Hi Birding-ausers,
Sometimes the bird news from the UK just does my head in !!
Enjoy,
> ===========================================================
> Review of the Week: 13th-19th October 2005 by Russell Slack
> ===========================================================
>
> This article is available on our website to Bird News Extra subscribers,
with photographs of many rare and scarce birds, at
http://www.birdguides.com/weeklyreview
>
> The week at a glance:
>
> - 1st Welsh BLYTH'S PIPIT.
> - Two RED-FLANKED BLUETAILS in Devon.
> - PADDYFIELD WARBLERS in Lothian and on Scilly.
> - Another large arrival of YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS.
>
> It was a great week for those who like to see birds on the move, with a
superb east-coast fall involving huge numbers of thrushes and Goldcrests. .
>
> A BLYTH'S PIPIT on Bardsey (Gwynedd) from Sunday 16th-17th will, if
accepted, be the first for Wales. With just 13 previous records,
long-stayers are popular (such as the Nottinghamshire bird late in 2002 into
2003) and had this bird been more accessible no doubt many would have
travelled to view it. The beautiful island of Lundy accommodated Devon's
first RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL on Friday 14th, but this was equally inaccessible
due to weather conditions, so it would be with great relief that many
southwest birders were able to watch the 2nd Devon Red-flanked Bluetail
shortly afterwards at Berry Head from Tuesday 18th-19th. Perhaps not quite
the enigmatic rarity it once was, with several birds giving themselves up
for the masses since the famous Dorset bird in 1993, long-stayers are still
guaranteed crowd-pullers. A PADDYFIELD WARBLER was found at Torness Power
Station (Lothian) on Thursday 13th and remained throughout the week; being
the first mainland Scottish record and acces
> sible to the masses, this showy mainland bird proved deservedly popular
during its stay. Another Paddyfield Warbler was found on St. Mary's (Scilly)
on Saturday 15th, and was the 3rd for the islands in the last 5 years. A
possible SIBERIAN THRUSH was seen briefly at Bamburgh (Northumbs) on
Saturday 15th, but unfortunately eluded confirmation. This species is still
high on the wanted list of most birders, though twitchable birds were seen
on Scilly and North Ronaldsay (Orkney) in the 1990s, along with a one-day
bird in Norfolk. A long-staying mainland bird would be hugely popular
though. During the week a number of exceptionally rare species claimed from
the Isles of Scilly eluded confirmation, whilst a CLIFF SWALLOW and BOOTED
WARBLER were belatedly reported from Trevose Head (Cornwall) 'recently'.
>
> As befits the time of year, a diverse array of rare passerines were on
offer during the week. In Scotland a SARDINIAN WARBLER at Fife Ness (Fife)
from Saturday 15th onwards was the first for mainland Scotland, there was a
DESERT WHEATEAR on Out Skerries (Shetland) on Wednesday 19th and a
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING was at Loch of Strathbeg (Aberdeenshire) from Thursday
13th to at least 18th. On Fair Isle (Shetland) LANCEOLATED WARBLERS were
present from 13th-14th and 17th. A BLYTH'S REED WARBLER was at St. Mary's
Island (Northumbs) from 17th-18th. Two NORTHERN LONG-TAILED TITS were a
popular attraction at Spurn then Easington (E. Yorks) from 18th onwards.
Four OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS included inaccessible birds on Fair Isle on 13th
and Isle of May (Fife) on 16th, with a brief bird at Flamborough Head (E.
Yorks) also on 16th; a more obliging bird was at Thorpeness (Suffolk) from
16th-17th (and on 20th). The SUBALPINE WARBLER remained at Nanquidno
(Cornwall) to 13th, the BLACKPOLL WARBLER
> remained on St. Mary's (Scilly) through the week and the RED-EYED VIREO
was still on Lundy (Devon) early in the week. A PARROT CROSSBILL was at
Swining (Shetland) on 19th and an exillipes-race ARCTIC REDPOLL (COUES'S
REDPOLL) was on North Ronaldsay on 18th.
>
> A SIBERIAN STONECHAT was at Whitburn (Durham) from 19th, and the Siberian
Stonechat at Porthgwarra (Cornwall) was last reported on 14th. Three RUSTIC
BUNTINGS included (at times) obliging birds at Spurn (E. Yorks) from
15th-18th and Bempton Cliffs (E. Yorks) from 15th-17th, and another was on
Shirkin Island (Co. Cork) on 18th. There were 8 RADDE'S WARBLERS during the
week (plus two 'possibles'). Several of these were along the east coast,
with birds at Isle of May (Fife), Mire Loch (Borders), Hawthorn Dene
(Durham) and South Gare (Cleveland); others were on Scilly (St. May's and
St. Agnes, though the latter succumbed to a cat) and two were in Co. Cork
(at Baltimore and Galley Head). These numbers were matched by DUSKY WARBLER,
which also yielded 8 records plus two unconfirmed records. The majority were
along the east coast, with singles at Voe (Shetland), Mire Loch (Borders),
Farne Islands (Northumbs), Boulby Cliffs (Cleveland), Spurn (E. Yorks),
Wells (Norfolk) and Southwold
> (Suffolk), plus one at Start Point (Devon). A late GREENISH WARBLER was
at Marsden Quarry (Durham) from 15th-16th whilst the Wester Quarff
(Shetland) bird was last seen on 13th.
