BOC news – Edition 8

Bird Observatories Council – January 2022 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk P a g e 48

Filey Black Redstart © George Day
George Day & Will Scott
Up to five Great Northern Divers, three Velvet Scoters
Prelude: and a single Slavonian Grebe were seen in Filey Bay in
January. Early February heralded the arrival of the aptly
This year was another named ‘mini beast from the east’ and an unseasonable
turbulent one under the influx of 33 Woodcock on 5th and 27 on 6th respectively,
shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, although happily with 300 Redwing seen arriving ‘in-off’ on 9th February.
not as much so as its predecessor. Indeed, FBOG was Notably, the turbulent weather also saw an impressive
hit hard by COVID, having sadly lost Pete Dunn in 2020. 173 Dunlin north at Hunmanby Gap on 8th. A record
Pete needs no introduction, as I am sure most reading count of 75 Great Crested Grebes and a peak count of
this will know. A founding member, Pete was a 240 Red-throated Divers was made in the bay on 21st
fundamental part of FBOG, its committee and the and 22nd February respectively, drawing the month to
ringing, for which he acted as the observatories’ ringer- a close.
in-charge for 33 years (1986-2018), and chairman from
December 2018 to May 2020. Thanks to a flurry of kind Red-throated Diver © George Day
donations, 2021 saw the opening of the observatories’
first Heligoland trap erected on the Old Tip site as a March saw the lifting of restrictions and provided the
memorial to Pete. This was a project close to Pete's first glimmers of spring passerine migration, with a
heart and something he had always wanted to be built single Swallow, our first trans-Saharan visitor, noted on
in the observatory. The trap was opened on 9th October 27th. A White-billed Diver was perhaps the highlight of
by his family and was certainly the highlight of the year the month having flown north on 9th.
for many members. The year also saw our ringer-in-
charge Daniel Lombard step down after three years of
sterling service for which we thank him, having laid a
strong foundation for the future. Avian highlights of the
year include the local long-staying Black-browed
Albatross, Feas-type petrel, Cattle Egret, Greenish
Warblers and record counts of Siskin at Hunmanby
Gap.

A plethora of amazing nocmig records, including a
Stone-curlew, American Golden Plover, Night-heron
and multiple Bitterns, help to emphasize the value of
this ever growing method in recording active
migration. Ringing too was eventful with seven new
species ringed in the Observatory, 60 waders colour-
ringed of six species, as well as Wood Warbler, Barred
Warbler and probable Eastern Subalpine Warbler in
early autumn. Despite being another year under the
shadow of the pandemic, 2021 was certainly brighter
than 2020 bringing with it a number of fantastic
records and we look forward to an even better 2022.

Sightings:

The beginning of 2021 saw us enter the year under
another lockdown. Happily, restrictions did not limit
sightings within the Obs as people were able to leave
their houses for exercise, which inevitably included
some birding. Despite this, the start of the year, as is
often the case, was rather slow, with a wintering Black
Redstart in Filey bay corner and up to two Grey
Phalaropes present from January to early March.

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…and even more so were two together in Arndale the
next day (presumably including the day before’s bird).

White Billed Diver © George Day Greenish Warbler © George Day

An escapee Harris Hawk added a splash of excitement Westerlies dominated much of October and early
to vismig sessions at Hunmanby Gap, having been first November, with Yellow-browed Warbler numbers
seen in March and remaining in the recording area for significantly down compared to previous years, with
the remainder of the year. As is often the case on the only five individuals recorded throughout the autumn.
east coast, spring passerine migration was a little slow, However, two Rose-coloured Starlings amazingly
with highlights being small numbers of Ring Ouzels accounted for the second and third record of this
moving north throughout April and May, and good species within the Obs.
counts of common migrants, including 1059 Swallows
north on 10th May.

Summer through to early autumn proved to be
eventful with the neighbouring celebrity Black-browed
Albatross putting in regular appearances throughout
its stay at near-by Bempton Cliffs. A Cattle Egret
photographed at the Dams on 7th July was the Obs first
record, but swiftly disappeared. Late summer saw
Balearic Shearwaters move past the Brigg on 21st July
and 2nd August. A Fea’s-type Petrel flew north on 1st
September, with sea-watching producing good records
of Skuas, Sooty and Manx Shearwaters throughout the
month. Wader passage compared with previous years
appeared to be poor with highlights restricted to a
September Little Stint and Pectoral Sandpiper
recorded on the Brigg and East Lea/Dams respectively.
Unfortunately autumn passerine migration was also
not as prolific as hoped, though a Greenish Warbler
freshly arrived on Carr Naze on 22nd August was
promising…

Rose-coloured Starling © George Day

Greenish Warbler freshly arrived © Will Scott Large numbers of Siskins were recorded moving south
through the Obs during late October and early
November, with a record count of 2192 south at
Hunmanby Gap on 23rd October, with 39 Rock Pipits
moving south on the same day, another new day-
record for FBOG. In total an impressive 11,000+ Siskin
moved south through Hunmanby Gap this autumn.

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Iceland Gull © George Day

On the same day an Iceland gull was present on the figures remained in the obs thereafter. A Richard’s Pipit
Brigg, a welcome northern visitor! was present in a cliff-top field at Hunmanby Gap on 12th
November, with an interesting Eastern-type Stonechat
Lapland Buntings were recorded from late October, seen near the Old Tip site on the same day. Late
with single birds noted in coastal fields at Hunmanby November through to early December saw good
Gap and Filey North Cliff. numbers of Great Northern Divers present in the bay,
with a White-billed Diver and singles of Little Auk
observed past the Brigg and on the sea. A Richard’s
Pipit at the Bay Pool on 27th December and later seen
at Carr Naze pond on 30th brought the year to a close.

Ringing:

Snow Bunting © George Day Ringing was suspended in Filey until Spring owing to
the aforementioned COVID lockdown. This meant
This year proved to be good for Snow Buntings too, with winter waterfowl, wader and roost ringing were sadly
birds moving through the Obs from late October and missed, but happily mist-netting could be reinstated in
regular counts throughout the remainder of winter. April. This was welcomed after having missed spring
Counts peaked at 16 on 12th December and double 2020. However, as is often the case on the east coast,
spring passerine ringing went by with few notable
captures, other than a Ring Ouzel on 15th May
alongside resident and relatively few common drift
migrants. Mist-netting was not recommenced again
until July, where passerine ringing got off to a good
start with highlights being good numbers of Pied
Flycatchers throughout August and early September, a

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Wood Warbler on 6th, a Barred Warbler on 28th August 2018 was resighted 1,000km away on its breeding
and a locally scarce Willow Tit on 25th September. grounds in the mountains of Rakavatnet in Oppland,
October started promisingly with a stunning male Norway!
Subalpine Warbler (probable Eastern) ringed on the
‘Tip’ on 10th. Whilst Storm Petrel catches may sadly be a fraction of
what they once were on the east coast, the team
(Possibly Eastern) Subalpine Warbler © George Day managed to ring four over the season, an increase on
However, strong westerlies sadly dominated the the last couple of years. This included a miraculous
remainder of the month and despite effort where incidental capture of a bird in a wader net positioned
weather permitted few notable captures (numbers or over a rock pool in mid-September, without the use of
species) were made throughout the remainder of the a tape lure! Wader ringing was again extended to one
autumn mist netting. of the freshwater pools in the Obs, which bolstered our
Nocturnal ringing has played a fundamental role in Dunlin catches as well as resulting in the first Little
data collection within the observatory in recent years, Ringed Plover ringed within the Obs and an
and in 2021 nocturnal effort was increased thanks in unexpected early Short-eared Owl, the second ever
part to the wealth of enthusiastic visiting ringers. The ringed in the observatory. Dazzling accounts for most of
team were able to combine wader and storm petrel the waders captured within the observatory, with the
ringing through late June to early August where the rocky terrain and exposed nature of the Brigg limiting
traditional passage of Storm Petrels coincided with the the effectiveness of mist nets. The technique also threw
first decent pushes of migrating waders. up some surprise captures including Ruff, Kittiwake,
Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwit and three Gannets, the
latter three being new species ringed in the
Observatory. Nocturnal ringing continued through
autumn and into early winter, with wader passage
subsiding in September the teams’ attention turned to
continuing our long running Purple Sandpiper
colouring ringing project on Brigg and terrestrial
dazzling on clifftop arable and grassland. The latter saw
a significant increase in the number of Grey Partridge
and Skylark ringed, as well as generating interesting
within and between year site fidelity data for Grey
Partridge within the observatory. Among the highlights
of winter dazzling were a second Short-eared Owl,
Snow Buntings, of which four were ringed, and a single
Lapland Bunting.

Storm Petrel © George Day

Large teams meant that a good sample of waders, Short-eared Owl © George Day
chiefly Dunlin (N= 29), were colour ringed on the Brigg
during mid-late summer. From the Dunlin ringed this
year, 13 were re-sighted including an individual to
Snettishnam, Norfolk, and another two to Omey Island,
Galway and Clonakilty in Co. Cork Ireland. Perhaps our
most exciting recovery of the year was that of a Purple
Sandpiper which had been colour-ringed in September

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were suitable (light west/southwesterly winds). The first
Common Sandpiper of the year was recorded on 19th
April and the first Little Ringed Plover and Green
Sandpiper of the year on 26th April. Highlights moving
into May included Ring Ouzel on 1st, Little Egret on 2nd,
two Bar-tailed Godwit, Blackcap and two Spotted
Flycatcher on 9th. One of the year’s nocmig highlights
came on the night of 13th May with an American Golden
Plover, the first for the observatory, and a Bittern on the
same night and 3+ late Redwing departed over North
Cliff after dusk on 22nd May. June was typically quiet,
though a Night-heron called twice as it passed over at
01.41hrs on 23rd June, the third for the observatory.

