Whilst I was away in Israel, this superb first-summer GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO remained in West Cornwall (near St Just) for a week (Brian Field)During my absence in these past few weeks, the spring migration has got well underway, with the total number of species now recorded in Britain and Ireland in 2009 surging forward to 283 species.
The additions are as thus -:
PACIFIC DIVER (a regularly returning bird seen just briefly in Pembrokeshire)
PURPLE HERON (an adult in Suffolk)
GLOSSY IBIS (one in Ireland)
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (a drake in County Clare)
BLACK KITE (at least one authenticated report)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (an early bird on Cape Clear, Ireland)
Common Cuckoo (13+)
ALPINE SWIFT (3+ including a twitchable bird in Cornwall)
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (brief fly-through in NE England)
Common Nightingale (early returns)
BLUETHROAT (brief bird in Berkshire)
Grasshopper Warbler (numerous)
Sedge Warbler (many)
Western Reed Warbler (several)
WESTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER (singing male in 60 Foot Cover, Porthgwarra, Cornwall)
Common Whitethroat (several)
Pied Flycatcher (several)
The additions are as thus -:
PACIFIC DIVER (a regularly returning bird seen just briefly in Pembrokeshire)
PURPLE HERON (an adult in Suffolk)
GLOSSY IBIS (one in Ireland)
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (a drake in County Clare)
BLACK KITE (at least one authenticated report)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (an early bird on Cape Clear, Ireland)
Common Cuckoo (13+)
ALPINE SWIFT (3+ including a twitchable bird in Cornwall)
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (brief fly-through in NE England)
Common Nightingale (early returns)
BLUETHROAT (brief bird in Berkshire)
Grasshopper Warbler (numerous)
Sedge Warbler (many)
Western Reed Warbler (several)
WESTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER (singing male in 60 Foot Cover, Porthgwarra, Cornwall)
Common Whitethroat (several)
Pied Flycatcher (several)
