Friday, 23 September 2011
420 could be reached by October.......
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
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.
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.
Thursday, 22 September 2011
AZOREAN GULL in BEDFORDSHIRE
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
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
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......
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......
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Images of LONG-TOED STINT
Double click the link http://www.flickr.com/photos/sinlw/6169991460/in/photostream to view
A very very distant LONG-TOED STINT in SUSSEX
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
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
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
More American vagrants and another from the South or East
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.
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
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
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
Monday, 19 September 2011
The GREATER YELLOWLEGS
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
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.
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
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
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
Sunday, 18 September 2011
The SCILLY blog
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
I have found this to be an excellent resource when investigating records from the archipelago
Saturday, 17 September 2011
Succession of Tropical Storms really starting to pay dividends..........
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 !
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 !
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Escaped Azure Tit in Buckinghamshire
An Azure Tit of presumably captive origin has been visiting a garden peanut feeder in Naphill hamlet, north of High Wycombe (Bucks) for three weeks now. The bird with its prominent yellow underparts, dusky cap and thick dark lores is sadly of the eastern form (flavipectus), often known as Yellow-breasted Tit, and considered by some authorities to be a separate species to Azure Tit. This form is very restricted in range, breeding in the Western Tien Shan and in northern Afghanistan and Pakistan, and is surprisingly common in captivity, even breeding successfully, especially on the near Continent.
I have attached a few of Adrian Kettle's images above on the website - taken today as it visited the feeder about once every 40 minutes.
I have attached a few of Adrian Kettle's images above on the website - taken today as it visited the feeder about once every 40 minutes.
Monday, 12 September 2011
in the aftermath of HURRICANE KATRIA
The remnants of Hurricane Katria, now classified as a Tropical Storm or just under, battered Scotland and the north of Ireland with winds up to 93 miles per hour today, bringing down trees and causing some structural damage to properties.......
In its wake, and over the preceding days since Irene swept up the Eastern Seaboard of North America, it has been Nearctic waders being displaced in numbers......
The icing on the cake of these is today's appearance of an adult GREATER YELLOWLEGS on the River Camel at Treravon Meadows, Wadebridge (Cornwall) - still largely in breeding plumage.
A juvenile LESSER YELLOWLEGS also arrived yesterday on Porthkillier Beach, St Agnes (Scilly), where today both it and the nearby juvenile Periglis Beach BAIRD'S SANDPIPER were showing well, whilst a juvenile SPOTTED SANDPIPER remains by the Plym Estuary at Blaxton Meadow (South Devon) and juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS at Chew Valley Lake (Avon) this afternoon.and at Patrington Haven (East Yorks) this evening.
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS have appeared in the largest numbers since the autumn of 1977, with a flock of 8 juveniles on the airfield at St Mary's (Scilly) and further birds at Davidstow Airfield (Cornwall) and on Brownsea Island (Dorset) - following 8 or more in the past week,
A total of 37 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS had already appeared in Britain prior to this weekend since 1 September but still being seen today were 2 at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk), 2 on Tresco (Scilly), 2 at Collingham Pits (Notts), 2 at Stithians Reservoir (Cornwall), 2 at Chew Valley lake (Avon), 3 at Drift Reservoir (Cornwall) and singles on Porthellick Pool, St Mary's (Scilly), Pitsford Reservoir (Northants) and Neatholme Scrape, Lound GP (Notts).
Just like during the October 1987 hurricane, large numbers of SABINE'S GULLS have been displaced from the Atlantic, with stranded birds inland at Belvide Reservoir (Staffs) (juvenile) and King George V Reservoir (Essex). An adult has now been present for several days off Heysham Harbour (Lancs) whilst others seen today included a juvenile at Avon Beach, Mudeford (Dorset), two juveniles at Stert Island, Burnham-on-Sea (Somerset), an adult past Felixstowe (Suffolk), a juvenile off Black Rock Sands (Gwynedd), a juvenile at Caerlaverock WWT (D & G), an adult past Sandwich Bay (Kent), a juvenile off Turnberry Point (Ayrshire), off Severn Beach and past Berrow (Somerset) and a juvenile off Mumbles Head, on the Gower (West Glamorgan).
