For those that like to start their year lists off on the first day of the year, five Tundra Bean Geese at Corton on the 1st and 2nd proved to be popular. Other wildfowl seen during this month included European White-fronted Geese at North Warren, single Pale-bellied Brent Goose on Aldeburgh Town marshes, Bewick’s Swans and Whooper Swans mainly in the Minsmere and Walberswick area, a Greater Scaup on an agricultural resevior at Aldringham and up to twenty-five Goosanders at Minsmere. Offshore from Dunwich cliffs a group of up to fifteen Velvet Scoters was probably the largest gathering of this species off our coast for some years, a single Long-tailed Duck was seen off Slaughden on the 17th. A Great Northern Diver flew south off Minsmere on the 2nd whilst on the13th a large movement of Red-throated Divers included c3200 south off Benacre, a Slavonian Grebe was noted on the river Alde on a few dates.

A Glossy Ibis was seen on a couple of days on Aldeburgh Town marshes though was frequently elusive, Great Egrets and Spoonbills were seen at several locations. Reports of raptors included a few involving Hen Harriers and Merlins, with one of the latter observed pursuing Yellowhammers at Frostenden on the 11th. If you prefer your raptors to be big, the immature White-tailed Eagle seen on Haddiscoe Island marshes during the last quarter of the month was the bird for you. Amongst the reports of waders which included Spotted Redshanks and Jack Snipes were fourteen Purple Sandpipers at Ness Point on the 8th and a rather unseasonable Curlew Sandpiper at Wolsey Bridge on the 22nd. The only skua report for the month involved a Pomarine Skua off Minsmere on the 13th. Reports of gulls were more plentiful with six Caspian Gulls and five Yellow-legged Gulls at Minsmere on the 7th, the next day the same venue hosted a second winter Glaucous Gull and eleven Caspian Gulls.

On the 21st an Eastern Yellow Wagtail was seen briefly at Carlton Marshes, seven Water Pipits were at Southwold on the 29th. Waxwings are always very popular and highly photogenic so two at Carlton Colville and four at Reydon during the month attracted many admirers, four that were seen at Westleton didn’t linger long to have their photographs taken. A solitary Hawfinch was seen occasionally near the church at Sotterley park and two Twite were seen along the beach between Dunwich and Walberswick, up to twenty-four Snow Buntings frequented the beach at Kessingland.