at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, on the afternoon of the 23rd. Both later flew off in the direction of Oulton Broad, where many gulls gather to bathe.

The videograb to the left shows one of these birds with Great Black-backed Gulls L marinus, two adults were present last winter so it is certainly possible that these may be returning birds.

Guillemot Uria aalge
One was swimming north close inshore at Ness Point on the 24th.

Little Auk Alle alle
A quieter week for this species with just two recorded, one flew north at Pakefield on the 21st and another was seen at the western end of Lake Lothing, Lowestoft on the 24th.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Lake Lothing is the place to see Kingfishers at the moment. Three were seen on the 25th. Although they were normally just blue blurs whizzing past. One was seen at North Cove/Castle Marshes on the 21st and 25th.

Stonechat Saxicola torquata
Two were at Gunton Warren on the 21st and 24th.

Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus
Fifteen were noted in the reeds along the River Waveney between Waveney Forest and Burgh Castle on the 20th. A small flock were calling at Carlton Marshes on the 25th.

RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio
1st winter Red-backed Shrike

Lowestoft is developing an uncanny knack of turning up latest records for Suffolk. A 1st year Red-backed Shrike at Lake Lothing on the 25th being the latest to enter the record books. It gave exceptional views at times whilst feeding on a recently exposed bank of soil near the footbridge over the railway.

The previous latest bird, in recent times, in Lowestoft was one at Gunton on November 5th 1994. This was then superceded by one at Oxley Marshes, Hollesley in south Suffolk on November 10th & 11th, 1997. Even this couldn't match the previous record holder, one at Oulton Broad on November 12th, 1883. Maybe next time we'll get an Isabelline Shrike!!!

Four more videograbs of this individual have been added to the Lowestoft Gallery page.

Jackdaw Corvus monedula
The eastern race type bird was again in the gull roost field at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 25th. 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, but personally we have never seen one with such a prominent white patch on the sides of the neck. Even with the neck hunched into the body an obvious pale grey collar was formed. A videograb of this bird appears further down the page or click here.

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla
A single bird was at seen at Haddiscoe Bridge on the 25th.

Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret
Four were at North Cove on the 21st and seven at Carlton Marshes on the 25th.

Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
Two were along the North Beach at Lowestoft on the 21st.

WEEK ENDED NOVEMBER 18, 2001

On Saturday November 10, there were no less than four sightings of Great Northern Diver Gavia immer from Ness Point. Another on the 13th probably involves one of the 2/3 birds seen last week. The individual pictured over-wintered on Lake Lothing during the 2000/1 winter.

Hopefully, one will do the same this winter!!!

Once again Ness Point has been excellent stacks of Little Auks Alle alle, Eiders Somateria mollissima and general wildfowl have been heading north.

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata
Noted offshore at Ness Point on the 12th (3), 13th (7) and 14th (6).

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER G. immer
One flew south along the sand bank offshore at Ness Point on the 12th before settling on the sea. It seems likely that it is one of the birds seen on the 10th.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
One was watched on the boating lake in Kensington Gardens, Lowestoft on the 17th, quite a surprise and probably the first record for this site.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Winter plumaged birds flew past Ness Point on the 12th and 14th.

Gannet Morus bassanus
Noted offshore at Ness Point on the 12th (1), 13th (4) and 14th (5).

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Two first-winter birds were seen on the 12th, one was feeding in Hamilton Dock, with the second bird close inshore on the sea at Ness Point. One was still in Hamilton Dock on the 13th and 18th.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
Five flew north low over central Lowestoft on the 12th.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla
Noted at Ness Point on the 13th (10), 14th (7) and 18th (8).

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
Noted at Ness Point on the 12th (2), 13th (11) and 14th (28).

Wigeon Anas penelope
Noted offshore at Ness Point on the 13th (5).

Pintail A. acuta
Noted offshore at Ness Point on the 13th (39 - 11 drakes).

Eider Somateria mollissima
Another excellent week with birds noted past Ness Point on the 12th (4), 13th (54 - 22 drakes) and 14th (80 - 27 drakes). A female was again in Hamilton Dock on the 13th.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
Noted offshore at Ness Point on the 13th (38) and 14th (9). A flock of 42 was offshore at Pakefield on the 18th.

Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca
Two drakes flew north past Ness Point on the 13th. Five have been seen in the last week which, is quite good by Lowestoft standards.

