BOC news - Edition 9

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 99 and Little Stints in Pegwell Bay. A Dorset Cream Wave was a special moth to catch with less than ten UK records. Red-backed Shrike © G. Lee Our long-awaited Thursday Lectures finally returned to the Field Centre, and we also saw Katie Ansell, our new long-term University placement student, take her post. Yellow-browed Bunting © S. Reynaert October began with impressive numbers of Grey Partridges and unusually high Tawny Owl activity. All were dwarfed by the news of a Yellow-browed Bunting trapped and ringed on the 10th, becoming only the sixth record for the UK. A switch to southerlies brought with it multiple ‘swift sp.’ and a great variety of migratory moths, including Death’s Head Hawk-moth, Flame Brocade, Ni Moth, and Crimson Speckled. Our Family Nature Trail at the end of the month proved extremely popular. The strong southerlies continued into November which made it warm, but also wet and windy, and perhaps the reason why we recorded unseasonably late migrants such as Wheatear, Hobby, and lots of Swallows. There were even Red-rumped Swallows on the 10th and the 18th. In November we were pleased to announce new Patrons of the Observatory and one of them, David Lindo, did some filming of the ringing team. Movements of 11,000 Woodpigeons on the 5th and 2,600 on the 18th were the highlights on the migration front but we also saw lots of Sanderlings, record counts Death’s Head Hawk-moth © G. Lee of Snipe on Restharrow Scrape, and above-average seabird passage including Long-tailed Duck, Little Auk, Red-necked Grebe, and Grey Phalarope. During the month we also attended the BirdWise Conference on mitigation and bird disturbance. A rise in wildfowl in the area in December included a record count of Gadwall on Restharrow Scrape and Shovelers on Worth marshes. A dead Pomarine Skua on the beach was odd and a Waxwing flew over. Our second-ever Christmas Fair was well attended. A cold snap then brought icy conditions across the area coinciding with an influx of Ruffs and Woodcocks, fantastic numbers of Lapwing and Golden Plover, and our fourth ever Green-winged Teal. It was great to get outside recognition of the amazing run of birds at Sandwich Bay this year with BirdGuides nominating us as Site of the Year and the Eleonora’s Falcon also in the running for Bird of the Year. There were few omissions from the year-list, with perhaps Glaucous Gull, Smew, Red-legged Partridge, Blacknecked Grebe, and Mandarin Duck all usually possible. Missing out on a Pallid Swift during the influx was tough, whilst it was a little surprising not to get a Pallas’s Warbler. However, it’s hard to complain considering the amazing diversity on offer this year. So why not come for a visit? Whatever you reason for visiting Kent, the Field Centre offers modern and comfortable, self-catering accommodation with a kitchen, library, wi-fi, and free parking, allowing you to be on hand for early morning ringing, late night mothtrapping, or just time to explore the local area.

Page 100 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Skokholm Richard Brown and Giselle Eagle Moltoni’s Warbler © Richard Brown and Giselle Eagle Two firsts for Wales The birding year will primarily be remembered for two additions to the Welsh list. Given the regularity with which ‘Subalpine’ Warblers turn up on Skokholm, a Moltoni’s Warbler present between the 17th and 29th May was the more expected of the two, although it was still a real treat to get used to its rattling call and witness just how tidy their spring feathers are compared with the other two species in this complex. It was also brilliant to be part of another successful Skokholm twitch, the small Courtyard which harboured the Myrtle Warbler and Swainson’s Thrush again proving that it can hold on to birds. Although we had been hoping for another surprise from North America, a Tennessee Warbler on 12th October was a bolt from the blue, our 12th species from that side of the Atlantic in eight years (and fourth species of passerine). Although only a third for Wales, a juvenile Pallid Harrier on 12th September was the last in a fine hat-trick of additions to the Skokholm list. Tennessee Warbler © Richard Brown and Giselle Eagle An excellent variety of Skokholm scarcities were also logged, species which require a description for acceptance by the Welsh Birds Rarities Committee. An Alpine Swift on 22nd April was our second in two years following one on 1st April last year. A juvenile Corncrake on 19th September was our first 21st century record of a species which once bred on the Island.

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 101 A Pectoral Sandpiper on 2nd May continued a fine run of Skokholm encounters; we have now seen ten in 12 years. Cory’s Shearwater are surprisingly scarce in Welsh waters, singles on 25th July and 20th August taking the all-time Island total to just eight. A stunning Shore Lark present on the 23rd and 24th April was only the fourth to be seen here. Corncrake © Richard Brown and Giselle Eagle Pectoral Sandpiper © Richard Brown and Giselle Eagle Icterine Warbler © Richard Brown and Giselle Eagle Icterine Warbler are much scarcer here than Melodious Warbler, so different birds on 29th May and 1st September were notable (the former a bonus for folks twitching the Moltoni’s Warbler). A Siberian Lesser Whitethroat was present between the 23rd and 25th October, whilst an Olive-backed Pipit on 13th November was just the second for Skokholm following the first for Britain which lingered around Lockley’s Cottage between the 14th and 18th April 1948. A Common Rosefinch was present between the 1st and 3rd October and we received news that the red male ringed on 29th May last year had been attacked by a cat before flying into a window on 5th June this year; the window was in Ballycotton, County Cork, Ireland! Finally, a female Serin on 20th May was the fourth for Skokholm. There were also several birds exciting in a Skokholm context. Two Whooper Swans on 5th December made this the 11th year since 1927 with a sighting. A drake Eider on 7th May was the 26th to be seen from the Island. Dotterel © Richard Brown and Giselle Eagle A Dotterel present between the 1st and 10th September was just the 22nd individual to be seen (although there have now been sightings in three consecutive years) and a Glaucous Gull on 20th March was the eighth for Skokholm (although again there have now been sightings in three consecutive years). A Little Tern on 6th September was the first since 1996, a Hoopoe on 24th March was just our fifth in ten years and Kingfishers on 27th August and the 19th and 20th September were the 15th and 16th Skokholm records. Wryneck logged on eight dates from 30th August to 9th September took the all-time bird-days total to 272, a Richard’s Pipit on the 15th and 29th November was the sixth this decade and a Yellowhammer on 27th May was the first since 2014. A Lapland Bunting present between the 20th and 26th was just the second to be seen in April (following one last year), a Brambling on 21st May was our latest ever spring record and a stunning Snow Bunting on 9th June was the first to be seen between 25th April and 17th September. Migrant totals were unremarkable, with spring day count highs of 62 Willow Warbler, 40 Blackcap and 156 Wheatear and autumn day count highs of 222 Skylark, 4752 Swallow, 227 Willow Warbler, 30 Sedge Warbler, 11 Spotted Flycatcher, 220 Meadow Pipit, 118 Linnet and 147 Goldfinch. Another first for Wales It was not only the Welsh bird list which we added to this year. An unseasonable Radford’s Flame Shoulder on 2nd June was also a first for the Country (it shared an egg box with a Striped Hawkmoth, this one of six logged between 22nd May and 2nd June). Indeed, it proved an excellent year for moths on Skokholm. The 15th Cosmopolitan for Pembrokeshire was taken on

Page 102 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Slender Burnished Brass © Richard Brown and Giselle Eagle 27th October, a Slender Burnished Brass on 30th October was just a second for the County (the first was trapped by Barrett of Barrett’s Marbled Coronet fame) and a Diasemiopsis ramburialis on 25th October was a first. There were three Scarce Bordered Straw, this becoming just the fifth year with a record (but the fourth in seven). It was the second best year on record for Vestal encounters, Skokholm became just the second site in Pembrokeshire to log a White-point and a Large Tabby was a fifth for the County. Visitors from closer to home included a Small Elephant Hawkmoth (a first for Skokholm), a Brown-line Bright-eye (a first for Skokholm), a Dot Moth (a second for Skokholm) and two Double Square-spot (a second and third for Skokholm). A Hummingbird Hawkmoth feeding on the Courtyard Narcissi on 27th March was our earliest ever and a Delicate on 19th May was our first spring sighting. A first for the planet! Although, as you have seen, it was a phenomenal year for wildlife encounters, one of the 2022 highlights was undoubtedly architectural. Thanks to an incredibly generous Nature Networks Grant and funding from ShareGift, we were able to create our dream Puffin hide. Although we employed local contractors for the technical bits, this was a huge volunteer project which relied on the hard graft of lots of amazing people. The end result was a replacement hide right in the middle The new Puffin Hide © Richard Brown and Giselle Eagle of the Crab Bay Puffin colony, this the site from where we do much of our adult survival and productivity monitoring work. However, this new hide has an experimental twist, integrated Puffin burrows which will hopefully allow observers to watch the contents of up to six Puffin burrows through one-way glass (the resident Puffins will be oblivious to the viewers). We do not know if the Puffins will take to our artificial burrows, but we’re hopeful. This was not the only building project this year. The creation of a fourth Heligoland Trap was an immediate success, with hundreds of Meadow and Rock Pipit making up the bulk of the numbers, but more unusual species including several Black Redstart, a non-British Yellow Wagtail and a Raven also being ringed! There were also renovation works at the Wardens’ Lighthouse which had all new windows and a new waterproof coating on the roof and walls. Building the new Heligoland trap © Richard Brown and Giselle Eagle Seabirds The spring Puffin count came to 10,611 individuals; although this was down on the 11,245 of last year, it was otherwise the highest spring day count since 40,000 in 1934. Pufflings were being fed from 18th May, these three days earlier than the first of last year and seven days earlier than the 2013-2021 average (the only earlier deliveries were in 2019). Average counts of 3936 Razorbill and 5515 Guillemot on suitable breeding ledges were both Skokholm records. A total of 224 apparently occupied Fulmar sites was one down on last year but the second highest count ever. Five Storm Petrel chicks hatched in the Petrel Station (this a total which creeps up every year) and survey work suggested that roughly 2000 pairs of Storm Petrel and 89,000 pairs of Manx Shearwater were again present. Storm Petrel productivity was remarkable, with 87% of monitored pairs fledgling young (this no doubt due in part to the dry summer which was ideally timed for when tiny chicks were first left home alone). Fulmar and Manx Shearwater productivity were more typical, although over 100 of the former and over 60,000 of the latter probably fledged from the Island this year. Although we are deeply concerned about the impact that avian flu will have on Skokholm’s seabirds over the winter and into the coming breeding seasons, there was no evidence that the disease reached the Island this year.

