Sunday 1 March 2015

1st March 2015 Lewes Brooks & Newhaven

White-fronted Goose 4
Wigeon c.350
Teal c.100
Shoveler c.20
Hen Harrier 1 ringtail
Black-headed Gull c.250
Mediterranean Gull 3 (2 ad, 1 2w)
Lapwing c.150
Fieldfare 5

Newhaven
Brent 15E
Sanderling 1

Displaying Continental Cormorants near Lewes Brooks
Continental Cormorants P.c. sinensis colonised the UK in the early 1980's nesting in trees and bushes on inland waterbodies. The colony at Lewes Brooks was established in 2002.
 
Continental Cormorant P.c. sinensis near Lewes Brooks
Apparently pure carbo must have a gular pouch angle of less than 65 degrees and pure sinensis an angle greater than 76 degrees. Reassuringly the above individual's gular pouch angle looks closer to 85-90 degrees. Anything between 65 degrees and 76 degrees is considered not safely identifiable and is thought to include some hybrids. Here's an illustration of the all important gular pouch angle included from Newson et al. "Subspecific differentiation and distribution of Great Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo in Europe". Ardea 92(1): 3-10:
 
 

Eurasian White-fronted Goose at Lewes Brooks