On the Monmouthshire/Gwent border, the singing first-summer male MARMORA'S WARBLER continues to perform admirably in its chosen moorland habitat, 150 yards either side of the lower car park, 1 mile east of the B 4246 NE of Blaenavon. Park in the car park by the tall radio masts and walk 700 yards east to view from the road and car park at SO 269 107. The bird is constructing a nest by the roadside and shows exceptionally well at times.
At Portland Bill (Dorset), a singing male MARSH WARBLER sang elusively from dense vegetation close to the Observatory Garden today, whilst another present for its fourth day sang from Willows 1 mile west of Long Melford (Suffolk) close to the fence behind the former BBA factory at TL 847 461.
In Derbyshire, the county's first-ever GREAT REED WARBLER continues to bellow out from the small reedbed at Straw Bridges Ponds just WSW of Ilkeston (SK 453 416), whilst a female SUBALPINE WARBLER was discovered this afternoon on Lundy Island (Devon) 500 yards north of the village by the Quarter Wall.
A HOOPOE was present for a second day in Surrey, at the Abbeyfield Mobile Home Park near Chertsey, whilst EUROPEAN BEE-EATERS today included one briefly on wires at Trewellard (West Cornwall) and another 2 miles WSW of Aberdaron (Gwynedd) just west of Uwchmynydd at Mynydd Mawr (at SH 143 256) and later over South Stack RSPB (Anglesey). A singing male GOLDEN ORIOLE was at the Calf of Man Bird Observatory (Isle of man) early morning.
A CATTLE EGRET made a surprise brief appearance at Slimbridge WWT (Gloucs) this afternoon, whilst a calling male CORNCRAKE was an unexpected visitor to Pont Crosor, the RSPB Osprey Project Centre at Porthmadog (Gwynedd).
In the north of Britain, a BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER continues to show very well at Port Clarence (Cleveland), on the flood viewable from the fence west of the A178, whilst not far away, a male RED-BACKED SHRIKE remains for a second day just west of Sunderland South Dock (Durham) on waste ground behind Hendon Town Moor (at NZ 408 574). On the Farne Islands (Northumberland), RED-BACKED SHRIKE and COMMON ROSEFINCH were present.
Meanwhile, late news concerns a GULL-BILLED TERN which flew SW past Flat Holm and the Heliport in Cardiff Bay (Glamorgan) yesterday evening, with a WOODCHAT SHRIKE in South Devon in Ivy Cove, west of Lannacombe Beach at Start Point.
In County Wicklow in IRELAND, a TAWNY PIPIT showed well today in Newcastle, near Six Mile Point on the beach 300 yards north of the railway station, whilst the long-staying first-year GLOSSY IBIS was still to be seen in the marsh south of the East End Pool at Tacumshin (Co. Wexford).
A daily digest of all Rare Birds and Scarce Migrants recorded in Britain. It includes only those records considered acceptable by the British Birding Association and UK400 Club. Please email any updates, additional details or site instructions, images or related material to LGREUK400@aol.com.
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
MARMORA'S WARBLER still on territory
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Another superb set of prints taken of the Welsh MARMORA'S WARBLER by Richard Stonier - richard.stonier@btinternet.com
For these and more of Richard's excellent work, click on
richard@birdsonline.co.uk
richard@birdsonline.co.uk
MARMORA'S continues to draw in the crowds
The male NORTH ATLANTIC (MADEIRAN) LITTLE SHEARWATER advertised from its chosen cavern location on Lundy Island (North Devon) from midnight until 0115 hours last night but could not be seen. Overnight excursions via boat charters can be arranged, costing approximately £70 per person.
On the Monmouthshire/Gwent border, the first-summer male MARMORA'S WARBLER continues to build its nest in the isolated gorse bush by the road and advertise by song-flighting from its territory, up to 150 yards either side of the lower car park. The bird affords exceptional views and chooses prominent perches from where to sing - please view ONLY from the road or car park. DIRECTIONS: once in Blaenavon, continue north on the B 4246 for about one mile and then turn right on the minor road leading out on to the moor. It is best to park in the car park by the masts and walk the 700 yards east to the lower car park at SO 269 107.
