Lowestoft Bird News

MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus
One flew north past Kessingland on the 13th.

GANNET Morus bassanus
Kessingland - 1st (3 N), 2nd (5 N), 3rd (2 N, 2 S), 4th (1 N, 1 S), 5th (4 N), 6th (7 N), 7th (2 N), 8th (4 N), 9th (3 N, 4 S), 10th (1 N, 2 S), 11th (1 N, 2 S), 12th (5 N), 13th (29 N, 8 S), 14th (25 N, 3 S, 1 on sea), 15th (23 N, 5 S), 16th (13 N), 17th (17 N), 19th (1 N, 2 S), 23rd (3 N), 24th (1 S), 25th (1 N), 26th (4 N, 5 S), 27th (10 N, 1 S), 28th (1 N, 3 S), 29th (4 N, 1 S), 30th (5 N, 3 S), 31st (2 N).
Ness Point - 2nd (6 N, 1 S), 4th (7 N, 1 S), 5th (1 N), 6th (1), 8th (2 N), 9th (1 N, 7 S), 10th (1 N, 7 S), 13th (12 N, 5 S), 14th (12 N, 2 S), 15th (4 N), 17th (1 N), 19th (3 S), 24th (3 N, 2 S), 26th (6 S), 30th (2 N, 4 S).
Gorleston - 13th (4 N), 14th (12 N), 16th (2 N), 25th (5 S).

CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo
A Dutch colour ringed individual was regularly at Leathes Ham on the 1st to 31st.
Kessingland - 3rd (1 N, 4 S), 6th (1 N), 9th (1 S), 19th (1 S), 21st (1 S), 23rd (1 S), 26th (1 N), 27th (1 N), 28th (1 N), 29th (1 N).
Ness Point - 13th (1 N), 17th (4 S).
Gorleston - 13th (1 NE).
Leathes Ham - 13th (3).

SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Two were along Lake Lothing on the 9th.

LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta
Three were at Breydon South Wall on the 10th.
One was at Herringfleet Marshes on the 10th.
One was at Leathes Ham on the evening of the 22nd, it then flew off high to the south.
One flew eastward high over Fritton Lake on the 23rd.
Two were at Humberstone Marshes, Breydon South Wall on the 25th.
One was at Leathes Ham early morning on the 27th.

GREAT WHITE EGRET Egretta alba
One was seen at Herringfleet Marshes on the 7th.

GREY HERON Ardea cinerea
Leathes Ham - 21st (2), 30th (1).
Two were at Humberstone Marshes, Breydon South Wall on the 25th.

SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia
One flew over Burgh Castle Flats on the morning of the 3rd.
One flew north over Ashby on the 10th.

MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor
Six, including a pink legged "Polish Swan" flew in to Leathes Ham on the 4th and were immediately chased off by the male of the resident breeding pair. They then joined four Canada Geese on Lake Lothing.

"Polish Swan" - Lake Lothing - May 2009 © Andrew Easton

GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser
A pair at Burgh Castle with two young goslings on the 4th.
Lound Waterworks - 5th (9).
Leathes Ham - 9th (2).

CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis
The breeding pair were still present at Leathes Ham on the 4th.
Four were on Lake Lothing on the 4th.
A pair at Burgh Castle with two young goslings on the 4th.
A pair were at Lound Waterworks on the 4th.
Six were on Lake Lothing on the 4th.
One was at Lound waterworks on the 24th.

BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis
Lound Waterworks - 2nd (12), 4th (2), 10th (2).
Kessingland - 6th (1 S), 21st (2).
Fritton Lake - 23rd (3).

EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen aegyptiacus
Lound waterworks - 4th (2).
Leathes Ham - 8th (pair with three young), 12th (pair with no young, as last year they appear to have lost them all), 17th (2), 30th (2).

SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna
Burgh Castle Flats - 3rd (163), 11th (183), 25th (brood of eight young), 30th (2 pairs with broods of young).
Ness Point - 5th (5 N), 15th (2 S), 19th (2 S).
Kessingland - 5th (1 N, 1 S), 10th (2 S), 16th (1 S), 18th (1 S).
Gorleston - 15th (1 S).
Fritton Lake - 23rd (4).
One flew high towards the coast over Kirkley Fen on the 15th.

GADWALL Anas strepera
Leathes Ham - 5th (1), 24th (3).

TEAL Anas crecca
One flew south past Kessingland on the 14th.

SHOVELER Anas clypeata
Leathes Ham - 1st (1), 5th (pair), 13th (pair).
Kessingland - 7th (2 N).

POCHARD Aythya ferina
One drake was at Leathes Ham on the 14th.
One flew south past Kessingland on the 15th.

TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula
Kessingland sewage works - 5th (pair).
Leathes Ham - 8th (5),10 (2), 12th (1), 19th (1).
Kessingland - 19th (3 S), 26th (2 S).

COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra
Kessingland - 1st (29 N), 2nd (110 N, 50 on sea), 3rd (15 N, 65 S, 1 on sea), 4th (1 on sea), 7th (1 N), 9th (3 N), 10th (1 N), 11th (11 N), 12th (1 N), 13th (21 N), 14th (43 N), 16th (11 N, 8 S), 19th (1 S), 22nd (6 N), 23rd (13 N), 25th (5 S), 26th (1 N), 27th (12 N), 28th (2 S), 29th (2 S).
Ness Point - 2nd (70 N), 4th (10 S), 13th (3 N), 17th (5 N), 19th (4 N), 30th (2 N).

Grey Partridge - Beccles Marshes - May 2009 © Neville Loth

COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo
Breydon South Wall - 2nd (3), 22nd (1).
Ashby - 2nd (4), 10th (3+), 23rd (3), 24th (2), 30th (1).
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 4th (1), 31st (1).
Burgh Castle - 10th (2).
Carlton Marshes - 17th (1).

MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus
Burgh Castle - 3rd (3), 9th (3).
Kessingland Levels - 4th (2).
Breydon South Wall - 4th (1), 10th (1), 30th (1).
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 4th (2). 25th (2), 31st (1)
Carlton Marshes - 17th (2), 25th (3).
Ashby - 24th (1).

HOBBY Falco subbuteo
Lound Waterworks - 2nd (1), 4th (2), 9th (1), 10th (1), 15th (1).
Ashby - 2nd (2), 10th (1), 23rd (2), 24th (3).
Breydon South Wall - 2nd (2), 16th (1).
Gorleston Golf Course (Hopton) - 3rd.
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 4th (1), 31st (2).
Oulton Broad - 5th (1).
Corton - 9th (1), 15th (1 N).
Lowestoft (Whapload Road) - 15th (1 N).
Carlton Marshes - 17th (1).
Kessingland (Beach Road) -21st (1).
Three were seen together at Benacre Street on the 21st.

Peregrine - Lowestoft - May 2009 © Andrew Easton

PEREGRINE Falco peregrinus
One was circling high over Ness Point on the evening of the 22nd; it drifted off westwards and then stooped down somewhere in the centre of the town. There are certainly plenty of pigeon dinners available in the High Street.
The same slightly tatty winged individual, a male on size, was hunting over Brooke Business Park on the evening of the 26th, it then flew north eastwards over Leathes Ham and disappeared behind the trees over the Barnards Meadow area.

GREY PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix
One was at Beccles Marshes on the 4th, with two seen there on the 30th.

COMMON CRANE Grus grus
One flew south across Breydon Water on the 2nd, it then circled up very high towards Burgh Castle.
One flew over Carlton Marshes on the 10th.
Three were seen distantly from Ashby flying north along the Waveney Valley on the 10th.

Common Crane - Breydon South Wall - May 2009 © Andrew Easton

OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus
Kessingland - 1st (5 N, 1 S), 2nd (9 N), 3rd (4 N, 1 S), 4th (1 S), 5th (2 N), 7th (1 S), 14th (2 N), 15th (1 S), 16th (4 N, 1 S), 17th (8 N), 20th (1 N), 21st (1 N, 5 S), 22nd (1 S), 25th (7 S), 27th (1 N), 28th (1 S).
Gorleston - 2nd (5 N).
Burgh Castle - 3rd (4).
Kessingland Levels - 4th (pair).
Lound - 4th (4).
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 4th (2).
Gunton Warren - 7th (3 S).
Ness Point - 9th (1 S), 17th (1 N), 19th (6 S), 22nd (1 N).
Breydon South Wall - 16th (2), 25th (1).
Ash Farm, Mutford - 18th (pair).
Leathes Ham - 25th (2).
Corton - 28th (3).

AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta
Burgh Castle Flats - 3rd (4), 30th (7).
Breydon South Wall - 17th (1).

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula
Kessingland - 1st (3 N, 2 S), 8th (1 S), 13th (7 N), 15th (1 N), 17th (7 N), 21st (4 N).
Breydon South Wall - 4th (25), 9th (121), 16th (151), 17th (100).
Lowestoft North Beach - 9th (2), 24th (2).
Ness Point - 11th (1 N), 13th (8 N), 14th (3 N).
Burgh Castle Flats - 11th (4).

GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola
A flock of seven flew north past Ness Point on the 14th.
Two flew south past Ness Point on the 15th.
Breydon South Wall - 4th (1), 16th (15), 17th (9).
Kessingland - 14th (2 S), 15th (1 S).
Burgh Castle Flats - 25th (1).