Lapland Bunting © George Day July started with a Bittern on 1st and two Quail on 4th,
both being good records for the observatory. As July
Both bunting species were the first ringed in the went on the first waders of the autumn began to return
observatory, highlighting the value and versatility of the including a Greenshank on 14th and good numbers of
method. Throughout late November and early Whimbrel. A flock of Arctic Tern were recorded on 23rd,
December whoosh netting at East Lea produced a a flock of Common Tern on 25th and the month closed
fantastic sample of 73 waterfowl including 19 Moorhen, with nine flocks of Arctic Tern moving through on 31st.
25 Teal and 14 Wigeon, with the latter species darvic- Waders and occasional Arctic, Common and Sandwich
ringed as part of Project Penelope. The study aims to Terns continued to be recorded into August, though
map the species flyway, with fieldwork carried out the month was typically quiet. September was a very
across the UK, Denmark and Finland, the findings of quiet month with just 21 species recorded moving over
which will aid management and conservation North Cliff. This included very few passerines, but a
strategies across Europe for a species that has seen continuation of wader movement, as well as the first
declines in breeding density and range over the last 20 Pink-footed Geese of the year. The lack of easterlies in
years. Indeed, another fantastic recovery to come October meant that there were no nights rich with
through this year was a Wigeon ringed in November incoming migrants, as a result it was another poor
2018, which was recovered in Western Russia on 19th month for nocmig, though 1,446 Redwing calls were
September 2020, a distance of 3800km! A final logged between the North Cliff and town recorders, as
highlight of the year was a single Shelduck ringed as well as a locally scarce Little Owl. November saw some
part of our waterfowl project, another new species good nights for incoming migrants over North Cliff,
ringed in the observatory. highlights include three Black-tailed Godwit, 112
Blackbird, 34 Fieldfare, 419 Redwing on 13th, 121
Nocmig: Blackbird and 255 Redwing on 14th and large skeins of
Pink-footed Geese and a Jack Snipe on 15th. December
Another productive year for nocturnal migration has not yet been analysed. The number of records of
recording mainly from two sites within the observatory, observatory rarities, as well as capturing the ‘hidden’
and a third sporadically throughout the year. Of the two aspect of migration overhead, demonstrates the value
main sites, one is situated in the town centre, and one of recording nocturnal migration.
on North Cliff (the former being out of action
throughout the summer months due to the town’s Other wildlife:
Herring Gull colony). The year started slowly, though
light westerlies in late February prompted an increase Twenty twenty-one was a good year for Lepidoptera
in activity with species including flocks of Wigeon and within the Obs, with 22 new sp and 19 new spp for the
Teal, Lapwing and Golden Plover moving, as well as a Filey recording area, of a total of 247spp of macro and
Stone-curlew on the night of 15th February, a rare bird 175 spp of micro moths! Highlights include the first
on the east coast. Good conditions continued through Haworths minor, typically a moorland species, with
March resulting in good early spring passage including records of Orange footman demonstrating the species’
a Pintail on 7th, 2+ Tundra Bean Goose on 13th, the first continued range expansion. Three Fleabane specialist
Common Scoter flock of the overland spring passage species (Oidaematophorus lithodactyla, Ptocheuusa
on 17th, over 200 Blackbird on 23rd and Whooper paupella and Apodia bifractella) were captured and
Swans, Pink-footed Geese, Moorhens, Coots and Water represent rare records within the recording area (VC61).
Rails being recorded regularly throughout the month. Further highlights include Convolvulus Hawk-moth
Poor conditions at the start of April resulted in little and Bedstraw Hawk-moth, as well as a Clifden
movement, though a Little Egret was recorded. Nonpareil moth on the 5th of September. Marbled
Common Scoters continued to move when conditions White butterflies were sporadically recorded

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Bottlenose Dolphin © George Day on 4th October. The year was good for Odonata with
Small Red-eyed Damselflies seen throughout July and
throughout the obs through much of the early-mid early August at the Dams reserve, with Black Darter and
summer, with a Brown Argus seen at Hunmanby Gap Brown Hawker dragonflies recorded at the same site in
early October. A Red-veined Darter was at Primrose
Valley on 16th June. Two Willow Emerald Damselfly
were at the Golf Course Pond on 8th October and
another at the Dams on 9th October, the first Obs
records of this rapidly north-moving colonist.
Bottlenose Dolphins were a constant and welcome
feature of the year, with pods of up to 15 observed
throughout the year.

The species has become a more frequent visitor to Filey,
with individuals thought to have originated from
populations in the NE of Scotland. Numbers and
sightings on the Yorkshire coast have increased
annually since 2019 prior to which sightings averaged
four per year, but in 2021 alone over 212 reports of
Bottlenose Dolphins were made along the Yorkshire
coast! Sticking with cetaceans Minke Whales were
again an annual and welcome visitor, with sightings
peaking in August. An Otter was sadly found dead at
Muston roundabout, towards the south of the
recording area in November. Otters are happily now
annual in the recording area, with spraints and tracks
accounting for the majority of records.

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Flamborough scattering of Blue Fulmars and a Grey Phalarope, whilst
Craig Thomas four wintering Black Redstarts were unprecedented.
Lapland Buntings were also present in the best
In keeping with the wider numbers for many years, with 150-200 on the northern
community, a significant side of the headland concentrated at Buckton.
proportion of 2021 was spent
mitigating the impact of the A cold, north-easterly airflow in early February
pandemic. Only through the prompted the spectacular arrival of 195 Woodcocks on
combined efforts of a great many were we able to the outer head during a foggy and damp 5th. The cold
maintain a degree of daily monitoring throughout. That northerly airflow was very much a feature throughout
said, the negative impact at Flamborough was the latter half of winter and continued through spring.
undoubtedly reduced compared to those with full-time Snowy conditions on 12th February elicited another
staff/building infrastructure. arrival, with 102 Woodcock, 104 Snipe and 570 Skylarks
seeking ice-free feeding opportunities.
We cancelled all scheduled events over the first six
months, with our inaugural Seawatch Festival at the Woodcock © Craig Thomas
end of August the first opportunity to engage with
wider audiences. Thankfully it proved to be an A brief switch to light westerly winds on 26th February
unqualified success. Activity was focused on the resulted in a juvenile White-tailed Eagle flying over
Seawatch Observatory and supplemented by guided RSPB Bempton Cliffs and the outer head before it
walks, online talks and a moth trapping event. A total of headed back inland; the same individual then flew out
32 observatory volunteers engaged with 860 visitors to sea off South Landing the following day. A different
over the three days, whilst an online 'Flamborough young White-tailed Eagle overflew Buckton/Bempton
Seawatching' talk was viewed by more than 750 people. and the outer head on 6th March, but better still, a
The event gave us the opportunity to underline the White-billed Diver was photographed close inshore off
importance of local seabird monitoring and the role it South Landing the next day. The month ended with
plays in understanding the health of our internationally another two White-tailed Eagles over RSPB Bempton
important seabird colony. Visitors were able to enjoy Cliffs on 30th; eventually both birds flew around the
the Black-browed Albatross, up to 30 Sooty outer head before flying off south.
Shearwaters daily, Balearic Shearwater, Long-tailed &
Pomarine Skuas, a Caspian Gull & 100+ Grey Seals. Gale force northerlies on 5th April produced
Passerine migrants on the guided walks included a Flamborough's first ever spring Leach's Petrel and a
showy Barred Warbler near the Lighthouse. highly impressive 133,000 Razorbills reorientated back
north three days later. However, the relentless cold
The success of the Seawatch Festival gave confidence winds stalled the arrival of birds pushing up from the
that our annual ‘Migweek’ in October could be held south; our first Willow Warbler not arriving until 16th
safely, albeit the evening talks were moved online April, over ten days later than recent first arrival dates. A
rather than conducted face-to-face. Although the week Bittern on 25th April was one of three records during
was dominated by a south-westerly airstream (not the year, a species formerly described as a vagrant, but
unusual for autumn 2021), 300 visitors enjoyed daily now expected annually. South-easterly winds ushered
ringing demonstrations and over 150 people joined four Spoonbills onto the outer head on 26th and our
a series of guided walks that showcased the work of the first ever April Siberian Chiffchaff on 29th.
observatory.

Following five years of discussion,
an exciting development was finally secured in
November - working with our partner, The Garganey
Trust, the observatory reached agreement to manage
the headland's eastern most field for the benefit of both
migrant/resident birds. A wild bird cover crop will be
sown over half the area in spring 2022 and a scrub
mosaic established over the balance of the 12-acre field.

So, what of the birds themselves. The year could be
summed up as ‘above average seawatching’, ‘some
outstanding rarities’, but for the most part, a ‘complete
dearth of spring/autumn passerine migrants’. It opened
with a spell of northerly winds that resulted in a

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Another spell of south-easterly winds on 8th May Three Spoonbills flew over RSPB Bempton Cliffs on 5th,
produced a Hoopoe which lingered to the delight of whilst a Rosy Starling graced nearby Buckton on 6th.
many. Yet another Rosy Starling made landfall at Bempton on
10th before it headed off north-west, whilst the fourth
Hoopoe © Craig Thomas of spring joined the starling flock on the outer head the
next day. Little Ringed Plovers bred successfully for the
A genuine warm day on 9th precipitated a spring first time, but otherwise the rest of June was quiet - at
reboot and 263 Wheatears flooded into the area, least that is until 28th, when it was confirmed that the
easily surpassing our previous record tally of 205. Black-browed Albatross had returned to Bempton
Garganey, Nightjar and Wood Warbler were notable Cliffs. For many in the UK, the 'bird of the year'
arrivals the next day, with a male Golden Oriole performed well on numerous days until late
observed making landfall on 13th, the same day as the September, giving at times staggering cliff top views to
year's only Firecrest! Two Dotterel frequented fields on myriad observers.
the outer head the following day, with a Spoonbill flying
south over Bempton on 15th. A first-summer male Normally a relatively quiet month, July opened with a
Golden Oriole on 18th/19th was notable, but it was 24th bang with the sensational sighting of a Soft-plumaged
May that provided spring's highlight when a Thrush Petrel flying north past the headland at 0935hrs on 1st.
Nightingale sang from bushes near the Lighthouse; With news disseminated quickly, many further north
present all day, it was only the second ever local record. were able to track the birds onward passage and
A male Red-backed Shrike at RSPB Bempton Cliffs from footage taken in Northumberland helped clinch the
26th May was to prove to be the year's only shrike! A identification of this first for the UK. Two Great White
Nightjar appeared at South Landing on 28th, the same Egrets in residence at Thornwick Pools were unusual,
day that five Spoonbills overflew Bempton, and an but otherwise July ended quietly apart from a juvenile
Icterine Warbler visited Old Fall the following day. Hawfinch that visited a village garden for two days.
Better still, a flock of ten Bee-eaters flew north-west Another first for Flamborough appeared on 7th August,
over Bempton Cliffs on 30th May. when a long-awaited Black Stork drifted onto the outer
head before returning inland via Bempton and
June opened with a singing Marsh Warbler on 1st and a Buckton. August also proved to be a good month for
Bee-eater and (presumed) Western Subalpine Warbler seawatching, with several records of Cory's Shearwater,
the next day. A Rosy Starling briefly joined a flock of its Great Shearwater and several Sabine's Gulls. Passerine
common cousins near the Lighthouse on 3rd June, the interest was confined to single Greenish Warbler,
day when an amazing 12 Bee-eaters, including a flock of Barred Warbler and Icterine Warbler at the start of the
nine, were recorded on the outer head. last week, when light onshore winds finally arrived.

