Weekly birding round-up: 22 - 28 August 2025
The arrival of the tail end of Hurricane Erin this week in Britain and Ireland meant only one thing – the sea-watching season was very much back on again. Immense numbers of Sabine’s Gull were on the cards, while one or two interesting other birds were wafted our way too. Nothing earth-shattering yet, but some decent birding to be had. Autumn was warming up.
Where else to start but Suffolk this week, where the now confirmed, history-making family party of Zitting Cisticola remained at Walberswick throughout the week, with as many as six birds seen there on 24th, and at least two still there on 28th. Will we be looking back on 2025 in the future as the year the dam broke and the species went from outrageous rarity to sustained colonist of Britain?
A warbler that’s been on our radar for many years now also put in one of its periodic British appearances this week – a male Sardinian Warbler at Graveney (Kent), seen briefly there in the morning of 25th before heading off west.
Sure, not the rarest of warblers on the British list, numerically at least, with over 85 recorded to date, but they’re far from a reliably annual proposition here. Kent’s enjoyed a couple since the turn of the century, at St Margaret’s on 10th-15th April 2001, and South Foreland on 28th-30th May 2022 – perhaps a blessing for county listers that these have been of the lingering persuasion, given the brevity of this week’s latest bird.
With an earlier summer British sojourn that began in Aberdeenshire on 12th June at Sands of Forvie, and ended in Suffolk at Minsmere RSPB on 14th June, what was presumably the same Bridled Tern was back again this week, seen at Fife Ness (Fife) on 23rd and 25th and, in between, at Musselburgh (Lothian) in the morning of 24th.
It just takes the tail end of a hurricane spinning into the Atlantic to mix things up a little bit on the seabird front and this week, as the days wore by, we got just that – enhanced numbers of large shearwaters and, as we’ll see in due course, one or two Sabine’s Gull driven within sight of land. But more of them anon…
We’ll start with Wilson’s Petrel, whose daily numbers picked up as the week drew by, with overall 65 birds recorded, and a peak count coming from Bridges of Ross (Co.Clare), where 20 were seen on 28th. A notable Welsh record came from Port Eynon Point (Glamorgan) on 27th.
Leach’s Petrel numbers rose, and eclipsed Wilson’s in recent days, with a shade under 70 seen in Britain and Ireland as a whole this past week. Our peak count of their kind was 35 noted at Bridges of Ross (Co.Clare) on 28th.
A probable Barolo Shearwater was reported from the Ullapool / Stornoway ferry (Highland & Caithness / Western Isles) on 23rd.
A probable Scopoli’s Shearwater was seen on the Scilly pelagic on 25th.
As mentioned in the preamble, numbers of large shearwaters climbed dramatically this week. Overall, around 12,800 Cory’s Shearwater were logged, with a peak count of some 5,500 seen from Loop Head (Co.Clare) on 26th. As for Great Shearwater, around 6,250 were seen in Britain and Ireland as a whole, with 1,395 off Bridges of Ross (Co.Clare) on 26th the peak count of their kind too.
Around 500 Balearic Shearwater were noted this week nationally, with a peak count of 129 off Berry Head (Devon) on 27th.
A Fea’s Petrel sp was seen on 27th from Annagh Head (Co.Mayo).
Some 150 Pomarine Skua and 35 Long-tailed Skua were logged during the week. More unseasonable was the White-billed Diver that lingered for a couple of days off Lewis (Western Isles) on 24th-25th.
For yet another week the long-legged beasties open with the juvenile Black Stork still in Suffolk at Boyton Marshes RSPB on 22nd-28th.
Night Heron meanwhile remained at Marden Quarry (Northumberland) on 22nd-28th, and North Cave Wetlands YWT (East Yorkshire) on 22nd-27th.
A quartet of Purple Heron were noted this past week – single birds at Ham Wall RSPB (Somerset) on 22nd; Cowpen Bewley (Cleveland) on 23rd; Chamber’s Wall (Kent) on 24th; and Ely (Cambridgeshire) on 25th. A possible was seen near Wangford (Suffolk) on 27th.
If the week belonged to any long-legged beasty, however, it was Glossy Ibis. Numbers soared, suggesting they’re doing well in these quarters this year. Quite how many of these mobile birds were on our hands as a whole was hard to say, with a great many sites logging parties of seven (or more) birds. Seven were noted over Exmouth (Devon) on 24th; seven in Somerset at Cheddar Reservoir and latterly Blagdon Lake on 25th-27th; eight over Blashford Lakes HWT (Hampshire) on 26th; and also on 26th, seven seen heading out to sea at Hartlepool Headland (Cleveland) preceded a succession of sightings of a party of seven at various locales in East Yorkshire later that day – on 27th, they settled a while at Hornsea Mere before wandering again in the area. On 28th, seven had made it to Holme Pierrepont (Nottinghamshire). These larger parties aside, single birds or duos elsewhere accounted for a further 13 birds during the week.