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 103 Raven caught in the new Heligoland trap © Richard Brown and Giselle Eagle Closer Tennessee Warbler © Richard Brown and Giselle Eagle

Page 104 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Spurn Rob Hunton 2022 was a busy year for Spurn Bird Observatory. Seawatch Hide © Steve Exley The breach © Steve Exley In January, a large swell on the North Sea took its toll on a large section of coastline by the Warren, first of all damaging the seawatching hide, and then taking the Heligoland trap which has been present by the Warren since 1946. With help from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, and a team of hardy volunteers, we were able to move and repair the seawatching hide and the Heligoland trap to areas of relative safety. The Warren Heligoland trap Clay-ripping breakers © © Jonnie Fisk Harry Appleyard January saw 3 Siberian Chiffchaff at the sewage works in Easington, and 3 Black Redstart at the gas terminal. A probable Glaucous Gull flew south on the 6th, but views proved inconclusive. 556 Black-tailed Godwit on the 8th was a nice count, Cattle Egret on the 10th & Red Kite south on the 12th. A showy Great Northern Diver was on Beacon Ponds on the 21st, and Snow Bunting numbers peaked at 32 on the 30th. In February, the Snow Bunting flock increased to 41 and the 3 Siberian Chiffchaff were still at the sewage works in Easington. On the 4th, the returning Black Brant was on Kilnsea Wetlands. Another Red Kite on the 6th went north, and a Lapland Bunting went south on the 8th. An Iceland Gull on the 14th was a nice Valentine’s Day present for the sea watchers. Things started moving in bigger numbers by the 23rd, when 3039 Pink-footed Geese flew up the Humber, and 628 Red-throated Diver were recorded over the sea, and the first evidence of overland migration was noted with Skylark, Starling, Stock Dove and some corvid movement. There were 10 Barnacle Geese on the Humber on the 24th, and the regular leucistic Brent Goose ‘Lucy’ was present on the 28th. In March, we said a fond farewell to Jonnie Fisk who moved on to pastures new after 6 years working at the Obs. The Snow Bunting flock started to disperse with 24 the monthly high, and only one Siberian Chiffchaff remained at the sewage works. It wasn’t until the 12th when signs of migration were evident again, when 112 Siskin were logged, 215 Chaffinch on the 13th and our earliest ever Little-ringed Plover on the 14th. The first Wheatear arrived on the 15th along with an increase in Chiffchaff, White Wagtail on the 16th, two Sand Martin and two Garganey on the 17th. Hawfinch, Firecrest, Ring Ouzel were all new for the year. James Wilson fixing the Tern Hide © Rob Hunton James Wilson arrived in April, a month early as Little Tern Warden to help out with the Obs duties, and with spring migration now in full flow, the first Swallow and Blackcap were recorded on the 4th, Sandwich Terns on the 7th, Willow and Sedge Warblers on the 10th, Redstart, Yellow Wagtail, Common Whitethroat, House Martin and Whimbrel on the 12th. The 13th saw an Osprey and an early Swift, Tree Pipit and Woodlark on the 14th, Pied Flycatcher on the 16th and a Grasshopper Warbler on the 17th. A Black Kite and a Red-rumped Swallow both went south past the Warren on the 19th, when the first Cuckoo and Lesser Whitethroat were logged. A Hoopoe on the 21st was found late in the day and relocated on the 22nd and last seen on the 24th. Wryneck on the 25th, a female Western Subalpine Warbler on the 27th and another Black Kite on 30th finished the month off nicely. Rob Hunton arrived at the beginning of May as Little Tern Assistant Warden, and as if by magic the first 4 Little Terns were here on the 1st. There were still some excellent migrants to be seen amongst the local breeding birds, including a Serin on 7th, 24th, 25th and 30th. Further Red-rumped Swallows on 7th, 10th, three on the 12th, 2 on the 13th, singles on 16th, 19th and 25th.

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 105 Western Subalpine Warbler Black Kite © Steve Clipperton © Ian Smith Brown Shrike © Thomas Willoughby Temminck’s Stint on the 11th, and a Brown Shrike on the 12th. On the 16th, a strong candidate for ‘Spanish Wagtail’ was first heard flying over the Warren but relocated in Well Field. ‘Spanish’ Yellow Wagtail © ‘Masked’ Wagtail © Paul Thomas Willoughby French Another incredible wagtail record on the 18th when a ‘Masked Wagtail’ was first seen briefly at Kilnsea Wetlands but relocated to Sammy’s Point just before dusk. The first Bee-eater was seen on the 23rd and then on the 24th a Stone Curlew was the first twitchable one since 2004! Tom Wright, Murphy Hand and Ben Secker joined the Little Tern project as volunteers over the summer to complete what was an excellent team of wardens this year. After a late start (the first eggs were laid whilst other colonies were fledging their first young), 41 chicks fledged from 39 pairs. This number would have been a lot higher had it not been for a local Kestrel which altered its hunting behaviour to predate near fledged Little Tern chicks, but would also had been significantly lower without the efforts put in by the wardens and volunteers this year. The late spring and summer months produced more records of Bee-eaters (3rd June, 13th June, 3rd July) another Hoopoe at the point on 6th June where a Red-backed Shrike and Icterine Warbler were found the same afternoon. A Rose-coloured Starling was recorded on 12th June with another seen on 11th & 12th July. Stone Curlew © Thomas Little Tern © Lucy Mortlock Willoughby A singing Blyth’s Reed Warbler on the 15th June was elusive and didn’t linger, and the only Golden Oriole record of the year on the 23rd. The first of four Honey Buzzard records of 2022 was on the 30th June (all others coming in September). White-rumped Sandpiper © Hazel Wiseman Purple Hairstreak © Mick Turton The first Cory’s Shearwater went north on 2nd July with another two on the 26th (plus an unidentified large shearwater) whilst a ringtail Hen Harrier performed for guests of the inaugural Science & Research Weekend at Spurn. The first White-rumped Sandpiper was recorded on the 24th, with other records on 1st, 4th, 5th,

Page 106 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk 6th, and 2 on the 7th August. A Balearic Shearwater on the 27th July was amongst a small passage of 5 Sooty and 98 Manx Shearwater. A Purple Hairstreak butterfly in an Easington garden on 8th August was the first record for Spurn, with the second record quickly following on 12th in the Crown and Anchor car park. An adult Sabines Gull on the 17th August was the first of the Autumn, as was a Wryneck on the 18th. A juvenile Red-necked Phalarope appeared on Beacon Ponds on the 22nd, was joined by a second on the 27th, and incredibly a 3rd joined them on the 5th September! 29th August saw a Willow Tit visiting feeders in an Easington garden. A very scarce bird at Spurn these days. On the 30th, an Arctic Warbler and a juvenile Citrine Wagtail were located, whilst the second Icterine Warbler of the year was found on the 31st along with another Red-backed Shrike and Wryneck. Wryneck © Sean Moore Red-necked Phalarope © Martin Standley Despite the death of Her Majesty the Queen, the 9th, Migfest was again a huge success in September, with a record number of festival goers witnessing some excellent migration, and being treated to a Pallid Harrier, two Citrine Wagtails, three Honey Buzzards, another Icterine Warbler and an impressive 19 Curlew Sandpiper. Over 8000 Meadow Pipits were logged moving south on the 13th , and the first Yellow-browed Warbler was trapped and ringed on the 16th. Another Temminck’s Stint was an unusual autumn record, but the first Redwings and Bramblings of the autumn appeared on the 19th, along with another Yellow-browed Warbler and Arctic Warbler. A Little Bunting on the 20th was the first of Autumn, and Yellow-browed Warbler numbers increased to three. Yet another Wryneck was found late in the afternoon on the 23rd staying into October. A typically elusive Barred Warbler was along the canal on the 24th, relocating close to Kilnsea Wetlands on the 26th (and staying loyal to the same hedgerow last being seen on the 13th October. A Red-breasted Flycatcher at the Warren on the 24th September, Chalk Bank on the 29th, and at the point on the 30th were the only records this year, possibly all the same individual. Another Sabines Gull was briefly on Kilnsea Wetlands on the 28th when the first Lapland Bunting of the autumn was found on the breach, and on the 29th there were 9 Yellow-browed Warblers in the area, the highest count of the year. October is always a highlight for so many regulars visiting Spurn, and although it wasn’t a classic Spurn autumn, it contained some exciting and memorable days. The second Blyth’s Reed Warbler of the year was in the nets at the Warren on the 3rd, and a Firecrest at the Bluebell on the 7th was joined by a second on the 8th. Barred Warbler © Marc Linby The first Woodcock of the autumn was at the point on the 10th, a late Yellow Wagtail was in the horse paddocks on Vicars Lane, but it wasn’t until the wind turned easterly on the 19th when things got going! A Black Guillemot south past the seawatching hide kicked things off, then a Dusky Warbler at the point was followed by 2 Pallas’s Warblers. The first Little Auk of the season was on the sea at the breach. 2 Red-flanked Bluetails were then found on the 20th (present until 22nd), with 2 more Pallas’s Warblers joining the two from the day before, a Bonelli’s Warbler .sp. a Great Grey Shrike, another Barred Warbler, 19 Firecrest, 35 Black Redstart, 8 Hawfinch and 2 Little Bunting competed a memorable day! An Olive-backed Pipit on the 21st joined the remaining cast from the previous day, staying until the 22nd. Pallas’s Warbler © Kate Fox

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 107 The action wasn’t over though, as 2 Pallid Swifts flew south on the 24th, as did the first 2 Waxwings, and a stunning Rough-legged Buzzard u-turned at the Warren before heading up the Humber. There was also a record count of 1823 Skylark moving south throughout the day. Rough-legged Buzzard © Thomas Willoughby Another Serin came out of nowhere on the 26th and disappeared as quickly as it appeared, and then an Eastern Yellow Wagtail was located at Kilnsea Wetlands late in the afternoon of the 27th. Subject to acceptance, this would be the first record for Yorkshire. Another swift sp. went south over Kilnsea Wetlands. Pallid Swifts were also recorded on 28th & 30th. November can also be an exciting month, but the winds were generally unfavourable again, however Redrumped Swallows were recorded on the 1st, 3rd, 4th, & 11th. A Tundra Bean Goose was photographed flying north past Beacon Ponds on the 1st, 2 went over on the 12th and 6 came in from the east on the 17th. A Cory’s Shearwater was only the second November record for Spurn on the 5th, and was the final record this year. The first Shorelark was briefly at the breach on the 6th, with numbers rising to 3 by the end of the month. The first White-fronted Goose appeared on the 7th, recorded occasionally before 4 birds were together on the 24th, and still present at the end of the month. Cattle Egret was again present on 9th & 14th. Little Auk numbers peaked on the 19th with 94 birds being logged over the sea (91 went south) and a Slavonian Grebe was on the sea before going south. Waxwings were noted on the 19th (two), 20th (four) 27th (one) and 30th (one). Three Barn Swallows were feeding around Sandy Beaches on the 27th. At the start of December, Rob Hunton was appointed the new Observatory Manager and will be taking the post as of 1st January 2023. The 3 Shore Lark were still present and 2 Velvet Scoter were on the North Sea seen on several occasions. 23 Snow Buntings were seen on the 7th, and a Lapland Bunting on the 8th. Another Waxwing on the 10th stuck around for a few days and finally ended up in the nets at Kew Villa on the 12th, and 3 in Easington on the 17th December. 42 Whooper Swans were along Easington Straight recorded daily, along with 24 Mute Swans. Rob Hunton © Bethany Maguire Red Kites were seen on the 8th and 15th. The 2 Velvet Scoter were still in the area, seen on the 1st, 2nd, 4th & 5th, then 4 were seen on the 6th and then 5 on the 14th. The cold snap didn’t produce any significant numbers of birds, but winter thrushes we more evident from the 16th. MOTUS at Spurn Motus is one of 3 tagging or tracking technologies used by researchers. The others are satellite tracking (only available for heavier birds) and geolocation (which requires the later recapture of a tagged bird to download the data). Motus compliments these two techniques but uses radio telemetry, with the tiny fitted nanotag emitting a unique digitalised radio signal which can then be detected as the bird passes by the network of fixed receivers at local, national and international level. The advantage of Motus is that it can be used for very small and light birds (and bats and even Butterflies and

