UK400ClubRareBirdAlert

KUMLIEN'S & THAYER'S GULLS

2012-01-26T21:45:00.001Z

Anticipating the usual flood of Kumlien's-like gulls in the west and Thayer's-like gulls in the east, I've put together a proposed thayeri-kumlieni-glaucoides scoring system at http://www.tertial.us/gulls/tkg.htm

It's a first draft cut to develop some consensus about how we talk about and evaluate these things. Feedback is welcome. (I've already got ideas to improve it, but I want to hear more ideas.)

Basically, it's a 4-point scale:

0 = glaucoides
1 = in between
2 = kumlieni
3 = in between
4 = thayeri

evaluating 7 different features of first cycle birds. So a maximum score of 28 is a classic Thayer's, while a minimum score of 0 is a perfect nominate glaucoides. The key caveat is at the end: "even if we come up with a formula that satisfies most birders, there's still no guarantee we would be accurately placing birds in the correct category until further research, ideally tracking birds from the breeding grounds to the wintering grounds, is done."

Steve Hampton, Ph.D.

NORTH AMERICAN WOOD DUCK in COUNTY DONEGAL

2012-01-26T21:42:00.001Z

Just heard this, thought it may be of interest to the list.An injured male American Wood Duck has been seen near the RNLI Lifeboat Station, Pollawaddy, Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal since last Friday. Injured wing. Not really approachable, but can't fly, spents a lot of time out of sight in a rushy area along the shore. Finder may make an attempt to catch it in the next day or two to take it into care & seek medical/rehab assistance for the injury, but the bird seems very lively (apart from inability to fly). No visible evidence of injury/wound looks otherwise healthy. Seen today & yesterday. Two ferries operate from Burtonport several times a day apparently.Mícheál Casey

I am still sitting on the file of Wood Duck occurrences in Britain and Ireland as records of this species are incredibly difficult to assess. At least 20 records though are considered to be of wild vagrants and I hope to be in a position to list them in the not too distant future. As far as I am concerned, this individual is as good as they are likely to get, especially considering the weather conditions since last September

Lee Evans

Arctic gull is latest addition to Year List

2012-01-23T22:04:00.001Z

An adult winter-plumaged ROSS'S GULL in Ardglass Harbour, County Down, represents the 251st species to be recorded in Britain and Ireland combined this year. This comes on top of one of the largest influxes of Kumlien's and Iceland Gulls ever known in the region, including no less than 83 individuals in Stornoway Harbour on Lewis (Outer Hebrides) alone

193 species in one week - Winter Birding in the UK

2012-01-23T21:17:00.000Z

A total of 193 species was recorded on my Round Britain tour of last week with a mouth-watering list of species recorded, a whopping 14 species higher than on my trip in January 2011. Amongst the many highlights were Long-eared Owl, Lapland Bunting, Golden Pheasant, Grey Partridge, Scandinavian Arctic Redpoll, Spotted Redshank, Long-tailed Duck, Ross's Snow Goose, both Tundra & Taiga Bean Geese, Lesser White-front, Shore Lark, Firecrest, Woodcock, Western Sandpiper, Rough-legged Buzzard, Black Brant, Great Grey Shrike, Twite, 34 Common Cranes, 91 Snow Buntings, Mediterranean Gull, Iceland Gull, Black-throated Diver, Black Redstart, Waxwing, Curlew Sandpiper, Smew, Glossy Ibis, Bittern, Ruddy Duck, Short-eared Owl, Cattle Egret, Ring-billed Gull, Spanish Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Common Crossbill, Hawfinch, Caspian Gull, Dipper, Water Pipit, Bufflehead, Swallow, Siberian Chiffchaff, Slavonian & 45 Black-necked Grebes, Little Gull, Balearic Shearwater, Ring-necked Duck, Cirl Bunting, Red-breasted Goose, American Wigeon, Surf Scoter, both Yellow-browed & Hume's Leaf Warbler, Richard's Pipit, Spoonbill and Little Auk.

I shall be repeating this tour again next January so if you would like to reserve a place, please email me at LGREUK400@aol.com

I will also be conducting a Round Britain tour in May of this year commencing on Thursday 17 May, the first four days in Scotland and then moving south - possibly two spaces remaining

Other forthcoming tours with vacancies include my February trips to Egypt (5 days) and Spain (for Spanish Lynx, Wallcreepers, Spanish Imperial Eagles and bustards - 24-27 Feb), Israel (March), Goshawk display (March), Georgia, Morocco, Estonia and Cape Verde Islands in April and Turkey in early July

Springwatch MALTA 2012

2012-01-23T18:13:00.002Z

Birdlife Malta have released the dates for Spring Watch 2012 conservation camp in Malta and have a promotional video on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uaK_dkQ8us&list=UUJ9OBmt5rb2pGzRZeSoYLUA&index=1&feature=plcp .

Please check it out and help out if you can preserve the many thousands of migrating birds using Malta as a gateway to Europe

SPANISH SPARROW on TV

2012-01-11T21:04:00.000Z

see link http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-16515456

SPANISH SPARROWING

2012-01-11T20:10:00.001Z

A total of 82 birdwatchers gathered from dawn at Calshot this morning, gradually swelling to just 110 by mid-morning - a far smaller turnout than I had envisaged for a vagrant that has not been twitchable in Britain since 1998. As expected, the bird appeared in the hedgerow opposite the cul-de-sac just after 0800 hours and then spent an hour moving between the two hedgerows either side of the road and the larger Hawthorn. It afforded outstanding views and many photographs were taken. Everyone was impeccably behaved and adhered to on-site instructions. Local birder Bruce Gwynn acted as management and did a sterling job, eventually escorting small parties down the private road once the sparrows started feeding. Certainly whilst I was there, everyone parked where they were supposed to.

The bird typically became elusive after 0900 hours - primarily visiting the chicken coup and feeding out of view. Occasionally, he returned to the roadside hedgerow but these visits were few and far between. From 1000 hours, he generally retired from view and some observers had over three hours wait before they got a glimpse. As I stated in a previous posting, to be sure of seeing this bird well, plan to arrive early and give yourself a 0800-0900 hours time slot.

DIRECTIONS: Follow the B 3053 SE to as far as it goes into Calshot village, 5 miles SE of Hythe. Continue into the one-way system and take advantage of up to 200 free car parking spaces in this vicinity. Walk back 500 yards to the junction with the private MOD cul-de-sac, clearly marked with ''Police No Parking'' cones and observe from the verges. The bird is favouring the thick hedgerows either side of the main road, particularly that section adjacent to the boat with flowers.

Not that far away, at Hawkhill Inclosure in the New Forest, the first-winter male DARK-EYED JUNCO was showing at regular intervals, moving between 3 or 4 fallen pines and perching readily out in the open. The clearing is just 100 yards NW of the parking area.

This site is also very good for COMMON CROSSBILLS and a male WOODLARK was singing there today.

Elsewhere in the New Forest, the regular wintering GREAT GREY SHRIKE was showing well today at Beaulieu Road Station at Bishop's Dyke, in birches and scrub 400 yards beyond the bridge south of Shatterford car park. This forest area also yielded both DARTFORD WARBLERS and WOODLARKS and a number of early Small Tortoiseshell butterflies

At HARBRIDGE WATER MEADOWS, the EGYPTIAN GEESE pair were on the main flood and both the adult WHOOPER SWAN and the 3 BEWICK'S SWANS were with the 203 Mute Swans in the first field beyond the church.

Ibsley Water held 11 GOOSANDER, 7 PINTAIL and the continuing BLACK-TAILED GODWIT, whilst the juvenile female BLUE-WINGED TEAL and redhead SMEW remained on the south lake at LONGHAM LAKES

Calshot SPANISH SPARROW directions

2012-01-10T10:35:00.000Z

Frustratingly, prior to full arrangements being made with the residents, the location of the Calshot SPANISH SPARROW has been released and broadcast. As a result, Sue (the owner of the house where the bird is favouring mostly) has now changed her mind about access and that will now not be forthcoming.

The consequence of this is that the bird will now be only likely viewable at the sparrow roost, from about 0800-0900 hours and from 1500-1600 hours.

There is sufficient parking in the free beach car park for about 200 cars. Walk back NW up the road for just over 500 yards to view the obvious hedgerow by the flower-filled boat at the junction of Calshot Close and the B 3053 at SU 476 015. PLEASE VIEW ONLY FROM THIS DESIGNATED VERGE WATCHPOINT, where the cones have been placed, and do not enter the private residential area unless invited to do so.

The House Sparrow flock numbers some 40 individuals and includes amongst their ranks the adult male Spanish Sparrow and an additional male and female showing intermediate Spanish x House Sparrow characters.

The Calshot SPANISH SPARROW

2012-01-10T09:10:00.002Z

See more images of this stowaway 'chirper' at -http://watcheroftheskies1.blogspot.com/2012/01/spanish-sparrow.html

About 70 birders turned up for yesterday's ''trial run''. News of its location will be released after dark today

Those rares just keep on coming for 2011

2012-01-09T21:31:00.002Z

Well with 2011 now nine days hence, a plethora of mega-rares from Hampshire has seen that year's list total rise from 452 to 455........

Firstly, we had news of the Old Winchester Hill WHITE-THROATED SPARROW surviving in its favoured car park until at least July 2011 being released by the warden, then news of a first-winter male DARK-EYED JUNCO that was wintering close to a car parking area at Hawkhill Inclosure in the New Forest, first photographed on 24 December 2011 and still present and showing today.........

Now, news has reached county birders of an adult male SPANISH SPARROW that has been living in Calshot village, in the south of the county, for some considerable time, probably at least since last spring (although the finder only made a mental note of it from early December 2011).

The latter is favouring suburban gardens in a quiet cul-de-sac and arrangements have been made for visitor access from Wednesday morning of this week. All on-site instructions will have to be adhered to, including the designated parking areas, and a period of about two weeks will initially be on offer to cater for those that wish to see the bird. I will release access instructions tomorrow evening.

The bird is moving between a roosting hedgerow and some peanut feeders/bird tables and is very reliable, showing at frequent intervals. There will be no panic requirement to rush to see it if you want to save a day's holiday from work. The presence of at least one hybrid bird suggest it has been present for at least one breeding season and it is likely it was initially a ship-assisted vagrant, like the other two species mentioned above

Exminster Marshes LONG-EARED OWL is unnecessarily harassed by photographers

2012-01-04T22:58:00.000Z

Sadly, news of a roosting LONG-EARED OWL was broadcast on an assortment of news services which in turn attracted an element of undesirables travelling quite some distance to see it. Two particular individuals decided that they wanted to get to within a few feet of the bird, despite being challenged, and photographed it from a very close distance, causing it to wake up and be alarmed. A number of local observers asked for them to move away but were quite seriously threatened by one particular individual. He was photographed and appears to be a character I witnessed disturbing Stone Curlews at a nest. His vehicle number plate was taken but as he returned to his car, he became very violent and abusive towards those present and threatened to 'do' some of them over. This behaviour can not be tolerated and I urge those of you that witnessed it to report the incident to the police. I have photographs of the two individuals involved which can be used to help identify them.

My policy now, because of such repeated behaviour, is to suppress all Long-eared and easily disturbed Short-eared Owl locations - both species seem to act as a magnet for such behaviour

A New Year.............

2012-01-02T23:08:00.000Z

Well with two days into 2012, a total of 235 species has been recorded in Britain and Ireland with numerous long-staying vagrants keeping New Year visitors busy......

In addition to the DARK-EYED JUNCO in the New Forest at Hawksley Inclosure, two first-winter male DESERT WHEATEARS remain at Beacon Point, Newbiggin-on-Sea (Northumberland) and Bempton Cliffs RSPB (East Yorks) Staple Neuk Viewpoint respectively.

A good list of waders includes the first-winter GREATER YELLOWLEGS still at Skelbo, near Loch Fleet (Sutherland) (on flooded fields opposite the entrance to Coul Farm) and a first-winter LESSER YELLOWLEGS with a Spotted Redshank at Burnham-on-Sea (Somerset). Last year's Somerset LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS are now both together at Lodmoor Country Park (Dorset), whilst another is in South Wales at Kidwelly Quay (Carmarthenshire) and the first-ever wintering PECTORAL SANDPIPER remains at Dundonald Camp, Barassie (Ayrshire). Three SPOTTED SANDPIPERS are to be found, with the adult at Chew Valley Lake Herriott's Bridge causeway (Avon) and juveniles at Lyme Regis West Cobb (Dorset) and at the north end of the River Plym at Plymouth (South Devon). Perhaps best of all, the first-winter WESTERN SANDPIPER continues at Cley NWT (Norfolk).

Of the remaining ''good birds'' on offer, the CATTLE EGRET remains at Warblington (Hampshire), no less than 21 GREAT WHITE EGRETS at widely scattered localities, GLOSSY IBISES on the Isles of Scilly at Lower Moors, at Exminster Marshes RSPB (South Devon), at Stodmarsh NNR water meadows (Kent), at Fingringhoe Wick NR (Essex) and at Leighton Moss RSPB (Lancs).

Rare geese include the continuing RICHARDSON'S CANADA GOOSE with local Canadas at Torr Reservoir (Somerset), the adult LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE of unknown origin with the Taiga Bean Geese at Buckenham Carrs RSPB in the Yare Valley (Norfolk) and first-winter RED-BREASTED GEESE at Tollesbury Wick (Essex) and Exminster Marshes RSPB (South Devon), whilst rare wildfowl are represented by at least 4 AMERICAN WIGEONS (the easiest being drakes at Kirk Loch, Lochmaben, Dumfries & Galloway and at Wintersett Reservoir, West Yorks), 12+ AMERICAN GREEN-WINGED TEALS, a juvenile female BLUE-WINGED TEAL at Longham Lakes (Dorset), an adult drake FERRUGINOUS DUCK on Ivy Lake, Blashford Lakes HWT (Hants), SURF SCOTERS at Dawlish Warren NNR (South Devon) and in Penzance Harbour (Cornwall), the juvenile female BUFFLEHEAD on the Loe Pool at Helston (Cornwall) and the ever-present drake Hooded Merganser at Radipole Lake RSPB (Dorset).

East Anglia maintains its stranglehold on ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD occurrences with at least 6 birds being regularly seen (others remain on Shetland and in North Yorkshire) whilst Orkney enjoyed a very brief visit from a glorious white morph GYRFALCON just before 2011 ended.

A HOOPOE has brightened up the Lake Lothing area of Lowestoft (Suffolk) with its appearance whilst that same county continues to harbour virtually all of the nation's wintering crop of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS (about 100 birds in total, mainly frequenting Ipswich Hospital and Martlesham Heath. Four SHORELARKS are at Holkham Gap saltings (North Norfolk) with a RICHARD'S PIPIT wintering at Wyke Regis (Dorset) and the HUME'S LEAF WARBLER at the same locality.

In IRELAND, the rarest offerings are the regular wintering adult FORSTER'S TERN in County Galway at Kinvara, 1-2 NORTH AMERICAN HERRING GULLS, a drake LESSER SCAUP at Lough Gill and the surviving HOUSE CROW at Cobh (County Cork). A LONG-BUILLED DOWITCHER is at North Slob WWR (County Wexford) and a RICHARD'S PIPIT was located today.at Killard Nature Reserve in County Down

DARK-EYED JUNCO in the New Forest

2012-01-02T22:33:00.000Z

On Boxing Day 2011, non-birdwatchers noticed and photographed an odd 'chaffinch' feeding with other birds in the car parking area of Hawkhill Inclosure, 2.5 miles west of Beaulieu, in the New Forest (Hampshire) at about SU 350 020. They saw the bird again on 30 December and then notified Keith Betton by sending him images of the bird. It turned out to be a first-winter male DARK-EYED JUNCO and consequently the 453rd species to be recorded in that record year.

Although not seen on New Years Day, an enthusiastic attempt was made at seeding an area of the car park and this quickly did the trick - the bird showing well today on a number of occasions, feeding alongside Dunnocks, Robins, Reed Buntings and Chaffinches.

Brian Unwin loses long battle against cancer - he sadly passed away last night

2011-12-30T10:16:00.000Z

Throughout the 1980's and 1990's, Brian Unwin was a keen writer for the Press Association and was always keen to get as many stories as possible in about birds and other wildlife. He would talk to me on a weekly basis looking for ideas and breaking news and had hundreds of stories and articles published during his career. He was also an extremely keen and capable birder and living in coastal Whitburn (on the notorious Shearwater Estate) was priveleged to have several rare species visit his garden, including Bluethroat, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Common Rosefinch and Pallas's Leaf Warbler. This sadly was the last time I saw Brian - whilst visiting the area to see the male Chestnut Bunting that Ian Mills had found in his garden.

Brian became ill in 2007 and fought a long battle with cancer. As a consequence, he was forced to retire from the work he loved and was restricted in his movements. Frustratingly, this incapacity kept him away from the Eastern Crowned Warbler, just three miles away from his house.

Brian was the founder of the Durham Bird Club and spent countless hours carrying out Atlas work. He also spent over 30 years working for the 'Northern Echo' writing mainly about nature.

My heartfelt condolescences are sent to his wife Jennifer and family

Lee Evans

Rare Birds over the Festive Period

2011-12-28T17:06:00.001Z

There has been very little change in recent weeks with many birds now firmly established win winter territories...........

We have two wintering male DESERT WHEATEARS in Britain - one in the vicinity of Beacon Point at Newbiggin-on-Sea (Northumberland) and another by the coastal footpath at Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve in East Yorkshire. A wintering DUSKY WARBLER is on Scilly - at Lower Moors - and HUME'S LEAF WARBLER in Dorset at Littlesea Holiday Camp at Wyke Regis.

Large numbers of BALEARIC SHEARWATERS have been seen off Porthgwarra (Cornwall) in recent days, whilst two different CATTLE EGRETS are wintering along the South Coast (in Hampshire and in Dorset) and no less than 15 wintering GREAT WHITE EGRETS (including up to 7 in Kent).

A GLOSSY IBIS arrived on Scilly yesterday and today was feeding voraciously at Shooter's Pond, Lower Moors, whilst further birds remain in the Stour Valley, Stodmarsh (Kent) (two birds) and at Leighton Moss RSPB (Lancashire) and Fingringhoe Wick EWT (Essex). The largest flock of EURASIAN SPOONBILLS wintering are the 9 in North Devon at Isley Marsh RSPB, Yelland.

Up to three different ROSS'S SNOW GEESE are in Norfolk, with two with Pink-footed Geese in the Yare Valley and Acle Strait and another with Barnacles and Pink-feet in the Cley and Letheringsett areas. The adult LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE of unknown origin has reappeared with TAIGA BEAN GEESE in the Yare Valley at Buckenham Carrs RSPB, the flock of the latter so far peaking at 86 birds. Meanwhile, at the only other regular wintering site for this species in Britain, 262 are in the Slammannan area of Forth District. There are still large numbers of TUNDRA BEAN GEESE around, including 46 on the River Humber (North Lincs) and 3-4 vagrant CANADA GEESE on Islay (Argyll) and a SMALL CANADA GOOSE of the form hutchinsii at Torr Reservoir in Somerset. The only vagrant-type RED-BREASTED GEESE include the adult at Tollesbury Wick Marshes (Essex) and the first-winter at Bowling Green Marsh RSPB in South Devon.

AMERICAN WIGEONS include drakes at Angler's Country Park (West Yorks) and Dawlish Warren (South Devon), a wintering female GARGANEY at Tophill Low (East Yorks), juvenile female BLUE-WINGED TEALS at Porthellick Pool, St Mary's (Scilly) and Longham Lakes (Dorset), LESSER SCAUPS at Cosmeston lakes (Glamorgan), Wimbleball Reservoir (Somerset), Slimbridge WWT (Gloucs) and Marden Quarry Pool, Whitley Bay (Northumberland), drake KING EIDER in Burghead Harbour (Moray & Nairn), SURF SCOTERS off Dawlish Warren NNR (South Devon) and in Penzance Bay (Cornwall) and a juvenile female BUFFLEHEAD on the Loe Pool at Helston (Cornwall).

It has been the best winter in over 30 years for HEN HARRIERS whilst over 12 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARDS continue to overwinter, including 4 in North Norfolk.

Vagrant waders still lingering on include the first-winter WESTERN SANDPIPER at Cley NWT Reserve (North Norfolk), a TEMMINCK'S STINT at Swithland's Reservoir (Leics), a first-winter PECTORAL SANDPIPER at Barassie in Ayrshire, SPOTTED SANDPIPERS at Chew Valley Lake (Avon), Lyme Regis (Dorset) and on the River Plym in Plymouth (South Devon), the WILSON'S SNIPE at Lower Moors, St Mary's (Scilly) and a LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER in South Wales at Kidwelly Quay (Carmarthenshire).

In IRELAND, a long-staying BLUETHROAT remains in County Waterford at Clonea Strand.

