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    Birdwatch UK - March 2024 (True PDF)

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    18 views72 pages

    Birdwatch UK - March 2024 (True PDF

    Uploaded by

    Cosmin Gabriel Badea
    Birdwatch UK - March 2024 (True PDF)

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 72
    peusm: BIRDING GETS SMART & SWAROVSKI OPTIK’s new Al-powered AX Visio binoculars on test Birdwatch De Oe en Tm RCo) ssa DWELLERS A look at the fascinating 7 Pe Ce MCU NY ta Ren? BAW , ’ | LISTING | FOLLOWING THE SCIENCE Peter n ees Pee Lhe | SEABIRDS | OCEAN bBo ATV ES eeu sele uml} Pa Rm UCR au | HOT-SPOTS | WIGHT LIGHTNING Peetu) meme LE PHOTO OF THE YEAR RESULTS « SPRING PIPIT ID * THE RETURN OF RED KITE = TOP BOOTS REVIEWED £5.99 ojloticron #SeeNature Traveller BGA ED Binoculars “Smaller, Lighter, Brighter, Sharper” the Traveller BGA ED sets the standard for 32mm field binoculars aimed at the enthusiast, Measuring just 119x1 15mm and weighing under 460g, users get an 8.2° (@x32), 6.5° (10x32) FOV with unparalleled cross-field resolution, ight transmission and colour correction, Manufactured to the highest standards the Traveller BGA ED comes with a 30 year guarantee and offers the wildlife enthusiast an exciting alternative to premium brands at a fraction of the price. ‘8x32 £379 | 10x32 £389 Imagic IS Image Stabilised | DBA VHD+ Monoculars MM4 50 Travelscopes Innovative design and technology that. Compact, very high definition field With outstanding performance the MM automatically adjusts for vibration to give monoculars for the space and weight ‘50 is the natural choice if you want a you the feedom to accurately obsente conscious wanting a fullsize viewing high quality take-anyhere travelscope ‘the natural world like never before. ‘experience in a device small enough to to accurately observe and record nature. 10x30 £569 | 12x30 £579 carry in a pocket, 30 year guarantee, Bodies: MM4 50 GA ED & ED/45 £369 14x30 £599 | NEW 16x42 £849 x42 £299 | 10x42 £309 Eyenieces: SDLv3 12-36x £349, HR3 13-39x £139 @ www.opticron.co.uk © 01582 726522 THIS ISSUE MARCH 2024 Birdwatch Depot Etor fs tos Pht onan ‘saan ‘SUBSCRIPTIONS & ORDERS: Fecal anecon ge ‘pes omit Apwsony rane. Associate Sponsor GLOBAL BIRDFAIR ——— a vw bigudes.com Contents IT'S been the best winter for ‘Mealy Redpolls in my local area for many years. Like several other uncommon winter visitors, these frosty grey finches have been much harder to find in recent times, so this influx was very welcome ‘Some individuals realy stand ont from the smaller and browner Lesser Reelpolls, but recent research suggests that in fact they're the same species after al, I looks as if many of us are set to ese at least one species (wo if you've also seen Arctic Redpoll from our lists. Check ‘out David Callahan's excellent feature about fiature spits andl lumps on page 24 to see how ‘your ist might fare in the years abead, As [write this in early February the sun is shining outside, and for the first time this year Tan sense that spring is on the horizon, The short days of midwinter are gradually being consigned to the pastas the sun gets that litt bit higher in the sky each day: OF course, ‘winter may yet bite one last time, but by the time you read this we'll be days awvay from March and the great sense of optimism and anticipation which that month brings. Spring migration will be clicking into gear this month, and while many will be eagerly awaiting their first Sand Martin, i’ also a great time for patchbirders to target two desirable pit species, which are covered in this month's ID feature (pages 38-42) Spring isa great time to be on the south coast and Steve Jones’ article about Isle of Wight bireling (pages 30-33} might be enough to convince you that a birding trip to this underwatched island is worth a shot this season, If you're sil feeling the winter chill, take a read of Ed Stubls’s summary of the WPS sandgrouse species (pages H-17) more beautiful family of birds in the region? Jom Jones ish FEATURES 22 Photo of the Year 2023 Following a public vote during January, the winner of the 48th annual Photo of the Year award has been decided. 24 Future-proofing your list David Callahan gets out his taxonomic. crystal ball to define which new species might be added to or subtracted from the British list in the coming years. 30 Isle of opportunities The Isle of Wight has produced terrific rarities, yet itis largely underwatched, Steve Jones introduces the island Download the World of Birds 2024 guide today! Read trip reports from exciting destinations and get inspired for your next birding adventure in this FREE gulde: bit.ly/WoB2024 34 Unravelling marine migration Dr Joanne Morten introduces six new Marine Fiyways which will be used {as a conservation tool for seabirds. Field ID notes: Rock and Water Pipits Early spring is pethaps the best time to encounter either of these two species on your local patch. Josh Jones offers tips (on finding and identifying them. ‘Sandgrouse of the WP. ‘Among the region's most exotic species are the sandgrouse. Ed Stubbs profiles these beautiul birds. 