Page 108 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Dragonflies in the US!) and that no recapture is required. Data is recorded automatically and can then be downloaded and shared amongst researchers and receiver station hosts. Each receiver probes the airwaves to a range of 8 kilometers or so and can therefore reach into relatively inaccessible areas (coastal waters, estuaries, salt marshes etc.) where the recapture of birds or the reading of colour rings is difficult. We had two exciting detections at Spurn this autumn. The first was a Goldcrest detected on the 21st October, which had been fitted with the tag in the Netherlands only the previous day. The timings show that it crossed the North Sea in less than 8 hours at an average speed of 27 mph! With a good south-easterly wind and no rain over the sea, the weather was conducive to a good crossing. Not only was the timing impressive, but the bird continued over the Humber without stopping for a rest. The second was a blackbird which was detected on the 13th November. Having been tagged at the same place as the Goldcrest on the 4th November, it looks as though it used the Netherlands as a staging site before continuing its migration over the North Sea. Motus Goldcrest © SBO/Motus Motus Blackbird © SBO/Motus A full report on MOTUS can be found on page 118 Ringing Numbers of birds ringed are still below where they previously had been, but another stride forward considering the damage to the Heligoland Trap at the Warren, and although Avian Influenza didn’t result in any restrictions here, we took the decision not to spring trap adult Little Terns at the colony this year. The ringing highlight was the Red-flanked Bluetail caught in Easington. We will finish the year on around 7500 birds ringed. Red-flanked Bluetail crowd © Tony Broom Red-flanked Bluetail © Tony Blyth’s Reed Warbler © Broom John Hewitt Yellow-browed Warbler © John Hewitt Cetti’s Warbler © Thomas Willoughby

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 109 Redwing © Thomas Willoughby Moths Several new species for the area were recorded throughout 2022, including the following; Phyllonorycter coryli (a common leaf mine found on Hazel, probably under recorded) Phyllonorycter sorbi (an uncommon and local species that mines Rowan, but again probably under recorded) Coleophora lixella (Only the 3rd record for VC61 and 6th in total for Yorkshire. Verified via gen. Det examination by Charlie Fletcher) Hypatima rhomboidella (3 individuals caught in August on separate nights close together at least 2 individuals as one was still in a pot when the other showed up) Phyllocnistis unipunctella (Uncommon and local species that mines the leaves of Black Poplar) Stigmella trimaculella (Uncommon and local species that mines the leaves of Black Poplar). Other highlights included Striped Hawkmoth, Bedstraw Hawkmoth, Convolvulus Hawkmoth, Marbled Green, Blackneck and a Clifden nonpareil. Great Brocade © Andy Bunting Striped Hawkmoth © Rob Hunton Clifden Nonpareil © Tony Broom Buff Ermine © Tony Broom

Page 110 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Walney Colin Raven A generally dull and dry start to the year saw January produce a well below average total of just 40.6mm of precipitation spread over 17 days before the end of the month saw the island hit by Storm Malik, quickly followed by Storm Corrie, when westerly gales gusted to 59mph. A total of 102 species were seen during the month. Red-throated Diver © WBO Highlights over the sea involved a Red-necked Grebe (14th-17th) along with good numbers of Red-throated Diver (82-14th & 59-30th) and Shag (43-14th) and lesser numbers of Common Scoter (153-21st) and Kittiwake (56-29th) while the first Gannet reappeared (30th). Dark-bellied Brent Geese © WBO A total of 1,459 Pink-footed Geese flew through and the Brent Goose flock held up to 308 light-bellied and 35 dark-bellied birds while additional wildfowl included: 127 Pintail (19th) and a redhead Goosander (12th). A Buzzard took up residence (from 15th) and single Barn Owl, Merlin and Peregrine were also logged. At least two Water Rail and 50 Little Egret were present, and waders included: 6,000 Knot (11th), 1,000 Golden Plover (15th), 300 Sanderling (19th), 96 Snipe (3rd), 24 Purple Sandpiper (4th), 11 Greenshank (16th), two Black-tailed Godwit (2nd) and two Jack Snipe (11th & 19th). As normal, although the long-staying Hooded Crow Hooded Crow © WBO remained and two Water Pipit were seen (4th), unusual passerines were generally in short supply but included: 102 Twite (3rd), 19 Rock Pipit (4th), 14 Long-tailed Tit (16th), five Tree Sparrow, four Jay, two Goldcrest (16th), two Great Spotted Woodpecker (22nd) and single Brambling (2nd) and Coal Tit (16th & 22nd) amongst small numbers of thrushes including 23 Redwing (28th) and single Mistle Thrush (3rd & 4th) and Fieldfare (4th). February proved to be wet with just two dry days and a rainfall total of 127.3mm, peaking at 22.3mm (19th). Snow was recorded (19th) – an unusual event on the island and temperatures fell below freezing (11th). The month will however be long remembered for the three named storms, Dudley, Eunice and Franklin, that battered the island (16th-21st) when winds gusted up to 69mph. The month saw 99 species logged with offshore highlights limited to single Gannet (3rd & 18th) and Great Northern Diver (26th) along with 21 Shag (3rd)

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 111 Brent Geese © WBO and 22 Red-throated Diver (14th). Wildfowl continued to be well represented with a female Scaup (from 26th) and several Goosander while 16 Barnacle Geese (17th) and 11 Whooper Swan (23rd) flew through and the Brent Goose flock held 347 light-bellied and 27 darkbellied birds. Waders included: 4,250 Knot (2nd), 800 Golden Plover, 125 Snipe, 17 Purple Sandpiper and 14 Greenshank (all 3rd), four Black-tailed Godwit (1st) and single Woodcock (4th & 25th) and Jack Snipe (15th). Around 37 Little Egret remained, and the Buzzard remained (to 25th). At least four Water Pipit were amongst up to 45 Rock Pipit, the Hooded Crow continued to put in regular appearances and 69 Twite were logged (21st), otherwise passerine movement was limited to several Redwing and Siskin while the five wintering Tree Sparrow remained. Greenshank © WBO Light easterly winds predominated throughout March and produced a very dry month with only 26.9mm of rainfall recorded spread over 11 days. The month saw 116 species recorded with two Red Kite (19th) the highlights –only the fourth island record. Seawatching highlights were limited to up to 13 Shag, three Velvet Scoter (30th) and single Pochard (11th) – the only sighting of the year, Little Gull (12th) and Arctic Skua (17th) along with 5,000 Eider (3rd), 323 Common Scoter (2nd), 205 Sandwich Tern (31st), 50 Red-breasted Merganser (13th), 36 Razorbill (31st) and lesser numbers of Red-throated Diver, Gannet and Kittiwake. The female Scaup lingered (to 20th) and a male Goosander was logged (12th) while 1,688 Pink-footed Geese and 245 Whooper Swan headed north and the Brent Goose flock held 370 light-bellied and 37 darkbellied birds. Up to 34 Little Egret could be found, however only one Water Rail was recorded (5th) though Barn Owl, Merlin and Peregrine were regularly recorded. Wader sightings were led by 20 Purple Chiffchaff © WBO Sandpiper (4th), seven Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit along with 1,200 Knot (4th), 1,000 Dunlin (13th), 950 Golden Plover (1st) and 52 Snipe (4th). Tree Sparrow © WBO Passerine highlights were led by three Water Pipit and a Scandinavian Rock Pipit amongst 45 Rock Pipit (3rd) and a migrant Ring Ouzel (28th). The Hooded Crow continued in residence throughout, four Jay were seen (20th) and the Twite flock held 55 birds (4th) while at least two Great Spotted Woodpecker and up to six Bullfinch and four Tree Sparrow were logged. Newly grounded birds included 46 Redwing (28th) and nine Fieldfare (29th) and a total of 37 Goldcrest (from 14th), while diurnal migration included 23 Siskin (from 5th), 22 Lesser Redpoll (from 21st) and single Grey Wagtail (22nd & 23rd) and Brambling, Stock Dove and Mistle Thrush (27th). Migrant arrival dates involved Chiffchaff (10th), Wheatear (12th), Sandwich Tern (17th), Blackcap (22nd) and Willow Warbler (29th). April was to prove to be another dry month with 39.2mm of precipitation spread across 12 days,

Page 112 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Wheatear © Peter Wright While temperatures were below average and fell to near freezing on four days with a peak of 17C around the middle of the month. Winds gusted to 53mph (7th) when a WNW gale swept over the island. A total of 129 species were recorded during the month. Offshore sightings were led by single Black Guillemot (3rd) and Mediterranean Gull (4th) and two Scaup (6th) and Velvet Scoter (9th), while additional sightings involved up to 11 Shag and a total of 22 Puffin (from 18th) and nine Arctic Skua. Also seen were 1,650 Common Scoter (18th), 370 Sandwich Tern (23rd), 160 Gannet and 83 Kittiwake (6th), 78 Razorbill (23rd), 59 Red-throated Diver (4th), along with small numbers of Manx Shearwater (from 6th), Arctic Tern (from 18th)and Little Tern (from 29th). Up to 26 Little Egret were still present. A Marsh Harrier was seen (24th), single Osprey flew through (9th and 22nd) while both Merlin and Peregrine continued to appear. A monthly record total of 22,459 Pink-footed Geese (12,030-14th) and a White-fronted Goose (24th) headed north and up to 330 light-bellied and a single dark-bellied Brent Goose remained while additional wildfowl included: Goldeneye (to 6th), Pintail (to 11th) and two Gadwall (15th-16th). Waders were also well represented with 4,169 Knot, 423 Turnstone and 240 Sanderling (19th), 1,400 Dunlin