SCottish Highlands & Island Tour 2012 - Bookings now being taken

2011-12-28T15:28:00.002Z

I have four places available on this year's Scottish Highlands & islands tour from 17-21 May 2012. Target birds will include Ptarmigan, Red & Black Grouse, Capercaillie, Crested Tit, Scottish Parrot Crossbill, Dipper, Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Corncrake, Osprey, both White-tailed Sea & Golden Eagles, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Arctic Tern, Ring Ouzel, Tree Pipit, Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat, Common Redstart, Hooded Crow, Puffin, Rock Dove and much, much more. For more information and booking, email me at LGREUK400@aol.com

Seasons Greetings 2011 from the British Birding Association and UK400 Club

2011-12-24T12:45:00.003Z

Of the many Christmas E-cards that arrived on my machine these last few days, this one from Dave Jackson encapsulated one of the most recent exciting avian events - the arrival of several hundred SHORT-EARED OWLS into Britain after a successful Field Vole and Leming year in the far north.

Let me take this opportunity of wishing all of my birding friends and those of you that follow this and other of my birding blogs a very Happy and Fulfilling Christmas and a very prosperous and bird-filled New Year

Lee G R Evans

Spaces on tours in 2012

2011-12-21T23:23:00.003Z

I still have one vacancy on my Round Britain tour of 14-22 January 2012 as well as places on my February trip to Spain for Iberian Lynx, Wallcreepers, Great & Little Bustards and much much more...

March will see me in Israel and April in Georgia, Morocco and Cape Verde Islands (spaces available on all three trips) as well as in Estonia for Steller's Eiders

May will see another of my popular regular UK tours with that of the Scottish Highlands & Islands, whilst this year's Turkey trip will be in July.

There is possibly one place left on this year's visit to China for the Spoon-billed Sandpipers passing through

Email me at LGREUK400@aol.com for further details and bookings

Latest Rarity Shots to arrive

2011-12-19T11:35:00.008Z

This was the fine male DESERT WHEATEAR at Bempton Cliffs RSPB (East Yorks), as captured on film by John Hague

The female LESSER SCAUP in Northumberland at Morden Quarry Lake (Mark Stirland)

Nottingham birder Mark Stirland obtained this superb batch comprising of the Cley WESTERN SANDPIPER and the GREATER YELLOWLEGS whilst it was still feeding in Northumberland

Keith Hoey obtained these outstanding shots of a juvenile moulting into first-winter PECTORAL SANDPIPER in Ayrshire at the weekend - the latest individual to have ever occurred in Britain.

Christmas Birding as we near the end of 2011

2011-12-19T11:34:00.000Z

Well, I would just like to wish every one of you a very Happy and Healthy Christmas and hopefully another bird-filled and enriching, captivating New Year........

Although not quite over, 2011 has proven to be a record-breaking year in terms of species diversity in Britain and Ireland with an exceptional 451 species recorded - perhaps championed by the spectacular Siberian Rubythroat in Shetland in October and White-throated Robin in Hartlepool in May, as well as by the most unexpected and way off course vagrants such as the Stejneger's Scoter and the Slaty-backed Gull

As we enter this Christmas Week, the finest we have on offer at the moment are the following......

With last week's unsettled weather, involving heavy snowfall and localised flooding, one of our rarest birds has moved to pastures new......the juvenile SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER was finally flooded out of Blagdon Lake (Somerset) last Wednesday and has not been seen since

Meanwhile, Northumberland's GREATER YELLOWLEGS was blown nearly 200 miles NW to Skelbo (Sutherland), where it has graced a roadside field for five days just SE of Loch Fleet adjacent to the entrance to Coul Farm. In North Norfolk, the first-winter WESTERN SANDPIPER seems set on wintering at Cley NWT Reserve with the Dunlin and although highly mobile and somewhat elusive, is still visiting Pat's Pool and Simmond's Scrape daily, and the first-winter SPOTTED SANDPIPER can still be found at the north end of the River Plym near Marsh Mills Roundabout, Plymouth (South Devon). Exceptionally late is a confiding juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPER in shallow pools just north of Barassie (Ayrshire) between Dundonald Camp and the smallholdings (at NS 331 344).

Although recent females in Shetland and Salop have now moved on, as well as a male in East Yorks, a first-winter male DESERT WHEATEAR still survives in Northumberland at Newbiggin-on-Sea, showing well on the beach midway between Beacon Point and Church Point.

In Hampshire, a CATTLE EGRET is by Church Lane, Warblington, favouring a field with cattle viewable from the gate by the church car park at SU 728 053 whilst GLOSSY IBISES include two at Stodmarsh NNR (Kent) and singles at Leighton Moss RSPB (Lancs) and Fingringhoe Wick (Essex)..

Many ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARDS remain on wintering territories in Britain with singles at Burpham (West Sussex), North Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Nickoll's Quarry, near Hythe (East Kent) and Elmley Marshes (North Kent), with up to 7 in Norfolk (including 3 in the East Hills, Wells, area) and 3 in Suffolk.

Norfolk has at least 3 ROSS'S SNOW GEESE wintering, with one with Pink-footed Geese in the Weybourne area and two returning birds along the Acle Straits and Berney Marshes area, whilst TUNDRA BEAN GEESE left over from the huge influx still number well over 100 birds and TAIGA BEAN GEESE in the Norfolk Yare Valley have only climbed thus far to 16 individuals. Islay (Argyll) has its normal scattering of up to 4 vagrant Canada Geese and the only likely wild RED-BREASTED GEESE are singles in Essex and in South Devon (at Topsham). The most reliable wintering drake AMERICAN WIGEONS include singles at Angler's Country Park on Wintersett Reservoir (West Yorks) and at Dawlish Warren NNR (South Devon) whilst Ranworth Broad in Broadland Norfolk has both the regular female RING-NECKED DUCK wintering and the drake Ferruginous Duck of unknown origin. A couple of SURF SCOTERS were discovered last week, including the regularly wintering female off Dawlish Warren (South Devon) and a young drake in with 50 Common Scoter offshore of Penzance Jubilee Pool (Cornwall) in Mount's Bay. Not far from the latter is the long-staying juvenile female BUFFLEHEAD on the Loe Pool at Helston (Cornwall). The only KING EIDER on offer is that restricted to Burghead Harbour in Moray & Nairn district.

The only wintering YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER is a bird present alongside both Common and Siberian Chiffchaffs in Clennon Valley, Paignton (South Devon)

In IRELAND in County Kerry, a young female KING EIDER is present by the Reen Pier at Ballinskelligs and showing well (with a LITTLE AUK also in the same general area)

RSPB silently supporting culling

2011-12-15T19:37:00.001Z

Hi Lee and others,

This surely must be the most emotive and most discussed subject on any of the bird forums. One of the most disappointing parts of this discussion, here or on any other forum, is the total silence from the RSPB. Surely the RSPB should not only manage reserves and persecute egg collectors and others but also represent the views and wishes of its members. Recently they seem to have embodied the gun-ho attitude of FERA, not only with the Ruddy Duck but also Eagle Owls, Monk Parakeets etc. They have also been remarkably silent on the slaughter of 2000 Gannet chicks on Sula Sgeir each year. Isn't it time that the RSPB consults its members about these various slaughters, say through its magazine, and then supports whatever the majority of its members wish?

Information obtained from FERA, on March 7th 2011, under the freedom of information act, stated that the total overall cost of the "Ruddy Duck Eradication Programme" was £3.3M. The number of Ruddy Ducks culled was 7165 and they estimated the current population to be in the region of 100 birds. They also state that 35 non-target birds were killed, thse included Common Scoter, Black-necked Grebe, Mallard, Teal, Little Grebe, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Coot. Obviously this list is not complete as I know of a White-headed Duck and a Slavonian Grebe that disappeared during a cull.

Is there anyone out there, officially representing the RSPB, able to inform us and all its members of their latest position in regard to the culling of Ruddy Ducks, Monk Parakeets and any thing else that FERA considers to be unwanted. I also wish to know what they are doing to stop the slaughter of Gannet chicks. If they are no longer representing their members views but following the wishes of FERA and other government organisations then surely their charity status should be withdrawn and perhaps we should all consider whether our continued support is appropriate

Roger Morton

The Swiss destroy RUDDY SHELDUCK population

2011-12-14T22:31:00.001Z

If all of this Ruddy Duck discussion was not so depressing, Daniel Kratzer has informed me of 400 Ruddy Shelducks eradicated in Switzerland - see link here http://www.ag.ch/umwelt-aargau/pdf/UAG_38_29.pdf

It has always been believed that a mixture of both wild and non-naturalised Ruddy Shelducks make up this population that move between Germany and Switzerland - Lee Evans

A victim of the Winter storm.........

2011-12-12T21:21:00.003Z

This adult POMARINE SKUA at Strathclyde Loch, Clyde, fell victim to winds of up to 150 miles per hour this weekend an an unprecedented deep Atlantic low swept quickly through Scotland. The bird was rapidly taken into care and is now recuperating fine, thanks to a diet of Herring - Jimmy Maxwell obtaining a very informative set of images

RUDDY DUCK carnage continues here despite numbers increasing elsewhere

2011-12-12T20:51:00.000Z

Defra are still carrying out random killings of Ruddy Ducks in Britain despite the slaying officially ceasing in March 2011. They have a birder mole within their ranks (I know his identity) and he is constantly tipping them off whenever he hears of or sees reference to any birds. Despite their best efforts, some 113 birds still survive and it is hoped that these will continue and prosper once austerity measures ensure the ill-conceived project is stopped for good........

Ridiculing such extreme measures is the fact that some 50 Ruddy Ducks were counted within a flock of 1,285 White-headed Ducks today - with not a hybrid in sight

The pressure for White-headed Duck survival and success will come from habitat destruction and not Ruddy Ducks and it worries me the effects that monetary problems and EU legislation will have on the populations in Iberia and Spain. In recent years, the Iberian population has stabilised at around 330-370 pairs, with an expansion in range to NW Morocco

It was also very interesting to see a photograph of two White-headed Ducks in The Netherlands in February 2010 - attracted to a sizeable flock of Ruddy Ducks (Lee Evans)

Illegal trapping of finches in Spain

2011-12-10T16:42:00.001Z

http://www.abc.es/20111130/sociedad/abci-parlament-autoriza-captura-pajaros-201111301606.html

Catalonia has allowed the trapping of 60,000 finches this winter, the quota including 48,800 Chaffinches, 6,500 Goldfinches, 3,500 Greenfinches and 3,600 Linnets. This is ostensibly for the local cage-bird trade.

Spain is a member country of the EU - wild birds such as this are protected by law - supposedly

First winter storm

2011-12-09T20:35:00.002Z

An exceptionally deep Atlantic depression hit the north of England and Scotland yesterday leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. At Aviemore, at the weather station on Cairn Gorm, winds hit an incredible 165 mph. In fact, even at lower altitudes, wind gusts of up to 135mph were recorded, and over 17 heavy goods vehicles were blown over. There is every chance a few avian vagrants may have arrived in its wake too..............

RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL in CALIFORNIA !

2011-12-07T22:27:00.001Z

A first-winter RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL was discovered today on San Clemente Island, a military site in California. See the finder's shots here -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/myfrien...in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/myfrien...n/photostream/

Another puzzling 'peep'..

2011-11-30T19:38:00.001Z

Mark Golley discovered a first-winter SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER at Cley NWT Reserve (North Norfolk) on Monday 28 November and the bird is still commuting between Pat's Pool and Simmond's Scrape today. It is a very long-billed individual and still retains many of its juvenile scapulars and wing-coverts and has been very well photographed (see Cley Birds Gallery). Some observers feel that Western Sandpiper has not been eliminated. It is somewhat similar to a winter-plumaged peep that was present at Felixstowe Ferry in Suffolk in winter 1982/83.

In Avon, the juvenile SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER still remains with the Dunlin flock on the muddy foreshore at Chew Valley Lake. Now present for well over a week, it is best observed from Herriott's Bridge - but be patient, the flock is often obscured by the reedbed. On the opposite side of the road, an adult winter SPOTTED SANDPIPER is still to be seen, favouring the concrete edge - again, view looking along from the bridge turrets. From time to time, two highly mobile first-winter LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS join the show and Lapwing and Common Snipe flock - again favouring the muddy foreshore between Moreton Bank and Herriott's - but spend an equal amount of time at neighbouring Blagdon Lake in Somerset. A herd of 7 BEWICK'S SWANS is also at Chew - and a drake Greater Scaup. Just 7 miles away, a GREAT GREY SHRIKE is on farmland at Queen Charlton (Avon) close to Publow and Hinton Organics at ST 643 660 (access from Charlton Field Lane).

Further SPOTTED SANDPIPERS are to be found at Lyme Regis Cobb (Dorset) and at the north end of the Plym Estuary by the Marsh Mills Roundabout in Plymouth (South Devon) whilst in Northumberland, the juvenile GREATER YELLOWLEGS is still present at Hauxley Nature Reserve.

A couple of DESERT WHEATEARS continue to be seen with a nice male on the path by Staple Neuk Viewpoint at Bempton Cliffs RSPB (East Yorkshire) and a female around the disused quarry buildings below the summit car park at Titterstone Hill Clee in Shropshire (from the A4117, take Dhustone Lane to the summit).

A white morph GYRFALCON was seen this morning in the Bay of Navershaw on Orkney Mainland

So, with all of these aforementioned major rarities out of the way, the more standard fare includes............

No less than 15 GREAT WHITE EGRETS are wintering, with long-staying CATTLE EGRETS in the Salthouse/Blakeney area (North Norfolk) and on Thorney Island (Hants).

TUNDRA BEAN GEESE are cropping up all over with some sizeable flocks in some areas, including 95 at Newtonhill (NO 889 938) in Aberdeenshire, 15 at Munlochy Church, Black Isle (Highland), an exceptional 108 at Wainfleet St Mary (Lincs), 20 at Weybourne Station Road (North Norfolk), 5 on Minsmere Levels (Suffolk), 3 at Cainhoe GP, Clophill (Beds) and singles at Bredon's Hardwick (Worcs) and Tyttenhanger GP (Herts). TAIGA BEAN GEESE include 21 back at Buckenham Carrs RSPB (Norfolk) and 2 at Lackford (Suffolk) whilst a vagrant GREENLAND WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was an excellent record for Pulborough Brooks RSPB (West Sussex).. The first-winter RED-BREASTED GOOSE is still with Dark-bellied Brent Geese at the north end of the Exe Estuary at Topsham (South Devon), with a single SNOW GOOSE at Drummond Farm, Evanton.

Drake AMERICAN WIGEONS remain at Loch Bee, South Uist (Outer Hebrides), Wintersett Reservoir (South Yorks) and at Castlemaben (D & G) whilst the Rutland Water drake was fatally wounded and killed by a Great Black-backed Gull on the weekend. The female LESSER SCAUP continues at Marden Quarry, Whitley Bay (Northumberland), drake FERRUGINOUS DUCK at Dinton Pastures CP (Berks) and the first-winter female BUFFLEHEAD at Helston Loe Pool (West Cornwall), with the drake RING-NECKED DUCK at St Gwithian Sands (Cornwall) and a first-winter female BLUE-WINGED TEAL on Porthellick Pool, St Mary's (Scilly) on 27-28 November.

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARDS include up to 3 at Sleddale Moors (Cleveland), 3 in the East Hills, Wells and Holkham Freshmarsh areas (North Norfolk), 1-2 in Suffolk and single juveniles at Ouse Fen (Cambs), Nickoll's Quarry, Botolph's Bridge (East Kent) and at Burpham (West Sussex).

A party of 7 COMMON CRANES is frequenting fields at Boyton Marshes RSPB (Suffolk), with 31 roosting at Horsey Mere (Norfolk), 8 at Guyhirn (Cambs) and a number of small parties scattered widely west to Somerset. Salisbury Plain Great Bustard number 6 continues to attract admirers at Middle Soar (South Devon).

LITTLE AUK passage has been notable at Cley Coastguards (North Norfolk) this week despite southerly winds, with 20 counted today and a BLACK GUILLEMOT too in recent days - Flamborough Head (East Yorks) logging 164 LITTLE AUKS on 28 November..

Adult RING-BILLED GULLS have returned to Walpole Park Lake, Gosport (Hants) and Oban (Argyll) (with a 'new' 2nd-winter at Radipole Lake RSPB, Dorset, today), whilst an influx of CASPIAN GULLS has seen up to 6 at Calvert Sailing Lake (Bucks), 5 at Minsmere Scrape (Suffolk), 3 first-winters at Seaton Common (Cleveland) and 4 at Albert Village Lake (Leics). A juvenile SABINE'S GULL was an odd addition to the Bardsey Island (Gwynedd) ringing list - being trapped and ringed on a small pool possibly due to exhaustion caused by the gale force winds - today.

SHORE LARKS are few and far between with just 5 at Holkham Bay and 1 at Salthouse Beach car park (North Norfolk), with an inland SNOW BUNTING at Deer Hill Reservoir (West Yorks)

A HUME'S LEAF WARBLER has been present in Dorset in Sallows at Littlesea Holiday Camp, Wyke Regis (Dorset) for several days whilst YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS are present at Romsey (Hants), Conwy RSPB (Caernarfon) and 2 in Lower Moors, St Mary's (Scilly). The latter site also continues to harbour up to 3 DUSKY WARBLERS, with a PALLAS'S LEAF WARBLER on Bardsey island yesterday.

A juvenile ROSE-COLOURED STARLING continues to inhabit Lodmoor Country Park (Dorset) with Common Starlings, whilst the largest flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS to be found are the 70 at Eastbridge (Suffolk). A single PENDULINE TIT remains elusively in reeds at the north end of ARC Pit, Dungeness RSPB (Kent).

A scattering of water birds inland include a juvenile RED-THROATED DIVER at William Girling Reservoir (London), a BLACK-THROATED DIVER and female COMMON EIDER at Hanningfield Reservoir (Essex), GREAT NORTHERN DIVERS at Ogston Reservoir (Derbyshire), Caldecotte Lakes (North Bucks) and Queen Mother Reservoir (Berks) and LONG-TAILED DUCKS at Prescott Lakes (Lancs) and Bromley Trout Fishing Lakes (London).

It still remains an exceptional late autumn for both HEN HARRIERS and SHORT-EARED OWLS

Three different SPOTTED SANDPIPERS are present in IRELAND with singles on the Nanny Estuary opposite Soneirte at Laytoown (County Meath), by the Victoria Quay in Cork Harbour (Co. Cork) and on the River Blackwater at Ballyduff (Co. Waterford), with a very late juvenile LEAST SANDPIPER at Black Rock Strand (Co. Kerry), a juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER on the Myroe Levels (Co. Derry) and a CATTLE EGRET at Hillsborough Lake (Co. Down).

A juvenile NORTH AMERICAN HERRING GULL is frequenting the fish factory at Baltimore near Dursey (Co. Cork), with 2 COMMON CRANES present for over a fortnight at Belderry (Co. mayo) and the HOUSE CROW still resident at Cobh Town (Co. Cork).

Round Britain Tour of January 2012

2011-11-28T08:20:00.002Z

I have one place available on my Round Britain tour of January 2012 - 14-22 January 2012 to be precise - visiting most counties of England as well as visiting Wales and Scotland. A total of 180 species is expected in the week including all of the specialities that can be found in winter including most wildfowl, raptors, Cirl Bunting, Dartford Warbler, Red-billed Chough and the Scottish specialities. Please email Lee at LGREUK400@aol.com if you are interested in joining me (Lee Evans)

Other trips before the end of April include Spain (for Spanish Lynx), Israel, Georgia and the Cape Verde Islands

More shots of the Dunbeg High Arctic gull

2011-11-22T18:06:00.005Z

Jim Dickson took these 'new' photographs of the Dunstaffnage juvenile Thayer's-type gull today

BLACKPOLL WARBLER in Kent

2011-11-21T20:27:00.001Z

The 44th BLACKPOLL WARBLER for Britain and the first for KENT was found and identified by Andrew Appleton in the St James' area of Royal Tunbridge Wells mid-afternoon on Saturday 19 November. News of its discovery was broadcast within minutes and fortuitously for county birders Barry Wright and Chris Gibbard, both were within 17 miles driving distance of the site and arrived less than 45 minutes later.

Andy had discovered the bird whilst working at his garage and had managed to keep on it up until the time the two other observers arrived. It was keeping fairly low in the foliage and was favouring a belt of trees and shrubs bordering Pennine Walk where he lived. It remained on view for about an hour, allowing both Barry and Chris to connect, but disappeared just ten minutes before Andy Lawson and others started to arrive. It represented the 451st species of this year in Britain and Ireland....

On Sunday 20 November, no less than 100 observers turned out and despite exhaustive searching of the entire area, it was not relocated and was considered to have departed on the cold, clear night. It was a surprise therefore, to hear that Miles Wheeler had relocated it in the same initial bank of trees at 1115 hours today. Once again, the bird was feeding alone, although very loosely associating with Blue and Long-tailed Tits. At least 40 observers turned out again but alas, no further sign was had. A truly elusive bird.

DIRECTIONS: Leave the A21 at the A264 turning and head towards Royal Tunbridge Wells. After exactly 1.2 miles, turn right on to Sandrock Road and then first right in to Cleveland. Park sensibly and courteously along Cleveland and continue on foot into Pennine Walk cul-de-sac. The belt of trees and overhanging Willows that the bird has been frequenting border the road on the right.

