Suffolk
Bird
Group
For information on Suffolk birds and birding
December 2024 Sightings
December 31st
Kessingland: a Shore Lark on the beach near the southernmost caravan.
Wangford: five Cattle Egrets opposite to entrance of Henham quarry.
Thorpeness: the drake RING-NECKED DUCK again on the Meare plus nine Goosanders. From the OCP, 2+ Velvet Scoter offshore and two Tundra Bean Geese on cliff arable field to the north.
Aldeburgh Marsh: 66 Eurasian White-fronted Geese plus Raven.
Boyton Marsh: five Cattle Egrets and c.20 Eurasian White-fronted Geese.
Landguard: a Velvet Scoter flew south offshore.
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December 30th
Lowestoft: seven Purple Sandpipers on north beach ledge opposite Dene caravan park.
Kessingland: a Shore Lark on the beach near the southernmost caravan.
Benacre: six Whooper Swans on Benacre Broad.
Covehithe Broad: two Scaup again present.
Minsmere: two Whooper Swans and three Caspian Gulls on East Scrape plus a Purple Sandpiper on the sluice outfall.
Thorpeness: the drake RING-NECKED DUCK again on the Meare plus nine Goosanders (6m, 3f) along with Velvet Scoter offshore from the OCP.
Boyton Marsh: five Cattle Egrets.
Shingle Street: a Short-eared Owl over heading towards Hollesley.
Landguard: a Velvet Scoter flew south offshore.
Witnesham: a Raven between Witnesham and Swilland.
December 29th
Kessingland: a Shore Lark on the beach between the southernmost caravan and the sluice.
Walberswick: six Snow Buntings on the beach between Walberswick and Dunwich.
Minsmere: two Tundra Bean Geese flew north over the scrape, then later flew back south and then over Sizewell plus the first-winter WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER.
Thorpeness: the drake RING-NECKED DUCK reappeared on the Meare plus five Velvet Scoters offshore from the OCP.
Orfordness: 30+ Snow Buntings again on a shingle ridge viewed from Hollesley river wall.
Botany Marshes: the HOODED CROW still present.
Boyton Marsh: 12 Eurasian White-fronted Geese and three Cattle Egrets.
Hollesley Marsh: a 2CY Caspian Gull from the platform.
Melton: the Curlew Sandpiper on the River Deben near Wilford Bridge.
Landguard: four Eurasian White-fronted Geese flew south.
Wherstead Strand: the Black-throated Diver on the River Orwell between the Orwell Bridge and Stoke Sailing Club.
December 28th
Minsmere: a drake Goosander and two Whooper Swans on East Scrape.
Wherstead Strand: the Black-throated Diver on the River Orwell just down from the Orwell Bridge.
December 27th
Covehithe Broad: two Scaup still present.
Minsmere: the first-winter WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER and a Purple Sandpiper on East Scrape.
Melton: a Curlew Sandpiper on the River Deben between Dock Lane and the sewage works.
Freston: the Black-throated Diver on the River Orwell from Stoke Sailing Club.
December 26th
Thorpeness: nine (5m, 4f) Goosanders on the Meare.
Aldeburgh: a Long-tailed Duck offshore.
Aldeburgh Marshes: 75 Eurasian White-fronted Geese.
Orfordness: c.40 Snow Buntings again on a shingle ridge viewed from Hollesley river wall.
Boyton Marsh: two Pink-footed Geese and 31 Eurasian White-fronted Geese.
Shingle Street: the first-winter female Scaup still present.
Bawdsey: seven Purple Sandpipers present at East Lane.
Freston: the Black-throated Diver on the River Orwell from Stoke Sailing Club.
December 25th
Boyton Marshes: three Cattle Egrets still.
Orfordness: c.40 Snow Buntings again on a shingle ridge viewed from Hollesley river wall.
Orwell estuary: a Black-necked Grebe viewable from Chelmondiston.
Freston: the Black-throated Diver on the River Orwell showing well from Stoke Sailing Club.
December 24th
Covehithe Broad: two Scaup again present.
Walberswick: 22 Snow Buntings on the beach between Walberswick and Dunwich.