BALEARIC SHEARWATERS have also been displaced into the English Channel with huge numbers recorded off of the coasts of Dorset and South Devon, whilst a WILSON'S STORM PETREL flew west past Pendeen Watchpoint (Cornwall) mid-morning. The latter site also produced the following in strong westerly winds: 7 SABINE'S GULLS, 12 GREAT SHEARWATERS and a LEACH'S PETREL
In what has been a record year for PALLID HARRIERS, both here and in Scandinavia, at least two individuals remain on Shetland, with juveniles still on Unst and in the Hillwell area of South Mainland. Roger Wyatt excelled by photographing a juvenile on the Oxfordshire Downs at Churn last week, whilst an adult male flew across the A1065 in front of observers in north Norfolk during the weekend.
Displaced Seabirds in the south today included up to 7 NORTHERN FULMARS (5 were seen flying upstream at Lydney, Gloucs), several GREAT SKUAS, several NORTHERN GANNETS (including an adult at Draycote Water). GREY PHALAROPES also got swept inland with single first-winters at Ashworth Moor Reservoir (Greater Manchester), Grafham Water (Cambs) and Queen Mother Reservoir (Berkshire) as well as at coastal sites such as Portbury Wharf (Somerset), the Chesil Beach (Dorset), Ferrybridge (Dorset), at South Milton Ley (Devon) and on the Fishtail Lagoon at Keyhaven/Pennington Marshes (Hampshire)
In North Norfolk, a juvenile LITTLE BITTERN has been showing off and on at Titchwell RSPB Reserve since first being sighted on Thursday, favouring the first patch of reeds to the right of the footpath about 200 yards north of the Information Centre. In North Buckinghamshire, the adult GREAT WHITE EGRET remains at Linford Nature Reserve.
Two AQUATIC WARBLERS remain on St Agnes (Scilly), skulking in reeds and poolside vegetation at the Big Pool by Periglis Beach, whilst elsewhere on the archipelago, two WOODCHAT SHRIKES remain on St Mary's - a first-summer close to the airport and a juvenile between the Campsite and Holly Cottage on The Garrison. At the opposite end of the UK, Fetlar (Shetland) hosted a WESTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER at Legarth today.
For the second autumn running, it looks as though LAPLAND BUNTINGS are in plentiful supply again, with some Northwest-facing locations harbouring 30 birds or more. Particularly confiding has been a juvenile at Abbotsbury Beach (Dorset) and another near Stromness (Orkney)
A HOOPOE remains for a 4th day at Glynde (East Sussex), favouring the grassy bank by the main road, whilst WRYNECKS still remain at Millfield LNR, Old Basing (Hants), Garnlydan Reservoir (Gwent) and South Fambridge (Essex).
A juvenile WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN is still to be found at Farmoor Reservoirs (Oxfordshire), where on Saturday the first CITRINE WAGTAIL for the county was identified. Meanwhile, a WHISKERED TERN appeared briefly at Starnafin Farm, Loch of Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire), whilst North Ronaldsay (Orkney) hosted a further first-winter CITRINE WAGTAIL.
IRELAND has been awash with rare waders for over a week now with today producing SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER and 2 GREY PHALAROPES at Ballycotton (Co. Cork), a LESSER YELLOWLEGS at Rosscarbery (Co. Cork), two adult WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS at Rosslare Backstrand (Co. Wexford), a PECTORAL SANDPIPER at White's Marsh (Co. Cork), a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER in Cross Village (Co. Clare) and an adult AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER at Lady's Island Lake (Co. Wexford). Up to 8 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS have graced Tacumshin Lakes (Co. Wexford) in the past week, along with a juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, two WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS and both a juvenile PALLID HARRIER and a first-year MONTAGU'S HARRIER.
Seawatching at Bridges of Ross (Co. Clare) this afternoon produced an impressive 39 SABINE'S GULLS in just two hours, with a FEA'S SOFT-PLUMAGED PETREL offshore this evening.
A long staying GREENISH WARBLER still remains on Cape Clear Island (Co. Cork) whilst a WESTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER remains for a second day at Torr Pier on Mizen Head (Co. Cork)
In its wake, and over the preceding days since Irene swept up the Eastern Seaboard of North America, it has been Nearctic waders being displaced in numbers......
