BOC news - Edition 9

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 49 Dungeness David Walker The winter period was the now typical wet, relatively warm and windy affair and this was then followed by a prolonged drought resulting in a considerable browning off of the vegetation with brambles producing very little fruit. Once the drought broke it seemed to bring an endless succession of rain and wind with the Trapping Area thigh deep in water in some places by the end of the year. As in most recent times the year started fairly quietly with very little in the way of cold weather movement and even some strong early up-channel movements of Brent Geese, Wigeon and Red-throated Divers and large numbers of auks feeding offshore. An Iceland Gull first seen in December 2021 continued its stay into March. Caspian Gulls were a feature of the winter months with a day peak of five in January and up to four Great Skuas were seen on 11 days to Mar.8th. Up to five Chiffchaffs and a couple of Dartford Warblers were over-wintering in the area and a Snow Bunting flew over on Jan.12th. Jacob Spinks also arrived on Mar.1st to take up his position as Assistant Warden for the year. Iceland Gull © David Walker The spring saw a steady trickle of some commoner migrants rather than any large arrivals. Two Wood Warbler and a single Turtle Dove were seen along with very few Cuckoos, Swifts, Sand and House Martins, Willow Warblers, Garden Warblers, just three Redstarts, one Whinchat and three Tree Pipits. One particularly notable and unusual feature of the spring was a record passage of Siskins. The spring seawatching was fairly eventful with a record-breaking passage of Garganey (119 birds) along with good numbers of Shoveler, Pintail and Teal. A few Manx Shearwaters and a single Sooty Shearwater passed through along with good numbers of Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwits and Little Gulls and there was a good spring total of 178 Pomarine Skuas. The low numbers of birds arriving on the land was also reflected in a lack of rarities but there was still a remarkable total of six Black Kites, six Honey Buzzards, a very early Red-breasted Flycatcher and an Icterine Warbler caught in the Moat. Honey Buzzard © David Walker Black Kites © David Walker

Page 50 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Icterine Warbler © David Walker The small breeding population of Wheatears had a poor season, but Stonechats seemed to be everywhere with at least nine pairs present (many of the males at least appearing to be ssp rubicola) and lots of young being fledged. The regular pair of Ravens successfully fledged four young but despite being present throughout the resident pair of Peregrine Falcons failed yet again to produce any young. A pair of Kestrels also nested and fledged five young at the second attempt and two pairs of Great Black-backed Gulls nested. Great Black-backed Gull with chicks © David Walker Breeding passerines generally had a hard time though with Blue and Great Tits, Whitethroats, Blackbirds and Linnets all producing very few young. However, there was a totally unexpected highlight when young Longeared Owls were heard calling in the trapping area and subsequent searches found the nest and three young. Long-eared Owl youngsters © David Walker The autumn was very slow to get going with very few Sand Martins, although Willow Warbler and Reed Warbler numbers in July and August were better than in most recent years. Firecrest and Goldcrest numbers although still low were a distinct improvement on 2021 but thrushes were in generally short supply. The sea was very slow for the most part but there were excellent numbers of Balearic Shearwaters with a peak of 106 on 7th and Little Gulls numbers were excellent in October and November.

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 51 Juvenile Caspian Gull © David Walker Caspian Gulls began to appear from late July. Towards the end of the season numbers of Kittiwakes increased and auks arrived in large numbers. On the minus side Arctic Terns were very scarce as last year and perhaps not surprisingly with Avian Flu wreaking its toll Great Skuas were almost non-existent. Rarities included two Long-tailed Skuas, an excellent total of 14 Puffins, a Black Guillemot, five Dotterels, six Leach’s Petrels, a Red-necked Phalarope, two Grey Phalaropes, two Grey Phalarope © David Walker Hoopoes, a Siberian Chiffchaff, a Pallas’s Warbler, five Yellow-browed Warblers, a superb Siberian Stonechat (now confirmed by DNA analysis) and another Redbreasted Flycatcher. One other remarkable site was that of a flock of 50 White Storks passing over the Observatory and then out to sea although these were somewhat tarnished as they were all likely to be Knepp birds. The back end of the year saw huge numbers of Gannets, Kittiwakes and auks passing through along with singles of Glaucous and Iceland Gulls and Brent Geese already heading east in some numbers. Siberian Stonechat © David Walker White Storks © David Walker Red-breasted Flycatcher © David Walker Other wildlife As well as birds the Observatory records a wide range of fauna and flora and is well placed to receive species from the continent. Moth traps are operated on most nights and butterflies, dragonflies, shieldbugs and crickets and grasshoppers are constantly monitored. The butterfly season started really well with huge

Page 52 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Eana argentana, Antigastra catalaunalis and Crimson Speckled © David Walker numbers of Small Coppers and good numbers of Grizzled Skippers and Common Blues but as the drought took hold it became clear that numbers of the later broods and later emerging species were going to be severely hit with poor numbers of most species in the latter half of the year. After a very slow start to the mothing season things picked up from early July and it turned out to be an excellent year for migrants with some of the best including several Celypha rufana, the first English record of Eana argentana, a Dioryctria sylvestrella, a Loxostege sticticalis, an Antigastra catalaunalis, five Cydalima perspectalis, 37 Palpita vitrealis, three Striped Hawk-moths, five Convolvulus Hawk-moths, two Brussels Lace, five Bloxworth’s Snouts, two Gypsy Moths, a Dotted Footman, a remarkable run of five Dark Crimson Underwings, a Ni Moth, a Dewick’s Plusia, two Radford’s Flame Shoulders, a Flame Wainscot, four Cosmopolitans, a Splendid Brocade, a Red-headed Chestnut, an Orange Sallow, two Whitespecks, two Beautiful Marbled and a Scarce Black Arches. A few micro-moths were also added to the Observatory list from the traps including Caloptilia honoratella, Ypsolopha horridella and Tuta absoluta and five Bisigna procerella were significant. In addition, Will Langdon spent several weeks at the Observatory during the summer and a good number of microspecies were added to the area list, mainly from leaf mines, and including Dialectica scalariella. The use of pheromone lures produced a couple of records of Redtipped Clearwing which was also new for the recording area. In many ways though the moth event of the year was the mass arrival of Crimson Speckleds with 25 individuals found in the recording area (mostly by day) at the end of October with a day count of 12 on 29th. It was also an exciting year for some other insects groups. The very rare shieldbug (only known in Britain from Dungeness) Geotomus petiti was found in the Moat again and a few Mottled Shieldbug were seen. Also of note was a substantial breeding population of the rare Ornate Shieldbug and large numbers of the rare Firebug now breeding in the Observatory Garden. A number of other rare bugs and beetles were found with the first known breeding population of Oxycarenus lavaterae adult and nymph © David Walker Oxycarenus lavaterae in Britain discovered on Tree Mallow in the Observatory Garden and the rare beetle Hister quadrimaculata again. Tree Cricket numbers were high again and continue to slowly spread outwards from the initial colony and Sickle-bearing Bush-cricket numbers improved with two more or less discrete colonies. It was also great to see good numbers of Large Conehead again and including several nymphs. Southern Oak Bush-crickets were frequent in the Observatory garden. Red-veined Darter © David Walker It wasn’t a great year for dragonflies, but an Emerald Dragonfly in May was only the second Observatory record, several Lesser Emperors were seen at the Long Pits, Willow Emeralds were seen on six days and a Redveined Darter was seen at the fishing boats at the very end of October. Variable Damselfly and Small Red-eyed Damselfly continue to breed at the Long Pits. Large numbers of Porpoises were seen with sightings on many days during the year and with a peak count of 40 in March while rarer cetacean sightings included Bottle-nosed Dolphin and White-beaked Dolphin. Various attempts to record bats were also made with Bat Detectors with numerous records of Nathusius’s Pipistrelles and Common Pipistrelle and the occasional Soprano Pipistrelles gathered. Badgers were frequent visitors to the Observatory garden.

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 53 Badger in the Observatory Garden © David Walker Other projects MEMORIES OF DUNGENESS AND DUNGENESS BIRD OBSERVATORY Over the last two years we have been trying to collect written accounts of the early days of the Bird Observatory. These have now been collated and published in the form of a book which is now on sale from the Bird Observatory at £12 + £2.30 for 2nd class postage. It is an excellent read with 144 pages of archive material, personal accounts, anecdotes and photographs and should be of interest to anyone who has visited Dungeness in the past or plans to do so in the future. MOTUS Over recent years, stimulated by talks at the International Bird Observatory Conferences and with increasing use of radio tracking to monitor migration patterns we installed our own MOTUS receiver in 2019. This November saw our first “hit” on the tower with a Knot passing through the area. The receivers are still operating and will hopefully pick up more tagged birds and/or bats next year. It's an exciting time in the development of technology to further ongoing scientific research. The Motus receivers © David Walker So, in the end it proved to be another very successful year and a big thank-you to everyone who has helped to make it so. With the eventual relaxing of Covid restrictions we are now able to take bookings for accommodation again and hopefully see more of you in the field. As you can see from the above the work of the Bird Observatory covers much more than just birds. The Observatory provides inexpensive accommodation for anyone wishing to see for themselves the natural history riches that the area has to offer. For further information you can check out our website at www.dungenessbirdobs.org.uk or contact David Walker by email at [email protected] or post to Dungeness Bird Observatory, 11 RNSSS Cottages, Dungeness, Kent TN29 9NA.

Page 54 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Fair Isle Alex Penn With the arrival of the seasonal team back into the isle on 21st March, the season got off to a good start, with SE winds kicking migration into gear earlier than usual. The first Wheatear appeared on 26th, with early spring highlights of White-billed Diver and Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll taking us into April. A surprise Lesser Yellowlegs appearing in gale force easterly winds on 6th April was just the isle’s 5th record, going on to linger until 17th. Other April highlights included Crane, an early Hoopoe on 14th, Short-toed Lark, a further two Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll (one of which had been ringed in Norway the previous autumn) as well as a brief visit by two Glossy Ibis and multiple White-tailed Eagles – the first of a record year for sightings of these impressive raptors. Hoopoe, Malcolm's Head © Alex Penn With the exception of a smart Red-throated Pipit on 8th May, the month got off to a sedate start, with the first major day of movement not until 16th, bringing an influx of Spotted Flycatchers (with a single Pied and Red-breasted amongst them) as well as other spring goodies of Bluethroat, Red-backed Shrike, Yellow Wagtail and Tree Pipit. The second half of May is one of the best times to be on the isle, and this year was no exception, with Blyth’s Reed Warbler and Rustic Rustic Bunting, Boini Mire © Alex Penn Bunting preceding a brilliant day on 20th, with a Thrush Nightingale trapped, a stunning male Collared Flycatcher on the cliffs and a Serin (the isle’s 5th) touring the crofts. Golden Oriole, Hobby and several Quail kept the quality coming for the remainder of May, with Icterine Warblers making their first appearance at the end of the month. As has become the norm in recent years, migration continued well into June, overlapping with the seabird monitoring ramping into full swing, and the arrival of regular cruise ships into the isle. Despite the reduced time for birding the isle, Red-rumped Swallow and Red-necked Phalarope were added to the year list, as well as Little Gull, Marsh Warbler and a smart ‘red’ male Rosefinch. Rosefinch fledgling, Obs Garden © Alex Penn It was a good year for scarce breeding species, with a pair of ‘brown’ Rosefinch successfully raising a chick at the Obs, as well as Sedge Warbler, Cuckoo, two pairs of Redpoll and at least four pairs of Swallow making successful breeding attempts in the isle.

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 55 Bluethroat, Vaadal © Georgia Platt Sadly, we did not escape the nationwide spread of HPAI, and the seabird season was badly affected, with significant mortality in Great Skua and Gannet, as well as smaller numbers of Arctic Tern and gulls being found dead. The risk of further transmission meant the team’s monitoring was also affected, though most of the usual monitoring was able to be carried out, with the resulting impression for most species that productivity was generally high, and the breeding season was not the complete disaster that was initially feared. Exceptions to this were in the worst-affected species of Great Skua and Gannet, both of which experienced very low productivity in 2022. Lanceolated Warbler, Walli Burn © Alex Penn Despite a slow start to August, early autumn saw an excellent run of rarities grace the isle, with at least five Great Snipe (three of which were trapped and ringed), Lanceolated, Paddyfield, Arctic and Melodious Warblers, Olive-backed Pipit and two Blyth’s Reed Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler, Quoy © Georgia Platt Warblers all in late August and early September. These in combination with scarcities such as Wryneck, Barred Warbler, Lower Stoneybrek © Alex Penn Icterine, Wood and Barred Warblers in the crofts, and with Whinchats and Redstarts along the fence lines, made for a very enjoyable period to be birding the isle. An influx of Great Spotted Woodpeckers to the northern isles included several in the isle, as well as a record-breaking arrival of Sparrowhawk, peaking at 17 birds on 4th September. The remainder of the month was a quieter period, with the Sparrowhawks gradually moving on (after eating their way through many unfortunate migrants) until in late September, southerly-based winds brought the

Page 56 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk first major arrivals of Yellow-browed Warbler, as well as a second Arctic Warbler and a showy Long-billed Dowitcher, just the third isle record. Long-billed Dowitcher, Muckle Uri Geo © Alex Penn The 27th September saw the arrival of Fair Isle’s 26th Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler, much appreciated by a small crowd of visiting birders after it was trapped at Quoy. Two days later saw a double of exciting arrivals, with Radde’s Warbler (10th record) and Red-flanked Bluetail (26th record) found in the crofts. A smart juvenile American Golden Plover on 2nd October was eventually pinned down on 4th, a day that saw the first significant arrival of Redwing of the autumn. October passed fairly quietly by Fair Isle standards, with two further Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll, a ‘Blackbellied’ Dipper and a late Red-throated Pipit the highlights, as well as Olive-backed Pipit, Grey Phalarope and a very late Hoopoe on 24th in miserable conditions. Passage of Long-eared and Short-eared Owls late in the month saw sightings scattered across the isle, with Gadwall, White-fronted Goose and a late Little Bunting valuable additions to the yearlist, as well as a handful of Waxwing, Great Grey Shrike and a gem of a Firecrest trapped at the beginning of November. Hard weather movements after the departure of FIBO staff saw Bewick’s Swan and Taiga Bean Goose recorded, both excellent isle records. The suspension of seabird handling due to the HPAI outbreak had a major effect on the year’s ringing totals, with a handful of Razorbill the only seabirds ringed before the introduction of the suspension. Fortunately, migrant ringing was able to continue, and annual totals for many passerines were good. Unusual captures included a Corncrake, caught by hand in an abandoned building, and the second occurrences of Bean Goose Waxwing, Pietron © Alex Penn and Shoveler to be ringed on the isle, both of which were dazzled. Notable foreign controls included a Portuguese-ringed Song Thrush, Norwegian-ringed Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll, German-ringed Blackbird, Finnish-ringed Kestrel and a Spanish-ringed Dunlin. One of our breeding pair of Sedge Warblers was found to have been ringed the previous year on North Ronaldsay. In a relatively quiet year for cetacean sightings, Orca were still seen on six dates, Minke Whale and Risso’s Dolphin on 5 dates, and a group of White-beaked Dolphin seen from the Good Shepherd on 1st September. A close-in Basking Shark on 19th September was a welcome sight. There were no large arrivals of migrant butterflies in 2022, though small numbers of Red Admiral and Painted Lady seen through the spring and autumn, with Small Tortoiseshell seen on two dates, and a single Large White. Alex Penn FIBO rebuild update Douglas Barr, FIBOT Chairman Work has continued apace with the rebuild of the new Observatory with works currently scheduled to be completed by the Autumn of 2023 when hopefully we will then be able to welcome our first guests. All the groundworks have been completed together with the construction of all 40 of the modules. These have all now left the factory with a number being

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 57 currently stored in Kirkwall Orkney for onward transportation to Fair Isle. Approximately one third of the modules are now on Fair Isle at site with internal works being carried out on them. We have been, like all other construction projects, badly affected by the impacts of Brexit, Covid, the Ukraine war, inflation and supply chain issues. When taken together with the logistics of building on Fair Isle due to its geographical position (and not forgetting its weather!) not unsurprisingly there have been considerable delays. However, being able to see and Collared Flycatcher, South Raeva enter installed modules on site shows clearly, we are getting there and is a welcome and significant step in the rebuild. This year we will have our normal complement of seasonal staff enabling us to continue our usual ornithological work. We also at this juncture anticipate recruiting and employing our new permanent staff later on this year.