Hinton: a Merlin in pig fields on Westleton side of Hinton crossroads.
Minsmere: the first-winter WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER again on East Scrape.
Thorpeness: five Velvet Scoters offshore.
North Warren: three Cranes .flew in from the south-west and dropped in towards Thorpeness Meare
Tunstall: a Eurasian White-fronted Goose along School Road between Tunstall an Blaxhall.
Shingle Street: the first-winter female Scaup still present.
Freston: a Black-throated Diver on the River Orwell viewed from Stoke Sailing Club.
Chelmondiston: two Corn Buntings along Lings Lane.
December 23rd
Kessingland: a Shore Lark on the beach near the southernmost caravan.
Benacre: seven Whooper Swans on Benacre Broad.
Covehithe Broad: two Scaup again present.
Thorpeness: six Velvet Scoters offshore and 11 Goosanders on the Meare.
North Warren: 30+ Eurasian White-fronted Geese.
Shingle Street: a Short-eared Owl and Merlin.
Kirton Creek: two Whooper Swans.
Woodbridge: a Firecrest at Seckford Hall gardens.
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December 22nd
Kessingland: a Shore Lark still present on the beach.
Minsmere: the first-winter WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER again on East Scrape. Purple Sandpiper, a first-winter Caspian Gull, two Whoopers Swans and 10 Goosanders on the Scrape.
Thorpeness: a Velvet Scoter offshore plus five Goosanders flew north.
Orfordness: c.40 Snow Buntings on a shingle ridge viewed from Hollesley river wall.
Shingle Street: the first-winter female Scaup still present.
Long Melford: the 44 Eurasian White-fronted Geese back on the partially flooded field to the south-east of Long Melford sewage works.
December 21st
Benacre: seven Whooper Swans on Benacre Broad.
Covehithe Broad: two Scaup again present.
Thorpeness: six Velvet Scoters offshore.
Hazlewood Marshes: three Cranes flew north-east.
Shingle Street: the first-winter female Scaup still present.
December 20th
Kessingland: a Shore Lark on the beach opposite the Sailors Home pub.
Benacre: seven Whooper Swans on Benacre Broad.
Covehithe Broad: two Scaup again present.
Minsmere: the first-winter WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER reappeared.
Thorpeness: seven Velvet Scoters offshore.
Boyton Marshes: three Cattle Egrets still.
Shingle Street: the first-winter female Scaup still present.
Bawdsey: seven Purple Sandpipers at East Lane, on the clay south of the Martello tower.
Orwell estuary: a Great Northern Diver opposite Loompit Lake, two Black-necked Grebes opposite the managed retreat and the Velvet Scoter still present.
Holbrook Creek: a Purple Sandpiper among Redshanks.
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December 19th
Covehithe Broad: two Scaup again present.
Minsmere: a Caspian Gull present and a Purple Sandpiper on East Scrape.
Thorpeness: the drake RING-NECKED DUCK again on the Meare.
Boyton Marshes: three Cattle Egrets around cattle at Banters Barn.
Shingle Street: the first-winter female Scaup still present.
Long Melford: the 44 Eurasian White-fronted Geese back on the partially flooded field to the south-east of Long Melford sewage works.
December 18th
Kessingland: 20 Snow Buntings on the beach.
Benacre: seven Whooper Swans on Benacre Broad and 14 Snow Buntings.
Covehithe Broad: two Scaup again present.
Thorpeness: the drake RING-NECKED DUCK again on the Meare and six Goosander plus two Velvet Scoters offshore from the OCP.
Boyton Marshes: three Cattle Egrets around cattle at Banters Barn.
December 17th
Sotterley: eight Hawfinches in trees adjacent to the lake, before flying south.
Kessingland: a Shore Lark near the southernmost caravan.
Benacre: seven Whooper Swans on Benacre Broad.
Covehithe Broad: two Scaup now present.
Walberswick: c30 Snow Buntings on shingle ridge by Corporation Marsh.
Minsmere: a Great Northern Diver flying north.
Westleton: a Hawfinch over.
Thorpeness: five Velvet Scoters offshore.
Shingle Street: the first-winter female Scaup still present.
