Inland booty
IN October, just a hint of easterly winds gets birders heading for the east coast, but you don’t need to be on the coast to have a chance of finding rare or scarce species. Birds start to arrive a few days after a good easterly. They filter across the country to reach the South-West, offering the canny birder the opportunity to find some of these treasures inland.
Coastal and even pelagic species can turn up inland after a big blow and it is worth checking local lakes and reservoirs when calmer conditions return. Large numbers of common migrants pass down the east coast of
Britain on their way south from northern Europe and while many of these may be regular, they can make great birds for your garden list when seen inland, while the scarcer ones will boost your county list.
Here are some birds to look out for inland.
Seabirds
A storm in the North Sea or to the west of Britain can result in seabirds being blown inland. Check reservoirs and large lakes for Great Northern and Blackthroated Divers or perhaps a Grey Phalarope. Take a scope and spend time checking likely places as they can be difficult to spot, especially if there are local Great Cormorants.
Winter thrushes
Huge numbers of thrushes will arrive in October. Redwings and Fieldfares can be seen along inland hedgerows, while continental Blackbirds as well as Mistle and Song Thrushes may be on the move with them. The prize is Ring Ouzel, with its peak autumn passage in early October, especially with easterly winds.
Yellow-browed Warbler
Now so numerous, it is no longer recorded in the British
Birds scarce migrants reports.
Are there any inland counties in England where this species hasn’t been seen? Look out for this delightful bird early in the month when arrivals usually peak. Check newly formed tit flocks which might harbour one.
Olive-backed and Richard’s Pipits
While mainly seen on east and south coasts, there are occasional inland records of these two species. Both favour grassy areas, and it is often their calls which draw attention to them.
Little Bunting
No longer a rarity, and sometimes found inland, even over-wintering. Its numbers have been increasing annually so you might discover one. Make sure you are familiar with Reed Bunting to pick out this lovely bird as migrant Reed Buntings pass through eastern Britain in autumn and might occur where not normally seen.
Siskin, Brambling, redpolls and others
Scandinavian finches arrive in good numbers this month, and are more likely to been seen inland. If you start seeing them, also look out for something scarcer. Make sure your redpolls are all Lesser as Common might be seen. Later in the month Hawfinches and Common Crossbills could arrive.