Black-winged Stilt (Milvus migrans) (Library photograph)

Suffolk bird news May 2022

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A Lesser Yellowlegs was at Southwold, Buss Creek Marsh 3rd-8th. Continuing the American theme at RSPB Minsmere were a Ring-necked Duck 2nd, and reports of an American Golden Plover 5th and an American Wigeon 13th. Three Black-winged Stilts were at Lackford Lakes SWT 30th.

A Purple Heron was at Lound Lakes 12th and one was at Minsmere 12th-13th. A Purple Heron was at Kingsfleet 26th and another was at Walberswick 26th-27th and again at RSPB Minsmere from 29th.

A Red-rumped Swallow flew south past Kessingland 12th and two Red-rumped Swallows were at Dunwich Heath briefly 13th. A Golden Oriole was heard and/or seen at Dunwich Heath, Minsmere and Leiston all on 14th.

A Bee-eater was heard over Sizewell Hall 8th. A flock of five Bee-eaters flew north over North Warren, Sizewell Hall and Minsmere 15th. In the afternoon one was seen or heard over Shingle Street and Bawdsey 15th. Two Bee-eaters flew north over Boyton Marshes 16th. A flock of three Bee-eaters flew north over Walberswick 21st and south over Butley, Wantisden Park 22nd. These were all eclipsed by the flock of seventeen Bee-eaters seen at Fressingfield 15th.

A Serin was at Landguard NR 7th, a Pied Flycatcher was at Westleton 3rd, a Wood Warbler was at Aldeburgh 4th, Sizewell Hall 4th and Eastern Bavents 5th.

A female Red-footed Falcon was at Boyton Marshes 24th. A Black Kite flew south over Orford and Boyton Marshes Black Kite 6th and another flew east over Wangford14th. A Montagu’s Harrier flew over Lakenheath Fen 9th. A Honey Buzzard flew over Snape Warren 11th, Elmsett 21st and Carleton Coleville 27th.

A Pectoral Sandpiper was at Hollesley Marshes 1st-5th. Two Temminck’s Stints were at RSPB Havergate Island 7th, another was at  Trimley Marshes on the winter flood 11th and another was reported at RSPB Minsmere briefly 24th. Up to six Glossy Ibises were RSPB Minsmere throughout May and another was at RSPB Hollesley Marshes 21st-22nd and one flew over Reydon 30th.

Up to Roseate Terns were at RSPB Minsmere intermittently from 19th.

Two Red-breasted Goose were at SWT Carleton Marshes 15th. A Glaucous Gull flew north past Lowestoft 19th. A Slavonian Grebe remained at Alton Water throughout May.