Two pictures from group member Chris Courtney. A redwing and firecrest.

The Royal Society for the Protection of (RSPB) is a registered charity: and Wales— No. 207076, No. SC037654 What’s On—Dates for your Diary. For details of how to find out more about events please look at our website.

THESE ACTIVITIES ARE ONLY PROVISIONAL. Please check website or contact a committee member to find out if an activity will be taking place. Planned activities will be cancelled or changed to comply with guidance from the Government or the RSPB. Until further notice please bring your own refreshments. Thank you.

Date Event Time Meeting Place 23 June Field Meeting: Nightjar Walk (date subject 7.00 p.m. Car park at Upper to confirmation), earlier time for general 8.30 p.m. Common, birding walk, later time for nightjars only, TM355471 walking easy but can be uneven. (SM) 29 June Mid-week Walk: Christchurch Park (SM) 10.30 a.m. Soane Street entrance 8 July Indoor Meeting: AGM followed by Antarctica 7.30 p.m. Rushmere St. & The Falkland Islands with Barry and Andrew Church Patricia Hall, group members. Hall, The Street, Rushmere, IP5 1DH 18 July Field Meeting: RSPB Hollesley or Boyton 9.00 a.m. Car park at RSPB (depending on conditions—transfer by car if Hollesley, necessary) for geese, waders & wildfowl, 4- TM370448 5hrs, easy walking but can be muddy & exposed. (TK) 27 July Mid-week walk: Bourne Park (SM) 10.30 a.m. Stoke Park Drive car park 24 Aug. Mid-week walk: Chantry Park (SM) 10.30 a.m. Hadleigh Road entrance car park 9 Sept. Indoor Meeting: Alaska—Bears, Eagles, 7.30 p.m. Rushmere St. Whales & More with Derek Howes Andrew Church Hall, The Street, Rushmere, IP5 1DH 19 Sept. Field Meeting: Tinker’s Marsh, , 9.30 a.m. Ferry Road car walking easy, 3-4 hrs. 3-4 miles. (CC) park, pay & display £3 for 4 hrs. TM500748 28 Sept. Mid-week Walk: Holywells Park (SM) 10.30 a.m. Stable block off Cliff Lane 14 Oct. Indoor Meeting: Common Buzzards with Zoe 7.30 p.m. Rushmere St. Smith, Peregrine Project Officer Andrew Church Hall, The Street, Rushmere, IP5 1DH

2 ORWELL OBSERVER Summer 2021 24 Oct. Field Meeting: & River Alde for 9.00 a.m. Iken Cliff car park, waders & wildfowl, 3hrs. 3miles, walking TM398562 easy but muddy in places. (TK)

11 Nov. Indoor Meeting: Wolves Wood & Stour 7.30 p.m. Rushmere St. Andrew Estuary with Rick Vonk Church Hall, The Street, Rushmere, IP5 1DH 21 Nov. Field Meeting: Abberton Reservoir 10.00 a.m. Visitors’ Centre at Essex Wildlife Trust Reserve for Layer-de-la-Haye, wintering duck, grebes and sawbills, Colchester, TL962177. 3hrs. 3miles, walking easy, with use of car between sites, EWT non-member charge applies if hides are visited. (TK) 9 Dec. Indoor Meeting: Christmas Social 7.30 p.m. Rushmere St. Andrew Evening (please check website regarding Church Hall, The refreshments) followed by Tim Kenny Street, Rushmere, IP5 group member. 1DH 12 Dec. Field Meeting: Melton & River Deben 9.00 a.m. Melton Riverside car for waders & wildfowl, 3hrs. 3miles, park,TM288503 easy walking but can be muddy and exposed. (TK)

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

Little & Large? The gull-billed tern with common terns at Alton Water. Picture—Barry Hall

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TIM’S TOP TEN… LIFETIME MOMENTS

reetings pop pickers. It’s your children, and one of five school kids in the G outgoing Group Leader here with a whole county, to win this treasured prize. new feature I’m calling Tim’s Top Tens. The certificate is still somewhere and all Each edition will see me counting down these years on, it remains one of my my top tens of four decades of birding, proudest achievements in life. whether it be places, species, experiences… if it’s wildlife related, it’s in. 9 – ‘Marsh Harrier, Left of the Power Station!’ I’m going to start with my favourite place It is 1982. I was nine, my favourite to go birding, the RSPB reserve at football team were one of the most feared Minsmere. My first visit was in 1982 as a in , and my burgeoning interest in nine-year-old, and I’ve been going back ornithology was being encouraged by my ever since. In 2014 I became a wildlife mother. She took me and my elder sister guide and once the pandemic is over with, for what was to be my first trip to I’ll be going back to do some more. So if Minsmere and we crowded into the Island you’ll indulge me, let me take you on a Mere Hide which, in those days, was very personal journey down memory lane much smaller than the spacious glass- and relive my top ten Minsmere Moments. fronted structure you see today. An old gentleman in glasses suddenly shouted 10 – Champion Birder 1984 words oft repeated by my mother at this In 1984 I was selected to enter a contest particular location; ‘Marsh harrier, left of Minsmere was running which they called the power station!’ And there it was, my the Recognition Awards. The first marsh harrier. Back in those days, selection process involved my teacher these were rare birds. In fact just eleven and headmaster, Mr. Oram, showing me years earlier there has been just a single pictures of 25 species, and when I got 24 pair breeding in Britain, at Minsmere. of them right, I was in. The one I got wrong was the chiffchaff, which I had Much later on in life, I related this tale to said was a wood warbler, and I got it on Adam Rowlands, friend of the group and the second attempt. Then, being the for many years the main man at show-off I have always been, I gave Sir Minsmere, and he named the old man the scientific names, and scored 13 on with the glasses as John Denny. It turns those. Bear in mind I was eleven. He out Mr. Denny spent almost every day in must have though me a right smart Alec. the Island Mere Hide watching the On the trip to Minsmere, we were shown harriers and commentating ten birds to identify by sight, and two by enthusiastically on them to anyone sound. My friend Lee Bowers was given present. Adam told me the story of John eleven and a half, the half point being Denny relaying the movements of a because he mistook a swift for a swallow marsh harrier to a hide packed with (which I still think is a bit generous), and I twitchers there for another species, and got the full twelve. This earnt me a uttering the line ‘Marsh harrier, now certificate and a handshake from the then above the purple heron.’ warden Jeremy Sorenson. It transpired I was one of only two primary school (Continued on page5 )