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 113 and 106 Whimbrel (29th), eight Black-tailed Godwit (11th), three Greenshank and single Purple Sandpiper (12th) and Common Sandpiper (23rd). Only small numbers of Goldcrest appeared (to 3rd) to bring a poor spring passage to an end, however at the end of the month a territorial male was found at the north end. The long-staying Hooded Crow was joined by a second individual (12th) and the last Twite (2nd), Redwing (13th) and Fieldfare (16th) all departed with passage totals of just 15 Lesser Redpoll and five Siskin. Summer arrivals included: House Martin and Whimbrel (12th), Ring Ouzel, Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler and Sedge Warbler (15th), Whinchat and Tree Pipit (16th), Lesser Whitethroat (17th), Yellow Wagtail (20th) and Reed Warbler (30th) amongst a light passage of Wheatear (44-26th), Swallow (50-29th), Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler (14-28th). With a monthly rainfall total of 53.3mm, including 13.2mm (3rd) and only five dry days recorded, it was a damp May while temperatures remained mainly below average until they peaked at 19C mid-month. A total of 119 species were seen on the island with a Roseate Tern (11th) – the rarest sighting during the month. Other offshore highlights involved single Black Guillemot (6th, 8th & 15th), Pomarine Skua (10th & 21st) and Velvet Scoter (21st & 31st), 89 Puffin (12-10th), 22 Arctic Skua (4-12th & 13th) and six Great Skua (3-11th), along with 1,350 Manx Shearwater (13th), 1,285 Common Scoter (30th), 900 Guillemot (10th), 700 Sandwich Tern (30th), 530 Kittiwake (11th), 415 Gannet (13th), 132 Razorbill (27th), 25 Red-throated Diver (5th), 22 Arctic Tern (10th) and up to three Shag. The final Merlin was seen (8th) and two Mediterranean Gull appeared (28th). The last Pink-footed Geese flew north (8th), two Gadwall were seen (2nd), along with a Goosander (31st) and a Coot (26th) - the latter was, until recently, a breeding species. Waders included 1,080 Knot (4th), 250 Sanderling (20th) and 29 Whimbrel (15th), with single Black-tailed Godwit (3rd), Greenshank (6th) and Golden Plover (31st) the last northbound departees. A total of five Lesser Redpoll moved through and a Tree Sparrow remained at the north end (7th) where a pair of Coal Tit provided evidence of breeding – an unusual event on the island. The long-staying Hooded Crow was present all month and at least two additional birds were seen (3rd-14th), however, passage summer migrants were generally still in short supply and final arrival dates involved Garden Warbler (2nd), Spotted Flycatcher (4th), Redstart and Swift (7th) and Common Tern (20th). A total of 59.9mm of precipitation was recorded over 17 days in June with the majority falling in the first week, westerly winds dominated while temperatures peaked at 22C (23rd). A total of 104 species were recorded, however highlight of the month was nonavian with the moth trap attracting a Clouded Brindle (19th) – the first island record. Offshore sightings were led by three Black Tern (9th), five Gadwall (11th), single Mediterranean Gull (14th) and a summering Shag. Also seen were 1,200 Common Scoter (16th) and totals of 67 Puffin (18-2nd & 21st) and seven Arctic Skua. In addition, feeding movements from Irish Sea breeding colonies involved 360 Manx Shearwater (11th) and 430 Sandwich Tern (2nd), 169 Kittiwake (12th), 161 Guillemot (9th), 143 Gannet (11th), 83 Razorbill (11th), 23 Little Tern (23rd) and eight Fulmar (11th). Four Goosander (15th) and three Shoveler (26th) were the pick of the wildfowl. A least 22 Little Egret remained with no evidence of breeding and summering waders included 35 Bar-tailed Godwit (12th) and 45 Grey Plover (15th); however, waders were soon beginning to move south with Snipe (5th), Whimbrel (12th), Black-tailed Godwit (13th), Greenshank (20th), Wood Sandpiper (21st), Common Sandpiper (23rd) while 330 Curlew (15th) and 30 Dunlin (23rd). A Long-eared Owl (20th) was an unusual date. The last few tardy passerine migrants moved through and the Hooded Crow remained, paired to Carrion Crow, with which four hybrid young were fledged. A Goldcrest continued to hold territory and less frequently recorded confirmed breeding species included: Grey Heron, Long-tailed Tit, Jay and Raven. Walney Aerial Survey – Spit © WBO However, the numbers of gulls nesting rose slightly within the main colony, which is now concentrated on Shelly Bars at South Walney, protected by improved fencing which increased protection from mammalian predation. Counts of Apparently Occupied Nests were carried out by a drone survey which revealed of 575 Herring Gull and 553 Lesser Black-backed Gull nests. In addition, 32 Great Black-backed Gull and several Black-headed Gull nesting attempts were identified. In July a total of 62.2mm of rainfall was recorded over

Page 114 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Great Black-backed Gull chick © WBO 20 days – an increase over 2021 with a maximum 13.6mm (22nd), temperatures were above average especially during the third week when a peak of 33°C was recorded – probably the highest ever temperature recorded on the island. A total of 108 species were recorded during the month, with the highlight the first proven breeding of Tree Sparrow on the island, with and adult seen feeding a juvenile (2nd), while the presence of a juvenile Goldcrest (9th) was perhaps also indicative of a first breeding attempt. Offshore highlights included single Mediterranean Gull (13th) and Shag (27th) along with 10 Arctic Skua (3-24th) and 3 Puffin. Also seen were 785 Common Scoter and 520 Manx Shearwater (24th), 300 Sandwich Tern (27th) and 12 Arctic Tern (29th). Though the first Teal reappeared (9th) and two Gadwall were seen (24th), wildfowl remained scarce although waders were already beginning to increase with 300 Sanderling (27th), 22 Greenshank (29th), 15 Whimbrel (14th), four Blacktailed Godwit (19th), three Common Sandpiper (16th) and a Green Sandpiper (22nd). Totals of 37 Little Egret (14th) and 21 Grey Heron (16th) along with single Coot (14th) and Water Rail (18th) were logged. The gull colony successfully fledged birds for the third year in succession with totals of 127 Herring Gull, 121 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 40 Great Black-backed Gull pulli colour-ringed. A Marsh Harrier flew through (22nd) whilst the first Cuckoo of the year was finally logged (10th) and the long-staying Hooded Crow continued its residency. The first birds were already moving through, through a combination of postbreeding dispersal and migration, including: Treecreeper (9th & 27th), Grey Wagtail (10th), Wheatear (14th), 130 Sand Martin (18th), 15 Swift (24th), two Stock Dove (26th) and a Yellow Wagtail (27th) and totals of 47 Willow Warbler and nine Tree Sparrow. August was again a relatively dry month, a total of 43.8mm of rain fell over 14 days, including 10.0mm (14th), while westerly winds continued to dominate until the final week when easterlies were to the fore. Temperatures peaked at 29C (13th) and a total of 110 species were recorded, however the highlight of the month was again non-avian with the moth trap attracting Yellow-tipped Dwarf (14th) – the first island record. Yellow-tipped Dwarf © WBO After the welcome news last year of a successful grant application from the British Birds Charitable Trust, the second phase of the replacement of the observatory ringing cabin was instigated, beginning with the weatherproofing of the internal woodwork, installation of a durable floor and the creation of two bespoke ringing stations. Seawatching sightings were limited to 510 Common Scoter, 210 Gannet and an Arctic Skua (20th), 143 Sandwich Tern (11th), five Fulmar and 131 Manx Shearwater (19th), three Little Tern and two Arctic Tern (7th), up to eight Shag and a total of nine Mediterranean Gull (2-28th). Both Merlin (from 3rd) and Peregrine were regularly recorded, a Water Rail called (7th) and 59 Little Egret were strewn along the eastern shore (13th). Wildfowl began to reappear towards the end of the period with Shoveler (8th), Wigeon (24th) and 135 Teal (24th) all recorded. Waders remained prominent with 294 Turnstone and 105 Sanderling (13th), 147 Grey Plover (24th), 30 Golden Plover (6th), 23 Greenshank (13th), 14 Whimbrel (6th), two Common Sandpiper (3rd), two Black-tailed Godwit (14th) and single Wood Sandpiper (6th) and Spotted Redshank (from 24th). The long-staying Hooded Crow put in several appearances however passerine activity was generally light, sightings of grounded birds included totals of just 90 Willow Warbler (14-9th), 34 Wheatear and three Spotted Flycatcher along with two Garden Warbler (9th), two Goldcrest (28th) and single Whinchat (18th) and Redstart (27th). Diurnal migration provided the bulk of the birds with totals of 358 Tree Sparrow (115-30th), 143 Tree Pipit (39-10th, 23-28th), 83 Grey

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 115 Wagtail (21-30th) and eight Yellow Wagtail (4-21st) while hirundine passage included 1,050 Swallow and 100 Sand Martin (13th), 1,200 Swallow, 120 Sand Martin and 22 House Martin (28th). A group of 11 Swift were logged (14th) and finch flocks included 110 Goldfinch (28th). September was to prove to be the wettest month since February with 94.0mm of precipitation spread over 21 days with the majority falling in the final week, including a maximum daily total of 25.2mm (22nd). Winds with an easterly vector dominated the first two weeks before switching to the west, reaching gale force Tree Pipit © WBO at the month’s end while temperatures peaked at 23C (2nd). The second phase of the replacement of the observatory ringing cabin continued with the installation of a water supply and external solar powered lighting and provision of “office” furniture. A total of 128 species were recorded, with the highlights of the month involving a partial summer-plumaged, Red-necked Grebe (5th), Great White Egret (24th) and Yellow-browed Warbler (29th). Offshore sightings were scant but included: single Arctic Skua (2nd & 8th), Black Guillemot (5th & 18th) and Scaup (27th & 30th) amongst up to 23 Shag and good numbers of Common Scoter (650-30th), Gannet (102-4th) and Red-throated Diver (12-18th). A redhead Goosander (20th-24th) was the wildfowl highlight amongst a substantial early movement of 14,655 Pink-footed Geese (3,235-15th), the reappearance of the first wintering light-bellied Brent Geese (12th) and 87 Pintail (27th) amongst 2,050 Wigeon (25th) and 300 Teal (27th). Waders included: 35 Greenshank (13th), nine Blacktailed Godwit (1st), eight Whimbrel (17th) up to two Little Stint (24th-27th) and single Ruff (5th). Single Osprey flew through (3rd, 7th & 9th) along with a Buzzard (10th & 19th), Hen Harrier (24th) and Marsh Harrier (28th) and up to three Merlin and two Peregrine were regular. A Water Rail appeared (4th), a monthly record total of 79 Little Egret were along the eastern shore and an adult Mediterranean Gull was seen (17th) with first-year birds (5th, 27th & 30th). Grounded passerine totals included 75 Wheatear (29-9th), 66 Chiffchaff, 23 Whitethroat, 38 Goldcrest, 15 Willow Warbler, six Spotted Flycatcher, four Whinchat and four Blackcap while diurnal movements were generally light but produced 4,872 Swallow (1,180-1st & 1,910- 24th), 4,812 Meadow Pipit (1,800-24th), 1,438 Skylark (580-24th), 356 Grey Wagtail (56-10th), 253 Sand Martin (110-1st), 196 Tree Sparrow (75-1st), 142 House Martin (44-6th), 23 Tree Pipit and 14 Siskin. Departure dates involved: Lesser Whitethroat (5th), Pied Flycatcher (9th), Common Sandpiper (10th), Spotted Flycatcher (11th) Whinchat and Redstart (13th), Tree Pipit (14th), Sedge Warbler (16th), Whitethroat (19th), Willow Warbler (23rd) and Yellow Wagtail (24th). A Great Spotted Woodpecker was logged (9th), an early Redwing arrival was noted (from 28th) and the resident Hooded Crow remained. Whimbrel © WBO For the second successive year the autumn theme of frustrating and increasingly wet and windy weather, due to a series of low-pressure systems sweeping in

