The Harrier 204, Spring 2021

Gi Grieco

The Harrier

Editorial

Welcome to The Harrier. In this addition we start off with a set of short notes including an update on the plan for SBG events. Sadly, this is another edition where there have been no trip reports from the preceding months. Hopefully as Spring arrives and there are no changes to the lockdown rules we may be able to commence again. One of the trips we had to cancel last year, and again this, is our regular visit to Carlton Marsh. The warden of the site, Matt, has written a follow up to show how the site has developed since the plan to get lottery funding and the expansion of the site. I personally cannot wait until restrictions are lifted and I can visit to look at its transformation.

We have two excellent reports with lots of information: from Justin and Ellie on their ringing activities at Trimley Marsh and from Andrew, a regular contributor with his superb photographs, on monitoring the life of the Sand Martins. Two species that are in decline and are garnering increased conservation effort are Turtle Dove and Swift. For the former there is a request for survey volunteers and we have an update on Save our Suffolk Swifts – one aspect of SBG that has just been able to continue these last few months. Nigel, from LBO, with many hours of observational study, has

written another article on a bird species seen from the site, this time on Goldeneye. Along with the ringing on the site, these long-term observations make for interesting research and can show trends in movements and occurrences.

It’s been a while since we had a poem in The Harrier so I’m pleased to include this lovely poem by Stephanie – we welcome more! We also occasionally have book reviews, and our oft go-to reviewer Adam, has given his thoughts on a new site guide. Tony has done his excellent review of birds within the county in the last quarter and being the autumn/winter review it always features geese heavily. The final article relates to a resident species, Greylag Goose and the ringing studies to show movement of that species.

I hope to see many of you in the coming months on the outdoor trips, where we can catch up with friends and enjoy the birds in our county and beyond.

SBG events

Just to let you all know that we are working hard to reopen our Outdoor Meetings at the earliest opportunity, as permitted under government guidelines, with the probable expectation that our first meeting is likely to be the Eastbridge meeting on 23rd May. We request members keep a check on the website for updates and emails to members, with further news, will be sent out as and when.

Fortunately, we’ve been able to continue our indoor talks, albeit online, and these have been well received with very good participation.

Ways to fundraise for SBG - update

In previous editions of The Harrier we have promoted the fact that members can raise funds for the group using EveryClick. There were two options - the first involved using a search facility that donates to the group every time you search the internet through the EveryClick portal. The other option was to raise donations while shopping online. To date nearly £300 has been raised for SBG.

We’ve been informed by EveryClick that the search engine facility is no longer available unfortunately. The ability to raise funds by shopping, Give as you Live Online, is still continuing and you can set up an account for free and select Suffolk Bird Group to be the recipient as there are 1000’s of online retailers you can shop at. More details can be found here - https://www.everyclick.com/charity/ suffolkbirdgroup

For Sale

Delta 70 spotting scope, approx. 20 years old. With case but no tripod. £25, funds to SBG, or free to any member aged 21 or under. Mike Jeanes 07730 876825.

Rookery Survey

Mike Jeanes Hedge cutting

It may be getting a bit late now but please don’t cut hedges or large shrubs from 1st April to September and always remember to check for nesting birds. I was driven nuts during spring 2020 by the sound of hedge trimmers, including young blackbirds escaping through the back of a joint hedge being cut by a neighbour. At one point a highways contractor was foolish enough to start on a hedge opposite my house!! Autumn and winter is usually a much better time to do this work anyway.

Unfortunately, due to Covid situation, we have suspended the Rookery Survey again this year. At the time of publication of the last Harrier we were unsure what the roadmap would be for 2021. As it transpired it seems likely that the end of March is when people will be allowed to travel further afield but this would be too late to start the surveying. We’ll hope to resume in 2022.

Justin Zantboer with assistance from Ellie Zantboer

2020 Bird Ringing Report for Trimley Marshes SWT

Ringing details - Spring

Sadly, after ringing once at Trimley on March 14th, most of the Spring thereafter at Trimley was missed due to the first National Lockdown of 2020. As restrictions were eased, reduced operations commenced on May 25th but with migration virtually over and the breeding season already in full swing, we opted to use just three Mist Nets to avoid too much disturbance. So March to May saw just 33 birds ringed of 10 species. The absentees were more notable than the species caught with no Nightingales, Lesser Whitethroats or Chiffchaffs despite all three being present. A Long-tailed Tit caught on March 14th was one we’d ringed previously on September 26th 2015, making it at least five and a half years old. Our two older Cetti’s Warblers, present from 2016 and 2018 were not re-trapped with the territory now seemingly being held by a female ADE0944 ringed during May 2019 and a new male, ARJ7765 ringed March 14th 2020. Four Sedge Warblers ringed at Trimley prior to 2020 were retrapped at the end of May and were presumably breeding including S130811 ringed at Trimley on May 28th 2018. He was retrapped throughout that Summer and then returned to breed again in 2019 and 2020. Hopefully we’ll see him again in 2021. Only the one Reed Warbler ringed prior to 2020 returned, that being a female ringed as an adult on June 29th 2019.

Ringing details – June

To avoid too much disturbance to breeding birds, we only ringed four times during the month; three times before 14th to catch late / wandering migrants and once on 20th to assess local breeding, so were pleased with a total of 97 birds of eight species compared

with the 71 birds of 15 species ringed during June 2019.

Nearly half of the birds ringed were juvenile Blue Tits but a ‘just-fledged’ Sedge Warbler ringed on 7th was a good indicator of some early breeding. This was the first of five juveniles ringed during the month. We also ringed two juvenile Reed Warblers and three juvenile Chiffchaffs, with the first of both on 13th and two juvenile Blackcap on 20th. The only other juvenile birds ringed during the month were two Dunnocks on 14th and 20th. An adult Whitethroat ringed on May 30th was still present throughout June and appeared to be paired with a female with a brood patch ringed on 14th.

A just-fledged Sedge Warbler

The following table shows the number of juvenile Tits ringed during May and June 2019-2020, giving an approximate idea of the local breeding success:

Ringing details – July

As with 2019, numbers increased quickly with 209 birds ringed of 15 species compared with 173 birds of 16 species ringed last year. Again, most of the birds we caught were European Reed (29) and Sedge Warblers (132) with adults numbering only four and 14 respectively. It’s virtually impossible to calculate how many of the juveniles were fledged on the reserve but working on the same theory as the last two years, seven each of Sedge and European Reed Warblers were ringed up to 10th. Of interest, our previous highest total of Sedge Warblers ringed in any one day in July was 17 on 14th July 2019. 2020 saw this record beaten three times with 21 on 12th, 39 on 19th and 40 on 25th, suggesting that the breeding success was good. In comparison, European Reed Warbler day totals were much less, with the highest in any one day being just eight on both 18th and 19th, with just three ringed 25th when Sedge Warblers were clearly on the move.

Other juvenile birds ringed during July were few and far between. Two Common Whitethroat ringed on 12th were thought to be from the pair on the Reserve as they were caught within their territory. Cetti’s Warblers ringed on 12th and 18th were also thought to be from the Reserve for the same reason. A Common Chiffchaff, two Wrens and three Dunnocks were also most likely to be from the Reserve but a Goldcrest on 12th is more likely to be a wanderer. A juvenile Common Wood Pigeon on 11th was the first of its kind ringed on the Reserve.

Ringing details – August

As with 2019 when we ringed 601 birds of 26 species, August proved to be the busiest month of 2020 by far, with an amazing total of 1079 birds of 27 species. With 17 sessions, that gave us an average daily catch of over 63 birds per trip. This included an unbelievable number of Sedge Warblers, with 710 ringed as well as 199 European Reed Warblers. Prior to this month, we’d only ringed over 40 Sedge Warblers in a day twice before, with 46 on 23rd August 2019 and 42 on 31st August 2019. We more than doubled these totals twice during the month with 96 ringed on 8th and then a massive 103 ringed on 11th, the latter coinciding with our biggest ever catch of European Reed Warbler with 38 birds ringed. Both the 8th and 11th were in fact our biggest ringing days ever with 120 birds ringed on 8th and 154 birds ringed on 11th. Our biggest day previous to these was 113 birds on 23/08/2019. The 2020 totals were made all the more impressive as we were still only using three nets and poor weather from the 20th restricted us to just two morning sessions thereafter.

We added three new species to the Ringing List, these being a female Mallard caught in a Mist Net on 7th, Common Sandpipers on 4th and 17th and Whinchat on 12th with the other highlights being two juvenile Common Kingfishers, a juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker which was accompanied by an adult ringed at Trimley Marshes during 2019, a juvenile Yellow Wagtail and five Common Grasshopper Warblers.

Of note, two juvenile Song Thrushes ringed on 1st were mostly likely raised close by but not so encouraging - only four juvenile Cetti’s Warblers were ringed. This was well down on the nine juveniles ringed during August 2019. Common Whitethroat numbers were also down with 35 ringed during August 2019 compared with just 13 in 2020.

Ringing details – September

252 birds ringed of 26 species was similar to the totals of September 2019 when 258 birds of 22 species were ringed. Highlight of the month was our only County Rarity of the year, a Marsh Warbler ringed on 18th, which was also an addition to the Ringing List. A tricky species to identify at the best of times, Autumn birds are often even more of a challenge with this individual proving to be no different so confirming the identification with biometrics was very satisfying.

Other additions to the Ringing List was a female Eurasian Teal caught in a Mist Net on 16th, a Tree Pipit on 5th and a Spotted Flycatcher on 6th. Other more unusual birds ringed included our third Common Sandpiper on 1st and a Common Kingfisher. Of note, only two Common Reed Buntings were

Marsh Warbler biometrics /measurements:

Wing length = 70mm (large for Reed but within the overlap)

P2 notch = 10mm (short for Reed but within the overlap)

P2 notch = P6/7 (P8-10 in Reed, very rarely P7)

Wing point = P3 (As Reed)

P2 = P4 (As Reed)

Bill to Feathering = 11mm (12.1-16.5mm in Reed)

Bill to Skull = 13.7mm (15.5-18.5mm in Reed)

ringed, compared with 43 during September 2019.

