Members’ pictures

The sparrowhawks are by Alan Baldry and the purple sandpiper by Barry Hall.

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

t’s amazing. One minute you’re waiting you may well be as enthused as I am by I for a mini ice age to end, the next you the plight of this fascinating bird. find yourself complaining that it’s too hot. The golden tinge to the normally green Mid-June sees one of the highlights of our grass is indicative of a dry spell, and I local group year, the nightjar walk. At can’t recall it raining since early May. The Upper Hollesley Common were some crops and gardens could do with a drop singing Dartford warblers (warbling a bit between my writing this (it’s July 17 as I later than usual thanks to the Beast from tap out these thoughts) and harvest time. the East) before the stars of the show But on balance it’s been a glorious began their ethereal churring. Good, if summer, and for those that believe in the silhouetted, views were had of a singing St. Swithin’s Day myth, it was dry and male atop a tree before it got too dark to sunny two days ago – it looks like we’re in see anything. However, a glance to the for more of the same. heavens led me to train my binoculars on Jupiter, and to my surprise four of its When out on my bike training for my next moons were clearly visible in the clear adventure on two wheels, I’ve been going summer night sky. A scope was soon put through twice the fluids I normally would on it so all could enjoy this celestial thanks to the heat. But at least the wonder, and it got me thinking that compensation is the songs of sometimes nature’s highlights are not yellowhammers and whitethroats from always the animals of our earthly realm. the roadside hedges. These are sounds that tell me I’m out in the country away And before we know it, autumn migration from the traffic and bustle of urban is upon us again. Migratory waders such or . During a ride out as curlew sandpiper, spotted redshank to Shotley recently I was delighted to see and green sandpiper have already been and hear a screaming party of swifts sighted around the coast, along with the around the area of the Rose pub. On usual July gathering of little gulls up at June 22 I attended a talk by Edward Minsmere. It won’t be long until the Jackson of the Save Our Swifts campaign aforementioned swifts, only with us since which was eye-opening to say the least, late April, are off back south and the but there are things we can do. One swallows and martins are gathering on example is encouraging developers of the wires before making their way across new build housing to incorporate a ‘swift the Sahara and beyond. brick,’ an entrance to a hollow section of roof space where the birds can nest. Happy birding and until next time. Modern houses are just too perfect for swifts, as they are almost hermetically Editor’s comment: sealed, as opposed to those fine old Victorian terraced houses in the centre of We often hear mention of the difficulties Ipswich, with their nooks and crannies of finding nesting spaces for birds in that are ideal for this most aerial of modern houses. Nevertheless birds can creatures to bring up the next generation. be, and are, quite resourceful. Our house Edward’s talk is scheduled for 13 is a ‘hermetically sealed modern brick September so by the time you read this, (Continued on page3 ) 2 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018 (Continued from page2 ) box’ or so we thought. Built in 1992, we moved in in early summer 1999 and soon became aware of starlings nesting under the tiles then, and in subsequent years. Later on we were obliged to have the facias replaced and wondered what we could do to help the starlings as we were told that ‘birds could not get under the tiles.’ This was a selling point apparently! However, the next year the starlings were back using instead the edging tiles on the gables and ridges to gain access to The picture (by Barry Hall) is some of our nesting spaces. ‘family’ of 2017.

Last year the Pin Badge box scheme raised over £118,000 in the Eastern Region and over £1,029,000 around the UK. We are looking for more volunteers to help raise even more money.

If you would like to find out more about how you can help by managing one or more boxes, please contact Judy or Mick Cook on 01473 682239 or speak to either of them at an indoor meeting.

Bypass Nurseries

Tel: 01473 310604 Magazine Printers & Sponsors: Sponsors of an indoor meeting Sharward Services Ltd,

PO Box 1053, Ipswich IP1 9YL Collins Waste Solutions Tel: 0147 212113 Website: sharward.co.uk Tel: 01473 327596

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3 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018

Summer Birds….. All by Tim Kenny, from top: barn swallow, common tern, female linnet and green sandpiper.

4 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018 TRIP REPORTS from Stephen Marginson

Holbrook Bay—11.3.18

A calm morning with a few drops of rain greeted those who came along to the Holbrook Bay field trip. Spring was underway as we gathered at Stutton Church with the resident songsters such as blackbird, song thrush, robin, wren, dunnock, blue tit, great tit and chaffinch all in song. Snowdrops and the first daffodils were out in the churchyard. Walking down to Holbrook Bay we enjoyed the Yellowhammer. bird song. The meadow adjacent Picture—Chris Courtney to the bank was wet after recent rain and held good numbers of curlews, black-tailed godwits and oystercatchers; the curlews being Upper Hollesley Common—25.4.18 in smart spring plumage before heading off to breeding areas. A couple of Cool conditions were the feature of the godwits also showed signs of the evening trip to this area of Sandling reddish summer plumage which will soon Heath. A large area of conifers has been adorn them. From below the bank the cleared over the winter leaving bare ‘chuddles’ of Brent geese were audible. ground which in time will revert to heather Once on the bank about 400 of them heath. Several areas are being treated were feeding on the mud as the tide like this under a forest enterprise scheme receded. With them were dunlins, in co-operation with the Wildlife redshanks and more curlews and black Trust. At the moment the areas cleared -tailed godwits. Noticeable by their are of little wildlife value but this will absence were lapwing, which had change as the areas revert back to already departed for their breeding areas. heather heath. The Mini-beast from the Around 120 common gulls were also East has ravaged ground nesting bird seen, a pre-dispersal gathering before populations such as those that occur on heading off north. Out in the river a few the and there were no goldeneyes were noted. Grey plover, sightings or calls from Dartford meadow pipit, skylark and reed warblers. A couple of woodlarks were bunting were also along the bank. An heard and one was viewed for a short enjoyable morning's birdwatching in this while. A yellowhammer was also heard excellent area for birds and with the and noted. Other birds were difficult to magnificent backdrop of the Royal find but great tit, blue tit and coal tit all Hospital School. seem to have survived in good numbers. Summer songsters were few and far (Continued on page6 )

