Sussex Birding

15th February 2012 Karuizawa

2012-02-15T03:48:00.000-08:00

Grey Heron 2
Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker 3
Jay 3
Large-billed Crow 2
Eastern Great Tit c.25
Varied Tit 2
Willow Tit 5
Long-tailed Tit 2
Wren 2
Nuthatch 2
Pale Thrush 1
Dusky Thrush 15
Red-flanked Bluetail 5 ex. (2 males)
Daurian Redstart 1 female
Brown Dipper 8
White Wagtail 1
Oiental Greenfinch 5
Japanese Grosbeak 12 ex.
Meadow Bunting 1

14th February 2012 Karuizawa

2012-02-14T05:27:00.000-08:00

Grey Heron 1
Oriental Turtle Dove 2
Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker c.5
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Large-billed Crow 2
Eastern Great Tit c.10
Coal Tit 3
Varied Tit 1
Willow Tit 5 ex.
Long-tailed Tit 5
Brown-eared Bulbul 10
Wren 3
Dusky Thrush 6
Brown Dipper 12
Japanese Wagtail 1
Oriental Greenfinch 5

12th February 2012 Tone River & Choshi Harbour

2012-02-14T05:15:00.000-08:00

Great Crested Grebe 4
Black-necked Grebe 3
Cormorant c.100
Japanese Cormorant c.2,000
Pelagic Cormorant 3
Grey Heron 5
Great White Egret 9
Bewick's Swan 6
Black Brant 1
Teal 2
Mallard 30
Scaup 50
Osprey 2
Black-eared Kite 8
Hen Harrier 1 ringtail
Eastern Marsh Harrier 4
Sparrowhawk 1
Buzzard 4
Kestrel 2
Coot 5
Black-headed Gull c.250
Black-tailed Gull c.1,000
Kamchatka Gull c.50
Vega Gull c.250
Slaty-backed Gull c.250
Glaucous-winged Gull 1 adult
THAYER'S GULL 3 ex. (2w and 2 juv's)
Glaucous Gull 2
Kittiwake 1
Feral Dove c.50
Oriental Turtle Dove 4
Bull-headed Shrike 1
Large-billed Crow c.15
Skylark 1
Brown-eared Bulbul c.10
Fan-tailed Warbler 1
White-cheeked Starling c.20
Dusky Thrush 2
Blue Rock Thrush 1 female
Tree Sparrow c.30
White Wagtail 1
Meadow Bunting 6 ex.
Chestnut-eared Bunting 1 ex.
Rustic Bunting 3 ex.
Reed Bunting c.12

12th February 2012 Narita and Inba-numa

2012-02-12T05:51:00.000-08:00

Little Grebe 6
Great Crested Grebe 2
Black-necked Grebe 1
Cormorant c.150
Grey Heron c.15
White Pelican 1 adult escape
Great White Egret c.10
Bewick's Swan c.250
Tundra Swan 2 ex.
Middendorf's Bean Goose 7 ex.
Wigeon 2
FALCATED DUCK c.200 ex. some males displaying
Teal c.50
Mallard c.75
Spot-billed Duck c.125
Pintail c.300
Shoveler 2
Tufted Duck 1
Smew c.25
Osprey 2
Black-eared Kite c.6
Hen Harrier 1 ringtail
Eastern Marsh Harrier c.4
Buzzard 2
Peregrine 1
Coot c.10
SIBERIAN WHITE CRANE 1 near-adult ex.
Snipe 1
Vega Gull 5
Feral Dove c.25
Oriental Turtle Dove 2
Bull-headed Shrike 6
Large-billed Crow 5
Skylark 1
Brown-eared Bulbul 6
White-cheeked Starling c.35
Dusky Thrush c.10
Tree Sparrow c.20
Japanese Wagtail c.8
Asian Buff-bellied Pipit 10
Oriental Greenfinch 20

1st February 2012 Pagham North Wall

2012-02-01T04:50:00.000-08:00

Cetti's Warbler 1
Paddyfield Warbler 1 ex.

Paddyfield Warbler along the North Wall (Ivan Lang)

29th January 2012 Blackdown Overcast and misty

2012-01-29T08:00:00.000-08:00

Parrot Crossbill 1 female

Crossbill c.50

Male Parrot Crossbill Holkham 1984? (Terry Box)

Female Parrot Crossbill at Blackdown

Male Common Crossbill at Blackdown

At least two males were sporting white wingbars

22nd January 2012 Birling Gap 8.00- 9.30am NW6 Clear & Newhaven Harbour

2012-01-22T12:04:00.000-08:00

Red-throated Diver 4E
Gannet 9E, 10W
Scoter 2E, 1W, 3 on sea
Teal 2W
Bonxie 1E at 8.15am
Razorbill 5W
Auk sp. 2E, 2W

Newhaven Harbour
Iceland Gull 1 2w ex.

Second-winter Iceland Gull at Newhaven Harbour

21st January 2012 Birling Gap 12.30pm to 1.30pm WNW5 Overcast & Newhaven Harbour

2012-01-21T10:25:00.000-08:00

Plumpton
Hen Harrier 1 male ex.

Red-throated Diver 4E, 9 on sea
Gannet 1E, 18W
Scoter 3 on sea
Bonxie 1W 12.35pm
Common Gull c.250
Auk sp. 2W
Curlew 8E, 1W
Starling c.200

Newhaven Harbour
Iceland Gull 2 ex. (1w & 2w)

Second-winter Iceland Gull at Newhaven Harbour

First-winter Iceland Gull at Newhaven Harbour

15th January 2012 Birling Seawatch 8am - 11.15am E2 Clear & Cuckmere

2012-01-15T08:06:00.000-08:00

Ditchling Common
Woodcock 1 ex.

Red-throated Diver 8E, 3W, 1 on sea
Great Crested Grebe 5E, 1W
Gannet 121E
Little Egret 1 west along beach
Brent 513E
Eider 1E drake
Scoter 3 on sea
Velvet Scoter 2E females 9.35am ex.
Wigeon 14E
Shoveler 5E
Arctic Skua 1E d/p at 9am ex.
Kittiwake c.60E
Guillemot 15E, 6 on sea
Razorbill 9E
Auk sp. 82E, 5W
Chiffchaff 1 ex.

Brent Geese passing Birling Gap

Chiffchaff at Birling Gap

Exceat Bridge
Yellow-legged Gull 2 first-winters

First-winter Yellow-legged Gull in the Cuckmere

A different first-winter Yellow-legged Gull in the Cuckmere

14th January 2012 Birling Gap 8am - 9.30am NE1 Clear, Pett & Dungeness

2012-01-14T12:47:00.000-08:00

Red-throated Diver 8E
Great Crested Grebe 2W, 1 on sea
Heron 1W
Brent 42E, 2W, 1 on beach
Shelduck 1E
Scoter 4E, 3 on sea
Pintail 1E drake
Wigeon 2E
Razorbill 38E, 5 on sea
Guillemot 1E, 1 on sea
Auk sp. 29E, 66W
Scandinavian Herring Gull 1 on beach
Red-legged Partridge 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Skylark 50
Treecreeper 2
Linnet 8

Scandinavian Herring Gull at Birling Gap

Pett

White-fronted Goose 12

Pink-footed Goose 4

Bar-headed Goose 1

Ruddy Duck 5

Pink-footed Goose and White-fronted Goose at Pett

Pink-footed Geese at Pett

Dungeness
Goldeneye c.15
Long-tailed Duck 1
Marsh Harrier 2
Scandinavian Herring Gull 3
Caspian Gull 1 1w ex.
Glaucous Gull 1 2w
Chiffchaff 1
Cetti's Warbler h
Tree Sparrow 8

First-winter Caspian Gull at Dungeness

Drake Goldeneye at Dungeness

8th January 2012 New Forest Calm and warm

2012-01-08T09:30:00.000-08:00

Goshawk 3 (2 males and a female in the air together)
Slate-coloured Junco 1 first-winter male ex.
Crossbill c.20
Siskin 1

First-winter male Slate-coloured Junco in the New Forest

Now that Dorset, Hampshire and Kent have each all played host to three of these attractive Nearctic stowaways, perhaps a second in Sussex is not as fanciful as it once seemed... here's hoping!