With the exception of the Reed and Sedge, most of our more regular Warbler numbers were lower than Autumn 2019 with both Blackcap and Common Whitethroat considerably so. With the lack of suitable food plants for these species within the trapping area, namely Elderberry and Bramble, this

is more likely to be due to unfavourable weather for producing movement through the site than a drop in the population. Willow Warbler numbers were also down but Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Grasshopper Warbler numbers were up, as you will see from the following summary:

Ringing details – October

255 birds of 19 species ringed so up on 2019 when 205 of 21 species were ringed. Numbers were swollen by an exceptional day on the 11th when what can only be described as a natural phenomenum occurred, when an estimated 15,000 Redwings passed through the site, with 68 being ringed, most of which were caught in just one 30’ Mist Net. Huge numbers were tracked on radar the evening before, firstly leaving Norway then heading towards Suffolk via Holland. It is guessed that the white lights at the Trimley end of Felixstowe Docks brought them down to roost. We were then lucky enough to witness them leave roost, sometimes in flocks of 1500 strong, before they headed West up the Stour Valley. Amazingly, very few were seen on the coast during the morning, which lends weight to my theory of them roosting in and

around the Port. The number of birds seen was likened to the great falls which used to occur in Suffolk during the late eighties.

Other birds of note ringed included our fourth Kingfisher of 2020 and our first Firecrest since November 2018 on 19th. More impressive though were 12 Bearded Tits ringed on 1718th when several flocks were noted moving through the Reserve.

We also ringed 43 Lesser Redpolls, a species we’d only caught at Trimley once before, that being back on 3rd November 2018. Lesser Redpolls don’t normally arrive en masse until later in the Autumn but our captures tied in with those of other local Ringers who also caught unseasonably high numbers during the month. 41 Common Reed Buntings was well down on 2019 when 90 were ringed.

Ringing details – November and December

A slow end to the year with just 83 birds of 17 species ringed during both months compared to 79 birds of 16 species ringed in just November 2019. Most notable was the fifth Common Kingfisher of 2020 and our second and third ever Common Stonechats, both ringed during November, another four

Bearded Tits during November, a Blackcap on 6th December and three Yellowhammers during December. Also of note were 28 Common Reed Buntings ringed during November which was up on 2019 when only 20 were ringed.

Summary

Most of the Spring was missed due to the Covid 19 pandemic and the resulting National Lockdown. When the restrictions were eased, allowing my two children Ellie and Daniel, and myself to commence operations, we found that the public footfall had increased which led to the ringing area being much more disturbed. As a result, we decided to shorten the ringing sessions and for most of the year, only used three of our seven net lanes. The National Lockdown also meant that the Reserve Public Open Day was cancelled. However, we were still able to show numerous members of the public, including lots of families, birds in the hand, giving socially distanced ringing demonstrations most weekends.

Like many others, I had to work from home for most of the year so with the increased travel time, I had to pack up earlier on work days than during previous years. Otherwise, apart from a week of bad weather at the end of August and a family holiday at the end of October, when weather conditions allowed, coverage was fairly consistent with most weekends covered between 25th May to 30th November.

A total of 2008 birds of 42 species were ringed with our top three species being 925 Sedge Warblers, 291 Eurasian Reed Warblers and 119 Blue Tits. Species added to the Ringing List were: Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Common Sandpiper (3), Common Wood Pigeon, Tree Pipit, Whinchat, Marsh Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher.

Birds ringed and retrapped

Species Ring Number Ringing Date Ringing Age / Sex Latest retrap date

Cetti’s Warbler

ADE0944 19/05/2019 Adult Female 25/05/2020 *

Cetti’s Warbler ARJ7765 14/03/2020 Adult Male 25/05/2020

Cetti’s Warbler AXF5348 04/08/2019 Juvenile Male 28/12/2020

Sedge Warbler S130811 28/05/2018 Adult Male 12/07/2020 *

Sedge Warbler ADE0908 07/05/2019 Adult Female 11/07/2020

Sedge Warbler ADE0993 22/06/2019 Adult Female 07/06/2020 *

Sedge Warbler AXF5105 04/07/2019 Adult Female 07/06/2020 *

Sedge Warbler ARJ7804 25/05/2020 Adult Male 20/06/2020

Sedge Warbler ARJ7806 25/05/2020 Adult Female 07/06/2020 *

Sedge Warbler ARJ7807 25/05/2020 Adult Male 12/07/2020 *

Sedge Warbler ARJ7808 25/05/2020 Adult Male 07/06/2020

Eurasian Reed Warbler AXF5101 29/06/2019 Adult Female 02/08/2020

Eurasian Reed Warbler AXF5179 21/07/2020 Juvenile 19/07/2020

Eurasian Reed Warbler ARJ7836 07/06/2020 Adult Female 19/07/2020

Eurasian Reed Warbler ARJ7837 07/06/2020 Adult Male 18/07/2020

Eurasian Reed Warbler ARJ7848 07/06/2020 Adult Female 13/06/2020

Eurasian Reed Warbler ARJ7917 11/07/2020 Adult Male 01/08/2020

Common Whitethroat ARJ7818 30/05/2020 2Y Male 07/06/2020

Great Tit TX97879 15/06/2019 Juvenile Male 07/06/2020

Great Tit TX97955 12/08/2020 Adult Female 20/09/2020

Great Tit ADE0925 12/05/2019 2Y Male 07/06/2020

Reed Bunting AXF5237 27/07/2019 Juvenile Male 19/09/2020

Reed Bunting ARJ7419 21/09/2019 Juvenile Female 07/06/2020

Long-tailed Tit EYC597 26/09/2015 Unknown 14/03/2020

Great Spotted Woodpecker LH17157 30/07/2019 Juvenile 08/02/2020

Controls (birds ringed elsewhere and retrapped at Trimley Marshes)

Species Ring number

Black-headed Gull

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Blackcap

Sedge Warbler

Sedge Warbler

Ringing date

Recovery date

EN45807 31/01/2011 13/06/2020

Ringing details

Shotley Gate, Suffolk, UK.

3421 days / 3km / 51deg NE

Aged as an 8 so at least three years old when ringed.

LL17406 26/07/2020 08/08/2020 Landguard Bird Observatory, Suffolk, UK.

13 days / 6km / 349deg N

AXK4245 11/04/2020 14/06/2020 Littlesea, Weymouth, Dorset, UK.

64 days / 303km / 60deg ENE

5L22658 02/08/2017 21/04/2018 Noain, Navarra, SPAIN

262 days / 1048km / 13deg NNE

Sedge Warbler

Sedge Warbler

Sedge Warbler

8268731 16/08/2018 20/04/2019

Reserve de Chasse du Massereau, Frossay, Loire-Atlantique, France.

247 days / 573km / 24deg NNE

15512454 TBC 08/08/2020 TBC (Brussels ring)

ACK5814 05/08/2020 14/08/2020 Icklesham, Sussex, East Sussex, UK.

9 days / 126km / 20deg NNE

APK4716 03/08/2020 16/08/2020 Red Row, East Chevington, Northumberland UK.

13 days / 413km / 153deg SSE

Sedge Warbler ATL1885 30/07/2020 18/08/2020 Taylodge, Perth & Kinross, UK.

19 days / 569km / 150deg SSE

Sedge Warbler ACA6699 18/08/2020 01/09/2020 Whitmuir Hall, Selkirk, Scottish Borders, UK. 14 days / 478km / 147deg SSE

Eurasian Reed Warbler 7633177 17/08/2015 31/07/2020 Pont de L’Alleud, La Possonniere, Maine-etLoire, France.

1810 days / 533km / 16deg NNE

Ringed as an adult making this bird at least six years old.

Blue Tit S743540 13/06/2020 14/06/2020 Landguard Bird Observatory, Suffolk, UK. 1 day / 6km / 349deg N

Blue Tit S580195 11/10/2020 Alderton, Suffolk, UK. 193 days / 9km / 246deg WSW

Recoveries (birds ringed at Trimley Marshes and retrapped elsewhere)

Species

Eurasian Reed Warbler APN4032 25/07/2020 11/08/2020 Cabanot, Audenge, Gironde, France.

Retrapped by another Ringer.

17 days / 827km / 192deg SSW

Sedge Warbler APN4046 25/07/2020 09/08/2020 Reserve de Chasse du Massereau, Frossay, LoireAtlantique, France.

Retrapped by another Ringer.

15 days / 570km / 204deg SSW

Sedge Warbler APN4049 25/07/2020 06/08/2020 Tour aux Moutons, Donges, Loire-Atlantique, France.

Retrapped by another Ringer.

12 days / 570km / 205deg SSW

Sedge Warbler APN4160 01/08/2020 20/08/2020 Terres d’Oiseaux, Braud-etSaint-Louis, Gironde, France

Retrapped by another Ringer.

19 days / 758km / 191deg SSW

Sedge Warbler APN4396 08/08/2020 16/08/2020 Naarden, Oud Valkevee, NoordHolland, The Netherlands.

Retrapped by another Ringer.

8 days / 268km / 83deg E

Sedge Warbler APN4653 12/08/2020 15/08/2020

31/08/2020

Cantley Beet Factory, Norfolk, UK.

Retrapped by another Ringer.

3 days / 71km / 14deg NNE

Otter, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, UK.

Retrapped by another Ringer.

19 days / 350km / 246deg WSW

Sedge Warbler APN4961 19/08/2020 29/08/2020 Kervijen, Plomodiern, Finistère, France.

Retrapped by another Ringer.

10 days / 580km / 224deg SW

Sedge Warbler APN4653 is interesting in that it moved NNE into Norfolk three days after being ringed at Trimley before heading down to Devon. This seems to be in line with the theory that many young migrant Warblers take their time feeding up locally before making significant movements.

The following gives a slight indication as to where some of our Warblers are coming from and going too? The red lines are birds ringed elsewhere retrapped at Trimley Marshes and the green lines are birds ringed at Trimley retrapped elsewhere.

2020 Ringing totals

Eddie Bathgate

Save Our Suffolk Swifts – update

Progress has been, and continues to be, made ahead of the return of Swifts to the county. Donations and gift aid have allowed SOSSwifts to provide community ‘sets’ comprising six nest boxes and a call system, and a recent donation from Suffolk’s two AONBs has provided a welcome boost to this supply. The work is now on to get all sets allocated and installed before May.

SOSSwifts Community Sets

We have a number of sets to donate to suitable locations. Pakenham Mill and Aldercarr Farm

Shop have already received their sets. Schools in Occold, Rendlesham and Middleton, and churches in Barrow, Walpole and Debenham are awaiting permission. Free nest boxes have also been distributed for fitting close to existing colonies in Framlingham, Occold, Little Bealings and Woodbridge in the hope that populations will bloom there quickly. We are looking to place further community sets elsewhere around Suffolk. Prime targets are suitable gables on prominent locations on community buildings where they will be visible for the public to enjoy.

AONB Boost

The Coast & Heaths and Dedham Vale AONBs have donated a total of 138 nest boxes and 23 call systems for installation within their boundaries. This constraint means that siting is not straightforward, as many towns and villages lie just outside the AONBs, however, we have set about distributing them to Swift enthusiasts for them to install.

The Dedham Vale AONB have supplied 15 call systems and 90 nest boxes for distribution amongst the Stour Valley Farmers, with a further set supplied to Manningtree Swift Group for use on a prominent location there.

