Avon
Clevedon to Weston-super-Mare: Sand Bay held 230 Shelducks, up to seven Goosanders returned to Clevedon and seven Kittiwakes passed off-shore (2nd). Clevedon-Yeo logged 480 Redshanks, also a Knot, two Little Stints and a Jack Snipe. Other sightings there were of Merlin, Short-eared Owl twice, and an unexpected Tree Sparrow over Wains Hill (12th).
Severnside: A Brent Goose was at Severn Beach (1st & 15th), and there are about 40 Greylags in the area. On 1st there was a Long-tailed Duck at Oldbury, and two Common Scoters at Severn Beach. At Aust (Severn Bridge) a massive 38,500 Woodpigeons were counted moving through (1st). Severnside logged maximum counts of 380 Lapwing, 46 Grey Plover, 190 Curlew, a record 900 Black-tailed Godwits, 170 Turnstones, 5000 Dunlin, 68 Snipe and 13 Jack Snipe. Rarer waders included four Avocets, four Bar-tailed Godwits, seven Knot, a Ruff, two Curlew Sandpipers, three Little Stints and a Sanderling. Purple Sandpipers returned to Portishead with up to six at Battery Point. A good run of Kittiwakes off Severn Beach included 50 (1st) and 40 (23rd), with three Little Gulls there (25th) and a Yellow-legged Gull (6th). Discussion continues over an apparent American Herring Gull photographed at Avonmouth (10th). Severnside sea-watchers were rewarded on several dates with an Arctic Skua, Guillemots, Storm and Leach’s Petrels, Fulmar and a Gannet. Northwick Warth produced a Spoonbill (20th), Shag, Marsh Harrier and Merlin. A Wood Lark was reported at Aust (12th). The Starling roost at Portbury Wharf reached 5,000, and there were several Water Pipits and Black Redstarts along Severnside.
The Reservoirs: The first three Bewick’s Swans turned up at Blagdon (15th), then up to seven spent the second half of the month at Chew. The two large reservoirs combined held about 3,500 Teal, 300 Shoveler, 800 Gadwall, 60 Pintail, 50 Goldeneye, 560 Pochard, 3,000 Tufted Duck and 5,000 Coots. Chew added seven Red-crested Pochards (5th) with one (20th), up to three Scaup and three Common Scoters, 14 Goosanders, a Smew from 16th onwards, and two Long-tailed Ducks, one of which moved to its traditional wintering site at Barrow Gurney (13th). Two Red-breasted Mergansers were at Blagdon (16th), and in mid-month a drake Ring-necked Duck visited Chew, then Blagdon. A Black-necked Grebe was at Blagdon (6th) with another at Chew from 28th. Both reservoirs held good numbers of Golden Plover and Black-tailed Godwit. Blagdon had a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Little Stint and a Sanderling (all on 14th), and a Spotted Redshank to 4th. Chew logged a party of 12 Ruffs (1st), a Knot twice, a Little Stint, two Greenshanks (16th) and a Grey Phalarope (1st). Chew produced a Kittiwake (25th), four Little Gulls (21st), a Med and two long-staying Yellow-legged Gulls; also a Great Northern Diver (11th), a Glossy Ibis (2nd), 45 Cattle Egrets and 23 Great White Egrets (plus 17 at Blagdon). The roost at Backwell Lake held 43 Little Egrets. Chew had three Marsh Harriers, a Merlin, four Bearded Tits (4th) and two Water Pipits.
Other sites: Six Goosanders dropped into Yate (8th). Lansdown, Bath held 360 Golden Plover, and there were two inland reports of Woodcock. Saltford produced Grey Partridges and a Red-crested Pochard, both of unknown origin, also counts of 400 Common Gulls and 300 Rooks, a Merlin, a late Swallow (5th), a Siberian Chiffchaff (3rd) and a Yellow-browed Warbler (18th). There were at least eight Firecrests at various Bristol sites and two Black Redstarts. The Dartford Warbler remained at Troopers Hill until 6th (possibly 13th) with another at Wraxall (11th). A very late House Martin was at Tortworth (25th). Two Tree Pipits were photographed at Keynsham (11th).
