Weekly birding round-up: 3 - 9 Dec 2024
Just when we might have been forgiven for thinking the birding year was winding down, along came something that shook us out of our complacency. And no, that wasn’t Storm Darragh, though that too arrived in no uncertain terms. Nope, it was the return (probably) of a truly mega wader to Northumberland. Not a bird any of us would have been betting on seeing again any time soon, let alone in early winter…
Well, to call the discovery of a Grey-headed Lapwing in Northumberland this week at East Chevington NWT on 5th a bit of a surprise would qualify as a colossal understatement. One anywhere would always be startling news, given our first was only last year, after all, albeit also found initially in Northumberland.
But in early December? That’s a proper turn up for the books. But there it was, hanging around East Chevington NWT for around an hour in the morning of 5th, and then back there the following morning for a somewhat longer stint.
At last… grey headed lapwing @NTBirdClub pic.twitter.com/I5q4U5EcSX
— JOHNMALLOY (@john_malloy) December 10, 2024
The last confirmed sighting was at East Chevington NWT in the early afternoon of Friday 6th December before it headed away, seemingly towards Hauxley NR, from whence an unconfirmed report was to follow later in the afternoon. But over the weekend, not a sausage…
And then, as the week drew to a close on 9th, there it was once more back at East Chevington NWT fleetingly in the morning, but not thereafter. It’s playing hard to get but, then again, even having another opportunity to try for it at all is an unexpected bonus. That is, assuming this is indeed the same bird as that last seen on North Uist (Western Isles) on 29th May 2023… That bird had followed a north-westerly trajectory away from where it was initially found in Northumberland a few weeks previously on 1st May at Newton Scrapes. Had it kept going, the north Atlantic awaited.
Then again, the coincidence of Northumberland is striking, and hard to ignore. And rumour has it that there may be a submission of a Grey-headed Lapwing made from elsewhere in Britain dating from earlier in 2024, so perhaps the original bird didn’t head out to sea after all, and may have been back in Britain again earlier this year.
The main thing, this week, is that there is an unequivocal Grey-headed Lapwing lobbing around Northumberland and, should it settle into some sort of discernible routine, it’s going to be a welcome end to the year for more than a few birders who maybe missed the 2023 bird for one reason or another. As we go to press on 10th, it’s been back at East Chevington NWT again in the morning…
Proving entirely less flighty than a wayward wader, the recently found American Coot remained settled this week in Shetland on Loch of Spiggie, constraining its wanderings to drifting up and down the loch a little way, occasionally tucking itself out of sight under the banks, and still to be seen there throughout the week until 9th.
And that was about it. Truly the epitome of an obliging rarity doing the decent thing and settling down for hopefully a good long while. Granted, neither as flashy nor rarified as a Grey-headed Lapwing, but certainly not underwhelming as some may have unkindly suggested…
(Though not within earshot of it, as everyone knows coots of all iterations are hard as nails).
There was a northerly component to the week’s weather, but that didn’t initially translate to much of an influx of Little Auk; for a second week on the trot, around 150 birds in total were logged over the course of recent days up to the start of the weekend, and with no particularly high counts in their midst – the best of them being 47 noted from Fife Ness (Fife) on 7th. That all changed on Sunday 8th, with around 1,000 birds noted down the North Sea coast of Britain, the best single site count coming from Whitburn CP (Co.Durham), where 127 birds were logged. This was surpassed on 9th by 462 seen from Annstead Point (Northumberland), the best of the approximately 2,300 birds seen nationwide that day.
A juvenile White-billed Diver was reported passing Pendeen (Cornwall) on 3rd; another was seen from Macduff (Aberdeenshire) on 7th.
A late Cory’s Shearwater was a highlight at St Ives (Cornwall) on 7th, while another was to be seen on 9th at Annstead Point (Northumberland); and single Balearic Shearwater were seen at Portland (Dorset) on 3rd and 4th.
A handful of storm-blown Leach’s Petrel were seen this week – up the Bristol Channel at Severn Beach (Gloucestershire) on 5th, and at Burnham-on-Sea (Somerset) on 7th; from St Ives (Cornwall) on 7th; and on 8th at Pendeen (Cornwall) and Whitburn CP (Co.Durham).
