Weekly birding round-up: 29 Aug - 4 Sept
Hurricane Erin’s westerlies proved to be the gift that kept on giving this week with a decent scattering of Nearctic waders in our midst. Two of those make our headlines in recent days, while they had a fine supporting cast of slightly lesser mortals on offer across Britain and Ireland. Sea-watching too was having its moments, while migrant passerines began to warm up ever so slightly. Plenty of time yet for the latter to blossom…
We love a county first in these parts, and Ireland’s Co.Wicklow enjoyed just that this past week in the always elegant and well-received form of a Stilt Sandpiper, a juvenile bird found at Broad Lough on 1st, and still present there on 3rd, allowing ample time for local birders to make their move. Far from an annual proposition in Ireland, this will have been a keenly anticipated itch scratched.
In some contrast to Stilt Sandpiper, Wilson’s Phalarope is more or less an annual bird in these parts, with in excess of 250 accepted British records to date. Try telling that to birders in Aberdeenshire, though…
For here in the north of the British mainland they’re a far more rarified propostion, with just two records on the books – their first at Cotehill Loch on 17th-22nd September 1984, and their last confirmed individual a one-day bird at Loch of Strathbeg RSPB on 1st September 2008.
This week Aberdeen enjoyed another bird though, alas, it was another of the one-day variety, present all too briefly on the Ythan Estuary on 2nd.
As we hoped, the week just gone delivered some seabird quality in the storm-blown wake of Hurricane Erin. Had the views and the news only been a little more concrete we’d be elevating the Band-rumped Petrel sp reported from Coverack (Cornwall) on 2nd into the headlines. As it stands, it opens the general seabird summary this week.
And it’s followed by a smattering of Fea’s Petrel sp in recent days – individuals on 29th at Bloody Foreland (Co.Donegal) and St Ives (Cornwall); and then another Cornish sighting at Trevose Head on 1st; and then a Dorset sighting off Portland on 2nd. The latter bird is a major local rarity – since the turn of the century we’ve just one confirmed bird seen well in Lyme Bay on 22nd August 2009, and a report of a probable off Portland on 4th September 2021.
Moving on to Wilson’s Petrel, some 100 birds were logged over the course of the week, with a peak count of 16 seen from Galley Head (Co.Cork) on 31st. Notable Scottish sightings came from much further north, and in both instances at sea – off Fethaland (Shetland) on 30th, and from the ferry off Colonsay (Argyll & Bute) on 2nd.
Around 300 Leach’s Petrel were logged during the week, with a peak count of their kind coming in the form of 80 seen from Bridges of Ross (Co.Clare) on 1st.
A Barolo Shearwater was reported from Pendeen (Cornwall) on 4th.
Keen eyes began to pick out Scopoli’s Shearwater in recent days – on 30th in Cornwall off Coverack and Lizard Point; a probable seen on 31st from Galley Head (Co.Cork); and at least one on the Scilly pelagic of 1st.
Numbers of large shearwaters soared this week, though inevitably in the swirling mass of them and with observers scattered along British and Irish coasts, there was duplication in their counting - around 40,000 Cory’s Shearwater were logged, with at least 15,000 seen from Galley Head (Co.Cork) on 31st alone. Some 27,000 Great Shearwater were recorded, with a peak count of their kind at The Lizard (Cornwall) on 30th, where 10,000 birds were noted.
Some 1,900 Balearic Shearwater logged this week seem modest by comparison – their peak count was, as ever, at Berry Head (Devon), where 400 birds were seen on 2nd.
A Little Auk was reported from Bloody Foreland (Co.Donegal) on 4th.
Finally, around 65 Pomarine Skua and 155 Long-tailed Skua were logged during the week. The latter species generated a notable tally of 40 birds seen on 29th from Bridges of Ross (Co.Clare).
For still another week, the long-legged beasties open with the juvenile Black Stork still in Suffolk at Boyton Marshes RSPB on 29th-2nd.
The adult Night Heron meanwhile remained at Marden Quarry (Northumberland) on 29th-3rd.
