UK Bird Sightings
A comprehensive round-up of birds seen during October
As expected,
Scilly hogged the rarest birds in the region, including an Indigo Bunting, a Black-andwhite Warbler and a couple of Swainson’s Thrushes. There was a decent smattering of Red-eyed Vireos and a Rose-breasted Grosbeak to add some quality in depth.
AVON
CLEVEDON TO WESTON-SUPER-MARE:
Up to three Brent Geese were at Clevedon-Yeo (18th-22nd), with one at Sand Point (18th). A drake Mandarin was on Clevedon Pill (16th). Waders along the Clevedon coast included five Bar-tailed Godwits, 28 Grey Plovers, 150 Lapwings (unimpressive but the biggest flock in Avon), 460 Redshanks with a Spotted Redshank on two dates, seven Knot and two Ruff (16th), Little Stint and Jack Snipe (19th) and an Avocet (27th). Curlew peaked at Sand Bay with 230 and Uphill held 400 Redshanks. Flyover Woodpigeons reached 3,000 at Sand Point (12th), where ‘vismig’ included 400 Redwings, 450 Fieldfares and a Ring Ouzel (14th), as well as up to three Firecrests and a Yellow-browed Warbler on many dates. Clevedon had 12 Wheatears (5th), 17 Stonechats, two Whinchats, a Black Redstart (16th) and the last Yellow Wagtail (1st). Merlin and Short-eared Owl had arrived by mid-month. A Yellow-browed Warbler spent a mid-month week at Clevedon.
SEVERNSIDE: Wigeon counts at Northwick Warth reached 250 by month-end. A Common Scoter was at Severn Beach (4th). Severnside had top wader counts of 200 Oystercatchers, 26 Grey Plovers, 505 Black-tailed Godwits, 100 Turnstones, 45 Knot, 200 Redshanks and 1,200 Dunlin. Rarer sightings included six Ruff, three Curlew Sandpiper, a Jack Snipe and an Avocet (24th). The only October Kittiwake was at Severn Beach (4th), with a Mediterranean Gull and two Manx Shearwaters there the same day. Another Manxie was killed by a Great Black-backed Gull at Oldbury (6th). A Short-eared Owl was seen (18th) and a Merlin hunted along Severnside all month. A Wood Lark was at Aust (14th) and a Firecrest was at New Passage. Twenty Stonechats turned up at Oldbury (5th). A Tree Sparrow reported in a Severn Beach garden was most unusual for a species which has largely deserted Avon. Migration watchers by the Severn crossing at Aust counted thousands of winter thrushes and Chaffinches (14th).
THE RESERVOIRS: At Chew the last two Garganey were reported (11th) and two drake Mandarins dropped in (28th). The Shoveler count reached 435, Teal got to 1,300, there were 80 Pintail and Tufted Ducks exceeded 1,700. All Scaup sightings were at Chew, with a Lesser Scaup from 23rd onwards. Goldeneye numbers rose to 25 and Goosander to 12. The Coot count reached 3,790 at Chew and 1,720 at Blagdon. Blagdon held the most Wigeon at 400, also 41 Pintail, over 1300 Teal, 690 Tufted Ducks, 140 Pochards and a Red-crested Pochard (4th).
Pride of place for Chew waders was taken by a Lesser Yellowlegs that stayed all month. Also there: four Grey Plovers, five Ruffs, four Little
Stints, five Curlew Sandpipers, two Bar-tailed Godwits, 21 Snipe, two Greenshanks and a Spotted Redshank. Blagdon had the month’s only Sanderling (31st). Sightings at Chew included Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls, as usual, and 465 Cormorants. The post-breeding egret gathering reached an impressive 41 Cattle, 30 Little and 56 Great White Egrets. Blagdon had an early Great Northern Diver (29th) as well as 16 Cattle Egrets and eight Great White Egrets.
The last Hobbies were at Blagdon (1st) and Chew (6th). Early in the month 150 Sand Martins and 200 House Martins were still feeding over Chew. A Water Pipit, a White Wagtail and seven Bearded Tits turned up there towards month-end.
OTHER SITES: Seven Cranes drifted high over Tortworth and a Goosander flew over Saltford. Golden Plover returnees after mid-month numbered 520 at Marshfield, 130 at Saltford and 33 at Bristol Airport. A Woodcock was flushed from Lansdown, Bath. Saltford logged 18 Snipe and two Jack Snipe, also a Mediterranean Gull amongst 1,600 Black-headed Gulls and 300 Common Gulls, and a flyover Little Gull (31st). Merlins were at Marshfield, Tormarton and Latteridge. Chipping Sodbury Common hosted Whinchat and Yellow Wagtail into October. There were scattered sightings of Firecrests and Yellow-browed Warblers. Saltford had a Woodlark (16th) and a Tree Pipit (24th). Crossbill sightings were more numerous than usual with larger groups of 10 over Clevedon and 12 over a Portishead garden. Siskins and Bramblings were on the move particularly along the Severn, and there were four Hawfinch sightings. Jane Cumming
CHANNEL ISLANDS
JERSEY: Thousands of Brent Geese passed La Coupe and Saint Catherine’s breakwater. Also seen were a Storm Petrel and a probable Leach’s Petrel. Good numbers of Ring Ouzels, Wood Larks, Tree Sparrows and redpolls, the odd Hawfinch and Corn Bunting, tens of thousands of assorted thrushes, thousands of Swallows, hundreds of House Martins, Short-eared Owls, Hen Harriers and Long-eared Owls were seen along the east coast. A Rough-legged Buzzard was at Noirmont (18th-22nd).
