The first-year drake NORTH AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER is still present this evening, about 400 yards offshore and diving on its own between the pack of Eider and the main pack of moulting scoters. The tide is well out but coming in - the bird being viewable from Murcar Links Golf Course.
From the A90 north of Aberdeen, take the Blackdog exit. Drive to the end of the road and then take the track to the beach beyond the fishing huts and walk along the clifftop or dunes south
Sunday, 12 June 2011
More information on the Aberdeen scoter
Link Martin Garner's website here http://birdingfrontiers.com/
Putative AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Chris Gibbins obtained these distant shots of the scoter off Blackdog, Aberdeen, yesterday - according to observers, very distinctive in the field
More news coming in on the AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
There is a very good candidate for a White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi), on the sea off Blackdog, north of Aberdeen.
The bird was found yesterday morning by myself, Chris Gibbins and Hywel Maggs. It is a first-summer drake and the difficulty in identifying the bird in this plumage has been the cause of delay in releasing the news as the available literature mainly deals with adult birds. We have circulated the images amongst several individuals and the feedback and comments received are very positive. The bird shows all the features that we would expect to see in a first-summer drake White-winged Scoter and no negative features.
We have watched the bird again today with several other observers (thanks Phil C, Phil B, Nick L and Ian G for your help) and discussed at length the identification with Martin Garner. We are now happy torelease the news as we are happy with our decision and feedback received.
The bird is on the sea off Blackdog with the large congregation of seaduck that summer at the site (currently at least three Surf Scoter,c.100 Velvet Scoter and 1000+ Common Scoter and many Eider). It is perhaps best looked for on a rising tide when the birds come closer to shore. Access. Blackdog is six miles north of Aberdeen, signposted off theA92. Drive to the end of the road and then take the track down to the beach, past the fishing huts. Good luck to those going.
Paul Baxter, Chris & Hywel
The bird was found yesterday morning by myself, Chris Gibbins and Hywel Maggs. It is a first-summer drake and the difficulty in identifying the bird in this plumage has been the cause of delay in releasing the news as the available literature mainly deals with adult birds. We have circulated the images amongst several individuals and the feedback and comments received are very positive. The bird shows all the features that we would expect to see in a first-summer drake White-winged Scoter and no negative features.
We have watched the bird again today with several other observers (thanks Phil C, Phil B, Nick L and Ian G for your help) and discussed at length the identification with Martin Garner. We are now happy torelease the news as we are happy with our decision and feedback received.
The bird is on the sea off Blackdog with the large congregation of seaduck that summer at the site (currently at least three Surf Scoter,c.100 Velvet Scoter and 1000+ Common Scoter and many Eider). It is perhaps best looked for on a rising tide when the birds come closer to shore. Access. Blackdog is six miles north of Aberdeen, signposted off theA92. Drive to the end of the road and then take the track down to the beach, past the fishing huts. Good luck to those going.
Paul Baxter, Chris & Hywel
Breaking News - putative Nearctic Scoter off Aberdeenshire
An apparent AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER is offshore with other scoters at Blackdog Rocks, just north of Aberdeen (Aberdeenshire) (initially photographed last night) - more details to follow as soon as they become available
Friday, 10 June 2011
What a stunning set of images - MIKE LAWRENCE'S impressive efforts
Some exceptional new shots are arriving of Hartlepool's star performer - none quite so impressive as Bedfordshire photographer Mike Lawrence's latest batch.....
For anyone still to see the bird in question, it is still showing well this afternoon by the inner bowling green at Olive Street. The intensity of blue in Mike's images confirms my earlier beliefs that this is a young male
Rare Robin continues to hang in there
Hartlepool Headland's news-hugging first-summer WHITE-THROATED ROBIN is still present this morning despite going missing after late morning yesterday. It is back commuting between the two bowling greens this morning, showing well particularly on the seaward side of the outer green. The bird has been seen by well over 2,500 people now, perhaps influenced by the mass-media reporting this particular lost waif has enjoyed. It has been very well photographed, Mike Thrower obtaining the excellent series of shots reproduced above.
Back to yesterday (Thursday 7 June) and the avian highlights were as follows -:
Fairly typical early June stragglers involved ROSE-COLOURED STARLINGS at Lochearnhead (Forth) (in gardens between the A84 and the top end of Kendrum Road) and RED-FOOTED FALCONS at Ledbury (Herefordshire) (on the SW side just north of the A417 Leedon Way and just east of the B4216 New Street on Ledbury Cricket Ground viewable from the disused Full Pitcher pub car park - flew off late morning and not subsequently relocated) and briefly near Dorking at Ranmore Common (Surrey) at TQ 145 515 (first-summer female and adult male respectively). An ORTOLAN BUNTING was noted at the Canal Zone bank at Spurn Point (East Yorks) in the evening, whilst a EUROPEAN BEE-EATER spent a short time on wires just south of Woodnesborough before flying south. A scattering of RED-SPOTTED BLUETHROATS included a bird on Fair Isle and another briefly at Seaton Snook (Cleveland), whilst Fair Isle also yielded the first GREENISH WARBLER of the year and two new ICTERINE WARBLERS. On Tuesday, a BLYTH'S REED WARBLER was trapped and ringed at the Calf of Man Bird Observatory (Isle of Man). COMMON ROSEFINCHES included a singing young male at Balephuil on Tiree (Argyll), another at Scatness (Shetland) and the long-staying male on Anglesey
A first-summer BONAPARTE'S GULL reached Berneray (Outer Hebrides), perhaps the long-staying Lewis bird, whilst the similarly aged South Devon individual continued to range widely in the Exe Estuary area.
At Inner Marsh Farm RSPB (Cheshire), the PECTORAL SANDPIPER was still performing well on No.2 lagoon at Inner Marsh Farm RSPB.
The adult drake KING EIDER remains on the Ythan (Aberdeenshire), with two summering adult drake SURF SCOTERS nearby - off Murcar Golf Course and an adult drake AMERICAN WIGEON from Starnafin Farm at Strathbeg RSPB.
Other summer 'residents' included the GREAT WHITE EGRET at Denge Marsh, Dungeness RSPB (Kent).
Most confiding vagrant of the week must be Shetland's first SQUACCO HERON - feeding at ludicrous close range on roadside pools at Urafirth for two days at the beginning of the week (see Jim Nicholson's outstanding images).
In IRELAND, the first SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER of the year involved a bird at Black Rock Strand (County Kerry) yesterday, with two RED-NECKED PHALAROPES at Tacumshin (County Wexford).