Page 58 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Filey George Watola, Lucy Murgatroyd, George Day, Will Scott, Ian Robinson, Chris Hansell, Mark Moore and Tony Feather A relief to get back to normality, with the restrictions of last year a bad dream. Whilst Filey does not have the typical manned observatory of many Observatories, we have a willing workforce and enthusiastic volunteers to ensure our reserves and ringing are maintained for the benefit of the birds. The Peter J Dunn Heligoland Trap was completed this year and ringing finally begun in November. Many thanks to Graham Speight, and all the FBOG and Natural England volunteers from York for their hard work. It is a fitting memorial to Peter, who is sadly missed. The shrubs planted in the mouth of the trap have now become established and the small pond is holding water. Good habitat is all-important to attract birds so new wildlife ponds at the Tip are a welcome addition. This eight-hectare site was part of Filey’s refuse tip until the early 1970s but is now a flourishing nature reserve owned and managed by FBOG since October 2000. Hedge planting and freshwater scrapes have greatly enhanced the area for wildlife and in February we added two further wildlife ponds. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust are partnering with Natural England to create and restore ponds in selected parts of North and West Yorkshire for the conservation of Great Crested Newts. Filey Dams fog © George Watola At our private East Lea Reserve (FBOG members only) the willows from the reed bed area were cut back to improve the wetland and an amazing amount of trunk and branch material (‘brash’) was generated. The option of ‘dead hedges’ was decided upon to recycle the brash. Posts were driven in at regular intervals, about three meters from the new trees and the brash spread between the posts and the trees. Over time the brash height will fall by about 50% and provide good habitat for wildlife. The East Lea access path was greatly improved by installing stone in some areas, and wooden edging. The East Lea flower meadow has been a great success since the first sod was turned in 2019. In just three years 170 sq. metres of wildflower meadow have been created, providing a picturesque stopover on the way to the Hide. Ox-eye Daisy and Ragged Robin predominate, with fourteen other species also flowering. This spring saw 13 Snake’s head Fritillaries appear plus Quaking-Grass. It was amazing to discover a Field Mouse nest (with young) in the middle of the meadow, as well as a Carder Bee nest. A new Hide is also proposed for East Lea, the current one being too elderly and small to carry on much longer. At Filey Dams the easternmost pond has been overgrown by Typha and will be excavated and returned to its former glory. A new path to the East Pool hide will also be installed. Avian highlights included multiple Red-rumped Swallows, the returning Black-browed Albatross, Cattle Egret, Pectoral Sandpiper, a wintering Richard’s Pipit, Greenish Warbler, Temminck’s Stint, Cetti’s Warbler, Wryneck, Eleanora’s Falcon, Red-backed Shrike, Redflanked Bluetail, Isabelline Wheatear and a late Dusky Warbler. Our Subalpine Warbler from 2020 proved to be a Western Subalpine Warbler after genetic analysis. January Frost at Filey Dams © George Watola On 2nd not one but two Swallows were found. A Grey Phalarope was on the Brigg End on 7th. The Richard’s Pipit was back of Carr Naze pond on 9th. Nocmig produced two Jack Snipe on 19th, Tundra Bean Goose on 15th, plus Grey Plover, Wigeon, Common Snipe, Grey Herons and Pink-footed Geese. A Richard’s Pipit was trapped and ringed in the Rocket Pole Field whilst dazzling. A Lapland Bunting was with a Skylark flock on 26th.

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 59 February The gull roost had 1600 Herring Gull, 440 Common Gull, and 460 Black-headed Gull, with three Great Northern Divers and three Great Crested Grebes on 6th. 12 Snow Bunting were in the Top Field on 7th. 2065 Pink footed Goose went north at Hunmanby Gap plus male Snow Bunting and a Lapland Bunting south on 26th. March Forty Purple Sandpiper, a Filey speciality, were present on 5th. On 13th an impressive flight of 150 Cormorants flew south across the bay. Two Crane flew south on 23rd. Two Black Redstart were in the favoured spot of the bay corner on 25th. April A massive 2012 Meadow Pipits went north at Hunmanby Gap on 6th. A Red-rumped Swallow was at Hunmanby Gap on 9th seen by a lucky few, followed by the local Black-browed Albatross going north! Our second ever Cattle Egret appeared at Filey Dams on 13th, but was unlucky for most, disappearing into the back fields rather quickly. A Marsh Harrier, Osprey and a Crane also appeared in the skies. The Cattle Egret briefly showed at roost at Filey Dams in the morning of 14th before flying off south. Three White Storks from the Knepp introduction scheme flew over Primrose Valley. A Hooded Crow and another Red-rumped Swallow went south at the Gap on 18th. A pair of Garganey at Filey Dams from 21st raised breeding hopes. May A Spoonbill was photographed at Filey Dams on 11th. The third spring Red-rumped Swallow went south at Hunmanby Gap on 13th. Two Spotted Flycatchers were in Top Scrub on 15th. A Hooded Crow was at East Lea on 27th – 30th, possibly the first twitchable one for many years. June On 1st a single Barnacle Goose went northwest over Carr Naze, with six Shelduck, a Mandarin, a Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Bullfinch, and Barn Owl at East Lea, and a Water Rail in reeds by the meadow. A Red Kite flew south over golf course from Muston Sands on 2nd. 12 Canada Geese north, and 45 Canada Geese off Carr Naze may have been on the regular moult migration to the Beauly Firth Scotland. A Water Rail was frequently calling from the Dams reedbed. On 11th a Marsh Harrier left the Dams to east, with a male Garganey also present. On 17th three Little Ringed Plover and a male Garganey were at Filey Dams. A Red Kite on 25th was tracked going south. A Yellow-legged Gull, Mediterranean Gull, and two Red-breasted Merganser were seen on 25th at the Brigg. Eurasian Bullfinch © George Watola July Two Spoonbill which headed north from Bempton landed at Filey Dams. Four Avocet went north at Hunmanby Gap inshore. An adult Cuckoo was in a garden at Hunmanby Gap. Local mega Nuthatch was found in Martins Ravine on 5th and lingered for a month. Mediterranean Gulls appeared in numbers mid-month, with eight counted on one day. Gadwall © George Watola The Gadwalls nested again successfully. Waders started appearing with Black-tailed Godwit, one Greenshank, one Green Sandpiper and two Common Sandpiper at East Lea on 15th. Over 1,000 Swifts went south at Hunmanby Gap on 25th. Sea-watching paid off with a Cory's Shearwater north close off on 26th. A Great White Egret and five Goosanders were at Filey Dams on 27th. A locally rare juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was at Filey Dams on 30th.

Page 60 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk August Seabirds and waders were particularly notable this month. Low water levels at Filey Dams and East Lea pulled in some good waders. 26 Black-tailed Godwits, Wood Sandpiper and two Green Sandpipers were at Filey Dams on 11th with 52 Whimbrel south at Hunmanby Gap inshore. On 12th a Great White Egret was briefly in the trees at Filey Dams. Sea-watching picked up on 17th, with 104 Manx Shearwater, two Sooty Shearwater, two juvenile Little Gull, Black Tern and four Arctic Skua at Hunmanby Gap, and a Great Shearwater, 302 Manx Shearwater, Balearic Shearwater, five Sooty Shearwaters, Mediterranean Gull, 16 Arctic Skua and 5 Bonxies at the Brigg. On 18th a Marsh Tit was in a garden at Hunmanby Gap. A Pectoral Sandpiper turned up on 23rd at Filey Dams and stayed for four days. An Arctic Skua circled Filey Dams several times very low on 27th, possibly flushing the Pectoral Sandpiper which Wood Sandpiper © George Watola flew off calling not to be seen again. Sea-watching on 29th produced 20 Arctic Skua, five juvenile Long-tailed Skua, seven Bonxies, 38 Manx Shearwaters, three Sooty Shearwaters and five Red-throated Divers. On 30th a Greenish Warbler was found on Long Hedge. Lastly an Avocet appeared on 31st at Filey Dams and proved very twitchable. September The Avocet remained until 7th. A late Swift went over Filey Dams on 2nd. A Curlew Sandpiper and a Little Stint turned up at Filey Dams the same day. An Eleanora’s Falcon came in off at Hunmanby Gap then headed south on 4th. An awesome sea-watch produced a Cory’s Shearwater, two Balearic Shearwaters, 37 Manx Shearwaters, two Sooty Shearwaters, 7 Bonxies, 15 Arctic Skua, three Black Tern, 33 Common Tern, 27 Sandwich Tern, one Arctic Tern and five Red-throated Diver at Filey Brigg. A Greenish Warbler was at the back of Filey Dams the same day. On nocmig the night of 6th Water Rail, Redshank and several flocks of Dunlin were recorded over the town. A Dotterel flew past the Brigg with 34 Ringed Plovers on 8th. On 9th a juvenile Honey-Buzzard went S over Carr Naze along the bay. A Temminck’s Stint (less than annual) was distant and flighty at East Lea, but then became more co-operative at Filey Dams. A candidate immature male Tundra Peregrine was in off at Carr Naze. On 10th a Wryneck was on Carr Naze, moved towards the Rocket Pole Field, and disappeared. The first Brent Geese of the autumn went past. On 11th 6027 Meadow Pipits went south at Hunmanby Gap plus a Hobby and 18 Grey Wagtails (a new day-record). On 11th our second ever Cetti’s Warbler was in the reedbed along the path to East Lea and stayed into the winter. On 12th a new record House Martin movement at Hunmanby Gap with over 3364 south with birds flying all around on the clifftop as they forged south ahead of and through the rain. A Red-backed Shrike showed well just opposite the reed bed on the East Lea path. On 14th the first autumn Pink-feet went south. A Bittern was recorded on nocmig. In the bay roost on 20th there were 2,500+ Herring Gulls and 200 Blackheaded Gulls. On 21st the first Yellow-browed Warbler was in a Filey Dams garden. October Two Ravens went south at Hunmanby Gap on 1st. On 9th 3300 Pink-footed Geese were counted from Hunmanby Gap. A Great White Egret went west at Hunmanby Gap on 16th. On 17th blustery south westerlies bought in birds pouring south along the clifftop at Hunmanby Gap in the morning. 1200 Siskin, 450 Goldfinch, 300 Tree Sparrow, 120 Redpoll, site record 86 Reed Bunting and a Filey day-record 47 Rock Pipits. On 18th 11 Barnacle Goose dropped in at Hunmanby Gap. A Firecrest was briefly at the main gate into St Oswalds on 19th. On 20th a Velvet Scoter south, a Hen Harrier ringtail south and three Little Gull were at Hunmanby Gap. A Firecrest was in Top Scrub and a new Cettis's Warbler was calling at Reighton ravine. The month’s star bird, Red-flanked Bluetail, our second, was found in the Top Scrub and stayed for three days. Yet another Red-rumped Swallow went south at Hunmanby Gap. On 23rd a Shore Lark, a major scarcity these days, flew north over cliffs at Hunmanby Gap. A soon to be long-staying Firecrest appeared in Parish Wood. Yet another(!) Red-rumped Swallow adult headed south over Hunmanby Gap half a mile inland on 25th. Call us Spurn. The autumn’s first Waxwings came in off at Carr Naze, continuing west on 30th. On 31st over 400 Siskin went south at Hunmanby Gap plus 2 Snow Bunting and 213 Golden Plover in off the sea and west. November A Long-eared Owl flew over Rocket Pole Field and was then flushed off Carr Naze. Over 230 Redpoll went south at Hunmanby Gap in the afternoon- a new site record plus 1300 Starling and five Twite south. On 2nd there was another good vismig session at Hunmanby Gap - the highlights 21 Whooper Swan, a late Swallow, 540 Siskin and 10 Twite, all south. Little Gulls put in their first appearance with 50+ feeding across the length of bay from Hunmanby Gap. A late House Martin

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 61 went south at Hunmanby Gap on 5th. A juvenile Sabine’s Gull flew inshore south at Hunmanby Gap with good numbers of Little Gulls on 7th, and a Little Auk on sea close to Brigg end. A Marsh Tit was still present in the valley scrub at Hunmanby Gap. Many Fieldfares arrived the same day. Another new Cetti's Warbler was in brief song near The Bay. A Hawfinch flew over Filey Dams east pool and landed near the car park on 13th. An Isabelline Wheatear was briefly on the east end of Carr Naze on 15th, only FBOG’s second record. A Storm Petrel was feeding inshore at Hunmanby Gap the same day. Dusky Warbler 16th November © Ian Robinson A Dusky Warbler was a surprise find in the Top Scrub on 16th and lingered for a few days. On 17th a Storm Petrel went south off Brigg, with four Little Auks and 50 Little Gulls. An influx of Blackbirds was noticeable on 18th. A Spotted Redshank flew over calling at the Country Park and landed at Filey Dams. A Red-throated Diver crash-landed in the middle of the road on Silverwood Ave and was taken to Country Park to get successfully airborne. A late Arctic Tern was sat on the Country Park on 19th. Another ringtail Hen Harrier went through on 20th. On 22nd 13 Pink-footed Geese & six Russian White-fronted Geese were in the East Lea fields, with a Red-breasted Merganser in the bay. Two Little Egret went north at Hunmanby Gap on 25th, with an unseasonal Hooded Crow over Country Park. A very late Swallow was feeding over Carr Naze, with a ringtail Hen Harrier south low over cliffs at Reighton. On 26th a Lapland Bunting went south at Hunmanby Gap. A first-winter Arctic Tern (our latest ever) and a Little Gull feeding off Brigg end were present on 27th. December A Pomarine Skua was unusual on 4th, while a Great Black-backed Gull gobbled up an unlucky Puffin the same day. Little Auks were seen on a few days. A Blackcap frequented a local garden. Ringing There were 554 birds ringed, of which 175 were ringed during October Ringing Week. As per most years ringing got off to a slow start in 2022, being mostly restricted to wildfowl woosh netting and dazzling. Woosh netting at East Lea saw a selection of ducks including three Greylag Geese, two Shelduck (both the first of each species ringed at FBOG), a Wigeon, seven Mallard, 75 Teal, 15 Moorhen and six Coot, as well as a bycatch of six Jackdaw. The nocturnal dazzling sessions on the Brigg and coastal fields were also successful. Nine Purple Sandpiper were colour-ringed on the Brigg and amongst a few recaptures was a bird ringed as an adult in 2018. Nocturnal efforts in the coastal fields produced a range of expected species, as well as two Snow Bunting and a (the) wintering Richard’s Pipit on 23rd January, the first ringed at FBOG. Autumn passerine ringing efforts were reduced this year due to the availability of ringers and bird flu risks on Filey Brigg. August saw a selection of early autumn migrants captured, with highlights including a House Martin and 20 Reed Warbler. Wader ringing during early September was successful with the first Whimbrel ringed at FBOG and a supporting cast of 73 Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper. Common Shelduck © George Watola The coastal fields were quieter though included six Grey Partridge, a Wheatear and a few Skylarks. Captures increased in October, even with reduced effort. A Little Owl was the first ringed at FBOG, and a light arrival of birds on 22nd/23rd October included 13

