Arguably the most popular bird in June was a Great Knot in Norfolk, reports Lee Evans
AFURTHER 10 SPECIES were added to the Year List in June 2016, pushing forward the total number of species recorded in the British Isles to 398, just shy of that magic 400. Pride of place went to a summer-plumaged Great Knot at Titchwell’s freshwater marsh and beach from 15th-29th, delighting more than 1,000 admirers during the period. Representing only the second record for Norfolk (following hard on the heels of the first at Breydon Water on 13th-15th July 2014), the bird was part of a 2,500-strong non-breeding flock of summering Knot, commuting between the beach at low tide (to feed) and the freshmarsh at high tide (to roost). Towards the end of its stay, the flock relocated to Gore Point at neighbouring Holme Dunes, where some impressive views were to be had on the beach. In Aberdeenshire, an adult drake American (deglandi) White-winged Scoter was located among the 2,200 loafing scoters offshore of Blackdog Beach, Murcar, on 25th. This was presumably the same bird that appeared there as a first-year from 11th-23rd June 2011 and as an adult at the River Esk mouth, Musselburgh (Lothian) on 26th December 2013. This moulting flock also attracted at least two Surf Scoters during the month. The first Seaside Sparrow for the Western Lee Evans is the UK’S most well-known and fanatical ‘twitcher’, having recorded 585 species in Britain and Ireland, 863 in the wider Western Palearctic and 386 in just one calendar year in the UK. He has written many ornithological publications and runs numerous birding tours throughout the year, including custom-led trips. Visit bbabirding.blogspot.co.uk and uk400clubrarebird alert. blogspot.co.uk Palearctic involved a vagrant that embarked on an epic journey aboard the MV Balmoral in mid-may. The ship had toured the eastern USA and Canada until 13th May where this Nearctic species had presumably hitched a lift. Then it had remained onboard as it sailed across the Atlantic to northwestern Europe, docking at Ringaskiddy (Co. Cork) on 18th May, Southampton Docks (Hants) on 20th, at the Royal Quays, Newcastle (Tyne and Wear) on 21st, 26th and 31st and Norway in between from 27th-30th before travelling back north to Iceland at Iceland in early June. At least one adult White-billed Diver remained in the Bluemull Sound, between Yell and Fetlar (Shetland) throughout while Barra (Outer Hebrides) mustered up its third of the year at Brevig on 5th. Meanwhile, the male Pied-billed Grebe remained in Argyll for its third consecutive summer and the first Wilson’s Petrels of the autumn season were seen from Scilly pelagic trips on 27th. In Cornwall, the adult Dalmatian Pelican remained throughout. So, these were the main contenders for ‘birds of the month’ and here follows a summary of the highlights of the remaining avian occurrences during June. Little Bitterns continue to colonise, with no fewer than four barking males at Shapwick Heath NNR (Somerset) throughout, with additional