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24-PAGE GARDEN BIRD GUIDE

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APRIL 2020
SONGBIRDS
● Top tips to help identify birds by sound

● How birdsong inspired classical composers

● Why the Blackbird is our favourite songster

“I’ve found so many

birds by looking harder,
not going further...”

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A 36-hour adventure in the
Caledonian forest

MAJESTIC MAGELLANICS
Get up close and personal with one of the world’s largest woodpeckers
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BIRDING QUESTION
We ask this month’s
contributors: What’s your
favourite British birdsong?
AGAMI PHOTO AGENCY/ALAMY*
David Chandler: Nightjar. A
strange, wonderful and evocative
sound. I like unusual bird sounds
– Bittern is good, too
AVICO LTD/ALAMY*
Tom Bailey: The sub-song of the
Robin. Reason, you have to be so
close to hear it that it feels like it’s
just for you
BOJANGLES/ALAMY*
Bird author Dominic Couzens:
The Blackbird. You can find out
why by turning to my feature on
the Blackbird on page 65
PHILIP MUGRIDGE/ALAMY*
Ruth Miller: The wonderful
song of the Wood Warbler which
is so evocative of Welsh
woodlands in spring
DAVID TIPLING/ALAMY*
Urban Birder David Lindo:
I love the song of the House
Sparrow – although you would
hardly call it a song!
GET IN TOUCH:
Bird Watching, Media House,
Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA
Sign up for our 200
Bird Year challenge
birdwatching.co.uk/my200
Black-throated Diver
H LANSDOWN/ALAMY
Welcome
T
...and the Bird Watching
he start of April will see team’s choices
myself and Mike Weedon
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS LTD/ALAMY
enjoying a few days on
Speyside in the company
of you, the readers – we’ll
be hoping to see the likes of that
COVER IMAGES: YELLOWHAMMER: IMAGEBROKER/ALAMY; MAIN BACKGROUND: MAURITIUS IMAGES GMBH/ALAMY; MAGELLANIC WOODPECKER: RUTH MILLER
glorious Black-throated Diver above,
during our packed schedule.
But much of this issue, and much of Matt Merritt: Curlew –
birding in April, can be about staying there’s nothing else quite like
close to home or sitting still and letting the birds come that bubbling, liquid song
to you. Whether it’s listening to the dawn chorus and
trying to ID the singers (p30), doing all your birding
TIERFOTOAGENTUR/ALAMY*
within a couple of miles of home (p20), or spending
36 hours in the heart of the Caledonian forest
encountering Capercaillies and Crested Tits (p34), it’s
all about taking the time to see the great variety of
birds that are out there. Try it, enjoy it, and tell us how
you get on. Mike Weedon: Some people
call it an overrated song, but for
SUBSCRIBE me the Nightingale’s is the best
AND GET A
RHINO BASE
LAYER
DETAILS -
PAGE 18
MIKE LANE/ALAMY*
Matt Merritt, editor
Mike Roberts: The rich, fluty
@ birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk twitter.com/BirdWatchingMag warble of the Blackcap is pure
magic, every time
facebook.com/BirdWatchingMag instagram/birdwatchingmag
birdwatching.co.uk 3
 APRIL Contents

20 30

FEATURES
24
20 My2MileBirdYear
David Chandler rejects our
#My200BirdYear challenge – find out
why and what he’s doing instead!

24 Birdsong and composers

How composers were inspired to
write some of their finest pieces by
listening to the beauty of birdsong

30 Learn to ID birdsong
Follow our guide to getting the most
20 My2MileBirdYear out of song-rich spring – what will
24 Birdsong & composers you hear this year?
30 Learn to ID birdsong
34 36 hours in the 34 36 hours in the
Caledonian forest Caledonian forest
40 Majestic Magellanics Unique species in a unique

FREE
65 Blackbird environment – how a mammoth
birding adventure reaped rewards

40 Majestic Magellanics 24-PAGE

SIGN UP Ruth Miller gets up close and
personal with giant woodpeckers! GARDEN
NOW! 65 Blackbird BIRD
BIRDWATCHING
GUIDE
Dominic Couzens reveals some
CO.UK/MY200 wonderful characteristics of Britain’s
favourite songster

4 April 2020
 6

NEWS & VIEWS

14 Weedon’s World
This month Mike has been
photographing Barn Owls

16 NewsWire
The Gay Birders’ Club celebrates its
silver jubilee

17 Grumpy Old Birder

Bo highlights a new initiative
aimed at dog owners

44 Garden birding
How you can help the birds in your
34 65 garden this month

72 Your Questions
Our experts answer your birding
IN THE FIELD BIRD THE WORLD conundrums and ID your pics

6 Your Birding Month 77 Birding in the Highlands 114 Back Chat

Find out why the Whinchat is our Join the Bird Watching team for a Kate MacRae, known as Wildlife
Bird of the Month! Plus, five birds to spectacular spring wildlife break Kate, answers our questions
find this month this year

12 Beyond Birdwatching 79 Ebro Delta BIRD SIGHTINGS

April sees a sugar rush, with insects
thronging nectar-producing flowers,
says James Lowen
47 ID Challenge
How many spring warblers can you
identify in our challenge?
53 Go Birding
10 great birding destinations to
head to for brilliant birding
SUBSCRIBE
Editor Matt Merritt finds an
extraordinary landscape provides
the perfect place to enjoy some
iconic wetland birds
84 Urban birding
David Lindo heads to Colombo in
Sri Lanka where ‘looking up’
provides him with some seriously
great birds!
87 Spring birding bonanza
Starling spectaculars and spring
birding opportunities in the lovely
97 Rarity Round-Up
The best rare birds seen in the UK
and Ireland during January
100 UK Bird Sightings
A comprehensive round-up of
birds seen during January
GEAR & REVIEWS
90 Gear
Leica Trinovid 7X35’s put through

AND GET A
county of Somerset their paces by David Chandler

92 Books
RHINO TUTORIAL A selection of the latest releases

BASE LAYER
including The Common Buzzard
88 Camera School
93 WishList
SEE P18
This month, top tips and advice on
how to get the best results when Birding goodies including jackets,
photographing Redshank bins and a seedbox

birdwatching.co.uk 5
 YOUR
BIRDING
MONTH
APRIL
BIRD OF THE MONTH

WHINCHAT
Here is a statement that may surprise you: there are 47,000
breeding pairs of Whinchat in the UK. Perhaps that figure
seems high to you, especially if you live in the southern or
eastern half of the country (as most of the UK’s human
population do), where Whinchats are moderately scarce,
passage birds. Also, the breeding population of the
seemingly (to many of us) more numerous Stonechat is

ALAN WILLIAMS/ALAMY*
about 59,000 pairs, which is not so very different.
If you are wondering about how these figures compare to
some other UK breeding birds, here are a few in the same
ball park: Green Woodpecker (52k pairs), Tawny Owl
(50k pairs), Arctic Tern (53k pairs), Common Gull
(49k pairs) and Marsh Tit (41k pairs).
So, the Whinchat is neither a particularly scarce bird, nor
a very common one, at least as a breeding species. That
seemingly pretty moderate breeding population halved in
size in the period of the last decade of the 20th Century
and the first of the 21st.
Regardless of its population, it is unarguably a very
pretty bird, particularly the males and particularly in spring.
It is at this time of year that the fabulous delights of the
breeding plumage are revealed in all their glory. This
revelation is (in common with many small birds) not
through moulting and replacement of the drabber
IMAGEBROKER/ALAMY*

feathers, but rather through the wearing away of the buff

tips of the fresh feathers we see on autumn individuals, to
reveal the prettier, slightly more basal part of the feathers.
Spring male Whinchats have a peachy orange
throatandbreast to contrast with the clean white
supercilium and submoustachial stripe. Males also have
more clearly defined white shoulders and wing flashes to
gowith the white at the sides of the base of the tail shown
by all Whinchats.
The ‘whin’ part of the name is a northern word for gorse,
as these are chats which breed in upland habitats where
plants like gorse and heather are prominent. In late April
into early May, Whinchats turn up away from these habitats
as they migrate through the country. Search suitable areas
with weedy fields or rough grassland with scattered bushes
or likely-looking fencelines for the birds to perch aloft,
scanning for insect life on the ground.

6 April 2020
 DID YOU
KNOW?
Like other chats, eg.
redstarts, Wheatear
and Stonechat, the
Whinchat is sexually
dimorphic

AGAMI PHOTO AGENCY/ALAMY

birdwatching.co.uk 7
FIVE TO FIND IN APRIL
April is surely one of the top four
birding months in the UK, and
some would argue it is the best
month of all. Spring migration of
birds in breeding finery is well
underway, with birds heading both
in and out as well as through the
country. The dawn chorus is
reaching full swing and many of the
birds which make summer a delight
are appearing. Here are five
cracking birds to enjoy this month.

DAVID CHAPMAN/ALAMY
twitter.com/BirdWatchingMag

facebook.com/BirdWatchingMag

1 SONG THRUSH
RARITY RATINGS Although they will have been singing now for a few months, that does not diminish the
beauty of the song of the Mavis. Along with the song of the Blackbird it forms the core (or
Common, widely distributed
at least the flute in the woodwind section) of many a dawn chorus throughout the land. Song
Localised – always a treat Thrushes prefer to sing in the evening and early morning, and this may be one contributing
factor to why many strictly diurnal birdwatchers claim they never encounter them any more.
Very scarce or rare
The song is rich and varied, and characterised by each short phrase being repeated
(typically) two to four times.

DID YOU
KNOW?
In other countries,
where Willow Grouse
(aka Willow 2 PTARMIGAN
Ptarmigan) occur, Few birds require such a specific journey
Ptarmigan are known to see as the Ptarmigan. Mountain
as Rock Ptarmigan
breeders like Snow Bunting and Dotterel
can be encountered at the coast or in
ploughed fields in the winter or on
passage; not so Ptarmigan, which
spend their lives in high (by UK
standards) mountains, in Scotland. And
the best way to see them is to join them
on their mountains, in among the rocks
above the line of heather growth, where
they appear to pick a living out of thin
mountain air.
DAVID CHAPMAN/ALAMY

8 April 2020
 YOUR BIRDING MONTH

RARITY
PREDICTOR
Yes, it is time once again to gaze into the magic
crystal ball of extreme rarity and have a guess
at what ‘mega’ treats await us.

OBIN CHITTENDEN/ALAMY

PETER LLEWELLYN RF/ALAMY*

3 CURLEW
The breeding population of the Curlew is on a downward curve not dissimilar to the shape of the
largest wader’s outsized bill. They are still moderately common coastal birds, but have declined
greatly on their (generally) moorland nesting grounds. This is a tragedy, not least because the
evocative, heartbreakingly sad, bubbling song is one of the great British bird sounds, rivalling any GREEN HERON
song bird for its magnificence. With fewer than 10 accepted records in
the UK, the Green Heron remains a very rare
bird. Most have been in the autumn, but
remember the 2018 bird in an MP’s garden
in Pembrokeshire?

PHILIP MUGRIDGE/ALAMY
KEVIN ELSBY/ALAMY

AUDOUIN’S GULL
4 AVOCET Another very rare bird with just seven accepted
In contrast to the Curlew, the breeding population of the Avocet in on an upward curve, not records. This is a Mediterranean species which
dissimilar to the shape of its jet black, needle-thin bill. This only equates to some 1,500 pairs, is nearly always found at the coast, feeding on
but this is 1,500 more than there were 80 years ago. Rudely maligned by some birdwatchers fish. Formerly very rare (in the 1960s there
for the nesting adults’ aggressive nature (noisily and persistently chasing other birds away from were only 1,000 pairs), there are now more
their eggs and young), they are really spectacularly exotic, elegant and beautiful birds. than 10,000 breeding pairs around the
Enjoy them! Mediterranean, particularly the western Med.

5 PIED FLYCATCHER
Unlike Avocets, which, once adult, are always
black and white (or rather white and
AGEFOTOSTOCK/ALAMY*

black), Pied Flycatchers are only ‘pied’ in

this way (ie black and white) as adult males
and during the spring and summer. Autumn
birds are browner, so spring is the time to
appreciate them at their best. They will be
working their way back from the wintering BAILLON’S CRAKE
MARK GREEN/ALAMY

grounds to the western woods (and similar sites) This tiny crake is a rare visitor. Like all crakes,
this month. You could be there to greet them, or it is an elusive bird, usually only betraying its
you may pick one or two up on passage. Either way, presence by its weird croaking song, most
these small flycatchers are a great sight (and their often delivered at night. In 2012, several
simple song is lovely, too). singing birds were found. Will there be a
repeat this year?

birdwatching.co.uk 9
WHAT’S IN A NAME?

IN NUMBERS
GOSHAWK
The name of the this Buzzard-
sized Accipiter (at least that size

GER BOSMA/ALAMY*
in the massive female) ultimately
derives from goose hawk. Just as
a Sparrowhawk is known (and
named) for catching small,
sparrow-sized birds, its larger
cousin can tackle prey as big as a
goose (in theory at least).
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS LTD/ALAMY*

6,700,000
Number of breeding pairs of
Robin in the UK

TRACKS & SIGNS

THE MOST COMMON

240,000 UK breeding population
FOOTPRINTS of Wheatears (pairs)

100,000
When you are out and about in the field, do you keep seeing the
same few types of footprint? For many birdwatchers, three types
of footprint seem to be more common than any other. Perhaps
it is because they are made by the sort of bird which habitually
finds itself on the sort of muddy path we walk on; but, whatever Breeding population (in pairs)
the reason, the footprints of Moorhens, Grey Herons and
of Redstart
Mute Swans seem to be the most obvious.

24-45
Number o
Redstart i

4cm 6cm 8cm

6,700
Total of
IERFOTOAGENTUR/ALAMY*

singing male
Moorhen footprint Grey Heron footprint Mute Swan footprint Nightingales
in the UK

DCRAFT

TEN AND LOOK

or passage Wood Warblers
NATURE PICTURE LIBRARY/ALAMY

Redstarts)
ds which are frequently sought on
in April are the Redstart and the Wood
r. Both can be shy and unobtrusive
ut both may betray their presence by
unds. In the Redstart’s case, this is a
warbler-like ‘hooeet’ call, while male
Warblers may produce at least the
ting part of the song.
 YOUR BIRDING MONTH

British breeding grebes UK TIDES

APRIL
The times below are
We have four species of grebe that regularly breed in the UK. Two are reasonably common birds, while two are rare and for high tide, when
localised nesters. All can be seen during April in breeding finery, if you know where to look… waders and wildfowl
will be pushed closer
to dry land...
Great Crested Find the location closest to
Grebe your destination and add or
subtract the hours and minutes
Our commonest, most from the high tide time at
London Bridge, below.
widespread and most
obvious grebe, Great Crested Date Time m Time m
Grebes are much bigger than 1W 06:20 6.24 18:42 5.82
2 Th 07:18 6.02 19:49 5.60
the other three British breeders. 3F 08:39 5.90 21:27 5.62

WONDERFUL-EARTH.NET/ALAMY*
They also have the most famous 4 Sa 10:12 6.15 22:56 6.03
5 Su 11:26 6.61
and easy to observe dancing 6M 00:03 6.53 12:28 7.01
display, where both individuals 7 Tu 00:57 6.93 13:20 7.27
in the pair mimic each other’s 8W 01:43 7.21 14:07 7.40
9 Th 02:27 7.41 14:51 7.44
actions. Magnificent. 10 F 03:08 7.55 15:33 7.38
11 Sa 03:48 7.57 16:13 7.19
12 Su 04:30 7.41 16:54 6.87
13 M 05:12 7.10 17:34 6.48
Little Grebe 14 Tu
15 W
05:58
06:51
6.69
6.27
18:18
19:12
6.10
5.76
16 Th 07:57 5.93 20:24 5.52
The real titch of our grebe species, 17 F 09:16 5.80 21:56 5.56
the Dabchick really is a little grebe! 18 Sa 10:38 5.97 23:13 5.90
19 Su 11:46 6.31
They are often quite shy and 20 M 00:09 6.28 12:36 6.57
retiring (certainly compared with 21 Tu 00:52 6.55 13:15 6.68
22 W 01:29 6.72 13:48 6.73
Great Crested Grebes), preferring 23 Th 02:02 6.86 14:18 6.78
to linger round the margins of water 24 F 02:33 6.96 14:47 6.82
bodies and hide in vegetation or 25 Sa 03:03 7.00 15:16 6.81
26 Su 03:33 6.96 15:48 6.71
dive under the water, at the first sign
MCPHOTO/SCHAEF/ALAMY

27 M 04:06 6.85 16:21 6.52

of an unwelcome human presence. 28 Tu 04:40 6.69 16:54 6.31
29 W 05:19 6.52 17:34 6.09
They often betray themselves with 30 Th 06:06 6.34 18:24 5.88
a whinnying or trilling call, a bit like
SOUTH WEST NORTH WEST
the flight call of the Whimbrel. Weston-Super-Mare Whitehaven (-2:30)
(+5:05) Douglas (-2:44)
Barnstaple (+4:30) Morecambe (-2:33)

Slavonian Grebe Newquay (+3:32)

Falmouth (+3:30)
Plymouth (+4:05)
Blackpool (-2:50)

NORTH EAST
A rare breeder in selected lochs Torquay (+4:40) Skegness (+4:29)
Bournemouth Grimsby (+4:13)
and lochans in the Highlands, (-5:09)* Bridlington (+2:58)
there are only about 30 pairs of Portland (+4:57) Whitby (+2:20)
St Peter Port Hartlepool (+1:59)
this handsome grebe nesting (+4:53) Blyth (+1:46)
in the country. In the breeding Swanage (-5:19)* Berwick (+0:54)
Portsmouth (-2:29)
season, they are best looked for Southampton (-2:53) SCOTLAND
ARTERRA PICTURE LIBRARY/ALAMY*

at well-known protected localities SOUTH EAST

Leith (+0:58)
Dundee (+1:12)
like Loch Ruthven, where they Ryde (-2:29) Aberdeen (-0:18)
Brighton (-2:51) Fraserburgh (-1:28)
can be observed from hides Eastbourne (-2:48) Lossiemouth (-2:00)
without fear of disturbance Dungeness (-3:05) Wick (-2:29)
Dover (-2:53) Lerwick (-2:50)
(of the birds, that is, not of the Margate (-1:52) Stromness (-4:29)
viewing birdwatchers). Herne Bay (-1:24) Scrabster (-5:09)
Southend-on-sea (-1:22) Stornoway (+5:30)
Clacton-on-sea (-2:00) Ullapool (+5:36)

Black-necked
Gairloch (+5:16)
EAST ANGLIA Oban (+4:12)
Felixstowe Pier (-2:23) Greenock (-1:19)

Grebe Aldeburgh (-2:53)

Lowestoft (-4:23)
Ayr (-1:44)
Campbeltown
There are only 30 to 50 pairs of Cromer (+4:56) (-1:12)
Hunstanton (+4:44) Girvan (-1:51)
this beautiful little (not Little) grebe, Kirkcudbright Bay
widely spread across various sites WALES (-2:25)
Colwyn Bay (-2:47)
in England (they are known to Holyhead (-3:28) IRELAND
IAN BUTLER PHOTOGRAPHY/ALAMY*

breed close to Black-headed Gull Barmouth (-5:45)

Aberystwyth (-6:11)
Londonderry (-5:32)
Belfast (-2:47)
colonies). In North America this Fishguard (+5:44) Donegal (+4:20)
Swansea (+4:42)
is the Eared Grebe (while Slavonian ilford Haven (+4:37)
is Horned Grebe), which is Cardiff (+5:15)

not as easy to remember as *Approximate times due to large variance

between the month’s neap and spring tides. All
Black-necked Grebe! times are GMT.

birdwatching.co.uk 11
YOUR BIRDING MONTH

Beyond
Birdwatching
April sees a sugar rush, with insects thronging
INSECT
nectar-producing flowers, says James Lowen
Volcano bee
TUBULAR BELLS Mining bees can be a pain to identify to species, but
ny Mining-bee bucks the trend with its bright coloration
Cowslip speaks
ss Look for mini-volcanoes of earth on your
eloquently of ounce the entrance to its burrow.
April. Originally
a plant of MOTH
species-rich
grasslands, it Way up to Mars
is now readily One of my favourite spring moths, Satellite,
sown on the used to be better known as an autumn moth. Its
apparent shift in seasonal preference is actually
verges of a reflection of the evolution in mothing
new road techniques. Before moth traps were widely
developments available, most people saw their Satellites
nectaring on autumn-flowering ivy. Now,
– lending
however, it appears that we wait for them to
brightness to the eye reach our garden trap, shifting the balance of
speeding by. occurrence towards spring. The moth’s curious
name reflects the tiny white dot ‘orbiting’ the
orange ‘moon’ on the upperwing.
PLANT/HABITAT
MOTH PLANT
Spring froth
Scraggly spring hedgerows excite. The more
Dead or alive
unkempt the better – as they furnish both homes Deride me for having poor taste, but I have a thing
for wildlife (2,000 species were once counted in a for Red Dead-nettle. Like our other four dead-
single 85-metre-long hedge) and corridors for nettle species, it is an ancient introduction. Yet
dispersal. That said, any hedge may be better I respect its abundance, its ability to thrive in
than none, given that the UK has lost half of such unwanted ground such as disturbed pavement
natural heritage in the last 75 years. My favourite fringes, its resolute spread across most of lowland
hedgerow constituent is Blackthorn, whose frothy Britain – and love its forthright pink flowers.
white flowers are among spring’s most valuable
sources of nectar and pollen.

Look but don’t

touch?
Panic stations! Last spring, council
websites reverberated with advice on how
to deal with a ‘nationwide plague of
dangerous insects’. Granted, if you pick up
a Brown-tail Moth caterpillar, its tiny hairs
may get under your skin and cause an
itchy, nettle-like rash. But it’s an irritant
rather than a danger. This month, look for
the caterpillars’ communal silk tents –
PICTURES: JAMES LOWEN

typically strung across bramble – then

watch the orange-spotted larvae wiggle in
the sun’s rays.

12 April 2020
 SPORT
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Mike has got a new obsession: photographing Barn Owls
S
ome people claim they can always
remember the first time they saw this bird
or that. I’d like to think I was one of those
people. But I’m not. Take the king of
hunters, the Barn Owl, for instance.
Startingly beautiful, unmistakable,
charismatic and possessing of an unearthly, dreamlike,
ghostly quality, Barn Owls should be unforgettable. But
my memories are as nebulous and confused as that
magical, impossible colour, floating somewhere
between gold and grey that the owls uniquely possess.
My clearest memory of seeing a Barn Owl well was
way back in my teens (so perhaps the earliest 1980s),
and was at Bough Beech Reservoir in Kent. It was one
of those delicious daylight encounters, and my false
memories tell me I watched the bird for hours, in awe.
But I think by then I had already seen Barn Owls at
least on night drives in Scotland, when the crowd of
Weedon children went north to stay with our father and
his family in Ayrshire, and would camp in the wilds.
For most of my earlier life, Barn Owls were an
occasional treat, scarce and exciting. It was only when
we moved up to Peterborough that I started to
encounter them regularly, almost routinely, as an
expected bird in any day’s birding in the fens.
The wind, the interminable, infinite, endless,
incessant, westerly wind has been killing birdwatching
over the last gasps of winter. Year listing doldrums have
slumped to a dead calm, and I have spent more time
hanging about looking for Otters to photograph than for
invisible, hiding birds. Come the end of February,
though, and a new photographic target has raised its
lovely head, or rather collection of heads: Barn Owls.
A road closely follows one of the rivers which passes
through the fen country close to home. On the opposite
side from the water, there is a rough, damp field, which
used to be home to the Loneliest Cow in the World. The
voles hidden in the tangle of Sad Cow Field have for
years attracted hunting
Kestrels, Buzzards, Hen THE VOLES IN THE
Harriers and, of course,
Barn Owls.
TANGLE OF SAD COW
But in my memory, there has FIELD HAVE FOR YEARS
never been anything quite like ATTRACTED... OWLS
what has been happening,
recently. You can sit in your car
(as a hide) in the middle of the day, and simultaneously
watch five Barn Owls patrolling the windy field. And
sometimes there are six, seven, or even eight!
They hover, pounce, patrol, pounce some more, sit
on roadside fence posts, hover, glide, hover, pounce.
And at times there are so many of them around you,
the experience is simply overwhelming.
I have watched hunting ‘groups’ of Short-eared Owls
before, but never Barn Owls in such numbers. Shorties
14 April 2020
PATCH DIARY
M KE WEEDON
are always scrapping, but the Sad Cow Barnies seem Above
positively friendly with each other, never arguing and Barn Owl, near
even following each other to hunt. Peterborough,
Presumably, the reason for all the concentrated February 2020
diurnal hunting here is the non-stop wind ruining night
hunting (especially by ear). And this particular field
has been left alone to grow tousled and lousy with voles
since the Loneliest Cow called it home.
If you spend extended time trying to photograph
birds, you get to know the quirks and eccentricities of
your subject. In SC Field, there are up to eight subjects
to try to get to know, each with their own ‘thing’. One
lovely golden bird has a missing tail feather and likes
a particular bush to rest in. Another rarely-seen
individual has wonderful orange sides to its neck; while
one ringed owl, which seems to be re-growing flight
feathers in its left wing, is particularly bold.
And time sitting in a field waiting for Barn Owl
fly-pasts is never dead time. Something is always going
on. A little party of Roe Deer
grazed and rested under the
roosting hedge. A Great Spotted
Woodpecker drummed, Mike Weedon
Buzzards mewed, Jays is a lover of all
squawked. The Jackdaws wildlife, a local bird
sitting in the tall poplars all ‘year lister’, and a
day, suddenly erupted, as a keen photographer,
Peregrine powered through. Or one of the local Magpies around his home city
thought the Barn Owls had been sleeping too long, and of Peterborough,
could do with having their wings pecked and pulled… where he lives with
I took hundreds of photographs over the weekend. his wife, Jo, and
And deleted all but a couple of dozen or so which were children, Jasmine
acceptably sharp and interesting. But the photographs and Eddie. You can
can’t come close to capturing the wonderful experience see his photos at
of being surrounded by the dancing, floating forms of weedworld.
half a dozen gold-grey-and-white ghosts. I won’t forget. blogspot.com
 BY APPOINTMENT TO
HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II
SWAROVSKI OPTIK
SUPPLIER OF BINOCULARS

CURIOUS
The first optical device with
digital animal identification.

SEE THE UNSEEN

ALL THE BIGGEST BIRD NEWS & EVENTS

MILESTONE

Silver jubilee celebrations

Gay Birders’ Club Mexican Jay
celebrates its 25th
year by buying
forests in Mexico
REPORT MATT MERRITT

T
he Gay Birders’
Club (GBC) reaches
its 25th birthday
this year, and it’s
celebrating its
silver jubilee by buying 25
acres of forest in Mexico as a
contribution towards tackling

the climate emergency.
The group was founded back
in 1995 by a group of 10 gay
men. Several gay women soon
joined in, and the club grew
rapidly, with the female
members now slightly
outnumbering the men.
The Club started before
the repeal of Section 28 and
before the equalisation of the
age of consent.
Chairman Mike Pollard said:
“It was not always so easy as it
is now be out at home, at work
or when out birding, and GBC
provided a wonderfully
supportive and sociable ‘space’
for us to connect. We’ve come a
Jaguar
long way since then!”
The Gay Birders’ Club is
now well established as the
UK’s foremost meeting place for
those in the LGBT+ community
who are interested in wildlife
and birdwatching.
It has 300 members all over
the UK, runs about 70 birding
trips a year, organises holidays
and has a quarterly magazine,
Out Birding. The club’s biennial
Grand Get Together attracts
many members who enjoy a
AGEFOTOSTOCK/ALAMY
weekend of quality birding in aims to raise funds to help
beautiful parts of the country. It local partner Naturalia
is the GBC’s main fundraising secure 25 acres of this special
event. The club has raised habitat, home to a rich diversity
money for many causes over the of endangered wildlife,
years, and for its silver including Jaguars.
anniversary wanted to make Over the years, the GBC has
a special contribution to enjoyed a great deal of
conservation and the climate companionable birding together
emergency by joining the World all over the UK and abroad, has
Land Trust in their goal of seen a few romances that have
protecting 3,953 acres of prime led to long-term relationships,
wildlife habitat in Sonorro, lasting friendships form, and
Northern Mexico. The GBC had a lot of fun as well as doing
some serious birding. It has also
built links with birders in other
countries and has a flourishing
online presence through its
Facebook page and Twitter. The
anniversary year celebrations
will centre around a series of
celebratory lunches and picnics
across the country on 11 July,
ADITYA “DICKY” SINGH/ALAMY*

but the fundraising for Mexico

will be the key part of the year.
For more information, go to:
gbc-online.org.uk
Twitter: @GayBirdersClub

16 April 2020

NEWS IN BRIEF
Ammunition move
Plans to introduce a voluntary ban
on the use of lead ammunition by
UK shooting originations have
been described as an “important
step” by wetland charity WWT.
The new initiative means that
hunters are expected to transition
from lead ammunition in favour
of non-toxic alternatives by 2025,
benefiting wildlife and people who
eat game meat shot with lead.
This move has the potential to
reduce the high levels of poisoning
of birds prone to ingesting lead
shot when foraging or those that
prey on birds and other animals
that have been shot with lead.
Puffin survey
Puffin numbers on the remote
Farne Islands, off the coast
of Northumberland, appear
stable despite extreme rainfall
threatening numbers, a National
Trust survey has found. There
were fears that the population
would be affected after
devastating rainfall flooded
numerous burrows on the islands
last year. On 13 June, at least
300 young Puffins died when
5in (12cm) of rain fell in 24 hours.
The survey revealed a marginal
decrease in the population, with
43,752 breeding pairs recorded in
2019, fewer than a 0.5% decrease
on the results from 2018.
Birding hub work
Work on the construction of a
new state-of-the-art wildlife and
birdwatching hub in River Lee
Country Park north of London
has got underway. Plans to replace
the existing 35-year-old Bittern
Information Point at Lee Valley
Regional Park Authority’s Fishers
Green site in Waltham Abbey,
Essex, were announced last year.
The new Wildlife Discovery
Centre will open its doors this
summer and is expected to
become one of the most popular
GEORGE LEROY/ALAMY
wildlife spotting areas in the
26-mile long Lee Valley Regional
Park, which stretches from the
Thames to Ware in Hertfordshire.
GRUMPYOLDBIRDER
This month, Bo highlights a new initiative aimed
at educating dog owners about birds at our coasts
R
emember the Rio dictum;
think global, act local?
Well, something is
happening near me that
could affect much of
Europe, given the importance of the
UK’s coastal areas for wintering waders
in particular.
In my local area of Thanet, with the lowest tree
cover in Kent, a great initiative is taking place that
needs a sea change in our understanding and
habits. So far as I know it’s currently confined to
two projects in my county, but I really hope it
becomes nationwide.
Bird Wise is the collective name for the two
Strategic Access Management and Monitoring
Schemes (SAMMS), partnerships of local
authorities, developers and environmental
organisations, one in North Kent and its equivalent
in East Kent. The project’s remit is to combat the
disturbance of over-wintering birds because, when
frightened they stop resting or feeding and expend
crucial energy flying further away. Lack of rest and
feeding in winter also leads to less successful
breeding in the spring. Obviously, the threat to
breeding birds is just as great with nests abandoned
with eggs or chicks predated.
No doubt our physical and mental wellness is
much enhanced by a walk by the sea, but what is
good for us can be bad for birds. Disturbance can
be down to a number of activities, such as
bait-digging, wind-surfing and walking the tide line.
However, the biggest threats are dogs off the lead.
Bird Wise isn’t about stopping people enjoying
the coast but about encouraging better behaviour
where needed. I’ve never understood why people
want to walk right at the edge of the water or allow
their dogs to race about where the birds are. But
rather than irascible old blokes like me waving our
walking sticks at dog owners, Bird Wise seeks to
educate and encourage a new code of conduct on
land and sea.
The details are on their website, but I‘d like to
NEWS & OPINION
see it firmly embedded in the country
code and backed up with signage and
wardening. None of it is rocket
surgery. It should be obvious that one
should keep a good distance from
feeding and roosting birds and keep
to paths on the landward side of the
seawall and to follow signboards. Obviously,
keeping your dog on a lead, and only exercising it
well away from birds is paramount. Boaters and
surfers need to be just as aware to stay at least
100m from feeding and roosting birds.
You might assume this is just me being my usual
grumpy old self, worrying at a bone because of
habitually having a dog in my bonnet. Well there is
that of course. However, sadly, the facts speak for
themselves. A friend just sent me the WeBs counts
for my bit of coast, comparing this January with
1992. Sanderling down by a third, Curlew halved
and Redshank and Ringed Plover down 80%.
Turnstones and Purple Sandpipers down over 90%.
Grey Plovers, Dunlin and Oystercatcher had
healthy numbers and have now disappeared,
completely! If you are not shocked, you should be.
Moreover, every time I have visited the local
National Nature Reserve covering a land spit and
mudflats, there have been people ignoring all pleas
and disturbing the birds from dog owners letting
their mutts chase the waders to walkers and
bait-diggers ignoring the signs and wandering on
the mud. Anglers, who traipse across hundreds of
yards of feeding grounds to stand on the tideline
are often out-performed by windsurfers putting
thousands of wildfowl and waders to flight, and
ignorant boaters trying to get nose to nose with
hauled-out seals.
It’s time for dog-walkers, wind surfers, bait-
diggers and the rest to get Bird Wise!
Visit birdwise.org.uk
Bo Beolens runs fatbirder.com and other
websites. He has
GET IN
TOUCH
Do you agree – or disagree –
with Bo’s comments?
Email us at
birdwatching@
bauermedia.co.uk
Left Another
out-of-control
dog-owner
birdwatching.co.uk 17
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18 April 2020
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birdwatching.co.uk 19
 My2MileBirdYear
David Chandler rejects #My200BirdYear
I
’m not going to do it this year. I’ve
been doing it since it started in 2017,
but I’m not doing it in 2020. My totals
have been OK – more than 200 last
year, a tad under the year before and
nearer 300 in 2017.
To hit 200 in a year in the UK you have
to be intentional – it’s very unlikely to
happen by accident. But the good thing
about #My200BirdYear is that you set your
own rules, and you don’t have to compete
with anyone, except perhaps yourself.
I get to travel sometimes, so for me, and
it’s my rules remember, My200 has
included anything I have seen in Europe,
but not anything outside of Europe. My
2017 total wouldn’t have happened
without time in south-east Europe and
Barn Owl
20 April 2020
Iberia – both of which I recommend.
My200 gave me the motivation to get out
there and see birds that I don’t see very
often – Snow Bunting on the Norfolk
coast, for example. And while I was there,
I saw my first UK Shore Larks. But in
2020, My200 becomes My2 and My2 drives
me in a different direction – a direction
that won’t require much driving at all.
Just two...
Seeing two species in a year is not
motivating or challenging. Two doesn’t
refer to the species list – it’s
My2MileBirdYear. That means two miles
from my house – a circle that’s four miles
across. We moved to a new house last
year, in a great location. Walk out the door
Bittern
EDO SCHMIDT/ALAMY*
and in three-quarters-of-a-mile you are
on the edge of the RSPB’s Ouse Fen
Nature Reserve, a wonderful wetland
– a site that will eventually stretch to
700 hectares and include the UK’s
biggest reedbed.
It already has Bitterns (nine boomers
last year), Marsh Harriers, Hobbies,
Bearded Tits, Grasshopper Warblers and
Otters. I’ve seen Cranes there, and Barn
Owls, Tawny Owls and Spotted
Flycatchers between the house and the
fen. So I don’t need to go far.
A small patch?
Two miles may sound like a small area
but ‘O’ level maths tells me that a circle
with a two mile radius covers more than
Marsh Harrier
MIC CLARK PHOTOGRAPHY/ALAMY*

12-square miles. Go metric and it’s in
excess of 32-square kilometres, which is
not that small, but is all pretty close by.
I’m not promising to never get in the car,
but lots of My2MileBirdYear will be done
on foot, or bike. The motivation is not to
go further, it’s to look harder and find
what there is close to home, and in the
process, I’ll get to know my local area.
How to do it
Not everyone has such diversity on their
doorstep. If you like the idea of a limited
radius, close-to-home challenge, but live
somewhere that is not too rich in wildlife
you have two options. The first is to do it
anyway – you may be surprised at what
you find. Don’t forget to look up – The
Bearded Tit
FLPA/ALAMY*
NOT MY200BIRDYEAR DAVID CHANDLER
Urban Birder would approve. Or, choose
a patch not too far away (you decide
what that means) and do it there. Once
you have decided on your patch get a
map – the more detailed the better –
paper or digital, and draw a circle on it.
I did it on paper then photographed it
so I can check the boundary on my iPad.
Study that map. Look for likely places
above and beyond those you already
know, and if you can, check them out. If
there are other birders locally, see if you
can connect up with them – if they can
tip you off about something on the patch
that may help you to see more. I’m part
of a WhatsApp group which does just
that. What you count is up to you. I’m
giving myself as much latitude as
Water Rail
NIGEL PYE/ALAMY*
Fen Drayton
RSPB
DAVID BARTLETT/ALAMY
possible – if I’m in the circle and can
see or hear a bird, even if the bird isn’t in
the circle, it counts. And if I’m not in the
circle but the bird is, that also counts.
My2MileBirdYear should mean less time
in the car, more time birding and a better
understanding of my local birds.
I’m writing this in mid-January and
haven’t been trying that hard. My total
is more than 60 species, including Barn
Owl, Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tit
and Water Rail. BW
● Watch this space for occasional updates
or checkout facebook.com/
davidchandlerwriter. Are you doing
something in a similar vein? Email:
birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk
CHRIS GRADY/ALAMY*
birdwatching.co.uk 21
 THE HAMPSHIRE 150
PHOTO-CHALLENGE
FEBRUARY 2020 UPDATE
How the team fared during a month of challenging weather conditions
T
he BPOTY team have again
had to struggle with limited
windows of good weather over
the last few weeks. Large
amounts of rainfall saw
localised flooding and Storm Ciara did its
worst as it rampaged across Hampshire.
But there have been breaks in between
the rain clouds and quite a few species
were ticked off the list, with varying
degrees of photographic success!
A lot of the usual winter visitors have
not arrived in the numbers expected. It
also seems likely that natural food
supplies have remained in reasonable
supply, as our garden feeders are not as
well visited as recent years, although
Tufted Duck
THE HAMPSHIRE 150 CHALLENGE TEAM
Paul Sterry Andrew Cleave Rob Read
22 April 2020
garden regulars such as Blackbird and
Dunnock always make good subjects. Thi Blackbird
has meant the team have had to work
much harder to keep the list ticking along
and ensure that the winter visitors are
photographed before they depart.
The vast range of habitat types
encountered in Hampshire ensures a
similarly diverse range of species are
present at varying times of the year. The
New Forest is a national treasure and is
one of the few reliable places for species
like Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, which
proved to be one of the recent highlights.
Hen Harrier is an elusive bird at the best
times, and the team had to persevere
before Keith managed to capture a record
ot at one of a handful of winter roost
es the team visited regularly.
On a rare good weather day on the
ast, species such as Purple Sandpiper, impressive 89, but there are a
unlin and Turnstone were all added to number of winter visitors still to tick off
e list. Rob had fun on some of the the target list. The team certainly have
rious ponds and lakes around the their work cut out!
unty, photographing an obliging Water
ail, a friendly Pied Wagtail, a Grey Heron Visit the BPOTY website and follow the
ghlighted in the dawn sun and an over link to the Hampshire 150 page to see
intering Chiffchaff. some more of the images taken by the
At the time of writing, the number of team as the challenge progresses.
ecies photographed stands at an birdpoty.co.uk BW
Andrew Cameron Chris Packham Megan McCubbin Keith Betton
 PHOTO CHALLENGE

ALL IMAGES: ROB READ/NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS LTD

Dunnock

Jackdaw Black-headed Gull

Grey Heron

Redwing Mute Swan

Pied Wagtail

birdwatching.co.uk 23
 Note perfect
How co f fi
p

A
fluttering violi
melody gather
soaring over th
orchestra, as it
reaches its hig
notes and spinning into a ge
downward spiral. Vaughan W
The Lark Ascending mimics
flight as it embarks on a mo
across a waking landscape.
style is described as pastora
depiction of rural Britain. It
exceptionally beautiful piec
15 minutes of pure escapism
best thing to the bird’s own

BLICKWINKEL/ALAMY*
The Lark Ascending was c
1914, at the start of World W
has it that the English comp
walking in Margate when th
melody first came to him. birdsong through musical instruments.
He was put under a citizen’s arrest as he (‘Birdsong’ is used broadly in this article
made a note of the tune, accused of to encompass all sounds produced by a This mixing of science and art has led to
documenting the coastline for the enemy. variety of birds, not just passerines.) a new area of creative study. Composer-
ornithologists such as Olivier Messiaen
(1908-1992) gathered field recordings and
attempted to match the bird’s sounds with
the musical pitches used in Western
classical music, in order to transcribe
them on to the stave (the five lines used
for writing scores).