A Pallid Swift was over La Rocque (22nd). Other migrants included hundreds of Siskins, thousands of Chaffinches and Starlings, hundreds of Woodpigeons, many Black Redstarts, Kingfishers, Grey Wagtails and White Wagtails, and the odd late Whinchat and Tree Pipit. A Richard’s Pipit was at Noirmont (24th), when a Water Pipit was near Le Hurel slipway. Grosnez logged three Grey Phalaropes (4th), a Long-tailed Skua (5th), our seventh record, a few Sooty Shearwaters, Balearic Shearwaters, hundreds of Gannets, returning divers, Red-breasted Mergansers, Pintails and Wigeon.
Fifty Cattle Egrets, a few Great White Egrets, 45 Grey Herons and 120 Little Egrets were noted. Snow Buntings were on Saint Catherine’s breakwater. Fifteen Purple Sandpipers were around Corbiere. The Wetlands Centre had a Bittern, late Yellow Wagtails, Marsh Harriers, a Hen Harrier, Water Rail, Jack Snipe, Snipe, Lapwings and hundreds of Curlews. The huge numbers of migrants attracted the attentions of migrant Merlins and Peregrines.
Bertram Bree
CORNWALL
HIGHLIGHTS: Two Whooper Swans were at Drift (14th) and Sennen (16th-28th). Five flew past Porthgwarra (22nd). A Russian White-fronted Goose was on the Tresillian River (20-28th). Ten Pinkfeet were around Hayle (1st-28th). Forty Great White Egrets included seven at St Just (17th). A Spoonbill returned to the Tamar (15th). A Honey Buzzard flew over St Ives (1st). Ospreys passed through the County (1st-11th). A Corn Crake was at Porthgwarra (10th).
A Stone-curlew was at Nanjizal (15th). American Golden Plovers were at Pendeen (3rd-4th) and Porthgwarra/Polgigga (6th-7th). A Pectoral Sandpiper was on Hayle (8th-15th). A Semipalmated Sandpiper was at Godrevy (1st). A Grey Phalarope was at Stithians (5th). Five Iceland Gull were noted. Caspian Gulls were at Sennen Cove (27th) and Nanjizal (31st). Three Yellow-legged Gulls were at Sennen Cove (27th). Glaucous Gulls were at Rumps Point (26th), and Sennen Cove, Gwithian and Hayle (29th).
A Cuckoo was at Land’s End (16th-25th). Wrynecks were at Land’s End (1st), Botallack (4th) and Carn Gloose (7th). A Red-eyed Vireo was at Kenidjack (8th-10th). A Brown Shrike was at Chapel Porth (16th). Two Short-toed Larks were at Nanjizal (15th) and four Wood Larks flew through Nanjizal/Polgigga (15th). A Pallas’s Warbler was at Lamorna Cove (23rd). A few Yellow-browed Warblers were noted all month. Radde’s Warblers were at Nanjizal (9th-12th) and Polgigga (11th).
Dusky Warblers were at Lansallos (21st), Cot (23rd) and Nanquidno (31st). A Booted Warbler was at Men-an-Tol (3rd). A Bluethroat was at Nanjizal (9th). Red-breasted Flycatchers were at Pendeen (15th), Porthgwarra (15th-16th) and Porthcurno (17th). Five Richard’s Pipits were around the Far West (14th-27th). Red-throated Pipits were at Kelynack (2nd) and St Levan (13th-15th).
A Hawfinch was at Nanjizal (11th). An
Ortolan Bunting was at Polgigga (16th17th). A Rustic Bunting was at Nanjizal (22nd). Twelve Snow Buntings and 30 Lapland Buntings were reported, with five of the latter at
Park Head (12th).
Sara McMahon
DEVON
LUNDY:
Highlights included a White’s Thrush, the first since 1952, a Short-eared Owl, three Lapland Buntings, two Merlins, an Isabelline Wheatear, 400 Redwings, two Hawfinches, a Wood Lark, Moorhen (first since 2009), White-tailed Eagle (first since 1880), Red-breasted Flycatcher, 18 Mediterranean Gulls, a Little Bunting, five Yellow-browed Warblers, three Black Redstarts, a Great Northern Diver, Iceland Gull and two Great Skuas.
NORTH DEVON: Ilfracombe had 11 Arctic Skuas, two Great Skuas, a Yellow-legged Gull, two Purple Sandpipers and a Black Redstart. Braunton had 40 Grey Plovers, a Marsh Harrier and Spotted Sandpiper. Fremington had five Cattle Egrets, four Glossy Ibises, a Grey Phalarope and Spotted Sandpiper. The Taw Estuary had 64 Mediterranean Gulls, two Bar-tailed Godwits and two Spoonbills.
Rillage Point had 19 Pintails, three Common Scoters, a Great Northern Diver and 1,140 Chaffinches. Yelland had a Great Reed Warbler. Bursdon Moor had three Hen Harriers, a Merlin and Short-eared Owl. Isley Marsh had 15 Knot. Lower Tamar Lake had five Willow Tits, with a Grey Phalarope on Upper Tamar Lake. The Upper Tamar Estuary had a Red Kite and Great White Egret.
SOUTH DEVON: The Exe Estuary had 20 Common Scoters, 24 Cattle Egrets, 21 Ringed Plovers, 10 Grey Plovers, 13 Knot, 36 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel, 550 Curlews and 57 Avocets. Berry Head had 12 Arctic Skuas, a Sooty Shearwater, three Storm Petrels, 15 Great Skuas, 40 Blackcaps, four Firecrests, two Yellow-browed Warblers, two Pomarine Skuas, 22 Balearic Shearwaters, three Black Redstarts, two Puffins, four pale-bellied Brent Geese, four Great Northern Divers and 1,661 Kittiwakes.
