Weekly birding round-up: 14 - 20 Nov 2023
A rather quieter week than of late just elapsed, with the headline birds being a couple of big hits from the past month, and yet another quality seabird in a year that’s already been far from short of those.
It’s fair to say that winter’s almost upon us, but there were still plenty of birds to provide lingering hints of the fabulous autumn just gone.
Well, if you wanted it, and were prepared to put in the hard miles, it was there for the twitching this week – the female Cape May Warbler remained present on Bryher (Scilly) on 14th-20th, and she was showing really well too.
The third of her kind for Britain, and only the eleventh record for the Western Palearctic as a whole, she and our last record (on Shetland) have fallen in the space of the last decade. It’s perhaps too early to discern a genuine trend but, if the past autumn is anything to go by, and if we’re to get the likes of Storm Lee more often in this changing world of ours, perhaps more Nearctic warblers of many kinds will be found in Britain in years to come and, amongst their number, more Cape May Warblers. A British mainland bird may not be as far off in the future as one might suppose.
Last seen on Flamborough Head (East Yorkshire) at Northcliff Marsh on 2nd November, what should pop up again there this week on 16th but the first-winter male Red-headed Bunting. By the time it was last seen at Northcliff Marsh its tenure on site had already extended to some ten days or so, during which time its identity had been resolved, and two weekends had elapsed – ample time, then, for birders to make their move to come and see it.
Seen again there on 19th-20th, perhaps this week’s sightings weren’t going to raise too many pulses amongst the keenest listers, but it was nonetheless interesting to note the bird’s stay was continuing, to wonder at how it’s gone unseen in the interim, and how long it’s planning on hanging around.
It comes to something, and marks the pace of change in the British birding scene, that a sighting of a Brown Booby gives your own correspondent sufficient pause for thought as to whether it gets to soar into the headlines at all. After all, we’ve had a few now in recent years, not to mention some settled birds, including one in the course of the autumn just gone.
And yet, and yet… there’s still star quality attached to this relatively recent arrival on the British list, and at this late juncture in the year, with new megas becoming thin on the ground, there can be no denying this week’s bird – an adult, seen on 18th in Cornwall at Jubilee Pool in Penzance before flying off towards Mousehole.
Events in Cornwall notwithstanding, the week was quieter than ever where notable seabirds were concerned. It had to happen sometime, we suppose…
Let’s start with large shearwaters. Norfolk gave us a Cory’s on 15th seen from Blakeney and Sheringham; while another that day was noted from Bloody Foreland (Co.Donegal); and a final bird this week was seen on 18th at Ballycotton (Co.Cork).
Just over 550 Great Shearwater were logged over the course of the week, of which the bulk were seen from Pendeen (Cornwall), where a peak count of 331 birds were tallied on 14th.
Berry Head (Devon) gave us our best Balearic Shearwaters this week, with 13 birds noted off here on 14th. Otherwise, on 18th two passed Killigerran Head (Cornwall), and singles were seen from Porthgwarra (Cornwall), and Start Point (Devon); two were seen from Pendeen (Cornwall) on 19th; and, on 20th, single birds in Cornwall from Pendeen and Cape Cornwall.
Numbers of Leach’s Petrel continued to dwindle, with over half of the week’s 20 birds reported coming from various points in the Bristol Channel. Here, the peak counts were three birds seen at Burnham-on-Sea (Somerset) on 14th, and four off Severn Beach (Gloucestershire) on 19th.
Just over a dozen Little Auk were logged this week – all singletons bar three seen from the ferry between Lochmaddy and Uig (Western Isles) on 15th.
Skuas of any kind were in increasingly short supply – single Pomarine Skua were seen at Pendeen (Cornwall) and Porth Ysgaden (Gwynedd) on 14th; Bloody Foreland (Co.Donegal) on 15th; and Cromer (Norfolk) on 17th. Another probable was seen at Gibraltar Point NNR (Lincolnshire) on 17th. On 18th, Kent scored sightings of a single bird at St Margaret’s at Cliffe, Birchington and Herne Bay; one was seen from The Lizard (Cornwall); another at Start Point (Devon); and one off Flamborough (East Yorkshire). On 19th the pace quickened a little, with seven birds seen in Cornwall – three were seen from Pendeen, and two at Fistral Beach, and singles off Cape Cornwall and St Ives. On 20th in Cornwall a singleton was seen from Cape Cornwall, two from St Ives, and four from Pendeen.