The icing on the cake of these is today's appearance of an adult GREATER YELLOWLEGS on the River Camel at Treravon Meadows, Wadebridge (Cornwall) - still largely in breeding plumage.
A juvenile LESSER YELLOWLEGS also arrived yesterday on Porthkillier Beach, St Agnes (Scilly), where today both it and the nearby juvenile Periglis Beach BAIRD'S SANDPIPER were showing well, whilst a juvenile SPOTTED SANDPIPER remains by the Plym Estuary at Blaxton Meadow (South Devon) and juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS at Chew Valley Lake (Avon) this afternoon.and at Patrington Haven (East Yorks) this evening.
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS have appeared in the largest numbers since the autumn of 1977, with a flock of 8 juveniles on the airfield at St Mary's (Scilly) and further birds at Davidstow Airfield (Cornwall) and on Brownsea Island (Dorset) - following 8 or more in the past week,
A total of 37 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS had already appeared in Britain prior to this weekend since 1 September but still being seen today were 2 at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk), 2 on Tresco (Scilly), 2 at Collingham Pits (Notts), 2 at Stithians Reservoir (Cornwall), 2 at Chew Valley lake (Avon), 3 at Drift Reservoir (Cornwall) and singles on Porthellick Pool, St Mary's (Scilly), Pitsford Reservoir (Northants) and Neatholme Scrape, Lound GP (Notts).
Just like during the October 1987 hurricane, large numbers of SABINE'S GULLS have been displaced from the Atlantic, with stranded birds inland at Belvide Reservoir (Staffs) (juvenile) and King George V Reservoir (Essex). An adult has now been present for several days off Heysham Harbour (Lancs) whilst others seen today included a juvenile at Avon Beach, Mudeford (Dorset), two juveniles at Stert Island, Burnham-on-Sea (Somerset), an adult past Felixstowe (Suffolk), a juvenile off Black Rock Sands (Gwynedd), a juvenile at Caerlaverock WWT (D & G), an adult past Sandwich Bay (Kent), a juvenile off Turnberry Point (Ayrshire), off Severn Beach and past Berrow (Somerset) and a juvenile off Mumbles Head, on the Gower (West Glamorgan).
BALEARIC SHEARWATERS have also been displaced into the English Channel with huge numbers recorded off of the coasts of Dorset and South Devon, whilst a WILSON'S STORM PETREL flew west past Pendeen Watchpoint (Cornwall) mid-morning. The latter site also produced the following in strong westerly winds: 7 SABINE'S GULLS, 12 GREAT SHEARWATERS and a LEACH'S PETREL
In what has been a record year for PALLID HARRIERS, both here and in Scandinavia, at least two individuals remain on Shetland, with juveniles still on Unst and in the Hillwell area of South Mainland. Roger Wyatt excelled by photographing a juvenile on the Oxfordshire Downs at Churn last week, whilst an adult male flew across the A1065 in front of observers in north Norfolk during the weekend.
Displaced Seabirds in the south today included up to 7 NORTHERN FULMARS (5 were seen flying upstream at Lydney, Gloucs), several GREAT SKUAS, several NORTHERN GANNETS (including an adult at Draycote Water). GREY PHALAROPES also got swept inland with single first-winters at Ashworth Moor Reservoir (Greater Manchester), Grafham Water (Cambs) and Queen Mother Reservoir (Berkshire) as well as at coastal sites such as Portbury Wharf (Somerset), the Chesil Beach (Dorset), Ferrybridge (Dorset), at South Milton Ley (Devon) and on the Fishtail Lagoon at Keyhaven/Pennington Marshes (Hampshire)
In North Norfolk, a juvenile LITTLE BITTERN has been showing off and on at Titchwell RSPB Reserve since first being sighted on Thursday, favouring the first patch of reeds to the right of the footpath about 200 yards north of the Information Centre. In North Buckinghamshire, the adult GREAT WHITE EGRET remains at Linford Nature Reserve.
Two AQUATIC WARBLERS remain on St Agnes (Scilly), skulking in reeds and poolside vegetation at the Big Pool by Periglis Beach, whilst elsewhere on the archipelago, two WOODCHAT SHRIKES remain on St Mary's - a first-summer close to the airport and a juvenile between the Campsite and Holly Cottage on The Garrison. At the opposite end of the UK, Fetlar (Shetland) hosted a WESTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER at Legarth today.
