Suffolk
Bird
Group
For information on Suffolk birds and birding
January 2025 Sightings
January 31st
Wangford: five Cattle Egrets still in the field opposite the entrance of Henham quarry.
Dunwich: a Firecrest with a tit flock at Dingle Stone House and c.60 Snow Buntings at the feeding station.
Minsmere: four Bewick's Swans, a second year Caspian Gull and a Purple Sandpiper on East Scrape.
Blaxhall: six Whooper Swans again in fields opposite Lime Tree Farm.​​
January 30th
Sotterley: five Hawfinches near the lake.
Minsmere: four Bewick's Swans and two Goosanders on East Scrape. The Long-tailed Duck on the sea off the North Wall.
Hollesley Marsh: a Short-eared Owl in meadows by the pillbox
Bawdsey: a Scaup on the second lagoon at East Lane and three Purple Sandpipers.
Felixstowe: a Cattle Egret at Gulpher Farm.
Loompit Lake: the Tundra Bean Goose and the Pink-footed Goose again present.
Levington Creek: a Slavonian Grebe drifting up river.
January 29th
Blundeston: five Cattle Egrets along Waddling Lane.
Minsmere: four Whooper Swans on South Scrape, four Bewick's Swans and a Purple Sandpiper on East Scrape. A Long-tailed Duck on the sea off the North Wall.
Sizewell: a Great Northern Diver south off Sizewell Hall.
Hollesley Marsh: a Cattle Egret in the field below the prison. A Short-eared Owl hunting in fields to the south.
Shingle Street: a Scaup on the lagoon by the martello tower.
Felixstowe: a Cattle Egret at Gulpher Farm. Four Firecrests at The Grove, two of which by the red tent.
Loompit Lake: the Tundra Bean Goose and the Pink-footed Goose again present. A Great Northern Diver on the river at the retreat end off the lake.
​
January 28th
Lowestoft: four Purple Sandpipers at Ness Point.
Minsmere: four Whooper Swans on South Scrape, four Bewick's Swans and a Purple Sandpiper on East Scrape.
Botany Marsh: the HOODED CROW again present.
Falkenham: 11 Corn Buntings sat in oak trees at the game strip by Deben Lodge/Kingsfleet.
Pipps Ford: three Jack Snipe.
January 27th
Hopton: two Velvet Scoters again on the sea off Beach Road.
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still present, just south of the last caravan.
Benacre: two Scaup and six Whooper Swans on Benacre Broad.
Covehithe: a Scaup on Covehithe Broad.
Minsmere: a Water Pipit at Island Mere.
North Warren: 274 Eurasian White-fronted Geese.
Hazlewood Marsh: a female Merlin.
Botany Marsh: the HOODED CROW again present.
​
January 26th
Hopton: two Velvet Scoters on the sea off Beach Road.
Somerleyton: three Cattle Egrets behind the Dukes Head pub, viewed from Slugs Lane.
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still present, just south of the last caravan plus three Snow Buntings flew south.
Covehithe: two Scaup on Covehithe Broad.
Sotterley: 5+ Hawfinches near the church.
Minsmere: four Whooper Swans, four Bewick's Swans, an adult Caspian Gull and a Purple Sandpiper on East Scrape.
North Warren: 219 Eurasian White-fronted Geese and a Firecrest along the west side of the track that circles the reed bed.
Botany Marsh: the HOODED CROW still present.
Boyton Marsh: 50+ Eurasian White-fronted Geese, one Pink-footed Goose and a Cattle Egret.
Kirton Creek: two Whooper Swans again in the same field and 21 Eurasian White-fronted Geese flew north.
January 25th
Walberswick: 45+ Snow Buntings still along the beach between Walberswick and Dunwich.
Minsmere: four Bewick's Swans on East Scrape.
Thorpeness: seven (4f,3m) Goosanders on the Meare.
North Warren: 177 Eurasian White-fronted Geese and a Water Pipit.
