Lowestoft Bird News - October 2008

RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata ****
Kessingland - 1st (2 N, 1 S, 1 on sea), 2nd (3 N, 1 on sea), 3rd (9 N, 7 S), 4th (18 N), 5th (2 N), 6th (5 N, 3 S), 7th (2 N), 8th (3 N, 9 S, 1 on sea), 9th (2 N, 1 S), 10th (3 N, 3 on sea), 11th (4 N, 1 on sea), 13th (3 N, 1 S, 1 on sea), 14th (3 N), 15th (2 S), 16th (1 N, 1 on sea), 17th (3 N), 18th (4 N, 1 S), 19th (6 N, 1 on sea), 21st (1 N, 1 S), 22nd (3 N, 1 S), 23rd (1 N), 24th (1 S), 25th (6 N), 26th (4 N, 1 on sea), 27th (6 N, 2 S), 28th (3 N, 4 S), 29th (2 N), 30th (1 N, 2 S), 31st (4 N, 4 S).
Lowestoft North Beach - 1st (12), 18th (2 N), 24th (3 N).
Ness Point - 4th (27 N), 6th (2 S), 7th (1 on the sea), 30th (1 N, 3 S).
Gorleston - 5th (1 N, 1 S), 21st (1 S).

BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gavia arctica
One flew north past Kessingland on the 2nd.
One was on the sea off Kessingland on the 8th.

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer****
One flew south past Kessingland on the 31st.

DIVER sp. Gaviidae
Kessingland - 1st (1 S), 18th (1 N).
Ness Point - 7th (1 N).

LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis****
Lowestoft Harbour - 19th (1).
Round Water, Carlton Marshes - 28th (1).

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus
Kessingland - 10th (4 S), 11th (1 on sea), 13th (1 N), 15th (1 S), 16th (1 S), 19th (2 S), 20th (1 S), 22nd (2 on sea), 25th (1 on sea), 26th (1 S), 30th (1 S, 1 on sea).
Lowestoft North Beach - 18th (1 N).

SOOTY SHEARWATER Puffinus griseus
Three flew north past Kessingland on the 4th.
One flew north past Ness Point on the 4th.

MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus ****
One flew south past Kessingland on the 6th, it also settled on the sea for a while.
One flew north past Kessingland at 09:50 on the 28th.

BALEARIC SHEARWATER Puffinus mauretanicus
One flew north past Kessingland at 16:47 on the 3rd.

LEACH'S STORM PETREL Oceanodroma leucorhoa
One flew south past Kessingland on the 4th, and another flew south past there on the afternoon of the 20th.

GANNET Morus bassanus ****
Kessingland - 1st (2 N, 6 S), 2nd (14 N, 7 S), 3rd (15 N, 93 S), 4th (206 N), 5th (3 N, 2 S), 6th (39 N, 2 S), 7th (3 N, 2 S), 8th (5 N, 1 S), 9th (11 N, 10 S), 10th (7 N, 1 S), 11th (1 N, 1 S), 13th (6 N, 1 S), 14th (6 N), 15th (2 N, 1 S), 16th (5 N, 15 S), 17th (1 N), 18th (104 N, 14 S), 19th (59 N), 20th (2 N), 22nd (1 N), 23rd (1 N, 2 S), 24th (3 N, 18 S), 25th (5 N), 27th (2 N), 28th (6 N, 2 S), 29th (8 N), 30th (13 N, 77 S), 31st (3 N, 5 S).
Lowestoft North Beach - 1st (6), 18th (20 N, 5 S), 20th (27 N), 24th (381 S), 25th (12 N, 5 S).
Ness Point - 4th (311 N), 6th (65 S), 11th (1 N, 1 S), 15th (3 S), 19th (20 N), 30th (34 N, 105 S).
Gorleston - 5th (2 S).
Corton - 11th (1 N).

CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo ****
Kessingland - 1st (3 N, 2 S), 2nd (1 N, 2 S), 4th (3 N, 4 S), 5th (1 S), 6th (1 N), 7th (1 S), 8th (3 N), 11th (2 S), 13th (2 S), 15th (1 S), 17th (2 N, 9 S), 18th (7 N, 7 S), 19th (3 N, 1 S), 20th (1 N, 1 S), 21st (2 N), 22nd (3 N, 10 S), 23rd (4 S), 24th (4 S), 26th (1 N, 2 S), 27th (1 N, 5 S), 28th (2 N, 2 S), 29th (2 N), 30th (2 N, 3 S), 31st (2 S).
Ness Point - 4th (2 S), 6th (7 S), 30th (4 N).
Gorleston - 5th (4 S, 1 on the sea).
Lowestoft North Beach - 8th (2), 15th (1 S), 18th (1 N, 1 S), 21st (2 on the groynes), 24th (39 N), 25th (3 S).
Gunton Warren - 25th (4 in off the sea).
A colour ringed Cormorant ringed as a chick in the Netherlands in 1999, and first seen in Lowestoft in the autumn and winter of 1999, was at Leathes Ham on the 11th and 18th.
90+ arrived in off the sea at Gorleston on the afternoon of the 20th, some appeared to be heading for Breydon others for the Fritton Lake area.

SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis ****
One was along Lake Lothing on the 4th.
One flew south at Ness Point on the 5th and 11th.
One was on the groynes along Lowestoft North Beach on the 6th.
Two were roosting on the edge of the wall trawler basin eastern quay in Lowestoft Harbour on the evening of the 11th.
At least two were around Lowestoft Harbour/Hamilton Dock on the 12th.
One was in Lowestoft Harbour on the 17th.
One flew north past Lowestoft North Beach on the 18th.
Two were again roosting on the trawler basin wall on the evenings of the 19th and 25th.

LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta
One was along Lake Lothing on the 4th.
One was at Carlton Marshes on the 4th.
One flew inland over Gunton Warren on the 20th.

GREY HERON Ardea cinerea ****
Four were at Carlton Marshes on the 7th and 11th.
Two had managed to catch 6 Koi and one Grass Carp from a pond in a Kessingland in week. The pond has now hopefully been made Heron proof !
Five were at Carlton Marshes on the 24th and 28th.
Seven were at Carlton Marshes on the 25th.

[ BLACK SWAN Cygnus atratus
One was at Beccles Quay on the 14th. ]

MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor****
Nine (two adults and seven juveniles) flew south over the beach at Kessingland on the 21st.

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Anser brachyrhynchus ****
Three flew north past Kessingland on the 3rd.
An unknown number were heard circling over Bradwell at 21:38 on the 3rd.
c.120 in two skeins flew south over Oulton Broad on the morning of the 6th.
One flew west high over Carlton Marshes on the 11th.
Eight flew south over Cotmer Road, Oulton Broad at dawn on the 12th.
c.200 flew south westwards over Cotmer Road, Oulton Broad at 08:00 on the 14th.
c.700 flew high south south eastwards over Kessingland Beach at 08:05 on the 14th.
c.120 flew over Mutford on the morning of the 15th, heading in the general direction of Carlton Colville.
c.200 were seen in flight over Haddiscoe Bridge viewed from St. Olaves on the 16th.
248 flew over Waveney Forest and then settled on Fritton Marshes on the 21st.
20 flew over Beacon Park, Gorleston on the 24th.
100 flew north over Bradwell on the 28th.

GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser****
Two circled northwards over Pakefield on the 29th.

CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis ****
Five were at Leathes Ham on the 3rd.
c.110 were at Castle Marshes, Barnby on the 28th.

DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Branta (bernicla) bernicla ****
Lowestoft North Beach - 1st (6), 18th (9 N), 25th (72 S).
Ness Point - 4th (6 N), 7th (6 S), 30th (110 N, 1295 S).
Kessingland - 6th (2 N, 2 S), 7th (177 S), 8th (17 N, 3 S), 9th (5 N, 33 S), 10th (7 S), 11th (2 S), 13th (1 S), 14th (9 S), 15th (5 N, 142 S), 16th (41 N, 10 S), 17th (11 N, 10 S), 18th (17 N, 18 S), 21st (1 S), 22nd (1 N, 6 S), 23rd (9 N, 60 S), 24th (3 N, 1 S), 25th (2 N, 7 S), 27th (4 S), 28th (40 N, 10 S), 29th (28 N, 5 S), 30th (54 N, 996 S), 31st (17 N, 31 S).
One was in fields to the south of Corton new sewage works on the 11th.
Lowestoft Harbour - 12th (1 S).
Gorleston - 19th (1 N, 1 S).
Gunton Warren - 23rd (6 S), 30th (30 N, 150 S additional to those at Ness Point).
It was almost like "the old days" on the 30th with good numbers, by the standard of recent years, passing close inshore during the morning.
Two were on Potter Field at Hopton on the 31st.

[ RED-BREASTED GOOSE Branta ruficollis****
One was with Canada Geese at Castle Marshes, Barnby on the 28th. The flock later flew north across the Waveney towards Aldeby in Norfolk. ]

EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen aegyptiacus
One was at Leathes Ham on the 4th and 12th.
A pair were at Lound village pond on the 11th.
Eleven flew south at Kessingland on the 17th.
Nine flew south at Kessingland on the 25th.

SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna ****
Kessingland - 17th (12 on the sea), 27th (5 S), 30th (47 S).
Ness Point - 30th (2 N, 49 S).

[ AMERICAN WOOD DUCK Aix sponsa
The drake was still at Nicholas Everitt Park, Oulton Broad on the 12th, and has now moulted into full breeding plumage. ]

GADWALL Anas strepera
Kessingland - 8th (2 S), 10th (9 S), 19th (5 N), 20th (5 S), 24th (2 S), 31st (10 S).
Leathes Ham - 11th (5).

WIGEON Anas penelope ****
Kessingland - 4th (6 S), 5th (4 S), 6th (20 on sea), 7th (13 S), 9th (6 N), 13th (3 S), 15th (46 S), 16th (5 S), 17th (4 S), 18th (21 S), 20th (15 S), 21st (1 S), 23rd (1 N, 4 S), 29th (1 N), 30th (162 S), 31st (16 N, 29 S).
Leathes Ham - 11th (5).
Lowestoft North Beach - 20th (12 S), 24th (23).
Ness Point - 30th (151 S).

TEAL Anas crecca ****
Kessingland - 3rd (1 N), 4th (2 S), 5th (1 S), 6th (2 S, 7 on sea), 7th (32 S), 8th (7 S), 9th (3 S), 10th (9 S), 11th (2 S), 13th (12 on sea), 14th (4 S), 15th (28 S), 17th (2 S), 18th (19 S), 20th (3 S), 22nd (1 N), 23rd (3 S), 25th (1 S), 29th (1 N), 30th (13 S, 5 on sea), 31st (2 N, 8 S).
Corton - 4th (4 N).
Lowestoft North Beach - 18th (5 N), 24th (5).
Leathes Ham - 19th (3).
Ness Point - 30th (29 S).

MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos****
One flew south past Ness Point on the 30th.

PINTAIL Anas acuta ****
Kessingland - 7th (9 S), 10th (5 S), 13th (4 S), 14th (4 S), 15th (2 S), 17th (2 S), 30th (18 S).
Leathes Ham - 11th (2).
Ness Point - 30th (6 S).

SHOVELER Anas clypeata ****
Leathes Ham - 11th (70).
Kessingland - 13th (4 S), 30th (1 S).

POCHARD Aythya ferina****
Two flew south past Kessingland on the 7th.
One flew south past Ness Point on the 30th.

TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula ****
Kessingland - 8th (2 S), 10th (2 on sea), 15th (2 N), 17th (1 S), 24th (6 S), 30th (2 S).
Lowestoft North Beach - 24th (3 N).
Ness Point - 30th (2 S).

COMMON EIDER Somateria mollissima****
Three were close inshore on the sea off Pakefield on the 2nd.
Four flew south off Pakefield on the 14th.
Two drakes flew north past Lowestoft North Beach on the 18th.
30 flew north past Pakefield on the 30th.
Two drakes flew south past Ness Point on the 31st.
One flew north past Kessingland on the 31st.

VELVET SCOTER Melanitta fusca****
One flew north past Kessingland on the 21st.
One flew past Kessingland on the 30th.

COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra ****
Kessingland - 3rd (10 S), 6th (1 N, 15 S, 7 on sea), 7th (91 S, 7 on sea), 8th (40 N), 9th (19 N), 10th (1 S), 16th (8 N), 17th (4 N, 18 S, 5 on sea), 18th (16 N, 4 S), 20th (1 on sea), 21st (2 N), 23rd (17 N), 25th (1 S), 28th (11 N), 29th (6 N, 2 S), 30th (8 N, 19 S), 31st (14 N, 11 S, 5 on sea).
Ness Point - 4th (1 N, 1 S), 6th (2 S), 7th (78 S), 30th (15 N, 27 S).
Gorleston - 5th (1 N, 2 on the sea), 19th (2 N).
Lowestoft North Beach - 18th (10 N), 20th (3 S), 25th (6 S).

GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula ****
Ness Point - 30th (1 S).

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator ****
Kessingland - 7th (2 S), 18th (2 N), 28th (4 S), 30th (2 N, 8 S).
One flew south past Lowestoft North Beach on the 25th.
Four flew north past Pakefield on the 31st.

GOOSANDER Mergus merganser
One female flew south past Kessingland on the 9th.

RED KITE Milvus milvus
One was seen at Mutford on the 2nd.

MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus ****
One was at Carlton Marshes on the 4th, 17th and 25th.
One flew north at Kessingland on the 8th.
Two were at Carlton Marshes on the 19th.
One was at Barnby on the 19th.

SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus
Two were at Carlton Marshes on the 4th.
One was at Corton on the 4th.
One was at Kirkley Cemetery on the 8th.
One was flushed from a Collared Dove it had caught in a Mutford garden on the 11th.
Two were in the Corton disused railtrack area on the 14th.
Two were seen at Waveney Forest on the 21st.
Three circling together over Kessingland sewage works on the 24th may have been migrant birds.
One arrived in off the sea at Gunton Warren on the 25th and continued on inland.

COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo ****
One was seen at Mutford on the 12th.
Three drifted south together high over Mutford at 13:30 on the 17th.
One flew north over Mutford on the 19th.
Two drifted west over Kessingland sewage works on the 27th.
One drifted north eastwards over St Margarets Road on the afternoon of the 31st.

KESTREL Falco tinnunculus
One immature bird made a failed attempt to catch a Turnstone at Ness Point on the 4th.
Two were at Carlton Marshes on the 4th and 11th.
Two were in the Corton disused railtrack area on the 14th.
One was at Kessingland sewage works on the 21st.

MERLIN Falco columbarius ****
One juvenile was at Kessingland Beach on the 4th. It was watched eating a Pied Wagtail it had just caught, and then sheltering from the wind in the lea of a Marram clump.
One was hunting over the beach at Kessingland on the 26th and 27th.

Turnstone - Pakefield - September 2008 © - Jon Barber

HOBBY Falco subbuteo
One flew south past Kessingland on the 1st.

RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa ****
Two were at Gisleham on the 1st, 2nd and 8th.
20 were around the Mutford area on the 20th.

GREY PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix
Another bizarrely located record for this species; four were seen at dusk on the 11th on roadside grass in Hall Road, Oulton Broad, near the junction with Holly Road !

WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus****
At least two were heard squealing at Carlton Marshes on the 11th, and one on the 19th, and three on the 24th.
On the 31st one scurried into cover in a garden at Gunton Drive, Lowestoft after having failed to fly in through a glass door.

COMMON CRANE Grus grus****
Three were circling over Oulton Broad and Carlton Marshes for 10-15 minutes at 11:30 on the 17th, they then drifted off south eastwards.

OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus ****
Two flew south at Kessingland on the 17th, with another north there on the 24th.

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula ****
Kessingland - 11th (3 o/b), 14th (2 S).

GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola
Kessingland - 1st (1 S), 7th (1 S).

GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria ****
One arrived in off the sea at Links Road on the 1st.
A flock of 480 were at Mutford on the 20th.

