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Bewick's Swans - Peto's Marsh - March 2009 - Andrew Easton. As always a big thanks to all those who contribute to these pages.

The 31st saw a good arrival of new CHIFFCHAFFS and the first BLACKCAPS amongst the early migrants, but star billing went to the HOOPOE at Corton. A HOODED CROW also at Corton on the 31st was a bonus as well! The BLACK-THROATED DIVER was still on Oulton Broad throughout the month. A GLAUCOUS GULL was offshore from Ness Point on the 28th. Just to the south of our area a RAVEN was seen in the Benacre/Covehithe area on the 16th and 22nd. UPDATED: 21:00 April 1st.

RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata ****
Ness Point - 1st (three on the sea), 7th (106 N, 14 S), 8th (15 N).
Kessingland - 1st (2 N, 25 S), 2nd (1 N, 2 S, 2 on sea), 3rd (4 S), 4th (5 S), 5th (112 S), 6th (2 N, 21 S), 7th (19 N, 101 S, 13 on sea), 8th (10 N, 135 S), 9th (1 N, 5 S, 1 on sea), 10th (13 N, 37 S, 4 on sea), 11th (7 N, 11 S), 12th (21 N, 16 S, 2 S), 13th (8 N, 3 S, 2 on sea), 14th (37 N, 14 S, 2 on sea), 15th (19 N, 15 S), 16th (1 N, 3 S, 2 on sea), 17th (1 N, 26 S, 4 on sea), 18th (3 N, 21 S, 4 on sea), 19th (4 N, 7 S, 11 on sea), 20th (20 N, 3 on sea), 21st (2 N, 26 S, 15 on sea), 22nd (9 N, 56 S, 3 on sea), 23rd (4 N, 3 S, 2 on sea), 24th (8 N, 7 S), 25th (8 N, 9 S, 2 on sea), 26th (26 N, 28 S), 27th (9 N, 23 S), 28th (3 N, 6 S, 1 on sea), 29th (13 N, 1 on sea), 30th (5 N, 5 S, 1 on sea), 31st (4 N, 36 S, 25 on sea).
Corton - 14th (10 N), 22nd (66 N, many on the sea).



BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gavia arctica ****
Ness Point - 1st (one on the sea).
Oulton Broad - still present on the 5th to 31st, but ranging widely.
Kessingland - 25th (2 N), 26th (1 N), 31st (1 N, 1 on sea).
One was on the sea of Corton on the 31st.



GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer
Kessingland - 2nd (1 N).



DIVER spp. ****
Kessingland - 16th (2 N), 18th (1 N), 28th (1 N), 29th (1 N,1 S), 30th (1 N).



GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus ****
Kessingland - 3rd (1 N, 1 on sea), 4th (1 on sea), 8th (2 S), 12th (1 S, 1 on sea), 13th (1 on sea), 17th (2 on sea), 23rd (1 on sea), 24th (3 N, 1 S), 25th (1 S), 26th (1 S), 31st (2 on sea).
Ness Point - 7th (1 S), 29th (1 S).
Corton - 7th (1 on sea).
Oulton Dyke - 8th (2).
Oulton Broad - 15th (6).



FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis ****
Ness Point - 7th (5 N, 1 S).
One was patrolling up and down along the seawall at Lowestoft North beach for a while on the 19th.
Kessingland - 4th (2 S), 8th (1 N), 9th (4 N, 1 S), 10th (1 N), 13th (1 S), 18th (1 N), 19th (1 S), 23rd (3 N), 25th (3 N), 26th (4 N), 27th (8 N, 3 S).

