color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial>
at ''Indian Summer'' conditions, with temperatures expected to climb to a
sweltering 84 degrees by Friday !
newsworthy as BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS. Killian Mullarney recorded an incredible
26 birds at the East End of Tacumshin wetlands (County Wexford) yesterday,
increasing by 3 the previous day's record totals. This joins the 40 or more seen
in Britain in recent weeks, those still around including juveniles on St Mary's
Airfield, St Mary's (Scilly) (still 4 of the original 8 remaining), Sennen (West
Cornwall) (2 birds), Slimbridge Dumbles (Gloucs), Carr Bank, Arnside (Lancs),
Bornish, South Uist (Outer Hebrides) (2 birds), North Ronaldsay (Orkney) and at
Eshaness (Shetland). Ricard Guttierez also informed me of an exceptional 11
birds in the Ebro Delta, Tarrragona, SPAIN, whilst at least 35 have appeared
elsewhere in the WP in the past month)
(now with the juvenile LESSER YELLOWLEGS in tow), whilst further juvenile LESSER
YELLOWLEGS include singles at Drift Reservoir and on the Tresilian River at
Tresemple Pool (SW 853 439) at Truro (West Cornwall) and ENE of Glasson (Lancs)
on the south side of the Lune Estuary at the mouth of the River Conder.
at Saarasta Beach, Northton (Harris, Outer Hebrides), Slimbridge Dumbles
(Gloucs) and Lower Pennington Marshes (Hampshire) (following another at Cliffe
Pools Flamingo Pool, Kent, on Sunday), whilst current SPOTTED SANDPIPERS include
an adult at Chew Valley lake Herriott's Bridge (Avon) and juveniles at Lydney
Harbour (Gloucs) and at the north end of the Plym Estuary, Marsh Mills, Plymouth
(South Devon). At least 15 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS also remain around the country
none so entertaining nor approachable as the ridiculously tame juvenile on
Crookham Common Pools, Greenham Common (Berkshire). AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS
include a juvenile on St Mary's (Scilly) and an adult in Gwent at West Usk, with
two juveniles together on Barra (Outer Hebrides), whilst the two juvenile
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS remain respectively at Baron's Haugh RSPB (Clyde) and at
the southern (Carnmenellis) causeway at Stithians Reservoir (Cornwall)..
and on the Northern Isles. Thus far it has been Scilly's swing, following the
succession of East Coast USA hurricanes, although now the only showstopper left
being the slightly-more showy NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH on the newly created
Higginson Pool at Lower Moors. A RED-EYED VIREO also remains in tamarisks in
this area. Other than rare waders and the two former-mentioned ;'stars', the
archipelago harbours an ORTOLAN BUNTING at the north end of the island near
Maypole, the odd WRYNECK, a long-staying first-summer WOODCHAT SHRIKE by the
airport terminal buildings and a very elusive ICTERINE WARBLER in Lower
Moors.
of the weekend's adult SANDHILL CRANE from Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire)
yesterday morning, John Bell and others have the RED-EYED VIREO on Barra at
Breivig and the 90 or so twitchers/birdfinders currently scouring Shetland have
thus far amassed an adult LESSER GREY SHRIKE SE of Laxo, a RED-BREASTED
FLYCATCHER, several NORTHWESTERN REDPOLLS and a usual scattering of
Common Rosefinches, Yellow-browed Warblers and Barred Warblers. North Ronaldsay
has certainly been scoring points and featuring prominently this autumn, both a
NORTH AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT and first-winter CITRINE WAGTAIL remaining
yesterday (as well as a GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK, PEC SAND and commoner scarce
passage migrants), whilst the observers on Fair Isle are still watching LITTLE
BUNTING, CITRINE WAGTAIL, MELODIOUS WARBLER, ROSE-COLOURED STARLING and GREAT
GREY SHRIKE.
least one still on Shetland Mainland quartering the Hillwell area, another on
North Ronaldsay, the richly-coloured bird by the hide at The Loons RSPB reserve
on Orkney Mainland, the bird on Mull at Fidden (Argyll) and the very popular
bird hunting the game strip every two hours just NNE of Burpham village near
Arundel (West Sussex).
combination at Sturt Pond, Milford-on-Sea (Hampshire) and two juveniles off
Exmouth Beach (South Devon), whilst the very distinct adult AZOREAN-TYPE
ATLANTIC GULL continues to roost each evening at Stewartby Lake (Bedfordshire).