AONB Coast & Heaths donated 40 nest boxes and six call systems. Schools in Waldringfield and Orford, pubs in Snape and Orford, a church in Shottisham along with Snape Maltings and Dunwich coastguard cottages are all recipients.

It is particularly exciting to be getting Swift sets into schools. If time permits, the children will be decorating them and Aldeburgh’s Amazing Swifts have kindly offered to give talks to educate the pupils.

Hadleigh Environmental Action Team

Funded by their local authority, HEAT have been very busy both making and installing nest boxes around Hadleigh. Amazingly they are aiming to install 80 nest boxes in 20 locations around the town, each with a call system and volunteer spotter.

Nest Boxes and Surveys

It is very pleasing to have received so many enquiries from around Suffolk. Surveys have been tricky during the lockdown, involving many emailed photographs and a very limited opportunity to drive by during essential travel. However, Swift supporters in Denham, Lowestoft, Stowupland, Wetheringsett, Thurston, Knettishall, Barrow, Ipswich, Ashbocking, Kesgrave and Thornham St. Martin have all purchased nest boxes after a survey, and been advised on how to play Swift calls to attract them in to breed. Following their enquiry, Bungay Town Council are now installing nest boxes and a call system down by the Waveney river.

Breeding Successes

Patience is needed with Swifts: it can take time for them to discover and make use of provided nest sites. However, they pair for life and are faithful to breeding locations, so once you have a pair, they’ll return the following year and their behaviour will likely attract in others. Swifts are colonial nesters so the size of a colony is only limited by the availability of nest sites.

Here is the latest 2020 data of Swifts use of provided nest sites.

Aldeburgh 3 nest boxes occupied

Hadleigh 6

Little Stonham 10

Sudbury, St Peters Church 7

Santon Downham, St. Mary’s Church 5

Woodbridge 12, further 7 nest boxes ‘banged’

Crowfield 7

SWT Lackford 1

Capel St Mary 6 (+1 2019)

Kirton 4

Wickham Mkt 1

Blaxhall 4

Bury St. Edmunds, St John’s Church 21

(+2 2019)

Worlington 19

Chelsworth 1

Stutton 4 (+1 2019)

Stowmarket 2 (+1 2019)

Carlton Colville 1

In addition, surveys have identified 32 roofs with swift nests in Woodbridge 41 pairs in Stowmarket roofs

With growing numbers of nest boxes and more locations now playing calls, the hope is that occupancy levels will rise year on year. Furthermore, the increased awareness of colonies means that it is easier and quicker to protect them or to fit nest boxes close by when essential works affect their existing nests. SWT have a stock of nest boxes for this scenario and Woodbridge and Halesworth both had instances in 2020 when these were required.

If you would like advice, have a suggestion for a community set location, or wish to volunteer to make or fit nest boxes, please get in touch. Roll on May when our Swifts will start screaming again over Suffolk.

National Turtle Dove survey 2021

The turtle dove purr is a sound of summer but is sadly much rarer than it once was. Turtle doves are the fastest declining bird in the UK, with their population declining by 95% between 1995 and 2018. However, there is good news, thanks to research by RSPB and partners we know the main causes of their decline are food shortages on their breeding grounds and unsustainable hunting on migration. Progress is being made by Bird life international partners to reduce hunting in Europe and Operation Turtle Dove advisors are helping farmers, community groups and conservation organisations in the UK to provide good foraging habitat. However we can’t help them if we don’t know where they are, and with the last estimate putting the number of breeding pairs at only 3600 (2016), they are getting harder to find.

The National Turtle dove survey 2021 aims to improve our knowledge of their population size and distribution. Despite the range contraction of this species within the UK,

Suffolk is still a stronghold for turtle doves. There are just over 100 squares which we need to survey in Suffolk and that is where we need your help!

The surveys will aim to detect the presence and abundance of turtle doves within each selected 1km-square, with two visits between mid-May and the end of July. Each survey should be undertaken between sunrise and 0900: 70% of singing males should be detected within the first 2 hours after sunrise, after which vocal activity decreases markedly. The time taken for the survey will depend on the density of field boundaries. Full methods and the opportunity to sign up for a squares can be found at https://national-turtle-dovesurvey-rspb.hub.arcgis.com/.

Turtle doves are such a characteristic species that this could be a good survey for those new to bird surveys to get involved with. If you have any questions about the survey please do get in touch through the webhub

or e-mail eliza.leat@rspb.org.uk. If surveys aren’t for you, you can still help turtle doves; we are interested in any turtle dove records for 2021. If you are lucky enough to have them coming into your garden or there is a walk you always see them on, please get out there and record them and encourage your friends to do the same. Records can be submitted to Birdtrack and are very valuable to conservation efforts.

FAQs

My local patch doesn’t have a 1km survey square, I want to take part but I would rather stay local:

Whilst we would encourage you to select a preselected square on the webhub (we have plenty to go around!) we want as many people as possible to get involved so please get in touch and we will see if we can find a solution.

I know there are no turtle doves in that square so why do you want someone to survey it?

The sad truth is some of the squares where turtle doves were present even 5 years ago, no

Matt Gooch

longer have turtle doves. However, we need to record this absence in a systematic survey for it to be reflected in distribution maps and population estimates. No turtle doves doesn’t mean there will be nothing interesting to record; we would also like you to look out for other farmland species of conservation interest (grey partridge, lapwing, nightingale, willow tit, mistle thrush, yellow wagtail, tree sparrow, bullfinch, linnet, reed bunting, yellowhammer and corn bunting).

There were no turtle doves there on my first survey, I am finding it hard to motivate myself to carry out the second visit:

See above but also turtle doves can move several kilometres between nesting attempts and surveys do not detect 100% of birds so don’t give up! The method uses two survey visits for precisely these reasons.

What about covid-19?

We are very hopeful the survey will be able to go ahead but as with everything at the moment it will be subject to covid-19 restrictions at the time of the survey.

Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve:

When the “What If?” happens

It has been a little while since the last article on the reserve (Summer 2018) where people were asked to watch this space for what happens next. Well, in a nutshell, a successful Suffolk Broads Appeal and application to the Heritage Fund as well as several other large funders meant that in April 2019 the machines moved in on 162ha (400 acres) of drained arable marshes.

A project timeline proposal which included the creation of scrapes, dykes, and ponds, lasted for 6 months, and included 3 bulldozers, 10

diggers and 4 dumpers and a lot of mitigation measures to facilitate habitat creation when the ground conditions were perfect.

The work would create Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s biggest reserve, a flagship site and a Broadland landscape with a mosaic of fen meadows, reedbeds and wet grassland creating 405ha (1000 acres) of wildness on the doorstep of Lowestoft.

Carlton Marshes is now one of the suite of reserves along the Suffolk Coast that is part of the Suffolk Wader Strategy which was formed in 2015 to collectively share information between organisations and landowners on land management, trends, failures and successes to help reduce the decreasing trend in species like lapwing, redshank and avocet in the county (to read more on this strategy please visit www.suffolkwaders.org).

So fast forwarding to 2021, where has the time gone, and we have faced a pandemic that no one expected!

The reserve looks a different place for wildlife now and an important stepping stone between the Suffolk Coast and the Broads, although for many, Carlton Marshes is still the same beautiful place on their doorstep.

A target for the reserve was breeding wader success and, despite Covid 19, we were able to concentrate efforts on habitat for breeding waders. Since the reserve was created these are the figures recorded with a spike in numbers of pairs and fledging success making this the most productive breeding wader site in 2020 in the Suffolk Wader Strategy so far.

These successes have been down to the disturbed ground and muddy edged features that the Heritage Fund funding enabled Suffolk Wildlife Trust to complete. Further detailed work by installing thousands of metres of footdrains means that muddy edges will continue as the sward establishes over the coming years. Another important factor in the complex that is now Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, is we have control of water entering and leaving the reserve with the ability to top up levels in preparation for spring without worrying about catching every last drop of winter rainfall. Wetlands are complex, and grazing regimes, grassland management, predation as well as water levels are all important details that need constant tinkering to keep these kinds of successes coming.

The improvements in breeding wader populations on site are a part of the success of this project so far, with tagged wader chicks of lapwing and redshank moving from Carlton to other reserves on the coast like RSPB Boyton as well as setting up new breeding territories at reserves like RSPB Berney Marshes are really showing the connectivity of the landscape for a wader and the importance of Wader Strategies across counties.

Wintering wildfowl numbers are ebbing and flowing with around 3500 lapwing residing on the flashes of Peto’s Marsh amongst 6-700 wigeon and teal, all making great visual highlights. The reserve now regularly has great white egrets and large numbers of little egrets roosting along with regular

records of birds like glossy ibis. There is also a long staying eastern yellow wagtail, thought to be the same bird from the Suffolk Coast. The site is now geared up to play host to breeding waders, bitterns and common cranes amongst others and maybe the next pair of black-winged stilts, who knows?!

The reserve in its new form is an important all round wetland site not just for birds, with 28 species of dragonfly and damselfly recorded and 27 species of these actually breeding, making it one of the best sites in the UK. The site also has a well-established and ever expanding population of fen raft spiders, a stronghold for barn owl, and wall brown butterfly and a thriving water vole population as well as the diverse collection of aquatic invertebrates, that make Carlton Marshes no longer the Broads in miniature but the Broads at a landscape scale.

The reserve is not only an important wetland resource for wildlife but also an important place for people and remains free for all to visit, although any donations or memberships to Suffolk Wildlife Trust help maintain this site into the future.

The visitor centre, surfaced trails and viewing points now make Carlton Marshes a great place to visit. The reserve infra-structure will continue to evolve as funding becomes available, but this reserve has leapt forward with its visitor engagement opportunities and now a dedicated team of staff and volunteers will guide visitors of all abilities through their nature journeys.

The reserve, as with many newly created reserves, has excelled in its breeding wader numbers with that fresh complex of mud and disturbed ground conditions and that will be the challenge in the future - maintaining this dynamic, messy system and literally not being afraid to put a bomb under it and start again.

The biggest problem for visitors to Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve has to be where to look first, now the original scrape is one of 12 scrapes and splashes as well as 9000 metres of footdrains to search for that next rarity. Join Suffolk Wildlife Trust - www. suffolkwildlifetrust.org/join

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Where have all the Goldeneye gone?

Nigel Odin, Landguard Bird Observatory

Where have all the Goldeneye gone?

