Weekly birding round-up: 9 - 15 Apr 2024
Granted, not a week with a startling new headline-grabbing rarity, but the week just gone was in many ways a classic mid-April example of its kind – scarce herons popping up, some decent warblers on the move, more wildfowl sorting themselves out as their winter tenures drew to a close. All in all, a good week to be out there birding, and one packed with promise for the days to come.
We need to go back into the mid-twentieth century to find a Myrtle Warbler that’s showed similar staying power to the fine male bird still present this week in Kilwinning (Ayrshire) – this being a male that attempted to winter in Devon at Newton St Cyres on 4th January – 10th February 1955. That was a stay that encompassed 38 days until the bird was, unfortunately, found dead.
No such ill-luck for the long-staying bird in Ayrshire, where his tenure now sees him coming into splendid summer plumage. First reported on 20th February, he remained in fine fettle in Kilwinning this week until 15th, and was showing well still.
Pick of the week’s seabirds has to be the adult Double-crested Cormorant still present in Co.Sligo at Colgagh Lough on 11th.
In Scotland, meanwhile, eyes turned to the sea for massing White-billed Divers. Numbers at Portsoy (Aberdeenshire) peaked at four birds on 10th, with two present off there until 13th, and one still on 14th-15th. In Moray, one was seen from Roseisle on 9th and 15th, and two from Cullen on 10th.
Scotland also gave us a Little Auk, seen off North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 9th.
A Pomarine Skua was seen off Falmouth (Cornwall) on 12th, and another in Mount’s Bay (Cornwall) on 13th. On 14th one was seen at sea between Holyhead (Anglesey) and Dublin (Co.Dublin).
Finally, a Leach’s Petrel was noted from Selsey Bill (West Sussex) on 9th, and another from South Uist (Western Isles) on 15th.
Purple Herons led the long-legged beastie charge this week, double figures of their ilk being recorded. Foremost amongst those were two birds seen at Winchester sewage works (Wiltshire) on 13th. Singletons were noted at Brading Marshes RSPB (Isle of Wight) on 9th; Stanford Reservoir (Northamptonshire) on 9th-10th; Carlton Marshes SWT (Suffolk) on 10th-11th; on 12th at Akeragh Lough (Co.Kerry) and Studland Heath NNR (Dorset); and on 13th at Ringstead Bay (Dorset) and Dungeness RSPB (Kent), the Kent bird remaining there the following day. On 14th one was found on Lundy (Devon), and another at Kilcoole (Co.Wexford). Birds lingered on St Mary’s (Scilly) and at Tacumshin (Co.Wexford) on 14th-15th, with a second bird in Scilly on Tresco on 14th.
Night Herons were also on the move. In Cornwall one was sound recorded at St Buryan on 11th; while on 12th duos were found on St Mary’s (Scilly) and Lundy (Devon); the Lundy duo remained there on 15th. On 14th four were found in a garden near Steyning (West Sussex), with further sightings that day in Devon near Stokenham, and Slapton Ley.
Best of all the herons, a Squacco Heron was found over the weekend on 14th-15th on Skokholm (Pembrokeshire). This was an island first, and only the fourth Pembrokeshire record.
As for Glossy Ibis, not much change to report. Once again, around 15 birds were reported, of which four still reliably present in Somerset at Ham Wall RSPB until 14th remained the largest gathering, while two were seen aain at Hollesley Marshes RSPB (Suffok) on 10th.
A Corncrake was to be heard singing on Bardsey (Gwynedd) on 11th-13th. Another was reported on 14th from Westwood Heath (Warwickshire).
Heading into the honkers and quackers, the week was once again enlivened by Red-breasted Geese, a species that’s enjoyed quite the winter and is evidently not done with us yet. An adult was seen in Lancashire & North Merseyside around Marshside RSPB on 10th-15th; in Norfolk, one was again at Burnham Overy Marshes on 10th-12th and Burnham Overy Staithe on 14th-15th. Lincolnshire landed an individual at Frampton Marsh RSPB on 12th-15th; and two were seen in flight over Lytchett Bay (Dorset) on 10th.