In North Lincolnshire, the juvenile NORTH AMERICAN BLACK TERN continued to
afford excellent views.
about 10 WRYNECKS scattered about the country, an exceptional juvenile BARRED
WARBLER in East India Dock (Central London) yesterday and juvenile RED-BACKED
SHRIKES at Frinton-on-Sea (Essex), Lodmoor (Dorset) and Sharkham Point (South
Devon).
area, but EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARDS continue to be particularly few in
number.
its history this autumn with an outstanding list of rare waders to its name: the
juvenile SEMIPALMATED PLOVER remained at Ventry Harbour, WSW of Dingle (Co.
Kerry) until 1040 hours yesterday morning whilst nearby, a confiding LEAST
SANDPIPER crawled about the tidal dykes and ditches at Carrahane Strand (Co.
Kerry). Juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS include up to four together at Sruhill
Lough, Achill Island (Co. Mayo), two at Tacumshin (Co. Wexford) and at
Ballinskelligs (Co. Kerry) of no less than 36 recorded this autumn, with
AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS at Portagovie/Kirkistown (Co. Down) and Black Rock
Strand (Co. Kerry). An adult BONAPARTE'S GULL remains at Blennerville Marsh.
Many BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS are still to be found too
and most likely the HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL at Mizen Head (Co Cork).
in Cobh Harbour (Co. Cork) and not stowed away to Cyprus !!
Lee G R Evans FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10">
British Birding Association
UK400 Club,
Rare Birds Magazine, Ornithological Consultant and
Conservationist
FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10">Professional Guiding from as little as
Rare TREECREEPER heralds the first week of spring
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.
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).
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 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.
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.
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).
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).
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..
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).
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.
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).
February roosted again this evening with Lesser Black-backed Gulls on The Slough
at Lackford Lakes SWT (Suffolk) (viewable from the hide)
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).
Mother Reservoir (Berks), with SLAVONIAN GREBES at Abberton Reservoir (Essex)
and Audenshaw Reservoirs (Greater Manchester)
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.
(County Cork) today, as does the CENTRAL ASIAN LESSER WHITETHROAT in Drogheda
(County Louth).
Lee G R Evans
British Birding Association
UK400 Club,
Rare Birds Magazine, Ornithological Consultant and
Conservationist
Professional Guiding from as little as
Warmest day of the year sees first migrants arrive
today, it was no surprise that the first few migrants started to trickle in,
with two SAND MARTINS arriving, as well as 3-4 NORTHERN WHEATEARS; an early
STONE CURLEW was also recorded in Hampshire. With these new additions, the tally
for species recorded in Britain and Ireland combined this year reaches
257.
surviving in Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire, 20 miles to the west of Oxford,
still visiting gardens of The Leys. To increase the Daisy Fund, Emma and Jebs
are still welcoming birders to the rear of their garden at 33, where views of
the bird can be regularly obtained, especially when it has had its feed at 41.
Please donate
SLATY-BACKED GULL showing more frequently – and ORIENTAL DOVE still present
more frequency than before, today unusually visiting a closed tip at Rainham
from mid-morning. It soon lost interest in the tip and roosted on Wennington
Marsh with other large gulls before moving to the reserve Target Pools to wash
and bathe. It returned to the tip just after 1300 hours and remained in the area
until 1454 hours at which time it flew east along the River Thames. In recent
days, it has also visited the strictly private Pitsea Landfill again, where it
loafed for a short while later in the Wat Tyler Country Park roost. The bird has
now been successfully twitched by in excess of 1,800 birders.
Chipping Norton (Oxfordshire) today, ranging the gardens in the vicinity of The
Leys and roosting in the treeline just west of the houses best viewed
from Lord Piece Road or the lane just along from Jewson.