Page 62 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Red-flanked Bluetail, Top Scrub, 22nd October © Ian Robinson Chiffchaff, 25 Goldcrest and a Firecrest. The Heligoland Trap saw its inaugural session on 18th November, with Temminck’s Stint © George Watola 18 Blackbirds captured, one of which was carrying a Finnish ring. Other Wildlife A Pipistrelle bat hunted over Carr Naze pond and Water Shrew were seen in January. A Small Tortoiseshell was flying at East Lea on 25th February. Bottle-nosed Dolphins featured offshore from April onwards, a species that was very scarce at Filey until a few years ago. Dingy Skippers were seen at Reighton Cliffs during May. A Painted Lady was at Muston Sands on 9th June. On 18th June a Hummingbird Hawkmoth was in a garden by the Dams. On 21st June two Lesser Emperor dragonflies, a rare continental vagrant, were found at Primrose Valley pond, the first record for FBOG. On 3rd July Marbled White and Painted Lady butterflies were on Country Park cliffs plus high numbers of Ringlet and Meadow Brown. A locally rare White-Letter Hairstreak was in Church Ravine on 16th July. On 6th September a Hummingbird Hawkmoth was seen with a Hornet Mimic Hoverfly. Enormous numbers of Harlequin ladybirds were in Church Ravine on 19th October.

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 63 Flamborough Craig Thomas Following the loosening of restrictions, FBO were delighted to hold several engagement events during the year. Over the weekend of 15th/16th July we held a nocturnal wildlife weekend featuring a Bat Walk, Moth Trapping and a Storm Petrel ringing session. The East Yorkshire Bat Group very kindly introduced visitors to a whole new world, with a minimum of five Soprano Pipistrelles entertaining over South Landing. Moth trappers turned out in force and a successful night included Slender Brindled, Bordered Sallow, Annulet, July Highflyer and Chalk Carpet, the latter a Flamborough speciality. Storm Petrel ringing also took place at the GarnerRichards Seawatch Observatory, with a single bird caught at 2AM. Flamborough Seawatch Festival 2022 © FBO Our second Seawatch Festival took place over the August Bank Holiday. We engaged with almost 900 people over three days who delighted in watching myriad seabirds and hundreds of Grey Seals. Many were dipping their toe into seawatching for the first time and left the headland with several lifers and great memories. Seabirds also joined the fun and included all four regular skua species, Sooty, Balearic and Manx Shearwaters, Sabine’s, Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls, Black Tern and Black-throated Diver. Migweek 2022 held in mid-October was once again plagued by a dreaded south-westerly airflow, but relatively light winds for the majority of the nine days allowed daily ringing, proved conducive for ‘vis mig’ and ensured a full complement of guided migration walks took place. Ringing sessions next to the newly opened cafe in Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Living Seas Centre ensured over 1000 people enjoyed the various Flamborough Migweek 2022 © FBO events. Some superb talks were held on nocturnal migration, cetacean migration on the Yorkshire coast, seabird tracking and the mechanics of vagrancy in birds. Avian highlights included single Bittern and Spoonbill, a very confiding Merlin, Yellow-browed Warbler and Firecrest. Huge thanks to all the volunteers that made this event such a success, including our partners at RSPB Bempton Cliffs and the YWT Living Seas team. Bottlenose-Dolphins Flamborough © Craig Thomas South Landing remains our key ringing site, complemented by our dedicated ringing room within the Living Seas Centre. However, one of the more exciting initiatives over the last 12 months has been working with Bourne Leisure to establish a Constant Effort Site near Thornwick. A total of 416 birds were caught on site, 221 newly ringed and 195 retraps. These will provide valuable data on the longevity, site fidelity and survival rates of the summer migrant warblers breeding in the scrub. Perhaps the year’s most exciting development occurred in late spring, when the observatory contracted a local farmer to sow a brassica crop on a two-hectare plot within the Lighthouse Grassland field. This initiative was only made possible following a formal agreement between our partner, The Garganey Trust and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and special thanks go to both parties for helping realise this long-standing ambition.

Page 64 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Flamborough sowing cover crop 2022 © FBO Flamborough Cover Crop 2022 © FBO Flowering in early autumn, the field attracted huge numbers of insects which in turn pulled in migrant passerines including a Greenish Warbler, Icterine Warbler and Siberian Stonechat. Several weeks later the significant seed source attracted a 500-strong mixed finch flock, 60 Tree Sparrows, a nine-day Common Rosefinch and a Serin. Serin © Lee Johnson Inevitably several raptor species were drawn to the flock, including a long-staying Merlin and a ringtail Hen Harrier. The crop will be left over winter, and a new brassica/arable mix planted in spring 2023 utilising funding kindly supplied by FBO’s ‘friends of’. The lifeblood of any organisation that is run entirely by volunteers, we are indebted to the help of our “Friends’, with ‘membership’ surpassing 400 for the very first time. So, what of the avian year as a whole … The year started with a bang with the discovery of only the headland’s second ever Green-winged Teal at Buckton on 2nd January. Cliff top fields at the same location attracted up to 80 Lapland Buntings and three Shore Larks during the first quarter. Elsewhere, the Siberian Chiffchaff continued to overwinter at Thornwick, and four Short-eared Owls entertained the masses at RSPB Bempton Cliffs. Black-browed Albatross Bempton © Dan Howe A Great Shearwater that flew south past the outer head on 2nd was only the second ever March record. Passerine migration began a few days later, with a Hawfinch in Flamborough village on the 10th and a Firecrest two days later. A Green Woodpecker graced RSPB Bempton Cliffs on 27th March, but this local rarity was upstaged by the early return of the Black-browed Albatross on 30th. Destined to stay until late summer, it delighted an audience of many 1000s over forthcoming months. Woodchat © Andrew Allport

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 65 Summer migrants arrived in bigger numbers from midApril when a Great Spotted Cuckoo on 17th made a brief appearance at RSPB Bempton Cliffs; originating from the same airspace, an Alpine Swift also overflew the reserve. Single Golden Oriole and Channel Wagtail made landfall on 13th May and were followed by a Blueheaded Wagtail on 17th. A Bee-eater appeared briefly on wires at Bempton village on the 18th, the day before a Grey-headed Wagtail at Buckton. Flamborough’s fourth ever Woodchat Shrike took up residence near the lighthouse from 23rd May. Rosy Starling, Flamborough © Rob Little Up to three Bee-eaters ranged between RSPB Bempton Cliffs and the outer head over the first three days of June. A Rosy Starling joined its commoner cousins near the Lighthouse on 3rd, with a Bluethroat at Bempton on 4th. Another Bee-eater appeared on 8th, when a Redbacked Shrike graced South Landing, and these were followed by a Common Rosefinch the next day. However, the discovery of a Turkestan Shrike on 27th June stole the headlines and, staying over the summer, it proved exceptionally popular, especially in combination with the Albatross. Mid-summer doldrums continued to be anything but when the headland’s third ever Caspian Tern flew north Turkestan Shrike, Bempton © Ian Howard past the Fog Station on 8th July. A classic ‘high pressure loop’ established on 26th July and resulted in five Cory’s Shearwaters moving north past the Fog Station. Light onshore winds during the second week of August allowed some drift, with 12 Pied Flycatchers and an Icterine Warbler arriving. Northerly winds on 17th August prompted a Great Shearwater to move north, the first of eight individuals logged before the end of September. August closed with a very early Siberian Stonechat near the Lighthouse on 30th. September started with a Greenish Warbler at South Landing, and this preceded no fewer than three birds on the outer head the next day, when an elusive Blyth’s Reed Warbler frustrated at RSPB Bempton Cliffs. Buckton attracted an Icterine Warbler on 5th, with a Wryneck near the Golf Course the following day. Another arrival occurred on 8th September, with an early Richard’s Pipit near Old Fall, a Greenish Warbler at Bempton and the year’s first Yellow-browed Warbler at Buckton. An Icterine Warbler was ringed at Buckton the next day, when almost 200 Wheatears made landfall and a Honey Buzzard flew south over Flamborough village. Honey Buzzard, Flamborough © Rob Little Common Rosefinch and Red-breasted Flycatcher were near the Lighthouse on 10th, with Icterine Warbler and Wryneck the next day. Two Common Rosefinch were present on 19th September, followed by one over Bempton two days later, while five Yellow-browed Warblers appeared on 25th. A Red-throated Pipit overflew Bempton on 29th when a Barred Warbler frequented Old Fall; subsequently, singles of the latter species were also found near the Lighthouse and at RSPB Bempton Cliffs during the first days of October. Red-breasted Flycatcher © Andrew Allport

Page 66 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Barred Warbler Flamborough © Andrew Allport Finally, the arrival of easterlies on 19th October brought instant rewards including five Pallas’s Warblers, a huge arrival of 33,565 Redwing, 11 Short-eared Owls, five Mealy Redpolls and a Great Grey Shrike. A Radde’s Warbler was ringed at Buckton, and a Great Grey Shrike appeared at nearby Bempton the next day, while a Dusky Warbler at South Landing and five Pallas’s Warblers featured on 21st. A flock of three Redrumped Swallows near Bempton on 22nd was outstanding, as were three Pallid Swifts on 24th, when a Serin appeared in the crop near the Lighthouse. Notable records during the last week of October included four Bearded Tits, while an increase in Pallid Swifts sightings culminated in five birds feeding along Pallas's Warbler, Old fall © Andrew Allport the cliffs between Buckton and North Dykes on 30th. Up to 16 Waxwings and a Hawfinch fed in Flamborough village on 19th/20th November, when a Long-eared Owl showed superbly at RSPB Bempton Cliffs. A strong pulse of north-easterly winds on 6th December prompted the arrival of a late Great Grey Shrike near South Landing, while the year ended with three notable wintering birds: single Bittern, Kingfisher and Firecrest were all in residence. Pallid Swift, Bempton © Andy Hood Firecrest, Flamborough © Andrew Allport Waxwing, Flamborough © Lee Johnson

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 67 Gibraltar Point Kevin Wilson A year in which most aspects of the Bird Observatory and Nature Reserve functions started to return to normal after the uncertainties of Covid. Whilst we are reliant on a very small team of regular volunteers carrying out fieldwork and contributing data, good coverage was maintained during most of the year. Spring brought plenty of highlights, but in contrast, autumn was lacking in many aspects. Volunteer accommodation was opened in mid-March after which it was good to welcome a throughput of residential volunteers to assist with Reserve management, livestock husbandry and species protection whilst being trained in a range of practical and survey skills. A staff secondment involved Kev Wilson taking on a wider coastal role for the Trust (and maintaining oversight of the Bird Observatory), with Jim Shaw taking on the day-to-day management of the Nature Reserve and Matt Laing on board as Estate Worker. George Gregory completed another year as Data Assistant and Ringer in Charge. Liam Andrews took on the role of seasonal Shorebird Warden. Katherine Bocock retired as Admin Assistant and Cheryl Aggett undertook this role from the latter part of the year. The Bird Observatory Team met on three occasions including an in-person meeting on site. Some events, talks to outside groups and guided birding sessions resumed including a Reserve Tour for Lincs Bird Club on 1st Oct as well as on-line talks about bird migration, shorebird protection etc. January The arrival of a White-tailed Lapwing in the north of the county meant limited coverage here on New Year’s Day with a lone Bewick’s Swan south the only bird of note (after a blank year in 2021). Record high temperatures during the first couple of days were difficult to compute with the large numbers of Lapwing and Golden Plover commuting between the estuary and local fields. The first two weeks continued generally fine, dry and sunny with some overnight frosts. Overnight 12th Jan satellite tagged White-tailed Eagle “G471” roosted just east of Croft Marsh and was seen well the following morning heading towards the East Dunes before departing south down the Wash. A Long –eared Owl was seen occasionally around the North Car Park mid-month. Good sea coverage this month was rewarded with good variety including Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe and Shag. Winter numbers of Red-throated Diver have declined in recent years, possibly due to increased marine traffic or changes in fish population/distribution, but Eider numbers reached a record 2000 and a flat calm sea on 23rd enabled a count of 109 Great Crested Grebe to be made – another record. 65 Snow Bunting was an impressive count on the beach on 17th, whilst a Conger Eel washed up on 19th was a Reserve first. As in the previous winter, good numbers of Sanderling (400) and other waders were feeding along the foreshore during periods of poor weather when disturbance was reduced. Similarly, the recently formed muddy runnel at Greenshank’s Creek became well used by up to 150 Redshank. High tides backed by strong winds brought large numbers of waders up to roost. 15,000 Knot and 800 Sanderling were recorded – the latter an unprecedented January count. Conversely, Bar-tailed Godwits were poorly represented. Whilst a new ridge and runnel system continues to accrete to the north, wave action ravaged the East Dune frontage, collapsing the outer stock-fencing and exposing military wartime defences. The trend of low winter wildfowl numbers e.g., Brent and Wigeon continues. However, a Red-breasted Goose was found with the Brent flock on 27th and showed very well on Tennyson’s Sands, the 2nd reserve record after one in 1985. February Red-breasted Goose © Stuart Ainsworth Red-breasted Goose © Stuart Ainsworth February started off fine, dry and settled with light winds. A Red Deer was seen near Jackson’s Marsh on 3rd, (presumably an escapee?). A Puffin flew south on 6th and the Red-breasted Goose was relocated on Tennyson’s Sands on 10th after an absence of 10 days, presumably commuting between Gib and Frampton Marsh. The first three returning Avocets of the year were seen on 12th. Storm Dudley overnight on 16th was followed by a stronger storm Eunice on 18th and then

