Don’t forget to renew your membership for 2018. If you have not already done so the form is on the back page.

Please read this carefully as it does contain important information about this magazine.

Members’ pictures. The little owl was photographed by Barry Hall and the snow buntings by Alan Baldry.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales—No. 207076, Scotland No. SC037654 GROUP LEADER’S THOUGHTS from Tim Kenny

inter is here! Well according to the As I write on the second day of W Met Office anyway. I’m not one for December, Chelmondiston appears to the neat compartmentalisation by month be the centre of birding, and not favoured by the weather forecasters (for just because of the impressive gathering me, the solstice marks the start of the of up to 30 corn buntings at Ling’s season) but traditionally December sees Lane. On the river path a Richard’s the nets rolled up and put away for the pipit has been in residence since 25 winter at bird observatories up and down November. This is a bird of the northern the country. The winter thrushes and European grasslands and a few stray as swans are far west as now here Britain every until the year. spring and Incidentally we’ve seen the bird is the last of named after the French swallows naturalist and Charles warblers Richard (excepting (1745 – Dartford, 1835) – so Cetti’s and we really the odd need to start blackcap pronouncing and it as the chiffchaff) French until next would, year. Parrot crossbill at Tunstall Forest, ‘Reeshard’s’ November 2013. Photo Tim Kenny. pipit! And yet what was a fairly limp autumn has As if all this variety wasn’t enough, a suddenly come to life in the last couple Coues’ arctic redpoll has appeared at of weeks. There has been an influx of Hazelwood Marshes near Aldeburgh, hawfinches around the country and a and a magnificent immature Iceland gull couple of sizeable flocks of parrot has been patrolling the seafront between crossbills at both Upper Hollesley Landguard and Felixstowe Ferry, where Common and Santon Downham. These a purple sandpiper has been seen on relatives of our common crossbill are the jetty. All these birds are still around larger and paler with a distinctly larger as I write. bill. There is a small population (around 65 pairs) breeding in the highlands of In your latest Nature’s Home magazine Scotland, but otherwise this is a bird of you will find an insert from the RSPB north-western Europe and western chief executive urging you to say ‘yes’ to Russia. (Continued on page3 )

2 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018 (Continued from page2 ) receiving contact from the society. New rules regarding data handling mean that, unless you give your express permission, the RSPB will not be able to contact you regarding the work that we do. Please read and respond to this as soon as you are able, as the new rules take effect from Iceland gull at Landguard May 2018. Nature Reserve, November 2017. Photo Tim Kenny On a personal note, my episode of Mastermind was finally aired on 10 November and it is a relief to be able to talk about the I hope you enjoy this edition of the Orwell result finally! Twenty-three points and Observer, as ever lovingly crafted by our no passes would be enough to win two editor Pat. All contributions are welcome heats this year, but I was unfortunate to for future issues, and you can find out be drawn in the same heat as quiz how on page 24. juggernaut Alfred Williams who scored 31! He could well win the series with Happy birding performances like that.

Vacancy for Publicity and Recruitment Officer

Do you enjoy meeting the public and talking about the RSPB? The group is looking for someone to take up the post of Publicity/Recruitment Officer. This will involve attending wildlife events in the Ipswich area, whilst helping to promote Ipswich Local Group and encouraging people to join us. Whilst you may distribute material about the RSPB in general you would not be responsible for recruiting people to the main organisation—occasionally someone from the RSPB Eastern England Regional Office will attend for that purpose . You will be supported by other committee members.

For more details, please contact Tim Kenny or any committee member.

3 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018

Places to visit: THE RIVERS WITHAM & WELLAND & THE WASH from Patricia Hall f you fancy a weekend away or don’t I mind a bit of a long drive (just a little Avocet. Picture—Alan Baldry further than Titchwell) a birdwatching cruise aboard the Boston Belle is certainly worth the effort. These trips are organised by RSPB South Lincs Local Group and run regularly from the middle of May until the end of October. Passengers embark in the centre of Boston and the Boston Belle sails down the River Witham, out into The Wash and up the River Welland overlooking RSPB Frampton Marsh reserve, before retracing her course back to Boston. My cruise was at the end of September. I personally saw 40 species but there were a few more seen which I did not get onto being on the wrong side of the gannets diving into the water. There boat! were the usual assemblage of gulls, greylag geese, great crested grebes, Boston has, along with many other towns teal and widgeon on the river and on the and cities, resident peregrines. These sea and we saw a marsh harrier over were seen flying over the town and the Frampton Marsh. Once into the River perched on the cranes in the dock area. Welland we saw our first common seals We also saw several kingfishers flying pulled out onto the mudbanks. across the river and perched on the mooring ropes. The tide was not up too Species seen on these cruises does, as high and several species of waders were always, depend on the time of year and seen along the river: little egret, bar and the state of migration (if going in spring or black-tailed godwit, grey heron, autumn). The Boston Belle has a galley curlew, lapwing, redshank, curlew serving hot and cold drinks and snacks, a sandpiper, green sandpiper, dunlin, comfortable saloon (if you need to get oystercatcher, ringed plover and under cover) and a foredeck for birding. 1 avocet. Snipe were seen flying over. The cruise takes 4 /2 to 5 hours. Some of the last swallows of summer were seen, and a common buzzard and Close by are RSPB Frampton Marsh and sparrowhawk joined the peregrines Freiston Shore Reserves over the town. Once out onto The Wash we could see flocks of knot looking like Further information from: drifts of smoke high in the air over RSPB South Lincs Local Group towards Snettisham. There were also www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire large flocks of waders along the shore— Booking agents: South Holland Centre Tel: 01775 764 777 www.southhollandcentre.co.uk some too distant to identify easily, but we were able to see a pair of juvenile Information correct in September 2017

