| Birding Highlights 2003 |
| June 2003 |
| Sabine's Gull, Lowestoft, Suffolk |
This rare vagrant gull lingered in Lowestoft harbour in June. Vagrant Sabine's Gulls are usually
seen in flight offshore. The photo below shows heavy wing moult, which, combined with the bird's
liking for greasy chips supplied by holidaymakers and birders around the harbour, meant that it
was in no hurry to leave.
seen in flight offshore. The photo below shows heavy wing moult, which, combined with the bird's
liking for greasy chips supplied by holidaymakers and birders around the harbour, meant that it
was in no hurry to leave.
The photo below shows how the bird's summer plumage began to look worn and its red eye ring
faded towards the end of the month.
faded towards the end of the month.
| Corn Bunting, Shingle Street, Suffolk |
The Corn Bunting has become scarce in the UK, so it was encouraging to see and hear the distinctive
scratching song of several male birds along the coast at Shingle Street this spring.
scratching song of several male birds along the coast at Shingle Street this spring.
| Grey Partridge, Shingle Street, Suffolk |
The same fate has befallen the Grey or "English" Partridge, which is no longer a familiar sight
and sound of the English countryside.
and sound of the English countryside.
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