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Please help the MONK PARAKEET and please DO NOT DIVULGE LOCATIONS of last few surviving RUDDY DUCKS
Please help save our region's Monk Parakeets
Last night, I was given the devastating news that Defra had shot and killed 8 of Borehamwood's 51 Monk Parakeets as part of a proposed cull of this species in Britain. The RSPB had supported action against these birds (not quite sure why) but only provided Defra CAPTURED the birds and took them into confinement. That word has clearly not been kept and I now urge many of you to sign the petition provided by the link below
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/4/stop-the-monk-parakeet-cull/
Monk Parakeet constructs its own colonial nest and is primarily an urban species. Claims by Defra of Monk Parakeets affecting agriculture by destroying crops is a nonsense in a UK context
More upsetting news concerns North American Ruddy Ducks; Defra now plan to continue killing Ruddy Ducks up until at least 2015 and plan to wipe the species off of the face of Britain - disgraceful. They have professional moles in every camp, provided by ornithologists that support the cull. Please keep any Ruddy Duck sightings to yourself and do not publicise them or provide anyone with the location - please email me at LGREUK400@aol.com with any information, so that I can take steps to protect them should they be away from bodies of water with government access
LEE EVANS, British Birding Association
Last night, I was given the devastating news that Defra had shot and killed 8 of Borehamwood's 51 Monk Parakeets as part of a proposed cull of this species in Britain. The RSPB had supported action against these birds (not quite sure why) but only provided Defra CAPTURED the birds and took them into confinement. That word has clearly not been kept and I now urge many of you to sign the petition provided by the link below
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/4/stop-the-monk-parakeet-cull/
Monk Parakeet constructs its own colonial nest and is primarily an urban species. Claims by Defra of Monk Parakeets affecting agriculture by destroying crops is a nonsense in a UK context
More upsetting news concerns North American Ruddy Ducks; Defra now plan to continue killing Ruddy Ducks up until at least 2015 and plan to wipe the species off of the face of Britain - disgraceful. They have professional moles in every camp, provided by ornithologists that support the cull. Please keep any Ruddy Duck sightings to yourself and do not publicise them or provide anyone with the location - please email me at LGREUK400@aol.com with any information, so that I can take steps to protect them should they be away from bodies of water with government access
LEE EVANS, British Birding Association
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Disgraceful deceit by Defra in relation to MONK PARAKEET slaying
Borehamwood residents have forced Defra in admitting that they have shot and Killed 8 Monk Parakeets - in total contradiction to what was agreed and sanctioned by the RSPB officials tasked with commenting upon the campaign and its purpose. I had been assured that Monk Parakeets were to be captured and repatriated but information gained through the Freedom of Information Act has confirmed that birds (all derived from pet birds) are actually being mercilessly destroyed. The residents of Borehamwood have now set up a petition demanding that the birds be left alone with over 75% of the town supporting it. Defra have admitted spending an astonishing £90,000 on the scheme, on top of £38,000 spent in 2008 - what an absolute waste of valuable public resources at a time when 11% of UK children are said to be in poverty - a national disgrace, on top of an estimated £5.9 million pounds thrown away on the eradication of North American Ruddy Duck. The RSPB will definitely not be getting my resubscription whilst they continue to back such campaigns
Lee Evans
Lee Evans
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
White-throated Robin running the gauntlett of the highway (Steve Clifton)
In Cleveland, the first-summer WHITE-THROATED ROBIN trapped and ringed at Hartlepool Headland yesterday morning remains for a second day. Unlike Monday when it repeatedly visited the inner bowling green by Olive Street, today it restricted its movements predominantly to the flowerbeds and shrubs of the Doctor's Garden in Durham Street. The garden is generally strictly private and out-of-bounds but thanks to the generosity of Dr Reece and his associates, it was opened up today for allcomers.
The bird showed intermittently throughout the day, often at just yards range, posing in bright sunshine on the compost heap and parading about the lawn. Thus far, some 1,700 visitors have enjoyed this spectacle, this waif constituting the third of its kind ever to have made landfall in the British Isles.
DIRECTIONS: The Headland is well signposted from the town centre and ring road and Durham Street and its environs are just 300 yards shy of the extreme far end of the peninsula. Please park sensibly and courteously in the side streets and official car parks. Access to the Doctor's Garden was sanctioned for TODAY only and is not accessible on Wednesday.
Away from Cleveland where incidentally the migrant RED-BACKED SHRIKES all departed overnight, most vagrant action is on Shetland today, where perhaps one may expect it during the first week of June. Most exceptional is a SQUACCO HERON at Urafirth, favouring roadside pools at HU 300 787 (present for second day) and a singing male GREAT REED WARBLER in gardens opposite Vidlin Plantation, with the singing male EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER still frequenting the southern end of Kergord Plantation and the usual adult LONG-TAILED SKUA at East Burra, NW of the Mill Pond. A few COMMON ROSEFINCHES are to be found, with a male at Scatness
Not far away on Orkney, North Ronaldsay hosted both BLYTH'S REED and MARSH WARBLER today (the former trapped and ringed), as well as a lingering TAIGA BEAN GOOSE, with a breeding-plumaged WHITE-BILLED DIVER off Evie (in the Broch of Gurness). whilst on Mainland Scotland, the PIED AVOCET remains at Skinflats Lagoon North Pool (Forth), the GREAT WHITE EGRET at Loch of Kinnordy RSPB (Angus/Dundee) and the adult drake SURF SCOTER offshore of Musselburgh Lagoons (Lothian)
A reeling male SAVI'S WARBLER was an unexpected find at Rutland Water (Leics) yesterday evening (reeling from the reedbed by Lagoon III) but could not be seen or heard this morning
In Lincolnshire, the juvenile WHITE-TAILED SEA EAGLE refuses to leave Ruckland, preferring to take carrion food being purposefully placed out for it rather than return to Continental Europe, whilst a first-summer COMMON CRANE showed well in set-aside at Saxby All Saints Carrs, east of the New River at Ancholme, viewed from the bridge at SE 975 167.
The BLACK-THROATED DIVER is still to be seen from the Sheepwash Hide at Carsington Water (Derbyshire) today, whilst relatively close to was a RED-RUMPED SWALLOW over Ogston Reservoir west bank car park for a short while this morning. Further north and west in Cheshire, a PECTORAL SANDPIPER remains on No.2 Pool at Inner Marsh Farm RSPB, whilst further north still, a first-summer COMMON CRANE was at White Moss, near Stocks Reservoir (Lancs)
The ROSEATE TERN is still at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk) (favouring the main scrape) as is the reedbed-loving PURPLE HERON, whilst elsewhere in East Anglia, WOOD SANDPIPER at Cley NWT is perhaps the highlight.
A female GOLDEN ORIOLE was seen briefly at Farley Mount Country Park (Hampshire) (SU 403 290) this afternoon, whilst of interest was Jersey's first singing male CIRL BUNTING for seven years - a species once resident on the island
Post-breeding Common Crossbills are currently 'irrupting' in large numbers, with flocks coasting and penetrating far inland
Little in the way of news coming out of IRELAND this week although the regularly returning adult FORSTER'S TERN is at Tacumshin (Co. Wexford) and an adult RING-BILLED GULL at Gortnor Abbey Pier, Crossmolina (Co. Mayo)
The bird showed intermittently throughout the day, often at just yards range, posing in bright sunshine on the compost heap and parading about the lawn. Thus far, some 1,700 visitors have enjoyed this spectacle, this waif constituting the third of its kind ever to have made landfall in the British Isles.