For the second autumn running, it looks as though LAPLAND BUNTINGS are in plentiful supply again, with some Northwest-facing locations harbouring 30 birds or more. Particularly confiding has been a juvenile at Abbotsbury Beach (Dorset) and another near Stromness (Orkney)
A HOOPOE remains for a 4th day at Glynde (East Sussex), favouring the grassy bank by the main road, whilst WRYNECKS still remain at Millfield LNR, Old Basing (Hants), Garnlydan Reservoir (Gwent) and South Fambridge (Essex).
A juvenile WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN is still to be found at Farmoor Reservoirs (Oxfordshire), where on Saturday the first CITRINE WAGTAIL for the county was identified. Meanwhile, a WHISKERED TERN appeared briefly at Starnafin Farm, Loch of Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire), whilst North Ronaldsay (Orkney) hosted a further first-winter CITRINE WAGTAIL.
IRELAND has been awash with rare waders for over a week now with today producing SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER and 2 GREY PHALAROPES at Ballycotton (Co. Cork), a LESSER YELLOWLEGS at Rosscarbery (Co. Cork), two adult WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS at Rosslare Backstrand (Co. Wexford), a PECTORAL SANDPIPER at White's Marsh (Co. Cork), a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER in Cross Village (Co. Clare) and an adult AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER at Lady's Island Lake (Co. Wexford). Up to 8 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS have graced Tacumshin Lakes (Co. Wexford) in the past week, along with a juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, two WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS and both a juvenile PALLID HARRIER and a first-year MONTAGU'S HARRIER.
Seawatching at Bridges of Ross (Co. Clare) this afternoon produced an impressive 39 SABINE'S GULLS in just two hours, with a FEA'S SOFT-PLUMAGED PETREL offshore this evening.
A long staying GREENISH WARBLER still remains on Cape Clear Island (Co. Cork) whilst a WESTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER remains for a second day at Torr Pier on Mizen Head (Co. Cork)
GREATER YELLOWLEGS in West Cornwall
After seeing Luke Dray's image on the Sussex Ornithological Society website and studying videos and images supplied by other Sussex birders, JT and I set off this morning to see this puzzling wader at the west end of Weir Wood Reservoir. What I hadn't realised is that Luke's so-called image was part of an elaborate scam and was in fact a cropped image of an adult Red-necked Stint photographed at Ballycotton, County Cork, nine years ago and stolen from the internet. Now whether Luke did this purposefully or it was an accidental attempt at trying to portray what the bird looked like, I do not know.
Anyhow, I joined 80 or so others in the main car park at Weir Wood and enjoyed over an hour of distant views of the individual bird concerned early afternoon. From what I could see of it at 60x, it was an adult LITTLE STINT only just moulting out of breeding plumage - a plumage very rarely observed in the UK in autumn. In my opinion, there were several reasons why it wasn't a Red-necked Stint.
1) It did not seem to have any streaking in front of the orange breast wash, with the bird being extensively white on the forehead as well as on the chin;
2) In terms of structure, it did not have the large-headed appearance of RNS and was miniscule in size and very much the shape and stance of typical Little Stint
3) The upperwing coverts and scapulars appeared to be very dark with pale fringes, little hint of any rufous or chestnut on them and there was no obvious contrast with an area of grey coverts often seen on moulting adult RNS
4) The bill was typical of that of Little Stint and did not appear to be thick at the base and broad throughout
The main interesting feature was the extension of orange/apricot on to the hindneck and ear-coverts. Again though, the colour of the breast was not as intensive as one would expect from the more reddish tones of RNS. A very interesting stint nonetheless......
At the other end of the country, and following the recent stormy Atlantic weather, West Cornwall plays host to an adult GREATER YELLOWLEGS this evening at Wadebridge, just south of the River Camel at Treraven Meadows and visible from the main car park at the start of the Camel Trail
A full summary will follow later...
Anyhow, I joined 80 or so others in the main car park at Weir Wood and enjoyed over an hour of distant views of the individual bird concerned early afternoon. From what I could see of it at 60x, it was an adult LITTLE STINT only just moulting out of breeding plumage - a plumage very rarely observed in the UK in autumn. In my opinion, there were several reasons why it wasn't a Red-necked Stint.