Jane Cumming
Hampshire
BLASHFORD LAKES AND THE AVON VALLEY: A Great Northern Diver on Kingfisher Lake (from 26th) was unusual for the lakes, as was a Grey Phalarope at Ibsley Water (8th). Roosting gulls on Ibsley included a Caspian Gull on four dates and up to five Yellow-legged Gulls. Wildfowl maxima on Ibsley included 10 Goldeneye and 66 Goosander and a Red-breasted Merganser was a surprise visitor (13th). Up to three Marsh Harriers were regular at Ibsley but only one Water Pipit was reported (13th). The Red-crested Pochard was reported a number of times from Rockford Lake and Ibsley Water. Up to two Great White Egrets were seen at Ibsley and Ivy Lake. A Merlin was near Harbridge (24th).
LYMINGTON-KEYHAVEN: A Swift, likely a Pallid, was over Pennington (10th). Waders on the marshes included a Little Stint (4th), Ruff, three Spotted Redshanks and 12 Greenshanks. A Short-eared Owl was at Keyhaven (4th) and a Merlin was at Cut Bridge (25th). A Water Pipit was Pennington (2nd) and a late Swallow was at Keyhaven (29th). Two Black Redstarts were at Everton (19th-20th). Offshore the first two Slavonian Grebes of the winter appeared at the end of the month and a Great Northern Diver was seen once (2nd). Seawatching at Milford-on-Sea produced Leach’s Petrels on three dates (1st; three, 8th; 24th), a Long-tailed Skua (8th) and up to 80 Kittiwakes and three Little Gulls. Two Pomarine Skuas were at Hurst Beach (28th). A Snow Bunting was at Milford-on-Sea (25th-27th), plus a Black Redstart (25th).
TITCHFIELD HAVEN TO WARSASH: Hill Head produced some notable seabirds including a Sooty Shearwater (26th) and three Leach’s Petrels (1st), with another Leach’s seen off Chilling and Lee-on-the-Solent (8th). An Arctic Skua was off Hill Head (2nd), followed by two off Chilling (4th). Little Gulls were seen on four dates and there were up to 10 Kittiwakes. A Snow Bunting flew over Hill Head (30th). Offshore in the area were up to 35 Eider, three Velvet Scoter, eight Common Scoter, three Goosander (14th), a Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver. At Titchfield Haven a Bittern was seen a couple of times (17th-19th) and four Glossy Ibis remained in the area, moving between the canal path floods and the scrapes.
LANGSTONE HARBOUR AND HAYLING ISLAND: A Grey Phalarope was at Farlington (from 28th). Other waders included 25 Avocets and 10 Greenshanks. A Black Brant was present and five White-fronted Geese arrived at the end of the month. One or two Short-eared Owls were present, mostly at Farlington but also seen at Southmoor and Hayling Oysterbeds. In Langstone Harbour there was a Long-tailed Duck (from 12th), three Black-necked Grebes, up to six Goldeneye, a Little Gull (26th) and three Great Northern Divers. A Great White Egret was at Southmoor (19th), and 15 Cattle Egrets were at Warblington. On Hayling Island, Sandy Point had a Leach’s Petrel (26th), Grey Phalarope (25th), Slavonian Grebe (22nd-26th), Black-throated Diver (29th), Red-throated Diver (14th & 16th), three Great Northern Divers, daily maxima of 36 Kittiwakes and 12 Little Gulls and a Black Redstart (12th).
OTHER SITES: A Cory’s Shearwater flying over Tweseldown (4th) was an exceptional sighting! A probable Pallid Swift was over Old Basing (8th). A Red-crested Pochard was again at Rooksbury Mill (11th) and a Red-breasted Merganser was a good find at Fleet Pond (6th). A very lost Avocet landed on Aldershot high street (24th). A Grey Phalarope was at Southsea (26th & 29th). Fishlake Meadows had up to two Bitterns, four Great White Egrets, a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin (18th), and a Water Pipit (1st). Further Great White Egrets were at Testwood Lakes, Edenbrook Country Park, Fleet Pond and Eastleigh. The only Spoonbills reported were eight at Inchmery (27th). Hen Harriers were at Tweseldown (12th), Barton-on-Sea (14th), Pig Bush (20th-30th), Woolmer Pond (27th) and Fawley (30th). Merlins were at nine further sites. The first Great Grey Shrike of the winter was in the Pig Bush area (from 19th), with another in the north east at Liphook (24th). The only Yellow-browed Warbler reported was at St Cross, Winchester (11th). Late Ring Ouzels were at Marlpit Oak (two, 1st-2nd), Barton-on-Sea (two, 3rd), Lower Test (4th) and Butser Hill (13th). There was a good showing of Black Redstarts, mostly at coastal sites, but inland reports came from Sarisbury Green (2nd), Woolmer Pond (3nd), Twyford (8th) and Abbottswood (18th).