LAPWING Vanellus vanellus ****
Carlton Marshes - 7th (20), 11th (59 flew over), 24th (120 flew over).
44 were at Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville on the 8th.
A flock of 110 were at Mutford on the 20th.
Two flew north at Pakefield on the 30th.

SANDERLING Calidris alba****
One was at Gorleston Pier on the 1st.

KNOT Calidris canutus ****
Kessingland - 3rd (1 S), 10th (7 S), 15th (1 S), 30th (9 S).
Lowestoft North Beach - 25th (2 S).
Ness Point - 30th (12 S).

DUNLIN Calidris alpina ****
Kessingland - 7th (12 S), 10th (13 S), 15th (3 S), 18th (3 S), 19th (1 S), 30th (14 S).
Ness Point - 30th (47 S).

JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus
One was flushed at Gunton Warren on the 9th.

SNIPE Gallinago gallinago ****
One was at Carlton Marshes on the 4th, 11th and 25th.
Kessingland - 7th (1 S).
Two were flushed at Corton on the 11th.
One flew over Corton disused railtrack on the 22nd.

WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola ****
One was flushed from beside the spring at Gunton Warren on the morning of the 25th.

CURLEW Numenius arquata ****
Kessingland - 4th (1 S), 20th (2 S).
Lowestoft North Beach - 25th (1 S).
Ness Point - 30th (2 S).

REDSHANK Tringa totanus
Kessingland - 7th (1 S), 10th (1 S), 27th (1 S).
Lake Lothing - 19th (5).
One flew over Corton disused railtrack on the 22nd.

COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos
Kessingland - 10th (1 S).

TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres
Pakefield Beach - 1st (15), 20th (3).
Lowestoft North Beach - 6th (12 including the regular colour ringed bird), 8th (18 none ringed), 10th (12 none ringed), 11th (19 including two colour ringed birds), 19th (11 including two colour ringed birds).
Gorleston - 5th (14), 19th (10).
Kessingland - 10th (9 S), 21st (1 N), 26th (1 N, 3 S), 29th (5 N).
South Pier/Harbour - 11th (54 roosting including two colour ringed birds), 25th (55+ roosting including one colour ringed bird).
Corton - 19th (9).

Grey Phalarope - Lowestoft - October 2008 © - Andrew Easton

GREY PHALAROPE Phalaropus fulicarius
One was feeding in the bay of Children's Corner at Lowestoft South Beach at dusk on the 11th, it then called and flew, but it was too dark to see how far or where it went. Slightly annoyingly it hadn't been there when I had been counting the Turnstones there half an hour earlier, and whilst it was still light, but luckily it hung around !

On the 12th it spent the morning in the trawler basin, though fog hampered viewing for much of the time. However it spent most of the afternoon on the sea just to the south of the South Pier, frequently flying backwards and forwards along the length of the pier as well.

On the 13th it seemed to be favouring the area around the harbour mouth and the end of the South Pier. Unfortunately the very end of the South Pier is fenced off and inaccessible which can make viewing a bit difficult at times !

On the 14th it was seen around the harbour mouth or inside the harbour on the water along the wall west of the entrance to Waveney Dock.

On the 15th it was seen around the harbour mouth area and in Waveney Dock.

Still present on the 16th, though very mobile again.

Grey Phalarope - Lowestoft - October 2008 © - Andrew Easton
In flight there was a noticeable lack of most of its tail feathers.

POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus ****
Kessingland - 3rd (1 S), 14th (2 S), 20th (2), 23rd (1 N), 30th (1 N).
Ness Point - 7th (1 S).

ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus ****
Kessingland - 4th (5 N, 2 S), 5th (1 S), 30th (2 N, 1 S).
Ness Point - 4th (2 N).

LONG-TAILED SKUA Stercorarius longicaudus
One dark juvenile flew south past Kessingland at 15:09 on the 3rd.
One juvenile flew north past Ness Point at 09:18 on the 4th.
One juvenile flew north past Kessingland on the afternoon of the 4th.
Singles flew north and south past Kessingland on the 5th.

GREAT SKUA Stercorarius skua ****
Kessingland - 1st (1 S), 2nd (1 N), 3rd (3 S), 4th (2 N, 2 S), 5th (1 N), 6th (1 S), 7th (1 N, 3 S), 10th (1 S), 20th (3 N), 21st (2 S), 22nd (1 N), 23rd (2 S), 25th (1 S, 1 lingering), 26th (1 N).
Corton - 9th (1 attacking Herring Gulls).
Lowestoft North Beach - 20th (1 S), 25th (3+ attacking Herring Gulls).

SKUA sp Stercorarius sp.
Kessingland - 3rd (1 S), 4th (1 N), 16th (3 probable Poms south).

Black-headed & Mediterranean Gull © Jon Barber

Black-headed & Mediterranean Gull - Pakefield - September 2008 © - Jon Barber

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus ****
One was at Links Road car park on the 1st.
Pakefield Beach - 1st (4), 2nd (3), 6th (2), 7th (1), 8th (2), 9th (3), 10th (4), 20th (6 adults, all unringed), 25th (4), 30th (4), 31st (1).
Kessingland - 1st (1 S), 10th (1 N), 15th (1 S), 17th (1 S), 27th (1 S), 30th (1 N).
Ness Point - 4th (1 N), 7th (2), 11th (2 adult S).
Links Road car park - 4th (1 green ringed adult, a regular returning bird), 11th (2 adults, both ringed returning birds), 18th (three adults, two unringed), 19th (three adults, one unringed), 20th (1 green ringed adult), 22nd (2 ringed adults), 24th (green ringed adult), 25th (3 adults, two ringed).
Gorleston - 5th (4), 20th (1).
Lowestoft North Beach - 11th (first winter N).
South Pier - 12th (the regular one legged adult with a metal ring seen at Links Road the day before), 13th (1 second winter flew south).
Corton - 19th (1 adult south).
Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville - 19th (1 adult).
Gunton Beach - 23rd (1 green ringed adult).
Kensington Gardens - 29th (one on the pond).

