RIVER WARBLER in Norfolk

The big breaking news of the weekend was of a singing male RIVER WARBLER in Broadland Norfolk. It had first been heard singing on Tuesday of last week (29 June) and then confirmed by Chris and Alison Allan on Friday (2 July) but was on private land. The couple then informed the owner of the adjacent field (one of their neighbours) and planned an 'opening night' for the public on Sunday, after he very kindly agreed to allow birders to park in the field.

The bird was singing from an area of reeds and sedges on Thorpe Marshes and with this typical crepuscular species, sang most strongly and persistently towards dusk. It had shown well on the Saturday evening but on the Sunday, kept quite low down in the reeds in the windier conditions. Fortunately, however, all of the 320 or so visitors managed to obtain 'scope views of the bird.

ACCESS INSTRUCTIONS: The parking field is located at TM 435 985, adjacent to North End Road, in Thorpe-next-Haddiscoe village, and is best approached via Crab Apple Lane, a minor road running north from the B1136, 4 miles east of Hales. At the T-junction turn left on to North End Road, and then follow the well-marked white 'River Warbler' signs to the designated field. There will be another viewing session from 1900 hours this evening where special access has again been kindly granted. As the bird sings into darkness and begins showing best from about 2100/2130 hours, PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE 1900 HOURS, as there is no room on North End Road to park and any incidents will jeopardise further viewing of this bird and perhaps influence of further news releases.

I would like to thank the many birders who visited and behaved impeccably last night, particularly those that went well out of their way to direct others on to the difficult bird and to kindly share their 'scopes when it was out on view. I would particularly like to thank the farmer for his granted access to the field, as well as Chris and Alison, Dick Filby and Denise for their sterling work in management. At least £600 was raised for charitable purposes.

THE REST OF THE WEEKEND'S NEWS

A very elusive adult BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER is present on the main freshwater scrape at Titchwell RSPB (North Norfolk), feeding on its own amongst the emergent vegetation flanking the north side of the lagoon. It is showing perhaps once or twice a day and is present for its third day but is generally exceptionally elusive and hard to detect. A fabulous flock of summer-plumaged SPOTTED REDSHANKS are also present on the marsh, a massive flock of RED KNOT at high tides, 27 or so adult male RUFFS, a few LITTLE GULLS and an excellent array and selection of commoner marshland species.

In Somerset, the adult male LITTLE BITTERN was seen several times flying over the reedbed at Loxton Marsh at Ham Walls RSPB reserve (accessed by walking half a mile east of Ashcott Corner car park - ST 460 395) (the GREAT WHITE EGRET remains on the opposite side of the road and drove at Noah's Lake, Shapwick Heath), whilst in South Devon, one of the two GULL-BILLED TERNS remained at Bowling Green Marsh RSPB, Topsham, at the north end of the Exe Estuary (high tide best).

Also in South Devon, the MEXICAN HOUSE FINCH of unknown origin or provenance continues in East Prawle village (South Devon), favouring the feeders in the garden of the Old Cider House and the vicinity of the Piggery Stores (please respect the privacy of residents)

In East Kent, the pair of PURPLE HERONS continue to feed the young in the nest at Denge Marsh and can be best viewed from Denge Marsh Road nearside Brick Wall Farm

Up to 4 adult drake SURF SCOTERS are summering with the massive Common Scoter raft 4 miles NNE of Aberdeen off Blackdog Rocks, whilst the drake BLUE-WINGED TEAL bearing a metal ring is still present at Berry Fen, SW of Earith (Cambs).

In IRELAND, an adult BONAPARTE'S GULL was present west of the bridge at Blennerville (Co. Kerry) and the first-summer GLOSSY IBIS remains in residence at the east end of Tacumshin (Co. Wexford)

YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS: new to Britain (Implications of wrecked mega-rare seabird vagrants being bought in to Seabird Rescue Centres)

I have just had a chance to read the July 2010 issue of British Birds, especially its article - ''Yellow-nosed Albatroos: new to Britain (103: 376-384). Within its pages, it has an account written by Pauline Kidner, which is full of contradiction.