A Long-tailed Skua was seen on 18th at The Lizard (Cornwall), and a further bird off Cape Cornwall on 20th.
Finally, White-billed Diver enjoyed a better week, with five birds seen off Papa Westray (Orkney) on 15th, and a single bird off Unst (Shetland) on 16th.
But for an unconfirmed report of a Purple Heron in Cumbria at Cockermouth on 14th, it was all about the Glossy Ibises this week – some 20 birds were logged in recent days, with small flocks making up much of that total. Starting in Kent, four birds remained at Dungeness on 17th-20th; three remained in Hampshire at Titchfield Haven NNR on 16th; and, in Co.Wexford, four birds were still present at Tacumshin on 15th.
Starting the week’s notable honkers, as ever, with The Goose Formerly Known As Canada, the interior Todd’s Canada Geese remained near Temple (Lothian) on 15th-18th, with another sighting in Lothian in the morning of 18th at Gladhouse Reservoir. On 20th, two hutchinsii Richardson’s Cackling Geese were present on Islay (Argyll & Bute).
Just a few Snow Geese again this week – the blue morph once again in Lancashire & North Merseyside at Sollom on 17th and Hesketh Out Marsh RSPB on 20th, the white and blue morph birds again in Co.Wexford at South Slob on 16th, and one on North Uist (Western Isles) on 18th.
On 17th, Black Brant were seen in Essex at The Naze, and further up the North Sea at Freiston Shore RSPB (Lincolnshire). On 18th-19th another was seen off the north Kent coast at Birchington.
Red-breasted Goose - field sketches & notes comparing young and adult plumages. Thrilled to chance upon this juvenile on Wells Saltmarsh. Not one for lists but definitely a high point for me as it completed the full set of British geese that I've found in my local area. pic.twitter.com/tQ6hqLZ2FQ
— James McCallum (@JamesRMcCallum1) November 15, 2023
The recent Northumberland Red-breasted Goose remained around Ross on 16th while, in Norfolk, another was seen over Morston Quay on 16th.
And so to the quackers. Before we get onto the utter anti-climax that’s diving ducks, some dabblers…
In East Yorkshire, the Blue-winged Teal remained at Tophill Low NR on 16th-18th.
Green-winged Teal meanwhile remained on Hayle Estuary RSPB (Cornwall) on 15th-18th; Grafham Water (Cambridgeshire) on 14th-19th; Barra (Western Isles) on 15th; Lewis (Western Isles) still on 20th; and Tain Links (Highland & Caithness) on 15th. Additional sightings this week came from Fail (Ayrshire) on 15th-16th, Ballykelly (Co.Derry) on 16th, and Lissadell (Co.Sligo) on 19th.
Scotland continued to hold American Wigeon on Foula (Shetland) on 16th, at St John’s Loch (Highland & Caithness) on 15th-19th, and on Orkney Mainland at Loch of Ayre still on 20th. A possible drake was seen at Loch of Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) on 15th, a drake was found in England at Wilstone Reservoir (Hertfordshire) on 17th, and further birds at Prestwick Carr (Northumberland) on 18th-20th and Welney WWT (Norfolk) on 20th.
A possible drake Baikal Teal was proving annoyingly elusive at Lunt Meadows LWT (Lancashire & North Merseyside) on 17th.
Time then to take a dive into the murky underworld of feral ducks… A ringed, and presumed escaped Hooded Merganser at Dinnet (Aberdeenshire) on 16th was fairly par for the course. Duck-fanciers like keeping pretty ducks…
Apparently there’s a subspecies of duck-fancier who likes keeping quackers that look ever so slightly different to a more commonplace European counterpart. Probably a bit like those of our tribe who enjoy the intricacies of picking over the bones of the various subspecies of large gulls. Anyway, back to the duck-fanciers, turns out one of their number released a batch at least half a dozen Canvasback in Suffolk at Flixton GPs in the spring of 2020, three of which (albeit wing-clipped birds) remained present there this week on 20th… which rather puts the dampeners on the drake at Abberton Resevoir (Essex) still on 14th-20th. It’s all gone a bit Chilham Hooded Merganser, hasn’t it?