38 “4 Bhwatch +March 2024 @ big sa Over 11,000 species —" Must be World Land Tri NVA a i, a per eee SUA Later reheat pcensb Sol Witlows Facm ALA OPF 0172727789 ‘Swarovski Opticron Brockholes Nature Reserve PRSOAG 07845 T66051 “ghi House Farm 8890 SRT 0125 8192 NLPure - SPECIAL OFFER Denby Dale HD8 80) 0484 o6728 Super wide fed of Traveller BGA ED Ealeon Reserve [15987 01572 77856. viow, revolutionary Wide-fol, Calor pening aya tines. texgonomics hi-datintion ED From £2210 optics, 8x32, 10132 i aliesesoes Hauxley Nature Resorve, Northumberland CL Companion touzatr! 18 28Apr a Pte wae oh an Et Yin Top qualty optics Uttra-compact& lightweight, “Toph Low wath ghtweight foaturing ED glass objectives Tar! Ape construction A close focus 0 1.2m. Fete pees oat Sandi Bay Br Oban Kat NEW ATC MMs 77 17-40xS6mm travel Fieldscopes Dawtch Worn, Devon scopes with superb Compatibie with Siar ‘optical performance. HR, HOF Tand SOL Portland Bind Observatory, Dorat From £1940 evspieces, 7 iMar! 21 Ape From £649 Simbridge Vilage Hall Stanpit Marah, Chvstchureh Harbour ay Bae oo ancuann SY Alerent fom Yarn. dpm Fortatet information 3 THIS ISSUE MARCH 2024 REGULARS © The big picture This month we take @ look at Red Kite and its remarkable comeback in Britain, where itis now a common sight in some © The big stories ‘The main headline was the popular Northem, Waterthrush in Essex, with a Nearetic quartet in Co Galway and a female Baikal Teal in Somerset. ‘Analysis: Britain and Ireland Despite often cold or stormy weather, a selection of midwinter ‘Boodias - including some proper surprises ensured 2024 got off to a lively start. Sam Viles| reports. ‘Analysis: Western Palearctic Mega-rarerallds from sub-Saharan Africa were 12 iawateh subscriber issues are Gatvored na paper envelope so Your usual reoeing cotection, vw. biguides.com REVIEWS ‘SWAROVSKI OPTIK's new AX Visio represents a fascinating step in the evolution of watching birds. Mike Alibone was among the first to get hold of a pair for testing. ‘the main talking points as 2024 commenced, while 2 Spotless Starling in Poland came as a major shock. Talking birds Hannah Bourne-Taylor, creator of The Feather Speech campaign, on \why we need to step up for Common Swifts, ‘The Political Birder What are the merits of the Big Garden Birdwatch, asks Mark Avery, and do certain elements of garden birding need to change? Letters and photos Bean geese, leucistic gulls and the value of notebooks have you ‘writing in this mont. Murmurations As the Al conversation rumbles on, Lucy MeRobert discusses ‘smart binoculars’, forgery ‘and what direction our nobly s heading i What's in the digital edition? = =Y: | sre rove sone petites cable ire Famer cer eer maT 60 19 62 2 MARCH’ digtaledtion has bonus content, Inctuding * Video of some recent spits; ‘Footage of Ile of Wight rarities; ‘+ Fim of WP sandgrouse species: ‘= Sound recoraings of Rock an Water Pips; + More of the latest raries and scarcites. ‘Tho digital elton Is available for PC, "Mac, Phone/iPad and Android. Sample Issues are tree, and subscriptions ot ‘single copies can be purchased. Vist ‘worm pktmags.com /bw digital to find out more, Bhawatch +March 2024 & MESSRS CONSERVATION SUCCESS STORIES | High-flying kite Indots in thelr twenties may be forgiven for refusing to believe that, not too long ago, Red Kite was on the verge of being lost tom Britain. Nowadays, Is once again a thriving and common species in many areas of the country, often scen fating onthe wind beside busy motorways or even in sizeable flocks at favoured spots. This belles the history ofthis magnificent raptor, though, which as recently 1s three decades ago was avery rare bird indeed Historically, Red Kite used to breed across much of the country and could be found in both urban and rural areas. In medieval times, the species was well known for being a scavenger and was protected in the City of London forts street-cleaning capabilities, However, public attitude towards Red Kite changed trom the late 1700s. Persecution, hich included egg and skin collecting during the Victorian era, and subsequenty also pesticide use, saw numbers fal over the following 200 years. Red Kite became extirpated in England, Scotland and Ireland, with the remnant population reduced to Just a handful of breeding pals in central Wales in the early 20th century. Although numbers recovered slighty over subsequent decades to around 50 pals, there were concerns