Greek pan pipes

This was a lengthy task in the mid-20th
Century (one wonders what Messiaen
would make of the various bird call
tracking apps available today), made
further complicated by the fact that birds
GRANGER HISTORICAL PICTURE ARCHIVE/ALAMY

can produce polyphonic melodies, i.e.

more than one line of sound at the same
time. A bird’s voice box (called a syrinx:
Greek for pan pipes) is split into two
independently functioning sections. These
CHRONICLE/ALAMY

allow the reproduction of multiple

Ralph Vaughan Williams Olivier Messiaen melodies, something that only certain
musical instruments can achieve.

24 April 2020
 COMPOSERS AND BIRDSONG

LAURE ADAMS/ALAMY
MIKE LANE/ALAMY

Reed Warbler

birdwatching.co.uk 25
 Troubling the charts... Curlew
The singles chart is no stranger to
bird-themed entries: Keith Harris and
Orville showed that birds (of a sort) could
achieve pop success when they had a top
10 hit in 1982 – and the Birdie Song
reached number two in 1981. But novelty
acts are eclipsed by the real thing. Last
year, the RSPB’s Let Nature Sing, a mix
of British birdsong featuring warblers,
woodpeckers and Blackbirds, was
released to coincide with International

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS LTD/ALAMY*

Dawn Chorus Day (5 May).
The piece reached number one on the
UK Singles Sales Chart and number 18 on
the UK Singles Chart.

So, when it came to reimagining

birdsong in his compositions, Messiaen
needed an instrument that could do
Black-eared Wheatear
justice to the complexity of the natural
sound. He turned to the piano, and his
Catalogue d’Oiseaux, a collection that
recognises 13 different birds from his
native France, was completed in 1956-8.
It wasn’t just songbirds that fascinated
Messiaen, although several feature in
Catalogue d’Oiseaux, such as the Blue
Rock Thrush and Reed Warbler.
He also included the Curlew and Tawny
Owl, as well as the Black-eared Wheatear
and Alpine Chough. The resulting
two-and-a-half hours of music is an
incredible hymn to the natural world.
That’s not to say that Catalogue d’Oiseux

SAVERIO GATTO/ALAMY
is an easy listen. Unlike Vaughan
Williams, Messiaen was a modernist, and
the transference of birdsong to piano
results in an avant-garde musical

language. The score’s dedicatees are

‘the birds’. There is a lively academic
debate around how precise Messiaen’s
transcriptions are. The composer
himself was often unclear on his
position, claiming on occasions they were
exact replicas and then that the original
material was ‘malleable’.

Field recordings
Today’s composer-ornithologists are
taking advantage of advances in recording
technology to incorporate birdsong in their
work. Australian-based Hollis Taylor has
been using Pied Butcherbird vocalisations
in her compositions since 2005. Taylor
analyses birdsong via sonograms, as well
as transcribing them into notation. Her
‘(re)compositions’ blend field recordings
and human-made music to evoke the
vibrancy of the Australian avian world. In
pieces such as Owen Springs Reserve 2014,
cheery chirping is combined with solo

26 April 2020

vibraphone to create a unique timbre.
“My priority is to first document what the
bird had achieved, before I compose,’ says
Taylor. “This species has been around for
some 13 million years, so I’m sure they
don’t need me to improve on their phrases.
Instead, I commend and showcase what
they have accomplished.
“My (re)compositions feature my
various field recordings as chamber music
partners – some are birdsongs, but also
the songs and sounds of frogs, mammals,
and insects; the sound of the wind
blowing through an outback fence; a
livestock auctioneer; a car trundling
across an old wooden bridge – whatever
I encounter in my travels.”
Taylor has conducted fieldwork
throughout Australia, but now focuses on
central Australia, in and around Alice
Springs. “To record, I set up shotgun
microphones on a tripod, and I also set out
a number of all-weather recorders to check
COMPOSERS AND BIRDSONG
Alice Springs LISTENING LIST
Bird concerto with Pianosong
(2003) by Jonathan Harvey
Forty Californian birds, including the
Indigo Bunting, Orchard Oriole and
Golden-crowned Sparrow inspired this
30-minute work that fuses together
recordings and abstract piano melodies to
create a vibrant homage to Messiaen.
On Hearing the First Cuckoo in
Spring (1912) by Frederick Delius
Composed in the same pastoral style as
Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending,
Delius’s music is centred around the
much-loved cuckoo call, which is passed
around the orchestral instruments and is
particularly effective in the clarinet part.
The Birds (1928)
by Ottorino Respighi
Based on early attempts to transcribe
birdsong, this orchestral work includes
references to doves, cuckoos, nightingales
and hens (the original transcription also
inspired Saint-Saëns’s ‘Hens and
Cockerels’ in Carnival of the Animals).
Absolute Bird: Concerto for
Recorder and Orchestra (2017)
by Hollis Taylor
Field recordings of Australian birds are
melded with a complex solo recorder line
GENEVIEVE VALLEE/ ALAMY
that blurs the boundaries between
human- and animal-made music in this
remarkable work, commissioned by
recorder player Genevieve Lacey,
who premiered it with the Adelaide
Symphony Orchestra.
where and when birds are singing so I can
be as productive as possible each night,” Oiseaux exotiques (1955-56)
she explains. “Pied Butcherbird soloists by Olivier Messiaen
sing nocturnally for up to seven hours in Written in a similar vein to catalogue
the spring. All soloists sing differently, and d’oiseux, oiseux exotiques is scored for
they change their phrases annually, so I piano and chamber orchestra and is
have a regular source of new material as based on the songs of birds from Asia and
long as the climate crisis does not silence North and South America, such as the
them. I spend at least three months every Baltimore Oriole, the Greater Prairie
year in the field.” Chicken, Red-whiskered Bulbul and the
Wood Thrush.
Promoting conservation
Recording technology is helping to shape
education projects around birding, too. at sunrise (First Light Festival marks one
When Lowestoft’s First Light Festival cycle of midsummer sun setting and rising
launched in 2019, local charities were at Britain’s most easterly town).
understandably keen to make the most of At 5am, the dunes were filled with the
the high numbers of visitors. But how best sound of Sedge and Cetti’s Warblers,
to promote wetland conservation projects Cuckoos and Tawny Owls recorded near
at an event held on a beach? Sprat’s Water in Carlton Marshes, in an
Suffolk Wildlife Trust commissioned unrivalled advertisement for the
sound artist Mike Challis to create a neighbouring reserves.
recording that was shared with attendees In her book Is Birdsong Music? Outback
birdwatching.co.uk 27
 COMPOSERS AND BIRDSONG

In 2016, Pierre-Laurent
Aimard performed concerts
from dawn to midnight,
accompanied by birdsong

MATT JOLLY
Encounters with an Australian Songbird
Pierre-Laurent Aimard
Taylor argues that it is wrong to see
birdsong as separate from human-made
music. Taylor is a zoomusicologist: an
academic who specialises in the study
of music in animal culture. It’s a young
field of study, but one that is attracting
growing interest.

Early concert
The close connections between birdsong
and human music is reflected in how
performances are presented. In 2016,
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, then artistic

director of Aldeburgh Festival, played
Messiaen’s Catalogue d’oiseaux over the
course of a single day and night.
The concerts were timed to coincide
with the bird’s own recitals: the day
began at 4am as attendees gathered in
the reed beds outside Suffolk’s Snape
DPA PICTURE ALLIANCE/ALAMY
Maltings to listen to the dawn chorus
before the first piano recital at 6am.
One of the evening performances was
held at Whin Hill – a joint venture
Pied Butcherbird
MATT JOLLY
between Aldeburgh Music and
Minsmere RSPB, one-time hosts of BBC’s
Springwatch – to celebrate the dusk
chorus. The piano was positioned
outside so that the Messiaen’s music
could merge with the birds’ own.
And while you might think that the
sound of a piano is far removed from a
bird’s timbre, composers are continuing
to prove that it’s not just woodwind
instruments that can reproduce
birdsong. “Pied Butcherbirds sing with a
gorgeous, flute-like tone, but playing
their vocalisations on a tuba means their
human audience cannot be accused of
being swayed just by timbre; the phrases
sound musical on every instrument I
assign them to,” says Taylor.
Whether it’s an orchestral ode,

transcription or recording, music will

continue to take inspiration from
birdsong – and perhaps our feathered
friends will one day be recognised as
composers in their own right, too. BW

28 April 2020
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 steps to
the most out of song-rich spring…
WORDS MATT MERRITT

I
t’s that time of year again, when your birdwatching friend takes you
marching through the local woodland, confidently picking out species
after species on the strength of their songs alone. You nod along,
uncertainly, and try to pretend that you, too, can tell the difference
between a Blackcap and a Garden Warbler without seeing either.
It’s a situation I’ve found myself in, again and again. Even though I spend
a lot of time out in the field, and have done for many years, I don’t think I’ll
ever be an instinctive birdsong ID-er. But there are ways to get around it, and
to ensure that you make the most of the song-rich months of April and May.
Bear these tips in mind, and remember that if all else fails, birdsong is a
glorious gift to be enjoyed, even before you start thinking about the use to
which you can put it.

1 Start from scratch

Try to learn the songs of the birds that regularly visit your garden, place
of work, or regular birding spot. These shouldn’t amount to more than a
dozen or so species, but it will give you a great foundation from which to
start – once you’re recognising the likes of Chaffinch, Blue Tit and Robin
without really thinking about it, you’ll have more time to devote to the
business of sorting out trickier species.

Chaffinch
BLICKWINKEL/ALAMY
TOM BAILEY

30 April 2020
 HELPFUL ADVICE BIRDSONG

Great Tit
2 Get to grips with Great Tits

This is an extension of No1. Familiarise yourself with the

NEIL WALKER/ALAMY
sheer range of songs and calls that Great Tits make, and
you’ll probably eliminate about 90% of baffling/unidentified
sounds heard on the average birding trip.

3 Get up with the lark

The wonderful dawn chorus that we enjoy in these islands

offers an opportunity to learn to distinguish individual
songs. Each morning, the
chorus builds, probably Robin
starting with the Robin
(which even sings at night),
progressing through those
other species, such as
Blackbird, that primarily feed
on worms and the like, and
progressing to the insect-feeders

GER BOSMA/ALAMY*
such as Chiffchaff, or
Redstart, who generally
need better light to start
finding food. So, get up early,
I mean really early, before there’s the first hint
of light in the sky, and build your knowledge of
the dawn chorus step by step.

4 Get your ear ‘in’

A few years ago, on a spring trip to

BLICKWINKEL/ALAMY*
Hungary, I saw more Honey Buzzard
week than I’d seen in the rest of my l
the end of that week, I was confidentl
identifying them correctly from distan
flight views, and wondering how I’d ever
Mistle Thrush
struggled to do so. It was a classic case of
getting my eye ‘in’, and the same principle
applies to birdsong.
Steps 1, 2, and 3 will help you do this,
but so will simply spending plenty of
time outside during April and May,
when birdsong is at its peak.
Gradually, more complex
songs such as that of the
Mistle Thrush will become
hardwired into your brain;
simpler song patterns
such as the Song
Thrush’s repetition of
each phrase three times
will be instantly
recognisable.

birdwatching.co.uk 31
HELPFUL ADVICE BIRDSONG

5 Create your own reminders 6 Use your eyes

We’re all familiar with the traditional rendering of the Garden Warbler
Yellowhammer’s song as ‘a little bit of bread and no cheese’,
but it doesn’t always help. That’s because it doesn’t really
sound a lot like that – it’s just that the rhythm of the song is
reminiscent of that phrase.
So, why not create your own reminders? It could similarly be
a nonsense phrase whose rhythm approximates that of the
song, or it could be something more tangential – Wood
Warbler song is often compared to a coin spinning on a

Wood Warbler

ALAN WILLIAMS/ALAMY*
It might sound obvious, but don’t get too caught up in all
that listening and forget to look, too. And it’s not just those
species, such as Sky Lark, that are easily seen and matched
to their songs. Stand still and be patient, and singers will
often reveal themselves. Last spring, I had exactly that
experience with Blackcaps and Garden Warblers, waiting
DAVID WHITAKER/ALAMY*

until each sang from a relatively exposed perch (and it was

relative in the case of the Garden Warbler), and finally felt
I’d learned to separate their songs. Obviously, this spring it
will all be forgotten, but it works for a while, at least!

7 Use an app

There are plenty of good apps out there to help

you ID birdsong, as well as websites offering
comprehensive coverage, too. But they should
only be a help – use them to help you know what to
listen for, and please, don’t play songs in the field
to try to get birds to respond, as this can cause
breeding birds distress or at least distract them
from what they should be doing. Remember, too,
that even a very basic recording app on your phone
will allow you to record songs, then listen back
later for ID purposes. BW
TOM BAILEY

Do you have any other tips to help people get the most out of birdsong? Email us at birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk

32 April 2020
 Cairngorms
Thirty-six hours spen
forest proved to be a wonderful experience
for one birder who craved a more relaxed
approach to his wildlife watching
WORDS TOM BAILEY
When it comes to
birding, taking things
easy can be a positive
advantage. It was with this ethos that I set
forth into the Rothiemurchus Forest, at
the northern end of the Cairngorm
mountains. I had 36 hours to myself, and
I hoped to get up close and personal with
some of this special habitat’s iconic
species. Now, 36 hours is quite a long time
to be out for, so the more important parts
of your birding gear are the ones that will

34 April 2020

adventure
sleeping bag, roll mat and a bivvy bag,
(this is really just a breathable waterproof
covering) provide me with shelter for the
night. Basically, I’m going to rough it. As
far as optics go, I travel light.
A pair of 8x20 Ziess binoculars have
done me proud for the best part of 20 years
in the mountains. They will struggle in
low light, but I need to save weight
somewhere. Walking boots, midge net and
a map complete my kit. Everything is
carried in a large rucksack.
s is meant to
rough a
beautiful woodland, spotting those
‘familiar from the guide book birds’ that
live far away from most of us (and
certainly me). The change of pace took
about 10 minutes to happen. I started
walking but had to stop almost
immediately as I could hear the first of
what were to become my nemesis;
crossbills. Now, I have to admit, when it
comes to telling a Crossbill from a Scottish
Crossbill, I’m no expert. I didn’t stand a
chance, as I had no scope to get the real
TRANQUIL BIRDING
TOM BAILEY
detail needed, nor the recording
equipment. Despite being in the
heartland of the Scottish Crossbill, they
could have been Crossbills. What to do?
What to list? At first, I confidently wrote
‘Scottish Crossbill’, only to be reduced to
just crossbill sp. I saw (and heard) many
during my trip, some of which had to be of
each species, didn’t they? So, what should
I list? (Suggestions on a postcard, please).
Whichever they were, they made me
stop, and stopping was what I was looking
to do most. Because when I stopped, I
noticed. It was happening, the forest was
birdwatching.co.uk 35
TRANQUIL BIRDING
A gnarly old pine guards the
edge of the plantation
coming to life and I was really only still in
the plantation area. The true Caledonian
trees that are out there take a bit more
effort to get to.
It’s the path leading up towards the
Large Gru, a 3000ft high mountain pass in
the Cairngorms that I was heading for.
This, I knew from previous walks, passed
through some areas of what most of middle
Scotland would have been covered in
before we got our grubby mitts on it.
Now, I know this is a bird magazine, but
we all like trees, right? After all, birds
TOM BAILEY
perch and nest in them, so we have to at
Merlin
least acknowledge their existence. The
Scots Pines I headed for are not at all like
their plantation cousins (ie tall, straight
and uniform). No, the real, wild, old pines
grow like oaks, broad and dominating. In
numbers, they form one of the most
jaw-dropping landscapes and, of course,
they positively drip with wildlife.
Three-dimensional forest
The outermost branches hold long dark
green needles. The upper, younger limbs
have a red tinge to the bark. Lower down
the trunk, great plates form, with deep
cavities between them, a superb habitat for
DAVID CHAPMAN/ALAMY
insects. All this is anchored into the
normally acid soils with python-like roots.
Heather and billberry grow below,
as plenty of light gets to the floor of
a natural Scots Pine forest.
We mustn’t forget the fact that most of
these woods are growing on hillsides.
Rocks help to keep the forest less dense
than in more lowland, broadleaved
woodlands. The Caledonian pine forest is
very much three dimensional.
Once in the realm of the giants (mature
TOM BAILEY
Caledonian pines), I knew I had a strong
chance of encountering a familiar, yet only
 TOM BAILEY
Tom in his natural habitat

once-before-seen bird: Crested Tit. You

Crossbill, or should that be
know that feeling when you see crossbill sp
something that’s so familiar from books
and the TV that when you see it in reality
it’s a little bit of an anticlimax? For me,
Stonehenge was one of these, as were the
first New York cops I ever saw. The latter
were fat, sat in their patrol car with a
coffee on the dash and a doughnut in their
mouths; so familiar that I hardly registered
them (the next New York cop I saw pulled
a gun on me, but that is another story).

Fixing the memory

It was like this when I caught sight of the
first Crested Tit of the trip, that cone of a
crest triggering all those familiar memories
of hours spent researching them. Here, it
was, as I expected, so definite, that I
DAVID WHITAKER/ALAMY*

immediately turned my attention to some

crossbills that flitted into view. Bloody
crossbills. I focused back on the tits.
Somehow, they suit this place. Tonally
they fit. I even sat on a collapsed tree trunk
and observed as one protested not five feet
from my head. I realised I must be near its
nest and moved on, but not before taking
a deep breath and ‘fixing the memory’.
Wrens, Chaffinches and Treecreepers
were surprisingly common. High up the
path, still among the character pines,
a Great Spotted Woodpecker completed
the air of ‘I’m in my local wood’. The path
breaks out of the main forest, high up near
the mountain pass. Pines are still here, just
scattered and dwarfed by the severe
conditions. I soon heard the begging call of
a young raptor. A few moments scanning
down in the steep gully to my right and
I caught movement: a juvenile Merlin,
perched on an old, dead pine. It repeatedly
flew around and landed in the same spot.
The adult male was there, not far away: a

I CAUGHT MOVEMENT: A JUVENILE MERLIN, mountain scene, at the fringes of the forest.
Cutting away from the pass, I took a
PERCHED ON AN OLD, DEAD PINE route that stays among the edge of the

birdwatching.co.uk 37
 TRANQUIL BIRDING

trees. Some movement ahead and the Selfie, Highland forest

binoculars were raised. It flitted behind lochside style!
a tree. I stalked it, creeping as carefully as
I could, with a large rucksack on my back!
When I finally saw clearly what I was
hunting, I was a little startled. A pristine
male Redstart sat challengingly, as if on
sentry duty, in fact, I suppose he was
guarding his nest.
For some reason, I never expected to see
one here, yet here was one, upright bright
and magnificent. Of all the birds I saw on
this trip, that Redstart remains the clearest
in my mind, not the favorite, but the splash
of jarring colour that even those
omnipresent pains in the birding ID neck,
the crossbills, couldn’t match. The
crossbill’s red hues seemed to work with
the forest’s tonal palate, the Redstart’s
exotic, lurid brilliance swept the forest
floor to beat them all.

Swift nests
Loch Morlich provided me with the
opportunity for a sit down by its shores to
enjoy a cuppa. The week before, on TV’s
Springwatch, I’d caught something about
Swifts that nested in the big old pines
around the loch. There were trees of a ripe
enough age to provide cavities for nesting
right by the water’s edge. There were also
Swifts constantly over the loch and around
the trees. But, try as I might, I never saw
one land on any of the trees.
The young could well have fledged and
there’d be no need to return to their
‘unusual’ nest sites. At least, I’d got as close
to the spectacle as was possible. Strangely,
Swifts in the Caledonian pine forest
presented an idea that seemed natural,
a glimpse into the primeval world, a
preconception-bending experience.
The night was spent by a popular lochan
up in the Ryvoan pass. Sleep came easily,

for once. It had been a long day.

Male Capercaillie
Dawn was the same intensity of grey as
the dusk, I’d slept through the few hours of
darkness that manage to creep over the
horizon during a Highland June.
Lying there, partially shielded from the
loch by a few small pines, cup of tea in
hand, I heard the whirr of wings and the
scrape of water, as a bird landed at the far
end of the unseasonably cold pool.
I raised my binoculars slowly so as not
to alert the Red-throated Diver to my
presence. It started to dive, collecting at
least three small fish in its bill, Puffin
style. All this took about five minutes, then
WESTEND61 GMBH/ALAMY*

it started to head towards my end of the

lochan. I measured this afterwards, and
the diver swam to within 15 feet of me; so
close I couldn’t lift my binoculars to see it.
And let’s face it, I didn’t need to.

38 April 2020

That velvet red throat is one of the
treasures of the British bird world. The
grey of the head, smooth and pure,
provided a subtle background for that
staring, crimson eye. It turned its head
Red-throated Diver
BILL COSTER/ALAMY*
I HEARD THE WHIRR OF WINGS AND THE
SCRAPE OF WATER, AS A BIRD LANDED AT THE FAR
END OF THE UNSEASONABLY COLD POOL...
away from me and took off along half the
length of the water, returning to its young
on the more secluded pools in Strath Nethy.
After that life-meltingly great moment,
I continued my exploration of the
surrounding pine forests with a calm,
satisfied confidence. The sun rose and
brought the forest to life. Something, and
I don’t know what, made me plunge
headlong down a dark, tangled, clearly-
unused forest ride. I trod the ground with
my senses dialed up to the maximum,
hyper aware. Lost in a fantasy; heading up
a special forces unit, deep in enemy
territory, death potentially behind every
TOM BAILEY
tree. Suddenly, a large bird flushed from 20
feet away. Back to reality and what a
reality, better than fantasy; an adult male
Capercaillie, tail fanned; huge. Two
seconds that I will never forget!
But what about the other 36 hours? The
memories that will surface from time to
time will be the quieter moments: the fall
of light among the pine needles, the sight
of Little Grebes perfectly reflected in a
tree-girted lochan, or the rustle of
dragonfly wings. I have soaked up so much
of this wonderful habitat that my brain
will need time to process it all. The 21st
Century seems a long way off, right now. BW
birdwatching.co.uk 39
 RUTH
MILLER

Birding liss...
Watching a majestic Magellanic
Woodpecker ‘Go-donk’ among the
trees in Argentina was a wonderful spectacle for Ruth

W
hen you thumb
Woodpecker country
through a field guide,
there are always some
birds that leap out at
you. I’m always drawn
to birds that are large, colourful and
charismatic, and if they’ve got a crest,
then that’s even better. And when you’ve
watched some irresistible footage of them
with Sir David Attenborough on television,
that just adds to the desire to see them.
‘Go-donk’, he went as he thumped two
large stones against a tree trunk, and
‘Go-donk’, the massive male Magellanic
Woodpecker drummed in reply before
swooping in to see who was making such
a noise on his territory.
Black body, red head and funky
crest, pale beady eye, in flew 18 inches’
(or 45cm if you prefer metric birds!)
worth of woodpecker, truly a bird to be
reckoned with, and I really, really wanted two-note drum: ‘Go-donk!’ And then a large not drumming this time but the sound of
to see one for myself. black bird flew across the lake towards us a big woodpecker feeding: a series of slow
So, you can imagine our excitement and disappeared into the area of woodland taps followed by the noise of bark being
when, many years later, we were standing right beside us. There was no need to say prised away from tree trunk.
at a viewpoint overlooking a lake in the a single word, all four of us immediately We followed the sound-effects and then
Tierra del Fuego National Park in southern turned and hastened along the trail towards we caught sight of it. Our Behemoth woody
Argentina, and we heard that distinctive the woods: mission woodpecker! was only a few feet away and happily
loosening chunks of dead bark with its
The Magellanic Woodpecker
Sound of a powerful bill chisel-like bill to retrieve the insects that
on the ground Once we were among the trees, we slowed were lurking underneath. Having finished
down our pace. The last thing we wanted to with one tree it moved on to the next,
do was spook the bird. Instead we all starting low to the ground and working its
deployed our best fieldcraft techniques. We way upwards several feet before moving on
were already dressed in drab khaki from again to a new tree, its behaviour more like
head to foot, so we blended in as much as that of a Treecreeper than a woodpecker.
four excited people could do. We crept along behind it, using the trees
We walked silently, avoiding treading as cover and only moving forward when its
on any dead twigs and leaves to minimise back was turned. It was like playing
the noise; and while we crept along, we ‘Grandmother’s Footsteps’, with the
scanned from side to side as well as ahead woodpecker as Granny. But we needn’t have
looking for a glimpse of something black worried; the Magellanic Woodpecker
ALL IMAGES: RUTH MILLER

and red among the grey-brown trunks.
Surely something so colourful would stand
out like a sore thumb.
However, we heard it before we saw it,
the sound of a powerful bill hitting wood,
carried on feeding regardless and we soaked
up the incredible views. It hopped down
onto the ground, probed the soft ground
briefly with its bill and then grabbed a
small pale moth that had been resting

40 April 2020

among some flowers, a tasty snack.
What happened next is imprinted on
our memories: an unbelievable,
unforgettable moment of sheer birding
bliss. The woodpecker flew straight towards
us and landed heavily, thunk, on a tree
trunk within arms’ reach. As we’d crept
forward following the bird’s progress
through the wood, we’d ended up on all
sides of the same tree.
Probe and prod
Now we were surrounding it, one of us on
each side of the bird’s particular tree and
the Magellanic Woodpecker was right in
the middle of us all. It knew perfectly well
that we were there. Occasionally, it paused
to look straight at us but it had obviously
decided we were no threat and besides,
tasty food was calling. It was within
touching distance of us all, but completely
THE WOODPECKER FLEW STRAIGHT TOWARDS
US AND LANDED HEAVILY, THUNK, ON A TREE
TRUNK WITHIN ARMS’ REACH...
unperturbed by our presence. It probed and
prodded the tree trunk, prising off sections
of bark and snapping up the exposed insects
before they could scuttle back under cover.
Occasionally, it stopped and fixed us with
a beady glare of its manic pale eye as it
assessed the situation and deemed us still to
be harmless. Seen at close quarters, the
Magellanic Woodpecker seemed even more
unreal than ever. Its head and neck were
a vivid vermillion red and it was topped off
with a superb quiff. The demarcation
between red head and black body was
precise, a clean separation of one colour
from the other, and its body was black all
over apart from a white stripe down the
centre of its back from the tips of its inner
secondaries and tertial feathers.
Its strong, stiff tail feathers were splayed
against the trunk to support the bird from
below, as it gripped the tree with its sturdy
OBSERVATIONS
Megellanic Woodpecker
at close range
toes and ripped away parts of the rotten
bark with that strong, chisel-like bill.
It was so close to us that long lenses were
useless. The best photos were taken with
our little bridge cameras and even our
iPhones, while binoculars were completely
superfluous; it was better to enjoy every
detail with our bare eyes.
And best of all, the bird had chosen to fly
towards us and reward us with the most
incredibly intimate encounter with this, our
most-wanted species, the truly majestic
Magellanic Woodpecker. BW
Ruth Miller is one half of The Biggest Twitch
team, and along with partner Alan Davies, set the
then world record for most bird species seen in a
year – 4,341, in 2008, an experience they wrote
about in their book, The Biggest Twitch. Indeed,
Ruth is still the female world record-holder! As well
as her work as a tour leader, she is the author of the
Birds, Boots and Butties books, on walking, birding
and tea-drinking in North Wales, and previously
worked as the RSPB’s head of trading. She lives in
North Wales. birdwatchingtrips.co.uk
birdwatching.co.uk 41
 Helping your
garden
irds
There’s never a bad time to put up more feeders in your garden, and 20-year-old Environmental
Science student Andrew Millham sent us this great idea that will not only help your garden birds,
but will also help get youngsters interested in them, too…

Homemade
apple birdfeeder
An apple birdfeeder? I had
neither seen nor heard of such
a thing before volunteering
with my local Wildlife Trust as
part of the education team.
Now this is one of my favourite
nature craft activities – and the
birds in my garden love them!
This activity is perfect for
children, under adult
supervision.

You will need:

Here is the equipment list,
listing everything you will
need to complete your
birdfeeder:
● 1 medium to large apple (if you
don’t have any apples going
spare, an empty coconut shell is
an excellent alternative)
● A knife
● Something thin and round
(e.g. chopstick or wooden skewer)
● A ball of string
● Scissors
● Lard or suet
● Seed mixtures (e.g. black
sunflower seeds, niger seeds,
peanuts etc)
● A teaspoon.
Here’s how to make
your very own home-
made apple birdfeeder:
1 Take an apple and slice it
in half using a knife
(you’ll only need to use one
half – the other half makes for
a good snack).
2 Core the apple using
a teaspoon.
3 Under the stem, poke a
hole through the top of the
apple, using something thin
and round. A small hand-drill
would be ideal but is not
essential – I use a wooden
skewer or chopstick.
4 Using a pair of scissors,
cut a suitable length of
string (about 25cm) and thread
the string through the hole you Attracting the birds
have made. Tie the string into
a knot, to allow you to hang
the apple up later.
Lard is excellent fuel for birds
in winter because it is
high-energy, and bacteria will
5 Fill the apple hollow with
lard or suet.
not breed on it. Don’t use
polyunsaturated butters,
6 Stick as many bird seeds as
you can into the sticky lard.
margarines or cooking fats, as
these soft fats can easily be
7 Hang your apple birdfeeder
outdoors: in the garden, the
park, the woods… wherever
smeared onto feathers,
destroying the insulating and
waterproof qualities. These fats
you prefer! contain less energy and are
Of course, the final step is to breeding grounds for bacteria,
triumphantly watch the birds which can be detrimental to
enjoying your creation. the birds’ health.
The mixture of seeds that
you use is completely up to
you. Small seeds like millet
attract birds such as Dunnocks,

Garden
ird of the onth finches, House Sparrows, Reed

Buntings and Collared Doves.
Blackbirds will be tempted by
flaked maize. Greenfinches
House Martin and tits prefer peanuts and
In recent years, these charming birds have suffered worryi sunflower seeds. Chunks and
declines, not least because they can’t always find enough whole nuts are suitable for
good nest sites under the eaves of houses. You can help th winter feeding only.
by putting up special nestboxes (although you really need If you have any dried fruit or
do this later in the year), but to build natural nests they ne even mealworms, these are
JEROME MURRAY - CC/ALAMY*

a good supply of mud. Try to leave an area of your garden very popular among Robins
and Blue Tits. However, steer
damp and muddy (especially easy if you have a pond), an
clear of dead and discoloured
they may take advantage and use it for building material. mealworms which can
potentially cause Salmonella
poisoning. Wheat and barley

44 pril
 GARDEN BIRDS

In your garden this month…

Tip of the onth

RADIUS IMAGES/ALAMY*

While the (hopefully) better spring weather and rising

temperatures will get you out in the garden with the
intention of tidying things up, be very careful not to
disturb breeding birds. Don’t cut back hedges and

TIM GAINEY/ALAMY*
shrubs until after the breeding season is finished, and
try to find a quiet spot to move your feeders to, so that
adult birds can continue to use them even while you’re
out there working. This will help them save energy and Looking ahead, now’s the time to finish planting shrubs
time, and allow them to concentrate their efforts on such as pyracantha, which in future winters will provide your
garden birds with a good supply of berries for food.
finding vital invertebrate food for nestlings.

grains are only suitable for
pigeons and doves, which often
crowd feeders and deter
smaller birds.
Again, split peas, beans,
dried rice and lentils are only
suitable for larger bird species.
In my apple birdfeeders,
I mainly use the following
seeds: black sunflower, niger
and peanuts. Black sunflower
seeds are excellent year-round
and have a higher oil content
than the striped variety. Niger
seeds are high in oil and fat,
and attract Goldfinches,
Mixed seed
Siskins, tits, Greenfinches, lead a number of ‘forest
sparrows, Nuthatches, and school’ and ‘young carer’
Great Spotted Woodpeckers. sessions, either in schools or
Peanuts attract Dunnocks, at one of our Wildlife Trust
Robins and even Wrens when Centres. During these
crushed. Salted or dry-roasted sessions, I have seen first-
peanuts (heaven-forbid hand the benefits that nature
honey-roasted!) should NOT be and craft activities such as
used. Of course, the birds that this have on the children.
enjoy your birdfeeder will vary The children are free to run
based on your location. around in a safe and natural
environment in which they
Benefits for humans can test their own abilities,
Over the past year, I have but eventually settle down
volunteered regularly with my and are eager to learn new
local Wildlife Trust, helping to skills. At this stage, I often
make these apple birdfeeders
with children, and the sense
of satisfaction that they
receive from creating
something of value is
incredible. It bolsters their
confidence and, once
completed, the children that
I have worked with are
fascinated when birds come
and inspect their birdfeeder.
Their interest in the natural
world and birdlife around
MEDIASCULP/ALAMY
extremely positive. Children
that appreciate and love the
natural world often form
adults that appreciate and
love nature. What do we do
with the things we love? We
protect them. There is one
thing left to say: give it a go!
I hope you enjoy making
your own apple birdfeeders
and making your garden a
haven for nature. BW
You tell us
OK, so we’ve given you some
ideas about how to make your
gardens more friendly for
birds and other wildlife. But
what about your gardens?
Please tell us what you’ve
done, and which birds you get
visiting, and of course include
some photos, and we’ll share
your successes with
Bird Watching readers.
Email: birdwatching@
bauermedia.co.uk, or write

them spikes, and the air is to us at: Bird Watching,

full of the exclamation –
Media House, Lynch Wood,
“What sort of bird is that?”.
This interest in nature is Peterborough PE2 6EA
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All products are available to
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and Lancashire Low Barns Nature Reserve, Hampshire 7 Apr / 5 May / 2 Jun
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North Cave Wetlands, East Dorset 28 Mar / 25 Apr / 30 May
Yorkshire 19 Apr / 17 May / 27 Jun
Rainton Meadows Dawlish Warren 22 Mar / 18 Apr
15 Mar / 24 May / 16 May / 14 Jun
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armoured body weighing 450g/16oz. Arundel WWT, West Sussex Wales and Scotland
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Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, 29 Mar
E Sussex 11 Apr / 2 May / 13 Jun Threave Nature Reserve,
Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory, Dumfries & Galloway
Kent 26 Apr / 21 Jun 5 Apr / 3 May / 7 Jun
Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve,
Kent 15 Mar / 4 Apr / 24 May All events from 10.00am -
Nature Discovery Centre, 4.00pm for latest information
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IDChallenge
This month we welcome back our spring
warblers with an ID Challenge all about them
T
here are a dozen or so
warblers which regularly
breed in the UK. They don’t
have the glamour of many
of the North American birds which
have borrowed the name ‘warbler’,
at least not in terms of plumage. But
many of them are master songsters,
and though generally drab-looking,
can compete in a song contest.
Subtly beautiful is probably the
kindest way to describe our
warblers. Most are summer visitors,
C AN YOU NA ME THESE
CLOSE UP BIRDS
Bird 2:
TEST YOUR SKILLS!
returning to the breeding grounds
in April and May, with the males
immediately proclaiming their
territories with song (as a crucial
component of the dawn chorus).
Here are six warblers to identify.
Please name them, then turn the Bird 3:
page to check your answers (and
read our reasoning) and give
yourself a small verbal reward if
you got them all. Then turn the page
again for more warbler-oriented
identification advice.
Bird 4:
Bird 5:
TURN
THE PAGE
To see how many
Bird 6: you got right!
birdwatching.co.uk 47
 ID TIP!

