Early Spring Birding including a genuine white-winged gull

A twitch north to Scotland, South Yorkshire moorland birding magic and this time, a genuine white-winger.

The (American) White-winged Scoter is a relatively new addition to the British list (2013) following the first off the Aberdeenshire coast in 2011. This North American cousin of the Velvet Scoter has appeared a handful of times in Scotland since and debate continues as to how many different birds have actually been seen. An adult drake of this species on the Firth of Forth offshore from Musselburgh, Edinburgh present before Easter - would it linger to be twitched?

A 5 hours drive (29 Mar) from South Yorkshire to Edinburgh had the delights of the morning rush hour traffic around Newcastle to contend with, where the fog on the Tyne lingered. The coastal run into the borders was pretty spectacular and relatively traffic free. Arrived on site (10:30) to news that the very rare Scoter had been present earlier but then flew west towards the harbour. The Firth held small scattered groups of Velvet Scoters with Eider and Goldeneye also present. A handful of Long-tailed Ducks were busy moving from one side of the Esk river mouth to the other. All of these seaducks and the rare drake Surf Scoter offshore would have usually warranted much more prolonged and closer scrutiny, but where was the very rare Scoter? I scanned the sea and to the west soon picked up a drake 'Velvet' Scoter type with a pronounced white eye tick patch swimming with a group of 4 definite 'Velvets'. One of the locals had seen the same bird and there it was, the adult drake (American) White-winged Scoter. Spent the next couple of hours studying this bird as it kept company with Velvet Scoters at a reasonable distance offshore, at one stage flying strongly east before doing a U-turn. It was never close for photos but gave comfortable 'scope views on a not so choppy Firth under good light. On several occasions it's North American Surf Scoter pal was in the same field of view. Of the (American) White-winged Scoter as well as the eye tick, the bill had less of a pale patch which was pinkish in colour and not yellow as for Velvet Scoter, and the bill shape differed with a bit of a bulge at the base of the upper mandible. This was difficult to make out, but noticeable at some angles. I'm sure the brownish flanks were evident during some wing flaps... to a degree!

On now making time to study the other seaducks I manage to pick out 3 Slavonian Grebes moulting into summer plumage. This made them difficult to pick out against the dark water as they just seemed to melt away! Several Red-throated Divers and Guillemots present offshore. At the river mouth flocks of Oystercatchers, Curlews and Bar-tailed Godwits flew by, moving from roosting to feeding sites.

A photo looking west to Edinburgh from the Esk river mouth at Musselburgh on the day, whereas the (American) White-winged Scoter shown below was photographed several years before in Washington State, USA (2008).

Home in South Yorkshire where the diverse landscape makes for brilliant birding. However, the varied weather always has a part to play in the birding day. This trip included sunny days where it was quite mild in sheltered spots, with April showers featuring shortly after Easter. However, Easter Monday (02 Apr) saw a deluge of snow for 3 hours in the morning catching many road users unaware around Sheffield and on the cross Peninne approaches.

Visited Old Moor RSPB during the afternoon thaw on Easter Monday. One adult Mediterranean Gull present on the mere in its summer finery, and the Swallow hawking insects over the water looked out of place against the snowy and now misty backdrop. A Bittern 'boomed' from the reedbeds.

The South Yorkshire moorlands were magical. Buzzards and Kestrels patrolled the skies with a couple of Ravens noted. Curlews dominated the rough ground and chipping Snipe were a delight. Oystercatchers also back on territory, likewise a pair of displaying Golden Plovers. A flock of over 250 'Goldies' at a staging site nearby were preparing for more northern climes. A small flock of 9 Common Crossbills 'jipping' in flight as they moved from one moorland plantation to another (03 Apr). A migrant Red Kite was upstaged by a passage Osprey that moved north up the Strines valley at lunchtime the same day (03 Apr), with another Osprey flying north in the same area the following morning (04 Apr). This second bird was tracking the moorland edge to the west. Always nice to see these beautiful fish eating raptors, especially on migration. As well as their distinctive plumage, the hanging nature of the slow long circles they make in the sky are pretty characteristic as is when they change tact, launching themselves into a long fast power glides maintaing a distinctive shallow M-wing profile. Moreover, study a migrating Osprey and see how little they flap. It's very much a case of gliding and flapping only when they have to.