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
A drake flew north past Link's Hill car park on the 13th.

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo lagopus
It's back!!! One has returned to Haddiscoe, Norfolk for the third consecutive winter. It is again frequenting a stretch of power cables crossing Haddiscoe and Thorpe Marshes. This is where it was on the 18th and 19th. A ring-tail Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus was hunting in the same area on the morning of the 18th.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
One was seen at Spratt's Water, Carlton Marshes, and others heard, on the 18th.

Knot Calidris canutus
Noted past Ness Point on the 13th (18) and 14th (2).

Dunlin C. alpina
Noted past Ness Point on the 13th (17) and 14th (35).

Purple Sandpiper C. maritima
Three were at Ness Point on the 14th.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres
35 were feeding in the gull roost field at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 18th.

Arctic Skua S. parasiticus
A light phase adult flew south past Ness Point on the 12th.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Two adults were present on the 15th, the regular white ringed bird along the north beach, and an unringed one on the roof of the Birds Eye factory. An unringed adult was on rooftops at Pakefield on the 18th.

Little Gull L. minutus
Noted offshore at Ness Point on the 13th (2) and 14th (9).

Yellow-legged Gull L. michahellis
The regular adult was along Lowestoft North Beach on the 12th, 13th and 15th.

Guillemot Uria aalge
Three flew north past Ness Point on the 12th, one on the sea there on the 13th was being harassed by a Great Black-backed Gull L. marinus, a not infrequent hazard for any auk it seems (see below). On the 13th and 14th hundreds of distant auks passed Ness Point. In a one hour period on the 14th, 263 were noted.

Little Auk Alle alle
Yet another excellent week for Little Auks!!! Most have been passing north offshore with occasional birds settling on the sea. Thirteen passed Ness Point on the 13th with a notable tally of 117 on the 14th. By far the highest total recorded in recent years. An exhausted individual resting on the sea attracted the unwanted attention of some gulls on the 14th, which in turn attracted more gulls. The bird was continuously diving, but did eventually fall victim to a Great Black-backed Gull L. marinus. The episode lasted for over two hours and the bird wasn't even eaten!!!

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
Six were between Ness Point and Hamilton Dock on the 12th.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
One was at Kessingland Sewage Works on the 17th.

Stonechat Saxicola torquata
Two were at Gunton Warren on the 12th, and one was at Carlton Marshes on the 18th.

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
Two 1st-year birds were at Ness Point on the 12th, with one on the 13th. They are normally feeding on the rocks near Hamilton Dock.

Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti
Two or three were singing occasionally at Carlton Marshes on the 18th.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
One was at Kessingland Sewage Works on the 17th.

Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus
One was in Corton Woods on the 16th.

Starling Sturnus vulgaris
One small flock arrived in off the sea over Lowestoft North Denes on the 12th.

Jackdaw Corvus monedula
Jackdaw One of the birds feeding in the gull roost field at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 18th showed the pale collar below the grey nape usually associated with either Scandinavian individuals of the nominate race, or the race soemmerringii from farther east which ranges from eastern Europe to Finland.

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, but personally we have never seen one with such a prominent white patch on the sides of the neck as in this bird, as can be seen in the videograb to the left. Even with the neck hunched into the body an obvious pale grey collar was formed. There was one other bird present with a far less prominent collar.

Carrion Crow Corvus corone
Two arrived in off the sea on the 14th.

Siskin Carduelis spinus
A flock of 28 flew north over the North Denes on the 15th.

Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus
One was in the MoD fields at Corton on the 18th.

Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
40 were feeding on Pakefield beach between the church and the Jolly Sailors pub on the 18th, and four more were in the MoD fields at Corton the same day.

Other Wildlife
A Red Fox Vulpes vulpes was seen near Warren House Wood on the 12th. A small, very short tailed parrot seen in silhouette against the sky over Sparrows Nest Park and the Camp Site on the 18th remained specifically unidentified.

WEEK ENDED NOVEMBER 11, 2001

The week got off to a great start with an addition to the Lowestoft list - a Black Brant Branta nigricans north past Ness Point. Little Auks Alle alle have been seen in good numbers, most of them quite close inshore. There's been a good mixture of wildfowl on the move, particularly on the 8th and 9th when strong northerly winds were blowing down the North Sea. Highlights on the 9th were headlined by Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis and Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius seen from Hamilton Road, with perhaps the same phalarope watched off Kessingland on the 11th.