4 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018 SWIFTS OVER NORTH IPSWICH IN 2017 from Richard Stewart

hris Courtney's article contained these superb birds spend in our country C almost all of the amazing facts about each year. swifts. All I can add is that they also gather nesting material in the air and For those wanting to know more about their feet are so weak that they are only these incredible birds, the swift is one of just strong enough to enable them to 21 birds given a chapter each in the breed successfully. A swift that has recently published, 'As Kingfishers Catch fallen to the ground finds it very difficult to Fire' which is written by Alex Preston get airborne again. with beautiful illustrations from Neil Gower. The classic study, published by I must admit to being worried about Methuen back in 1956, is 'Swifts In A swifts in north Ipswich in 2017. My first Tower' by David Lack, based on his sighting was a single one in Fonnereau Oxford observations. It has 17 chapters Road on 7 May. I then had to wait until covering all aspects of the life of this 14 June to see five above Westerfield magnificent summer visitor. Road and then at least ten over Christchurch Park on 18 July. It was only further afield, in towns with plenty of old houses offering abundant swift nesting Fenn Wright sites, that my count increased, with over Estate Agents twenty at Wickham Market on 19 July. I watched them long enough to pick out Tel: 01473 261090 young as well as adults: slight plumage differences and less agility in flight from Sponsors of an indoor meeting youngsters that looked newly fledged, possibly on their first open flight. However, my concern for numbers in north Ipswich ended on 2 August. I was looking out of my upstairs study towards A W Hart—Builders Borrowdale Avenue and, despite the rain, over fifty swifts were in flight, obviously Tel: 01473 680017 not feeding but seeming to be gathered together before departing for their winter Sponsors of an indoor meeting quarters. What I could not decipher was whether this was the accumulated total for Ipswich or whether similar scenes were being enacted elsewhere in Ipswich. My deduction that they were Mid-Suffolk Fencing ready to depart was probably correct, since subsequently, and I am writing this Tel: 01449 721025 at the end of September, I have seen just four, two singles and one pair. That Sponsors of an indoor meeting makes it just 88 days between my first sighting and this mass gathering in the evening, emphasising just how little time

5 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018

NEWS FROM LAKENHEATH FEN - from Alan Kells

ello and welcome to news from H Lakenheath Fen!

Reserve Management

Further work has been undertaken on the grazing marsh. Since the first cut in July, we have carried out some targeted weed wiping with pesticide to reduce the coverage of nettles and juncus (rush). A final cut was then Cut sedge burning in Botany Bay carried out across our grazing marsh at the end of September to coincide with the end of the growing season, with the aim to achieve low and open conditions to benefit next year’s passage and breeding waders. Several compartments were left for a hay crop for our local grazier.

The team of staff and volunteers have been busy improving the views for visitors from all our viewpoints and hide by clearing the reed around the ponds and pools, which has subsequently increased the bittern sightings in these areas. We have also cut several ‘landing strips’ in favourable habitat Kingfisher. Picture—Ian Ireland locations within our compartments to encourage cranes to nest. year we cut approximately 20 per cent of the southern compartment to create both In the reedbeds we are lowering water structural and botanical diversity. This is levels in the eastern and western cells in also part of a trial on management preparation for winter work. In the west in techniques, as the two northern cells are Norfolk Fen there is considerable scrub managed via grazing only. Botanical cutting to do and in the east in New Fen surveys planned for next year will help North we are undertaking the final determine the most effective section of restoration management in this management for creating the targeted compartment with a 360 excavator cutting botanical diversity. The cut sedge is then up to 5 hectares of reed, which will burnt up on tins to enable us to remove subsequently be burnt the ash to prevent nutrient enrichment in the SSSI. We have completed the sedge cutting in Botany Bay using brush-cutters. Each (Continued on page7 )

6 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018 (Continued from page6 ) Raptor Watch: Wildlife Sightings Sunday 14 January 2.00—5.00 p.m. Bitterns are still showing well around the Price: Adult £8 Children £4 (Non- reserve and we are starting to see some Members) Adults £6 Children £3 winter birds like fieldfare and redwing. (Members) Price includes car parking. We currently have three great white egrets back with us. Despite not doing Winter Ramble in the Fens: a formal survey for bearded tits it does Sunday 4 February seem to have been a very successful 9.30 a.m.—3.00 p.m. breeding season with a peak ad hoc Price: Adult £15 Children £7.50 (Non- recording of 80-100 seen across Mere Members) Adults £12 Children £6 Hide and Joist Fen Viewpoint. (Members) PAYMENT TAKEN AT TIME Kingfishers have also been showing OF BOOKING via well as you can see. www.wegottickets.com/lakenheath or by cheque. Price includes car parking. We have also carried out water vole transects in ditches found in varying Early Signs of Spring at RSPB habitats, with four of the five 100 metre Lakenheath Fen: sections showing signs, with a mixture of Wednesday 14 February runs, burrows, latrines and feeding 11.00 a.m.—12.30 p.m. stations found. Price: Free event (Facilities charge of £4 per car applies for non-members of the Events RSPB)

In October, we held our largest event of We hope you all had a fantastic the year, the Race for Wildlife. This Christmas and New Year! involved a record 133 participants descending on the Reserve to partake in either a 5k or 10k run. A huge thank you to all of our amazing volunteers who helped marshal the event as well as cheering on all the runners, creating a fantastic atmosphere. An amazing £1,600 was raised, which goes directly back into the management of the Reserve.