The bird had been taken to the Secret World Wildlife Rescue (www.secretworld.org), which rescues over 4,000 animal casualties every year and survives PURELY ON DONATIONS. On 30 June 2007, a local resident Hugh Harris contacted them to say that a Fulmar was blocking his driveway and appeared to be in ill-health. Hugh took the Fulmar to the centre and left it there and when Pauline and two members of staff eventually got to deal with it next morning, they quickly realised that it was an Albatross, most likely a Black-browed Albatross. On realising this, they informed many of the locals, and later in the day a crowd of at least 50 excited people witnessed the release at Brean Down.

In the account, Pauline states that many people were upset when they finally got to hear about the bird and she replies by saying that they did not appreciate the significance of the record at the time. But they did in reality, because they believed it to be the Black-browed Albatross from Scotland and invited everyone in the Brean area to come down. Whether it was a Black-browed or an Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross, it would have attracted HUGE crowds. The sad part of all of this was the failure to utilise the bird to raise what would have been an exceptional amount of money for the Rescue Centre as well as perhaps raising a large amount of money for the worldwide Albatross protection campaign. From reading Pauline's comments, I cannot say that I have confidence in hearing of another mega rare seabird bought in to the site (Lee G R Evans)

BLACK-HEADED BUNTING

The first BLACK-HEADED BUNTING of the year - a male - was seen at Kinlochbervie (Highland) briefly today, perched on stone walls at Oldshoremore

More material relating to the West Country MEXICAN HOUSE FINCH occurrence

Neil Alford (of North Norfolk, and one of the UK's leading listers) has very kindly provided me with this very detailed essay on Mexican House Finch occurrence and status in Florida......

''Lee, I have been taking a look at records of HOUSE FINCH (from hereon referred to as HF) from the lower part of Florida. There are some other records from the lower bit of Florida but they are few and far between but there are a couple of interesting records...

This record I thought was of particular note is from the tip of the most southerly county -Monroe - and appears to represent the only record.........

House Finch 1 May 2009

Location...Fort Zachary Taylor historic NP Key West (next stop south is Cuba at 97 miles).
I checked out the length of the Keys from the mainland (Key Largo) out to Fort Zachary and following the road it would be in excess of 100m (and as the HF flies 94miles). There are several considerable expanses of open water following the route which are covered by causeways however one of the longer ones is 14 miles in length. I have been unable to find any records of HF on the Keys themselves. The record begs the question about which direction was the HF going...early May in the company of common migrants moving N would suggest a similar direction but from where. Similarly if it was moving south in May why would it attempt so many open water crosiings (perhaps if HF are reluctant to cross water it could have walked across all the causeways)? However, we know from previous correspondence that there is a record of one up to 20 Nautical miles off New Jersey.

I have provided a map above of the geographical location of the Keys and Fort Zachary is the last point before making a sea crossing. It is also a migration hot spot.

Here is another record I found......2 , 29 sept 2009 at Bill Braggs Cape Florida State Park which is at Key Biscay off shore SE Miami.

I have also been able to obtain the maximum daily counts from every east coast State over the last 10 years which highlights some interesting information..............

Cape May, New Jersey...3000 ..31 Oct 2006 (this is an incredible number moving with other migrants)
1000... 17 Nov 2008
300....17 Nov 2007
250....26 Oct 2009 for example on this day the following movement of migrants were also noted....
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker X
Western Kingbird 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 20
Tree Swallow 1000
Barn Swallow 10
Carolina Chickadee 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 5
Eastern Bluebird 10
Hermit Thrush 5
American Robin 3800
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 5
European Starling 300
American Pipit 200
Cedar Waxwing 75
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Blackpoll Warbler X
Common Yellowthroat 3
Eastern Towhee 2
Chipping Sparrow 10
Savannah Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 25
Swamp Sparrow 25
White-throated Sparrow 20
White-crowned Sparrow 5
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 4000
Eastern Meadowlark 40
Rusty Blackbird 5
Common Grackle 70
Boat-tailed Grackle 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 100
Purple Finch 10
House Finch 250
American Goldfinch 100
House Sparrow 20

Another location showing significant fall counts is.....................