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(Continued from page5 ) finished off an enjoyable evening watching and listening to a reed warbler between due to the chilly spring so far down by the ponds in Bobbitts Lane with chiffchaff and blackcap the only meadow. ones seen. The flock of crossbills which are regularly seen in the area we walked Springs SWT—16.5.18 round also kept well out of the way of the RSPB Ipswich Group trip. An enjoyable The best bird of the evening was as we evening in an area of precious habitat returned to the car park. A hobby flew despite the lack of birds. over the reserve enroute to the Sandling heaths across the Deben from it’s feeding Kiln Meadow and Spring Wood—2.5.18 areas. This fine falcon was a welcome sight on a cool evening dominated by a The sun came out as we met in the chill north westerly wind. Most birds were Bobbitts Lane car park for a walk round therefore taking shelter and were Spring Wood and Kiln Lane meadows generally subdued in song. A couple of and we enjoyed a lovely sunny spring bursts of song from two or three evenings wander. The birdlife was not nightingales were heard but none of the that great with only chiffchaff, blackcap birds were located. A cuckoo was also and whitethroat noted of the summer heard briefly. The turtle doves which are visitors. Due to the recent cold and wet on the reserve neither called or showed, weather it is likely the nightingales have no doubt due to the cool conditions. yet to return as none were heard. Blackcap and chiffchaff were noted in Several have been passing though good numbers along with the resident Landguard recently enroute to breeding song birds such as blackbird, robin, areas such as Kiln Meadow. Willow woodpeckers and members of the tit warblers now seem to have vacated this family. Goldcrests were also seen and area as they have done much of eastern heard from trees clad in thick ivy. As we Suffolk, as none were seen or heard. returned, a pair of jays were raiding a Their musical song will be sorely missed. blackbird’s nest with the female Otherwise it was much the usual fayre of blackbird dislodged by the noisy common woodland birds such as blue tit, screeches of these colourful members of great tit, robin, wren, blackbird, song the crow family. Swallows and swifts thrush and wood pigeon. What was were flying over Newbourne Village along lacking in the birdlife was made up for by with herring and lesser black-backed the flora with an dazzling display of gulls. Wild flowers were also out in bluebells in Spring Wood sparkling in the profusion with bluebell, yellow evening sunshine with the rays of archangel, Herb Robert, red campion, sunshine mixing with patches of shade to lesser stitchwort, field speedwell, give that incredible mosaic of light and bugle, cuckoo flower and Ragged shade which makes a bluebell wood. The Robin amongst those seen. Altogether bluebells had a supporting cast of an enjoyable evening on this superb yellow archangel, wood anemone, reserve despite the cool conditions. wood spurge, garlic ransoms and dog’s mercury in the wood. A few of the summer meadow flowers were beginning to show in Kiln Lane Meadow. We (Continued on page7 )

6 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018 (Continued from page6 )

Bromeswell SWT Reserve— 23.5.18

This was the first visit by the group to this Reserve situated on the outskirts of Bromeswell Village. The reserve consists of two main areas, on the north side of Common Lane woodland, Yellow wagtail. Picture—Chris Courtney scrubland and two meadow areas and on the south side extensive reedbed and meadow adjacent to the River Deben. With many birds nesting Purdis Heath—6.6.18 the level of bird song is diminishing so at times it was fairly quiet and with the thick A warm evening greeted the group that foliage it was difficult to locate several of came along to this remaining piece of the birds but blackbird and song thrush Sandling Heath near Ipswich. Whilst the were in full song throughout the reserve. amount of birdsong had decreased as Chiffchaff, blackcap, and lesser this was early June, the following whitethroat were also heard in the warblers were noted: willow warbler, woodland area, along with goldcrest, chiffchaff, garden warbler, lesser blue tit and other common woodland whitethroat and whitethroat. The birds. The effects of drought, largely willow warbler is now a rare bird in caused by large amounts of water being eastern Suffolk as its range has moved drawn out of the underground aquifers for west and north in the UK. It was, agricultural purposes, were noted in therefore, good to hear this great several parts of the reserve. A songster with its descending musical nightingale made brief song bursts from song. Good views were had of a garden a thicket by the road. Reed warbler, warbler singing which is often not the sedge warbler and a very loud Cetti’s case as these little brown jobs flit around warbler were noted in the reedbed areas. in dense scrub and undergrowth. After exploring the reserve we moved on Blackcap and chiffchaff were both to the River Deben at Melton to check for heard in full song and seen. The other any over-summering waders. A few summer songster of this area, the oystercatchers were present along with nightingale, was only heard briefly as shelduck and mute swan and the was the cuckoo. Six male nightingales resident gulls, but little else. Swallows graced this site and were heard and swifts were seen overhead. Dusk throughout the day up until the end of was coming on as we headed back to the May. Blue tits, great tits and car park after an enjoyable evening's birding. (Continued on page8 )

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(Continued from page7 ) Jupiter. Through a telescope we were able to see Jupiter and spot five of its long-tailed tits had all hatched young moons surrounding the planet, an and we were accompanied throughout by amazing and unusual sight for those the calls of these young birds up in the present. Other birds noted included trees feeding on aphids and caterpillars. yellowhammer, curlew, hobby, kestrel, It was noted that many of the trees on redstart, mistle thrush and two the site are not in good health with oak, Dartford warblers. The Dartford ash and chestnut all being affected by warblers were on an area of cut bracken disease and other trees possibly and had not previously been seen on the suffering from the effects of drought and heath this spring, so this was a good high UV levels. The tree canopy could be sighting. Tawny owls were also heard badly affected, as with many other calling at dusk from the forested areas. places, in the next five years or so, which As we left the heath at 11.00 p.m. it was will change the whole balance of the still light in the north-west, with the biodiversity of this important site. The longest day only two days away. One of area could also be surrounded by the best evenings ever for nightjars and potential housing development which the beauty of the summer twilight. may seriously affect its status. Whilst the site is an SSSI, this does not give any Landguard Reserve—20.6.18 protection to adjoining or boundary areas so one could end up with Purdis Heath Another beautiful evening allowed those SSSI surrounded by housing, not quite who came along to enjoy the trip to this what the SSSI system is meant to allow well known vegetated shingle spit on the but is one of its downsides. south tip of Suffolk. We concentrated on the south end of the common where Upper Hollesley Common—19.6.18 most birds were. As we arrived, lesser whitethroat and whitethroat were heard A beautiful warm evening greeted those calling from the bird observatory who came along to the meeting at compound, the latter being seen later on Hollesley Common to listen and view the in its song flight from the bramble nightjars which summer on the heath. bushes. The resident linnets, We were not disappointed as there were dunnocks, goldfinches and blackbirds at least five churring males, one of which were also present. Out on the common a showed for long periods on the top of a male wheatear was noted, this bird conifer tree. These birds of the night probably being a non-breeder together were at their very best in the ideal with ringed plover and an conditions on the evening, with long oystercatcher. The former have bred in periods of churring from the various male the shingle beach area but hatched birds, however, no sightings were made young have been predated by the local of the female birds. What an evening it kestrel. Offshore, with the tide receding, was as well, with a beautiful sunset and large numbers of herring gulls and twilight, with the orange hues of the lesser-black backed gulls were summer twilight lighting up the trees and assembled. Along with them were two forest in spectacular fashion. As dusk Sandwich terns, four common terns fell we were able to view a beautiful half and two Mediterranean gulls. Further moon along with the planets Venus and (Continued on page9 ) 8 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018 (Continued from page8 ) kestrel, buzzard and sparrowhawk, the latter two soaring in the thermals in the out four gannets were heading south hot sun. Parties of swifts screamed together with swift and swallow. round the village and juvenile swallows Previous years have seen a spectacular and house martins were also seen display of flowers on the common but with around the churchyard and village. Other the severe drought this was not the case birds noted included the common garden with most flowers being stunted or birds and finches with several charms of withering before flowering. Despite this goldfinch. The rooks which nest in the flowers noted included vipers bugloss, rookery in the trees surrounding the heath bedstraw, lady's bedstraw, rest church were out in the meadows in family harrow, St. John's wort, sea kale, groups along with jackdaws. In the bladder campion and one flower of the churchyard ringlet, meadow brown, nationally rare sea pea. small copper and red admiral butterflies were present amongst others. Cotton—15.7.18 A wealth of wildflowers were in the churchyard and along the lanes, although A very hot day greeted those who came many were suffering from the effects of along to Cotton with temperatures soaring drought. This effect was also visible above 30oC so we decided to explore the along the hedgerows and on some of the nature of Cotton churchyard and take a trees. As we returned to the churchyard short walk round the village. Birds of the the cows were being moved from the day were the spotted flycatcher in the fields to the milking sheds at the dairy churchyard, that was actively feeding and farm, one of only a few left in . calling and a red kite which was soaring A very enjoyable couple of hours over the village in spectacular fashion. exploring the wildlife in and around one of Other birds of prey noted included many beautiful churchyards in Suffolk.