Tom Jordan
Derbyshire
Highlights: Star bird this month was Derbyshire’s second-ever Red-flanked Bluetail, which showed itself to one lucky observer along Cromford Canal (5th). Carsington Water had a juvenile Crane (21st briefly), and a Little Stint was present (2nd-21st). An Arctic Skua flew through Sinfin Moor Wetland (10th) where a Grey Plover was seen (14th). Willington GP had a brief Slavonian Grebe (4th) and an equally brief female Bearded Tit (30th). Erewash Meadows had six White-fronted Geese (14th and a Mealy Redpoll on several dates. Ogston Reservoir had Grey Plover (15th) and Mealy Redpoll (6th). Two Black Redstarts were at Holme Moss. Allestree had a Hawfinch (20th).
Aston on Trent GP: Best birds were 300 Pink-footed Goose (12th), 23 Shoveler (12th), Yellow-legged Gull (3rd) and Chiffchaff.
Barrow GP: There was a Marsh Harrier (26th).
Carr Vale NR: Highlights were Whooper Swan (19th & 30th), max of 885 Pink-footed Geese (4th), Marsh Harrier (7th), 40 Golden Plovers (4th), Kittiwake (26th), Swallow (11th), Stonechat, and Marsh Tit (4th).
Carsington Water: Best birds were Pintail, Red Kite, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Woodcock, Redshank, Yellow-legged and Caspian Gull, Kittiwake on two dates, 62,000 Wood Pigeon (4th) which tallies with big counts from across the county on that date, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Brambling (21st), and Lesser Black-backed/Ring-billed Gull hybrid (10th).
Drakelow NR: There were 25 Golden Plovers (26th), two Woodcocks (19th), Common Sandpiper, three Yellow-legged Gulls (8th), six Caspian Gulls (30th), 8,766 Woodpigeons (4th), and Stonechat (22nd).
Erewash Meadows: Highlights were Whooper Swan, 132 Pink-footed Geese (12th), 17 Shoveler (26th), Golden Plover (13th), Jack Snipe, 37 Snipe (13th), Kittiwake, Swallow (11th), Stonechat, Marsh Tit and Willow Tit.
Foremark Res: There were 96 Great Crested Grebes and a Kittiwake (27th).
Long Eaton GP: There were 19 Shoveler (12th) and a Green Sandpiper (12th).
Ogston Res: Highlights were seven Whooper Swans (4th), Pink-footed Goose, Pintail, Dunlin (17th), Woodcock, Redshank, Yellow-legged Gull and Caspian Gull, Blackcap (6th), Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Brambling, 40 Siskins (2nd), Crossbill (5th) and 10 Yellowhammers (26th).
Sinfin Moor Wetlands: There were 100 Pink-footed Geese (11th), Merlin (13th), Jack Snipe, Mediterranean, Yellow-legged and Caspian Gull, and Stonechat.
Staunton Harold Reservoir: Best birds were 60 Great Crested Grebes and two Yellow-legged Gulls (16th).
Willington GP: Highlights were Whooper Swan, Pintail, 30 Shoveler (7th), Marsh Harrier, two Dunlin (20th), Jack Snipe, Woodcock (16th), Common Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull and Caspian Gull, Stonechat, Willow Tit (23rd), and Starling numbers built to 3,000.
Wyver Lane: There were 11 Whooper Swans (13th), Marsh Tit and Willow Tit.
