Ukraine Winds Reap Real Rewards - Siberian gems arrive down East Coast

TODAY'S IMAGES

Adult BROWN SHRIKE at Old Fall Hedgerow, Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire, this evening. Intrepid local birder Tony Dixon rattled off these four record shots this evening just prior to the bird going to roost.

A superb juvenile STILT SANDPIPER in Cumbria photographed by Darren Robson, the first observer to question the bird's identification.

Fresh Northeasterly winds associated with a band of rain and a high pressure system extending over Europe as far as the Ukraine has met with some outstanding results this afternoon. The entire east coast of Britain may well be getting bathed with mouthwatering eastern vagrants as they become displaced by the weather. Already today we have seen two 'grade 1' Siberian vagrants appear, with a first-winter ASIATIC BROWN FLYCATCHER on Fair Isle (Shetland) and an adult BROWN SHRIKE at Flamborough Head (East Yorkshire).

The BROWN FLYCATCHER was discovered this morning and has showed well throughout the day on the perimeter fence of the transmitter just above the airfield. It is the second record for the island and follows hard on the heels of last year's October bird at Flamborough Head.

The BROWN SHRIKE was discovered at the Old Fall late afternoon and remained on view (albeit distantly) until just before dusk, when it presumably roosted

ACCESS INSTRUCTIONS: Park only in the designated and specially organised field on the north side of Lighthouse Road and walk along 120 yards to the east to continue south down the Old Fall Hedgerow to view. Parking costs £1.00 per person.

Also remarkably early is an OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT at Spurn Point (East Yorks), showing by Post 43 and 44 on the seaward side of the Blackthorn this evening, whilst an EASTERN OLIVACEOUS WARBLER remains for a second day at Harrier on Foula (Shetland).

In addition to the shrike and OBP at Flamborough, notebook 'padders' include Red-breasted Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Warbler (7), Common Rosefinch and Wryneck. To the north, Filey NCCP (North Yorks) has 2 Red-breasted Flycatchers and 2 Yellow-browed Warblers this evening, with Holy Island (Northumberland) also attracting a Red-breasted Flycatcher, as well as Rimac (North Lincs).

In Norfolk, an adult LESSER GREY SHRIKE arrived off the sea this evening and landed to the west of Sheringham on the cliffs and scrub just west of the golf course (viewable by walking east half a mile from Weybourne pay & display car park), whilst a MELODIOUS WARBLER performed on Blakeney Point until late evening in sueda clumps 350 yards east of The Marrams. An early RADDE'S WARBLER showed intermittently in Wells Woods this afternoon, in dense scrub and thickets NW of the westernmost drinking pool (now largely overgrown), whilst a SIBERIAN STONECHAT was east of West Runton this evening, feeding around the disused farm buildings (please keep to public rights of way). A BLUETHROAT was seen briefly by Titchwell Bank (where both the Pectoral sandpiper and juvenile RED-NECKED PHALAROPE remain on the freshmarsh), with Red-breasted Flycatchers in Great Yarmouth and Caister Road Cemeteries and at Eccles. A Northern Grey Shrike was at Wells Woods west of the Pinewoods Caravan Site, whilst Yellow-browed Warblers were arriving all afternoon.

In neighbouring Suffolk, a first-winter RUSTIC BUNTING was trapped and ringed at Landguard NR (where it was last seen in the field just after 1600).

On the Northern Isles, a major fall of Yellow-browed Warblers has taken place, involving at least 85 birds, including 40+ on Fair isle and 20+ on North Ronaldsay alone, whilst of the 'cream of the crop', a first-winter BLYTH'S REED WARBLER trapped and ringed at Quendale (Shetland) skulked elusively in the Mill Burn 200 yards above the dirt track and a RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL arrived on Fair Isle. Foula has Pectoral Sandpiper and Icterine Warbler.

In Cumbria, a superb juvenile STILT SANDPIPER (presumably the Uist bird of last week) graces the scrape north of the latby at Campfield Marsh RSPB, 2 miles WSW of Bowness-on-Solway, at NY 192 612. Further vagrant waders include the continuing juvenile LESSER YELLOWLEGS at Guardbridge (Fife) on the north side of the Eden Estuary just west of Shelley Point (at NO 470 200), with two AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS together at Boddam (Shetland) behind Dalsetter this afternoon and the juvenile HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL still present on Porthloo Beach, St Mary's (Scilly).

In Cambridgeshire, the two juvenile Eurasian Spoonbills remain at Paxton Pits NR on Pumphouse Pit.

Juvenile ROSE-COLOURED STARLINGS remain at Cross Common on The Lizard and another near Land's End and St Levan (Cornwall), with a juvenile Red-backed Shrike at Loe Pool east of Carminowe Creek.

In Southampton (Hants), a ship-assisted female COMMON YELLOWTHROAT survives for a 5th day on board the MV Aurora still docked in the city.

SEPTEMBER 7-23 HIGHLIGHTS - NON-PASSERINES

RARE BIRDS IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND 7-23 SEPTEMBER 2008

The total number of species now recorded in Britain and Ireland this year has now risen to 413 species.

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER
One remained at Chasewater (Staffs) until 10 September.

WHITE-BILLED DIVER
The breeding plumaged adult, now moulting its head feathers, remained in Burray (Orkney), adjacent to the Churchill Barrier No.4, throughout the period. It fed close in to the ‘barrier’ and could easily be seen from the car as you drive by.

SLAVONIAN GREBE
One remained on the pool by the sea bank at Freiston Shore RSPB (Lincs) until at least 13 September.

BLACK-NECKED GREBE
Two remained at Hanningfield Reservoir (Essex) from 7-9 September, with a juvenile on Conder Green Pool (Lancs) on 7-13th and another on Gailey Reservoirs main sailing lake (Staffs) on 7. Two local birds were on Frodsham Marsh No.6 Tank (Cheshire) on 13h, with an adult on the top slurry pit at Netherfield Lagoons (Notts) on 8-15th. A long-stayer remained on the Nene Barrage at Clifford Hill GP (Northants) from 7-15th, whilst three juveniles remained on Belvide Reservoir (Staffs) from 7-8th, with one remaining until 15th. One also remained on Tophill Low ‘D’ Reservoir (East Yorks) from 7-14th, with another on Frampton 100 Acre reedbed pool (Gloucs) from 10-13th and one on Silverwood Lagoon, Thrybergh CP (South Yorks) on 13th. Further singles included birds at Toft Newton Reservoir (Lincs) on 12th, Scaling Dam Reservoir (North Yorks) on 11th-13th, Hornsea Mere (East Yorks) on 13th, Walton Reservoir (Surrey) on 13th, Kilvington West Lake (Notts) on 13th, Stodmarsh Collards Lake (Kent) on 14th and Eyebrook Reservoir (Leics) on 15th.

The flock at William Girling Reservoir (London) peaked at 24 from 10th-15th, with two birds present on Staines Reservoirs South Basin (Surrey) throughout.

CORY’S SHEARWATER
On 7 September, 2 different individuals flew east past Cley Coastguards, Sheringham, Overstrand and Cromer (with 1 of these initially past Titchwell Beach)(all Norfolk), with another that day off Spurn Point (East Yorks).