Did you know that …………..

Some of the material in this magazine is not original but has appeared elsewhere. For example: the trip reports appear on our website, the Minsmere Diaries are sent to those who volunteer on that reserve, some of the material from the Stour Valley or Flatford Wildlife Garden may have appeared in newsletters or other local news publications, the diary pages can be found on your programme and the Rare Bird News is available to subscribers to Birdline East Anglia.

I would dearly love to have more original material and not have to rely on re-cycled items. However this would mean more members getting busy with their pens/keyboards. It does not have to be long, just tell us about an interesting place that others may like to visit, your favourite birding experience, a memorable birding holiday, in fact anything that may interest members. Photographs are always welcome too.

At the moment contributors a ‘select’ few and we would love to have more join us. I am always happy to give advice and support. Pat

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Keep and eye out………

During inclement weather many birds, usually seen at sea in winter, can be found in sheltered waters. Good places to look are estuaries and bodies of water near the coast, but sometimes shelter is sought in quite urban environments.

I remember seeing my first great northern diver in the Wet Dock in Ipswich, and more recently goosanders have frequented the Wilderness Pond in Christchurch Park.

So I should not have been surprised to see these long- tailed ducks in a pool close to the centre of the city of Kirkwall on Mainland Orkney. The stretch of water was about twice the size of the Round Pond in Christchurch Park and partly surrounded by buildings. The police, bus and fire stations were immediately adjacent, as was a garage, a busy road and the commercial harbour. These pictures were taken by Barry without the aid of a telephoto lens, with just a simple ‘point and shoot camera.’

The long-tailed ducks, and there were several, were accompanied by red-breasted mergansers, wigeon and tufted ducks. I am very fond of long-tailed ducks; especially the males in winter plumage, so it was nice to have such close views rather than, which is usually the case, a long way out to sea. Patricia Hall

10 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018 MINSMERE DIARIES

Early March

When the snow eventually cleared, things quickly returned to normal, with the two red-head smews, five whooper swans, glaucous gull and 40,000 starlings all still present.

It wasn’t long before spring arrived though in the shape of avocets and Mediterranean gulls Garganey: Picture—Chris Courtney returning to the Scrape. By Friday counts of both were in double figures, and with warmer weather dead birds along our coast. Charles set to continue they should be here to Cuthbert and Steve Piotrowski have both stay. In fact, keep your eyes and ears made counts, with a wide variety of open this week as we can expect the first species reported. There will be more chiffchaffs, wheatears and garganeys details once Steve has compiled the data. very soon. Other evidence of spring It’s likely these birds were trying to included booming bitterns around Island escape the cold weather on the continent Mere, marsh harriers nest-building in the but were too weak to make it all the way reedbed, adders around the Adder Trail across the North Sea. and North Bushes, daffodils behind the Visitor Centre, and a carpet of Finally, some of you have been asking snowdrops around the Sluice bushes. where our livestock are at the moment. Other wildlife highlights this week The best place to see the koniks is on included siskins and lesser redpolls the Chapel Field, with the Highland around the Rhododendron Tunnel, otters cattle. Other koniks are at North Warren at Island Mere, Bittern Hide and North and . There are also three Hide, a very showy woodcock at Bittern Exmoor ponies alongside the entrance Hide on Wednesday, great crested road when coming in via the Westleton- grebes returning to Island Mere, Dunwich road. oystercatchers and both yellow-legged and Caspian gulls on the Scrape. One of Late March the latter was a returning bird, ringed as a chick in Ukraine and subsequently seen We thought we had seen the worst of the in Holland, Belgium and the UK, including weather weeks ago, so last weekend’s here at Minsmere on exactly the same sudden return to freezing temperatures date last year. has caused some concern for the wildlife. There have been lots of reports of birds Sadly, one impact of the cold weather perishing in the cold, and guides have was the discovery of large numbers of (Continued on page12 ) 11 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018

(Continued from page11 ) now around 5:30 p.m. and continue to be hunted by sparrowhawk, peregrine and found a lot of evidence of wings and barn owl. A ringtail hen harrier has also whole dead birds along the beach, been seen in the North Marsh this week. including woodcock, guillemot, gannet, teal and starling. April Fools’ Day

In more positive news we’ve seen a big With the start of the Easter holidays, influx of black redstarts and firecrest to we’re all geared up for the Wild Things at the reserve this week, as well as a long- Easter activities. Stars of this week have eared owl in the North Bushes, common been some very showy firecrests around crossbills over Whin Hill and the first the Sluice bushes, Rhododendron Tunnel stone curlews arriving back and South Belt on the heath. The first Sandwich tern crossroads, and some not so showy jack has also arrived on the Scrape. A bit snipe at North Hide. The first swallow more of a variety of birds have been was seen on Saturday. found this week, including juvenile shags Avocets, Mediterranean and black- offshore, chiffchaffs in the headed gulls have been establishing Rhododendron Tunnel, a drake territories on the Scrape islands, and gargeney on the Scrape, spoonbills lapwings have begun to choose nest flying over and a sand martin flying sites on the North Scrape. through sleet and gale force winds. The glossy ibis remains at Eastbridge, and Bitterns continue to boom from all across the ringed Ukrainian Caspian gull has the reedbed, and marsh harriers can be relocated to North Warren keeping with seen carrying nesting material from it’s schedule from last year! Bittern Hide. Goosander and bearded tits have also been seen There’s been a large movement of down on the Mere this week. Otters Mediterranean gulls around the Scrape have been seen at Island Mere and and heading north, and it was great to attempting to cross the North Wall (but see double-figures of avocets there too, were prevented by an angry mute swan). a good sign for the coming spring. Ringed and grey plovers have been A pair of stoats have been seen hunting exploring South and East Scrape, by Island Mere, could this be the return of alongside snipe, black tailed godwit, the Terminator? Red deer have also dunlin and a dozen knot. A single ruff been seen on the heath and at Bittern has also been on east scrape this week. Hide.

