UK Bird Photos 2005 - 2009

Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris and Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca
West Yorkshire, Dec. 2009.

The drake Ring-necked Duck was in the same Pochard flock as the drake Ferruginous Duck at Calder Wetlands in late December. The top right photo shows the same "Fudge" Duck when it moved to nearby Anglers Country Park for a brief spell. This then gave me a Barnsley tick!









Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
Rainham Marshes RSPB, London, Dec. 2009.

This smart looking Owl showed well near the "Serin mound" one late Saturday afternoon.













Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus
Staines Moor, Surrey, October 2009.

A cracking 1st winter bird showed well hunting from bush to bush, ca. 5th for the UK and a long stayer. Striking features exhibited included the well marked ear coverts, brown crown and golden lined wing coverts.



















Woodchat Shrike and Red-backed Shrike Lanius senator and Lanius collurio
Sammy's and Spurn Points, East Yorkshire, Sep. 2009.

A cracking juvenile Woodchat Shrike showed well to the masses at Sammy's Point (top and middle). The juvenile Red-backed (bottom) was more elusive in the Point dunes.






























Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus
Spurn Point, East Yorkshire, Sep. 2009.

An elusive individual did eventually show well near the Heligoland trap.

 











Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos
Wombwell Ings, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, Sep. 2009.

A typically well marked individual, more or less annual in the Wath Area.

 











Spotted Crake Porzana porzana
Edderthorpe Flash, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, Sep. 2009.


This long staying adult showed well in September after being more elusive in August.








 







(American) Black Tern Chilodnias niger surinamensis
Farmoor Res., Oxon, Aug. 2009.


3rd for Britain of this current subspecies. On one visit this juvenile was flying around with a juvenile "Eurasian" Black Tern (C. n. niger) and a juvenile White-winged Black Tern. This allowed for excellent comparison. Comparison with the Eurasian Black Tern subspecies revealed the American form to have a dark grey flank line, bigger neck-side mark, slight dusky underwings and darker upperparts. 


 




















Red Kite Milvus milvus
Barnsley Moors, South Yorkshire, Aug. 2009.


Seen on 2 days in late August, was harried by local Ravens on occasion.















Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus
Radipole Lake RSPB, Weymouth, Dorset, May 2009.

Three red exclamation marks, or the pastic foot of doom?














Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis
Portland, Dorset, May 2009.

A cracking bird showed well for several days doing a circuit of the gardens.











Iceland Gull and Glaucous Gull Larus glaucoides and Larus hyperboreus
Sandbach Flashes, Cheshire, April 2009.

A 1st winter/summer Iceland Gull (top) and a similarly aged Glaucous Gull (bottom) showed well.






















Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor
A57/Strines junction, Derbys., April 2009.

A passage bird showing well on the moorland edge.













Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta
Rainham, London, Mar. 2009.

One of 2 or 3 seen at the Stone Barges by the Thames west of Rainham Marshes RSPB.













Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides
Rainham Marshes RSPB, London, Feb. 2009.

Two 1st winters present on the Target Pools late one Saturday afternoon (both birds shown here).





















Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans
Potteric Carr, Doncaster, South Yorks., Dec. 2008.

A long-staying 3rd winter present on Huxter marsh.













Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis
Old Moor RSPB, Barnsley, South Yorks., Dec. 2008.

The 2nd for the Mecca showed well on its first day before wandering around.













Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus
Rainham Marshes RSPB, London, Dec. 2008.

Is this a 1st summer bird moulting to 2nd winter? It spent a brief amount time on the Target Pools.















Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta
Rainham Marshes RSPB, London, Nov. 2008.

An excellent lesson in Pipit id as this Water Pipit showed with a Rock Pipit and a couple of Meadow Pipits.













Audouin's Gull Larus audouinii
Chapel Six Marsh, Skegness, Lincs., August 2008.

