Weekly birding round-up: 23 - 29 May 2025
A strong late spring week, the week just gone – while numbers of migrant passerines were, understandably, very much in abeyance at this juncture, there were still some high quality notes struck at either end of the UK, while a long-staying wader in Ayrshire was re-identified as something rather rarer than hitherto thought.
With the discovery of our second Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler of the year only a fortnight ago on Barra (Western Isles), we speculated whether this would be the occasion in which we got our first three records in a calendar year… but hand on heart, we probably none of us expected a third record quite so soon as this.
But there it was this week – another singing male Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler and, unlike those that went before it in the past few weeks on the Western Isles or Shetland, this one was resolutely on the British mainland. Indeed, being a weekend bird just down the M20 from London, this was positively twitchable for those based in the south-east.
Granted this was to prove to be just a one-day bird, present at Dungeness (Kent) on 25th May only, but it was still deservedly a popular individual particularly for Kent listers, albeit one that wasn’t always the most readily observable of birds, being both elusive and in an area of dense cover. The main thing, of course, was to hear it…
Speaking of places that have already been blessed with an Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler this spring, that brings us seamlessly to Barra (Western Isles), temporary home to one as recently as 15th May.
And it’s Barra that played host this past week to the first Collared Flycatcher of the year, a fine male that set up a temporary territory at Brevig on 23rd-25th, holding court and in song there – an island first, and only the third record for the Western Isles as a whole.
And stretching our segue to its most excruciating point, on the subject of all things western, the news had one further surprise in store for us this past week. A bird that had spent the winter masquerading as a Little Stint at Maidens (Ayrshire), present there since at least 12th November 2024, now transpired to be Ayrshire’s first ever record of Western Sandpiper.
Still present there as the week drew to a close on 29th, one wonders how long its tenure will now extend. Time will tell.
A few shearwaters began to appear this week, with a couple of early large shearwater noted - Great Shearwater in Cornwall seen from Pendeen on 25th and Porthgwarra on 27th – and a Cory’s Shearwater off Wick (Highland & Caithness) on 26th.
A small scattering of Balearic Shearwater were also noted – three from Portland (Dorset) on 24th, and two there again on 28th and 29th; and singletons from The Lizard (Cornwall) on 26th, in Cornwall on 27th at The Lizard and Cape Cornwall, and also on 27th from Port Eynon Point (Glamorgan). On 29th, two were seen from The Lizard, and one from Strumble Head (Pembrokeshire).
A White-billed Diver was seen from North Uist (Western Isles) on 25th; another was seen on 29th at Overton Cliff (Glamorgan).
In Ireland, meanwhile, the adult Pacific Diver remained at Ballyhiernan Bay (Co.Donegal) on 23rd-24th.
Skuas were still on the move, albeit in modest numbers – some 35 Pomarine Skua were noted nationwide across the week; and around 80 Long-tailed Skua, of which 58 logged off North Uist (Western Isles) in the morning of 25th were the best tally.
Purple Heron provided the only long-legged counterpoint to the usual weekly retinue of Glossy Ibis sightings this week – on Scilly, birds were noted from St Mary’s still on 23rd and once more on 28th, and St Martin’s on 24th; Suffolk sightings came from Trimley Marshes SWT on 23rd-26th, and Minsmere RSPB on 27th; Norfolk gave us sightings on 27th from Kelling Water Meadow and Cley NWT, and Hickling Broad NWT on 28th; and a bird was present in Co.Waterford at Lough Ballyscanlon on 23rd-24th. A probable was seen on 29th at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk), and a confirmed bird that day at Aldringham Walks (Suffolk).