LITTLE GULL Larus minutus ****
Kessingland - 1st (1 N), 4th (2 N).
Ness Point - 4th (2 N), 30th ( 2 adults S).
A second winter bird was on Oulton Broad on the 9th.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus
A colour ringed individual ringed as a chick in Zeebrugge, Belgium in July this year was at Leathes Ham on the 12th.

HERRING GULL Larus argentatus ****
A colour ringed bird roosting in Lowestoft Harbour on the evening of the 19th had been ringed just a few yards from there as a chick in July 2005. In the winters of 2005 and 2006 it was seen in Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France. Will it stay in Lowestoft this year, or will it head to France again?

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis ****
The regular adult was still along Lowestoft North Beach on the 6th, 11th, 20th, 24th, 25th and 26th.
Two were at Beacon Park, Gorleston on the 24th.
One was feeding alongside Pinbush Road on the 31st.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus marinus ****
Two different Norwegian ringed birds were in Lowestoft Harbour on the 12th and 19th. More unusual though was a Suffolk bred youngster that was also roosting in the Harbour on the evening of the 19th, it had been ringed at Havergate Island this summer.

KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla
Kessingland - 3rd (3 N), 21st (5 N), 30th (9 N), 31st (2 N).
Lowestoft North Beach - 18th (1 S), 25th (1 S).

SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis
Kessingland - 2nd (3 S), 3rd (1 S), 4th (2 N), 5th (2 N), 6th (1 N), 8th (1 S), 13th (3 S).
Ness Point - 4th (2 N).

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo
Lowestoft North Beach - 1st (4).
Kessingland - 2nd (1 N), 3rd (8 S), 16th (1 S).
Gorleston - 5th (3).

ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea
Kessingland - 2nd (1 N), 8th (2 S), 9th (2 N).
Ness Point - 4th (1 S), 11th (3 S).

COMMIC TERN Sterna hirundo/paradisaea
Kessingland - 1st (1 S), 3rd (12 N, 1 S)
Ness Point - 11th (5 S).

GUILLEMOT Uria aalge ****
One was on the sea of Lowestoft North Beach on the 1st and 18th.
One was on the sea off Pakefield on the 30th.

LITTLE AUK Alle alle****
One flew south close inshore past Kessingland at 10:05 on the 29th.

PUFFIN Fratercula arctica
One flew north past Kessingland at 17:05 on the 3rd.

AUK sp. Alcidae ****
Kessingland - 1st (4 N), 2nd (2 N), 3rd (4 N), 4th (1 N), 6th (1 N), 7th (1 S), 9th (1 S), 16th (4 N, 1 on sea), 18th (4 N), 20th (2 N), 22nd (1 N), 23rd (3 N), 27th (1 N), 28th (3 N), 30th (1 N), 31st (1 N).
Ness Point - 4th (6 N), 30th (1 N).

STOCK DOVE Columba oenas****
12 were in fields at Corton new sewage works on the 22nd.

RING-NECKED PARAKEET Psittacula krameri ****
On the evening of the 17th one was seen flying eastwards along St. Margarets Road, and was also heard shortly before around the harbour bridge in the centre of town.
On the 21st it was seen at Kensington Gardens.
On the morning of the 24th it flew from the Kensington Gardens area over the CEFAS complex and settled in the Kirkley Cemetery area. Shortly after it was being mobbed by crows before settling again in gardens somewhere in Pakefield.
On the 25th it flew south in the Kirkley Cemetery area.
At 08:00 on the 31st it circled noisily over the Lighthouse and settled in a tree in Arnolds Walk, a few minutes later it headed off north just as noisily as it arrived. Half an hour later it stopped off briefly in Kensington Gardens before flying off in the direction of Kirkley Cemetery.

WOOD PIGEON Columba palumbus
c.390 flew south over Lowestoft North Denes early morning on the 11th.

BARN OWL Tyto alba
One was hunting over fields at Gisleham on the 3rd.
Very early morning on the 9th one flew across the A12 near the Hopton roundabout and perched on a post by the roadside.
One was hunting at Mutford on the 10th and 22nd.
One was at Carlton Marshes on the 19th.
One was at St. Olaves on the 22nd.

LITTLE OWL Athene noctua ****
One was in the regular trees at Corton new sewage works on the 6th.
One was at Carlton Marshes on the 31st.

TAWNY OWL Strix aluco ****
One was calling at Cotmer Road, Oulton Broad in the early hours of the 6th, with two there on the 30th.
One was calling at Mutford on the 29th.

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus ****
One flew north along the beach at Kessingland on the 8th.
One flew south at Gunton Warren on the 24th.
On the 25th one flew over Gunton Warren and high out to sea. Half an hour later it was still flying around over the Holm Sand about 2.5 kilometres offshore and obviously in no hurry to come back to shore. It was last seen flying high northwards along the line of the sandbank.
One arrived in off the sea at Tramps Alley, Gunton on the 31st.
Two arrived in off the sea together at Kessingland on the 31st.

SWIFT Apus apus
One was at Dip Farm, Gunton on the 1st.
One was feeding over the beach at Kessingland on the 1st.

KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis
Slightly bizarrely, considering the lack of a pond, one was sitting in the Walnut tree in Corton Churchyard on the 2nd.
One was at Carlton Marshes on the 4th and 11th.
Two were at Leathes Ham on the 9th.
Two were around Lowestoft Harbour on the 12th.
One was around Lowestoft Harbour on the 17th and 19th.

GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis ****
One was at Carlton Marshes on the 19th, with two there on the 24th.
One was at Gunton warren on the 22nd.

WOOD LARK Lullula arborea
One flew inland over Gunton Warren on the 11th.

SKY LARK Alauda arvensis****
Five arrived in off the sea at Corton on the 6th.
Six arrived in off the sea at Lowestoft North Beach on the 18th.
Two were at Gunton warren on the 22nd.
Fifteen arrived in off the sea at Corton old sewage works on the 24th.
Two flocks totaling 16 arrived in off the sea at Lowestoft North Beach on the 25th.
Three flew south past Ness Point on the 30th.

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia
One was feeding with House Martins at Leathes Ham on the 3rd and 4th.

SWALLOW Hirundo rustica****
Carlton Marshes - 7th (5).
Two were at Gunton Warren on the 18th.
Five were over Lowestoft North Denes on the 21st.
One was at Gunton Warren on the 25th.

HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica ****
Two were over Lowestoft North Denes on the 1st.
Four were hanging around the CEFAS complex at Pakefield on the 1st, with three still there on the 2nd and 3rd.
Three were at Radar Lodge, Corton on the 2nd.
At least six were feeding at Leathes Ham at dusk on the 3rd, with at least four there on the 4th.
Two were over Kessingland Beach on the 4th.
One was seen along Corton Cliffs on the 4th.
Two were still hanging around the CEFAS complex at Pakefield on the 6th, with one still there on the 7th.
Four were at Kessingland sewage works on the 13th.
Five were at Kessingland sewage works on the 24th.

MEADOW PIPIT Anthus trivialis ****
Lowestoft North Denes - 1st (25), 8th (8).
12 were at Carlton Marshes on the 4th.
15 were at Corton new sewage works on the 4th.
Six were at Carlton Marshes on the 11th.
Six were at Gunton Warren on the 22nd.
A few were arriving in off the sea with Chaffinch flocks at Lowestoft North Beach on the 25th.

ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus****
One was along Lowestoft North Beach on the 4th, 8th and 11th.
One flew over Breydon South Wall on the 11th.
One was in Hamilton Dock on the 12th.
Up to six were in the Ness Point/Birds Eye car park area on the 15th.
5+ flew south along Lowestoft North beach on the 25th.
Three flew south at Ness Point on the 30th.

GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea****
One flew over the disused railtrack at Hopton on the 2nd.
Kessingland sewage works - 6th (1), 7th (3), 21st (1), 24th (1).
Ness Point - 6th (1).
Corton new sewage works - 11th (1), 22nd (1), 31st (1 over).
Lowestoft Harbour - 12th (1).
Oulton Broad - 12th (2).
Lowestoft North Denes - 19th (1).

PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba yarellii ****
On the evening of the 10th c.30 were at a pre roost gathering on the jetties and yachts on Oulton Broad near the Yacht Club.
100+ were roosting in the reeds at Barsham drain on the evening of the 11th.
Kessingland sewage works - 13th (3), 21st (5), 24th (5), 27th (5).

WAXWING Bombycilla garrulus****
One was perched on aerials in Sussex Road, Lowestoft at 15:00 on the 28th, it subsequently flew off westwards.
One flew over Water Lane, Lowestoft on the 30th.

DUNNOCK Prunella modularis
Nine were around Lowestoft North Denes on the 6th.

Robin - Carlton Marshes - October 2008 © - Danny Dawbarn

ROBIN Erithacus rubecula****
c.20 were around the Lowestoft North Denes area on the 6th.
Kessingland sewage works - 6th (6).
Eleven new birds were trapped and ringed at Corton disused railtrack on the 31st, along with five retraps.

BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros
One was feeding amongst the rocks next to the Lifeboat station at the South Pier on the 12th.
A male was in gardens in Coastguard Lane, Kessingland on the 20th.
One was in Kirkley Cemetery on the 31st.
One, possibly two, were around the CEFAS complex at Pakefield on the 31st.

REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus ****
One was along "Flycatcher Lane" behind the Denes Oval on the 6th.
One was along Hubbards Loke, Gunton on the 30th.

WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra
One was at Corton new sewage works on the 4th, 6th and 8th.

STONECHAT Saxicola torquata ****
Three were at Carlton Marshes on the 8th.
Four were at Carlton Marshes on the 11th.
One was at St. Olaves on the 16th.
Twelve were at Carlton Marshes on the 17th.
One was at Lowestoft North Denes on the 18th.
Three were at Hopton on the 18th.
Two were at Radar Lodge, Corton on the 22nd.
Three were at Carlton Marshes on the 25th.
One was at Links Road, Lowestoft on the 30th and 31st.

WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe ****
Lowestoft North Denes/Oval - 1st (3), 6th (2), 31st (1).
Corton old sewage works - 1st (1).
Mutford - 1st (3).
Pakefield - 1st (5), 2nd (2).
Corton (Radar Lodge) - 2nd (1).
Corton new sewage works - 4th (1), 6th (1), 8th (1).