Orwell estuary: a Great Northern Diver at the mouth of Levington Creek and the Velvet Scoter off Trimley managed retreat.
Shotley: six Cattle Egrets alongside B1456.
December 16th
Gorleston: three Velvet Scoters offshore within a Scoter flock.
Covehithe Broad: a Scaup present.
Walberswick: c30 Snow Buntings on shingle ridge by Corporation Marsh.
Minsmere: three Cranes on the levels.
Thorpeness: a drake RING-NECKED DUCK again on the Meare and c12 Goosander.
Orfordness: c40 Snow Buntings on a shingle ridge viewed from Hollesley river wall.
Botany Marshes: the HOODED CROW still present.
Boyton Marshes: the Cattle Egret again present.
Shingle Street: the first-winter female Scaup still present.
Kirton Creek: an Eurasian White-fronted Goose on Kirton Lodge reservoir.
Orwell estuary: the Velvet Scoter viewable from Shotley Gate.
Shotley: eight Cattle Egrets alongside B1456.
December 15th
Kessingland: nine Snow Buntings north of the beach car park.
Brockdish: nine Cattle Egrets along Waveney valley between Brockdish and Needham.
Dunwich: c30 Snow Buntings north of the beach car park.
Minsmere: four Caspian Gulls and two Yellow-legged Gulls on East Scrape.
Thorpeness: a drake RING-NECKED DUCK on the Meare plus five Velvet Scoters offshore.
North Warren: five Water Pipits on South Marsh, 44 Eurasian White-fronted Geese on North Marsh plus five Caspian Gulls.
Orfordness: 43 Snow Buntings on a shingle ridge viewed from Hollesley river wall.
Butley River: five Cattle Egrets and a Jack Snipe.
Shingle Street: the first-winter female Scaup still in a pool behind a Martello Tower.
Shottisham: a Raven over farmland.
Kirton Creek: two Whooper Swans.
Orwell estuary: the Velvet Scoter viewable from Shotley Gate.
Shotley: seven Cattle Egrets alongside B1456.
Chelmondiston: a Corn Bunting along Lings Lane.
Long Melford: 44 Eurasian White-fronted Geese on a partially flooded field to the south-east of Long Melford sewage works.
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​December 14th
Gorleston: three Velvet Scoters offshore within a Scoter flock.
Waveney Forest: two Ravens over calling heading south-west.
Kessingland: a Shore Lark near the southernmost caravan and a Great Northern Diver on the sea just north of Benacre Sluice.
Benacre: six Whooper Swans on Benacre Broad.
Dingle Marsh: c20 Snow Buntings on the beach between Walberswick and Dunwich.
Minsmere: a Bewick's Swan, two Whooper Swans on the Scrape. Eight Caspian Gulls between the Scrape and the South Levels.
Thorpeness: three Velvet Scoters offshore.
Boyton Marshes: the Cattle Egret still present.
Hollesley Marshes: 43 Snow Buntings on a shingle ridge opposite the river wall plus a Short-eared Owl.
Shingle Street: the Scaup still in a pool behind a Martello Tower.
Rushmere St. Andrew: two Ravens over Playford Lane.
Witnesham: a Ravens over.
Shelley: a Hawfinch at Giffords Hall.
December 13th
Benacre: seven Whooper Swans on Benacre Broad.
Walberswick: a ringtail Hen Harrier hunting Starlings just south of the black beach huts.
Corporation Marsh: 30 Snow Buntings on the beach between Walberswick and Dunwich.
Thorpeness: six Little Auks offshore and four Velvet Scoters north.
Boyton Marshes: a Cattle Egret again in the field by the car park.
Shingle Street: a Scaup in a pool behind a Martello Tower.
Orwell Estuary: a Black-throated Diver and a female Velvet Scoter in the mouth of the river, viewed from Shotley.
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December 12th
Gorleston: three Velvet Scoters offshore within a Scoter flock.
Kessingland: a Shore Lark on the beach, just south of the boats.
Benacre: two Eurasian White-fronted Geese flying north.
North Warren: an adult Caspian Gull on South Marsh.
Boyton Marshes: a Cattle Egret again.