Lighthouse Point,Newhaven,Connecticut...opp Long Island (20m south across water)

1600 ...... 27 Oct 2008
1400....... 22 Oct 2007
240....... 30 Oct 2006
340........31 Oct 2005
220...... 1 Nov 2004
70..........6 Oct 2003
140.........28 Oct 2002
180...... .22 Oct 2001

I have checked all the other eastern States and Mid-West States maximum numbers but all are low hundreds apart from 413 @ a farm in Maryland on 13/1/08 ....319 in Maine 19/12/09...210 in Virginia 9/10/07.

On the Northern shore of Lake Ontario (New York State) 170 on 3/10/09. There is a banding study from the Mid West showing many recoveries ...I have checked several of the longer trips which I make 679m, 648m, 617m, 591m and 516m.

I presume these birds were merely controlled at fixed locations and may well not represent the maximum distance they could have travelled. I gather weather and feeding in winter is an issue as several commentators reckon numbers reduce considerably during the winter although they are also considered to be capable of managing to feed in severe weather (feeding stations clearly helping). Makes you wonder in bad winters how far south these birds move..The often quoted record is Long Island , New York to Gastonia,N Carolina (on the S Carolina border) which is 560m.

Back to Florida.......................

It seems clear they move about and probably some distance. The next country for the one at Key West wishing to continue going S /or coming from S would have been Cuba and if it found the 97m too much could have dropped onto one of the many ships passing enroute from the Gulf states to Europe.

A supporting cast at Fort Zachary on 1 May 2009...follows. (the date interestingly very similar to the Lands End record).

Here is a list of the other birds recorded ' Fort Zachary on May 1st...

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica 2

Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis 1

Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos 2

Northern Parula - Parula americana 5

Cape May Warbler - Dendroica tigrina 1

Black-throated Blue Warbler - Dendroica caerulescens 7

Yellow-throated Warbler - Dendroica dominica 1

Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor 1

Palm Warbler - Dendroica palmarum 5 all western race

Blackpoll Warbler - Dendroica striata 6

Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia 8

American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla 8

Worm-eating Warbler - Helmitheros vermivorum 1

Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea 1

Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula 8

I have also been looking at shipping traffic off of the east coast and the Keys...
This map indicates the actual ship movements a few days ago around the Florida Keys for ships from the Gulf of Mexico to Europe.

You will see from the index that passenger ships travel much closer to Key West and they can make the trip across to UK waters in just 7 days and as stowaways birds have feeding opportunities on these ships.

Also incidentally 2 HF recorded at Fort Lauderdale on 3 January 2010 which is a major port for Cruise ships which also travel across to the UK...a recent crossing was to Cork, Cardiff and Southampton...

So to try and put all this into some perspective, it seems East coast and mid west HF clearly move about and at two locations there are some significant numbers during some falls and in association with other migrants. The records from the tip of Florida Keys last May also raises a few questions as does the opportunities from the east coast and Florida for ship assistance. I have been monitoring shipping movements from this area on a daily basis and there are endless movements of ships to all parts of the UK on a frequent basis.

Finally I offer this information in the spirit of trying to help move the issue forward but I have no desire to become involved in a lengthy and bitter debate which appears to have taken place from what I have viewed on various forums on the internet.

Cheers,

Neil Alford''

Controversial finch still awaits decision on its fate

The orange-yellow variant MEXICAN HOUSE FINCH remains at East Prawle village in picturesque South Devon. It is loosely associating with House Sparrows and is repeatedly returning to the garden and feeders of 'The Old Cider House', as well as frequently perching on the long roof of 'The Shippen' - all adjacent and just behind the cafe (Piglet Stores) on the village green. The bird appears intermittently and goes missing for long periods of time but repeatedly comes back to the same area of gardens, where it performs very well. It now seems likely that this bird is a ship-assisted arrival from North America, considering its easterly coastal movement between Land's End and Prawle Point, although the possibility of it being an escape still cannot be completely ruled out. Categorization of such an individual is still being looked into, as is that of 21 further species of transatlantic ship-assisted arrivals to Britain and Ireland.