Male Crossbill in the New Forest

7th January 2012 Birling Gap Seawatch W3 Clear 8.15am-9.30am

2012-01-07T07:42:00.000-08:00

Red-throated Diver 3E, 17W
Great Crested Grebe 1E, 2W, 2 on sea
Gannet 2W
Cormorant 6W
Brent 4W
Scoter 3E, 5 on sea
Pintail 4W (3 drakes)
Lesser Black-backed Gull 3W
Kittiwake 1E, 15W
Guillemot 2W
Auk sp. 5E, 11W
Stonechat 3
Treecreeper 2
Linnet 25
Raven 1

Reed Bunting at West Rise Marsh

2nd January 2012 Birling Gap Seawatch 7.45am - 9.15am W4 Clear

2012-01-02T10:34:00.000-08:00

Red-throated Diver 7E, 4W, 3 on sea
Great Crested Grebe 3W, 1 on sea, 8 on sea off Cow Gap
Fulmar 1E, 3W
Gannet 7E, 5W
Cormorant 2E, 2W, 1 on sea
Little Egret 1 Cow Gap
Brent 1W
Scoter 1E, 4W, c.12 on sea
Pheasant 1
Pomarine Skua 1E juv. at 8.07am ex. pale morph
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1E ad.
Kittiwake 7E, 4W
Auk sp. 6E, 1W
Razorbill 8W, 3 on sea
Woodpigeon c.5
Green Woodpecker 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Skylark c.60
Robin 2
Stonechat 1 female
Blackbird 1
Goldcrest 1
Wren 1
Great Tit 3
Blue Tit c.3
Treecreeper 2
Jay 1
Chaffinch c.6
Linnet 4
Goldfinch 1

Female Stonechat at Birling Gap

1st January 2012 Birling Gap Seawatch 8am - 12.30pm SW4 Overcast

2012-01-01T08:37:00.000-08:00

An excellent January sea-watch this morning. Putting it into the Sussex context a quick comparison to the Sussex Bird Report 2010 shows the largest published January movements for that year of Red-throated Divers was 76E on 10th (although we recorded 416W past Birling on 1/1/11 per JFC's summary http://beachyheadbirding.blogspot.com/ ), of Gannets was 140W on the 15th, the largest January site total of westerly moving Shelducks was only 30, the largest movement of Razorbills was 49W on the 29th, only 3 Bonxies were noted in the County in January (although we recorded 3 off Birling last January per JFC's summary) and no Pomarine Skuas were seen before April. A pity that the onset of heavy rain and poor visibility arrived at 12.30pm today.

Red-throated Diver 7E, 91W, c.9 on sea
Great Crested Grebe 5W, 3 on sea
Fulmar 2E, 9W
Gannet 36E, 422W
Cormorant 2E
Brent 4E, 8W
Shelduck 39W (5,4,1,1,5,6,7,1,9)
Wigeon 5E
Scoter c.12 on sea
Oystercatcher 3
Curlew 3E, 4W
Bonxie 1W at 11.42am ex.
Pomarine Skua 1E juv. at 12.03pm ex. intermediate morph
Black-headed Gull c. 20 off Birling
Common Gull c.400 in fields then onto sea off Birling
Herring Gull 60 on beach
Great Black-backed Gull c.15 offshore
Kittiwake 11E, 61W
Auk sp. 7E, 24W
Guillemot 1E, 2W
Razorbill 13E, 64W, c.8 on sea
Rock Pipit 2
Meadow Pipit 3
Pied Wagtail 1
Dunnock 1
Magpie 3
Jackdaw c.20
Carrion Crow 5
Starling c.15

Gannet off Birling Gap

Gannets predominated in today's westerly movement, and whilst the majority were adults, all age groups were represented including this immature.

31st December 2011 Pagham & Widewater

2011-12-31T09:31:00.000-08:00

Green Sandpiper 1
Spotted Redshank 1
Black-tailed Godwit c.100
Kingfisher 1

Kestrel at Pagham

Spotted Redshank at Pagham

Black-tailed Godwit at Pagham

Widewater
Little Egret 3
Snow Bunting 2 ex.

Snow Buntings at Widewater

30th December 2011 Birling Seawatch 8.45 - 9.45am W2 Overcast & West Rise Marsh

2011-12-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

Red-throated Diver 1E, 4W, 1 on sea
Great Crested Grebe 1E
Gannet 1E, 8W
Great White Egret 1W at 9.05am ex.
Scoter 4E, 15 on sea
Merganser 1W
Kittiwake 1E
Razorbill 1E, 1 on sea
Auk sp. 1E, 1W, 1 on sea
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Skylark c.50
Rock Pipit 2
Mistle Thrush 1
Goldcrest 1
Chaffinch c.15
Linnet 2
Raven 2

West Rise Marsh
Water Rail 1 ex.
Short-eared Owl 1

Water Rail at West Rise Marsh

29th December 2011 Castle Water & Pett Level W6 Overcast

2011-12-29T11:53:00.000-08:00

Greylag Goose c.200
Mallard x Teal hybrid 1 drake ex.
Marsh Harrier 2
Peregrine 1
Water Rail 1 ex.
Black-tailed Godwit 1
Scandinavian Herring Gull 3 ad

Drake Pintails at Castle Water

Drake Mallard x Teal hybrid

Whilst this hybrid is recorded in the wild it seems rather rare - it is certainly the first I have encountered.

Male Marsh Harrier at Castle Water

The dark underwing coverts and darkness of the body are signs of immaturity (3cy) making it all the more striking for it.

Cormorant at Castle Water

Whilst Castle Water plays host to a breeding colony of Continental Cormorants P.c. sinensis, the gular pouch angle on the above individual would appear to favour carbo.

Pett Level
Bar-headed Goose 1
White-fronted Goose 6
Pink-footed Goose 4
Greylag Goose c.150
Brent Goose 1
Ruddy Duck 3
Black-tailed Godwit 2
Scandinavian Herring Gull 3 ad

28th December 2011 Birling Seawatch 8.30-10.30am SW4, Cuckmere & Lewes

2011-12-28T11:14:00.000-08:00

Red-throated Diver 18E, 2W
Great Crested Grebe 1 on sea
Gannet 12E, 39W
Fulmar 21E, 9W
Scoter 1W, 15 on sea
Wigeon 23E, 64W
Kittiwake 22E
Mediterranean Gull 1E ad w
Sandwich Tern 1E at 9.40am ex.
Auk sp. 1E
Guillemot 2E, 1W
Razorbill 5E

Cuckmere
Scandinavian Herring Gull 1 ad.
Kingfisher 1

Adult Scandinavian Herring Gull in the Cuckmere

Lewes
Goosander 1 redhead ex.
Raven 2

Goosander at Lewes

27th December 2011 Scotney & Dungeness

2011-12-27T13:24:00.000-08:00

Barnacle Goose 70
Emperor Goose x Barnacle Goose hybrids 9
Greylag Goose c.200 (1 with pink bill suggestive of rubrirostris influence)
Marsh Harrier 2+
Hen Harrier 1 ringtail
Green Sandpiper 1
Corn Bunting 15

Greylag Geese at Scotney including a pink-billed individual

The Siberian form of Greylag Goose A.a. rubrirostris is described as being larger, pink-billed, paler grey and typically with broader pale fringes to the upperparts. However, it has yet to be added to the British List due to birds perhaps occuring from the reportedly wide intergrade zone between nominate anser and rubrirostris and further muddied by introductions of rubrirostris and interbreeding with anser on the near continent albeit described as genetically swamped (RIACT BB 99 December 2006). As the Scotney bird effectively appeared a Greylay with a pink bill it clearly wasn't a pure rubrirostris but its bill colour does perhaps indicate a rubrirostris influence in its ancestry. Pure A.a. rubrirostris has a very different appearance. See:
http://www.birdsofkuwait.com/blog/?p=4025

Hybrid Emperor Goose x Barnacle Goose at Scotney

Dungeness

Bittern 2

Great White Egret 2 ex.