In the following week, singles flew west past Gwennap Head, Porthgwarra (Cornwall) on 12th & 14th, with another east past Salthouse Beach (Norfolk) on 13th.

GREAT SHEARWATER
The only record concerned one N past Flamborough Head (East Yorks) on 7th.

LEACH’S PETREL
Noticeably scarce due to the lack of NW winds: singles were noted off Minehead (Somerset) on 7th, Pendeen Watchpoint (Cornwall) on 9th & 11th, Strumble Head (Pembs) on 13th, Cley Beach (Norfolk) on 22nd & 23rd, Shell Ness, Sheppey (Kent) on 22nd, Weybourne (Norfolk) on 23rd and Sheringham (Norfolk) on 23rd. Four were noted off Cley Beach in strong Northerly winds on 23rd.

EUROPEAN SHAG
Inland, single juveniles remained at Clifford Hill GP Trout Lake (Northants) until 7th and at Carsington Water (Derbyshire) until 10th, whilst two flew south over Long Lawford (Warks) on 14th.

CATTLE EGRET
In Somerset, the family group of 3 birds (two adults and a juvenile) (see Jeff Hazell’s wonderful photographs below and on following pages) remained at Catcott Lows throughout, with a further adult at Kidwelly (Carmarthenshire) on 14th.

GREAT WHITE EGRET
Once again, a good spread of records. Firstly, a colour-ringed juvenile remained at The Mere, Ellesmere (Shropshire) from at least 7-13th September (see photographs opposite; ring number CA 68873), with another (a regularly returning colour-ringed adult) at Blashford Lakes HWT (Hants) from 8th-25th. One flew SE across the River Thames at Rainham Marshes RSPB (Essex/London) at 1020 on 9th, with another at Goldcliffe Pools (Gwent) on 14th. Another flew N over the Lower Derwent Valley at Bank Island (North Yorks) on 14th (before settling briefly and showing from the viewing platform), with a further bird at Warton Marsh (Lancs) on 14th, another briefly at Bowling Green Marsh RSPB, Topsham (South Devon), on 15th and on the river Dyfi near Marian Mawr Hide at Ynys-Hir RSPB (Ceredigion) from 15th-19th. A further bird was at Minsmere RSPB Levels on 19th, before relocating to North Warren South Marsh on 21st and again on the North Levels and at Island Mere on 21st-23rd. Finally, one flew in to Beddington Sewage Farm (Surrey) at 0845 hours on 21st and remained on the main lake until 0945, when it flew off NE.

PURPLE HERON
A juvenile on St Mary’s (Scilly) on 12th was followed by a bird at Shapwick Heath NR (Somerset) on 15th.

GLOSSY IBIS
The long-staying adult remained at Fairburn Ings RSPB (West Yorks) until 10th, moving back to New Swillington Ings, where it showed near the new sluice from 19th-23rd.

EURASIAN SPOONBILL
Two mobile birds moved between Ouse Fen (TL 380718) and Ouse Fen on 7th September, whilst another flew SW past Bockhill Farm monument, St Margaret’s at Cliffe (Kent) on 7th. A party of 3 birds remained at Titchwell RSPB (North Norfolk) from 7th-14th, with two adults and three juveniles on the Dee Estuary from the B727 at Gibb Hill, Kirkcudbright (Galloway) until at least 20th (these birds are presumed to have bred in the area – the first breeding record for Scotland).

One visited Boyton Marshes (Suffolk) on 8th, with a group of three on Dungeness ARC Pit (Kent) from 9th-11th and an adult on The Fleet in Dorset at Herbury Gore on 10th. An adult was on the Inland Sea (Anglesey) from at least 8th-11th, moving to the neighbouring Alaw Estuary on 12th. What may have been the Anglesey bird visited Inner Marsh Farm RSPB, Frodsham Marsh No.6 Tank and Parkgate Marsh (Cheshire) on 12th, with it visiting Belvide Reservoir (Staffs) on 13th and at the JCB Lakes at Rocester (Staffs).

On the South Coast, one was at Titchfield Haven (Hants) on 13th-14th and again on 18th, with 5 increasing to 10 in Poole Harbour (Dorset) on 13th. One was at Bowling Green Marsh RSPB (South Devon) on 14th, with another flying west over Steart (Somerset) on 15th-16th and a further over Pagham Harbour LNR (West Sussex) on 15th. Two arrived at Farlington Marshes HWT (Hants) on 15th, with a juvenile over Tresco Great Pool (Scilly) on 23rd.

Two very confiding juveniles arrived on the lagoons at Grafham Water (Cambs) on 14th, and performed daily until 21st (see photographs above taken by Mike Lawrence). They then relocated to Paxton Pits Pumphouse Pit (Cambs) on 23rd.

A juvenile arrived on the southernmost pit at Snettisham RSPB (Norfolk) on 18th-19th, with one on the upper marshes of the Gann Estuary (Pembs) on 18th-20th and another at Fairburn Ings RSPB (West Yorks) on 19th. In North Lincolnshire, one was in a dyke near Horseshoe Point, Grainthorpe Haven, on 19th.

On 23rd September, two birds flew north past Holland Haven and Frinton-on-Sea (Essex) early morning and later over Landguard NR (Suffolk).

SNOW GOOSE
One flew south with 25 Greylag Geese over North Cave Wetlands (1025) and Blacktoft Sands RSPB (East Yorks) (1615) on 6th, whilst an adult white morph was with Icelandic Greylag Geese for its 5th winter just north of the A816 turn-off to Craobh Haven (Argyll) from 16th.

RED-BREASTED GOOSE
A single adult of presumably captive origin remained in the Southwold area (Suffolk) throughout.

RUDDY SHELDUCK
One remained at Martin Mere WWT (Lancs) from 9th-14th, with another of suspect origin at Hoveringham GP (Notts) on 12th. A flock of eight birds at Frampton Marsh RSPB (Lincs) on 13th-14th, moved to Fiskerton Fen (Lincs) on 14th (where they flew off N at midday) and then flew SE over Swillington Ings (West Yorks) late morning on 15th.

In Perth & Kinross, three moulting adults remained SE of Burleigh Sands at Loch Leven until at least 15th, with two on Read’s Island (North Lincs) on 17th and a bird of suspect origin in Manton Bay, Rutland Water (Leics) on 19th.

FERRUGINOUS DUCK
In Avon, the long-staying drake remained on Chew Valley Lake until 7th, being relocated at nearby Barrow Gurney Reservoirs on 22nd. Elsewhere, an adult drake arrived with 11 Northern Pochards on Calvert BBOWT Lake (North Bucks) on 23rd.

LESSER SCAUP
A drake was at Burleigh Sands, Loch Leven (Perth & Kinross) (at NO 148 038) on 23rd.

SURF SCOTER
Up to 5 recorded with a regular drake off Ruddon’s Point, Largo Bay (Fife) on 11th, a drake N past Fife Ness (Fife) on 13th, the usual drake in the Sound of Taransay (Outer Hebrides) on 15th & 21st and two adult drakes offshore from Lunan Bay dunes (Angus) from 20th-22nd.