Other sightings: Alvaston Lake had Stonechat (8th). Arnfield Reservoir had 120 Pink-footed Geese (14th), Merlin (19th), two Woodcock (19th) and Brambling (27th). Beeley Moor had Whooper Swan over on two dates, Pink-footed Goose over on seven dates, up to two Red Kites, Marsh Harrier (25th), Merlin, Golden Plover, Redshank (24th), max 15,053 Wood Pigeon (4th), Ring Ouzel (1st), eight Ravens (25th), Brambling and Crossbill. Bent Lane had 20 Bramblings (5th). Brassington had a Ring Ouzel (2nd). Castlehill Woods had 546 Pink-footed Geese over (14th). Cromford had 22,800 Woodpigeons (4th), five Jays (30th), and Brambling on four dates. Curbar had 11 Whooper Swans (5th). DOS Wood had two Bramblings and four Crossbills (3rd). Doveholes Quarry had a Mediterranean Gull, two Yellow-legged Gulls and a Stonechat (26th). Edale had a Merlin, and Golden Plover (12th). Shipley Gate Marsh had two Jack Snipe with 31 Snipe (5th). Flash Lane had 20 Bramblings and Crossbill. Foxland Plantation had 140 Pink-footed Geese (16th), Stonechat, and two Bramblings (6th). Foxlow Fishing Ponds had 120 Pink-footed Geese (19th), Grey Partridge and 13 Yellowhammers. Hadfield had 150 Pink-footed Geese (2nd), and 2,135 Woodpigeons (6th). High Bridge GP had Pintail (19th). Kedleston Park had five Little Egrets (23rd), two Woodcock (27th), Blackcap (18th) and three Tree Sparrows (18th). King’s Newton had a Marsh Harrier (3rd). Lea Wood Hall had 60 Siskins (30th). Linacre Reservoir had a maximum of 185 Mandarin (26th). Locko Park had Mandarin, Stonechat and two Bramblings (6th). Longdendale had Pink-footed Goose, Common Scoter (15th), Golden Plover (30th), Woodcock (17th), Brambling (14th), and two Crossbills (16th). Longshaw had up to 35 Mandarin (18th). Loscoe Dam had Swallow, Blackcap (11th), and six Jays (1st). Middleton Moor Lagoons had 163 Golden Plovers (7th). Milton had a maximum of 208 Linnets (12th), and 20 Yellowhammers (23rd). Mousley Bottom had six Whooper Swans (5th). Newton Solney had four Pintails (25th), 357 Lapwing (24th), Woodcock and Stonechat. Norbriggs Flash had Jack Snipe. Seymour MVN had 11 Whooper Swans and 63 Lesser Redpoll (5th). Shipley Lake had 14 Goosanders and Yellow-legged Gull (27th). Shirebrook had 16 Golden Plovers (3rd). Shuttlewood Common had seven Grey Partridges and 270 Linnet (30th). Tintwistle had 12 Whooper Swans (19th). Twyford had three Pintails and two Stonechats (30th). Valehouse Reservoir had 215 Pink-footed Geese (27th). Woodhead Reservoir had 140 Pink-footed Geese (18th), two Barn Owls and two Stonechats (12th).
Steve Thorpe
Northamptonshire
Highlights: A Great Northern Diver spent two days at Pitsford Reservoir (from 11th), two Avocets visited Boddington Reservoir (13th) and a Bearded Tit was again at Stanwick GP (19th to the end of the month). A ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier was in the Blueberry Farm, Maidwell area on four dates from 1st and a male visited Gretton (29th). Black Redstarts were noted at Pitsford Reservoir (22nd), DIRFT (three, 27th) and at Harrington Airfield (28th). A Bittern was at Stortons GP (24th) and 10 Waxwings visited Long Buckby briefly (26th). A skein of 22 Pink-footed Geese flew over Harrington Airfield (4th) and a Brent Goose was present at Stanwick GP (from 25th). Cattle Egrets at Stanwick GP peaked at 13, four visiting Ditchford GP and one Earls Barton GP.
Boddington Reservoir: A Ring Ouzel (14th), a Caspian and three Yellow-legged Gulls visited.
Daventry CP: A Red-crested Pochard stayed all month. Also present were two Pintails, 15 Snipes, two Green Sandpipers, two Dunlin, two Ringed Plovers (to 18th), single Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls and four Whooper Swans over (18th).
DIRFT 3: Up to 450 Golden Plovers were on site, plus three Dunlin, 10 Snipe and a Redshank, a Merlin and two Caspian Gulls.
Ditchford GP: A Marsh Harrier, a ‘Siberian’ Chiffchaff and a Jack Snipe were noted.
Earls Barton GP: A Marsh Harrier was seen almost daily (from 19th) and an adult Kittiwake (25th) was the first record for this year. A Water Pipit was present (6th). Two Little Gulls passed through (20th), up to 370 Golden Plovers were present, along with 27-plus Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, a Merlin, four Great White Egrets, two Stonechats, and a Yellow-legged Gull.