ACCESS INSTRUCTIONS: East Prawle is best accessed from Kingsbridge and the A379, along four miles of very minor and hazardous narrow country lanes. Limited parking is available by the village green upon arrival but please respect the privacy of residents when searching for the bird, preferably avoiding early morning visits. The bird is no longer singing regularly but returns to the gardens perhaps once every two hours, less frequently in the afternoons and evenings.

A pair of GULL-BILLED TERNS were an excellent reward for a local patchworker at Bowling Green Marsh RSPB, Topsham (South Devon) yesterday evening, the two birds remaining until dusk in the high tide gathering of waders, Black-headed Gulls and Sandwich Terns. Just under 25 lucky individuals connected.

SPOON_BILLED SANDPIPER population severely threatened

Getting a handle on Spoon-billed Sandpipers –one of the world’s rarest birds

The SPOON-BILLED SANDPIPER, one of the world’s most threatened birds, could be rapidly heading towards extinction. The latest research outlines why, and what we can do to save this enigmatic species. Evidence from the breeding area indicates that the Spoon-billed Sandpiper declined by 88% between 2002 and 2009, making this one of the most rapidly declining birds in the world. British scientists have been involved in finding out why this might be and have just published their findings in two scientific papers.

The entire breeding population, found in Russia’s far north-west, numbered around 1,000 pairs in 2002. This had dropped to 120-220 pairs by 2009. No changes were found in adult survival over the same period and parents fledged chicks in each year. However, the recruitment of these young birds back into the adult population was zero in all but one of the years studied. Observations from wintering areas confirm the declining trend observed in the breeding areas but until recently little was known about the wintering areas of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper. The rapid decline of this species resulted in expeditions to possible wintering areas to find out more....

In both 2009 and 2010 around 200 birds were found wintering in the Bay of Martaban, Myanmar, constituting most of the known world population. There was extensive evidence of the hunting of waders in all the sites visited, the majority of hunters encountered knew of Spoon-billed Sandpiper and probably caught them every year. For a species with such a small known breeding population, it is likely that hunting in the wintering area is the major cause of the species’ decline, exacerbated by the fact that the Spoon-billed Sandpiper’s core wintering area happens to be in an area of high hunting pressure.

Dr Nigel Clark, Head of Projects at the British Trust for Ornithology and a scientist on the Spoon-billed Sandpiper expeditions, commented, “Urgent action is needed to find ways to give the local hunters economic alternatives to hunting. An awareness campaign will also help to persuade hunters to release Spoon-billed Sandpipers they catch. It is also vitally important to protect the habitats of the Bay of Martaban. Without urgent conservation action, the Spoon-billed Sandpiper could become extinct within 10–20 years.”

Christoph Zockler, Lead Author on both papers, said, “Both papers illustrate the critical state of the species that will be extinct in the next decade or so if the rate of decline continues. Fortunately the expeditions during the two winters found what is probably the main wintering population in the world, in Myanmar, and we are confident that we can address the threats caused by hunting and trapping there.” He added, “There is some hope. Local people in Myanmar hunting waders for food are keen to cooperate with the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Recovery Team and find alternatives. This will help to halt the current state of rapid decline.”

1) Hunting in Myanmar is probably the main cause of the decline of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmeus. Zockler et al., studied them on their winter grounds.To view a pdf of this paper visit http://www.bto.org.It was recently published in the journal of the International Wader Study Group. www.waderstudygroup.org

2) Hunting has a greater effect on young birds. After leaving the areas they were hatched, young birds spend the whole of their first year in the wintering areas and are therefore far more susceptible to hunting than the adults that return to the breeding areas for the northern summer. Anecdotal evidence points to increased hunting pressure on waders during the monsoon season, as fishing is difficult in these conditions. The monsoon season is between May and September, the period the adults are on the breeding grounds.

3) Concerted international conservation action is essential if this species is to avoid extinction. This requires (i) improved understanding of the main wintering and staging areas and associated threats; (ii) addressing those threats that can be tackled with immediate effect, such as hunting; (iii) continued long-term monitoring on the breeding areas; (iv) an exploration of other potential breeding areas; (v) conservation action at all important stop-over and wintering sites along the entire flyway and (vi) consideration of a captive-breeding programme to ensure the survival of this species.