Answers & solutions The best ‘short cut’ to

warbler field
identification is the
‘long cut’ of learning
Compare your answers with our answers and reasoning below. the songs and calls
of warblers!
How well did you do, this month?
BIRD 1
Very long ‘primary We start with a pretty warbler which you may find easy or
projection’ indeed tricky, depending on which part of the country you live
in and/or your experience. The dark eyestripe and the greenish
tones immediately narrows it to one of the Phylloscopus or ‘leaf
warblers’. Once upon a time our three British breeding leaf
warblers were all called ‘willow wren’. It was only the 18th Century
naturalist Gilbert White who realised there were three species,
that we now call Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Wood Warbler.
We can identify this one using the following features: Very long
primaries; white fringed tertials; white belly; long, bright yellow
supercilium (‘eyebrow’) and yellow upper breast; bright green
upperparts; pale legs and feet. It is a lovely Wood Warbler.

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS LTD/ALAMY

White belly
Key features
Bright yellow n Very long wings (primaries)
supercilium and n White belly
throat n Well marked tertials
n Yellow supercilium and upper breast

Orange-brown
Chestnut brown
cap
upperparts
Plain ‘face’

Wren-like face
pattern

Grey underparts

LISA GEOGHEGAN/ALAMY
DAVID CHAPMAN/ALAMY

Grey underparts

BIRD 2
Here is a partially obscured view of a little bird clinging to what looks like
a reed stem, a bit above water (with some sort of ‘duckweed’ on the
surface). It has an almost Wren-like look about it, with that strong pale
supercilium above a dark eyestripe, and warm brown crown and back,
contrasting with greyer underparts. But the bill is not long enough for
a Wren, and Wrens have streaked brown ear coverts (not grey). That
pattern is also wrong for the plain-faced Reed Warbler and not streaked
enough for Sedge Warbler or Grasshopper Warbler. The face is more
like that of a Phylloscopus warbler, but the colour scheme is wrong for our
British species. This is instead a Cetti’s Warbler, a painfully shy species
which is typically hiding from view...
BIRD 3
Yes, it looks something like a Dunnock, singing its little warbling ditty
from a blossom-covered Prunus. But, firstly, Dunnock is not a warbler (it is
an accentor) and we promised warblers. Secondly, this bird is just too plain
grey (and unstreaked) to be a Dunnock. It is a grey bird, though, (or at
least what we can see of it), which narrows it down considerably as a
warbler. The bill is dark and quite thick for a warbler and the eye is large
and dark. But the real giveaway of this bird’s identity is the rufous-brown
colouring on the crown (which you can just see on the forehead and above
the eye). This is a female Blackcap, one of the larger, more ‘robust’
warblers we call Sylvia warblers. Only adult males have the distinctive
black cap, while females (and youngsters) have red-brown caps.

Key features Key features

n Warm brown, unstreaked upperparts n Grey plumage
n Clear supercilium n Red-brown cap
n Distinct dark eyestripe n Moderately thick bill (for a warbler)
n Grey underparts n Big dark eye

48 April 2020
 ID CHALLENGE

Chestnut-
fringed wings
Featureless ‘face’

White throat Long undertail

coverts

Brown and buff

NEIL WALKER/ALAMY

EWAN JONES/ALAMY
plumage
Long tail,
long legs

BIRD 4
Unlike many warblers, this bird certainly looks distinctive, with plenty of
notable features helping to point the way to identification. It is a
long-tailed bird, with a high forehead, peaked crown and long, relatively
thick (for a warbler) bill. The head is grey brown, the back brown and the
wings obviously chestnut fringed. The underparts are grey-pink with a
distinctly white, puffy throat. There is a broken white eye ring and the long
legs are pink. The shape alone is enough to tell you this is a Sylvia warbler,
a genus which some taxonomists believe are not true warblers, but rather
relatives of the babbler group. Alternatively, it is regarded that Sylvia
warblers are the true warblers, and the rest should have their own family.
Either way, this distinctive bird is a male Whitethroat.
BIRD 5
This brown warbler appears to be belting out its song (or perhaps
calling) from a reed stem. It is quite a plain bird (plumage wise),
with warm brown upperparts and brown infused underparts (and,
apparently, a white throat). The ‘large’ head is somewhat ‘fluffed
up’ and has a rounded crown. The bill is fine and pointed, with
a pale orange lower mandible and a darker culmen. The face is
notably plain with no clear dark eyestripe or pale supercilium. The
tail is notable mainly for the extent of the undertail coverts, which
nearly reach the tail tip. This latter characteristic is typical of both
Arocephalus (reed) and Locustella (grasshopper) warblers. The
plain plumage, colour and shape identify this as a Reed Warbler.

Key features Key features

n Long tail n Plain brown warbler
n Peaked crown of a typical Sylvia warbler n Little or no facial pattern
n White throat, grey-pink underparts n High crown
n Chestnut-fringed wings n Long undertail coverts

Grey neck sides

BIRD 6
If you thought Bird 5 was a plain fellow, then surely Bird 6 takes
the plain biscuit. It is perched on a sort of granite (which doesn’t
help, habitat-wise!) and looks featureless and grey-brown all
over. It is quite a dumpy warbler and the bill is short and almost
stumpy. The primaries (longer flight feathers) are quite long
and there is a bit of contrast between the grey brown
upperparts and the paler underparts. Otherwise, all that is on
show is a broken pale eyering around the dark eye, a lack of
eyestripe or supercilium and the grey legs and feet. Perhaps the
Buff underparts best feature for ID (apart from the general lack of features) is
the grey patch on the side of the neck. This bird is a Garden
Long wings Warbler, a Sylvia warbler ‘renowned’ for its lack of features.
NATURE PICTURE LIBRARY/ALAMY

Key features
n Plain, grey brown warbler
n Short stumpy bill
n Featureless
n Hint of grey on neck sides

MY FAVOURITE SITE “ONE OF THE JOYS OF A SPRING

VISIT TO RUTLAND WATER IS CATCHING UP WITH THE
SINGING WARBLERS THERE!” MATT MERRITT, EDITOR

birdwatching.co.uk 49
 ID CHALLENGE

ID TIP!

ID Tips & tricks An extra tip for

Chiffchaff ID:
Chiffchaffs habitually
and constantly dip their
Here are a few extra tips to help you identify warblers tails. Willow Warblers
only occasionally
do this

Habitat considerations
Habitat is an important consideration when
identifying warblers. However, don’t become fixated
on it. In some areas, for instance, Grasshopper
Warblers favour reedbeds, while in others, they
are found in dryer scrubby areas, a long way from
such wetland habitats. As a rule, Whitethroats like
rough grassland with scattered bushes and rambling
hedges, while Lesser Whitethroats favour big, dense
hedgerows (where they are easily concealed, but
can still be heard producing their rattling songs).
Also, Willow Warblers tend to be birds of newer tree
growth, while Chiffchaffs prefer mature woodland
(though there is considerable overlap). Dartford
Warblers like heaths!

ALAN WILLIAMS/ALAMY*
The three ‘willow wrens’
ALAN WILLIAMS/ALAMY*

CHRIS GRADY/ALAMY*

MIKE LANE/ALAMY*

Chiffchaff Willow Warbler Wood Warbler

l Dull green-brown upperparts l Mid-green-brown upperparts l Bright green upperparts
l Poorly defined pale supercilium l Medium supercilium l Bright yellow supercilium
l Short primary projection l Long primary projection l Very long primary projection
l Creamy underparts l Creamy underparts l Lemon yellow throat, pure white belly
l Plain tertials l Plain tertials l White-
l Dark legs/feet l Pale legs/feet l Pale le

SNAP IT! NEXT MONTH’S

Have you taken a great shot of a
warbler? If so, why not share it with
CHALLENGE
other readers; send photos to: Summer seabirds
birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk

50 April 2020
 NEW TA K E A W I D E R P O I N T O F V I E W

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collection

10 GREAT SITES FOR BRILLIANT BIRDWATCHING

OLD MAN OF STOER MORE NOSS HEAD
SITES
For a full list
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birdwatching.co.uk 53
 GO BIRDING
CAITHNESS
NOSS HEAD
A great vantage point for sea and migration watching
Manx Shearwater
O 4
f the six sea cliffs I
visited in Caithness,
I found this one a real
treat. The headland makes a
great cetacean and bird
migration watchpoint.
JOHN MILES
WHERE TO WATCH
1 After making your way through
Wick, you come to a little hamlet
of Staxigoe; first checking the small
harbour for auks and gulls. You
then start your walk along the cliffs
towards the lighthouse.
2 The going can be rough,
especially as you have to walk
round several ‘geos’, but make
sure you stop and scan the sea for
movement of divers, sea ducks and
6
©CROWN COPYRIGHT 2020 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 021/20
54 April 2020
MAX MILES ON FOOT: 5.5 MIN TIME: 4 HOURS
gulls in winter. Check vegetation
for passing migrants, as several rare
birds have been found close to the
head, such as Siberian Chiffchaff,
Stonechat, Lesser Whitethroat,
Red-breasted Flycatcher and
Little Bunting.
3 Fresh water is often a scarce
commodity by the sea, so a
small lochan can attract passing
migrant waders and duck.
Common Gulls nest around it.
Look around for Black Redstart
along the walls by the lighthouse
or a Yellow-browed Warbler
and Common Rosefinch in
the vegetation. Between the
lighthouse and the castle there are
the best views of breeding seabirds
at close quarters.
5
PRACTICAL INFO
POSTCODE: KW1 4QY
GRID REF: ND 384 525
MAPS: OS Explorer 450,
OS Landranger 12
WHERE TO PARK: There is
limited parking here at Staxigoe but
you can drive closer to the lighthouse
and park close to it and do the walk in
reverse if needed
TERRAIN: Rough coastal walking
above unprotected high cliffs, boggy
in places, the section to the Castle is
on a clear, sometimes wet, track, and
the final section is on minor roads
through farmland
TONY MILLS/ALAMY*
ACCESSIBILITY: Year-round
FACILITIES: Shops and pubs
at Wick
You cannot miss walking out
on the amazing Castle Sinclair, INSIDER KNOWLEDGE
perched way out on the cliffs with In addition to porpoises and
its breeding Black Guillemots, and dolphins, this site has been
you can watch them flying up to ideal for pods of Killer Whales.
the battlements without fear of
being forced back again!
5 Spend some time
scanning Sinclair’s Bay. In
summer I spotted large ‘bait balls’
attracting both Gannets and Manx
Shearwaters plus many auks, terns
and gulls.
6 Walk back along the track with
its expanse of farmland. Check
the fields for feeding and breeding
waders, pipits and wagtails. Even
Crane has been found out here, so
keep a look out.
BLICKWINKEL/ALAMY
4 3
WINTER TARGET SPECIES
● Common Gull
2
● Razorbill
● Guillemot
● Herring Gull
● Kittiwake
● Common Tern
● Arctic Tern
● Gannet
● Manx Shearwater
● Stonechat
1
AUTUMN
● Honey Buzzard
● Yellow-browed Warbler
● Black Redstart
● Common Rosefinch
 In association with

www.birders-store.co.uk

HIGHLAND MAX MILES ON FOOT: 4.5 MIN TIME: 3 HOURS

OLD MAN OF STOER

A wild walk with the chance to see some great seabirds PRACTICAL INFO
POSTCODE: IV27 4JH
Kittiwakes GRID REF: NC 004 329
MAPS: OS Explorer 442,
OS Landranger 15
WHERE TO PARK: The car park is
just before the lighthouse
TERRAIN: I followed sheep and deer
tracks with plenty of boggy areas to
avoid. Best to use stout footwear.
ACCESSIBILITY: All year round
FACILITIES: There are shops in some
local villages; Lochinver is a safe bet

INSIDER KNOWLEDGE
Humpbacked Whales have
been seen from here!

ARTERRA PICTURE LIBRARY/ALAMY*

M
aybe it’s not known
as well as the Old
Man of Hoy, but this
70m stack is also a great place
for rock climbing (which
limits the breeding seabirds).
JOHN MILES
WHERE TO WATCH
1 This is a wild walk with the added
attraction of possible cetaceans,
especially from the car park, where
there may be a small mobile café
in the spring and summer. It also
a great place to scan for seabirds
and divers, with White-billed
Diver joining the Great Northerns
here. Check the lighthouse for
migrants as Collared Flycatcher was
once found here.
2 Walk along the cliffs checking
the sea for movement. The main
seabird breeding cliffs are hard to

NATURE PICTURE LIBRARY/ALAMY

observe and you have to watch the
4 birds into the ledges but you should
find Guillemot, Razorbill, Shag,
Fulmar, Kittiwake and the odd Puffin.
3
3 Cirean Geardail is another
viewpoint from which to look
for cetaceans with three species
of dolphin possible and even a SPRING/SUMMER
few whales if you are lucky. Sooty TARGET SPECIES
2 Shearwater and Sabine’s Gull have ● Great Northern Diver
been spotted along this coast, along ● White-billed Diver
5 with Glaucous and Iceland Gull. ● Guillemot
● Razorbill

1 4 The point offers the chance

of more seabirds as well as
cetaceans. Check the pipit flocks
● Shag
● Puffin
● Kittiwake
©CROWN COPYRIGHT 2020 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 021/20

here as I found a Lapland Bunting ● Fulmar

feeding with them here in spring. ● Great Skua
● Golden Plover

5 I walked back via the moor

with its own Great Skua for
company, along with Golden Plover,
● Greenshank
● Dunlin

Greenshank and Dunlin. AUTUMN/WINTER

● Sabine’s Gull

6
6 On your return give Loch na
Claise a scan with its reedbeds
and shallow areas looking good for
● Sooty Shearwater
● Glaucous Gull
● Iceland Gull
ducks and waders along its edge.

birdwatching.co.uk 55
 GO BIRDING
HIGHLAND
SPEYBRIDGE
A spring walk along a famous valley
Dipper
T
he centrepiece of this
birding walk to the
south of Grantown-on-
Spey is the famous boulder-
strewn River Spey. The forest
section has several stands of
Scots Pines, giving a hint of
old Caledonia, plus a more
bird-rich deciduous wood by
the road bridge.
PAUL TRODD
WHERE TO WATCH
1 From the bridge, check for Grey
Wagtail, Dipper, and Common
Sandpiper feeding in the rapids; the
former two species often nest under
the bridge or along the river banks.
Pied Wagtail, Swift, House and
Sand Martins hawk for insects over
the river. Check the birch woodland
edge on the south side, for the
©CROWN COPYRIGHT 2020 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 021/20
1 ● Fieldfare
56 April 2020
likes of Tree Pipit, Redstart, Pied or
Spotted Flycatchers, Blackcap and
Willow Warbler. Scan the hillsides for
soaring raptors.
2 River islets attract breeding
Oystercatcher, Common and
Black-headed Gulls and Greylag
Goose, plus flocks of feeding
hirundines and Swifts. Check the
conifer margins for Crested and
Coal Tits, Lesser Redpoll, Crossbills,
and Scottish and Parrot Crossbills,
Goldcrest and Siskin. Another good
spot to scan the river banks for
Dipper and Grey Wagtail.
3 Wet meadows attract Curlew,
Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit and
Wheatear. Check the scrub for a
chance of Cuckoo, Whitethroat,
Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers,
3 ● Dipper
4 ● Crossbill sp.
2 ● Breeding woodland birds
MAX MILES ON FOOT: 4 MIN TIME: 3 HOURS
PRACTICAL INFO
POSTCODE: PH 26 3NJ
GRID REF: NJ 039 263
MAPS: OS Explorer 417, OS
Landranger 36
PARKING: Park on the south side of
Speybridge beside the old A96
TERRAIN: Mostly level ground
beside the river and through the
woodland on unmade tracks and
metal lanes
ACCESSIBILITY: Year round access.
FACILITIES: Full range of facilities in
nearby Grantown-on-Spey
ANDREW WALMSLEY/ALAMY
INSIDER KNOWLEDGE
Scan both ways from the
bridge for birds and a chance
of Otter.
Stonechat, Whinchat and
Yellowhammer. A good spot on the
river for Goosander and Goldeneye
on the move, plus hunting Osprey
and Red Kite, and Barn Owl at
dusk. Scan hillsides for Buzzard,
Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and numerous
corvids including Raven and
Hooded Crow.
4 Dense pine forest supports
breeding Crossbill, plus
Parrot and Scottish Crossbills,
NATURE PICTURE LIBRARY/ALAMY
Great Spotted Woodpecker,
Crested and Coal Tits, Treecreeper,
Goldcrest, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin,
Chiffchaff and Blackcap, and are
easiest to locate around clearings.
Tawny and Long-eared Owls also
present, along with Red Squirrel,
Pine Martin (which are usually
elusive) and Roe Deer. SPRING TARGET SPECIES
● Crested Tit
● Pied Flycatcher
● Goldeneye
● Goosander
● Osprey
● Common Sandpiper
● Tree Pipit
● Grey Wagtail
● Redstart
SUMMER
AUTUMN
● Redwing
WINTER
● Brambling

ARGYLL
LUNGA
All aboard for a superb spring seabird experience
Puffins
W 4
ith few seabird
colonies visible
on mainland Mull,
a trip out to the offshore
island of Lunga is a great
way to add not only breeding
seabirds to your list, but also
feeding and passage species
around the island.
JOHN MILES
WHERE TO WATCH
1
Leaving from Tobermory
allows you to pass by
two White-tailed Eagle
territories close to the shore.
The boat often stops to show
passengers these birds.
Look for whales on the
journey, too.
2 Leaving from Ulva pier
allows you to scan for
Otters around the many rocky
headlands. There will be the
chance of Black Guillemot,
Shag and even Great Northern
Divers around the area. Ulva
is famous for its wintering
Hen Harrier ‘Wendy’.
3 Leaving from Fionnphort
in the south of Mull
you pass through the Iona
straights, where a group of
Bottle-nosed Dolphins can
often be found in summer.
The straights are well used by
Arctic Terns, Kittiwakes and
Shags, with Barnacle Geese
hanging on into April.
The trip out from all three
locations offer you the
chance to look for various
cetaceans. Check for seabirds
feeding to show where they
might turn up, especially
Gannets diving into ‘bait
balls’ of fish and a black mass
of Manx Shearwaters with
flocks often up to 500 at a
1
5
4 2
3 ● Twite
In association with
www.birders-store.co.uk
MAX MILES ON FOOT: 1 MIN TIME: 6+ HOURS
PRACTICAL INFO
POSTCODE: PA75 6QR
GRID REF: NM 505 551
MAPS: OS Explorer 374, 375, 376,
OS Landranger 47, 48
WHERE TO PARK: Departing from
the north, the main car-parking area is
by the Taigh Solais visitor centre or
along the main street in Tobermory.
From the Ulva pier park along the
minor road, while Fionnphort has two
large car parks
TERRAIN: The island has
rough paths with steep drops so you
have to be surefooted as you walk
around. Beware of wind
conditions and of course rain. Stout
footwear is advisable
FACILITIES: Tobermory has all
the facilities, while there is one shop
in Fionnphort
JOHN MILES
INSIDER KNOWLEDGE
time. May sees a good chance On Lunga itself, look for Twite
of skua passage. when scanning for Rock Pipits.
5 Once on Lunga, Puffins are
often the star of the show
with many nesting close to
the paths. You will also find
Guillemots, Razorbills, Shags,
Kittiwakes, Fulmar and mixed
gulls. Listen for Corn Crake!
PHILIP MUGRIDGE/ALAMY*
SPRING/SUMMER
TARGET SPECIES
● White-tailed Eagle
● Golden Eagle
● Black Guillemot
● Shag
● Great Northern Diver
● Hen Harrier
● Arctic Tern
● Gannet
©CROWN COPYRIGHT 2020 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 021/20
● Manx Shearwater
● Great Skua
● Arctic Skua
● Long-tailed Skua
● Pomarine Skua
● Puffin
AUTUMN/WINTER
● Barnacle Goose
● Rock Pipit
birdwatching.co.uk 57
 GO BIRDING
STAFFORDSHIRE
THE WOLSELEY CENTRE
A smashing family-orientated reserve to explore
Gadwall
N
umerous pools,
boardwalks and
feeding stations make
this an ideal place to drop into
or even take a picnic along
and spend more time enjoying
the wildlife. Bordering the
Trent, a range of woodland
birds may give close views
and there is also a hide
overlooking one of the pools.
PETE HACKETT
WHERE TO WATCH
1The pools hold common ducks
in winter, with occasional visits of
©CROWN COPYRIGHT 2020 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 021/20
58 April 2020
Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal and Pochard,
while there is a chance of a Water
Rail skulking in the reeds and Reed
Warblers singing during the summer.
2 A feeding station attracts the
usual suspects, including such
treats as Reed Bunting, Goldfinch,
Long-tailed, Coal, Blue and Great
Tits, while arguably best of all,
Nuthatch can give close views.
3 Scan the river and meadow
for Goosander, Sand Martin,
Swallow and Common Terns
(spring). After flooding, check the
2
4 ● Siskin
1
MAX MILES ON FOOT: 3 MIN TIME: 2 HOURS
PRACTICAL INFO
POSTCODE: ST17 0WT
GRID REF: SK 024 202
MAPS: OS Explorer 244,
OS Landranger 127
PARKING: From the roundabout at
Wolseley Bridge take the entrance
into Wolseley Garden Centre and
bear right to the Staffordshire Wildlife
Trust car park. There is a good-sized
level parking area, with a voluntary
contribution welcome
TERRAIN: Good paths around the
pools and boardwalks, although some
may be closed after flooding
ACCESS: Check the website
staffs-wildlife.org.uk for opening
and closing times throughout the year.
Dogs must be kept on a lead
RAY WILSON/ALAMY*
FACILITIES: A small shop with site
information and toilet facilities. A
newly refurbished café overlooks the
Swan Lake, with a nice variety of food
on offer
area for Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall,
Shoveler, Mallard and gulls.
Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Kestrel
are common in the area, with INSIDER INFORMATION
possible Barn Owl, too. Combine with a visit to
4 The Trent and Mersey Canal
can be accessed from the nearby
Cannock Chase to boost your
day list.
A51. Follow the canal towpath
in either direction and check any
DAVID CHAPMAN/ALAMY*
flooded fields for dabbling ducks,
gulls and waders such as Lapwing,
Snipe and Green Sandpiper.
Hedgerows hold roving tit flocks,
and in spring and summer, warblers,
finches and thrushes.
SPRING/SUMMER
TARGET SPECIES
● Goosander
● Little Grebe
● Little Egret
● Great White Egret (scarce)
● Grey Heron
● Water Rail
● Grey Wagtail
● Pied Wagtail
● Nuthatch
● Treecreeper
● Great Spotted Woodpecker
● Redpoll
3 ● Common Sandpiper
(passage)
SUMMER
● Reed Warbler
● Blackcap
● Chiffchaff
● Swifts and hirundines
● Dragonflies

WEST MIDLANDS
TRITTIFORD MILL PARK
A varied walk in the footsteps of JRR Tolkien (who lived nearby!)
Grey Heron
T
his former corn mill
site is an easy
pleasant ramble, ideal
for taking the kids and dog
for a walk. With mixed
woodland and the River Cole
and Chinn Brook running
alongside, and nearby
Sarehole Mill, this provides
some varied habitat.
PETE HACKETT
WHERE TO WATCH
1The small pool hosts breeding
Great Crested Grebe, Tufted
Duck and sometimes Greylag
©CROWN COPYRIGHT 2020 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 021/20
MAX MILES ON FOOT: 2.5 MIN TIME: 1.5 HOURS
Goose. Grey Heron are often
present with occasional Cormorant.
Swallows, House Martins and Swifts
arrive in spring. Gulls are plentiful
with regular Black-headed, Lesser
Black-backed and Herring, with
odd Common Gulls in winter,
while at this time Goosander and
Pochard visit.
2 The woodland attracts a few
Lesser Redpoll and Siskin
together with Nuthatch, Great
Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper,
Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Sparrowhawk,
Stock Dove and Jay while spring
4
1 ● Treecreeper
2
3
In association with
www.birders-store.co.uk
PRACTICAL INFO
POSTCODE: B28 0TB
MAP REF: SP 099 799
MAP: OS Explorer 220.
OS Landranger 139
PARKING: There is limited free car
parking alongside the road next to the
entrance on Priory Road
TERRAIN: Tarmac paths around the
pool. Muddy rough paths elsewhere,
which may be flooded after heavy rain
ACCESS:
The area is accessible at all times
FACILITIES:
Benches around the pools, with plenty
of shops and pubs nearby
INSIDER KNOWLEDGE
IMAGEBROKER/ALAMY
The Little Egret roost (up to
30 birds, the largest in the
county) is best viewed late
afternoons in winter.
brings the arrival of Blackcaps,
Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers.
Listen out for Song Thrush which
are present in good numbers.
3 Priory Pool is viewed from Priory
Road, and as well as Little Egrets
roosting attracts commoner duck.
4 Check areas of scrub for
Whitethroat in the spring
and look for Green Woodpecker
on grassland, there may be a
hunting Kestrel, while overhead
Ravens may be present along
BLICKWINKEL/ALAMY*
with Buzzards.
SPRING/SUMMER
TARGET SPECIES
● Little Egret
● Kingfisher
● Grey Wagtail
● Great Crested Grebe
● Willow Warbler
● Chiffchaff
● Blackcap
● Nuthatch
● Great Spotted Woodpecker
WINTER
● Goosander
● Pochard
● Common Gull
● Fieldfare
● Redwing
birdwatching.co.uk 59
 GO BIRDING
PEMBROKESHIRE
DINAS ISLAND
A superb birding headland
Willow Tit
A
nother superb
headland and
always well worth
the three miles circular
walk. On 24 April 1988, it
was the site of the UK’s
only a Moussier’s Redstart,
a male!
DAVID SAUNDERS
WHERE TO WATCH
1 A sheltered valley, with
residents like Great Spotted
Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush,
Nuthatch and Treecreeper being
joined in summer by Blackcap,
©CROWN COPYRIGHT 2020 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 021/20
60 April 2020
Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and
Spotted Flycatcher while visitors
include Water Rail and Firecrest.
2 Needle Rock has long supported
a colony of Guillemots and
Razorbills, their season short, just
50 or so days from when the egg
is laid until the chick departs for
the open sea, the only reminder of
their presence the white-washed
empty ledges.
3 No visit to would be complete
without sighting a Peregrine,
while Linnets, Stonechats and
3 ● Stonechat
2 ● Rock Pipit
4 ● Linnet
1 ● Firecrest
MAX MILES ON FOOT: 4 MIN TIME: 4 HOURS
PRACTICAL INFO
POST CODE: SA42 0SE
GRID REF: SN 008 405
MAPS: OS Explorer 145 & 157, OS
Outdoor Leisure 35
WHERETOPARK:Attheendofeach
accessroad,feespayable;toiletscloseby
TERRAIN: The cliff path which
includes very steep climbs with some
steps is part of the Pembrokeshire
Coast Path. The path between each
bay is tarmac and pretty level
ACCESSIBILITY: Open at all times
FACILITIES: Try the Old Sailors at
Pwllgwaelod or head to Dinas Cross or
from there to Fishguard
INSIDER KNOWLEDGE
BRIAN SCOTT/ALAMY*
Visit in May to appreciate the
delights of a newly fledged
family of Ravens.
Meadow Pipits are always present,
Rock Pipits low on the cliffs less
LISA GEOGHEGAN/ALAMY*
so. On some days in late April and
into May there can be impressive
movements of Swallows with
smaller numbers of House and
Sand Martins, some setting off
for Ireland, others following the
coast northwards.
SPRING TARGET SPECIES
4 Gannets from the colony on
Grassholm are frequent offshore,
as are Manx Shearwaters on feeding
● Fulmar
● Buzzard
● Peregrine
forays from the incredible colonies
on the larger Pembrokeshire islands
to the south.
● Guillemot
● Razorbill
● Chough
● Hirundines on passage
● Raven
SUMMER
● Manx Shearwater
● Gannet
● Sky Lark
● Meadow Pipit
AUTUMN
● Arctic Skua
● Great Skua
● Black Redstart
WINTER
● Great Northern Diver
● Peregrine
● Water Rail
● Chough
● Raven

HERTFORDSHIRE
THERFIELD HEATH
A slice of wildlife-rich habitat with views over three counties
Wheatear
L
ooking out over the
flatlands of south
Cambridgeshire, as
well as into Essex, this
Hertfordshire site offers great
walking and the chance of
some interesting birds on the
edge of Royston.
The downs near the town,
including Therfield Heath,
were once well known as a
wintering site for Hooded
Crows – the logo of the town’s
newspaper is a Hoodie, and
they were sometimes called
Royston Crows. Those days
are gone, but there’s still
much to enjoy here, not least
the ubiquitous Red Kites.
MATT MERRITT
©CROWN COPYRIGHT 2020 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 021/20
In association with
www.birders-store.co.uk
MAX MILES ON FOOT: 4 MIN TIME: 3 HOURS
PRACTICAL INFO
POSTCODE: SG8 5BG
GRID REF: TL 347 404
MAPS: OS Explorer 194, 208 & 209,
OS Landranger 153 & 154
PARKING: There’s ample free
parking at the sports centre car park
off Baldock Road
TERRAIN: Grass and chalk paths,
which can be slippery after wet
weather, so be careful
ACCESS: All hours, year-round.
FACILITIES: Everything you need is
a couple of minutes away in Royston
INSIDER KNOWLEDGE
A very early visit is best, as it
does get busy with dog-
walkers, but why not take the
FLPA/ALAMY*
chance to do some visible
migration watching in spring?
The ridge’s prominence means
WHERE TO WATCH Wildlife Trust reserve, consisting it’s the perfect spot.
1 Start from the car-park next to the
sports centre, walking south-west
towards the toposcope at grid ref
of Beech woodland. In spring it
should play host to Blackcap, Willow
Warbler and Chiffchaff, while
TL 343 403. There’ll probably be Chaffinch, Blue, Great and Long-
Black-headed Gulls on the rugby tailed Tit and Treecreeper should be
pitches, but check for anything possible at all times.
more unusual, and expect Meadow
Pipits and Sky Larks to be singing
above you as you start to climb.
Check the neighbouring golf course
3 Retrace your steps back towards
the sports centre, but before
you get there, turn south and
MATT MERRITT
for Green Woodpeckers, and follow the paths onto the ridge.
perhaps Wheatears during spring Look out for Linnets, Goldfinches
and autumn passage. The path and Yellowhammers, while Corn
eventually comes out on the lane to Buntings are also in the area.
Therfield village – walk south along From the high ground look out SPRING TARGET SPECIES
this until you come to the lay-bys. for soaring Red Kite, Buzzard, ● Sky Lark
Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, and during ● Meadow Pipit
2 Fox Covert is a small
Hertfordshire and Middlesex
spring check for grounded migrants
such as Ring Ouzel.
● Linnet
● Wheatear
● Ring Ouzel
● Red Kite
● Sparrowhawk
● Yellowhammer
● Green Woodpecker
● Blackcap
1 ● Chiffchaff
● Whitethroat
3 ● Willow Warbler
● Lesser Whitethroat
● Lapwing
2 ● Grey Partridge
● Quail
AUTUMN & WINTER
● Buzzard
● Goldfinch
● Treecreeper
● Great Tit
● Black-headed Gull
● Short-eared Owl
birdwatching.co.uk 61
 GO BIRDING

AVON MAX MILES ON FOOT: 3 MIN TIME: 2.5 HOURS

GOBLIN COMBE
Woodland habitats and grasslands on a steep-sided gorge PRACTICAL INFO
POSTCODE: BS49 4PQ
Raven GRID REF: ST 476 650
MAPS: OS Explorer 154,
OS Landranger 172
PARKING: Park in the quarry on
Cleeve Hill Road near the GC
Environmental Centre
TERRAIN: Come prepared for mud
and slippery conditions
ACCESS: Open all year
FACILITIES: None on-site

INSIDER KNOWLEDGE
Spring butterflies include the
localised Dingy and Grizzled
Skippers, found in open areas
with sparse vegetation.

REMO SAVISAAR/ALAMY*
Dingy Skipper

A 3
Mendip ‘gorge’ which Ronbin, with a sound track of singing The area around Warren House
is famed for butterflies Mistle Thrush (trying to outperform includes a Beach wood which can
and scarce wild fly-over planes). hold wintering Bramblings (check
any Chaffinch flock, and keep your

DAVID CHAPMAN/ALAMY
flowers (and dormice!), as
well as being a lovely spot to
watch birds. The site
comprises grassland, patches
2 The ‘valley’ of the combe is a
good place to listen and look for
Marsh Tit. Typically, they will be low
ears open!) as well as the odd
vocal Nuthatch.

of heath and woodland.

JOSH THOMAS
down, so spare yourself from the sort
of ‘warbler neck’ you get for scanning
tree tops for Coal Tits. That said, the
4 Great views from the grassland
at the hill fort, down to the
Severn Estuary. This is the best place Grizzled Skipper
WHERE TO WATCH conifers may hold Crossbill, Siskin around here to scan for soaring

1Disused quarry with typical

species, such as Dunnock and
and Godcrest, so your neck may get
some exercise after all.
Ravens, Buzzards, or any other
broad-winged soarers.

DAVE BEVAN/ALAMY

4
SPRING TARGET SPECIES
3 ● Marsh Tit
2
● Siskin
1
● Bullfinch
©CROWN COPYRIGHT 2020 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 021/20

● Goldcrest
● Crossbill
● Raven
● Buzzard
● Mistle Thrush

SUMMER
● Classic woodland birds

AUTUMN/WINTER
● Brambling

62 April 2020

FRANCE
GRAND-FORT-PHILLIPE
Coastal birding walk in northern France
Common Sandpiper
A 2
short drive from the
Channel Tunnel
terminal at Calais, east
along the coast, delivers the
birdwatcher to Gravelines and
the coastal dunes and saltings
west of Grand-Fort-Philippe,
together with a series of
freshwater lagoons, marshes
and copses.
PAUL TRODD
WHERE TO WATCH
1 From the fort scan the canal for
gulls and terns, plus Common
and Green Sandpipers along the
margins. The saltmarsh attracts
passage Redshank, Bar-tailed
Godwit and Whimbrel, Wheatear
and Blue-headed Wagtail. Check
the copse by the park for grounded
warblers, flycatchers, redstarts,
Nightingale and Serin.
3
©CROWN COPYRIGHT 2020 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 021/20
A roadside pull-in overlooks
old gravel pits and flooded
fields, ideal for passage waders
such as Greenshank, Wood
Sandpiper and Whimbrel, plus
Little Egret, Spoonbill, gulls and
terns. Avocet, Black-necked
Grebe, Mediterranean Gull,
Sandwich and Common Terns
breed, while Black-winged
Stilts often pause on migration.
Another good spot to scan for
migrants moving along the coast
typically hirundines, Swift, Cuckoo
and Hobby.
3 From the double-decker hide
scan the lagoon for a range
of wildfowl including Shoveler,
Wigeon, Teal, and Garganey.
Breeding waders should include
Little Ringed Plover, Snipe,
Redshank and Lapwing, plus
4 ● Little Tern
1 ● Nightingale
2 ● Serin
In association with
www.birders-store.co.uk
MAX MILES ON FOOT: 5 MIN TIME: 5 HOURS
PRACTICAL INFO
GRID REF: 51.751N 2.081546E
POSTCODE: Oye Plage 62215
MAPS: Michelin 301 Local. IGN 01
Abbeville Calais
PARKING: Park by the fort in
Leon Marchal or the Platier d`Oye
Nature Reserve car park off the
Routes des Dunes
TERRAIN: A mix of rough tracks,
boardwalks, metaled lanes, all on the
level. For those with mobility issues
much of the reserve can be seen from
the roadside lay-bys
ACCESS: Full public access
throughout the year
DAVID CHAPMAN/ALAMY*
FACILITIES: Toilets, picnic area and
information boards on site. Full range
of facilities in Grand-Fort-Philippe
passage sandpipers and godwits.
Egrets, Spoonbill, Black-necked INSIDER KNOWLEDGE
Grebe, Mediterranean Gull, Marsh Check for Harbour Seals
Harrier, Common and Black Terns, hauled out on the sandbanks
Water Pipit, White and Blue- along the Fleuve Canilse.
headed Wagtails are all likely. Scan
the coastline for migrants on the
move. Check the small wood by
the car park for migrants.
4 Beyond the sand dunes the
vast beach attracts breeding
Ringed and Kentish Plovers, plus
a colony of Little Terns. Sandwich
Terns stream overhead to inland
DAVID TIPLING PHOTO LIBRARY/ALAMY*
nest sites and Mediterranean Gulls
are commonplace. The saltings
attract Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit
and Stonechat plus a chance of
Crested Lark in the dunes. Check
the foreshore for shorebirds
and passing seabirds moving
up-Channel.
SPRING TARGET SPECIES
● Black-necked Grebe
● Spoonbill
● Garganey
● Kentish Plover
● Wood Sandpiper
● Mediterranean Gull
● Turtle Dove
SUMMER
● Breeding terns and wildfowl
AUTUMN
● Passage waders
WINTER
● Water Pipit
BW
birdwatching.co.uk 63
 We stock the UK’s largest range of birding optics and
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STROUD, BRESSER, CELESTRON, COUNTRY INNOVATION,
CULLMANN, HAWKE, HELIOS, HILKINSON, KITE, KOWA,
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 DOMINIC
COUZENS
ON THE...