A trio of Purple Heron were noted over the course of the week – at Stanpit Marsh (Dorset) on 30th; at Worth Marsh RSPB (Kent) on 31st-2nd; and at March Farmers (Cambridgeshire) on 2nd.
At least 50 Glossy Ibis were reported during the course of the week, though with such mobile birds there will surely have been some duplication of records – for example, 11 seen at Hayle Estuary RSPB (Cornwall) on 1st soon fragmented, before sightings of smaller flocks and individuals elsewhere in the county and neighbouring Scilly, before 14 had gathered back at Hayle on 4th. But there certainly were fresh birds a-wandering – Ireland enjoyed one at Trabeg (Co.Kerry) on 2nd-3rd; one at Ballycotton (Co.Cork) on 3rd grew to five there on 4th, with a singleton seen on 4th at Harper’s Island also; and another again at Lady’s Island Lake (Co.Wexford) on 30th-4th.
A Spotted Crake showed regularly at Sandwich Bay (Kent) on 29th-4th; and another was present at Brean Down (Somerset) on 31st.
Our honkers and quackers this week begin once more with the recent Snow Goose still at Mossblown (Ayrshire) on 30th; and a Lesser White-fronted Goose seen on 2nd-4th at Bowersfield Marsh (Cleveland).
Onto the ducks, our regular recent Lesser Scaup remained all present and correct, with two drakes still at Belvide Reservoir (Staffordshire) on 29th-3rd (with one drake still there on 4th, and another at adjacent Galley Reservoir), and the drake also still at Audenshaw Reservoirs (Greater Manchester) on 29th-31st.
…. Glad I did as found ecl drk Lesser Scaup showing well on sailing lake with small no’s of Tufted Duck. Present until 17:40 when I left ?@Staffsbirdnews? pic.twitter.com/kQ5Uv9bX9w
— Steve Richards (@TheSnapper1978) September 4, 2025
Two drake Ring-necked Duck remained this week in Co.Sligo on 29th-4th at Lough Gara; other lingering birds were to be seen at Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB (Cambridgeshire) on 29th-30th, at Penberry Reservoir (Pembrokeshire) still on 29th, and at Bingham’s Pond (Clyde) again on 30th-4th. Another was found on Loch Leven (Perth & Kinross) on 2nd.
Two Ferruginous Duck were seen at at Filby Broad (Norfolk) on 31st-1st; the female remained at Shawell (Leicestershire) on 29th; and a bird was seen at Shustoke Reservoir (Warwickshire) on 29th.
In Scotland two adult drake White-winged Scoter were present in Lunan Bay (Angus) on 3rd-4th; while the first-summer drake remained at Musselburgh Lagoons (Lothian) on 31st.
Also at Musselburgh lagoons, the recent drake Surf Scoter was still to be seen on 31st.
Persistent westerlies at this time of year could mean only one thing – September is Nearctic sandpiper season, after all. Headline bird aside, there was plenty of further variety to go at this past week, not least Buff-breasted Sandpiper which arrived in some numbers – on 29th, one at Slimbridge WWT (Gloucestershire, and one on 29th at Tacumshin (Co.Wexford) was joined there by a second individual on 30th-3rd; one passed Bridges of Ross (Co.Clare) on 30th; birds settled on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 31st-4th, and Chew Valley Lake (Somerset) on 31st-4th; one was present at Ballycotton (Co.Cork) on 1st, and another reported that day at Thurso (Highland & Caithness); a further bird was reported from Davidstow Airfield (Cornwall) on 3rd; and another was found on 4th on Tiree (Argyll & Bute).
A shade over a dozen Pectoral Sandpiper were also seen this past week, with two birds present at St Aidan’s RSPB (West Yorkshire) still on 30th.
Baird’s Sandpiper arrived on 2nd at Annagh Beach (Co.Mayo), on 3rd-4th on North Uist (Western Isles), and on 4th on St Kilda (Western Isles).
White-rumped Sandpiper meanwhile were seen at Carrahane Strand (Co.Kerry) on 29th-3rd; at Hornsea Mere (East Yorkshire) on 31st-1st; at East Chevington NWT (Northumberland) on 1st-4th; and at Tacumshin (Co.Wexford) still on 2nd.