Blaxhall: six Whooper Swans again in fields opposite Lime Tree Farm.
Boyton Marsh: 196 Eurasian White-fronted Geese and a Cattle Egret.
Shingle Street: a Short-eared Owl present.
Deben estuary: two Whooper Swans between Kirton and Falkenham Creeks.
January 24th
Carlton Marsh: five Cattle Egrets in to roost.
Walberswick: 10 Eurasian White-fronted Geese on the north fields near the harbour car park.
Blaxhall: six Whooper Swans again in fields opposite Lime Tree Farm.
Loompit Lake: the Tundra Bean Goose and the Pink-footed Goose again on the lake.
​
January 23rd
Kessingland: a Scaup on the beach pools.
Blaxhall: six Whooper Swans again in fields opposite Lime Tree Farm.
Bedfield: a Hawfinch at St. Nicholas church.
Loompit Lake: the Tundra Bean Goose and the Pink-footed Goose still on fields nearby plus two Eurasian White-fronted Geese. The Snow Bunting still by the managed retreat.
​
January 22nd
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still on the beach in front of the last caravan to the south.
Alde Estuary: a Great Northern Diver on the river.
Hollesley Marsh: a Cattle Egret in the field below the prison.
​
January 21st
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still on the beach in front of the last caravan to the south.
Benacre: six Whooper Swans on the Broad.
Covehithe: two Scaup on Covehithe Broad.
Reydon: a Black Redstart at Old Hall Café.
Long Melford: 42 Eurasian White-fronted Geese back on the flooded field to the south-east of Long Melford sewage works.
January 20th
Sotterley: three Hawfinches near the church.
Ellough: five Grey Partridges opposite the industrial park.
Hen Reedbeds: an immature male Hen Harrier flew over towards the south side of the Blyth.
Walberswick: between 42 to 45 Snow Buntings still along the beach between Walberswick and Dunwich.
Thorpeness: six Velvet Scoters offshore.
Botany Marsh: the HOODED CROW still present.
Blaxhall: six Whooper Swans again in fields opposite the Ship pub.
Boyton Marsh: still plenty of Eurasian White-fronted Geese plus a Merlin.
Loompit Lake: the Tundra Bean Goose and the Pink-footed Goose still on fields nearby, viewable from benches on the clifftop. Nearby, a Snow Bunting by the managed retreat.
Bawdsey: five Purple Sandpipers on the sea defences at East Lane.
January 19th
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still on the beach south of the last caravan.
Covehithe Broad: two Greater Scaup.
Sotterley: 17 Hawfinches near the church.
Hen Reedbeds: c.22 Pink-footed Geese and four Eurasian White-fronted Geese from the river wall in fields east of Les Tarver hide.
Thorpeness: five Velvet Scoters offshore from the Country Club.
Botany Marsh: the HOODED CROW still present.
Snape Street: three Common Cranes on New England Farm.
Blaxhall: six Whooper Swans again in fields opposite the Ship pub.
Loompit Lake: the Pink-footed Goose plus five Eurasian White-fronted Geese.
Melton: Eurasian White-fronted Geese within a mixed goose flock that flew over the Riverside picnic site and headed down river at dusk.
Ipswich: a Hawfinch in the cemetery.
Tattingstone: 25+ Bramblings in set aside fields to the south of the village.
January 18th
Somerleyton: two Cattle Egrets in front of Somerleyton church.
Lowestoft: a Black Redstart at Ness Point and three Purple Sandpipers on rocks at the north end of the caravans.
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still on the beach south of the last caravan.
Benacre Broad: four Whooper Swans and a Scaup.
Sotterley: a flock of 37 Hawfinches near the church.
Walberswick: c.50 Snow Buntings still along the beach.
Minsmere: four Whooper Swans on Island Mere.
Thorpeness: six Velvet Scoters offshore from the Country Club.