The regular Mediterranean Larus melanocephalus and Yellow-legged Gulls L. michahellis have been seen along Lowestoft North Beach almost daily. Passerine migration has been dominated by two species Blackbird and Starlings. Hundreds of each must have arrived from the continent. All in all a brilliant week

And if all that wasn't enough for you, you could also head to the other end of Suffolk to see the first winter male Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca (picture to the left) currently inhabiting the Trimley end of Felixstowe Docks. As you can see the belly is still rather black with oil, though this doesn't seem to be inconveniencing the bird too much as yet.

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata
Noted offshore at Ness Point on the 5th (13), 7th (20), 9th (23), 10th (74) and 11th.

BLACK-THROATED DIVER G. arctica
One flew north past Ness Point close inshore on the 9th. Another, more distant bird, flew north with two Red-throats on the 10th.

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER G. immer
One was seen from Gorleston Cliffs on the 9th. There were four sightings from Ness Point on the 10th, involving 2/3 birds.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Winter plumaged birds flew past Ness Point on the 8th, 9th 10th and 11th.

BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis
One flew north past Ness Point on the 9th at 8:30am. It landed on the sea and was subsequently lost.

Gannet Morus bassanus
Noted offshore at Ness Point on the 5th (15), 6th (6), 7th (87), 8th (5), 9th (56) and 10th (36).

Brent Goose Branta bernicla
Noted at Ness Point on the 5th (50), 8th (133), 9th (324) and 10th (41). An injured bird on the north beach on the 10th was taken into care by the RSPCA.

BLACK BRANT Branta nigricans
One that flew past Ness Point on the 5th was an addition to the Lowestoft List. It accompanied a small group of northbound Brent Geese Branta bernicla. The birds' obvious white necklace and the pale rear flank patch contrasting against its blackish underparts were clearly visible. This rare winter visitor from the tundra of far eastern Siberia has long been expected to appear with the autumn passage of Brents. It is far easier to pick them out of a line of migrating birds than in a tight knit flock on the ground.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
Noted offshore at Ness Point on the 7th (4), 8th (5), 9th (87) and 10th (15).

Wigeon Anas penelope
Noted offshore at Ness Point on the 8th (10), 9th (106) and 10th (1).

Pintail A. acuta
Noted offshore at Ness Point on the 8th (22) and 9th (52).

Teal Anas crecca
Noted offshore at Ness Point on the 7th (10) and 8th (5).

Pochard Aythya ferina
35 flew north past Ness Point on the 9th. Unusual on a seawatch, at Lowestoft anyway!

Scaup Aythya marila
A pair flew north past Link's Hill on the 9th, and four were still on Benacre Pits just to the south of our area on the 11th.

Eider Somateria mollissima
One of the highlights of the week was the large numbers moving north on the 9th. During the day 447 passed Ness Point, by far the largest number recorded from Lowestoft. The biggest flock was 86 strong. The vast majority were stunning males. The northerly gales subsided overnight and 65 were seen on the 10th. Earlier in the week two flew south on the 5th and a female was in Hamilton Dock on the 7th with presumably the same bird on Lake Lothing on the 10th.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
Noted offshore at Ness Point on the 5th (4), 7th (53), 8th (8), 9th (344) and 10th (97).

Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca
One drifted south on the sea past Ness Point with a flock of Eider on the 9th and two flew north there on the 10th.

Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
Noted offshore at Ness Point on the 7th (2 females), 9th (3 females) and 10th (3, one male).

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
Noted offshore at Ness Point on the 9th (2) and 10th (3).

Merlin Falco columbarius
A male chasing Skylarks Aluada arvensis at Mutford flew off east on the 6th.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
One was feeding at Ness Point on the 11th.

Golden Plover Pluvialis apicaria
A solitary bird flew north at Kessingland Sluice on the 8th, and another was in fields at Corton on the 11th.

Knot Calidris canutus
58 flew north past Ness Point/Kessingland Sluice on the 8th with 9 past Ness Point on the 9th; a single Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica accompanied one group.

Dunlin C. alpina
Birds have been noted past Ness Point/Kessingland Sluice on the 8th (110 north) and Ness Point on the 9th (78 north).

