Black Kite (Milvus migrans) (Library photograph)

Suffolk bird news April 2022

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Two Black-winged Stilts were at Botany Marshes RSPB 13th. The Pacific Golden Plover remained at Carlton Marshes SWT until 26th. Other highlights from there were a Glossy Ibis until 30th, Black Tern 28th-29th, up to ten Garganey and a Goshawk 6th.

A Red-rumped Swallow was at Alton Water 20th and then it or another was at Lodge Marsh, Ramsholt Marsh 24th-25th. A Hoopoe was at Hen Reedbeds NR 28th and a Serin was trapped ringed & released at Landguard NR 5th. A Wryneck was near Norton at the Black Bourn Valley SWT 26th. The Shorelark remained at Kessingland until 10th but later seven Shorelark were there 30th.

A Black Kite was tracked mostly following the Suffolk coastline 18th. It was first seen at Minsmere at 8.54am, followed by Hollesley Marshes RSPB at 10am, Alderton & Shingle Street 10.23 am, Felixstowe Ferry 11.05am, Trimley Marshes SWT 11.37am and Stutton 11.55 am, before heading into Essex airspace at Mistley at 12.19pm. Another Black Kite flew in off the sea at Bawdsey 21st. A Long-eared Owl was at Huntingfield 26th.

The Lesser Yellowlegs remained at Minsmere RSPB until 24th. The Glossy Ibises remained at both Carlton Marshes SWT until 30th and Walberswick until 22nd. And then there were up to two at Minsmere RSPB at the end of April.

Up to two Slavonian Grebes were at Alton Water throughout April. The Iceland Gull was last seen at Great Livermere 4th and another was at Pipps Ford 14th. A Glaucous Gull was at Southwold 17th and the Hen Reedbeds NR 28th.