Blackbird
Adapting their song to the environment they find
themselves in is just one of the remarkable
characteristics of this wonderful bird
JOHN GOODAY/ALAMY

birdwatching.co.uk 65
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS LTD/ALAMY
H Blackbird’s is my favourite
birdsong in all the world.
I find the virtuoso notes
and the wondrously
unhurried delivery not just pleasing on
the ear, but on the psyche, too.
It is soothing. There are times when,
during a particularly stressful day, I have
put on a recording of a singing Blackbird
and allowed it to wash away life’s
frustrations. Try it; it works.
There is no doubt that the Blackbird
is one of Britain’s finest songsters. Each
phrase is a discrete production, with
Only male
Blackbirds sing
66 April 2020
phrase is immediately repeated (making it
very different to the Song Thrush’s song.)
Listen carefully and you might notice that
each phrase begins with glorious contralto
fluty notes, but ends much less tunefully,
with a squeak or chuckle.
These endings vary enormously, and
allow for a dash of mimicry, not always of
another bird, but even bells or human
voices. Each individual male Blackbird
(the females don’t sing)
has a repertoire of at
least 100 song-
phrases.
CHRIS GOMERSALL/ALAMY
revealed something unusual – individuals
get better as they get older. Their
repertoires increase with novel input – they
will sometimes incorporate copied phrases
from first-year birds – so a three-year-old
Blackbird will have a richer vocabulary
compared with a younger bird. In most
other species that have been studied, such
as the Chaffinch, the song is set in the
individual’s first year and doesn’t become
enriched. In theory, therefore, you could get
a clue as to your local Blackbird’s age if you
listened thoroughly enough, with younger
birds having simpler songs! The sheer
variety among individuals should also
mean that, with practice, you could learn
SPECIES FACTFILE
BLACKBIRD
Scientific name: Turdus merula
Length: 24-25cm
Wingspan: 34-38.5cm
UK numbers: 5.1 million pairs / 10-15 million
wintering
Habitat: Everywhere
Diet: Insects, worms and berries

the songs of the birds around you.
It isn’t only the richness, variety and tone
of a Blackbird, though, that makes it such
a pleasure to listen to. Another factor,
which also confers deep resonance to us
humans, is that the song is a staple of the
built environment – it’s enjoyable because
it’s there. Some of the world’s most
gorgeous songs – that of the Hoopoe Lark is
a good example – are tucked away,
virtually unheard, into rarefied habitats,
such as desert. They can only be enjoyed by
the few, not the many (to misquote that
famous phrase). Not the Blackbird, that of
the constant euphonious spring soundtrack
of the concrete sprawl.
The Blackbird has been a staple of the
urban environment in Europe for a
remarkably long time, since the start of
the 19th Century, 200 or so years. Had you
been allowed to predict its ecological future
back then, you probably wouldn’t have
picked it as a pioneer; it is a bird seemingly
at home in deep deciduous forests, where
many individuals still thrive. Yet, some
birds managed to swap the boughs for the
THE BLACKBIRD HAS BEEN A STAPLE OF THE
URBAN ENVIRONMENT IN EUROPE FOR A
REMARKABLY LONG TIME, SINCE THE START
OF THE 19TH CENTURY
balconies, and the rustle of leaves for the
human hubbub. It was a remarkable feat of
adaptation and, since the populations in
town and country don’t seem to differ much
genetically, a remarkable feat of plasticity
in behaviour.
City birds
Today’s urbanised sprawl provides
enormous challenges for wild animals, and
many are not up to it. Those that are,
though, don’t stay exactly as they are; some
of their behaviour changes. In the case of
the Blackbird, it breeds at much higher
densities in towns, as if it were aping the
human arrangements. There are more
positive differences, too. The breeding
season is extended, and Blackbirds in cities
are less prone to migrate away in winter
(as they would in many European
DUNCAN USHER/ALAMY
Fruit is a large part of a
Blackbird’s diet
locations) because there is more food
available and, of course, it is invariably
warmer than in the countryside.
There are two factors prevalent in
cities, though, that are particularly
challenging for wild animals. The first is
light pollution, and the second is noise
pollution. The two together can mess up
a bird’s diurnal and annual rhythms and
interfere with its ability to communicate.
Take light pollution. Towns and cities
are artificially lit up 24-hours a day. Yet
most animals, including Blackbirds, use
the natural ebb and flow of daylight to
determine their annual cycles, such as
breeding, moulting and migration. Their
lives are fine-tuned to a daily rhythm of
sunrise and sunset.
For example, the switch from reduced
daylight to increased daylight in
birdwatching.co.uk 67
 Male singing in a tree ,
perhaps in an urban
park or garden?
SIMON LITTEN/ALAMY*
December sets off a cascade of hormones in
the blood that prepares Blackbirds and
other animals for breeding.
Artificial light
There is plenty of evidence that artificial
lights in urban environments have an
effect. For example, urban Blackbirds are
known to advance the growth of their
testes by up to a month in (experimental)
conditions of night light. Blue Tits are
known to lay eggs 1.5 days earlier in
artificially lit territories as opposed to
unlit ones, and even the opportunities for
extra-pair copulations are enhanced!
The dawn chorus also starts earlier in
cities, and the effect is enhanced on cloudy
days, when the city lights reflect off the
68 April 2020
clouds and make it brighter.
On the other hand, artificial noise,
especially the almost continuous rumble of
traffic, will have the greatest effect on
social interactions between animals. This is
another factor that strongly affects dawn
singing – more, in fact, than artificial light.
In the case of Blackbirds, scientists in
Leipzig measured the onset of dawn song
across a spectrum of habitats, from a city
park to the town centre, and found that in
spring it could start up to five hours earlier
in the most urbanised parts, although the
last bird in the urban parks was usually
about three hours behind the city singer.
Not surprisingly, the dawn chorus is
also fragmented. In the park, most birds
started singing at about the same time,
WHERE TO SEE THEM
You’ll see Blackbirds everywhere, from the
countryside to the coast. They are not found
on the highest peaks.
whereas in the urban areas they started at
widely differing times.
Several studies have suggested that birds
alter their singing times simply to avoid
traffic rumble. This has been proven in
Robin populations, where singing in the
middle of the night is common. One might
guess that it could have other implications,
not measured as yet.
Higher pitch
One change that the urban lifestyle does
cause is the nature of the song itself. For
example, a study in Vienna found that
Blackbirds in the city sang at a higher pitch
than their peers in the Vienna Woods and
had shorter intervals between phrases. For
example, the most frequent elements in the

songs of forest Blackbirds were between
1.8 and 1.9kHz, whereas the favoured
elements in urban Blackbird songs were
pitched at between 2.2 and 2.3kHz. This
has been replicated for other places and
for other species. This is assumed to
mitigate against the relatively low-
pitched hum of traffic, but the picture is
more complicated than that.
Blackbirds in cities don’t just sing
higher pitches, but they sing louder –
a combination of a higher number of
high-pitched elements, with greater
intensities. The Vienna urban birds could
gain as much as 6dB by using the higher
pitches (the average was 2.5dB.) That
means that, against the roar of the traffic,
a forest bird could transmit its song as far
as 30m, whereas a city bird, with its
greater pitch and amplitude, could
broadcast its notes as far as 43m.
This is a remarkable feat of adaptation.
The fact that a bird can change something
as fundamental to its fortunes as song, the
key to keeping a territory and attracting
a mate, just to cope with human-induced
noisiness, is truly wondrous. Indeed, it
can only enhance your sense of wonder as
you listen to the melodic phrases.
And it so happens there is another
change that has been measured in urban
Blackbirds, as opposed to their countryside
equivalents. It turns out they are more
resistant to stress. So, the Blackbird you
are listening to in order to calm you down,
has already calmed down itself. BW
Female Blackbirds are,
of course, brown birds
SIMON LITTEN/ALAMY
Major references:
Sleepless in Town – Drivers of the Temporal
Shift in Dawn Song in Urban European
Blackbirds
Anja Nordt *and Reinhard Klenke
PLoS One. 2013; 8(8): e71476.
Published online 2013 Aug 7. doi: 10.1371/
journal.pone.0071476
Bird song and anthropogenic noise: vocal
constraints may explain why birds sing
higher-frequency songs in cities
E Nemeth, N Pieretti, SA Zollinger et al,
Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 2013
– royalsocietypublishing.org & https://doi.
org/10.1098/rspb.2012.2798
birdwatching.co.uk 69
 GET IN TOUCH
birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk
facebook.com/BirdWatchingMag
twitter.com/BirdWatchingMag
Bird Watching, Media House,
PHOTOS, LETTER, TWEETS, QUESTIONS – HAVE YOUR SAY Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA

In response to Bo deer: Muntjac, Roe,Moroc can

Beolens’ column about
dogs on beaches…
I agree totally with Bo’s
comments regarding out of
control dogs. I spend a lot of
time on the north Norfolk
coast, and find it very
frustrating to see hungry
waders flushed from the beach
by dogs, whose owners think
it is fair sport, and laugh about
it, even when they are at a
nature reserve, such as Holme
or Snettisham.
I have even seen them
throwing sticks into the
fenced off Little Tern breeding
area at Holme, for the dogs to
retrieve. They treat the
whole area as a playground
with a free car park.
The Holkham Gazette
published an article recently,
recording that as many as 50
etc, had
been killed in one Marsh Owl
year by out
of control dogs on their estate.
The problem is not confined
to the coast, however. I live on
the outskirts of the Peak
District, with large areas of
Forest Enterprise plantations.
They are overrun with dog
walkers all year round, each
with as many as five off lead
dogs, and the Woodcocks, and
other sensitive birds, have
long gone. Just this week a
small dog was killed by two
large, free running dogs, so
the problem is not confined to
birds and wildlife.
Of course, it is not always
the dogs’ fault, but the owners’
who even complain about us
putting bird food out in the
winter, because their dogs eat
it – keep them on a lead and
under control! Something
needs to be done about this
problem, which seems to be
getting worse all the time.
Another grumpy old birder!
n The editor says: Read more
responses to this issue at
birdwatching.co.uk/dogs-and-
beaches What do you think?
Email birdwatching@
bauermedia.co.uk
Birding inspiration
Reading how Matt Merritt was
inspired at eight years old by
a Kestrel, made me stop and
think how my passion for
birds began. When I was 10
my Dad would work a lot of
hours, but whenever he had
a day off, he would take me to
our local woods and parks.
This particular day we were
supposed to go to the woods,
but my Dad had to go and
price a job, that was in
another area. On the way back
he took me to Greasbrough
Dam in South Yorkshire we
walked across an old bridge
and on the water was what
I now know as a Great Crested
Grebe making her nest.
I was mesmerised to see this
beautiful bird, bright red head,
creating the nest with her bill.
I felt lucky to have seen this.
Eight years later I moved into
my first home around the
corner from Greasbrough Dam
and soon after settling in I
headed out for a walk round
the dam. There she was, the
Great Grested Grebe making
her nest in the same place.
This fetched happy memories
back, it was as if nothing had
changed in eight years.
After that I went back to
watch her raise four
hatchlings, the pleasure I got
made me feel incredible. From

Send your snaps to birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk to be in

with a chance of seeing your photo in print. All images should
be high resolution JPEG files.
1
1 Bullfinch by Norman Clarkson
Camera: Nikon Coolpix P610 Lens: 150mm
Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec Aperture: f/5.6 ISO: 400

2 Goldfinch by Kevin Bowers

Camera: Nikon D500 Lens: 600mm
Shutter Speed: 1/640 sec Aperture: f/6.3 ISO: 1250

3 Woodpigeon by Eunice Kelleher

Camera: Nikon D300 Lens: 270mm
Shutter Speed: 1/500 sec Aperture: f/5.3 ISO: 640

4 Great Spotted Woodpecker

by Trevor Partridge
2 Camera: Canon EOS 7D Lens: 260mm
Shutter Speed: 1/640 sec Aperture: f/6.3 ISO: 200
3

70 April 2020
 that day, I bought an old bird
book, some cheap binoculars
and headed out, visiting lots
of sites and reserves. Meeting
new people with the same
passion for birds I feel lucky
to have experienced, some
beautiful birds over the years
from when my passion began.
Harriet Day
Great suggestion!
I thought you might like this
photo taken at Harrington
Airfield. I went there in
response to your article in
March 2020 edition. Well
worth it, loads around
including Yellowhammer,
Siskin, Fieldfare, Chaffinch,
Goldfinch, Tree Sparrow,
Kestrels, Buzzards, Red Kites,
Sparrowhawk, Linnet, Twite.
Vaughn Glynn
WE
LOVE
All the photos are
superb, but Norman’s
Bullfinch is particularly
delightful: such a
beautiful, shy bird
PICS FROM OUR
FACEBOOK GROUP
Join our dedicated #My200BirdYear Faceboo
group and share your best birding experiences
and images with the community:
facebook.com/groups/My200BirdYear
I saved the Blue Tits
Further to a reader’s letter
regarding a Sparrowhawk
creeping across the lawn to
claw his prey in the long
grass, well I give you a picture
Hoopoe by Sarah Piper
of one trying to scare out
three Blue Tits hiding in a
cutback tree. It chased them
across the garden from the
feeder but, being three he was
confused as they dived into
the tree for their life.
I watched for a while and felt
pity on the Blue Tits, so went
outside in garden and the
hawk took off.
I know it’s kill or be killed
but with two nestboxes
showing activity I did not
Grey Wagtail by Dominic Gwilliam-Bell
want them to die.
Glyn Jones, South Wales
Great Crested Grebe by Katy Smith
Redshank, Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit by Ian Bishton
4
birdwatching.co.uk 71
 Send all your birding questions to
birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk and our
experts will give you the answers
Goose conundrum
These photos were taken in
Q Poznan, central Poland in
November 2019. The goose was
on the river bank with a group of
Mallards. Although we didn’t get a
photo of them together, the goose
wasn’t much larger than the ducks.
Looking through all the books and
ID guides I can find no species
that seem to exactly match this
bird. The size and colouring
suggest a Pink-footed, but this
goose clearly has orange legs and
a pink bill. It seems too small for a
Greylag and, again, the legs and
bill are the wrong colours. The
legs and size would match a tundra
Bean Goose, but the pink bill is
wrong. The legs and bill colour
would match a White-fronted but
it doesn’t have the markings on
the belly or the white front.
Could you please help?
Matt Edwards
Your goose looks to us to be a
A juvenile White-fronted Goose
(of the European subspecies
albifrons). This would be the right
size from your description, as
Whitefronts are much smaller than
the Greylags we are so used to,
which are particularly large geese.
The orange legs and pink bill are
right for White-fronted Goose, and
the little bit of black on the top of
72 April 2020
the bill is also typical of juveniles of
that species. The reason it looks like
a juvenile is the ‘scaly’ fringing
especially on the back and wing
feathers, the lack of a white ‘front’
and the lack of black belly bands
(although it is possible that the
dark feathering on the flanks is
the first hint of such feathers
coming through).
An odd visitor
A twitcher friend of mine
Q suggested I send the
attached photo to you (right). I
realise it is not great but it was
only taken with an iPad. This bird
was on the pergola in our garden
in Wolverhampton in mid-
February. It is something like
pigeon-sized with a white breast
and a grey back. Its head was
definitely that of a bird of prey.
It sat calmly for about 10 minutes
and then flew onto the fence
about 10 yards away and stayed
for at least another five minutes.
It was noticeable that there were
no other garden birds around. If
you had any idea what it might be,
we would both be very grateful.
Kevin Richards (Wolverhampton)
Your bird, Kevin, is a
A Sparrowhawk. Looking at its
general pattern, and proportion, it
appears to be a male; though some
PLEASE IDENTIFY THIS
MYSTERY GARDEN BIRD
I saw this bird in a garden in Worthing (about 50 yards
Q inland) recently. It was roughly the size of a Blackbird, and
strangely motionless. I did wonder if it was a juvenile Dotterel?
My sister doesn’t think so and suggested sending it to you. Sorry
the pictures are poor quality, just an old iPhone with a hedge in
the way.
Richard Clark
Judging by the pattern and shape of your bird (though not
A fitting the apparent size), it is a Robin. This is mainly based on
the orange breast, face and forehead; contrasting with the plain
grey-brown back and wings and white belly. Of course, it would not
be a ‘typical’ Robin, in terms of plumage, but rather one with very
washed out colour, with some kind of leucism, which is expressed as
pale colours. If you see the bird again it would be great to see some
more photographs.
males are much more orange on around is because when there is a
the underparts than your Sparrowhawk about, it is probably
individual. Sparrowhawks best given space.
typically make ‘raids’ on gardens, as As your ‘twitcher’ friend will tell
surprise attacks on unsuspecting you, many birders frequently
small birds. become alerted to a nearby
These are also often followed by Sparrowhawk not by seeing them
periods of sitting still observing and but by noticing the alarm calls of
regaining composure and energy. tits, Starlings or other birds, when
The reason that no other birds were the birds see a hawk in the vicinity.
 ODD SONG Singing Song Thrush
Recently, I have been woken up just before sunrise by a
Q singing bird quite near my garden. I haven’t been able to
see it recently (I suspect it is singing from one of my neighbours’
trees). And by the time I am up and about, the bird seems to have
gone quiet. It is a very beautiful song, consisting of simple
pure-toned phrases which are repeated a few times, before
moving onto a new one. The tone is a bit like a Blackbird but not
quite. Also, whatever the singer is, it sounds like it has been to a
wetland, as it has a few repeated phrases which sound like
Redshank and Oystercatcher calls. Is it a Starling, which I read
are master mimics, or something quite different? Please help.
Sarah Kirton

It sounds like your early bird, Sarah, is a Song Thrush. They are
A renowned singers, with Blackbird like tones, which repeat
phrases two or three times. Also, they are masters of mimicry, and

RAY WILSON/ALAMY*
furthermore, they do most of their singing in the crepuscular hours
(ie dawn and dusk). Look for a thrush-sized bird (of course) probably
perched quite high in one of your neighbours’ trees.

Gathering feathers
Recently (late February),
Q I saw a Long-tailed Tit
passing through our back garden
carrying a small feather in its bill.
Is it possible that it would use such
a feather to line its nest? It would
be very exciting if Long-tailed Tits
are nesting in or near our garden.
Marc Le Boeuf
At this time, if you see a
A Long-tailed Tit carrying a
feather, it is almost certainly going to
use it to build a nest. Long-tailed Tit
nests are ball-shaped structures
made up of lichen, spider webs and
up to 1,500 feathers! So, they need
to wander around finding a lot of
feathers for each nest. Ideally they
will find a dead bird, perhaps a
Long-tailed Tit with feather!
Sparrowhawk kill, but they will gather
loose feathers wherever they can
find them. See if the tit returns and
see if you can follow where it goes
next (though nests are usually
well hidden within a bramble or
a dense bush).
Strange behaviour
I have a question about some
Q strange bird behaviour. I live
in a semi-rural part of the
north-west UK and have woods
surrounding part of my house.
Recently the little stream has burst
its banks and flooded the area and
there is a lot of standing water.
We do get lots of birds, I’m not
good at identifying them and can
only really recognise the common
ones, such as Wrens, tits, owls,
woodpeckers, Robins, etc.
Yesterday, I heard so many
Magpies ‘clacking’ in the trees
(birds I don’t usually see in the
woods) I went to have a look from
the window. There were five or six
of them perched on the branches,
they were surrounding a Kestrel-
type bird, it hanging upside by its
talons with wings spread.
It looked vulnerable. I watched
for a few seconds, then thought it
was weird enough to get a photo,
when I returned, the scene had
changed to one or two Magpies
just about taking off, and no
acrobatic bird.
I went out to have a look, as
there is lots of water, I couldn’t see
if the bird had been attached and it
had splash landed onto the ground
below. My question is, what was
going on?
Where can I hear
Nightingales?
I have been told that spring
Q is the best time to hear a
singing Nightingale. I have never
heard one, but would love to.
Can you please tell me where
would be the best place to hear
one in full song?
Nathan Slack
Nightingales in the UK are
A almost exclusively found in the
southern part of England (south of
an imaginary line from the Humber
to the Severn Estuary), with the vast
majority being in the east and
south-east. Famous sites to hear
them include Minsmere, Suffolk,
Pulborough Brooks, West Sussex
and Garston Wood, Dorset, Blean
Woods, Kent. The Bird Watching
team (the core of which live in and
TIERFOTOAGENTUR/ALAMY*

Clare (via email) around Peterborough), like to visit

Castor Hanglands NNR,
It sounds like the Magpies and Cambridgeshire, which has as many
A smaller birds were surrounding 25 singing male Nightingales in late
and ‘mobbing’ a bird of prey April and May. BW

(perhaps a Kestrel or Sparrowhawk),

which had become a bit caught
Nightingale in full song
on its perch. Many birds have a
strong instinct to ‘attack’ birds of
prey including owls (as well as crows,
herons and so on; birds which may
theoretically present a threat),
making much noise and even
attempting to peck at them, on
occasions. It seems the passerines
MIKE LANE/ALAMY*

‘discovered’ this bird of prey, then all

tried to scare it off or at least draw
attention to it.

birdwatching.co.uk 73
E+OE Prices subject to change. Goods subject to availability
 new from
T & AD POYSER
An invaluable insight into how
this marvellous raptor has returned
to old haunts to impress, inspire
and connect with nature.
Including species’ origins,
feeding behaviour and breeding,
and information on movement
and survival from the authors’
own studies.

the 100 th title in this respected ornithological series

now available in hardback and paperback
w w w. b l o o m s b u r y. c o m
 BIRDTHEW RLD
THE BEST HOLIDAY OFFERS & TRAVEL REPORTS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
Birding n the
Highlands
Join the Bird Watching team for
a spectacular spring wildlife break
S
pring in Scotland means rich
wildlife potential amid rugged
beauty, and you can join us
there for an exclusive trip from
29 March to 3 April.
Bird Watching magazine editor
Matthew Merritt and assistant editor
Mike Weedon will be joined by Scottish
birding aficionado and UKBS editor Gordon
Hamlett, to lead a week of wildlife
watching, based at the lovely Grant Arms
Hotel in Grantown-on-Spey.
The hotel boasts high quality en suite
rooms and traditional Scottish fare
prepared with local ingredients, and while
it takes care of bed, breakfast and dinner,
we’ll provide optional guided walks, expert
tips, bird quizzes, films and evening talks.
From our Highland location, we’ll be
within easy reach of sites such as Glenmore
Forest Park, for Crested Tits and Crossbills;
the Cairngorms, for Ptarmigan and
possible Snow Bunting; and the Findhorn
Valley, for eagles and other raptors. There’ll
also be the chance to visit Moray Firth sites
such as Burghead and Spey Bay for
wildfowl (including sea ducks), divers,
grebes and waders.
We’ll look for Red and Black Grouse and
Capercaillie in the forests and moors
around Grantown.
As well as the great birdlife, there’ll be
the chance to see dolphins, Red Squirrels,
Red Deer, Otter, Mountain Hare, and
Slavonian Grebe
ARTERRA PICTURE LIBRARY/ALAMY*
The River Spey near
Grantown-On-Spey
GRANT ARMS
INFO GRANT ARMS
Scottish Highlands
KEITH FERGUS/ALAMY*
29 March to 3 April, 2020
This five-day break is held in partnership with
Bird Watching and includes:
l Five nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast
l En suite rooms are equipped with hairdryer,
tea and coffee-making facilities, TV
and toiletries
l Gala dinner
HIGHLANDS l Programme of evening talks and quizzes by
Findhorn Bird Watching’s Matt Merritt, Mike Weedon
Inverness and Gordon Hamlett
l Guided walks
Grantown-on-Spey Aberde l Films and entertainment
l No single supplement
Dundee
SCOTLAND Leaders: Matt Merritt, Mike Weedon
and Gordon Hamlett
Please note: a car is essential on this break.
maybe even Pine Marten. Cost: Bird Watching subscribers
The Grant Arms Hotel is home to the l Standard Room £361 dinner bed and
Birdwatching and Wildlife Club and its breakfast, per person, Superior Room
expert staff will be on hand to guide you to £461 DBB, pp
the best areas, offer local knowledge and l Bird Watching non-subscribers Standard
seasonal tips if you prefer to organise your Room £379 DBB pp, Superior Room
own time. It’s perfect for birdwatchers of £484 DBB pp
all levels and a great way to meet like- l Extra nights: BW subscribers £80pp per night
minded people, share tips and make the DBB standard room, £99 superior; non-
most of this incredible time of year and subscribers £83pp per night DBB standard room,
wonderful place. £105pp per night DBB superior
l £70 non-refundable deposit pp required on
day of booking
NOT A SUBSCRIBER?
Excludes: Transport, lunches &
A new subscription to
alcoholic drinks
Bird Watching magazine
can help cover the extra cos BOOK NOW:
for non-subscribers. CALL 01479 872526,
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uk/bw for our latest offers. EMAIL: BOOKINGS@BWWC.CO.UK
birdwatching.co.uk 77
 NOW BOOKING FOR 2020/21
Welcome to

heatherlea
birding and wildlife holidays
DO IT THE HEATHERLEA WAY
Because Heatherlea gives you more!
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memorable wildlife experiences all around the world, in the company of highly capable Leaders who really
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FRPSDQ\UXQ%<ELUGHUV)25ELUGHUVZKHUHFOLHQWVUHDOO\GRFRPH¿UVW&RPHDQGVHH

The Best of SCOTTISH and WORLD Birding

 In Scotland join us at our famous Hotel in Nethy Bridge,
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for birders of all abilities, fully inclusive of en-suite
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47 weeks of the year, and Scottish island holidays to see
ELUGOLIHIURP$LOVD&UDLJWR0XFNOH)OXJJD:HDUH\RXUORFDO
experts, living and birding in Scotland all the time, with up-
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Led by expert guides who really look after you,
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Greece in winter, Bhutan, Cyprus, Ireland in spring,
Borneo, South Africa, South Korea and many more!

SPECIAL OFFERS!
We want everyone to join us, and because we own our Hotel in Nethy
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PH25 3EB. Twit: @heatherleabirds F/book: heatherleabirdwatching
 BIRD THE WORLD EBRO DELTA

Delta
Delights
An extraordinary landscape provides the perfect
place to enjoy some iconic wetland birds
WORDS MATT MERRITT

I
f you’ve never been birding in Spain,
then there are few better places to
start than Catalunya in September,
and specifically the Ebro Delta, a
bird-rich wetland that’s in many ways
man-made, but which boasts an enviable
number and variety of birds, and what
ROOM THE AGENCY/ALAMY*
a long detour inland, exploring an area
of rocky mountains and deep valleys
around Flix, and specifically the Reserva
Natural de Sebes. Barcelona
Situated beside the Ebro, it has Madrid
reedbeds managed using Camargue horses, Ebro Delta
and the result is a wealth of species, with SPAIN

might be the best birdfair in Europe
outside of… well, Birdfair.
But much more of that later. Before
heading to the delta itself immediately on
arrival at Barcelona Airport, we first took
Bittern regular in winter, and Purple,
Squacco and Night Heron present at other
times, while there are up to five breeding
pairs of Marsh Harrier and a small
population of White Storks.

birdwatching.co.uk 79
 As we watched, two Little Bitterns flew
in and out of the reeds, the best views of
this species I’ve ever had. They’re delicate-
looking and quietly beautiful, yet their
posture and all-round ‘jizz’ instantly
marks them out as bitterns, and I could
happily have sat all day enjoying the
subtleties of their plumage.
We missed out on Spotted Crake, but
Water Rails made themselves known,
noisily, while Red-rumped Swallows and
Crag Martins fizzed overhead. And if you
never get tired of Kingfishers, then there IMAGEBROKER/ALAMY

are ample opportunities to photograph

them from the hides.
The following day, we wound our
way through the mountains in a
leisurely fashion, heading back to the coast
and the delta, picking up ticks such as
Bee-eater, Wood Lark and Griffon Vulture
from the car. This area, and especially the
dramatic rocky outcrops of the Roques de
Benet, inspired some of Picasso’s work,
while the landscape was also much fought
over during the Spanish Civil War.
A brief stop in one of the wooded areas
of the valleys brought a Booted Eagle
overhead and a close-range Firecrest, plus
Spotted Flycatcher, and on Mont Caro, we
saw distant Chough and a much closer
Black Redstart, as well as Spanish Ibex.
Crested Tit and Dartford Warbler were
excellent birds to see, too, and there was
a superb Short-toed Eagle at medium range
The Delta contains a
grid of drainage
channels and ditches
Glossy Ibis
and at eye level, complete with an
unfortunate snake dangling from its talons.
The main course
But all these turned out to be mere
appetisers for what was to come. As we
reached the delta, stormy squalls were
blowing through, but they weren’t going to
deter us. And for many of the birds who
flock here, of course, the wetter the better.
The delta is a triangular chunk of land
protruding into the Mediterranean, the
result of the Ebro depositing huge amounts
of silt here over the centuries, but it has
been put to use by humans, with much of it
taken up by paddy fields, as well as huge
saltworks and saltpans on the coast. EU
subsidies for rice-growing help keep the
paddies as good habitat for birds in winter.
A close-range Squacco Heron was a nice
drive-by sighting to start with, and it was
quickly followed by Marsh Harrier, Great
White Egret, Yellow Wagtail, a Night Heron
on a telephone wire (weird, when all those
that I’ve seen in the UK have pretty much
defined the word ‘skulking’), Purple Heron,
Purple Swamphen, Zitting Cisticola, and
finally a few Caspian Terns as we looked
out over one of the lagoons.
There are plenty of these – saline,
freshwater and brackish – and scanning
them brought a constant stream of new
birds. Small flocks of Greater Flamingos
blushed in the last rays of the sun bursting
through the clouds. There were fishing
Little Terns and insect-chasing Whiskered
Terns, White Wagtails, and our first groups
of waders – Snipe, Greenshank, Wood

80 April 2020
 BIRD THE WORLD EBRO DELTA

Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Black-

winged Stilt and Curlew among them. Squacco Heron
But whichever way we turned, the sky
periodically darkened with great skeins of
what, to the naked eye, might briefly have
been taken for oversized Curlews. But they
were, of course, Glossy Ibises. There are
more than 10,000 of them here, thriving
on a diet of invasive molluscs and
crustaceans (and, hopefully, thus helping
to restore the natural balance), and they’re
a glorious sight, whether in those elegant
aerial flocks, or picking their way
methodically through the paddies. They’re
becoming a more regular sight in the UK,
of course, but to see them in such numbers
is something else again.

Lovely gulls!
Dawn the following day took us out to the
saltpans and one of the huge saltworks,
and immediately rewarded us with the
striking Audouin’s Gull, numerous here,
Slender-billed Gull, arguably the most
delicately beautiful of European larids, and
Mediterranean Gull, at home where its
names says it ought to be.
RAY WILSON/ALAMY*

MATT MERRITT
Greenshanks were among the
waders passing through

BLICKWINKEL/ALAMY*

birdwatching.co.uk 81
 BIRD THE WORLD EBRO DELTA

Afterwards, we had time to return to the

rice paddies and drainage ditches, where
we picked up a high-speed hunting
Merlin, Black-necked Grebe, Ruff, and
several Black Terns picking off the
abundant insect life, and then spent much
of the rest of the day getting better looks at
what we’d seen previously.
Every Yellow Wagtail was worth
checking, with both flavissima (the British
subspecies) and iberiae (the Spanish,
Portuguese and North African race) both
confidently identified by our party.
We were based at Hotel L’Algadir del
Delta, in Poble Nou on the southern side
of the delta, well placed on the edge of the
small town with views out across the open
fields. There are plenty of other
accommodation options here, though,
including self-catering.
A night of spectacular electrical storms
brought a Biblical plague of crayfish onto
the streets, and I didn’t even have to wait

until breakfast was over the next day
before seeing the day’s first new species:
a Bittern flying slowly overhead, as I
enjoyed my coffee and rolls.
Then it was off to the festival, which
takes place not far away, next to the
Llacuna de la Tancada, and close to the sea.
There are also a myriad of pools and
Greater Flamingo
but it looked a lot more like migration in
action, with small groups of birds dropping
in for an hour or two on their way south,
before moving on after refuelling.
Before we left, the weather relented
MATT MERRITT
exploring the delta’s birds thoroughly, but
equally it’s a great location for a short
break, being only an hour or so from
Barcelona Airport. If you haven’t been,
what are you waiting for? BW

channels around and within the festival
site, all of which means that you can be
watching birds all the time you’re walking
round the stands, or sauntering from one
excellent lecture to another.
Plenty pass over, and the nearer pools
contained some of the commoner ducks,
but a short walk back to the main road and
viewing from the screen there brought
Little Stint and Red-crested Pochard, as
well as a constantly changing cast of
MATT MERRITT
enough for us to take to the waves on a
short pelagic trip out into the Med from
L’Ampolla. There were several Storm
Petrels and a few Balearic Shearwaters to
enjoy. Admittedly, trying to photograph a
shearwater from a boat that’s constantly
rocking up and down can be the most
frustrating exercise in the world, but in the
end I was glad that this made me put the
camera down and just enjoy the birds for
their own sake! And that was that.
INFO
l Many thanks are due to Cristian Jensen of
Audouin Birding Tours, who guided us around
the Delta. Find out more about the tours
available at audouinbirding.net
l For more information on Hotel L’Algadir del
Delta, go to: hotelalgadirdelta.com
l For more information on the Delta Birding
Festival (which this year takes place 18-20

waders. Possibly they were merely moving It seemed far too soon to be going home, September), go to deltabirdingfestival.com
around different feeding sites on the delta, because you could really spend weeks

IT LOOKED A LOT Spanish Ibex

MORE LIKE MIGRATION

IN ACTION, WITH
SMALL GROUPS
DROPPING IN FOR AN
HOUR OR TWO
 30TH AUGUST – 12TH SEPTEMBER 2020

REMOTE
AMAZON
WILDLIFE CRUISE

Join us aboard our comfortable

a/c riverboat to explore this
Natural History paradise,
sitting under the sun-awning
as the world passes slowly by,
with morning and evening
exploration in the skiffs.

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is available
at your
fingertips too!