HOODED MERGANSER
The first-summer drake remained at Radipole Lake RSPB (Dorset) until at least 22nd September, but visited Abbotsbury Swannery on The Fleet on 16th-17th. It has now moulted largely into 2nd-winter plumage (see Alan Stewart’s images below),

MONTAGU’S HARRIER
On 7th September, a juvenile was at Ogston Reservoir (Derbyshire), whilst on 10th, a male flew over Bawdsey (Suffolk), followed by a juvenile at Axmouth (Devon) on 12th and another at Fillingham Lake (Lincs) on 14th. On 18th, an immature male flew over Horsey (Norfolk).

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD
An adult female was at Bransdale (North Yorks) on 19th.

EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARD
A large influx took place involving at least 200 migrants.

RED-FOOTED FALCON
An unseasonal male remained at Tophill Low Reservoir (East Yorks) from 14th until at least 23rd September, ranging widely over the South Marsh.

ELEONORA’S FALCON
A first-year male flew over Russell Neave’s house in Maldon (Essex) at 1600 hours on 13th September and was photographed.

CORNCRAKE
Single migrants were noted at Porthgwarra (Cornwall) on 8th, Abbot’s Cliff, Folkestone (Kent) on 13th, Bardsey Island (Gwynedd) on 13th, Flamborough Head (East Yorks) on 14th, Beacon Lane, Kilnsea (East Yorks) on 14th, Nanjizal (Cornwall) on 15th and Portland Top Fields (Dorset) on 16th.

SPOTTED CRAKE
A very lean autumn thus far for this skulking reed-dweller with singles at Gibraltar Point NR (Lincs) on 8th, Oare Marshes West Flood (Kent) from 8th-23rd, Porthloo, St Mary’s (Scilly) on 15th, Dunstable Sewage Farm (Beds) from 15th-21st and at Farlington Marsh Lagoon (Hants) from 17th-23rd.

COMMON CRANE
Two adults remained at Dungeness ARC and environs (Kent) from 8th-17th, with another at Ouse Washes RSPB (Cambs) on 9th and at Welney WWT (Norfolk) on 11th-14th. At least 23 remain in Norfolk Breckland.

GREATER SAND PLOVER
A moulting adult remained on the Ythan Estuary (Aberdeenshire) from 12th-19th September, where it was often to be found in the large ploughed field on the east side south of the A975 roadbridge at cNK 005 265 (David Cooper et al). It was last seen on the Ythan early afternoon on 19th but by 1900 hours, it had relocated over 100 miles to the south at Dunbar (Lothian). It favoured the shoreline adjacent to the 4th fairway at the Dunbar Golf Club and remained on East Beach until mid-afternoon on 20th.

DOTTEREL
A very confiding juvenile remained at Landguard NR (Suffolk) from 7th-18th (where it was joined by a second bird on 13th), with two at Shipman Head Down, Bryher (Scilly) on 7th and another with European Golden Plovers at Ouse Washes RSPB (Cambs) on 7th. Further north, a juvenile showed well on Newbiggin Golf Course (Northumberland) from 7th-8th, with another at Paull Holme Strays (East Yorks) on 7th. A trip of 3 juveniles fed in ploughed fields along the Military Road halfway between Rame Head and Penlee (Cornwall) on 7th, with a juvenile on the Dumbles at Slimbridge WWT (Gloucs) again on 8th. Singles flew over Nanjizal (Cornwall) and Haven Cliffs, Axmouth (South Devon) on 8th, the former being relocated in a ploughed field by the minor road NE of the school, between the A30 and Trevorian Pool (West Cornwall) on 8th-10th. On the Isles of Scilly, one flew east over New Grimsby, Tresco, at 1030 and was later located on St Mary’s Airfield in the afternoon on 8th-9th (and over The Garrison and Golf Course on 10th), whilst on the South Downs, a juvenile was viewed from Harveys Cross War Memorial at TQ 387 057 at Rottingdean (East Sussex).

A juvenile roosted in an arable field at Barton Bottom (TL 362 678), Fornham St Martin (Suffolk), with one (perhaps the Trevorian Pool bird above) in fields between Higher Boisistow Farm and Ardensawah farm on 8th-9th, whilst a confiding juvenile remained on Dunkery Beacon (Somerset) at SS 893 415 on 8th-9th. Well inland, a juvenile arrived at the summit of North Hill (Worcs) on 11th, whilst on the South Coast, a juvenile frequented a ploughed field north of the cottages at White Nothe (Dorset) at SY 772 814 from 11th-17th. A second bird joined the original bird on St Mary’s Golf Course (Scilly) on 11th, whilst one flew over West Pastures Lane, West Boldon (County Durham) on 11th. Great Orme (Conwy) is a regular haunt of this species in autumn so it was with little surprise to find one there on the limestone pavement on 12th, whilst a juvenile frequented the seawall west of Pett Level Pool (East Sussex) on 13th. The latter may have been the juvenile seen earlier at Rye Harbour NR (East Sussex) on 13th, whilst a moulting adult showed well 100 metres west of the trig point on Pendle Hill (Lancs) on 14th-15th.

One flew east over Marazion village (Cornwall) at 0845 hours on 15th, with a juvenile briefly in Selsey West Fields (West Sussex) prior to 0830 on 15th. A juvenile landed briefly on Tinkler’s Hill, St Martin’s (Scilly) on 15th, with another on the Great Orme on 17th. One was with Golden Plovers on Titchwell Freshmarsh (Norfolk) on 17th, with two at The Range RSPB, South Stack (Anglesey) the same day. Two juveniles showed well on the clifftop at Soap Cove, Kynance (Lizard, Cornwall) on 17th, with another just to the west of the East Bank, Cley Marshes NWT (Norfolk) on 19th-21st. One flew over Pegwell Bay (Kent) early morning on 19th, with an exceptionally confiding juvenile at Gunner’s Park, Shoeburyness (Essex) on 20th-21st. Two, possibly those seen on 7th, were on Shipman Head Down, Bryher (Scilly), on 21st.

PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER
An adult was last seen on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 7th September, with last month’s Cumbrian adult relocated on Dornock Beach (Dumfries & Galloway) on 7th-8th & 12th.

TEMMINCK’S STINT
A long-staying bird was at Guineaport, Wadebridge (Cornwall) from 13th-15th (favouring the Upper Treravon Meadows of the Camel Trail), with a juvenile at Belvide Reservoir (Staffs) on 15th.

HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL
A mobile juvenile remained on St Mary’s (Scilly) from 7th-24th September, where it was mainly seen early mornings roosting on Porthloo Beach.

GREAT SNIPE
It has been an excellent autumn for this species, with one frequenting wasteground opposite the South Gare steelworks on 7th, one seen twice in flight in Quendale Dunes (Shetland) on 12th and another seen by numerous observers at Speeton (East Yorks) on 17th-18th.