Just a dozen Pomarine Skua were logged this week, starting with a bird seen on 7th at Lossiemouth (Moray); and followed on 8th by further individuals in Kent at Swalecliffe, Graveney Marshes, and Herne Bay and North Foreland, the latter two locations notching up two birds apiece; in Essex at Canvey Island; in Norfolk off Cromer; and in Co.Durham off Whitburn CP. On 9th another Kentish sighting came from Minnis Bay; and another off Seahouses (Northumberland).
Finally, rarest of all by some margin, the Double-crested Cormorant remained in Co.Leitrim on Doon Lough on 4th.
A little touch of variety reappeared among the long-legged beasties this week in the form of the adult Night Heron again in Norfolk at Sparham Pools on 3rd.
Other than that though, it was as ever all about the Glossy Ibis. Most of the usual familiar British faces were still on offer – three remained in Hampshire at Titchfield Haven NNR on 7th-9th; two again in Norfolk at Breydon Water on 6th-9th; one still in Northamptonshire at Summer Leys NR on 3rd-7th; Somerset sightings once more at Ham Wall RSPB on 3rd, and Chew Valley Lake on 6th again; one still at Slimbridge WWT (Gloucestershire) on 6th; and the Devon bird still at Fremington Pill on 3rd-4th. In Ireland, two were settled again at Lady’s Island Lake (Co.Wexford) on 4th-7th; and one was seen in Co.Cork at White’s Marsh again on 5th.
We’ll start the honkers and by getting The Goose Formerly Known As Canada out of the way – a hutchinsii Richardson’s Cackling Goose remained on Islay (Argyll & Bute) on 3rd-9th; and two of its kind were still in Co.Mayo on 8th at Elly Bay.
Snow Geese continued to add a wintery flavour here and there. Starting in Scotland, one was again at Montrose Basin (Angus) on 4th-7th; while one was seen at points various in Ayrshire/Clyde again on 6th-8th. Two were once more seen in East Yorkshire at Tophill Low NR on 4th. Co.Donegal supplied a bird on Tory Island on 5th, and at Dunfanaghy New Lake on 6th again.
Back to Scotland, a bird initially reported as a Snow Goose at Kildonan (Argyll & Bute) on 5th proved instead to be a Ross’s Goose, and still present there on 6th. This was followed, on 8th, by a bird hanging out, perhaps unhelpfully, with Canada Geese near Raith Reservoir (Ayrshire).
The Black Brant was again seen in Essex at Mersea Island on 4th, with another seen on 9th at Church Norton (West Sussex); while a possible Grey-bellied Brant was again present at Sandymount Strand (Co.Dublin) on 5th and again on 9th.
A Red-breasted Goose was found in Cumbria again on 9th at Rockcliffe Marsh.
A Lesser White-fronted Goose was found in Norfolk on 8th-9th at Lynn Point; at least three of the birds from the Scandinavian reintroduction scheme remained this week in East Yorkshire at Flamborough until 9th.
Scotland maintained its recent dominance of American Wigeon sightings, with five birds noted this past week – one still on Shetland at Loch of Hillwell on 4th-6th; an Orkney individual still on Mainland at Loch of Ayre on 4th; the Otterston Loch (Fife) bird still present on 3rd-8th; the Newshot Island (Clyde) individual still on 3rd-8th; and one at Crook of Baldoon RSPB (Dumfries & Galloway) on 6th-9th. One remained in Northumberland at Blagdon Hall still on 3rd-9th; and one was again seen at Kenfig NNR (Glamorgan) on 8th-9th.
Green-winged Teal were in relatively short supply – birds remained near Heversham (Cumbria) on 3rd; at Sandbach Flashes (Cheshire & Wirral) on 4th-5th still; at Slimbridge WWT (Gloucestershire) still on 3rd-9th; at Loch Fleet (Highland & Caithness) again on 4th; and on Hayle Estuary (Cornwall) again on 7th-8th, with two reported there on the former date. Another sighting in England came from Martin Mere WWT (Lancashire & North Merseyside) on 4th; while another proved settled on Coward’s Marsh (Dorset) on 6th-7th, before presumably relocating to Brand’s Bay on 8th-9th. Also on 8th, one was present on North Uist (Western Isles); while on 9th a bird was once more seen on Lewis (Western Isles).