For a Finder's Account, read my blog at http://rarebirdsinbritain.blogspot.com/

EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAILS in Britain in Autumn 2011

2011-11-16T19:53:00.001Z

Lee, You mention EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL as having not occurred in the UK this year. It seems then that you have overlooked the two records from Shetland this autumn, both very well-photographed (by Michael McKee & Robbie Brookes) and at least one sound-recorded. See images here. Michael's shot especially is superb.

http://birdingfrontiers.com/2011/10/28/magic-words-eastern-origin/wagtail-sp-2_1-r-brookes-2-resize/http://www.michaelmckee.co.uk/regionview.asp?ID=1852&Region=Shetland

James Hanlon

Record is well and truly smashed as we break through the 450 barrier.........

2011-11-16T19:31:00.000Z

We've made it ! Today's VEERY in NW Scotland takes us to 450 species in Britain and Ireland in 2011 - smashing the previous record by five species.......

The latest addition - VEERY - was discovered on the island of Muck in Highland Region - showing well until dusk at Gallanach Farm. Note that there is no ferry to the island until Friday and even then you get just 20 minutes on the island before returning......

Another overlooked addition was EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL - of which there were two photographed in Shetland in October

But still the autumn produces, with the mild SE winds ensuring an almost constant run of new rarities on a daily basis...

It has been a superb autumn for DESERT WHEATEARS with the most recent being males on Skomer Island (Pembs), at Titchwell Beach (North Norfolk) and a female at Dungeness (Kent)

DUSKY WARBLERS and HUME'S LEAF WARBLERS have also been in plentiful supply with DUSKYS today or very recently at Girdleness (Aberdeenshire), trapped and ringed on the Isle of May (Fife), at Spurn Point Dunes (East Yorks) (one of two birds present in recent days), Horsey (East Norfolk) (in Willows and scrub around the car park entrance), on The Lizard (Cornwall), Gimble Porth, Tresco (Scilly), and in Lower Moors, St Mary's (Scilly) and HUME'S LEAF WARBLERS at Trondra (Shetland), in Roker, Sunderland (Co. Durham), in Lowestoft (Suffolk) (in gardens along London Road North and opposite Tesco's - access along the alleyway adjacent to the Crop Shop), at Gunton (Suffolk) (present since Sunday but not seen today), in the large area of scrub at Foveran Bushes (Aberdeenshire) A few PALLAS'S LEAF WARBLERS are also still to be seen, with singles at the north end of Flycatcher Alley in Lowestoft (Suffolk) and at Balmedie Country Park (Aberdeenshire).

In East Kent, only the second EASTERN BLACK REDSTART for Britain continues for its 6th day at Walpole Bay, Margate, showing extremely well by the slipway below Palm Bay Cafe north of the B2051 at TR 372 713. A further nine individuals have appeared elsewhere in Western Europe this autumn, including 5 in Sweden and singles in Germany, Holland and France. And as I type, news is coming in of yet another - on the beach below the vicar's garden on Holy Island in Northumberland.

An OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT was frequenting the famous Shetland garden at Wick, Gulberwick, this morning, with another on the archipelago in dunes at Norwick on Unst.

A confiding juvenile GREATER YELLOWLEGS present since Saturday in Northumberland has been hugely popular, coming hard on the heels of the summer adult in Wadebridge (Cornwall) much earlier in the autumn. It is favouring the main scrape at Hauxley Nature Reserve and showing very well from the Wader Hide; a first-winter GREY PHALAROPE is on the same pool also. It also regularly commutes to East Chevington Pools nearby. The long-staying first-winter LESSER YELLOWLEGS remains on Tresco Great Pool (Scilly).

The juvenile female BUFFLEHEAD remains mobile and elusive on The Loe Pool at Helston (Cornwall).

An adult RED-BREASTED GOOSE is with Dark-bellied Brent Geese in fields near The Strood at East Mersea (Essex) whilst the first-winter of unknown origin continues on the Exe Estuary in South Devon.

A long-staying juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER is still to be found in the Teesmouth area (Cleveland), favouring Seal Sands with Dunlin at low tide and Greatham Creek pools at high tide, whilst the WILSON'S SNIPE is still present on Lower Moors, St Mary's (Scilly).

Up to 4 GREY PHALAROPES were on the sea off Kelling Water Meadows (North Norfolk) today, with another on Ibsley Water, Blashford Lakes HWT (Hampshire), with the adult SPOTTED SANDPIPER still at Herriott's Bridge at Chew Valley Lake (Avon) and the juvenile LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER at Wigtown Harbour (D & G).

A cracking summer adult WHITE-BILLED DIVER just beginning to moult remains for at least its third day off of Peninerine Beach on South Uist (Outer Hebrides)

COMMON CRANES have proved eventful in the past week with a flock of 24 birds (including one juvenile) between Padstow and Wadebridge at St Issey in North Cornwall and the resident 30 in the Horsey area (East Norfolk). There have also been 7 birds in a field just south of Burgh Castle (Norfolk) in recent days - at TG 483 050 and viewable from Burgh Castle monument car park on Butt Lane

GREAT WHITE EGRETS include singles at Chainbridge Lane Scrape, Idle Valley NR (Notts), Linford Nature Reserve (North Bucks), by the Royal Military Canal in fields behind Wyevale Garden Centre in Hamstreet (Kent), at Denge Marsh, Dungeness RSPB (Kent), on Southport Marine Lake (Lancs), on Warton Marsh (Lancs) and at Greylake RSPB (Somerset).

The long-staying CATTLE EGRETS remain at Blakeney Freshmarsh (North Norfolk) and in the cattle field at the end of Thorney Lane on Thorney Island (West Sussex)

A GLOSSY IBIS has been roosting each evening on Drake's Island, off Devil's Point, in Plymouth Sound (South Devon), whilst the first-winter continues to show well at Stodmarsh (Kent) from the Marsh Hide and another remains for a second day on the pool viewable from the footpath between the car aprk and the river at Malltraeth Marsh RSPB on Anglesey. The long-staying and very confiding first-winter also remains at Stanpit Marsh in Christchurch Harbour (Dorset).

There has been a tremendous arrival of Eurasian White-fronted and TUNDRA BEAN GEESE throughout the country, as well as many arrivals of BEWICK'S SWAN herds. TUNDRA BEAN parties include 19 at Bigton (Shetland), 23 on North Ronaldsay (Orkney), 4 on Echna Loch, Burray (Orkney), 9 at Cara, South Ronaldsay (Orkney), 17 in stubble field pools at the crossroads NW of Crail (Fife) on the B9405, 5 at Girdleness (Aberdeenshire), 10 at Nethy Bridge (Spetside), 2 at Capringstone Flash (Ayrshire), 2 on Holy Island (Northumberland), 4 at Low Newton-by-the-Sea (Northumberland), 14 at Benacre Broad (Suffolk) and 2 on Huxter Well Marsh at Potteric Carr YWT (South Yorks). Meanwhile, 3 apparent TAIGA BEAN GEESE are on Anglesey, in fields near Llyn Coron

A drake AMERICAN WIGEON remains at Wintersett Reservoir (West Yorks) with that on the River Exe in Shutterton Creek at Cockwood (South Devon) present also, and a further wintering bird at the south end of Loch Bee, South Uist (Outer Hebrides).

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARDS also remain in good numbers, with two in the Holkham Freshmarsh area of North Norfolk, a showy juvenile at The Burgh at Burpham (TQ 048 110) (West Sussex) and a very confiding juvenile between the Nickoll's Quarry and sewage works atBotolph's Bridge, Hythe in East Kent. Bedfordshire's latest-ever OSPREY continues to fish daily at Warren Villas. Sandy.

Another vexing juvenile High Arctic gull resembling Thayer's Gull has been seen and photographed in Dunnstaffnage Bay at Dunbeg, just north of Oban (Argyll) in recent days - work is still ongoing as to its identification.

RICHARD'S PIPITS on the other hand, have been noticeable by their absence, with only small numbers being detected. The Cheshire Leasowe bird was still around today, being seen in the paddocks and rough fields by the lighthouse

The 3 SHORE LARKS are still present on the edge of the lagoon just north of the John Weston Reserve at The Naze (Essex), with 5 on the saltings east of Holkham Gap (North Norfolk). One is also well north at the West Voe of Sumburgh (Shetland).

A PENDULINE TIT showed well on bulrushes in front of the Sea Wall Hide at Oare Marshes NR (North Kent) today, whilst yet another RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL was at Whitburn (Co. Durham) on 10 November.

It also seems as though WAXWINGS will again invade us this winter, with a flock of 28 in St Andrews (Fife), 60 by the road in Budle village today (Northumberland), 23 in Stafford, 20 in Kessingland (Suffolk), 8 in Burnham Deepdale (North Norfolk) and 6 in Ramsgate (East Kent)

Also of interest, a RED-NECKED GREBE is at Valley Lakes RSPB at Llyn Penrhyn, an immature VELVET SCOTER remains on Staindale Lake in Dalby Forest (North Yorks), a RED-THROATED DIVER is on Lake Lothing, Lowestoft (Suffolk), a juvenile GREAT NORTHERN DIVER at Caldecott North Lake (North Bucks) representing the 18th county record, 5 PIED AVOCETS are at Port Meadow, Oxford (Oxon) and another at Boddington Reservoir (Northants)

IRELAND

The PALLAS'S LEAF WARBLER remains in Cork today at Power Head, whilst elsewhere in County Cork, the flock of 19 COMMON CRANES are still to the west of Waterrock up the cul-de-sac lane. Another PALLAS'S LEAF WARBLER is at Brownstown Head (Co. Waterford), in the main Willow garden, and a juvenile PALLID HARRIER again at Poer Head on 13th. A HOOPOE was at Clougher Head at Almondstown yesterday, with the two male DESERT WHEATEAR still at Bray (Co. Wicklow).

Some additional images from Argyll - High Arctic gull

2011-11-14T19:57:00.003Z

The Oban thayeri-type, photographed by Jim Dickson (top two) and the finder Bill Allan (bottom). Experts cannot seem to agree on the identification of this individual, some opting for Thayer's and others for hybrid.

A putative THAYER'S GULL in Argyll

2011-11-14T12:16:00.003Z

This interesting juvenile gull from the High Arctic was discovered yesterday
by Bill Allan at Dunstaffnage Bay, just north of Oban (Argyll). It seems to show a lot of traits of juvenile THAYER'S GULL, although does have a few anomalous features. Once again, there may be a possibility of outside influence, perhaps with Smithsonian's Gull (North American Herring Gull). Jim Dickson managed to obtain this very interesting and educational set of images. I would be most interested in any comments regarding identification - LGREUK400@aol.com

EASTERN BLACK REDSTART in Kent - addition to the British List

2011-11-13T22:03:00.001Z

See http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/4D3ATiSke3gXvQ_KcbbZCUzbY2E7APZd3zSwKDCvfRWX04sqYaBSb4XWJxrpBkTrONcfRoj-Hg1I8uwC2S7tRmiXiI8fgyGy/EASTERN%20BLACK%20REDSTART%20in%20EAST%20KENT.pdf

EASTERN BLACK REDSTART in East Kent for third day

2011-11-13T18:20:00.001Z

A male EASTERN BLACK REDSTART is present for its third day at Walpole Bay, Margate (East Kent), favouring the chalk cliffs and adjacent beaches around the sheltered cove immediately north of the Palm Bay Cafe. The latter is located at Postcode CT9 3DH and accessed along the coastal B2051 east of Margate town centre. The bird was discovered by local patch worker Barry Hunt and is particularly confiding and consequently very photogenic. Remarkably, it follows at least three records in Scandinavia this autumn.

It represents the first confirmed record of this form in Britain

The Separation of WHITE and PIED WAGTAILS

2011-11-11T09:36:00.001Z

Click here to see the latest in a series of Identification Papers - http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/EOS8TneMvMNk0asKB-uYNuU7wggmPZ5dfcNJpEx0IxxQ8R1g0nBHa98nQvKU9Ywfi_M64h-ZxuxLPMiO7QtmLGmccsYGOXN-/THE%20SEPARATION%20OF%20WHITE%20AND%20PIED%20WAGTAILS.pdf

Record well and truly smashed !

2011-11-08T22:39:00.001Z

As of today, with the first HUME'S LEAF WARBLERS of the year appearing, the total of species recorded in Britain and Ireland this year is an incredible 448 - a new record........

It has been another few days filled with Eastern surprises with the pick of the bunch being two different ISABELLINE WHEATEARS (a well-twitched bird on the beach at Spurn Point, East Yorkshire, for a couple of days and the third of the year at Wernffrwwd, on the Gower, frequenting the mound on the saltmarsh at SS 506 939 - still present today). Spurn has also attracted a PIED WHEATEAR - showing well today on the beach adjacent to the Point car park) whilst male DESERT WHEATEARS include singles midway between Boulby mast and Hummersea Farm opposite the Micklow Junction at Loftus (Cleveland) and at and in the bulb field near Mill Bay, 200 yards beyond Faraway Cottage, in Nanjizal Valley (West Cornwall) (3rd day).A female PINE BUNTING remains in the crop at Clibberswick on Unst (Shetland)

Warblers of Siberian origin include the aforementioned HUME'S LEAF WARBLER on Shetland at Kergord Plantation (with putative additional birds in Lothian and Suffolk), with a DUSKY WARBLER still in bushes at the north end of the car park at Balmedie Country Park (Aberdeenshire) and another in Willows south of the central track at North Warren RSPB, Aldeburgh (Suffolk). The only PALLAS'S LEAF WARBLER of the day was in the Point Dunes at Spurn Point (East Yorks).

Of Nearctic origin, the first-winter NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH survives on the Isles of Scilly at Lower Moors, nearly two months after it first arrived, whilst virtually sharing the same bush is an exceptionally late GREAT REED WARBLER. The long-staying WILSON'S SNIPE remains on the main ISBG pool. On neighbouring St Agnes, the CENTRAL ASIATIC LESSRER WHITETHROAT continues, with the RUDDY SHELDUCK nearby on Porth Killier Beach.

A HOOPOE remains popular in West Sussex, favouring lawns by the thatched cottages in Climping, whilst an adult SPECTACLED WARBLER was present at Needs Ore (Hampshire) from 29-30 October.

A GLOSSY IBIS continues to show well on the main pool at Filey Dams Nature Reserve (North Yorks) with another on Carter's Flood at Pett Levels (East Sussex), a first-winter at Fingringhoe Wick EWT (Essex) and the Plymouth Sound (Devon) bird again on Drake's Island, whilst the juvenile SQUACCO HERON was still present in the Attenborough NR (Notts) area this morning.

A first-winter RED-BREASTED GOOSE of unknown origin was still present at Exminster Marshes RSPB (South Devon) today, this individual being formerly seen with Dark-bellied Brent Geese at Christchurch Harbour and on The Fleet in Dorset.

The juvenile female BUFFLEHEAD is now building up strength on the Loe Pool at Helston (Cornwall), favouring the eastern side of the northern end to dive and feed.

The first-winter LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER was again in Wigtown Harbour (D & G) today, with one of the two juveniles still at the east end of Blagdon Lake (Somerset) and the other at Chew Valley Lake (Avon). Meanwhile, the long-staying AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER remains in Europie village, by the Atlantic Cottage in Fivepenny at the extreme north end of Lewis (Outer Hebrides) and the LESSER YELLOWLEGS by the bridge at the east end of the Alaw Estuary on Anglesey. A WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER remains for a second day at Black Hole Marsh, Seaton (South Devon), with the adult still at Rutland Water (Leics) and a juvenile on St Agnes (Scilly), whilst SPOTTED SANDPIPERS remain at Chew Valley lake (Avon) and at the north end of the River Plym, Plymouth (South Devon).. A very late juvenile RED-NECKED PHALAROPE continues to survive at Cley Marshes NWT (North Norfolk) (viewable from Avocet Hide), whilst the two juvenile WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER remain on Harris (Outer Hebrides) at the south end on the saltmarsh at Scarasta, north of Northton (at NF 999 928).

GREAT WHITE EGRETS are becoming ever more familiar in the UK with birds today still present at Linford NR (North Bucks), on the Windsurfing Pit at the Idle Valley NR (Notts), on the North Marsh at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk), at Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB (Cheshire) (two birds), at Old Hall Marshes RSPB (Essex), at Campfield Marsh RSPB (Cumbria), at Capel Fleet Marshes, Isle of Sheppey (North Kent), at Walmsley Sanctuary (Cornwall) and on the Out Skerries on Shetland. A CATTLE EGRET continues on the Camel Estuary feeding opposite the sewage works west of Wadebridge (Cornwall).

The party of 8 COMMON CRANES are still feeding in the field 300 yards from the A47 between Thorney and Guyhirn (Cambs), with another on the north shore of The Fleet at Langton Hive Point, south of Langton Herring (Dorset).

A second-winter RING-BILLED GULL is still present by the Lifeboat Station in Stornoway Harbour, Lewis (Outer Hebrides), with a first-winter at Balivanich on Benbecula.

A party of 6 TUNDRA BEAN GEESE arrived today at Covehithe (Suffolk), favouring a stubble field NE of the church with 6 European White-fronted Geese.

A juvenile ROSE-COLOURED STARLING is present for at least its 5th day at garden feeders at Mumbles Head on the Gower Peninsula, visible from All Saints Church on the Mumbles Road, whilst another was in gardens along Manse Road, Inverkeithing ((Fife) yesterday..

Five SHORELARKS are back for the winter at Holkham Gap saltings (North Norfolk), whilst a juvenile ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD has been showing very well at Nicholl's Quarry, Hythe (East Kent), just one of a major influx of this species into Britain this autumn.

It has been an excellent period inland, with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Red-breasted Mergansers and Velvet Scoters passing through) whilst highlighting include inland LONG-TAILED DUCKS at Bromley Trout Fishing Lake (London) (accessed along the track between George and Rookery Lanes) and at the west end of the Green Lawn at Blagdon Lake (Somerset), a SLAVONIAN GREBE at Spade Oak Nature Reserve, Little Marlow (South Bucks) and a PURPLE SANDPIPER at Queen Mother Reservoir (Berks). Many SNOW BUNTINGS have been displaced inland, including twitchable individuals in Essex, Bucks and Berks

SHORT-EARED OWLS are plentiful throughout the UK due to an excellent breeding season in northern Scandinavia, whilst HEN HARRIERS are also very evident. It is also a good late autumn for GREAT GREY SHRIKES - those reported recently including singles just north of the Box Car Park at Ashdown Forest (East Sussex) (TQ 463 294), just east of the waterworks and south of the railway line in Cromer (Norfolk), in trees around Kingshill Farm, Elmley RSPB (North Kent), along the coastal path 400 yards west of Morston Quay (North Norfolk), along the track leading to the hides at Swale NNR (North Kent). in the hedgerow along Muspit Lane - SK 759 849 - at South Wheatley (Notts) and by the Cemetery Road junction at Donna Nook (North Lincs).

North Norfolk and elsewhere have seen small numbers of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS arrive in recent days on the easterly winds

In IRELAND, a WATER PIPIT is on the Silver Strand at Ballycotton (Co. Cork), with the same general area boasting an AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT, BARRED WARBLER, AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER.

Record breaking number of Nearctic Shorebirds in IRELAND this autumn

2011-11-04T20:57:00.004Z

Not the best-looking but the rarest - Dan Brown's SEMIPALMATED PLOVER in County Kerry

The prize of the autumn for Irish birders - Dave Suddaby's UPLAND SANDPIPER on The Mullet at Termoncarragh Loch photographed by Aidan Kelly

Quick totals (individual birds) from the Provisional List up to the end of this October (numbers in brackets 2010 totals).

Semipalmated Plover - 1 (0)

American Golden Plover - 35 (19)

Semipalmated Snadpiper - 60 (4)

Least Sandpiper - 2 (0)

White-rumped Sandpiper - 33 (16)

Baird's Sandpiper - 15 (7)

Buff-breasted Sandpiper -91 (34)

Long-billed Dowitcher - 2 (4)

Hudsonian Whimbrel - 1 (0)

Upland Sandpiper - 1 (0)

Spotted Sandpiper - 5 (1)

Lesser Yellowlegs - 4 (4)

Wilson's Phalarope - 1 (6)

Leaving out Pectoral Sandpipers that gives a grand total of 251 individuals. I think its safe to say it's been a record year for American waders!

Dermot Breen

Just One species to go

2011-10-31T20:26:00.000Z

Well with October 2011 now over, the tally of species recorded in combined Britain and Ireland now stands at a formidable 444 species.....just one short of the 2008 record

Most incredulous was a first-winter EASTERN CROWNED WARBLER extracted from a mistnet at Hilfield Park Reservoir, near Watford (Hertfordshire) yesterday morning. Although misidentified as a Yellow-browed Warbler at the time, a total of just 8 observers could only stand in astonishment when their in-hand photographs were reviewed. The bird was released close to the reservoir gates at 1030 hours but soon disappeared into a neighbouring wood and was not relocated. A remarkable occurrence and only the second in Britain.