about low genetic diversity and breeding productivity. For birders, this Isolated region was the got place Ifyou wanted fo see the species, but information wasn’ treelydlvulged given the kites’ perous conservation status. © Birdwatche March 2024 This prompted a call to arms among conservationists, resulting Ina pioneering teintroduetion programme getting underway in the Chiterns In 1990. In July of that year, two Welsh bids and a further 14. trom Spain were released on the Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire border. Further releases followed every year up to 1994, The frst reintroduced par attempted to nest in the wild in 499% and, trom there, a population established This establishment led to an expansion. By the 2000s kites had reached several other counties in southern England, and bythe 2010s they were common in many places and had spread even more widely, boosted by further releases in Northamptonshire, Yorkshire, Durham and Cumbia ‘A similar project on the Black Isle In Scotland, coupled with conservation work in Wales, has helped to enable a staggering recovery, with an estimated 4,400 pairs now breeding nationally and a population increase of 1.935% between 1995 and 2020, according to BTO data. Ths represents a significant chunk ofthe world population, Which is estimated at 35,000 pairs and fs defining in many parts ‘ofthe range. Indeed, such has been the success of the British reintroduction scheme in an international context that things have come full crcl, with Engish-born Red Kites translocated to Spain in 2022 as part of a mission to save the dwindling population there. Ml rw. biguides.com ‘wr bdguides.com Biravatch eMarch 20247 ei NMaWEY THE BIG STORIES oa et eee ea) Britain's eighth Northern Watertrush, the first since winter 2044.12, ensured that 2024 began with a bang. An estimated 2,000 birders ee eee eee eee ote WEDNESDAY 3 Jun 2024 coerce The on ly Way IS Essex! ‘Stom Henke pevoue ay When Simon Wood sensationally found a Northern ‘decided to head out to nearby Waterthrush in his garden, the bird was soon relocated in Lots Farm on my Maldon and Hooda auniettena, @ Nearby creek, sparking what will doubtless prove to be viskofteyoor tprveatove one of the biggest twitches of 2024. Fathor eu. | et ck home eee ee eae eee togetner some ofthe seemingly bankers soemed, his realy neverending Christmas \was a Northern Waterthrush leftovers for lunch, | settiea {my brain had evident ruled down to eat. ut Lousiana Watertivush by Iwas suddenly conscious of this time, having seen the two ‘something moving onthe patio spécias in thelt more usual Visible though the glass door habitat across the lati) ‘to my right a small brown ‘withthe aerenatine levels andihite passerine. It wes going through the roof, | began bobbing its body and had pale to shake badly asthe enormity pink legs, and even though | of my find sank i. | scrambled ‘was sure it couldn't be, ithad for my camera, which by chance tobe Northern Waterthrush! | had yet to put any after my There followed a moment's ‘moming’s walk. | simply had to dumbstruck silence before, __get photos ofthe bird as | felt pethaps not surprisingly, 3 ro one would belleve me — not ‘tring of expletives, However, ever me! | ted taking some ny bain stil couldn't accept shots. nothing. Tur the what I as seeing and I found camera on! I turned it on, my | was having a Golumthke fingers skidcng around on the | EOARD Sie Rte arto eat elon internal argument -haifmy knobs and dials, my movements iia brain stil shouting ‘Northern fumbling and random, as | set Waterthrush,a species Ihad what |noped would be the pang saw the bird bob round and 1 found Ban's eighth ‘seen on trips to the USA, Cuba correct exposure for shooting the back of our tiny garden pond Northern Waterthush. The ‘and Costa Rica, while the other through the double gazing. before vanishing, shaking continued as I rang my half was shouting back ‘surely fied off 38 shots, wih just 32 I sat staring atthe pond for partner Carla Devs, Grater itcan't be?" But the two voices seconds passing between the a whle, collecting my thoughts. _Ekins (who, incredulously, ‘quickly became one ard it frst and the last! hen looked Here Iwas, having my lunch, confmed my ID), John @ —_Birdwatch «March 2024 or bigudes.com ‘Buchanan and Russ Neave. kely to many! Just west of my house through that ithad been in the rea. ‘ye always believed that bid Then, just as it was getting dark, which Heybridge Creek runs, fora while before that first news should be relessed wherever the bird showed once more by my I headed in that direction just___chance encounter in my arden, the bird was but now in the ond while Iwas talking to the after fst ight and found that___altheugh It dd show once more positon I was in, was wondering BikdGuides team