DIRECTIONS: The Headland is well signposted from the town centre and ring road and Durham Street and its environs are just 300 yards shy of the extreme far end of the peninsula. Please park sensibly and courteously in the side streets and official car parks. Access to the Doctor's Garden was sanctioned for TODAY only and is not accessible on Wednesday.
Away from Cleveland where incidentally the migrant RED-BACKED SHRIKES all departed overnight, most vagrant action is on Shetland today, where perhaps one may expect it during the first week of June. Most exceptional is a SQUACCO HERON at Urafirth, favouring roadside pools at HU 300 787 (present for second day) and a singing male GREAT REED WARBLER in gardens opposite Vidlin Plantation, with the singing male EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER still frequenting the southern end of Kergord Plantation and the usual adult LONG-TAILED SKUA at East Burra, NW of the Mill Pond. A few COMMON ROSEFINCHES are to be found, with a male at Scatness
Not far away on Orkney, North Ronaldsay hosted both BLYTH'S REED and MARSH WARBLER today (the former trapped and ringed), as well as a lingering TAIGA BEAN GOOSE, with a breeding-plumaged WHITE-BILLED DIVER off Evie (in the Broch of Gurness). whilst on Mainland Scotland, the PIED AVOCET remains at Skinflats Lagoon North Pool (Forth), the GREAT WHITE EGRET at Loch of Kinnordy RSPB (Angus/Dundee) and the adult drake SURF SCOTER offshore of Musselburgh Lagoons (Lothian)
A reeling male SAVI'S WARBLER was an unexpected find at Rutland Water (Leics) yesterday evening (reeling from the reedbed by Lagoon III) but could not be seen or heard this morning
In Lincolnshire, the juvenile WHITE-TAILED SEA EAGLE refuses to leave Ruckland, preferring to take carrion food being purposefully placed out for it rather than return to Continental Europe, whilst a first-summer COMMON CRANE showed well in set-aside at Saxby All Saints Carrs, east of the New River at Ancholme, viewed from the bridge at SE 975 167.
The BLACK-THROATED DIVER is still to be seen from the Sheepwash Hide at Carsington Water (Derbyshire) today, whilst relatively close to was a RED-RUMPED SWALLOW over Ogston Reservoir west bank car park for a short while this morning. Further north and west in Cheshire, a PECTORAL SANDPIPER remains on No.2 Pool at Inner Marsh Farm RSPB, whilst further north still, a first-summer COMMON CRANE was at White Moss, near Stocks Reservoir (Lancs)
The ROSEATE TERN is still at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk) (favouring the main scrape) as is the reedbed-loving PURPLE HERON, whilst elsewhere in East Anglia, WOOD SANDPIPER at Cley NWT is perhaps the highlight.
A female GOLDEN ORIOLE was seen briefly at Farley Mount Country Park (Hampshire) (SU 403 290) this afternoon, whilst of interest was Jersey's first singing male CIRL BUNTING for seven years - a species once resident on the island
Post-breeding Common Crossbills are currently 'irrupting' in large numbers, with flocks coasting and penetrating far inland
Little in the way of news coming out of IRELAND this week although the regularly returning adult FORSTER'S TERN is at Tacumshin (Co. Wexford) and an adult RING-BILLED GULL at Gortnor Abbey Pier, Crossmolina (Co. Mayo)
WHITE-THROATED ROBIN in Cleveland
The yellow pin marks the location of the Bowling Green at Hartlepool Headland. The inner bowling green is that on the opposite side of the road with the green sward to the left the Doctor's Garden
A great shot taken of the bird as it fed by the bowling green
Jamie Duffy was present at the time of release - a few of his shots reproduced here
A few more images depicting the mayhem - Keith's van being highly sought after
These two images were taken by Snowcap, showing one of the vans utilised and a few of the ladders used to scale the wall.
These two images were taken by Snowcap, showing one of the vans utilised and a few of the ladders used to scale the wall.
Hartlepool Headland birder and ringer Chris Brown stumbled on what he thought was a Red-flanked Bluetail in his mistnet as he set up ringing in the allotment field adjacent to the Doctors Garden early yesterday morning, after heavy rain and a Northeasterly wind overnight. The bird was carefully placed in a small bag and then taken off to the Ringing room for processing and at the same time, birders on the local grapevine were alerted.
Upon examination however, it soon became apparent that this was no bluetail but the UK's only third WHITE-THROATED ROBIN - an absolute mega and a species very few birders indeed had ever seen in this country. A correction was instantaneously sent out and by 0900 hours, this remarkable news was broadcast nationally.
Once the bird had been weighed, measured, photographed and ringed, it was released at the neighbouring bowling green, where, for the next three hours, it showed well feeding on the ground, allowing the first 400 or more twitchers to connect. It kept returning to the grass and flower gardens by the green and appeared to be fairly unconcerned by the crowds gathering. Throughout this period, the sun shone brightly on the green.
By early afternoon, the bird was becoming more skittish and visiting the green much less frequently. It flitted in and out for just minutes at a time and repeatedly returned to the Doctor's Garden adjacent. By mid afternoon, cloud cover moved in and it became quite cold for a while - the bird of course disappearing after its last brief showing at 1510 hours. This meant that those from farther afield were in trouble - and as the minutes turned into hours, the stress on some individual's faces was clearly apparent.
LGRE eventually tracked down local ringer Chris Brown and he very kindly agreed to do a sweep of the private church allotment for the bird, as well as view the inaccessible Doctor's Garden from some gaps in the fence. By 1730 hours, Chris could find no trace of the bird and at this point, many birders moved out and attempted to explore the Croft gardens and other suitable areas where the bird may have moved to.
In the meantime, one intrepid local birder decided to use his van as a tool to viewing the Doctor's Garden itself, a garden protected by a 10-foot concrete fortified wall ! Glancing along the flower beds, he suddenly came across the bird - enjoying the sunshine that was now shining down on this area only. Franko happened to be passing by at the time and quickly clambered up on to the van to join the Middlesbrough birder. Within minutes, news had spread of the relocation and what followed next was quite exceptional.....
The Doctor's Garden is surrounded on all sides by high fences and ten foot concrete wall and cannot be viewed from outside oridnarily. Access was out of the question and had already been negotiated without success much earlier in the day. Although 10 or so birders scrambled up on to the initial van to view, it was clear that there was going to be a major problem in getting the well over 500 people present on to the bird. Fortunately, the robin was more than happy where it was and was enjoying the sunshine so much that it actually shaped itself a 'cup' out in the soil and sat down in it. Within minutes, two other enterprising van drivers had driven up and were offering their van roofs as options for looking over the wall and then the steel ladders began arriving !