4 ORWELL OBSERVER Summer 2021 (Continued from page4 ) that I secretly dread. ‘People are complaining that they can’t get into the 8 – Collared pratincole, 19 July 2014. hide, can you limit people to fifteen Since records began. It’s a phrase you minutes each?’ hear on the weather when it’s been particularly extreme. For me, records Just as this message came through, one began on 7 April 1993. This is when I of the periodic disturbances that happens started my life list, which I why I can on the Scrape occurred and up went the pinpoint dates with such certainty from birds, including our rarity. Five minutes that day onwards. Each life tick has a later, I had a radio call that the bird had date next to it. been spotted from the public hide, information I shared with the assembled The first Springwatch from Minsmere had public. finished two months previously but the volunteering bug had well and truly kicked I have never seen the East Hide empty so in, and I found myself on duty one quickly. Thirty seconds later, I was alone Sunday during a particularly fruitful wader in there. migration season. And what should turn up but a collared pratincole, the wader 7 – The Dance of the Adders. Spring that, with its light graceful flight and 2015 forked tail, appears to think it’s a As well as birds, I also love reptiles. And swallow. in 2015 what is now called the Adder Trail became popular as the best place A rarity such as this radically changes the on the reserve to find our only venomous demographic of a hide and the role of the snake. The path, delineated by blue wildlife guide. Most of the time you are rope, was frequented by many visitors, chatting to visitors about the birds, what most of whom had never seen adders they do, where they come from, and before. assisting in identification. These are visitors who are perhaps watching birds It was a bright spring day and a crowd of for the first time so any piece of about thirty visitors were gathered as the information you give them is greeted with males, fuelled by testosterone and the genuine interest. But when a rarity hits, pheromones of the females, started their the twitchers come. For want of a better ritual combat. No biting, that would be a expression, the hide is suddenly filled bad idea for a venomous snake, but with birding ‘know-it-alls’ who are there wrestling, with the first snake to have his for the rarity, and as such the volunteer head pinned to the floor being the loser. guide’s role changes from educator to One male, a beautiful jet black adder that locator, from meeter and greeter to I named Edmund for obvious reasons, referee. slithered in stage right to join two other males in search of the ladies. The The collared pratincole, which breeds in dancing ensued, with periodic southern Europe, was making its first entanglement interspersed with chases. appearance at Minsmere in seventeen One such chase resulted in two of the years and was showing very well from the snakes charging under the blue rope, and East Hide. In fact, nobody else could get amongst the feet of their adoring public. in and the message came over the radio (Continued on page6 )

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(Continued from page5 ) One of Minsmere’s bitterns. Picture—Barry Hall ‘Stand still everybody’ I shouted, and fortunately everybody did. After a few seconds more charging about, the two adders found their way back to the correct side of the rope and all was well again.

Minsmere’s first recorded adder bite occurred as recently as 2019, an First stop, then, was the Bittern Hide. unfortunate lady in sandals who just And in front of the Bittern Hide, possibly happened to be going in the same the showiest bittern I have ever seen, direction as a male near the Visitor parading up and down for its adoring Centre. Like the vast majority of bite public. I had to explain that birdwatching victims, she made a full recovery. Britain is rarely this easy. has not seen an adder fatality since 1975 and since records began in the 1870s, Similarly, before my sister took my niece only fourteen people have died as a and then five-year-old nephew to their result of a bite. Adders are generally shy first football match, it was explained to and timid creatures, always best watched them that it was likely might not from a distance of around five metres. win and not to be upset if they lost. Town Like so many wild creatures, if you don’t then went out and thrashed Nottingham mess with them, they won’t mess with Forest 6-0. you. 5 – The Mystery Gull – 27 March 2016 6 – ‘You Probably Won’t See a There was a time, wasn’t there, when Bittern’– May 2004 gulls were less complicated than they are With young relatives, I find it a good idea now. Still tricky, but less complicated. to play down expectations. So when I Then taxonomists got involved and took my excited niece, then seven, for her herring gulls were split down into first trip to Minsmere, she had her Wildlife herring, yellow-legged, Caspian, Explorer’s magazine open at the page Armenian gulls and so on. See also: about bitterns. I explained that they Canada geese. were shy and elusive birds, that we probably wouldn’t see one, and if we did it So when a gull turns up that even stumps would be very quick and we would be the experts, it’s time to get excited. Just very lucky indeed. such a bird appeared on the East Scrape (Continued on page7 )

6 ORWELL OBSERVER Summer 2021 (Continued from page6 ) passes, some right over my head, allowing very good flight views. It had on the above date. Pale grey mantle but been blown across the Atlantic by a with bright bubblegum pink legs, all kinds stormy westerly, but rather than making of names were being thrown about. Vega landfall in the west of the country, this gull? Also known as the East Siberian one had almost completely overshot and Herring gull? No, said a self-appointed ended up here in the east. Such weather expert swiftly, as he had seen this does birds no good, but for birders they species in Japan, and this wasn’t it. can be heaven sent. Soon though, after about three hours of deliberation, better gullers than me had 3 – Heard Before But Never Seen – arrived at the correct ID. Thayer’s gull, Nightingale 26 May 2001 which currently is regarded as a We are lucky here in to live in one subspecies of gull but has in the of the last remaining strongholds of the past been considered a subspecies of nightingale. As a group we have made American Herring gull, as well as a trips to Alton Water to listen to their rich species in its own right. A first for Suffolk songs, to the delight of those present. as well. A note was duly made, in case Seeing them is a different matter, as they somebody somewhere decided it was a tend to be quite shy and sing from fairly species in its own right again… dense cover. But there are always exceptions. 4 – American Cliff Swallow – 5 November 2016 I had made a trip to Minsmere with my ‘Remember remember the fifth of lifelong best pal Dean, the only other November…’ And the birding fireworks birder at high school, and we both certainly started early when this enjoyed the hospitality of the Eel’s Foot of transatlantic hirundine appeared in a a lunchtime whenever we were out flock of his European cousins the day birding in the area. One warm spring before. There are times when something afternoon, we ventured down the so rare turns up, you have to just jump in Road to the pub, birding as the car and join the ranks of the twitchers. we went. To our right, the distinctive trill I remember on the Friday at work of the nightingale could be heard, so we thinking, ’Please just stay another day, ventured off the road and into the wood to please just stay another day.’ see if we could see it. I had frequently Fortunately my invocation of East 17 heard nightingales before but had ever worked and it was still there on the actually seen one. Suddenly there it was, Saturday. It was overcast and an bit bold as brass, standing on a fallen log, blustery, and most of the RSPB local reeling off its performance without a care group was also in attendance to tick off in the world. The russet tail quivering as another Suffolk first. After half an hour of it sang, we watched it for about five waiting, in came a flock of swallows and minutes before it got bored and headed martins, and among them, the American off into deep cover. cliff swallow. Big tick. 2 – A Lucky Escape – 3 May 2021 A mash-up of barn swallow, red- On a 1993 visit I observed a Bahama rumped swallow and house martin in pintail from what was then known as the plumage, the bird made a few more (Continued on page8 )