4) The BTO is the UK’s leading bird research organisation. Over 30,000 birdwatchers contribute to the BTO’s surveys. They collect information that forms the basis of conservation action in the UK. The BTO maintains a staff of 100 at its offices in Norfolk and Stirling, who analyse and publicise the results of project work. The BTO’s investigations are funded by government, industry and conservation organisations.

...........And EURASIAN GRIFFON VULTURES now in Normandy

Northern France sightings but may be of interest….
5 Griffon Vultures at Maheru in the department of Orne, Lower Normandy at the moment. Also 5 wild Flamingos with Camargue rings on them in the Somme estuary near Calais now around the Marquenterre reserve. Balearic Shearwater numbers have not really built up in the Channel yet, but 20 or so for a month now off western Brittany (Tom Brereton, www.marine-life.org.uk/coastallatest.html

GREATER FLAMINGOES post-breeding dispersal northwards

Five GREATER FLAMINGOES were in the Baie de Somme in Northern France yesterday afternoon, not that far as the flamingo flies from the South Coast of Britain. As in recent years, the very hot weather is causing certain species to make unusual northward post-breeding dispersal movements. Species previously affected have been Marbled Duck, White-headed Duck, Pied Avocet, Great White Egret and Little Egret, so it is well worth keeping an eye out for these Mediterranean wanderers......

MEGA - BRUNNICH'S GUILLEMOT on Orkney

A BRUNNICH'S GUILLEMOT in full breeding plumage was discovered off of the end of the Lyness Pier on Hoy this morning (Stuart and Jim Williams)

VOTE TODAY for your personal opinion of the MEXICAN HOUSE FINCH

Enter your vote today! A new poll has been created for the UK400Club group:

A year ago, the UK400 Club had a vote on the validity and countability of a Great-tailed Grackle in Belgium and the overwhelming decision at that time was that ship-assisted vagrants of this nature should NOT be admitted to the UK400 Club list and be countable. This same scenario has now reared its ugly head again in Britain, with a yellow variant perhaps ship-assisted vagrant MEXICAN HOUSE FINCH that has moved between Land's End, West Cornwall, and East Prawle village, South Devon, this spring. The species is introduced in Eastern North America and is generally regarded as sedentary, with localised movements of up to 800 kms. Once again, I am soliciting a wider audience for a view on this

o I believe that non-migratory species such as the Mexican House Finch should be admitted to Category A of the UK400 Club List

o I believe that largely sedentary species such as the Mexican House Finch should NOT be admitted to the List

To vote, please visit the following web page:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/surveys?id=13020426

Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Yahoo! Groups web site listed above. Thanks!

MEXICAN HOUSE FINCH in South Devon and the species in its natural habitat

Roger Wyatt very kindly emailed me these images of MEXICAN HOUSE FINCHES in Mexico - the natural variety.

This morning, the yellow variant Land's End Mexican House Finch has relocated to South Devon, where it has been singing from the roof of a house by the village green in East Prawle (from 0730-1230 hours at least). Whether the bird is an escape or a ship-assisted vagrant is still open to conjecture (Lee Evans)

LESSER KESTREL success and increases in FRANCE

The Lesser Kestrel remains classified as a globally threatened species, its population in western Europe having declined by nearly 90% between 1950 and 1990. In recent years there has been a welcome increase in southern Europe, numbers in France having reached a nadir of just three pairs in 1983. However, by 2009 the French population had reached 259 pairs, with two new colonies now established further west along the Mediterranean hinterland from the long-established one on La Crau, close to the Camargue. These falcons are cavity nesters, and on La Crau have favoured the piles of stones which dot this semi-desert plain. However, in such sites they are very vulnerable to ground predators like snakes, polecats and foxes, and so the LPO has been working to provide nestboxes at a higher level, under the tiles of some of the disused shepherd's huts and old military buildings which are another distinctive feature of the landscape here. The fledging success rate is much better in these sites, and as a result the population had reached 150 pairs by 2009.

