Suffolk
Bird
Group
For information on Suffolk birds and birding
May 2026 Sightings
May 31st
Carlton Marsh: two summer-plumaged Curlew Sandpipers on Peto's Marsh.
Minsmere: the GULL-BILLED TERN again present, either at Island Mere or on the Scrapes. Two ROSEATE TERNS on South Scrape and a Little Gull feeding over Island Mere.
Bawdsey: a GREAT REED WARBLER present throughout the day at East Lane.
May 30th
Breydon South Wall: a GOLDEN ORIOLE singing in woods by Herbert Barnes car park.
Kessingland: the TEMMINCK'S STINT again on a shore pool.
Westleton Heath: two Cranes north over.
Minsmere: a GULL-BILLED TERN seen initially in Island Mere and then commuted to West Scrape and back. Two ROSEATE TERNS on South Scrape.
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May 29th
Walberswick: an Osprey circling low over the village before drifting north and headed inland of Southwold town.
Minsmere: three ROSEATE TERNS on South Scrape. A Crane high over heading south.
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May 28th
Minsmere: two ROSEATE TERNS on South Scrape plus a Garganey and a Little Gull. On West Scrape a Spoonbill.
Hazlewood Marsh: an Osprey circling overhead then headed upstream.​
Boyton Marsh: a TEMMINCK'S STINT on the last pool.
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May 27th
Minsmere: three ROSEATE TERNS on South Scrape.
Hollesley Marsh: a Garganey.
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May 26th
Dunwich Heath: a GREAT REED WARBLER reported singing in reeds by the path between the site and North Marsh, Minsmere.
Minsmere: two ROSEATE TERNS still on South Scrape and a 2CY Little Gull.
Hollesley Marsh: four Spoonbills.
Assington: an IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF singing at the east end of Assington Thicks.
Lakenheath Fen: a PURPLE HERON flew onto New Fen.
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May 25th
Kessingland: a TEMMINCK'S STINT on a shore pool.
Minsmere: two ROSEATE TERNS still on South Scrape.
Boyton Marsh: two TEMMINCK'S STINTS on the last pool.
Hollesley Marsh: c.20 Bee-eaters seen heading towards Shingle Street.
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May 24th
Gunton: 7-10 Bee-eaters south.
Weybread Pits: a male GOLDEN ORIOLE at the east end.
Carlton Marsh: five Cranes low over Share Marsh.
Frostenden: five Cranes south over.
Westleton Heath: five Cranes south over.
Minsmere: five Cranes south over the South Belt. Two ROSEATE TERNS still on South Scrape and a TEMMINCK'S STINT on East Scrape.
Boyton Marsh: a Glossy Ibis.
Hollesley Marsh: 15 Spoonbills.
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May 23rd
Minsmere: a ROSEATE TERN still sporadically on South Scrape.
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May 22nd
Minsmere: two ROSEATE TERNS still on South Scrape plus a 2CY Little Gull and a Glossy Ibis north over the Scrape.
Boyton Marsh: a Little Stint and two Cranes.
Landguard: a SUBALPINE WARBLER sp. (likely Western) seen in scrub in front of the Obs.
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May 21st
Blyth Estuary: an Osprey.
Minsmere: two ROSEATE TERNS still on South Scrape and a Glossy Ibis on the North Levels.
Boyton Marsh: a Curlew Sandpiper and four Cattle Egrets.
Hollesley Marsh: a Glossy Ibis and two Spoonbills.
May 20th
Lowestoft: the HOOPOE again singing from the Lakeland Drive/Mutford Close area.
Minsmere: two ROSEATE TERNS still on South Scrape and a GULL-BILLED TERN on West Scrape.
Micklemere: two Garganey (one drake).
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May 19th
Lowestoft: the HOOPOE west of Normanston Park.
Westleton Heath: a Crane north over.
Minsmere: two ROSEATE TERNS on South Scrape.
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May 18th
Fritton Lake: an Osprey flew high over and a Crane flew high south.
Lowestoft: the HOOPOE again along Lakeland Drive/Mutford Close junction.
Minsmere: a ROSEATE TERN on South Scrape.
Orford: a Crane circled over, heading towards Sudbourne plus two more heard towards Chillesford.
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May 17th
Lowestoft: the HOOPOE calling from trees between Lakeland Drive and Normanston Park.
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May 16th
Lowestoft: the HOOPOE again along Lakeland Drive/Mutford Close junction.
Westleton Heath: the IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF still present.
Boyton Marsh: a Glossy Ibis on the original flash then flew towards Hollesley Marsh.
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May 15th
Lowestoft: the HOOPOE again along Lakeland Drive/Mutford Close junction.
Carlton Marsh: a TEMMINCK'S STINT on Peto's Marsh, on the first big pool before Turnpike Hide.
Minsmere: a ROSEATE TERN on South Scrape again.
Boyton Marsh: a TEMMINCK'S STINT and a Little Stint on the farthest pool.
Hollesley Marsh: a Glossy Ibis on the northern end of the reserve.
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May 14th
Lowestoft: the HOOPOE again along Lakeland Drive/Mutford Close junction.