Long-tailed Duck 1

Glaucous Gull 1 2w ex.

Caspian Gull 1 1w ex.

Cetti's Warbler 1

First-winter Caspian Gull at Dungeness

Hang-on, who's that getting in the way!

Second-winter Glaucous Gull at Dungeness

Great White Egrets at Dungeness

Bittern at Dungeness

24th December 2011 Barcombe & West Rise Marsh Calm and clear

2011-12-24T08:57:00.000-08:00

Black-necked Grebe 2 ex.
Goldeneye 1
Buzzard 2

First-winter Black-necked Grebe at Barcombe

The visibly buff-tinged neck and yellowy tint to the rear ear-coverts and pale neck patch are remnants of juvenile plumage rendering this individual a first-winter.

West Rise Marsh
Short-eared Owl 1

23rd December 2011 Birling Gap Seawatch 8.15am-9.15am SW4 Overcast & Cuckmere

2011-12-23T08:56:00.000-08:00

Red-throated Diver 1E, 1W

Gannet 150E

Brent 6E

Merganser 1W

Scoter 3E, c.18 on sea

Auk sp. 6E

Upper Cuckmere

Lesser Black-backed Gull c.300

Great Black-backed Gull c.200

Caspian Gull 1 3w

Yellow-legged Gull 2 ad.

Third-winter Caspian Gull in the Cuckmere

An ultra-distinctive individual with such a snouty appearance complete with tiny black eyes, pear-shaped clean white head, mantle shade comparable with Common Gull and a very attenuated rear end being especially long-winged. It was also very long-legged and walked around with a characteristic gait and as if 'walking on tip toes'. The small white tips to its black primaries prove they are third-generation being those of a 3w.

When alert it appeared both long-necked and kink-necked.

Whilst its bill appeared that of a 2w being pale-tipped with a dark subterminal smudge that bled along its cutting edge towards its base its uniform pure grey mantle and only restricted dark centres to its tertials are characters strongly indicative of a 3w. Its bullet-hole dark eyes are characteristically tiny.

Its pure white tail lacking a broad black subterminal band and lack of hindneck streaking confirm its age as a 3w.

Caspian Gull is often described as peculiarly small-headed for the body and this individual is no exception.

In profile it is easy to appreciate the pear-shaped white head.

With such a sleek skeletal head, full-chested appearance, long pale fleshy-coloured thin weak-looking legs being particularly long in the tibia it appeared the archetypal Caspian Gull almost reminiscent of an Audouin's Gull.

Its tiny black eyes set upon its clean white head, long sloping forehead and never-ending lores all accentuate its snouty appearance.

Whilst overall the wings appeared grey, some soft grey-brown patterning in the coverts was present.

Flat-backed, lacking a tertial step and far longer-winged than argenteus it shared a mantle colour with the accompanying Common Gull. The small white tips to its primaries and restricted dark-centres to its tertials are just visible.

Third-winter Caspian Gull in the Cuckmere

18th December 2011 Shinewater & West Rise Marsh NW1 Clear

2011-12-18T08:45:00.000-08:00

Bittern 1 ex. fvo
Scandinavian Herring Gull 1 ad. presumed female
Cetti's Warbler 5+h

Adult female Scandinavian Herring Gull L.a. argentatus

This individual is presumably a female as it lacked the huge size and massive bill of some argentatus in that it appeared no larger than some of the accompanying argenteus. Measurements in Olsen & Larsson 2003 reveal that female argentatus can be smaller than male argenteus. The faint fleshy tones to the base of its bill, its dark blue mantle, extensive dusky head-streaking accentuating its 'evil-looking' pale eyes, coarse neck-blotching, broad white tertial crescent and large white tip visible on the underside of p10 are all compelling features of this form.

17th December 2011 Beachy Head & West Rise Marsh NW2 Clear

2011-12-17T08:07:00.000-08:00

Lapwing 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Skylark c.70
Rock Pipit 3+
Stonechat 3
Redwing 1
Mistle Thrush 1

West Rise Marsh
Yellow-legged Gull 2 (Ad & 1w)

The dark eye-mask set against its whitish head with a predominently black bill all help characterise this first-winter Yellow-legged Gull. It also has a pure white throat and centre to breast with rather neat hindneck streaking and brest-side spotting. Whilst its tertials are clearly worn they retain the narrow pale tips restricted to the distal part of each feather. In comparison with argenteus it appears rather attenuated and noticeably long-winged.

Despite its dar eye-mask it appears white-headed by virtue of its white lores, forehead, throat and neck-sides. Whilst its breast-sides are spotted a few chevrons are just visible on its flanks being typical of michahellis.

This image conveys how first-winter Yellow-legged Gulls can somewhat recall outsized first-winter Mediterranean Gulls! It is also displacing a scapular revealing its double-anchor marking the outer being a finer grey.

Whilst preening its white tail-base contrasted strongly with its black tail band that was broadest at its centre.

First-winter Yellow-legged Gull at West Rise Marsh

10th December 2011 Beachy & West Rise Marsh W1 Clear

2011-12-10T07:54:00.000-08:00

Fulmar 6

Scoter c.15

Red-legged Partridge 1

Common Gull c.200

Stock Dove 25

Great Spotted Woodpecker 1

Skylark c.35

Rock Pipit 1

Stonechat 2

Mistle Thrush 1

Chiffchaff 1

Goldcrest 1

Treecreeper 1

Raven 1

Chiffchaff at Birling Gap

Treecreeper in Belle Tout Wood

Mistle Thrush at Belle Tout

West Rise Marsh

Goosander 1 redhead

Yellow-legged Gull c.6+ adults

presumed hybrid Caspian x Herring Gull 1 adult

Adult Yellow-legged Gull at West Rise Marsh

Presumed hybrid Caspian x Herring Gull at West Rise Marsh

The reproduction of this blogged video is unfortunately not of the quality of the original. This interesting adult Gull that appeared marginally smaller than most of the argenteus present had a completely white unstreaked head, it was small-eyed and long-billed, its mantle was a shade darker than the accompanying argenteus, it had a long primary projection, it had a red orbital ring and pale pink legs. In flight, by freezing the video, its large white tip to p10 is visible, as is a mirror on p9, viewed from below a long pale grey tongue extends down the inner web of p10 and is only separated from the white tip by a black band narrower in width than the white tip, viewed from above there are obvious grey tongues extending down the inner webs of p7 to p10, a band across p5, a dark mark on one web of p4. Hence, all characters associated with Caspian Gull.

Presumed hybrid Caspian x Herring Gull at West Rise Marsh

However, its bill, whilst long, appears quite robust with a noticeable gonydeal angle and appears rather brightly coloured for the time of year. Furthermore its iris was pale, although it was probably accentuated by today's strong light. Its head does not appear particularly skeletal and appears rounded. Sporting an unread green colour ring on its right leg and a small metal ring just above its foot on its left leg this interesting adult Gull presumably likely originates from Poland that of course plays host to the hybridisation zone of Caspian and Herring Gulls.

4th December 2011 West Rise Marsh W3 Overcast

2011-12-04T10:29:00.000-08:00

Yellow-legged Gull 3 ex. (2 ad & 3w)
Caspian Gull 1 ex. 3w present 1.15pm to 1.25pm then flew off
Short-eared Owl 1

Third-winter Yellow-legged Gull at West Rise Marsh

This tiny-sized (so presumably a female), dainty, round-eyed third-winter is surely as beautiful as they come and almost reminiscent of Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris. It is interesting to compare its deeper, blunt bill and more angular headshape with the Caspian Gull below. Whilst adult-like it is readily aged by its dark subterminal band to its bill, dark markings on its tertials and smaller white tips to its primaries.

With its wings spread its age is further confirmed by its dark primary coverts and much smaller white mirror on p10. In this respect it is interesting to compare with the spread wing of the adult below.