ORIENTAL TURTLE DOVE in Chipping Norton – weekend directive
on cue at 41 The Leys at 0740 hours and then showing on and off for the next two
hours. Steve and Sharon Akers very kindly extended their hospitality and over a
period of an hour or more, we managed to get 170 birders through – many of whom
enjoyed excellent views of the bird on the grass and on the birdtable. It then
became more mobile and was better viewed from the rear garden of number 31,
often in the hedgerow, in the Apple trees and in the tall Ash trees. Once again,
I am indebted to Emma and Jebs Cockburn for allowing me to arrange further
access into their property. After this, the bird flew across the road and
roosted in a favoured Ash tree to the west of the houses and sat there for at
least two hours resting and preening – a further 80 or so late arrivals saw it
here.
one final day and from 0730 hours will be allowing access. Emma & Jebs have
also agreed to allow access and we will try to accomodate everyone that intends
to visit. Please note that this will be the LAST DAY OF ACCESS and the residents
have requested that NOBODY turns up on Sunday.
DERELICT LAND OPPOSITE JEWSONS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LEYS – THE RESIDENTS HAVE
REQUESTED THAT BIRDERS REFRAIN FROM PARKING IN THE LEYS.
SLATY-BACKED GULL reappears
Site this afternoon (at 1320 hours) but almost immediately one of the local
Peregrines moved in and scattered the large number of gulls present. Pete
Merchant then found it again at around 1410 before it then moved over to
Wennington Marsh and sat with the vast number of gulls gathering there to rest
and preen. It finally moved over to the Target Pools on the RSPB reserve, where
it remained on view until 1640 hours, at which time it flew east. With a total
period of stay of 200 minutes, it was no surprise that just over 70 birders
connected…
for its fifth day in The Leys, Chipping Norton, initially visiting the favoured
garden of number 41 for a period of ten minutes to 0830 and then an array of
different gardens up until mid-afternoon. It remained incredibly mobile and
elusive throughout, tending to roost for long periods in Ash trees and thick
hedgerows
Lee G R Evans
British Birding Association
UK400 Club,
Rare Birds Magazine, Ornithological Consultant and
Conservationist
Professional Guiding from as little as
ORIENTAL TURTLE DOVE in Chipping Norton private garden in December 2010
Oxfordshire in December 2010 – over a month ago now I am afraid. The bird has
been looked for today but no sign
Lee G R Evans
British Birding Association
UK400 Club,
Rare Birds Magazine, Ornithological Consultant and Conservationist
Keep
up with Lee's daily exploits on his DIARY PAGE at
http://thebirdingdiariesofleeevans.blogspot.com/
Discussion Forum/Email
Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/
Rare Bird Alerts: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/
http://rarebirdsinbritain.blogspot.com/
Email
Address: LGREUK400@aol.com
Website Address: www.uk400clubonline.co.uk
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http://calvertbirding.blogspot.com/
http://hertfordshirebirding.blogspot.com/
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Chaffinch
House
8 Sandycroft Road
Little
Chalfont
Amersham
Buckinghamshire
England
HP6 6QL
Telephones:
01494 763010 and 01494 581157
Mobile/Text Alerts: 07881 906629
(Lee
Evans Enterprises incorporate documentation of rare bird occurrences in Britain
& Ireland and elsewhere in the Western Palearctic and in North America; Rare
Bird Information and Rare Bird Alerts; Rare Birds Magazine and other related
publications; Bird Tours for Birders)KILLDEER arrives on Islay, Argyll
and Ireland in 2011, with today's KILLDEER the first recorded since
2009.
Warbler chanced upon this morning's KILLDEER on Islay (Argyll) – Mr Will Miles.
The bird was watched at close range on the beach at Lossit Bay before it flew
off calling but was not relocated.
DIVER was a popular attraction at Ryder's Mere, Clayhanger Marsh (West Midlands)
in recent days but flew off west shortly before midday, whilst the regularly
returning adult winter PACIFIC DIVER continues to feed fairly close inshore in
Mount's Bay, generally between the Windsurfer's Car Park at Marazion Beach and
500 yards to the west. Few RED-NECKED GREBES appear inland these days so singles
at Fairhaven Lake (Lancs) and Grafham
Water (Cambs) are noteworthy.