Another week, another decent scatter of Ferruginous Duck sightings… Starting in Warwickshire, a drake was to be seen at Draycote Water still on 3rd-9th, and Napton Reservoir on 3rd-6th also. London’s juvenile female remained settled at Tooting Bec Common on 3rd-9th. In Cambridgeshire a female was seen on Barleycroft Lake on 6th; one was again seen in Hertfordshire at West Hyde GPs on 3rd-6th; and another in Lincolnshire at Tallington Lakes on 4th and 9th again.
Ring-necked Duck remained numerous for another week, with some 30 birds reported from Britain and Ireland as a whole. The peak count came, once again, from Ireland where half a dozen were present still on Lough Gara (Co.Sligo) on 5th; while two remained on Kilkee Reservoir (Co.Clare) on 4th. Wales enjoyed two birds at Llyn Pencarreg (Carmarthenshire) on 9th.
Half a dozen Lesser Scaup provided some variety and spice – birds continued their residencies at Belvide Reservoir (Staffordshire) still on 3rd-9th; Barleycroft Lake (Cambridgeshire) still on 3rd-7th; at Chew Valley Lake (Somerset) on 3rd-4th; at Otterston Loch (Fife) still on 3rd-8th; and at Tacumshin (Co.Wexford) on 4th-9th still. Additional sightings this week came from Cambridgeshire at Berry Fen on 5th-6th, and back in Somerset at Blagdon Lake on 6th.
A shade over a dozen Surf Scoter were again noted around Britain and Ireland. At least two were still in the Druridge Pools NR area of Northumberland until 9th; two remained off Dornoch (Highland & Caithness) on 4th-9th; and singletons at Studland (Dorset) still on 3rd-4th, Hope Cove (Devon) on 7th-9th, Peterhead (Aberdeenshire) on 4th-6th still, and Rossbeigh (Co.Kerry) on 6th. Also in Ireland, numbers off Inch (Co.Kerry) rose to five present on 7th.
A first-winter female King Eider was a good find off Yell (Shetland) on 4th.
And finally, also in Shetland, the recent magnificent drake Bufflehead was last reported from Foula on 4th. Where’s he gone now?
Headline bird notwithstanding, as we’d expect at this point in the year the scarce and rare waders were becoming an ever harder-to-come-by aspect of the daily news feeds this week.
All that said, a White-rumped Sandpiper at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk) on 6th-9th was a notable new face.
An American Golden Plover was again seen at Blennerville (Co.Kerry) on 4th.
In Somerset the female Kentish Plover remained at Burnham-on-Sea on 3rd-6th.
A Dotterel was reported from Broom GPs (Bedfordshire) on 5th.
The recent Long-billed Dowitcher remained at Bowling Green Marsh RSPB (Devon) on 4th-7th.
A couple of Grey Phalarope were seen this week in Scotland – one on the mud at Cramond (Lothian) on 5th; and another on 6th at Fraserburgh (Aberdeenshire) – and single birds in England passing Whitburn CP (Co.Durham) on 8th, and Flamborough (East Yorkshire) on 9th.
Relatively quiet times for bin bag botherers generally this week, with a couple of Ring-billed Gull about the rarest we got – these being individuals at Blackrock (Co.Louth) still on 5th; and another reported from Hayle Estuary (Cornwall) on 6th.
Around 20 Glaucous Gulls were logged over the course of the week, with lingering birds in Kent and Cambridgeshire in particular continuing to draw local interest; and at least four seen passing Lewis (Western Isles) on 7th.
Lewis also scored an Iceland Gull on 7th, one of just a few seen again this week as a whole. Additional sightings came in Scotland from Shetland, where one was seen from Sumburgh on 4th; Orkney, where one was noted from Westray on 3rd, and two from Papa Westray on 5th; on Skye (Highland & Caithness) on 3rd-4th and 8th; and at Portsoy (Aberdeenshire) on 8th. Away from Scotland, an Irish individual was seen at Limerick (Co.Limerick) again on 7th, and another on St Mary’s (Scilly) on 8th.
Back in Scotland, the adult Kumlien’s Gull was at Helmsdale (Highland & Caithness) again on 6th.