All of our up and coming events for 2017 can now be found on our website, but please find a selection of these on the right:

Runners enjoying the Race for Wildlife. Picture—Cat Serpant-Barrett

7 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018

MINSMERE DIARIES

August Trail is still being reviewed – if the work on the Scrape pushes waders on to the Winter is coming. Birds from the lands of trail we will open it to give visitors views of the ice and snow are starting their the birds. journeys to our shores as the summer migrants are starting to gather, before September heading back to Africa and the Mediterranean. North Bushes in Dig out the woollies, autumn is on the particular has been excellent this week for way! lesser and common whitethroats, yellow wagtails, whinchat, stonechat, It’s ducks-galore on the scrape, with large wheatear, chiffchaff and willow numbers of mallard and teal, and warblers. Bigger flocks of colourful increasing numbers of shoveller, goldfinch, greenfinch, chaffinch and gadwall, shelduck and widgeon settling mixed tit flocks have also been foraging in in for the colder months. the bushes, woodlands and visiting the bird feeders. With the conservation team out working hard on the scrape removing vegetation, With important work taking place on the there has been lots of movement of our West Scrape to clear vegetation, the East familiar waders between the pools. While Scrape has seen the bulk of the passage East Hide has felt comparatively quieter waders, with more than 200 dunlin, than usual, Wildlife Lookout and South similar numbers of black-tailed godwits Hide have had fantastic views of black- and little gulls, half a dozen each of tailed godwits, dunlin, common and wood, green and common sandpipers spotted redshank, ruff, common snipe and an assortment of ruff, sanderling, and a handful of green and common little stint, knot, curlew and whimbrel. sandpipers. A bittern was also seen on The avocets have begun to move West Scrape towards the estuaries, with around 20 present most days. As this has certainly been the quieter half The otters continue to be seen around of the scrape recently, these rare close- Island Mere, but no cormorants fell ups have been a welcome surprise for victim to them this week it would seem. those families and younger visitors Water voles have been seen around the clinging onto their last few days of the pond, but heard more often gnawing on school holidays. the reeds. A pale-morph common buzzard has been confusing people to its Avocet numbers are gradually true identity – honey buzzard and decreasing as they head out towards the osprey being its alter-egos! estuaries, with numbers at around a dozen at the moment spread between We have plans to reopen the North south scrape and the Konik Field. We’ve Bushes trail at the end of the first week in also seen some great raptor action, with September in preparation for the influx of common buzzard sightings over the winter migrants, and the North Levels (Continued on page9 ) 8 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018 (Continued from page8 ) Water pipit. Picture—Barry Hall A short-eared owl was also seen flying North Wall and Woodland Trail, and in from offshore, a beautiful bird to see hobby seen frequently feeding on with its orange-flame eyes (its Latin dragonflies over the reedbed. name Asio flammeus does it justice). Often see around estuaries and A good variety of warblers have been marshland these day-flying owls are seen and heard regularly around the arriving from Scandinavia and can gather north bushes, including common and in good numbers along the Norfolk and lesser whitethroat, willow warbler and Suffolk coasts (Titchwell once had 81 chiffchaff as well as wheatear and two arrive in a single afternoon!). spotted flycatchers. Elsewhere this week numbers of duck Highlights elsewhere include a great and geese are increasing still on the skua flying north over beach on Sunday, scrape and levels, large mixed flocks of and a common redstart in the work finch and tits are spreading across the centre bird ringing net this week (which woodland and passage wader numbers unfortunately made a quick escape are also up, including ruff, dunlin, bar- before the ringers could get there!). tailed godwit, ringed plover, redshank, curlew and little stint. Water voles have been seen around the pond, enjoying an audience of pond Red deer are gathering on the heath, dippers on Tuesday. seen well from the viewpoint south of the quarry. Around 50 were seen on October Wednesday afternoon, with one 16-point ‘monarch’ stag and his harem of 20 The last week has been one of the best hinds. Bellowing has been heard most times this year to see bearded tits mornings – which can be a stag calling to – more than 30 on the North Wall and keep his harem together or stags many more groups at Island Mere and challenging each other. around the South Scrape/Konik Field. As we move through the autumn to winter Starlings have been seen murmurating we can often see big ‘eruptions’ of just after 6.00 p.m. over the Scrape, bearded tits suddenly bursting from the approximately 6,000. reedbeds, flying high over the reserve and then plummeting down into a different patch. November

Also this week we’ve had the return of Two of the best birds to find, with it the pectoral sandpiper, curlew getting dark so early at this time of year, sandpiper and a yellow-browed are tawny and barn owls. Tawny owls, warbler. Yellow-browed warblers often with their distinctive haunting hoots and migrate to the east coast during their first kiveck calls, can be heard throughout the winter, travelling from across Russia. woodland after dusk, and ghostly barn Next year these birds will migrate instead owls are best seen from Island Mere to Thailand, having learned a valuable after 3.00 p.m. looking towards lesson about UK winters no doubt! (Continued on page10 )

9 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018

(Continued from page9 )

Eastbridge and the South Levels, which they quarter hunting for small rodents. If you’re at Island Mere after 3.00 p.m. you will also see up to 14 marsh harriers coming into roost and regular bitterns (including the one who likes to wander right up the channel to the hide so you have to lean out of the window to look down on it!). Kingfishers have also been showing very well around the Mere, zipping around Wildlife Lookout and whistling down the North Wall. We’ve been graced by both whooper and Bewick’s swans this week – moving between the Mere and the Scrape. Reflections! Grey heron pictured by Alan Baldry