again. | grabbed several biders had beaten me there, appearing fora couple of how told good to thatbellet. a short vdeo before It flewnortn toi. Much to my allt, heya seconds on 23th. twas going to be @ huge call towards the canal. Dung the found the bid, which was a "More than 2,000 people releasing the news. | decided to evening, the location was clarified result. The waterthrush’s chosen have so far seen the bird and fing the BircGuides team after further on BrdGuldes but twas area of scrub could support a £400 has been raise forthe watching the garden for a ules stil purposely vague. However, tis reasonablesized twitch far better local ronworks Meadow Nature hour or so, | agreed with news not difeult naling out addresses than my ty garden. My anxiety Reserve (chelmerblackwaterclc. ‘operator David upon @ release of on the intenet and mine was soon largely melted ewe, although _uk/Index.php/donations). The the news but with @ rather vague doing the rounds on social media, inconsiderate parking in the media was quickly onto the location. The mega alert sounded | adit to having been rather residential area, despite gular story and | appeared on both at 3.15 pm. With subsequent worried about how things would pleas across social media, was a SBC TV and BAC Essex adi, meltdown occurring on the local pay out the nextday. Teal disappointment. hile 2 reporter trom The Times WhatsApp group, | posted a back I managed a restiess sleep ‘As | finalise this eccount appeared on site as wel ofthecamera shot tot together that night and woke up withthe on 16 January the irl is stil With my luck for 2024 surely witha location shot, so that the same nervous feeling used to present, hagping to Its regular already used up| think i put {wo could be matched up and allay get when siting exams. Thinking routine of appearing at frst iy bins down forthe rest of the ‘anyconcems about a windup, and hoping thatthe bird may ‘light, then periodically by the year. Whatan incredible hobby Which after al, must have seemed be inhabiting an area of scrub slice during the day. suspect this is! po BEING tho wostemmost of the ‘ran Islands, looming large atthe mouth of Galway Bay, Inishmor is superbly positioned ‘tp attract wansatianti vagrants, Over recent years, tis 124m- Jong rocky island has built @ fermidable reputation as an ‘autumn birding destination ‘and one of land's premier locations for producing Nearctc passerines. By contrast its Winter potential has rarely been ‘considered - ut that changed rapidly in January 2024. In events closely mirroring ‘those off Achill Island, Co Mayo, ‘year and a Wook previous (see Bratch 368: 9), an interesting looking female “Vevettype scoter was photographed by Cris Gwiazda of the per at ‘stronan on the morning of 6 January. Given the close range of the bird and the quay of te Images, ft cnt take long for ‘the lentication tobe realised as a Whitewinged Sooter, with ‘the rather square head shape cwounodmtoncte Inishmore’s star-studded week feathering onthe bill base clearly Ingeatng me veerntsoeces. An incredible gathering of quality American rarities was found on ieee ine eon, a single Island off the Co Galway coast during January. was nonetheless a Co Galway Se ee eee ee nce es first and county listers were O'Donnell and Ger Walsh went Further groups of birders visited But the hot streak wasn't Understandably tobe found on rng e'savhere onthe Island _Inishmore inthe following days, ished thee, for on Saturday the ferry to Inishmore the next and found Co Galva’ fst successfully connecting with both 13th, while twtchers were onthe ‘moming. Full of anticipation at _Pedbiled Grebe at Loch Phort the scoter and the grebe, while ferry across tothe island, Chris the prospect of ame‘ling scoter Chortich. While perhaps an also nding thatthe long'staying Gwiazda dd it again, finding a Views, those on board could not overdue ation tothe county male American Wigeon was stunning adult male Buflehoad have predicted the eventul week list, twas nonetheless Ireland's stl present the Loch Phort at Loch an Chara, just up the ‘thatthe island was in for. first record ofthis species for _Chorrich area, making foran toad from Kironan Harbout. The With the scoter successfully almost a decade, the ast being) impressive hat-vck of Yanks on pristine bird was a bonus tick twitched, Dermot Breen, Aenghus on Achill Island in April 2024. the island, for soveral visting birders that ‘wor bdguides.com Biravatch eMarch 20248 eG NMAWEY THE BIG STORIES day, avouring the small loch ‘and giving some excellent views alongside the local Mute Swans. After November 2022' alitootbriet bids in Co Mayo, this tne male was very welcome for many The Butlenead completed ‘an extraordinary quartet of ‘quality Nearctic waterbirds tor a single site anyshere on this side ofthe