BAIRD’S SANDPIPER
The juvenile at Paxton Pits Pumphouse Pit (Cambs) was last seen on 7th, whilst further juveniles were discovered on the Add Estuary at Bellanoch and at Loch Crinan (both Argyll) on 15th.

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER
On the Isles of Scilly, one remained on St Agnes from 7th-11th, with another on St Mary’s Airfield/Golf Course on 10th & 17th-20th and another on Tresco then Salakee, St Mary’s, on 13th. A juvenile that flew over Land’s End (Cornwall) on 8th was relocated at Higher Bosistow Farm, Polgigga, on 9th, where it remained until at least 19th. Up to two juveniles remained on Davidstow Airfield (Cornwall) from 9th-20th, with an equally confiding juvenile at Cresswell Pond NWT (Northumberland) from 10th-20th. A further bird arrived on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 11th-12th, with a juvenile at Drimsdale and Rubha Ardvule, South Uist (Outer Hebrides) on 12th-21st and another juvenile at Ardivachar Point (The Range) on 15th. In Argyll, one was at the SW end of Loch a’Phuill, Tiree, on 17th, whilst on Scilly, a juvenile was on Wingletang Down, St Agnes, on 18th-19th, with a further juvenile on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 23rd.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER
One at Hickling Broad Rush Hills Scrape (Norfolk) from at least 1st September was joined by a second bird on 9th, both remaining until 18th, with a juvenile in Christchurch Harbour (Dorset) on 7th-11th, one at Minsmere RSPB East Scrape (Suffolk) on 8th-9th, on a puddle at Tinkler’s Hill, St Martin’s (Scilly) on 10th & 22nd-23rd, a juvenile on a pool just south of Halfway Wall on Lundy Island (Devon) on 10th, two juveniles on Cresswell Pool NWT (Northumberland) on 11th-18th, a juvenile briefly in Lincombe Bay, Kingsbridge Estuary (South Devon) on 11th, a juvenile with a Curlew Sandpiper at Prestwick Carr (Northumberland) on 12th-19th, a juvenile on Titchwell Freshmarsh (Norfolk) from 12th-22nd, a juvenile on Wagonway Flash, Earsdon (Northumberland) on 12th, an adult at Porth Coose, St Agnes (Scilly) on 13th-22nd, a juvenile on Latham Pools (NO 314 140) (Fife) on 13th-15th, a juvenile at Walmsley Sanctuary (Cornwall) on 13th-16th (with 2 present there on 15th), on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 17th-19th, at Loch of Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) on 17th-19th, two on the drained lagoon at Meare Heath (Somerset) on 17th, at Hatfield Moor (South Yorks) on 18th (with two there on 19th-21st), a juvenile on Davidstow Airfield (Cornwall) on 18th, a juvenile at Northwick Warth (Gloucs) from 18th-21st, briefly at Greenabella Marsh (Cleveland) on 19th, two juveniles at Lower Moor Flash (Worcs) on 19th and a juvenile in the SW corner of Loch Bee, South Uist (Outer Hebrides) on 19th-21st.

A juvenile remained at Barrow Gurney Reservoirs (Avon) from 20th-24th, with further singles at Farlington Marshes Deeps (Hants) on 20th-21st, Freiston Shore RSPB (Lincs) on 20th, Minsmere RSPB East Scrape (Suffolk) on 20th & 23rd, at Loch of Tankerness (Orkney) on 20th & 22nd, at Pulborough Brooks RSPB (West Sussex) on 20th-23rd, on the South Lake at Slimbridge WWT (Gloucs) on 21st and at Venus Pool (Salop) on 21st.

At the Loch of Strathbeg RSPB, a second bird arrived on 21st, increasing to 4 on 22nd-24th, with a juvenile on Foula (at Hametoun) (Shetland) on 22nd and another at Wath Ings (South Yorks) on 23rd. Three arrived at Swine Moor (East Yorks) on 23rd.

LESSER YELLOWLEGS
A juvenile was present on the Eden Estuary, Guardbridge (Fife), from 10th-14th September.

STILT SANDPIPER
A juvenile was present in the bay on the north side of Rubha Ardvule, South Uist (Outer Hebrides), from 14th-15th September, with what was presumably the same bird being relocated at Campfield Marsh RSPB, 2 miles WSW of Bowness-on-Solway (Cumbria) on 22nd-24th.

GREY PHALAROPE
A severe Atlantic storm displaced well over 500 Grey Phalaropes in September 2008, including flocks of up to 100 birds in Sennen Cove (West Cornwall). Large numbers were also displaced inland, with up to 60 individuals (predominantly juveniles) being found on reservoirs and gravel pits.

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE
Following a juvenile at Sunk Island (East Yorks) on 3rd, a juvenile appeared in front of the Ron Barker Hide at Martin Mere WWT (Lancs) on 5th and another very confiding juvenile at Cooper’s Beach, Mersea Island (Essex), from 6th-13th. A further juvenile appeared at Titchwell RSPB (Norfolk) on 14th-23rd, with a second bird at Burnham Overy and Holme scrape (Norfolk) on 14th-15th and a juvenile on the main lagoon at Farlington Marshes (Hants) on 16th. A further juvenile visited saltmarsh pools at Pye’s Hall, Donna Nook (North Lincs) on 17th, most likely the bird also seen at Humberstone Fitties (North Lincs) that day, whilst it or another was at Freiston Shore RSPB (Lincs) on 19th-23rd.

WILSON’S PHALAROPE
An adult in winter plumage graced the pools at Starnafin Farm, Loch of Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) on 1st September, with a similarly plumaged bird at Alkborough Flats and Blacktoft Sands RSPB (North Lincs/East Yorks) from 16th-21st. A further bird (first-winter) was present at Baile Gharbhaidh, Balgarva, South Uist (Outer Hebrides) on 21st.

LONG-TAILED SKUA
There was a distinct lack of twitchable individuals with none being stranded inland. Offshore, some 50 or so birds were reported.

RING-BILLED GULL
The regular adult was again present at Westcliff-on-Sea (Essex) from 9th, with an adult at Kinneil Lagoon (Forth) on 13th.

CASPIAN GULL
A juvenile roosted at Farmoor Reservoirs (Oxfordshire) on 7th & 11th September.

SABINE’S GULL
An excellent month with well over 100 individuals recorded, including an exceptionally confiding juvenile on Monmouth Beach, Lyme Regis (Dorset) on 7th-8th (see images).

GULL-BILLED TERN
A winter-plumaged adult was off Swalecliff on 13th September.

WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN
A juvenile remained at Blithfield Reservoir (Staffs) until 12th September, with another at Shotwick Boating Lake (Clwyd) until 13th and up to two on Dungeness RSPB Reserve (Kent) until 15th.

SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER - IN DETAIL

TODAY'S IMAGES

Plates 1-2: The long-staying female Snowy Owl on North Uist, where it favours sheltering behind rocks on Aird an Runair headland, adjacent to Balranald RSPB reserve (Outer Hebrides). These superb shots were taken by resident birder Steve Duffield.

