Recent bird sightings in our area

December 2001	February	March	April

WEEK ENDED FEBRUARY 3, 2002

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
One was in Hamilton Dock on the 29th.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
As last week large numbers of Cormorants have been gathering to feed in the early morning, apparently on the Sprat Sprattus sprattus shoals that gather here each winter close inshore off Lowestoft. This week has seen around 400 there (maximum 420). They fly in from the north and after feeding they head back north possibly to Breydon Water and Fritton Lake. On February 2nd about three hundred flew south-eastwards over Gunton at 9.15am.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
14 were on the sea off Gorleston on the 3rd.

Peregrine Falco peregrinus
One flew south over Ash Farm, Mutford on the 29th.

Hen Harrier C. cyaneus
A female was seen at Haddiscoe Marshes on February 2nd.

Sanderling Calidris alba
Seven were feeding in Hamilton Dock on the 29th, with six at Gorleston on February 3rd..

Purple Sandpiper C. maritima
Seven were feeding at Ness Point on the 29th, with at least two there on February 2nd, and five on the 3rd.

POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus
One flew past Lowestoft Harbour mouth on the 28th, and it or another was seen off Kessingland on the 31st.

Arctic Skua S. parasiticus
One was seen to the north of Ness Point on the 28th, at Kessingland on the 31st (at the same time as the Pomarine) and off Lowestoft again on the 1st February.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Two adults were offshore at Ness Point on the 29th, one was in Hamilton Dock on February 2nd, with one at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 3rd.

Little Gull L. minutus
A smart 1st winter bird flew south close inshore past Ness Point on the 29th. Large numbers of of gulls are present along the coast between Benacre and Lowestoft at the moment. There may have been one or two adults further out but were a little distant to be sure.

Third winter Caspian Gull CASPIAN GULL L. cachinnans
Three adults and a third winter bird were in the Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville flock on February 1st, with four adults and the third winter on the 2nd. It seems six different individuals have been seen over these two days. At least two adults were there on the 3rd.

To the left is a videograb by Brian J Small of the third winter bird taken at Carlton Colville on February 2nd. A videograb of three Caspian Gulls together has been added to the Lowestoft Gallery.

Yellow-legged Gull L. michahellis
Two adults and a third winter were also in the Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville flock on February 2nd.

GLAUCOUS GULL L. hyperboreus
The first-winter was again showing very well in the north east corner of Hamilton Dock at low tide on the 29th where it was feeding on a dead gull. It was still present on the 2nd February again mostly in Hamilton Dock often perched on the wall giving very close views. Possibly two birds were in the area on the 3rd with one first winter seen at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville for most of the day, and late afternoon a first winter was seen at Gorleston Cliffs and in Hamilton Dock again. All we need now is for an Iceland Gull L. glaucoides to stay around and it will be just like the old days of the late 1970's and early 1980's.

Guillemot Uria aalge
One was in Hamilton Dock on the 29th with another summer plumaged individual offshore from Lowestoft North Denes.

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
One was seen from Smock's Mill, Herringfleet HIlls on the 29th with presumably the same bird seen at Haddiscoe Marshes on February 2nd. Records are very few and far between this winter.

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos minor
Late news from Friday 18: One was seen in Oulton at Parkhill Hotel, along road 200 yds north of hotel. It was perched in a tree before flying west over the road. Lesser spotted Woodpeckers are a real mega nowadays in the Lowestoft area!!!

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
Two were between Ness Point and Hamilton Dock on the 29th, and February 2nd.

Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
Up to ten were in the Grove Road area of Carlton Colville on the 28th, the flock was also seen back at the water tower end of Bloodmoor Road on the 30th and 31st.

OTHER WILDLIFE
Ten Common Seals Phoca vitulina were seen off Pakefield on February 2nd, presumably attracted by the same Sprat shoals that the Cormorants are currently tucking into.

WEEK ENDED JANUARY 27, 2002

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
As mentioned before good numbers have been noted locally this winter. On the 25th a single flock 124 flew east out to sea at Corton Church. A flock of at least 250 were on the sea close inshore off Ness Point on the 27th. They seem to be part of a large scale movement south by birds probably heading for the nearest large breeding colony at Abberton Reservoir near Colchester, Essex.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla bernicla
One was in the field south of Corton Church on the 22nd.

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope
Four small flocks totalling about 80 birds flew south east, calling fortunately, over central Lowestoft on the 26th.

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo lagopus
The bird at Haddiscoe Marshes was present on the 21st, 25th and 27th.

CASPIAN GULL Larus cachinnans
One adult was amongst the gull flock at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 25th.

GLAUCOUS GULL L. hyperboreus
The first-winter has been present in the Lowestoft Harbour area up to the 27th at least, viewable either from Hamilton Road or the South Pier.

Guillemot Uria aalge
One was in Hamilton Dock on the 22nd.

Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
Up to ten were in the Clarke's Lane area of Carlton Colville on the 27th, they were frequently seen flycatching from the treetops around the large playing field.