GANNET Morus bassanus ****
Ness Point - 1st (1 S), 7th (332 N, 7 S), 8th (80+ N), 14th (1 S), 15th (50+ N and feeding offshore), 28th (62+ lingering offshore with many feeding).
Kessingland - 1st (1 N), 2nd (11 N), 3rd (11 N), 4th (1 N, 4 S), 5th (3 N), 6th (1 N), 7th (15 N), 8th (70 N, 5 S), 9th (71 N, 3 S), 10th (2 N, 5 S), 11th (21 N, 3 S), 12th (7 N, 1 S), 13th (34 N), 14th (41 N, 23 S), 15th (4 N, 3 S), 16th (29 N, 1 S), 17th (21 N, 5 S, 2 feeding), 18th (80 N, 8 S), 19th (59 N), 20th (23 N, 2 S, 2 feeding), 21st (54 N, 8 S), 22nd (28 N), 23rd (2 N, 38 S), 24th (3 N, 7 S), 25th (31 N, 22 S), 26th (395 N, 3 S), 27th (72), 28th (19 N, 16 S), 29th (34 N), 30th (39 N, 4 S), 31st (2 N, 1 S).

On the 8th large numbers were lingering fairly close inshore to feed along the Holm Sand, making low speed almost horizontal dives into the shallow water rather than the high speed vertical dives used in deep water. This month has been one of the best ever for seeing Gannets fishing off our coast, on the 28th one scan along saw 62 bird patrolling up and down the Holm and Newcombe Sands.



CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo ****
Kessingland - 2nd (2 S), 3rd (1 S), 5th (2 N, 1 S), 6th (2 N),7th (1 S), 8th (3 S), 10th (1 S), 12th (3 S), 13th (3 N, 4E), 15th (1 N), 16th (11 N), 18th (2 N, 3 S), 19th (1 S), 20th (1 N), 21st (2 N), 22nd (16 N, 1 S), 23rd (56 N, 15 on sea), 24th (5 N, 1 S), 26th (3 N, 2 S), 29th (1 N), 30th (1 S), 31st (5 N).
Ness Point - 15th (60 south, then on sea to feed).



SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis ****
The adult was in Hamilton Dock on the 1st and roosted on the Kittiwake Wall in the evening, with Kittiwakes for company for the first time this year.
One flew north past Ness Point on the 29th.



GREAT WHITE EGRET Egretta alba
On the morning of the 1st one flew across the River Waveney from Norfolk at Barsham Drain and then appeared to settle somewhere in the vicinity of Geldeston Lock.
At 16:00 on the 1st a probable was seen in flight at Herringfleet Marshes.

MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor
A first summer bird was on the sea off Corton on the 21st, it later drifted south past Gunton closer in. It was seen again on the sea along Lowestoft North Beach on the 22nd.
It may have been one of the displace young birds from Leathes Ham as the resident pair have been busy for the last week or so trying to drive them away in preparation for this years brood. The last one seems to have been driven off on the morning of the 22nd.



BEWICK'S SWAN Cygnus (columbianus) bewickii
On the morning of the 1st a flock of 21 adults flew in from the east and settled on Peto's Marsh, Carlton Marshes. Presumably they had abandoned their planned crossing of the North Sea to the Netherlands when they found almost zero visibility over the sea due to mist, low cloud and light drizzle.
Kessingland - 2nd (1 S).


GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser ****
One flew north past Kessingland on the 31st.



CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis ****
Leathes Ham - 14th (3), 28th (2).
Herringfleet Marshes - 14th (16).
Hamilton Dock - 15th (3).
Kessingland sewage works - 17th (2).
Lake Lothing - 28th (1).



BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis
25 were at Lound water works on the 1st.
37 were at Lound water works on the 15th.
Six flew south at Belton Common on the 22nd.



DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Branta (bernicla) bernicla ****
Kessingland - 3rd (2 N), 7th (2 N), 16th (1 S), 23rd (2 N), 29th (1 N).
Ness Point - 8th (2 S), 15th (2 N), 22nd (1 S).

The two heading north past Ness Point on the 15th met a flock of 30 Cormorants heading south and turned back and joined them. Unbeknown to them the Cormorants were only heading for the area off Ness Point and they almost immediately settled on the sea! After a bit of hesitation the two geese decided to join them.



EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen egyptiacus ****
One was at Lound village pond on the 1st.
Lound Waterworks - 1st (2), 14th (8), 28th (2).
Leathes Ham - 21st (2).
Corton - 31st (3).

SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna
Peto's Marsh, Carlton Marshes - 1st (2), 7th (2), 8th (2), 21st (2).
Kessingland - 2nd (2 S), 7th (1 S), 20th (1 S), 23rd (1 S), 26th (1 S), 30th (2 S).



AMERICAN WOOD DUCK Aix sponsa
The very colourful drake was still at Nicholas Everitt Park, Oulton Broad up to the 25th at least.



WIGEON Anas penelope
Kessingland - 4th (2 S).
Burgh Castle - 8th (30).
Herringfleet Marshes - 14th (1).



GADWALL Anas strepera
Lound Waterworks - 1st (11), 14th (14), 28th (3).
Burgh Castle - 8th (17), 30th (3).
Kessingland - 9th (2 S), 14th (2 S).
Leathes Ham - 29th (1).



TEAL Anas crecca
Kessingland - 4th (1 S), 23rd (1 N).
Burgh Castle - 8th (8).
Herringfleet Marshes - 14th (55).
Leathes Ham - 21st (pair).



PINTAIL Anas acuta
Leathes Ham - 14th (pair), 19th (2 pairs), 21st (2 pairs), 29th (2 pairs).



SHOVELER Anas clypeata****
Lound Waterworks - 1st (6), 28th (1).
Leathes Ham - 14th (2), 21st (2), 29th (2).
Kessingland - 25th (1 N), 27th (2 N).


POCHARD Aythya ferina
Leathes Ham - 7th (4), 8th (6), 14th (4).



TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula
Lound Waterworks - 1st (7), 7th (8), 21st (7), 28th (8).
Leathes Ham - 7th (1), 14th (2), 21st (2).



SCAUP Aythya marila
One flew north past Kessingland on the 6th.



COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra ****
Kessingland - 1st (1 N, 1 on sea), 3rd (5 S), 5th (8 N), 7th (4 N), 9th (3 N), 10th (1 S), 11th (6 N), 13th (3 N), 18th (1 N), 20th (1 N), 22nd (1 N), 24th (2 N, 1 S), 25th (1 S), 26th (2 N), 27th (3 N), 30th (1 N), 31st (2 N, 5 S).



RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator ****
Kessingland - 23rd (1 N), 24th (1 N).



RED KITE Milvus milvus
One flew south at Ashby Church on the 6th.
One flew north at Carlton Marshes on the 21st.
One appeared over the cliff at Gorleston golf course, Hopton on the morning of the 24th and drifted off inland.



COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo ****
Bradwell - 2nd (2 over).
Oulton - 2nd (1 over eastwards).
Kessingland sewage works - 7th (1 over).
Mutford Big Wood - 13th (3).
Mutford (Ash Farm) - 13th (1).
Ashby - 14th (1), 15th (3), 28th (2), 30th (2).
Herringfleet - 14th (2), 15th (2).
Somerleyton - 15th (3).
North Cove - 15th (1 N).
Mutford - 15th (2), 21st (1).
Oulton Broad - 21st (1 west), 29th (1 over high).
Kessingland Levels - 18th (4 drifted north).
Blundeston - 28th (1).
Lowestoft Harbour - 29th (1 south, the same bird seen over Blundeston the day before based on plumage and feather damage.)



MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus ****
Two were at Carlton Marshes on the 1st.
Two were at Herringfleet Marshes on the 14th.
One flew north over Crown Meadow football ground on the 21st.
Two were at Burgh Castle on the 30th.
Two passing high over Whitecast Marshes, Carton Marshes on the 30th may have newly arriving been migrants.



HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus ****
A male was over the marshes along Breydon South Wall on the 5th.
A ringtail was at Fisher Row, Oulton at dusk on the 31st.



PEREGRINE Falco peregrinus
A female was seen at Belton Common on the 7th.
One was back at Peto's Marsh, Carlton Marshes on the 14th and 15th.



[ GYR x SAKER
A large female hybrid between these two species was lost between Gorleston and Browston/Lound on the 13th. ]

Red-legged Partridge - Lowestoft - March 2009 © Peter Ransome http://lowestoftbirding.blogspot.com/

RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa
One was seen perched on the rocks at Ness Point on the 15th.
One was in a garden at Bosquet Close, Lowestoft on the 17th.
There have been odd records in the past of Red-legged and Chukar Partridges on the coast in Lowestoft so they clearly undertake some sort of migratory movement.
Hopton (Warren Lane) - 29th (2).



PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus
Two males were in Warren House Wood on the 16th, with another in fields near Gunton Church. Single birds were still present at each site on the 21st. More gamebirds on spring migration!



WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus ****
Gunton Warren - 2nd to 6th (1 still present at the spring), 23rd (1 towards northern end, presumed new migrant).
Two were calling at Leathes Ham on the 14th.



COMMON CRANE Grus grus
Two were seen flying south-eastwards over Waveney Forest on the morning of the 15th.

Jack Snipe - Carlton Marshes - March 2009 © Andrew Easton

OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus ****
Two were at Lound water works on the 1st.
Kessingland - 4th (1 N), 27th (1 N).
Ness Point - 7th (5 N).
Lake Lothing - 15th (1).
Corton - 21st (2), 28th (1).
Lound waterworks - 28th (2).



AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta ****
54 were at Burgh Castle on the 30th.



RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula
Kessingland - 3rd (1 on beach), 4th (1 o/b), 8th (1 o/b), 10th (3 o/b), 20th (2 o/b), 29th (2 S).



GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria
270 were at Peto's Marsh, Carlton Marshes on the 1st.



LAPWING Vanellus vanellus
170 were at Peto's Marsh, Carlton Marshes on the 1st.
100 were at Peto's Marsh, Carlton Marshes on the 8th.
100+ in flight over the Kessingland Levels on the 23rd.



SANDERLING Calidris alba ****
Lowestoft South Beach - 15th (1), 28th (2).
Pakefield - 27th (3).
Gorleston - 28th (1).



PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima ****
Ness Point/North Beach - 1st (12), 7th (12), 8th (9), 14th (11), 15th (2), 21st (6), 22nd (4), 28th (4), 29th (9).



DUNLIN Calidris alpina
Three were at Peto's Marsh, Carlton Marshes on the 1st.
One was feeding at Ness Point on the 7th.
Kessingland - 12th (2 S), 14th (1 N), 21st (1 S).



SNIPE Gallinago gallinago****
Kessingland sewage works - 23rd (2).
Burgh Castle - 30th (1).



JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus
One was seen at Carlton Marshes on the 7th.



WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola
North Cove, Nature Reserve - 15th (1).
Herringfleet Hills - 15th (1).
Marsh Lane, Carlton Colville - 15th (1).
Mutford - 15th (1), 18th (1), 19th (2).
One flew north along Kessingland Beach on the 20th.
Belton Common - 21st (1).
Carlton Colville (Plovers Way) - 21st (1).



BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa
Burgh Castle - 8th (40).



SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus ****
Burgh Castle Flats - 7th (3), 8th (6), 20th (2).

Redshank - Lake Lothing - March 2009 © Danny Porter http://www.dannysdigiscoping.com/

REDSHANK Tringa totanus
22 were at Peto's Marsh, Carlton Marshes on the 1st.
Burgh Castle Flats - 8th (60).

GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus ****
One was seen at Barsham Drain on the 1st.
One was at Burgh Castle Marshes on the 30th.



TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres ****
Lowestoft North Beach - 1st (12 including one Dutch colour ringed individual), 14th (20 including one Dutch colour ringed individual).
Peto's Marsh, Carlton Marshes - 1st (2).
Lowestoft South Beach - 1st (10), 15th (20).
Pakefield - 5th (9), 27th (19).
Ness Point - 8th (9), 22nd (14).
Gorleston - 28th (30).

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus
An adult in summer plumage was at Links Road car park on the morning and afternoon of the 7th. It was a Dutch ringed bird ringed as a chick in the summer of 1997, which has been wintering in Lowestoft every year since then, it lost the lower half of one leg several years ago.
Ness Point - 7th (1 ad N), 8th (1 1st w. S).
Pakefield - 15th (2 adults)
Lowestoft South Beach - 15th (2 adults roosting on Claremont Pier).
Kessingland - 9th (1 N), 12th (1 S), 15th (1 N).
Corton - 21st (2 adults south together).