1) It did not seem to have any streaking in front of the orange breast wash, with the bird being extensively white on the forehead as well as on the chin;
2) In terms of structure, it did not have the large-headed appearance of RNS and was miniscule in size and very much the shape and stance of typical Little Stint
3) The upperwing coverts and scapulars appeared to be very dark with pale fringes, little hint of any rufous or chestnut on them and there was no obvious contrast with an area of grey coverts often seen on moulting adult RNS
4) The bill was typical of that of Little Stint and did not appear to be thick at the base and broad throughout
The main interesting feature was the extension of orange/apricot on to the hindneck and ear-coverts. Again though, the colour of the breast was not as intensive as one would expect from the more reddish tones of RNS. A very interesting stint nonetheless......
At the other end of the country, and following the recent stormy Atlantic weather, West Cornwall plays host to an adult GREATER YELLOWLEGS this evening at Wadebridge, just south of the River Camel at Treraven Meadows and visible from the main car park at the start of the Camel Trail
A full summary will follow later...
Thursday, 8 September 2011
LEAST SANDPIPER in Hampshire
A LEAST SANDPIPER was found on a private part of the Farlington Marsh reserve today by Jason Crook. Access will not be possible to this specific area, but there is a reasonable chance that the bird may show in public areas tomorrow (high tide is at around 1000 hrs).
Please note that there are parking restrictions on the site and ONLY 12 car spaces are available, so you are best advised to park at the Broadmarsh car park (SU702053) or in Farlington town itself and walk from there.
Anything that is known about the bird's location will be posted on the noticeboard at the reserve information centre (SU685047).
There is only one previous record for Hampshire - one spent the day at Farlington Marshes on May 22nd 1977.
Keith Betton
Please note that there are parking restrictions on the site and ONLY 12 car spaces are available, so you are best advised to park at the Broadmarsh car park (SU702053) or in Farlington town itself and walk from there.
Anything that is known about the bird's location will be posted on the noticeboard at the reserve information centre (SU685047).
There is only one previous record for Hampshire - one spent the day at Farlington Marshes on May 22nd 1977.
Keith Betton
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Pendeen Watchpoint scores again
Following an abundance of Great Shearwaters seen off of Porthgwarra at the weekend (2,300 or more), with gale force SW winds switching to northwesterly during the morning, Pendeen Watchpoint of course came into its own. Surprisingly, only a dozen observers were there to savour the delights, and following a steady movement of Sooty Shearwaters and the odd Great Shearwater, yet another MADEIRAN STORM PETREL passed by. Like the majority of the rarer petrels that pass by there, this one was picked up at 1550 hours and remained on view for a full five minutes, eventually moving off west. It was beyond the rocks - perhaps at 600 yards or thereabouts - and allowed all present to absorb the salient identification features of this rare seabird as it bounded back and forth. At least 12 lucky observers.
At least 1 Madeiran Storm Petrel flew past Pendeen two Septembers ago, so with more Atlantic lows forecast for the next week or more, perhaps further sightings will materialise. Interestingly, Madeiran Petrels featured with other rare seabirds (White-tailed Tropicbirds, etc) displaced inland by Hurricane Irene last week on the Eastern Seaboard of North America.
The real seabird story of today though was the tremendous numbers of BALEARIC SHEARWATERS displaced in the English Channel, particularly in South Devon and Dorset, where 304 were logged off Berry Head, Brixham, and 185 off Parwle Point.
At least 1 Madeiran Storm Petrel flew past Pendeen two Septembers ago, so with more Atlantic lows forecast for the next week or more, perhaps further sightings will materialise. Interestingly, Madeiran Petrels featured with other rare seabirds (White-tailed Tropicbirds, etc) displaced inland by Hurricane Irene last week on the Eastern Seaboard of North America.
The real seabird story of today though was the tremendous numbers of BALEARIC SHEARWATERS displaced in the English Channel, particularly in South Devon and Dorset, where 304 were logged off Berry Head, Brixham, and 185 off Parwle Point.
