SOUTH EAST

Highlights

Comfortably the most exciting story from the South East was the ‘accidental’ relocation of the Northern Ireland Common Nighthawk flying around Bushy Park, London. Wear on the tail and wing feathers betrayed the bird’s individual identity in another case of the ‘power of digitial photography’ in modern birding.

BEDFORDSHIRE

HIGHLIGHTS: Marston Vale Millennium CP held a Ring-necked Duck (5th-6th & 17th) and a Scaup (16th-19th). A Common Scoter was at Coronation Pit (21st). A Ring Ouzel flew over Sandy (12th). Another was at Knocking Hoe (20th), where a Hawfinch flew south (20th). Broom GP had a Garganey (1st) and an Osprey (3rd). A Shag flew over Houghton Regis (3rd). Robin Chittenden. For the latest bird news please phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700 245 from a landline or mobile phone cost 65p per minute plus your phone company access charge. Service provided by Birdline East Anglia. For enquiries please call 0330 333 6946 or 07941 333 970. www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk twitter.com/BirdlineEAnglia facebook.com/robinchittenden7

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

HIGHLIGHTS: A Shag was at Marsworth Reservoir (5th-9th) and Great White Egrets were at Gayhurst Quarry (13th & 27th), Linford (4th & 20th) and Little Marlow GP (7th). Six Whooper Swans were at Linford (27th) and a Brent Goose was at Calvert (29th). A Scaup was at Little Marlow GP (31st) and a Marsh Harrier was at Aston Clinton (30th). A Nightjar was at Tattenhoe Park, Milton Keynes (2nd) and a Great Grey Shrike was on private land in the south of the county (22nd).

CALVERT: There was a Bittern (from 14th), a Garganey (24th & 25th) and five Red-crested Pochards (28th).

IVINGHOE HILLS: Vismigging logged up to 20 Ring Ouzels (4th-27th), 24 Brambling (8th-24th), a Common Crossbill (18th) and a Hawfinch (25th). LITTLE MARLOW GP: There was a Pintail (13th), a Yellow-legged Gull (5th), a Common Tern (7th-16th) and a Lesser Whitethroat (13th). NEWTON LEYS: There was a peak of five Yellow-legged Gulls (24th) and four Caspian Gulls (1st-25th). OTHER SITES: There were Merlins at Buckingham (5th & 9th) and Stowe (29th) and a Dunlin at Tongwell (18th). A Woodcock was at Stoke Goldington (30th) and a Black Tern at College Lake (1st-5th). There was a Tree Pipit over Buckingham (10th), a Redstart at Tattenhoe (15th) and Ring Ouzels at Coombe Hill (15th), Little Marlow (27th), Quainton Hills (5th) and Wapseys Wood WDS (21st). Twenty-four Bramblings flew over Wapseys Wood WDS (21st) and Common Crossbills were at Aston Hill (8th), Black Park (17th) and Stoke Common (8th & 15th). Hawfinches were at Tattenhoe Park, Milton Keynes (25th) and Howe Park Wood (22nd). Adam Bassett (www.bucksbirdclub.co.uk)

HAMPSHIRE

BLASHFORD LAKES AND THE AVON VALLEY: Up to three Great White Egrets were seen around Blashford Lakes. A Scaup arrived on Ibsley Water (from 26th), followed by a Common Scoter (29th). A Caspian Gull (18th) and up to five Yellow-legged Gulls were the highlights of the gull roost. A late Little Ringed Plover was on Ibsley Water (1st-4th), plus a Dunlin and up to two Green Sandpipers. Returning winter visitors included a single Water Pipit (from 23rd) and maxima of seven Goldeneye and 40 Goosanders. Elsewhere in the Avon Valley a Cattle Egret was at Avon Tyrell (13th) and a Scaup was at Ripley Farm Reservoir (8th & 22nd).

