Weekly birding round-up: 19 - 25 Nov 2024
Storm Bert made landfall in Britain and Ireland this week, bringing strong southerly winds and torrential rain, but not perhaps storm-blown birds to quite the extent that birders might have been hoping for. Nonetheless, there were a lot of Little Auk, and they’re always a sea-watching pleasure.
By virtue of rarity, if not accessibility, the magnificent drake Bufflehead that arrived on Shetland last week remains our prime headline bird for another week, having remained tucked into the sheltered nook of Ham Voe on the eastern side of Foula throughout this week up to and including 25th. Your own correspondent surely not alone amongst Shetland’s local birders in hoping it relocates somewhere a little more convenient in due course… Foula, at the best of times, can be a challenging island to get on or off – and early winter is certainly not the best of times where sea conditions in Shetland are concerned!
If one bird owned the week, it was Little Auk, with decent numbers being seen off our coasts this week, particularly down the east coast of England and Scotland – while of course some of the birds logged this week will be duplicates at multiple sites, there were definitely a lot of them on the move as a whole. Around 7,200 birds were reported over the course of the week, with Seahouses (Northumberland) returning the best single site tally, with 922 noted from there on 19th.
A White-billed Diver was seen off Orkney’s Papa Westray on 22nd; another was reported from St Ives (Cornwall) on 20th; and a final bird for the week was seen from Strumble Head (Pembrokeshire) on 25th.
Suddenly, numbers of Great Shearwater fell off a cliff, with a mere 18 birds seen across the region as a whole in recent days. On 23rd a Cory’s Shearwater was seen from Porthgwarra (Cornwall); followed on 24th by sightings in Hampshire at Milford-on-Sea, and Dorset at Mudeford Quay.
Balearic Shearwater were scarcities now – birds were seen in Cornwall on 19th at Pendeen and St Ives, on 21st at Cape Cornwall, and on 25th at Pendeen; while Dorset’s Portland scored a singleton on 20th and 22nd, and two on 24th.
A handful of Leach’s Petrel blew close to shore – birds were noted at Canvey Island (Essex) on 19th; in Kent on 23rd at North Foreland and Hythe, the latter site enjoying two individuals; at Milford-on-Sea (Hampshire) on 23rd; and at Portland (Dorset) on 23rd also. On 24th the pace quickened a little, with a further half dozen birds noted; and then on 25th things quietened down again, with single birds seen from Dungeness (Kent), Severn Beach (Gloucestershire), and Burnham-on-Sea (Somerset).
Finally, Pomarine Skua almost dried up this week – half a dozen were seen across the region on 19th, but thereafter just the one bird, an individual seen from Embo (Highland & Caithness) on 23rd.
The usual long-legged beastie suspects cropped up, once again, in many of the usual places this week. Of course we’re talking about Glossy Ibis, erstwhile rarity and now semi-resident and incipient colonist in our midst. Starting in Somerset, sightings came from Ham Wall RSPB still on 19th-20th, and Westhay Moor NNR on 21st-24th again; three remained in Hampshire at Titchfield Haven NNR on 20th-23rd; one was still to be seen at Summer Leys NR (Northamptonshire) on 22nd-25th; and two remained at Deeping Lakes LWT (Lincolnshire) on 23rd-25th. Two remained in Co.Wexford at Lady’s Island Lake on 24th.
As usual from now until the spring, the honkers and quackers kick off with The Goose Formerly Known As Canada. Dunfanaghy (Co.Donegal) held onto its recent interior Todd’s Canada Goose and hutchinsii Richardson’s Cackling Goose on 21st-25th, with two of the latter flavour present on 24th-25th. The hutchinsii bird remained on Islay (Argyll & Bute) on 19th-24th; and an interior bird was found in Cumbria at Whitrigg Corner on 22nd.
Dunfanaghy New Lake (Co.Donegal) also drew in a Snow Goose on 23rd-25th. Further birds were seen once more in Scotland in the Barr Loch (Clyde) area on 19th-25th and Kilbirnie Loch (Ayrshire) on 19th and 21st; and in Lancashire & North Merseyside again at Martin Mere WWT on 19th-25th, and Marshside RSPB on 20th-21st.
In East Yorkshire a Black Brant was present at Beacon Ponds NR on 25th. A possible Grey-bellied Brant was picked out on 21st at Sandymount Strand (Co.Dublin).
On Islay (Argyll & Bute) the Red-breasted Goose remained present on 21st.
It was another decent showing this week for American Wigeon, with birds seen in Scotland at Loch of Hillwell (Shetland) still on 19th-24th; at Loch of Ayre (Orkney) still on 22nd-25th; Otterston Loch (Fife) still on 19th-24th; and Newshot Island (Clyde) on 24th-25th; and in England at East Cottingwith (East Yorkshire) still on 20th-21st again; at Blagdon Hall (Northumberland) still on 19th, and Shotton Pools (Northumberland) on 24th-25th; and at Welney WWT (Norfolk) again on 23rd.