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(Continued from page7 )

West Hide. Looking to an older, more experienced gentleman in the hide with me for guidance, I asked him if I could put it on my life list. His reply has stayed with me ever since – ‘It depends how strict your morals are.’ Since then I have always been troubled by the issue of escapes in the wild, admittedly not troubled enough to omit them, but troubled nonetheless. Fortunately Bar-headed goose, Minsmere 3 May 2021. Picture—Tim Kenny for this particular species I did see it in the Galapagos twelve years 1 – Baird’s sandpiper – 24 July 2016 later, a genuinely wild bird. This was a Sunday I was not on duty, but Fast forward to today, and on my most as with the cliff swallow above this was recent visit I came across a species I a bird that I couldn’t resist making a have been slightly obsessed with since special trip for. A tiny wader that breeds first seeing it in a book of European birds in eastern Siberia and western as a child. The bar-headed goose is , Baird’s sandpiper is said to be the highest-flying bird in the identifiable by its long wings extending world, traversing the high passes of the beyond the tail at rest, a feature it shares Himalaya at around 21,000 feet. It was with the white-rumped sandpiper even said to have been seen flying over although it lacks the white rump. the top of Everest although such reports are thought nowadays to be apocryphal. Searching through the dunlin flock, I It winters in India and breeds on the could not for the life of me find the bird. Tibetan plateau and by the highland lakes Fortunately one of my fellow guides Peter of Central Asia. And now, increasingly, in had kept eyes on it, and pointed me in Britain. the right direction. An absolute once-in-a- lifetime bird, it had somehow gone way Escaped birds have given rise to feral off course on its migration to South populations in this country and these are America. That such a bird could have now seen with increasing regularity in gone so astray astonished me, but these parts. In time it may become as juveniles (like this individual was) well established as the Canada goose as occasionally do and end up in Western a breeder. But the younger me would Europe. That day, I was very glad that it certainly never have expected to see one had. at Minsmere.

8 ORWELL OBSERVER Summer 2021 MINSMERE DIARIES 9 October Greater Yellowlegs. Picture—Barry Hall As we enter autumn, we have started seeing a steady mixture of summer birds migrating out including a stream of swallows and house martins, osprey, cuckoo and hobby, and winter species migrating in such as redwing, , song and goldcrests. A Radde’s warbler was found in the North Bushes this week, a yellow-browed warbler by the Visitor Centre and a Sabine’s gull dropped in briefly to East Scrape. A black-browed albatross must have flown past us offshore on 28 September but was only seen from and . Common redstarts, whinchats and wheatears have appeared in the Sluice Bushes, whilst the newly opened North Bushes trail holds bullfinches and blackcaps. We have regular sightings of great white egrets around with tens of thousands of birds Island Mere and the levels, and murmurating over the Scrape and crossbills moving around the woodlands reedbeds by South Hide from around 3:30 on the edge of Heath. Otters p.m. It is a large gathering and can be have also been seen most days on the seen from almost any part of the beach, Mere or around the Sluice. The Scrape, as well as North Wall and the footpaths now full of water after the summer near the Sluice, so although we are not drought, is rapidly filling with teal, promoting the spectacle widely there wigeon, mallard, gadwall, shoveler, should be no reason that people cannot shelduck and pintail, whilst large watch it whilst socially distancing and numbers of barnacle geese are arriving following Government guidance. Do bring at dusk. Red deer stags are bellowing a torch if you do visit. Peregrine, around the reserve, not just on the heath, sparrowhawk, and marsh harriers have as the rut begins. all been seen attacking the formation on clear evenings. Another spectacle in the 7 November evening is the gull roost on East and The good weather over the last week South Scrape, with up to 13 Caspian means crystal clear winter skies and gulls and several yellow-legged gulls beautiful dawns and dusks at the reserve. present among herring, lesser and great With impeccable timing the starlings black-backed gulls. The Scrape have arrived just as we go into lockdown, (Continued on page10 )

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(Continued from page9 ) Eastern yellow wagtail. Picture—Barry Hall continues to fill with teal, wigeon, mallard, gadwall, shoveler, shelduck and pintail, whilst large numbers of barnacle geese are arriving at dusk. Goldeneye, goosander, and a long- tailed duck have all been present in the last week. Common snipe are present around the margins and the occasional redshank, avocet and curlew join turnstone and dunlin as regular waders. A greater yellowlegs has just been found this morning at , where short-eared owls, great white egrets and eastern yellow wagtails have also been seen. Our late-staying hobbies are fewer with the first frosts, but we do also have an obliging kestrel perching on the North Wall which is picking off voles whilst being watched carefully by the sentinel stonechats, reed buntings and Dartford warblers. Red deer stags are the reedbeds by South Hide. resting and feeding, as the rut has come Peregrines, sparrowhawk, and marsh to an end, with more being seen in the harriers continue to harass the flock. woodlands and marshes again. Both barn owls and short-eared owls Badgers have been seen at dusk have been reported around the Scrape foraging at the South Belt crossroads and dunes this week. Another spectacle and by Whin Hill, and otters are frequent continuing is the evening gull roost on at Island Mere. The Fungi Trail by East and South Scrape, with up to 13 Canopy Hide is still open, although many Caspian gulls and several yellow- species have now ‘gone over.’ A few legged gulls present among herring, stinkhorns can still be found in the lesser and great black-backed gulls. Rhododendron Tunnel and the bird’s The Scrape continues to fill with teal, nest fungi can be seen on the edge of wigeon, mallard, gadwall, shoveler, the concrete slab at the pond. shelduck and pintail, whilst large numbers of barnacle geese are arriving 14 November at dusk. Goosanders have been The greater yellowlegs at Dingle present in the last week. Common Marshes has been joined by Eastern snipe are around the margins and the yellow wagtails, twite, merlin, short- occasional redshank, avocet and eared owl, and great white egret. The curlew join turnstone and dunlin as Pallas’s warbler has not been seen regular waders. Our hobbies have left, since last weekend in the Sluice Bushes. but the obliging kestrel remains perched The starlings continue to perform over (Continued on page11 )