Atlantic in fact, in @ European context, such a lineup might only be anticipated fata velland in the Azores, ‘and this congregation of high calle rarities must be close to Unprecedented in einer reland or Brain, eee ett reer) ae A mega among the masses A careful ID process by Andy Mears revealed a super-rare duck lurking among vast numbers of Somerset Levels wildfowl. WINTER 2023-24 had beon | upped off Gary Thoburn, ‘exceptional on the Somerset who was also inthe hide at that Levels, with vast numbers of moment, and dashed tothe duck including unprecedented car to fetch my ‘scope. A few rhumbers of Greater Scaup and minutes lator, brief views showed Ringnecked Duck. A Garganey ito look remarkably good was hanging on and Common for Bakal Teal but i promty Goldeneye were also more went to sleep, half obscured by ‘apparent than usual. The \wgon, This wasn't helpful, but ‘exquisite drake Bail Teal vas ky tahoe arved en oe a4 ape red roumed to Groylala RSPB 1 cd. 30 small, right white spot atthe bl base on the female Balkal a can eae akc RR ote ee es mary areas, birds were moving features that were stil visible ‘around frequent. As is usually and qucklyhad all hese as quickly on the scene, the bid seen the species in Japan but the case, Eurasian eal had posite: quite long scapulars woke up and started giving only had the chance to study piled in dung December. with plan dark centres and feat views, and we checked the returning male in Somerset ‘often wonder how far east these broad ger edges, thor the BdGuides article on teal at length arin a relaxed wy, birds have come from reminiscent ofa tonedsdown 1D together. We also hed some but even so, this female felt the ‘At midday on 6 January, ‘rake Baikal Teal; @ very neat nice ligt views and saw that the same in several subtle ways, I slipped into Lows Hide at ‘ad plain dark crown, also ‘wings were perfect. The news such as neck length and head ‘Somerset Wildlife Tust's reminiscent of drake Baikal Teal; then went out properly and it shape. It may well ave been CCatcott NR. twas a dry,cold a dull ginger rearsuperclum; wasn't long before the hide and this that tally tipped it over ‘and sunny afternoon, and after slighty lager than Eurasian Teal, car park became rather busy. fom “probable to “dette” In ‘Weeks of hideously wet weather, but not obviously 50; and a pale Its worth reflecting on what my mind ‘Scanning the wifow! was a joy. tine beneath the tall edge, ust stood out during the initial views, Adtionaly, the white talling Decent numbers of Eurasian ike Eurasian Teal. Checking the and also what makes it an adult edge tothe wing was broad and Wigeon and Eurasian Teal Colin Bird Guide app, these all female. Iwas amazed athow ue upper flank feathers were dominated the view, About tallied with female Baikal Teal striking the white face spots large and rounded. Tis later ‘20m away Inoticed a brown perfect. But this was ridiculous were, even at cistance. Most of feature Is dagnostic of aduts ‘duck wth a small bright white this would be a dream find andthe photos do not do this feature at tis time ofthe year, being ‘spot atthe bill base. Two things 1st expected something to go justice. In the eld the spots narrower and more pointed on then went through my mind: 1) wrong soon. sometimes even looked Ike Tipp» frstwinter birds. surely that can'tbe a genuine ‘I'd messaged locally wth Ex! As we obtained better and Whether or not the bed is of plumage feature, and 2) news ofa ‘possible’, anda few better views, and the bird moved wild origin Is up for debate, but ‘Obviously there's no way itcan minutes later upgraded that fo around, realised that its jz felt shen the circumstances, it feels ‘bea Baikal Teal. Or can it?! ‘probabe’. Sean Davies was exactly ight for Baikal Teal. ve good. Ducks, &h? ml 10 Bidwatch «March 2024 or biigudes.com , BR CHEST Optics C) ™ i SE) Deen rte aaa) Cen orl) erence Pare cn See 2 Tee) CO aoe ae Pere Cry ee aaa crn Ce are crot ES eau) \ 4 a Ceo Sy J ees ead ‘Soe our wobsite for full dotalls & your nearest dealor Ge natiiréshon East Coast Optics Bittern ED Crane ED Spoonbill ED East Coast Optics binoculars - from £199 Also available in our Norfolk shop ee, oune = te IAWKE KITE OPTICS™ Burnham Deepdale, Norfolk 01485 211223 www.onestopnature.co.uk ero Pree Por) EVR=NS BRITAIN AND IRELAND the weather front, with eacly flooding fllowed by snowall ‘and trost, before a retum to strong winds and heavy rain Storms Isha and Jocelyn did their best to shake things up, weaking widespread damage with gust ‘at speeds up to 160 km/h. The birding scene proved rather more settled than the month's weather, though a run of midvinter megas helped to fuel the ray fre ‘Aer the stunning ‘American ‘autumey, it was only a matter of ime before a rate visitor from ‘cross the pond was