Also new was a SAXAUL GREY SHRIKE in Shropshire. First discovered on Friday 28 October, its true identity was not realised until today, the bird showing fairly distantly 6 miles NNW of Telford at Wall Farm Nature Reserve.

DIRECTIONS: From the B5062, take the road south towards ''The Wall'' for about a mile, parking in the designated field. From this temporary car park, take the track NNW to the hide, then turn right then left and continue over the bridge and NW across the field to view from SJ 680 179.

A first-winter female DESERT WHEATEAR remains for a third day in Orkney on the beach by the car park in Sandside Bay, Deerness.

Sunday was the last day for the longest-staying Siberian Rubythroat ever (on Shetland) but at the opposite end of the country on Scilly, the NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH still survives on Lower Moors, St Mary's, along with the UPLAND SANDPIPER at Maypole and a DUSKY WARBLER in Lower Moors. The WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER has now joined the LESSER YELLOWLEGS and PECTORAL SANDPIPER on Tresco and the WILSON'S SNIPE is still appearing erratically. Meanwhile, an OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT remains on St Agnes.

A RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER was a late find at Europie village, Butt of Lewis, Lewis (Outer Hebrides), whilst a LESSER YELLOWLEGS at Alkborough Flats (North Lincs) and a GLOSSY IBIS at Filey Dams YNT Reserve (North Yorks) were both newly discovered today too.

A juvenile PALLID HARRIER in Irvine (Ayrshire) constitutes a first record for that county, appearing erratically over saltings visible from the footpath beyond the railway bridge at NS 302 412 (located just SW of Garnock Floods SWT west of the railway; park in the latby adjacent to the Recycling Centre and follow the southern perimeter fence to the railway bridge).

Equally popular has been a juvenile SQUACCO HERON performing well on the River Erewash on the Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire border at Attenborough Sailing Club.

There has been a remarkable surge in GREAT WHITE EGRET occurrences of late with no less than a record 5 birds together roosting with Little Egrets and one CATTLE EGRET at Frampton Sailing Lake (Gloucs). Elsewhere, twos are being seen at Llanelli WWT (Carmarthenshire) and at Warton Marsh, Lyth (Lancashire), with singles at Mockbeggar Lake (Hants), Linford Nature Reserve (North Bucks), Sprotborough Flash (South Yorks), Parkgate Marsh (Cheshire) and the Swale NR/Oare Marshes (North Kent).

North Ronaldsay (Orkney) hosts a late BAIRD'S SANDPIPER whilst the adult SPOTTED SANDPIPER and the two mobile LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS continue at Chew Valley Lake (Avon) and the WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER in Manton Bay, Rutland Water (Leics).

A first-winter CASPIAN GULL paused briefly at Portland Bill (Dorset) on Sunday before relocating to Radipole Lake (Dorset) today. Likewise, the Christchurch Harbour RED-BREASTED GOOSE relocated to Ferrybridge and Abbotsbury along the Chesil Beach presumably on route to the Exe Estuary.

A few late Common Swifts have been drifting in and out of East Anglia, with a CATTLE EGRET at Blakeney Freshmarsh (North Norfolk) being the main attraction in that region at present.

A PALLAS'S LEAF WARBLER remains on Bardsey Island (Gwynedd), with a late WRYNECK at Hengistbury Head (Dorset) and a GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK still lingering on North Ronaldsay (Orkney).

A juvenile PALLID HARRIER was identified at Power Head (Co. Cork) in IRELAND yesterday, with a CATTLE EGRET at Killala (Co. Clare), AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER at Rosscarberry (Co. Cork), 2 GLOSSY IBIS at Timoleague (Co. Cork) and 3 RING-NECKED DUCKS at Lough Gara (Co. Sligo)

The late DAVID ROBERTS of Spalding

2011-10-31T18:53:00.003Z

Ironically, David's last British tick - the Chipping Norton Oriental Turtle Dove - was less than five miles away from where he had lived in the 1980's. Here you can see him giving the thumbs up as he sets eyes on the bird.

The top picture sees David with me on one of the May Scottish Highlands and Islands Tours

Devastating News - DAVID ROBERTS passes away

2011-10-28T23:04:00.001+01:00

It is with particular sadness that today I learnt of the tragic death of one of my closest birding friends - Lincolnshire birder David Roberts. David and his son Matthew had joined me on my annual Scottish Highlands and Islands tours for at least the past 15 years and had always provided some fantastic entertainment and were incredibly popular with all participants. Although over 70, David was incredibly keen and energetic, and even managed every year to make the climb up Sneachda or Applecross for Ptarmigan. He was just so keen and full of life - and full of interesting snippets and mindful of all rarities seen. I am devastated by his passing - he was a rare gentleman of British birding - and such a kind-hearted and genuine individual. I have shared so many golden moments with him - from the Anglesey Black Lark to perhaps one of the best birding days of all time with the St Mary's Lesser Kestrel - memories that I will cherish forever

My condolescences are sent to Matthew and his mother; David I will never forget you

Lee G R Evans

First BUFFLEHEAD for Cornwall

2011-10-27T21:48:00.003+01:00

Steve Rogers obtained this selection of outstanding images of the Waterings Pool juvenile female BUFFLEHEAD this afternoon - more to be found on his superb website at www.swopticsphoto.com

BUFFLEHEAD in WEST CORNWALL

2011-10-27T21:34:00.001+01:00

A juvenile female BUFFLEHEAD is present for its second day on The Lizard (West Cornwall), frequenting a very tiny pool surrounded by vegetation SE of the village, between the Lighthouse Road and Housel Bay (see John Swann's images above). Park in Lizard village and then walk south along the Lighthouse Road for 500 yards before taking the track to the left for 200 yards and left along the footpath to view the pool at SW 706 120. The bird is apparently fully-winged and fairly wary, and dives almost continuously, but viewing is at just 20 yards...

Also newly discovered was a RED-EYED VIREO on Scilly in Pittisporum bushes along Salakee Lane at the Porthellick House end.

As this year's SCILLY season comes to a close, a look back at some of October's highlights; a photographic gallery of GARY THOBURN

2011-10-26T22:45:00.004+01:00

And the showstopper - the NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH in Lower Moors. Most watched bird of the autumn on Scilly - enjoyed by over 600 observers - and the longest-staying of all time. Once it discovered Higgonson's Pool behind the tip, it was a regular visitor, and even roosted there. It also spent time at the ISBG Pool and Shooter's Pool and was still present at the end of October, well over a month after it was first seen in mid-September

It was a good autumn for BLUETHROATS - this bird showing well at Porthellick Beach for several days

My only Scilly tick of the autumn - the juvenile LEAST SANDPIPER on Tresco Great Pool. Found by Dick Filby, this bird remained for 10 days at the beginning of the month - the first since singles reported in 1962 and 1965

Two different juvenile LESSER YELLOWLEGS appeared on Scilly this October, including this stunning performer on Lower Moors. The other was at the NW end of the Great Pool

Another great performer, this juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPER on the Tresco Abbey Pool actually approached observers to within a few feet..

Scilly has still yet to record its first Taiga Flycatcher but this adult male RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER on St Agnes was simply something else - an absolute stunner, and showing for three days in the Parsonage mid-month

A particularly confiding SPOTTED CRAKE on Tresco - on the Abbey Pool. A further small crake - perhaps LITTLE or SORA - was seen several times at Porthellick but never clinched......

Jim Lawrence discovered this oddball UPLAND SANDPIPER in bulb fields at Maypole Junction on St Mary's - and that's where it remained for the rest of the month.......

Almost annual on Scilly in October, this first-winter WILSON'S SNIPE was extremely showy - and particularly educational

PIED WHEATEAR puts on a great show

2011-10-26T21:37:00.003+01:00

The bird of the Autumn for many Irish birders - the superb UPLAND SANDPIPER (Aidan Kelly)

A first-winter female PIED WHEATEAR, discovered yesterday afternoon by Gwent birder Darryl Spittle, showed well all day today around the two buildings at Thornbury Yacht Club, half a mile west of the Anchor public house in Oldbury-on-Severn (South Gloucestershire). It was particularly confiding, even perching on a bench whilst a birder was sat on it late morning, and was on one occasion seen with a Northern Wheatear and a lone Scandinavian Rock Pipit. Park sensibly, either in the pub car park or in the five spaces opposite.

In East Norfolk, a first-winter ISABELLINE SHRIKE continues to show very well at Horsey, in Bramble scrub between the Horsey Corner car park and the Nelson's Head track, with another reported in Penwith (West Cornwall) in hawthorns opposite St Just Aerodrome (on 24 October). Southeasterly winds also produced two OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS at Filey North Cliff Country Park (North Yorkshire), wandering around elusively in Top Scrub, with another showing well on the track before the hostel at rattray Head (Aberdeenshire).

PALLAS'S LEAF WARBLERS are now starting to arrive with these charming sprites being seen at Rattray Head (Aberdeenshire), on Bardsey Island (Gwynedd), Hemsby (Norfolk), Holland Haven (Essex), Frinton-on-Sea (Essex) and Porthgwarra car park (Cornwall) today; good numbers of YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS are also to be found at many sites.

An influx of RICHARD'S PIPITS included singles on Holy Island (Northumberland), Donna Nook (North Lincs), the Great Orme sheep fields (Gwynedd), Land's End (West Cornwall) and at Salthouse Beach car park (North Norfolk). Many more Black Redstarts have now arrived too, as well as larger numbers of Long-eared Owls than usual.

A PALLID SWIFT arrived in Northeast Norfolk late afternoon, initially being seen over Cromer before drifting westwards towards West Runton and Beeston Hall School early evening, whilst an ALPINE SWIFT showed well yesterday evening over Fremnall's Causeway at Hanningfield Reservoir (Essex).

On the Isles of Scilly today, the ever-present first-winter NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was still performing today - either in front of the screen at the Lower Moors Shooter's Pool or at the nearby ISBG Pool - with a fairly vocal DUSKY WARBLER in exactly the same area and the first-winter WILSON'S SNIPE briefly. The first-winter UPLAND SANDPIPER continues to show well in the bulb fields at Maypole Junction, whilst the COMMON TREECREEPER remains in Carreg Dhu garden at Longstones.. A RADDE'S WARBLER and BLUETHROAT are both being seen in Troy Town, St Agnes, in the cabbage crop by the farm and at Castella Down, whilst also on St Agnes, a Siberian Lesser Whitethroat remains in Chapel Fields at Periglis Beach. Meanwhile, Tresco continues to host the LESSER YELLOWLEGS, PECTORAL SANDPIPER and SPOTTED CRAKE.

Belated news concerns a SWAINSON'S THRUSH on Friday 21 October in the front garden of Kirbuster Farm Museum at Birsay on Orkney (Norman Watt), whilst elsewhere in Orkney, the male SIBERIAN STONECHAT continues for a second day on North Ronaldsay and two NORTHERN TREECREEPERS have been located in recent days. Farther north still, incredibly the dapper male SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT remains at Wick cottage (HU 441 392), Gulberwick, Lerwick (Shetland) - the longest staying individual ever (and now successfully twitched by no less than 90 observers). Meanwhile, Tiree's first-winter ASIATIC BROWN SHRIKE continues to perform at Balephuill, but without any takers other than the few resident birders.

A SHORE LARK is a rare bird for the London Recording Area and hence why a procession of local listers jumped the fence at the permit-access only Queen Elizabeth II Reservoir in the Walton complex in Surrey today.

A Continental BLACK-BELLIED DIPPER was a nice find today, frequenting the river at Fenso Marston Nature Reserve at Shipley (West Yorkshire), often with a resident Dipper.

The two juvenile LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS remain at the east end of Blagdon Lake (Somerset), with the adult SPOTTED SANDPIPER nearby at Herriott's Bridge, Chew Valley lake (Avon) and the ever-present juvenile at the north end of the Plym Estuary at the Marsh Mills Roundabout, Plymouth (South Devon). A juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPER in Cumbria is present for a second day on the Lyth Valley, in the field pool between Brigsteer and the A5074, 600 yards south of the Helsington Pool Bridge (SD 472 890), whilst the adult WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER is still present but flighty at Rutland Water (Leics). Another late juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPER remains in County Durham - at the Castle Lake at Bishop Middleham, whilst another juvenile LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER is at the harbour wetland in Wigtown Bay (Dumfries & Galloway).

A juvenile SNOW GOOSE was identified amongst Pink-footed Geese at Budle Bay (Northumberland), with the first-winter RED-BREASTED GOOSE still with Dark-bellied Brent Geese in Christchurch Harbour at Stanpit Marsh (Dorset). A drake AMERICAN WIGEON remains with Eurasian Wigeon on Cofton Saltmarsh on the Exe Estuary at Dawlish Warren NNR (South Devon), with that still in Loch Bee, South Uist (Outer Hebrides) also. The drake Ferruginous Duck of unknown origin remains on Sandford Lake, Dinton Pastures Country Park (Berkshire), with the first-winter drake still at Far Ings NR (North Lincs), with the juvenile female LESSER SCAUP still in residence in Whitley Bay (Northumberland) on Marden Quarry Pond. A drake SURF SCOTER flew south past Ainsdale Beach (Lancashire) this morning, with another with the adult drake NORTH AMERICAN BLACK SCOTER off the Beachcomber House at Goswick (Northumberland), whilst the regular drake KING EIDER was off Roseisle Beach Car Park in Moray. Red-crested Pochards reached a total of 67 today at Baston & Langtoft Pits (Lincs) - a new site record.

An explosion of Field Voles in Arctic Siberia and Scandinavia has seen a bumper breeding season for northern raptors with ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARDS continuing to arrive. Today saw birds at Goswick (Northumberland), Huttoft Bank and Anderby Creek (North Lincs), the Sleddale Moors (Cleveland) (at least two), Beeley Moor (Derbyshire). Skegness and Gibraltar Point NNR (Lincs), Holkham Freshmarsh (North Norfolk), Earith Washes (Cambs) and Dungeness ARC Pit (East Kent). Also related to the influx, juvenile PALLID HARRIERS continue to be located - with a juvenile yesterday over Goonhilly Downs (Cornwall) and another today in Lothian, first seen flying in off the sea at St Abb's Lighthouse and then later over Barns Ness being mobbed by corvids.

A CATTLE EGRET is with livestock at Blakeney Freshmarsh (North Norfolk), where it can be 'scoped from Friary Hills, whilst unusually late was a juvenile PURPLE HERON at the Bottom Tank at Saltholme Pools RSPB (Cleveland) (it flew to Haverton Hole at dusk). GREAT WHITE EGRETS include long-staying birds at Linford NR (North Bucks), Denge Marsh (East Kent) and Mockbeggar Lake, Blashford Pits (Hants) and further singles in the borrow dyke north of the southern seawall at Copt Hall Marshes (Essex), roosting in trees at the rear of Fowlsyke Flash (SK 525 997) (South Yorkshire), at Vennford Reservoir (SX 685 710) (South Devon) and in fields by Watermill on the Ogmore Estuary (East Glamorgan).

The adult AZOREAN ATLANTIC GULL roosted again at Rutland Water (Leics) this evening.

Up to 3 GREY PHALAROPES were seen on rough seas off Cley NWT (North Norfolk), with another two off Waxham Gap (East Norfolk) and another at Breydon Water (Norfolk), with one stranded at Mersehead RSPB (D & G)

A juvenile ROSE-COLOURED STARLING is still visiting gardens in Nefyn (Gwynedd) whilst a very late WOOD WARBLER was in the plantation on the seaward side of Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire)

Massive numbers of continental MEALY REDPOLLS are arriving, along with numerous Siskins, Firecrests and Short-eared Owls

In IRELAND, the star prize remains the first-winter UPLAND SANDPIPIER on The Mullet (Co Mayo) in the rushy fields by the road to Glebe House at Termoncarragh Lough (see Aidan Kelly's superb images above). In County Wexford, two different NORTHERN HARRIER-types are being seen - a juvenile and a second-winter male - both roosting at the Lingstown reedbed.

In County Galway, the juvenile DOTTEREL and AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER are still at Aillebrack, whilst two GLOSSY IBISES still remained at Timoleague (Co. Cork) this evening.

A SUBALPINE WARBLER was a late find at the Old Head of Kinsale (County Cork), favouring vegetation inland from the plantation in the roadside hedgerow opposite the pink bungalow, with both the BARRED WARBLER and RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER and RED-EYED VIREO still at Mizen Head (Co. Cork)

Record could be broken by the end of October at this rate !

2011-10-25T17:10:00.001+01:00

With an additional three new species for the year in the past three days, this year's total now moves forward to an incredible 441 species - just four short of the record in 2008

The additional birds have been -:

1) OVENBIRD - an elusive individual on Barra at Castlebay Woods (Outer Hebrides) on 23-24 October;

2) SIBERIAN STONECHAT - a first-winter male identified today on North Ronaldsay (Orkney);

3) PIED WHEATEAR - a first-winter female type seen today at Thornbury Yacht Club at Oldbury-on-Severn (Gloucs)

And now an OVENBIRD makes landfall.........

2011-10-23T19:50:00.001+01:00

Clive Saunders enjoyed a 3 second view of an OVENBIRD this afternoon on Barra (Outer Hebrides) at Castlebay in the woodland behind the football pitch and Co-op. He saw it at about 1430 hours but could not relocate it before early evening.........

Meanwhile, there was no sign today of the first-winter male Scarlet Tanager on St Mary's in Sandy Lane. Plumage inconsistencies seem to suggest that two birds were involved in both the Cornish and Scilly sightings

TANAGER relocates

2011-10-23T00:36:00.004+01:00

First-winter Wilson's Snipe, Lower Moors, St Mary's, Scilly, October 2011 (John Hague) - a fantastic and most instructive set of images, showing the axillary and underwing pattern

What was presumably the St Levan first-winter male SCARLET TANAGER was relocated today at the top end of Holy Vale, St Mary's (Scilly), just over 23 miles away. It quickly moved to hawthorns and scrub along Sandy Lane, about 150 yards along from the Four Lanes junction. It showed on and off for nearly two hours before going missing throughout much of the afternoon..........The first on Scilly since October 1982

Both OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS were again showing well in fields along Watermill Lane, whilst the NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was seen quite a few times from the screen at Shooter's Pool, Lower Moors. The WILSON'S SNIPE was nearby on Lower Moors (see the outstanding pictures taken by John Hague above)

New record approaching..........

2011-10-23T00:29:00.000+01:00

A belated record now received of a COMMON YELLOWTHROAT at Trevose Head (Cornwall) for 10 days in October 2010 (photographed) forwards that year's total to 441 species......

Today's first-winter ASIATIC BROWN SHRIKE at Balephuil on Tiree (Argyll) renders that species the 438th to occur in Britain and Ireland this year.

I suspect we are going to see a new record set this year, especially with a week of South-easterlies forecast for this coming week........

SCARLET TANAGER shows up briefly

2011-10-21T19:45:00.002+01:00

See Steve Rogers' writeup here http://www.swopticsphoto.com/

Bird seen just once today, mid-morning - with about 25-30 observers connecting

TANAGER in West Cornwall

2011-10-20T21:21:00.001+01:00

A first-winter SCARLET TANAGER was discovered early afternoon in St Levan valley (West Cornwall). Two local lads both found it (Dave and Matt) and watched it on and off for about 25 minutes as if fed in a Pear tree in the grounds of Grey Gables, close to the church. As neither are twitchers, it was not until late afternoon that they passed the news on to one of the main contacts in Penwith. About 25 birders then quickly gathered at the site, but there was no sign of anything in clear, cold conditions from 1630 hours until dusk. This is the first Scarlet Tanager in the county since Brian Mellow's bird at Nanquidno in the mid 70's.

Parking is being offered by the church at the end of the narrow lane at £2 per car

At the opposite end of the country in Shetland, the gorgeous male SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT continues to show intermittently in the garden at Ockendons, at Gulberwick - 2.5 miles SW of Lerwick. Now present for its fourth day, several birders flew in today and connected from the south. A bonus bird came in the form of a PECHORA PIPIT at the same site - this bird showing somewhat more frequently (see Dougie Preston's excellent images above).

On the Isles of Scilly, the first-winter NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH remains on Lower Moors at Shooter's Pool, with 1-2 RED-THROATED PIPITS on St Mary's in the Pungies Lane area, 1 OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT still in fields along Watermill Lane, the WILSON'S SNIPE on Lower Moors and the UPLAND SANDPIPER still at Maypole. A MELODIOUS WARBLER has relocated to Penninis Head, favouring Pittisporum bushes by the entrance to the Farm Trail. On Tresco, both the LESSER YELLOWLEGS and SPOTTED CRAKE remain.

West Cornwall offers two migrant RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHERS today, with singles in the Willows and Sallows by Porthgwarra car park and in the garden at the seaward end of Kenidjack Valley, whilst further east, the LESSER YELLOWLEGS continues on the Tresillian River at Truro.

A juvenile PALLID HARRIER adds Cleveland to its tally of counties, showing well today at times in the reeds at the north end of Dorman's Pool at Teesmouth. ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARDS have been arriving in numbers, with two being present at Abberton Reservoir (Essex) viewable from Stafford's Corner.