Purple Sandpiper C. maritima
At Ness Point numbers finally increased to eight on the 7th and 10th, with a total of 11 seen on the 11th. On the 8th three flew north past Link's Hill and one was feeding with Turnstones Arenaria interpres at Gorleston Pier on the 9th.

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
An excellent week for this species. Birds have been watched flying in off the sea at Lowestoft North Denes on the 5th, 7th (2), 9th and 11th. Elsewhere fly-bys have been noted at Stevens Street, Lowestoft on the 7th, Gorleston and Corton on the 9th, and one was flushed from a garden at Oulton on the 11th. The question is - how many actually arrived undetected?

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus
One was in a stubble field at Mutford on the 7th.

GREY PHALAROPE Phalaropus fulicarius
A 1st-winter landed on the sea briefly close inshore from Hamilton Road at 3:30pm on the 9th. It then flew south and was relocated from Lowestoft South Pier at 4:00pm where it was feeding amongst a group of gulls. One, possibly the same bird, was feeding offshore at the River Hundred Sluice at Kessingland on the 11th before drifting further out to sea. On the 12th it was seen on Benacre Broad.

The bird pictured is the widely twitched individual that overwintered in Lowestoft Harbour in 1993/4.

Great Skua Stercorarius skua
One flew north past Ness Point on the 10th, and appeared to settle on the sea.

Pomarine Skua S. pomarinus
A dark phase juvenile passed Ness Point on the afternoon of the 5th.

Arctic Skua S. parasiticus
What was presumably the same dark phase bird was seen on the 6th and three times during the afternoon of the 7th between Link's Hill car park and Ness Point.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
An adult on Lowestoft North Beach/Denes on the 5th, 7th, 9th and 10th was the colour ringed individual with a white Darvic plastic leg ring inscribed 21N. This bird was hatched in the Netherlands in 1997 and was first noted in Lowestoft in September of that year and has returned to winter here every year since. It has been noted once at Blythburgh in Suffolk and once at the Cotswold Water Park near Swindon. An adult and 1st-winter flew north past Ness Point on the 8th, and an adult was offshore at Ness Point on the 11th.

Little Gull L. minutus
Several have been seen at Ness Point this week, on the 8th (6 adults), 9th (15, including three 1st-years) and 10th (6 adults). Large numbers of gulls have been moving north offshore in recent days. Hundreds of Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla passed Ness Point on the 9th.

Yellow-legged Gull L. michahellis
The regular adult was patrolling Lowestoft North Beach on the 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th 10th and 11th.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
One was in Lowestoft Harbour on the 5th & 10th, with three together along Lake Lothing on the 10th.

Little Auk Alle alle
A good week for this delightful bird. At the start of the week one drifted south past Ness Point on the 5th. Gusty northerly winds on the 8th (17) and 9th (25) produced a total of 37, most of which whirred their way north past Ness Point. On the 10th one rested briefly on the rocks at Ness Point before swimming south just inches offshore, 11 others were recorded.

On the 10th one confused individual joined a flock of incoming Starlings at Ness Point and was last seen heading west over the town centre! The bird pictured is an individual that was released at Lowestoft North Beach on the 3rd. It had flown into a lady hanging her washing out the previous day!!!

Guillemot Uria aalge
Lots of auks were offshore at Ness Point on the 7th and 10th (43), rather smaller numbers were in evidence on the 11th, but three swan south fairly close inshore.

Razorbill Alca torda
One that flew north past Ness Point on the 9th was close inshore.

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
One was at Carlton Marshes during the evening of the 6th ghosting between Rookery park golf course and Sprat's Water. During the 2000/1 winter period four were present in the area. It's best to park at the visitors centre and walk west to Sprats Water, the bird usually appears here at 4:30. Both Barn Tyto alba and Little Owl Athene noctua were also seen on the 6th. One arrived off the sea at Corton on the 11th and settled for a while in the MoD fields.

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
Seen daily between Ness Point and Hamilton Dock where six were present on the 7th, along with several Meadow Pipits A pratensis.

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
1st-year birds were at Ness Point on the 6th-7th (2), 8th (1), 9th, 10th and 11th (2). They often feed on the rocks near Hamilton Dock.

