Suffolk
Bird
Group
For information on Suffolk birds and birding
January 2026 Sightings
January 25th
Worlingham Marsh: a male Hen Harrier.
Minsmere: three Whooper Swans on Island Mere. A Water Pipit on South Levels near the sluice.
Thorpeness: seven Goosander on the Meare.
North Warren: a Spoonbills and c.350 Greater White-fronted Geese.
Aldeburgh: a male Long-tailed Duck flew south and landed on the sea.
Landguard: the three Snow Buntings still along the back beach.
Stanton: a Rough-legged Buzzard in a hedge between Stanton and Hepworth on A143.
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January 24th
Kessingland: four Shore Larks present.
Minsmere: two Cranes at Island Mere before flying to the South Levels. A Whooper Swan on West Scrape with another on Island Mere.
Sudbourne Marsh: the BLACK BRANT still present.
Havergate Island: a female Merlin and a Spoonbill.
Gedgrave Marsh: a Short-eared Owl and two Bewick's Swans .south of Richmond Farm.
Landguard: the three Snow Buntings still along the back beach.
Orwell Estuary: a Great Northern Diver off Loompit Lake.
Alton Water: the male Smew and the two Scaup again present.
January 23rd
Kessingland: four Shore Larks present opposite The Hollies.
Southwold: two adult Little Gulls south offshore.
Gedgrave Marsh: a Short-eared Owl and 311 Greater White-fronted Geese.
Hollesley Marsh: a Cattle Egret again.
Landguard: the three Snow Buntings still along the back beach.
Orwell Estuary: a Black-necked Grebe off Levington Creek.
Alton Water: the male Smew off Juno Hide and the two Scaup again present.
January 22nd
Kessingland: two Shore Larks present.
Ellough: four Grey Partridges in a field opposite PCE Ellough.
Boyton Marsh: 500+ Greater White-fronted Geese. Ten Tundra Bean Geese were towards Butley Ferry.
January 21st
Walberswick: three Snow Buntings.
Hollesley Marsh: a Cattle Egret.
Landguard: the three Snow Buntings still along the back beach.
January 20th
Kessingland: four Shore Larks just south of Pakefield coast watch, on the seaward side of the pools.
Thorpeness: four Goosander on the Meare.
Sudbourne Marsh: the BLACK BRANT still present.
Gedgrave Marsh: two Bewick's Swans still.
Boyton Marsh: a female Hen Harrier towards Gedgrave. The Tundra Bean Geese and the Greater White-fronted Geese flew in from Boyton Hall Farm.
Hollesley Marsh: a Cattle Egret opposite the café.
Suffolk Water Park: a Pink-footed Goose present.
​January 19th
Gorleston: a Great Northern Diver flew south offshore.
Carlton Marsh: a female Hen Harrier in front of Lookout Hide.
Kessingland: four Shore Larks in the usual place and 32 Snow Buntings 250 yards north of the Sailors Home pub.
Walberswick: at least FAN-TAILED WARBLERS again present in the usual area.
Westleton Heath: two Ravens north.
Sudbourne Marsh: a BLACK BRANT 1.8 miles north of Orford.
Gedgrave Marsh: two Bewick's Swans still.
Boyton Marsh: at least 500 Greater White-fronted Geese and 42 Tundra Bean Geese.
Landguard: the three Snow Buntings still along the back beach.
Alton Water: the male Smew and the two Scaup again present.
Lakenheath: 50+ Bewick's Swans at Sedge Fen.
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January 18th
Lowestoft: a female Ring-necked Parakeet in Lowestoft cemetery.
Kessingland: four Shore Larks in the usual place and 30+ Snow Buntings at the northern end of the beach.
Walberswick: 2+ FAN-TAILED WARBLERS again present 100m north of the Sea Buckthorn clump.
Minsmere: a Glossy Ibis over Island Mere and 33 Greater White-fronted Geese flew over south.
Alde Estuary: a female Smew at Hazlewood.
Boyton Marsh: 539 Greater White-fronted Geese.
Deben Estuary: a Whooper Swan just south of Kirton Creek.
River Orwell: two Great Northern Divers off Levington Creek.
Alton Water: the male Smew and the two Scaup again present.
Bedfield: two Ravens in flight towards Earl Soham.
January 17th
Worlingham: a male Hen Harrier along Marsh Lane.
Kessingland: four Shore Larks between the pillbox and the Pakefield coast watch.
Hen Reedbeds: 24 Greater White-fronted Geese flew north-west.
Walberswick: four FAN-TAILED WARBLERS again present by the Sea Buckthorn clump plus 12 Snow Buntings on the beach.
Dunwich: five Snow Buntings by Dingle Marsh.
Minsmere: the Whooper Swan on Island Mere.
Boyton Marsh: 400 Greater White-fronted Geese and 42 Tundra Bean Geese by Boyton Hall Farm and two Spoonbills on the first scrape.
Hollesley Marsh: a Little Stint and a Water Pipit.
Landguard: the three Snow Buntings still along the back beach and a Black Redstart in front of the left battery.
River Orwell: two Great Northern Divers off Levington Creek plus a Raven over.
