Weekly birding round-up: 16 - 22 May 2025
The spring tempo waned just a little during the past week, with persistent northerlies slamming the door closed on a great deal of potential migration into Britain and Ireland from the near continent. Some birds, however, are made of sterner stuff and weren’t letting the small matter of chilly northerlies deter them from dropping in…
To say that we left the 20th century with just two Hudsonian Godwit on the books – these being the returning bird in Yorkshire and Devon in 1981 and 1983, and a one-day individual at Collieston (Aberdeenshire) on 26th September 1988 – we’ve done well since the turn of the century for them.
There was the fine female that dropped into Somerset in spring 2015; a wandering male in the summer and autumn of 2015; a juvenile on the Eden Estuary (Fife) in the early winter of 2020; the male that settled on Shetland in the summer of 2023; and the male in Cheshire and Flintshire last year in the late summer.
It’s been getting a bit busier for them. And that was further augmented this past week with the discovery of a really fine female bird at Titchfield Haven NNR on 16th. The first record for Hampshire, she remained there showing well at times throughout the past week until 22nd.
Up on Shetland, the Oriental Turtle Dove found in the preceding week at Hillwell remained more or less faithful to the area’s fields and gardens during recent days, last being seen there on 19th.
Sightings of the scarcer skuas dropped off a cliff this week, so they won’t delay us for long before we’re into the rest of the week’s notable seabirds. Long-tailed Skua were seen on 16th at Snab Point (Northumberland), on 18th at Nybster (Highland & Caithness), on 21st passing through Inner Sound (Northumberland), and on 22nd passing Whitburn CP (Co.Durham)… while a Pomarine Skua was seen on 16th at sea off the Blasket Islands (Co.Kerry), and three from Handa Island SWT (Highland & Caithness) on 21st.
Ireland held onto its Pacific Diver at Ballyhiernan Bay (Co.Donegal) on 17th-20th.
White-billed Diver meanwhile were logged in Scotland at Roseisle (Moray) on 16th, off North Uist (Western Isles) on 20th, and South Uist (Western Isles) on 22nd.
Finally, Balearic Shearwater were seen in recent days off Sheringham (Norfolk) on 18th, and Portland (Dorset) on 19th and 20th.
Kicking off the long-legged beasties this week, a Black Stork was seen on Anglesey at North Stack on 16th followed, on 17th, by a report of a bird in North Yorkshire near Shipton.
The southwest was our focal point for Night Heron, with a report of one in Dorset at Bridehead Lake on 17th followed on 18th by a bird in Devon at Otter Estuary NR, and two birds seen in Somerset on 19th at Ham Wall RSPB. Away from the southwest, one was heard at Dungeness (Kent) on 20th.
Purple Heron enjoyed another strong showing this past week, with Suffolk and Scilly alike particularly blessed. In Suffolk a singleton was seen at Carlton Marshes SWT still on 17th-20th, with three present at Minsmere RSPB on 17th; while on Scilly, singletons on Tresco on 17th and St Mary’s on 19th were followed by two on the latter island on 20th-21st. Elsewhere, one remained in Somerset at Shapwick Heath NNR on 16th-18th; one was found on 16th at Dungeness (Kent); one passed over Ibstock (Leicestershire) on 16th also; and a probable was reported from Coombe Hill Meadows NR (Gloucestershire) on 17th.
Numbers of Glossy Ibis stayed fairly static for another week, with some 15 birds noted in Britain and Ireland as a whole once again. Our only sites to feature more than a singleton were Titchfield Haven NNR (Hampshire), where two were again seen on 16th; and Sanday (Orkney), where one still present on the island on 17th-20th had a second bird reported there with it on 17th.
The singing Spotted Crake was again heard at Tacumshin (Co.Wexford) on 17th. A possible Corncrake was reported on 22nd at Cors Ddyga RSPB (Anglesey).
Things got really quiet this week on the honkers and quackers front. The summer doldrums are almost upon us, after all.
A Snow Goose was reported lately from Inch Island Lake (Co.Donegal) on 20th, and another seen on Tiree (Argyll & Bute) on 22nd; while a Black Brant remained around Easington Straight (East Yorkshire) on 17th-21st.
The recent drake Cinnamon Teal was still present at Loch of Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) on 18th-22nd.
A Green-winged Teal was again seen at Musselburgh Lagoons (Lothian) on 21st-22nd.