North Warren: the male RING-NECKED DUCK on South Marsh from the viewing platform plus a Water Pipit.
Botany Marsh: the HOODED CROW still present.
Blaxhall: six Whooper Swans in fields opposite Lime Tree Farm.
Boyton Marsh: a Black Redstart around the farm.
Loompit Lake: the Pink-footed Goose and the Tundra Bean Goose feeding in a field viewed from Sleighton Hill.
Stutton Ness: a Slavonian Grebe close to the shore on the Stour.
​
January 17th
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still on the beach south of the last caravan.
Covehithe: a Scaup on the Broad.
Sotterley: up to 18 Hawfinches near the church.
Botany Marsh: the HOODED CROW still present.
Orfordness: Snow Buntings again on the shingle viewed from Hollesley river wall.
Boyton Marsh: a Black Redstart in the paddock plus two Pink-footed Geese towards Butley Ferry.
Hollesley Marsh: c.20 Eurasian White-fronted Geese on the reserve.
Kingsfleet: c.45 Eurasian White-fronted Geese flew over towards Trimley.
​
January 16th
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still on the beach.
Covehithe: two Scaups on the Broad.
Sotterley: nine Hawfinches near the church.
Minsmere: four Whooper Swans on North Scrape that later flew to Island Mere. A Purple Sandpiper and six Caspian Gulls, including a Polish ringed bird, on East Scrape.
Aldeburgh: the Long-tailed Duck flew south offshore towards Slaughden.
Orfordness: c.25 Snow Buntings again on the shingle viewed from Hollesley river wall.
Boyton Marsh: a Black Redstart in the paddock plus a Cattle Egret.
Bawdsey: five Purple Sandpipers on the sea defences at East Lane.
Long Melford: 42 Eurasian White-fronted Geese back on the flooded field to the south-east of Long Melford sewage works.
​
January 15th
Burgh Castle: a Glossy Ibis at Church Farm Marshes.
Lowestoft: a Black Redstart at Ness Point in the wind turbine compound.
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still on the beach south of the last caravan.
Sotterley: at least 16 Hawfinches near the lake and church plus a Raven over.
Walberswick: 30+ Snow Buntings still along the beach plus a Merlin.
Westleton: a Firecrest at Mount Pleasant Farm.
Thorpeness: four Velvet Scoters offshore from the OCP.
North Warren: a male RING-NECKED DUCK on South Marsh from the viewing platform.
Aldeburgh: the female-type Long-tailed Duck offshore from the Scallop car park.
Snape: three Cranes flew west.
Kingsfleet: four Corn Buntings on game crop near Deben Lodge.
Lower Holbrook: a Slavonian Grebe on the Stour.
​
January 14th
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still on the beach south of the last caravan.
Benacre Broad: seven Whooper Swans.
Sotterley: nine Hawfinches near the lake.
Walberswick: 55 Snow Buntings still along the beach.
Thorpeness: two Goosanders on the Meare. A female-type Long-tailed Duck offshore towards Aldeburgh.
Boyton Marsh: a Black Redstart in the paddock, plus Cattle Egret, 50 Eurasian White-fronted Geese and two Pink-footed Geese.
Kirton Creek: two Whooper Swans on the river.
Alton Water: several Bramblings in a set-aside field south of Tattingstone.​​​
​
January 13th
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still on the beach south of the last caravan.
Sotterley: 4+ Hawfinches near the church.
Wangford: five, possibly six Cattle Egrets still in field opposite to entrance of Henham quarry.
Minsmere: a Puffin flew north and eight Goosanders on the sea, to the north of North Wall.
Orfordness: 30 Snow Buntings again on the shingle viewed from Hollesley river wall.
Gedgrave: a Woodcock and a Jack Snipe.
Boyton Marsh: a Black Redstart in the paddock with the calf and 50 Eurasian White-fronted Geese present in the goose flock.
Loompit Lake: the Pink-footed Goose and the Tundra Bean Goose feeding in a field by the lake.