The wonderful autumnal glow of sunshine mean really teeny-tiny, shooting-star this week has added a bit of warmth to fungus (otherwise known as artillery the reserve for most of the afternoons, fungus) is a wonderful little species but it soon gets very chilly at dusk! The found by resident expert fungi finder Chris light has meant it has been excellent for Ford, which likes the habitat around the reflection photographs of the various Work Centre where the wood chips are. waders and colourful ducks on the The fungus is powerful enough to fire scrape. sticky cannonball-like spores about 18 feet, equivalent to an average human A red admiral butterfly has perhaps been hurling a cricket ball two miles! This is the most unusual sighting this week – also where the bird’s-nest fungi has obviously a bit confused by the sunshine, been found recently – which does look whilst common darters can still be found like tiny cup nests with eggs inside. amongst the leaf litter of the woodland trails. December

If you haven’t wandered along the new At last I can open my advent calendar trail created by the Green Light Trust by and the ban has been lifted on me Canopy Hide please do, aside from the singing Mariah Carey songs! With a little beautiful colours of the trees and falling flurry of snow on Thursday it certainly leaves which is just spectacular in the feels like Christmas now. The bird sunshine, there’s also fallen trees to climb feeders at the Visitor Centre have been over and a wobbly bridge to cross! covered in a swarm of blue tits, great tits, marsh tits, coal tits, chaffinch and One of the best things this week also goldfinch, with occasional blackbird, happens to be one of our smallest, and I (Continued on page11 )

10 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018 (Continued from page10 ) robin and dunnock, and a small army of plump, delicious pheasants. Muntjac deer, rabbits and badger are also occasionally visiting after dark.

Although quiet for waders on the scrape there are still a small contingent of avocet, black-tailed godwits, dunlin, snipe and turnstone, but still hundreds of teal, wigeon, gadwall, mallard, shelduck and shoveler.

Offshore, the turbulent winter clouds of sleet and hail have also brought auks, red-throated and great Bittern. Picture—Barry Hall northern divers, eider, velvet scoter and rafts of common scoter. Grey seals can also be seen bobbing A merlin has just been reported at Bittern along in the surf. Hide, swooping right in front of the hide, so an excellent sighting to end on this The Island Mere bitterns have been the week. stars of the last week, with one individual spending a lot of time fishing just in front We’re still calling out for starling reports, of the hide (too close for many of the big- but so far little information has come in – lensed camera folk to focus on!) as has small groups at Walberswick, Hen the otter family. Kingfishers and marsh Reedbeds, Lowestoft, harriers are also common sights around and Felixstowe but nothing to rival the Mere, and up to 17 Bewick’s swans Strumpshaw’s 30,000 yet. have been present here with small groups moving to the Scrape. (Reproduced, with permission, from the newsletter for Minsmere volunteers)

MIND THE CRUSTACEAN

The best band you’ve never heard of!

Info: Tim Kenny 01394 809236

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11 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018

ALDHURST FARM, LEISTON from Barry Hall

Editor’s note: Many readers may have the adjacent Suffolk Coast and Heaths strong feelings about the proposed AONB and SSSI. development of Sizewell C, and may take issue with the RSPB’s stance. However, The vision for the site includes: Barry’s visit was in his capacity as chair  Creating and maintaining around of Suffolk Local Access Forum (SLAF)— 5ha of wet reed bed with 20—30 a group that is active in keeping percent of open water and 5—15 footpaths and Open Access Land percent of later succession habitats. accessible for all. SLAF do not have a  Creating and maintaining 0.8ha of view on the development as such as this reed based tall herb fen. is not within their remit but does have  Creating and maintaining concerns regarding loss of footpaths in approximately 2km of perimeter ditch the area of Sizewell and the group’s visit habitat supporting a range of was in this respect. vascular plants.  Creating and maintaining a mosaic

of neutral and acid grassland, As part of its statutory remit, the Suffolk heathland, scrub and scattered SLAF was a consultee on both of EDF trees. Energy's consultations on the possible construction at some point of Sizewell C  Maximising the flora and fauna nuclear power station. Our comments biodiversity of the created and could only be confined to the effect that maintained habitat. the construction phase would impact on  In the longer term open up parts of the public rights of way in the area the site for quiet public recreation so including the Suffolk Coast Path, and as not to compromise the what sort of legacy in terms of additional management objectives. public access to the area that we would expect post-construction. Consequently It was apparent from our visit that two in July 2017 SLAF members were invited years on, the vision was beginning to turn to view a habitat creation scheme that into reality. Substantial earthmoving has EDF were putting in place at Leiston as produced the reedbed and open water early mitigation for any habitat loss that area around what was formally a small could occur due to the construction of watercourse, the spoil from the Sizewell C, and even if the power station excavation has been used to re-profile did not go ahead would still be a locally the remaining land to allow it to be managed conservation site. returned to grassland/heathland. Over 140,000 reed plants had been planted Aldhurst Farm is a 67 hectare (170 acre) and were well established. The new land site which lies to the north of Carr areas were being kept topped to Avenue in Leiston and is bounded by discourage plants like thistles, docks Abbey Road to the west and Lover's and ragwort; and heather and grass Lane to the east. It was originally arable brashings had been strewn over them to farmland but since 2015 EDF has been encourage regeneration of these species. transforming it to include a range of habitats which will compliment and link to (Continued on page13 )

12 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018 (Continued from page12 ) Stonechat. Picture—Barry Hall Although it's going to be several years before the site is established enough to be open to the public, SLAF were able put forward some suggestions on public access to the area. These included, provision of a new public right of way through the site connecting Abbey Road to Lover's Lane and the provision of a new bridleway along the eastern boundary of the site to connect up with existing routes north and east of the site, especially as Lover's Lane is quite narrow. It was also suggested to EDF that the part of the site closest to Leiston could in the longer term become possible open access.