A Semipalmated Sandpiper was seen at Ballycotton (Co.Cork) on 2nd-4th, and another was found on 4th at Tramore Backstrand (Co.Waterford).
In Ayrshire the long-staying Western Sandpiper was back at Maidens on 2nd-4th.
WWT reserves did well for Temminck’s Stint this week, with birds seen at Welney WWT (Norfolk) on 29th-4th, SLimbridge WWT (Gloucestershire) on 30th-1st, and National Wetlands Centre WWT (Carmarthenshire) on 30th still; another was at Holland Haven CP (Essex) on 1st-4th.
The Kentish Plover remained on Isle of Wight at Foreland on 29th-30th.
A dozen Dotterel were logged this week, with parties of three at St Margaret’s at Cliffe (Kent) on 29th-4th, and four at Nanjizal (Cornwall) on 31st-3rd notable.
A Pacific Golden Plover flew over Walberswick (Suffolk) on the morning of 30th.
In Co.Dublin the recent American Golden Plover remained at Rogerstown Estuary on 30th-4th, while the adult also remained on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 30th-4th; additional birds were checking in this week, with two seen at Trabeg (Co.Kerry) on 2nd; and singletons at Doonbeg Bay (Co.Clare) on 3rd, on North Uist (Western Isles) on 3rd also, on South Uist (Western Isles) on 4th, and Ballymacrinan Bay (Co.Clare) on 4th.
Approaching 250 Grey Phalarope were noted during the week, with some inland birds providing local variety, and a peak count on the coast of 36 off Pendeen (Cornwall) on 1st. A handful of Red-necked Phalarope were also seen – at Saul Warth (Gloucestershire) briefly on 29th; and on 31st at Covehithe Broad (Suffolk) and Marshside RSPB (Lancashire & North Merseyside).
The week began with a juvenile Marsh Sandpiper again at Peterstone Wentlooge (Gwent) on 29th-30th; and another seen on 29th at Standlake (Oxfordshire).
Lesser Yellowlegs were seen briefly at Smerwick Harbour (Co.Kerry) on 29th, and more steadfastly at Kidwelly Quay (Carmarthenshire) on 30th-3rd.
Finally, the restless recent juvenile Black-winged Pratincole had wended its way north again, being seen this week in Highland & Caithness at Loch Calder on 2nd-3rd.
Sabine’s Gull continued to set the agenda this past week, with huge numbers again seen throughout – by week’s end, over 1,400 birds had been logged around Britain and Ireland. Kilcummin Head (Co.Mayo) enjoyed the lion’s share of these with a mighty 344 birds seen off there on 29th.
The first-summer Laughing Gull was again seen at Trabeg (Co.Kerry) on 29th-2nd.
An adult Ring-billed Gull was present at Seafield (Co.Clare) on 2nd also.
A possible Cape Gull was seen briefly at Hornsea Mere (East Yorkshire) on 30th.
More substantial, in Kent the adult Bonaparte’s Gull remained settled at Oare Marshes KWT on 30th-1st, another was seen at Keyhaven (Hampshire) on 30th, and a final bird on 3rd at Kinnegar Shore (Co.Down).
The recent juvenile White-winged Black Tern remained at Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB (Cambridgeshire) on 29th.
And finally, in Dorset the adult Forster’s Tern was again seen in Poole Harbour at Shipstal Point on 1st.
Much quieter this week than the preceding week on the rare raptors front…
A juvenile Montagu’s Harrier was again seen on 31st at Marshside RSPB (Cheshire & Wirral).
Black Kite sightings were restricted to Cornwall this week – again at Drift Reservoir on 31st and 2nd; and at St Buryan on 1st, Polgigga on 1st and 4th, and St Levan and Porthgwarra on 2nd.
Ousted from the headlines by novelty arriving on our shores, the history-making family of Zitting Cisticola remained at Walberswick (Suffolk) until 31st, with six birds seen on the latter date, and at least one still present until 4th.
An Aquatic Warbler was trapped and ringed in Dorset at Wareham on 2nd.