A Black Brant was seen at Donna Nook (Lincolnshire) on 10th; while the Kilnsea (East Yorkshire) bird was again seen there on 15th. Five probable Grey-bellied Brant were at Dalkey (Co.Dublin) on 10th also.
As for The Goose Formerly Known As Canada, the interior Todd’s Canada Goose was still to be seen at Banks Marsh NNR (Lancashire & North Merseyside) on 10th-11th.
Moving on to the ducks, American Wigeon lingered at Kilcoole (Co.Wicklow) on 9th, Lossie Estuary (Moray) on 9th-11th, and Long Preston Deeps (North Yorkshire) on 13th-14th.
Numbers of Green-winged Teal held steady, with a shade over a dozen birds logged again this week across Britain and Ireland.
This is traditionally a propitious time of year for Ferruginous Duck, and this week proved to be no exception. Drakes remained at Whetsed GPs (Kent) on 10th-14th and at Woolston Eyes NR (Cheshire & Wirral) again on 12th; while two were seen at Napton Reservoir (Warwickshire) on 12th, a female remaining there on 13th-14th. On 15th a drake was found at Stanford Reservoir (Northamptonshire).
Around a dozen Ring-necked Duck were logged in recent days, the distinct feeling coming now that the winter’s largesse is waning at last. The only site to score multiple birds this week was the ever-reliable Lisvane Reservoir (Glamorgan), where two remained on 9th-15th.
Glamorgan also retained its recent Lesser Scaup, a first-winter drake still in Cardiff Bay on 10th-15th. Two remained at Hodbarrow RSPB (Cumbria) on 9th, with at least one of them still present there on 12th. In Essex, three were still sitting tight on Abberton Reservoir on 10th-12th. South Uist (Western Isles) still held its female on 9th-12th; while in Ireland, one was still to be seen on Knockaderry Reservoir (Co.Waterford) on 11th-14th. On 14th-15th two were seen in Suffolk at Shelley on Gifford’s Flash.
Irish Surf Scoter remained at Rossaveel (Co.Galway) on 9th; Laytown (Co.Meath) on 13th; and Bremore Point (Co.Dublin) on 13th.
Starting the waders this week in Ireland, a Black-winged Stilt was found over the weekend in Co.Kerry at Smerwick Harbour on 13th; while the female remained at Frampton Marsh RSPB (Lincolnshire) on 9th-14th.
Settled Long-billed Dowitcher meanwhile were still to be seen at Cley NWT (Norfolk) on 9th-14th, Cuckmere Haven (East Sussex) again on 10th-13th, and at Kilcoole (Co.Wicklow) on 9th-14th.
The usual recent Lesser Yellowlegs were once more seen at Frampton Marsh RSPB (Lincolnshire) on 9th-15th; Swine Moor (East Yorkshire) on 12th again; and at Lurgangreen (Co.Louth) on 9th-15th still.
Starting the gulls with Bonaparte’s Gull, the recent adult remained at Llanelli (Carmarthenshire) on 9th-12th; and a further adult was seen in Lincolnshire at Frampton Marsh RSPB on 11th-14th.
A Sabine’s Gull was noted on 15th passing Wallasey (Cheshire & Wirral).
Glaucous Gulls took a hammering, with a mere handful noted lately – on Unst (Shetland) on 9th; at Lamb Holm (Orkney) on 10th; on Lewis (Western Isles) still on 12th-14th; on Harris (Western Isles) on 14th; and on Islay (Argyll & Bute) on 12th.
A shade over a dozen Iceland Gulls meanwhile were logged, their reducing presence here also a sign of the advancing spring. Kumlien’s Gull meanwhile remained in Cornwall at Hayle Estuary on 10th and 13th, in Highland & Caithness at Helmsdale on 9th-14th, and at Blennerville (Co.Kerry) again on 15th; with one more seen at Newshot Island (Clyde) on 12th.