Within an hour, no less than nine ladders were being propped up against the wall and long queues formed behind them as birders took their turn. This was a unique twitch and one where such improvising techniques had been used before. With the evening sun beating down on the garden for the next few hours, the robin kept performing - allowing many the opportunity of seeing this lost waif.
The bird was either a female or a first-summer, with a full gorget across the breast and some apparent flecking on the forecrown. The long tail was uniform and black, with striking orange flanks, lighter orange on the undertail coverts, quite bluish-grey upperparts, diffuse pale throat and hint of a submoustachial stripe and a bold pale eye-ring.
It represented only the third record, following a first-summer at the Calf of Man Bird Observatory (Isle of Man) on 22 June 1983 (British Birds 87: 83-86) and on Skokholm Island (Pembrokeshire) from 27-30 May 1990 (Birding World 3: 208 [Evans 1991, Rare Birds in Britain 1800-1990: 350].
A thread on Birdforum relating to the bird has some excellent links to videos of the twitch, whilst there are many images of the actual bird itself. A few of these are reproduced above
The bird remains present today (Tuesday), still covering very much the same terrain as yesterday. The headland is well signposted from the Hartlepool ring road, with the Bowling Green situated on the seaward side not far from the furthest tip of the head. Please park sensibly.
Upon examination however, it soon became apparent that this was no bluetail but the UK's only third WHITE-THROATED ROBIN - an absolute mega and a species very few birders indeed had ever seen in this country. A correction was instantaneously sent out and by 0900 hours, this remarkable news was broadcast nationally.
Once the bird had been weighed, measured, photographed and ringed, it was released at the neighbouring bowling green, where, for the next three hours, it showed well feeding on the ground, allowing the first 400 or more twitchers to connect. It kept returning to the grass and flower gardens by the green and appeared to be fairly unconcerned by the crowds gathering. Throughout this period, the sun shone brightly on the green.
By early afternoon, the bird was becoming more skittish and visiting the green much less frequently. It flitted in and out for just minutes at a time and repeatedly returned to the Doctor's Garden adjacent. By mid afternoon, cloud cover moved in and it became quite cold for a while - the bird of course disappearing after its last brief showing at 1510 hours. This meant that those from farther afield were in trouble - and as the minutes turned into hours, the stress on some individual's faces was clearly apparent.
LGRE eventually tracked down local ringer Chris Brown and he very kindly agreed to do a sweep of the private church allotment for the bird, as well as view the inaccessible Doctor's Garden from some gaps in the fence. By 1730 hours, Chris could find no trace of the bird and at this point, many birders moved out and attempted to explore the Croft gardens and other suitable areas where the bird may have moved to.
In the meantime, one intrepid local birder decided to use his van as a tool to viewing the Doctor's Garden itself, a garden protected by a 10-foot concrete fortified wall ! Glancing along the flower beds, he suddenly came across the bird - enjoying the sunshine that was now shining down on this area only. Franko happened to be passing by at the time and quickly clambered up on to the van to join the Middlesbrough birder. Within minutes, news had spread of the relocation and what followed next was quite exceptional.....
The Doctor's Garden is surrounded on all sides by high fences and ten foot concrete wall and cannot be viewed from outside oridnarily. Access was out of the question and had already been negotiated without success much earlier in the day. Although 10 or so birders scrambled up on to the initial van to view, it was clear that there was going to be a major problem in getting the well over 500 people present on to the bird. Fortunately, the robin was more than happy where it was and was enjoying the sunshine so much that it actually shaped itself a 'cup' out in the soil and sat down in it. Within minutes, two other enterprising van drivers had driven up and were offering their van roofs as options for looking over the wall and then the steel ladders began arriving !
Within an hour, no less than nine ladders were being propped up against the wall and long queues formed behind them as birders took their turn. This was a unique twitch and one where such improvising techniques had been used before. With the evening sun beating down on the garden for the next few hours, the robin kept performing - allowing many the opportunity of seeing this lost waif.
The bird was either a female or a first-summer, with a full gorget across the breast and some apparent flecking on the forecrown. The long tail was uniform and black, with striking orange flanks, lighter orange on the undertail coverts, quite bluish-grey upperparts, diffuse pale throat and hint of a submoustachial stripe and a bold pale eye-ring.
It represented only the third record, following a first-summer at the Calf of Man Bird Observatory (Isle of Man) on 22 June 1983 (British Birds 87: 83-86) and on Skokholm Island (Pembrokeshire) from 27-30 May 1990 (Birding World 3: 208 [Evans 1991, Rare Birds in Britain 1800-1990: 350].
A thread on Birdforum relating to the bird has some excellent links to videos of the twitch, whilst there are many images of the actual bird itself. A few of these are reproduced above
The bird remains present today (Tuesday), still covering very much the same terrain as yesterday. The headland is well signposted from the Hartlepool ring road, with the Bowling Green situated on the seaward side not far from the furthest tip of the head. Please park sensibly.
Friday, 3 June 2011
UK Common Swift Survey - please participate
The new Swift Inventory website has now gone live, so please send in your records:http://www.rspb.org.uk/applications/swiftsurvey/
Any records you send in will get to the county database, as well as the county and national atlas, so please do help!
Any records you send in will get to the county database, as well as the county and national atlas, so please do help!
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
HEDGEHOGS in steep decline in UK
In addition to the stark dilemma birds such as Turtle Dove, Common Cuckoo, Corn Bunting, Grey Partridge, Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer, Skylark, Tree Pipit, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Redstart and other farmland species are in throughout rural Britain, I can now confirm that Hedgehogs have dropped in numbers drastically in the past 50 years - in fact by over 25% since just 1990.
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society has found that diminishing hedgerows have been the key reason for such major declines as well as the intensive use of pesticides, both in the countryside and in suburban gardens. A lack of insect food has been critical, whilst in some areas, predation by Badgers has been a major cause of concern.
Lee Evans
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society has found that diminishing hedgerows have been the key reason for such major declines as well as the intensive use of pesticides, both in the countryside and in suburban gardens. A lack of insect food has been critical, whilst in some areas, predation by Badgers has been a major cause of concern.
Lee Evans
And we are now into JUNE............
For regular updates and more localised rare bird news, bookmark the British Bird Association website at http://rarebirdsinbritain.blogspot.com/
Well, the total number of species recorded in Britain and Ireland this year has now climbed to 366 - perhaps a tad lower than in recent years at this point. Apart from a TRUMPETER FINCH in North Devon and a few WHITE-COLLARED FLYCATCHERS, May was relatively uneventful in terms of major attractions.
Early June can often change that and is often the period when unpredictable vagrants turn up on Fair Isle, the Northern Isles and elsewhere in Scotland and on islands; intrepid pioneering birders are already in place on such far-flung localities but all to be found today, despite winds being light and occasionally south-easterly, were 2 Common Rosefinches on the Out Skerries and the very long-staying male EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER on Fair Isle. Somewhat oddly, a male BLACK-HEADED BUNTING continues to visit garden feeders for a second day on the south side of Mallaig (Highland Region) near Annies Brae at 'Fank Brae' - the bird is in excellent condition and intermittent in its appearances but like many previous records of this species, its origin could perhaps be questioned.