A shade over half a dozen Green-winged Teal were also seen. Starting in Scotland, one remained on Lewis (Western Isles) on 22nd, while a possible was present in Fife at Otterston Loch on 24th. English birds were seen in Cornwall at Hayle Estuary RSPB again on 23rd-25th; at Slimbridge WWT (Gloucestershire) on 19th-25th; at Welney WWT (Norfolk) again on 23rd; one was reported from Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk) on 21st; the Colt Crag Reservoir (Northumberland) bird remained there on 20th; another was seen in Cheshire & Wirral at Sandbach Flashes on 19th and 24th; and a bird was seen in Cumbria at Arnside on 25th. In Ireland another was seen at Black Glen Pond (Co.Derry) on 24th.
In Essex the drake Canvasback was once again seen at Abberton Reservoir on 20th-25th.
London’s juvenile female Ferruginous Duck remained settled at Tooting Bec Common on 19th-25th; the Warwickshire drake remained on Draycote Water on 20th-25th; the drake was again seen on Napton Reservoir (Warwickshire) on 21st; while two birds were present on Stocker’s Lake (Hertfordshire) on 21st-22nd following one on Bury Lake on 20th.
Around 25Ring-necked Duck were seen across Britain and Ireland this week and, once again, some sites were blessed with multiple birds. Best of the lot this week was Brierfield Turlough (Co.Roscommon), which had a peak count of four birds present there on 20th; two were present at Ardcloony (Co.Clare) on 23rd, rising to three there on 25th; two were in Co.Clare at Knockalough Lough still on 25th; and two were on Rostaff Turlough (Co.Mayo) on 19th.
Ireland enjoyed two Lesser Scaup in recent days – one at Ardcloony (Co.Clare) on 22nd-25th, and another present on Cahore Marsh (Co.Wexford) still on 22nd. Just one Scottish individual was seen, this being the settled bird on Otterston Loch (Fife) still on 19th-24th. English birds were on Belvide Reservoir (Staffordshire) still on 19th-25th; at Beesands Ley (Devon) on 22nd still; and on Barleycroft Lake (Cambridgeshire) on 19th-25th still.
The drake White-winged Scoter remained at Lunan Bay (Angus) on 19th-22nd.
Lastly, Surf Scoter broke through the double figure ceiling again this week, with at least 12 birds seen around Britain and Ireland. Multiples in their number were two off Druridge Pools NR (Northumberland) again on 21st-25th; and two still present off Dornoch (Highland & Caithness) on 21st-22nd.
A couple of the recent largesse of White-rumped Sandpiper held on for another week – birds were lingering lately at Newport (Pembrokeshire) until 23rd, and Slimbridge WWT (Gloucestershire) until 25th, while another was found on 21st-24th on Orkney Mainland at Birsay Bay.
A couple of American Golden Plover brightened the week – found on 22nd in Ireland near Tralee (Co.Kerry), and at Rosscarbery (Co.Cork).
In Somerset the female Kentish Plover was still to be seen at Burnham-on-Sea on 19th-21st.
The Norfolk Long-billed Dowitcher was seen this week at Titchwell RSPB on 20th, and Cley NWT again on 24th-25th; the Devon individual was again at Bowling Green Marsh RSPB on 19th-22nd; and a bird was again seen in London at Rainham Marshes RSPB on 21st.
Just one American Golden Plover was noted this week, the adult again at Breydon Water (Norfolk) on 15th.
The week was to prove a busier one than of late for Grey Phalarope, with around 25 birds logged – all singletons bar three seen from Hornsea (East Yorkshire) on 20th, and three on 24th off Overstrand (Norfolk).
Storm Bert ushered several Sabine’s Gull up the English Channel on 23rd, with four birds noted from Dungeness (Kent) that day. On 24th it was the turn of Sussex – East Sussex had a singleton seen from Rottingdean and three off Birling Gap; and West Sussex one going back and forth at Worthing.
A possible Ross’s Gull seen at Falmouth (Cornwall) on 21st sadly came to nothing further.
Confirmed in Cornwall however was the adult Bonaparte’s Gull at Marazion on 24th.
Two Irish regular Ring-billed Gull were seen again this week – one remained at Blennerville (Co.Kerry) on 19th, while the Blackrock (Co.Louth) bird was still present there on 19th-24th; and a second-winter was found on 25th at Strandhill (Co.Sligo). In Scotland one was back at Strathclyde Loch (Clyde) on 24th-25th.
Almost 20 Glaucous Gull were logged over the course of the week, predominantly with a Scottish and northern English bias to sightings, but a handful of birds had penetrated further south – individuals were seen at Foreness Point (Kent) on 21st, at Sizewell (Suffolk) on 22nd, and on 25th at Dungeness (Kent), Ilfracombe (Devon), and St Ives (Cornwall). The only site to score more than one bird was in Shetland where, on 24th, two were present at Loch of Spiggie.