Harrington Airfield: A late Wheatear (2nd), 10-plus Bramblings, two Stonechats, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine and 180 Golden Plovers were present.
Hollowell Reservoir: A Jack Snipe, two Stonechats and a Caspian Gull were noted and at nearby Ravensthorpe reservoir, there was a Black-tailed Godwit and two Green Sandpipers.
Pitsford Reservoir: A Wood Sandpiper was still present on 30th, the day a drake Smew arrived. A Little Stint, four Dunlin, eight Green Sandpipers, Redshank and Common Sandpiper and up to 50 Snipes were present too. Up to 10 Red-crested Pochards, 21 Pintails, two Caspian, three Yellow-legged and two Mediterranean Gulls visited, plus a Peregrine, five Stonechats and a peak count of 21 Great White Egrets (4th).
Stanford Reservoir: Red-crested Pochards peaked at 14 and 13 Pintails were noted along with four Mediterranean, two Caspian and two Yellow-legged Gulls, a Merlin on two days, three Green Sandpipers, a Great White Egret and four Bramblings.
Stanwick GP: Two Marsh Harriers, four Great White Egrets, 200 Golden Plovers and a Redshank were logged.
Other sites: In the Brampton Valley near Hanging Houghton and Maidwell, a Short-eared Owl was noted twice and a Merlin and a Short-eared Owl were near Farthingstone on three dates. A Marsh Harrier visited Thrapston GP and Merlins were noted at Lilbourne Meadows, Brixworth, Stowe-nine-Churches and Gretton. At Clifford Hill GP, five Red-crested Pochards and two Stonechats were seen. A Red-crested Pochard visited Wicksteed Park Lake. A Ring Ouzel was at Lamport Hill (3rd) and a late ‘Swift sp.’ was over Wellingborough (2nd).
Bob Bullock 01604 627262
Nottinghamshire
Highlights: A Pectoral Sandpiper remained at Slaynes Lane (to 7th). A Yellow-browed Warbler was noted at Attenborough (6th). A Little Auk was picked up in a garden in Worksop and taken into care (19th). A Glossy Ibis was present at Lound (24th-30th at least), joined by two Cattle Egrets.
Other sightings: A Curlew Sandpiper was at Lound (1st). Fourteen Little Gulls flew through Holme Pierrepont (19th), while a Kittiwake was noted at Erewash Meadows on the same day. Kittiwakes were also seen at Langford (20th) and Annesley (25th). Over 100 Whooper Swans were noted at Slaynes Lane, while smaller numbers were at Kilvington, Langford, Gringley, ANR, and Girton. Bewick’s Swan was recorded twice at Slaynes Lane (3rd & 25th). A drake Scaup was at Holme Pierrepont (5th) and a female was at Hoveringham (from 7th). A redhead Smew was at Attenborough throughout, and two female Common Scoters spent the latter half of the month at Holme Pierrepont. Merlin were noted at Annesley (3rd) and Gotham (27th), and a Hen Harrier was also seen at the latter site (13th). A Firecrest was seen at Lound (3rd), up to eight Bearded Tits were at Netherfield throughout, and a Black Redstart was at Clifton (13th).
Tom Shields
Rutland
Highlights: There were two Brent Geese at Rutland Water (30th) with four Bewick’s Swans (20th) and an immature Shag (30th). Single Black-necked and Slavonian Grebes were counted (16th) and a Great Northern Diver was present from (3rd). A Bittern was seen (11th & 19th). A Garganey was at Fort Henry Ponds (20th).
Rutland Water: A belated count (16th) produced two Whooper Swans, 145 Shoveler, 1,016 Gadwall, 3,345 Wigeon, 233 Pintail, 2,686 Teal (record count), 47 Red-crested Pochards, 945 Tufted Ducks, 85 Goldeneye and 14 Goosanders. Ten Great White Egrets and 1,145 Coots were present. Other wildfowl noted were 13 Whooper Swans south (4th), a Scaup (20th-25th) and a redhead Smew (26th) with two (28th). Up to three Marsh Harriers roosted. Wader counts included an Oystercatcher, 1,842 Lapwings, 783 Golden Plovers (all 16th), eight Curlew (24th), 11 Black-tailed Godwits, a Knot (20th-22nd), 63 Dunlin (6th), two Green Sandpipers (12th & 16th)and 11 Redshanks. A Mediterranean Gull and a Rock Pipit were at Normanton (19th). A Peregrine was at Gibbet Gorse (3rd) and Egleton (12th). Stonechats were regular at Egleton.