Alton Water: five Red-crested Pochards (3m,2f) opposite Larchwood Hide.
​January 12th
Carlton Marsh: a male Hen Harrier over Share Marsh.
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still on the beach 100 yards south of the last caravan.
Benacre Broad: three Whooper Swans plus another flew north-west over the clifftop.
Sotterley: five Hawfinches between the lake and the church.
Walberswick: c.60 Snow Buntings still along the beach.
North Warren: three Cranes.
Aldeburgh Marsh: 86 Eurasian White-fronted Geese.
Iken: two Cranes flying down river opposite Iken church.
Botany Marsh: the HOODED CROW still present.
Orfordness: 30 Snow Buntings again on the shingle viewed from Hollesley river wall.
Boyton Marsh: three Spoonbills flew north along the Butley River.
Hollesley Marsh: a Cattle Egret in fields below the prison.
Deben estuary: two Whooper Swans opposite Methersgate quay that later flew down river to Kirton and 17 Pink-footed Geese flew up river past Stonner Point.
Loompit Lake: a Pink-footed Goose and a Tundra Bean Goose.
January 11th
Somerleyton: six Cattle Egrets in parkland by the old rectory.
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still on the beach 100 yards south of the last caravan to the south.
Benacre Broad: a Great Northern Diver and a Whooper Swan.
Sotterley: nine Hawfinches around the church.
Ellough: seven Grey Partridges along Benacre Road.
Walberswick: 30+ Snow Buntings still along the beach and a ringtail Hen Harrier drifted south.
Minsmere: on the Scrape, a Water Pipits and a Purple Sandpiper.
Thorpeness: six Velvet Scoters offshore from the OCP.
Orfordness: 30+ Snow Buntings again on the shingle viewed from Hollesley river wall.
Boyton Marsh: a Bewick's Swan with a yellow neck collar flew west and a female Black Redstart still present.
Hollesley Marsh: four Cattle Egrets in fields.
Bawdsey: a Purple Sandpiper at East Lane on the first shore pool to the north.
Waldringfield: two Whooper Swans on the River Deben, 400m north of Waldringfield moorings.
Glemsford: 41+ Eurasian White-fronted Geese feeding on cereal fields, north of the A1092.
​
January 10th
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still on the beach in front of the last caravan to the south.
Covehithe: two Scaup on Covehithe Broad.
Sotterley: four Hawfinches by the church.
Ellough: seven Grey Partridges along Benacre Road.
Walberswick: 61 Snow Buntings still along the beach.
Orfordness: c.25 Snow Buntings again on the shingle viewed from Hollesley river wall.
Botany Marsh: the HOODED CROW still present.
Boyton Marsh: two female Black Redstarts, one by the car park and one near the bench. 10 Eurasian White-fronted Geese on the marshes.
Hollesley Marsh: three Cattle Egrets in fields below the prison.
Shingle Street: the Scaup still on the lagoon.
Bawdsey: a Purple Sandpiper at East Lane on the first shore pool to the north.
Felixstowe: a Firecrest at the Grove.
January 9th
Lowestoft: a male Black Redstart on Hamilton Road.
Oulton Broad: a second-winter Iceland Gull again present.
Sotterley: eight Hawfinches between the church and the lake.
Walberswick: Snow Buntings still along the beach.
Thorpeness: a Black Redstart in a beach garden to the south of the village. From the OCP, four Velvet Scoters offshore.
Aldeburgh Marsh: 70 Eurasian White-fronted Geese.
Orfordness: 24 Snow Buntings again on the shingle viewed from Hollesley river wall.
Shingle Street: the Scaup still on the lagoon.
Bawdsey: three Purple Sandpipers at East Lane on the shore defences.
Landguard: two Velvet Scoters flew south.
Erwarton: a ringtail Hen Harrier over fields to the south of the village.
​
January 8th
Burgh Castle Marsh: a Glossy Ibis and three Cattle Egrets.