The 5th for Britain, a near adult, was very elsuive during it's short stay. This sighting was at ca. 2.30pm on Thursday 21 August 2008.

























Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
Allerton Bywater, West Yorks., August 2008.

This adult showed only a few miles away from where the cracker of 1989 was found.













Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii
Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk, May 2008.

This regular Spring migrant showed well in a howling gale.













Bluethroat Luscinia svecica svecica
Spurn, East Yorkshire, May 2008.

I was fortunate to find this gem whilst waiting for the Broad-billed Sandpiper to appear on the Humber.













Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus
Ingleby, Derbyshire, May 2008.

One of an invasion year for this wonderful falcon. This 1st summer female hawked insects over the Trent.














Ross's Gull Rhodostehia rosea
Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, May 2008.

This non-breeding plumaged adult showed well on the Ribble extuary. The bird was sadly found dead a few weeks later.
 












Little Gull Larus minutus
Rainham Marshes RSPB, London, April 2008.

Up to 3 adults, including this pinky one taken in flight over Averley Pools. Migrants also included a good variety of waders such as Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrels and Greenshanks.














Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus
Gt. Yarmouth, Norfolk, March 2008.

This large 1st summer bird showed well in the harbour, and literally glowed in flight.














Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis
Rainham Marshes RSPB, London, February 2008.

A 2nd winter bird present in the gull masses along with 2x adult and 1x 4th winter YL Gull, a couple of Meds and the above pale gull.













Glaucous and Iceland Gulls Larus hyperboreus and Larus glaucoides
Poolsbrook CP, Derbys., December 2007.

1st Winter Glaucous Gull (top) and 1st Winter Iceland Gull (bottom) present on the lake near to the tip.















Desert and Northern Wheatears Oenanthe deserti and Oenanthe oenanthe
Burniston, North Yorks., December 2007.

The Desert one (top) is usually an autumn rarity to the UK, but the common Wheatear (bottom) still present in the UK in December was equally if not more unusual!
















Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus
Salthouse, Norfolk, November 2007.

A great look at around 7 birds by the beach car park. Nearby the supporting cast included 2 Richard's Pipits, a lone Snow Bunting and Pomarine Skuas moving offshore.














Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk, Sep. 2007.

Close juvs. on autumn passage.













Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos
Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk, Sep. 2007.

Always nice to see!













Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
Old Moor RSPB, South Yorks., Aug 2007.

4th or 5th Wath record - my second, last one I saw there was in Sep 1988.














Black Kite Milvus migrans
Nocton Fen, Lincs., July 2007.

Distant record shot of the oversummering "rufous" adult bird.













Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Methley, West Yorks., May 2007.

A typical morose looking 1st summer bird.













Dotterel Charadrius morinellus
nr Ingbirchworth, South Yorks., May 2007.

Three birds present - male and 2 females.















American Robin Turdus migratorius
Bingley, West Yorks., February 2007.

This first winter female was elusive at times feeding on waste ground and in nearby gardens.

















Pacific Diver Gavia pacifica
Knaresbrough, February 2007.

This first for Britain, a juvenile showed very well on the sailing lake. Birders from Cornwall, Scotland, Denmark and Belgium twitched the bird when I was there.





























Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus
Rainham Marshes, London, January 2007.

A single bird present showed well despite the windy conditions.













Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris
Gibraltar Point, Lincs., December 2006.

This 1st winter drake showed well in the early morning sun with Tufted Ducks on Jackson's Marsh.














Grey Geese Anser
Morston, Norfolk, December 2006.

The 1000's of Pink-footed Geese were joined by 2 "Tundra" Bean Geese (top) an adult "white Lesser" Snow Goose (second) and an adult "intermediate Lesser" Snow Goose (bottom 2).




































Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica
Callander, Scotland, December 2006.

This drake was very wary, not allowing close approach.













Long-billed Murrelet Brachyramphus perdix
Dawlish, Devon, November 2006.

The find of the year. This pacific wanderer, a first for GB, showed well feeding close inshore.