10 ORWELL OBSERVER Summer 2021 (Continued from page10 ) strike earlier this week before being released safely. The greater yellowlegs on the North Wall with stonechats, reed has gone missing in the last couple of buntings and Dartford warblers. days at Dingle Marshes, but snow Bearded tits are also still showing bunting, twite, merlin, short-eared owl regularly on North Wall and along the and great white egret continue to be Sluice path. A large flock of goldfinches seen there. A ringtail hen harrier has can still be seen on the Stone Curlew been reported coming in and leaving Field, with goldcrest, redwing, and roost in the reedbeds. The evening gull fieldfare in the North Bushes. roost on the Scrape continues, including Caspian, little and yellow-legged gulls. And finally… if you do venture out for a Red-throated divers, grey seals, and walk you may notice something different great rafts of 400+ common scoter have about the Chapel ruins near the Sluice…it been seen offshore. The Scrape has a new window. As part of the A Wing continues to fill with teal, wigeon, and a Prayer project local artist Arabella mallard, gadwall, shoveler, shelduck Marshall has installed a glass sculpture and pintail, whilst large numbers of into one of the original window frames of barnacle geese are arriving at dusk. the Chapel. The piece represents the Pochard and goosanders have been changing landscape of the Suffolk Coast present in the last week, plus a few that the ruins have seen over the last 800 Bewick’s swans. Whooper swans have years, from founding in 1182, through also been seen in flooded fields at being taken apart and moved to the new Eastbridge. Purple sandpipers and site of Abbey to avoid constant turnstones have been seen around the flooding, to the wartime fortifications in Sluice outflow. Stonechats, meadow the 1940s, right through to now and the pipits, reed buntings and Dartford revival of habitats for wildlife. The field is warblers can be seen well in the dunes open for people who want to get closer to and along North Wall. Bearded tits are the ruins at the moment and the intention also still showing regularly on North Wall is to leave the piece in place for the next and along the Sluice path. A large flock couple of years. You can also read more of goldfinches can still be seen on the about the project at: stone curlew field, with bullfinches, http://www.awingandaprayer.org.uk/ goldcrest, redwing, and fieldfare in the North Bushes. Otherwise, the reserve in 22 November the recent clear weather looks beautiful – One of the best things we have seen this frosty mornings make the grassland and week is the return of nuthatches to the reedbeds sparkle, and the trees are bird feeders at the Visitor Centre, with a covered in amber and bronze leaves or pair frequently raiding the peanuts. A littering the paths with crunchy leaves. swift little bird like a small woodpecker, they tend to favour peanuts and 4 December sunflower hearts from the ground or bird With thanks to Ian Salkeld we have a tables and seem to dominate other birds ‘Christmas tree bird feeder’ at the Visitor visiting the feeders. A pair of great Centre attracting nuthatches, tits, spotted woodpeckers have also been finches and great spotted visiting regularly, one of which spent woodpeckers. The tree is a Corsican some time recovering from a window (Continued on page12 )

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(Continued from page11 ) and Scrape, along with 20 curlews, ruff and redshank. Water pipits were pine that was growing in the dunes and present last month, with 380 shovelers, would normally be purposefully trampled 19 tufted ducks, two goldeneyes and by the Highland cows to protect the 540 gadwalls. Goosanders have been grasses and lichens that live in this rare seen gathering to roost on East Scrape, habitat. The starlings appear to have while a red-head smew was seen in the gone quiet for the moment, with very few freshwater pools by North Hide. A red- arriving at dusk. We normally see them necked grebe was found at the end of return in the New Year. Marsh harriers, January and stayed until 5 February. buzzards, sparrowhawks and short- These birds are relatively rare in the UK, eared owl have been the predator with only a single pair occasionally highlights this week. Red-throated breeding and around 50 individuals divers, grey seals and great rafts of visiting in winter from their regular 400+ common scoter have been seen grounds in Denmark and northern offshore. The Scrape provides a safe Germany. Other migrants include winter shelter for teal, wigeon, mallard, redwings, , whooper and gadwall, shoveler, shelduck and Bewick’s swans. A ringtail hen harrier pintail, as well as Bewick’s and has been seen coming in to roost with whooper swans this week. A very late the marsh harriers, and water rails swallow was seen on 27 November have been spotted by our eagle-eyed over the car park, while scaup, ruff and intern Matt Livesy. Matt also found a red white-fronted geese were the more -headed chestnut moth this week, regular migrants. which hasn’t been seen on the reserve since 2016. Finally, the milder weather saw the return of the first pair of avocets 26 February on the Scrape, bumblebees in the The cold weather as well as the ongoing woodland, adders in the dunes and at lockdown has meant that it’s been least two booming bitterns can be heard challenging finding and reporting on the in the reedbeds – providing a bit of hope reserve wildlife, flooded footpaths turned of the spring and summer to come full of into ice-rinks and back to flooded again. nightingales, little terns and the I can tell you I have a couple of coal tits raucous noise of black-headed gulls! visiting my garden feeders and discovered a local colony of parakeets, 21 March and Ian Barthorpe has had a hedgehog As the days are still on the chilly side the in his garden already this year. The Visitor Centre feeders are swaying with recent snowfall has meant that the blue tits, great tits, marsh tits, normally elusive woodcocks have been chaffinch, robin, blackbirds and a easier to spot with six on the site in male reed bunting. The nestboxes by various locations, as well as regular the South Belt crossroads already have public reports from local gardens, parks their first residents, while overhead and farmland. Sadly the remains of goldcrests, treecreepers and quite a few woodcocks have been nuthatches are bouncing from tree to found along the tideline having fallen tree, to the accompanying hammer of victim to the weather. Around 320 great spotted woodpeckers. The first lapwings can be seen around the levels (Continued on page13 )