Plates 3-4: Juvenile Grey Phalarope, Farmoor II Reservoir, Oxfordshire (Stephen Burch)

Plates 5-8: selection of rarities from the Isles of Scilly, all taken by Robin Mawer - first-winter Citrine Wagtail (5 & 8), adult Curlew Sandpiper, juvenile Dotterel and juvenile Red Knot

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S SIGHTINGS

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER - one inland at Chasewater (Staffs)

*WHITE-BILLED DIVER - the long-staying adult in full breeding plumage remains off Knockhall Point on South Ronaldsay (Orkney) (at ND 453 946)

BLACK-NECKED GREBE - two remain on Collards Lake, Stodmarsh (Kent), with singles at Stanwick GP (Northants), Covenham Reservoir (North Lincs) and Tophill Low 'D' Reservoir (East Yorks).

SLAVONIAN GREBE - the only freshwater sighting involves that still at Fresiton Shore RSPB (Lincs)

MANX SHEARWATER - inland, the mobile individual remains on Grafham Water (Cambs)

LEACH'S PETREL - 1 off the Old Nab, Staithes (North Yorks) this morning.

EUROPEAN SHAG - inland, 3 juveniles remain at Draycote Water (Warks), with further singles at Carsington Water (Derbyshire) and on Clifford Hill GP (Northants).

GREAT WHITE EGRET - The colour-ringed bird remains on The Mere at Ellesmere (Salop)

GLOSSY IBIS - the beautiful adult relocated to Fairburn Ings today (West Yorks), where it showed well during the morning.

EURASIAN SPOONBILL - the family party of 5 birds remain on the River Dee at Kirkcudbright (Galloway), whilst elsewhere, 6 remain in Poole Harbour at Middlebere (Dorset), 3 at Titchwell RSPB (Norfolk), 2 at Orfordness (Suffolk) and singles on the Alaw Estuary (Anglesey) and at Coombe Hill Meadows GWT (Gloucs). A further adult flew south over Slimbridge WWT, New Passage and Oldbury Power Station (Gloucs/Avon).

*RUDDY SHELDUCK - a party of 6 flew north over Sammy's Point, Kilnsea (East Yorks) on 5th, with two today on Hornsea Mere (East Yorks). Elsewhere, presumed escapes remain at Hoveringham GP (Notts) and Cliffe RSPB Black Barn Pools (North Kent).

COMMON CRANE - the two adults remain at Dungeness ARC Pit (Kent), with another at Welney WWT (Norfolk).

DOTTEREL - a noticeable passage this week with a juvenile from the Holden Tower at Slimbridge WWT (Gloucs) from 1-5, a juvenile on the 13th fairway at the north end of St Mary's Golf Course (Scilly) from 1-5, one with European Golden Plovers near the entrance to the Ouse Washes RSPB (Cambs) on 6th and another on the grass just south of Church Point, Newbiggin (Northumberland) on 6th.

*PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER - a moulting adult was with 300 European Golden Plovers and a single Ruff in a field to the west of Dornock (Dumfries & Galloway) (between Battlehill and Backfoot) but was flushed by a Sparrowhawk and later relocated on the beach (Colin & Angela Bushell, Chris Baines).

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER - an adult remains for a third day with European Golden Plover on Tiree, on the west side of Loch Bhasapol.

***HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL - the first for Scilly was on Porthloo Beach, St Mary's, from 0700-0755 hours before being flushed by walkers.

GREY PHALAROPE - the large displacement continues with at least 24 birds recorded today (total in last few days now exceeding 80 individuals), including 9 inland at Shustoke Reservoir (Warks), Farmoor II Reservoir (Oxon), Prescot Reservoirs (Lancs), Sidlesham Ferry Pool (West Sussex), Covenham Reservoir (Lincs), Chasewater (Staffs), Carsington Water (Derbyshire), Chew Valley Lake (Avon) and at Weir Wood Reservoir (East Sussex). Elsewhere, birds (mainly juveniles) were noted at Stanpit Marsh (Dorset) (2), Keyhaven Marshes Fishtail Lagoon (Hants), Shoreham-by-Sea (West Sussex), Church Norton, Pagham Harbour (West Sussex), Pottington (North Devon), Lligwy Bay (Anglesey) (4), Frodsham Marsh (Cheshire), Hengistbury Head (Dorset), Lodmoor RSPB (Dorset), Chesil Cove, Portland (Dorset) and off Berrow (Somerset).

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE a very confiding juvenile was on Mersea Island (Essex) all day, at Cooper's Beach Park.

BAIRD'S SANDPIPER - the juvenile was reported again from Pumphouse Pit, Diddington (Cambs) this morning.

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER - the elusive adult reappeared briefly on Titchwell Marsh RSPB (Norfolk) mid-morning.

SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER - the juvenile showed well over the high tide period on the beach at Dawlish Warren (South Devon) before moving to The Bight as the tide ebbed.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER - surprisingly scarce this September although the discovery of 6 juveniles in Spain today will presumably see more arrive in the next few days. Three were seen today, with a juvenile at Annesley Top Pit (Notts) and single adults at Hickling Rush Hills scrape (Norfolk) and at Stanpit Marsh (Dorset).

LONG-TAILED SKUA - a juvenile lingered in Chesil Cove, Portland (Dorset) for over two hours today, whilst seawatching produced four juveniles off Strumble Head (Pembs) and singles off Dungeness (Kent), Goldcliff Point (Gwent), Torness (Lothian), Pendeen Watchpoint and Tintagel (Cornwall) and Selsey Bill (West Sussex). Inland, a juvenile flew south over Slimbridge WWT, Sharpness, Oldbury Power Station and Severn Beach.

RING-BILLED GULL - an adult remains at Kinneil Lagoon, Grangemouth (Forth).

CASPIAN GULL - a juvenile roosted at Farmoor Reservoir (Oxon).

SABINE'S GULL - 3 juveniles flew west off Pendeen Watchpoint (Cornwall) today, with three also past Point of Ayre (Isle of Man), 2 past Whitburn CP (Durham) and Hartlepool Headland (Cleveland) with others past Flamborough Head (East Yorks), North Ronaldsay (Orkney), Selsey Bill (West Sussex) and Hannafore Point, Looe (Cornwall).

WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN - single juveniles remain at Dungeness ARC Pit (Kent) and Blithfield Reservoir (Staffs).

SNOWY OWL - the female remains on North Uist (Outer Hebrides).

WRYNECK - with SE winds and heavy rain, a small fall took place of this species in NE England today.

SHORE LARK - the bird present since July remains at Spurn Point (East Yorks).

CITRINE WAGTAIL - single first-winters remain on Fair Isle and on Porthellick Beach, St Mary's (Scilly).

BLUETHROAT - One at Hawthorn Dene (Durham) this evening.

BARRED WARBLER - 6 reported today, with singles at Otterswick, Yell, Fair Isle and Scatness (Shetland) and at Tynemouth (Northumberland), Dawdon Blast Beach (Durham) and Walney Island (Cumbria).

AQUATIC WARBLER - the very elusive juvenile remains for a third day at Rainham Marshes RSPB (London) with a further juvenile briefly at Weston Sewage Works (Somerset).