Oulton Broad: a second-winter Iceland Gull on the yacht club jetty.
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still on the beach in front of the last caravan to the south.
Ellough: seven Grey Partridges.
Walberswick: 48 Snow Buntings still along the beach.
Thorpeness: from the OCP, three Velvet Scoters offshore.
Orfordness: Snow Buntings again on the shingle viewed from Hollesley river wall.
Gedgrave Marsh: two Pink-footed Geese,12 Eurasian White-fronted Geese and a Merlin.
Havergate Island: two Spoonbills over.
Boyton Marsh: a Cattle Egret with the bull behind the farm.
Shingle Street: the Scaup still on the lagoon.
Kirton Creek: two Whooper Swans still in the field.
Chelmondiston: two Corn Buntings along Lings Lane.
​
January 7th
Burgh Castle Marsh: a Glossy Ibis and four Cattle Egrets viewed from the pumphouse track.
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still on the beach in front of the last caravan to the south.
Sotterley: nine Hawfinches in the tallest trees, to the west of the church, by the edge of the lake.
Ellough: six Grey Partridges viewed from Benacre Road.
Walberswick: 30+ Snow Buntings still along the beach.
Minsmere: on the Scrape, two Water Pipits, three first-winter Caspian Gulls, three Whooper Swans and two Bewick's Swans that flew off West.
Thorpeness: seven Goosanders on the Meare.
Botany Marsh: the HOODED CROW still present.
Kirton Creek: two Whooper Swans still in the field.
​​January 6th
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still on the beach in front of the last caravan to the south and five Snow Buntings by the main pool below The Hollies.
Walberswick: 35 Snow Buntings still along the beach
Thorpeness: a male Merlin over the Meare plus 12 Goosanders. From the OCP, The two Tundra Bean Geese again on the arable field to the north.
Shingle Street: the Scaup still on the lagoon plus a Short-eared Owl and a Jack Snipe south of the Battery Cottage.
Long Melford: at least 42 Eurasian White-fronted Geese back on the flooded field to the south-east of Long Melford sewage works.
​
January 5th
Lowestoft: a Black Redstart in the yard south of the Orbis building. A first-winter Glaucous Gull in Lowestoft Harbour, viewed from South Pier.
Minsmere: three Whooper Swans and two Bewick's Swans on East Scrape.
Thorpeness: the drake RING-NECKED DUCK again on the Meare. From the OCP, The two Tundra Bean Geese again on the arable field to the north.
Shingle Street: the Scaup still halfway between Shingle Street and East Lane.
Haughley: a flock of Pink-footed Geese flew over heading west at 10pm.
​
January 4th
Gunton: an immature Iceland Gull reported along Corton Road.
Lowestoft: seven Purple Sandpipers at Ness Point and a Black Redstart under the wind turbine.
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still on the beach in front of the last caravan to the south.
Covehithe: two Scaup on Covehithe Broad.
Sotterley: two Hawfinches at the churchyard.
Ellough: seven Grey Partridges along College Lane.
Wangford: two Cattle Egrets still in field opposite to entrance of Henham quarry.
Walberswick: 40+ Snow Buntings along the beach opposite the mound.
Minsmere: a Purple Sandpiper and a Water Pipit on East Scrape, three Whooper Swans on Island Mere.
Thorpeness: the drake RING-NECKED DUCK again on the Meare. From the OCP, The two Tundra Bean Geese again on the arable field to the north.
North Warren: three Cranes left the reedbed early morning plus 52 Eurasian White-fronted Geese on North Marsh.
Botany Marsh: the HOODED CROW still present.
Orfordness: 20+ Snow Buntings on the shingle viewed from Hollesley river wall.
Hollesley Marsh: four Cattle Egrets in fields below the prison.
Kirton Creek: two Whooper Swans between Kirton Creek and Falkenham Creek and a Tundra Bean Goose at Kirton Lodge reservoir.