LAPWING Vanellus vanellus
Four were at Castle Marshes, North Cove on the 1st.
Pair with two young at Humberstone Marshes, Breydon South Wall on the 4th.
Pair with two young at Herringfleet Marshes on the 10th.
Pair with two young at Barsham Drain on the 11th.
Four adults were Humberstone Marshes, Breydon South Wall on the 10th.
One flew south at Ashby on the 23rd and 24th.
Five adults with two half grown young at Humberstone Marshes, Breydon South Wall on the 25th.

Oystercatchers - Kessingland - May 2009 © Bill Hancock

KNOT Calidris canutus
Kessingland - 8th (1 S), 17th (3 S), 18th (1 S), 26th (6 S).
Two were on the South Flats at Breydon on the 16th.
Seven were on the South Flats at Breydon on the 17th.
Four were at Burgh Castle Flats on the 17th.

SANDERLING Calidris alba
Three flew north together past Ness Point on the 14th.
Two were on the South Flats at Breydon on the 16th.
Ness Point/North Beach - 19th (1).
Kessingland - 22nd (1 N).

LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta
One was on the South Flats at Breydon on the 2nd.

PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima
Ness Point/North Beach - 5th (1).

DUNLIN Calidris alpina
Gorleston - 3rd (2 N).
Breydon South Wall - 4th (c.400), 9th (c.800), 16th (c.40), 17th (c.50).
Kessingland - 5th (6 N), 7th (4 S).
Ness Point/North Beach - 18th (1), 19th (1), 22nd (2), 29th (1).

COMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago
One flew north over Lowestoft Cemetery on the 1st.

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa
Burgh Castle Flats - 3rd (65), 11th (155), 17th (309), 30th (280).
Breydon South Wall - 16th (20).

BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica
One was at Burgh Castle Flats on the 4th.
One flew north past Kessingland on the 6th.
One flew south past Ness Point on the 15th.
Two flew south past Kessingland on the 6th.
Breydon South Wall - 16th (16), 17th (1).
One was at Burgh Castle Flats on the 25th.

WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus
On the 3rd two flew over Leathes Ham and continued eastwards along Lake Lothing.
One was on the Kessingland Levels on the 4th.
Three were along Breydon South Wall on the 4th.
Three were at Castle Marshes, North Cove, on the 4th.
Two flew north past Ness Point on the 5th.
Two flew north at Lowestoft North Beach on the 7th.
One flew north at Lowestoft North Beach on the 9th.
One flew east over Kessingland sewage works on the 9th.
24 were along Breydon South Wall on the 9th.
Kessingland - 3rd (7 N, 1 S), 5th (2 N), 6th (1 N), 7th (1 S), 10th (4 N), 12th (1 N), 13th (2 N), 15th (3 N), 18th (1 S).
Two flew south past Ness Point on the 14th.
One flew east along Breydon South Wall on the 16th.
One flew south past Lowestoft North Beach on the 17th.
One flew south at Corton on the 23rd.
One was at Humberstone Marshes, Breydon South Wall on the 25th.

Whimbrel - Breydon South Wall - May 2009 © Jeremy Gaskell

CURLEW Numenius arquata
Nine were along Breydon South Wall on the 4th.
Kessingland - 4th (1 S), 5th (1 S), 7th (1 S), 8th (1 S), 23rd (1 S).
Breydon South Wall - 16th (6), 17th (1).

SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus
Two were at Burgh Castle Flats on the 4th.

GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia
Nine were on the South Flats at Breydon on the 2nd.
One dropped in briefly at Leathes Ham on the 4th before flying west.
Two were at Burgh Castle Flats on the 4th.
Five were on the small scrape along Breydon South Wall on the 4th.
Two were at Burgh Castle Flats on the 4th.
One was at Burgh Castle Flats on the 17th.

Greenshank - Leathes Ham- May 2009 © Andrew Easton

COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos
Burgh Castle Flats - 4th (1).
Leathes Ham - 8th (1), 13th (4), 14th (2), 15th (1), 17th (1).
Ness Point - 13th (1), 15th (1).
Waveney Forest - 13th (8 along the Waveney).
Breydon South Wall - 14th (13).
Lound waterworks - 15th (1).

TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres
Gorleston Pier - 3rd (5), 4th (3), 13th (1).
Lowestoft North Beach - 4th (1 in breeding plumage), 9th (1), 29th (2).
Ness Point - 5th (4), 6th (3), 19th (9), 22nd (2), 26th (1).
Breydon South Wall - 16th (4), 17th (2), 25th (1).

POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus
A flock of nine first noted heading north off Southwold were also seen off Kessingland and Corton late afternoon on the 10th, continuing northward but angling further away from the coast.
One flew north past Kessingland late evening on the 13th and was also seen off Gorleston shortly afterwards.

ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus
Two flew north past Ness Point on the 2nd.
One flew north past Gorleston on the 3rd.
One flew north past Kessingland on the 8th.
One flew north past Kessingland on the 14th.
One flew north past Ness Point on the 14th, mugging a Kittiwake for breakfast enroute.

GREAT SKUA Stercorarius skua
One settled on the sea off Gorleston early morning on the 13th; despite being mobbed by gulls it stayed for 20 minutes.

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus
An adult was at Ash Farm, Mutford on the 18th.
A first summer bird was at Breydon South Wall on the 22nd.
Kessingland - 16th (1 S), 21st (1 S).
A first and second summer flew north together past Ness Point on the evening of the 26th.

LITTLE GULL Larus minutus
One was a Breydon Water on the 10th, later settling on the North Flats.

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis
One adult was at Gorleston harbour mouth on the 3rd and 26th and seems to be summering.

Turnstone - Lowestoft North Beach - May 2009 © Derek Beamish

KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla
Kessingland - 1st (4 N, 6 S), 2nd (5 N, 5 S), 3rd (5 N, 6 S), 4th (4 N, 6 S), 5th (5 N, 5 S), 6th (6 N, 8 S), 7th (1 N, 4 S), 8th (2 N, 1 S), 9th (10 N, 6 S), 10th (12 N, 16 S), 11th (19 N, 9 S), 12th (20 N, 1 S), 13th (12 N), 14th (10 N, 3 S), 15th (6 N, 5 S), 16th (1 N, 1 S), 17th (4 N, 21 S), 18th (3 N, 5 S), 19th (4 N, 10 S), 20th (6 N, 14 S), 21st (6 N, 6 S), 22nd (5 N, 2 S), 23rd (7 N, 5 S), 24th (3 N, 3 S), 25th (6 N, 3 S), 26th (2 S), 27th (6 N, 4 S), 28th (3 N, 2 S), 29th (5 N, 8 S), 30th (4 N, 4 S), 31st (4 S).
Gorleston - 13th (1 S), 14th (1 NE), 16th (2 S), 17th (2 S), 25th (1 N, 8 S), 26th (1 N).

The netting and fencing put up by SLP to deter the local foxes from raiding the Kittiwake wall appears to be paying dividends as more birds are are once again utilising the lower ledge/beam along the base of the wall.

SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvichensis
Kessingland - 1st (2 N), 3rd (2 N), 4th (1 N), 9th (1 N), 10th (2 S), 13th (2 N), 14th (6 N), 15th (2 N), 17th (2 N), 18th (1 N), 21st (2 N), 22nd (4 N, 2 S), 23rd (4 N), 26th (4 S), 27th (3 N), 28th (5 N), 29th (9 N), 30th (9 N, 6 S), 31st (1 N).
Ness Point - 4th (2 N), 5th (2 N), 11th (1 N), 13th (2 N), 17th (2 S), 21st (3 N).
Hopton - 27th (3 S).

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo
Three were displaying over Lake Lothing on the 4th.
Two were over Fritton Lake on the 10th.
Two were at Burgh Castle on the 10th.
One was at Leathes Ham on the 28th.
Ness Point - 14th (2 N, 4 S), 17th (1 N).
Breydon South Wall - 16th (2), 25th (2).

ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea
One flew south past Ness Point with Black Terns on the 14th.
Three flew north past Gorleston on the 14th.
One flew south past Ness Point on the 17th.

Kittiwake - Lowestoft Harbour - May 2009 © Colin Carter
New seaweed adorning an old nest.

LITTLE TERN Sterna albifrons
Kessingland - 2nd (1 N), 6th (4 N, 5 S), 7th (1 N), 8th (5 N, 2 S), 9th (3 N), 10th (2 N), 11th (3 N), 12th (22 N), 13th (1 S), 14th (14 N, 3 S), 15th (2 N, 14 S), 16th (9 S), 17th (19 N, 5 S), 18th (3 N, 8 S), 19th (7 N, 1 S), 20th (1 N, 6 S), 21st (7 N, 1 S), 22nd (11 N), 23rd (9 N, 1 S), 24th (1 N, 2 S), 25th (2 N, 1 S), 26th (5 N), 28th (8 N), 29th (3 N, 2 S), 30th (1 N).
Two were along Breydon South Wall on the 4th.
13+ flew north past Ness Point on the 8th.
One was along Breydon South Wall on the 10th.
Two flew north past Ness Point on the 10th.
Two flew north past Ness Point on the 13th.
Eight flew north past Ness Point on the 14th.
One flew north past Corton on the 14th.
One was along Breydon South Wall on the 16th.
50+ were feeding off Ness Point on the 16th.
130+ were feeding off Ness Point on the 17th, 18th and 19th at least.
26 were feeding offshore from Ness Point on the evening of the 26th.