Third-winter Yellow-legged Gull at West Rise Marsh

Adult Yellow-legged Gull at West Rise Marsh

A different adult Yellow-legged Gull at West Rise Marsh

Third-winter Caspian Gull at West Rise Marsh

Whilst scanning the flock of Gulls this bird was initially noticed by virtue of its strikingly large size (so presumably a male) that literally dwarfed some of the accompanying argenteus, its snowy white-headed appearance, small dark eye, long insipid-coloured bill and by its mantle being a shade darker than the accompanying argenteus, although not as dark as any of the three michahellis present ,and lacking the bluish cast of those individuals.

It immediately conveyed a snouty appearance by virtue of its long sloping forehead, extensive white loral area and long, slender, parallel-sided bill complete with 'large Albatross' dark line running along its cutting edge. Despite being on the water, the very obvious ventral bulge (only just visible here but readily seen whilst it splashed around) was surprisingly one of the initial eye-catching features that drew attention to this individual.

Whilst bathing it revealed its full-bodied appearance and its ventral bulge can again be appreciated. Both its legs and feet can be seen to be pale pink.

For such a large-sized Gull its pale pink legs were very thin and weak-looking.

Even whilst facing slightly away, it was still possible to appreciate its long tapering bill. Its rear end was very attenuated by virtue of its flack back, complete lack of a tertial step and long wings. This image also shows tip of its tail falling less than halfway along the length of its exposed long-looking primaries.

Its pure adult-like grey mantle and scapulars are a result of it having recently undergone its second complete moult that is undertaken by Caspian Gull during the summer and autumn of the third calendar year. Reassuringly, third-winter Caspian Gulls retain variable amounts of brown in the tertials and coverts, especially the lesser coverts. In addition to the odd hindneck streak, the odd upper-breast side spot was also just visible (as in the above image), all of which helpfully added to its 'distinctive look' of a Caspian Gull.

Whilst raising its tail, this image neatly captures its rather obvious vestigal tail band made up of isolated black spots. Whilst such a tail band also occurs in michahellis (as shown to a lesser extent by the 3w michahellis above) it is very rare in 3w Herring Gulls (Gibbins et al. BB March 2010).

This image best portrays the extent of its retained half-collar of dark hindneck streaking. Third-winter Herring Gulls have more widespread, diffuse and blotchy head and neck streaking (Gibbins et al. BB March 2010). Small white tips to its new third-generation primaries are also just visible in this image.

Whilst large-headed it often still appeared distinctively pear-shaped. It is interesting to compare the profile of its forehead, crown and nape with those of the 3w michahellis above. The differences in both the structure and the brightness of the bill colouration are also striking. The legs of the accompanying argenteus were noticeably deeper pink and more robust.

Despite being a such a large-sized individual this image best portrays the limited extent of its gonydeal angle limited to just an indistinct bulge. For cachinans the bill is most often more than twice as long as its maximum depth, while for Herring it is most frequently a little less than twice its maximum depth (Gibbins et al. BB March 2010). It is interesting to note the strong similarity of the bill structure, insipid dull greeny-yellow colouration and pattern including the black cutting edge and extent of the restricted orangey patch confined to the gonys with the third-winter Caspian Gull portrayed in Plate 81.

3rd December 2011 The Burgh W2 Clear

2011-12-03T08:43:00.000-08:00

Hen Harrier 1 ringtail

Red Kite 2

Common Buzzard c.10

Rough-legged Buzzard 1 juvenile

Juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard at The Burgh

27th November 2011 The Burgh WNW3 Clear

2011-11-27T12:06:00.000-08:00

Rough-legged Buzzard 1 juv.
Common Buzzard c.10
Red Kite 2
Hen Harrier 2 ringtails
Merlin 1
Blackcap 1

Juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard at the Burgh

26th November 2011 Birling Gap Seawatch 7.45-8.30am SW4 Overcast

2011-11-26T09:00:00.000-08:00

Diver sp. 1E
Little Egret 2
Fulmar 2W, 3
Gannet 3W, 2E, 2
Brent 2W
Scoter 2W, 1E, 20 on sea
Curlew 6
Auk sp. 3E
Red-legged Partridge 1
Mistle Thrush 4
Skylark 20
Goldfinch 15
Linnet 5

Chalk Cliffs at Birling Gap

Curlew at Birling Gap

Herring Gull at Birling Gap

Mistle Thrush at Belle Tout

Cuckmere
Greater Black-backed Gull c.500
Lesser Black-backed Gull c.15
Scandinavian Herring Gull 1

Scandinavian Herring Gull in the Cuckmere

20th November 2011 Beachy Head SE1 Clear

2011-11-20T06:52:00.000-08:00

Little Egret 1
Kestrel 1
Red-legged Partridge 1
Golden Plover h
Black Redstart 1
Stonechat 4
Chiffchaff 2
Goldcrest 2
Treecreeper 2
Goldfinch 185E
Redpoll 5, 4h

Male Stonechat at Birling Gap

19th November 2011 Beachy Head SE2 Clear

2011-11-19T10:09:00.000-08:00

Little Egret 1
Sparrowhawk 1
Merlin 1
Kestrel 1
Lapwing 1
Red-legged Partridge 1
Woodpigeon 250S
Stock Dove 23E
Swallow 1E
Pied Wagtail 2
Stonechat 4
Black Redstart 1
Chiffchaff 2
Goldcrest 1
Raven 2
Goldfinch 180E
Redpoll 2h
Chaffinch 20E
Bullfinch 1 Chat Vale

Black Redstart at Birling Gap

Lapwing at Belle Tout

18th November 2011 Isle of Muck, Hebrides

2011-11-18T21:44:00.000-08:00

Pink-footed Goose 5
Rock Dove c.10
VEERY 1 ex. BOURC/IRBC 519

Charter boats at the Isle of Muck

Harbour on Isle of Muck (JFC)

Isle of Muck

The Veery's midden on Muck

First-winter Veery on Muck

13th November 2011 Beachy Head & The Burgh SE2 Clear

2011-11-13T10:39:00.000-08:00

Little Egret 3E
Greylag 2E
Golden Plover 2h
Woodpigeon 4,650 S&W
Stock Dove 118E
Short-eared Owl 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Starling 50W, 50E, 350
Song Thrush 2
Blackbird 7
Skylark 8S, 100
Swallow 2
Black Redstart 1
Wheatear 1
Stonechat 3
Meadow Pipit c.50E
Pied Wagtail 4E
Blackcap 1 female
Chiffchaff 3
Goldcrest 3
Treecreeper 1
Reed Bunting 2E
Snow Bunting 1 ex.
Chaffinch 17E
Goldfinch 525E
Redpoll 22E, 8W
Siskin 3E, 1W

Woodpigeons over Birling Gap

Stock Doves over Birling Gap

Little Egrets east past Birling Gap

Greylag Geese east past Birling Gap

Third-winter Lesser Black-backed Gull at Birling Gap

Swallows at Birling Gap

Wheatear at Belle Tout

Snow Bunting at Belle Tout

Skylark at Belle Tout

The Burgh

Common Buzzard c.8

Rough-legged Buzzard 1 juv. ex.

Red Kite 2

Hen Harrier 1 ringtail

Juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard at the Burgh

12th November 2011 Beachy Head & Margate SE1 Overcast

2011-11-12T11:02:00.000-08:00

Little Egret 1
Sparrowhawk 1
Kestrel 1
Tawny Owl 1
Woodpigeon 100S
Fieldfare 1W
Chiffchaff 6
Goldcrest 5
Starling 120W
Siskin 6W
Goldfinch 140E
Redpoll 2h
Chaffinch 5E

Scandinavian P.c. abietinus or Siberian Chiffchaff P.c. tristis of the form 'fulvescens' at Birling Gap

Unfortunately this individual remained silent throughout our encounter. Despite its overall tristis-like insipid 'brown and buff' appearance, the presence of yellow to its underparts, olive streaking to its crown, olive wash to its mantle, subdued supercilium and lack of any rusty tones to its hollow ear-coverts all lead us to consider it an abietinus. However, the two images below show the limited extent of the yellow markings across its breast, the yellowish-wash to its fore-supercilium and the olive streaking to its crown and hues to its mantle. Whilst these traits eliminate the possibility of a 'classic' tristis, they are shown by P.c. tristis of the form 'fulvescens' (see British Birds Vol. 98 p. 396-410). As the boundaries of 'plumage limits' between P.c. abietinus and P.c. tristis of the form 'fulvescens' remain unclear, leaving this silent individual unassigned seems the most sensible option!