Signage is out on the Adder Trail, with The two red-head smews have also been ‘Victory’ showing well before the seen around the Scrape, with one of the temperature dropped. Peacock and pair beginning to turn white, so suspected brimstone butterflies were also seen to be a male. Pintail have joined the along the Trail last week. regular collection of Scrape ducks, with more shelducks appearing on the North Marsh harrier surveys are being carried Wall looking for rabbit holes to nest in. out during the afternoons. The starlings continue to murmurate of an evening, (Continued on page13 )

12 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018 (Continued from page12 ) Willow warbler. Picture—Chris Courtney A pair of harbour porpoise have been seen offshore, with reports of pilot whales nearby at Pakefield (although suspected as a too-early April Fools’). 13 April

A busy Easter week of visitors and families taking part in activities, helped by the improving weather. The long running starling display is now over as they return to their breeding grounds in Russia and Eastern Europe, although our own UK contingent of around 30 have Common curlew and shelduck are on been seen doing their best to entertain the field by the North Wall where black around 9.00 p.m. Replacing them is a redstarts have also been seen this week. swarm of sand martins who have Swallows and sedge warblers have already begun to settle into the burrows both been seen across the reserve this at the pond, showing the success of the week. Ring ouzels have been seen on landscaping accomplished by the digger the South Levels and on Westleton last autumn. Heath, as well as wheatear and

woodlark. A glaucous gull has been A pretty male brambling has been seen seen on the sluice outflow along with visiting the visitor centre feeders, along grey seals, and porpoise have also with reed buntings. With thanks to a been spotted offshore with both red- visiting entomologist we identified a throated and black-throated divers. colony of Clark’s mining bees (Andrena clarkella) emerging from the soil banks 28 April near the Visitor Centre and both brimstone and peacock butterflies Spring has sprung and the reserve is have been seen this week. alive with song and colour. Primroses and cowslips can be found along the More than 30 avocets have arrived on woodland trails, where brimstone, the scrape with a similar number of green-veined whites and speckled Mediterranean gulls. Lapwings have wood butterflies can be found making started to sit on North Scrape where the most of the sunshine. Chiffchaff, common snipe and jack snipe have willow warbler, blackcap and garden been seen this week. Blackcap and warbler can all be heard from the chiffchaff are singing wonderfully from North Bushes through to the the North Bushes, joining the song of Rhododendron Tunnel near Island robin, dunnocks and wren. Stone Mere. Sand martins, swifts and curlews have begun to arrive around the swallows are constantly overhead, with heath but not on the North Wall yet. (Continued on page14 ) 13 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018

(Continued from page13 ) 12 May the former busily excavating new holes in This week has seen the first good sightings of lots of hairy dragonflies, the sand bank. four-spotted chasers and common On the Scrape it isn’t possible to ignore blue damselflies. Turtle doves have over 1,500 pairs of black-headed gulls, been heard purring and seen at Island with around 300 Mediterranean gulls Mere and the North Bushes, and we’ve roosting in the evening and more than had flyovers of spoonbills, honey 120 avocets, 175 Sandwich terns and buzzard and osprey. around 30 common terns. Spotted redshanks, greenshanks, bar and A little gull has joined little terns on black-tailed godwits, ringed plovers, South Scrape, along with bar-tailed turnstone and a spoonbill have also godwits, grey plovers, common been seen around the Scrape this week. sandpiper, kittiwakes and There was some excitement today as a common terns. More than 120 avocets pod of five dolphins were spotted are on East and West Scrapes, along offshore, we’re still trying to establish the with the raucous black-headed and species from the distant photos, possibly Mediterranean gulls. The dapper drake white-beaked dolphins, but certainly garganey has proven elusive but larger than the harbour porpoise we sometimes found on North Scrape. normally see. The Savi’s warbler continues to be seen Nightingales and turtle doves have and heard at Island Mere, whilst the returned to Westleton Heath, heard sticklebacks can be seen courting under the ramp into the hide. Bearded calling on the approach to the deer rut viewpoint. Dartford warblers and tits have also been seen at the Mere, at woodlarks have also been seen and Bittern Hide and on the North Wall. heard in good numbers. The Savi’s warbler remains at Island Mere, calling Around eight or nine hobbies have been intermittently through the day, and seen zipping through the reedbed, whilst grasshopper warblers, with their sand martins, swifts and swallows can distinctive ‘reeling’ call, have been heard be seen overheard most days. The around the North Wall and behind dawn chorus walk today found lots of Wildlife Lookout hide. Cetti’s warblers different warblers, cuckoo, bittern and a seem to have fared poorly across East badger. Stoats have been seen around Anglia in the cold weather, with only a the Discovery Centre and the car park, few heard in our marshes and mostly whilst tiny bunnies can be seen all over around Eastbridge and Island Mere. Whin Hill with the green woodpeckers. Bitterns continue to boom across the reserve, though it has become noticeably The oddest sighting this week has to be quieter which suggests some have Rocky the Amazon parrot, an escapee already mated. Bearded tits have been from who was seen pursuing showing well at Island Mere, where reed geese around the North Wall, if seen and sedge warblers have also been in again please let us know so we can get full song. Cuckoos have been heard in touch with the owners. calling at Island Mere too. (Continued on page15 ) 14 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018 (Continued from page14 ) woodpecker nesting at the crossroads which was infamously raided on 27 May Springwatch a few years back.

The pitter-patter of tiny feet have been 3 June heard this week as the first black- headed gull and avocet chicks Highlights this week include red-backed appeared. The first goslings, cygnets shrike, honey buzzard, purple heron and ducklings have also been seen on and spoonbills. The shrike and purple the Scrape. Bitterns and marsh heron haunt the reserve, providing harriers are making regular feeding fleeting glimpses to a lucky few but flights so we can safely assume they otherwise being invisible. The honey have had successful nests too. buzzard coasted over Whin Hill at lunchtime on Sunday and spoonbills Highlights this week include a red- have appeared around the Scrape backed shrike that has haunted the several times this week. Eastbridge footpath and appeared in front of Bittern Hide on Thursday Avocet chicks are still present on South morning, a pair of black terns that drifted and East Scrapes, potentially as the in to Island Mere on Saturday, a brief lesser black-backed gulls have been view of a wood sandpiper over the targeting black-headed gull chicks South Levels and a great white egret on instead. Ruff and knot have also been the East Scrape. seen on East Scrape, lapwings, a bittern and redshank on North Scrape. Despite a couple of wet and foggy days Bitterns and marsh harriers have been this week the warmer weather has showing well at Bittern and Island Mere brought out a lot of invertebrates hides, making regular feeding flights. including: cockchafer beetles, green Bearded tits have been a bit more hairstreak butterflies, broad-bordered visible around the Konik field and Bittern bee hawkmoths, Norfolk hawker Hide too. dragonflies and lots of common blue damselflies mating on the pond. The pond has been one of the best places to be this week – grass snakes, The water voles have started to be seen water voles, sand martins, numerous more regularly on the pond, where damselflies and dragonflies, newts and dragonflies have started to emerge and lizards. the newts have been seen hoovering up flies from the surface. Lots of cuckoos have been seen around North Wall and Island Mere, where reed Chinese water deer have been seen by and sedge warblers can still be heard. the Sluice and around the Konik Field, The Savi’s warbler continues to be seen unusual as normally they stay south of at Island Mere too, even being heard the Sluice. Stoats have been regularly from the top of Whin Hill. seen by the Discovery Centre and Bittern Hide, we’ll see what antics they get up to this year – eyes on the green (Continued on page16 )

15 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018

(Continued from page15 )

It’s been a great week for invertebrates around the reserve, including the first wasps in Digger Alley, a very early pantaloon bee, brown argus and common blue butterfly, diving beetle larvae and lots of hairy caterpillars, including tiger moth ‘woolly bears’.