Finally, in Dorset the second-winter Forster’s Tern was seen at Arne RSPB on 9th-10th and once more on 14th, and Brownsea Island NT on 11th-14th again.
Wales again provided us with Pallid Harrier records this week at Llanrhidian Marsh (Glamorgan) on 9th, 12th and 14th, and at National Wetlands Centre WWT (Carmarthenshire) on 12th-14th. The recently found juvenile remained on Scilly on St Agnes on 9th.
A Montagu’s Harrier juvenile was found on 14th at Knockadoon Head (Co.Cork).
As we’d expect at this time of year, sightings of Black Kite were on the up lately – confirmed birds seen at Eastbourne (East Sussex) on 12th, Stretham (Cambridgeshire) on 13th, and over the A28 at Brede Bridge (East Sussex) on 13th. Additional possible birds were reported from near Woodborough (Nottinghamshire) on 9th, and Boroughbridge (North Yorkshire) on 13th. Another was reported on 13th at Cissbury Ring (West Sussex).
A Rough-legged Buzzard was seen over Lerwick (Shetland) on 10th.
Not only green shoots of spring this week, but positively unfurling leaves as a number of quality passerines made it to Britain and Ireland. We start with Pallid Swift, with at least two birds found in recent days – one near Patrington Haven (East Yorkshire) on 9th, another on St Mary’s (Scilly) on 13th-15th, and a further unconfirmed report of a bird at St Mary’s Platt (Kent) on 11th.
An Alpine Swift was seen near Boswednack (Cornwall) on 9th; on 14th further birds were seen at Horsey and Waxham (Norfolk), and Kilcoole (Co.Wicklow).
The week was an excellent one for Woodchat Shrike, with birds at coastal localities one might expect them to pop up at, but also found in more unusual locales besides – one was in song near Bridgwater (Somerset) on 9th-12th, while another was found at Beddington Farmlands (London) on 12th, and a Welsh bird settled at Tanybwlch (Ceredigion) on 12th-14th. Additional birds were seen at Porthgwarra (Cornwall) on 12th; St Mary’s (Scilly) on 12th-15th; and Hook Head (Co.Wexford) on 13th-15th.
Just one Great Grey Shrike was seen lately – a bird at Bransbury Common (Hampshire) on 9th-12th.
Following a report of a Wryneck in Devon at Topsham on 10th, two were found on 13th, one at Holme Dunes NWT (Norfolk), and the other at Tacumshin (Co.Wexford). The Holme bird remained there on 14th.
Always nice to see a Wryneck!
— Mark Ferris (@MarkGFerris) April 15, 2024
Jammed in on the one at Holme Dunes, late afternoon on Sunday, perched at the top of a bramble. #birding @NorfolkWT pic.twitter.com/4K1TcjvQH3
Hoopoe meanwhile nudged double figures again this week. One remained in East Sussex at Hankham on 9th-12th, while additional birds were found at Lakeside CP (Hampshire) on 9th; Isle of May (Fife) on 9th-12th; Studland Heath NNR (Dorset) on 10th-11th; Rosevidney (Cornwall) on 11th; near Harpenden (Hertfordshire) on 12th; at Greatstone-on-Sea (Kent) on 12th-13th; at Colyton (Devon) on 13th; Rosudgeon (Cornwall), Portland (Dorset) and Isle of May (Fife) on 14th; and reported from St Martin’s (Scilly) on 15th.
Of passing interest, a Bee-eater was found dead in a Swanage (Dorset) garden on 14th.
Keeping up the spring colour theme, Golden Orioles were on the move now, with around 30 birds reported over the course of the week. Three were reported from Olchard (Devon) on 14th; three were seen on St Mary’s (Scilly) on 14th; while duos were seen on 15th at Whiteford NNR (Glamorgan) and on St Martin’s (Scilly).