Sea watching at Landguard Bird Observatory has always produced the sheer delight of seeing a few Goldeneye offshore heading south in the autumn. The first ones are seen in October although in three of the last 5 years not until November. Numbers have always

Sea watching at Landguard Bird Observatory has always produced the sheer delight of seeing a few Goldeneye offshore heading south in the autumn. The first ones are seen in October although in three of the last 5 years not until November. Numbers have always fluctuated between years. In the past a poor year has seen a recovery in the following year –that is until the last three years when numbers have remained stubbornly low with only six birds noted in 2020. In the first half of the 1980’s,

fluctuated between years. In the past a poor year has seen a recovery in the following year – that is until the last three years when numbers have remained stubbornly low with only six birds noted in 2020.

GOLDENEYE - Annual bird-day totals at Landguard 1983 - 2020

In the first half of the 1980’s, less sea watching was carried out with the optical equipment nowhere near what it is today and a tripod only occasionally used by birders, which no doubt accounts for the lower counts above. Since then, observations have been more consistent and have carried on in the autumn to the year’s end. Occasional January sightings are quite likely late autumn migrants from the previous year although are noted in the table above in the year that they were recorded. Spring sightings are few with odd individuals even noted in mid-summer. The highest ever day count is in recent times - 31 heading south on 20th November 2017.

Nationally Goldeneye numbers have been falling and the species has an Amber listing due to a decline in both breeding and wintering numbers.

“The long-term trend for 1992/93–2017/18 for the UK is -62%. It is thought the decline is likely linked to climate change related short-stopping, meaning Goldeneye may be wintering closer to their breeding grounds; whilst numbers have declined here, those in Sweden have increased.” (Frost et.al 2020).

where the species was formerly a regular winter visitor in small numbers, the only record since the winter of 2015/16 was a single fly by in October 2017.

Numbers on the Stour Estuary increased in the three decades 1970 to 2000 and peaked at over 200 in the first few years of the decade 2001 to 2010, with a record count of 287 on 2nd February 2003 (Suffolk Bird Report 2003). Since then numbers have declined with peak counts of 87 in winter 2017/2018 and 83 in winter 2018/19 (WeBS totals). There is still a good flock in Seafield Bay, which at times feeds on the discharge from the maltings at Mistley. There were 58 feeding there on 11th December 2019 (EFK, personal observation). The peak in numbers on the Stour Estuary in the early 2000s and decline in numbers since then towards levels recorded in the 1970s corresponds well with the national trend illustrated in the graph below.

Numbers on the Stour Estuary increased in the three decades 1970 to 2000 and peaked at over 200 in the first few years of the decade 2001 to 2010, with a record count of 287 on 2nd February 2003 (Suffolk Bird Report 2003). Since then numbers have declined with peak counts of 87 in winter 2017/2018 and 83 in winter 2018/19 (WeBS totals). There is still a good flock in Seafield Bay, which at times feeds on the discharge from the maltings at Mistley. There were 58 feeding there on 11th December 2019 (EFK, personal observation). The peak in numbers on the Stour Estuary in the early 2000s and decline in numbers since then towards levels recorded in the 1970s corresponds well with the national trend illustrated in the graph below.

Acknowledgements – Thanks to Ed Keeble for information from the Stour and Mike Marsh for LBO chart and comments.

References:

The Stour Estuary on the Essex/Suffolk border and Abberton reservoir and the Blackwater in Essex are important wintering sites, and it is possible that some of the birds migrating past Landguard are going no further south than nearby estuaries. Up the coast at Orfordness, where the species was formerly a regular winter visitor in small numbers, the only record since the winter of 2015/16 was a single fly by in October 2017.

Acknowledgements – Thanks to Ed Keeble for information from the Stour and Mike Marsh for LBO chart and comments.

Frost, T.M., Calbrade, N.A., Birtles, G.A., Mellan, H.J., Hall, C., Robinson, A.E., Wotton, S.R., Balmer, D.E. & Austin, G.E. 2020. Waterbirds in the UK 2018/19: The Wetland Bird Survey. BTO, RSPB and JNCC, in association with WWT. British Trust for Ornithology, Thetford https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/wituk-2018-19-web.pdf

Nigel Odin, Landguard Bird Observatory

References: Frost, T.M., Calbrade, N.A., Birtles, G.A., Mellan, H.J., Hall, C., Robinson, A.E., Wotton, S.R., Balmer, D.E. & Austin, G.E. 2020. Waterbirds in the UK 2018/19: The Wetland Bird Survey. BTO, RSPB and JNCC, in association with WWT. British Trust for Ornithology, Thetford https://www.bto. org/sites/default/files/wituk-2018-19-web.pdf

Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) at Wenhaston Black Heath

Preamble

Sand Martins really are one of the true harbingers of spring and often arrive back in this country when the weather is decidedly inclement, usually from late March onwards, but sometimes even earlier. The first birds to get back to the UK are frequently found feeding low over lakes or reservoirs, quite often in cold, wet and windy conditions. They are clearly very hardy birds, but occasionally there can be quite high mortality if they are suddenly faced with a severe cold snap on migration, or when they arrive back in Britain.

Distribution and Migration

The worldwide range of Sand Martin is truly colossal and extends right across Eurasia, Asia and North America (where it is known as Bank Swallow), with the winter range reaching as far south as south Asia, Africa and South America. The only comparable swallow or martin with a larger breeding and winter range is the (Barn) Swallow (Hirundo rustica), with the latter also wintering in Australia.

British birds, following extensive ringing studies, are known to migrate south in autumn through France and Spain and then on into Morocco, continuing south and then east onto their main wintering range in the semi-arid Sahel zone of west Africa (approximately from Senegal in the west to Burkina Faso and Ghana in the east). The Sahel lies to the south of the Sahara Desert, but to the north of the humid, tropical savannahs and extends from the Atlantic in the west to the Red Sea in the east. This area is clearly one prone to a fluctuating climate and, indeed, severe droughts in the Sahel region in the winters of 1968-69 and 1983-84 led to huge declines in the UK population. Fortunately, they are prolific breeders and have been able to make up many of the losses in subsequent years. In the spring, birds return north to Britain on a more easterly route, firstly across the Sahara, then northwards via Tunisia, France and Italy.

Breeding

Sand Martins nest primarily in vertical

sandy cliffs, quarries or sand pits, although they will adapt to use artificial nest sites; indeed, I have watched nesting pairs using drainage holes in canal banks. Whilst many Sand Martins are very faithful to their natal colonies, they can also be very fickle and will abandon a colony one year and move elsewhere, before returning to the original colony the following year! Usually, they will excavate a new nest hole each year, but many of the existing holes at Wenhaston were actually re-used (although further excavation may have taken place), whilst many new holes were created. These holes can be up to 1 metre in length, sloping upwards with a small nesting chamber at the end to which they add nesting material such as small twigs, roots and other small dry plant items and are then lined with feathers. Sand Martins typically lay between four and five eggs (although they are known to lay up to seven) and incubation normally takes about 14 days, with fledging taking a further 19 days.

Past studies have revealed that breeding success is correlated with the length of the burrow, with those nesting in holes of less than 70 centimetres, being less successful (50%) than those that nest in holes longer than 70 centimetres (73%). It may be the case that more mature and experienced birds are quite likely to have longer nest holes and it is well known that older, more mature birds return to the nesting colonies first and tend to choose burrows high up on the face of the cliff, which are more likely to be safe from predators. The sand pit face at Wenhaston is mostly near vertical, so the colony is largely safe from the obvious predators like Weasel (Mustela nivalis), Stoat (Mustela erminea) and Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus). Nevertheless, opportunistic Foxes (Vulpes vulpes), which have an earth nearby, would soon snaffle any youngsters that were unfortunate enough to fall out of their nests.

Wenhaston Black Heath

Prior to the winter of 2014/15 the sand pit at Wenhaston Black Heath was completely choked with gorse and the sand face was barely visible. In that winter the pit was cleared of extensive degenerate gorse and the sand face exposed. It seems very unlikely that Sand Martins would have bred here historically, or at least not for many years beforehand. All this sterling work was carried out by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust (SWT) and the Wenhaston Commons Group (WCG).

2016 & 2017

The first year that birds bred was in 2016 when about 25 pairs nested and up to 80 birds were seen around the pit, although breeding success was unknown. The following year, in 2017, the first birds arrived back on 6th April and once again they bred successfully; my notes for 19th June 2017 noted: ’50 plus birds seen with many young in nest holes.’ It seems likely that a number of young were raised successfully as several nests were still in use by the end of July, although it is not known whether these were second broods.

2018 & 2019

In 2018 the first three birds arrived back at the quarry on 18th April, but there were very few sightings during the spring and the last five birds were seen on 11th June and I didn’t witness any attempts to enter the nest holes. Sadly, 2019 proved to be another blank year with just seven birds being seen on 20th April (although they were exploring nest holes), one on 30th, two on 22nd May and finally 12 birds on 27th June, which were also seen to explore nest holes.

2020

Following a severe gorse fire on the north and east side of the quarry in the autumn of 2019, much of the older stands of bushes had been decimated. Once again SWT and

WCG stepped in and grubbed out much of the old root systems of these bushes, leaving those sides of the pit much more open. A low fence was also put in place as a safety measure and also to deter human visitors and provide some privacy for the birds.

Because we were all affected by the countrywide lockdown imposed on us on 23rd March with the instruction to ‘stay local’ it seemed a very logical step and an ideal opportunity to spend some time studying the local Sand Martins, as well as other birds and insects on the immediate area close to our house.

The first Sand Martins arrived back on 5th April and immediately started exploring the disused holes in the sandy cliff in the quarry. Unlike 2019, these birds stayed around and were soon joined by others, increasing to 10 by 15th April, by which time five holes were being explored, and 20 on 22nd, with 10 holes in use. They soon started collecting nesting material (small roots and other plant material) from nearby slopes (where the old gorse stands had been). By the end of the month their numbers had increased to at least 40 birds and 15 nest holes were being actively used. As we entered May it was becoming more difficult to accurately count the number of birds, but with 46 holes in use by May 15th it was safe to assume that 46 pairs were nesting (i.e. at least 92 birds).

The first juveniles could be seen congregating at the front of five nest holes by 15th June, increasing incrementally to 19 by 20th June, 40 by 30th June and then 45 by 2nd July, involving at least 102 youngsters on the latter date (from at least 65 pairs). By 11th July most of these youngsters had left the nest holes and all these would have represented first broods.

It seems incredible that a pair of Sand Martins, having raised a brood of youngsters, would contemplate going through the whole process again, but that is exactly what happened! By 12th August at least 19 holes were in use, of which 11 were in holes that hadn’t been used before. Whether any of those birds that nested in these 11 holes were nesting for the first time, or whether they were birds that had already raised a brood successfully (or failed) in another hole, is impossible to say. There is no question that many of the adults feeding young of their second broods looked, not surprisingly, rather tatty!