And so to Glossy Ibis… while now a weekly fixture in these parts, numbers in recent days were down somewhat, with a mere eight birds logged across the region. Settled birds were seen at Lodmoor RSPB (Dorset) on 23rd-28th still; at Otmoor RSPB (Oxfordshire) on 23rd-28th still; on Sanday (Orkney) on 23rd-29th still; and at Lee Valley CP (Essex) on 23rd-26th. Additional sightings this week came from Breydon Water (Norfolk) on 24th, Greenhithe (Kent) on 25th, at Longstanton Lagoons (Cambridgeshire) on 27th, and on 28th at Frampton Marsh RSPB (Lincolnshire). A further possible was reported on 28th from Norfolk near Downham Market.
Ever more peaceful on the weekly rarity duckpond lately, with precious few honkers and quackers to write home about…
East Yorkshire’s recent Black Brant was seen again at Sammy’s Point on 24th.
The drake Cinnamon Teal remained at Loch of Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) on 23rd-29th.
Green-winged Teal this week were to be found on North Uist (Western Isles) on 26th, and at Anderby Marsh (Lincolnshire) on 27th-28th.
The recent female (or hybrid) Ferruginous Duck was still in Cambridgeshire at Ouse Fen RSPB on 24th.
Lastly, Ring-necked Duck enjoyed a modest renaissance this week, with four birds noted overall – in Scotland on Papa Westray (Orkney) on 23rd-28th, at Glenalmond (Perth & Kinross) on 23rd also, and at Loch Watten (Highland & Caithness) on 25th; and in Devon at Beesands Ley still on 23rd-25th.
The past week continued to be a busy time for Pectoral Sandpiper, with potentially half a dozen birds noted. We start with a bird at Lough Beg (Co.Derry) on 24th-26th; an unconfirmed report of one at Dungeness (Kent) on 24th was followed, on 25th by a bird at Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB (Cheshire & Wirral), and another on 25th-26th at Loch of Spiggie (Shetland); one settled at Clifton Pits (Worcestershire) on 26th-27th; another was found on 27th-29th at Cairnbulg (Aberdeenshire); and a final bird on 28th at Hesketh Out Marsh (Lancashire & North Merseyside). Another was reported on 28th from Cresswell Pond NWT (Northumberland), but wasn’t seen there the following day
Numbers of Temminck’s Stint dropped away after a couple of weeks of frenetic activity, with just over a dozen logged in recent days. Notable tallies were three at Loch of Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) on 23rd, and two at Musselburgh Lagoons (Lothian) on 24th-25th.
Numbers of American Golden Plover also took a tumble, with just four seen lately – one still in the Holy Island area of Northumberland on 23rd-26th; one out on Foula (Shetland) on 26th-27th; one still at Roonagh Lough (Co.Mayo) on 28th; and a bird in Devon at Dawlish Warren NNR on 24th.
A couple of Dotterel this week comprised single birds on Sanday (Orkney) on 24th, and Spurn (East Yorkshire) on 26th-29th.
Away from the anticipated northern quarters of North Ronaldsay (Orkney), where a brid was seen again on 24th, Red-necked Phalarope this week were noted at Upton Warren NR (Worcestershire) on 25th, and Gibraltar Point NNR (Lincolnshire) on 27th-28th; and in Ireland at Belfast Lough RSPB (Co.Antrim) on 24th-25th, Lough Beg (Co.Derry) on 24th, and a brief probable at sea off Great Blasket Island (Co.Kerry) on 28th.
An adult Spotted Sandpiper brightened up proceedings at Chew Valley Lake (Somerset) on 25th-28th.
Finally, in Co.Cork a Lesser Yellowlegs was found at Clogheen Marsh on 25th-29th.
Our gulls this week are headed by the first-summer American Herring Gull seen initially in the evening of 25th at John O’ Groats (Highland & Caithness), and latterly in the morning of 26th at Duncansby Head.
A fine haul of four Ring-billed Gull (three second-summer birds, and a first-summer individual) were seen at Faulmore Bay Beach (Co.Mayo) on 26th.