Page 68 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Storm Franklyn. Having arrived from the Atlantic, winds were predominantly W/SW gales which proved rather unproductive for birds on the east coast. Accompanying rain was torrential at times, filling up all the lagoons well. The Red-breasted Goose was last recorded here on 19th and the first Woodlark of the year went south on 25th. Up to 10 Water Pipit were regularly seen going to roost on the Old Saltmarsh towards the end of the month. The concept of establishing a Motus network down the Lincolnshire coast was followed up with prospective partners. March Up to 8 Crossbill were seen occasionally from the North Car Park at the start of the month. The first Firecrest of the Spring was seen on 13th. Raptors were in evidence on 14th with 17 Red Kite and 44 Buzzard south along with regular movements of Corvids, Finches, Pipits, Buntings etc. That day also saw an influx of Woodcock with 71 present and the first Little Ringed Plover of the year. Constant north-easterly winds during most of the month did little to encourage migrants arriving in any numbers. A Green Woodpecker on 10th was the first of the year. Other migrant arrival dates were Sand Martin and Wheatear on 16th, Black Redstart 17th, Ruff 21st, Blackcap 23rd, Ring Ouzel 24th, Whimbrel 25th, Yellow Wagtail 28th, Willow Warbler 29th and Sandwich Tern 31st. Up to three Firecrests were seen regularly midmonth, with a strong arrival of Chiffchaffs. High tides again produced good wader numbers on spring passage with 5800 Grey Plover being particularly notable. An unseasonal Little Stint was seen on 18th along with the year’s first Spotted Redshank. Starling roost © Ian Lyall A cool period mid-month with fog and an easterly breeze probably blocked the departure of many migrants - a huge Starling roost was evident from 18th with an estimated minimum of 500,000 birds involved on occasions. An elusive Hawfinch was around the Plantation from 21st to 23rd. Single Long-eared Owls were in the East Dunes on 22nd and 27th. A Yellow Horned Moth trapped overnight on 22nd was a Reserve first. Black Redstarts were seen daily from 23rd and the 28th was another good day for raptors with four Red Kite, six Sparrowhawk, 43 Buzzard, six Kestrel and two Marsh Harriers through. April Jay © Stuart Ainsworth After some nice warm days in the last week of March, the sleet and light snow of 1st April was a bit of a shock and April largely continued on a cold but dry theme. 1900 Sanderling on the 1st reflected an early spring build up for this wader that usually peaks on passage in late May. The Shorebird Sanctuary was established with fencing and signs early in the month in tandem with the seasonal beach dog ban, providing protection for the breeding shorebird colony and the wader roost at the south end of the Reserve. The north roost, however, remains vulnerable to increased levels of disturbance outside of any protected zone and was a major discussion point with Natural England advisors for the implementation of the England Coast Path and the associated concept of ‘coastal margin’. Garganey, group of 3 © Tom Baker A female Garganey and a Swallow were firsts for the year on 2nd and a Spotted Crake was heard, briefly in song just before midnight. The first Sedge Warbler was present on 5th and there followed a very good arrival of

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 69 Hawfinch © Steve Clipperton both Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers. A showy Hawfinch proved popular mid-month, last being seen on 26th. Other first dates for migrants were Greenshank 9th, Tree Pipit 11th, Common Tern, House Martin, Spoonbill and Whitethroat 12th, Grasshopper Warbler 13th, Cuckoo and Greenshank 14th, Redstart 15th, Lesser Whitethroat, Whinchat and Green Sandpiper 17th, Common Sandpiper and Reed Warbler 19th, Arctic Tern 23rd, Spoonbill and Hobby 25th, Turtle Dove and Little Tern 26th, Wood Sandpiper, Black Tern and Swift 28th. Green Hairstreak was first noted on 14th and a Richard’s Pipit was in the Shorebird Sanctuary on 17th whilst a lone southbound Raven was another year first on 18th. A Red-rumped Swallow flew south at sea on 21st whilst another Red-rumped Swallow showed well all day on Tennyson’s Sands on 27th last being seen on 29th. Red-rumped Swallow © Kevin Wilson Caspian Gull © Ben Ward A probable Black Kite was seen disappearing behind the Plantation on 25th and the following day a colour-ringed 2CY Caspian Gull was present on Tennyson’s Sands, having been ringed as a pullus in the Netherlands. A spring Black Tern flew north on 28th together with the first good numbers of Sandwich and Little Terns. Up to 34 nomadic Jays provided entertainment up and done the dunes from mid-month. An elusive Wryneck was discovered in the East Dunes on 29th (remaining until 1st May) with a new bird on Rock Ridge the following day. An Osprey flew south over the sea on 30th. Cetti's Warbler © P Johnson May The month started with an excellent selection of birds on the Reserve and a day list of 124 species on 1st including Jack Snipe, Long-eared and Short-eared Owls, Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, Little Gull, Ring Ouzel, Water Pipit, Tree Pipit and Firecrest. The first Garden Warbler of the year was in song on 2nd whilst the following day was a great day for working at the Sykes Farm Office with a Nightingale singing outside – the first reserve record since 2016. Nesting by Ringed Plovers was well underway by 3rd May with six clutches protected from Foxes and tides.

Page 70 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Spoonbill © Kevin Wilson However, a Sparrowhawk was an unwelcome visitor to the Shorebird Sanctuary – targeting adult Ringed Plovers. A full census of common birds was carried out on 7th with warbler totals as follows: 184 Whitethroat, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 27 Blackcap, 25 Chiffchaff, 57 Sedge Warbler, nine Reed Warbler, four Cetti's Warbler, three Grasshopper Warbler but only two Willow Warbler. Pied Flycatcher was first recorded in the Sycamore Plot on 12th, the same date that the 3rd Red-rumped Swallow of the year headed south-west with House Martins. A ringtail Montagu’s Harrier was over the New Saltmarsh on 12th. Another three Redrumped Swallow went south on 13th, followed later by an Alpine Swift. An Osprey was off Millenium Ridge, during the afternoon of 13th. Two Golden Oriole were in the East Dunes during the morning of 14th and another Red-rumped Swallow was around the Visitor Centre. A Curlew Sandpiper turned up on Jackson’s Marsh that day, with two there on 27th. Purple Heron © Kevin Wilson A putative winter-plumaged/first summer Broad-billed Sandpiper was in the Shorebird Sanctuary on 15th before it flew off north with Dunlin. A 2nd summer male Montagu’s Harrier flew inland after a heavy shower on 16th and a Common Crane settled briefly. The following day saw a Purple Heron arrive and show well at Shoveler’s Pool, departing later in the day. A Clouded Yellow was seen on 12th and up to 50 Painted Lady arrived on 18th, mainly in the East Dunes. Up to six Spotted Flycatcher was a good spring count on 18th.Turtle Doves again remained scarce with just the occasional singleton reported. The 3rd Golden Oriole of the month, an adult male flew south along the East Dunes early on 19th after perching up briefly for the fortunate observers. An incredible run of records involved a total of eight Golden Orioles by the month end. A lone Bee-eater flew south along the beach on 24th being lost to view over The Wash. Several Wood Sandpipers passed through this month, and an adult Pectoral Sandpiper was feeding on Tennyson’s Sands on the evening of 29th. Pectoral Sandpiper © Kevin Wilson Little Terns © Jim Shaw June Yet another Golden Oriole was in song near the Observatory and an unseasonal Scaup was on Jackson’s Marsh, both on 1st. A female Red-backed Shrike was a one day visitor on 6th. Goldcrest bred on the reserve again with four juveniles seen, but there was probably only one Willow Warbler territory and none again for Turtle Dove. A Cricket Bat Orb-weaver

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 71 Red-backed Shrike © Nige Lound (Mangora acalypha) was a reserve first found in the Moth trap overnight on 13th and the 2nd Bee-eater of the year flew south along the beach also on 13th. The 16th saw the year’s second Red-backed Shrike in the East Dunes with a singing Marsh Warbler in song nearby. Three Hummingbird Hawkmoths were in the outer dunes on 16th and overnight the Reserve’s 3rd Tawny Wave was attracted to light. Three Lunar Hornet Moths were attracted to a lure in East Dunes on Mixed waders © Tom Baker 23rd and a Long-eared Owl was present there on the same date. Hummingbird Hawkmoths were an almost daily sighting during the second half of June with a maximum of six recorded on 24th. A Cattle Egret flew south on 25th. 27th saw a Norfolk Hawker on Tennyson’s Sands which was a reserve first and later the same date a Bittern was sound recorded at night giving the “gull call” as it moved south. Some 17 pairs of Little Terns were nesting in the Shorebird Sanctuary with weather conditions and food supply seemingly favourable. Up to 18 pairs of Ringed Plover also made nesting attempts – five pairs took advantage of the new shingle bar off Greenshank’s Creek, outside of the Shorebird Sanctuary which required additional fencing, signs and wardening. Unfortunately, daily patrols by Carrion Crows are thought responsible for nesting failure here. On Tennyson’s Sands, significant losses of Black-headed Gull, Avocet and Common Tern clutches were attributable to a brazen Fox, often operating in broad daylight. Both nesting attempts by Little Ringed Plovers are thought to have ended similarly. Further bad news came in the form of Avian Flu with the first casualties noted in Herring Gulls and Sandwich Terns. In addition to Terns, returning adult waders and a movement of south bound Swifts were evident towards the end of June.

Page 72 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk July At least 2 pairs of Little Egret bred successfully with a minimum of seven juveniles fledging. No Common Bird Census was possible again this year, but all visits were completed for the CES (Constant Effort Site) scheme and showed a good arrival of Blackcaps and Sedge Warblers, good productivity for Chiffchaff and evidence of local breeding by Song Thrush again. A Small Mottled Willow was attracted to light on 5th. A singing Quail was heard during the early hours of 8th. The first 2 Arctic Skua of the year flew south on 10th. A brief Roseate Tern was amongst 400 Sandwich Terns on 12th, up to 30 Spoonbill frequented the waterbodies and a juvenile Redstart was trapped on 13th. Juvenile Water Rails were seen on both the Mere and Jackson’s Marsh. A Common Rosefinch was a surprise visitor on 14th and a Cattle Egret was seen late evening of 15th. The second site record of Southern Migrant Hawker was seen at the Mere on 18th. A Kent Knot-horn (Uncinus obductella) was trapped overnight on 18th being a first Lincolnshire and a pristine Delicate was trapped overnight 21st (the first of 13 trapped during the year). Roesel’s Bush-cricket are now widespread, but Longwinged Conehead is a recent colonist. Regular bat surveys detected the presence of 6 species including Nathusius Pipistrelle that are known to breed locally and Noctule Bat (the first confirmed records in modern times). This year’s July was the driest for many years; hay meadow management was completed early in the month, then a heat wave mid-month involved a peak temperature of 36.9 C on 18th. The dune landscape became parched and water levels were much reduced on the lagoons. Avian Flu casualties were reducing but the virus noted in waders was a major concern, including a Dunlin and one of our own juvenile Ringed Plovers. On a positive note, some late-nesting Avocets and Black-headed Gulls successfully fledged chicks on Tennyson’ Sands, 11 Little Tern juveniles and 20 -25 Ringed Plover juveniles were raised in the Shorebird Sanctuary. Also, we received confirmation of generous funding for setting up a Motus receiver station from Sea-changers, Lincolnshire Bird Club and donations made in memory of Dick Lambert (Warden at Gib from 1976 to 1986). August The arrival of summer-plumaged waders from northern breeding grounds is always a highlight of late July into August, and this season did not disappoint with flocks of Knot, Sanderling and Dunlin intermixed with Bartailed and Black-tailed Godwits and Grey Plovers heading into the Wash along the tideline. The first big wader roosts of the Autumn also occurred later this month within the region of 100,000 birds on a few tides. At this point we must mention Rob Watson’s ability to cope with such numbers on the monthly WeBs counts! White-letter Hairstreaks were reported on many occasions mainly on the west side of the NNR and Willow Emerald Damselflies were again present in good numbers. Willow Warblers began arriving early in the month and the first Pied Flycatcher and Garden Warbler of the autumn were present on 4th. Tree Pipit and Merlin were noted on 5th. An elusive Long-eared owl was present in the East Dunes from 5th August and presumably the same bird was resident there up to 12th September. The 2nd Caspian Gull of the year was on the beach on 11th and two Southern Migrant Hawkers were at the Mere on the same day. The odd Black Tern, Arctic Skua and Manx Shearwater were recorded from midmonth with a single Pomarine Skua heading south on 17th and two Roseate Tern south on 19th. A Raven flew south on 26th. The 28th then saw an amazing southerly movement of Common Buzzard with 166 counted from around midday onwards. Other raptors caught up in this migration were a single Honey Buzzard, seven Marsh Harriers, five Sparrowhawk and five Kestrel. Northerly winds at the end of the month did not live up to expectations over the sea but two Sooty Shearwater and two Long-tailed Skua were the first of the autumn. Over and above routine habitat management, planning work got underway this month to restore upper intertidal habitat at the site of the Fenland Lagoon. September A small arrival of migrants on 2nd included up to 10 Pied Flycatcher, three Spotted Flycatcher, four Whinchat, three Redstart and several Wheatears. A Wryneck and Long-eared Owl were at the north end of the Reserve on 2nd with a Red-necked Phalarope present on Tennyson’s Sands the following day. Record low water levels on the Mere attracted up to 16 Spotted Redshank, five Greenshank, two Curlew Sandpiper and a Little Stint. Slightly ironic that record numbers of Tufted Ducks should also be present at this time! But excellent numbers of Teal on the Mere (800). An Osprey flew south, also on 3rd and a juvenile Caspian Gull was off The Spit. The first Stonechat of the autumn appeared on 4th and a brief Red-breasted Flycatcher was found on 5th. Red-necked Phalarope © James Siddle Offshore from 5th September saw a large mixed feeding flock of up to Terns and Gulls. Numbers of Sandwich Terns were encouraging as they had been low up until this time and there were fears of the impact of Avian

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 73 Flu at colonies to the north and over in Holland where many of our staging birds originate. The feeding flock typically attracted up to 15 Arctic Skuas daily and there followed occasional Long-tailed and Pomarine Skuas, Sooty Shearwaters and Black Terns during suitable winds, but sea-watching in general this autumn was to be well below par. In particular the very low numbers of Bonxies was a concern after the impact of AI. Curlew Sandpiper with Dunlin & Sanderling © Tom Baker Osprey in flight © Tom Baker Sanderling in flight © Tom Baker A Hawfinch was noted on 6th. Visible migration picked up mid-month initially involving Hirundines (3500 mainly House Martin on 9th) and Meadow Pipits. The latter typically represented in the low thousands by the end of the month and in association with good numbers of Reed Buntings, Linnets and Yellow Wagtails and then Chaffinches increasing later in the month. An Osprey flew south along the beach on 10th, a Barred Warbler was trapped and ringed on 12th and the first Pinkfeet of the autumn were noted on 13th, the first of many flocks to pass through en route to Norfolk. The first Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn was at Mill Hill on 19th coinciding with a Marsh Warbler. The following day a Blyth’s Reed Warbler and Common Rosefinch were found in the East Dunes. On the Moth front a migrant Vestal was on the Saltmarsh on 20th whilst a Deep-brown Dart was trapped overnight on the same date, (a Reserve first) and a Convolvulus Hawkmoth Caterpillar was found near the North Car Park on 23rd. Single Jack Snipe and Purple Sandpiper were seen on 29th. Wader roost © David Curtis Snow Bunting © Steve Clipperton Wader roosts were again impressive, even on fairly low spring tides. Key species were well represented with the exception of Oystercatcher that were notably down in number. Loose dogs flushing waterbirds along the foreshore is an occasional nuisance, but a dog killing a Sanderling this month was a particularly distressing scene for those who witnessed it.