In Warwickshire the drake Ferruginous Duck was again seen at Draycote Water on 20th, while a female was also seen again on 20th in Cambridgeshire at Ouse Fen RSPB.
Our only certain Ring-necked Duck this week was a drake once more in Devon at Beesands Ley on 16th and 20th; another was reported on 22nd at Rusheen Bay (Co.Galway).
Finally to Fife, where the second-winter drake White-winged Scoter was off Ruddons Point on 16th-22nd.
We’ll start our weekly waders with a bit of a Nearctic flourish, for we had a displaying male Buff-breasted Sandpiper in Lincolnshire, still present at East Halton Marshes on 16th-19th; while another remained on Westray (Orkney) on 16th also.
The week was busy-ish for Pectoral Sandpiper, with as many as five birds reported – at National Wetlands Centre WWT (Carmarthenshire) again on 17th; on Lewis (Western Isles) on 18th; in Clyde at Lochwinnoch RSPB on 19th-21st, and at Endrick Mouth on 20th; and at Cors Ddyga RSPB (Anglesey) on 20th-22nd.
Numbers of Temminck’s Stint were down ever so slightly, but were still significant, with some 40 birds in all logged across the region. The laurels for best site for their kind go once again to Cley NWT (Norfolk), where five were seen on 17th-18th; three were seen inland at Branston GPs (Staffordshire) on 18th; and coastal county duos in Essex at Old Hall Marshes RSPB on 18th, in Suffolk at Hollesley Marshes RSPB on 19th, and on 22nd at Loch of Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) and Potteric Carr YWT (South Yorkshire).
Lingering recent American Golden Plover remained this week on Shetland at Watsness on 16th-22nd; on Orkney on North Ronaldsay on 18th-20th; on Lewis (Western Isles) on 16th; on Holy Island (Northumberland) on 16th-22nd; and at Paull Holme Strays (East Yorkshire) on 16th. Another Western Isles sighting came on North Uist on 18th; and a bird was found on 22nd at Roonagh Lough (Co.Mayo).
A male Kentish Plover was seen fleetingly in Cambridgeshire at Grafham Water on 19th.
Numbers of Dotterel fell away on recent weeks, with just 15 birds in all noted in recent days – the peak count being seven that remained at Beal (Northumberland) on 18th-20th; while five were seen in Cleveland at North Gare on 16th-19th.
A Black-winged Stilt was seen at Cuckmere Haven (East Sussex) on 16th.
Buckinghamshire meanwhile was graced with a rare visit by a Red-necked Phalarope, a bird being seen at Caldecotte Lake on 17th. Another was seen on 22nd in the more anticipated quarters of North Ronaldsay (Orkney), while a somewhat wayward bird was also seen that day in Lerwick (Shetland).
Finally, on Orkney the recent Lesser Yellowlegs remained near Finstown on 16th-17th.
It’s fair to say we called it last week, predicting in the closing gasps of the round up that the coming week might augur the annual return of the adult male Least Tern to Ireland and, sure enough, there he was again early this week at Baltray (Co.Louth) on 17th-18th, and near Portrane (Co.Dublin) again on 18th also, back again for what seems set to be his sixth summer in the region.
We should also have anticipated the return of the adult female surinamensis American Black Tern to Long Nanny (Northumberland) this week, for she too was back again in recent days, seen there on 18th-22nd.
Less exotic, but no less appreciated at a local level, a White-winged Black Tern was seen on 18th at Summer Leys NR (Northamptonshire).
As for the gulls, the best of them was the first-summer Bonaparte’s Gull seen at Hayle Estuary RSPB (Cornwall) on 21st-22nd.
An adult Sabine’s Gull was logged passing Dunmore East (Co.Waterford) on 16th.
White-wingers were almost an afterthought this week. Scottish Glaucous Gull remained on South Uist (Western Isles) on 16th-22nd, at Stenness (Orkney) on 16th again, and on North Uist (Western Isles) on 21st; and Iceland Gull on North Uist (Western Isles) on 17th-18th, at Girdle Ness (Aberdeenshire) still on 17th, and on Papa Westray on 19th-22nd.
There was plenty of variety to be had where raptors were concerned this week, with confirmed birds and tantalising reports alike to play with.
Starting with the latter, into the headlines had it only been more concrete, we had an unconfirmed report of a Black-winged Kite on 18th at Exminster Marshes RSPB (Devon).
