British Birding Association UK400 Club

A band of rain associated with strong W/SW winds and an Atlantic depression pushed large numbers of seabirds into the English Channel today, with Cornwall and Scilly recording the largest numbers. Undoubted highlight however was a YELKOUAN SHEARWATER, observed by two very experienced seawatchers (both highly familiar with the species) as it sat on the sea and followed a trawler alongside a single Balearic Shearwater off Berry Head, Brixham (South Devon) from 0930-0949 hours. The bird was observed at just over 200 yards range but was unfortunately not photographed. A detailed field description was obtained which was spot-on in every aspect and matched perfectly birds from Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey. The only pitfall is 'Minorca Shearwater' (described in the newly-published 'Petrels - night and day'). This is an unknown entity and has recently been studied by Magnus Robb - it is a Yelkouan-type shearwater within Balearic breeding range).

 

In Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, large numbers of CORY'S SHEARWATERS have been passing throughout the afternoon and evening, with 144 counted past Gwennap Head, Porthgwarra (per Russell Wynn) and 94 past Scilly (including 61 past Horse Point, St Agnes), whilst 1 GREAT SHEARWATER flew west past Porthgwarra (R.Wynn, John Swann, et al). A further 3 CORY'S SHEARWATERS were reported off Chesil Beach, Portland (Dorset) late afternoon.

 

Away from seabirds, the main talking point is that of TWO-BARRED CROSSBILLS - with the 5 or so birds of recent days presumably heralding an invasion of the species this autumn. Orkney continues to attract the largest number, with immatures today on Rendall and Stenness (the latter flew into a window) (and both in birdwatcher's gardens), following the bird yesterday at Mull Head, and a female for its second day at Sandgarth, Voe (Shetland) (two were on Fair Isle on 28th).

 

Orkney also produced a EUROPEAN BEE-EATER this evening - hawking over the Oatcake Factory, behind the Co-Op supermarket in Stromness from 1920-1926 hours before possibly roosting in nearby trees.

 

Other fresh arrivals today included an adult PECTORAL SANDPIPER at Hanningfield Reservoir (Essex) (from Point Hide) (Dave Acfield) and a EURASIAN SPOONBILL briefly at Eyebrook Reservoir (Leics) whilst a pair of MARSH WARBLERS successfully reared at least three young at Spurn Point (East Yorks).

 

Elsewhere, the adult summer PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER remains on North Ronaldsay (Orkney), adult PECTORAL SANDPIPERS at Port Carlisle (Cumbria), Titchwell RSPB (Norfolk) and Holland Haven NR scrape (Essex) and a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE still on its breeding loch on Lewis (Outer Hebrides).

 

The pair of COMMON CRANES continue at Sleap Moor, SE of Crudgington (Salop), favouring the flooded field at the Kynnersley end of Dykes' Drive (please view from the end of the lane 100 yards west of Sidney Cottages at SJ 653 163), with the drake LESSER SCAUP still on Balgray Reservoir (Clyde) and a GLAUCOUS GULL in Fraserburgh Harbour (Aberdeenshire). The male ROSE-COLOURED STARLING remains in gardens at Upper Siadar, Lewis.