Scandinavian P.c. abietinus or Siberian Chiffchaff P.c. tristis of the form 'fulvescens' at Birling Gap

Siberian Chiffchaff P.c. tristis on Hegura-jima, Japan November 2010

For comparison, a 'classic' (and vocal) tristis that lacks any yellow to its underparts and any olive to its upperparts. For more photographs of this individual see http://hegura.blogspot.com/2010/12/2nd-november-2010-hegura-jima-japan.html

Tawny Owl at Belle Tout Wood

Margate, Kent
Mediterranean Gull 1
Sanderling 20
Ring-necked Parakeet 4
Eastern Black Redstart 1 male ex.
Wheatear 1

Foreness Point, Margate

Sanderling at Margate

First-winter male Eastern Black Redstart P.(o.) pheonicuroides at Margate

The first record for Britain & Ireland of this long-distant migrant arriving hot on the heels of a mini-influx into Sweden. The diagnostic primary spacing ratio with the large gap between p6 & p7 can be seen in the final image eliminating the possibility of it being a hybrid Common Redstart x Black Redstart. Dutch Birding Vol.27 No.3 states that DNA studies reveal Eastern Black Redstart P.(o.) phoenicuroides appears to be more closely related to Hodgson's Redstart P. hodgsoni than to Black Redstart P.ochruros. Also, genetic differences were measured up to 3% being the same genetic difference found between Pied and Collared Flycatchers.

6th November 2011 Beachy Head NNE3 Overcast

2011-11-06T09:28:00.000-08:00

Little Egret 1E
Sparrowhawk 4
Kestrel 1
Short-eared Owl 1 ex.
Yellow-legged Gull 1 first-winter
Lapwing 8E, 34W
Golden Plover 8N
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Woodpigeon 590E, 805W
Stock Dove 1W, 20E
Swallow 3
Skylark 3W, 7E, 5N, 50
Pied Wagtail 10W, 6E
Stonechat 13
Black Redstart 2
Song Thrush 2
Redwing 34N
Mistle Thrush 3W
Fieldfare 4N
Starling 365W
Great Grey Shrike 1 ex. just west of Birling flew inland after a couple of minutes
Goldcrest 3
Redpoll 18E, 15W
Siskin 14E, 10W
Goldfinch 180E, 50W
Brambling 1h
Chaffinch 50W
Greenfinch 4W
Yellowhammer 1W
Reed Bunting 1W, 1
Lapland Bunting 2E @ c.9.30am
Snow Bunting 3E ex. @ 7.15am

Lapwings arriving in off the sea over Birling Gap

Golden Plover arriving in off the sea over Birling Gap

Starlings moving west past Birling Gap

Snow Bunting east over Birling Gap

Redwing at Birling

Woodpigeon migration over Birling Gap

Pied Wagtail at Birling Gap

Great Grey Shrike at Birling

Fieldfare over Birling Gap

JFC checking for Spectacled Warbler in the gully south of Belle Tout!

Reed Bunting at Birling Gap

Short-eared Owl at Birling Gap

Juvenile Sparrowhawk over the Beachy Head Hotel Garden

5th November 2011 Beachy Head NE1 Overcast

2011-11-05T07:18:00.000-07:00

Little Egret 1
Sparrowhawk 1W
Kestrel 1
Short-eared Owl 1
Snipe 1
Red-legged Partridge 1
Woodpigeon 100S
Stock Dove 25S
Great Spotted Woodpecker 2
Swallow 1W, 1E
House Martin 1W
Skylark 31E, 25W, 2N, 50
Stonechat 3
Pied Wagtail 14E
Chiffchaff 1
Goldcrest 2
Firecrest 1
Starling 30W
Bullfinch 1E
Crossbill h
Brambling h
Siskin 75E
Redpoll 89E
Goldfinch 695E
Reed Bunting 3W, 1

Short-eared Owl at Birling Gap

A curiously dark individual with presumably sodden underparts

30th October 2011 Beachy Head SW3 Overcast

2011-10-30T08:31:00.000-07:00

Sparrowhawk 1 male

Kestrel 2

Tawny Owl 1

Great Spotted Woodpecker 1

Stonechat 3

Swallow 2W

Pied Wagtail 7W

Treecreeper 2

Willow Warbler 1

Chiffchaff 2

Firecrest 1

Goldcrest 5

Linnet c.200

Redpoll 8E, 2W

Goldfinch 15E, 5W

Willow Warbler in Belle Tout Wood

Despite the late date, the yellow suffusion to the underparts reveals this to be just a nominate trochilus.

29th October 2011 Beachy Head W1 Overcast

2011-10-29T14:18:00.000-07:00

Little Egret 1
Arctic Tern 2W
Short-eared Owl 1E
Tawny Owl 2
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Skylark 23E
Wheatear 3
Common Redstart 1 first-winter male
Black Redstart 3
Blackcap 1
Chiffchaff 6
Goldcrest 8
Firecrest 6
Goldfinch 30E
Treecreeper 1
Greenfinch 20W
Raven 2

Tawny Owl in Belle Tout Wood

Wheatear at Belle Tout

First-winter male Common Redstart at Hodcombe

Black Redstart at Hodcombe

27th October 2011 Barra, Outer Hebrides S3 Overcast

2011-10-27T12:31:00.000-07:00

Red-throated Diver 1

Great Northern Diver 4 partial s/p

Pale-bellied Brent Goose 12

Snow Goose 1 adult white morph

Greylag Goose c.45

Lapwing 12

Skylark 12

Rock Dove 5

Icelandic Redwing 23

Fieldfare 20

Blackcap 5

Chiffchaff 2

Siberian Chiffchaff 2

Greenfinch 1

Brambling 1

Twite 250

Icelandic Redpoll 2

Goldfinch 14

Raven 2

Castlebay, Barra

Barra Airport awaiting low tide

Northwestern Barra

Twite over a northern Barra beach

Northern Barra

White morph Snow Goose with Greylags on Barra

Castlebay, Barra

Hebridean Sheep on Barra

Sunset over Castlebay, Barra

26th October 2011 Barra, Outer Hebrides S3 Overcast

2011-10-26T14:53:00.000-07:00

Endeavour B&B was welcoming, spotlessly clean, good-value year round accommodation very close to both the ferry terminal and woods at Castlebay. John had the latest news on the ongoing search for the Ovenbird, cooked fortifying 'birders' breakfasts' (he's quite happy to cater for late breakfasts to allow for early morning forays into the field). Jill went the extra mile in providing local knowledge and suggesting birding and other sites of interest. For reservations call 01871 810757 or 07855 457283.

Whooper Swan 9
Merganser 1
Buzzard 1
Rock Dove 1
Stonechat 2
Robin c.10
Blackbird c.15
Fieldfare 20
Icelandic Redwing 4
Hebridean Song Thrush c.10
Hebridean Wren c.10
Blackcap 5
Chiffchaff 2
Wood Warbler 1 ex.
Yellow-browed Warbler 1 ex.
Greenfinch 2
Brambling 4
Icelandic Redpoll 12
Goldfinch 3
Hooded Crow 4

Castlebay, Barra

Castlebay Woods

Wood Warbler at Castlebay Woods, Barra

Always a very welcome species to encounter, albeit not the (American) Wood Warbler we were hoping to see on this occasion!

Icelandic Redwing T.n. coburni

Its long wings, dark upperparts, heavily marked and buff-washed underparts are all traits of this form.