Moderate northerly winds on 1st September produced
another good seawatch, headlined by a northbound
Fea's-type Petrel, whilst an Ortolan Bunting delighted
in light onshore winds on 5th. A Common Rosefinch
frequented hedgerows near the Lighthouse the next
day, but much better was to come when a Green
Warbler was discovered at Buckton on 9th - it provided
a great many with a new bird throughout its prolonged
stay until dusk on 14th.

Rosy Starling © Craig Thomas Green Warbler © Tony Dixon

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Another Fea's-type Petrel flew north close inshore on flew north, followed by 175 Little Auks the next
12th, while a juvenile Honey Buzzard made landfall on day. Another White-billed Diver flew south on 25th
19th. Although a Barred Warbler was discovered on 21st, October, while the year's first Red-necked Grebe
a persistent south-westerly airstream then established heading north the next day was a sign of the times!
which was to prove dominant throughout autumn.
Indeed, the strength of the winds were responsible for Taiga Flycatcher © Craig Thomas
pushing 6885 southbound Pink-footed Geese further
east than normal on 24th September and providing
Flamborough with its highest ever daily tally. Only our
third ever Glossy Ibis made a brief visit to Thornwick
Pools on 25th, but passerine interest was very
sparse. September ended with a Great Shearwater
showing close inshore off the Seawatch Observatory;
presumably the same individual seen in
Northumberland, it made sporadic appearances over
subsequent days.
A small window around the top of a tight low pressure
system provided instant reward on 6th October with
the discovery of a Little Bunting near the Lighthouse, as
well as four Yellow-browed Warblers, two Red-breasted
Flycatchers and single Siberian Chiffchaff and Barred
Warbler.

Little Bunting © Craig Thomas The year's only Richard's Pipit graced cliff top fields near
Thornwick on 2nd November, while strong northerly
winds two days later rewarded with a Taiga Flycatcher
in South Landing and a Leach's Petrel on the seawatch;
the former stayed for several days and proved
extremely popular, with the added attraction of sharing
the same trees as the year's second Red-flanked
Bluetail. Light easterly winds on 14th November were a
shock to the system and provided immediate
excitement when two Pallas's Warblers were located on
the outer head. Attention then focussed back to the sea
with the advent of north-westerlies on 22nd and
Flamborough's latest ever Fea's-type Petrel flew north;
the third of the 'autumn' and, with the earlier Soft-
plumaged Petrel, the year's fourth pterodroma.
Completing the autumn season, a northerly blast from
Storm Arwen resulted in a northbound White-billed
Diver reorientating back north on 28th November

A Red-flanked Bluetail was a surprise arrival on 8th The autumn ended on a poignant note with the passing
October, at a time when up to 13 Jays toured the of our Honorary President, Ian Wallace known to
headland; a species that isn't annual. The following day affectionately as 'DIMW'. Described by many as the
a Red-throated Pipit made an all too brief appearance 'father of modern birdwatching', Ian was a regular
in the Lighthouse Grassland before it went to ground. visitor to the 'Great White Cape' since to early 1970s. In
Lighter winds on 13th October proved conducive to a his evocative book 'Discover Birds', he describes the
large arrival of Redwings with 13,750 making landfall, thrill of spring day at Flamborough in May 1978 - it never
whilst a Western Bonelli's Warbler surprised at South fails to raise the pulse, but be warned, this is a book not
Landing on 15th. However, that record was put in the to be read on a winter's night, as invariably you'll want
shade by the late-morning discovery on 16th of a Taiga to rush out birding immediately and only then realise
Flycatcher on the cliffs by the Fog Station; it showed with frustration, you can't as its dark! Ian's enthusiasm
well to all comers until dusk, but understandably there and support, whether sage advice or the supply of
was no further sign the following day. A juvenile myriad original artwork to adorn the annual Bird
Spoonbill was a surprise visitor to Thornwick Pools on Report, will be greatly missed by all those who knew
20th October, whilst scarce passerines remained just him. RIP Ian.
that in the strong south-westerlies. A more northerly
component to the general westerly airflow on 22nd Opposite Page – Green Warbler twitch © Mark Thomas(top)
produced immediate reward when a White-billed Diver and Migweek (Bottom) © Craig Thomas

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Gibraltar Point February
Kevin Wilson
Heavy rain continued into February with record high
January 2021 water levels. Flocks of Golden Plover (1500), Lapwing
(3,500), Wigeon (900) and Geese provided a spectacle.
The local Pinkfoot flock was joined by up to 30
European White-fronted Geese, a Tundra Bean Goose
and a Barnacle Goose.

Russian White-fronted Goose, © Nige Lound

Frozen start, 1 January 2021 © George Gregory A period of freezing conditions – down to -7 degrees
saw an exceptional arrival of Dunlin, with 370 on the
The year started with some spells of freezing weather, flooded grazing marsh and 6,600 on the Haven. The
but we missed out on the snow enjoyed elsewhere. largest ever arrival of Woodcock involved a day count of
Significant rainfall however, raised water levels on 169 on 18th but there was evidence of more that had not
Croftmarsh – attracting some good numbers of made a successful North Sea crossing, with 22 tideline
waterbirds including Lapwing, Wigeon and Brent corpses amongst other species that day. A large
Geese. Up to 5000 Pink-footed Geese were arriving to washout of razor clams, starfish etc attracted over 8000
roost at dusk. At least four Water Pipits were mobile Herring Gulls and 2,200 Common Gulls, with two
around the grazing marsh and two Bearded Tit were Caspian Gulls, but counts of Great Black-backed Gulls
seen in the adjacent reedbed mid-month. The dunes rarely exceeded 100. Over 500 Sanderling were also
were fairly quiet but up to seven Stonechat were feeding along the beach zone during this poor weather
wintering, whilst out on the beach, Snow Buntings period when disturbance from visitors and dogs was
were occasional. At sea, Diver numbers built up during reduced. High tide wader roost counts included 13,000
the month, peaking at 356 Red-throated, whilst Black- Knot, 3750 Grey Plover, 2680 Bar-tailed Godwit and 650
throated were seen on two dates and Great Northern Curlew, whilst offshore up to 400 red-throated Diver,
on three, (including three birds flying high south Great Northern Diver on 3 dates, Slavonian Grebe twice
together on 11th). Along with daily Peregrine and Merlin, and unusually, a Sandwich Tern on 25th. Brent numbers
up to five Hen Harriers were coming in to roost. increased to 950 later in the month (with three Pale-
bellied Brent in the flock). A Great white Egret was a first
February record but this species went on to feature in
most later months. By the 22nd, some visible migration
was apparent from Finches, Tits, Corvids and Starlings
with a Crossbill and two Lapland Buntings and an early
singing Chiffchaff on 25th

March 2021

Dark-bellied Brent Geese, © Nige Lound Early in the month a Snow Bunting and a Caspian Gull
were recorded, whilst a flock of up to 31 White-fronted
Geese frequented Croftmarsh on occasions. Two Jack
Snipe on 8th were followed by Firecrest and White
Wagtail the next day. Singles of Long-eared Owl,
Caspian Gull, Firecrest and up to 14 Snow Bunting were
recorded mid-month, but other than an early Sand
Martin, northerly winds generally depressed the arrival
of spring migrants. Conditions provided some interest
at sea, where two Great Skua were unseasonal and up

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to 163 Common Eiders and 111 Red-breasted Merganser showing well on Jackson’s Marsh. Offshore, 347
were on the move. Kittiwake passed south on 6th and a Great Northern
Diver on 10th. An Iceland Gull visited most of the water
Following an arrival of 36 Goldcrests and the first bodies also on that date and two Little Gull arrived with
Woodlark of the year on 23rd and Black Redstart on one bird remaining into May. Visible migration
25th, a Spoonbill and a White Stork arrived on 27th - the continued steadily throughout on South-westerly
Stork proving to be a released individual from The winds and a turnover of passage waders on the lagoons
Knepp Estate. involved Ruff, Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed Godwits
and the build-up of breeding Avocets.

Further Black Redstarts were seen around the Visitor
centre, a male Common Redstart was in the West
Dunes on 15th whilst nearby on 22nd a Wryneck
showed well in the same spot all day having found a
regular supply of ants.

Black Redstart © Stuart Ainsworth

White Stork, © Nige Lound Wryneck © Roy Harvey

A mini heat-wave in late March brought temperatures The Willow Warbler arrival this spring proving very poor
up to 23 degrees and much activity with local breeding with only one bird on territory throughout, but the
birds establishing territories and demonstrating high strong presence of Cetti’s Warbler continued with five
over-winter survival e.g. a count of 61 Wren, but six on territory and seven had been trapped in the same
singing Cetti’s Warbler was exceptional. The last three net series by the end of the month. Common
days of the month produced a good list of new arrivals; Whitethroat arrived in good numbers and Sedge
Swallow, Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper and Warblers increased again significantly. Up to six
Greenshank along with two more Firecrest, a Willow Grashopper Warblers were reeking on two dates, with
Warbler and a good number of Chiffchaffs. possibly four territories resulting.

A drake Garganey was a one-day bird at the Mere on
23rd.

April 2021

Expected summer visitors, Swallows, Sand Martins, Garganey, 23 April 2021 © Nige Lound
Little Ringed Plovers and another Black Redstart all
braved below average temperatures and regular
snowfall at the start of the month, with a Water Pipit

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Two Ring Ouzel, four Jack Snipe, Great White Egret and There were some busy days for Tern passage offshore,
a Long-eared Owl also on that date. Cold north but Little Terns seemed reluctant to settle until the
easterlies toward the end of April saw attention turn to weather improved. Meanwhile Ringed Plover nests had
the sea with six Goosander on 27th, two Iceland Gull, 35 to be protected against high tides and fox predation in
Sandwich Tern, 17 Arctic Tern, 118 Little Tern, and two the Shorebird Sanctuary where habitat quality has
Fulmar noted on 28th and a Red-necked Grebe on 29th. diminished. On the lagoons, nesting by Great Crested
A grounded flock of thrushes on 27th involved 18 Song Grebe was a first for the Reserve and two pairs of Little
Thrush, six Redwing, three Fieldfare and four Ring Egret went on to raise four juveniles. Four Little Gulls
Ouzel. and four Spoonbills were also present late month.