Thrushes Turdus sp.
There was a strong migration of thrushes on the 7th with several groups arriving off the sea at Ness Point/Lowestoft North Denes. Of the 214 birds seen the vast majority were Blackbirds T. merula. c40 Fieldfares T. pilaris and the odd Redwing T. iliacus were also noted. Several of the Blackbirds were pursued by large gulls offshore, with many of them managing to avoid capture. Two less fortunate individuals were knocked into the sea and drowned just short of making landfall. Ten Blackbirds arrived on the 9th and 437 in a 15-minute period on the 9th!!! Three Fieldfares arrived off the sea at Lowestoft on the 10th.

Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Masses of Starlings started to arrive on the 8th. Several large flocks were arriving in off the sea at Ness Point and Kessingland Sluice, most in flocks 30-50 strong. Huge numbers were arriving on the 10th at Lowestoft. Birds were watched heading towards land constantly throughout the day and thousands of birds must have arrived, only a few stragglers arrived on the 11th. The only other bird that arrived over the sea on the 9th was a Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus.

Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
13 flew north along Lowestoft North Beach on the 8th, and three were in the MoD fields at Corton on the 11th.

Other Wildlife
Quite large numbers of Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum were in evidence at Kessinland/Benacre Ness on the 11th, some were still flying in tandem and egg laying in the pits at Benacre. A Red Admiral was at Benacre Broad just to the south on the same day.

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 04, 2001

There was a distinct wintry feel to the first week of November headlined by a sprinkling of Little Auks Alle alle. One disorientated individual flew into a lady hanging her washing out! Southbound migrants have been represented by House Martin Delichon urbica and Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe at Lowestoft. Further south Benacre Pits played host to a good selection of winter birds that included four Scaup Aythya fuligula, Shore Lark Eremophila alpestris and 2 Twite Carduelis flavirostris. A juvenile Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata has also been present since October 28. It may not be too long before one turns up on Lowestoft North Denes.

Ross's Goose - Waxham, Norfolk, 04/11/2001 On November 4th, a short distance north of Lowestoft in the Broadland area of north east Norfolk, a first winter Ross's Goose Anser rossi was discovered with wintering Pink-footed Geese A. brachyrhyncus along the B1159 coast road near Brograve Farm at Waxham. A video grab of this bird appears to the left.

This once endangered species which breeds in the Canadian high Arctic has, like its close relative the Snow Goose A. caerulescens, undergone a large and rapid population boom in recent decades with a corresponding increase in numbers wintering on the eastern seaboard of America.

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata
Birds have been noted offshore at Ness Point on the 3rd (1) and 4th (1).

Gannet Morus bassanus
Eight flew south past Ness Point on the 4th.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla
18 flew south past Lowestoft North Denes on the 4th.

Eider Somateria millissima
Singles passed Ness Point on the 3rd and 4th.

Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis
One flew past Ness Point on the 3rd.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
A female flew north past Lowestoft North Denes on the 4th.

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus
A female that arrived off the sea at Corton Woods at 10:30 was a nice sight on the 4th.

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
One arrived off the sea at Lowestoft North Denes on the 4th. Two were flushed at Herringfleet on the 3rd and 4th.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
An adult was seen along Lowestoft North Beach on the 3rd.

Little Auk - Lowestoft 03/11/2001 Little Auk Alle alle
One or two of these little characters livened up a quite week. The first drifted south on the sea very close inshore along Lowestoft North Beach on the 2nd.

Earlier that day one was taken into care after colliding with a lady hanging her washing out in Gorleston. It was fed overnight and released at Lowestoft on the 3rd (picture right) where it was still present early afternoon.

Northbound birds have been noted on the 3rd (1) and 4th (3) at Ness Point. Several distant auk sp. were seen towards the later part of the week.

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
A migrant was mobbed by gulls as it completed its North Sea crossing at Lowestoft North Denes on the 3rd. It was the third individual in as many weeks at the site. Further inland at Carlton Marshes one was quartering marshes at dusk. It ghosted between Rookery Park golf course and Spratt's Water affording excellent views from the footpath, and was twice knocked to the ground by an indignant Kestrel Falco tinnunculus.

House Martin Delichon urbica
Two flew south over Lowestoft North Denes on the 3rd.

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
One flew in off the sea at Lowestoft North Denes on the 3rd.

Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
One that alighted briefly on the tracks at Lowestoft Railway Station on the 2nd may have been considering letting 'the train take the strain' as the old advert used to say. In the end it continued south shortly afterwards under its own power. The recent arrival of thrushes from the continent seems to have come to an abrupt halt this week.

Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti
Three were calling at Carlton Marshes on the 4th.