For a map of the site see appendix.

More information on the work of SLAF can be found at: Magazine Printers & www.suffolkrightsofway.org.uk/suffok- Sponsors: local-access-forum Sharward Services Ltd,

PO Box 1053, Ipswich IP1 9YL Collins Waste Solutions Tel: 0147 212113 Website: sharward.co.uk

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Would you like to see your name here? Ipswich Microwave Centre To find out how to sponsor our newsletter or an indoor [email protected] meeting please e-mail;

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13 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018

TRIP REPORTS

Havergate Island (joint RSPB/SOG trip) and Boyton are being managed for - 6.8.17 breeding waders, trying to keep the two apart. On the saline lagoon, 22 Ten members of Ipswich RSPB and just spoonbills were seen, all asleep as is two from SOG (the chairman and today's the norm! Sadly they were taking no leader!) met RSPB warden David notice of the 'forest' provided to Fairhurst at Orford Quay just before 10.00 encourage them to breed. a.m. on a warm, sunny and calm morning. We made the short boat We drifted back to Main Hide for lunch, journey before reaching the landing jetty the botanists pointing out Robin's where we embarked. Having walked to pincushion developing on the stems of Main Hide we were pleased to find the wild roses close to the path; a blue- place packed with tailed waders, in marked Turnstone. Picture—Alan Baldry. damselfly in contrast to last the dyke was year. We didn't our only attempt a full odonata of the count but day. Common estimated 450 blue butterflies dunlin, 300 were seen avocet, 200 black close to bird's -tailed godwit foot trefoil, the and perhaps 200 food plant of its redshank. A caterpillars. In smart bar-tailed the early godwit was afternoon we scrutinised; strolled south, nearby we finding a watched two grey juvenile ruff in plovers, one of which was still in front of Belper's Hide and enjoying breeding plumage. Having moved to summer plumage turnstones alongside North Hide, giving us a different view of both common and Sandwich terns from the same area, David found a moulting the adjacent viewing screens overlooking adult curlew sandpiper amongst the Cottage Flood. A couple of juvenile dunlin, but it was hard to pick out even willow warblers were evidence of with our scopes! He told us that over 600 passerine migration. Painted lady, small juvenile gulls had fledged on Havergate heath and small copper were the pick of this year, a mix of lesser black-backed nine butterfly species and we were and herring, despite the presence of impressed by the displays of sea foxes and badgers which they knew had campion and sea lavender. been there via the camera traps. The island is clearly a very important site for the big gulls; nearby reserves Hollesley (Continued on page15 )

14 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018 (Continued from page14 ) occasions, most being on passage and in moulting plumage between summer finery Hares are a sought-after species on and winter drab. These included black- Havergate so we were pleased to find a tailed godwit, whimbrel, curlew, couple, especially as numbers have redshank, greenshank, lapwing, ringed declined in recent years. With time plover, turnstone and common marching on, some of us returned to Main sandpiper. There were also a large Hide where the spoonbills had stirred number of gulls roosting, these being from their slumbers, a number feeding mainly black-headed gulls. Careful actively; we counted 24 in total - had we observation revealed the presence of miscounted in the morning, or had two Mediterranean and common gulls on arrived? A couple of golden plovers both occasions, the latter returning from disappeared as soon as they had been breeding areas for the winter period. It spotted before, after finding another was noticeable that the number of whimbrel, we made haste for the boat at juvenile black-headed gulls was very 2.45 p.m. small which poses a severe risk to this gull’s population in five to ten years time. I first visited Havergate in May 1971! An Other birds noted included sparrowhawk annual summer trip to the island is well and common buzzard. In the reedbeds worth it, not least as it is somewhere Cetti’s and reed warblers were present, 'different', and this year's was one of the along with linnet, greenfinch and best not just due to the large numbers of goldfinch. Stock doves were numerous migrant waders but also because of the in the area, no doubt due to their liking of informative commentary of David the sea lavender seeds, which flourish Fairhurst, to whom we were very grateful. on the saltings. A few swallows and For details of how to visit the reserve click house martins were still around and as on the following link. dusk approached jackdaws and rooks (David Walsh) were seen heading for the roost in the Sutton Hoo area. Two enjoyable visits in https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and- very contrasting weather conditions. events/find-a-reserve/reserves-a-z/ (Stephen Marginson) reserves-by-name/h/havergate/ about.aspx Orfordness—1.10.17

River Deben at Melton—16.8.17 Chris Courtney led a party over to Orfordness on a very windy Sunday The trip to Melton on the River Deben morning. The blustery conditions were not was held twice due to heavy rain and conducive to good birding but there was a gale force winds on the first visit when good selection of waders and wildfowl three hardy souls ventured out. The on the scrapes, including avocets, black- second visit two weeks later was on a tailed godwits, redshanks and warm sunny summer's evening. Both oystercatchers, plus a juvenile ruff. occurred around high tide to maximise the possibility of viewing the waders and Such was the strength of the wind, the other birds which roost on the saltings bird ringers who work the ness of a opposite the Melton riverbank. A good weekend had packed up their nets and number of waders were noted on both (Continued on page16 ) 15 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018

(Continued from page15 ) Grey plover and turnstone were heading back to the mainland, Picture— Tim Kenny having ringed precisely zero birds.

Marsh harriers and kestrels put in appearances along with a flock of goldfinches feeding along the path. As we headed back to the boat home there were a couple of impressive flypasts from the resident barn owls.