May Sea-watching on 22nd yielded 45 Fulmar, 80 Gannet,
two Barnacle Goose, a Red-throated Diver and an Arctic
There was an unusually cold start to May but most Skua moving south. Whilst most Arctic-bound waders
expected summer visitors had now arrived. A pair of had moved north by early in the month, typically,
Garganey arrived on 1st preceding Wood Sandpiper, Sanderling numbers built up later, with 2300 on 27th.
Woodlark, several Hobbies, Ring Ouzels, Spotted
Flycatchers, a late Jack Snipe (8th) and a couple each of June
Whinchat and Pied Flycatcher. A goo period for ‘vis-
mig’ peaked around 9th when an exceptional 750 The only Bee-eater of the year paused briefly on 2nd
swallow passed south with 66 yellow wagtail, 80 swift with a singing Firecrest close by, whilst the Reserve’s
and 2 Hobby. Swallow passage continued next day less second Rose-coloured Starling came in/off the sea on
intensively but bringing an all too brief Red-rumped 3rd when a Marsh Warbler was found singing at Sykes
Swallow. farm.

Cattle Egret © Stuart Ainsworth

Mid May saw the first of the year’s Cattle Egret on 13th Firecrest © Steve Clipperton
and a northbound Honey Buzzard on 15th. Wood
Warbler, Firecrest, Osprey and another Honey Buzzard A single Marsh Moth was then trapped overnight on 4th
were seen the following day. Single Black Kite and maintaining its tenuous hold on the Reserve. Other
Hoopoe on 19th and Golden Oriole on 26th were all one- coastal specialities, Rosy Wave, Star-wort, Kent Black
day birds. Five Turtle Dove were seen on 26th in what Arches, Sand Dart, Shore Wainscot, Lyme Grass, Dotted
proved to be another poor year for them with no Fanfoot, Archer’s Dart and Saltmarsh Plume all still
breeding birds again. As with Willow Warbler present. First recorded here in 2014 Tree-lichen Beauty
mentioned earlier, only one territory of Yellowhammer is now regular with eight recorded this year. A
could be confirmed. Hummingbird Hawkmoth was around Syke’s Farm on
16th. The lagoons produced regular Little Gulls,
Hoopoe © Stuart Ainsworth Mediterranean Gulls, Great White Egrets and Spoonbills
during the month, with the latter increasing to 14. After
large scale predation of Black-headed Gulls, Avocets
and Common Tern on the lagoon islands, later nesting
pairs of Avocet and Common Tern successfully fledged
chicks. By the end of the month up to 3000 Starling had
amassed on the saltmarsh where one or two Short-
eared Owls were hunting daily.

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July of the autumn passed by. It was again busy at sea on
26th when 44 Arctic Skuas, 5 Sooty Shearwater, 2
Much time and effort was invested in the shorebird Pomarine and single Long-tailed Skua moved north.
protection scheme again this season and generous Knot had increased to 80,000 on this date and Dunlin
funding from Lincolnshire Bird Club enabled the up to 11,000. Moving north were a Puffin on 30th and 90
employment of a Night Warden during the critical Arctic Skua, five Long-tailed Skua a Pomarine Skua and
period, resulting in the fledging of 29 juvenile Ringed a Roseate Tern on 31st. On the lagoons, a variety of
Plovers and five juvenile Little Terns. On Tennyson’s passage waders included regular Wood sandpiper,
Sands, the pair of Great-crested Grebe successfully Curlew sandpiper (3), Little Stint (2), Little Ringed Plover
reared a juvenile. The arrival of northern waders was (7), Spotted Redshank (6), up to 280 Black-tailed
one of the highlights of the month with flocks of Godwit, 34 Spoonbill, three Great White Egret and
summer plumaged Knot, Grey Plover, Sanderling, another Garganey. In the dunes, four Common Redstart
Turnstone etc drifting south along the beach into the were present on 25th. A Wryneck on 29th was followed
Wash. The high tide roost contained 26000 knot and by six Pied Flycatcher and a Tree Pipit the next day.
2840 Sanderling in late month, with the Starling Then, a Common Rosefinch was trapped and ringed on
numbers up to 15000. On the lagoons Black-tailed 31st.
Godwits built up to 180 with 90 Avocet and occasional
wood sandpiper.

Arctic Skuas were recorded in small numbers from early
in the month but returning Terns and Gulls increased
considerably. The large gull roost contained regular
Yellow-legged Gulls with a single Caspian and the
beach roost of Sandwich Terns exceeded 5000 birds.
Moth recording continued through July and three
Lunar Hornet Moths were attracted to pheromone lure
on 8th. Rarities were represented by a Roseate Tern
with Sandwich Terns on 13th, a Quail on 20th, a Raven
south on 26th and a Red-necked Phalarope flying south
down the beach with three Dunlin on 30th.

August

Wader passage/arrival increased in volume. Up to 850 Spoonbill © Steve Clipperton
Common Redshank were on the Haven and wildfowl
were also incoming from early in the month – one Teal September
flock was joined by a Garganey on 6th. Feeding flocks of
Terns could be seen offshore, joined by Gannets and September proved to be a good month for raptor
attracting Arctic Skuas daily. The first of several Black passage, commencing with an Osprey flying south
Terns was in the roost on 7th. Hirundine passage picked along the beach on 1st. There followed some good days
up mid-month with 1170 Swallow and 678 Sand Martin for Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Hobby
on 10th with 400 Swift (notable after a fairly poor July and Red Kite migration. There were no significant falls
for this species). A Purple Sandpiper was a good record of warblers, chats, flycatchers etc, with day counts of
on this date and a Bordered Beauty trapped overnight willow warbler rarely exceeding 30 early in the month,
was a first for the Reserve. and peak day counts of 16 Pied Flycatcher and nine
Common Redstart. Two Common Rosefinch were
The mid-month high tides saw an impressive roost of trapped in East Dunes on 3rd however, including the
60,000 Knot, 1185 Grey Plover, 2900 Bar-tailed Godwit, one trapped on 31st August. The main themes of the
4000 Dunlin and 6000 Sanderling with two Common month were sea-watching and ‘vis mig’. At sea,
Cranes heading south early morning. Little Stints and Sandwich terns were still moving south in hundreds
Curlew Sandpipers were occasionally seen in the and there were some high counts of Gannet and Arctic
increasingly large wader flocks at high tide. A Skua. Several Black Terns, Pomarine and Long-tailed
productive morning sea watch on 20th saw 550 Skuas passed offshore and Great Northern and Black-
Sandwich Terns feeding offshore with a further 990 throated Divers were unusually regular with two Great
south and a very strong passage of 834 Common Terns, Northern Divers on 13th. Large flocks of Wigeon and
59 Arctic Skuas, a Pomarine Skua, an adult Long-tailed Teal came in from the north during the latter part of the
Skua and a surprise Mandarin Duck. The following day,
similar Tern passage was underway, the adult Long-
tailed Skua was joined by another and the first juvenile

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month, with above average counts of Pintail, but the Hawfinch (one dropping into the Plantation on 16th),
highlight was Sabines Gull - Juveniles were seen on 2nd several small flocks of Jay and a party of seven Bearded
and 3rd, and adults on 8th and 14th. Tit south (16th). Migrant Bearded Tits were almost daily
on Tennyson’s Sands from mid-month and a Jack Snipe
was a regular sighting on the Mere,

Sabine's Gull © Kevin Wilson Jay, 3 November 2021 © Jack Hood

A passage of Hirundines on 6th involved 2050 House Another very good month for sea-watching with over
Martin and 1430 Swallows with 61 yellow wagtails and 500 Gannet on two dates, 577 Kittiwake south on 3rd,
the first appreciable Meadow Pipit movement (259). and Arctic Skuas, Auks, Red-throated Diver and
Inevitably, this preceded several four-figure counts of Sandwich Terns all well represented early in the month.
southbound Meadow Pipits and as the month There was another Sabines Gull, two Long-tailed Skuas,
progressed, they were joined by increasing numbers of several Pomarine Skuas, two Puffin, Scaup, Shag, Velvet
Linnets, then reed Buntings, then Goldfinch and Rock Scoter, five Goosander on 20th, a Red-necked Grebe on
Pipits. A Lapland Bunting passed south on 15th. 23rd, two Grey Phalarope on 24th and a scattering of
late Arctic Terns. Many birds were witnessed arriving in
Up to 8 juvenile Little Stint were on the waterbodies, off the sea on 25th including hundreds of Starlings, tens
with a good selection of the usual passage waders, up of Blackbirds, Redwings and Song Thrush and singles of
to 320 Black-tailed Godwit and 34 Spoonbill, whilst the Jack Snipe, Woodcock and Short-eared Owl. The month
year’s only Glossy Ibis dropped in to Jackson’s Marsh on will also be remembered for a superb passage of
23rd. Peak counts at the high tide roost were 80,000 Whooper Swans passing overland and offshore,
Knot, 10,000 Oystercatcher, 5,500 Bar-tailed Godwit , peaking at 241 south on 22nd.
4950 Sanderling and a massive count of 16,590 Dunlin.