HILL HEAD TO HAMBLE: A Wryneck was at Chilling (5th-6th), followed by at least one at Hill Head (15th-22nd). Other scarce migrants included three Ring Ouzels at Titchfield Haven (20th) and a Black Redstart at Hill Head (20th). A Pomarine Skua dropped onto the scrapes at the Haven (19th). Marsh Harriers were seen regularly, plus Merlin and Hobby. A Hen Harrier was at Brownwich (25th). Offshore there were sightings of Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver and two Slavonian Grebes, while a Spoonbill flew across Southampton Water (4th). Two Cattle Egrets were seen flying over the Posbrook Floods (28th), while the first Water Pipit of the winter was seen on the canal path (23rd).

LANGSTONE HARBOUR AND HAYLING ISLAND: Reports from Farlington Marshes included two Jack Snipe (5th), Ruff (5th & 12th), Merlin (19th & 27th) and Ring Ouzel (8th & 12th). One or two Ospreys remained in Langstone Harbour, while the first Black-necked Grebe of the winter arrived (28th). On Hayling Island a Pomarine Skua showed well at the Oysterbeds (19th-20th). There was a Red-necked Grebe off Eastoke and a Long-tailed Duck off Black Point (both 31st), plus sightings of all three divers. An arrival of Black Redstarts saw eleven birds on South Hayling (23rd), with smaller numbers remaining on days thereafter, while a late Common Redstart was also seen at Eastoke (22nd-23rd). Short-eared Owls were seen twice

(19th & 23rd) and a Hen Harrier flew over Sandy Point (21st). A Curlew Sandpiper was at Black Point (10th-12th).

LYMINGTON TO MILFORD-ON-SEA: A Pomarine Skua was at Keyhaven (13th-16th) plus a Great Skua (13th). A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Keyhaven (20th), following one in a Lymington garden (13th). Wintering waders included up to three Spotted Redshanks and four Ruff, while up to three Water Pipits were seen from the 19th. One or two Spoonbills were seen on three dates and Merlin and Marsh Harrier were both seen regularly. There were a couple of good seawatching days at Milford-on-Sea, with a Long-tailed Skua, two Great Skuas, a Little Gull, nine Kittiwakes and an Arctic Tern being seen on the 11th, then another Long-tailed Skua, a Leach’s Petrel, two Little Gulls, a Long-tailed Duck and a Great Northern Diver on the 26th. Another Long-tailed Duck was seen (25th), as well as Velvet Scoter (31st) and Black-throated Diver (31st). A Caspian Gull was seen on Sturt Pond (17th & 18th). Nearby at Barton-on-Sea, a Snow Bunting was on the golf course (19th), a Lapland Bunting flew over (23rd) and a Short-eared Owl flew in off the sea (29th).

OTHER SITES: At least two White-throated Sparrows arrived in Southampton on a cruise ship, with a couple of subsequent sightings from local gardens. Four Cattle Egrets were at Testwood Lakes (13th), with up to two Great White Egrets also in the lower Test valley, mostly at Fishlake Meadows. There were also Great White sightings in the north-east of the county at Tweseldown (20th & 29th), Mortimer West End (20th) and Church Crookham (20th). Yellow-browed Warblers were in lower numbers than previous Octobers, with reports from Allbrook (17th), Old Winchester Hill (18th) and Southsea (20th). The first Great Grey Shrike of the winter was reported from Black Gutter Bottom (15th & 29th). An influx of Black Redstarts towards the end of the month saw records from 12 sites, mostly on the coast. Ring Ouzels were seen in reasonable number, with up to six at Leadenhall and Clay Hill in the New Forest and up to seven on Portsdown Hill. At the coast, the Lepe area had Black-throated Diver (30th), two Spoonbills (25th), Osprey (4th & 11th) and up to three Marsh Harriers. Lower Test had a Scaup (23rd) and two Water Pipits (from 23rd), with two Scaup also seen off Weston Shore (21st), plus Great Northern Diver (26th & 29th) and two Little Gulls (30th). A Little Stint was at Hythe (13th). A Garganey remained at Alresford Pond (to 13th) Tom Jordan