WHITE EGRETS with a record-breaking flock of 6 at the Ham Walls RSPB reserve at
Shapwick Heath (Somerset), the two returning birds at Pitsford Reservoir
(Northants) and the French colour-ringed adult at Mockbeggar Lake and Ibsley
Water in Hampshire and a regular winterer at Hoveringham Sailing Lake
(Notts).
Sea Pool between Cley and Salthouse (North Norfolk) for its third day, with 8 in
Poole Harbour (Dorset) and 5 in North Devon at Isley Marsh.
today with Pink-footed Geese in the field south of the car park just west of
Fluke Hall (North Lancashire), whilst the adult remains with Dark-bellied Brent
Geese at Solent Breezes (Hants) in the large field west of Lower Brownwich
Farm. A further 11 birds of unknown origin continue to be seen at further sites
in southern Britain, including all 5 (pair and three first-winters) now back in
coastal Suffolk. Meanwhile, the adult LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE of unknown but
perhaps introduced origin appears to have departed the Cantley Marshes RSPB and
Yare Valley (Norfolk) with half of the wintering Taiga Bean Geese (reduced
from 102 to 58 in past week).
Greylag Geese at Gremista (Shetland), with 1 of 3 ROSS'S SNOW GEESE in Norfolk
still being seen in the east of the county with the Pink-footed Geese grazing
the Haddiscoe Levels.
several days at Martnaham Loch (Ayrshire), with the long-staying drake still on
the Serpentine by East Bank, Cley NWT (Norfolk) and another near Tingwall on
Shetland, whilst a drake RING-NECKED DUCK continues to show well in West
Cornwall at St Gothian Sands LNR (at SW 585 418). Another drake of the latter
can also be found at Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park (Cleveland), with a further on
the Thornton ICI Reservoir in Lancashire. Just two LESSER SCAUPS are being seen
of late: the first-winter female on the Rushy Pen at Slimbridge WWT (Gloucs) and
the adult drake (presumably a returning bird) at Colliford Lake, Bodmin Moor
(Cornwall), in the Loveney NR arm. Dependable SURF SCOTERS include just one
single adult drake in Largo Bay (Fife) and the adult female off Dawlish Warren
(South Devon).
present at Hordle in South Hampshire, ranging between the woodland west of
Hordle Lane just north of the Milford road and its favoured roost trees to the
west of Angel Lane about a mile to the west, whilst in North Norfolk, the
juvenile Hen Harrier showing characteristics of the Nearctic form
hudsonicus remains faithful to the saltmarsh.east of Thornham
Harbour.
Islands, at least one ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD remains on Unst (at Vaila Field),
with other wintering birds still being reliably seen at South Ferriby (North
Lincs) and in the Holkham Freshmarsh/Scolt Head Island areas (up to
5).
relocated today in Poole Park, Bournemouth, where it was frequenting the large
lake visble from the roadside by the old Swan Lake Cafeteria.
days in Scarborough Harbour (North Yorks)
at Titchwell Beach (Norfolk) (9), Cley Beach (11), Dingle Marshes, Walberswick
(Suffolk) (11) and Reculver Marshes (Kent) (3). A single has also been seen
frequently at Carnforth Beach (Lancs).
LONG-TAILED TITS (Caudatus) continue to roam with 10 of their British
counterparts around the churchyard and adjacent well-stocked gardens at the
north end of Dymchurch (East Kent)
been visiting a suburban garden in Penzance (West Cornwall) for over two weeks
now (at Weethes Cottages), whilst SCANDINAVIAN ARCTIC REDPOLLS have included at
least three different individuals at Rainton Meadows (Co. Durham), three in
Bedfordshire and a single in Bell's Wood, Whiteadder Reservoir
(Lothian).
following last autumn's record bounty, with 36 WNW of Port Eynon at Paviland
(Glamorgan) (SS 453 853), 4 at Buckton (East Yorks), up to 14 at Cut
Bridge, Sturt Pond (Hants), at least 40 at Chyvarloe, Gunwalloe
(Cornwall), 25 at Weybourne (Norfolk) and up to 60 along the South Wall at
Breydon Water (Norfolk).
found at Courtmacsherry Quay (County Cork), the adult winter FORSTER'S TERN
remains in Galway Bay just east of the Mutton Island causeway, the AMERICAN COOT
at Termoncarragh Lake (Co. Mayo) and the adult female BLUE-WINGED TEAL on North
Bull Island (Co. Dublin). The CENTRAL ASIATIC LESSER WHITETHROAT remains in
Drogheda.
