EAST ANGLIA
Highlights
What was presumably the same drake
Baikal Teal which was seen at Welney WWT, Norfolk in March, turned up at the nearby Ouse Washes RSPB, Cambridgeshire, on 28th. It was still present the next day. This is the same site where the last ‘accepted’ example of this lovely Asian duck was seen in 2014.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: A drake Baikal Teal was at Ouse Washes (28th-29th). Also there were a Black-winged Stilt, a Bufflehead of uncertain origin (13th), a drake Green-winged Teal (18th), a Savi’s Warbler (20th), Black-necked Grebe (13th) and Red-necked Grebe (6th-7th). A drake American Wigeon was at Paxton Pits (from 28th) and a Green-winged Teal was at Berry Fen (2nd-23rd). A Black-necked Grebe was at Coveney Byall Fen plus a Quail was there (8th). A White Stork was at Ely (22nd) and over Cambridge (23rd). A Montagu’s Harrier flew over Rampton (30th). A Great Grey Shrike was at Fen Drayton (15th-16th). Ring Ouzels were at the Cam Washes (16th), Grafham (18th), Paxton Pits (18th), Devil’s Dyke (21st-22nd), Glatton (21st) and Morborne Hill (21st). Two Hawfinches flew over Dernford Reservoir (10th). There were influxes of Black Terns and Little Gulls at various sites across the county. A Spoonbill was at Paxton Pits (23rd).
Robin Chittenden. For the latest bird news please phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700 245 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 333 6946 or 07941 333 970, www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk twitter.com/birdlineeanglia facebook.com/robin.chittenden7
ESSEX
RAINHAM MARSHES RSPB: Spring was a little slow off the mark, with most attention focused on the river, where the first Common Tern was seen (4th). Sandwich Terns were not far behind and the first two Arctics (10th) were followed by several singles and then six (28th) with a single Black Tern (19th). Med Gulls were an almost daily feature but the 87 seen (10th) was completely unprecedented. Smaller numbers followed but 24 (19th) and 20 (21st) would both have previously been site records! Poor weather predictably brought down Little Gulls, with 14 (8th) and a superb 43 the next day. Common Scoters were noted at the same time with a high of 22 (9th) and two early Arctic Skuas were seen the same day along with a scattering of passage waders including three Sanderlings, three Grey Plovers and the first Whimbrel. Knot (13th) and Greenshank (15th) followed, with Wood Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit and Spotted Redshank in the last week.
The last Jack Snipe was seen (9th) and Water Pipit (13th) and Pink-footed Goose (from 29th) were reminders of past seasons. A White Stork (12th) was much appreciated and returned for further circuits but no touchdowns (16th & 20th) and a Cattle Egret was seen on the two latter dates. Scarcer migrants were just that with
Redstarts (9th, 11th & 18th), and Ring ouzels (18th & 25th). there were very few Yellow Wagtails or Wheatears but most of the commoner warblers were in good numbers including two Grasshopper Warblers. three male Cuckoos were in by the 18th with Swifts not far behind from 24th. Red kites drifted through (1st, 10th & 20th) and a female Merlin was seen on several dates while the first Hobby was early (7th). Marsh Harriers were well settled and the local Ravens became more regular. one Short-eared owl was still present (30th). Garganey were seen (6th) and a pair (17th).
