Weekly birding round-up: 4 - 10 Apr 2025
Ah, spring. How we’ve missed you. After what has felt at times like the longest, greyest, dreichest of winters – albeit one enlivened by some decent birds – the past week was pretty much wall-to-wall sunshine and migrants beginning to filter in. And rarities, let’s not forget them. There were new birds to deal with.
What a week this proved to be for Alpine Accentor… it all started in Cornwall, where the recent bird remained at Nanjulian Cliff, between Nanquidno and Aire Point, on 4th, and was seen again there on 6th.
Meanwhile, on 5th, another was seen on the Isle of Wight at Blackgang, though wasn’t subsequently reported from there. This was the first for the county since its one and only bird, seen there for a little more than 10 days at The Needles in May/June 1990.
Were that not enough, a final probable bird was flushed in Co.Cork on Toe Head (and sound-recorded) on 8th. This, were it to be confirmed, would be an Irish first national record of the species.
Bringing some seabird class to precedings, an adult Elegant Tern was seen in Co.Mayo on Achill Island in the afternoon of 6th. Presumably this could well be the adult bird last seen in Co.Mayo on 30th June 2024 on Inis Doire – this was first seen last year arriving on Achill Island on 30th April, so there’s hope it might follow the 2024 precedent and show intermittently in the area once again.
In Cornwall the stalwart pale morph juvenile Booted Eagle was once again seen near Sennen on 4th, but not thereafter in the county for the rest of the week.
Then, on 10th, a county that’s flirted with an acceptable Booted Eagle record for years, Kent, finally got a bird that was locally twitchable. First seen over Broadstairs in the early evening, a pale morph bird wandered around the Broadstairs and Ramsgate area for a short while before heading west as the evening wore on.
Will it be seen again in the county, allowing Kent birders from further afield to catch up with it? Time will tell.
White-billed Diver once again set the pace this week where seabirds were concerned, with Scotland and Ireland alike blessed with birds. Scottish individuals were seen at Portsoy (Aberdeenshire) again on 5th, 7th and 9th-10th, with two present there on 8th; on 7th-10th off Gullane Point (Lothian); on 7th off Lewis (Western Isles); on 8th at Cullen (Moray); and on 9th at Portnockie (Moray). Ireland meanwhile scored birds from the ferry off Inishbeg (Co.Donegal) on 5th, and Curransport (Co.Donegal) on 7th.
Rarer diver fare was found in Ireland, where an immature Pacific Diver was seen off Achill Island (Co.Mayo) on 6th-10th.
This was another good week for interesting long-legged beasties and, in a testament to their reach, we start our account in Shetland, where a Night Heron found on Burra on 5th-10th was followed by a fine adult Purple Heron on Mainland at Boddam on 6th-9th. These were locally very popular birds indeed, the latter individual being the first live bird of its kind in the archipelago since 1981.
In more usual quarters for Purple Heron, one remained on St Mary’s (Scilly) on 4th-10th, while in Ireland individuals were noted at Liss Ard Estate (Co.Cork) on 4th-10th still, and at Tacumshin (Co.Wexford) on 5th-10th. On 10th two dropped in to Dungeness (Kent), and one at Brading Marshes RSPB (Isle of Wight). Another possible was reported from over Ellington (Northumberland) on 6th.
A Night Heron remained on St Mary’s (Scilly) on 5th, with it or another again seen there on 10th; while Cornish sightings came from Chapel Amble on 4th-9th, St Blazey on 6th, and Walmsley Sanctuary CBWPS on 8th. Another was seen in Devon at Slapton Ley on 9th-10th.
Finally then, the ubiquitous Glossy Ibis have some competition for our attention. But what of them? Another good week for these imminent colonists saw 22 birds recorded across Britain and Ireland as a whole, with Hampshire’s Titchfield Haven NNR still holding a decent flock of seven birds alone on 4th, with three still present there on 8th. Further multiples were two still at Langford Lowfields RSPB (Northamptonshire) on 5th-9th; two still present at Deeping Lakes LWT (Lincolnshire) on 4th-5th; and two found on the Isle of Wight at Ventnor and Brading Marshes RSPB on 5th.
Marking the gathering season, a Corncrake was present this week on Cape Clear (Co.Cork) on 6th, and a Spotted Crake on The Lizard (Cornwall) on 7th.
The honkers and quackers are far from done with us yet, with plenty of notable birds still out there to be seen, albeit numbers are beginning to fall somewhat. Kicking off with The Goose Formerly Known As Canada, two hutchinsii Richardson’s Cackling Goose were present on North Uist (Western Isles) on 4th-10th.
Black Brant were again seen in East Yorkshire in the Kilnsea Wetlands NR area on 7th and 9th, and in Essex at Goldhanger on 6th.
In Shetland the Ross’s Goose remained on Mainland near Toft on 8th-10th.