ICTERINE WARBLER - a noticeable fall on the NE coast, with two at South Gare (Cleveland) and singles at Hartlepool Headland (Cleveland), Tynemouth, Whitburn Steel, Druridge Bay CP and at Kettleness Point (North Yorks). Elsewhere, one was at Thorpeness (Suffolk).

MELODIOUS WARBLER - the long-staying bird remains elusively in 60 foot cover at Porthgwarra (Cornwall).

RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER - an adult male was at South Gare (Cleveland), with a juvenile at Tynemouth (Northumberland).

ORTOLAN BUNTING - one remains on Fair Isle.

The Newhaven Grey Phalarope - 3-4 September 2008

A juvenile GREY PHALAROPE moulting into first-winter plumage was discovered on the small brackish pool just SE of the railway crossing at Newhaven Tide Mills (East Sussex) on 3rd September 2008. The bird was showing exceptionally well and was superbly photographed by Ian Barnard (see field shots above). It remained until dusk, allowing 30 or so local birders to connect.

It survived the night and into the following morning but gradually became weaker and weaker (presumably through exhaustion or perhaps lack of suitable food) and very sadly died late morning. I picked the bird up and took it home for study (see photographs above).

ATLANTIC STORMS WRECK GREY PHALAROPES

A period of very unsettled weather from 2-5 September 2008 saw a large displacement of GREY PHALAROPES both inland and on the coast of Britain. The vast majority were juveniles, pushed out of the Atlantic Ocean by the storm-force winds, and involved at least 47 individuals.

North and South Wales perhaps recorded the largest numbers, with first-winters on the Gower Peninsula at Wernffrwd and at Pembroke Mill Ponds (Pembs) on 2nd September, with two in Carmarthen Old Harbour at dusk and on the Ogmore Estuary (Glamorgan), and another at Loughor Bridge (Glamorgan). A further bird was on the estuary at Dulas Bay (Anglesey) on 2nd, with 3 over the high tide at Wernffrwd on 3rd and another past Bardsey Island (Gwynedd). Three were on the Ogmore Estuary on 3rd-4th, with 4 west past Porthcawl (Glamorgan) on 4th, and 3 in the Llanelli (Carmarthen) area on 4th (15+ in total)

Along the South Coast, a juvenile was at Middlebere Creek, Poole Harbour (Dorset) on 2nd, whilst seawatching produced 5 past Pendeen Watchpoint (Cornwall) on 2nd, one on the sea off Selsey Bill (West Sussex) on 2nd & 5th, two in Chesil Cove, Portland (Dorset) on 4th, on the Fleet at Rodden Hive (Dorset) on 4th, west off Branksome Chine (Dorset) on 5th, on the sea off West Bay, Bridport (Dorset) on 5th, off Dawlish Warren (Devon) on 5th, past Splash Point, Seaford (East Sussex) and two on Lodmoor RSPB (Dorset) on 5th. (17)

INLAND STRANDINGS - 14 between 2-5 September

The first hint of a wreck came on 2nd, when a juvenile was on Queen Mother Reservoir (Berkshire), quickly followed on 3rd, when moulting juveniles appeared on Newhaven Tide Mills (East Sussex) and on Sidlesham Ferry Pool (West Sussex), the former dying of exhaustion/starvation next morning and the latter remaining until at least 5th. Next came another juvenile by the old boathouse at Kenfig Pool NNR (South Glamorgan) (3rd-5th at least) followed in the afternoon by an adult winter and juvenile together on Weston Turville Reservoir (Bucks) (the former remained for just over an hour and the latter until 1230 hours the following day - 9th-10th sounty records). In the evening, a further juvenile arrived on Chasewater (Staffs), showing well on the Sailing Club shore (to 5th).

On 4th, one was seen briefly on Foxcote Reservoir (North Bucks), with another very confiding juvenile on the flood beyond the lock at Altofts (West Yorks) (present until at least 5th) and further juveniles/first-winters on Queen Mary Reservoir (4th-5th), at Farmoor Reservoirs (Oxfordshire) on 5th, Shustoke Reservoir (Warks) (5th) and at Prescot Reservoirs (Lancs) on 5th. One was also briefly at Cheddar Reservoir (Somerset) on 5th.

ATLANTIC STORMS WRECK MANY GREY PHALAROPES WHILST SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER IN SOUTH DEVON REMAINS STAR BIRD

IMAGES ABOVE

Juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper, Dawlish Warren, South Devon, September 2008 (Gary Thoburn)

Juvenile Grey Phalarope, Weston Turville Reservoir, Buckinghamshire, 3-4 September 2008 (Paul Keene/Mike Collard)

Colour-ringed Great White Egret, The Mere, Ellesmere, Shropshire, September 2008 (Phil Jones)

The juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, present since 26 August, remains at Dawlish Warren (South Devon) today, frequenting the beach near the point at high tide (with other roosting waders) and the mud of The Bight at low and ebbing tide. Park in the Pay & Display car park close to the Dawlish Warren NR Information Centre and walk along the beach for 0.75 miles to view from the dunes or the reserve hide.

An adult AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER is present on machair at Greenhill, 2 miles south of Bridgend (on Tiree, Argyll), with the adult WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER again briefly on Titchwell Marsh RSPB (Norfolk) and juvenile DOTTERELS still at Slimbridge WWT (Gloucs) and on St Mary's Airfield (Scilly).

Three juvenile WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERNS today include singles at Shotwick Boating Lake (Clwyd), Blithfield Reservoir (Staffs) and at Dungeness RSPB ARC Pit (Kent), whilst the colour-ringed GREAT WHITE EGRET remains on The Mere at Ellesmere (Salop).

A selection of WRYNECKS remain, including long-staying individuals at Holland Haven (Essex) and Thorney Island (Hants), with a TAWNY PIPIT still showing well in fields at Portland Bill (Dorset) and a first-winter CITRINE WAGTAIL on Portnellick Beach, St Mary's (Scilly).

Strong SE winds in the west country resulted in 3 SABINE'S GULLS and 7 POMARINE SKUAS off Berry Head, Brixham (South Devon) and both GREAT and 3 CORY'S SHEARWATERS off Porthgwarra (Cornwall).

ESSEX OSPREYS

All three OSPREYS were duly present at Abbotts Hall (Essex) today; one in the dead tree opposite the Wetlands Hide and the other two at the eastern end of Salcott Channel, just as yesterday. Two of the three were seen to catch and eat fish. After the surfeit of Spotshanks and Greenshanks yesterday, there were very few of either today. Two COMMON SWIFTS also flew over the Wetlands Hide.

Tim Mendham

TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES RECORDED IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND DURING 2008

A total of 412 species has been recorded in Great Britain and Ireland in 2008, up to and including 24th September 2008.

The Systematic List that follows includes all those species currently accepted as occurring as wild by the UK400 Club/British Birding Association, with those species ONLY recorded in Ireland added in dark green text (eight in total).