METROPOLITAN ESSEX (LNHS): the lee valley was an expected focus for migration and the kgv Reservoir was a regular draw (for permit holders). Five little Gulls (1st) were the forerunner for the 8th when 51 were counted with smaller numbers through to 11th. the 8th also saw Water Pipit, Black-necked Grebe and Ring ouzel, with eight Common Scoters, arctic tern and avocet the next day. Six more Scoters were seen (10th) when three more arctics dropped in and two more were seen (28th). Five Black terns were seen (19th) and a single was seen (22nd) and a little tern (24th)! the drake Smew stayed till the 10th and Goosander and Goldeneye lingered but two Red-breasted Mergansers (10th) were new arrivals. Yellow and White Wagtails were seen and a Redstart was found (16th). down-valley the male Scaup remained at Walthamstow Wetlands and the site had a good run of birds with a drake Garganey on and off (from 16th), little Gulls on five dates including 27 (8th), both Black and Bar-tailed Godwits, three Sandwich terns (5th), a colour-ringed osprey (8th), two Black-necked Grebes (24th) and a cracking male Blue-headed Wagtail with 19 Yellows (8th). nine more little Gulls were at Holyfield lake (8th) and one of the two Cattle egrets was seen at Hall Marsh (19th). Great White egrets were seen over Cely Woods (14th) and Wennington (20th) and the Rainham White Stork was over Wanstead Flats (16th). the Flats had daily Redstart sightings from the 2nd but there were three (10th) and another the next day. Ring ouzels were seen (11th & 21st) with a Whinchat on the latter. a singing Wood Warbler (29th) was a great find. other Redstarts were seen on Walthamstow Marsh (3rd) and Wetlands (12th-13th), nazeing (5th), Hainault Forest (13th), Fairlop Waters (14th) and lakeside (15th). a male Black Redstart sang in Brentwood (2nd-4th) and others were at three Mills (5th) and Walthamstow Marsh (two, 14th). Further ouzels were noted at Great Warley (16th) and Sewardstone (23rd) with another in Beckton STW (7th-13th) and one at Gallions Reach (14th). there were 22 Common Scoters off here (9th), Jack Snipe (7th), two arctic terns (14th), four Brent Geese, Sandwich tern and eight Med Gulls (19th). the 10th saw 19 Med Gulls over Barking Bay as part of the huge influx into the south-east. an avocet was a great find in the ingrebourne (4th) and jack Snipe (5th), two Med Gulls (10th) and a Whinchat (27th) added to a good month. there were over 20 Red kite sightings, an osprey over Gidea Park (29th) and local Buzzards, Peregrines and Ravens seemed to be faring well.
SOUTH-EAST ESSEX: vange and Bowers RSPB had a great combined month and often shared birds. at least five Water Pipits remained with just the one still around (13th), and a Spoonbill was seen from the 5th-8th when a Black tern and first-winter Bonaparte’s Gull was seen all too briefly. a drake Garganey (6th) became seven (14th-15th) and two Black-winged Stilts tantalised (13th). a Wood Sandpiper (24th) was joined by a Marsh Sandpiper (25th-26th). three Black-necked Grebes were found (24th) and a pair lingered while the two White-fronted Geese were last seen (17th).the ringed drake Ring-necked duck from abberton was a great find (29th) and stayed into May. a Black Redstart was at Gunners Park (7th-9th) with three arctic terns (27th) and 14 little terns (30th) through there and an osprey the same day. a Manx Shearwater was a good spring record off Canvey (15th) with three Black terns (23rd) and five arctic terns (27th). the only Great White egret sighting was over ashingdon (18th). drake Garganeys were on the lower Ray Pits (9th) and east tilbury (11th) with two male and a female at Russell Green (24th) and a final pair at Hanningfield (from 15th). the Reservoirs also hosted up to nine Red-crested Pochards and also had two arctic terns (13th). Grasshopper Warblers were on Bowers and at South Woodham Ferrers and there was a good scattering of nightingales while lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were seen again at Westley Heights. Four Short-eared owls and a Hen Harrier remained to mid-month on Wallasea RSPB and there were numerous Red kite sightings. a Black kite over Burnham-on-crouch (17th) was a great find as was four Cranes over Rayne (19th). a female Hen Harrier was at Blue House Farm (7th), and the site also hosted Ring ouzel (14th), 23 Med Gulls and the county’s only spring tree Pipit so far (18th).