BLACKBIRD Turdus merula ****
Kessingland sewage works - 6th (20+), 16th (23), 21st (20), 24th (10+).
Carlton Marshes - 7th (c.30), 8th (c.30), 15th (c.20), 24th (c.30), 31st (c.30).
Large numbers were flying westwards over Cotmer Road, Oulton Broad at dusk on the 30th.
Kirkley Cemetery - 31st (60).
17 were trapped and ringed at Corton disused railtrack on the 31st.

SONG THRUSH Turdus philomelus
One was at Corton old sewage works on the 1st.
Two were along the disused railtrack at Hopton on the 2nd.
Two were at Kessingland sewage works on the 16th.
One arrived in off the sea at Lowestoft North Beach on the 18th.
Six were at Kessingland sewage works on the 24th.
Five were in Kirkley Cemetery on the 31st.
Four were trapped and ringed at Corton disused railtrack on the 31st.

Black Redstart - Lowestoft - October 2008 © - Andrew Easton

REDWING Turdus iliacus****
12 were along the disused railtrack at Hopton on the 2nd.
Four were along the disused railtrack at Corton on the 2nd.
Seven were at St.Olaves on the 6th.
Kessingland sewage works - 6th (2), 16th (5), 21st (4).
Carlton Marshes - 7th (17), 28th (87), 31st (c.50).
Lots were heard calling over Lowestoft and Oulton Broad on the nights of the 11th and 12th.
Thousands were passing over at Carlton Marshes on the afternoon of the 17th.
A flock of 60 arrived in off the sea at Lowestoft North Beach on the 18th.
Five were at Corton on the 19th.
A flock of 400 flew over St. Olaves on the 24th.
286 in several flocks flew westwards over Carlton Marshes on the 25th.
Three were at Gunton Warren on the 30th.
One that arrived in off the sea at Ness Point on the 30th sat on the seawall for ten minutes to recuperate. Another tired migrant was perched on the wall there at dawn on the 31st.
Five were in Kirkley Cemetery on the 31st.

FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris
Carlton Marshes - 7th (5).
Hundreds were noted passing over Carlton Marshes and Bradwell on the afternoon of the 17th.
Five were in Kirkley Cemetery on the 31st.
One was at Links Road on the 31st.

CETTI'S WARBLER Cettia cetti****
Carlton Marshes - 4th (2), 7th (5), 11th (3+), 17th (7 +), 19th (1), 24th (4), 25th (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 6th (1), 13th (1), 21st (1), 24th (2).
Leathes Ham - 9th (1), 11th (1).

LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca
Corton Church - 2nd (1).
Carlton Marshes - 4th (2).

BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla
Corton Church - 2nd (1).
Kessingland sewage works - 6th (5), 16th (1), 24th (1), 28th (1).
Carlton Marshes - 15th (1).
Gunton Meadow - 25th (1).
One was trapped and ringed at Corton disused railtrack on the 31st.

Pallas's Warbler - Ness Point - October 2008 © - Stuart Reeves (left) Chris Darby (right)

PALLAS'S WARBLER Phylloscopus proregulus****
On the 31st one spent the day in the Tamarisks in the Birds Eye car park north of Ness Point.
Also on the 31st one was found in Gunton Wood.

YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER Phylloscopus inornatus ****
One arrived in off the sea north of Ness Point at 14:30 on the 6th. It spent some time in the bushes in the Birds Eye car park before flying inland towards the trees lining the cliff face above Whapload Road.
One was along Hubbards Loke, Gunton, on the 24th, between the disused railtrack and the football pitch car park.
One was at Burgh Castle on the 30th.
On the 31st one was in the Tamarisks in the Birds Eye car park north of Ness Point.
Also on the 31st one was found in Sparrows Nest Park.

CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita ****
Kessingland sewage works - 6th (3), 7th (1), 13th (2), 16th (2), 24th (1), 27th (2), 28th (2).
Warren House Wood - 6th (1).
Leathes Ham - 8th (1).
Gunton Warren - 20th (1).
Corton disused railtrack - 22nd (1), 24th (1), 31st (5 trapped and ringed).
Gunton disused railtrack - 31st (1).
Flycatcher Alley (Denes Oval) - 31st (1).
Kensington Gardens - 30th (5), 31st (1).
Kirkley Cemetery - 31st (1).

WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus ****
One was along Gunton Cliff on the 31st.

GOLDCREST Regulus regulus ****
Kessingland sewage works - 6th (6), 7th (5), 13th (11), 16th (6), 21st (9), 27th (7).
Carlton Marshes - 7th (6).
Numerous in the bracken and brambles at Gunton Warren on the 14th.
Gunton Warren - 22nd (6), 25th (10+), 30th (c.12).
Kensington Gardens - 30th (10), 31st (5).
Kirkley Cemetery - 31st (10).
Corton - 31st (150+ in the area, 30 were trapped and ringed at the disused railtrack alone).

FIRECREST Regulus ignicapillus****
Two were at Gunton Warren on the 17th and 20th.
One was in Arnolds Walk on the 30th.
On the 31st one was in the Tamarisks in the Birds Eye car park north of Ness Point.
One was along Gunton Cliff on the 31st.
One was at Gunton Warren along Corton Road on the 31st.
One was in Gunton Wood on the 31st.

PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hypoleuca
One was in Kensington Gardens on the 14th, with another there on the 22nd.

BEARDED TIT Panurus biarmicus
Eight were at Carlton Marshes on the 4th, with at least four on the 8th, two on the 11th and three on the 24th.
At least six were at White Cast Marsh, Carlton Marshes on the 17th.

