Suffolk
Bird
Group
For information on Suffolk birds and birding
April 2024 Sightings
April 30th
Walberswick: two Waxwings in trees by the village hall.
Minsmere: a Spoonbill and the Black Redstart still present.
Eastbridge: a WHITE STORK by the marshes near the Eels Foot Inn.
Saxmundham: 3+ Waxwings again in the square behind Waitrose.
North Warren: a Spoonbill on South Marsh.
Aldeburgh Marshes: the DOTTEREL again on the furthest pools plus a Short-eared Owl.
Hollesley Marsh: the Glossy Ibis still present.
Shingle Street: two Short-eared Owls in the area.
RAF Mildenhall: an Osprey flew low over south-west towards West Row.
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April 29th
A WHITE STORK was tracked south at a few locations:
> Lound Lakes: heading south (14:15).
> Reydon: low south over St. Felix (16:18) before heading slowly south towards Blythburgh (16:38).
> Walberswick: turned south to head south-west of the village (16:41).
> Minsmere: south over the reserve (17:01).
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Southwold: a Blue-headed Wagtail on the marsh behind the Harbour Inn.
Walberswick: a first-winter drake SURF SCOTER again offshore.
Minsmere: a Spoonbill on South Scrape and a Black Redstart on the western end of the North Wall.
Saxmundham: 10 Waxwings again in the square behind Waitrose.
Aldeburgh Marshes: the DOTTEREL again on the furthest pools plus a Short-eared Owl and 32 Whimbrel.
Alde Estuary: two Short-eared Owls at Hazlewood with two also present at Iken
Shingle Street: three Short-eared Owls around the hay bale field.
Felixstowe: a Whinchat, a Redstart and a Black Redstart on the reserve at Landguard plus the Tree Pipit again in the Observatory compound. At Felixstowe Ferry a Short-eared Owl and a Whinchat.
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April 28th
Lowestoft: five Purple Sandpipers at Ness Point.
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Purple Sandpiper at Ness Point credit David Borderick.
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Walberswick: Long-tailed Duck again offshore in the scoter flock
Saxmundham: 13 Waxwings again in the square behind Waitrose.
Aldeburgh Marshes: a DOTTEREL on the furthest pools plus a Little Ringed Plover, two White Wagtails and 30+ Whimbrel.
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Dotterel on Aldeburgh Marshes credit Val Lockwood.
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Alde Estuary: the Osprey still at Hazlewood Marshes plus a Short-eared Owl.
Boyton Marsh: a Cattle Egret in the cattle field opposite the flash
Hollesley Marsh: redhead Goosander, the Glossy Ibis still present and two Little Ringed Plovers.
Shingle Street: two Short-eared Owls present.
Felixstowe: two Whinchats on the Point, a male Redstart and a female Ring Ouzel on the reserve at Landguard plus a Tree Pipit in the Observatory compound. A Wryneck also reported.
April 27th
Benacre: the summer-plumaged Slavonian Grebe again on Benacre Broad and a Ring Ouzel at Beach Farm.
Walberswick: a first-winter drake SURF SCOTER again offshore plus a Long-tailed Duck.
Saxmundham: 14 Waxwings again in the square behind Waitrose.
Alde Estuary: an Osprey seen from Hazlewood Marshes plus a Short-eared Owl.
Hollesley Marsh: redhead Goosander, the Glossy Ibis still present and two Little Ringed Plovers.
Shingle Street: a Short-eared Owl.
Felixstowe: a Redstart and a Ring Ouzel on the reserve at Landguard.
Lakenheath Fen: a White Stork over Joist Fen and then over Brandon Fen.
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April 26th
Carlton Marsh: an immature WHITE-TAILED EAGLE circled over Peto's Marsh, then viewed distantly high over the Somerleyton/Blundeston area and then towards Herringfleet viewed from Haddiscoe.
Benacre: the summer-plumaged Slavonian Grebe again on Benacre Broad and two Ring Ouzels at Beach Farm.
Easton Bavents: a Ring Ouzel again present.
Walberswick: a first-winter drake SURF SCOTER again offshore.
Minsmere: three Common Cranes flew north.
Saxmundham: 18 Waxwings again in the square behind Waitrose.
Alde Estuary: an Osprey seen from Hazlewood Marshes plus over 25 Whimbrel.
Hollesley Marsh: redhead Goosander, the Glossy Ibis still present and two Little Ringed Plovers.
Shingle Street: a Short-eared Owl.
Bawdsey: a Channel Wagtail and two White Wagtails at East Lane.
East Bergholt: both PECTORAL SANDPIPER and Wood Sandpiper present on White Horse Marsh.
Bury St. Edmunds: three Waxwings near Moreton Hall.
Cavenham: Garganey on the flash.
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April 25th
Carlton Marsh: the male GREEN-WINGED TEAL still on Peto's Marsh.
Benacre: the summer-plumaged Slavonian Grebe again on Benacre Broad and two Cattle Egrets flew south.
Easton Bavents: a Ring Ouzel present.
Blyth Estuary: 10 Whimbrel east of the White Hart pub.
Minsmere: a WHITE-TAILED EAGLE high over East Scrape and three Common Cranes flew in from the south and landed by Lucky Pool.
Saxmundham: 18 Waxwings in the square behind Waitrose.
North Warren: two Firecrests along the old railway track.
Hollesley Marsh: one Short-eared Owl, the Glossy Ibis still present and two Little Ringed Plovers.
Butley: a WHITE-TAILED EAGLE heading north between Butley and Chillesford.
Livermere Lake: the drake RING-NECKED DUCK again present.
April 24th
Carlton Marsh: the male GREEN-WINGED TEAL still on Peto's Marsh.
Benacre: the summer-plumaged Slavonian Grebe again on Benacre Broad.
Aldeburgh Marshes: a WHITE-TAILED EAGLE over.
Hollesley Marsh: three Short-eared Owls, the Glossy Ibis still present, two Ravens, redhead Goosander, four Little Ringed Plovers and a Water Pipit in a a field between the scrape and the sluice.
Shingle Street: two Short-eared Owls between Shingle Street and East Lane.
Felixstowe: a Black Redstart on Landguard Fort.
Livermere Lake: a drake RING-NECKED DUCK present.
April 23rd
Carlton Marsh: the male GREEN-WINGED TEAL still on Peto's Marsh.
Benacre: the summer-plumaged Slavonian Grebe again on Benacre Broad.
North Warren: a drake Garganey roosting on South Marsh.
Alde Estuary: an Osprey seen from Hazlewood Marshes.
Hollesley Marsh: a male GREEN-WINGED TEAL on the scrape, a Short-eared Owl by the saltings, the Glossy Ibis still present, redhead Goosander and two Little Ringed Plovers.
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April 22nd
Carlton Marsh: a GREEN-WINGED TEAL still on Peto's Marsh.
Benacre: the summer-plumaged Slavonian Grebe again on Benacre Broad.
Walberswick: a PURPLE HERON at Dingle Hill.
Minsmere: a ringtail Hen Harrier over the main reedbed and three Spoonbill on the scrape.
Hollesley Marsh: two Cattle Egrets, a Crane over, the Glossy Ibis still present, plus Spoonbill, redhead Goosander, two Blue-headed Wagtails and a Short-eared Owl.
Shingle Street: two Short-eared Owl between Shingle Street and East Lane.
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April 21st
Lowestoft: the Great Skua at Walberswick was also tracked past Ness Point.
Carlton Marsh: a GREEN-WINGED TEAL still on Peto's Marsh plus two Garganey (f, m) and a Wood Sandpiper.
Walberswick: a first-winter drake SURF SCOTER again offshore with a Common Scoter flock and a Great Skua north.
Dunwich: a Sooty Shearwater flew north.
Minsmere: a drake Garganey on East Scrape.
Westleton: a WHITE-TAILED EAGLE flew south over the heath.
North Warren: a male Pied Flycatcher briefly on the track at the Sheepwash crossing.
Hollesley Marsh: the Glossy Ibis still present.
Felixstowe: a Common Crane circling over the clubhouse at Felixstowe Ferry.
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April 20th
Carlton Marsh: a GREEN-WINGED TEAL still on Peto's Marsh.
Benacre: a Ring Ouzel at Beach Farm and a summer-plumaged Slavonian Grebe on Benacre Broad.
Walberswick: a first-winter drake SURF SCOTER again offshore with a Common Scoter flock.
Minsmere: a male Ring Ouzel on Vault Hill, two Garganey between North and West hides and one Crane south of the sluice bushes.
Aldringham: first Nightjar of the Spring seen in flight around midday on Aldringham Walks.
North Warren: two Spoonbill from North Marsh viewing platform.
Havergate Island: a DOTTEREL present on the reserve.
Hollesley Marsh: the Glossy Ibis still present, plus redhead Goosander, a White Wagtail and a Little Ringed Plover.
Felixstowe: a male Ring Ouzel in the compound at LBO.
Foxhole Heath: one Ring Ouzel still present.
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April 19th
Carlton Marsh: a GREEN-WINGED TEAL still on Peto's Marsh.
Benacre: a Ring Ouzel in the paddock at Beach Farm.
Walberswick: a first-winter drake SURF SCOTER again offshore with a Common Scoter flock.
Blythburgh: a Hen Harrier by the water tower.
Minsmere: a female RED-BACKED SHRIKE at the east end of the North Wall plus a WHITE-TAILED EAGLE over Island Mere then north.
Hollesley Marsh: the Glossy Ibis still present and two Blue-headed Wagtails.
Bawdsey: two Blue-headed Wagtails in ploughed fields by the concrete track at East Lane.
Felixstowe: two Black-throated Divers south off Landguard.
Shelley: two LESSER SCAUP (1m, 1f) still present on Gifford's Flash.
Foxhole Heath: three Ring Ouzels (1f, 2m) present.
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April 18th
Carlton Marsh: a GREEN-WINGED TEAL on Peto's Marsh just before the Turnpike Hide plus a Little Ringed Plover.
Kessingland: a male Ring Ouzel just north of the sluice.
Walberswick: a first-winter drake SURF SCOTER again offshore with a Common Scoter flock.
Minsmere: a male Ring Ouzel on Vault Hill.
Hollesley Marsh: the Glossy Ibis still present in the flooded field opposite the café.
Raydon: a female Ring Ouzel in a weedy field west of Sandpits Lane, between Raydon and Higham.
Shelley: two LESSER SCAUP (1m, 1f) still present on Gifford's Flash.
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April 17th
Walberswick: a first-winter drake SURF SCOTER again offshore with a Common Scoter flock.
Minsmere: a Garganey present on East Scrape.
Hollesley Marsh: the Glossy Ibis still present in the flooded field opposite the café.
Shelley: two LESSER SCAUP (1m, 1f) still present on Gifford's Flash.
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April 16th
Walberswick: a first-winter drake SURF SCOTER offshore with a Common Scoter flock.
Shelley: two LESSER SCAUP (1m, 1f) still present on Gifford's Flash.
April 15th
Covehithe: a Ring Ouzel south of Covehithe Broad.
Minsmere: a Ring Ouzel from the North Wall.
Shelley: two LESSER SCAUP (1m, 1f) still present on Gifford's Flash.
April 14th
A WHITE STORK was tracked south at a few locations:
> Carlton Marsh: feeding on Share Marsh (08:22).
> Barnby Broad: circling over (08:58).
> Benacre: south over the area (09:13).
> Reydon: circling over the village (09:34).
> Southwold: west over St Felix School towards Hen Reedbeds (09:45).
> Dunwich: over the Heath heading south (10:08).
> Minsmere: directly over the reserve (10:15).
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Benacre: a Ring Ouzel at Beach Farm.
Southwold: one Blue-headed Wagtail still on the marsh behind the burnt out fish and chip shop.
Minsmere: a Ring Ouzel by the sluice and a Little Ringed Plover on South Scrape.
Westleton: a Ring Ouzel by the quarry.
Hollesley Marsh: a Glossy Ibis, a redhead Goosander and three Spoonbill.
Trimley Marsh: a Cattle Egret on the permanent flood.
Shelley: two LESSER SCAUP (1m, 1f) on Gifford's Flash.
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April 13th
Oulton Broad: nine Cranes circling before heading south.
Carlton Marsh: a Whinchat west of the Octagon viewing platform on Share Marsh. Seven of the Cranes seen at Oulton Broad flew west from the north end of Peto's Marsh.
Southwold: a female SERIN by the campsite and two Blue-headed Wagtails on the marsh behind the burnt out fish and chip shop.
Hen Reedbeds: a Cattle Egret seen from the bittern viewing platform.
Minsmere: a male Redstart in the North bushes, a Grasshopper Warbler reeling from the North Wall and a Short-eared Owl by the chapel, .
Sizewell: two Cranes circling north of the power station.
Orfordness: two Spoonbill on the NT reserve.
Hollesley Marsh: the Glossy Ibis still present in the flooded field opposite the café.
Felixstowe: two Black Redstarts at Landguard.
Newbourne: the first two Swifts of the year between Newbourne and Waldringfield.
Lackford Lakes: a Ring Ouzel at the reserve.
April 12th
Carlton Marsh: a Cattle Egret on Peto's Marsh.
Walberswick: a drake Eider at the ferry.
Minsmere: a ringtail Hen Harrier at the back of Island Mere plus Crane.
Boyton Marsh: four Little Stints on the reserve.
Hollesley Marsh: a Glossy Ibis and two Little Ringed Plovers.
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April 11th
Carlton Marsh: the PURPLE HERON again on Share Marsh and Peto's Marsh.
Southwold: a Blue-headed Wagtail on the eastern town marsh and a Spoonbill on the north-east flash.
Minsmere: a Ring Ouzel on the beach then flew towards Dunwich coastguards.
Westleton: a Ring Ouzel in flight on Westleton Heath.
Shingle Street: a Short-eared Owl noted.
Felixstowe: two Short-eared Owls at Old Felixstowe golf course.
Alton Water: a Hawfinch flew south over the dam.
Lakenheath Fen: two Garganey still on the small wash by East Wood.
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April 10th
Carlton Marsh: a PURPLE HERON on Peto's Marsh, then later on Share Marsh.
Wangford: five Cattle Egrets again with cattle opposite the entrance to Henham quarry.
Walberswick: a drake Eider at the ferry.
Dunwich: a Short-eared Owl north over Dunwich Heath.
Westleton: a Ring Ouzel at the quarry on Westleton Heath.
Boyton Marsh: three Little Stints on the reserve.
Hollesley Marsh: two Glossy Ibis still present, a Little Ringed Plover and a female Goosander.
Felixstowe: a male Redstart at Dovedale Gardens.
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April 9th
Iken: a Cattle Egret along Ferry Road.
Hollesley Marsh: the Glossy Ibis still present.
Debenham: a Cattle Egret again in the field opposite the vets.
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April 8th
Kessingland: a Ring Ouzel on the south beach.
Benacre: two Blue-headed Wagtails and a White Wagtail in a tilled field south-west of Beach Farm plus a Ring Ouzel along the track by the air raid shelter.
Wangford: four Cattle Egrets again with cattle opposite the entrance to Henham quarry.
North Warren: a Cattle Egret flew south over the reedbeds.
Hollesley Marsh: the Glossy Ibis still present and two Cattle Egrets in the flooded field opposite the café plus the first Lesser Whitethroat of Spring.
Felixstowe: a Black Redstart at the fort.
Trimley Marsh: a Hen Harrier at the reserve.
Debenham: a Cattle Egret again in the field opposite the vets.
Rougham: 35 Waxwings by Mount Road, east of the new houses on Rougham airfield.
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April 7th
Carlton Marsh: two Spoonbill on Peto's Marsh.
Walberswick: two Curlew Sandpipers on the Blyth estuary.
Minsmere: a male Eider on East Scrape.
Westleton: two Cranes over Yoxford Road.
North Warren: a Spoonbill south over North Marsh.
Hollesley Marsh: the Glossy Ibis still present in the flooded field opposite the café.
Felixstowe: two Black Redstarts at the fort.
Newbourne: a male Ring Ouzel reported.
Needham Market: a PALLAS'S WARBLER at the sewage works (it had first been noted on March 30th).
Debenham: a Cattle Egret again in the field opposite the vets.
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April 6th
Corton: a Ring Ouzel in the churchyard.
Carlton Marsh: a Grasshopper Warbler at Sprats Water and a drake Garganey on Peto's Marsh.
Benacre: two Ring Ouzels at Beach Farm.
Wangford: five Cattle Egrets again with cattle opposite the entrance to Henham quarry.
Southwold: a Ring Ouzel in the sheep paddocks north of the pier and two Purple Sandpipers on the sea defences.
Reydon: the first Willow Warbler of the Spring singing at the end of Three Marsh Lane.
Minsmere: a Blue-headed Wagtail around the Konik ponies at the sluice, two Cranes flew east behind Island Mere and four Little Gulls on East Scrape.
Hollesley Marsh: a Glossy Ibis, two Little Ringed Plovers, a Water Pipit, three White Wagtails and a redhead Goosander on the reserve.
Thetford: a Ring Ouzel at Nunnery Lakes plus Cuckoo and Reed Warbler.
April 5th
Wangford: at least three Cattle Egrets still present.
Hen Reedbeds: a Water Pipit present.
Westleton: the first Nightingale of Spring.
Hollesley Marsh: a redhead Goosander and two Little Ringed Plovers.
Woodbridge: the first Nightingale of Spring.
Felixstowe: a male Ring Ouzel on the common in front of Landguard Obs.
Hadleigh: the first Common Whitethroat of Spring near Pond Hall industrial estate.
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April 4th
Hollesley Marsh: the Glossy Ibis still present.
Great Blakenham: the first Hobby of the year hawking over fields between Claydon and Great Blakenham near the B1113.
Lakenheath Fen: three Garganey (2m,1f) on the small wash by East Wood.
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April 3rd
Lowestoft: 14 Purple Sandpipers at Ness Point.
Wangford: four Cattle Egrets again with cattle opposite the entrance to Henham quarry.
Minsmere: two Cranes in reedy fields to the south.
Hollesley Marsh: a Glossy Ibis, a drake Garganey, a redhead Goosander and a Little Ringed Plover.
Brantham: a WHITE STORK flew low over Brantham Hall / church.
Little Cornard: a Little Ringed Plover at Shalford Meadow.
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April 2nd
Kessingland: a Raven on the Levels.
Wangford: four Cattle Egrets again with cattle opposite the entrance to Henham quarry.
Blythburgh: an Osprey in a Poplar tree on the north side of the estuary.
Minsmere: two Cranes flying east past Island Mere.
Aldringham: two WHITE STORKS flew south-west over Aldringham Walks at 14:20.
Thorpeness: a Short-eared Owl at the old caravan park.
Aldeburgh Marsh: a Little Ringed Plover and a White Wagtail on the main flash.
Claydon: a Crane heading north.
Pipps Ford: a drake Garganey present.
April 1st
Lowestoft: eight Purple Sandpipers at Ness Point and an Osprey flew north over Crown Meadow.
Wangford: four Cattle Egrets with cattle opposite the entrance to Henham quarry.
Southwold: 11 White Wagtails and a Little Ringed Plover on a pool.
North Warren: a Whimbrel in off.
Snape: a Ring Ouzel near Facons Bottom Farm.
Boyton Marsh: a Glossy Ibis present.
Hollesley Marsh: a Glossy Ibis, a redhead Goosander and a Little Ringed Plover.
Felixstowe: two Black Redstarts at Landguard and a Short-eared Owl at Kingsfleet.
Alton Water: two Slavonian Grebes off Tattingstone Place.
Little Cornard: a pair of Garganey at Shalford Meadow in the sewage work lagoons.
Lackford Lakes: two Little Gulls on the sailing lake.
Lakenheath Fen: three Garganey (2m,1f) on the small wash by East Wood.