Subscribe today 0117 9658 333

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* Stunning Birds * Wonderful Destinations *

* Expert leaders * Small Groups *
* 39 Years in the business *
Visit www.sunbirdtours.co.uk for full details

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The striking Egyptian

Plover can be seen on
our tours to Ghana,
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sunbird@sunbirdtours.co.uk Tel: 01767 262522

Sunbird, 26B The Market Square, Potton, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP

Colombo, Sri Lanka
There are many birding delights to enjoy at this
trip-of-a-lifetime destination...
S
ri Lanka is a country of great
charm and rich cultural heritage.
This small island in the Indian
Ocean is barely separated from
mainland south-east India, yet in
many ways, it is a very different place. For
starters, the pace of life is much slower;
a fact that is clearly noticeable in its capital,
Colombo. Sleepy would be the wrong
adjective to use to describe life in this city,
as there is certainly plenty of hubbub.
A visit during March or April could be
quite pleasant. It is comfortably warm and,
importantly, largely dry. Curiously, a glance
skyward while walking the streets of the
city will not result in seeing the expected
large gulls swooping around.
Instead, be prepared for the incongruous
sight of pelicans cutting across the urban
skyline. The species in question is the
Eastern Cattle Egret
ALL IMAGES: DAVID LINDO UNLESS STATED
84 April 2020
DAVID
LINDO
THE URBAN
BIRDER
Spot-billed Pelican. Resident to the island,
this dingy-looking pelican can be found
paddling in the most urban of ponds, but
more about that later.
Other birds to be noted overhead
include the incredibly handsome
Brahminy Kite. This ginger and white
raptor is a familiar bird in the capital, as is
the gorgeous Chestnut-headed Bee-eater that
bears an uncanny similarity to our larger
and more familiar (European) Bee-eater,
itself a rarity in Sri Lanka.
In terms of actual urban birding sites
to visit in Colombo, you can do no worse
than to head for the heavily-visited
Viharamahadevi Park (formerly known as
Victoria Park). It is the only large park in
Colombo. There will be legions of Eastern
Cattle Egrets scattered around the parkland,
like the abundant young Sri Lankan lovers
to be found smooching under every
available tree! This egret has been split by
some authorities from the nominate race
that we know and love. The main difference
in its plumage is that during the breeding
season its mantle, head and neck is almost
wholly orange-buff.
It is also slightly smaller than the Cattle
Egret, with shorter wings and longer bill
and tarsus. Around the edges of the small
artificial lake and stalking around the
loafing feral Muscovy Ducks are the
delightful piebald White-breasted
Waterhens. These rails are fairly common
NICOLAS DE CORTE/ALAMY
VIHARAMAHADEVI PARK,
BATTARAMULLA
INDEPENDENCE SQUARE WETLANDS
and quite used to people, as are the
Indian Pond Herons that stand like
statues on the water’s edge. These small
herons are like dark versions of Europe’s
Squacco Heron. Floating among the
pedalos and often almost within arms
length of the people that play around in
them are Spot-billed Pelicans. It is truly
strange to see such beautiful beasts
behaving like swans on a village pond.
Elsewhere in the park, you may come
across Brown-headed Barbets in the tree
foliage. Once you get onto them and
recognise their cries, you’ll realise that they
are quite common and that in flight they
resemble woodpeckers.
On the subject of woodpeckers, keep an
eye out for the dramatic Lesser Flameback.
It is not like any species that we have in
Europe, with a colour-combo that will
render it unmistakable in the impossible

DAVID FETTES
Brahminy Kite
Indian Pond Heron
event of one turning up in the UK. However,
there are several other similarly plumaged
species to be found in Sri Lanka that could
cause identification headaches.
Watch out for hunting Asian Brown
Flycatchers that are like small versions of
our Spotted Flycatcher. The large Asian Koel
is also present, announcing itself by calling
their names: ‘ko-el, ko-el’. This sound is part
of the soundtrack across most of south-east
Asia. The Greater Coucal (which is
confusingly called the Southern Coucal in
some field guides) is the second species of
giant cuckoo to be found in the park.
Perhaps the most obvious birds to be seen in
Viharamahadevi Park are the crows. You
will not fail to see the gangs of House
Crows marauding through the area. They
House Crows
Asian Paradise-flycatcher
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater
are like elongated Jackdaws, with roughly
the same plumage pattern. Among them, in
smaller numbers, are the bigger, all dark
Large-billed Crows.
Another good place to wield binoculars is
behind Independence Square. The main
feature of this site is the impressive
Independence Memorial Hall, but there are
birds to be found here. Overhead, Indian
Swiftlets swirl, while Chestnut-headed
Bee-eaters swoop after insects.
Scan the trees for the warbler-like
Oriental White-eye, White-bellied Drongo
and Yellow-billed Babblers, while, lower
down, Common Tailorbirds lurk. However,
the main quarries will be the endemic
Crimson-fronted Barbet and the glamorous
Asian Paradise-flycatcher. The latter really
BIRD THE WORLD
KEY SPECIES
SPOT-BILLED PELICAN
The Spot-billed Pelican is one of the
eight species of this instantly
recognisable family. It is generally
smaller and greyer than both the Great
White and Dalmatian Pelicans and is
named after the spots on the top of the
upper mandible, that are only really
visible close up.
Its range is basically southern Asia and
it is listed as Near Threatened. Indeed,
after the Dalmatian Pelican, it is the
rarest pelican in the world. Their
numbers have declined largely due to
habitat loss and human disturbance and
many populations in south-eastern Asia
are now sadly extirpated.
is quite a special bird to behold.
Finally, on the south-eastern suburbs of
Colombo lies the famed Talagama Wetlands.
The site encompasses a man-made irrigation
reservoir, paddy fields, canals, ponds and
marshes. Here, you can get your fill of
wetland species with beauties like the
Pheasant-tailed Jacana and Lesser
Whistling Duck heading many a list. It
would be a great way to cap your time in
Colombo. Its scientific name Pelecanus
philippensis refers to the Philippines, where
it was abundant in the early 1900s, but
declined to become extinct by the 1960s.
Fortunately, it is still easily to be seen in
Colombo. In some parts of its range, where
they are still common, they nest in large
colonies close to urban areas. BW
Thanks to: Supurna Hettiarachchi at
Nidangala Wadiya: nidangalawadiya.com
MORE ABOUT
BIRDING IN SRI LANKA
Reference Guides:
Birds of the Indian Subcontinent
Ð Richard Grimmett, Carol
& Tim Inskipp.
birdwatching.co.uk 85
 27 years of Birdwatching and Wildlife Holidays

Bulgaria • Finland & Norway • Portugal •

Spain (Secret Aragon) • Spain (Iberian Lynx) •
Isles of Scilly • Morocco • Gambia •
Tanzania • Bhutan • Japan •
Arizona • New York State • Texas •
Brazil • Chile • Costa Rica • Cuba •

www.avianadventures.co.uk
33 67
01384 372013
a v i a n a d v e n t u re s @ b t i n t e r n e t . c o m

Join us for spectacular birding tours around the world

Our trips have unusually

small groups. Quality (rather
than cost) is of paramount
importance to us, although
our trips do tend to be
competitively priced. We are
passionate about conservation
and it is Birding Ecotours’
company policy to donate 10%
of profits to conservation and
disadvantaged communities.
Please peruse our website
(www.birdingecotours.com)
for our worldwide set
departures, but we can also run
custom-made, private trips. For
example, if you send us your
wish list, we can design a
custom birding tour for you.
We like to do things differently.
For example, we offer some
unique trips, including our Owls
of the World® series of tours.

info@birdingecotours.com www.birdingecotours.com
We donate 10% of profits to conservation and local communities
 BIRD THE WORLD READER HOLIDAY OFFER

Birding in Somerset

Spring Birding Bonanza

MICHAEL HANNON/ALAMY*
20-23 April 2020, 4-7 May 2020, 12-15 May 2020, 9-12 June 2020 YOUR

A
GUIDES
fter the success of there. And, in winter, they performing their sky-dance STEPHEN MOSS
last year’s tours, we play host to one of the and Cuckoos calling over the Tour leader Stephen is
are delighted to greatest of all British reeds, and if we are lucky, one of Britain’s best-known
offer readers birding spectacles: the famous Cranes – Europe’s tallest bird. naturalists, authors and wildlife TV
another chance to visit Starling murmurations. In winter, the marshes are producers. His TV credits include
Somerset, now considered Great White, Little and packed with waterbirds, and Springwatch and Birds Britannia, while
among the best places in Cattle Egrets float over the up to half a million Starlings! his many books include The Robin:
Britain to see – and get great reedbeds, or fish in the watery Depending on the time of A Biography. Stephen moved to
views of – some of the ditches known as rhynes. year, we also visit Cheddar Somerset 12 years ago with his family,
country’s most sought-after Bitterns, too, are often Reservoir, the Quantock and and loves showing people the bird and
bird species. glimpsed as they fly low over Mendip Hills, and the coast, wildlife wonders of his adopted home.
The Avalon Marshes are the the reeds. In spring, you can where almost anything can –
heron capital of Britain, with watch Hobbies chasing and does – turn up. At a time GRAEME & KAY MITCHELL
up to seven species breeding dragonflies, Marsh Harriers when much of Britain’s ran a holiday company for 25 years.
birdlife is in decline, Having settled with their family in
Somerset offers a truly Somerset two decades ago, they
INFO SOMERSET awesome birding experience. founded Somerset Birdwatching
We at Somerset Holidays in 2017. Graeme’s guiding skills
SPRING TOURS Birdwatching Holidays pride and Kay’s wonderful cooking make them
Choose from four dates, each with two-and-a-half days’ birding ourselves on our attention to the perfect hosts for your stay.
and three nights’ DBB – detail: we take a maximum of
l Mon 20 April to Thu 23 April 2020 seven clients in our special
l Mon 4 May to Thu 7 May 2020 vehicle (christened means you’ll get unforgettable
l Tue 12 May to Fri 15 May 2020 Thunderbird One), and offer views of some of Britain’s most
l Tue 9 June to Fri 12 June 2020 luxury accommodation, charismatic species. We love
Price £565.00 pp Single supplement £60.00 splendid food and convivial showing people not just the
company. With naturalist and birds and other wildlife of
DETAILS author Stephen Moss and keen Somerset, but also the history
l All accommodation has private facilities in luxury converted cottages or an birder Graeme Mitchell as your and culture of this unique
adjacent B&B, and the holiday price includes dinner and drinks, self-service guides, this holiday is ideal for county and its myriad
breakfast, pub lunch, all transport during your stay, and the services of our birdwatchers at any level, from landscapes: from hills, to
guides Stephen and Graeme. Group size maximum 7 clients. complete beginner onwards. coast, to those magical
Our unrivalled knowledge of wetlands. So please join us on
TO BOOK A TOUR CALL 01934 712831 some of Somerset’s best-kept a relaxing, enjoyable and
secret sites, and their birds, above all memorable tour. BW

birdwatching.co.uk 87
 Cut out
and keep

SPECIES CLASSES
Following on from the basics of bird photography covered in previous
Camera School articles, Species Classes articles concentrate on individual
species and provide insights into where, when and how to get the best images
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL STERRY

is
on – Redshank

▼
Redshanks typically feed in
water that is a few inches deep,
so it is usually fairly easy to predict
their favoured locations on a
freshwater marsh or pool. Try
getting as low as possible, either with
your tripod legs spread flat or your
tripod head attached to a ground
plate. Keeping a low profile is key
– try not to break the skyline – and
use camouflage netting draped over
you to complete the deception.
The approach also works well with
rising tide beside a winter saltmarsh
– but take care to plan your retreat
and exit route once the water rises
too close.

▼ ▼
Many islands in the Outer Hebrides are famed for their machair Give it enough time and a perched Redshank will find
habitat – nutrient-poor but florally diverse grassland, growing on something to complain about – typically a rival straying too
wind-blown sand on the islands’ west coasts. In addition to its flowers, close to the boundaries of its territory. Back in machair
machair is home to significant numbers of breeding waders, and Redshank habitat, if you can find a regularly-used fencepost, then the
are locally common, favouring wet hollows and marshes. These habitats best approach is park off the road, set up your camera on a
are rather featureless and guard birds often use fenceposts as look-outs. beanbag, or something similar that ensures stability, and wait.
Since many of these are sited right beside lonely and seldom-used roads, a The Redshank is still likely to be nervous, so use camouflage
car makes a perfect mobile hide. netting to screen the car windows.

88 April 2020
 PART SEVEN REDSHANK

NEXT
MONTH:
How to
photograph
Gannet

▼ ▼
North Uist, South Uist and Benbecula
– among the best-known Outer Hebridean
islands – support good numbers of breeding
Redshank and are great locations to
photograph the species. The best thing is that
you can do so without disturbing the birds
unduly, so long as you stick to roads and
well-used tracks and paths. There are few
things more evocative of these windswept isles
than the sight and sound of displaying
Redshanks drifting over their territories.
Outside the breeding season, Redshanks are widespread on the coast and
almost every estuary you care to mention will support good numbers of birds from
October to March. Using common sense and a bit of fieldcraft there can be great
opportunities to take flight shots. One approach is to work with a rising tide and
sit yourself down in the vicinity of feeding birds.
With luck, the tide will push them towards you and, sooner or later, one will take flight.
This is the time to use back-button focusing. Work with a bird that is walking in pretty
much the same plane of focus and keep it sharp by periodically re-focusing. But, all the
while, be ready for action: by not relying on autofocus when the bird takes flight you will
eliminate the possibility of the autofocus tracker latching onto the wrong part of the frame,
for example the background.

FACTBOX
Generally speaking, the
Redshank is a rather
nervous bird and its
country lore nickname
‘watcher of the march’ is
well-deserved. Often, the
first sign you get of their
presence is a distant bird
taking flight, uttering shrill
piping alarm calls. So, it is
one of those species
where fieldcraft plays an
essential part in bird
photography. A few tens
of thousands of pairs of
Redshank breed in Britain,
in wetlands and on upland
moors. During the winter ▼
months they favour Outside the breeding season Redshank are typically solitary when feeding, but on the coast,
coastal marshes, as well as at high tides, they form flocks which periodically engage in formation flying as the rising tide forces
freshwater wetlands, and
them to move. This can provide excellent opportunities for group shots, using perhaps a 300mm lens.
numbers are boosted by
influxes of birds from Visit Farlington Marshes in Hampshire an hour or so before high tide and you should see birds leaving
mainland Europe. the inundated saltmarsh and flying over the seawall to roost beside the freshwater lagoon. Similar
opportunities are found in many places around Britain.

birdwatching.co.uk 89
 BINOCULARS
LEICA TRINOVID 7X35
£1,250
Reviewed by David Chandler
I
n 1990, I purchased my
first top-end binocular.
I wanted a Leitz Trinovid
but they had been
discontinued, and the
very different and much
heavier Leica Trinovid BA
hadn’t yet made its debut. But
now the old-style Trinovid is
back, made in Portugal this
time, with the “latest optical
glass and coatings” and Leica
rather than Leitz on the pricey
red dot.
Leather-clad lightness
In looks, this is a retro-
binocular. It is compact and
elegant, an aluminium chassis
wrapped in black leather with
exposed black metal, most
obviously around the
90 April 2020
objectives (so might be a little
cold to handle if the
temperature drops). It is
lightweight and very good in
the hands. It is light enough to
use one-handed.
The focusing wheel comes to
hand easily, though at about a
third of a finger width, is
narrower than most of today’s
binoculars. In practice this is
not a problem at all, even with
gloves, and it’s easy to use
with a thumb below and a
finger above. It moves
beautifully – very smoothly
with fairly light resistance,
through just over two
revolutions, clockwise towards
the horizon. That’s a fair bit of
travel, but for most birding
you’ll use less than a quarter
of that movement. Dioptre
adjustment is via a knurled
wheel at the objective end of
the central hinge. It doesn’t
lock but is stiff enough to stay
in place.
Overall, build quality is
excellent, but perhaps let down
a little by the eyecups. The
original had fold-down rubber
eyecups. Today’s incarnation
has click-stopped, pull-up
rubber coated plastic tubes,
with two intermediate
positions. I used them fully
extended and my concern
about them holding their
position proved unfounded.
The new Trinovid is
described as splash-proof and
weatherproof. It is not
nitrogen-filled. Splash-proof is
probably all that most of us
need, but what does
weatherproof mean? You can
use them in the sun? They are
fine in the fog? They’ll keep
the wind out?
“Premium optics”
That’s what it says and the
image is very, very good. It’s
clear and clean and makes for
easy viewing. Sharpness is
excellent, brightness is very
good, and focus precision is
very good. There is a very
small amount of peripheral
softness but definitely nothing
that distracts.
My sample, I presume
uniquely, had two very small
black specks at the very edge
of the view – as ever, check
thoroughly before you buy.
I did sometimes see a little
colour fringing – but getting
my eyes lined up correctly
improved this. The Trinovid
performed well against the
light, but sometimes showed
a few eyepiece flare spots from

side-lighting – shield the
eyepiece with a hand to sort
that out. The 140 metre field of
view is plenty enough, but
given that it’s a premium 7x,
a bit more might have been
expected. The close-focus is
quoted as a distinctly retro
four metres (8.8 cubits).
I measured it at about 3.45
metres (7.5 cubits) which is
a bit more respectable and
adequate for most birding.
Low light performance was
impressive, picking out Barn
Owl orange-brown about 35
minutes after sunset.
Comes with…
Like the original, this Trinovid
comes with a leather pouch
that can stay on the strap – for
in-field protection should you
SPEC S
Eye relief: 16mm
Field of view: .8.0°/140m@1,000m
Close focus: 4m (8x40 and 10x40
are 5.5m)
Weight: 590g
Width x height x depth:
107x132x52mm
RRP: £1,250
Warranty: 10 years
Supplied with: strap, leather pouch,
rainguard, lens cloth, instructions.
Web: store.leica-camera.com
want it. It’s a beautiful piece of
leather but not to my liking for
round-the-neck use. There’s
also a traditional-looking
rainguard, so you have that as
an option. This wasn’t
provided with my review
sample, so I didn’t get to try it
out. The wide, contoured,
Leica-branded neoprene strap
is I think, more strap than
necessary – something less
bulky and perhaps a little retro
would be good.
VERDICT
This binocular is lightweight,
compact and very good in the
hands. It really is very good to
look through. From memory,
I’d say it’s optically superior
to the more contemporary
Trinovids that I have reviewed
over the last few years. Its
close-focus isn’t great and it
isn’t nitrogen-filled. But if you
want a quality view, like the
retro-look, aren’t wanting a
binocular for very wet or
humid places, and aren’t an
insect-watcher, try these.
8x40 (£1,350) and 10x40
(£1,400) versions are also
available.
OPTICS h h hh
HANDLING h h hh
PRICE hhh h
OVERALL h h hh
TRIED & TESTED GEAR
HAT
TILLEY HIKER’S HAT
£80
Reviewed b David Chandler
I’ve been wearing a Tilley since 1992, though do take it off
from time to time. BW’s Mike Weedon is often seen in one,
too. My first one wore out and Tilley honoured the lifetime
guarantee and replaced it. A Tilley really is a hat for life –
mine have protected my bonce from the sun on countless
occasions and four continents.
The Hiker’s Hat is different from the Tilleys I’m used to.
For a start, it’s lighter. It’s made from 98% organic cotton
and 2% spandex and weighs just over 100g. It has a mesh
band just below the crown for ventilation and a HyperKewl™
insert in the crown – more on that later. There’s a hanging
loop on the rear brim – Tilleys never used to have one of
them. It’s water-repellent so you can use it as a rain hat, and
if it rains really hard, it will float.
This Tilley is mainly about keeping cool. The wide brim
creates shade. The fabric breathes, is UPF50+ certified and
has that mesh ventilation. And there’s a cooling turbo in the
crown. You take the insert out, stick it in cold water for up
to five minutes, and then put it back in the crown. The
water evaporates slowly and is said to bring the temperature
down by around 10-15°F.
I soaked the insert at about 9am on a warm July day.
I wore the hat from 10.45am to 4pm, and the crown still had
some cool in it. In fact, about an hour and a half later there
was still a bit of cool in there. I was impressed.
When the breeze gets up a bit, 100g with a wide brim has
a tendency to part company with your head. There are
bootlace-like windcords to keep it on – one for under the
chin, one for the back of the head. I don’t like a loop under
the chin and found the loop behind the head didn’t hold its
length well when adjusted. It needs to be made of
something grippier. Pulling both loops behind my head
improved things.
Brim size: 8.9cm at front and rear; 6.4cm on the sides,
Weight: 108g, Sizes: 7-7 7/8. In various colours.
Guaranteed for life. tilley.com/uk_en/
V ERDIC T
This is a good hat. It’s lightweight, has a good size brim, a
turbo-cooler and a lifetime guarantee – which makes it pretty
good value. It just needs those cords sorting out, and you could
probably do that yourself.
birdwatching.co.uk 91
TRIED & TESTED GEAR

BOOK
OF THE
MONTH

THE PELAGIC
DICTIONARY OF
NATURAL HISTORY OF
THE BRITISH ISLES
PETER J. JARVIS,
PELAGIC PUBLISHING £35
With more and more folk getting
into watching other forms of wildlife
along with birds, this book offers you
the chance to look up all those things
you came across and wanted to know
more about when exploring the
British Isles.
The book starts with abbreviations
and acronyms, while part one
explains the terminology used in
natural history, and part two is a
reference section on the individual
species or species groups.
For example, flicking
through I came across ‘Glue Fungus’,
which I was shown on a Nature
Scotland tour on Islay this January
by my youngest son, Ewan. He had
his eye on this species having found
it on Mull while hunting for ‘Glove
Fungus’ (a Mull speciality also on the
same page). I was able to read up on
both, and that's what makes this
book a must for your library.
BookReview
This month’s latest releases
THE COMMON
BUZZARD SEAN WALLS
& ROBERT KENWARD, T &
AD POYSER £35 (SB)
It is like with buses. Tubbs’ Buzzard
came out in 1974 and after a long
wait since then we have had two
books in five years, with Dare’s The
Life of Buzzards in 2015 and now
this. This book is so different from
the 2015 book, with the authors
often taking another line on how
Buzzards should be managed!
Wallis and Kenwood claim this
raptor could be the commonest in
the world, but don’t add that
expansions of Eagle Owl and
White-tailed Eagle could have an
effect on the Buzzard’s numbers,
with 16 young Buzzards being
WORDS JOHN MILES
brought to just one White-tailed
Eagle nest as food. Buzzards fell
50% in the Black Forest in Germany
when Eagle Owl was reintroduced!
There are records of a staggering
56,157 voles removed by Buzzards in
an area of 30sq km in Europe, while
Buzzards can also go 8-10 days
without food! When it comes to
game birds, young Buzzards are
more likely to be found at Pheasant
pens, especially when adults are
removed, but there’s no mention of
ways of disrupting the Buzzards from
taking Pheasants at pens by using
electric shock, as used in the USA!
If you missed the Dare book, then
this one is certainly worth a read.
BIRDS IN WINTER
ROGER F. PASQUIER,
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
PRESS £25
You might think a book written
primarily with records from America
would not have much benefit for
someone from the UK, but the
information given spans the world.
Who would have thought a member
of the swallow family would be
eating berries in winter, and that a
flock of Dunlin would keep in flight
out to sea rather than roost at high
tide, to keep away from predators?
Facts such as what happens when a
northern breeding species winters in
a southern area with a similar species
from down there are here, with, I
guarantee, new facts on every page!

92 April 2020
 NEW PRODUCTS GEAR

WishList Essential gear to spend your

hard-earned cash on this month
WORDS DAVID CHANDLER

JACK WOLFSKIN KINGSTON
30 PACK RECCO, £85
A 30-litre wolf pack made from recycled polyester with
a polyethylene frame and no PFCs anywhere. It has
an integrated RECCO chip – which makes it easier for
rescue services to find you if things go seriously wrong.
You don’t need to register the chip and the reflector
works even if there are rocky bits or trees in the way.
This could be just what you need when you can’t find
your way back to the car park. In lava red or black.
930g. jack-wolfskin.co.uk
HILLTREK
BRAEMAR
ORGANIC SV
SMOCK, £19
Hand-made in Scotland OSPREY POCO PLUS UNISEX
Hilltrek quality, and CHILD CARRIER, £320
organic. In 2019 this Get small people out in the wilds with this Child
won a silver award Carrier. Its sunshade has a UPF 50+ rating, and there’s
for sustainability in a raincover and toy loops. With a ventilated, suspended
The Great Outdoors mesh backpanel, an adjustable hip-belt and adjustable
Awards. Its single torso length, you should be comfortable carrying your
layer of ventile, with PFC-free water-repellency, is precious load. The child harness, seat and foot stirrups
windproof and showerproof. Its hood has a volume are adjustable, and there are side mesh pockets, zipped
adjuster and a drawcord, and the kangaroo pocket, belt pockets, a zip up space under the seat, and a
which is big enough for an OS map or a very large bar kickstand. 3.58kg. Main fabric: Bluesign nylon. In blue
of chocolate, has a storm flap. 526g. hilltrek.co.uk sky or starry black. ospreyeurope.com

KATHMANDU EPIQ WOMEN’S
DOWN VEST, £129.99
A hable vest loaded with duck
nd feathers to keep you toasty.
re’s a Durable Water Repellent
nish on the polyester outer,
us zip-up hand pockets with
rushed fabric inside (cosy),
more brushed fabric on the
hin guard and inside the collar
more cosy), and elastic around
he armholes to help keep the
warm in. Sizes 6-18.
A 10 weighs 380g.
kathmandu.co.uk
RSPB SWALLOW DESIGN PEAK DESIGN TRAVEL TRIPOD,
COIN PURSE, £6.99 ALUMINIUM, £329.95
It’s a purse. For It packs down to water bottle diameter and 39.1cm long,
coins. With a but does the job with a full-frame DSLR and telephoto or
Swallow on a scope. Set up time is under 10 seconds! There are five
it. And some leg sections, a ball head with one ‘do-it-all’ adjustment
stripes. And a ring, an Arca Swiss compatible QR plate,
zip. The exterior a stow-away phone-mount, a hook for
is faux leather hanging a bag for more stability, and a
– for a nice feel in the hand, and the interior is yellow bubble level. You can use it low with
to help you see what you’re looking for. You won’t splayed legs (the tripod’s) or in
find any PVC in it, and it’s vegan friendly. I suggest ‘reversed mode’. 14–152.4cm ht.
roasting it slowly and enjoying with a good, mature Max. load 9100g.
cheddar. 12.5cm x 9cm, so it will swallow some big Weighs 1560g.
coins. rspb.org.uk wexphotovideo.com

SEEDBOX, FROM VANGUARD VESTA 8X42 WOODLAND TRUST SOAP

£19.95
This is for those who are serious
about feeding their garden birds.
It’s a galvanised steel birdfood
hopper – mount it on an outside
wall or in a shed, fill it with seed
and you’re ready to go. It will
keep mice and other unwanteds
out and comes in three sizes,
imaginatively described as
small (46x20cm, 6kg capacity,
£19.95), medium (53x24.5cm,
8kg capacity, £29.95), and,
you’ve probably worked it out, large (64x25cm, 12.55kg
capacity, £39.95). livingwithbirds.com
BINOCULAR, £139.99
A new and budget offering that Vanguard say will
“deliver an outstanding performance”. It weighs a
mere 600g – which is light for a 42mm bin, measures
15x13cm, focuses down to 2.1 metres and as far
away as you could possibly want. There’s a 6.25°
field of view (109m at 1000m) and it will keep the
water and fog out. A 10x42 is available for the same
price, including a camo version, but that might
be hard to find. Compact Vestas also available.
vanguardworld.co.uk
COLLECTION, £18
When there are few birds to be seen many
birdwatchers use soap. These ones allow for a clean
conscience as well as various other bits. They are palm
oil free, contain no petroleum, mineral oil, parabens,
artificial fragrances or colours or sodium lauryl/laureth,
are hand-made, sustainably, and decorated with
dried botanicals (bits of plants). There are eight in the
collection including Minty Spa, Lemongrass Scrub,
Lime & Green Tea and Warm Spice. Vegan.
shop.woo
 of Bath
01225 466 364 UK’s LOWEST PRICES!!
SWAROVSKI PREMIER DEALER 65mm/85mm/95mm Module ..............................£675/£1160/£1459
BTX Module................................................................................ £1950
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25-60x magnification 30x magnification
ATS/STS 65mm/80mm Body......................................... £1160/£1655
£2320 £2625 20-60x/25-50x Eyepiece.....................................................£405/£485
ME 1.7x Extender for ATX/STX/BTX .............................................. £279
DCB II Digiscoping Adapter.......................................................... £270
ATX/STX 85 BTX 85 TLS APO 23mm/30mm/43mm Requires T2 Mount (£16) ........... £362
25-60x magnification 30x magnification BR Balance Rail ............................................................................. £157
£2805 £3110 VPA Phone Adapter...................................................................... £150
AR Adapter rings for ATS/ATM/ATX/STX/BTX ...................... £25 to £33
BTX 95 FREE Ace Stay-on-Case worth £105 and
ATX/STX 95 35x magnification Collins bird guide when you purchase any complete
30-70x magnification
Swarovski ATX/STX spotting scope
£3104 £3409 The new dG 8x25 is the first long-range
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£1645 £2140 sightings are transferred to your

smartphone, Merlin bird ID App or the
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£1649
EL 32mm SLC 42mm
8x32 £1559 8x42 £1250
10x32 £1575 10x42 £1305
8x56 SLC.................... £1539
10x56 SLC ................. £1575
EL 42mm CL Companion 15x56 SLC ................. £1629
8x42 EL RANGE ......... £2320
8.5x42 £1900 With ‘Wild Nature’
Case & Strap bundle 10x42 EL RANGE ....... £2395
8x30 £875 7x42 Habicht GA ......... £819
10x42 £1920 10x30 £890 10x40 Habicht GA ....... £880
With ‘Urban Jungle’ 7x42 Habicht ............... £665
Case & Strap bundle 8x30 Habicht ............... £710
EL 50mm 8x30 £875 10x40 Habicht............. £800
10x30 £890
10x50 £2040 With ‘Northern Lights’
Case & Strap bundle
8x25 CL Pocket ............ £530
10x25 CL Pocket ......... £575
12x50 £2060 8x30 £875
10x30 £890
8x25 CL Pocket ‘Mountain’ . £549
10x25 CL Pocket ‘Mountain’ . £600
UTA Tripod Adapter ...... £83
FREE Collins Bird Guide, Swarovski Cleaning Kit & Field Optics Winged Eyecups
worth over £80 with all new EL & SLC binoculars.

LEICA
Noctivid 8x42 ........................................ £1829 Trinovid 8x20 BCA ................................. £369
Noctivid 10x42 ...................................... £1929 Trinovid 10x25 BCA................................. £389
Ultravid 8x32 HD+ .............................. £1489 Monovid 8x20 BCA ................................. £349
Ultravid 10x32 HD+ .............................. £1529 APO Televid 82mm Straight or Angled
Duovid 8+12x42 ................................... £1749 25-50x Kit £2495
Ultravid 7x42 HD+ .............................. £1619 Duovid 10+15x50 ................................. £1899
Ultravid 8x42 HD+ .............................. £1679
Ultravid 10x42 HD+ .............................. £1759 Ultravid HD-Plus ‘Customized’
Ultravid 8x50 HD+ .............................. £1799
Ultravid 10x50 HD+ .............................. £1839 8x32
Ultravid 12x50 HD+ .............................. £1949 £1799
10x32
Ultravid 8x20 BL.................................... £649 £1849
Ultravid 10x25 BL .................................... £689 1.8x Converter 8x42
£285 £2049
Ultravid 8x20 BR ................................... £549
Ultravid 10x25 BR ................................... £569 10x42
£2099
Trinovid 8x32 HD .................................. £699
Trinovid 10x32 HD .................................. £749 Free giant blower brush and
Trinovid 8x42 HD .................................. £775 25-50x Eyepiece shoulder harness worth over £27
Trinovid 10x42 HD .................................. £809 £635
with all full-sized binoculars.
Prices include VAT, are correct at time of going to print & are subject to change without notice ï Visit our website for full details & the latest prices April 2020
 www. aceoptics.co.uk 16Fax:Green Street, Bath, BA1 2JZ
01225 469 761 • Email: optics@aceoptics.co.uk
Open Monday to Saturday, 09:00-17:45hrs - Online 24/7

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 UKBIRDSIGHTINGS
The best rare birds seen all around Britain in January
COMPILED BY MIKE WEEDON
THE LONG GAME
Year-listers had plenty of choice rare birds to kick off 2020’s marathon count
J
anuary hardly produced
the most startlingly new
array of rarities. But, for
year-listers, there were plenty
of high-quality hangers-on, on
which to build the foundations
of the 2020 count.
Things did kick off in some style in
Norfolk, however, with a male Desert
Wheatear at the sea defences near
Eccles-on-Sea. Initially found on the last
day of 2019, it was relocated on New
Year’s Day and was still present to 6th.
Also on 1 January, a female Bufflehead
turned up at Stithians Reservoir,
Cornwall, the next day relocating to the
Camel Estuary (though not seen
afterwards). This bird has potential to
be a genuine wild bird, unlike the two
probable escapes in the Midlands and
North East. Also in Cornwall, a Ross’s
Gull was seen briefly off Portscatho.
At the other end of the month, but also
new and ‘mega’ during January, was a
first-winter American Herring Gull at
West Brexington, Dorset (26th), which
was convincingly photographed, but not
seen since. These big, dark, ‘ugly’, North
IS YOUR AREA COVERED?
If your county doesn’t currently feature in
UKBS and you’d like to supply a regular
report, email matthew.merritt@
bauermedia.co.uk for details of how you
can help. You can send rare bird photos to
mike.weedon@bauermedia.co.uk
Please send unprocessed JPEGs at 300dpi
Long-billed Dowitcher,
Marshside RSPB, Lancashire,
18 January
CHRISTOPHER COOK
American brutes have always been
rare, but have been particularly so in
recent years. ‘Another’ on Skye, was less
convincing and was thought to be
probably a hybrid Glaucous x Herring
Gull. Of course, this is the nature of the
beast with herring gulls (and a lot of
other large, pale-headed gulls): they
are very similar, not always
straightforward, and require careful
analysis, notes and preferably excellent
photographs, to clinch their ID.
Also of potentially momentous
rarity was a reported Vega Gull at
Sandhills, Liverpool on 31st; which could
be just the third for the Western
Palearctic, if confirmed.
But, most of the star birds for the first
month of the year were ‘old favourites’
which starred at the end of 2019.
birdwatching.co.uk 97

RICHARD BROOKS
Arguably, still the head of the pack
at the start of January was the
male Black-throated Thrush, at
Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire;
with plenty of birders and year-
listers still willing to pay the
entrance fee to get a bit of the
action in 2020.
Little did they know that another
male would appear at Grimsby,
Lincolnshire (potentially the first
of its species in the county) on
30th. The reason it was only
‘potentially’ was because there
was a wee debate about the pure
genetic origins of this first-winter
male, as it was showing small
hints of rustiness in the feathering,
more normally associated with the
closely related Red-throated
Thrush. At the time of writing, it
was still unclear whether this
handsome bird was within the
normal range of Black-throated or
whether it was a hybrid.
But the bits of ‘rufous’ are
very subtle, so, if there are any
Red-throated Thrush genes, they
would appear to be from a distant
part of its ancestry.
It always seemed likely that the
limiting factor on the length of the
Beds bird’s stay at the zoo, would
be the supply of suitable berries,
but they held out until the end of
the first week in February.
The ‘Alaskan’ Eastern Yellow
Wagtail at Sedgeford, Norfolk,
remained loyal to its dung heap
98 April 2020
STEVE GANTLETT
CHRISTOPHER COOK
STEVE GANTLETT
into February, and was even seen Clockwise from
heading to roost at Titchwell RSPB. above left
The EYW at Prestwick Carr, ‘Alaskan’ Eastern
Northumberland, also saw out Yellow Wagtail,
the whole of the month. Sedgeford, Norfolk,
Other key rare hangers-on January
during January included the
Siberian Stonechat, at Ashton’s Grey-bellied Brant,
Flash, Cheshire; and the Buff- Fring, Norfolk,
bellied Pipit (still in the field it January
once shared with a Paddyfield
Pipit), at Sennen, Cornwall. Black-throated
Long-staying rare wildfowl Thrush,
included the first-winter Blue- Whipsnade, Beds,
winged Teal, at Man Sands, 19 January
Devon (which now looks much
more handsome); the Steller’s Black-throated
Eider on Papa Westray, Orkney Thrush,
(though very infrequently seen); Grimbsy, Lincs,
the American White-winged Scoter 1 February
at Musselburgh, Lothian; and, as
ever, the American Black Duck at Desert Wheatear,
Strontian, Highland. Eccles -0n-Sea,
Apparent Grey-bellied Brants Norfolk, January
were seen in north Norfolk, and
Nairn; and the Lesser White- Lesser White-
fronted Goose was also seen in fronted Goose,
Norfolk (including in the Walpole Marsh,
‘company’ of the brant, at Walpole Norfolk,
St Peter). There was a smattering 9 January
of Richardson’s Cackling Geese in
Scotland: including birds in
Dumfries and Galloway,
Aberdeenshire and North Uist
(Outer Hebrides). Waders included
a Long-billed Dowitcher at
JAMES HANLON
Marshide RSPB, Lancashire and
a Selmipalmated Sandpiper at
Keyhaven Marshes. Hampshire.
 UK BIRD SIGHTINGS JANUARY

GRAHAM CATLEY
JAMES LOWEN

birdwatching.co.uk 99
UK BIRD SIGHTINGS JANUARY

SOUTH WEST Male Black Redstart,

Seaton, Devon,
Highlights In association with
25 January
An American
Herring Gull
(first-winter) was
at West Bexington, Dorset, on
26th. Devon’s long-staying,
first-winter drake Blue-winged Teal
continued to show at Man Sands,
Devon. A Long-billed Dowitcher
was a bit further north in the same
county, mainly at Bowling Green
Marsh RPSB.

AVON
CLEVEDON-WESTON-SUPER-MARE:
There were 13 Goosanders on the Blind Yeo and
a Mandarin on the Land Yeo. Uphill had a Marsh
Harrier (19th). Clevedon-Yeo logged 28 Avocets,
18 Grey Plovers, a Bar-tailed Godwit, Little Stint,
two Spotted Redshanks, 1,500 Dunlin, 130 Knot,
490 Redshanks, seven Common Sandpipers, 55
Snipe, two Jack Snipe, two Short-eared Owls
and a Merlin. Black Redstarts remained at
Portishead, Clevedon Pier and Uphill. The
Richard’s Pipit was at Channel View (10th).
Woodspring Priory had a Firecrest (10th).