October

Pink-footed geese had been arriving strongly through Whooper Swans © Jim Shaw
late September and the roost on Croftmarsh contained
800 birds on 1st October. This continued to swell to November
9000 by 7th and over 15,000 by 11th. Three Tundra Bean
Geese were located on 15th. Again this month, there The reserve’s first Bonaparte’s Gull was seen on 3rd
were no significant falls of expected migrants such as briefly by a lone fortunate observer but could not be
Thrushes or Goldcrests – 650 Redwing arrived on 19th relocated (awaiting acceptance by BBRC). The
and Goldcrest rarely achieved a day count of 20. A Cattle following day, another Cattle Egret arrived. Intense
Egret was a brief visitor on 28th - the only rarity, with periods of southerly passage continued overland well
scarce migrants represented by Richards Pipit on 10th
and Red-breasted Flycatcher on 7th/8th. Just a couple
of Firecrest were recorded and just four Yellow-browed
Warblers! Whilst easterlies and fall conditions were
lacking, the winds were favourable for a continuous
visible migration, again featuring hundreds of Linnets,
Meadow Pipits, Goldfinches and Reed Buntings early
on. An impressive 85 Brambling arrived and moved
south on 6th, with the first big Chaffinch and Skylark
day and 1200 Goldfinch south on 7th. Siskins were
prominent in the passage from mid-month, there were
occasional Twite, Lapland Buntings (2 on 28th), two

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into the month– the main components being Great Northern Diver and a Leach’s Petrel went north
Goldfinch, Linnet, Siskin, Rock Pipit, Chaffinch, Skylark close in. Late migrants were two Swallows on 17th and
and Woodpigeon with a good scattering of Brambling, a Black redstart on 20th. The Pink-footed Goose roost
a late flurry of Meadow Pipits, more Whooper Swans peaked at 15,000 and a juvenile Glaucous Gull on the
and occasional Twite and Lapland Bunting. An arrival of beach on 28th was a great end to the month.
migrants between 3rd and 5th was notable for 500
Redwing, a Ring Ouzel, Firecrest, Yellow-browed December
warbler, the only Siberian Chiffchaff of the year and a
late Willow Warbler. Strong north/westerly winds on The highlight of the birding year at ‘Gib’ occurred
4th brought excitement at sea; a Grey Phalarope, two unexpectedly on 2nd December, when a Great
Little Auks, Sooty Shearwater, three Great Northern Shearwater flew south close in – witnessed by two local
Diver, two Shag, 34 Little Gulls all heading north and birders. Three Great Northern Divers were seen daily
three Short-eared Owls and a Long-eared Owl watched early in the month, but a White-billed Diver on the sea
arriving low over the sea. Little Gulls became quite a on 9th before flying south was another major rarity.
feature during mid-November, feeding offshore and Further interest offshore was provided by up to 200
moving south. Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver on four dates,
Slavonian Grebe on two dates, red-necked Grebe on
Short-eared Owl © Tom Baker two dates, 42 Great Crested Grebe on 13th, regular
Long-tailed Duck, occasional velvet Scoter, Shag and
There were 120 on 12th followed by 252 on 14th – also a Goosander along with a raft of up to 1100 Eider late
late Arctic Tern with the latter. Good coverage of the sea month with 20 Red-breasted Merganser. Up to 30 Snow
mid-month then resulted in good November counts of Buntings were around but difficult to pin down and
Arctic Skua, sightings of occasional Pomarine Skuas, single Lapland Buntings proving even more elusive.
and the larger Divers, a Slavonian Grebe and there were Other than typical winter waterbirds, birds of prey, up
up to 15 Snow Buntings on the beach. Strong winds to seven Stonechat and 10 Corn Bunting, the year
again on 21st saw a southerly passage of 779 Kittiwake, closed with an influx of 5050 Lapwing and 1200 Golden
seven Pomarine Skua, 13 Skua sp (probably Poms) Manx Plover.
Shearwater, Little Auk and Goosander and the next day,
Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoter, three Little Auk, three 2021 was another usual year, weather-wise in both
spring and autumn, but also due to the effects of the
Covid pandemic which inevitably compromised
recording on site, the involvement of residential and
day visit volunteers and staff.

I am grateful to all who have been involved with the
Gibraltar Point recording scheme, but particular thanks
to Nige Lound, Rob Watson, George Gregory, Jim Shaw,
Barrie Wilkinson and Gillian Beadell for their
continuous and comprehensive contributions this year,
with thanks also to Nige Lound for assistance with the
preparation of this article.

Dawn from Aylmer Pines, 7 December 2021.© George Gregory

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Hilbre Yet another increase is the now frequent sightings of
Steve Williams Raven around the islands – in the not so distant past a
real rarity here. Afternoon visits by a single or a pair and
A pair of Eider were present on watching them hanging in the breeze off the west side
the first day of 2021 – a species of Hilbre or Middle Island.
that has been recorded with
increasing regularity around One the other side of the coin, declining species include
the islands in recent years and Purple Sandpiper, however these made a slight
was suspected to have bred locally in 2019. Eiders were recovery this winter at Hilbre with 18 counted on 29th
seen from the start of the year with up to four in and 30th January being the maximum count in the first
January, a pair in February were even seen mating (a winter period.
first for the island) and up to three males in March and
an occasional pair throughout the summer. 337 Pale-bellied Brent on 3rd February was the
maximum count of the first winter period and the flock
A Lapland Bunting found on Middle Eye on 7th January contained at least three colour ringed individuals from
was unseasonal for Hilbre (usually occurring on spring Ireland, Canada and Iceland. Five dark-bellied birds was
or autumn passage) and was the first record for the the maximum count for this sub-species on 19th March.
islands since April 2017.
Two Snow Buntings appeared briefly on 21st February a
Goosander is another species that occurs more day that saw the first Stonechat of the year. The
frequently at Hilbre these days, particularly on nearby Stonechat is usually the harbinger of spring movement
West Kirby Marine Lake during winter. Whereas its at Hilbre – earlier than the traditional harbinger, the
close cousin the Red-breasted Merganser has sadly Wheatear, and this was an early record for Stonechat
seen a decline. this year. The first Chiffchaff arrived on 2nd March,
another early date for us.

Little Gulls are a feature of birding at Hilbre in spring
and this year the passage was typically mainly
restricted to March and the first half of April with several
double figure day-counts including the peak of 63 on
23rd March.

Goosander © Steve Williams A Red-legged Partridge appeared on Middle on 22nd
and was seen again on 24th and 25th March – only the
fourth record for the island and the first in March (the
other three records were April). It is pure speculation to
suggest that this bird was the same as last year’s long

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stayer which was less disturbed as the island was closed
to the public because of the Covid19 pandemic.

The first Wheatears arrived on 26th March along with
the first Swallow of the year.

The now annual spring movement of Pink-footed
Geese was notable again this year particularly early
mornings as they leave the Dee estuary and head north
to Iceland.

After missing out on much of spring migration last year
because of the Covid19 pandemic it was great to have
almost complete coverage in April and May this year.
But the weather, and in particular the wind direction,
was a little unkind to us throughout. However,
migrants numbers picked up in the second half of April
with Redstarts, Grasshopper Warblers, Whitethroats, a
Whinchat and an early spring Garden Warbler (30th
April) caught and ringed along with small numbers of
phylloscopus warblers.

Lime Hawkmoth © Chris Williams

The summer was disappointing in terms of tern
numbers, particularly in light of the Elegant Tern that
was present in North Wales and then later in
Lancashire. Numbers of Sandwich Terns were very
much reduced in the mouth of the Dee estuary this
year and birds (several thousand) were utilising the
more northern part of Liverpool Bay post breeding.
Perhaps we will be luckier next year …

Whinchat © Brian Tollitt, The summer of strange but interesting records began
on 19th June with a Treecreeper caught and ringed.
A single Osprey in mid-April was a poor return in Only the seventeenth record for the Obs but an unusual
comparison to some recent years but a Buzzard in early time of year with most records from early Spring or
April was another indicator of a species on the rise and mid-Autumn (September in particular).
a Marsh Harrier towards the end of the month was
almost to be expected these days. Breeding birds had mixed success – Linnet (a red data
species) clearly had a good summer with many
A new species to be ringed on the island was a juveniles caught and ringed after fledging, Rock Pipits
complete surprise on 26th April when a Snipe flew into (a more recent breeding species at Hilbre) also did well
one of the Heligoland traps. and Pied Wagtail (a sporadic breeder here) also fledged
young. However, ground nesting birds continued to
Less of a surprise, but still a scarce bird at Hilbre struggle and no doubt the reappearance of foxes
(although this was a remarkable year) were single visiting the islands did not help.
Spoonbills seen on 16 and 26 April and the bird
photographed below flying past on 10th May only the The 1st July was a lovely mid-summer’s day on the
fourth to sixth records for the Observatory respectively. island, however, poor visibility around the coast early
morning no doubt helped produce a Cuckoo, which
As Spring moved on attention turned to moth trapping was caught and ringed. The first Cuckoo to be caught
and the highlight was a Lime Hawk Moth caught on the at Hilbre since 2013 (also in July) and only the second
night of 28th/29th May; a first record for the islands. ringed since 1982, when they were more widespread.
The very first ringed at Hilbre in July 1968 was
subsequently found in Algeria in 1977!

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It would be fascinating to have the thrush recovered
elsewhere as one can only speculate where this mid
summer bird had come from.

A Melodious Warbler found in the SK trap early
morning on 20th July was only the third record for the
Obs and the first for the summer months (previous
records being May and September) and the first since
1994!

Cuckoo © Chris Williams Melodious Warbler © Chris Williams

Almost as rare (only the fourth record at Hilbre) a
Hoopoe was flushed off the island the following day
(21st July). Fortunately for members and visitors alike it
remained for much of the day (which was a scorcher!)
but spent much of its time down the west side on the
rocks – presumably trying to find some shade.

Cuckoo © Steve Williams

July, historically seen as a ‘quiet’ month was
confounding the history books! The next day a Great
Spotted Woodpecker was also caught and ringed. An
increasing visitor to the islands, more recently
associated with arrival in October than mid-summer,
this was however only the third to be ringed at Hilbre
and all three have been since 2015.

Cuckoo © Chris Williams Normally the focus of mid-summer, insects chipped
into the rarity-fest with a Southern Migrant Hawker
The run of unusual records continued with a found on 25th August and then two were seen over the
Grasshopper Warbler on 13th July and then remarkably next few days. These were the first record of this species
a Redwing found on 14th July was caught and ringed. for Hilbre.

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A Pied Flycatcher ringed on 5th September was the first
to be caught on the islands since August 2013. A
Firecrest appeared on 7th September but remained
elusive in the Old Obs garden although a second bird
on 10th October was caught and ringed.

Southern Migrant Hawker © Chris Williams

It was a reasonable autumn for Curlew Sandpiper and
Little Stint around the islands with both being seen
with some regularity from late August through
September.

Pied Flycatcher © Steve Williams

A flock of Spoonbills (five immature birds) flew west
over the South End on 7th September and was seen by
the Obs members present in the garden. Incredibly the
third record of the year for Hilbre Islands LNR. The same
day saw an arrival of at least five Spotted Flycatchers
during late morning.

Curlew Sandpiper © Steve Williams

September was a good month all round with a
scattering of migrants including male Redstart
(unusual at Hilbre in autumn) and a Reed Warbler was
caught and ringed.