Another 42 young were raised from the second broods, making a grand total of at least 144 youngsters during 2020 – a fantastic achievement – particularly bearing in mind that this is a minimum total and doesn’t allow for nests not visible from the footpath, or those holes in which I did not see any young in and which may have fledged unseen.

The majority of broods held two or three youngsters, but three of the first broods had four young and one even had five. Whilst it was quite comical watching the young fighting to get to the edge of the nest hole to attract the attention of their parents, inevitably the weaker siblings probably lost out. Of those that had two broods, the best hole was one that had three young in the first brood and then four in the second brood, another one had three and three. To raise seven and six youngsters, respectively, from single holes in one year is quite astonishing and a tribute to the diligence of the parents.

However, there is a slight twist to this tale and that is that second broods are not necessarily with the same partner or even in the same nest; furthermore some females leave their first broods before they are fully fledged, to start a second brood with another male, presumably leaving the original male to carry on feeding them! There was no way of knowing whether any of this happened at Wenhaston, but either way it still leaves one in awe of their sense of duty and dedication to raising young.

Alan Miller managed two sessions to trap and ring birds at the colony during the summer, so it would be nice to think we would learn of their onward travels or maybe even see them return to the colony. Alan also managed to ring a few birds in 2017 and one of these birds had been ringed as a juvenile at Minsmere in 2014, a clear indication that they remain faithful to the area, if not exactly the same colony. Some of the birds that I managed to photograph collecting food were carrying rings, although unfortunately I wasn’t able to read the ring numbers.

Method

I realised that the only way to keep track of the number of nest holes in use, as well as the number of young fledging, was to take a series of pictures of the face of the sand pit. This then allowed me to annotate the printed image with

• The number of holes in use

• The number of young present

• The number of new holes being excavated

Annotated print-out of Sand Martin colony

I was then able to monitor how many new young were appearing at the nest holes, as well as how many new holes were being excavated by updating the annotated colour print-out on every visit (black and white prints were indecipherable!). As quite a few new holes were appearing, I had to keep retaking photographs of the face of the pit so that I could keep up to date with the ongoing developments. Additionally, because the nesting holes were spread out across three separate faces of the pit face, I couldn’t just take one picture, I had to take three or four! Equally some nests were just not visible from the footpath and I would estimate that maybe 15% of the nest holes were missing from the analysis because, although I could see birds entering the face, I couldn’t actually see the holes. The likelihood is that the final number of pairs and young is higher by approximately 15%.

Acknowledgements

It is fair to say that the monitoring of the colony was quite a time-consuming task of trying to keep up with the coming-andgoing of the adults, as well as the young which would soon scurry back into the nest holes at the first sign of danger – alerted by the calls of their ever- vigilant parents. Incidentally, both Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus) and Hobby (Falco subbuteo) were regular visitors to the colony, but usually the adults were incredibly quick at seeing them and sounding the alarm. I did not observe any predations during the summer. It was also a very rewarding experience and provided me with a huge insight into the amount of effort required by these birds to excavate the holes, incubate the young and then keep them fed. Thankfully the summer was generally dry and fine, fortunately one wet spell in July didn’t seem to affect them unduly, although that coincided with the start of the second broods, which may well have been fortuitous.

I would like to thank Alan Miller (recently retired from SWT) and Jonathan Alder (WCG) for encouraging me to write an account for the local village newsletter, which has prompted me to write this more extensive article and for providing me with a history of the management here.

References:

Turner, A. & Rose, C. (1989). A Handbook to the Swallows and Martins of the World. Helm, London

Balmer, D.E., Gillings, S., Caffrey, B.J., Swann, R.L., Downie, I.S. & Fuller R.J. 2013. Bird Atlas 2017-11: the breeding and wintering birds of Britain and Ireland. BTO Books, Thetford Cramp, S. (1988). Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa: the birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 5: Tyrant Flycatchers to thrushes. Oxford University Press

Robinson, R.A., Balmer, D.E., and Marchant, J.H. (2008). Survival rates of hirundines in relation to British and African rainfall. Ringing & Migration 24: 1–6

Nuthatch

Despite the sun of spring it’s another frosty breakfasta sulky sullen hush fills the kitchen. I’m staring out of the window hand cradling a cup of coffee, my son nibbling toast, near me but not quite. A tricky distance to cover.

The dew-soaked garden invites our silent stares through the tall kitchen windows that act like a hide allowing us to peer greedily into the mass of microcosm that unfurls around our house.

Magpies, squirrels, robins, doves. The occasional flash of a family of goldfinch always working together in a troop. It’s just like any other morning unfolding. Another new start, a green and budding tablé rasa in wait.

But then, an elusive stripe of blue and yellow divided by a streak of black stands out against softer patterns seen slinking up the gingko, Its long pointed beak, its pudgy body twirling round the trunk, like an inverse helter-skelter.

Then stopping, staring pensive almost its eyes glittering black, dipping its head, pecking at the bark. And then straight down, its black highwayman eye mask flashing vertical as it goes.

‘Look mum, a nuthatch! They’re your favourites, aren’t they?’ And so the silence is brokenshoulders seized and squeezed and pointless squabbles forgotten in the excitement of a new visitor.

Stephanie Robertson 17.06.20

Tony Gdula

Autumn/Winter Bird Review 2020/2021

The quarterly review section gives a snapshot of birds seen within the county during the period and is compiled by Tony Gdula, predominantly from data received by Suffolk BINS. All scarce and rare birds are subject to submission and acceptance by either SORC or BBRC. Updated lists on Accepted and Outstanding Records for previous years can be found on the SBG websitehttp://www.suffolkbirdgroup.org/bird-recording.

November bird review 2020

With the onset of colder weather, November is a month when winter swan species arrive in the county. There were three Bewick’s Swans north over Hulver Street on the 13th, three at Eastbridge on the 22nd, likely the same birds at Minsmere the following day, 15 flew west over Peto’s Marsh on the 29th with eight on the reserve the following day, with three on Orfordness the same day also. Whooper Swans were recorded at Southwold when two flew over early morning on the 9th, four flew south at Dunwich on the 20th, two were at Eastbridge on the 22nd, the following day one flew down river past Ramsholt and two at Minsmere. Geese appeared in increasing numbers; a single Tundra Bean Goose at Trimley Marsh on the 18th, two Bean Geese species north off LBO on the 29th with a single Tundra Bean Geese off the same site the next day. Eurasian White-Fronted Geese were seen throughout the month, along the coastal marshes, in large numbers including 60 on the Alde Estuary on the 20th, 40 at North Warren between the 26th and 29th and 150 at Minsmere on the 30th. A Pale-bellied Brent Goose was noted amongst Darkbellied flying south offshore at Minsmere on the 8th, at Falkenham Marsh between the 20th and 22nd and one flew offshore at LBO on the 28th. The Greater Scaup that was on Peto’s Marsh from the previous month was seen again on the 1st and one was on Alton Water between the 12th and 27th. There was a significant movement on the 29th; 56

south off Ness Point, 81 off Southwold and 15 south off Aldeburgh. Long-tailed Duck featured at Shingle Street and Benacre, both 4th, one on Covehithe Broad on the 8th and 10th and again on the 27th one at Minsmere on the 15th and two offshore Southwold on the 17th and one on the 22nd. Velvet Scoter were seen, often among Common Scoter, off the coast at a number of sites including Southwold, Walberswick, Dunwich, Aldeburgh, Slaughden, Bawdsey and Felixstowe. Goosander were recorded at Thorpeness Meare with up to eight from the 8th to the 29th, a female on Needham Market Lake on the 20th and 21st, two flew up river from Felixstowe Ferry on the 21st, a drake on Orfordness on the 28th and, on the final day of the month, 19 at Minsmere and five along the River Waveney between Worlingham and Beccles.

A lone Red-necked Grebe was sighted on the Orwell Estuary between the 7th and 19th. Three Slavonian Grebes were on the Stour Estuary on the 29th and two Black-necked Grebes were seen at Lackford from the 3rd to the 5th and with one possible on Alton Water on the 3rd. Purple Sandpipers were around in Southwold (1st), Ness Point (up to 11 on 1st/2nd, 14th and 24th), Landguard Point (two on 9th, 22nd, 23rd and 28th) and East Lane (24th).

Jack Snipe were present at Levington Lagoon on the 13th, Minsmere on the 15th and at Walberswick and Flixton gravel pits,

both on the 28th. Small numbers of Little Gulls were noted at Southwold, Thorpeness, Felixstowe and peaked at 39 off Ness Point on the 29th. Caspian Gulls were seen at coastal sites throughout the month, usually in ones and twos, but notably up to seven at Minsmere from the 15th to the 23rd. A solitary Glaucous Gull was seen at East Lane on the 7th. Skuas were around again; three Pomarine Skuas were off Minsmere on the 14th with another five on the 19th, two off Southwold on the 17th, one off Felixstowe Ferry on the 21st and eight off Thorpeness the same day. Arctic Skuas off Sizewell on the 1st and 2nd only. There were four Great Skuas off Sizewell on the 2nd, up to eight off Southwold on the 14th and 17th, two at Felixstowe Ferry on the 21st and with good numbers off Ness Point the same day including 15 south and eight north. Only a few records of Little Auk; off Lowestoft on

the 20th, off Thorpeness the next day and then two at Minsmere on the 23rd. Great Northern Divers were seen singly through the month with one south off Sizewell on the 1st, Breydon Water on the 4th, one off LBO on the 30th with regular sightings on the Alde, Deben and Stour estuaries. A solitary Shag was noted off Neptune Marina, Ipswich on the 15th and 16th.

At the beginning of the month there was a spate of Glossy Ibis sightings; on the 4th three flew south then inland west at Dunwich on the 4th and what may have been the same birds were seen later the same day, with two on Peto’s Marsh and one near Burgh Castle, the latter remained until the 7th. There were two further birds at Carlton Marsh on the 23rd with two reported over Christchurch Park the same day. The birds at Carlton Marsh remained until the 29th.

There was only one Spoonbill sighting all month, a singleton at Hollesley Marsh on the 2nd. Great Egrets were seen along the coast throughout the month, generally in ones and twos but with four at Dunwich on the 14th. Red Kite were around again, including Ashbocking, Hintlesham, Ipswich and Melton – with the largest assembly at Stoke-byNayland again, eight on the 6th. Hen Harriers were seen early on around Burgh Castle and Benacre, then later through the month on occasional dates at Dunwich, the Orwell and Stour Estuaries, Felixstowe, Haverhill and Minsmere and the surrounding area. A very late Osprey showed on the Stour Estuary on the 14th and 15th. A sole Long-eared Owl was on a groyne at Lowestoft North Denes on the 7th, whereas Short-eared Owls were again evident throughout the month, always singly and coastal.