Finally, a Sabine’s Gull was seen off North Foreland (Kent) on 8th, and another on 9th off Holme NWT (Norfolk).
Harriers once more make up the vanguard of the weekly rare raptors, and we kick off at Ballyvergan Marsh (Co.Cork) where the second-winter male Northern Harrier remained on offer on 4th.
In Norfolk the female Pallid Harrier remained around Warham Greens on 3rd and 6th; and the second-winter male was again seen in Pembrokeshire at Dowrog Common on 3rd and 8th.
Lastly, a Rough-legged Buzzard was found on Orkney Mainland at Heddle on 7th.
The weekly passerines commence once again with the recent Hoopoe still to be seen in South Yorkshire at Rossington on 3rd; further reports came from north Kent at Seasalter on 4th, and Whitstable on 5th.
Waxwing remained decidedly hard to come by. Two were noted in Norfolk at Dungeon Corner on 3rd; and three were reported in Derbyshire at Hartington on 7th.
The recent Penduline Tit was reported once more, and again heard only, at Titchwell RSPB (Norfolk) on 5th.
Numbers of Yellow-browed Warbler took a tumble this week, with a little over a dozen reported, once again with a generally southwest English bias. Away from the region, one was seen at The Naze (Essex) on 4th; and one at Broad Haven (Pembrokeshire) on 6th-8th.
Their rarer, greyer counterpart, Hume’s Warbler, continued to be represented by elusive individuals at Dungeness (Kent) still on 4th-9th, and in Norfolk at Titchwell RSPB again on 5th.
Back in Essex at The Naze, the recent Pallas’s Warbler remained on show on 3rd-7th.
On St Mary’s (Scilly) the lingering Dusky Warbler remained on present on 3rd-6th, while another was found in Devon at Dawlish Warren NNR on 3rd-9th – as ever at this time of the year, alongside Yellow-browed Warbler the species has to be considered to offer genuine potential for a self-find on a local patch in the clement southwest of England.
The only Great Grey Shrike of the week was present at The Spinnies NWWT (Gwynedd) on 8th.
A couple of Rose-coloured Starling emerged from the woodwork once more this week – the juvenile again in Pembrokeshire at Llawhaden on 4th; and the adult again in Lerwick (Shetland) on 6th.
Richard’s Pipit were found in recent days at Oldbury Power Station (Gloucestershire) on 3rd, and at Watermead Lake (Buckinghamshire) on 4th.
More startling was the discovery, on 3rd-4th, of an Olive-backed Pipit in a Helston (Cornwall) garden. A fine garden tick anywhere, let alone in the far southwest.
Finally, Argyll & Bute produced a Common Rosefinch on 8th-9th at Lephenstrath Bridge.
We’ll start the overseas news right out there in the Azores, where a few American gems continued to shine. Foremost among them was the Willet still present on Terceira on 4th-7th; but also present in the archipelago were Common Yellowthroat still on Sao Miguel on 5th-6th, and Double-crested Cormorant still on Faial on 6th.
Up in Iceland, the White-winged Scoter remained off Reykjavik on 6th.
Into mainland Europe, in Portugal the Yellow-crowned Night Heron was still to be seen at Quinta do Lago on 6th-9th.
In Germany, the Sandhill Crane remained at Gross Heseper Moor on 3rd-7th; and the Northern Mockingbird at Feldflur Rheidt Am Schafott on 8th.
Finally, in France a Brown Booby was found at Salins de Frontignan on 7th.
Well, if the past week taught us anything, it was that one can never write the year off as we plough towards the end of it. December, and northerlies? Forget rarities from the Arctic, it was time for the return of a wader from the far east.
Such craziness can’t be sustained. We surely need to brace ourselves for a resumption of whatever normal looks like these days.
The week seems set to begin with some chilly easterlies before westerlies off the Atlantic begin to reassert themselves over the weekend. Could we yet score some modest passerine goodness from the near Continent before the month is out?
Not shooting for the stars here, but is there time yet for another rare wheatear, perhaps a decent thrush, or maybe a Penduline Tit or two?
Jon Dunn
10 Dec2024
Many thanks to all this week's contributors for your photos and videos
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