SUFFOLK COASTS & HEATHS SURVEY

The following has been sent to us from the Suffolk Coasts & Heaths team - 

If possible please could you fill out the below survey. Due to Covid, we’re not able to get out and about this Winter to speak to people using the paths around Shotley, Brantham, Orwell Country Park and beyond.  We usually gather visitor information as to how residents and visitors spend their leisure time around the Stour and Orwell Estuaries, particularly during the winter months when wading birds are also around enjoying the area.

 

So we need your help!

 

Can you please use your networks – websites, emails, linkedin, facebook, twitter – whatever you have at your disposal – to share and encourage people to fill out our quick 2 minute online survey;

 

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/stourandorwell/

 

The survey is open until mid March, so no need to panic if you pick this up after the Christmas hols and think you’re too late – every encouragement really will help our numbers and get a better understanding of how these areas of the AONB are being enjoyed.

Wednesday 6th January 2021

At this time of the year it can be difficult to find a Starling on site until one gets a bag of bread out at the View Point car park.

491 Cormorant went out fishing with a further 84 coming in from the north. Offshore in an hour & a half observation just southbound 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Wigeon & Red-throated Diver with northbound 2 Pintail & Shelduck. On site 2 Turnstone & an Oyk on the riverbank is an improvement on what has been a birdless area recently. On the plus side it has stopped raining.

Tuesday 5th January 2021

It's a good time to read gull rings in the car parks.

Rain all morning. Offshore 157 Cormorant went out fishing plus 234 came in from the north. Next to nothing moving with southbound 3 Brent & 2 Shelduck with northbound 2 Mallard, Brent, Eider & Guillemot.

Monday 4th January 2021

Thoroughly miserable morning with a cold stiff ENE wind plus rain on and off. Three hours sea watching was a waste of time with southbound 8 Brent and literally nothing else moving. 300 big gulls & 18 Kitts were following ships & a Lesser Black-backed Gull flew along the beach. 

Sunday 3rd January 2021

47 White-fronted Geese flew north calling on a dull grey morning. Very few other sightings worth a mention but included southbound 31 Brent, 6 Wigeon & 4 Teal with northbound 31 Brent. 230 Cormorants went out fishing early on.

2021 MEMBERSHIP

2021 membership renewals are now due and remain the same as 2020. Members should have received an e-mail reminding them but if not details are available from landguardbomembership@gmail.com or via this link -

 https://www.lbo.org.uk/membership/

New members are always welcome to help support the work of the running of the observatory and if this includes you please send a copy of the membership form to the membership secretary stating that you are a new member.

Donations are also welcome, especially following what has been a challenging time for all small charities. If you would like to make a donation to Landguard Conservation Trust to support the observatory rather than become a member please contact landguardbo@yahoo.co.uk

Saturday 2nd January 2021

Rat for breakfast anyone ?

A Shag coming in off & over the roof is quite likely to be the same individual as the one seen a few days ago on a similar flight path.  A couple of hours sea watching produced southbound 6 Red-throated Diver, 5 Wigeon & Guillemot with northbound 8 Common Scoter & 6 Teal. 162 Cormorant headed out to the fishing grounds. A Rock Pipit on the point went high north presumably to the groynes along Felixstowe promenade. At least 55 Common Gull & 9 Kittiwake were offshore. Finally a new "British" race Song Thrush is probably just escaping colder conditions inland and has retreated to the milder seaside.

Ringing: 1 Song Thrush