At the opposite end of the country, the best the Isles of Scilly has to offer at the start of a new month is a COMMON ROSEFINCH at Salakee Farm on St Mary's. A further migrant COMMON ROSEFINCH remained for a second day on the Isle of Man today, being trapped and ringed at the Calf of Man Bird Observatory.
The BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER remains with the migrant Dunlins at Breydon Water (East Norfolk) today, this morning on the rising hide showing reasonably well from the seawall and hide and then visible from the South Wall this afternoon and evening (best viewed from the seawall 300 yards beyond Humberstone Farm). Also in East Norfolk, a BLACK STORK flew slowly north along the coastline over Waxham Sands Holiday Camp at 0814 hours (incidentally, Northamptonshire's long-staying but elusive adult was seen again on Tuesday, just by Junction 15A of the M1)
.
A KENTISH PLOVER was a very good find at Bowness-on-Solway (Cumbria) - feeding with Dunlin and Ringed Plovers on the falling tide just east of the railings car park early afternoon at least. There has been an unusual displacement of RED-NECKED PHALAROPES this past week, involving over 8 birds and including Bedfordshire's first-ever twitchable individual at Rookery Pit on Monday. Upton Warren Flashes in Worcestershire has played host to two birds, with the female still present there today (use the Sailing Club overspill car park and follow the signposts around the main watersports lake to the reserve; admission £3.00 to non-WMBC members). A further female RED-NECKED PHALAROPE is present at Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve on the Humber Estuary (East Yorks) this afternoon, favouring the Marshland Lagoon.
Whilst the regular adult drake SURF SCOTER loafs with Velvet Scoters in the Firth of Forth and can be 'scoped distantly off Musselburgh wader scrapes (Lothian), a 'new' adult drake consorting with 50 Common Scoters is to be found for a second day off Blackhall Rocks in County Durham. Meanwhile, the summering adult drake KING EIDER continues to moult at the mouth of the Ythan Estuary in Aberdeenshire.and the drake RING-NECKED DUCK continues at Ham Wall RSPB (Somerset). Also, an apparent pair of AMERICAN WIGEONS is at Tophill Low Reservoir (East Yorks) with a drake on Foula (Shetland).
PURPLE HERONS include a lingering bird at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk) and a first-summer last night that visited Gordon's Mere at Woodwalton Fen NNR (Cambs) for at least half an hour whilst a GREAT WHITE EGRET arrived at Dungeness RSPB reserve (Kent) this morning, quickly moving from the New Excavations to the Denge Marsh lagoons (this species has now become annual at the reserve in the summer months).
The juvenile WHITE-TAILED SEA EAGLE that wintered in Hampshire and then moved east and NNE to Lincolnshire in late March is still lingering in NE England - it flew west over Manby Flashes in North Lincolnshire yesterday afternoon. Will it ever return to Continental Europe this spring? HONEY BUZZARDS are now starting to return to their summer territories in the UK and as such, migrants are being noted at numerous coastal localities as well as at inland sites. In fact, two birds from the Wykeham Forest (North Yorks) breeding population are already back on territory and showing from the Raptor Viewpoint.
In Dorset, a reeling male SAVI'S WARBLER continues to attract admirers as it sings from the reedbed and shrubs at the north end of the Breachdown Way central footpath at Lodmoor RSPB, whilst in West Cornwall this morning, a EUROPEAN BEE-EATER flew SW over the lighthouse at Lizard Point at 0910 hours. Only the second MARSH WARBLER of the year thus far involves a singing male by the Hooker's Pit ramp at Dungeness this morning
In Norfolk Fenland and for the second year running, a male WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT has taken up residence at Welney WWT reserve, still singing occasionally early mornings and evenings and often out on the track leading to the Lyle Hide.
COMMON QUAIL are now appearing in reasonable numbers with 5 calling males in Gloucestershire between Down Road and Shirehill Road in Marshfield
EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVES are very scarce visitors to Scotland so a garden feeding bird at Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) has been particularly popular amongst local watchers. Equally popular (and rare) is a single PIED AVOCET at nearby Rigifa Pool in Aberdeenshire.
The wide-ranging summer-plumaged SLAVONIAN GREBE that has done the rounds since leaving its winter quarters at Staines Reservoirs (Surrey) in late May is now present at Pitsford Reservoir in Northamptonshire. Another odd summering SLAVONIAN GREBE is that regular bird on the Exe Estuary in South Devon (usually to be found by looking across from Mudbank Lane in Exmouth or Starcross, depending on what side of the Exe you are) whilst that same estuary continues to harbour the first-year BONAPARTE'S GULL (wide-ranging bird that can be anywhere between the Otter Estuary and Bowling Green Marsh !).
Although no sign today (it actually flew off north yesterday evening), a LESSER YELLOWLEGS at Uttoxeter Quarry (Staffs) was an exceptional local county record, frequenting the pools there for two days.
In IRELAND, top billing goes to a long-staying adult AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER at Tacumshin (Co. Wexford). In fact, Tacumshin has been the most productive location in Ireland for rares this spring with an impressive tally of late including a spring BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER
Well, the total number of species recorded in Britain and Ireland this year has now climbed to 366 - perhaps a tad lower than in recent years at this point. Apart from a TRUMPETER FINCH in North Devon and a few WHITE-COLLARED FLYCATCHERS, May was relatively uneventful in terms of major attractions.
Early June can often change that and is often the period when unpredictable vagrants turn up on Fair Isle, the Northern Isles and elsewhere in Scotland and on islands; intrepid pioneering birders are already in place on such far-flung localities but all to be found today, despite winds being light and occasionally south-easterly, were 2 Common Rosefinches on the Out Skerries and the very long-staying male EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER on Fair Isle. Somewhat oddly, a male BLACK-HEADED BUNTING continues to visit garden feeders for a second day on the south side of Mallaig (Highland Region) near Annies Brae at 'Fank Brae' - the bird is in excellent condition and intermittent in its appearances but like many previous records of this species, its origin could perhaps be questioned.
At the opposite end of the country, the best the Isles of Scilly has to offer at the start of a new month is a COMMON ROSEFINCH at Salakee Farm on St Mary's. A further migrant COMMON ROSEFINCH remained for a second day on the Isle of Man today, being trapped and ringed at the Calf of Man Bird Observatory.
The BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER remains with the migrant Dunlins at Breydon Water (East Norfolk) today, this morning on the rising hide showing reasonably well from the seawall and hide and then visible from the South Wall this afternoon and evening (best viewed from the seawall 300 yards beyond Humberstone Farm). Also in East Norfolk, a BLACK STORK flew slowly north along the coastline over Waxham Sands Holiday Camp at 0814 hours (incidentally, Northamptonshire's long-staying but elusive adult was seen again on Tuesday, just by Junction 15A of the M1)
.