unearthed ir ® garden somewhere, Heyoridee, Essex, proved tobe the chosen location fora frstvinter Northern Watertnrush, which got 2024 off to a fying start forthe nation's twitchers (see pages 8-9). Events fon Inshore, Co Galway, Were arguably even more impressive, where an astonishing linoup of Nearctic waterbirds included \Whitewinges Scoter, Burteheaa and Piedbiled Grebe (sae pages 940). Corral proved one of the month's biggest shocks with the discovery ofa fstwinter 412 Bidwatch «March 2024 Rarities and scarcities: January 2024 Winter warmers Despite often cold or stormy weather, a selection of midwinter goodies — inclu ig some proper surprises — ensured that 2024 got off to a lively start. Sam Viles reports. Golden Oriole in a GuNal garden from 9-18tn, Ater optimist speculation thatthe bird couls be an indian Golden Oriole — 2 partial migrant from Central Asia fn the Indian subcontinent fang a very unlikely vagrant to Europe — was put to bed, a steady procession of biders appreciated hat looks lke the fst knowr wintering record of this species Two continuing Bonaparte's Gulls just a shart stance away represented Comwall' frstever fceurence of multiple birds, though sadly one was feund dead at Marazion on 24th, Adult ‘Bonaparte’ were In Highiand and (co Anti, Further ltl action in Cornwall included up to two Ring billed Gulls, twee Giaueous Gulls ‘ane fie lesan Gulls ~ the last Including three Kumiin's Gul Five Ringold Gulls were in Iretang, with others in Cyde anc the Outer Hebrices. Recent years have seen Richara’s Pipit establish a toshold wintering population in Europe, routinely migrating to and from Its Aslan breeding grounds. An adult at Awe, Gloucestershire, from Ast joined the trend and reluined for a second winter, While news broke of a frstvinter at Cacrtilian Cove, Cornwall, on 6th, although it had been present since 29 November Waxwings were again on the ‘agenda for many birders throughout January, amassing an impressive 2,245 reports on the BirdGuides sightings page. Several goodsized flocks wore noted across much of Britain and the east coast a Ireland, ncusing large numbers in south-east England forte fist tie sinoe he start of the invasion. Happ, it Tooke tke the animated tl of ‘Waxwings wil continue to be heard across Britain and ireland standout winter, with no fewer than 60 sites cashing in during January. Most sightings Involved muttiple birds, with many more surely going unnoticed among Lesser Redo flocks across the country. Rt least two Coues's Arctic Redpols were again at Fontburn Reservolr, Northumberiand, although the site's ‘mega lock’ of up to 50 Mealies during December hac ‘dwindled to around 20. or. bigudes.com BIRDGUIDES.& Facing page: One ofthe biggest surprises ofthe winter was the ‘iscovery of this Golden Orolo na ‘Gomish garden. Ft ‘tris eeadmission tothe official Ist of Bish rates In 2020, Lesser Scaup has gone ‘tom strength to strength In Bitain, with the numberof bites ‘noted inthe winter of 2023- 24 potential the largest on record, Five new arvals made fora grand total of 19 curing Januar, with the bumper flack at Lower Tamar Lake, Deven, brie Increasing to six. The change in status of Baikal Teal is something that continues to gather pace, with the species going trom an extreme ray to {an expected near annual winter visitor in the space of only a few years. No fewer than two wore on the Somerset Levels, With last month's adut rake at GGreyiake RSPB complemented by ‘an adult female at Catcott Lows ‘on 6th (see page 10) ~ only the second female for Britain after ‘one in Nottinghamshire a year ‘go. Unexpectedly, these were followed by a frst winter drake ‘at Bishop Midcleham, Durham, ‘tom 749th ~ this representing a county frst. Wacky winter wildfow! The discovery of two adult Lesser Whitefronted Geese was ‘unusual, with both atracting ‘admirers throughout the month. Ech was unringed, but their ‘appearances among resident flocks of feral Grevlag and Canada Geese didn’t do thee credentials ary favours as potential wid vagrants. The frst roamed around Kent, with the father motile around the Dearne Valley, South Yorkshire. Russian \Wihitetontes and Taiga Bean {Geese are the most convincing cartier species for a wild Lesser Wihite‘ronted Goose, both ‘overlapping wth Lesser White ‘tont in parts of their respective ranges. Recibreasted Goose is also ‘commonly kept in capi, ‘making separating the genuine from the plastic diicutt on ‘occasion. Te longstaying Lancashire adult di ttt no favours by hanging out Just feet from onlookers at ‘Martin Mere WT, with other ‘escapes in Manchester and Nottinghamshire. Continuing firstwinters with Brent Geese in Norfolk and Essex are as good a it gets for seemingly wild vagrants; aduts with Barnacle vor bidguides.com eee ety Sree Comal during January, though