WEEK ENDED JANUARY 20, 2002

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Two were in Hamilton Dock on the 20th.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Good numbers have been noted offshore at Ness Point this winter and a raft of 40 drifted past on the 20th with a further 12 further out.

Shag P. aristotelis
At least seven were along Lake Lothing on the 19th with 14 roosting on the Kittiwake Wall in Lowestoft Harbour the same night.

Mandarin Aix galericulata
The pinioned drake was still present on the 19th following the recent freeze up.

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus
A female was seen over farm land on the 19th, between Burgh St. Peter & Haddiscoe.

Sanderling Calidris alba
On Lowestoft South Beach there were 29 between the two piers on the 14th, they were accompanied by a Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola. At least 33 were there on the 19th.

Purple Sandpiper C. maritima
Five were feeding at Ness Point on the 19th and six on the 20th.

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
One was at Oulton Marshes on the 19th.

POMARINE SKUA Stercrocarius pomarinus
A pale phase bird flew south past Ness Point on the 20th close inshore before landing on the sea offshore from Hamilton Road and drifting south on the sea.

GLAUCOUS GULL Larus hyperboreus
The first-winter has been present in the Lowestoft Harbour area up to the 19th and 20th, viewable either from Hamilton Road or the South Pier.

Guillemot Uria aalge
One drifted past Ness Point on the 20th.

Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
Ten were again in the general area of the footbridge along Bloodmoor Road, Lowestoft on the 14th. At the end of the week ten were at Kessingland near the northern roundabout which joins the bypass to the A12.

WEEK ENDED JANUARY 13, 2002

To the left is a videograb of the first winter Glaucous Gull which has spent most of this week around Lowestoft Harbour and Hamilton Dock, mostly on the fish market roof.

This has certainly been the best winter for gulls in recent years with 12 species seen in the Lowestoft area so far.

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata
20-30 were noted on the sea between Gunton and Ness Point on the 9th with a couple on the 12th.

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
At least ten roosted on the Kittiwake wall in Lowestoft Harbour on the 10th. On the 12th one was feeding in Hamilton Dock during the day. On the 13th 15, possibly 16, came into roost. During the day three were feeding in Hamilton Dock with the others further inland along Lake Lothing. This is the highest total in recent years.

Bewick's Swan Cygnus (columbianus) bewickii
18 were on Haddiscoe Marshes on the 12th.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
12 were in the gull roost field at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 13th.

Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus
130 were at Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk on the 8th with a similar figure on the 12th. Although now quite a common winter visitor just a few miles north east of here in the Horsey area, it remains an infrequent visitor here.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
Three flew north past Ness Point on the 12th.

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
Three were at Haddiscoe Marshes on the 12th.

Hen Harrier C. cyaneus
A male was seen at Fisher Row, Oulton Marshes on the 12th.

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo lagopus
The bird at Haddiscoe Marshes was present on the 7th, 8th and 13th.

Peregrine Falco peregrinus
One was at Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk on the 8th, 12th and 13th.

Merlin F. columbarius
One was at Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk on the 8th and 12th.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
One was feeding along the stream running alongside Laxfield Way, Lowestoft on the 13th.

Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima
Three were feeding on rocks at Link's Hill on the 12th at low tide. One was in Lowestoft Harbour on the 13th.

Sanderling Calidris alba
On Lowestoft South Beach there were 27 between the two piers on the 9th and 40 on the 11th along with two Knot C. canutus.

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
One flew along the stream running alongside Laxfield Way, Lowestoft on the 13th.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Two were at Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk on the 13th.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
One was at Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk on the 1st and 2nd.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
The white ringed individual, 21N and an adult with a pale blue or green colour ring were on Lowestoft South Beach on the 9th. Adults were noted at Hamilton Dock and Ness Point on the 12th. One adult was present on the 13th.

Adult Caspian Gull CASPIAN GULL L. cachinnans
One adult was amongst the gull flock at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 13th. It is pictured in the centre of the videograb to the left with a Black-headed, Herring and Great Black-backed Gull.

What was probably a different individual was present in Lowestoft Harbour late afternoon on the 13th.

GLAUCOUS GULL L. hyperboreus
A first-winter has been present in Lowestoft Harbour since the 9th. On the 11th it was roosting on the roof of the fish docks viewable from the South Pier. Once again it was present all day on the 12th. At times it gave crippling views from Hamilton Road where it was feeding on a fish carcass mid afternoon. Earlier in the day it was on the rooftops. Things were much the same on the 13th when the bird gave excellent views at Ness Point where it was on the roofs of the Bird's Eye Walls factory. It flew south from here and was in Hamilton Dock at low tide.

Guillemot Uria aalge
One was feeding in Hamilton Dock on the 13th.

Barn Owl Tyto alba
One was at Haddiscoe Marshes on the 12th.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
One was fishing along the stream running alongside Laxfield Way, Lowestoft on the 13th.

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
Noted at Hamilton Dock and Lowestoft South Pier on the 13th.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
Two were at Haddiscoe Bridge on the 12th. One was feeding along the stream running alongside Laxfield Way, Lowestoft on the 13th.