A KENTISH PLOVER was a very good find at Bowness-on-Solway (Cumbria) - feeding with Dunlin and Ringed Plovers on the falling tide just east of the railings car park early afternoon at least. There has been an unusual displacement of RED-NECKED PHALAROPES this past week, involving over 8 birds and including Bedfordshire's first-ever twitchable individual at Rookery Pit on Monday. Upton Warren Flashes in Worcestershire has played host to two birds, with the female still present there today (use the Sailing Club overspill car park and follow the signposts around the main watersports lake to the reserve; admission £3.00 to non-WMBC members). A further female RED-NECKED PHALAROPE is present at Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve on the Humber Estuary (East Yorks) this afternoon, favouring the Marshland Lagoon.
Whilst the regular adult drake SURF SCOTER loafs with Velvet Scoters in the Firth of Forth and can be 'scoped distantly off Musselburgh wader scrapes (Lothian), a 'new' adult drake consorting with 50 Common Scoters is to be found for a second day off Blackhall Rocks in County Durham. Meanwhile, the summering adult drake KING EIDER continues to moult at the mouth of the Ythan Estuary in Aberdeenshire.and the drake RING-NECKED DUCK continues at Ham Wall RSPB (Somerset). Also, an apparent pair of AMERICAN WIGEONS is at Tophill Low Reservoir (East Yorks) with a drake on Foula (Shetland).
PURPLE HERONS include a lingering bird at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk) and a first-summer last night that visited Gordon's Mere at Woodwalton Fen NNR (Cambs) for at least half an hour whilst a GREAT WHITE EGRET arrived at Dungeness RSPB reserve (Kent) this morning, quickly moving from the New Excavations to the Denge Marsh lagoons (this species has now become annual at the reserve in the summer months).
The juvenile WHITE-TAILED SEA EAGLE that wintered in Hampshire and then moved east and NNE to Lincolnshire in late March is still lingering in NE England - it flew west over Manby Flashes in North Lincolnshire yesterday afternoon. Will it ever return to Continental Europe this spring? HONEY BUZZARDS are now starting to return to their summer territories in the UK and as such, migrants are being noted at numerous coastal localities as well as at inland sites. In fact, two birds from the Wykeham Forest (North Yorks) breeding population are already back on territory and showing from the Raptor Viewpoint.
In Dorset, a reeling male SAVI'S WARBLER continues to attract admirers as it sings from the reedbed and shrubs at the north end of the Breachdown Way central footpath at Lodmoor RSPB, whilst in West Cornwall this morning, a EUROPEAN BEE-EATER flew SW over the lighthouse at Lizard Point at 0910 hours. Only the second MARSH WARBLER of the year thus far involves a singing male by the Hooker's Pit ramp at Dungeness this morning
In Norfolk Fenland and for the second year running, a male WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT has taken up residence at Welney WWT reserve, still singing occasionally early mornings and evenings and often out on the track leading to the Lyle Hide.
COMMON QUAIL are now appearing in reasonable numbers with 5 calling males in Gloucestershire between Down Road and Shirehill Road in Marshfield
EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVES are very scarce visitors to Scotland so a garden feeding bird at Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) has been particularly popular amongst local watchers. Equally popular (and rare) is a single PIED AVOCET at nearby Rigifa Pool in Aberdeenshire.
The wide-ranging summer-plumaged SLAVONIAN GREBE that has done the rounds since leaving its winter quarters at Staines Reservoirs (Surrey) in late May is now present at Pitsford Reservoir in Northamptonshire. Another odd summering SLAVONIAN GREBE is that regular bird on the Exe Estuary in South Devon (usually to be found by looking across from Mudbank Lane in Exmouth or Starcross, depending on what side of the Exe you are) whilst that same estuary continues to harbour the first-year BONAPARTE'S GULL (wide-ranging bird that can be anywhere between the Otter Estuary and Bowling Green Marsh !).
Although no sign today (it actually flew off north yesterday evening), a LESSER YELLOWLEGS at Uttoxeter Quarry (Staffs) was an exceptional local county record, frequenting the pools there for two days.
In IRELAND, top billing goes to a long-staying adult AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER at Tacumshin (Co. Wexford). In fact, Tacumshin has been the most productive location in Ireland for rares this spring with an impressive tally of late including a spring BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER
Thursday, 26 May 2011
An outstanding service - Repairs and Servicing of Binoculars and Telescopes
Tony Kay senior has been repairing telescopes and binoculars for over 50 years now and is a true professional and expert in his field. Following his 5-year apprenticeship in instrument making, he began repairing optical instruments in 1960 and in 1962 launched his own company 'Kay Optical Servicing', in Morden in Surrey. By 2002, Tony left the sales side of the business to his youngest son (also named Tony) and had a special workshop built next to his home in Selsey, West Sussex. Thus was born OPTREP OPTICAL REPAIRS.
I cannot recommend this service more highly and have been mightily impressed by Tony's professionalism and high standards. The repair works are speedy, economical and effective, Tony being very conversant in the requirements of birdwatchers. He can repair all makes and ages of telescope and binocular, including Zeiss, Leica, Nikon, Kowa, Swarowski, Optolyth, Opticron and others, as well as those produced in World War ii. So, if you are unfortunate to have an optical accident, do not hesitate to contact Tony on 01243 601365 or info@opticalrepairs.com
See also the website at www.opticalrepairs.com
I cannot recommend this service more highly and have been mightily impressed by Tony's professionalism and high standards. The repair works are speedy, economical and effective, Tony being very conversant in the requirements of birdwatchers. He can repair all makes and ages of telescope and binocular, including Zeiss, Leica, Nikon, Kowa, Swarowski, Optolyth, Opticron and others, as well as those produced in World War ii. So, if you are unfortunate to have an optical accident, do not hesitate to contact Tony on 01243 601365 or info@opticalrepairs.com
See also the website at www.opticalrepairs.com
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
RSPB support capture but NOT culling of non-naturalised MONK PARAKEETS
http://www.borehamwoodtimes.co.uk/news/localnews/8994379.Invasive_parakeets_could_be_culled/
http://www.borehamwoodtimes.co.uk/news/9037618.Parakeets_are_being_culled/
Rex
Many, many thanks for providing these very interesting links and I am pleased to say the RSPB stand by their comments published in the article (that is, they do NOT sanction any KILLING of these birds or CONTROL). Defra however have other ideals and I would like to know IMMEDIATELY when anyone either sees, hears of or sees published ANY eradication of this species in Britain.
T-Mobile have repeatedly applied for permission to kill 8 Monk Parakeets which are breeding on a phone aerial at a school site I monitor but with the help of the head teacher chair and local people within the council, a license has been refused. By way of mediation, permission was granted to take the nesting chamber down and although this has now been done twice, the Monks return and rebuild the colonial nest.