12 ORWELL OBSERVER Summer 2021 (Continued from page12 ) chiffchaffs are calling from North Bushes, and stone curlews have begun to arrive on the heathland. Yellowhammer and skylarks are also singing on the South Levels, where spoonbill, great egret and hen harrier have been reported recently. Red deer have been quite easy to spot in the woods as they make use of the quiet footpaths. Out on the Scrape the islands have been dominated by up to 1000 cormorants taking shelter on the rough days or streaming along the beach in the sunshine. Noise levels are increasing as black-headed gulls return to prospective nest sites, and up to 20 Mediterranean gulls have followed them in and can be heard by their distinctive ‘meowing’ cries as they drift over the car park. An Iceland gull and a Caspian gull have been reported this week. Avocets have also returned Redwing. Picture—Barry Hall to the Scrape along with black-tailed godwits, lapwing and snipe. Bitterns are booming across the reedbeds and we weeks. A great deal of interest is in the have seen a few flights over North Wall, birds reintroduced from the Isle of Wight where Cetti’s warblers and bearded tits project, but it appears the birds over the also seem to be declaring their territories. reserve were from the continent and Marsh harriers are still harassing the making the most of the strong winds and ducks around the Scrape and Levels, thermals to explore the UK coastline. where pintail, shoveler and gadwall are Other migrants this week include a grey still found in large clusters. A white-tailed phalarope – a passage wader from the eagle has been in the area, but so far Arctic, known as ‘red’ phalarope in the US we’ve failed to see it! No sign yet of sand where it shows in its breeding plumage, martins or other hirundines, although whereas we always see it in its grey the weather is looking better later in the winter plumage, hence the name. In a week and we had a report of a swallow similar way to the red-necked phalarope near North Warren on Monday and a very you can identify it on the Scrape as it has early cuckoo reported in the county. a technique of feeding where it is constantly spinning around. Sedge April 9 warblers have also arrived, though the Having complained about not seeing the shock of the cold weather in the last week mythical white-tailed eagles it seems seems to have quietened their voices. someone was listening, and kindly sent Sand martins and swallows are also three our way over the last couple of (Continued on page14 )

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(Continued from page13 ) flight, occasional cuckoos, while bearded tits are very vocal around South arriving and increasing each day as they Hide (but hard to see), Cetti’s warblers hawk the winter gnats around the ponds are singing in various spots, and marsh and reedbeds. Bitterns continue to harriers are often sky dancing overhead. boom, and today a female was seen Perhaps the easiest species to spot flying across the reserve being pursued around the reedbed, though, are the reed by two males. Marsh harriers and buntings, with several gorgeous males bearded tits have been seen frequently perching prominently as they sing. The from the Sluice Trail. Little gulls, cold wind means that the black-headed avocets, Sandwich terns and black- and Mediterranean gulls and avocets headed gulls continue to arrive on the haven’t started to nest yet, but they’re still Scrape and like a lot of other East making a lot of noise. Up to 20 bar-tailed Anglian reserves we have also seen godwits are feeding on the Scrape, garganeys arrive, with three drakes on refuelling on their migration to the Arctic, the Scrape (several more appearing while one or two dunlins, whimbrel, nearby at Carlton Marshes and greenshanks and turnstones can be Strumpshaw Fen). Bumblebees, bee- seen too. The first spotted redshanks flies and the first butterflies have and common sandpiper of the spring appeared with the milder weather, though were spotted this week. Most of the the wind and hail in the last week isn’t regular ducks – shelduck, wigeon, ideal for these emerging species. Tawny gadwall, teal, mallard, shoveler – are mining bees have appeared along still present, but in reduced numbers, and Digger Alley, and a new species of bee the three species of feral geese – has been discovered on the reserve: barnacle, greylag and Canada – have early Collete’s bee, Colletes again been joined by a pair of escaped cunicularius, which was found by the bar-headed geese. I also saw my first Sand Martin Bank and which we mallard ducklings of the year today. previously thought were Clarke’s mining Sand martins are beginning to use the bees. Adders continue to show well on bank of burrows by the pond this week, the Adder Trail and in the dunes, where where green tiger beetles have been Dartford warblers are also very active. showing brilliantly. These mean little stunners are exceptionally fast and are 1 May picking off spiders, ants and the odd bee A sign of spring is the return of from the edges of the electric fence. nightingales to Westleton Heath, where Adders are also showing well here and in several can be heard but are typically the scrub to the rear of the café seating difficult to see. They are sensitive to area, including a beautiful jet-black disturbance, so enjoy their melodic notes adder. from a distance, and don’t worry too much about getting a sighting. Likewise stone curlews have returned and are either sitting already or prospecting for nest sites. Woodlarks are also being seen, and the ringtail hen harrier has been seen occasionally. In the reedbed, there are regular sightings of bitterns in

14 ORWELL OBSERVER Summer 2021 MAGIC MOMENTS from Christine Bingley

t was the Sunday of the Red Kite. Picture: Alan Baldry I Garden Birdwatch, and I went into my conservatory to start my list, I happened to glance up and there was a red kite soaring over my garden. I know they are getting much more common around here, but this was a first for my garden list. What a pity it didn't land to be counted!

This week I was walking my dog past an arable field near the A14, when I heard a familiar sound. A sole displaying lapwing arrived and proceeded to give me the full tumbling display flight with accompanying calls. So wonderful, and apparently just for me! Again this was a first, this time for my village list.

It’s 9 March and ploughing has just started in Creeting St. Mary. As I paused to watch, the first black-headed gull flew over my head. Within three minutes about 50 had arrived for the spoils. Just how do they know??

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MINSMERE DURING SPRINGWATCH from Judy Cook hen we heard the BBC was the time of Spineless Si (you may W planning to bring Springwatch to remember the stickleback that became Minsmere and needed volunteers to help so famous). Even the lady who named out, Mick and I decided to volunteer for him turned up to visit! two days a week during the broadcasting. It was many years since we had Sitting in Island Mere Hide one afternoon volunteered there and, now we are we were joined by the then RSPB retired, it seemed a good idea. President Mike Clarke who was paying a visit. He sat with me and we had a nice After training, being vetted and receiving chat about how things were going. our branded clothing we arrived to our first task, which was constructing pre- One afternoon Mick and I were asked to packed picnic tables. Abundantmanage Wildlife ‘crowd control’ in the area of East Hide as the film crew were As the programme progressed more and rehearsing an article with Martin Hughes- more visitors started arriving. Some days Games. As we were being taken by we worked on car park duty. As even Land Rover to the site we received a call more people arrived, an overflow car asking if we were prepared to do a live park was opened behind the Work broadcast on the BBC Red Button later Centre. This is used on busy days even that afternoon? We agreed and carried now. On other days we helped out in the on our duties. When it was time to return café, clearing tables and stacking the to the studio we realised Martin was dishwasher. down a hole in the approach boardwalk standing in water up to his armpits. As We also worked in reception, as we still we were unable to get past him we had do, greeting visitors, explaining the no alternative but to step over his head to reserve and answering questions. Some get out! I believe the article was on eels. questions still amaze me, however. Such as, ‘Are the birds in cages?’ One couple When we eventually arrived for the Red had never visited any sort of nature Button broadcast it was explained they reserve before and were very impressed, wanted ten minutes of material. We were planning to return when they could – I asked to comment on, and discuss, the hope they have done so. various nests which had 24 hour cameras placed on them. We actually I remember one day when we had six of did 40 minutes, which must have gone us in reception. The queue for entry well as the producer said he obtained reached to the bottom of the steps some useful material. Before we started leading to the car park! Another day a I reminded Mick to be careful what we delightful party of nuns came to visit. said as we were live!