Page 74 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Wader roost patrols were stepped up during high tide periods and much positive visitor engagement took place in addition to reducing inadvertent disturbance – it is hoped to build on this in future with more volunteer involvement. October Lincs Bird Club at Gib ©Kevin Wilson A Marsh Tit around the West Dunes and Sykes Farm during the first week was one of the rarest birds of the year (only 3 since 1990). Vismig was steady during the first week, the highlights being a Raven and a Hawfinch both on 3rd. The Pink-footed Goose roost on Tennyson’s Sands numbered around 900 birds. The 5th provided Great Northern Diver and Grey Phalarope over the sea with a brief Cattle Egret on Croftmarsh later in the day. Cattle Egret © Nige Lound A Yellow-browed Warbler was with the Tit flock at Sykes Farm on 7th. Visible migration was intense on many mornings during October with hundreds of Finches, Pipits, Skylarks etc moving through. Sizeable influxes of Thrushes were also recorded, mainly Redwing and Blackbird, with a maximum of seven Ring Ouzel on 21st and a good number of Bramblings. Singles of Raven and Woodlark flew south on 10th and a Cattle Egret came in/off on the same date. 159 Whooper Swan flew south on 11th and the presence of the nationally rare Sand-running Crab Spider (Philodromus fallax) was again confirmed on 12th with one photographed on the Outer Ridge. Another two Raven flew south on 16th, whilst a Slavonian Grebe and two Black-throated Diver went south at sea on 17th. The first Woodcocks of the autumn were noted on 19th with three present. Crimson Speckled © Nige Lound A Black Redstart was around the Visitor Centre on 21st whilst the Starling roost on the Mere peaked at 4500. Moth-trapping continued to be productive; numbers of Tree Lichen Beauty would suggest that this species has gone from county first to resident species within 10 years, a Clifden Nonpareil on 16th was the first since 1976, a Tunbridge Wells Gem on 22nd was a county first whilst a Crimson Speckled, another Reserve first, on 30th was undoubtedly the moth highlight of the year – the first in the county for 140 years. In addition to birds and more terrestrial wildlife, attention has also been focussed on recording our marine environment with particular regard to EIAs for windfarm and other developments, commercial fishing, invasive species etc. The Common Seal population continues to do well, with the expansion of the breeding colony on the River Steeping Haven, sightings of Harbour Porpoise continue to be made, but the occurrence of a Blue-Fin Tuna this month was the first seen here in many years.

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 75 November Visible migration was still impressive during the first 2 weeks of November with a minimum of 27000 Woodpigeon noted on 2nd. Offshore, a late Sandwich Tern passed on 6th, followed by a Long-tailed Duck on 7th whilst single Black-throated Divers and 1-2 Great Northern Diver were regularly seen, with 3 of the latter on two dates. 2 Waxwing were noted along the West Dunes on 10th. Also on this date, a White-tailed Eagle (from the Isle of Wight scheme) was tracked to have passed, unseen within 300m of the Reserve Office – (what else are we missing!). Two late Sand Martin moved south on 12th. The sea failed to live up to expectations even in seemingly ideal conditions throughout the autumn, but an Iceland Gull passed on 17th and 19th was productive with Whitebilled Diver and Black-throated Diver together, four Little Auk, two Pomarine Skua and singles of Puffin and Sooty Shearwater all seen. 5300 Pinkfeet left the Wash roost on the morning of 21st, the date of the International Pinkfeet count. Two White-fronted and three Barnacles had joined the flock earlier in the month. A drake Scaup was off Millennium Ridge on 25th where it remained for a week, with a Caspian Gull there also on 25th. Wartime defences exposed by coastal erosion © Kevin Wilson The list of scarce migrants during the month included Firecrest, Hawfinch, Lapland Buntings and Bearded Tits. Good numbers of Robins remained much later than usual – post- autumn immigration and our latest ever Swallow hawked around Sykes Farm from 21st to 28th. December With a hint of northerly in the wind at the start of the month, the 3rd saw 4 Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skua, 75 Kittiwake, 3 Little Gull, 41 Eider and 27 Red-throated Diver flying south whilst 22 Snow Bunting were on the beach. Snow Bunting increased to 31 on 5th with 2 Great Northern Diver and an all too brief Arctic Redpoll with the Linnet flock on the same day. 2 Waxwing were seen on 8th and a Puffin flew south on 10th. A Long-eared Owl was around on 15th and over the next few days a late influx of Redwings and Fieldfares occurred, peaking on 20th with 1000 Fieldfare and 850 Redwing. Pink-footed Geese continued to be well represented at roost, while the raft of Eider was just short of 1000. Up to five Marsh Harriers and three Hen Harriers were coming in to roost. A female Scaup was noted on Tennyson’s Sands on 27th staying into 2023. Scaup © Owen Beaumont By the year end, a total of 237 full species had been recorded. There were no additions to the Reserve list and a few gaps – Glaucous Gull, Sabines Gull, Roughlegged Buzzard, Little owl, Hooded Crow, Shore Lark and Pallas’s warbler. A total of 3916 birds were trapped and processed with 2918 of these being ringed. It was a record year for Cetti’s warbler (21 trapped) and scarce migrants included two Yellow-browed Warblers and a Barred Warbler. Moth trapping by Nige Lound produced a total of 488 species during the year: 305 Macros and 183 Micros, with 10 new for the Reserve and two new for Lincolnshire. Contemporary bird data is now being input direct onto Birdtrack and good progress has been made with archive Obs data – the first 10 years from 1949 ready for importing to Birdtrack. We are grateful to all who have been involved with and supported the Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory this year, particularly those mentioned in the text and particular thanks to Nige Lound again for assistance with this text. Kev Wilson [email protected] http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.com/

Page 76 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Hilbre Steve Williams The year began with two Ravens on 1st January, a species that has become an increasingly regular visitor to the islands and this year saw yet another increase. The wintering Pale-bellied Brent Goose flock began the year with 347 birds as well as two dark-bellied birds. The flock then increased and peaked with a record count for the Obs of 483 pale and 4 dark-bellied birds on 12th January before 486 pale-bellied were counted on 2nd Feb. Pale-bellied Brent Goose XJBB © C J Williams Dark-bellied Brent Geese © A Sawiak A female Eider was regular around the main island from January through until mid March when initially joined and then replaced by a regular male until the end of May with up to five birds seen at various times during first half of the year. No birds were seen during August but up to seven birds were present fairly regularly during the last four months of the year. Eiders were confirmed to have bred locally for the first time ever three years ago and it seems likely, based on the pattern of occurrences this year, that they bred again locally. Often regarded as the harbingers of spring at Hilbre the first Stonechats appeared on 26th February along with the first Reed Buntings of the year. Two Little Gulls noted on 9th March then counts of 24 and 25 on 24th and 25th respectively. The only Snow Bunting of the first winter period was a single that flew south past the Obs on 17th March. It was good to see a declining species put in some regular sightings during early spring passage with House Sparrows seen from mid-March (15th, 16th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 26th, 3 on 29th and another single on 30th). We were alerted by observers to a flock of 34 Whooper Swans on the sandbanks mid river and they were observed passing the island and leaving the estuary on 19th March, 12 more followed the same line north on 28th and Pink-footed Geese began leaving their wintering grounds on the Dee from late March into April much appreciated sight and sound on spring mornings in recent years. Tits are uncommon on Hilbre but they occur irregularly mainly in spring but it was unusual to see three Blue Tits and a single Coal Tit on the island on the same day; 23rd March. Merlin © A Sawiak The first Merlin of the year was seen on 26th March, typically a day of good passage of Meadow Pipits and ‘alba’ Wagtails (mainly pied and single white wag). Redstart © B Tollitt April was a good month for migrants at Hilbre with some small to moderate falls of warblers with the odd Redstart, Grasshopper Warbler and Sedge Warbler thrown in.

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 77 Ring Ouzel © A E Hitchmough Ring Ouzels occur in very small numbers each spring and this year was not different with single males at the end of March and beginning of April. The latter bird however, occurred during a spell of drizzle and was untypically tame showing around the Obs garden and was photographed through the Obs windows! The 26th April was an excellent day for migration, probably the best of the spring. Classic fall conditions at Hilbre occurred with south-east breeze and mist around the estuary that grounded over 150 Willow Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, Whitethroat, Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers plus plenty of Wheatears and wagtails passing through. Late April has long been associated with scare migrants at Hilbre with historic records of such west coast rarities as Subalpine Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Wryneck and this year produced another, but this time, perhaps less Richard's Pipit © S R Williams expected when a Richard’s Pipit was discovered in the ‘Newton’ Heligoland trap (a wall trap on the main island). This is our first Spring record of Richard’s Pipit at Hilbre and unsurprisingly the first to be caught and ringed at Hilbre. There have been less than 40 caught and ringed in the UK ever. It was a good April for Whinchats on the islands and a fine male was caught on 30th. Jay © S R Williams The south easterlies of April mainly disappeared in May, which meant less migrant arrivals at Hilbre. However, scarcities still occurred and on 6th May, a Jay was watched from the Obs balcony as it flew over Red Rocks – not in or over the recording area – but from! Jay is an extremely rare bird at Hilbre and even more rare down on the island (this was only the eighth record ever). Observers did not have to wait long for a ‘proper’ record when incredibly three Jays arrived the following day and spent some time flying around the islands and landing on fences, walls and other promontories of Hilbre. A Lesser Whitethroat at the end of May (29th - 30th) was typically the sole record for the year with the month of May accounting for 62% of records at Hilbre (between 1957 and 2022). A Reed Warbler caught and ringed on 7th June was only the third June record for this island. This species has been increasing at Hilbre and is now almost annual but this was still only the 21st record for the Obs (the majority in August or September). Spring gave way to summer and attention turned to breeding birds, with Rock Pipits in particular having another good year, particularly for a species that has only recently begun breeding on the island annually. Song Thrush also bred which is highly unusual. Song Thrush (juvenile) © B Tollitt

Page 78 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Summer is also a time for insects and other aspects of natural history such as the reappearance of a Pyramidal Orchid on the island in late June. Hummingbird Hawk Moths were noted again and regular moth trapping continued to increase our knowledge of the status of moths at Hilbre. It was not until the start of autumn that the star insect was found, a Small Red-eyed Damselfly was found and photographed on 1st September and is the first record for Hilbre Islands LNR. Hummingbird Hawk Moth © A Sawiak Small Red-eyed Damselfly © C J Williams Common Blue Butterfly © B Tollitt Sandwich Tern numbers during the summer increased on last year and included a number of colour ringed/flagged birds. September is always a varied month, and this year was no different, with small numbers of Curlew Sandpipers, a Spotted Flycatcher (the sole record this year) and a smattering of Leach’s Petrels recorded. It was not, however, a great autumn for seawatching with a lack of consistent northwesterlies. Leach's Petrel © C J Williams Like elsewhere in the UK October is often a good month on the island although a westerly location, small size and being close to the mainland means that our highlights rarely reach the heights of the other larger bird observatories! It is all relative as they say! Cetti's Warbler © B Tollitt One of the highlights of the year was our muchanticipated first ever Cetti’s Warbler caught and ringed on 13th October and still present the following Sunday (16th) when re-trapped and found to have gained weight. This species has increased northwards in Britain and now breeds locally on mainland Wirral and is as near to Hilbre as Red Rocks LNR, so we are hopeful for more records in the future. Two Yellow-browed Warblers this autumn were a good return for Hilbre. Spectacular thrush movements were noted mid-month, like elsewhere in the country, when our sole Black Redstart of the year was noted on a day (19th) which also produced a late Garden Warbler (only our twelfth ever October record).

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 79 Black Redstart © A E Hitchmough A Brambling caught on 30th is a much less than annual event at Hilbre but a Sparrowhawk caught the same day was the second of the year. Brambling © A E Hitchmough The final day of the month produced another first for Hilbre – a Pallid Swift found along Stanley Road, near Kings Gap Hoylake on the mainland was seen from the Obs balcony. ‘Patch theft’ in practice! It moved towards Hoylake North Parade and slightly inland of there and remained until dusk. Three Woodcock sightings around Hilbre and Middle during the second half of November and early December is a good autumn return for the islands whereas a single Lapland Bunting on 14th November was the sole record for the year and a single Snow Bunting on 25th November was only the second record for the year and the sole record for the second winter period. Siberian Chiffchaff © S R Williams The excellent coverage throughout November produced another good bird when a Siberian Chiffchaff was caught and ringed, this will be the first confirmed record in modern times if accepted. Great White Egret with Little Egret © S R Williams A Great White Egret that landed briefly by Little Eye before it flew north on 20th November. Despite breeding further up the Dee estuary Great White Egret remains a scarce species at Hilbre and this was only the tenth for the islands but all have been since 2009. Purple Sandpiper © C J Williams The year ended with up to five Eiders still present and a nice count (for recent years) of 19 Purple Sandpipers on 24th December.