>
> Another deluge of YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS hit the east coast during the
weekend fall, with double-figure counts reported from several locations,
ensuring it was quite difficult to go to certain locations on the east coast
and not connect with the species! Well-watched localities weighed in with
some of the larger counts, with double-figure counts at Spurn and
Flamborough Head, 16 between South Shields and Sunderland (Durham) on 15th,
11 at St Abb's Head (Borders) on 15th, 11 on Holy Island (Northumbs) on
16th. Even underwatched locations had multiple records, with Whitby (N.
Yorks) hosting 14 birds on 15th, clearly illustrating that birders were only
seeing the peak of what must have been a massive arrival of this delightful
sprite. Just under 30 PALLAS'S WARBLERS were noted during the week. Around
40 RICHARD'S PIPITS were reported, 10 WRYNECKS, 20 RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHERS
and over a dozen BARRED WARBLERS. Of four RED-THROATED PIPITS the only one
to linger was on St. Mary's (S
> cilly) from 13th-16th, and a TAWNY PIPIT was on St. Martin's (Scilly)
from 16th-17th. Ten LITTLE BUNTINGS were mostly along the east coast, and
ORTOLAN BUNTINGS were on St. Martin's and the Farne Islands. A MELODIOUS
WARBLER was on Cape Clear (Co. Cork) on 15th and last week's ICTERINE
WARBLER remained at Galley Head (Co. Cork) to 19th. A MARSH WARBLER was at
South Gare (Cleveland). There were 5 COMMON ROSEFINCHES, all in the
southwest or southern Ireland; 4 BLUETHROATS were all on the Northern Isles
except for one in Dorset. A respectable mid-October tally of 8 RED-BACKED
SHRIKES was logged and around 20 GREAT GREY SHRIKES included several on
winter territories. Half-a-dozen HOOPOES were mostly along the east coast
though one was on the Scillies and one in Oxfordshire. ROSE-COLOURED
STARLINGS were at Sennen/Land's End (Cornwall) and Spurn and a WAXWING
passed over Spurn on 15th. A Serin was over Nanjizal (Cornwall) on 16th.
>
> Nearctic waders kept on coming, most noticeably WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS.
An exceptional 6 were on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 13th with 3 still
present on 19th, 3 were on South Uist (Outer Hebrides) on 16th, there was
one at Fleck (Shetland) on 16th and the obliging long-stayer at Grafham
Water (Cambs) remained through the week. BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS remained at
Keyhaven Marshes (Hants) to 16th and Dungeness (Kent) to 17th and a new bird
was on Barra (Outer Hebrides) on 16th-17th. Five PECTORAL SANDPIPERS were
reported; the AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was still on Lewis (Outer Hebrides),
with others seen briefly in Co. Kerry and one at Fleck (Shetland) from
16th-18th. Five LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were at large, though the only new
bird was one at Blennerville (Co. Kerry) on 15th and 17th; long-stayers
remained in Co. Kerry, Essex and Cheshire and the Drift Reservoir (Cornwall)
bird relocated to the Hayle Estuary. Seven LESSER YELLOWLEGS were noted,
most in Ireland, though one at Killi
> ngholme Pits (Lincs) was the first to remain in the county for longer
than a day since 1976. The RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was still at Slimbridge
(Glos) and a GREY PHALAROPE was at Chew Valley Lake (Somerset). The Cornish
UPLAND SANDPIPER again put in an appearance, passing over Nanjizal on 16th,
and the Lissagriffin (Co. Cork) SPOTTED SANDPIPER remained to 13th.
>
> The GREEN HERON was last seen at Schull (Co. Cork) on 13th, and the
SQUACCO HERON would appear to have departed Newton Abbot (Devon) on 13th.
The SORA remains on St. Mary's (Scilly) as does the CATTLE EGRET at Elmley
Marshes (Kent). Four GREAT WHITE EGRETS were at Elmley Marshes on 17th with
presumably 3 of these passing over Dungeness (Kent) on 18th and one at Grove
Ferry (Kent) on 20th. The Blashford Lakes (Hants) bird was still present on
16th and one was at Pett Levels (E Sussex) on 14th. In West Yorkshire the
LAUGHING GULL remains, though it can be difficult to catch up with at times.
>
> Escape of the week accolade goes to the AMERICAN KESTREL at Old Hunstanton
(Norfolk) from 15th-17th. When news broke it would appear that the recent
Atlantic weather systems had at last delivered one of the great 'blockers'
on the British list to the masses, but unfortunately it was found to be
sporting a rather nice ring which confirmed it as an escape. This highlights
that escapees can occur at the 'right time of year' and doubtless this
record would have had little difficulty sailing through onto the national
list had it only passed through briefly and been well documented, but the
ring not noted!
>
> Less interesting for most was the continued residence of the BLACK SCOTER
off Llanfairfechan (Conwy). The BLUE-WINGED TEAL remained on Bull Island
(Co. Dublin), an AMERICAN WIGEON was on the Hayle Estuary (presumably the
returning bird), and a GREEN-WINGED TEAL was also present there along with
another at Inner Marsh Farm (Cheshire). RING-NECKED DUCKS remained on Tresco
(Scilly) and Avonmouth (Somerset), though a new bird was on North Uist
(Outer Hebrides). A drake LESSER SCAUP was at Myerscough Quarry (Lancs) and
several SURF SCOTERS remained off northeastern coastlines.
>
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