Our days working out on the reserve Following some of our Thursday shifts we were great fun. The hides were full of stayed on to be in the audience of the enthusiastic people eager to see what follow-up programme, Springwatch was about. The bitterns and marsh Unsprung. We waited in the hospitality harriers performed beautifully and it was (Continued on page17 )

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(Continued from page16 ) marquee with the rest of the evening’s Collins Waste Solutions audience, where tea, coffee and biscuits were served. We were then escorted to Tel: 01473 327596 the Unsprung studio at the top of Whin Hill for the broadcast. This overlooked Sponsors of an indoor meeting Island Mere and the balcony of the studio is still visible. The live broadcasts were very good. Various guests gave a variety of short talks and the evenings were great fun. One guest was Trevor Harrison, who Alder Carr Farm plays Eddie Grundy in The Archers. The programmes finished at 9.30 p.m. and the Tel: 01449 720820 reserve looked beautiful in the summer sunlight as we left. Sponsors of an indoor meeting

The BBC chose Minsmere for Springwatch for three consecutive years. It was a massive task involving setting up a ‘village’ and laying several miles of Ipswich Oddfellows discreetly hidden cabling around the A Friendly Society reserve for the cameras etc. ‘Making Friends, Helping People’

The presenters were often seen out on Tel: 01473 251867 the reserve and visitors were always [email protected] pleased to see them, especially the children. Sponsors of an indoor meeting

One year, on the last day, we were all invited for a staff and volunteers photograph to be taken. As we posed, Martin Hughes-Games decided to join in with us, which was very nice. MIND THE CRUSTACEAN Even now we still get visitors asking about the experience and as I walk The best band you've never heard of! through the outside seating area near the café, I often look at the picnic tables and Info: Tim Kenny 01394 809236 wonder which ones we made! Sponsors of an indoor meeting

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SIGNS OF SPRING? from Patricia Hall ith the arrival of spring our W countryside and gardens are filled with birdsong. In addition to our resident robins, blackbirds and thrushes et. al. can be heard the songs of the first migrants. Many will rate the nightingale as top of the bill (sorry!) but others will favour the blackcap or garden warbler. My favourite as harbinger of spring is not a migrant but a bird resident in the UK, the corn bunting. My early encounters with corn buntings were as winter birds when of course they were not singing, and first heard that lovely jangling song (likened to a bunch of keys) during a European holiday. The next time I heard the call was when walking across fields between Shotley and Woolverstone – I had not realised that I lived so close to a corn bunting hot spot.

Due to changing in farming practices these birds are sadly declining and their Corn Bunting, singing with a Spanish lovely song, which for me is a reminder of accent. The blue sky is a clue. Picture— sunny days birding in warmer climes, is Barry Hall seldom heard.

Another top birding moment ……

Following on from Tim’s Top Ten we had a memorable birding moment in late May this year. After several failed attempts we A W Hart—Builders were finally rewarded with a view of no less than three great bustards on Tel: 01473 680017 agricultural land south of the military areas on Salisbury Plain, and north of the city. Sponsors of an indoor meeting Maddingly there was nowhere to park, so we had to be content with a couple of drive pasts. Difficult on straight roads with fast traffic. These birds were part of the Great Bustard Project, an attempt to reintroduce this species to an area where they once lived. Patricia Hall

18 ORWELL OBSERVER Summer 2021 THE JOY OF BIRDING AND NATURE from Chris Courtney

t really is a terrific pleasure to be writing I once again for the Orwell Observer, especially following the extraordinary and challenging year we have all just lived through.

Of course for us wildlife lovers the natural world has remained, through thick and thin, a reliable source of constantly renewing inspiration, consolation and surprise. And the great thing is, you don’t need to go far to observe something of interest. Even looking out of the window can deliver the unexpected, as us veterans of the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch know only too well!

I will never forget the time when looking out of my kitchen window back in January 2016, when the first bird I saw was a gorgeous waxwing sitting in the hedge! Fieldfare. Picture—Chris Courtney

Right, I thought to myself, I think right now is the perfect time to start my hour’s tiles of my neighbour’s bungalow enabling Big Garden Birdwatch! This bird me to record red colour ring VJZ on the continued to visit my Ipswich garden for left tarsus. the next three days along with a steady stream of Suffolk birders and even a few A quick google for herring gull ringing from further afield as remarkably this was schemes and a rapid response from Mike the only waxwing being reported in the Marsh revealed red VJZ to be a local, entire UK at that particular time, in what rung as a chick in 2019 on the roof of the clearly wasn’t a waxwing winter. Even River of Life Church just outside the port the notorious twitcher Lee G. R. Evans of . So apparently not a long- rang me to check on the bird’s distance traveller as yet, as the only other whereabouts. Unfortunately for him, that observation for this bird came from was the morning it disappeared! February 2020, when on chip patrol by the pier! But yes, even the rooftops of neighbouring houses can be the source However, not all the progeny of the River of the unexpected. At the start of this of Life have proven quite so sedentary. year I noticed a colour-ringed second- Mike told me two of their herring gulls winter herring gull swooping down to have been sighted at Beddington feed on scraps in my Felixstowe garden. Farmlands, a well know gull hotspot in The following day I managed to get it in Greater London, another one was spotted my scope as it sat briefly atop the ridge (Continued on page20 ) 19 ORWELL OBSERVER Summer 2021

(Continued from page19 ) put it, remember to ‘celebrate the ordinary,’ lest unloved, unnoticed and at RSPB Titchwell and yet another from uncared for, it disappears before we across the North Sea in the Netherlands. notice!