Page 116 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk from the Atlantic, continued through October with rainfall on 29 days and a total of 128.7mm precipitation recorded, conditions which severely curtailed migration through the island. Nonetheless, 123 species were still logged with a Grey Phalarope (2nd), Great White Egret (14th), Yellow-browed Warbler (18th) and Cetti’s Warbler (20th) the main highlights. The sea also provided 35 Gannet, 32 Kittiwake, two Manx Shearwater and two Fulmar (all 1st), 19 Shag (10th), 14 Red-throated Diver and two Velvet Scoter (20th) and single Sandwich Tern (5th), Arctic Skua (9th), Scaup (15th), Great Northern Diver (22nd), Black Guillemot (30th) and Little Gull (31st) amongst 416 Common Scoter (2nd) and 222 Razorbill (20th). Passage totals of 636 Pink-footed Goose and 26 Whooper Swan were well below recent years while the Brent Goose flock Sand Martin © WBO held up to 250 light-bellied (10th) and 126 Pintail (10th), 19 Barnacle Geese(20th-25th) and a redhead Goosander (9th & 30th) were also logged. Waders continued to be well represented with single Little Stint (1st), Spotted Redshank (8th & 23rd) and Jack Snipe (23rd) amongst 22 Greenshank. A Mediterranean Gull was seen (5th & 19th), up to three Water Rail lingered and record numbers of Little Egret were present (103-22nd). A Tawny Owl was unusual (11th), and a Short-eared Owl was seen (30th) while both Merlin and Peregrine were still regularly recorded. The Hooded Crow remained, and the first Twite reappeared (25th). Diurnal migration provided totals of 165 Tree Sparrow (95-18th), 66 Siskin (17-18th), 25 Grey Wagtail, 10 Brambling (from 18th) and six Lesser

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 117 Redpoll along with three Stock Dove (19th) and single Jay (2nd), Great Spotted Woodpecker (13th), Bullfinch (18th), Snow Bunting (19th) and Mistle Thrush (21st) and a daily peak of 1,050 Jackdaw (18th). However, these were all eclipsed by a spectacular thrush movement over the island (19th) which produced totals of 17,724 Fieldfare and 17,147 Redwing. Grounded birds remained at a premium but included totals of 69 Goldcrest (21-18th), 16 Chiffchaff and eight Blackcap (to 31st) while migrant departure dates involved Wheatear (1st), Swallow (19th) and Swift (27th). The frustrating weather conditions continued well into November, with the seemingly incessant wind and rain and above average temperatures dominating until the final few days of the month. There were only two dry days, with a total of 156.5mm of precipitation recorded – to provide the wettest month of the year. A total of 117 species were seen during the month with single Cetti’s Warbler (19th & 27th) the highlight. Sightings over the sea included: single Scaup (1st), Great Northern Diver (10th-11th & 20th), Black Guillemot (10th-22nd), Arctic Skua, Great Skua and Manx Shearwater (all 20th) and a late Fulmar (23rd) along with four Little Gull and good numbers of Kittiwake (730-9th & 805-20th), Common Scoter (430-1st & 465- 17th), Razorbill (277-1st), Shag (38-22nd) and Redthroated Diver (22-17th). Black Guillemot © WBO A total of 930 Pink-footed and 61 Whooper Swan (21- 3rd) continued to move through, the Brent Goose flock increased to host 312 light-bellied and 73 dark-bellied birds and three Scaup were logged (27th). Several Goosander appeared amongst up to 41 Red-breasted Merganser and at least six Water Rail were present along with a record 103 Little Egret (30th). A Shorteared Owl was logged (16th & 27th) and both Peregrine and Merlin put in regular appearances. Although Knot were notable by their absence, waders remained prominent including 1,820 Lapwing (25th), 292 Snipe, 25 Greenshank (11th), two Woodcock (19th), two Purple Sandpiper (21st) and single Black-tailed Godwit (27th) and Jack Snipe (21st & 27th). Up to 55 Twite took up residence and the Hooded Crow remained throughout. A few more winter thrushes arrived including, 630 Fieldfare (13th) and 44 Blackbird (19th), however, Mistle Thrush and Song Thrush numbers were low. Single Treecreeper (19th and 27th) were unusual, otherwise obvious grounded passerines were limited to six Goldcrest (to 12th) and Chiffchaff (19th). Diurnal migration was slightly better in comparison with totals of 37 Siskin, 32 Tree Sparrow (24-4th), eight Lesser Redpoll and four Brambling, while six Stock Dove were amongst 55 Woodpigeon (4th). December began with light winds and produced the coldest spell of the year with temperatures falling below freezing on 12 consecutive days (-5C on 15th & 16th) before milder, wet and windy conditions returned up to the end of the year to produce a total of 123.0 mm of precipitation over 17 days with a peak of 16.2mm (19th). A total of 114 species were recorded during the month with single Cetti’s Warbler (to 7th) and Great White Egret (14th) the highlights. Offshore sightings were led by single Great Northern Diver (2nd, 21st & 26th), Black Guillemot (2nd & 6th), Velvet Scoter (11th), Mediterranean Gull (16th), Scaup (24th) and Little Gull (26th) amongst good numbers of Redthroated Diver (42-31st), Common Scoter (150-3rd) and Shag (40-8th) and a few Gannet (6-21st). The Brent Goose flock held 338 light-bellied and 55 dark-bellied birds and the three Scaup remained (to 3rd) with a further singleton taking up residence (from 22nd). A total of 73 Whooper Swan and 1,294 Pink-footed Geese flew through while a cold weather influx saw a further 95 birds grounded along with 1,076 Pintail, 1,359 Teal and 1,252 Wigeon (23rd), nine Shoveler (11th) and at least three Goosander. At least 53 Little Egret were wintering (10th) and perhaps four Water Rail remained while a Kingfisher appeared (15th). Waders included: 4,314 Oystercatcher, 1,949 Dunlin and 792 Redshank (all 23rd), 20 Purple Sandpiper (26th), a Jack Snipe amongst 176 Snipe (23rd) and up to 11 Greenshank, nine Woodcock and a Black-tailed Godwit. Both Merlin and Peregrine were regular and single Marsh Harrier (22nd) – the first December record for the island and Short-eared Owl (7th) were seen. A Water Pipit was located amongst 24 Rock Pipit (24th) and the longstaying Hooded Crow continued its residence while a small passage of Redwing and Fieldfare was noted. A few Siskins continued to move through along with four Stock Dove (5th) and a Grey Wagtail (4th) while the Twite flock held up to 70 birds. A few Goldcrests and single Chiffchaff (3rd) and Grey Wagtail (14th) were perhaps attempting to overwinter while an island feeding station held a Great Spotted Woodpecker, two Tree Sparrow and three Jay. Although 173 species were recorded across the island through the course of 2022, this is one of the lowest annual totals in the observatory’s history and perhaps a reflection of the severely reduced autumn passage through the island. While Tree Sparrow bred for the first time and Teal, Grey Heron, Jay, Raven, Long-tailed Tit and Coal Tit all continued to prosper as breeding species there were also losses with both Grey Partridge and Little Owl now apparently lost as breeding species.

Page 118 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Motus at Bird Observatories Dr Lucy Mitchell Although there has been a slight lull in progress in developing the UK Motus network this last 12 months, there have still been some new additions to the network, and there have also been plenty of exciting detections to get people talking. As promised, a new receiver at Weybourne on the north Norfolk coast has been erected, along with one on the Deep aquarium in the centre of Hull city. The latter is ‘just’ a listening post but stands at the intersection of the river Hull and the Humber estuary, a major migration channel. Although there have been no detections yet at the Deep, Weybourne is ideally placed to pick up cross channel migrants, many of which are still being tagged by colleagues and collaborators on the continent. Figure 1 shows the multiple bright yellow lines that represent detections on the Weybourne receiver, all originating in the Netherlands, including two blackbirds and a starling, which crossed the channel this autumn in between 2.5 and 4.5 hours. Figure 1: The new Weybourne receiver (green dot) and detections (yellow lines) - autumn 2022. The receiver installed at Wheldrake Ings in the middle of 2021 has finally seen its first detections (outside of the blackcaps tagged there in autumn 2021), with three starlings moving through in October and November 2022 (Figure 2). These birds displayed remarkably similar behaviour to each other, all moving through quickly from the southeast to the northwest, without stopping. One bird even made the return trip five days later, which although seems very unlikely, is verified by the data. Looking at the two maps in figs 1 & 2 side by side, we can see that birds moving across from the continent in the late autumn and early winter choose a variety of specific arrival and departure locations but generally all move in the same direction. Birds seemed to leave both first thing in the morning (generally around 06:00 or 07:00) and soon after sunset (17:00/18:00), taking just a few hours to cross over the southern North Sea. Detections increased on the Spurn bird obs receiver as well, with a number of starlings, blackbirds and even a goldcrest detected this autumn! (figure 3). The goldcrest left the Netherlands at 23:09 and arrived at 06:30, taking 7hrs 20 to cross – an incredible average of 44km per hour for this tiny <10g bird. Figure 2: Detections at the Wheldrake Ings receiver in autumn 2022. Figure 3: Track of a Goldcrest crossing from Vlieland, NL to Spurn, UK in October 2022. These data, along with data collected from the blackcaps in 2021 are starting to show us how these previously untracked passerines are making their way on their autumn migration. Although there has not been any more tagging of blackcaps this year due to funding and logistical restrictions, the data has been analysed further and we can see now how varied their departure movements were, at all tagging sites (figure 4). Blackcaps – both adult and juvenile – departed in all directions, even when the continent-facing ‘normal’ migration direction was to the east/southeast. Some birds did depart straight offshore towards the Netherlands, but others waited inland for a period, and some departed inland, only to be later detected further south or east, insinuating that perhaps they move along the coast, before crossing, or that they are moving south and will remain in the UK.