SEVERNSIDE: An unseasonal Garganey was at

Portbury Wharf (1st-2nd), with 4,000 Knot there
(15th). There were three Black-tailed Godwits,

50 Snipe, three Jack Snipe, 50 Grey Plovers, 150
Turnstones, 1,100 Dunlin and 60 Knot at
Northwick Warth. A Kittiwake was at Severn
Beach (12th). There were 2,000 Common Gulls
and 2,000 Black-headed Gulls off Oldbury and
1,000 Black-headed Gulls off Portbury.
Short-eared Owls, Merlins and four
Mediterranean Gulls toured the Severn shore.
Oldbury logged a Marsh Harrier, two Black
Redstarts and 7,000 Starlings. Water Pipits were
at Northwick Warth and Portbury Warth.
THE RESERVOIRS: The Black-throated Diver,
Great Northern Diver and Long-tailed Duck
remained at Barrow Gurney. Chew logged 16
Scaup, 55 Goldeneyes, 11 Goosanders, a
Common Scoter (3rd), Black-necked Grebe, 12
Great White Egrets, 10 Little Egrets, a Cattle
Egret (1st), three Marsh Harriers, a Hen Harrier
(20th), 18 Water Rails, eight Bearded Tits and 20
Siskins. Blagdon had 25 Goldeneyes, nine
Goosanders and two Marsh Harriers. A Cattle
Egret was further up the River Chew (17th).
There was a handful of Yellow-legged and
Mediterranean Gulls. Three Siberian Chiffchaffs
were at Chew, with another at Chew Stoke.
OTHER SITES: The Whooper Swan remained
at Bath Spa University, with another at Longwell
Green, Bristol (11th). Six Goosanders were at
Yate. Backwell Lake held 38 Little Egrets.
Chipping Sodbury Common had a Jack Snipe.
Woodcocks were at several inland sites. Yatton
had 700 Lapwings, 40 Snipe and two Jack Snipe.
Kenn Moor had a Greenshank. The tidal Avon in
Bristol produced 150 Redshanks.
There were 180 Golden Plovers at
Marshfield, with 80 at Bristol Airport. Marshfield
also had a Merlin, 250 Corn Buntings and 1,000
Linnets. Two Mediterranean Gulls hung around
Bristol. Keynsham held a Mediterranean Gull,
600 Common Gulls and 72 Lesser Black-backed
Gulls. Up to seven Blackcaps were at 67 sites.
There were a few reports of Firecrests. A
Brambling was in a Yate garden.
Jane Cumming
CHANNEL ISLANDS
JERSEY: Saint Aubin’s held 40 pale-bellied
Brent Geese, hundreds of dark-bellied birds, 36
Redshanks, 39 Curlews, 17 Turnstones and
hundreds of gulls. La Rocque had 500 Brent
Geese, two Black Brants, 300 Curlews, 60
Redshanks, 1,000 Dunlin, 200 Grey Plovers, 250
Sanderling, 120 Little Egrets, 25 Herons,
hundreds of divers, Eiders, Red-breasted
Mergansers, Common Scoters and 10 Ravens.
Four Cattle Egrets were at Saint Saviours
Hospital. A Hen Harrier was near the Airport.
The Wetland Centre logged a Penduline Tit,
two Bitterns, 42 Shovelers, 12 Pochards, 50
Tufted Ducks, Water Pipits, 100 Snipe, a few
Jack Snipe, 100 Reed Buntings, Stonechats, 100
Sky Larks, a Hen Harrier, 20 Marsh Harriers and
ten Buzzards. Grouville had 10 Greenshanks, 100
Redshanks, 250 Curlews, 10 Bar-tailed Godwits,
200 Turnstones, 50 Ringed Plovers, 100
Mediterranean Gulls, 100 Common Gulls, 50
Great Black-backed Gulls, Yellow-legged Gulls
and a Peregrine. A few Swallows are wintering.
Saint Catherine’s had hundreds of divers and
scoters, plus thousands of auks. Corbiere had
1,800 Gannets in two hours, hundreds of
Kittiwakes and divers, the odd Purple Sandpiper,
Great Skua and Fulmar, 50 Curlews, two
Whimbrels, 50 Grey Plovers and 50
Mediterranean Gulls. Some 400 Pied Wagtails
and a few White Wagtails roosted at Trinity.
There were hundreds of Fieldfares, Redwings,
Linnets, Siskins and Goldfinches, thousands of
Chaffinches and a few Bramblings on the island.
Good numbers of Woodcocks were noted.
Bertram Bree
CORNWALL
HIGHLIGHTS: A Whooper Swan was on The
Camel Estuary all month. Pink-footed Geese
were at Treraven Meadows (9th) and Mawgan
Porth (12th-26th). A Green-winged Teal was on
the River Lynher throughout. A Ring-necked
Duck was at Siblyback all month, with four at the
Tamar Lakes. The Lesser Scaup remained at
Stithians, as did the Long-tailed Duck at Drift. A
Bufflehead was at Stithians (1st) and on The
Camel (2nd). A Pacific Diver was at Maenporth
(16th) and Rosemullion (19th).
Great White Egrets were at Helston (1st) and
The Camel (10th). Two Spoonbills were on The
Tamar Estuary all month. A Ross’s Gull was at
Portscatho (1st). A Ring-billed Gull was at
Marazion (1st), Helston (4th) and Hayle
(5th-31st). An Iceland Gull was in Newlyn all
month. A Kumlien’s Gull was on Hayle (28th) and
St Ives (31st). Yellow-legged Gulls peaked at 12
on Hayle (26th). Two Caspian Gulls were on
Hayle (30th). Glaucous Gulls were at Swanpool
(11th), Cape Cornwall (26th) and St Ives (29th).
A Black Guillemot was around Newlyn all
month. Short-eared Owls included four on
Bartinney Downs (1st-12th). A few Yellow-
browed Warblers and Siberian Chiffchaffs were
noted across the county. The American
Buff-bellied Pipit was at Sennen all month.
Fifteen Water Pipits were at Chapel Amble
(12th), with a Swallow there (8th-31st). A Snow
Bunting was at Trevose (19th-27th). A few
Lapland Buntings were noted.
Sara McMahon
DEVON
LUNDY: There were eight Mediterranean Gulls,
a Black Redstart, Black-throated Diver, Great
Northern Diver, 28 Red-throated Divers and a
Snow Bunting.
NORTH DEVON: Bursdon Moor had four Hen
Harriers and a Merlin. Fremington had a Glossy
Ibis, Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, Common
Sandpiper, three Spoonbills, 40 Little Egrets,
CHRISTOPHER COOK
eight Cattle Egrets and a Red Kite. Ilfracombe
had four Rock Pipits, a Black Redstart, two
Purple Sandpipers and two Iceland Gulls.
Braunton had a Black Redstart, Merlin, Marsh
Harrier, 2,000 Golden Plovers and two
Spoonbills. Skern had 54 Knot, three Sanderling,
four Brent Geese and a Greenshank.
The Woolsery area had a Hen Harrier and
Merlin. A Black Redstart and Firecrest were at
Stoke. Clovelly had two Black Redstarts. Baggy
Point had 66 Common Scoters, two
Red-throated Divers and a Black Redstart.
Rackenford had four Bramblings. Lower
Tamar Lake had a Hen Harrier, four Ring-necked
Ducks, ten Willow Tits, 21 Goosanders and a
Green Sandpiper.
SOUTH DEVON: Torbay had seven Purple
Sandpipers, three Rock Pipits, 22 Cirl Buntings,
53 Great Northern Divers, two Arctic Skuas, a
Blue-winged Teal, Black-throated Diver, three
Common Scoters, two Pomarine Skuas, two
Firecrests, a Black-necked Grebe, two Siberian
Chiffchaffs and a Brambling. The Teign Estuary
had three Green Sandpipers, 34 Common
Scoters and three Great Northern Divers.
Topsham had a Long-billed Dowitcher, Ruff, 180
Avocets, Water Rail and 1,500 Brent Geese.
The Plym Estuary had two Jack Snipe, 140
Dunlin, three Great Northern Divers, two
Common Sandpipers, 20 Mandarins, six
Greenshanks and 54 Curlews. The Kingsbridge
Estuary had four Firecrests and 31 Pintails. A
Hawfinch, Brambling, Crossbill and Dartford
Warbler were at Haldon Forest. Beesands had a
Ring-necked Duck and Blue-winged Teal.
Torquay had a Blue-winged Teal.
Bowling Green Marsh had a Ruff, Long-billed
Dowitcher, Black Redstart, Marsh Harrier, Water
Pipit, Red-throated Diver, Merlin, 17 Snipe, 21
Brent Geese and 1,000 Black-tailed Godwits.

100 April 2020


Slapton had a Swallow, Marsh Harrier, two Black-
necked Grebes and a Common Sandpiper. Soar
had 100 Linnets, 60 Cirl Buntings, 1,340 Sky
Larks, 130 Yellowhammers and 41 Cirl Buntings.
The Tamar Estuary held 114 Snipe. The Exe
Estuary had 300 Brent Geese, 270 Avocets,
1,000 Black-tailed Godwits, 140 Knot, a
Long-billed Dowitcher, 70 Bar-tailed Godwits, 30
Cattle Egrets and 133 Pintails.
Dawlish Warren had two Whooper Swans.
Ludwell Valley had six Green Sandpipers, a Marsh
Harrier and Spotted Redshank. Berry Head had
400 Guillemots. Brixham had five Great
Northern Divers and 12 Purple Sandpipers.
Bellever had a Merlin and 12 Crossbills.
Teignmouth held 30 Common Scoters. Colyford
Common had a Bearded Tit and Grey
Phalarope. A Hen Harrier was at Widdecombe.
Willand had 52 Little Egrets and three Cattle
Egrets. Exmouth had a Red-necked Grebe and 25
Cattle Egrets.
THURLESTONE BAY: Maxima included a
Pintail, five Common Scoters, nine Red-throated
Divers, two Black-throated Divers, three Great
Northern Divers, 105 Gannets, five Fulmars, 10
Little Egrets, 11 Ringed Plovers, 24
Oystercatchers, 40 Lapwings, a Sanderling,
Dunlin, Jack Snipe, 33 Snipe, a Woodcock, four
Black-tailed Godwits, 27 Curlews, a Common
Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, eight Greenshanks,
14 Turnstones, ten Kittiwakes, three
Mediterranean Gulls, a Yellow-legged Gull, 90
Razorbills, two Guillemots, six Firecrests, eight
Chiffchaffs, a Siberian Chiffchaff, 11 Fieldfares, a
Black Redstart, two Water Pipits and seven Cirl
Buntings.
Harvey Kendall, Mike Passman
(Thurlestonebaybirds.co.uk)
DORSET
HIGHLIGHTS: An American Herring Gull was
at West Bexington (26th). A Great Grey Shrike
was at Morden Bog. A Ring-necked Duck was at
Sturminster Marshall GP. Cattle Egrets were at
Longham Lakes, Winkton, Abbotsbury,
Portesham, Hampreston, Radipole Lake RSPB,
Moreton and Buckland Ripers. Siberian
Chiffchaffs were at Wareham, Chideock, Stour
Valley, Poole, Creekmoor Ponds and Pymore
(two). A Wryneck was at Portland (10th). A
Great Bustard was at Butterstreet Cove (12th).
Black Brants were at Langton Herring,
Goathorn Point and Ower Bay. A Penduline
Tit and Scaup were seen at Lodmoor RSPB
(28th).
ISLES OF SCILLY
HIGHLIGHTS: A Long-eared Owl hunted
Redwings near Lower Moors (1st), when five
Woodcocks were also noted. Twelve Great
Northern Divers were between the islands.
Long-stayers included the Black-necked Grebe
and Great Northern Diver in St Mary’s Harbour,
the Hen Harrier that continued to commute
around the islands, and the Cetti’s Warbler at
Porth Hellick. Two Spoonbills were near Samson
throughout. Three Mediterranean Gulls were
around Hugh Town.
A Kingfisher was present on several dates,
often in the Porth Hellick area. Two Choughs
were displaying around the south and eastern
coast of St Mary’s. A Long-tailed Duck was off
Tresco (1st), where a Scaup remained in the first
few days of January. A scattering of Firecrest
sightings on St Mary’s included three in Carreg
Dhu Gardens (27th). Eleven Common Scoters
were between St Mary’s and St Martin’s/Eastern
Isles, with up to three Slavonian Grebes in the
area.
Five Whimbrels overwintered at Watermill, a
higher count than usual. Six pale-bellied Brent
Geese commuted between St Mary’s and Tresco.
Tresco logged Shoveler, Wigeon, Pintail, Tufted
Duck and Pochard. Five Black Redstarts were at
Porth Loo, with three at Porth Cressa. A possible
Pallas’s Warbler was seen on the edge of Hugh
Town (4th). A Short-eared Owl was on Peninnis
(5th) and near Toll’s Islands (7th). A
Yellow-legged Gull was recorded at Porth Loo
(10th).
A Jack Snipe was on Peninnis (13th). Siberian
Chiffchaffs were at Porth Loo (16th) and Carreg
Dhu Gardens (27th). Two Iceland Gulls flew past
a school of pilot whales, south of Peninnis (19th).
The long-staying Pink-footed Goose remained at
Old Grimsby, Tresco.
Will Wagstaff
WILTSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: Westbury STW stole the show
with a Yellow-browed Warbler, Siberian
Chiffchaff and, perhaps rarest of all, the county’s
first ever wintering Whitethroat. Chiffchaffs
there peaked at 10. A Caspian Gull was at East
Clyffe. Great White Egrets were at the Water
Park and Fonthill Lake. The White Stork from
the introduction project remained at
Durrington. A Scaup was a scarce visitor at the
Water Park where maxima included 1,116 Teal,
884 Wigeon, 402 Shovelers, 376 Gadwall and
144 Pintails.
Goosanders were at 10 sites. The Ruddy
Shelduck remained at Langford. Wintering
Blackcaps were at seven sites. There were 200
Chaffinches at Alfred’s Tower. Only three
Bramblings were reported. Seventy Siskins were
at Great Ridge Wood. Redpolls were at just two
sites. Short-eared Owls and Hen Harriers were
present only at Barbury Castle and SPTA. A
Firecrest was at Bradford-on-Avon. A
Long-eared Owl was at Colerne. A Ring-necked
Parakeet was at Swindon. There were 62 Little
Egrets at Langford.
Rob Turner
Drake Ring-necked Duck (right),
Priory CP, Bedfordshire,
27 January
COMPILED BY GORDON HAMLETT
SOUTH EAST
Highlights In association with
The region’s
most exciting
bird was, once again, the obliging
male Black-throated Thrush at
Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire,
which continued its devouring of
berries, there, throughout January.
BEDFORDSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: The Black-throated Thrush
remained at Whipsnade Zoo. A Ring-necked
Duck was at Gadsey Brook and then Priory CP,
where there was a Smew (17th) and Black-necked
Grebe (27th-28th). Three Common Scoters were
at Stewartby Lake (3rd). The Great Grey Shrike
remained in the Brogborough Lake area. A
Waxwing was at Sandy (9th-25th). A Siberian
Chiffchaff was at Bedford Water Treatment
Works.
Robin Chittenden. For the latest bird news please
phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700 245
from a landline or mobile phone cost 65p per
minute plus your phone company access charge.
Service provided by Birdline East Anglia. For
enquiries please call 0330 333 6946 or 07941 333
970. www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk
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BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: Great White Egrets were at
Linford Reserve (three), little Marlow GP (4th)
and Calvert (28th). Two Short-eared Owls were
at Wing (29th). The wintering Ring Ouzel
remained on Pitstone Hill. A Hawfinch was at
Great Hampden (12th)
CALVERT: There were two Bitterns, Pintails (5th
and two on 12th), two Red-crested Pochards
(2nd), eight Yellow-legged Gulls (21st) and six
Caspian Gulls (2nd).
DORNEY COMMON: Highlights were a
Black-tailed Godwit (2nd), Dunlin (4th) and
Mediterranean Gull (2nd).
GALLOWS BRIDGE: There were two Pintails
(27th), a Dunlin (3rd), two Jack Snipe (12th) and
a Caspian Gull (3rd).
LITTLE MARLOW GP: Highlights were two
Pintails (21st), three Red-crested Pochards (11th)
and three Caspian Gulls (11th).
NEWTON LEYS: There were two
Yellow-legged Gulls and four Caspian Gulls
(3rd).
OTHER: A Bittern was at Marsworth Reservoir
(21st). Two Pintails were at Wotton Lakes (21st).
A Merlin was at Ashendon (31st). Jack Snipe
were at Stoke Common (2nd) and Willen Lakes
(26th). A Med Gull was on the Jubilee River
(4th). Caspian Gulls were at Springfield Farm
quarry (2nd, 6th & 31st). A Lesser Spotted
Woodpecker was at Little Linford Wood (31st).
Firecrests were at Flackwell Heath (6th), Daws
Hill (19th) and Great Missenden (20th).
Adam Bassett (www.bucksbirdclub.co.uk)
HAMPSHIRE
BLASHFORD LAKES: The Ferruginous Duck
remained. The Long-tailed Duck was on Ibsley
throughout, with three Black-necked Grebes,
and a Scaup (1st). A Yellow-browed Warbler was
along the Dockens Water (30th). Yellow-legged
Gulls peaked at seven. There was a Marsh
Harrier, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper
and Water Pipit. Two Great White Egrets were at
Ibsley, where the Bewick’s Swan returned.
HILL HEAD-HAMBLE: Titchfield Haven had
six Water Pipits, and a Merlin (12th). Offshore
from Hill Head to Chilling there was a Velvet
JAMES HANLON
birdwatching.co.uk 101
UK BIRD SIGHTINGS JANUARY

Scoter (15th-28th), Red-throated Diver (15th),

two Great Northern Divers and a Slavonian
Grebe (15th). A Grey Phalarope was at
Hook-with-Warsash (3rd-4th), where two Great
Northern Divers were offshore. Three Black
Redstarts were at Lee-on-the-Solent (from 11th).
LANGSTONE HARBOUR: Farlington Marshes
had a Great White Egret (5th), three Marsh
Harriers and a Merlin. Two Short-eared Owls
were at Southmoors (1st-23rd), plus a Water Pipit
(18th). Black-necked Grebes off the Hayling
Oyster-beds peaked at 22. Langstone Harbour
held a Long-tailed Duck, Red-throated Diver
(7th), Great Northern Diver (15th-22nd) and two
Slavonian Grebes. Five Cattle Egrets remained
at Warblington. On Hayling Island, a Waxwing
was at Sandy Point (1st), with a Great Skua
offshore (11th). Chichester Harbour had a
Red-throated Diver (15th), four Great Northern
Divers and five Slavonian Grebes.
LYMINGTON-MILFORD-ON-SEA: The
Semipalmated Sandpiper was seen a couple of
times at Keyhaven and Oxey Marsh (10th-18th).
There were five Ruff, seven Spotted Redshanks,
a Purple Sandpiper, 10 Spoonbills, a Long-tailed
Duck (3rd & 10th), Red-throated Diver (26th),
Great Northern Diver (17th & 30th) and five
Slavonian Grebes. A Velvet Scoter was at
Milford-on-Sea (16th). Three Marsh Harriers and
a Short-eared Owl were at Keyhaven. Two Water
Pipits were on Pennington Marsh. A Black
Redstart was at Hurst Castle (29th). A released
Great Bustard was near Keyhaven (19th).
OTHER SITES: Two Great White Egrets were in
the Testwood Lakes and Moorcourt area. Five
Great Northern Divers were in Southampton
Water. A Black-necked Grebe was off Weston
Shore (5th). A Black-throated Diver, three Great
Northern Divers and a Long-tailed Duck were in
Portsmouth Harbour. A Scaup was in Fareham
Creek. A Great Grey Shrike was in the Holmhill
area (19th-29th), with another at Woolmer
Forest (1st). The Turtle Dove overwintering in
Bordon was reported again (4th). A released
Great Bustard was at Toyd Down (4th-16th).
Tom Jordan
Swalecliffe (13th), with two at Sandwich Bay
(20th), three at Lydd (20th), and one at
Dungeness RSPB (21st). A Penduline Tit was at
Stodmarsh (24th). A Black Brant was at Harty
Marshes, Sheppey (26th).
SURREY
HIGHLIGHTS: A Great Grey Shrike was at
Cleygate Common (4th-5th), with other
sightings including Hen Harrier (1st). Two Great
Northern Divers remained at Island Barn
Reservoir (1st-27th). Papercourt GP had a Water
Pipit (1st). A Hen Harrier was at Thursley
Common (1st-20th). A Hen Harrier was at Ash
Green (9th-20th). Three Jack Snipe were at
Holmethorpe Sand Pits (1st), and one was at
Godalming (18th). Up to seven Hawfinches were
at Effingham Forest (4th-10th), with others at
Esher (11th), Capel (15th) and Leith Hill (27th). A
Caspian Gull was at West Molesey (5th). A Brent
Goose was briefly at Starborough Manor (20th),
and six flew east at Island Barn Reservoir (23rd).
SUSSEX
EAST SUSSEX: A Glossy Ibis flew over
Southease (1st). Another was at Rye Harbour
(25th). Pett Level held a blue-morph Snow
Goose (1st-20th), a Glossy Ibis and eight Russian
White-fronted Geese (4th-7th) and a Great
White Egret (11th). Four blue-morph Snow
Geese were at Scotney GP (16th). A Little
Bunting was at Ashdown Forest (30th).
WEST SUSSEX: Up to 24 Cattle Egrets were at
Sidlesham Ferry (1st-24th). One or two were at
Arundel WWT (1st-4th). Glossy Ibises were at
Henfield Levels (6th-13th) and Woods Mill SWT
(16th). A Siberian Chiffchaff was there (7th), with
two (28th-29th). Another was at Burpham STW
(5th-11th). Two plus a Firecrest were at
Coldwaltham STW (13th), with a Hen Harrier
there (14th).
Caspian Gull (right),
Sheringham, Norfolk,
21 January
EAST ANGLIA
Highlights In association with
Most of the key
rare birds of the
month were in
Norfolk, with a Desert Wheatear
at Eccles-on-Sea being a nice bird
to start the year. The Lesser
White-fronted Goose and
Grey-bellied Brant were seen in
the north-west of the county.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: A few tundra Bean Geese were
near Thorney. A Red-necked Grebe (from 19th)
and five Scaup were at Marsh Farmers, with a
Cattle Egret there (1st-4th & 13th), It, or another,
was at Kingfishers Bridge (11th). Five Smew were
at Paxton Pits and St Ives, with nine at
Needingworth Quarry Lakes. Scaup were at
Grafham Water, Paxton Pits, Fen Drayton Lakes
and Meadow Lane GP (two). Iceland Gulls were
at Dernford (1st) and Cottenham and Grafham
Water (to 25th).
Robin Chittenden. For the latest bird news please
phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700 245
from a landline or mobile phone cost 65p per
minute plus your phone company access charge.
Service provided by Birdline East Anglia. For
enquiries please call 0330 333 6946 or 07941 333
970. www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk
twitter.com/BirdlineEAnglia
facebook.com/robinchittenden7
ESSEX
METROPOLITAN ESSEX: Two Cattle Egrets
remained at Hall Marsh. Two Smew were
between Seventy Acres and Holyfield Lakes.
King George V Reservoir held a Scaup, Smew
and Hooded Merganser. Walthamstow Wetlands
had a Scaup, Black Redstart, two Bearded Tits,
two Firecrests and a dark-bellied Brent Goose.
Caspian Gulls were at Eagle Pond and Wanstead
Flats. An Iceland Gull was at Creekmouth, with
12 Chiffchaffs, a Siberian Chiffchaff and Black
Redstart nearby. The Ingrebourne Valley had a
Merlin, two Smew and four Goosanders. A
Goshawk flew over Woodford Green. A Turtle
Dove was in Valentines Park, Ilford.
MID ESSEX: Abberton Reservoir logged a
Cattle Egret, seven Great White Egrets, two
Whooper Swans, six Bewick’s Swans, 16 Russian
Whitefronts, a Pinkfoot, two Ring-necked Ducks,
three Long-tailed Ducks, 57 Goosanders, four
Smew, five Scaup, a Black-throated Diver,
Green-winged Teal, Swallow, three
Mediterranean Gulls, two Hen Harriers, a Merlin
and Peregrine.
Mersea Island had three Great Northern
Divers, nine Red-breasted Mergansers, four
Mediterranean Gulls, 12 Slavonian Grebes, two
Eiders, a Red-necked Grebe, Great White Egret,
pale-bellied Brent Goose and 12 Russian
Whitefronts. Two Hen Harriers were over
Langenhoe. Four Russian Whitefronts, a
Red-necked Grebe and two Slavonian Grebes
were at Tollesbury. Old Hall Marshes had two
Cattle Egrets, a Hen Harrier, two Great Northern
Divers, a Short-eared Owl and Black Guillemot.
A Smew was at Chigborough and Lofts Farm.
Ten Bearded Tits and a Great White Egret were
at Heybridge GP. A Black Brant was at Maldon.
There were 500 Avocets and a Great White
Egret at Fingringhoe, with two Water Pipits
nearby. A Black Redstart was at The Hythe. A
Great White Egret was at Ardleigh Reservoir. Six
Hawfinches were in Danbury.
NORTH ESSEX: Mistley Quay held a Black

HERTFORDSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: Two Northern Long-tailed Tits
were at Spellbrook (19th). A Waxwing was at
Heartwood Forest (17th). A Black Redstart was
at Wilstone Reservoir (1st). A Water Pipit was at
Rye Meads (10th-12th). An Iceland Gull was at
Therfield (20th), with a Hen Harrier there (20th).
A Glaucous Gull was at Hilfield Park Reservoir
(2nd). Two Black-necked Grebes were Holyfield
Lake (2nd), with a Smew there (1st). Two Cattle
Egrets returned to the Lee Valley.
Robin Chittenden. For the latest bird news please
phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700 245
from a landline or mobile phone cost 65p per
minute plus your phone company access charge.
Service provided by Birdline East Anglia. For
enquiries please call 0330 333 6946 or 07941 333
970. www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk
twitter.com/BirdlineEAnglia
facebook.com/robinchittenden7

KENT
HIGHLIGHTS: The Richard’s Pipit remained at
Halstow Marshes. The Rough-legged Buzzard
remained around Funton Creek and Chetney
Marshes, with a Short-eared Owl and Hen
Harrier also there. Worth Marsh had two Cattle
STEVE GANTLETT

Egrets (5th-28th), a Water Pipit and 35 Russian

White-fronted Geese (6th), and a Siberian
Chiffchaff (8th). A Cattle Egret was at

102 April 2020

 COMPILED BY GORDON HAMLETT

NORFOLK Great White Egret, Bittern, Spotted Redshank,

HIGHLIGHTS: The Eastern Yellow Wagtail
remained near Sedgeford, roosting at Titchwell
(20th). The Eurasian Eagle Owl of unknown
origin was at still at Winterton and a Desert
Wheatear at Eccles-on-Sea (to 6th). Seven Shore
Larks were at Holkham, with another at Waxham
(18th-20th). The Lesser White-fronted Goose
was found at Walpole St Andrew (16th). The
Grey-bellied Brant was at Fring, Choseley and
Walpole St Andrew. Eight taiga Bean Geese were
at Buckenham and Cantley Marshes (to 10th).
The Black-necked Grebe remained at Holkham
Park (to 21st). The Rough-legged Buzzard
remained at Wells. A Slavonian Grebe was at
Wroxham Broad (from 25th), with a Red-necked
Grebe at Filby Broad (25th-26th). A Long-tailed
Duck was at Ormesby Broad and Filby Broad.
Waxwings were at Salthouse and Sculthorpe. An
Iceland Gull was at Thetford (29th-30th).
BREYDON WATER: Highlights included nine
Cranes (24th-25th) and Great White Egrets on
three dates. Maxima included 49 Little Egrets,
63,000 Wigeon, 1,347 Shovelers, 277 Gadwall,
275 Mallards, 197 Pintails, 3,800 Teal, 5,500
Pinkfeet, 300 Whitefronts, 384 Greylags, 44
Barnacle Geese, 19 Canada Geese, 20 tundra
Bean Geese, 19 Bewick’s Swans, a record 3,690
Black-tailed Godwits, 217 Avocets, 29,000
Golden Plovers, 12,500 Lapwings, 4,500 Dunlin,
103 Knot, 1,200 Redshanks, 1,498 Curlews and
212 Mediterranean Gulls. There were five
Short-eared Owls, five Stonechats, a Snow
Bunting and 19 Linnets.
NOA HOLME: Maxima included 52 Barnacle
Geese, four Long-tailed Ducks, 62 Snow
Buntings, 600 Golden Plovers, ten Twite, three
Waxwing, Stonechats, four Water Rails, four Whooper
Cley next the Sea, Swans, 50 Shovelers, 26 Red-breasted
STEVE GANTLETT
Greenshank, Peregrine, Merlin, Red Kite, Ruff,
Hen Harrier, Barn Owl, Blackcap, Black Redstart,
Chiffchaff, Lapland Bunting and Yellowhammer.
NOA REDWELL MARSH: Highlights included
220 Pinkfeet, a Water Rail, 225 Lapwings, 85
Curlews, 22 Redshanks, a Barn Owl, Tawny Owl
and three Bullfinches.
CLEY AREA: Maxima included three Caspian
Gulls, 45 Russian Whitefronts, two
Black-throated Divers, two Great Northern
Divers, 55 Snow Buntings, two Water Pipits, four
Whooper Swans, three tundra Bean Geese, two
Waxwings, a Red-necked Grebe, Hen Harrier, a
probable Sooty Shearwater, Great White Egret,
Cattle Egret, Black Redstart and Slavonian
Grebe.
Pete Allard, Sophie Barker (www.noa.org.uk)
and Robin Chittenden. For the latest bird news
please phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700
245 from a landline or mobile phone cost 65p per
minute plus your phone company access charge.
Service provided by Birdline East Anglia. For
enquiries please call 0330 333 6946 or 07941 333
970. www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk
twitter.com/BirdlineEAnglia
facebook.com/robinchittenden7
SUFFOLK
HIGHLIGHTS: The Siberian Stonechat
remained at Hollesley Marshes (to 6th). The
Rough-legged Buzzard remained at Bawdsey. A
Green-winged Teal was at Minsmere all month.
A Shore Lark was at Kessingland. The Stour
Estuary held a Black Guillemot (15th), six
Slavonian Grebes, and a Black-necked Grebe
(23rd). The River Orwell had a Great Northern
Diver, Black-throated Diver and Long-tailed
Duck. The Great Northern Diver remained at

Guillemot, 40 Goldeneyes, three Scaup, eight
Barnacle Geese and 170 Avocets. There were 85
Pintails, 26 Red-breasted Mergansers and six
Slavonian Grebes off Wrabness. Eleven Snow
Buntings remained at Stone Point. A Merlin,
Firecrest and Hen Harrier were at The Naze.
Four Purple Sandpipers remained at Holland
Haven. Two Pinkfeet, 13 Whitefronts, a Hen
Harrier and Merlin were at Wigboro Wick Farm.
Thirty Hawfinches were in Hatfield Forest.
RAINHAM MARSHES: Highlights included a
Goldeneye, Russian Whitefront, 19 Golden
Plovers, 1,500 Lapwings, two Ruff, a Green
Sandpiper, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, ten Caspian
Gulls, a few Yellow-legged Gulls, two
Mediterranean Gulls, an Iceland Gull, four
Short-eared Owls, a Red Kite, six Marsh Harriers,
Peregrines, Buzzards, a Merlin, two Firecrests,
Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Bearded Tits.
Norfolk,
23 January
where there was a Whimbrel and a good flock of
Corn Buntings. Four pale-bellied Brents and two
Black Brants were at Stow Marsh. A Black Brant,
Hen Harrier, Merlin, 28 Twite, a Dartford Warbler
and 291 Red-throated Divers were at Bradwell
BO. A Great White Egret and 10 Russian
Whitefronts were at Hanningfield.
Howard Vaughan
Tundra Bean Goose,
Fring, Norfolk,
2 January
Mergansers, three Razorbills, two Bearded Tits,
two Cetti’s Warblers, 110 Fieldfares, 50
Redwings, three Rock Pipits, two Slavonian
Grebes, 63 Great Crested Grebes, 480
dark-bellied Brent Geese, four Eiders, 23
Red-throated Divers, three Tawny Owls, seven
Whitefronts, two Barn Owls, 14 Common
Scoters, two Water Pipits, 900 Lapwings, six
Kittiwakes, two Goldeneyes, six Bullfinches, two
Scaup, six Black-tailed Godwits, three Snipe,
5,500 Pinkfeet, 16 Fulmars, 21 Redshanks, two
Velvet Scoters, a Red-necked Grebe, Gannet,
Aldeburgh, with another on Benacre Broad and
two on Weybread GP. An Iceland Gull was at
Aldeburgh (14th).
Robin Chittenden. For the latest bird news please
phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700 245
from a landline or mobile phone cost 65p per
minute plus your phone company access charge.
Service provided by Birdline East Anglia. For
enquiries please call 0330 333 6946 or 07941 333
970. www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk
twitter.com/BirdlineEAnglia
facebook.com/robinchittenden7

SOUTH ESSEX: Ten Russian Whitefronts were

at RSPB Bowers. Two Water Pipits, Spotted
Redshanks and Greenshanks were wintering
between the three South Essex Marshes
reserves. A Water Pipit was at Ropers Farm on
the Crouch. Five Cattle Egrets were at
Benfleet Creek. RSPB Wallasea held four
Short-eared Owls, four Hen Harriers, Merlins,
Peregrines, three Great White Egrets, two
STEVE GANTLETT

Whooper Swans, 4,000 Golden Plovers and

three Ravens.
Three Twite remained at East Tilbury. A Black
Redstart was on Fobbing. Short-eared Owls were
at Blue House Farm and Burnham-on-Crouch,

birdwatching.co.uk 103
UK BIRD SIGHTINGS JANUARY

MIDLANDS Crossbill,
Highlights In association with Bury Ditches, Shropshire,
18 January
A first-winter
drake
Ferruginous Duck was at
Seeswood Pool, Warwickshire.
However a reported female of the
same species at Stanwick GP,
Northamptonshire, turned out to
be a hybrid.

DERBYSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: The two Great Northern Divers
remained at Carsington Water. Black-necked
Grebes were at Church Wilne (1st) and
Carsington Water (20th). A Bittern was seen
several times at Willington GP. Great White
Egrets were there (4th) and at Drakelow. Two
Cattle Egrets remained at Trent Meadows (to
12th). Two White-fronted Geese were near
Draycott (11th) and at Long Eaton GP (31st). A
Scaup was at Long Easton GP (28th-31st). A
Long-tailed Duck was seen occasionally at
Drakelow. Two Smew were at Aston-on-Trent GP
(24th), with another at Newton Solney (31st).
Hen Harriers were at Willington GP
(18th-26th) and Highbridge GP (19th). Merlins
were at Willington GP (24th) and Highbridge GP
(25th). Two Mediterranean Gulls roosted at
Ogston Reservoir (21st), with one (27th-28th).
Three were at Weston-on-Trent mid-month. An
Iceland Gull roosted at Ogston Reservoir
intermittently and was at Carr Vale (8th). The
Snow Bunting remained at Mam Tor (to 17th),

JIM ALMOND
with two at Birchinlee Pastures (31st).
Rod Key

GLOUCESTERSHIRE
COTSWOLDS: At the Cotswold Water Park, a Cattle Egret,
Black-necked Grebe was at pit 16. A wintering Slimbridge, Gloucestershire,
Lesser Whitethroat and Siberian Chiffchaff were 15 January
at Shorncote. A Little Gull was at pit 56 (19th)
and then pit 16 (21th). A Firecrest was by pit 44.
Great Grey Shrikes were at Snowshill and Park
Corner near Daglingworth. Merlins were in the
Park Corner area and near Cold Aston (30th).
Roel Hill had 500 Linnets, 100 Yellowhammers
and 30 Corn Buntings.

FOREST OF DEAN: Woorgreens had 21

Goosanders, 50 Snipe and 150 Siskins. A Great
Grey Shrike remained nearby at Crabtree Hill.
Four Hawfinches were at Parkend. Four
Goshawks were seen from New Fancy View.

LOWER SEVERN VALE: The Frampton Pools

and Saul Warth area logged two Bewick’s Swans
(26th), two Goldeneyes, a Cattle Egret, Bittern
(21st), Marsh Harrier, Merlin, Woodcock and 500
Linnets. Berkeley Shore had a Black Redstart
(22nd), Water Pipit, Common Sandpiper, six
Jack Snipe and 16 Turnstones. A Great White
Egret was nearby (25th). A Water Pipit was at
Sharpness (31st). Walmore Common had a
Merlin (12th) and three Jack Snipe (25th).