Minsmere: three TEMMINCK'S STINTS on East Scrape.
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May 13th
Lowestoft: the HOOPOE again in a private garden at Lakeland Drive/Mutford Close area.
Kirkley: an Osprey flew north-west.
Minsmere: a ROSEATE TERN on South Scrape.
Nunnery Lakes: a PURPLE HERON seen from the viewing platform.
May 12th
Corton: a dark-phase Arctic Skua chasing a gull of Bakers Score.
Hen Reedbeds: an Osprey on the Blyth.
Minsmere: a LESSER SCAUP on North Scrape.
May 11th
Lowestoft: a HOOPOE in a private garden at Lakeland Drive.
Minsmere: three TEMMINCK'S STINTS on East Scrape.
Slaughden: four Spoonbills.
Boyton Marsh: a Wood Sandpiper.
Trimley Marsh: a TEMMINCK'S STINT on the Summer Flood.
May 10th
Lowestoft: the Great Northern Diver seen earlier at Southwold flew north past Ness Point at 07:19.
Southwold: a full summer-plumaged Great Northern Diver flew north at 06:55.
Walberswick: two White Storks flew inland over Westwood Lodge.
Bawdsey: an Arctic Skua flew north at East Lane.
Landguard: a Pomarine Skua flew north and a Pied Flycatcher in the Obs.
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May 9th
Lowestoft: a Great Northern Diver flew north.
Minsmere: a summer-plumaged Black Tern on South Scrape.
Hollesley Marsh: a Wood Sandpiper on the flood below Warren Hill prison.
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May 8th
Carlton Marsh: the male RED-FOOTED FALCON again over Peto's Marsh.
Reydon: two Cranes circling over St. Felix School then gliding high north.
Hollesley Marsh: a Wood Sandpiper on the flood below Warren Hill prison.
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May 7th
Carlton Marsh: the male RED-FOOTED FALCON again over Peto's Marsh.
Dunwich Heath: the first churring Nightjars.
Minsmere: two Wood Sandpipers on West Scrape and a pair of Garganey on South Scrape.
Hollesley Marsh: a Wood Sandpiper on the flood below Warren Hill prison and a Spoonbill on the main scrape.
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May 6th
Kessingland: a Whinchat on the north side of Benacre Sluice.
Carlton Marsh: the male RED-FOOTED FALCON again over Peto's Marsh.
Westleton Heath: the IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF still present.
Hazlewood Marsh: two summer-plumaged Curlew Sandpipers.
Boyton Marsh: three Wood Sandpipers on the new scrape.
Hollesley Marsh: a Wood Sandpiper on the flood below Warren Hill prison.
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May 5th
Carlton Marsh: the male RED-FOOTED FALCON again over Peto's Marsh.
Westleton Heath: the IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF still present.
Minsmere: two Wood Sandpipers and a Little Ringed Plover on West Scrape.
Martlesham Wilds: a Wood Sandpiper.
Shingle Street: a TAWNY PIPIT in the garden of the Battery Cottage before flying north.
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May 4th
Carlton Marsh: a male RED-FOOTED FALCON over the old scrape and Peto's Marsh.
Westleton Heath: the IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF still present.
Orford Ness: an Osprey, four Spoonbills and a Little Stint.
Hollesley Marsh: a Wood Sandpiper on the flood below Warren Hill prison.
Martlesham Wilds: a Wood Sandpiper.
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May 3rd
Carlton Marsh: four BLACK-WINGED STILTS on Peto's Marsh.
Dunwich Heath: the WOODCHAT SHRIKE was again noted in the evening, having not been present during the day.
Westleton Heath: the IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF still present.
Minsmere: a GOLDEN ORIOLE singing south of the Discovery Centre.
Hollesley Marsh: two Wood Sandpipers on the flood below Warren Hill prison.
Upper Hollesley Common: a White Stork flew west.
Landguard: a MELODIOUS WARBLER and a Pied Flycatcher trapped and ringed at LBO.
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May 2nd
Covehithe: a HOOPOE noted in a farm garden.
Dunwich Heath: a WOODCHAT SHRIKE from the bridleway path, 200 yards from the toilet block.
Westleton Heath: the IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF still present.
Minsmere: the male Ring Ouzel south of the sluice.
Hollesley Marsh: a Wood Sandpiper on the flood below Warren Hill prison.
Landguard: a WOOD WARBLER behind the kitchen of the Obs. The first Spotted Flycatcher of the year was ringed.
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May 1st
Westleton Heath: the IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF still present.
Minsmere: six Wood Sandpiper from the public viewing platform, a Little Stint on East Scrape and a male Ring Ouzel south of the sluice.
Aldeburgh Marsh: a Wood Sandpiper flew south.
Hazlewood Marsh: a Curlew Sandpiper.
Bawdsey: a Spoonbill on the lagoons at East Lane.
Landguard: the TAWNY PIPIT again on the beach, often in the fenced off area.
Shelley: a Wood Sandpiper on Gifford's Flash.
Lakenheath Fen: a GREAT REED WARBLER between Trial Wood and Mere Hide.​