17 June

Highlights this week include a wood sandpiper on the Konik Field, a raft of more than a thousand common scoter offshore and an amazing count of 60 Norfolk hawkers on the reserve. Blue tit. Picture—Alan Baldry

For visitors the star attractions this week have been the bitterns, hobbies and As we near July the section of the North bearded tits. Most days have rewarded Wall known as ‘Digger Alley’ for its people in Bittern Hide and Island Mere population of digger wasps, has also with great views of bitterns flying seen an increase in activity: spindly between nest sites and feeding grounds, sand wasps clutching their caterpillar and many have also watched them prey, ornate-tailed digger wasps stalking in front of the hides hunting fish. hunting for weevils and the unmistakable Hobbies have been overhead across the shrill buzz of the adorable green-eyed reserve, either snatching dragonflies from flower bees. Very soon the famous bee- the tree canopy, swooping at warblers in wolves and pantaloon bees will also the reedbeds or pursuing the swarm of emerge from their burrows. sand martins over the pond. One family of bearded tits showed very well this On the Scrape the black-tailed godwits week as six young were attended by their have begun dispersing after peaking at parents on the North Wall, while adult around 600 birds, and there’s been a can be seen zipping through the reeds to slight increase in the number of spotted bring food back to their nests. redshanks and knot. The chicks of Mediterranean gulls, black-headed The warm and wet weather has not only gulls and avocets have started exploring meant a dramatic growth in the the shallow water. A survey of the sand vegetation around the reserve, but has martin burrows identified 347 holes in also created a bounty of emerging use, a record count for the reserve. insects including cinnabar moths, blue-tailed damselflies and speckled 23 June wood butterflies. Guides Derek and Phil not only recorded the huge amount Highlights this week include a mass of of Norfolk hawkers but also identified a insects (some appreciated more than yellow-winged darter on the beach. (Continued on page17 ) 16 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018 (Continued from page16 ) with some second year birds also present. Both common gulls and little others) spoonbills and hobbies. Two gulls have also been seen on South spoonbills have been seen several Scrape, where common tern, Sandwich times this week preening on the scrape or tern and the occasional little tern have walking the levels (best seen from the also been reported. Whin Hill viewpoint). At least four hobbies were close in front of Bittern Bearded tits have been seen feeding Hide demonstrating their prowess at young along North Wall and an otter was plucking four-spotted and broad-bodied fishing in the pool close to the Sluice this chasers from the air. week. Bitterns continue to be seen from Bittern Hide and Island Mere bringing There was excitement today with the food into nest sites and marsh harriers potential first reserve record of a dark have been hunting across the levels and green fritillary butterfly seen on over North Wall. A visitor reported a bracken at the top of Whin Hill. Although Cetti’s warbler calling from North Hide a nationally widespread species, there on Friday, so hopefully we’ll be able to are very few records for Suffolk in the 20th confirm this soon, whilst Savi’s warbler Century and no confirmed Suffolk continues to show and be heard from sightings since the 1950s. Island Mere.

Anyone visiting the beach this week can’t 5 July have failed to notice the pollen beetles – tiny black ovals that enjoy swarming over This week’s highlights include honey everything and everyone, and although buzzard, a dazzling array of insects and they don’t bite are still a nuisance. A close encounters with otters. more pleasant appearance were the first pantaloon bees, a growing number of Four bee-eaters were seen early on bee wolves, leaf-cutter bees doing Thursday morning from Island Mere, exactly what their name suggests, before heading for the coast – could and a pointy-bum bee (shiny-vented Digger Alley tempt them to stay? sharp-tailed bee, a cuckoo bee that lays eggs in leaf-cutter bee tunnels) all seen The honey buzzard was spotted over the on the North Wall. woodland trail and has been reported around the heath for the last month. Also Numbers of black-tailed godwits have a wander along the woodland trail has varied between 200 and 400 birds across been fantastic for spotting silver-washed the Scrape, and Project Godwit which fritillary, purple hairstreak and white have been striving to improve the number admiral butterflies. of these birds breeding in the UK have asked for your sightings of ringed birds to Visitors and guides have reported otters be reported to them via their website crossing the North Wall and the path www.projectgodwit.org.uk Around 120 between the Wildlife Lookout and the avocets are also spread across the crossroads, seemingly unfazed by how Scrape with many on nests, 40 or so close they came to people. Red deer Mediterranean gulls are feeding young (Continued on page18 )

17 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018

(Continued from page17 ) A passing little stint has been spotted on and foxes have also been reported along East Scrape with several dunlin, ruff, the woodland trails this week, as well as oystercatcher, lapwing and ringed another batch of extremely tiny rabbits. plovers. Spotted redshanks peaked at Turtle doves were seen this week 19, with green and common around the Discovery Centre and sandpipers, knot and greenshank also overflow car park, as well as purring from feeding in the shallows. the Springwatch balcony. A female pintail caused a bit of The influx of black-tailed godwits on excitement as she paraded a duckling their passage migration has now waned around East Scrape; pintail are as birds depart on the next leg south, very rare breeders in the UK, preferring many of which are non-breeding young Iceland or northern Europe. Both from last year. Spotted redshanks have whimbrel and curlew have also been increased to 19, with ruff, dunlin and seen around East Scrape, with an ringed plovers also around the Scrape. occasional spotting of spoonbills this A black tern (second calendar year) and week. an Arctic tern have been seen among the Sandwich, common and little terns South Scrape has seen the highest on South Scrape. Seven spoonbills numbers of avocets, kittiwake, common have been enjoying the pools beyond and Sandwich terns. Up to 50 little Island Mere, so best seen with a scope gulls have also been along the long from Whin Hill, as well as occasionally island in the centre of the Scrape, where loitering in front of East Hide. Arctic and roseate tern have also been Another big week of insects, with at least seen. 1,000 silver Y moths spotted on Dingle Marshes, several hundred here at The honey buzzard is showing daily over Minsmere, as well as 27 silver-washed Whin Hill, normally in late morning, but it fritillaries, almost as many white was the appearance of a golden eagle admirals, purple hairstreaks, comma, that caused a lot of excitement to the bird peacock, small tortoiseshells and ringers on Thursday (they needed a whites. Brown, Norfolk and southern bigger net!). ‘Stan’ the golden eagle flew hawkers have been seen around the over the Woodland Trail; sadly a captive Woodland Trail and Whin Hill, as well as bird that escaped a couple of years ago some stunning emperor dragonflies by from Coddenham, though sightings of him the pond and the trail to South Hide. The have been infrequent considering the size Suffolk Wildlife Trust site at Carlton of him. Marshes had a UK first this week of a yellow-spotted emerald dragonfly; who The Woodland Trail has been the place to knows what may turn up in the area next! be for butterflies and dragonflies, with silver-washed fritillaries and white 15 July admirals continuing to bask in the dappled sunlight among the bramble This week’s highlights include little stint, bushes. Digger Alley has extended with a large escapee and creepy screaming around 100 beewolf burrows and around slugs. (Continued on page19 )