Red-rumped Swallow were found in recent days at Marton Mere LNR (Lancashire & North Merseyside) on 9th; at Lough Clubir (Co.Cork) on 13th and again on 15th; and on Scilly on St Mary’s and St Martin’s on 14th; with a further unconfirmed report of a bird at Bempton Cliffs RSPB (East Yorkshire) on 11th.
Decent warblers began to pick up this week, starting with two Iberian Chiffchaff - one singing at Sherington (Buckinghamshire) on 10th, and another in song on St Agnes (Scilly) on 11th-13th.
In Dorset, the Yellow-browed Warbler remained at Louds Mill sewage works on 11th-12th, with another in the county at an undisclosed site on 14th.
A Savi’s Warbler was reported in song from Wicken Fen NT (Cambridgeshire) on 10th.
In Co.Wexford a Western Subalpine Warbler settled in an area with no general access at Hook Head on 11th-14th; a further singing male was found on Portland (Dorset) on 14th-15th.
A Bluethroat was found on 14th at Grantchester Meadows (Cambridgeshire).
A possible Citrine Wagtail was logged on St Mary’s (Scilly) on 11th.
Blue-headed Wagtail meanwhile remained at Joss Bay (Kent) on 9th-10th, with two present there on 9th; and St Aidan’s RSPB (West Yorkshire) on 11th. Additional birds were seen at Abberton Reservoir (Essex) on 10th; Southwold (Suffolk), where one was seen on 11th and two birds on 13th-14th; and The Naze (Essex) on 15th.
Several Serin added further pleasing southern counterpoints to the week’s passerines – birds found on St Mary’s (Scilly) on 11th; on 12th in Kent at Hope Point and North Foreland; on 12th at Portland (Dorset); on 13th at Ramsgate (Kent); and on 13th at Southwold (Suffolk). On 14th two were seen on St Mary’s, another at Luccombe (Isle of Wight), and a probable at Kirkby-in-Ashfield (Nottinghamshire).
Finally, a Little Bunting was found inland at Avon Meadows NR (Worcestershire) on 12th.
Starting the overseas news again this week in the north, Iceland retained its wintering American Robin at Keflavik on 9th.
In Norway the recent Sandhill Crane was still present at Vestbygd on 13th.
Germany retained the recent Sociable Lapwing at Athensleben on 14th.
Also hanging on, the African Crake remained on Lanzarote (Canary Islands) on 11th…
…and the American Coot was still present on Terceira (Azores) on 10th.
Finally, and it’s not often this happens, your own correspondent had something to contribute to the overseas news this week… the Mariposa Nature Tours ‘Orchids of Sicily’ group I’ve been co-leading with Sicilian naturalist legend Andrea Corso stumbled across a Lesser Flamingo on Sicily on 15th – a bird that arrived with an impeccable provenance of other African vagrants in recent days on the island, following Moussier’s Redstart, African Desert Warbler, and Rufous Bush Robin, and will hopefully in time prove to be the first officially accepted record for Italy.
Think we’ve just found an acceptable Lesser Flamingo in Sicily on the @Mariposa_Nature Orchids of Sicily tour. No rings, fully winged, during arrival of other vagrant African species. Boom!! pic.twitter.com/yTFw67zgYK
— Jon Dunn ???? (@dunnjons) April 15, 2024
Into the second half of April we go and, before we know it we’re going to be in the heat of May. But let’s not wish our birding lives away. Late April can have its moments…
Freshwater could, looking at the stats of past years, be your friend this coming week. It’s a great week to find a Blue-winged Teal, with coming days boasting 15 accepted records. With their recent tentative steps to becoming a regular albeit rare British breeding species, Black-winged Stilt is also a solid bet. And then, of course, there’s Little Bittern - with 24 accepted records to the end of 2022 for the coming week, it’s a prime time to find your own.
Jon Dunn
Many thanks to all this week's contributors for your photos and videos
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