Wembury had 14 Cirl Buntings. Brixham had three Arctic Skuas and two Arctic Terns. Hopes Nose had 18 Purple Sandpipers, six Great Northern Divers and a Short-eared Owl. Hallsands had a Yellow-browed Warbler and 5,000 House Martins. The Plym Estuary had an
Osprey, Yellow-browed Warbler, a Swift species and seven Greenshanks. Dawlish Warren had a Yellow-browed Warbler, Little Stint, and several Grey Plovers and Sanderling. Cadover Bridge had a Hen Harrier and 200 Fieldfares.
Start Point had a Yellow-browed Warbler, Short-eared Owl, two Bramblings, a Black Redstart and two Firecrests. Avon Dam 12 Ring Ouzels. Exminster Marshes had two Marsh Harriers. Teignmouth had two Great Northern Divers. Slapton had a Great White Egret and Ring-necked Duck. A Red Kite was at Plymstock. Exminster had a Short-eared Owl. Starcross had 31 Cattle Egrets and ten Water Rails. A Ring-necked Duck was at Beesands. An Osprey flew over Plymouth.
Prawle Point had a Yellow-browed Warbler. Bowling Green Marsh had a Spotted Redshank and 30 Avocets. Fernworthy Reservoir had a Hen Harrier. Modbury had a Short-eared Owl. A Snow Bunting was at Holdstone Down. An American Wigeon was at Exmouth. Slapton had a Caspian Gull.
Highlights included a Brent Goose, 24 Common Scoters, two Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver, 615 Gannets, three Cattle Egrets, a Great White Egret, Merlin, eight Ringed Plovers, a Grey Plover, ten Dunlin, nine Snipe, four Black-tailed Godwits, 25 Curlews, a Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, seven Greenshanks, ten Turnstones, a Grey Phalarope, Arctic Skua, Great Skua, 37 Kittiwakes, a Yellow-legged Gull, Sandwich Tern, Yellow-browed Warbler, Firecrest, Redstart, Water Pipit and two Crossbills.
Harvey Kendall and Mike Passman
ISLES OF SCILLY
HIGHLIGHTS: Long-staying birds included a Red-backed Shrike at Longstone, St Mary’s and three Spoonbills roosting near Samson. The 10 Pinkfeet were joined mid-month by a Russian Whitefront and a Greylag. A Spotted Crake was on Tresco mid-month. The occasional Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting and Wryneck was reported. Four Short-eared Owls were over Tresco and a Barred Warbler at Telegraph (1st). Nightingales were near the Dump and at Little Porth, St Mary’s.
An American Golden Plover and two Dotterel were on the Castle Down, Tresco. Three Great Spotted Woodpeckers were noted. A Pectoral Sandpiper was at Porth Hellick and a Little Bittern over Old Town Bay (6th). An Arctic Warbler was on Tresco, a Swainson’s Thrush near Old Town, St Mary’s, a Red-eyed Vireo on St Martin’s and a Little Bunting at Longstone (7th). A Black and White Warbler was on Tresco (8th). A Great White Egret flew over St Mary’s and ended up on St Agnes (10th).
A Barred Warbler was at Watermill, a Little Bunting on Tresco and another Swainson’s Thrush on Bryher (10th). A Dusky Warbler was at Porth Cressa (11th) when 40 Yellow-browed Warblers were on St Mary’s. Radde’s Warblers were on Tresco and Bryher (11th). Red-breasted Flycatchers were on St Agnes and St Mary’s, and two Little Buntings on Tresco (12th). The Buff-bellied Pipit on Shipman Head Down (13th) moved to St Agnes (from 14th).
A Bluethroat was on St Agnes and a Radde’s Warbler on St Martin’s (14th). A Short-toed Lark, Mandarin and Dartford Warbler arrived on St Mary’s (15th). Two Great White Egrets toured the islands, an Olive-backed Pipit was at Carn Friars, St Mary’s, a Siberian Stonechat on Gugh and a Pallas’s Warbler on St Martin’s (16th). A Richard’s Pipit flew over Normandy (17th), with an Olive-backed Pipit on St Mary’s, a Dartford Warbler on Bryher and two Caspian Gulls on St Agnes.
A Dusky Warbler was at Porth Loo (from 18th), with a Dusky Warbler and Pallas’s Warbler in the Parsonage. A Caspian Gull was on the Abbey Pool (20th). A Glossy Ibis roamed the islands (from 21st). A Swift flew over St Mary’s (21st). Another Caspian Gull was on St Agnes (22nd). A pelagic trip (22nd) found a mixed flock of 140 Great Shearwaters, 130 Sooty Shearwaters and a Storm Petrel. Seven Whooper Swans flew over St Mary’s and a Dusky Warbler was on St Martin’s (23rd).
A Rose-breasted Grosbeak was on Gugh (24th), with the UK’s 3rd Indigo Bunting at Lower Town, St Agnes (24th). An Olive-backed Pipit was on Peninnis (24th), with Red-eyed Vireos on St Agnes and Bryher. A Lesser Yellowlegs was on the Abbey Pool, Tresco (from 26th). Gales brought an Iceland Gull (28th). Cattle Egrets peaked at a record 23. A Dartford Warbler was on St Agnes (30th). A Wood Lark was with the Short-toed Lark on Peninnis (31st), with a Great White Egret on St Martin’s.
WILTSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: A Dartford Warbler was at Barbury Castle. A Wood Lark was at Bentley Wood. A Siberian Chiffchaff was at SPTA(E). Six Cranes flew over Bowood, with another at Studley Grange. Great White Egrets were at the Water Park, Bromham, Downton and Melksham. Late summer migrants included both Swallow and House Martin (26th). Hobbies were at Langford Lakes, Charlton and Water Eaton. In the Water Park an Osprey and Black Tern were at Lake 82 and a Ruff at Lake 74.