18 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018 (Continued from page18 ) plover, grey plover, golden plover, spotted redshank, redshank, snipe, two dozen pantaloon bee burrows, plus black-tailed godwit, bar-tailed godwit, their assorted fellow digger wasps and avocet, green sandpiper, curlew solitary bees. A large colony of sandpiper, common sandpiper, pantaloon bees can also be seen on the lapwing, oystercatcher and southern face of the closest earth bank to greenshank. Little tern, Arctic tern, the visitor centre in the car park, which it Sandwich tern and common tern are shares with an as yet unidentified mining regularly flying in to South Scrape, as well bee. as a black tern and roseate tern, with increasing numbers of kittiwake and Last but not least a true monster of the little gulls. Spoonbills have reserve continues to appear on the occasionally been seen on East Scrape, footpath to South Hide – great silver but for such large birds, have been diving beetle larvae (screaming grey difficult to spot over the reserve. slugs!). With grey bodies, large pincers and a hunger for snails, they have a Speaking of large birds, honey buzzard special ability to vomit an acid that melts and golden eagle have both been seen snail shell – so best not to pick up. again this week around Eastbridge and the access roads. Marsh harriers and 20 July hobbies continue to demonstrate hunting prowess at Bittern Hide, while a lucky few A great week for seeing turtle doves have seen otters and bitterns at Island around the reserve, with several reports Mere this weekend. of ‘purring’ birds around the Work Centre, Discovery Centre, and car park with one Bearded tits have been seen along turtle dove showing very well in the North Wall and at Island Mere, with North Bushes as it preened in the top of hundreds of sand martins overhead the trees. Having suffered such a feeding up before their long migration dramatic decline in the last century it’s begins. always a pleasure to see or hear these birds. A correction from last week’s sightings report that the golden eagle seen, and The Big Butterfly Count has begun, you sighted repeatedly this week, is an can download an ID sheet and get immature bird and not ‘Stan’ as we counting with Butterfly Conservation. thought. We still believe it to be an Phil and Derek have found an impressive escapee but not aware of any other 1,095 butterflies including 22 species missing birds in the area. around the reserve, and silver-washed fritillaries, white admirals and purple Reproduced (with permission) from the hairstreaks continue to show very well Volunteers’ Newsletter. on the Woodland Trail.

The Scrape remains a hub of activity, with increasing numbers of wading birds: knot, ruff, little ringed plover, ringed

19 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018

BIRDWATCHING BY BOAT from Richard Stewart uffolk is a coastal county which realising this species can be seen all year S means that rivers flowing to the sea along these shores. Presumably there is create estuaries attracting many birds, but an abundance of their main feeding plant, also often wide and deep enough for river Zostera, also known as eel grass. We cruises. This is birdwatching in luxury saw grey herons, common terns, and my wife and I have mainly shelduck, great-crested grebe, little experienced this along the . egrets, redshank, oystercatchers, cormorants, mute swans, carrion Some years ago there was a specialised crows, pied wagtail, plus herring and evening cruise with expert commentary black-headed gulls. However most from Philip Murphy and Bob Markham on sightings were distant through binoculars the wildlife and geology. Our highlights and at some points the Orwell is over a were seeing two peregrine falcons on a mile wide while using a telescope on a pillar of the Orwell bridge and a buzzard moving boat isn't particularly easy. over Levington marina, at a time when buzzards were still relatively rare in Other rivers offer cruises, including boats Suffolk. leaving from Woodbridge and Waldringfield to explore the Deben, a Nowadays the Orwell Lady has more river devoid of large vessels. Here both general trips from Orwell Quay at Ipswich bar-tailed and black-tailed godwits can Waterfront and in May 2018 my wife and I be seen and boats also leave from Orford went on a three and a half hour journey and Snape Maltings to explore the Ore right down the estuary and as far as and Alde, with flocks of avocets a Harwich waterfront, carefully booking one possibility. without any music. The commentary was good but virtually devoid of any wildlife However, to my knowledge there is at observations, no mention of the bridge least one boat still offering birdwatching peregrine falcons or any of the nature trips. These are along the river Stour, reserves we passed, misidentifying a leaving from Ha'Penny Pier at Harwich heron as an egret but at least a and described as Birds by Barge. These cormorant was correctly described. On trips are more expensive than those our way out we passed hundreds of feral previously mentioned but include pigeons attracted to a grain ship and refreshments on the four hour trip and an realised just why peregrine falcons often expert commentary. To give an idea of hunt in this area. Eight oystercatchers just what could be seen look back to flying just in front of the boat gave a good Stephen Marginson's account of the opportunity to admire their bright plumage estuarine birds seen in the Manningtree but the main attraction was on the return and Mistley area last winter (Orwell journey. About 70 Brent geese were Observer April 2018) including over a spread out along the thousand black-tailed godwits. These shoreline. I am used to winter flocks, trips are in winter, with ten departures having often seen them close up during listed between November and January, my years living in a riverside cottage at so hopefully a similar itinerary will be Nacton. However I had to consult the available in the future. annual Suffolk Birds report before (Continued on page21 )

20 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018 (Continued from page20 )

Editor’s note:

Still interested in a river trip and want to go further afield? At the time of writing in July 2018 trips were still available on the Boston Belle departing from Boston, sailing downstream along the river and out onto The Wash. Check these websites for 2019. http://www.southhollandcentre.co.uk/whats-on/view/rspb-boat-cruise3 or https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/events/

RSPB SUTTON FEN (near Catfield on the Norfolk Broads) from Patricia Hall he Guardian called Sutton Fen The reserve is also the home of the fen T ‘Britain’s Forgotten Wilderness’ back mason wasp. A solitary wasp that in 2007 after it was bought by the RSPB. makes its home in banks which are dry It comprises fen, ditches, a few ponds, enough to burrow into, but sticky enough some alder carr and dryer meadows. It to hold the grains of soil together in order is one of the most biodiverse reserves to keep the ‘chimney,’ which is with more threatened and rare species of characteristic of this creature’s home, plant and invertebrates than any other in intact. the region with some being of national and international importance. Only Birds include marsh harrier, hobby, Minsmere can support more species, but kestrel, bittern, bearded tit, common of course there the habitat is more crane, bearded tit, reed bunting, varied. Over ten years later the survey grasshopper, sedge, reed and willow work on this site is still going on – there warblers. is still more to find. Mammals include otter and water vole. Sutton Fen is not normally open to the public apart from an annual open day, I was lucky enough to visit on a RSPB usually in June. Star species include the volunteers special event, if you get a rare fen orchid, and there are literally chance do visit, or better still sign up as a hundreds of these (in fact Sutton and the volunteer and get your own invitation to a nearby Catfield Fen support over 90 special event. percent of the UK population) marsh orchid, the carnivorous greater and Would you like to see your lesser bladderworts, variable name here? damselfly, swallowtail butterfly, Norfolk hawker, milk parsley, greater To find out how to sponsor our water parsnip, tubular water-dropwort, newsletter or an indoor meeting please e-mail; cowbane, bog myrtle amongst many, many others. [email protected]