Likewise, the long-staying male IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF continues to sing from by the tall conifer 120 yards south of the Cadira Beeches car park in Wentwood Forest. Leave the A48 north and continue through village, past Wentwood Reservoir on the left to the car park after 350 yards.
A BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER continues for a second day at Port Clarence Floods (Cleveland), viewable from the fence west of the A178, whilst nearby, a male RED-BACKED SHRIKE is at Hendon Town Moor, just west of Sunderland West Dock (County Durham). A PECTORAL SANDPIPER also remains for a second day at Frampton Marsh RSPB (Lincs), showing intermittently from the 360 Hide.
Being the peak time for spring passage birds, male MARSH WARBLERS are in song at Druridge Pools NR (Northumberland) (in reeds in the SE corner close to the entrance to the Bill Oddie Hide) and just west of Long Melford (Suffolk) in Willows along the fence behind the former BBA factory at TL 847 461. Meanwhile, a male GOLDEN ORIOLE remains in the plantation at Gibraltar Point NNR (Lincs).
There is no sign this morning of the summer-plumaged adult WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN that graced Belvide Reservoir (Staffs) all day yesterday and a Salop site the day before, nor of the drake BLUE-WINGED TEAL that visited Billy's Wash, Cley NWT Reserve (North Norfolk) yesterday evening..
On the Monmouthshire/Gwent border, the first-summer male MARMORA'S WARBLER continues to build its nest in the isolated gorse bush by the road and advertise by song-flighting from its territory, up to 150 yards either side of the lower car park. The bird affords exceptional views and chooses prominent perches from where to sing - please view ONLY from the road or car park. DIRECTIONS: once in Blaenavon, continue north on the B 4246 for about one mile and then turn right on the minor road leading out on to the moor. It is best to park in the car park by the masts and walk the 700 yards east to the lower car park at SO 269 107.
Likewise, the long-staying male IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF continues to sing from by the tall conifer 120 yards south of the Cadira Beeches car park in Wentwood Forest. Leave the A48 north and continue through village, past Wentwood Reservoir on the left to the car park after 350 yards.
A BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER continues for a second day at Port Clarence Floods (Cleveland), viewable from the fence west of the A178, whilst nearby, a male RED-BACKED SHRIKE is at Hendon Town Moor, just west of Sunderland West Dock (County Durham). A PECTORAL SANDPIPER also remains for a second day at Frampton Marsh RSPB (Lincs), showing intermittently from the 360 Hide.
Being the peak time for spring passage birds, male MARSH WARBLERS are in song at Druridge Pools NR (Northumberland) (in reeds in the SE corner close to the entrance to the Bill Oddie Hide) and just west of Long Melford (Suffolk) in Willows along the fence behind the former BBA factory at TL 847 461. Meanwhile, a male GOLDEN ORIOLE remains in the plantation at Gibraltar Point NNR (Lincs).
There is no sign this morning of the summer-plumaged adult WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN that graced Belvide Reservoir (Staffs) all day yesterday and a Salop site the day before, nor of the drake BLUE-WINGED TEAL that visited Billy's Wash, Cley NWT Reserve (North Norfolk) yesterday evening..
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Aberdeenshire highlights from today
A drake Surf Scoter was in the main scoter flock off the south end of Murcar today, just north of Donmouth.
Also today, at Loch of Strathbeg a Honey Buzzard flew south over Starnafin at 9.45. Also there Spoonbill, Little Egret, Osprey and 3 Little Gulls. On the Ythan there was another Spoonbill just upstream of the road bridge and an Osprey was in the same area (per Alan Whitehead).
Also today, at Loch of Strathbeg a Honey Buzzard flew south over Starnafin at 9.45. Also there Spoonbill, Little Egret, Osprey and 3 Little Gulls. On the Ythan there was another Spoonbill just upstream of the road bridge and an Osprey was in the same area (per Alan Whitehead).