Fieldfare and Redwing numbers increased steadily. Golden Plovers included 1,000 at Stoford, 500 at Broad Hinton and 400 at SPTA. Merlins were at 10 sites. Short-eared Owls were at SPTA and Barbury Castle.
Hen Harriers were at SPTA, Middle Woodford and Mere Down. Crossbills were at 11 sites including 30 at Great Ridge Wood and 20 at West Woods. Bramblings were at Avebury, Bromham and Ashton Keynes. Nine Greenshanks were on the new scrape at Langford Lakes. Ring Ouzels were at Liddington and Cley Hill. A Med Gull was at Laverstock. Black Redstarts were at Salisbury and SPTA. Rob Turner
BEDFORDSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: A Red-flanked Bluetail at Biddenham (18th-20th) was a county first. The wandering Lammergeier was in the Sandy area (11th-12th). A Ring-necked Duck was at Willington GP (24th-28th). A possible Eastern Yellow Wagtail was at Hatch (7th). Yellowbrowed Warblers were at Brogborough Hill (from 25th) and Upper Caldecote (26th-28th). The Dartford Warbler remained at Blows Down (to 5th), with two at Sandy (to 28th). A Ring Ouzel flew over Sharpenhoe Clappers (11th). Grovebury SP had a Spoonbill (3rd), Hen Harrier (3rd-4th) and Scaup (10th-24th). Six Gannets flew over Thorncote Green and Bedford (12th). 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
BERKSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Hermitage (13th). A Cattle Egret was at Lower Farm GP (1st-31st). A Great White Egret was at Fleethill Farm (13th-30th), with two at Woolhampton GP (19th-31st) and three at Theale GP (31st).
Englefield had a Merlin (25th) and Hawfinch (17th). Greenham Common had a Jack Snipe (3rd) and Redstart (12th). Lower Farm GP had a Whooper Swan (15th), Garganey (28th), Mediterranean Gull (30th) and Caspian Gull (30th). Moor Green Lakes held a Shelduck (7th-26th), Mediterranean Gull (17th) and Firecrest (12th). Theale GP logged a Pintail (1st-4th), three Red-crested Pochards, an Eider (2nd-4th), Osprey (5th), Water Rail (5th) and Jack Snipe (1st-3rd).
Jubilee River had two Ruff (3rd) and a Short-eared Owl (6th). An Osprey flew over Arborfield (19th). A Jack Snipe was at Fleethill Farm (9th). Firecrests were at Whiteknights Park, Reading (19th), Burghfield Common (25th) and two at Upper Bucklebury (30th). A Ring Ouzel was at Dinton Pastures (18th). Hawfinch were at Wokingham (26th) and Crowthorne (29th).
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: A Gannet flew over Rowsham (13th), Cattle Egrets were at Newport Pagnell (1st) and New Bradwell Quarry (9th-13th) and a Glossy Ibis was at College Lake (17th). Six Whooper Swans flew through Gallows Bridge (22nd) and two Brent Geese did the same (4th). Pink-footed Geese were at Tattenhoe (14th) and Watermead Lake (from 26th). A Dotterel flew over Oakley Airfield (18th) and a Great Skua flew through Eythrope (3rd). There was a blythii type Lesser Whtethroat at Rowsham (6th-7th) and Yellow-browed Warblers at Bradwell (12th-13th) and Tattenhoe (27th-28th).
There was a Pintail (31st), Jack Snipe (18th), Turnstone (3rd) and a Yellow-legged Gull (17th).
DORNEY COMMON: Highlights were
Garganey (to 9th), two Ruff (3rd-5th), Black-tailed Godwit (to 6th) and Short-eared Owl (6th).
GALLOWS BRIDGE: There were two Great White Egrets (4th) and another single (17th), Marsh Harrier (10th), Merlin (22nd-23rd) and Jack Snipe (4th).
LITTLE MARLOW GP: Highlights were Great White Egret (15th-30th), Garganey (24th-26th), Little Stint (3rd-6th), two Ruff (3rd-5th), Kittiwake (28th), Mediterranean Gull (28th), Caspian Gull (28th), Short-eared Owl (14th) and Ring Ouzel (17th).
STEPS HILL: There was a Great White Egret (16th), Wood Lark (5th-11th), eight Ring Ouzels (11th) and Hawfinch passage (5th-19th).
OTHER SITES: There was a Bittern at Calvert (from 11th), Great White Egrets at Bradwell New Workings (31st), Lathbury (15th) and Linford (17th-18th) and Pintail at Wotton Lakes (seven, 20th), Willen Lakes (23rd) and Eythrope (two, 28th). There was a Merlin at Pitstone Hill (7th) and Lodge Hill (12th), two Grey Plover (8th-10th) and four Spotted Redshank (8th) at the Upper Tove Valley, Jack Snipe at Willen Lakes (23rd & two, 30th) and a Mediterranean Gull at Eythrope (10th). There was a Short-eared Owl at Linford (18th), Ring Ouzel at Pitstone Hill (16th), Dartford Warbler in a Chesham garden (18th), Firecrests at Tyler’s Green (23rd) and St Leonard’s (23rd) and Hawfinches at Aston Hill (13th) and Tattenhoe Park (7th-14th). Adam Bassett (www.bucksbirdclub.co.uk)
HAMPSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: It was a busy month for rarities, with the highlight for many birders being the Wilson’s Phalarope that showed very well at Pennington Marshes (9th-20th). The American Golden Plover in Langstone Harbour reappeared a few times at Farlington Marshes (11th, 17th, 19th & 20th). Meanwhile Hampshire’s first Eastern Yellow Wagtail was at Brownwich (5th-6th). A Pallid Swift was at Posbrook Floods (22nd) and Oxey Marsh (23rd). Five Penduline Tits arrived at Titchfield Haven (28th), with varying numbers seen in the days thereafter. A group of five Glossy Ibises flew over Pennington Marsh (20th). Other scarcities seen included a Spotted Crake at Farlington Marshes (16th), a Richard’s Pipit over Barton-on-Sea (12th) and a Lapland Bunting over Chilling (9th).