A Blyth’s Reed Warbler was trapped and ringed on Bardsey (Gwynedd) on 4th.
Greenish Warbler this week were seen on Tory Island (Co.Donegal) on 29th-3rd; Unst (Shetland) on 29th; Whalsay (Shetland) on 30th; and Papa Westray (Orkney) on 31st-3rd.
The recent Melodious Warbler remained on Tiree (Argyll & Bute) on 29th-4th. An Icterine Warbler was trapped and ringed on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 2nd; and one or other of the two aforementioned species was present on St Agnes (Scilly) on 3rd and St Mary’s on 4th.
The long-staying male Eastern Subalpine Warbler remained on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 29th-4th.
Finally for the warblers, 15 Barred Warbler were seen this week, with a largely northern bias to those records. Both Fair Isle (Shetland) and North Ronaldsay (Orkney) enjoyed multiple birds, with two apiece seen on 30th-4th and 30th respectively.
Numbers of Red-backed Shrike climbed, threatening double figures for the week. Birds were seen at Thornham (Norfolk) on 29th-4th still, Shigle Street (Suffolk) on 30th again, and Fair Isle (Shetland) on 29th-1st still; and additional birds arrived on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 30th, Out Skerries (Shetland) where two were seen on 31st, Fetlar (Shetland) on 1st, Eyebrook Reservoir (Leicestershire) on 2nd, and Wick (Highland & Caithness) on 3rd.
Over 30 Wryneck were logged over the course of the week nationwide.
A Hoopoe remained at Oulton Broad (Suffolk) for its sixth day on 31st, and continued to linger there until 2nd.
A Pallid Swift was a pleasant surprise at Carrahane Strand (Co.Kerry) on 31st; and was followed on 4th by one in Suffolk at Walberswick NNR, and a probable over Grimsby (Lincolnshire).
In Devon a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling settled in Wembury on 30th-4th.
Juvenile Rose Coloured Starling At Wembury Devon This Morning. pic.twitter.com/ThcNPj0G0x
— PATRICK a.g. HAWKINS (@m0vfgpatrick) September 4, 2025
A flyover Richard’s Pipit was logged at Kirkby-in-Ashfield (Nottinghamshire) on 2nd.
Fair numbers of island Common Rosefinch were logged lately – three on Out Skerries (Shetland) on 31st; two on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 31st; and singles on Whalsay (Shetland) on 30th; Yell (Shetland) on 2nd-3rd; Bryher (Scilly) on 2nd; St Kilda (Western Isles) on 3rd; and Fair Isle (Shetland) on 4th.
Lastly, an Ortolan Bunting was found on the industrial outskirts of Lerwick (Shetland) on 4th.
If the sea-watching was good at home, it was on fire off Spain this past week, headlined by a White-chinned Petrel seen from Galicia’s Estaca de Bares on 29th, and followed by further South Polar Skua off there on 31st and 3rd.
Closer to home, north-western France landed a Tennessee Warbler at Trunvel on 30th.
Further food for thought remained in the Netherlands at Zevenhuizen where the recent Western Swamphen remained on Eendragtspolder on 31st-1st.
More thought-provoking still was the Northern Hawk Owl in Belgium at Schoten on 31st.
Of inevitably far less interest to all but those who still keep a Western Palearctic list, way out on the Azores a Great-tailed Grackle had made it to Sao Miguel on 1st-4th.
And that’s us now firmly into September, casting the last traces of summer off like so many worn, tired clothes. What fresh shiny delights of the new season has the coming week in store for us?
A glance at the weather charts for the coming week suggests that we could get the best of both worlds, depending on where in Britain and Ireland you’re sitting in the coming days. Southeasterlies that might deliver some decent value to the northern isles of Scotland… and westerlies that could drop something lovely to the British and Irish western coastal regions.
With half an eye to recent precedent, both in past years and the past week as close to us as northwest France, now seems like a fair time for an optimistic punt at a Tennessee Warbler.
Jon Dunn
5 September 2025
Many thanks to all this week's contributors for your photos and videos
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