Stoke-by-Nayland: six Eurasian White-fronted Geese in a field by Thorington Street Reservoir.
​
January 3rd
Carlton Marsh: three Cattle Egrets in to roost plus a Short-eared Owl and three Woodcocks.
Oulton Marsh: c.120 Pink-footed Goose flew north at dusk.
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still on the beach in front of the last caravan to the south.
Sotterley: a Hawfinch in trees by the lake.
Wangford: three Cattle Egrets still in field opposite to entrance of Henham quarry.
Walberswick: 35+ Snow Buntings along the beach by the shore pools.
Minsmere: a Pink-footed Goose flew inland. Purple Sandpiper and a Water Pipit on West Scrape.
Thorpeness: the drake RING-NECKED DUCK again on the Meare. From the OCP, two Velvet Scoters offshore plus the two Tundra Bean Geese again on the arable field to the north.
North Warren: three Cranes flew north over the reserve plus a Merlin.
Botany Marsh: the HOODED CROW still present.
Orfordness: 30+ Snow Buntings on the shingle viewed from Hollesley river wall.
Boyton Marsh: at least one Pink-footed Goose and two Cattle Egrets.
Hollesley Marsh: c.10 Snow Buntings on the Hollesley side of the river. Four Cattle Egrets in front of Warren Hill.
Bawdsey Quay: a juvenile Puffin up river.
Falkenham: two Jack Snipe and a Brambling in game crop.
Wherstead Strand: the Black-throated Diver up river from the Orwell Bridge.
Witnesham: two Ravens between Witnesham and Henley.
Lakenheath Fen: a Goshawk over Hockwold Washes.
January 2nd
Kessingland: the Shore Lark still on the beach in front of the last caravan to the south.
Benacre: six Whooper Swans on the Broad.
Covehithe: two Scaup on Covehithe Broad.
Sotterley: a Hawfinch by the church.
Minsmere: a Purple Sandpiper and a Water Pipit on East Scrape, two Whooper Swans on West Scrape.
Thorpeness: the drake RING-NECKED DUCK again on the Meare plus eight Goosanders. From the OCP, seven Velvet Scoters offshore plus the two Tundra Bean Geese again on the arable field to the north - they did fly south to North Warren but returned later.
North Warren: the two Tundra Bean Geese briefly with Eurasian White-fronted Geese, plus a ringtail Hen Harrier over South Marsh.
Botany Marsh: the HOODED CROW still present.
Orfordness: 30+ Snow Buntings on the shingle viewed from Hollesley river wall.
Boyton Marsh: two Pink-footed Geese and two Cattle Egrets.
Kirton Creek: two Whooper Swans between Kirton Creek and Falkenham Marshes.
Wherstead Strand: the Black-throated Diver and a Shag on the River Orwell.
Holbrook: a Slavonian Grebe on the River Stour.
​​
January 1st
Breydon South Wall: two Glossy Ibises this afternoon.
Wangford: five Cattle Egrets still in field opposite to entrance of Henham quarry.
Dunwich: 15 Snow Buntings on the shingle ridge north of the beach car park.
Minsmere: two Whooper Swans, a Caspian Gull on East Scrape plus a Purple Sandpiper on West Scrape.
Thorpeness: the drake RING-NECKED DUCK again on the Meare. From the OCP, six Velvet Scoters offshore plus the two Tundra Bean Geese again on the arable field to the north.
Botany Marsh: the HOODED CROW still present.
Orfordness: 35 Snow Buntings on the shingle viewed from Hollesley river wall.
Boyton Marsh: 40+ Eurasian White-fronted Geese.
Hollesley Marsh: two first-winter Caspian Gulls.
Landguard: a Merlin flew south.
Wherstead Strand: the Black-throated Diver on the River Orwell just down from the Orwell Bridge.
Stour Estuary: two Black-necked Grebes reportedly flew up river from Stutton Ness.​​​