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January 16th
Kessingland: four Shore Larks in the usual place and c.14 Snow Buntings 1/2 mile north of the Sailors Home pub.
Minsmere: the TEMMINCK'S STINT again on East Scrape and the Whooper Swan on Island Mere.
Aldeburgh Marsh: an adult BLACK BRANT with Dark-bellied Brent Geese west of the main flood and 90+ Greater White-fronted Geese.
Friston: a Cattle Egret by the A1094 Hall Farm.
Boyton Marsh: 37 Tundra Bean Geese.
Hollesley Marsh: a Cattle Egret and a Little Stint.
January 15th
Southwold: a Velvet Scoter flew south.
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January 14th
Kessingland: four Shore Larks present on the beach opposite Pakefield coast watch.
Minsmere: two Cranes plus a Whooper Swan flew into Island Mere at dusk.
Boyton Marsh: 400+ Greater White-fronted Geese and 30 Tundra Bean Geese.
Hollesley Marsh: a Cattle Egret and a Little Stint.
Alton Water: the male Smew and the two Scaup again present.
Cavenham: 13 Tundra Bean Geese and a Greater White-fronted Goose from the watchpoint on Icknield Way, south-west of Cavenham.
January 13th
Gorleston: a sub-adult Velvet Scoter flew south.
Kessingland: four Shore Larks in the usual place and 18 Snow Buntings over. Three Tundra Bean Geese on a cliff field between the village and Heathlands Holiday Park.
Minsmere: a Whooper Swan on Island Mere.
Gedgrave: two Bewick's Swans still fields south of Richmond Farm.
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​January 12th
Kessingland: four Shore Larks and c.60 Snow Buntings present on the beach south of Pakefield coast watch.
Westleton: two Cranes flew east.
Minsmere: the TEMMINCK'S STINT again on West Scrape plus two Cranes on the South Levels.
Gedgrave Marsh: a Short-eared Owl near the pumping station, a Lapland Bunting over south and a female Merlin.
Landguard: the three Snow Buntings still along the back beach.
River Orwell: two Great Northern Divers off Clamphouse Creek.
Alton Water: the two Scaup off Tattingstone Place.
January 11th
Kessingland: four Shore Larks again present opposite the bunker, south of Pakefield coastwatch plus a Little Gull heading south along the tideline.
Landguard: five Red-crested Pochards (3f, 2m) in off the sea and then up river. The three Snow Buntings still along the back beach.
Alton Water: the male Smew opposite Tattingstone Place and the two Scaup between there and the Wonder.
Combs Wood: a female Hen Harrier flew over heading north-east.
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January 10th
Blundeston: eight Cattle Egrets in a field with black cattle off Waddling Lane.
Bungay: two Glossy Ibises at Fen Farm on Earsham Marsh.
Kessingland: 80+ Snow Buntings feeding by the northern shore pool and 16 Bean Geese flew south-west over The Hollies.
Reydon Marsh: five Tundra Bean Geese.
Hen Reedbeds: the TWITE again 200 yards east of Les Tarver hide.
Gedgrave: two Bewick's Swans and 323 Greater White-fronted Geese in fields below Richmond Farm.
Boyton: 14 Tundra Bean Geese still by Boyton Hall Farm.
Hollesley Marsh: a female Hen Harrier flew south towards Shingle Street plus c.3 Water Pipits, a Cattle Egret and 38 Greater White-fronted Geese in flight.
Walton Marsh: two Tundra Bean Geese viewable from Marsh Lane.
Landguard: three Snow Buntings along the back beach behind the Obs.
Loompit Lake: four Smew (2m, 2f) briefly before flying off.
Levington Creek: a Jack Snipe plus two Water Pipits at Levington Lagoon.
Alton Water: the male Smew opposite Tattingstone Place and the two Scaup between there and the Wonder. A Bewick's Swan flew west then later two more flew north-west.
​January 9th
Kessingland: four Shore Larks again present between coastguards and the pill box on the seaward side.
Minsmere: two Cranes on the South Levels.
Gedgrave: 15 Tundra Bean Geese, two Bewick's Swans and six Pink-footed Geese flew north, then back south.
Landguard: three Snow Buntings along the back beach behind the Obs.
Alton Water: the male Smew from Lemon's Hill Bridge and the two Scaup between Tattingstone Place and Wonder.
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January 8th
Carlton Marsh: c.30 Greater White-fronted Geese landed on the main lagoon on Peto's Marsh.
Kessingland: four Shore Larks again present.
Westleton: c.40 Goosanders west over.
Gedgrave: two Bewick's Swans.
Boyton: 14 Tundra Bean Geese and c.100 Greater White-fronted Geese by Boyton Hall Farm and a further c.100 Greater White-fronted Geese at Boyton Marsh.
Falkenham Marsh: three Tundra Bean Geese in fields near King's Fleet.
Landguard: three Snow Buntings along the back beach behind the Obs.
Lackford Lakes: 13 Tundra Bean Geese and a Greater White-fronted Goose on field from Lackford to Cavenham.
January 7th
Kessingland: four Shore Larks again present.