Great island area near Cobh (Co. Cork) was most recently reported off Aghada
Pier and Ballybrassil, with the INDIAN HOUSE CROW nearby at Cobh Town.
Lee G R Evans
British Birding Association
UK400 Club,
Rare Birds Magazine, Ornithological Consultant and Conservationist
Keep
up with Lee's daily exploits on his DIARY PAGE at
http://thebirdingdiariesofleeevans.blogspot.com/
Discussion Forum/Email
Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/
Rare Bird Alerts: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/
http://rarebirdsinbritain.blogspot.com/
Email
Address: LGREUK400@aol.com
Website Address: www.uk400clubonline.co.uk
Related
Blog Sites: http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/
http://rarebirdsinthewesternpalearctic.blogspot.com/http://birdingamersham.blogspot.com/
http://birdingtringreservoirs.blogspot.com/
http://calvertbirding.blogspot.com/
http://hertfordshirebirding.blogspot.com/
http://buckinghamshirebirding.blogspot.com/
http://birdreportexchange.blogspot.com/
Chaffinch
House
8 Sandycroft Road
Little
Chalfont
Amersham
Buckinghamshire
England
HP6 6QL
Telephones:
01494 763010 and 01494 581157
Mobile/Text Alerts: 07881 906629
(Lee
Evans Enterprises incorporate documentation of rare bird occurrences in Britain
& Ireland and elsewhere in the Western Palearctic and in North America; Rare
Bird Information and Rare Bird Alerts; Rare Birds Magazine and other related
publications; Bird Tours for
Birders)MEGA – AMERICAN PURPLE GALLINULE in SOUTH DEVON
Moorhen that was hanging in a Cotoneaster bush in her garden on the edge of
Dartmoor in South Devon. A local birder (Julia Harris) popped around to the
house and photographed the bird and found to her amazement that the bird was a
dead first-winter AMERICAN PURPLE GALLINULE – ouch!
Britain relating to a first-winter picked up in an emaciated condition in the
High Street in Hugh Town, on St Mary's, on the Isles of Scilly, on 7th November
1958. It survived in care for two days but died on 9th, the corpse being sent to
the British Museum and now retained at Tring. Its appearance on Scilly followed
a particularly violent storm in the Gulf of Mexico which later tracked over the
Atlantic.
its provenance – another sub-adult that was apparently found dead in Southill
Park in Bedfordshire in April or May 2008 (A. Jeeves, per Barry Nightingale and
Barry Squires) (published in British Birds 102: 550).
(6), Canary Islands (1), Cape Verde Islands (1), Iceland (2), Madeira (1),
Norway (1), Switzerlamnd (1) and one at sea taken to the Faeroe Islands.
Lee G R Evans
British Birding Association
UK400 Club,
Rare Birds Magazine, Ornithological Consultant and Conservationist
Keep
up with Lee's daily exploits on his DIARY PAGE at
http://thebirdingdiariesofleeevans.blogspot.com/
Discussion Forum/Email
Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/
Rare Bird Alerts: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/
http://rarebirdsinbritain.blogspot.com/
Email
Address: LGREUK400@aol.com
Website Address: www.uk400clubonline.co.uk
Related
Blog Sites: http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/
http://rarebirdsinthewesternpalearctic.blogspot.com/http://birdingamersham.blogspot.com/
http://birdingtringreservoirs.blogspot.com/
http://calvertbirding.blogspot.com/
http://hertfordshirebirding.blogspot.com/
http://buckinghamshirebirding.blogspot.com/
http://birdreportexchange.blogspot.com/
Chaffinch
House
8 Sandycroft Road
Little
Chalfont
Amersham
Buckinghamshire
England
HP6 6QL
Telephones:
01494 763010 and 01494 581157
Mobile/Text Alerts: 07881 906629
(Lee
Evans Enterprises incorporate documentation of rare bird occurrences in Britain
& Ireland and elsewhere in the Western Palearctic and in North America; Rare
Bird Information and Rare Bird Alerts; Rare Birds Magazine and other related
publications; Bird Tours for
Birders)A week passes with no further sign of the Rainham SLATY-BACKED GULL
Britain and Ireland in 2011, including one never before recorded. A near adult
SLATY-BACKED GULL was identified at Rainham Marsh RSPB Wennington Marsh and
Landfill Site (London/Essex) on 13 January and seen again by just 34 observers
the following day. At least 1,400 observers visited the site on Saturday 15
January but of this number, just 25 believed that they had seen it that
day.