A few days beforehand (31 Mar) I was driving along the moorland edge along Mortimer Road mid afternoon where a group of big white 'blobs' were close inshore at Strines Reservoir. Mindful of passage Whooper Swans being noted in the region, I stopped to have a further look. Good job I did as the 'blobs' turned out to be a vocal flock of about 60 Whooper Swans (57 or 58 with 10 - 20% being immatures). After the event I understood they were seen earlier in the day over Sheffield and then departed either the same evening, or overnight?

Back at Rainham Marshes RSPB, London (07 Apr) where the sunny morning skies gave way to increasing cloud on a mild and brisk southerly wind. The weather promised visible migration but it was not to be. The reserve held a variety of birdlife including very vocal Redshanks back on territory, noisy Cetti's Warblers, several winter ducks remaining and stunning Marsh Harriers patrolling the site. Less expected yet most welcome was an immature (1st summer type) Iceland Gull. It stuck out like a sore thumb as it joined Herring Gulls picking at the surface of the Thames on the edge of Aveley Bay, as it 'glowed' in the morning sunshine. From here a scan from the river wall back onto the reserve produced a sighting of a Great White Egret (cannot get used to the Great Egret name!) that had been in residence for a week or so. For such a large species it could be difficult to pick up in Rainham's marshland habitat, and only gave itself up at 1/2 mile range as it fed apart from the several Little Egrets gracing the reserve. Later on from the balcony a Peregrine provided entertainment as it made sure another flew off up river.

More photos from this period at 'Latest UK Bird Photos'.

Cyprus - end of trip

It became hot on Friday (23rd) touching 30C with a southerly wind. It brought in a few rarities. Highlights towards the end of the week included:

Thursday 22 March - adult male Pallid Harrier(s) at Anarita Park and Nata Ford, Alpine Swift at Anarita Park and Desert Wheatear continued at Cape Drepanum.

Friday 23 March - twitched a Cream-coloured Courser (Mandria) and found a Blue-cheeked Bee-eater later afternoon at Paphos Headland, where a rt immature Pallid Harrier patrolled the grasslands.

Saturday 24 March - loads of Black-headed Wagtails moving on the south coast and a Desert Wheatear (female) was at Mandria.

Many thanks to everyone who helped me during the visit, very much appreciated, a trip report to come with a video compilation.

Unseasonal winter gems and a fake white winged gull

February 2018

The wintering Avocet frequenting Aveley Bay continued with 24 noted (10th). Just across the river wall Rainham Marshes RSPB attracted other waders at high tide on this day including up to 100 Black-tailed Godwits. Whilst the swirling flocks of Godwits and whistling Wigeon were a fine sight in the late afternoon twilight, it was a matter of life or death for the performers. A big female Peregrine was after its tea! She looked regal sitting out on the winter marsh surveying the mayhem overhead. Earlier in the day a singing male Blackcap near Purfleet station was undoubtedly a winterer.

The following day (11th) I twitched the Little Bunting found a few weeks earlier in  North London up at Walthamstow Wetlands. This example of the secret winterer lived up to the species' reputation as it showed briefly that morning for 10 mins just after 09:30 with a repeat performance as it perched up and flitted about its favourite bush above a patch of scrub again at 10:05. Then there was no further sign up until leaving at 12:00. Sightings of the rare Bunting were mainly alongside several Reed Buntings but occasionally on its lonesome. It called on one occasion as it and a Reed Bunting chased each other away from the bush. Nearby the dapper drake Scaup showed well on Reservoir No. 4 swimming with its Tufted Duck and Pochard mates.