Hints of autumn passage came in the form of a Corncrake at Gibraltar Point NNR (Lincolnshire) on 25th, and a Spotted Crake recorded passing over Warrington (Cheshire & Wirral) at night on 24th.
Our honkers and quackers this week begin where the section left off last week, with a Snow Goose on 23rd-28th still at Mossblown (Ayrshire).
Back to the ducks, our regular recent Lesser Scaup remained in situ, with the two drakes still at Belvide Reservoir (Staffordshire) on 22nd-28th, and the drake also still to be seen at Audenshaw Reservoirs (Greater Manchester) on 22nd-27th.
We got a little busier than of late where Ring-necked Duck were concerned, helped in this regard by Co.Sligo on 22nd – here three were seen at Lough Gara, and one at Colgagh Lough. Elsewhere, drakes remained at Ogston Reservoir (Derbyshire) on 22nd-28th, and at Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB (Cambridgeshire) on 23rd-28th; and a final bird was found on 28th at Penberry Reservoir (Pembrokeshire).
The female Ferruginous Duck was still present at Shawell (Leicestershire) on 25th. Another was present at Filby Broad (Norfolk) on 28th.
In Scotland the first-summer drake White-winged Scoter remained at Musselburgh Lagoons (Lothian) on 23rd-24th; and the drake Surf Scoter was also still at the same site on 22nd-26th. A further probable of the latter species was seen passing Start Point (Devon) on 25th.
Autumn was definitely in the air this week, as evidenced not only by the appearance of some fresh Nearctic fare among the weekly waders, but also mounting numbers of Dotterel - a little over 20 were logged this week, with groups of four seen at Nanjizal (Cornwall) on 26th-27th, and near Ringstead (Norfolk) on 26th notable parties of their kind.
A probable Pacific Golden Plover was also seen in Norfolk over Ticthwell RSPB on 22nd; and a possible flew over Aldeburgh Town Marshes (Suffolk) on 27th.
The American Golden Plover remained on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 22nd-28th. The Rogerstown Estuary (Co.Dublin) individual was seen once more from there on 27th-28th also. Another was seen passing Spurn Bird Observatory (East Yorkshire) on 28th. More of these coming our way shortly, surely.
A Kentish Plover was found in the evening of 28th on Isle of Wight at Bembridge Harbour.
Freshly arrived, a Semipalmated Sandpiper was found on Muckross Estuary (Co.Cork) on 26th, with a second bird joining it there on 27th, and one still present on 28th.
A Baird’s Sandpiper arrived at Leam Lough (Co.Mayo) on 28th – flushed from there by a Long-tailed Skua.
In Ayrshire the long-staying Western Sandpiper remained at Turnberry on 24th-26th.
Beacon Ponds NR (East Yorkshire) remained a haunt for at least one White-rumped Sandpiper on 23rd-27th, with two again there on 25th. Elsewhere single birds were seen at Lady’s Island Lake (Co.Wexford) still on 22nd-24th, at Tacumshin (Co.Wexford) again on 27th, and on 26th on Papa Westray (Orkney) and at Ballyferriter (Co.Kerry).
Two Pectoral Sandpiper were seen in West Yorkshire at St Aidan’s RSPB on 24th-26th, with a single bird still present there on 27th-28th; and single birds at Lady’s Island Lake (Co.Wexford) still on 23rd-24th; Wheldrake Ings YWT (North Yorkshire) still on 22nd; Manby Flashes (Lincolnshire) still on 22nd-24th; in Co.Antrim at Lady Bay on 21st-27th and Portmore Lough RSPB on 23rd; on Westray (Orkney) on 23rd; at South Huish Marsh (Devon) on 25th; and at Ynys-hir RSPB (Ceredigion) on 26th. On 28th further birds arrived on St Mary’s (Scilly) and Brandon Marsh NR (Warwickshire). A probable was reported on 24th at Arlington Reservoir (East Sussex).
Numbers of Temminck’s Stint picked up lately – birds were seen at Tacumshin (Co.Wexford) on 22nd; Abbotsbury Swannery (Dorset) on 22nd; Black Hole Marsh (Devon) on 22nd; Huttoft Bank Pit LWT (Lincolnshire) on 23rd-27th; The Gearagh (Co.Cork) on 24th-27th; at National Wetlands Centre WWT (Carmarthenshire) on 25th; at North Ings (South Yorkshire) on 26th-27th; at Portmore Lough RSPB (Co.Antrim) on 27th; and at North Point Pools (Norfolk) on 26th, where two birds were noted.
