SUFFOLK BIRD REPORT FOR 1954 Fifth Annual
Report.
Edited by F. K. COBB Assisted by T H E RECORDS COMMITTEE G.
B. G .
BENSON,
F . C . C . COOK,
D R . P . R . WESTALL a n d A . E .
: W.
H.
PAYN,
VINE.
D Ü R I N G the year 203 species were recorded in the county, perhaps not an unsatisfactory figure considering the poor migration at both passage seasons.
Of the rare, or less common breeding birds, one pair of Marsh Harriers bred successfully, but no Montagu's Harriers were known to have nested. Little Ringed Plover, after breeding for three consecutive years in one locality, were not recorded anywhere in the county. The Avocet colony at Havergate continued to increase, and at least 52 pairs nested ; two pairs made an unsuccessful attempt to nest some twenty miles away from the island. The Sandwich Tern colony, now in its fourth year at Havergate, showed a further big increase this year. Two pairs of Wrynecks almost certainly bred again this year, which may suggest that, considering the elusiveness of the species, and the large areas of the county seldom, or never, visited by ornithologists, the Wryneck may not have become as uncommon in Suffolk as has been thought to be the case. Bearded Tits appear to have made some headway towards recovery from the disastrous flood of 1953, but numbers still leave much to be desired. There were only two records of breeding Stonechats, the worst season for several years. Black Redstarts, although seen and heard during the breeding season at their previous breeding place, apparently did not nest. For the fourth year running there were no breeding records of Wood-Warbiers. Two pairs of Grey Wagtails bred in East Suffolk, where this species has not been proved to breed before. Crossbills bred in approximately their usual numbers and thus there is no evidence of any increase from the big influx of the previous year. Rarities included a Mediterranean Black-headed Gull at Havergate, and two Little Buntings at Walberswick. With regard to non-breeding birds the following may beofnote: six Shags were recorded during the year, two of them from localities well inland ; while probably all the records were of storm-driven birds, in most years the species is not recorded at all in the county. Spoonbills were again regulär during the summer, and numbers— up to ten were recorded—show a slight increase over recent years. Scaup were present in unusually high numbers during the early part of the year, flocks of 200 and over 400 being recorded.