Waiting on the quay to be ferried back over to Orford a common seal appeared in the river, a nice end to an enjoyable if difficult day of birdwatching. (Tim Kenny)

Wrabness EWT and River Stour— which held large numbers of Brent 21.10.17 geese, wigeon and waders as the tide moved in. The surrounding thickets and The Essex Wildlife Trust reserve at scrub provided sightings of Wrabness owes much of its existence to yellowhammer, chiffchaff and kestrel the presence of the mine depot for the along with several common woodland Ministry of Defence on this site up to species. Redwings and swallows were 1963. Since then it has become also noted with the former arriving and overgrown with bramble thicket and the latter departing. The EWT is in the scrub which is ideal for a wide variety of process of purchasing the surrounding birds. In summer warblers, nightingale meadows which they will flood to make and turtle dove use the reserve. At this attractive as a refuge for waders and time of year most of the interest is on the wildfowl at high tides in the winter and Stour estuary. The reserve has a hide breeding waders in the spring. This overlooking the Stour at Jacques Bay. reserve is a lovely peaceful spot on Good views were had of Brent geese, the Stour and is well worth a visit if wigeon, lapwing, curlew, redshank and you have not been there. grey plover in excellent viewing (Stephen Marginson) conditions. Parties of ringed plover, dunlin, knot and turnstone were noted moving along the shoreline as the tide Holbrook Bay and the River Stour— rose. Out in the river great crested 19.11.17 grebes were present along with around 30 red-breasted mergansers which A cold but bright Sunday morning saw looked superb in their winter plumage. eighteen hardy folk head out from Stutton We carried on to a point where good church, in stark contrast to the last time views of Jacques Bay could be had and (Continued on page17 )

16 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018 (Continued from page16 ) Ruff and redshank, Orfordness, Oc- this walk was done two years tober 2017. Photo Tim Kenny ago, which was undertaken in thick fog!

On the way to the river a select few were treated to a flypast by a female sparrowhawk with prey, as the local mistle thrushes dived for cover. With high water not more than a couple of hours away, wildfowl and waders gathered on the disappearing patches of mud. Brent geese, black-tailed godwits and redshanks were the first species seen by the water’s plovers. A surprisingly confiding edge, whilst a pair of oystercatchers redshank allowed for good photo piped overhead en route to the rugby opportunities. Sharp-eyed observers just pitches upon which they roosted. Large about caught sight of a speeding flocks of curlews were probing in nearby kingfisher heading low over the river on fields whilst the mud flats were covered. two occasions. Further searching of the mixed flocks revealed all the usual species of dabbling A nice walk with a good selection of duck including pintail whilst a distant species, and an unseasonal red admiral flock of six red-breasted mergansers was even seen flitting about around the splashed around in the channels. burnt-down boat house by the creek.

Further along by the wooden posts that (Tim Kenny) mark the entrance to Holbrook Creek, the assorted waders included good numbers of turnstones, knots, dunlins and grey

Bypass Nurseries Alder Carr Farm

Tel: 01473 310604 Tel: 01449 720820

Sponsors of an indoor meeting Sponsors of an indoor meeting

17 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018

STOUR VALLEY UPDATE Flatford Wildlife Garden hold. Determined persistence will prevail The current major changes at the garden in the end…..I hope. relate to the new Sisters’ Garden which is currently under construction. We Thanks to the help of the Wednesday began with the removal of the top layer work party, we have erected around 500 of poor soil, gravel and building rubble metres of temporary electric fencing on which was sent to be recycled as the Barn Field. The purpose of this aggregate. Excavation of the pond could exercise is to allow us to graze the field then begin, followed by the spreading of with cattle, but keeping them out of the imported topsoil. ditches where the crassula is persisting. This will help to get the sward into ideal We could then mark out the new planting condition, ready for the lapwing to nest beds and areas of hard standing. next spring, something they haven’t been We are constructing a pond dipping able to do for the last couple of years platform, after which we will be able to due to the crassula infestation. install the pond liner and fill it using the rainwater collected in the newly installed Stour Wood water tank. The borders are to contain Another project just started is the plants which have been selected to reconstruction of the steps that lead up benefit bees, butterflies and other into Bramble Creek Hide. They have pollinators. reached the time in their life when they are becoming unsuitable for their Our gardening volunteers will be heavily intended task so, yet again, thanks to the involved in every stage from now on – it Wednesday crew, the old steps have should be great fun and very fulfilling! been deconstructed and, with the help of The pond and environs, when fully Shank’s pony, removed from the wood. completed, will help us to increase the A new set of steps are under range of children’s activities we are able construction and, with luck, by the time to offer at the garden, and improve the you read this, will be in place and ably overall experience for all our future assisting our visitors to ascend into visitors. Finally - a plea for help! Does Bramble Creek Hide. anyone have any experience of pumps Jon and pressure regulators? If so, please Wolves Wood contact me. Volunteer work parties started again in Shirley Sampson mid-September, and we’ve already cut and raked two-thirds of the ride network. Cattawade Marsh There have been two corporate team Out on the marsh I am still dealing with building days recently, courtesy of the crassula. The odd small rosette of Suffolk Life in Ipswich, one of which the stuff pops up every now and again tackled a patch of invasive snowberry in which I duly swamp in weed killer. It is the northern edge of the wood, cutting, having the desired effect and the burning and poisoning it. It’s great to dastardly weed is failing to get a toe see big open areas where before the snowberry totally dominated and

18 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018 swamped everything else. Snowberry was traditionally planted as cover for pheasants, presumably by the previous owners of the woods.