Defra also exaggerate the population - it is an absolute maximum of 77 birds, with 51 of these in Borehamwood - all emanating from Russell's aviary and in fact still nesting within five colonies in his and neighbouring gardens (which Defra cannot enter without permission). They are actively attempting to capture the population but I do not know what they propose to do with any individuals they catch (none caught as far as I know thus far)
http://www.borehamwoodtimes.co.uk/news/9037618.Parakeets_are_being_culled/
Rex
Many, many thanks for providing these very interesting links and I am pleased to say the RSPB stand by their comments published in the article (that is, they do NOT sanction any KILLING of these birds or CONTROL). Defra however have other ideals and I would like to know IMMEDIATELY when anyone either sees, hears of or sees published ANY eradication of this species in Britain.
T-Mobile have repeatedly applied for permission to kill 8 Monk Parakeets which are breeding on a phone aerial at a school site I monitor but with the help of the head teacher chair and local people within the council, a license has been refused. By way of mediation, permission was granted to take the nesting chamber down and although this has now been done twice, the Monks return and rebuild the colonial nest.
Defra also exaggerate the population - it is an absolute maximum of 77 birds, with 51 of these in Borehamwood - all emanating from Russell's aviary and in fact still nesting within five colonies in his and neighbouring gardens (which Defra cannot enter without permission). They are actively attempting to capture the population but I do not know what they propose to do with any individuals they catch (none caught as far as I know thus far)
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Defra now targeting MONK PARAKEET population
I have recently been informed that Defra have obtained permits allowing them to eradicate free-flying Monk Parakeets in Britain (of which I have 77 individuals on file). I have no idea on what pretense they have gained this permission, or why on earth any conservation body would have sanctioned such actions, but as we have the largest population of birds in our area, I am looking for information regarding to any slayings of this species.
Monk Parakeet, unlike Ring-necked Parakeet, does not pose a threat to any of our indigenous breeding species. This highly gregarious species builds its own nest colony, the various chambers housing up to 14 individuals. It does not compete with any of our woodpeckers, Tawny Owl nor Stock Dove for nesting sites and although noisy and perhaps annoying for local residents, does not compete with other species for food other than at urbanised bird tables
A clear example of Defra yet again attacking an easy target - non-naturalised I know but largely innocent and well established across many parts of Europe, especially in Spain
Lee G R Evans
Monk Parakeet, unlike Ring-necked Parakeet, does not pose a threat to any of our indigenous breeding species. This highly gregarious species builds its own nest colony, the various chambers housing up to 14 individuals. It does not compete with any of our woodpeckers, Tawny Owl nor Stock Dove for nesting sites and although noisy and perhaps annoying for local residents, does not compete with other species for food other than at urbanised bird tables
A clear example of Defra yet again attacking an easy target - non-naturalised I know but largely innocent and well established across many parts of Europe, especially in Spain
Lee G R Evans
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
An unprecedented influx of GREAT SNIPES in SPAIN
An unprecedented influx of GREAT SNIPES has taken place in Spain in the past week with one site hosting no fewer than eight individuals (see details and images at http://www.rarebirdspain.net/arbsr000.htm
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Vagrant CREEPER heralds the approaching spring migration
Chris Darby's spectacular shot at the top, followed by Paul Oldfield's in-hand shot and Lee Wood's excellent images this evening as it had just eaten a millipede
Suffolk Landguard Bird Observatory warden Ollie Slessor came face to face with a treecreeper at 0650 hours this morning as he was checking the mistnets and on processing the bird minutes later was elated and excited to find that it was a SHORT-TOED TREECREEPER - only the 26th for Britain and a first for the county. The Observatory staff and Landguard regulars were all informed of the find and at 0740 hours, Lee Woods (of Suffolk Birding) broadcast the news more widely.
On handling, the bird was found to be very low on fat reserves and had clearly just recently completed a long flight. It was released back into the trapping area but during the course of the day, managed to flit back in to the open nets on three further occasions, despite being taken and released on ''Iccy Ridge'' later in the morning. It naturally attracted a lot of attention and in addition to the 60 or so Suffolk observers, it was also seen by a further 50 observers from further afield. Although many people managed to see the bird as it was being released each time, it also showed well in the Holm Oaks, with some exceptional photographs being taken (see Chris Darby's above, as well as those of Lee Woods and Paul Oldfield).
The bird was seen on and off throughout the day and was last noted at 1750 hours. I am assuming from the nature of its weight that it is likely to remain in the area for several days.
The fantastic, glorious spring weather of the past few days has certainly inspired a host of migrants to move north, with Garganeys, Pied Avocets, Little Ringed Plovers, Black Redstarts, White Wagtails, Northern Wheatears and Firecrests all arriving in good numbers, along with the first Tree Pipits, Yellow Wagtails and Ospreys and the first wave of Ring Ouzels. Many of this winter's Bohemian Waxwings are now rapidly migrating northwards.
In Argyll, a PIED-BILLED GREBE accompanying a Little Grebe is present for at least a third day close to the pier in Salen Bay on the isle of Mull - showing very well at times but generally distant and elusive.
Two PENDULINE TITS were discovered at Dingle Marshes SWT, Walberswick (Suffolk), this morning, perhaps different to the 3 at Minsmere RSPB Island Mere last week, with a longer-stayer still present close to the Hanson Hide at Dungeness RSPB ARC Pit (East Kent).
The GOLDEN EAGLE continues to wander the moorlands and countryside of Penwith, West Cornwall, flying south over Catchall this morning, whilst of the half a dozen HOOPOES seen during the last week, one still remained at Ashton, Callington (Cornwall) this morning.The only other HOOPOE reported today was a bird in gardens in Higher Lane, Axmouth (South Devon).
Two GREAT WHITE EGRETS appeared in Northumberland today - both at West Hartford Flash viewable from the road, whilst regularly returning adult BONAPARTE'S GULLS remain in Cardiff Bay (Glamorgan) and on Anglesey..
In Lancashire, the first-winter drake LESSER SCAUP continues with Tufted Ducks for a 5th day on the Junction Pool (SD 352 202) at Marshside Marsh RSPB (Pete Kinsella et al), whilst a drake RING-NECKED DUCK was a new arrival at Seaforth LWT. A drake BLUE-WINGED TEAL remains for a 4th day at the west end of Sandy Water Park, Lanelli (Carmarthenshire), with the wintering drake LESSER SCAUP still at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park in Glamorgan and the female RING-NECKED DUCK at Bosherston Lily Ponds (Pembs). A further drake LESSER SCAUP is at the north end of Milton Loch (Dumfries & Galloway), whilst the drake AMERICAN WIGEON continues with Eurasian Wigeon at Rushy Common, SE of Witney (Oxfordshire).