Five Glaucous Gull were accounted for by sightings at Girdle Ness (Aberdeenshire) on 24th still; in the Western Isles on South Uist on 24th-29th and Benbecula on 24th; at Dunnet Bay (Highland & Caithness) on 23rd-25th; and just outside John O’Groats (Highland & Caithness) on 28th.
Iceland Gull comprised one still at Girdle Ness (Aberdeenshire) on 24th-28th; sightings on South Uist (Western Isles) in 23rd, 27th, and 29th; one from Papa Westray (Orkney) on 23rd; and one still at Inch Island Lake (Co.Donegal) on 28th.
Also notable lately were two Bonaparte’s Gull, one apiece for Cornwall and Co.Cork at, respectively, Hayle Estuary RSPB on 23rd-28th still, and Harper’s Island on 24th-29th.
A handful of Sabine’s Gull were noted this past week – at sea between Lochmaddy and Uig (Western Isles) on 23rd; off Lewis (Western Isles) on 24th; from Lavernock Point (Glamorgan) on 25th; and at Girdle Ness (Aberdeenshire) on 26th.
In Ireland this week the adult male Least Tern was again seen near Portrane (Co.Dublin) on 24th and 26th.
Finally, Northumerland’s returning adult female surinamensis American Black Tern remained at Long Nanny on 23rd-29th.
Perhaps looking set to spend the early summer now in East Anglia, the juvenile pale morph Booted Eagle was again seen in Norfolk this week, in the Kelling and Bayfield area on 25th, and in the morning of 26th at Bayfield and Egmere.
Norfolk also accounted for a Red-footed Falcon at Hickling Broad NWT on 23rd still; additional birds were present this week at Dungeness (Kent) still on 23rd-25th; in Suffolk at Minsmere RSPB on 24th and 28th, Dunwich Heath on 25th, and Easton Bavents on 25th-26th; at Stodmarsh NNR (Kent) on 25th-28th; at Abberton Reservoir (Essex) on 26th; and at Blunham (Bedfordshire) on 26th.
An unconfirmed report of a Black Kite in Devon at Venford Reservoir on 25th was followed by a wayward bird seen up in Shetland at Weisdale Voe on 27th, one on Anglesey at Bryngwran on 29th, and a possible on 28th in Norfolk over Norwich.
Proving that Hoopoe still weren’t done with us yet, birds kept on cropping up this past week. The singing male was again logged in Cheshire & Wirral at Newchurch Common until 27th; one was present at Westleton Heath (Suffolk) on 23rd; garden birds were found on 24th at Rickinghall (Suffolk) and Bramcote (Nottinghamshire); South Yorkshire got in on the act on 27th with sightings at Potteric Carr YWT and Bentley Community Woodland; while another was heard in Cheshire & Wirral on 28th-29th near Winsford; and a final bird was seen on 29th in a garden at Glencaple (Dumfries & Galloway).
An Alpine Swift was seen on 25th over Splott (Glamorgan).
A daub of Bee-eater were again brightening birders’ days over the course of the week – two seen on 26th at Beachy Head (East Sussex), and singletons noted at Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB (Cambridgeshire) on 23rd; Dungeness (Kent) on 23rd; Gunton (Suffolk) on 23rd; and on 25th at Lizard Point (Cornwall) and Spurn (East Yorkshire).
In Shetland the recent Red-backed Shrike remained at Setter on 23rd; another was present at Scatness on 27th; and one on Foula on 28th.
A Great Grey Shrike was reported on 26th at Burrow Head (Dumfries & Galloway).
Golden Oriole continued to shine a ray of sunshine wherever they were seen and heard lately – at Westleton Heath (Suffolk) and Godmanchester NR (Cambridgeshire) on 23rd; Kenfig Pool NNR (Glamorgan) on 25th; on 26th at Margate (Kent) and Gulberwick (Shetland); on 27th at Pegwell Bay (Kent) and Nybster (Highland & Caithness); and on 28th-29th again at Gulberwick; and on 28th at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk).