The wide-ranging adult AZOREAN ATLANTIC GULL seen in September at Stewartby Lake (Beds) and Grafham Water (Cambs) was relocated today in the roost at Rutland Water (Leics).

Two juvenile LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS continue to commute between Blagdon Lake (Somerset) and Chew Valley lake (Avon), with the juvenile SPOTTED SANDPIPER still at the north end of the River Plym (South Devon). A WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER remains at Balgarva on South Uist (Outer Hebrides).

An adult drake NORTH AMERICAN BLACK SCOTER remains with Common Scoters, an adult drake SURF SCOTER and 3 drake Velvet Scoters 6 miles SE of Berwick-upon-Tweed (Northumberland) offshore of Goswick, whilst further south, the juvenile female LESSER SCAUP continues on Marsden Quarry in Whitley Bay. A drake FERRUGINOUS DUCK is at Pugney's Country Park (West Yorks).

A first-winter RED-BREASTED GOOSE remains with 200 Dark-bellied Brent Geese in Christchurch Harbour (Dorset) at Stanpit Marsh.

The UPLAND SANDPIPER at Termoncarragh Lake (Co. Mayo) continues to be the main attraction in IRELAND, although a RED-EYED VIREO in County Cork at Mizen Head is also of major interest.

A plethora of rare Nearctic waders continues including 4 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS at Tacumshin (Co. Wexford), a juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER at Aillebrook (Co. Galway) and 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS at Lough Atedaun (Co. Clare).

Recent BARRED WARBLERS have included singles at Slyne Head and at West Beara at Gerinish

Shetland hits back with yet another mega.........

2011-10-19T17:59:00.000+01:00

A male SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT at Gulberwick, south of Lerwick (Shetland) this afternoon represents the 436th species to be recorded in Britain and Ireland this year.........

Cold Northwesterly winds set in

2011-10-18T22:11:00.001+01:00

Belated news concerns a suppressed juvenile SEMIPALMATED PLOVER that was present on Crowdy Reservoir and Davidstow Airfield (Cornwall) from at least 18-30 September - the first record for the county. The bird was consorting with a flock of up to 25 Ringed Plovers and 15 Dunlin, so if any of you photographed the flock at the same time as the well-twitched juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper there, you may wish to review your images......

As predicted for Saturday, there was no sign of the Rufous-tailed Robin at Warham Greens (Norfolk) that had remained until dusk the previous evening........

So, with Northwesterly winds now set in for most of the week, this is how we stand at present.....

On the Isles of Scilly, where 190 birders are still in temporary residence, St Mary's showstopper - the first-winter NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH - continues to survive, showing well intermittently at Higginson's Pool, Lower Moors. The first-winter WILSON'S SNIPE is also still present, commuting between Lower Moors and Porthellick Pools, as well as the first-winter UPLAND SANDPIPER at Maypole, whilst the first-winter male BLUETHROAT remains on Porthellick Beach, 1-2 RED-THROATED PIPITS on the Golf Course and Longstones Fields, a RADDE'S WARBLER along the Salakee Lane and a MELODIOUS WARBLER at Carn Gwaval. Newly discovered today were 2 OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS in fields along Watermill Lane. The three BLACK KITES drifted over from West Cornwall on Sunday and at least one remained about the islands today, whilst both the juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and juvenile LESSER YELLOWLEGS remain on St Martin's and Tresco Great Pool respectively.

A total of 9 RED-FLANKED BLUETAILS turned up over the weekend with just one remaining today - that in brambles by the entrance to South Landing car park at Flamborough Head (East Yorks). Yesterday's adult male ISABELLINE SHRIKE at Cliffe Pools RSPB (North Kent) (present since Saturday) also disappeared overnight.

A WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER continues for a fourth day at Rutland Water (Leics), showing best from Lapwing Hide, whilst GREY PHALAROPES on freshwater include singles at Daventry Reservoir (Northants), Grafham Water (Cambs) and at Cudmore Grove Country Park (Essex). The LESSER YELLOWLEGS remains near Truro (Cornwall) on the Tresilian River at Tresemple Pool, whilst a late juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPER is still near the dam at the south end of Drift Reservoir (Cornwall) (further singles are at Castle Lake, Bishop Middleham, Cleveland, and on the Flask Lake at Nosterfield Quarry, North Yorks)..

A juvenile GLOSSY IBIS continues to show well from the viewing screen at the Fire Station Field at Saltholme RSPB (Cleveland) whilst the two juveniles reappeared at Cudmore Grove CP (Essex) today. A further bird was seen at Pett Level (East Sussex) this morning, before relocating to West Rise Lake, Langney, later in the afternoon.

A juvenile/first-winter RED-BREASTED GOOSE of unknown but perhaps natural origin appeared today amongst a large flock of Dark-bellied Brent Geese in Christchurch Harbour (Dorset), favouring the South Marsh on Stanpit Marsh.

There has been a healthy influx of early ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARDS in this past week, with one juvenile even making it as far as West Cornwall. Today saw 2 in the Winterton North Dunes area (Norfolk)

The juvenile LESSER SCAUP continues to show well on Marden Quarry Pool (Northumberland)...

A fair few YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS are now scattered about, as well as a good number of GREAT GREY SHRIKES. Large numbers of MEALY REDPOLLS and Siskins continue to arrive from the near continent, as well as Common Crossbills and Woodlarks. The first waves of immigrant Woodpigeons are also now appearing

An adult WHITE-BILLED DIVER flew past Aird, Tiree (Argyll) at 0810 hours

IRELAND

In County Mayo, the UPLAND SANDPIPER discovered by Dave Suddaby remains at Termoncarragh Lake, frequenting the small flooded field by the road to Glebe House, whilst in County Cork, both a juvenile ROSE-COLOURED STARLING and a RED-THROATED PIPIT are at Ballycotton and a juvenile WOODCHAT SHRIKE at Galley Head. Cape Clear island (Co. Cork) still hosts a GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK, RED_BREASTED FLYCATCHER and ROSE-COLOURED STARLING. A 2nd-winter male NORTH AMERICAN MARSH HAWK (NORTHERN HARRIER) is again at tacumshin Lake (Co. Wexford)

The RUFOUS-TAILED ROBIN at Warham Greens - the circumstances of the find by James McCallum

2011-10-17T22:48:00.003+01:00

Firstly congratulations to Rob Martin for an amazing find!

It was disappointing that the Rufous-tailed Robin didn’t stay for all to see. It was also frustrating to find out about the mix up on the pagers despite the news being put out as soon as the bird had been identified (none of us who phoned the news out have pagers so we didn’t know what message was put out, I thought we had done our bit and concentrated on trying to relocate the bird for those arriving!). This mix up unfortunately resulted in many familiar local faces not setting off immediately and only after the mistake was noticed and corrected. Many therefore arriving late and missing the bird due to failing light.

There was obviously a lot of disappointment that evening and more so the following morning. As ever lots of tension and emotional energy was generated by the process of travelling to the site, then waiting to see if the bird would still be there...etc. When it was clear that the bird had gone this energy turned to disappointment and frustration. People deal with this in many ways, for some the focus point is an analysis of the circumstances surrounding the find and subsequent release of news. Things get said in the heat of the moment that are not really meant and frequently these are levelled at the finders. If you happen to be the finder it’s not pleasant but it’s all part of it and you learn to take it on the chin (But I do remember getting some negative comments concerning the release of news of the Alder Flycatcher by somebody who was watching it within hours of it being found – I remember looking at this chap, scratching my head and thinking ‘What?!’)

This weekend, however, I’ve encountered a little too much bitterness and hostility and have certainly heard too many different and often peculiar scenarios of what people think happened on the afternoon it was found. So much so that, for the first time, I feel the need to put the record straight.

So for those who are interested here is my account of just what happened at the Rufous-tailed Robin;

Along with Andrew Bloomfield and Baz Scampion I had been birdwatching on the East Hills, Wells. Whilst out there we met Rob Martin who had been on site since first light. We chatted for a while then Andy, Baz and Rob left while I stayed to look for a Yellow-browed Warbler that Rob had seen earlier. After around an hour of unsuccessful searching I decided to leave so crossed the creeks and saltmarsh until I reached Warham Greens. On entering Garden Drove I saw Rob standing with another birder. I was surprised to see him still there as he had told me that it was his birthday and he had to get back to meet his wife early that afternoon. I jokingly asked what he was still doing there and he replied that he had seen a bird that he couldn’t identify but looked interesting. He went on to say that it looked chat-like. I quizzed him further and it turned out that the sighting had been very brief; basically the bird had flicked up from the ground and darted into the canopy of a hawthorn. Rob had managed a short, largely obscured view but strongly believed that he had seen a few distinct semicircular markings on its breast. Then a Chaffinch had chased it and the bird was lost. ‘I jokingly said crescent markings – as in Rufous-tailed Robin?’ To which Rob replied ‘Well, sort of but it could easily be something like a young Robin in some kind of retarded moult or even something like a Thrush Nightingale’ I could tell from his body language that he was clearly ruffled so I knew that he felt he had seen something interesting and it was not simply a case of ‘Oh what was that?’ I remarked that I thought that likelihood of a young robin in mid October seemed very remote and the behaviour didn’t really sound typical of a Thrush Nightingale.

The bird had already been lost for around 40 minutes and after further searching for ten minutes the other birder drifted off. Rob remained in the immediate area and I started looking further up the drift. He was determined to see it again and his self-belief in what he had seen, especially after what sounded like very brief views, was admirable and made me want to stay and help look for it. A car suddenly appeared halfway down the drift and I recognised the driver as Norman Williams who had come to do a bird count. We chatted and I mentioned to him what was happening. Then Rob started waving – he had seen the bird again. By the time we had reached him it was gone. Norman had seen a movement as we approached but I was yet to get a view. Rob again had had poor views mainly of the bird directly above him but from what he could see on this occasion the markings below looked extensive but, confusingly, this time they appeared ‘more blotchy’. The bird just seemed to vanish into mid air. Rob was getting increasingly ruffled, he now knew that it was something really unusual but he still couldn’t put a name to it. He remarked that at times it had appeared almost Ovenbird-like from below! Although I hadn’t even seen it I was now wondering if it was going to turn out to be an American Thrush!

Another long wait began but we just couldn’t work out where it could be hiding. Rob remained in the same place and Norman and I checked the nearby bushes. After another fifteen minutes Rob suddenly announced that there was a movement above in the canopy where it had last been seen (We later realised that the bird was actually flitting then freezing – sitting totally motionless for periods of up to c20 minutes). Rob then felt sure that the markings were more crescent-like than blotched but the views were tough in thick canopy and the bird was moving quickly. The bird had now dropped on to the ground. Norman saw it with his naked eye running fast along the ground before it flicked up into tall hawthorns. At last I had my first view! Its flitting movements were lightning fast almost Red-breasted Flycatcher-like but on landing it would stop dead, completely motionless. It was a movement quite unlike a Robin or Redstart but did remind me of a Red-flanked Bluetail that I watched last autumn in thick canopy at Kergord, Shetland.

I saw that it had a relatively short, bright red tail. My next view was very brief of the bird perched low down, most of its body was obscured and all I could see was a large eye and an obvious dark malar stripe. It then flicked up again and landed, again frustratingly obscured but in good light. I then knew it was from the East! A wonderful big dark eye with a thin but complete eyering and obvious pinky gape. On landing the short red tail was half-cocked then seemingly left to drop back down again and there, protruding below a tangle of branches, were its bright, pale pink legs. During the moment that followed I was blessed with a wonderful view of the bird – it flicked forwards then stopped side-on in full view. If this wasn’t enough it then turned to face me showing off fully its intricate breast markings before darting off out of view once more.

I turned to the others and said ‘It’s a Rufous-tailed Robin!!!’ I shook Rob’s hand congratulated him on his amazing find then wished him happy birthday! It was such a tricky bird to see and full credit to him for believing in what he had thought he had seen and sticking with it. During all the chaos Rob had rattled off a few shots and later looking at some of the images I saw that they had come out amazingly well considering the circumstances.

We were naturally all quite shocked by the situation and could hardly believe what we had seen. But, at last, we had confirmed the bird’s identity and then wanted to get the news out straight away to give others the chance of seeing it.

By then the time was about 5pm – it had taken an hour and a half just to get a view good enough to identify it – anybody on site that evening can confirm just how difficult it was to locate the bird let alone get a perched view!

Rob’s phone battery was flat so he sprinted to the car to plug it in order to contact RBA and get the news on the pagers, Norman phoned the Natural England staff at Holkham NNR and I called two local birders, both of whom I knew didn’t have pagers, but who regularly watch the local area, Andy Bloomfield and Ash McElwee. With this combination of calls I was pretty confident that everybody would get the news very quickly.

Within 15 minutes the first people had arrived, Natural England staff, closely followed by Richard Millington then several visiting birders and several minutes later the two locals I’d called. As none of us had pagers it initially appeared that all was going to plan and the news was out. After a further ten minutes there were only around 30 people there – this didn’t add up as I knew that lots of locals should have arrived by that time. It then transpired that half of the people, including Richard Millington, had actually come to twitch a Barred Warbler that had just been found nearby on the Greens and were using the Drift to gain access to it!

Something had clearly gone wrong with the pager message – people with pagers then informed me that the message stated that the Rufous-tailed Robin was on East Hills – inaccessible with the tide then flowing- and not Garden Drove!! I don’t know what had happened as I didn’t make the call but it was obvious that a genuine mistake had been made and wires had been crossed, presumably in all the excitement. This was very unfortunate for by the time the information was corrected this delayed many birders by 20 – 30 minutes and resulted in some locals, including good friends, missing the opportunity to get there before it got dark.

So the lengthy account above is my experience of what happened.

In short Rob had found an interesting-looking bird, it took c.90 minutes to get a decent view and fortunately this view was good enough to identify it. As soon as the bird was identified news was released to all parties including the pagers, there was no ‘chosen few’. There was not enough light left to even think about being selective with news. Individuals twitching a Barred Warbler can count themselves exceedingly lucky in being at the right place at the right time. If people still find issue with the circumstances I’ve written here then I don’t know what more I can say. I guess they will never be happy with what happened.

If we wanted people not to see it then it would have been straightforward simply not to report it! If we wanted to delay people then we could have simply phoned it out later! – the idea that we wanted to confuse people by putting out the wrong location seems totally bizarre to me – what a strange concept! The area is not tidal, there is access and parking so I see no issues for withholding news.

If it had of been on the East Hills at that time of day with the tide then flowing then I would have thought twice about releasing news – I think that would have been irresponsible and very dangerous.

Finding rare birds is seldom a case of walking along a hedgerow and seeing a vagrant sitting out in the open in perfect lighting, well not in my experience at least! It frequently involves seeing an unfamiliar movement or shape and having the belief that it is worth pursuing. Sometimes, as in the case of the bird in question, it can take a very long and tense time but ultimately it can be very exciting!

If some of the energy certain birders spent in being unpleasant had been channelled into looking for migrants then maybe more birds could have been found this weekend.

At the end of the day Rob Martin found a fantastic bird – the result of much time and effort – congratulations to him!

James McCallum

The Norfolk RUFOUS-TAILED ROBIN

2011-10-16T20:56:00.001+01:00

See Rob Martin's write-up on his most memorable of borthday finds at http://www.freewebs.com/punkbirder/rufoustailedrobin.htm

SHORT-TOED SNAKE EAGLE arrives in South Devon

2011-10-16T20:42:00.001+01:00

What may have been the same SHORT-TOED SNAKE EAGLE that was seen in the Channel Islands last week flew low over Lee Collins' head minutes after lunchtime today at Dawlish Warren (South Devon). Lee watched the bird flap heavily as it made its way across open water of the River Exe and then once over Exmouth, circled around for five minutes. It then gained height and appeared to fly inland and Lee lost it from view.

At around the same time, the bird was reportedly intercepted independently by A.J.Bellamy, and was watched heading out to Orcombe Point to the south of Exmouth. It then flew strongly east at 1215 hours.

Just under three hours later, at 1515 hours, it was watched flying east over the sea offshore of Lyme Regis (Dorset), but interestingly was not seen by watchers in the Seaton/Axmouth area or at Portland Bill.

A large raptor, considered to be an eagle, was also seen by Robin Kham over Haldon Forest (South Devon) at 0938 hours

MEGA - MEGA - RUFOUS-TAILED ROBIN in NORTH NORFOLK

2011-10-14T20:27:00.001+01:00

Whilst walking back from East Hills this afternoon, Rob Martin stumbled upon a RUFOUS-TAILED ROBIN feeding on the Warham Greens westernmost track. The bird was favouring the track about 90 yards north of the concrete pad and initially showed well. James McCallum was also quick on the scene, as well as Richard Millington, who happened to be on site on spec after a report of a Barred Warbler there came through. News slowly filtered out and within an hour, just over 50 birders gathered on site, perhaps 20 of them obtaining some reasonable views. With more and more people arriving, the bird became more furtive and kept very much to the foliage on both sides of the track, only occasionally being glimpsed in flight. It was assumed to have roosted in some ivy.

DIRECTIVE

It is imperative for all concerned that NOBODY walks down the track before daylight beyond the pad and once dawned, attempts made by just a few to locate it. It is also important that birders all approach the site from the same direction to minimize disturbance and to not spook the bird.

There is room for about 50 vehicles on the Warham Greens track and arrangements are being made to allow further parking in one of the fields. I shall be on site trying to organise things and will attempt to make sure that everybody that wishes to, gets an opportunity to see this mega-rare Siberian vagrant.

Frustratingly, it is a clear, cold night this evening in North Norfolk and there is a high degree of likelihood that the bird will move on. Who knows !

Winds swing Southeasterly..........

2011-10-13T22:55:00.001+01:00

Light Southeasterly winds and intermittent drizzle saw a mass arrival of birds from the Continent today including large numbers of Short-eared and Long-eared Owls, Great Grey Shrikes, Yellow-browed Warblers, Bramblings, Siskins and Fieldfares and Redwings. Amongst them were no less than 5 RED-FLANKED BLUETAILS........

The first was trapped and ringed mid-morning at North Landing, Flamborough Head (East Yorks), followed by another early afternoon at Whitburn Coastal Park (County Durham) and then another on Orfordness Island in Suffolk. There was then another discovered in the Sluice Bushes at Minsmere Beach (Suffolk), with a second (unringed) individual in Whitburn - in the tall trees along Church Lane.

The easterly element to the weather also produced an ISABELLINE WHEATEAR late afternoon - at the caravan park at Lowestoft North Denes (Suffolk), where nearby, a juvenile WOODCHAT SHRIKE remains showing well in bushes on the west side of Links Road car park at Lowestoft North Denes

A RED-THROATED PIPIT flew south over Pegwell Bay Country Park (East Kent) at 0950 hours, whilst the first PALLAS'S LEAF WARBLER of the autumn was at Brook Lane in Reculver (Kent).

With most holidaying birders now either on Scilly or Shetland, the former shrouded in dense fog offers the following.....

The first-winter NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (the longest-staying ever) continues to be the show-stopper. This fabulous and very enchanting lost Nearctic waif is very much in a routine now, regularly appearing at Higginson's Pool on Lower Moors and giving itself up bigtime. Take the footpath alongside the allotments and rubbish tip on the outskirts of Hugh Town and at the Dump Clump, take the well-worn track through the clump and out for 150 yards into the reedbed. The pool can be overlooked from a raised mound.

A first-winter UPLAND SANDPIPER is also present on St Mary's, commuting between two fields in the Maypole junction and Borough Farm area, with a juvenile LESSER YELLOWLEGS on Lower Moors, a first-winter WILSON'S SNIPE on Porthellick Pool, a RED-THROATED PIPIT with Meadow Pipits on the Golf Course, a first-winter male BLUETHROAT on Porthellick Pool and Beach, a juvenile ROSE-COLOURED STARLING just above Sallyport on the Garrison, a female-type SUBALPINE WARBLER in the pine belt behind the tennis courts on the Garrison, a GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK on the Airfield, a COMMON ROSEFINCH near the tip and at least 5 different WRYNECKS about the island.

On Tresco, both the LESSER YELLOWLEGS and LEAST SANDPIPER remain in their respective opposite ends of the Great Pool, with the juvenile RED-BACKED SHRIKE nearby on the Abbey Pool crossroads and a confiding SPOTTED CRAKE on the Abbey Pool, whilst on St Martin's, the juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and 3 Eurasian Golden Plovers continues by the Daymark and an unidentified large pipit is by the Beady Pool on Wingletang Down, St Agnes.

Fair Isle saw the first LANCEOLATED WARBLER of the year arrive, whilst Shetland South Mainland still housed the AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT in the kale field above the dam at Quendale Burn and the adult female ISABELLINE SHRIKE at Brake, Hillwell; the juvenile PALLID HARRIER remained too at Wester Quarff.

A first-winter male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was reported from Orkney on the weekend, with an OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT on North Ronaldsay today and two PECTORAL SANDPIPERS at Herston on South Ronaldsay. Yesterday also saw an ELEONORA'S FALCON photographed between Kilspindle and Gosford (Lothian) - this following a very convincing description of an adult SOOTY FALCON at Birling Gap, Beachy Head (East Sussex).

An AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT was an excellent find in East Sussex on Sunday, the bird being photographed again yesterday afternoon along the tidewrack consorting with 4 Rock Pipits at Newhaven Harbour, just west of the West Arm (no sign today however, despite exhaustive searching). Meanwhile, a first-winter YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO died today after being taken into care from a Liverpool garden yesterday.

A juvenile LESSER SCAUP continues to show well at Marden Quarry Pool (Northumberland) whilst offshore in the same county at Goswick, a drake NORTH AMERICAN BLACK SCOTER, an adult drake SURF SCOTER and 3 Velvet Scoters are amongst Common Scoters off of Beachcomber House. A first-winter drake FERRUGINOUS DUCK remains on the pit right of the visitor centre along the approach road to Far Ings NR in North Lincolnshire

There are still at least two BLACK KITES present in West Cornwall and showing intermittently SW of Catchall between Drift and the B3283 junction at Bojewans Carn, viewed south from the A30 layby a mile west of Drift.

GLOSSY IBISES remaining from last week's influx include the 3 juveniles at Priory Marsh, Stanpit (Dorset) and the single juvenile at the southern causeway of Stithians Reservoir (Cornwall), whilst a new arrival today included a bird off Kirkholme Point at Hornsea Mere (East Yorks).

A first-winter GREY PHALAROPE remains for a second day at Daventry Reservoir (Northants) (with another on Noah's Lake at Shapwick Heath NNR, Somerset) whilst in what has been an exceptional autumn for LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS sees two juveniles still together at Chew Valley Lake (Avon) (viewable from the Stratford Hide) and singles on the Folly Pond at Caerlaverock WWT (Dumfries & Galloway) and at Lochlea Farm Pool (NS 457 303) in Ayrshire. The long-staying juvenile SPOTTED SANDPIPER continues to be seen at the north end of the Plym Estuary by Marsh Mills roundabout, Plymouth (South Devon), as well as the moulting adult on Herriott's Pool, Chew Valley Lake, with the juvenile LESSER YELLOWLEGS at Truro along the Tresilian River (Cornwall). A WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER was newly discovered at St Serf's Island, Loch Leven (Perth & Kinross) today.

A PECTORAL SANDPIPER remains at Dungeness ARC Pit (Kent) (where a fall of over 10 Ring Ouzels took place in the Moat and Trapping Area) as well as the Denge Marsh GREAT WHITE EGRET, whilst the CATTLE EGRET is still to be found on the marsh viewable from the footpath between the end of Thornham Lane and Chichester Harbour on Thorney Island (West Sussex).

Stornoway Harbour on Lewis (Outer Hebrides) is yielding a 2nd-winter RING-BILLED GULL, whilst the Uists have an outstanding array of Nearctic waders including a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER at Balgarva, BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER at Loch Sandary, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER and 8 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS at The Range, West Gerenish and 4 GREY PHALAROPES at Ardivachar Point.

A GREAT NORTHERN DIVER is inland at Ringstone Edge Reservoir (West Yorks), with a confiding SLAVONIAN GREBE on Fairhaven Lake (Lancs)

In IRELAND, most excitement surrounds an UPLAND SANDPIPER in the Termoncarragh Lough area in County Mayo. The bird is typically vocal and flighty but favouring the wet grassy fields at F 650 357 - the fields to the west of the graveyard along the single track road to Glebe. Found by Dave Suddaby.

Although the recent RED-EYED VIREO was not seen today on Cape Clear Island (Co. Cork), the GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK remains and at Galley Head (Co. Cork), the WOODCHAT SHRIKE is still in residence.

An adult FORSTER'S TERN is at Cruisetown Strand (Co. Louth) with the juvenile SPOTTED SANDPIPER still by the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarberry (Co. Cork) and at least 17 GLOSSY IBISES at Courtmacsherry (Co. Cork).

In County Down, a juvenile male PALLID HARRIER was seen at St John's Point yesterday.

Escaped Lilac-breasted Roller in Cambridgeshire

2011-10-07T16:05:00.003+01:00

This gorgeous Lilac-breasted Roller is currently present at Abbots Ripton, near Huntingdon, favouring horse paddocks in between two houses. Stuart Elsom took the image above.

The only collection so far traced housing this species is Birdworld at Farnham in Surrey.

Could it be this bird though - http://www.zoochat.com/502/lilac-breasted-roller-linton-05-04-a-141887/

SANDHILL CRANE departs

2011-10-07T15:40:00.003+01:00

The adult SANDHILL CRANE, photographed superbly by Peter Beesley, seems to have departed Boyton. It was seen to fly off strongly to the south at 1035 hours and has not been relocated subsequently. Interestingly though, it was not picked up at Landguard Point, so it could still be in Suffolk somewhere...........

First LEAST SANDPIPER since August 1965.....

2011-10-06T21:23:00.003+01:00

The THIRD LEAST SANDPIPER for Scilly - Robin Mawer photographed this juvenile on Monday after Dick Filby had discovered the bird on South Beach.....

WILSON'S SNIPE joins the roll-call on Scilly

2011-10-06T21:21:00.000+01:00

An apparent WILSON'S SNIPE is commuting between Lower Moors and Porthellick Pool on St Mary's (Scilly), present now for at least its third day. It is the only Snipe being seen at the moment so should be easy enough to pick out! It represents at least the eighth record for Scilly of what has become an annual late autumn vagrant to the archipelago.

With the wind in the North West and strong, nothing new has arrived on the islands but nothing has departed either. The long-staying first-winter NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH is still clambering about the emergent vegetation on Higginson's Pool, Lower Moors, early morning, where also both the SOLITARY SANDPIPER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS are dropping in from time to time.

A BLACK KITE is loafing around St Mary's, especially over the eastern end of St Mary's, and the dark morph juvenile HONEY BUZZARD is also still putting in appearances. Several WRYNECKS are to be seen, as well as the GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK, juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and the small BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER flock on the Airfield. There is also a SUBALPINE WARBLER present on the Garrison - in scrub by the football pitch near the playground.

Tresco is still hosting the very confiding LEAST SANDPIPER (commuting between South Beach and the SE end of the Great Pool), the LESSER YELLOWLEGS and 3 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS (at the NW end of the Great Pool) and WRYNECK and juvenile RED-BACKED SHRIKE. There are also at least 3 Yellow Wagtails on the island as well as 2 Whinchats.

Stranded 60-foot whale in Outer Hebrides dies

2011-10-05T18:05:00.001+01:00

Sadly, despite the best intentions and efforts, the 60-foot SEI WHALE that became stranded at Griminish, in the Outer Hebrides, has died this afternoon. It was decided, after a close examination, to leave the animal to die rather than to stress it further by trying to refloat it on the tide

Annual total rumbles on with the addition of 7 new species in the past 10 days

2011-10-05T13:15:00.000+01:00

With the addition of PALLAS'S REED BUNTING for 2010 (a female recorded At Sea in Dogger - plate 337 in British Birds 104: 623), that year's total now climbs to 440 species, whilst with 7 new species recorded in Britain and Ireland in the past 10 days (Lesser Kestrel, Semipalmated Plover, Olive-backed Pipit, Siberian Blue Robin, Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler, Isabelline Shrike and Yellow-breasted Bunting), the total for this year now climbs to 425 species.....

LEAST SANDPIPER joins the cast on Scilly

2011-10-05T12:38:00.001+01:00

On the Isles of Scilly, the NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH trapped and ringed at the weekend on Porthellick Pool is back once more at its favoured locality of Higginson's Pool by the Dump Clump on Lower Moors, where it is showing well early mornings. This same pool is also playing host to the juvenile SOLITARY SANDPIPER and juvenile LESSER YELLOWLEGS, whilst elsewhere on St Mary's, the grassy airstrip still has 4 juvenile BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS in residence.

On neighbouring Tresco, a juvenile LEAST SANDPIPER is showing well for a second day in the Abbey Pool and South Beach areas as well as at the SE end of the Great Pool, with another juvenile LESSER YELLOWLEGS and 3 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS at the opposite NW end of the pool. The Least Sandpiper represents only the third ever record for the archipelago following singles on St Agnes on 6 October 1962 and on Tresco Great Pool on 24 August 1965. A HONEY BUZZARD is also lingering on Tresco, with a mobile BLACK KITE about St Mary's.

In Cornwall, a juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER is showing particularly well with Ringed Plovers on the runway and grass sidings at Davidstow Airfield, mainly in the area of the old concrete control tower, with a GLOSSY IBIS present for a second day at Stithians Reservoir. A juvenile RED-BACKED SHRIKE remains at Porthgwarra Moor (Cornwall), with the 3 BLACK KITES still ranging the Drift Reservoir area.

In Suffolk, the adult SANDHILL CRANE continues to show well, favouring the two large recently tilled fields SE of Boyton at the end of Mill Lane (at TM 388 461), whilst all 3 juvenile GLOSSY IBISES remain at Stanpit Marsh, Christchurch Harbour (Dorset) and another on the Ogmore Estuary (Glamorgan)..

SPOTTED SANDPIPERS remain at Chew Valley Lake (Avon) and at the north end of the Plym Estuary at Marsh Mills, Plymouth (South Devon), whilst the crowd-pleasing juvenile SOLITARY SANDPIPER in Lancashire continues SW of Garstang and SE of Nateby at Humblescough Farm (at SD 472 438). LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS can still be found at Baron's Haugh RSPB (Clyde), Kidwelly Quay (Carmarthenshire) and Freiston Shore RSPB (Lincs), with a juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER still on Barra (Outer Hebrides).

On Shetland, a LITTLE BUNTING remains in the iris bed above the dam at Quendale, with the first-winter DAURIAN ISABELLINE SHRIKE still showing well at Levenwick and a first-winter CITRINE WAGTAIL at the south end of Boddam in the farmyard at Fleck. In the extreme north, an OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT continues on Unst at Baltasound School.

The adult AZOREAN ATLANTIC GULL roosted on Grafham Water (Cambs) last night, whilst in North Lincolnshire, the juvenile NORTH AMERICAN BLACK TERN was still present at Covenham Reservoir yesterday evening.

PALLID HARRIERS still include up to 4 different individuals on Shetland (one badly oiled) and the Burpham bird (West Sussex), whilst a 'new' juvenile was seen in the Gamlingay area (Cambs) and near Little Tempsford (Beds) on 2-3 October.

IRELAND

A BLYTH'S REED WARBLER was a pleasant surprise in Cotter's Garden, Cape Clear Island (Co. Cork), with the SUBALPINE WARBLER still at Marconi at Crookhaven (Co. Cork) and RED-EYED VIREO at Mizen Head (Co. Cork).

The juvenile WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN continues to linger at Tacumshin (Co. Wexford), along with 9 remaining BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS, with SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS at Inch Lake (Co. Donegal) and elsewhere in County Mayo and AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS at Truska Marsh, Ballyconneelly, and at Black Rock Strand.

The COMMON CRANE is still to be found on the North Slob (Co. Wexford), whilst GLOSSY IBISES have increased to an impressive flock of 15 birds at Courtmacsherry.

SANDHILL gives itself up to the 'Southerners'

2011-10-03T21:49:00.003+01:00

Phil Bishop took this shot as it flew over us this morning, just after the first sun rays shone through the clouds.........fortunately for latecomers, it pitched down again after a mile further south

The adult SANDHILL CRANE that had been present at Loch of Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) from 22-26 September and was later seen flying between Northumberland and North Yorkshire on 29 September, over Rimac (North Lincs) and later in the Wash (Norfolk) on 1 October, finally gave itself up in Suffolk on Sunday, after being tracked from Kessingland, Aldeburgh, Sudbourne and eventually to Boyton.

After being relocated at Boyton Marshes early afternoon on 2 October, some 350 observers connected with it before it went to roost on site. A further 300 managed to see it today - the bird still present until at least 1800 hours.

DIRECTIONS

Boyton lies some 5 miles ESE of Woodbridge and is accessed by taking the Hollesley road east not far out of Melton, then Boyton road about a mile beyond the RAF base. Special parking arrangements have been organised inside Boyton village, whereby space is being allocated at the church and an additional overspill field - please donate £1 to the church for this kind generosity.

From the village, walk down Mill Lane to the gate at the end and then continue to the end of the wood to the right. The Sandhill Crane can be feeding in either of the two recently large tilled fields in front of you or with cattle in fields on the seaward side of the Hollesley Youth Detention Centre, accessed by continuing SE to the seawall and walking south for a further mile.

SOLITARY SANDPIPER

Another great find was that of a juvenile SOLITARY SANDPIPER by Stuart Piner on Sunday - still present today. Just SW of Garstang (Lancs) and SE of Nateby on the flood viewed Humblescough Farm SD 472 438. From Nateby Drive along Humblescough Lane, fork left at the Poplar Grove signpost to the farm. Park sensibly at the farm - £4 per car.

GLOSSY IBISES

Another recurring feature of recent autumns has been the post-breeding dispersal of Iberian GLOSSY IBISES and this year has been no different. A flock of at least 11 birds roosted this evening in trees behind the hotel in Courtmacsherry (Co. Cork) following at least 10 recorded along the South Coast of Britain over the weekend, including a party of 7 on the Isle of Wight, 3 at Stanpit Marsh (Dorset) and another on the Ogmore Estuary (Glamorgan) in South Wales.

THE NORTHERN ISLES

With such fine weather even extending to Shetland over the weekend, noteworthy birds found in that archipelago included a SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN on Foula (found freshly dead sadly), a PALLAS'S GRASSHOPPER WARBLER on Fair Isle, PECHORA PIPIT on Foula (and another on neighbouring North Ronaldsay in Orkney), BLACK-HEADED BUNTING on Unst, 3 juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS on Fetlar and ISABELLINE SHRIKE, ALPINE SWIFT, 5 OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS, 5 LITTLE BUNTINGS and a CITRINE WAGTAIL in South Mainland.

SCILLY

What was presumably a second NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was trapped on Porthellick Pool, St Mary's on Saturday, with the long-staying bird still elusively feeding at Higginson's Pond on Lower Moors. A GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK was about the Airfield area, where the juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and 4 juvenile BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS remained, with two different juvenile LESSER YELLOWLEGS being present (on Lower Moors and Tresco Great Pool respectively), several Wrynecks, a Red-backed Shrike on Tresco and the odd mobile ORTOLAN BUNTING on St Mary's.

Record-breaking late September temperatures

2011-09-30T19:51:00.000+01:00

Temperatures in the south of Britain today reached a sweltering 82 degrees f - the hottest end of September temperatures since records began.........

Despite flying south between Whitley Bay (Northumberland) and Whitby (North Yorks) during yesterday, there has been no reports today of Aberdeenshire's adult Sandhill Crane. About 25 observers were lucky to intercept the bird yesterday as it made slow progress, although it did thwart many others by making the wrong turns......

With upwards now of 130 observers on Shetland, rarities being discovered there are increasing on a daily basis. Although the adult Lesser Grey Shrike and an Alpine Swift seen at Laxo have now moved on, and the Great Snipe of last night between North and South Voxter, today still saw the first-winter BLACK-HEADED BUNTING at Belmont House garden on Unst (and Bluethroat at Northdale, Red-backed Shrike at Haroldswick and Barred Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler and Common Rosefinch on the island), 3 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS briefly at Loch of Hixter and a Red-backed Shrike at Sumburgh Head, whilst juvenile PALLID HARRIERS included one on Fetlar near Wick of Gruting and two in the Quendale Burn area. Foula has NORTH AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT and BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, following a three-dayer juvenile YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING during the week.

Compare this with the 16 or so observers now on Scilly, enjoying 4 juvenile BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS, a juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and a GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK on the Airfield, the juvenile LESSER YELLOWLEGS on Porthmellon Beach, a juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPER on Lower Moors, a scattering of 4 WRYNECKS and a mobile BLACK KITE on St Mary's. Tresco still has 6 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS.

GLOSSY IBISES are arriving on cue, with singles today on the Ogmore Estuary in Glamorgan on the pond by the Watermill public house and at Priory Marsh, Stanpit, in Christchurch Harbour (Dorset). Two GREAT WHITE EGRETS have also been moving along the South Coast, today flying over Pennington Marshes (Hampshire).

A couple of LITTLE BUNTINGS were trapped and ringed today on Lundy Island (North Devon) and Spurn Point (East Yorks) respectively, with a HOOPOE at Stonebarrow Hill, east of Charmouth (Devon) (SY 384 933) and a RED-BACKED SHRIKE remaining at Lodmoor (Dorset).

A juvenile PALLID HARRIER has been performing well in Somerset for a third day, 3 miles NE of Cheddar at Black Down, west of the trig point at ST 485 572, whilst a BLACK KITE still remains in the Drift Reservoir area (West Cornwall).

Juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS remaining include singles on the Ythan Estuary (Aberdeenshire) (at the north end, near the fishing cabins), Lower Pennington Marshes (Hampshire) (on the Jetty Lagoon) and on the Axe Estuary at Coronation Corner, Seaton (South Devon), with a lingering BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER on the Isle of Sheppey at Elmley Marshes RSPB (North Kent) and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS at Grove Ferry (Kent), Hornsea Mere (East Yorks), Marazion (West Cornwall), Weir Wood Reservoir (Sussex) and Saltholme Pools (Cleveland). Both BUFF-BREAST and PEC are to be found in Cumbria, NE of Arnside on the Kent Estuary at Carr Bank, whilst a LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER remains for a second day at Freiston Shore RSPB (Lincs). New in today was a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER on Musselburgh Lagoons (Lothian) and 2 DOTTERELS at Polgigga (West Cornwall)..

The long-staying juvenile AMERICAN BLACK TERN continues to show well for admirers at Covenham Reservoir (North Lincs), with a GREAT WHITE EGRET at Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB (Cheshire), a drake FERRUGINOUS DUCK in the Walgrave Arm of Pitsford Reservoir (Northants) and a flock of 28 SPOONBILLS on Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour (Dorset). In Scotland, the drake AMERICAN BLACK SCOTER remains off Blackdog Beach (Aberdeenshire).

In IRELAND, reports today included that of the juvenile SEMIPALMATED PLOVER in Ventry Bay (Co. Kerry), the juvenile LEAST SANDPIPER at Carrahane Strand (Co. Kerry), two adult WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS on The Mullet at Blacksod (Co. Mayo) on Trawmore Beach and a juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER at Cromane (Co. Kerry) (the latter the latest in over 50 individuals discovered this autumn)

Aberdeenshire SANDHILL CRANE is on the move southwards..........

2011-09-29T09:43:00.001+01:00

Adult Sandhill Crane, Strathbeg RSPB, Aberdeenshire, September 2011 (Ron Marshall)

The adult SANDHILL CRANE that spent much of last week in Aberdeenshire at Loch of Strathbeg RSPB is now on the move southwards. It is continuing down the Northumberland coast as I write, flying over the Ash Lagoons at Newbiggin at 0908 and drifting slowly SW over Blyth not long thereafter

With a light southeasterly breeze blowing, it may well head inland from South Gare rather than continue along the Yorkshire coast if it continues to make headway rather than stopping off to feed or rest

This may well be the first opportunity to see this species in North Norfolk if it decides to follow an easterly route or on Scilly or over Portland Bill if it decides on a more westerly direction. Either way, could be a pretty exciting next few weeks trying to second-guess its next outposts !

And a LEAST SANDPIPER in close-up

2011-09-27T14:08:00.002+01:00

See http://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/naturelatest/pics11/Larry-Dalziel-IMG_5669-ss1.jpg

This juvenile has now been present on Foula (Shetland) for over a week. The island now lays claim to a juvenile YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING - a very rare vagrant in Britain these days......

RED-EYED VIREO on Barra

2011-09-27T13:08:00.002+01:00

John Bell obtained this image at Breivig on Barra as the bird was trapped and ringed

LEAST SANDPIPER in KERRY - an interesting individual (by CIARAN CRONIN)

2011-09-27T12:56:00.001+01:00

I need to learn a bit more about these guys, and have no experience of either lLEAST SANDPIPER or LONG-TOED STINT. While I'm pretty happy with the identification as a LEAST SANDPIPER, I'd like to raise a couple of points out of interest.
1) The bird shows very clearly that the dark crown extends to the bill base,breaking the supercilium - supposedly a feature for Long toed.

2) It also shows whitish fringed wing coverts contrasting somewhat with rufous edged scapulars - again apparently a feature for long toed.

3) The call, heard a number of times this morning was clearly a monosyllabic sound, which I rendered as 'prit' - not similar to other descriptions read.

4) In flight there appeared to be a hint of toes projecting beyond tail, although this was very difficult to be sure of - if present a feature for Long toed.

The bill is clearly solidly dark, including base of lower mandible - a LEAST feature. The shape did not remind me of Wood Sandpiper, rather a small furtive Temminck's Stint, and the tibiae did not seem particularly long.

On balance, I'm quite happy that the bird is indeed a Least Sandpiper, particularly on shape, leg length and bill colour. An absolutely superb find, and a truly fantastic bird. However, I thought it worthwhile raising these features so I can be educated, and just as a reminder that the features may not be as consistent as we would like, and the books might suggest!

Might have some better shots later when I learn how to use my camera - dashing out the door now into a lovely, wonderfully misty Galley Head!!!