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 119 Young Birders at Bird Observatories in 2022 Many of the usual opportunities for youngsters to visit observatories had to be abandoned in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, however, some under 25’s still managed to get to Observatories to either volunteer or take up roles as Assistants. A selection of their personal reviews can be found here. Bethany Wilson – Year 10 Work Experience at Bardsey Observatory Bethany’s mum (Dawn Balmer) contacted us in 2021 to ask about her daughter coming from Norfolk to do work experience at the Observatory. We put the wheels in motion and began planning the week and finally this August Bethany visited the island to do her work experience. Bethany tells of her week on the island. In year 10 at school, we get the opportunity for a week of work experience, so for me, this was an opportunity to delve into the conservation and wildlife sector. Last Summer I approached Steve at the Observatory to see if we could work something out, and when he said yes, I could not wait! Being a keen birder, having some ringing experience and the amazing opportunities Bardsey had to offer, working as a trainee warden at the Observatory was an exciting prospect. As we approached the island in the boat, I could see the cliffs, with various seabirds, and close views of Puffin. Then the lighthouse and the south end came into view, with Grey Seals hauled out. As Connor brought the boat out of the water ready to unload, I could see the Observatory nestled at the bottom on the hill, with the Heligoland Trap behind. I could immediately tell that this was going to be an unforgettable week. After settling into the Observatory, meeting everyone and absorbing the stunning view, we set up the mist nets for Storm Petrel up at the north end. That evening I got my first real taste of the island and its birds. With the sound system on, we waited, hearing the first Manx Shearwaters coming in. The sound was incredible, and to hear it every night from the bedroom window was something special. We caught Storm Petrels very quickly and Steve showed me how to extract one from the net. I could transfer my skills from extracting small passerines, but Stormies were quite difficult. They were a lot smaller than I thought they were but more amazing than I could ever imagine. Their cool tube nose, white rump, cute little faces, and lovely smell all added to their outstanding character. The only bird I have ever seen that just sits on the weighing scales! Ringing these became one of my favourite parts of the experience. We also ringed Manx Shearwaters, which were a little less cooperative but all the same a magnificent bird. Walking around and seeing them just sat there, allowing you to pick them up to ring was crazy! The Stormies were incredible, but little warm fluff balls are hard to beat. Ringing and monitoring the Manx Shearwater chicks was a phenomenal experience. Learning how to get them out of the burrows safely and ringing them with Steve and Emma was something I had never done before. They have very flat legs, so the rings had to be shaped in a certain way, it was totally different to anything I had ringed before. I also helped Ollie with growth rate monitoring and productivity. Weighing them and measuring their wings. I learnt that their weight rapidly increases until they become bigger than an adult, then their parents starve them, so they decrease in size to enable them to get out of the burrow, which is very cool! Bethany ringing Storm Petrels I helped Ollie with the census, counting all the birds and other wildlife on the island, as Ed, the other Observatory assistant was away on holiday. I soon got to know a few place names but pronouncing them was another level of difficulty! Chough, Rock Pipit, Wheatear, Raven and Stonechat were some of the highlights for me. I also helped with entering the daily log and Manxie data on the computer. We spent time looking over the sea from the Obs, watching the Manx Shearwaters effortlessly flying past, and I was thrilled to see Atlantic White-sided Dolphin, Risso’s Dolphin and Harbour Porpoise! Doing the moth trap every morning was exciting, I quickly picked up on species I have never seen before, and the Garden Tigers never failed to amaze. My favourite moth we caught had to be the female Drinker though. It wasn’t all wildlife, there were lots of jobs to be getting on with around the Obs, emptying the compost toilets, cutting grass for the toilets, checking the water level in the well, and turning the video on in the shop. The water system was something that hadn’t really crossed my mind. We had to pump water out of one tank to another and pump water to use as hot water. I found it very interesting as it’s something, living on the mainland, we don’t have to think about. It also showed me that you must know a lot about everything to work and live on the island as getting a plumber or electrician in isn’t very easy! I really enjoyed helping with the guided walks, especially the night-time one with the Stormies and Manxies, seeing the amazement on people’s faces when you show them a bird is always special. I loved

Page 120 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk showing people the Manxie chicks and showing them the monitoring process. Another highlight was a boat trip to the east side to check up and count the seabirds. Kittiwake, Razorbill, Guillemot and Shag were great to see on the cliffs and in the water. Being on an island was a surreal experience, you felt very safe being able to walk around day and night. Leaving doors open and belongings out was strange, having that security made the whole experience more enjoyable. In the evenings I enjoyed spending time on Solfach beach, watching the sun set over the sea was beautiful. On my last day I went snorkelling with Ollie, the water was very clear, and I saw Sea Gooseberry for the first time. The sounds on the island were also amazing, going to bed hearing seals howling and Manxies calling was just incredible. My work experience was just fantastic; I learnt so much and had a great insight into what goes on in the conservation world. It has confirmed that this sector is definitely for me. I am hoping to go back when I am older to volunteer for a little while, I just can’t wait to visit again! Very many thanks to Steve and Emma for allowing me to visit Bardsey Lodge and Bird Observatory for my work experience and making it such an enjoyable experience and thanks to Ollie for sharing his time and knowledge and letting me help him out on his daily duties. Thanks also, to my school for permitting me to go to Bardsey. Kate Fox – Autumn Intern – Bardsey Observatory This August I was very lucky to spend a month as the autumn intern at Bardsey Bird Observatory. Having fallen in love with the island on the Young Birder’s weeks in 2017 and 2019, I was desperate to return. So, after finishing my Zoology degree at the University of Exeter this summer I thought it would be a great time to return and get a taste of island life and Observatory work and see if I could hack living on an island for longer than a week (…spoiler alert, I absolutely loved it!!). During my time on the island, I helped Steve, Ollie and Ed carry out the important fieldwork that the Observatory undertakes. This included the daily morning census, bird ringing, helping Ollie with his Manx Shearwater productivity monitoring, and entering and organising ringing and recovery data. Unfortunately, due to Avian Influenza (bird flu) being detected in Gannets on Grassholm, ringing activities were suspended after my first week. Although this was rather disappointing from a ringing perspective, it was necessary to protect our precious seabirds, and eventually, thanks to Steve spending two days applying for permission to continue ringing, we were granted an exemption to ring non-seabirds with increased biosecurity measures in place. Back at it, the nets were generally quiet. However, Ed and I managed to break the record for the number of House Martins ringed, ringing 201 birds in just four days (beating the previous record of 127 ringed in the whole history of the Obs)… that’s a lot of fluffy-footed hirundines! I also enjoyed learning how to dazzle birds at night and had beginners luck catching a Wheatear on my first session. Then on my last night I was overjoyed, and partly in shock, to catch my first ever Curlew on the Narrows. A bird I had always wanted to see in the hand, so to catch one myself was a bonus! I also helped with domestic duties to keep the Obs running smoothly, such as cleaning on changeover days, monitoring the water levels in the well and hot water tank and of course emptying the compost toilets (with bonus shrew sightings in the poo pit!). I really enjoyed engaging with the lovely visitors and guests, particularly helping lead guided walks and hearing everyone’s stories. There were so many highlights it’s hard to narrow them down. I really enjoyed the famous Obs curry nights, honing my curry making skills and taste-testing the onion bhajis. Kate with her curlew © Steven Stansfield During the hot weather I also had great fun sea swimming with Ed at Cafn and the West Coast, jumping in the sea and snorkelling in the company of curious Seals. I was super excited to see my first Comb Jellies, and the biggest Snakelocks Anemone I’ve ever seen! I’m certainly missing hearing Choughs from my room first thing in the morning as they swoop down the mountain, and the almost-daily cetacean sightings from the Obs. And of course, the Manxies at night are always something to behold. On one moonlit night up on Pen Cristin as we awaited the return of a GPS tagged bird, I was in awe of the speed at which they were zooming close overhead with a loud ‘swoooosh’. I feared that if I stood up one might take my head off as it rushed back to its burrow before the gulls had a chance to catch it! I also loved the boat trip around the island to check on the Kittiwake’s breeding success. It

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 121 was awesome to see the island from a different angle, and just off the South End we were joined by three very close Risso’s Dolphins which were amazing! Having got the bug for Bird Observatory life, I’m now volunteering at Spurn Bird Observatory for the autumn before the job hunt begins. I owe a lot to Bardsey, inspiring a shy, young bird nerd five years ago and leading her on a path of awesome nature experiences and opportunities! I would like to say a huge thank you to all the amazing people on the island who made my visit possible and so very enjoyable. I felt so welcome, and it was great to be part of such a great team. I hope it won’t be long until I next return to that magical rock in the Irish Sea full of seabirds, seals and smiling faces. Angus Croudace, Autumn volunteer, Lundy I spent two unforgettable months on Lundy Island in autumn 2022. I live in Scotland, but Lundy’s appeal as a rugged and wild island paradise successfully lured me south for a rare trip beyond the border. I am so grateful to have had to the opportunity, and the experience has meaningfully contributed to who I am now. After accepting the role in early 2022 I had over six months for my excitement to build, only to be met with a false start! 13th September dawned with strong easterlies raising rough seas. A lively crossing on the MS Oldenburg ended up with two failed landing attempts and a return to mainland twelve hours after departing, tail between the legs. Fortunately, we were more successful the following morning. It was a relief when we made it ashore having been so tantalisingly close the day prior – close enough for me to have decided that I could easily have jumped the distance onto the jetty, if the consequences of failure weren’t so high! Our arrival was well timed, coinciding with a huge fall of migrants on a gorgeous sunny day. Chats, flycatchers and warblers covered the island as I and my fellow bird observatory volunteer Tom Wright began exploring. An incredible encounter with a Wryneck on our first afternoon was a super start to two very exciting and bird filled months. Island observatories are special for so many reasons, but their isolation is a major one. I quickly settled and embraced the simple lifestyle that the isolation encouraged, blissfully separated from the baggage of mainland life. I was able to live life one day at a time, taking everything as it came and spending every possible daylight hour outside. The opportunity to focus whole-heartedly on my passion for birding and being outdoors allowed me to live in my element. As I had hoped, I saw several new species that I had not encountered before in mainland Scotland. Highlights include Red-breasted Flycatcher, Hawfinch, Cetti’s Warbler, Hobby, Rosy Starling, several Wryneck, Yellow-browed Warblers and Firecrest. Unrivalled at top spot of course was the fabulous adult male Baltimore Oriole that I was lucky enough to find – certainly the prettiest bird that I have ever seen! It didn’t stay for long, but I am glad that I was able to share it with the whole of the conservation team, jaws dropping as it fed in the evening sun on the sycamores in Millcombe Valley. I also took much delight from the Snow Buntings and Hen Harrier that both spent some time on the island – happy reminders of my home in the Cairngorms. A prolonged stay in one place enables brilliant continuity and I particularly enjoyed watching how the nuances of the weather affected quantities and types of birds recorded across the island as the two months whizzed by. As well as birding and undertaking a daily census, I carried out grey seal surveys twice a week to monitor