Orkney supplied sightings of Long-billed Dowitcher on North Ronaldsay on 23rd, and Sanday on 23rd-26th still. One also remained at Tacumshin (Co.Wexford) on 22nd-25th.
Both recent Lesser Yellowlegs were again seen this week – one at Leighton Moss RSPB (Lancashire & North Merseyside) on 22nd still (and reported again there on 26th), and the other at Keyhaven (Hampshire) on 25th again.
Belated news revealed a Marsh Sandpiper at Chew Valley Lake (Somerset) on 19th; this week sightings came from Black Hole Marsh (Devon) on 22nd-23rd, and Peterstone Wentlooge (Gwent) on 24th-27th.
Numbers of Grey Phalarope comfortably breached double figures this week, with four eight seen from Bridges of Ross (Co.Clare) on 27th; three from Annagh Head (Co.Mayo) on 27th; three seen from the Scilly pelagic of 26th; two from Bridges of Ross on 26th also; two from Toe Head (Co.Cork) on 25th; one from Tentsmuir Point (Fife) on 24th; another on 27th at Landshipping Quay (Pembrokeshire); and, on 28th, four at Bridges of Ross, and single birds at Helston Loe Pool (Cornwall), National Wetlands Centre WWT (Carmarthenshire), and Hell’s Mouth (Gwynedd). A Red-necked Phalarope was at Loch of Strathbeg RSPB (Aberdeenshire) on 24th.
Finally, a juvenile Black-winged Pratincole was showing intermittently at Nebraska Wetlands (Lincolnshire) on 23rd-26th.
Into the gulls’n’terns side of proceedings, and we’ve plenty to go at. Spiciest of the lot was the adult Franklin’s Gull that dropped in to North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 26th…
…but the meat in the sandwich was by some margin the mass arrival of Sabine’s Gull within sight of our coastlines. Around 1,750 birds were logged during the week, with the latter half accounting for most of them – notable single site counts on 26th were 215 birds from Loop Head (Co.Clare), and 184 from Bridges of Ross (Co.Clare). On 27th things went a little off-piste, with 67 birds seen from Annagh Head (Co.Mayo), and an extraordinary 850 logged from Bridges of Ross, the latter tally rather overshadowing the otherwise magnificent 252 seen from Bridges of Ross the following day.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Ireland the first-summer Laughing Gull was again seen at Trabeg (Co.Kerry) on 24th.
Ireland also contributed Ring-billed Gull at Blackrock (Co.Louth) again on 24th, and Blennerville (Co.Kerry) again on 26th-28th.
In Kent the adult Bonaparte’s Gull remained settled at Oare Marshes KWT on 22nd-28th; and the recent adult remained at Iverallochy (Aberdeenshire) still on 22nd-27th.
Absent from the news for weeks, a white-winger made an appearance again – a Glaucous Gull on Orkney at Stenness again on 26th.
Finally, a juvenile White-winged Black Tern dropped in to Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB (Cambridgeshire) on 23rd-28th.
Given the time of year, the week just gone was unusually productive where rarer raptors were concerned. Had it but been confirmed, we’d be sticking the reported Booted Eagle at Gweek (Cornwall) on 22nd into the headlines…
But moving on, we can kick off properly with a Pallid Harrier near Amesbury (Wiltshire) on 24th.
Montagu’s Harrier juveniles were seen this week in the northwest at Marshside RSPB (Cheshire & Wirral) on 24th-26th, and Banks Marsh NNR (Lancashire & North Merseyside) on 25th-27th and Longton Marsh and Warton Marsh (Lancashire & North Merseyside) on 27th also.
Cornwall supplied many of the week’s Black Kite sightings – at Drift Reservoir on 22nd; Sancreed on 23rd; Land’s End on 24th; Trevescan on 24th; Nanjizal on 24th-25th; and Sennen and Skewjack on 25th. Away from there, one was seen over Wareham Forest (Dorset) on 23rd, and another reported from Rainrow (Cheshire & Wirral) on 24th.
Lastly, the Saker was again seen in East Yorkshire at Bempton Cliffs RSPB on 27th.
Warblers continued to light up the passerines this week, and not least among their number were island Western Bonelli’s Warbler - two landed on Lundy (Devon) on 24th, with one still present on there until 27th; one remained on S Mary’s (Scilly) on 22nd-23rd; and another on Skomer (Pembrokeshire) on 23rd-26th.