Thursday, 3 June 2010
MEGA - MARMORA'S WARBLER in Gwent
Early June is notoriously good for mega vagrants and so far, it is meeting expectations. This morning, a singing male MARMORA'S WARBLER (Sylvia sarda) was discovered in GWENT, 1.5 miles NE of Blaenavon and just south of Blorenge and about 700 yards ENE of the radio masts at SO 270 109. The bird is a first-summer male and appears to have a territory.
DIRECTIONS: From Blaenavon, take the B4246 north for a mile and turn right. Please view from the car park or road and do not wander out on to the moor where birds are breeding. Also, please refrain from tape-luring this particular vagrant, as such activity could unsettle it prematurely.
Although the majority of Marmora's Warblers are sedentary and remain within their breeding range all year, a population winters in North Africa (from Algeria to Libya) and migrates north in spring to the Mediterranean Basin. Vagrants have reached Spain, Gibraltar, mainland France, mainland Italy and even Greece and this latest Welsh male is the FIFTH to reach Britain (the previous records involving singing males at Midhope Moor, South Yorkshire, from 15 May to 24 July 1982, Spurn Point, East Yorkshire, on 8-9 June 1992 and at St Abb's Head, Borders, from 23-27 May 1993 and what was probably the same individual at Scolt Head Island, Norfolk, from 12-18 May 2001 and at Sizewell Power Station bushes, Suffolk, on 29 May 2001).
Aside from these British records, the only other records in northern Europe are of vagrants in Belgium from 3-12 May 1997 and in Denmark on 12 June 2005.
Also today, a dark morph BOOTED EAGLE flew SE over the Gipping Valley over warehouses in Stowmarket (Suffolk) from 1235-1238 hours (John Walshe) and was then intercepted as it flew low SSE over the same valley at Baylham Pits at 1259 hours (Lee Woods). At this latter site, it was being chased by an army of corvids and was being hounded by noisy Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. The same bird had initially been seen over Pipps Ford GP, Needham Market, briefly early morning on 13 May (Phil Whittaker) and had previously been reported in Essex.
As far north as one can go in Britain, the wandering BLACK STORK has now reached Unst (Shetland) where this evening it is feeding along the shoreline at Burrafirth and showing well. Shetland also yielded an adult drake SURF SCOTER today - in Weisdale Voe
RED-FOOTED FALCONS today included the first-summer male near Over at Ouse Fen (Cambs) and another for its fourth day along Denge Marsh Road (Kent).
The Cley Trumpeter Finch was NOT seen today, nor was the male Red-backed Shrike, but in the Fenland, the long-staying singing male WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT is still present by Lyle Hide at Welney WWT.
Spurn Point (East Yorks) produced both GOLDEN ORIOLE and female RED-BACKED SHRIKE today, whilst in Derbyshire, the singing male GREAT REED WARBLER remains at Straw Bridges Ponds, Ilkeston.
DIRECTIONS: From Blaenavon, take the B4246 north for a mile and turn right. Please view from the car park or road and do not wander out on to the moor where birds are breeding. Also, please refrain from tape-luring this particular vagrant, as such activity could unsettle it prematurely.
Although the majority of Marmora's Warblers are sedentary and remain within their breeding range all year, a population winters in North Africa (from Algeria to Libya) and migrates north in spring to the Mediterranean Basin. Vagrants have reached Spain, Gibraltar, mainland France, mainland Italy and even Greece and this latest Welsh male is the FIFTH to reach Britain (the previous records involving singing males at Midhope Moor, South Yorkshire, from 15 May to 24 July 1982, Spurn Point, East Yorkshire, on 8-9 June 1992 and at St Abb's Head, Borders, from 23-27 May 1993 and what was probably the same individual at Scolt Head Island, Norfolk, from 12-18 May 2001 and at Sizewell Power Station bushes, Suffolk, on 29 May 2001).
Aside from these British records, the only other records in northern Europe are of vagrants in Belgium from 3-12 May 1997 and in Denmark on 12 June 2005.
Also today, a dark morph BOOTED EAGLE flew SE over the Gipping Valley over warehouses in Stowmarket (Suffolk) from 1235-1238 hours (John Walshe) and was then intercepted as it flew low SSE over the same valley at Baylham Pits at 1259 hours (Lee Woods). At this latter site, it was being chased by an army of corvids and was being hounded by noisy Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. The same bird had initially been seen over Pipps Ford GP, Needham Market, briefly early morning on 13 May (Phil Whittaker) and had previously been reported in Essex.