Mount's Bay, West Cornwall, fishing with up to 6 Great Northern and 5
Black-throated Divers in the Marazion area (difficult to see in inclement
weather conditions).
has been seen this year, with a raft of 40 or more in Carbis Bay, St Ives
(Cornwall) for a couple of weeks and almost daily sightings off Porthgwarra
(Cornwall), including an impressive 29 birds on 16th. Porthgwarra also logged
some very early Manx Shearwaters, along with two different SOOTY SHEARWATERS –
another of the latter passing Portland Bill (Dorset) on 17th.
Hungerford (Berkshire) on 9 January, the long-staying GLOSSY IBIS pitched up at
Dungeness RSPB (East Kent) before crossing the English Channel next day. It has
remained ever since, showing mainly on the pools to the right of the entrance
track. GREAT WHITE EGRETS remained at seven sites, including a new winter record
of 5 together at Ham Walls RSPB (Somerset) on 17th; last winter's two were again
at Pitsford Reservoir (Northants) with other regular wintering birds at
Thorpeness Mere (Suffolk) and at Blashford Lakes HWT (Hampshire). Apart from one
over Elmley Marshes RSPB (North Kent) on 16th, all EURASIAN SPOONBILLS this past
week have been in the Southwest, with 9 on Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour
(Dorset), 3 at Walmsley Sanctuary CBWPS (Cornwall) and another on Samson
(Scilly).
still to be found most afternoons at the southern causeway of Stithians
Reservoir, with further out-of-range herds being noted in Dorset, Hampshire and
in Surrey, whilst on the goose front, Norfolk continued to host an adult LESSER
WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE of unknown origin with up to 107 TAIGA BEAN GEESE in the
Yare Valley between Buckenham Carrs RSPB and Cantley Beet Factory and up to 3
different ROSS'S SNOW GEESE with the Pink-footed Geese including a fairly
reliable bird at Holkham Freshmarshes.
to be seen in North Lancashire with the wintering Pink-footed Geese there,
wandering each day and being seen at Cleveleys, Pilling Lane Ends and Eagland
Hill. An adult of unknown origin appeared amongst the Dark-bellied Brent Geese
on Titchfield Haven foreshore (Hants) on 19th and was still present today,
feeding just inland of the shore in fields by the caravan and Holiday Park half
a mile to the west of the reserve. The only SNOW GOOSE reported was the
long-staying bird with Greylag Geese near Kirkwall in Orkney. Some 10 or more
BLACK BRANTS continue to be seen.
Cockshoot Broad (Norfolk) on 16th, with long-staying RING-NECKED DUCKS involving
a drake at Cowpen Bewley (Cleveland) and at Loch Evelix (Sutherland) and females
at Nosterfield Quarry (North Yorkshire) on 16th and at Talley Lakes (Carmarthen)
on 18th. There was also a drake at Stithians Reservoir (Cornwall) on 16th. Four
adult drake AMERICAN WIGEONS are on offer, with singles at Udale Bay, Cromarty
(Highland), Rutland Water (Leics), Cley Marshes NWT East bank (North Norfolk)
and Stoke Ferry Washes (Central Norfolk), whilst LESSER SCAUPS include drakes at
Cosmeston Lakes CP (Glamorgan) and Dozmary Pool, Bodmin Moor (Cornwall) and a
female at Slimbridge WWT (Gloucs).