Deer stalking is going exceptionally well this year. Cull figures are significantly up on previous years, reflected in the improving understory vegetation and diversity of wildflowers seen in the woods – both of these are virtually non-existent in woods with high, unmanaged deer populations

Ash dieback has really starting to bite in all three woods. It takes time to affect older/larger trees, as every year the Stour. Their numbers locally have there is an incremental effect, so we’ve gradually increased since the early been seeing young trees suffering for 1990s; their current winter peak numbers years, but now increasingly, older and in excess of 100 birds, resulting in our larger trees are showing the thinning local population being of national canopy, dieback of small branches, and importance. epicormic growth so typical of this killer disease. What is interesting about this, is that the winter population in the UK is in decline Focus On… (not severe, but a decline all the same), We’re introducing a new feature, in which so the Stour population is bucking the I can hopefully provide an insight into national trend and actually increasing. current conservation news on birds, So why is that? We don’t honestly know invertebrates, and plants. My first hot the answers, but it must say something topic is………… about there being enough small fish out there for them and perhaps another The Red-breasted Merganser reason is the tranquillity of the estuary in winter? What a marvellous name for a bird. I am sure if you took a straw poll in any high Red- breasted Mergansers are not the street and asked 100 people what a red- flightiest birds when it comes to breasted merganser (photographed by disturbance, but undoubtedly, when other Steve Plume) was, the number saying ‘it’s species are disturbed (such as a bird’ would be quite low. But what a goldeneye), red-breasted mergansers bird it is. It is probably alone amongst UK are never that far behind in taking off. species in being described as having a Mark ‘punk haircut.’ (Reproduced, with permission, from the Back in the 1980s, red-breasted Stour Estuary News, a publication for mergansers were almost non-existent on RSPB volunteers.)

19 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018

SIGHTINGS IN SUMMER AND AUTUMN FROM BIRDLINE EAST ANGLIA

Species Location—date in brackets July Red-backed shrike♀ Hollesley (7) Collared pratincole Aldeburgh Town Marsh (13), Orfordness NT (19-23) Purple heron Minsmere RSPB (u13) Savi’s warbler (2) Minsmere RSPB (u10) Roseate tern Minsmere RSPB (11, 14, 18, & 28-29) Temminck’s stint Minsmere RSPB (18) Marsh warbler Minsmere RSPB (20) Black kite Iken (16), Long Melford (22) Glossy Ibis SWT (f17) August Cattle egret (4) Minsmere RSPB (3) Honey buzzard Minsmere RSPB (5) Glossy Ibis Trimley Marshes SWT (u6) Glossy Ibis Minsmere RSPB (6-8) Wryneck Lound (11) White stork Cranley Green (12) White-winged black tern Havergate Island RSPB (12) Red-necked phalarope Orfordness NT (11-12) Temminck’s stint Hollesley Marsh RSPB (20-22) Bluethroat♂ Lakenheath Fen RSPB (22) Pectoral sandpiper Havergate Island RSPB (31) Dotterel Covehithe (26-29) Cory’s shearwater Southwold (23)

Continued on page 21

20 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018 Continued from page 20 September Storm petrel Dunwich (5) Dotterel Felixstowe Ferry (6) Citrine wagtail Minsmere RSPB (9-16) Honey buzzard Oulton Marshes (12), Ipswich (14), Minsmere RSPB (28), Aldeburgh(2) (24) Ortolan bunting Landguard NR (2 & 5) Pectoral sandpiper Trimley Marshes SWT (2-12), Minsmere (25-30)

Wryneck Aldeburgh (4 & 16), Kessingland (9-12), Shingle Street (12-18) Red-necked phalarope Minsmere RSPB (16-25), Covehithe (22), Walberswick (23-24) Red-breasted flycatcher Orfordness NT (19)

Red-throated pipit Landguard NR (27-30)

Radde’s warbler Orfordness NT (27), Bawdsey (29-30)

October

Red-backed shrike Boyton RSPB (8-13)

Pectoral sandpiper Mickle Mere (4-8)

Grey phalarope Southwold (8-12), Minsmere RSPB (2) (19-20 & 30)

Radde’s warbler Dunwich Heath NT (10), Minsmere RSPB (14), Southwold (19) White-billed diver Corton (14)

Shore lark (3) Lowestoft (20) Red-footed falcon Kessingland (21) Penduline tit (2) Minsmere RSPB (26) Rose-coloured starling Minsmere RSPB (27) Great grey shrike Landguard NR (30) Storm petrel Corton (29)

21 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018

For the latest bird news please phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700245 from a landline or mobile phone cost 65p per minute plus telephone company access charge. Service provided by Birdline East Anglia for enquiries please call 0330 3336946 or 07941333970. www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk twitter.com/BirdlineEAnglia facebook.com/robin.chittenden.7

Grey wagtail and greater spotted woodpecker pictured by Barry Hall.

LOCAL GROUP AGM

The Ipswich Local Group’s AGM will be held at Rushmere St. Andrew Church Hall on Thursday 12 April 2018 at 7.30 p.m. before the Indoor Meeting. Any group member who wishes to join the committee must submit their name (accompanied by a seconder) to the Secretary, Judy Cook, no later than 28 February, 2018.