WEEK ENDED JANUARY 06, 2002

To the left is a shot of the first surprise of 2002 a first winter Iceland Gull resting with Black-headed Gulls on the ice at Oulton Broad. Another shot has been added to the Lowestoft photo gallery.

It was seen on the mornings of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd but it soon joined the procession of gulls heading inland, and on the 2nd to 4th was also seen at Aldeby landfill site. It seems likely that it is roosting at sea off Lowestoft before heading inland each day to the rubbish dump, stopping off at Oulton Broad enroute.

In the 1970's this was a species you expected to see every winter, this bird seems to be the first seen in Lowestoft since April 1998.

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata
One was on Lake Lothing on the 4th and 5th.

Black-throated Diver G. arctica
One was reported on the pagers at Ness Point on the 4th.

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Ten were roosting on the Kittiwake Wall in Lowestoft Harbour at dawn on the 1st, and up to at least five were seen daily on Lake Lothing up to 4th. Seven were together on the sea at the end of Hamilton Road late afternoon on the 5th, the departure of a large cargo ship seemed to have forced them out to sea temporarily.

Bewick's Swan Cygnus (columbianus) bewickii
Good numbers are present on Wheatacre Marshes just across the border in Norfolk with 42 on the 2nd and 58 on the 4th.

Whooper Swan C. cygnus
Three flew over Bloodmoor Road on the 5th.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
24 were in the gull roost field at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 4th.

Mandarin Aix galericulata
The pinioned drake was still on Oulton Broad on the 3rd.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
One female was on the sea off Kessingland on the 1st.

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
Three (a male and two females) were on Lake Lothing on the 2nd to 5th, usually to the east of the railway footbridge. Presumably the same three flew past the harbour mouth on the 1st.

RUDDY DUCK Oxyura jamaicensis
Two females were on Oulton Broad on the 3rd to the 5th. Quite a rare bird locally and usually only seen after a freeze up, although the odd male at least has been seen on Fritton Lake in the summer in the past.

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
One was at Fritton Marshes on the 1st, and three at Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk on the 2nd.

Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus
The usual bird was again at Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk on the 1st and was seen at nearby Wheatacre Marshes, Norfolk on the 2nd.

Peregrine Falco peregrinus
One was at Fritton Marshes on the 1st, and two were on Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk on the 2nd.

Merlin F. columbarius
One was at Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk on the 4th.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
Several birds were calling at Carlton Marshes on the 1st, and one was at Leathes Ham on the 4th.

Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima
At least one was at Ness Point on the 1st, with two on the 2nd and three on the 4th.

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus
Two were seen at Carlton Marshes on the 1st and one was on Haddiscoe Marshes on the 3rd.

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
Six were seen at Carlton Marshes on the 1st. This species has also been much in evidence recently in the St Olaves and Haddiscoe Marshes area, it seems many of the immigrants which arrived this autumn may have stayed near the coast rather than moving inland.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
One was at Haddiscoe Marshes, Norfolk on the 1st and 2nd.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
One was still present at the western end of Lake Lothing on the 1st and the 5th.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
An adult was off Pakefield on the 4th.

Little Gull Larus minutus
Two were seen at Ness Point and one at Pakefield on the 4th.

GLAUCOUS GULL L. hyperboreus
A first-winter was reported on the pagers at Ness Point on the 4th.

ICELAND GULL Larus glaucoides
A first-winter on the ice at Oulton Broad early morning on the 1st was an unexpected bonus, shortly afterwards it headed inland. It was seen again on the mornings of the 2nd and 3rd and much better videograbs were obtained. It was also seen at Aldeby landfill site just across the River Waveney in Norfolk on the 2nd to 4th.

Guillemot Uria aalge
One was feeding in Hamilton Dock on the 5th.

Barn Owl Tyto alba
One was at Fritton Marshes on the 1st.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
One was fishing along the stream running alongside Laxfield Way, Lowestoft on the 1st.

The picture at left shows what was presumably the same bird seen the day before in the same place. The red base to the lower mandible indicates it is a female, males having an all black bill.

Two were on Lake Lothing on the 2nd, with three there on the 3rd.

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
One was in Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft on the 1st.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
One was at the western end of Lake Lothing near Mutford Lock on the 4th.

Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
Up to eleven were again in the general area of the footbridge along Bloodmoor Road, Lowestoft on the 1st, and ten were still present on the 4th and 5th and at least seven on the 6th.

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
One male was seen along Lake Lothing again on the 2nd.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
A female was in the bushes near the footbridge over Bloodmoor Road, Lowestoft on the 1st.

Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus
25 were noted in the reeds fringing the River Waveney at Fritton Marshes on the 1st

Jay Garrulus glandarius
Several have recently been reported visiting gardens in the Pakefield area where they have not previously been noted. It seems likely that the recent freeze up has frozen their food stores into the ground forcing them to wander more widely to try to find new food sources

Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
14 were at Kessingland Beach on the 1st.