Yellow-browed Warblers were at Romsey (7th), Drayton (11th), Hayling Island (11th-12th), Hook-with-Warsash (16th) and Titchfield Canal Path (28th-31st). A Siberian race Lesser Whitethroat was ringed at Chilling (17th). Ring Ouzels were at Bishopstoke (4th), Leadenhall (max. six), Portsdown Hill (max. three), Pig Bush
(10th), Hook-with-Warsash (14th), Tweseldown (19th & 23rd) and Old Basing (two, 29th). The last Pied Flycatcher of the year was at Southsea (3rd), Black Redstarts were at Lee-on-the-Solent (7th), Portsmouth (13th), Taddiford (18th) and Hook-with-Warsash (26th & 30th), while a few late Redstarts were also seen. Late summer visitors included Ospreys at six sites and a Garganey still at Fleet Pond (21st).
As usual there were widespread reports of Great White Egrets, with a maximum of three at Fishlake Meadows. Cattle Egrets were at Sandy Point (10 over on 11th), Winkton (16th), Park Shore (19th), Alresford Pond (three, 21st & 30th) and Bransgore (28th). A Spoonbill at Alresford Pond (10th) was an excellent inland find. Quite a few Grey Phalaropes were seen, with reports from Ripley (1st), Farlington Marshes (1st-3rd), Pennington Marsh (one or two, 8th-13th & 26th) and Gilkicker Pond (18th-20th). Other waders included Curlew Sandpipers at Lepe (1st & 4th) and Hurst Spit (three, 12th) and Little Stints at Titchfield Haven (1st), Farlington Marshes (two, 3rd), Pennington (5th) and Normandy Marsh (20th).
Scarcer winter wildfowl included White-fronted Geese at Farlington (six, 15th), Weston Shore (16th), Oxey Marsh (18th), Tweseldown (two, 19th) and Broadlands Lake (three, 19th), while two Scaup were in Chichester Harbour (23rd) followed by a single at Normandy Marsh (29th-30th). A Black-throated Diver was in the Beaulieu Estuary (17th), with Red-throated and Great Northern Divers reported more widely. Winter raptors included a Hen Harrier at Longwood Warren (28th), Short-eared Owls at Hook-with-Warsash, Tweseldown, Farlington Marshes, Chilling and Cheesefoot Head, and Merlins at eight sites. Water Pipits arrived in small numbers at the traditional wintering sites of Lower Test, Alresford watercress beds and Titchfield Canal Path.
Tom Jordan
HERTFORDSHIRE
Yellow-browed Warblers were near Hook’s Marsh (7th), Greenbroom Spring Wood (7th), in the Lee Valley at Nightingale Wood (25th), St Albans (17th), Frogmore (23rd-27th) and Wilstone Reservoir (31st). Also at Wilstone Reservoir was a Snow Bunting (25th) and dark-bellied Brent Goose (28th). A Ring Ouzel flew over Piccotts End (11th) and two were at St Albans (26th). A Kittiwake was at King’s Meads (13th). A Hen Harrier was at Baldock (13th).
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
The wandering Bearded Vulture flew over Speldhurst (13th). A Short-toed Treecreeper was at Dungeness NNR (14th). A Masked Shrike was at Shuart (17th-18th). A Red-throated Pipit flew over Sandwich Bay (3rd). A Pallid Swift was at Kingsgate (5th). A Siberian Stonechat was at North Foreland (15th-16th). A Parrot Crossbill was at Sandwich (18th). A possible Eastern Yellow Wagtail was at Dungeness RSPB (27th). A Richard’s Pipit was at Swalecliffe (7th). A Red-rumped Swallow was at St Margaret’s-at-Cliffe (7th). Dungeness RSPB had Glossy Ibis and Cattle Egret. Dungeness NNR had a Stone-curlew (7th) and Leach’s Storm Petrel (8th). Four White Storks flew over Bramling (3rd). Cattle Egrets were at Stoke Marshes, Worth Marsh, Walmer, Cooling, Sandwich Bay and Higham. Pallas’s Warblers were at Foreness Point (3rd), Reculver (18th) and Leysdown-on-Sea (18th). Rough-legged Buzzards were at Graveney Marshes (4th) and Eastchurch (8th). Wrynecks were at Oare Marshes (5th-10th) and Worth Marsh (6th). Worth Marsh had a Radde’s Warbler (7th-8th), two Ring Ouzels (18th) and Great Grey Shrike. A Red-backed Shrike was at St Mary’s Bay (10th-29th). Dusky Warblers were at Chamber’s Wall (18th) and Shuart (18th). Great Grey Shrikes were at Sandwich Bay (18th) and Capel Fleet (19th-31st). A Rose-coloured Starling was at Westwood (22nd). Seasalter had a Black Brant (22nd) and Richard’s Pipit (26th). Grove Ferry had a Grey Phalarope (26th).
SUSSEX
The nationally-famous first-summer Bearded Vulture was at East Dean (14th-15th). A Siberian Lesser Whitethroat was at Tide Mills (5th). A first-winter Marsh Warbler was at Cuckmere Haven (3rd). An immature White-tailed Eagle was at Ninfield (9th). A Radde’s Warbler was at Seaford (11th). A Honey Buzzard went over Beachy Head (11th). A Little Bunting was there (20th). A Pallas’s Warbler was at Roedean (18th), with one at Seaford Head (26th). A Glossy Ibis was briefly at Seaford (26th).