American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica
Waxham, Norfolk, November 2006.

This juv showed with a massive flock of Goldies (500-1000) in the fields by the coast road at Waxham.













Yellow-legged Gull Larus michaehellis
Isle of Dogs, London, October 2006.

An adult winter and a second winter present opposite Lovell's Wharf on the falling tide. No sign of the returning Ring-billed Gull, but Herring, LBB, GBB, Black-headed and Common Gulls were also present.













Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus
Winterton, Norfolk, September 2006.

A cracking twitchable juvenile. Views allowed for all the characterisitc features to be noted: dark boa, plain orange underparts, dark barring on the underprimaries with boomerang around the carpal joint.


































Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla
Pennington Marshes, Hampshire, September 2006.

A juvenile feeding with 3 Little Stints, providing for excellent comparison. Semi-P: chubbier, broader bill especially at the base, cold coloured, lack of white braces, and slower feeding action separated it from the Little Stints.
























White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus
Long Eaton GP, Derbys., September 2006.

A juvenile with a flock of 19 Black Terns (many moulting adults).





















Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans
Cley, Norfolk, July 2006.

A 2nd summer Caspian Gull, 1st of a few seen at Cley at the end of July/early August.










































Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Titchwell, Norfolk, July 2006.

A juvenile bird resting in the evening sun on the freshmarsh.













Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator
Friskney, Lincs., July 2006.

Showing well but distant near the seawall.














Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Old Moor RSPB, South Yorkshire, May 2006.

At least 2 birds showing characteristics of "tundrae" race were present amongst the local breeders. Identified by their smaller size, dark brown upperparts and being kicked about by the locals!
























Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor
nr Buckingham, May 2006.

This American vagrant has been quite scarce over here during the last 10 years or so. This summer plumaged male proved a popular attraction on the Bank Hoilday weekend.
















White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus
Broomhill Flash, South Yorkshire, May 2006.

A local patch, Barnsley and Yorkshire tick all in one! A cracker and only about the 3rd or 4th record for the Wath area.






































Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus
Nosterfield, North Yorkshire, May 2006.

Appeared on a day of excellent wader passage. Is this one a 1st summer?













Little Gull Larus minutus
Titchwell, Norfolk, May 2006.

In full summer plumage with a pink flush to the breast.














Dotterel Charadrius morinellus
Fulloden, nr Swaffham, Norfolk, May 2006.

A lone bird with some "northern" Goldies.













American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica
Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey, Wales, April 2006.

This 1st summer bird showed mixed winter and summer plumage. Clearly smaller than the European Goldies it was with. The long primary projection beyond the tertials help to separate it from Pacific Golden Plover. Cracking photos!













Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris
Allerton Bywater, West Yorkshire, April 2006.

I dipped this bird in December, but today was a double celebration as the Owls stayed up!













Blue-winged Teal Anas discors
Filey Dams, North Yorkshire, April 2006.

This drake was very elusive.













Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, March 2006.

Med Gulls still present with several adults calling frequently and pairing up. Belgian adult "25K" was present. I saw this bird at the site in August 2004. Adults and a second summer shown here. There were at least 5 each of: adults, 2nd summers and birds moulting into 1st summer plumage.


























Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor
Walton-upon-Trent, Derbys., March 2006.

A cracking bird actively hunting in the scrub near to the Trent.













Laughing Gull Larus atricilla
Reading, Berkshire, February 2006.

A bird that presumably arrived in the UK as part of the influx in autumn 2005. Despite the rainy conditions this adult, present at this site since December, showed well with the Black-headed Gulls.























Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus
Rainham Marshes, London, February 2006.

Two birds, a male and a female (out of the original six) were still present feeding in a circuit amongst the reeds. They showed very well.














Caspian Gulls Larus cachinnans
Poolsbrook CP, Staveley, Derbyshire, Xmas & New Year 2005/2006.