Numbers of Green-winged Teal remained fairly constant this past week, with 14 birds in all noted over the course of it. Eight American Wigeon were on offer – one remained in Shetland at Loch of Hillwell on 4th-5th; Northumberland supplied sightings at Druridge Pools NR on 4th-9th and East Chevington NWT on 5th-10th; the East Yorkshire bird remained at Hedon on 4th-9th; one remained in Co.Kerry at Milltown Bridge on 5th-6th; further Irish sightings came from Ballycotton (Co.Cork) on 8th-10th, and Tacumshin (Co.Wexford) on 10th; and one was seen in Lincolnshire on 9th at Alkborough Flats NR
Also in Ireland, the female Blue-winged Teal was once again seen at Tacumshin (Co.Wexford) on 5th.
A drake Ferruginous Duck was reported from the unpromising surroundings of Heathrow Airport (London) on 4th. On 8th, two were seen in the reedbeds at Napton Reservoir (Warwickshire), and one at Woolston Eyes NR (Chrshire & Wirral), the Napton pair remaining there on 9th-10th.
Some 30 Ring-necked Duck were seen across Britain and Ireland in recent days. Multiple birds were seen at Lough Ennell (Co.Westmeath), where five birds were present on 10th; at Gouthwaite Reservoir (North Yorkshire), where two birds were still present on 7th-9th; and at Ham Wall RSPB (Somerset), where two were again noted on 6th.
At least nine Lesser Scaup were seen during the week, with two still at Abberton Reservoir (Essex) on 5th-10th, rising to three there by 9th; and single birds remaining at Longham Lakes (Dorset) on 5th-10th; Whelford Pools (Gloucestershire) on 4th-10th; at Chew Valley Lake (Somerset) on 4th-10th, with a second bird present there on 10th; and on South Uist (Western Isles) on 6th-9th. A bird was reported from Balgray Reservoir (Clyde) on 7th; while a probable was seen on Rutland Water (Leicestershire) on 5th. On 8th-9th a drake was found in East Yorkshire at Hornsea Mere.
In Lothian, the drake White-winged Scoter was again seen off Gullane Point on 7th-8th. A drake Black Scoter was seen from Ruddon’s Point (Fife) on 6th and 9th-10th. Rounding off the scoters, a Surf Scoter was seen on 8th-10th at Llandulas (Conwy), while the Three Beaches Headland bird remained in Devon on 9th.
Finally, in Shetland our honorary quacker, the American Coot, remained on Loch of Spiggie on 4th-10th.
West Sussex commands the lead of the weekly waders, with the Least Sandpiper still to be found at Medmerry RSPB on 4th-10th.
Two Long-billed Dowitcher were once more seen during the week – the Tacumshin (Co.Wexford) individual still present there on 5th-10th; and the Bowling Green Marsh RSPB (Devon) bird still there on 4th-6th, and on the Exe Estuary on 8th.
Five Dotterel were found on 8th at Craiglee (Ayrshire); and two the same day near Harrington (Northamptonshire).
A couple of Ring-billed Gull head up the gulls’n’terns this week, one apiece for Ireland and Scotland – the first-winter bird still in Cork (Co.Cork) on 4th, and the adult again on Loch Turret Reservoir (Perth & Kinross) on 7th.
Numbers of both Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull continued to wane, with some half a dozen apiece recorded in Britain and Ireland in recent days.
The adult Kumlien’s Gull was again seen at Helmsdale (Highland & Caithness) on 6th-8th, while a juvenile was once more seen at Carne (Co.Wexford) on 4th, and the Aber Ogwen (Gwynedd) juvenile again there on 7th and 9th.
An adult Bonaparte’s Gull was seen on 8th at Llanelli (Carmarthenshire) and then, on 9th-10th, at Conwy RSPB (Conwy).
The Bonaparte’s Gull still at @RSPBConwy this morning to 11am at least. Also an Osprey right overhead, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 White Wagtails. Pic by Martin Jones taken yesterday. pic.twitter.com/FVzpRe77YD
— Alan Davies (@AlanDaviesbirds) April 10, 2025
Our returning Forster’s Tern was still hanging around Dorset’s Poole Harbour this week, being seen on the lagoon on Brownsea Island on 4th, and in Wareham Channel the following day.
The new week began with a couple of Black Kite logged on 4th, one in Devon at Exminster Marshes RSPB, and the other on Anglesey at Llyn Penrhyn; another was seen at Hope Mansell (Herefordshire) on 6th. Wales generated an unconfirmed report of a bird at Llanbedrog (Gwynedd) on 6th, while a probable was seen at Hartland Moor (Dorset) on 7th and, on 10th, a possible was reported near Clovelly (Devon).
A possible Pallid Harrier was seen coming in off the sea at Durlston CP (Dorset) on 4th, and a second-summer male was seen seen at Anderby Creek (Lincolnshire) in the evening of 10th.