UPPER SEVERN VALE: A Black Redstart

remained at Gloucester Cathedral (to 20th). Five
Whooper Swans were near Maisemore (4th-21st)
and then at Coombe Hill Meadows. Two Bewick’s
Swans (26th), five Whooper Swans (28th) and
600 Pintails were at Coombe Hill Meadows. Two
Jack Snipe were at Bentham (29th).
ANDY JORDAN

WWT SLIMBRIDGE: Highlights included three

Goosanders, two Greenland Whitefronts, eight

104 April 2020


Pinkfeet, three dark-bellied Brent Geese, a
Green-winged Teal, two Goldeneyes, five
Whooper Swan, 93 Bewick’s Swans, 141 Russian
Whitefronts, 3,312 Wigeon, 1,402 Teal, 829
Pintails, a Bittern, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, 10
Cranes, two Marsh Harriers, a Goshawk, Merlin,
three Peregrines, five Oystercatchers, seven
Avocets, 2,200 Golden Plovers, 2,476 Lapwings,
1,137 Dunlin, 70 Knot, three Green Sandpipers,
69 Redshanks, 326 Black-tailed Godwits, 452
Curlews, 80 Snipe, 27 Ruff, three Water Pipits, a
Rock Pipit, 30 Redwings and 50 Fieldfares.
Andy Jayne (01452 506 502) and Martin McGill
HEREFORDSHIRE
BROCKHALL GP: There was a Black-tailed
Godwit (3rd), three Jack Snipe, 71 Snipe, 18
Shovelers and a Whooper Swan (12th).
WELLINGTON GP: There were two Great
White Egrets, two Shelducks, three Pintails, a
Merlin (3rd), a Short-eared Owl, Cetti’s Warbler,
42 Pintails and 10 Little Egrets.
OTHER SITES; There were six Crossbills at
Croft Ambrey (2nd), with six at Wapley Hill Fort
(10th). Two Bewick’s Swans were at Backney
(3rd). Nine Little Egrets were at Leintwardine
(3rd), with 12 at Wilton (3rd). Six Crossbills and a
Woodcock were at Wigmore Rolls (5th). Ten
Hawfinches were at Croft Castle (11th). A Green
Sandpiper was at Pembridge (11th). Two Great
White Egrets were at Sturts (17th).
There were 236 Golden Plovers at Bradnor
Hill (18th). A Ring-necked Parakeet was at
Sainsburys (18th). Lugg Meadows had a
Red-breasted Merganser (15th).
John Tilby
LEICESTERSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: Shawell Tip had a Kumlien’s Gull
(4th-28th), Glaucous Gull (11th-18th) and three
Caspian Gulls in the second half. A probable
Siberian Chiffchaff was at Wanlip Meadows
(14th). Great White Egrets were at Saddington
Reservoir, Narborough and Stanford Reservoir.
Three Smew were at Eyebrook Reservoir. Four
Whooper Swans flew over Warren Lane GP
(4th), with five at Groby Pool (31st). A Spoonbill
flew over Groby (8th). A Scaup was at Knipton
Reservoir (12th). A Short-eared Owl was at
Stanford Reservoir (12th). A Jack Snipe was at
Ellistown Pit Banks (24th).
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: A Great Grey Shrike was near
Crick (to 15th). A Siberian Chiffchaff was at
Ecton SF (from 7th), with two (19th). Two
White-fronted Geese visited Clifford Hill GP
(2nd-3rd), Seven Whooper Swans were at Earls
Barton GP (4th), with two in the Upper Cherwell
Valley (5th). Five Cattle Egrets alternated
between Ditchford GP and Stanwick GP.
A Black Redstart was at a Corby Industrial
Estate (28th-29th). Hen Harriers were at
Harrington Airfield (16th-17th) and near
Cottesbrooke (22nd).
A Ferruginous Duck-type hybrid at Stanwick
GP (from 25th) moved to Ditchford GP (29th).
Four Great White Egrets were at Stanwick GP,
COMPILED BY GORDON HAMLETT
three at Thrapston GP, two at Ditchford GP, Earls
Barton GP, Hollowell Reservoir, Pitsford
Reservoir and Daventry CP, with singles at
Billing, Clifford Hill GP, Kislingbury GP, Stanford
Reservoir, Stanford Hall Lake and Foxholes
Fisheries Crick.
CLIFFORD HILL GP: A Scaup arrived (25th),
with two (from 26th). Two Pintails, two
Stonechats and just eight Golden Plovers were
recorded.
DAVENTRY CP: There was a Scaup
(10th-23rd), Caspian Gull and Yellow-legged
Gull.
DITCHFORD GP: There were two Red-crested
Pochards, 13 Goosanders, a Peregrine, two
Stonechats, 31 Snipe, a Jack Snipe and 20
Golden Plovers.
EARLS BARTON GP: A Red-crested Pochard,
Pintail, two Black-tailed Godwits (23rd), a
Peregrine, Stonechat and Brambling were the
highlights.
HARRINGTON AIRFIELD: There was a Merlin
(15th), Short-eared Owl, Peregrine, 150 Golden
Plovers and two Bramblings.
HOLLOWELL RESERVOIR: There was a
Caspian Gull, 14 Snipe, three Jack Snipe and
three Stonechats.
PITSFORD RESERVOIR: There was a Pintail,
two Red-crested Pochards, a Redshank, 55
Snipe, five Stonechats and a Yellow-legged Gull.
STANFORD RESERVOIR: There were five
Pintails, a Green Sandpiper and Stonechat, with
a Short-eared Owl nearby..
STANWICK GP: A Scaup remained all month.
There were eight Pintails, 19 Goosanders, seven
Redshanks and nine Golden Plovers, with a
Short-eared Owl nearby.
OTHER SITES: Three Short-eared Owls were
near Finedon. Three more were at Borough Hill,
with three Stonechats. A Short-eared Owl,
Peregrine and two Stonechats were at the
DIRFT site near Crick. Rushden Landfill hosted a
Caspian Gull and 14 Pintails. Nine Mandarin
Duck were at Blatherwycke Lake with two at
Edgcote. A Pintail and two Stonechats were at
Thrapston GP. A Peregrine at Thenford. Two
Green Sandpipers, a Peregrine and 15
Chiffchaffs were at Ecton SF/Billing GP.
Bob Bullock (01604 627 262)
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: The Slavonian Grebe remained
at Attenborough, where the local Cattle Egrets
dropped in occasionally. Holme Pierrepont’s
Long-tailed Duck remained. A Red-necked
Grebe was at Langford (1st-6th). A Ring-billed
Gull was at Spalford (6th). Four Waxwings were
in Retford (21st-27th).
IDLE WASHLANDS: Whooper Swans peaked
Slavonian Grebe,
Attenborough NR,
Nottinghamshire,
5 January
CHRISTOPHER COOK
birdwatching.co.uk 105
UK BIRD SIGHTINGS JANUARY

at 404, with three Bewick’s Swans, 22

White-fronted Geese and 23 Pintails. Nearby, 13 Yellow-browed Warbler,
Ruff and several Stonechats were noted. Shifnal, Shropshire,
5 January
LANGFORD LOWFIELDS: There were nine
Whooper Swans, three Smew, four Pintails, a
Bittern (10th), several Great White Egrets, six
Stonechats and a Water Pipit.

LOUND: There was a Smew, two Pintails, six

Whooper Swans, three Whitefronts, two Ruff, a
flyover Grey Plover (20th), 1,175 Pinkfeet (10th),
five Great White Egrets, a Hen Harrier, two
Marsh Harriers, a Short-eared Owl, two
Hawfinches, and a Bearded Tit (29th).

OTHER SITES: Whooper Swans were at

Rufford (four), Attenborough (13) and Budby
(13). Five Whitefronts were at Girton and two at
Barton in Fabis. A Red-breasted Merganser was
at Welbeck (17th-29th). Scaup were at Spalford
and Collingham, with Smew at Hoveringham,
Netherfield, Collingham and Holme Pierrepont.
Two Black-necked Grebes were at Hoveringham.
A Common Sandpiper and two Green
Sandpipers were at Stoke Bardolph, with seven
of the latter at Spalford and three at Netherfield.
A Glaucous Gull was at Hoveringham.
Mediterranean Gulls were at Colwick and Holme
Pierrepont. Caspian Gulls and Yellow-legged
Gulls were at Spalford, Collingham and
Hoveringham. Six Waxwing were at Worksop
(17th). Chiffchaffs included three at
Attenborough and five at Stoke Bardolph. Two
Bearded Tits were regular at Attenborough.
Some 10,000 Starlings roosted at Netherfield,
with 8,000 at Holme Pierrepont. Four
Hawfinches were at Clumber and 32 at Thoresby.
Tom Shields

RUTLAND
HIGHLIGHTS: Rutland Water had five
White-fronted Geese (9th) and six (21st-24th).
Fifteen Great White Egrets roosted regularly.
RUTLAND WATER: There were 52 Pink-footed
Geese (10th), with one (15th) and three
(19th-23rd). Maxima included 3,786Wigeon, 214
Gadwall, 17 Pintails, 113 Shovelers, 2,457 Tufted
Ducks, 11 Scaup, a Common Scoter, 332
Goldeneyes, 12 Smew, 22 Goosanders, 3,159
Coot, ten Water Rails, six Red-crested Pochards,
two Oystercatchers, 823 Lapwings, 190 Golden
Plovers, nine Curlews, a Sanderling, Dunlin,
Green Sandpiper and five Redshanks.
A Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe and
two Black-necked Grebes were present
throughout. Marsh Harrier and Peregrine were
regular. There were Mediterranean Gulls (2nd
and 24th), two Caspian Gulls, a Kingfisher,
Chiffchaff, Willow Tit, two Tree Sparrows, two
Stonechats, 300 Linnets and 22 Siskins.
SIGN UP
OTHER SITES: Some 250 Pinkfeet flew over
Stretton (19th). There were 132 Wigeon at
Cottesmore(10th) when a Goosander was at
Exton Park. Twelve Grey Partridges were at
Greetham (7th). There were 45 Golden Plovers
over Pilton (7th). A Jack Snipe was at Banthorpe
GP (8th). A Green Sandpiper was near Wing
(18th). Four Woodcocks were in Tunneley Wood
(26th), with singles at Pilton (7th) and Wing
(24th). Little Owls were at Pilton and Wing. A
Willow Tit was near Wing (13th & 18th). A
Chiffchaff was at Geeston STW (17th). Blackcaps
were in three Oakham gardens. Bramblings were
in Exton Park, Geeston, Wing and Pilton. There
were 300 Linnets at Pilton (5th).
Terry Mitcham
SHROPSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: The wintering Yellow-browed
Warbler at Shifnal sewage works was present all
month. A Little Gull was at The Mere, Ellesmere
(14th). A Black Redstart remained on Titterstone
Clee Hill (9th). A Great Grey Shrike was at
Battlefield, Shrewsbury (16th).
OTHER SITES: Great White Egrets were at
Dudmaston Hall (all month), Crose Mere, Trench
Pool (2nd), two at Turfmoor (3rd), two at
Melverley Green (12th), and Walcott Hall Lake
(9th). Caspian Gulls were at Priorslee Lake (2nd)
and The Mere (10th). A Short-eared Owl was on
WARWICKSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: A Black Restart was at Studley
Castle. A Black-necked Grebe was at Draycote
Water. Two Firecrests were at Ladywalk.
Brandon Marsh held a Pintail, Scaup, Great
White Egret, Woodcock, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit,
Caspian Gull and 163 Great Black-backed Gulls.
Draycote Water had a Great Northern Diver,
Barnacle Goose, Black-necked Grebe, Merlin,
Scaup, Pintail, Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gull,
Iceland Gull, Kumlien’s Gull, Mediterranean Gull
and Yellow-legged Gull.
Ladywalk logged a Marsh Tit, Willow Tit,
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, two Firecrests,
three Bitterns, a Knot, Woodcock, Jack Snipe
and Curlew. A Jack Snipe, Great Black-backed
Gull and Yellow-legged Gull were at Salford
Priors. A Marsh Tit, Yellow-legged Gull and Red
Kite were at Earlswood Lakes. Corn Buntings
were at Charlecote.
Clare Topping
WEST MIDLANDS
BARR BEACON: A Peregrine, Raven, Tawny
Owl and Yellowhammers were seen.
BARTLEY: An Iceland Gull arrived (30th).
Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls were seen.
There was a Barnacle Goose, six Whooper
Swans and several Goosanders and
Goldeneyes.
JIM ALMOND
SANDWELL VALLEY: There was a Red-crested
Pochard, two Pintails, a Shelduck, nine Barnacle
Geese, 31 Goosanders, a Great White Egret,
Little Egrets, a Red Kite, three Oystercatchers,
two Jack Snipe, 39 Snipe, a Woodcock,
Yellow-legged Gull, Mediterranean Gull and
a Stonechat.
STUBBERS GREEN: There was an Iceland
Gull, two Stonechats, a Little Egret and
Ravens.
Pete Hackett (0121 358 2454)
WORCESTERSHIRE
AVON VALLEY: A Great White Egret was at
Lenchwick. Eight White-fronted Geese flew over
Little Comberton.
GRIMLEY/HOLT: A Pink-footed Goose and
Red-crested Pochard were noted.
LOWER SEVERN VALLEY: A Long-tailed
Duck, two Bewick’s Swans and a Grey Plover
were recorded at Clifton. Two Siberian
Chiffchaffs remained at Kempsey. There were
950 Golden Plovers at Longdon Marsh. Two
Bewick’s Swans and a Great White Egret were at
Ripple. A Firecrest was Upton-upon-Severn
STW.
NORTH: A Black-necked Grebe remained at

NOW! Long Mynd (3rd) and a Hen Harrier was at

Whixall Moss (5th). Bewick’s Swans were at
Venus Pool and Melverley Green where up to 14
BIRDWATCHING. Whooper Swans were present.
CO.UK/MY200 Richard Moores & Martyn Owen (Shropshire
Ornithological Society)
MARSH LANE: The Bittern remained. There
were seven Egyptian Geese, two Whooper
Bittell Reservoirs. A Ring-necked Parakeet was
on the Clent Hills.
Swans, Shelducks, five Jack Snipe, two UPTON WARREN: A Mediterranean Gull
Stonechats, Cetti’s Warblers, Peregrines, a was noted.
Raven and Tawny Owl. Brian Stretch

106 April 2020


N. IRELAND
HIGHLIGHTS: A Velvet Scoter was off
Newcastle (3rd). A Kumlien’s Gull was at
Portrush (3rd), with an American Herring Gull at
Belfast Lough (9th). Lough Beg had a Great
White Egret (12th-31st), Spoonbill (26th) and
Lesser Yellowlegs (28th). Goosanders peaked at
eight on Lough Island Reavy, Co. Down (24th).
A Ring-necked Duck was present most of
the month.
Three Smew were at Portmore Lough RSPB.
A Green-winged Teal was seen on Lough Foyle
(17th). A Golden Eagle was in the Antrim Hills
(14th-27th). Waxwings included 30 at Ballymena
and 36 in Belfast. A long-staying Water Pipit was
at Portavogie, with others at Ballyquinton Point,
Co. Down (1st) and Cushendun, Co. Antrim (1st).
Black Redstarts were at Portstewart (8th-19th)
and Bangor (5th).
Ian Graham
WALES
In association with
Highlights
Rarer birds in
Wales during
January included drake
Ring-necked Ducks at Marloes
Mere, Pembrokeshire, and Llyn
Blaenmelindwr, Ceredigion; an
American Wigeon at Peterstone
Wentlooge, Gwent; and a Glossy
Ibis at Newport Wetlands, in the
same county.
ANGLESEY
HOLYHEAD AREA: Beddmanarch Bay held
three Slavonian Grebes, a Great Northern Diver,
two Black Guillemots and two Mediterranean
Gulls. On The Range, South Stack, there were
three Choughs, two Jack Snipe, 13 Snipe and
seven Red-throated Divers. The Alaw Estuary
held 58 Bar-tailed Godwits, 47 Grey Plovers,
three Greenshanks and four Mediterranean
Gulls.
The Inland Sea had two Great Northern
Divers, two Slavonian Grebes, nine
Mediterranean Gulls and 195 Pintails. A Firecrest
was in the Holyhead Breakwater CP. There were
19 Purple Sandpipers in Trearddur Bay. A Black
Guillemot and Great Northern Diver were in
Holyhead Harbour. Three Hooded Crows were
in Holyhead.
OTHER SITES: Cemlyn had a Richard’s Pipit,
two Long-tailed Ducks, a Great Northern
Diver, Red-throated Diver, seven Purple
Sandpipers and two Mediterranean Gulls. Cors
Ddyga logged three Marsh Harriers, two Hen
Harriers, two Merlins, a Red Kite, Peregrine,
Short-eared Owl, Great White Egret, six
Whooper Swans, two Water Pipits, a
Firecrest, Chiffchaff and Cetti’s Warbler. Llyn
Coron had 19 Greenland Whitefronts, 20
Pinkfeet, a Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Scaup
and Water Rail.
Red Wharf Bay held a Black-throated Diver,
12 Red-throated Divers, four Eiders, five Jack
Snipe, 100 Snipe and a Snow Bunting.
Newborough Forest had 31 Woodcocks. Five
Black Guillemots were in Lligwy Bay. Two
Firecrests were at Llangoed. Three Great White
Egrets were at Llyn Alaw. Fifteen Short-eared
Owls were at Aberffraw.
Ken Croft
BRECONSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: Llangorse Lake held a
Ferruginous Duck (1st), Great Grey Shrike,
Iceland Gull (15th-31st) and a Hen Harrier (30th).
Five Blackcaps frequented a Brecon garden.
LLANGORSE LAKE: There were two Scaup,
four Great White Egrets, four Little Egrets, 205
Wigeon, 200 Teal, 11 Pintails, 27 Gadwall, 25
Shovelers, 225 Tufted Ducks, 40 Goldeneyes,
515 Coots, 100 Redwings and 100 Fieldfares. A
Chiffchaff was by the River Llynfi. The gull roost
(17th) held 1,835 Lesser Black-backed, 850
Black-headed, 185 Herring, five Common and
two Yellow-legged Gulls.
A Goshawk, two Peregrines, two
Sparrowhawks, Red Kites and Buzzards hunted.
There were 45 Golden Plovers at Talyllyn (28th),
with 45 Yellowhammers, 100 House Sparrows,
40 Chaffinches and 30 Reed Buntings nearby.
Barn Owls hunted at Llangasty and Llanhamlach.
OTHER SITES: The Sennybridge area had 40
roosting Red Kites, 70 Chaffinches and four
Bramblings. A Great Black-backed Gull flew over
(5th). Four Woodcocks were near Coelbren, with
singles at Mynydd Du, Groesffordd and
Cathedine. Blackcaps visited gardens at
Crickhowell and Llangynidr. Marsh Tits were at
Pennorth (three), Bwlch and by the Wye at
Brynwern Bridge (two). A Willow Tit was at Battle
Hill (24th). Ffordd Fawr had 12 Herons, two Little
Egrets, 20 Wigeon, two Mandarins and 50
Goldfinches. There were 1,170 Herring Gulls at
Pontsticill Reservoir (27th). Three Mandarins
were at Llangoed (28th).
Andrew King, Mark Waldron and www.
brecknockbirds.co.uk
CEREDIGION
HIGHLIGHTS: Aberystwyth had a Great
Northern Diver (4th), Snow Bunting (22nd) and
six Purple Sandpipers. A Glaucous Gull was at
Cardigan (4th-5th). A Great White Egret was at
Synod Inn (9th). Ynys-hir held six Whooper
Swans (10th), a Smew and Long-tailed Duck.
Black Redstarts were at Aberystwyth (5th),
Lampeter (19th), Clarach (20th) and New Quay
(21st). Merlins were at Llyn Eiddwen (5th),
Ynys-hir (16th), Llanrhystud (17th) and Glandyfi
(25th). A Water Pipit was at the Teifi Estuary
(20th). The Pendam Lakes hosted a
Ring-necked Duck. Two Velvet Scoters remained
at Ynyslas.
OTHER SITES: Fifteen Crossbills were at Cwm
Einion (3rd). A Common Sandpiper was at
Cardigan (5th). Eighty Common Scoters were at
Ynyslas (10th). Chiffchaffs were at Ynyshir (16th)
and Aberystwyth (23rd). There were 900
Golden Plovers at Llanon (24th). A few
Bramblings were at Ystumtuen (to 24th). Two
Green Sandpipers were at the Dyfi estuary.
John Davis (johndavis@midwalesbirdwatching.
co.uk)
EAST GLAMORGAN
HIGHLIGHTS: A Caspian Gull was at
Cosmeston (12th). A Great Grey Shrike was at
Garwnant. Two Whooper Swans were at
Flemingston Moor. Cardiff Bay held two Siberian
Chiffchaffs, a Scaup, Yellow-legged Gull and
Black Redstart. A Great Northern Diver was at
Mwyndy, near Llantrisant. Firecrests were at
Bute Park (two) and Porthkerry.
Two Short-eared Owls and a Marsh Harrier
frequented Kenfig. Common Sandpipers were at
Cadoxton River and Ogmore Estuary, with a
Water Pipit also at the latter site. Some 150 Pied
Wagtails roosted in Bridgend town centre. Eight
COMPILED BY GORDON HAMLETT
Hawfinches were at Forest Ganol, with another
near Michaelston-le-Pit.
Paul Roberts
GOWER AND WEST
GLAORGAN
HIGHLIGHTS: A Little Gull was at the Swansea
Barrage early in the month. Long-tailed Ducks
were at Neath Estuary (four) and Whiteford
(two). Two Dartford Warblers were in south
Gower. A Goshawk was caught in a chicken coop
in Murton and taken into care.
OTHER SITES: Fenrod Lake (12th) had a
Ring-necked Parakeet, 78 Canada Geese, 12
Mute Swans and 15 Mallards. Dalton’s Point had
138 Pintails and 182 Black-tailed Godwits.
Llanrhidian had a Hen Harrier, three Great White
Egrets and 300 Golden Plovers. A Black-necked
Grebe was at Oxwich (27th). Salthouse Point
held 45 Shovelers, 43 Pintails and Red-breasted
Mergansers. There were 122 Black-headed Gulls
in Skewen Park (15th). Some 600 Jackdaws flew
over Neath at dusk (15th). Porteynon had 33
Ringed Plovers (27th). Penclawdd Pill held a
Greenshank and Common Sandpiper. There
were 22 Woodcocks at Upper Killay.
Terry Tovey
GWENT
HIGHLIGHTS: The Smew remained at
Llanllywel. The Glossy Ibis was reported from
Newport Wetlands all month, with a
Black-necked Grebe there (from 5th). A
Long-tailed Duck was at Ynysyfro Reservoir
(from 11th).
NEWPORT WETLANDS: There were 17
Avocets (18th) and a Hen Harrier (18th). Two
Marsh Harriers were seen regularly.
OTHER SITES: A Short-eared Owl was at
Mathern Pill (7th). Two Whooper Swans were at
Redwick (10th). There were 35 Mandarins at
Llandegfedd Reservoir (25th).
Chris Hatch
RADNORSHIRE
WYE VALLEY: At Builth Road were four
Mandarins, Kingfisher, 12 Goosanders, 70 Siskins
and a Willow Tit. Llanelwedd held Little Egret, 30
Pied Wagtails, 220 Fieldfares, three Cormorants
and eight Reed Buntings. At Cwmbach were two
Oystercatchers, Little Owl, three Little Egrets,
65 Wigeon, 80 Teal, four Moorhens, Great
White Egret, Tree Sparrow and 12 Reed Bunting.
Between Glasbury and Bronydd were 185 Mute
Swans, six Whooper Swans, 120 Canada Geese,
two Greylag Geese, 30 Wigeon, four Mandarins,
six Water Rails, 115 Mallard, 90 Teal, eight Little
Egrets, 22 Lapwings, 48 Snipe, Oystercatcher, 16
Grey Herons and three Great White Egrets.
ELAN VALLEY: Short-eared Owls were at Craig
Goch and Penglaneinon and a Barn Owl at Gors
Coch. At Gwaelod were 110 Siskins, 60 Crossbills,
six Woodcocks and 60 Chaffinches. Hen Harriers
were seen at Claerwen and Y Glog Fawr where
there were six Red Grouse. At Aberglanhirin and
Hirnant were six Snipe, two Jack Snipe, Merlin
and Reed Bunting. Four Woodcocks and three
Bramblings were at Caban Lakeside.
Dolymynach held two Little Grebes and 16
Goldeneyes.
OTHER SITES: Llyn Heilyn held 60 Wigeon, 30
Teal, seven Goosander, 12 Coot, three Moorhens,
Mute Swan, Grey Heron, Peregrine, 65 Snipe,
600 Starlings, 35 Fieldfares and a Water Rail.
Rhosgoch Bog held 90 Snipe and 15 Reed
Buntings. Great Grey Shrikes were at Bwlch y
Sarnau and Llanbedr. Short-eared Owls were at
Llandegley Rhos, Red Hill and Moelfre and Hen
Harriers on Beacon Hill, Ireland Moor and
Gwaunceste Hill where there were seven Red
Grouse and a Merlin. Llanbwchllyn held 30
Goosanders, four Water Rails and six
Cormorants. In Radnor Forest were 320 Siskins,
90 Crossbills, eight Willow Tits and 15
Woodcocks.
Pete Jennings, Radnorshire (vice-county 43)
Bird Recorder radnorshirebirds@hotmail.com
tel: 01588 680631
NORTH WEST
In association with
Highlights
A possible adult
Vega Gull at
Sandhills, Liverpool (Merseyside)
late in the month could prove to
be one of the rare birds of the year
(if refound and its identity is
confirmed!).
A Long-billed Dowitcher at
Marshside RSPB, Lancashire, gave
great photo opportunities.
CHESHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: A Siberian Stonechat was at
Ashton’s Flash (1st-14th). Frodsham Marsh had
Cattle Egrets, a Long-tailed Duck, Scaup and 21
Whooper Swans (16th). A probable Siberian
Chiffchaff was at Glazebury (22nd-26th). A
Rough-legged Buzzard flew over Gowy
Meadows CWT (28th). A Grey Phalarope was at
Hilbre Island (29th).
WOOLSTON EYES: Ringing on No1 bed
included Wren, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Blue
Tit, Chaffinch, Great Tit and Reed Bunting.
Sightings included 100,000 Starlings in the
roost, two Water Rails, 55 Redwings, 100
Pinkfeet, a Hen Harrier, Nuthatch, Green
Woodpecker, Raven, two Peregrines and two
Buzzards. No3 bed ringing had a Teal, Mallard,
Water Rail, Greenfinch, Tawny Owl, Moorhen
and Redwing. Records included a Merlin,
Woodcock, Kingfisher, 31 Cormorants, 480
Woodpigeons, two Water Rails, two Ravens, 27
Shovelers, 80 Greenfinches, two Lesser
Redpolls, a Marsh Harrier and Tundra Bean
Goose. No 4 bed logged 35 Pied Wagtails, 250
Black-headed Gulls, two Grey Wagtails and a
Marsh Harrier. There were 49 Mute Swans, 58
Greylags, 63 Shovelers, 950 Tufted Ducks, three
Goosanders, three Goldeneyes, 475 Teal, 54
Gadwall, 74 Coots, 112 Mallards and 29 Pochards
across the reserve. Dave Steel
CUMBRIA
HIGHLIGHTS: A Long-billed Dowitcher was at
Campfield Marsh (10th-25th). A Siberian
Chiffchaff was at Longtown STW (10th). A
Firecrest was at Longtown (from 4th). Seven
Waxwings were in Carlisle (1st-12th), with six at
Kingstown (10th), two at Keswick (15th-16th) and
three at Penrith (18th). A Water Pipit and five
Scaup were at Biggar Bank (14th-31st). A
Hooded Crow was at South Walney (14th-28th).
Great White Egrets were at Clawthorpe (1st),
Burton-in-Kendal (4th-7th) and Holme (two on
26th). Twenty Twite were at Grange-over-Sands
(2nd), with 25 at Askam-in-Furness (21st) and
250 Calvo (17th).
GREATER MANCHESTER
HIGHLIGHTS: Seven Waxwings were at
birdwatching.co.uk 107
UK BIRD SIGHTINGS JANUARY

Harwood, Bolton (24th). A Snow Bunting was at

Light Hazzles Reservoir (19th). A Smew was at Long-billed Dowitcher,
Pennington Flash (1st) and then on Turner’s Flash Marshside RSPB, Lancashire,
(11th-13th). A Caspian Gull (2nd & 15th) and a 18 January
Glaucous Gull (9th) roosted at Pennington Flash.
A Caspian Gull roosted at Audenshaw Reservoirs
(12th & 30th).

ELTON RESERVOIR: There were two

Jack Snipe (13th-15th). Three Little Egrets
were present.

MERSEY VALLEY: Two Yellow-legged Gulls

were recorded at Sale WP (25th-31st). Four
Mandarins were seen on the River Mersey near
Banky Meadow. Two were also seen at
Sinderland Green, where a Little Egret was also
seen.

PENNINGTON FLASH: An Iceland Gull

roosted on and off (12th-31st). There were two
Yellow-legged Gulls (10th-20th) and two
Mediterranean Gulls. Four Little Egrets were
noted.

OTHER SITES: A Black Redstart was at Salford

University (14th). Iceland Gulls were at Tyldesley
(23rd-25th), Cutacre CP (25th-27th) and
Atherton (27th-28th). A Yellow-legged Gull was
on High Rid Reservoir (24th). A Scaup was on
Audenshaw Reservoirs (21st-30th), with two
Common Scoters there (24th-27th) and an
Iceland Gull (29th-30th). Over 50 Mandarins
were at Etherow CP.
Red-breasted Mergansers were at
Castleshaw Reservoirs (13th), Watergrove
Reservoir (24th) and Ogden Reservoir

CHRISTOPHER COOK
(28th-31st). Horwich Moors logged four
Short-eared Owls and a Merlin. The Manchester
Mosslands held a Marsh Harrier, Merlin and 15
Corn Buntings.
Dr Paul Brewster (01606 590 491)

NORTH LANCASHIRE Long-tailed Duck,

HIGHLIGHTS: A Yellow-browed Warbler was in Crosby, Merseyside,
a Morecambe garden (20th). A Black Redstart 19 January
was near Heysham Red Nab (14th). Four
Waxwings were in Warton (1st). A Black-necked
Grebe was off Heysham Head (16th). A Cattle
Egret was at Forton (8th-9th). The Ring-necked
Duck and six Scaup remained at Pine Lake. The
wintering Purple Heron remained just south of
our area at Eagland Hill. A Siberian Chiffchaff
was at Pilling STW. Eight Bewick’s Swans
accompanied the Whooper Swans in the
Cockersands area. Five Short-eared Owls were in
the Sunderland area.

HEYSHAM OBSERVATORY: Brent Geese

peaked at 92 pale-bellied and two dark-bellied
birds. The Shag was seen regularly. Twelve
Sanderling were unexpected (24th). A
Mediterranean Gull remained north of Heysham
Head.

LEIGHTON MOSS RSPB: Marsh Harriers

have only recently started wintering here, and a
high count of 12 was notable. Bitterns, Water
Rails and Bearded Tits were regular. Five Great
White Egrets roosted with the Little Egrets.
There were reasonable sized flocks of Siskins and
a few Lesser Redpolls. The Starling
murmurations were spectacular. There was a
Hawfinch (17th). Black-tailed Godwits peaked at
300.
CHRISTOPHER COOK