Mid February (17th) birding in London included a walk down the Thames shore from near the Stone Barges to the RSPB centre at Rainham Marshes (17th). Whilst a nice variety of waders were on show, the partial summer-plumaged adult Mediterranean Gull roosting amongst the many Black-headed Gulls at Cold Harbour Point was my highlight. Only picked it up on zooming in to read the code of a colour-ringed  (yellow) adult Black-headed Gull a few gulls to its right (to be chased up but looks like a local Rainham/Pitsea bird.) Of the waders approximately 100 each of Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwits were seen and my first Oystercatchers of the year back along this stretch of the Thames. In the afternoon the sun warmed up the air giving a couple of pairs of local Buzzards to take to the skies to the north of the Eurostar railway line. The warm air encouraged many birds to start singing including Song Thrushes and Reed Buntings.

Connected mid-pm with the 3rd winter Caspian Gull at Eagle Pond, Snaresbrook (18th) before it flew off north west, having been absent on  visiting the site fron 09:00 to 10:00. Picked it up by its top heavy swimming jizz, 3rd winter is not a plumage I've seen often. A visit in between to Thames Barrier Park produced no notable gulls on the rising tide.

Back at Walthamstow Wetlands (24th and 25th) to look for the Little Bunting. Several hours dipping on the 24th, but as it was seen after I left a return visit was on the cards the following morning. The drake Scaup was seen from the train  on the first visit. On the return visit the Little Bunting flew into the tree by the path calling as it landed. Barely glimpsed before flying into the hedgerow and dropping down into the scrub half way between the hedgerow and the seed tray. All in a blink of an eye just after 10:00. It remained hidden until just before 13:30 when it appeared out of nowhere sitting close to a male Reed Bunting in its favourite bush. The first photo below doesn't do it justice, it showed brilliantly in good light conditions allowing for a good study. After most of the crowd had seen it, it flew into the scrub and made its way to the seed tray where it was present for about 5 mins before returning to the bush, to melt away into the cover. Whilst waiting for the star attraction birders were entertained by a pair of Peregrines patrolling the north London skyline, two grunting Egyptian Geese, screaming Ring-necked Parakeets, and a nice study of Reed Bunting in varying plumage. Cetti's Warblers had made it to this urban wetland. It was a cold sunny day and the easterly wind was beginning to bite, signalling the onset of the weather pattern dubbed the 'Beast of the East'.

March 2018

Travelled back home to Yorkshire by coach Friday Eve (2nd March), Storm Emma was taking on the Beast and produced a band of light snow that hit London earlier in the afternoon, dragging it's heels on moving north that evening. Travelling up the M1 the coach made light work of the wintriness. Birded my local patch the 'Wath Area' (3rd and 4th) and with my dad and several patch regulars connected with the Yellow-browed Warbler and Firecrest found a few days earlier in bushes and scrub bordering the River Dearne. The river skirts the north and east side of RSPB Wombwell Ings. Good views of both over the weekend, a shame the Richard's Pipt of recent days didn't show. I believe the study of the Pipit resulted in the finding of the 'Yellow-browy' and rare 'Crest'. Nevertheless, Yellow-browed Warbler Wath Tick #192 for me.

On the Saturday walking by the floodbank just before 09:00 following the river and a Water Pipit called. I didn't react immediately, just a Water Pipit, then the cogs turned... this was South Yorkshire not Rainham Marshes where Water Pipit is seen and heard on a regular basis in the winter months. It's a bit scarcer up here, only my 2nd sighting back home. I picked it up perched on a snag by the main bend in the river, a typical winter-plumaged bird. It flew across the river settled briefly on the far bank before taking off calling heading towards the road bridge. Presumably the flighty bird seen earlier across the Dearne Valley Parkway at Old Moor RSPB. In flight it flashed it's white outer tail feathers.