A Common Nighthawk at Church Norton (8th) was the bird of the month. A juvenile Kentish Plover was still around Thorney Island (1st-7th). An apparent first-winter Stejneger’s Stonechat was at Medmerry RSPB (21st-22nd). Burton Mill Pond had a first-winter Purple Heron (3rd-10th). A Grey Phalarope was at Church Norton (9th), with one at Widewater Lagoon (13th-14th), and others at Henfield Levels (28th-31st, sadly taken by a Sparrowhawk), and Pulborough Brooks RSPB (31st). A Crane was over Horsham (15th). A Dusky Warbler was at Ifield Mill Pond (25th-31st). Cattle Egrets were at Arundel, Thorney Island, Sidlesham Ferry, Pagham Harbour LNR and The Burgh.
In a month packed with great rarities, the eastern-race Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin at Stiffkey for a few days (from 17th) stood out as the most remarkable rare bird. An inland Radde’s Warbler at Peakirk, Cambridgeshire, was a first for the county, as was the Bearded Vulture as it passed through.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
The wandering Lammergeier was in the Thorney area (9th-11th). A Radde’s Warbler was at Peakirk (4th-6th). Yellow-browed Warblers were at Orton Wistow (3rd & 7th), Staughton Moor (6th), Soham (6th), Eldernell (7th), Helpston (9th) and St Neots (15th). A Richard’s Pipit flew over Ellington (15th). A Great Grey Shrike was at Yelling (23rd). A Ring Ouzel was at Devil’s Dyke (11th). A Glossy Ibis was at Nene Washes (27th) and Ferry Meadows (from 30th). Grafham Water had three Great Northern Divers, a Scaup (9th) and Red-breasted Merganser (19th). Three Scaup were at Oxlode (from 25th). A Little Stint was at Fen Drayton (1st). Two Wood Sandpipers were at Somersham GP (7th and 13th). Gannets flew over Cambridge (5th) and Somersham (12th).
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
ESSEX
Migration totals included 11,462 Goldfinches 1,759 Chaffinches, 5,143 Siskins, 1,981 Linnets, 1,518 redpolls, 33 Bramblings, 110 Crossbills, 2,330 Meadow Pipit, 17 Short-eared Owls, 1,323 Swallows, 1,543 House Martins, 37 Grey Wagtails, 27 Rock Pipits, a Redstart, 87 Song Thrushes, two Tree Pipits, a Cattle Egret, two Wood Larks, six Tree Sparrows, 995 Redwings, a large fall of Goldcrests, a Firecrest, Yellow-browed Warbler, Dusky Warbler, two Leach’s Petrels, 118 Gannets, 438 Wigeon, 346 Teal, five Arctic Skuas, 11,358 Brent Geese, 327 Common Scoters, two Scaup, a Goosander and four Razorbills.
There was a massive movement of Woodpigeons, finches and thrushes across the region. A Hawfinch was at Connaught Water and two over Upminster. Wood Larks flew over Pole Hill and Upminster (three). Ring Ouzels flew over Chafford Hundred and North Ockenden. Redstarts were at Wanstead Park and the Flats. A Dartford Warbler was at Purfleet. Yellow-browed Warblers were at Dagenham Fords, Dagenham Chase and North Ockenden.
The Flats had an Eastern Lesser Whitethroat, Corn Bunting, two Great White Egrets, three Jack Snipe and a Short-eared Owl. Short-eared Owls were at a further four sites. Walthamstow Wetlands had two Black-necked Grebes, a Kittiwake, Gannet, two Common Scoters and a Great White Egret. A Cattle Egret was at Cornmill and Hooks Marsh. Woodcocks started to appear. Two Red-necked Grebes, a Scaup, Black Redstart and Scandinavian Rock Pipit were on the King George V Reservoir.
Abberton Reservoir held 38 Great White Egrets, 10 Goosanders, a Long-tailed Duck, two Scaup, five Red-crested Pochards, seven Little Stints, a Pectoral Sandpiper, Raven, Bittern, Yellow Wagtails, a Spotted Flycatcher, Short-eared Owls and Merlins. Old Hall Marshes had 16 Cattle Egrets. Seven Crossbills and
110 Lesser Redpolls were at Fingringhoe. Two Redstarts were at West Mersea. Two
Whinchats and a Ring Ouzel were at The Hythe. A Snow Bunting and Purple Sandpiper were at Cudmore Grove. A Great White Egret was on Northey Island.
The Naze had two Yellow-browed Warblers, a Pallas’s Warbler, Dusky Warbler, 12 Crossbills, a Ring Ouzel, Merlins, a Woodcock and Purple Sandpiper. Holland Haven had two Yellow-browed Warblers, two Ospreys, Short-eared
Owls, a Great White Egret, Cattle Egret, Jack Snipe and Leach’s Petrel. Short-eared Owls and a Whimbrel were at Colne Point. Yellow-browed Warblers were at Clacton and Wigboro Wick Farm.
Highlights included Black-tailed Godwits, 22 Avocets, a Knot, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Turnstone, Ruff, Jack Snipe, four Little Gulls, 25 Yellow-legged Gulls, Caspian Gulls, Mediterranean Gulls, a Barnacle Goose, Brent Goose, Goldeneye, Great White Egret, Cattle Egret, Wheatear, 1,128 Chaffinches, 28 Bramblings, seven Lesser Redpolls, 24 Siskins, a Tree Sparrow, Wood Lark, Ring Ouzel, Yellowhammer, Yellow-browed Warbler, Scandinavian Rock Pipits, Water Pipits and a Short-eared Owl.