As far north as one can go in Britain, the wandering BLACK STORK has now reached Unst (Shetland) where this evening it is feeding along the shoreline at Burrafirth and showing well. Shetland also yielded an adult drake SURF SCOTER today - in Weisdale Voe
RED-FOOTED FALCONS today included the first-summer male near Over at Ouse Fen (Cambs) and another for its fourth day along Denge Marsh Road (Kent).
The Cley Trumpeter Finch was NOT seen today, nor was the male Red-backed Shrike, but in the Fenland, the long-staying singing male WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT is still present by Lyle Hide at Welney WWT.
Spurn Point (East Yorks) produced both GOLDEN ORIOLE and female RED-BACKED SHRIKE today, whilst in Derbyshire, the singing male GREAT REED WARBLER remains at Straw Bridges Ponds, Ilkeston.
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
WHITE-COLLARED FLYCATCHER on Lewis
This very elusive first-summer male WHITE-COLLARED FLYCATCHER was found by chance yesterday, as it sallied out close to the road junction in a small conifer plantation near Stornoway, Lewis (Outer Hebrides). It was seen by just four people - including Ben Steel (the finder) and Martin Scott, who obtained these record shots above. There is just one previous spring record from the region - a male on St Kilda on 24 May 1992 (Tim Dix).
TRUMPETER FINCH still present
The exceptionally bright male TRUMPETER FINCH is still present today, feeding on weeds on the seaward side of the shingle bank, between 200 yards and half a mile east of the north end of Cley NWT East Bank. The bird shows very well indeed and is best observed from the beach itself, looking up towards the ridge.
Nearby, the long-staying male RED-BACKED SHRIKE is still feeding from the isolated bushes and gorse clumps immediately SSW of Cley Coastguards car park but there has been no sign today of either the singing male THRUSH NIGHTINGALE at Walsey Hills or the male MARSH WARBLER at the east end of Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
In East Kent, the first-summer male RED-FOOTED FALCON remains at Dungeness RSPB (in the vicinity of Christmas Dell hide), whilst the Tring Reservoirs (Herts) young male can still be found hawking for insects at Wilstone Reservoir. A new arrival - another first-summer male - is at Ouse Fen near Over (Cambs), accessed from Fen Road.
A singing male MARSH WARBLER is at Minsmere RSPB reserve today, singing from the Sluice Bushes
In Northern Scotland, the GREAT WHITE EGRET is again on the Savoch Low Grounds at the Loch of Strathbeg RSPB reserve (Aberdeenshire) (with the drake KING EIDER nearby on the Ythan Estuary), whilst on Orkney last night, the long-staying RED-RUMPED SWALLOW was still around and a cracking male RUSTIC BUNTING was on Papa Westray for its second day (at Backiskaill)
Nearby, the long-staying male RED-BACKED SHRIKE is still feeding from the isolated bushes and gorse clumps immediately SSW of Cley Coastguards car park but there has been no sign today of either the singing male THRUSH NIGHTINGALE at Walsey Hills or the male MARSH WARBLER at the east end of Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
In East Kent, the first-summer male RED-FOOTED FALCON remains at Dungeness RSPB (in the vicinity of Christmas Dell hide), whilst the Tring Reservoirs (Herts) young male can still be found hawking for insects at Wilstone Reservoir. A new arrival - another first-summer male - is at Ouse Fen near Over (Cambs), accessed from Fen Road.
A singing male MARSH WARBLER is at Minsmere RSPB reserve today, singing from the Sluice Bushes
In Northern Scotland, the GREAT WHITE EGRET is again on the Savoch Low Grounds at the Loch of Strathbeg RSPB reserve (Aberdeenshire) (with the drake KING EIDER nearby on the Ythan Estuary), whilst on Orkney last night, the long-staying RED-RUMPED SWALLOW was still around and a cracking male RUSTIC BUNTING was on Papa Westray for its second day (at Backiskaill)
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