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NEWS FROM LAKENHEATH FEN - from Katherine Puttick

ello and welcome to the H latest news from a very hot, dry and sunny Lakenheath Fen! We are really feeling the effects of a hot dry summer. It must be at least eight weeks since we’ve had any meaningful rainfall, and water levels across the reserve are dropping quite drastically. The reserve is currently full of fish, and it’s hard not to notice all the tiny fry around the sluices – no wonder grebes and bitterns are doing well (see breeding birds)! Photo by Karen Roe Hopefully the low water levels won’t affect them, but if this dry weather Our dedicated photography station, keeps up for much longer, we could end mentioned in the last newsletter, is finally up losing a lot of fish. We need some finished! It is being well used by keen rain!!! photographers, but still causes a bit of confusion for some non-photographers Reserve management who wonder why the seats are so low and As always, it’s a constant battle with un-movable! Other tasks have involved vegetation at this time of year. Even with replacing and installing some new it being so dry, the grass keeps growing, benches, improving kids activities around paths still need mowing and viewpoints Brandon Fen, and lots of fencing. need strimming. We’ve kept on top of it much better this year though, particularly Breeding birds – Cranes – It has been a as we have several very keen volunteers bit of a mixed year for cranes. One pair who love nothing better than heading out have nested and have fledged one chick. either with a brushcutter or the quad and However, they also have a second chick, mower and doing a bit of vegetation which is quite a bit smaller than its sibling bashing! It all looks good now, though if and still not on the wing. We’re not quite we do get some much needed rain, sure why this has happened or what the everything will take off again!! outcome will be, but currently the family is still sticking together, so watch this It’s not just the visitor trails that need space!! attention though. We’ve also started the annual battle with ragwort, some of Bitterns – It has definitely been a bumper which, despite our best efforts, is still year for bitterns here, with ten boomers quite dense! We are using a combination and at least six nests, most of which have of spot spraying rosettes in early spring now fledged. One nest was conveniently and pulling mature flowering plants now. quite close to Mere hide, and the two Hopefully we’ll see a reduction in the (Continued on page23 ) yellow menace next year! 22 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018 (Continued from page22 ) youngsters have been entertaining visitors to the hide for the last few weeks.

Marsh harriers don’t seem to be having a great year, with only six or seven successful nests. Those that have nested though have had good productivity, with three or four juveniles fledging per nest so far. Final fledging tally is yet to be reported! Grebes are having a really good year, with at least four pairs of little grebe and 11 pairs of great crested grebes.

Other good birds! – The reed cut area in New Fen North attracted a nice flurry of Wasp spider by Tim James waders in May, including up to nine black -tailed godwits, five avocets, several getting a handful of records of these pairs of redshank, greenshank, wood stunning spiders for the past few years, sandpiper, oystercatcher, two dunlin, so hopefully they’ll continue to increase turnstone, and common sandpiper. and spread. With water levels on the river dropping and a nice muddy edge developing on Events the washland, most of the wader activity Bat night was to be seen up there during June and Sat 1 Sept 7pm – 9.15pm July. Up to 65 black-tailed godwits, 32 Adults £10, Children £5 (non-members), little egrets, seven green sandpipers, Adults £8, Children £4 (members) one wood sandpiper, two whimbrel, Autumn star-gazing and five avocets were recorded towards Wed 10 Oct 6pm - late the end of July. Eight back terns passed Adults £10, Children £5 (non-members), through on 24 May. Peak hobby count in Adults £8, Children £4 (members) mid May was 62. Red Kite, honey (Suitable for children aged 8 and above) buzzard, peregrine and osprey were all Race for Wildlife recorded on various dates in May/June. Sun 14 Oct 11am Adults £12, Children under 16 £6. Please Other wildlife – Norfolk hawker was register in advance via recorded on the reserve in June, only the www.wegottickets.com/lakenheath second record for the reserve. A mole caused great excitement one Sunday as For more information about these events and it had found its way into the disabled other events at Lakenheath Fen, please look toilet. Daubenton’s bat has been seen a on the website at www.rspb.org.uk/reserves- few times in June over the visitor centre and-events/reserves-a-z/lakenheath-fen/ , pool. A wasp spider was found on email us at [email protected] or phone grazing marsh at the western end of the the office on 01842 863400. site towards the end of July. We’ve been Hope to see you on the reserve soon!

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Strange but true….. White storks—Picture: Barry Hall The use of satellite tracking to monitor migratory species is now commonplace. However, a environmental group from Poland found this could have unintended consequences after they placed a tracker on a white stork. Eventually the tracker fell off somewhere in Sudan, an enterprising local found it, retrieved the SIM card, put it into their phone and the charity received a bill of over £2,000. and, even stranger but also true…..

Part of the editorial team which assist me in producing this magazine are Tim and Hilary Kenny who carefully scrutinise everything in a quest to remove (or add) punctuation, and detect spelling errors or garbled grammar. One would hope that the following would not have escaped their eagle eyes.

Chris Packham visited RSPB Lakenheath back in July and was reported in the East Anglian Daily Times as saying, ‘...remember coming here in 1986 and it was the one place to see golden orioles in the trees but they have been replaced over the years by marsh harriers, bearded tits and gibbons.’ Please let the editor know if you see one of this last species on your next visit! and, a strange picture from one of our members ……………..