Other sites: Fort Henry Ponds had 70 Shovelers (5th), 60 Gadwall (26th), 51 Teal (19th) and two Water Rails (5th & 19th) with three Green Sandpipers (5th). A Woodcock was in Pickworth Wood (14th) with two at Tunneley Wood (26th). A Peregrine was near Belmesthorpe (11th). A late Swallow was near Whitwell (22nd). A Cetti’s Warbler was at Leighfield Fishponds (18th) and Marsh Tits were at Tunneley Wood, Martinsthorpe, Leighfield and Wing. Two Stonechats were in Exton Park (19th) and five Tree Sparrows near Egleton village (12th). Six Bramblings flew over Martinsthorpe (30th) and there were 22 Lesser Redpolls at Manton (28th).
Terry Mitcham
Radnorshire
ELAN VALLEY: Six Woodcock were in Cwm Coel, four at Gwaelod, two in Caban Lakeside Woodlands and one at Penbont. Gwaelod Plantation held 55 Crossbills and 17 flew over Penglaneinon. Ten Golden Plover were at Pen Rhiw Wen and two Snow Buntings on Crugyn Ci. Mandarin numbers peaked at 115 and Barn Owls were seen by Penygarreg Reservoir and by Claerwen Reservoir which also held two Whooper Swan and eight Common Scoter. Four Ring Ouzels lingered into the first week and three Goldeneye were on Caban.
WYE VALLEY: Kingfishers were seen at Glasbury (three), Aberedw, Llanelwedd, Newbridge and Rhayader. Great Egrets were at Brynwern, Erwood and Llowes (four). Three Woodcock and a Willow Tit were in Cilcenni Dingle. Glasbury/Llowes held 330 Mallard, 125 Teal, 90 Wigeon, eight Goosander, two Green Sandpiper, 24 Mute Swan, 12 Lapwing, 330 Redwing, 130 Fieldfare, four Water Rails, Redshank, Peregrine, 35 Snipe, 11 Little Egret, 55 Canada Geese, two Barnacle Geese, six Greylag Geese, 12 Grey Heron, 120 Black-headed Gull, 26 Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Yellow-legged Gull. At Cwmbach were 35 Greenfinch, 60 Goldfinch, 15 Linnet, three Yellowhammer, three Tree Sparrow, 80 House Sparrow and a Merlin.
OTHER SITES: Llandrindod Lake LNR held a pair of Pochard, four Tufted Duck, three Goosander, Marsh Tit and four Little Egret. Llyn Heilyn held Stonechat, Snipe, Reed Bunting, Moorhen, Coot, Mute Swan, Brambling, 17 Mallard, 14 Teal, 17 Wigeon, 40 Chaffinch, 50 Fieldfare, 14 Redwing and 400 Starling. At Hindwell Pool were 10 Teal, 15 Moorhen, 30 Mallard and three Little Grebes. In Radnor Forest were 10 Woodcocks, 650 Fieldfare, 22 Brambling, 80 Chaffinch, 50 Crossbills, Hen Harrier and four Willow Tit. Maelinydd held four Lapwing, six Snipe, a Jack Snipe, four Stonechat, two Reed Buntings, three Kestrel and 40 Meadow Pipit. At Knighton were Great Egret, two Little Egrets, Barn Owl, 110 Siskins, 45 Pied Wagtail, two Woodcock and six Goosander. Two thousand Woodpigeons flew south at New Radnor (5th).
Pete Jennings Radnorshire (vc43) Bird Recorder
tel: 01_588 680631_
West Yorkshire
BRADFORD: November was a quiet month with only a few highlights. Four Twite passed over Low Moor (2nd), upward of 40,000 Woodpigeons were seen over Oxenhope and Low Moor vis mig watch points (4th), a Yellow-legged Gull was at Fly Flatts (4th), three Little Egrets were at Keighley (6th) and a Great White Egret was at Otley (6th).