OTHER SITES: Two Mediterranean Gulls were

on Pine Lake (1st). Hawfinches were at
Gaitbarrows.
Pete Marsh

108 April 2020


PHIL PALMER
NORTH EAST
Highlights In association with
Surely the star
bird for the region
came in the last
couple of days of January, when a
Black-throated Thrush (a first-winter)
was found in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. If
confirmed, it will be the first of its
species for the country.
LINCOLNSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: Lincolnshire’s first Black-
throated Thrush was at the Grimsby Institute
(from 30th). The Ring-necked Duck was
rediscovered at Woodhall Spa (from 19th). Two
Cranes were at Sandtoft (11th-25th), with two
more over Frampton Marsh (20th). An Iceland
Gull was at Manby Wetlands (9th-11th). The
Black Brant remained at Donna Nook. A tundra
Bean Goose was at Saltfleetby St Clements
(2nd-12th), with two more at Gibraltar Point
(29th).
FRAMPTON MARSH: There were two
Avocets, a Great White Egret, three Hen
Harriers, a Merlin, two Spotted Redshanks, 371
Whooper Swans, 14,000 Golden Plovers, a
Bearded Tit (8th-9th) and Spoonbill (15th).
GIBRALTAR POINT: Highlights included a
Barnacle Goose, Corn Bunting, two Blackcaps,
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1,824 Pinkfeet, 15 Whitefronts (1st), Water Pipits
(2nd and 16th), a Short-eared Owl (3rd), two
Hen Harriers (5th), four Lapland Buntings (14th),
14 Snow Buntings (27th) and a Red Kite (18th).
The sea held Slavonian Grebes (2nd a 4th), a
Purple Sandpiper (2nd), Great Northern Diver
(6th), Black-throated Diver (12th), two Puffins
(18th) and a Red-necked Grebe (31st).
OTHER SITES: The Long-tailed Duck remained
at Apex Pits, sometimes being found on nearby
Millennium Green. A Smew and Caspian Gull
were at Kirkby GP (20th). A Caspian Gull was at
Donna Nook (24th). Rimac held an unseasonal
Ring Ouzel (10th-12th), with three Lapland
Buntings (19th). A Scaup was at Denton
Reservoir, with two at Barton-upon-Humber
(22nd). A White-fronted Goose was at Anderby
Creek (4th). A Hawfinch was at Doddington Hall
(19th). A Purple Sandpiper and ten Snow
Buntings were at Cleethorpes. A Dipper was at
Belton House (8th).
Josh Hedley
NORTHUMBERLAND
BERWICK: There were 62 Wigeon and 44 Teal
at Yarrow Slake (6th). There were two Slavonian
Grebes at Spittal Bay (9th). Cocklawburn had
210 Greylags and 86 Pinkfeet. There were 42
Whooper Swans at Loanend, Horncliffe (12th).
Five Long-tailed Ducks were at Saltpan Rocks,
Cocklawburn (14th). A Brent Goose fed with
Oystercatchers on Tweedmouth Town Green
(21st). There were 260 Woodpigeons at New
Water Heugh (25th).
Malcolm Hutcheson
EAST YORKSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: The Green-winged Teal
remained at Blacktoft Sands.
FLAMBOROUGH: There was a Great Northern
Diver (4th), Iceland Gull (6th), Glaucous Gull
(8th), two Velvet Scoters (12th), a Black-throated
Diver (19th) and Grey Phalarope (31st). Up to 38
Snow Buntings and 42 Lapland Buntings were
present.
HORNSEA MERE: There were two
Mediterranean Gulls (16th) and the odd Little
Egret. A Smew and two Long-tailed Ducks
remained.
COMPILED BY GORDON HAMLETT
Rough-legged Buzzard,
Stainforth, South Yorkshire,
January
SPURN: An influx of geese early in the month
saw maxima of 1,380 Pinkfeet, 1,231 Brent, 63
Russian Whitefronts, 21 tundra Bean, 14 Barnacle
and a Black Brant. Fifteen Whooper Swans were
on Easington Straight. There were 51 Shovelers,
two Scaup and a Red-breasted Merganser. A Red
Kite passed through (4th). A Hen Harrier made
regular visits to Beacon Ponds. Three Avocets
were on the on Humber (3rd), where four
Peregrines hunted (19th). Jack Snipe were seen
three times at Beacon Ponds, where the
Greenshank remained.
OTHER SITES: Skerne Wetlands attracted two
Great White Egrets (11th), with another at Tophill
Low. North Cave Wetlands hosted a Tundra
Bean Goose (11th), Mediterranean Gull (30th)
and 11 Little Egrets. A tundra Bean Goose and
Mediterranean Gull were at Grimston (3rd).
Seven Cranes lingered at Goole Fields. A
Firecrest was at Holmpton (from 13th). A
Glaucous Gull flew over Seaton (15th). Three
Water Pipits frequented Blacktoft Sands, with a
Great White Egret there (25th).
Ian Marshall (01482 627 446) and John Hewitt
(07952 293 060)
WEST YORKSHIRE
BRADFORD: Two Caspian Gulls and an Iceland
Gull alternated between Redcar Tarn and
Cullingworth. Little Egrets were seen at Keighley
a few times, with two at Otley (11th) and one over
Barden (18th). A Tree Sparrow was at the
Keighley Reserve, along with the usual Water
Rail. Seven Tree Sparrows were at a farm near
Baildon. Pinkfeet, usually in skeins of up to 100,
were seen regularly overhead at Fly Flatts
Reservoir, Queensbury, Leeshaw Reservoir and
Shipley. Seven Ring-necked Parakeets were at
Apperley Bridge (13th). A Shoveler was at
Yaedon Tarn (22nd). There were 100 Bramblings
and 90 Mandarins at Strid Woods (29th).
LOWER AIRE VALLEY: A Caspian Gull was at
Skelton Lake (2nd). Lemonroyd had a Hawfinch
(10th) and seven Water Pipits. Merlins were at
Newsam Green (20th) and Skelton Lake (27th).
An Iceland Gull was at the Main Lake (27th), with
a Raven there (29th). One or two Great White
Egrets dropped in periodically. Four Short-eared
Owls hunted the hillside.
Chris King and Paul Morris
SCOTLAND
Highlights In association with
The Orkney
Steller’s Eider
remained
throughout, presumably always on
or around Papa Westray, but rarely
seen. Similarly the drake American
White-winged Scoter was still at
Musselburgh, Lothian. A possible
second-winter American Herring
Gull at Portree, Skye, Highland,
was intriguing.
ABERDEENSHIRE
ABERDEEN: There were large numbers of
Waxwings throughout. The overwintering Green
Sandpiper was at Milltimber Ponds (11th). A
Caspian Gull was at Torry Battery (24th).
LOCH OF STRATHBEG: There was a Bearded
Tit (1st), a Smew and Lesser Canada Goose (5th),
an Egyptian Goose (5th-10th) and a tundra Bean
Goose (22nd).
OTHER SITES: Mandarins were at Aden CP,
Mintlaw and Strichen Park. A Hoopoe was in
Rosehearty (4th). Iceland Gulls were in
Inverbervie Bay (4th) and at the Ugie Estuary
Peterhead (5th). Rattray had a Black-throated
Diver and taiga Bean Goose (5th), with a Great
Northern Diver and two Greenland
White-fronted Geese there (10th). A Great
Northern Diver was in Fraserburgh Bay (11th).
An American Wigeon was on Fedderate
Reservoir (12th). A Glaucous Gull and
Mediterranean Gull were at Rosehearty (12th),
with a Black Redstart there (from 24th). A Lesser
White-fronted Goose was near Kemnay (24th). A
Cackling Goose was at the Loch of Skene (16th,
18th and 27th). Forty Waxwings were at
Banchory (20th). There was a tundra Bean
Goose near Cullerlie (28th).
Mike Chandler Argyll
ISLAY: A Little Egret remained at Bridgend. A
Cackling Goose was at Esknish (to 3rd). There
were 36 Choughs at Ardnave (9th). Loch
Gruinart had a Green-winged Teal (9th), and a
Goosander, 1,005 Golden Plovers, 690 Teal and
four White-tailed Eagles (10th). An Iceland Gull
was on Loch Indaal (15th), with two Glaucous
Gulls at Gartbreck (30th). The goose count
logged 34,795 Barnacle Geese and 5,588
Greenland White-fronted Geese.
TIREE: The Todd’s Canada Goose was at
Kirkapol (17th) and Vaul (22nd). The pair of
Ring-necked Ducks was at Loch Bhasapol
(1st-9th & 23rd-31st) and at Loch a’ Phuill
(12th-19th). Loch a’ Phuill held a Scaup (1st),
Iceland Gull (19th), and Glaucous Gulls (4th &
19th). Three Long-tailed Ducks were at Traigh
Bhi (3rd), with a Black-throated Diver there
(24th). There were nine Common Scoters,
including seven at Gott Bay (22nd-28th). Two
pale-bellied Brent Geese at Ruaig (17th-22nd).
A Glaucous Gull was at Gott Bay (14th).
Balephuil had a Jack Snipe (27th), Woodcock
(14th) and a Dunnock. Short-eared Owls were at
Ruaig (20th) and Balinoe (20th). A Fieldfare
was at Baugh (11th). There were 25 wintering
Goldfinches, four Greenfinches at Kirkapol
(22nd-28th) and a Snow Bunting at Gott
Bay (30th).
An all-island count (22nd-23rd) found 5,612
Barnacle Geese, 741 Greenland Whitefronts,
birdwatching.co.uk 109
UK BIRD SIGHTINGS JANUARY
2,243 Greylags, 143 Whooper Swans, 20
Pinkfeet, 2,290 Golden Plovers, 2,500 Lapwings,
1,510 Common Gulls, 360 Herring Gulls and 200
Redwings. There were two Little Grebes at Loch
Riaghain, Moorhens at Loch Bhasapol and Loch
a’ Phuill, 29 Shovelers, two Gadwall at Loch a’
Phuill, a Pintail at Loch Bhasapol and a few
Shelducks around the coast.
Six Hen Harriers, five Merlins, three
Sparrowhawks, a Kestrel and five Peregrines
hunted. Waders included 330 Sanderling, 120
Ringed Plovers, 75 Dunlin, 33 Purple Sandpipers
and 26 Bar-tailed Godwits. Two Black-headed
Gulls returned. A Pied Wagtail wintered. A Rock
Pipit at the top of Beinn Hough was unusual.
Phill Catton (www.islaybirds.blogspot.com) and
John Bowler (john.bowler@rspb.org.uk)
CENTRAL REGION
HIGHLIGHTS: A Long-tailed Duck was on
Gartmorn Dam (3rd), with a Smew there (26th).
An Iceland Gull was at St Modan’s School,
Stirling (15th). A Mediterranean Gull was at
Skinflats Pools (19th), when two Hawfinches
were in Dunblane. A Mediterranean Gull was off
Blackness and a Greenland Whitefront near
Skinflats Village (29th). Waxwings included 103
in Dunblane, 52 in Falkirk and 21 in Stirling.
CLACKMANNANSHIRE: Seven Great Crested
Grebes were on Gartmorn Dam (3rd). A Water
Rail was on Tullibody Inch (4th). A Merlin was on
Longcarse (7th). Three Shelducks were on the
Cambus Village Pools and 17 Goosanders on the
urban Delph Pond (8th).
FALKIRK DISTRICT: Bean Geese on the
Slamannan plateau peaked at 148 (1st). A
Blackcap was in a Larbert garden (12th). A Pintail
was on Larbert Hospital Loch (12th), when a
Little Egret and two Jack Snipe were in the
Powfoulis area. A Water Rail was at Carron Dams
(18th). Kinneil held 12 Scaup and six
Greenshanks. There were nine Shovelers, two
Pochards and a Jack Snipe at Skinflats Pools
(18th), with two Chiffchaffs there (19th), five
Grey Plovers (21st) and two Water Rails.
STIRLING DISTRICT: Six Ptarmigan were on
Ben Vorlich (1st). A Gadwall was on Loch
Watston (4th) with two Water Rails there (12th).
A Scaup was on Loch Lubnaig (17th). A Pintail
was on North Third Reservoir (17th). A Little
Egret at Airthrey Loch was unusual (18th). There
were 20 Great Crested Grebes, 80 Goldeneyes,
180 Coots and 10 Bramblings at the Lake of
Menteith (19th). A Kingfisher was on the Eas
Gobhain, Callander (25th), when two Green
Sandpipers were by the Allan Water near
Kinbuck. Five Whooper Swans and two
Shelducks were on the Blackdub Floods (31st).
UPPER FORTH ESTUARY: A co-ordinated
count produced six Great Crested Grebes, 378
Shelducks, 50 Wigeon, 1,353 Teal, 106 Pintails,
ten Pochards, an Eider, 22 Red-breasted
Mergansers, 48 Oystercatchers, 33 Golden
Plovers, 384 Lapwings, 3,609 Knot, 3,839
Dunlin, 580 Black-tailed Godwits, 78 Bar-tailed
Godwits, 806 Curlews, 1,996 Redshanks, five
Greenshanks, seven Turnstones and two
Peregrines.
Neil Bielby
DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
HIGHLIGHTS: Waxwings were in Dumfries. A
Mandarin was at Eskrigg. A Spotted Redshank
and Slavonian Grebe were at Annan. Thousands
of Barnacle Geese and Whooper Swans, 1,000
Golden Plovers, 1,000 Lapwings, Goldeneyes
110 April 2020
and two Water Rails were at Caerlaverock. Brent
Geese and Eiders were at Loch Ryan. Two Purple
Sandpipers and Common Scoters were at
Southerness.
OTHER SITES: The south coasts held Little
Egrets, Curlews, Oystercatchers, Ringed Plovers,
Grey Plovers, Knot, Sanderling, Turnstones,
Shelducks, Redshanks, Wigeon, godwits,
Red-throated Divers, Red-breasted Mergansers,
Goldeneyes, Goosanders and Peregrines. Red
Kites were at Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright.
Tree Sparrow, Redpoll, Siskin and Nuthatch were
at Mainsriddle.
Pam Woods
FIFE
HIGHLIGHTS: St Andrews Bay held large flocks
of Common Scoters, Velvet Scoters, Long-tailed
Ducks, Scaup, Great Crested Grebes and
Slavonian Grebes. The Eden Estuary logged
Black-tailed Godwits, Bar-tailed Godwits, Knot,
Sanderling, Dunlin, Ringed Plovers, Grey Plovers
and White-tailed Eagles. The black-bellied
Dipper remained in Kinness Burn. Whooper
Swans were at Letham Pools, Pathhead,
Ramornie Mains (71 on 22nd), Wilderness and
Dunshalt.
A flock of Pinkfeet with two Greenland
Whitefronts and a Barnacle Goose was at
Letham Pools then Ramornie Mains. Brent
Geese included 12 pale-bellied birds in the Eden
Estuary and 26 at Balgove Bay (26th). Lochore
Meadows and Cameron Reservoir both held
Smew. Red Grouse were on the Lomond Hills.
Red-throated Divers were off Fife Ness and
Kinghorn. A Great Northern Diver was at Fife
Ness (10th). A Manx Shearwater passed
Kinghorn (19th).
Little Egrets visited Lochore Meadows,
Tayport, Cocklemill Marsh and the Eden Estuary.
The Marsh Harrier was again seen at Newburgh.
Goshawks were at St Monans and Cameron
Reservoir. Merlins were at the Eden Estuary,
Strathkinness and Loch Glow. There were 14
Purple Sandpipers at St Andrew, seven
Greenshanks at Torry Bay (24th), the
overwintering Whimbrel at Ruddons Point,
Woodcocks at Valleyfield Lagoons, 35 Snipe at
Millers Loch (19th) and a Jack Snipe at Camilla
Loch.
Mediterranean Gulls were at East Weymss,
Dysart, West Weymss, Pathhead, Buckhaven,
Seafield, Kilconquhar Loch, Anstruther, and
Kinghorn Loch. Angle Park attracted an Iceland
Gull and Glaucous Gull. A Black Guillemot was
off Kingsbarns (25th). A Barn Owl was at
Dunshalt. Waxwings were at Ladybank (25),
Wilderness (nine) and Glenrothes. A Black
Redstart was at Roome Bay (to 5th).
Crossbills were at Kilmany, Cameron
Reservoir, Morton Lochs and Loch Glow. Eight
Great Northern Diver,
Fraserburgh Bay,
Aberdeenshire
MIKE CHANDLER
Snow Buntings remained in the St Andrews West
Sands/Outhead area, with 13 on West Lomond
Hill (19th). The coastal region between
Pittenweem and St Monans continues to support
a population of Corn Buntings. The Ring-necked
Parakeet remained in Kirkcaldy.
David Heeley (dw.heeley@btinternet.com)
LOTHIAN
HIGHLIGHTS: The American White-winged
Scoter remained off Musselburgh. A
Ring-necked Duck at North Couston Quarry
(4th-11th) was probably last winter’s bird. A
tundra Bean Goose was near Torness
(19th-29th). Waxwings in Edinburgh included 24
at Silverknowes, 20 at Newington, 90 in Leith,
100 at Montgomery Street, 30 at Saughton, 35
at Dalry Road and 35 at Harrison Park.
Elsewhere, 15 were in Musselburgh, 15 in
Linlithgow, two in Loanhead and five in
Longniddry.
BARNS NESS: Water Pipits were at Fluke Dub
(6th), White Sands Bay (19th) and Skateraw
(25th). A Greenshank was seen regularly at
White Sands Bay. White Sands Quarry held two
pale-bellied Brent Geese (13th-22nd), Iceland
Gulls (15th and 21st), two Pintails (19th-27th) and
Glaucous Gulls (25th and 10th-27th).
MUSSELBURGH: The Surf Scoter remained. A
Black-throated Diver (1st-8th) and was joined by
another (6th). There were two Black-tailed
Godwits (2nd-8th), Mediterranean Gulls (4th
and 8th), 38 Twite (11th), five Bean Geese (12th)
and two Little Auks (18th).
TYNINGHAME: There were 25 Twite at John
Muir CP (2nd). Two Mandarins (11th-18th) and a
Woodcock were at Seafield Pond. A Little Egret
was in the area all month.
OTHER SITES: Dunbar had two Black
Redstarts, a Water Pipit (1st) and two Chiffchaffs
(12th). The harbour held an Iceland Gull (17th)
and Glaucous Gulls (17th and 24th). Dalmeny/
Cramond featured a Ruddy Shelduck (2nd and
22nd), a Red-necked Grebe (19th),
Black-necked Grebe (19th-28th) and 33 Great
Crested Grebes (27th). A Mediterranean Gull
was at Seafield (4th). A dark-bellied Brent Goose
was at Seton Sands (8th). A Jack Snipe was at
Little France (27th). A Water Rail was at Figgate
Park (29th).
Jim Nicholson
OUTER HEBRIDES
HIGHLIGHTS: The pair of Cackling Geese
remained on North Uist in the Balranald/
Balemore area. The Gyr Falcon was again on
Baleshare (4th). Four Two-barred Crossbills were
at Langass Wood, North Uist (15th).
OTHER SITES: There were 94 pale-bellied
Brent Geese on the North Ford (4th). A Snow
Goose was at Balemore/Balranald.
Green-winged Teal were on Loch Bee (to 17th),
Coot Loch (18th-22nd) and Ardhmor
(26th-29th). Five Pintails were on Loch nam
Feithean (26th), with another at Coot Loch.
Seven Scaup were on Loch Bee. The
Ring-necked Duck remained at Loch
Tangasdale. A Black-tailed Godwit was wintering
at Bornish. A Jack Snipe was at Trumisgarry
(28th).
A Ring-billed Gull was at North Bay, South
Uist (11th). Glaucous Gulls included three at
Rubh’ Arnal and four at Baleshare (17th), three at
West Loch Roag (29th) and six on Baleshare
(30th). Two Iceland Gulls were at Rubh’ Arnal
(22nd) and three at Tiumpan Head (31st), with
other scattered individuals. A Little Auk flew
inland at Tangasdale before returning back to
sea (11th). Another was at Brevig (22nd).
A Chiffchaff was at Balemore (9th). Two Tree
Sparrows remained at Brevig. Snow Buntings
were widespread, including 300 at Balranald, 20
at Eoligarry and 35 on Baleshare. A Lapland
Bunting was at Balemore (9th).
Steve Duffield
(www.western-isles-wildlife.co.uk)
PERTH AND KINROSS
HIGHLIGHTS: A Great Northern Diver was
near Dunkeld (11th). Great White Egrets were at
Loch Tummel (17th) and Loch Leven (23rd).
Loch Leven logged five Little Egrets (13th), a
Smew (3rd), Slavonian Grebe (23rd), 215
Greylags, 901 Pinkfeet, seven Pintails, two Lesser
Black-backed Gulls, 35 Lapwings, 120 Curlews,
25 Redwings and 45 Siskins. A Marsh Harrier was
at the Tay Reedbeds (17th and 22nd). Waxwings
included 20 at Ballinluig (9th), 70 in Perth (17th),
32 at Kinloch Rannoch (22nd), 14 in Crieff (25th)
and 30 in Aberfeldy (31st). Hawfinches at Scone
Palace peaked at 24 (30th).
There were 120 Whooper Swans at Dalreoch
(17th), 74 at Lawhill (12th) and 60 at Loch Leven
(6th), with 142 Mute Swans at Lawhill (12th).
Fifteen Shelducks were at Port Allen (22nd) with
11 at Loch Leven (30th). There were 205 Teal at
Port Allen (22nd). Invergowrie Bay held 200
Dunlin and 100 Redshanks (10th). A Woodcock
was at Sma Glen (28th). Great Black-backed
Gulls were at Dalreoch (12th), Port Allen (22nd)
and Loch of the Lowes (24th). Three Short-eared
Owls were near Braco (31st).
An impressive 130 Red Kites roosted at a site
in Perthshire. A Kingfisher was on the River
Leven. A Green Woodpecker was at
Grahamstone. Nuthatches were at Scone Palace,
Pitlochry and Loch of the Lowes. There were 140
Fieldfares at Errol (10th). Stonechats were at
Loch Leven, Errol and Dalreoch. Three Common
Crossbills were at Glenfarg Reservoir (12th).
There were 52 Yellowhammers at Heatheryford,
Kinross.
Scott Paterson (pkrecorder@the-soc.org.uk)
TAYSIDE
HIGHLIGHTS: A Black Scoter was with the
Common Scoter flock at at Lunan Bay
(2nd-28th). A Great Grey Shrike was at
Backwater Reservoir (3rd-31st). Murton GP had
a Green-winged Teal (7th-25th) and Green
Sandpiper (27th). Around 130 Twite were at
Montrose Basin (4th). An Iceland Gull was at
Arbroath (4th-17th). A Little Gull was off
Carnoustie (12th). Four Waxwings were at
Backwater Reservoir (4th), with others in
Dundee (50) and Kirriemuir (five). A Great
White Egret at Forfar Loch (24th), was joined by
a second (25th). BW
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 INTERVIEW
What first sparked your interest
in birdwatching, and when?
We had a birdtable in our
south-east London garden and
I have loved watching the birds
for as long as I can remember.
Who was your birdwatching
inspiration or mentor?
My father was always interested
and encouraged me a lot. When
I was a about 14, I met a man
called Jack Grasse on an outdoor
adventure trip to Wales. He was
one of the staff at the centre.
When he realised how interested
I was, he took me to see
Choughs and a Peregrine nest…
it had a big impact on me!
Do you bird alone or with
a friend?
I do both!
Your dream bird to see?
I would love to see an albatross!
Your favourite birding spot?
My own garden! I have lots of
cameras, and they all live
stream into my office, where I
can see my feeders all the time.
It has become an integral part of
my life and I cannot imagine my
life without garden birds!
MAX ALLEN/ALAMY*
I HAVE TAUGHT FOR OVER 30 YEARS
ATIONS: LAUREN NICHOLSON
AND KIDS ARE JUST AS INTERESTED AS
THEY’VE ALWAYS BEEN… YOU JUST
HAVE TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE!
114 April 2020
Your classic birder’s lunch,
grabbed from the filling station
chiller cabinet?
I’m not really one to grab stuff
from a filling station… I would
rather have some homemade
flapjack to keep me going!
Yellowhammer or Tree Sparrow?
Impossible to choose!
Favourite bird song or call?
Has to be the Song Thrush.
I love their song on a cold
January morning, when you
are longing for spring.
Birdwatching’s biggest myth or
misconception?
That you have to be male,
bearded, or a bit weird!
The best bird you’ve seen?
Hummingbirds in the cloud
forest in Ecuador.
Identifying gulls – nightmare or
a nice day out?
I would say a challenge! I love
all species and the challenge of
trying to ID them!
Your favourite piece of
birding kit?
My Bushnell binoculars.
Kate would love to
see an albatross
A quick chat with...
Kate MacRae, known as
WildlifeKate...
How do we encourage young The bird that annoys you most?
people to watch birds? There aren’t any!
This is one of my biggest
passions; getting the next The bogey bird that still
generation interested in birds. eludes you?
Schools play a big part and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.
helping them to set up their own
feeding stations and take The bird book you’d never
ownership of them can help. be without?
I have taught for over 30 years I tend to use apps nowadays!
and kids are just as interested as
they’ve always been… you just Why do you love birdwatching,
have to give them a chance! in three words?
Using all the technology Freedom, outdoors, beauty.
available to them is another
way… from trail cameras to One piece of advice for birders
phones…. there’s so much out taking part in our
there to help with engagement! #My200BirdYear challenge?
Little and often! Get in the habit
Mistle Thrush or Song Thrush? of looking for birds wherever
Song Thrush, as their song is you are!
always a sign that spring is just
around the corner.
The one place you’d love to go About Kate
birdwatching? n Kate MacRae is better known
I love going anywhere where as ‘WildlifeKate’. Her passion and
I can see birds that I have not enthus
seen before…. been s
progra
One birding or conservation Spring
issue you feel strongly about? and C
n We
Lack of appreciation of what we
can all do, in our own spaces, to wildli
help wildlife. Twitter
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GET TO KNOW
GARDEN BIRDS

l ID songsters in the dawn chorus l Trail camera tips

l Attract wildlife to your garden l Capture great shots
 Welcome

GARY K SMITH/ALAMY
T Contents
here are all sorts of reasons to watch the birds in
your garden. Getting familiar with them gives you
a great grounding for exploring further and
discovering a wider world of species, for starters.
For another, by encouraging them you’ll be helping birds
that, in many cases, need a helping hand because of the
degradation of other habitats. And of course, as important
as anything else: it is fun, and easy – you can watch birds
and their behaviour at close range, in warmth and comfort.
So, we hope you’ll enjoy trying out some of the tips and
advice contained in these pages. We can’t guarantee that
you’ll get dozens of hitherto unseen species flocking to your P4 Back garden dawn chorus
garden, but you’ll certainly get some, and you’ll get a lot of Tune in to the sound of birdsong
pleasure out of making the birds’ lives that bit easier. And,
as I mentioned earlier, you’ll also find that by learning more P11 Tips to attract extra birds
about your garden birds, you become a more confident and Try these, and see new species!
expert birdwatcher wherever you go. Enjoy exploring the
nature reserve outside your own back door, P17 Garden bird photography
and don’t forget to n. Learn to capture wildlife on screen
P20 How to attract mammals
Matt Merritt,
Editor Make a mini wildlife reserve!
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birdwatching.co.uk 3
 Back garden
DAWN CHORUS Most garden birds are song birds and contribute to the dawn chorus
which is reaching its maximum in April and May. Here is a guide to picking
out which species are singing outside your bedroom window

Song
rush
Less common than the Blackbird, the Song Thrush is still a very
common bird found in many gardens. The song is more likely to
be heard at the beginning and end of the day more frequently
than during the middle of the day.

SONG ID

DAVID CHAPMAN/ALAMY*
Of a similar mid-tonal range to the Blackbird, each short phrase is
repeated two or three times before a slight pause then the
repetition of a new phrase.

Chafinch
One of the few birds which rival
Blackbird
the Wren as the UK’s commonest Arguably, the greatest of all our singers, the
bird, the Chaffinch is an unobtrusive Blackbird produces a gorgeous song, which
breeder in gardens, but its song is a can even be heard at night, as the spring
familiar sound of the suburbs, as well breeding season is really getting competitive.
as the countryside. It is also one of the core songs of the garden
dawn chorus just about anywhere in the
country, but can be heard throughout the
SONG ID day, as well.
The sweet mid-range song of the
Chaffinch loosely tumbles down a
descending scale ending with a final SONG ID
stabilising ‘weetchoo’. In some areas, Rich, mellifluous, complex, fluty phrases
this is immediately followed by a interspersed by short pauses. Lots of
‘kik’, as if a Great Spotted variation, but certain signature phrases if
Woodpecker is calling nearby! listened for, intently.
DAVID TIPLING PHOTO LIBRARY/ALAMY*

4 Garden Birds 2020

 BLICKWINKEL/ALAMY*

Mis
e rush
The scarcest of our three large garden thrushes, the grand
Mistle Thrush has a preference for larger gardens, with tall,
mature trees. Like the Song Thrush, the Mistle Thrush sings
most frequently at dawn and dusk; usually singing from the
top of tall trees.
SONG ID
Rich Blackbird-like tones, but with a consistently sadder sound.
Short three-part, seemingly stereotyped phrasing, revealed at
closer quarters to have much variation in the intricate detail.
AVICO LTD/ALAMY*
Robin
One of the few birds where males and females sing, come spring
it is the males which take over, singing to attract mates and
proclaim dominion over your garden! Robins will sing during
the night, especially near streetlights.
SONG ID
Like a Blackbird’s song in structure, with complex, extremely
variable phrases, as if improvised, interspersed with short pauses
(to listen to the neighbours!). But, of a more high pitched
register, with some very high, piercing notes.

Great Tit
Great Tits are renowned for the rich
variation of their vocalisation. But the
song is largely based on simple two-part
repetition in the mid range.

SONG ID
Repeated ‘teacher teacher’ and variations
on this theme are classic Great Tit.

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birdwatching.co.uk 5
 Colared Dove
t

COLIN VARNDELL/ALAMY*
W
dpigeon
Our largest pigeon is a whopper
compared to the other species, and is also
an extremely common bird of the
countryside and most gardens. The song
is an essential ingredient in any dawn
chorus. Sung from a tree or chimney, it is
instantly recognisable.

SONG ID
A throaty coo: ‘hoooo hoo hoo-ho-hoo;
hoo Hoo hooo hoo-ho-hoo; hoo HOOO
hooo hoo-ho-hoo; huh’

Greenfinch
No longer the abundant force
they once were in our gardens,
Greenfinches are still common
birds in gardens across the
country. They sing from trees as
well as rooftop aerials and in a
butterfly-like song flight.

SONG ID
A nasal wheeze ‘dwee’ a bit like
TIM MASON/ALAMY*

Bugs Bunny saying “Nyaaa”

[before “what’s up, Doc?”], plus
twittering like the trilling call.
LISA GEOGHEGAN/ALAMY*

Du ock
The cute little ‘Hedgesparrow’
sings as demurely as its feathers
Goldfinch suggest. But its song can easily
be lost among the big players of
If ever a common garden bird looks like the dawn chorus.
it doesn’t belong among the ‘drab’ birds
of a British garden it is the charming,
exotically red and yellow Goldfinch. It SONG ID
also has a charming song. The Dunnock is a warbling non-
warbler, producing a pleasing little
ditty sounding along the lines of
BLICKWINKEL/ALAMY*

SONG ID ‘diddly diddly dee diddle dee diddly’ in

The pleasing song is a rapid mix of the about the same register as a Wren’s
tinkling twittering call plus wheezy notes song, but far less powerful.
and rapid, rattling notes.

6 Garden Birds 2020

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 BLICKWINKEL/ALAMY*

Starling
In contrast to the humble sparrow, the Starling is one of the
most accomplished (yet strangely forgotten) of all our songsters,
and especially those that frequently sing in and around our
gardens. Starlings are as likely to be belting out their outlandish
song from a chimney, rooftop aerial, or gutter as a tree.
FLPA/ALAMY*
Wren
For such as small bird, the Wren is a real shouter,
producing a surprisingly strong song, which will appear
in just about every dawn chorus. It is only through its
voice that you realise quite how common and ubiquitous
the Wren is.

SONG ID SONG ID
Starlings’ mix whistles, bill rattles, crazy mixed and Consisting of very rapid trills, buzzes and very high speed
complex sounds and mimicry like no other British bird. warbles, the explosive song of the Wren rushes along for just
Distinctive and unmistakable. a few loud seconds.

Wilow Warbler Chifchaf

The much declined Willow Warbler is The Chiffchaff has a preference
generally a bird of less mature habitats for more mature woodland than the
than the very similar Chiffchaff. They do similar-looking Willow Warbler, which
occur in suitable gardens, where the song is also reflected in the type of garden it
is a delightful addition to the garden visits. The song is quite different, making
dawn chorus. ID simple.

SONG ID SONG ID
The sweet, sweeping, warbling song of The song is, of course, the reason for the
Chiffchaff’s name, a clipped ‘chip chap
chip chip chap’, with phrases
MIKE LANE/ALAMY*

insterspersed by soft mumbled versions

of the song.

lackcap
ly the most frequently
ntered Sylvia warbler in
s, the Blackcap is a master
which gives the Blackbird
or its money in terms of
uous virtuosity. Usually
rom within bushes.

G ID
Blackcap has a rich, complex
leasant, phrased warble with
BILL COSTER/ALAMY*

tones interspersed by harsh,

ar notes. The phrases are
y shorter than those of the
ar-sounding Garden Warbler.
BW

8 Garden Birds 2020

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 Tips to attract
'SPECIAL BIRDS' Most gardens have a core number of visiting
birds, which usually varies from about 10 to 20
species. But wouldn’t it be nice if you could do
some things to increase that number, and
perhaps attract a few birds which you have
always wanted to come into your garden?
Here are a few tips to help you attract some
of those ‘extra’ birds. Some can be
thought of as instant hits, while others
are slow burners, requiring a bit of
time before they deliver the goods.

ARTERRA PICTURE LIBRARY/ALAMY*

Mealy Redpoll

A
f d
A first stage to attracting birds is to put
A
special f ds eg niger
out feeders (plus water) or at least food.
So, if you are weary of just seeing
seeds, mealworms, nuts
Blackbirds, House Sparrows and pigeons, One of the quickest ways to attract eaters: typically Robins, but
this is the next step to diversity. birds to any garden is to put out food. you may get lucky and get birds like
This may be in a plastic seed feeder, or Grey Wagtail or even Redstart and
Female Reed in a special cage for peanuts or fat Black Redstart.
Bunting balls, on a bird table or indeed on the
lawn. Varying the food you put out can
make a difference to the birds you get.
At its simplest, you could put out
niger seed to attract Goldfinches.
Mealworms can attract insect

Grey Wagtail
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS LTD/ALAMY*
ED BROWN WILDLIFE/ALAMY*

birdwatching.co.uk 11
DAVID CHAPMAN/ALAMY*

Song Thrush with snail

Leave snails for
rushes

Many of us mourn the loss of the Song Thrush, after massive
Lawn for
rushes
declines. If you want Song Thrushes to visit your garden, then
one of the most direct ways is to allow their favourite food to
and Green W dpecker
flourish in your garden: snails. If you have snails and a paving
stone or rock for thrushes to bash their shells on, you will get
Song Thrushes.

Fieldfare on fallen apples

BLICKWINKEL/ALAMY*

Unlike our other resident woodpeckers, Green

Woodpeckers are specialist ant feeders and spend a lot of
their time on grass, probing for the insects. So, encourage
a nice ant-rich lawn and you will encourage Green
Woodpeckers. As usual, avoid insecticides! Thrushes will
also thank you for the lawn, and one day, you may even
have a Wryneck or a Hoopoe (you can but dream!).

Leave windfals
PAUL WESTON/ALAMY*

Come the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, leave fallen

fruit (especially apples and pears) for winter thrushes,
to attract Fieldfare and Redwing. Alternatively, if you can get
fruit which is past its sell-by date, the birds will thank you for it.

12 Garden Birds 2020

 Dig a pond
As we never tire of saying,
a wildlife pond is just about
the best thing you can add
to any garden. Not only is it
a fascinating source of life of
all sorts, it will be the centre
of bird activity (at least
drinking and bathing). Who
knows what birds will visit
for a wash and brush up?
RADHARC IMAGES/ALAMY*

Plant bushes and hedges

In addition to food and water, birds need cover, especially for roosting and
nesting. It is hardly an instant fix, but planting bushes and hedges for the future,
will eventually yield a new range of birds, especially when added to a sparsely
vegetated garden.

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birdwatching.co.uk 13
DAVID TIPLING PHOTO LIBRARY/ALAMY*

Swift and House

Martin boxes
A
varied nes oxes
(open fronted and holes) Swifts and House Martins are quite fussy in their nest site
preferences. House Martins tend to nest semi-colonially,

PRISMA BY DUKAS PRESSEAGENTUR GMBH/ALAMY*

Often the limiting factor in bird populations in a particular area
is the number of available nest sites. Most garden birds either
build a nest within a tree or bush or nest in cavities, which at
their simplest are the equivalent of nestboxes (or the other way
round...). The more nestboxes you have, the more birds you will
have nesting! Boxes with different sized holes attract different
sizes of tits, while open-fronted boxes may get you Robins, or
even Spotted Flycatchers. Large nestboxes in a mature garden
could even provide a nest site for a Kestrel or owl.
often in areas near a good source of wet mud (from which
they construct the inverted igloo-like nests). But you can
provide artificial House Martin nests which in some places
they readily take to. Swifts often nest in good old
fashioned roof spaces. But with modern housing, they may
need a helping hand with special Swift nestboxes under
the eaves. It may help to play recordings of Swifts to lure
them in to check out the sites (if your neighbours can
stand this!).

Garden for insects

Just about all garden birds (or all birds for that
matter) feed their young on animal matter, which
in garden bird terms equates to invertebrates,
largely insects (often in caterpillar form). By
encouraging a flourishing insect population, you
can help birds feed their young. Plant a variety of
preferentially native plants for maximum
diversity of insects and never use insecticides.
With a more insect-rich garden you could attract
PAPILIO/ALAMY*

warblers and even flycatchers to visit.

BW

14 Garden Birds 2020

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 APHY

PETER CRIPPS/ALAMY
Clever use of light can have
effective results

Your own garden can be a Time of day

great ‘controlled environment’ Think carefully about what time of day is best for photography in your garden.

in which to photograph birds.
Here are a few tips to help
get the best photographs of
garden birds
Time of day has a considerable bearing on the amount of bird activity; in general,
maximum activity is in the early morning, providing interesting and more
frequent subject matter. Too early, though, and the light will be limited. Also, low
sunshine (ie of morning or evening) generally produces more pleasing lighting of
the subject. Also, consider what direction the sun will be coming from, with
respect to any hide, feeders, props etc. You may want birds to be backlit, or in full
sun or lit from the side, all of which will vary with the time of day.

Blue Tit on a
ink of backgrounds fat ball feeder

Just as feeders may look ‘ugly’ in bird photographs, so other Blackbird standing out
from a blurred
TIM GAINEY/ALAMY*

things in an average garden can also detract from bird

photographs, be they water butts, washing background, on a
lines, or plastic slides! Even branches and shovel handle prop
twigs can look ‘untidy’ in photographs, so
you may want to try to get a clean
background to your bird photographs. With
respect to camera settings, lower f numbers
Feed
e birds
(ie wider apertures) increase the speed of One of the easiest ways to attract birds to
photographs, helping you freeze action, but at your garden, and therefore have a subject
TIM GAINEY/ALAMY*

the same time give lower depth of field, which can for your garden bird photography, is to
be good at making an in focus bird ‘stand out’ from put out feeders, with the usual range of
a blurry background. foods (seeds, mealworms, fat balls etc).
It is as simple as that.

birdwatching.co.uk 17
A bathing juvenile Starling in
a pleasing-looking bird bath.
Note the photographer is level
with the water and has used a
slow shutter speed to blur the
exploding water spray

Water is e photographer’s friend

Drinking and bathing birds make great photographic subjects. Water features make
some of the best ‘props’ for the garden photographer. Ideally, you will have an
attractive wildlife pond with a shallow margin for the best bathing and drinking action
in a eye-pleasing environment.

Use of ‘props’ Hide and seek

Monocular
Hawke’s ever growing monocular range is a
perfect addition to your birdwatching kit. The
compact and lightweight optic is simple to
use with a design ideal for travel. The high
resolution BAK-4 roof prism allows for a clear,
crisp image with magnification in 10x or 8x
and 25mm & 42mm sizes.
Fom £75.
There is a reasonable argument that
photographs of birds on feeders are not
very attractive! Similarly, birds perched
on fences or shuffling around on a lawn
covered with tempting bird food, don’t
look very pretty. You can get round this
issue by adding ‘props’ to your garden.
These can include aesthetically pleasing
branches or twigs (preferably, but not
essentially, textured with lichen or moss,
or some pleasing bark) on which birds
can perch, en route to (or from) your
feeders. Or you may want to add a
mossy log or go the whole hog and
use a mossy boot or well placed wooden
shovel handle. The worst clichés are
probably best avoided, but use your
imagination to create a more interesting
setting for birds.
e hien
f
d trick
You may wish to conceal food in crevices
in your perch props (eg in mossy or
gnarly logs), so that the birds will linger
that bit longer to explore for food. Think
Nuthatch or Great Spotted Woodpecker!
Some gardener photographers will have
a convenient shed in which to hide and
watch (and photograph) birds. But if you
don’t have a convenient, ready-made
hiding place, you can add your own with
a tent-like camouflaged hide. Place it in
the best position so as to be close enough
but not too close to the action (eg near
your feeders/props) but be prepared to
wait a long time before birds accept its
presence! Alternatively, you could set up
a remote system, with a camera in
position, and from the comfort of your
home trigger the photos when the birds
appear in the right spot.
Behaviour
and action
Though portraits of stationary birds have
their place, with avian photography, birds
doing something interesting is usually
preferable. This may mean trying to
capture a bird in flight on the way to or
from a feeder, or in the middle of
splashing around in a bird bath or pond
edge. Make sure you optimise your camera
settings to get the best out of action shots. BW

Song Thrush foraging for

worms on a lawn
BUITEN-BEELD/ALAMY*

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 ATTRACT
GARDEN
MAMMALS
A
t some stage, every land
mammal in the UK has been
recorded in a garden,
somewhere (no, not all in one
garden!). But, how can you encourage
mammals to visit your garden? Here are
some tips to attract some of the main
mammalian players to a garden.
Bats
In general, bats will visit gardens with
plenty of nocturnal, flying insects. So a
decent wildlife garden, especially with a
pond, can substitute for a ‘natural
woodland glade’. Bats roost in hollows in
Bat box
YON MARSH/ALAMY*
20 Garden Birds 2020
NATURE PICTURE LIBRARY/ALAMY
trees or in roof spaces, if they can get
access. Or, you can put up a bat box for
them to roost in.
Rodents
Every garden will have rodents, at least
visiting. These will probably include Grey
Squirrels, Wood Mice and Bank Voles,
though you will no doubt be visited by
Brown Rats (even if they are not
particularly welcome), especially if you
ROGER BAMBER/ALAMY*
have bird feeders…
If you live within their range, you can
attract Red Squirrels with nuts (just as
Grey Squirrels love them, elsewhere). Red Fox
Mice and voles will come to a garden if
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS LTD/ALAMY*
there are available seeds of fruits
(including rose hips, haws from
Hawthorns etc) and so on. If you put out
Hedgehog
corrugated sheets as 'refugia', they may The much declined Hedgehog is one of
store their food underneath and even nest our most welcomed garden visitors. They
there. Otherwise a tangled will come to a garden to munch their way
wild are through your slug population. Make sure
natural they have a gap or two in the fence to
small m travel between gardens. You can
encourage them by putting out cat/dog
Wood food (do NOT give them bread and
Mouse milk!), and providing
Hedgehog she
Fox and Badger to sleep/hiber
PRZEMYSLAW RZESZUTKO/ALAMY*
aware that He
Both Foxes and Badgers eat a varied diet, and Foxes/Ba
and are particularly suckers for meat. do not get on
They will come for raw meat, cooked well, with the
meat, or cat/dog food, but will also larger predato
readily feed on cheese, all sorts of fruit or known to kill
unsalted peanuts. Hedgehogs.
 Kennedy
Independent
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 TRAIL CAM
BUYING TIPS
Trail cameras are great
Trail cameras (sometimes tools for seeing the
wildlife which visits your
referred to as camera traps) garden during the night

allow you to photograph the

birds and other wildlife that
visit your garden remotely

M
ost trail cams also take video,
and some have a night-vision
capability. They are generally
triggered by movement,
although some can also be set up to take

photos or videos at timed intervals, or to
take time lapse photos.
So what should you be looking for if
you’re buying one? Well, bear in mind:
Image quality
The resolution of the pictures taken is
measured in megapixels (MP). In general,
the more MP, the better the picture will
be. You’ll need higher resolution for
night-time images, but anything over
3MP should be fine for most needs.
Tri
er
This is the time in which the camera
detects movement and captures a picture.
Basically, the quicker, the better.
Ba ery
The more features your camera has, the
quicker it will drain its battery or
batteries – rechargeable batteries may
work out cheaper in the long run.
Range and field
of view
The bigger the better, with both of these.
Most cameras have a range of 20-30m,
although there are some much closer-
range models designed to be used at bird
feeders or nestboxes.
Memory
Measured in gigabytes (GB), the memory
is the amount of photos or video your
camera will be able to store – although
increasing numbers of models allow
Bluetooth or other wireless connections.
Security
Buy a security box only after trying it out
with your camera – a mismatched box
and camera could put off the camera’s
NICK UPTON/ALAMY*
shutter and or flash. Anti-theft
cables should be bought, along with
your trail camera, enabling you to
install and re-install your camera in
different conditions.
Screens
Many cameras come with a built-in
viewing screen, which helps when setting
up the camera at the right height and
angle. The downside is that a decent
sized screen will increase the size of the
camera, and drain the battery quicker.
Price
You get what you pay for! But it’s
perfectly possible to get a good camera
from around £100. Start cheap, see what
results you get, then think about moving
on to a model with more features. BW

Have you captured your garden's wildlife on a trail cam?

Share your images with us by emailing birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk

22 Garden Birds 2020

 L a rg e S t o c k Q u a n t i t i e s a n
d Fa s t D
N e e d s o m e a d v i c e ? Ta l k d i re c t l y t o o n e o e l i v e r y, F R E E o n o rd e rs o v e r £ 5 0
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you need and years of expertise to make it as
simple as possible.
Tel: 01778 341199 - Web: www.watergardeningdirect.com
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