MID-ESSEX: it was all about abberton again with a great selection of winter species lingering on the reservoir. two Great White egrets were still to be found and the pair of long-tailed ducks stayed (to 23rd) with the last three Scaup down to three (19th). the ringed drake Ring-necked duck was around again (16th-24th) before moving to Bowers and three Black-necked Grebes made it to the 1st. a Blue-headed Wagtail was seen (2nd) and another was at Billets Farm (from 22nd) but played second fiddle to the male ortolan that resided there (22nd-25th). Black terns dropped in (18th, 22nd & 25th) with three little Gulls (12th). there were several Red kite sightings and a female Hen Harrier was seen (3rd). elsewhere four Water Pipits were still at Fingringhoe Mill (3rd) with an osprey over there (30th) and four Great northern divers off West Mersea (6th & 9th) with a Shag there on the latter. another osprey was over tollsbury (1st) and two Cranes were seen drifting over Moverons (22nd). Up the Colne a Stone-curlew was a superb find at the Hythe (11th-12th) although it had apparently been photographed at Fingringhoe on the first date. a Great White egret was at lofts Farm with a little Gull (11th) and a drake Garganey was on the Chigborough section the next day.
NORTH-EAST ESSEX: Several Firecrests were noted at the naze but it was a very quiet month up north. a Water Pipit and drake Garganey
were seen at Holland Haven (10th) and Nightingale on Howlands Marsh (12th) and Redstart at Wigboro Wick Farm (16th) were the only notable passerines. Frinton produced some good movements including a very impressive 695 Gannets and 56 sightings of Fulmar during April, 377 Curlew (16th), 34 Med Gulls and 14 Little Terns (22nd) and two Eider (24th). Howard Vaughan
NORFOLK
HIGHLIGHTS: Spring highlights were a Great Spotted Cuckoo at Salthouse (30th), Citrine Wagtail at Sheringham Bird Observatory (23rd) and an Alpine Swift that flew over Cley Marshes and was then at Sheringham (26th) where it roosted and was then seen at several coastal locations the next day as it headed south. A Hoopoe was at Winterton (4th-15th) followed by another sighting (26th) and another was on Blakeney Point (23rd-24th). Also at Winterton was a female Woodchat Shrike (23rd-24th) and a Montagu’s Harrier (30th). Also at Blakeney Point was a Wryneck (18th). Another Wryneck was at Snettisham (26th). A Serin flew south at Sutton (19th). There was an influx of Pied Flycatchers and Ring Ouzels and a Yellow-browed Warbler was at Northrepps (25th). A Great Grey Shrike ranged between Morston and Stiffkey (9th-18th) and another was at Potter Heigham Marshes (21st). Up to 15 Shore Larks remained at Holkham Gap (to 22nd) and another flew over Waxham (13th). The Coues’s Arctic Redpoll remained at Sculthorpe Moor (to 5th). An adult White-tailed Eagle flew over Egmere and Gapton (30th) and another was over Winterton (11th). The juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard was near Weeting Heath (to 11th). Others were at Salthouse (4th), Winterton (20th & 24th) and Belton Marshes (19th). A Black-winged Stilt was at Potter Heigham Marshes (from 19th) and a Purple Heron was at Burnham Norton and Burnham Overy Marshes (from 21st). A Glossy Ibis was at Upton Marshes (25th) and a Black Guillemot flew east at Cley (1st).
BREYDON WATER: Highlights included five Cranes (18th), two Arctic Skuas (19th), Great White Egrets on several dates and a Spoonbill (26th). Peregrines and Marsh Harriers were regular. Hen Harriers were seen on three dates and Red Kites on five. There were three Short-eared Owls, two Arctic Terns, Ring Ouzels on three dates, nine Wheatears, the first Lesser Whitethroat (20th) and Grasshopper Warbler (30th).
Maxima included 19 pairs of Herons, 17 Little Egrets, a few Great Crested Grebes, 303 Shelducks, 210 Wigeon, 61 Gadwall, 325 Teal, 28 Pintails, 201 Shovelers, 15 Tufted Ducks, a Pink-footed Goose, two Garganeys, 68 Oystercatchers, 353 Avocets, 14 tundra-race Ringed Plovers, 200 Lapwings, 15 Knot, 410 Black-tailed Godwits, 38 Bar-tailed Godwits, 80 Whimbrels, five Spotted Redshanks, 791 Redshanks, 390 Dunlin, seven Common Sandpipers, a Curlew Sandpiper, five Ruff, three Sanderling and 131 Mediterranean Gulls.