It appears large numbers of birds from the Great Yarmouth colony are feeding along the Holm Sand off Ness Point.

BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger
One flew north past Ness Point on the 4th.
One flew north past Ness Point on the morning of the 13th.
One flew south past Corton on the evening of the 13th.
Six flew south past Ness Point on the 14th.

"COMMIC TERN" Sterna hirundo/paradisaea
Ness Point - 4th (5 N), 8th (1 N), 13th (25 N most appeared to be Arctic Terns), 14th (12 N), 30th (5 N).
Kessingland - 2nd (17 N, 1 S), 3rd (2 N, 2 S), 4th (3 N), 8th (1 N), 9th (5 N), 10th (2 N), 12th (1 N), 13th (8 N), 14th (25 N, 5 S), 15th (11 N, 2 S), 16th (2 N, 4 S), 17th (6 N, 4 S), 18th (3 N), 19th (8 N, 4 S), 20th (7 N, 5 S), 21st (5 N), 22nd (11 N, 4 S), 23rd (6 N, 2 S), 24th (2 N), 25th (3 N, 1 S), 26th (16 N), 27th (2 N), 28th (9 N, 1 S), 29th (1 N, 2 S), 30th (1 N), 31st (4 S).
Gorleston - 17th (2 S), 24th (2 N probably Arctic), 25th (2 S).

GUILLEMOT Uria aalge
One flew north past Ness Point with a Razorbill on the 13th.

RAZORBILL Alca torda
Two flew north past Ness Point on the 13th, one of them accompanied by a Guillemot.

AUK sp Alcidae
Ness Point - 4th (1 N), 13th (1 N), 14th (2 N).
Kessingland - 7th (1 N), 14th (3 N), 16th (2 N, 1 S), 17th (1 N, 5 S), 23rd (1 S), 27th (1 N), 29th (1 N), 30th (1 N).

WOOD PIGEON Columba palumbus
A flock of 30 flew south over Lowestoft North Denes on the 20th.
40+ were seen at Kessingland sewage works on the 21st.

TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur
One was at Hopton disused railtrack on the 7th, and one was also seen at Radar Lodge the same day.
One flew south over Lowestoft North Denes on the 9th.
One was seen at Kirkley Fen on the 16th.
One was at Corton disused railtrack on the 16th, with two together there on the 17th.
One flew south amongst a flock of Woodpigeons over Lowestoft North Denes on the 20th
Two were at Geldeston Marshes on the 24th.

CUCKOO Cuculus canorus
Lound waterworks - 2nd (1), 10th (1), 23rd (1), 24th (1).
Gapton Marshes - 2nd (1), 10th (1).
Breydon South Wall - 4th (1), 24th (1), 29th (2).
Beccles - 7th (1 singing from rooftop in town centre).
Belton Common - 10th (1).
Lound - 16th (1).
Carlton Marshes - 17th (1).
Kessingland - 25th (1).
Fisher Row - 25th (1).

BARN OWL Tyto alba
Lound waterworks - 2nd (1).
Burgh Castle - 3rd (2).
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 1st (1), 4th (4).

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus
One flew inland over Gunton Warren on the 23rd.

COMMON SWIFT Apus apus
One was over Lound waterworks on the 2nd.
There was a mass arrival over the Lowestoft and Oulton area early on the 3rd, at least eight were together over Leathes Ham.
One was at Burgh Castle on the 3rd.
One arrived in off the sea at Gorleston Pier on the 4th.
One flew north past Kessingland on the 5th.
c.50 were at Castle Marshes, North Cove, on the 4th.
Two were at Beccles Marshes on the 5th.
20 were over Leathes Ham on the 5th.
25+ flew west over Kessingland sewage works on the 21st.

KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis
Lound Waterworks - 2nd (1).
Leathes Ham - 9th (1).

EUROPEAN BEE-EATER Merops apiaster
Heard in flight northbound over Lound waterworks on the morning of the 10th. No doubt the three seen at Great Yarmouth on the morning of the 11th.

[ COCKATIEL Nymphicus hollandicus
One flew south at Ness Point on the 7th. ]

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major
Lowestoft Cemetery - 14th (nesting pair).
Leathes Ham - 16th (1).
Carlton Marshes - 17th (1).
Lound Waterworks - 24th (2).

WOOD LARK Lullula arborea
One flew over calling at Hopton disused railtrack on the 7th.

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia
Five were at Castle Marshes, North Cove on the 1st.
80+ were at Corton on the 2nd.
One was at Leathes Ham on the 3rd.
Three were at Burgh Castle on the 4th.
Five were at Kessingland sewage works on the 5th.