Robin at Castlebay Woods

Male Blackbird at Castlebay Woods

Song Thrush at Castlebay Woods

Hebridean Wren T.t. hebridensis at Castlebay Woods

Male Blackcap at Castlebay Woods

Icelandic Redpoll Carduelis flammea islandica at Castlebay Woods

Being smaller and clearly much paler and smaller-billed than Autumn Greenland Redpolls C.f. rostrata that we have encountered on Shetland this Redpoll did share the heavily marked, triple-striped flank streaking on a whitish background associated with 'North-western' Redpolls C.f. rostrata/islandica and its 'pasty' face and streaked undertail-coverts are also consistent with Icelandic Redpoll C.f. islandica. Reassuringly it also appears a very close match to birds portrayed in Plates 23 & 24 in Pennington & Maher 2005 BW Vol.18 No.2.

Icelandic Redpoll Carduelis flammea islandica at Endeavor B&B, Castlebay

Albeit a darker and browner individual than that above this bird also has very boldly marked triple-striped dark flank streaking. It again lacked the size and bulk we associate with Greenland Redpolls C.f. rostrata so Icelandic Redpoll C.f. islandica would seem a more-likely fit.

Icelandic Redpoll Carduelis flammea islandica at Endeavor B&B, Castlebay

An eye-catchingly white-bodied individual that whilst having a far more extensive area of upper-breast-side streaking again shows triple-striped flank streaking on a whitish background consistent with this form.

First-winter Redpolls sp. at Endeavor B&B, Castlebay

The lack of a red poll and only vestiges of a black bib render these two individuals as first-winters. Whilst associating with the Icelandic Redpolls above the flank markings are rather messy so can Mealy Redpoll C.f. flammea be safely eliminated?

Presumed Icelandic Redpoll C.f. islandica at Endeavor B&B, Castlebay

In flight this individual appeared to have an extensive white rump although on close examination there were some restricted short grey streaks discernable. It also had extensive white tibia-feathering. Whilst it doesn't show the typical triple-striped flank streaking, its flank-streaking is set upon a white ground colour (typically brown in Mealy). Icelandic Redpoll is considered quite similar to Coue's Arctic Redpoll C.h. exilipes, and some individuals may not be separable (Riddington & Votier 1997 BW Vol. 10 No. 4).

First-winter Redpolls sp. at Endeavor B&B, Castlebay

Based on its diffuse flank-streaking set upon a brown ground colour it's tempting to assign this individual a Mealy Redpoll C.f. flammea but its near lack of a black bib and poorly developed red poll indicate it is another first-winter bird. Hence, can first-winter Icelandic Redpolls appear more Mealy-like in appearance at this age? To my mind the images convey the bulk and the shape of this individual that I consider reminiscent of a Greenland Redpoll C.f. rostrata.

Presumed Icelandic Redpoll C.f. islandica at Endeavor B&B, Castlebay

First-winter Redpoll sp. at Endeavor B&B, Castlebay

Another first-winter with messy flank-streaking on a brownish background but with extensive fluffy-white trousers! Note also the well-defined arrowhead dark marks on the undertail-coverts.

25th October 2011 Ferry from Oban to Barra

2011-10-25T12:55:00.000-07:00

White-tailed Sea-Eagle 1 ad. ex. off Mull
Black Guillemot 3 w/p
Razorbill 3
Coal Tit 1 Oban
Hooded Crow 10

South of Oban

Oban to Barra Ferry at Oban Harbour

Oban Waterfront

Mull Sound

Leaving Mull Sound in the wake

23rd October 2011 Beachy Head SW3 Clear

2011-10-23T08:01:00.000-07:00

Seawatch 7.15am - 8.45am

Great Crested Grebe 2E
Arctic Skua 7E
Bonxie 1E
Auk sp. c.80E
Swallow 23
House Martin 2
Pied Wagtail 10
Dartford Warbler 1
Chiffchaff 1
Goldcrest 3
Crossbill 5W
Goldfinch 200W
Siskin 13W
Redpoll 8W

Dartford Warbler in Chat Vale

Stonechat at Birling Gap

22nd October 2011 Beachy Head SE4-5 Clear

2011-10-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

Seawatch 7.45am-8.45am
Scoter 1E
Merlin 1
Tawny Owl 1 grey phase
Bonxie 2E, 2W
Arctic Skua 4W
Guillemot 4E
Auk sp. 61E
Swallow 1
Stonechat 3
Wheatear 1
Redwing 1
Skylark 4W, 50
Pied Wagtail 2W, 2
Chiffchaff 1
Goldcrest 6
Firecrest 2
Treecreeper 1
Long-tailed Tit c.12
Reed Bunting 1
Redpoll 5W
Siskins h
Goldfinch 16E, 35
Linnet 35
Raven 2

Grey-phase Tawny Owl at Belle Tout

Merlin over the Top Fields

Firecrest in the Old Trapping Area

Redwing in the Old Trapping Area

Long-tailed Tits in Whitbread Hollow

Firecrest in Whitbread Hollow

West Rise Marsh

Little Egret 2

Wigeon c.50

Swallow 2

Bearded Tit h

Reed Bunting c.10

16 October 2011 Beachy Head Calm and clear

2011-10-16T11:42:00.000-07:00

Heron 1W
Short-eared Owl 1
House Martin 3
Swallow c.15W
Skylark 3W
Pied Wagtail 51E
Song Thrush 4
Wheatear 1
Ring Ouzel 2
Chiffchaff 5
Reed Warbler 1
Goldcrest 3
Treecreeper 1
Siskin c.30E
Redpoll 5W
Mealy Redpoll 1W
Goldfinch 20E
Linnet 75W
Reed Bunting 1W

Reed Warbler in Chat Vale

First-adult Goshawk on the cliff edge in Cow Gap

Its odd appearance is primarily a result of the disruption to its crown feathers - birders who had seen it prior to ourselves had seen it being attacked by Crows. It also appeared very large-billed even by Goshawk standards and it does appear slightly deformed along the base of its culmen. That aside, it appears a first-adult Goshawk and subsequently we met its owner who confirmed its identity! It had been 'on the loose' for four days, and at the time we left Whitbread Hollow, it had evaded capture...

Falconer trying to recaputure his Goshawk armed with what appeared to be a chicken on a string!

15th October 2011 Beachy Head & Crowlink SE2 Clear

2011-10-15T12:32:00.000-07:00

Heron 4W
Sparrowhawk 3
Red-legged Partridge 1
Woodpigeon 20N
Stock Dove 2E
Swallow 35E
House Martin 5E
Pied Wagtail 55E
Meadow Pipit 20E
Skylark 15E
Whinchat 1
Wheatear 5
Chiffchaff 4
Linnet 70E
Goldfinch 245E
Redpoll 13E
Siskin 22E
Chaffinch 12E
Greenfinch 10E
Corn Bunting 12

Crowlink
Pied Wagtail c.25E
Wheatear 3
Isabelline Wheatear 1 first-winter ex.

First-winter Isabelline Wheatear at Crowlink

A great find and identification by Roger & Liz Charlwood Andy & Gill Swash being the first record for Sussex. The above images convey its large size, upright stance, pot-bellied appearance, large deep-based bill, pale grey-washed sandy upperparts, restricted white rump, broad black terminal tail band, broad pale buff fringes to its lesser, median and greater coverts, isolated black alula, broad whitish fringes to its primary coverts, prominant white supercilium, pale brown uppersides to its primaries and diagnostic white underwings. Superb!