Yellow-browed Warblers were at Burnham-on-Crouch, Gunners Park and South Woodham Ferrers. Shoebury had a Pallas’s Warbler. A Black Redstart was in Hadleigh. A Great Grey Shrike was at Coryton. A Dartford Warbler was at East Tilbury. The area between TTNP and Coalhouse Fort held a Spoonbill, two Little Stints and 24 Common Scoters. Great White Egrets were at four sites. Seven Cattle Egrets were around Wat Tyler.
Wallasea had a Hen Harrier, Merlin, 43 Buzzards and a Whooper Swan. Hen Harriers were at Coombe Wood, Two Tree Island and Foulness. Hanningfield Reservoir had a White-tailed Eagle and Black-necked Grebe. A Scaup, Little Auk and 5,000 Golden Plovers were at Bradwell Bird Observatory. Canvey logged a Pomarine Skua, 24 Great Skuas, 11 Arctic Skuas, 12 Razorbills, a Manx Shearwater, Fulmar, 340 Gannets, a Sabine’s Gull, Grey Phalarope, Purple Sandpiper, 22 Common Scoters, a Shag, Little Gull, 45 Kittiwakes, four Eiders and two Red-breasted Mergansers.
NORFOLK
An Eastern Rufous Bushchat at Stiffkey (17th-21st) was a county first. An unprecedented arrival of Red-flanked Bluetails saw birds at Pensthorpe (11th), Holme (up to five, 14th-25th), Waxham (two, 14th-17th), East Hills (14th), Cromer 15th and Holkham (15th-22nd). Twenty Pallas’s Warblers were logged. Blyth’s Reed Warblers were at Holme (to 8th) and East Hills (18th). An Arctic Warbler was at Well Woods (4th-5th). Four Radde’s Warblers, nine Dusky Warblers and seven Barred Warblers
were found.
A Red-throated Pipit was at Sea Palling (15th-16th). Olive-backed Pipits were at Brancaster Staithe (18th) and Stiffkey (two on 24th). Richard’s Pipits were at 14 sites. Four Penduline Tits were at Cley Marshes (28th). Presumed Stejneger’s Stonechats were at Happisburgh (3rd-7th), Winterton (5th) and Holkham Freshmarsh (16th-25th). Five Red-breasted Flycatchers and five Little Buntings were found. A Hoopoe was at Wighton (3rd-9th). A Wryneck was at Happisburgh (3rd-7th).
Eight Parrot Crossbills flew over Stiffkey (26th), with another over Sprowston (23rd). Shore Larks were at Happisburgh (3rd-6th) and Holme (9th). Red-backed Shrikes were at Titchwell and then Thornham (to 5th), Wells (to 9th) and Hethersett (19th). Great Grey Shrikes were at Ringstead (14th), Holt (15th) and Winterton (15th). A Pallid Harrier flew over Wighton (5th).
One or two Rough-legged Buzzards were seen over Cley, Weybourne and West Runton (19th), ending up at Scolt Head Island and Holkham Freshmarsh for a few days. Lesser Yellowlegs were at Welney (22nd-25th) and Cley (from 28th). A Red-necked Phalarope was at Salthouse (4th-8th). A Ring-necked Duck was at Holkham (22nd-27th). A Snow Goose was reported over Burnham Deepdale (22nd). A Glossy Ibis was at Martham Ferry (3rd-14th) and Breydon Water (30th).
Highlights included an Osprey (13th and 15th), Purple Sandpiper (13th) and Red-breasted Merganser (14th). Maxima included three Great White Egrets, 81 Little Egrets, 324 Cormorants, 305 Greylags,
550 Pinkfeet, 77 Canada Geese, 56 Egyptian Geese, 3,500 Wigeon, 97 Shelducks, 3,240 Teal, 149 Mallards, 123 Pintails, 309 Shovelers, 7,940 Golden Plovers, 900 Lapwings, 58 Knot, 37 Snipe, two Jack Snipe, 1,280 Black-tailed Godwits, 595 Curlews, five Greenshanks, 1,462 Redshanks, three Ruff, two
Curlew Sandpipers, a Little Stint and a Spotted Redshank.
There was a Spoonbill (18th-19th), Hobby (9th) and Little Gull (14th). Buzzards, Marsh Harriers, Peregrines and Sparrowhawk were regular, but only one Short-eared Owl was noted (25th-26th). There were 100 Meadow Pipits, five Stonechats, a Wheatear (29th) and Crossbill (15th).
NOA HOLME: Maxima included three Great White Egrets, eight Snipe, three Short-eared Owls, 15 Bearded Tits, 10 Yellow-browed Warblers, four Lesser Whitethroats, five Grey Wagtails, 12 Rock Pipits, 27 Redpolls, 36 Siskins, six Crossbills, 11 Eiders, 1,000 Common Scoters, 11 Red-throated Divers, 400 Gannets, three Arctic Skuas, nine Razorbills, six Sandwich Terns, two Common Terns, two Jack Snipe, two Willow Warblers, 35 Blackcaps, three Garden Warblers, two Whitethroats, two Ring Ouzels, 120 Song Thrushes, 80 Robins, six Redstarts, two Snow Buntings, three Lapland Buntings, two Siberian Chiffchaffs, four Swifts, 10 Swallows, 50 House Martins, two Pied Flycatchers, eight Stonechats, 65 Bramblings, two Hawfinches, seven Pintails, two Spoonbills, two Goldeneyes, eight Red-breasted Mergansers, two Manx Shearwaters, 17 Great Skuas, three Guillemots, three Velvet Scoters, three Woodcocks, eight Kittiwakes, 400 Goldcrests, two Pallas’s Warblers, 30,000 Starlings, four Red-flanked Bluetails, 72 Fieldfares, two Scaup, five tundra Bean Geese, 350 Brent Geese, seven Twite, and a Barnacle Goose, Long-tailed Duck, Goosander, Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver, Goshawk, Peregrine, Merlin, Hobby, Spotted Redshank, Whimbrel, Little Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Long-eared Owl, Slavonian Grebe, Hen Harrier, Arctic Tern, Pomarine Skua, Kingfisher, Wheatear, Richard’s Pipit, Tree Pipit, Water Pipit, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Dusky Warbler, Barred Warbler, Common Rosefinch, Firecrest, Hooded Crow and Little Bunting.