A solitary sighting of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker on Brandon Park on the 25th. Merlin were noted at Dunwich from the 6th to the 12th, East Lane on the 7th and Blyth estuary on the 22nd. Ring-necked Parakeets were still around, noted at

Willisham on the 19th and four in Ipswich on the 24th. A Great Grey Shrike was also a regular through the month around Upper Hollesley Common but could be elusive. Ravens were seen again around the county; two at Icklingham, Boyton, two at Ramsholt and Orford. Up to three Shorelarks were seen in Kessingland beach pools from the 14th to the 18th. There were a couple of late House Martin sightings; two at Aldeburgh on the 17th and one over Hen Reedbeds on the 20th. A Yellow-browed Warbler was found in Warrenhouse Wood on the 8th. Firecrests were sighted regularly across the county in ones and twos. Water Pipits seen throughout the month, usually in small numbers but with “several” noted at Blythburgh (22nd) and 10 at Carlton Marsh (27th/28th). Dunwich had a flurry of Twite early in the month – up to 11 and all gone by the 13th. Up to four Hawfinches were seen at Sotterley Park from the 20th to the 22nd. Snow Buntings were sighted in slowly increasing numbers; 20 was not unusual by the end of the month and Lapland Bunting were also in evidence, though singly at Landguard, Orfordness and Walberswick.

Scarcer November sightings

1st – a possible Brown Booby was seen south offshore at Southwold.

4th – after the occurrence of the species at the same site last year Eastern Yellow Wagtail was found again at Dunwich/Walberswick with an adult male and a first-winter from the 5th to the 19th. An adult male, possibly the same bird, was on Carlton Marshes from the 24th to the 29th.

6th – a Siberian Chiffchaff was found at Needham Market sewage works with one at LBO on the 8th.

7th – a spate of records of Pallas’s Warbler at LBO including three on the 9th, up to the 14th. There was also one in sluice bushes at Minsmere on the 7th and 8th.

7th – the third Suffolk Greater Yellowlegs was found on Dingle Marshes shore pools and remained until the 19th.

7th – a Penduline Tit at Bramfield.

8th – a Hume’s Leaf Warbler at Gunton.

8th – a Rough-legged Buzzard was at Burgh Castle with another at Kingsfleet on the 29th.

8th – a Hooded Crow was at Stoke-byNayland and seen again on the 11th.

9th – a Dusky Warbler was present by Southwold camp site and again present the following day. Additionally, there was one on Lowestoft North Denes from the 9th to the 15th.

12th – a probable juvenile Night Heron was reported flying over Christchurch Park, Ipswich.

25th – a Richard’s Pipit seen near Hollesley Marsh.

December bird review 2020

Four Grey Partridge were recorded in Ellough on the 21st. As you might expect, certain water birds dominated December in both flock size and number of sightings; Tundra Bean Geese were seen through the month along the coast, the maximum flock was 25 noted at Wenhaston. Inland, two were at Micklemere on the 12th. Some large flocks of Eurasian White-Fronted Geese were at a number of sites along the coast plus there were up to 14 birds seen at Micklemere, four at Fornham St. Martin and 11 at Sharmford Meare, Barham. Pink-footed Geese were at Peto’s Marsh, Leiston, Great Livermere and Sudbourne. Pale-bellied Brent Geese, sometimes amongst Dark-bellied Brent Geese, were seen from mid-December on the Deben estuary. Bewick’s Swans were recorded at Minsmere (2nd), six at Southwold and eight at Sudbourne (both 25th) and two in off at Lowestoft harbour (26th). Three adult Whooper Swans were at Minsmere

throughout the month. Greater Scaup were seen in ones and twos throughout the month at a number of sites. A single Long-tailed Duck was a regular at Covehithe throughout the month with other birds seen at Dunwich and off LBO. Up to seven Velvet Scoters were noted off North Warren, Bawdsey, Dunwich, Felixstowe, Minsmere, Thorpeness and Covehithe. Red-breasted Mergansers were on the Orwell Estuary (10th and 19th) and Lake Lothing (also the 19th). The first Smew of the winter was recorded at Bawdsey on the 12th. Goosanders were seen, usually in small groups, at Thorpeness, Minsmere (up to 19 here), Aldringham (up to 11), Worlington and Hollesley.

There were one or two Red-necked Grebes noted on the Orwell Estuary between the 10th and 18th. Up to three Slavonian Grebes were on the Stour Estuary from the 17th to the 29th. Black-necked Grebes were seen

on the Stour Estuary on the 11th and 30th and on the Deben Estuary near Waldringfield on the 27th and 29th. Purple Sandpipers, often in pairs, were seen in Southwold, Ness Point (up to 5), Bawdsey and Landguard. Jack Snipe were seen at Dunwich and Peto’s Marsh (both on the 5th) and on the Orwell Estuary (8th). A lone Common Sandpiper was in Ipswich on the 22nd. A Glaucous Gull was seen at East Lane on the 2nd. Iceland Gulls were noted from the 19th onwards at Little Livermere, Felixstowe docks, Trimley Marshes and Oulton Broad. Caspian Gulls were seen in ones and twos throughout the month at coastal sites, with four recorded at both Blythburgh (16th) and Little Livermere (21st). One Pomarine Skua sighting; at Covehithe on the 30th plus a single Great Skua sighting also, at North Warren on the 5th. There were two Little Auks off Southwold on the 24th. Great Northern Divers were seen singly

throughout the month on the Alde, Orwell and Stour estuaries. Additionally, one offshore at North Warren on the 5th and one on the sea at East Lane on the 9th. Surprisingly, a late Manx Shearwater was off LBO on the 24th. A flurry of Shag sightings: Bawdsey (9th), Orwell Estuary (11-16th), Waveney (19-24th) and Felixstowe (21st). A Glossy Ibis flew over Breydon Water towards Burgh Castle on the 2nd. Great Egrets were seen all along the coast throughout the month, with up to a maximum of three noted.

Just one Red Kite sighting, at Hintlesham on the 27th. An exceptionally late Osprey seen over Orwell Bridge on the 6th. Hen Harriers were seen at Dunwich (5th to 12th), Orfordness (9th), Bawdsey (12th), Westleton (14th), Orford (29th/30th) and Peto’s Marsh (29th). Short-eared Owls were around singly, including at Minsmere, Orford, Orfordness and Shingle Street. Merlin were

noted at Shottisham on the 9th, Sudbourne on the 20th and Snape on the 27th. Ringnecked Parakeets showed again at Ipswich old cemetery (two on the 6th and three on the 26th). A Great Grey Shrike was on Upper Hollesley Common throughout the month. Two Ravens were seen in Pipps Ford and Ramsholt, with singles at Stowmarket, near Earsham, Sudbourne, West Stow, Hollesley and Butley. Firecrests were recorded at Southwold and Butley. Water Pipits were seen singly around Aldeburgh, Walberswick, Covehithe, Bawdsey and Trimley, with two noted at Snape and up to five at Peto’s Marsh. A flock of up to 25 Twite were noted between Walberswick and Dunwich until the 13th. Along the beach between Walberswick and Dunwich there were 20 Snow Buntings on the 1st and up to 22 until the 29th. A single Lapland Bunting at Kessingland on the 5th and a sole Corn Bunting at Levington on the 8th.

Scarcer December sightings

5th – one Black-throated Diver was close offshore at Landguard.

5th – the Eastern Yellow Wagtail seen on Peto’s Marsh the previous month showed up again on 5th and was regularly seen until the end of the month.

16th – a Rough-legged Buzzard near Felixstowe Ferry and one seen on Orfordness on the 30th.

19th – a Siberian Chiffchaff at Lackford Lakes.

26th – a Hooded Merganser, of unknown origin, at Staverton Lakes, Butley and remained to end of month.

Long-tailed Duck

January bird review 2021

A proper winter round-up! Dark-bellied Brent Geese were on the Deben Estuary with two Pale-bellied Brent Geese among them on the 10th. A Pale-bellied also showed at Aldeburgh Town Marsh on the 30th. There were 100 Pink-footed Geese in off at Benacre on the 1st and small numbers were seen elsewhere throughout the month including a regular pair at Aldringham Walks. Tundra Bean Geese were again seen regularly at Hollesley Marsh as were the flock of 25 that moved between fields at Wenhaston and Southwold Marsh while the final birds noted were seven north over Minsmere then Dunwich on the 9th.

Gatherings of Eurasian White-fronted Geese along the coast included a large flock of c.650 on Aldeburgh Town Marsh. At Cornard Mere seven flew over on the 1st and at Shalford Meadows, Little Cornard 10 were present on the 28th and 29th plus birds were also noted at Micklemere and Cavenham. Both Bewick’s and Whooper Swans were seen, usually in threes and fours, throughout the month along the coast plus, inland, two Whoopers were present at Ingham. A Long-tailed Duck was at Covehithe through the month and sightings were also recorded off LBO (1st) and Dunwich (two on the 9th).

A Greater Scaup was on the Deben Estuary (2nd, 8th and 16th). There were up to six Velvet Scoters among a much larger flock of Common Scoters at Dunwich. A lone Smew was seen at Minsmere on the last day of the month. Goosanders were noted at Baylham (1st/2nd), Worlington fishing lakes (2nd), Thorpeness Meare (around a dozen between the 9th and 24th), Aldringham (14 flew over on the 6th), Minsmere (two on the 8th and five on the 28th) and Little Cornard (four on the 29th). A Red-necked Grebe was on the Deben Estuary 12th and 16th and Minsmere (22nd-31st). Slavonian Grebes were on the Stour Estuary (one on the 1st and two on the 24th). At Loompit Lake a Black-necked Grebe on the 1st with one off Waldringfield the next day.

A juvenile Common Crane was seen to come in off at East Lane and briefly settle on arable fields before flying north on the 6th. Likely the same bird was seen two days later at Walberswick then at Reydon Marsh before it flew north. The next day it was present in fields at Rushmere, near Mutford. Overwintering Green Sandpipers were noted at Blythburgh on the 2nd and two on the Deben Estuary at Kingsfleet on the 12th. Purple Sandpipers, usually in pairs, were seen at Ness Point (3rd), East Lane (6th and 8th), Southwold (10th-13th) and Landguard (26th28th). Two Jack Snipes were on the Orwell Estuary on the 2nd. An out-of-season lone Whimbrel was spotted at Levington Creek on the 7th. A Little Gull off Landguard on the 30th. An Iceland Gull was noted regularly at Lowestoft through the month. A Yellowlegged Gull at Little Cornard on the 29th and Caspian Gulls were seen at Blythburgh on the 2nd, at Tuddenham St. Mary and Lackford Lakes on the 3rd, one at Fornham St. Martin on the 12th and Hollesley Marsh on the 7th and 30th. A single Great Skua was seen at Dunwich on the 2nd. A Great Northern Diver was seen on the Stour Estuary on the 4th and 29th and at Hollesley on the 9th. Solitary

Shags were seen off Landguard on the 2nd and 11th and one at Ipswich waterfront on the 30th. A Glossy Ibis was at Barsham Marshes on the 25th and 26th. Great Egrets were recorded in small numbers through the month and a single Cattle Egret showed at Lakenheath on the 23rd.