Spoonbill © Andrea Sawiak

The bird of the year for many at the Obs was the Barn
Owl found on 10th September as it left its temporary
roost in one of the buildings. Torrential rain that day
prompted members on the mainland to venture over
on the off chance that it had found another roost spot
and that it may have stayed on the island. They were
rewarded with great views of the Barn Owl hunting
around the islands at dusk. This was only the fourth
record but first to stay and it remained on the island
being seen on and off until 24 October.

Redstart © Allan Conlin

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weather with the first Great Skua of the year on 29th
September. Whilst it was not a great autumn for
seawatching (and an awful year for the three smaller
skua species) the early October period produced the
only Leach’s Petrels of the year with two 1st on five on
5th October. The latter date also produced the sole
Sabine’s Gull record of the year when a juvenile was
found roosting on the East Hoyle after the tide before
flying towards the Obs down the gutter and past the
North End.

Barn Owl © Andrea Sawiak

Sabines Gill © Steve Williams

Barn Owl © Andrea Sawiak A Snow Bunting found on 16th October was the first of
several sightings during the last three months of the
year but none stuck around longer than a few days.

No doubt the continued high population of Short-tailed Unusual records continued into the second winter
Field Voles had persuaded the Barn Owl to stay and period when a Sparrowhawk was caught and ringed on
there were frequent Kestrel sightings throughout the 14th November and a Marsh Harrier (unusual in winter
year and a reasonable showing during the autumn of at Hilbre) on 12th December.
Short-eared Owls.
The year turned full circle with the Pale-bellied Brent
An adult Hobby on 17th September was yet another Goose flock increasing to an historic high of 432 birds
good record of a less than annual, but increasing, (plus two dark bellied birds) on 20th November and
species at Hilbre. then the Purple Sandpiper flock increased to 20 birds
by the last day of the year – the highest count of the
The end of September at last saw an increase in the year.
wind from the west and produced some seawatching
Opposite – Sunset © Chris Williams

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Holme Spring was notable mostly for the persistent frosts
Sophie Barker which lingered on into May. With almost nothing
ringed in January and February, March saw a small
Following on from the impacts arrival of Chiffchaffs but was otherwise subdued. Two
of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 Ring Ouzels were caught in April, and April and May
began with a fresh lockdown were both similarly productive with 136 and 129 birds
which started on the 6th ringed respectively. Among these only 10 Willow
January and lasted well into the Warblers were caught across both months. Vegetation
spring, with restrictions remaining until 19th July. The growth was seriously impeded by the cold
principal difference for the Holme Bird Observatory site temperatures and when these finally began to increase
was that visitors continued to be permitted onto the in the second half of May, there were unusually large
reserve throughout the winter. Hides were closed down numbers of wildflowers. Bird of the year appeared on
for a third time during this period and visitors had to 9th May with the capture of a Great Reed Warbler, a
manage on more general views of the marshes and new species for the wider recording area.
habitats. Fortunately for Holme this is relatively easy
and visitor numbers remained somewhat higher than
in previous years, despite long term closure of the road
from Thornham Harbour, the result of extreme wear
and tear caused by intense pressure during previous
lockdowns. The road was repaired and opened again
only in the late autumn.

Snowy HBO Great Reed Warbler © The deClermont

The year began with changeable conditions and in the This exciting and unexpected arrival was accompanied
first few days of February a pair of Common Cranes by both Blue and Grey-headed Wagtails in among the
were seen on the grazing marsh but stayed only a Konik ponies on the NWT reserve on the same day. This
single day (4th). There then followed a serious cold snap was probably the high point of the whole year, as the
with easterlies beginning on the 6th, and snow arriving autumn which followed was one of the poorest of
on the 7th. The thaw didn’t begin until the 15th, and recent times.
between these dates there was a marked cold weather
movement of Woodcock and Snipe, with both seen in Blue Headed Wagtail © Cat Buck
the open and one of the latter wandering up to the Obs Opposite White-tailed eagle and Red Kite © Gary Elton
door (13th). The grazing marsh was covered in waders
and wildfowl in unprecedented numbers with many
shorebirds apparently sheltering on the freshmarsh,
while the beach was a mass of gulls. Highest counts
included 500+ Dunlin (11th), 185 Snipe (11th) and 25
Woodcocks (12th). Remarkably high water levels were
also a characteristic, with the Broadwater abnormally
elevated and extensive surface flooding in areas not
normally affected.

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The summer was predictably busy with so many etc were a fraction of those passing through the
holidaying within the UK. The introduction of a new previous year, and the month of October was one of
advance booking system for visitors parking at the sheer frustration as the weather patterns became stuck
neighbouring NWT reserve attracted some initial in an unfavourable direction. No more than 30 new
criticism from some members of the birding birds were ringed in any day in October, and this left
community but was effective in helping to control the ringing results spectacularly flat and at one of the
unprecedented visitor pressure brought to the area by lowest levels in the Observatory’s history. There were
the pandemic. The wider issue has been needing only a handful of observations of Yellow-browed
management for far longer than just the past two years, Warbler and no ringing records. Pipit trapping,
and with many not wanting to book in advance, a rise normally such a feature of ringing activities in autumn,
in membership of the NOA was quite noticeable. was at its lowest ebb for several years; 140 birds being
Communication and co-operation between the two the lowest number ringed annually since 2012. The
organisations was well maintained and as a result of the Observatory did nevertheless capture 9 Rock Pipits and
new system the summer season, though extremely a single Water Pipit. Reed Bunting, another species
busy, seemed better regulated than that of the commonly caught with tape lures, was well down also
previous year. with only 24 caught in October.

Productivity of beach nesting species was still Though much of the attention had been focussed
impacted, however, with a combination of visitor offshore during the autumn, particularly during
pressure and tidal factors seeing many birds moving to northerly spells, there were relatively few truly exciting
the colonies at Scolt Head, where access is fully days. Even Storm Arwen on 27th November produced
restricted. This is an important sign of the effect of only 3 Sooty Shearwaters and a single Pom Skua – a
increased visitor pressure on the beach at Holme, and species in very short supply in what is usually its best
an indication that new controls may not be enough to month of the year. An obvious problem was beginning
protect them long term. to show as early as August in some seabirds, with many
auks in particular washed up dead along the shoreline
Further cause for concern was seen in our breeding and many specimens passed to our vet for post mortem
passerines, the season for them seemed to be very poor, examination. Some of the early results suggested that
with percentage changes in summer visitors such as the cause was primary starvation, pointing to climate
Reed and Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap related food shortages.
being universally downward. Barn Owls had a
disastrous season in 2020 and the summer of 2021 Moths offered some consolation towards the end of the
provided some small encouragement with two pairs autumn with the Observatory’s first Clifden Nonpareil
having three young, as opposed to just a single brood records, on consecutive days (7th and 8th) October,
ringed the previous summer. The successful nesting of being recorded. This followed on from one caught at
a pair of Buzzards on the reserve was repeated for a the NWT reserve in September. Other species such as
second consecutive year, sadly to the detriment of the the Gem and Scarce Pug also brightened the
resident Tawny Owls, whose chick was taken by the proceedings, and the ongoing colonisation of species
adult Buzzards. such as Willow Emerald Damselfly and Norfolk Hawker
also did much to warm the heart.
As the year progressed hides were re-opened first to
one household at a time, and later in the year larger
hides were opened to up to four people by agreement.
The Observatory building continued to be closed to
visitors, and staff were normally present on site only one
at a time.

During late summer and autumn the wildfowl on the Clifden Nonpareil © HBO
Broadwater lagoon were notable, with a maximum
count of 150 Gadwall (5th September), and several
records of up to three Garganey, a species not normally
seen on the brackish waters. In addition, Pintail were
seen regularly for the rest of the year. Sadly the autumn
conditions were unfavourable throughout much of the
migration period, with predominating westerlies
having a serious impact on the number of migrants
seen particularly all through October. September was
the slightly better month, with 5 Pied Flycatchers
ringed. Numbers of warblers, finches, thrushes, crests

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Also in early October, a range of reprofiling and ditching ramp beside the Obs building with due regard for the
works took place on the grazing marsh to the southeast protected Natterjack Toads which can be found in and
of the Observatory. Already an important wetland area, around the building and this was a great success; the
these habitat enhancements are intended to provide new ramp is now installed and has rejuvenated the
better habitats for nesting waders, and for winter and Observatory centre area.
passage birds. Works included clearing of most of the
ditches including several not cleaned out for many Another unexpected achievement was the production
years. Four new sluices have also been installed. Many of a book about the Observatory’s birds. During 2020 we
scrape and wetted areas have been created, with used lockdowns to work on a book “The Birds of Holme
varying depths and shapes; some are reinstated creeks, Bird Observatory 1962-2020” which reviews, in a big
one a raised amphibian pond, some have deep centres systematic list, all 340+ species seen in the Holme Bird
and several have islands. There are features added to all Observatory (HBO) recording area since its foundation
the main fields, and placed away from footpaths and almost 60 years ago. All the birds ringed by HBO and its
the sea wall to encourage nesting in less disturbed associates are summarised in an appendix. As well as
parts of the marsh. Some features are placed for public presenting facts and numbers, the book contains
interest but will function as feeding rather than nesting almost 300 black-and-white illustrations by
areas. internationally-renowned bird artist Dave Nurney, who
has provided illustrations for our Annual Reports for the
The work has exposed traces of old land drains, old bits last few years.
of beach and archaeological features (17th & 18th
Century sea banks). It is hoped that the Observatory will The book is in paperback format and runs to 218 pages
be able to play a central role in evaluating the impacts of text, tables, figures and illustrations on Royal-size
of these improvements. paper, plus an eight-page photographic section
showing the development of HBO and a small selection
One of the most important achievements of the year of the more memorable birds recorded by the
was the submission of a wide range of Observatory data Observatory. The book was published in July 2021; it can
to the Biodiversity Audit, begun in 2020, and run by the be obtained from the Norfolk Ornithologists’
University of East Anglia. The NOA and NWT held a joint Association (www.noa.org.uk) for £15 plus £3 UK P&P.
work party in early September to help replace an access Visitors to HBO can buy a copy at the Observatory itself.