Ciaran Cronin

Southerly winds set for the week.........

2011-09-27T11:54:00.000+01:00

This week is said to be dominated by warm southerly winds - in fact hinting at ''Indian Summer'' conditions, with temperatures expected to climb to a sweltering 84 degrees by Friday !

It has been Nearctic waders continuing to make the headlines - and none so newsworthy as BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS. Killian Mullarney recorded an incredible 26 birds at the East End of Tacumshin wetlands (County Wexford) yesterday, increasing by 3 the previous day's record totals. This joins the 40 or more seen in Britain in recent weeks, those still around including juveniles on St Mary's Airfield, St Mary's (Scilly) (still 4 of the original 8 remaining), Sennen (West Cornwall) (2 birds), Slimbridge Dumbles (Gloucs), Carr Bank, Arnside (Lancs), Bornish, South Uist (Outer Hebrides) (2 birds), North Ronaldsay (Orkney) and at Eshaness (Shetland). Ricard Guttierez also informed me of an exceptional 11 birds in the Ebro Delta, Tarrragona, SPAIN, whilst at least 35 have appeared elsewhere in the WP in the past month)

The juvenile SOLITARY SANDPIPER still remains on Lower Moors, St Mary's (now with the juvenile LESSER YELLOWLEGS in tow), whilst further juvenile LESSER YELLOWLEGS include singles at Drift Reservoir and on the Tresilian River at Tresemple Pool (SW 853 439) at Truro (West Cornwall) and ENE of Glasson (Lancs) on the south side of the Lune Estuary at the mouth of the River Conder.

It has also been a record year for SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS with juveniles at Saarasta Beach, Northton (Harris, Outer Hebrides), Slimbridge Dumbles (Gloucs) and Lower Pennington Marshes (Hampshire) (following another at Cliffe Pools Flamingo Pool, Kent, on Sunday), whilst current SPOTTED SANDPIPERS include an adult at Chew Valley lake Herriott's Bridge (Avon) and juveniles at Lydney Harbour (Gloucs) and at the north end of the Plym Estuary, Marsh Mills, Plymouth (South Devon). At least 15 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS also remain around the country none so entertaining nor approachable as the ridiculously tame juvenile on Crookham Common Pools, Greenham Common (Berkshire). AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS include a juvenile on St Mary's (Scilly) and an adult in Gwent at West Usk, with two juveniles together on Barra (Outer Hebrides), whilst the two juvenile LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS remain respectively at Baron's Haugh RSPB (Clyde) and at the southern (Carnmenellis) causeway at Stithians Reservoir (Cornwall)..

As is usual in late September, all attention focuses on the Isles of Scilly and on the Northern Isles. Thus far it has been Scilly's swing, following the succession of East Coast USA hurricanes, although now the only showstopper left being the slightly-more showy NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH on the newly created Higginson Pool at Lower Moors. A RED-EYED VIREO also remains in tamarisks in this area. Other than rare waders and the two former-mentioned ;'stars', the archipelago harbours an ORTOLAN BUNTING at the north end of the island near Maypole, the odd WRYNECK, a long-staying first-summer WOODCHAT SHRIKE by the airport terminal buildings and a very elusive ICTERINE WARBLER in Lower Moors.

At the opposite end of the country, and following the departure SOUTHBOUND of the weekend's adult SANDHILL CRANE from Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) yesterday morning, John Bell and others have the RED-EYED VIREO on Barra at Breivig and the 90 or so twitchers/birdfinders currently scouring Shetland have thus far amassed an adult LESSER GREY SHRIKE SE of Laxo, a RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER, several NORTHWESTERN REDPOLLS and a usual scattering of Common Rosefinches, Yellow-browed Warblers and Barred Warblers. North Ronaldsay has certainly been scoring points and featuring prominently this autumn, both a NORTH AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT and first-winter CITRINE WAGTAIL remaining yesterday (as well as a GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK, PEC SAND and commoner scarce passage migrants), whilst the observers on Fair Isle are still watching LITTLE BUNTING, CITRINE WAGTAIL, MELODIOUS WARBLER, ROSE-COLOURED STARLING and GREAT GREY SHRIKE.

The record influx of juvenile PALLID HARRIERS continues unabated with at least one still on Shetland Mainland quartering the Hillwell area, another on North Ronaldsay, the richly-coloured bird by the hide at The Loons RSPB reserve on Orkney Mainland, the bird on Mull at Fidden (Argyll) and the very popular bird hunting the game strip every two hours just NNE of Burpham village near Arundel (West Sussex).

SABINE'S GULLS left over from the 'wreck' include the two brother or sister combination at Sturt Pond, Milford-on-Sea (Hampshire) and two juveniles off Exmouth Beach (South Devon), whilst the very distinct adult AZOREAN-TYPE ATLANTIC GULL continues to roost each evening at Stewartby Lake (Bedfordshire). In North Lincolnshire, the juvenile NORTH AMERICAN BLACK TERN continued to afford excellent views.

A juvenile ROSE-COLOURED STARLING is also at Fidden on Mull (Argyll), with about 10 WRYNECKS scattered about the country, an exceptional juvenile BARRED WARBLER in East India Dock (Central London) yesterday and juvenile RED-BACKED SHRIKES at Frinton-on-Sea (Essex), Lodmoor (Dorset) and Sharkham Point (South Devon).

At least one BLACK KITE remains in West Cornwall, frequenting the Polgigga area, but EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARDS continue to be particularly few in number.

IRELAND has seen some of its most entertaining and productive birding in its history this autumn with an outstanding list of rare waders to its name: the juvenile SEMIPALMATED PLOVER remained at Ventry Harbour, WSW of Dingle (Co. Kerry) until 1040 hours yesterday morning whilst nearby, a confiding LEAST SANDPIPER crawled about the tidal dykes and ditches at Carrahane Strand (Co. Kerry). Juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS include up to four together at Sruhill Lough, Achill Island (Co. Mayo), two at Tacumshin (Co. Wexford) and at Ballinskelligs (Co. Kerry) of no less than 36 recorded this autumn, with AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS at Portagovie/Kirkistown (Co. Down) and Black Rock Strand (Co. Kerry). An adult BONAPARTE'S GULL remains at Blennerville Marsh. Many BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS are still to be found too and most likely the HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL at Mizen Head (Co Cork).

And contrary to a previous comment of mine, the INDIAN HOUSE CROW is still in Cobh Harbour (Co. Cork) and not stowed away to Cyprus !!

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS at Tacumshin - Killian makes it 26 !!

2011-09-27T10:16:00.000+01:00

Having spent a good part of yesterday birding at Tacumshin I was surprised by the apparent absence of Buff-breasts at any of the spots they normally tend to be found. It wasn't until I was heading back to the east end in the late afternoon that I first glimpsed the flock, circling around in the distance almost above the east end channel. It was clearly a substantial flock, but when I got a bit closer and scanned the area I could see only six birds, the rest presumably being hidden in a dense swathe of Sea Aster. After a while three more emerged into view, but it wasn't until something spooked them that another bunch suddenly jumped up from the back of the Aster and joined the nine out front. I counted carefully (there were some Ringed Plover and a Dunlin or two among them) and reached a total of 22 birds, including one with an injured leg; all were juveniles. Then a single bird flew in from the left and joined them, so it seemed that the full complement of the previous day's record flock of 23 was still present.Within a minute or two they started to spread out, with the majority melting back into the Aster to become invisible again. I hoped they might all get up once more, as it was when they were in the air that the size of the flock was most impressive. After about 15 minutes they suddenly took off and flew directly away, toward the east end pool, before banking right over Sigginstown island and then turning back, passing me at very close range before they disappeared westwards, against the sun. I took a series of photos as they did so, the last few being a hopeless blur.

It wasn't until late last night that I had a chance to check the photos. I must have missed a few birds when I counted them on the deck as when I exclude the single Dunlin and two Ringed Plovers in their midst, the total number of Buff-breasts in the photos is 26!

With the addition of two Semipalmated Sandpipers, a White-rumped and an American Golden Plover the number of American waders present at Tacumshin yesterday was at least 31 birds. Kerry has had the quality in the past few days, but Tacumshin has the quantity!

Killian Mullarney

BUFF-BREAST gathering breaks new record

2011-09-25T20:10:00.000+01:00

Although Tacumshane Lake in County Wexford, SE Ireland, is undoubtedly one of the best birding sites in Britain and Ireland, mainly because of the quality of the habitat and its vast expanse, today saw no less than 23 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS counted - the largest congregation ever recorded on this side of the Atlantic. The previous record was of 16 individuals on St Mary's, Scilly, in September 1976.

Most likely due to the succession of Tropical Storms or hurricanes tracking NE along the Eastern Seaboard and out to sea during the past few weeks, both Britain and Ireland are experiencing one of the best autumns for Nearctic waders for decades with impressive numbers of up to 14 species being recorded - including normally much scarcer species such as Least Sandpiper, Hudsonian Whimbrel, Greater Yellowlegs and Semipalmated Plover. Never has there been a better time to find that WILLET.........

Digitalwildlife.co.uk - Superb images by RICHARD FORD

2011-09-24T23:25:00.002+01:00

The Burpham juvenile PALLID HARRIER - see much more of Richard Ford's excellent work at www.Digitalwildlife.co.uk

The Year of the PALLID HARRIER

2011-09-24T23:10:00.005+01:00

......And the most watched and photographed of them all - the juvenile in the Burpham area of West Sussex (Richard Ford)

The juvenile that spent two days in Essex at St Osyth Marshes and Colne Point (Stephen Allen)

No less than 3 different juvenile PALLID HARRIERS have reached Shetland this autumn, including this splendid individual in the Hillwell area captured beautifully on film by Dougie Preston

Grafham Water's Double-Bill

2011-09-24T22:59:00.004+01:00

Mike Lawrence was able to savour the delights of both the adult SABINE'S GULL and first-winter GREY PHALAROPE as they fed literally just inches from each other on Grafham Water's dam all last week

WEST CORNWALL did well too

2011-09-24T22:53:00.002+01:00

Penwith birder BRIAN FIELD managed these beautiful images of Drift Reservoir's recent juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS.........

The Star of the Scilly show - bah humbug !

2011-09-24T22:50:00.001+01:00

Ashley Powell captured the Lower Moors first-winter female BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER in bright sunlight.......shame it did such a premature departure

Scilly's Purple Patch

2011-09-24T22:44:00.002+01:00

Robin Mawer has been kept busy during the past week photographing rarity after rarity as it appeared on St Mary's - the Newford Duck Pond SOLITARY SANDPIPER and BLUE-WINGED TEAL, Borough Farm BEE-EATER and Garrison BALTIMORE ORIOLE.....

Pennington BAIRD'S SANDPIPER

2011-09-24T22:42:00.001+01:00

The recent juvenile BAIRD'S SANDPIPER on the Fishtail Lagoon at Pennington Marshes in Hampshire (Simon Knight)

2011-09-24T22:36:00.002+01:00

This very confiding juvenile AMERICAN BLACK TERN was still present at Covenham Reservoir today
- this species becoming virtually annual in recent years. Graham Catley obtained these excellent flight shots.

Nearctic beach plover lay undetected in West Ireland

2011-09-24T22:18:00.000+01:00

Dan Brown and other members of the so-called ''Punkbirder'' crew fully clinched the identification of a juvenile SEMIPALMATED PLOVER in west IRELAND today 4.5 miles WSW of Dingle (County Kerry) at the south end of Ventry Harbour on the beach just north of the southern stream mouth. The bird was showing very well and was photographed this afternoon by Michael O'Keefe and was also seen by a number of Kerry birders including Maurice Hanafin and Jill Crosher.(information per Ed Carty).

Rare Nearctic waders continue to dominate the IRISH headlines with a bag of juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS still to be seen, including two at Tacumshin (Co. Wexford) and two at Blennerville Marsh (Co. Kerry), as well as numerous BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS (4 at Tacumshin still, another 4 between Newbridge and Kildare amongst European Golden Plovers on Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare, and 2 at Truska Marsh, Ballyconneelly, Co. Galway), a juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER (and juvenile Dotterel) at Truska Marsh and the HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL still at Mizen Head (Co. Cork). Other highlights include the continuing juvenile PALLID HARRIER at Tacumshin and a female BLUE-WINGED TEAL at Inch Lake on Lough Swilly (Co. Donegal).

On the Isles of Scilly today, the NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH commuted between the St Mary's Dump Clump Project Pool and the main Lower Moors pools in front of the ISBG hide but was always very elusive, whilst the juvenile SOLITARY SANDPIPER remained at the Project Pool, just one BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER on the Airfield, the first-summer WOODCHAT SHRIKE by the Airfield and an ORTOLAN BUNTING there also. The Black-and-White Warbler and Baltimore Oriole departed midweek.

In the far Northwest, on the Outer Hebrides, Barra's RED-EYED VIREO was trapped and ringed today at Brevig.

As well as in Ireland, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS and other Nearctic waders appeared in numbers in Britain today with new juvenile SEMI-P's being discovered in South Devon (on the Axe Estuary north of Seaton at Black Hole Marsh) and in Hampshire (at Pennington Marshes' Shoveler Pond), an adult SPOTTED SANDPIPER on the Herriott's Bridge causeway at Chew Valley Lake (Avon) and a juvenile LESSER YELLOWLEGS ENE of Glasson (Lancs) on the south side of the Lune Estuary at the mouth of the River Conder (at SO 454 562) (both LESSER YELLOWLEGS remained in West Cornwall, at Drift Reservoir and Tresilian River, Truro, respectively, and the juvenile SPOTTED SANDPIPERS at the north end of the Plym Estuary in Plymouth, South Devon, and at Lydney, Gloucs). A sprinkling of BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS included the Thornwick Bay, Flamborough (East Yorks), bird again, whilst an adult AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was to be seen at Uskmouth Lighthouse (Gwent) and a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER at Llanrhidian Marsh. Both juvenile LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS remain at Baron's Haigh RSPB (Clyde) and Stithians Reservoir (Cornwall) respectively

The deluge of juvenile PALLID HARRIERS continues, breaking all previous records, with a new bird at Cliffe Pools RSPN (North Kent) this afternoon joining at least two different birds on Shetland, a confiding bird at The Loons RSPB (Orkney), another on Mull (Argyll) at Fidden, Moss and the most observed of all still just NNE of Burpham (West Sussex) at The Burgh already on the list.

The light SE winds this afternoon bought in a nice ARCTIC WARBLER to the East Coast - showing well in bushes and scrub ENE of the boardwalk at Burnham Overy Dunes (North Norfolk) - whilst on Shetland, the GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH at West manse garden, Fetlar, replaced the attraction of yesterday's South Mainland Swainson's Thrush on the archipelago.

Over 40 twitchers made the long trip north to Aberdeenshire overnight and were rewarded with early morning views of the adult SANDHILL CRANE at Strathbeg RSPB, the bird continuing to show throughout the day until it decided to fly south at 1613 hours. Not that far away to the south, the adult drake NORTH AMERICAN BLACK SCOTER remained with Common Scoter off Murcar Beach.

The juvenile AMERICAN BLACK TERN continues at Covenham Reservoir in North Lincolnshire, with both juvenile SABINE'S GULLS still lingering at Sturt Pond, Milford-on-Sea (Dorset) (the long-staying adult at Grafham Water, Cambs, departed this morning).

Many Yellow-browed Warblers are now moving through Shetland, along with Common Rosefinches and the odd Barred Warbler, whilst at least 1 AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT and 1 CITRINE WAGTAIL remain on North Ronaldsay (Orkney). A GREAT SNIPE is still lingering on Fair Isle. A juvenile ROSE-COLOURED STARLING is at Land's End (West Cornwall), whilst juvenile RED-BACKED SHRIKES are appearing in small numbers (with singles on Tresco, Scilly, and at Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, Kings Hall at Herne Bay, East Kent and in Dorset) and WRYNECKS with more frequency than in recent weeks.

Bedfordshire's apparent adult AZOREAN ATLANTIC GULL failed to appear in the Stewartby lake roost this evening, perhaps due to the increase in water ski-ing and speedboat racing today.

Also intriguingly, there was no sign of Cobh's INDIAN HOUSE CROW today; Dave Carter found and photographed the first-ever on Cyprus on Thursday !

AZOREAN ATLANTIC-TYPE GULL at Stewartby Lake

2011-09-24T20:39:00.004+01:00

Martin Palmer obtained these flight record images of the Stewartby Lake bird on Thursday evening.

The bird did not appear in the roost this evening - just two adult CASPIAN GULLS.....

AZOREAN ATLANTIC GULLS - a gallery of November adults

2011-09-24T20:31:00.003+01:00

Richard Bonser has very kindly emailed me these images taken of adult AZOREAN ATLANTIC GULLS in the Azorean archipelago in November.

These three individuals show how variable the head streaking can be. You can see the rather heavy appearance of this species with proportionally shorter legs than michahellis, and the much paler iris than a typical michahellis. There is a substantial amount of black in the outer primaries, more so than in michahellis (though P4 is meant to often show a subterminal band but obviously there's no spread wing shots here). Also interesting to note how dark the mantle colour is compared to the LBB Gull in the lower shot.

The current Bedfordshire bird does share some of the characteristics apparent in these images, although the leg colour is very different (much duller).

420 could be reached by October.......

2011-09-23T23:08:00.000+01:00

With the addition of GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH today from Fetlar (Shetland), the total number of species recorded in Britain and Ireland this year has now risen to 418 species - just 21 shy of last year's total

AZOREAN ATLANTIC-TYPE GULL still present

2011-09-23T22:17:00.000+01:00

FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER

STEWARTBY LAKE AND ENVIRONS (BEDFORDSHIRE)

After obtaining reasonable views of the Atlantis-type gull in ploughed fields north of the new bypass this afternoon, I returned this evening to see it roosting.....

Just 14 observers turned out this evening - mostly Beds locals but also including Howard Joliffe from Essex and John Lees from Sussex. The bird was located by Allan Stewart at 1855 hours and roosted until dusk - part of an assembled group of about 1,700 large gulls, which included at least 22 YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS (13 adults, 4 2nd-winters and 4 first-winters), 27 Great Black-backed Gulls (mostly adults) and 56 Herring-types; just 2 Common Gulls were amongst the throng. There was also an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull with a very heavily streaked head.

The subject bird was almost certainly the bird that visited Oxfordshire two years ago, now in full adult plumage. It is as distinctive now as it was then, typified by its very noticeable hood (darkest in saturation on the ear-coverts and crown-sides), the prominent pearly-white iris, the distinct bluish cast to the grey upperparts, gleaming white underparts, thick bill and short washed-out creamy-yellow legs. Interestingly, despite now being adult, the bill pattern is largely the same - insepid greyish-green at the base and pale orange at the tip and blackish in the middle. It is also a particularly sturdy and large individual.

In every respect the bird appears to be an AZOREAN ATLANTIC GULL but recent correspondence I have received from Daniel Velasco, a good birding friend from Spain, has placed grave doubts about the authenticity of these type individuals. Daniel has spent a lot of time in recent years studying the large white-headed gulls that occur in the Cantabric and Northwest Atlantic coasts of Spain and his findings make very interesting reading. The presence of Yellow-legged Gulls with extensive dark grey hoods are not that unusual and begs the question of what is actually occurring in this region. Although there are several key features that do separate the Oxon/Beds individual from those that Dani has highlighted below, it really does raise the prospect of confident identification - a few links to images below

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3114/2920168504_3c8191c010_o.jpg
http://es.groups.yahoo.com/group/galiciaves/attachments/folder/1192979208/item/1921112256/view
http://sgosgo.org/fotos.asp?id_fotos=1582
http://sgosgo.org/fotos.asp?id_fotos=1581
http://sgosgo.org/fotos.asp?id_fotos=1558
http://sgosgo.org/fotos.asp?id_fotos=1557
http://sgosgo.org/fotos.asp?id_fotos=2065
http://sgosgo.org/fotos.asp?id_fotos=2066
http://sgosgo.org/fotos.asp?id_fotos=1947
http://sgosgo.org/fotos.asp?id_fotos=1946
http://sgosgo.org/fotos.asp?id_fotos=2071
http://sgosgo.org/fotos.asp?id_fotos=2072
http://sgosgo.org/fotos.asp?id_fotos=2106
http://sgosgo.org/fotos.asp?id_fotos=2171
http://sgosgo.org/fotos.asp?id_fotos=2154
http://sgosgo.org/fotos.asp?id_fotos=2136

The propensity of so many birds of this appearance on the west coast of Iberia is truly perplexing, not least because winter-plumaged Yellow-legged Gulls on Madeira and the Canary Islands do not show such dark head streaking but white heads like most michahellis. The majority of Cantabric gulls relate to Yellow-leggeds of the form lusitanicus, which are darker, smaller and slightly more streaked on the head in winter and also importantly, frequently have a single white mirror on p10 (see montage at http://gaviotasyanillas.blogspot.com/)

Dani informs me that hybridisation between Yellow-legged Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull in Galicia is commonplace, making him ponder about the appearance of these 'atlantis lookalikes', but it also seems likely that a cline exists between atlantis and lusitanicus and that perhaps explains the anomalies. Pure Azorean Atlantic Gull is essentially a saltwater gull and preliminary studies in the Azores of birds of all ages have shown little evidence of northward migration or displacement.