Red Kites were seen at Ingham and Willisham, both on the 24th. Hen Harriers were seen more frequently again - at Orfordness, Reydon, Westleton, Walberswick, Aldeburgh, Minsmere and Camps Marsh, Oulton. Shorteared Owls were seen early in the month at Orfordness, Minsmere and Sudbourne. A single Merlin appearance, at Stowmarket on the 6th. Two Ring-necked Parakeets were again seen in Ipswich old cemetery on the 18th. Ravens, sometimes alone but often in pairs, were seen throughout the month at a number of sites. A single Firecrest at Aldeburgh on the 15th. A sole Black Redstart was in the grounds of Ipswich hospital on the 17th. Single Water Pipits noted at several sites throughout the month. Twite were noted early in January at Dunwich, singly at first then rising up to eight. There were very good numbers of Hawfinch present, being seen frequently and in increasingly large groups. Early in the month there were up to four birds at Sotterley then, from mid-month onwards, 25 at Beccles and 10 at Ellough on the 15th, the latter site continuing to have birds present to the end of the month. There were also seven at Elveden on the 18th. Snow Buntings were first seen in small groups of up to seven before rising to 16 at Dunwich on the 9th. A sole sighting of 12 Corn Buntings at Chelmondiston on the 3rd.

Scarcer January sightings

1st – the female Hooded Merganser, of unknown origin (although presumed a release from Christchurch Park), from last month was still present at Staverton Lakes through the month.

1st – the Eastern Yellow Wagtail continued to be seen occasionally during the month at Peto’s Marsh.

2nd – a Rough-legged Buzzard was seen on Orfordness (also present on the 3rd) and nearby at Sudbourne on the 9th.

10th – a Siberian Chiffchaff (ringed) was present at the sewage works until the 17th.

18th – a possible Ring-billed Gull was at Nayland.

23rd – six Taiga Bean Geese at Carlton Marshes.

Adam Gretton

Book Review

Where to watch birds in East Anglia (Cambridgeshire, Norfolk & Suffolk)

David Callahan (Helm/Bloomsbury 2020, paperback, 366 pages, £25)

This is a very detailed (if somewhat over-priced) guide to the best birding sites of our region, following the well-known previous guide by the late Peter and Margaret Clarke (last edition 2002). Whilst keen Suffolk birders will know most, if not all, of the Suffolk sites, the guide may introduce them to some new sites in the other two counties. Of particular interest to me was the up-to-date information on Ouse Fen and Fen Drayton in Cambs (both now RSPB reserves), as well as Nene Washes near Peterborough. Having visited these sites many years ago, I was not sure of current access arrangements, but with the help of this guide I look forward to re-visiting these great sites post-lockdown.

Suffolk birders may well raise an eyebrow at the comparative length of the Suffolk and Norfolk chapters: 55 pages for Suffolk, compared to 155 for our northern neighbour (excluding the Brecks and Broads)! As with the difference in our current footballing fortunes (surely set to change soon?) Suffolk birders will know that this in no way reflects the reality of the great birding that Suffolk offers. Like ITFC (but unlike the Canaries, as we waste no opportunity to remind them) we are definitely a 3-star county! Cambridgeshire is dealt with in just 27 pages, but there is an additional chapter on the Fens, including many sites in Cambs.

Although a lot of work has clearly gone into this guide, some significant errors have crept in. The most serious I’ve found is the suggestion (backed up by the map which indicates ‘several footpaths’) that the RSPB reserve at Cattawade is open to pedestrian access. I’ve alerted Rick Vonk (RSPB), including this sentence from the guide, which appears to relate to an entirely different site: ‘the walk is curricular (sic) and will take you about three hours, but the reserve is open at all times and free.’ Rick has contacted the publisher, who has promised to correct this in future editions – in the meantime, the notice on the main gate onto the reserve makes clear there is no public access.

The old chestnut of standardised English bird names unfortunately makes a reappearance, as noted by Mark Avery in his online review (‘technically correct they may be, but…. such nomenclature just jars with me’). As well as the Pied Avocets and Western Marsh Harriers that Mark noted, does anyone in the field really refer to Western Barn Owl or Eurasian Hoopoe, when there are no possible alternative species within at least 2000 miles? One other minor gripe: it seemed quite strange to find Wheatear and Yellow & White Wagtails as the only bird species listed in the otherwise useful ‘Definitions of terms and abbreviations’ (when I studied zoology, bird species were neither!).

Should you be wanting to explore some new birding sites in the region post-lockdown (and who won’t?) then don’t let my quibbles above put you off – I’m sure this guide will take you to some excellent birding sites.

Gi Grieco

Greylag Goose at Covehithe

On a trip to Covehithe in December I had been admiring the Long-tailed Duck on the Broad. On the walk back I noted a flock of around 30 Greylag Geese in the field the other side of the hedge. One of which I noted had a neckcollar. I couldn’t see it clearly as the goose mingled amongst other birds but fortunately on reaching the top of the field I could scan with my scope and then was able to read the code. Here are details of a Greylag Goose with a neck band I saw recently - orange neckband, black letters FHH. Once home I searched online and found details on the Euring web site; this is an excellent resource for details as it coordinates bird ringing throughout Europe. I emailed the information and included a photo and got the following response from Lee Barber from the BTO.

“The bird you have seen are part of a monitoring program with the aim of finding out where Greylag and Canada Geese move to after they have been ringed and neck collared during their annual moult. I have attached a poster that gives a bit more detail into this project.

The bird you saw was an adult female ringed at Hickling broad in 2012. This bird has been interesting as it has moved quite a way from the ringing site (moulting site) since being ringed. This bird was ringed as an adult but is at least 10 years old. It is good to hear this bird is still going strong however so I’m very grateful for your email.”

Lee Barber

Demographic Surveys Organiser (inc. NRS, CES & RAS)

Ringing and Nest Recording Team British Trust for Ornithology

26-Jun-12

12-Aug-12

09-Nov-12

02-Mar-13

08-Jul-14

13-Sep-14

09-Mar-15

06-Apr-15

11-May-15

04-Sep-15

Greylag Goose FHH History

Hickling Broad Norfolk

Hickling Broad Norfolk

Benacre Broad Suffolk

Covehithe Suffolk

Covehithe Suffolk

Dingle Marshes Suffolk

Hen Reedbeds, Reydon Suffolk

Benacre Broad Suffolk

Covehithe Suffolk

Dingle Marshes Suffolk

19-Jan-16 Covehithe Suffolk

10-Feb-16

13-Mar-16

Covehithe Suffolk

Covehithe Suffolk

04-Jul-16 near Walberswick Suffolk

31-Jul-16

15-Oct-16

22-Jan-17

29-Jan-17

Benacre Broad Suffolk

Bridgefoot Marshes, Southwold Suffolk

Easton Bavents Suffolk

Dingle Marshes Suffolk

19-Feb-17 Covehithe Suffolk

07-Mar-17

Hen Reedbeds, Reydon Suffolk

01-Apr-17 Covehithe Suffolk

12-Aug-17

04-Oct-17

20-Oct-17

18-Mar-18

17-Sep-18

20-Sep-18

06-Sep-19

09-Jan-20

Benacre Broad Suffolk

Easton Bavents Suffolk

Bridgefoot Marshes, Southwold Suffolk

Covehithe Suffolk

Bridgefoot Marshes, Southwold Suffolk

Southwold Boating Lake, Southwold Suffolk

Bridgefoot Marshes, Southwold Suffolk

Covehithe Broad Suffolk

10-Jan-20 Covehithe Suffolk

24-Feb-20 Covehithe Suffolk

06-Jul-20 Covehithe Suffolk

19-Jul-20 Covehithe Suffolk

20-Dec-20 Covehithe Suffolk

As the section writer for Swans and Geese in the Suffolk Bird Report I’m always interested in movement and details of species from these two so I was pleased to receive details of this neck-collared goose.

The Hickling goose ringing project explained

The Hickling goose ringing project explained

Why are The Broads reedbeds so important?

Why are The Broads reedbeds so important?

The reedbeds in The Broads are a vital feature of the habitat, providing important services to both native wildlife and the human population in the area.

The reedbeds in The Broads are a vital feature of the habitat, providing important services to both native wildlife and the human population in the area.

Understanding goose behaviour

Understanding goose behaviour

The Hickling goose ringing project explained

• Providing a home for threatened species

• Providing a home for threatened species

Why are The Broads reedbeds so important?

The reedbeds in The Broads are a vital feature of the habitat, providing important services to both native wildlife and the human population in the area.

A recent audit of wildlife in The Broads showed that a quarter of the UK’s rarest plants and animals can be found here. The extensive reedbeds that line the waterways are one of the most important habitat features, forming a substantial proportion of the 5,000 hectare national coverage and supporting a large number of threatened invertebrates and birds. Of the latter, Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Crane and Bearded Tit may have the highest profile, but the Reed Warblers that nest there also raise a significant number of Cuckoos, a species whose numbers are declining rapidly across the UK.

• Providing a home for threatened species

A recent audit of wildlife in The Broads showed that a quarter of the UK’s rarest plants and animals can be found here. The extensive reedbeds that line the waterways are one of the most important habitat features, forming a substantial proportion of the 5,000 hectare national coverage and supporting a large number of threatened invertebrates and birds. Of the latter, Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Crane and Bearded Tit may have the highest profile, but the Reed Warblers that nest there also raise a significant number of Cuckoos, a species whose numbers are declining rapidly across the UK.

• Protecting the waterways

• Protecting the waterways

The aim of the current project, undertaken in partnership by the Broads Authority, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, National Trust and the British Trust for Ornithology, is to increase our understanding of goose movements in the Hickling Broad area, to help determine:

Understanding goose behaviour

The aim of the current project, undertaken in partnership by the Broads Authority, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, National Trust and the British Trust for Ornithology, is to increase our understanding of goose movements in the Hickling Broad area, to help determine:

• The extent to which geese moulting on Hickling Broad are the same individuals that breed in the area.

• The extent to which geese moulting on Hickling Broad are the same individuals that breed in the area.

• The extent to which the same individuals return to the same areas to breed and moult each year.

• The extent to which the same individuals return to the same areas to breed and moult each year.