A new species, a great bearded goldfinch, pictured by Mike Fosdick (with help from his dog Django)

24 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018 SIGHTINGS THIS SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER FROM BIRDLINE EAST ANGLIA

Species Location (date and number in brackets) March Parrot crossbill Santon Downham (n29) Coues’ Arctic redpoll Hazelwood Common SWT Black redstart Languard (n6) White-spotted bluethroat Trimley Marshes SWT (18 & 20), Languard NR (19 & 22) Black-crowned night heron Aldeburgh (f31) Glossy ibis Eastbridge, Hopton (3-13) Smew Minsmere RSPB Long-eared owl Minsmere RSPB (21) Black-throated diver Minsmere RSPB (f21) Garganey Snape (6-11) Scaup Lound, Wherstead Shag Glaucous gull Kessingland, Minsmere RSPB Greenland white-fronted Trimley Marshes SWT (n6) goose America bittern Carlton Marshes SWT (f30) April American bittern Carlton Marshes SWT Penduline tit Leathes Ham (2-4) Red-rumped swallow Languard NR (21) Savi’s warbler Minsmere RSPB (f6) Wood warbler Marlsford (22) Glossy ibis Eastbridge & Minsmere RSPB (u19), North Warren RSPB (20) Continued on page 26

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Continued from page 25

Black-crowned night heron Aldeburgh (u3) Green-winged teal Southwold (14) Black-necked grebe Great Livermere (15) Coues’ Arctic redpoll Hazelwood Common SWT (u11), Upper Hollesley Common SWT (6-7) Stone curlew Landguard NR (14)

Glaucous gull Great Barton (24) Iceland gull Great Livermere (28) Black kite Bowbeck (19) Goshawk Aldeburgh (19) May American bittern Carlton Marshes SWT (u16) Red-throated pipit Boyton RSPB (11) Red-spotted bluethroat ♂ Landguard NR (15) Common rosefinch Landguard NR (31) Red-rumped swallows Alton Water (2-3) North Warren RSPB (7), Shingle Street (13), Bawdsey (17), Minsmere RSPB (28), Corton (29) A European bee-eater Bawdsey (23) Purple heron Thorpeness (28)Minsmere RSPB (f29) White-winged tern Lackford SWT (7) Western cattle egret Minsmere RSBP (15 & 30), Languard NR (26), Hollesley RSPB (30) Roseate tern Minsmere RSBP (28) Great reed warbler Lakenheath RSPB (12) Marsh warbler Thorpeness (26-27), Shingle Street, (29), Gunton (28), Lowestoft (28-29) Savi’s warbler Minsmere RSPB Red-backed shrike ♂ Minsmere RSPB (18 & f24)

Continued on page 27

26 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018 Continued from page 26

Black-winged stilt Pipps Ford (30) Dotterel Aldeburgh (9) Temminck’s stint Trimley Marshes SWT (11 & 13), Tinker’s Marsh (31) European honey buzzard Lakenheath RSPB (27), (28), Lowestoft (30), Bungay (30) June Purple heron Minsmere RSPB (u1) Savi’s warbler Minsmere RSPB Western cattle egret Minsmere RSPB (5) Roseate terns Minsmere RSPB (n2) (19) Red-backed shrike Minsmere RSPB (8), Lakenheath RSPB (2) Rose-coloured starling Landguard NR (n2) (2-4) Montagu’s harrier Lakenheath RSPB (9) European honey buzzard Alderton (3), Minsmere RSPB (3 & 5), Dunwich (9), Boyton RSPB (10), Stutton (21) Temminck’s stint Tinker’s Marsh (u1) Glossy ibis Carlton Marshes SWT (10), Botany Marshes (30) Corncrake Bungay (7-9) July Alpine swift Trimley St. Martin (6) Rose-coloured starling Long Melford (15) European bee-eater Minsmere RSPB (n4) (5) Savi’s warbler Minsmere RSPB (n↑2) Roseate tern Minsmere RSPB (n↑2) European honey buzzard Minsmere RSPB, Snape (16), Wickham Market (31) Pectoral sandpiper Gt. Livermere (17) White stork Middleton (n2) (7-8), Hollesley (8) Key: ↑ = up to, n = number, f = from, u = until, pres. = presumed

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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

A W Hart—Builders MIND THE CRUSTACEAN The best band you’ve never heard of! Tel: 01473 680017 Info: Tim Kenny 01394 809236 Sponsors of an indoor meeting Sponsors of an indoor meeting

Mid-Suffolk Fencing Alder Carr Farm

Tel: 01449 721025 Tel: 01449 720820

Sponsors of an indoor meeting Sponsors of an indoor meeting

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

28 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018 What’s On—Dates for your diary for September & 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 18 Sept. Midweek Walk: Holywells Park 10.00 a.m. Stable Block (including Conservation Area). KR off Cliff Lane, TM176432. 11 Oct. Indoor Meeting: ‘Unwrapping Raptors’ 7.30 p.m. Rushmere St. with David Darrell-Lambert Andrew ornithologist & past chair of London Church Hall, The Bird Club. Street, Rushmere IP5 1DH Sponsored by ‘Mind the Crustacean.’ The Best Band You’ve Never Heard Of 14 Oct. Field Meeting: RSPB Hollesley Marsh 10.00 a.m. Car park, Reserve & River Ore for waders & TM370448. autumn birds, 2-3hrs. 2-3miles, walking can be muddy. SM 16 Oct. Midweek Walk: . KR 10.00 a.m. Car park at Vale entrance, TM178419. 8 Nov. Indoor Meeting: ‘A Love Affair with 7.30 p.m. Rushmere St. House Martins’ with Martin Tickler Andrew BTO volunteer and long term birder. Church Hall, The Street, Rushmere Sponsored by Alder Carr Farm, IP5 1DH Needham Market 13 Nov. Midweek Walk: Bourne Bridge area & 10.00 a.m. Bourne Park car park. KR park (Bourne Bridge entrance), TM161419. 17 Nov. Field Meeting: River Deben at Melton 9.30 a.m. Melton Riverside for winter wildfowl & waders, 2-3hrs. car park, 2-3miles, walking can be muddy. SM TM288503. 1 Dec. Field Meeting: Freston, River Orwell 9.30 a.m. Freston Hill upper for winter wildfowl & waders, 2-3hrs. lay-by on B1456, 2-3miles, walking can be muddy. SM TM175400.

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More dates for your diary

13 Dec. Indoor Meeting: Christmas Social 7.30 p.m. Rushmere St. Evening with ‘bring & share’ finger Andrew buffet, plus ’Scotland, Highlands & Church Hall, The Islands’ with Tim Kenny Group Street, Rushmere Leader, world traveller & birder. IP5 1DH 18 Dec. Midweek Walk: Christchurch Park. 10.00 a.m. Meet at Soane KR Street entrance TM165448

If you need to get in touch please Please:- contact:  Submit articles via e-mail in MS Word RSPB HQ, or Publisher. Or if not using MS please The Lodge, Sandy, Beds, SG19 2DL submit files with a .doc, .docx Tel: 01767 680551. or .pub file ending.  For those members without Internet RSPB connection please ring the editor or Eastern England Regional Office, speak to her at a meeting to arrange a Stalham House, 65 Thorpe Road, suitable way to submit your Norwich, NR1 1UD contribution. Tel: 01603 661662  Material will be added to this publication in the order in which it is RSPB Local Group, received. However, whilst all suitable Leader—Tim Kenny material will be included in the Tel: 01394 809236 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 For more news & information log on to received after the magazine is full. the group website on:  Anything which is not completely your own work (including photographs) may www.rspb.org.uk/groups/ipswich be subject to copyright. It is therefore Or find us on Twitter: @IpswichRSPB your responsibility to obtain the and on Facebook: RSPB Ipswich Local necessary permission and Group acknowledge accordingly.  Respect the deadline which is:- Orwell Observer Editor—Patricia Hall. 30 November Tel: 01473 328121 e-mail: [email protected] Thank you.

30 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2018