22 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018 What’s On—Dates for your diary for January & beyond For details of how to find out more about these events please see separate entry or contact organiser of event; details will also appear on website. (Walk leaders/organisers initials will appear after entry and their contact details appear at the end of the diary) …………..continued on next page

Date Event Time Meeting Place 11 Jan Indoor Meeting—’Trinidad & Tobago, 7.30 p.m. Rushmere St. Swamps, Oil & Goats,’ Andrew Goodall, Andrew Church Wildlife Photographer. Hall, The Street, Rushmere, IP5 1DH Sponsored by Bypass Nurseries Capel St. Mary 14 Jan Field Meeting—Manningtree & Mistley 10.00 a.m. Manningtree for waders & wildfowl on the River Maltings,TM109319 Stour, 2-3hrs. 2-3miles,walking- easy. (SM) 16 Jan Midweek Walk—Holywells Park 10.00 a.m. Meet at stable (including Conservation Area). (KR) block off Cliff Lane, TM176432 8 Feb Indoor Meeting—’Stone Curlews,’ Tim 7.30 p.m. Rushmere St. Cowan, RSPB Brecks Project Manager. Andrew Church Hall, The Street, Sponsored by Collins Waste Solutions Rushmere, IP5 1DH 10 Feb Field Meeting—Abberton Reservoir, 10.00 a.m. Visitor Centre, Essex Wildlife Trust Reserve for Layer de la Haye, wildfowl & winter birds, 2-3hrs. 2 - Colchester. 3miles, walking - easy. EWT non- TL962177. members admission charge applies. (SM) 13 Feb Midweek Walk—Chantry Park. (KR) 10.00 a.m. Car park near toilet block (Hadleigh Road) TM138443 8 Mar Indoor Meeting—‘A Love Affair with 7.30 p.m. Rushmere St. House Martins,’ Martin Tickler BTO Andrew Church volunteer & long-term birder. Hall, The Street, Rushmere, IP5 1DH Sponsored by Fenn Wright Estate Agents 11 Mar Field Meeting—Holbrook Bay for 9.30 a.m. Stutton Church, waders, wildfowl & winter birds, 2- TM162344 3hrs, 2-3miles. Walking can be muddy. (SM)

23 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018

More dates for your diary

13 Mar Midweek Walk—Bourne Bridge 10.00 a.m. Bourne Park car area & park. (KR) park (Bourne Bridge entrance) TM161419 12 April Indoor Meeting—AGM plus 7.30 p.m. Rushmere St. ‘Norwich Peregrines,’ Zoë Smith, Andrew Church Hall, Hawk & Owl Trust. The Street, Rushmere, IP5 1DH Sponsored by Mid-Suffolk Fencing Needham Market

Walk leader’s or event organiser’s contact details:- (SM) Stephen Marginson [email protected] 01473 258791 (CC) Chris Courtney  [email protected] 01473 423213 (KR) Kathy Reynolds 01473 714839 (MC) Mick Cook 01473 682239 (TK) Tim Kenny 01394 809236

If you need to get in touch please Please:- contact:  Submit articles via e-mail in MS Word or RSPB HQ, Publisher. Or if not using MS please The Lodge, Sandy, Beds, SG19 2DL submit files with a .doc, .docx or .pub file Tel: 01767 680551. ending.

 Articles can also be posted to 24 Denmark RSPB Gardens, Holbrook, IP9 2BG (handwritten, Eastern England Regional Office, memory stick or floppy disc all accepted) Stalham House, 65 Thorpe Road, or given to the editor at an indoor or field Norwich, NR1 1UD meeting. Tel: 01603 661662  Material will be added to this publication in RSPB Local Group, the order in which it is received. However, Leader—Tim Kenny whilst all suitable material will be included Tel: 01394 809236 in the electronic edition not all will be e-mail: included in the paper magazine, [email protected] particularly material that does not reproduce well in black and white or is received after the magazine is full. For more news & information log on to the  Anything which is not completely your own group website on: work (including photographs) may be subject to copyright. It is therefore your www.rspb.org.uk/groups/ipswich responsibility to obtain the necessary Or find us on Twitter: @IpswichRSPB and on permission and acknowledge accordingly. Facebook: RSPB Ipswich Local Group  Respect the deadline which is:-

Orwell Observer 25 February Editor—Patricia Hall. Tel: 01473 328121 Thank you. e-mail: [email protected]

24 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018  RSPB Ipswich Local Group

The subscriptions for 2018 are now due. If you have not already re-joined the local

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. group please cut out this page, complete the section below and send it with your remittance to the membership secretary.

Annual Membership Rates—you have a choice of two options. Please indicate your choice by ticking the appropriate box:-

Option 1—£3.00 which includes membership card, programme and three issues of the Orwell Observer magazine. Entry to indoor meetings is payable on the night. 

Option 2—£16 (£15 for those 60 years of age and over) for a Saver Season Ticket, which includes membership card, programme, three issues of the Orwell Observer and free entry to all the indoor meetings. 

(Please print clearly)

Name………………………………………………………………………

Address……………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………..

Tel. No. …………………………………………………………………...

e-mail ……………………………………………………………………..

The full colour version Orwell Observer will be sent to you by e-mail before the January, April and September indoor meetings. For those without Internet access there will be a shortened printed version in black and white available at those meetings. Please let the membership secretary know if you want a paper copy. It would be appreciated if you could collect your magazine, or alternatively arrange for a friend to collect it on your behalf. Sometimes other members will hand deliver magazines and any remaining will be posted.

Please make your cheques payable to ‘RSPB’ and send with completed form to:-

The Membership Secretary, 8 Winston Avenue, Ipswich, IP4 3LS

Together with a SAE if you wish your membership card posted to you.

The RSPB Ipswich Local Group would like to keep your details to send you further information about group activities and the work of the RSPB. If you want to amend or update your details or

. you do not want us to use them in the way stated, please contact me at the above address. If

you wish to receive this information electronically, please confirm your email address here______

25 ORWELL OBSERVER January 2018