one was Ml month, representing @ poor showing, This Individual was one Geese in Northumberland and ‘Argyl are similarly tkely to make the grade. ‘ARichardson's Cocking ‘Goose among Canada Geese it Lancashire raises the same ‘questions ~ a bed in similar Creumstances In 2024 wasn't ‘accepted as wild bythe BARC. It was one of ve ‘Cacklers' seen in Britain and Ireland this month Seemingly wild Snow Geese were at ex sites, atleast nine GGreybelied Brant wore in the Dublin suburbs and Black Brant ‘numbered tree, ‘The Thames Estuary has been treated to an aboveawerage ‘numberof avers tis winter, particularly Greet Northern and Black-throated, though Southend fonSea took things a step further witha juvenile White bled Diver off the tons famous pleasure pier on 25.26tn, The species is ‘always & rare commoctty away from select coastal areas of Seotland and the Southens bird See was only the second for Essex. Another continued off Shetand. The Canvasback remained at Abberton Reservoir despite a lengthy disappearing act mid ‘month, while Norfolk birders watched the county's frst Black Seoter in Holkham Bay trom 27th. AWhitewinged Scoter was ff Co Kerry, wit other totals comprising 11 Sur Scoter, seven Ferruginous Duck, 40 Green- winged Teal, American Black ‘Duck and 12 American Wigeon including the relocated ‘Storm \Wigeon’ at Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB, Cheshire, rom 22-24tn, Poor showings Te continued decline of Smew 18a wintering species in Britain ‘saw approximately 100 reported ‘eros the country during January ~ noticeably fewer than ‘ne 130 estimated to winter in 2019 — with ony one in Ireland Only Eyebrook Reservoir in Lekestershite boasted a feck Into double figures, with most records elsewhere involving ones ‘and twos. These ever diminishing rumbers have seen BircGuides plist the species to a national caret, It turning out to be @ rather ‘more mediocre season for Ringsnecked Ouck after several bountiful winters, although totals (f 29 in Britain and 27 in relane ‘are still wall above the longterm average, lack offeezing temperatures ‘on the nearContinent are thought 1 be partialy responsible for ‘a dearth of Tundra Bean Geese sightings this winter, with as few {8 20 logged across Britain, the bulk of records concering ones ‘and twos mixed in wth Pink fect. Bewil’s Swan has rapidly declined as a wintering species ‘20r08s Britain and ireland, with ‘many choosing to instead ‘short stop’ and spend the winter on the European mainland. It was ‘surprising, therefore, when a Birowatch +March 202443 > ETE BRITAIN AND IRELAND P eee ee ee ee ee Se ee ei eee er eee \Whisting Swan was claimed Buzzard, meanwtile, with In Tho Fens near the Nortok Just two seamingly winter CCameridgeshire border on 22nd a jwenila at Cock H ‘and 27th, Whisting Swan the North Yorkshite, and on near ominate Nearctic subspecies of Whitebridge, Highland, ick’s Swan - isa megarare sort Brtaln and reland, Best of the rest with only three birds accepted A. stering social modia ‘nd’ saw 28 wid ‘an adult male Blackhroatea “Short stopping” is also Thrush photographed in a garden thought tobe partly In Shetfol, South Yorkshire, responsile for recent decines on 2nd, withthe male in East In the numberof Great Grey Yorkshire continuing to provide ‘Sikes wintering in Britain, excellent views at Toph Low With bids not aching as far NR, Atleast tree Little Buntings South and west during om the recorcsbreaking flack ‘months. Many raitonal sites remained in Comal, with @ ae devoid of birds this winter, mabe Hoopoe in Kent, Eurasia particularly across southern Penduline Tit stil in Co Cork England, Just nine have been and up to 44 Shore Lark along, y, ‘orded since the start of the east coast. Interestingly. a 4 2024: four Engand, teen winteng Lesser ntetyoatin eR ‘Scotland and wo in Vises, Bristol was trapped and ringed, RAS a ‘lack of any sustained and appears tobe @ katy Sere lies during the autumn —_—_cancidate fr a halimo 's surely responsible fora from Central Asia, 2 new juvenile in ireland at Waterford and Co Wexford). ‘subpar appearance of Yellow- Ballynamona, Co Cork, whit Lingering shorebirds comprised browed Warblers and Si the Welsh count doubled with five Lesser CCittenatfs this winter. stir west of Bala, while amazingly the discovery of @ young male American Golden Plover in Co three "YEW" were in south ‘8 wintering Dutchringed jwenle in Pembrokeshire, The Northem Wexford and the Somers west England, although two at at Stowlangtoft, Suffok, was Haier was again in Co Wextord Kentish Pi Calthorpe, Lecestershire, were joined bya secon bird trom and the tur ofthe of interest to county birders 27th. The new artal,‘G625", __witemorph Gyr Falcon reported Lepland Bunting, 100, ha was the male born in West ‘om Arcgaten, Argyl ards the month's end, an experienced abit of alow ebb, Sussex last year, pat of the The Longbilled Dowitcher unseasonal Purple Heron was With ikely as few as 30 logged. frst sucoessful breeding of the continued throughout at lonestaying Rimust suey be the worst species in England in 240 Cuckmere Haven, East Sussex, Doublecresteg Cormorant hung winter on record for Rough Four Pallid Haris fon at Doon Lough, Co Leitrim. 