Of course the provision of a reliable Of course, with lockdowns now (it is to be source of food and fresh water is the hoped) permanently behind us and as the surest way to attract plenty of avian roadmap continues to unfold, exploration visitors. No doubt the regular feeding beyond the garden gate is once again in circuits of the local birds helps to guide prospect! the more unusual visitors into your garden. And what a prospect it is, with Suffolk being one of the premier birding counties For many of us the snows of February, in the UK. We are rather spoilt for choice while keeping us indoors for much of the in the wealth of good sites to choose time, also brought welcome fresh visitors from. With restrictions having been to our gardens. Some apples or some eased and feeling the call of the wild, the berries that the blackbirds have left will end of March saw me heading up the A12 provide food for the winter thrushes. once again, bound for . Feisty fieldfares, jealously guarding their Here the plan was to catch up with a apples from all comers, and more retiring taiga bean goose, a species rarely redwings sitting on or under hedges, encountered in Suffolk and much scarcer along with the occasional song and in the UK than its rather more compact augmented the usual cousin, the also fairly scarce bean blackbirds. In fact blackbirds numbers goose. themselves peaked at thirteen in my garden during this time. Signs of spring abounded as I stepped out of the car, with a few queen buff- Off course we must and do, continue to tailed bumble bees in search of early enjoy the daily visits of our accustomed nectar. Bejewelled lesser celandines blue, great and coal tits, chaffinches, and dog violets nestled by the path as a greenfinches, dunnocks, blackbirds, pair of common frogs sat glistening in robins and wrens. And of course, some the sun, locked in a loving embrace, a of these familiar birds have suffered promise of fecundity to come. Springtime significant declines in recent years due to sees male frogs growing special pads on factors such as the disease their forelegs, thus enabling them an trichomonosis. And that’s not to mention assured grip on their chosen female in the house sparrow, which if you’re lucky this special froggy embrace known as enough to have, need all the help we can amplexus. give them by way of food, a nice thick hedge or two and especially nest boxes, Crossing the road onto the Blyth side of in this age of plastic soffits and plastic the road, I continued along the footpath, bird guards. towards the first hide, in the vicinity of which, a lone taiga bean goose had In this era of climate change, ongoing been observed by the locals for several habitat destruction and loss of weeks. biodiversity, we must all, as Mark Cocker (Continued on page21 )

20 ORWELL OBSERVER Summer 2021 (Continued from page20 ) Long-tailed duck. Picture—Chris Courtney Scanning through the mostly sleeping greylags, none revealed the large, upright but relatively elegant form of this species, together with its orangey dull red legs, dark head and distinctive long and slender orange and dark-tipped bill.

Quick as a flash, a swallow whisked by, northward bound. My first of the year, a merest glimpse of blue- black tail streamers and it was gone.

Then carefully picking through some more geese in a faraway field, I spotted a more likely candidate. I double checked the diagnostic features and yes, there it was distantly grazing on some winter wheat.

Pleased that I’d seen it and consoling myself for these less-than-ideal views, I the path and observing some more watched it through my scope for several greylags a lone Russian white-fronted minutes. Suddenly, movement ripped goose was busily grazing the grass through the flock and up they went, the among them. sunlight catching the distinctive pale grey forewings of the greylags as they turned, Down at the broad, in between hardy contrasting the all dark and sunbathers sheltering behind their proportionately longer wings of the sole colourful windbreaks, I found the bird I taiga bean goose. had been looking for, a stunning long- tailed duck. All at once it peeled away from the others and wheeling round turned towards us, A male, that was just coming into summer turning again to provide a spectacular fly- plumage, but unfortunately minus its long over and landing in the pool right in front tail feathers as is most common in the of us. birds occurring in Suffolk. We tend only to get stragglers this far south of this A great start to the day, I next headed off charismatic sea duck, most frequently to to nearby , which given the be found offshore often in mixed flocks sunshine and the recent easing of together with scoters. North Norfolk, restrictions was very busy with day frequently off Titchwell, is the nearest trippers. Nevertheless, reaching the place to see them in numbers, but seaside I was greeted by some more northern Scotland, the Orkneys and hirundines as around a dozen sand Shetlands in winter are the best places if martins were to be seen swooping around the sandy cliffs. Continuing along (Continued on page22 )

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(Continued from page21 ) Firecrest. Picture—Chris Courtney you want the best chance of getting good views of pristine individuals.

Starting to wend my way south again I decided to drop into Minsmere where the hides were of course closed, and remain so as I write, but hopefully not for too much longer!

Walking through North Marsh and out along the dunes a splendid male wheatear greeted Aptly titled A Wing and a Prayer it is a me as it sat up on a tussock of marram wonderful evocation of the natural world grass. Then reaching the Sluice bushes, in which is situated. It takes the form of a I went in search of a firecrest a friend richly coloured stained glass window, had found earlier in the day. Blackcap, positioned between the gnarled and semi chiffchaff, blue tits, several goldcrests -ruined jambs of the chapel, suggesting and a robin were seen before, flitting both flight and the ancient spiritual past of rapidly, hopping from twig to twig, and this holy place. delicately feeding among the upper leaves was a smart little firecrest. As darkness descended, walking alone along the path past the south hide I heard One of my favourite birds, which although a clamour of black-headed gulls mixed similar to the very cute and appealing in with the distinctive melancholy mews of look of the goldcrest have to my mind a Mediterranean gulls arising from the quite different character. With its smart Scrape. While from the reedbeds on my white supercilium, brighter mossy green left ushered the sounds of waterfowl; the back and spray of bright orange on the wonderful ringing calls of teal, whistles of sides of the neck, they are usually pretty male wigeons, interspersed with the easy to identify even with a brief view. booming of a bittern and the distinctive The calls are also similar, with the hidden squeals of water rails. firecrest’s being at a slightly lower pitch and with a softer tone. At such times it is very hard not to feel, a deep sense of inner peace, total Walking back through the gates onto the immersion and connectivity with an reserve the sun was beginning to set. ancient and hopefully eternal natural Looking out towards the old ruined world. Briefly the noise and bustle of our Minsmere chapel that stands on the site modern world has receded. of the even older Leiston Abbey, I could see the beautiful coloured glass of Arabella Marshall’s new art installation. (Continued on page23 )

22 ORWELL OBSERVER Summer 2021 (Continued from page22 ) including Landguard, enable individual flight paths to be monitored, often with As I entered the now dark woods past the some precision by means of triangulation. Wildlife Lookout Hide, I became almost The work is specifically focused on ensnared in a mist net stretched right producing a better understanding of the across the path. Voices and a torch hazards presented to the species by the revealed the presence of members of the proliferation of wind turbine arrays in the Norwich Bat Group and several North Sea so as to better inform future biologists, all in a slight state of shock as planning of such infrastructure projects. they had believed all visitors had already departed! As a fascinating postscript, an adult female, trapped and tagged by the They explained that they were engaged Norwich Bat Group the evening I was in a project to trap Nathusius’ present on 29 March, was subsequently pipistrelles as they fed along the detected to have flown direct from woodland edge, in a collaboration with Minsmere to Wijk aan Zee in the Wageningen University in the Netherlands, crossing the North Sea in a Netherlands in order to study the species’ single night. Departing on Sunday 2 May, migration ecology. This species, our it arrived in the early hours of Monday 3 rarest member of the family (the others May. This record was in fact a double being common and soprano) is well first. Not only was it the first time a bat known in western Europe as a migratory crossing from England to the Netherlands species. had been detected using VHF telemetry, it was also the very first tagged in Building on from a study undertaken from England for this research. 2009 - 2014 using stable isotope analysis, the earlier project had already So there we have it. Yet another established that individuals of the species illustration of nature’s perennial ability to trapped in the UK travelled to and from surprise, delight and astonish. locations as far afield as Lithuania, Latvia, and the Netherlands.