Moving through the gears with the diving ducks, the female Ferruginous Duck remained at Northstowe (Cambridgeshire) on 16th-17th; and a drake was seen in Lincolnshire at Langtoft on 17th.
Ring-necked Ducks were comfortably into double figures again this week, with some 20 birds logged around Britain and Ireland. Three remained at Shapwick Heath NNR (Somerset) on 14th-18th; while in Glamorgan two in Cardiff Bay on 16th preceded two at Lisvane Reservoir on 17th; and two were seen on 20th at Garranes Lake (Co.Cork).
Half a dozen Lesser Scaup were reported this week. A drake remained on Inch Island Lake (Co.Donegal) on 14th-18th; the recent individual was in Clyde at Lochwinnoch RSPB still on 17th-18th; the first-winter drake was still present in Co.Antrim at Portmore Lough on 18th; and the first-winter drake was still on Dozmary Pool (Cornwall) on 18th. On 19th another female was found on South Uist (Western Isles), and on 20th the drake remained in Devon at Northam Burrows CP.
Nine Surf Scoter were seen lately. Starting in Devon, one remained off Baggy Point on 14th-18th, while another was seen from Bryher (Scilly) on 15th. Scotland was fruitful, with Lothian giving sightings of a singleton off Gullane Point and two drakes in Gosford Bay on 16th; while two drakes remained in Dornoch Bay (Highland & Caithness) on 15th-18th. On 19th two birds were found off Gormanstown (Co.Meath), and a locally popular drake on the sea off Titchwell RSPB (Norfolk).
The immature drake King Eider was still to be seen off Lewis (Western Isles) on 16th.
Finally, the female / juvenile drake Bufflehead was still settled on Corbally Road Reservoir (Co.Antrim) on 15th-18th.
Numbers of interesting shorebirds seen this week were, sure enough, waning this late in the year. England, Scotland and Ireland enjoyed at least one American Golden Plover apiece – one in Cambridgeshire on Nene Washes on 17th-18th; the bird on Shetland again at Fleck, also on 17th; one still present in Co.Kerry at Blennerville on 16th; and the recent Lewis (Western Isles) bird still there on 19th-20th.
In Somerset, the female Kentish Plover was again seen on Stert Island on 14th.
Three Dotterel were seen in Powys on 16th near Lake Vyrnwy RSPB.
Slimbridge WWT (Gloucestershire) retained its recent White-rumped Sandpiper on 14th-20th.
A Spotted Sandpiper was found at Looe (Cornwall) on 14th-15th.
Recent Long-billed Dowitchers were again seen this week in Norfolk at Cley on 14th-20th; at Cuckmere Haven (East Sussex) on 15th-20th; and at Dungarvan (Co.Waterford) again on 14th.
Almost 30 Grey Phalaropes were noted in the course of the week, with four birds logged from Bridges of Ross (Co.Clare) on 14th the highest single site tally.
Recently seen Lesser Yellowlegs remained this week in Lincolnshire at Frampton Marsh RSPB on 14th-20th; in Suffolk at Southwold on 14th-17th and again on 20th; and in East Yorkshire at Swine Moor still on 15th-20th.
Lesser Yellowlegs yesterday (14th) at @RSPBFrampton. Breeds in North America. Fairly regular vagrant to Europe, mainly in late summer and autumn with about 5-10 records annually. pic.twitter.com/KCbTXdBNwd
— Peter Baughan (@harrierdigital) November 15, 2023
The gulls section of proceedings is ever more peaceful with every passing week at the moment. A handful of Sabine’s Gulls were seen, with the southeast still proffering most of the action – one remained at Norman’s Bay (East Sussex) on 15th; while on 14th one was seen off Worthing (West Sussex), and another from Samphire Hoe CP (Kent); and on 20th a juvenile was again seen at Dungeness. Two birds were seen on 15th from Bloody Foreland (Co.Donegal).
