Sightings 2022

A Garganey was present at Carlton Marshes SWT on the 3rd, a Goosander which flew north past Sizewell on the 19th was an unusual date and c300 Common Scoters were noted offshore at Minsmere 25th and 29th.

The most notable wildfowl record of the month concerned a drake Ring-necked Duck seen on the Island mere at Minsmere on the 2nd, could this possibly have been the same bird that had been present at nearby Aldringham until at least 13th March.

Not many wild swans lingered in to April but 2 Whooper Swans were still at Minsmere on the 3rd and 3 White-fronted Geese at North Warren on the 11th, the pair of Smew also lingered at Minsmere until the 3rd.

During the earlier days of the month the 8 Whooper Swans and 7 Bewick’s Swans continued to frequent the fields along Lymball’s Lane at Westleton, the same birds were also occasionally seen at Minsmere.

At Westleton the party of 8 Whooper Swans remained along Lymball’s Lane, from mid month they were joined by 7 Bewick’s Swans. Up to 3 Pink-footed Geese were present in the Aldringham

January is a busy month for those who like to kick off their year lists, scarce and rare birds have to be seen and time also has to be devoted to chasing species that will become plentiful later in the year.

The Minsmere area was pretty much the only place to view winter swans as the year came to its end, Whooper Swans were seen about the reserve on several dates with a maximum of 7 on the 29th.

Winter wildfowl began to appear during this month with reports of Whooper Swans and Bewick’s Swans, five of the former seen at Minsmere and seven of the latter at Covehithe

What a disappointing month October proved to be with relatively low numbers of both common and scarce migrants. A slight increase in wildfowl reports over last month, most tantalising was

The only wildfowl report of note for September involved a Pale-bellied Brent Goose on Minsmere scrape on the 13th. On the 19th two Red-necked Grebes were seen off Thorpeness.

August is the month when migration starts to become evident, particularly waders and seabirds. Starting off with wildfowl the only reports of note concerned a Ruddy Shelduck on Southwold marshes

July is normally a quieter month but still able to throw up the occasional surprise. On the 9th a drake Scaup was discovered on Benacre broad, this increased to two on 13th-17th.