Iceland Gull remained a scarcer commodity – birds were seen this week in Shetland at Boddam on 19th and Loch of Spiggie on 20th; in Orkney at Papa Westray on 22nd; on Skye (Highland & Caithness) on 19th; in Co.Durham at Whitburn on 20th, and Boldon Flats NR on 22nd; at Hornsea (East Yorkshire) on 20th; near Kilbaha (Co.Clare) on 23rd; and at Rathlin Island (Co.Antrim) on 25th.
Ballyvergan Marsh (Co.Cork) remained the weekly harrier hotspot lately, with the second-winter male Northern Harrier still present there on 19th-25th, and the recent juvenile Pallid Harrier also still to be seen there on 19th-22nd, and once more on 25th.
Elsewhere, in Norfolk the female Pallid Harrier remained around Warham Greens on 19th-22nd; and the second-winter male was again seen intermittently in Pembrokeshire on 20th-25th at Dowrog Common.
A few more Waxwing than of late were reported this week, a very modest showing nonetheless, but a welcome sight wherever they were found. Reports consisted of six near Amble (Northumberland) on 20th; 20 at Elmet (West Yorkshire) on 21st; a singleton at Alvaston (Derbyshire) on 22nd; 15 at Scarborough (North Yorkshire) on 23rd; two at Bromley Cross (Greater Manchester) on 23rd; and nine at Rainton Meadows DWT (Co.Durham) on 23rd.
Further weekly colour came in the form of Hoopoe - birds were noted at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk) on 19th-20th; at Rossington (South Yorkshire) again on 20th and 24th; at Sizewell (Suffolk) on 21st; at Sand Hutton (North Yorkshire) on 21st; and in Ashford (Kent) on 25th. A further bird was reported on 25th at Rye Meads RSPB (Hertfordshire).
Just the one Great Grey Shrike was reported this week, still present at Hatfield Moors NNR (South Yorkshire) on 25th.
A Penduline Tit was found on 25th at Titchwell RSPB (Norfolk).
While Yellow-browed Warbler numbers began, finally, to dwindle after a decent run this autumn, their rarer cousin continued to be represented in the form of the lingering Hume’s Warbler still present at Kilnsea (East Yorkshire) on 19th-25th.
On St Mary’s (Scilly) the recently found Dusky Warbler continued to linger on the island on 20th-25th.
A Barred Warbler was seen at Conder Green (Lancashire & North Merseyside) on 19th.
The eastern stonechat sp was once more reported from Gibraltar Point NNR (Lincolnshire) on 25th.
Lerwick (Shetland) continued to play host to a fine adult Rose-coloured Starling on 21st; an additional bird was seen this week at an undisclosed site near Erpingham (Norfolk) on 20th-22nd.
A Black-bellied Dipper blew in to Fair Isle (Shetland) on 22nd.
And finally, a Little Bunting was trapped and ringed at Tice’s Meadow NR (Surrey) on 22nd; while one remained on St Mary’s (Scilly) on 24th.
Fairly quiet news on the overseas front this week, and we’ll start in Germany where two lingering rarities continued their residencies – the Sandhill Crane remained around Gross Heseper Moor until 24th; and the Northern Mockingbird at Feldflur Rheidt Am Schafott still on 21st.
Newly arrived in Poland, an Ivory Gull was present at Wladyslawowo on 23rd-25th – only the second national record of the species.
Up in Norway, two Oriental Turtle Dove were present at Osthassel on 19th.
In Portugal the Yellow-crowned Night Heron was still to be seen at Quinta do Lago on 20th.
Further afield, in Kuwait a Purple Sunbird was seen at Mutla’a Ranch on 19th.
Finally, on the Azores a Double-crested Cormorant remained on Faial on 24th.
Here we are, the final week of November. Another year’s closing chapters unfold…
The autumn show needn’t be wholly over yet. History tells us the coming week could yet spring a decent and well-received surprise. One Green Heron, for example – a well-watched bird in Yorkshire in 1982 – serves as a mere appetiser for no fewer than five historic American Bittern records – all bar one from the dusty annals of history, the only latter-day bird being one found dead at St David’s Airfield (Pembrokeshire) on 30th November 2008. One live and kicking would be warmly received.
History also gives us one of just two British Grey-tailed Tattler records, the bird found at Burghead Bay (Moray) on 27th November 1994. A bird that went on to spend a full month in the area – but one that hasn’t been followed by any subsequent records. Here we are, 30 years after the event, hitherto unfulfilled – imagine the scenes should we be fortunate enough to get another.
Jon Dunn
19 Nov 2024
Many thanks to all this week's contributors for your photos and videos
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