Other birds of note were singles of both Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose touring the area with the many local Canadas and Greylags. Whereas the 'Pink-foot' is probably of Icelandic origin, can a wild origin be attributed to the Barnacle? Clutching at straws for a Wath, Barnsley and Yorkshire tick! With Wombwell Ings mostly frozen over the river held more than just it's scarce passerines. Teal, Tufted Ducks and several Goosander were present as were Meadow Pipits looking out of place at the edge of the river. A Chiffchaff and several Goldcrests present and a couple of Grey Wagtails were more typical of this environment. A glance back onto the floodplain of the Ings revealed a Little Egret looked fed up as it cowered from the cold wind, with Lapwing and Golden Plover adding to the variety. Over the field to the south the Hawfinch continued its stay peering down on passing traffic from Broomhill Flash car park where a pair of Bullfinches were also present.

A couple of sorties onto the moorland edge. The scenery glowed in the late winter snow, but as a slow thaw was starting the air misty if not foggy making skywatching not possible. Nevertheless, the feeders at Low Moor and Broomhead Reservoir (Rushy Lane) attracted a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers at the former, and Coal Tits dominated the latter. Sadly no Crossbills on show.

Back at Rainham and the wintering Avocets still frequented Aveley Bay (10th March) but fake news, namely a fake 'white-winged gull' resting on the Stone Barges gantry. This colour-ringed (black) individual, too far to read the ring, had the feel of a leucistic bird... adult Great Black-backed Gull? It turns out to be a 5th winter of this species, ringed in Norway, with thanks to Twitter correspondents for the details.

More photos from this late winter period at 'Latest UK Bird Photos'.

Cyprus midweek update

Lovely weather continues in Cyprus and it's comfortable for birding. Migration continues but a bit of work is needed digging out the gems. Highlights from Tuesday and Wednesday include:

Tuesday 20 March - a Red-throated Pipit on the deck, Ruppell's Warbler and Bonelli's Eagle.

Wednesday 21 March - a couple of Desert Wheatears (Timi Beach and Cape Drepanum), GS Cuckoo, E Bonelli's Warblers and Cyprus Warblers.

Latest boc record photos below

Cyprus first few days

Back on Cyprus and enjoying the migration with the temp in the mid to high 20s. Selected highlights so far include:

Saturday 17 March - 250+ Slender-billed Gulls at Larnaca Airport Pools North.

Sunday 18 March - Isabelline Wheatears Mandria.

Monday 19 March - Bimaculated Lark Akrotiri GP and 2 or 3 SE Owls in off, Squacco Heron and BE Wheatear Phassouri Reedbeds. Hen Harrier Anarita Park where 5 Crane sp quickly lost to view flying north pm.

Nice to catch up with local and visiting birders. Some cropped boc photos below

Early Year Birding - including the Horned Lark and continuing Parrot Crossbills

Visited Rainham Marshes RSPB, London on the first two Saturdays of the year where wintering waders were the highlight. Sightings included a group of up to 28 Avocets noted in Aveley Bay, a handful of Black-tailed Godwits, less than a hundred Golden Plovers and more than a hundred Dunlin gracing the Thames shoreline. Later in the month connected with over a hundred Black-tailed Godwits up at and beyond the Stone Barges, many more Dunlin in the same area (500) and a couple of wintering Common Sandpipers were noteworthy from walking down the Thames shore between the Stone Barges and the RSPB centre. A pair of Peregrines sighted on the first Saturday over the marshes, and Marsh Harriers were a regular sight on all visits as were Kestrels. Sparrowhawk and Buzzard present but less showy. Several Stonechats delighted visitors, Cetti's Warblers blasted their song from reedbed cover and Song Thrushes tested their singing skills.

A couple of visits to Thames Barrier Park, London in January and early February produced the sub-adult Yellow-legged Gull shown below.

Red Kite within the M25 no longer an unexpected sight with one bird patrolling the skies in suburbia on a couple of Sundays.

Back home late January and moorland birding focussed on the Parrot Crossbills just over into Derbyshire above Howden Reservoir in the Derwent Valley. The long staying group of 12 were elusive, flying into the plantation tree tops after an hour's wait (Sat 27). Picked up on call - lower pitched than their commoner cousins and more drawn out 'jeep' as opposed to a sharp 'jip'. They gave a brief look before melting into the trees as they did at Xmas time. A flock of 17 Common Crossbills moved between here and the King's Tree area. Close to double figures of Ravens seen over the Yorkshire Moors to the east whilst Crossbill waiting, with at least two birds pairing up. The following day was windy not yielding much over Midhope Moors but a couple of Buzzards showed, and at the Low Moor feeders lots of Goldfinches and Long-tailed Tits tucked into the generous offerings.