With dusk falling would-be observers pursuing the Isabelline Wheatear towards Beachy

13th October 2011 Newhaven Harbour

2011-10-13T08:01:00.001-07:00

Wheatear 3
Yellow Wagtail h
Grey Wagtail h
Alba Wagtail c.10W
Rock Pipit c.5
Ring Ouzel 9 ex.
Brambling h
Redpoll h
Siskin c.12E

9th October 2011 Beachy Head W3 Overcast with light showers

2011-10-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

Brent Goose 250W

Scoter 1E, 6W

Merganser 11W

Hobby 2

Merlin 1

Curlew 1W

Bonxie 10E

Arctic Skua 4E

Common Tern 10W

Sandwich Tern 2

Auk sp. 3E

Great Spotted Woodpecker 2

Sand Martin 1W

House Martin 10

Swallow 20W

Pied Wagtail 12W

Meadow Pipit 80W

Wheatear 7 including the juvenile

Whinchat 1

Redwing 70W

Ring Ouzel 7

Blackbird 20

Skylark 10W

Blackcap 5

Chiffchaff 18

Goldcrest 3

Starling 200

Linnet 120W, 100

Redpoll 1W

Siskin 150W

Goldfinch 150W

Greenfinch 4

Corn Bunting 2W

Redwings over Chat Vale

Unlike elsewhere in the country we rarely enjoy the spectacle of diurnal passage Winter Thrushes at Beachy so it was nice to see some passage flocks and grounded birds during today's inclement weather conditions.

Siskins passing overhead along the Cliff Path

8th October 2011 Beachy Head NW 3 Overcast

2011-10-08T07:35:00.000-07:00

Little Egret 1W
Sparrowhawk 1
Kestrel 2+
Peregrine 1
Sandwich Tern 1W
Short-eared Owl 1E ex.
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1W
Skylark c.60W, 75
Swallow c.100W
House Martin c.10+W
Sand Martin 1W
Meadow Pipit c.200W
Pied Wagtail c.50+W
Wheatear 9 including a juv.
Redwing 1
Song Thrush 3
Blackcap 3
Chiffchaff c.20
Goldcrest c.3
Raven 2
Chaffinch c.50W
Goldfinch c.660W
Siskin 42W
Linnet c.1,100W
Redpoll 6W
Reed Bunting 21W
Corn Bunting 10W, 4

Short-eared Owl over Birling Gap

Juvenile Wheatear at Belle Tout

October would seem a late date for a Wheatear to retain so much juvenile plumage.

1st October 2011 Beachy Head Calm and clear.

2011-10-02T00:52:00.000-07:00

Sparrowhawk 4 in air together

Kestrel 2-3

Hobby 2

Swallow c.100

House Martin c.500

Skylark 7W

Meadow Pipit c.135

Tree Pipit 1

Yellow Wagtail 2

Pied Wagtail 46

Redstart 1

Wheatear 3

Mistle Thrush 4N

Whitethroat 1

Chiffchaff c.40

Goldcrest 6

Goldfinch c.40

Linnet c.100

Corn Bunting 2

Common Darter 1

Red Admiral 10+

Common Darter on Icky Ridge

Martyn Kenefick birding the Old Trapping Area

28th September 2011 St. Marys, Isles of Scilly

2011-09-28T02:56:00.000-07:00

Storm Petrel 2 from the Scillonian off Porthgwarra
Greenshank 3
Lesser Yellowlegs 1 juv.
Solitary Sandpiper 1 juv.
Pectoral Sandpiper 1 juv.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper 4 juv.
Swallow c.20
House Martin 1
alba Wagtail c.20
Wryneck 1
Wheatear c.30
Whinchat 3
Chiffchaff c.5
Blackcap 1
Goldcrest 2
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH 1 ex. BOURC/IRBC 518

Northern Waterthrush at the Lower Moors Project Pool

Juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper at the Lower Moors Project Pool

Peninnis Head viewed from the Airfield

St. Mary's Harbour viewed from the Airfield

insula Speckled Wood

Belladonna Lily near Maypole

Tresco Abbey from near Telegraph

Looking towards St. Marys Harbour from near Telegraph

Buzza Tower from the Scillonian

The Dump Clump from the departing Scillonian

27th September 2011 St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly

2011-09-27T03:15:00.000-07:00

Balearic Shearwater 1 from Scillonain off Porthgwarra

Sooty Shearwater 2 from Scillonian

Storm Petrel 4 from Scillonian

Bonxie 1 from Scillonian

Black Tern 1 from Scillonian off Penzance

Lesser Yellowlegs 1 juv.

Pectoral Sandpiper 1 juv.

Solitary Sandpiper 1 juv.

Swallow c.15

Chiffchaff c.5

The Lower Moors Project Pool and Hide

Juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs at the Lower Moors Project Pool

Juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper at the Lower Moors Project Pool

Snipe sp. at Lower Moors

Yet another very challenging Wader seen this Autumn although without the excuse of viewing range on this occasion! Seeing a Wilson's Snipe on this very pool on Lower Moors with JFC & ADW back in 1998 and with the only other species of Wader seen at Lower Moors today being Solitary Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs and Pectoral Sandpiper this individual was clearly worthy of close scrutiny! Unhelpfully and annoyingly, in the hour or so I watched it, it only raised its wings briefly the once when all I could see was that the axillaries and underwings appeared 'dark grey'. Hence, unfortunately no critical detail was seen re its axillaries or trailing edge. Likewise, unfortunately it raised its wings whilst I was watching it rather than pointing the camera at it. Furthermore, it was not alongside any other Snipe for direct comparison. Looking at what can be seen in the above images and comparing the features with Nils Van Duivendijk's Advanced Bird ID Guide, pro-Wilson's Snipe features would include the dark centres to its mantle feathers (although the extent of the brown patterning to the lower scapulars is of concern being clearly more than shown by the Ouessant bird (Birding World 18: 11)); its head being a warmer brown, and particularly when seen in poor light, contrasting with the rest of its plumage; its virtually solidly black lateral crown stripes (albeit a few brown 'nicks'); well-defined and broad barring on its breast-sides and flanks (dark and pale bars almost of equal width) sharply demarcated against a white background; generally being 'colder' coloured (albeit enhanced in the poorer light when the top 5 images were obtained - note it looks brighter and more colourful in the lower 3 images) with the brown on the underparts restricted to its breast; the tertial patterning fading away slightly towards the base; and its supercilium 'bulging' before its eye. In addition, to me at least, the patterning of its wing-coverts appear a close match to that of the 1998 bird. However, as Common Snipe is such a variable species, without anything like the full suite of characters of Wilson's Snipe being seen, elimination of Common Snipe would seem impossible.

Juvenile Solitary Sandpiper at the Lower Moors Project Pool

24th September 2011 Loch of Strathbeg

2011-09-25T11:34:00.000-07:00

Loch of Strathbeg & St. Combs

Pink-footed Goose c.15,000+ including a leucistic individual

Barnacle Goose 1

SANDHILL CRANE 1 ad. ex. BOURC/IRBC 517

Ruff c.20

Greenshank 2

Lapland Bunting 25

Ythan Estuary

Eider c.400

Little Gull 1 juv.

Sanderling 1

Blackdog

Black Scoter 1 adult drake ex.

Velvet Scoter 1 drake

Eider c.1,000

Pinkfeet leaving their roost at Loch of Strathbeg

Adult Sandhill Crane at Loch of Strathbeg

Adult Sandhill Crane at St. Combs

Sanderling at the Ythan Estuary

Drake Black Scoter off Blackdog

Drake Common Eider at Blackdog

21st September 2011 Weirwood Reservoir & Burpham

2011-09-22T00:11:00.000-07:00

Weirwood Reservoir

Dunlin 3

Long-toed Stint 1 adult distant views

Ringed Plover 6

Greenshank 1

Considerably smaller than the accompanying Dunlin, the upperparts looked rather worn and faded lacking any hint of fresh bright fringes leading us to believe it an adult. In comparison with the Dunlin its upperparts appeared considerably more gingery and its cap was immediated noted as being clearly rufous-tinged (although whilst observing it we did not appreciate this feature was considered more indicative of adult Long-toed Stint per the Collins Guide).

The colouration of the bird's rufous-tinged cap and orange-washed breast-sides are just discernable in this image.

In the hour I watched the bird, whilst foraging, it typically appeared tiny, rather hunched, compact and had a horizontal carriage. Hence, what I would typically expect of a Least Sandpiper. The bird possessed a rather neat complete pectoral band contrasting with its white underparts.