GLAUCOUS GULL Larus hyperboreus ****
A first-winter flew south past Kessingland at 10:30 on the 4th, following in the wake of a small cargo ship.
Presumably the same bird flew north past Kessingland at 09:00 on the 12th, and back south again at 09:50 fairly close inshore.
A first winter bird was amongst a large group of gulls and Gannets feeding offshore just to the south of Ness Point on the morning of the 28th.



KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla ****
On the 1st at least 41 were at Lowestoft Harbour already busy selecting, and arguing over, the best spots on the Kittiwake Wall and old Icehouse. It was nice to hear their calls echoing around the harbour again.
Kessingland - 1st (1 N), 2nd (2 N), 6th (1 N), 9th (1 N, 1 S), 11th (3 N, 1 S), 17th (1 N), 18th (1 N), 20th (1 N), 22nd (1 N), 23rd (1 S), 24th (2 N), 25th (4 N), 26th (2 N, 1 S), 28th (1 N, 1 S), 29th (7 N, 2 S), 30th (5 N), 31st (2 N, 2 S).
Corton - 7th (1 S).
Gorleston - 11th (1 S).
Lowestoft Harbour - 19th (32).



AUK sp Alcidae
Ness Point - 7th (1 N), 8th (1 N).
Kessingland - 18th (8 N), 20th (4 N).

Kittiwakes - Lowestoft - March 2009 © Andrew Easton

BARN OWL Tyto alba ****
Barsham Drain - 1st (3).
Mutford - 5th (1), 13th (1), 26th (1), 27th (1).
Hopton - 6th (1).
Kessingland Levels - 7th (1).
Rushmere - 8th (1).
Barsham/Beccles - 16th (1).
Carlton Marshes - 18th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 31st (1).



LITTLE OWL Athene noctua ****
One was at Ashby on the 30th.



TAWNY OWL Strix aluco
One was calling at Mutford on the 6th.
Pair calling Cotmer Road, Oulton Broad, 14th.
One was calling at Parkhill, Lowestoft on the 16th.
One was heard at Herringfleet Hall on the 18th.
One was heard at Mutford Big Wood on the 19th.



KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis
Carlton Marshes - 1st (1).
Castleton Avenue, Carlton Colville - 3rd (1).
Mutford (near Pond Farm) - 15th (1).

Hoopoe - Corton - March 2009 © Chris Darby (left) Peter Ransome (right) Andrew Easton (below)

HOOPOE Upupa epops ****
March went out in style this year with a very smart Hoopoe appearing on the 31st. It ranged widely between Broadland Sands holiday park and into Corton village itself, though it usually returned to the fields north or south of the old sewage works compound. Luckily it managed to evade a passing Sparrowhawk on one occasion.

It tended to feed around the field margins, and at dusk it was knocking back leatherjackets by the dozen just to the north of the sewage works.

This was the first one in the Lowestoft area since 2002, when one was seen at Pakefield in April and another was around the Gunton Drive/Corton Road area in September.

A typically short stay by a spring migrant in a hurry to get to the breeding grounds; autumn birds are generally easier to catch up with as they tend to hang around longer on their more leisurely return to their wintering grounds.

In the spring of 1859 a total of 22 Hoopoes were recorded in Suffolk, with thirteen of them being shot in Lowestoft alone. (Piotrowski, S.H. 2003. The Birds of Suffolk. Christopher Helm, London). So there's a long way to go to break that record.




GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis ****
Hulver - 1st (1).
Gunton Warren - 11th (1), 13th (1), 21st (1), 31st (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 17th (1), 23rd (1), 31st (1).
Lound waterworks - 21st (1), 28th (1).
Burgh Castle - 30th (1).
Carlton Marshes - 30th (2).

Wheatear - Corton - March 2009 © Andrew Easton

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major ****
Corton Wood - 21st (1).
Corton disused railtrack - 21st (2).
Belton Common - 21st (1).
Leathes Ham - 22nd (1).
Ashby - 28th (1).
Hopton (Warren Lane) - 29th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 31st (2).
Pakefield - 31st (1).



SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia ****
Two were patrolling the cliffs at Corton on the 22nd, with three there on the 28th, and eight on the 31st.
Eleven were at Corton old sewage works on the 30th.
One was at Ashby on the 30th.
One was at Kessingland sewage works on the 31st.
Kessingland - 30th (1 feeding over beach), 31st (1 N, 2 S)



SWALLOW Hirundo rustica ****
One was seen at Mill Road, Mutford on the morning of the 18th.
One flew north along the coast at Corton on the 21st.
Two flew over Normanston Park, Lowestoft on the 22nd.
Two were at Leathes Ham on the 28th.
One was at Lound waterworks on the 30th.
One was at Corton old sewage works on the 30th and 31st.
One was at Mutford on the 31st.



HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica ****
One was at Corton old sewage works on the 30th and 31st.



MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis
Corton sewage works - 14th (5).
Kessingland sewage works - 17th (5).



ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus ****
Hamilton/Waveney Dock - 1st (1).
Ness Point - 1st (2), 7th (1), 29th (1).



GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea
Raglan Road, Lowestoft - 5th (1). 6th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 7th (1), 17th (2).



WHITE WAGTAIL Motacilla alba alba ****
One was at Corton old sewage works on the 31st.



PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba yarellii ****
Kessingland sewage works - 7th (40), 17th (30+), 23rd (20+).
One flew in off the sea at Pakefield on the 7th and continued inland.



WAXWING Bombycilla garrulus
Worlingham (Cedar Drive/Rowan Way) - 1st (32), 3rd (19).
Worlingham (Primrose Rise to Ellough Road area) - 7th (20), 10th (12+), 13th (12), 19th (12).
Beccles (Annadale Road) - 7th (31).
Worlingham - (Pine Tree Close) - 8th (22).
Beccles (Coney Hill) - 9th (14).
Lowestoft (Corton Road) - 11th (28).
Worlingham - (Paddocks Green) - 20th (4).

One was caught by a Sparrowhawk at Worlingham on the afternoon of the 1st.

Waxwings - Worlingham - March 2009 © Neville Loth

FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris ****
Fisher Row - 1st (3).
Mutford - 5th (16), 11th (5), 19th (175), 22nd (12).
Herringfleet - 14th (4).
Hulver - 15th (20), 23rd (1).



REDWING Turdus iliacus ****
Hulver - 1st (130), 14th (40), 23rd (3).
Mutford - 3rd (40), 5th (50), 11th (55), 18th (15).
Nicholas Everitt Park, Oulton Broad - 6th (9).
Herringfleet - 14th (10).
Kessingland sewage works - 23rd (3).
Departing migrants were heard over Lowestoft on the evenings of the 21st to 24th at least.



BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros ****
A male was at Heritage Green, Kessingland on the afternoon of the 2nd, it flew off towards the High Street.
A male was at the netposts on Lowestoft North Denes on the 18th and 19th.
A female was at Kessingland Beach on the 19th.
A female was at the Denes Oval on the 22nd.
A female was around the CEFAS complex at Pakefield on the 25th.
A female was at High Path, Kessingland on the 26th.
One was on Lowestoft South Pier on the 28th.
Two were at Carlton Court, Carlton Colville on the 30th.
One was at Herringfleet Hall on the 30th.
One was at Greenwood Way, Parkhill on the 31st.
One was at Kessingland Beach on the 31st.
One was at Oulton Broad on the 31st.

None appear to have over-wintered this year, so these birds were a very welcome sight.

Black Redstart - Lowestoft North Denes - March 2009 © Andrew Easton

STONECHAT Saxicola torquata
Barsham Drain - 1st (1).
Fisher Row - 1st (3).
Carlton Marshes - 5th (3).



WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe ****
A male was in clifftop fields at Corton on the 21st.
A male was on the North Denes at Lowestoft on the 22nd.
A females was at Lound waterworks on the 28th.
One was along Lowestoft North Beach on the 28th.
One was at Lound waterworks on the 30th and 31st.
One was at Broadland Sands, Corton on the 30th.
Two were at Lowestoft North denes on the 31st.
A male was south of Corton old sewage works on the 31st.
One was at Kessingland Beach on the 31st.