A male Red-footed Falcon was reported from Stodmarsh NNR (Kent) on 5th.
Lastly, a Snowy Owl was seen near Loch Oich (Highland & Caithness) on 7th.
Argh, Hoopoe… are there any left in southern Europe now? The influx continued this past week with around 180 birds logged as the days wore on. Many sites enjoyed multiple birds, with six noted on Cape Clear (Co.Cork) on 4th the highest single site tally.
Not to be churlish, but it was nice to see some southern variety coming on their coattails… A Pallid Swift was found on St Mary’s (Scilly) on 9th, while a handful of Alpine Swift also checked in – birds being recorded on 4th at Marazion Marsh RSPB (Cornwall), Selsey Bill (West Sussex), and Sheep’s Head (Co.Cork); on 5th at Tremethick Cross (Cornwall) and Severn Beach (Gloucestershire); on 6th at St Buryan (Cornwall) and Foxcote Reservoir (Buckinghamshire); and on 10th on Tiree (Argyll & Bute).
Wryneck were on the move too. A dozen were noted this past week – in Cornwall at Pendeen on 4th-5th, and at Kenidjack on 6th; on 6th also on Cape Clear (Co.Cork); on 7th on St Mary’s (Scilly), at Cosheston (Pembrokeshire), and at Aust (Gloucestershire); and on 8th on Foula (Shetland), Lundy (Devon), in Cornwall at Porthgwarra, and at Cooden (East Sussex). On 9th another was seen in a garden at Godshill (Isle of Wight) and, on 10th, another at Skipwith Common (North Yorkshire).
On St Mary’s (Scilly) the Woodchat Shrike remained present on 4th; and another was found on 4th-10th at Newhaven (West Sussex).
A Great Grey Shrike was seen at Leasowe (Cheshire & Wirral) on 6th; another was found on 8th in Perth & Kinross at Moss of Cochrage; and one more on 9th on Isle of Man at Point of Ayre.
In Co.Galway the Pied Crow was again seen at Barna on 7th, while the Islay (Argyll & Bute) bird also remained present on the island on 7th. On 8th, one was seen in Ireland at Old Head of Kinsale (Co.Cork), with a possible there the following day.
A Short-toed Lark was found on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 10th.
Red-rumped Swallow were found this week at North Hallsands (Devon) on 6th, where three birds were seen; also on 6th at Portland (Dorset) and Tacumshin (Co.Wexford); on 7th on Scilly over St Mary’s and Tresco, and at Beachy Head (East Sussex); and on 8th at Kynance Cove (Cornwall).
Two male Iberian Chiffchaff were in song on 8th at a private site somewhere in Co.Waterford; a further possible (or mixed singer) was present at Conwy RSPB (Conwy) on 9th.
The female Western Subalpine Warbler remained at Galley Head (Co.Cork) on 4th-9th, while another Subalpine Warbler sp was found in Dorset at Weymouth on 6th-10th.
A probable Bluethroat was heard singing at Great Yarmouth (Norfolk) in the evening of 10th, but there could be no doubt about the fine Red-flanked Bluetail also found that day up in Shetland at Grutness.
A Serin was found at St Levan (Cornwall) on 7th, and another was seen on 10th on Hayling Island (Hampshire).
Finally, the wintering Little Bunting remained settled at Send (Surrey) on 4th-7th.
Anchored for another week offshore in the Netherlands, the drake Spectacled Eider remained off Texel on 4th-9th. A Bonelli’s Eagle was seen at Egmond aan Zee on 8th-9th.
In Denmark the first-winter male Indigo Bunting remained at Tjæreby on 5th-7th.
Germany’s Western Orphean Warbler remained in Eching on 7th.
In France a Sociable Lapwing was seen on 6th at Noyelles-sur-Mer, while an Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler was present at Beauduc on 4th. On 7th-10th a Spotted Eagle was seen at Champagne-les-Marais.
Further afield, the Lesser Moorhen remained on Cyprus on 4th-10th at Agia Varvara; and another was seen in Morocco at Souss-Massa NP on 4th.
Finally, out on the Azores, a Little Blue Heron was on Sao Miguel on 5th, with a Common Yellowthroat also present on there that day.
How are we already nudging into the middle of April? Time flies when you’re having fun, and the coming week offers plenty of enjoyable precedent to while away some time in contemplation.
While we’ve mostly been watching events unfold in America this past week through our fingers, at least nobody’s charging tariffs on the rare passerines they occasionally export in our direction – the coming week boasts two historic records of Song Sparrow, and one apiece of Savannah Sparrow and Slate-coloured Junco.
More realistically though, this is a prime week to get yourself to your nearest coastal scrub and look out for a Subalpine Warbler sp. If Western Subalpine Warbler isn’t on your self-found list yet, the time to do something about it is now.
Jon Dunn
11 Apr 2025
Many thanks to all this week's contributors for your photos and videos
Share