1. Red-throated Diver
2. Black-throated Diver
3. Great Northern Diver
4. WHITE-BILLED DIVER
5. Slavonian Grebe
6. Black-necked Grebe
7. Little Grebe
8. Great Crested Grebe
9. Red-necked Grebe
10. Northern Fulmar
11. Cory's Shearwater
12. Great Shearwater
13. FEA'S SOFT-PLUMAGED PETREL
14. NORTH ATLANTIC LITTLE SHEARWATER
15. Manx Shearwater
16. Balearic Shearwater
17. YELKOUAN SHEARWATER
18. Sooty Shearwater
19. European Storm Petrel
20. WILSON'S PETREL
21. Leach's Petrel
22. Northern Gannet
23. BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS
24. Cormorant
25. European Shag
26. Common Bittern
27. LITTLE BITTERN
28. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON
29. CATTLE EGRET
30. Little Egret
31. GREAT WHITE EGRET
32. Grey Heron
33. PURPLE HERON
34. WHITE STORK
35. BLACK STORK
36. GLOSSY IBIS
37. Eurasian Spoonbill
38. Mute Swan
39. Whooper Swan
40. Bewick's Swan
41. Snow Goose
42. ROSS'S SNOW GOOSE
43. Eurasian White-fronted Goose
44. Greenland White-fronted Goose
45. Taiga Bean Goose
46. Tundra Bean Goose
47. Pink-footed Goose
48. Greylag Goose
49. Great Canada Goose
50. Small Canada Goose
51. Barnacle Goose
52. Dark-bellied Brent Goose
53. Pale-bellied Brent Goose
54. BLACK BRANT
55. RED-BREASTED GOOSE
56. Common Shelduck
57. Ruddy Shelduck
58. Egyptian Goose
59. Mandarin Duck
60. Mallard
61. Gadwall
62. Pintail
63. NORTH AMERICAN BLACK DUCK
64. Northern Shoveler
65. Eurasian Wigeon
66. AMERICAN WIGEON
67. FALCATED DUCK
68. Common Teal
69. American Green-winged Teal
70. Garganey
71. BLUE-WINGED TEAL
72. Northern Pochard
73. Red-crested Pochard
74. Ferruginous Duck
75. Greater Scaup
76. LESSER SCAUP
77. Tufted Duck
78. Ring-necked Duck
79. Common Eider
80. KING EIDER
81. Common Scoter
82. Velvet Scoter
83. Surf Scoter
84. Long-tailed Duck
85. Common Goldeneye
86. BARROW'S GOLDENEYE
87. Smew
88. Goosander
89. Red-breasted Merganser
90. Ruddy Duck
91. White-tailed Sea Eagle
92. Osprey
93. Golden Eagle
94. Red Kite
95. BLACK KITE
96. Marsh harrier
97. Hen Harrier
98. Montagu's Harrier
99. Rough-legged Buzzard
100. Common Buzzard
101. European Honey Buzzard
102. Eurasian Sparrowhawk
103. Northern Goshawk
104. Common Kestrel
105. RED-FOOTED FALCON
106. Eurasian Hobby
107. ELEONORA'S FALCON
108. Peregrine Falcon
109. Merlin
110. GYRFALCON
111. Red Grouse
112. Capercaillie
113. Black Grouse
114. Red-legged Partridge
115. Grey Partridge
116. Common Quail
117. Corncrake
118. Common Pheasant
119. Golden Pheasant
120. Lady Amherst's Pheasant
121. Water Rail
122. Spotted Crake
123. LITTLE CRAKE
124. Moorhen
125. Eurasian Coot
126. COMMON CRANE
127. Oystercatcher
128. Pied Avocet
129. BLACK-WINGED STILT
130. Stone Curlew
131. COLLARED PRATINCOLE
132. Little Ringed Plover
133. Ringed Plover
134. KILLDEER
135. Kentish Plover
136. Grey Plover
137. Dotterel
138. CASPIAN PLOVER
139. European Golden Plover
140. PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER
141. AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER
142. GREATER SAND PLOVER
143. Lapwing
144. Red Knot
145. Sanderling
146. Purple Sandpiper
147. Turnstone
148. Dunlin
149. Curlew Sandpiper
150. BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER
151. Temminck's Stint
152. Little Stint
153. Wood Sandpiper
154. Green Sandpiper
155. Common Sandpiper
156. SPOTTED SANDPIPER
157. TEREK SANDPIPER
158. Common Redshank
159. Spotted Redshank
160. Common Greenshank
161. MARSH SANDPIPER
162. Black-tailed Godwit
163. Bar-tailed Godwit
164. Eurasian Curlew
165. Whimbrel
166. Woodcock
167. GREAT SNIPE
168. Common Snipe
169. WILSON'S SNIPE
170. Jack Snipe
171. Grey Phalarope
172. Red-necked Phalarope
173. WILSON'S PHALAROPE
174. BAIRD'S SANDPIPER
175. WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER
176. SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER
177. WESTERN SANDPIPER
178. Ruff
179. BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER
180. PECTORAL SANDPIPER
181. LESSER YELLOWLEGS
182. SOLITARY SANDPIPER
183. UPLAND SANDPIPER
184. STILT SANDPIPER
185. LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER
186. HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL
187. Great Skua
188. Pomarine Skua
189. Arctic Skua
190. Long-tailed Skua
191. Black-headed Gull
192. BONAPARTE'S GULL
193. Common Gull
194. Ring-billed Gull
195. Mediterranean Gull
196. Herring Gull
197. Yellow-legged Gull
198. Caspian Gull
199. NORTH AMERICAN HERRING GULL
200. AUDOUIN'S GULL
201. Lesser Black-backed Gull
202. Great Black-backed Gull
203. ROSS'S GULL
204. Little Gull
205. Kittiwake
206. Sabine's Gull
207. Glaucous Gull
208. Iceland Gull
209. LAUGHING GULL
210. FRANKLIN'S GULL
211. Little Tern
212. Sandwich Tern
213. Common Tern
214. Arctic Tern
215. Roseate Tern
216. CASPIAN TERN
217. GULL-BILLED TERN
218. FORSTER'S TERN
219. Black Tern
220. White-winged Black Tern
221. WHISKERED TERN
222. Little Auk
223. Atlantic Puffin
224. Black Guillemot
225. Common Guillemot
226. Razorbill
227. Rock Dove
228. Stock Dove
229. Woodpigeon
230. Collared Dove
231. European Turtle Dove
232. Common Cuckoo
233. Tawny Owl
234. EURASIAN EAGLE OWL
235. SNOWY OWL
236. Long-eared Owl
237. Short-eared Owl
238. Barn Owl
239. Little Owl
240. European Nightjar
241. Common Swift
242. PALLID SWIFT
243. ALPINE SWIFT
244. LITTLE SWIFT
245. PACIFIC SWIFT
246. Eurasian Hoopoe
247. Common Kingfisher
248. EUROPEAN BEE-EATER
249. EUROPEAN ROLLER
250. Ring-necked Parakeet
251. European Green Woodpecker
252. Great Spotted Woodpecker
253. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
254. Wryneck
255. Skylark
256. Woodlark
257. GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK
258. CALANDRA LARK
259. BLACK LARK
260. Shore Lark
261. Sand Martin
262. EURASIAN CRAG MARTIN
263. Barn Swallow
264. RED-RUMPED SWALLOW
265. House Martin
266. TAWNY PIPIT
267. RICHARD'S PIPIT
268. Water Pipit
269. Rock Pipit
270. AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT
271. Meadow Pipit
272. Tree Pipit
273. RED-THROATED PIPIT
274. White Wagtail
275. Pied Wagtail
276. Yellow Wagtail
277. BLACK-HEADED WAGTAIL
278. CITRINE WAGTAIL
279. Grey Wagtail
280. Winter Wren
281. Dipper
282. Bohemian Waxwing
283. Dunnock
284. European Robin
285. Common Nightingale
286. THRUSH NIGHTINGALE
287. Bluethroat
288. Common Redstart
289. Black Redstart
290. Northern Wheatear
291. DESERT WHEATEAR
292. Whinchat
293. Common Stonechat
294. Song Thrush
295. Redwing
296. Mistle Thrush
297. Fieldfare
298. Common Blackbird
299. Ring Ouzel
300. Barred Warbler
301. Garden Warbler
302. Blackcap
303. Lesser Whitethroat
304. SARDINIAN WARBLER
305. Common Whitethroat
306. SPECTACLED WARBLER
307. WESTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER
308. EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER
309. Dartford Warbler
310. Sedge Warbler
311. AQUATIC WARBLER
312. Grasshopper Warbler
313. PALLAS'S GRASSHOPPER WARBLER
314. LANCEOLATED WARBLER
315. RIVER WARBLER
316. SAVI'S WARBLER
317. Cetti's Warbler
318. European Reed Warbler
319. Marsh Warbler
320. PADDYFIELD WARBLER
321. GREAT REED WARBLER
322. FAN-TAILED WARBLER
323. Icterine Warbler
324. Melodious Warbler
325. EASTERN OLIVACEOUS WARBLER
326. BOOTED WARBLER
327. Willow Warbler
328. Wood Warbler
329. Common Chiffchaff
330. Siberian Chiffchaff
331. WESTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER
332. DUSKY WARBLER
333. ARCTIC WARBLER
334. GREENISH WARBLER
335. Yellow-browed Warbler
336. HUME'S LEAF WARBLER
337. PALLAS'S LEAF WARBLER
338. Goldcrest
339. Firecrest
340. Spotted Flycatcher
341. BROWN FLYCATCHER
342. Red-breasted Flycatcher
343. Pied Flycatcher
344. WHITE-COLLARED FLYCATCHER
345. Great Tit
346. Coal Tit
347. Blue Tit
348. Crested Tit
349. Willow Tit
350. Marsh Tit
351. Long-tailed Tit
352. Bearded Tit
353. Nuthatch
354. Common Treecreeper
355. Red-backed Shrike
356. WOODCHAT SHRIKE
357. Northern Grey Shrike
358. LESSER GREY SHRIKE
359. Magpie
360. Jay
361. Jackdaw
362. Red-billed Chough
363. Rook
364. Carrion Crow
365. Hooded Crow
366. Common Raven
367. Common Starling
368. ROSE-COLOURED STARLING
369. Golden Oriole
370. House Sparrow
371. Tree Sparrow
372. Chaffinch
373. Brambling
374. Linnet
375. Twite
376. Lesser Redpoll
377. Mealy Redpoll
378. GREENLAND REDPOLL
379. SCANDINAVIAN ARCTIC REDPOLL
380. HORNEMANN'S ARCTIC REDPOLL
381. Goldfinch
382. Greenfinch
383. Siskin
384. CITRIL FINCH
385. European Serin
386. Bullfinch
387. Hawfinch
388. Common Crossbill
389. Scottish Parrot Crossbill
390. TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL
391. Common Rosefinch
392. TRUMPETER FINCH
393. RED-EYED VIREO
394. YELLOW WARBLER
395. AMERICAN REDSTART
396. NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH
397. DARK-EYED JUNCO
398. WHITE-THROATED SPARROW
399. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW
400. Reed Bunting
401. LITTLE BUNTING
402. RUSTIC BUNTING
403. YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING
404. Snow Bunting
405. Lapland Bunting
406. ORTOLAN BUNTING
407. CRETZSCHMAR'S BUNTING
408. Yellowhammer
409. Cirl Bunting
410. BLACK-HEADED BUNTING
411. Corn Bunting