Page 80 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Hilbre sunset © S R Williams

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 81 Holme Sophie Barker Overall, this was a positive year for the Observatory, but it came with the significant problems of Avian Influenza and extreme weather conditions which had a major impact on all the surrounding wetland. Important developments in the infrastructure at Holme included a most welcome repair of the approach road by our neighbours the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, which made a real improvement to the quality of the visitor experience, as well as helping our staff and volunteers. The work left the road closed for two weeks during June, but the strategy of repairing the tarmac at the western end of Broadwater Road and regular use of a special harrow to relieve potholing on the gravel section has proved very successful so far. The coastal footpath which marks the northern boundary of the NOA reserve was also repaired in the autumn, following years of disrepair, with due consideration for the natterjack toads found across the NNR. A sympathetic design agreed with Natural England gave a boardwalk which sits higher to the ground and is wider, though it is still only suitable for pedestrians. It also incorporates seats and viewing platforms at the best spots and has been much admired since its completion in October. It became clear that highly pathogenic Avian Influenza HPAI was impacting local seabird populations during the course of 2022, though the first probable casualty was a dead Whooper Swan on the 15th February. Most cases of the disease seen locally appeared to affect terns from the nearby colonies at Scolt Head, particularly those of Sandwich Terns which suffered very high death tolls owing to the proximity of nesting territories. Gannets were also a species badly affected and were often found along the shore either dead or moribund. The Observatory’s work on causes of death in wild birds had to be suspended in the spring owing to the risk to our vet, and we do not know when these studies might be able to resume. Being unable to carry out post-mortems on dead birds found leaves us very much in the dark as to how much HPAI has been involved in many of our local bird deaths, but of course this simply cannot be helped. The Observatory incorporated all BTO hygiene measures and retained some of its COVID restrictions inside the staff areas, not only for control of this disease but also to help reduce further the risk of spreading HPAI, and most visitors who didn’t need to enter the centre were asked to remain outside. With ground water levels unusually low at the start of the year, the very low rainfall was an issue by early summer and wading birds did not have much success on the grazing marshes, which could offer little protection against predation. Spring migration was decent but lacked any great stand-out highlights for the Observatory reserve. June and July were dry and increasingly hot, with record temperatures on the 18th and 19th July (reaching 39oC at the Obs) but on many other days in the high 20s and early 30s which completely desiccated many of the wetland habitats and killed all the invertebrates in the soil. The nearby NOA reserve at Redwell has never before dried out entirely and required a bowser for watering the cattle, but this was necessary just as the temperatures peaked in summer. Fortunately, by mid-August conditions began to relent but some insect feeding birds had clearly had a terrible breeding season, and groundwater levels remained critically low into December. Reddish Light Arches © HBO Great Prominent © HBO

Page 82 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Autumn migration seemed to happen early with the bulk of migrant species recorded in August and September, and October being rather disappointing once again. Nevertheless, overall, the year was a better one for many summer visitors. Insects such as butterflies, moths and dragonflies appeared to do moderately well overall, but there were few remarkable moth species, the best being the Great Prominent caught on the 18th April and the Reddish Light Arches caught on 3rd July, and nearly discarded as a regular Light Arches! Once again, the Observatory did not hold visitor events during 2022, and hopes to reinstate these in 2023. It did participate in the NWT’s two bioblitz events, one in Holme on October 2nd and another in Thornham on November 5th, where recorders and the public took part in guided walks and activities to see as many species of wildlife as possible in a single day. Woodcock Opposite Redwell © HBO At the end of January two Siberian Chiffchaffs were at the north end of Holme village and a White-tailed Eagle from the Isle of Wight release program passed over the marsh (30th). Disappointingly storm Corrie, which hit at the end of the month, produced little in the way of seabirds. In February, 2 Common Cranes materialised on the 10th, but they were not seen again on any other dates. A pair of Little Owls were at the east end of the village. A Bittern was seen (14th), and storm Eunice hit on the 18th producing very high wind speeds and causing much disruption across the UK. At Holme the only casualty was the staff portaloo, which blew over and had to be replaced, but we were very lucky that this wasn’t any worse. On the 17th a seawatch in advance of the main force of the winds produced 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 31 Eider, 35 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Goosander, 13 Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver and a Slavonian Grebe. A Dotterel with the Golden Plover was a highlight on the 21st and 22nd. The Observatory was then closed for 2 days owing to COVID, to date the only occasion that the disease affected our ability to staff the reserve. In March an Eastern Stonechat was on the grazing marsh between the 12th and 15th but its precise race was never established. A few migrants began to appear with Firecrest on the 14th, Short-eared Owl and Woodlark on the 16th, and a few records of Raven during the month. A movement of 17 Chiffchaffs took place on the 22nd, and on the 24th and 25th a male Black Redstart was around the car parks. In April 2000+ Common Scoter were offshore and a Tree Pipit was on the east bank, with 25 Bramblings passing over. The first hirundines did not arrive until the 10th with a single Swallow and Sand Martin recorded. Three Great White Egrets were present by the 11th, and a Wryneck was west of the Saltings (12th), when a movement of warblers included 17 Willow Warblers, 10 Blackcaps, 4 Sedge Warblers, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 16 Ring Ouzels, a Redstart and 6 Wheatears. Black Redstart, Holme Dunes NWT © Greg Beeton An Osprey passed over on the 13th, and on the 15th 14 Med Gulls were counted. A Pied Flycatcher was present (17th), and on the 18th Common Scoter numbers increased to 4000, with 6 Great Northern Divers seen offshore. On the 21st Dotterel began to build at the southern margin of the recording area, rising to 3 on the 23rd, and by the 4th May there were 7. On the 18th a Golden Oriole was heard early in the morning in Holme Village and tracked to the east end before it disappeared. A Sooty Shearwater passed offshore on the 29th.

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 83 In June, 4 Bee-eaters were calling over the pines to the west of the Observatory, heading off east towards Thornham. A dog Otter was seen swimming under the bridge over the river Hun on the 7th, a Spotted Flycatcher was at the west end of the pines on the 8th and the same day 4 Turtle Doves were at Gore Point. Seven Cattle Egrets flew west over the car park at 5pm on the 9th. Temperatures reached 31oC on the 18th, a forerunner of what was to come! A Norfolk Hawker was found at the north end of the village on the 27th, a species which has slowly been spreading into the area in recent years. July began with noticeable numbers of Spoonbills which have had a good nesting year along the Norfolk coast. A Polecat was seen near the Dell hide on the 7th July, mobbed by a Magpie, and 2 Weasels scrapping on the 10th brought lots of young warblers and Stonechats out to look. On the 17th July, a Long-eared Owl was flushed from rough ground at the north end of the village. The 18th was the hottest day of the year, marked also by an obvious movement of Swallows; 600+ were moving slowly west and feeding and landing in the reeds opposite the Obs building. A juvenile Wheatear returned on the 21st when a Wood Sandpiper was over Thornham Harbour, and an Osprey flew high over west. A single Crossbill was seen on the 27th and the Polecat was seen again, and another Osprey passed over Thornham on the 8th. Pied Flycatcher © Gary Elton There was a notable movement of Yellow Wagtails on the 14th with Pied Flycatchers appearing in the pines during the day. A Pom Skua passed offshore on the 17th August with 18 Arctic and one Great Skua also seen. Yet another Osprey passed over on the 20th August with 3 Pied Flycatchers appearing behind the Observatory the same day. A Whinchat was caught and ringed on the 27th, and a Marsh Tit was an unusual species for the Forestry (28th). On the 30th a total of 31 Arctic Skuas passed offshore with a single Bonxie. On 3rd September Whinchats were noted arriving all day, with a Wryneck in the Forestry, 12+ Pied Flycatchers, 12 Redstarts, 14 Whinchats, 14 Stonechats, 5 Wheatears, a Yellow Wagtail, 3 Spotted Flycatchers and an Icterine Warbler, 6 Garden Warblers, 15 Willow Warblers and a female Hen Harrier all seen during the day. On the 4th another Osprey was seen, mobbed by a Red Kite early in the afternoon, 450 House Martins and 70 Swallows were also passing during the day. An Osprey flew west along the beach on the 7th and a further 150 House Martins and 80 Swallows passed through. Two eclipse Garganey were found on the 8th, and a juvenile Whinchat, HBO © Cat Buck Rose-coloured Starling was seen (9th). Two juvenile Curlew Sandpipers were on the Broadwater the same day. Another Cattle Egret was seen on the 12th. Hirundine passage continued with 450 Swallows passing on the 13th. Seawatching on the 16th produced150 Gannets, 17 Great Crested Grebes, a Pom Skua, 65 Arctics, Long-tailed Skua, 20 Bonxies and 179 Kittiwakes. On the 28th 13 Red Kites were following a tractor on the ridge, and on the 29th a Honey Buzzard passed overhead and on the 30th a juvenile Common Rosefinch was in the Forestry briefly and a Richards Pipit flew over west.

Page 84 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Osprey and Red Kite, HBO © Cat Buck In October a Purple Sandpiper was at Gore Point (1st), and a Firecrest and a Yellow-browed Warbler were noted (2nd). On the 3rd 21 Bearded Tits, 8 Tree Sparrows, 4 Grey Wagtails, 8 Rock Pipits, 2 Redpolls and 25 Siskins were counted. On the 9th 2 Jack Snipe were on the NWT pools and 7 Snow Buntings were on the beach. A movement of 100 Meadow Pipits and 10 Rock Pipits was recorded on the 11th, and on the 14th a Puffin, 25 Razorbills, 35 Great Crested Grebes, a Slavonian Arctic Tern passed east, and 9 Little Gulls were seen at sea. On the 19th an easterly produced 5 Short-eared Owls, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 50 Goldcrests, a Ring Ouzel, 75 Blackbirds, 33 Fieldfares, 20 Song Thrushes, 150+ Redwings, 50 Robins, 40 Bramblings, 120 Chaffinches and a Water Pipit among the records. Major movement followed on the 20th when 750 Blackbirds, 150 Song Thrushes, 1500 Redwings, 100 Robins and 200 Goldcrests were counted, with 10 Blackcaps, a Black Redstart, Firecrest and Yellow-browed Warbler recorded. On the 21st another Cattle Egret was recorded, and a female Waxwing was seen on the 22nd. The only other sightings of note in October were a Marsh Tit on the feeders on the 24th, a Ring-necked Parakeet on the 25th, and a Swift species in the dunes the same day. At sea a Red-necked Grebe was present (28th), Great Northern and Black-throated Divers were seen and a Little Auk was reported (31st). November began with a good sea passage including 22 Red-throated and one Great Northern Diver, 15 Great Crested and 1 Red-necked Grebe, 155 Razorbills, 4 Guillemots and 245 Little Gulls. On the 5th a Pale-bellied Brent was on the beach with a possible Tundra Peregrine seen and a Woodcock in off the sea. Cattle and Great White Egret were both still present (6th) and a tagged ring-tail Hen Harrier was recorded. A male Merlin and a single Snow Bunting were logged (12th), and 2 very late Barn Swallows were flying around the Broadwater (13th), with single Pom and Arctic Skua passing west offshore (14th). A Lesser Whitethroat was at Gore Point on the 16th, and the following day a Blacknecked Grebe was seen at sea, with 11 Woodcock counted and a Firecrest trapped and ringed. A Tree Pipit trapped and ringed in the pines on the 19th was an exceptional record, the latest previous ringing date for the Obs being the 16th September! Two Shorelarks were on the beach off the Golf Course and 3 more Pom Skuas passed offshore (20th). Three Ravens were seen Firecrest, HBO © Gary Elton (23rd) and a drake Goosander was on the Broadwater (24th). Blackcap (25th) and Chiffchaff (26th) were still present and another Great Northern Diver and Slavonian Grebe were seen (27th). Two Firecrests were together in the pines on the 28th, and 7 Whooper Swans flew west on the 29th. In December a Swallow was in the pines (1st) and an unringed Firecrest still on the reserve. At sea 80 Gannets and 2 juvenile Little Gulls were of note (5th), and a Purple Sandpiper was again at Gore Point (9th). Snipe numbers were building with 24 seen. As temperatures dropped towards mid-month there were some days of freezing fog and almost zero visibility. On the 16th 2 Woodcock and 22 Snipe were recorded with 2 Shorelarks still on the beach. A flock of 200 Fieldfares and 115 Redwings were also noted. On the 18th Snipe were feeding readily on the lawn right in front of the Obs building, clearly able to find some food in the sandy soil. On the 19th temperatures shot up to 14oC, and by the 21st Shorelarks rose to 4 with a Snow Bunting seen again. A Bittern was at the village hides (22nd), and 40+ Snipe came up off the grazing marsh together on the 23rd. As part of the NOA Sponsored Birdwatch on Christmas Eve, a Bittern, 7 Woodcock, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 2 Great Northern Divers and a Corn Bunting were highlights of the sightings from the Observatory, together with a roost of over 2,000 Starlings at the back of the grazing marshes. The year ended with 4 Shorelarks still on the beach (30th), and 2 Firecrests still in the pines (29th).

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 85 Isle of May David Steel During the late winter, reserve and research staff visited the island sporadically and a few noteworthy records were obtained. A Black Guillemot was on the sea off the Low Light on 9th January, whilst Ravens were again noted, with two on 7th February. These birds were probably the same pair seen frequenting the west cliffs the previous autumn. This raises questions as to whether these birds may colonise the island in the future as coastal numbers increase. Other typical noteworthy records during the late winter period included a first-winter Glaucous Gull south on 14th March. “Spring migration is just not what it was”, is a phrase often used by birders nowadays, and this year this proved to be the case, yet again. Weather patterns from early April mirrored those of the previous spring. Cool northerly airflows dominated and often blocked north-bound migration. As a result, common migrants were scarce, and scarce migrants even more so; throughout the spring, low figure counts for the majority of species were the norm, and some failed to appear at all, including Grasshopper Warbler. NatureScot staff returned to the island from 21st March and daily recording commenced from then on. The bird observatory re-opened from 16th April. Hawfinch © David Steel April was generally quiet with the typical arrival of the first summer migrants of the year. However, a male Hawfinch was found on the Fluke Street bird table and remained for two days on 13th-14th. Although this was the 15th island record, it was the eighth in the last six years, a trend mirrored at other east coast migration stations in recent years. Other April highlights included single Ospreys, north, on 4th and 6th, one or two Shorteared Owls early in the month and a Long-eared Owl photographed on 18th. A Green Sandpiper on 25th-26th April on the South Plateau was a scarce spring record for the species. Long-eared Owl © David Steel The month of May is the month in the spring migration calendar, but like all migration, it relies on the right weather. After a mundane opening two weeks with the only highlight being a heavily moulting Hooded Crow for two days, the island eventually witnessed an easterly airflow which started mid-month and did not disappoint. The start of this purple patch saw an adult Honey Buzzard drift west, only the 11th island record and first spring bird since 1993. A few days later the jackpot came with good numbers of common migrants arriving over the 16th-18th. This included peaks of 40 Willow Warblers, eight Chiffchaffs, 14 Sedge Warblers, three Blackcap, five Garden Warblers, two Lesser Whitethroats and 20 Common Whitethroats, amongst others. It was no surprise that the bird of the spring was found during this spell. A stonking male Rustic Bunting, discovered near the water tank bushes at the Low Light, and was later caught and ringed. The bird was the 15th island record (involving 18 individuals) and came hot on the heels of the previous bird seen on 21st-22nd May 2021. The other noteworthy bird during this spell was a female Bluethroat, our bird observatory logo species, favouring a gully near Altarstanes, on 16th May. Bluethroat © David Steel

Page 86 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk However, the excitement of this spell of easterly winds was short-lived, the weather patterns returned to a more westerly dominated flow and quieter times. Arguably, the most bizarre event of the avian year occurred in late May though, as an adult Ring-necked Parakeet was discovered coming in-off the sea on 21st. This would have constituted a ‘first’ for the island of this spreading, introduced, species, but the joy was short-lived. On the second day of its stay the bird was discovered sitting on a wall at Fluke Street and took a liking to being hand-fed grapes, eventually preferring to sit on the shoulders of the bemused residents on the island, pirate style! As later discovered, the bird had escaped from captivity in Glenrothes and was soon reunited with its rightful owner, ending a very bemusing and bizarre record for the Isle of May. Needless to say, a few folk had to remove the species from their island lists once the true nature of the bird had been discovered! Icterine Warbler © David Steel As early June arrived, it appeared the end of spring passage was nigh and that the island had experienced another slow spring. However, you can never underestimate or write off the Isle of May, and early June provided a final flourish. Winds switched to the south-east on the 8th and a small flurry of migrants arrived late that day. A fine Icterine Warbler was found at the Top Trap and soon after a belting male Bluethroat was discovered at the base of the main lighthouse. The following day provided arguably the best birding day of the spring as the male Bluethroat was still present but was singing from nearby Elder bushes. Whilst this spectacle drew the crowds, the Icterine Warbler was present for a second day, a female Red-backed Shrike was found by the Low Light and a Cuckoo flew north. This proved to be the last hurrah of the spring but was certainly enjoyed by those present. The rest of June fell into a typical mid-summer slumber with a Quail on 5th July the only noteworthy species during the seabird breeding season. By late-June day visitors and visitors to the bird observatory ceased due to HPAI guidance and this remained the case until late-August. Bird sightings from those allowed to remain on the island were slim pickings, typical of late summer. However, the first groups back at the observatory in late August were Spotted Flycatcher © David Steel treated to some good early autumn migration. This commenced on 20th August with a Cuckoo and Spotted Flycatcher amongst a trickle of common migrants, through to a brief Treecreeper on 25th, A peak of four Pied Flycatchers on 27th were joined by a Reed Warbler and a Common Rosefinch on the 28th and a good island count of 3 Greenshank. Meanwhile, sea-watching had been steady for a few days with Sooty Shearwaters reaching 11N on the 31st along with a single Pomarine Skua and a high count of 22 Arctic Skua. Wryneck © David Steel Highlights during the first two weeks of September included four Common Rosefinches (two of which were trapped and ringed), an Icterine Warbler on 4th and the islands first Wryneck since 2016, which favoured the area between the main lighthouse and Bird Observatory between 3rd-6th September. The best bird during this spell proved to be a Greenish Warbler present in the Top Trap on 3rd September although a male Bluethroat trapped and ringed on 11th September was the first autumn record in nine years. Large raptor migration occurred mid-month with a Honey Buzzard