The second colony was discovered in 2002, when a dozen pairs were found to be breeding in a village in the Hérault département. These birds nest under the roof tiles which are such a characteristic feature of the Mediterranean villages of this part of France. Conservation work here is centred on ensuring that the proprietors of the buildings concerned do everything possible to manage their roofs in such a way that neither they nor the birds are disadvantaged. So far, things seem to be going well, with 97 pairs raising 259 young to fledging in 2009, from here and from other colonies newly founded in nearby villages.

The third main colony, in the next département west again, the Aude, is the result of a reintroduction programme. Back in the 1960s, the Massif de la Clape was home to a colony of around 40 pairs of Lesser Kestrels, but they died out during the subsequent decline of the population that affected the west European population generally. Subsequent to the spontaneous appearance of a couple of pairs in 2003, nestboxes were placed in a restored winery building and on some electricity pylons nearby and, starting in 2006, young birds from Extremadura in Spain were released close by. Happily, half of these birds returned the next spring, and again the next year, and by 2009 a dozen pairs had started breeding, producing 15 fledged young. The results for 2010 are eagerly awaited, with hopefully the return of the first young actually born at the site. The work of the LPO in this project is ongoing, and has been greatly helped by funds donated during a special appeal in the recent past – many thanks to all who contributed to that (kindly contributed by Ken Hall)

Midsummer Update

An unseasonal TAWNY PIPIT on North Ronaldsay, found by Pete Donnelly and excellently photographed by Paul Brown. The first for the island and only the fourth for Orkney.

ROSE-COLOURED STARLINGS are specialities of flaming Junes and this year's representative is a fine adult consorting with Common Starlings in the Porthgwarra and St Levan area of West Cornwall. Meanwhile, a WHITE STORK was seen yesterday morning in a recently cut hayfield by the Millpool turning, 4 miles north of Bodmin (at SX 114 710).

The pair of PURPLE HERONS are now actively feeding young at Dungeness RSPB reserve (Kent) and are best observed from the Denge Marsh road overlooking the reserve near Brick Wall Farm, whilst the adult male LITTLE BITTERN present for its second successive season continues to bark from the reedbed at Loxton Marsh, Ham Walls RSPB (Somerset).

The singing male beautiful red COMMON ROSEFINCH remains on territory in Kinross, favouring the bushes and scrub in the vicinity of the log cabin in the car park adjacent to the Tormaukin Inn (NN 982 049), whilst on Shetland, the adult summer LONG-TAILED SKUA remains paired up with an Arctic Skua at East Burra. On Orkney, their fourth-ever TAWNY PIPIT remains on North Ronaldsay, showing very well on the road towards the north end (first island record).

A female FERRUGINOUS DUCK remains present at Minsmere RSPB reserve (Suffolk), favouring the Island Mere

Late news concerns yet another WHITE-THROATED SPARROW in 2010 - this time in Lincolnshire and present for two days in a Fulbeck garden (18-19 June).

In County Dublin (IRELAND), the TEREK SANDPIPER continues today, showing well this afternoon from the North Hide on the Rogerstown Estuary.

Scottish 'Lady' makes remarkable recovery

http://blogs.swt.org.uk/osprey/

I am delighted to report that 'Lady' - the adult female OSPREY at Loch of the Lowes SWT Reserve - appears to be now fully recovered from her virus of a week or so back and is now busily feeding the two chicks and guarding against other Osprey intruders (Lee Evans)

Total now 369 species

Despite the World Cup, Wimbledon, Glastonbury and other summer events to divert the attentions of the keen birder, these last two weeks of June 2010 have seen some impressive finds. Since my last update, a further EIGHT species have occurred, pushing the total number of species recorded in Britain and Ireland to an impressive 369 in less than six months. The new additions are thus -:

1) Cory's Shearwater

2) WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER (at Scatness, Shetland, on 20 June);

3) TEREK SANDPIPER (a well twitched individual on the Rogerstown Estuary, County Dublin, IRELAND);

4) BRIDLED TERN (an adult photographed at East Chevington Pools, Northumberland, on 21 June);

5) CASPIAN TERN (at several sites in North-central and NE Scotland on 19 & 21 June);

6) PADDYFIELD WARBLER (a very confiding bird photographed at Grutness, Shetland, on 21 June);

7) BLYTH'S REED WARBLER (trapped & ringed on Fair Isle)

8) GREENISH WARBLER (two June records)

Taxonomic Announcement - MOLTONI'S SUBALPINE WARBLER added to BBA/UK400 Club List

Moltoni's Subalpine Warbler, Skaw, Unst, Shetland, June 2009 (Dougie Preston)

After some recent correspondence with Brian Small and Andreas Corso and a review of detailed studies kindly referenced and supplied by Alexander Lees, the UK400 Club has upgraded MOLTONI'S SUBALPINE WARBLER (moltonii) to full species status, treating it as distinct from both WESTERN and EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLERS.