Saw at least 2 each of adult and 1st Winter Caspian Gulls in Derbyshire. 2 cracking birds are shown here.






















Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus
Poolsbrook CP (adult) and Ogston Res (1st W), Derbyshire, Xmas & New Year 2005/2006.

The adult Glauc showed well one afternoon, and the 1st Winter showed early in the roost one evening.















Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides
Poolsbrook CP, Derbyshire, Xmas & New Year 2005/2006.

This elusive bird showed briefly. It and/or another with a paler immature (1st winter?) roosted at Ogston. I caught up with the adult Kumlien's type at Anglers CP, West Yorks and at Ogston. At Ogston the bird was close, but there was thick fog. It did show a grey tip or two (P5/P6?)when it raised its wings briefly. Lack of grey in P9/P10.















Mediterranean Gulls Larus melanocephalus
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, New Year 2005/2006.

A minimum of 23 Meds were on show - 14 adults, 2 2nd winters, and 7 1st winters. 2 of the adults had green rings on their right legs - (3CE8) and (3HU3). 

















Sociable Plover Vanellus gregarius
Rainham Marshes, London, December 2005.

A smart looking bird. It was elusive, but flew in with Lapwings an hour or so before dark to roost. Smaller and more slender-winged than Lapwing in flight, with the distinctive wing pattern.














Bittern Botaurus stellaris
Potteric Carr, South Yorkshire, December 2005.

At least 3 birds are present on the reserve. This one showed on Pipers Marsh.






















Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda
Kingston Seymour, Somerset, November 2005.

A cracker, and a good bird for the mainland. Showed very well in the cold afternoon sunshine.































Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
Old Moor, South Yorkshire, October 2005.

The Rail showed well, but the crake eluded me.













Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans
Anglers Country Park, West Yorkshire, October 2005.

Whilst looking for the Laughing Gull (above) to come to roost for a Barnsley tick, this 2nd winter Caspo (record shot!) was the first of three seen over the weekend - an adult and a cracking 1st winter were also seen. I wish I had seen the adult, but he 1st winter was a stunner! This species still very rare in the Barnsley area.













Laughing Gull Larus atricilla
nr Featherstone, West Yorkshire, October 2005.

A good Yorkshire tick. This 2nd winter lingered for many to see, eventually!













Brambling Fringilla montifringilla
Spurn Point, East Yorkshire, October 2005.

A massive influx of migrants saw over 1600 seen at Spurn on one day in October.













Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis
Edderthorpe Flash, South Yorkshire, September 2005.

A returning adult?













Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor
Spurn Point, East Yorkshire, October 2005.

Now a very rare visitor to the UK on passage. A good Yorkshire tick, shame about the tail.














Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii
Kirkby-on-Bain Gravel Pits, Lincs., Sept. 2005.

A late migrating adult showed well as it fed alone on the gravel pit.














































Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
Edderthorpe Flash, South Yorkshire, August 2005.

It's that time of year again, Ruddies on the move, but where from?













Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus
Dungeness, Kent, June 2005.

Fourth time lucky. Caught up with this cracking 1st summer male in this invasion year..



















Little Gull Larus minutus
Broomhill Flash, South Yorkshire, May 2005.

A 1st summer bird on passage. Note how small it is even compared to a Black-headed Gull.













Little Owl Athene noctua
Hoyland, South Yorkshire, May 2005.

Showing well hunting in the afternoon.













Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla
Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, April 2005.

A decent record shot of this big UK rarity. Note the wing formula "even steps" to the wing bar, the hind claw, and the prominent white spots on the wing tips.























Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis
Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex and Isle of Dogs, London, February 2005.

Rossi back in Essex, with Mediterranean Gull friends (top). The returning (bottom) Isle of Dogs adult showed well for 10 mins in the cold afternoon sun on the mud opposite Lovell's Wharf (right).

























Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans
KGV Dock and River Thames, London, January 2005.

A 3rd winter type.