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 87 south on 13th followed by a Marsh Harrier on 14th September whilst the same day produced a Barn Owl (a scarce island visitor) in the bushes near the Bird Observatory which was seen on four subsequent days. Wader passage produced the typical spread of common waders with notable records including two Curlew Sandpipers south on 13th September (the first island records since 1998!) whilst a Black-tailed Godwit flew south the same day. Sea-watching has increased as an activity on the Isle of May in recent years and as such it came as no surprise that rarer seabirds were noted on passage. The North Sea had witnessed an influx of large shearwaters in late August/early September and on the morning of 17th September a Cory’s Shearwater was picked out flying north at 09:06 and just 25 minutes later an even closer Great Shearwater was seen heading in the same direction (the double!). Seawatching on the two big shearwaters day © David Steel The same sea-watchers then had double delight the following morning as two Great Shearwaters seen flying north at 07:43 and 09:56, to complete a memorable 24 hours especially considering that these were 5th island record of Cory’s and 5th-7th for Great. Later in the month another Great Shearwater was recorded flying north on 26th September whilst a juvenile Sabine’s Gull in a mixed feeding flock of Kittiwakes and Little Gulls on 2nd October was the 17th island record (involving 18 birds). Woodcock © David Steel The month finished like it had started with a flurry of birds including a lingering Yellow-browed Warbler, two more Treecreepers and a scattering of migrants including the autumns first Woodcock and Jack Snipe. The pick of the bunch was a Radde’s Warbler discovered in the Top Trap on 29th September before being trapped and ringed. The bird was only present for the day but represented the 12th for the island although fourth in last four years. Radde's Warbler © David Steel The month of October was a mixed one, as westerly winds dominated early on, but that all changed midmonth with spectacular results for the island. Highlights during the first few weeks included two juvenile Sabine’s Gulls seen feeding off the north end of the island on 2nd and 18th October with a Mediterranean Gull recorded on 14th October. The pick of the wildfowl movement during this period included 14 Scaup south on 6th October whilst the first Whooper Swans of the autumn were seen moving south on five dates. Red-flanked Bluetail © David Steel

Page 88 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Pallas's Warbler © Jack Ibbotson However, expectations increased when an easterly weather-front was forecast to be hitting the island from 18th-21st October. For once this did not disappoint as it lived up to expectations. Across the island there was a large fall during this period with the stars of the show involving a stunning Red-flanked Bluetail in the Top Trap Garden which was later caught and ringed on 19th October. Incredibly a different bird was found the following day below the dam at Milldoor, and these represented the 3rd-4th island records. Other noteworthy birds during this purple patch included two Pallas’s Warbler on 19th, Radde’s Warbler on 20th-21st, Barred Warbler at the dam on 20th October (the season’s only record) and a Red-breasted Flycatcher at Alterstanes on 20th October. The fall was impressive and the aftermath also brought further reward as a noteworthy influx of owls included 18 Long-eared and 12 Short-eared Owls on 21st October with several lingering over the following weeks. Two ‘ringtail’ Hen Harriers were recorded on 13th and 20th, whilst individual Swift spp. briefly seen heading south on 25th and 26th October were birds that got away especially considering the national influx of Pallid Swifts at that time. Island highlights late in the month included a single Long-tailed Tit on 27th, the first Lapland Buntings of the autumn and Crossbills recorded on three dates. Pallas's Warbler © Ciaran Hatsell November has become a month of greater interest over the last few years as bird migration extends well into the month and, as a result, observer coverage on the island is also extending. This again proved very fruitful with some noteworthy highlights including a short staying Olive-backed Pipit discovered along Holyman’s Road as dusk approached on 1st November. The bird was not present the next day but represents the 12th island record but 8th since 2015, showing an increase mirrored nationally. A pair of Raven returned to the west cliffs on 2nd November and a scattering of Black Redstarts and late Chiffchaffs was trumped by a stunning Pallas’s Warbler which lingered along Holyman’s Road on 7th-9th November, the 3rd record this year and further proving recording in November is more than worthwhile, with three records in the month since 2019. Little Auk roosting on the cliffs David Steel All recording areas have their quirks and islands are no different as a Red-necked Grebe on 1st, a Blackthroated Diver on 2nd and a herd of nine Mute Swans on 11th November were all noteworthy records. However, these records paled into insignificance compared to the sighting of a Little Egret which arrived from the south and remained on the island for the afternoon on 10th November; only the second ever record following the first on 29th May 2009. Seawatching continued to prove fruitful with reasonable numbers of Little Auks peaking at 147 with a Black Guillemot on 3rd November. However, a Cory’s Shearwater discovered in a feeding frenzy of gulls off the north end for two days between 10th-11th November was an outrageous record, but maybe not considering it has been a season of big shearwaters. White-billed Diver © Mark Newell The month continued to provide as, following a northerly blast, which produced more Little Auks, a stunning partial summer plumage White-billed Diver, the 3rd for the island was discovered rafting with

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 89 European Shags off the west side on 17th November and was seen in the surf the following morning. Other noteworthy records during this period included a White-fronted Goose briefly on 17th November the 5th island record and first since 2011 whilst an overwintering Little Grebe was of island interest. As the recording year came to a close, the final new bird of the season was discovered on 12th December, a Moorhen, a scarce island visitor. This brought the year list to 178, the second highest recorded. Eurasian White-fronted Goose © Mark Newell We are grateful to David Steel the National Nature Reserve Manager for the Isle of May for providing this account of the bird recording (and some ringing!) highlights during 2022. Of course, necessarily, operating a bird observatory, especially one on an island with no permanent staff, cannot solely be about bird recording and ringing. As has been mentioned, for example, the outbreak of HPAI resulted in the closure of the island to visitors during the summer months, and as such the bird observatory was unmanned, just as it was at times during the COVID-19 epidemic. Such problems have caused significant delays in a long-term programme of Heligoland trap replacement, but plans are now in place to finally completely rebuild the Low Trap, the last of the four Heligolands to be replaced, during early spring 2023. Some excellent volunteer effort involving visiting parties to the bird observatory was deployed in early spring 2022 to make good damage to each of the four traps that had occurred during winter 2021/2022 (rather than rebuilding the Low Trap). Similarly, in the autumn, other ‘crews’ did some excellent work maintaining the vegetation in the traps, and, in particular, improving the permanent net rides used by visiting ringers in addition to the Heligoland traps. Lastly, the winter storms that occurred during winter 2021/2022 (and in particular Storm Arwen) meant that the planned refurbishment and improvement of the older parts bird observatory roof (the original Low Light accommodation building) had to be undertaken with some urgency, which was duly achieved thanks to the invaluable assistance of NatureScot.

Page 90 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Landguard 2022 Nigel Odin Peter Denyer was the observatories seasonal warden from mid-March to mid-November. Weather wise a hot & dry year. Bird wise the ongoing declines in what were once common & abundant species is ongoing. Even Collared Doves are declining! One of the advantages of having 40 years of data is that changes in numbers are documented. Last year’s record low ringing total was bettered by roughly 500 birds. Serin © LBO Falls of common migrants in spring failed to happen with oddities also few in number although three Serin & a Hawfinch are worth a mention. Only 2 Turtle Dove is about par for recent years. A Bee-eater flew over & only the observatories sixth ever Marsh Tit turned up in mid-June. A couple of Nightingale arrived in June remaining until early August was not expected. Wren © LBO Autumn also failed to produce any falls. A Wryneck was photographed in Surrey a few days after one was with us wearing what looked like the Landguard ring! Only one Yellow-browed Warbler was logged with other scarcities worth a mention being 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Lapland Bunting, Leach’s Petrel & Pallas’s Warbler. Along with everyone one else in the country a Pallid Swift in late October was part of a national influx. Brent Geese had a couple of good days with 6,810 flying south October 19th & 5,843 also heading south November 13th. Spotted Flycatcher © LBO Wood Pigeon movements are always spectacular with a peak morning of 7,263 on November 2nd. In the declining species department only 3 Cuckoo & 3 Tree Pipit were seen all autumn following none in spring with a single Tree Sparrow all year a very poor return. Whinchat © LBO Ringing controls included a Spanish Willow Warbler in spring with Polish Caspian Gull, Dutch Lesser Redpoll & Dutch Ringed Plover in the autumn. A Meadow Pipit ringed in September 2021 was recovered this spring in the top left hand corner of Iceland. A Blackbird ringed at the start of spring passage on March 3rd was retrapped in Holland just two days later at a time of the year when spring has barely got going. Other LBO ringing recoveries abroad this year were Blackbirds recovered in Denmark & Norway plus a Song Thrush to Germany. The automated radio telemetry tower (“Motus”), installed by Wageningen University, recorded several

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 91 records of wandering tagged Nathusius’s Pipistrelle bats. Out of 4 bats tagged at Landguard one night in May, three were tracked migrating across The Netherlands into Germany with the other logged moving up the East Anglian coastline. More bats originating in Norfolk & Suffolk were noted in the autumn with the tower also logging 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot & Blackbird tagged in the Netherlands. One of the Nathusius's Bat tracking from LBO to Germany © LBO Insect wise butterflies were fairly predictable although the hot conditions resulted in an earlier cessation in flight periods than normal. A wandering Purple Hairstreak is good for us. Lunar Double-stripe © LBO Moth recording produced 24 new species for the site list including Lunar Double-stripe, Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth, Banded Pine Carpet, Olive Crescent, Channel Islands Pug, Portland Moth plus Crimson Speckled which was part of a national invasion of this species late in the autumn. A Badger was the first site record as was a Bottle-nosed Dolphin, fishing for several hours offshore, and was probably the year’s most unexpected sighting. Annual reports for the year and updated species lists will appear soon in the archive section of www.lbo.org.uk Crimson Speckled © LBO Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth © LBO Channel Islands Pug © LBO

Page 92 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk North Ronaldsay Alison Duncan Many thanks to all our hard-working staff and volunteers throughout a busy season for birds and visitors. Good falls in spring and autumn, brilliant seawatching, and some amazing records in the autumn contributed to a record year list of 222. The year started with typical wintering birds, though the usual drake Green-winged Teal was notably absent. There were several Glaucous Gulls early in the year but no records of Iceland Gull until two in late February, and again a small flock of up to 11 Black-tailed Godwits were present. An adult female Otter with a kit gave good views at Brides Loch on 18th March and the first Wheatear arrived on 19th. The last week of March saw a small arrival of Goldcrests and other first spring migrants, a White-billed Diver at the north end on 26th and a summer plumaged Black-throated Diver on 30th. The first day of April saw the first Great Skua, Sandwich Terns and a Slavonian Grebe, and the Black Guillemot census on 2nd beat last year’s record count with 1,145 individuals. The first good fall was on 13th with notable totals of 67 Robins, 2 Ring Ouzels, 59 Song Thrushes and a Mistle Thrush, 53 Chiffchaffs, 47 Goldcrests and 56 Bramblings. Good conditions for migrants continued and highlights included Spotted Crake and Osprey on 14th, male and female Marsh Harrier and some 301 Wheatears on 17th, and Buzzard and 2 White-tailed Eagles on 19th. Orca © George Gay Non-avian highlights were the third island record of The Herald on 19th and 4 Orcas on 24th. A scattering of migrants followed with the first Grasshopper Warbler on 28th and 2 more White-tailed Eagles on 28th and 29th. The fourth island record of Glossy Ibis flew in off the sea on 3rd May, and another fourth was Red-rumped Swallow on 4th. Four White-tailed Eagles were seen together on 5th, and a group of 6 Dotterel were present from 6th May. Among a movement of 120 hirundines Red-rumped Swallow © George Gay Central Asian /Desert Lesser Whitethroat © Dante Shepherd on7th were 2 Red-rumped Swallows – the previous bird and another. More highlights were another Marsh Harrier on 9th, a third calendar year Kumlien’s Gull on 10th, a male Hawfinch on 11th and a drake Mandarin and a Mediterranean Gull on 12th. Little Gull, Cuckoo and Goosander followed, there was a third Red-rumped Swallow on 15th, Wryneck on 16th, and Bluethroat and Short-toed Lark on 17th. With continuing easterlies, scarce migrants continued with Icterine Warbler on 18th, a Black Kite drifted south over the Obs on 19th, and a Subalpine Warbler was found at Scotsha’ on 22nd. Our fourth record of Little Ringed Plover was seen on 25th and 31st produced a Corncrake, Reed and Marsh Warbler and a Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll. June began with Nightjar and Red-breasted Flycatcher on 1st, a Roseate Tern was seen on 8th and incredibly the fourth Red-rumped Swallow of the year, which was seen again on 15th to 22nd. A Red-necked Phalarope on Ancum on 21st became a pair there on 23rd but were not seen again for a month. A Great Shearwater on seawatch on 29th was an early record and a late Turtle Dove on 30th was present until 4th July. Five Orcas were seen on 1st July, a first summer Sabine’s Gull was at Bewan with a large flock of Kittiwakes on 18th and the pair of Red-necked Phalaropes were again on Ancum on 21st. Another Roseate Tern was seen on 26th, seawatching produced a Cory’s Shearwater on 27th and there was a Black Tern at Bewan on 30th. The two Red-necked Phalaropes on Ancum again from 5th to 12th August, were joined by a juvenile on 5th. The

