EAST ANGLIA
Highlights
Following last month’s reports of Dark-eyed Juncos in gardens across the country, another appeared at Stalham, Norfolk, early in the month, but was only reported after the event. The main bird news for the region concerned breeding Black-winged Stilts, with breeding pairs at Potter Heigham, Norfolk, where up to four young were seen; and at RSPB Ouse Washes, Cambs, where there were two young.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE HIGHLIGHTS: A pair of Black-winged Stilts bred at Ouse Washes, with two young fledged. A Temminck’s Stint was there (30th). A Red-footed Falcon was at Fowlmere (20th-21st). A Savi’s Warbler was at Wicken Fen (from 1st). An Arctic Skua flew over Thorney Toll (29th). Robin Chittenden. For the latest bird news please phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700245 from a landline or mobile phone cost 65p per minute plus your phone company access charge. Service provided by Birdline East Anglia. For enquiries please call 0330 3336946 or 07941 333 970, www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk ESSEX METROPOLITAN ESSEX: Red Kites were seen daily in the first 10 days, before going quiet (to 17th) when four flew over the Ingrebourne Valley. Caspian Gulls, Yellow-legged Gulls and an Iceland Gull (4th) were between Barking Bay and Thames Barrier Park. A Gannet flew north over Leyton (6th). A Sandwich Tern on the King George V Reservoir was unseasonal (4th), with a Mediterranean Gull there (18th). A brood of Red-crested Pochards was discovered in the Ingrebourne Valley. MID ESSEX: Peregrines bred for the first time in Colchester with three young successfully raised. Red Kites were seen regularly in the area. An Osprey flew over Mersea (3rd). A Black Tern and 450 Great Crested Grebes were at Abberton Reservoir (29th). NORTH ESSEX: Martin Peers’ fieldwork in the upper reaches of the Stour and Colne produced some superb data on species such as Yellowhammer, Sky Lark, Corn Bunting, Grey Partridge, Spotted Flycatcher and Marsh Tit. A Red-backed Shrike was at Frinton (3rd). Seawatching there (6th-7th) produced 5,000 Swifts, eight Fulmars, a Gannet, Razorbill and Storm Petrel. Two Curlew Sandpipers were at The Naze (1st), with two at Colne Point (11th). A Hen Harrier and 15 Mediterranean Gulls were also at the Point (16th). A Black Redstart was at Brightlingsea (24th). RAINHAM MARSHES: There were seven high flying southbound Barnacle Geese (1st). Return wader passage produced a Knot (20th) and the first Green Sandpiper (24th), followed by Whimbrel, Ruff, both races of Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank and Common Sandpiper. A Quail was heard again. Mediterranean Gulls peaked at five (20th). Marsh Harriers and Bearded Tits fared well. Garganeys bred. SOUTH EAST ESSEX: The continued increase in Red Kites was felt across the area. Breeding Long-eared Owls were at two sites. Mediterranean Gulls peaked at 40 off Southend Pier, with a similar number at Wallasea. Vange Marshes held a Garganey (12th). A hepatic-phase Cuckoo was at East Tilbury. An Alpine Swift flew over Ingrave and Hutton (22nd). There were two broods of Red-crested Pochards among the 29 birds at Hanningfield Reservoir (13th). Howard Vaughan NORFOLK HIGHLIGHTS: Potter Heigham Marshes held three Black-winged Stilts plus four young, a Cattle Egret, Night Heron (to 10th), Black Kite (4th) and a Montagu’s Harrier (27th). The Savi’s Warbler remained at Hickling Broad. A White-winged Black Tern was at Winterton (8th and 10th). Two more Black-winged Stilts were at Holme and another at Cley Marshes (3rd). A Red-backed Shrike was at Breydon Water
(25th-26th). Marsh Warblers were at Beeston Common (19th) and Upton Fen (27th). A Serin was at Sheringham Bird Observatory (3rd) with a Red-footed Falcon there (1st). A Roseate Tern was at Cley (13th), with a Glossy Ibis there (2nd). A Red-necked Phalarope was at Welney (7th-9th). The White-tailed Eagle was reported again at Langley Green (17th). Honey Buzzards flew over Kelling Heath (5th), with two there (30th), Felbrigg (8th), Kettlestone (9th), Wighton (10th), Hempstead (11th), Taverham (13th) and Potter Heigham (30th). BREYDON WATER: Highlights were a Red-footed Falcon (16th), Kittiwake (23rd), Black Tern (18th), eight Common Scoters (16th), four Spoonbills (30th) and two Crossbills (4th). Marsh Harriers were numerous. Peregrines and Little Gulls were seen several times. Breeding birds included nine pairs of Bearded Tits and possibly 26 pairs of Little Egrets. Cuckoos were noted on six dates. Maxima included 89 Little Egrets, 222 Shelducks, 24 Gadwall, 11 Shovelers, 21 Tufted Ducks, a Garganey, two dark-bellied Brent Geese, four Wigeon, 51 Avocets, 55 Oystercatchers, 24 Ringed Plovers, 14 Grey Plovers, 27 Dunlin, 61 Black-tailed Godwits, 148 Curlews, 93 Redshanks, five Whimbrels, a Curlew Sandpiper (1st), seven Knot and 40 Mediterranean Gulls. NOA HOLME BIRD OBSERVATORY: Maxima included 20 Common Scoters, three Little Terns, 45 Sandwich Terns, two Common Terns, six Mediterranean Gulls, two Turtle Doves, two Bullfinches, two Lesser Whitethroats, a Cetti’s Warbler, Hobby, Barn Owl, Red Kite, 40 Black-tailed Godwits, five Spoonbills, three Cuckoos, two Bearded Tits, two Grasshopper Warblers, three Stonechats, a Grey Wagtail, Treecreeper, Arctic Skua and Nuthatch. NOA REDWELL MARSH: There were 38 Black-tailed Godwits (4th), eight Avocets (14th), four Redshanks (4th), two Cuckoos, two Turtle Doves (24th), a Cetti’s Warbler and a Barn Owl. CLEY AREA: Highlights included a Nightingale, Short-eared Owl, two Garganeys, 16 Little Gulls, seven Spoonbills, three Yellow-legged Gulls, a Black Tern, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and Bittern. Pete Allard, Sophie Barker (Norfolk Ornithologists’ Association, www.noa. org.uk) and Robin Chittenden. For the latest bird news please phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700245 from a landline or mobile phone cost 65p per minute plus your phone company access charge. Service provided by Birdline East Anglia. For enquiries please call 0330 3336946 or 07941 333 970, www. birdlineeastanglia.co.uk
SUFFOLK
HIGHLIGHTS: The first Iberian Chiffchaff for Suffolk was at Landguard (1st). There was a claim of another later in the day at Minsmere. Landguard also held a Greenish Warbler (20th-21st) and a Serin (19th). A Red-footed Falcon was at North Warren (to 12th), visiting Minsmere on five dates. Others were at Walberswick (10th) and Somerleyton (19th). Two Savi’s Warblers were at Minsmere, with a Marsh Warbler there (17th) and a Purple Heron (4th-8th and from 26th). Three Bee-eaters were at Blyford (10th). A Rose-coloured Starling was in an Ipswich garden (2nd-3rd). A Marsh Warbler was at Brantham (1st). A Wood Warbler was at Brandon (to 5th). A Black Kite flew over Orfordness (4th). A Honey Buzzard was over North Warren (19th). Robin Chittenden. For the latest bird news please phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700245 from a landline or mobile phone cost 65p per minute plus your phone company access charge. Service provided by Birdline East Anglia. For enquiries please call 0330 3336946 or 07941 333 970, www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk