Suffolk
Bird
Group
For information on Suffolk birds and birding
February 2024 Sightings
February 29th
Carlton Marsh: the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER again on Peto's Marsh.
Minsmere: Two Goosander on East Scrape and 12 Whooper Swans on the South Levels.
Sizewell: three Black Redstarts by the power station.
Leiston: 12 Waxwings flew over the town towards Saxmundham.
Iken: two Cattle Egrets at Hill Farm and a further two along Sandy Lane.
Witnesham: four Ravens o low east over the village.
​
February 28th
Lowestoft: 14 Purple Sandpipers at Ness Point.
Kessingland: 40 Snow Buntings ranging widely along the beach.
Carlton Marsh: the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER again on Peto's Marsh.
Easton: four Purple Sandpipers on the sea wall.
North Warren: the RING-NECKED DUCK on south marsh.
Alde Estuary: two Smew from Hazlewood hide.
Hollesley Marsh: a Short-eared Owl from the viewing platform.
Alton Water: two Slavonian Grebes opposite Tattingstone Wonder.
Icklingham: WHITE-TAILED EAGLE from the reintroduction scheme, G625, flew north north-east and seen later on the Icklingham to Lakenheath road.
​
February 27th
Carlton Marsh: the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER again on Peto's Marsh.
Southwold: two Purple Sandpipers north of the pier. Black Redstart by the Harbour Inn.
Dunwich: Long-tailed Duck again on the sea viewable from the beach car park.
Minsmere: 12 Whooper Swans on South Levels plus two Caspian Gulls and three Water Pipits.
North Warren: the RING-NECKED DUCK and three Goosander roosted on south marsh plus five Spoonbill.
Alde Estuary: female Smew from Hazlewood hide.
Hollesley Marsh: a Glossy Ibis still present.
Felixstowe: a Short-eared Owl at Kingsfleet.
Little Livermere: a Tree Sparrow along Seven Hills Lane.
​
February 26th
Carlton Marsh: the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER again on Peto's Marsh.
North Warren: the RING-NECKED DUCK and eight Goosander roosted on south marsh. Earlier 122+ Eurasian White-fronted Geese on north marsh and three Caspian Gulls on south marsh.
Pipps Ford: three Goosander on West flooded pit.
​
February 25th
Dunwich: Long-tailed Duck again on the sea viewable from the beach car park.
Southwold: five Purple Sandpipers north of the pier.
Alde Estuary: two Smew from Hazlewood hide plus Short-eared Owl, two Water Pipit and Caspian Gull.
Alton Water: two Slavonian Grebes again from Tattingstone Place.
Great Cornard: Waxwing again on Carsons Drive.
Lakenheath: WHITE-TAILED EAGLE over the RAF base.
​
February 24th
Carlton Marsh: the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER again on Peto's Marsh.
Dunwich: Long-tailed Duck on the sea viewable from the beach car park.
Minsmere: Two Cranes on Island Mere and 12 Whooper Swans on East Scrape.
Hollesley Marsh: two Spoonbill, two Eurasian White-fronted Geese and a female Goosander.
Bury St. Edmunds: five Waxwings on Rougham Tower Avenue.
Raydon: Short-eared Owl over the disused airfield.
Great Cornard: Waxwing again on Carsons Drive.
February 23rd
A couple of species were tracked at a few locations:
A WHITE-TAILED EAGLE (not satellite-tagged).
> Minsmere: heading towards the Coastguard Cottages over the reserve.
> Westleton: heading north over the heath.
> Wangford: low over the quarry. Then gaining height heading towards Reydon and finally over Potters Bridge.
> Tunstall: seen in a field near the village.
​
Three Cranes.
> Carlton Marsh: south.
> Kessingland: heading towards the turbines.
> Benacre: continuing south over Beach Farm and then the Broad.
> Covehithe: continuing south.
> Wangford: south over Potters Bridge.
> Minsmere: south over the reserve.
​
North-east Suffolk: a NIGHT HERON on private land.
Carlton Marsh: the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER again on Peto's Marsh.
Benacre: Just south of Beach Farm 42 Snow Buntings.
Dunwich: Long-tailed Duck on the sea.
Minsmere: The three Cranes south over the reserve.
Iken: five Cattle Egrets along Sandy Lane.
Hollesley Marsh: a Glossy Ibis again on the flash opposite the café.
Felixstowe: Short-eared Owl near the Ferry.
Trimley Marshes: a Great Northern Diver on the river off the reserve.
Freston: a Great Northern Diver off Stoke Sailing Club.
​
February 22nd
Lowestoft: 12 Purple Sandpipers on rocks at Links Road.
Kessingland: Short-eared Owl, Jack Snipe and a probable Lapland Bunting by the shore pools.
Carlton Marsh: the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER again on Peto's Marsh.
North Warren: nine Goosander flew north and 273 Eurasian White-fronted Geese on north marsh.
​
February 21st
Hollesley Marsh: a Glossy Ibis on the flash opposite the café.
​
February 20th
Carlton Marsh: the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER again on Peto's Marsh.
Benacre: Long-tailed Duck still on the Broad.
North Warren: pair of Goosander on south marsh and c.80 Eurasian White-fronted Geese.
Hollesley Marsh: four Spoonbill.
​
February 19th
Kessingland: 45 Snow Buntings on the beach opposite Heathlands Holiday Park.
Carlton Marsh: the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER again on Peto's Marsh.
Benacre: Long-tailed Duck still on the Broad.
North Warren: 22 Goosander came into roost, Spoonbill plus RING-NECKED DUCK reported.
Hollesley Marsh: four Spoonbill, ringtail Hen Harrier and a lone Goosander
February 18th
Carlton Marsh: the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER again on Peto's Marsh.
North Warren: two Goosander, Spoonbill and 150+ Eurasian White-fronted Geese on north marsh.
Iken: five Cattle Egrets along Sandy Lane.
​
February 17th
Kessingland: 30+ Snow Buntings on the beach opposite Heathlands caravan park.
Carlton Marsh: the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER again on Peto's Marsh.
Benacre: Long-tailed Duck still on the Broad.
Minsmere: eleven Whooper Swans on Island Mere.
North Warren: 17 Goosander flew north over the reedbed early morning and 350+ Eurasian White-fronted Geese on north marsh.
Hollesley Marsh: Glossy Ibis.
Bawdsey: Purple Sandpiper at East Lane.
Shottisham: Short-eared Owl along the minor road to Hollesley.
Alton Water: four Scaup reported.
​
February 16th
Kessingland: Jack Snipe at the shore pools.
Carlton Marsh: the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER again on Peto's Marsh.
Leiston: 11 Waxwings on the north-west corner of Recreational Park feeding on Mistletoe.
Boyton Marsh: 70 Eurasian White-fronted Geese.
Hollesley Marsh: four Bewick's Swans on the scrape plus two Spoonbill.
Chelmondiston: 30+ Corn Buntings along Lings Lane.
Lower Holbrook: a Great Northern Diver in Holbrook Bay.
Shotley: a Great Northern Diver and two Slavonian Grebes on the river.
​
February 15th
Kessingland: Jack Snipe at the shore pools.
Carlton Marsh: the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER again on Peto's Marsh.
Walberswick: flock of Snow Buntings along the beach at Corporation Marsh.
Leiston: 11 Waxwings at Park Hill.
Boyton Marsh: Short-eared Owl and Merlin.
Bawdsey: ringtail Hen Harrier on the marshes and two Purple Sandpipers at East Lane.
Great Cornard: Waxwing again on Carsons Drive.
​
February 14th
Carlton Marsh: the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER was back on Peto's Marsh associating with a flock of Black-tailed Godwits.
Leiston: 13 Waxwings viewed at Valley Gardens early morning before flying west.
Iken: four Cattle Egrets with Highland Cattle along Sandy Lane.
​
February 13th
Benacre: Long-tailed Duck still on the Broad.
Minsmere: ten Whooper Swans on East Scrape.
Leiston: 12 Waxwings outside the library.
Thorpeness: two Goosander on the Meare.
North Warren: c.40 Eurasian White-fronted Geese on north marsh.
​
February 12th
Kessingland: the Lapland Bunting again in the usual area on north beach, north of red house. Long-eared Owl in the morning plus c.50 Snow Buntings also.
Benacre: Long-tailed Duck still on the Broad.
Alde Estuary: female Smew again on the river opposite Aldeburgh Marshes.
Iken: four Cattle Egrets with Highland Cattle along Sandy Lane.
Boyton Marsh: Short-eared Owl at Burrow Hill.
Hollesley Marsh: Short-eared Owl from the viewing platform.
​
​
​
​
​
Short-eared Owl at Burrow Hill credit John Richardson.
February 11th
Burgh Castle: LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER again on the flats. Best viewed at lower tides, at high tide it moves to the eastern end of Breydon Water.
Fritton Lake: 30 Great Egrets roosted.
Lowestoft: a Great Northern Diver again on Lake Lothing. Eight Purple Sandpipers on sea defences at Links Road.
Kessingland: the Lapland Bunting again in the usual area on north beach, north of red house plus a number of Snow Buntings.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Snow Bunting at Kessingland credit Les Cater.
​
Benacre: Long-tailed Duck still on the Broad.
Easton Bavents: two Twite reported amongst Linnets at Easton Farm.
Dunwich: Snow Buntings again at the feeding station and two Velvet Scoters from the beach car park.
Minsmere: two Spoonbill on East Scrape. A Black-necked Grebe on the sea.
Havergate Island: two Little Stints and five Spoonbill.
Hollesley Marsh: two Short-eared Owls and a female Hen Harrier.
Felixstowe: two Short-eared Owls at Kingsfleet and a Jack Snipe by the ferry sea wall.
Alton Water: Scaup and two Slavonian Grebes again from Tattingstone Wonder.
​
February 10th
Burgh Castle: LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER again on the flats.
Lowestoft: a Great Northern Diver again on Lake Lothing.
Kessingland: the Lapland Bunting again in the usual area on north beach.
Benacre: Long-tailed Duck still on the Broad.
Walberswick: three Slavonian Grebes distantly off Corporation Marsh.
Dunwich: 30+ Snow Buntings at the feeding station along the shingle beach plus a female Long-tailed Duck offshore with a Common Scoter flock and two Velvet Scoters from the beach car park.
Minsmere: Merlin from Bittern Hide at dusk.
Westleton: eleven Bewick's Swans south over Westleton Heath.
Thorpeness: RING-NECKED DUCK still present on the Meare plus nine Goosander.
North Warren: 81 Eurasian White-fronted Geese on north marsh.
Hollesley Marsh: Glossy Ibis viewable from the café and c.482 Eurasian White-fronted Geese from Mill Lane.
Trimley Marsh: Water Pipit on the Summer Flood.
Alton Water: Scaup and two Slavonian Grebes from Tattingstone Wonder.
Great Cornard: a Waxwing on Carsons Drive.
​
February 9th
Burgh Castle: LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER again on the flats.
Kessingland: the Lapland Bunting again in the usual area.
Minsmere: eleven Bewick's Swans and twelve Whooper Swans on East Scrape.
Levington: a Glossy Ibis on Levington Lagoon.
Ipswich: five Waxwings again present at Colchester Road allotment (no public access) but can viewed along Valley Road at times.
Alton Water: Scaup and two Slavonian Grebes from Tattingstone Wonder.
​
February 8th
No news today
​
February 7th
Burgh Castle: LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER on the flats. Earlier it had been at the east end of Breydon Water.
Benacre: a Long-tailed Duck still on the Broad.
Minsmere: eleven Bewick's Swans on East Scrape, three Whooper Swans on Island Mere plus Water Pipit from North Hide.
Hollesley Marsh: Short-eared Owl from the pill box and ringtail Hen Harrier low over the scrape.
Felixstowe: Short-eared Owl near the stile at the Ferry.
Trimley Marsh: Water Pipit on the Winter Flood.
Alton Water: Scaup and two Slavonian Grebes from Larchwood hide.
​
February 6th
Lowestoft: Great Northern Diver in Hamilton Dock.
Kessingland: a Lapland Bunting feeding south of the shore pools near Sea Buckthorn.
Minsmere: 11 Bewick's Swans and six Whooper Swans on East Scrape.
Alton Water: Scaup from Larchwood hide and two Slavonian Grebes from Tattingstone Wonder.
​
February 5th
Lowestoft: male Black Redstart at Ness Point near the wind turbine.
Kessingland: a Lapland Bunting and c.50 Snow Buntings along the beach in line with the mobile homes.
Frostenden: two Cranes over heading towards Sotterley.
Minsmere: 11 Bewick's Swans, nine Whooper Swans on East Scrape.
Boyton Marsh: three Ruff and c.250 Eurasian White-fronted Geese at Mill Lane.
Alton Water: two Slavonian Grebes from Tattingstone Wonder.
Great Barton: WHITE-TAILED EAGLE flying north over fields.
Westley: WHITE-TAILED EAGLE just south-west of the Horringer/Barrow crossroads.
Mayday Farm: Mealy Redpoll with a flock of c.25 Lesser Redpolls plus good numbers of Crossbill.
​
February 4th
Lowestoft: one Great Northern Diver on Lake Lothing and a second in Hamilton Dock.
Kessingland: a Lapland Bunting and c.50 Snow Buntings along the beach.
Carlton Marsh: four Bewick's Swans flew west.
Benacre: a Long-tailed Duck still on the Broad plus four Goldeneye.
Minsmere: 12 Bewick's Swans, nine Whooper Swans on East Scrape.
North Warren: a Spoonbill on south marsh.
Boyton Marsh: a Short-eared Owl and seven Ruff. At least 420 Eurasian White-fronted Geese between Boyton and Hollesley.
Alton Water: two Slavonian Grebes and a Scaup from Larchwood hide.
Ixworth: the Sussex WHITE-TAILED EAGLE at Micklemere.
Stowlangtoft: an early Osprey over the site.
Great Livermere: a probable WHITE-TAILED EAGLE over the lakes drifting south-west.
Great Cornard: a Waxwing on Carsons Drive.
​
February 3rd
Benacre: a Long-tailed Duck still on the Broad.
Southwold: three Purple Sandpipers north of the pier.
Dunwich: a Velvet Scoter offshore.
Sizewell: two female-type Black Redstarts near the power station.
Boyton: two Bewick's Swans along Mill Lane and c.200 Eurasian White-fronted Geese.
Hollesley Marsh: Glossy Ibis again on the reserve.
Woodbridge: two Waxwings briefly in Elmshurst Park before flying off.
Felixstowe: a Short-eared Owl at Kingsfleet heading towards Falkenham Creek.
Wherstead: two Ravens at Jimmy's Farm.
Ixworth: two WHITE-TAILED EAGLES at Micklemere. The original bird, seen near Woolpit and surrounding area at the end of 2023 and then nearby at Stowlangtoft more recently is a wild bird that had been ringed in the Netherlands. This has been joined by a second bird that comes from the White-tailed Eagle reintroduction scheme in the Isle of Wight and is the first offspring born in England for 240 years. This has been designated G625 and has fitted with a satellite tag. More information here - fledging success.
February 2nd
Carlton Marsh: a LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER on Peto's Marsh plus a Ruff.
Kessingland: a Lapland Bunting and 45 Snow Buntings along the beach.
Benacre: a Long-tailed Duck still on the Broad.
Iken: Cattle Egret on the north side of Sandy Lane with cattle.
Boyton Marsh: eleven Bewick's Swans, ringtail Hen Harrier, four Ruff plus a Firecrest by Banters Barn.
Melton: Curlew Sandpiper on the River Deben opposite the sewage works.
Wherstead: a Great Northern Diver by Orwell Bridge and a Red-breasted Merganser upstream.
Ipswich: seven Waxwings along Valley Road/Colchester Road though mobile.
Stour Estuary: two Slavonian Grebes in Holbrook Bay.
Aspall: a Cattle Egret feeding in fields near the cider factory.
Ixworth: a WHITE-TAILED EAGLE in a tree at Micklemere.
​
February 1st
Lowestoft: a Great Northern Diver still on Lake Lothing.
Benacre: a Long-tailed Duck on the Broad.
Walberswick: a Water Pipit in a cut reed area near Corporation Marsh.
Dunwich: 60 Snow Buntings along the shingle beach and five Spotted Redshanks in the pools.
Minsmere: 2 Cranes on the South Levels.
Sizewell: two female-type Black Redstarts near the power station.
Thorpeness: RING-NECKED DUCK still present on the Meare.
Alde Estuary: female Smew and a Scaup from Hazlewood hide.
Chelmondiston: ringtail Hen Harrier flew over Cranes Creek.
Ixworth: a WHITE-TAILED EAGLE over Micklemere.
Stowlangtoft: two WHITE-TAILED EAGLES along Kiln Lane. (Please keep to the public rights of way).
​
​
​
​
​
​