Covehithe: 60 Greater White-fronted Geese landed to the west of Covehithe Broad.
Sizewell: two Bewick's Swans flew west.
Gedgrave: 14 Tundra Bean Geese flew west, two Bewick's Swans, 330 Greater White-fronted Geese and a Raven.
Hollesley Marsh: a Cattle Egret.
Landguard: three Snow Buntings along the back beach behind the Obs.
Alton Water: the male Smew and two Scaup again present.
Livermere: a Tundra Bean Goose on Broad Water.
January 6th
Corton: ten Bewick's Swans in off and continued west over the church.
Kessingland: four Shore Larks again present by the shorepools and c.80 Snow Buntings about 800m north of the Sailors Home pub.
Minsmere: a Firecrest along the Rhododendron tunnel.
Alton Water: the male Smew and two Scaup again viewable from Tattingstone Place.
Mildenhall: a Jack Snipe present.
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January 5th
Kessingland: four Shore Larks again present opposite The Hollies.
Walberswick: two FAN-TAILED WARBLERS still present in the usual area.
Minsmere: 16+ Goosanders on South Scrape.
Hollesley Marsh: two Cattle Egrets.
Alton Water: the male Smew and two Scaup again viewable from Tattingstone Place.
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January 4th
Kessingland: four Shore Larks and c.100 Snow Buntings present on the beach opposite Pakefield coast watch.
Hen Reedbeds: the TWITE again in the same area.
Walberswick: 1+ FAN-TAILED WARBLER still present.
Orford: a Glossy Ibis at Newton Broadway on a dung heap.
Gedgrave: two Bewick's Swans again present.
Boyton Marsh: four Cattle Egrets south.
Felixstowe Ferry: eight Corn Buntings viewed from Marsh Lane.
Falkenham Marsh: a BLACK BRANT, two Tundra Bean Geese and a Greater White-fronted Goose.
Alton Water: the male Smew, two Scaup and a female Goosander viewable from Tattingstone Place.
January 3rd
Kessingland: four Shore Larks on the seaward side of the shorepools.
Hen Reedbeds: the TWITE again in the same area.
Walberswick: 1+ FAN-TAILED WARBLER still present.
Minsmere: the TEMMINCK'S STINT still on West Scrape.
Gedgrave: two Bewick's Swans east of Richmond Farm plus 12 Tundra Bean Geese flew low west over.
Boyton Marsh: 22+ Tundra Bean Geese, three Pink-footed Geese, 350+ Greater White-fronted Geese and a Raven by Banters Barn. 28 Tundra Bean Geese at Boyton Hall Farm (same birds at Boyton Marsh earlier).
Landguard: three Snow Buntings along the back beach.
Alton Water: two Scaup again viewable from Tattingstone Wonder and a male Smew towards Lemon's Hill Bridge.
Mildenhall: the overwintering Yellow-browed Warbler again present.
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January 2nd
Kessingland: four Shore Larks and 100+ Snow Buntings present on the beach just north of the village.
Covehithe: two Tree Sparrows in a finch flock by second 'S' bend on the Wrentham to Covehithe road.
Hen Reedbeds: a TWITE past Les Tarver hide, on lower track east of Hen Reedbed.
Minsmere: the TEMMINCK'S STINT and the Water Pipit again from West Hide plus 33 Goosanders into roost.
Boyton Marsh: 12 Tundra Bean Geese flew to Gedgrave plus three Pink-footed Geese present and a Firecrest by Banters Barn.
Hollesley Marsh: three Cattle Egrets and a Caspian Gull on the scrape and between Hollesley and Boyton Marshes 24 Tundra Bean Geese, 200+ Greater White-fronted Geese.
Felixstowe: four Firecrests at The Grover plus one on Dovedale.
Landguard: four Snow Buntings along the back beach.
Alton Water: two Scaup again viewable from Tattingstone Wonder.
Stour Estuary: three Black-necked Grebes off Stutton Ness.
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January 1st​
Kessingland: four Shore Larks and 100+ Snow Buntings present on the beach.
Southwold: a RED-NECKED GREBE and two Velvet Scoters north offshore.
Walberswick: at least one FAN-TAILED WARBLER still present in scrub about one mile south of the beach huts plus three Jack Snipe around the shore pools.
Minsmere: the TEMMINCK'S STINT from West Hide plus a Water Pipit. A Black-throated Diver offshore.
Sudbourne: a Cattle Egret at Moss Carr paddocks.
Gedgrave: two Bewick's Swans, a Cattle Egret, a Raven plus 12 Tundra Bean Geese flew south.
Waldringfield: a Great Northern Diver half a mile up river from the dock.
Ipswich: a Common Sandpiper on the River Gipping in front of the railway station.
Alton Water: two Scaup again viewable from Tattingstone Wonder.​​
Stour Estuary: the Black-throated Diver flew west and landed on the west side of Holbrook Bay and the Great Northern Diver east of buoy 4 off Stutton Ness. Two Black-necked Grebes below Lower Holbrook.
Mildenhall: the overwintering Yellow-browed Warbler again present.