PRODUCT REVIEW: Fair Isle Bird Report for 2008
The 61st Fair Isle Report - that for 2008 - has just arrived at my desk. Like those for Shetland and Orkney, I always look forward to these as the Northern Isles archipelago's harbour some of the rarest vagrants recorded in Britain during the year. Richard Richardson's standard cover always rekindling my memories of that like-minded, brilliant, all-rounder ornithologist, artist and sorely-missed friend.
2008 was no exception and of the 212 species recorded that year, no less than FIVE were Firsts for the Island - Black-crowned Night Heron, Caspain Plover, Black Kite, Citril Finch and Siberian Thrush.
This latest report is 130 pages long and has a very nice feel to it - printed on top quality paper. Once again, and for the tenth successive year, warden Deryk Shaw has been at the helm and produced much of the paperwork. Although it was another disastrous year in terms of breeding seabirds (due to Sandeel shortages), the autumn period was outstanding for rarities and passage migrants with an influx of 17 Two-barred Crossbills, Sabine's Gull, Western Bonelli's Warbler, 2 Pallas's Grasshopper Warblers, 2 Lanceolated Warblers and no less than THREE White's Thrushes. However, these paled into insignificance compared to Britain's 3rd and Fair Isle's 2nd Asiatic Brown Flycatcher.
Following the six pages of introduction, pages 7-13 go into finite detail of those five firsts for the island - that of the Citril Finch being particularly galling as I was away in southern China throughout the entire duration of its week-long stay. These pages are then followed by further write-ups - Calandra Lark, the Brown Flycatcher and the Pallas's Grasshopper Warblers.
Page 20 has the very useful map which marks out clearly all of the locations on the isle. Dave Wheeler of course provides his annual report of the weather conditions experienced on Fair Isle in 2008 and following an ornithological monthly summary of events, we then have the all-important meat of the report - the Systematic List. Fully detailed as ever, this gives clear and concise details of all 212 species recorded - none more weird than the first European Nightjar since 2004. W.T. Miles provides the illustrations that adorn the text and in the centre pages, we have a sumptuous array of colour photographs. Many of these are taken by assistant warden Mark Breaks and not published before, whilst outstanding are Paul Baxter's Caspian Plover shots, Rebecca Nason's White's Thrush and the selection of rare locustella warblers. My personal favourite is Deryk's Siberian Thrush image - what a stunning bird they are. Mark's Two-barred Crossbill shots too are on another level.
The annual ringing report appears on pages 82-95, followed by that on the Seabirds and that of butterflies, Moths and other invertebrates recorded. There are also a couple of very interesting papers - one on juvenile Starlings by Suzanne Hogg and another on Northern Wheatears by Adam Seward. Last but not least is the Systematic Checklist detailing all of the 380 species recorded on the island up to the end of the year.
An excellent report as usual, very readable and full of tantalising rares. Available now from the Observatory, Fair Isle, Shetland, ZE2 9JU - email fibo@btconnect.com for orders. Fair Isle Bird Observatory - www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk
2008 was no exception and of the 212 species recorded that year, no less than FIVE were Firsts for the Island - Black-crowned Night Heron, Caspain Plover, Black Kite, Citril Finch and Siberian Thrush.
This latest report is 130 pages long and has a very nice feel to it - printed on top quality paper. Once again, and for the tenth successive year, warden Deryk Shaw has been at the helm and produced much of the paperwork. Although it was another disastrous year in terms of breeding seabirds (due to Sandeel shortages), the autumn period was outstanding for rarities and passage migrants with an influx of 17 Two-barred Crossbills, Sabine's Gull, Western Bonelli's Warbler, 2 Pallas's Grasshopper Warblers, 2 Lanceolated Warblers and no less than THREE White's Thrushes. However, these paled into insignificance compared to Britain's 3rd and Fair Isle's 2nd Asiatic Brown Flycatcher.
Following the six pages of introduction, pages 7-13 go into finite detail of those five firsts for the island - that of the Citril Finch being particularly galling as I was away in southern China throughout the entire duration of its week-long stay. These pages are then followed by further write-ups - Calandra Lark, the Brown Flycatcher and the Pallas's Grasshopper Warblers.
