Hampshire Bird Report 2000

Birders "twitching" Pennington's Stilt Sandpiper will be re-familiarising themselves with "the beautiful county". What better time than now to grab a copy of "The Hampshire Bird Report 2000". Published in March 2002 it follows the format of previous years announcing its arrival through your letterbox with a satisfying thud.

On the cover is an excellent photograph by Keith Stone of one of the years star birds, namely the first Hampshire record of Great Spotted Cuckoo, undoubtedly the most appreciated county tick of the year.

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Great-spotted Cuckoo The report opens with an editorial, including the report from the chairman. Outlined are the societies achievements over the preceding 12 months; one notable milestone for 2000 was the passing of the landmark one thousandth member.

A month-by-month review of the birding year summarises the occurrence of rarities, significant records, and the weather patterns.

This is followed by the familiar systematic list of species in Vouos order, which comprises the bulk of the report. An appendix summarises escaped species.

2000 represented a good year for British Birds rarities (this is Hampshire after all!) and included four county firsts: Great White Egret, Ferruginous Duck, Red-footed Falcon, Baird's Sandpiper, the aforementioned Great Spotted Cuckoo (1st for Hants), Little Swift (1st for Hants), Cliff Swallow (1st for Hants), Paddyfield Warbler (1st for Hants) and Rose-coloured Starling.

The accounts are enlivened by some nice vignettes by Dan Powell, alongisde illustrations from David Thelwell. In addition there are nine colour photographs which include two rather gripping in the hand shots of Corncrake and Paddyfield Warbler

Arrival and departure dates of summer and winter visitors are tabled. A county map follows these with key locations identified.

A list of observers and contributors is notable (to me at least) by my omission; however, I shall not take it personally!

The guidelines for the submission of records desperately cry out for an overhaul: do I really need to submit ALL records including details of age and plumage for Tree Pipit and Sedge Warbler?

On a livelier note a review of the rarities by John Clarke is to be read through clenched teeth, especially those pages dealing with the Cliff Swallow and Paddyfield Warbler.

Interesting articles on record numbers of Manx Shearwaters off Hampshire and Song Thrush records in the county bring the report to a close.

Overall the report for 2000 maintains the high standards and is surely a candidate for report of the year.

If you live in or have links with Hampshire, or are simply interested in the avifauna of the county, I confidently predict you will not be disappointed if you part with £8 of your hard earned cash.

reviewed by Ken Arber

Copies are available from Mrs M Boswell, 5 Clarence Road, Lyndhurst, Hants SO43 7AL. Price £8 incl. postage (payable to Hampshire Ornithological Society).

Alternatively join the Hampshire Ornithological Society for just £9. Details at our website: www.hants.gov.uk/hos/

Membership Secretary is:

John Norton
36 Penhale Gardens
Fareham, Hants
PO14 4NL

Hampshire Bird Report 2000 - published March 2002