BRIDLED TERN moves north

The Inner Farne BRIDLED TERN flew north from the islands and appeared at Port Seton, east of Edinburgh (Lothian), early afternoon of 9th and has spent most of today in the ternery east of North Berwick NE of the A198 at the east end of Seacliff Bay at St Baldred's Boat (accessed from the beach car park at Auldhame at NT 610 850). Meanwhile, one of last summer's SWINHOE'S PETRELS was trapped overnight on Fair Isle in the early hours of 9th.

 

A breeding-plumaged SPOTTED SANDPIPER continued to show well all day south of Motherwell at Baron's Haugh RSPB (Clyde), with the first adult WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER of the autumn at the mecca that is Tacumshane Pools (County Wexford). PECTORAL SANDPIPERS remain at Haroldswick Pools, Unst (Shetland) and St Peter's Pool, Braebuster Ness, Deerness (Orkney), while Cley's bird was still present on 9th.

 

The drake LESSER SCAUP reappeared at Tittesworth Reservoir, Leek (Staffs) with Tufted Ducks this afternoon, with that still present on Blagdon Lake (Somerset) too.

 

Following one reported past Sheringham (Norfolk) at 0755 yesterday morning, another (or same) CORY'S SHEARWATER was sighted off Winterton North Dunes (Norfolk) today. Otherwise, a BLACK KITE circled over Ventnor (Isle of Wight) with 2 Common Buzzards and a calling male CORNCRAKE was heard for its second consecutive morning at Beal (Northumberland). The first-summer ROSS'S GULL remains at Bowling Green Marsh RSPB, Topsham (Devon) while a drake SURF SCOTER remains with Common Scoter off Murcar Golf Course (Aberdeenshire).

 

Still numerous GLOSSY IBISES about including one today at Newington's Hagg Lane (Notts), as well as regulars at Otmoor RSPB (Oxon), Stanpit Marsh (Dorset), Milnthorpe (Cumbria) and Frampton Marsh (Lancs). A CATTLE EGRET continues at Hillsborough (Co. Down) in Northern Ireland.

Other than a flyover SERIN at Beachy Head (East Sussex) this morning, little to shout about. The adult BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE that relocated to Holywell Pond (Northumberland) with Lapwings last night flew off strongly to the north at 1030 hours and was not seen again and the adult summer SPOTTED SANDPIPER that spent yesterday afternoon and evening on the Clyde at Baron's Haugh RSPB, Motherwell (Clyde) was NOT seen today.

 

The 2nd-summer BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON is again showing reasonably well in Pittville Park, Cheltenham (Gloucs) (GL50 4LB) while an array of GLOSSY IBISES include singles at Stanpit Marsh (Dorset), March Farmers (Cambs), Frampton Marsh (Lincs), Fairburn Ings (West Yorks), Loch Leven (Tayside), Dungeness (Kent) and Ulpha Meadows, Grange-over-Sands (Cumbria) and at Carlton Marshes SWT (Suffolk) (the latter bearing a white darvic ring from Coto Donana, Spain). Numerous GREAT WHITE EGRETS around including one commuting between Otmoor RSPB and Farmoor Reservoir's Pinkhill Scrape in Oxfordshire and another at Kenfig NNR (South Wales), with 20-28 SPOONBILLS still at Cley NWT (Norfolk) and the adult again at Spade Oak GP, Little Marlow (Bucks).

 

The first-summer COMMON CRANE remains at Arram Carrs (East Yorks) (TA 053 448), as does the PECTORAL SANDPIPER at Cley NWT, whilst on Shetland, the island of Unst continues to host both the LESSER GREY SHRIKE at Baltasound and the PECTORAL SANDPIPER at Haroldswick Pools, this latter site also producing a MARSH WARBLER today

BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS IN DORSET !!

Bird of the day was undoubtedly the BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS that flew east past Portland Bill (Dorset) at 7am then east past Durlston Country Park (Dorset) at 8.30am. Martin Cade photographed the bird as it glided past the Bill. Also in Dorset, a HOOPOE was seen in the grounds of the Sandford Lane Industrial Estate in Wareham, whilst in neighbouring Hampshire, a male RED-BACKED SHRIKE was at Pig Bush, New Forest.

 

In County Durham, Chris Bell relocated the BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE that had been touring the Northeast since June at Hurworth Burn Reservoir, 2.5 miles east of Trimdon. It was consorting with a small flock of post-breeding Lapwings and was present throughout the day.

Black-winged Pratincole, Hurworth Burn Reservoir, County Durham, 5 July 2014 (Mark Newsome/Whitburn Birds)

The SHORT-TOED SNAKE EAGLE was seen again briefly, drifting over Denny Lodge Inclosure (New Forest) at 10am (Wayne Purcey).