CETTI'S WARBLER Cettia cetti ****
Carlton Marshes - 11th (5 singing), 18th (5 singing), 30th (2 singing).
Burgh Castle Marshes - 30th (1).



BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla ****
One was ringed at Kessingland sewage works on the 31st.
One was at Clarkson Road, Oulton on the 31st.
One was at Mutford on the 31st.



CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita ****
Kessingland sewage works - 1st (5), 7th (2+), 23rd (2), 31st (7 trapped).
Carlton Marshes - 5th (1 singing), 11th (1 singing), 15th (1 singing), 22nd (1 singing), 30th (2 singing).
Gunton Warren - 11th (1), 31st (1).
Corton disused railtrack - 14th (1 singing), 31st (1).
North Cove, Nature Reserve - 15th (2 singing), 29th (2 singing).
Mutford - 15th (1 singing).
Lowestoft (Parkhill) - 16th (1 singing).
Belton Common - 21st (3 singing).
Nicholas Everritt Park - 25th (1 singing).
Lound waterworks - 28th (2 singing).
Hopton (Warren Lane) - 29th (3).
Kirkley Run - 30th (1).
Kirkley Fen - 31st (1).
Pakefield - 31st (2).
Corton old sewage works - 31st (1)
Broadland Sands (Corton) - 31st (1).

Redwing - Oulton Broad - March 2009 © Mike Parker

GOLDCREST Regulus regulus ****
Gunton Warren - 13th (1).
Warren House Wood - 15th (2+), 21st (3+).
Kessingland sewage works - 23rd (2).
Pakefield - 31st (2).



FIRECREST Regulus ignicapillus ****
Kessingland sewage works - 1st (1), 7th (2), 10th (1), 14th (1), 15th (1), 22nd (1).
Warren House Wood - 17th (3), 18th (2+), 21st (1).
Hopton (Warren Lane) - 29th (2).



LONG-TAILED TIT Aegithalos caudatus
A pair were feeding on Reedmace seeds at Leathes Ham on the 22nd. Not quite the Tit hoped for on Reedmace!



TREECREEPER Certhia familiaris
Fisher Row - 1st (2).

Hooded Crow - Corton - March 2009 © Chris Darby

HOODED CROW Corvus cornix ****
Formerly a common winter visitor, but now almost as rare a sight as a Hoopoe around our area, the very smart Hooded Crow pictured above was seen briefly at Corton on the 31st.



STARLING Sturnus vulgaris
Most of the Starling in the area roost under the quays in Lowestoft Harbour, but quite often large numbers decide at the last minute that it's just not for them and head off just before dark in search of alternative sites. On the evening of the 3rd over 1000 were putting on a good show as they spent ages thinking about Kirkley Cemetery as a suitable alternative, a similar number was there again on the 18th.
Five arrived in off the sea at Ness Point at 07:00 on the 14th.
300+ flew north eastwards over Kessingland sewage works in a hour on the morning of the 17th.
600 flew westwards over Carlton Marshes on the morning of the 18th.
A single huge flock in excess of 5000 birds sped south westwards over central Lowestoft at dusk on the 19th.
c2500 - 3000 were seen over Kessingland Beach at dusk on the 19th.

The exodus of wintering birds heading back to Europe is clearly gathering pace as the month goes on.

Starlings - Lowestoft - March 2009 © Peter Ransome http://lowestoftbirding.blogspot.com/

TREE SPARROW Passer montanus
One was with House Sparrows at Ivy House Lane, Carlton Colville on the 20th.
One visited the feeders at Ash Farm, Mutford on the 22nd.



BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla ****
Hulver - 1st (2 m + 2 f), 14th (4 m + f), 22nd (1 m, 2 f), 31st (1 m, 3 f).
Mutford - 1st (1 m + 1 f), 3rd (1 m), 6th (1 m), 18th (1 f), 27th (1 m).
Barnby - 10th - 14th (1 m), 28th-31st (1).
Belton Common - 21st (5+).
Mutford (Ash Farm) - 23rd (1).
Beccles - 24th (1 at garden feeders).



GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris ****
Gunton Warren - 11th (12), 14th (5), 31st (6).
Kessingland sewage works - 17th (6).



SISKIN Carduelis spinus ****
Barnby - 10th (3), 14th (7), 28th (4).
Leathes Ham - 14th (4 S).
Hulver - 14th (2), 22nd (2), 31st (5)..
Herringfleet - 15th (6+ S).
Kessingland sewage works - 17th (3).
Hopton - 17th (1 S).
Mutford - 18th (1), 27th (1).
Beccles - 24th (2 at garden feeders).
Lound waterworks - 28th (2).
Hopton (Warren Lane) - 29th (2).

Siskin - Kessingland - March 2009 © Chris Darby

LINNET Carduelis cannabina ****
Gunton Warren - 11th (10), 14th (15), 31st (8).
Hulver - 15th (2), 22nd (3).
Kessingland sewage works - 17th (2), 23rd (4), 31st (8).
Lowestoft North Denes - 26th (60+).



LESSER REDPOLL Carduelis cabaret
Mutford - 15th (2).
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 29th (5).
Hulver - 31st (1).



MEALY REDPOLL Carduelis flammea
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 1st (2).



BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Gunton - 1st (3).
Carlton Marshes - 11th (3).
Belton Common - 21st (2).



HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustes
One flying over Gorleston golf course on the 14th then dropped in to cover west of Warren Lane, Hopton.



YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella
Fisher Row - 1st (1).
Gunton Warren - 11th (2), 31st (1).
Mutford - 11th (2 singing), 15th (20).
Lowestoft North Denes - 19th (1 N).
Belton Common - 21st (3).
Ashby - 28th (2).

Reed Bunting - Leathes Ham - March 2009 © Danny Porter http://www.dannysdigiscoping.com/

REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus
Whitecast Marsh, Carlton Marshes - 1st (one singing), 11th (2).
Leathes Ham - 1st (1).
Mutford - 4th (4), 15th (3).
Kessingland sewage works - 7th (5), 17th (6+), 23rd (8+), 31st (6).
Carlton Marshes - 18th (12).
Belton Common - 21st (1).



SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis ****
Kessingland - 1st (50), 2nd (6), 3rd (6), 4th (6), 5th (3), 6th (3), 7th (16), 8th (2), 9th (1), 22nd (4), 23rd (4), 24th (4), 25th (4), 26th (4), 27th (4), 28th (4), 29th (4).

Links for local bird news Birdline East Anglia - Suffolk March 09 review Waveney Bird Club Suffolk Birding with BINS

NON-BIRD NEWS


GREY SEAL
Ness Point - 1st (1), 7th (1), 8th (1).
Lowestoft North Beach - 7th (2), 28th (1).
Kessingland - 18th (1).


COMMON SEAL
Ness Point - 7th (1), 8th (1).


HARBOUR PORPOISE
Kessingland - 2nd (1 S).
Corton - 7th (1 S).


ROE DEER
One was seen at Ash Farm, Mutford on the 13th.


CHINESE WATER DEER
One was seen at Ash Farm, Mutford on the 13th.
One was at Carlton Marshes on the 18th.
One was was seen by the River Hundred near Hulver on the 22nd.


OTTER
A family party were seen at Carlton Marshes on the morning of the 18th.


Ten Peacock butterflies and a cluster of Harlequin ladybirds were found hibernating in one of the hides at the nature reserve at North Cove on the 1st.

The 15th proved to be a very warm spring day, and many butterflies emerged from their winter hiding places, with Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshells seen in several places, Comma at Carlton Marshes, Red Admiral at Mutford and a Brimstone at Hollow Grove Way, Carlton Colville.

Several Orange Underwing moths were on the wing at Herringfleet Hills on the 15th.

17 Grass Snakes were enjoying the fine weather at Carlton Marshes on the 18th.

Stoat - Carlton Marshes - March 2009 © James Wright