Two Red-rumped Swallow were seen on 23rd at Great Saltee (Co.Wexford).
In Cambridgeshire the singing Great Reed Warbler remained at Ouse Fen RSPB on 23rd-24th; while the Hornsea Mere (East Yorkshire) bird was also still present on 23rd-28th.
It’s the time of year for a Marsh Warbler or two (or better yet, a Blyth’s Reed), and this week provided a couple of the former – one at Girdle Ness (Aberdeenshire) on 23rd-28th, another at Weybourne (Norfolk) on 27th-29th, and a possible at Kelling Water Meadow (Norfolk) on 23rd.
An elusive probable Eastern Olivaceous Warbler was skulking in the plantation on Blakeney Point (Norfolk) in the evening of 28th.
A Savi’s Warbler was heard at Brading Marshes RSPB (Isle of Wight) on 23rd.
A Western Subalpine Warbler was trapped and ringed on Copeland Island (Co.Down) on 24th. A Subalpine Warbler sp was seen on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 29th.
A Red-breasted Flycatcher was trapped and ringed on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 28th.
The singing male white-spotted Bluethroat remained in Gloucestershire at Slimbridge WWT on 23rd-29th; and another probable was seen on 29th at Weybourne Camp (Norfolk).
A male feldegg Black-headed Wagtail was found on 23rd at Achiltibuie (Highland & Caithness).
Singing Common Rosefinch cropped up again this week, on this occasion at Howick (Northumberland) on 27th, and at Weybourne (Norfolk) on 27th-28th. A final bird was on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 29th.
Finally, Serin were seen on 25th in Kent at Sandwich Bay, and on 26th at Corrieshalloch Gorge (Highland & Caithness).
With a mounting sense it’s uncomfortably outstayed its welcome, the drake Spectacled Eider remained in the Netherlands this week off Texel on 27th. Te veel van het goede is ook niet goed… Meanwhile, the drake Falcated Duck remained at Broekpolder on 24th.
In Belgium the Lesser Kestrel remained at Oostmalle on 23rd.
In France the Elegant Tern at Polder de Sebastopol was joined there by a second bird on 24th; and the Western Reef Heron remained at Les Aresquiers on 24th also.
Down in Italy the Pacific Swift remained settled in Cornaiano on 24th-28th.
In Scandinavia the immature Lammergeier was seen again in Denmark at Tsivilde on 24th, and in Sweden near Kockenhus on 24th also.
Further afield, in Cyprus the Lesser Moorhen remained at Agia Varvara on 23rd-27th.
Finally, in Turkey a Plain Leaf Warbler remained for its ninth day at Ishak Pasa Sarayi on 25th.
We’re pushing now into the start of June and the immortal words of the late Tim Cleeves spring irresistibly to mind "the big one travels late, and alone…"
They come little bigger than the Red Fox Sparrow found, way back when, on 3rd-4th June 1961 at Copeland Bird Observatory (Co.Down). The scenes were another of those foxy beauties to occur…
But the coming week has other past glories with which to tease us – the likes of the male Rock Bunting on Bardsey (Gwynedd) on 1st June 1967… or the Kessingland (Suffolk) White-crowned Black Wheatear of 1st/2nd-5th June 1982…
And the coming week also features past records, almost relegated to an afterthought by the calibre of the aforementioned, of Caspian Plover, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, White-throated Needletail, Black Lark, and Trumpeter Finch, to name but a few highlights.
In other words, the coming week is one to conjure with.
What comes to pass remains, of course, in the lap of the birding gods. It looks like Scotland’s due a decent blast of south-easterlies as the week wears on, so at the very least someone in a coastal location ought to be blessed with a Blyth’s Reed Warbler. Dare we raise the stakes and wish for a River Warbler?
Jon Dunn
9 May 2025
Many thanks to all this week's contributors for your photos and videos
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