Page 122 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk the pupping season. This five hour walking survey along the eastern cliffs added a lovely variety to my responsibilities. Other duties on the island included a variety of practical tasks such as walling and strimming as well as helping the island team on changeover days. These were a great way to get to know the permanent staff. Evenings were spent chatting with some of the fantastic groups of visiting birders, or socialising and playing board games with the rest of the staff in the Marisco Tavern, the hub of the island community. Tim Jones and Tim Davis, the island bird recorders, were present for a fortnight during my stay, and several other parties of regular birders and ringers came and went. As a result, a nice sized group assembled each evening to call the logbook, providing a real sense of birding community for such a small place. I was able to learn so much from these visitors and thoroughly enjoyed their company. I loved my time on Lundy and would highly recommend volunteering on an observatory to any aspiring conservationist/birder. I guarantee that you’ll return with plenty of great anecdotes and memories, it will contribute to your personal development, and it will also look fantastic on your CV. I have promised myself that Lundy won’t be the last bird observatory that I visit, and I feel like some of the Scottish islands are calling out to me in the future… Thank you to Stuart and Rosie (island wardens) and Tom (fellow volunteer) for being a large part of what made my stay so enjoyable. Lundy is a fantastic place, with fantastic people and fantastic birding. There can only be one result of that combination, and that is to have a fantastic time. Autumn residential volunteers at Spurn Bird Observatory. Kate Fox This autumn I enjoyed 10 weeks at Spurn Bird Observatory as a Residential Autumn Volunteer during the busiest time for migration. Having graduated from university in the summer, I was really excited to spend some time out in the field on my own birdy adventure. My role involved doing the daily point counts, engaging with visitors, and helping with general tasks such as building the new Warren Heligoland Trap. I also joined the ringers, helping to catch passerines and waders while I was there. Kate Fox, Matt Coward, Duerden Cormack © Rob Hunton Having never experienced east coast birding, I was in awe of the spectacle of birds arriving in off the North Sea (those that evaded the hungry Gulls that is!), and flocks powering on past me as I stood on the road down the peninsula. The winds were not in our favour for much of the time I was there, but that meant that the sense of anticipation when easterlies were finally forecast rippled throughout the Spurn community. And boy, did it bring some corkers. I happened to be on the peninsula point counts for two of these days. The weather was rainy, foggy and all round miserable… but that did not dampen my spirits as everywhere I looked birds were erupting from the scrub! This was the first proper ‘fall’ I had seen, and it was one of those days where you just have to check everything! On my way

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 123 back, I saw an Acrocephalus-type bird dart in front of me. Given the time of year I had to check it, so I waited and waited to no avail. When a bird did finally appear, it was something even more exciting. First, I saw a yellow supercilium… then a crown stripe, wing bars, and finally that yellow rump… I had found a Pallas’ Warbler! It was my fist rarity, and I was shaking with excitement when I radioed it out. To top it off, that day also brought my first Velvet Scoter, Great Grey Shrike and Red-Flanked Bluetail. Quality birding! I learnt so much during my time at Spurn. Completing the point counts and census really honed my ID skills, particularly bird sounds, as it forced me to pay attention to everything. It was also interesting learning about the survey methodology, and noticing the seasonal changes as the days passed. I also loved be part of the Spurn community. Everyone was so welcoming and helpful. Whether it be talking to visitors in the Obs kitchen, Saturday nights in the Crown & Anchor with the locals or having a laugh with the staff and other volunteers at log, we always had a great time. I’d like to thank the Observatory for such an amazing opportunity, and for everyone who made my time there so enjoyable. I’ll definitely be back! Matt Coward Balancing on top of a ladder, the soft call of a nearby Yellow-browed Warbler punctuates the gaps between the clunks of the staple gun in my hand; a juxtaposition of natural and artificial sounds, yet both a crucial part of the soundscape that reminds me of my wonderful six weeks volunteering at Spurn. We were coming to the end of an autumn’s work, building the new Warren Heligoland trap and celebrated as the Yellow-browed announced itself as the latest addition to the autumn’s “on top of a ladder list”! In this way, there never felt much of a divide between birding and working - birding is simply woven into the fabric of Spurn - and great birds were seen throughout. Tasks were varied but usually entailed a morning point count, walking a prescribed route down the peninsula or around the Triangle, or a guided walk, sharing the magic of Spurn with first-time visitors. Afternoon jobs included cutting back vegetation, making new paths, managing the Spurn Welcome Hub and building the aforementioned Heligoland trap. Pallid Swift, Roughlegged Buzzard and Red-rumped Swallow are just some of the many highlights during point count walks or afternoon tasks. Over the course of the six weeks, it was a privilege to watch the changing of the seasons; the passing of the baton from the final Swallows trickling through the peninsula to the first Waxwings flying south. Although there were many days with less-than-ideal conditions, I quickly learnt never to write off a day at Spurn. This sentiment was reinforced when perhaps the most hopeless day of the autumn ended with a Cory’s Shearwater flying north! The 19th and 20th of October are two days that will live long in my memory, probably the best birding of my entire life. In a few days, I saw 3 Pallas’s Warblers, 2 Red-flanked Bluetails, Olivebacked Pipit, Great Grey Shrike and Little Bunting amongst a fall of Goldcrests, Blackbirds and Robins on a scale I have never witnessed before. It is mainland birding like this for which Spurn is truly unique. Bethany Maguire & Zach Pannifer © Rob Hunton Naturally, when one looks ahead at an autumn volunteering at Spurn, it’s to birding moments like these that your mind inevitably wanders. Yet thanks to such a fantastic community of people and a great group of volunteers to work with, so many of the fondest memories that I’m taking away from my visit don’t even involve a bird. Saturday nights spent in the Crown &amp; Anchor, doing log in the Observatory lounge and evening chats in the volunteers’ cabin spring to mind. I know that I will be able to walk past that Heligoland trap in years to come and be reminded of the great times I had building it, whether it was the countless laughs, attempting to light the candles on Duerden’s birthday cake in gale-force winds or running to the sea watching hide to catch a Red-necked Grebe flying south. I am grateful to every single member of the Spurn community for making me feel so welcome during my stay. I made many great friends and feel lucky to have been a part of protecting and maintaining this fantastic area and community. BTO Young Bird Observatory Volunteer Fund – Spurn Bird Observatory Autumn 2022 Duerden Cormack After a long drive from Gloucestershire, I arrived at Spurn Bird Observatory on the 1st of October for six weeks of residential volunteering. This wasn’t my first visit to Spurn. Having lived in Leeds for university for the last four years I had made the journey to this renowned migrant hotspot whenever the forecast was promising (and my timetable allowed!). After meeting the Observatory staff and my fellow volunteers, I wasted no time in getting out and managed good views

Page 124 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk of the long-staying Barred Warbler and slightly less good views of a Yellow-browed Warbler. Arriving on a Saturday meant we spent the rest of the evening in the Crown and Anchor, and I went to bed that evening knowing I had a great autumn ahead of me. Over the next six weeks we conducted daily point counts to monitor grounded passerines and carried out various practical tasks such as footpath maintenance and willow coppicing. For “landlocked” birders, there are few better places than Spurn to get to know coastal species and spending a longer period at the observatory has been invaluable. I have learnt how to separate divers, ducks, and waders at sea, and have become familiar with the calls and habits of uncommon passerines such as Lapland Bunting and Twite. I also learnt a lot about the ringing that takes place at the Observatory. I assisted with catching coastal waders, and learnt about the identification, ageing, and sexing of species such as Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Snow Bunting, and Bearded Tit in the hand. A lot of our time was dedicated to constructing a new Heligoland trap at the Warren that will hopefully catch species that inspire and educate the next cohort of residential volunteers. During my stay, the winds were mostly south-westerly and due to the funnelling effect of the Spurn peninsular, this meant lots of visible migration. “Vismigging” over a longer period at the Observatory gave me many opportunities to practise identification by call and allowed me to appreciate how weather, wind, and time of year affect migration patterns. Among the numerous Skylarks, finches, and Meadow Pipits were redpolls and Rock Pipits and goodies such as Woodlark, Rough-legged Buzzard, Pallid Swift, and Red-rumped Swallow. On the night of the 19th of October, easterly winds coincided with rain over the Spurn Peninsular. The next day was one of the most memorable birding experiences I have ever had. Hundreds of Goldcrests littered every bush and tree, the ticking of Robins could be heard everywhere, and thousands of thrushes spiralled out of the cloud all day. Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Short-eared Owl, Firecrest, and Mealy Redpoll were encountered regularly, and 33 Black Redstarts were found in the recording area. This is not to mention the rarities which included three Pallas’ Warblers, two Little Buntings, two Red-flanked Bluetails, and a Great Grey Shrike! As good as the birding was, what makes Spurn Bird Observatory unique is its community of resident and visiting birders. To be surrounded by like-minded people, to make new friends and spend time with old ones, and to share stories of birding with other birders is what really makes the observatory experience special. On my final day I completed one last peninsular point count transect which coincided with a small fall of Blackbirds and Chaffinches. A new-in Black Redstart and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose were the birding highlights but I was most pleased to finally find the pseudoscorpion Dactylochelifer latreillii – a rare, dune specialist species that I had been trying to find for the past six weeks. Spurn truly kept on giving right until the end and I would encourage any young birders that have the opportunity to stay at an observatory to go for it, you won’t be disappointed!