SWALLOW Hirundo rustica
Five were at Castle Marshes, North Cove on the 1st.
10 were at Corton on the 2nd.
Two was at Leathes Ham on the 3rd.
Three were at Barnby on the 3rd.
20+ were at Kessingland sewage works on the 5th.
Two flew south over Lowestoft North Denes on the 5th.
12 flew south over Lowestoft North Denes on the 6th.
15 flew south over Lowestoft North Denes on the 7th.
Large numbers were flying south along the coast on the morning of the 9th.
40+ flew south at Corton on the 15th.
15 flew south over Lowestoft North Denes on the 15th.
30+ were at Leathes Ham on the 17th.
Two south past Ness Point on the 19th.

Quite why such large numbers of Swallows and House Martins have been pouring south for the last fortnight remains a mystery, but they have done the same for several springs running now. Can they all have overshot their intended destinations and be heading back?

HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica
One was at Leathes Ham on the 3rd.
Two were at Burgh Castle on the 3rd.
Three were at Barnby on the 3rd.
Five were at Kessingland sewage works on the 4th.
10+ were at Kessingland sewage works on the 5th.
19 flew south at Corton on the 15th.
9 flew south over Lowestoft Cemetery on the 15th.
Two were at Leathes Ham on the 17th.
Five were at Kessingland sewage works on the 21st.

MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis
Gorleston Pier - 4th (2).

TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis
One arrived in off the sea along Lowestoft North Beach on the 4th. It stopped on the rocks briefly before heading off towards the parks.
One was seen at Coopers Lane, Kessingland on the 4th.

YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava
One was along Breydon South Wall marshes on the 2nd.
Two were at Broadland Sands at Corton on the 2nd.
One was heard at Burgh Castle on the 3rd.
Three were along Breydon South Wall marshes on the 4th.
Five were at Broadland Sands at Corton on the 6th.
One flew north over Lowestoft North Denes on the 7th.
One was at Warren Lane, Hopton on the 7th.
One was at Herringfleet Marshes on the 7th.
One was at Broadland Sands at Corton on the 9th.
Four were at Herringfleet Marshes on the 10th.
One was along Breydon South Wall marshes on the 10th.
One flew along Corton Cliffs on the 15th.
One was heard at Burgh Castle Marshes on the 16th.
One was at Lound waterworks on the 24th.

WHITE WAGTAIL Motacilla alba alba
One was at Broadland Sands at Corton on the 15th.
One female apparently paired with a Pied Wagtail was at Lound waterworks on the 24th.

NIGHTINGALE Luscinia megarhynchos
One was at Barsham on the 2nd.

COMMON REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus
A female was at Corton old sewage works on the 15th.

WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra
One was around the netposts on Lowestoft North Denes on the evening of the 6th, with three there on the 7th, and two still on the 8th.
One was at Warren Lane, Hopton on the 7th.
One was at the disused railtrack at Hopton near Longfullans Lane, Hopton on the 7th.
Three were at Corton new sewage works on the 7th.
A male was between Lowestoft Cemetery and North Quay Retail Park on the 14th.
A male was at Corton old sewage works on the 15th.
One female was just south of Radar Lodge, Corton on the 15th.
Two female were at Lowestoft North Denes on the 15th.

Such a number would have put many recent autumn totals to shame!

Whinchat - Lowestoft North Denes - May 2009 © Andrew Easton

WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe
Two were at Radar Lodge, Corton on the 2nd.
Two were in fields by Corton old sewage works on the 2nd.
One was at Burgh Castle Marshes on the 2nd.
One was at Ness Point on the 5th.
One was at Barnards Meadow on the 5th.
Two were around the netposts on Lowestoft North Denes on the 5th.
Nine were at Warren Lane, Hopton on the 7th.
One was at Radar Lodge, Corton on the 7th.
Five were at Corton old sewage works on the 7th.
18 were at Lowestoft North Denes at dusk on the 7th.
At least five were on Lowestoft North Denes on the 8th.
At least ten were on Lowestoft North Denes on the 9th.
Three were at Radar Lodge, Corton on the 9th.
Three were at Corton old sewage works on the 9th.
One was on Lowestoft North Denes on the 10th.
Two were at Corton old sewage works on the 14th and 15th.

BLACKBIRD Turdus merula
One fished a newt out of a garden pond in Kirkley on the 14th, which it then dismembered and ate.

SONG THRUSH Turdus philomelus
Sparrows Nest - 1st (1).
Denes Oval - 1st (3).
Barnby - 3rd (2).
Kessingland sewage works - 5th (1).
Corton Church - 9th (1).
Lound waterworks - 10th (2).
Corton disused railtrack - 16th (1).
Lowestoft Cemetery - 17th (1).

Numbers seem to have recovered well in the last couple of years following a steep decline.

CETTI'S WARBLER Cettia cetti
Kessingland sewage works - 4th (2), 21st (1).
Kessingland Levels - 4th (1).
Burgh Castle Marshes - 9th (1), 16th (2).

SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 1st (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 5th (2), 9th (1), 21st (3).
Ness Point/Birds Eye car park - 6th (1), 7th (2), 8th (2), 9th (2).
Lowestoft North Denes - 7th (1).
Lowestoft Cemetery/North Quay Retail Park - 14th (1 singing).

REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Castle Marshes, North Cove - 1st (1).
Lound Waterworks - 2nd (7+).
Kessingland sewage works - 5th (7), 21st (5+).
Burgh Castle - 10th (2).
Corton old sewage works - 23rd (1).
Priors Close, Gunton - 23rd (1).
Lowestoft North Denes - 27th (1).

Garden Warbler - Kessingland - May 2009 © Andrew Easton

LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca
Lowestoft Cemetery/North Quay - 1st (1 singing).
Lound Waterworks - 2nd (1), 3rd (1).
Corton - 2nd (4).
Kessingland sewage works - 4th (2), 5th (1), 9th (1), 21st (1).
Lowestoft Cemetery/North Quay Retail Park - 14th (2).

COMMON WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis
Lowestoft Cemetery/North Quay - 1st (1).
Lound Waterworks - 2nd (4+).
Corton - 2nd (13), 15th (7).
Barnby - 3rd (3).
Kessingland sewage works - 5th (5), 21st (4+).
Ness Point/Birds Eye car park - 6th (1), 7th (3), 8th (2), 9th (2).
Lowestoft North Denes - 6th (1), 7th (4+).
Pakefield - 6th (2), 7th (2).
Hamilton Road - 7th (1).
Gunton Warren - 7th (5).
Burgh Castle Marshes - 9th (1).
Lowestoft Cemetery/North Quay Retail Park - 14th (3), 17th (1).

GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin
North Cove Nature Reserve - 1st (1), 31st (1).
Lound Waterworks - 2nd (2).
Kessingland - 3rd (1), 9th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 5th (1), 17th (1).
Belton Common - 10th (1).
Burgh Castle - 9th (1).
Corton Wood - 15th (1).

BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla
Corton - 2nd (6), 15th (6).
North Cove Nature Reserve - 1st (1).
Barnby - 3rd (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 5th (1), 21st (2).
Gunton Warren - 7th (2).
"Flycatcher Alley", Denes Oval - 15th (2).

WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sibilatrix
A singing male was at Normanston Park early morning only on the 1st, it was favouring the canopies of the large oaks around the cafe area, although it did drop lower down into the Willows and Alders around Leathes Ham a couple of times.

The last one in Lowestoft was as long ago as 30th April 2004 when one was in Lowestoft Cemetery for a day.

Wood Warbler - Normanston Park - May 2009 © Andrew Easton

CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita
Lound Waterworks - 2nd (2).
Corton - 2nd (2), 15th (3).
North Cove Nature Reserve - 1st (3).
Barnby - 3rd (2).
Sparrows Nest Park - 7th (1).
Gunton Warren - 7th (2).
"Flycatcher Alley", Denes Oval - 15th (3).
Leathes Ham - 25th (2 singing).

WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus
Gunton Warren - 1st (1 singing).
North Cove Nature Reserve - 1st (2).
Ness Point/Birds Eye car park - 6th (2), 7th (10), 8th (5+), 9th (2).
Pakefield - 6th (2), 7th (15).
Hamilton Road - 7th (2).
Hopton (Warren Lane) - 7th (13).
Corton old sewage works - 7th (3).
Lowestoft North Denes - 7th (3+).
Belton Common - 10th (1).
Leathes Ham - 25th (1 singing).

Large numbers were spread along the immediate vicinity of the coast between at least Hopton and Pakefield on the 6th and the 7th.

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata
Five were along Corton disused railtrack on the 15th.
One was at Beccles Common on the 19th.
One was at St. Olaves on the 24th.

PIED FLYCATCHER
One female was along Corton disused railtrack on the 15th.

Willow Warbler - May 2009 © Richard Straton
This unfortunate individual had become trapped in a Burdock plant. With a bit of careful untangling it was set free unharmed.

BEARDED TIT Panurus biarmicus
Breydon South Wall - 10th (1).
Herringfleet Marshes - 10th (1).
Burgh Castle - 17th (1).
A pair initially seen in bushes at Cobholm riverside park on the 30th then flew high north eastward over Breydon Water.

MARSH TIT Parus palustris
North Cove Nature Reserve - 4th (1).

RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio
A female was seen near the old golf driving range along Warren Lane, Hopton on the afternoon of the 23rd.

CARRION CROW Corvus corone
One was flying north low over the sea about half a mile off Gorleston on the 13th.

SISKIN Carduelis spinus
Barnby - 2nd (pair).
Ashby - 10th (1 male), 23rd (1).
A female and up to six young birds were seen in a Hulver garden on the 21st.