Dawlish Warren (South Devon), with the usual drake off Ruddons Point in Largo
Bay (Fife) and others in SW Wales and on Harris (Outer Hebrides) and the three
continuing KING EIDERS in Northern Scotland – the adult drake off Burghead
(Moray) and the first-winter drake and female in the West Voe of Sumburgh
(Shetland). SMEW continued to be in good supply with at least 120 wintering,
with a single bird in Wales, 5 in Scotland and two in Ireland.
different ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARDS, mostly in the Scolt Head/Overy Dunes/Holkham
and Lodge Marsh areas, with several elsewhere including the long-staying bird on
the River Humber (at South Ferriby) and another at Hatfield Moors NNR (South
Yorkshire), whilst the juvenile Hen Harrier showing some characteristics of the
Nearctic form hudsonicus remained very faithful to Thornham Marsh and
its environs (North Norfolk).
continued to eek out carrion in the woodlands to the west and SW of Hordle Lane
near Milford-on-Sea (Hampshire) until at least 17th.
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER at Lodmoor (Dorset) was the main event, whilst in terms of
rare gulls, the regular adult RING-BILLED GULLS could all be relied upon in
Argyll (Oban Harbour), Hampshire (Gosport), Essex (Westcliff-on-Sea) and in West
Yorkshire (Mirfield).
LARKS with reliable flocks still to be found at John Muir Country Park (Lothian)
(5 birds), Gibraltar Point (Lincs) (21), Theddlethorpe Dunes (North Lincs) (7),
Titchwell RSPB (North Norfolk) (9), Holkham Bay (North Norfolk) (5), Cley Beach
(North Norfolk) (11), Dingle Marshes (Suffolk) (13) and Reculver Marshes (North
Kent) (3) whilst the most impressive gatherings of LAPLAND BUNTINGS remain the
15 or so at Weybourne Clifftop Fields (North Norfolk) and 14 or so at Cut Bridge
stubble field, Hurst Beach (Hampshire).
in the south, with over 700 at one site in Hampshire and flocks of 200 or more
still present in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Essex.
MEALY REDPOLLS, with many hundreds of birds present, with a few SCANDINAVIAN
ARCTICS amongst them including two in Bedfordshire, 3 at Rainton Meadows (County
Durham) and a singleton near Whiteadder Reservoir (Borders).
gardens in Leigh (Gtr Manchester) in early December and may have been the same
bird seen at two further suburban localities in Central England did not make it
into January 2011 but may well be lurking with the large numbers of thrushes in
SW England, whilst NORTHERN WHITE-HEADED LONG-TAILED TITS included a flock of 5
in Dymchurch (Kent) and at least 2 more at nearby Kingsdown.
species not recorded in Britain thus far in 2011 namely PIED-BILLED GREBE,
BLUE-WINGED TEAL, AMERICAN COOT, BONAPARTE'S GULL, FORSTER'S TERN, INDIAN HOUSE
CROW and CENTRAL ASIATIC LESSER WHITETHROAT. The PIED-BILLED GREBE,
although elusive and wide-ranging, was seen at Great Island (Co. Cork) until at
least 20th, with the AMERICAN COOT at Termoncarragh Lake (Co. Mayo) until at
least 16th, the female BLUE-WINGED TEAL at North Bull Island (Co. Dublin), the
adult winter BONAPARTE'S GULL at Great island on 15th, the adult winter
FORSTER'S TERN at Glassagh Beach, Galway Harbour (Co. Galway), the INDIAN HOUSE
CROW in Cobh (Co. Cork) and the apparent halimodendri LESSER
WHITETHROAT on garden feeders at Drogheda (Co. Louth).
Abbey, Strangford Lough (Co. Down), the RICHARDSON'S CANADA GOOSE (SMALL CANADA)
at Raghley (Co. Sligo), FERRUGINOUS DUCKS at Tacumshin (Co. Wexford) and
Craigavon Balancing Lakes (Co. Armagh), SMEWS at Portmore Lough (Co. Antrim) and
Inch Island Lake (Co. Donegal), the Hen Harrier showing characteristics of
'NORTHERN HARRIER' at Tacumshin Lakes (Co. Wexford) and good numbers of WAXWINGS
still.