44 Bidwatch «March 2024 wor biigudes.com RINSE WESTERN PALEARCTIC Eby yee} cent years have ‘seen January action ‘dominated by Afotropical ralids and 2024 proved to be no diferent. Two Lesser Mooriens on Sal, Cape Verde, fn 10-21th continued the Island's bumper spel, though unfortunately one af the biras was found dead, Also in Cape Verde, a Juvenile Allen's Galliule and an intermediate Egret were on Santiago, while a showy African Crake at Porta da Erva, Portugal on 13th continued the taxon's meteoric WP rise of recent years and ‘was a national fst to boot “wo more African Crakes were taken into care on Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, mid ‘month, with news breaking of another near Dhaka, Western Sahara, in late December. ‘Te most unexpected national ‘staf the month concerned @ Spotless Stang near Thy, Poland, from 23, This largely sedentary resident of Iberia and North Aca nas been prone ta some surprise movements in recent years, inclucing two birds in nortnem France. Perhaps ‘more extralimital records can be expected inthe coming years. ‘ rscomter Frank's Gull at Rijoka, Croatia, was @ surprise, with another at Marbella, Spain. Croatia also recordad he frst Red fanked Bluetall, while a Black-taced Bunting near Varese, Italy, and 8 Ringnecked Duck in Siovenia. ‘were other national frst. Goorgia bagged its second Hume's Leat Warber. Close views ofthe Belgan Ross's Geese on the West Flanders poldr allowed the amazing fe history of the ringed brs to be traced back ‘to Cambri Bay in Nunavet, Canada, where was ringed as an adult male on 4 August 2017. Belgium's fist Blue Rock ‘Tush in some 147 years was at Durbuy from Ath, ‘The Siberian Buttbalied Pit returned tothe very same flelds it occupied at '-Gravenseel the Netherlands, last winter An adult Eastern Imperial Eagle was near Toyes, France, and a retuming Forster's Tern was along the Fnistere coast. This Is the same bed that spent much of 2023 entertaining Brtish birders in the veinty of Poole Harbour, Dorset. A Bridles Tern was found dead on the French Channel coast and a vor bidguides.com ett Detiod for utraare raid inthe region, which also produced an Afican Crake in mainland Portugal Afrotropical action Megea-rare ral ete. Pret is from sub-Saharan Africa were the main talking points as 2024 commenced, while a 5) Spotless Starling in Poland came as a shock. Sam Viles reports on an entertaining month. Pied Crow was back on Aldemoy for the frst ime since October. notable German find was two Steller’ Exder seen brety at Pugarten betore tying ‘towards the Danish coastine on 116th. Two Whitewinged Scoter were fn leland, with a Bearded Vulture and returning American, Hearing Gul in Norway. ‘Spain's Rustic Bunting count fat La Janda increased to seven, with ingering goodies elsewhere In the country incluging White- throated Sparrow, two American Herring Guls, American Black Duck and Lesser Flamingo Two Sudan Golden Sparrows hung around on Gran Canaria and a Cape Gull visited a Fuerteventura rubbish dump, 'Nows from the Azores comprised Doublecrested Cormorant, Green Heron, Wood Duck, American Coot and Ped billed Grebe, ‘A Redwattted Lapwing in the Hula Valey was just the shh for Israel, with the Pacific Diver continuing into 2024 and two Basalt Wneatears seen Trvee Lesser Flamingos were at Sulaibiknat Bay, Kuwait, and ‘the Whitefaced Whiting Duck remained on Sal, Cape Verde, ee ese Sees ee eee ce rere ‘This avid See Biravatoh eMarch 202448 Make 2024 your best birding year with BIRDGUIDES 3 | FIRST FOR BIRD NEWS | mists teoentomb namin » (51 0x) AY(e¥e Lal-)ie als Salad Ole Ry - S asbermesommm lr 1110 c=) its 1e) (sm eli ae, - more than any other provider); . . eee Uo oe eriterdmn et- NVM MA (512124 Be Re) oa BRU RC) iH poeuage we BirdGuides is the UK’s number one rR eM ace ee ‘ “ fy A a meen sep bird SU service - join thousands ER Cosi Sas Elo eM Umm ts Hi BirdGuides as their chosen service. We are so confident you will love our service, we'll give you'a (30-DAY FREE TRIAL ) Go to: www.bit.ly/birdguides30 eT ete lA UAF= Maa ome lale MFT AL AF =t39 information available on ALL devices “text alert service is included with the Bird News Ultimate membership free of charge. For Bird News Pro, this can be added at £10 sate eee Bath Photographic & Optics specialists Roe (A nae 13 Cheap St, Bath BAI INB ener Poe

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