AZOREAN GULL in BEDFORDSHIRE

2011-09-22T22:02:00.001+01:00

An adult AZOREAN-TYPE YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (Larus atlantis azorea) is present for its second day at Stewartby Lake in Bedfordshire. It flew in to roost at about 1830 hours and remained until dusk, roosting amongst just over 3,000 other large gulls. It was found by local birder Steve Blain - a number of images of the bird being displayed on his blog site.

Stewartby Lake is easily accessed from the new A507 bypass now stretching from the A1 to the M1, the gull watchpoint site being at the north end and just 50 yards walk from the cul-de-sac

This is only the eighth record for Britain of this species mainly confined to the Azorean islands

SANDHILL CRANE anniversary

2011-09-22T19:55:00.001+01:00

An apparent adult SANDHILL CRANE (see Joseph Nichols superb shot above), perhaps the bird of Orkney of two Septembers ago, appeared in front of two photographer's eyes today at around 1500 hours - distantly from the Starnafin Centre hide at Loch of Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) at the Low Ground. Interestingly, its arrival coincided with the first real push of Pink-footed Geese this autumn, involving several thousand birds.

Warden Dominic Funnell was quick to hear of the sighting and relocated the bird after a lot of effort. Once the identification had been established, Dominic 'phoned Birdline Scotland (07968 700234) and immediately news of the bird was broadcast.

The bird remained at Savoch Low Grounds for about 45 minutes before it flew off low into fields around the village of St Combs and Cairnbulg - where it was still present until at least 1915 hours, presumably settling down for an overnight roost. Both locals Pauline Johnson and Ken Jack managed to obtain some decent images of the bird and these can be viewed on the official RSPB Strathbeg blogsite

This record follows reports of a Sandhill Crane in Lothian last Friday and records of a vagrant this autumn in the Baltic States

Meanwhile, on Shetland South Mainland, a confiding SWAINSON'S THRUSH remains for a second day in gardens of the Dalsetter Croft - presumably another bird displaced by the recent deep Atlantic depressions.

On North Ronaldsay (Orkney), whilst there is no sign of the sub-adult Lesser Kestrel which sheltered on Tuesday and Wednesday on the island today, two NORTH AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPITS were discovered - both feeding together this afternoon (per Paul Brown), whilst two first-winter CITRINE WAGTAILS remain.

Furthermore, two entripid Barra (Outer Hebrides) autumn regulars discovered a RED-EYED VIREO today in Creachan - the second of this species to be found in Britain this autumn - whilst in Argyll, a BLYTH'S REED WARBLER continues on Tiree......

Images of LONG-TOED STINT

2011-09-21T21:52:00.000+01:00

Double click the link http://www.flickr.com/photos/sinlw/6169991460/in/photostream to view

A very very distant LONG-TOED STINT in SUSSEX

2011-09-21T21:44:00.000+01:00

Pete Johnson came upon a small stint at Weir Wood Reservoir last Thursday and immediately phoned Garry Bagnell, who happened to be out-of-county trying to locate a Long-tailed Skua at Dungeness. As Garry was unable to get there, he contacted Jacob Everitt and Nigel Driver who both travelled down to check it out. The problem of course, as with the recent adult summer Little Stint occurrence there, was the range that this particular bird was feeding - beyond the rafts north out from the car park. After much discussion, it was eventually agreed that the bird was a Temminck's Stint and news to this effect was subsequently broadcast. Jacob however, was not convinced, but a lack of experience with the rarer species it could be meant that it he went 'with the flow'. The bird remained throughout the weekend and into this week but never came close.

As I happened to be visiting Sussex for my first-ever Pallid Harrier in that county, I decided to stop off at Weir Wood on my way back home to Buckinghamshire. Initially I failed in my quest to locate the bird - only a flock of 15 Dunlin and 8 Ringed Plovers - but after a prolonged effort, I eventually tracked it down - but at great distance. However, having had experience of reidentifying numerous Temminck's Stints in the UK, especially in autumn, I was not too surprised when I set eyes on this one. This was no Temminck's Stint but something much more interesting........

It was a very tiny stint with a characteristic feeding action - distinctly front-heavy and feeding at a 45 degree angle - much in the same way as a Wilson's Phalarope. It was particularly lethargic and slow-feeding and was closely hugging the mud. It had a nice rufous tint to the crown, a marked gorget of breast-streaking, a prominent eye-stripe (often appearing forked) and no obvious projection beyond the tail. It was too far away to see any critical patterning on the head but was gleaming white below on the lower underparts. Everything pointed towards it being either a LEAST SANDPIPER or LONG-TOED STINT. I immediately contacted Jake, Ian Barnard, Paul Marten, Garry Bagnell and other Sussex birders and within half an hour, eight of them joined me. Frustratingly, the light soon went and the bird wandered into an area of vegetation and became even more difficult to see.

All of the time I was worried about the length of the tibia (noticeably long) and its habit of strangely lifting its head and peering around (giving a long-necked appearance). I was also worried about the lack of primary projection, as well as the apparent dark underwing in flight I also heard it call at one stage as it flushed - a trilling call not that dissimilar to a Pectoral Sandpiper. There was a chance that it was a LONG-TOED STINT. I contacted a very experienced friend for backup and he kindly agreed to visit today.

When the Coopers and other Sussex birders confirmed that the bird was still present this morning, arrangements were made to finally nail the identification. The bird was videoed and the presence of pale greyish-green legs long in the tibia, dark lores, fine breast-side streaking and an isolated cheek/ear covert spot confirmed my suspicions that it was a LONG-TOED STINT after all - the first to be recorded in Sussex. This news was immediately broadcast on Birdline South East and consequently on the pager services. A total of 95 birders connected before nightfall.

IMPORTANT FACTORS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION

This bird can be seen from the main car park and hide at the west end of Weir Wood Reservoir situated about 300 yards along Legsheath Lane from Grinstead Lane at TQ 384 341. There is room for about 20 vehicles here. Parking may also take place on the neighbouring verges but be very careful of hidden ditches. Frustratingly, the bird is only visible at vast range - about 400 yards at the least - so be fully prepared for your worst-ever views of a new British bird if you travel for it. It is also hugging the mud and the short vegetation close to the inlet stream and can be very camouflaged and difficult to find.

THERE IS STRICTLY NO ACCESS TO THE RESERVOIR from this point onwards and anyone doing so will be named and shamed. Information has been released on the proviso that twitching birders are on their best behaviour and local marshals will be on site to watch over proceedings. The reservoir is extremely low at present and hence why the viewing facilities are so poor but if some sort of closer access can be arranged, it will be widely broadcast. Please adhere to these instructions even though you may feel cheated by the views obtained but this is a popular local patch with birders and I wish it to remain that way.

LONG-TOED STINT is a very rare vagrant in Britain and Ireland with very few records - the only really twitchable bird being a very confiding juvenile at Saltholme Pools (Cleveland) from 28 August to 1 September 1982. There is also an additional bird which remained briefly at Ballycotton Marsh (County Cork) on 15-16 June 1996

More American vagrants and another from the South or East

2011-09-20T22:18:00.001+01:00

Bob Flood walked into a BALTIMORE ORIOLE today as he ventured out on the Garrison on St Mary's. The bird, a first-winter female, was frequenting the bracken and scrub in the lower pig fields below the campsite at the Morning Point end of the Lower Broome Platform and was showing reasonably well. It was soon twitched by a myriad of day-trippers and remained in the same area for the rest of the day. Both the NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH and BLACK & WHITE WARBLER were also seen throughout the day, although the former performed much better early and late in the day.

At the opposite end of the country on North Ronaldsay (Orkney), a small falcon caused consternation and after being pinned down and photographed, was confirmed as Orkney's first-ever LESSER KESTREL (see Paul Brown's excellent image on the North Ronaldsay blogsite). It appeared to be in first-summer plumage.

Ireland's third HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL was excellently found by Paul Moore this morning in Cushlough Bay at Three Castles Head near Mizen Head (County Cork). It was occasionally present with Eurasian Curlews and was watched on and off during the afternoon.

HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL in IRELAND

2011-09-20T09:14:00.001+01:00

In County Cork this morning, a HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL has been identified at Three Castles Head near Mizen Head............

On Scilly, although nothing 'new' has been discovered, the package of current goodies is still present with the NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH this morning showing reasonably well in the area of the 'Project Pool', accessed through the Dump Clump on the Incinerator track

The GREATER YELLOWLEGS

2011-09-19T23:47:00.002+01:00

Ewan Urquhart obtained these two images of last Tuesday's GREATER YELLOWLEGS on the Camel Estuary in Cornwall. This difficult bird stayed just two days and the erratic behaviour it established ensured that just 65 birders were able to savour its appearance. It was frightened off on its second day by wildfowlers shooting.

Elusive WATERTHRUSH thwarts visiting twitchers

2011-09-19T22:51:00.000+01:00

On the Isles of Scilly, the NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH remains for its fourth day in Lower Moors, St Mary's, favouring the trackside vegetation and Sallows to the east of Shooter's Pool. Please be aware that this bird is highly elusive - for example being seen by just 10 of over 100 twitchers today - and that the track where it is is very muddy and slippery.

Just a few yards away is the much easier and more obliging first-winter female BLACK & WHITE WARBLER (also present for its third day) showing well intermittently in the Sallows and Willows in the vicinity of the second vegetated arch along the Trail from Airport Lane, whilst on the Garrison, the RED-EYED VIREO showed well today in pines and trees on the Lower Broome Platform.

Meanwhile, Newford's juvenile SOLITARY SANDPIPER has relocated to behind the ''Dump Clump'' onto the new ''Project Pool'' (take the pathway between the Incinerator and Carn Gwaval School and at the Clump, walk into the wood where the glove has been placed; turn left at the tree with the polythene wrapped around it and then cross the ditch to the new hide). Two juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPERS continue to commute between Porthellick and Lower Moors, whilst up to 4 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS and a juvenile DOTTEREL are on the Airfield..

There are two different WOODCHAT SHRIKES to be seen on St Mary's: the first-summer not far from the Airport terminal and the juvenile up on the Garrison

An extremely confiding juvenile BLUE-WINGED TEAL is now on Newford Duckpond (replacing the Solitary there) whilst the adult EUROPEAN BEE-EATER is often to be found nearby on the wires by Borough Farm.

An ORTOLAN BUNTING was seen on St Martin's along the coast path south of Lower Town Hotel, with a juvenile RED-BACKED SHRIKE on Tresco.

The juvenile BAIRD'S SANDPIPER remains on Periglis Beach, St Agnes, with up to 3 juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPERS on Tresco Abbey and Great Pools.

In neighbouring CORNWALL today, the selection of Nearctic waders therein continues to attract attention. Both the juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER and juvenile LESSER YELLOWLEGS remain at the west end of Drift Reservoir (with a Curlew Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank also thrown in for good measure) and the adult WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, juvenile BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER and TEMMINCK'S STINT at Davidstow Airfield. A further WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER has been at Devoran Creek, Truro, on recent high tides and a juvenile LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER remains from last Wednesday at the southern Carnmenellis Causeway at Stithians Reservoir.

Another juvenile LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER is to be found at Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve near Motherwell (Clyde), showing well from the Marsh Hide, whilst 2 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS arrived at Saltfleet Haven (North Lincs) in the Samphire beds on the beach and the long-staying juvenile remained on the beach by Traigh Golf Course near Mallaig (Highland Region); a further juvenile remains at Slimbridge WWT (Gloucs) on the Dumbles.. A PECTORAL SANDPIPER is at Back Saltholme Pool (Cleveland) and at Dungeness ARC Pit (Kent), with another on the 100-Acre Lake at Beddington Sewage Farm (Surrey) and the long-staying juvenile at Neatholme Scrape, Lound Idle Valley NR (Notts) and the two at Minsmere Scrape (Suffolk), whilst the TEMMINCK'S STINT remains distant at the west end of Weir Wood Reservoir (Sussex). An elusive and often very distant SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER is also still present on The Dumbles at Slimbridge WWT (Gloucs). The latter county also plays host to a juvenile SPOTTED SANDPIPER at Lydney, frequenting the mud to the south of the harbour at SO 642 011.

The first LEAST SANDPIPER in over 50 years in the Shetland archipelago remains at South Ness on Foula, where also a single BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER is to be seen

West Cornwall still plays host to at least two different BLACK KITES and after the thick fog lifted, both the Polgigga and Trewethy Common birds were seen in flight.

In North Lincolnshire, a juvenile NORTH AMERICAN BLACK TERN is present for a fourth day at Covenham Reservoir, sharing the site with two brightly-billed Red-necked Grebes. The tern is favouring the west bank of the reservoir by the Sailing Club and also commuting to neighbouring ploughed fields to feed. A juvenile Northern Gannet also flew over the reservoir this morning.

It has been an unprecedented past week for SABINE'S GULLS with west Ireland delivering exceptional numbers (see below) and West Cornwall also bagging at least 50 since last Monday. Left over from the displacement by Hurricanes Irene and Katria, the fabulous moulting summer adult continues to show to just 5 feet at the Grafham Water (Cambs) dam (today sharing algae feeding rights with a first-winter GREY PHALAROPE) whilst others remain at Newhaven West Beach (East Sussex) and by Sturt Pond, Milford-on-Sea (Hants). Also inland is a juvenile at Leadenham Tip (Lincs), where it is frequenting the pool viewed from Pottergate Road. Other straggling GREY PHALAROPES include a first-winter east of the Hook-with-Warsash LNR scrape on the Meander Pool (Hants) and another on the River Ribble at Preston (Lancs) visible from the bridge at SD 527 286, as well as at least two lingering in the Chesil Cove, Portland (Dorset). Another remains for its second day on the foreshore pool at West Usk Lighthouse, St Brides Wentlooge (Gwent).

The first wave of YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS is now apparent with at least 16 identified on Shetland and the odd other on Orkney, the Northern Isles also yielding a GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK on Unst at Skaw, a RED-BACKED SHRIKE on Unst and a cluster of Barred Warblers and Common Rosefinches at a number of locations.

Fair Isle trapped and ringed a BLYTH'S REED WARBLER today (where a BLUETHROAT and LITTLE BUNTING were also newly found and both GREAT GREY SHRIKE and GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK were still present, as well as CITRINE WAGTAIL and MELODIOUS WARBLER) whilst another was identified at Balephuil on Tiree (Argyll) and incredibly a third at North Garden, Bixter, on Shetland. Elsewhere, drift migrants are surprisingly few and far between, with a BARRED WARBLER in bushes on the Straight Lonnen, Holy Island (Northumberland)

Following a westward expansion into European Russia and Finland by breeding male PALLID HARRIERS, further apparent juveniles continue to arrive in Britain, with most recent being singles at Colne Point/St Osyth Marshes (Essex) and at The Burgh (West Sussex) following the three or more currently ranging over Shetland. Today saw another probable juvenile fly low north over Barns Ness (Lothian).

Ever-present GREAT WHITE EGRETS include single adults at Meare Heath (Somerset) and Denge Marsh, Dungeness RSPB (Kent) whilst the adult in North Bucks continues to be seen at Linford Nature Reserve. A CATTLE EGRET is at Wall Common Beach (Somerset).

Seawatching in East Anglia at the end of last week yielded two FEA'S SOFT-PLUMAGED PETRELS - one off Lowestoft North Denes (Suffolk) and then Sheringham (Norfolk) followed by another north past Frinton-on-Sea (Essex) - as well as a bumper number of GREAT and CORY'S SHEARWATERS for the North Sea.

On a relatively local basis, the male LAPLAND BUNTING continues to attract admirers and show remarkably well on the main causeway between the two Farmoor Reservoirs (Oxfordshire), whilat a first-year drake AMERICAN WIGEON continues on the main lake at Wellington GP in Herefordshire.

A party of 6 COMMON CRANES remains on arable farmland at Welney WWT (Norfolk)

IRELAND'S birdwatching fraternity have been concentrating on seawatching and wader-finding in recent times with Bridges of Ross (County Clare) breaking all records of SABINE'S GULLS. Not content with daily counts of between 400 and 700 birds for almost a week, one day peaked at an incredulous 859 individuals - the highest number ever recorded. Also associated were exceptional numbers of LONG-TAILED SKUAS at the site, whilst WILSON'S STORM PETRELS have almost been seen daily.

The adult WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER is still to be found at the eastern end of Lady's Island Lake (Co. Wexford) with another at Boora Lake, Lough Boora Parklands (Co. Offaly). An AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER is at Black Rock Strand (Co. Kerry), with a SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER still on the Muckross Estuary at Clonakilty (Co. Cork) and a WILSON'S PHALAROPE on the Douglas Estuary (Co. Cork). A single COMMON CRANE was on the North Slob (Co. Wexford) today.

Further comments on the demise of Scilly Birding

2011-09-19T09:22:00.001+01:00

Visiting numbers of birders to the Isles of Scilly in autumn has been in freefall since probably the best-ever year in October 1999. That particular autumn saw just under 5,000 individual birders either visit or twitch (remember one single day's package included Short-toed Eagle and both White's and Siberian Thrushes).

Incredibly, the following year saw a slump to about 700 people and in the following years in the noughties a dramatic fall. Since about 2008, there have been little more than 350 individuals visit between the end of August and first week of November - perhaps just 20% of these being old-timers or suitably qualified to locate rarities (compare this to about an average of 3,000 birders per October in the 1980's and 1990's and 65% qualititve observers)

Alex Lees is correct in his prognosis though and Adrian Kettle hints at other reasons for the decline. The facts are that the number of migrating birds is very much reduced in number to what they once were and the habitat on Scilly has very much turned for the worse and far less attractive to migrants. Take the number of Hippolais warblers now turning up annually in Scilly - a fraction of the numbers that once did - a situation mirrored by the Hippolais migrant capital of Portland Bill in Dorset. Furthermore, North American breeding species such as Dendroica Warblers and thrushes are now in steep decline and this too has a bearing on UK occurrences. Couple all of this with the drop in observer coverage and the number of rarities or scarce migrants found will be very much less.

The magic of Scilly has gone and its attraction to the UK's twitchers in this internet age of instant news dissemination has killed its appeal for most. Where once all of Britain's finest trampsed the well-worn muddy paths of Porthellick and Holy Vale, this has now been replaced by local patches in October or worst still just waiting at home. A few intrepids prefer the tranquility of Shetland or the Outer Hebrides in their quest for that dreamt-of find.

But yes Adrian - Barry's taking over and subsequent departure from the 'Cressa did have repercussions and relocation to the Scillonian Club has never had the same vibe or the room to accommodate us all. The constant stream of birders wanting to check out my daily log for sightings is now a far-distant memory. And prices - never been so high - £89 by boat or around £129 by air just to cover the 27 miles of sea to get there is one thing, but then £35-75 per night to stay and £8.40 per trip to visit an outlying island - and all of this before you get oneselves to Penzance. And eating is another matter - if you do find a restaurant willing to serve you, there will be little change from 20 notes for little better than a packed lunch.

But despite all of this, I am still mightily saddened by the demise in interest and really miss it from a personal view. There will always be very good birds to find and what we are seeing there at the moment is just a tiny fraction of what is almost certainly present there following all of the Atlantic gales. It was one place where experts and relative beginners could share a birding platform side by side and many relationships could bloom and prosper. It was a great place to serve your rarity apprenticeship and iron out the many teething problems we see today.

Best wishes

Lee Evans

The SCILLY blog

2011-09-18T23:38:00.001+01:00

To keep abreast of developments on Scilly this autumn and to review where and what is being seen, bookmark http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/

I have found this to be an excellent resource when investigating records from the archipelago

Succession of Tropical Storms really starting to pay dividends..........

2011-09-17T20:39:00.000+01:00

The Isles of Scilly has been at the forefront of British Birding for a very long time and today showed glimmers of previous golden days...........

A succession of deep Atlantic lows has really been reaping rewards over the past week or so, with waders being the major talking point, particularly Buff-breasted Sandpipers in bumper numbers - and Sabine's Gulls in record numbers

Today however, St Mary's played host to both a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH and first-winter female BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER in Lower Moors - the latter showing well on occasions in trees and bushes at the Airport Lane end of the Trail. The waterthrush was seen prior to 0700 hours and late yesterday evening in front of the Bird Club hide and was later relocated this afternoon not far away from the warbler. Both arrivals follow on from Scilly's earliest-ever RED-EYED VIREO - on the Garrison and Sallyport on Tuesday-Thursday of last week

A juvenile SOLITARY SANDPIPER continues to show down to just ten feet on Newford Duckpond, with two PECTORAL SANDPIPERS at Lower Moors and at least 4 of the recent 8 juvenile BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS on the Airfield. Long-stayers include the mobile EUROPEAN BEE-EATER and the juvenile WOODCHAT SHRIKE near the airfield.

With such quality birds so early and the predictions of more hurricanes and tropical storms to follow the same track, this sets to be a hugely eventful autumn. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Common Nighthawk must be on the cards !