Shingle Street: a Short-eared Owl and a Jack Snipe just south of the Battery Cottage.
Bawdsey: seven Purple Sandpipers on exposed London Clay, just north of the rocks/lagoons.
December 11th
Benacre: a single adult Whooper Swan on Benacre Broad.
Tinkers Marsh: six Whooper Swans over heading north-east.
Minsmere: the first-winter WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER still on East Scrape, a Purple Sandpiper seen on the sluice outflow, two Whooper Swans on the Levels and two Caspian Gulls. Two Little Auks found dead along the beach towards Sizewell.
December 10th
Benacre: a Little Auk north.
Covehithe: six Whooper Swans on the Broad.
Southwold: a Little Auk north.
Minsmere: the first-winter WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER still on East Scrape plus at least two Little Auks seen to land on the sea.
December 9th
Pakefield: a Glaucous Gull south at 10:21.
Covehithe: six Whooper Swans on the Broad and three Little Auks north.
Southwold: three Little Auks north and a Glaucous Gull south at 10:31.
Minsmere: the first-winter WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER still and five Cranes on the South Levels. Two Bewick's Swans on the Scrape.
Thorpeness: a Little Auk north and two Velvet Scoters offshore.
Lower Holbrook: five Slavonian Grebes Holbrook Bay and a Water Pipit on the saltings.
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December 8th
Southwold: a Little Auk briefly by the pier before flying south.
Minsmere: the first-winter WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER still and two Cranes on the South Levels.
Thorpeness: five Velvet Scoters offshore within a Scoter flock.
Boyton Marshes: a Cattle Egret again.
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December 7th
Minsmere: a first-winter WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER plus two Bewick's Swans and two Whooper Swans on the Scrape.
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December 6th
Minsmere: a first-winter WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER plus the two Bewick's Swans on the East Scrape. Five Cranes on the Levels.
North Warren: 14 Eurasian White-fronted Geese on North Marsh.
Hollesley Marshes: four Eurasian White-fronted Geese and a third-winter Caspian Gull.
Orwell estuary: the Velvet Scoter viewable from Shotley Gate.
December 5th
Covehithe: a first-winter female Greater Scaup on Covehithe Broad.
Minsmere: two Bewick's Swans on the East Scrape.
Trimley Marshes: three Jack Snipe by the managed retreat and the Velvet Scoter still on the Orwell on the Shotley side.
December 4th
Benacre: six Whooper Swans on Benacre Broad.
Blyth Estuary: a Slavonian Grebe reported.
Minsmere: two Bewick's Swans, two Whooper Swans and a Water Pipit on the Scrape. On the South Levels two Eurasian White-fronted Geese.
Boyton Marshes: a Cattle Egret near the farmyard.
Hollesley Marshes: nine Eurasian White-fronted Geese.
Felixstowe: a Short-eared Owl at Kingsfleet by the anglers huts.
December 3rd
Kessingland: a Shore Lark by the southernmost caravan.
Benacre: six Whooper Swans on Benacre Broad.
Dunwich: a Firecrest along the path to Walberswick.
Minsmere: two Bewick's Swans and two Whooper Swans on East Scrape.
Trimley Marshes: the Velvet Scoter still on the Orwell.
Shotley: a ringtail Hen Harrier and two Ravens flew from Shotley to Trimley Marshes.
Alton Water: two Hawfinches on the north side of the reservoir.
December 2nd
Dingle Marsh: 45 Snow Buntings on the beach between Walberswick and Dunwich.
Minsmere: two Bewick's Swans and two Whooper Swans on West Scrape.
Boyton Marsh: two Cattle Egrets in the field with cattle, south of the car park.
Trimley Marshes: the Velvet Scoter still on the Orwell on the Shotley side.
Shotley: eight Cattle Egrets alongside B1456.
December 1st
Dingle Marsh: 35 Snow Buntings on the beach between Walberswick and Dunwich.
Thorpeness: a Little Auk south offshore from the OCP.
Hollesley Marshes: nine Eurasian White-fronted Geese.
Trimley Marshes: the Velvet Scoter still on the Orwell on the Shotley side.
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