The long-staying first-winter LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER is still to be found at Lodmoor RSPB (Dorset), generally feeding on the pools visible from the first viewpoint 150 yards east of the car park.
Over 25 GREAT GREY SHRIKES have been seen in the past week, including several spring migrants, including singles on Cannock Chase (Staffs), Leash Fen (Derbyshire), Stow Maries Airfield (Essex), Wentwood Forest (Gwent), Kit Hill Country Park (Cornwall), Upper Hollesley Common (Suffolk), Hamsterley Forest (County Durham), Skipwith Common (North Yorks), Godlingstone Heath NNR (Dorset), Thursley Common (Surrey), Chobham Common (Surrey), Dalton Crags (Cumbria), World's End (Clwyd) and up to 5 different birds in the New Forest (Hants).
The adult BALTIC GULL present since mid February roosted again this evening with Lesser Black-backed Gulls on The Slough at Lackford Lakes SWT (Suffolk) (viewable from the hide)
A party of 8 SHORE LARKS remains at Gibraltar Point NNR (Lincs) and 10 at Cley Beach (North Norfolk)with the wintering bird still showing well on the slag tip at Warton near Carnforth (Lancs).
Two GREAT NORTHERN DIVERS remain on Queen Mother Reservoir (Berks), with SLAVONIAN GREBES at Abberton Reservoir (Essex) and Audenshaw Reservoirs (Greater Manchester)
In IRELAND, the adult drake STEJNEGER'S SCOTER is still to be found in Rossbeigh (County Kerry), tagging on to Common Scoter rafts out in the bay and visible either from the beach or from the cul-de-sac high on the cliff to the west of the town. At least 6 TUNDRA BEAN GEESE have been identified amongst other geese at Lurgan Green (County Louth) whilst a GREAT WHITE EGRET was seen at Inishannon (County Cork) this morning.
The HOUSE CROW remains in Cobh Harbour (County Cork) today, as does the CENTRAL ASIAN LESSER WHITETHROAT in Drogheda (County Louth).
On handling, the bird was found to be very low on fat reserves and had clearly just recently completed a long flight. It was released back into the trapping area but during the course of the day, managed to flit back in to the open nets on three further occasions, despite being taken and released on ''Iccy Ridge'' later in the morning. It naturally attracted a lot of attention and in addition to the 60 or so Suffolk observers, it was also seen by a further 50 observers from further afield. Although many people managed to see the bird as it was being released each time, it also showed well in the Holm Oaks, with some exceptional photographs being taken (see Chris Darby's above, as well as those of Lee Woods and Paul Oldfield).
The bird was seen on and off throughout the day and was last noted at 1750 hours. I am assuming from the nature of its weight that it is likely to remain in the area for several days.
The fantastic, glorious spring weather of the past few days has certainly inspired a host of migrants to move north, with Garganeys, Pied Avocets, Little Ringed Plovers, Black Redstarts, White Wagtails, Northern Wheatears and Firecrests all arriving in good numbers, along with the first Tree Pipits, Yellow Wagtails and Ospreys and the first wave of Ring Ouzels. Many of this winter's Bohemian Waxwings are now rapidly migrating northwards.
In Argyll, a PIED-BILLED GREBE accompanying a Little Grebe is present for at least a third day close to the pier in Salen Bay on the isle of Mull - showing very well at times but generally distant and elusive.
Two PENDULINE TITS were discovered at Dingle Marshes SWT, Walberswick (Suffolk), this morning, perhaps different to the 3 at Minsmere RSPB Island Mere last week, with a longer-stayer still present close to the Hanson Hide at Dungeness RSPB ARC Pit (East Kent).
The GOLDEN EAGLE continues to wander the moorlands and countryside of Penwith, West Cornwall, flying south over Catchall this morning, whilst of the half a dozen HOOPOES seen during the last week, one still remained at Ashton, Callington (Cornwall) this morning.The only other HOOPOE reported today was a bird in gardens in Higher Lane, Axmouth (South Devon).
Two GREAT WHITE EGRETS appeared in Northumberland today - both at West Hartford Flash viewable from the road, whilst regularly returning adult BONAPARTE'S GULLS remain in Cardiff Bay (Glamorgan) and on Anglesey..
In Lancashire, the first-winter drake LESSER SCAUP continues with Tufted Ducks for a 5th day on the Junction Pool (SD 352 202) at Marshside Marsh RSPB (Pete Kinsella et al), whilst a drake RING-NECKED DUCK was a new arrival at Seaforth LWT. A drake BLUE-WINGED TEAL remains for a 4th day at the west end of Sandy Water Park, Lanelli (Carmarthenshire), with the wintering drake LESSER SCAUP still at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park in Glamorgan and the female RING-NECKED DUCK at Bosherston Lily Ponds (Pembs). A further drake LESSER SCAUP is at the north end of Milton Loch (Dumfries & Galloway), whilst the drake AMERICAN WIGEON continues with Eurasian Wigeon at Rushy Common, SE of Witney (Oxfordshire).
The long-staying first-winter LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER is still to be found at Lodmoor RSPB (Dorset), generally feeding on the pools visible from the first viewpoint 150 yards east of the car park.
Over 25 GREAT GREY SHRIKES have been seen in the past week, including several spring migrants, including singles on Cannock Chase (Staffs), Leash Fen (Derbyshire), Stow Maries Airfield (Essex), Wentwood Forest (Gwent), Kit Hill Country Park (Cornwall), Upper Hollesley Common (Suffolk), Hamsterley Forest (County Durham), Skipwith Common (North Yorks), Godlingstone Heath NNR (Dorset), Thursley Common (Surrey), Chobham Common (Surrey), Dalton Crags (Cumbria), World's End (Clwyd) and up to 5 different birds in the New Forest (Hants).
The adult BALTIC GULL present since mid February roosted again this evening with Lesser Black-backed Gulls on The Slough at Lackford Lakes SWT (Suffolk) (viewable from the hide)
A party of 8 SHORE LARKS remains at Gibraltar Point NNR (Lincs) and 10 at Cley Beach (North Norfolk)with the wintering bird still showing well on the slag tip at Warton near Carnforth (Lancs).
Two GREAT NORTHERN DIVERS remain on Queen Mother Reservoir (Berks), with SLAVONIAN GREBES at Abberton Reservoir (Essex) and Audenshaw Reservoirs (Greater Manchester)
In IRELAND, the adult drake STEJNEGER'S SCOTER is still to be found in Rossbeigh (County Kerry), tagging on to Common Scoter rafts out in the bay and visible either from the beach or from the cul-de-sac high on the cliff to the west of the town. At least 6 TUNDRA BEAN GEESE have been identified amongst other geese at Lurgan Green (County Louth) whilst a GREAT WHITE EGRET was seen at Inishannon (County Cork) this morning.
The HOUSE CROW remains in Cobh Harbour (County Cork) today, as does the CENTRAL ASIAN LESSER WHITETHROAT in Drogheda (County Louth).
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