There is just one acceptable British record of this form - that of a singing male at Skaw, Unst, Shetland, from 1-11 June 2009 (see an exhaustive selection of images at the Shetland Wildlife website, as well as definitive sound recordings made of the bird, at http://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/naturelatest/archives/birdarchive09jun.htm

MOLTONI'S SUBALPINE WARBLER (from hereafter recognised as Sylvia moltonii) differs from both Western and Eastern Subalpine Warbler in plumage, moult, timing of breeding, habitat and contact calls (Gargallo 1994, Shirihai et al. 2001, Brambilla et al. 2007). Recent studies have shown that the breeding ranges of Moltoni’s Warbler and Western Subalpine Warbler (Sylvia cantillans) overlap at several localities in mainland Italy without evidence for interbreeding (Brambilla et al. 2006). Playback tests conducted within and outside the area of overlap in Italy have demonstrated that the two groups do not respond to each other’s songs (Brambilla et al. 2008a). A molecular phylogenetic study indicated that Moltoni’s Warbler and Eastern Subalpine Warbler form separate clades and failed to find evidence for gene flow, even in areas where the two forms have overlapping breeding ranges (Brambilla et al. 2008b). The level of sequence divergence between Moltoni’s Warbler and both Subalpine Warblers is consistent with those typically observed in species taxa, including several pairs of Sylvia warblers (Brambilla et al. 2008b). Therefore, Moltoni’s Warbler and Subalpine Warbler are best treated as separate species (cf. Brambilla et al. 2008a,b,c).

ATLANTIC PUFFIN falls prey to Great Black-backed Gull

Irish bird photographer Darragh Sherwin captured the moment when this poor defenceless ATLANTIC PUFFIN was captured by a nesting Great Black-backed Gull and taken away, presumably to be fed to its young.

Quite how many adult auks end up like this is unknown but in 'wrecks' in late autumn/winter, large numbers of Little Auks succumb in this manner.

Accidental deaths of reintroduction WHITE-TAILED SEA EAGLES in County Kerry, IRELAND

PROTECTING WHITE-TAILED SEA EAGLES

The following letter has been sent clarifying the facts surrounding the unfortunate accidental deaths through poisoning of reintroduction WHITE-TAILED SEA EAGLES in County Kerry, Ireland. At no point were such actions directed at the eagles but as a result of controlling vermin against lamb attacks, deaths of these majestic birds has been a very unfortunate side-effect.

''We wish to clarify matters regarding news coverage of the poisoning of WHITE-TAILED SEA EAGLES in Co Kerry. This publicity has led to a number of letters by the public that are potentially damaging to farming interests in Kerry as they give the false impression of the widespread use of poisons.

Sheep farmers in particular have a difficult job to produce lamb reared to high environmental standards while protecting their flock against losses to foxes and crows. The vast majority of landowners do not use poison to control foxes and crows, but now use alternative safer methods and are careful to adhere to the many regulations farmers now have to comply with under cross-compliance regulations.

On behalf of the organisations we represent we wish to state that it is our belief that the incidents in Co Kerry have resulted from accidental poisoning as a result of ingesting poison targeting foxes during the lambing period when foxes are known to take lambs. Thus, contrary to suggestions in some correspondence, eagles have not been deliberately targeted. Further, we do not, nor have ever condoned the use of poison illegally, either on fallen livestock or using banned substances. On the contrary, all of our organisations are actively promoting the use of safer alternative means of control. Farming in upland areas in Co Kerry complies to high environmental standards in order to produce a high quality product. It is not in the interest of any of us, or the members we represent, to support any activity that would damage this image.