COAL TIT Parus ater
Two were trapped along Corton disused railtrack on the 14th.

TREECREEPER Certhia familiaris
One was along Corton disused railtrack on the 14th and 31st.
Two were seen at Waveney Forest on the 21st.

STARLING Sturnus vulgaris ****
Kessingland sewage works - 6th (80+), 13th (130+ flew west), 24th (100+ flew north west).
A flock of 20 arrived in off the sea at Gorleston on the 11th.
A flock of c.20 arrived in off the sea at Lowestoft Harbour on the 12th.
Two flocks totaling c.200 birds arrived in off the sea at Lowestoft North Beach on the 18th.
Seven flocks totaling c.350 birds arrived in off the sea at Ness Point on the 19th.
Three flocks totaling c.90 birds arrived in off the sea at Gunton Warren on the 23rd.
Several hundred were arriving in off the sea in a steady flow of small groups at Lowestoft North Beach during the afternoon of the 25th.
174+ arrived in off the sea at Ness Point on the 30th.
40 arrived in off the sea at Gunton Warren on the 30th.

JAY Garrulus glandarius
A group of six were at Carlton Marshes of 4th.
Three were at Kessingland sewage works on the 13th.

TREE SPARROW Passer montanus ****
One was trapped and ringed at Kessingland sewage works on the 27th.
Two were at Beach Farm, Benacre on the 28th, with 15+ in the Benacre area on the 29th.
So it looks like some of the birds from last winter are returning.

CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs ****
Seven were at Corton Church on the 6th.
A group of three arrived in off the sea at Corton on the 11th.
Kessingland sewage works - 13th (10+), 21st (15), 24th (a total of 30 flew over), 27th (10).
A steady flow of small groups were arriving in off the sea at Lowestoft North Beach during the afternoon of the 25th.

BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla ****
One was at Corton Church on the 6th.
One was at Gunton on the 30th.
One was at Kensington Gardens on the 30th, with two there on the 31st.

GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris ****
Kessingland sewage works - 6th (30+), 13th (10+), 21st (10+), 24th (5+), 27th (15).
Lowestoft North Denes - 21st (40).
Gunton Warren - 22nd (3), 25th (16).
Pakefield Beach - 26th (c.60).
Carlton Marshes - 28th (80).

GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis
A flock of around 100 was at Lowestoft North Denes on the 15th.
Kessingland sewage works - 24th (5+), 27th (5).

SISKIN Carduelis spinus ****
Kessingland sewage works - 6th (1), 13th (1), 21st (1), 27th (1).
Carlton Marshes - 7th (3), 24th (6).
Barsham Drain - 12th (2).
Corton disused railtrack - 14th (c.20 over).
Corton new sewage works - 18th (6 S).
Waveney Forest - 21st (8).

REDPOLL Carduelis cabaret ****
One flew over Corton Church on the 8th.
Kessingland sewage works - 13th (1), 21st (11), 27th (3 +).
Corton disused railtrack - 14th (c.30 over).
Corton new sewage works - 18th (1 S).
Gunton disused railtrack - 25th (2 N).
Gunton Warren - 31st (1 S).
Four were trapped and ringed at Corton disused railtrack on the 31st, and an additional four seen.

CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra
One flew over Gunton Meadow on the 14th.
Two were seen, and others heard, at Waveney Forest on the 21st.

BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula
One was at Gunton Meadow on the 14th.
Two were at Carlton Marshes on the 15th.
One was at Carlton Marshes on the 24th.
One was at Gunton on the 30th.

SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis ****
One was along Lowestoft North Beach, near Links Road car park, on the 6th. Three were there on the 10th, with five on the 11th, three again on the 15th and four on the 19th.
Four, no doubt the same birds as above, were near Tramp's Alley at the north end of Gunton Beach on the 14th.
Three were at Dip Farm, Gunton, on the 19th. Presumably the same birds as those usually on the beach as they flew in from elsewhere to the Links Road car park on the 19th.
One was at Gunton Warren on the 22nd and 24th.
Six were at Kessingland Beach on the 30th, with ten there on the 31st.

YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella
Six were at Barsham Drain on the 12th.

REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus ****
Kessingland sewage works - 6th (7), 13th (2), 21st (6), 24th (3), 27th (2).
One was at Lowestoft North Denes on the 18th.
One was at Radar Lodge, Corton on the 22nd.

NON-BIRD NEWS

Several butterflies were still on the wing at Carlton Marshes on the 7th, with six Red Admiral, two Comma and three Speckled Wood noted.

A Comma, several Red Admirals and a Migrant Hawker dragonfly were seen at Gunton Warren on the 22nd. Three Red Admirals and a Southern Hawker dragonfly were at Carlton Marshes on the 24th.

HARBOUR PORPOISE
Kessingland - 3rd (1 S), 8th (1), 11th (1 S).
Lowestoft North Beach - 8th (1 S), 24th (1).

GREY SEAL
Kessingland - 1st (1), 2nd (1), 8th (1), 11th (1), 15th (1), 17th (1), 18th (1), 19th (1), 20th (1), 26th (1), 29th (1).
Lowestoft North Beach - 10th (1), 19th (1), 20th (1), 24th (1).

RED FOX
Corton new sewage works - 6th (1).

MUNTJAC
Cotmer Road, Oulton Broad - 6th (1).
Gunton Warren - 22nd (1).

CHINESE WATER DEER
Carlton Marshes - 15th (1).