Early February and the Staines Reservoir, London 'Shorelark' reappeared, a good candidate for one of the American Horned Lark subspecies. Connected with this rare visitor (Sat 03) but it took a while to perform for the birders, and coupled with being drenched in the fine rain this put paid to further birding elsewhere that day. Walking along the causeway about 0800 it suddenly appeared in flight on the S basin half way along the causeway giving its distinctive 'tee-dee' flight call. It moved W and went to ground in the mossy side of the basin. A calling Water Pipit went in the opposite direction. Back to the 'Horned Lark' which then took off again this time with a group of Meadow Pipits that appeared out of nowhere from the grassy edges, and they all appeared to drop down at the eastern end of the causeway. Could not relocate it but tried to let as many other birders know about it as they arrived on site from that end. It's always good fun trying to convince others of a single observer sighting. Glad that it was relocated back at the eastern end to allay fears of it doing a bunk and also to grab a few photos and video of this very rare taxon to this side of the Pond. However, this was about 90 minutes later and the bird had settled down feeding along the mossy verges of the S basin as the rain increased. Despite the damp conditions the views of this distinctive rich-toned bird were a lot better than before Xmas when it was way way way over in the NW corner of the N basin. Also of note was a Black-necked Grebe with partial sum plum ears gracing the S basin and several Goldeneyes were present on both sides of the causeway. The N basin held many Great Crested Grebes, looking huge on the relatively calm water.

More photos from early 2018 at the top of the 'Latest UK Bird Photos' section. Please enjoy.

Late December Birding, negative news on Garganey but a Barnsley Sooty Shearwater

"Negative news on the Garganey but there's been a Barnsley Sooty Shearwater!" As Kirsty Wark (or Jan Ravens) might say, "More on that story later!"

Back home for Xmas and New Year. Birding was 'steady', success heavily influenced by the weather. Birding concentrated on the moorlands where it started off foggy just before Xmas, then rainy before progressing to grey leaden skies during most of the Xmas week with occasional short lived bright spots. A morning of snow before New Year swiftly gave way to a return to the grey. One constant contributing to the difficult birding was the wind, it was bloomin' relentless. No calm days noted, days when Pink-footed Geese can often be seen moving cross country in their skeins as can be typical in South Yorkshire area at this time. Thanks to the Polar Vortex pumelling North America and fueling the jet stream, this yielded an essentially mild, windy and green festive period in the UK, Yorkshire being no exception!

Birding highlights included the splendid Hawfinch spending time at Broomhill Flash (Barnsley) car park munching away before taking in a circuit of the village, Wath Tick #191. Up on the moorlands the Parrot Crossbills played hide and seek at the plantation above the true Windy Corner of Howden Reservoir, on the Derbyshire side of the valley. Not only did the Crossbill's id test the biders, so did the terrain. The steep track leading through the plantation was either muddy, frozen, snowy or a ranging torrent of melt water depending on the day of the visit. If you've seen the Bradley Wiggins Skoda advert on telly of late, the track leads its way from the road bordering the reservoir through the dense tree cover up to the left in the last shot of the advert. Connected with the party of 12 Parrot Crossbills on 2 visits, they were keeping themselves to themselves even though up to 20 Common Crossbills were seen on occasion. The subtly different 'jeep' call of the Parrots could be picked out after decent study, compared with the 'jip' call of their commoner cousins. Hope they stay to Easter for further study. Not all of them had large bills probably due to varying maturity. Whilst waiting for the rare finches Ravens could be seen pairing up over the Yorkshire moorlands to the east and some raptors were glimpsed. Elsewhere on the moorlands Red Grouse showed well, Buzzards were commonplace and a couple of Stonechats were a nice sight at Low Moor.