NOA Holme Bird Observatory: Maxima included 250 Brent Geese, 50 Mediterranean Gulls, 18 Eiders, two Great Crested Grebes, 16 Chiffchaffs, six Siskins, 24 Pinkfeet, 24 Ruff, 35 Black-tailed Godwits, 21 Sandwich Terns, two Common Terns, 16 Snipe, 20 Common Scoters, eight Red-breasted Mergansers, two Red-throated Divers, six Fulmars, two Gannets, 19 Golden Plovers, three Red Kites, four Fieldfares, four Crossbills, 14 Swallows, five Song Thrushes, three Tree Pipits, two Short-eared Owls, five Sand Martins, three Stonechats, 15 Yellow Wagtails, 17 Whimbrels, three Cuckoos, seven Ring Ouzels, ten Lesser Whitethroats, four Pied Flycatchers, three Black Redstarts, two Bramblings, two Redwings, two Redstarts, 20 Wheatears, two Lesser Redpolls, two Firecrests, 16 Willow Warblers, 25 Blackcaps, 15 Whitethroats, seven Grasshopper Warblers, three Green Sandpipers, two Whinchats, 20 Sedge Warblers, four Reed Warblers, a Great Northern Diver, Garganey, Shag, Velvet Scoter, Merlin, Peregrine, White Wagtail, Hen Harrier, Water Rail, Spoonbill, Rock Pipit, Great White Egret, Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Woodlark, Arctic Tern, Turtle Dove, Swift, Nightingale, Garden Warbler, Mealy Redpoll and Tree Sparrow.
NOA REDWELL MARSH: Highlights included a Garganey, Ring Ouzel, Grasshopper Warbler, Grey Wagtail, Wheatear, two Willow Warblers, five Whitethroats, three Lesser Whitethroats, two Mediterranean Gulls, two Sedge Warblers, 12 Redshanks, two Green Sandpipers and six Avocets.
CLEY AREA: Highlights included a Bittern, Black Guillemot, Black Redstart, Black-throated Diver, Little Gull, Short-eared Owl, Ring Ouzel, Garganey, two Cranes, nine Russian Whitefronts, three Spoonbills, five Waxwings, two Great White Egrets, two Whinchats, six Velvet Scoters, two Wood Sandpipers, two Spotted Redshanks, two Little Stints and two Hen Harriers.
Pete Allard, Sophie Barker (www.noa.org.uk) and Robin Chittenden. For the latest bird news please phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700 245 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 333 6946 or 07941 333 970, www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk twitter.com/birdlineeanglia facebook.com/robin.chittenden7
SUFFOLK
HIGHLIGHTS: A male Red-footed Falcon was at Rendlesham from 27th. An adult White-tailed Eagle flew over Carlton Marshes and Covehithe (30th). This followed another, which was seen flying over the Blyth Estuary, Reydon Church, Covehithe and Oulton Broad (11th).
The Rough-legged Buzzard remained in the area around Orfordness (until 19th). A White-spotted Bluethroat was at Herringfleet Marshes (6th-8th) and the drake Green-winged Teal remained there (to 23rd). An Alpine Swift flew over Corton & Lowestoft (27th). A male Kentish Plover was at Havergate Island (16th). Up to two Black-winged Stilts were at Minsmere (22nd-24th) and one was seen to fly over Westleton (22nd). A Temminck’s Stint was at Micklemere (19th). A Subalpine Warbler was at Westleton (18th) and nearby at Minsmere RSPB was a Savi’s Warbler (from 2nd), which was joined by a second bird from 24th. An Iberian Chiffchaff was at Lowestoft (22nd) and a Tawny Pipit was at Southwold (26th). A Red-rumped Swallow was briefly at Minsmere RSPB (26th) and a Yellow-browed Warbler was at Gunton Wood (23rd). A Great Grey Shrike was at Blackheath (12th) and Torrington (13th-14th) and the four Shore Larks remained at Bawdsey (13th).
Robin Chittenden. For the latest bird news please phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700 245 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 333 6946 or 07941 333 970, www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk twitter.com/birdlineeanglia facebook.com/robin.chittenden7