Nottinghamshire meanwhile had a probable juvenile Booted Eagle seen over Idle Valley NR on 18th also; and a possible was reported from Abberton Reservoir (Essex) on 22nd. Onto the more substantial news, a juvenile pale morph Booted Eagle was seen on 21st in Suffolk going south over RAF Lakenheath.
A male Northern Harrier was seen on 16th at Brew’s Bridge (Co.Clare)…
…and a ringtail Pallid Harrier in Norfolk at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB on 20th.
A Montagu’s Harrier was reported on 16th at Frampton Marshes RSPB (Lincolnshire); and further birds were seen on 17th near Abberton Reservoir (Essex), on 20th heading north past Dungeness (Kent), and on 22nd at Morden Bog (Dorset).
Black Kite reports this week came from St Just (Cornwall on 16th, Langdon Cliffs NT (Kent) on 16th, and Dunkeld (Perth & Kinross) on 17th; while confirmed sightings came from the Grantham area of Lincolnshire on 17th, Stodmarsh NNR (Kent) on 20th, and Bradford Abbas (Dorset) on 22nd.
Finally, numbers of Red-footed Falcon dropped somewhat, with 24 birds logged during the past week across the region. Peak counts were three at Abberton Reservoir (Essex) on 17th; and a duo at Nanquidno (Cornwall) on 16th-19th still.
The spring 2025 Hoopoe story has been long and bursting with birds over the past weeks, and it continued this week – with a good few of the birds recorded lately bursting into song for good measure. Singing birds were logged in Cheshire & Wirral at Newchurch Common still on 16th-17th; at Ashburnham (East Sussex) still on 16th; at Cwm Uchaf (Carmarthenshire) on 17th, and at Cubbington (Warwickshire) on 22nd. Garden visitors were noted at Great Finborough (Suffolk) on 17th; in Berkhamsted (Buckinghamshire) on 17th; and in Bournemouth (Dorset) on 19th.
Keeping it colourful, around 20 Bee-eater were noted during the week – single birds at Sandwich Bay (Kent) on 16th; on 17th at Brodie Castle (Moray), on Barra (Western Isles), and at Salthouse (Norfolk); on 17th and 18th at Cley NWT (Norfolk); on 18th at Burnham Norton (Norfolk) and Dungeness (Kent); on 19th at Sholden (Kent); on 20th at Flamborough (East Yorkshire); and on 21st at Kilnsea (East Yorkshire). On 22nd further single birds were at Dungeness, Durlston CP (Dorset); two at Trevone Bay (Cornwall); and three at Pendeen (Cornwall). One more possible was reported on 21st at Thirlwall Common (Northumberland). Two were present at Bangor (Co.Down) on 18th.
Alpine Swift scythed into the news on 16th at Stranraer (Dumfries & Galloway) and Hadfield (Derbyshire); and on 18th on South Uist (Western Isles).
Around a dozen Red-backed Shrike were logged in recent days – at Langdon Cliffs NT (Kent) on 16th; on 17th at Shingle Street (Suffolk) and Fair Isle (Shetland); on 17th-22nd at Setter (Shetland); on 18th-21st at Spurn (East Yorkshire); on 19th at Titchwell RSPB and Weybourne (Norfolk), near Cilcain (Flintshire), at Llangefni (Anglesey); and on 19th-20th on Isle of May (Fife), where two birds were present.
Woodchat Shrike meanwhile were seen on Isle of Wight at bembridge Ponds on 16th; and on 17th on Skomer (Pembrokeshire) and at Doxey Marshes NR (Staffordshire). The latter bird is particularly notable – we’re well-used to coastal Woodchats, but inland birds are a different kettle of fish altogether. This week’s bird in Staffordshire was only the second ever for the county.
A Wryneck was at Morden Bog (Dorset) on 22nd.
In Co.Galway the Pied Crow remained at Mervue on 18th-21st.
A little over a dozen Golden Oriole were again logged this week, with two seen on Tresco (Scilly) on 19th.
A Red-rumped Swallow was found on 20th at Pendeen (Cornwall).
A Short-toed Lark was present on St Mary’s (Scilly) on 16th-17th.
The week delivered us a couple of Iberian Chiffchaff - a singing bird at Flamborough (East Yorkshire) on 17th, and one in Norfolk at Blakeney Point on 20th.