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Isle of May counts into their thousands but this year these never
David Steel got beyond three figures whilst the first Willow Warbler
arrived on the 20th April, twelve days after their mean
As is usual in the island’s arrival date. This slow start continued until eventually
calendar, NatureScot reserve the floodgates opened in mid-May with a big pulse of
staff returned in early spring 2021 and from the 22nd north bound birds during the 12th-14th May period.
March onwards daily bird recording commenced. Early
spring saw some of the wintering birds departing and Despite the slow start the island still produced some
the northward push of other migrants commencing, noteworthy rare and scarce bird highlights, especially in
resulting in the arrival of a few of the earlier summer late May during a spell of south-easterly winds. The best
migrants. The north of the island attracted an of the bunch involved a stunning male Rustic Bunting
immature Iceland Gull on the evening of the 26th which was discovered near the main lighthouse and
March with an adult foraging in seaweed five days later. remained for two days on the 21st-22nd May.
The late March period is a good time for migrating
Whooper Swans on the east coast of Scotland and a
herd of 58 flew north on the 31st March, and a Snow
Bunting was noted that same day. Other highlights
included a male Common Crossbill on the 4th April and
a single pale-bellied Brent Goose on the 2nd March and
it or another on Rona on the 7th-8th April.

Rustic Bunting © Bex Outram

Snow Bunting © David Steel This represented the 20th record but was the first since
June 2016. The same spell of weather also produced a
The island attracts a few over-wintering Short-eared male Red-backed Shrike at the Top Trap Garden. Other
Owls each winter which take advantage of the House highlights included an elusive Greenish Warbler on the
Mouse population – the last individual was seen on 31st 23rd-27th May, a showy Quail which was discovered on
March. However, a more unusual visitor doing the same the 12th May (disappearing down Puffin burrows) whilst
a Barn Owl which was noted on several dates between it or another was noted on the 19th and the 21st May.
the 24th February and the 30th April, only the Island scarcities during the spring included a Little
thirteenth record in the last fifty years. Grebe on the Loch on the 1st March, single Stock Doves
on the 1st and the 21st April, a partial summer plumage
Following the arrival of the first early migrants such as Black Guillemot on the 9th April, and northbound
Chiffchaff, Wheatear and Sand Martin, much of the Ospreys on the 8th April and the 11th May. However,
spring was dominated by a cool northerly airflow which there was still hints of winter; a herd of 29 Whooper
brought low temperatures. On occasions temperatures Swans flew over on the very unseasonal date of 30th
dropped to below zero overnight and snowfall was May.
recorded on the nearby mainland in early May although
it didn’t quite reach the island. As a result, migration The final major talking point of the spring occurred in
was slow and this was best demonstrated in early June when a Woodchat Shrike was discovered
movements of hirundines as the entire spring period near Fluke Street on the evening of the 3rd June. The
produced just two records of House Martin, a species bird was extremely elusive (very un-Woodchat Shrike
usually well represented, whilst Swallows and Sand like!) during its fleeting stay, with only three island
Martins fared little better. Typically, the passage of residents catching up with it. This was the island’s sixth
northern bound Meadow Pipits can register daily record; previous Woodchat Shrikes were recorded
during 1921, 1922, 1976, 2003 and 2013. Despite these
highlights, it was a notably quiet spring with a lack of
other more regular drift migrants including Bluethroat,
Icterine Warbler or even Common Rosefinch, species
which are often the mainstay of an Isle of May spring.

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Breeding Season Little Stint lingered between the 12th and the 16th
September, which was the first since 2016.
The summer months on the Isle of May are dominated
by the breeding seabird assemblage and noteworthy
highlights included:

• Cormorant continues to expand its colony, with 14 Little Stint © David Steel
pairs nesting producing 27 fledged young;
August brought the first flurry of common summer
• European Shag numbers were stable at 491 migrants through the island with the expected Willow,
apparently occupied nests (AON); Sedge and Garden Warblers alongside Chffichaffs and
Whitethroats. The first scarce drift migrant of the
• Kittiwake population increases were recorded for autumn came in the form of a Common Rosefinch
the third consecutive year resulting in the highest between the 18th and the 20th August whilst a Barred
total since 1997 whilst productivity was one of the Warbler trapped and ringed on the 23rd August.
best on record; Migration continued to be slow in September although
a dark juvenile Honey Buzzard drifted over on the 18th
• Arctic and Common Tern numbers were generally September, representing the tenth island record. Other
stable, with good productivity; island scarcities included a female Pintail west on the
5th, Treecreeper on two dates, Black Redstarts on four
• A pair of Roseate Terns lingered throughout June- dates and further Common Rosefinches on the 5th to
July, but no breeding attempt occurred; 6th September with two on 9th and one the following
day.
• Auks had a good year, with populations of Razorbill
and Guillemot slightly up; The early autumn failed to produce any significant falls
as there was a distinct lack of easterly winds and the
• Puffin numbers remained strong despite a late wait for the autumn’s first Yellow-browed Warbler
start to the breeding season; continued into October. Blocking winds had also
delayed the arrival of Pink-footed Geese, but following
• A pair of Manx Shearwater returned to the island a skein of 42 west on the 19th September, an impressive
for the summer; and, movement on the 22nd produced a new island day
count of 10,715 west. Between 19th-29th September a
• A record population of Greater Black-backed Gulls total of 15,493 Pink-footed Geese were logged. During
(116 AON) was noted. this period Little Gull passage peaked at 178 on the 29th,
with 82 on the 22nd and 80 on the 21st September, the
The major talking point of the summer was the usual diver movement brought individual Great
confirmation of nesting European Storm Petrels on the Northern Divers on the 20th and the 29th. In addition,
island. Work in the late summer established that birds two herds of Whooper Swans were recorded, whilst five
were responding to play-back and endoscope results juvenile Mute Swans on the sea below the Bird
revealed at least three chicks in burrows. Despite the Observatory were particular noteworthy for the island.
existence of Bird Observatory since 1934 and the However, the outstanding highlight was a juvenile
National Nature Reserve since 1956, this is the first Sabine’s Gull north on the 24th September, the seventh
recorded breeding on the island. Further investigation in the last seven years.
work is planned for next season to establish the
population size and extent. October continued where September had left off, with
good passage of Pink-footed Geese throughout the
Autumn begins… month with a peak of 1,500 on the 6th, whilst 2,133

The summer months are dominated by the breeding
seabirds with the occasional migrant drifting through
although interestingly a Redwing and Chaffinch
summered, the first time either species has remained
on the island throughout June-August. Migration
slowly started cranking into life from mid-July onwards
with the first Sooty Shearwater of the season being
recorded then, whilst a female Marsh Harrier went
south on the 25th July. Wader passage had
commenced by this time with the first returning Purple
Sandpipers recorded from the 3rd July, Redshank from
the 7th July and Dunlin from the 11th July. More
noteworthy records included a Wood Sandpiper on
Rona on the 6th August, five Green Sandpipers
together on the 6th August, three Greenshanks on the
22nd August and 31 Black-tailed Godwits west the same
day. Further records included a handful of Grey Plover
in early September, the second Sanderling of the
season on Rona on the 10th September whilst a juvenile

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Barnacle Geese were logged heading west on the 12th As far as migration on the island itself was concerned,
October, a new record for the island. Other wildfowl the expected easterlies struggled to materialise and as
movements of note included Whooper Swan passage a result the first (and only) Yellow-browed Warbler was
on eight dates peaking at 17 on the 6th October, Velvet seen between the 29th October and the 1st November.
Scoter on five dates, Common Scoter on thirteen dates, Despite this, there were still some noteworthy birds;
Red-breasted Merganser on ten dates (a good showing) two Radde’s Warblers appeared on the 7th to the 8th
and Goosander on three dates, including eight on the October and the 31st October to the 1st November
15th October. As it proved sea-watching produced respectively, representing the tenth and eleventh
some of the most noticeable highlights of the year island records for the island.
commencing with a Grey Phalarope which was found
spinning on the sea off the Low Light on the 15th-16th Radde’s Warbler © David Steel
October, representing only the third ever record for the
island. However, this was surpassed by an east coast And a stunning Pallas’s Warbler was discovered along
invasion which brought four together on the sea on the Holyman’s Road on the 1st November, constituting the
3rd November, followed by seven the next day and one ninth island record.
on 5th November, a very impressive showing (although
nearby Fife Ness recorded 28 on the 4th!) just showing
that recording in early November can still be very
productive. The same spell of weather which brought
the phalaropes, also brought good numbers of Little
Auks with daily counts between for three weeks
including peaks of 1,182 on the 5th, 1,021 on the 6th and
1,371 on the 8th November. Also at sea, divers were
evident throughout October with Great Northern
Divers logged on a further six dates, whilst Little Gull
numbers peaked at an impressive 238 on the 4th
October, with 178 on the 29th September. As well as the
sea, it was worth watching the island roost areas as 217
Cormorant were counted on 11th October, a new record
high for the May.

Pallas’s Warbler © David Steel

Yellow-browed Warbler © Andy Coates Raven © David Steel

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In addition, two Ravens on the west cliffs on between Scarce and island oddities:
the 9th and the 10th October were island rarities. These • Little Grebe (recorded for third consecutive year);
large covids returned to the island from the 16th to the • Red-necked Grebe (recorded in four of the last five
19th October, raising questions about whether the
species could become a future breeding species years);
considering numbers in coastal Scotland continue to • Whimbrel overwintering for third winter (2019-
increase. Other autumn passage movements of note
included an impressive 35 Jack Snipe on the 12th 2020, 2020-2021 and now 2021-2022);
October (a record high), an impressive 13,165 Redwing • Wood Sandpiper (recorded for second
west on the 17th October, whilst another Barn Owl
returned to winter on the island (or was it the same as consecutive year);
the spring bird?) and up to six Short-eared Owls were • Iceland Gull (for fifth consecutive year);
resident during the late autumn. • Barn Owl (only recorded in thirteen previous

Jack Snipe © David Steel years);
• Common Rosefinch (only one blank year in past
Overall, it was far from a classic year as both the spring
and autumn struggled to deliver for long periods, with 30 years); and,
no major falls occurring. However, we move on and look • Red-backed Shrike (only three blank years in past
forward with renewed optimism for 2022!
30 years).
Top ten Year Lists:
Birds not recorded this year:
1st 180: 2016 • Water Rail (first time since 2014);
2019 • Ruff (first time since 2016);
2nd 178: 2017 • Red-breasted Flycatcher (first time since 2011);
2018 • Bluethroat (only recorded in two of the previous
3rd 177: 2013 and 2015
2020 seven years);
4th 169: 2021 • Icterine Warbler (first time since 2017);
2010 • Wryneck… 1,992 days since our last one on the 9th
5th-6th 168: 1998
May 2016!
7th 164:
Interesting records:
8th 163: • Summering Redwing and Chaffinch;
• Common Scoter 126 north on the 19th May;
9th 162: • Swallow 669 on the 25th September, and 235 south

10th 161: on the 4th October;
• House Martin 61 on the 25th September;
Major Highlights: • Over-wintering Whimbrel for second and third

3rd-6th Grey Phalarope winter;
• 60 Woodcock in heavy snow fall on the 11th
6th Woodchat Shrike
February;
9th Pallas’s Warbler • 1,182 Little Auks on the 5th November; and,
• Latest ever Osprey south on the 15th October.
10th-11th Radde’s Warbler
Record Counts:
10th Honey Buzzard Some day record counts were broken, as follows:
• 2,133 Barnacle Goose on the 12th October;
11th-12th Raven • 10,795 Pink-footed Goose on the 23rd September;
• 35 Jack Snipe on the 12th October;
16th Sabine’s Gull • 217 Cormorant on the 11th October;
• 31 Black-tailed Godwit on the 22nd August; and,
17th Rustic Bunting • 13,165 Redwing on the 17th October.