Greenish Warbler arrived this week in Norfolk at Salthouse on 24th-25th; in Suffolk at Shingle Street on 25th; and on Papa Westray (Orkney) on 26th-27th.
An Aquatic Warbler was at Cadgwith (Cornwall) on 22nd, with another probable that day briefly at Cahore Marsh (Co.Wexford).
A Melodious Warbler settled on St Mary’s (Scilly) on 25th-26th, and another was found on Tiree (Argyll & Bute) on 27th.
Icterine Warbler meanwhile were present on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 23rd, North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 24th, and trapped and ringed at Durlston CP (Dorset) on 24th.
The male Eastern Subalpine Warbler remained on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 22nd-27th; while the female Subalpine Warbler sp remained on St Mary’s (Scilly) on 22nd-27th.
Barred Warbler continued to make landfall during the week – one at Winterton South Dunes (Norfolk) on 22nd-25th; another settled at Kessingland (Suffolk) on 24th-28th; and one-day birds at Filey (North Yorkshire) on 22nd; trapped and ringed at Calf of Man (Isle of Man) on 22nd; at Spurn (East Yorkshire) on 23rd; at Flamborough (East Yorkshire) on 24th; on Portland (Dorset) on 24th; on Shetland Mainland at Levenwick on 27th; and on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) and at Thorntonloch (Lothian) on 28th.
Fair Isle held its recent Red-backed Shrike on 22nd-26th; further birds this week arrived at Winterton North Dunes (Norfolk) on 24th; Rhoscolyn (Anglesey) on 24th; Donna Nook (Lincolnshire) on 25th; Tylers Common (London) on 27th; and at Thornham (Norfolk) and near Southwold (Suffolk) on 28th. Another probable was at The Lizard (Cornwall) on 22nd.
A Woodchat Shrike arrived on Westray (Orkney) on 23rd.
Some 35 Wryneck were logged over the course of the week nationwide.
A flyover Bee-eater was noted near Crows-an-wra (Cornwall) on 24th.
A probable Red-rumped Swallow was seen on 28th at Foxcote Reservoir (Buckinghamshire).
A couple of Red-breasted Flycatcher declared the autumn season open, being found on 25th at Calf of Man (Isle of Man), and Warbreck (Cheshire & Wirral).
The first Citrine Wagtail of the autumn remained on South Uist (Western Isles) on 22nd still.
Our Common Rosefinch account expanded a little, with birds noted this week at John O’Groats (Highland & Caithness) on 22nd; on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 22nd-25th; at Mizen Head (Co.Cork) on 26th; and Scatness (Shetland) on 28th.
Finally, Ortolan Bunting were seen this past week at The Lizard (Cornwall) on 23rd, Nanjizal (Cornwall) on 24th, and St Mary’s (Scilly) on 24th; while another was reported at Rainham Marshes RSPB (London) on 26th; and a final bird was found on 28th over Eastbourne (East Sussex).
Seabirds certainly began to make themselves known off the coast of Spain this past week, with South Polar Skua seen offshore off Galicia on 25th, and from Estaca de Bares on 26th. A White-tailed Lapwing remained on the Ebro Delta at Ponts del Rei on 27th.
In the Netherlands, the Pygmy Cormorant remained at Natuurpark Lelystad on 27th, and a Western Swamphen was found at Zevenhuizen on Eendragtspolder on 26th-28th.
Further afield, in Egypt 10 Village Weaver and 12 Crimson-rumped Waxbill were at Abu Simbel on 23rd.
Heading out far into the Atlantic, on the Azores a Trindade Petrel was seen passing Corvo on 27th, while an American Great White Egret was seen that day on Sao Miguel.
So here we go. September crashes onto our birding consciousness this coming week. The sharp, pointy bit of the year is upon us. Autumn is unequivocally here.
The end of August and start of September has good pedigree where seabirds are concerned, especially the sort that might come our way in the wake of a powerful hurricane dissipating in the eastern Atlantic. Our first record of Red-footed Booby was found in East Sussex on 4th September 2016… then there was the Cape Verde / Madeiran / Monteiro’s Petrel seen from Pendeen (Cornwall) on 3rd September 2009… and that’s not to mention double figures of both Fea’s / Zino’s / Desertas Petrel and Barolo Shearwater, and a couple of Brown Booby too, all seen in the past in the coming week.
While we may yet get our first American passerine of the autumn in the coming days, time spent sea-watching surely has a reward or two in store.
Jon Dunn
29 August 2025
Many thanks to all this week's contributors for your photos and videos
Share