LINNET Carduelis cannabina
Gorleston Pier - 4th (2), 14th (1).
Breydon South Wall - 4th (9), 10th (6).
Gunton Warren - 7th (17).
Kessingland sewage works - 21st (2).
Warren Lane, Hopton - 30th (3).

COMMON CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra
Two flew south along Corton disused railtrack on the 16th.

YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella
Gunton Warren - 7th (1), 9th (1).
Ashby - 10th (1).

REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus
Kessingland sewage works - 5th (1), 21st (2).
Breydon South Wall - 4th (2).

Links for local bird news

Birdline East Anglia - Suffolk May 09 review

Waveney Bird Club

Suffolk Birding with BINS

NON-BIRD NEWS

Bird migration may have all but ceased but the very evident Painted Lady migration on Sunday 24th more than made up for it. Small but increasing numbers have been seen daily since the first arrivals on the 15th but on the 24th they were literally pouring through in a constant stream north west throughout our area for over three hours. They were virtually non-existent last year !

At one field at Ashby totals in one minute counts varied between 18 and 35, but most were in the mid 20's. A ten minute count produced a total of 211, the equivalent of well over 1200 per hour. This was at just at one field, they were also passing through Mutford and Beccles well to the west in similarly large numbers, so tens of thousands were involved. A very impressive spectacle.

The migration continued through the midlands on the 25th, but quite a few were still hanging around locally and some were preparing the next generation by egg laying on thistle plants.

Painted Lady and eggs©Andrew Easton & Robert Wilton

Painted Lady egg laying (left) and close up view of eggs (right)- Leathes Ham - May 2009 © Andrew Easton (left) Robert Wilton (right)

Several Holly Blue butterflies were seen at Gunton on the 1st. A Wall Brown was along Breydon South Wall on the 10th, and a Small Heath was at Herringfleet Hills the same day. A Brown Argus was seen at Puddingmoor, Beccles on the 18th, and one was at Corton new sewage works on the 30th.

Migrant Painted Ladies were noted at Gunton Warren (2), Gunton Wood (1), Sparrow's Nest (1), Poplars School (1) and at Corton (2) on the 15th, and Corton Wood (2) and Breydon South Wall (2) on the 16th. A couple of newly arrived Silver Y moths were also seen at Gunton Warren on the 15th, and Green Hairstreaks were still in evidence at Gunton Warren on the same day, and others were seen beside Lake Lothing on the 24th. Green Hairstreaks seem to be doing well at the moment, with others seen along the Linear Park cycle track south of Yarmouth Road on the 29th, and at Corton new sewage works (2+ egg laying on vetch) and Leathes Ham (1) on the 30th.

There were still plenty of Painted Ladies around throughout the area on the 28th and 29th, but only a few were still hanging around on the 30th. A Hummingbird Hawk-moth was seen at St. Olaves on the 28th.

Brimstone and Orange Tip butterflies were seen at Leathes Ham on the 24th.

A Hairy Dragonfly seems to have taken up residence by the spring at Gunton Warren, being seen on the 12th and 15th. Large Red-eyed and Blue-tailed Damselflies were at Corton new sewage works pond on the 24th, along with a single Broad-bodied Chaser. Scarce Chasers were seen at Fisher Row on the 24th and Carlton Marshes on the 25th. Two male Red-veined Darters were at Leathes Ham on the 25th, probably having emerged there earlier in the month rather then being migrants, though they certainly could have arrived with the Painted Ladies. Large Red-eyed Damselflies were seen at Beccles Marsh Trail lakes and at Leathes Ham on the 30th. Four Spotted chasers were on the wing at North Cove on the 31st as were several Norfolk Hawkers.

Large numbers of Harlequin Ladybirds were seen near the allotments at Beccles Common on the 19th.

GREY SEAL
Kessingland - 6th (1), 13th (1), 15th (1), 28th (1), 29th (1).

COMMON SEAL
One was catching Flounders at Burgh Castle on the 3rd.

HARBOUR PORPOISE
Kessingland - 4th (1), 19th (1 N).

CHINESE WATER DEER Hydropotes inermis
Breydon South Wall Marshes - 2nd (2).

OTTER
One was along the south shore of Breydon on the morning of the 30th.

WEASEL
Gunton Warren - 1st (1).

STOAT
Breydon South Flats - on the 2nd one was watched making very slow progress slogging through the mud at low tide at Breydon. It was heading from the low tide water's edge to the bank. Quite how it got out there in the first place is a mystery, but it did eventually make it back to the estuary wall. With its normally luxuriant bushy tail caked in mud it was reduced to the look of the proverbial drowned rat.

WATER VOLE
One was still at Leathes Ham on the 28th.