Nathusius’ have expanded their range in response to climate change and in addition had been shown to be at a high risk of mortality as a result of collisions with wind turbines. This study utilizing Bypass Nurseries the MOTUS wildlife tracking system utilizes tiny VHF tracking tags, weighing Tel: 01473 310604 as little as 0.16 grams, making them suitable for bats, small songbirds and Sponsors of an indoor meeting even some species of .

A series of currently 45 tracking stations along the Dutch coast and some further stations along the East coast of the UK,

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LOCKDOWN BIRDS—sightings in Suffolk during this time from Birdline East Anglia

January Species Site Hooded merganser♀ Butley (all month) Eastern yellow wagtail♂ Carlton Marshes SWT (all month) Glossy ibis (24), Barsham Marshes 25-26) Rough-legged buzzard Orfordness NT (u9) Iceland Gull (f3) Red-necked grebe (u16), Minsmere RSPB (f23)

Long-tailed duck Covehithe Broad Slavonian grebe Holbrook Bay (nu2) Great northern diver Holbrook Bay Tundra bean goose & Southwold (u2) (n25), Hollesley Marsh RSPB (n15) (3-5) February White-tailed eagle (juv.) Barton Mills (26), Blyth Estuary & Hen Reedbeds (27-28), Westleton Heath (28) Hooded merganser♀ Butley (u27) Parrot crossbill Upper Hollesley Common (n6) (27) Black-necked grebe (15) Iceland gull Gunton & Lowestoft (all month) Long-tailed duck Covehithe Broad (u27)

Red-necked grebe Minsmere RSPB (u18) Smew Minsmere RSPB (u27) Slavonian grebe Alton Water (n4) (28) Tundra bean goose Hollesley Marshes RSPB (nu7) (11-18), Boyton RSPB (n2) (3) (n3) (15), SWT (22), Felixstowe Ferry (n4) (9)

24 ORWELL OBSERVER Summer 2021 Black brant & Kirton (14-26) March Rough-legged buzzard Marshes (29) White-tailed eagle (juv.) Several sites Great grey shrike Capel St. Mary (7-27) Taiga bean goose Hen Reedbed NR & Marshes (f10) Tundra bean goose Trimley Marshes SWT (u19) Garganey Lakenheath Fen RSPB (f15), Minsmere RSPB (21), Staverton Lakes (15-23), (24) Long-tailed duck♂ Covehithe Broad Hooded merganser♀ Staverton Lakes Red-necked grebe Kingsfleet (25) Slavonian grebe (n3) Stutton Ness, Landguard NR (20) Iceland gull Guton, Lowestoft, Havergate Island RSPB (14), Minsmere RSPB (15) Various sites at end of month Black redstart Various sites at end of month Sedge warbler Various sites at end of month Barn swallow North Warren RSPB (15) Pied flycatcher♂ (end of month) April Iberian chiffchaff Foxhall Heath (17-28) Black kite Carlton Marshes SWT (f29), North Warren RSPB (30) Hoopoe Carlton Marshes SWT (f29) European honey buzzard Pipps Ford (29)

Rough-legged buzzard Sudbourne Marshes (u3), Southwold (27), Great grey shrike Capel St. Mary (u10) Purple heron Lakenheath Fen RSPB (27) White stork Lakenheath Fen RSPB (6-11)

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Wryneck Ipswich (10), Gunton (13), Kessingland (25), South- wold (26) Pied flycatcher Bungay (u1) Temmick’s stint (n2) Trimley Marshes SWT (f29)

Curlew sandpiper Trimley Marshes SWT (24) Grey phalarope Southwold Town Marsh (8-12), Minsmere RSPB (7 -10) Black-throated diver Southwold (10 & 25) Pomarine skua Southwold (25) Taiga bean goose Hen Reedbed NR & Reydon Marshes (u13) Black-necked grebe (n2) Ampton Water (9) Slavonian grebe (n3) Alton Water (9) Iceland gull Gunton, Lowestoft, Cavenham Heath (12-20)

Key: n = number, date in brackets after site, f = from, u = until, juv. = juvenile, ad. = adult,

For the latest bird news please phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700 245 from a landline or mobile phone cost 65per 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

Long-tailed duck (not the Covehithe bird). Picture—Barry Hall

26 ORWELL OBSERVER Summer 2021 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. • For those members without Internet RSPB connection please ring the editor or speak Eastern England Regional Office, to her at a meeting to arrange a suitable Stalham House, 65 Thorpe Road, way to submit your contribution. Norwich, NR1 1UD Tel: 01603 661662 • All suitable material will be included in the electronic edition of the magazine but not RSPB Local Group, all will be included in the paper edition Leader—Tim Kenny which has, of necessity, fewer pages, and Tel: 01394 809236 cannot include material that will not e-mail: [email protected] reproduce well in black and white. • Anything which is not completely your own work (including photographs) may be For more news & information log on to the subject to copyright. It is therefore your group website on: responsibility to obtain the necessary permission and acknowledge accordingly. rspb.org.uk/groups/ipswich • Until normal activities are resumed the Or find us on Twitter: @IpswichRSPB and on magazine will not be produced at Facebook: RSPB Ipswich Local Group regular intervals. However please

submit your material and it will be Orwell Observer placed in the next edition. Editor—Patricia Hall.

Tel: 01473 328121 Thank you. e-mail: [email protected]

PIN BADGES

Each year the Pin Badge box scheme raises significant funds for the RSPB. 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.

If you no longer wish to hear from RSPB Ipswich Local Group, please contact our membership secretary on [email protected] confirming your name and address and stating that you wish to unsubscribe from the RSPB Ipswich Local Group’s communications. For information about personal data use and your rights see: rspb.org.uk/privacypolicy

27 ORWELL OBSERVER Summer 2021