Page 20 has the very useful map which marks out clearly all of the locations on the isle. Dave Wheeler of course provides his annual report of the weather conditions experienced on Fair Isle in 2008 and following an ornithological monthly summary of events, we then have the all-important meat of the report - the Systematic List. Fully detailed as ever, this gives clear and concise details of all 212 species recorded - none more weird than the first European Nightjar since 2004. W.T. Miles provides the illustrations that adorn the text and in the centre pages, we have a sumptuous array of colour photographs. Many of these are taken by assistant warden Mark Breaks and not published before, whilst outstanding are Paul Baxter's Caspian Plover shots, Rebecca Nason's White's Thrush and the selection of rare locustella warblers. My personal favourite is Deryk's Siberian Thrush image - what a stunning bird they are. Mark's Two-barred Crossbill shots too are on another level.
The annual ringing report appears on pages 82-95, followed by that on the Seabirds and that of butterflies, Moths and other invertebrates recorded. There are also a couple of very interesting papers - one on juvenile Starlings by Suzanne Hogg and another on Northern Wheatears by Adam Seward. Last but not least is the Systematic Checklist detailing all of the 380 species recorded on the island up to the end of the year.
An excellent report as usual, very readable and full of tantalising rares. Available now from the Observatory, Fair Isle, Shetland, ZE2 9JU - email fibo@btconnect.com for orders. Fair Isle Bird Observatory - www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk
Monday, 5 September 2011
400 now passed..........
First off, a belated record of a BLACKPOLL WARBLER from 2010 (trapped and ringed at Icklesham, East Sussex, in October) pushes that year's annual total to 439 species - the second highest total of all time.
Back to this year, since my last update in early August, a further 15 species have been recorded in Britain and Ireland, making the annual tally of species now 403.....
The additions are as follows -:
1) BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS (an adult flew past Spurn, East Yorks in August)
2) FEA'S SOFT-PLUMAGED PETREL (a recent batch of typical records from SW and W Ireland and a few from the UK coast)
3) YELKOUAN SHEARWATER (several Minorcan-type individuals noted off Cornwall and another in the North Sea past Cley Coastguards)
4) RUDDY SHELDUCK (post-breeding minor influx from the Continent, probably Dutch birds)
5) BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (several noted including some early juveniles)
6) SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER (two stunning adults in Ireland in Counties Clare and Wexford)
7) WILSON'S PHALAROPE (3 recorded in August)
8) NORTH AMERICAN BLACK TERN (brief bird in Ireland)
9) AQUATIC WARBLER (typical batch of August records from the South Coast)
10) PADDYFIELD WARBLER (an early adult trapped in Dorset)
11) EASTERN OLIVACEOUS WARBLER (one trapped and ringed on Fair Isle)
12) BOOTED WARBLER (two early arrivals on Shetland)
13) Barred Warbler (usual arrival of juveniles in August)
14) ARCTIC WARBLER (a few seen so far on Shetland)
15) TWO-BARRED CROSSBLL (small arrival associated with large southerly movement in Scandinavia including juvenile birds at Spurn Point in both July and August)
Back to this year, since my last update in early August, a further 15 species have been recorded in Britain and Ireland, making the annual tally of species now 403.....
The additions are as follows -:
1) BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS (an adult flew past Spurn, East Yorks in August)
2) FEA'S SOFT-PLUMAGED PETREL (a recent batch of typical records from SW and W Ireland and a few from the UK coast)
3) YELKOUAN SHEARWATER (several Minorcan-type individuals noted off Cornwall and another in the North Sea past Cley Coastguards)
4) RUDDY SHELDUCK (post-breeding minor influx from the Continent, probably Dutch birds)
5) BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (several noted including some early juveniles)
6) SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER (two stunning adults in Ireland in Counties Clare and Wexford)
7) WILSON'S PHALAROPE (3 recorded in August)
8) NORTH AMERICAN BLACK TERN (brief bird in Ireland)
9) AQUATIC WARBLER (typical batch of August records from the South Coast)
10) PADDYFIELD WARBLER (an early adult trapped in Dorset)
11) EASTERN OLIVACEOUS WARBLER (one trapped and ringed on Fair Isle)
12) BOOTED WARBLER (two early arrivals on Shetland)
13) Barred Warbler (usual arrival of juveniles in August)
14) ARCTIC WARBLER (a few seen so far on Shetland)
15) TWO-BARRED CROSSBLL (small arrival associated with large southerly movement in Scandinavia including juvenile birds at Spurn Point in both July and August)
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