Ireland also gave us a Ring-billed Gull, back again at Blackrock (Co.Louth) on 17th-18th. A first-winter bird was found on St Mary’s (Scilly) on 19th.
Numbers of Glaucous Gull were down somewhat – one remained on Islay (Argyll & Bute) on 15th-19th; another was seen on 15th, 18th and 20th at Cuckmere Haven (East Sussex); while in Scotland on 15th birds were seen at Crook of Baldoon RSPB (Dumfries & Galloway) and North Uist (Western Isles), with another sighting from the latter site on 19th; back in East Sussex, a bird was seen at Exceat on 17th; and on 18th, individuals on Lewis (Western Isles) and at St Ives (Cornwall).
Iceland Gulls were scarcer still – birds were noted on Skye (Highland & Caithness) on 14th; at Scarborough (North Yorkshire) on 15th; at Marazion (Cornwall) on 17th; and on Barra (Western Isles) on 19th.
Co.Wexford sported the best of the week’s rare raptors, with the juvenile Northern Harrier seen again at Ferrycarrig on 15th-18th.
In Norfolk, the second-winter female Pallid Harrier was seen more or less reliably daily at Warham Greens on 14th-17th and 19th, and East Hills on 18th.
Most reliable of all this week in Norfolk had to be the juvenile Pallid Swift still at Winterton on 14th-20th.
An unconfirmed report of a Roller in Surrey on 16th, however, came to nothing further.
The lingering Wryneck remained on Skokholm (Pembrokeshire) on 14th-19th. In Devon on 14th another was seen near Soar Mill Cove.
Hoopoes this week were seen at Swadlincote (Derbyshire) on 19th, and Butley (Suffolk) on 20th.
In Dorset the recently arrived Great Grey Shrike remained on territory at Morden Bog NNR on 15th, while another was found in Wales at Lake Vyrnwy RSPB on 16th-19th, and final birds for the week in Kielder Forest (Northumberland) on 19th, and Harwood Forest (Northumberland) on 20th.
A wholly unconfirmed report came of a Steppe Grey Shrike at Winterton Dunes (Norfolk) on 18th.
Waxwings… Oh yes. The influx showed little sign of abating in the past week. Remember to check for white under-tails…
A Penduline Tit was seen briefly at Elmley NNR (Kent) on 16th.
A Hume’s Warbler arrived on Fetlar (Shetland) on 14th, remaining there throughout the week until 20th.
Yellow-browed Warblers grew ever harder to come by – birds were noted this week at Sandwich Bay (Kent) on 15th; in Cornwall at Pendeen on 16th, at St Buryan on 17th, in Cot Valley on 17th, and at Bude still on 17th; and one was present on Barra (Western Isles) on 17th.
Pallas’s Warblers were seen this week at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk) on 14th and The Naze (Essex) on 17th; while two were reported from Brook’s Hill Wood at Saltash (Cornwall).
An unconfirmed report came this week of a Black-throated Thrush in Cheshire & Wirral at Wilmslow on 16th, but no further sign of it was forthcoming.
An eastern stonechat sp was seen fleetingly near Rossie Bog (Fife) on 18th.
The Richard’s Pipit remained in Somerset at Huntspill on 15th-17th, with another found in Cornwall between Godrevy Point and Navax Point on 17th.
An Olive-backed Pipit was found on Shetland Mainland at Voe on 14th, with another seen at Strathaven (Clyde) on 17th.
The Red-throated Pipit was again seen on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 14th.
It’s been a fine year for seawatchers in northern Spain and, this week, there was still more excitement to be had at Cabo de Penas on 15th, where a Black-capped Petrel was seen.
On the Canary Islands, a Tristram’s Warbler was an excellent find on Gran Canaria on 15th.
There’s only so long we can sustain the relentless optimism that continues to maintain we’re still in the throes of autumn. Once we cross the Rubicon into December, that’s surely the defining moment when we have to put our wilder dreams of the big one, travelling late and alone, on ice.
But that still leaves us with the last week of November ahead, and if experience tells us anything, it’s that now is the time for somebody to find a perky Desert Wheatear on a beach or seawall somewhere on the coast…
Jon Dunn
Many thanks to all this week's contributors for your photos and videos
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