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 93 Red-necked Phalarope © George Gay first Willow Warblers of the autumn were seen on 11th, three Orcas were at Stromness Point on 12th and a Basking Shark was off Dennishead on 15th. The first Barred Warbler of the autumn was seen on 17th, also a great day for seawatchers with first a Velvet Scoter, a Great Shearwater, then a Leach’s Petrel along with 125 Sooty and 90 Manx Shearwaters and 50 Storm Petrels. More seawatching produced Long-tailed Skua and Black Tern on 20th and a moulting adult American Golden Plover which was found near Cott stayed for several days. The second Little Ringed Plover of the year, and fifth island record, was caught with a wader trap on Gretchen. Easterlies turned up a Wood Warbler on 23rd, and the next day Wryneck, our third Marsh Warbler of the year, another Barred Warbler and a Redbacked Shrike. The fifth island record of Paddyfield Warbler was caught at Ancum on 29th, first autumn Common Rosefinch and a very early (by around a month) Dunnock followed on 31st. Meanwhile, seawatching continued to reward with a Cory’s Shearwater and Pomarine Skua on 27th, and daily Great Shearwater sightings from 28th with continued passage of Sooties, peaking at 575 on 28th. Great Shearwaters were an early morning feature for seawatchers on 1st, 3rd and 4th September, as well as being treated to 2 Minke Whales breaching on 1st, there were a Cory’s and 2 Great Shearwaters on 4th. A spell of easterlies saw other migrants arriving on 3rd, including Great Snipe, (the first record since 2000), Wryneck, Blyth’s Reed and Reed Warbler. A Convolvulous Hawkmoth was found near Viggay on 4th, and Quail appeared on 5th on a day with a variety of birds of prey – 3 Sparrowhawks, Osprey, 2 Kestrels, 2 Merlins, Hobby, 2 Peregrines and a Short-eared Owl. Highlights on 6th were Turtle Dove, Nightjar, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Golden Oriole with a decent fall of common migrants, numbers peaking 7th-9th: 12 Tree Pipits, 90 Redstarts, 23 Whinchats, 5 Reed, an Icterine and 3 Barred Warblers, 32 Lesser Whitethroats, 8 Whitethroats, 26 Garden Warblers, 29 Blackcaps, a whopping 153 Willow Warblers, 7 Spotted and 27 Pied Flycatchers and 70 Siskins. A Nathusius’ Pipistrelle was identified at Holland using a bat detector on 10th, 2 Rosefinches were seen on 11th and a second Great Spotted Woodpecker was present on 12th. Numbers of waders featured too, with 1007 Golden Plovers, 11 Curlew Sandpipers, 17 Ruff and 7 Common Sandpipers. The first of several Hornemann’s Arctic Redpolls this autumn showed obligingly outside the Observatory on15th. Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll © George Gay Another spell of exciting seawatching saw 3 Great Shearwaters on 15th, followed by an incredible 17 on 18th and 3 on 19th, accompanied by 326 Sooties and 234 Manxies on 18th, and 249 Sooties and 354 Manxies on 19th as well as over 10,000 Fulmars (including over 160 blue phase birds), 8 Pomarine and 5 Long-tailed Skuas. Another Great Spotted Woodpecker arrived on 20th, also Bluethroat, the first Redwings of the autumn and Yellow-browed Warblers – 3. Excitement on 21st was provided by an elusive Long-billed Dowitcher around Ancum, several Jack Snipes and Lapland Bunting. White’s Thrush © George Gay The third island record of White’s Thrush was found at Stennabreck on 27th, another Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll showed well at Lenswick, and a Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found on Torness. Seawatching produced another 2 Great Shearwaters as well as 741 Sooties and the first Little Auk of the year whilst the Dowitcher reappeared at Ancum. With a just a few common migrants on 29th, Barred Warbler, first Redbreasted Flycatcher and Lapland Buntings, birds of the day were an Olive-backed Pipit near Stennabreck, and a Radde’s Warbler at Verracott. After storm force winds and rain stopped late on 30th, four Ring Ouzels, first of the autumn, ended September.

Page 94 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk After the previous day’s gales, there was scattering of thrushes and 2 Yellow-browed Warblers on 1st October, but the highlight was the ninth island record of Lanceolated Warbler near Kirbest, later trapped. Incredibly another Lanceolated Warbler was found along the Sheep Dyke near Lurand on 2nd, showing well in the field; another Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found, a Grey Phalarope was seen off the Lighthouse and there were 2 Hornemann’s Arctic Redpolls. The 4th saw the start of some Whooper Swan passage with 16, and around 2,500 Redwings passed through; single Grey and Red-necked Phalaropes were swimming together on Gretchen (staying a few days) while another 9 Grey passed the seawatch hide and a Buffbellied Pipit was heard near Waterhouse. Rare birds kept coming with a more obliging Great Snipe near the Shooting Gallery on 10th, also seen on 11th and at a different location on 13th. Highlights of an all-day seawatch on 11th were 26 Great Northern Divers, 210 Sooty Shearwaters, 16 Pomarine and one Long-tailed Skua, juvenile Little and Glaucous Gulls and 4 Orcas. Great Snipe © George Gay A late Bluethroat was seen on 16th, a Little Bunting briefly on 17th and the seventh island record of Rednecked Grebe passed on seawatch on 18th. While there were good numbers of Woodcocks, Robins and Blackcaps, a Firecrest near Rue on 20th was our eighth island record, there was a Blyth’s Reed Warbler at Ires Taing on 21st; and Red-throated Pipit at Howar and Subalpine Warbler near Doo Geo on 22nd. The 23rd saw large numbers of thrushes moving with 490 Blackbirds, 1,826 Fieldfares and 1,378 Redwings, along with our second White’s Thrush of the autumn at the Old Beacon, a probable Central Asian Lesser Whitethroat in Bewan garden and an Eastern Black Redstart nearby, both of which remained for a few days. Yet another Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll (our 5th of the autumn) was at Lochend on 24th, a Firecrest was at Cott, another Great Spotted Woodpecker on the school brae and Yellowhammer was new for the year. A Waxwing made a brief appearance at Holland on 25th where 4 Longeared Owls were trapped and there were 4 Greenfinches around the Obs. A late high count of 145 Black-tailed Godwits was recorded on 27th, a summer plumaged White-billed Diver passed the Beacon on28th and a Hume’s Leaf Warbler on 29th in the Willows at Ancum was the third island record. Another arrival of migrants on 30th included 17 Blackcaps, 1,705 Fieldfares, 1,779 Redwings and 58 Bramblings. Humes Leaf Warbler © George Gay Eastern Black Redstart © George Gay Waxwing © Dante Shepherd With mild weather and easterlies still, November produced a second American Golden Plover on 1st, a juvenile this time, and a third Little Bunting on 2nd, both of which were present later in the month, and a Pallas’s Warbler at Haskie also on 2nd. There 34 Woodcocks on 1st and good numbers throughout November, and on seawatch, 17 Little Auks and 4 Orcas on 5th. The second island record of Black-throated Thrush was seen briefly on 9th and a very late Swallow and Common Rosefinch on 8th. Another White-billed Diver passed the north end on 11th, and other November highlights were a first winter Caspian Gull on 18th, 11 Russian White-fronted Geese and 3 Tundra Bean Geese on 19th, and single Waxwings on 4th & 17th.

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 95 Portland Jodie Henderson 2022 might not have been a top-notch birding year but for us it was a remarkably busy one as we welcomed back so many of our overnight guests and day-visitors after the upheavals of the pandemic years. There might have been no additions to the Portland list, but the year’s birding was always enjoyable enough, with two busy migration seasons as well as a varied selection of scarcities. The year’s highlight came about in rather unexpected fashion when a series of images of a mystery wheatear from the 29th October were revealed – sadly a fortnight later! – to be of the first Pied Wheatear for the island since 1954. Whinchat © Martin Cade Wood Warbler © Portland Bird Obs Lightning at Portland Bill © Daniel Sands Spring got off to a rather delayed start, with generally unfavourable conditions for migration being the hallmark for most of March. The effects of this delay were felt for much of the season, with peak passage of the common migrants set back a good fortnight from what we’ve grown accustomed to in recent years. Nevertheless, numbers eventually picked up well in the latter half of April when a series of classic Portland falls bumped many totals right up to par. A range of classic spring scarcities were logged during this period including two Hoopoes and singles of Woodchat Shrike, Red-rumped Swallow and Black Kite, with a duo of Rosy Starlings now an almost expected season-closer. In an indifferent season for sea passage a highpoint was a spring record day-total of 76 Arctic Skuas on 11th April. As spring passage waned, we entered a period of drought so intense that our stewardship crops largely failed to germinate – the parched, bare-earth fields didn’t look at all out of place as the temperature soared but the loss of migrant staging habitat was certainly felt by the time autumn passage got going. Bee-eater © Martin Cade Common migrant-wise, autumn got off to a slow start with the likes of departing Sedge Warblers and Yellow Wagtails poorly represented; a busier mid-season was welcome but not sustained into October and November when the likes of Goldcrest were again in woefully low

Page 96 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk numbers. Scarcities were both more numerous and more varied than in spring: the island’s second Citrine Wagtail and a record total of four Radde’s Warblers were notable highlights, with a good back-up cast that included four Pallas’s Warblers, two each of Melodious and Icterine Warbler, and singles of Montagu’s Harrier, Bee-eater. Olive-backed Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Richard’s Pipit and Common Rosefinch. Late autumn and early winter saw attention turn to the sea as a series of intense Atlantic storms drove a host of seabirds close to shore: the likes of Leach’s Petrels and Grey Phalaropes were to be expected but a series of five Sabine’s Gulls was unprecedented for so late in the year. Sabine’s Gull © Pete Saunders Sadly, around this time we witnessed our first signs of the ongoing avian influenza outbreak, with Gannets found dead or dying in some quantity and Great Skuas reduced to almost rarity status. Nightingale © Portland Bird Obs Southern Brindled Green © Martin Cade A total of 6561 birds were ringed in 2022 – a total just a tad above the average for the last decade. Among the recoveries reported during the year a Lesser Whitethroat to Israel and a next day Willow Warbler to Hilbre Bird Observatory were nice highlights. Away from the birds, 2022 was a truly remarkable year for migrant moths with the long list of additions to the island list including two firsts for Britain - Southern Brindled Green and Robust Tabby – in just one momentous week during October. Finally, during the course of the year we welcomed two recipients of assistance from our Neil Arnold Memorial Fund for young birders: Ewan Fenelon and Sophie Carpenter slotted straight into all aspects of Observatory life and were of great help in maintaining good coverage during the busy Autumn period. Pied Wheatear © Mark Eggleton Pied Wheatear © Mark Eggleton

Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk Page 97 Sandwich Bay Steffan Walton It was befitting that SBBOT’s 60th anniversary year was one of impressive biodiversity. We recorded one of the highest number of birds in a year, including multiple new species for Kent, and arguably the biggest twitch in Sandwich Bay history. It was an equally impressive year for butterfly diversity with two new species for the area, migrant moths were once again fantastic, and it proved to be another good year for dragonflies and damselflies. Whatever your interest there was something to see! Eleonora’s Falcon © S. Ray There was great winter birding to be had at the start of the year with lots of White-fronted and Barnacle Geese, Tree Sparrows, Water Pipits, and Snow Buntings. The overwintering White Stork continued as did a backup cast of Bewick’s Swans, Dartford Warblers, Great White Egret, Velvet Scoter, and the Eastern Lesser Whitethroat from last December. A flock of 11 Glossy Ibises on the 14th was a surprise, as was an unseasonal Quail seen on a few occasions. SBBOT also organised a Thanet Wader Count, visits to local schools, the delivery of a new mobility scooter, and even a trip to Islay! In February, Storms Eunice and Franklin knocked the electricity, lighting, and heating out of the Observatory temporarily but thankfully there was no long-term damage to the area. March finally felt springlike as a trickle of migrants came through. Long-term placement student Carla Hill led our first BTO Youth Walk. We were pleased to appoint Juliet Landeman as a Seasonal Outreach Officer to help with our ongoing work with the local community. The cool weather in April meant a second cold spring in a row and held back migration slightly. Still, Ring Ouzels and Garganeys made landfall, a Stone-curlew was good on the 15th, and there were high numbers of Cetti’s Warblers on Worth marshes. A handful of Emperor Moths were the invertebrate highlight of the month. Black-winged Stilt © P. Coltman May was a very impressive month for rarities and scarcities. There were three Black Kites, two Honeybuzzards, Stone-curlew, three Black-winged Stilts, two White-tailed Eagles, two Kentish Plovers, Hoopoe, four Golden Orioles, Temminck’s Stint, Bee-eater, Caspian Tern, Red-footed Falcon, and, of course, the Eleonora’s Falcon. On top of these were two Green Hairstreaks, rare in the area, and a Dingy Skipper, our first sighting since 1958! We also led five river trips from Grove Ferry on the 19th , had our AGM on the 22nd, and were visited by the Kent Botanical Group on the 23rd. Red-footed Falcon © G. Lee June continued where May left off with the lingering Eleonora’s Falcon drawing visitors from far and wide. A

Page 98 Bird Observatories Council – January 2023 - www.birdobscouncil.org.uk big thank you is due to the RSPB Lydden Valley team for their work in controlling the parking and the crowds during this busy time. The most notable discovery during the month was a new White-letter Hairstreak colony at Pegwell Bay. There was an amazing variety of moths on offer including Rannoch Looper, Confused, Portland Ribbon Wave, and Eana argentana, the latter the first confirmed record in England. In addition, the month also saw Honey-buzzard, Cattle Egret, and Serin, an unseasonal Brambling, and a Lesser Emperor. There were six sold-out guided walks to the see Dainty Damselflies, and a joint outreach event with the KWT at Pegwell Bay. Unfortunately, there were also the first signs of Avian flu in the area. Thankfully Sandwich got off lightly compared to the rest of the UK. The end of the month saw the first signs of autumn and we also said goodbye to long-term placement student Carla Hill. Carla Hill and Cream-spot Tiger © R. Johnson July saw the hottest temperatures ever witnessed in UK with Sandwich Bay reaching almost 40 degrees celsius! A Honey-buzzard over on the 1st was the only bird migrant of note but there was a regular Great White Egret and an increase in waders. This was compensated with a flurry of Lepidoptera scarcities including Small Blue, Swallowtail, Silver-washed Fritillary, Long-tailed Blue, and a superb Orache. The Observatory was a very busy place with a brilliant fiveweek Holiday Club and our first Youth Council meeting. Time was also spent putting in new loft insulation, fixing of the gables, and repairing the gent’s flooring. The end of the month saw 96 Greenshanks on the 20th, two Roseate Terns on the 26th, and a Pectoral Sandpiper on the 28th - 29th. Swallowtail © P. Wright The heatwave continued into August and saw a miniinflux of Cattle Egrets and good Tern numbers in Pegwell Bay. A Great Brocade was a nice moth record. Later in the month a large flock of Knepp White Storks arrived, as did Pied Flycatchers, both Stone-curlew and Bittern on ‘nocmig’, Red-backed Shrike, Serin, and our first Rosefinch in 54 years. SBBOT had a presence at the Pegwell Bay NNR festival, organised its own internal Ringing Course, and held a wonderful two-day Anniversary Celebration. Thank you to all that came and celebrated with us. Rosefinch © G. Lee The beginning of September was excellent with Redbacked Shrike, Bee-eater, Serin, and multiple Wrynecks and Glossy Ibises. The year’s second Eleonora’s Falcon was seen briefly on the 11th. Another Wryneck followed mid-month along with Red-necked Phalarope and Red-backed Shrike together on the 14th, 38,500 Swallows on the 15th, movements of 3,000+ Meadow Pipits on the 15th and 16th, Buff-breasted Sandpiper on the 17th. Yellow-browed Warbler on the 21st, and Pallid Harrier on the 27th. There were impressive numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gulls moving plus good-sized flocks of Curlew Sandpipers