Bird Watching (UK)

SOUTH EAST

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Highlights The region did not miss out on the national trend of hosting a Red-breasted Goose, with an adult ‘of unknown origin’ at Keyhaven Marshes. The Lesser White-fronted Goose was still on Sheppey, Kent, and the Long-billed Dowitcher at Cuckmere Haven, East Sussex.

BEDFORDSHI­RE

HIGHLIGHTS: A Glossy Ibis was north of Felmersham Bridge (15th). A Ring-necked Duck was at Harrold and Odell CP (20th). Waxwings were at Biggleswad­e, Potton and Bedford. Robin Chittenden. For the latest bird news please phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700245 cost 65p per minute plus your telephone company access charge. Service provided by Birdline East Anglia – for enquiries please call 07941 333 970. www.birdlineea­stanglia.co.uk

BERKSHIRE

HIGHLIGHTS: Waxwings included 20 at Cliveden (1st), nine at Aldermasto­n (3rd) and 40 at Sunningdal­e (9th). A Marsh Harrier was at Moor Green Lakes (1st-4th). Two Bitterns were occasional­ly seen at Lavell’s Lake. A Hawfinch was at Aldermasto­n (19th and 24th). Elaine Charlson

HERTFORDSH­IRE

HIGHLIGHTS: A Kumlien’s Gull was at Amwell (9th), with one or two Smew there throughout. Hilfield Park Reservoir had a Scaup (to 19th) and Common Scoter (11th-12th). Scaup were also at Stockers Lake (7th) and Marsworth Reservoir (20th). A Pink-footed Goose was at Wilstone

Scaup (11th), four Glossy Ibises and 135 Cattle Egrets. Westhay Moor had three Glossy Ibises and about 250 Cattle Egrets.

WILTSHIRE

HIGHLIGHTS: Cattle Egrets were at five sites, including 22 at Corsley. Great White Egrets were at Britford, Langford Lakes and Ogbourne St George. Three Mediterran­ean Gulls were at Little Wishford. Four Hen Harriers and six Short-eared Owls were at SPTA(East). A ringtail harrier, unusual away from the Army Ranges, was at Little Wishford. Wintering Chiffchaff­s were at seven sites, including 15 at Westbury where there was also a Siberian Chiffchaff. Blackcaps were at just six sites.

Golden Plovers included 340 at SPTA and 184 at Westbury White Horse. Two Green Sandpipers were at Britford. An Oystercatc­her was at Eysey. Three Jack Snipe were at Whaddon, Trowbridge. There was only one record of Crossbills. The Corn Bunting flock at Middle Woodford peaked at 250, with the leucistic bird still present. Rob Turner

Reservoir (to 4th). Waxwings were at Berkhamste­d, Braughing, Welwyn Garden City, Stockers Lake, Cassiobury Park, Tring Park, Royston, Watford, St Albans, Garston, Stockers Lake, Stanboroug­h and Letchworth. The Black Redstart remained at St Albans Cathedral. Robin Chittenden. For the latest bird news please phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700245 cost 65p per minute plus your telephone company access charge. Service provided by Birdline East Anglia – for enquiries please call 07941 333 970. www.birdlineea­stanglia.co.uk

KENT

HIGHLIGHTS: A Serin was at Sandwich Bay (1st). Godmersham had a Little Bunting (3rd-28th) and Hen Harrier (7th). Dungeness RSPB had a Glossy Ibis, Caspian Gull, Black-throated Diver and Great Northern Diver. A Crane flew over East Peckham (25th). A Rough-legged Buzzard was over Minnis Bay (28th). A Lesser White-fronted Goose of unknown origin was at Shellness/ Swale (20th). A White-tailed Eagle flew over Lydd Airport (2nd), Dover, South Foreland and Fowlmead CP (3rd), Westbere GP (3rd-4th), Elmley (7th and 14th), Cross-at-Hand (12th) and Harty Ferry (27th).

SURREY

HIGHLIGHTS: Tice’s Meadow had one or two Black-necked Grebes (1st-25th) and a Dartford Warbler (12th). A Slavonian Grebe was at Island Barn Reservoir (23rd). One or two Goshawks were at Effingham Forest (from 4th). A Short-eared Owl was at Thursley Common (12th). Hawfinches were at Farnham, Effingham Forest and Leith Hill. Waxwings were at Farnham (70-plus), Redhill, Ash Vale, Ashstead, Merstham, Leatherhea­d, Great Bookham and Horley.

SUSSEX

EAST SUSSEX: Cuckmere Haven had a Long-billed Dowitcher, three Caspian Gulls and a Spotted Redshank. A Russian

White-fronted Goose was at Pett Level (3rd), with eight Velvet Scoters offshore. Rodmell had two Hen Harriers (2nd), three Short-eared Owls (7th) and a Water Pipit (12th). Rye Harbour had a Spoonbill (4th-14th) and Spotted Redshank (12th). Black Redstarts were at Brighton (2nd-15th), Splash Point (3rd-28th), Hastings (4th-29th) and Cuckmere Haven. Three Scaup were at Darwell Reservoir (16th).

A Purple Sandpiper was at Splash Point (27th). A Black-throated Diver was at Prince’s Park, Eastbourne (28th-29th). Little Gulls were at Iford Brooks (16th) and Kingston (25th). Water Pipits were at Litlington, West Rise Marsh (seven), Cuckmere Haven and Combe Valley CP. Hawfinches were at Old Lodge in Ashdown Forest, Penhurst, Brede High Woods and Netherfiel­d. Waxwings were at Westfield, Brighton and Maresfield.

WEST SUSSEX: The Great Grey Shrike remained at Black Down. Pagham Harbour had two Water Pipits, a Long-tailed Duck and two Slavonian Grebes (1st), and a Caspian Gull. Pulborough Brooks had eight Bewick’s Swans (4th). Four Russian Whitefront­s were there (10th), with two at Selsey Bill (2nd), seven at Amberley Wild Brooks (10th) and 11 at Henfield (16th). Ten Bewick’s Swans were at Burpham. A Bittern was at Arundel (10th). Dell Quay had a Long-tailed Duck (2nd-23rd) and Slavonian Grebe (4th). Five Long-tailed Ducks were at Church Norton (10th). Five Spoonbills were at Chichester Harbour (17th).

Itchenor had two Great Northern Divers and a Black-throated Diver (4th-28th). Two Purple Sandpipers were at Shoreham-bySea (2nd-12th), with one at Medmerry (23rd). A Hen Harrier was at The Burgh (5th). Red-necked Grebes were off Selsey Bill (24th) and Goring-by-Sea (28th). Black Redstarts were at Elmer (5th), Handcross (5th) and Littlehamp­ton (10th-19th). Hawfinches were at Rewell Wood, Southwater and Westdean Woods. Waxwings were at Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath.

 ?? ?? In associatio­n with
In associatio­n with
 ?? ?? Spoonbills, Cley, Norfolk, 17 February
Spoonbills, Cley, Norfolk, 17 February

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