 

Elsewhere, the first-summer ROSS'S GULL remained in situ at Bowling Green Marsh RSPB, Topsham (South Devon) but there was no sign all day of the Bridled Tern on Inner Farne (Northumberland) - presumably on a fishing trip again. Up to 170 Roseate Terns are now present on Coquet Island. The drake LESSER SCAUP remains at Blagdon Lake (Somerset), as does the ROSE-COLOURED STARLING near Burnley (Lancs) in the parkland opposite 40 Middlesex Avenue. The PECTORAL SANDPIPER was present at Cley NWT Reserve (Norfolk) until mid-afternoon, with 22 EURASIAN SPOONBILLS still feeding. Plenty of GLOSSY IBISES still to be seen (9 in all) with 3 adult BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS and 2+ LITTLE BITTERNS in the Shapwick Heath area (Somerset) and the 2 adult BLACK-WINGED STILTS still at Bracklesham Bay (West Sussex). A couple of singing male MARSH WARBLERS remain on Fair Isle.

 

A WILSON'S STORM PETREL - the first of the year - was seen from a pelagic SW of Galley Head (Co. Cork) on 29th June, while the first-summer LAUGHING GULL has returned to Ballycotton Pier.

PEC 'PIPER at Cley

The only 'new' bird today was a PECTORAL SANDPIPER at Cley Marsh NWT (Norfolk) on Pat's Pool, while on 2nd July, a drake BLUE-WINGED TEAL was reported from Lound GP (Notts) and a LEACH'S PETREL was trapped and ringed overnight on Fair Isle (Shetland) (no Swinhoe's yet!)..

 

Otherwise, the hottest day of the year thus far (82 degrees fahrenheit in some areas of SE England) yielded a reasonable list of long-stayers (but minus the Short-toed Snake Eagle, last reported heading north from Pig Bush, New Forest, at 1100 hours on 2nd) -:

 

TEMMINCK'S STINT (and LONG-TAILED DUCK) still near the Cronkley Inlet at Derwent Water (Northumberland), with the adult BRIDLED TERN again on Inner Farne. Calling CORNCRAKE still just east of Flamborough village (East Yorks), first-summer ROSS'S GULL at Bowling Green Marsh RSPB (Devon) and ROSE-COLOURED STARLING in Burnley (Lancs). Drake LESSER SCAUP remains at Blagdon Lake (Somerset), with a long list of resident GLOSSY IBISES - Vane Farm RSPB (Tayside), by the River Bela near Milnthorpe (Cumbria), Fairburn Ings (West Yorks), Frampton Marsh RSPB (Lincs), March Farmers (Cambs) and Stanpit Marsh (Dorset); 20 Spoonbills still at Cley.

 

In IRELAND, Ballycotton Marsh (Co. Cork) recorded both first-summer LAUGHING GULL and GLOSSY IBIS today.

SHORT-TOED SNAKE EAGLE remains in Hampshire

Short-toed Snake Eagle carrying Grass Snake (Matt Eade)

The SHORT-TOED SNAKE EAGLE reappeared over the woodland at Pig Bush, east of Beaulieu Road Station (New Forest, Hampshire), at around 0900 hours this morning, then showed on and off for just over an hour, retreating to a sheltered perch at 1010 after catching an Adder. It then reappeared at 1415, spending 20 minutes circling over the bog, and later at around 1600 hours. The first-summer female RED-FOOTED FALCON was also still present - at Porthgwarra Moor (Cornwall).

 

The BRIDLED TERN reappeared again on Inner Farne today (as expected) while censusing revealed the presence of 82 pairs of ROSEATE TERN on Coquet Island (Northumberland) - the highest number of breeding pairs since 2009. A pair of ROSEATE TERNS also spent much of the day at Belvide Reservoir (Staffs), flying off eventually at 1850 hours (others were seen at Seaforth NR, Merseyside, and at Cemlyn Lagoon, Anglesey).

 

In South Devon, the first-summer ROSS'S GULL continued its summer sojourn at Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, with the ROSE-COLOURED STARLING still NW of Burnley (Lancs) SE of the A671 favouring the rooftops of Surrey Avenue BB12 8AN.

 

Otherwise, much of a muchness, with the LESSER SCAUP at Blagdon Lake (Somerset), the 2 RUDDY SHELDUCKS at Pitsford Reservoir (Northants), the COMMON CRANE at Leven Carrs (East Yorks), 5 GLOSSY IBISES (including one reappearing at Willow Tree Fen LWT, Lincs) and a female SURF SCOTER at Blackdog (Aberdeenshire).

 

In IRELAND, Dave Suddaby discovered an adult breeding-plumaged AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER on The Mullet (Co. Mayo) this evening - at Blacksod on Tarmon Hill.