CLEY AREA: Highlights included a Yellow-browed Warbler, Short-eared Owl, Black-throated Diver, 17 Little Gulls, two Grey Phalaropes, a Hawfinch, Great Northern Diver, Hen Harrier, Pomarine Skua, Sooty Shearwater, Red-necked Grebe, Scaup, Dusky Warbler, nine Snow Buntings, a Pallas’s Warbler, three Great White Egrets, a Ring Ouzel, Richard’s Pipit, Water Pipit, two Tundra Bean Geese and three Caspian Gulls.
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
SUFFOLK
A Great Snipe flew in off the sea at Landguard (3rd). A Pallid Harrier flew over Hollesley (5th). A Rustic Bunting was at Lowestoft (3rd-4th). A Booted Warbler was at Sizewell (3rd-4th). Radde’s Warblers were at Gunton (3rd), Southwold (4th-11th), Minsmere (5th-6th) and Landguard (13th). A Dusky Warbler was at Minsmere (16th). A Wood Warbler was at Shingle Street (3rd-10th). Pallas’s Warblers were at Corton (14th-17th), Bawdsey (15th), Gunton (16th), Lowestoft (17th), Hopton (17th), Kirkley (22nd) and Pakefield (23rd). A Barred Warbler was at Dingle Marshes (17th).
A Steppe Grey Shrike was at Benacre (4th-7th), with a Great Grey Shrike there (3rd-16th). A Red-throated Pipit flew over Benacre (5th) and one was at Havergate (6th). Great Grey Shrikes were also at Southwold (3rd), Woodbridge (9th), Hollesley (14th), Sudbourne (17th-18th), Aldringham (19th), Timworth (20th-22nd), Upper Hollesley and Sutton Common (from 20th) and Tunstall (23rd). A Honey Buzzard flew over Lowestoft (3rd). Two Little Auks flew past Southwold (15th).
Red-breasted Flycatchers were at Lowestoft (5th), Hollesley (5th) and Landguard (two, 3rd-5th). A Wryneck was at Lowestoft (3rd-4th). A Parrot Crossbill flew over Gunton (22nd).
A Pallid Swift flew over Walberswick (8th). A White-winged Black Tern was at North Warren (4th). A Black Tern was at Ampton Water (11th-13th).
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
DERBYSHIRE
Two Bitterns were at Willington GP (10th), with another over Carr Vale (9th). Two
Cattle Egrets remained in the Cranfleet Cut area. Grey Phalaropes were at Bakewell (25th) and Ogston Reservoir (30th). Wood Larks flew over Cromford Moor (11th) and Ogston Reservoir (23rd). A Red-flanked Bluetail at a private site in the north of the county (18th) was a new bird for Derbyshire.
Yellow-browed Warblers were at Erewash Meadows (1st), the Monsal Trail (11th), Pride Park, Derby (14th) and Carsington Water (27th-28th). A Firecrest was at Arnfield Reservoir (18th). A Lapland Bunting flew over Carsington Water (18th). Great White Egrets were at 14 different sites, including a county record seven at Drakelow. Whooper Swans were at 11 sites, maximum 52 at Dove Holes Quarry.
Highlights were 20 Whooper Swans, two Great White Egrets, a Merlin, Grey Plover, Jack Snipe, Cetti’s Warbler, 1,800 Pinkfeet, 14 Buzzards, a Peregrine, Water Rail, 100 Golden Plovers, a Green Sandpiper, Red Kite, 3,000 Redwings, a Stonechat, Chiffchaff and three Bramblings.
Highlights were four Whooper Swans, 345 Pinkfeet, a Garganey, Red Kite, Grey Plover, Jack Snipe, Kittiwake, Rock Pipit, Swift, Lapland Bunting, Peregrine, two Water Rails, 50 Golden Plovers, a Ringed Plover, four Dunlin, two Common Sandpipers, two Caspian Gulls, four Yellow-legged Gulls, a Wheatear, Stonechat, 30 Bramblings, 29 Siskins, 11 Crossbills and 1,678 Redwings.
FOREMARK RESERVOIR:
There was a Great White Egret, Garganey, two Common Scoters, two Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, Rock Pipit, 16 Redwings, two Snipe, 17 Cetti’s Warblers and a probable Caspian Gull.
Highlights included a Great White Egret, 24 Whooper Swans, 500 Pinkfeet, eight Common Scoters, a Goshawk, Merlin, two Grey Plovers, a Green Sandpiper, Caspian Gull, Rock Pipit, Peregrine, three Ringed Plovers, five Dunlin, a Curlew, Redshank, Yellow-legged Gull, three Stonechats, five Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, 60 Lesser Redpolls, two Bramblings and five Crossbills.
There was a Caspian Gull, Arctic Tern, Yellow-legged Gull, two Great White Egrets, 30 Little Egrets, a Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, 20 Swallows and six Chiffchaffs.
Two Ruddy Shelducks and a Pintail were at Kedleston Park. A Marsh Harrier was on East Moor. Jack Snipe were at Parsley Hay, Wyver Lane and Shipley Gate. Ring Ouzels were at Middleton Moor and Earl Sterndale. A Hawfinch was at Aldecar.