Hawfinch, Broomhill Flash, Barnsley, South Yorkshire (Dec. 2017)

Parrot Crossbill, Howden Res., Derbyshire (Dec. 2017)

Moorland scenes between Xmas and New Year (December 2017)

Start of the new year and birders think more of their lists and year ticks to come. Whilst I've not kept a year list for many a year an added interest this time around concerns changes to the British List. Not just a few ticks to add here or there, if like me you prefer the amchair tick approach, but this time ther have been wholesale changes. This is due to the British Ornithologists' Union (BOC) adopting the International Ornithological Committee (IOC) World Bird List for the British list, effective 01 January 2018.

So what's in and what's out?

From a personal perspective it's bye bye to Fea's Petrel, Hudsonian Whimbrel and Isabelline Shrike, with a big 'How Do' to Least Tern and Tundra Bean Goose.


Was lucky to see the Scillonian Fea's Petrel (Aug 2001) as it clung to the wake for about 90 minutes as the pelagic sailing started its journey back to Penzance. A late in the day fly by Fea's/Zino's following a line of Manxies off Flamborough (Aug 2003) was a cracker as I was glad to stay an extra 15 mins to help with a decent Manxie count. Not got a clue now as to what I have now seen off Madeira (2010). Can Desertas and Fea's Petrels be ideed in the field?

Can no longer joke with American friends not being able to tick Hudsonian Whimbrel. This side of the pond saw the bird in south Wales on Cup Final Day (May 2002).

(Hudsonian) Whimbrel, Brigantine, New Jersey, USA (May 2015)

Will the Spurn Isabelline Shrike of October 1991 or the Horsey, Norfolk individual of October 2006 get identified to type? I read somewhere that it's a brave birder who identifies them to what was sub-specific level, even with birds in the hand.

Positives.


In the old days they used to be referred to by their scientific name 'fabalis' and 'rossicus', but nowadays Taiga and Tundra seem to be the preferred prefix for our Bean Geese pair. This one probably gets more attention for the birder's local list(s). From a Barnsley perspective my first Bean Geese were the Whitley Common flock (early 1988) - I'm sure they were Taiga's. The one accompanying a Pink-foot at Broomhill Flash, Barnsley in March 1992 being one of the wandering Tundra variety.

Tundra Bean Goose, Broomhill Flash, Barnsley, South Yorkshire (March 1992)

Remember hearing a squeak from behind the shingle bank of Rye Harbour, Sussex one morning in June 1992 soon after dawn. The perpetrator flying over from its out of sight roost revealing it's grey rump as well as the unusual call. That was a typical view of the (presumed) transatlantic visitor, Britain's first Least Tern.

Least Tern, Cape May, New Jersey, USA (May 2014)

Armchair ticks and tidy up. Been busy this time. GB and Yorkshire Siberian Accentor, GB Western Swamphen, World List - Cabot's Tern, Monk Parakeet, Ruddy Shelduck and Audubon's Warbler. The latter's interesting. Seen them in Washington State, USA, so they're on my world List but if I kept an American list, it would be missing as this split is not currently recognised having been turned down in the American Ornithological Society 2017 update.

Ruddy Shelduck, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (Spring 2015)

Cabot's Tern, Cape May, New Jersey, USA (Autumn 2005)

Have fun sorting your lists.

• WORLD - 853 and GB - 465
• NORFOLK - 354 and YORKSHIRE - 337
• BARNSLEY 229 and WATH AREA -191

Hope I've not bored you with the stats. If you're still with me you may be wondering what on earth the line, "Negative news on the Garganey but there's been a Barnsley Sooty Shearwater!" is all about.

When changing lists there's always one missing, or one extra present when comparing new and old lists. Realised Garganey was missing from all, and had given myself a Barnsley and Wath Area Sooty Shearwater... which would be nice!

Garganey (definitely!), Old Moor RSPB, Barnsley, South Yorkshire (Autumn 2016)

Sooty Shearwater, Old Moor RSPB, Barnsley, South Yorkshire (Sep. 2012),

California, USA (Sep. 2012)