This image hints at the rather isolated dark ear-covert patch contrasting with rather diffusely-patterned paler lores and pale supercilium.

Slightly face-on the broad pale supercilia appear pronounced. Others also noted its rather curious manner of 'looking around'. It's interesting to compare its apparent forecrown pattern with the image sixth below this...

Obtained using a 3x digital zoom through a 30x scope comparison of toe length with bill length is not for the faint-hearted!

Its scapulars were clearly dark-centred and its legs appeared a dull 'dirty' yellowish. The upper scapulars appeared to have broad pale buff fringes uniting to form a broad mantle-V. This image is the first to hint at the true extent of the length of its tibia.

Either side of its neat pectoral band some isolated dark spots, on a white background, extended down onto its upper breast-sides.

At the viewing range it was difficult to be confident, but we felt the rufous-tinged crown continued unbroken down to the bill as supported by this image. Hence, we could not see the pale supercilia bridging across the forehead at the base of the bill as often shown by Least Sandpiper, but we were also aware, that Least Sandpiper can be variable in this respect.

In this image it suddenly appears both very long-legged (especially the tibia) and feeding with a peculiar upended jizz reminiscent of the Long-toed Stint videoed here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y3ccOKzMwk&noredirect=1

although this can be approached by Least Sandpiper as here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7cljJj1O-g&feature=related

The sole time we saw it in flight it dangled its legs so we were unable to assess any foot projection beyond its tail. However, in this image, it does appear rather 'leggy'!

Burpham

Pallid Harrier 1 juvenile ex.

Hen Harrier 1 male

Common Buzzard c.12

Juvenile Pallid Harrier at Burpham

19th September 2011 Lower Moors, St. Marys, Isles of Scilly

2011-09-18T07:15:00.000-07:00

Drift Reservoir

Lesser Yellowlegs 1 juv.

Curlew Sandpiper 1

Turnstone 1

Dunlin 1

Scillonian

Manx Shearwater 5

Sooty Shearwater 1

Storm Petrel c.15

Leach's Petrel 1 ex. alongside ship for c.10 minutes

Arctic Skua 1

Lower Moors, St. Marys

Pectoral Sandpiper 1

Greenshank 1

Black-and-white Warbler 1 ex.

Scillonian

Manx Shearwater 5

Balearic Shearwater 4 ex.

Sooty Shearwater 1

Storm Petrel c.25

Bonxie 2

Puffin 1

Eastern Isles from the Scillonian

Tresco Abbey from the Scillonian

Black-and-white Warbler at Lower Moors (Ashley Powell)

http://aquilabirdtours.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html

Lower Moors Waterthrush habbo but no cigar!

St. Marys Harbour from the Scillonian

St. Marys Golf Course from the Scillonian

St. Marys Airfield from the Scillonian

The Garrison from the Scillonian

Penninis Head from the Scillonian

18th September 2011 The Burgh

2011-09-18T06:46:00.000-07:00

Pallid Harrier 1 juv. very distant
Marsh Harrier 2
Common Buzzard 12
Kestrel 6
Grey Partridge c.20
Red-legged Partridge c.30

Very distant juvenile Pallid Harrier at The Burgh

17th September 2011 Birling Gap Seawatch 7am-11.45am SW5 Overcast

2011-09-17T06:40:00.000-07:00

Fulmar 1W
Balearic Shearwater 1W at 7.23am
Sooty Shearwater 1W at 11.42am
Brent Geese 21W
Scoter 9E, 3W
Curlew 1W
Ringed Plover 1W
Bonxie 1E, 1W
Lesser Black-backed Gull c.50E and c.20 in fields
Mediterranean Gull 1E ad.
Sandwich Tern 2W
Common Tern 20W
Arctic Tern 2W
Swallow c.150SE
Sand Martin 1
Wheatear 3
Whinchat 2
Sedge Warbler 1
Whitethroat 1
Chiffchaff 3

11th September 2011 Weirwood Reservoir

2011-09-11T14:12:00.000-07:00

Hobby 1

Little Stint 6 (ad. and 5 juv.)

Green Sandpiper h

Greenshank 2

Pied Wagtail c.20

Worn adult and juvenile Little Stints at Weirwood Reservoir

A frustratingly distant adult Stint at Weirwood Reservoir. In my opinion, the orange colour of its neck sides and upper breast that extended onto its nape certainly recalled that of Red-necked Stint, and at the range seen, appeared unmarked and formed a neat pectoral band contrasting with its gleaming white underparts and distinctly white breast sides. Face-on, the black bill was set amidst white, that, again in my opinion, added to its 'appearance' of a Red-necked Stint. There appeared a few isolated black spots falling below the orange breast band, but this was right at the limit of observation so it was difficult to ascertain the exact pattern. Its white supercilium, diffuse eyestripe and white 'cheeks' certainly appear very similar to the moulting adult Red-necked Stint photographed in Cambridgeshire (Birding World Vol 14 No 9), albeit with a far more extensive white throat than that individual. It appeared shorter-legged than the accompanying juvenile Little Stints, but unfortunately, no more attenuated. It appeared very short-billed that also appeared rather fine and very slightly decurved. It also appeared the smallest Stint present, although interestingly, the Collins Guide gives the smallest length of Red-necked Stint as smaller than that for a Little Stint. It is worth comparing the plumage and structural similarities of Lars Jonsson's depiction of a worn summer plumage June/July Little Stint in Identification of Stints and Peeps (British Birds Vol. 77 No. 7) to the Weirwood bird.

10th September 2011 Beachy Head SE2 Overcast

2011-09-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

Collared Dove 3
Swallow c.500
House Martin c.75
Sand Martin 20
Meadow Pipit c.125
Tree Pipit 10
Yellow Wagtail 60
Grey Wagtail 5
Dunnock c.15
Whinchat 6
Wheatear 35
Blackcap 2
Whitethroat 25
Sedge Warbler 1
Grasshopper Warbler 1
Chiffchaff 5
Willow Warbler 5
Corn Bunting c.18

9th September 2011 BOURC TSC's 7th Report

2011-09-09T07:22:00.000-07:00

14/10/79 SIBERIAN STONECHAT 1 1st-w St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly, found and identified by JFC, BOURC/IRBC 515

17/6/07 HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL Walney Island, BOURC/IRBC 516

Hudsonian Whimbrel at Walney Island (Adrian Webb)

4th September 2011 Beachy Head S2 Overcast

2011-09-04T05:27:00.000-07:00

Shag 3 first-winters
Sparrowhawk 2
Peregrine 3
Kestrel 2
Red-legged Partridge 1
Swallow 50
Sand Martin 2
Grey Wagtail 1W
Yellow Wagtail 30
Whinchat 4
Tree Pipit 3
Sedge Warbler 2
Blackcap 5
Whitethroat 15
Chiffchaff 3
Raven 2

Yellow Wagtail at Cornish Farm

First-winter Shag off Birling Gap

3rd September 2011 Beachy Head W1 Foggy at dawn

2011-09-03T08:58:00.000-07:00

Little Egret 2
Common Buzzard 2
Sparrowhawk 2
Kestrel 2-3
Hobby 1 juv. ex.
Sand Martin c.20W
House Martin c.200W
Swallow c.500W
Wryneck 1 ex. Chat Vale
alba Wagtail 3
Yellow Wagtail 1 + 3h
Wheatear 30
Whinchat 2
Grasshopper Warbler 1
Reed Warbler 1
Whitethroat 20
Lesser Whitethroat 1
Blackcap 15
Garden Warbler 1
Chiffchaff 2
Willow Warbler 4
Raven 6

Clouded Yellow 1
Painted Lady 1

Wheatear at Belle Tout

Wryneck in Chat Vale

The darker iris, wholly pink bill, more extensive white ground colour to its submoustacial-stripe, fewer dark-centred scapulars and larger pale spotting to its wing coverts reveal this to be a different individual to that photographed at the same site the previous weekend.