20th Greenish Warbler And not so good:
It was a poor year for some species:
• House Martin was only recorded on seven spring

dates;
• Goldcrest was only recorded on 16 dates in autumn

with a ‘peak’ of just seven on the 10th October;
• Only one autumn record of Lesser Whitethroat;
• Only six autumn records of Garden Warbler; and,
• Fieldfare only recorded on ten autumn dates.

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Spurn
Jonnie Fisk and Tim
Jones

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Landguard
Nigel Odin

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North Ronaldsay
Alison Duncan

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Eyebrowed Thrush © Mark Rayment

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Portland
Martin Cade

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Sandwich Bay
Steffan Walton

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.

Skokholm
Richard Brown
and Giselle Eagle

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Walney
Colin Raven

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Tracking our flying visitors with Motus radio telemetry
Lucy Mitchell

.

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Young Birders at Bird Observatories in Birding and natural history books from
2021 WildSounds.

Many of the usual opportunites for younysters to visit Having been awarded the Fellowship I chose to
observatories had to be abandoned in 2020 due to the visit Bardsey Bird Observatory in North Wales.
Covis-19 pandemic, however, some under 25s still
managed to get to Observatories to either volunteer or I arrived at Bardsey on a calm Saturday in late
take up roles as Assistants. A selection of their personal August. It was my first time on the island. Before
reviews can be found here. I’d even unpacked my bags, I was welcomed into
the ringing hut and ringed my first bird of the
Rare Bird Alert Young Ornithologist week, a Blackcap. I spent the rest of the day
Scolarship familiarising myself with the island and its wildlife.
By Hannah Coburn As darkness fell I loved the chuckling call of Manx
shearwaters passing by my bedroom window as
In late 2019 Rare Bird Alert announced that they returned to their burrows on the island. The
applications were open for their inaugural RBA following day I ventured up Mynydd Enlli,
Young Ornithologists Fellowships enjoying excellent views of chough, a species I
had only seen once before. I also saw a nice mix of
Through the fellowships, RBA wanted to promote butterflies on the mountain and a Redstart in the
a love of birds, wildlife and conservation to young Obs garden. In the afternoon I joined Steve and
people, by providing them with skills, equipment, Louis on Solfach to ring Rock Pipits, capturing
friendships, trips, support and opportunities, and them with a portable heligoland trap.
to encourage them to share that love with their
peers. Monday morning was windy and the sea was full
of life, so I spent some time seawatching with
By developing leadership, promoting Steve. I saw hundreds of Manx shearwaters soar
compassion, teaching practical skills, sharing up the west coast, as well as other seabirds
knowledge and providing support through including an Arctic Skua and some Common
equipment, opportunities and trips, RBA are Scoters. In the afternoon the wind dropped, and I
working to develop the young bird saw my first Risso’s dolphins! Once it was dark, we
conservationists of tomorrow, by joining with set off for the north end to catch storm petrels
selected Observatories and support the young with Steve and Louis. We caught one, which I had
birders on their journeys. the honour of ringing.

Each of the four Fellowship awardees received a
package of experiences and equipment worth
over £1,600, these included

A week in a renowned UK bird observatory
Swarovski 8x30 binoculars
Rare Bird Alert subscription

P a g e 89 Bird Observatories Council – January 2022 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk

I also had my first chance to ring Manx The following morning, I joined Steve and Louis
shearwaters - at night, adults sit on the ground again, this time ringing in the Obs garden. We had
near their burrows so they are easy to catch. Due lots of Willow Warblers passing through and I
to their unusually flat legs, they require special ringed my first Linnet. I then joined an outing to
types of rings. This evening was one of the ring and monitor Manx Shearwater chicks with
highlights of my trip - handling birds that I would Steve, Emma and Stuart and some of the guests.
otherwise only see from afar was an exciting The Shearwaters were almost fully grown with
experience. adult feathers emerging, but still had lots of fluffy
down feathers. Carefully extracting them from
their deep burrows was a challenge!

On Wednesday, I did some more ringing at the
Obs with Steve and we caught a Grasshopper
Warbler, giving me the chance to see one in the
hand, a species I’d only ever heard before. In the
evening, Steve organised a BBQ for everyone
staying at the Lodge. One of the aspects of the
week particularly enjoyed was all the people I had
the pleasure of meeting. The people I shared the
Lodge with really made my week!

In my last few days I spent more time ringing with
Steve and Louis, and caught a few different
species including my first Meadow Pipit. I also
spent time enjoying being on such a stunning,
peaceful island. I had an incredible week and I
can’t wait to return to Bardsey. Thank you so
much to the Obs staff for welcoming and hosting
me, and to RBA for being so generous and
funding my trip!

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Valuing Young People at Sandwich Bay Bird intrinsic value of wildlife. We have even run
Observatory Trust sessions training the local school teachers on how
best to engage children with nature.
Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust (SBBOT) With various youth groups we have delivered both
has a long history of education and engagement of online sessions during Lockdowns, and in-person
sessions at the Field Centre and the club’s own
young people. From the 1970s school groups visited premises. These sessions have included beginner
the Observatory and over the years since then bird ID, moth trapping, wildlife treasure trails,
pond-dipping, and even learning about Wasps!
courses such as BTO Ringing Courses, ID courses, In the past two years we have run four Nature
College and University field visits, and trips from
Pond
local primary schools have all taken place here. dipping
We want to ensure young people have access to the

Observatory and all the things we do, and to that end
we offer free digital membership to anyone under

21, as well as free entry on guided walks to anyone
under 18. We hope this can encourage more young

members to join us for our events and walks and
become part of our community. We’re in the process

of developing a Youth Council for our young
members to have a direct say in our activities and

plans.
Local primary schools have visited the Observatory

Steven Falk leading a Bee ID Making bee hotels
on a yearly basis inctohuerpsaest, but since January 2020,
Assistant Warden Becky Downey, along with Holiday Clubs at the Observatory during school
holidays, engaging over 100 new young people with
Trustee Sharon Irvine, have put together an the Observatory. We offer free nature-based
Education Team and vastly increased our outreach sessions, particularly aiming for vulnerable children
who have been the most-adversely affected by
with local schools, youth groups, and young Lockdowns, involving a range of fun-filled
families. Despite the setbacks that Covid-19 activities such as bird watching, bird ringing, bug
hunting, owl pellet dissection, woodland trails,
lockdowns brought, the Education Team, comprised games, storytelling, crafts, and music.
of the wardening team, several trustees, and

volunteers, have managed to connect with many
local primary schools, Scout groups, Girl Guides,

and other local youth groups in the East Kent area.
Within primary schools we have run educational

workshops based on wildlife and nature, focusing on
birds where we could, and we have delivered these

workshops both at the schools and at the
Observatory Field Centre. The main aim of these

workshops is to connect young people with nature,
increasing both their knowledge and hopefully

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For many years, SBBOT has linked with the RSPB the past couple of years to include a series of stop-
in the running of the Wildlife Explorers (WEX) and animation videos, and educational nature videos
Phoenix groups at the Field Centre. These are from Countrywide Productions. Here, you can also
groups for young, nature loving, budding find access to grants and awards for young birders.
conservationists that run once a month and focus on We have hosted winners from various awards
channelling their interest in nature and looking at before, including recently, Becky Taylor from the
local wildlife and environmental issues. The group Rare Bird Alert’s Young Ornithologist Fellowship.
is under the auspices of the RSPB, and all leaders During lockdowns in 2020/21 we ran a Wildlife Art
are trained and managed by the RSPB. We and Photography competition for young people, and
encourage this great working relationship and the subsequently created a “Wildlife in Lockdown”
group based at the SBBOT Field Centre has been
woven into the wide-ranging activities we do with Winner of the Rare Bird Alert
young people over the years, and it is continuing to Young Ornithologist Fellowship at
develop and expand! We’re currently in the process exhibit with oSvaenr d1w00icahrtBaanyd photography entries in
of starting a second WEX group, for 8–12-year- our bird hides, which were displayed throughout
olds, as our current group is so successful, and re- 2021. The material in the hides continues to change
starting our Phoenix group, for 13–19-year-olds, and develop, aimed at engaging anyone who visits
after a long Covid-19 induced closure. them, whatever their age.
We have many dedicated young birders who have The Education Team has more recently engaged
gotten involved with the various aspects of work with several Universities. We hosted a placement
that we do at SBBOT, such as bird ringing, moth student from Christchurch Canterbury University
nights, attending our bi-weekly conservation during the summer and currently have Carla Hill
mornings to help manage our nature reserves, and with us, a long-term placement student from
even helping out with the younger children at University of Exeter. We are also planning a field
Holiday Clubs! We decided to harness this young course with University of Kent for next year, and
enthusiasm and begin a regular Young Birders Walk hope these relationships continue to grow.
and more recently a Young Birders Blog. Our new Education Development Plan will come
into effect in 2022 and we look forward to seeing
Birdwatching in the bird what we can offer. The future certainly looks good.
The Young Birders Whaidlkess are open to anyone aged If you are interested in joining in any of our events,
10+, if you consider yourself young (!), and are led as a participant or a helper, or want to know more of
by our Warden and Assistant Warden. This has our plans going ahead, please get in touch at
proven to be a great way of getting them to connect [email protected].
with nature, meet like-minded people, and create a
wider network of birding friends. The Young By Becky Downey and Steffan Walton
Birders Blog gives the young people a chance to
write about a topic they’re interested in and can be
found on our website and in our monthly newsletter.
We have an abundance of other online resources for
young people on our website, which has grown over

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