The aim of the current project, undertaken in partnership by the Broads Authority, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, National Trust and the British Trust for Ornithology, is to increase our understanding of goose movements in the Hickling Broad area, to help determine:

The reedbeds protect the banks and flood defences in The Broads from erosion by waves created by wind action and the wash from boats.

The reedbeds protect the banks and flood defences in The Broads from erosion by waves created by wind action and the wash from boats.

A recent audit of wildlife in The Broads showed that a quarter of the UK’s rarest plants and animals can be found here. The extensive reedbeds that line the waterways are one of the most important habitat features, forming a substantial proportion of the 5,000 hectare national coverage and supporting a large number of threatened invertebrates and birds. Of the latter, Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Crane and Bearded Tit may have the highest profile, but the Reed Warblers that nest there also raise a significant number of Cuckoos, a species whose numbers are declining rapidly across the UK.

• Protecting the waterways

A strip of reeds just two metres in width is sufficient to reduce the impact of waves by more than 60%. Erosion also increases the amount of sediment in the water, which can block waterways and channels, preventing passage and loading to flooding.

A strip of reeds just two metres in width is sufficient to reduce the impact of waves by more than 60%. Erosion also increases the amount of sediment in the water, which can block waterways and channels, preventing passage and loading to flooding.

The reedbeds protect the banks and flood defences in The Broads from erosion by waves created by wind action and the wash from boats.

• Providing a public and commercial amenity

• Providing a public and commercial amenity

A strip of reeds just two metres in width is sufficient to reduce the impact of waves by more than 60%. Erosion also increases the amount of sediment in the water, which can block waterways and channels, preventing passage and loading to flooding.

The reedbeds act as a natural filtration system, purifying the water. They also provide shelter for young fish, sustaining the population that attract so many anglers and commercial fisheries to the area. The Broads Authority have also pioneered plans to increase the use of the reeds as a commercial resource for thatching, maintaining their quality and reducing the need to import them from other countries.

• Providing a public and commercial amenity

The reedbeds act as a natural filtration system, purifying the water. They also provide shelter for young fish, sustaining the population that attract so many anglers and commercial fisheries to the area. The Broads Authority have also pioneered plans to increase the use of the reeds as a commercial resource for thatching, maintaining their quality and reducing the need to import them from other countries.

Pressures on the Hickling reedbeds

Pressures on the Hickling reedbeds

The reedbeds act as a natural filtration system, purifying the water. They also provide shelter for young fish, sustaining the population that attract so many anglers and commercial fisheries to the area. The Broads Authority have also pioneered plans to increase the use of the reeds as a commercial resource for thatching, maintaining their quality and reducing the need to import them from other countries.

Pressures on the Hickling reedbeds

Recent studies using aerial photographs and computer mapping have shown that the majority of reedbeds in The Broads have decreased in size over the past 30 years. Changing water levels, encroachment by trees and shrubs and pollution can all lead to loss of reedbeds, but the main pressure in Hickling is believed to be grazing by geese. Wild geese have long been a feature of The Broads but historically only as winter visitors, present when the reeds were not actively growing. In recent years, the number of geese, primarily native Greylags and introduced Canada and Egyptian Geese that have escaped or been released from captivity, have established breeding populations in the area. Large numbers also gather in June and July to moult, when 1,000–2,000 individual Greylag can now be seen; during this time they are unable to fly and so congregate on water bodies, where growing reeds provide a convenient food resource for the larger-billed species, Greylag and Canada Goose. Studies of Greylag have shown that they can remove over 75% of the reed growth during this period, a time at which the plants are most susceptible to damage, and areas of Duck Broad that geese can access have displayed significantly more damage than those which they are unable to reach.

Recent studies using aerial photographs and computer mapping have shown that the majority of reedbeds in The Broads have decreased in size over the past 30 years. Changing water levels, encroachment by trees and shrubs and pollution can all lead to loss of reedbeds, but the main pressure in Hickling is believed to be grazing by geese. Wild geese have long been a feature of The Broads but historically only as winter visitors, present when the reeds were not actively growing. In recent years, the number of geese, primarily native Greylags and introduced Canada and Egyptian Geese that have escaped or been released from captivity, have established breeding populations in the area. Large numbers also gather in June and July to moult, when 1,000–2,000 individual Greylag can now be seen; during this time they are unable to fly and so congregate on water bodies, where growing reeds provide a convenient food resource for the larger-billed species, Greylag and Canada Goose. Studies of Greylag have shown that they can remove over 75% of the reed growth during this period, a time at which the plants are most susceptible to damage, and areas of Duck Broad that geese can access have displayed significantly more damage than those which they are unable to reach.

Recent studies using aerial photographs and computer mapping have shown that the majority of reedbeds in The Broads have decreased in size over the past 30 years. Changing water levels, encroachment by trees and shrubs and pollution can all lead to loss of reedbeds, but the main pressure in Hickling is believed to be grazing by geese. Wild geese have long been a feature of The Broads but historically only as winter visitors, present when the reeds were not actively growing. In recent years, the number of geese, primarily native Greylags and introduced Canada and Egyptian Geese that have escaped or been released from captivity, have established breeding populations in the area. Large numbers also gather in June and July to moult, when 1,000–2,000 individual Greylag can now be seen; during this time they are unable to fly and so congregate on water bodies, where growing reeds provide a convenient food resource for the larger-billed species, Greylag and Canada Goose. Studies of Greylag have shown that they can remove over 75% of the reed growth during this period, a time at which the plants are most susceptible to damage, and areas of Duck Broad that geese can access have displayed significantly more damage than those which they are unable to reach.

• The mobility of individuals within Hickling Broad during the moulting period.

• The extent to which geese moulting on Hickling Broad are the same individuals that breed in the area.

• The mobility of individuals within Hickling Broad during the moulting period.

• The extent to which the same individuals return to the same areas to breed and moult each year.

• The mobility of individuals within Hickling Broad during the moulting period.

In order to achieve this, a sample of both Canada and Greylag Geese will be fitted with uniquely coded plastic neck collars during the moulting period. Neck collars are a safe marking method for large geese and have been used widely in previous studies on species such as the migratory Pink-footed Goose and White-fronted Goose, allowing individuals to be identified when on water as well as on land. All birds captured and marked will be handled by trained, fully licensed bird ringers.

In order to achieve this, a sample of both Canada and Greylag Geese will be fitted with uniquely coded plastic neck collars during the moulting period. Neck collars are a safe marking method for large geese and have been used widely in previous studies on species such as the migratory Pink-footed Goose and White-fronted Goose, allowing individuals to be identified when on water as well as on land. All birds captured and marked will be handled by trained, fully licensed bird ringers.

What happens next?

In order to achieve this, a sample of both Canada and Greylag Geese will be fitted with uniquely coded plastic neck collars during the moulting period. Neck collars are a safe marking method for large geese and have been used widely in previous studies on species such as the migratory Pink-footed Goose and White-fronted Goose, allowing individuals to be identified when on water as well as on land. All birds captured and marked will be handled by trained, fully licensed bird ringers.

What happens next?

What happens next?

Over the next few years, members of the partner organisations, volunteers and members of the public will be asked to submit sightings of any geese with collars that they see to geese@bto.org, specifying the species, combination on the colour ring, location (ideally with a grid reference) and the date. The information will help to determine what the most effective method of protecting the reedbeds will be; options already being trialled include the erection of barriers and the use of obstacles to stop the geese landing on islands.

Over the next few years, members of the partner organisations, volunteers and members of the public will be asked to submit sightings of any geese with collars that they see to geese@bto.org, specifying the species, combination on the colour ring, location (ideally with a grid reference) and the date. The information will help to determine what the most effective method of protecting the reedbeds will be; options already being trialled include the erection of barriers and the use of obstacles to stop the geese landing on islands.

Over the next few years, members of the partner organisations, volunteers and members of the public will be asked to submit sightings of any geese with collars that they see to geese@bto.org, specifying the species, combination on the colour ring, location (ideally with a grid reference) and the date. The information will help to determine what the most effective method of protecting the reedbeds will be; options already being trialled include the erection of barriers and the use of obstacles to stop the geese landing on islands.

Council for 2021

Officers

Chair: Chris Courtney

Vice Chair: Justin Zantboer

Secretary: Chris Keeling

Treasurer: Anne Wright

Communications Officer: Alex Rafinski

Projects Officer: Chris Keeling

Suffolk Bird Report Editor and SORC Link: Nick Mason

Harrier Editor and Outdoor Events Coordinator: Gi Grieco

Indoor Events Coordinator: Adam Gretton

President

John Grant

Members

Eddie Bathgate

Peter Merchant

Jamie Everett

Roy Marsh

Matthew Deans

Edward Jackson

Adam Faiers

Honorary Vice-Presidents

Robin Hopper

Colin Jakes

Mike Jeanes

Mike Marsh

Philip Murphy

Reg Snook

Steve Piotrowski

Bird Recorders

North-east Area Recorder: Andrew Green, 17 Cherrywood, HARLESTON, Norfolk IP20 9LP Tel: 07766 900063 Email: bird-ne@sns.org.uk

South-east Area Recorders:

Gi Grieco Tel: 07951 482547 and Steve Fryett Tel: 07593 382082

4, The Street, Melton, Woodbridge, IP12 1PW. Email: bird-se@sns.org.uk

West Area Recorder:

Colin Jakes, 7 Maltwood Avenue, BURY ST EDMUNDS IP33 3XN Tel: 01284 702215 Email: bird-w@sns.org.uk

Memberships

c/o SNS, The Museum, High Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3QH

Suffolk Bird Group

Who we are

 Founded in 1973 by a group of Suffolk birdwatchers

 Associated with the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society

 SBG remains an independent birding group and is a registered charity

What we do

Networking

 A voice for Suffolk birdwatchers

 With established links to many naturalist and conservation organisations

Media

Protecting Birds

 Actively lobbies to protect key Suffolk habitats

 Provides a county-wide field force of bird surveyors

 Promotes BTO bird surveys and organises special SBG surveys

 Strong web presence - www.suffolkbirdgroup.org

 Active Twitter feed - @suffolkbirds1

 Quarterly magazine - The Harrier

 Annual review - Suffolk Birds report

Trips and talks

 Annually (20+) field trips - ideal for novices or experts and young or old alike

 Opportunities to visit hot spots and receive practical ID tips in the field

 Programme of talks and presentations - variety of topics (county, national, or international) with quality speakers

Suffolk

 Assists with conservation projects to improve breeding success

- Swifts

- Barn Owls

- Peregrines

- Waders

 Partners with Suffolk Wildlife Trust and other bird groups

 Assists with funding for bird hides and other birding amenities

 Contributes to community events, including dawn chorus walks

 Provides bursaries for special projects

Group