In Cambridgeshire the singing Great Reed Warbler remained at Ouse Fen RSPB on 16th-22nd; while the Hornsea Mere (East Yorkshire) bird was also in full voice there on 16th-22nd.
A Marsh Warbler was in song on Tiree (Argyll & Bute) on 22nd.
A singing Melodious Warbler was heard at Spurn (East Yorkshire) on 19th, with another seen on Skokholm (Pembrokeshire) on 18th. An unconfirmed report came of an Icterine Warbler at Castlebridge (Co.Wexford) on 22nd.
Neighbouring Skomer (Pembrokeshire) held an elusive male
Subalpine Warbler sp on 16th, thought probably to be an Eastern Subalpine Warbler; while confirmed birds of the latter ilk were present on Lundy (Devon) on 17th, and at Spurn (East Yorkshire) on 20th.
The singing male white-spotted Bluethroat remained in Gloucestershire at Slimbridge WWT on 16th-22nd; further birds were seen on Inner Farne (Northumberland) on 19th-20th, and at Weybourne (Norfolk) on 20th.
Finally, we got a Thrush Nightingale this week – a bird in song on the Isle of Wight at Luccombe Down on 22nd.
Late spring Red-breasted Flycatcher were seen on 19th at Gibraltar Point NNR (Lincolnshire), and on 20th on Skomer (Pembrokeshire).
Iberiae Spanish Wagtail males were seen this week at Llanfachraeth (Anglesey) on 18th-19th, and at Steart WWT (Somerset) on 18th-20th. A Grey-headed Wagtail was seen on 20th on Tiree (Argyll & Bute).
A Tawny Pipit was found in Cornwall on 18th at Gwithian.
On Fair Isle the Red-throated Pipit remained present on 17th-18th.
A singing Common Rosefinch was at Spurn (East Yorkshire) on 18th; and two on Tiree (Argyll & Bute) on 21st.
The recent male Serin remained at Selsey Bill (West Sussex) on 17th, while another was seen in Lincolnshire at Gibraltar Point NNR on 16th.
A Rustic Bunting was found on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 22nd.
Last, but far from least, a male Black-headed Bunting was found in Kent at Foreness Point on 19th.
Perhaps staying a little too long for comfort now, the drake Spectacled Eider remained in the Netherlands this week off Texel on 16th-17th; while the drake Falcated Duck remained at Broekpolder on 20th.
A Blue-cheeked Bee-eater was found in Belgium on 18th at Overmere; a Lesser Kestrel on 21st at Oostmalle; and a Steppe Eagle on 22nd at Oostmalle also.
In France the Elegant Tern remained at Polder de Sebastopol on 18th-20th, with a Slender-billed Gull also there on 20th. The Western Reef Heron remained at Les Aresquiers on 18th.
Huge news from Italy concerned a Pacific Swift proving faithful to a house roof in Cornaiano on 16th-21st.
In Denmark a Lammergeier was seen at Kallesmærsk Hede on 18th; while in Sweden a displaying Wilson’s Snipe was present at Storsjo on 20th.
Further afield, in Cyprus the Lesser Moorhen remained at Agia Varvara on 17th-21st.
Finally, in Kuwait a Lesser Striped Swallow was seen at Al-Abraq on 18th.
As we get towards the end of May, we’re into the territory of late-travelling but very desirable warblers, with several notable birds having been found in Britain over the years in the coming week – single records of Asian Desert Warbler (Blakeney Point (Norfolk), 27th May – 1st June 1993); Marmora’s Warbler (St Abb’s Head (Borders), 23rd-27th May 1993), and Spectacled Warbler (Filey (North Yorkshire), 24th-29th May 1992).
All from the early 90s, and providing further food for thought from that period is the White-throated Robin found on Skokholm (Pembrokeshire) on 27th-30th May 1990.
Is this coming week going to give us some sort of tasty 1990s passerine reprise? Probably not…
It looks like we may be swapping persistent northerlies for a lovely spell of westerlies. If that brings rain off the Atlantic, there’ll be few complaints from either a nation’s plantlife or gardeners, but it’s perhaps not what the birding contingent would prefer at this juncture.
In terms of rarity predictions, we’re clutching at straws more than usual. While it’s the classic time of year for southeastern overshoots like Roller, Black-headed Bunting, or Lesser Grey Shrike, maybe another American wader could be on the cards?
Jon Dunn
23 May 2025
Many thanks to all this week's contributors for your photos and videos
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