New Forest SHORT-TOED SNAKE EAGLE reappears

In the New Forest (Hampshire), the SHORT-TOED SNAKE EAGLE reappeared again SW of Pig Bush, near Beaulieu, roosting in a pine tree for an hour or more late afternoon, although there was no sign of the bird in Ashdown Forest today (I cannot believe it is one bird going backwards and forwards, even though they look very similar).

Elsewhere, the first-summer ROSS'S GULL was at Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham (South Devon) but the Inner Farne Bridled Tern didn't turn up (presumably out at sea fishing all day). An eclipsed drake LESSER SCAUP was present for a second day at Blagdon Lake (Somerset)

ROSE-COLOURED STARLINGS remain in Carlton Colville (Suffolk), Burnley (Lancs) and Hopeman (Moray), whilst a male RED-BACKED SHRIKE replaced yesterday's female in the Winterton area, SE of the Horsey track to the sea.

Rosy Starling today in Burnley, behind Woodbine Gardens on Lockyer Playing Fields - SD 819 332

 (Austin Morley)

GLOSSY IBISES continue at Loch Leven (Tayside) (at the west end of Vane Farm RSPB viewable distantly from the Heritage Trail viewpoint), Fairburn Ings RSPB (West Yorks), Otmoor RSPB (Oxon), Stanpit Marsh (Dorset) and NE of Grange-over-Sands (Cumbria) at Ulpha Meadows.

Both rares remain on Unst (Shetland), that is the PECTORAL SANDPIPER and LESSER GREY SHRIKE, with at least one singing male MARSH WARBLER on Fair Isle (Shetland).

At Flamborough (East Yorks), the CORNCRAKE remains this evening north of Lighthouse Road, while in Lancashire, the female DOTTEREL continues to show well on Pendle Hill.

SHORT-TOED SNAKE EAGLE continues its reign in Ashdown Forest

In Sussex, the 2nd-summer SHORT-TOED SNAKE EAGLE remains in Ashdown Forest, still commuting between the ridge to the east of Gill's Lap car park (its favoured feeding area) and the woodland SW of the Long Car Park on the East Grinstead road (A22) (its main roosting area), while in West Cornwall, the first-summer female RED-FOOTED FALCON remains for its third day at Porthgwarra, ranging widely on the moor.

Runner-up in the rarity stakes continues to be the adult BRIDLED TERN on Inner Farne (Northumberland), spending long periods on the island at present. Boats can be arranged from Seahouses Harbour - contact either Serenity Boat Tours on 07984 668093 or Billy Shiel's on 01665 720388.

Several ROSE-COLOURED STARLINGS to be seen including adult-types at Hopeman (Moray) (on the house roofs opposite the golf course entrance), in Burnley at Rose Grove (Lancashire) (on the playing field above Surrey Avenue) and in Suffolk at Carlton Colville, commuting between gardens in Breydon Way and Pinewood Avenue. A female RED-BACKED SHRIKE remains at Winterton North Dunes (Norfolk) while in Shetland, the male LESSER GREY SHRIKE continues on Unst at Baltasound.

In South Devon, the first-summer ROSS'S GULL remains in residence at Bowling Green Marsh RSPB, Topsham, either viewable from the lane or the hide.

At 2125 this evening, the male CORNCRAKE was calling again at Flambrough Head (East Yorkshire), east of the village in the rough grass field just north of the Lighthouse Road opposite the Millenium Wood, while in the Hull area, the first-summer COMMON CRANE is still at Leven Carrs.

and no shortage of GLOSSY IBISES oversummering - the bird at Otmoor RSPB (Oxfordshire) (in the NE corner of The Closes Field this evening), that at Stanpit Marsh in Christchurch Harbour (Dorset), the wandering bird in Yorkshire visiting Fairburn Ings RSPB this afternoon (on the New Flash from Lin Dyke Hide) after being present at St Aidan's Flash, New Swillington Ings for a while earlier, the long-stayer at Frampton Marsh RSPB (Lincs), that at Dungeness RSPB (Kent) (most often in the flooded Hayfield) and the first-summer just south of Milnthorpe (Cumbria) west of the A6 on the River Bela.

The 2 EURASIAN SPOONBILLS are still present in Findhorn Bay (Moray), as are the 4 at Druridge Bay (Northumberland), while Cley NWT Reserve (Norfolk) now boasts over 24 post-breeding birds on the scrapes.

A female DOTTEREL was a surprise late June occurrence at Pendle Hill (Lancs), showing very well 300 yards SW of the trig point, while on Shetland, a PECTORAL SANDPIPER is at Haroldswick Pools on Unst.

RARE BREEDERS

In West Sussex, the family group of BLACK-WINGED STILTS are still to be seen on the Medmerry RSPB reserve, west of Selsey