HERTFORDSHIRE

HIGHLIGHTS: Yellow-browed Warblers were at Ellenbrook Fields (1st), Wilstone Reservoir (12th-13th) and Bowyer’s Water (30th-31st). Two Kittiwakes were at Wilstone Reservoir (14th), with a Cattle Egret there (17th-18th). Black Redstarts were at Maple Cross (21st), Barkway (24th-27th) and Royston (27th). A Whinchat was at Gorhambury (27th). A Shag was at Startop’s End Reservoir (5th). A Garganey was at Tyttenhanger GP (7th-9th). Robin Chittenden. For the latest bird news please phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700 245 from a landline or mobile phone cost 65p per minute plus your phone company access charge. Service provided by Birdline East Anglia. For enquiries please call 0330 333 6946 or 07941 333 970. www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk twitter.com/BirdlineEAnglia facebook.com/robinchittenden7

KENT

HIGHLIGHTS: A Booted Warbler was at Langdon Cliffs (14th), with a Wryneck there (20th) and a Great Grey Shrike (28th-29th). A Desert Wheatear was at South Swale (30th). The American Golden Plover remained around Oare Marshes (1st-12th), with two Cattle Egrets also there, and a Ring Ouzel (10th). An American Golden Plover was at Shellness/Swale (12th), with a Sabine’s Gull, eight Black Terns and 13 Little Gulls there (15th). A Rough-legged Buzzard was at Ash Level (15th). Hoopoes were at Ramsgate and Pegwell Bay (19th). A Pallas’s Warbler was at Swalecliffe (29th). A Black Brant was at Seasalter (29th). A Woodchat Shrike was near Seaton GP (30th). A Sabine’s Gull flew past Sandwich Bay (2nd), and two passed Reculver (2nd). Dungeness RSPB had three Cattle Egrets, four Little Gulls, two Black Terns, a Honey Buzzard (2nd), Bittern, Arctic Tern, four Great White Egrets, a Garganey, Red-throated Diver and Siberian Chiffchaff. Dungeness NNR had a Wryneck (7th-10th), four Ring Ouzels (10th), a Grey Phalarope, Caspian Gull, Little Gull and Sabine’s Gull. Cliffe Pools had a Cattle Egret and Red-necked Grebe (4th), and a Grey Phalarope (26th-29th). Stodmarsh had a Spotted Crake (6th). Sabine’s Gulls passed Minnis Bay and Foreness Point (21st), when Long-tailed and Pomarine Skuas were off Shellness/Swale. A Great Grey Shrike was at Shuart (22nd). A Serin, Black Redstart and three Firecrests were at Kingsdown (25th), when St Margaret’s at Cliffe had a Serin, Black Redstart and six Firecrests.

SURREY

HIGHLIGHTS: A Honey Buzzard flew over Leith Hill (9th), and there were several Ring Ouzels there early on. A Red-throated Pipit passed south over Hascombe (15th), plus a Ring Ouzel, briefly, with good numbers of Ring Ouzels passing through early in the month, and there were two Hawfinches (18th). A Great Grey Shrike was at Horley (28th). A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was at Holmethorpe Sand Pits (2nd-9th). A Hawfinch was at East Horsley (15th). Three Water Pipits was at Tice’s Meadow (17th). Five Hawfinches flew over Palmers Cross (20th). Black Redstarts were at Woking and Clandon Wood (23rd). Papercourt Water Meadows had a Water Pipit, a Black Redstart and a Whinchat (23rd). A Short-eared Owl was at Ewell (23rd). Two Black Redstarts were in a garden at Godstone (25th). Chiddingfold had two Hawfinches (27th), and six were at Capel (28th). A Black Redstart was at Birtley Green (28th).

SUSSEX

EAST SUSSEX: A Stone Curlew was at Rye Harbour (1st). A Cattle Egret was at Pevensey (4th). Grey Phalaropes were at Splash Point (11th) and Cuckmere Haven (20th-27th). Three Cattle Egrets were at Pett Level (22nd). A Yellow-billed Cuckoo was found dead at Seaford (2nd).

WEST SUSSEX: Pagham Harbour had four Cattle Egrets (1st) and a Wryneck (19th). A Wryneck was at Sidlesham Ferry (27th), with several Cattle Egrets also there. Thorney Island had five Cattle Egrets and an Osprey (2nd), six Cattle Egrets and two Great White Egrets (8th), and two Great Grey Shrikes (30th). A Grey Phalarope was off Lancing (26th). Cattle Egrets were at Pulborough Brooks (30th) and Arundel (28th).