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 125 James King – Dungeness Bird Observatory From 24th-31st August 2022, I spent 8 days at Dungeness during which dawn-dusk field days, evocative shingle landscapes and extensive habitat diversities were memorable. Staying at the Obs was homely, with thanks to warden David Walker, assistant warden Jacob Spinks and Gill Hollamby for their company and Pilot Inn evenings. Peninsular at dawn, Dungeness BO © James King Peninsula days of 10-14 hours were productive, with highlights of dark-morph Honey Buzzard S over Long Pits and juv. Long-eared Owl on 24th; Dotterel in-off sea/W, Balearic Shearwater, 1cy Caspian Gull, 3 Yellow-legged Gull and Black Tern offshore Boats/New Lighthouse on 25th; 3 Pied Flycatcher, 11 Spotted Flycatcher, 8 Redstart, Grasshopper Warbler, 11 Tree Pipit S and 240 Willow Warbler comprising a moderate fall between DBO Moat and Long Pits on 27th following overnight overcast skies with light NW’lies; 1cy Pectoral Sandpiper, 6 Glossy Ibis, 8 Cattle Egret and 2 Garganey at Dengemarsh on the 29th, and Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Little Stint, 3 Wood Sandpiper, Spoonbill, Black-necked Grebe, and Merlin on ARC Pit on 31st. Wood Sandpiper, Dungeness RSPB Reserve © M. Casemore Long Pits, Dungeness NNR © James King Redstart, Dungeness BO © M. Casemore Ringing highlights included 1CYs of Grasshopper Warbler and Tree Pipit from Nets 5 and 13 in Trapping Area on 27th (JS), alongside good numbers of common Afro-Palaearctic migrant warblers. Nocmig from the Obs recorded flyover Dotterel on 24th-25th and several Common Sandpiper, Greenshank and Sandwich Tern, while Lepidoptera found included a Rosy Wave and Cypress Pug on 27th, in addition to a Convolvulus Hawkmoth in the Heligoland Trap on 26th. Pied Flycatcher, Dungeness BO © M. Casemore Nocturnal surveys in the Desert/Trapping Area for Orthoptera produced Tree Crickets, 8 Large Coneheads and 6 Sickle-bearing Bush-crickets, in addition to several Southern Oak Bush-crickets in the Observatory garden. An inspiring late-August visit across this captivating corner of SE Kent, with thanks to the British Trust for Ornithology for funds through the student grant scheme in partnership with the Bird Observatories Council.

Page 126 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk A Placement at Gibraltar Point in 2022 – Jacob Bain I graduated in 2017 from Nottingham Trent University, with a degree in Wildlife Conservation and, having since spent a few years working in hospitality – and lacking any real practical work experience, I was keen on jumping feet first into a placement, not only to pick up some much-needed industry experience, but also to find inspiration and decide exactly what I wanted to do in the context of conservation. I had been told by friends who had previously done placements that Gibraltar Point had been a fantastic experience, so I reached out to the Reserve Warden, and two phone-calls later, I had arranged an eightmonth placement - from February through to October, with on-site accommodation provided for the duration. As part of the role, I was able to secure part time employment in the Visitor Centre, serving in the café and engaging with visitors. Having grown up in the Lincolnshire Fens, surrounded by arable cropland, skeletal hedgerows, and low levels of wildlife, I was excited to see the urban outer limits of Skegness start to transition into coastal habitat as I neared the Reserve, with Sea-Buckthorn and Hawthorn replacing mown grass and concrete, and engine noise receding under the sound of wetland bird calls. I spent the first day meeting the Reserve team and exploring the Reserve and its various habitats, Lacking a scope of my own, I was able to have use of an Opticron scope set aside for volunteers, which was a huge aid for familiarising myself with the bird species across the Reserve. With spring just around the corner, I spent most weeks working alongside the Reserve team and volunteers to manage a variety of habitats, learning a multitude of key skills along the way, covering everything from leadership of volunteer work parties, the safe operation of heavy machinery such as tractors and toppers, and moving livestock across the Reserve. Crucially, rather than solely learning how to carry out practical management, the Warden took time to ensure that myself and the other volunteers understood why we undertook the work, training us on factors influencing management such as UK legislation, habitat type, target species, and adherence to government landstewardship schemes. Alongside all of this, my highlights for spring included a Starling murmuration numbering well over half a million, frequent Black Redstarts, and a Golden Oriole life tick. With spring drawing to a close, the opportunity to take part in the annual Shorebird Project arose. I was able to take on an informal role as Assistant Shorebird Warden, which lasted into late summer, with which came new skills and experience. During this time, I spent most of the time working with the Shorebird Warden to protect a colony of Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, and Little Tern. This provided a real sense of responsibility, as well as brilliant experience in public engagement, lone working, habitat/nest surveillance and monitoring, predation mitigation, and practical work with IUCN Red Listed and Schedule 1 species which is often hard to acquire without prior experience. It was an incredibly rewarding role; we saw an increased number of Little Tern chicks fledge that season, a brilliant payoff for the work that we put in. With autumn underway and my final couple of weeks at the Reserve looming, it felt important to reflect on how much I had learned in such a short period. I had started out in February, with no real experience and very little ability in terms of conservation skills. By the time I left in October, I felt confident in my ability to identify habitats and species across a number of taxonomic groups; I felt capable of carrying out effective habitat management with both light and heavy machinery; I had learned a great deal about the natural history of the Reserve and Lincolnshire; I’d been able to get involved in bird ringing and moth trapping; and I had everything that I needed to start a career in something that I was passionate about. All of this thanks to the passion and expertise of the people that surrounded me during the placement. I honestly couldn’t summarise everything I learned during my time on the reserve without writing a novel, but I can certainly say that if you’re at a point where you feel you need some excellent experience to supplement a degree, or perhaps simply want to spend some time working on a fantastic Nature Reserve with people who really do know their stuff, I couldn’t recommend Gibraltar Point enough. Thank you to Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 127 Lundy Stuart Cossey 2022 turned out to be another excellent year for Lundy now in its third and final year of surveys prior to our application for reaccreditation as an official Bird Observatory. Yet another new bird was added to the island list and there was some memorable passage of common migrants in autumn. Fortunately, the island mostly escaped this year’s expansive outbreak of Avian Influenza. All our cliff-nesting seabirds had left the island by the time that Gannets started washing up on the island. The only confirmed cases of Avian Influenza affecting breeding birds on the island were in juvenile gulls. This year Lundy managed to host its marine festival, which was delayed by Covid-19, marking 50 years of the Marine Protected Area. A weeklong bioblitz in July recorded over 250 species and surveys of the No Take Zone looked at Lobsters, Scallops and other species. Hooded Crow © Richard Campey Unlike many Bird Observatories, Lundy is occupied fulltime and so the core area is monitored all year round. By the end of February, the year list was already at 65 with the Pink-footed and White-fronted Geese staying from 2021, three Little Gulls and an Iceland Gull following the big storms. Mandarin © Stuart Cossey Blue-headed Wagtail © Stuart Cossey Spring started well, with an influx of 40 Brambling in March. A Grey Phalarope in Jenny’s Cove on the 12th April was the 15th island record. Strong easterlies at the end of April brought in a Bonelli’s Warbler and Eastern Subalpine Warbler amongst the more usual Osprey, Whinchat and Reed Warblers. A Bluethroat in May was the 11th island record. May sightings also included a Hooded Crow as well as multiple Blue-headed Wagtails, a Snow Bunting, singing Wood Warbler and a few waders including a Greenshank and Bar-tailed Godwit. Wood Warbler © Richard Campey A female Mandarin Duck sitting on rocks in the Landing Bay on the 22nd May was the first record for the island, though not entirely unexpected given their expansion across the southwest. June is usually a quieter month for migration with a focus on breeding land and seabirds. Notable migrants include a Honey Buzzard, Thrush Nightingale, Rosy Starling, Quail and Yellowhammer. Rosy Starling © Stuart Cossey

Page 128 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Ringing started on 3rd April with a busy season of 1500 birds up to the end of June. It was mostly Blackcap and Willow Warbler with highlights of eight Sand Martin, nine Grasshopper Warbler, a Firecrest, two Hawfinch, two female Bullfinch and a female Brambling. Multiple nights of Manx Shearwater ringing took place before stopping due to the threat of Avian Influenza. Brambling © Stuart Cossey Ever since the eradication of rats from the island in 2002 to 2006 the populations of Lundy’s breeding birds have rocketed. This year was no exception for land birds with Starlings, Wrens, Blackbirds, Wheatear, Stonechat, Skylark and Meadow Pipit doing well. Seabirds appeared to do worse than last year with Puffin and Guillemot productivity down. The number of Kittiwake pairs were down but thankfully productivity was much higher than 2021, though still decreasing since 2018. The number of pairs of Manx Shearwaters using the artificial nest boxes increased to 11 with eight young successfully fledging. A single Storm Petrel ringing session at a known breeding colony caught 20 birds including three controls. An evening survey at another site saw up to 12 individuals. Greenshank © Rosie Ellis The hot weather in July caused issues with water on the island, most of the ponds dried completely and visitors were asked to use water sparingly. August marked the beginning of wader passage with a total of 15 species recorded, including a Wood Sandpiper calling in the Landing Bay. Multiple days with big counts of common migrants occurred, most notable were 400 Willow Warblers on 1st August, 12,000 Swallow on 23rd September and 4000 Fieldfare on 20th October. Baltimore Oriole © Tom Wright The bird of the year has to be the adult male Baltimore Oriole which turned up following strong westerly winds on the 8th October. Found by volunteer Angus Croudace, unfortunately it only stayed for one day but showed well to the handful of birders on the island at the time. Wryneck © Tom Wright A total of four Wryneck were seen this year, with two together in Milcombe at on 21st September. An Ortolan Bunting and Sabine’s Gull were seen briefly whereas a juvenile Rosy Starling stayed on the island for three and a half weeks. The end of October and November were full of strong south-westerly winds putting a stop to ringing and many arriving migrant birds. Black Redstart have been common occurrences and Chaffinches, Siskin and Redwing are moving through in the brief gaps between the heavy rain. A few long staying birds added to the interest including a ringtail Hen Harrier, Wigeon and Jackdaw. Firecrest © Stuart Cossey

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 129 The majority of birds ringed in between July and December were Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Goldcrests and Swallows. Highlights include a juvenile Common Rosefinch, three Yellow-browed Warblers and the 7th island records of both Cetti’s Warbler and Pallas’s Warbler. Pallas's Warbler © Stuart Cossey Merlin © Tom Wright Snow Bunting © Tom Wright The daily census will continue until the end of the year and who can tell what will turn up over the winter. Other wildlife Striped Hawkmoth © Stuart Cossey The weather this year was outstanding for moths with the highest recorded number of species in a year. A total of 248 species were recorded of which 27 were new for the island. The star moth has to be a Striped Hawk-moth which had an influx to the UK this year. There were also good numbers of Hoary Footman and the rare micro-moth Nothris congressariella, which is only found in a few locations where it lives on Balmleaved Figwort. Hummingbird Hawkmoth © Stuart Cossey Once again cetaceans were frequently observed from the island and during the crossing on the MS Oldenburg with bow-riding Common Dolphins the highlight. Minke Whale, Harbour Porpoise and Bottlenose Dolphin were also seen. A dead Risso’s Dolphin washed up in the Landing Bay proves this species still ventures into the Bristol Channel. Grey Seals had a difficult breeding year with multiple storms coinciding with high tides. A total of 54 pups were born but it is difficult to know how many of those survived to their first moult. A whole island count of 206 Grey Seals was completed on the 9th October.

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