An adult Caspian Gull was at Redcar Tarn (11th), a Cetti’s Warbler was ringed at the Keighley Reserve (12th), with a different unringed bird seen later in the month, and a single Brambling was seen in Cullingworth (15th). A hundred and sixty Pink-footed Geese were seen over Leeshaw (16th), a further 600 were over Fly Flatts (20th) and three Water Rails were at the Keighley Reserve during the month. There are now up to 20 Ring-necked Parakeets at Apperley Bridge and 26 Mandarins were on the river at Bolton Abbey (27th).
Chris King – Bradford Ornithological Group
Lothian
Highlights: Single Pallid Swifts were at Dunbar (1st) and JMCP (1st-2nd). A probable Grey Phalarope flew past Musselburgh (1st) and an unidentified petrel was off Torness (18th). A Yellow-browed Warbler showed well in Edinburgh’s Lochend Park (7th-30th). A Great White Egret was at Tyninghame (14th & 20th). A Red-rumped Swallow was at Gifford (16th). Five Taiga Bean Geese were at Bowerhouse, Dunbar (19th). Musselburgh’s long-staying King Eider and White-winged Scoter appeared occasionally. A large influx of Little Auks peaked from the 18th-21st.
Aberlady Bay: A Pintail (3rd), Mediterranean Gull (16th) and up to three Little Egrets were seen. A Great Northern Diver was off Gullane Point (13th) and a Swallow was noted (18th).
Barns Ness: An Arctic Tern was at Bilsdean (4th). A Shore Lark (10th), Siberian Chiffchaff (13th), Water Pipit (20th) and five Brent Geese (23rd) were at Barns Ness. Torness featured a Yellow Wagtail (10th), Bonxie, Pomarine Skua, two Black-thrpated Divers, 30 Little Gulls and 52 Little Auks (all 18th), a Wheatear (20th) and Red-necked Grebe (23rd). A Whinchat (27th) and two Black Redstarts (28th) were at Skateraw.
Dunbar: A Water Pipit was at Fluke Dub (3rd-21st). A Little Auk (5th), Snow Bunting (6th), seven Little Gulls (20th) and Black Redstart (23rd) were seen. Single Brent, Tundra Bean and White-fronted Geese (19th-10th) were in fields inland.
Edinburgh: A Pochard was on the Water of Leith (1st). A Snow Bunting was near Swanston (11th). Two Little Gulls and 11 Greenshanks were at Cramond (28th). A Waxwing was at Corstorphine Hill (21st) with 10 over Morningside (23rd) and six at Lauriston Castle (25th).
Gosford Bay: A Sandwich Tern (3rd), two Scaup (17th) and two Swallows (23rd) were at Port Seton. A Black Redstart was at Cockenzie (14th & 28th). Thirty Little Auks (20th), a Red-necked Grebe (21st) and a Great Northern Diver (28th) were off Ferny Ness.
Musselburgh: A Black Redstart (14th & 23rd), Short-eared Owl (15th), 25 Twite (19th), a Water Rail and Black-tailed Godwit (both 22nd) and a Swallow (23rd) were seen. Two Pomarine Skuas (15th), 54 Little Gulls (17th), four Red-necked Grebes and a Black Guillemot (both 20th), 16 Little Auks (21st) and a Black-throated Diver (22nd & 30th) were offshore. Three Sandwich Terns (3rd) and a Black Guillemot (9th) were off Eastfield. A Surf Scoter, three Arctic Skuas and 10 Pomarine Skuas were seen off Fisherrow/Joppa (all 18th).
Tyninghame: October’s Snow Goose remained at Tyninghame (1st-4th). Eight Little Egrets (3rd) and three Greenshanks (23rd) were in the bay. Two Snow Buntings (11th-13th), two Waxwings (14th) and a Ruff (20th-28th) were at Belhaven. The JMCP Twite flock peaked at 290 birds (21st). Scoughall featured a Puffin, 16 Little Auks and 55 Little Gulls (all 19th) plus a White-fronted Goose (19th-25th).
Other sites: A Snow Bunting was on Capelaw Hill, Pentlands (6th). A House Martin was at Camptoun (21st). Two Little Gulls and 48 Little Auks were at Hound Point (21st). Forty-five Waxwings flew over Gladhouse (14th) with six at North Berwick (29th) and two at Macmerry (30th).
Jim Nicholson