JAMES MacCARTHY, Chairman, Irish Farmers’ Association, Co Kerry;
DENNIS CARROLL, Secretary, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association, CoKerry;
GABRIEL GILMARTIN, President, Irish Cattle and Sheep Breeders’ Asscociation;
MICHAEL GOTTSTEIN, Sheep Specialist, Teagasc, Co Kerry;
ALLAN MEE, Golden Eagle Trust, Black Valley, Beaufort, Co Kerry
Det PAT KELLIHER, An Garda Síochána, Killarney, Co. Kerry

Another TUFTED PUFFIN in NW Europe

Drake Blue-winged Teal, Berry Fen, Earith, Cambridgeshire, June 2010 (Mike Lawrence)

Incredulously, yet another TUFTED PUFFIN was seen today in NW Europe - flying past Nesseby in Finnmark (NORWAY). Maybe the UK's birders will get another chance of finding one of these after all.

Newly discovered today was a cracking adult male RED-FOOTED FALCON in the Adur Valley in East Sussex, east of Seaford at Cuckmere Haven. The bird has been showing very well this afternoon and evening on the fenceposts and in the meadow north of the footpath between the Coastguard Cottages and the Golden Galleon pub. Meanwhile, a RED-FOOTED FALCON was recently east of Baston and Langtoft GP at Cradge Farm (Lincs) at TF 161 151.

The drake BLUE-WINGED TEAL (which incidentally bears a metal ring) continues SW of Earith (Cambs) at Berry Fen (see Mike Lawrence's excellent images above). Park carefully by the A1123 east of Bluntisham village and follow the footpath through the metal gate in a southerly direction before walking west for about quarter of a mile to view (TL 373 738)

Incredibly, after such a long period, the male WHITE-SPOTTED BL:UETHROAT continues to sing and show in reeds and vegetation by the Lyle Hide at Welney WWT (Norfolk), whilst over in Derbyshire, their first-ever GREAT REED WARBLER continues to perform and bellow from Phragmites WSW of Ilkeston at Straw's Bridge Reserve, accessed from the A609 High Lane East car park. A male MARSH WARBLER was present at Spurn Point (East Yorks) today, with another still singing NE of Newchurch (Isle of Wight) north of the cycle track and just east of the conifer plantation. The male IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF 3 miles SE of Doncaster (South Yorks) at Potteric Carr YWT in St Catherine's Field.

An adult ROSEATE TERN is present for a second day on Minsmere RSPB scrape (Suffolk), whilst in the Midlands, a female RED-NECKED PHALAROPE arrived at Upton Warren NNR, where it showed well from Avocet Hide on The Flashes.

A COMMON CRANE was today south of Chester (Cheshire) in fields by the A483 by the Pulford roundabout before flying east

On the Isles of Scilly, a singing male EUROPEAN SERIN remains on St Agnes.

On the Isle of Sheppey (North Kent), the 3 summering EURASIAN SPOONBILLS remain, whilst the usual summer build-up of Spotted Redshanks increased to 23 birds.

Yesterday, the first CASPIAN TERN of the year appeared at Loch Lomond (Clyde), where it was seen at the SE end of the Endrick Mouth on a couple of occasions.

Recently, a singing male COMMON ROSEFINCH remained 10 miles west of Kinross (Perthshire) and a mile NW of Glendevon by the A823 in the car park of Tormaukin Inn at NN 982 049.

Concern mounts for 'Lady' OSPREY in Scotland

See Loch of the Lowes diary here - http://blogs.swt.org.uk/osprey/

Concern is mounting for the welfare of an adult female OSPREY sat on an eyrie overviewed by the hides at the Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve at Loch of the Lowes, near Dunkeld. It is not known at this stage what is wrong with her and for several days now she has barely moved. The two offspring are being attended by the father at present but this does not bode well for the survival of the female.

Loch of the Lowes has seen the birth of 71 baby Ospreys since 1969, making it one of the most prolific sites in Scotland for the species. 'Lady' as she is known has been responsible for raising many of these youngsters to flying stage and she and her mate have been on my annual Scottish itineries for many a year. It is heartbreaking news

Lee Evans