PENDING

Hooded Merganser

ALSO CATEGORY I/E

Australian Black Swan

Bar-headed Goose

Monk Parakeet

BAIRD'S SANDPIPER at Pumphouse Pit, Diddington, CAMBS - images

Juvenile BAIRD'S SANDPIPER at Pumphouse Pit, Stirtloe, Cambridgeshire, 30 August 2008 (John Spraggett)

Martin Davis initially discovered and identified this bird on Wednesday 27 August 2008, where it has remained until at least 1st September. It favours Pumphouse Pit, accessed from Stirtloe village.

DETAILED VIEWING INSTRUCTIONS

From the A1 roundabout at Grafham, take the southbound carriageway for just 250 yards and turn left towards Stirtloe. Continue through the village until you reach the sharp bend and park sensibly and courteously close to the gate. Continue on foot along the tarmac road, veering sharp left after 200 yards. After a further 500 yards, Pumphouse Pit becomes visible on the right of the road, with the Baird's and other waders present on the gravel islands in the pit. View from either the North or East Banks and do not wander away from the footpaths.

COMMON CRANES at Dungeness RSPB

Common Cranes, Dungeness Area, Kent, August 2008 (David Walker)

These two COMMON CRANES flew over Dungeness ARC Pit at 1600 hours and appeared to land near the Oppen Pits on 23 August. Next day, they were present on the reserve for much of the day but in the evening made a circuit of the Point and thus flew into Observatory airspace. On 25th, they were present on the ARC Pit for most of the afternoon and even engaged in several bouts of ''dancing'', and took up temporary residence in this area until at least 1st September (today). See http://www.dungenessbirdobs.org.uk/ for all Dungeness Observatory news.

MONDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER

It was another wonderful day here at Dungeness. The two long-staying COMMON CRANES (see photographs above) spent most of the day at the ARC pit although they did venture over Burrowes pit and New Diggings during the afternoon and spent some time out of sight on the shingle. Yesterday's elusive juvenile WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN was more obliging today and could be seen over the ARC pit. Two BLACK TERNS were also present and three LITTLE GULLS. An OSPREY was seen flying over Burrowes pit and a HONEY BUZZARD over the ARC pit. Three HOBBIES were seen around the trail. There were still plenty of waders to be seen from the Hanson-ARC hide including COMMON GREENSHANK (at very close quarters), WOOD SANDPIPER and LITTLE STINT. At least three BLACK-NECKED GREBES were seen and the first NORTHERN PINTAIL of the autumn. Passerines on the move included two COMMON REDSTARTS near the Hooker's pits viewing ramp, three NORTHERN WHEATEARS by the access track and several LESSER WHITETHROATS.

Christine Hawkins, Visitor Centre Manager, RSPB Dungeness Nature Reserve